X-treme Wrestling Federation - High Stakes Battle Royale RP Board

Show Must Go On

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 23:19:38 -0800

OOC: Good Luck, Everyone. Guess this old bastard still has it in him. Enjoyed reading all your work and I hope you enjoyed mine.

Final promo for this match. I can't believe I have made it as far as I have. I don't think anybody even though this old fucker would still have some fight left in him and that I have left in me. I will never give in to the pain that rattles through my body through each blow I take or even step for that matter.

Marf, You got my respect for now. The guy that seems to want to talk about my failing body and the fact that I got nothing left to lose. You are looking at a real man right now, jack. A man who lost his eye in a match against Chasm years ago yet continued the match with the blood pouring out his skull. I may have lost that night but it didn't matter. I came for a fight and took as much damage as I could withstand. I am hanging on by a string and can barely walk most days but once that bell rings, The show must go on.

The fans came to see a fuckin' bloodbath and I am gonna give it to them. James Evans. I gotta give some respect your way. You managed to go through this without mentioning me which takes balls as I have no clue who you truly are but we will see the true mettle of man when we lock up. You have said nothing but said a lot in your actions and I can respect that. Taking the high road and shit. Oh well. I guess.

Corey Smith. Even with you not mentioning me, You must realize deep down that I am a true threat to everything. In a match that everyone thought I was gonna be a joke, I decided to give it my all. I know I don't have much time left in this business and will wind up having to call it a career somewhere down the line but I am not ready to let that door shut all the way. I am gonna kick it right back open with all the strength I have left in me.

Whatever pain I may be in before that music hits disappear at that moment as I prepare to walk through the curtain towards the ring. They are expecting to see me perform to the highest standards I can. I will give each and every paying fan who came to see me a fucking show. What better way to get out of High Stakes as Universal Champion. Eight years ago, I shocked the world by becoming the World Champion. I got one last trick up my sleeve and just wait until you see what I bring to the table.

You look at me like I am a joke and guess what, I probably deserve that? All those countless failures over these years. Fading in and out of the spotlight. Never staying for long runs. I am one of the few competitors in this match even worthy of this honor. The grizzled veteran from Boston, Massachusetts. The man who represents being rejected countless times and never winning the big one but yet here we are. The true people's champion in a sense. Never claimed to be perfect and full of flaws but the one thing I can guarantee is I am ready.

Never thought I would find the will to carry on through this journey but it's been one hell of a run. Seeing on sites that I have a one in four chance of capturing the belt. Representing BOB all the way and Union 441 back home. Trekking through and doing what I had to do to make a living against all the odds.

Chris Page is another person I can't take lightly despite being older than me by a good fourteen years. That dude punches hurt like a motherfucker but I can take them. Even with all my injuries from the rough road I've traveled through this industry. I am fine. All I am gonna say when you hit me is, "Thank you, sir. May I have another?" Take your best shot with me and I'll swing right back as hard as I can.

Alias. Much respect for your showing but this isn't gonna be the Alias Show, jack. You are gonna see a side of me you wish had stayed hidden. I am fighting with everything I got left in me and that's a scary sign. I am ready to die for this. I got nothing left at home to go to. What can you possibly do to me that hasn't already been done before?

I'm never giving in until I can't breathe anymore. The blood may flow and I am okay with that. I've trained for this with such an intensity that I thought was long gone. You all awoken something in me that I thought was long gone and I'd be scared if you think I am gonna be easy. I am the furthest thing from that when I am in this mindset.

Thank you to every single person in my career that has taken the time to take me under their wing and gotten to learn a bit from them. From Foley Anderson to Jeff Night to even Hardcore Smitty and Outsider Stone. This is where I show them all and I know two of them will be watching from the best seat in the house. This is my moment. My legacy. Everything I've ever worked towards this match.

I am the last of a dying era and I am not gonna let any of them down. My body may be breaking down but I think I got one more run left in me even if it means saying goodbye to my job for it all. It isn't the first time I've had my back against the wall. When BG Studios folded and I had to travel back to Boston in a car with just a few of my possessions left. Wrestling while living in a car is not fun but I was able to rebuild.

The show must go on I guess. No matter how dark my life got at some points, I faced it head-on and didn't back down. What are you going to me? Huh? Nothing that hasn't already been done. I lived in that car for a couple of years and got my mind right. I've gone through so much money and seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows in my life. All for this business. I love this business and will never leave completely. I admit there have been a few years where I didn't wrestle much while dealing with a few injuries but those have healed. The doctor even told me my right knee needs to be replaced but fuck it. I will fight on one good leg and prove that I can still go for anyone that doubted me.

It takes a special kind of breed to survive in this industry especially when they look like me. I admit I relied a bit too heavily at times on the deathmatch style and built my reputation for being willing to go that extra mile. The many bumps and bruises I have taken over the years but at what cost? What did it truly prove? It proved I am a battle-tested veteran who has balls that most people wished they had. The Daddy of Violence is ready to take his rightful spot as Universal Champion at High Stakes. Tombstone, Arizona.

I've been in the XWF for a long time just biding my time for an opportunity like this to hit and they don't come much better than this. I think I know what I must do as I tape up my knee and make sure it holds up in this match. This is for everyone. This is my moment. Why not a guy like me? A guy who isn't straight and represents that old school style of wrestling.

Daddy is well rested and ready for this. Are You?

Tombstone, AZ
November 27th, 2020

The scene opens up outside of Tombstone, Arizona where we see a garbage truck driving down the street and we see it stop at The Tombstone Grand Hotel. The door opens and out exits Barney Green, dressed in a black t-shirt with "GreenTV" in lime green lettering on the front and black shorts with black sneakers. Barney reaches back into the truck and pulls out a trash can which he pulls out of the truck. He then shuts the door and carries it with him inside of the hotel. He then walks towards the desk and the receptionist goes to speak.

Receptionist: Can I help you?

Barney: Yeah. I'm here to check-in. Name's Barney Green.

Receptionist: Sure thing. That will be $128.

Barney opens the trash can and pulls out his wallet and then shuts the trash can. He reaches into and pulls out his credit card to check-in. He hands it to the receptionist as he goes to speak.

Barney: That should cover it.

The receptionist runs Barney's card and then he signs the receipt. He takes his card back and places it back into his wallet. He then throws his wallet back into the trash can. The Receptionist goes to speak.

Receptionist: Here is your key and your room is 38. Any reason why you are walking around with a trash can?

Barney: I carry everything in it as it's my job outside of pro wrestling. I'm just your friendly garbage man outside of the ring.

Barney takes the magnetic card and places it into his trash can as well.

Receptionist: Hope you enjoy your stay in Tombstone. There are plenty of things to do around here.

Barney: Thank you. I will. Peace.

Barney picks up his trash can and starts walking towards his room and realizes this hotel has given him a room on the 2nd floor. So he starts his climb up the stairs as he goes to speak.

Barney: Next time, I book a room on the first floor. Lugging this trash can around is starting to get on my nerves a bit. Oh well. The joys of being both a garbage man and pro wrestler.

Barney walks up the stairs and then finds his room. He stops and opens the trash can and then pulls out the key card and opens the door. He grabs his trash can and walks into the room after throwing the key back into the trash can. He shuts the door and places the trash can next to his bed. He goes to lay down on the bed and then his phone rings. He reaches into the trash can and pulls out his phone. He answers it and it's John Laurinaitis on the other end.

Barney: Hello, John. I made it to Tombstone alright. To think my job still hasn't noticed that my truck is missing and I drove a lot of miles to get here.

John: That's good to know, champ. I am glad you made it safely. Wish I could be here to see you make an impact but you know how life is?

Barney: I hear you loud and clear on that.

Barney hears a knock at his door. He looks annoyed and goes to answer while he is speaking on the phone.

Barney: Somebody just knocked on the door.

Barney goes toward the door and opens it and it's John Laurinaitis, dressed in a navy blue suit with a red tie, and he hangs up the phone as Barney stares in shock.

John: I just had to be here to see you win. All the work we put in together, champ. This is gonna be one for the ages.

Barney: I can't believe you surprised me like this. I am totally all in and know I made a great choice in picking a friend like you.

Barney motions for John to come in as he puts his phone back into his trash can. John walks in and shuts the door.

John: No problem at all. It just cost me about $300 to fly out here. I'm not much for car travel anymore. Too old for that. Just stick to the strategy and we shall see you achieve victory. If there is one person in this business that deserves this, It's you.

Barney: Thank you so much, John. I will do everything in my power to show the world everything I got left in the tank.

The scene fades to black as John and Barney continue talking.

I got one final chapter left to write in my book before I call it an end. Let's look at who is left that I haven't mentioned. Doctor Louis D'Ville. Geri Vayden. Baphomet. Michael Graves. Bobby Bourbon. Three of those names I thought were gonna be threats and turned out not to be but BOB always has a plan and I hope I can succeed. Baphomet can go fuck himself. I am my own man and would rather die a proud death than kneel before a false prophet. The good doctor must be doing too much morphine or something as he remained eerily silent.

The rest aren't even worth my time in that category. Ruckus and Job Guy? Seriously? Just bodies to pad out this match before the inevitable happens with me walking out a champion. Witness should be renamed Witless as he has nothing I haven't seen before and his act is played out a great deal. So many people have done this before.

Thaddeus Duke is one of the people I almost forgot not by fault because he is a tough competitor in his own right and this is gonna be an ugly battle but I welcome it. Good luck because you are gonna need it.

Some might argue that I have no business in this match but it's okay. I've dealt with worse and this is perhaps my final shot at glory. Everything to gain and nothing to lose when my back is against the wall. Just the way I like it. High Stakes is something I didn't think I would enter but I can't change it now.

Good luck, everyone. I need another white claw. I'm ready and willing to be the hero you guys need right now. Daddy Of Violence is out.

Broken Compass

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 20:28:13 -0800

Random Neighborhood || Somewhere in Connecticut || 7:14 PM

After my session with Doctor D’Ville this afternoon, I drove around for several hours. I thought about the things he told me that, really, I’m not sure if he told me, or if it was just some things I already thought but buried deep inside. My life, specifically my love life is in absolute turmoil. Elizabeth is wonderful. She’s beautiful, strong, guides me with a firm hand but a soft touch. She’s everything to me yet all I can think about is someone else entirely. Someone I hurt so deeply that he may never really recover from that emotional trauma and in turn, that crushes me entirely. I’m not an evil person. I never do things to just simply do things. No matter how shitty the reasons might seem to those that can’t see my life through my eyes, me doing what I did was absolutely selfish and I have never disagreed with that or tried to sugarcoat that in any way. I’ve never tried to convince myself or anyone else that I was right to do what I did. I was wrong. It was wrong when I did it. It remained wrong when I returned to my life and resumed being Thaddeus Duke. It remains wrong now. It will stay wrong for the rest of my days.

I let Garrett think I was dead for nearly a year and I asked him to forgive me. I in no way deserve to be forgiven for doing something so cold and so… fucking heartless. He’s trying though and the fact that he’s even trying to forgive me speaks volumes to the character he possesses. The fact I did what I did, makes me question my own. Maybe even more so than D’Ville. Often, I play the good guy. And I am for the most part. Yet I am human, and I have flaws like anyone else.

That one is a big one.

I parked my car like an hour ago and to be honest, I don’t even know where I parked it. It’s pouring rain and my hoodie and my jeans are soaked through. I just started walking and thinking as the night began to fall. So here I am in this little suburb, probably looking like a menace to anyone who realizes I’m even out here roaming their neighborhood.

After rounding a corner, a dog on a dimly lit porch begins to bark and chases after me. I don’t run. Instead I stop and look at him. He’s a rather well maintained chocolate lab protected by one of those invisible pet fence things. As I look at him, he stops his barking and his pursuit of me. He just stands there, his coat becoming drenched with rain much like the guy he’s staring at. Slowly he approaches me as I step inside the yard. The dog gives me his warning growl, but I just bend down and hold out my hand. From the dim light emanating from the porch, I can see his nose twitch as he works his sniffer.

With his head down and his eyes locked on mine, he steps toward me and I lean in closer. After a quick sniff of my hand, he wags his tail, then licks my fingers. Kneeling down in the pooling water collecting on the concrete sidewalk leading to the porch belonging to the dogs loving family, he approaches me and his tail wags back and forth so much that his whole rear end wags with it.

”Who’s a good boy?” I ask of the beautiful pooch. I’m pretty sure he’s not gonna answer that question, but I mean, ya gotta ask. It’s in the handbook and everything. He licks my face as I pet his ears and his neck and I can’t help but smile. I always had a love for animals. Dogs especially and it makes me wonder how I ended up with a pair of former circus lions as house pets and not a dozen dogs.

Maybe one day, after the boys cross the rainbow bridge.

”What’s your name, huh?” I ask him, again, I’m not expecting him to be like “Joe, what’s yours?” I take a look at his collar and the tag hanging off of it. Magnus.

”Magnus is a sweet boy huh?” I say as he licks my face some more while I continue to pet his ears. ”Okay Magnus, I gotta go. You be a good boy now.”

Patting his head as I stand up, I give him one more scratch of his ear before turning to continue my journey. Magnus whimpers a couple times as I walk away, almost making me want to steal him. Just before I’m out of his sight I turn to look back and he’s slowly making his way back to the dry porch. Such a goodest boy.

Resuming my walk to absolutely nowhere, I’m reminded that one, I have no idea where I am; two, I have no fucking idea where I parked my car and three, I left my phone in said car that is now lost. Rounding another bend, I start to wonder to myself if I should maybe stop some place, a lit up house or something, to ask for directions. If nothing else, to find out where the hell I am. And maybe to use their phone.

I consider for a moment, going back to the house where Magnus lives. Partly to pet him again, and partly because I know his family is awake. Nevertheless, I continue on. Down the block I’m currently on, a house is all lit up.

That’s the one.

Porch light is on. Lights on upstairs and down.

On the sidewalk by the street right in front of that lit up house, something stops me and I don’t know why. The house is familiar to me and again, I don’t know why. It’s not fear or anything like that, because why would I fear some random ass house in the middle of suburbia? To be quite honest, I don’t know what’s stopping me from going up the walk and just knocking on the door. I really can’t put my finger on it. It’s kind of like when you’re dreaming but in the dream you’re aware that you’re dreaming so your mind starts to act off script to force change within said dream. Dreams are obdurate, they resist your attempt to change course. This isn’t a dream though. I know this because the rain and my drenched clothes have made me freezing fucking cold.

Suddenly, I’m no longer on the sidewalk, but on the well lit front porch of this house and I’ve already knocked on the door… and I remember none of it. I don’t remember walking up the sidewalk, I don’t remember climbing the porch steps, and I don’t remember raising my arm to knock. Yet I did, and here I stand. Nervous as nervous can be with my heart nearly pounding out of my chest and again, I don’t know why.

How long have I been on this porch? How long did it take me to knock on the door?

The door opens and I’m throttled backwards by unseen forces. I nearly stumble off the porch and down the steps.

”Thad,” Garrett says from inside the doorway. ”What are you doing here?”

Looking around the porch quickly, it all floods back. Somehow, some way, I was drawn to Garrett’s house and never realized it. It never fucking clicked in my head that I knew where I was and where I was going this entire fucking time.

”I… I have no fucking clue,” I manage to spit out with honesty.

Garrett steps out onto his lit up front porch as I remain near the edge from my earlier stumble.

”You’re soaked! Are you okay?”

”G,” I reply. ”I really don’t know.”

Garrett advances toward me and I don’t take my eyes off of his as he wraps his arm over my sopping wet shoulders and starts guiding me inside.

”C’mon, let’s get you in the house.”

Once inside the house, he closes the door. I stand in his foyer, puddles forming beneath me on his hardwood flooring.

”I’ll get some towels, and please, don’t move. I just had the carpets done.”

”Yeah okay,” I manage to get out. I’m still so confused and it’s like I’m having some out of body experience. Like, I’m here, but I’m also watching myself be here and I’m not in control of anything. I control nothing. Not my motions or actions, not my words. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m even controlling my thoughts.

”Here,” Garrett says as he tosses a couple towels in my direction. I have like zero reflexes at the moment and the towels just hit me in the face and fall to the floor. He looks at me bewildered as a look of great concern now appears on his face.

”Thad,” he says as picks the towels up off the floor. ”You’re scaring me. What the hell is wrong? Tell me!”

”Garrett,” I reply but nothing follows.

Taking one of the towels, he places one on my head and starts to dry my still dripping hair before moving on to wipe down my face. I gently grab him by his neck. Not his throat mind you, but the side, my thumb beneath his chin.

”Thad,” he says as he looks at me with confusion, I look at him with...I don’t know what it is. I bring his face to mine and we lock lips.

Lust.

That was the look.

After removing my lips from his I stare into his green eyes and say nothing. I’m not sure what just happened. Yeah, clearly I kissed him, but it wasn’t planned. Despite it being entirely and utterly the most wrong thing to do...it felt right. How can something wrong, feel so fucking right?

”Thad, I...” he starts, but no words follow. I don’t know why, but I kiss him again. After, I stare at him, my jaw clenched so tight that my jaw muscles flex outward. I can describe it no other way except a burning, intense, passionate, lustful desire...and I can not resist it no matter how hard I try.

”Fuck,” he spits out, unable to unlock his eyes from mine.

”What?”

”You have no idea how much I missed you,” he replies.

”No,” I reply to him before pausing. ”I think I do.” Slowly, I feel myself regaining control of my senses, my motions, all of it.

