The Bear and the Champion Fair - (Chaos Title Triple Threat)

[Sebastian Everett-Bryce]

---

This was the card that awaited Sebastian in his locker room, sitting atop his carefully folded clothes as he stepped out of the shower. Sat there, as if it had always been. He picked it up and glanced at it, before placing it to one side and pulling on his beige chinos, his boat shoes, his white shirt and his navy blue blazer. It was, afterall, his birthday. And he was in the mood to celebrate. The previous night, Seb had captained Team Page in the Main Event of the Tara Fenix Charity Event, and just an hour earlier, Sebastian had defended the UGWC Chaos Championship one more time, cementing his place as champion.

In doing so, he’d automatically booked himself into another defence one week from tonight in a Triple Threat match against Chuck Rydell and Ken Davison. Chuck’s recent return to UGWC had begun with a defeat to Seb - before gaining his first victory since his return to the company in defeating the third of their Trio. Ken’s fortunes, had also been mixed. In the wake of defeat to the new UGWC Cooperative Champions, Ken had followed defeat against Chuck with a somewhat tainted victory over JC.

Quite the chaotic merry-go-round.

Seb picked up the card again and read it once more.

“Today is my birthday, and I refuse to let it be derailed by whatever nonsense the Engine of Chaos have cooked up.” Said Seb, nodding assuredly, and making the decision to instead locate Sloane and continue with plans for a late dinner.

He pulled open his locker room door and stepped forward. And yet, instead of concrete, Seb’s foot gave way to air. He fell forward, just a foot or two before landing face down on what he quickly came to recognise as grass. Seb rolled over and looked back from whence he’d came, just as the door behind him closed and disappeared.

“What the f…” Seb began. He looked around and spotted an old, broken down house. Its size was not unsubstantial, and yet it looked entirely unlived in save for the dim glow of light from inside. He reached into the pocket of his now dusty jacket and pulled out the card upon which the Engine’s invitation had been written. He turned it over in his hand to look at the address written there.

“Brilliant.” Said Seb. He climbed to his feet and dusted off his jacket before looking down at the green stains on the knees of his chinos. “Oh for god sake! Grass stains! It will take forever to get that out!”


He did a little jump up and down to indicate just how mad he was to absolutely no-one at all.

And then he saw it, through one of the dimly lit windows. A flash of blue. It wasn’t substantial enough to make out fully, but it caught his attention. Seb’s eyes scanned the windows trying to make out any further shapes.

“I need to get home.” Seb said to himself turning on the spot - but he had no idea where to go. No heading, no direction. He pulled out his phone and it flickered and crackled. Where his signal lines should be there was a pulsing heart - and not one of the cute hearts modlled on the buttocks to make it appealing. No, this teeny-tiny heart had ventricles and an aorta.

And no matter what icon he tried to press, it moved out of the way of his thumb. Finally, he looked up at the house.

“OhMyGodFineI’llComeInToYourStupidHouseGod!” He said in a very British impression of Sloane. He moved towards the dilapidated building, before slowly walking up the wooden steps. The last gave out a loud creak and from somewhere in the house he heard a loud, bone-chilling growl.

“Oh fuck that.” Seb said, turning around. Yet, as he did so, he walked face first into a tall chicken-wire fence that definitely hadn’t been there a minute ago. With his face mashed against the wire which was bowing slightly and making it difficult for him to regain his footing, be let out a yell of his own. “WHAT IS HAPPENING?!”

As he did, the roaring from inside the house stopped. As he regained his footing and turned, there were several metallic clicks and the door slowly swung open.

“Welllllll… That’s not creepy is it?” Seb said as he once again climbed the steps, careful to step over the final one. As he placed his foot on the decking outside the door, his left foot disappeared through the rotten wood. He let out a deep sigh, before rubbing the bridge of his nose. “... Of course. I mean, why not?”

He pulled his foot back through the hole and found himself devoid of his left shoe.

“Oh no! No! Sloane JUST bought me these!” He dropped to his knees and looked through the gap. Where he’d expected the muddy ground, there was a black void into which his brand new shoe had clearly just fallen. “Oh you’ve got to be taking the piss!”

He stood up, evidently made tense by everything he’d gone through so far, before he cleared his throat.

“Now, now, Sebastian. Time for the famed British stiff upper lip.” He said as he shook away the disappointment of his entire outfit being essentially ruined. “Onwards and upwards. Tally-ho.”

