Post by EmbodimentOfFear on May 7, 2022 21:08:17 GMT -5
May 3
The path to salvation has become more complicated.
The foursome that has been assembled to face us may feel slapped together, with the only true alliance being that of the returning Numinous Fate, but they are two time Cooperative Champions and formidable in their own right, with two talented temporary partners who should not be underestimated.
Dixon and Savage may not have any prior Outlast experience, but Dixon is coming off what is surely a significant confidence boost and Savage doubtless has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove after losing the Chaos Title. Rogan MacLean has won the Outlast Tournament in the past, and Lucy Wylde has never been on the losing team in a qualifying round.
I need to ensure that my own team is operating at peak efficiency.
The meeting is scheduled for the back office of O’Malley’s. Rydell and Scott have arrived first. Neither has noticed me, of course, biding my time in the shadows, observing until further action is necessary.
They bicker, not entirely unexpected after Rydell manage to best Scott for the Conquest Title on Synergy. A surprising outcome, to be sure, but a reminder of the pure talent that exists within in, talent that goes on untapped most of the time.
The pair appear on the brink of blows before he arrives.
Donovan Hastings. 12 Outlast Tournaments. 15 career eliminations. 5-5 team record. 4 main events. Won the 2009 Outlast Tournament as part of the LWF promotion, from which UGWC later adopted the event.
“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite cooperative partners!”
Neither is particularly pleased to see him. Hastings attempts to butter both of them up in his usual way, but neither is buying it, with Rydell going so far as to physically pin Hastings to the wall, his troublesome short fuse displaying itself again.
With this fragile alliance prematurely crumbling, I step forward from the shadows and announce my presence.
“Gentlemen, this fails to be productive.”
Rydell is startled by my appearance, while Hastings speaks to the truth, that I have been present and watching the entire time. As always.
“Perhaps we can save our aggression for Monday. I am certain we can all agree our time now is better spent in other ways.”
My purpose in speaking is to relax the tension and refocus my allies. It has the desired effect, with Rydell releasing his grip on Hastings, and Scott cautiously taking his seat as I continue.
“Remarkably, I am forced to concur with our esteemed colleague. There is only one thing that matters presently, that being the defeat of Montague Cervantes.”
“See,” remarks Donovan, “A page we can all be on together.”
“It does not matter who defeats him.”
Hastings feigns support for both of the other two, but it serves only to try their patience.
“Knock it off. Clearly we all want the same damn thing here. But we aren’t going to get there by bickering all fucking day. Now can we at least focus on the first round of this thing? I know I’m the one with the least experience in Outlast main events here, but I at least know we all have to get there if we want a chance to dethrone Montague.”
Dave Rydell. 11 Outlast Tournaments. 13 career eliminations. 5-6 team record. 2 main events.
“Perhaps not the main event, but what you and I share is an extended experience in the tournament itself. We know better than most that the qualifying match is the most immediate hurdle. If we fail to advance, the Astro Creeps will continue to spread their darkness unchecked.”
“You’re one to talk about spreading darkness,” retorts Rydell. “For 20 years that’s all I’ve seen you do. Our first round opponents are formidable to a degree. We have victories over each one of them; collectively; in some fashion or another. As long as we can be in sync against them, we can do what we must in the main event. I have seen these main events play out in very interesting ways over the years. If…when, we all make it there, we just rid ourselves of Montague and then we can do what it takes for ourselves.”
Each of the trio speaks to what drives them in the present, with Hastings taking a sidebar to attempt to manipulate Scott to no avail. None of it matters, only the outcome is relevant. I must lead them to understand this.
“I care not for your individual motivations. I care about your focus. You may not care about Cervantes, may not share my interpretation of context, but there is not one among you that does not want to hold the World Championship at the end of the night. The four individuals that we face in the qualifying round share that same goal, but I have observed them, watched them closely. I do not anticipate any of them being able to defeat Cervantes at the present time. The task falls to the four of us.”
I point at Hastings.
“Can you defeat MacLean again?”
Rogan MacLean. 4 Outlast Tournaments. 3 career eliminations. 2-1 team record. 1 main events. Won the 2017 tournament.
“Of course.”
I point at Scott.
“Can you defeat Lucy Wylde?”
Lucy Wylde. 6 Outlast Tournaments. 10 career eliminations. 6-0 team record. 5 main events.
“Yes.”
I point at Rydell.
“Can you even the score with Savage?”
Tony Savage. No history in the Outlast Tournament.
“Without question.”
“Hold on,” interrupts Hastings, “you’re keeping Dixon for yourself? Talk about stacking the deck in your own favor.”
Rydell scoffs.
“Dixon literally just beat you.”
