Trust Issues and a Dead Man's Puppet
Oct 13, 2019 22:50:22 GMT -5
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Post by Jaice Wilds on Oct 13, 2019 22:50:22 GMT -5
Wilds looks over at his phone, gritting his teeth as it buzzes. He shakes his head, standing up and grabbing his shirt.
Jaice Wilds:
Little duct tape really does fix anything, eh doc?
He looks up, a shy grin. The head medic furrows his brow, making a note in his files.
Medic:
You joke, Wilds. But you're dealing with an emotional issue here, not physical. If you expect to turn your luck around, you might consider seeing a thera...
Wilds grabs up his phone, rushing to the door.
Jaice Wilds:
Yeah, sure doc. Sounds like a plan. I'll get on that. Later, dude.
Wilds shuffles off to his locker room, gathering up his belongings. As he turns to leave, the Ikeda Clan stands in the doorway.
Jaice Wilds:
I swear on my life…
One member steps forward, pulling a scroll out and presenting it to Wilds.
Ikeda Clan Member:
Further instructions from The Master. The time draws near to choose a leader for Masuda Corp.
Wilds dismisses the scroll, charging past the Clan members.
Jaice Wilds:
I told you before, I'm not interested in leading Jubei's self-righteous quest f…
The Clan Member places an index finger into Jaice's injured kidney, dropping the Xtremeist to a knee. He bends down, dropping the scroll at his feet.
Ikeda Clan Member:
You search for purpose now that Lady Kennedy has betrayed you. This is your new purpose, General. The Master has willed it so.
The Ikeda Clan turns, exiting the room. Wilds mutters an obscenity or two under his breath, starting to his feet. He looks back to the scroll for a moment, pondering… then quickly shuffles out the door, leaving it behind.
-------------------------
The following is a letter addressed to Spartan, Tsukiko and Kylie Moore; intercepted and published to the Alpha Pro Wrestling website.
I know, I know. Another loss on my APW record. It's getting to be a running theme for me; walk into a company with a legend's reputation, build a few wins and then bomb like Nagasaki.
But hey, that's life. You get knocked down, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get ready for the next round. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take my loss against Arthur Pleasant, learn from it, and come back swinging harder.
And the fun part is that I get to do so in a rubber match of sorts. Sure, it's a tag team match; and with some heavy hitters in the current North American Champion and a former Junior Heavyweight Champ. Not to mention the fact that I have to team up with a woman who has ties to my ex, which makes me leery to trust her anyhow. But I'll stick to focusing on my opponents first and foremost. So… let's have at it, shall we??
I shall first address our once Junior Heavyweight Champion, lady Tsukiko. My dear, you seem to be in similar treads as myself. One week, you're riding a high of ego and talent to a potent victory; pushing yourself to the forefront of the company. But the next week… you stumble. Lose your footing in such a way that you can't find it, and you fall hard. You were riding that wave of momentum when you toppled Steven Osbourne for the title; but quickly hit a roadblock and dropped it right back into his waiting arms. And now, you have to find the will to spring back while teaming with a man who consistently gets the job done.
Truly, Tsukiko, you are a terrifying and worthy competitor in your own right. But your record is barely less abysmal than my own, and one must be wary that you simply don't live up to your own hype. Don't get me wrong; I haven't fully lived up to the legacy my name is built upon since signing with Alpha Pro… oh, wait. Perhaps I have.
Bring in the fans? Check.
Put on a show? Check.
Take a beating and keep on coming? Check, check and check.
Well, looks like the danger that is supposed to be the mighty warrior princess Tsukiko is little more than smoke and mirrors. Meanwhile, I am standing with a less than stellar record, but still maintaining my status as a Living Legend.
Wouldn't you agree, Spartan? Whether I was dropping you and Road Dawg on your heads for a victory or being defeated by a very deserving now-champion, you have tasted all the fury that I have to unleash. And even when you toppled me, you can't deny that I left some scars with you.
And so it stands, my friend; you and I are destined to go another round. The Warrior and the General. If I'm being honest, I would much prefer we stand on the same side; we would make possibly the most formidable team in wrestling history. However, I must put my respect for you aside and deliver a beating deserved by others for the sake of advancing myself once more. And while it pains me to know I must dole out such undeserved wrath, it does ease my mind to know that this will not do your ego such a dishonor.
