<![CDATA[X-treme Wrestling Federation - Character Development | News & Rumors]]> https://xwf1999.com/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:16 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[ATTICUS' APRIL FOOLS ASS-TRAVAGANZA!!!]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49959 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:05:50 -0700 Atticus Gold]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49959 The XWF Vault was a building as twisted and strange as the company that leased the place to begin with. Throughout all the years of the company’s existence, this building was designed as the all-seeing eye that had recorded and seen all through the company’s existence, ever since its modern reincarnation in the year 2012.

Match results. Promos. Backstage interactions. Watching over the eyes of talent in their everyday lives. Even the moments that both talent and production crew believed to be… erased from the public view. It was all captured still. It was all immortalized within the Vault to be dug up at a moment’s notice at any time. Nearly fifteen years of history, kept for safe-keeping.

Safe-keeping in the hands of one overly excited individual.

“I love my job!” Liam Desmond proudly declared as he held a thick box almost as big as his chest as he wheeled in his chair inside of his office. Inside of the box was each of the matches from the recent March Madness pay-per-view, each of them ready to be neatly categorized and sorted into the Vault. “Barely anyone can say their job’s to watch wrestling all day long! I love it!”

Out came the tapes as they tumbled onto Liam’s desk, and one by one they all went to their assigned spots. Tournament matches, TV title matches, tag team matches, each of them came to their assigned spots… until Liam saw the very opening match being all that remained in front of him: the King’s Tourney.

Open Challenge matches held a special spot inside of the XWF Vault; they were the perfect way for anyone on the roster to step forward and try to make a name for themselves. But something was wrong with the Open Challenge section of the Vault, indeed…

It was missing a match. It was missing a match that should have been the very first alphabetical entry into the entire category for an entire year, in fact. Liam never enjoyed missing matches within the Vault; they were the few cases of a blind spot within the XWF’s history. The show, of course, happened. But if the show wasn’t able to air properly and no records of it were held, then it functionally might as well have never existed.

“Well, I’m lucky Atticus never tried to get me fired after that tape went missing,” Liam noted aloud as he slid the King’s Tourney into place. “Though, I wonder what happened to it…?”

At that moment, as Liam Desmond turned around, his foot slipped on a rogue banana peel left behind!

“WAH!”

WHAM! A hard tumble right onto Liam’s back as he winced! He slowly looked up, realizing the banana peel that flew away from him as his brows scrunched together.

“Wait… I wasn’t eating any bananas earlier…”

The thick smell of cigar smoke suddenly wafted into the poor man’s nose as a foreign voice called out.

“I’m terribly sorry about that, old chap-”

“EEK!” A horrified fright shoots through Liam as he gets back onto his feet, only to lay eyes on a finely dressed man in a trenchcoat wearing red polka-dot face paint!

“…Wait. Are you… Southern Gentleman Detective Clown?”

The Clown’s face lights up upon being recognized! “Oh, ‘what a relief! I’m so utterly delighted that you managed to remember me. They say the true heroes of a story often go unremembered.”

Liam paused, brows furrowed as his eyes widened. He looked at SGD Clown. Down at himself. Back at SGD Clown. Back at himself.

He pinched himself.

“Ow!” Liam yelped as he shook his hand out.

“Well, that can’t be a good way to treat yourself, I’ll tell you h’what.”

“I’m sorry, just… how did you get here?”

“Well, with my Southern Clown Car, of course. I would have thought that’d be obvious…” SGD Clown pointed close-by down on the ground. Liam followed along, seeing a tiny Rolls Royce no bigger than his foot by one of the desks.

“Right…” Liam clapped his hands as he looked back at SGD Clown. “I think I’m going to lie down. Thank you for this… visit… but I’m going to have to ask you to leave-”

“Before that!” SGD Clown interrupted as he reached into his trench coat, producing a bubble pipe as he brought it to his mouth, and soon a storm of bubbles blew out within the storeroom. “I would like to inform you of a most curious case that I have been on the job pursuing within this past year… it was quite the harrowing journey. Like handling balloons that weren’t fully inflated…”

He reached into his trench coat again, this time producing an unmarked VHS tape. “I believe this is what you have been looking for all this time, my good sir.”

Liam took one look at the tape, the bulb inside of his head slowly beginning to light up. “So you mean to tell me… that this is…”

“Atticus’ April Fools Ass-travaganza!” the two shouted in unison.

Liam’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as he held the tape tightly in his hands. “Oh, this is awesome! Thank you so much, Southern Gentleman Detective Clown! I can show the world what happened last year, now! The people need to know who won that $20 gift card!”

A pause lingered in the air as SGD Clown stared at Liam. More bubbles from the pipe filled the air.

“I wouldn’t recommend that, Sonny,” SGD Clown remarked. “Some stories, I think… deserve to stay buried.”

“Eh?” Liam’s head cocked to the side. “No, no, no. I don’t think you understand. It’s my job to try and show the people these sorts of things.”

SGD Clown sighed, pacing back and forth as he continued to occasionally take hits of the bubble pipe. “Sonny… when Atticus Gold called it an ‘Ass-travaganza,’ he was dooming his own creation. It’s like unknowingly sitting on a primed whoopie cushion in the middle of an audience. Once that… reputation… is cast onto you, it’s hard to shake it off.”

[color=#b3d5f4]“Well, it can’t be that bad,” Liam chuckled. “I mean, I’m sure we’ve both seen some bad wrestling in our days…”

SGD Clown shook his head, but it was clear that Liam wasn’t getting the hint. “In that case, Sonny… I propose we watch this together.”

“Together?”

“Together.”

SGD Clown pointed towards the VHS projector hanging overhead with a grin on his face. “Come! Let us see a true Ass-travaganza together!”




ATTICUS' APRIL FOOLS ASS-TRAVAGANZA!!!

LIVE FROM AIRHOP ADVENTURE & TRAMPOLINE PARK WARWICK
[Image: AF1QipPiDGGXDnzuTkjvQq5bL6A_sVw5VdNworGS...432-n-k-no]
WARWICK, ENGLAND


OPEN ONE FALL BATTLE ROYALE
ALL WELCOME

WINNER WILL RECEIVE AN ACTUAL LEGIT, WORKING GIFT CARD OF $20 OR MORE
1 RP, 1K


POST YOUR RPS ON THE MADNESS RP BOARD

DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY APRIL 2nd 2025 9am GMT

GOOD LUCK!


The VHS comes to life with a static haze as 5 competitors, 5 gods amongst men stand in Warwick’s Airhop Adventure & Trampoline Park.

SIR LIONEL PENNYFARTHING

Twirls his moustache as he stares at Atticus Gold who stands before them.

BILLY B. BLANKENSHIP

Adds more hairspray to his already stiff hair.

KRIMSON KLINE

Stands there, menacingly.

GROK 1.0

Raises the X’s eyebrow as Elon Musk stands proudly beside him, trying his hardest not to do ketamine and perform a “Roman salute” as was the style in 2025.

And CAPTAIN FUTURE!

Is here too. As he always has been seeing as he is from the future, which is when you’re watching this show.

ATTICUS: “Thank you all for coming to my birthday party.”

The 5 competitors look at one another with a look of quizzical concern. It’s at this point when they notice the table set-up with balloons and pizza. Also Peter Principle is sat there chowing down along with the current Anarchy GM, Bashmaster along with Liam Desmond and a sign saying “Reserved for Thaddeus Duke.” Who will never arrive as he is too busy crashing the x-bux market.

Atticus looks back at his comrades and smiles before he sees the empty seat and a single tear runs down his face.

ATTICUS: *sniff* “Erm… Anyway! Let’s have some fun today! I knew getting wrestlers here, I’d need some incentive so the winner shall receive this!”

Atticus pulls out a $50 Amazon Gift Card, the competitors eyes widen, looking at the lavish gift as if it were a golden ticket. Except Krimson Kline who raises a hand.

KLINE: “Erm, could I get $20 cash instead?”

ATTICUS: “I guess…”

Pennyfarthing guffaws.

LIONEL: “GUFFAW! In my experience, a $50 Amazon Gift Card is the average day rate of any actor worth their salt! And you turn your nose up at it, ser!?”

BILLY: “You guys got no fucking vision! You can take that gift card and buy a whole bunch of shit offa Temu and sell it all for TRIPLE!”

Elon Musk rubs his chin and pulls that stupid face he pulls.

ELON: “Triple? Grok, I just had a great idea and now you need to win this match for papa, it would be le epic.”

ATTICUS: “Oh, Elon are you wrestling?”

ELON: “Lol, Lmao even, what an iridescent question, you dork. No, I am not, but my newest creation GROK shall win your party with ease while I enjoy your pizza and you may listen to more of my ideas.”

Atticus hesitates as he looks over to the others who motion big nos with their arms and shakes of their heads.

ATTICUS: “S-sure! We have room!”

FUTURE: “ENOUGH TIME-WASTING IT’S TIME FOR TIME-FUTURING! HIIII-YAH!!!”

Captain Future performs a judo chop into Grok’s throat but stops just before he actually hits his throat, Elon cowers back but as he doesn’t have one of his children to use as a human shield he instead retreats to the pizza party table. Atticus chuckles at Future who spins around in a round house aimed at Pennyfarthing.

ATTICUS: “Oh, looks like we’re starting, you guys have fun and may the best man win. Everyone is welcome to join us with pizza afterwards!”

Pennyfarthing steps forward with Future’s antics.

LIONEL: “Wonderful! Opening with lavish fight co-ordination! Allow me to show you how it is done!”

Lionel begins to perform tai-chi before GROK crumples and grabs his throat as Captain Future’s hit comes from the future and future chops his present neck. Lionel snaps his head to Grok before-

LIONEL: “Egads!”

And is future kicked into the trampolines! Bouncing around like some kind of Super Monkey Ball.

GROK grabs his throat and coughs.

GROK: “a delayed‑reaction throat chop isn’t just an attack — it’s a statement. It says: - “I hit you so hard your nervous system needed buffering.”

Elon elbows Peter as he shoves pizza into his mouth.

ELON: “I programmed him myself.”

Peter smiles nervously as the match unfolds, Krimson throwing a knee into GROK before spinning him around and bowling over Blankenship.

PRINCIPLE: “Oh… Er… Really, that’s super interesting…”

Peter goes to grab a garlic knot but Elon takes it before he does and begins to chow down.

ELON: “Yeah, I’m pretty epic. I like you, Pete, you're a real middle-management type that I can get down with.”

BASHMASTER: “Watch out, Peter! I think Elon’s trying to fuck you!”

Peter nervously laughs as the other 3 laugh along heartily. Meanwhile Krimson performs a devastating powerbomb to Lionel onto a trampoline as GROK has Billy in a headlock fending off future attacks from Captain Future.

ELON: “Erm, gay?”

Elon laughs too hard as the others stare at him awkwardly. He pulls out a vial as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye.

ELON: “You guys want to do some ketamine?”

Meanwhile, GROK lays the smackdown on Billy B. Blankenship.

As Krimson Kline lays out Pennyfarthing by powerslamming him into the ball pit.

Captain Future flies down from up high after a massive high jump but Kline catches him mid-air and clatters him with an elbow, forcing him onto one of the trampolines. Kline is joined by Grok and the two nod to each other before both leaping high into the air and landing on the trampoline as Future bounces on his back.

ATTICUS: “Woah guys! The owner said no double bouncing!”

The second he finishes the sentence, Kline and Grok land on the trampoline and send Captain Future sailing through the sky and he smashes through the ceiling and far, far, FAR into the night sky.

ATTICUS: “I am not getting my deposit back…”

BASHMASTER: “Lighten up, Atty! I’m sure Elon would cover it!”

Elon pulls a face and tilts his head.

ELON: “I-uh, think not lol. Unless you all work for me of course.”

LIAM: “Yeah, I don’t think Vinnie or Thaddeus Duke, our boss right now in 2025, would be too happy about that.”

PRINCIPAL: “Yeah… Unless you give us a huge raise.”

The GMs all laugh.

ELON: “Great, I’ll draw up a contract with Vinnie and we’ll get it sorted.”

The GMs stop laughing.

PRINCIPAL: “Wait… What?”

ELON: “I’ll be your boss. Except Bashmaster, I don’t like him. I shall replace him with a short man instead, and call him Big Dick lmao.”

As the GMs think about their future, an epic brawl unfolds before them.

Pennyfarthing and Blankenship hide as Kline and GROK fight tooth and nail to gain advantage.

Blood, sweat and coding flies everywhere as the two scrap around the Airhop Adventure.

Meanwhile, meanwhile…

Captain Future screams as he shoots through the stars until he hits solid earth and his head pops out of the soil like he was Bug Bunny looking up at some unseen figures.

???: “Say… Where did this guy come from.”

A look of absolute horror falls onto Captain Future’s face.

FUTURE: “Oh Space God no, what have we unleashed!?”

Back to the meanwhile…

The GMs huddle as Elon zones out on ketamine, looking as Grok does a 960 Phoenix Splash from the high trampoline and eradicating Billy B. Blankenship’s existence and Lionel Pennyfarthing runs away from Krimson Kline, acting like the final girl in a b-horror movie.

ATTICUS: “What the fuck, Pete!?”

PRINCIPAL: “I-uh… What?”

LIAM: “You gave Elon the idea of buying the XWF!”

PRINCIPAL: “Well- I… I didn’t exactly-”

BASHMASTER: “And got me fired, you wankstain!”

PRINCIPAL: “Oh- I- I didn’t- He just…”

ATTICUS: “This is the worst birthday ever, nice going, Peter!”

Peter continues stumbling over words but finally gives in and slumps in the cheap plastic chair.

As the fights continues…

A loud scream comes closer and closer…

Until Captain Future can be heard clearer…

FUTURE: “THEY FORCED ME TO SHOW THEM EARTH! I’M SORRY EVERYONE! I’M SORRY FOR YOUR ANNIHILATION!!!!”

As Future shoots through the Airhop and sticks into the ground face-first like a lawn dart he is followed by a flurry of millions, if not trillions of monsters.

A rainbow of monsters.

LIONEL: “CLOOOOOOOOOOWWWNNNSSS!!!!”

The Clowns fill the Airhop and immediately begin wreaking havoc and doing gags as a tidal wave of whoopie cushions and bits fill the area.

The clowns t-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztttttt

The video cuts out briefly.

A blue screen.

Until we finally return.

The Airhop destroyed, slightly on fire and cream pies literally everywhere.

Sir Lionel Pennyfarthing stands there, his clothes torn and saluting like a beaten war general as Atticus and the others stand in front of him, all equally beat up.

ATTICUS: “Sir Lionel Pennyfarthing… You did it, you beat back the Clown horde with your skill and knowledge of the stage. We… We cannot thank you enough…”

LIONEL: “I was doing my duty, sir, my duty as an ACTOOOOOOORRRR!!!!
ATTICUS: “Duty or not, you have our gratitude. I cannot award you a medal but I hope this will suffice.

Atticus hands over a $50 dollar Amazon gift card and Lionel gasps as he takes it like it was an academy award, tears streaming down his face.

LIONEL: “You like me, you really like me!”

PRINCIPAL: “You’re a hero, Lionel, don’t you forget it.”

Lionel smiles deeply.

As the others begin to applaud, not knowing if the threat would return one day.

But that was a problem for the future.

Right now.

They were alive.

And the XWF.

Nay.

The Earth, was saved.

…

???: “Excuse me, gentlemen?”

They all turn to the mysterious men that just entered the building.

???: “Could you take a look at this for me, please?”









[Image: tenor.gif]


Static...














As the tape ejects, Liam sist there with his mouth agape.

Southern Gentleman Detective Clown sighs, a dour look on his face.

“The truth is in your hands, Mr. Desmond."

He pauses.

“But h-what will you do with it?" ]]> The XWF Vault was a building as twisted and strange as the company that leased the place to begin with. Throughout all the years of the company’s existence, this building was designed as the all-seeing eye that had recorded and seen all through the company’s existence, ever since its modern reincarnation in the year 2012.

Match results. Promos. Backstage interactions. Watching over the eyes of talent in their everyday lives. Even the moments that both talent and production crew believed to be… erased from the public view. It was all captured still. It was all immortalized within the Vault to be dug up at a moment’s notice at any time. Nearly fifteen years of history, kept for safe-keeping.

Safe-keeping in the hands of one overly excited individual.

“I love my job!” Liam Desmond proudly declared as he held a thick box almost as big as his chest as he wheeled in his chair inside of his office. Inside of the box was each of the matches from the recent March Madness pay-per-view, each of them ready to be neatly categorized and sorted into the Vault. “Barely anyone can say their job’s to watch wrestling all day long! I love it!”

Out came the tapes as they tumbled onto Liam’s desk, and one by one they all went to their assigned spots. Tournament matches, TV title matches, tag team matches, each of them came to their assigned spots… until Liam saw the very opening match being all that remained in front of him: the King’s Tourney.

Open Challenge matches held a special spot inside of the XWF Vault; they were the perfect way for anyone on the roster to step forward and try to make a name for themselves. But something was wrong with the Open Challenge section of the Vault, indeed…

It was missing a match. It was missing a match that should have been the very first alphabetical entry into the entire category for an entire year, in fact. Liam never enjoyed missing matches within the Vault; they were the few cases of a blind spot within the XWF’s history. The show, of course, happened. But if the show wasn’t able to air properly and no records of it were held, then it functionally might as well have never existed.

“Well, I’m lucky Atticus never tried to get me fired after that tape went missing,” Liam noted aloud as he slid the King’s Tourney into place. “Though, I wonder what happened to it…?”

At that moment, as Liam Desmond turned around, his foot slipped on a rogue banana peel left behind!

“WAH!”

WHAM! A hard tumble right onto Liam’s back as he winced! He slowly looked up, realizing the banana peel that flew away from him as his brows scrunched together.

“Wait… I wasn’t eating any bananas earlier…”

The thick smell of cigar smoke suddenly wafted into the poor man’s nose as a foreign voice called out.

“I’m terribly sorry about that, old chap-”

“EEK!” A horrified fright shoots through Liam as he gets back onto his feet, only to lay eyes on a finely dressed man in a trenchcoat wearing red polka-dot face paint!

“…Wait. Are you… Southern Gentleman Detective Clown?”

The Clown’s face lights up upon being recognized! “Oh, ‘what a relief! I’m so utterly delighted that you managed to remember me. They say the true heroes of a story often go unremembered.”

Liam paused, brows furrowed as his eyes widened. He looked at SGD Clown. Down at himself. Back at SGD Clown. Back at himself.

He pinched himself.

“Ow!” Liam yelped as he shook his hand out.

“Well, that can’t be a good way to treat yourself, I’ll tell you h’what.”

“I’m sorry, just… how did you get here?”

“Well, with my Southern Clown Car, of course. I would have thought that’d be obvious…” SGD Clown pointed close-by down on the ground. Liam followed along, seeing a tiny Rolls Royce no bigger than his foot by one of the desks.

“Right…” Liam clapped his hands as he looked back at SGD Clown. “I think I’m going to lie down. Thank you for this… visit… but I’m going to have to ask you to leave-”

“Before that!” SGD Clown interrupted as he reached into his trench coat, producing a bubble pipe as he brought it to his mouth, and soon a storm of bubbles blew out within the storeroom. “I would like to inform you of a most curious case that I have been on the job pursuing within this past year… it was quite the harrowing journey. Like handling balloons that weren’t fully inflated…”

He reached into his trench coat again, this time producing an unmarked VHS tape. “I believe this is what you have been looking for all this time, my good sir.”

Liam took one look at the tape, the bulb inside of his head slowly beginning to light up. “So you mean to tell me… that this is…”

“Atticus’ April Fools Ass-travaganza!” the two shouted in unison.

Liam’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as he held the tape tightly in his hands. “Oh, this is awesome! Thank you so much, Southern Gentleman Detective Clown! I can show the world what happened last year, now! The people need to know who won that $20 gift card!”

A pause lingered in the air as SGD Clown stared at Liam. More bubbles from the pipe filled the air.

“I wouldn’t recommend that, Sonny,” SGD Clown remarked. “Some stories, I think… deserve to stay buried.”

