El Califa: In the streets. Fighting at makeshift wrestling events all through Mexico. Scratching and clawing enough money together to simply get a short training session in at the gym. El Califa has experienced all of these things. El Califa, however, has never experienced hitting rock bottom. That is, until Lethal Lottery.
The scene opens to the familiar gym in Mexico, various men can be seen working out throughout the gym, some with masks on, most without. Those with masks carry no distinguishable masks. These are the ones carving out their own legacy, their own time in the lights. These are the men El Califa had sought out, and recruited. Regardless of how great lucha libre is looked upon in Mexico, there has never been that hand out to the ones without. The Mystery Kings, The Warriors, they all had a legacy to fall back upon, family members that could teach them the trade. They had everything given to them, yet here El Califa stands, a legend in his homeland built from the ground up by his own two hands. It was his time to pass it off to the next generation, to be that hand being held out to the less fortunate. And so they have gathered here, to become the disciples of The Dragon. They were his clay, and he was their sculptor. He would shape them into the new generation of luchadors, those that would bring pride to Mexico.
El Califa: Again!
The scene shifts from the weight lifting stations to the two rings off to the left. One is six sided in the vein of current Lucha Libre, and a standard four sided ring. Inside the six sided ring two men grapple, whipping each other across the ropes over and over again, finishing in a back body drop. Outside the ring stands El Califa Dragon, his usual mask covering his face, colored white, green, and red, a white tank top and black tearaway pants. His arms are crossed as he studies the two trainees in the ring, a group of others standing behind El Califa. As the two continue the exercise, El Califa lowers his head as one of the men deviates from El Califa's instructions and attempts a flip over his opponent. It fails miserably and the two fall over in a heap after their heads collide.
El Califa: ¡Suficiente! Los dos, golpear los pesos! (Enough! Both of you hit the weights!)
El Califa turns towards his remaining students who have lined up and suddenly have gained proper posture as their teacher walks back and forth in front of them.
El Califa: Cinco vueltas alrededor de la pista. Hemos avanzado hoy, pero El Califa todavía no está satisfecho con los resultados! Cuando esté todo terminado, puede ir por el día. (Five laps around the track. We have made progress today but El Califa is still not satisfied with the results! When you are all finished, you can go for the day.)
Well, he may be holding that hand of opportunity out to those that were like him, but that certainly wasn't going to mean he was going to go easy on them. As his students disperse, El Califa walks towards a door towards the back, leading to a very small office. Paper is strewn everywhere as he takes a seat at the desk, sighing as he folds his arms behind his head. He leans his head up as the scene slowly fades to black and El Califa's thoughts begin.
El Califa: It had been months since that night at Lethal Lottery. El Califa had crossed lines he had no business crossing. It became clear that he was merely a distraction for the Demonio del Caos (Demon of Chaos) to take advantage of against Chris K.O. and Drake Callahan. El Califa was used, and yet all he could do was fall further down into the abyss he had found himself. It wasn't what El Califa had signed up for when joining WZCW. He was to be fighting for championships, facing the best. He was not to be a pawn in this whole story, yet this is exactly where he put himself.
The scene fades back in as El Califa leans his chair back as he looks up at the time. The gym would soon be closing, another day completed in this existence he had forced himself to create. Soon after his mind was overtaken and his own mask disgraced by that man, Ty Burna, he returned home. With the darkness shrouding his mind and his eyes, he walked blindly through Mexico. All the major leagues wanted El Califa back. It would have been so easy to just go through the motions and collect a check. But as it has been said, in our darkest and lowest moments, comes our greatest triumphs. El Califa had his gym. A new focus and vigor arose, a new goal to accomplish. And so day in and day out he went about his teachings. It was difficult, in the world of Lucha Libre all anyone ever wanted to do was jump and do the flashy moves. El Califa knew better. But even as they slowly progressed, and some of his students even received their first masks, he knew there was something missing. Unfinished business...... Just then a commotion can be heard outside the office and El Califa is pulled from his thoughts. He leaps out of the chair, probably another fight of machismo that he has taught relentlessly to get over. As he opens the door however, he is greeted to the site of two newcomers, a young woman and a man with her. His students had taken notice, one had come up and tried to speak with the younger woman, only for the man with her to take offense. As the two men argue back and forth a crowd had grown. El Califa walks towards the crowd, his hands behind his back as his students part ways around him.
