Level Up

[Caitlyn Wright]

So come out
You have been waiting long enough
You're done with all the talk, talk, talk
With nothing on the table
It's time to come on out
There will be no sign from above
You'll only hear the knock, knock, knock
Of your own heart as signal

If you are afraid, come out
If you are awake, come out
Come out and level up

---

Caitlyn rattles into her seat, taking a deep breath, and squares up with the camera, a smile on her face. "How's that for come from behind, huh? I'm not going to lie to you, folks, I was terrified out of my mind the entire time I was in the ring. But when I got Gwen Price-King up on my shoulders, it all just...melted away." Caitlyn grins. "Dropped her on her head, threw her over the top rope, and I got to etch my name into history. The winner of the first-ever pay-per-view match in Combat Wrestling history. It's kinda cool, and it's something that can never be taken away from me. I dig it, y'know?"

"But, uh...this match." Caitlyn runs a hand through her hair. "Hooboy. This match. Talk about out of the frying pan, into the fire, y'know? Now, I wanna have faith this week. After all, I'm riding high on my victory. But the person I have to step into the ring with this week...well, let's just say she's riding high on more than one." Caitlyn flashes a shy grin at the camera. "Hiya, Dawn."

"Congratulations, first of all!" Caitlyn perks up, still smiling. "Congratulations on becoming the first-ever Combat Women's Champion. I know you'll be a great representative for the company, and I'm looking forward to the road ahead. You and I, one on one. You want it, I want it, the people want it." She grins, winking at the camera. "So let's give them a little something to whet their appetites, huh? Let's make headlines. Let's be provocative. Let's get the people GOING!"

Caitlyn pauses, running the words back in her head again. "Okay, so that didn't sound perfectly right, but the point stands! We're gonna tear things up, Dawn. I know we will. You're an incredible grappler, I'm the Dropkick Ace, we've got a little bit of everything for the people. I'm sure most of the attention will be on the men's side of things, but that's okay. Let them get distracted. Let them overlook us, and let's blow them away. Just gotta hope they don't mess things up for us, right?" Caitlyn grins nervously.

"That's not to insult the men of Combat Wrestling, far from it," Caitlyn hurriedly babbles out, practically tripping over her own tongue. "I just, uh, m-meant to say that there's only so much we can control, right? A-and Dawn and I have control over our part of the match and we can't ensure our teammates' success and I'm rambling again aren't I?" She glances off-camera, and winces at an apparently affirmative response. "Okay...we'll cut that in post, right?" Another pause, and Caitlyn sighs. "Okay. Good."

Caitlyn cracks her neck, smiling. "So, uh, Hungry Jack and Aiden Reynolds, huh? I mean, I've heard of you both by reputation, but I don't have a lot of exposure to you personally. Jack, I passed by you backstage the other week, and...um...wow. You're, uh, you're way bigger than I expected." She giggles nervously. "Like, not even in a '5X T-shirt, Cheeto stains and an inappropriate Rainbow Dash plushie' way, just...you part crowds. There's something about you, and it's kind of cool. I almost want to hop on your shoulders and ride you down to the ring, Master Blaster-style...b-but that would be weird, right?" Caitlyn laughs nervously. "Right..."

"Speaking of Mad Max, Aiden Reynolds! The Gold Coast Terror!" Caitlyn grins, waving at the camera. "Hiii! I've heard good things, man! Good things! Lots of praise for your focus and skill. Not so much on the attitude, but as long as that's going across the ring, I don't have a problem." Caitlyn chuckles, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. "Not like I haven't met people with chips on their shoulders before, right? Seems like some places, it's a prerequisite to get in the door. You seem talented, you've had some bad breaks, but this is the place for you to shine. Main event, across from all the gold." Caitlyn leans into the camera, dropping her voice. "You're the Australian Nightmare, right? Make yourself their nightmare. Make Killian Kold and Taane regret underestimating you. Trust me, it'll be such sweet satisfaction."

