Post by Alex Kiseragi on Jul 7, 2010 8:49:08 GMT -5
After Sentinel
Rage. That’s all he felt. The countless fans that filled the stands, people Alex usually carried so much love for became nothing but an ever shifting obstacle. Pierce was up ahead of him. He could still see him, having to duck and look around fans to keep him from slipping away. He tried his best to find openings, clear routes through the horde but it wasn’t always possible. A rotund man nursing a hotdog blocked his path. Alex sidestepped and shoulder barged into him, knocking him off far enough for The Dragon to squeeze through. He didn’t even look back to check he hadn’t hurt him, he didn’t have time. Up ahead Pierce disappeared through a crowd entrance. Alex picked up the pace and seconds later burst through the same arch. He had to stop and look each way allowing Travis vital moments. He spotted him again, off to the right and sped off after him. No matter how much he pushed, the burning in his legs was becoming too much. He was sure he was the greater athlete but Travis had had time to recover while Alex hadn’t even had time to think since his battle with Felix. He had to slow him down. His eyes scanned the hallways as he ran and settled on a pile of discarded beer bottles that someone hadn’t been bothered to properly dispose of. He ducked as he ran and swept one up by the neck. As he straightened up he turned side on and let it fly. Up ahead Travis ducked around a corner as the bottle broke harmlessly on the wall now a foot behind him. Alex cursed as he set off after him again. He passed the broken bottle shards and rounded the corner. Nothing. He jogged up to another junction leading three ways. Still nothing. A crewman made to walk past him. Alex’s hands shot out and grabbed him by the collar.
“Which way did he go!?” Alex barked in his face.
The crewman was stunned and fumbled to respond. “Wh-who?” he stammered.
Alex stood a step forward and shoved the guy back into the wall. “Pierce!” he barked again. “Which way did he go!?”
“I-I-I don’t know. I haven’t seen him.”
Alex released him and the crewman scrambled away. Alex stood with his hands on his hips, pacing around the junction idly looking down each route, breathing deeply. With a sudden roar he hefted up a trash can and launched it into the wall. The top came off and empty food and drink containers erupted from the opening, spraying out across the floor.
“Dammit!” he shouted. He exhaled loudly, put his hands on his hips and slowly shook his head before dejectedly heading back towards the locker room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later That Night
It was dark, they could see the deep night sky out of the car park entrance. Duncan had long since given up waiting for Prescott and Savana to show up and was now sitting on the chair he had originally acquired as a weapon. Even Johnny’s conviction had started to wane. The vice grip he had held the steel pipe with for so long had loosened and his feet shuffled uneasily.
“They’re not coming.” Duncan said for seemingly the hundredth time.
“Of course they’re coming. Their car is right here.” Johnny snapped back, pointing to it with the pole in his hand.
“Look around.” Duncan said. “No-ones here. The show finished hours ago.”
Johnny looked around indoor car park. Of all the assorted vehicles that had been there before there were only two left. One of them was the Royal 1st’s own Camero.
“See.” Duncan added smugly.
“Fine.” Johnny finally conceded reluctantly. His arms slackened and a loud metallic bang echoed off the bare stone walls as the tip of the pipe hit the ground. Without a word he swung around, lifting the pipe into the air and brought it down on the left side rear view mirror, breaking it clean off. The second swing shattered the drivers side window. Two more overhead swings left superficial dents in the hood. His outburst over he tossed the pipe aside creating another loud echoing clatter as it bounced and rolled towards the wall. “Let’s go.” he said as he strode off towards their own car.
“About time.” Duncan mumbled as he traipsed off after him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Week
Alex’s car passed through the streets of Los Angeles, blended entirely into the traffic. From outside no-one would know who was inside or where it was about to go. Or why it was going there.
“I need to make a quick stop on the way.” Alex said, turning his head for just a split second to look at Katie sat in the passenger seat before getting his eyes back on the road.
“Where?” she asked idly.
“It’s not important.”
“Is it a surprise?”
“It shouldn’t be.”
Katie frowned a little. She liked surprises but she wasn’t entirely sure about this one. She decided to change the subject.
