ic Violet Team in: The Sweet Art of Wrasslin'

[RocketLord]

GM

 

Afternoon, Wednesday November 13th,2024

The Schuster Auditorium, Hanover, Freedom City

 

Now, as far as coach Armstrong is concerned, Violet Squad is in for a treat, being chosen to be the squad to join him for an incursion to Schuster Auditorium to the Ultimate Wrestling League exhibition. The somewhat rough and tumble coach, not always a hit with the students, though he proclaims that he is only acting as he is to toughen them up, is, of course, not using this as an excuse to have Claremont pay for his ticket, no. This is all for the sake of the students.

 

"Now, isn't this excitin', kids?" he proclaims, as he stops near the entrance after having lead the squad inside the auditorium, which is filled with a people watching a number of exhibition matches between the league's super powered wrestlers. He is clad in a black jacket with the UWL logo proudly emblazoned on the back, his large blonde moustache neatly trimmed for the occasion. 

 

"See over there? And there!" The coach is excited, and the atmosphere is frankly infectious here. "Take it all in, kids. Today we're gonna learn all about the sweet art of wrasslin'!"

[Poncho]

(King Cole III)

 

Renee was practically clinging to Coach Armstrong in the middle of the auditorium.

 

She hadn't wanted to turn down the invitation to the Violet Team's excursion, but she was terrified of just how many people were here, so she was not going far from the safety of her teacher and the other members of her team. She had a small tablet with her that she was keeping close as well, and was wearing a pair of jeans and zippered sweatshirt.

 

But what had become apparent, despite her social anxiety, was that Renee was actually quite the wrestling fan. The tablet she was carrying was playing a loop of some of her favorite wrestlers- UWL or not- and under the sweatshirt was a classic Bullet Club T-Shirt, one of her favorite groups- she had always been a fan of the bad boys and bad guys-. And while she wasn't going far from Coach Armstrong, she was blabbering like a superfan to the Coach, even over the sound of the fans.

 

"The Bullet Club Red and Green is going to be here tonight, right?" she asked, looking at one of the powers; the Red And Green being the sub faction for Bullet Club specifically in the UWL. "Typhoon Titus has the second longest reign with the UWL Jr. Titan's belt in the last 10 years. If he isn't dethroned in the next three months he'll be getting close to Brute Force's 2007-2009 reign in length...though I feel like Titus' reign hasn't had the same match quality as Brute Force, I think he's just not as good in the ring..." she mumbled. "And their tag team; Bright Impact is supposed to be here right? Their steel cage match last month was amazing..."

[The Sailor]

Mizuki Iwasaki

 

It has been a while... last time she saw a match was when the family was stationed in Japan, watching the NJPW style and seeing all the larger than life personalities who were experts of the Strong Style was something that caught her imagination. When not thinking of being a fighter pilot or scientist... she couldn't pick.

 

She was wearing her favorite bomber jacket over an Ace Combat t-shirt with blue jeans and red converses... With her blue hair and eyes, she did stand out amongst the crowd, other than the other superbeings in the arena.

Mizuki though wasn't much of a UWL fan, preferring the All In Wrestling brand of wrestling... but when you're a fan of the up and coming league you tend to be out of the loop. Seeing what few stars she did have interest in from the independent circuit being a bit watered down for the American style of Pro Wrestling was sad. But some blossomed here. But she kept a stoic face as she followed along in lockstep with the Coach. When it came to Mizuki's professional and academic relationship with the coach, she was used to a stricter type of Teacher. Her father, while gracious, was strict. Then again her dad came from the Captain Picard school of discipline. All it took to have Mizuki correct herself was be told they were disappointed in her.

 

"I see the UWF is starting to change it's flavor a bit, Coach... seeing Butterfly Blade Ben Silver here doing what he does best is... refreshing. That Strong Style of his is spicy."

 

She stretched a bit. "Nothing like Karl Alpha, though. Canadians do know how to obliterate people."

 

Then she spotted one UWL talent she knew... "Oh... my... god... they actually brought a Joshi over and her gimmick is intact?!?! Taki... The Spirit Fox herself!"

 

The gang was about to see a different side of Mizuki... the fangirl.

Edited November 14 by The Sailor

[Supercape]

Gamma Buzz

 

"Yes yes, I am Gamma Buzz, the amazing Cockroach Kid!" said Baz, waving to the adoring fans that lined the walls of his skull. Of course, he drew some glances, and some of the glances turned into grimaces of disgust. But Baz was determined to waltz into the arena like he owned the place. After all, if he couldn't act a superstar here, where could he?

