P.I.E wins the Cup

[Sah'ta Thor/Isabella Thorn]

OOC Note: Best viewed in UGWC Green theme

~*~*~

Act 1: Preparation

“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.” ~ Alan Armstrong

An Introduction 

Imperial Enterprise House

Baltimore, MD, USA

June 22, 2020

10 PM EDT 

It was WrestleStock 2020 season and having heard about in passing Nathaniel Grant had signed his appearance contract. With all that was going on in his life he knew that this was more than likely his one and only chance at taking part in the yearly event. At the last Carnage Wrestling Event he had revealed to the world he was dying. He had been the first quest on the Beyond the Belle segment and had made it clear that he planned to die inside a wrestling ring. Yet, before that he had many things he had to complete. First and foremost was introducing himself to the good folks who called the United Global Wrestling Coalition home. 

"Greetings Coalition Faithful. Some of you may know me but I am pretty sure that most of you don't. My name is Nathaniel Grant or when it pertains to the wonderful world of Wrestling, Sah'ta Thor. Like I said some of you know who I am but most of you are probably going, "who cares?" I get it, really I do. I will just get to the point by knocking out some of the obvious points first. I am a member of the Carnage Wrestling roster. Additionally, I am part of the Extreme Hardcore Wrestling Federation, a company that I have been in their Hall of Fame since 2013. Hmmm. let's see. I will be 56 years old next month, but made my wrestling debut in February 2007. For those of you slow at math that means my professional wrestling debut was when I was 42. As such I am a father and grandfather. "

There is a pause as the image of Nathaniel Grant is shown sitting in a well appointed study. As he sits there he steeples his hands as a grin crosses his lips.

"Moving on, outside the wrestling world I am the founder of the multibillion dollar conglomerate, the Imperial Enterprises. The Imperial Enterprises is the financial side of the Empire of Blood social movement which is strong and active but has quit being loud and vocal in the way of promotion. Yes, the Empire of Blood was a huge wrestling group years ago. Now as part of being the Founder and Owner of Imperial Enterprises I am going to be sponsoring a WrestleStock 2020 Sonoran Desert City District. Oh you want to know more about what is going to be there, you just have to wait until July 10 when the city is revealed. "

Another short pause occurs as an amused Grant leans forward with a smirk.

"I will give all of you a more thorough monologue later. Until then I wanted you to know who I am, at least in a causal sort of way."

With that Nathaniel Grant claps his hands and the scene vanishes into nothing. 

Youthful Confrontation

Phoenix Nest

Las Vegas, NV, USA

June 24, 2020

11 AM PDT 

Another day closer to learning how the WrestleStock Invitation Cup would shape up but Nathaniel Grant had things to do for the event. After all, he had promised the event a district for their city in the desert. As he was looking through some paperwork that he would need for a meeting he was going to have to prepare for his part of WrestleStock. While he was looking through the files he didn't notice the appearance of his adopted daughter Isabella. 

"DADDY! We need to talk."

He snaps his head up at the sudden yell. The tone of the following words, one that every male instinctively knows means trouble for any male that hears them. With a sigh he looked up at her as he set what he had been reading back on his desk. 

"Yes Isabella?"

She comes around the desk and gets into his space looking into her face while he sits wondering what she was going to ask him.

"I saw what you said at Underground: Redemption. How could you not tell me you were dying Daddy?"

Nathaniel lets out a deep breath as he realizes that he shouldn't have forgotten that Isabella was as far from being oblivious to things. As he takes the moment to answer he thinks back to the first time he had seen the girl back in June of 2008. 

Thor smiles to himself as he pulls his Hummer to a stop into an alleyway. After a moment he slips out of the vehicle wearing an all black close fitting shirt and jeans with a pair of black combat boots. His hands were covered in black leather gloves and his face had been covered in black grease paint. He was effectively a shadow. Only his moving and a carefully trained eye would notice his presence.

He steps away from his hummer, smiles and holds his hand up and does a quick hand signal. Moments later as Thor is leaning against the wall at the head of the alley a pair of black clad men with fully automatic weapons in their hands come up and salute Thor. Thor returns the salute and smiles as he checks his own hip mounted weapon. The blade lifting out of its sheath smoothly and more importantly without even the faintest of whispers.

"Are all units in place?"

Thor sees the nod in agreement and then looks to the top of the surrounding buildings. This was to be an all out assault on their target. The target itself was warehouse factory that one of the local gangs was using as a store house and shipping point in an underground kidnapping and slavery ring. How Thor had gotten this information was rather simple. His father had given it to him along with a unit of his best stealth commandos.

Thor's job was to go in there and expose the ring to the world and in the process bring to light the several prominent city figures who were involved in the venture. People who were otherwise known as shining examples of human goodness.

As Thor watches he plans out how he had this planned out. Every entrance to the building was watched with both a sniper in position and a commando team preparing for the signal to start this mission. Slowly Thor leads the pair of commandos forward and then quietly whispers into a headset.

"All units prepare to move in on the target and report in."

Thor smiles slightly as he listens to the reports coming from the units. This was an illegal vigilante raid but the Empire of Blood wasn't going to stand for this type of thing. It was time to stop the darkness that was hidden beneath the mask of this area's beauty.

"All units move in and enter the target. Disable all hostiles and secure the area."