“Eh?” Liam’s head cocked to the side. “No, no, no. I don’t think you understand. It’s my job to try and show the people these sorts of things.”

SGD Clown sighed, pacing back and forth as he continued to occasionally take hits of the bubble pipe. “Sonny… when Atticus Gold called it an ‘Ass-travaganza,’ he was dooming his own creation. It’s like unknowingly sitting on a primed whoopie cushion in the middle of an audience. Once that… reputation… is cast onto you, it’s hard to shake it off.”

[color=#b3d5f4]“Well, it can’t be that bad,” Liam chuckled. “I mean, I’m sure we’ve both seen some bad wrestling in our days…”

SGD Clown shook his head, but it was clear that Liam wasn’t getting the hint. “In that case, Sonny… I propose we watch this together.”

“Together?”

“Together.”

SGD Clown pointed towards the VHS projector hanging overhead with a grin on his face. “Come! Let us see a true Ass-travaganza together!”




ATTICUS' APRIL FOOLS ASS-TRAVAGANZA!!!

LIVE FROM AIRHOP ADVENTURE & TRAMPOLINE PARK WARWICK
[Image: AF1QipPiDGGXDnzuTkjvQq5bL6A_sVw5VdNworGS...432-n-k-no]
WARWICK, ENGLAND


OPEN ONE FALL BATTLE ROYALE
ALL WELCOME

WINNER WILL RECEIVE AN ACTUAL LEGIT, WORKING GIFT CARD OF $20 OR MORE
1 RP, 1K


POST YOUR RPS ON THE MADNESS RP BOARD

DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY APRIL 2nd 2025 9am GMT

GOOD LUCK!


The VHS comes to life with a static haze as 5 competitors, 5 gods amongst men stand in Warwick’s Airhop Adventure & Trampoline Park.

SIR LIONEL PENNYFARTHING

Twirls his moustache as he stares at Atticus Gold who stands before them.

BILLY B. BLANKENSHIP

Adds more hairspray to his already stiff hair.

KRIMSON KLINE

Stands there, menacingly.

GROK 1.0

Raises the X’s eyebrow as Elon Musk stands proudly beside him, trying his hardest not to do ketamine and perform a “Roman salute” as was the style in 2025.

And CAPTAIN FUTURE!

Is here too. As he always has been seeing as he is from the future, which is when you’re watching this show.

ATTICUS: “Thank you all for coming to my birthday party.”

The 5 competitors look at one another with a look of quizzical concern. It’s at this point when they notice the table set-up with balloons and pizza. Also Peter Principle is sat there chowing down along with the current Anarchy GM, Bashmaster along with Liam Desmond and a sign saying “Reserved for Thaddeus Duke.” Who will never arrive as he is too busy crashing the x-bux market.

Atticus looks back at his comrades and smiles before he sees the empty seat and a single tear runs down his face.

ATTICUS: *sniff* “Erm… Anyway! Let’s have some fun today! I knew getting wrestlers here, I’d need some incentive so the winner shall receive this!”

Atticus pulls out a $50 Amazon Gift Card, the competitors eyes widen, looking at the lavish gift as if it were a golden ticket. Except Krimson Kline who raises a hand.

KLINE: “Erm, could I get $20 cash instead?”

ATTICUS: “I guess…”

Pennyfarthing guffaws.

LIONEL: “GUFFAW! In my experience, a $50 Amazon Gift Card is the average day rate of any actor worth their salt! And you turn your nose up at it, ser!?”

BILLY: “You guys got no fucking vision! You can take that gift card and buy a whole bunch of shit offa Temu and sell it all for TRIPLE!”

Elon Musk rubs his chin and pulls that stupid face he pulls.

ELON: “Triple? Grok, I just had a great idea and now you need to win this match for papa, it would be le epic.”

ATTICUS: “Oh, Elon are you wrestling?”

ELON: “Lol, Lmao even, what an iridescent question, you dork. No, I am not, but my newest creation GROK shall win your party with ease while I enjoy your pizza and you may listen to more of my ideas.”

Atticus hesitates as he looks over to the others who motion big nos with their arms and shakes of their heads.

ATTICUS: “S-sure! We have room!”

FUTURE: “ENOUGH TIME-WASTING IT’S TIME FOR TIME-FUTURING! HIIII-YAH!!!”

Captain Future performs a judo chop into Grok’s throat but stops just before he actually hits his throat, Elon cowers back but as he doesn’t have one of his children to use as a human shield he instead retreats to the pizza party table. Atticus chuckles at Future who spins around in a round house aimed at Pennyfarthing.

ATTICUS: “Oh, looks like we’re starting, you guys have fun and may the best man win. Everyone is welcome to join us with pizza afterwards!”

Pennyfarthing steps forward with Future’s antics.

LIONEL: “Wonderful! Opening with lavish fight co-ordination! Allow me to show you how it is done!”

Lionel begins to perform tai-chi before GROK crumples and grabs his throat as Captain Future’s hit comes from the future and future chops his present neck. Lionel snaps his head to Grok before-

LIONEL: “Egads!”

And is future kicked into the trampolines! Bouncing around like some kind of Super Monkey Ball.

GROK grabs his throat and coughs.

GROK: “a delayed‑reaction throat chop isn’t just an attack — it’s a statement. It says: - “I hit you so hard your nervous system needed buffering.”

Elon elbows Peter as he shoves pizza into his mouth.

ELON: “I programmed him myself.”

Peter smiles nervously as the match unfolds, Krimson throwing a knee into GROK before spinning him around and bowling over Blankenship.

PRINCIPLE: “Oh… Er… Really, that’s super interesting…”

Peter goes to grab a garlic knot but Elon takes it before he does and begins to chow down.

ELON: “Yeah, I’m pretty epic. I like you, Pete, you're a real middle-management type that I can get down with.”

BASHMASTER: “Watch out, Peter! I think Elon’s trying to fuck you!”

Peter nervously laughs as the other 3 laugh along heartily. Meanwhile Krimson performs a devastating powerbomb to Lionel onto a trampoline as GROK has Billy in a headlock fending off future attacks from Captain Future.

ELON: “Erm, gay?”

Elon laughs too hard as the others stare at him awkwardly. He pulls out a vial as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye.

ELON: “You guys want to do some ketamine?”

Meanwhile, GROK lays the smackdown on Billy B. Blankenship.

As Krimson Kline lays out Pennyfarthing by powerslamming him into the ball pit.

Captain Future flies down from up high after a massive high jump but Kline catches him mid-air and clatters him with an elbow, forcing him onto one of the trampolines. Kline is joined by Grok and the two nod to each other before both leaping high into the air and landing on the trampoline as Future bounces on his back.

ATTICUS: “Woah guys! The owner said no double bouncing!”

The second he finishes the sentence, Kline and Grok land on the trampoline and send Captain Future sailing through the sky and he smashes through the ceiling and far, far, FAR into the night sky.

ATTICUS: “I am not getting my deposit back…”

BASHMASTER: “Lighten up, Atty! I’m sure Elon would cover it!”

Elon pulls a face and tilts his head.

ELON: “I-uh, think not lol. Unless you all work for me of course.”

LIAM: “Yeah, I don’t think Vinnie or Thaddeus Duke, our boss right now in 2025, would be too happy about that.”

PRINCIPAL: “Yeah… Unless you give us a huge raise.”

The GMs all laugh.

ELON: “Great, I’ll draw up a contract with Vinnie and we’ll get it sorted.”

The GMs stop laughing.

PRINCIPAL: “Wait… What?”

ELON: “I’ll be your boss. Except Bashmaster, I don’t like him. I shall replace him with a short man instead, and call him Big Dick lmao.”

As the GMs think about their future, an epic brawl unfolds before them.

Pennyfarthing and Blankenship hide as Kline and GROK fight tooth and nail to gain advantage.

Blood, sweat and coding flies everywhere as the two scrap around the Airhop Adventure.

Meanwhile, meanwhile…

Captain Future screams as he shoots through the stars until he hits solid earth and his head pops out of the soil like he was Bug Bunny looking up at some unseen figures.

???: “Say… Where did this guy come from.”

A look of absolute horror falls onto Captain Future’s face.

FUTURE: “Oh Space God no, what have we unleashed!?”

Back to the meanwhile…

The GMs huddle as Elon zones out on ketamine, looking as Grok does a 960 Phoenix Splash from the high trampoline and eradicating Billy B. Blankenship’s existence and Lionel Pennyfarthing runs away from Krimson Kline, acting like the final girl in a b-horror movie.

ATTICUS: “What the fuck, Pete!?”

PRINCIPAL: “I-uh… What?”

LIAM: “You gave Elon the idea of buying the XWF!”

PRINCIPAL: “Well- I… I didn’t exactly-”

BASHMASTER: “And got me fired, you wankstain!”

PRINCIPAL: “Oh- I- I didn’t- He just…”

ATTICUS: “This is the worst birthday ever, nice going, Peter!”

Peter continues stumbling over words but finally gives in and slumps in the cheap plastic chair.

As the fights continues…

A loud scream comes closer and closer…

Until Captain Future can be heard clearer…

FUTURE: “THEY FORCED ME TO SHOW THEM EARTH! I’M SORRY EVERYONE! I’M SORRY FOR YOUR ANNIHILATION!!!!”

As Future shoots through the Airhop and sticks into the ground face-first like a lawn dart he is followed by a flurry of millions, if not trillions of monsters.

A rainbow of monsters.

LIONEL: “CLOOOOOOOOOOWWWNNNSSS!!!!”

The Clowns fill the Airhop and immediately begin wreaking havoc and doing gags as a tidal wave of whoopie cushions and bits fill the area.

The clowns t-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztttttt

The video cuts out briefly.

A blue screen.

Until we finally return.

The Airhop destroyed, slightly on fire and cream pies literally everywhere.

Sir Lionel Pennyfarthing stands there, his clothes torn and saluting like a beaten war general as Atticus and the others stand in front of him, all equally beat up.

ATTICUS: “Sir Lionel Pennyfarthing… You did it, you beat back the Clown horde with your skill and knowledge of the stage. We… We cannot thank you enough…”

LIONEL: “I was doing my duty, sir, my duty as an ACTOOOOOOORRRR!!!!
ATTICUS: “Duty or not, you have our gratitude. I cannot award you a medal but I hope this will suffice.

Atticus hands over a $50 dollar Amazon gift card and Lionel gasps as he takes it like it was an academy award, tears streaming down his face.

LIONEL: “You like me, you really like me!”

PRINCIPAL: “You’re a hero, Lionel, don’t you forget it.”

Lionel smiles deeply.

As the others begin to applaud, not knowing if the threat would return one day.

But that was a problem for the future.

Right now.

They were alive.

And the XWF.

Nay.

The Earth, was saved.

…

???: “Excuse me, gentlemen?”

They all turn to the mysterious men that just entered the building.

???: “Could you take a look at this for me, please?”









[Image: tenor.gif]


Static...














As the tape ejects, Liam sist there with his mouth agape.

Southern Gentleman Detective Clown sighs, a dour look on his face.

“The truth is in your hands, Mr. Desmond."

He pauses.

“But h-what will you do with it?" ]]> <![CDATA[Scoops McGee in... “Happily Ever After” - Part One]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49958 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:43:38 -0700 Scoops McGee]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49958 There's a part of my life that feels empty without you, even now. No matter what happens, know that I'll always love you forevermore.]]> There's a part of my life that feels empty without you, even now. No matter what happens, know that I'll always love you forevermore.]]> <![CDATA[Bad Habits]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49917 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 14:54:57 -0700 (Gravy_Xtreme_5000)]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49917
Location: Gravy’s Boneyard
Ring. Mid-afternoon.

There’s a few more students than we're used to.

About a dozen or so folding chairs lined around the ring. Notebooks out. Pens ready.

One of the newer kids leans over:

"…are we allowed to—"

"Shhh!"

Graves is already in the ring.

Arms crossed.

And staring at them like they’re meatbags who just learned how to sit upright.

Miss Furry’s in the ring too, rolling her shoulders and loosening her wrists.

Graves exhales sharply.

"Alright. Since apparently we’re a school and schools are required to teach shit."

He waves vaguely towards all of them.

"Today we’re doin’ somethin’ stupid."

He points at Furry.

"And you. You got a big match coming up, so pay EXTRA attention!"

She doesn’t even look at him.

"I always do."

He cracks his neck.

"Collar-and-elbow. Lock up proper. Right hand here!"

He grabs his own collar.

"Left on the elbow."

He taps it.

"Are you even listening!?"

Furry finally looks up...

Smiling.

"You? Teaching fundamentals?"

She tilts her head.

"That’s like listening to a chainsaw explain stealth."

Graves shouts a a single—"HA!"

Then straightens.

"Oh I can do it."

Steps closer.

"I’m incredible at it."

Leans in a little.

"I just don’t respect it."

And straightens again.

"Collar-and-elbow was invented for pussies."

A student shifts uncomfortably.

Graves keeps going anyway.

"Little tiny farmers. Starvin’-ass dummies. Didn’t wanna get hit 'cause they were frail little bitches."

He lets it sit.

"So they invented a chicken-shit way to fight... where nobody actually fights!"

He turns back to Furry.

"It’s for the bitch-mades."

Furry steps into him.

Real close-like.

"So it’s for me."

Graves leans down just a little.

"You said it..."

They’re too close now.

Not demonstration close.

Fight close.

"Then show me."

One of the students shifts in his chair.

"…uh, should we—"

"Don’t."

Graves doesn’t break eye contact.

"Lock up!"

They snap into it.

Hard.

No easing in.

Graves drives forward.

Furry lets him.

Then turns it into a quick trip!

He stumbles.

"There!"

He jumps back upright.

"Again."

They lock-up again.

This time he doesn’t rush her.

Furry adjusts, waiting for the overcommit.

But it doesn’t come.

"…huh?"

"Yeah."

He shoves her.

But not forward—sideways and at a weird angle.

She takes control and tries to spin him.

But he just lets go and she falls.

"…what?"

"You’re waitin’ for me to fuck up."

He shrugs.

"I don’t gotta."

That… actually annoys her.

"That’s not how this works."

"It is for me."

She steps in again, faster this time.

Grabs the collar and pulls, trying to force the exchange.

Graves absorbs it.

Doesn’t fight it.

Doesn’t help it.

He just stands there dead weighting her.

"You’re ruining it."

"Yep."

She stops.

"…oh."

Now she gets it.

"You’re not losing the exchange."

He tilts his head.

"You’re refusing to have one in the first place."

Graves grins.

"There she is!"

The tension breaks, but it's not gone yet.

"That’s stupid."

"It works."

He taps her shoulder.

"You punish mistakes, right?"

"Yeah..?"

"Well—I punish assumptions."

She huffs.

"…you’re annoying."

"Yeah."

He turns away and exits the ring.

"Go win our belt back."

She watches him go for a second.

Then looks at the students.

"Write this down."

She gives them time to ready their pens.

"If they're waiting for you to engage...

Don’t."

A student raises a hand.

"…So we should run instead?"

Graves shouts from a distance.

"ONLY PUSSIES CONSIDER RUNNIN'!"

Furry frowns.

"Idiot!"

She taps her notebook with a pen.

"You're expelled."]]>
Location: Gravy’s Boneyard
Ring. Mid-afternoon.

There’s a few more students than we're used to.

About a dozen or so folding chairs lined around the ring. Notebooks out. Pens ready.

One of the newer kids leans over:

"…are we allowed to—"

"Shhh!"

Graves is already in the ring.

Arms crossed.

And staring at them like they’re meatbags who just learned how to sit upright.

Miss Furry’s in the ring too, rolling her shoulders and loosening her wrists.

Graves exhales sharply.

"Alright. Since apparently we’re a school and schools are required to teach shit."

He waves vaguely towards all of them.

"Today we’re doin’ somethin’ stupid."

He points at Furry.

"And you. You got a big match coming up, so pay EXTRA attention!"

She doesn’t even look at him.

"I always do."

He cracks his neck.

"Collar-and-elbow. Lock up proper. Right hand here!"

He grabs his own collar.

"Left on the elbow."

He taps it.

"Are you even listening!?"

Furry finally looks up...

Smiling.

"You? Teaching fundamentals?"

She tilts her head.

"That’s like listening to a chainsaw explain stealth."

Graves shouts a a single—"HA!"

Then straightens.

"Oh I can do it."

Steps closer.

"I’m incredible at it."

Leans in a little.

"I just don’t respect it."

And straightens again.

"Collar-and-elbow was invented for pussies."

A student shifts uncomfortably.

Graves keeps going anyway.

"Little tiny farmers. Starvin’-ass dummies. Didn’t wanna get hit 'cause they were frail little bitches."

He lets it sit.

"So they invented a chicken-shit way to fight... where nobody actually fights!"

He turns back to Furry.

"It’s for the bitch-mades."

Furry steps into him.

Real close-like.

"So it’s for me."

Graves leans down just a little.

"You said it..."

They’re too close now.

Not demonstration close.

Fight close.

"Then show me."

One of the students shifts in his chair.

"…uh, should we—"

"Don’t."

Graves doesn’t break eye contact.

"Lock up!"

They snap into it.

Hard.

No easing in.

Graves drives forward.

Furry lets him.

Then turns it into a quick trip!

He stumbles.

"There!"

He jumps back upright.

"Again."

They lock-up again.

This time he doesn’t rush her.

Furry adjusts, waiting for the overcommit.

But it doesn’t come.

"…huh?"

"Yeah."

He shoves her.

But not forward—sideways and at a weird angle.

She takes control and tries to spin him.

But he just lets go and she falls.

"…what?"

"You’re waitin’ for me to fuck up."

He shrugs.

"I don’t gotta."

That… actually annoys her.

"That’s not how this works."

"It is for me."

She steps in again, faster this time.

Grabs the collar and pulls, trying to force the exchange.

Graves absorbs it.

Doesn’t fight it.

Doesn’t help it.

He just stands there dead weighting her.

"You’re ruining it."

"Yep."

She stops.

"…oh."

Now she gets it.

"You’re not losing the exchange."

He tilts his head.

"You’re refusing to have one in the first place."

Graves grins.

"There she is!"

The tension breaks, but it's not gone yet.

"That’s stupid."

"It works."

He taps her shoulder.

"You punish mistakes, right?"

"Yeah..?"

"Well—I punish assumptions."

She huffs.

"…you’re annoying."

"Yeah."

He turns away and exits the ring.

"Go win our belt back."

She watches him go for a second.

Then looks at the students.

"Write this down."

She gives them time to ready their pens.

"If they're waiting for you to engage...

Don’t."

A student raises a hand.

"…So we should run instead?"

Graves shouts from a distance.

"ONLY PUSSIES CONSIDER RUNNIN'!"

Furry frowns.

"Idiot!"

She taps her notebook with a pen.

"You're expelled."]]> <![CDATA[Meanwhile...]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49911 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:38:04 -0700 Jordan Penn]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49911       "Hello world. As we approach March Madness and the big tag title match, allow me to recap what I've been up to outside of the XWF. On their first show of the year January 12th, I made my UGWC debut, saving poor Sebastian Everett-Bryce from a masked attacker. He never thanked me, by the way. Ungrateful."

        "For those unaware, and I don't blame you, SEB is currently the UGWC World champion. On March 2nd, I won the UGWC Conquest championship in a fatal four-way. I am now two successful defenses in. Should I manage five successful defenses, presuming Sebastian holds onto that World title, we will find ourselves in yet another collision course."

         "In my last promo, I announced that the time is coming to be who I've always been. I told the story of who my masked associates really are. Next week, I tie up the remaining loose ends of the Director and attempt to notch yet another defense of my Conquest championship before Charlie Nickles and I go on to become the greatest threat yet to the reign of the Exiles. Soon, the world will say goodbye to the Director and know my true name."]]>       "Hello world. As we approach March Madness and the big tag title match, allow me to recap what I've been up to outside of the XWF. On their first show of the year January 12th, I made my UGWC debut, saving poor Sebastian Everett-Bryce from a masked attacker. He never thanked me, by the way. Ungrateful."