 

"Stay tuned for Cockroach Radio, coming soon!" he declared to everybody and nobody. "This is exactly the kind of superstar superhero gossip I will be covering on my almost legal underground radio station!"
 

His red insectoid guys were wide at all the stars and excitement, but one figure caught his eye in particular. 

 

"Woah! It's Wall Street! the Luchador!"

 

Wall Street was a Mexican Luchador well known for comedy pranks and heroic costume wearing. He was only five foot tall, but also five foot wide. He was, literally, a wall. Blessed with incredible strength and the ability to root himself to the floor, making him virtually immovable, Wall Street was a man of the people, fighting for the poor against the rich. A modern day Robin Hood. 

 

Or at least that was the image on the posters and merchandise. 

Edited November 13 by Supercape

[Ecalsneerg]

Hurricane Jones

 

"I really do question the educational value of this trip," Annie Jones sniffed, following the group a little off to the side. She wore a retro style aquamarine dress with a white floral pattern, "rebellious" stompy boots worn under it that in fact cost the median monthly wage. She was not of the background to have grown up loving wrestling. Indeed, distressingly, she seemed to be the only one, her contemporaries looking around wide-eyed at the range of costumed characters. 

 

She a polite smile and nod to a passing neon-green mountain of muscle and inch-long teeth, his giant frame somehow adorned in red spandex, a logo of a t-rex surrounded by atoms on his chest. Turning back from who she had no idea was the lower league contestant Wradioactive Wrex, Annie smoothed her hair back from her face. "It just all seems a bit gauche to go into a sport expecting a fight. Much more sporting to pretend you all care about the ball, and you know, just take a good whack."

Edited November 19 by Ecalsneerg

[The Sailor]

Mizuki Iwasaki

 

"Think for a second... have you heard some hero and villain banter out there in the world?" She said, scratching her chin. "You might think this is low brow and not worth our time, but consider the fact we are larger than life... even at our age. Some supers live the part." She stretched out. "Some are as bombastic as the talents here in the ring."

 

"That, and Pro Wrestling is one of the most successful physical acting artforms in the world. Not many see it but... I do."

 

"Each one of them put years and years of training in for their bodies. Worked on developing a character to bring through the ranks, sharpening their craft until they hit the big time. And a Talent's position is just as based on their physical talents as are their character."

 

"To me... this is the ultimate stunt show. Framed around the concept of a sporting event. But the sporting event is between archetypes... good and evil, greed vs altruism, loyalty vs expedience, ego vs humbleness..."

 

"And sometimes..." she says before getting a massive grin on her face. "It's just darn fun."

[Poncho]

(King Cole III)

 

"...It...it's the storylines." Renee said, smiling a little. "At least for me."

 

"...Heroes. Villains. The greatest hatred ever; the desire to be the best, to defeat your rivals. To prove you're the best, to claim what you think you deserve..." she mumbled, holding her tablet tightly. "To hear the rush of the crowd and be beloved, to hear them scream at you in anger. To surpass your limits, to defeat those who doubt you. To be recognized as the strongest, the bravest, the quickest....That's what it's about. That's why I'm here. I want the stories. The beautiful exchanges; a warrior only bares their heart when in the middle of combat; you can only ever understand someone when your fists cross. That's the story...it's a beautiful as ancient operas, or plays. It's modern day entertainment for the masses, the brilliance of stars shining larger than life."

It was clear to see that for teenager whose alternate personalty was the boisterous King Cole, she loved those ideas. It was the most that the wallflower had spoken in a long time, especially around so many people, and her eyes were flashing with the excitement that always buoyed her when she was in her alter-ego.

[RocketLord]

GM

 

"Oh, don't be so serious, kid. There's more to a field trip than just learning stuff. Social lives matter, y'know, and having a good time with your team's important. Anyone that tries to be strictly professional and doesn't spend time hanging out with the team tends to end up as the weak link." 

 

Coach Armstrong almost sounds like he knows what he is talking about, which is, for once, not something that has to do with chasing a ball around or performing another physical activity. It's not a side of him that the students are used to seeing, he's usually the tough love coach that tells them to pick themselves up and do better.

