Post by Alex Richards on Nov 8, 2015 13:49:47 GMT -5
Alex Richards sits glumly in a dimly lit, dirty bar. His type of place normally. But it doesn't seem to be doing it for him today. His half brother slash cameraman slash friend Shaun Zach Richards sits across from him trying his best to cheer Alex up. Alex however has his own way of cheering himself up. He has a bottle of El Toro Tequila. He likes it because of the plastic hat on top of the bottle, and a pair of limes which he crushes in his bare hands before tossing them into one of his finest Drinking boots. Which of course are most people's wearing boots. He dumps in a generous amount of Tequila.. then doubles it. Then downs his lime and tequila mixture in one gulp. Shaun looks at him, expecting something. Shaun's face falls in disappointment as Alex continues to look listless, discouraged.
SZR: Normally a good, stiff drink cheers you up. But you had five tonight. What's wrong Alex?
Alex Richards: What's wrong Zach? What's right?
Shaun waits for Alex to continue but he doesn't. He simply stares at the boot. As if trying to collect his thoughts or make sense of things.
Alex Richards: I thought we could turn things around last week. We couldn't. I couldn't convince Jay Omega to stay. I couldn't stop NVL from injuring Jeff Purse. I couldn't help Dexter and Gunther win our 6 man match last week. I couldn't do anything when the Beach Krew fired Corey Black. What can I do Zach? Where did it all go wrong?
SZR: What are you going to do Alex.
Alex Richards: The one thing that's unthinkable, unmentionable. The one thing I thought I would never do..
SZR: You can't. You love being a member of Pantheon.
Alex Richards: I know Zach. That's what makes it so hard. That's why I have to...
The scene freezes and jumps... to somewhere different, somewhere seemingly random.
Holy strobe lights Batman! The flashing orange and black lighting combination is probably enough to cause a seizure for ordinary people. But this is far from the strangest thing in this scene. There also appears to be a smoke machine to set the move. Actually about 5 smoke machines would create what appears to be indoor fog. Also bobbing up and down on massive strings, or cords or.. no wait I think there are slinkies are pumpkins, rats, rubber spiders, black cats, and witches. Just to add to the scene is music playing at a deafening volume. A volume so loud you shouldn't be able to hear anyone over it. However strangely enough you can see the voices of two men. The only two men you can see through the smoke actually. With a scene this strange do you expect anyone else besides Alex Richards and Shaun Zach Richards? Didn't think so.
SZR: Flying Purple People Eater?
Alex Richards: What's it's my favorite Halloween song!
SZR: Did you have to use the extra annoying Alvin and the Chipmunks version?
Alex Richards: Since we are in the era of the Bitch Krew extra annoying is in style. Besides it's much stranger. And with me, strange is always in season.
SZR: You mean strange like holding a Halloween party.. the week after Halloween!
Alex Richards: No, that would be lame. This is a Hallo-Mas party. Did you not notice the tree?
And indeed the Orange.. and now Orange, and Black and red and green lights all of the sudden illuminate the far corner of the massive room. Which reveals a fully decked out Christmas tree with red and green colored lights on it, orange and black Christmas balls and candy bars hanging from the branches.
SZR: Aren't those supposed to be candy canes?
Alex Richards: Who eats candy canes? Candy bars are much better!
Alex indeed walks over and peels off a Snickers bar and begins to snack. Meanwhile Shaun has probably gotten curious picks up a box and unwraps it. Revealing.. a case of Whoop Ass beer. Shaun probably reacts but we can't really see it. We do hear a snort however. But curiosity again gets the better of him causing him to unveil a second box this time revealing a Texas mickey filled with Zim-Quila.
SZR: These are Christmas presents?
Alex Richards: Santy knows what I like. By the way, your costume sucks Zach.
Shaun puts his hands on his hips and probably shakes his head. You can sort of tell he did that in spite of the fact he appears to be wearing a sheet with eye holes cut out.
SZR: You told me about this party ten minutes ago. What did you expect on short notice? Besides at least you can tell I'm a ghost. What are you?
Alex Richards: How do you not get it?
Alex snaps his fingers and a second spotlight of Halloween orange light shines down on him. Revealing his costume which appears to be a large Jay Leno costume chin, giant black sunglasses, and a shirt and pants that are absolutely caked with dirt.
Alex Richards: How can you not tell I went as Grime? Okay let me try again...
Alex snaps his fingers and now he is transformed.. wearing a purple pants suit, a wispy mustache and an upside down cross on his lapel.
SZR: A weird satanist of some kind?
Alex Richards: Close, I'll give you a hint... think purple rain.
SZR: Oh god, Dark Prince?
Alex Richards: No, wrong again! Still Grime!
SZR: But you're Dark Prince...
Alex Richards: Same diff! I'll give you one more chance to redeem yourself Zach! Now watch closely..
Alex snaps his fingers again and this time he is wearing a green zip up jumpsuit with the top gun logo on it, aviator glasses and carrying a single red rose.
SZR: You're Grime right?
Alex Richards: No, of course not! I'm Ace Maverick. You're really bad at this Zach.
ENOUGH!
The single word from a single, incredibly hoarse and raspy voice somehow echoes over all the music and noise.. actually at that very second the music stopped. We hear a loud dragging sound and see a large man enter the room dragging his badly damaged charred black leg behind him. The rest of his body doesn't seem to have fared much better. It as also burnt nearly as black with some oozing red patches. His face is burnt beyond recognation. Alex looks at the man with respect.
Alex Richards: Now that's a costume Zach!
SZR: Um.. I don't think it's a costume.
Man: It's time for you to go Shaun.
SZR: I didn't tell you my..
Shaun can't even finish the sentence as the man motions to the ceiling and the chandelier comes crashing down hard right on top of the form of Shaun Zach Richards who instantly crumples to the ground, completely motionless.
Alex Richards: You killed him!
The burned man snorts and laughs bitterly, which quickly turns into a cough.