        "For those unaware, and I don't blame you, SEB is currently the UGWC World champion. On March 2nd, I won the UGWC Conquest championship in a fatal four-way. I am now two successful defenses in. Should I manage five successful defenses, presuming Sebastian holds onto that World title, we will find ourselves in yet another collision course."

         "In my last promo, I announced that the time is coming to be who I've always been. I told the story of who my masked associates really are. Next week, I tie up the remaining loose ends of the Director and attempt to notch yet another defense of my Conquest championship before Charlie Nickles and I go on to become the greatest threat yet to the reign of the Exiles. Soon, the world will say goodbye to the Director and know my true name."]]> <![CDATA[This Is Where The Fun Begins]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49905 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:00:16 -0700 HeavensToBetsy]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49905 This is Where The Fun Begins]]> This is Where The Fun Begins]]> <![CDATA[RV Tapes | 002]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49889 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:23:08 -0700 Rowan Vance]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49889 We open on flames flickering in the air. Reds, oranges, the occasional incandescent white. We pan back to see that these flames are from a campfire, burning away inside a forest… Next to the fire is a camping chair, and in the chair sits Rowan Vance, dressed in a pair of black and red Chuck Taylor All Stars, black jeans, and a white hoodie with a caricature of Yoda on it. There is a bright light from the camera shining on him as he bounces between looking at his phone and up at his viewers, the LIVE blinking on his YouTube page.
”The law of three, defined in the paranormal community as a belief that supernatural forces communicate or manifest through a sequence of three, with the third of whatever it may be, being the decisive factor. The confirmation, the warning, or the turning point… It isn’t about the spirit that’s calling your name, it isn’t about the creature lurking…-”

He stops talking, looking around as a noise distracts him in the distance, through the trees. He composes himself, clearing his throat, before turning back to the viewing public.

”It isn’t about the creature lurking in the trees, it’s about the pattern that shows itself to you, that makes itself known, that is recognised by those it reveals itself to… A classic one is the three knocks, said to be a spiritual entity or demon mocking the Trinity by tapping three times on a wall, a window, or knocking on trees. Another is the cold spots on a property, or the shadows seen, watching… All of which appear to manifest in threes.”

The sound of an owl hooting can be heard in the distance, which makes Rowan jump slightly. It happens again… Then a third time, to which Rowan excitedly points to the sky. After silence for another thirty seconds or so, he speaks again.

”Owl’s calling out in three, is another known omen. Three’s are a huge part of the Paranormal community and, now… Now, after what happened to me at Redemption XVII, it’s a big part of me in eWo! Because at the next Redemption, I’ve got the opportunity to take on the Wiley veteran of the past, a man who’s been doing this since before I was born, Ken Davison… My present, in the glorious Betsy Granger and this match obviously includes me, whom I’d like to believe, is the future of Elite. That’s right, folks of YouTube and beyond… The Curious One has a shot at The Trilogy Title at Redemption XVIII! And n…-”

Before he can continue, we’re interrupted again by another noise… One that sounds like voices in the distance and branches breaking. Rowan stands and looks beyond the treeline behind the camera.

”Hello? Who’s there…? Whoa, ok, I’m sure I’m not hallucinating, and there seem to be two red glowing lights… Eyshine maybe? About six feet off the ground… Why are the branches breaking so much?! WHO’S OUT THERE?! WHAT THE FU…”

Before he can say another word, the treeline breaks and something comes barrelling through the underbrush… Rowan tilts his head, shakes it slowly, and puts his hand over his face as a cameraman and sound guy from the documentary series “Behind the Ropes” appear, as if out of nowhere. They both steady themselves as Rowan sits back down, watching them carefully.

”Guys…?”

”Mr Vance, we’re sorry we didn’t mean to startle you… We’re from th…-”

”I know who you both are, but what I’d like to know is, why you’ve followed me here, on my camping trip when I’m trying to get a break from the wrestling…?”

”To be honest sir, we didn’t actually know what we were going to be shooting or whatever, this was Poppy’s idea to come and see you when she’d heard you were camping this weekend.”

”Poppy? As in Prescott?”

”Who else?”

The cameraman scolds the sound guy with his eyes and a nod, which makes him bow his head. Rowan chuckles incredulously as he waves around himself.

”Guys, this isn’t some Appalachian retreat where I’m using the trees as turnbuckles while… Note to self, not a bad idea actually… While planting elbows on squirrels and piledriving raccoons. Second note to self, not a good idea, never do that… No, I’m out here doing my other love, paranormal investigating.”

”You believe in all that trash?”

Another look from the cameraman and the sound guy puts a hand up in defence.

”Hey, I don’t mean anything by it! I’ve just never really believed in all that kind of stuff…”

”And that’s okay, you don’t have to. But, I’ll tell you what. I’ve only got one chair here, but feel free to stick around with me, and maybe something’ll happen that might convince you there’s more than meets the eye in places like this. Especially in the Appalachian Mountains.”

The documentary crew agrees, and Rowan invites them to sit by the fire. He pulls a cold box from behind his chair and pulls out two cans of Coke, Chilli Chocolate flavour, which both cameraman and sound guy look at inquisitively but crack open with a shrug.

”Okay, everybody, we’ve got some guests joining us tonight on this investigation. They’re a documentary crew from the show “Behind the Ropes,” and so you guys wanted to, what? Find out how I felt about my co-win at Redemption XVII and the subsequent announcement from Mr Roth?”

”That’s about the gist of it, Rowan, yeah…”

”Well I’ll be honest, I kinda feel like I wasn’t really doing the best I could have, especially against three people with the experience of Granger, Smythe, and Knight, but when I finally managed to hook the leg of Knight and the ref counted three, I’ve got to say I was surprised but relieved but of course I had to share that win with Betsy as she had the other leg hooked but it is what it is…”

”And of course, post-match Cam Roth had some polite words to say about you in your match and has given you a shot at Ken Davison’s Trilogy Title… What are your thoughts there?”

A rustle in the forest behind them startles all three, but Rowan waves it off as he gets his own can of Chilli Chocolate Coke, cracking it open.

”Don’t worry, guys, probably just a deer. But back to your question, my thoughts on the statement made by Cam Roth…? Well, it’s unexpected, and I think anyone who’s just stepped foot in the eWo would say that. I think Betsy Granger would say that; however, she’s very likely more deserving than I am of a shot. I’m suffering from what’s known as Imposter Syndrome, which is where you feel you’re not good enough for the outcomes of your choices or the fortuitous positions you find yourself in… But I belie…-”

Rowan is cut off by what sounds like a scream from way back in the forest. Both the cameraman and the sound guy baulk at each other and turn to leave. Rowan stands now looking a little concerned…

”Alright, guys I wanna try something, hang on… Spirits of Appalachia, if you can hear my voice, I wanna play a game here. I’m gonna clap three times.”

Rowan looks at the camera and raises his eyebrow…

”There’s that three again. I’m gonna clap three times, and if you can hear me, I want you to respond so we know where you are… Ready?”

Rowan claps once… Twice… A third time. There is silence except for the fire crackling, the sound guy nudges the cameraman and nods towards Rowan. Suddenly without warning… CLAP… CLAP… CLAP! From deep within the trees behind the tent.

”What the hell was that?!”

”You both heard that right?”

”Fucking right we did!”

”I’m going back to the car!”

A whole flurry of branches breaking and whispering voices can be heard as both the cameraman and sound guy burst through the forest the way they came and disappear into the distance. Rowan shakes his head as laughter ensues and his lifelong friend from back home, Elias Boone. comes out of the trees, making whispering sounds through cupped hands and trying to stop himself laughing. The two men high-five as Elias leans into the tent and brings out a second chair, Rowan himself sitting back down.

”Oh man, I didn’t think you were ever coming back!”

”Yeah I took a little detour after going to, you know… And I thought I’d heard something way back beyond that rock we found earlier…”

”And…?”

"Nah, nothing there man… It’s pretty quiet out there, except for the clapping sound I heard.”

Rowan laughs at Elias as he takes another mouthful of his Coke, pointing at him.

”Oh that’s good man, yeah brilliant response with the clap-back too.They ran for their lives.”

”Oh no, Ro… That was me making the whispering noises and all the moving in the bush, but I’d heard you clap and then something respond, before all that.”

Rowan narrows his eyes, but he believes his friend. He looks around and then back at the camera.

”Alright, guys, well, the plan is this. I’m going to read you some stories from the area, then Elias and I will try getting some shuteye until about 2am when we’ll do some more exploring around here and a couple of solo challenges….”

As Rowan continues talking, his voice gets denser as we pan back and find all this going on on his laptop. He presses a button to save the work and stands up.

”Already been at this editing for an hour, I should really start to unpack.”

The scene is now shown to be an enormous lounge/lobby space with no furniture but a whole bulk load of boxes, the laptop resting on one of them. Rowan picks up another and opens it as he sits back down on the floor. The entire thing is filled with baby photos of him and June. He looks through them, reminiscing, before he grabs his cell phone and dials a number. The phone is answered after several long rings.


”Hello…?”

”Junebug? You good…?”

”Oh hey, Ro… Yeah I’m okay, just tired. I’ve not been too well lately.”

”I guess that answers that then!”

”What’s that?”

Rowan looks at another picture, the two of them at some roadside hot dog van, both eating double chilli-dogs with the mustard and ketchup going everywhere. He smirks into the phone.

”Well it wasn’t my reason for calling, but I wondered if you wanted to come watch my first title match in eWo next week. But as you’re not feeling great…”

”Yeah, I don’t think it would be good timing big brother… Sorry.”

”Don’t apologise, I can’t be catching sniffling lurgy anyway!”

”Okay… So, you said that wasn’t your reason for the call, so what was?”

”Oh yeah, do you know what mom or dad did with our photos?”

”What do you mean?”

”Well, I’ve just got an apartment, and I’m unloading all my stuff, but the only photos I can find of us are up until that photo of your graduation night outside the house, then boom they’ve vanished.”

”Oh really? That’s so strange… Have you actually asked them? Maybe they’ve dumped them in that space under the stairs at home…”

”Yeah, perhaps, I’ll call mom tonight and ask. Alright, listen, Junebug, you get better soon because if you’re not coming to see me beat Ken Davison and Betsy Granger to win the Trilogy title, you’d better be ready for March and Coup De Grace!”

”Don’t worry, I will… Nice work on the apartment, too! Can’t wait to see it, when I do come to Miami.”

The siblings say their goodbyes, and Rowan hangs up the phone. He dips his hand back into the box and picks up a book… Stephen King’s “The Drawing of The Three”. He grabs his phone and sets it up to record as he balances it on another box…

”This series of books, The Dark Tower, was one of my favourites growing up. This one was the second in the series and the one that really kicked off the story. The drawing of the three centres around Roland Deschain needing to draw different people from our world to help him save everything. Eddie Dean, Odetta Walker, and Jack Mort.

Again, here we focus on the law of three; once more it comes into the equation, there is no such thing as coincidences and going into the Trilogy match at the upcoming Redemption XVIII, I believe it is Ka, or fate, that I have found the two, to complete my ka-tet.”

Rowan flicks through the book, focusing intently on some of the words before he looks up again and shows a drawing within its pages.

”Odetta, or Detta Walker… Susannah Dean, as some may know her, “The lady of Shadows” in eWo, I’d say that she very much resembles Betsy Granger… Duality incarnate, a shadow self and a higher self… Needing not destruction but integration. Odetta is a single body housing multiple selves, whilst Betsy is a single self stretched across worlds, timelines and identities… Both deny the idea of a fixed identity, yeah, she is definitely my Odetta in this ka-tet. Also, to say, I’m not really into hip-hop, but your rhyme scheme is very appealing, Betsy, and I very much enjoyed what you had to say. But I’m sure you’ve now seen what Kind of sting I bring or punch I pack, and in that I’m sure you won’t be too confused about what I can bring to the table this time around…

And then we’ve got the eWo Trilogy Champion, ‘Godly’ Ken Davison. The man is old enough to be my father, but with that age comes mega experience. I’m aware that Ken has held and is holding championships outside eWo, too, and I’m fully aware of what he brings… He’s definitely the Eddie Dean of the trio, the pusher; however, Ken it feels to me that you’re already what Eddie was, after he met his ka-tet, but one thing I can definitely associate with you both is that your intelligence is a weapon and another thing Ken, that connects you to Eddie Dean is that you don’t fight stronger, you fight smarter… You are Eddie Dean if he survives the Tower and keeps walking. The only issue is when you walk, Ken, it’ll be right into me, which cuts your survival percentage to about half… Or at least your chances of keeping the belt…”

Rowan puts the book down and sighs a little as he places it back in the box. He turns back to the camera.

”This is the sort of thing I’d have said to my opponents if I didn’t have this complex of not feeling like I’m good enough. So, what I will say is I’m going into this triple-threat and giving it my best, my all, to bring home the eWo Trilogy Championship in only my second ever match. I will take all my experience of the four-way last show, knowledge of both Granger and Davison and walk straight into Redemption XVIII prepared and ready to go! Because I can tell you now, I’m not the Jack Mort of the group, there aint no way… No, in this ka-tet I’m most definitely Roland Deschain.

I am Roland Deschain, way back before the legend hardens, I am Roland when curiosity still exists, Roland when the world hasn’t yet burned the softness out of me. We both walk the path because we must, although for different reasons, the same outcome thaws. Roland Deschain did learn the cost a little too late, whilst for me it’s still early enough for me to choose. Roland Deschain and Rowan Vance are both pre-walkers of the same destiny but at different stages on the road, and while Roland reads terrain, people, and danger, I read the opposition instinctively.

Have I read you, Betsy? Ken? Perhaps, but the only way we’ll find out is when things come to a head at Redemption XVIII right here in Miami… So you bring your ferocity, Granger… Bring your experience and the belt, Davison, and we’ll lock it up and see which of us makes it to the Tower first.”

Before he can finish, Rowan’s cell phone rings. He stops recording and doesn’t look at the number, just presses the answer button, and a voice on the other end speaks.

”Hello? Sorry, I had a missed call from this number a bit ago.”

”Oh? I don… Wait, is this Vicki? Vicki Harman?”

”Yes, who’s this??”

”Sorry, it’s Rowan, Rowan Vance.”

”Oh… Oh! Rowan, hi!”

”Hey. I thought I recognised your voice, listen, sorry this is the number I have for June…”

”Oh, that’s okay, it happens to the best of us. But how are you? It’s been a while since we’ve spoken, I meant to call a while ago actually…”

”You, you did?”

”Yeah, I’ve seen you’re a big-time wrestler now! June always told us we’d go from seeing you on YouTube videos to mainstream shows!”

”Hah! Well, I wouldn’t quite say big-time, I’m doing okay… And I’m still doing my YouTube stuff.”

”Oh, I know you are! I've been subscribing, Rowan, since we first spoke. I’m a huge believer in the paranormal and mysteries.”

”You subscribe? I had no idea. June never said a word. That’s pretty cool… Thank you.”

The butterflies in Rowan’s gut appear out of nowhere, but it’s no secret he has had a thing for Vicki, since June introduced them a while ago, and here she is telling him she’s been keeping tabs on his life and career. He feels a small smile cross his lips before he’s brought back to earth.

”Rowan, did you hear me? I said sorry, I’ve gotta go, I’ve got class… But listen don’t be a stranger ok?!”

”Oh yeah for sure, you go do your thing… And no, I definitely won’t, you neither!”

He hits the button on the phone to hang it up, takes a minute to himself as the smile comes creeping back. He switches his camera back on and readies himself to continue recording, as the scene fades into darkness….
]]> We open on flames flickering in the air. Reds, oranges, the occasional incandescent white. We pan back to see that these flames are from a campfire, burning away inside a forest… Next to the fire is a camping chair, and in the chair sits Rowan Vance, dressed in a pair of black and red Chuck Taylor All Stars, black jeans, and a white hoodie with a caricature of Yoda on it. There is a bright light from the camera shining on him as he bounces between looking at his phone and up at his viewers, the LIVE blinking on his YouTube page.
”The law of three, defined in the paranormal community as a belief that supernatural forces communicate or manifest through a sequence of three, with the third of whatever it may be, being the decisive factor. The confirmation, the warning, or the turning point… It isn’t about the spirit that’s calling your name, it isn’t about the creature lurking…-”

He stops talking, looking around as a noise distracts him in the distance, through the trees. He composes himself, clearing his throat, before turning back to the viewing public.

”It isn’t about the creature lurking in the trees, it’s about the pattern that shows itself to you, that makes itself known, that is recognised by those it reveals itself to… A classic one is the three knocks, said to be a spiritual entity or demon mocking the Trinity by tapping three times on a wall, a window, or knocking on trees. Another is the cold spots on a property, or the shadows seen, watching… All of which appear to manifest in threes.”

The sound of an owl hooting can be heard in the distance, which makes Rowan jump slightly. It happens again… Then a third time, to which Rowan excitedly points to the sky. After silence for another thirty seconds or so, he speaks again.

”Owl’s calling out in three, is another known omen. Three’s are a huge part of the Paranormal community and, now… Now, after what happened to me at Redemption XVII, it’s a big part of me in eWo! Because at the next Redemption, I’ve got the opportunity to take on the Wiley veteran of the past, a man who’s been doing this since before I was born, Ken Davison… My present, in the glorious Betsy Granger and this match obviously includes me, whom I’d like to believe, is the future of Elite. That’s right, folks of YouTube and beyond… The Curious One has a shot at The Trilogy Title at Redemption XVIII! And n…-”

Before he can continue, we’re interrupted again by another noise… One that sounds like voices in the distance and branches breaking. Rowan stands and looks beyond the treeline behind the camera.

”Hello? Who’s there…? Whoa, ok, I’m sure I’m not hallucinating, and there seem to be two red glowing lights… Eyshine maybe? About six feet off the ground… Why are the branches breaking so much?! WHO’S OUT THERE?! WHAT THE FU…”

Before he can say another word, the treeline breaks and something comes barrelling through the underbrush… Rowan tilts his head, shakes it slowly, and puts his hand over his face as a cameraman and sound guy from the documentary series “Behind the Ropes” appear, as if out of nowhere. They both steady themselves as Rowan sits back down, watching them carefully.

”Guys…?”

”Mr Vance, we’re sorry we didn’t mean to startle you… We’re from th…-”

”I know who you both are, but what I’d like to know is, why you’ve followed me here, on my camping trip when I’m trying to get a break from the wrestling…?”

”To be honest sir, we didn’t actually know what we were going to be shooting or whatever, this was Poppy’s idea to come and see you when she’d heard you were camping this weekend.”

”Poppy? As in Prescott?”

”Who else?”

The cameraman scolds the sound guy with his eyes and a nod, which makes him bow his head. Rowan chuckles incredulously as he waves around himself.

”Guys, this isn’t some Appalachian retreat where I’m using the trees as turnbuckles while… Note to self, not a bad idea actually… While planting elbows on squirrels and piledriving raccoons. Second note to self, not a good idea, never do that… No, I’m out here doing my other love, paranormal investigating.”

”You believe in all that trash?”

Another look from the cameraman and the sound guy puts a hand up in defence.

”Hey, I don’t mean anything by it! I’ve just never really believed in all that kind of stuff…”

”And that’s okay, you don’t have to. But, I’ll tell you what. I’ve only got one chair here, but feel free to stick around with me, and maybe something’ll happen that might convince you there’s more than meets the eye in places like this. Especially in the Appalachian Mountains.”

The documentary crew agrees, and Rowan invites them to sit by the fire. He pulls a cold box from behind his chair and pulls out two cans of Coke, Chilli Chocolate flavour, which both cameraman and sound guy look at inquisitively but crack open with a shrug.

”Okay, everybody, we’ve got some guests joining us tonight on this investigation. They’re a documentary crew from the show “Behind the Ropes,” and so you guys wanted to, what? Find out how I felt about my co-win at Redemption XVII and the subsequent announcement from Mr Roth?”