 

"But hey, if you want something educational out of this, then try to look at all the wrestlers here. You see how they all got powers? Try to think about how much control they need for that. Gotta put on a big show, make it look big and flashy, but not really hurt each other? That takes training and dedication, kids. Plus, y'know, it's kind of the whole super hero and villain scene. Just as a show."

 

Satisfied with himself, Armstrong leads the students on with a wave. "C'mon, keep up. There's a junior tryout thing happening. Any of you want to give it a shot?"

[The Sailor]

Mizuki Iwasaki

 

Torpedo Lass quirked her eyebrow as her eyes flared up a little. "Junior Tryout?"

 

She held on to the strap of her backpack for a moment. She always kept her costume with her just in case there was some sort of emergency... but to capture the imagination of the crowds, she could be someone who could lead by example. Then again she's already spread herself thin, this summer was madness....

 

She lost herself in thought as she looked to the ring. She hesitated at the thought... she knew that these feds operated rough with their rookies. At times even worse that what is seen in basic training in most modern militaries.

 

Her eyes flare a little with bluish light. She couldn't hide it. Something in her thrilled at competition, but she knew deep down that it was just a show in the end. You'd give your all to the fans, but in the end, it's how you impress the higher ups. Not through merit... but politics.

 

"Hard pass. I've heard how a lot of talents get ate up alive in these feds. It's a miracle any one who enters these tryouts get looked at seriously."

[Supercape]

Gamma Buzz

 

Oh boy, Gamma Buzz really wanted to try out for the wrestling. The roar of the crowds, the smell of sweat and stale beer. The thunder of body against canvas. The feel of slamming bodies and rush of air. Gamma Buzz was certain he could probably beat almost all of them. Quite certain. 

 

But Torpedo Lass was being foolishly wise. 

 

And he wanted to stand firm with his team mates. And, to be frank, the Coach was a bit of a dick. 

 

"Yeah, I totally don't want to do a thrilling exciting once in a life time opportunity for a juniour try out, Coach. Torpedo Lass is being totally sensible. We absolutely don't want to partake in the most amazing event of the year that would change our lives for ever!"

 

He gave a thumbs up to Torpedo Lass. 

 

 

[Poncho]

(King Cole III)

 

Renee waffled at the idea of doing a tryout. 

 

"Well that...that seems...I mean it could be..."  she let Baz and Mizuki talk, frowning and twisting around herself a bit. "...I mean it is...yes it's dangerous...but.." she frowned and reached into the pocket of her jacket, running her fingers across the little glass container that 'contained' her alter-ego. "...I mean. It could be fun. She wants to do it. That'd be fun for her. I mean." she was talking about King Cole obviously. "...I mean we could at least take a look at it."

[RocketLord]

GM

 

Coach Armstrong looks visibly surprised at the lack of interest in the tryouts. And even more visibly confused by the way Baz phrases it.

 

"Really? It's not like I want you to sign up or anything, but it could good training to see how you do here. See how you measure up against the other kids here?"

 

Renee seems to agree with him at least, and with a sweeping motion, he moves over to her and puts his right arm around her shoulder. "Now that's better! At least one of you grumps have a sense of adventure! Come along, kids! Let's see how Renee will do!"

 

Armstrong quite literally drags Renee towards the junior tryouts, with the other students on the team hopefully following. The tryouts themselves are set up on a ring with a black floor with the UWL logo on it. There's currently a two young men, probably around 18 to 20, fighting in the ring. One of them is wearing a t-shirt and jeans and her a crew cut. There is ice around his fists, which seems to take different shapes as he moves. The other man has four arms. He is dressed in pair of red shorts with a green stripe on his right leg. He tries to get in close to grapple, but the man with the ice hands does all he can to keep his distance.

 

"See? Isn't this exciting?"

[Poncho]

(Renee)

 

"Wait wait waitwaitI'mnotreadyI'mnotreadyholdoooooon." Renee yelped as she got drug by Armstrong, immediately regretting her decision at the over exubriant coach. When she got drug to the tryouts, she's forced to acknowledge that she has no powers and they obviously do, so can she even do this. But the King knows she can, and the King wants to do it, like it's struggling against her. 

"Coach wait Ihavetogetready!" she repeated, her words stumbling over themselves as much as she was being dragged by the coach. "I can't do it! You have to let me get the King, the King wants to do it not me." she tried to explain in a panic before the coach just threw her out to the wolves in a moment. "Dressing room? I need a dressing room!" she was breathing heavily, like she was going to hyperventilate as she tried to keep herself calm. 

