Waging War

[Ben M]

OOC: Thanks to Sam for writing this with me. Good luck, Tony!

“The Eye of Balor wreaks destruction when opened and no army can withstand its power. It is said it takes 4 men to lift its eyelid, it’s that strong. In later lore, it is said to be covered by 7 cloaks each becoming more frightening when lifted. At the first, ferns begin to wither. The second, grass became aflame. Third, Wood and trees began to burn up. At the fourth, smoke can be seen for miles. Fifth, EVERYTHING got red hot. At the sixth, the wildlife began to run. Oh, and at the seventh, the whole world began to BURN.”

Monday April 30th: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

A week had passed since Braun Strowman’s match with Finn Balor. Balor was backstage being checked out by one of the trainers, making sure he could continue working going forward.

Trainer: Okay, no broken bones, so that’s a relief. Chest is a little sore, shoulder slightly banged up, but nothing to worry about. Just want to get your head checked out.

Finn Balor: Me heads absolutely foine Doc, don’t you worry about tha’.

The trainer chuckled.

Trainer: You challenged Braun Strowman voluntarily. There’s got to be some form of brain damage.

As the trainer continued checking on Balor, Braun Strowman walked into the room. He approached Balor and smiled.

Braun Strowman: Nice work last week, kid. You did good.

Strowman patted Balor on the shoulder, a little harder than intended. Balor winced slightly.

Finn Balor: Kid? I’m 2 years older than you! This ain’t my first rodeo with a big monster man, put some respect on it yeah?

Braun Strowman: Would you prefer a handshake or a fistbump? I don’t do hugs.

Finn Balor: How about a 2Sweet? Nah, that was me from AGES ago. Fist bump will do.

Balor put his fist out and Braun bumped it.

Finn Balor: But down to business, You understand what’s going on here right? Why I need you?

Braun shrugged.

Braun Strowman: Something about a takeover?

Finn Balor: Well if tha’ helps you sleep a bit better than I and Nikki do then yes. Something about a takeover, you don’t need to know all the details just know this, we’re gonna become the only thing relevant in EBWF. It’ll be a barren wasteland once we’re done with it...sound good?

Strowman cocked an eyebrow.

Braun Strowman: Funny… you remind me of someone.

Finn Balor: I’m one of a kind, there’s no-one like me Big fella’. You may have had your fair share of factions bu’ you ain’t seen nothing yet, have you met Nikki?

Braun nodded.

Braun Strowman: I like her.

At that moment, Braun felt someone squeeze him from behind.

Nikki Cross: Awww, Braunie… I knew you cared! I like you too!

Strowman shrugged her off him.

Braun Strowman: Like I told the leprechaun, I don’t do hugs.

Finn Balor: A Fookin’ kid and a leprechaun? Heard it all today, Nikki maybe you can explain the seriousness of what’s going on here. Seems you’re the only one HE talks too.

Nikki grinned, and looked up at Braun menacingly.

Nikki Cross: The Demon King… he wants you Braun. Finn, he’s the vessel, you’re the power.

Braun Strowman: So what does that make you?

Nikki Cross: The leader!

Finn Balor: I wouldn’t say Leader per se, you’re the mouth. The personality, the charm.

Nikki laughed.

Nikki Cross: Well aye, I am charming. But you don’t think you’re the leader… do you?

Finn Balor: I would never be so stupid as to assume, the old books tell of Balor that there was 4 to lift the eye. Now Braun, I know you might not do Maths well but right now there’s only 3…

Braun scowled at Finn.

Finn Balor: The Leader is yet to be revealed, I’ll never be told. That information is for the leader only and of course Nikki...That being said though, we must continue to do as we’re told. Take. Over.

At that moment a stagehand came in, startled at the size of Braun he took a step back and bumped into Nikki.

Nikki Cross: Excuse me? What the fuck d’ya think you’re doing?!

Stagehand: Sorry. Sorry. Finn, Braun, I have good news for you.

