TPL: F1924 (Coop Title vs Engine of Calamity)
Feb 17, 2024 17:48:26 GMT -5
TactilizingOne likes this
Post by Travis Pierce on Feb 17, 2024 17:48:26 GMT -5
The screen is dark, and a voiceover by Rob Cartwright is heard.
Cartwright: This is the true story of a group of Entertainment Professionals chosen for superiority who have had their lives taped to find out what happens when life gets…pierced…The Piercing Life.
Cartwright: Previously, on Synergy…
Footage is shown of the match between Lucy and Travis, with Seb as guest referee.
Cut to Travis in the confessional.
Pierce: Now that is what happens when a plan goes exactly as, well, planned. You see, I told Seb he couldn’t take sides, that he had to call things down the middle. We can’t go into Infinity with everybody already knowing that he’s seen the light and knows that the Piercing Media Empire has more to offer him than this Engine of Cuntamity of whatever they’re called. There’s just no drama in that, no big payoff, no jaw-dropping reveal. We need questions at this point in the story, not answers. Everybody knows how great Seb and I can be when we do a collab.
Flashback to an old episode of The Piercing Truth.
Cut back to Travis in the confessional.
Pierce: Ah, good times. And who can forget when I produced Seb’s big break in Earl and Grey? Simply an amazing production.
Cut to old footage of Seb in the confessional.
SEB: Seriously, it’s like you people want me to have nightmares. One dream sequence a week is about all I can handle.
Cut back to Travis.
Pierce: Seb likes to be modest about it all, but he looks back on it all as fondly as I do, probably even more so. He has our history together to thank for his entire career, and he knows that. He’ll be relieved when this bit of deception is behind us and everything is out in the open again.
Cut to old footage of Seb.
SEB: I guess when it comes to the Piercing Media Empire, just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in.
Cut back to Travis.
Pierce: There’s certainly a piercing irony to all this. The last time The Piercing Media Empire was Cooperative Champions, we took those titles from Lucy Wylde. Symmetry in storytelling is a good thing, often works well. At Infinity you’re going to see that play out again, as Travis and Seb taking the titles from Lucy. I do hope Rogan is watching. Honestly, there’s not all that much more to say, besides…
Cut to Seb.
SEB: Welcome…
Cut back to Travis.
Pierce: ...back, to the Piercing Empire.
“Travis!” shouted Sebastian as he walked through the hallways of the UGWC arena. “Travis!”
In the distance, Pierce was exchanging conversation with staff, but taking no notice of the shouts that came his way.
“Travis… Fucking… Pierce!” yelled Seb one more time. This time, the Icon of Entertainment stopped and turned slowly, a disapproving look on his face.
“Sebastian,” said Travis, before breaking into a smirk. “How’s the face?”
“Hilarious,” said Seb. “I want to talk to you.”
“Ready to rejoin the fold? I can have a Piercing Media Network contract written up within twenty-four hours. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since your little… Fall from Grace… At Horizons.”
“You’re actually delusional,” said Seb shaking his head. “I have no interest in coming back to the Piercing Media Network. I’d rather drag my scrotum over razor blades and then swim in vinegar. I just want to know what the fuck you’re playing at?”
Pierce glanced around and noticed something of an audience forming. And despite his liking for publicity, this was not a conversation to be had in the open.
“Let’s step inside.” Pierce said, pushing open the door to his locker room.
“You think I’m going to trust you enough to follow you in there?” asked Seb. “Pull the other one, it’s got bells on it.”
“If I wanted to attack you, I wouldn’t need to hide it. I’ve proven that before.” said Pierce. “But either my goal is to win the Cooperative Championships with you or I have some other nefarious plan that I wish to unhatch at Infinity. Either way, I’m not exactly better off by attacking you tonight am I?”
Seb rolled his tongue, before finally conceding that Pierce did, in fact, have a point. He stepped inside the locker room and Piece followed closing the door.
“Take a seat.” said Piece.
“I’m good, thanks,” said Seb. “Don’t want to end up on the network in some kind of prank show because I’ve been ejected across the room by an airbag.”
“Okay that’s a pretty good idea, I’m going to steal that.” said Piece, before pulling out a recorder. “Memo - prank show where its hidden cameras backstage in the arena.”
“Did you just use a dictaphone?” Asked Seb.
“No, it’s a recorder, and I didn’t phone anyone…” said Pierce, rolling his eyes.
“That’s not…” Seb began, exasperated, and suddenly remembering almost every conversation they’d ever had. “What are you doing, Travis?”
