Performance Training (Mega Busters Promo)

[Xion Zeros]

The sound of fists hitting a punching bag echos throughout an empty training room after hours in the Project X training facility. Sweat runs down the brow of the blonde-haired member of the Mega Busters, Ashleigh Cash, as she continues her assault on the punching bag. 

As her taped fists continue to impact against the sandbag, her mind flashes back to that choice encounter with Blake Harper. Her angry reaches a crescendo as Ashleigh is reminded how her kindness to this woman was regarded as a weakness and even recently how Blake came close to inflicting harm to her boyfriend. That moment is clear as day in her mind’s eye as she grits her teeth and punches straight through the bag in front of her. 

“Whoa, babe. Go easy on that thing. They take money out of our salaries for damaged equipment in here. I know Mariah let you borrow the keys to train after hours, but you can’t go wrecking the place. We have a budget to live off of.” 

Her boyfriend’s voice snaps her out of her trance as she turns around to face Matthew Miles standing at the door behind her. 

She smirks, “I guess she’s going to have to add it to my tab…”

She gestures towards the other 4 bags that are busted on the floor with the sand leaking out in the corner. 

“Well, shit…”

“Language, Matt. You and Kevin will never save any money if you’re always putting money into the swear jar while goofing around and playing video games. Me on the other hand… I don’t waste my paychecks on every new video game that comes out every month.”

Matthew Miles sighs heavily before opening his wallet and puts in a five dollar bill into the jar resting on the nearby bench. 

“Hey, you wanted me to pre-order that Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 Pro just as much as Kevin did!”

Ashleigh narrowed her eyes, “You two wanted it more than I did. I just want that sweet new Zelda game… So I’m just encouraging you two’s investment.”

Matt handed her a bottled water and a towel as he glanced back at the ruined punching bag. 

“So you think you got this on Primetime?”

“I can’t doubt myself. I don’t have room to. Tonight’s payback for that bitch. I’m going to show her I’m not her personal punching bag to vent her frustrations on.”

Matt smiles, “You should have this in the bag anyway. Your partners are the longest reigning GZWA Tag Team Champions in GZWA history and a former ZXWWF Gen-NeXt Division Champion…”

“I held that title too back then… So I’m no slouch either,” remarks Psycho Sagus comes in eating an apple.

Ashleigh perks a brow, “I won titles there too! You two goofs are in the same boat as I am here though. It’s a new beginning for all of us and we have to change that. A new year and new chance to make an impact. Just because I have veterans and former champions on my team doesn’t mean that I’m going to just kick back and not pull my weight. Everything is resting on my shoulders for my teammates. I’m not going to let them down.

Besides, shouldn’t you be worrying about your match against that new guy?”

Sagus swallows another bite of his apple.

“Howard? Nah, he seems like a cool kid though. I’m not worried. Should be fun.”

Matt shook his head. 

“Dude, I don’t see how you’re never worried about anything.”

Ashleigh wiped the sweat off her brow with her towel and adds, “Unless it’s that Nemesis guy…”

“Ash, don’t even joke about that shit. That guy is like the boogeyman or something. Always coming after me like Freddy Kreuger or Jason Vorhees like I took his favorite sweater or hockey mask! I still dunno what the guy’s fucking deal is.”

Ashleigh shook her head, "Language..."

Sagus deposited a twenty dollar bill into the swear jar before sticking his tongue out at Ashleigh.

Matt laughs, “Luckily for you, that guy hasn’t been seen for years, even before ZXWWF closed down. 

Sagus shook his head, “With all of this training going on in here, I suggest Ashleigh get another workout cleaning that mess up in the corner. C’mon, short stuff, I’ll give you a hand.”

He extends a hand to her to help her up from the bench, but Ashleigh’s eyebrow twitches at the mention of her petite size, causing to lash out by Judo Hip Tossing him into the pile. 

Matt cracks up laughing hysterically and tosses his friend the broom while he’s down on the floor. 

“Looks like you’re on cleanup duty, buddy.”

Ashleigh cracks her knuckles, “If you think that was funny, just wait until I wipe the floor with Blake on Primetime.”