The day after Wednesday night Warfare...

We open to Marf holding onto his Television championship proudly. He smiles as politely as a lunatic can before dropping his title off camera. If we didn’t know better this looks like promo time...

Marf: It has been too damn long since Lycana and myself, the Dissentients, got to wreak some havoc in that ring. Leave it to Warfare to make up this tag team turmoil event to really heat up the division. A boiling pot overflowing with teams all chomping at the bit to get a tag title shot and make a name for themselves. And while many are thinking Them no good bastards must be laughing at the thought of all their competition beating the hell out of each other I know the truth. They’re wiping the sweat from their brow as they see that the Dissentients are involved in this match.

Say what they want, they do not want a part of Lycana and myself in a straight up tag match. We’ve been in the ring together before but unfortunately Continuum got in the way so we didn’t get a fair chance to really dance with you lads. It only makes sense you guys don’t want anything to do with us. The Dissentients, Lycana and myself, are the most dangerous team in this entire match. The smarter teams already know this. The rest, well at least they have the old goth kids card to pull out.

Marf glares into the camera with a slight smirk peeking upon his rugged face. There’s a lot of determination behind those bold blue eyes.

Marf: Since the first time we paired up, Lycana and myself have left a path of destruction behind us. We were quickly thrown into the ring with the best of the best that xwf had to offer and consistently held our own. Sadly nobody respects a good fight, just pointless win loss records. Nobody wants to respect what Lycana and I have accomplished in our short time here. There isn’t a body on the roster at this point that doesn’t know who we are and what we do. Nobody enjoys seeing our names across from theirs on any card and rightfully so.

We’ve been all over Wednesday night Warfare, making it our domain. But that wasn’t enough so I went over to Saturday night Savage. I walked into what was supposedly Charlie Nickles’ house and put an end to his lengthy title reign. I took away his precious Television championship and now am the top dog of Savage. Whether that cocky fuck Chris Page likes it or not!

Marf turns his head sideways and starts waving wildly at the camera.

Marf: Hi Chris! Word on the street is you were a little peeved that you weren’t in the main event slot for Saturday’s show. What’s wrong little bumblebee, you’re stinger broken? Don’t fret, all you have to do is step in that ring with me and you’ll be back in the main event. If you’re too busy though than shut the fuck up. Saturday’s belong to me now. Just like Wednesdays belong to the Dissentients. Several teams, whether they are serious or just dumped into this thing, are going to find out why nobody wants to face off with us.

Teams like Edgar and Demos and the Dream-a-maniacs. Teams like the Thugz and Cooper and Stone. Even those fuckwits the Disintegrators get to be a part of it. To be honest I can barely contain my excitement. The opportunity before Lycana and myself, the amount of bodies we can lay out. While the tag champs have a front row seat to watch it all unfold. Once the dust settles they would be smart to hand those titles over after seeing what the Dissentients have done.

A chance to beat on Demos or Charlie or whoever he chooses to be while teaming with Eds is a wonderful treat. I’ll be sure to bring my television title to ringside so Charles can see it up close. Heard he misses it, this is the least I can do. Another treat is the chance to toss the Thugz around the ring. A real team, ready to be disposed of. And that’s about it really as far as the excitement goes. Everybody else involved I couldn’t give two rat shits about.

Yes, Dream-a-maniacs, that means I don’t care about your sad, old dream. You exhausted fogeys should just stay at the retirement home that night and avoid getting crippled. Maybe ask Cooper and Stone to watch over you and change your bedpans. It’s not like they have any business being in this match so let’s give them something to do at least. And last but one thousand percent least, the Disintegrators can just go get fucked. These two herpes sores jumped off Vinnie Lane’s decrepit dick and somehow got booked too.

The Dissentients, the only worthy team in this match, will lay you all to rest. TK and Bobby can watch and make all the special notes and observations they want. I can tell you right now though what you are all soon going to find out. Lycana and Marf together in that ring will hurt anyone foolishly placed in front of us. You can try to say you’re better than us, but we will prove each and every one of you wrong inside that ring. There’s no stopping us, but go right ahead and try anyway. I look forward to seeing you all fail.