“So you’re teaming with Travis Roberts this week huh?”
“Yeah.” Alex said, a slight smile creeping at the edge of his mouth. “Weird. If you’d told me that a year ago I’d have laughed in your face.”
“Charming.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You guys have a lot of history.” Katie stated.
“Yeah but right now I’m inclined to say it’s just that, history. We haven’t clashed in a long time and he’s not the same guy he was a year ago.”
“Are you sure about that?” Katie asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well you were getting pretty close with Hastings not long ago and now look at him.”
“And what does that mean?” Alex frowned.
“Alex he spent the last show trying to take out the guys who could challenge him.”
“Phrixus has had it in for him for months and he just pinned him to the floor. It’s hardly a big deal.” Alex said.
“And dropped Felix on his head after your match.”
“He- wait, what?” Alex stammered.
“After you ran off after Pierce he attacked Derek Felix, right there in the ring.”
“Well- That’s his business. I’ve got bigger things to worry about. I’ve got a chance to show Pierce that getting involved with me again was a mistake and at the same time I can try to put one over on Russo. Maybe I can still earn myself a rematch for the Cross-Hemisphere title. Here we are.”
The car pulled up and Alex made to get out. “Wait here.” he said as he opened the door. He walked around to the back and opened the trunk. Inside, Katie had been idly looking around when she looked out of the drivers side window. Her eyes opened wide and she practically jumped out of the car. She ran around the front just as Alex slammed the trunk shut, revealing the wooden training sword he used to carry so often, clenched firmly in his fist. He strode purposefully but she ran and got in front of him, blocking his path to the building, the studio where the Piercing Truth was recorded on a weekly basis.
“Alex what are you doing?” she asked desperately planting her hands on his chest to hold him back.
He didn’t try to fight. He seemed calm. “I’m showing Pierce that getting involved with me again was a mistake.” he said and took a step to go around her. She moved with him, staying in his way. “You don’t keep a man from his shot at the World Heavyweight Title and expect to get away with it. He’s got to learn that.”
“By sneak attacking him? That’s not you Alex. You know that.” Katie pleaded.
“Who said anything about a sneak attack? No I’m going to hit him right between his eyes.” Alex said and made to get past again, but again, she blocked his path.
“Alex you’ve been here before and it never leads anywhere good. I know it’s hard when people get under your skin like this but this isn’t the way to go about it and you know it. It happened with BoolZ and you both ended up flying out of a third storey window. It happened with Crimson Ghost and you got scarred for life. Where will it end this time?”
Alex resolve visibly waned. His gaze at the building broke and he started to look around randomly. He lowered the weapon and for the first time took a step back.
“You can kick his ass we both know that. Everyone knows that. That’s why he’s trying to get at you all the time. You don’t need to go around trying to pull stunts like this, he‘ll just use it against you. You’ve got a match with him this week. Just wait, prepare yourself and prove again that he’s got nothing on you.”
Alex slowly began to nod. He held the weapon up and Katie took it from him. “You’re right.” he said. “You’re right. Let’s go. I’ve got a match to get ready for right?” He turned back and made to get back in the car.
“Right.” Katie said with a smile.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile
Duncan sat on the couch of the Royal 1st Battalion’s apartment, a laptop computer open, appropriately, on his lap. The door opened and Johnny returned. From where we don’t know and it’s very unlikely he would tell us.
“Hey.” Duncan said without looking up. Johnny merely grunted in response. “Take a look at this.” he added. Johnny ignored him. “Johnny, look.” Duncan called after him again as his partner disappeared into the kitchen. “Someone got naked pictures of Nigella Lawson!” Johnny reappeared to Duncan’s obvious amusement and stood behind the sofa to look at the screen.
“Where?” he asked.
“Oh, that was a…lie.” Duncan replied, flinching even before Johnny inevitably slapped him around the back of the head and made to walk away again. “Just look.” Duncan said.
“What is it?” Johnny asked irritably.
“The poll for the Cooperative Title Challengers for In Your Hands. We’re in it.”
“I should bloody well hope so. How’s it looking so far?”