Seb stepped inside the building. It was dark, but not pitch black. He could make out shapes through the gloom, and whilst the lighting was low, it did illuminate a path for him. He continued on, a strange feeling taking over him - a sense of impending doom.

“That’ll be the random trip to the creepy murder house in the middle of no-where.” Seb said to himself as he moved into the hallway. Behind him, there was a click as the door closed. And as he did he sttttttaaaaaaart//*()9ed to feel stra…..a….a….a….nge… “What is… ha9934!49…”

He heard that roar again.

“04 n0@}{_{{+_@:}{_+@:...” He said before his legs began to run as if independ… e…n…t… F… r0m… His… Body.

D00rw4y… 0p3n3d… F311 !n5!d3…

The door closed behind him, and he leaned back against it. His eyes closed, his breathing heavy.

“What the fuck…” He said to himself.

“See you met Err Bear.” Said a robotic voice from across the room. It made Seb jump. And he opened his eyes to see Jason Ingalls sat next to a fire, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Come, sit. Let us palaver.”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather just get all of this over with - I’m here to meet with the Engine of Chaos.” Said Seb as he walked towards his new host. To the right of the fireplace was another door, separate to the one he’d just entered through.

“And so you are.” Said Jase, with a smile. “Though, not exactly as you probably expected - Rogan sent me.”

“So the Engine offered to throw me a celebration for my time as Chaos Champion, and not even the entire Engine of Chaos could be bothered to show up?” Asked Seb.

“That’s not entirely true. Rogan sent me as punishment.” Said Jase, his voice showing no hint of emotion.

“Okay firstly, I’m not sure why you would be classed as punishment…” Began Seb.

“I too found that to be an insult.” Said Jase. “Alas, I believe the true punishment is his lack of appearance. Yet, he did not want to be unrepresented.”

“Right… Fine… But secondly, I shouldn’t even be punished. Afterall, it was Sloane that double booked us, and it was Rogan who let Sloane have the key. AND even after all that it was Sloane who had made another mistake and found out we hadn’t actually been double booked after all, so if you think about it, it’s really not my fault.”

“Your punishment isn’t for the misuse of the Waystation. It’s for blaming Sloane for the misuse of the Waystation.” Said Robo-Jase.

“... Well fuck.” Said Seb, realising the error of his situation.

“Yes. Hahahahahaha. Gotcha.” Said Jase, his robotic laughter somewhat unnerving.

“Relax there Johnny Silvertongue.” Said Seb rolling his eyes. “Look, I just need to get out of here.”

“As you will, but first…” Jase extended his hand towards the seat in front of the fire.

“Right. Palaver.” Said Seb, before walking towards the seat. He drew his handkerchief from his pocket and unfurled it, before placing it upon the dirty metal chair and sitting down.

“Do you feel more comfortable now that you’re sat?” Asked Jase.

“Oh you mean with the Psychotic data eating bear and the dimension nomad with the Delamain voice? Sure. I am completely at ease.” Seb said.

“For a man who is a Champion of Chaos, you really aren’t comfortable outside of the norm, are you?” Said Jase with a smile. “You couldn’t survive what I have…”

“The cannibalistic demon tearing out your tongue and endless meanderings through all of reality? No, probably not, but that’s because that’s not just chaos - that’s insanity.” Said Seb quietly. He looked up at Ingalls who seemed to be impressed. “I do my homework.”

“I see that.” Said Ingalls before pausing. “Do you know the story of the formation of the Engine of Chaos?”

“Only what everyone else knows.” Said Seb, looking deep into the fire. As he did, shapes began to form, shapes that matched the robotic words breathing life into their existence.

“Ichabod and Holden had always been close - Ichabod was protective of his friend. And in protecting his friend, he made a deal with the devil. You know Holden’s history, I’m sure - living in the mind of Martin Graber, dormant, until Martin himself made the choice to die.” Said Ingalls - and in the flames, the form of the man once known as The Mainstreamer collapsed into nothingness and a masked face rose from the ashes. “And yet, Ichabod was afraid for his friend - in Gabriel Baal there was a man who could dive deep into the mind of Holden Orson and, perhaps, revive the man that had lived in that shell before. And so he hatched a plan to destroy the good doctor - first by befriending him, with the intention of destroying him. Ichabod wrote Gabriel’s name in his note, thus condemning him to destruction.”

“But that’s not what happened.” Said Seb.

