What We Leave Behind - World Title RP (vs Gabriel Baal)
Jul 17, 2021 20:39:35 GMT -5
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Post by Lord Hastings on Jul 17, 2021 20:39:35 GMT -5
The Devil’s District
Within the confines of the Devil’s District, the man known during his career as “The Drunken Buzzsaw” is enjoying a moment of peace as he oversees several smokers preparing food for the festival, a role he has found to grant him a temporary serenity as he sips a Chadweiser and basks for a moment in the sun. It is a moment he knows is bound to be shattered, just not in the manner that he expects.
Chaos: I’m in no mood for your fuckin’ bullshit this year.
He turns and is surprised by what he sees.
Chaos: Hastings.
Hastings: Hi there, hello. Couldn’t help but be drawn in by that powerful aroma you’ve got cooking there. Expecting someone else?
Chaos:Hopefully not, but if he shows up while you’re here, I’ll use both of your heads for fuckin’ cymbals.
Hastings: I’d be entertained to watch you try that. You know it strikes me, you and I never really tangled, did we? Unless you count that time that you ended up in the wrong cell, which I don’t.
Chaos turns his attention back to the smoker and takes a sip of beer.
Chaos:You got a reason for being here?
Hastings: Just taking a stroll around the festival, can’t spend all my time in the Oasis. They have showers there, by the way. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of those, but you may want to look into it.
Chaos:I don’t mind a good sweat in the heat.
Hastings: I meant in general.
Chaos:Fuck off, Hastings.
Hastings: You know, it’s funny. You’re a Hall of Famer. I’ll be honest, I’ve never been quite sure why. It’s not like you have these grand accomplishments. You were best known for being part of a whole. That’s spelled with a “w” that is silent, to be clear. I’m sure you’re familiar with lots of holes, given that dive you hang around in.
Chaos loudly exhales, gripping his Chadweiser a little tighter.
Hastings: Of course, you were in an induction class with Zeke and JK, so maybe there were just slim pickings that year.
Chaos spins around, and Donovan quickly puts both hands up and takes a half step back.
Hastings: I digress, I digress. A Hall of Famer, and obviously not forgotten, given the events of Coalescence last year. Many would say you retired too soon, left some, shall we say, meat on the bone. I wasn’t able to do that. I couldn’t walk away.
Chaos:Do you have a fuckin’ point?
Hastings: I’m just wondering, was it worth it?
Chaos:Was what worth it?
Hastings: Walking away when there was more left to do?
Chaos actually takes a moment to consider the question.
Chaos:I found peace. Right now you’re disrupting it.
Donovan nods.
Hastings: Well, then I’ll leave you to it. Any chance I could trouble you for some of what you’re cooking before I go?
Chaos:It’s not done. But I’ll tell you what, you keep that fucker Pierce off my back, you can come back here later and I’ll feed you all you want. Bring the kids and maybe Cypress or Jez will take them for a ride.
Hastings: I think we’ll take a pass on that last part, but I’ll see what I can do about the first part. Until then.
They exchange nods, and Donovan walks away as Chaos turns his full attention back to his cooking.
The Piercing Media District
Within the Piercing Media District, Travis Pierce sits at his desk in front of a life audience of festival goers, wrapping up his segment.
Pierce: Well, thank you for coming everyone, that’s about all the time we have right now, but you’re going to want to stick around, the Chelsea Crippler will be along in just a bit along with his grandfather, for a special live edition of the Seb-Bastian Files, you won’t want to miss that. So until then, just remember that-
Cartwright: Hold on a second, Travis!
Pierce: What?
Cartwright: We’ve got a special surprise guest!
Pierce: This is even a surprise to me, folks, and that doesn’t happen around here. Let’s have it, Rob!
Donovan walks onto the makeshift live set to a roar from the fans in attendance. He takes a seat on the couch next to Pierce’s desk.
Pierce: Well, this is certainly unexpected. I thought we had a big guest before, but you might have him one-upped here, we’ll have to see how this goes.
Hastings: Who was here before?
Pierce: Only the greatest Canadian Icon of all time!
Hastings: You’re not suggesting Johnny Hitmaker is a bigger guest than me.
Pierce: Of course not. It was Kruzer.
Hastings: Who?
Pierce: Actually it was a midget wearing a Kruzer nametag. So, I guess not actually bigger than you in literally anyway. So I guess it’s good you’re here!
Hastings: And already regretting it!
Pierce: Oh, always a kidder, this one. Let’s pierce right to the point, especially since you’ve given me no time to prepare here. We’re just a few days away from the biggest match of your career of the month, when you challenge Gabriel Baal for the World Heavyweight Championship on the final day of the festival, mere minutes after I finally win the WrestleStock Cup. Win or lose, you’re going to be overshadowed as people come down off the high of my victory. Is that disheartening?
Hastings: I do try not to worry about things that aren’t going to happen.
