The sounds of rebounding off a mat fill a small training center in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. Lexi Zenon and Kat Hale work against a team of scout talent to prepare for their upcoming match in the tag team tournament. Neither pair was dressed in full ring gear, rather simply workout gear while their manager Trelisa was sitting on the outside of the ring in her usual flashy style. This afternoon a fashionable yellow dress, with accents of black, black high heels, and her hair in a tied up in a bun. Opposite the pair are what might otherwise appear to be off-brand knockoffs of Eun-Young Han and Drake Nygma.
One was a mountain of what was once probably muscle but has since atrophied, and the other was a thin-looking girl with long dark hair. Both had been well compensated for their participation by Trelisa. No one would mistake them for the actual team of Apocalypse now, but their purpose was to help The Midnight Society understand what they were up against. One represented the irresistible force that was Eun-Young Han, and the other the immovable object of Drake Nygma.
Lexi had taken her turn as the more experienced wrestler and the more dominant of the tag team, going first against the imitation Sphynx, flying at him in her usual unorthodox and unpredictable style. A running kick to the knee, followed by a flurry of strikes, and she succeeded in making some impact. But the enormous wrestler would manage to take hold of her, slamming her harshly onto the mat. Lexi, momentarily stunned, would roll out of the ring and shake her head, clearing the cobwebs.
Trelisa: "Ah, ma petite, you need to be smarter. Ze real Sphynx uses much more impact. Your goal is to pick your spots and get out. Speed is your advantage," Trelisa instructed, watching as the action unfolded. "If he gets ahold of you and zis match moves at his pace, we won't last."
Lexi rolled her eyes; Trelisa was always just so severe when it came to match prep. But they would finish with a wide grin and roll back into the ring. This time, they would follow Trelisa's instructions and let their tactician put their strategy into motion. Lexi would again rush in, a barrage of strikes to the ribs and knee before rolling away as the fake Sphynx tried to grab her. Sliding out of the ring and then slipping back towards the other side. As he turned to chase her, she'd drop and throw a dropkick straight to his knee that would bring the giant down to her level. She'd swiftly follow by bouncing off the ropes and flying at him with a knee, which dropped the bigger man.
Trelisa: "Tres Bien!" Trelisa nodded approvingly. "Remember, this is not an opponent who will gas out. You must keep the attack to wear him down." She'd move around the ring, limping slightly as she did. "His height will be a problem, but if we can bring him down, waste no time focusing on his shoulder. A lot of his offense relies upon it." She'd instruct Kat and Lexi.
Soon, Drake's imitation would tag out, and Lexi would tag Kat in. Whereas Nygma was slower and relied on power, Eun was much faster and had a skill set similar to Kat's. Lexi had used hit-and-run tactics, but Kat and The Fake Eun would be a faster-paced test of skill. Early on, as the two went off, Kat would get into an exchange of strikes, and similar to Lexi against Nygma's scout, Kat was forced out of the ring to recover for a moment and discuss strategy with Trelisa.
Trelisa: "Ma Cherie, you are not Lexi. Don't let this turn into a brawl; you'll come up short. Your advantage against Eun-Young is your technique. Make use of your holds. She's faster, so slow her down and work her leg. Take away her speed and weaken her kick, and she'll be yours," Trelisa explained as Kat caught her breath.
Kat nodded, taking in the advice; she'd wait as the scout would make her way back into the ring. Before making her return, Kat would get back into it, and once again, the two would flash their speed. Bouncing off the ropes with quick strikes, however, this time, instead of trying to trade strikes, Kat managed to duck under a punch and swiftly maneuver around the scout would lift her and land the Rocky Mountain Detonator. Wasting no time after the blow to catch the imposter's leg and put her into an ankle lock. Working to do precisely as her manager instructed. Trelisa blew a whistle, signaling a break.
Lexi: "Aw, coach, she follows instructions so well." Lexi teased, leaning into Trelisa as the action stopped.
Trelisa: "Hush, ma petite," Trelisa said, looking at Lexi disapprovingly. The last thing they needed was for Kat to wonder if she was falling into some old bad habits about obedience. Still, she'd move from the ring and grab drinks to keep everyone hydrated.
The trio would make their way to a nice, plush coach with a laptop so they could watch previous matches and better scout their opponents. Trelisa would be dead before she let either of her partners go into a match unprepared. They might lose due to the flow of the match, mental mistakes, and unlucky breaks, but they would never lose because they walked in unprepared and without a plan.
Trelisa: "Alright, ladies," she'd start. I believe we have the right plan going in. But it is important to remember that Apocalypse Now also has a great deal to prove and is no less hungry than we are." Trelisa would continue. Indeed, it's possible zis fight will be ze most challenging of the entire tournament."
Lexi: "Ooo, I love a good upset story." Lexi said, grinning from ear to ear, "I want it to be a good fight."