Man: He's not that lucky.
Alex ignores him, quickly ripping off the chandelier and then lifting up the white sheet that was Shaun's costume, only to reveal... absolutely nothing beneath.
Man: I said it was time for him to go. I didn't say I was going to hurt him.
Alex Richards: Who are you?
Man: I'm you. From the future.
Alex Richards: No, you're not. I've met me from the future. He has hair, no tattoos, is a lot saner than me. You are none of those things.
Man: I'm not THAT you! I'm you from a different future! I'm you from the path you are considering embarking on!
Alex Richards: I don't use words like that.
Burnt Alex: You would if you had as much time to choose your words as I do. I'm here to stop you from making a horrible, catalytic decision. I know what you're going to do.. I know you Alex, shit I am you, or at least a version of you. And I know that you are no quitter.
Alex Richards: I'm not quitting! I'm leaving Pantheon because I have failed. Because my best efforts were not good enough!
Burnt Alex: No.. I have failed. You haven't failed yet. That's why I'm here. I show you where you went wrong. To show you what happens if you quit Pantheon. If you give up.
Alex Richards: That's the very reason I'm leaving Pantheon. They need better men then me. I don't cut it. I have failed the group. I was unable to accomplish what previous members did for Pantheon. I couldn't do that for them! So I'm stepping aside. So a new generation can lead Pantheon back to greatness! Pantheon is the most resilent stable in the world! Life will go on for them!
Burnt Alex: That's what you think...
Alex Richards: You're telling me there isn't going to be a new generation of Pantheon?
Burnt Alex: I'm telling you you'll wish there wasn't a new generation of Pantheon. What's the absolute worst thing you could imagine happening to Pantheon?
Alex doesn't even hesitate. He has an answer instantly.
Alex Richards: Jayson Price and Torture taking over Pantheon. I could see Jayson doing that out of revenge and Torture has a big enough ego that he might want to finally get into Pantheon. But they wouldn't destroy it, because that would hurt them.
Burnt Alex: Funny you should mention Jayson Price.
Alex Richards: Ha! Knew it! I was right!
Burnt Alex: Not even close. The Man Made Gods would be a massive step up. You want to see what happens to Pantheon after you leave? I'll show you..
Alex and his charred future self are transported in front of a dressing room, actually it's the boiler room. There is helpfully a piece of paper taped to the door identifying it as the Pantheon locker. Alex looks confused.
Alex Richards: Isn't this normally the area where the jobbers are sent?
Burnt Alex: It's still the area where the jobbers are sent.
Alex looks horrified.
Alex Richards: Who is in Pantheon?
AWOOO! Is heard coming from the locker room.
Alex Richards: Wolf? Wolf is a member of Pantheon now?
Burnt Alex: Wolf isn't a member of Pantheon.
Alex Richards: Thank god.
Burnt Alex: Wolf is one of the leaders of Pantheon along with Occulo.
Alex Richards: What? That can't be!
Burnt Alex: Sure it can. You left Pantheon after what you consider this week. Does it not make sense you would have lost this week?
Alex Richards: I don't know. I lost to Wolf and Occulo? I would have thought I could beat them on my worst day. I mean isn't Occulo the guy who called in sick every month for a month in order to train for Jay Omega then still lost? Including calling in sick for XIII? He missed a XIII for absolutely nothing? How could these guys beat me and Dex? Beat Pantheon?
Burnt Alex: Why do you think they were scheduled to face you. At your absolute lowest point. After you and Dexter Radcliffe were the final two members of Pantheon on the active roster. They weren't chosen because of their high talent level. They were chosen because of their lack of talent. They were chosen because they would be the worst possible choice to beat Pantheon on their way out.
Alex Richards: And now... they lead Pantheon?
Burnt Alex: Yeah, Dexter and myself were defeated by them, you left the WCF, left Pantheon. But Seth Lerch had trademarks on the Pantheon name so the group stuck around. But it was never a serious force again. Wolf and Occulo, the men who defeated you in your last match in wrestling took control. And.. everything went downhill.. everything went downhill fast. Neither of them are leaders, they just exist. Seth and the Beach Krew they knew that, they wanted to destroy Pantheon but couldn't do it by simply disbanding Pantheon.
Alex Richards:Because it would still always be remembered as the stable of legends, hall of famers, world champions.
Burnt Alex: So they turned it into a joke. Wolf and Occulo, sadly enough they are the good members of the new Pantheon.
The door swings open and two men step out of the locker room obviously ready for the opening cluster fuck match. Or maybe the dark match. Alex instantly recognizes them. The goatee clad, short haired “Original Psychopath” Jack Page, but now is is wearing an outfit that looks stolen from MC Hammer. Purple is the color of Pantheon but I doubt anyone meant purple parachute pants. Or for that matter a purple jacket that looks like and probably is a purple windbreaker. And a gold colored undershirt just to add to the stupidity of his look.
Alex Richards: How the hell did he get into Pantheon? He didn't even come close to winning the Cut-Theon! And what the hell is he wearing? If I was dressed like that I would think I lost a drunken bar bet.
Burnt Alex: They aren't exactly an in demand stable to join these days. But as for the outfit it's his new gimmick. “The Original Psychopath Records” Jack Page.
Alex Richards: Seriously? Pantheon has a member representing the insane clown posse? Are you fucking kidding me?
Burnt Alex: That's not even the worst part, his outfit has nothing to do with the insane clown posse or psychopath records. It's like a generic early 90s rap rip off. I mean could you expect something creative or clever from a name who calls himself Wolf. He obviously has no imagination. And his vision of Pantheon is just as sad as you would have thought.
The second walks by wearing what appears to be a GI.. but it is made entirely out of taco bell wrappers. Jack Daniel Case, Jay Omega's candidate for the Cut-Theon warms up on his way to the ring doing some weak, poorly executed martial arts kicks. The formerly well conditioned martial arts expert now appears to be at least 70 pounds overweight.
