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Unforgiven had already seen several matches play out tonight, drawing ever so close to the main event which was one of the most widely anticipated in years. Backstage, in his lawfully ordered private dressing room, Hiro Shin-Mozas sit in a folding chair. He wore a rather plain looking orange t-shirt and jeans that were...well, they were quite wrinkled. The Ethnic Enigma's skin looked well worn as well -- he had a nasty bruise on his head and was sporting a fresh new scar near his ear, still sown shut. Hiro was looking up at the television as a promo had played for the match later tonight between Jarel Damone and Chrono Clepsydra. Hiro was long removed from a life of hate, despite what he'd been through lately. There was most certainly reason to hate the Fusion family, to hate the business, to hate himself...but he wasn't going to let those feelings consume him. He had come too far, changed too much to go back to a life that lacked that sort of emotional self-control. However, when he looked up at Chrono's graphic on the match card, he couldn't help but feel a pulsating emptiness around his neck. It was as if something was missing, as if he was feeling...deja vu. Naturally Hiro was unable to put his finger on what exactly it was he was feeling and why, and he wouldn't be given much time to ponder it as a stagehand knocked on his door, letting him know it was time. Hiro stood up gingerly from the chair and limped his way to the door, stepping out into the backstage area. His heart would quickly drop as he heard someone say his name...Blackjack. Hiro hadn't yet gotten to the arena yet, but he had been warned that something occurred with Blackjack tonight and it was televised live. The extra security that had been stationed backstage was enough to make Hiro believe he should be alright, but the fact that his lawyer wouldn't divulge what happened and encourage Hiro not to look into left him with a pit in his stomach that was a hundred times worse than seeing a photo of Chrono Clepsydra. The Ethnic Enigma would make his way down the backstage area, head on a swivel, until he hit gorilla.



Metallica's cover of "Turn the Page" began as it so often had these days -- the fans were happy to see Hiro Shin-Mozas once more, cheering him on as he tried his best to ignore his own limp when stepping into the spotlight. The former World Champion stared out into the sea of man, a daunting and yet comforting sight as he realized there were certainly more than a handful of fans disappointed to see him after he lost yet again. This was something the definitely weighed down on Hiro. He didn't want to keep losing matches, thinking otherwise was borderline stupid. Though, it didn't really matter what he wanted right now, as he got what he wanted in life already quite recently: entering the ring once more, continuing his career. Now, whether it led to dozens upon dozens of losses, the fact was he no longer had a leg to stand on when it came to making demands. He actually barely had a leg to stand on at all as his limp became a bit more clear as he shuffled down the ramp, high fiving the fans which stuck their hands out and trying to give them at least something of a good showing tonight.

Hiro made his way to the ring steps, climbing them slowly until he reached the apron. He leaned on the ropes, looking out into the crowd once more as they cheered. He scanned out of habit, looking at several people to make sure they were who they presented themselves as: wrestling fans, not murderous cons on the run from the law. However, a sign caught his eye, causing his hands to go cold and his legs to shake. YOU HAVEN'T EVEN BEGUN TO BLEED., big blocky letters in red sloppily painted across a white piece of construction paper. Fans in the front row grew restlessly concerned as they noticed the color leave Hiro's face, his eyes fixated deep towards the back of the building. Many would turn to look, others would follow suit, a rumble picking up as fans expected to see something that would continue the story of Hiro tonight...but they saw nothing. The sign that would mean nothing to anyone but Hiro was no where to be seen, as if it was never there to begin with. Hiro used the ropes to methodically turn his back to the crowd and gulp, trying to keep his composure as he had been forced to so often in recent times. The Ethnic Enigma entered the ring, taking hold of a microphone left in the corner for him to use in the segment. Metallica's cover faded away allowing Hiro to stand awkwardly in center ring, the arena full of fans waiting for his words...perhaps an explanation for whatever he was just staring at.


The fans broke out of their confused funk to cheer -- they always loved a little bit of respect and honor, and Hiro was for sure giving it up where it was due. "AVAR-I FUS-ION" was a chant that broke out seamlessly, the fans more than happy to celebrate the Man of the Hour once more.


Uh oh. That was a scary thing to hear for the die-hard Hiro fans watching this segment playout. Hiro's body finally became still, his shaking legs planted sternly and the color returning to his features. He seemed to calm down as he began, the idea of getting these words of his chest being a quick shot of relief to his shot nerves and aching body. The crowd would once again begin to hush and allow Hiro to continue on as his mouth met microphone.


The strikingly bleak words of the Ethnic Enigma drew jeers from the crowd that just didn't enjoy hearing him speak in such a way. He managed to pull them back though, implying the thought of him vs Chrono was perhaps something he was hoping for, but as Hiro lowered the microphone to his side and began to pace, his limp showing...it took the fans out of it a little bit. Perhaps, that wasn't something they really wanted to see after all. It wouldn't be what it could.


Hiro's verbeage intensified, and there was no way the crowd couldn't hold back their own excitement. What was a depress spiel filled with self-doubt and anguish was turned around by old reliable: the sheer force of will the Ethnic Enigma was in a large supply of. Hiro seemed to be feeling his own words too, but his body language began to dictate a shift the came as quick as the one prior -- back to a soft demeanor that reeked of desperation and depression.


Hiro would lower the microphone to his side once more, his expression becoming slightly despondent as if he realized he couldn't take back what he just said. It was now out there in the world that, after his impassioned speech at Wrestlemania he was now in severe doubt about his future and if it was worth continuing on. Perhaps the willpower he had was better used elsewhere, instead of being used on fighting a losing battle against his skill and dodging a man who just may be coming to take his life. The fans would boo at the fact that a man they respect so much was now pitying himself and implying that he would once again leave, perhaps never to be seen again.

