Welcome to Gaia! ::

In light of the coming retirement match, the camera comes on in Drako's personal locker room as he sits in a chair wrapping his hands in preparation to step into the cell. As he does, a rather large shadow comes over him.

"Hello big brother." The Soaring Dragon looks up to see his much larger elder brother standing over him, the original Dragon. "Couldn't resist popping up for Wrestlemania I see."

the camera pans out to show Jarel looking down at him. "You asked us not to come to Elimination Chamber because you were so certain that you'd end the best of three series there. We see how that went."

Drako shrugs. "We all have off nights. Also, we? Us? Who are you talking about?"

the door opens and in walk more of the Damone family, including Zarel, Janelle, Marcus, Blaze, Andre, and Zarya. The entire family, in fact. The last person in is Adrian Amaya.

"So, what's happening? One loss and everyone is afraid I'm coming home permanently?" Drako asks.

"Part of us would say it serves you right after manipulating our retirements," Zarel answers. "But that would be unnecessary bitterness."

Janelle speaks up next. "We can't say that we aren't concerned that you volunteered to walk into hell to bring this to an end. Walking into our big brother's specialty is certainly....a choice."

Jarel stands with his arms folded across his chest. "You and I both know it's not your first venture into hell. But it has been years since you last stepped into the cell. Well over a decade, all the way back in EEW. And that time you were on a team with me by your side. Tonight, it's just you in there with one of the Family's biggest rivals. We're here to make sure you have your head completely in the game."

Drako looks around at his older siblings. "We had an agreement in this family. If one of us hasn't recognized that it's our time, one of the others will end it for them. Isn't that the Family rule?"

No one disagrees. In fact they all nod in agreement.

Drako looks to Andre. "When I made the match in GWA to put you against your father, didn't I honor that agreement? Didn't we agree that Zarel wasn't going to ride off as long as he had a punching bag like Cartwright around? Didn't we agree that we noticed he was just a step slower but that step was going to cost him eventually?"

Andre nods. "It was time."

Drako looks to Marcus next. "Same with your dad, right? He had the retirement tour going but without someone finally bringing it to an end, would it stick?"

Marcus shakes his head. "Old man was gonna die in the ring if we didn't have that last match at Starrcade."

Finally, Drako turns to Blaze. "Now, if we're following tradition, isn't it your role to put me down when my time comes?"

Blaze gives a simple nod but as normal says nothing. A man of few words after all.

"So, just to be clear, I'm going out tonight and I'm walking into hell of my own free will. This chapter of the Damone-Fusion family feud ends here tonight. And it's going to end the way it should. Nuke Fusion flat on his back, staring up at the lights through that cell ceiling, that three count bring his career to an end. It's not going to be easy. I'm going to sweat, I'm going to bleed, it's going to take everything I've got to put down the Nuclear God, but these Dragons bow to no gods." The last point is said in solidarity with Jarel. "The last two times Damone met Fusion at Wrestlemania, only the Damone was able to walk out of the arena that night with a win. Jarel over Nuke, Marcus over Avari. Tonight, big brother, I do what you couldn't do. I put him down for good."

well, that's certainly a way to break tension up. Drako lets out an "oof" as the pink blur basically tackles him. Good thing she wasn't a giant like her godbrother Blaze had always been or Drako would be on the floor.

Upon having the drawing put in front of him, Drako smirks at the detail.

"I'm not sure which part I like most, but Jarel choking your dad is absolutely a top contender."

Jarel walks over and leans down to examine the drawing. "That's quite accurate. I just wonder if Zarel can actually play double-dutch anymore. Dear brother, how's the knees holding up?"

Zarel flicks his twin off. "About as well as yours, jerk."

As Salem enters the room, Drako straightens up as Salem presents his gift. The Soaring Dragon lets out a whistle. "Nice. Maybe I should risk my career a bit more often."

Drako smirks. "Shin kicks are how me and Janelle survived childhood with those two giants over there."

Jarel rolls his eyes. "People wonder why you're so used to getting chokeslammed."

"Or otherwise tossed around," Zarel adds.

"This family is unhinged," Marcus mutters.

Blaze merely nods in agreement. Drako shakes his head but refocuses on Salem.

"I don't think we'll have to worry about new babysitters. I know what I'm walking into, and according to big brother the trick to surviving hell is to make it your home. This family thrives there."

Jarel folds his arm across his chest. "You should also plan to suffer in the process. I've been there more than anyone. It's the reason I'm retired right now. You're gonna get hurt, you're probably gonna bleed. Just make sure he hurts and bleeds more."

"Well, as long as I walk out the winner, I can deal with the effects later. Now, if everyone will excuse me, I'd like a few moments alone to get ready mentally."