“No.” Said Ingalls with a shake of his head. “Many would have been better off if it had. Baal not only survived but he endured - he crippled the Engine and moved on to a new world.”


“Why are you telling me this?” Asked Seb.

“Palaver.” Said Ingalls with a chuckle. “You are the Champion of Chaos. You should know it’s history. You have surpassed the Engine, and now you know their beginnings - a union built upon lies. And yet, they remain to this day one of, if not the most celebrated gathering of individuals in UGWC history. Chaos… Rei….gn….sssss… Ssssss…upr….eme.”

“Jase?” Seb asked as Ingalls began to stutter.

“It is… Com… ing…” Said Jase. “We… Are… fffffffffffound.”

“What do I do?” Asked Seb.

“You… Musssssssst… Embrace… The… Bear…” Said Jase.

“You have got to be fucking with me?” Seb sa!d. H3 fe1t a str@n9e f331!n9 cr33p up t43 b@ck 0f h!5 n3ck.

“Rrrrrrrrru…n. I wiiiiiiiiill… Hold… It… Back…” S@!d J@53. S*()^%^%&eb lurch”$^*^%ed f0r the d00r. “Up.. 2.. G0… Out.”

As it closed, Seb heard a roar. The low lights dropped even lower for a moment as Seb broke out into a run. He spotted a staircase that led upwards, but between him and it the wooden floor was gone exposing the void below. He turned his head, and spotted another staircase, but this one led down. The roaring was growing louder, and he had no time to argue with himself about the lack of choices that lay before him.

He ran down the stairs colliding with the door at the bottom - as he burst through, he slammed it behind him, before dragging an old cabinet into the way. He stepped back and began to pant heavily, the exertion almost getting the better of him.

“Hey, genius, it’s a fucking bear.” Came a voice from behind him. Seb turned around and let out a blood curdling yell of terror.

“Oh god no! Please lord, have mercy! Hide me from this hideous she beast! I repent all of my sins!” He yelled as he stumbled backwards and slammed into the cabinet.

“What the fuck…” Came the voice again.

“Oh… Eden… It’s you.” Said Seb, shaking away the cobwebs.

“I swear to god, the moment this baby is out of me I’m going to stab you in the eye with a stiletto.” Eden Morgan declared from the small screen mounted upon the desk on the far wall.

“You’re pregnant? I just thought you’d let yourself go.” Said Seb.

“I’m making a list of every single one of these - and there will be a stab wound for each.” Eden said sweetly.

“Fair enough.” Said Seb, before pulling up a chair and taking a seat. “What are you doing here?”

“Seeing as you’ve been so utterly, and might I add unnecessarily, rude to me anytime we’ve engaged with one another over Twitter in this past six months, I decided that Gabriel wasn’t allowed to attend your little celebration.” Eden said with a smirk.

“Wow…” Said Seb, before making a whipped sound, and doing the gesture with his hand.

“In public I would deny it, but yes, quite.” Said Eden.

“Okay, so why are you here?” Said Seb.

“Well I imagine if neither of us had turned up I’d have to start making Sweet Iced Tea to keep in my refrigerator again.” Eden said, rolling her eyes. She caught Seb’s blank stare. “Ichabod likes sweet iced tea, and if there isn’t any when he visits he does things that make me mad. It’s better for all concerned if I just keep some ready, just in case. Though, I’ve stopped recently, seeing as he hasn’t visited for a while.”

Seb blinked at the screen for a second before continuing on.

“Wow. So thus far, Rogan sent Jase and Gabriel sent you. I’m honoured.” Said Seb, shaking his head.

“Ew. Jase. My condolences - how is Robo-tongue?” Eden asked.

“He’s just…” Began Seb.

“Oh, sweetie, no… I don’t actually care. I just wanted to say Robo-tongue. Besides, we’re not here to talk about him, we’re here to talk about you. Congratulations on your run, blah, blah, it’s great that you overtook the Engine, blah, blah, and all the best on your upcoming title defence.”

“Are you reading a script?” Asked Seb.

“Gabriel felt that if I put my own spin on it, I wouldn’t give it the gravitas he felt it deserved.” Said Eden, again rolling her eyes. “But I’ve played my part and now I’m going to leave you to be eaten by the bear. Toodles.”

“Wait…” Said Seb. Eden paused in leaning forward. “Could you not pause like that, you’re showing cleavage and I don’t want to vomit…”

“You’re such a cunt.” Said Eden, leaning back in her seat. “What do you want, Sebastian?”

