One Distraction Too ManyThe show heads to one of the deck tables, and we find Future Shock Director Adam Grant there. He’s wearing a very loud Hawaiian style shirt with a pair of shorts, and a pair of sunglasses as he addresses the camera.
Adam: I promised I had an announcement for the show tonight. I won’t take very long, because I’m sure you’d rather see what’s going on rather than hear from me too much. My announcement is regarding an annual tradition we have here on Future Shock. And that is the 2018 Future Shock Cup.
There was the sound of some kind of disturbance off camera that distracted Adam briefly before he continued.
Adam: The Future Shock Cup has been a big part of Future Shock long before we had this reboot. This year will be no different. The prize will be the winner’s choice of one of two things. Either they can choose to challenge for the Future Shock Championship, find a partner and challenge for the Future Shock Tag Team Championship, or be granted an immediate graduation to the FFW roster.
He glanced off camera again as whatever the disturbance was caught his attention again.
Adam: Here’s how it works this year. I’m putting together two tag matches with partners who may or may not get along very well. And the winners of those two tag matches will meet in a fatal four way to crown the winner of the 2018 Future Shock Cup. To get to the finals, those teams will have to get along at least for one match. Who’s entering, you may ask? Well I’m going to be making that decision in the coming days. This is a massive opportunity, so I’m sure any Prospect would love to be part of it. If so, show me. Make it known. And the winner will have one hell of a prize waiting for them, not including the trophy that’s being crafted as we speak.
He glances over again when he hears more noises, and back to the camera.
Adam: Stay tuned to Future Shock to find out who will be added to this all-important tournament for the Cup. Now let’s get back to the pool party, shall we?
He got to his feet, and headed off in the direction of the noise as the camera picks up a brunette dressed in an old cut up Nirvana shirt with jean shorts walking past one of the other tables with production assistants chatting with a Coke before she opens the cup and pours it on the floor with a smile. She continues walking as the assistants look annoyed at her when she passes.
Zack: Is that….It is. Why is Wilma Iris Napier here?!
Future Shock heads to a commercial break.
Well Hello, WilmaAfter the commercial break, the cameras have caught up with surprise guest Wilma Iris Napier in her swimsuit as she has joined up with Kyle Kilmeade. He looks quite happy to see her as he extends an arm towards her.
Kyle: Well now this is a very pleasant surprise. You should have told me you were coming, and I’d have taken care of getting you in here without any issues.
Wilma: No need for that, I’ve got it handled. Didn’t really plan on coming, but after all the hard work I put into the past few weeks I thought earned a little vacation, and what’s a party without me around?
Kyle: No arguments there. Plus you showed up just in time for Lacey’s challenge coming up.
He pointed towards the pool as a narrow walkway was being extended across it.
Kyle: She’s about to outlast the others in a little game of dodgeball.
Wilma: Oh sports, how exciting! Shame Morgy didn’t come, she would have loved throwing balls around, played softball half her life or something like that. I was never too into team sports though, hard to win with a bunch of losers dragging you down.
Kyle: Having met Morrigan, I can see why people threw things at her. It’s alright, it’s not like she’s needed. You’re totally safe here, besides...I brought my own security.
He nods a few feet behind them to show his bodyguard, Rhea Laskaris, standing with her arms crossed under her chest keeping a watchful eye.
Kyle: She’s the best at this job.
Wilma: No arguments here, takes quite the training to be able to stand still and not move. I couldn’t do it, I get bored just thinking about it.
Kyle: You and I both. Tell you what, I have a table over here with some shade. You can come watch the rest of the show with me. How’s that sound?
Wilma: Excellent! Hook me up with some of that water Fiji keeps getting praised for and I’m a happy spectator.
Kyle snaps his fingers at one of the hotel employees to make that order before the pair head towards a table. And then, we head back poolside for the challenge.
As the show heads back to the pool, the narrow walkway has been extended from one side of the pool to the other. On one side of the pool we find Brianna Singer in a black bikini throwing a dodgeball up in the air as she awaits the Prospects to line up.