“Well um…” Duncan hesitated. “So far Prescott and Savana are way out front.”
“Oh well that’s just bloody typical. Who do they think they are? They think they can just pop back up and get a title shot straight away?”
“Um, we kinda did that too.” Duncan pointed out.
“Will you shut up!” Johnny snapped at him. “I’m trying to make a point. They think they can show up and get a title shot after we’ve been busting our asses to get another one for months. Where are we in this vote anyway?”
“We’re…last. We basically have no votes.”
“Last? Well who the bloody hell else is in it?”
“Just The Aussie Rebels, Crash and Burn, Midday Oil. Whatever they call themselves. JK and Enigma basically.”
“Well that’s just great. Even the Aussie retards have more votes than us.”
“Yeah but they’ve still got so few it seems the only people who could have voted for them are themselves, blood relatives and close personal friends.” Duncan explained.
Johnny had started to pace behind the sofa. “Well, I think it’s time we turned this vote around don’t you?”
“Uh, well we can vote for ourselves but that’s not going to be enough to change anything.”
“You muppet.”
“Or we can start a campaign. Get our names out there. Show people why we deserve the shot. That could work right?” Duncan said, getting slightly excited.
“You’re such a ponce. We want that title shot we’re going to have to do it the Republican way. We’ll fix it.”
“Oooh, topical, ten years ago.” Duncan replied sarcastically.
“Just shut it and listen. If we want to get a title shot we’ll just have to make ourselves the only ones people can vote for.” Johnny began.
“Well we might be able to find some hackers or something who’d rig the system.” Duncan started pondering.
“You stupid- We’ve already got Prescott and Savana next week right. What if it by the end of the show, Prescott and Savana can’t make it to In Your Hands. Then what if next week we get ourselves a little match with The Aussie Retards. Then after next week, they can’t make it to In Your Hands either. Then who’s left.”
“We are.”
“You get me now?” Johnny asked, condescendingly.
“Loud and clear.”
“Good.” Johnny said. “I can’t have you arsing about. Come Monday we can’t just beat those two. We’ve got to take…them…out.”
“But, how?”
“How we always do. By any means necessary.”
Rage. That’s all he felt. The countless fans that filled the stands, people Alex usually carried so much love for became nothing but an ever shifting obstacle. Pierce was up ahead of him. He could still see him, having to duck and look around fans to keep him from slipping away. He tried his best to find openings, clear routes through the horde but it wasn’t always possible. A rotund man nursing a hotdog blocked his path. Alex sidestepped and shoulder barged into him, knocking him off far enough for The Dragon to squeeze through. He didn’t even look back to check he hadn’t hurt him, he didn’t have time. Up ahead Pierce disappeared through a crowd entrance. Alex picked up the pace and seconds later burst through the same arch. He had to stop and look each way allowing Travis vital moments. He spotted him again, off to the right and sped off after him. No matter how much he pushed, the burning in his legs was becoming too much. He was sure he was the greater athlete but Travis had had time to recover while Alex hadn’t even had time to think since his battle with Felix. He had to slow him down. His eyes scanned the hallways as he ran and settled on a pile of discarded beer bottles that someone hadn’t been bothered to properly dispose of. He ducked as he ran and swept one up by the neck. As he straightened up he turned side on and let it fly. Up ahead Travis ducked around a corner as the bottle broke harmlessly on the wall now a foot behind him. Alex cursed as he set off after him again. He passed the broken bottle shards and rounded the corner. Nothing. He jogged up to another junction leading three ways. Still nothing. A crewman made to walk past him. Alex’s hands shot out and grabbed him by the collar.
“Which way did he go!?” Alex barked in his face.
The crewman was stunned and fumbled to respond. “Wh-who?” he stammered.
Alex stood a step forward and shoved the guy back into the wall. “Pierce!” he barked again. “Which way did he go!?”
“I-I-I don’t know. I haven’t seen him.”
Alex released him and the crewman scrambled away. Alex stood with his hands on his hips, pacing around the junction idly looking down each route, breathing deeply. With a sudden roar he hefted up a trash can and launched it into the wall. The top came off and empty food and drink containers erupted from the opening, spraying out across the floor.
