Home Of The Brave

A wide-panning camera shot of the Tokyo Dome showcased the throngs of AFW faithful elated at the show's commencement with its rocking theme and elaborate light show amidst the waves of humanity. All now being broadcast to an international audience with ringside announce teams welcoming and thanking their viewers for sharing their night with them. Color commentator's detailing the list of matches scheduled for the night in between conversational chatter between them as the dynamic hype-men they are, with one talking point in particular coming to the forefront of their discussion. Online message boards being lit aflame with rampant rumors and false accounts not about what had transpired inside of the wrestling ring, but rather outside of it. National news broadcasting a series of fires in the arena's parking lot and on its rooftop, incinerating the helipad crafted for AFW's affluent talent members/executives and melting it to the ground a personal mode of conveyance for the General Manager's golf outings. Pyrotechnic blazes that captured the jubilant attention of children and passersby until the fire department quenched the flames, although there was one individual whose temper was still piping hot over the whole debacle. Those commentator's tasked with describing the situation to the cameras, and an unexpected arrival as well...

Maximillian:

Maximillian Kingsley's undeniably braggadocios theme music started being played from every speaker in the arena with the audience's attention immediately being centered towards the entrance ramp once they were cognizant of an authority figure's interjection, exceedingly rare as they are. Currency symbols of all denomination being broadcast across the Titantron, from yen to dollar signs, heralding the shucking and jiving appearance of none other than the Main Man himself. The flamboyant General Manager striding out atop the ramp wearing his designer white suit and shimmering shades shielding both his eyes and his intentions, Maximilian taking an exaggerated power-walk down the extended ramp way with several fans at ringside performing mock bows towards the head honcho of the company until he entered the ring through the ropes. Out of one of his suit pockets would be fished out his microphone, the signal for his fetching theme to start petering off as he started preaching from his mountaintop. Although Maximilian took his time scanning the audience first with a leisurely stroll around the ring until coming across one fan in particular, holding a sign aloft saying "Liv Free Or Die Hard." Quirking an eyebrow at it but paying it no further attention before beginning to speak into his microphone.

"First, as General Manager, allow me to welcome you all to A.F.W. Friction!!!!" Max bellowed to an enthusiastic pop from the raucous audience all around him. "Now as those ardent fans of you may have noticed when today's show started just now...there was no pyrotechnics on display. Strange, right? Well, thing about that is, over the weekend our coffers were plundered and all that pyro went up in smoke. Costing the company record damages, reigning down fire marshals all over the building, endangering the safety of this treasured workplace, and worst of all...burning down my personal golf cart!!!" Maximilian roaring out the last infraction in an uncharacteristic losing of his cool, adjusting his sunglasses as he continued with a calm cadence. "So...what is a General Manager to do about this? Well, a crack team of investigators brought to light several revelations, including not only the identity of the malicious culprits responsible for this chaos, or how both of them just so happened to be active talent on my roster, but how one of them still has the bulk of my pyro in their possession. Now, I'm no stranger to disrespect, but I'm also no stranger to discipline. So what we have here, is a teachable moment. As your benevolent leader, I have arranged for the ringleader of this entire debacle to be gifted one chance for atonement. All they have to do is come down to this ring...get on their knees...kiss my feet...offer a groveling apology...return my property...and I promise no further retribution will be meted out. However, this deal expires once I leave this ring, so they'd best come crawling out the back...RIGHT. NOW."

All hands on deck had been the marching order. Despite not even having a scheduled match tonight Liv had been urged to be in house at the arena. She hadn’t been clear on the why, but there had been plenty of speculation. Some big open challenge opportunity had been the one she had heard most throughout the halls and judging from all the people sitting around in their ring gear she assumed was the most widely believed. A safety seminar was the other one on the table. There had been some “random” fires around the building and most people in the back seemed to think a staffer was to blame. But when Friction started without a safety pow-wow about the incident most people.dismissed it entirely.

As the GM hit the ring for a rare on-camera appearance, most of the girls in the back had crammed into a small space in the back to watch the monitors. Everyone seemed to hang on his word, waiting to hear what the big announcement was… when a rubber band plinked off the screen, hitting the vapid blond mascot of an authority figure in the face.

Boom… headshot. The redhead had a small chuckle to herself while others glanced her way in confusion, not having seen the remarkable shot she had taken through a gap in two other girls as they stood shoulder to shoulder. As Max continued there were gaps from her fellow wrestlers and some annoyed grumbles. Liv snorted softly, she was pretty sure the GM was full of shit. From what she had gathered the basement she had plundered was pyro the cheap ass had been skimming from shows and not the sole supply. Not that it mattered either way. Still, perhaps it was time to make her retreat if they were going to try and pin down a culprit.

