¤ There is no heavier burden than being a champion. The weight of the belt can never be calculated. The mere eight pounds of gold and leather is nothing. The true weight comes from the responsiblilty. To set an example for others. To remain worthy of the title. To defend, defend, defend until all competitors are eliminated, showing yourself as the one true champion, the undisputed champion. ¤

A release of air hisses as the large mechanical crank on the steel door turns. The computer near the door prints out papers upon papers of readings, meaures and statistics. As the door swings open a rush of hot air escapes, and the hardcore champion, Ichabod himself, slowly steps out. Behind him is a sea of sand, and sweat pours from his body in bucketfuls. His clothes have been torn in some places, and he looks drained. As he steps out, the door closes with a metallic clunk. He sits down and grabs a towel off the rack.

Steve your training facilities never cease to amaze me.

This building was the home of one of the most sophisticated martial training systems in the world. PUrchased by Ichabod in February for a mere 2.1 billion dollars, it consisted of a genome simulation of any climate imaginable, from the icy winter of Arctic Fox's dwellings, to the fiery hell of the hottest desert.

A sound like a cricket chirp is heard, and a monitor raises itself out of a desk. On its screen is Steve Parke.

I only have a few minutes to speak as I need to go back in for training mode.

The program had two levels: survival, in which you are locked in a genome of your choice for two days with minimal supplies; and training, in which you returned to that genome for combat with God knew what--men, animals, machines. Ichabod had just completed the survival mode in the desert, and wanted a quick break before going back in to do his battle training.

Well i was thinking maybe it is time for you to produce a segment so the company doesn't think you dissappeared. How's that title, Ichy?

It's great Steve. I said i would do it and I did. Perhaps now the people around here will realize two things: that I can back my sh't up, and that I am the most extreme, hardcore man in professional wrestling today. But you know Steve, winning it is easy. Keeping it is the hard part.

Well you have a match with Mastermind on Tournation.

Yes I know. Mastermind is a great opponent, he gave me what for at King Karnage, and I am looking foward to this match. If any man can give me a run for my title, its him. But remember what I said. Any man can take a title, as Justin Payne proved to Smoke Dawg, but only a Champion can keep it. I haven't proven anything yet, but mark my words, I will prove it on Tuesday.

One last thing, how do you feel about what Selena is doing, and her coming here in the first place?

Ichabod takes a drink of his Dasani.

Who's Selena?

Before Steve can answer, Ichabod reaches over and flips the screen back down into the desk. One thing he didn't need right now was distraction, and he would eliminate it at all cost.

But there was something going on that couldn't be ignored, and that was the tag title situation. Payne was wanting him on his side, but that would mean going against his own partner, Bigg Wafer. Could he do that? If he could, would he? More importantly, why would he help Payne?

Ichabod shakes the thoughts out and stretches and pops his neck. He is ready for his combat training and he steps up to the computer on the wall and enters the access code. As he stands in front of the door. . .

I wonder if the Foxes would want to borrow the facility some time.