”That’s about the gist of it, Rowan, yeah…”

”Well I’ll be honest, I kinda feel like I wasn’t really doing the best I could have, especially against three people with the experience of Granger, Smythe, and Knight, but when I finally managed to hook the leg of Knight and the ref counted three, I’ve got to say I was surprised but relieved but of course I had to share that win with Betsy as she had the other leg hooked but it is what it is…”

”And of course, post-match Cam Roth had some polite words to say about you in your match and has given you a shot at Ken Davison’s Trilogy Title… What are your thoughts there?”

A rustle in the forest behind them startles all three, but Rowan waves it off as he gets his own can of Chilli Chocolate Coke, cracking it open.

”Don’t worry, guys, probably just a deer. But back to your question, my thoughts on the statement made by Cam Roth…? Well, it’s unexpected, and I think anyone who’s just stepped foot in the eWo would say that. I think Betsy Granger would say that; however, she’s very likely more deserving than I am of a shot. I’m suffering from what’s known as Imposter Syndrome, which is where you feel you’re not good enough for the outcomes of your choices or the fortuitous positions you find yourself in… But I belie…-”

Rowan is cut off by what sounds like a scream from way back in the forest. Both the cameraman and the sound guy baulk at each other and turn to leave. Rowan stands now looking a little concerned…

”Alright, guys I wanna try something, hang on… Spirits of Appalachia, if you can hear my voice, I wanna play a game here. I’m gonna clap three times.”

Rowan looks at the camera and raises his eyebrow…

”There’s that three again. I’m gonna clap three times, and if you can hear me, I want you to respond so we know where you are… Ready?”

Rowan claps once… Twice… A third time. There is silence except for the fire crackling, the sound guy nudges the cameraman and nods towards Rowan. Suddenly without warning… CLAP… CLAP… CLAP! From deep within the trees behind the tent.

”What the hell was that?!”

”You both heard that right?”

”Fucking right we did!”

”I’m going back to the car!”

A whole flurry of branches breaking and whispering voices can be heard as both the cameraman and sound guy burst through the forest the way they came and disappear into the distance. Rowan shakes his head as laughter ensues and his lifelong friend from back home, Elias Boone. comes out of the trees, making whispering sounds through cupped hands and trying to stop himself laughing. The two men high-five as Elias leans into the tent and brings out a second chair, Rowan himself sitting back down.

”Oh man, I didn’t think you were ever coming back!”

”Yeah I took a little detour after going to, you know… And I thought I’d heard something way back beyond that rock we found earlier…”

”And…?”

"Nah, nothing there man… It’s pretty quiet out there, except for the clapping sound I heard.”

Rowan laughs at Elias as he takes another mouthful of his Coke, pointing at him.

”Oh that’s good man, yeah brilliant response with the clap-back too.They ran for their lives.”

”Oh no, Ro… That was me making the whispering noises and all the moving in the bush, but I’d heard you clap and then something respond, before all that.”

Rowan narrows his eyes, but he believes his friend. He looks around and then back at the camera.

”Alright, guys, well, the plan is this. I’m going to read you some stories from the area, then Elias and I will try getting some shuteye until about 2am when we’ll do some more exploring around here and a couple of solo challenges….”

As Rowan continues talking, his voice gets denser as we pan back and find all this going on on his laptop. He presses a button to save the work and stands up.

”Already been at this editing for an hour, I should really start to unpack.”

The scene is now shown to be an enormous lounge/lobby space with no furniture but a whole bulk load of boxes, the laptop resting on one of them. Rowan picks up another and opens it as he sits back down on the floor. The entire thing is filled with baby photos of him and June. He looks through them, reminiscing, before he grabs his cell phone and dials a number. The phone is answered after several long rings.


”Hello…?”

”Junebug? You good…?”

”Oh hey, Ro… Yeah I’m okay, just tired. I’ve not been too well lately.”

”I guess that answers that then!”

”What’s that?”

Rowan looks at another picture, the two of them at some roadside hot dog van, both eating double chilli-dogs with the mustard and ketchup going everywhere. He smirks into the phone.

”Well it wasn’t my reason for calling, but I wondered if you wanted to come watch my first title match in eWo next week. But as you’re not feeling great…”

”Yeah, I don’t think it would be good timing big brother… Sorry.”

”Don’t apologise, I can’t be catching sniffling lurgy anyway!”

”Okay… So, you said that wasn’t your reason for the call, so what was?”

”Oh yeah, do you know what mom or dad did with our photos?”

”What do you mean?”

”Well, I’ve just got an apartment, and I’m unloading all my stuff, but the only photos I can find of us are up until that photo of your graduation night outside the house, then boom they’ve vanished.”

”Oh really? That’s so strange… Have you actually asked them? Maybe they’ve dumped them in that space under the stairs at home…”

”Yeah, perhaps, I’ll call mom tonight and ask. Alright, listen, Junebug, you get better soon because if you’re not coming to see me beat Ken Davison and Betsy Granger to win the Trilogy title, you’d better be ready for March and Coup De Grace!”

”Don’t worry, I will… Nice work on the apartment, too! Can’t wait to see it, when I do come to Miami.”

The siblings say their goodbyes, and Rowan hangs up the phone. He dips his hand back into the box and picks up a book… Stephen King’s “The Drawing of The Three”. He grabs his phone and sets it up to record as he balances it on another box…

”This series of books, The Dark Tower, was one of my favourites growing up. This one was the second in the series and the one that really kicked off the story. The drawing of the three centres around Roland Deschain needing to draw different people from our world to help him save everything. Eddie Dean, Odetta Walker, and Jack Mort.

Again, here we focus on the law of three; once more it comes into the equation, there is no such thing as coincidences and going into the Trilogy match at the upcoming Redemption XVIII, I believe it is Ka, or fate, that I have found the two, to complete my ka-tet.”

Rowan flicks through the book, focusing intently on some of the words before he looks up again and shows a drawing within its pages.

”Odetta, or Detta Walker… Susannah Dean, as some may know her, “The lady of Shadows” in eWo, I’d say that she very much resembles Betsy Granger… Duality incarnate, a shadow self and a higher self… Needing not destruction but integration. Odetta is a single body housing multiple selves, whilst Betsy is a single self stretched across worlds, timelines and identities… Both deny the idea of a fixed identity, yeah, she is definitely my Odetta in this ka-tet. Also, to say, I’m not really into hip-hop, but your rhyme scheme is very appealing, Betsy, and I very much enjoyed what you had to say. But I’m sure you’ve now seen what Kind of sting I bring or punch I pack, and in that I’m sure you won’t be too confused about what I can bring to the table this time around…

And then we’ve got the eWo Trilogy Champion, ‘Godly’ Ken Davison. The man is old enough to be my father, but with that age comes mega experience. I’m aware that Ken has held and is holding championships outside eWo, too, and I’m fully aware of what he brings… He’s definitely the Eddie Dean of the trio, the pusher; however, Ken it feels to me that you’re already what Eddie was, after he met his ka-tet, but one thing I can definitely associate with you both is that your intelligence is a weapon and another thing Ken, that connects you to Eddie Dean is that you don’t fight stronger, you fight smarter… You are Eddie Dean if he survives the Tower and keeps walking. The only issue is when you walk, Ken, it’ll be right into me, which cuts your survival percentage to about half… Or at least your chances of keeping the belt…”

Rowan puts the book down and sighs a little as he places it back in the box. He turns back to the camera.

”This is the sort of thing I’d have said to my opponents if I didn’t have this complex of not feeling like I’m good enough. So, what I will say is I’m going into this triple-threat and giving it my best, my all, to bring home the eWo Trilogy Championship in only my second ever match. I will take all my experience of the four-way last show, knowledge of both Granger and Davison and walk straight into Redemption XVIII prepared and ready to go! Because I can tell you now, I’m not the Jack Mort of the group, there aint no way… No, in this ka-tet I’m most definitely Roland Deschain.

I am Roland Deschain, way back before the legend hardens, I am Roland when curiosity still exists, Roland when the world hasn’t yet burned the softness out of me. We both walk the path because we must, although for different reasons, the same outcome thaws. Roland Deschain did learn the cost a little too late, whilst for me it’s still early enough for me to choose. Roland Deschain and Rowan Vance are both pre-walkers of the same destiny but at different stages on the road, and while Roland reads terrain, people, and danger, I read the opposition instinctively.

Have I read you, Betsy? Ken? Perhaps, but the only way we’ll find out is when things come to a head at Redemption XVIII right here in Miami… So you bring your ferocity, Granger… Bring your experience and the belt, Davison, and we’ll lock it up and see which of us makes it to the Tower first.”

Before he can finish, Rowan’s cell phone rings. He stops recording and doesn’t look at the number, just presses the answer button, and a voice on the other end speaks.

”Hello? Sorry, I had a missed call from this number a bit ago.”

”Oh? I don… Wait, is this Vicki? Vicki Harman?”

”Yes, who’s this??”

”Sorry, it’s Rowan, Rowan Vance.”

”Oh… Oh! Rowan, hi!”

”Hey. I thought I recognised your voice, listen, sorry this is the number I have for June…”

”Oh, that’s okay, it happens to the best of us. But how are you? It’s been a while since we’ve spoken, I meant to call a while ago actually…”

”You, you did?”

”Yeah, I’ve seen you’re a big-time wrestler now! June always told us we’d go from seeing you on YouTube videos to mainstream shows!”

”Hah! Well, I wouldn’t quite say big-time, I’m doing okay… And I’m still doing my YouTube stuff.”

”Oh, I know you are! I've been subscribing, Rowan, since we first spoke. I’m a huge believer in the paranormal and mysteries.”

”You subscribe? I had no idea. June never said a word. That’s pretty cool… Thank you.”

The butterflies in Rowan’s gut appear out of nowhere, but it’s no secret he has had a thing for Vicki, since June introduced them a while ago, and here she is telling him she’s been keeping tabs on his life and career. He feels a small smile cross his lips before he’s brought back to earth.

”Rowan, did you hear me? I said sorry, I’ve gotta go, I’ve got class… But listen don’t be a stranger ok?!”

”Oh yeah for sure, you go do your thing… And no, I definitely won’t, you neither!”

He hits the button on the phone to hang it up, takes a minute to himself as the smile comes creeping back. He switches his camera back on and readies himself to continue recording, as the scene fades into darkness….
]]> <![CDATA[RV Tapes | 001]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49888 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:33:06 -0700 Rowan Vance]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49888 January 3rd, 2026…

The doors hiss open on the Greyhound bus just after it pulls into the depot in Miami, Florida. Slight winter sun is shining down on a beat-up luggage cart holder as a couple of kids on bikes trail along slowly, a leash-less dog running behind and jumping up occasionally to the kid at the back.

The last few people climb off the bus as the driver hands them their luggage from the underside compartment. Last to disembark is Rowan Vance. He’s carrying his phone with him as he takes his suitcase from the driver, thanking him and tossing his backpack over his shoulder. He turns the phone around in a three-sixty motion, then points it back at his face.

”Well, there you have it, guys, the last part of my trip to Miami, and I’ve made it! I’m going to let you go here while I find my hotel and get settled in before checking out my itinerary. I also need to let the promotion know I’ve arrived. Oh, hey, that guy has the same name as me, that’s cool!”

Rowan turns his phone around as he leaves, and we see a man in a suit holding a sign that says “R. VANCE” on it. The scene quickly transitions to black as Rowan clicks out of the livestream.



The scene comes back to life, but via the usual visual method this time, not live or recording via Rowan’s phone. He’s just finished unpacking his suitcase and laid everything out. His phone is on the bed, loudspeaker on, and his sister June is on the other end.

”I can’t believe that you left mom and dad’s at like two Saturday morning, I left Saturday afternoon, and you were still travelling when I walked into my dorm later that night and went to the bar too!”

”I know, that’s insane. But I’m here now… Just unpacking, although I’ve got a couple of apartments here to look at during the week. But hey, guess what!”

”You found a chest full of gold bars under the bed in the hotel room?!”

”Yep! Tons, now I don’t have to actually destroy myself for other people’s pleasure, flying around a ring every week! No, obviously, I did not find a chest full of gold bars under the bed. BUT! I did get my first official text message from eWo giving me my debut details!”

”Ah no shit?! What is it, what is it?!”

Rowan chucks the last item of clothing into the wardrobe and shuts it, picking up the phone and taking it off speaker, as he unlocks and opens the sliding door leading out to the balcony. He walks to the edge and looks out over a marina.

”I’m in a four-way match, which I think is typical of debuts these days, but what would I know? It’s my debut.”

”Hah! Dork… Who’s your opposition?”

”Well, that’s the interesting thing… My opposition is a smorgasbord of talent, names I’ve read about on social media or even seen at some of the shows we attended as kids in the past, I’m sure. People like Betsy Granger, The Mad Prince, and Daron Smythe.”

”Hmm, I’ll be honest, big brother, I don’t think I know any of them, probably came along after I stopped watching the big burly men and scantily clad women rocking it up inside the ring!”

”Fair enough, but you'd better get your ass back in the game now I’m about to make it big!”

”Oh, of course, Rowan! I’ll make sure to come visit for your first big Pay-Per-View event or something ok?”

Rowan doesn’t respond, he’s watching the water bubble around one of the Marina docks, his thoughts well away. He clears his throat.

”I miss you, Juney…”

”Ro, we spoke less than forty-eight hours ago.”

”We did, but can’t a guy miss his sibling? We may not be twins but we share that bond still! You know?”

”I know, I know… And I miss you too, boogaloo. Listen Vicki wants to go to this New Years market thing that’s doing the rounds on the Upper East Side. Give me a call during the week before your match ok?”

”Sure thing… Have a good one, oh and if you see anything you think I might like, grab it for me. Like maybe another of those mini dragon figurines you got me a few years back!” Oh someone’s at the door gotta go. Love ya Junebug!”

”Will do, love ya too Ro…”

Rowan hangs up the phone as the door knocks for what’s now the second time. He looks through the peephole and then opens it. Standing on the other side, dressed in a red and gold button-down and black slacks, is one of the hotel staff members. His name tag reads Jacob, and the other badge, this one stitched on, states the name of the hotel, The Kimpton Epic.

”Good morning, sir, I’m sorry to disturb you as I’m sure you’ve just had a long ride in… But, you’re The Curious One on YouTube aren’t you?”

”Uhm, yeah… Yeah I am.”

Rowan had to chuckle at this, because he’s never been recognised outside of Harpers Ferry before, okay, granted he’s barely travelled out of Harpers Ferry before; one of the reasons he was sure his mom would freak out about moving to Miami, but the fact remains.

”I thought it was you! I didn’t want to bother you, but I’m a huge fan. Please don’t worry, I wasn’t knocking on your door for a photo or autograph. It’s about what you do.”

”What I… Do? Sorry, are we talking about my YouTube videos or?”

”Yeah, what else would..-”

”Oh, you’ll see soon enough, but come in, sorry man, I’m being rude.”

”Oh no, I can’t, I’m still working. However, not many people are aware that the Kimpton Epic has had several reports in the last year or so. Paranormal stuff…”

Rowan’s ears have now perked up, he thought, until he got an apartment, he’d be staying in a luxuriously plush but wholly boring hotel, down by the Marina. Judging by the way this conversation is going, not a chance!

”Okay… Like, what? Noises, shadows, that type of thing?”

”All that plus, footsteps, full body apparitions, EVP’s on top of disembodied voices, the usual bangs and bumps too. Primarily on the ground floor which is our service area for staff.”

”That’s really interesting, man, thanks for letting me know! Hey, maybe if your staff have had incidents, they can write them down, doesn’t have to be pages and I’ll do a video of it while I’m staying here.”

”Hey that would be cool… Or…”

”Or…?”

Jacob’s eyes light up, and he gets a little grin on his face… He fishes into a pocket and pulls out a small set of keys.

”I’ve already told my manager you’ve checked in, she’s also a huge fan! And she said, if you want to, of course… I can give you our spare keys, and you can, like, do an investigation down there, being as you’ve no check out date yet?”

Now it’s Rowan’s eyes’ turn to light up as he takes the keys from Jacob. He turns them in his hand.

”Are you sure? I mean, what time would I be able to go down there?”

”Well, the kitchen shuts at like 11:30pm until 5am. We do have some housekeepers come in early, but not much earlier than that. So, between say 11:45pm and 4:30am would very likely be your window to investigate without issues.”

Rowan can barely believe he’s only just arrived in Miami, hasn’t even visited the local gym or eWo training centre yet, and here he is, already being given the chance to produce his content in his accommodation! He thanks Jacob and drops him a twenty before closing the door. He chucks the keys in the air and catches them as the scene slowly fades to black…



The LIVE flashes on YouTube screens across America and some internationally as one of the double doors leading to the service hallway opens. We can’t see Rowan’s face, but we know it is him behind the camera. He places down a small bag and turns it towards himself…

”Alright, guys, it’s just after midnight, and I’ve just made my way down to the basement area, if you will, of the Kimpton Epic hotel, where I’m staying until I can get an apartment here in Miami. I see there are already several of you in the chat, hey guys! So earlier today, Jacob, one of the staff here, gave me a set of keys, told me this place was haunted, so here I am!”

Rowan takes out a cell phone and switches on a “Spirit Talker” app it spits out some weird words, just calibrating, as he sets it down and switches off the light switch at the wall, plunging him and us into darkness.

”Never been here before, honestly, hotels in general are a brand new environment for me. Much like the eWo and wrestling on the big circuit is a brand new experience for me, I guess. Two for the price of one. But this place already has me on edge… I thought I’d heard footsteps creeping on the stairs behind me, as I was coming into this area… Much like the footsteps of my opponents creeping up on my momentum, come, Redemption XVII…

I’m facing something different in this place, just like I’ll be facing something different in Smythe; all this time, and I still can’t figure out if it’s Smith or Sm-Eye-Th? But in any case, him… Granger and The Mad Prince… But regarding Daron, this is a guy I look up to, if nothing more than he showed me how to navigate. He was born and raised in a place not even five hours' drive from me, and he raised himself right, something I’ve always maintained I did with some handbook help. Now, Daron Smythe isn’t ancient like some of the entities I’ve come across while doing this, but he is older than me, so much so that he could almost be my dad. But with age comes experience, and his wall of titles speaks for itself! He’s held belts in the AWS, PMLL, UWL, and ECWF, among others… I mean Christ, the man is brutal, he’s a beast, and I’m not entirely sure I’m pleased being put in a match against him first… And he’s not the only one there!”

Suddenly, the Spirit Box flashes and a word appears on the screen, followed by a metallic female voice, saying the same word… SCARED. Rowan looks directly into the camera and nods.

”Yep! Chat, I’m definitely scared right now; it’s eerie. And I’m not going to lie, I’m scared about setting foot in the eWo Arena on January 14th, too. I said there were others in the match I’ve been booked in, two more in fact, including another former belt holder in places past, the Wayward Wanderer, Betsy Granger… Another individual who knows her way around a ring and knows how to get the best out of an opponent. Her tenure in many places, most notably for some, the XWF, is nothing to be sniffed at either.”

Rowan begins to walk down the hall slowly, hearing what sounds like shuffling in an off-room. He spins his flashlight in that direction.

”Hello? Anyone in there? I’ve got permission from the hotel manager to be down here. Whether you’re a living person or, erm, former living person, I don’t mean any harm or to intrude!”

As Rowan makes his way into the room, just a peek, he (and we) hear three soft, faint knocks on the wall. This makes him jump slightly, and he spins the camera to where it came from.

”Three knocks… Just like the sound of a referee's hand slapping the mat three times, when one of us is pinned at Redemption! Hopefully that’s not me, but when I’m in the ring with the likes of Smythe, Granger, and of course The Mad Prince… You just never know. This man, too, is another whose name is on the lips of wrestling fans across the globe. Another who’s shown his hand in other promotions and held onto their belts for dear life. A man who I wonder would want to make people his shadow slave… But I digress. The Mad Prince is more than likely who I’m looking for both inside and outside the ring given this hustle.”

Suddenly, the Spirit Box comes to life again, and another word, no a phrase this time, is spat out. DON’T BE NERVOUS . A chuckle escapes Rowan’s lips.

”Chat, it said ‘don’t be nervous,’ how the hell can I not be nervous? Either in here or for when I set foot inside the eWo Arena on January 14th to face off against three individuals who’ve been doing this for some time? Three people, who for all intents and purposes, regardless of what side of the fence they sit on, may very well get a bigger reaction than me because nobody knows me?!

