"War is a defeat for humanity."

― Pope John Paul II



Monday Madness
Ten Days Ago

The Doctor is led by several members of the security staff backstage towards the exit of the XWF arena. He walks calmly with his hands still bound behind his back by handcuffs. The strong smell of sulfur becomes very noticable to all of the guards. They all stop in place and look at each other. The Doctor smiles at all of them.

Doctor D'Ville- And just where was it you said we were going, my friends?

The officers don't speak and continue walking. As it appears they're approaching the door, the distance doesn't seem to change. It's as if all of them were walking the opposite way on a conveyor, walking in place.

The smell gets worse as the men pause and become restless. It suddenly becomes very hot in the room as if they building was just thrown into a pre-heated oven. One of the guard's side arms burst a flame from the butt of the gun and begins firing off rounds from it's holster. He dances around trying to remove it as the other guards flee to safety. Then another guard's side arm begins going off, then another. All of the rounds, from all of the pistols, from all of the Doctor's escorts have gone off. None of the guards were hurt as they gain their senses again and fight off the smoke filled environment that their weapons created.

As the smoke is cleared, a pair of handcuffs lay on the ground in the center of them all. There is no sign of the Doctor. The guards stand around scratching their heads and thankful their previous situation didn't turn out any worse.


Present Day

War Games is finally upon us. After weeks of waiting, weeks of discussions, and weeks of threats, the draft has ended and the card is posted. Six teams, hand-picked by a hand-picked captain, have merged together for a one time alliance. All for the sake of war.

The Ex-Detective wakes up. He's driving up the interstate like it's second nature. The road is empty as every time he wakes up driving. All he has done for weeks was drive from city to city following the Doctor's orders. What was the point of all of this? He thought. The Ex-Detective continuously stews over all of this as he drives cross-country every single day, with only a few moments rest in between. The last time he seen the Doctor, was in Houston. The Doctor had a match with Vinnie Lane, and though he was victorious, he was left for dead. The following week he fought Douglas Delacroix in Kansas City. The Ex-Detective knew about this booking and was headed there, but was too late when he arrived. The Doctor, once again left for dead after a victory, vanished. This game of hide-and-go-seek the Doctor continued to play with his new associate was getting old. Very old. The Ex-Detective basically drove around in circles in the Midwest for about a week until he heard about War Games. Knowing the Doctor could surely not resist such an event, he headed for Detroit, Michigan. Surely the Doctor would be there waiting for him. He stretches out and reaches to the backseat of his car flailing his arm about, searching for something. Plastic bags and garbage are shuffle around the backseat until he pulls out a large bottle of Jack Daniel's.

Trevor- There you are!

The Ex-Detective chews the cap off of the bottle and begins consuming the contents. After several "glugs", he removes the bottle from his mouth and takes several breathes. He stuffs the open bottle in the crack between the seat and the center console. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and pulls one from the pack. Before he manages to fight a lighter from his pocket and open flame is placed in front of his face already providing him a light. He looks to his right and the Doctor sits in the passenger seat of his car, smiling at the driver as he glares at him.

Doctor D'Ville- Hello, my friend.

The Ex-Detective hits his smoke till it lights then leans back in the seat and continues driving.

Trevor- Holy fuck, Lou. Where the hell have you been?!


The Doctor lights a cigar and laughs at the question.

Doctor D'Ville- I had much to do, my dear Trevor. War Games is upon us, you know? I've been tracking a few of my comrades as of late. Tell me, what have you been doing this whole time?

The Ex-Detective glares at the Doctor.

Trevor- What have a been doing. What have I been doing? What the fuck do you think? The only time you ever show up is when I'm driving somewhere. What is the deal, Doc? You've been tracking some comrades?! This whole time I've been searching for something.. I don't know what, but you seem to know. What am I looking for, Lou?! Who's stalking you?! Who the fuck is coming after you?!

The Doctor snaps back at the Ex-Detective.

Doctor D'Ville- NO ONE is after me, my dear boy. There is no one stalking me. There is no one searching for me. I've just... Had a feeling, I suppose.

Trevor- Had a feeling? You suppose?! Then why the hell have I been driving nonstop since you've magically reentered my life? You tell me you have a shadow. You drag me across every fucking highway in the country. Then leave me hanging more than once wondering what the fuck is going on. What the fuck, Lou?! This isn't the first time we've had this problem either.

Doctor D'Ville- Trevor, try to relax. Your usefulness will exploit itself soon enough.

The Ex-Detective shakes his head an puffs down a cigarette. He looks at the Doctor.

Trevor- So, where to now, Doc?

Doctor D'Ville- Detroit will be our final destination, but first, we have to gather my comrades. I'll direct the way, Trevor. Now, turn around.

The Ex-Detective pulls on the wheel to the left and the car squeals around 180 degrees and starts the other way.