Thor smiles as his team opens the front door and slips into the warehouse. It was dark inside but that didn't stop them as they pulled down their night vision goggles and proceeded to sweet the inside of the building.

Fifteen minutes and the score of commandos and Thor were standing in front of a poorly concealed trap door. Thor pulls the door open and sigh seen the lights coming up from below. Also the sounds of screams and voices echo up to the men. Thor signals for the first team to descend. Soon all but his two shadows and himself had descended into underground world.

Thor stops to kneel and bows his head. He had to gain his composure. He knew what he would find down there. He had lived as a slave long ago and he needed to steel his nerve.

"From on high came an avenging angel to punish the wicked. The wrath of justice is both swift and brutal. The sins of the fathers will visit the children until the seventh generation."

Thor slowly gets to his feet and descends into the hell that he knew awaited him. As he does the two commandos that were his guard and tails quietly followed him. Thor turns to the left as soon as his feet touch the basement floor and is greeted with the sight of freshly used torture tools and a bloody floor. He quickly follows the path of blood drops to a locked door.

With a swift kick he forces it open and then steps inside to see the brutalized whimpering form of a naked little Hispanic girl. Thor grits his teeth and whips off his cloak and lays it over the little girl and then holds up his fist as he walks out of the room. He was going on alone from here.

"And the truly vile harm the innocent and deserve a deadly vengeance. I am the angel in the night, The divine punisher and this night evil will bleed."

Thor draws his sword and exits the rooms as he leaves the two commandos to tend to the girl. Thor was on the hunt and it was time to make some sick fuckers bleed. He moves quickly and quietly until he hears several sets of voices talking about the fun they had just had. Thor moves close to the open doorway ahead of him and sees a group of men sitting around a table. As he listens he could hear their comparisons of how tight their young victims had been. They were even comparing grape and torture techniques.

Thor looks around the room as he uses the conversation to fuel an inner righteous fury. The need to make them suffer the same as they had made countless little girls from the streets suffer. Slowly he steps into the room with his black wings spread and his sword pointed at the closest man. In the blink of an eye the man was sliced open from throat to hip before Thor slammed the hilt of his sword into his nose shattering it. The blood gushing forth instantly. Thor turns and looks at the other three men sitting there as he smiles a sadistic smile.

"And my wrath will be swift. The wicked shall perish as the Punisher spreads the divine judgment."

Thor lunges forward and slams his fists into the jaws of two of the men as he finishes his sentence. The third Thor roundhouse kicks in the temple. It was over in a manner of seconds. All four men were now under his control. He quickly moves each to a separate slave pen to be dealt with later. For now he had children to free.

"And from the darkness a savior shall come to lead them back to the light."

Thor quickly finds the remaining kidnapped children and moves them to one of the rooms as he turns command of the raid to the senior commando. He then heads back to deal with the slavers. The men who were sick as twisted enough to grape and torture little girls. By the end of his search nine such scumbags had been found and were now awaiting punishment. Nine prominent city bigwigs with knowledge of dozens more. People with hearts blacker than coal under the polished veneer of sophistication.

Thor leads them all to the largest room full of torture equipment. With a smirk he proceeds to care chunks out the bodies making sure to leave their faces untouched. It took Thor until just before dawn to finish his message. But in the end he walks out of the room covered in the blood of the corrupt. Shortly thereafter he carries the little girl he had wrapped his cloak around up the stairs and carries her to his hummer. With that he gets in and drives her to the hospital. Each of the commandos using their own vehicles to transport the rest of the children. Halfway there Thor calls the police and tips them off about the warehouse. Of course the only thing left behind as a clue was the Empire of Blood Skull painted in blood on the floor of the main torture chamber.

"DADDY!"

He shakes his head clearing his thoughts. 

"Sorry Izzy, I was remembering how we met over a decade ago. I am sorry I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. Yet, I should have known you would hear that interview."

"I get it but you should have told me. I can't imagine my life without you as you have been there like a rock for me ever since you found me in that warehouse. You know I want to get the ring with you as part of my early wrestling career. I know you have made your points on that front but you know full well that if I was living in Japan I would have been able to get a contract years ago. So what do you plan to do about that after what you made public the other night?"

Of course, Nathaniel knew all of the things she had said. It was easy to forget she was only 16 with the way she argued. He had been trying to figure out how to talk to her about his health but the cat was out of the bag now. 

"Listen, Izzy. I know that but you also know how your mother feels about your wrestling. I will do what I can to press upon her your desire to get in the ring with me in a professional match. Given my brain tumor and all its side effects I am sure we can come to an arrangement. I'm sorry I didn't want to burden you with something you can't change but I wanted you to be happy without the burden of knowing I was going to die. If you heard that I am sick then you heard I plan on dying in the ring one of these days. I don't know when that will be Izzy but when it does I want you to know that I chose to go out before my identity was swallowed up by the Parkinson's."

There is silence as Isabella just wraps her arms around her adopted father as tears fall down her face. Nathaniel just holds her as she presses her face into his shoulder. This is what he had wanted to prevent for as long as he could but in the end it was better that Isabella knew the truth. Her life had been hard enough and he knew that his passing would hurt her deeply. Maybe, this way she would understand his choice when the time came to end things. 