“Well, I’m just recovering after a challenging gruelling match and…” began Pierce.
“Oh for fuck sake, will you just be a human being for once in your life,” snapped Seb. “With the Coop match, what are you doing with the Coop match?”
“Trying to win the Cooperative Championships with my Cooperative partner,” said Pierce. “I thought that was quite clear.”
“We’re not a team, Travis! We haven’t been for god knows how long!” said Seb. “This is insane.”
“If we’re not a team, how are the two of us at the top of the Cooperative rankings? If we’re not a team, how do we have a shot at the Cooperative Championships? If we’re not a team, why do we have matching, branded Piercing Media Empire merchandise arriving just in time for Monday? Answer me that.” said Pierce.
“Because Deimos is a fucking wildcard, and you’re encouraging him.” said Seb. “Travis, this is not going to end well for either of us.”
“I disagree.” said Pierce. “Tell me, Seb, excluding this one, which was the most dominant team you were a part of.”
“Empire of the Skies.” said Seb without missing a beat. Pierce ran his tongue over his front teeth.
“After that one.” said Pierce.
“The Uncommonwealth. Hands down.” said Pierce.
“ … Other… Than… That… One…” said Pierce.
“Pretty sure I’m unbeaten teaming with Larry Tact too…” said Seb.
“I’m talking about the Piercing Media Empire, Sebastian.” said Pierce.
“I knew you were, I just wanted you to know what it felt like to have a conversation with you.” said Seb.
“… Touché.” said Pierce. “But my point is that you and I had chemistry, Sebastian. That x-factor that made us not only a great team, but the kind of team that sells merchandise and creates ratings no matter where they go. You know, deep down, that this team, our team is the one to reach new heights in this Cooperative Division.”
“If you really believed that, I wouldn’t be being forced to play this thing straight. If you really thought I believed that, then you’d be happy to let me choose.” said Seb.
“I am.” said Pierce. “I protested the decision. The last thing I want is to get stuck with Lucy Wylde as a partner.”
“Hey, she’s amazing. And she’s my BFF.” said Seb.
“And if YOU believed THAT, you wouldn’t be so upset about having to play it down the middle. You’d be happy to walk in and let the chips fall as they may. But here you are, protesting and complaining, because you’re worried that you and I will better you and Lucy.”
“Do you realise how insane this all sounds?” asked Seb. “You and I, Lucy and I? They’re not two different teams. This is a fucking triple threat match with tags.”
“Its an unorthodox contest, for sure. But one that will, in the end, decide just which team is the stronger.” said Pierce.
“Lucy and I.” said Seb.
“You keep telling yourself that, Sebastian. If you say it often enough and loud enough, maybe you’ll start to believe it.” said Pierce.
“You forget one thing, Travis.” said Seb.
“And what’s that?” Asked Pierce. Seb stepped forward, and leaned close.
“If I get you in that ring, there’s no hope for the Piercing Media Empire. Because you’ve never been good enough to beat me. And it won’t start next Monday.” said Pierce.
“But that’s the beauty of it.” said Pierce with a smile. “I don’t need to beat you - I just need to get you in the ring with Lucy. And we both know what happens when you two compete.”
“You sneaky fuck…” said Seb. “That’s your plan. Get me and Lucy in the ring at the same time, and rely on us trying to kill each other so you walk away with a title no matter what.”
“I don’t expect to spend much time in the ring, Sebastian,” said Pierce. “You better hope I don’t get the two of you in, because if I do? You’ll probably find me sat on the sixth row eating popcorn waiting for the ship to come in.”
“Alright, Travis.” said Seb nodding slowly. “I’ll do what I have to do to play this straight - but let me remind you of one thing. That stipulation lasts so long as this match does - once it’s over, you’re fair game.”
“Now is that any way to talk to one half of the future UGWC Cooperative Champions… Partner?” said Pierce with a sneering smile.
Seb’s lip twitched before he turned on his heels and stormed out of the locker room slamming the door behind him.
Cartwright: This is the true story of a group of Entertainment Professionals chosen for superiority who have had their lives taped to find out what happens when life gets…pierced…The Piercing Life.
Cartwright: Previously, on Synergy…
Footage is shown of the match between Lucy and Travis, with Seb as guest referee.
Cut to Travis in the confessional.
