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Andrew Logan · (08-07-2020)

~The shot comes up on what appears to be a well cared for lawn. It's very green, showing the care that's been put into it. To the side is a stack of rosebushes, which all are opened up at this time. The red wave of the garden is beautiful. A lady can be seen, wielding a hose daintily as she sprays the yard and the plants, making sure that everything is growing correctly. The lady turns back, almost spraying the man who has walked out behind her. She laughs.~

Grace Logan - Sorry, Andrew! I didn't see you there!

Andrew Logan - That's okay, Grace. It was close, but I managed to avoid getting soaked... this time.

~Grace and Andrew both laugh as they look around the area. Grace takes a closer look at the corner, spraying some more water over there to make sure it's got enough saturation for the summer heat.~

Grace Logan - I planted some grass seedlings in the corner there. I hope they come up soon, or else it won't look completely right with the rest of the grass until it's mowed.

~Andrew smiles as he wraps his hands around Grace's waist, holding her as she finishes spraying the ground.~

Andrew Logan - I don't see what you're worried about, Grace. You always do such a perfect job. I'm sure any seeds you planted are going to grow just the way you want them to.

Grace Logan - Thanks, dear. I couldn't get it done at all without your help.

~Andrew tightens his grip around his wife's waist, working to turn her around so that they're face-to-face.~

Andrew Logan - You know, if you need... help... planting any more seeds, you know I'm here for you...

~Grace giggles, as she feels Andrew's hands moving across her.~

Grace Logan - Andrew! You devil! The neighbors might hear you!

Andrew Logan - What do I care about the neighbors, when I've got you here?

~Andrew and Grace share a passionate kiss, one of the type that you'll see in every romantic movie. The only thing marring it is the image of an older Andrew Logan standing off to the side, watching it all. The memory seems to shift and crack in places, even as we zoom quickly in on Andrew Logan's face.~

~Andrew Logan suddenly sits up, awakened by some noise in the distance. He blinks in the darkness, trying to pull himself together as he tries to sit straighter in the chair. A wince of pain goes through him, as sleeping in an office chair is never recommended by your typical back specialist. Logan sits forward, running his hands across his face and through his long black hair, as he works to pull himself back together. There's another noise, closer by, and Logan takes note, wondering if he's guessed right. After a few seconds, there's the sound of the office door opening and closing, followed by some muttering as someone tries to feel along the wall and find the light strip. He's finally successful, switching on the lights, bringing the whole office cubicle view to life. Andrew blinks through the sudden brightness, clearing his vision, as he hears the person approaching. The man comes around the corner, then jumps back as if he's just seen a ghost. Looking at how Andrew Logan looks, that feeling can be perfectly justified. The man, Malcolm, takes a moment to catch his breath before approaching again.~

Malcolm - You nearly gave me a heart attack, Andrew! I'm too young and good-looking to die like that! I fully plan to go out sky-diving when I'm 90!

~Malcolm laughs at his own joke, if it is actually a joke. It's always hard to tell with Malcolm, a man who spends more time with computers than he does with people. After a few seconds, Malcolm stops laughing, mainly because Logan hasn't reacted.~

Malcolm - Okay, big man, talk to me. Why are you lurking like the Phantom of the Office, waiting for his Christine to come by? I'm... not Christine, am I? Because I really don't want to find out what the basement sewers of this building look like.

~Again, Logan doesn't have a response, which seems to be really unnerving Malcolm. There's a reason he comes earlier than anyone else to the office, and it's not to deal with an unstable powerhouse, even one he considers a friend. After a few more seconds, Logan finally speaks up.~

Andrew Logan - I... I need your help, Malcolm.

Malcolm - Is that all? You could have come during normal business hours, I'll be here most of the day. Your uncle has me running some numbers program to figure out the best way to win at the track. I think it's all still based on luck, but he really thinks a good algorithm can make it work. But I'm rambling. What's this about? Oh, is it something to do with that guy, Miles Clarkson, I sent you to? How'd that go, anyway?

~Logan thinks about that for a minute, crunching his hands into fists a couple of times before releasing the tension. He looks back up at Malcolm.~

Andrew Logan - I need you to find out some information on someone. A very important someone.

Malcolm - Not a problem, that's one of my specialties. You need to find out about a potential target? I'm your man.

~Malcolm moves past Logan and presses the button on the side, getting his high-speed computer to boot up. He takes a seat in his favorite swivel chair, one he paid a great deal of money for, before glancing back at Logan.~

Malcolm - So who is this boogeyman you want me to seek out?

~Logan slowly stands up, thinking it over before saying anything.~

Andrew Logan - ... Me.

