Last Night.


Shane Grimson had arrived at the house of Frank Hatton, located in the suburbs of downtown Manhattan. Hatton had gone out of town shortly after Paul had spoke with him for "business" reasons, but had agreed to meet with Grimson when he was back in the city.Hatton insisted Grimson come to him in a environment Hatton was familiar with and knew was safe if he was to get the "the scoop" as he had put it over the phone when Grimson had contacted him, the scoop being intel on "Gravestone" and his whereabouts. Paul "Extreme Machine" Hunter had warned Grimson that this Hatton was the paranoid type and Grimson definitely got that vibe when Hatton explained coming to his house in the dead of night was the best time and place for them to meet to avoid the risk of prying eyes and ears. Never less after driving to the given address here Grimson was, outside Hatton's house in the middle of the night, looking around to make sure there were no "prying eyes" before he knocked on the door.


Knock Knock.



Shane waits on the steps for a few moments before he hears the sound of footsteps approaching the front door from inside, then the sound of a locking mechanism being opened before the door opens and Grimson stands face to face with the scruffy looking hunched over man inside.


Hatton?


Yes, yes, come in quickly!


Hatton ushers Grimson inside and shuts the door behind him locking it, he guides him quickly through to the hallway to the living room on the right and points to a flea bitten couch.


Sit, I won't be a moment.. I just need the bathroom.



Sure thing...


Hatton quickly leaves the room, Shane hears him go up the stairs followed by the sound of a door slamming shut. Shane looks around the room from the couch analysing the old fashioned ornaments, cabinets and furniture situated in the room until Hatton comes back down and re-enters the living room, looking somewhat nervous. Grimson stands up from the couch and dusts off the backs of his jeans as he stares at the jittery individual across the room.


So, Paul told me you're the guy that has info on this "Gravestone"?


Yes...


What can you tell me about him? Who is he? WHY did he order my creation?


I can tell you he's...he's a dangerous man...very dangerous, very powerful, very connected...eyes and ears everywhere.


Grimson narrows his eyes as Hutton's eyes dart around the room erratically.


So dangerous that you're heartbeat is going through the roof just speaking about him? Enhanced hearing, plus vision, I can see the sweat gathering on your forehead from here. You're terrified, what's going on?


Hutton's eyes stop darting and fixate on Grimson.


You shouldn't have came. I'm sorry.


What did you do?


He found out! He found out Paul was going around asking about him, he found out that Paul came to me! I told you, eyes and ears everywhere...he knew Paul would send you to me!


Grimson charges at Hutton and picks him up by his collar lifting him off the ground.


WHAT DID YOU DO!?


There's men posted in a house around a block from here, I was told to call them as soon as you arrived, or else they'd kill ME! There's no escape they'll have the house surrounded as we speak, I'm sorry I...


Before Hutton can finish a small object smashes through the living room window and lands at Grimson's feet, he looks down... just in time to see the grenade before it explodes.


KABOOM!


Grimson goes flying backwards straight into the wall behind him before crumpling to the ground, Grimson groans and coughs as the room is filled with dust left from the explosion, Grimson looks over to where the grenade exploded to see the body of Hutton, blown halfway to hell laying in a crater in the middle of the living room, Grimson's diamond hard skin and invulnerability being what saved him from the same unfortunate fate. Grimson starts to get to his feet as and walks towards the smashed living room window, stepping on all the broken glass as he jumps out of it onto the grass on the front porch outside, to be met with the sight of five masked men standing by a blacked out SUV parked on the sidewalk, all of them pointing large, oddly shaped guns in Grimson's direction. Grimson cracks his neck and smiles.


Save your bullets, they can't kill me.


One of the men fires their gun but instead of a bullet, a dart shoots out and pierces Grimson in the neck, Grimson staggers back in shock, before ripping the dart out and walking towards the men quickly, all five men then fire their guns, three of the darts hit Grimson in the chest, one of them in his arm and one of them directly in his face, Grimson screams and starts ripping the darts out, as people from the neighbouring houses woken up from the grenade explosion exit their houses to see what all the commotion is, the bystanders watch and gasp as Grimson staggers towards the five men who are still aiming their guns at him.



What....what...those darts...what's in....


THUCK!