“You’ve been the Chaos Champion a couple of times.” Said Seb. “And you’ve faced Ken in a title match before. Seems to me that you’d be the perfect person to… You know… Give me some thoughts?”

“Oh sure.” Said Eden, clearing her throat. “Ken and Kyra beat me and Gabriel, and we’re both much, better than you - so you probably haven’t got a chance. That good enough? I don’t care. Byeeeeee.”

Eden leaned forward to turn off the camera again.

“Will you wait!” Seb said, before holding up his hand to block off the view. She rolled her eyes again and sat back. “That’s it?”

Eden tsked.

“Ken Davison is a formidable opponent, when he has Kyra at his back. And from what Lucy’s been telling me, I’m not so sure he has that right now. So I would imagine he’s a little distracted. Now, if it was me facing him, I’d probably go on TV and pick holes in their picture perfect marriage. Because that’s what they’ve always tried to show everyone - how they’re so perfect and in love and what a fantastic fucking team they are. But the truth is that, they’re just like every other couple. They have a fight, one of them becomes a pissy little bitch, and the other is forced to have to try and find a way to fix it. In this scenario, that’s Ken.”

“And in your marriage, that’s Gabriel.” Said Seb, sagely.

“... I plead the fifth.” Said Eden. “ANYWAY. My point is that, try as he might, Ken is going to be pretty distracted. And while none of this has anything to do with the fact that they lost the Coop titles last month, it also has everything to do with the fact that they lost the Coop titles last month. I mean, they were out there challenging the entire world to a fight and in the end it was Holden and Phrixus who beat them? The Flake and the Fake. Kind of hilarious when you really think about it.”

“Jesus christ, Eden.” Said Seb with a chuckle.

“What?” She asked.

“Someone’s missing cutting a promo…” Said Seb.

“... Maybe.” Said Eden. “Look, all I’m trying to say is that, Ken is a good wrestler and he’s actually a pretty good guy. But that’s going to be his weakness until Kyra starts letting him get his dick wet again. Until then, he’s going to have a bigger blue problem than you have outside that door. Distraction is not good in the Chaos division. Especially not fighting a Champion with a track record like yours - christ, most people wouldn’t want to fight you on their best day.”

Eden paused, her eyes widening.

“Eden…” Said Seb slowly.

“Shut up.” Eden said quickly, her hand closing over her mouth.

“Eden Morgan-Baal did you just compliment me?” Asked Seb.

“I said shut up, and if you ever mention that to anyone I will deny it and I’ll have someone photoshop pictures that show you wearing an “I love Konrad Raab” T-shirt.” Eden said warningly. Seb recoiled in horror, his hand against his chest.

“You monster…” He said. Eden’s lip curled into something like a smile. And yet, as it did, the screen began to flicker. “Eden?”

“S… S… … e… b.” Eden said as the screen started to flip sideways and upside down. As as they did, the Eden in the image began to lurch this way and that as if she was being tossed around in the same manner as her image.

And then came the roar just outside the door.

“Fuck… There’s no way out!” Seb said.

“Em… race… The… Bear!” Said Eden before she screamed. The screen flickered again as the door began to splinter against heavy blows.

“Fuck no!” Said Seb as he turned his back to the door - his eyes opened in joy as he spotted a small hatch. He ran to it and lurched open the door that hid the dumbwaiter that sat behind. Seb climbed in and reached out to smash his hand against the button to make the lift rise. He reached up and tried to pull shut the door to start his ascent, but it seemed to be stuck.

And then the door smashed into splinters, and his ears split with a terrifying roar.

Seb’s eyes locked with those of his pursuer as it seemed to phase and shift this way and that as if distorted by it’s own existence.

“Oh… f*@k…” H3 s@!d. T43 b3@r pu543d !ts w@y !nt0 t43 r00m @nd r3@d!3d 4 @n @tt@ck.

And then…

“Did you attack my pregnant wife?” Came a calm voice from the screen. The bear’s eyes turned towards the screen. “Dear fellow, that was a terrible, terrible mistake. The Morgan-Baals send their regards.”

And as the bear roared again and lurched for the screen, the door of the dumbwaiter pulled free, slamming shut and Seb began to ascend. He leaned back for a second, wondering just what would happen when the combined force of Eden Morgan and Gabriel Baal collided with the large blue bear that terrorised all data based forces.