Slipping from the crowd, she made her way to one of the side exits only to find two men in black T-shirts standing guard. Security is normally reserved for the ringside area. They had on shades so she couldn't see their eyes, but when she approached both had visibly straightened up as if they were preparing for a fight. “Gentlemen.” Liv tipped an invisible hat, turning on her heel to make her way out of the staging room where she found a nervous staffer and two more security personnel waiting.

“Ms. Livewire?” The nervous bookwork inquired.

“You can call me mommy." She corrected, mist to the confusion to the staffer and their security escort. "But yeah, that's  me."


Liv’s ears perked hearing Max yelling from not only the monitor in the room behind her but quietly echoing through the halls all the way from the arena sound system. She gave a soft whistle to herself and then looked at the entourage standing before her. It seemed the jig was up.

“You are needed in the ring.”

“Yep… I got that. Boys.” Liv grabbed her top, giving it a hard yank to prop up her bosom a bit better then strode past them down the hall on her way to the gorilla section. She noted along the way her path was obstructed by other members of security, helpful hands in case she just so happened to get lost. She couldn’t help but wonder if they got Nikki too. She would have been made to come tonight as well.

Shoving her way through the curtains she made her way out onto the stage, pausing when her entrance music hit. The redhead leans back peering through the flapping fabric, squinting at a few people standing around as if they were to blame. This was all a very unnecessary setup and despite being someone who liked a lot of flash and bang, seemed like a wasted effort just to parade her out here. With a soft swear under her breath, she continued down to the ring and rolled herself under the ropes to share the ring with Frictions GM. He looked even dumber in person. Just as she was about to speak up, a staffer hurried over to her and handed her a microphone before skittering out of the ring. She gave it a few tiny taps with a finger, waiting for the feedback to hit to be sure it was on. “Evening Max. If you wanted an autograph you could have just asked the normal way.”

Maximillian settled into a rigid stance after his bellowed declaration as if he were a stalwart and unyielding sentinel of authority, taking the time to adjust his lapel and check his Rolex watch as he waited for his backstage security personnel to do as they were instructed. His mere presence within the ring exuding intimidation and denoting the gravity of the situation as the General Manager was content to remain off-screen whenever possible and play the corporate puppeteer dictating matters from behind his mahogany desk. An enigmatic and charismatic figure whose mysterious background remained concealed even with multiple journalistic magazines dedicating manpower and resources into unearthing his past. His handwritten autobiography titled "The Man Behind The Glasses - A Tale Of Pride, Respect, and Double D's" having done little to quench any lingering curiosity about his identity and was thoroughly panned by critics as being derivative schlock...yet his presence commanded attention nevertheless. And for as much of a shitshow this entire fireworks debacle became over the week, Max earnestly considered this an opportunity to send a message backstage...which was that his word was law.

*Ah, finally...Let's get this over with.* Maximilian thought to himself with a sly smirk once Liv's theme started being played over the speakers, his disciplining methodology mirroring that of grade school teachers making a misbehaving student march up to the front of the entire classroom and issue a humble apology. Defanging and humiliating them in the process from a public reprimanding, only instead of 25 snot-nosed students it's a worldwide audience of judgmental gazes with several thousands in attendance alone. Max taking a few steps back to allow them both space to occupy the center of the ring, with a clearing of his throat and adjusting of his sunglasses from Liv's remarks. "...*Ahem*...That's MR. KINGLSEY, to you. Now then. Normally I wouldn't go to such extraneous lengths just for something a disciplinary committee could perform with far less pomp and circumstance, but you, Ms. Wire, I deem you to be a special case. Special in that, after having my assistants comb through our books, I've absolutely no idea how you even came to be signed onto our roster in the first place. And that in spite of your pitiably subterranean ranking on our roster list, with that one stuntshow...you've vaulted yourself straight to the top of my list of problems."

Max pausing briefly as audience members quieted down from the sense of menace in his words, but smiling wholesomely before speaking again. "But hey, I'm hip. I'm down. I can be the cool teacher~...I'm not here to harsh your buzz, man. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones, and I can go back to making this one of the most profitable wrestling companies in the industry, and you can go back to...whatever you were doing before. All you have to do is kneel down, kiss these expensive leather shoes of mine, apologize and return whatever it was you stole~...and no further discipline will be taken against you. You have my word~..."

Liv casually paced the ring, tossing her microphone between her hands to keep herself entertained. Max thought it prudent to talk at her rather than with her in a rather typical and quite boring power move. While she let him say his piece, it was clear from her body language he wasn’t very engaged with whatever he was talking about. When she finally did settle back on giving him her attention. Well, not him, but her reflection in his glasses. She grinned wide and turned her head, checking herself out. She even brought a pinky nail up to dislodge a stray bit of foot between the two of them and flicked it carelessly off to the side. This was all before he had even mentioned her being bumped to the top of his list.