Another dart, directly in the heart, whatever toxins the darts are loaded with begin to take full effect. Grimson stops a few feet away from the men and drops to one knee before toppling sideways laying flat on the ground. The on looking neighbours of the now deceased Frank Hutton point and gasp as they watch the men pick up the unconscious Shane Grimson, dragging him to the SUV before throwing him in and and entering themselves, shutting the doors behind them before they drive off into the night.


Few Hours Later.


...


Hm...


Grimson opens his eyes, he immediately realizes that his hands and feet are in several metal contraptions connected to the wall he is pinned against, preventing him from moving. He is only barely able to see this however thanks to his augmented eyesight as the room is in is pitch black darkness..


Hello? What is this? Where am I!?


The lights turn on and a blinding spotlight shines down on Grimson, Shane looks around and sees he's in a small empty room with metal walls and no windows, he squints his eyes and hisses as the door in front of him opens and a man with silver hair wearing a matched coloured suit steps in and towards him, with two men behind him, one of them holding a gun, the other, a large metallic band of some sort.


Hello Grimson, you're home, this is where you're meant to be and would of ended up anyway, if you had not gone rogue and gone against your duties, your very reason for being. How disappointing.


Gravestone.


Yes that is my name, and I've heard one of your friends has been going around asking for me, been looking for me have you? Well here I am, and here YOU are, in quite the predicament.


Not for long, I will escape these holds.


I doubt that, these devices are durable enough to withstand even YOUR strength, you won't be breaking out of them.



Then...Trax will find me.


Oh yes, your new super powered negro friend, I doubt that as well, our files have been updated, we are AWARE of his " aura sensing" abilities and my top scientists have assured me there is no way he will be able to detect you in this room or anywhere in this building, my men have derived it is not ones "life aura" he detects, there is no such thing...instead it is simply ones bioelectrical signature he is able to pick up on and with that knowledge we've been able create countermeasures.


Got it all figured out, huh? Well help me figure something, what is it you want with me exactly? Why did you create me?


Ah well that is the question isn't it, I'll give you the short answer, simply put... you was created to be what would be considered a super solider...


Like...Captain America?


Gravestone raises an eyebrow, then smirks.


Not quite, unlike you Captain America is just a figment of someone's imagination, you're very much real Grimson... but yes just like "Captain America" you have incredible powers that would of been used to serve your country...and other parties depending how much they're willing to pay. You were to be a sanctioned operative, unlike your friend Trax who is classed as a vigilante, and is classed as dangerous and a liability, we tried to get him to fall in line but when he refused, we deemed it best to "remove" him. You was to be created regardless if he complied with our wishes or not, you was to be tested and if deemed a success...mass produced, an army of loyal super soldiers...but since Trax didn't join our ranks, your first mission upon your creation was to deal with him, but not only did you not do that, you sided alongside him and have killed several of my men.


Now, its Grimson that gives a smirk.


Yeah sorry about that, I do not like being told what to do.


I've gathered, but not to worry, just like with everything else, I have a solution to your transgressions.


Gravestone clicks his fingers and one the man holding the band behind him walks up to Grimson and places it around his head.


What are you doing...


You was meant to be devoid of emotion, ruthless, but complacent, the perfect solider. Something went wrong with your conditioning however and you failed to meet expectations, the device currently around your head however will rewrite your brain patterns however and by the time its done, you will fully obey and listen to my commands. I warn you however the process is long...and very painful, lets begin shall we?


Gravestone presses a switch on the band, it lights up and buzzes, dozen of long thin metal needles protrude inwards from it and lodge into Grimson's skull, Grimson's brain begins to feel like its been set on fire and he lets out a scream as Gravestone stands back and smiles as the scene fades.






Present.



The scene in Charleston Civic Center, the home of the upcoming Wednesday Warfare, there's currently a fan signing event going on inside the lobby area with several XWF superstars and management present. One of the superstars being none over than Mr FN' Dominance TRAX, sitting at a desk signing autographs and such, when the next fan in line, a young boy with a XWF Poster displaying several XWF Superstars, TRAX of course being one of them, runs towards Trax excitedly waving the poster around.

TRAX! Sign this, sign this!



