HALF AN HOUR AGO...
Outside the Festiville complex, the John and Mistress Stunlock sat down at a restaurant table. They ordered drinks, and got down to business.
"I've got some great news, Lynn. You're going to be in the new All Star League."
"What do you think of the soup of the day?"
Clearly, business would not be as smooth as the John initially imagined.
"Is this about me and Cosmo? You've never had issue with him before, why now?"
"His motives are suspicious; he could leave you heartbroken, should you get involved in his schemes."
"What schemes? He's retiring... And so am I."
"What!?!"
"I still remember that sad look on your face, the other day. You were right, I am getting too old for this. Plus, with Wendigo gone, do I have any grudges left?"
"So you and him, what, just go off on a cruise?"
"I don't know! I haven't had any romance since your mom left us. Could you please not try and wreck this for me? I won't comment on the previous times..."
"You just did."
"But I've known him a long time, and I trust him... Okay?"
Mistress Stunlock got up to leave, saying only,
"Need time to think on offer, Dmitri."
Hearing his own name had never hurt so much. So much, in fact, that he didn't even notice the screen behind him.
DING! DING! DING!
"Would you look at that? Another win for La Tejóna!"
"That's the second time today, I've seen someone jump off the platform on their own accord."
…
As La Tejona rode the shuttle back to the Festiville complex, she could help but think aimlessly.
"Today's match was a real let down. What kind of guy just jumps off like that? Its like he's never seen a guy get headbutted into the ground, before."
The shuttle arrived, and she wandered the park.
"These guys are all too weak! I need a real battle to build this body to the next level. Somebody like... Mistress Stunlock!?!"
"Oh, what are you doing here?"
"I just finished my match for today. You did really well in yours, by the way."
"Mhm, want to go in GMO Wonderland?"
"Sure!"
In the warm afternoon glow, the flora looked especially beautiful; even the carnivorous plants seemed more majestic! After La Tejóna finished wrestling one, she stopped to ask something on her mind.
"Are you okay? You look a little down."
"You can tell? Many can't, with this face."
"Oh, it's easy for me! I can see auras, after all."
"Auras?"
"Yup! I couldn't always but, after strengthening my eyes, I could make them out. The mask helps too, I think..."
"Is it up for debate?"
"Well my dad passed it down to me, and the only thing he said was it'd give me 'the will to never give up,' whatever that means."
"Is that why you never take it off?"
"No, that's more tradition than anything else."
Stunlock obliterated a giant fly tap with her electric whip. The crack it made rang especially fierce.
"Should something be done, just because it is tradition?"
"... I don't think we're talking about my mask, anymore."
"Sorry, personal matters can be distracting."
They had reached the hill with a view, so Mistress Stunlock rested against the tree there. She looked lonely, as if adrift at sea.
"Why don't you ask if the tradition works for you?"
"Come again?"
"I mean, I like this tradition; it helps define me, as a person. But if I don't like how that shapes the definition, I'm within my right to do away with it, right?"
"... Go on."
"Uh... Oh, I got it! Your aura!"
"That again," Mistress Stunlock commented, her interest already waning.
"If you don't believe in them, fine! But listen, please?"
She sighed, but ultimately relented.
"Go on..."
"I was dealing with some family trouble, and was in kind of a dark place..."
ONE FLASHBACK AGO...
It was a muggy evening outside the 5-Points Crown Tavern. Suddenly, the front doors burst off their hinges, and La Tejóna stepped out. She was much younger, and covered in blood that wasn't hers. She walked the desolate streets, feeling similarly adrift.
In her ears, the gang leader's last words echoed.
"You think this will bring your father back? Keep Dreaming!"
"UGH!"
She punched a parking meter, breaking 2 knuckles in the process. As the wounds healed themselves, a rain came in to wash away the last evidence of her crime. Too bad, it couldn't wash away her dour mood.
La Tejóna cut through an alley, dangerous thoughts drifting through her mind.
"Maybe it is time to bury this mask, too."
ZAP!
Like a comet, Mistress Stunlock suddenly flew past in the sky.
…
"Your aura was so beautiful; like a light illuminating the darkness... I've been a fan ever since."
The woman was so wrapped up in nostalgia, she didn't notice Stunlock's tightening grasp on the auction pamphlet.
"It certainly sounds beautiful."
"Yup! So, If whatever you're stressed about would diminish that light, then I say screw it! Even if it's tradition!"
"So cavalier... What are you doing, after this?"
"Whew! Thank god you can't see me blush, with this on. Wha, what do you mean?"
"Calm down, horn dog! After this tournament, what are your plans?"
"Oh! I guess travel around, maybe start my own league."
"Your own league?"
"Sure, it's not like the All Stars can be everywhere!"
"You've ruined the mood... Punishment time!"
"Ah! At least give me time to freshen up!"
As the two canoodled, ignoring the view, a match was just finishing up.
At the center of the arena, an alien attempted to catch his breath. He was of the space goblin tribe, so it didn't take long.
"We did buddy," he said while patting the cockpit interior.
"Winner! Mirror Mech!"
He pulled three levers, so as to make the large machine wave. Its robotic hand, coated in reflective sheeting, sparkled in the sun.