There wasn’t long to ponder, however, as the dumbwaiter came to a stop, the sound of bell signalling it’s arrival. As it did, Seb lifted the sliding door and stumbled out into another room. This one, however, was entirely empty. Seb mused that his room must have been the master bedroom - the dumbwaiter serving as a way to supply the master of the house without having to disturb them.

“Impressive.” Said Seb. He turned to face the room as a whole, before dropping into a dusty old arm chair. “Engine of Chaos my arse.”

“Hello old friend.” Came a voice from the opposite chair. Seb recoiled as a small projector switched on in the ceiling above and within moments, Holden Orson sat facing him.

“I have questions.” Said Seb.

“I have answers.” Said the visual representation of Holden Orson.

“Well that’s useful.” Said Seb. “Is this another video call? Not special enough to visit in person now that you’re back in the ring?”

“I am a holographic depiction of the man you know as Holden Orson - I have a limited number of responses. You must ensure that your responses are in the form of a question so that I can answer.”

“Fair enough.” Said Seb. “Then my next question is, why did you call me old friend?”

“Because Ichabod and I are old friends, and I was created by SAM in order to provide Ichabod with answers.” Replied Holden.

“I’m… Not Ichabod.” Said Seb, pointing at the normal amount of hair upon his head.

“I’m sorry - I could not find a suitable response. Scoff. You must not have asked a question.” Said Holden.

“Oh, right. Why did Ichabod need a holographic version of Holden?” Asked Seb.

“Ichabod and Holden have not spoken in some time. And yet, Ichabod always enjoyed his discussions with his oldest friend.”

“That’s a little creepy.” Said Seb. “Alright, then why aren’t you here? For real?”

“I am unable to answer questions about Holden Orson after the first of January 2022 when his time as the Creative Director came to an end. I am unsure as to why I am not here in person today. Perhaps you are dull, and I did not want to be here. Scoff.” Said Holden.

“That’s just rude.” Said Seb, shaking his head. “Alright, fine - maybe you can help me. I have a Chaos Championship defence this week…”

“The Chaos Championship was first introduced in May of 2010. The first Champion was Jet Somers. There have been 40 separate Chaos Champions, and the current Champion - as of January 1st 2022 - is Tony Savage in his first reign.” Said Holden.

“Might want to update your records there, friend - the current Champion is me, Sebastian Everett-Bryce.” Said Seb with a smirk.

“I‘m sorry - I could not find a suitable response. Scoff. You must not have asked a question.” Said Holden.

“I was asking a question and you interrupted me!” Said Seb, shaking his head. “Fine. Look, one of my next challengers is Chuck Rydell, what can you tell me?”

“All you need to know is that Chuck Rydell is a Rydell, and in being a Rydell, he is genetically engineered to fail. He will flatter to deceive, and will often have some moderate success, only to fall flat on his face the moment things look promising. Dave Rydell and Holden Orson have a lot of history. Chuck Rydell and Holden Orson have none. However, Holden Orson does have a memory. And to suggest that Dave Rydell is the more talented Rydell brother should tell you everything you need to know.” Said Holden.

“Jesus. You’re savage, aren’t you?” Asked Seb.

“I have been noted specifically for my verbal prowess when discussing opponents. For more details, please see such examples as The Failed Masquerade.” Said Holden.

“Right… Okay… Anyway…” Said Seb quietly.

“But to continue.” Said Holden. “Success for you will depend upon which Chuck Rydell wanders to the ring. If it is the Chuck Rydell upon his ascent then he could well cause you problems. Afterall, he and his brother have been capable of more than one upset in his career. However, if it is the usual, lacklustre, unimaginative Chuck Rydell that we have all come to expect, your path to victory is likely much more simple. Some would say it is out of your hands, others would say that your future is entirely of your own making.”

“And what would you say?” Asked Seb.

“Probably ‘Scoff’.” Said Orson.

“... Was that a joke?” Asked Seb with mild surprise.

“Yes. Would you like to hear another?” Asked Holden.

“... Alright.” Said Seb.

“Chuck Rydell.” Said Holden. Seb tried his best not to laugh, but he couldn’t help himself.

Once he’d regained his composure, Seb had one final question.

“How do I get out of here Holden? What do I need to do?” Asked Seb.

“You must go up.” Said Holden. “And you must Embrace the Bear…”

“Oh god… Not you as well…” Said Seb. “Don’t you have anything else? Anything that isn’t hugging a blue, virus riddled, carnivorous, mammal?”

