Post by L Verez on Jun 7, 2020 21:49:17 GMT -5
I have a mixture of feelings when I hold this APW Hardcore Championship in my hands. It wasn't what I expected to gain when I made my way to the federation. Especially not after my second match. Even after successfully defending it against Soul Reaver, I find it surreal to finally be a champion once again. As I put my title back on its stand, I hear a voice, although it isn’t one I expected.
L Verez: I forgot you don’t pay attention to the things I do. It’s my championship. I won it against Zombie McMorris.
Maximus: Why does that name sound familiar?
L Verez: He was in UCI, just like we were, back before I reprogrammed you to not attack me on sight.
Maximus: Right. That unbeatable Zombie guy that you couldn’t even come close to touching. Wait, you beat him?
This is probably the most shocked expression I’ve seen him give me since he first woke up after being reprogrammed.
Maximus: Oh yeah. Weirdo alien healing factor. Forgot about that.
L Verez: You… really don’t pay attention, do you?
Maximus: Oh, I do. I just don’t care enough to save these things into my essential memory core. They’re, instead, in my useless information file.
L Verez: So, all the missions I’ve endured, all the times we’ve almost died, or lost our ship, or ended up in an unknown part of the Universe? None of that seems important to you?
Maximus: Some of it does, sure. None that I care to tell you about.
L Verez: What about your memories from before you got here? Did you keep any of those?
Maximus: … This is not a topic I’d like to discuss.
He begins to walk away before I respond.
He stops, and eventually turns toward me. He does not look pleased.
He walks away before I can respond. I’m… not quite sure where that came from. I’ll confront him about it another time. Until then, I need to go to the medbay.
There’s that lovely voice I originally anticipated.
Zima’Ion: At least it isn’t another title defense.
Her face says it all as she makes that statement. We both begin to head to the medbay together.
Zima’Ion: I just hope Irina understands that you need to recover too. You may not be a human, but you aren’t untouchable.
L Verez: She gave me the week off after I won the title against Z-MAC.
Zima’Ion: But this time, you’re headed right back into a match.
Sarah Lacklan. An enigma of sorts, from what I’ve learned of her thus far.
Zima’Ion: Look past that, love. She isn’t me, and never will be me.
L Verez: That’s a fair point. Hopefully, my mind will be able to get past that thought.
We make it to the medbay, and I go to the scanner to check on my current condition. It doesn’t take long before red spots are shown in my abdomen and rib area.
L Verez: I’ll try to rest up as much as I can before my match this week.
Zima’Ion: No, L. You need to rest. You shouldn’t have been booked this week. That’s the point I’m trying to make. You never fully healed after Zombie continuously slammed you back and chest first from barricade to barricade. Your match against Reaver didn’t help matters at all.
L Verez: The match was already made, love. I won’t disappoint anyone by backing out of this. I’m a champion now, and I have to fight. I’ll rest and heal up as much as I can before then, but I have to do this. I’m sorry. I know you’re worried, but I put my faith into you after a while. Hopefully you can do the same for me.
Zima’Ion: That is not a fair comparison, and you know it. You knew I was fit to fight. I proved it to you! You were just too stubborn and overprotective to let me do what I knew I could do! You’re clearly still hurt, and shouldn’t be wrestling, but once again, you’re being stubborn. I’m not going to sit here and watch you tear yourself apart because of “the people!” If this match turns out badly for you, you’re going to rest. I’m done letting you make all the decisions around here. My thoughts and feelings matter too!
She storms out of the room before I could say anything else to her. First Maximus, now Zima. I don’t understand what’s going on. All of a sudden, I’m seen as toxic. At least, that’s what seems to be the case. I’ve already lost enough people. I don’t need to lose anymore. Honestly, I’m unsure if I’ll be able to handle that. I’ll… just have to rest on this, for now. I hope this animosity doesn’t continue.
~~~~~~~
I set up the Holo, ready to speak my mind. I feel a bit odd, almost like I’m in pain. I can’t show that in front of the camera, the glow around its eye brightening to signal that the recording is about to begin. I’ll have to shake it off for now.
