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CONTINUED FROM "(NO) HARD FEELINGS"


A cloud of dust follows closely behind the bus as gets closer and begins slowing down by the bus stop. The doctor stands up and adjusts his suit and hat, stepping out from under the shade. The squeaky, squealing brakes pierce the ears as it finally creeps to a stop in front of the doctor.

The door folds to one side in one motion and a steady cloud of cigarette smoke blasts out like the inside of the bus was on fire. As it finally clears, the doctor clears his throat and look up to the supposed driver who sits and stares down at their next patron.

Long time, no see, am I right?

Never long enough, old man.

Trevor Dedntik sits and scowls down at Doc with a cigarette hanging from his lips. If you're unfamiliar with the relationship between these two, you could easily compare it to that of the love/hate you would see in a 'buddy-cop' movie. At least that's how the doctor sees it. Trevor may see it a little differently, however.

How are we ruining my life today?

The ex-detective looks away and stares down the deserted, ever so-familiar, empty road ahead of him. Overflowing with possibilities. The wound that took him from this world is still just as fresh as it was the day he got it. The day the man in black, the Indian-giver that he is, sent a bullet through the side of his head ending Doc's puppeteering for good.

That's another story.

We're going to visit an old friend, Trevor.

Doc says as he boards the empty bus and sits a few seats back behind the driver. Trevor looks around for a moment before looking back to Doc.

Where's your weird soldier buddy?

You miss him?

Trevor scoffs.

Psh, hardly.

You two DID have some bonding time, after all.

Forget I even asked. Where to, Doc?

You know the routine. Just drive, my friend.

Trevor rolls his eyes and pulls the handle for the door as the bus slowly begins creeping down the road.

I've always been a pretty modest fellow, have I not?

What?

Trevor looks back to Doc staring out the window.

Even as your KING. Even as your undefeated and one of the longest reigning X-Treme Champions.

Trevor's mother must have never told him that if he keeps rolling his eyes like he does they would get stuck. They haven't yet though.

Oh.

Even as your UNIVERSAL Champion I unpretenciously accepted and dispatched nearly every obstacle that has been placed in front of me. I'm humble enough to admit that the past couple of weeks, I've had to live up to my long preceded reputations. Business as usual, of course, but my patients had a few reputations preceding them, as well. Some others, not so much.

If you look back, it's been a pretty busy year for the good doctor. Starting with the demolision of Havoc during there trials for my Tag Team Titles. An unsatisfying run in the Lethal Lottery Tournament. The introduction of AX3 and a reunion for the KINGS™. AX3 has had their shot at my precious gold, as well, where they've, of course, failed. I'm enjoying the surprising outcome we appear to be having in regards to this tag team tournament that's being advertised. The four of us can sit around and watch as all the participants kill each other in the attempts for a chance at an eventual inevitable end. If it takes this FINE federation to once again find it's greatest duo, trio, or quartet then so-be-it. The best is still at the very top and still champions. Do what you have to to keep us entertained.

After we disposed of AX3, I was blessed with an opportunity to finally shove a sock between the ever-flapping gums of former XWF UNIVERSAL Champion, Chris Chaos. A man who's admitted to building his legacy through mine. I told him the first time how important I was around here. He managed to escape the night with a victory and, bah gawd, we never heard the end of it. It was straight to the top from there, am I right? I proved to him several weeks ago that every good doggy, indeed, has his day. But when the master says 'no'. He means 'no'. I disposed of him accordingly and secured my stranglehold around the fact that there isn't a being in or around this place that can comfortably say they have the doctor's number. The 'King Slayer' learned the hard way, as well. False claims and fake names are hardly worth my time, but it seemed even without being face-to-face before Mister Davids and I had something personal to settle. In which, I feel we did.

Doc puffs on a cigar as the blazing sun rapidly begins crawling down over the horizon. In the distance is a large mountain that seems to go for miles from one side to the other. The road leads through via tunnel which becomes visible and straight ahead of us.

So then there's this week. A very unique one, indeed, and very much different from the previous ones I've had. Michael McBride will enter the good doctor's office for the first time in a long, long time. Since the second round of the Tag Team Title Tournament clear back in September when Doctor SATAN! claimed this gold. Although the team of Peter Gilmour and Michael McBride is a VERY important asset to the XWF, it stood NO chance against the likes of Unknown Soldier and Doctor Louis D'Ville. Not much has changed since then, unfortunately for you, Mister McBride. If anything, you're in more trouble now than you were then since you don't have Peter to share your blows with. As I mentioned before, I've been on a tear as of late and by that I mean I've been tearing through some pretty hefty competition. You, my friend, as we ALL know, hardly fall into that category. No disrespect, of course. That's one of the things that make you and Peter such a great team, I could hardly have a sore bone for either of you two at any time. Sure, you need scolded. Of course, you put in your place at times. Indeed, but that will hardly scathe my knuckles when it IS necessary.