Alex Richards: Jack Case? What happened to him?
Burnt Alex: Pantheon now lives and trains out of the Taco Bell he used to manage. Actually the fact he provided a place from them to crash is the only reason he got into Pantheon. Lord knows it wasn't his stellar win/loss record.
Alex Richards: What about Price Towers?
The crispy future version of Alex shudders at the thought.
Burnt Alex: We'll get to that eventually. Far too soon in fact. But listen... do you hear that?
A much louder, more steroid inspired sounding AWWOOOOOO comes from the locker room, followed by a hiss as ooze begins to eat through the cheaply made door.
Alex Richards: They couldn't be...
Burnt Alex: They are...
Alex Richards: Biowalker... in Pantheon? What could be worse..
As if to answer Alex's question loud music begins to play, The Ultimate Warrior's theme song which sounds like it's been blasted through an 80s boombox by the way.
Alex Richards: It's not.. The Ultimate Destroyer? Pantheon is Wolf, Occulo, Jack Page, Jack Case, Biowalker and the Ultimate Destroyer?
Alex sighs in relief.
Alex Richards: I knew it! I knew this was a joke. I knew that couldn't possibly be true! I mean first off where is Dexter Radcliffe? And second, and more importantly... Corey Black would never allow this! I know the Beach Krew might be in charge now but as soon as they were out of control Corey Black would have come back. And he would never allow this... this disgrace to be made of the Pantheon name.
Burnt Alex: You're right.. he wouldn't.
Alex Richards: EXACTLY!
Burnt Alex: Too bad he never returned to the WCF.
Alex Richards: You kidding? The heart and soul of Pantheon never returned?
Burnt Alex: When you left Pantheon there was nothing left until Seth rebuilt it as a joke. He was able to release Dexter Radcliffe because he claimed his only value was as a prospect within Pantheon's rank. When you left, you took that away. So the one last person on the roster who cared about Pantheon's legacy was released. With Pantheon out of sight, Seth never had to resign Corey Black. So he didn't. Is it really a surprise? Seth formed groups with the sole reason of destroying Pantheon. He aligned with groups such as the Beach Krew, and the Vapor Kings because they went after Pantheon. But they could never destroy Pantheon... until Pantheon destroyed itself. You know how bad things got for Pantheon? Honest Abe Lincoln himself left Pantheon.
Alex Richards: You mean we even lost our honorary president?
Burnt Alex: Oh no.. they managed to find a replacement for him...
Smoke billows on screen again.. you would think the horrible disfigured and burned version of Alex Richards would use something else to transport but apparently not. We see... Alex groans..
Alex Richards: Richard Nixon? Seriously?
The mysterious Pantheon theme Hail To The Chief remix starts to play as Richard Nixon begins to speak.
Richard Nixon: In my opinion this is the best version of Pantheon ever. It is still the world's mightiest stable. This is merely the Post Watergate version of Pantheon. What makes it better you ask? Unlike the American public they didn't get rid of me!
Richard Nixon gives his trademark V for Victory hand signal as even charred Alex snorts in disgust, waves his hand and Richard disappears in a puff of smoke.
Alex Richards: So... I was the final nail in Pantheon's coffin? But they can rebuild. I mean we might all be gone but that doesn't mean there can't be a comeback...
Burnt Alex: You might think that... but you would be wrong. Dead wrong.. literally dead wrong. You;re thinking... Corey Black could come back... he could save Pantheon, the group he worked so hard for.
Alex Richards: Of course he could!
Burnt Alex: But this isn't what happened..
Flames shoot up and smoke engulfs the hallway. It quickly clears revealing Corey Black in what appears to be a bar. He is seated at the bar's one long table. By himself. At the head of the table. Corey looks at his drink... a 2 litre bottle of Diet Coke. Then he turns his head and screams at the bartender.
Corey Black: Line em up!
Bartender: Line them up?
Corey Black:One bottle is not enough! I need a dozen... LINE EM UP!
Bartender: Are you sure?
Corey Black: I'm paying for them aren't I? And I said line them up!
The bartender scrambles and produces an extra 11 2 litre bottles which Corey proceeds to drink deeply from. Drinking even faster as he shakes his head noticing the edition of Slam on the television behind the bar stools.
Burnt Alex: Corey Black.. can't come back.. not now. Not ever. Because Corey Black died of a Coke overdose.
Alex Richards: That's not a real thing..
Burnt Alex: That's what he said..
The smoke again appears this time we are transported to what appears to be a doctor's office where a young, but yet still balding sort of shady looking doctor is checking Corey out shining a light down his tongue.
Doctor: Mister Black, I'm telling you for your own health. You have to cut down on the Diet Coke. It can cause bone density problems, hallucinations, the amount of pure caffeine can do frightening things to your system.
Corey Black: You're telling me Diet Coke is bad for my health? Are you sure doc? Because I think telling me to cut down on Diet Coke is bad for your health.
And with that Corey grabs the doctor and before he can get in a word of protest Creeping Death nails a brutal burning hammer onto the doctor right through his own examination table!
Alex Richards: Right on! He showed him!
Burnt Alex: He died of a massive heart attack. Corey was the healthiest member of Pantheon. He didn't drink, he didn't abuse drugs. But the destruction of Pantheon lead to him over indulgencing in his one vice. His ultimate downfall.
Alex looks shocked and shaken.
Alex Richards: How could that happen? He was our leader.. he was the one who always had a plan..
Burnt Alex: How did it happen? Without wrestling, without Pantheon he lost his identity. We all did.
Alex shakes his head mournfully.
Burnt Alex: He was lucky. At least he died doing something he loved. Drinking diet soda and giving someone a burning hammer. The rest of you... not nearly so lucky.
Alex Richards: You mean.. we all died?
Burnt Alex: Oh, not all of us...