“Dammit!” he shouted. He exhaled loudly, put his hands on his hips and slowly shook his head before dejectedly heading back towards the locker room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later That Night
It was dark, they could see the deep night sky out of the car park entrance. Duncan had long since given up waiting for Prescott and Savana to show up and was now sitting on the chair he had originally acquired as a weapon. Even Johnny’s conviction had started to wane. The vice grip he had held the steel pipe with for so long had loosened and his feet shuffled uneasily.
“They’re not coming.” Duncan said for seemingly the hundredth time.
“Of course they’re coming. Their car is right here.” Johnny snapped back, pointing to it with the pole in his hand.
“Look around.” Duncan said. “No-ones here. The show finished hours ago.”
Johnny looked around indoor car park. Of all the assorted vehicles that had been there before there were only two left. One of them was the Royal 1st’s own Camero.
“See.” Duncan added smugly.
“Fine.” Johnny finally conceded reluctantly. His arms slackened and a loud metallic bang echoed off the bare stone walls as the tip of the pipe hit the ground. Without a word he swung around, lifting the pipe into the air and brought it down on the left side rear view mirror, breaking it clean off. The second swing shattered the drivers side window. Two more overhead swings left superficial dents in the hood. His outburst over he tossed the pipe aside creating another loud echoing clatter as it bounced and rolled towards the wall. “Let’s go.” he said as he strode off towards their own car.
“About time.” Duncan mumbled as he traipsed off after him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Week
Alex’s car passed through the streets of Los Angeles, blended entirely into the traffic. From outside no-one would know who was inside or where it was about to go. Or why it was going there.
“I need to make a quick stop on the way.” Alex said, turning his head for just a split second to look at Katie sat in the passenger seat before getting his eyes back on the road.
“Where?” she asked idly.
“It’s not important.”
“Is it a surprise?”
“It shouldn’t be.”
Katie frowned a little. She liked surprises but she wasn’t entirely sure about this one. She decided to change the subject.
“So you’re teaming with Travis Roberts this week huh?”
“Yeah.” Alex said, a slight smile creeping at the edge of his mouth. “Weird. If you’d told me that a year ago I’d have laughed in your face.”
“Charming.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You guys have a lot of history.” Katie stated.
“Yeah but right now I’m inclined to say it’s just that, history. We haven’t clashed in a long time and he’s not the same guy he was a year ago.”
“Are you sure about that?” Katie asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well you were getting pretty close with Hastings not long ago and now look at him.”
“And what does that mean?” Alex frowned.
“Alex he spent the last show trying to take out the guys who could challenge him.”
“Phrixus has had it in for him for months and he just pinned him to the floor. It’s hardly a big deal.” Alex said.
“And dropped Felix on his head after your match.”
“He- wait, what?” Alex stammered.
“After you ran off after Pierce he attacked Derek Felix, right there in the ring.”
“Well- That’s his business. I’ve got bigger things to worry about. I’ve got a chance to show Pierce that getting involved with me again was a mistake and at the same time I can try to put one over on Russo. Maybe I can still earn myself a rematch for the Cross-Hemisphere title. Here we are.”
The car pulled up and Alex made to get out. “Wait here.” he said as he opened the door. He walked around to the back and opened the trunk. Inside, Katie had been idly looking around when she looked out of the drivers side window. Her eyes opened wide and she practically jumped out of the car. She ran around the front just as Alex slammed the trunk shut, revealing the wooden training sword he used to carry so often, clenched firmly in his fist. He strode purposefully but she ran and got in front of him, blocking his path to the building, the studio where the Piercing Truth was recorded on a weekly basis.
“Alex what are you doing?” she asked desperately planting her hands on his chest to hold him back.
He didn’t try to fight. He seemed calm. “I’m showing Pierce that getting involved with me again was a mistake.” he said and took a step to go around her. She moved with him, staying in his way. “You don’t keep a man from his shot at the World Heavyweight Title and expect to get away with it. He’s got to learn that.”
“By sneak attacking him? That’s not you Alex. You know that.” Katie pleaded.
