Post by Swarm on Apr 19, 2011 22:41:30 GMT -5
::: Not Fade Away :::
::: Prologue :::
February, 2011. The darkness of unconsciousness gives way as our eyelids slowly pull upward, like the rising of curtains in a theater. The immediate flood of bright lights blur our vision, first causing our eyes to scan our peripherals rapidly for relief then flicker and flinch when none is found. We open and close our eyes trying to adjust to the imagery surrounding us, but the picture remains blurry and distorted.
"We all do what we do for a reason. Every dream we chase, every obstacle we seek to overcome all stems from a feeling, a need for fulfillment. A purpose. As it pertains to this business, you'll find most people share the same reason, the same singular motivation that drives them; To be the best."
We gradually adjust to the brightness before our eyes, the image beginning to sharpen. The blur of overblown lights sharpens to rows of small, circular lights hanging from rafter from the ceiling of the building, rays flaring out of the corners as we stare into the center. We begin to explore our surroundings looking to shake the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing exactly where we are and how we got there. We peer toward our left side, noting the colored ropes of the squared circle we lay in, the same as well to our right.
"When I think of that night, February 17th, I think about more than what took place but rather, how I got there to begin with. You see, I'd like to be able to sit here and tell you that I saw it coming. I'd like to be able to say that EBR's betrayal at my expense was not that at all, but rather a part of a much bigger, greater, master plan that played out exactly as I had planned it, but that's just not the truth."
We peer through the ropes noticing the capacity crowd filing out of the building, flooding the exit doors at the peak of stairs running between the thousands of seats that were only just a short while ago filled with these same people. Looking closer, we take note of the stage hands and ring crew scurrying around ringside beginning to take apart the mats surrounding the ring, the barricades. The curtains have lowered and the show is over, and only now does the entire scope of what has taken place begin to come back to us as we look toward our hands and waist and find them empty of the championship we sought to attain.
"What happened on that night was, in simplistic terms, EBR betraying me as part of a plan involving King Kraig and Reverend Shadow. Furthermore, the very championship I had worked to hard to reclaim, the title that was and is rightfully mine, was stolen from me. I remember now what I felt in the moments as it was all taking place, when I stood in the ring and across from me was EBR. When we looked into each other's eyes and I knew what he was there to do. In that moment, I felt something that I've felt more than enough times in my life to know exactly what it was; I felt my heart breaking."
The memories come back in quick flashes, like sporadic frames of a reel that offer only a glimpse of the overall. We remember the match with Thunder, and we remember the moment when our hand was raised and once again, we were the champion. From there, we remember King Kraig walking down the ramp, then EBR, and we think we remember possibly crying at least a little bit. The weight of it all, the realization of what's taken place, is heavy on us, we need to sit up.
"But at the end of the day, as I look back on that night, I realize now that while I could sit here and I could blame EBR and I could blame King Kraig, and even though I would be right, I'd still ultimately be wrong because had anyone other than EBR perpetrated those actions, for all the anger I would feel, emotionally, it would mean nothing. And in that, the truth becomes clear. EBR's "betrayal", was only what it was because I allowed it to be. I became so far removed from pursuit of being the greatest, that my focus was not just to be, but to do so in a way that I felt was just. I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment, I foolishly believed I could live by the law of honor in a lawless world, and I paid the price for it."
We rise to a seated position, our heels on the floor and knees raised high enough for us to rest our elbows atop of them. The room spins for a moment, the unmistakeable daze of a minor concussion, then after only a few moments of our head being in standard, upright position, the small bit of blood flooding our left nostril trickles down our lip. We investigate with our hand, only to find the area of our face still sore. The pain so real, so tangible, the bigger picture all coming into focus, we have what is described as a moment of clarity.
"But all-in-all, though it might sound like I pity myself, now, and even at that very moment as I sat in the ring and reflected on what had transpired, that isn't the case. Because for all that I owe EBR, King Kraig, and Reverend Shadow, for all I wish to do to them, there's one thing that I know; That more than anything, I should thank EBR. Because in his performance in the role of Judas Iscariot, in his desperate, cowardly actions on that night, for all that he took from me, EBR gave me something that I was missing. EBR gave me someone to hate. More importantly, EBR has given me a purpose."
In that clarity, the silent vow of vengeance, Sean finds the strength to pull himself to his feet upon shaky legs. And, with one last look to the now empty arena that surrounds him in the Temple of Doom, he cocks his head to the side sharply, cracking his neck, then steps through the ropes and descends to the floor below.
"So, EBR, I guess the game's on now. Survival of the fittest. Kill or be killed, bruh."