~Malcolm, confused, looks back at his friend, wondering what kind of joke Logan is making. But Logan's face shows the seriousness of the situation. Malcolm waits for more information, as Logan thinks about how to say everything that's been running through his head for the past 24 hours.~

Growing up, I was always into myths and legends. While other kids watched shows like Pokemon and Doug, I was spending time leafing through books, studying some of the greatest stories of our time. I was really into godly mythology. I read stories about The Mighty Thor and the Incredible Hercules, not those Marvel rip-offs where they had them fighting crime in modern day New York, but the actual stories. My Thor growing up had red hair and a powerful beard.

I read the stories of the Iliad, focusing on the warriors of Troy, Achilles and his infamous weakness, and the Trojan horse that led to their doom. Of course, if you read the Iliad, you have to read the Odyssey, following the hero Odysseus on his way back from the war. I would dream about fighting in these wars, being an epic gladiator who could defeat anyone. I suppose in some ways that led to my early training, preparing myself to enter the world of wrestling with my brother, Anthony.

It took some time before I started to realize that these marvelous myths and legends were just that: legends. While there might be specks of truth here and there, no one really believes that Odysseus was held by Calypso and refused immortality so that he could return to his wife. There was no Poseidon, god of the sea, angrily sinking Odysseus' ship to keep him from his journey. They were simply stories. Sometimes they were impressive, and maybe they told important life lessons, but in the end, that's all they were: stories.

I have never heard of you, Johnny Legend. It seems like maybe I should have, considering how many years you've supposedly put into the business. From what I've heard, you were once part of the XWF long ago, but there doesn't seem to be too many people that remember you now that you've returned. Believe it or not, this strikes a chord with me. When I was in OCW, I won several championships, including the World Heavyweight Title there. Yet when I returned many years later to join their tournament, no one remembered me or even gave me a chance in hell of winning. I was forgotten, just like you, told that there's no way I deserve to be considered for their Hall of Fame. I was a stranger to them.

Like you, I still rejoined the organization, in my case taking on the Manifest Destiny tournament. That month, Andrew Logan reminded people of the greatness that once was my birthright. I destroyed everyone in that tournament, rolling to the victory, proving that I, indeed, belonged. I'd like to think I've started to change some minds about that here in the XWF, after I defeated so many other wrestlers in order to win the XWF Leap of Faith Battle Royal. Maybe there are people here starting to believe that I belong here as well.

After all, they've put me in the main event for Saturday's contest. A Falls Count Anywhere match with you, a 'legend' that very few people remember. The Last Legend, apparently. It's hard to tell which one of us is older, as we've both put our time in on the grindstone. The difference, likely, is that I've worked hard to keep myself in perfect shape. I honestly believe I'm stronger and more dangerous now than I was all those years ago. I doubt you can say the same thing, with that bum right knee of yours. It'd be a shame if I dislocated that for you on your first big main event back.

All told, Legend, I expected that my win at Leap of Faith would get me noticed. I believe that I deserve to be in the main event, and I'm personally a long-time fan of Falls Count Anywhere. Using any weapons I can find to bludgeon my opponent with? Who wouldn't love that? The only question mark I have right now is you. Will you be deserving of this honor, facing me when the fans are at their hottest and the destruction could be extreme?

Or will you prove to be like the legends of old? Just a story that sounds interesting but is only a shade of the actual truth...

~For a few moments, Malcolm works in silence, getting his algorithms set up to run correctly. He finally turns back, looking at his friend, who he's known for a long time.~

Malcolm - Time to explain yourself, Andrew. Why should I be running my programs looking for information about you? Isn't that, y'know, information that you should already have?

Andrew Logan - It's hard to explain...

Malcolm - This is where using words comes in handy.

~Logan takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself before continuing on.~

Andrew Logan - I learned from Crusher... that my wife might still be alive.

Malcolm - Your... your wife? The one your brother took from you? That wife? The one whose body...

~For a moment, Logan deals with a flashback, seeing his blood-soaked wife laying on the ground. It's inter-spliced with an image of Logan laying there alone, on his knees, with the only blood being what's coming from his knuckles.~

Andrew Logan - I know what I remember... except that memory has gotten more... hazy... and I need someone to confirm a few things for me. I've never looked into my own history. It was too painful. And Uncle Arthur... he's the only one other than you that I talked about this trauma with. He knew all the pertinent details. But he never contradicted me. I think he even said he paid for the funeral... if there was a funeral...

~Logan is pacing now, his fists clenching once again. He looks ready to break something, which doesn't slip past Malcolm.~

Malcolm - Okay, look. You don't want your uncle to know about this? Fine. Not like I haven't kept stuff from him before. Why don't you go grab yourself some breakfast, maybe a soda, stay away from the alcohol, and let me do what I do, understand?

