Chris Dumont & David Striker vs. Gigi Steward & Katie Steward

[Konrad Raab]

4 RP limit for tag

3500 Word Limit Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Friday, July 19, 2024 (NOTE DEADLINE DATE)

[PhantomTroupe]

{The screen cuts to the tallest building in Detroit in the form of the GM Renaissance Center which was made equally famous in Paul Verhoeven's trilogy of Robocop movies as the in setting headquarters of the corrupt OCP megacorp and it is here that we find two people on the opposite side of the spectrum in the form of the Phantom Troupe's own David Striker and Chris Dumont. Both men are dressed for the season...kind of as David is wearing the black Sabaton "Primo Victoria" t-shirt and tan cargo shorts while Chris is dressed more in line with the slightly infamous Detroit heat as the two men are admiring the building while David is humming Sabaton's "The Red Baron"}

"So, you're in a mood today." Chris said as he glanced over at his friend. "I mean you don't often hum Sabaton...or anything really."

David nodded, "I know. I just don't feel like raging or anything at the moment to be honest. I mean can't a guy be in a good mood while hanging out with his friends?"

Chris nodded but he still found it strange, just a few days ago David was fuming nonstop about how much work and effort he had put into getting ready for the one night only tournament in SCW only to be stopped by a "freaking Sailor Moon ripoff wrestler" to just a day ago his entire demeanor changed as he started to be in a better mood.

Chris simply chalked it up to Sabaton's next tour would actually be in time with their current dates with SCW.

David then looked over at his friend, "So, what about you then? I heard that while I was dealing with BS in Memphis, you had a run in with the last person that you wanted to see."

Chris let his head fall forward and banged against the metal railing in front of him. "Can we not do this please?" he mumbled.

David shook his head, "Actually no we have to do this because right now you've got a successful career as a professional wrestler *and* you're slowly starting something with Aisling and the last thing that the either of you need is the drama that your ex can bring you." David pointed out evenly.

"Look, all that happened was that she showed up at BB King's while I was talking with Kimmie and that's it." Chris said in a darkly defensive tone.

"Still, have you even told Aisling anything about what happened though? I mean we do work in an industry where rumors have a life of their own. I mean you could hear about you having an innocent late lunch with a fellow female wrestler and it could turn everything on its head...I mean you've heard about the problems Polly and the gang have been having lately." David said in a rather pointed tone. "I mean then there is that rumor about the new girl traveling with them...something about that one has Kyle's eyes keeping an eye on that one."

Chris nodded, "Aisling did tell me that they had their own shit to deal with and I'm trusting her. It does seem to be that we talk a lot about Polly and her crew don't we?"

David nodded, "Yeah, mostly because they are as much a part of the Troupe as they can be without actually being there that first day when we started this thing of ours." he said as the two started to walk. "But needless to say that this is fun, just hanging out here in Detroit and trying to do the Robocop walking tour..."

"Even though the movies were filmed in Dallas Texas due to how the buildings here in Detroit actually are." Chris countered as he turned to regard the city's skyline.

"....that it is, that it is."

Chris couldn’t help but chuckle at that comment as the two resumed their walk but his thoughts instead went back to the previous Breakdown and his chance encounter with his former girlfriend;

Jessica Gates.

If the Devil ever had an actual name, then that would be it as far as Chris was concerned and with good reason too…but it wasn’t the kind of reason that was known or well shared outside his extremely small cluster of very close friends.

Friends like David here.

David who was still talking about something apparently.

Chris shook his head hard to try and clear it before he looked over at David again, “Sorry, I kind of zoned out for a few there.”

David nodded, “Yeah, I could tell. Look, I was just curious if you wanted to go and grab a couple of Detroit’s signature sandwiches and just chill before we hit the gym and shit.” he offered up.

“Yeah, I could eat.” Chris admitted before the two changed direction and headed away from the GM building and started to look around for something to eat. “You know, unusually we get Irvine or Kyle to hit up the locals and see what’s good, so why haven’t we done that yet?”

David simply shrugged, “Mostly because I figured that you and I needed some time to hang without everyone in the crew around. I mean it’s not like we spend most of our time surrounded by them all. I’ve got Dylan and DJ over in NFW and then we got the rest of the gang during our time over in Japan for Pro Wrestling Nova.” he explained.

“So do you know when we’re due back over there by the way? I mean I know that Sabin and Gabe are up for a tag title shot on…Tuesday or Wednesday?”

David pulled out his phone and checked it real fast, “Basically we head back to Japan for the tour there with the rest of the boys and then an episode of Defiant before we come back here for the next SCW pay per view if I’m reading the schedule correctly.” David said before he closed down his phone and slipped it back into his pocket. “Anxious to get back to the tour?”