"Cheer up Isabella. I am not dying anytime soon. You know I have many things to do yet. Speaking of which, I need to talk to you about Imperial Youth Wrestling."

Isabella perks up at the mention of the wrestling set up that had been set up so she could learn the craft her adopted family had been such a huge part of. She lets go of Nathaniel and moves back around the desk to take a seat. Nathaniel just smiles at the shift in Isabella's demeanor. He knew how important Imperial Youth Wrestling was to her. After all, he had made it in part for her as well as all the other children he had a part in rescuing that fateful night. 

"Well Miss General Manager you know how I signed up for the upcoming WrestlingStock event that is taking place in the Sonoran Desert in a couple weeks. I am having Imperial Enterprises sponsor a district. Part of the deal though is that there is a wrestling ring in the center of it. I was thinking that we can have some Imperial Youth Wrestling matches as part of the entertainment. What do you think? How many of the current set of active kids do you think are ready for something like this?"

Isabella opens her mouth a few times in shock as Nathaniel Grant watches her try to wrap her mind around what she was hearing. 

"Are you serious Daddy? Do you mean that I can put together some matches for such a huge event? Furthermore, how long do I have to get this together?"

"Yes I am serious Izzy. I already made it clear that I had some youth wrestlers coming to compete in my part of the WrestleStock City. I need to know who we are taking no later than July 1st. That way I can get the legal side of things covered for each of you. Additionally, that will give me time to get some promotional posters and shirts made. Do me proud Isabella and put together something stellar. Also don't forget to ask your siblings or aunts and uncles for help."

Isabella smiles as she bounces out of her chair to head off to the office she had here at the Phoenix Nest for her work managing the South Western District of Imperial Youth Wrestling. As she excitedly leaves the room Nathaniel smiles widely for a short while before going back to his pre meeting file reading. 

WrestleStock Arrangements 

Phoenix Nest

Las Vegas, NV, USA

June 25, 2020

3 PM PDT 

Any great undertaking was made or lost in the logistics. Such was the case with the WrestleStock 2020 District that Nathaniel Grant had pledged the Imperial Enterprises too. The matter of logistics was one that was currently about to be discussed by the small gathering of individuals who were going to make Imperial Enterprises contribution to WrestleStock 2020 one to be remembered. Each person was the head of their particular department and would be responsible for making sure their part went smoothly. Though who could be there in person was there via telechat. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for making time in your busy schedules to speak with me."

"Why wouldn't we Boss?"

"That is true Marcus. I am the Boss aren't I?" 

Nathaniel gives a grin as he asks his rhetorical question. After a moment another person speaks up. 

"Seeing as this is a gathering of multiple Vice Presidents I am assuming this is something big."

"As a matter of fact, Donovan, this is probably one of the biggest projects we have done in years. As you know, I am back in the wrestling world. Long story short I am taking part in an event that is taking place on July 10th thru 13th. This event is known as WrestleStock. They are building a huge temporary city out in the Sonoran Desert for the weekend. As part of that UGWC has offered out Districts to be used to promote specific sponsors. I signed up Imperial Enterprises for a WrestleStock District. I know this means there will be a lot of work involved to get this pulled off but I know it can be done."

There is a moment of contemplative silence as those at the meeting look at each other before looking through some notes.

"What do we need Boss?"

"Ahh, Howard, I am glad you asked. It is a good place to start with your department. I want to have at the minimum half a dozen crews out there as soon as District Construction starts. Let me know what it will take to put together at least 50 market booths and about a dozen or so shade gazebos. Once it is all built I want to have the crews make some custom dollhouses and furniture. That way they can make some money and show off their skills. As this will be on the spot commission work. It will give them some bonus cash to show for their time away from home."

"Sounds easy enough to arrange. Between Phoenix and Tuscan I can get more than six crews together in the next couple of days. After all, the construction market has been slow as hell due to the whole pandemic situation. Give me a few days and I will have my end arranged.

Nathaniel nods at that having expected nothing less.

"Donovan, I want Imperial Security to have boots on the ground from the moment construction begins to the time tear down is finished. It will be a minimum two week long job and I want a minimum of 3 shifts a day. Two full squads broken into pairs per shift in full sight wandering the District at all times. Additionally, I know that between you and Marcus you can get a couple of MC Chapters into the crowd added unlabeled coverage. As for a special attraction for the kids I want to bring down a tank from our motor pool. It is not like we can get in trouble for it considering some of our contracts."

There is a pause for breath as Thor looks around the table at the faces of those there in person as well as those digitally present.

"Louis I am giving Imperial Gardens five of the market booths to be scattered around the district. I want you to set up five different easy to make carnival style menus for the booths. Make people want to come visit our restaurants. As such, I will want your teams to be at the venue no later than midday on July 9th. That way they can get their kitchens set up. This is a four day event so keep that in mind when you arrange for the staffing needs. I want to have at least one of the booths open at all times for basic food and drink needs. Can you handle it?"

Nathaniel listens to reply from one of the telechatters before continuing on.

"I will get it done Sir. With the usual Fourth of July parties being a no go this year this will give some people some much needed cash. I will set it up so we have a good health conscious group of food vendors. I will get with Ace as soon as I can to get them all cleared and licensed for the event."