~Malcolm pats Logan on the shoulder, trying not to yank his hand back at the tension he feels there. But Logan only nods, saying nothing else as he heads out the door. Malcolm sighs and sits back in his chair.~

Malcolm - I was really hoping for a slow day.

~Malcolm goes to work, getting his baby running at full speed, typing away. He begins to whistle.~

~The shot comes up on an uneven lawn. Some places appear to be growing well, while other sections are becoming patchy. There are a few weeds here and there, fighting their way through the dirt. A woman appears, spraying water around the area. She aims for some rose bushes that haven't quite found their way back to life just yet. Behind her, she hears a noise, and she spins, startled. The water passes inches by Andrew Logan, who barely reacts. Grace shudders before regaining control.~

Grace Logan - Andrew. Sorry. I didn't see you there.

Andrew Logan - It's fine. I didn't get soaked... this time.

~There's a slight grumble in Andrew's voice as he surveys the yard. Grace looks over at the bare patches, sighing.~

Grace Logan - I was hoping you'd planted the grass seedlings by now. We've got some real dead spots, we need to find a way to grow them back up. This just doesn't look right.

~Andrew steps forward, putting his arms around Grace's waist. She looks a bit uncomfortable, but accepts his grip, even as he looks around the yard at the problem areas that he hasn't taken care of.~

Andrew Logan - I don't see what you're worried about, Grace. You always want perfection. But things aren't always going to be perfect.

Grace Logan - That doesn't mean that we shouldn't try.

Andrew Logan - I suppose not.

~Andrew tightens his grip around Grace, causing her to pull herself around so that she can face-to-face with her husband. A worried look crosses her face at his gaze.~

Andrew Logan - You know, if you need... help... planting any more seeds, you know I'm here... you don't need anyone else's... help...

~The grip seems to tighten more. Grace pushes off, managing to break contact with Andrew, staring up at him.~

Grace Logan - Andrew! You know the neighbors might hear you...

~Grace turns, embarrassed, and heads inside the house. Andrew slowly reaches down, picking up the hose that's still spraying water. He takes it over to the tap to turn it off.~

Andrew Logan - What do I care what the neighbors think?

~Andrew makes sure the water has stopped and throws the hose to the side, landing it on the nearby hook. He turns, stomping his way to head into the house. As he reaches the door, though, he looks back over his shoulder, seemingly spotting the figure standing in the darkness. He turns, looking at him.~

Andrew Logan - Are you starting to believe?

~The figure steps forward, staring at his younger self, completely unsure at this point.~

~Andrew Logan seems to come out of a trance, looking around. He's currently been walking along the city streets, and God knows where he is now. He shakes off the shiver running through his bones and walks on, looking for the first intersection so he can start to figure out his next destination. A man nearby is keeping an eye on him, and Logan gives him a nod.~

Andrew Logan - Good morning, officer.

~Logan then continues on, hoping that the man doesn't follow. In the meantime, we cut away from Logan and return to the offices, where Malcolm's program is still running. He's busy playing a game where a dinosaur jumps over objects like trees and pterodactyls. It usually is only for when the Internet is down, but Malcolm rigged it so he can play it whenever he wants. There's a sudden alert that grabs his attention, causing him to accidentally land in a tree, ending the game. Laughing to himself, Malcolm pulls up the information that just populated, which will likely just be the tip of the iceberg for one Andrew Logan. Malcolm keeps reading, going through the files that have been discovered. His smile is soon wiped from his face as he reads it again, and then once more. Malcolm then sits back in his chair, for once not noticing the comfort it gives him.~

Malcolm - Oh my god...

~Malcolm stays there, wondering if he wants to find out any more information, but it's likely already too late, as another signal goes off, alerting him of more information being found. It's going to be a long day.~

I have made my first marks in the sand for the XWF. But simply winning a Battle Royal is not the legacy I'm looking for. I want to become worthy in all fans' eyes as one of the greatest wrestlers to have ever lived. I have... fears that this may be the only legacy worth having in my life. So I will not let it fall away from me without a fight.

I was victorious in my first test in this new company. Now you stand in my way, Legend. You have the name that I crave for people to call me. If possible, I will take it from you, and move forward in the world as a Legend Killer. You had just better hope it is not in the literal sense.

I am looking for more feathers in my cap, to use an old phrase. Tournament winner. Battle Royal conqueror. Legend Killer. I like that addition to my resume. Prepare yourself, Legend. It may be a very short return for you.

Treasure. Every. Moment.

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