“More like anxious to get it over with actually, three months of going back and forth has really started to wear on me, I think it’s probably part of the reason why I’ve lost so many matches recently in SCW because of the near constant having to catch flights between the two countries which makes me wonder how did my parents pull this off?”

David nodded in agreement, “Isn’t that the truth? I mean didn’t your dad do two back to back events for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance before heading over to Japan to be in the very first Omega Wrestling Alliance pay per view and it’s one day tourneys for two of its titles?”

“Yeah, mom later told me he slept for almost two days as he couldn’t get out of the room they had rented in Tokyo due to how bruised up and stiff he was from all of the hard fighting. They had to get Chris and Little Uncle Kevin to get him to a bathhouse with a special ice bath to help get his muscles to work again.” Chris laughed as he recalled the story he was told since the event happened prior to his birth. “But I’m not my dad, I’m not used to this kind of work load yet.”

David nodded, “So…is it safe to ask one question though?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“What happened when you ran into Jessica the other week? I mean you and I both know that she could not have seen you and *not* tried to pull something, true?” David pointed out.

Chris stopped walking and closed his eyes tightly for a few seconds before finally saying one thing;

“Let’s just say that I’m glad that I’ve got a match this week and leave it at that.”
============================================

{The screen then static jumps to a shot of both halves of Dangerous Minds standing in front of the main entrance to Titan Field in Detroit Michigan with David Striker leaning against the wall while Chris Dumont paces back and forth next to him}

David: Hello SCW, we’re live right here in the Motor City and this week you’ve got the Phantom Troupe’s dastardly duo of Dangerous Minds in myself and Chris Dumont here up against two thirds of Team Desire in Katie and Gigi Steward this week on Breakdown and I’ve got to admit, it’s nice to have something as simple as a tag team match after the last few weeks, eh Chris?

Chris: In a strange round about way, I guess you’re right.

David: {motioning at Chris’ pacing} You have to forgive my partner but he’s only been in town a couple of days as he, like myself, been going back and forth between the States and Japan, working a tour for Pro Wrestling Nova, and when you stuck on an airplane for anywhere from ten to fifteen hours at a time with nothing to do but sit there…well for a guy like Chris here, just sitting around isn’t his thing.

{Chris lets out a very loud and humorless bark of laughter but otherwise says nothing}

David: Hence all of the pacing, but ladies…Katie and Gigi…you can be rest assured that by the time that bell rings on Breakdown, Chris will be fully prepared to do whatever it takes, along with myself, to bring another victory home to the Phantom Troupe. And while I’ll be the first one to admit that everything hasn’t been a bed of roses with some pretty potent losses intermixed with some incredible wins, and while the constant losses in the face of some of the chances that we’ve been given over these past few months might have broken lesser people, all that it has done for Chris and myself has shown that we’re still fighting our way up that ladder because if things were really that simple then this would not be such an epic promotion!!

Honestly, Ladies and Gentlemen, look at the sheer list of names that have come and gone from SCW and you tell me that if things were meant to be easy then this would not be the SCW of *LEGEND*!!

That’s why I have downright refused to allow myself to get frustrated or drowned in my sorrows for not winning a title here in this company because with the sheer level of talent holding those belts, I could measure myself to the level of those greats and if the Phantom Troupe can hold their own against such odds, then fucking *win* or fucking *lose*, we have *EARNED* our places on this roster no matter the cost because right here in this company is where we are fucking meant to be because this is company is the Undiscovered Country…the promised land.

And yes, I know that during the tournament the other week I got beat by a freaking Sailor Moon reject which ended my chances there, but I'm not here to play the king of what ifs, ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to do what I do best and that's fight, be up hill against one of the most established teams here in this company or against two damn rookies who think that the "Scorpion Death Drop" is some song from Thousand Foot Krutch, I'm not here to just sit around and look pretty, I'm here to do a banger after banger after banger after banger as my good friend Kyle would say in a situation like this!

{Chris stops pacing and the camera shifts its view over to him}

Chris: A lot of you might think that David’s taken more than his fair share of hits to the head if he’s talking like that but if you simply look at what he’s preaching, then you’d become a believer yourself.

But it’s that same drive…that same *desire*, if you will, that constantly drives this unit. Because when the Phantom Troupe formed, we knew that we had some awfully big shoes to fill each and every time that we go out there to the ring and this week on Breakdown, Katie and Gigi, we’re going to show not only you, but the entire wrestling world that while you’re looking down at us and chuckling at our chances at winning…we’re actually about to clock you out and down.

But all of that aside, David and I are not joking around because we know that the two of you are no jokes in that ring and when you combine that with the fact that you’ve been teaming a hell of a lot longer than the two of us means that you’ve got a slight advantage over us in terms of experience…but that slight advantage is nothing because neither one of you is as tenth pissed off as we are!