Zack: Next up, it’s a Future Shock favorite among the challenges. We’re gonna play some dodgeball. The last time we did this, it was Halloween with Celeste as the pitcher. But she’ll be part of it, and there you see Future Shock’s Executive Assistant Brianna Singer warming up.
Lyn: You know, Zack... I can’t help but feel like Miss Singer is going to enjoy this. Like really... Really enjoy this.
Zack: The rules are pretty simple, fans. If you get hit by a ball or fall in the water, you’re eliminated. The last girl left will be the winner.
One by one, each of the five participants makes her way onto the catwalk. The first is Sydney Christensen, a blonde with a black one piece on. She looks to the camera with a smile as Luci joins her next.
Zack: Sydney Christensen joins us from HELL Lucha Libre, and looks like she has some power to her. There’s SVW Defiance Champion Luci as well, a very talented lady who has enjoyed great success in SVW.
Lyn: As I said earlier, we’ve really got a who’s who
The next to join them is Celeste, who looks quite happy as she finds her spot on the walkway. She quickly adjusts her white two piece before Mara Werth follows after her in a similar red bikini.
Zack: Celeste was the pitcher last time, she’ll have to do the dodging today. Mara Werth won the competition that night, Lyn. She’s practically a defending champion here.
Lyn: You know, we SHOULD probably get a custom championship going here...
The final Prospect to join them was Lacey, who gave a cold stare towards the other girls, especially Celeste. Dressed in a green two piece, she cracks her knuckles and looks across towards Brianna at poolside.
Zack: You can tell there’s no respect or admiration even still between Celeste and Lacey. It’s probably a good thing Mara is between them, otherwise this could get ugly.
Lyn: I’m not even sure that’s a proper buffer. Give them time, Zack.
The official poolside blows the whistle to start the competition as Bri bounces the first ball between her hands before she leans back and hurls it. It’s aimed right at Sydney, who ducks under it as it sails into the water. She glances back to see where it landed just as Bri fires off a second. This one heads straight at Mara, who sidesteps it as it sails paster. The Executive Assistant nods her head, scoops up and hurls another between Sydney and Luci this time. Both girls manage to avoid as they step in opposite directions.
Zack: So far, Bri’s not had much luck pitching. Everyone she has aimed for has avoided it, the only one who hasn’t had anything aimed at her is Lacey.
Lyn: Redheads stick together in this new generation. Who knew?
It was unlikely that she heard Zack, but Bri immediately hurled the next shot at Lacey. But the redhead avoided it without too much trouble before another shot was fired. It whizzed over Mara’s head as she ducked it, and glanced behind her to see it land in the water. The Executive Assistant started picking up the pace a little, scanning the five girls before Elizabeth Lannister emerged from the water. She pulled one of Celeste’s feet out from under her as Bri caught the brunette with the dodgeball at the same time, sending her into the pool. Lannister smirked as Celeste’s head came up out of the water while the “Lioness” headed for the ladder to get out.
Lyn: Well... With a little assist from a certain Lannister, Celeste is eliminated. Like ashes in the mouth.
Zack: Elizabeth Lannister is really spoiling for a fight with Celeste, and I’m pretty sure she won’t have to ask twice at this point.
The four girls remaining moved a little closer together as Celeste went after Elizabeth as soon as they both got out of the pool. Security had to intercept the brunette as Christian wrapped her in a towel and tried to calm her down. The four looked back to see what was happening before Brianna took advantage of the distraction. She beaned Sydney on the back of the head, wobbling her a little before a second shot sent her into the water as well. The blonde glared back at the redhead as Brianna only smiled sweetly, telling the girls they need to pay attention.
Zack: Like the rest of us, Lyn, the girls were looking to see what was about to happen between Elizabeth and Celeste. And Bri proved she is very much an opportunist in ANY environment.
Lyn: I mean, is anyone surprised by that? At all? ...And then there were three.