Pierce: No you’ll definitely win or lose, those are really the only options here, unless you think the deafening pop when I win is just going to implode the ring and the match never happens.
Hastings: What you’re right about is that this is the biggest match since I returned to action. WrestleStock is the premier event of the summer, one of the biggest spotlights in the industry, and winning on the final day is one of those few checkmarks I’ve yet to make. The last time I was in a one on one match for the World Title, I beat Jet Somers in the main event of Horizons. I was supposed to have that one on one match at Battleground, and that was pulled out from underneath me. I’d already be the World Champion if I had faced Sloane as I was supposed to, but all that happened was a delay of the inevitable.
Pierce: I dunno about that, Donny. Gabriel Baal has all the momentum in the world, ran off five straight defenses with the Conquest Title, cashed that in to win the World Title, and no matter how you want to spin it, he’s already retained the championship against you.
Hastings: He pinned Rydell at Battleground, he didn’t beat me.
Pierce: Except he has beaten you one on one, just over a year ago at No Holds Barred in a Valhalla Burial Match.
Hastings: You’re talking about a match that had piranhas in it. It’s a crapshoot. When it was a one on one match straight up at Coalescence, the same circumstances that it’s going to be on Sunday, I was the one with his hand raised at the end of the match.
Pierce: And the Valhalla Burial Match that he beat you in was supposed to be one of your specialties or something. Listen, Donny, we could do this all day, and I appreciate you stopping by and all, but I’ve got stuff to do, and these fans here are very excited for Seb’s grandpappy to tell them a rambling story or seven.
Hastings: Nevermind what the peasantry wants, and I’m pretty sure that nobody is sitting here excited for the British version of the AARP brigade.
Pierce: I believe the British version is the Association of Retired and Persons Over 50.
Hastings: That’s a terrible name, and nobody cares anyway. Listen, we could argue about this all day, and that’s what we’re going to do if that’s what it takes. You’re not going to have time for your usual WrestleStock “chaos” today.
Pierce: My “WrestleStock chaos?”
Hastings: Everyone knows you like chatting up the Buzzsaw as part of your Open prep, but you and I are going to stay here until we get this right.
Pierce: Oh, I already took care of that.
Hastings: You what?
Pierce: I already got my Drunken Buzzsaw fix. So yeah, you want to sit here and argue? Let’s sit here and argue. Baal’s going to embarrass you worse than when Peterson left you hanging after Incursion, what do you think about that?
Donovan glares at him, and stands up and walks off the set.
Hell on Heels
It is afternoon in the Hell on Heels district, the district dedicated to the women that have shaped UGWC over the years. The main attraction of the district of the building housing the exhibits celebrating this history, in which a specific trio is currently touring.
Eden: You see, girls? Just like I was telling you. Just about everyone is featured here.
Katie: When can we go to the Young at Heart Acrobatic Adventure Center?
Eden: Oh that’s definitely something your father will take you to later. That’s all him. Now let’s take a look at what’s here. There’s a bit on Jezebel Saint, that over there is Gabrielle Montgomery’s pole, they’re not supposed to bring that out until the evenings, I’ll have to speak to someone about that.
Scarlet: What does she use the pole for?
Eden: Ask your father. Let’s see, there’s the microphone that Victoria Jensen used to interview Jet Somers, and here-
Katie: ANGIE VAUGHN!!!
Katie runs over to an exhibit spotlighting Angelica Vaughn winning the Global Challenge.
Scarlet: Katie loves Angie Vaughn.
Eden frowns.
Eden: Well, I suppose she isn’t that bad. It’s her partner that’s the problem.
Scarlet pushes a button on a keychain she got from the gift shop.
Eden’s Voice: Rude cow.
Eden smiles proudly.
Scarlet: Aunt Eden?
Eden: Yes?
Scarlet: I’m sad that you lost the Conky Title.
Eden hesitates, clearly catching her instinctive reaction before it escaped her lips, as Katie walks back towards them.
Scarlet: I wanted to see you beat Gabriel for the World Title.
Katie: Gabriel isn’t going to be World Champion after Daddy beats him. And it’s Conquest Title, Scarlet.
Scarlet pushes the button on the keychain again.
Eden’s Voice: Rude cow.
Katie: Hey!
Eden: Now, girls, let’s be nice.
Scarlet: Aunt Eden wants Gabriel to win!
Tears start to form in Katie’s eyes, but Eden quickly gets down on one knee.
Eden: Now, that’s enough. Of course I’d like Gabriel to win, but I’d be happy for your father too. You should both get to see him be the World Champion
She puts a hand on Katie’s shoulder.
Eden: And win or lose this week, you should be very proud of him.
Katie sniffles. Eden stands and looks at two ornate thrones overseeing the district’s ring.
Eden: Now why don’t you both take a seat on the thrones? We’ll take a picture.
Scarlet: Aren’t those just for you and Lucy?