At this point Marf bows and then picks his Television title back up, propping it back onto his shoulder. He smiles one more time as we fade out.

A few days later or so...

We open to the sounds of tires slowly crunching over the gravel of the shoulder of the road. The 1994 Chrysler New Yorker pulls into the lot of a mid-sized hotel. The awful maroon coloured vehicle rolls into a spot near the end of the parking lot. The car runs for a moment before the engine is shut off. The driver side door opens and out steps Marf. Lycana steps out the passenger side and then opens the back door and Reika steps out, holding a Jem and the Holograms back pack. She hops up and down in excitement as she looks at the hotel in front of them.

Marf goes to the front desk area to book a room for them while Lycana stays with Reika. She tells Reika to wait by the car while she grabs a drink for them from the vending machine. Of course Reika immediately sneaks off to check out the hotel. She tries to look into windows but can’t see anything since it is already past midnight. She runs around in the lobby before turning the corner to the front desk area and crashes into Marf. She avoids wiping out as Marf holds onto her for a moment. He looks a little annoyed but stays calm.

Marf: What are you doing up here? You’re supposed to be with Lycana.

Reika: She made me wait at the car while she got drinks. It was boring.

A flustered Lycana comes jogging up now and stops as she sees Reika with Marf. He looks over at her and then back to Reika.

Marf: It’s no less boring up here let’s go to our room and get some sleep.

Reika: But I wanna have fun first!

Marf: It’s just a hotel there’s nothing fun to do! And it’s getting late come on let’s go.

Marf let’s out a sigh of exasperation while Lycana smirks at him. Reika grabs his massive arm while he looks back to her.

Reika: Okay I’ll go to the room and go to bed. If you play one round of dance, dance revolution with me!

Lycana snorts with a laugh and quickly puts a hand to her mouth while trying to look innocent. Marf eyes her suspiciously and then looks back to Reika and tries to speak calmly.

Marf: Well that would be nice Reika but this is a hotel not an arcade so they don’t have Dance dance revolution sooooo that’s dumb.

Reika smiles wide and grabs Marf by the hand and pulls him back to the lobby. Lycana grins and follows them both while Marf lets Reika guide him. They walk through the lobby until Reika stops them in front of an old but working Dance dance Revolution game. Marf shakes his head in disbelief while Reika claps her hands and jumps up and down. Lycana let’s out a laugh as Marf looks over at her. She gestures to the game and Marf shakes his head no.

Marf: When the hell has any hotel had this game in their lobby!?

Reika: Doesn’t matter! I’ll go first!

Marf runs his hands through his short hair while Reika steps onto the game. She starts up her turn on novice and puts up an almost perfect dance routine to the beats of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. Lycana laughs and gives her a round of applause once it finishes. Marf looks at them both and they both excitedly point to the game for Marf’s turn. He cracks his knuckles and slowly steps onto the machine. He sets up by picking LMFAO’s Sexy and I know it. Lycana cocks her head at the song choice. Guess there was no Stone Temple Pilots to pick.

The song starts up and Reika cries out with glee while bobbing to the beat. Marf explodes with all the right moves while both Lycana and Reika go completely still and silent. They stare with complete awe as Marf doesn’t miss a single step to the fast paced tune. What a fucking beauty. Marf’s feet move at an inhuman pace before the song finally finishes up and Marf steps off with a bit of a smirk. He acts surprised as the game announces a new high score has been set. Marf turns toward Reika and Lycana who are completely stunned.

Marf: New high score, what’s that? Did I break it?

Reika shakes her head in disbelief and starts walking to the room. Lycana chuckles and smacks Marf on the arm before following after Reika.

Lycana: You’re an ass...

A little later that evening...

Marf stands outside, looking up into the night’s sky. Lycana comes out of their hotel room and quietly approaches him. Marf looks over at her and she gives a small smile before leaning on the car they most likely did not pay for.

Marf: She’s asleep?

She exhales a soft sigh.

Lycana: Yes, finally.

Marf: Wow, I was starting to think she just doesn’t sleep.