Let's be honest, Sparto. As far as this bout is concerned, you're the only one who does not require a necessary victory. You've proven your worth time and again. You're the reigning, defending North American Champion. You have defeated the likes of Dean Wolf and Road Dawg to solidify your name at the top of the mountain. Hell, you have a win over me; and that's something to write home about.
You have cemented yourself as the future of this business, Spartan; a prediction that I made when I first defeated you. And in under six months, you have met and surpassed all the goals this business has laid down for you.
But you find yourself on a plateau. A place where many of us, myself included, wish to be. A place where greatness is on full display and a target is mounted pristinely on your back. My friend, a target is all that I have ever needed to usurp position. A single shot is all that I need to land the most devastating maneuver currently known to the business and rise in the ranks. Just one chance to truly prove that I can live up to the hype these fans place on me is all that I require to ascend the turnbuckles, ricochet off the ropes and unleash hell upon the unsuspecting victims within that squared circle.
Spartan, you earned my respect. You earned a victory at my expense. And I hold no ill will towards you or the success that you have had. But rest assured, my good man; when that bell tolls, I will rip open the deepest seeds of darkness within myself and lay waste to anyone who opposes me. I do not wish to cause you permanent damage; but I will not be held responsible for what I do to anyone- including you- come Metal.
One final note. I do not trust you, Kylie. While I suspect you will attempt to win this match as though it were any other, your association with Kennedy Matthews- past or present- is reason enough for me to doubt your allegiance. While I will do all in my power to gain a victory against our formidable adversaries, I will just as soon plant a boot across your face should I merely sense the thought of your potential betrayal. If I must, I will treat this as a 3-on-1 handicap match, and I will put you down right beside our opponents. Test me if you dare, Ms Moore; but know that my word is my bond. Have my back between the bells… or I will have your head.
Until Metal, my friends. Ciao.
------------------------
Wilds throws his phone across the room, muttering under his breath.
Jaice Wilds:
Leave me alone, goddammit…
A familiar voice is heard, a hint of sarcasm.
Voice:
Playing hard-to-get with the Queen of Hearts?
Wilds glares at his old friend, who holds his arms up in defense. Kaine offers his brother-in-arms a drink, Jaice hesitating before accepting it. He swigs it down quickly, Damian shaking his head.
Damian Kaine:
I kid, Jaice. But if I'm honest; maybe that doctor was right. Especially if she keeps blowing up your pho…
Jaice Wilds:
She says she wants to talk. That she wants to clear the air and give us both closure. Fuck her.
Kaine with a chuckle.
Damian Kaine:
Your sloppy seconds? I'll pass. 'Sides, you probably did some wicked voodoo shit on her nether regions th…
A look from Wilds stops him short, Kaine quickly staring at the ground. Jaice slams his glass on a countertop, shaking his head.
Jaice Wilds:
She lied to me. She fucking lied to me. And for what?! I mean, she used me to gain standing in APW, but she hasn't been available for a single match. So what the hell was the point, then? And worse; she let me believe that I was having a child… does her cruelty know no bounds??
Kaine walks over, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Damian Kaine:
It was a terrible thing she did. And you have every reason to be upset. But if you can't find a way to address this, it's going to eat you up from the inside out.
Wilds sighs, falling into a nearby chair. He ponders for a moment, grabbing a scroll from his pocket and tossing it to Kaine.
Jaice Wilds:
Apparently, the ghost of a former World Champion seems to think this is how I purge myself.
Damian reads the scroll, furrowing his brow. He lowers it a bit, looking to his friend.
Damian Kaine:
This… is this legit? I mean, I know it's not exactly what you wanted for your career, but… dude. This…
Wilds stands again, walking over. He pours himself another glass of cider, taking a swig before addressing Kaine.
Jaice Wilds:
I'm not trying to be some dead man's personal bitch. But if I ended up doing this thing, there's nothing to say I couldn't change the direction of the Corp…
Kaine shrugs, rolling the scroll back up. He passes it back to Wilds, raising a single brow.