Eden: Well, yes, that’s what we’ve told people. But they’re secretly for you two, don’t tell anyone.
She winks to Scarlet.
Scarlet: I get to sit on Eden’s!!!
The girls run to the thrones, sitting on them as Eden gestures to security that it’s okay. She takes out her camera and takes several pictures as Donovan walks up behind her.
Hastings: Very generous of you.
Eden: Oh, let them have their fun.
Hastings: I meant what you said, about me beating Gabriel.
Eden: Heard that, did you?
She looks down for a moment before spinning to face him with a smirk.
Eden: Don’t get any illusions. I’ll be in Gabriel’s corner on Sunday.
Hastings: I’m sure you will.
She turns back to take another picture. Katie spots her father and smiles and waves. He waves back to her.
Eden: How did your interview go?
Hastings: Piercingly delightful.
Eden: Ha.
The girls come running back, and both hug Donovan around the waist.
Hastings: Are you girls having fun?
Katie: They have an exhibit about Angie!
Hastings: Hm.
Scarlet: And Aunt Eden got me this!
She pushes the button on the keychain again.
Eden’s Voice: Rude cow.
Hastings: Cute. So girls, do you want Eden to go with us to the Acrobatic Adventure Center?
Both Girls: Yay!
Eden rolls her eyes.
Eden: And after that, Daddy will take you to WrestleStock’s Got Talent.
Both Girls: YAY!
Hastings: Eden and I will sing a duet!
She scowls at him.
Both Girls: YAY!!!
Eden frowns and shakes her head, but smiles as Scarlet takes her hand and the foursome walks to the next district.
The Glaciation District of Fame
It is evening in Wrestlestockopolis. In the distance, screams can be heard from the Astro Creeps Escape Room, and the party is just getting underway in the after dark version of Hell on Heels.
With his daughters tucked into bed inside the Oasis, Donovan takes a stroll through the Glaciation District of Fame. Ice sculptures of UGWC Hall of Famers abound, ranging from replicas of Alex Kiseragi to Declan Prescott to Ezekiel Pax, all carefully preserved by overhangs to protect them from the desert sun and delicate systems to keep them cooled.
Donovan pauses in front of the sculpture of Jet Somers, his long time nemesis who was inducted last year, and the person whom Donovan defeated the final time he won the World Title nearly four years ago. He stares at it for several seconds, the cold gaze of the ice reflecting back at him.
Hastings: I didn’t betray my word, you know. You had to beat me for me to retire. Walking away afterwards was my choice, not my obligation. If you wanted me gone for good, you should have finished the job.
Donovan had vacated the championship after winning it, choosing to step away from the ring to focus on other responsibilities, and took the position as Creative Director for the following year. Yet the call of competition was too loud, the temptation too great, and Donovan would return to the ring.
The results to this point have been less than satisfying.
Hastings: We had an epic final chapter, you and I. But I’m not done. I don’t know that I’ll ever be done. I suppose you proved what happens to people who hold on too long. You went out with a dinky little cooperative match that everyone had forgotten an hour later. You deserved a better send-off. I suppose I had that send-off. I beat you for the World Title in the main event of Horizons. They don’t write better endings than that, for either of us. Maybe we should have both walked away. You never won the World Title again, never even sniffed it.
Donovan points at the sculpture’s face.
Hastings: But I’m not you. I’m better than you, I always have been. Twice you won the World Title from me, and twice I won it from you. But I can beat others too. I took it from Declan Prescott. I’m going to take it from Gabriel Baal, and I’m going to keep it from each and every person that comes for it. I’m the best Entertainment Professional of every generation, and I’m going to write the ending for myself that I see fit. I won’t share it with anyone.
He feels the sculpture’s cold judgement staring back at him.
Hastings: Screw you, Jet.
Donovan steps behind the sculpture and unplugs its coolant system.
Voice: I suppose it’s never too late to be petty.
Hastings: Not where Jet Somers is concerned, no.
Donovan turns to face Owen Peterson.
Hastings: I’m surprised to see you here.
Peterson: Just taking a stroll through the grounds.
Hastings: I thought you weren’t speaking to me. Too “angry” about my actions.
Peterson: You haven’t made it easy, no. Frustrated? For certain. But angry? No. Never angry.
Hastings: Self-righteous, then.
Peterson: How have I been self-righteous?
Hastings: Let’s start with the double-standards. Yeah, I attacked Sloane Taylor at Incursion. Wasn’t premeditated, just happened.
Peterson: I know.
Donovan flinches quickly, but continues.
Hastings: And yeah, I’ve taken people out the past month. Sloane. Rydell. Cervantes. But that’s what I do, Owen. You used to help me do it.
Peterson: It’s what you used to do. That’s what worries me.
Hastings: What do you mean?
Owen sighs.
Peterson: Like you said, I was there for all of it. Your World Championship reign in 2014 is one of the greatest championship reigns in UGWC history.
Hastings: One of?