Lycana laughs softly as she hops up on the hood of the car, tucking one knee up and resting her chin on it.

Lycana: I could say the same for you most nights.

Her expression grows serious as she contemplates Marf, her eyes taking in the dark circles under his eyes. She hesitates for a moment, before breaching the silence between them.

Lycana: Your nightmares are coming more and more frequently lately. They’re getting worse too, aren't they?

Marf stares straight ahead while answering her.

Marf: They are nonstop. I close my eyes too long and i don’t really know what reality I’m going to be in when I open them...

Lycana’s brow furrows, her eyes never leaving his face despite the fact he was looking away.

Lycana: Things can't keep going on this way Marf. They don’t mean anything to you either? Nothing stands out in them?

A soft undercurrent of concern laces her tone. He slowly looks over at her.

Marf: There’s a woman...I think she has something to do with why they’ve been getting intensely worse...

Lycana’s head comes up at this bit of information, she chews on a fingernail for a moment as she thinks.

Lycana: Well, that’s something then, we can go off that. Is she in all of them? Do you know who she is? Is she from your past?

Marf furrows his brow while trying to envision the dreams.

Marf: I don’t know her...but she’s been showing up more and more...this small, deadly looking female...I think she might be Asian but her eyes...that’s what stands out most. They just glow blue.

Lycana: Hmm... well then...... wait. Glow blue?

Lycana blinks, not really sure of she heard him correctly. Her eyes widen at this revelation. She slides off the car, moving to stand in front of him, looking up into his face.

Lycana: You said they glow blue? Her eyes? The same thing that I’ve been telling you that’s been happening in mine; has been happening in yours?

Marf let’s out a long sigh while looking at her.

Marf: Actually yes, exactly like the one from yours...I think...I think she told me to stop helping you in one of the recent ones. Yes, I’m pretty sure she tried to warn me to stay away from you...

Lycana searches his eyes for a few moments in silence as she digests what he is telling her.

Lycana: I don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell me before now...

She shakes her head, dropping her gaze to fixate at a point beyond him.

Lycana: It doesn’t matter. I don’t know what any of this means... the Harbinger wasn’t a woman. But they have the same traits. And why would they warn you to stay away from me? Does it have to do with the snake in mine? None of this makes any sense to me.

She brings her fingers up to her temples.

Marf: I didn’t want you worrying, I thought it was a dumb dream based off what you had told me. But then she made some kind of threat towards me. Something I’m not prepared to step down from. I’m stepping up to be by your side in whatever this shit is...

She lifts her gaze back up to meet his bold blue one.

Lycana: What did she say exactly? Do you remember? You think something is actually going to happen?

He frowns and slowly shakes his head from side to side.

Marf: All I know is she said something about being a last warning to stop helping you...

She bites her lip, thinking over what he had told her. The silence washes over both of them as they stand close to one another, both lost in their own thoughts before Lycana speaks once more.

Lycana: I don’t understand what is going on, but I think it's something we both need to keep an eye on. I don’t think it is a coincidence. Something is coming...

She reaches up a hand, laying the palm on his cheek as she offers him a bit of a smile.

Lycana: Thank you, for always standing with me, even if we don’t know what this is. Always be alert, be strong. Try not to let her, whoever she is, take you by surprise.

Marf closes his eyes and nods. The feel of her hand on his skin sending a calm wave of confidence throughout his body.

Marf: Absolutely. We both need to be careful going forward...

She lets her palm slip from his cheek down over his shoulder, to his chest as she leans into him. His heart thumps comfortingly under her ear.

Lycana: And no matter what comes our way, we face it together.

Marf nods again while Lycana makes her way back to their room. He grabs their overnight bag out of the trunk before locking up the car. Marf follows to the hotel room.

A few hours later...

Marf leans against the wall watching over Lycana and Reika as they both sleep peacefully in bed. His eyes are darkened by large circles from his lack of sleep. His eyelids flicker every so often before he jumps and blinks. Marf walks over and enters the bathroom before quietly shutting the door behind him. He turns on the light and splashes some water in his face. He stares at his exhausted reflection and shakes his head.