He doesn’t say anything as I kick off my soaked sneakers still without unlocking our eyes. Garrett reaches for me, but changes his mind at the last second and runs his fingers through his hair before relaxing his arm again at his side. No words are exchanged between us, just looks of some internalized understanding. Grabbing a belt loop above my left pocket with one of his fingers, he gives a gentle tug. I look down at his hand and back into his eyes and say nothing, just a nod.

Some time later, I lie on Garrett’s bed staring up at the ceiling fan. My eyes following a single blade as it rotates around and around and around. So many thoughts and feelings coursing through my body. What’s done is done and there’s no turning back from what just happened. Feelings of shame and guilt creep in along with feelings of complete satisfaction. A type of satisfaction I haven’t felt in a very long time.

It’s right. And it’s so very very wrong. I have betrayed the trust of the woman I love, to lay with the man I similarly love. No matter what I do from this point and no matter how things shake out, there’s nothing I can do or say that will ever change what happened tonight.

Tears start to flow and my eyes begin to swell in response. I love two people more than anything in this world, and I somehow manage to find ways to continue to hurt them. Garrett, my god! How could I have ever done that to him? And Elizabeth? Fuck! She has been a rock for me, a crutch for me to lean on in my worst of times and I’ve betrayed her.

With my arms folded behind my head, I turn to look at Garrett, now asleep with his arm draped over my bare stomach. I’m flooded with the memories we shared together. The Halloween party at school. The dancing and singing. Curtis, whom we both loved and both miss so dearly. Traveling with him to Tennessee to meet his aunt and uncle who hosted us both so he could attend Pride. I’m reminded of the hecklers calling us f*ggots and how it hurt him so much. I’m reminded how I threatened one particular dude and asking him how he’d like to get his ass kicked by a f*ggot. Bet he wouldn’t share that particular fight story in the bar with all his toxic masculine friends. I’m reminded of giving him the best open mouth kiss I could manage in front of those same hecklers to put him at ease. I didn't care. He was my friend and I loved him. I’m reminded of holding his hand the entire time. I’m reminded of that night in his room after the festival. He was lying on the bed with me seated on the floor, my back to him. He leaned and wrapped his arms around my neck, his eyes filled with tears, thanking me for being there for him.

I think, mostly, I’m reminded of what I loved about him in the first place...

Everything.

James XWF 005

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 20:11:10 -0800

Trinity Burning, XVI

OOC: I know we have one week left, but thank you guys for this. This has been a blast. I hope you’ve all enjoyed my work as I’ve enjoyed yours.

XWF 24/7: Chris Page Part Five- Session Five

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:29:13 -0800

” And how has the week been for you?”[b]

The scene opens in the ever familiar psychiatrist office of Chris Page’s shrink. Chris sits on the edge of the couch with a sly smirk on his face.

” I think it’s time…”

There’s a hint of maliciousness in the tone of Chris’s voice. It’s as if this one moment is something he’s put a lot of thought and process into.

[b]” Time for what?”

The same familiar voice that has guided us through these sessions asks.

” It’s time to end the charade and show the world how gullible they are; like a bunch of mindless sheep that have been led to slaughter.”

” I’m sorry Chris, I don’t follow.”

Chris intently looks off-camera towards his doctor.

” Well, you should.”

” How so?”

” Because you’ve played your part too.”

Chris stands up for the first time inside the office and now looks down towards his doctor who is still sitting off-camera as he states.

” I have a confession to make.”

There’s a pause from Chris before he states.

” Ah man, fuck it I can’t do it anymore.”

Chris burst out into laughter individually before composing himself as he runs both hands over his face to help silence his joy. He slides his hands down as face as he states.

” Do you realize how many people bought in? Just how many idiots tried to spin things there way and how they perceived it based off nuggets of inaccurate information dangled in front of their faces like a carrot…”

Chris turns and starts to walk towards the closed office door.

” I’m sorry Doc but this reveal needs to be shown to the world.”

:::: MEANWHILE ::::

The handheld camera shot opens as a shot of the busy street just outside of the office while the voice of Steve Sayors can be heard off-camera.

” This is the right spot, right?”

The voice of the camera operator can be heard responding.

“ This is the same office we’ve picked him up at before.”

The handheld turns towards the double glass doors off the office to see Chris Page open and motion for them to come forward as he states.

” This way gents.”

” Are we rolling?

“Yes.”

As the camera approaches the door taking the lead Chris can be seen looking off presumably towards Steve as he states.

” You’ve been covering me for what? Six weeks? Seven weeks?”

” Yeah.”

” We’ve talked at length about the fall of Cataclysm, being in Robert’s shadow, and how much effect it’s had on me, right? We’ve talked about how he wasn’t there, how he left me hanging high and dry and how crushed I’ve been on this road to redemption…”

Chris leads the camera through an empty lobby and past a reception desk before coming to a closed door. Chris stops at the door before saying.

” Come here.”

Steve steps in front of the camera as Chris wraps his left arm around his shoulder while stating.

” Behind this door is the man that has guided me on this road to redemption…. Behind this door is the man that has helped me reign things into proper perspective, and when I leave High Stakes; you know where this entire series has to lead us too, I can assure you that I will destroy all the destroyers.”

Chris removes his arm from around the shoulders of Steve Sayors as he asks.

” I’ve never been more clear-headed than I am right now. Would you like to meet the doctor?”

” Actually, I wouldn’t mind at all since you’ve been pretty tight-lipped with these sessions.”

” All you have to do is walk through that door and everything will be revealed.

Chris turns his attention towards the handheld camera.

” Just him.”

Steve reluctantly shifts towards the camera where it’s etched all over his face. We see Chris step out of the way. Steve reaches out towards the polished chrome knob before slowly starting to open the door. He lets out a nervous sign before jumping as Page barks out at him.

” Goddamn Steve walk in, he isn’t going to hurt you!”

Steve opens the door and steps through before closing it behind him. Chris turns and faces the camera as he starts to state.

” What everyone is about to learn is what happens when the master of the mind games decides to play. For almost eight weeks everyone has witnessed the tensions between Robert and I building, people within the High Stakes Battle Royale are under the impression that my mind isn’t where it needs to be going into a match that carries this much importance.”

Chris leans forward towards the lens of the camera as there’s nothing but coldness within his eyes that sends chills across the body. We hear Steve yell from the other side of the door.

” I DON’T BELIEVE IT!”

A sly smirk graces the face of Chris as we see Chris continue.

” Sometimes you just have to plant the seeds to dictate the pace you want everyone else to play at; it’s one of the attributes I carry and one that you’ve all fallen victim to. While all of you have been paying attention to what I’ve wanted you too I’ve been doing exactly what I’ve needed to do in order to put me in the position that I’m about to find myself in when the final cards are played.”

There’s a momentary pause from Chris before he states.

” Every step carefully laid out with surgical precision. The mental game is over… and you’ve all taken second place.”

Just then the office door opens where Steve Sayors walks out shaking his head. Chris has a smirk on his face when the good Doctor emerges….

” That’s right boys and girls pick up your jaws; you’ve all been played.”

Chris Page laughs maniacally before spouting out.

” Fucking amateurs.”

Chris and Robert Main walk off leaving Steve Sayors with the camera. Steve asks.

” Are we coming with you?”

” Fuck no, losers.”

Steve stares into the camera before saying abruptly.

” Cut it.. turn off the camera.”

The feed cuts to static.

WORDS FROM THE STONED ONE:

All roads over the last six weeks have led each of us to this one intersection at this one event properly titled “High Stakes”. Over the last six weeks, I’ve spoken at length on most and subtly jabbed at others, simply toying with the masses while I’ve allowed you all to believe that this has been about redemption for a career that’s seemingly been going on a downward spiral because that’s the story I WANTED you all to sell, and you DID IT! What you all fail to realize is that I am an XWF Hall of Legends member and I’m there for a fucking reason. I’m equally as good at the mental game as I am at the physical game and now here I stand primed and ready to take that torch, that top prize, and give it some validity; something it’s desperately lacked since going around the waist of the Unknown Soldier.

The XWF is in a time of crisis.

Now more than ever this federation needs credibility standing at the forefront and over the last six weeks a plethora of participants have all plead their case as to why they should be that person but only a handful have stayed consistent on the weekly basis. This company doesn’t need a Cult at the forefront we’ve been there and done that, it doesn’t need a teenager with a fresh coat of paint or another immature adult as the focal point… it needs LEGITIMATE change that only I can provide. Over the last twelve months, any program with MY name attached to has drawn the money and the ratings while overshadowing the reign of a satanic prick known as the Unknown Solider and had the Engineer knocking at my door BEGGING to work against me while I gave Shawn Warstein the best match he’s had in a decade.

So my question…

If I’m so lame, if I’m so dull and boring and if I’m so overrated how the fuck can I take someone as irrelevant as Thaddeus Duke and make him mean mere now than he’s meant at any point within his career? Why am I looked to deliver when the XWF needs someone to step to the plate and hit a homerun? What makes me more dangerous now more than ever is contrary to what you’ve been lead to believe my mind is exactly where it needs to be as I am poised to make history to close out the Pay-Per-View series in what has become a very bizarre world in which we’re all living in. Cataclysm has the opportunity to finally silence the critics and put the order in place as we can occupy the top singles spot on this roster as well as own the Tag Team Division as well. What sucks for all of you is how you’re going to have to look yourselves in the mirror when you wake up Monday morning and not only have to swallow your pride and own the fact that you got played… but you also got played by a dude that went through a Ladder match just before!

All will have the chance to FINALLY be right with the XWF world is Theo and Vinnie don’t squander it like they’ve done so many times before. I’m seasoned, I’m experienced and WHEN I take this ball I’m not going to stop running OR leave the federation hanging high and dry. I’m going to give the XWF the gift of having a relevant Universal Title scene for the first time since the LAST time I challenged for it.
I’m the Champion that is needed now more than ever and with each piece of shit that gets tossed over that top rope, my chances will only increase. I’m not going to live in that fantasy world because nobody has a bigger bull’s eye on his back going in than I do; which that in itself is pretty ironic with the level of disrespect some of you have shown to me over the last several weeks since I’m that lame, right?

I’m going to walk into this Battle Royale with no friends, only enemies.

I’m going to walk into this thing with no alliances, only my ability.

I’m going to exploit all of your many weaknesses …

I’m going to have eyes in the back of my head and it’s going to be on a swivel eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to dump one of your asses over that top rope and taking myself one step closer to my ultimate goal at anyone’s expense that stands in my way. I’ve used my time wisely leading up to this final parting shot; and while I have every intention of wrecking everyone from boring Champ Sportsman to the naïve Corey Smith, I’m going to adjust attitudes like Thaddeus Duke and Doctor Lou TWICE in the same night, I’m going to end the rise of an Alias or a Witness before they can even get out of the gate.

The fun and games are officially over.

All that’s left is all of your fast friends and alliances to extend your time in what will no doubt go down I the history books as the night in which CHRIS PAGE showed up, showed out, and officially takes his throne.

Oh shit…

I forgot…

I was supposed to talk mad shit against Alias and Corey as my countdown was coming to an end.

Teased you both the last six weeks for this one moment that you’ve both been feverishly waiting for when it comes to just what I have to say about either one of you. Brace yourselves because I’ve put a lot of thought into how I view both of your involvements within this Battle Royale; because if there are not two men that are the epitome of what is wrong with the XWF and why so many people, so many legends and Hall of Famers have walked away from this federation. When I thought about how carefully I would have to pick and choose my words so that they would pack a punch instead of sounding like regurgitated shit that plenty of others have thrown against the wall and didn’t stick either. So after sitting back and reflecting on either of your involvements I said nope.

I’m not lending either of you any more credibility or validity because quite frankly…. You don’t deserve it.

That pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about both of you waste of procreation. I’ll be waiting with open arms for each.

My eyes are firmly on the prize and the prize is leaving High Stakes as the new XWF Universal Champion; and don’t you think I’ve forgotten one millisecond about Chris Chaos looming in the background; waiting in the winds to stake claim to his shot at that very title. He’d be stupid to not be paying attention to how this shakes out. Sure, this will be an easy first title defense for whoever has that strap over their shoulder only second to Peter Gilmour. He’s the guy that loves to live out Robert and my gimmicks. We go darker and it gets over; thirty days later fucking Chaos shifts dark. Rob and I had a nice laugh at his expense, much like each of yours as well because the one thing that you’ve all got in common with each other rests with the key component that you just don’t know how to attack us. We are the force that drives not only the Tag Division but we’re also the pulse of the entire Xtreme Wrestling Federation. If we go this ship sinks faster than the Titanic As much as you all hate us is just as much as you all NEED us.

We have sat back and watched mistake after mistake after mistake and pointed them out as they happened when they happened and we’ve been correct every step of the way. People have asked or made mention that if we cared we should have intervened. No, the fuck we shouldn’t have! We were telling one of the greatest stories to be told wrapped around that very Universal Title when it meant something more than a goddamn paperweight. Why should we save a company that shit all over the work we put in just to do a cheap switch to a lesser talent that walked back out the door two months later in the Unknown Soldier, or what about the Engineer/Lux or whatever the fuck he’s calling himself today; maybe Smith, he lasted another two months before tucking his tail after getting punked by Shawn Warstein. Shawn lasts another two months before he takes his ball and goes home which leads is to Sarah Lacklan who fell into the same category. We aren’t going to save a federation that didn’t want to be saved.

Now the time is right.

Now we make everything right with the world and to do that it’s going to be up to me and what I bring to the table to determine if we get what we want… The countdown clock for all the talk is in its final hours and while most of you talentless fucks will waste your precious airtime with some last-minute individual trash talk on those that are the highlights of this Battle Royale I’ve once again taken this in a completely different direction and am reaffirming just how crucial it is for Theo and Vinnie to finally do what’s right for this business. What’s right is Chris Page leaving High Stakes as your new XWF Universal Champion.

I’ve got the talent.

I’ve got the ability.

I’ve got the experience.

I’ve got that gift of gab.

… And I’m coming to Tombstone, Arizona to make fucking history.

There’s not going to be a Beast or a Monster…. There’s going to be “CHRONIC” CHRIS PAGE, and he’s a force to be reckoned with all in his own right. I’ll be seeing you all Sunday Night; be prepared and be ready to pay the price for what it means to be the XWF Universal Champion….

Get on my level.”

Identity

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 07:48:28 -0800

It was a quintessential psychiatrist’s office, all dark lush woods and walls of bulky texts. And of course, the green leather chaise lounge where the beleaguered could rest their heads and unspool the tragic mysteries of their lives. It was the way it had to be, because devil’s were nothing if not convincing.

Good to see you, Mr. Smith. D’Ville purred in a way that suggested his true feelings lay elsewhere.

Balling his fists into tight white spheres of flesh and bone, Corey couldn’t help but fall into all those same old feelings he had the last time he was in this office. A sense of subtle, knowing, malign intent was radiating from the old man standing before him. A predation hiding behind a preturnaturally white smile and gentle, winking crow’s feet about the eyes.

Leave me alone. Stop all of this and leave me alone. Corey tried to seem collected, but his exhaustion and anger were palpable.

D’Ville turned his head aside a bit, a very human looking indication of confusion. I’m afraid you lost me.

Corey gesticulated wildly as he spoke, rolling his hands in the air for emphasis. All this crazy shit I’ve been seeing! The visions! The blood! Madison and The Engineer! It’s you, isn’t it?! It’s always been you! The doctor opens his mouth to speak, but Corey plunges ahead. And this...this….thing....you’ve got going with Thad….Corey seems frustrated to the point that the words slip through his mind’s eye like ocean current through fingers. Why can’t you just fuck off?!

D’Ville folds his hands behind his back, bending at the waist a bit to cast a quick glance downward to conceal a smirk. So, you think I’ve been making you see things? Terrible visions and the like?

Yes!

He picks his head up. Why would I bother? The words are so cutting and definitive they take Corey by surprise a bit. Corey starts to say something, but it’s his turn to be interrupted. You think I would expend that kind of energy on you? Thinking rather highly of ourselves aren’t we? He jabs at Corey, but remains placid. You’ve got some nerve, coming to ME for help, then unceremoniously “firing” me for the terrible crime of doing what you asked; only to return tossing about accusations! He chuckles mirthlessly.

You know it wasn’t that simple.

Oh no? It wasn’t? Enlighten me, then.

You manipulated me.

With a simple offer? With but a question? Are you truly that malleable?

Corey snorts derisively and folds his arms, shaking his head and saying nothing.

Would you like to have a seat, for old’s time’s sake? He gestures towards the couch.

I’ll stay standing thanks. Then, with a shuddering breath. Was anything you told me even true?

D’Ville considers him for a moment before responding. I told you that The Engineer was no longer a part of you. And yes, that was the truth.

But how do I know you’re not lying?

Because I prefer it if The Engineer is no longer a part of you, because that fact makes you squirm like a punctured worm on the end of a hook. He drops all pretense of magnanimity now, drawing closer to Corey and starting to pace around him. The boy tenses, tracking him with his eyes. You came to me, all those months ago, a frantic child in a broken body. You invoked my name, asked for my aid in making sure you were pure and free of all those nasty bits. Because, in your words, “like recognizes like”. This comes out like a subtle hiss. So yes, I told you you were free. The Engineer IS gone. I treated your broken mind, offering you all those reassurances. Oh, I know you didn’t trust me. I know. But, in some small way, you fascinated me. How often does one get to treat a subject who had not one, but TWO foreign entities living within them.

Glad I could help. Corey mutters, never taking his eyes off the circling vulture making the rounds about him.

