Ken Davison and Kyra Johnson were continuing to build a life together. A much better life than either of them would have had had they not have found one another when they did.

Once upon a time though, the pair would have never thought they’d be where they’re at right now, because once upon a time the only thing that the two of them shared in common was hatred. Pure, unadulterated, intense… Hatred. At first, there was no ‘spark’. No budding romance right off the bat. There was only a lit match, thrown into a puddle of kerosene.

Two hurt people, two broken people who found themselves dealing with their pain in the worst ways possible. One nearly killing her sister and sabotaging every relationship she’d ever been in – The other dealing with his by proclaiming himself a God amongst men, someone that no one could touch. But somehow, someway… They came together.

They came together after months of being at one another’s throats, after months of playing mind games and doing their damndest to do as much harm to one another as they possibly could. It wasn’t something either of them expected. And at first, it wasn’t something that either of them were sure they even welcomed.

Maybe they thought themselves better off alone.

Or maybe they thought themselves undeserving of what they both so desperately needed.

Two hurt, broken people with matching baggage who ended up on this amazing adventure together – and by proxy.. Making each other better people for it.

And here they are, this adventure of theirs bringing them to Incursion.. To Gabriel Baal and Eden Morgan-Baal.. The UGWC Cooperative Champions.

A match they didn’t expect to be in either, to be sure. They were shocked to find out that they’d be taking Jonathan Willis’ and Axton Gunn’s place in what was supposed to be a Champion vs Champion match – But after the brutal attack that put Jonathan in the hospital and on the shelf for the foreseeable future – They found themselves in the spot where they can prove themselves not only to their future opponents for the Carnage Tag Team Championships, but to everyone.

Everyone who doubts them and what they’ve accomplished. Everyone who doubts them just because they’re not the Carnage tag team champions heading into this match. Everyone who believes that people can’t change, and believes even more that these two broken people don’t have it in them to be any different than their past actions.

 

UGWC Synergy – April 12th 2021

“Well that was fun.”

Kyra mused to herself as she and Ken made their way down the hallway after their little ‘discussion’ with their opponents for Incursion. Ken glanced at her, and nodded his head – an amused look on his face.

“I couldn’t agree more, but those two…”

“They’re amazing, right?”

Kyra interrupted, stopping just long enough to turn and look at her boyfriend. Ken stopped as well, a curious expression replacing the amused one from a few moments before.

“Not quite the word I’d use.”

Ken shrugged as Kyra shook her head.

“No, no.. I get it. They’re being dickheads right now. But that’s kinda their thing. One would think you’d understand that… just a little.”

She replies, smirking.

“Maybe that’s why it annoys me so much now.”

“Maybe.. Or maybe I’m just romanticizing them because I’ve always been pretty fond of their particular brand of bullshit.”

A thoughtful look crosses Kyra’s face as Ken looks on, watching the UGWC crews as they move around backstage, keeping the show happening out in the arena going.

“Do you know anything else about them besides… that?”

Ken finally asks, breaking the silence. Kyra shakes her head.

“Unfortunately not. The only real dealings I’ve had with them outside of tonight have been when I helped them make fun of Lu– Wait a minute…”

Kyra stopped herself and flagged down a crew member, asking them for directions. The crew member pointed them down another hallway and Kyra grabbed Ken’s arm and pulled him in that direction.

“Where are we going?”

“Lucy… We should go see Lucy. They’re her friends, so if anyone can give us some insight into what we’re getting into at Incursion… It’s her.”

 

“Hold on, hold on…”

Kyra and Ken hear Lucy’s voice from inside the closed door of her locker room. A few moments later the door opens to reveal Kyra’s sister, and boy did she look like a mess. Her hair was disheveled, and the bags under her eyes told the story of many a sleepless night. But when Lucy’s eyes fell upon her sister, it seemed like things had brightened up for her, even if just a little.

“What are you doing here?”

Kyra chuckled.

“Apparently you don’t watch the show when you’re here, huh? We dropped in to pay a visit to Eden and Gabriel since they were so kind to invite us.”