Pierce: Now that is what happens when a plan goes exactly as, well, planned. You see, I told Seb he couldn’t take sides, that he had to call things down the middle. We can’t go into Infinity with everybody already knowing that he’s seen the light and knows that the Piercing Media Empire has more to offer him than this Engine of Cuntamity of whatever they’re called. There’s just no drama in that, no big payoff, no jaw-dropping reveal. We need questions at this point in the story, not answers. Everybody knows how great Seb and I can be when we do a collab.
Flashback to an old episode of The Piercing Truth.
Pierce: And do you know just what that is, Sebastian, that you and I will be doing in the near future, coming soon to a show available exclusively on the Piercing Media Network?
Seb: What’s that?
Pierce: We’re going on a bear hunt!
Seb: We’re going on a bear hunt?
Pierce: We’re going to catch a big one!
Seb: We’re going to catch a big one?
Pierce: We’re not scared!
Seb: Scared of what?
Pierce: Look at the tall, wavy grass.
Seb: Hold on a second.
Seb motions for a time out.
Seb: Why are we trying to catch a bear?
Pierce: Because we need the Err Bear if we’re going to use the Dark Destroyer.
Seb stares at him for a moment.
Seb: Oh, for fu-
Seb: What’s that?
Pierce: We’re going on a bear hunt!
Seb: We’re going on a bear hunt?
Pierce: We’re going to catch a big one!
Seb: We’re going to catch a big one?
Pierce: We’re not scared!
Seb: Scared of what?
Pierce: Look at the tall, wavy grass.
Seb: Hold on a second.
Seb motions for a time out.
Seb: Why are we trying to catch a bear?
Pierce: Because we need the Err Bear if we’re going to use the Dark Destroyer.
Seb stares at him for a moment.
Seb: Oh, for fu-
Cut back to Travis in the confessional.
Pierce: Ah, good times. And who can forget when I produced Seb’s big break in Earl and Grey? Simply an amazing production.
Cut to old footage of Seb in the confessional.
SEB: Seriously, it’s like you people want me to have nightmares. One dream sequence a week is about all I can handle.
Cut back to Travis.
Pierce: Seb likes to be modest about it all, but he looks back on it all as fondly as I do, probably even more so. He has our history together to thank for his entire career, and he knows that. He’ll be relieved when this bit of deception is behind us and everything is out in the open again.
Cut to old footage of Seb.
SEB: I guess when it comes to the Piercing Media Empire, just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in.
Cut back to Travis.
Pierce: There’s certainly a piercing irony to all this. The last time The Piercing Media Empire was Cooperative Champions, we took those titles from Lucy Wylde. Symmetry in storytelling is a good thing, often works well. At Infinity you’re going to see that play out again, as Travis and Seb taking the titles from Lucy. I do hope Rogan is watching. Honestly, there’s not all that much more to say, besides…
Cut to Seb.
SEB: Welcome…
Cut back to Travis.
Pierce: ...back, to the Piercing Empire.
“Travis!” shouted Sebastian as he walked through the hallways of the UGWC arena. “Travis!”
In the distance, Pierce was exchanging conversation with staff, but taking no notice of the shouts that came his way.
“Travis… Fucking… Pierce!” yelled Seb one more time. This time, the Icon of Entertainment stopped and turned slowly, a disapproving look on his face.
“Sebastian,” said Travis, before breaking into a smirk. “How’s the face?”
“Hilarious,” said Seb. “I want to talk to you.”
“Ready to rejoin the fold? I can have a Piercing Media Network contract written up within twenty-four hours. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since your little… Fall from Grace… At Horizons.”
“You’re actually delusional,” said Seb shaking his head. “I have no interest in coming back to the Piercing Media Network. I’d rather drag my scrotum over razor blades and then swim in vinegar. I just want to know what the fuck you’re playing at?”
Pierce glanced around and noticed something of an audience forming. And despite his liking for publicity, this was not a conversation to be had in the open.
“Let’s step inside.” Pierce said, pushing open the door to his locker room.
“You think I’m going to trust you enough to follow you in there?” asked Seb. “Pull the other one, it’s got bells on it.”
“If I wanted to attack you, I wouldn’t need to hide it. I’ve proven that before.” said Pierce. “But either my goal is to win the Cooperative Championships with you or I have some other nefarious plan that I wish to unhatch at Infinity. Either way, I’m not exactly better off by attacking you tonight am I?”
Seb rolled his tongue, before finally conceding that Pierce did, in fact, have a point. He stepped inside the locker room and Piece followed closing the door.
“Take a seat.” said Piece.
“I’m good, thanks,” said Seb. “Don’t want to end up on the network in some kind of prank show because I’ve been ejected across the room by an airbag.”