Alex waves his hand again and this time appearing out of the smoke cloud is Kate Winslet who appears to be wearing a long white t shirt with the naked portrait of her character Rose from Titanic.
Alex Richards: So she's still around?
Burnt Alex: OF course she is. But she's gotten..
Kate begins to rub against the melted flesh version of the Archduke, purring like a kitten.
Kate Winslet: You look hot tonight Alex. How about you and I make beautiful children in a vat of butterscotch pudding.
Burnt Alex looks like he's going to throw up and quick waves his hand banishing the image of Kate.
Burnt Alex: Like I was saying she's gotten.. even weirder.
Alex Richards: So everything has gotten worse?
Burnt Alex: Everything has gotten much worse. Want to see what happened to Jeff Purse?
Alex Richards: I know he was injured by Von Liebert. But he was coming back at XIII and he was going to send NVL right back where he came from..
Burnt Alex: What XIII? There is no Pantheon to bring back XIII. It never happened. Jeff Purse never came back to wrestling. But his paranoia increased. You remember how he always thought Nathan was stalking him? Was coming for him.
Alex Richards: Yeah but he was going to deal with him.
Burnt Alex: But he didn't. And it just got worse... and worse... and worse. He send his wife Kari away. He sent his newborn child away.. but things got worse for him still. Without Pantheon to help him in his war with Liebert his mental state decomposed. To the point where..
The now almost traditional cloud of smoke changes the scenery. This time we re appear in a small windowless yet very clean room with a locked door and padded walls..
Alex Richards: They wouldn't put Jeff here..
Burnt Alex: He is here on his own choice. He feels safer here.
In the corner of the room sits a very nervous looking bearded looks at least ten years older version of Jeff Purse.
Burnt Alex: But he isn't..
Alex turns towards Jeff Purse trying to soothe him.
Alex Richards: Jeff.. Jeff.. it's alright. Everything is going to be alright. You don't have anything to fear. C'mon Jeff..let's get out of here. You can take a nice shower, shave..
Burnt Alex: You know he can't hear you right. You know we're not really here. But he does have something to fear. Because Nathan Von Liebert learned where he was. So he stops by to visit.
And with that there is a sharp rap at the door, which opens just a crack leaving a plate of food and waving with his strong red hand.
Man: Jeff... Jeff.. you can come to me.. or perhaps I'll come to your son. He can use some fatherly guidance. I made a man out of Legion... I can do the same to your boy..
Jeff gets up wild eyes ablaze and springs for the door towards his enemy.But it slams shut as Jeff pounds on the door in frustration.
Jeff Purse: Let me out! Let me out!
Jeff continues to pound on the door shouting threats.
Alex Richards: We have to do something.
Burnt Alex: You can't. You're not here and by now..
The ruined version of Alex says with great regret.
Burnt Alex: By now you're not in a position to help anyone. If it makes you feel any better NVL never actually located the child..
Alex looks relieved.
Alex Richards: It does actually.
Burnt Alex: He just convinced him he did. Convinced him he turned his own child against him. And drove him further and further into madness. With no one to refute it he believed the worse. Jeff Purse never got out of this hospital.
Alex looks sick. Literally sick.
Alex Richards: I should have been there for him. Why wasn't I...
Burnt Alex: We're going to save that for later..
Alex Richards: Doesn't anyone have good news? Did anything good happen to anyone?
Burnt Alex: Someone got what they wanted.
Alex Richards: Show me that. I'm sick of seeing my friends, my family suffering.
Burnt Alex: It's only beginning Alex. But I'll show you what Chelsea Armstrong wanted.
This time a large cloud of smoke appears and it takes a very long time to finally clear. The crispy version of the former internet champion continues to enlighten his younger self as the smoke billows.
Burnt Alex: Chelsea Armstrong slipped back into her old habits, but in a much worse, and much darker way.
Alex Richards: I don't understand that. What happened to her?
Burnt Alex: Maybe you should find that out yourself before it's too late. But I'll tell you what became of her, at least in my reality, Chelsea Armstrong became the most infamous member of Pantheon as well as one of the most prolific female serial killers in American history. In a three year period she murdered 14 people. Fourteen single mothers as it turned out. In the states of Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, and Virginia. You know why she chose those states?
Alex looks crushed to hear this about his mentor. He looks almost to the point of tears. He finally speaks in a strained voice.
Alex Richards: No, I don't. I don't have a clue. I don't understand any of this..
Burnt Alex: They are the states with the most executions..
The smoke clears and we see Chelsea Armstrong wearing orange prison garb strapped to a gurney in front of witnesses, and the warden who seems to be looking at Chelsea with a mixture of fear and distain.
Warden: Any last words?
The former Sweet Nightmare snarls, all the sweetness was been drained from her. She looks at him with a cold, black expression of pure malice and hatred.
Chelsea Armstrong: I only regret I couldn't kill all of you as well. I hope you know... your loved ones suffer.
And now Alex looks stunned, looks more sad and dismayed then ever before.
Alex Richards: That's not the Blue Lady I know. That can't be her! That's nothing like her!
Even the charred remains of Alex seems to take pity on him quickly flashing in the smoke to take him away to another time and another place. A place with a cheering, albeit white trash and rednecky looking crowd. On the stage is one skinny guy holding a chair in his hands wearing a white wife beater style shirt confronting a obese guy who of course isn't wearing a shirt unless you count all his back hair.
Skinny Man: I can't fucking believe you fucked my sister!
Fat Man: You fucked her too!
Skinny Man: But she's my sister!
Fat Man: And she's good in the sack ain't she?
Skinny Man: You used to be a man!
Fat Man: You motherfucker! You never told me that!
And with that the two men who are obviously poster child against imbredding come together in a clash of fists, forearms, and chairs while the crowd cheers until the host of the show, the handsome former member of Pantheon Dexter Radcliffe gets in between them and pushes them away. When that doesn't work he gives them both superkicks.
Crowd: DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX!
Dexter Radcliffe gives a smart ass grin to the crowd as he completes his opening line.