Honestly, Team Desire, we’ve heard the whispering in the back, at the various people who see us show up as ya’ll gather around in your little circles and start to gossip about the kinds of chances that we’ve been given time and again and that only serves to piss us off, adding to the fuel to the fire that burns bright and hot in the very cores of Dangerous Minds.

A fire that’s going to burn the entire fucking lot of you down to the point where not even your marrow will be left because starting on this week’s edition of Breakdown, all of the disgusted side looks…all of the gossip…and most importantly of all, all of the laughing that we heard each and every time we hit the ring in an attempt to capture the win for our side….all of that stops at Breakdown, not because we’re saying that’s how it’s going to go down;

Because that’s honestly how it’s going to happen, whether you like it or not and that is because we’re coming for war pure and simple and if it’s one thing that Dangerous Minds enjoys most…it’s going to war.

David: And war it must be because as we head into the next pay per view, I see great mayhem in the making and I refuse…flatly *REFUSE* to let that happen without the Phantom Troupe at the center.

So come on Team Desire, come at us with your finest violence…or stay the hell out of Detroit.

The choice is yours.

{The screen then static jumps to black}
=================================

[Team Desire]

Team Desire | "Their Love Bomb"

It was like a nightmare. A nightmare she would rather not be having right now. Yet there she is, Gigi sitting on the couch at her boyfriend Liam's place. Regretting the night of celebratory partying she went out and did with Maddy and Ash a few weeks ago. It was obviously a bad decision. When did partying with the three of them ever produce a good idea?

“I didn’t really do that, did I?”

Gigi shakes her head. Still fighting with disbelief. Feeling embarrassed that she'd do such a thing. Liam walks over and joins her on the couch. He has his phone in hand.

“If you want I can play the voicemail again.” He tries to fight back a smile, but can’t help himself. Rather enjoying making Gigi feel a little uncomfortable.

He slides his finger across his phone screen and plays the message from a drunken Gigi. She started off by telling him how she feels in the message. How much he means to her and then she says the unthinkable. She said the L word. With the hard V.

“I don’t really see a problem.” Liam tries to damage control the situation. “It was a really nice call. I’m flatter. It’s actually quite nice that you’ve changed your mind about us. I do feel the same way too.”

Gigi sits there in silence for what feels like an eternity. Not knowing what to say. She hasn’t thought this far ahead. Gigi is more of a person who likes to have things under her own control. That whole night of celebration has backfired on her so badly. That was such a Katie move. Though Katie didn’t drunk dial any of her exes after finishing her epic long quest. Does she even have exes, Gigi wonders. Maybe she reached out to her Brats. Gigi doesn’t know. What she does know though is she is somewhere she is uncomfortable being at the moment.

“If you want I could delete it.” Liam offers. His finger hovering over the delete icon on the phone screen.

Gigi looks at his phone, she wants to say yes. Ask if we can just forget that this ever happened. What would happen when she just blurts out a yes? Or sound too eager with it? It would probably mark the end of their relationship and as embarrassed as she feels over this. She doesn’t really want it to end. So Gigi knows what she has to do and that is some adulting.

“No. It’s ok. I’m probably not going to let Maddy or Ash talk me into doing anything like that again. I should’ve learned my lesson after the call I made to Sasha.” Gigi reaches out and pushes his phone back. Just telling him to put it away now.

“I guess that’s a good thing then.” Liam nods. “I’m glad you’re taking it so responsibly. It's way too cute to delete.”

Gigi stretches out and playfully punches him in the arm. He just laughs it off. Gigi stands up off the couch and excuses herself and she leaves.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Katie stands in her church being led by the fire investigator walking her through the scene. In the back of the church is where most of the damage occurred. Some burned pews, curtains, knocked over candle racks and blackened stained walls. They tell her while the fire wasn’t intentionally set or suspicious. Just they have some more questions they need to look into, but overall they’re pretty much done. They give Katie some papers and then see their way out.

Katie looks over the review of the damages listed on the paper as she walks back to the altar of her church. She should be relieved that someone wouldn’t try to burn down her church, but she doesn’t need an investigation to know that some sick minded person would. Katie will just have to do the investigation herself. She lowers the papers back down to her side. Still holding them in her hands. She looks to the front doors and notices someone walking in and looking around. Noticing them acting very suspiciously Katie walks up the aisle to confront them.

“Uh excuse me, who are you and why are you in my church? We’re closed due to a fire. No one is allowed to be here.” Katie announces to them. Hoping they’ll turn back and leave.

“I’m sorry, Ms.” The person turns to her with a smile. Katie immediately notices the white collar around his neck. “Pastor Benjamin Hayes. It was just checking out the property. I heard that it’ll be up for sale soon. A prime location for my own congregation.”

“No. This place isn’t for sale.” Katie looks at him confused. What is he talking about? Her church is for sale. She’s too distracted; she doesn't even notice him offering a handshake to introduce himself.