“That obviously doesn’t count.”
“What is legitimately obviously is that there are scores to settle and immediate motivations within even this qualifying match, strengths that we can lean into. I suggest that we take advantage of them.”
“Lucy is Rogan’s weakness, and we can be certain that he wants to wipe away his last reign as Champion. Lucy hasn’t been champion in years now. That’s an obvious exploitable weakness. Savage at least wants to get through us to hopefully get to SEB, and beating him, then taking the World Championship would be quite the “one-two” night for him. Dixon has failed to take off. Imagine what winning the World Championship in his first opportunity would do for him? Their motivations are all pretty obvious, and exploitable.”
Zane Scott. 5 Outlast Tournaments. 9 career eliminations. 4-1 team record. 3 main events. Won the 2013 tournament.
“Agreed,” says Rydell. “Tony isn’t exactly soaring high in the sky by that easy pallet cleanser he got. Is Lucy even ready for a night like that? Ever since she stepped out of here, I don’t know if she’s been active in the ring at all. Besides, if she gets in the way, I’ll just hoof punt her again. And Dixon? He stole a win; a win none-the-less against Donovan, one of the legends in this company…as much as I hate to admit it. And Rogan? I think he’s just back for a payday. He won’t ever stick around long enough again to be considered full time. Part timers won’t stand a chance. I think there is a high likelihood we all end up in the main event. “
Rydell and Scott continue to discuss our opponents, as I notice that Hastings appears increasingly distracted. The loss on Synergy this past week is eating at him. Whether it is losing to Dixon or being targeted by Cervantes is unclear, but either way the inherent weakness of Donovan Hastings, his tendency to be consumed by setbacks, poses a potential risk to my cause.
The other two descend into conflict again, sniping at each other until Hastings is overcome by his delusion, interrupting them. It appears to ground the group, and presents an opening to transition us apart before any further damage can come to pass.
“I believe we all know where we stand and what we have to do.”
“I find myself in rare agreement with Deimos,” says Zane.
“Kind of like how Lucy agreed with your suspension so she didn’t have a threat to her title…how rare is that?!”
Scott appears ready to assault Rydell, but I intervene, holding up a hand to give them pause.
“Perhaps this is an appropriate time for us to take our respective leaves, lest we prematurely overstress the limits of our collaborative tolerances.”
Scott remains ready to pounce, but a refocused Hastings is able to redirect the pair and they depart, leaving Hastings and I alone, with Hastings very evidently aware of how near we are to an unfortunate setback.
“Well we might need a new partner after Zane snaps Dave in half in a minute or so.”
Time to get you on track, Donovan.
“You know you don’t need to pretend with this group.”
“Who’s pretending?”
“This facade you put on where you pretend to be someone you aren’t. Both of these two know who you are and what you’re capable of.”
“What’s your point?”
“There are no longer any surprises left when it comes to you. But that is the appeal at this point. I know exactly what I am getting teaming with you.”
“Is this supposed to be a compliment?”
“You misunderstand me. I saw the potential in you fifteen years ago when I first took you under my wing. You were so raw then. I could not help but be amused when you insisted on the silly “Lords of Pain” name for our tag team. You loved it so much, obviously, since you then kept it for yourself. I knew then the possibilities that existed in you. Look what happened in all the time since. Look what you have achieved. I am forced to admit I am quite proud of it.”
“And here I thought pride was a sin.”
“So it is. Perhaps you will permit my indulgence. Montague Cervantes has to be stopped, Donovan. But I am not going to be the one to do it. You are.”
He hesitates. He did not expect what I just said.
“You want ME to win the Outlast Tournament?”
“I want you to stop Cervantes. The events of the past year have forced me to reconcile the fact that my best days are all behind me. The events of the past year suggest that yours may not be. You are the person who can do this. Given the circumstances of the tournament, we have enveloped you with your strongest available allies. The “Lords of Pain” were two-time LWF Tag Team Champions. Pain and Paradox won the UGWC Cooperative Championship. You even won those same titles twice with Rydell. We are three of your fiercest rivals, yes, but also three of your most powerful allies. You have been given every resource to go into this tournament and leave triumphant.”
He hesitates again. He is trying to decide if I mean what I say. To the extent that is relevant for his purposes, I do.
“You actually mean it.”
“Cervantes has to be stopped. To fail to do so leaves us on a path on which the dire consequences are…inevitable.”
“Well, then. Let’s stop him.”
We will, Donovan. You might be the one to strike the final blow. Maybe I will. Maybe Rydell or Scott will. But regardless of who does it, I will be responsible. Me.
Phrixus Deimos. 17 Outlast Tournaments. 19 career eliminations. 6-10 team record. 3 main events.
