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after a few moments, the lights dim again, and a static effect plays on the titantron. When it stops, an old video of Jarel walking to the ring is shown. This Jarel is clearly much younger, and wearing long tights instead of the jeans he's become more known for. And with that, the very first theme he'd used all those years ago starts to play, Wu Tang Clan's Protect Ya Neck.

The static effect again as the image switches to show not just Jarel, but his twin in the early days of their career, their first times as a tag team entering an arena side by side. Words appear on the screen.

In the beginning, two walked as one

The music fades and then switches to the twins' first tag theme, Regulate by Warren G. The images switch to slightly more familiar attire for the twins, the jeans more common to them even today, albeit it baggier for the style of the 90s. Successes are shown, includinng early tag team title wins. Finally the images recede to show a tv screen playing said highlights, in the familiar office of the Dragon. The large oak desk he'd first shown a decade before comes into view, and in the large leather chair behind it sits the man himself.

"Nothing lasts forever."

The Dragon hits a button on the remote and instead of the highlights playing before, the video shows the first time the twins turned on each other, with Zarel blasting Jarel with a clothesline before walking out on a match.

"Did you ever wonder how the Dragon was born? He was born alongside a Monster."

the static affect again plays and the image of the Dragon's office is gone, replaced with video of the subtle changes he went through after the turn. The hair gets longer, the clothes get darker, the jeans not as baggy. The dawning of the first of many leather trenchcoats. The music in the arena cuts out and again words appear on the screen.

"Let's take a walk on the Darkside."

The music in question starts again as the arena grows dark. Blue light covers the arena and smoke pours in on the stage. As the music kicks in the highlight video package of Jarel's hell in a cell victories begins to play. The theme is recognizable, both as one Jarel had used and from it's original source. The highlights of the cell matches briefly flash through, from his brother Zarel to Cartwright, Jed, Kalos, and Shadow among the long list. Ending with an image of Jarel standing atop the cell, looking down.

another message comes across the screen.

"Come not between the dragon, and his wrath."
- William Shakespeare, King Lear

As the music slowly begins to fade again, the smoke remains as the screen flickers with the static effect again. Across the stage and the ramp, however, there's the appearance of lava, an LED effect obviously. Now the titantron comes to life and reveals the backstage area as a locker-room door opens, and the man in question steps out, a brand new read leather coat on with a blue and silver dragon design across the back of it. Outside of the locker-room is the Syndicate, a show of support. Jarel looks at each of them briefly before turning to head towards the arena, the Syndicate following up to the area where he'd go out solo. The camera cuts out.

The lights go out again as the familiar chords of Down with the Sickness start up. Fans light their lighters throughout the audience, a rarity in this day and age but a throwback to the years Jarel has spent in the business. On the titantron, more highlights from the Dragon's career play, from the reuniting with Zarel to teaming with Drako and Janelle and even his retirement tour matches against the Creeker, Cyrus Leone and his family, and eventually the higher points of his match with Marcus

Oh wah ah ah ah!

Flames burst up on the stage and the crowd erupts as the Dragon is finally about to make his way to the ring. An opening appears in the image of the lava and the smoke covering the stage and Jarel Damone rises on a platform from below, his gaze fixed on the ring.

Drowning deep in my sea of loathing
Broken your servant I kneel
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems what's left of my human side
Is slowly changing ... in me
(Will you give in to me?)


"And his opponent, from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 328 pounds, Jarel Damone!"

Jarel looks out over the arena at the sea of cheering fans with their lighters in the air and then focuses on the ring, stepping off the platform to make his way down the ramp

Looking at my own reflection
When suddenly it changes
Violently it changes
Oh no, There is no turning back now
You've woken up the demon ... in me

Flames burst up on the side of the ramp as the Dragon walks towards the ring, not as slowly as he had in the last match he'd had, but not too briskly either. Finally he reaches the end of the ramp and looks at the God of Time waiting inside.

Get up, come on get down with the sickness
Get up, come on get down with the sickness
Get up, come on get down with the sickness
Open up your hate, and let it flow into me
Get up, come on get down with the sickness
You mother get up
Come on get down with the sickness
You ******** get up
Come on get down with the sickness
Madness is the gift, that has been given to me

Jarel steps up to the ring and onto the apron, then spreads his arms as the old Silver Dragon symbol lowers from the rafters to hang over the ring. He steps into the ring over the top rope and keeps an eye on Chrono as he steps to stand in front of the symbol, which lights up with flames outlining it as the Dragon raises his fist. Moments later, he looks up as the symbol rises again, then turns to remove the coat and hand it to an official outside.

The Dragon hadn't changed his more known attire, black jeans and a sleeveless shirt, though each were adorned with a different dragon across the legs and the front of the shirt. A new pair of the same style of gloves on his hands, he takes a moment to adjust them and his elbow pads as the music finally dies out.

Jarel raises an eyebrow as he observes along with the crowd the scars adorning the body of Chrono. He's not surprised that they exist, only at the choice to show them.

"I was there for that one."

Jarel points to the scar from the shot from Jed.

"Mine are a little more covered, by clothes and by hair." Jarel taps his head at the last word. "The dreadlocks weren't grown solely because I like the style."

The Dragon moves his right arm a bit, feeling out his shoulder on his dominant side. Tucking his hair behind his ears, Jarel is ready to get things started

"Fair point."

Jarel was of similar mind as far as pacing before getting things started. His last match outside of training had been against his son about three years prior so now was the time to shake off any additional ring rust and get down to it.

The lock up is offered and accepted. Jarel elects to test both himself and his opponent, realizing ahead of time they are likely fairly even in strength but still attempting to slowly but surely force the God of Time back towards the ropes

Jarel expected Chrono to push back. To say the Dragon wasn't used to anyone matching his power would be inaccurate. He was born an identical twin after all. Not to mention some of the other giants both men had dealt with over the decades.

The Dragon finds himself being forced back in a similar manner to how he'd started things. Jarel might have misjudged the distance as eventually he finds his back against the ropes

there is, of course, the request, or demand, from the referee to break apart. How will the God of Time respond

Jarel returns the nod. To be fair, despite the years of knowing each other, and watching each other's matches, there's got to be some testing the waters. The Dragon cracks his neck a bit.

He realizes most might not expect the match to start this way exactly, but that's kind of the point. There'll be bombs thrown eventually. For now, however, he offers another lock up

Into the test of strength they go, this time with Jarel a little more determined to come out on top. Chrono has the slight height advantage and Jarel the slight weight advantage. It might be a matter of pride that the Dragon goes into this seeking to assert himself, but honestly, did anyone expect him not to have that particular flaw?

So as they test their strength, the Dragon attempts to put some more effort into overpowering his godly opponent this time

what's that old saying, Pride goes before a fall? Never has that been more true than here, as Jarel's pride in his strength, while possibly well earned, is going to get him a fall here in a literal sense.

The Dragon was focused on the test of strength, starting to get the edge, but Chrono didn't earn his place in their world by not being smart. Spinning out of the hold puts Jarel off balance, and that's just enough for Chrono to drop him with a move he'd never actually been hit with, but he knew where it was from.

Or at least he would after the world righted itself, as the Beheader clocks him across the back of the neck, sending him face first to the mat. Been a long time since anyone has dropped the Dragon in such a way, and its instinct alone that forces him to roll onto his back, his hand going to his face to check his nose after that impact