Have you ever had to face someone that physically reminded you of a loved one? Sarah Lacklan has many physical similarities to my lover, Zima’Ion. However, after looking into the new member of the roster, the similarities end with their appearance. Sarah is nothing like Zima. In fact, my opponent is possibly the most eccentric human I’ve seen. I’m not quite sure what to make of her, honestly. She looks to be a cult leader, but acts much different than any leader I’ve come across. I sure hope she isn’t the same wretched creature that Bonnie Blue has become. It’s difficult to pinpoint her. What I do know is that APW isn’t her home. Not really.
I shake my head a bit, combing my hands through my hair. I almost feel… frustrated.
This is only Sarah’s current promotion of choice. She was supposed to be on “vacation” but landed herself here instead. It seemed like such a pain for her, though. So why do it? Because she has friends here? Well, those friends seem to be taking their leave one by one. Will she do the same? She could easily go back to her little vacation, until she decides to go back to her real home. This is my new home, and I don’t plan on leaving it for any other place. If I need time off, I’ll simply take time off. When I was in UCI, I called that place home, and would never have gone anywhere else. Yet, you just casually hop to another promotion as if the other one doesn’t matter to you. It should matter.
I turn and point my index finger toward the camera, and… agh…! … feel a sudden sharp pain. I try not to wince, although it’s very painful.
At least you’re doing well for yourself, yeah? However, I don’t think you’ve had a real challenge yet. Well, now you get to face me in the main event of Monday Night Metal. I’ll even give you one better. If you defeat me here, if you prove that you belong here in APW, then you can have a shot at my Hardcore Championship. I’m willing to put it on the line against you. Not that I think you’ll defeat me. I’m fairly confident that I’ll win. You may be difficult to pinpoint and predict, but that doesn’t make you nearly as skilled as I am. I understand that you have the experience, and that it’s in your blood, but you haven’t dealt with a force such as mine.
Gahh!... The pain spasms back, and is even worse. I have to turn around for a moment just to bear with it.
If you prove me wrong, then we’ll meet again, with the APW Hardcore Championship on the line. If not, then nothing more needs said aside from it was nice knowing you. Before, I was unsure if I still had a place in wrestling. Now I know that I do. I became a champion on my second match since debuting. I’m a champion, and one that wants to keep fighting to keep my title. It may not be the one I expected to win, but it’s the one I’m going to cherish and fight for, until I can fight no longer. Let’s see if you have that same drive, Sarah, because that’s one of the things I look for when finding a challenger. I hope you have what it takes.
The recording stops, and I immediately drop to one knee. I don’t understand what’s going on. Usually, I’d be okay by now, but the pain is worsening.
~~~~~~~
What is this? Where am I? Better yet, where is everyone?
…
All I see is dirt, dust, and dead leaves.
…
Wait… is that Zima?
…
She’s walking away. I have to chase her, but I… I can’t move!
…
I see Maximus too, as well as Polonium, and Arvus. They’re all walking away, but why? I can’t get to them!
…
Zima’Ion: Wake up. L, wake up!
I wake up to an alarm, and Zima calling for me. I must have had a nightmare. I hadn’t had one of those in a long time.
Zima’Ion: Yes. Mine. I know you’re still recovering, but we need to go. Now!
I get up immediately. The sharp pain comes back, but I try not to show it, especially not in front of Zima.
Zima’Ion: An outside variable has invaded my home. No one is injured, but multiple areas have been ransacked. Materials have been stolen and there’s a lot of damages.
L Verez: Wait. What type of materials?
Zima’Ion: I asked my mother, but she didn’t say what type. Only that they were very valuable.
L Verez: We’ll have to investigate then. This is your home, Zima. I’ll leave you in charge of the team. You go ahead and get everyone prepared.
She smiles and gives me a warm embrace. I return it, although the pain is a bit distracting.
L Verez: I will, love. I promise.
She leaves to get the crew ready. I go to gear up, but… ugh… the pain makes me drop to a knee again. What could have happened for this to continue? The scan didn’t even read that it would go on for this long, so why am I in this predicament? Suddenly, I see a familiar face in front of me.
~~~~~~~