Damian Kaine:
Whatever helps you deal with your Kennedy situation, man.
The two continue to speak on the situation, sipping cider and munching on snickerdoodles.
Jaice Wilds:
Little duct tape really does fix anything, eh doc?
He looks up, a shy grin. The head medic furrows his brow, making a note in his files.
Medic:
You joke, Wilds. But you're dealing with an emotional issue here, not physical. If you expect to turn your luck around, you might consider seeing a thera...
Wilds grabs up his phone, rushing to the door.
Jaice Wilds:
Yeah, sure doc. Sounds like a plan. I'll get on that. Later, dude.
Wilds shuffles off to his locker room, gathering up his belongings. As he turns to leave, the Ikeda Clan stands in the doorway.
Jaice Wilds:
I swear on my life…
One member steps forward, pulling a scroll out and presenting it to Wilds.
Ikeda Clan Member:
Further instructions from The Master. The time draws near to choose a leader for Masuda Corp.
Wilds dismisses the scroll, charging past the Clan members.
Jaice Wilds:
I told you before, I'm not interested in leading Jubei's self-righteous quest f…
The Clan Member places an index finger into Jaice's injured kidney, dropping the Xtremeist to a knee. He bends down, dropping the scroll at his feet.
Ikeda Clan Member:
You search for purpose now that Lady Kennedy has betrayed you. This is your new purpose, General. The Master has willed it so.
The Ikeda Clan turns, exiting the room. Wilds mutters an obscenity or two under his breath, starting to his feet. He looks back to the scroll for a moment, pondering… then quickly shuffles out the door, leaving it behind.
-------------------------
The following is a letter addressed to Spartan, Tsukiko and Kylie Moore; intercepted and published to the Alpha Pro Wrestling website.
I know, I know. Another loss on my APW record. It's getting to be a running theme for me; walk into a company with a legend's reputation, build a few wins and then bomb like Nagasaki.
But hey, that's life. You get knocked down, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get ready for the next round. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take my loss against Arthur Pleasant, learn from it, and come back swinging harder.
And the fun part is that I get to do so in a rubber match of sorts. Sure, it's a tag team match; and with some heavy hitters in the current North American Champion and a former Junior Heavyweight Champ. Not to mention the fact that I have to team up with a woman who has ties to my ex, which makes me leery to trust her anyhow. But I'll stick to focusing on my opponents first and foremost. So… let's have at it, shall we??
I shall first address our once Junior Heavyweight Champion, lady Tsukiko. My dear, you seem to be in similar treads as myself. One week, you're riding a high of ego and talent to a potent victory; pushing yourself to the forefront of the company. But the next week… you stumble. Lose your footing in such a way that you can't find it, and you fall hard. You were riding that wave of momentum when you toppled Steven Osbourne for the title; but quickly hit a roadblock and dropped it right back into his waiting arms. And now, you have to find the will to spring back while teaming with a man who consistently gets the job done.
Truly, Tsukiko, you are a terrifying and worthy competitor in your own right. But your record is barely less abysmal than my own, and one must be wary that you simply don't live up to your own hype. Don't get me wrong; I haven't fully lived up to the legacy my name is built upon since signing with Alpha Pro… oh, wait. Perhaps I have.
Bring in the fans? Check.
Put on a show? Check.
Take a beating and keep on coming? Check, check and check.
Well, looks like the danger that is supposed to be the mighty warrior princess Tsukiko is little more than smoke and mirrors. Meanwhile, I am standing with a less than stellar record, but still maintaining my status as a Living Legend.
Wouldn't you agree, Spartan? Whether I was dropping you and Road Dawg on your heads for a victory or being defeated by a very deserving now-champion, you have tasted all the fury that I have to unleash. And even when you toppled me, you can't deny that I left some scars with you.
And so it stands, my friend; you and I are destined to go another round. The Warrior and the General. If I'm being honest, I would much prefer we stand on the same side; we would make possibly the most formidable team in wrestling history. However, I must put my respect for you aside and deliver a beating deserved by others for the sake of advancing myself once more. And while it pains me to know I must dole out such undeserved wrath, it does ease my mind to know that this will not do your ego such a dishonor.