"That is all I can ask for Louis. Though before I forget I will be flying down from Boston on July 7th in one of the company jets after the next edition of Carnage Wrestling's Chaos show. If any of you have people in that area you want to be involved in this let me know so I can get them the departure time. Also the jet will be parked on one of the corners of our district for the entirety of WrestleStock. Figure we can give some tours and maybe get some future business on that front.

Having said that Nathaniel continues to run down what he would need from each of the Vice Presidents involved in the meeting. In truth, the meeting was only a small fraction of the entire Board of Directors but it had the members most crucial to the WrestleStock 2020 Project.

Act 2: Interaction

"You cannot score a goal when you are sitting on the bench. To do so, you have to dress up and enter the game." ~ Israelmore Ayivor

Last Second Details

Phoenix Nest

Las Vegas, NV, USA

June 29, 2020

5 PM PDT

It was official, the WrestleStock 2020 Card had finally been posted for the Invitational Cup and other matches for the four day event. That fact meant that Nathaniel Grant was going to need a handful of status reports for the things that hadn't already been finalized for the Imperial Enterprise District. As such he was sitting at his desk working to send out an email to the Vice Presidents involved in the WrestleStock 2020 Project. As he sends it out Isabella comes into the room with binder. She comes up to Nathaniel's desk and waits to be noticed. After a moment Nathaniel takes note of her and looks over. 

"How can I help you Isabella? Take a seat if you would."

Isabella takes a seat and smiles while she sets the binder down on the desk.

"Earlier this week you told me about the opportunity to book some matches to be held during WrestleStock. I am here to show you what I came up with after spending the last few days talking with parents. As a group we decided that while this is a great chance for exposure for Imperial Youth Wrestling, that it would be best if the number of kids taking part be limited to only a few sources. Which left me kind of limited to do what I originally wanted to do. So I talked with Aunt Velvet, Uncle Darrian and Uncle James to see what if they could help. They have agreed to let their kids take part and insist on help with the referee duties."

Nathaniel nods listening to her as he contemplates who else would be taking part after Isabella's phone calls. 

"So you have Issac, Sierra, Jenna and Joy. I know you didn't stop there so who else did you get to take part?"

"I called my big brothers and sister to help. Vera can't help because they are stuck in Poland. Ivy, Hope, Gael, Soren, and Nigel have all been cleared to take part. Which brings us to nine. Now with Loren, Ivan and myself we have a dozen. However, I was able to convince Mom to let Soreno and Kayla take part in this as well. I told her I would personally make sure nothing would happen to them. Besides Aunt Astryd and Uncle Sujir will also be taking on some referee duties."

There a look of pride on his face as Nathaniel listened to the work Isabella had put into the setting up what essentially a four mini event within the greater WrestleStock celebration. She had done well in tracking down how all she could to come for the weekend given the current state of the world. 

"What do you have planned with what is essentially a skeleton crew? After all, you know how many we have running around when we hold the regional events. Then again we have built up to those to keep from being too hectic. This year everything was thrown out of whack with the pandemic."

"I know Daddy. If I could have swung some of the kids from places outside of the Vegas area or family I would have considered doing something for the IYW SouthWest Championships but figured that wouldn't be fair. So I talked with Uncle James and he agreed to help me get a trophy for a mini tournament I have planned out to take place over the weekend. He will bring it down with him when they drive down from Reno next week. I figured it was easier if we gathered her and then took the jet out to Baltimore so we can be there for Chaos 94. I know you plan on flying straight to WrestleStock the next morning."

Just hearing the passion and logical planning that were coming from his adopted daughter make Nathaniel a proud man. While each of the pack of kids that were either related to him, or the kids of people who might as well be related, it was Isabella who had been in love with the professional wrestling world. 

"Is that so? Are you now my secretary Izzy? Not that I mind. A trophy sounds good and is something that can be built up over the years. Unlike title belts in the wrestling world a trophy is something that can be a one off reward if it can't be logically used again."

"I felt it was a safe option and allows for something to be taken home for all the hard work we are going to put in that weekend. I dubbed it the IYW Imperial Cup. While I am currently not entirely sure of its future I am sure it will propel the IYW forward. Now here is what I have set up match wise and as you can see I booked out the tournament so we can pace ourselves for the whole weekend. I have talked with Hope, Loren and Ivan and we are mostly going to be there to lead the rest and as needed play the giants to be slain. As you can see I set some matches up that should be exciting while showing a variety of matches that will cover the four days."

Isabella slides him the notebook where she had outlined her plans for matches and who would win them. It showed she had thought everything through and wanted to create something exciting. Seeing her plans laid out makes him tear up a bit at how put together it was. Then again, what was Nathaniel to expect with the number of wrestlers the extended family contained.

"Very impressive set up and I see you factored in the potential for hot weather. I know you want to design the fliers. I will need to get those before the end of this week so I can get them printed out in time. If you don't mind I will get them started on the t-shirts and water bottles. In case I haven't said it enough I am proud of what you have accomplished these last few months. You worked hard and in the process have managed to keep a lot of kids out of trouble. If I ever forget to tell you I am proud of you know I am not forgetting on purpose."

"I know Daddy and thank you. I will go get those fliers designed and get them to not as soon as I can. I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Izzy."