I’m going into the match not only as the underdog, but also the unknown! Unless you’re a fan of wrestling who’s been watching me here for however long, you’re not going to know who I am. I’ve got no belts, no match of the year awards, or even nominations…

But all three of my opponents have these things, at least that I've seen, in abundance. They’ve all appeared in arenas nationally and otherwise. They’ve all held titles and been respected and feared in equal measure in the ring…”

Another word pops up on the Spirit Box as Rowan begins to move down the corridor again… CURIOUS. He stops, shows it to the camera, and laughs.

”It just said curious! Hah! That’s right, that’s me. The Curious One! Rowan Vance… I am very curious, I’m curious to know who you are, but I’m also very curious to know and learn more about my opponents at Redemption! I’m very curious to know what actually makes them tick, not just what I’ve seen watching these guys and girls on television.

Whether you are “The First Son,” “The Impossible Traveller,” or “#1,” it doesn’t matter; to me, you’re all the same. You are all destined to become the ones who didn’t win when you faced Rowan Vance. You’re all destined to be the downfall of the Debutant. But I mean, aren’t we all new in some form or another? Yes, but I’m the only one who’s never done this before this coming Redemption, I’m the only one who’s never held a title, I’m the only one who’s never had a crowd chant his name while he places somebody in “The Long Night” or “The Vanishing Point,” hell I’m the only one of us that’s never had someone in their finisher that wasn’t just seeing if it hurt enough…

I am that guy who is walking into nothing… Walking into the ominous silence that surrounds you. I am the one who is curious at everything he sees and has to find out how it works, how it can be curated… I am the guy who wh…-“

Rowan is cut off by the Spirit Box talking again. Three words. FOLLOW THE SHADOW. Ryan looks up and ahead of him as if a person is peeking around the corner, is a darkness within the darkness.

”Chat I’m not sure if you can see this in front of me, but it looks like a wisp of black smoke just poking itself around that corner, it’s dark on dark… The Spirt Box literally just said follow the shadow, so that’s what I’m going to do.

Just like at Redemption XVII, I’m walking into the unknown. If you’ve enjoyed this guys walk with me! Like and subscribe, that includes you too Smythe, Granger, and Prince! I know you’re watching! Now I’m gonna step into the darkness and see what comes of it!

I am Rowan Vance. And I am The Curious One!”

With that, Rowan stands and begins to walk towards the shadowy thing in the corner. Suddenly the YouTube live feed cuts and we fade — to — black.
]]> January 3rd, 2026…

The doors hiss open on the Greyhound bus just after it pulls into the depot in Miami, Florida. Slight winter sun is shining down on a beat-up luggage cart holder as a couple of kids on bikes trail along slowly, a leash-less dog running behind and jumping up occasionally to the kid at the back.

The last few people climb off the bus as the driver hands them their luggage from the underside compartment. Last to disembark is Rowan Vance. He’s carrying his phone with him as he takes his suitcase from the driver, thanking him and tossing his backpack over his shoulder. He turns the phone around in a three-sixty motion, then points it back at his face.

”Well, there you have it, guys, the last part of my trip to Miami, and I’ve made it! I’m going to let you go here while I find my hotel and get settled in before checking out my itinerary. I also need to let the promotion know I’ve arrived. Oh, hey, that guy has the same name as me, that’s cool!”

Rowan turns his phone around as he leaves, and we see a man in a suit holding a sign that says “R. VANCE” on it. The scene quickly transitions to black as Rowan clicks out of the livestream.



The scene comes back to life, but via the usual visual method this time, not live or recording via Rowan’s phone. He’s just finished unpacking his suitcase and laid everything out. His phone is on the bed, loudspeaker on, and his sister June is on the other end.

”I can’t believe that you left mom and dad’s at like two Saturday morning, I left Saturday afternoon, and you were still travelling when I walked into my dorm later that night and went to the bar too!”

”I know, that’s insane. But I’m here now… Just unpacking, although I’ve got a couple of apartments here to look at during the week. But hey, guess what!”

”You found a chest full of gold bars under the bed in the hotel room?!”

”Yep! Tons, now I don’t have to actually destroy myself for other people’s pleasure, flying around a ring every week! No, obviously, I did not find a chest full of gold bars under the bed. BUT! I did get my first official text message from eWo giving me my debut details!”

”Ah no shit?! What is it, what is it?!”

Rowan chucks the last item of clothing into the wardrobe and shuts it, picking up the phone and taking it off speaker, as he unlocks and opens the sliding door leading out to the balcony. He walks to the edge and looks out over a marina.

”I’m in a four-way match, which I think is typical of debuts these days, but what would I know? It’s my debut.”

”Hah! Dork… Who’s your opposition?”

”Well, that’s the interesting thing… My opposition is a smorgasbord of talent, names I’ve read about on social media or even seen at some of the shows we attended as kids in the past, I’m sure. People like Betsy Granger, The Mad Prince, and Daron Smythe.”

”Hmm, I’ll be honest, big brother, I don’t think I know any of them, probably came along after I stopped watching the big burly men and scantily clad women rocking it up inside the ring!”

”Fair enough, but you'd better get your ass back in the game now I’m about to make it big!”

”Oh, of course, Rowan! I’ll make sure to come visit for your first big Pay-Per-View event or something ok?”

Rowan doesn’t respond, he’s watching the water bubble around one of the Marina docks, his thoughts well away. He clears his throat.

”I miss you, Juney…”

”Ro, we spoke less than forty-eight hours ago.”

”We did, but can’t a guy miss his sibling? We may not be twins but we share that bond still! You know?”

”I know, I know… And I miss you too, boogaloo. Listen Vicki wants to go to this New Years market thing that’s doing the rounds on the Upper East Side. Give me a call during the week before your match ok?”

”Sure thing… Have a good one, oh and if you see anything you think I might like, grab it for me. Like maybe another of those mini dragon figurines you got me a few years back!” Oh someone’s at the door gotta go. Love ya Junebug!”

”Will do, love ya too Ro…”

Rowan hangs up the phone as the door knocks for what’s now the second time. He looks through the peephole and then opens it. Standing on the other side, dressed in a red and gold button-down and black slacks, is one of the hotel staff members. His name tag reads Jacob, and the other badge, this one stitched on, states the name of the hotel, The Kimpton Epic.

”Good morning, sir, I’m sorry to disturb you as I’m sure you’ve just had a long ride in… But, you’re The Curious One on YouTube aren’t you?”

”Uhm, yeah… Yeah I am.”

Rowan had to chuckle at this, because he’s never been recognised outside of Harpers Ferry before, okay, granted he’s barely travelled out of Harpers Ferry before; one of the reasons he was sure his mom would freak out about moving to Miami, but the fact remains.

”I thought it was you! I didn’t want to bother you, but I’m a huge fan. Please don’t worry, I wasn’t knocking on your door for a photo or autograph. It’s about what you do.”

”What I… Do? Sorry, are we talking about my YouTube videos or?”

”Yeah, what else would..-”

”Oh, you’ll see soon enough, but come in, sorry man, I’m being rude.”

”Oh no, I can’t, I’m still working. However, not many people are aware that the Kimpton Epic has had several reports in the last year or so. Paranormal stuff…”

Rowan’s ears have now perked up, he thought, until he got an apartment, he’d be staying in a luxuriously plush but wholly boring hotel, down by the Marina. Judging by the way this conversation is going, not a chance!

”Okay… Like, what? Noises, shadows, that type of thing?”

”All that plus, footsteps, full body apparitions, EVP’s on top of disembodied voices, the usual bangs and bumps too. Primarily on the ground floor which is our service area for staff.”

”That’s really interesting, man, thanks for letting me know! Hey, maybe if your staff have had incidents, they can write them down, doesn’t have to be pages and I’ll do a video of it while I’m staying here.”

”Hey that would be cool… Or…”

”Or…?”

Jacob’s eyes light up, and he gets a little grin on his face… He fishes into a pocket and pulls out a small set of keys.

”I’ve already told my manager you’ve checked in, she’s also a huge fan! And she said, if you want to, of course… I can give you our spare keys, and you can, like, do an investigation down there, being as you’ve no check out date yet?”

Now it’s Rowan’s eyes’ turn to light up as he takes the keys from Jacob. He turns them in his hand.

”Are you sure? I mean, what time would I be able to go down there?”

”Well, the kitchen shuts at like 11:30pm until 5am. We do have some housekeepers come in early, but not much earlier than that. So, between say 11:45pm and 4:30am would very likely be your window to investigate without issues.”

Rowan can barely believe he’s only just arrived in Miami, hasn’t even visited the local gym or eWo training centre yet, and here he is, already being given the chance to produce his content in his accommodation! He thanks Jacob and drops him a twenty before closing the door. He chucks the keys in the air and catches them as the scene slowly fades to black…



The LIVE flashes on YouTube screens across America and some internationally as one of the double doors leading to the service hallway opens. We can’t see Rowan’s face, but we know it is him behind the camera. He places down a small bag and turns it towards himself…

”Alright, guys, it’s just after midnight, and I’ve just made my way down to the basement area, if you will, of the Kimpton Epic hotel, where I’m staying until I can get an apartment here in Miami. I see there are already several of you in the chat, hey guys! So earlier today, Jacob, one of the staff here, gave me a set of keys, told me this place was haunted, so here I am!”

Rowan takes out a cell phone and switches on a “Spirit Talker” app it spits out some weird words, just calibrating, as he sets it down and switches off the light switch at the wall, plunging him and us into darkness.

”Never been here before, honestly, hotels in general are a brand new environment for me. Much like the eWo and wrestling on the big circuit is a brand new experience for me, I guess. Two for the price of one. But this place already has me on edge… I thought I’d heard footsteps creeping on the stairs behind me, as I was coming into this area… Much like the footsteps of my opponents creeping up on my momentum, come, Redemption XVII…

I’m facing something different in this place, just like I’ll be facing something different in Smythe; all this time, and I still can’t figure out if it’s Smith or Sm-Eye-Th? But in any case, him… Granger and The Mad Prince… But regarding Daron, this is a guy I look up to, if nothing more than he showed me how to navigate. He was born and raised in a place not even five hours' drive from me, and he raised himself right, something I’ve always maintained I did with some handbook help. Now, Daron Smythe isn’t ancient like some of the entities I’ve come across while doing this, but he is older than me, so much so that he could almost be my dad. But with age comes experience, and his wall of titles speaks for itself! He’s held belts in the AWS, PMLL, UWL, and ECWF, among others… I mean Christ, the man is brutal, he’s a beast, and I’m not entirely sure I’m pleased being put in a match against him first… And he’s not the only one there!”

Suddenly, the Spirit Box flashes and a word appears on the screen, followed by a metallic female voice, saying the same word… SCARED. Rowan looks directly into the camera and nods.

”Yep! Chat, I’m definitely scared right now; it’s eerie. And I’m not going to lie, I’m scared about setting foot in the eWo Arena on January 14th, too. I said there were others in the match I’ve been booked in, two more in fact, including another former belt holder in places past, the Wayward Wanderer, Betsy Granger… Another individual who knows her way around a ring and knows how to get the best out of an opponent. Her tenure in many places, most notably for some, the XWF, is nothing to be sniffed at either.”

Rowan begins to walk down the hall slowly, hearing what sounds like shuffling in an off-room. He spins his flashlight in that direction.

”Hello? Anyone in there? I’ve got permission from the hotel manager to be down here. Whether you’re a living person or, erm, former living person, I don’t mean any harm or to intrude!”

As Rowan makes his way into the room, just a peek, he (and we) hear three soft, faint knocks on the wall. This makes him jump slightly, and he spins the camera to where it came from.

”Three knocks… Just like the sound of a referee's hand slapping the mat three times, when one of us is pinned at Redemption! Hopefully that’s not me, but when I’m in the ring with the likes of Smythe, Granger, and of course The Mad Prince… You just never know. This man, too, is another whose name is on the lips of wrestling fans across the globe. Another who’s shown his hand in other promotions and held onto their belts for dear life. A man who I wonder would want to make people his shadow slave… But I digress. The Mad Prince is more than likely who I’m looking for both inside and outside the ring given this hustle.”

Suddenly, the Spirit Box comes to life again, and another word, no a phrase this time, is spat out. DON’T BE NERVOUS . A chuckle escapes Rowan’s lips.

”Chat, it said ‘don’t be nervous,’ how the hell can I not be nervous? Either in here or for when I set foot inside the eWo Arena on January 14th to face off against three individuals who’ve been doing this for some time? Three people, who for all intents and purposes, regardless of what side of the fence they sit on, may very well get a bigger reaction than me because nobody knows me?!

I’m going into the match not only as the underdog, but also the unknown! Unless you’re a fan of wrestling who’s been watching me here for however long, you’re not going to know who I am. I’ve got no belts, no match of the year awards, or even nominations…

But all three of my opponents have these things, at least that I've seen, in abundance. They’ve all appeared in arenas nationally and otherwise. They’ve all held titles and been respected and feared in equal measure in the ring…”

Another word pops up on the Spirit Box as Rowan begins to move down the corridor again… CURIOUS. He stops, shows it to the camera, and laughs.

”It just said curious! Hah! That’s right, that’s me. The Curious One! Rowan Vance… I am very curious, I’m curious to know who you are, but I’m also very curious to know and learn more about my opponents at Redemption! I’m very curious to know what actually makes them tick, not just what I’ve seen watching these guys and girls on television.

Whether you are “The First Son,” “The Impossible Traveller,” or “#1,” it doesn’t matter; to me, you’re all the same. You are all destined to become the ones who didn’t win when you faced Rowan Vance. You’re all destined to be the downfall of the Debutant. But I mean, aren’t we all new in some form or another? Yes, but I’m the only one who’s never done this before this coming Redemption, I’m the only one who’s never held a title, I’m the only one who’s never had a crowd chant his name while he places somebody in “The Long Night” or “The Vanishing Point,” hell I’m the only one of us that’s never had someone in their finisher that wasn’t just seeing if it hurt enough…

I am that guy who is walking into nothing… Walking into the ominous silence that surrounds you. I am the one who is curious at everything he sees and has to find out how it works, how it can be curated… I am the guy who wh…-“

Rowan is cut off by the Spirit Box talking again. Three words. FOLLOW THE SHADOW. Ryan looks up and ahead of him as if a person is peeking around the corner, is a darkness within the darkness.

”Chat I’m not sure if you can see this in front of me, but it looks like a wisp of black smoke just poking itself around that corner, it’s dark on dark… The Spirt Box literally just said follow the shadow, so that’s what I’m going to do.

Just like at Redemption XVII, I’m walking into the unknown. If you’ve enjoyed this guys walk with me! Like and subscribe, that includes you too Smythe, Granger, and Prince! I know you’re watching! Now I’m gonna step into the darkness and see what comes of it!

I am Rowan Vance. And I am The Curious One!”

With that, Rowan stands and begins to walk towards the shadowy thing in the corner. Suddenly the YouTube live feed cuts and we fade — to — black.
]]> <![CDATA[RV Tapes | Prologue]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49887 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:49:24 -0700 Rowan Vance]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49887 (OOC: These next few RP's are the story of Rowan's lead into wrestling so far. his backstory if you will...)

December 27th, 2025...

The rush of the Potomac can be heard below as the shaky first person image rocks back and forth, heavy breathing an additional undertone to the footsteps clanking over the rickety, wooden bridge that appears to be of use more as a visual effect than a tool for crossing the waters that are flowing underfoot…

”You know, I’ve visited this part of the riverbank several times growing up, but I don’t recall these stories.”

The angle flips with the camera now clearly focusing on the person holding it, Rowan Vance.

”We get lots of tall tales here in Appalachia, some of them even hold weight, ring true. But I’ve never heard of a Goatman of Harpers Ferry! However, being the ever-so thorough investigator that I am, or nosey as my mom says, and not one to let you guys down, here I am investigating!”

Rowan sets down a motion detector at one end of the bridge, before slowly standing to make his way to the other end. Still, before he can, he (and we) hear what can only be described as an outrageous snarl-like sound and then suddenly something moves quickly through the brush down by the riverbank, causing Rowan to jump, which in turn makes him slip. His yell and the splash of the water become an inaudible din as we pan back to see the footage being played on a relatively modern laptop.

In his bedroom and shaking his head in mock shame is the very same Rowan Vance, sitting behind him, on the bed is his younger, more sarcastic but still fiercely loyal sister, June. She is currently almost unable to keep herself seated upright from laughing at what she’s just seen on the laptop.

”Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, dear sister of mine! But you know as well as I do, that wasn’t normal!”

”I know nothing, I heard a noise that sounded like that weird old man who sleeps down by the train yard grunting and running away, and then you fell in the river!”

Rowan shuts the laptop, making faces at June, who laughs even harder at his reaction.

”No, you’re right, it did sound a bit odd, but watching you fall was gold! Have you uploaded this yet?”

”No way, I’m a serious social commentator. If I publish this online, I’ll be a laughing stock!”

”Rowan, I came home from college for Christmas because the parental units downstairs guilt tripped me into coming… Right now, you’re my only source of entertainment! Besides, how many people in Harpers Ferry actually watch your content?”

”There’s a ton, Juney!”

June tilts her head and raises an eyebrow…

”Ok, ok… A handful.”

June pushes her face forward, widening her eyes more and giving Rowan the “sure, Jan!” Look.

“Okay, okay, fine! One….”

”And that just happens to be…?”

The teasing look on Rowan’s sister’s face wasn’t appreciated, and he knew that one person was her. Still, he was used to her way of speaking to him, hell, he was used to her existence period, it was who she was and who she was, was June Vance, photography major at NYU and one of the only people he could trust with everything… Speaking of everything…

”And what about the other thing?”

”Oh, yeah, I received an email this morning, actually.”

June looked at the bedroom door, knowing this conversation wasn’t for their parents' ears and shuffled closer, almost kneeling on the floor while Rowan stood and walked to his mini fridge, pulling a can of Dr. Pepper out and handing it to his sister, grabbing a second and cracking it open.

”Well? What happened?”

”I’ve signed a contract baby sis. I move south right after new year.”

”And you tell mom and dad when?”

Now it was Rowan’s turn to make the “come on now” face. June chuckled as she cracked her own Dr. Pepper open.

”Okay, okay… So where is it? Miami, right?”

”Yeah, day and a half if I feel like driving to see you in NYU… Or vice versa. Three hours if we fly, just under a day by AmTrak…”

”Well let’s be honest, big brother… One of us is a student, the other is a professional Wrestler…”

”Erm, potential.”

”Bonifide! Besides my point is only one of us can afford the journey, so it’s very likely you’ll be visiting me in The Big Apple! Besides, I could introduce you to my friend Vicki.”

Rowan flips June off as they both laugh. Vicki is a friend of his sisters that he’d spoken to once or twice over the phone and face-timed with, when chatting to his sister. He walks to the window, looking out over the mountain range in the distance.

”Well I’m pretty sure you wanna visit Little Havana, so maybe I’ll buy you a ticket to come see me… And maybe you can bring Vicki with you.”

Rowan winks, before he yawns and stretches. June stands up, taking another mouthful of her Dr. Pepper before reaching for the door handle.

”Okay big bro I get the hint… I will talk to you in the morning, hey I’m sorry if I never said thank you for cooking the Christmas Dinner this year, I’m surprised aunt Janet let you anywhere near the oven…”

”Well with her arthritis and all that I think she felt like I was her savior… and you’re welcome June-Bug”

June laughs and pushes him away as he reaches out to ruffle her hair. She turns as she floats out of the door, closing it behind her. He turns back toward his bed, flicking off the light as he drops onto it and closes his eyes…



January 2nd, 2026...

He looks at his watch as he stands there in the cold, as we get a full view of the image we see that it’s Rowan Vance. The time on the watch reads 2:15am and he’s standing outside the doors of a Greyhound bus as the driver loads his suitcase into the exterior compartment.