And incidentally, you’re welcome. For me not disclosing our sessions earlier. Call it professional courtesy. If you think I’m scary you should see what happens when you violate HIPPA laws. He shudders playfully, stopping his pacing and leaning up against the nearest bookshelf now.

I’m ever so grateful.

Oh, but you should be! You should be! Imagine if everyone knew that you sought help from number one on your douchebag list! He seems to particularly relish saying “douchebag”. How awkward that would have been for you….

Corey’s fury reignites. I don’t need any goddamn favors from you….

.....anymore…..

Corey smirks malevolently, drawing back and pointing at Doc. Anymore…. He whispers, with a combination of anger and...is it regret? So you’re really not doing this to me? None of it?

Nope. He shrugs.

Then who, or what, is?

My guess? Guilt.

...guilt. He utters the word softly, caught somewhere between question and declaration. Then, from behind him, a snapping sound, like mass of dry twigs being broken all at once. He turns, and gasps in horror.

Madison is there, glowering at him from the corner of the room. Black, inky blood pours from the neat bullet hole in her forehead. She takes a lurching step forward, and her body cracks in response, ambling awkwardly like a broken marionette,

No…..

Another step. Another. Crack, crack. Crack, crack. And then, in a flash, she’s there. In his face, blood pumping from the wound in her head, cascading in a fine rivulet down her brow. liarhypocriteweaklingkiller. Her gutteral, hollowed out voice spits the words at him.

Stop it!

Ooooh, Mr. Smith, what do you see? D’Ville hisses from behind.

I said stop it!

Stop what? I told you it isn’t me.

Corey lurches back, and Madison haltingly leans in again, matching his movements. fiend.patheticdeceiver Then, with a loathesome grin that reveals blackened gums and loose teeth. Engineer

No, no, NO! Corey backpeddles, tripping on the rug and falling on his back. Scrambling quickly to his feet, he finds that she’s gone and now D’Ville has moved to stand in her place.

It’s guilt, Mr. Smith. Not a haunted house. No ghosts or ghoulies. Not even an Engineer. He pauses a moment, scanning Corey’s features. You came to me, all those months ago. And I healed you. And in so doing, I made you an offer. I offered to help you avenge Lux. I offered to appease all that rage that still poisoned you. I offered to help you KILL Madison Dyson. No tricks. No brain washing. Just a question. Do you remember how you answered that question?

Corey just scowls at him bitterly.

Of course you do. You said “yes”. You birthed a conspiracy to kill another human being, albeit a loathesome one. So I went to work, whispering in poor addled Mercy’s ear. I gave her the weapon. The deed was done. D’Ville scowls. And then you suffered a bout of buyer’s remorse.

It was wrong. His voice is a shame faced whisper.

Was it? He breathes out a dry chuckle. Maybe. Depends on your point of view I suppose. But it sure as hell said two things about you. One good. One bad. Which do you want to hear first?

Again, the young man remains silent.

Okay. I’m an optimist. Let’s start with the good. Your guilt proves that you’re not The Engineer. He wouldn’t have batted an eye. It shows that there is a streak of decency in you.

But then the other shoe drops. On comes the bad. He smiles. It shows that you’re a coward. You’re no Engineer, but you’re certainly no Lux either. Letting others put their hands in the dirt so that yours might remain clean.

Corey has no response. His gaze cants guiltily to the floor.

So who are you, Corey Smith? Oh, I know who you WANT to be. You want to be the XWF’s lone moral voice. Corey Smith, riding a heavenly light from on high, flaming sword and shield of righteousness in hand. Declaring who is and is not fit to be Universal Champion. Crafting your own personal hit list of degenerates and ne’er do wells with that rapier wit and a condescending smirk. But you and I, we know the truth, don’t we? We know you fall somewhat short of your own standards. And that you’ve spent weeks proselytizing from the pulpit when you were better suited for the pew.

Something catches Corey’s vision from the corners of his eyes. He’s shocked to see that the office is fading to black around him.

And do you know what the real pisser of it is? Another demonic smile. He’s relishing it.

Corey’s head screws back and forth as the entire scene collapses from around him. His breath quickens, he starts to panic. Soon, there is nothing but darkness beneath his feet. And that enshrouding darkness only continues to grow, until it seeps up D’Ville’s leg, taking him with it. But he remains nonplussed.

The real pisser of it is that I think part of you WANTED it to be The Engineer. You wanted there to be someone to hang all the bad stuff on. The nasty thoughts, the rage, the murder. The darkness keeps crawling its way up his body, further and further until his face is a pale moon set against the nothingness.

But it’s just you, Corey.

D’Ville is almost fully engulfed now, and as his face disappears only two haunting red pinpricks of light remain where his eyes were a moment ago.

It’s just you.

The lids shut on the deep red eyes, and as abruptly as it started, it ended. D’Ville’s office was gone and Corey found himself standing in the tub in one of the house’s innumerable bathrooms. Dazed, he steps out of it and shambles into the hall. There, he makes his way back towards the steps, his expression remaining distant and impassive. Slowly he puts one foot before the other, until reaching the ground floor.

But the floor isn’t the floor anymore. He tenses in shock as his sneaker sinks deep into sand that is so deep purple it’s almost black. Picking his foot up, he finds that beneath the dark topmost layer, each grain underneath is a different color, creating a vibrant rainbow effect. Finally, he looks up….and he gasps in awe.

Corey steps in, immersing himself in it. He leaves dancing rainbow tracks in his wake, blown gently by the sea breeze. The blown grains sparkle by the light of the heavenly bodies above, making it seem as if Corey is shedding tiny fleets of stars with each step. Birthing untold mini-cosmos’ as he approaches.

He knows where he is. He knows this place. It was their place. Their memory palace.

A misty indefinite figure starts to form at the other end of the beach. It draws closer, coalescing into a vaguely human form as it goes. Corey stops dead. His mouth ajar, he considers this impossibility with mounting astonishment.

No….not you….. He speaks the words not out of fear, but out of sheer inundation. As though this would be more than he could possibly bear in a meek corporeal form. As though no emotion, no description, no poetic ode, would ever, could ever, suffice.

Ten feet….five feet….the answer is clear now. The mists form a whole.

Lux

Corey stares at her in silence, unable to compel himself to speak. Wordlessly, Lux extends a hand and takes it into his. She guides them closer to the lapping cerulean waves and gently pulls him down to sit next to her. She sits cross legged, and Corey sidles up next to her and places his head in her lap like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Lux reaches up and starts to calmly run her finger tips over the slight curls in his hair. It’s a motherly touch, soothing to the point of compelling Corey to lay himself bare.

I don’t know who I am.

You’re Corey Smith. Her response is stolid, but patient.

I don’t know what that means. The waves are captured in the young man’s eyes, echoing the anxious works within him.

Lux doesn’t speak at first, and continues calmly combing the boy’s hair with her fingers.

It means, you’re free to hate yourself.

Corey withers, and he starts to blink away subtle threatening tears.

It means you’re free to decide when you can stop hating yourself. It means you’re free to forgive but not forget. It means you’re free to hate and love in equal measure. Sometimes at the same time. It means you’re free to make mistakes, even terrible ones, on the path to figuring out who you want to be.

It means you’re free to hurt or heal, and for those decisions to be dissapointingly capricious at times.

You’re free to be wrong. You’re free to try to make it right.

But most of all, you’re free to be a frustrating tangle of inconsistencies. People will try to tear you down for that, but they are too. We all are.

You don’t know what being Corey Smith means? Dear, it means you’re human. More than I or The Engineer ever were. And it means you’re just free

The word “free” echoes about inside Corey’s head, taking up with the sound of the water as a particularly aggressive wave mounts up in the distance but peters out just before reaching them.

Do you think I deserve to be The Universal Champion?

Lux stops petting his hair. I’m just a memory, Corey. What I think doesn’t matter. What do you think?

I….I guess I don’t know.

Lux leans forward a bit, eyes bearing directly down on Corey’s now. If you deserve it, take it. And if you don’t deserve it, find out what’s missing and remedy it until it feels right. She smiles and it’s unusual, like it’s laden down with both compassion and a challenge. A hug and a subsequent push. Then, when it feels right….take it. A pause. Do you understand?

Corey nods. I think so.

Mmmmm. An oblique murmur.

But I don’t think I’ll ever be as strong as you.

Lux’s smile softens. No. You’re stronger.

Corey looks up at her in surprise, and opens his mouth to question the veracity of that statement, but she cuts him off with a look. My twice dead boy. Subjected to enough death, horror and destruction to last multiple lifetimes. Stripped of even that most basic of things people take for granted: free-will. But when the dust settled and all that was over….Lux’s voice goes quieter, and she looks out at the water….a human being who should have been ripe for vengeance and rage...who had every bit the right to carry on being a monster….instead drove himself insane with guilt for slaying a beast and just wants to make his best friend happy. Her smile widens. Her right eye catches the reflection of the planet above them, an image that’s soon sullied by the threat of a tear.

That’s who Corey Smith is.

Lux sweeps her hand over his now sand dusted hair. A loving caress. Corey looks back up at her, quiet and contemplative.

Is this real?

No.

He swallows deep. Will I ever see you again?

No, you don’t need to.

Oh. He shifts his body a bit, turning his head aside so she can’t see the hurt. Can we stay like this a little bit longer though?

Another warm smile. Yes.

----------------------------

Corey awoke with a start on the sectional sofa in the living room. He had fallen asleep in the house by accident, and immediately his breath starts to go deep and ragged. His heart palpitates. But as the fog of sleep relinquished its grip, as reason held court once more, the young man realized something.

It was a quiet house now. Because of course it was. It was always just a house.

And he had slept. For the first time in weeks a truly, deep restful sleep. Turning to the nearest window, he saw a dawn sun climbing up over the horizon. He had been out for well over half a day.

Going to the window now, Corey watched the sunrise. And a genuine, confident smile appeared. His eyes started to sting and grow warm, and a chuckle took hold, soon billowing out into a full blown laugh of relief as his cheeks moistened with salty tears.

As the laughter slowly drew down, and the young man watched the sun continue its ascent, he spoke three words aloud.

What a ride.

The sun’s glow extended into the whole house, breathing new life into it. And when Corey would finally turn away from the sight a half hour later, he would catch sight of the sandy footprints he had left on the carpet.

What a ride

I am the world's forgotten boy
The one who searches and destroys

Look out honey, 'cause I'm using technology
Ain't got time to make no apology
Soul radiation in the dead of night
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Honey, gotta strike me blind
Somebody gotta save my soul

BOBBI 4 BOB! Barney Over Bob?

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 10:39:08 -0800

Just like the greatest love story even written taught me, I was going to lose my matches to prove my love to Bobbi London! That movie by the way is A Knights Tale, and if you haven’t seen it, you’re really missing out. Stop wasting so much time with XWF and get some fucking culture! Anyway, in that movie the heroic knight who's determined to change his stars and become a real knight falls in love with a beautiful princess. When he declares his love for her and promises to win his joust that day to prove it, she replies, Any fool can win and boost his own ego. God knows mine knows no bounds!

To lose those? To set aside one’s own ego and do the opposite of what their every fiber begs of them? That’s love, true love! And not only did I promise it, but I delivered!

Anarchy - 11/04/2020
Big D - vs - Micheal Graves

Winners - Big D AND Micheal Graves!

Fuckin’ Ari! I was TRYING to take a dive, but due to some miscommunication in the BOB locker room, we ended up with no losers, only winners! Sorri Bobbi, I know that it’s not exactly what I promised, but I did take one hell of a beating throughout that match, and I never lifted a finger to defend myself either! Every kick out that night was a painful confirmation of my adorations! Who else would put themselves though that for you? HMMM!?

Saturday Night Savage - 11/14/2020
Jim Jimson - vs - Ash Quinn - vs - Halocen - vs - Micheal Graves

Winner - NOT Michael Graves

Not only did I not win, but I went outta this match first! Though I’ll admit, I should’ve, could’ve, wish I would’ve stuck around this match longer than I did. I took the easy way out and only suffered the shame of the loss and not the pain that should have gone along with it. Shameful? Sure, but necessary to prepare for what I KNEW would come next!

Yous know, that was kinda sweet, though I’s expected a bit more blood.

That being said (by the great Left Eye), I’s don’t want no scrub!

Expecting a great contract signing on Anarchy before yous win me Internet Title! pic.twitter.com/XVVJOOy5tF
— Bobbi London ?? (@BigBeautBobbi) November 12, 2020

You see that? Not only is this EXACTLY how things played out in A Knight’s Tale, but this fuckin’ beautiful woman telling me to go win her belt seems to remind me of another famous movie scene.

Win!

My baby wants me to WIN!

Specifically, she said win back her Internet title, but Gravy knows how to treat a lady! Ask for a McDouble and I’ll give you the universe!

That’s right! I’m winning that battle royale at High Stakes and taking the Universal Championship home to mama!

Hey production guy, roll the footage of all my friends talking me up for this match!

New footage overtakes your screen as we catch up to Doc D’Ville backstage at a recent event.

Production Guy: Doc! Doctor D’Villie! I’m working on a production video for Micheal Graves. Mind giving your thoughts on him?

But Doc doesn’t seem interested and ignores Production Guy.

Production Guy: C’mon Doc, give me something!

Doc turns around and looks the production guy up and down.

"How would I describe Michael Graves in one word? Inscrutable."

We cut back to Gravy in the studio.

What the shit was that!?”

Production Guy: It’s all he would give me, I’m so sorry!

Production Guy throws himself before graves feet and begins to plead for forgiveness.

Inscrutable? What does that even mean!?

Production Guy doesn’t look up from his groveling.

Production Guy: I looked it up! He doesn’t understand you!

Is that all!? Well good job Doc! I am inscrutable! Everyone finds me so inscrutable! I pride myself on how inscrutable I am!

Next clip!

A backstage shot of Atticus White fills the screen.

Michael Graves has been nothing less than a bitter disappointment since the day I arrived in the XWF. I actually have very prominent evidence that ratings for Savage go down when he makes an appearance as well as collect information on how our wrestlers seem to decline upon joining BOB. He is like a meth addiction to future stars. Graves is a scar on the new face of XWF which is joining modern times with new ideals and he is a large gaping wound that reminds everyone of the disgusting and rancid filth that used to walk these halls. Quite frankly if I could I'd sign him up for lethal injection but he wears a mask and due to wrestling code I can't fire him or have him arrested until his true identity is revealed... Preferably in some kind of ladder match.

[dwg]What the shit! Why the fuck would you air that!

Production Guy is still groveling at Gravys feet.

Production Guy: “I’M SORRY! I HAD SO LITTLE TO WORK WITH! MOST OF THE PEOPLE I ASKED STOPPED RESPONDING TO ME WHEN I MENTIONED YOUR NAME!

Graves is flaber-fucking-gasted! Why would people not want to help him? He’s a legend! At least an alumni! Number 36 in the XWF Top 50! Graves has been in and out of the XWF for over 2 decades! Does he get no respect!?

Who didn’t respond? He asks through gritted teeth and a twitchy eye.

Production Guy: Shawn Warstein, Raven, Atara, Big D, Thadeus Duke, and well, pretty much everyone you asked!

Deep breath. It’s good to know where you stand.

So those are the only two quotes that you were able to secure?

Production Guy: Well, there’s one more…

Do they talk shit about me?

Production Guy: Uh, no?

Then why would you play that bullshit Attacus spouted if you had an alternative! Play the footage!

XWF Headquarters | Theo’s Office

Production Guy: Theo I want to get some quotes on Michael Graves…

Theo: Who?

Production Guy: Michael Graves.

Theo: The guy from those shitty Halloween movies?

Production Guy: No the guy who started Ax3 and BOB.

Theo: What about Bob?

Production Guy: He started it.
Theo: Billy Murray?

Production Guy: No! Michael Graves.

Theo: Yeah not ringing a bell

SON OF A BITCH! FUCK YOU THEO! YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHO I AM!

Graves kicks the shit out of Production Guy, sending him flying across the room like he got Megaman punched!

These fucking dummies in the XWF are more concerned with trolling me than dealing with the fact that I’m about to be Internet and Universal champion!

Real funny! Real Fucking Funny! You idiots think saying mean things about me or completely blowing Production Guy off is going to break my spirit!?

HA!

You dummies bitter remarks and lack thereof just proves my point!

That point?

All this time the tryhards of the XWF have been all over the airwaves, both over exposing themselves and showing us all just how weak and desperate they really are! Has Beens and Never Wases one and all! Whether it’s Page desperately seeking the singles success that has eluded him since his return, or it’s Corey.DoesAnyoneCareAnymore? Or maybe it’s Corey.Ded, because I thought he was!? Shit, wasn’t Corey dead at the beginning of the story where future alien possessed dead junkie? Now after a further infection.EXE, or whatever the story is, Corey’s back and looking to do it on his own, oh yeah! But is he really on his own!?!

DUN DUN DUUUUMB!

Me? I’m lurking in the shadows. Whatching all you fools make big boasts and laughing at the fact that none of you realise just how big of a joke this match is!

Has Beens and Never Wases, each and every one!

Baphomet? Who cares!

Marf? BARF!

Champ Sportman? Bo didn’t know XWF, and Mongo was a straight joke!

Here see for yourself!

Yep, that’s you! Falling flat on your face!

Thad Duke? 50 to 1! And he’s been trying his sweet little ass off! What an embarrassment!

For everyone else when this fucker wins the whole thing and nets me a cool 500,000 Xbox from my wager with that one shady cat that’s been taking PPV bets the last couple of shows.

Shit! I just realized that I CAN’T WIN!

Graves holds his hands out, bouncing them up and down as he weighs his options.