With that Isabella grabs her notebook before rushing to take care of the fliers. Nathaniel can't help but be amazed at the drive and depth of the projects that his little girl had completed for when school finally restarted. It didn't hurt that the big things she had done over the last few months would be things she could add to her resume as ways to show her project management skills. What a long way she had come from the scared five year old girl he had rescued to the strong, intelligent, and determined young woman she had turned into. 

Arrivals 

Sonoran Desert

Arizona, USA

July 2nd, 2020

7 PM MDT

It had been a long couple of weeks to prepare the Imperial Enterprises for their part of UGWF City. There were over two dozen loaded semis. Each of the big rigs carried a literal hardware store's worth of lumber, screws and wiring needed to set up the boss's big vision. Along with the big rigs a score of crew cab extended beds trucks each full of construction crews ready to work. Another part of the convoy was a trio of refrigerated trucks that contained nearly two weeks worth of meat and dairy for the work crews. 

The last but most noticeable aspect of the convoy was the dozen humvees full of men and women in red and black camo. Behind them are six converted personnel carriers. In the middle of their formation was a flatbed with a red and black camoed panzer tank. 

Over the next couple of hours the combined forces of the Imperial Enterprises put together several dozen large pavilions. Each pavilion could provide cover for a dozen people to sleep in comfort. It wasn't designer living but for a weekend it would be a nice change of pace after being in quarantine. Stationed at each end of the work camp there was a fully prepped military cook tent with full field kitchens. 

As the nearly two hundred men and women settled down to sleep each knew that the hard work would begin in the morning. They had three and half days to turn what currently was a spot of sand and cactus into an area that would entertain tens of thousands of wrestling fans. 

~*~*~

Sonoran Desert

Arizona, USA

June 7th, 2020

9 AM MDT

It had been nearly twenty-four hours of hard labor but the Imperial Enterprises' men and women were tackling the project like a well oiled machine. You would find groups of truckers working with security and construction personnel without any problems. Three groups of individuals who were known to be the clannish sorts were acting as if there was nothing more important than completing the project at hand.

As everyone works together the air begins to rumble. As the next few moments pass the rumbling growls louder until it becomes the distinctive thunder of a large number of bikers. As the thunder grows louder the ground starts to tremble as loose debris and gravel stats to shake off the ground. The sound and the shaking continues as a column of two hundred bikers circle around the Imperial Enterprise's work camp. 

After all the bikes come to a stop they are all shut off in a staggered patchwork of slowly returning silence. As each of the bikers and the various passengers dismount the sea of nearly a dozen clab cuts could be seen. Yet, it was instantly evident that there was no hostility between the represented club. In fact, it was almost as if they were just parts of a much bigger MC. 

As the bikes cool the riders stretch their legs and make their way to the work that still needed doing. Each man and woman either joined or formed work crews. Before too long the only sounds that echoed over the desert were those of laughter, general banter and continued orchestra of construction. 

~*~*~

Sonoran Desert

Arizona, USA

June 8th, 2020

4 PM MDT

It had five long days of hard work in the desert for a combined group of now nearly 500 men and women who had been laboring to bring The Imperial Blood Desert District of the UGWC City to life. Gone was the initial emptiness and boundless expanse. In it places shade gazebos were nestled in between groups of market booths. The five food booths were scattered around the district like beacons to the masses each waiting to deliver yummy goodness. 

It was late afternoon when an Imperial Airlines maroon and black Cessna flew around the city. After a few minutes of circling the plane makes a landing on a nearby stretch of desert before taxing to the out back corner of the District. Once the Cessna came to a stop and the engines came to a full stop it was secured to the ground using tie down chains and wheel wedges. Once secured but the group of Imperial Security the side opens and drops down to reveal the exit steps. 

After a few minutes a pack of children ranging from 8 to 17 make their way down the sets each wearing a Imperial Youth Wrestling shirt and carrying a duffle bag. Moments later a group of adults come out of the plane each shaking their head at the excited children who had already moved on to claim a pavilion as their own. 

Last to come down the ramp was Nathaniel Grant. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt with the golden words "Sin Incarnate" blazoned on the front of them. Over the shirt was a biker's cut denoting him as the President of the Dark Messiah MC. As he walked away from the jet he knew that the next five days were going to be long but rewarding. Yet, for a few hours he planned on milling around the developing city before the dinner.

Walking the City

Sonoran Desert

Arizona, USA

June 9th, 2020

7:30 AM MDT

It was early in the morning and the majority of UGWC City was in place. The Districts were coming together nicely and all that remained was a long day of last minute projects. The projects that while smiling were detail oriented which meant that everything was coming to the optimal presentation for the opening of WrestleStock 2020. Already early arriving fans and talents for the exhibits and side acts had begun to trickle into the city. 

This was the bustle into which Nathaniel Grant headed on the last day of set up. Before too long he is joined by the early risen Isabella. As the pair walk the various attractions the multitude of sounds indicating construction served as a backdrop.

"How are the troops Izzy?"

"We are all doing well. We have been doing some training after dinner to run through moves. During the days though we are all out there helping the crews. The young kids are running drinks and snacks while us older kids are gophering needed supplies. It isn't much but I told them that we had to show we weren't just going to get in the way out here. I remember all the lectures over the years about how to have IYW taken seriously. The kids taking part in it had to be serious. It helps that everyone we brought has grown up around the industry."