Mara, Lacey, and Luci moved closer together. Brianna began firing shots again. The next one was aimed at Mara, which she again managed to avoid. Two more in quick succession nearly caught Lacey, who took a large step to the left to avoid them. Brianna fired one at Luci, which she also managed to avoid. Bri told Lacey to move back closer to the other two, which she did but ended up shoving Mara into Luci. Both girls had trouble regaining their footing before Bri struck Luci square in the chest, and sent her backwards into the water.
Zack: Ouch, right in the numbers if she were wearing a football jersey. There goes Luci, and she may have a bruise tomorrow.
Lyn: The Defiance champion did her best, and now we have only the Aspire Ring holder and Mara left to go!
As Luci made her way out of the pool, Brianna picked up the speed once more and began firing balls in rapid succession. One of them whizzed by Mara’s head, practically causing her hair to blow to the side. Another nearly clipped Lacey in the kneecap before she stepped to the side. Two more aimed at each of their abdomens, but both Mara and Lacey moved out of the way before they connected.
Zack: Bri’s really picked up the speed, hasn’t she? I don’t think she’s fond of either of these two girls, and she is certainly showing no favoritism.
Lyn: Perhaps I was too hasty about that redhead thing, Zack. Maybe she considers all Prospects her subordinates, equally expendable.
Mara and Lacey looked at one another for a half second as Brianna grabbed another projectile. She leaned back and fired it at Mara just as Lacey stretched her leg behind Werth’s. It nudged the brunette off balance when she went to avoid the ball. She managed to do that, but Brianna took full advantage with two more shots in a row as Mara tried to move away from Lacey. She missed the first, but the second one caught her flush and sent her into the water. Lacey waved the soaked former convict before a smile formed across her face.
Lyn: ...And we have a winner, Zack. Yet another thing I’m sure Lacey will be happy to remind us of.
Zack: No question about it. She was hellbent not to drop another dodgeball challenge, and you gotta believe some of that was just a middle finger to Celeste.
The official declared Lacey the winner before Mara started shaking the walkway with both hands. It caused Lacey to lose her balance, and fall backwards into the water anyway. Werth looked pleased with herself as she headed for the ladder on one side while Lacey did the same on the other. Kyle raised her hand, and gave her a towel. Rhea Laskaris stood with her arms crossed under her chest behind her manager, keeping watch.
Zack: Lacey really wanted to win this competition after her last outing in it, didn’t she? Nice to see Mara made sure she got to know what it felt like though.
Lyn: Even if accidentally. Kyle goes to check on his client, dry her off... And Rhea is mostly scowling. Par for the course, really.
Lacey patted herself down quickly, and joined Elizabeth on one of the deck chairs before both snapped at a hotel employee to bring them a drink. Harley’s Bright FutureFuture Shock returns from a short commercial for the upcoming Wipeout event, and goes back poolside in Fiji as the viewers can see the next challenge being set up over the pool behind Harley Shannon and Sara Wilkins, dressed in a blue one piece with a sarong.
Sara: I’m here with Harley Shannon at the Future Shock Pool Party here in Fiji. Harley, are you having a good time here poolside?
Harley: Yeah, I’m having a blast, getting to soak up the atmosphere, hopefully it won’t get too tense as the challenges keep on rolling. Hopefully they won’t be too many sore losers and people will just relax a little, enjoy themselves and soak up the sun a little bit.
Sara: That’s the hope. We are guests here, after all. I did have a couple things I wanted to touch base with you on though. Let’s start with Anarchy. I know you are keeping a close eye on the Future Shock Championship picture awaiting your rematch. With Gillie’s defeat of Andi, she’s set to face Valerie McKinley next sometime before we get to Wipeout. Would you care to make a prediction for that match as “Killer B” Bianca Reed awaits August 14th at Wipeout?
The orange haired woman took a moment or two to weigh up her answer.
Harley: Well, Gillie has got a couple of wins over McKinley - you could almost make the argument that Barnes has her number. That said though, the Future Shock Championship is on the line and it’s the one that that Valerie has been focusing on and targeting since the moment she stepped through the door. It’s going to be one hell of a match, something that I think all the fans are going to love to watch and will rave about. Gillie’s going to have a real fight on her hands and Valerie will push her every step of the way, but I think Old School will just manage to squeeze out the win and head to Wipeout to face Killer B.