“Glad we both agree, I am on top.” She spoke into the microphone, close enough she purposely peaked the audio levels to make sure the sound guys in the back were awake and working. “Power top, by the way, in case you were wondering.” She looked out across the audience, lightly tapping her chest. When she glanced back to Max she had a cheeky grin on her face and gave a light shrug as if her interjection hadn’t been her fault but just a side effect of the topic at hand. She turned away to continue pacing the ring, allowing him to continue.

“"Running".” Liv glanced back over her shoulder, cutting Maximilian off mid-sentence. “You "run" a profitable wrestling thing. We make it, the actual wrestlers. The camera people. Even Koji in the back.” She wheeled around on her heel, looking for the nearest camera to wave at. “Appreciate your work Koji.” She spoke directly to one of the lighting guys in the production truck who, to his knowledge, had never met Liv before, making the fact she knew him especially strange.

She glanced back to Maximilian with a smile. “You just, sorta exist. You have a team that does the hiring, and the day-to-day… hell you even admitted you didn't even do your own research into me. What exactly is it you do for this place outside of inflicting it with your ugly ass statue out front?”

“Marketing? There is a team for that too but let's be real, how hard is it to market the girls we have on Friction.” Liv turned away, addressing the crowd. She gave her hips a thrust and started pointing out signs calling out wrestlers by name or blown-up images people had brought depicting them in various states of undress. “Total bangers, smokin’ hotties. People tune in to see all of that stuff…”

Liv wheeled back around, circling Max as she leaned in needlessly close to talk to him while speaking into the microphone.” …not some dusty old windbag who wears sunglasses indoors at night and looks like one of those ghost twins from the Matrix movie.” A soared look back to the crowd as she broke away, wandering to a corner to lean casually. "Anyone else remember those? Seriously, the resemblance is uncanny.”

“Listen Maxi Pad, whoever liberated that pyro is a hero. You’re the villain here, skimming pyro out of pay-per-view events and wrestler entrances to build up your little cost-saver stockpile for investor earnings reports.” Live threw her head back, groaning as if just saying the last few words was physically taxing on herself. She slowly oozes down the turnbuckles until she was seated on the canvas, leaning into the bottom turnbuckle with her arms draped along the lower ropes. “Bet the firework display made more headlines than your last press event… Maybe I should be GM.”

Prudent, impartial, and benevolent. Maximillian indeed considered Liv's punishment to be a suitable penalty equitable towards the crime committed, even at the behest of his dutiful secretary who suggested he merely terminate Liv's contract or issue appropriate fines. Typically, the dapper General Manager would at least take Angelica's advice into consideration before making his ultimate decision, but this time and without any consultation needed, he felt it was his managerial obligation to make an example out of this fire-haired firecracker. Roster rebellions can become a pervasive threat to any wrestling federation if not immediately snuffed out beneath his shoe heel. If he didn't douse this rebellious flame out before its embers flicked over to anymore brush and dried leaves, why before he knew it, he could have wrestlers demanding hazard pay and stock options. Questioning his overinflated salary and luxurious vacations. Petitioning to bring back the Kawaii division. Max shuddering at the mere thought, but he was supremely confident that Liv would take the sensible route and forego the necessitation for further severe punishments since all she had to do was pucker those lips and-

Max balking from the flagrant disrespect showcased with sideways glances taken around the arena whenever newfound catchphrases were cemented or backstage personnel were addressed to by name. Koji Hashirama shrinking against the judgmental and perplexed stares pinpointed upon him back in the production truck, a baffled shrug of his shoulders offered before everyone went back to their duties directing this live broadcast. The General Manager straightening out the tie on his power suit as Liv continued questioning the specifics of Maximilian's role within the company exactly. Audience members beginning to gravitate towards the charismatic free spirit speaking unfiltered truth to authority. Max clearing his throat from the mere notion of Liv in the G.M. position, retorting once the scattered "We Want Liv!!!" chants petered down. "So...what? You're gonna vilify me for my frugality? For having the keen business sense to keep this federation afloat when so far all you've done for it is blow off a small chunk of it? Yeah, I delegate my responsibility to others. Gives me time for more important matters, like ridin' around in my private jet while you putter around in a U-haul, foolin' yourself into thinking you've got one over on me..."

Maximilian backpedals with a self-gratifying laugh as the audience members continue to sour on the General Manager who was now showcasing a conceited arrogance as yet undisclosed to them. "You know, you mentioned people tune in to watch total bangers and smokin’ hotties...Well I'll tell you what they don't tune in to watch...you. A lowbrow D-list degenerate slacker anarchist that this business chews up and spits out on a daily basis. That's why rebel punks like you..." Max emphasized with an index finger pointed at her nose. "...don't get to headline Pay-Per-View's. I mean lookit you, campaigning for the office of General Manager when we all know you'd bankrupt this company and set fire to my office in record time. Pretending to be an advocate for the people and a radical revolutionary blaming all of their problems on "The Man". When the truth of the matter is that not only does AFW need an authority figure such as myself who is capable of leading board meetings and reigning in chaotic elements such as yourself, but that you Liv, belong right where you are. Setting up camp in catering. Scanning your phone and praying for more followers before you fall asleep with your face splatting into a pile of spaghetti from boredom. NoNoNo, my dear...YOU are the one who just kinda exists. All while the actual stars and VIP's like myself lead this organization to a bright and prosperous future~..."