Nahthaniel nods as they stop to help a crew move some plyboard into the place for some stall roofing for daytime shade. Once the job was handled the pair moved on continuing their walk.

"I am happy to hear you have that lot in check. I am proud of you Izzy. I can't wait to see just how things turn out for matches you have set up. I am sure you guys will be a hit and that will be another lesson you will learn."

The pair come to a group of men and women moving some propane tanks to the food kiosks. Both Nathaniel and Izzy lend a hand to speed up the process. Again once the job was done the father and daughter pairing moved to yet another part of the region.[/colot]

"I know Daddy. I haven't heard what you are thinking about concerning the WrestleStock Invitation Cup tournament. If I know you you have some deep thoughts that you are waiting to unleash."

"Yeah I plan on making my thoughts known later tonight. In fact, how about I give you all a lesson promo talking. We will do something with it over the weekend but the least I can do is have you all watching as and taking notes about how I address upcoming matches."

"So after dinner then Daddy?"

Nathaniel nods in agreement as they continue their morning walk. Each one used their excess energy to share a moment that neither wanted to forget. As they walk they talk about what they hoped the weekend would bring them. 

Act 3: Expectations

“I hope you do not let anyone else’s expectations direct the course of your life.” ~ Julianne Donaldson

“You can’t expect everyone to have the same dedication as you.” ~ Jeff Kinney

Sonoran Desert

Arizona, USA

June 9th, 2020

6:50 PM MDT

Work had finally come to an end in The Imperial Blood Desert District. Everyone of the people involved with its construction. The background construction noises of the last week had been replaced by the faint droning of hundreds of conversations. By this point in time the number of Imperial Enterprise employees in the District had risen to over 800 as the staff who would be manning the various market booths during WrestleStock had arrived. Between the Imperial Security and the various bikers who had ridden in two days earlier the District was well secured. 

While the hundreds of vitally important Imperial Enterprise staff were relaxing several people were standing in the wrestling ring that was the central draw of the WrestleStock event. It was a ring that would be seeing plenty of action for the next few days as the Imperial Youth Wrestling talents showed off their training. A closer look reveals that the group inside the ring contained a relaxed looking Nathaniel Grant with a microphone in hand. A smiling Isabella and the rest of the IYW children were seated near the ring ropes. Given that WrestleStock officially kicked off the next day, there were several cameras pointed at the ring with quite a few backstage reporter types waiting to take notes.

"Greetings UGWC City! Here we are in the Imperial Blood Desert District which has been put together only through the efforts of the hundreds of men and women who are currently scattered about enjoying a well earned rest. A week ago this spot was nothing more than a nondescript patch of desert. In six days we turned this area in something to be proud of. Sure this was only built for the WrestleStock 2020 event but I want everyone here to be proud of the hard work that went into setting all of this up. I want each and everyone of you to know that I appreciate the effort that went into making this project come together in such a short amount of time. Each and everyone you represent what it is means to be part of the Empire of Blood and employees of the Imperial Enterprises. This weekend will be long and unexpected things are bound to happen but it is nothing that won't be overwhelming."

With that having been said Nathaniel Grant turns to look at Isabella for a moment. After a few seconds his eyes move to look over each of the seated kids before turning to survey those who had gathered around the ring. 


"You may have noticed the fourteen children seated inside the ring with me. You will be seeing more of them over the course of the weekend. These children represent a mere fraction of the SouthWest Region of Imperial Youth Wrestling. An organization I founded over a decade ago to teach children to wrestle. Without getting into the arguments that caused and the anger from select portions of our society, over the last decade IYW has helped keep thousands of children from joining gangs. It has helped even more deal with traumatic issues from their pasts. While many would argue that this is too dangerous a sport for children to learn, I counter that it isn't any more dangerous than youth football or youth martial arts contests. Yet, I digress into grounds that have been well trampled. No, IYW will be providing entertainment in the ring as part of the WrestleStock event. For those of you worried about their safety, each and every one of these kids has been training under the guidance of a trained professional."

Nathaniel takes a moment to look around the ring again before continuing on. 

"Each of these 14 kids sitting here to right is either family or the children of close family friends. There would be at twice the number sitting here if the pandemic wasn't a factor. Maybe next WrestleStock the IYW will be able to provide a more varied selection of competitors. However, as they say you have to work with what you have on hand. I promise you will not be disappointed with what these kids have put together for this weekend. Speaking off which, it is time that I address my role in the WrestleStock proceedings."

There is a pause as the evening sun provides its light and the general din of conversation punctuated by the occasional motorcycle engine adds to anticipation of the moment. Nathaniel Grant feeds on the moment drawing it out as he looks squarely into each of the cameras that were recording what was happening.

"For those of you who missed the video package I posted back on June 22nd, I am Nathaniel Grant. Or for the wrestling fans, Sah'ta Thor. I am one of 14 men and women who will be taking part in the 2020 WrestleStock Invitational Cup tournament. Go back and watch that video for what I said about myself then. I gave you all the basic facts you are going to need about me there. This tournament has 14 souls representing six different companies and a trio of free agents. Of those six companies only three have multiple entrants in the tournament. XWF has the best odds of being home fed of the tournament winner statistically with their four entrants. Next likely to be the home promotion for the winner is UGWC itself with three entrants. With Carnage Wrestling being the last of the multi-entrant promotions to have two entries. Yet, in all fairness Lucy Wylde is pulling double duty by representing both the UGWC and CW but from what I have heard about her she can manage it. What is interesting is the fact that odds of the winner being a free agent is the same as UGWC's chances of being the winner's home going into WrestleStock. "

Nathaniel Grant smiles slightly as he walks around the inside of the ring making sure to look out over all parts of the gathered audience. 

