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Mastermind · (03-12-2019)

PREVIOUSLY

We learned in his younger days that Mastermind did not have a good start to his wrestling career. He first started out in the NZWC or the New Zealand Wrestling Competition. Because of his youth and his eagerness to rise quickly through the ranks, most of the elder statesmen of the NZIC saw him as a threat and because their egos were so high, decided to keep him down. This lead to nasty injuries and finally a severe concussion which kept him out for over 4 months.

After receiving his concussion which put him on the shelf, he met his future wife Maria, who was attending to him in the Sick Bay area. They hit it off instantly. And then when it was apparent that he needed money to help get him out of his predicament she introduced Mastermind to her father, who gave him a job.

Knowing that he couldn't resurrect his career in New Zealand, without getting better training, he knew his immediate future was working in Australia and then Japan. But to get there he needed money which he earned when he started working for Markus Swift, Maria's father, as a Stock Broker. He was a quick learner. He then was able to get the money behind him that could send him to Australia and Japan. But there was only one problem. His fledgling relationship with Maria.

But Maria knew Mastermind wouldn't be happy if he stayed put in New Zealand for her, so she told him to go, and they would resume their relationship when he got back.

So with the help of a contact from Markus, Mastermind headed to Sydney, Australia where he was introduced to Outback Jack. Markus's contact. He took him to what look like a farm on the outskirts of Sydney, but it was a training base for all the up and coming wannabe wrestlers. He was instantly told to start training.

And now the continuation:

1997

SYDNEY, AUSTRLIA

OUTSKIRTS OF SYDNEY - FARMLAND

OUTBACK JACK'S WRESTLING TRAINING CENTER

Mastermind now had to do 20 laps around the foitball field and in the hottest heat he had ever felt. It wad his first time out of New Zealand and at 23 he needed to prove a point.

The first lap he did was good. At least he thought so to his standards but he also knew his standards were now not good enough.

"Pick up the pace, boi," yelled his trainer, Xavier from the sideline.

"Easy for you to say," said Mastermind to himself "You are use to this heat."

So he did as he was told and started jogging a bit faster. Soon he had finished 4 laps but the heat was starting to take its toll on him. He felt all yuck and sweaty, and thirsty, and all dizzy.

He stumbled a few steps but regathered his feet and managed to finish the lap.

Then on his 6th lap he stumbed trying to go a bit more faster and he couldnt retain his footing and he collapsed yo the dirty ground, lying sprawled out.

Xavier was still on the sideline. Outback Jack walked up to him.

"Come on Xavier, he's a kiwi he's not use to this heat."

"He's raw Jack, no wonder those hard headed kiwi bastards ran riot all over him. He allowed them to do it. Kiwi's no surprises there."

Zana came walking past looking worried.

"You guys are tough old sons of bitches, its his first day here for gods sake."

"Watch your mouth, Zana," said her father Jack

"Sorry Dad but come on have some good will."

Jack looked at Xavier who held up his arms as if admitting defeat.

"Fine the boi can have a break."

Mastermind was still struggling to recover from his fall, and was trying to get to his feet.

"It's best if you just sit there for a wee bit and recover," came Zana's voice from behind him

Zana walked up and Mastermind looked up at her. She held out a bottle of water for him to take which he did so and he took it and started guzzling it down.

"Woah dude slow down, that'll make yourself even sicker chugging it down faster. Then that'll make things ecen worde for you."

Mastermind drank slower and soon he could sit up without feeling dizzy. Zana sat down beside him.

"Why are you helping me?" asked Mastermind confused

Zana chuckled and looked back at her father and Xavier.

"Because you need all the help you can get. Especially with those two hard taskmasters over there waiting for you to quit. Are you going to quit?"

"Maybe I should," said Mastermind quietly

"I beg your pardon," replied Zana "I never picked a kiwi like you as a quitter."

Mastermind looked at Zana.

"I'm no quitter."

"You just said maybe you should quit. Thats still a quitter."

"Well damn it I didn't mean it."

"Well then get your arse off of the dirt and get back to your training before your trainers call you a quiter."

Mastermind quickly got to his feet and dusted himself down. He looked at Zana

"Thank you "

"I didn't do anything, it was you who decided not to be a quitter. Now come on."

Zana started running ahead. Mastermind quickly followed.

Back on the sideline both Outback Jack, and Xavier watched Mastermind get up, dust himself off, and run off after Zana.

Xavier shook his head "That daughter of yours always sticking her nose in to our training's."

"She always has a soft spot for people who, she feels has a future and is getting picked on by us, well, picked on mainly by you really."

"Do you really see something in this kid? Because at the moment I don't."

"Xavier, I really do see something. That is why I took him on. That is why I want you to train him. But if you can't be arsed I'll do it myself."

'Woah calm down there boss. I didn't say I would not train him. Geez dude keep your hair on."