“Error 404 - memory cannot be found. I’m sorry but a blue, virus-riddled, carnivorous, mammal is currently eating it’s way through my storage as it travels up from the lower levels.” Said Holden as he began to flicker.

“What? How?” Asked Seb.

“The same way you did…” Said Holden. “Memory at 35%.”

“Holden? Holden!?” Seb said, but the image was much more faded now. Seb heard the bell tinkle again. His eyes widened as he turned and faced the dumbwaiter. There was a terrifying roar as the small sliding door began to bend. Seb reached the door and fumbled with the handle, finally getting it to turn.

“Signal boosted.” Said Holden from his seat, he turned his head to face Seb. “Memory at 25%. Run. Goodbye… Old friend…”

As Seb stepped outside the door and closed it over, he caught a glimpse of the shifting blue form contorting itself as it slipped from the hatch onto the ground.

Seb’s heart was pounding as he looked around for another staircase - he began trying doors in earnest until one finally pulled open. Behind it was a staircase, and Seb began to climb, pushing through the door at the top into the dusty gloom of an attic. He slammed the door behind him, his back pressed against it.

“You made it then.” Came a voice from the darkness. A moment later, the sound of a lighter crackled as the flame illuminated the face in the far corner of the room. The room was suddenly filled with the smell of Newports as the bald figure in the corner stepped out of the shadows and into the murky light. The bald head, and distinctive features of Ichabod were caught in sharp relief against the dark backdrop.

“Sebastian.” Said Ichabod. “Welcome to my… I suppose you could call this a home of sorts.”

“Let me guess… You’re an actual robot here to give me a message on behalf of Ichabod.” Said Seb, wearily.

“No, no.” Said Ich. “This is actually me. I arranged this little get together.”

“Oh.” Said Seb. “Well I don’t mind telling you, it’s not been a roaring success. It appears that your brethren didn’t feel that I’d earned the time needed to throw a celebration in my honour. And now all of their representatives have been eaten by Err Bear.”

“Do you know how hard it is to keep a legacy from falling apart?” Ichabod asked, quietly. Seb had spent time with Ichabod before, and this was different. This was… Unlike anything he’d ever seen from the man who had given him his first UGWC contract just over three years ago. “Last year, the Engine of Chaos were afforded one of the greatest honors that a group has ever been given - we were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that awards and titles mean little - they’ve always been a means to an end. And yet, that night was a representation of one of the greatest times in my life.”

“I mean, sure. I can see that.” Said Seb.

“I had hoped it would rekindle a fire within the four of us - that perhaps we could once again spread chaos and anarchy like only we could. But you can’t capture lightning in a bottle, Sebastian. A year later, and I can’t even get the four of us in the same place at the same time. Gabriel has Eden. Rogan has Lucy and Holden is… Well… Holden.” Said Ichabod, as he took another drag on his cigarette.

“And now there’s you - the silver-spoon, master of chaos himself. Single-handedly outliving the Engine at their own game. I have to tell you, kid, I was impressed. Even if you are an arrogant fucking choad.” Said Ichabod with a smirk.

“I feel like I should say thank you, and also punch you in the face.” Said Seb.

“That’s the Chaotic spirit I’ve come to admire.” Said Ichabod, pointing at Seb with the Newport clasped between his fingers. “I think you might just become the greatest Chaos Champion of all time…”

“That’s my intent.” Said Seb with an assured nod. “Once I get out of here.”

“Ahhh yes… Getting out of here.” Said Ichabod. “Of course.”

“I am getting out of here, aren’t?” Seb asked. “I suggest you say yes, because I really don’t want to be known as the guy who beat up the retired legend with the trick back.”

“Very droll, Lord Bryce.” Said Ichabod. “But whether you leave this house tonight or not almost entirely depends on you.”

“How so?” Asked Seb.

Ichabod placed the Newport between his lips and placed his hands upon Seb’s shoulders. He turned him to face the door, slowly and then took the cigarette back between his fingers.

“Do you honestly believe you’ve fully embraced the power of Chaos?” Ichabod asked.

“Without doubt - I’ve beaten everyone that’s been put in front of me…” Seb said, but Ichabod clicked his tongue.

“No, no, no… Didn’t you listen to a single thing that Chadwick said to you today?” Ichabod asked.

“You… You know about that?” Asked Seb.

