Post by Jaice Wilds on Oct 6, 2019 22:10:09 GMT -5
Wilds shakes his head, looking up at Night. He slaps the mat as Irina Ivanova makes the announcement, rolling out of the ring as Night celebrates his advancement. A few hands slap Jaice's back; the fans showing love and respect for their resident unhinged aerialist. He feigns a grin, hopping into his crowd to take in the adulation.
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The following is a letter addressed to Arthur Pleasant; intercepted and published to the Alpha Pro Wrestling website.
It's a tough road. One moment, I'm riding a wave of momentum into victories and blinding spotlights. The next, I've lost all focus and get smacked around in a match that was practically hand-picked for me. I swear; one of these days, I'm just gonna take one too many chair shots to the head and I'm gonna wake myself the fuck up.
But that's the thing about me, Art. My legend isn't built on continuously winning, or even winning every big time match. The spotlight stays on me because I leave everything on the mat. The fans adore me because, regardless of the outcome, I put my body on the line in every single bout.
In ten years of being in this business, Pleasant, the legacy I've built can be summed up in one word: perseverance.
Through all my struggles, through all my wars, I have refused to stay down. No matter the opposition, I have given my heart and soul like they were my very greatest adversary and that match could be my last. I have shed gallons of blood, broken dozens of bones, been in the ICU near death on more occasions than I care to admit to. But no matter the circumstances, no matter the odds, I have brushed myself off, picked myself up and marched down to that ring for another battle.
By the looks of it, Arty, this is going to be your first real foray into the wrestling business. And what a treat for you; as your first opponent happens to be the unhinged chaos that is the Xtreme Aerialist. I'm certain you're watching stock footage, trying to decipher my methodology. And for the sake of your own legacy, I hope you find something. It would be a grand disappointment if your proving grounds were short-lived. Your issue here is that there really is no rhyme or reason to my in-ring movement; the bell rings and I let instinct take over.
That's the thing, Provocateur. See, according to the dictionary, your nickname implies that you're a troublemaker. An agitator. One who seeks trouble. And you found yourself the poster boy for trouble. A man who lives; nay, thrives in chaos. A daredevil who throws caution to the wind and is willing to put himself in harm's way to topple his opposition. I don't think, I don't plan ahead, I just act. And when I do…
Well, there's a reason very few people are raring for a rematch with me.
I'll be honest, Arturo. I'm never quite sure where you rookies stand on the talent scale. Sometimes you fail miserably, while other times they manage to present themselves viable competition for the rest of us. More often than not, you're thrown against other rookies to test your mettle and gauge how you fair in the early going. However, the Alpha Pro team is wasting no time in putting you against the proven main eventers in order to determine whether you're even worth the billing.
So I have a single favor to ask of you, Arthur.
Bring. It.
If I'm going to be the guardian to your future here in APW, then I'm going to fully unleash on you. Forget that this is my shot at the World Title; this is your opportunity to prove that you're actually worth your salt. I refuse to hold back, boy-o; and I intend on leaving that ring with a battered and broken opponent. Whether you have the balls to return next week or you lose all hope is on you; just know that you're only a failure if you refuse to get back up. And APW isn't going to front a paycheck to a failure.
I'm ready for war, Arthur. The question is: are you?
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Wilds watches the Main Event match on the screen backstage. As Smith Jones claims the pinfall, several stars around him express their contentment or disapproval. Jaice nods, scratching his nose.
Jaice Wilds:
Bout time. Carry that strap with pride, Jonesy.
Wilds stands, turning around. He starts towards his personal locker room, stopping as several Ikeda Clan members stand in his path. Jaice takes a half step back, dropping into a defensive stance.
Jaice Wilds:
Jubei is gone, fellas. And I paid my respects. Don't start a war you don't…
A member of the Clan lifts a hand, spreading his arms as if offering a sign of indifference.
Ikeda Clan Member:
We aren't here to fight, Mr Wilds. With Master Jubei departing this world, there is a certain… void, if you will, in the Clan's leadership. There were instructions left by the Master in the event of his passing to dictate a new head of command.
A raised brow, Wilds eases his stance and sighs.
Jaice Wilds:
That's… fabulous. Good luck with that.
The lead member reaches back, another member handing him a scroll. The head member offers it to Wilds, who seems confused.
Ikeda Clan Member:
That's… why we needed to speak to you. The Master's instructions listed specific names for candidacy.
Wilds looks to the scroll, opening it. He begins to read some of the contents, shaking his head.
Jaice Wilds:
I respect Masuda and his legacy, but I'm not really interested in continuing some personal…
As Wilds looks up, the Ikeda Clan have disappeared.