"The kid paid a lot of money to get here. That says a lot."

'Okay, okay. But we train him my way."

"That's still the deal."

A few minutes later Zana and Mastermind ran past.

"Yo kid stop," yelled Xavier

Mastermind stopped dead in his tracks up ahead, and turned and hunched over and drank some more water all the while looking at Xavier.

"You haven't eaten yet kid, go grab yourself a meal then we will work on something else."

Mastermind looked back at Zana and she gave him the you know the deal look.

Panting "You said.... that i... have to do.... 20 laps... right?"

"Yes."

"And I've.. only done... 7."

"But I'm offering you an early finish."

Mastermind looked one last time at Xavier before taking off on his run. Zana looked back at her father and Xavier and shrugged her shoulders, and started laughing before taking off after Mastermind.

"Well I'll be damned," said a shocked Xavier

T.B.C

PRESENT DAY

HOTEL ROOM
SOMEWHERE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Mastermind was on his phone talking to his wife, Maria back in New Zealand.

'I'm telling you baby that it's a guy's body."

"It may seem like a guy's body," replied Maria "But they just realeased a promo and she's definitely the one doing the talking even though it's through his body,"

"I know I did see it."

"So you know our pact. If you've got a match with a female I talk to them, You talk to males. That's been our deal since you got back to the XWF."

Mastermind sighed but he did see the merits in keeping this going, and it has worked a treat in the past to the point of putting off their opposition.

"Okay, I agree with you babe. We will do it. I just have to get things sorted my end then we can do a promo."

"You won't regret this honey, I'll make you proud."

"I know you will babe. I'll talk to you soon."

"Okay.... bye. Love you."

"Love you too."

Mastermind hung up.

The camera fades into the hotel room of Mastermind, as it finds him sitting crosslegged in the middle of the floor with a tv close by. His eyes are closed.

Off camera there is a clearing of a throat as it alerts Mastermind that he is now live to the XWF universe.

With his eyes still closed he begins to talk:

"Last week I easily dealt to Kid Kool, and he's still crying to his mother on unfair the match, when I clearly bet him to make it through to the 2nd Round of the XWF King of the Ring Tournament this coming week on Savage.

"And yet like Kid Kool who is no doubt still blubbering to his mother, I'm facing someone who clearly needs his mother as well. A 17 year old who clearly has a mental disorder."

Masternind opens his eyes and calmly looks at the camera.

"Now before I get people complaining that I am attacking Mental Disorders this is clearly not the case. Yes this kid may be mentally unhinged, or mentally disturbed but he's not like everyone else out there justifibly suffering mental illnesses, he's got his own issues which he brought on himself. I'm talking about Corey Smith.

"I ask you this. Where are you from Corey? Like fuck that I care where he is from. He's clearly disturbed and delusional and not to mention he also haves SPD.

"Now all you guys are going to ask what the fuck is SPD. So I'll yell you. It's Split Personality Disorder. To have SPD you need to THINK you have two or more personalities, and clearly through no fault of his own Corey has that.

"Or should we believe you Corey? Are you just faking and doing a pretty good show to the world? That's a pretty good scam if you are."

From his pocket, Mastermind took out a business card.

"WHEN I beat you on Saturday, Corey, and I WILL, I'll put on your unconscious carcass a business card to the top psychologist XWF has to the offer. He's the one, the only, infamous, Doctor Louis D'Ville. He will sort your little p problem out. Trust me. I've goven you his number because he's clearly had mine a few times in the past."

What comes next for Mastermind's fans is clearly out of his character. He winks to the camera. But then he starts smirking which is clearly in his nature.

"Now let's talk about your so called friend or second personality Lux. But it won't be me talking about her or to her, as usual when im facing females, technically Corey's body is male but because Corey is channelling Lux, so again Maria talks to the females and I talk to the males. So take it away Maria,"

Mastermind claps his hands and the camera fades out.

Wellington, New Zealand

Another sound of clapping of hands is heard, this time more feminine, and the camera fades into the Mansion of Mastermind, right into his Thinking Room, and instead of finding Mastermind sitting on his thinking chair, the camera shows his wife Maria sitting in it.

"Hello everyone, yes my name is Maria, and I am Mastermind's wife, and like the last few times my husband has faced off against Women, we decided that I will speak on his behalf, that way he won't be accused of being sexist, or anything that might bring my husband's good name in to disrepute while talking against female wrestlers. He is able to fight them, but not just talk to them live via promo like now. That's my job.

"Hi Lux. May I call you Lux? I'm directing my part of the promo to you. You seemed to be a confused girl. Confused and rather let's say contradictory. Yes that's the word. Contradictory. You want to know why I think you are confused and contradictory? Well I'm going to tell you now. Let's play back what Lux said earlier. Roll the footage please."

