The somber atmosphere of "The Bigg House" back room is thick with the scent of antiseptic mingling with the aged aroma of whiskey. The dim light flickers slightly, casting eerie shadows over the room's lavish yet foreboding decor. LuLu Biggs sits hunched over a grand mahogany desk, the world's weight seemingly pressing down on his broad shoulders. An open bottle of whiskey sits beside an empty glass, its contents ignored in favor of the more immediate relief offered by the scattering of pain pills strewn across the desk.
A stark reminder of the night's brutalities, a medical kit lies open, its contents disheveled, a testament to the urgency of the care administered post-match. The most damning evidence of the battle, however, is the meticulously sutured gash that mars LuLu's forehead. Twenty neat stitches, courtesy of Dr. William Drake, hold together a wound that's as much a testament to LuLu's resilience as it is to the savagery he endured at the hands of Jeremiah Vastrix.
LuLu Biggs: (voiceover) Every stitch, a story. Every scar, a battle won. But this... this is different. This cut, these stitches—Drake said I was lucky. A fraction deeper, and the story ends. I told him, "Motha fuckah, luck's got nothin' to do with it. It's about will." The will to stand up when every fiber of your being screams to stay down.
LuLu picks up the whiskey bottle, contemplating it momentarily before setting it down with a sigh. He reaches for a pain pill, hesitates, and then tosses it back into the open medical kit. He then pulls out a smartphone given to him by Zegal. Devin had stressed that he wanted more social media activity from the entire roster, especially after shows. LuLu launched the camera application and hit record, showing off the wound on his forehead and the pain pills and whisky on his desk.
LuLu Biggs: Numbing the pain ain't gonna erase what happened. Vastrix, that move was meant to end more than just a match. It was meant to end me. But here I am, stitched up, still standin'. You opened a cut, Vastrix, but you also opened my eyes.
He gingerly touches the stitches, wincing slightly, not from the physical pain but from the flash of memory it brings—the feeling of being airborne, the shocking pain, the cold floor.
LuLu Biggs: This cut's gonna heal. These stitches will dissolve. The memory thought? The fire it's ignited? That's forever. Did you want to leave a mark? Congratulations. You did. But not the kind you hoped for. You marked the beginning of your end.
Standing, LuLu uses the cane to support himself, symbolizing his strength and defiance. He walks to a mirror, studying his reflection, the stitches contrasting his rugged features.
LuLu Biggs: Look at this, Biggs. This is the price of war. But it's also the face of a man who won't be broken. Vastrix, Mudcock, all of you... You see these stitches as a sign of weakness, but they're proof of my resolve. I've been to hell and back and am still here.
Turning from the mirror, LuLu's gaze hardens, his resolve steeling.
LuLu Biggs: The next chapter's about to be written, and it's a comeback story. Vastrix, enjoy your moment in the spotlight because next time we are in the ring together, I will be putting you in the hospital.
The Next Morning
As the first light of dawn creeps through the slits of the shutters in "The Bigg House," the once vibrant club now stands silent, a stark reminder of the world's current state. LuLu Biggs, having spent the night in the solace of his office, is jolted awake by a persistent knocking. Each thud resonates through the empty hallways, mirroring the pounding in his head, a relentless reminder of the previous night's brutalities.
Groggily rising from his lavish office chair, LuLu winces, the movement sending sharp reminders of pain across his stitched forehead. He steadies himself with the cane, now more a necessity than a symbol of defiance. As he shuffles through the dimly lit corridors of his club, the remnants of last night's pain medication make his movements sluggish, each step a battle against the fog in his head.
Reaching the front door, the knocking grows impatient. LuLu braces himself, expecting a debt collector, a disgruntled ho, or perhaps another challenge from a rival. But as the heavy door swings open, the figures standing before him cut through the haze of his pain and surprise.
Risako Tomozuna, his former Sumo stable manager, stands flanked by Zhou Kai and Sun Hao, his brothers in arms from his days in the sumo rings of Japan. The sight of them, so far from their homeland, in front of his club in Tokyo, brings a mix of confusion and warmth to LuLu's battered heart.
LuLu Biggs: (rubbing his eyes, squinting at the daylight) Risako? Zhou, Sun? What in the hell are you guys doing here?
Risako steps forward, his face etched with concern that cuts through his usual stoic demeanor.
Risako Tomozuna: LuLu, we've come a long way. We saw the match... and what happened afterward. We couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Zhou Kai, "The Sumo Tsunami," with his imposing frame and characteristic grin, claps LuLu on the shoulder—a gesture of solidarity that nearly sends LuLu teetering forward.