Peterson: You’ve accomplished more than most ever will. But you were ruthless. You called yourself the Ripper, and you earned that moniker. Lord of Pain.
Hastings: And when did you decide you weren’t okay with it anymore?
Peterson: The same time that you did.
Donovan scoffs.
Peterson: You’ve been a different person these past few years. You’ve had different priorities. Probably the right priorities. You’ve been focused on your children. But now you’ve decided you want to be the World Champion again.
Hastings: And I’m doing that for them too. They want to see me as the World Champion in person, not in a video.
Peterson: And you once told me that was also because you didn’t want them to see that past footage, to see the awful things you did to get there. Now you’re doing it right in front of them. And you let them spend time with the Morgan-Baals.
Hastings: Eden’s been very good to them.
Peterson: She has, yes. She’s also Eden Morgan, and Scarlett wants to be just like her.
Hastings: I’m not about to turn my back on someone who cares for my children. You’re the one that turned his back on me.
Peterson: I took a stand against your actions because I thought it might jolt some sense into you, but I misjudged how far you had already slipped into your old patterns. Then I watched you struggle, trying to find someone to fill the void I’d left behind.
Hastings: You think a lot of yourself.
Peterson: I just see things for how they are. You hate Dave Rydell, yet you went on that podcast week after week because you just wanted somebody to talk to. You hunted down Forewell Boding. You put aside your normal pomp and circumstance in your interview with Grey Coppi. Look at today alone. You ventured into the Devil’s District, a place that once upon a time you’d have never sullied yourself in, and took an interview with Pierce, which you swore you’d never do again, just because you needed someone to listen to you. But it’s not the same, is it?
Donovan folds his arms and looks down for a few moments.
Hastings: What do you want from me, Owen?
Peterson: I want you to tell me, right here, right now, what is it that you’re so afraid of? Why is winning back the World Title after all this time so important?
Donovan looks at the sculpture of Jet Somers, which is already beginning to have droplets of water drip off it in the heat now that the coolant is switched off.
Hastings: I’m afraid of ending up like this. Being a memory, one that melts away and ends up forgotten.
Peterson: You’ve always been concerned about your legacy, about what you would leave behind. But you have the greatest legacy you ever could. You have your children.
Hastings: I’m doing this for them.
Peterson: You don’t hurt people for them. You hurt them for yourself. I know who you are. I accepted that a long time ago. But you need to decide who you want them to be. Do you really want Scarlett to grow up to be Eden Morgan? Do you want Katie to grow up to be you?
Hastings: ...no. I want them to be better than us.
Peterson: Then you have to be better than you for the time being.
Hastings: And you think that I can’t do both, that I can’t be the World Champion and be the person that my children need me to be.
Peterson: I think that the person they need you to be can be the World Champion. I’m just not sure that you think that.
Hastings: Maybe not. I don’t know any other way to do this, Owen. Being honorable never got Alex Kiseragi the World Championship, or Jordan King. Being honorable got Sloane Taylor beat at Incursion.
Peterson: Because of you.
Hastings: Because I know that ruthless people get ahead in UGWC, they always have. Tyvola was a despicable human being that belongs locked in a cell, and he had one of the most dominant years in history. Travis Roberts is a selfish prick most of the time, and he held the World Title for a year. My best reign came during my darkest days. This is how it works. When I tried to be respectful and honorable and all that, I lost to Angie Vaughn a few months back.
Peterson: That’s because you’ve always believed that’s what was necessary. But Angelica Vaughn is a two-time World Champion, and she beat one of the greatest in history to do it the first time. Jet Somers is a four-time World Champion. Mil Vidas was a World Champion, and regardless of what you think of her, Sloane Taylor was the World Champion. None of them took shortcuts, none of them were ruthless in the way you’re talking about. You’re more talented than any of these people in that ring. The only difference is that you think you need all that outside stuff.
Hastings: Are you really telling me I just need to believe in myself?
Peterson: I’m telling you that if all you want is for your children to be proud of you, you already have that. They’re going to love you, win or lose. No matter what happens, Katie is going to think you’re the greatest person that ever lived, and Scarlett is going to want Eden to beat whoever has the title. And you have yourself to blame for that last part.
Hastings: Yeah, fair.
Peterson: I’m not telling you not to go out there and try to win. I believe you’re going to win. I just want you to be able to look in their eyes at the end of the night, and every night that follows.
Donovan stares at the ground for a moment, but then he nods his head. He looks at Owen and extends his hand, but Owen ignores it and embraces him in a hug, a gesture that Donovan returns.
Hastings: I’ve-
Peterson: I know.
After a few moments they release, with Donovan turning his attention back to the ice sculpture.
Hastings: I suppose you want me to plug it back in.
Peterson: Nah. Let it melt.
Hastings: We’re going to let it just melt away?
Peterson: No matter what we do, that is inevitable.
Donovan nods with understanding.