Sara: Did it surprise you at all that Valerie was the one who ended the streak that the #1 contender had been amassing in the last few months? That’s how she got this shot, she defeated “Killer B” on a recent Future Shock.
Harley: That’s one of the things about streaks, Sara, they’re there to be broken. We shouldn’t forget that for all her bluster about being in the top 1%, superior to all of us and privileged, she’s actually a damn good wrestler; one with Kyle Kilmeade in her corner to make her more dangerous. And it could be a good thing for Bianca. It might refocus her, cause her to put the foot down on the gas even more and not take anything for granted - not even subconsciously. And I’m sure that if you gave the Reed the choice between having her streak on the night she met Valerie or when she challenged for the Future Shock Championship, she’d probably choose the match against McKinley.
Sara nods in agreement with that.
Sara: On our next show, you’ll be back in action in a match where you might be able to test yourself against the 1 Percenter...as well as the rest of the Privileged Circle. It will be all three of them facing yourself and the Future Shock Tag Champions NHB in a six woman tag match.
Harley: I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to testing myself against any member of that trio - from the 1 Percenter, the Goddess or the Titaness. They each bring something different to the ring, different strengths to be aware of and to combat and we all know how well Valentina and Isis work together. And it’ll be a pleasure to be able to work with an experienced pairing like our Future Shock Tag Team Champions, No Holding Back. I’m sure there’s a lot that I can learn from them.
Sara: I’m sure. We’re about set up for some dodgeball, fans. So let’s send it over and see what transpires.
The shot heads elsewhere after that.
The Seasoning (Not Herbs)We return to poolside with Andi Takata, who seems to be talking to Lydia Charisma about something.
Andi: 2 freakin’ weeks and she couldn’t even get the name right. Can you believe it? OH, we’re on! Never mind that.
*ahem*
Andi: It’s everyone’s favorite Space Princess here with some great news for all our gamers out there! As you know Future Shock’s first video game was a smash hit, thanks to the hard work put in by everybody, from staff, to announcers, to Mr. Grant, to the talent themselves here in FFW, and the fine people at Telltale Games! Let’s all give ourselves a round of applause.
Clapping. Not everybody, but some clapping nonetheless.
Andi: Well done, everybody. So its with this success, that I am proud to be able to present on this very program, the hot exclusive! Bigger than new Mario Party! Bigger than any cookie cutter battle royal! Bigger than E3!
Lydia: That’s huge news! ...Also do you see why I ask everyone if they know my—but anyway HUGE NEWS!
Andi: You’re damn right it’s huge news! Thanks to everyone out there who supported Season One of Future Shock: Road To Stardom, it is my great pleasure to announce that there will be a Season Two!
Clapping again.
Lydia: That’s not really that huge of a news item, you said that on Twitter last week.
Andi: I wasn’t done yet! There’s more freaking announcement to be had! And not everyone follows me on twitter AT AndiTakata. But they should. They’d have known the first part. But what they wouldn’t know is who exactly would be the STAR of Season Two: The Seasoning, which is totally the unofficial title. It is…. Not me. I had Season one, and again, thank you for playing with me and making the game a huge success. But since it was such a huge success, we needed to make sure we had the right star to highlight for Season Two. We want bigger, and better, and to really make this game twice as good. There was a very long process. Programmers and developers in a room with marketing people and management. Conference calls with me, with Mr. Grant, and all sorts of boring people that gave us a budget and a window of time for development!
Arguments were had! Food was thrown! Insults and injuries, love and passion, everyone had an opinion on who it should be! And after all the fighting was done and the dust settled, everyone over at Telltale came to one BIG conclusion! The star for Future Shock: Road To Stardom - Season Two: The Seasoning!
Do you know who I’m talking about? Do you know who it is?
Andi turns to Lydia again to ask...