Jaice Wilds:
...vendetta. Uhm. Okay, then…
Wilds re-rolls the scroll, placing it in his back pocket as he steps into his locker room.
-------------------------
The following is a letter addressed to Arthur Pleasant; intercepted and published to the Alpha Pro Wrestling website.
It's a tough road. One moment, I'm riding a wave of momentum into victories and blinding spotlights. The next, I've lost all focus and get smacked around in a match that was practically hand-picked for me. I swear; one of these days, I'm just gonna take one too many chair shots to the head and I'm gonna wake myself the fuck up.
But that's the thing about me, Art. My legend isn't built on continuously winning, or even winning every big time match. The spotlight stays on me because I leave everything on the mat. The fans adore me because, regardless of the outcome, I put my body on the line in every single bout.
In ten years of being in this business, Pleasant, the legacy I've built can be summed up in one word: perseverance.
Through all my struggles, through all my wars, I have refused to stay down. No matter the opposition, I have given my heart and soul like they were my very greatest adversary and that match could be my last. I have shed gallons of blood, broken dozens of bones, been in the ICU near death on more occasions than I care to admit to. But no matter the circumstances, no matter the odds, I have brushed myself off, picked myself up and marched down to that ring for another battle.
By the looks of it, Arty, this is going to be your first real foray into the wrestling business. And what a treat for you; as your first opponent happens to be the unhinged chaos that is the Xtreme Aerialist. I'm certain you're watching stock footage, trying to decipher my methodology. And for the sake of your own legacy, I hope you find something. It would be a grand disappointment if your proving grounds were short-lived. Your issue here is that there really is no rhyme or reason to my in-ring movement; the bell rings and I let instinct take over.
That's the thing, Provocateur. See, according to the dictionary, your nickname implies that you're a troublemaker. An agitator. One who seeks trouble. And you found yourself the poster boy for trouble. A man who lives; nay, thrives in chaos. A daredevil who throws caution to the wind and is willing to put himself in harm's way to topple his opposition. I don't think, I don't plan ahead, I just act. And when I do…
Well, there's a reason very few people are raring for a rematch with me.
I'll be honest, Arturo. I'm never quite sure where you rookies stand on the talent scale. Sometimes you fail miserably, while other times they manage to present themselves viable competition for the rest of us. More often than not, you're thrown against other rookies to test your mettle and gauge how you fair in the early going. However, the Alpha Pro team is wasting no time in putting you against the proven main eventers in order to determine whether you're even worth the billing.
So I have a single favor to ask of you, Arthur.
Bring. It.
If I'm going to be the guardian to your future here in APW, then I'm going to fully unleash on you. Forget that this is my shot at the World Title; this is your opportunity to prove that you're actually worth your salt. I refuse to hold back, boy-o; and I intend on leaving that ring with a battered and broken opponent. Whether you have the balls to return next week or you lose all hope is on you; just know that you're only a failure if you refuse to get back up. And APW isn't going to front a paycheck to a failure.
I'm ready for war, Arthur. The question is: are you?
------------------------
Wilds watches the Main Event match on the screen backstage. As Smith Jones claims the pinfall, several stars around him express their contentment or disapproval. Jaice nods, scratching his nose.
Jaice Wilds:
Bout time. Carry that strap with pride, Jonesy.
Wilds stands, turning around. He starts towards his personal locker room, stopping as several Ikeda Clan members stand in his path. Jaice takes a half step back, dropping into a defensive stance.
Jaice Wilds:
Jubei is gone, fellas. And I paid my respects. Don't start a war you don't…
A member of the Clan lifts a hand, spreading his arms as if offering a sign of indifference.
Ikeda Clan Member:
We aren't here to fight, Mr Wilds. With Master Jubei departing this world, there is a certain… void, if you will, in the Clan's leadership. There were instructions left by the Master in the event of his passing to dictate a new head of command.
A raised brow, Wilds eases his stance and sighs.
Jaice Wilds:
That's… fabulous. Good luck with that.
The lead member reaches back, another member handing him a scroll. The head member offers it to Wilds, who seems confused.
Ikeda Clan Member:
That's… why we needed to speak to you. The Master's instructions listed specific names for candidacy.
Wilds looks to the scroll, opening it. He begins to read some of the contents, shaking his head.
Jaice Wilds:
I respect Masuda and his legacy, but I'm not really interested in continuing some personal…
As Wilds looks up, the Ikeda Clan have disappeared.
Jaice Wilds:
...vendetta. Uhm. Okay, then…
Wilds re-rolls the scroll, placing it in his back pocket as he steps into his locker room.