Doctor D'Ville Splendid. Well, let me begin by first addressing my comrades. My fellow members of Team Victor Forever, my friends, I congratulate you. Congratulations for being selected! Our captain, Morbid Angel, a former ten time champion here in the XWF. The longest reigning Universal Champion. A well known and feared entity here in this fine organization. I must give you credit for your recent choices here, Mister Angel. Choosing myself as your number one pick could have perhaps been the smartest and most advantageous thing you've ever done. You are not only guaranteeing victory for your team, but a chance to work with the Doctor is simply priceless. Your confidence exceeds any other type of force here in the XWF, which is comparable to some but I think you take the cake. A time may come where it is you and I standing atop this mountain in the XWF and there's only one way left to go from the top, my friend. As for the time being, you and I have failed to cross paths. Let it be, because War Games takes priority at the current time. The team Theo Pryce has drafted together seems nothing in my eyes. Not a single threat I see. This easy victory should be a simple brush from our shoulders, Mister Angel.

The Doctor pulls the bottle of Jack Daniel's from between the seats and takes a few swigs from it. The scenery from the outside flashes by as the Ex-Detective travels at high paced speeds to get the Doctor to his destination.

Doctor D'Ville- I have three other comrades in this war coming. Venomous, Maverick, and my dear friend LH Harrison. Venomous and Maverick are somewhat new to the XWF, as am I. Maverick has shown he cannot keep his mouth shut if he was paid and Venomous has been shown that a simple grievance between captains and teammates is nothing to fret about. My dear Venomous, fear not that our captain was trying to pawn you off as he did. To him, fresh blood is fresh blood. It did not matter to him who was fifth on our team. I believe Morbid did not care who his first or seconds pick were either. Morbid Angel has an extreme "God-Complex". I'm sure that this churl believes he could have handled this War Game alone. What you should do, my friend, is prove him wrong. Show Morbid Angel why you should have been the first pick rather than the fifth! Show him your caliber and flaunt it among the other teams! Show us what you are truly capable of. As I said a moment ago, Mister Maverick has shown us that he is well off running his mouth. He starts fights with nearly the entire roster and now he's being accused of being a fraud. Well, let me tell you Maverick. You are not the only one here who has been accused of being a fraud. Do you believe that all my patients like to be analyzed and questioned? Do you believe that THEY believe an actual doctor is here to save them? Cure them? Make them better?! They do not. Unappreciative cretins, my friend. I've spend months picking all of these men and women apart only to be shut down and called a fraud nearly every time I've spoken up. So do not feel abandoned or alone, my friend. You are not the only one cast out by the waves of disbelief.

The car begins to slow down and begins taking the exit to the right.

Doctor D'Ville- We're not quite ready for the city yet, Mister Dedntik. Continue on the interstate, please.

The Ex-Detective nods and steers back onto the highway. The city in the distance sits along the bay along Lake Michigan, awaiting another invasion from the XWF.

Doctor D'Ville- We have a few stops to make before we settle down in Detroit, Trevor. Head for the countryside, I wish to meet with our captain.

Trevor- That giant, juicing psychopath? Why the hell would anyone make him a captain? As unbalanced as he--

The Doctor raises one finger, interrupting the Ex-Detective...

Doctor D'Ville- Now, now Trevor. Do not be so hasty to pass judgement. The captain had enough brains to build an unstoppable team to go against Team Pryce, so have a little faith. The other newcomer, Maverick... As I stated before he did not fail to make his presence known here. He's not afraid to make enemies, that for certain. He could be a good addition to this team, indeed. I just hope, as his mouth continues to flap, that his boot does not get lodged into it. It would be a shame if he would be force fed his words again by someone accusing him as a liar. Mister Maverick, as I pointed out to our other fifth, the accusations that come from some of the competitors here can be a bit harsh. Do not let them get to you. You know your past. If you speak the truth about it, it is of no concern to me. If you decide to stretch the truth to make yourself look stronger or more talented, more power to you. I have also been the victim of people lacking faith. If they chose to believe my doctrine isn't real. If they chose to believe I'm not a real doctor, that's there problem. Only one person so far has stood up to me and had their hand raised in the end. One. The other's may have walked away from an encounter with me, but not without assistance from friends on the outside. Sparing you of any more details, if any of my teammates should lack any confidence going into War Games, they should not. I'm sure Mister Harrison isn't lacking any confidence...

The Doctor steals another drink from the bottle of Jack Daniel's that rests between the two. Before placing the cap back onto it, the Ex-Detective grabs it from the Doctor's hand and takes a swallow of his own.

Trevor- You two have a history, don't you? One of those battle royals you were in, right?

Doctor D'Ville- A brief one, my friend. Yes, my first match in the XWF was a battle royal, as well as my second match. Mister Harrison was one of the few in the battle royal to actually show up to fight. The rest were simply there to be thrown aside and help pave my way to a Television Title shot.

Trevor- ... And how did that pan out for you?

Doctor D'Ville- *Ahem* That's besides the point, Mister Dedntik. My point was that Mister Harrison and I are already familiarized with each other's style a bit. We've been working close together since we've both arrived here, sharing a card almost every week. He's been watching me closely as I have watched him even closer. Our own time for a battle draws closer everyday, but in the meantime, we have War Games. I have great confidence in the team that Morbid Angel has assembled. We all hail from different parts of this world and we all bring different styles to this match. Team Pryce of Doing Business has no clue what they are up against.