Lucy rolled her eyes as she pulled the door open further, and motioned for the two of them to come inside.

“Because kindness is their driving force…”

Closing the door behind her, Lucy turned her attention to her guests as she moved back to her seat, sitting down.

“Hi, Lucy.. I’m–”

“This… is my boyfriend Ken.”

Kyra chimed in, grabbing Ken’s arm and pulling him to another chair across from where Lucy was sat.

“I’m aware. Nice to meet you.”

Lucy replies, leaning forward and extending a hand to Ken. He takes it and the two shake hands before they both sit back in their seats.

“So, not to sound crass… but what do you want?”

Kyra lowered herself down beside Ken, watching her sister for a few moments before finally speaking.

“Well first off, it’s not too often that we’re in your neck of the woods. That and.. Well you know our opponents better than anyone I know..”

Lucy can’t stop a laugh as it exits her lips.

“I knew it. You just want me to give ya’ll dirt on Edie and Gabriel.”

“It was either that or spend hours pouring over videos and Adina won’t lay off ‘The Little Mermaid long enough to let us do that.”

Ken leans in, putting his hand up hoping Kyra doesn’t hear him.

“You know, she even made me wear the red wig.”

“I still can’t believe you actually put it on.”

Kyra said, having obviously heard him. Lucy chuckles and shakes her head.

“I’m sure red looked fantastic on you. But anyway, I mean I can help you probably. What do you wanna know?”

“Well, knowing how to get the ref to actually see Gabey baby going for one of his cheap shots would be nice. But, all kidding aside, anything you can tell us would be appreciated. Tactics, favorite moves, weak spots…”

Silence settled between them for a few moments, as Lucy pondered Ken’s request – Her eyes looking over him, trying to figure out God knows what before her gaze settled onto Kyra. Finally, the elder Johnson sister leaned forward, pulling her hair back out of her face.

“On the surface, Gabriel and Eden look like they should be easy to figure out. Two fucks who think they’re so much better than everyone else. You know, kinda like you at one point…”

Lucy turns her eyes back to Ken, a smirk on her lips.

“If nothing else, that tells me that there is something else. There is always something else.”

Lucy nods her head.

“Exactly. But… They are as good as they say they are. Don’t let wins and losses comfort you. They’re a unit, hell they were a fucking unit before they got married. They’re conniving, they’re clever and no offense to either of you, but they can out think just about anyone when it comes to getting the job done.”

Kyra leans forward.

“I mean, you’ve fought them enough to know.”

“Yeah, no shit.”

Lucy spits back, a soft smile playing over her features.

“They’re gonna try to get into your heads. They’re gonna try to make you second guess yourselves. They’re gonna hit you with everything they’ve got because in their minds? You two are just the replacements.. And they’re the champions. Beating you isn’t just what they wanna do, it’s an expectation.”

“No offense, but I made a career out of doing exactly what you’re telling us they are going to do. They want to play mind games, let them play mind games. It’ll be like playing Monopoly without any starting money. As for the replacements thing, let them underestimate us. It’s not like our credentials don’t speak for themselves.”

Ken sits, tapping his foot. It’s not so much of a nervous tapping, but more of a way to harness the energy connected to what he’s holding back. He knows Lucy’s not the enemy here. However, sitting in this locker room, in enemy territory, he was very much not at ease. If he were the Baals, he’d ambush the enemy for being brazen enough to show up in his house, invite or not.

Kyra looks back and forth between the two and for a moment, a nervous expression crosses her face. But just as quickly as it came, she pushed it down and away – clearing her throat.

“I kinda thought they’d play that card with us anyway, you know. But like I told them, and like Ken just said – I’m no stranger to being underestimated. He’s a former Carnage World Champ and I’m the former Ultraviolent Champ. That might not mean much to them but–”

“It doesn’t mean a damn thing to them.”

Lucy interrupts, shaking her head.