Lux Said:My point is this. No one ever truly knows anyone else. Any claim to be able to see into someone elses mind, take hold of their innermost thoughts, desires, and terrors and OWN them is a juvenile fallacy. A facile lie, concocted by people who grossly overestimate their own ability to understand the human condition. It's a form of hubris you've been guilty of time and time again, Mastermind. Because while yes, you can beat a person physically, or intimidate someone, or instill terror or love, or blind devotion in someone, the mind is the one thing that NO ONE else can master. It is where we are truly free, always. The mind can be influenced, but never truly mastered

"Now Lux you just contradicted yourself. You say no one can really take control of one's mind, take's control of one's fallacy, see into the innermost desires, and terrors. That's what you said. You are bullshit Miss Lux, because that's what you are doing to poor 17 year old Corey Smith. You are controlling him because according to you, you are in his mind, in his body. Don't say something and then go and contradict yourself by saying the same thing differently.

"My husband, Mastermind, can indeed Master people's minds. He's done it before, he can do it again, and he's continuing to do to you, just by letting you make the mistakes that see you look stupid. For someone who says they aren't in control, you sure leave a lot to be desired.

"Now another thing, you say you come from the future? I call bullshit on this. If you come from the future you could tell me the answer to what's next week's Lotto results going to be, or what's the score in the football match, or whatever sports match that is happening in the future, or even who's going to win the Cricket World Cup or even the Rugby World Cup this year? Answer me that then Lux? Can you. And don't come back with something like I'm not allowed to tell you because that'll effect the time line. That'll cause a time rift. Come on, pull the other one. You're just pulling the wool over our eyes. Yet some of us, like my husband and myself think...... no.... know that you talking crap.

"Go on explain yourself Lux. I dare you too. I know you can't because you are protected by the future. You say you're hear to protect us. Yet you can't even protect poor young Corey Smith. Because you are in his body. Better yet listen to this crap. Play the footage."

Lux Said: I have lived my life as a 10 year old boy, a Hispanic house-woman, a Chinese escort.

"Those poor people that you have spoken of. You have violated them so to speak. And a 10 year old boy for crying out loud. Now that's saying something. How dare you do that. Or are we believe that you could do that. Or do we believe that Corey Smith is just an innocent who is playing his own game of fooling everyone into thinking he has Split Personality like my husband was saying. Tsk tsk Lux. You should know better. Oh and roll the footage about her little story."

Lux Said:I had a subordinate named Victor. A solid man. A quintessential solider. Some of the others in my division nicknamed him “the man of stone”. And it fit. Victor was implacable. Unflappable. Followed every order to a “t”, and while he absolutely had a moral compass he was not averse to killing an enemy when needed. Like me, he did not relish the role, but he performed his job admirably. Over time, I got to know him very well. He told me about the family he left behind. His wife and children. And although he missed them terribly, like the rest of us he knew the stakes and he knew that if we did not win this war there was no future to be had for his loved ones. He kept a photo of them tucked away in a beat up copy of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. Heh. He kissed that photo every night before bed. I think I'm the only one who knew he did that.

I thought I knew Victor. I thought I understood Victor. And then one morning he was found hanging from the post of his bunk with a belt wrapped around his neck. I'd like to be able to say that we found some secret journal, or a suicide note explaining why he did it. But we never did. We never found out why the “man of stone” took his own life. But it shocked my platoon to it's core. He was supposed to be one of the best of us.

"Speak the truth Lux. Tell everyone what really happened. You tell it like it is, but you are leaving out one vital bit because my husband and I can see it. If you able to molest the bodies of past people then you must be the one who killed your friend Victor. He was found hanging, because you made him hang himself. You drove him to that point. Because if you are able to control everyone, then you are able to make people murder themselves, just like your friend Victor. You were jealous of him, and because you were jealous you had to end his own life. But make him do it that looked like an accidental death.

"We can see you Lux for the real you, my husband and I, and when my husband gets through with you, he will be the one going to the Semi Finals of the King of the Ring, just mark my words.

"You really need someone to help you through all your struggles Lux. I suggest you let Corey contact Doctor D'Ville because I know full well what he can do, because he was able to control my husband. But my husband is much smarter that you Lux. He is the one who has MASTERED You into making small mistakes. You may have come up against lesser opponents these last few weeks, but you have truly met your match with Mastermind. There I've said enough."

Maria smiles and claps her hands. The camera fades out.

Another sound of clapping once again a male's clapping, is heard again, and the camera fades back into the hotel room of Mastermind. He is looking mesmerized at television after watching Maria's promo.

"God she's beautiful."

Mastermind blinks and returns to looking at the camera.

"I completely agree with my wife said, Corey, you better watch out, because I'm coming for you. And what ever mental episode you are having isn't going to stop you from a much deserved beating of a life time, 17 years of your sad, pathetic life to be exact. Because once I'm finished with you, you'll be glad to get rid of Lux."

Mastermind starts laughing, and then the camera fades out.

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