He looks at his ticket and jumps onto the bus, walking the aisle to find his seat… He places the rucksack he’s also carrying underneath and slides in. He opens his phone, reading the email his parents had sent him the night before but told him not to open until he was on the bus. He really believed his mom was gonna be upset with him so it took him a while to let her know.

But she wasn’t… She was going to miss him as the email stated but she knew he was growing up, she knew he has been wanting this since he first sat down and watched wrestling as a kid and she knew he was going to be big.

She also promised that his parents would come and visit him in Miami once he was settled… He closed out the email and pulled up his YouTube app and clicks Go Live…

”Good morning to all you early risers, or you guys and girls who haven’t slept yet. This is a different kind of livestream, because for the next thirty hours, you’ll be riding along with me on my journey from Harpers Ferry to Miami and the eWo! I will probably share some subscriber stories along the way but this live is more about me and my wrestling journey! So thanks for locking in and stick with me!”

Rowan leans back slightly as we pan off, watching the bus hiss as the doors close and it pulls away, leaving us to fade to black...
]]> (OOC: These next few RP's are the story of Rowan's lead into wrestling so far. his backstory if you will...)

December 27th, 2025...

The rush of the Potomac can be heard below as the shaky first person image rocks back and forth, heavy breathing an additional undertone to the footsteps clanking over the rickety, wooden bridge that appears to be of use more as a visual effect than a tool for crossing the waters that are flowing underfoot…

”You know, I’ve visited this part of the riverbank several times growing up, but I don’t recall these stories.”

The angle flips with the camera now clearly focusing on the person holding it, Rowan Vance.

”We get lots of tall tales here in Appalachia, some of them even hold weight, ring true. But I’ve never heard of a Goatman of Harpers Ferry! However, being the ever-so thorough investigator that I am, or nosey as my mom says, and not one to let you guys down, here I am investigating!”

Rowan sets down a motion detector at one end of the bridge, before slowly standing to make his way to the other end. Still, before he can, he (and we) hear what can only be described as an outrageous snarl-like sound and then suddenly something moves quickly through the brush down by the riverbank, causing Rowan to jump, which in turn makes him slip. His yell and the splash of the water become an inaudible din as we pan back to see the footage being played on a relatively modern laptop.

In his bedroom and shaking his head in mock shame is the very same Rowan Vance, sitting behind him, on the bed is his younger, more sarcastic but still fiercely loyal sister, June. She is currently almost unable to keep herself seated upright from laughing at what she’s just seen on the laptop.

”Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, dear sister of mine! But you know as well as I do, that wasn’t normal!”

”I know nothing, I heard a noise that sounded like that weird old man who sleeps down by the train yard grunting and running away, and then you fell in the river!”

Rowan shuts the laptop, making faces at June, who laughs even harder at his reaction.

”No, you’re right, it did sound a bit odd, but watching you fall was gold! Have you uploaded this yet?”

”No way, I’m a serious social commentator. If I publish this online, I’ll be a laughing stock!”

”Rowan, I came home from college for Christmas because the parental units downstairs guilt tripped me into coming… Right now, you’re my only source of entertainment! Besides, how many people in Harpers Ferry actually watch your content?”

”There’s a ton, Juney!”

June tilts her head and raises an eyebrow…

”Ok, ok… A handful.”

June pushes her face forward, widening her eyes more and giving Rowan the “sure, Jan!” Look.

“Okay, okay, fine! One….”

”And that just happens to be…?”

The teasing look on Rowan’s sister’s face wasn’t appreciated, and he knew that one person was her. Still, he was used to her way of speaking to him, hell, he was used to her existence period, it was who she was and who she was, was June Vance, photography major at NYU and one of the only people he could trust with everything… Speaking of everything…

”And what about the other thing?”

”Oh, yeah, I received an email this morning, actually.”

June looked at the bedroom door, knowing this conversation wasn’t for their parents' ears and shuffled closer, almost kneeling on the floor while Rowan stood and walked to his mini fridge, pulling a can of Dr. Pepper out and handing it to his sister, grabbing a second and cracking it open.

”Well? What happened?”

”I’ve signed a contract baby sis. I move south right after new year.”

”And you tell mom and dad when?”

Now it was Rowan’s turn to make the “come on now” face. June chuckled as she cracked her own Dr. Pepper open.

”Okay, okay… So where is it? Miami, right?”

”Yeah, day and a half if I feel like driving to see you in NYU… Or vice versa. Three hours if we fly, just under a day by AmTrak…”

”Well let’s be honest, big brother… One of us is a student, the other is a professional Wrestler…”

”Erm, potential.”

”Bonifide! Besides my point is only one of us can afford the journey, so it’s very likely you’ll be visiting me in The Big Apple! Besides, I could introduce you to my friend Vicki.”

Rowan flips June off as they both laugh. Vicki is a friend of his sisters that he’d spoken to once or twice over the phone and face-timed with, when chatting to his sister. He walks to the window, looking out over the mountain range in the distance.

”Well I’m pretty sure you wanna visit Little Havana, so maybe I’ll buy you a ticket to come see me… And maybe you can bring Vicki with you.”

Rowan winks, before he yawns and stretches. June stands up, taking another mouthful of her Dr. Pepper before reaching for the door handle.

”Okay big bro I get the hint… I will talk to you in the morning, hey I’m sorry if I never said thank you for cooking the Christmas Dinner this year, I’m surprised aunt Janet let you anywhere near the oven…”

”Well with her arthritis and all that I think she felt like I was her savior… and you’re welcome June-Bug”

June laughs and pushes him away as he reaches out to ruffle her hair. She turns as she floats out of the door, closing it behind her. He turns back toward his bed, flicking off the light as he drops onto it and closes his eyes…



January 2nd, 2026...

He looks at his watch as he stands there in the cold, as we get a full view of the image we see that it’s Rowan Vance. The time on the watch reads 2:15am and he’s standing outside the doors of a Greyhound bus as the driver loads his suitcase into the exterior compartment.

He looks at his ticket and jumps onto the bus, walking the aisle to find his seat… He places the rucksack he’s also carrying underneath and slides in. He opens his phone, reading the email his parents had sent him the night before but told him not to open until he was on the bus. He really believed his mom was gonna be upset with him so it took him a while to let her know.

But she wasn’t… She was going to miss him as the email stated but she knew he was growing up, she knew he has been wanting this since he first sat down and watched wrestling as a kid and she knew he was going to be big.

She also promised that his parents would come and visit him in Miami once he was settled… He closed out the email and pulled up his YouTube app and clicks Go Live…

”Good morning to all you early risers, or you guys and girls who haven’t slept yet. This is a different kind of livestream, because for the next thirty hours, you’ll be riding along with me on my journey from Harpers Ferry to Miami and the eWo! I will probably share some subscriber stories along the way but this live is more about me and my wrestling journey! So thanks for locking in and stick with me!”

Rowan leans back slightly as we pan off, watching the bus hiss as the doors close and it pulls away, leaving us to fade to black...
]]> <![CDATA[Rescue or Disastercue]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49866 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 03:12:06 -0700 JuliaC]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49866 This takes place the morning after the events of Modern Day Disasterpiece

Link: https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49849

[Image: dua1re.jpg]


After flagrantly breaking some rules/laws in Dubai, Korvayne and her muse Chadsworth made their great escape using a Rocketpack. It turned out that Dubai's police and military had epic levels of technology and were waiting for the dastardly duo when they landed a short time later. Had Dubai settled for buying their equipment from ten year old slave laborers in China or Russia, Korvayne and her muse would've easily escaped.

But Dubai buys from America.

And the pair were arrested and jailed.

On the morning of March 1st, the day after America and Israel started bombing Iran, Korvayne found herself perched atop the broad back of her muse while he cranked out his morning set of 1,000 pushups. Her beefy buns, those spectacular glutes that she'd spent years in the gym sculping to perfection, would not be disgraced by sitting on a slab of concrete in some Dubai jail cell.

"We totally lucked out, Chadsworth. They didn't segregate us."

Dubai would've segregated them had the chaos of the Iranian war not stirred unrest locally and stoked paranoia about spies. The jail filled up quickly because of it.

"But," She hopped off his back when she saw a guard passing by. "THEY STILL HAVEN'T GIVEN ME MY ONE PHONE CALL AND ALLOWED ME TO BOND OUT!" Her voice boomed loud enough to make the policeman jump. "Hey Habibi, racka racka Mohammed jihad or whatever, I want to bond out. I'm loaded. I could buy Dubai if I wanted. And I want my phone call too!"

The guard squared up to her from the other side of the bars and yelled a string of stuff in his native tongue. He mixed some broken and distorted English in as well. To the best of her understanding he'd told her that this isn't America and her money can't pay for the insult to the Prophet she did in her painting.

She stepped away from the bars and gulped. Her heart bottomed out. "Uhhhh, Chadsworth? I think we might be boned here. I think Habibi just told me my money is no good here."

Her muse grumbled and stood up. "Nothing a show of dominance can't fix." The equally ignorant member of the duo grabbed the bars and summoned his mighty muscles in preparation to bend them or totally rip away the jail cell door.

TBC by anyone or multiple peoples. Has your character gotten wind that the debutant has been arrested and you bond her out since they won't let her? Would it be out of the kindness of your character's heart or for a favor owed to be called in later? Or has your character also gotten into trouble and gets thrown into the holding cell with them? Maybe your character joins them in an escape? 

I liked what King Kieran, Kentucky, and Mr. Oz are doing in the character development thread so I thought it'd be kewl to fool around with it too.]]> This takes place the morning after the events of Modern Day Disasterpiece

Link: https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49849

[Image: dua1re.jpg]


After flagrantly breaking some rules/laws in Dubai, Korvayne and her muse Chadsworth made their great escape using a Rocketpack. It turned out that Dubai's police and military had epic levels of technology and were waiting for the dastardly duo when they landed a short time later. Had Dubai settled for buying their equipment from ten year old slave laborers in China or Russia, Korvayne and her muse would've easily escaped.

But Dubai buys from America.

And the pair were arrested and jailed.

On the morning of March 1st, the day after America and Israel started bombing Iran, Korvayne found herself perched atop the broad back of her muse while he cranked out his morning set of 1,000 pushups. Her beefy buns, those spectacular glutes that she'd spent years in the gym sculping to perfection, would not be disgraced by sitting on a slab of concrete in some Dubai jail cell.

"We totally lucked out, Chadsworth. They didn't segregate us."

Dubai would've segregated them had the chaos of the Iranian war not stirred unrest locally and stoked paranoia about spies. The jail filled up quickly because of it.

"But," She hopped off his back when she saw a guard passing by. "THEY STILL HAVEN'T GIVEN ME MY ONE PHONE CALL AND ALLOWED ME TO BOND OUT!" Her voice boomed loud enough to make the policeman jump. "Hey Habibi, racka racka Mohammed jihad or whatever, I want to bond out. I'm loaded. I could buy Dubai if I wanted. And I want my phone call too!"

The guard squared up to her from the other side of the bars and yelled a string of stuff in his native tongue. He mixed some broken and distorted English in as well. To the best of her understanding he'd told her that this isn't America and her money can't pay for the insult to the Prophet she did in her painting.

She stepped away from the bars and gulped. Her heart bottomed out. "Uhhhh, Chadsworth? I think we might be boned here. I think Habibi just told me my money is no good here."

Her muse grumbled and stood up. "Nothing a show of dominance can't fix." The equally ignorant member of the duo grabbed the bars and summoned his mighty muscles in preparation to bend them or totally rip away the jail cell door.

TBC by anyone or multiple peoples. Has your character gotten wind that the debutant has been arrested and you bond her out since they won't let her? Would it be out of the kindness of your character's heart or for a favor owed to be called in later? Or has your character also gotten into trouble and gets thrown into the holding cell with them? Maybe your character joins them in an escape? 

I liked what King Kieran, Kentucky, and Mr. Oz are doing in the character development thread so I thought it'd be kewl to fool around with it too.]]> <![CDATA[HEAR YE! HEAR YE! THE KING'S TOURNEY RETURNS!]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49848 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:11:26 -0800 Kieran King]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49848 Transcending history and the world, a tale of souls and swords, eternally retold.
Welcome back to the stage of history.
All who seek power can be corrupted.
All who seek glory can be sullied.
The almighty ones have offered you a path towards your own fate.
A king wields a sword.
Fate wields its own.
What will you wield to forge your own destiny?
Your soul still burns.

"In honour of King Kieran, first of his name, Star of the Year, Universal Champion, King of the XWF, King of the Universe, King of the Union, and the greatest tournament competitor in XWF history, you are cordially invited to the King's Tourney II! This will be a video game contest where XWF roster members compete to be crowned Champion! Last year's Tourney - a jousting competition - was won by none other than XWF Legend, Centurion!

*The King's Tourney II is brought to you by XWF March Madness 26 - releasing soon on all systems that the Trillionaire Trimuvirate was able to bribe convince to carry their malware game."



OOC: What is this?

The opening match of March Madness will be an open-invitation match with a 300 word hard limit. Roleplay as if your character is a video game character competing in a tournament with the fate of the world at stake!  E.g., I would be still be Kieran King, but a fighting game adaptation of the character.

What's your backstory? The better you play off your usual character, the better. What weapon, abilities or powers do you have? What outcome do you want for the world?

Judged solely on entertainment, sticking to the theme, and the usual things like no AI, etc., the rest of it is up to you!]]> Transcending history and the world, a tale of souls and swords, eternally retold.
Welcome back to the stage of history.
All who seek power can be corrupted.
All who seek glory can be sullied.
The almighty ones have offered you a path towards your own fate.
A king wields a sword.
Fate wields its own.
What will you wield to forge your own destiny?
Your soul still burns.

"In honour of King Kieran, first of his name, Star of the Year, Universal Champion, King of the XWF, King of the Universe, King of the Union, and the greatest tournament competitor in XWF history, you are cordially invited to the King's Tourney II! This will be a video game contest where XWF roster members compete to be crowned Champion! Last year's Tourney - a jousting competition - was won by none other than XWF Legend, Centurion!

*The King's Tourney II is brought to you by XWF March Madness 26 - releasing soon on all systems that the Trillionaire Trimuvirate was able to bribe convince to carry their malware game."



OOC: What is this?

The opening match of March Madness will be an open-invitation match with a 300 word hard limit. Roleplay as if your character is a video game character competing in a tournament with the fate of the world at stake!  E.g., I would be still be Kieran King, but a fighting game adaptation of the character.

What's your backstory? The better you play off your usual character, the better. What weapon, abilities or powers do you have? What outcome do you want for the world?

Judged solely on entertainment, sticking to the theme, and the usual things like no AI, etc., the rest of it is up to you!]]> <![CDATA[Come Back | Okie Dokie]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49780 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:24:57 -0800 Game Girl]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49780 OOC: If you know about Game Girl’s lore and backstory or don’t care about it, go ahead and skip this thing. I thought this might be good to do since her story has been going on for over 10 years and has been “reset” a few times. I feel an abridged version would be helpful to not just me, but anyone who faces GG and has to deal with her baggage, for lack of a better term. I’ll put a TL;DR at the end as well so people can just skip to that if they wish.


The room is warm.

Red curtains fall in waves covering the walls.

A black and white checkered floor, like a chessboard.

Steve Sayors, a knuckle to his forehead as he leans an elbow on a grand piano in front of him. Smoke drifts up from the cigarette in his other hand as his knee bounces erratically, his polished dress shoe pressed against the tile floor.

With a quick head snap, he smiles. His leg stops fidgeting, the wrinkles on his forehead smooth as he looks to Game Girl who stands there awkwardly, never entering but wasn’t always there. She smirks and gives a small wave of her robotic hand.

Steve stamps the cigarette out hastily and stands up with a sigh of relief, rushing over to shake her hand.

“Game Girl!” He grabs her hands gently and smiles. “So glad you could join us!”

“Erm.” She shifts slightly with a cough of a laugh, “Thanks for having me?”

Her words lift in the end, as if she has no idea why she’s in this room. Steve sits on the piano stool and scoots it forward slightly and ushers GG to her seat across from him, she accepts and crosses one leg over the other, patting her knees with both hands.

“Off the record, honestly I didn't think anyone else wanted to talk to me! It’s just been Razor, Deena, Latoya, Bit Luchadors non-stop recently!” Steve chuckles to himself.

GG gives a “Hm” with a smile before replying, “They seem nice!”

“Oh they’re great don’t get me wrong but it’s nice to have a change of pace, y’know?” He gives a nervous laugh, adjusting his tie and sweeping his hair back. “You ready?”

“S-sure!” Her eyes widened as she looked across the room to the crew, cameras pointed at her. “Ready for what, exactly?”

“Your interview!” He scoffs, “You’re gonna tell us ALL about Game Girl, from the very beginning to right now.”

“All of it!?” She exclaims, giving a nervous glance around. “It’s a long story, Mr. Sayors-”

“Ah!” He points a finger, “Please call me Steve and don’t worry we’ve got time I just want to hear about you!”

His shoulders lift and drop as he smiles and Game Girl clears her throat, grabbing the water sat beside her and drinking heartily.

“We’re rolling in THREE…” A voice comes from the stage. “TWO…”

GG slurps the water looking off to the side.

“Hello XWF Multiverse!” Steve greets us with a smirk, “And welcome to an exclusive interview. You may know her as the ever-optimistic heroine who bested the likes of Bobby Bourbon and Sebastian Duke over ten years ago or the lovable Overseer from War Games: Fallout, or being the part of the House of Hardcore helmed by legend Scoops McGee, but most of you know her as Game Girl or simply, Paige.”

Steve unfurls a hand towards GG who smiles politely. “Hey…” :)

“Paige, thank you for being here today and listen I don’t want to waste your time, I know you must be busy prepping for March Madness VIII but can you share your story? How did you come to the XWF?”

“Well…” She gives a heavy exhale, “Like I said, Steve, it’s a long story and I haven’t really tried to think about it a lot.”

“Please.” Steve crosses a leg over. “You have fans old and new, I’m sure they’d love to hear all of it.”

“Hm… Okay…” Game Girl looks down pondering. The curtains around her slowly raise and the darkness behind them gradually turns into rolling hills of lush green grass and a beautiful cyan sky. “I don’t remember growing up. Just one day, I existed.”

“I was a normal girl! Kinda jaded I guess, didn’t really have friends or family, had this anger in me. Like it was encoded. Probably was, ha.” She looks to Steve with a slight chuckle who nods along quietly listening. “I didn’t like authority.”

“Then…”

“I met Game Boy. I was gonna beat him up or something, I can barely even remember now but he was stronger than me, faster than me and definitely more stupid than me. And that’s the last memory of my life. Like… MY life.”

“I’m sorry,” Steve inquires, “I don’t think I understand.”

She huffs before taking another sip of water and setting it back down to look Steve in the eyes. “I’ll try and give the best context I can.” The images behind show her and Game Boy running through forests, beating up skeletons, rushing over to the castle in the center of Narfinex City. “Me and Game Boy hung out, quickly became friends, he was endearing in a weird way. He made me laugh! It was fun.”

“We met other heroes, we met Princess, we… We started a quest.” She snorts a laugh shaking her head before her smile quickly fades. “There was, is, a corruption in my home. Something that twists things, deletes them and replaces them with entities I can’t describe. One of these things was something called a Titan, a huge monster capable of destroying a city.”

“Game Boy…”

She pauses for a moment.

“He… He sacrificed himself to save everyone, he knew he was on his last life but he did it to save us. And somehow, I got his powers when he died.”

“And his memories.”

“And his likes and dislikes, his joy and sadness. Everything.”

“I was him, and he was me. And that’s just how it’s been since.”

“Wow.” Steve nods slowly, “That’s a lot, I’m sorry. Just a follow-up, or a few follow-ups. Game Boy, he was on his last life?”

“Yeah,” she forces a smile, “We knew we were in a video game, or some of us did anyway, and Game Boy had extra lives like you would in a game.”

“Oh, interesting, do you have the same then?”

“I don’t know.” She runs itches across her chest, the large scar concealed under her clothes. “And I don’t want to find out, honestly.”

“But if you and Game Boy are the same, you’ve got these powers, surely you would have extra lives?” Steve places a finger against his lip.

