Post by Carlson Rex on Apr 17, 2021 19:08:24 GMT -5
Birds chirp. The sun shines down upon the garden. The trees sway happily in the early Spring breeze. Carlson Rex, dressed in a plain light blue t-shirt and jeans, walks along a stone path that passes between rows of well cared for flowers. The scene is quite peaceful, with butterflies even fluttering about here and there. Ahead of Carlson on the path is a circular clearing. The clearing is like a patio, red bricked with a pair of slatted benches facing a small firepit, which is currently not lit. Carlson lifts the bottle of water he carries to his lips and takes a sip. He lowers the bottle and stops, looking to his left and his right, admiring the flowers.
Carlson: “Beautiful. Peaceful. It’s the result of man’s hard work along side Nature’s might. The life I have chosen doesn’t lend itself to these kinds of moments very often. This life that all of us in the sport have chosen.”
He gives a sigh and walks forward, stopping at the edge of the circular patio area.
Carlson: “No matter where you compete, you’re part of this life. All of us. So, Carnage Wrestling and UGWC are coming together. Champion versus Champion matches everywhere. Which will prove itself to the be best? Does it really matter?”
He walks into the patio area and stops, looking into the firepit. It is not lit, but the materials are there, so it could be lit at any time.
Carlson: “That question lights a fire of a different kind than you’d find here. A fire that burns not on the outside, but the inside.”
Carlson takes another drink from his bottle of water, swallows and sighs.
Carlson: “And, what about someone like me? I’m no Champion. I have a long way to go before I can really be a serious contender for anything. Aside from maybe the guy you do not want to see named opposite of you on a card. Yet, it seems that UGWC believes I am of some use. They have kept me on the roster, supported me as much as they are able, and they keep letting me learn, letting me grow. Two weeks ago, that culminated in the best win of my short career so far. Travis Pierce is an amazing competitor. He’s tough, he’s down right vicious when he has to be, and yet we had a very good match. For once, luck broke on my side.”
Carlson smiles, that moment when he reversed into the Cold Shoulder Suplex seems to be a positive memory for him.
Carlson: “The feeling of accomplishment. The feeling of vindicating my presence in UGWC. Proving to those who question me, especially myself, that I can do it. That potential can spur me forward.”
Carlson looks at one of the benches, then walks over and eases himself down onto the bench. It groans a little, but holds up.
Carlson: “Back to the question at hand. Does it matter?”
He leans back against the back of the bench.
Carlson: “Hell, fucking yes. It matters. We all have pride for whom we work for. Loyalty is not a totally lost concept. I don’t know a hell of a lot about our opponents, the people from Carnage Wrestling, nor do I really need to, at this point. I am honored, very honored, to have received the call to help defend the honor and the name of the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition. I, along with four others, will face a team of five from Carnage Wrestling, with nothing but pride and honor on the line. The ability to be involved in a match to help determine which organization is the best on that night? I’m honored. And, I am looking forward to working with my four team mates.”
Carlson takes another sip of water, then sets the bottle down next to himself on the bench and crosses left let over right.
Carlson: “How do they feel about working with me? Well, since we will all be working to the same goal, to win this match, then they should feel fine. None of us wants to be the one to lose this match, but one of the ten of us will. It is the nature of the beast. Especially a five on five match. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure the official for the match is going to be very relieved this thing isn’t Survivor rules. Then again, this thing has the potential to implode into a knock-down, drag out fight.”
He grins and scratches his chin, the two days of stubble being uncomfortable for his usually clean shaven mug.
Carlson: “That could be interesting. There’s a lot of pride, and ego, on our team. I’m pretty sure the Carnage team will be about the same. Although, I really can’t say that about Angel DeMourne. Don’t know much about her, but she looked pretty good last week, despite the loss. I know she has a history in UGWC, and that would be a great reason to have her step up and defend the name of UGWC. I’m looking forward to see what she can do, when she can really cut loose.”
Carlson retrieves his bottle of water and drinks the last of it. As he does so, a little yellow butterfly flits over and sets on the bottom of the bottle for a moment. He smiles, resisting the urge to chuckle as the butterfly eyes him a moment before returning to its plant provided feast. He sets the bottle back down and watches the insect for a moment, until it disappears into a set of plants.