“Who said anything about a sneak attack? No I’m going to hit him right between his eyes.” Alex said and made to get past again, but again, she blocked his path.
“Alex you’ve been here before and it never leads anywhere good. I know it’s hard when people get under your skin like this but this isn’t the way to go about it and you know it. It happened with BoolZ and you both ended up flying out of a third storey window. It happened with Crimson Ghost and you got scarred for life. Where will it end this time?”
Alex resolve visibly waned. His gaze at the building broke and he started to look around randomly. He lowered the weapon and for the first time took a step back.
“You can kick his ass we both know that. Everyone knows that. That’s why he’s trying to get at you all the time. You don’t need to go around trying to pull stunts like this, he‘ll just use it against you. You’ve got a match with him this week. Just wait, prepare yourself and prove again that he’s got nothing on you.”
Alex slowly began to nod. He held the weapon up and Katie took it from him. “You’re right.” he said. “You’re right. Let’s go. I’ve got a match to get ready for right?” He turned back and made to get back in the car.
“Right.” Katie said with a smile.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile
Duncan sat on the couch of the Royal 1st Battalion’s apartment, a laptop computer open, appropriately, on his lap. The door opened and Johnny returned. From where we don’t know and it’s very unlikely he would tell us.
“Hey.” Duncan said without looking up. Johnny merely grunted in response. “Take a look at this.” he added. Johnny ignored him. “Johnny, look.” Duncan called after him again as his partner disappeared into the kitchen. “Someone got naked pictures of Nigella Lawson!” Johnny reappeared to Duncan’s obvious amusement and stood behind the sofa to look at the screen.
“Where?” he asked.
“Oh, that was a…lie.” Duncan replied, flinching even before Johnny inevitably slapped him around the back of the head and made to walk away again. “Just look.” Duncan said.
“What is it?” Johnny asked irritably.
“The poll for the Cooperative Title Challengers for In Your Hands. We’re in it.”
“I should bloody well hope so. How’s it looking so far?”
“Well um…” Duncan hesitated. “So far Prescott and Savana are way out front.”
“Oh well that’s just bloody typical. Who do they think they are? They think they can just pop back up and get a title shot straight away?”
“Um, we kinda did that too.” Duncan pointed out.
“Will you shut up!” Johnny snapped at him. “I’m trying to make a point. They think they can show up and get a title shot after we’ve been busting our asses to get another one for months. Where are we in this vote anyway?”
“We’re…last. We basically have no votes.”
“Last? Well who the bloody hell else is in it?”
“Just The Aussie Rebels, Crash and Burn, Midday Oil. Whatever they call themselves. JK and Enigma basically.”
“Well that’s just great. Even the Aussie retards have more votes than us.”
“Yeah but they’ve still got so few it seems the only people who could have voted for them are themselves, blood relatives and close personal friends.” Duncan explained.
Johnny had started to pace behind the sofa. “Well, I think it’s time we turned this vote around don’t you?”
“Uh, well we can vote for ourselves but that’s not going to be enough to change anything.”
“You muppet.”
“Or we can start a campaign. Get our names out there. Show people why we deserve the shot. That could work right?” Duncan said, getting slightly excited.
“You’re such a ponce. We want that title shot we’re going to have to do it the Republican way. We’ll fix it.”
“Oooh, topical, ten years ago.” Duncan replied sarcastically.
“Just shut it and listen. If we want to get a title shot we’ll just have to make ourselves the only ones people can vote for.” Johnny began.
“Well we might be able to find some hackers or something who’d rig the system.” Duncan started pondering.
“You stupid- We’ve already got Prescott and Savana next week right. What if it by the end of the show, Prescott and Savana can’t make it to In Your Hands. Then what if next week we get ourselves a little match with The Aussie Retards. Then after next week, they can’t make it to In Your Hands either. Then who’s left.”
“We are.”
“You get me now?” Johnny asked, condescendingly.
“Loud and clear.”
“Good.” Johnny said. “I can’t have you arsing about. Come Monday we can’t just beat those two. We’ve got to take…them…out.”
“But, how?”
“How we always do. By any means necessary.”
x2