Zhou Kai: Did you think you could have all the fun without us, Biggs? We're here to watch your back, brother.
Sun Hao, known as "The Red Wall," nods in agreement, his usually quiet demeanor speaking volumes. The bond they share, forged in sumo's rigorous training and traditions, remains unbreakable, transcending borders and circumstances.
LuLu Biggs: (a rare smile breaking through the pain) I don't know what to say, guys. But, how did you...?
Risako Tomozuna: Devin Zeagal contacted us and offered big money for us to join the Ultimate Wrestling roster. Plus, watching you fight alone is not the sumo way. We fight together, we win together. That is the Tomozuna way!
The reunion, though unexpected, ignites a spark within LuLu. The presence of his old comrades, ready to stand by him in this new battleground, rekindles a fire dampened by pain and betrayal.
LuLu Biggs: Alright then, let's do this. But first, coffee. And maybe something for this damn headache.
As they step into the quiet club, the morning light casting long shadows across the dance floor, there's a palpable shift in LuLu's demeanor. With his brothers by his side, the path forward seems a little less daunting. The challenges ahead are a little more surmountable. Together, they'll navigate the treacherous waters of the wrestling world, their bond a testament to their shared history and unwavering commitment to one another.
As dawn's early light filters softly through the half-closed shutters of "The Bigg House," it finds its way into the club's once bustling kitchen, now a quiet sanctuary for old friends and warriors. The air is filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a small comfort amidst the storm of emotions and plans that brew amongst the group gathered around the worn, stainless steel table.
LuLu Biggs, his formidable frame slightly slouched, cradles a mug of steaming coffee, the warmth a small respite against the dull throb of his stitched wound. Across from him, Risako Tomozuna, the venerable sumo stable manager, exudes an aura of calm authority, bringing a sense of order to the chaos that has enveloped LuLu's life since the brutal match.
Risako Tomozuna: LuLu, the path ahead is fraught with peril. At Friday Night Clash 19, you face Chuluun Bold for the Submission Championship. It's more than a match; it's a chance to reclaim your honor and send a message. But we must tread carefully, especially with Vastrix lurking in the shadows.
LuLu's grip on his mug tightens, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of Risako's words. The mention of Vastrix ignites a flicker of anger in his eyes, a stark contrast to the stoic resolve etched on his face.
LuLu Biggs: Having you all here, I have my army. Vastrix might have his cybernetic edge, but he's not faced anything like us before. We're more than a team; we're a motha fucking brotherhood.
The mood lightens momentarily as Zhou Kai, the ever-optimistic "Sumo Tsunami," chimes in with his booming laughter, breaking the tension like a wave crashing against the shore.
Zhou Kai: Ha! The wrestling world won't know what hit it once the 'Terracotta Titans' debuted! Right, Sun?
Sun Hao, "The Red Wall," nods solemnly, his deep voice resonating with a quiet strength that belies his massive frame.
Sun Hao: Our sumo heritage, our bond, it's our strength. We'll stand tall in the ring, united by the principles that have guided us through countless battles.
The conversation inevitably circles back to the man who has become their common foe—Vastrix. The air grows charged, the earlier camaraderie giving way to a shared resolve for retribution.
LuLu Biggs: Jeremiah has been a pain in my mutha fucking ass ever since we first wrestled. The problem, yah see, is that he gets more difficult to beat every time you wrestle him because he's got a damn computer in his melon.
Risako leans forward, his eyes alight with a strategic fire. Every word he speaks is measured and deliberate, weaving a tapestry of tactics and foresight.
Risako Tomozuna: To triumph over Vastrix, we must be as fluid as the river and unyielding as the mountain. We will craft a strategy that matches our strengths, turning Vastrix's arrogance and science against him. This battle will be fought not just in the ring but also in the mind. We must make his life miserable both in and out of the ring.
The group falls into a contemplative silence, each man lost in his thoughts, pondering the journey ahead. The challenges are many, but the resolve of this newly formed alliance is unshakeable. As the kitchen is bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun, a new chapter begins for LuLu Biggs and his brethren.
Risako Tomozuna: LuLu, while the thirst for retribution against Vastrix burns within you, we must not lose sight of the immediate challenge. Chuluun Bold, your opponent at Friday Night Clash 19, is not the same fighter you might remember. He has evolved and transformed. His capacity to endure, to push beyond the limits of pain and fatigue, has grown. This match for the Submission Championship is more than a contest; it is a crucible that will test the very essence of your will.