Carlson: “Then there’s the venerable Dave Rydell. A guy who really knows his stuff. Another of UGWC’s resident long in the tooth veterans who can still go with any of us youngsters. He’s the one I am most looking forward to watching in this match. He’s kinda done it all, anywhere he’s been. He competes hard, all the time, especially when there is a prize on the line. Well, the prize on Monday night is the reputation of UGWC. That is something that HE helped build. Something he has supported against all comers and something he looks like he’ll be involved with for a long time to come. He was one of the Triple Crown winners. I wonder if he’ll make a run for the Conquest title. That’d be fun to see.”
Carlson leans forward, uncrossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped before himself.
Carlson: “Also on our side is the Marvelous Magician himself, Montague Cervantes. The man is a one man magic act, no doubt. Pulling wins out of his hat, or out of his ass, whatever it takes. I still have not been able to figure this guy out, and that makes him a great part of this match. Carnage’s team will have a heck of a time with him. Someday, maybe, I will figure out how to beat him. Not this week. I hope that the Carnage crew doesn’t either. That leaves one last teammate.”
Carlson stands up and rolls his neck and shoulders and gives a satisfied sigh.
Carlson: “Donovan Hastings. The man seems like he’s been around wrestling longer than wrestling has been around wrestling. He’s truly in a league of his own. Not just a Legend in his own mind. I’ve had first hand proof of that.”
Carlson retrieves his water bottle and steps away from the bench, back to the firepit, which he again looks into.
Carlson: “I have a lot of respect for him. Very healthy respect. Of all of our team in this match, he is the one that will bring the most to the Carnage contingent. I shudder at the idea of having to ever face him again, though I will if it happens. This time, however, I get to have great relief that Donovan Hastings, the Lord of UGWC himself, is on our side. Or, maybe in his mind, it’s his match and we’re all just competing in it at his whim. Either way, working with this team is going to be a pleasure. We all have one thing in common. We are all proud members of the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition roster. We will fight together for the Honor of that, and give those folks from Carnage our best efforts. At the end of the night, I have no doubt that UGWC will emerge victorious. No doubt.”
He takes his gaze from the firepit and looks around himself. The wind blows gently, rustling leaves and causing a festival of flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes to wave. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
Carlson: “UGWC is the greatest Wrestling organization. That’s the truth of it.”
Carlson returns down the path he came up, carrying the now empty water battle with him. Behind him, unseen, a brown-haired girl emerges from between rows of flowers, dressed in a light yellow dress with a ring of white and yellow flowers in her hair. She watches him walk away, wiping a tear form her left eye.
Sylvestra: “You will always be my Champion, Carlson. Always.”
She watches his form recede until he turns a corner, disappearing from sight. She then turns and walks back into the flowers, leaving only the butterflies and the breeze.
Carlson: “Beautiful. Peaceful. It’s the result of man’s hard work along side Nature’s might. The life I have chosen doesn’t lend itself to these kinds of moments very often. This life that all of us in the sport have chosen.”
He gives a sigh and walks forward, stopping at the edge of the circular patio area.
Carlson: “No matter where you compete, you’re part of this life. All of us. So, Carnage Wrestling and UGWC are coming together. Champion versus Champion matches everywhere. Which will prove itself to the be best? Does it really matter?”
He walks into the patio area and stops, looking into the firepit. It is not lit, but the materials are there, so it could be lit at any time.
Carlson: “That question lights a fire of a different kind than you’d find here. A fire that burns not on the outside, but the inside.”
Carlson takes another drink from his bottle of water, swallows and sighs.
Carlson: “And, what about someone like me? I’m no Champion. I have a long way to go before I can really be a serious contender for anything. Aside from maybe the guy you do not want to see named opposite of you on a card. Yet, it seems that UGWC believes I am of some use. They have kept me on the roster, supported me as much as they are able, and they keep letting me learn, letting me grow. Two weeks ago, that culminated in the best win of my short career so far. Travis Pierce is an amazing competitor. He’s tough, he’s down right vicious when he has to be, and yet we had a very good match. For once, luck broke on my side.”
Carlson smiles, that moment when he reversed into the Cold Shoulder Suplex seems to be a positive memory for him.
Carlson: “The feeling of accomplishment. The feeling of vindicating my presence in UGWC. Proving to those who question me, especially myself, that I can do it. That potential can spur me forward.”
Carlson looks at one of the benches, then walks over and eases himself down onto the bench. It groans a little, but holds up.
Carlson: “Back to the question at hand. Does it matter?”
He leans back against the back of the bench.