Braun Strowman: You might wanna spit it out before she knocks you out.

Nikki clenched her fists, causing the stagehand to gulp.

Stagehand: Yes. Urm, Mr. Ikeda told me he’s fond of your guys’ new partnership and wants you two to face off against Tommy End and Michael Dante tonight on Warfare.

Trainer: Well that’s good because you’re officially cleared!

Finn Balor: Like a prophet sent, he reveals the first enemy in the Takeover. A Sumerian Death Squad stands in our way, Dante’s big and End is fast but I mean well. I’m quicker and Braun, you sure are way bigger.

Braun Strowman: I don’t fear Dante… or End. They have the gold… the gold that should be mine. I want the Tag Titles back, and tonight, I will make an example of them.

Finn Balor: Beautiful. Of course, they do currently hold the Tag Titles. Which I believe you’ve technically held twice or something, so you know your way around beating two guys at once. They’re manipulative and downright weird, they’ll try to get into our heads but mine’s already kinda got an occupant and Nikki’s too fucking batshit to care. What I’m sayin’ is, can you withstand the mind games Braun?

Strowman smirked.

Braun Strowman: Do you really think anyone can get inside my head? Anyone who tries will get these hands!

Strowman held up his fists and roared. It was too much for the stagehand to bear, and he sheepishly exited the trainers room.

Finn Balor: You turn emotional pain into outward physical pain, okay. I like that. We’ll need to be on the same page and we can’t be afraid to use any advantage we can get over them, which is why I’d like to ask you Nikki to accompany us in this battle.

Braun turned to Nikki, but she cut him off before he could say anything.

Nikki Cross: You don’t need to ask me. He already did.

Finn Balor: Okay. I’m fine with that. Still kinda pissed he doesn’t speak to me considering I’M HIM. Whatever, it’s a non-issue anyway. We can’t underestimate the Sumerian Death Squad, they are brothers, kindred spirits and a bond that can’t be shaken. We just need to beat them, badly. That’s the test, we need to prove our bond in battle. Braun, you need to prove you’ll be there when it gets tough. I need to prove I can be the warrior I was born to be and Nikki needs to prove she will do whatever it takes to make sure she pleases him.

Finn smirked.

Finn Balor: Just because he tells you everything, doesn’t mean I can’t work it out! We all know our individual goals but we need to be assured over the overall outcome. Take. Over. I say it all the time, this is step one. SDS are beatable, very beatable. Tommy End is a gimmick, he debuted under illusions and witchcraft because he wasn’t good enough without it. We debut as we mean to go on, strong and powerful.

Finn smiled.

Finn Balor: You like superheroes don’t you Braun, you saw the new Avengers! We need to be like Thanos, no introduction needed and snapping the neck of anyone we see fit. Get it?

Strowman nodded.

Braun Strowman: I could snap my fingers and turn Dante and End to dust.

Nikki rolled her eyes.

Nikki Cross: Ugh, you guys are such nerds! Forget about Infinity War… the only war you should be thinking about is the war you’re going to wage on EBWF.

Finn Balor: Good film though. Alas, she’s right. One war to END all wars. No God to stop us, no Inferno to burn us. Dante’s journey through hell begins and ends tonight. Mark my words, the Death Squad will stop firing. We’ll pull the pin on their little gun show. Send them all packing, we beat them tonight and we’re in line for the Tag Titles. Step One is only just beginning, our time to Take Over is nigh!

Braun Strowman: I could make some more references to Infinity War, but the internet will complain about spoilers and I’ve got a reputation as a brainless monster to keep up.

Nikki Cross: But Braun… didn’t you once dress up as Wonder Woman?

Braun scowled at her.

Braun Strowman: We don’t talk about that. I’m the monster among men, remember? And after tonight, I’ll make sure Dante and End don’t forget it.

As Nikki laughed, Strowman and Balor exchanged a look. There seemed to be an understanding between the two of them.