And the man who will save UGWC.
The path to salvation has become more complicated.
The foursome that has been assembled to face us may feel slapped together, with the only true alliance being that of the returning Numinous Fate, but they are two time Cooperative Champions and formidable in their own right, with two talented temporary partners who should not be underestimated.
Dixon and Savage may not have any prior Outlast experience, but Dixon is coming off what is surely a significant confidence boost and Savage doubtless has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove after losing the Chaos Title. Rogan MacLean has won the Outlast Tournament in the past, and Lucy Wylde has never been on the losing team in a qualifying round.
I need to ensure that my own team is operating at peak efficiency.
* * * * *
The meeting is scheduled for the back office of O’Malley’s. Rydell and Scott have arrived first. Neither has noticed me, of course, biding my time in the shadows, observing until further action is necessary.
They bicker, not entirely unexpected after Rydell manage to best Scott for the Conquest Title on Synergy. A surprising outcome, to be sure, but a reminder of the pure talent that exists within in, talent that goes on untapped most of the time.
The pair appear on the brink of blows before he arrives.
Donovan Hastings. 12 Outlast Tournaments. 15 career eliminations. 5-5 team record. 4 main events. Won the 2009 Outlast Tournament as part of the LWF promotion, from which UGWC later adopted the event.
“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite cooperative partners!”
Neither is particularly pleased to see him. Hastings attempts to butter both of them up in his usual way, but neither is buying it, with Rydell going so far as to physically pin Hastings to the wall, his troublesome short fuse displaying itself again.
With this fragile alliance prematurely crumbling, I step forward from the shadows and announce my presence.
“Gentlemen, this fails to be productive.”
Rydell is startled by my appearance, while Hastings speaks to the truth, that I have been present and watching the entire time. As always.
“Perhaps we can save our aggression for Monday. I am certain we can all agree our time now is better spent in other ways.”
My purpose in speaking is to relax the tension and refocus my allies. It has the desired effect, with Rydell releasing his grip on Hastings, and Scott cautiously taking his seat as I continue.
“Remarkably, I am forced to concur with our esteemed colleague. There is only one thing that matters presently, that being the defeat of Montague Cervantes.”
“See,” remarks Donovan, “A page we can all be on together.”
“It does not matter who defeats him.”
Hastings feigns support for both of the other two, but it serves only to try their patience.
“Knock it off. Clearly we all want the same damn thing here. But we aren’t going to get there by bickering all fucking day. Now can we at least focus on the first round of this thing? I know I’m the one with the least experience in Outlast main events here, but I at least know we all have to get there if we want a chance to dethrone Montague.”
Dave Rydell. 11 Outlast Tournaments. 13 career eliminations. 5-6 team record. 2 main events.
“Perhaps not the main event, but what you and I share is an extended experience in the tournament itself. We know better than most that the qualifying match is the most immediate hurdle. If we fail to advance, the Astro Creeps will continue to spread their darkness unchecked.”
“You’re one to talk about spreading darkness,” retorts Rydell. “For 20 years that’s all I’ve seen you do. Our first round opponents are formidable to a degree. We have victories over each one of them; collectively; in some fashion or another. As long as we can be in sync against them, we can do what we must in the main event. I have seen these main events play out in very interesting ways over the years. If…when, we all make it there, we just rid ourselves of Montague and then we can do what it takes for ourselves.”
Each of the trio speaks to what drives them in the present, with Hastings taking a sidebar to attempt to manipulate Scott to no avail. None of it matters, only the outcome is relevant. I must lead them to understand this.
“I care not for your individual motivations. I care about your focus. You may not care about Cervantes, may not share my interpretation of context, but there is not one among you that does not want to hold the World Championship at the end of the night. The four individuals that we face in the qualifying round share that same goal, but I have observed them, watched them closely. I do not anticipate any of them being able to defeat Cervantes at the present time. The task falls to the four of us.”
I point at Hastings.
“Can you defeat MacLean again?”
Rogan MacLean. 4 Outlast Tournaments. 3 career eliminations. 2-1 team record. 1 main events. Won the 2017 tournament.
“Of course.”
I point at Scott.
“Can you defeat Lucy Wylde?”
Lucy Wylde. 6 Outlast Tournaments. 10 career eliminations. 6-0 team record. 5 main events.
“Yes.”
I point at Rydell.
“Can you even the score with Savage?”
Tony Savage. No history in the Outlast Tournament.
“Without question.”
“Hold on,” interrupts Hastings, “you’re keeping Dixon for yourself? Talk about stacking the deck in your own favor.”
Rydell scoffs.
“Dixon literally just beat you.”
“That obviously doesn’t count.”