Dexter Radcliffe: Until next time take care of each other.. or I'll take care of you.
Burnt Alex: Dexter Radcliffe after his wrestling career was ended was able to parlay his youth and good looks into the talk show world where he took over for a retiring Jerry Springer.
Alex gives a relieved half smile.
Alex Richards: Good for Dexter. I'm glad one of us did something productive after leaving the WCF. He was a good kid, he deserved that success..
Burnt Alex: So you think he's happy then do you?
The invisible pair of Alexs follow Dexter Radcliffe off the set and down the hallway where he flashes a smile to several productive assistants and various workers on his show. The smile doesn't seem to extend to his eyes however and disappears entirely as Dex reaches his office where he first closes, then locks the door. Which of course doesn't keep either Alex nor his badly disfigured counterpart out of the room. Dexter stares mournfully, perhaps regretfully at the posters on his wall. He has one of Jonny Fly, one of Steve Orbit, another of Alex Richards, and finally one for Jeff Purse. He shakes his head and walks over to his desk pulling out a rubber band which he wraps around his arm to expose a vein. He reaches in again pulling out a needle and injecting it into the vein.
Burnt Alex: Dexter Radcliffe blamed himself for the fall of Pantheon. He took to abusing heroin in private. Publicly everyone thought Dexter was a happy guy, but privately he never got over the destruction of Pantheon. He spent the rest of his life thinking about what he could have done differently.
Alex looks as Dexter still staring at his posters, obviously broken up.
Alex Richards: He deserved better. It wasn't his fault.
Burnt Alex: We're almost done..
Alex Richards: Dex cared about Pantheon that much.. that when he finally got it.. and it was taken from it. It's not fair is it?
Burnt Alex: You want unfair? I know you're curious as to what happened to our brother.
Alex instantly looks even more alarmed, even more furious, almost protective, yet in a way resigned. He knows something bad is about to happen.And the cloud of smoke soon shows him the way. We see poor Shaun Zach looking in an absolute shock of fear and shock. He walks down a long hallway alone wearing his yellow prison jumpsuit.
Alex Richards: Why is Shaun in jail? He wouldn't do anything that would lead to prison! That's not him! They got the wrong man! Wait.. why is he alone. If you're alone in prison that means someone paid someone to leave you alone and that's never good! We gotta..
Alex obviously has gotten so worked up he has forgotten no one else can see him nor can he interact with him. However a massive black man also wearing the standard prison uniform walks briskly towards Shaun who looks worried for a second. Then he looks pained as the giant slams him against the wall with one hand around his throat. The man strokes Shaun's long black hair.
Man: I like them with long hair. Makes it feel more like I'm fucking a woman. Now.. don't say a word.. don't scream.. don't do nothing because I'd hate to have to rip your tongue out and force it up that sweet ass of yours. So do you want to fuck... or you do want to die?
SZR: I... I.. don't want to die.
Man: Smart choice. You're bunking with me.
The smoke appears again but while Alex doesn't see what happened to Shaun he does hear his primal scream of pain.. This time Alex breaks down sobbing.
Alex Richards: Why didn't you stop him? Even if we weren't here we have friends in prison, we have contacts in prison, we could have kept him safe. That didn't have to happen to him.
Burnt Alex: You asked why he was in prison... it's your fault.
Alex Richards: Fuck! Of course it is!
Burnt Alex: Ten year sentence for arson. He helped you set a fire. You see when Pantheon went down hard, you started to drink more and more especially as the world around you was destroyed. You got more and more angry. Things got worse when Steve Orbit, Jayson Price and Jonny Fly sued Pantheon in order to have their names removed from the legacy of Pantheon. After what it became I actually can't blame them. But at the time we did. You lost your bar due to repeated assault charges. You lost your money due to civil charges against you.
Alex Richards: But I had great lawyers.
Burnt Alex: Pantheon had great lawyers. Your brother tried to help you, tried to help us. But we wouldn't listen. You started mixing in antifreeze in your personal stock of Zim-Quila.
Alex Richards: That should kill you.
Burnt Alex: It should. But remember... you made that deal with God that you were going to live to the ripe old age of 105 so it surprisingly enough had no ill effects. Until it became public knowledge, causing Zim-Quila to be banned everywhere and costing you the rest of your money.
Alex Richards: I want to know about the fire.
Burnt Alex: Jayson Price and Torture got a lawyer, they got a team of lawyers and sued for the return of Price Towers. It took them 15 minutes in court to steal the location of so many Pantheon team meetings away. This angered you to no end. So you decided that it would be better for it to burn then for Jayson Price to have it.
Alex Richards: I could see thinking like that. But why was Shaun involved.
Burnt Alex: You asked for his help. He didn't want to but you pleaded with him, said you couldn't do it without him. Which by the way was true. At that point you could do very little. So Shaun agreed, with a catch. If he did you this favor, you would go to rehab.
Alex looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. He looks absolutely crushed. He has reached his breaking point.
Alex Richards: That sounds like him. No matter how much of an asshole I might become he would still try and save me.
The smoke appears once more and we see Alex in what appears to be a mini van. Shaun Zach stands outside of what is obviously a rental car with binoculars clearly acting as the look out. Alex who has now given up on drinking from boots produces a hollow wooden leg of all things from the backseat of the mini van he dumps in his Zima, his tequila, and unfortunately a jug of antifreeze from the front seat. He waves to Shaun, shakes his fist at Price Towers a few feet away then goes back to the trunk pulling out a gas can which he uses to coat the van.
Alex Richards: Wait a second. I'm me and I know this is a bad idea.
Burnt Alex: You weren't exactly in your right mind at this point Alex.
Alex Richards: I mean, I would do this.
Burnt Alex: I thought you were in your right mind.
Alex Richards: I have the Strange Rover that thing can survive anything. That's what makes it so great. Why are we not driving that?
Burnt Alex: You destroyed it.