TRAX pulls out his pen as the boy places the poster on the table for TRAX to sign, as he does so, TRAX looks at the boy and notices the shirt he's wearing, a brand new AX3 shirt, TRAX resists the urge to roll his eyes as he hands the signed poster back to the boy.


Cooool! You're my fav TRAX! Well you and AX3, when you helped them fight off The Kings? Awesome! Those old bad guys suck!


Yeah kid that they do, but am I correct to assume you think AX3 are good guys?


Um, yeah! You should join them! That'd be awesome.




Sorry kid, don't think that'd work out, besides those guys totally aren't good guys.


Wait...they're not?


You kidding? What's good about say... Chris Chaos? Dude loves "chaos".... the clues in the name... and oh he mentions it in pretty much all his promos, he's a sadist, that's not good kid. Michael Graves is a raving child molesting lunatic, Thaddeus is obnoxious little brat who stabs the people who care for him in the back...what's good about those people?


The kid bites his lip, a look of uncertainty washed over his face.


What about...what about Jim Caedus? I know you guys are fighting Wednesday but that's only because of that Theo douchebag right? You guys are friends right?


Ha, Caedus is a great wrestler and he deserves to be Universal Champion, and I don't HATE the guy or even dislike him really, but is still a delusional hypocrite, he thinks I'm the one with the ego when he's going around calling himself "Big Dick Daddy" and "Star Killer", boy please, dude is over compensating for something in a big way son, the way he carries himself, that's not something to be admired. I'm no saint, but Caedus is no role model either lemme tell ya. The guy honestly has been blinded by his recent glory and needs to be brought back to reality real quick, and trust me, realities gonna slap him will good across the face Wednesday, slap that glued on beard right off that mug that not even a mother could love. There no such thing as true friends in this business kid, teams may be seem beneficial at first but trust me, they always end up being a hindrance in the end, the best advice I could give? Be like TRAX, be your OWN team, sure when you fail at something that means you only have yourself to blame, but when you succeed? Thats all you and that's how it should be, that's some solid life advice for you right there, free of charge too. Now run along and go buy my action figure if you haven't already.


The kid nods and runs off, as he does so Trax's phone rings and he answers it.


Paul? Waddup.


Trax...Huttons dead.


What?


Hutton, the guy who had info on "Gravestone", the guy Grimson went to see, he's dead man, its all over the news, someone threw a fucking grenade into his house man, witnesses say they saw five masked men shoot up a large guy with tranquilizer darts outside the house then drive off with him.

Wait.. you don't think? Hol' up.


Trax focuses trying to locate Grimson's aura. He tries for a few minutes, his eyes glowing amber as the fans still waiting in the line point and whisper among themselves excitedly, some of them taking photos, Trax's eyes revert back to normal and he speaks into the phone once more.


Paul, Grimson...I can't sense him anywhere.


Shit.


This is bad, motherfucker I KNEW I should gone with him. We need to track him.


Working on it, you just focus on your match, we'll link up afterwards. That a plan?


Yeah... that's a plan. Gotta go... people are waiting, peace.


TRAX hangs up the phone and gestures for the next fan to step forward as the scene fades.



Yo Caedus, my man, saw your lil' one-two promo combo, would of replied sooner but been busy, fan signings, interviews, shit man you'd think it was me that was the Universal Champion haha! But anyways...got all that macho talk out your system son? That's great. Now listen to what I gotta say before I put you to bed like you really are my son.


Firstly my man you're definition of fear and my definition are clearly different, you say I'm scared of the Kings like you said I was scared of Dolly, I laughed that bullshit off and told you to loosen up that goddamn tinfoil hat on your head and the best part was Dolly agreed with me when I mocked you for your bullshit claims with no substantial backing because she knew I was right, you say you back up everything you say, well I have to disagree because this isn't the first time you've made baseless claims against me pulled out of absolutely nowhere. I still chuckle over the whole pointless Buronan/Aura Sense debate you brought up and droned on over during LL, Jesus, back on track though... me scared of The Kings? That's why I run my mouth off to them whenever I get the chance to, that's why I challenged Theo Pryce to a match but because he was too pussy, he gave me you instead. That's why I challenged Doctor to a match at High Stakes which I've been given. TRAX ain't scared of The Kings, but I'm gonna give them reasons to fear me, its foolish of them to not already do so, you're a Star Killer Caedus? Say hello to the STABLE Killer. Impossible to be a one man army? Maybe for you, but I've singlehandedly feuded with stables in the past and fucked up their shit quite nicely, The Hatriots, The Union, I even messed with the CCWF pretty good too defeating Lane for the then CCWF Universal title. I'm not a stranger to one-against-many scenarios, I've survived well enough in the past and I'll survive again and unlike you I don't need the AX3 to back me either, so save your concerns.