Carlson: “Hell, fucking yes. It matters. We all have pride for whom we work for. Loyalty is not a totally lost concept. I don’t know a hell of a lot about our opponents, the people from Carnage Wrestling, nor do I really need to, at this point. I am honored, very honored, to have received the call to help defend the honor and the name of the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition. I, along with four others, will face a team of five from Carnage Wrestling, with nothing but pride and honor on the line. The ability to be involved in a match to help determine which organization is the best on that night? I’m honored. And, I am looking forward to working with my four team mates.”
Carlson takes another sip of water, then sets the bottle down next to himself on the bench and crosses left let over right.
Carlson: “How do they feel about working with me? Well, since we will all be working to the same goal, to win this match, then they should feel fine. None of us wants to be the one to lose this match, but one of the ten of us will. It is the nature of the beast. Especially a five on five match. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure the official for the match is going to be very relieved this thing isn’t Survivor rules. Then again, this thing has the potential to implode into a knock-down, drag out fight.”
He grins and scratches his chin, the two days of stubble being uncomfortable for his usually clean shaven mug.
Carlson: “That could be interesting. There’s a lot of pride, and ego, on our team. I’m pretty sure the Carnage team will be about the same. Although, I really can’t say that about Angel DeMourne. Don’t know much about her, but she looked pretty good last week, despite the loss. I know she has a history in UGWC, and that would be a great reason to have her step up and defend the name of UGWC. I’m looking forward to see what she can do, when she can really cut loose.”
Carlson retrieves his bottle of water and drinks the last of it. As he does so, a little yellow butterfly flits over and sets on the bottom of the bottle for a moment. He smiles, resisting the urge to chuckle as the butterfly eyes him a moment before returning to its plant provided feast. He sets the bottle back down and watches the insect for a moment, until it disappears into a set of plants.
Carlson: “Then there’s the venerable Dave Rydell. A guy who really knows his stuff. Another of UGWC’s resident long in the tooth veterans who can still go with any of us youngsters. He’s the one I am most looking forward to watching in this match. He’s kinda done it all, anywhere he’s been. He competes hard, all the time, especially when there is a prize on the line. Well, the prize on Monday night is the reputation of UGWC. That is something that HE helped build. Something he has supported against all comers and something he looks like he’ll be involved with for a long time to come. He was one of the Triple Crown winners. I wonder if he’ll make a run for the Conquest title. That’d be fun to see.”
Carlson leans forward, uncrossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped before himself.
Carlson: “Also on our side is the Marvelous Magician himself, Montague Cervantes. The man is a one man magic act, no doubt. Pulling wins out of his hat, or out of his ass, whatever it takes. I still have not been able to figure this guy out, and that makes him a great part of this match. Carnage’s team will have a heck of a time with him. Someday, maybe, I will figure out how to beat him. Not this week. I hope that the Carnage crew doesn’t either. That leaves one last teammate.”
Carlson stands up and rolls his neck and shoulders and gives a satisfied sigh.
Carlson: “Donovan Hastings. The man seems like he’s been around wrestling longer than wrestling has been around wrestling. He’s truly in a league of his own. Not just a Legend in his own mind. I’ve had first hand proof of that.”
Carlson retrieves his water bottle and steps away from the bench, back to the firepit, which he again looks into.
Carlson: “I have a lot of respect for him. Very healthy respect. Of all of our team in this match, he is the one that will bring the most to the Carnage contingent. I shudder at the idea of having to ever face him again, though I will if it happens. This time, however, I get to have great relief that Donovan Hastings, the Lord of UGWC himself, is on our side. Or, maybe in his mind, it’s his match and we’re all just competing in it at his whim. Either way, working with this team is going to be a pleasure. We all have one thing in common. We are all proud members of the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition roster. We will fight together for the Honor of that, and give those folks from Carnage our best efforts. At the end of the night, I have no doubt that UGWC will emerge victorious. No doubt.”
He takes his gaze from the firepit and looks around himself. The wind blows gently, rustling leaves and causing a festival of flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes to wave. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
Carlson: “UGWC is the greatest Wrestling organization. That’s the truth of it.”
Carlson returns down the path he came up, carrying the now empty water battle with him. Behind him, unseen, a brown-haired girl emerges from between rows of flowers, dressed in a light yellow dress with a ring of white and yellow flowers in her hair. She watches him walk away, wiping a tear form her left eye.
Sylvestra: “You will always be my Champion, Carlson. Always.”
She watches his form recede until he turns a corner, disappearing from sight. She then turns and walks back into the flowers, leaving only the butterflies and the breeze.