Marf: Get it together man. They’re just dreams, dreams can’t hurt you. This can’t go on, I need to sleep. But I still remember that she warned me...she threatened me...I remember that...

Well he went and said it twice so you know exactly what comes next...

...remember...

...Remember...

...Remember...ams were ge...

...I remember feeling my mind wavering as the dreams were getting worse. The dreams that she would tell me about. That she would just expect me to go along with. Her dreams were our dreams and my dreams were nonexistent. That was the life I didn’t even realize I signed up for until it was too late. She got me locked in with a few financial spots that had me feeling handcuffed. There was no way out once that was in place and she knew it.

Her name was Ashley something or other. I first met her at some hole in the ground dump of a bar in Minnesota. Or perhaps it was Alberta. Some snowy shitty place anyway. I remember being on odd jobs to get by when she found me. She pushed me into this professional wrestling business which was bizarre to me at the time. I didn’t even have a relationship with the word professional. But she insisted I go to the school and learn to wrestle and go from there, so I did.

I remember being a fast learner and some lucky opportunities moved me up the ranks quickly. That’s when Ashley presented the idea I bring her in as my valet. She insisted that I only say it was my idea so that’s what I did. And there she was, coming to ringside with me. In outfits skimpier than anything she wore for me. A lot of attention diverted to her over me and I didn’t want to even do this dumb shit to begin with. But I had to satisfy her needs, didn’t I?

A bigger company swooped in shortly after and took us both to a higher level. Live shows, pay per views, big shiny titles and rabid screaming fans. I remember winning multiple titles before Ashley suddenly insisted on a new angle. One that would see her break off from me to do her own thing. She promised it was only a story and not real life. She looked me in the eyes and explained to me it was for the greater good to see both of us rocket to the top. A lot of what she said began to run together in an endless cycle of bullshit.

I remember walking in on Ashley giving head to another man in the locker room. Some dude named something boring like Brian Brians or John Smith. He was the world champion of the company we were in. I was in shock so I only broke his arm before he got away and I stood around feeling paralyzed. Ashley stared at me with the alligator tears and begged me to listen. She pleaded for me to believe the new bullshit story about to spew forth from her cheating cumhole of a mouth. I remember feeling relieved I only ever fucked her with a condom.

The rage of betrayal seethed through me but I knew I didn’t need to lay a finger on her. The ruckus made from the generic champ and myself brought enough attention. People with cameras had started piling into the locker room, getting their perfect shots before she was quick enough to get her clothes back on. Her career was over before it ever really began. I didn’t care about mine and left the company only to have another one offer me a ridiculous amount of money to come play. I accepted of course but took a few days to move on.

I remember it wasn’t even 48 hours later when Ashley came banging on my hotel door. It was almost midnight but she was plenty intoxicated already. She begged me to help her, take her with me and even suggested I owed her. Then she suggested she could owe me something and wanted to get physical but I said not in the room. She mindlessly followed me behind the hotel until nobody was in sight. I opened my arms wide for a hug while she giggled, likely a fake laugh, and embraced me for the hug.

I remember folding my arms across her and bringing her in. I gazed down into her clueless eyes as she looked up at me with mild confusion. I tightened my grip and squeezed so hard I could hear the air pushing out of her all the way down to her lungs. Her eyes grew wide as I crushed her in my arms, breaking her brittle body with my massive frame. I let go and grabbed her by the head while she moaned in horror before I twisted and broke her neck. I dropped her body in the darkened ditch behind the hotel before leaving it there like the trash it was. I remember how good it felt to leave her behind...

...I remember...leave behind...

...Remember...

...remember...

Marf’s eyes flicker but don’t fully open as his body slowly sinks to the floor. He twitches for a moment and then his eyes are fully shut, likely meaning he is about to leave behind this reality. His body slumps onto the floor and leans back against the wall. His fingers tingle and twitch while he starts to shake. In his mind, Marf is now tumbling forward in the darkness. Sailing through the void towards another nightmare. A blue hue in the distance catches his eyes as we fade out...