Hastings: So let’s make the most of the time that we have.
Owen smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Peterson: You got this.
Hastings: We do.
Within the confines of the Devil’s District, the man known during his career as “The Drunken Buzzsaw” is enjoying a moment of peace as he oversees several smokers preparing food for the festival, a role he has found to grant him a temporary serenity as he sips a Chadweiser and basks for a moment in the sun. It is a moment he knows is bound to be shattered, just not in the manner that he expects.
Chaos: I’m in no mood for your fuckin’ bullshit this year.
He turns and is surprised by what he sees.
Chaos: Hastings.
Hastings: Hi there, hello. Couldn’t help but be drawn in by that powerful aroma you’ve got cooking there. Expecting someone else?
Chaos:Hopefully not, but if he shows up while you’re here, I’ll use both of your heads for fuckin’ cymbals.
Hastings: I’d be entertained to watch you try that. You know it strikes me, you and I never really tangled, did we? Unless you count that time that you ended up in the wrong cell, which I don’t.
Chaos turns his attention back to the smoker and takes a sip of beer.
Chaos:You got a reason for being here?
Hastings: Just taking a stroll around the festival, can’t spend all my time in the Oasis. They have showers there, by the way. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of those, but you may want to look into it.
Chaos:I don’t mind a good sweat in the heat.
Hastings: I meant in general.
Chaos:Fuck off, Hastings.
Hastings: You know, it’s funny. You’re a Hall of Famer. I’ll be honest, I’ve never been quite sure why. It’s not like you have these grand accomplishments. You were best known for being part of a whole. That’s spelled with a “w” that is silent, to be clear. I’m sure you’re familiar with lots of holes, given that dive you hang around in.
Chaos loudly exhales, gripping his Chadweiser a little tighter.
Hastings: Of course, you were in an induction class with Zeke and JK, so maybe there were just slim pickings that year.
Chaos spins around, and Donovan quickly puts both hands up and takes a half step back.
Hastings: I digress, I digress. A Hall of Famer, and obviously not forgotten, given the events of Coalescence last year. Many would say you retired too soon, left some, shall we say, meat on the bone. I wasn’t able to do that. I couldn’t walk away.
Chaos:Do you have a fuckin’ point?
Hastings: I’m just wondering, was it worth it?
Chaos:Was what worth it?
Hastings: Walking away when there was more left to do?
Chaos actually takes a moment to consider the question.
Chaos:I found peace. Right now you’re disrupting it.
Donovan nods.
Hastings: Well, then I’ll leave you to it. Any chance I could trouble you for some of what you’re cooking before I go?
Chaos:It’s not done. But I’ll tell you what, you keep that fucker Pierce off my back, you can come back here later and I’ll feed you all you want. Bring the kids and maybe Cypress or Jez will take them for a ride.
Hastings: I think we’ll take a pass on that last part, but I’ll see what I can do about the first part. Until then.
They exchange nods, and Donovan walks away as Chaos turns his full attention back to his cooking.
The Piercing Media District
Within the Piercing Media District, Travis Pierce sits at his desk in front of a life audience of festival goers, wrapping up his segment.
Pierce: Well, thank you for coming everyone, that’s about all the time we have right now, but you’re going to want to stick around, the Chelsea Crippler will be along in just a bit along with his grandfather, for a special live edition of the Seb-Bastian Files, you won’t want to miss that. So until then, just remember that-
Cartwright: Hold on a second, Travis!
Pierce: What?
Cartwright: We’ve got a special surprise guest!
Pierce: This is even a surprise to me, folks, and that doesn’t happen around here. Let’s have it, Rob!
Donovan walks onto the makeshift live set to a roar from the fans in attendance. He takes a seat on the couch next to Pierce’s desk.
Pierce: Well, this is certainly unexpected. I thought we had a big guest before, but you might have him one-upped here, we’ll have to see how this goes.
Hastings: Who was here before?
Pierce: Only the greatest Canadian Icon of all time!
Hastings: You’re not suggesting Johnny Hitmaker is a bigger guest than me.
Pierce: Of course not. It was Kruzer.
Hastings: Who?
Pierce: Actually it was a midget wearing a Kruzer nametag. So, I guess not actually bigger than you in literally anyway. So I guess it’s good you’re here!
Hastings: And already regretting it!
Pierce: Oh, always a kidder, this one. Let’s pierce right to the point, especially since you’ve given me no time to prepare here. We’re just a few days away from the biggest match of your career of the month, when you challenge Gabriel Baal for the World Heavyweight Championship on the final day of the festival, mere minutes after I finally win the WrestleStock Cup. Win or lose, you’re going to be overshadowed as people come down off the high of my victory. Is that disheartening?
Hastings: I do try not to worry about things that aren’t going to happen.
Pierce: No you’ll definitely win or lose, those are really the only options here, unless you think the deafening pop when I win is just going to implode the ring and the match never happens.