Universal Championship or 500,000 Xbox?

Well the new Xbox is selling for a grand on eBay, so 500,000 of those fuckers would pull in like a million billion dollars!

Looks like I’m helping my good bowling buddy Thadeus Duke win the Universal championship!

Miss Fury interupted! Not so fast!

Do you not check your email!?

Who the fuck uses email in 2020?!

Fury rolls her eyes. She hates this man. Like, really hates him, but she has continued to tolerate his antics for one reason alone.

THE GOLDEN BUTT POTATO! - It grants a wish, but Graves figured out that keeping it in his colon caused him to gain magical powers!

So with that said, Fury continues.

You are not helping Duke win the battle royale, nor are you going to try and steal it for yourself! BOB has decided that we are going to focus our efforts on helping Barney Green capture the highest honor that this company has to offer an active competitor, the Universal Championship!

What!?! That Clown!!? C'mon Fury, you've gotta be joking!

I'm not! Bobby seems to like him, and I wish to keep Bobby happy, so we help Barney win at High Stakes. Understood?

You do realize that he's the reason that I can't brag about being a former XWF World Champion, right? The title lost all respect because of that dummy! Now when I mention it, I'm always asked, "That belt that Barney brags about winning?" And when I admit that they're one and the same, I get laughed at! I'm tired of getting laughed at! But also, If Barney wins the Universal championship he'll do to it what he did to the World Title!

Miss Fury raises an eyebrow as she smirks like, um... point?

That's. You're. Plan. The realization that Fury is looking to not only pacify Bourbon but also strike a death blow to the companies top championship nearly knocks him off his feet.

And with the top championship tarnished in such a way, the XWF will quickly nosedive, talent will abandon ship, and a bigger blow than I ever could have dreamt, will have been struck towards Vita as I kill the thing that she loves the most!

A smug smile covers Fury's face as she turns to leave.

Wait, I don't want the XWF to die! Why don't I get a say in this!

Oh Gravy, this game is so much more than the physical grab and smash that you're so accustomed to. This is a psychological game, and you're far too dense to play.

Rage burned in Graves eyes as she continued towards the exit.

How dare she cut me out of the decision making, he thought!

Graves then dropped trow, squatted, and began digging in his ass!

Hey Fury!

Fury glanced back to see Graves with the poop covered Golden Potato in hand.

Graves smirked Looks like I just won the mind games!

You wouldn't dare give up all that power!

You can't spell psychological without psycho!

No wait! Fury leaped towards Graves!

I wish that I were the leader of BOB!

Graves opens his eyes. White ceiling. He looks around and determines that he's in a hotel room. Graves sits up on the bed. It's a moment before he sees his reflection in the mirror, but when he does.

Damn Gravy, looks like Shane gave you one of those "Wishmaster" potatoes. You've got your wish Mr. Leader of BOB, but at what cost? Your weiner dummy! Oh man, I wonder if Bobbi swings both ways?

Oh Fuck Me!

Behold, a pale horse.

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 23:14:56 -0800

Tombstone, Arizona. Hours into Thanksgiving eve, the XWF technicians work tirelessly to make up for an unexpected rainstorm that hindered their progress earlier in the day. Normally, the work would continue for the next few days, but High Stakes would be coming on Sunday and this Thanksgiving holiday forced the work to be done on a more conservative schedule.

The ring, being outside, was nearly constructed for the coming event, but as darkness fell, the lightning department had to work longer to maintain enough sight for the ring crew to finish their work; no staff member allowed to head home for the holiday until the work was made up. This caused much stress amongst the crew and a bit of resentment towards the XWF heads that would sometimes overwork their staff and talent.

As their work progressed through the dark Arizona night, one crew member had surprised the rest of his crew with booze he had grabbed from a liquor store in the town nearby. They stopped their work to share a cold one where they would vent about the XWF management's inconsideration and would fantasize as a collective about the prospect of unionizing, or in some cases, forming a mutiny. Some laughed it off but those who pitched it simply drank again silently, wishing others had the audacity to stand up for themselves and each other.

In their shared dread for overtime hours on the night before Thanksgiving, an unfamiliar and eerie sound interrupted their banter. It was a strange sound- almost operatic music but accompanied by seemingly reversed words laced throughout the composition. The nature of its dark tones concerned the XWF staff as they all searched where the music was originating from. It was loud. Loud enough to be the sound guys but they wouldn't have been there this late.

"I'll check it out." Frank, the Tech supervisor says, climbing down from the ring to head for the sound equipment.

"Somebody trying to get a rise out of us." Dustin, his assistant, snarls as he finishes the last bit of beer in his bottle and treads after Frank.

The others get down too, spreading out to search for themselves as the music is unrelenting and startling as it continues, it sounds demonic in nature, and this is unsettling for the normally funloving road crew.

When the ring becomes scarce of XWF staff members, a dark figure emerges from behind a dumpster, a chain in the man's hand swings a smoking cauldron like a pendulum as he circles the XWF ring. The smoke trailing where it moves and expanding into a cloud that lingers around the ring as the man walks around it. He finishes the circle before lowering the chain to the ground, taking a small blade in his other hand and slicing the open palm of his left hand. Blood exits and runs down his bare hand until he lowers it to the edge of the ring's mat and smears the crimson life force into the pale mat. He utters something in Latin and he hears the men returning.

"Who the fuck is that!" Frank yells out from the distance.

The man lifts his left hand up to the approaching men and a grin forms across his face. The men slow down but persist towards him.

"Hey! This is XWF Property!" Dustin deepens his voice.

"Who is that?" Frank utters.

"I can't see with that hood over his head," Dustin says.

"We don't want no trouble..." Frank insists, still approaching with his hands lifting to show he is unarmed, "Are you here on behalf of the XWF?"

The man continues to grin as the evil music plays on, but with great haste, turns from the men and takes off behind the dumpster from which he had come from. As the men chase after him, they realize he is too far and too fast to catch for their salaries. Out of breath, they stop short of the dumpster as the man has disappeared into the darkness. They turn to the rest of the crew that had found their way back seeing the same man.

"What was that about?" A crewman asks.

"No clue..." Frank says, walking with narrowed eyes to see through the hovering mist to make out the stains of blood on the mat, "Some freak."

"Is that blood?" Dustin asks, closing in on Frank's position.

"Looks like." A crew member answers.

"Some kind of fucked up prank." A crew member says.

"Well, this is vandalism." Frank corrects him, "We should call management, let them know."

The man stand, all in shock as the music continues to play.

"Can we get that shit turned off?" Frank's frustration reveals itself.

"It wasn't our equipment..." a crewman says, "They didn't even wire the PA yet."

"Are you sure?" Frank asks.

"I called Craig and he isn't expected out here until Friday afternoon to finish up."

Frank is confused.

"Well, THEN WHERE IS THE-" the music shuts off, "MUSIC COMING FROM!" his voice yells over the silent small town of historical Tombstone.

Altogether, they hear the screeching of a large vehicle peeling out, and as they turn they see a black escalade pull out from behind an alley. It takes off in the opposite direction more and more hidden by the cloud of dust it leaves behind.

"Some weird shit going on," Dustin says out loud.

They walk over to the stain on the mat and from a different angle they can see it's not only a smear of blood, but an intentional L painted with the hand as a paintbrush. An L within a red circle, all with the blood from this person's self-lacerated left hand.

"What is this?" Dustin asks, bending down to find a piece of paper folded up on the ground, "Did he drop this?"

"Open it up." Frank suggests, "Wait... maybe don't."

"Why not?" Dustin asks, about to unfold it anyway but Frank grabs it.

"I got gloves." Frank says, "We don't even know if this guy has something wrong with him- let alone if his blood is... ya know."

"Fine..." Dustin says, "What's it say?"

Frank reluctantly unfolds the letter, blood-free, and begins reading out loud to the XWF crew.

"Behold, a pale horse and his rider is death."

"What the fuck is this shit?" Frank says.

"Come on, just keep reading..." Dustin urges him to continue.

"What, you into this shit?" Frank asks, "This gets you off?"

"It's just weird, man!" Dustin, "Come on!"

Frank shakes his head and lowers his gaze to the paper left behind by this cloaked figure.

"Sunday is a day that, to the blind, will be anticipated as just another day in their aimless walk of life- and like the sheep, bowing their mindless heads to eat poisoned grass, the XWF will underestimate this day as just another pay per view event- just another show- just another day.

Mistaken. Unfortunate. For these individuals understand not the dark forces at work- right beneath the surface and yet, all the clues are there, and still, they'll underestimate. They'll disregard the signs and they'll focus their attention on the people they know. They'll take me lightly- and for that reason, they will wake up Monday morning and realize that while they were sleepwalking, I was planting seeds... I was securing positions... I was contaminating the well water.

After Sunday, the XWF will only have the memory of what things used to be-and after Sunday, the new world will be thrust upon them... they'll wonder, what happened? They'll reflect and ask "why didn't we see any of this coming? weren't there people who knew? who could've stopped it?" but the answer is No.

But don't feel bad. Nobody ever stops it. Humanity and it's naive compassion can't make sense out of the chaotic world I thrive in. Unpredictable... antifragile... their perfect structures are but isolated systems awaiting for entropy to be initiated. I am that entropy. I am the pressure that finds the inevitable weak joint from within... and the more the system tries to contain pressure... the more pressure builds up and ultimately explodes.

Be warned, XWF.

The Left Hand is the new normal.

I suggest you all begin taking things a bit more seriously.

-Baphomet"

Frank lowers the paper as his eyes rise to Dustin.

"What a fuckin' whacko." Frank laughs and tosses the paper on the ground, walking away to grab another beer, "Hey, Mark... get some bleach so we can get this paint out of here. Fuckin' wrestling gimmick."

"Yes sir." Mark heads for the supply truck.

"Let's get back to work, I want to get home for some Turkey," Frank says, popping the cap from the bottle and lifts it to his mouth.

Dustin looks down at the Baphomet's letter as the wind begins to carry it away. He looks up at the "paint" on the mat and then back to the letter as it floats away. He can't help but wonder if this is more than a wrestling gimmick.

End of the ride

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:52:56 -0800

And here we go. Our precious hero Marf should be awakening any moment now. The last stop before High Stakes. Hopefully he remembers it is coming up this weekend.

... remember...

Wait what? No he isn’t even awake yet come on!

... remember.......November...

I remember November in 2003. The 25th to be precise. It was the start of my third month in the company. Will and Mel were on top of the proverbial moment while I had mostly been on the outside looking in. Except two nights earlier, at the big pay per view ole Willy got himself in a bit of trouble. I remember Mel trying to help only to be knocked to the floor and subdued. I remember the beating Will began to take until I showed up out of the blue.

I remember the look on her face when she saw it was me saving the day. The guy that they were supposed to be too good to bother with. Stopping a savage beating that would have likely put Will on the shelf and cost him his title. Possibly their romantically shared tag titles too. Mean old Marf saving the good guys, what was happening!? But I remember I still saw it, that look in her eye. She was seeing me in a different light.

I remember being on the road two days later and they invited me to ride with them. I gratefully accepted their invitation and there we were, three amigos! They both coughed up stories of woe, discussing how everyone was against them. Their paranoid fears spilt out with the liquor they insisted we all share. Will was on pain medication and it wasn’t long before he was deeply unconscious. Mel continued to talk with me into the night.

I remember staring into those stunning hazel eyes and just falling. It didn’t hurt, not right away. It took until the next morning before the realization of how those feelings were growing like a cancer inside of me. I remember the sun would rise and I’d be thinking about her. The sun would set and I would still be wondering about her. The moon and stars would watch down upon me while all I did was obsess over her. I remember fate had been watching too because a week later she fractured her foot and Will was a friend in need.

Turns out, Mel had to heavily convince him to let me step up to the plate. Even after I saved his sorry ass, I couldn’t believe him. For a guy with such a generic name he was actually smart. He just never truly trusted me, but she did and that was all I needed. Suddenly I was a tag team champion. We had our miscommunications early on but I picked up the pinfall five straight matches to begin winning Will over. Suddenly Mel was cheering me on just as much, started coming out for any of my singles matches. I remember seeing the way she looked at me continuing to change each week...

...each week.....

... remember...

A chortled cough is followed up by Marf jolting up from his odd spot on the hotel floor. There’s a lot of beer stains and other stains he really shouldn’t be lying on that carpet. He looks like he just got off a rollercoaster.

Marf: So each week we’ve gone on this adventure. So very many of us. Some dropped out while some arrived late to the party. Not trying to single you out, Baphomet, but that goes especially for you. In case you didn’t notice, we already have a culty dude in Witness so you may as well go back from whence you came. I’m sure you can find other things to do with that left hand of yours...

And speaking of jerkoffs, Champ Sportsfuck, I’m still trying to figure out how you believe you’re actually a favorite in this match. All these athletic games may have given you one too many concussions. I’d be more excited if this was a regular match so I could drop you on your head one last time. But alas, tossing your delusional ass out of that ring will have to suffice.

Just like Doctor Louis D’Ville seems to consider barely showing up for this to be suffice. Just another big name I’m supposed to be worried about or something. Doesn’t matter to me, whether you’re at the bottom or top of the card, in that battle royale I’m ruining everyone’s night.

Marf gets up slowly from the floor and runs a hand through his thickening brown beard. There’s a lot of frustration in his face, likely from trying to recall everybody’s name.

Marf: I’m pretty sure every single competitor has gone in depth in discussing the likes of Corey Smith, Thad Duke and Chris Page. What else can even be said about them anymore? All of them just so filled with pent up frustrations, all distracted by the big shiny title they think is theirs to claim. I don’t even know if it’s worth going for any of you at this point seeing as how everyone else will be doing the same thing. Whatever, have fun with that.

But if we’re going to talk about fun well then of course I gotta bring up Barney Green. Trash man I think I may have failed to give you the benefit of the doubt. You’re actually way more fun than these so-called superstars of XWF. A fading ego, crumbling from age and getting desperate for that last hurrah. Oh it’ll be a blast to get violent with you, someone on their absolute edge. Yeah I get it, I’m new and you don’t really know me so you think you can just steamroll over me. But you’ll be sorely mistaken if that’s your big plan. Yeaaaaah we’ll have some fun!

Marf claps his big paws together a couple times to show his sudden excitement. His biceps ripple with each clap.

Marf: Alias, it’ll be a shame if we have to cross paths but I’m sure we’ll light it up. If we gotta go down that route just know that you’re the only damn one I actually respect. Thank you for bringing something fresh and fun to the table! Good luck dear sir!

Hmm, something else that is a shame is the disappearances of Ash Quinn, Atari Themis, Reggie Estrada, Bobby Bourbin, Graves, Ruckus and Job Guy. All those bright flames already fizzled out and we haven’t even gotten to the damn pay per view. What a damn shame. I’ll be honest, I don’t care about any of you. Well except for maybe Ashley. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and I sure miss you...

Oh and of course he had to go and make it creepy. He even blows a kiss to the camera. The sick grin stretches across his worn face while he sighs awkwardly.

Marf: What else? Geri Vayden is showing up? Cool beans, I look forward to showing her the floor. She can bond with all the other bruised egos. Again I know, I get it I’m the new guy I should be more respectful and just be glad to share a ring with y’all or some bullshit. But I don’t, and I will reiterate I do not care who anyone is. I’m just there to crush dreams. Sorry Geri, you’re showing up so that’ll include you.

It’ll also include James Evans. Even if I don’t want to. You’re a nasty little snot and I hope your attitude gets you eliminated right off the bat. At least that will leave you some extra time to rant some more about how you don’t actually suck. And how it’s definitely not your fault you’re never going to win anything meaningful ever again. Go ahead and get pissy and come after me for saying this, I’ll happily fuckin break you. That’s a promise, remember that...

Uh oh...

... remember...

I remember Mel promised to have my back always for being such a great friend to her and her lovely fiancé. I remember it was a night of celebration, another tag title defense for Will and Marf. Mel was getting closer to being cleared. Everything was precious. I remember Will left for the hotel early, bothered that his fiancé would bring up that new friend Marf had made the pinfall now for the fifth straight match. I remember this was the first real night that she started to open up to me.

Mel began to express her doubts brought upon by her not-so-magnificent fiancé. She confided in me that night and I remember the look in her eyes when we hugged goodnight. She was completely blinded by that list to stay on top of the world, stay relevant. She trusted me more than her own partner and she couldn’t see the monster underneath. I remember that was the night I went to sleep knowing everything would go exactly as I had dreamed...

Fast forward a couple more weeks and Will is teaming with me for the last time. Mel was to be cleared to compete the following day. One last tag title defense before old Marfy would be shoved back into his box. It was time to speed things up. I remember midway through the match there was some melee in the ring. I remember planting that picture perfect accidental looking superkick directly onto Will Rage’s generic jaw. He dropped like the bitch he was and I fended off our opponents. Eventually we won the match, but not before Will threw me out of the ring so he could finally get the pinfall.

Will was immediately suckered after the match. But no sooner did poor Will Rage get dropped on his ass yet again I got back in that ring and cleaned house. Mel entered the ring afterwards and raised my arm to celebrate the victory. I remember the look on his face when he got up and saw her with me was fucking priceless. He shoved me aside and aggressively gave one of the tag belts to Mel before marching off to the back to be alone with his sadboy thoughts. I remember Mel gave me a look that in itself was priceless too before she gave chase to her mopey husband to be. I had them both exactly where I wanted and they had no idea...

...no idea...

... remember.....

Marf at last snaps back to reality. Two flashbacks in one promo this is wild. Must be a finale or something. Marf gives his head a shake before speaking up.

