12-12-2014, 05:36 AM
[ FORWARD ]
Finally. After weeks of being called an under achiever.. after weeks of being told that he was nothing but hype, that he was incapable of winning big matches, Justin Sane was able to put those words to bed with a victory over 'Loverboy', Vinnie Lane. There was no Evertrust in his corner, no sign of the inner demons that had plagued him in previous weeks. There was focus. There was desire. There was something that had been missing since he made his glorious debut at War Games, where he shocked the world and put his name up in lights, only to falter in the weeks following. One half of TrustInSanity was, at long last, hitting his stride. Three victories in as many weeks now meant that the 'Insane One' was back on track and heading in the direction he so desired, and the victory against Vinnie Lane was welcome confirmation of what he had known all along. He was made for the big time, and he was ready to take the XWF by storm, with or without Evertrust. This week, he finds himself in a three-way dance against the little-known Ethan Donovan and the current XWF Star of the Month, Mastermind. Yet another chance for him to prove himself as he presses forward and seeks championship gold and a place, which he believes to be rightfully his, at the top of the mountain.
[ END FORWARD ]
Finally. After weeks of being called an under achiever.. after weeks of being told that he was nothing but hype, that he was incapable of winning big matches, Justin Sane was able to put those words to bed with a victory over 'Loverboy', Vinnie Lane. There was no Evertrust in his corner, no sign of the inner demons that had plagued him in previous weeks. There was focus. There was desire. There was something that had been missing since he made his glorious debut at War Games, where he shocked the world and put his name up in lights, only to falter in the weeks following. One half of TrustInSanity was, at long last, hitting his stride. Three victories in as many weeks now meant that the 'Insane One' was back on track and heading in the direction he so desired, and the victory against Vinnie Lane was welcome confirmation of what he had known all along. He was made for the big time, and he was ready to take the XWF by storm, with or without Evertrust. This week, he finds himself in a three-way dance against the little-known Ethan Donovan and the current XWF Star of the Month, Mastermind. Yet another chance for him to prove himself as he presses forward and seeks championship gold and a place, which he believes to be rightfully his, at the top of the mountain.
[ END FORWARD ]
Tuesday – 8:30am || The Burgundy Hotel || Little Rock, AR
:: It was the morning after Madness. I roll over to throw my right arm around Michelle, but all I feel is the soft sheets kiss my fingertips as I make contact. I peel back my eyelids and give my eyes a moment to adjust. Her side of the bed is empty. I slowly pull myself up to a seated position and extend my arms, stretching as I yawn. I can feel my joints crack satisfyingly, before becoming aware of the soreness in my muscles. That too, satisfies me. I forget about the empty space beside me for a moment, and think back to last night. War Games aside, it was undoubtedly my greatest triumph in the XWF to date. After all the trash talk, and listening to Vinnie Lane sling his jaw about me for the past week, I finally shut him up. I shut the world up. I proved that I was the real deal, and it felt damn good. I turn my attention back to the space where I had expected to find Michelle, and find a handwritten note laying on the pillow where her head had rested just hours before. I reach over and pick up the note, bringing it into my line of sight and reading the words she has penned for me.
Justin,
I'm leaving you.
Just kidding ;) - I've gone for breakfast with Naomi.
Thought I would let you get some rest after last
night.. feel free to join us if you like, otherwise I
will see you this afternoon.
- Michelle xox
I chuckle softly to myself at Michelle's poor attempt at humour. I drop the note beside me and watch as it falls weightlessly to the sheets below. Throwing my right leg out of bed, followed by my left, I sit on the side for a moment pondering what exactly to do. After arduous deliberation with myself, all of which took about two seconds, I decide to check my emails to see if the have announced a card for the next Madness yet. Upon loading up my e-mails, I see it sitting on the second line, just underneath some garbage asking me if I would like a bigger dick. I click into it and scroll down a little, until my name jumps out and grabs me. Above my own I see the name Ethan Donovan, who I know nothing about, except that he fancies himself as some kind of Buffy the vampire slayer. The name which sits on top of his intrigues me far more, however. The former X-Treme champion and current XWF Star of the Month, Mastermind. I spend a few moments taking in and processing the information, before nodding acceptingly and clicking out of my e-mails. Phoning Michelle is next on my list, and as my eyes find her name in my phone book and my thumb taps the screen, I draw in a deep breath in preparation to speak. I hear that ever so soft 'click' as the call is connected. ::
“Morning baby! How did you sleep?”