[The Sailor]

Torpedo Lass

 

Her eye quirks up, it seems curiosity is getting the better of her, as she quietly follows the coach, finding a spot to take a moment to get into gear. It doesn't take long before the New Bouyant Bulwark of Freedom City is present at the Junior Try-Outs. She knew her gear inside and out, so getting "into costume" was super easy. That and she constantly drilled herself.

 

"Coach... seems my curiosity won."

 

She crosses her arms. "Renee..." She points over to a curtain that sort of stuck out that not a lot of people were paying attention to. "Might want to... slip into something comfortable."

[Supercape]

Gamma Buzz

 

"Oh! So we are going! Hurrah! Yippee!"

 

Gamma Buzz flipped in the air and landed in a flexing pose. "I am sure my amazing cockroach powers include cockroach-grappling. Er. That's a thing, right? Cockroach grappling? It sounds like it should be a super power, which means I am sure it is. Absolutely probably sure. Completely almost certain!"

 

Emboldened by his bold monologue, Gamma Buzz hopped, skipped and jumped to the Coach. 

 

"What are the rules? Can I use my amazing cockroach-radiation beams?" he asked.

[RocketLord]

GM

 

"Huh?" Armstrong seems utterly confused by Renee's confusion. "C'mon, you don't need masks and costumes for this. It's just the tryouts, but sure. There's those curtains over there." He points to the same curtains that Mizuki pointed out.

 

While Renee moves away, he turns to Baz and Mizuki. "Now that's more like it! Get up there and show them what you can do, but probably cut back on those radioactive blasts. I'm pretty sure giving the other tryouts cancer is frowned on."

 

At the same time, the man with the ice fists manages to get his hands on the four armed man, holding two of his arms. Ice expands and over them, until he finally backs down.

 

An older man, early fourties with slicked back black hair and sunglasses, wearing a red t-shirt with the UWL logo, steps up into the ringer, clapping his hands. "Nice work! You're a shoo-in, kid! Alright then, who's next? Don't be afraid, step up and show us what you can do!"

[Poncho]

(Renee/King Cole III)

 

Renee displayed a surprising finesse in slipping out of Coach's hands as soon as the curtain was pointed out, dashing for the curtain.

 

"I'll be back I promise I just Ican'tdoitmyselfyouknow she has to doitit'swhatshewantstodo." She said before disappearing behind it. 

 

For only a few seconds, because Renee and the King had become masters at exchanging posistions, and even if Renee hadn't expected this, The King liked to be prepared.

 

So a few seconds later King Cole III shoved open the curtains dramatically with a cackle.

 

"I want to!" she yells at the old man, waving her hands. "I have the capabilities! I have the aura!"

[Supercape]

Gamma Buzz

 

Dang! She was just one pico-second faster than me!

 

Baz was just about to jump in, puffed up chest, and proclaim himself the future champion of the universe in wrestling, but King Cole beat him to it. And, he had to admit, she did it with style. 

 

"You go, King! Show them what it means to be the boss!"

 

He clapped his hands and hopped on the spot excitedly. 

 

"And I'll go second! Yippee!"

[Ecalsneerg]

Hurricane Jones

 

Annie thoughtfully leaned on the back of a nearby chair, a little behind the group. Perhaps she'd been a little too dismissive, after all, nowt wrong with a bit of pugilism. "Well, alright, I think I get it. A little." Smoothing down her dress, she wrinkled her nose. "Although I won't be wearing a bloody leotard, I'm not Mr Motivator."

 

Sighing, she ambled forwards, dusting her hands together. "Cole, you're going to want to get in there, work the body, and then go for the flip!" Annie suggested in a voice accustomed to calling across the most vicious trenches of the lacrosse field. "Ground and pound!" She mashed her fist into her palm with an audible thump.

[The Sailor]

Torpedo Lass

 

"I got after Hurricane here." She said, her eyes glowing slightly, stretching out.

 

"I should be more than ready for this."

 

To her this was testing the ruggedness of her new 'uniform' as much as testing her own mettle in a fight. A concept that she's had mixed success in.

 

She kept the red vest that was part of her trademark outfit though in her backpack. This was a different storm she was dealing with.

 

Then again she wasn't sure how 'real' this fight would get.

 

"Full speed ahead!"