“That's not entirely true. With the recent fire the lease looks to be coming up soon and this place is absolutely perfect.” Pastor Ben grins ear to ear just looking around at the place.

“Are you suggesting that you had something to do with the fire?” Katie doesn’t bother wasting any time accusing the person. He just laughs her off.

“No. I had nothing to do with the fire. I just found out about this place from the paper about the fire. It doesn’t have to be anything incendious. We could work together. For a long term vision.” The pastor turns and pats Katie on the shoulder. “I’ll come back at another time. You have a lot to work out and think a lot about.”

The Pastor hands Katie his card before he leaves. Katie fumes with anger while wrinkling the paper of the investigation report in her other hand. She knew something wasn’t right and someone did this. Now she is going to prove it.


______________________________________________________________________________________________

The Stewards sit in their respective chairs at their Median’s office. Dr. Evelyn Mercer sits in her chair across from them. Her pen and notebook in her hand. She looks happy seeing them after their big win a few weeks ago. However Katie nor Gigi aren’t looking too thrilled at the moment.

“So, how are the two of you doing? How do you see the future of these sessions happening now that you’ve achieved what you wanted?” The Doctor asks.

Katie and Gigi look at one another. Wonder who is going to answer the question first. Gigi decides herself to be the one.

“I mean I guess we’re done then. Getting us to work together and focused and winning the titles is what we wanted. We did that.”

“Yeah, but that’s not the only reason. Is it?” Katie is searching for an answer. “I mean we are really screwed up.”

Gigi nods in agreement. Both Stewards look to the Doctor for answers.

“Ok, so both of you are still looking for answers. I guess I can help with that. What is on either of your minds?”

“Well I just figured out that my church was purposely set on fire by this evangelical pastor looking to buy it up. He didn’t flat out say it, but you have to catch the criminals. They’re never going to come out and say it.” Katie jumps out first and throws her problem to the Doctor.

“While we, Maddy, Ash and I were celebrating my big win in Miami. I kind of called my boyfriend and I said… I said the word.” Gigi looks down at her feet feeling the guilt.

“Ok, wow. I can see we have a lot of work to get through. So yeah, we’ll just continue scheduling the two of you for our sessions.” Dr. Mercer sounds very understanding and welcomes the Steward’s eagerness to seek help for themselves.

“You told him that you… oh Gigi, I’m so happy for you. Wait, did you mean it?” Katie goes from happiness to horrified sensing Gigi’s feelings.

“I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. Did they really burn down your church?” Gigi asks.

“We're going to bust them.” Katie with an intense look in her eye nods to Gigi.

Yes. The Steward is in deafened need of some help and it’s a good thing they’re getting it.


______________________________________________________________________________________________

“The Dangerous Minds. That’s funny. That’s what my Brats once said about me. I don’t know, I always thought it was a compliment. Like I’m some kind of mastermind. I know that’s true. How else did I achieve the ultimate Hollywood ending for myself? Becoming the greatest person ever in SCW. On top of that, I get to do what I said I was going to do. After having enough of this whatever it is SCW is doing. The Steward were going to be walking into Rise to Greatness as Champions. It's what SCW needs the most right now. So while on Breakdown, Gigi and I will get to workout and practice. Getting ourselves for the biggest Rise to Greatness moment by facing a dangerous minded team. That I’m sure has plenty of devious things running through. Because having Twisted and Sadistic and the Light in the Darkness wanting the tag team titles. You have to be ready for anything. Whether it’s dangerous minds or twisted minds or sadistic minds or minds set on taking back what they think belong to them. Nothing compares to the brilliance and beautiful mind of Katie Steward. I’m now a Tag Team Champion. These titles need some Steward’s polish.” -Katie Steward


“While Television Champion Giovanna Steward sounded great. I guess it’s best that faith
had other things in mind. Being one half of the tag champs is nice. Being one half while the other is Katie Steward is rather a full time gig, so yeah it’s not a bad thing that Waylon Creek gotta win a couple of weeks ago. Now we have to focus on our first match as Tag Team Champions. Against Chris Dumont and David Striker who clearly want to make a name for themselves. See if they can jump the line with a win so after Rise to Greatness they see some gold in their future. Or maybe some kind of timey wimey stuff goes down and we have another team added to Rise to Greatness. According to Katie that sounds exactly like something SCW is known to do. Whatever, though, it doesn’t matter. No one is going to get that far. I’m a champion again. It feels so good. I don’t want to let this go. So we’re going to prepare for war. That’s the Steward’s mindset. So Chris, David, Brittany, Glory, Amelia, Luz and whoever else is in our future. To Breakdown and then Rise to Greatness and whatever. We’re going to remind everyone again why the Stewards are better than everyone else.” -Gigi Steward.