"Another Stepping Stone." Part One.
METHDS OF MADNESS: Just the opener.

Do you believe Zarek is washed up? It's been proven that those who said that Zarek was down for the count, were clearly off their rocker. One match does not make a legend, or lower one's talents, looking at it from the opposite. Zarek had not fallen since his performance at 4:20, infact, his career was moving upwards if anything. He was first working his way back to the BUDvision strap. Another win against Leaky had earned him that. Not only was he focusing on gaining back his title, but he had set his sights on new gold. The World Heavyweight Championship was in his gaze, and starring at it with a red hot passion. So, is Zarek washed up? Not by a long shot.

Now that Leaky had gotten the defeat that he so desperatly wanted, it was time to relax. With all this talk about the tournament, DC's rep, the controversal 'title reign' and Leaky wanting another shot, it was tiring. Hearing people bitch all day isn't exactly the most exciting event in the world. Zarek walked out of the arena door, and headed towards the black limo that waited in the parking lot. The driver was waiting by the open door, and Zarek quickly handed him his duffel bag before sliding into the backseat. The driver shut the door, and walked back around the to driver's seat. It had been a long day, and Zarek needed some time to himself. His head immediatly sunk into the seat, and he marveled at how large a limozine actually looked when there was only one person riding in it. It was actually sort of empty, and kind of lonely.

He sighed at the thought of all the things he planned to do in the next few weeks. There was the tournament coming up, the week after that was his rematch with Emerald, and if Zarek is to advance in the tournament then the week after that will be the second bout. If all would go well, then the next three weeks would be some of the busiest three weeks of his career. Zarek closed his eyes, and enjoyed the silence for once. He had missed it so much. A loud screeching sound was heard as the driver rolled down the window between the driver seat and the back. Zarek would have to call a repairman for that window.

"Mr Lyle?"

Zarek's silence was broken, he opens his eyes and looked up, a stern look upon his face. All the same, he knodded to the drive to continue.

"There's a phone call for you."

"Alright. Send it through, I suppose."

With a knod, the driver began to rise the window between seatings again. Zarek let out a sigh, gazing at the phone. The driver had surely switched over the caller already, but there was a part of Zarek who wanted to linger in the silence a bit longer. He knew it was to good to last though, so slowly, he picked up the phone and brought it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey Zarek, it's Jade. Just calling to check up on you. You were out of the arena so fast that I barely had time to wave goodbye to you. What's going on Zarek, is something the matter, because you know you can tell me."

"No, nothing's the matter, honest. I just need some peace and quiet, really. Thanks for the concern though, baby."

"Alright, if you say so, just making sure. By the way, management came by with the agenda for the upcoming week, and you're tournament match is scheduled. I thought you'd want to know, considering the circumstances. Your opponent is Dannica."

"Thanks Jade. I appreciate it."

"I can tell you're not up to talking, are you?"

"To be honest, not much. I really just need some peace and quiet right now is all. Emerald took a lot out of me, Leaky not so much, but I'm going to need to rest, especially if I'm to head off against Dannica this week. I really want this, Jade. I know I haven't been here as long as most of the others have, but that doesn't mean I don't want it just as much, or more than, the rest do. If I'm going to pull this off, I'm going to need all of advantages that I can get, especially against Dannica. She may be one hell of a performer, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up."

"I know, I know, it's for a shot at the World title. I know you want it, I'll let you rest now."

"I love you."

"You too, babe."

The line goes dead, and the dial tone is heard. There were some inner problems that would need healing later, but right now was about the task at hand. That being defeating Dannica and moving on in the tournament. Zarek thought the best match of his career was going to be against Emerald, but Dannica is a whole new player, that brings a whole different ball game. Throughout the week, Zarek would need to go through intense training, and figure out a whole different strategy to pull one over on BUD's undefeated Bytch Champion, but for now, some rest would be nice. So Zarek leaned his head back into the seat once more and closed his eyes.

Gone.