A confrontation at the PWA Training Ground facility... and a match.

[Quillz]

***The scene opens at the PWA Training Grounds, a state-of-the-art training facility six-blocks away from the PWA Arena. The Training Grounds started life as a Skyline Gymnastics Center, but was purchased by Damion Black in 2017 and converted into a centralized training and physical therapy facility for PWA talent. It boasts 6 wrestling rings, a full-service strength and cardio gym, and a cutting-edge sports therapy center. Along the wall is a set of bleachers that can seat 600. On a normal day, this facility is buzzing with activity. Physical trainers and sports fitness experts work with the nearly 100 employed PWA grapplers and trainees. Tonight, the arena is empty except for a lone figure working on a heavy bag in the far corner. The lights are mostly off in the building. Only the fluorescent overheads in the far side of the building have been turned on, giving the room’s lone occupant a sort of spotlit glow. Akira Wyld hammers the heavy bag with taped fists. Sweat drips down his brow and he wears an intense, frustrated expression on his face. The empty gymnasium echos with the sound of impact on canvas, followed by the rattle and strain of the chain supporting the bag. Wyld is so focused on his routine that he doesn’t notice as a set of foot steps approaches him from the darkness.***

UNKNOWN VOICE: “I never thought I’d find you, of all people, working out HERE.”

***Akira turns around with a start... to see his older brother, Rebel standing in the shadows. Rebel approaches him, and Akira sees that he has medical gauze wrapped around gash at his temple and two smaller band-aids on his nose and cheekbone. Akira glares at his brother as a bead of sweat drips down his forehead.***

REBEL: “I was told you were at the school... but when I got there you were gone. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Didn’t think I’d find you here... at Black’s facility.”

***Rebel scans the walls of the building. He looks at the large exhibit of framed artwork that adorns the longest wall of the main room. Every PWA champion is featured in a series of portraits... flanking an even larger and more ornate portrait of Damion Black in the center. Rebel gives the display a mild look of disgust.***

REBEL: “I’ve never been in here before. With the school just down the road, I never saw the need. This is cutting edge stuff though. It all looks... very expensive.”

***Akira just glares at his brother.***

REBEL: “With you and Black’s history... I always assumed you’d stay away from here too. But I guess that you can’t always know what’s going through another man’s head huh?”

***Akira looks away for a moment and then back at his brother. He glances at the bandages on his head and clears his throat.***

AKIRA: “So... you and Sokolov. How did that turn out?”

***Rebel raises an eyebrow.***

REBEL: “You don’t even know how the match ended?”

***Akira looks away.***

AKIRA: “No I... I’ve been kind of lost in my head a bit. Haven’t checked the...”

REBEL: “Biggest match of my career... and you didn’t even bother to check if I won.”

***Akira looks back up at Rebel unapologetically.***

REBEL: “Okay... well... I did it.”

***Akira raises his eyebrows.***

AKIRA: “You beat Sokolov?”

REBEL: “I did. Small package. Thirty minutes. Left a lot of my own blood in the ring.”

AKIRA: “Well... damn.”

REBEL: “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

***Akira shakes his head and takes a step toward his brother.***

AKIRA: “No... that didn’t come out right. Congratulations Rebel. That’s... you deserve a win like that. And a shot at the title. You’ve always had it in you.”

***Rebel narrows his eyes at his brother.***

REBEL: “Don’t patronize me Akira.”

***Rebel paces back and forth in front of his brother... and then stops and points a finger at him.***

REBEL: “Is THIS what all this has been about? You started acting crazy right after your loss to Sokolov. Is that why you’re lashing out? Because your fragile ego just can’t deal with the fact that you can’t beat him?”

***Akira’s eyes flash with anger... then he stops and composes himself.***

AKIRA: “Okay... first of all, I *can* beat Sokolov. I’ve BEATEN Sokolov. And I’ll do it again. But... but NO. This... none of this has anything to do with him.”

