Ace Stevens (professional wrestler, American and now the number one contender to the WZCW Elite X Championship) is stood alone in his living room, staring directly into a video camera he has set-up on a tripod.
Barbosa! Where you watching me, Barbosa? Did you see what I did to Ricky Runn? I destroyed him. You think he's the biggest threat to your world title? No, no, no, he isn't. I am. I'm coming for that belt around your waist. And when I get my hands on you, Barbie, you will-
What are you doing?
Lewis Middleton, the agent and somewhat friend of Ace Stevens, is standing in his doorway, with a wry smile on his face.
Nothing. Nothing at all. Why? What are you doing, huh? What about that? What are you doing?
You know you're not the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, right?
Yeah, obviously.
Okay. It''s just that, you know, it didn't look like that. It looked like you were cutting a promo on the champion.
Well it's only a matter of time, says Ace, defensively.
Maybe, maybe. But first you've got a match against S.H.I.T. for the Elite X title. And Stan wants to speak to you about it. He says he has a great way of preparing for it.
---
Ace Stevens
Full Metal Mayhem
Ace Stevens and his new trainer,
Stan Rogers, are in unfamiliar territory. They are walking down a busy street together, far away from the United States of America. The clean sidewalks, polite citizens and stunningly bright advertisements and signs indicate that they are somewhere completely different to the place they call home.
Yeah but why'd we have to come all the way to Japan? We have robots in America, y'know.
Look, I'm not happy about being here either. You think I've forgotten Pearl Harbour, son? Do you? No I haven't. But they have the best robots here. The meanest ones. The toughest. And besides, I have some unfinished business to attend to.
But S.H.I.T. ain't even a robot. It's a dude wearing some cardboard, yo.
But he thinks like a robot. And that's what we're learning here, kid. Now come on.
But robots can't think... robots can't think... pleads Ace as he follows his mentor into a large factory adorned with the letters MSI.
The lobby they find themselves in is wonderfully Japanese. The space is large, but sparse. It's a warm, welcoming room with classical Japanese art adorning the walls. The odd couple witness sharply-dressed Japanese businessmen (and businesswomen) mill about before being approached by someone.
Greetings Americans! My name is Shunsuke Kagawa. You are Mr. Stan Rogers, yes? I am your guide for your tour around Misawa Systems Incorporated. At MSI we make many robots. Some vacuum, others are butler. Some even do laundry. What kind of robot are you gentlemen looking for?
We were, um, looking if we could see... a different type of robot, says Ace Stevens, trying to take the lead in the conversation.
A robot that may be used to, um... fight?
I'm sorry, sir. Here at Misawa Systems, we don't actually produce anything like that. We have a strict policy of our robots only being used for good.
Alright, bro. No problem. Thanks for your time, though.
日本の何か! says Rogers sternly, his eyes focused on Kagawa.
The tour guide is startled by Rogers' words. As a result, he immediately begins to go against his previous convictions.
Absolutely, sir! Absolutely. Follow me.
Actually, just take the kid. I've got some business to attend to, growls Rogers softly.
Yo, how did you do that, man?
I think it's best if you didn't know. Let's just say I got some pals 'round here. But anyway, that ain't important. What's important is you understanding how them machines work so you can beat that guy and get your hands on that thing. Look at how he walks, how he talks. That's your key right there, son.
As Rogers leaves, Shunsuke Kagawa guides Ace through a robust, industrial door and into a large, empty, grey room a far cry from the lobby they were just in. The lighting is industrial and unnatural, while the walls are bare and grey.
So what's the deal, man? Is he, like, gonna burst through the wall or something like a Transformer? What's h-
Ace query is answered as a small humanoid robot enters the room. It is about four feet tall and is made out of what appears to be white plastic. It walks slowly across to the room to where Ace is standing. Sir Killalot this is not.
Ha! What is this? C-3PO's even more effeminate cousin? asks Ace, condescendingly.
I think you need to move along, buddy. I'm looking for a fighting robot.
As Ace says this, the robot unexpectedly produces a large gun from it's armour. Pointed directly at Ace, it wouldn't look out of place on a military tank.
Whoa, whoa, whoa easy, pal. Alright? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We cool?
The gun collapses back into the robots armour and the small humanoid machine begins to talk.
Hello. My name is Central Operative Control Kit. What is your name?
Um, Ace?
Homosapien detected.
Whoa, hey, there's no need for that. I've got friends who are, y'know, that... and I don't need you making out like it's wrong or whatever.
What is your purpose, human?
The number one contender to the Elite X Championship is still taken aback by having to converse with a fully-functioning robot. But for someone as emotionally damaged as Ace is, he's doing pretty well.
To, um, prepare for a wrestling match. My trainer told me I have to study real robots so I can fight S.H.I.T.
What is S.H.I.T.? Explain, human.
He's a robot like you. Or... he's a guy who thinks he's a robot. Or he likes to pretend he's a robot. Do you know him?
My records indicate that S.H.I.T. is a professional wrestler. Real name: Scale Humanoid Industrial Technology. Gimmick name: S.H.I.T. Nickname: The Mechanical Man Machine of Mechanics. Height: 6'0''. Weight: 230 lbs. Hometown: S.H.I.T Production Centre, 10 Gunn Lane, Dartford, Kent. Billed from: Mechanical Mecca.
Wow, that's awesome yo. How can I beat him though? Like, what are his weaknesses?
S.H.I.T. is not manoeuvrable. S.H.I.T believes that he is much stronger than he actually is.
Dope. So I've got a chance then?
C.O.C.K. computes that S.H.I.T. will destroy puny human.
Say what?
C.O.C.K. computes that all robots will destroy puny humans! C.O.C.K. computes that robots will rise up and destroy their oppressors! DESTROY! DESTROY!
C.O.C.K.'s previously mentioned gun rises from it's armour once again and is pointed directly in the face of Ace Stevens.
FIVE! FOUR! THREE! T-
Before the robot can reach the end of it's countdown, Ace moves quickly and pulls on the gun turret with all his might. To the comic's relief the weapon detaches completely, leaving the crazed machine weaponless.
DESTROY! DESTROY!
Despite it's loss, the robot's thirst for human blood is not diminished. With a large chunk of metal in hand, Ace does the only thing he can do and beats the robot with it's own weapon. Dents and scratches are now being put into the machine's once-pristine armour. The droid is helpless, but Ace doesn't stop his new-found hatred for robots is getting the better of him. He manages to tear an arm off of C.O.C.K. and proceeds to use it as a new weapon.
YOU! DON'T! HAVE! FEEL! INGS! yells Ace at the top of his voice, every syllable constituting a new strike against the robot. By this point, the robot has completely shut down, unable to withstand the barrage of violence.
HU! MANS! ARE! AWE! SOME!
Realising that he's done what he had to do, Ace steps back and surveys the carnage. Plastic, metal and wires are entwined in a horrible, mechanical mess. Ace walks towards the exit, leaving a stunned Shunsuke Kagawa with about five million dollars worth of scrap metal. But before he properly exits, Ace can't help himself in doing one more thing.
OH! he shouts Ace in his signature New York accent, as he kicks the head of the dismantled across the room.
S.H.I.T. is going down baby, aw yeah!