Alex Richards: Wouldn't Telsa have just fixed it up.
Burnt Alex: If he was still around yes. But unfortunately when Jay Omega left the WCF he got into the Ranchero and went back in time... or forward in time... he went to some time.. but he was never seen again. Without Jay financing Nicola he was forced to find other work.
Alex Richards: Wait.. was this is a suicide attempt?
Burnt Alex: No. The plan was to jump from the mini van as it hit Price's Towers, leaving the burning van loaded with explosives inside to do it's dirty work. Unfortunately..
At this point Alex has returned to his mini van having just reached into his ever present doctor's bag and set it on fire with a lighter. The van quickly speeds towards the entrance of Price's Towers which you see Alex struggle with the door, trying to get it open.. Finally he smashes out the window... too late... as the van explodes and Price Towers quickly becomes an inferno.
This time the smoke is real. The flames are real. But when the smoke clears we see Alex Richards, the charred form, covered in bandages in a hospital bed, dozens and dozens of tubes coming in and out of his body. At least four machine hooked up to him. At least two ivs. He's in bad shape.
Burnt Alex: 99 percent of your body was burned in that fire Alex. Your lungs were charred, your heart was charred. But remember that deal you made? Well you were going to live to see 105.. and you will. However you're never going to come out of that coma. Which is why I have time to visit you. I have 70 some odd years worth of time to kill. They unplugged us, but we still lived. People have come in and in attempted acts of mercy attempted to smother you with a pillow. You survived. Unplugged machines. You survived that. Hell, Wavedigger and the Beach Krew came in one day and Digger was carrying a 4 litre jug of water. I'll bet you can guess what he did there. So what do you think... now that you've seen yourself. Seen what your decision ultimately did.
Alex takes a deep breathe to compose himself, then speaks.
Alex Richards: Seeing my friends, my family, my teammates suffer... that's a fate worse than death. But seeing myself like that.. I feel nothing. Because I know, if I'm the guy who would abandon my friends, my family, and my teammates and risk something horrible happening to them. What happens to me, I'd deserve it. But then I thought about it, and I realized something. This isn't real. You're not real. Because I feel abandoning Pantheon is a fate worse than death so I would never do this! I would always continue fighting.
Burnt Alex: Let's say this isn't real. Why did all of this happen? What's the common link in everything that happened here tonight?
Alex thinks for a minute. He paces back and forth. Then it hits him.
Alex Richards: Easy! I didn't do anything to stop any of it! I just sat back and let it happen and hoped for the best. But it's wrong! I'm not just a member of Pantheon. With Corey Black fired from the WCF I am the SENIOR member of Pantheon! That means I'm not just supposed to follow the path. I'm supposed to carve out a new path! I'm supposed to lead the way.
Charred Alex smiles. Which is strange since isn't his face burnt away? But all the burnt skin suddenly slides off revealing the older, yet wiser long black haired, tattoo less version of Alex Richards.
Alex Richards: Future Alex!
Future Alex smiles and nods at his younger self.
Future Alex: I knew you'd get it. My work here is done.. but you... you have a lot in front of you.
Alex Richards: Any advice?
Future Alex: Yeah. Don't lose to Occulo and Wolf. That would be embarrassing.
Alex Richards: Any advice I don't already know?
Future Alex: Yeah, don't drink to forget this. It's important. Well some of it is.
But before Future Alex can say another word to himself present day Alex snaps to life, looks at Shaun with a huge grin on his face and grabs his brother in a bear hug.
Alex Richards: I missed you little brother! Don't ever go to prison! But if you do... shank the first men who even looks at you crooked. It will earn you respect and fear!
SZR: Um... didn't plan on going to prison. But thanks... I guess. You worried me. You went almost ten minutes without saying a word. I thought you passed out.
Alex snorts.
Alex Richards: Pass out? Me? Yeah... right.
SZR: That's why I thought it was strange.
Alex Richards: Wait... ten minutes? I could have sworn it was a lot longer.
SZR: You sure you're alright. I mean, before you passed.. okay blanked out, it seemed like you were going to quit. But now..
Alex Richards: Oh no, I am going to quit. I'm going to quit whining! I'm going to quit making excuses! I'm going to quit letting other people take the lead! The Beach Krew and Seth want to destroy Pantheon? So what! They want to destroy Pantheon... they do everything within their power to destroy Pantheon. That doesn't mean I have to give up and let them! Previous members of Pantheon worked too hard to allow their legacy to be destroyed! I worked too hard to allow our legacy to be destroyed! There's a reason all the groups, all the men that went against Pantheon are largely forgotten by history. Because Pantheon made them obsolete. Now it's my turn to defend Pantheon's honor! Pantheon has has many, many members over the years, they always operated on one simple principle... get me a drink!
SZR: Um.. that doesn't make any sense.
Alex Richards: No, I'm just ordering a drink. Come to think of it, make it a double vodka on the rocks squared.
SZR: You want four shots of vodka?
Alex Richards: You're right that's foolish. Double that! Pantheon has been successful because of one principle.. the next man up! One star, two stars, three stars leaves Pantheon another one takes their place. Well now it's my turn to step up! Pantheon didn't invite me to join so I could fill out the ranks. Pantheon invited me because they thought I would be a future legend, a future world champion, a future leader. Well.. that time.. that time is now! Beach Krew wants to fire Corey Black, they want to steal the World title from Jay Omega, they want to cancel XIII? That means.. they want war!
The bartender returns carrying Alex's way too boozy drink. Alex smiles and downs it in a single gulp.
Alex Richards: Ohh... that goes down smooth. But like I was saying.. the Beach Krew wants war with Pantheon. They can have War. But much like the WCF's War, it will be a war they will not win. Pantheon represented by Jay Omega kicked their ass that time. This time, it's going to be Alex Richards executing that kill shot. Striking the death blow on the Beach Krew.