Katrielle: "Just don't get yourself knocked out," Kat added.
Lexi: "I'm not worried; a certain bombshell brunette will swoop in and save me." Lexi winked playfully and wrapped an arm around her tag partner, quickly embracing her with a kiss on the cheek.
Katrielle: "Whatever!" Kat responded, her cheeks blushing slightly.
Lexi: "What, you don't want to be my hero?" Lexi asked shamelessly.
Trelisa: Ah, mon dieu, you two." Trelisa interrupted. "Play later, we still have work to do."
Lexi: "Yeah, Yeah," Lexi said, rolling her eyes, though she would release her grip on her partner and sit up to listen.
Katrielle: "Sorry, Trelisa," Kat said, still blushing.
Trelisa: "Alright, zen." Trelisa would continue, "Let us review our opponents, shall we." She'd say, clicking play on the laptop and playing a clip of Apocalypse Now.
Lexi: "This should be good," Lexi said.
They'd go over several high-profile matches from Apocalypse now. Throughout the time, Trelisa frequently paused, pointing out certain routines, body language, or combinations of moves that might indicate something truly devastating being set up, not just with the team but also with the individuals within it. Kat and Lexi listened intently as their manager explained everything in excruciating detail. Trelisa might walk around dressed like a runway model and present herself in a fashion larger than life, but she was meticulous in her preparation. This means the wrestlers she currently represented were just as prepared as she would be. By the end, she'd gone back, testing their memories and keeping at it until they had both gotten it down.
For most of her career, Lexi had never been much of a strategist, at least not before the match. Preferring to adjust in real-time and thrive off the chaos that came with every fight. Some famous boxer once mentioned everyone had a plan until they got punched in the face, and Lexi took that advice to heart. It was when she paired with Trelisa that these sessions had become so routine, and Lexi seemed bored out of her mind the entire session. She, to her credit, took Trelisa's work seriously. It wasn't by accident that Lexi's win percentage had gone up with Trelisa at her side, and while she was wild, she wasn't a fool.
Kat was very much the rookie through all of it. The least experienced of the three acted like a sponge and needed the least correcting or reminders. Whereas Lexi did most of what she did for fun, Kat had something to prove and wouldn't leave anything to chance—viewing the two more experienced women as lifelines to revive her career. She did not look at Lexi often throughout the entire study session and tried to remember what she thought she'd learn from the tape.
Trelisa: "Remember zat neither of you is in here alone. Look out for each other; if you recognize something is coming, protect each other." Trelisa said.
Lexi: "You hear that Kat? You might have to be my hero after all," Lexi said, fluttering her eyes toward Kat.
Katrielle: "How about you don't get knocked out, and we can be each other's heroes when we win?" Kat replied.
Lexi: "Ooh, I like this confidence, ehehe." Lexi smiled.
Katrielle: "We should have confidence; we are the better team," Kat said.
Trelisa: Yes, let's show Apocalypse Now our heart before we go to war and show Zem their own." Trelisa nodded approvingly. Now, back to ladies." She clapped her hands, indicating it was time for the two to get back into the ring with the scouts. Just as she did, a message flashed on her phone. Trelisa's face would become swiftly neutral as she saw it.
Lexi and Kat returned to the ring, using their notes and having an unofficial match. Both moved as a unit, seeming to read each other's minds as they practiced their talents to perfection. The real test would be relatively easy, but at the very least, both would know they were up to the task in practice. So, they went into the zone and didn't notice their manager didn't quickly returned to their side. For a couple of hours that day, Lexi and Kat knew their debut would set the world on fire and that they could take on anything. Only time will tell if such bravado was proven true.
\* \* \*
Trelisa: Elsewhere, carefully out of view or earshot, Trelisa called the number that had messaged her. "You're sure?" She'd ask. Her voice was stern, with a tone that left no doubt about how serious she was waiting for her answer.
"He was seen 'here in Tokyo?"
"Where?"
"You don't know?"
"Well, at least ze quarantine has its benefits."
"Oui"
"Oui"
"I'll double your fee if you can find him."
"Oui"
"Mais Sage, comprends que cet homme est dangereux, ça ne nous servira à rien si tu te fais tuer."
"Oui"
"J'espère avoir de vos nouvelles bientôt."
\* \* \*
The call ended, and Trelisa would limp back to the ring, her presence not missed for her short conversation. Soon, she'd be shouting instructions once more. There, as if she had never been gone, neither Katrielle nor Alexandria would notice the change in her face. The cold, hungry stare in her eyes. Which suited Trelisa fine; their business was in the ring, and hers was hers. However, that was later. Now it was time to make sure The Midnight Society firmly planted its flag in Ultimate Wrestling as a team that should be taken seriously. To that end, Trelisa believed they would.