Andi: DOOOOO YOOOOU KNOOOOOW HERRRRR NAAAAAAAAAAME?
I know who it is, and the answer is right behind me on this big cardboard display of the cover that is currently covered by this lovely waterproof tarp.
Lydia: No offense, Andi, I like non-sequitur as much as the next girl but this is a two hour program. Can we get to it?
Andi: I’m getting there right now! The Future Shock star that has been chosen for Season 2…. Is…
Andi looks around as if expecting a drumroll.
Andi: Where’s the drum roll?
Kaoru (from off-camera): Reveal it or it’ll be on your head!
Lydia begins rapidly tapping her legs. Closest thing to a drumroll we have guys.
Andi: The star chosen is….!
With that, Andi whips the tarp off and throws it to the side, revealing the cover art featuring…
Andi: Future Shock Champion, Gillie Barnes!!
Applause from all poolside.
Andi: WAIT! I’m not done! Becaaaaause…. It’s Gillie Barnes….
Andi takes the cover art off the stand, and opens it up like a huge book to show not just Gillie’s cover but also a second cover?
Andi: ...and because Season Two is going to be so huge, it’s Gillie Barnes, AND Rose Gardner!
Oooohs from some in attendance!
Andi: Season 2 will be twice as big, twice as fun, and with twice the stars as Season One! What do you all think?!
Lydia eyes the cover tentatively.
Lydia: You know I like it but it needs more obnoxious neon green and purple coloring. Maybe song notes. Other than that, it’s awesome!
Andi: I’ll talk to the art people about that. This probably won’t be the final version.
Lydia: So is there anything you can tell us now without too many hashtag spoilers? Interwoven storyline maybe? Things you do as Rose affects Gillie, vice versa? The ending changes based on who is on top? Will a season 1 game save affect anything? Will people continue to remember things?
One of the lovely pool goers lifted a sign that read rather tentatively ‘Andi will remember that’.
Andi: Well I can’t give away too much yet, as things are still in development, and as we say in the business, the card is subject to change.What I can say though, is that yes, some of the choices you make will affect gameplay on both sides, and there will be more than one ending depending on how things go. People are absolutely going to remember things! And if they remembered to keep their Season One save, there will absolutely be bonuses! In fact, I’m authorized to reveal the first of them right now! And to help show it off, here is one of the stars herself!
And as Andi points to a side, she reveals… another Andi Takata? NO! It’s Rose Gardner, cosplayed as the Hall of Famer, complete with light blue double ponytail, Space Idol clothes and everything! As the party goes cheer for Andi!Rosalina, Poison strikes Andi’s signature pose and winks at the OG princess.
Andi: You almost look better in it than I do!
Rose: I had to do it! And I have nothing on the actual Space Hime!
Andi: As you can see, Rose will have ME as one of her cosplay costume in the new game as a bonus! One of many costumes planned, I might add. The graphics department is going to love you. So how does it feel to be in your own game? Now people are gonna be cosplaying as you!
Poison blinks and smirks.
Rose: I hadn’t thought about that! Can’t really think about people cosplaying as Rosalina, because Rosalina is the one who cosplays other people! But you know what? Now I can proudly say that I’M A CHARACTER IN A VIDEO GAME! And THAT…
Cue the biggest grin ever. You know what’s coming!
Rose: … IS REALLY GOOD!
Andi: It is really good! We’ve come to a full cosplay circle! I’m confident you and Gillie will make this the BEST SEASON EVER!
Kaoru: There’s only two seas-
Andi: NOBODY ASKED! Best seasoning! Say it!
Kaoru: Settle down, you nutmeg. I’m sure they’ll do fine.
Andi: You can all see for yourself how fine when the game comes to all major consoles and PC in early 2019! Yaaaaay. Be sure and pre-order your season passes for Future Shock: Road To Stardom - Season Two, you’re not going to want to miss even one chapter! And speaking of not wanting to miss anything, stay tuned! We’ve got more action from the pool coming up right now!
Another commercial break follows that.