Time: Monday, early morning.
Inside the HWA Training Academy, the air resonates with the sounds of heavy breathing and weights clanging. Head Coach Red Dragon leads a group of students through a grueling High-Intensity Interval Training session, pushing their limits. Sweat glistens on their brows as Red Dragon's sharp gaze scans the room, ensuring maximum effort.
From the corner of his eye, Red Dragon catches sight of fellow coach Hans von Richtoven striding through the main double sliding doors. Hans, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt with his bag slung over his shoulder, exudes a casual confidence. A subtle nod from Red Dragon acknowledges Hans's presence before he refocuses on his students.
Minutes pass as the students power through the demanding exercises under Red Dragon's watchful eye. The room reverberates with their efforts. After a few more minutes, Red Dragon signals a break.
(Red Dragon): Ok, time. Grab a drink and then head to the track for a run.
As the students file outside, Hans approaches Red Dragon. A subtle smile lights up Red Dragon's face as he greets his friend.
(Red Dragon): Nice tan. A hint of playful camaraderie is woven into his words and Hans chuckles.
(Hans): Danke. At long last I can walk along Venice Beach and not stand out as a tourist.
Dropping his bag at his feet, he grasps hands with Red Dragon, drawing his friend into a warm embrace.
(Hans): Good to see you mein freund.
(Red Dragon): You too. Stepping back apart, Hans glances back over his shoulder at where the departing students have gone. (Hans): How have things been this past week?
Red Dragon follows Hans’ glance as the throng of students head out to the running track built around the perimeter of the Academy building. He turns back to Hans and lightly tilts his head from side-to-side.
(Red Dragon): So-so. I didn’t bank on being asked so many questions after Saturday night. I had to go bad Sensei a few times just to get them to concentrate on what I was trying to teach. Wanting to take selfies with me and sign programmes. Not something I’m used to. I won’t lie, it was a little overwhelming. Wie geht es Vanessa? I’m assuming you’ll have seen Butch-San’s press conference?
(Hans): Ah mein freund, it’s one thing to hear and read about it. Quite another to see it with their own eyes.
Another glance back towards the students and then back towards Red Dragon.
(Hans): Can you blame them?
(Red Dragon): I, ah…
Red Dragon shrugs innocently, refusing to take the plaudits.
(Hans): Du bist zu bescheiden!
Hans chuckling at the modesty of his friend before a more contemplative look forms.
(Hans): As for Vanessa, jah, she’s good mein freund. We needed that. We needed that more than we knew. Knowing you’ll be with her at the table, jah, that has lifted quite the weight off her shoulders.
He nods in appreciation at his friend.
(Hans): And mine.
Red Dragon inclines his head acknowledging Hans’ nod of appreciation.
(Red Dragon): Kouei desu, mein freund. I can’t promise it will stop what has been happening but if I can give her any sort of peace of mind, then it’s a start. How are you feeling anyway, after your match? Jeremy-Kun was impressive but he is disappointed with the manner of the win. He spoke to Butch-San about having it struck from the record.
(Hans): With what Herr Chaos and our wayward firebrand have been like, I wouldn’t want you to promise anyway… but jah, it will give her peace of mind. She loves her job, but…
A low breath out pairs with a shrug of the shoulders, Red Dragon nodding at what his friend is getting at.
(Hans): As for me, I’ll live. We’ve had matches end like this before, it’ll happen again. Jeremy shouldn’t have felt the need to go to Butch though, I’d happily get back in that ring with him.
They stare out of the large windows, the students beginning to lap round on the track outside.
(Hans): You trained him well. Again, one thing to read and hear about it, another to actually face it.
(Red Dragon): I am sure neither Jeremy-Kun nor Butch-San would be opposed to that, mein freund. And you have William-San next? A different proposition altogether. He doesn’t appear to be happy with Butch-San either after his daughter’s involvement in Sean-Kun’s match. I must say, it disappointed me but didn’t surprise me.
(Hans): HWA... it's ah... it's... etwas liegt in der luft, jah? Das kinder always push boundaries, but this place... just exacerbates at times.
A glance at his friend.
(Hans): I mean no disrespect. It's a credit to you that it's only been so few.
Facing forwards again, he carries on.
(Hans): As for Herr Draconis, jah, a very different proposition. Arguably the most consistent since the reunion show... jah, most definitely a singles competitor compared to when I last faced him.
A sly smile forms as he leans in conspiratorially.
(Hans): Perhaps I'll get some of the students to do some film study on Draconis. Many hands make short work, jah?