You damn right Kings will go scurrying when I beat Doc for the simple reason that I'm not just going to beat him, I'm gonna whoop his dried up sponge lookin' ass so bad it will shatter their entire team morale. At High Stakes,I'm gonna be firing on all cylinders, I'm gonna be fighting like my life depends on it because fighting against The Kings is fighting for XWF and Caedus, this MY life, just like its yours, and I'mma show these faux royal motherfuckers that I'm no peasant whose throat they can step on, and that they were in over their heads thinking they can just waltz back up in here and takeover, so no, you won't be dealing with Doc, that's one me, you just focus on not losing that title...atleast...before I win the battle royal at High Stakes and challenge you for it some time after.

Caedus call yourself what you like breh, I didn't expect you to bore me to death with some drawn out explanation as to what "Big Dick Daddy" means, shit its not that important, I made a couple flippant remarks and you jump on that shit like a hooker whose rents due jumps on a Big Dick screaming Daddy. You're a dick, noted, why am I talking about dicks so much? Could ask you the same thing considering you make a dick reference in pretty much all your promos, in fact you go into great detail about getting erect for your opponents and bustin' balls and other shit all the time. Caedus just to make it clear we're fighting not fucking, don't get hard over the thought of this match or anything weird like that, that kinda talk is hella uncomforting and scares me more than any of your try-hard threas, its clear to me you just have a taste for dicks, Big Dick Daddy? More like Cock Connoisseur.


But yeah enough about Kings, or dicks, or how much The Kings are dicks, I am fully aware that our match is what I should be focused on and believe me when I step in that ring with you'll be getting my undivided attention, beating you be will be at the forefront of my mind and nothing else because you got to believe, even though its non-title, beating you will be a huge deal and will definitely boost me in the contender ranks right to the top. Pinning you, without using a finisher to do it is a HUGE statement and one I'm not overlooking and will definitely look to make. Am I ready for you one on one? You bet your ass, as you said, anyone can beat anyone here in XWF, I've lost to worse people than you but I've also beaten better, I know how it goes. I'm not discrediting your lotto win, yeah you didn't pin me, but you still beat both me and Dolly and that's a helluva feat, why do think I'mma fair better in this match then? Because my focus isn't split on two opponents and like I said I underestimated you at Lotto, I should of made more of an effort to limit your windows of opportunities in that match, I didn't thus I paid the price, simple as, that was an error of judgment that I won't be looking to repeat, you're cunning, you're dangerous, I'm fully aware of this and will be treating you as such. You're also making it really hard for me to not think you're a closet flaming homosexual though, you're gonna spread my ass cheeks and show me whose Big Dick Daddy you said, you said that after insinuating its us black folk that love raping motherfuckers might I add? I'm cautious about you Caedus in more ways than one, Best believe my ass cheeks are gonna be clenched tighter than a Jews wallet in this match, stay the fuck away from them. I'mma say this one time and one time only... we're "just friends" aight? I've never really noticed just how rapey you are 'till watching those promos, now I understand why you and Graves are in the same stable, your type have to stick together right?


But lets see how long that lasts, you can claim to be brothers with all your stablemates but I've been in and around enough stables to know how the story of AX3 will end, you can say "As long as the Universal title stays in AX3 its all good" as much as you want, the Universal title is NOT the trio or tag team titles Caedus, you can't use the freebird rule with it, that title will belong to and be defended by one person and one person ONLY. And that ONE person will be considered the top person in the company, you are currently considered the top guy in the company, there's no denying that, but do you really think people like Chris Chaos and Thaddeus Duke will be content with playing second fiddle for long? Not only are you considered the top guy in the company due to the title you carry, people will automatically assume you are the leader of your little crew because of it regardless if you like it or not, because that's how it usually goes. The guy with the most prestigious title in the stable is automatically considered the leader, you may not realize or think that, but I betcha other people in your group do, you can claim to be content with not being Champion just as long as the belt stays in AX3 ranks, but I promise you, you lose that belt and fail to win it back? You're going to grow frustrated, and The Big Dick Daddy's massive boner is gonna turn flaccid real quick, because seeing someone else carrying the title you worked your entire life for to gain is gonna kill you vibe, don't matter if you consider that person a friend or foe.