“What is legitimately obviously is that there are scores to settle and immediate motivations within even this qualifying match, strengths that we can lean into. I suggest that we take advantage of them.”
“Lucy is Rogan’s weakness, and we can be certain that he wants to wipe away his last reign as Champion. Lucy hasn’t been champion in years now. That’s an obvious exploitable weakness. Savage at least wants to get through us to hopefully get to SEB, and beating him, then taking the World Championship would be quite the “one-two” night for him. Dixon has failed to take off. Imagine what winning the World Championship in his first opportunity would do for him? Their motivations are all pretty obvious, and exploitable.”
Zane Scott. 5 Outlast Tournaments. 9 career eliminations. 4-1 team record. 3 main events. Won the 2013 tournament.
“Agreed,” says Rydell. “Tony isn’t exactly soaring high in the sky by that easy pallet cleanser he got. Is Lucy even ready for a night like that? Ever since she stepped out of here, I don’t know if she’s been active in the ring at all. Besides, if she gets in the way, I’ll just hoof punt her again. And Dixon? He stole a win; a win none-the-less against Donovan, one of the legends in this company…as much as I hate to admit it. And Rogan? I think he’s just back for a payday. He won’t ever stick around long enough again to be considered full time. Part timers won’t stand a chance. I think there is a high likelihood we all end up in the main event. “
Rydell and Scott continue to discuss our opponents, as I notice that Hastings appears increasingly distracted. The loss on Synergy this past week is eating at him. Whether it is losing to Dixon or being targeted by Cervantes is unclear, but either way the inherent weakness of Donovan Hastings, his tendency to be consumed by setbacks, poses a potential risk to my cause.
The other two descend into conflict again, sniping at each other until Hastings is overcome by his delusion, interrupting them. It appears to ground the group, and presents an opening to transition us apart before any further damage can come to pass.
“I believe we all know where we stand and what we have to do.”
“I find myself in rare agreement with Deimos,” says Zane.
“Kind of like how Lucy agreed with your suspension so she didn’t have a threat to her title…how rare is that?!”
Scott appears ready to assault Rydell, but I intervene, holding up a hand to give them pause.
“Perhaps this is an appropriate time for us to take our respective leaves, lest we prematurely overstress the limits of our collaborative tolerances.”
Scott remains ready to pounce, but a refocused Hastings is able to redirect the pair and they depart, leaving Hastings and I alone, with Hastings very evidently aware of how near we are to an unfortunate setback.
“Well we might need a new partner after Zane snaps Dave in half in a minute or so.”
Time to get you on track, Donovan.
“You know you don’t need to pretend with this group.”
“Who’s pretending?”
“This facade you put on where you pretend to be someone you aren’t. Both of these two know who you are and what you’re capable of.”
“What’s your point?”
“There are no longer any surprises left when it comes to you. But that is the appeal at this point. I know exactly what I am getting teaming with you.”
“Is this supposed to be a compliment?”
“You misunderstand me. I saw the potential in you fifteen years ago when I first took you under my wing. You were so raw then. I could not help but be amused when you insisted on the silly “Lords of Pain” name for our tag team. You loved it so much, obviously, since you then kept it for yourself. I knew then the possibilities that existed in you. Look what happened in all the time since. Look what you have achieved. I am forced to admit I am quite proud of it.”
“And here I thought pride was a sin.”
“So it is. Perhaps you will permit my indulgence. Montague Cervantes has to be stopped, Donovan. But I am not going to be the one to do it. You are.”
He hesitates. He did not expect what I just said.
“You want ME to win the Outlast Tournament?”
“I want you to stop Cervantes. The events of the past year have forced me to reconcile the fact that my best days are all behind me. The events of the past year suggest that yours may not be. You are the person who can do this. Given the circumstances of the tournament, we have enveloped you with your strongest available allies. The “Lords of Pain” were two-time LWF Tag Team Champions. Pain and Paradox won the UGWC Cooperative Championship. You even won those same titles twice with Rydell. We are three of your fiercest rivals, yes, but also three of your most powerful allies. You have been given every resource to go into this tournament and leave triumphant.”
He hesitates again. He is trying to decide if I mean what I say. To the extent that is relevant for his purposes, I do.
“You actually mean it.”
“Cervantes has to be stopped. To fail to do so leaves us on a path on which the dire consequences are…inevitable.”
“Well, then. Let’s stop him.”
We will, Donovan. You might be the one to strike the final blow. Maybe I will. Maybe Rydell or Scott will. But regardless of who does it, I will be responsible. Me.
Phrixus Deimos. 17 Outlast Tournaments. 19 career eliminations. 6-10 team record. 3 main events.
And the man who will save UGWC.