Hastings: What you’re right about is that this is the biggest match since I returned to action. WrestleStock is the premier event of the summer, one of the biggest spotlights in the industry, and winning on the final day is one of those few checkmarks I’ve yet to make. The last time I was in a one on one match for the World Title, I beat Jet Somers in the main event of Horizons. I was supposed to have that one on one match at Battleground, and that was pulled out from underneath me. I’d already be the World Champion if I had faced Sloane as I was supposed to, but all that happened was a delay of the inevitable.
Pierce: I dunno about that, Donny. Gabriel Baal has all the momentum in the world, ran off five straight defenses with the Conquest Title, cashed that in to win the World Title, and no matter how you want to spin it, he’s already retained the championship against you.
Hastings: He pinned Rydell at Battleground, he didn’t beat me.
Pierce: Except he has beaten you one on one, just over a year ago at No Holds Barred in a Valhalla Burial Match.
Hastings: You’re talking about a match that had piranhas in it. It’s a crapshoot. When it was a one on one match straight up at Coalescence, the same circumstances that it’s going to be on Sunday, I was the one with his hand raised at the end of the match.
Pierce: And the Valhalla Burial Match that he beat you in was supposed to be one of your specialties or something. Listen, Donny, we could do this all day, and I appreciate you stopping by and all, but I’ve got stuff to do, and these fans here are very excited for Seb’s grandpappy to tell them a rambling story or seven.
Hastings: Nevermind what the peasantry wants, and I’m pretty sure that nobody is sitting here excited for the British version of the AARP brigade.
Pierce: I believe the British version is the Association of Retired and Persons Over 50.
Hastings: That’s a terrible name, and nobody cares anyway. Listen, we could argue about this all day, and that’s what we’re going to do if that’s what it takes. You’re not going to have time for your usual WrestleStock “chaos” today.
Pierce: My “WrestleStock chaos?”
Hastings: Everyone knows you like chatting up the Buzzsaw as part of your Open prep, but you and I are going to stay here until we get this right.
Pierce: Oh, I already took care of that.
Hastings: You what?
Pierce: I already got my Drunken Buzzsaw fix. So yeah, you want to sit here and argue? Let’s sit here and argue. Baal’s going to embarrass you worse than when Peterson left you hanging after Incursion, what do you think about that?
Donovan glares at him, and stands up and walks off the set.
Hell on Heels
It is afternoon in the Hell on Heels district, the district dedicated to the women that have shaped UGWC over the years. The main attraction of the district of the building housing the exhibits celebrating this history, in which a specific trio is currently touring.
Eden: You see, girls? Just like I was telling you. Just about everyone is featured here.
Katie: When can we go to the Young at Heart Acrobatic Adventure Center?
Eden: Oh that’s definitely something your father will take you to later. That’s all him. Now let’s take a look at what’s here. There’s a bit on Jezebel Saint, that over there is Gabrielle Montgomery’s pole, they’re not supposed to bring that out until the evenings, I’ll have to speak to someone about that.
Scarlet: What does she use the pole for?
Eden: Ask your father. Let’s see, there’s the microphone that Victoria Jensen used to interview Jet Somers, and here-
Katie: ANGIE VAUGHN!!!
Katie runs over to an exhibit spotlighting Angelica Vaughn winning the Global Challenge.
Scarlet: Katie loves Angie Vaughn.
Eden frowns.
Eden: Well, I suppose she isn’t that bad. It’s her partner that’s the problem.
Scarlet pushes a button on a keychain she got from the gift shop.
Eden’s Voice: Rude cow.
Eden smiles proudly.
Scarlet: Aunt Eden?
Eden: Yes?
Scarlet: I’m sad that you lost the Conky Title.
Eden hesitates, clearly catching her instinctive reaction before it escaped her lips, as Katie walks back towards them.
Scarlet: I wanted to see you beat Gabriel for the World Title.
Katie: Gabriel isn’t going to be World Champion after Daddy beats him. And it’s Conquest Title, Scarlet.
Scarlet pushes the button on the keychain again.
Eden’s Voice: Rude cow.
Katie: Hey!
Eden: Now, girls, let’s be nice.
Scarlet: Aunt Eden wants Gabriel to win!
Tears start to form in Katie’s eyes, but Eden quickly gets down on one knee.
Eden: Now, that’s enough. Of course I’d like Gabriel to win, but I’d be happy for your father too. You should both get to see him be the World Champion
She puts a hand on Katie’s shoulder.
Eden: And win or lose this week, you should be very proud of him.
Katie sniffles. Eden stands and looks at two ornate thrones overseeing the district’s ring.
Eden: Now why don’t you both take a seat on the thrones? We’ll take a picture.
Scarlet: Aren’t those just for you and Lucy?
Eden: Well, yes, that’s what we’ve told people. But they’re secretly for you two, don’t tell anyone.
She winks to Scarlet.