“It doesn’t mean a damn thing to most of the people around here. To them, Carnage is just… It’s second fiddle to UGWC and nothing you could ever say will change their minds. Now I’m not one of them, so get that thought out of your head.. But I’d like to think I know enough about both UGWC and Carnage to know that that’s probably gonna be the attitude from both sides. You two are great fighters, obviously. All I can really tell you is to not rest on your accomplishments and don’t underestimate them just because they’re underestimating you. Gabriel and Eden are dangerous. Ask me how I know…”

Lucy shrugs her shoulders.

“I don’t even know how you three ended up the way you have.”

Kyra replies, garnering a sigh from her sister.

“I have my reasons. And for all their faults, and for all the terrible things they’ve done – They’re real. And they’re honest about what they think.”

“So, I don’t see how that helps.”

Ken pauses, taking a deep breath.

“Sorry. I’m just trying to sort out if there’s any sort of edge we can get. We know how good they are. Like I said about resumes speaking for themselves, theirs do. I get that. I’m not going to sit around here and pretend I don’t know what my weaknesses are.”

Ken reaches over and takes Kyra’s hand.

“I just cannot accept that the fact that you are telling me that they are honest assholes is a weakness. This thing with your sister and I started because I was an honest asshole.”

Lucy sighs and leans back in the chair, crossing her legs.

“Sorry. I’m still kind of figuring out this feelings thing.”

Lucy nods her head.

“I get it. I appreciate your honesty. Seriously though, I’ve been going at those two for years. I’ve been successful, but I’ve also done a lot of failing. And in all that time, I’ve struggled myself to find weakness in them. Edie’s been injured a few times, and neither of them would ever admit it but I’m sure that’s a point of concern for them. Gabriel’s protective over her. Gabriel will manipulate the pope himself in order to keep her safe. And Eden would do the same for Gabriel.”

Ken raises an eyebrow.

“Injured where, exactly?”

Kyra elbows him in the ribs.

“What? I just want to tap her out, not put her in a wheelchair.”

Kyra gives him a look before glancing back at her sister who’s sitting there shaking her head.

“I’m all for helping you, but I’m also not gonna give you the blueprints to Eden’s wellness. She’s my friend and I’d honestly have to kill you if you put her into the hospital over this stupid pay per view match. I’m sorry, but I’ve been in that position and I can’t do that to someone else.”

A bit of pink comes to Kyra’s cheeks as she looks away. Lucy rolls her eyes and reaches out, tapping Kyra’s leg.

“I wasn’t talking about what you did, Kyra. I was talking about what people did to me after that once they knew what my weak spot was.”

“I can’t blame her for that, babe. People have forgotten about my back over the years, but they see those scars on my hands and target them like JC di… Well, never mind that. Wasn’t trying to… I’ll just shut up now.”

Lucy can’t help but laugh.

“It’s fine. What’s done is done. But you get my point. I hate being caught in the middle of this because of obvious reasons -”

“Maybe we should go. I wasn’t trying to put you in middle, honestly. I didn’t realize you were all buddy-buddy with them. I just figured you worked with them. I probably should have asked.”

Kyra squeezes his arm and when he glances over at her, she shakes her head.

“It was my idea, hun.”

She turns her attention back to Lucy.

“So I should be apologizing. I wasn’t trying to put you in the middle. I just know you know them better than I do and I was hoping we’d get something out of picking your brain. I don’t wanna hurt them, I just wanna have a good showing because we’ve worked really hard to get to where we’re at and Eden and Gabriel seem like our biggest test thus far, you know?”

Lucy nods her head.

“Neither of you have anything to be sorry for. Christ’s sake. You’re doing the smart thing and hell, I’d probably be doing the same thing if I were you. I respect the effort you guys are putting into this. I just wish I could be more help to you.”

“So you’re saying just don’t put her in the hospital…”

Ken says wistfully.

“Got it.”

Ken immediately doubles over from another, sharper, elbow from Kyra.

“Keep this up and you’re not going to make it to the match.”

“You two are cute.”