“If the overpriced shoes fit.” Liv remarked nonchalantly with a small shrug, conceding the point to the rhetorical question. It hadn't been a particularly hard stance to take, but it was one she was passionate about. Here was this multi billion dollar company skimming products off production while their sole purpose in the industry was to entertain. Being a spectacle was part of that and this douche canoe was overheard blatantly admitting to his cost cutting measures to everyone in the area and at home. It really spoke to his sense of entitlement to do it with his chest puffed out like it was an obvious thing to do. While the explosion on the roof had been a mistake, it was one she was happy they had made if nothing else than to shine a light on this pompous prick.

“I also take the train. Don't get groped nearly as often as the media would have you believe either. So I think I do pretty alright for myself.” The redhead mused aloud, giving the microphone an idle twirl between her fingers. “Guarantee these people would rather see me out here taking a nap than listening to you doddering on like an out of touch facebook dad.” she turned on her boot heel, idly sauntering over to the corner of the ring where she put her back to the turnbuckles to lounge a bit. It seemed as though this was going to be a long discussion.

“I'd definitely set fire to your office. That's true.” She interjected briefly before letting him continue on, occasionally casting glancing at the audience as if asking “you seeing this?” With little more than her facial expression. As he droned on and on she slumped lower in the corner until she was seated on the canvas, head resting completely back on one of the turnbuckles, idly blowing a few strands of fiery red hair from her face as Maximilian give his villain monologue about how sad and pathetic she was. Was he trying to dent her ego or suffocating her by using up all the air in the room yammering on?

She raised the mic to her face with a soft groan. “You just keep going if nobody stops you, huh? Jeez.” Liv leaned herself away from the corner her head slowly back up like the freshly risen dead to eye Max with a tired yawn. “Honestly, I think all this was punishment enough for all of us. You got to wag your crusty finger and play drunk daddy, and wasted all this air time because somebody busted up your ride. Congratulations.  You are the boss and make the big bucks and I am not those things. Glad we got to the bottom of that mystery, Holms. So lets stop wasting peoples time and just hit me with a fine or some forced vacation or whatever it is you are going to do, because the only apology you're getting from me is that I'm sorry that cart didnt go sky high when you were behind the wheel.”

Although Maximilian can't say he's ever taken up the mantle of principal, headmaster, or even minimum wage schoolteacher in his lifetime, exchanging bitter barbs with Liv here was beginning to make him realize just how underpaid those scholastic educators were. Especially if they have to deal with the type of blatant disrespect he was encountering currently as the rambunctious Ms. Livewire here did everything she could to metaphorically flip the middle finger to the authority figure without literally doing so. An act of outright defiance that may have further rallied the working class in attendance even further behind her. Sassy backtalk with eye rolling disregard towards the sharply dressed businessman with stylish shades who writes her paychecks. Maximillian may have even considered her brattish behavior admirable if she were directing this towards anyone else. Unfortunately, she was aiming this rebellious defiance at The Boss of this federation, and Max had been the chairman of enough wrestling federations to know just how to discipline disobedient spitfires like Liv here. The dapper businessman fixing his tie and adjusting his glasses with a breathed sigh, finally accepting that it was time to pivot to Plan B now that his ungrateful employee has elected to abstain from taking the easy way out of her predicament.

Maxmillian somberly stated with an intimidating gait as he started striding up to be face to face with his red-headed source of agitation, her own face reflected in his shimmering glasses. "...you're absolutely right. It's just like you said. The good people here didn't pay tickets to see me chastise rebellious punks who cost me millions in property damage and blew up my favorite golf cart. They wanna see total bangers and smokin’ hotties!!!" Max perked up with a jubilant smile and small pump of his fist as several audience members cheered at those words at least, but were obviously skeptical towards the GM's change of heart. "So why I would want to fine or suspend you when I'd just be depriving our loyal viewership of just that? OhNoNoNoNo...you'll be staying right here." Max emphasizing those two words by poking his index finger into her boob twice as he started backpedaling towards the ropes. "Furthermore, I've decided that all of your matches in AFW from this point onward will be arranged by none other than myself, The Max Man. An arrangement that will continue until you think you're ready for that public apology I want. And lucky you...your next match starts RIGHT. NOW." Once the realization set in as to what Max was planning had started settling in, the boo birds started flying from audience members as the GM as strolled back up the ramp...