REBEL: “Oh really? I’ve been talking all season about how I knew I could beat him. How I had a strategy. How I wanted to have a shot at main evening a supercard for the PWA Title. You’re telling me this isn’t somehow about that? You’re not just jealous that a Wyld NOT named Akira is getting some recognition in this company?”

AKIRA: “What? No! I’m... I’m proud of you for being in this position. I want you to beat that Russian monster and take that title!”

REBEL: “Then why weren’t you there at Assault Akira? And why did you attack Pantaro? What is going on in your head? This entire season you’ve been off. Dropping matches you shouldn’t have lost. Brutalizing opponents like a man possessed. AVOIDING your family? Are you going to let me in on what the hell is going on or am I going to have to beat an answer out of you?”

*** Akira and Rebel stare at each other for a long time. ***

UNKNOWN: "Aren't you going to answer the man?"

***Rebel and Akira turn suspiciously to face the sound. A figure stands from the front row of seats and begins a slow walk to the lit corner of the room that the Wyld siblings are arguing in. The Wyld siblings take a step back in unison. They share a quick but knowing glance, and steady themselves for a confrontation. PWA owner Damion Black steps out from the darkness with a Cheshire grin on his face.***

DAMION: "He's your brother, Akira. Do you have nothing to say to him?"

*** Akira sets a smoldering gaze at Black's grinning visage. Rebel looks from Black to Akira in confusion. Akira catches Rebel's glance and looks aside defensively. ***

REBEL: “Okay... what is all this? Akira, first you shun our school and train here... now Damion Black is here. What’s this all about Akira?”

DAMION: "First of all, Rebel, this is MY training facility. I don't need a reason to be here. You might as well be in my home, MY place of worship. Second, the two of you have a personal problem with each other. Rebel, you don't trust Akira. You know how he is. He's your brother, but he's a loose cannon. He's unpredictable. Akira, Rebel doesn't trust you because he knows you and what you're capable of. Your own flesh and blood... I can't imagine how that must eat away at you.

"I've been around you Wylds long enough to know that jealousy and mistrust run through your family line like a river, and the only way you can reliably exorcize those base feelings is through combat. I would much rather have the two of you settle your differences, even violently, rather than let them fester until they explode and damage my company. So.... a match."

REBEL: “You know what? That’s a perfect idea. Akira, this has been a long time coming. There’s six rings right here. Let’s settle this tonight.”

***Akira looks from Rebel to Damion to the ring, but doesn’t move.***

DAMION: "Don't be so hasty, Rebel. There's money to be made here! Surely you wouldn't deny your fans a chance to see their hero in an epic confrontation for the ages? *** Damion's grin widens to smile. *** Assault! Main event! Akira vs. Rebel! Brother against brother! That's just the kind of grandeur we deserve!"

*** Damion claps his hands once at his own genius. ***

REBEL: “A match on Assault. Airing our dirty laundry in front of the world. You’d like that wouldn’t you Black? You’d like nothing more than to see the Wylds divided.”

DAMION: “Please... you’ve been divided since the beginning. I’m just giving you an opportunity to settle this the only way your family knows how.”

***Akira spins around and punches the heavy bag hard. Black and Rebel turn to face him.***

AKIRA: “Book the match. Rebel, you’ve looked down on me my entire career. The fact is I don’t owe YOU any sort of explanation. You’re not Dad, you’re not Uncle Aldo, and you’re not in charge of my life. The truth is that you’ve had a chip on YOUR shoulder for years over my accomplishments. And if you think that fighting me in the ring will answer your questions... then let’s do it. Frankly... this is a long time coming.”

***Black claps his hands and turns his back on the brothers as he walks out of the facility.***

DAMION: "See you at Assault, gentlemen! May the... better man win."

***The brothers stare at each other as the lights in the building go out one by one... until they are in darkness. Fade to black.***