“Maybe!” She shrugs, “But I’ve lived a lot of lives, Steve, I have no idea if I’m on my last one or not.”

“Of course, these lives being the"resets" you’ve talked about. Could you tell us more about them?”

“Ermmmm….” Game Girl furrows her brow.

The images behind her go dark and the world is thrust into darkness for a moment.

“Hi everybody!”

A fat man in a grey shirt gives a wave, sitting at his desk looking towards the webcam perched atop his computer.

“Gabe Bachgan here and today I want to talk about my game, Tale of Narfinex! Specifically addressing some criticisms you may or may not have had with it! But before I continue I want to point out that 90% of viewers aren’t subscribed to my channel-”

The screen jolts as we skip through in increments of 10 seconds.

“-more from them later in the video.”

“Now, when I was working on this game over 30 years ago with my crew at FunSoft, we knew we had something special on our hands. Due to myself being a perfectionist and dwindling funds, the game was never released…”

“Until now! And you can buy it on PC and console, today! I know reviews are mixed, but stick around and I’ll explain my roadmap to making everything perfect! And before you trolls in the comments say anything, no I am not refunding any of Kickstarter backers! It was stated very early on!”

“Anyway!” He forces a smile before adjusting his glasses, “Let’s get to the main topic of this video.”

“The dreaded resets!” Gabe puts on a spooky voice and wiggles his fingers. “OooOOoooOOOooooHHhh!!!”

He laughs to himself before sighing. “There’s been a lot of rumors going around about how the game USED to be before I had to carry on the work solo. And what these trolls are referring to is previous builds! Y’know, like any other video game!”

“The original version back in the 90s was super safe and not interesting, bland characters defined by one trait. A dime a dozen story about a boy with great powers saving the princess. Bleh! It was redundant!”

“So I took it upon myself to change it! And it has gone through hundreds, maybe even THOUSANDS of renditions to get to what I call today, my magnum opus!”

“People complained about the lack of choices in the current version, lack of RPG elements but that wasn’t what I wanted to make! The story has always been about Guy! Or Game Boy as some call him, which isn't canon! That was just a working title for him! People complain about how there’s no co-op mode like we advertised way back when.”

He scoffs.

“Nobody cared about Paige! She wasn’t meant to be part of the story! She’s a placeholder!”

“The story is about Guy and about a hero who gets turned to the dark side against his will! You-you don’t get choices in that scenario! I don’t know why you guys can’t understand that!”

Gabe breathes heavily, rubbing the stubble on his chin.

“This is my vision!”

“I changed the mundane into something unique!”

“Yeah! It’s buggy! I’ll fix it! I know what MY game is!”

“Jeez, just some of you guys are really up my ass.” Gabe smiles, “A lot like today’s sponsor MeUndies!-”

Blackness.



                             Then a buzz of static.



And the screen comes to life.


“Earlier we talked with “Glitchin’” Game Girl, let’s go now to that interview.”


“Folks, here's “Glitchin’” Game Girl. Game Girl you recently encountered the first reset that you noticed. Can you tell us about that?”

“Yip!”

Game Girl breathes heavily looking down the lens.

“Probably the hardest thing I had to see!”

She stutters slightly trying to keep composure.

“But I don’t like it, when realities chang-shift on a will-WHIM!”

Pete gives a look to the camera with a slight pout before looking back at Game Girl.

“That’s understandable! I too had to deal with a form of reality shifting in the shape of a time-travelling wrestler on occasion. Was what you had to deal with hard?”

“Yip!”

“After Game Boy die-Sacrificed himself, I became the Champ-HERO of Narfinex! And went on adventures to help stop a great evil. Until one day I saw Ga-Game Boy, he was the same but diff.. But not the same…”

“And this version? Was he the one who eventually betrayed you?”

“Yip!”

“Well… No actually.”

“You see the world I lived in turned the tables on me, turned the tables in a wrong way. The world kept on changing, the people around me changed too. But I stayed the same, I remembered every time. And at first… At first I tried to be optimistic, tried to play along.”

“But that didn’t last.”

She squints slightly, looking past the fuzz and the noise of the era she’s been propped up in.

“I… Retreated to other worlds, other games, Fallout for example. I hid.”

“I didn’t want to see my friends look at me like we never met, again.”

“And…”

“I… Uh…”

She stops again, looking down at the microphone pressed against her and up at Pete Rose who scrunches his face into a quizzical expression.

“The last time I saw Game Boy, that was the worst one.”

“He pretended to be my friend, knowing we never really knew each other.”

“I opened up to him, I vented!”

“And he stabbed me.”

“He tried to kill me.”

She sniffles, a tear running down her cheek.

“I managed to teleport to Scoops when I was falling off that cliff and he saved me.”

Pete Rose looks to the camera and back to Game Girl as she sobs. He uncharacteristically places a hand on her shoulder with a slight squeeze and motions with his other hand to cut the cameras.

“I owe Scoops everything.”

GG breaks down, closing her eyes tightly.

“How did you and Scoops meet?”

A familiar voice asks.

A dry, old voice.

Paige’s head snaps upward, the smell of burning logs hitting her nostrils as crickets chirp out to the star-filled night sky.

Game Girl looks around at her surroundings, an oddly familiar campsite by the side of a dirt road.

She looks to the fire, a cauldron above it and Gretchin swirling the contents looking back at her with those glistening, yellow orbs of light.

“Gretchin!” Paige lets out with joy before almost tackling her into a hug, “I missed you!”

Gretchin lets out an “Ooph” as the wind is taken out of her and she lets out a slight chuckle, her wiry hand patting Game Girl’s back.

Paige doesn’t let go, the tears don’t stop either.

“There, there, my dear. It’s okay.” Gretchin soothes her, rubbing her hand down her spine.

Gretchin’s large hat pushes into GG’s neck as she leans into the hug.

And although you couldn’t see Gretchin’s smile behind the veil of darkness.

Game Girl could hear it, feel it.

A warm, caring but deeply sad smile.

The exact same one Game Girl has on her face.

The two release and look at one another, Paige giving a laugh as she wipes her eyes.

“I know you’re not really here.” She sighs looking at the witch. “You’d never let me hug you for that long.”

“We’ll see when we finally meet again…” Gretchin comforts her, running an arm down hers and squeezing her hand tightly. “I’m sorry about what has happened to you.”

“I’m sorry it happened too.” She sniffles, sitting back down. “So, is all this a dream?”

“Possibly.” Gretchin sighs as she looks around the world. “Or it could be another universe, timeline… Who’s keeping track anymore, really?”

“Pfft.” GG splutters her lips, bringing her knees close to her chest. “Why do I gotta deal with all this crud? I just wanted to be normal.”

“Being normal is a luxury.” Gretchin groans as she steps off the stool at the base of the cauldron and sits beside Game Girl to look up at the stars. “You think I grew up wanting to be an all-seeing witch that spouted riddles?”

Paige snorts a laugh, “Yeah, actually.”

Gretchin laughs too, “Well, I did. Paid off well.”

The pair chuckle some more before the laughter dies down.

“So,” Gretchin turns to her and slaps GG’s knee. “Tell me about this Scoops guy, he single?”

“Ew!” GG upturns her lip, “He’s my friend! He saved my life.”

“How’d you two meet?”

“By chance, I guess? I wanted to get out of my hiding, go see Urf again. I did and I made friends, Atara, Dolly! Oh, you’d love Dolly. I thought doing that would scratch my itch but it didn’t and one day I’m on an adventure with wrestling legend Scoops McGee to save Vinnie Lane’s... Interesting wife, Roxy.”

“And me and Scoops kept being friends and teaming up! We won at War Games, we made more friends! We’re doing something! Something that matters!”

“And I find it funny that I’d follow him through everything because he’s so different than me. He’s a grumpy old man with a heart of gold and the mouth of a sailor. And I love him for it. He’s the best person I’ve ever met.”

“I’d do anything for him, but I know he’d never ask.”

“Hm.” Gretchin murmurs, “I feel like you said those words about someone else.”

Paige’s heart skips for a moment as she looks around, “Is… Is he here?”

“No.” Gretchin prods a bony finger into GG’s chest. “And yes.”

“Huh.” She scoffs. “No escaping him for me really is there?”

“Sadly, you’re him.” Gretchin looks into GG’s eyes. “And he’s you.”

Game Girl doesn’t respond, chewing her lip she looks down at the fire and warms her hands. Both of them, the cold metal of her left arm replaced with something soft and made of flesh, she feels the heat from the fire for the first time in a long time.

“Paige. . .”

Almost a whisper, but one that strikes her with force. Like a needle of ice clawing into her heart. She slowly turns, the forest around her ablaze. Bodies lay strewn around her.

“No..” She whimpers.

Game Boy stands there, clad in black armor and a blood red cape flowing behind him. Corrupted, dangerous. Resembling the great evil known as Mordekaiser but… Different.

Game Girl steps up positioning herself between GB and Gretchin who stays still, almost lifeless.

Game Boy lets out a long, ragged breath from behind his helm, his hands placed over the hilt of his greatsword dug into the scorched earth.

“You finally came back. . .” There’s a sickening pleasure to his words as he drives the sword up and begins stomping towards her.

Paige’s breath grows quick, her legs tremble, she tries to move forward but her feet refuse.

She throws out a hand but it feels like she’s moving in water.

He throws a hand to the dead around him as he encroaches, “You ran, they failed.”

Paige lets out a shaky breath as a spark of light forms in her open palm.

But GB grabs her wrist and bends it up. GG lets out a shock of pain.

“Just know. . .” His voice vibrates her skull as his grip tightens. “. . .All of this is your fault.”

With a wrench of his arm, tendons and muscle rips and he tears her arm leaving a messy, bloody stump.

She lets out a blood-curdling scream.

That turns into a gasp as she sits up in her bed breathing heavily, sweat runs down her face.

Paige runs a hand over her forehead as she takes in her surroundings.

She looks at her hands, one flesh, the other metal.

Then to the sun beaming through her window.

She falls back down onto her bed and lets out a long sigh that turns into a yawn.

Her frown and furrowed brow looks up to the ceiling.

Pasted there are pictures of the people close to her, Dolly, Atara, Calypso, NKWC, Hanari, Scoops, Dickie, Amber. Drawings of her from fans. Letters. XWF stills from her matches.

She breathes deeply, laying there for a minute, her pupils dotting around at the collage and gives a wobbly smile.

Her head turns to the side, past the alarm clock reading 1:12pm and to the calendar on the wall, a big red circle over the words "Therapist noon".

She closes her eyes and gives a sigh of disappointment before looking back up at the images of her friends. She kisses her teeth but gives another smile, a brighter one.

“Okie dokie!”


TL;DR: Tale of Narfinex was a shelved SNES game by its creator Gabe Bachgan and his company, FunSoft. Because it never saw the light of day for 30 years, some of the characters in the game became sentient. One of which was Game Boy who had super powers and could hop between universes/realities. He was a great hero who died saving Narfinex from a giant monster, and one of his allies named Paige inherited those powers, being the player 2 to GB’s player 1.

Paige or Game Girl, followed in Game Boy’s footsteps for a good long while until her world kept resetting over and over again with only Paige remembering everything. She got depressed and hid away in other video games until she came back and was convinced to stop Narinex's Big Bad Villian, Mordekaiser, saying if nothing matters, might as well go out swinging.

Paige tells her story of the resets, tells Game Boy he used to be the hero and through this, and Gabe wanting to change the game’s story, he “kills” Game Girl to take his powers back.

Doesn’t work, Paige is alive living with Scoops McGee who saved her life. She’s very messed up but optimistic and Game Boy is dealing with a lot of guilt and glitches.

Still TL;DR: Trauma happens to characters with stupid names. Video games bad.]]> OOC: If you know about Game Girl’s lore and backstory or don’t care about it, go ahead and skip this thing. I thought this might be good to do since her story has been going on for over 10 years and has been “reset” a few times. I feel an abridged version would be helpful to not just me, but anyone who faces GG and has to deal with her baggage, for lack of a better term. I’ll put a TL;DR at the end as well so people can just skip to that if they wish.


The room is warm.

Red curtains fall in waves covering the walls.

A black and white checkered floor, like a chessboard.

Steve Sayors, a knuckle to his forehead as he leans an elbow on a grand piano in front of him. Smoke drifts up from the cigarette in his other hand as his knee bounces erratically, his polished dress shoe pressed against the tile floor.

With a quick head snap, he smiles. His leg stops fidgeting, the wrinkles on his forehead smooth as he looks to Game Girl who stands there awkwardly, never entering but wasn’t always there. She smirks and gives a small wave of her robotic hand.

Steve stamps the cigarette out hastily and stands up with a sigh of relief, rushing over to shake her hand.

“Game Girl!” He grabs her hands gently and smiles. “So glad you could join us!”

“Erm.” She shifts slightly with a cough of a laugh, “Thanks for having me?”

Her words lift in the end, as if she has no idea why she’s in this room. Steve sits on the piano stool and scoots it forward slightly and ushers GG to her seat across from him, she accepts and crosses one leg over the other, patting her knees with both hands.

“Off the record, honestly I didn't think anyone else wanted to talk to me! It’s just been Razor, Deena, Latoya, Bit Luchadors non-stop recently!” Steve chuckles to himself.

GG gives a “Hm” with a smile before replying, “They seem nice!”

“Oh they’re great don’t get me wrong but it’s nice to have a change of pace, y’know?” He gives a nervous laugh, adjusting his tie and sweeping his hair back. “You ready?”

“S-sure!” Her eyes widened as she looked across the room to the crew, cameras pointed at her. “Ready for what, exactly?”

“Your interview!” He scoffs, “You’re gonna tell us ALL about Game Girl, from the very beginning to right now.”

“All of it!?” She exclaims, giving a nervous glance around. “It’s a long story, Mr. Sayors-”

“Ah!” He points a finger, “Please call me Steve and don’t worry we’ve got time I just want to hear about you!”

His shoulders lift and drop as he smiles and Game Girl clears her throat, grabbing the water sat beside her and drinking heartily.

“We’re rolling in THREE…” A voice comes from the stage. “TWO…”

GG slurps the water looking off to the side.

“Hello XWF Multiverse!” Steve greets us with a smirk, “And welcome to an exclusive interview. You may know her as the ever-optimistic heroine who bested the likes of Bobby Bourbon and Sebastian Duke over ten years ago or the lovable Overseer from War Games: Fallout, or being the part of the House of Hardcore helmed by legend Scoops McGee, but most of you know her as Game Girl or simply, Paige.”

Steve unfurls a hand towards GG who smiles politely. “Hey…” :)

“Paige, thank you for being here today and listen I don’t want to waste your time, I know you must be busy prepping for March Madness VIII but can you share your story? How did you come to the XWF?”

“Well…” She gives a heavy exhale, “Like I said, Steve, it’s a long story and I haven’t really tried to think about it a lot.”

“Please.” Steve crosses a leg over. “You have fans old and new, I’m sure they’d love to hear all of it.”

“Hm… Okay…” Game Girl looks down pondering. The curtains around her slowly raise and the darkness behind them gradually turns into rolling hills of lush green grass and a beautiful cyan sky. “I don’t remember growing up. Just one day, I existed.”

“I was a normal girl! Kinda jaded I guess, didn’t really have friends or family, had this anger in me. Like it was encoded. Probably was, ha.” She looks to Steve with a slight chuckle who nods along quietly listening. “I didn’t like authority.”

“Then…”

“I met Game Boy. I was gonna beat him up or something, I can barely even remember now but he was stronger than me, faster than me and definitely more stupid than me. And that’s the last memory of my life. Like… MY life.”

“I’m sorry,” Steve inquires, “I don’t think I understand.”

She huffs before taking another sip of water and setting it back down to look Steve in the eyes. “I’ll try and give the best context I can.” The images behind show her and Game Boy running through forests, beating up skeletons, rushing over to the castle in the center of Narfinex City. “Me and Game Boy hung out, quickly became friends, he was endearing in a weird way. He made me laugh! It was fun.”

“We met other heroes, we met Princess, we… We started a quest.” She snorts a laugh shaking her head before her smile quickly fades. “There was, is, a corruption in my home. Something that twists things, deletes them and replaces them with entities I can’t describe. One of these things was something called a Titan, a huge monster capable of destroying a city.”

“Game Boy…”

She pauses for a moment.

“He… He sacrificed himself to save everyone, he knew he was on his last life but he did it to save us. And somehow, I got his powers when he died.”

“And his memories.”

“And his likes and dislikes, his joy and sadness. Everything.”

“I was him, and he was me. And that’s just how it’s been since.”

“Wow.” Steve nods slowly, “That’s a lot, I’m sorry. Just a follow-up, or a few follow-ups. Game Boy, he was on his last life?”

“Yeah,” she forces a smile, “We knew we were in a video game, or some of us did anyway, and Game Boy had extra lives like you would in a game.”

“Oh, interesting, do you have the same then?”

“I don’t know.” She runs itches across her chest, the large scar concealed under her clothes. “And I don’t want to find out, honestly.”

“But if you and Game Boy are the same, you’ve got these powers, surely you would have extra lives?” Steve places a finger against his lip.

“Maybe!” She shrugs, “But I’ve lived a lot of lives, Steve, I have no idea if I’m on my last one or not.”

“Of course, these lives being the"resets" you’ve talked about. Could you tell us more about them?”

“Ermmmm….” Game Girl furrows her brow.

The images behind her go dark and the world is thrust into darkness for a moment.

“Hi everybody!”

A fat man in a grey shirt gives a wave, sitting at his desk looking towards the webcam perched atop his computer.

“Gabe Bachgan here and today I want to talk about my game, Tale of Narfinex! Specifically addressing some criticisms you may or may not have had with it! But before I continue I want to point out that 90% of viewers aren’t subscribed to my channel-”

The screen jolts as we skip through in increments of 10 seconds.

“-more from them later in the video.”

“Now, when I was working on this game over 30 years ago with my crew at FunSoft, we knew we had something special on our hands. Due to myself being a perfectionist and dwindling funds, the game was never released…”

“Until now! And you can buy it on PC and console, today! I know reviews are mixed, but stick around and I’ll explain my roadmap to making everything perfect! And before you trolls in the comments say anything, no I am not refunding any of Kickstarter backers! It was stated very early on!”

“Anyway!” He forces a smile before adjusting his glasses, “Let’s get to the main topic of this video.”

“The dreaded resets!” Gabe puts on a spooky voice and wiggles his fingers. “OooOOoooOOOooooHHhh!!!”

He laughs to himself before sighing. “There’s been a lot of rumors going around about how the game USED to be before I had to carry on the work solo. And what these trolls are referring to is previous builds! Y’know, like any other video game!”

“The original version back in the 90s was super safe and not interesting, bland characters defined by one trait. A dime a dozen story about a boy with great powers saving the princess. Bleh! It was redundant!”

“So I took it upon myself to change it! And it has gone through hundreds, maybe even THOUSANDS of renditions to get to what I call today, my magnum opus!”

“People complained about the lack of choices in the current version, lack of RPG elements but that wasn’t what I wanted to make! The story has always been about Guy! Or Game Boy as some call him, which isn't canon! That was just a working title for him! People complain about how there’s no co-op mode like we advertised way back when.”

He scoffs.

“Nobody cared about Paige! She wasn’t meant to be part of the story! She’s a placeholder!”

“The story is about Guy and about a hero who gets turned to the dark side against his will! You-you don’t get choices in that scenario! I don’t know why you guys can’t understand that!”

Gabe breathes heavily, rubbing the stubble on his chin.

“This is my vision!”

“I changed the mundane into something unique!”

“Yeah! It’s buggy! I’ll fix it! I know what MY game is!”

“Jeez, just some of you guys are really up my ass.” Gabe smiles, “A lot like today’s sponsor MeUndies!-”

Blackness.



                             Then a buzz of static.



And the screen comes to life.


“Earlier we talked with “Glitchin’” Game Girl, let’s go now to that interview.”


“Folks, here's “Glitchin’” Game Girl. Game Girl you recently encountered the first reset that you noticed. Can you tell us about that?”

“Yip!”

Game Girl breathes heavily looking down the lens.

“Probably the hardest thing I had to see!”