She leans back, raising her voice again. "So, um...that brings me to the other champions of Combat Wrestling. Dauntless Champion Taane. Like, way to go, man! Won a title, made your family proud." Caitlyn pauses to applaud, nodding. "I'm happy for you. I really am, I mean it. I know that in the age of the Internet, everything sounds sarcastic, but this is 100% me. Sincere. I'm glad you won." she takes a deep breath. "I'm just hoping you've got your stuff together, because I know our team are ready for you. Everyone thinks we're just lambs to the slaughter here, getting sacrificed to make the champions look good. I'm not going down without a fight, and if I have to drag Aiden and Jack across the line, I swear to God I will."

Caitlyn nods sagely, pounding her fist into her open hand. "And Killian? I don't care what kind of issues you've got with management, I don't care how angry you are, the fact of the matter is that you're not wrestling Spike Kane. You're wrestling two guys who have been underappreciated and underestimated, and a woman who's feeling the best she has in a long, long time. We're making myth here, all of us. Champions and challengers writing a new chapter in a story as old as time, of suplexes and souls eternally retold. I've got a chance to make something more of myself than a few feel-good moments, and I'm gonna take it." Caitlyn stands up, cracking her neck. She reaches up to the collar of her hoodie, hand finding the zipper. "Because when the world needs heroes..." Caitlyn unzips the hoodie, revealing an armored corset modeled on Wonder Woman's, and grins. "Heroes need to step up. Let's make this memorable, kids."

"Game on."

---

Caitlyn turned off the camera, her grin immediately melting into a pained expression. "Ow ow ow...SUN! A little help!" Sun stepped out from behind the camera, pulling the hoodie off, and immediately began unlacing the corset. Caitlyn let out a groan of relief as her ribs slowly begin to return to their normal state. "Oh God, that looks so good but is such a mistake to sit down in. Why? Whyyy?"

"Because you enjoy a dramatic reveal more than you enjoy having unbroken ribs." Sun replied casually, yanking the last laces loose. As the corset fell away, Caitlyn immediately covered up with the hoodie, hastily zipping it up with her back to Sun. Sun chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, come on. It's not like you have anything to be ashamed of."

Sun rolled her eyes, setting the corset aside, and Caitlyn flopped back on the bed, gasping for air. "Oh God. Lungs. I have lungs again! No wonder vampires wear those things, they don't need to fucking breathe!" She clutches her sides. "Hey, uh..." Caitlyn looks over to Sun. "Can you do something dumb for me? Two somethings?"

"I don't own that much body paint, but I'll hear you out." Sun replied casually, leaning against the doorway. "What do you need?"

"I'm gonna write an e-mail to Spike Kane asking what his recommendation would be to someone looking for grappling training. Can you look it over and tell me if it works?" Sun nodded to Caitlyn, who continued, still wincing slightly. "And the second one...can you tell me this is gonna work? Like, that Ascendancy wasn't a fluke?"

Sun rolled her eyes, smiling affectionately, and walked over, sitting on the bed next to Caitlyn. "See, that's not dumb at all. I know you. You're adorable and need reminders that you can do things sometimes, especially when you've just done them." Sun reaches over, ruffling Caitlyn's hair. "This is gonna work. Ascendancy wasn't a fluke. You've been doing this for years, you love it, and you're good at it. Never let the harpies get you down, girl."

Sun leaned over, hugging Caitlyn. Caitlyn let out a brief squeak of "Ribs!", and Sun loosened her grip hurriedly. Caitlyn leaned against Sun's shoulder, sighing with relief. "Thank you, Sun." Sun nodded, smiling, and Caitlyn patted her back, pulling back. "Now, um...if you wouldn't mind, I need to go find a shirt? Maybe a chesticle restraint? I'm feeling too lazy to cook, so..."

"Yeah. Cooking takes spoons." Sun nods. "I'll give you a little privacy." With that, Sun stood up and left the bedroom. Caitlyn watched her go, sighing, and laid back on the bed, closing her eyes and allowing herself to smile as we fade to black.

---

If you are afraid
Give more
If you are alive
Give more now
Everybody here has seams and scars
So what? Level up!

Let your faith die
Bring your wonder
Yes, you are only one
No, it is not enough
But if you lift your eyes
I am your brother

And this is all we need
And this is where we start
This is the day we greet
This is the day, no other!