Red Dragon manages a light snort at Hans’ suggestion.
(Red Dragon): An interesting idea. You could also reach out to either Jeremy or Matt-Kun. Both have been in the ring with him with polarising success. I’m sure Matt-Kun could use the distraction after his match and trying to rest up; he’ll be going stir crazy.
(Hans): Jah, if it gives him something to focus on, I'll give him a call later.
The voice goes lower, concern coating the words.
(Hans): I gave him a message a few days ago, he seems ok. What's your prognosis though mein freund? Scheiße, both he and Sean have been to the emergency room as often as they've stepped through the ropes of late…
A sigh, replicating Hans’ tone escapes Red Dragon’s nostrils and he nods in an acknowledging manner.
(Red Dragon): I’m hoping that will see the end of it, that both of them can move on from the craziness that’s been haunting them for these last few months…of course with Maniac and Fallen, who knows…
(Hans): Well Herr Chaos has been quiet these past few days, can't see that lasting long sadly. I'm sure he'll... he'll interject himself in, jah? He likes to do that.
A short pause finds him shaking his head in frustration at both the past and the future.
(Hans): We will need to watch them though. Sean lost years of his life to his back injury, losing years ahead of him to brain injury would be tragic.
Another long sigh emanates from Red Dragon, contemplating Hans’ words.
(Red Dragon): I’ve known Sean-Kun a long time. He is like a son to me. I was there at his bedside when he woke up from his surgery, I was there all through his rehab. To see him where he is now is truly remarkable. You are right; to lose his best years to something that can easily be avoided would be heartbreaking…. Truth is though, he has only started taking more risks like this since the likes of Price, Angel, Maniac and the like have returned. It’s like he feels he has to prove something to everyone and himself.
Another sigh.
(Red Dragon): You didn’t see him in the ring before all this…
Red Dragon motions around him, alluding to HWA being back on live television every week.
(Red Dragon): He was still fearless but he wasn’t reckless. He was competing against Matt-Kun, Jeremy-Kun and others in a similar position. He was happy to just be competing…I hope now that what he has been able to show, he will realise he does not need to prove himself to anyone, let alone his peers.
(Hans): With luck mein freund, with luck.
His head bobs up and down as he says this, agreeing with his friend.
(Hans): He has Michelle now as well, she'll temper him. Speaking of which...
He throws a thumb over his shoulder, gesturing back towards where their offices are.
(Hans): There's cake there on my desk. It's wunderbar, can't eat it myself though.
Red Dragon smirks.
(Red Dragon): You know I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth but thank you. I meant to ask you how the move went. Everything go according to plan?
A mild look of disappointment at hearing this appears across Hans' face. With a roll of the eyes, he responds.
(Hans): Ach, fine. I'll see if the higher-up's want some.
They both smirk, knowing full well the cake wouldn't survive the journey through the various media and PR related staff on the way to where Butch and Wisdom's offices are.
(Hans): As for the move, jah, Vanessa had everything in hand. It's sehr gut Matthew, needs a fresh coat of paint here and there, furniture needs brought in and such but the basics are there. It's good to have our own place out here at last.
Red Dragon gives a nod of approval.
(Red Dragon): I know I’m not a huge fan of western wrestling aside from ourselves of course, but did you see any of All In? The event in London?
(Hans): Jah, caught some of it on the way back on the flight. Some good spots.
(Red Dragon): Hai, typical western wrestling show though, good storytelling but in-ring action for me soured a bit. Plus backstage politics overshadowing it yet again as well.
Hans nods knowingly.
(Hans): Jah, Herr Punk not able to keep himself out of trouble.
(Red Dragon): Butch-San tried to bring him out of his self-imposed exile before the television deal but he didn’t even give him the courtesy of replying. Beginning to think he dodged a big bullet. There is already enough drama here without adding overinflated egos to the mix
(Hans): Can you picture how he’d react to someone like Herr Chaos backstage?
A look of shared amusement flows between them at that imagery.
(Hans): One thing I will say is they filled Wembley. Das ist sehr gut. One day soon I hope we’ll be able to do the same.
Red Dragon nods at this as again, outside, the students make another lap of the track and pass the windows.
(Hans): Right mein freund, I’d best get changed, jah? See you in 10?
(Red Dragon): Of course Hans-San.
They clasp hands once again, Hans then reaching down to grab his duffel bag before heading back the way he’d come.
The scene fades slowly to black as Red Dragon makes his way towards one of the practice rings and the students occupying it.
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