Tarrasque is at a gymnasium with his manager, Marcus Anderson. Marcus is cheering Tarrasque on while he is on the bench press. Tarrasque is benching more weight than anyone of his build has any right to lift and doing it with an ease that gets the other gym goers in the area to stop and stare. Marcus just shrugs them off with a grin.
Marcus Anderson - You’re doing great, man. Just a few more reps and we can get into the ring. I have a couple of sparring partners lined up. Well, I did before you started lifting a mac truck in barbell form…
Tarrasque just laughs, placing the barbell back on the rack and dismissing his spot partner, who looks relieved that he didn’t have to try to help lift that weight off of Tarrasque’s chest. Tarrasque sits up and wipes off sweat with a towel.
Tarrasque - Well…me am strong. Who will fight to keep title?
Marcus Anderson gets out his smartphone and flips through a few screens while looking at the Wrestle: UK site. He chuckles.
Marcus Anderson - You face Preston Andre Reese. A blowhard who trained in some of the same circles that I did when I was young, though my father didn’t star in movies. His daddy, I’m sure, made sure that he was taken care of and got his nannies and trainers. He probably had a wet nurse until was five. Spoiled little shit.
Tarrasque - You know you mom spoiled you too?
Marcus rubs the back of his neck with a laugh.
Marcus Anderson - I know that, but I’m also not the guy that Preston gets to face in the ring. You are. And you, my friend, have not been spoiled.
Tarrasque stands up and begins walking toward the wrestling ring. He’s still smiling though.
Tarrasque - Not true. Your father was good man. He made sure me have everything me need.
Marcus nods, though his expression takes on one of loss and longing. His father, “the Brain” Allen Anderson, managed Tarrasque. After a brief time of joining the Warhammer Corporation and getting his new legion of talent, he spent less and less time at home with his family. He did a lot of wicked deeds in his life in the name of making a living to support his family, but he didn’t go home. Guilt over his inner darkness.
Marcus wipes a tear away from his face. Tarrasque looks at him curiously.
Tarrasque - You father…loved you very much. Him loved him whole family, but him not want you in danger so him stay away.
Marcus sniffs, wiping at his eyes.
Marcus Anderson - I know the logic behind it all and respect the sacrifice, but I don’t have to like it. I hated him for a long time, thinking that he abandoned us.
Tarrasque places a massive hand on Marcus’ shoulder as they stop walking toward their destination.
Tarrasque - You father talked of you a lot. He knew what training you were doing. He knew what schooling you did. Him talk to you mom, always.
Marcus Anderson - He talked to mom? He couldn’t have talked to me too?
Tarrasque - Would that made things better?
Marcus Anderson - No. It wouldn’t have. Okay. We have to get you into fighting shape to face Preston. You lost your last couple of matches against Kilroy Evans, and thankfully, the title wasn’t on the line back then.
Tarrasque - Him strong. Me glad to fight by him side now.
Marcus Anderson - Good to hear. We’re here. You go ahead and get started in the ring and I will send in your first partner.
Tarrasque gets into the wrestling ring and Marcus signals for the first sparring partner to get in with him.
Marcus Anderson - Go on the attack right away! Tarrasque won’t respect you unless you can show that you can hold your own against him.
The sparring partner nods and goes on the attack. Marcus Anderson smiles as he watches the scene unfold.
Marcus Anderson - Preston. I don’t think you understand what the Maelstrom title really means in Four Winds Wrestling. It’s the hardcore title. Tarrasque knows that it will be a hardcore match right off the bat and so…he will actively be trying to break you in the ring. He knows that he won’t have to hold back because of the “rules”. He will know that you won’t be allowed to cry foul when he lifts you up by the nuts and tries to make an honest woman out of you. Marcus looks into the ring and sees that while the sparring partner has landed a few chain combos, he hasn’t really bothered the beast. When Tarrasque has decided that he has had enough, his first move flattens his sparring partner. For the next few minutes, the partner tries to mount enough of an offensive to be able to escape the ring, but Tarrasque is relentless in his beating of the partner.
Marcus Anderson - See, Preston. You think you’re good. I know better. I have had a similar treatment when dad sent home enough money to cover nannies and homeschooling. He covered training with the greatest stars that money could buy. Some of the same names if I’m right. However, I can admit that even given all of these advantages, I am not a great wrestler. I am mediocre at best, and that is why I am currently a manager and not a wrestler.
Marcus looks in the ring and winces when he sees that Tarrasque has applied the Rise of the Feminine Side on his sparring partner. Essentially, trying to lift the man by his boy parts.
Marcus Anderson - You’re going to have a heck of a time, Preston. I would say maybe wear a cup, but at his hand strength? He would crush the cup into your boy parts, and they would need the Jaws of Life to get you free. So, no. You won’t be taking my friend’s title. My friend is Tarrasque, and he is strong!