Lucy says, chuckling as she leans down and grabs a bottle of water from the floor.

“Cute?”

“That’s what I said.”

Lucy retorts. Kyra smiles and leans in, kissing Ken on the cheek.

“Thanks, Luce. And thanks for putting up with our questions, but I think we’ve taken up enough of your time.”

Kyra stands up, Lucy following her lead.

“Hey.. Do I look busy? It ain’t like I’ve got people knocking down my door to spend time with me.”

She chuckles.

“Just, if you two take care of each other… You’re gonna be fine.”

“I promise, all I want to do is take care of your sister. Or did you mean the match?”

Lucy just laughs. It would seem that the Ken we see behind the scenes is far more amusing than what she expected.

“Both.”

“Fair enough.”

Kyra and Ken exchange pleasantries with Lucy before heading their separate ways.

 

A few days removed from Synergy, Ken and Kyra are back in Ken’s Baltimore home that they’re currently sharing. They sit on the couch together, Ken’s arm draped over Kyra’s shoulder as they watch tapes of Gabriel and Eden in action, trying their hardest to prepare for their upcoming match.

Kyra’s daughter Adina sits in front of them on the floor, a tablet in her hands as she once again watches the Little Mermaid. Sounds of “Under the Sea” drift up, drowning out the droning of the UGWC commentary, making Kyra shake her head.

“Turn it down, sweetie.”

“NO!”

Adina screams back, defiantly. Kyra rolls her eyes.

“I’m gonna take the damn thing from you if you–”

“I DON’T WANNA! IT’S MY FAVORITE MOMMY!”

“No shit.”

Kyra mumbles, turning the volume of the TV up, knowing it’ll get a reaction out of her kid. Within seconds, Kyra gets exactly what she was expecting as Adina turns around and gives her mother a scowl.

“Mommmmmyyyyyyyyy…. Turn it down!”

“Adinnnnnaaaaaaa… Go to your room and watch it.”

The four year old gets up off the floor and turns away from them, stomping her way to her room – Making sure she’s heard all the way up the stairs until the door slams with authority. Finally Ken shakes his head.

“Do you enjoy arguing with a four year old?”

Ken asks, turning his head slightly to find Kyra grinning from ear to ear.

“I really do. She’s a little shit and she’s exactly like me so… I like exploiting it.”

She finishes, turning her attention back to the television.

“Besides, it’s hard to sit here and take notes while singing along with the God damned little mermaid in my head. Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You know they say the seaweed is always greener in somebody else’s lake.”

Ken pauses, waiting for the look Kyra is going to give him fit writing the song.

“Which now that I think about it is really stupid. A sea is salt water. A lake is fresh water.”

Kyra closes her eyes for a moment, and when she opens them she shoots Ken the look he’d been anticipating.

“Not helping. I sent her to her room for a reason, do you wanna join her?”

“Only if we can get her hooked on the Lion King. Besides, you don’t mind when I hear her playing ‘Kiss the Girl’ and I do what the song says.”

Kyra crosses her arms over her chest.

“That’s different.”

“So you say. You know I’m really bothered by this whole match. The part that bothers me the most is that they’re right. We are the replacements. We are the back up plan. I know that doesn’t make us any less of a threat or any less competitive, but they say it with such venom… it’s bugging the hell out of me.”

Kyra turns her attention back to the TV, sighing.

“Me too. It’s hard not to second guess myself when I know they’re right.”

“I spent so much time telling you that you shouldn’t stand in anyone’s shadow and I feel like right now we’re standing in Willis and Axton’s shadow for no reason other than we haven’t gotten our shot yet. Nothing against them, but I refuse to let anyone tell us we’re less than what we really are.”

Ken reaches out and takes Kyra’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

“This is their game, you know. Eden and Gabriel, I mean. They want us to walk in there and feel like we’ve got nothing on them because we haven’t gotten our shot at the belts yet. But you’re right. And maybe they’re worried that we are more than what they’re trying to sell us as.”

She squeezes his hand and smirks.