SZR: You have to make sure you don't get ahead of yourself though. Last week, you might have overlooked The People's Choice. You don't want to make that mistake again this week.
Alex Richards: The People's Choice beat us last week. They beat Dexter, Gunther, and myself. I could make excuses, but excuses are for losers. I am not a loser. I've been beaten before. I'll be beaten again. But then I look at what's offer this week... and it pisses me off. It makes me think... what the serious fuck. The Beach Krew are in charge right?
SZR: They are.
Alex Richards: So that means they make the matches right?
SZR: I believe that would be correct.
Alex Richards: This is the best they have for me? This is the best they have for Dexter Radcliffe and myself? They are probably laughing. They probably figured we are losing members, we have been losing matches, so they figured let's drive the knife in a little deeper. Let's put Pantheon against two men who would normally have no chance against them. Two men no sane person would consider big stars, two men no one would consider a real team. Two men with very little potential. It's a final insult putting a demotivated, disheartened Pantheon team against them. Thinking that Wolf and Occulo were going to pick up the embarrassing victory.
Alex pounds the table with his fist in anger.
Alex Richards: They thought wrong! I'm not sad! I'm not encouraged! I'm angry! I'm vengeful! Quite frankly, I'm pissed off! Wolf and Occulo.. this is your big chance.. you big chance to finally do something in the WCF... everyone thinks the odds are in your favor, this is the perfect time to face Dex and myself.. They are all wrong! This is the worst time for you guys to face me. Because I know the Beach Krew will be watching, expecting they won't have to get their hands dirty. That Pantheon will fall without them having to do any of the heavy lifting themselves. So I'm going to put on a show for them. I'm going to show them exactly what's in store for them. Because it doesn't matter how is put in front of me I'm ripping through them. Then I'm looking for you Beach Krew. Because I'll rip through Wolf and Occulo because they are in my way. Because there is absolutely no way they can stop me from getting my revenge. I'll rip through your members because I want to.. because I'll enjoy it! Because you were foolish enough to start a war with Pantheon and I'm man enough to finish it.
SZR: You seem tense. You need another drink?
Alex Richards: No, little brother, I'm good. I am in exactly the right mindset. You listen to me, and you hear the mindset of a winner. Which is why it's mind boggling that the Beach Krew could think Wolf and Occulo would be the people who could defeat me. I mean, I enjoy my drinking and pills more than the next guy. But if they honest think Wolf and Occulo are the people who are going to beat us, they need to slow down on the mind altering substances. Or they are lightweight posers in drugs like they are in life. I mean Wolf? Wolf is going to beat us? First off, Wolf hates his own tag team partner Occulo. He detests him because he knows Occulo is better than him and can't stand it. First off, if Occulo was better than me I'd be filled with hate too. Self hate. How the hell can I be a worse professional wrestler than Occulo? That's like starring in a worse movie than Troll 2!
SZR: You're going to make me watch Troll 2 with you later aren't you?
Alex Richards: Bad movies are my jam! Wolf got eliminated by Occulo in War then challenged him to a match. I can get behind that. I can see the logic there. Then he wrestles Occulo and not only does he lose to Occulo he submits to Occulo. He challenges Occulo to a grudge match and not only fails but fails miserably. But that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous. That doesn't mean he can't still be a threat. But his next actions did. His next actions proved what kind of a man Wolf is. Wolf lost to Occulo but he went on national television spouting some bullshit that the reason his performance was so bad was because he was drugged! Because he was drugged! Then he sworn he was going to hunt down whoever drugged him. You know what Wolf.. I confess.. it was me. I drugged you.
SZR: You did not!
Alex Richards: No, I didn't. No one did. But I'm confessing anyways because Wolf swore he was going to kill whoever did and quite frankly he doesn't scare me in the slightest. Some guy who whines over his losses, who makes petty excuses. This is not a guy who is going to beat me, let alone kill me. Wolf you are not a professional wrestler, you are a child throwing a tantrum! Grow the fuck up kid this is not a game! Wolf doesn't have the talent to beat me and Dex, he doesn't make the mental make up to beat me and Dex. Quite frankly even if he did have the talent he would lose this match because there is no way Occulo and he would win this match. A man who lost to his partner by submission than made nothing but stupid excuses? Do you really think this is the type of guy who has any interest in competing in a tag team match let alone winning? Wolf is going to turn on his partner. You know why Zach?
SZR: Because he always turns on his partners.
Alex Richards: I'll accept that actually. It's true. But not what I was gonna go with. No, Wolf is going to turn on Occulo because he knows he doesn't actually have a chance of victory so if he turns on Occulo that way he can say his partner got pinned so it wasn't his fault they lost. Sounds pretty far fetched, short sighted, and stupid right? But coming from a man who blamed a crushing defeat on being drugged... makes a lot of sense.
SZR: Sadly it actually does.
Alex Richards: I mean c'mon, he could have at least come up with an original excuse. Claimed he was controlled by aliens or something.
SZR: That's an original excuse?
Alex Richards: Well around here it's miles more believable at least. Wolf do me one favor though, lay off the children's aspirin this week. I don't want any excuses when I destroy you in the middle of the ring this week, okay? Speaking of pills..
Alex reaches into his doctor's bag and pulls out a bottle.
SZR: Haven't you had enough?
Alex Richards: Carrying around this bag practically makes me a doctor so I can be my own doctor. I'm just treating the patient. Now about Wolf's partner.. Occulo..
Alex thinks for a minute.
Alex Richards: Why exactly is there to say about Occulo?
SZR: You're the one fighting him, you tell me.
Alex Richards: I don't know what to say about him. I mean, he's there... I guess. I mean he's been around on and off since just before last year's One. He tried to win the People's Title. He failed. He tried to beat Joey Flash. He basically got owned week after week month after month in what has to be the most one sided feud since The Jersey Shore versus common sense.
SZR: That just sounds odd.
