GAMERS, AM I RIGHT?

Backstage at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Mushigihara and David Fox are preparing for the match of a lifetime against The Kings of Popsicles, and maybe more importantly, David Fox is preparing to face Jared Sykes. 

Mushigihara: Look, it’s just another match, right? 

David Fox: Pfft, “another match,” he says.

Mushigihara: What?

David Fox: You know how important this is to me. And the titles riding on this match means you got something to fight for too!

Mushi nods and playfully punches his partner’s arm.

Mushigihara: Don’t worry, we got this. Win or lose, we got this. 

“Do you?” a voice says from across the room. 

The Kaiju turns and growls menacingly at the intruder, Eddie Cross.

Mushigihara: What do you want, Cross? Davey and I have some titles to win tonight.

Eddie looks to have seen better days, but is in good spirits after a hard contested bout against Coral Avalon. He slicks his hair back and pulls his gaming glasses off to look at Mushi.

Eddie Cross: Hey big man, I’m not here to fight. I just came by to see how you were doing with the big match coming up. If you let your partner down after years of waiting to face Sykes, I sure wouldn’t want to be in your shoes. 

David Fox: He’s just trying to get in your head Mushi. Let it go. 

Eddie smiles and stares through Mushi.

Eddie Cross: Am I? Or am I just pointing out what is already in his head? He knows he isn’t good enough for this match and if he costs you in the biggest match of your life it might just destroy your friendship. Ten years of silence, David. You don’t think that he can keep a secret?

Mushi charges at Eddie, only for the younger man to hold up a hand and yell at him.

Eddie Cross: WHOA TUT TUT TUT! You don’t want to lose this shot before you even get it do you? You touch me? I’ll throw your ass under the bus quicker than you can imagine. Being the son of a naive do-gooder with LT’s ear has its perks, after all.

Mushi stops dead in his tracks and emits a low, simmering growl.

David Fox: He’s bluffing, Mushi. He hasn’t even talked to his Dad since he got here.

Eddie nods and smirks.

Eddie Cross: He’s right, big man, but if you think for a second I won’t use every advantage I have at my disposal, you’re dead wrong. See, I’m not a liar…

He slinks toward the door, keeping his eyes on The God Beast.

Eddie Cross: But this game is play to win, and I’m better than you.   

Mushigihara: LEAVE.

Eddie nods and puts his glasses back on. 

Eddie Cross: Okay, okay. Has he always been this easy to put on tilt? 

The n1ghtcraw1er stops for one last barb.

Eddie Cross: Good luck, you two. Not that I believe in luck.  

E.C. disappears around the corner and leaves David and Mushi to stew. 

David Fox: Man you weren’t kidding. What is his problem?

The Kaiju only shakes his head and groans in annoyance.

Mushigihara: Gamers, am I right?

David Fox: Hey, now! Let’s just focus on the main event, OK?

Mushi growls in agreement, as David gets back to his stretching routine and we cut.