“Maybe deep down underneath it all they’re just a couple of insecure kids that wonder when their time in the light is gonna end. God knows I’ve been there before, and there’s only so many times you can put on a brave face and have that indifferent attitude before it all falls apart.”

“I’m not saying they’re right. I’m saying I don’t like their perception. I just remember where you were and how far you’ve come and I don’t like the disrespect. That’s all I’m saying.”

Kyra smiles and nods her head.

“Ain’t no one gonna take away everything I’ve gained… Or everything you’ve gained.”

“You know something, mama? I think I’ve got this all figured out. Just trust me on this one. Okay? I just have to work out a few details.”

She turns her head and pushes herself up, kissing Ken softly on the lips.

“Always.”

 

“Normally, I try to let my lady take center stage. But this time, coming into this match, I was feeling a little bit more motivated than I normally am. It seems that Gabriel Baal and Eden Morgan are walking around complaining about having to face replacements. They aren’t happy because the Carnage Wrestling Tag Team Champions are unavailable due to an injury. You know what? I wouldn’t be happy either. Baal and Morgan went from having to face two kids who are still getting a feel for what it’s like to be champions to the two most dominant wrestlers Carnage Wrestling has seen in the last year.”

“That sounds like a pretty raw deal for them, huh?”

“Raw like sushi. Now, I could sit here and run down a number of reasons why Eden and Gabriel are in for the fight of their lives, but nothing we have to say will make any difference to them. Their accomplishments, along with our accomplishments, aren’t gonna make a damn difference when we get in the ring. The fact that Gabriel and Eden are the UGWC Cooperative Champions has no bearing on this match. Those titles are nothing more than status symbols. They don’t make those two any better than us and it doesn’t make us any less than them.”

”We’re from two different worlds, I get it. Some people are gonna think UGWC is far superior to Carnage and others are gonna think the exact opposite. But what does it matter? Fighting is fighting, you know? When I found out we were gonna be taking over for Ax and Jon, I was excited. I’ve watched Gabriel and Eden for a long time, and I’ve always been a fan. I’ve always wanted to test myself against people of their caliber. And now, I get that chance. It’s just a damn shame you two can’t help but make this thing personal.. But I understand. It’s just what you do.”

“And it might just bite you in the ass.”

Ken stands confidently behind Kyra, mirroring her own emotion.

“Now I can’t speak for Eden, but I’ve already got Gabey baby figured out. What you are is nothing more then the diet dollar store brand version of what Godly Ken Davison used to be. Not only did I claim I was better than everyone, I proved it, week in and week out. I defeated a murderer’s row of legends within this business. I defeated Amber Ryan, Jack Michaels, UGWC’s own JC. Then, I lost a match. I lost a match to someone I had no business losing to. I lost that match because I did the exact same thing that you and Eden are doing to Kyra and I. You are doing the exact same thing that Jack Michaels did to Kyra. You are trying to overshadow us and that is something I simply will not and cannot allow.”

”You know, I’ve spent years being seen as someone who had ‘talent’ but would never be able to reach that glass ceiling. I can’t begin to tell ya’ll how many times I’ve been referred to as the ‘less talented Johnson sister’. It’s been a long time trying to get out of my own way, to reach the heights that I knew deep down I could reach… And when I won that Ultraviolent title… That was it. That was the moment I’d worked for. The moment I cried, sweat and bled for. I know you two know Lucy, and you know her well. But I’m not my sister. I’m one tough bitch and I can guarantee you that I can take everything you can give me.. And I can give just as much back.”

”You two are good. Hell, you’re fucking great by anyone’s standards. But so are we. And I know that means jack shit to you because we’re not a part of your precious UGWC… But believe it or not, the world doesn’t revolve around you two. Although, I’ll give you two credit where credit is due. You did a pretty good job of making it all about yourselves when one of you sent my sister off to be tortured by our father because he wanted a world championship and he didn’t wanna work for it… And when the other one faked her own death.”

She sighs and shakes her head.