“I know about a lot of things, Seb, so pay attention.” Said Ichabod. “It’s not just about who you beat and who you don’t. It’s not just about how long you hold the shiny belt. It’s about whether you use Chaos for your advantage, or you let it swallow you whole. That’s why that fucking belt has spent half it’s life like a hot potato. Very few come to realise that the belt isn’t what’s important… It’s the spirit inside the champion that makes the real difference.”

“Like… The Force?” Seb asked.

“For fuck sa…” Ichabod began. “My point is that, you have to choose to embody chaos long after you’ve ceased to be it’s champion. You have to be an anarchist - and a real one, not the shitty Rydell version. I’m talking true anarchy - seek to break the wheel and create a new world. Is that something you want?”

“I do.” Said Seb, his thoughts settling outside of the wrestling business upon his father too - a man for whom Chaos as a truly unsettling thought. “I do.”

“Good. Then there’s something you have to do…” Said Ichabod.

“What?” Asked Seb. But he knew the answer already. He knew it before he heard the growl. He knew it before he heard the large, blue paws thud against the door. He knew it before Ichabod even said the words.

“Embrace the Bear, Seb.” Ichabod said.

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea…” Seb replied as the door thudded again. “Maybe I could go and set fire to Tempest’s locker room? Or what about if I swapped everyones ring gear around right before they all had to get ready - tell me you wouldn’t find it hilarious if Tempest had to go out to the ring wearing Lucy’s ring gear?”

“That’s not Chaos, Seb.” Said Ichabod as the door finally gave way. The snarling, shifting blue bear slowly moved into the room.

“There has… To… Be…. Some 0th3r w@y…” Seb s@!d @5 h3 f31t t43 r00m 5t@rt t0 5h1ft.

“Embrace the Bear, Seb.” Said Ichabod, seemingly unaffected, as Seb’s predator beared down upon him. His teeth were dripping with saliva. “Embrace the Bear…”

53b c1053d 4!5 3y35 @nd 431d 0ut h!5 @rm5.

And tried not to scream.

It was a strange, comfortable feeling. A familiar feeling. One that he melted into without a second thought. It took a moment for him to register the fact that Err Bear was much, much smaller than he remembered. And more importantly, he smelled like flowers.

“Mmmmm… This is nice.” Said a voice. Not a growl. Not a snarling, roaring beastly noise, but a comforting, calming sound. Seb opened a single eye and found his face not buried into blue fur, but blonde hair. “Everything okay?”

Seb pulled away, his eyes wide as he stared down at Sloane.

“I’m… Fine… What happened?” Asked Seb.

“You opened the door and pulled me into a hug?” Said Sloane looking concerned. “Are you okay, baby? You seem a little… Out of it today?”

“Yes…” Said Seb, glancing around, back into the locker room which had been exactly as it had been before he’d stepped through the portal.

“You were amazing tonight.” Sloane said beaming with a smile. “And I know you’ll kick butt at Keeper of the Keys too.”

“Thank you, love.” Said Seb, still a touch distracted. “Can you go and get us a cab? I think I forgot something back in my locker room.

“Sure.” Said Sloane. “Don’t be too long - we have a reservation.”

“I’ll be right out.” Said Seb, before turning back to the locker room. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the note from earlier. He glanced at it, unchanged. He looked down at his clothes which were unspoiled. And then he pulled his phone out of his pocket. It was back to normal.

Save for five messages.

Jase: “It’s going to take SAM a while to give me my voice back - but it was good to Palaver with you.”

Eden: “Oh my god, I hope you know that that fucking bear nearly made me throw up. You owe me one.”

Holden AI: “Memory restored. Sebastian Everett-Bryce added to the database. Current reigning Chaos Champion.”

Ichabod: “You left without saying good bye - fucking choad.”

And then finally.

“Err Bear friendship request accepted. Click here to interact.”

Seb blinked rapidly at his screen before deciding it was probably best not to. He tucked the phone back into his pocket and picked up his things from the ground just inside the door. As he closed the locker room door behind him, he allowed himself a chuckle.

“This has been the weirdest birthday ever…” He said, before breaking out into a smirk. “Chuck and Ken have no idea what they’re in for.”

[Holden Orson]

Damn, that was good. Err Bear was not only nostalgic, but a clever way to cover the stip. Setting that up with the Engine? Pretty genius.


You're really embracing the division with this character. You not only made a fun, clever promo but read the landscape of much of the UGWC while you did it.


Bravo man, great job.