kon_el_superboy The Final Four

The heavyweights were done round one. Many of the big boys in TW were lined up in the locker room. Cody was seeing to Dane's preparation, with a sore Bastian and an angry Doug overseeing Anton.

Jake finally entered with Roby and Gerritt, clearly happy with the outcome. He looked at Dane, his abs still red and at Anton, with Bastian massaging his back. Jake felt guilty. He wanted to win a fair fight, not be the intensive care champion.

Ryan, Trace, Kale and Lucien came out. Ryan was heading to the ring to fight Terry. He smiled at the assembled heavyweights. He said, "Interesting how this worked out. No Posse and no Heels are in. Guess that'll make it a real fair match, right?"

No one said a word. There were too many raw nerves amongst the competitors to discuss this rationally. And no one hovering wanted to upset his friend before his big match.

Just then, Pat stumbled in and sat beside Dane. His back was killing him. Terry and Jackson entered carrying Clay in. Clay was obviously sore. Mike's boot prints were all over him. Cody said, in shock, "What happened to you?"

Clay looked at Cody and said, "Your buddy Mike happened." Clay explained the encounter, how Mike had taken him down. Pat explained what Lon had done to him. Everyone was shocked, except the Heels, who were smiling broadly.

Cody didn't know what to say. He apologized but Clay cut him off. "It's okay Cody. No way you could have known he would snap. I'm just pissed and sore."

Clay looked at Pat and said, "Thanks for trying to help me. If you need help dealing with Lon, I'm there."

Pat nodded and said, "Ditto to you with our "friend" Mike. He's going to get his."

Doug said, "Leave Mike alone." Clay and Pat were shocked that Doug was standing up for Mike, but Doug smiled and finished, "He is all mine. You can have the bloody pulp that's left."

Clay and Pat knew Doug was serious, but they wanted revenge, too. It would be a race to see who got him first.

Kale said, "You guys are assuming that you'll do any better in round two with Mike. Looks like he and Lon put you guys down easily. He might just do it again."

Without waiting for a response, Ryan and the Heels pushed out of the locker room. Ryan said, "I'll see you in a few minutes," to Terry. As Ryan passed Jake he said, "Here's some advice. Stay healthy. You might just get a default win. Ha ha ha!"

Jake gulped again. He said, "Guys, I'm sorry. Want to see if we can push the finals to next week and the title match the week after that?"

Kevin, Rusty and Lance were positioned on the side. Kevin said, "That will not happen, boys. The schedule is set. You guys can move the finals, but not the title match."

A heavy silence hung in the air. Everyone knew that that would be even better for Rusty. At least this way the winner had a week to prepare and get healthy/

Kevin took the silence as confirmation the match would go on as planned. He shrugged and said, "Hope you guys go long and hard tonight. Of course, Jake, you should walk through the match, being the healthy one and all. I guess you'll be facing Rusty guaranteed."

Jake knew what Kevin was doing, but what could he say to the others - "Please don't gang up on me even though that's the smart strategy right now?" - or something like that?

Jake thought, "Better to just accept it and try my best. I've gone from unsung to the favorite. Can't believe it."

Anton, Clay and Dane all focused on Jake. If they didn't deal with him, maybe he would just get the win by default. Dane's eyes met Anton's, then Clay's, then Jake's. It was a dirty game, but those were the rules.

Once Terry and Ryan were done, it would be their turn. Jake steeled his resolve. He would do everything he could to win. Not just for himself, but for Roby, whom had his chances stolen by Cody's pettiness in their match and for Gerritt, who had his earned shot stripped by Clay's "innocent" suggestion.

Dane was equally determined to prove that he and Cody and Pat deserved the attention they received. He needed no favors and he would prove it.

Anton had his own agenda. He was undefeated in TW. He deserved to be number one. Just because he had not been given as many opportunities as other guys did not mean he was not a top contender.

And finally Clay, who had the hopes of all of JW on his back. He would not let a punk like Mike steal his shot. No way, no how.

The factions were set. There were no friends in this match any more. It was every boy for himself.