“Indeed, Gabriel Baal is as fearsome as “The Chimera” from whom he takes his name from. Eden Morgan is as vicious as she is beautiful. Then again, so was Medusa before she was turned into a Gorgon. Much like Bellerophon and Perseus respectively, Kyra and I have made a habit of bringing down vicious beasts, even when it was each other. Everyone knows the story of Perseus who famously outwitted Medusa. But what of Bellerophon who rode upon Pegasus and simply stayed out of the Chimera’s range. Gabriel, I will bring you defeat, just as Bellerophon defeated the Chimera. Kyra is my wings, and that is more than enough for us to defeat the two of you. And if we can’t outsmart you, we will simply do as Perseus did and take your heads.”

”Well maybe we won’t go that far.. But you get the picture. We know we’re coming in as the perceived underdogs but that’s fine. We don’t mind taking your preconceived notions about us and shoving them straight up your asses.”

Kyra winks.

”But Edie, if I can focus on you for just a sec.. I just gotta say, the one thing I’ve always loved about you is the exact same thing I’ve come to hate about myself. You come out there week after week like you don’t give a flying fuck that people hate you. You talk people down, you make them feel inferior and well, you’re a fucking cunt.”

Ken winces and lets out a barely auduble “oof.”

”I look at someone like you and I wonder how you could possibly have anyone in your life that cares about you and wants what’s best for you because you just don’t come off like you care about anyone except yourself. Well, let me rephrase that. You don’t care about anyone except yourself and your husband. That’s a lonely way to live.”

”I know, because I’ve lived it. But I’ve never gotten the impression that having one or two people you can really count on bothers you. My guess is that it’s part of the facade. But maybe I’m wrong. I don’t really know, but I both hate it and I respect the hell out of it. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t keep that mask on, and maybe that makes me weak in your eyes… But I know that it makes me stronger.”

She pauses for a moment, her eyes narrowing at the camera.

”And Gabriel? For fucks sake man… There was a time when I told my sister that she’d be making a mistake if she didn’t try and keep you around. But you’re just a shitty person, and maybe that’s why I liked you so much. I mean you’re both shitty, don’t get me wrong and that’s definitely why I’ve made myself a member of the Eden and Gabriel fan club – but damn. Drugging people? Kidnapping people? Having them tortured by their psychotic fathers? I guess I’m just kinda surprised at the lengths you’ll go to to get what you want. I’ve done some bad shit too, but you really do take the cake, hun.”

Ken’s eyebrows raise in shock as he turns his head slowly towards her.

“Wait, they did all that? Fuck, even I had my limits.”

”You really need to watch more television.”

Ken gives Kyra another surprised look. 

“I watch plenty of television, just not murder porn. How were they not an episode of Dateline?”

”This is wrestling, babe. It doesn’t count apparently.”

“20/20? Maury or Springer?”

Kyra shakes her head and chuckles.

”Nope. But seriously… I’m not really sure what else I can say to you two. To you, we might just be replacements.. But to me, we worked our asses off to earn our shot at the CW tag titles and well, we might not be the champs yet… That doesn’t mean we ain’t gonna come to Incursion and show all of you why we’re gonna be taking those belts off of Jon and Ax when the time comes. You two are just a great warm up.”

“The only reason you don’t view us as equals is because we don’t hold the belts that we haven’t been given a shot at yet. That won’t stop us from asserting our dominance and sending a very strongly worded message to our champions. To you, we’re the replacements. To us, you’re just another step in the road. Win or lose, and losing is not in our playbook, we will come out this stronger as a couple and as a team. Despite your relationship, your championships are what define you. You can desire totals in as much gold as you want. When the titles are gone and the glory has faded, we’ll still have each other. Eden and Gabriel, you will have nothing left except each other and you will despise each other for your failures. Ain’t that some kind of life?”

Kyra shrugs her shoulders and leans into Ken. 

”I think the only thing left to say is… See you on Monday, assholes.”

With that, Kyra blows a kiss at the camera and flips it the bird.