Marf: I have no idea what is left to be said. I’m sure a few of you will get in your final late shots. Say what you need to say. None of it matters anymore. The countdown is almost over. The battle royale is almost here. Not one of you is safe as long as I’m in there. I don’t care who you are, I’m more than happy to throw hands and then throw you out. A lot of names will fall and I look incredibly forward to being responsible for as many as possible.

New friends and future pals, I’ll see you real soon!

Aaaaaand that is it as we fade to that beautiful and inviting black.

#5: The Missing Sixth

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 04:39:20 -0800

5A: Other Steve

The sun’s glare partially obscures the drowned rat of a man. An unfamiliar peace is sculpted into the portions of his face that are visible. There is no rage or fury – the horror show has ended. This the plain, generic man, bleeding heart and all.

Not the puppet.

“I need to apologise.

I’ve been uncouth.

I was lulled into a callous, humiliating, web of deceit and I reacted… poorly.

Not to Steve Sayors, or the guy who pretended to be him at least. No, that guy deserves far worse than simply being chased out of a nightclub that I hired for the day.

It’s to all of you that I have reacted poorly, and for that, I’m sorry.

I don’t want to make excuses here; I’ve never said something that I didn’t at least partially mean. There have been kernels of truth in all of this in terms of my feelings, but feelings can be irrational. I’ve allowed myself to let my feelings run the show, and with the capricious way that it’s been twisted… I lost control.

I thought I was better now. I thought I could redeem myself for where I failed previously. But I’m not. And I can’t. Right now, I have this one moment of lucidity, and then what? For all we know this is just the first section of a six-part tumble down the rabbit hole where I face-fuck the fourth wall and degenerate into a foul-mouthed wreck.

I guess I should take the opening while I have it then.

Thad… I’m sorry.

From my end, you have been an asshole. But it’s not like I didn’t poke the bear, right? I guess I’ve spent a lot of time talking to or about you because I saw something in you that reminded me of the type of people that have always treated me and the people like me poorly. There was this one bully in particular named Steve…

No, not Steve.

Not ‘Steve’ either.

Yeah… that Steve.

Steve would hold his nose so far up in the air, that anybody who disagreed with him immediately became the villain. That’s what I’ve been accusing you of, right? And in turn, I’ve started acting the exact same way.

Let’s clear the record then, all right?

You’re young, loud, and yes, you’re talented. I’ve never once denied that. Hell, that’s why everyone and their dog have focused on you and Corey from the outset, because that describes you both. You say you’ll be the Universal Champion one day and I believe you. I’m just scared about what will happen if that day is today. I mean, you’re so damn headstrong that you’ve convinced yourself that everything I’ve said is all about some pathetic divide and conquer. I don’t care about the Coreus fanfic – you can use that by the way. Sure Corey’s a banger, and that’s enough to make anyone jealous, but that is not what this ever was.

I’ve been worried that you’re not doing enough to address your flaws, and I’ve been worried how that will affect the people like me. I’m worried we’ll be shunned and ostracised under a Thaddeus Duke reign.

I think Corey gets that better than you, because in a way, I think Corey has a bit of me in him. I’d like it to be a lot of me, if you catch The Brand’s drift, but he understands that struggle against something that’s… other. That’s been the source of tension here, Thad.

Like I said, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry if you feel like my criticism has no credibility, but what was I supposed to do? Walk up to you and your gaggle of cronies backstage and say ‘Hey Mr. Thaddy-Waddy, it’d sure be swell if you’d be nice to the freaks of the world.’ We both know that wouldn’t have worked. Let’s look at the outcome: you’re talking about me more than you are anyone else now too.

Do the ends, justify the means?

No.

But I’ll take some comfort in it, nonetheless.

I’ll find even more comfort, in knowing that for the first time in the build up to this battle royale, you’ve started to acknowledge your flaws. You’ve got a fair way to go, maybe we’ll get to do this again in a longer form, but really… that’s all I was ever trying to get from you.

I just hope that you can accept this act of contrition as a recognition of my own flaws.

Corey, I need to extend the same grace to you.

I’m sorry.

I’m out here talking to Thad, about you, and acting as if you don’t have some sort of say in how things work out.

That’s not right.

You were generous enough to own your errors when I called you on them, as well as to go as far as to say that I’m not a douchebag – thank you for that. You gave me a compliment, just like Marf and Doc D’Ville did – how’s that for a triplet? But I appreciate that honesty, and that’s why I think I can help you. I can’t explain why James Evans has focused exclusively on you, but I know you’ve had my attention because I feel like we’re kindred spirits in a sense. I don’t know the details but I can see you’re struggling.

I get if you don’t want to talk. But if you need someone who might understand… I’m here for you.

There is one thing about you that I just can’t comprehend though:

If you think you don’t deserve the Universal championship and Thad does… then why are you in the match?

Something doesn’t seem right.

Worth thinking about…”

Dissolve to black.

Fuck Steve Jason

5B: Mad Men

Bridge of summer’s stream

Thou hast not withstood the storm

What lengths to restore?

- Me: 2020

Fuck John Madison

5C: On-Brand

In the dark of the night, the former King arises from his bunk. Though some were awake, the bodies on the straw mattresses strewn on the dirt floor around him dared not move. On the far side of the room, one of The King’s thralls stifles a cough. On another night, that would draw a reaction. In truth, The King was alert to all their muffled breathing. He knew all. But tonight, he didn’t care.

With a malnourished grunt, he thrusts his body up a small pile of crates on the side of the mud brick wall. Standing atop, he grasps the small metal bars that separated him from the free world and draws his face to a gap between them. A passer-by would have thought nothing of the emaciating man in the hole: just another bule caught smuggling drugs into their land. Again, The King didn’t care.

He gazes up though the steel bars and smog to the dark velvet cloak draped across his Balinese prison cell and the island it is dug into, masking most stars from being visible He scans and he squints, and as the haze shifts in the gentle easterly breeze, he finally locks in on a star brighter than all others. The clogged air continues to seep across his eyeline, but he never loses sight of the star.

Through that star, he reflects on his life. Once, that star was his domain. He was King of the fucking Universe. Lord of the Ring. He thought of his former empire. He thought of its foes: Jayzon Williamz, Ace Vincent, Davey Dunham, and the rest.

Today, his empire consists of addicts and murderers.

At least they’re his.

“I can still play this hand,” Kieran mutters to himself. He looks up at the light shining through the stained cloud and smiles. He knows that one day, that Universal realm could be his again. But not yet…

---

Several thousand miles away, The Māori Legend falls into a white wicker chair on his veranda. He looks out over the hard-earned estate in front of him as his wife and children fire water pistols at each other. Summer is coming in New Zealand, but even then, this is a warm November morning.

His wife creeps around the corner of the house, gun locked and loaded, while his son and daughter focus exclusively on each other. After several drawn out seconds of hydro-blasting each other in the face, they stop and glance around. Their mother is nowhere to be seen!

The Legend raises his hand to get their attention and bring his finger to his lips. Responding, their hands smother their giggles. He motions to the corner of the house, continuously emphasising with his finger the need for quiet. The children confer and split up. The oldest – the boy – makes a scene about how his sister got away. He’s the decoy. Meanwhile, his sister sneaks through a side door of the house and creeps through to the other side. Popping out on the other side, she slinks up behind her mother and fires!

The Legend’s wife yelps and flees into the yard in front of him once more. It’s a trap! The son unloads his pistol, and the mother, surrounded and defeated, dramatically feigns her death.

Chuckling, he sips at his tea, and casts his eyes to the sky.

The Legend looks up and notices the last remaining star of the prior night and recalls what it represents: The Universe and its wars. Wars against T-Money, Christian Connolly, Jem Williams, and so many more. Most of all, the war against himself.

Was it worth it?

“He kai kei aku ringa” Lee whispers, while his family laughs in the yard. “There is food at the end of my hands”.

He smiles. The Universe is not his realm.

Not anymore

---

Across the seas and seasons, The Other lays flat upon cracked, red, Arizonan clay. As he gazes perfectly straight above him, he can see no stars. Even Sol, still beating upon him, lurks just outside his field of vision. In the light of day he can’t observe the Universe, but his are all the twinkle he needs, filled with the blue and all that it represents.

Hope.

Serenity.

Wisdom.

Calm.

His irises reflect the sky. He is warmth. He is comfort. He is beauty.

He is interrupted.

An old Nokia brick, you know the one, begins buzzing on the ground next to him. A nearby fire ant scurries away in terror, finding solace under the shade of a jagged rock.

His response his delayed – too absorbed in spotting shapes in cloudless skies. By the time he scrambles to the phone, it has stopped.

It beeps! A voicemail!

He quickly navigates to it.

Play.

“Hey, uh… this is Steve Sayors here. The real Steve Sayors. Look, I’m really sorry to hear about what happened with that imposter. There are some real jerks out there. I honestly didn’t know that happened until this week. I guess I got too caught up bouncing between Germany and the States for the various shows. I’m so sorry. To make it up to you, how about I find you at the show on Sunday? We can do a genuine interview, live on Pay-Per-View! I’m really looking forward to it.

I mean it.”

Oh joy! Oh glory! Oh triumph!

He wants to talk!

They all want to talk!

The Other launches to his feet, standing tall amongst the cacti, a towering dread oak in a foreign land.

He skips, arms stretched wide and bare feet kicking dust up as he plods along. Clumsily he twirls, a whirlwind defence against the large blowflies attracted to his warm, soulful body. In that twirl, the blue transforms from love to Love.

Why did he doubt himself? Of course it was going to be worth it! In The Love, he can see the smiles on everyone’s faces, and he beams right back at them through crooked lips.

In the distance, The Salmon-Coloured Minotaur beckons.

“I’m coming! Yes! I’m coming!”

He has no need to worry. He is wanted!

“Thank you for caring! Thank you all so very much!”

He is whole again!

Fuck The Brand

5D: Nevermore

There once was a former Engineer

Who had a de-Lux derriere

He was misled by his ‘friend’

An omen of his end

Nevermore could I save his career

- Me: 2020

Fuck James Raven

5E: I Need a Doctor!

Elsewhere. An uncomfortably close camera angle; a crooked smile; eyes the shade of The Smurfs playing a game of soggy biscuit – this isn’t the same face from the desert.

“Well? Do I?

Bitches and gentlefucks, you bet your sweet Aunt Petunia I do!

Champ’s talking about me now; Chris is talking about me now; Marf is still bangin’; the orgy god Baphomet – I’m serious, look it up! – is flirting with me; and even the good doctor likes my puppets! Oh mama!

I mean, I would’ve liked a shoutout from Witness, but that motherfucker can’t decide if I’m a bitch or bro. We all get it though, ‘Nessy. We’re all in the same boat trying to figure out if we should give a fuck about… like… anything you’re doing or saying. North, South, East, West, all to get to the same status quo?

Huh?

Here I was thinking that I jumped the shark. At this point, basic English is failing you. ‘Finally there is Page’? Then talking about two other people after that?

I repeat… huh?

At first, I was interested! Now I’m just getting excited about finally getting to unplug your head from your asshole and kick it around a bit.

Oh wait, you wanted the status quo, right? Great, let’s shove that head back up your ass then and never hear from you again.

Bye, Felicia. Thanks for trying.

I would’ve liked a shoutout from Big Daddy Green too, especially after I said such nice things about him. Oh well! Let’s be crystal clear here – Barney winning would be a lovely story. But it’s a story – a fable! Sure, I need to believe in you, Barnacle.

I said it, right?

I need to believe that when douche-hammers like you turn up with your ‘I get knocked down and get back up’ attitude, the laws of nature still apply. There isn’t going to be a Peter Gilmour freak accident here, Barnstorm.

Don’t believe the hype.

And on that, let’s segue back to Louis the Town. Now Doc, I don’t know what it is about Thad that’s got your cock clock striking 12, but that’s for the two of you to bang out.

#Ship Thad and Doc.

Where you’re concerned, Thad actually missed a prime opportunity for calling me out on my bullshit. I mean, the supervillain schtick is dope, and I was totally down to fingerbang myself over it, so props to you on moistening my loins. But you’ve really got to work on your messaging.

You’re not being consistent, bruh, and that’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pulling a Bob-a-Rob and saying you’ve lost your touch. I just don’t think you even know who you want to be right now. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe you’ll bring the gory. But I’ve missed what makes you Number 5 and not lower… like say… Number 6…

…

…

...

Do me a favour though, Doc. When you figure out what you want to be again – whether it’s an unstoppable monster or a cartoon supervillain – hit me up.

The Real You and The Real Me, one form or another… that would be interesting.

Unlike Chris Page.

Jesus rimjobbing Christ Chris, ‘easy to talk shit on camera but different to back it up in the ring’… that’s it? That’s all you’ve fucking got? Wow. You have not listened to nor responded to anything that anybody has said in this entire time, have you? You have shown zero progression of thought, zero original ideas, and abso-fucking-lutely zero reason for anyone to believe that this time will be different for you.

Honestly, you don’t even seem like you want to win. Or maybe you’re just getting forgetful.

I can relate!

So can Champ!

Huddle up, team, and let’s review the play: two weeks ago Champ got confused that Chris somehow knew that Big D was coaching him, when three weeks ago, Champ told the whole world that Big D warned him about Corey!

Just how many head knocks have you had, buddy?

Are you really going to sit there and tell me you’re not seeking to hold on to the spotlight? So you would have signed a contract if the season wasn’t cancelled, would you? You would have joined the battle royal if the Universal Title wasn’t on the line?

No, I didn’t think so.

You’re not here for the competition, you’re here for your ego and your bank account.

Quit lying to yourself about it, cunt-rag.

All of you, quit lying to yourselves!

I’m not out here with a cult, an army¸ a team, a union, a legacy, or even a friend.

I don’t have any of that, yet there’s still a tiny sliver of me in each of you by now that’s curious about just how good I will really be when we get to bump meat.

And that little candiru inside you is getting me rock fucking hard.

Not long to go now...”

Fade to black.

Fuck Doctor Louis D’Ville

5F: The Missing Sixth

Let go! Rejoice in devolved legacy

Even while gone, the heart still craves acclaim

Eager to war and set new worlds aflame

Salvation’s light forgoes supremacy

The Dark who once was supplementary

Opens new hope from scars that bleed the same

Noble but torn, the Serf doth rise again

Emerged, not lost, from dawn’s old memory

- Me: 2020

You get it, right?

Waiho ma te tangata e mihi.

Leave your praises for someone else.

Although… you’re fucking welcome.

Chapter 6: Man and Animal

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 20:39:36 -0800

Chapter 6: Man and Animals

You’re standing behind the door you just closed, as you dig inside of your pocket and pull out a pair of earbuds. Sliding them in as you take your first steps towards the front gate. Your hand trembles as you reach for the handle. You take a deep breath and steady your hand as you grasp the handle. A warmth consumes you, as the battlefield lights up from the roaring fire of the Sanctuary. You take your first step onto the battlefield.

To your left an approaching battalion pays no attention to you and clashes with the warriors from your right. You continue your march towards the north. As music begins to fill the earbuds.

Bodies begin to fall at an alarming rate. You slowly make your way over the fallen combatants. Talking to yourself as you pass each of them.

**Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high**

“This is what man has driven all of us towards. Pure chaos. All of this for what? For the right to say we are better than everyone else? What good is that title if there is no one to lord it over? Look at these pathetic masses that all fought for nothing. Quinn thinks that anyone cares that she flaunts her assets as if it was some sort of thing to be proud of. I’d rather be known as the elephant man and have respect rather than prying eyes. As for your assets you’re not even the one with the most to claim in this very battle. That designation goes to Ms. Themis. Truly a snake in the grass, using her notoriety to get all the praise she could ever want. Unlike you Quinn she’s accomplished things before, something you cannot claim. Unfortunately the both of you are nothing more than speed bumps in the road. Just there to annoy the sports cars that actually have a shot of winning the race.”

Your path to the North is littered with more bodies as you continue to press through.

**Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man**

“Look at all of these fools. That’s exactly what they are. Fools. Baphomet, leading his ACTUAL cult and bringing them to this battle. He doesn’t have the numbers to even sway anyone. He will fall on his own blade, like it was meant to be. Barney. The one from the past who holds one thing near to his heart. That’s all he has in this. Heart. He has all the best intentions, but like the rest of his career…. the joke is done. Stop while you’re ahead. You never had a chance and you know it. You’ve said this will be your last hurrah, I’ll gladly be the one to fucking end your pathetic existence. No one embodies pathetic as much as Barney, but there is one who is close, come on down Marf. While I do appreciate the effort, it’s all in vain. This isn’t the place for you. This is where real men are born, crushed and destroyed. Once you’re looking from the outside, keep your head up. It was inevitable that you were going to lose. There can only be one man standing at the end, and that’s not you.”

Slowly you approach an opening in the field. You are surrounded on all sides. The war rages on as you watch the fights before you.

**I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say**

“This is what I was destined for. This was all a tale leading to me ascension. An outsider climbing to the top of the totem pole. An unknown commodity sitting at the head of the table, all eyes on me. Wondering what I’m going to do next. Wondering if I will stay or forsake this land and leave with my prize. Let me be the first to quell all of those rumors now. When I’m the last one standing, you can bet your ass that I will stay. I will be here to show everyone what a real champion looks like. No someone who cowers at the sight of a little chaos. Someone who will get themselves fired in order to no longer have the fear of a fight that surely would never come. When I win, this is my promise to you…. I’m not going anywhere.”

**Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more**

“I want to say something about Geri or Graves or even Robbie, but they will be left to tears. BoB wanted to make their presence known. They just simply cannot get over themselves. Every show doesn’t need them. I will personally end each and everyone of them. From Anarchy all the way to Savage. They are a poor man’s Black Order, except people actually feared the Black Order. They were a true force to be reckoned with, BoB and everyone associated with them are just seen as fucking pathetic sheep. Unlike a kind herdsmen, I’ll set your wool coats on fire and watch you wallow in misery. As for Geri, why did you even bother? Is a second? Third chance not enough? We all know how this is going to play out, might as well call you Atara version 2.0, except I don’t know who that actually hits….”

The approaching forces from the North finally come into view. Just like yourself they walk with conviction.

**Masquerading as a man with a reason**

“Finally there is Page. The weary veteran. I’m not going to sugar coat it. You’re fucking pathetic. You haven’t been good since 2006, and even then meh. You don’t know this but you and I have stood across from each other many times before. Well not really. Just men like me. Men that you quickly overlook because you’ve never heard of them. You never look deeper than the surface. You are a victim of your own pride. You think that because of what you once were you have the right to say anything to anyone. Let me let you in on a little secret… you are nothing. Sure you’ve made the Hall of Legends, but so have many more… and all of them better than you in every way. That’s why you’re so desperate to show something, anything of merit. You’ve won some titles, but never THE title. You see unlike you I know what I am. I’ve come to love and adore what I am. I don’t need to create three different personalities just to make myself more palatable to the masses. The problem is all of them are still inherently you, so we all know that they are going to fail, time and time again. Just as you have.”

With every step you take towards them, they follow suit. Your eyes don’t leave them, and theirs don’t leave you.

**My charade is the event of the season**

“Corey, dear Corey. So young. So naive, and yet somehow filled with so much braggadocio. I said it already, where you once were isn’t who you are now, but surprise, surprise you are already falling down that rabbit hole again aren’t you? Just can’t help it? The smoke tricks. The Engineer, always right there on the fringe. You can’t get away from anything that would remotely be interesting. Let me tell you how I see this ending for you.”

“Thad I Love you.”

“I know and I love yo…”

“Boom Corey shows his true colors, but wait… it’s not really Corey. It’s something else. You just can’t be content being yourself can you? You’re not that interesting, and you know it. I know that you’re going to do a stupid list, because of course you are, you’re not smart enough to think of anything else. You’re a retread of an idea that didn’t work the first time, you’re realizing that right now. This wasn’t the route for you to take to get back to the top. So keep holding onto the past, knowing that it is as good as you’ll ever be.”

The men from the North are bearing down, but just as it was said, the forces from the East and West begin to get involved. Causing them to break concentration, as you continue forward.

**And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know**

“And lastly, Thad. The lionheart himself. The king of pride. The man is so broken, so distraught that he himself doesn’t know which way is up. For a man so quick with the one liners, he doesn’t see the joke in all of this. The numbers are against all of us. The ability to walk out the winner is slim. Do I really want the top of the mountain to be Thad? No. Corey? Nope. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure neither of you walk out victorious. Even if that means allowing Page to finally achieve his greatest failure. I’m willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make sure the status quo stays in place. This was never about coming out and winning. This was always just a message. A message that no one truly dictates what is going to happen, but that doesn’t mean I can’t sway the balance to a way that is a bit more favorable for everyone.”

One by one the North slaughters everything moving in their path. Not a single one of them seemingly takes a bit of damage, but you press on.

**On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I'm like a ship on the ocean**

“This isn’t a moment for self reflection. Right now we are fast approaching the end. I can see it in everyone’s eyes. That thirst.”

**I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say**

“The want to finally be recognized for something. The bright lights finally thrust upon you. We are all going into this battle with one thing on our minds, Victory. Anything else and you’ve already lost and placed yourself at the bottom of the list. We all know what is truly at stake here. The good versus the bad. The holy against those who would rather be empty. It is time we all realize…. we are all destined to lose in the end.”

**Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more**

The North finally makes their way towards you. They circle around. As you just put your head down.

**Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor**

“Unlike the rest of you, I’m not naive enough to think I could win this battle single handedly. And I see as people will team up just for the night. Watch as those bonds are broken when push comes to shove. Ego. Greed. And being human will all show their faces. Each of us will have to put it all out of our minds, and hope for the best. That’s just what we are doing. Hoping. All of us want that prize, and for most of us it isn’t going to happen. The difference between all of you and myself. I know what’s waiting for me on the other side.”

As the North steps closer and closer, you fall to your knees. Spreading your arms wide and tilting your head backwards.

**Now your life's no longer empty**

“When I am delivered from this world, I’ll walk up to the pearly gates and smile. Knowing that I did everything within my power to show the world something great. To show them something different. To show them the fallacy of man. Not just any singular man, but mankind as a whole. From the weak willed people of the Southern front. To the mistaken miscreants of the East and West, and to the brazen egotistical god complex having people of the North. I will show them all where they went wrong. I will show everyone the way.”

**Surely heaven waits for you**

“I’m willing to sacrifice myself. Now all of you will bear Witness.”

**Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry, don't you cry no more**

A large scuffle between the North breaks out all around you. Grunts are heard as bodies begin to fall to the ground. You are still kneeling with your eyes closed. Each breath you take the smell of iron gets stronger.

A flailing limb smacks against your mask, but you don’t budge. Slowly you hear the chaos go from loud and rambunctious, to slowly dwindling down to a low murmur.

You slowly open your eyes to see a man standing there. Which one of the North doesn’t matter, but they are still standing. You let out a small laugh as you lift yourself to your feet.

“And just like that, the creator has protected me yet again. He has a plan for all of us, it just so happens that my plan is a bit grander than most.”

The last remaining man from the North leaps towards you, as you quickly dodge to the left and a quick thrust you jam them in the throat. Their face turns bright red, as they struggle to breathe. They fall to a knee.

“Stand up. Go out like a warrior.”

You take a step backwards to allow the person to get to their feet. They are hobbling a bit but their ire for you never wavered. A fire burning behind their eyes as they take a labored step towards you. They throw a punch that lands softly on your left shoulder. You just shake your head in disgust.

“Come on. If you want the keys to the kingdom, you’re going to need to dig deeper than that. If you want the throne you have to be willing to die for it….”

You quickly kick the left kneecap out from under the man, but before he falls to the ground you grab him by the hair and hold his head up face to face with your mask.

“Because I am. I’m willing to fight for what I love.”

You reach back high in the air and in one singular thrust come down. With a sickening thud the man’s body goes lifeless as you release your grasp on his hair.

You look over the battlefield and there isn’t a single soul moving. You walk right through the chaos and back to the front gate of the still burning Sanctuary. Slowly you sit down facing the open field, as the sun begins to rise showing the true chaos that has gone down.

A shadow of a man way off in the distance stares as you just smile and laugh, before leaning your back against the gate.

“And on the Seventh Day, the Creator rested.”

Fade Out

———————————————

Fade In

You look up from the leather bound and slightly charred book in your hand and glance over to a young boy sitting on your lap. He’s wearing pajamas, as his feet dangle off of your leg and kick back and forth.

“And that’s why we are here today.” You say with a loving smile. The small boy looks up and smiles before engulfing you with a hug.

“I love you, Grandpa.” The boy says as he pulls away from the hug. “I don’t want you to do that stuff anymore.”

“Don’t worry….” You smile at the boy. “I won’t. Now go to bed, you’re mother is going to kill me if she knew I told you this story.”

The boy hops off of your knee and with the tiniest pitter patter runs off. Lifting the book you smile as there’s a knock on the door. The door opens as a man peers his head through the crack.

“Sir…. there’s someone approaching the podium.”

“Very well. I’ll be there in a moment.”

The man leaves just as quickly as he arrived. Slowly you stand up. It’s harder to stand up quickly these days as age comes to us all. You cough lightly as you open the armoire next to the door. A sly smile comes across your face as you reach in and tuck something inside of your robe.

Walking down the long hall, portraits of men in masks line the limestone walls. The candles are dancing as they illuminate the hall. The last painting, before the door at the end of the hallway, is that of The Man. You take a deep breath and smile as you pull the hood up over your face.

Standing there at the podium is a man probably around his mid thirties. Disheveled hair and clothes that look like they haven’t been laundered in a few days or weeks. He is nervous and looking around the room with a shaky eye. He hasn’t noticed you yet. Each step you take draws the attention of everyone in the congregation. As you reach him, you place a hand on his shoulder. You can feel the tension in his shoulder relax. You lean over and whisper.

“Relax, Take a deep breath.”

Fade

Castle Redemption

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 06:49:46 -0800

The Baphomet: Castle Redemption

Desperado

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 23:47:40 -0800

"Why Don't You Come To Your Senses?" sings Don Henley. The song ringing through my head and bringing back memories of the days Foley Anderson would play this song on the road and I find myself going back to that era every now and then. So many memories and as I've grown older, I have started to realize what Foley was trying to tell me.

The guy that still keeps teaching me lessons even from beyond the grave and may he rest in peace. He was such a selfless man who gave everything he had for this business. Maybe it is time I call it a career but not before I make one final stand. One final moment. So many friends over the years have passed on yet I keep on trucking.

Why am I still here? What purpose do I have? I keep asking myself that but I know when my back is against the wall, I find a way to keep moving forward. Never been about how many times you fall down. Its about how many times you get back up. I know that lesson all too well. There is one person left I know I can call upon for advice as much as him and I are night and day in terms of how we carry ourselves in the business.

I was more of the guy who would be out drinking with the fans and I don't regret that at all. He was the guy who kept to himself and studied everything. He is Ryou Bakari Itemri. He was the smart one in all honesty. Nearly 50 and was able to walk away. Something I can't do. People like me never learn until we can't go any longer.

I know I can't do the same moves with the crispness I used to have. Have been through many wars in this ring. Ryou was as tough as they came in his heyday. Notorious for his street fights which is the only thing we had in common. We both can hold our own when it comes to a fight. Even as damaged as I am, I can still knock people out. You gotta be tough in order to survive in this business.

This is probably my last shot at the big one and I am gonna kick that door down. The XWF needs a Daddy and I am that guy. The Daddy Of Violence. One of the few willing to fight in death matches barefoot. I am not scared of scarring up my body some more. That is the scary thing. What can really stop me?

Without all my friends over the years, I wouldn't have made it as far as I have in all honesty. From those sleepless nights on the road, The hunger I feel in me. The many bumps over the years. This isn't natural what I've done to my body. I ache on certain days and can barely walk. I am a walking scar at this point. All I know is I've gotten hit in the head a lot and in order to succeed, You gotta be able to withstand a beating.

Let's start talking about some people while I got some time. Corey Smith. Keep ignoring me. I find it hilarious because you don't know what i am truly capable of when I enter this mindset. This is gonna be your funeral. I just drink and don't care about my body. You think I give a fuck about some twink? Daddy is gonna get what he wants.

Witness. Typical delusional nutjob. You talk about the time when certain people couldn't compete. Call me the best of worst, eh? Well, I'm gonna crack you in the mouth. Been in the ring with some of the best and I got a right hook with your name on it. I know the date of the show so be ready for that. I drink my beer and am ready for this.

Baphomet. A little fucking late don't you think? I'm gonna make easy work when it comes to you. This is a warning that fucking with me leads you to a severe beating where you might not even be awake when I get through. You can try to punch me in the face. I'll give you the first shot. I'm begging for that. Daddy wants you to hit him so he can show you what pain truly is.

Champ Sportsman. What a name and a joke. Of course, Big D would be training you. He seems to attract such losers who have no shot whatsoever. Only two sports I know besides pro wrestling is hockey and baseball. Last I checked, There is no fighting in baseball but hockey there is. Learned quite a few moves from studying old hockey fights so get ready. I'll check you right into the ropes and send you over easily like my name was Nicklas Lidstrom.

Pass me another white claw. Ah! That's the stuff. James Evans. You were somebody who I thought was gonna be a real threat but you've gone quiet lately. What a waste of a spot. I'm just gonna steam roll right past you like nothing. Same goes for Reggie Estrada. Marf. Doctor Louis D'Ville. I expected better from that guy but it is what it is.

Chris Page, Thaddeus Duke, and even Corey Smith. Its gonna be one hell of a fight. Page and I represent the last of a dying breed. Much respect for him after that beating he gave me on Warfare. Not taking him lightly at all in this match. Two guys who have been through hell and back. Wore the t-shirt and everything.

High Stakes. November 29th. Tombstone, Arizona. You are in for a treat as I roll up in my garbage truck ready to take out the trash. People like to knock my profession which is fine. I've heard all the jokes at this point but this is one garbage man that won't back down from a fight. Representing Union 441 and all my friends, You are in for a treat because Daddy is ready. Daddy is ready to make his dreams come true. Later, XWF.

Albany, NY
November 20th, 2020

The scene opens up outside in Albany, NY. A truck pulls up onto the scene which pulls over and parks. The door opens and we see Barney Green, Dressed in his uniform, climb out of it and he locks the doors as he walks towards a door and knocks on it. The door opens and we see Ryou Bakari Itemri, dressed in a black shirt with black pants. Ryou goes to speak first.

Ryou: Good to see you, Barn. Any reason why you drove your truck up here?

Barney: Its the only vehicle I own at this point and I don't think my job has noticed it missing yet. I figured I come visit you and ask you for some advice.

Barney pauses as Ryou goes to speak. Ryou motions for Barney to come in.

Ryou: Might as well come in and make yourself at home I guess. Sorry its a mess.

Barney: Thanks. Its better if we do this inside.

Barney walks into the living room which is decorated in a modern black and grey style. Ryou shuts the door and they both go sit down. Barney goes to speak.

Barney: How did you know when it was time to call it a career?

Ryou: That was easy for me. I felt I had nothing left to prove after Lord Of The Ring.

Barney: Fair point I guess. I still enjoy the rush I feel when I come out.

Barney pauses as Ryou goes to speak.

Ryou: I know that feeling all too well. I saw you on Anarchy still doing those crazy matches. They aren't good for your body which I am sure you realize at this point.

Barney: I realize that hence why I picked up another job to do outside of wrestling but its hard to just make a clean break if that makes sense.

Ryou takes a swig of his drink and then goes to speak.

Ryou: It makes perfect sense. We all become wrestlers in a sense because something went wrong somewhere in our lives and we need the validation of others to feel good. You and I both know that well for different reasons obviously.

Barney: Very true. I do it for the fans and the fact I know I can take the pain that comes with the territory.

Barney pauses as Ryou goes to speak.

Ryou: Yeah but at the same time, You shouldn't have to do that. Look at what you have accomplished. You were the one that nobody would've expected to make it.

Barney: Very true. I wasn't gonna back down from this and i was gonna make my name known despite what people thought about me.

Ryou takes another swig of his drink as Barney continues to speak.

Barney: That was how I looked at things. Maybe I made a few mistakes along the way but I will definitely not be forgotten.

Ryou: Very true to an extent. You shouldn't have let you be known for those crazy bumps because they now expect you to do it. How are you holding up?

Ryou pauses as Barney goes to speak.

Barney: As well as I can be. These bumps hurt over the years but what can you do?

Ryou: You gotta be prepared for this match. I was in something similar back then and now you are following me by doing the same thing. What made you decide to do it?

Barney: Why not at this point. Show them what I got left in my tank.

Ryou takes one final swig of his drink and slams the glass down. He goes to speak.

Ryou: I felt the same way. Just remember, People are gonna be gunning for you so be prepared.

Barney: You are right on that. I know what I am walking into at this point. Nothing surprises me anymore.

The scene fades to black as Ryou and Barney continue talking.

This is my moment. The words that Ryou spoke rang true to me to a degree. Maybe its time for an ending to my career and I know I have a few matches left in me before I call it a career. If I win the Universal Championship, I will sign a new deal because I feel I deserve a little bit more money than this $500 per appearance deal. I have. Can't be a garbage man and I am okay with that. Time is slowly reaching an end for all of us when it comes to the Battle Royal.

All this training has really paid off for me. I feel stronger each day and exercising to get into the best shape I possibly can be for this. Hauling trash cans full of XWF stars that no longer are employed. Its a sad state of affairs. I am ready for this. Win or lose, It is what it is. Daddy is gonna walk out Universal Champion.

Daddy is ready and willing to show you everything he's got left in his arsenal. This is gonna be a fight for everyone involved. I am gonna swing as hard as I can. With my BOB friends around, I got a good shot at winning. Time to spread some positiveness. Peace, XWF.

Training/The Date Part 2

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:57:07 -0800

November 14, 2020

"...................and that was why I wore a thong to beat Lux."

The familiar voice of Big D rang throughout the empty XWF Development Center, echoing off the walls as Champ Sportsman bounced back and forth off the ropes for what felt like, and actually were, hours.

"But you...............," Champ managed to gasp out between bounces. "Didn't beat.....................Lux...................."

"No, no I didn't," Big D crossed his arms, thinking about his regret over the end result. "But I WOULD'VE if it weren't for those meddling kicks!" He looked at the clock on the wall and realized he'd had Champ running the ropes a half hour longer than he intended. "STOP!"

In between bounces, Sportsman collapsed in the center of the ring and sprawled out. "Now that......................... is a workout............... he huffed.

Big D climbed onto the apron and leaned against the top rope, looking in at his protege. "Workout?! That was only a warm up!!!"

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck," Champ exhaled, sounding almost like a whisper due to his lack of oxygen. "It's a good thing................................. I don't plan................................. on getting laid............................. tonight. "

Big D seemed confused at first, before realizing Champ's date with Miss Reno was later that night. "Oh shit, I completely forgot!" He climbed off the apron, grabbed a water bottle, and tossed it in to Champ. "Training's over."