"Besides myself there are thirteen other competitors vying for the Invitational Cup. Yet, like a rational man I will start with the person I know for a fact I will be facing. UGWC's very own Duncan Ryder. I wonder if he related in any way one of my old wrestling feuds Bill Ryder. However, that is not the important part. No, no, no. I looked Duncan up and while he has managed to achieve some tag team success. Yet, from what I can tell he hasn't been anywhere near a UGWC wrestling ring since 2016. At least that I could find in my admitted brief survey of his accolades and facts. I am curious which approach he will take to addressing me. Will he take the tried and true route of comparing me to a Marvel Superhero? Will he go after the equally low hanging fruit that my one time supernatural based gimmick provides? Or will he get creative and actually come up with something original to say about me? I really hope Duncan's skill in the ring is better than what I have seen of his work."

As he had started talking you could see that Nathaniel was getting into the moment. Just looking at him as he walks around the ring you almost feel the intense focus he was putting into his words. He had nothing to lose with his words. 

"Moving along to the semi-finals and the potential dozen competitors I could be facing there. That of course assumes I put Dashing Duncan unto his place during our match up. Which is an assumption I am willing to make. Having said that, I am going to address this by the other matches in this tournament. Which brings us to the first match of WrestleStock 2020. A triple threat between Action Wrestling's Adelaide Ainsworth vs the freelancers Andrew Logan and Ned Kaye. Three talents that are completely unknown to me besides what info I pulled up earlier from the WrestleStock 2020 Invitational Cup participant page. I have to say that Adelaide reminds of my sister Velvet and her long time friend, and former co-worker, Savannah. From what I can tell, Addy A is a woman who likes to fight and have sex. Which is evident in the names of some of her moves. Honestly, I have seen the portrayal before so I am left wondering if this former champion from a company I haven't never heard of before is a real contender or just some stale rehash of a gimmick that has been used to death by many female wrestlers. Then we have the big guy in Andrew Logan, who based on what I saw in his participant profile is nothing more than the typical big guy brute type of wrestler. Now, I will be the first to admit that i could be wrong and he could be more than meets the eye. We will all just have to see how he pans out won't we? Last but not least we have "Notorious" Ned Kaye, former XWF star who according to his event bio wagered his future contract for a title match. A bold move that from the sounds of it didn't pay off in the end. We will have to see if his return to the wrestling world has different results."

Nathaniel stops in the center of the ring and strikes a contemplative pose as he takes a needed breath.

"For the sake of ease I am going to address the other first round triple threat match up. Match that pits a representative of three promotions against each other in Lucy Wylde, Jack Puffer, and Big D. Where to even start with this trio? I know let's start with Detective Puffer, the lone GCWA representative in the tournament. A man who from what I read is a relative newcomer to the wrestling world. Not that I hold a lack of experience against him. Just in this setting, it may prove to be a bit much from the man who apparently uses a rock cover of the James Bond theme music as his entrance. That tidbit in of itself speaks volumes about the man. What is there to say about XWF's Big D? Based on his information he is in his early thirties, calls himself the Cold Truth and uses the X-Men theme for his entrance. Seriously, I am not making this up, it is on the WrestleStock website. Not going to lie he has a decent list of accomplishments. Though in the end the question is can either of these men stack up the former UGWC World Champion, Lucy Wylde? It is ironic, I honestly don't know all that much about her even though we are both Carnage Wrestling talents. What I do know is that she is no joke in the ring even if we haven't faced off yet. She is viscous and acts with ruthless intent and can endure a lot of punishment. All, I have to say that Puffer and Big D had better bring their A games to WrestleStock."

There is another pause for breath as Nathaniel once again starts to pace the inside of the ring as sounds of the nearby district and surrounding UGWC City night activities start up. The noise adds to the feel of the live event. In the ring each and everyone of the kids was looking on in rapt attention as they took notes on how to do mic work in front of a live crowd. 

"Another first round match-up pits free agent Jacob Wright up against Felix Jones from XWF. From the looks of the information I read Jacob's last major accomplishment in the wrestling world was in 2012. I have to seriously ask, has he even been in the ring since then? Not that it matters in the end given the fact he signed up for WrestleStock. I am just curious if this is just a one time appearance from him or if he plans to make a return to the business. Either way, Felix Jones is the current XWF Hardcore Champion so he has bound to be a tough opponent. I am keeping my eye on him to see if he lives up to the hype."

Nathaniel stops speaking for a moment as he moves around the ring to pose for the various cameras. He was almost done speaking about his potential opponents. As he uses the moment to prepare himself he stops in front of each of the IYW children and rests a hand on each of their shoulders for a moment before moving on.