El Califa: Hector! Sus cinco vueltas se han convertido en los quince años. Muévete. Ahora! (Hector! Your five laps have now become fifteen. Get moving. Now!)
The man suddenly freezes as he hears his teacher's voice and looks towards him. He looks to begin pleading but realizes it is useless and jogs off, muttering under his breath as El Califa looks at the other students. He nods his head towards them and they quickly take off to avoid the same fate as their brethren. With the situation handled El Califa studies the two that have walked in. He nods his head to them and holds his hand out to the man.
El Califa: El Califa apologizes. They are young and do not know proper manners. El Califa....is working on it.
The young man in front of El Califa looks furious but a sharp look from the woman settles him down and he slowly extends his hand out and the two shake hands. The young woman hasn't said a word, though seems like she is soaking in everything that is happening.
El Califa: El Califa welcomes you to his gym.
Nate: Thank you, I suppose. I'm Nate, and this is my sister.
El Califa: Ah yes, Amber Warren correct? El Califa has been watching your last few matches. He is every impressed with what you have accomplished.
Amber nods her head and a smile forms on her face as El Califa holds his hand out and she reciprocates, shaking his head as they nod to each other.
Amber: Th..thank you Mr. Califa.
El Califa: Please, El Califa or Califa is fine. Come, we have much to discuss.
El Califa turns and motions for the two to follow him, and after a moment they oblige, stepping behind the masked man as they make their way towards the two rings. El Califa hops up onto the ring apron and folds his arms in front of him. Amber and Nate stand next to each other. Amber looks at El Califa before looking back up at Nate. Nate shakes his head as he looks around at all the men running and working out.
Nate: Look man, what is this all about? You leave a mysterious note and two plane tickets for my sister here without any explanation. What's really going on here?
El Califa tilts his head to the side at the questions, a look of concern forming on Amber's face as well. El Califa chuckles to himself as he unfolds his arms and braces his arms down on the ring apron.
El Califa: El Califa means exactly what he wrote in the note Nate. Your sister has great potential in this business. Her speed and high flying abilities are her strengths, but she can become so much more. You see Amber, El Califa sees raw talent in you.
El Califa motions towards everyone else in the gym.
El Califa: These men, El Califa's pupils, they train every day in his gym. Most have little to no natural ability, some have so much untapped potential that they could rival anyone in WZCW. El Califa sees that in you Amber Warren. He sees someone that can stand toe to toe with the greatest warriors in this business! Let El Califa help you reach your maximum ability!
Nate interrupts as Amber is suddenly beaming at the compliment El Califa has given her. He stands in front of his sister as El Califa tilts his head once more, studying the young man and his facial expressions.
Nate: So what is this? You're no longer in WZCW so you just bring us down here to give us a sales pitch? All you want is to cling onto Amber's success and take claim of it? We're done here. Let's go Amber.
Nate turns and grabs Amber's hand and tries to lead her away as El Califa hops off the apron and crosses his arms. Amber turns and tries to plead with Nate as she pulls back against him.
Amber: No Nate! You need to let me make these decisions too!
El Califa: She is right Nate. This is her decision to make, not yours. You see, El Califa has far more than just a sales pitch. He has a favor to ask. His contract with WZCW is still active, and El Califa is welcome back at any time. However, there is one thing El Califa has never done in his career, and that is participate in a full fledged tag team.
Nate stops and Amber is able to pull away, and she turns towards El Califa before turning back to Nate, who's head has lowered and appears to be fuming at the situation. Amber's eyes plead with Nate briefly before turning towards El Califa and nodding her head.
Amber: Califa, I want to get better. I want to become the best I can be when it comes to wrestling. I want to learn as much as I can, and I will do anything to succeed.
El Califa: That is the will of a dragon Amber Warren! El Califa has been where you are at Amber. He wishes to take you to that next level. So, do you accept El Califa's offer to train here in his gym, and become his tag team partner?
Amber turns towards Nate and grabs his hands, looking up at him as the two have a quiet conversation. El Califa leans back against the ring, his arms crossed again as he watches the exchange take place. Finally Nate sighs and nods his head as Amber gives him a hug before turning towards El Califa.
Amber: It's a deal Califa!