She stutters slightly trying to keep composure.

“But I don’t like it, when realities chang-shift on a will-WHIM!”

Pete gives a look to the camera with a slight pout before looking back at Game Girl.

“That’s understandable! I too had to deal with a form of reality shifting in the shape of a time-travelling wrestler on occasion. Was what you had to deal with hard?”

“Yip!”

“After Game Boy die-Sacrificed himself, I became the Champ-HERO of Narfinex! And went on adventures to help stop a great evil. Until one day I saw Ga-Game Boy, he was the same but diff.. But not the same…”

“And this version? Was he the one who eventually betrayed you?”

“Yip!”

“Well… No actually.”

“You see the world I lived in turned the tables on me, turned the tables in a wrong way. The world kept on changing, the people around me changed too. But I stayed the same, I remembered every time. And at first… At first I tried to be optimistic, tried to play along.”

“But that didn’t last.”

She squints slightly, looking past the fuzz and the noise of the era she’s been propped up in.

“I… Retreated to other worlds, other games, Fallout for example. I hid.”

“I didn’t want to see my friends look at me like we never met, again.”

“And…”

“I… Uh…”

She stops again, looking down at the microphone pressed against her and up at Pete Rose who scrunches his face into a quizzical expression.

“The last time I saw Game Boy, that was the worst one.”

“He pretended to be my friend, knowing we never really knew each other.”

“I opened up to him, I vented!”

“And he stabbed me.”

“He tried to kill me.”

She sniffles, a tear running down her cheek.

“I managed to teleport to Scoops when I was falling off that cliff and he saved me.”

Pete Rose looks to the camera and back to Game Girl as she sobs. He uncharacteristically places a hand on her shoulder with a slight squeeze and motions with his other hand to cut the cameras.

“I owe Scoops everything.”

GG breaks down, closing her eyes tightly.

“How did you and Scoops meet?”

A familiar voice asks.

A dry, old voice.

Paige’s head snaps upward, the smell of burning logs hitting her nostrils as crickets chirp out to the star-filled night sky.

Game Girl looks around at her surroundings, an oddly familiar campsite by the side of a dirt road.

She looks to the fire, a cauldron above it and Gretchin swirling the contents looking back at her with those glistening, yellow orbs of light.

“Gretchin!” Paige lets out with joy before almost tackling her into a hug, “I missed you!”

Gretchin lets out an “Ooph” as the wind is taken out of her and she lets out a slight chuckle, her wiry hand patting Game Girl’s back.

Paige doesn’t let go, the tears don’t stop either.

“There, there, my dear. It’s okay.” Gretchin soothes her, rubbing her hand down her spine.

Gretchin’s large hat pushes into GG’s neck as she leans into the hug.

And although you couldn’t see Gretchin’s smile behind the veil of darkness.

Game Girl could hear it, feel it.

A warm, caring but deeply sad smile.

The exact same one Game Girl has on her face.

The two release and look at one another, Paige giving a laugh as she wipes her eyes.

“I know you’re not really here.” She sighs looking at the witch. “You’d never let me hug you for that long.”

“We’ll see when we finally meet again…” Gretchin comforts her, running an arm down hers and squeezing her hand tightly. “I’m sorry about what has happened to you.”

“I’m sorry it happened too.” She sniffles, sitting back down. “So, is all this a dream?”

“Possibly.” Gretchin sighs as she looks around the world. “Or it could be another universe, timeline… Who’s keeping track anymore, really?”

“Pfft.” GG splutters her lips, bringing her knees close to her chest. “Why do I gotta deal with all this crud? I just wanted to be normal.”

“Being normal is a luxury.” Gretchin groans as she steps off the stool at the base of the cauldron and sits beside Game Girl to look up at the stars. “You think I grew up wanting to be an all-seeing witch that spouted riddles?”

Paige snorts a laugh, “Yeah, actually.”

Gretchin laughs too, “Well, I did. Paid off well.”

The pair chuckle some more before the laughter dies down.

“So,” Gretchin turns to her and slaps GG’s knee. “Tell me about this Scoops guy, he single?”

“Ew!” GG upturns her lip, “He’s my friend! He saved my life.”

“How’d you two meet?”

“By chance, I guess? I wanted to get out of my hiding, go see Urf again. I did and I made friends, Atara, Dolly! Oh, you’d love Dolly. I thought doing that would scratch my itch but it didn’t and one day I’m on an adventure with wrestling legend Scoops McGee to save Vinnie Lane’s... Interesting wife, Roxy.”

“And me and Scoops kept being friends and teaming up! We won at War Games, we made more friends! We’re doing something! Something that matters!”

“And I find it funny that I’d follow him through everything because he’s so different than me. He’s a grumpy old man with a heart of gold and the mouth of a sailor. And I love him for it. He’s the best person I’ve ever met.”

“I’d do anything for him, but I know he’d never ask.”

“Hm.” Gretchin murmurs, “I feel like you said those words about someone else.”

Paige’s heart skips for a moment as she looks around, “Is… Is he here?”

“No.” Gretchin prods a bony finger into GG’s chest. “And yes.”

“Huh.” She scoffs. “No escaping him for me really is there?”

“Sadly, you’re him.” Gretchin looks into GG’s eyes. “And he’s you.”

Game Girl doesn’t respond, chewing her lip she looks down at the fire and warms her hands. Both of them, the cold metal of her left arm replaced with something soft and made of flesh, she feels the heat from the fire for the first time in a long time.

“Paige. . .”

Almost a whisper, but one that strikes her with force. Like a needle of ice clawing into her heart. She slowly turns, the forest around her ablaze. Bodies lay strewn around her.

“No..” She whimpers.

Game Boy stands there, clad in black armor and a blood red cape flowing behind him. Corrupted, dangerous. Resembling the great evil known as Mordekaiser but… Different.

Game Girl steps up positioning herself between GB and Gretchin who stays still, almost lifeless.

Game Boy lets out a long, ragged breath from behind his helm, his hands placed over the hilt of his greatsword dug into the scorched earth.

“You finally came back. . .” There’s a sickening pleasure to his words as he drives the sword up and begins stomping towards her.

Paige’s breath grows quick, her legs tremble, she tries to move forward but her feet refuse.

She throws out a hand but it feels like she’s moving in water.

He throws a hand to the dead around him as he encroaches, “You ran, they failed.”

Paige lets out a shaky breath as a spark of light forms in her open palm.

But GB grabs her wrist and bends it up. GG lets out a shock of pain.

“Just know. . .” His voice vibrates her skull as his grip tightens. “. . .All of this is your fault.”

With a wrench of his arm, tendons and muscle rips and he tears her arm leaving a messy, bloody stump.

She lets out a blood-curdling scream.

That turns into a gasp as she sits up in her bed breathing heavily, sweat runs down her face.

Paige runs a hand over her forehead as she takes in her surroundings.

She looks at her hands, one flesh, the other metal.

Then to the sun beaming through her window.

She falls back down onto her bed and lets out a long sigh that turns into a yawn.

Her frown and furrowed brow looks up to the ceiling.

Pasted there are pictures of the people close to her, Dolly, Atara, Calypso, NKWC, Hanari, Scoops, Dickie, Amber. Drawings of her from fans. Letters. XWF stills from her matches.

She breathes deeply, laying there for a minute, her pupils dotting around at the collage and gives a wobbly smile.

Her head turns to the side, past the alarm clock reading 1:12pm and to the calendar on the wall, a big red circle over the words "Therapist noon".

She closes her eyes and gives a sigh of disappointment before looking back up at the images of her friends. She kisses her teeth but gives another smile, a brighter one.

“Okie dokie!”


TL;DR: Tale of Narfinex was a shelved SNES game by its creator Gabe Bachgan and his company, FunSoft. Because it never saw the light of day for 30 years, some of the characters in the game became sentient. One of which was Game Boy who had super powers and could hop between universes/realities. He was a great hero who died saving Narfinex from a giant monster, and one of his allies named Paige inherited those powers, being the player 2 to GB’s player 1.

Paige or Game Girl, followed in Game Boy’s footsteps for a good long while until her world kept resetting over and over again with only Paige remembering everything. She got depressed and hid away in other video games until she came back and was convinced to stop Narinex's Big Bad Villian, Mordekaiser, saying if nothing matters, might as well go out swinging.

Paige tells her story of the resets, tells Game Boy he used to be the hero and through this, and Gabe wanting to change the game’s story, he “kills” Game Girl to take his powers back.

Doesn’t work, Paige is alive living with Scoops McGee who saved her life. She’s very messed up but optimistic and Game Boy is dealing with a lot of guilt and glitches.

Still TL;DR: Trauma happens to characters with stupid names. Video games bad.]]> <![CDATA[Administration]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49779 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:40:39 -0800 (Gravy_Xtreme_5000)]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49779
Backstage.

Somewhere.

Maybe Anarchy.

Probably Anarchy.

(02-13-2026, 11:21 AM)Sir Lionel Pennyfarthing Said: "Lionel, this isn't a good id-"

"GN! TK M T TH CST SHT!"

...Gene sighs, before wheeling Lionel, still in his hospital bed on wheels up to the Anarchy sign-up sheet.

...

"MMHM."

Gene sighs before reaching into his pocket and taking out a pen. He slides it against the wires that are shutting Lionel's jaw.

"THNK Y"

Lionel masterfully, using only his excellently defined mandibles, toned from years of vocal warmups, draws his initals on the roster signup sheet.

The camera pulls away from the monitor and swings right, settling on Graves who had been watching this clip attentively.

"Stubborn.
Unbreakable.
INSTANTLY REMEMBERABLE!"

Graves whips his head back towards Furry, who is sitting on a bench in front of her locker, wrapped in compression bandages and ice packs.

"Why'd we lose this one again!?"

Furry winces as she tries to sit up straighter.

"…how many Germans was that? Six? Felt like twenty… Can’t even remember what day it is right now."

Graves doesn’t answer right away.

He just stares at her.

Not through her.

At her.

"Six?"

He tilts his head.

"That was six Germans, a spear, a gutbuster, a vertical, three spinebusters, and one attempted homicide."

He raises his index finger, as if to make the point: "You kicked out of all of it."

He looks back at the monitor. Rewinds. Watches the delayed vertical suplex again. The Sextuple German. The way her head snaps. The way she goes limp.

The way she doesn’t stay limp.

"You played dead."

He smirks.

"That’s my girl."

"I almost lost," she mutters with her eyes down at the floor. "I didn’t get him on that first roll-up. I was a second behind on the scramble. I left an opening that he fully exploited. I—"

"Shut up."

He steps closer and looms over her.

Evaluating.

"Miss Fury couldn’t wrestle for dick. She didn’t need to. She controlled the room. She controlled the air. She’d walk in and the ring would already belong to her. Half those idiots pinned themselves because she made them believe it was their destiny to lay at her feet."

He taps the screen.

"You?"

<-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rewind.

Arm drag.

Headlock.

Knee strikes.

"You can actually wrestle."

He scratches his head.

"Not sure where you learned it, but you’re ten times the wrestler Fury ever was. Tonight you proved you’re not just some street-cat I dragged out of an ally."

Furry’s jaw tightens.

She looks like she’s trying not to smile.

Or cry.

Or both.

"You took a gorilla press gutbuster from a man more intimidating than the Literal Gorilla who used to sit in gorilla—and you kicked out at two like it barely inconvenienced you."

He leans down slightly, eye to eye now.

"You didn’t win because I taught you sneaky tricks."

A crooked grin.

"You won because when your lungs were shredded and your spine looked like a slinky someone stepped on… you still had enough brain left to lie."

He taps her forehead with two fingers.

"You sold 'em on death. Then you stole life."

Furry swallows.

"So… what now? Back to the Boneyard? More drills? More suplex landings until I can’t feel my hands?"

Graves straightens up.

Snorts.

"The Boneyard?"

He waves it off.

"You graduated, idiot."

She blinks.

"You’re done being a student. You’re administration now."

She stares at him like he might've insulted her mother.

"Administration?"

"Yeah. You’re gonna help me run this bitch."

Energized, he paces.

"Sign-ups. Strategy. Who gets kept. Who gets cut. Who gets saved for later. 

You can teach that fancy wrestlin' too."

He points at her chest.

"You can wrestle. Great. Cool. Gold star."

He jabs his own temple.

"Now you learn control."

Furry looks down at her bandaged ribs.

"I liked the Boneyard."

There’s actual sadness there.

"Of course you did."

His voice softens.

Barely.

"That’s where you proved you weren’t no pussy-cat. Just a cat. But I don’t keep killers in training forever."

He reaches over and adjusts one of her ice packs roughly, but not carelessly.

"You beat a man built like a Hockey-masked-killer.

You’re not my project anymore."



Dramatic pause.



"You’re my partner."

He turns back to the monitor, rewinding the final millisecond.

The THREE!!!

The late kickout.

The win.

"Look under the bench. The box is for you..."

Furry leans down slow and pulls out a black wooden box.

She sets it on her lap.

Looks up at him.

He doesn’t look back.

Just crosses his arms and continues to stare into the paused monitor.

"Open it."

She lifts the lid.

Inside?

A name tag.

F.U.R.Y.
Fixing Unworthy Roster Yahoos
Miss Furry



Her brow furrows.

"Yahoos felt more professional than dummies, and I really needed it to spell Fury, since you know—you're both now."

He shrugs.

"I dunno, maybe it's stupid. I'm not used to being—this—with people."

He tilts his head slightly.

She runs her thumb over the letters.

F.U.R.Y.

Her hand shifts inside the box again.

Under the tag?

Fabric.

She pulls it out.

New gear.

Graves finally turns to look at her.

"Administration doesn’t mean you stop fighting."

He nods toward the gear.

"It means when you fight, it means something."

She stares at it.

Quiet.

And there's that sadness again.

"F.U.R.Y. isn’t a nickname. It’s a position."

Furry exhales slowly.

"Congratulations."

He scratches at his jaw.

"You’re not a stray anymore..."

[Image: furyfurry.jpg]

"You’re staff."
]]>
Backstage.

Somewhere.

Maybe Anarchy.

Probably Anarchy.

(02-13-2026, 11:21 AM)Sir Lionel Pennyfarthing Said: "Lionel, this isn't a good id-"

"GN! TK M T TH CST SHT!"

...Gene sighs, before wheeling Lionel, still in his hospital bed on wheels up to the Anarchy sign-up sheet.

...

"MMHM."

Gene sighs before reaching into his pocket and taking out a pen. He slides it against the wires that are shutting Lionel's jaw.

"THNK Y"

Lionel masterfully, using only his excellently defined mandibles, toned from years of vocal warmups, draws his initals on the roster signup sheet.

The camera pulls away from the monitor and swings right, settling on Graves who had been watching this clip attentively.

"Stubborn.
Unbreakable.
INSTANTLY REMEMBERABLE!"

Graves whips his head back towards Furry, who is sitting on a bench in front of her locker, wrapped in compression bandages and ice packs.

"Why'd we lose this one again!?"

Furry winces as she tries to sit up straighter.

"…how many Germans was that? Six? Felt like twenty… Can’t even remember what day it is right now."

Graves doesn’t answer right away.

He just stares at her.

Not through her.

At her.

"Six?"

He tilts his head.

"That was six Germans, a spear, a gutbuster, a vertical, three spinebusters, and one attempted homicide."

He raises his index finger, as if to make the point: "You kicked out of all of it."

He looks back at the monitor. Rewinds. Watches the delayed vertical suplex again. The Sextuple German. The way her head snaps. The way she goes limp.

The way she doesn’t stay limp.

"You played dead."

He smirks.

"That’s my girl."

"I almost lost," she mutters with her eyes down at the floor. "I didn’t get him on that first roll-up. I was a second behind on the scramble. I left an opening that he fully exploited. I—"

"Shut up."

He steps closer and looms over her.

Evaluating.

"Miss Fury couldn’t wrestle for dick. She didn’t need to. She controlled the room. She controlled the air. She’d walk in and the ring would already belong to her. Half those idiots pinned themselves because she made them believe it was their destiny to lay at her feet."

He taps the screen.

"You?"

<-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rewind.

Arm drag.

Headlock.

Knee strikes.

"You can actually wrestle."

He scratches his head.

"Not sure where you learned it, but you’re ten times the wrestler Fury ever was. Tonight you proved you’re not just some street-cat I dragged out of an ally."

Furry’s jaw tightens.

She looks like she’s trying not to smile.

Or cry.

Or both.

"You took a gorilla press gutbuster from a man more intimidating than the Literal Gorilla who used to sit in gorilla—and you kicked out at two like it barely inconvenienced you."

He leans down slightly, eye to eye now.

"You didn’t win because I taught you sneaky tricks."

A crooked grin.

"You won because when your lungs were shredded and your spine looked like a slinky someone stepped on… you still had enough brain left to lie."

He taps her forehead with two fingers.

"You sold 'em on death. Then you stole life."

Furry swallows.

"So… what now? Back to the Boneyard? More drills? More suplex landings until I can’t feel my hands?"

Graves straightens up.

Snorts.

"The Boneyard?"

He waves it off.

"You graduated, idiot."

She blinks.

"You’re done being a student. You’re administration now."

She stares at him like he might've insulted her mother.

"Administration?"

"Yeah. You’re gonna help me run this bitch."

Energized, he paces.

"Sign-ups. Strategy. Who gets kept. Who gets cut. Who gets saved for later. 

You can teach that fancy wrestlin' too."

He points at her chest.

"You can wrestle. Great. Cool. Gold star."

He jabs his own temple.

"Now you learn control."

Furry looks down at her bandaged ribs.

"I liked the Boneyard."

There’s actual sadness there.

"Of course you did."

His voice softens.

Barely.

"That’s where you proved you weren’t no pussy-cat. Just a cat. But I don’t keep killers in training forever."

He reaches over and adjusts one of her ice packs roughly, but not carelessly.

"You beat a man built like a Hockey-masked-killer.

You’re not my project anymore."



Dramatic pause.



"You’re my partner."

He turns back to the monitor, rewinding the final millisecond.

The THREE!!!

The late kickout.

The win.

"Look under the bench. The box is for you..."

Furry leans down slow and pulls out a black wooden box.

She sets it on her lap.

Looks up at him.

He doesn’t look back.

Just crosses his arms and continues to stare into the paused monitor.

"Open it."

She lifts the lid.

Inside?

A name tag.

F.U.R.Y.
Fixing Unworthy Roster Yahoos
Miss Furry



Her brow furrows.

"Yahoos felt more professional than dummies, and I really needed it to spell Fury, since you know—you're both now."

He shrugs.

"I dunno, maybe it's stupid. I'm not used to being—this—with people."

He tilts his head slightly.

She runs her thumb over the letters.

F.U.R.Y.

Her hand shifts inside the box again.

Under the tag?

Fabric.

She pulls it out.

New gear.

Graves finally turns to look at her.

"Administration doesn’t mean you stop fighting."

He nods toward the gear.

"It means when you fight, it means something."

She stares at it.

Quiet.

And there's that sadness again.

"F.U.R.Y. isn’t a nickname. It’s a position."

Furry exhales slowly.

"Congratulations."

He scratches at his jaw.

"You’re not a stray anymore..."

[Image: furyfurry.jpg]

"You’re staff."
]]> <![CDATA[Requiem for a Dream]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49750 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:17:12 -0800 gorgo]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49750 Requiem for a Dream
How Maraeth ended and Yelena got her groove back.
]]> Requiem for a Dream
How Maraeth ended and Yelena got her groove back.
]]> <![CDATA[What it do... LITTLE Money]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49748 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:40:20 -0800 Schadenfreude Clown]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49748 Schadenfreude Clown attempts to read Mr. Oz's list of accomplishments.
[Image: what-list.png]
]]> Schadenfreude Clown attempts to read Mr. Oz's list of accomplishments.
[Image: what-list.png]
]]> <![CDATA[The In-Between]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49747 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 09:07:30 -0800 HeavensToBetsy]]> https://xwf1999.com/showthread.php?tid=49747 Filling the Gap Between War Games & Snow Pain, Snow Gain]]> Filling the Gap Between War Games & Snow Pain, Snow Gain]]>