"Next up is SCW's Teddy Steele going against XWF's Vinnie Lane. I am not going to lie here but all the WrestleStock bio page has to say about this guy is that he is a former SCW Roulette Champion. Since I have no clue on the SCW title structure I can't tell you if that means anything. Though to be fair a former champion is a former champion. Regardless, this brings me to the man who has got to be the absolute worst example of what WrestleStock is about in Vinnie Lane. His attitude and self importance is staggering even in a business where ego and self centeredness is the name of the game. What we have here is a man who from what I gather is some kind of XWF authority figure who is intent on leading an invasion against UGWC to declare war at WrestleStock? Seriously, don't take my word for it, it is all over everything he has posted about the event. Considering WrestleStock is meant to be a collaboration of talents and professionals in the wrestling world you can see what I mean by Loverboy's attitude. I am going to deep dive into this but Vinnie sounds like quite a few authoritative types I had to deal with over the years of my career. So with that being said I have to admit, I am rooting for Teddy the Unknown to win. Admittedly, we have to see just what happens in their match on Saturday but it should be entertaining at the very least."

Here it was, the last pause before Nathaniel approached the last match of the first round. As he let's a sense of anticipation build he signals for a water bottle to be tossed to him. After he catches it he cracks it open and downs it in preparation for his upcoming words. 

"Now for the last match taking place in the opening round of the WrestleStock Open Invitational Cup tournament. UGWC's Travis Pierce taking on XWF's Centurion. I admittedly safed this match up for last because it is the one that I am most interested in seeing play out. One one hand we have Travis who has won all there is to win titlewise in the UGWC. He is one of a small group in the UGWC that can claim that. I would need to go back and comb the records to find out when his last accolade was but in all seriousness Travis Pierce is the best of the UGWC crop that is taking part in this tournament. This is just my opinion based on the accomplishments I see him credited for. It is no easy feat to Grandslam in a company. Besides let's not forget this man at one time was a UGCW Creative Director. As for Centurion, we have a man who from what I can tell is nothing like the rest of the Lane Invasion force coming out of XWF. From what I have read about him he is a man cut from a similar cloth as I am as a competitor. Sure he comes to the ring dressed like a Roman military officer but I can dig that. Now, based on the fact that I saw the video he uploaded the other day, I can tell he is a man of at least some honor. In fact, I hope we get to face off later in the tournament. Who knows maybe it will be the start of something interesting. I do have to thank him for that informative look into how life in XWF is."

The approaching sound of a group of motorcycles forces Nathaniel to pause. A couple of minutes pass as he walks around the ring talking to each of the seated kids. It serverved a good time for a water break. Once the bike engines silence he is one more able to speak. 

"Fourteen will turn into six. Six will dwindle to one. This is the inevitable nature of this tournament. In the end only one of us will walk out of WrestleStock 2020 the victor. I am not going to stand here and tell you it is because of my staggering list of accomplishments and accolades. It wouldn't matter to you even if I spent the time to list them all off. Besides the list isn't all that hard to locate online. No, what makes me confident in the fact I will win the WrestleStock Cup is that I have one thing the rest of participants don't. I am not talking about the egos, the personal drives, or even the motivation. It isn't going to be about stamina and endurance. My expectation is to have to fight to the very end of this tournament. Which is actually my expectation for the rest of my life. The fact is, I have an inoperable brain tumor the size of my thumb. Prognosis I was given was I could expect five years as a best case scenario. Given my age I was fine with that expectation. Making it to 60 would have been a blast after some of my past. Yet, fate delivered a right hook in that the tumor had caused the dormant Parkinson's to become active. Prognosis on dementia onset was given as two years tops. See that dropped that whole life expectancy thing down to two years. I say two years because anything after the dementia sets in is just a mindless shell of a zombie. So in March I came out of retirement and decided I would do what I loved for as long as I could. Sure the doctor's told me my prior injuries could prove to be fatal if I take too many falls or bump wrong."

Nathaniel stops speaking as he lets the last sentence hang in the air suspensefully.

"Having said that the one thing I have is the certainty that I have nothing to lose by going all out to win. Can any of the other thirteen wrestlers in the WrestStock Open say that they have no fear of injury? I doubt it. Though even then I refuse to go down quietly. I refuse to let someone else win this while I am still conscious. Just like my expectations of my eventual death I fully intend on leaving a mark so that the world knows I was here. Knowing my prognosis I fully expect this to be the only WrestleStock I will ever be about to take part in. So I will be fighting as if my life depends on this victory. By the end of WrestleStock everyone involved will have reason to know my name. Win or lose no one will ever be able to forget my contribution. While I have had a storied career winning the WrestleStock Open Cup will be the crown jewel. I fully expect to stand at the pinnacle of my career come the end of the weekend. That is what motivates me. However, if that wasn't enough I am driven towards victory by all of the Imperial faithful in attendance. I vow that I, Sah'ta Thor will get to the finals of this tournament and do everything possible to win it. They are going to have to knock me out or kill me to prevent my victory."

Upon saying those words the gathering breaks out in loud cheers as Nathaniel Grant hands the microphone to Isabella before sliding out of the ring. He made his case, had offered his analysis, and done all the preparation he could do. Now it was in the hands of the fates and the revelations desire to see how far he got. 

[Alex Kiseragi]

I get that this post involved a lot of introduction and trying to inform a new group of readers about your character but I feel like the dialogue was a bit unnatural. I appreciate the attempt to weave the necessary information into the post rather that post a lot of exposition but for me it didn't quite come off.