El Califa: Excellent. We have no time to waste. El Califa has already booked our first match together. As El Califa had done in his first match in WZCW, so too shall we take the competition head on! We face two members of The Sacrificial Altar. Grand Mystique and David Whitman.
Nate: So soon? They dominated Team Strike Force at Kingdom Come. Surely you couldn't have had a warm up match set up first?
El Califa: Your sister has had her warm up matches. If we are to succeed in becoming Tag Team Champions, then we are to start now. El Califa has never shied away from the difficult parts in life, and he will not start now!
Amber: I agree Nate.
Nate suddenly looks away from El Califa and back at Amber, an eyebrow raised towards his sister as she takes a deep breath.
Amber: I can't just sit back and wait for my opportunities to come. Just like at Wrestle Zone Weekend, I have to go out and take them for myself. The Sacrificial Altar is a difficult team. We've seen what they are capable of Nate, but someone must stand up to them and show them that they can't just walk over everyone! With El Califa at my side, we can't lose!
El Califa nods his head towards the two and walks towards them, placing a hand on Amber's shoulder as he tilts his head towards her.
El Califa: You have learned well enough so far Amber Warren. Grand Mystique is a destructive force, but he has never faced the Wrath of the Dragon that we will bring down upon him and David Whitman. Now tell me, what is Grand Mystique's weakness? What do you know about The Sacrifical Altar?
Amber blinks a few times as she tries to recall what she had studied. She shrugged her shoulders before speaking.
Amber: Mind games. Outnumbering their opponents. Sneak attacks. They put Mikey and James through hell. They always try to have the numbers advantage and it's worked in their favor.
El Califa: Good. And what do we have as an advantage against them?
Amber: They don't know about you, and we'll fly higher and faster than them!
El Califa: Grand Mystique will be gloating about his victory at Kingdom Come. We will pick them off while their focus is off. With the other two DC and Mason Westhoff contending in the tournament, we will not be at the numbers disadvantage. We're going to hit them hard and fast Amber Warren, and we will end up victorious!
El Califa pats her on the shoulder and walks past the two before whistling loudly towards the others in the gym.
El Califa: El gimnasio está cerrando! El Califa le recibirá todas las seis de la mañana en punto! (The gym is closing! El Califa will see you all at six in the morning sharp!)
As the clanging of steel intermixes with the slowing down of feet pounding the concrete, El Califa turns towards Nate and Amber and nods his head.
El Califa: That goes for you two as well. El Califa expects you here at six o'clock sharp! Follow me though, you will stay at El Califa's place. It is nothing fancy, but it certainly will meet all your needs.
El Calfia begins walking towards his office as the students file out of the gym. Amber looks up at Nate and smiles before a thought crosses her mind. She runs up to El Califa and grabs his arm.
Amber: Wait, Califa. If we're a tag team, what will our team name be?
El Califa ponders this for a moment before looking back to Amber and nodding his head. She had the Soul of the Dragon inside her. Her determination was equal to his when he first started. It was clear she was the right choice for what was about to come.
El Califa: Los Magnificos Dragones. The Magnificent Dragons!
Amber thinks about this for a moment before grinning and nodding her head.
Amber: I like it! So much better than all the names I came up with on the flight here. The best one I could come up with was The Livewire Dragons.
El Califa chuckles and crosses his arms as Amber laughs as well. He looks over Amber's shoulder as Nate is staring a hole through El Califa's mask.
El Califa: Amber, we must be prepared for this match against The Sacrifical Altar. El Califa is ready to do what is necessary to gain victory. Alongside you, he is ready to show Grand Mystique who the best masked wrestler in WZCW is. He must know that you are ready to show the effort needed to make yourself the absolute best. El Califa will not take it easy on you, he expects you to follow his instructions during training. El Califa has ensured that we have enough time to hone your skills to perfection. Are you ready?
Amber: I'm more than ready, let's do this Califa!
She holds her hand up for a high five and El Califa tilts his head for a moment before slapping hands with her. He motions for her to rejoin her brother as he walks back towards his office to close up. As he enters he grabs his bag and looks towards the wall at a picture, one of El Califa and his younger sister. He runs a hand along the picture before speaking out loud to himself.
El Califa: Shaylina, I hope you are proud of me. A new journey has come, only this time I will not travel it alone.
He stares at the picture for one more moment before hitting the light switch, and the feed goes completely black before fading out.