LuLu listens intently, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his coffee mug. The mention of Chuluun Bold brings a flicker of recognition, a nod to the warrior's code that respects a formidable opponent.
LuLu Biggs: I've seen Chuluun in the ring. The guy's a beast, no doubt. But I've been through hell and back. I'm not about to let this chance slip through my fingers.
Risako nods, acknowledging LuLu's resolve but pressing on with the gravity of a seasoned strategist.
Risako Tomozuna: To emerge victorious, you must be relentless, LuLu. Every move and hold you've mastered must be brought to bear against Chuluun. He's a warrior transformed, capable of withstanding a storm of punishment. You must be that unyielding, fierce storm breaking over him with such force that even his newfound resilience will not withstand.
The room falls silent as the weight of Tomozuna's words settles among them. Zhou Kai and Sun Hao exchange glances, their faces a mix of concern and determination, underscoring the gravity of the task.
Zhou Kai, his voice usually filled with jovial strength, is tempered with seriousness: We've watched the tapes, LuLu. Chuluun's not just tough; he's strategic. But we're with you. Together, we'll devise a plan that matches your strengths, turning the tide in your favor.
Sun Hao adds, his deep voice steady: Our sumo principles teach us about balance, leverage, and endurance. These will be your weapons as much as your strength and skill. We'll train and prepare; when the time comes, you'll be ready to claim what is rightfully yours.
LuLu nods, the resolve in his eyes mirroring the determination of his brothers-in-arms. The path ahead is daunting, but the challenge of facing Chuluun Bold is a crucible he's prepared to face head-on, bolstered by the wisdom and support of his comrades.
LuLu Biggs: This is more than a fight for a title; it's a fight to prove to everyone, especially to Vastrix, that I'm not just a contender; I'm a champion. Chuluun Bold is just the beginning. I'm ready to throw everything I have at him and more.
Their camaraderie and shared resolve are palpable as they rise from the table. They know the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Still, together, they stand unbroken, ready to face whatever the wrestling world throws their way.
Later that Day
The Tokyo skyline, a vibrant tapestry against the night, serves as a backdrop to the stark contrast of LuLu Biggs' solitary figure, phone in hand, on the balcony of his high-rise apartment. The neon lights below mirror his turmoil, a restless energy fueled by the day's revelations and the battles ahead.
The phone crackles to life, and Slick Mick's unmistakable, laid-back drawl fills the air, each word smooth and deliberate, a stark contrast to the chaos he describes.
Slick Mick: Yo, LuLu, my man! How's it hanging in the land of the rising sun, G? Wish I was there, mixin' it up with you and those fine Japanese ladies, ya dig? But yo, things stateside are straight-up wild, for real. With this Blovid-13 mess and McStrump's martial law, the streets are like something outta a dystopian flick, LuLu. A.I. Eagle Drones patrolling the skies, and they got Centurions on every corner and got the game locked down tight. Ain't it easy out there for a pimp to make a move without getting spotted, you feel me?
LuLu, leaning against the railing, can't help but let out a dry chuckle, the absurdity of the situation not lost on him. The world outside has transformed into a landscape unrecognizable from the one he left behind.
LuLu Biggs: Sounds like you're living in a sci-fi horror show, Mick. It makes dealing with Chuluun Bold seem like a walk in the park. How you holding up?
Slick Mick: Man, it's all about keeping that hustle strong, you know? But check this, LuLu, I got some good news coming your way, something to light up this darkness. Our Pimp Juice? Man, it's flying off the shelves like it's the cure for Blovid itself! Ever since this pandemic hit and martial law got declared, folks been stocking up like it's liquid gold. We're talking through-the-roof sales, baby!
A momentary sense of relief washes over LuLu, a rare bit of good news in a world that seems to have turned upside down.
LuLu Biggs: That's what I'm talking about, Mick! Finally, some good news. Looks like we're gonna come out of this craziness on top, at least in one way.
Slick Mick: You know it, brother. Just keep your head up and eyes on the prize. I may not be there to watch you throw down, but I'm with you in spirit. You got this, LuLu. Show 'em what you're made of, champ.
The call ends with a click, leaving LuLu staring into the night, the weight of Slick Mick's words lingering in the air. Despite the distance and the madness that has engulfed the world, their bond remains unbroken, a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of uncertainty. With renewed determination, LuLu turns from the balcony, ready to face whatever tomorrow brings, armed with the knowledge that, no matter what, he's not alone.