The city fades further and further away as the Doctor and Ex-Detective continue to drive miles from it. The Doctor points out an exit off the the right and the Ex-Detective steers in it's direction. Quite an easy drive with no traffic in sight.

Trevor- So, where exactly are we heading here, Doc?

Doctor D'Ville- We will know soon enough, my friend. I'm simply following my senses now.

The Ex-Detective rolls his eyes and reaches for the nearly empty bottle of whiskey between them. Swallowing the last little bit, he drives off the interstate and down a small road into a small wooded area. Eventually, the road turns into a windy, single-lane that wraps around trees and into a more dense part of the forest.

Doctor D'Ville- Stop the car, Trevor.

The car begins to slow down.

Trevor- What? Here?!

The Doctor smiles at his driver and cocks his eyebrow. His one good eye piercing a hole through the Ex-Detective. The car stops and the Doctor steps out.

Trevor- So, is this going to be one of those things where you disappear for a week and just show up when you decide you need some company?

The passenger door slams shut and the Doctor begins walking up the road ahead of the car.

Asshole...

The Doctor continues up the road, behind him the Ex-Detective makes a three-point turn and drives away in the opposite direction.

Doctor D'Ville- It's a mystery to me how you've been preparing for this war, Mister Pryce. You were in hiding from June to September, hiding from whatever troubles you've caused for yourself. Hiding from your own life as your "minions" take care and address your issues for you. Tell me, is that what you expect in War Games? Do you expect your "minions" to carry you to victory as you've done in the past? Sitting back or hiding out is not an option this time around, my friend. On that rooftop, there is no where to go but down. The week leading up to this event, all you've concerned yourself with was the rewards the winner could possibly receive. Jumping the gun a bit, are we not? Your time away from the XWF has surely taken it's toll on your decision making. Choosing two has-beens in Cain Arkham and Mister Proxy. And then surely two of the weakest newcomers that have arrived here in the XWF, Gein and Monolith.

The Doctor pulls a cigar from his inside pocket and lights it as he continues up the narrow road.

Doctor D'Ville- I hope you don't think that your long lasting relationship with John Madison is going to work in your favor here either. I know the man has a history in "assisting" some of his associates in the ring, but if he's smart, he'll ignore your much need for help in this situation. I've been here a short time myself and I've noticed that the ones with power here usually get what they want. There's a shift in the power of this company coming, my friend, and it's coming soon. Your high praise and prestige recognition here in the XWF is going to be blown away in a gust of wind, much like an ash from this very cigar. It's a shame that Cain, even being the #1 Contender to the Universal Championship, is part of this horrid ensemble. The man simply cannot catch a break, can he? Ignored by most and feared by none, your murderous tendencies and cannibalistic nature is nothing to the things I have seen, friend. I've watched you from the moment I've walked in the door, as it is my duty here, of course. I figure a time for a solo session will come soon enough, because you are in much need of one, Mister Arkham. Perhaps Mister Proxy would be interested in one as well. He seems to have the same type of lifestyle as you, but seems a bit smarter about it. I know you love what you do, Mister Arkham, but Mister Proxy has turned a hobby and job of his into something worth a few dollars. Aimlessly going about your business as you do is just foolish. Hopefully, the rest of your team doesn't follow in the footsteps of their captain or a few certain members. Gein and Monolith, two newcomers that have no idea whom or what they are up against. I know it was not your choice to be drafted as a Team Pryce member, but I would certainly be worried. Pryce's lack of leadership, talent, and courage will certainly lead your team off of that roof. So gentleman, as your falling through the air, facing your inevitable end when you smack the pavement below, remember who is responsible. Remember it was your leader who failed you.

Up a steep hill in the distance is a warehouse. Bright lights shoot out of the cracked walls and windows and light up the area around the abandoned building. Heavy music can be heard blaring from the inside along with other sounds of "crashing" and "banging". The Doctor pauses and admires the sight for a moment before he continues up the hill.

Doctor D'Ville- I see I've reached my first destination. Before I have my first encounter with my captain, I will leave you with one final thought. Team Victory Forever is by far the strongest unit that has come together for War Games. I find it a shame that it is so popular and had to be split into three different matches. Or more so that all six teams are not involved in the same match. I have been licking my fingers, anticipating to get my hands on Jacob and Vinnie Lane just one more time. Unfinished business, my friends. Unfinished business that we will surely address soon enough. I've told you before Jacob, the first battle certainly ended in your favor, but the war is long from over. And Mister Loverboy? You and your little bodyguard did best me, but not before I best you and came up with a victory. As I said before, I'm not a man who seeks vengeance. Just ignore what I did to Wyatt Reynolds in my previous match up. I was simply returning a favor in that case. I don't appreciate being singled-out as a few men have decided to do in the past. So, I take matters in my own hands when it comes to simple reminders of the fact. But, more time to talk will come soon enough, my friends. For now, my captain awaits.

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*Song "Come Together" by The Youngbloods.