“Okay that’s a pretty good idea, I’m going to steal that.” said Piece, before pulling out a recorder. “Memo - prank show where its hidden cameras backstage in the arena.”
“Did you just use a dictaphone?” Asked Seb.
“No, it’s a recorder, and I didn’t phone anyone…” said Pierce, rolling his eyes.
“That’s not…” Seb began, exasperated, and suddenly remembering almost every conversation they’d ever had. “What are you doing, Travis?”
“Well, I’m just recovering after a challenging gruelling match and…” began Pierce.
“Oh for fuck sake, will you just be a human being for once in your life,” snapped Seb. “With the Coop match, what are you doing with the Coop match?”
“Trying to win the Cooperative Championships with my Cooperative partner,” said Pierce. “I thought that was quite clear.”
“We’re not a team, Travis! We haven’t been for god knows how long!” said Seb. “This is insane.”
“If we’re not a team, how are the two of us at the top of the Cooperative rankings? If we’re not a team, how do we have a shot at the Cooperative Championships? If we’re not a team, why do we have matching, branded Piercing Media Empire merchandise arriving just in time for Monday? Answer me that.” said Pierce.
“Because Deimos is a fucking wildcard, and you’re encouraging him.” said Seb. “Travis, this is not going to end well for either of us.”
“I disagree.” said Pierce. “Tell me, Seb, excluding this one, which was the most dominant team you were a part of.”
“Empire of the Skies.” said Seb without missing a beat. Pierce ran his tongue over his front teeth.
“After that one.” said Pierce.
“The Uncommonwealth. Hands down.” said Pierce.
“ … Other… Than… That… One…” said Pierce.
“Pretty sure I’m unbeaten teaming with Larry Tact too…” said Seb.
“I’m talking about the Piercing Media Empire, Sebastian.” said Pierce.
“I knew you were, I just wanted you to know what it felt like to have a conversation with you.” said Seb.
“… Touché.” said Pierce. “But my point is that you and I had chemistry, Sebastian. That x-factor that made us not only a great team, but the kind of team that sells merchandise and creates ratings no matter where they go. You know, deep down, that this team, our team is the one to reach new heights in this Cooperative Division.”
“If you really believed that, I wouldn’t be being forced to play this thing straight. If you really thought I believed that, then you’d be happy to let me choose.” said Seb.
“I am.” said Pierce. “I protested the decision. The last thing I want is to get stuck with Lucy Wylde as a partner.”
“Hey, she’s amazing. And she’s my BFF.” said Seb.
“And if YOU believed THAT, you wouldn’t be so upset about having to play it down the middle. You’d be happy to walk in and let the chips fall as they may. But here you are, protesting and complaining, because you’re worried that you and I will better you and Lucy.”
“Do you realise how insane this all sounds?” asked Seb. “You and I, Lucy and I? They’re not two different teams. This is a fucking triple threat match with tags.”
“Its an unorthodox contest, for sure. But one that will, in the end, decide just which team is the stronger.” said Pierce.
“Lucy and I.” said Seb.
“You keep telling yourself that, Sebastian. If you say it often enough and loud enough, maybe you’ll start to believe it.” said Pierce.
“You forget one thing, Travis.” said Seb.
“And what’s that?” Asked Pierce. Seb stepped forward, and leaned close.
“If I get you in that ring, there’s no hope for the Piercing Media Empire. Because you’ve never been good enough to beat me. And it won’t start next Monday.” said Pierce.
“But that’s the beauty of it.” said Pierce with a smile. “I don’t need to beat you - I just need to get you in the ring with Lucy. And we both know what happens when you two compete.”
“You sneaky fuck…” said Seb. “That’s your plan. Get me and Lucy in the ring at the same time, and rely on us trying to kill each other so you walk away with a title no matter what.”
“I don’t expect to spend much time in the ring, Sebastian,” said Pierce. “You better hope I don’t get the two of you in, because if I do? You’ll probably find me sat on the sixth row eating popcorn waiting for the ship to come in.”
“Alright, Travis.” said Seb nodding slowly. “I’ll do what I have to do to play this straight - but let me remind you of one thing. That stipulation lasts so long as this match does - once it’s over, you’re fair game.”
“Now is that any way to talk to one half of the future UGWC Cooperative Champions… Partner?” said Pierce with a sneering smile.
Seb’s lip twitched before he turned on his heels and stormed out of the locker room slamming the door behind him.
2013, '18, '23 
2013 