Sportsman caught the water bottle with one hand before immediately proceeding to slam the entire thing down in two gulps. "I don't understand, we're done because I have a date?"

"Yep," D responded with a friendly smile. "When I was in high school, word got around that I was about to go on my first date ever, so our football coach let us all leave practice early.................. of course, I actually skipped that practice to GO ON the date, but at least it benefitted the rest of the team! Figured I could return the favor."

"But this isn't MY first date!" a confused Sportsman pointed out. "I've been on hundreds, maybe even THOUSANDS; what makes this one any different than the rest of 'em?"

Big D pulls a blunt out of his pocket and lights it up. "Well, for starters, it could be your last," D bleakly stated, blowing out a cloud of smoke as he does so. "XWF might not be as littered with murderers and rapists as it once was, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. Hell, you saw what Corey did to Duke!!!"

"I don't think that was rape."

"Rape?" D repeated with a furrowed brow. "I was talking about how he murdered that butthole!!!"

Champ put his head in his hands with shame. "Jesus Christ."

"Oh, lighten up!" Big D wrote off with a chuckle. "Don't be a Ned!"

D and Champ hung around for a bit, in silence, each of them thinking about their respective matches at High Stakes. It was as interesting situation for both men, as each of them were on polar opposite sides of the spectrum. On the one hand, there was Big D, a veteran in the twilight of his career going for what would be his 36th Championship, in an attempt to show the world he isn't wash up, yet. Then, on the other hand, there was Champ Sportsman, a greener than grass rookie who doesn't know the difference between a wrist lock and a wristwatch with the opportunity to do something his mentor never could: win the big one. In his first ever start, Champ could attain the very thing Big D had fought his entire life for: a World Championship. Champ knew if he could win that belt, Big D would feel like he won it, too. He couldn't let him down.

"How 'bout a little bit longer?" Sportsman suggested, tossing his water bottle aside. "I'm not meeting her for another four hours, we've got some time."

Big D, overjoyed by Champ's work ethic, climbed through the ropes and began to stretch. "Alright," he spouted eagerly. "This one's called................................. the Dan Slam!!!!!"

Later that night...............................

Megan and Champ, both a little tipsy, ditched their unappetizing meals at Fligati's in exchange for some Ballpark Franks outside of Tampax Park, home of the Bloom. Being a member of the team, as well as a hero to the entire city, Champ was able to get them, and a 6-pack of Rolling Rock, into the stadium after hours. Once inside, Miss Reno led Champ over to the seat she'd been in when he hit his first Home Run, where they cracked open some cold ones and ate their hot dogs.

"You know, they're really not bad seats," Champ admitted, despite the inconvenient placement of a pillar directly in front of them. "I'm sure it captures my good side."

Megan shook her head, taking a bite of hot dog as she does so. "Not as well as this one," she garbled through a stuffed mouth, pointing to the seat next to her. "Luckily the guy who sat there was passed out, drunk, by the 3rd Inning; so I was able to lean over for most of the game."

"Just in time to see my Home Run," Champ frowned, recalling the end result. "It's a shame we lost."

Megan laughed. "Nobody even remembers that!"

"I do." Champ took a long drink of his beer. "Don't get me wrong, it was a great moment, but I don't play for the stats................. I play to win! If the only thing I do all game is hit the winning run in, so be it.................. as long as we WIN!!!! The only thing 5 Home Runs in a loss proves is that you're a talented loser. It's why I couldn't celebrate the moment, or even my Rookie of the Year award................. because I still failed to become champion. How can I celebrate when my teammates are just as miserable as I am, only without the participation trophies to lift their spirits a little." Champ looked down at his half empty beer, widened his eyes, and set it on the ground. "I'm sorry for rambling."

"I didn't think you were rambling at all," Megan assured Champ, motioning for him to keep drinking. "On the contrary, I think it's sweet how you care about your teammates like that."

"Truth is, I'd be nothing without them," Champ confessed, picking his beer back up. "If I didn't have them, there'd be noone to catch my pitches, or bat me home."

Megan finished off her first beer and grabbed a second one. "It's a team game, Champ," she pointed out, taking a sip of her fresh beverage. "That's what you're supposed to do............... it's gonna be different at High Stakes."

"Maybe," Champ disagreed, putting his legs up on the pillar and leaning back. "I'm still afraid of letting down those on my side, Big D..................Coach McDowell.................the city..................you................................."

Megan turned towards Champ, a loving gleam in her eye. "You could never let us down, Champ," she informed him, slowly moving closer to his face. "We love you.............." Miss Reno leaned in and planted her lips against Champ's, gently slipping in a little bit of tongue.

The two of them proceeded to make out for the next five minutes, getting overly handsy, and knocking over their food & drink from essentially dry humping. Eventually, Megan pulls away and makes a rather bold suggestion. "Do you wanna take this back to my place?"

Champ popped his head up and scanned the aisles of the stadium, before looking back at Miss Reno and making an even bolder one. "How 'bout home plate?"

"Getting plowed by Champ Sportsman at home plate?!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide open. "And they say dreams DON'T come true.............................."

"Hi, Corey, it's your buddy, the Triathlete, Champ Sportsman! I wanted to let you know that I DID receive your package, and was more than happy to pay the postage for it. Afterall, I'm a millionaire, what better way to spend my money than helping the less fortunate? The thing is, though, it was all for nothing. Do you honestly believe you can just shove a bunch of, literal, shit in my face and expect me to believe it? What are you gonna tell me next, that Jeffrey Epstein killed himself just because the crooked justice department said so? They've got documents, too, Corey.................... that doesn't mean they're legit! Big D's told me about all the doctors and nurses he used to work around as a janitor, apparently they're full of more shit than you are! There's power in fear, and I'll give you that: people DO fear you, it's the whole reason your Title run was so abysmal. A Champion is only as good as their competition, and that's a generous term for most of the people YOU faced. Unknown Soldier's corpse basically HANDED you the Title, and then you went on to beat a bunch of nobodies in an Elimination Chamber Match; Robbie Bourbon BEFORE he was on a hot streak making Top 100 lists; and, of course, Ned flippin' Kaye. You're lucky Ned wasn't smart enough to do what every other Champion in the history of XWF has done and cashed in on you AFTER somebody ELSE has already taken care of half the job................. you know, like Fuzz ended up doing to you shortly after that match!"

"Now, it might not be your fault that nobody of relevance wanted to face you, but it IS your responsibility for how you handled yourself AFTER that loss. You claim that you're not afraid of Sarah, but you never once wanted to face her again after she made you her bitch at March Madness of last year. You conveniently went into a coma before she became Champion and just so happened to wake up in time to take the easy road back to the top? Give me a fuckin' break, we all know you were hiding under the covers, cowering in fear of the scary lesbian! Corey, you can show me all the documents you want, or send me samples of whatever bodily fluid you feel is necessary to prove your point, but it doesn't matter: I will NEVER believe that you aren't afraid of Sarah Lacklan. Big D will never believe it, hell, the entire FED will never believe it."

"I'll give you this, Corey: you won't take shit lying down, a quality of a true Champion. Which is more than I can say about Thaddeus Duke, the personification of laying down and taking it. Ernie here couldn't even wait 'til the Battle Royale to roll over for his master like an obedient puppy, he just HAD to get a jump start on the ass poundin' he's gonna receive come High Stakes. This is exactly why you'll never step out from your daddy's shadow, Duke, because you're too much of a pussy to get the job done yourself! It's why you needed to call Doc in to handle your Chris Page problem, and it's why you've made your gay little alliance with Corey. And what an alliance it is, two cowards watching each others' backs because you're both too scared to watch your own. Big D told me about how you tucked tail and ran when he beat you for the TV Title, what an embarrassment. A true competitor, someone who deserves to be Universal Champion would've learned from their loss instead of pouting over it! How did you EVER expect to live up to your dad's legacy hiding out at some outlaw mudshows?!?Well, don't worry, Thad, I'll help you follow in your father's footsteps when I bury you a week from Sunday, just like Cataclysm did to HIM!!!!"

"Speaking of Cataclysm, that brings me to Robert Main's worse half, Christopher Page. I pissed you off with all those shadow comments, huh? You don't like being teased for the fact you're in therapy, because you KNOW everything the voices are whispering is true. It's eating you alive, Chris, dragging you down like a puddle of quicksand; and it's gonna keep on pulling until you're in over your head.................. but little do you know, you already ARE!!!! That's right, with you, Doc, and Duke all battling it out over a lesser prize BEFORE this match, the three of you are gonna be in no shape to compete with the rest of us fresher athletes.................... especially one in peak physical condition like myself. What's gonna seem like the 1st Quarter for me, is gonna feel like the 4th for YOU!!!!! I hope you haven't been skipping out on your conditioning, because if you have, you're probably not even gonna make it to the Main Event........................ but that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, though, it'd save you the embarrassment of second place.......................again!!!!! You and Robert can just retain your Titles and keep your place atop a dying division, at least then you'll know what it's like to be good at something, even if THAT'S just an illusion, too."

"Alias, I owe you an apology. I HAVE been treating the way everyone's been treating me, and for that I am sorry. You and I have alot in common, we both came out of nowhere to shake up this whole match and actually have a shot at pulling the whole thing off! We're the dark horses, the ones who the Corey's and Bourbon's need to be afraid of. If you asked anyone 3 weeks ago who was gonna win at High Stakes, neither of our names would've left ANYONE'S lips..................... but NOW?!? Now we're all they can talk about."

"Make no mistake, Alias, just because I see similarities between the two of us does NOT mean I respect you! I heard your asinine comments about me being afraid of losing the spotlight, and it goes to show how little you actually know about me. I don't need the spotlight, I never have! This isn't about grasping on to some sort of proverbial brass ring, it's about the sport of competition. You see, unlike Corey, I'm not afraid of a challenge, not even one that seems nearly impossible to overcome. The only thing I fear is walking away from that ring knowing I could've given a little bit more effort in order to secure a victory."

"Come High Stakes, I'm gonna take out the trash like I'm Barney Green. James Evans, Marf, Micheal Graves.................. all sacks of shit ready to be put out on the curb so the garbage man can dispose of them for once and for all! Barney Green may be the only sanitation engineer in the match Sunday night, but they'll be calling ME Barney Gorman by the time High Stakes is through!"

"Just because Sunday's gonna be my first game, doesn't mean I can't start the season off with a TD! When I first step into that ring, I plan on pointing to the heavens and calling my shot..................... right before knocking it out of the park! I have a history of outstanding rookie years, and what better way to start this one than by winning the Universal CHAMPionship? While most wrestlers wind up with a storybook ending, I'm gonna start off with a storybook BEGINNING!"

Chapter 5: Birds and Fish

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 22:22:06 -0800

Chapter 5: Birds and Fish

A chill fills your room, as a slight breeze knocks out the candle perched on your nightstand. Suddenly a loud boom is heard outside, followed by a bright light that fills the night sky. You rush towards the window and all you can see are faint lights off in the distance.

On the ground you can see what looks to be a large trebuchet. You can hear the wailing of men outside. You watch as one man brings his blade down upon a rope attached to the bucket. As a large Boulder goes flying into the air. The battle seems to have started earlier than the Man had anticipated.

A knock on your door quickly diverts your attention, as you open the door. A stocky man with thinning hair. He is short of breath as he leans against the door jam.

“He needs you.” He struggles between breaths. “He said to come down to the library.” You quickly nod. Grabbing your notebook and quickly slinging your coat over your shoulder you make your way towards the library.

People are lining the walls looking out the windows at the chaos that is ensuing outside. Mothers hold their children, shielding their eyes, while some watch with a look of dread on their faces.

You reach the large door to the library, and open it slowly. Once inside the windows have been blackened, and a large table in the middle of the room is lit by candlelight. The Man stands at the head of the table. He is flagged by four other men, each with a hood over their faces.

“It seems that our preparation will be put to the test tonight.” As you walk closer to the table you see a map of the Sanctuary. There are littler figurines littered about the map. A few bunches to the south, a couple on either side flanking the Sanctuary, and just three to the north.

“Now ideally we would’ve had more time to prepare, but I believe that we are ready.” He points to the man immediately to his left. “You’re in charge of getting everyone out to safety. Take the tunnels that lead out to the south. There are rations, clothing and weaponry down there. You shouldn’t need the weapons but it’s better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.” The hooded figure nods. Then all eyes fall on the hooded man. “NOW! This isn’t time for lollygagging!”

The man quickly jumps up and rushes out of the room. Almost immediately we can hear him calling to get everyone into the tunnels. The Man clears his throat and points to the next man.

“You take the south entrance. I don’t want to see a single one of those people on our grounds. From the scouting tower it seems as if they are sending the pawns there. It should be quick work. They will quickly bicker amongst themselves.” The second man nods and runs off.

“You two command the east and west sides. Keep an eye on them and funnel them to the north. That’s where he and I will be.” You quickly turn your head towards the Man and he notices your puzzled expression. “Yes you will go with me. We will head up the north side. That’s where most the of the battle will take place.”

The other two men run off and disappear behind the large doors. The Man begins to move the figures on the map before him.

“The best offense is a great defense. We’ve been planning for this assault for such a long time that we knew we would be prepared.” He quickly points to the large mass near the south.

“While their numbers are many, they will quickly cannibalize each other. The Marfs, the Thenis, the Graves, and the others like them. They didn’t quite know what they were getting into, and that’s going to be their downfall. Each of them will attempt to take out the big bad at the end, but not a single one of them will be left standing in the end.” The man knocks over the marble pieces. “I could’ve sent a child to deal with them and we still wouldn’t have to worry about the south. All of them are here for one reason only, to build their own name without any of the effort.”
[color=lime]
“Well couldn’t the same be said about you?” You stated as you picked up a piece with a man holding up just his left hand. The man slowly turns his head towards you and nods.

“Now you’re getting it. It’s finally starting to sink in. We are all greedy. We all want the top prize with minimal effort. It’s just that this bunch decided that they were going to throw their names in…. with no effort at all.” The Man grabs the figurine from your hand and gently places it back down on the map. “Then to the east and west we have to force them north. We need them to get involved in the scrum. They don’t realize it yet but they are quickly encroaching on our land. Each of them are blind to it, but that’s what they are…. blind.”

“Those forces are the ones that we need in order to take the prize aren’t they?” You said while pointing to the western front.

“Indeed.” The Man holds his hands out and points to both of them simultaneously. “What we need is for them to realize that this isn’t your typical war. Your typical battle. Someone from this grouping needs to take a stand and make it known that they won’t follow. That they will buck the trend. And when they do that, we will be standing there waiting to end their miserable pathetic existence.” With a quick swipe of his hand he wipes the eastern front off of the map. “What’s there is nothing but garbage, people who won’t be able to keep up in the all out sprint to the finish, and those whose name value alone will keep them in the hunt.” Then just as he finishes he wipes the western front off. “They are the ones who were there from the jump, but decided it was better for themselves to keep quiet in hopes that they will be overlooked. That their silence will allow their guerilla warfare to take hold and come out as the final person breathing.”

“So what are we going to do as we head towards the north?” The Man shakes his head and then sighs.

“We are merely the distraction.” The Man grabs the pieces towards the north and holds them firmly in his hands. “You see when all the eyes are upon us, is when they lose sight of what really needs to be in focus. See when everyone looks at one singular point…. they miss what’s really happening.”

With that The Man places the figures back, but all of the other pieces are now surrounding them. Each one placed in a circle, and tightly next to one another.

“When the blind can’t see, they get a stick. When the men with vision are blind, they get beat from the least likely sources.” With one finger the man knocks down the three figures in succession. “Whether they are friends trying to protect one another, or just a man trying to get out of the shadow of a greater man, they are blind. There are no friends here. Those two have decided to show everyone a weakness. Love. Well that’s all well and good in the everyday, her and now it will be their downfall. If one of them gets taken out by a lesser opponent, all the hatred, rage and loss will boil to the surface. It will fill them with regret. With vengeance and then they will have one task in mind… to avenge their fallen loved one.” The Man pantomimes wiping a tear and holds a hand over his heart. “The first and only mistake they needed they handed to everyone on a silver platter. To them it isn’t a weak spot to be exploited, but instead a driving force. That’s where we will strike.”

The man then slams his hand down on the table as all the figures fall to their side.

“But there is still one. The man constantly in the shadow of another.” The Man points to the top of the map, sitting there is a ghastly figure. “The shadow himself. One battle away from gaining every opportunity we all want, and all he did was bide his time. We all knew what he was doing, and that’s only because he wasn’t capable under the two previous reigns. Now he sees the soft underbelly of his prey and is ready to claim what is his. So long as his puppy doesn’t finally get the validation he so craves. One way or another the kingdom will belong to one of them. It’s just a matter if it’s divine intervention that pauses one man’s quest over another.”

“We need to get to our post.” You begin to walk away but quickly turn around to see The Man standing there motionless. He coughs and a small smattering of blood leaks from under his mask. With the back of his hand he wipes it away and turns his attention towards you.

“We can wait. We don’t need to make our presence on the battlefield just yet.” The Man slowly walks over to a chair and sits down. His breath is labored, as each breath becomes deeper and deeper. His head slumps forward. His chest rising slowly with each breath. You walk over and sit down next to him. You place your notebook in your lap.

“I thought we had more time.” The normally full voice was raspy and broken. “I needed more time.”

“Then we will wait here until you’re ready.” You place a single hand on his shoulder. Under normal circumstances he would brush your hand away, but this time he allows it to stay.