Hiro's heart dropped as the lights began to turn off, his body struggling to enter fight or flight mode. He wasn't expecting to be interrupted here, but it was ESPECIALLY unnerving that it began with total darkness. The fans tried to light up the arena with their lights, but it merely built up the anxiety in the Ethnic Enigma even more. His eyes darted about the building, backing up to the ropes and spooking himself with them. Fans in the front row could see Hiro leap up slightly and back into center ring once more -- and his fears were not quelled by the sudden blinding light of the titantron. He put his hands up to shield his squinting eyes, as if he'd just been hit with a flashbang and was desperate to avoid an oncoming enemy. Then, to his own great shock, the name Nuke Fusion appeared on the screen and the fans were sent into that oh-so-desirable frenzy. Hiro took another few steps back as he struggled slightly to maintain his balance from the gauntlet of different emotions he just went through in the span of seconds. The last thing he ever expected tonight was to finally get what he'd been searching for the last seven years: a moment in time with the Redeemer.

Then, as if he formed out of thin air, Nuke Fusion stood before Hiro engulfed in god's rays -- his white gear shining bright. The Ethnic Enigma was frustrated with himself if only for a moment, had this been a serious attack from someone he would have never realized it until it was too late. He was lucky tonight though, as it became clear quickly that Nuke was not here to fight. The two were locked in a stare that would not be broken, Nuke remaining silent as the fans wildly cheered, a "HOLY s**t!" chant breaking out. It seemed that perhaps the fans were just as invested in Hiro's desire to see Nuke as he was. Hiro found himself blown away further as Nuke's hand was raised slowly, offering him the ultimate gesture of respect: a handshake. Hiro tried his best to fight back a few tears as he could feel a true level of catharsis shooting through his veins -- he broke the stare and looked down at Nuke's hand, until finally he gripped it and shook a weight that had been on his mind for an incredibly long time finally raised. The fans were absolutely eating this up, they couldn't believe it. The camera cut to several for the viewers at home, so many cheering, a woman in the front row crying. This was but one in a series of many moments tonight that would make Unforgiven an unforgettable show. Hiro would bring the microphone to his mouth as he held the shake tight, stammering out just one question for the Redeemer, the Nuclear God, the man who gave him his first break.

Hiro couldn't help but well up tears finally as Nuke pulled him into an embrace, the Redeemer living up to his name tonight. It was when Nuke whispered to him that tonight would indeed be the night they would speak, Hiro couldn't help but stick his face down into his friend's shoulder for a second to conceal his eyes. Nuke then stepped back, and shot Hiro a genuine smile that allowed the Ethnic Enigma to fully decompress and feel as though, for the first time since he returned, he was finally in the presence of a real friend. Hiro would again shake Nuke's hand while mouthing "Thank You", only to remove himself from the handshake and instead grab Nuke's wrist, lifting his arm up for an ovation from the fans. It looked like before Hiro would deep dive into their moment, he wanted those in the building to have one more of their own as they cheered wildly, jubilation abound with a "NU-KE FUS-ION!" chant easily beginning and carrying around the building. Finally, as the crowd died down, Hiro lowered Nuke's hand and again thanked him. Though, it was now time for Hiro to get exactly what he wanted for the last few months.

Hiro once again was flooded with emotion as Nuke made the proclamation that in his eyes -- Hiro was family. It was one thing to have an apologetic Nuke before him, as Hiro had already forgiven Nuke in his heart long ago -- but for this legend, this god, this brother to offer up any one thing, it was not what the Ethnic Enigma had expect with retirement on his mind at the start of the program. The fans cheered all this love and positivity, in a business surrounded by negative performances, bad actors, and constant betrayal it was a breath of fresh air to see something so genuine playout as close friends reconnecting. Hiro rubbed the back of his head as he thought things through, ruminating on Nuke's offer.


As if there wasn't enough campy sweetness here, the fans ate up a little more with a spoon. They chanted heavily for Avari and Hiro's praising of Nuke's training and parenting. The Ethnic Enigma encouraged them to keep going, and they sure did.


The fans began to boo as it appeared as though their ultimate fear had been realized. Hiro had reverted back to the demeanor he had before Nuke had arrived, this depressed emoting and sad voice that one day came for all wrestlers. Hiro looked down from Nuke, staring at the ground while the fans pleaded with their worried screams and chants. Hiro would bring the microphone to his mouth again as he raised his biting his lip as if to keep control over his facial expressions.

That sure sounded like a confirmation to the crowd, as Hiro Shin-Mozas vs Nuke Fusion for the first time in nearly a decade was confirmed to take place at No Mercy! Hiro's smile was just as on display as Nuke's, the two men finally set to meet in the ring. Hiro didn't exactly ever want to fight Nuke again, but in this moment, he recognized that it was potentially the last time they'd ever have the chance -- and he had a few new tricks to show the Nuclear God. Hiro would toss the microphone away and once again thank Nuke, walking to him and taking his hand to lift it up for the crowd to shower both of them in cheers. It was a tough go about for Hiro, and for Nuke as well, since they had returned. However, they had each trended in different directions, one up and the other down -- but with this match they will have, it will be as if they were once again on even ground. A dream for so many, but perhaps for no one more than Hiro Shin-Mozas and Nuke Fusion. The crowd continued cheer on as the two reunited friends stood there, soaking in what could be a never-to-be-replicated moment.