“Never better. How's breakfast?”
“Oh, it's fine.. care to join us?”
:: I consider it for a moment, but no more than that really. I smile to myself. ::
“No no, that's okay. You go ahead and catch up with Naomi, I've got some stuff to take care of anyway.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive bub. I'll see you back at the hotel later?”
“Okay than, well I shouldn't be any later than about one o'clock, we might go for a little retail therapy though”
:: I pause, and remain perfectly silent. ::
“Justin? Justin, you there?”
:: With the most serious voice I can muster, I respond at last. ::
“Yeah baby, I'm here, sorry. I was just making sure all my credit cards were still in my wallet.”
:: I hear here click her tongue, and even over the phone I can see those steely blue eyes rolling back in her head. She chuckles. ::
“Oh, you are SO funny! Weirdo. I'll see you this afternoon..”
“Haha. I know. Okay baby, you girls have fun.”
“We willll. Oh, Justin, one last thing..”
“Yeah?”
“I did take your Amex. Okay, love you, byyeee!”
:: Click. Just like that, before I even had a chance to respond. My eyes dart over to the bedside table where my wallet rests, and my right eyebrow raises an inch. I throw my phone onto the bed and grab my wallet, opening it up and looking at the empty card slot where my American Express should be. I laugh softly to myself; I'm not angry in the slightest. If anything, I am impressed. I throw my wallet back down on the beside table and retrieve my phone. I decide to check out Donovan's performance from last week, given that I know little about the self-proclaimed “vampire hunter”. I watch a couple of his promos, if you would call them that, from last week.. along with his match against Luke Gunnar. His match was impressive enough, he made short work of Gunnar, though that's not really saying much. I decide to record a little message for Ethan, as I switch to the camera on my phone and return to my spot on the edge of the bed, now leaning forward and staring straight into the lens ::
“Ethan Donovan.. welcome to the XWF. Impressive victory you had yourself there over Gunnar on Warfare, though I'm sure it is suffice to say, you will not be finding things so.. pedestrian, on Monday night. I'm not sure exactly what your deal is here, or what you hope to achieve. This whole “vampire slayer” gimmick you've got going on is about as interesting as listening to Ghost Tank talk about his insane parkour skills, like anyone here actually gives a fuck. Here's where the problem lies for you though, Ethan.. you'll find no vampires on Monday night. Oh no, the things that lurk in the shadows in these parts are much, much worse. Your Colt .45 won't save you.. nothing will. Not only do you have to get through the likes of Mastermind, but should you find yourself even capable of that, you'll find yourself somewhere you really don't want to be.. standing across the ring from yours truly.
I don't know if you've been paying attention to what's been happening round here lately, Donovan, but I am the last man you want to find yourself on the wrong side of. Ask Vinnie Lane what happens when you stand between me and what is rightfully mine. Ask Scully. Ask Hysteria. What makes you think that you will be any different, huh? What makes you falsely believe, even for a second, that you have what it takes to get the job done against Justin Sane? The fact of the matter is, Ethan, you're just another deer caught in the headlights and no matter how hard you try, there is just no escape. I'll deal with Mastermind, oh you better believe that.. but not before I am done kicking your teeth down your fucking throat.
Here's some friendly advice, kid. Stick to hunting vampires and playing cards. Stick to what you know. Stick to what you're good at. Because if you walk down that ramp on Monday night, you're stepping into my world.. and in my world, there are no happy endings. There is no hero. There is only chaos and destruction, which I continue to prove week after fucking week. If you're feeling adventurous, then by all means Indiana, take the leap of faith. You'll end up face down in a ditch wondering what the hell you were thinking, just like every other fool who underestimates the insane one.