I've told you before I call it how I see it, last time I called your ugly bitch an ugly bitch, now I'm calling your doomed stable a doomed stable, simples, why am I so concerned? Because I'm not completely heartless, I've seen you break down and cry like a bitch in front of me before man, you can put on the tough guy act now to try and mask your insecurities and self doubts but I know they're still there and when your team goes to shit all of that shit is gonna resurface so I'm just giving a heads up before it comes to that, you don't hear me though, so fuck it do what you like, keep thinking those guys have your back, right until one of them sticks a knife into it.


You mentioned in both promos your extensive list of non-finishers, yeah Caedus its an impressive list, you got a buncha fancy moves with fancy names so how stupid are you gonna look though after I pin your ass with a simple drop kick or some shit? Motherfucker ANY move can basically be used as a finisher when you've been worn down enough, shit I may catch you off guard with the surprise roll up pin of doom, the most devastating move in wrestling history motherfucker, or I might get creative, I might just teleport your ass 50 feet in the air and watch you drop on your head. Shit we're not allowed to use finishers but they've said nothing about superpowers right? Would that be allowed? Probably not... but I get a kick thinking about it, speaking of kicks, I've relied on the Trap Silencer for a long time because I get a sorta sick satisfaction making people kiss my boot, its poetic almost, but don't think I don't have an array of moves and tricks ready to pull out the bag on a moments notice.


You say I haven't changed, that's good because I don't need to. I am fully equipped to beat you, always have been, don't let the past fool you, and it doesn't matter what gets said before a match either, this is just shit talk, this is just to hype up the match, it means nothing when we enter the ropes so dissect whatever the fuck you want in my promos its me that'll be dissecting you in that ring, because I won't be taking no chances, I won't be giving you room to breath. I'm going to run circles around you with my quick feet then wear you down with my quicker jabs you won't even see coming, you're gonna think I'm teleporting around the ring when really I'm just showing you my natural athletic acumen that you can't fuck with. I'm gonna beat you Caedus, then I'm gonna beat Doc, then I'm gonna beat you AGAIN once I win that battle royal, so hold onto that Lethal Lotto victory, cut another promo rubbing it in my face, real soon its gonna Trax 2 Caedus 1 and I just hope you're happy for me in the near future when you see me walking around with that championship you're currently carrying, because its gonna happen. Fuck what you think, fuck The Kings, fuck AX3 and fuck YOU. I'm TRAX, that's right all caps motherfuckers, so shout it out like your bitch accidentally does when she fantazies about me whilst you're giving her that Lil' Jimmy and remember it, and remember this, whatever you do...DO NOT CROSS THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRAX. Peace.


Elsewhere.


The scene opens back in the room we last saw Shane Grimson, he is still pinned to the wall, but his eyes are closed. The door swings open and in walks Gravestone, followed by a man in a lab coat.


You sure it's been successful?


All readings suggest so Sir.


Good, Grimson, wake up. Time for you to try again at fulfilling your duty.



Grimson opens his eyes, which appear blank and glazed over, his stoic face showing no signs of emotion whatsoever.



Yes...master.


TO BE CONTINUED.

Banner created by Gabe "The Radical" Reno

XWF Career accomplishments/Highlights:

One Time XWF Universal Champion
Two Time X-Treme Champion
One Time Intercontinental Champion
One Time World Tag Team Champion
XWF All Time Top 50 inductee
One Time 24/7 Briefcase Holder
Intercontinental Royal Rumble Winner
Captained the winning team "Team Dominance" at War Games '15
Lethal Lottery IV Finalist
July 2015 Superstar Of The Month
March 2017 Superstar Of The Month
October 2016 Promo Of The Month "Changes"