Let's be honest, Sparto. As far as this bout is concerned, you're the only one who does not require a necessary victory. You've proven your worth time and again. You're the reigning, defending North American Champion. You have defeated the likes of Dean Wolf and Road Dawg to solidify your name at the top of the mountain. Hell, you have a win over me; and that's something to write home about.
You have cemented yourself as the future of this business, Spartan; a prediction that I made when I first defeated you. And in under six months, you have met and surpassed all the goals this business has laid down for you.
But you find yourself on a plateau. A place where many of us, myself included, wish to be. A place where greatness is on full display and a target is mounted pristinely on your back. My friend, a target is all that I have ever needed to usurp position. A single shot is all that I need to land the most devastating maneuver currently known to the business and rise in the ranks. Just one chance to truly prove that I can live up to the hype these fans place on me is all that I require to ascend the turnbuckles, ricochet off the ropes and unleash hell upon the unsuspecting victims within that squared circle.
Spartan, you earned my respect. You earned a victory at my expense. And I hold no ill will towards you or the success that you have had. But rest assured, my good man; when that bell tolls, I will rip open the deepest seeds of darkness within myself and lay waste to anyone who opposes me. I do not wish to cause you permanent damage; but I will not be held responsible for what I do to anyone- including you- come Metal.
One final note. I do not trust you, Kylie. While I suspect you will attempt to win this match as though it were any other, your association with Kennedy Matthews- past or present- is reason enough for me to doubt your allegiance. While I will do all in my power to gain a victory against our formidable adversaries, I will just as soon plant a boot across your face should I merely sense the thought of your potential betrayal. If I must, I will treat this as a 3-on-1 handicap match, and I will put you down right beside our opponents. Test me if you dare, Ms Moore; but know that my word is my bond. Have my back between the bells… or I will have your head.
Until Metal, my friends. Ciao.
------------------------
Wilds throws his phone across the room, muttering under his breath.
Jaice Wilds:
Leave me alone, goddammit…
A familiar voice is heard, a hint of sarcasm.
Voice:
Playing hard-to-get with the Queen of Hearts?
Wilds glares at his old friend, who holds his arms up in defense. Kaine offers his brother-in-arms a drink, Jaice hesitating before accepting it. He swigs it down quickly, Damian shaking his head.
Damian Kaine:
I kid, Jaice. But if I'm honest; maybe that doctor was right. Especially if she keeps blowing up your pho…
Jaice Wilds:
She says she wants to talk. That she wants to clear the air and give us both closure. Fuck her.
Kaine with a chuckle.
Damian Kaine:
Your sloppy seconds? I'll pass. 'Sides, you probably did some wicked voodoo shit on her nether regions th…
A look from Wilds stops him short, Kaine quickly staring at the ground. Jaice slams his glass on a countertop, shaking his head.
Jaice Wilds:
She lied to me. She fucking lied to me. And for what?! I mean, she used me to gain standing in APW, but she hasn't been available for a single match. So what the hell was the point, then? And worse; she let me believe that I was having a child… does her cruelty know no bounds??
Kaine walks over, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Damian Kaine:
It was a terrible thing she did. And you have every reason to be upset. But if you can't find a way to address this, it's going to eat you up from the inside out.
Wilds sighs, falling into a nearby chair. He ponders for a moment, grabbing a scroll from his pocket and tossing it to Kaine.
Jaice Wilds:
Apparently, the ghost of a former World Champion seems to think this is how I purge myself.
Damian reads the scroll, furrowing his brow. He lowers it a bit, looking to his friend.
Damian Kaine:
This… is this legit? I mean, I know it's not exactly what you wanted for your career, but… dude. This…
Wilds stands again, walking over. He pours himself another glass of cider, taking a swig before addressing Kaine.
Jaice Wilds:
I'm not trying to be some dead man's personal bitch. But if I ended up doing this thing, there's nothing to say I couldn't change the direction of the Corp…
Kaine shrugs, rolling the scroll back up. He passes it back to Wilds, raising a single brow.
Damian Kaine:
Whatever helps you deal with your Kennedy situation, man.
The two continue to speak on the situation, sipping cider and munching on snickerdoodles.