Donovan, when you look into these eyes at Madness, you won't find any cheap tricks and you won't be charmed. I'm not one of your vampire sluts. Instead, you will find your fate. Your time here in the XWF will be brief, I can sense it. I just under a weeks time, you will foolishly find your way into the ring with one of the best the XWF has to offer. When that time comes, like so many before you.. Ethan.. you will take the pledge.. of insanity!”
:: I smirk, before stopping the recording and attaching it in an e-mail to Steve Sayors. He'll know how to make sure that Donovan sees it. I run my hand through my hair and throw my phone down onto the bed again. Now, for Mastermind, but first.. I think I might take a shower. ::
[ f a d e 2 b l a c k ]
Wednesday – 2pm || Undisclosed Location || Little Rock, AS
:: I snap back the lid on my Zippo lighter and run my thumb sharply down the ridged back of the flint wheel, causing it to snick the steel and spark, igniting the fuel protruding from within. A blazing orange flame comes bursting out of the tip, lighting up the features on my face inside the pitch black room. I lower the flame and light the wick of a solitary candle which rests on the table in front of me. With the candle burning strongly and my face now illuminated, I snap shut the lid of my trusty Zippo and throw it on the sofa beside me. I stare into the camera lens, and smirk. ::
“So, here we are, just two days removed from my triumph over 'Loverboy' himself, Vinnie Lane. You know, I have had countless people ask me what it feels like to finally beat someone of note. I have had countless people attempt to shower me with praise, like somehow, I matter to them all of a sudden. Well the truth is, while it felt great to finally shut up that loud mouth prick, Lane, you all still aren't worth a damn to Justin Sane. I never needed any of you before, and I sure as hell don't need you now. What, you think that just because you have finally managed to wrap your heads around what I have been telling you all along, that I am going to drag you along for the ride? Hell fucking no. It's like I told Vinnie Lane last week.. things have changed around here. Now, I am the main event! Now, I am the mega star! Not for one second do I need anybody to tell me how good I am, because I have been telling you all the same thing since day fucking one!
This week will be no different. On Monday night, I find myself smack-bang in the middle of a three-way-dance with Ethan Donovan and the man who is in the best form of his career, Mastermind. Now, I've already given that punk kid, Donovan, a lesson in respect. My attention right now is reserved for you, Mastermind. You know, I caught a little bit of your promo earlier and you were right, I have been impressive. I guess I should could say the same about you Mastermind. X-Treme Title, being named the XWF Star of the Month.. fair to say that you have been riding quite the high here these past couple of weeks. You were right about something else.. chances are, the rookie won't last five minutes in that ring with the likes of us.. unfortunately for you though, that means you will end up squaring off one on one with yours truly.
That good run you have been having? This week, it all comes to a crashing halt. Doc may have taken your X-Treme Title, but I am going to take oh, so much more than that. I am the future of this company.. the new bench mark, the new measuring stick. You've had your fifteen minutes of fame, Mastermind, now it's time to step aside and let the big dog run the yard. You're merely another lamb, sent to slaughter, offered up as a blood-lust sacrifice for the rabid wolves this place calls 'fans'. You think I've been looking forward to facing you? If I was concerned with having insignificant wins on my record, I would have accepted Scully's request for a re-match. This is simply a means to an end, nothing more, and nothing less.
You seem fairly concerned with once again having back to back losses on your record, but perhaps you should start preparing yourself for just that. There's no happy ending for you in this fairytale. What makes you stupid enough to believe that you can “master my mind”? I can't even master my own thoughts, what chance do you think you have? Don't get it twisted, Mastermind, this isn't about mind games.. what happens upstairs is irrelevant. The only thing that matters this Monday night are the cold hard facts. Three men enter; one walks out. Simple as that. When it's all said and done, Donovan can go back to playing Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and you? You can turn your ass around and head straight to the back of the line, like anyone else who is unlucky enough to find themselves in my way. This is the dawning of a new era in the XWF. Welcome, Mastermind.. to my world.”
:: With a soft chuckle, I stare ominously into the camera for a few seconds, before leaning down and blowing out the candle. ::