Trevor doesn't brake as the bus continues at high speeds towards the side of the mountain and the tiny tunnel. He puffs away at his cigarette with a blank stare and keeps the pedal down. The bus zips into the pitch dark tunnel, the lights from the vehicle being the only source of light there is.

I'm not going to sound like a broken record here, but you've seen the things I do, Mister McBride. The moment you seen your doom in the form of a match at Saturday Savage, you digested and shit out your heart. I've been around the block, I've earned my worth, and I've earned the right to confidently say that you don't stand a brink of a chance in this one. You know it and the world, most definitely, knows it. The only time you've had your worth around here is when you managed to capture that X-Treme Championship for five minutes after the guy before you only had it for two. You managed to fuck that up, didn't you? Not like you care. Do you?

I've seen the way you carry yourself in the back, my friend. I see they you are. You keep to yourself mostly and appear from time to time again to place your input where it's not needed. You have your matches, you lose your matches. It's a pretty simple and predictable life here in the XWF for Michael McBride. I said before that this week is unique, and not just because of the staggering difference in competition I'm having from one week to the next, but your's, as well. The doctor has been known to bring the absolute best out of people when they step into his office. They try harder than they ever have and produced some of the best results that way. Most have failed regardless, but this right here was an opportunity for you to be like a Chris Chaos. To be like an Alexis Riot. To be an absolute nobody and for ONE night be somebody. It's too bad you're probably going to squander it, huh? I think I fibbed a little bit back there when I mentioned you shitting your heart out when you realized your fate earlier in the week. I actually think you shit it out, or something along those lines, a long time ago. I haven't seen a competitor, minus Ghost Tank, with less heart in the business than you. It's amazing that my fellow KING™ and dearest friend Theo Pryce even associates with a waste like you. Even through his icy veins, I suppose he has a spot for charity from time to time. Then again, I doubt any favors he grants for you come without a price. That doesn't sound like him at all to give something up for free.

After several miles through the tunnel, the light at the end finally appears.

I know you didn't ask for this, my friend. This is probably the LAST thing you probably wanted, am I right? Only a fool would choose to catch the good doctor at a time like this. I've put an axe into AX3. I've ended the chaos. I've slain the 'King Slayer'. In a couple of weeks we have High Stakes and I am MORE than ready to continue down this famliar road. I will dominate dominance and go through as many as I have to to be the last man standing at the end of the night. You're, unfortunately, just standing between me and the next one, McBride. You're not an obstacle. You're not a challenge. You're nothing I have to evade. I'm going to blast right through you and leave nothing behind. Well, carry an I.D., just in case.

The light is blinding as they finally escape the tunnel and exit from inside the mountain. Quite a change of scenery than before. The desert landscape and rotting Earth has been replaced with a beautiful, green ocean front. Trevor looks back in the mirror again.

Okay, I give up. Where the fuck are we?

Doc looks back with a cold stare.

New Zealand, my dear Trevor.

Trevor double-takes.

You don't mean?

The bus travels down a thin road that traces the outside of the tiny island that leads up a tree covered mountain. When they reach the top there's a large gate blocking a drive-way that leads up to a large mansion. Trevor stops the bus outside of the gate and looks back to the Doc.

Seriously?

Problem?

Trevor chuckles sarcastically.

Yeah, I have lots of them... One of them is being stuck here with you. Where I don't have a choice in the matter... HE does. You really think he wants to see YOU?

Well, we won't know without asking, hm?

Trevor shrugs as Doc stands up with his trademark grin.

If you say so.

He pulls the lever and the door folds up. The two of them step out onto the ground and begin to approach the gate. Doc stops and looks over to Trevor, who now has cigarette smoke slowly pouring out of the bullet hole in the side of his head.

Hmm.. I suppose we should do SOMETHING about that...

Doc waves his hand and the wound disappears and Trevor doesn't look so ghoulish and gruesome anymore. The cigarette drops out of his mouth as he feels around his head in shock. The doctor continues approaching the large gate. There's a large gold plated "M" on the center of it. Doc approaches the speaker box and presses the red "Call" button.

Could you have done this ANY time?!

Within a few seconds of pressing the button he receives an answer.

A face a never thought or wanted to see again. What brings you here, doctor?

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