Scarlet: I get to sit on Eden’s!!!
The girls run to the thrones, sitting on them as Eden gestures to security that it’s okay. She takes out her camera and takes several pictures as Donovan walks up behind her.
Hastings: Very generous of you.
Eden: Oh, let them have their fun.
Hastings: I meant what you said, about me beating Gabriel.
Eden: Heard that, did you?
She looks down for a moment before spinning to face him with a smirk.
Eden: Don’t get any illusions. I’ll be in Gabriel’s corner on Sunday.
Hastings: I’m sure you will.
She turns back to take another picture. Katie spots her father and smiles and waves. He waves back to her.
Eden: How did your interview go?
Hastings: Piercingly delightful.
Eden: Ha.
The girls come running back, and both hug Donovan around the waist.
Hastings: Are you girls having fun?
Katie: They have an exhibit about Angie!
Hastings: Hm.
Scarlet: And Aunt Eden got me this!
She pushes the button on the keychain again.
Eden’s Voice: Rude cow.
Hastings: Cute. So girls, do you want Eden to go with us to the Acrobatic Adventure Center?
Both Girls: Yay!
Eden rolls her eyes.
Eden: And after that, Daddy will take you to WrestleStock’s Got Talent.
Both Girls: YAY!
Hastings: Eden and I will sing a duet!
She scowls at him.
Both Girls: YAY!!!
Eden frowns and shakes her head, but smiles as Scarlet takes her hand and the foursome walks to the next district.
The Glaciation District of Fame
It is evening in Wrestlestockopolis. In the distance, screams can be heard from the Astro Creeps Escape Room, and the party is just getting underway in the after dark version of Hell on Heels.
With his daughters tucked into bed inside the Oasis, Donovan takes a stroll through the Glaciation District of Fame. Ice sculptures of UGWC Hall of Famers abound, ranging from replicas of Alex Kiseragi to Declan Prescott to Ezekiel Pax, all carefully preserved by overhangs to protect them from the desert sun and delicate systems to keep them cooled.
Donovan pauses in front of the sculpture of Jet Somers, his long time nemesis who was inducted last year, and the person whom Donovan defeated the final time he won the World Title nearly four years ago. He stares at it for several seconds, the cold gaze of the ice reflecting back at him.
Hastings: I didn’t betray my word, you know. You had to beat me for me to retire. Walking away afterwards was my choice, not my obligation. If you wanted me gone for good, you should have finished the job.
Donovan had vacated the championship after winning it, choosing to step away from the ring to focus on other responsibilities, and took the position as Creative Director for the following year. Yet the call of competition was too loud, the temptation too great, and Donovan would return to the ring.
The results to this point have been less than satisfying.
Hastings: We had an epic final chapter, you and I. But I’m not done. I don’t know that I’ll ever be done. I suppose you proved what happens to people who hold on too long. You went out with a dinky little cooperative match that everyone had forgotten an hour later. You deserved a better send-off. I suppose I had that send-off. I beat you for the World Title in the main event of Horizons. They don’t write better endings than that, for either of us. Maybe we should have both walked away. You never won the World Title again, never even sniffed it.
Donovan points at the sculpture’s face.
Hastings: But I’m not you. I’m better than you, I always have been. Twice you won the World Title from me, and twice I won it from you. But I can beat others too. I took it from Declan Prescott. I’m going to take it from Gabriel Baal, and I’m going to keep it from each and every person that comes for it. I’m the best Entertainment Professional of every generation, and I’m going to write the ending for myself that I see fit. I won’t share it with anyone.
He feels the sculpture’s cold judgement staring back at him.
Hastings: Screw you, Jet.
Donovan steps behind the sculpture and unplugs its coolant system.
Voice: I suppose it’s never too late to be petty.
Hastings: Not where Jet Somers is concerned, no.
Donovan turns to face Owen Peterson.
Hastings: I’m surprised to see you here.
Peterson: Just taking a stroll through the grounds.
Hastings: I thought you weren’t speaking to me. Too “angry” about my actions.
Peterson: You haven’t made it easy, no. Frustrated? For certain. But angry? No. Never angry.
Hastings: Self-righteous, then.
Peterson: How have I been self-righteous?
Hastings: Let’s start with the double-standards. Yeah, I attacked Sloane Taylor at Incursion. Wasn’t premeditated, just happened.
Peterson: I know.
Donovan flinches quickly, but continues.
Hastings: And yeah, I’ve taken people out the past month. Sloane. Rydell. Cervantes. But that’s what I do, Owen. You used to help me do it.
Peterson: It’s what you used to do. That’s what worries me.
Hastings: What do you mean?
Owen sighs.
Peterson: Like you said, I was there for all of it. Your World Championship reign in 2014 is one of the greatest championship reigns in UGWC history.
Hastings: One of?
Peterson: You’ve accomplished more than most ever will. But you were ruthless. You called yourself the Ripper, and you earned that moniker. Lord of Pain.