::: Fate :::
April, 2011. We find ourselves on a cool night in the unidentifiable deserts of anyplace. Surrounded on all sides by miles and miles of little to no variation, we think of the vastness of it all, how our small camp would be visible to onlookers far away. We peer to the sky and notice the beaming stars and bright moonlight, shining down faint illumination but overcome by the roaring campfire on the ground below. Standing before us, Alex Sean and DGX, both seeming to be taking in the scenery much the same as us. Off to the left, we find Matthew Werner unpacking equipment and bags off of a jeep as DGX's expression seems confused and uncomfortable, trying to piece together the reason behind all of this.
DGX: What the f*ck are we doing out here man?
DGX peers at Sean, his expression that of a man waiting, expecting an immediate response. Sean turns toward his contemporary, then gestures with the nod of his head toward the ground below. He takes a seat, folding his legs indian style and, with a sigh, DGX follows suit, taking a seat on the opposite side of the fire between them. With both men sitting on the ground, Sean looks once again toward DGX.
Alex Sean: Let me ask you a question... Do you believe in fate?
DGX: As in... Our actions are predetermined by some unforeseen force? That sort of thing?
Alex Sean: More or less, yes.
DGX: Well no then. I believe that I am the master of my own destiny, that my "fate" is what I make it.
Alex Sean: I see.
There's a brief pause between them, Werner taking a seat at what would be the third point of a triangle made with their positions.
Alex Sean: I don't know if I mentioned this to you, D, but I've been here before. First, about five years ago with Matt, Cal, E, and Rebecca, then about three years ago with just Matt.
DGX: No, I didn't know that.
Alex Sean: It makes me think... You know I'm not a man of faith in any way... But the fact that we're here... Well, how do you explain that?
DGX: Chuckling. Well Alex, you did ask me to come here and drove us out here. Pretty cut and dry.
Alex Sean: That's true... But you're missing one thing, and that's the why. In other words, had the events of the past couple of months not taken place, neither you nor I would be here right now. Having said that, once again, I ask you... Is that fate?
DGX: Well... No. I think I see what you're getting at, that what EBR did, Clavin... It all led us here. But Alex, that's not fate. Their actions were, on a long enough timeline, inevitable, but fate is not selfish people doing whatever it takes to get an edge, that's just common sense. Not to beat a dead horse, but you know... You could have probably seen it coming if you gave it much thought.
Alex Sean: Laughing slightly to himself. Well D, you're right but... Truth be told, I had about as much reason to suspect them to betray me as I did... and do you.
DGX: Eh, gotta disagree with you there.
Alex Sean: Why's that?
DGX: Well, if I'm being honest, I have nothing to gain from stabbing you in the back.
Gotta respect the honesty.
Alex Sean: Hah... I guess that's true.
DGX: So you want to tell me what this is all about or are we going to continue our discussion of philosophy? Or am I supposed to guess? Are you trying to ask me if you can trust me in light of recent events?
Alex Sean: No, D... I know where we stand. And besides, like you said, you have nothing to gain from betraying me and in reality, you serve to gain more from being on my side.
DGX: Like the WFWF Tag Team Titles.
Alex Sean: There ya go.
DGX: So then what's the deal?
Sean pauses momentarily, letting out a brief sigh.
Alex Sean: D... These past few months have taught me, if anything, the need for clarity in this world. So I'ma be real; We haven't been on the same page for a while, D. We've allowed situations and people... Fools and clowns...
Tempest.
Alex Sean: ... To cloud the skies, so to speak. At Civil War, we get EBR and Reverend Shadow. Ontop of that, we get to reclaim our spot as the best tag team in the WFWF, and subsequently, prove without any shadow of a doubt that we are the undisputed greatest tag team in the world and of all time. Suffice it to say, there's a lot riding on this match for both of us. But I want you to understand something D; You said earlier you don't believe in fate, and neither do I. That means that all that's for sure is what stands before us now, and we are guaranteed nothing in the end. D, you need to understand that I've lost absolutely everything in this world except for one thing; My career. And D, if this is all there is for me, so be it... But I will not fade away.
As Sean finishes, both he and DGX seem to take in the point while Werner scans around looking for a reaction from either man.
DGX: I see. So, what do we do?
Alex Sean: It's simple. Whatever nonsense that's between us, whatever issues that may divide us, it's all in the past. And D, just like EBR and Reverend Shadow will be soon enough, the past is dead.
DGX: DGX smirks. Sounds like a plan. So, where do we start?
Sean looks to the ground below, then turns to Werner.
Alex Sean: Are you filming this?
Matthew Werner: Yes.
Sean drags his finger across his throat, silently signalling Werner to end his recording. Immediately, he leaps from his seated position and toward us. Closer and closer he grows larger and larger until his body consumes the frame and then... Click.