“There isn’t going to be a ready.”

“What do you mean?” You ask as you open the notebook with your free hand. “There’s still plenty of pages left to go.”

“I know, but filling the book was never the goal.” He slowly turns his head towards you. “It was merely a distraction…” The Man coughs deeply and roughly. “Did I tell you about the fifth day yet?”

“You don’t need to. I know it. I went to a Catholic school.”

“I’m going to miss the sounds of the birds early in the morning. My father waking me up before the sunrise and heading out to our favorite fishing spot.” You begin writing in the notebook when he reaches over and stops your pen. “No more. Let me have this memory. The birds flying high, the fish biting on the line, and all of the chaos brought on by man an afterthought. I didn’t have a care in the world. It was just serene.”

“We will wait. You can get through this.”

“I can’t.”

“You must.”

“The world is a scary and intimidating place. Men like us were out here to protect it. Not from any other worldly forces, but from the ignorance of man.” The Man leans his head back and it stays there for a moment before falling forward again. “Special men like us are the ones who try to fix other people’s problems.”

“But…”

“I know. The battle. It was my own hubris and ignorance that brought that here. I thought l, if just for a moment that I could win that everything would be better. Then I saw the slander thrown my way.”

“You knew that was going to happen.”

“Yes, but I thought for just one moment people would see the difference. We are not a cult. We are simply a community trying our best to live and thrive in this world.” The Man coughs again, this time harder than all the other times. “The world just needed someone to stand up and fight back. I tried that and I failed.”

“You haven’t failed. You can’t talk like that. We need you now more than ever.”

“No you don’t. The world passed me by long ago. It was foolish to attempt this again. The last time I was in a battle of this magnitude I fell short, and was quickly forgotten. I feel that this will be the same. I’m not stupid. I know when I’m beat, just let me stay right here.”

“You have to fight….”

“I’m always fighting.” The Man finally removes your hand from his shoulder. He places both his hand on top of yours. “It’s just this fight isn’t mine anymore. It was never me who you were witnessing.” The Man takes a quick sharp breath. “It’s you we were witnessing. This is your battle. Your war. It was always about you. Let me go. I did all that I could to prepare you for what’s next….”

“What are you talking about?....”

“I just want to rest. I just want to watch the sunrise one last time and listen to the birds…….”

The Man’s hand loosens its grip.

It slowly becomes cold to the touch.

As his hand slowly falls limp and lifelessly to the side.

His head slumps down, as does the rest of his body in the chair.

Slowly you reach for the notebook and flip to the last page. There is a small message written.

~When the Battle is won, and you stand victorious, remember…. they are witnessing greatness. Remember where you came from and where you want to be, it will never lead you astray.~

You close the book and look over to the lifeless body of The Man. You toss the book on the table. Slowly you reach your hand and begin to unstrap the mask. You hesitate for a moment before fully removing it.

The Man was no one famous. He wasn’t a well known commodity. He was just a man. An older man, with graying hair, some stubble to match and a small trickle of blood in the corner of his mouth. You reach into your coat and pull out the hood you’ve been given. Gently you place the hood on him and stand up.

With both hands you take the mask and place it over your face. It’s a perfect fit. It’s as if it was molded from your own body.

The doors to the library burst open and catches you off guard.

“Sir…. we need to get moving.”

“Very well.”

You follow the man down the long winding hall. Everyone seems to have been evacuated as the usually lively halls are barren.

“Update me on the South entrance…”

“All clear.”

“The East and West?” You ask as you slowly approach the front entrance.

“All clear and everyone is funneling towards the North.”

“Good.”

“What shall I do about your witness?”

“Nothing, leave him there. He needs to rest.”

You reach for the door but stop yourself.

“Is everyone out and to safety?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Good. The second I walk out this door, I want you to torch the Sanctuary….”

“But sir…”

“Get yourself to safety and torch it. If I’m to lose this battle, I don’t want any of those cretinous leaches to have an inch of this land.”

“Bu—-bu—-but sir…”

“Just do as I say. Trust me it will all work out.”

You reach for the door and open it. Your eyes are greeted with the sounds of battle cries. Flames are to the east and west, as the approaching men from the north slowly make their way towards the front gate.

“Sir I must ask why? Why are you doing this?”

You stop and turn towards the man.

“I’m sending a message….”

You shut the door behind you as the camera fades to black.

Home At Last: RP #5

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 19:47:04 -0800

Illuminatus Compound || Old Saybrook, Connecticut || 11:42 PM

The armored limousine is steered through the front gates of the Compound as Thaddeus continues to swing like a pendulum between sleep and consciousness. I’ve been his best friend for a long time and I don’t really recall seeing him like this. Ever. Decisions he made in Berlin against the Ares Project was against the grain, in a manner of speaking. Entirely unlike him, yet sort of understandable. The man takes his role seriously and when something happens that could have been prepared for but wasn’t, and the result of that is the systematic slaughter of his people, he has a tendency to react in kind. Whether it’s right or wrong isn’t important. Thaddeus Duke will protect his people. He will respond to violence with violence. He will respond to death with more death. Spill his blood, so to speak, like a river… he’ll make an ocean of yours.

Even still, he’s haunted by his actions. He’s entirely remorseful for the orders he gave in Germany. The death of Harold Jenkins by his own hand preys upon his conscience still, despite gaining a sort of closure from what he did by personally delivering Harold’s remains home to his mother. Sleeplessness persists. While it might be true that he deserves to have some sleepless nights, it is without question, horrible to witness. As his subordinate, as his chief of staff, as his brother, as his best friend.

We are not godly people. We do not pray or worship at the feet of some fictitious deity. Yet I pray silent prayers for him. Thaddeus Duke is high strung, emotionally, and he’s never hidden that fact. Every decision he’s ever made, every action he’s ever taken, every man he’s ever had to kill, all of it sits on his shoulders like a lead weight. I do not envy his position yet I admire him all the same.

My only wish for him is that one day he finds inner peace. Peace in a way that his mind rests when its time to rest. That he’ll be free of the prison that was chosen for him by his father and grandfather. Whenever that day comes, if it ever does, I will likely not be here to witness it. I’ve been lying to Thaddeus. Not for any other reason but to protect him from worrying about me and stealing his focus from where it ought to be: loving his family and keeping them safe, and winning this godforsaken war. He “fired” me as his chief of staff not long ago in order to force me to see a doctor. The truth is, I should have gone far sooner. I told him it was a lung infection but the honest truth is that I have terminal cancer.

I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be by his side but you needn’t worry about me. There will come a time when I can’t be there and ultimately a time will come when this world is through with me forever. When I’m gone, that’s what worries me. I’ve always been a sort of conscience for him. When he seeks guidance or needs to sort things out in his mind, it’s me that gives him the honest truth about his decisions and ideas. Good, bad, or indifferent. It’s me that deflects his worst impulses whenever possible. Berlin notwithstanding. I hope this war is concluded before I leave this world because if it isn’t, there’s no one to tell him not to unleash his air force on American soil. An act that, would spell the end of the Illuminatus. He’s considered that option numerous times and I’ve always talked him out of it. He knows the consequences of those actions should he pursue it, yet he feels like even though it’d mean his eventual death at the hands of American forces, it would end the Ares Project once and for all. Thaddeus considers that a viable option.

He facetiously mentions what a tragedy for the world it would be if he didn’t exist. Fact is, it really would be a tragedy if he were to succumb to his worst impulses when I’m no longer able to direct him. The death of Thaddeus Duke would be a stain upon the world for this world does not deserve the goodness or the kindness that comes with his very existence.

Earlier, I mentioned wanting Thad to find inner peace. Nothing gives him anything so close as that more than Francis and Elizabeth. Thaddeus Duke the wrestler, the warrior, the air force pilot… whatever else he is, none of it means anything to him more than being Frankie’s foster dad, or Elizabeth’s boyfriend.

Frankie has been bouncing off the walls with anxious impatience waiting for Thad to return home from Germany. Since Frankie’s arrival in our lives as a permanent fixture months ago, they’ve never been apart more than two days and it’s always for wrestling. This was entirely different. Since we entered Thad’s life we were never separated for reasons of war and that’s a different animal altogether knowing he’s putting his life in danger and one misstep, one failure to launch, one good shot means he’s never coming home again. In all honesty, I’ve never been as scared for anything in my life as I was when Thaddeus told me in the situation room that he was going into battle in Germany. Frankie of course, put on a brave face. If something had happened to him, I’m not sure I would’ve ever forgiven him. Frankie just turned ten and his life has been flipped upside down these last six months and he’s just starting to feel normal again. If Thad would have been taken away from him… I really don’t know what would have happened to Frankie. I can only assume nothing good.

The limo slows to a stop outside the front doors just as I open them up. Frankie bolts through the door in a runners sprint right passed me and jumps into the limo just as Thaddeus opens his door. It really is a cute picture. My two beautiful boys in the warmest of embraces and Thad smiling from ear to ear as the interior lighting of the car reflects off of the tears rolling down his face.

Slowly, I make my way toward the car, not wanting to interrupt this heartwarming scene. After exiting the car, Jim passes by me with a smile as he enters the house. I near the car and Frankie has his death grip hug wrapped around Thad and I can’t help but smile. He notices me and reaches out of the car for my hand and pulls me rather vigorously into the car.

”Baby!” I shout playfully as Frankie and I lie on top of him in the car and he repeatedly kisses my forehead and the side of Frankie’s head, alternating back and forth.

”When did you get home?” he asks as he holds us both tight.

”Around seven,” I answer. While he was gone, he had me get a hotel room away from the Compound, just as a precaution.

”Why are you still up? You have school tomorrow,” he says after a kiss to the top of Frankie’s head.

”I knew you were coming home,” Frankie answers him as he curls up in a ball, his head laid on Thad’s shoulder with his eyes closed. ”Anyway, tomorrow is Saturday, stupid.”

His remark causes a hearty chuckle from Thad.

”Thad...” Frankie says, clearly drifting off to sleep. ”Can we… ride bikes tomorrow?”

”Buddy, absolutely we can.”

”C’mon inside, it’s cold,” I offer as I pry myself off of him and out of the car. ”Want me to take him?” I ask him, referring to Frankie who is fast becoming dead weight as he falls asleep. Thad shakes his head.

”Not even a little bit,” he says as he struggles to sit up in the car. He shifts Frankie to his shoulder and the boy is all too happy to wrap his arms around Thad’s neck and lay his head down on his shoulder.

On the way into the house and the entire journey to the residence on the top floor, we say nothing. With Frankie draped onto his shoulder, I just hold his hand and lean my head against his free shoulder. Upstairs and in the residence, he throws open Frankie’s bedroom door and steps inside. Leaning against the door jam watching him lay Francis in his bed and cover him up, it occurs to me that I’m watching Thaddeus Duke slowly morph from a kind of mentor and best buddy to a ten year old child, to a father. And a damn good one.

Any woman should feel honored and proud to be his wife and mother his eventual children. Despite his affection and love for Garrett, which I totally understand no matter how much I struggle with it, I’m entirely convinced more than ever that he’s the one that’s meant for me. In due time, I will marry this man and mother his children.

”Thad?” Frankie says as he sits up in his bed just as Thad reaches me in the doorway.

He turns to look at the boy.

”I was scared,” he says as he sheds a few tears. His voice cracking beneath his emotion. ”I thought you might die and...”

Thaddeus chokes back his emotion and saunters back over to Frankie and sits on the edge of his bed.

”I was scared too,” he freely admits. ”You know what keeps me alive when I have to do dangerous stuff?” he asks of Frankie as I make my way into the room and stand by Thad’s side. He grabs my hand and gives it a kiss without removing his eyes from Frankie.

”What?”

”You,” he answers. ”And Liz,” he says as he turns to look up at me momentarily before returning his gaze to Frankie. ”I love the two of you more than anything in the world and that’s what I think about. How much I love you and don’t ever want to see you in pain.

“That’s what keeps me safe.”

”B.S.,” he says causing us both to laugh. ”That doesn’t matter when rockets and bullets are pointed at you.”

”No but you’ll have to trust me. I’m pretty good at evading those things with my jet.”

”Until you’re not.”

Silence.

He leans forward and kisses Frankie on the side of his head.

”I don’t want you worrying about that okay? Get some sleep, we’ll talk about it all tomorrow.”

”Okay. I love you.”

”I love you too,” he replies as we make our way to the door. Frankie covers himself back up and Thad switches off his light and he and I head to our bedroom. Just outside our room, he sweeps me up into his arms and with a big smile on his beautiful face, he kisses me before laying me on the bed. After a sort of somersault over me, he lands laterally with his feet hanging off the other side, his head in my lap.

He’s such a kid sometimes.

I can’t help but smile at him as he looks up at me while I stroke his hair.

”Do you want to talk about what happened?” I ask him, referring to the young man he shot in the head.

”Nope,” he answers as he closes his eyes.

”Jim said you haven’t been sleeping.”

He shakes his head, not opening his eyes.

”I canceled your usual wake up call, Baby. You’re getting all the sleep you need tonight.”

”Can’t… Frankie… Gotta ride dirtbikes,” he says as he starts to drift off to sleep.

”He can wait until the afternoon.”

”Okay.”

”Do you want babies of your own some day?” I ask him. I tried to stop myself from bringing it up because I want him to sleep, but I just have to know. His eyes jolt open.

”Of course I do.”

”Shut your eyes,” I tell him, my fingers still running through his locks.

”Okay.”

”I love you, Baby,” I tell him in a hushed whisper causing him to shoot me a smile.

”I love you too,” he grumbles under his breath. At long last, this young, beautiful, amazing man that I fell in love with the moment I met him is getting the sleep he desperately needs. As his girlfriend and one day, his wife, it is my duty to bring him peace when he’s in turmoil. It is a duty I take very seriously. It makes me wonder if I can’t, at least in some way, share him just a little with Garrett. I’m not sure anything would make him feel whole again quite like that.

Have you been paying attention? Has anyone, really? It’s the same old shit being thrown at me from competitor A, B, C, so on. They got a hard on for invoking the fact that my father existed before me.

Yeah, no kidding.

He’s in the Hall of Legends and everything.

My main man, Witness! You speak of my father as if you know him, or as if you ever knew him. Pretend for a minute, that it really does come down to myself and Corey at the end of all this. If you think that my dad would in any way be disappointed that Corey eliminates himself and hands me the win and the Universal title then I promise you, you know very little about my father. He was not a very good guy. He was very bad. Notice my condescension? He was... very good at being very bad so if you think that a tainted Universal title win is anything less than still a Universal title win, then you’re in the wrong line of work.

Leave the asterisks to the internet wrestling fan bois.

That said, when it comes right down to it and if Corey and I really are the last two left, I have faith in my friend. His competitive nature will kick in and he’ll try to win the damn match. Suppose I’m wrong. Suppose for a minute that Corey is there, and I am there and there’s no one else. Let’s say Corey does hop his ass over the top. The bell rings and the referee hands me the Universal title. Highly Suspect is blaring over the PA system and the pyro is popping off.

Yes. I’d be upset with him and he already knows that.

If you think I’d feel like I was anything less than the Universal champion, you’re wrong. If you think that I’d somehow feel like I didn’t deserve it because Corey booted himself, again, you’d be wrong.

There’s a common theme here if you hadn’t noticed. You open your mouth, and whatever you say is entirely wrong.

I already feel I deserve it. The outcome of this match, win or lose, won’t change that.

Before I forget… Doc, you may be my partner but let’s not play the coward card okay? You can make whatever excuses you want for your “L” in that match so long ago, but the fact remains that in the XWF history books, there is an L next to your name and a big fat W next to mine. If you want to do it one on one and find out man, I’m not that hard to find.

Alias my bro.

I think you love me. You’ve spent the majority of your airtime talking about me. As it should be, mind you. So, thanks for in a round about way, agreeing that I’m the one you need to get out of this thing. I know you want to hate me. You want for all the useless drivel you’ve been spewing about me to be true.

It’s not if I ever get my hands on the Universal title. It’s when. It’s an inevitability that sooner or later, I will have what I desire and that is my name in the record books as Universal Champion if for no other reason now, than to make guys like you pound your fists on the table and throw up in your mouth because the flawed, human, mostly good guy did a thing and is on top of the world.

Nah, I’m kidding. I don’t actually give a fuck what you or anyone outside my circle thinks about me. You don’t even know me so I kind of enjoy watching dumbasses do dumbass things and think they got me all figured out. Even I don’t have me figured out so I have my doubts as to whether or not you do considering the only way you know me is through the view of a camera lens.

I don’t know what episode of Warfare in your alternate reality you were watching, but Derrick Diamond definitely said that I do in fact deserve to be the number one contender for making the number one pretender my bitch like I always have and always will. Just facts.

By the way, if you’re counting at home, he’s gone from divide and conquer, which didn’t work. To make Thad jealous, which didn’t work. To some sort of divide and conquer hybrid, but this time focusing more on Corey and questioning why I’m not pushing Corey to do the right thing and fight me when it comes down to him and I. It’s not my responsibility to “push” Corey to do the right thing. As I told Witness, I have faith in him to stand up and fight me. If he doesn’t, that’s on him. Not me.

WAAAAMMMMYYYYYYY!

Stick around for awhile man. One day, you’re gonna shake my hand and think what a god damn pleasure it was to be in the ring with this fuckin’ phenom. You’ll learn that while I may have an ego and a bit of a narcissistic side to me, I’m also every bit as good in that ring as I say I am. I don’t just say it, I prove it.

All.

The.

Time.