Hastings: And when did you decide you weren’t okay with it anymore?
Peterson: The same time that you did.
Donovan scoffs.
Peterson: You’ve been a different person these past few years. You’ve had different priorities. Probably the right priorities. You’ve been focused on your children. But now you’ve decided you want to be the World Champion again.
Hastings: And I’m doing that for them too. They want to see me as the World Champion in person, not in a video.
Peterson: And you once told me that was also because you didn’t want them to see that past footage, to see the awful things you did to get there. Now you’re doing it right in front of them. And you let them spend time with the Morgan-Baals.
Hastings: Eden’s been very good to them.
Peterson: She has, yes. She’s also Eden Morgan, and Scarlett wants to be just like her.
Hastings: I’m not about to turn my back on someone who cares for my children. You’re the one that turned his back on me.
Peterson: I took a stand against your actions because I thought it might jolt some sense into you, but I misjudged how far you had already slipped into your old patterns. Then I watched you struggle, trying to find someone to fill the void I’d left behind.
Hastings: You think a lot of yourself.
Peterson: I just see things for how they are. You hate Dave Rydell, yet you went on that podcast week after week because you just wanted somebody to talk to. You hunted down Forewell Boding. You put aside your normal pomp and circumstance in your interview with Grey Coppi. Look at today alone. You ventured into the Devil’s District, a place that once upon a time you’d have never sullied yourself in, and took an interview with Pierce, which you swore you’d never do again, just because you needed someone to listen to you. But it’s not the same, is it?
Donovan folds his arms and looks down for a few moments.
Hastings: What do you want from me, Owen?
Peterson: I want you to tell me, right here, right now, what is it that you’re so afraid of? Why is winning back the World Title after all this time so important?
Donovan looks at the sculpture of Jet Somers, which is already beginning to have droplets of water drip off it in the heat now that the coolant is switched off.
Hastings: I’m afraid of ending up like this. Being a memory, one that melts away and ends up forgotten.
Peterson: You’ve always been concerned about your legacy, about what you would leave behind. But you have the greatest legacy you ever could. You have your children.
Hastings: I’m doing this for them.
Peterson: You don’t hurt people for them. You hurt them for yourself. I know who you are. I accepted that a long time ago. But you need to decide who you want them to be. Do you really want Scarlett to grow up to be Eden Morgan? Do you want Katie to grow up to be you?
Hastings: ...no. I want them to be better than us.
Peterson: Then you have to be better than you for the time being.
Hastings: And you think that I can’t do both, that I can’t be the World Champion and be the person that my children need me to be.
Peterson: I think that the person they need you to be can be the World Champion. I’m just not sure that you think that.
Hastings: Maybe not. I don’t know any other way to do this, Owen. Being honorable never got Alex Kiseragi the World Championship, or Jordan King. Being honorable got Sloane Taylor beat at Incursion.
Peterson: Because of you.
Hastings: Because I know that ruthless people get ahead in UGWC, they always have. Tyvola was a despicable human being that belongs locked in a cell, and he had one of the most dominant years in history. Travis Roberts is a selfish prick most of the time, and he held the World Title for a year. My best reign came during my darkest days. This is how it works. When I tried to be respectful and honorable and all that, I lost to Angie Vaughn a few months back.
Peterson: That’s because you’ve always believed that’s what was necessary. But Angelica Vaughn is a two-time World Champion, and she beat one of the greatest in history to do it the first time. Jet Somers is a four-time World Champion. Mil Vidas was a World Champion, and regardless of what you think of her, Sloane Taylor was the World Champion. None of them took shortcuts, none of them were ruthless in the way you’re talking about. You’re more talented than any of these people in that ring. The only difference is that you think you need all that outside stuff.
Hastings: Are you really telling me I just need to believe in myself?
Peterson: I’m telling you that if all you want is for your children to be proud of you, you already have that. They’re going to love you, win or lose. No matter what happens, Katie is going to think you’re the greatest person that ever lived, and Scarlett is going to want Eden to beat whoever has the title. And you have yourself to blame for that last part.
Hastings: Yeah, fair.
Peterson: I’m not telling you not to go out there and try to win. I believe you’re going to win. I just want you to be able to look in their eyes at the end of the night, and every night that follows.
Donovan stares at the ground for a moment, but then he nods his head. He looks at Owen and extends his hand, but Owen ignores it and embraces him in a hug, a gesture that Donovan returns.
Hastings: I’ve-
Peterson: I know.
After a few moments they release, with Donovan turning his attention back to the ice sculpture.
Hastings: I suppose you want me to plug it back in.
Peterson: Nah. Let it melt.
Hastings: We’re going to let it just melt away?
Peterson: No matter what we do, that is inevitable.
Donovan nods with understanding.
Hastings: So let’s make the most of the time that we have.
Owen smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder.
Peterson: You got this.
Hastings: We do.