Alex Richards: Common sense never even shows up when the Jersey Shore was around. Occulo might as well have done the same thing with how easily Flash destroyed him every single week. He competed in the Trilogy Cup, no one thought he had a chance. He didn't. Jay Omega wrestled twice in one night but still was able to beat him without much suspense. But hey he won a title. The United States title. Even defended it once against Dark Prince. Then he lost it to Kaz Mazy. I mean I'm grasping at straws, I'm really trying to come up with some career highlights for him. I'm really trying. I got it! He formed the Sentinels! With Dune. Yep, that's your career highlight. You were the tag team partner of the world champion. Hell, even the third member you guys picked up for King of Trios Howard Black quickly passed you as the second most accomplished man in the group. Howard Black fought Joey Flash and Jonny Fly by himself. That shows more stones then anything you ever did Occulo. You hid behind your stable, you even hid behind your evil, horrible father. Because you know one thing, you are not good enough to be on your own. I surround myself with friends by choice, and help them as much as they help me. You surround yourself with friends because you desperately need the help no matter what the cost to them. I am a valued teammate and leader if need be. Occulo, you are nothing more than a leech!
SZR: Harsh.
Alex Richards: No, not harsh true. I actually wouldn't be so harsh if he didn't deserve it. But since he returned to the WCF he's been doing nothing but brag about how good he is. Brag about how dangerous he is. The only problem is.. he isn't. He's been here almost a year and he's done next to nothing. Occulo is good at one thing and one thing only. Feuding with or surrounding himself with people better than him in order to make himself look good. Sorry Occulo, Wolf does nothing for you. You're average if I'm being generous and he's terrible. Last week Raymond Hatcher exposed you. You can brag all you want but the facts speak for themselves. You didn't get any better during your time off. You're just not that good. You had better hope Dune comes back soon so you can latch on like the tick you are. Hang on to Dune for dear life because his hard work makes you somewhat relevant. But this week you are all alone, or with Wolf which is actually worse than being alone, against Pantheon... against me. And I... I am anything but average. Confusion always reigns, Pantheon always reigns.. that has a nice ring to it doesn't it. I'll make sure it does not change!
Alex thinks for a second then continues..
Alex Richards: And Wolf.. Occulo if you think for second you guys are going to join let alone take over Pantheon you are sadly mistaken! Over my dead body!
Poor Shaun looks confused and Alex doesn't explain before the scene..
Fade to Black
SZR: Normally a good, stiff drink cheers you up. But you had five tonight. What's wrong Alex?
Alex Richards: What's wrong Zach? What's right?
Shaun waits for Alex to continue but he doesn't. He simply stares at the boot. As if trying to collect his thoughts or make sense of things.
Alex Richards: I thought we could turn things around last week. We couldn't. I couldn't convince Jay Omega to stay. I couldn't stop NVL from injuring Jeff Purse. I couldn't help Dexter and Gunther win our 6 man match last week. I couldn't do anything when the Beach Krew fired Corey Black. What can I do Zach? Where did it all go wrong?
SZR: What are you going to do Alex.
Alex Richards: The one thing that's unthinkable, unmentionable. The one thing I thought I would never do..
SZR: You can't. You love being a member of Pantheon.
Alex Richards: I know Zach. That's what makes it so hard. That's why I have to...
The scene freezes and jumps... to somewhere different, somewhere seemingly random.
Holy strobe lights Batman! The flashing orange and black lighting combination is probably enough to cause a seizure for ordinary people. But this is far from the strangest thing in this scene. There also appears to be a smoke machine to set the move. Actually about 5 smoke machines would create what appears to be indoor fog. Also bobbing up and down on massive strings, or cords or.. no wait I think there are slinkies are pumpkins, rats, rubber spiders, black cats, and witches. Just to add to the scene is music playing at a deafening volume. A volume so loud you shouldn't be able to hear anyone over it. However strangely enough you can see the voices of two men. The only two men you can see through the smoke actually. With a scene this strange do you expect anyone else besides Alex Richards and Shaun Zach Richards? Didn't think so.
SZR: Flying Purple People Eater?
Alex Richards: What's it's my favorite Halloween song!
SZR: Did you have to use the extra annoying Alvin and the Chipmunks version?
Alex Richards: Since we are in the era of the Bitch Krew extra annoying is in style. Besides it's much stranger. And with me, strange is always in season.
SZR: You mean strange like holding a Halloween party.. the week after Halloween!
Alex Richards: No, that would be lame. This is a Hallo-Mas party. Did you not notice the tree?
And indeed the Orange.. and now Orange, and Black and red and green lights all of the sudden illuminate the far corner of the massive room. Which reveals a fully decked out Christmas tree with red and green colored lights on it, orange and black Christmas balls and candy bars hanging from the branches.
SZR: Aren't those supposed to be candy canes?
Alex Richards: Who eats candy canes? Candy bars are much better!
Alex indeed walks over and peels off a Snickers bar and begins to snack. Meanwhile Shaun has probably gotten curious picks up a box and unwraps it. Revealing.. a case of Whoop Ass beer. Shaun probably reacts but we can't really see it. We do hear a snort however. But curiosity again gets the better of him causing him to unveil a second box this time revealing a Texas mickey filled with Zim-Quila.
SZR: These are Christmas presents?
Alex Richards: Santy knows what I like. By the way, your costume sucks Zach.
Shaun puts his hands on his hips and probably shakes his head. You can sort of tell he did that in spite of the fact he appears to be wearing a sheet with eye holes cut out.
SZR: You told me about this party ten minutes ago. What did you expect on short notice? Besides at least you can tell I'm a ghost. What are you?
Alex Richards: How do you not get it?
Alex snaps his fingers and a second spotlight of Halloween orange light shines down on him. Revealing his costume which appears to be a large Jay Leno costume chin, giant black sunglasses, and a shirt and pants that are absolutely caked with dirt.
Alex Richards: How can you not tell I went as Grime? Okay let me try again...
Alex snaps his fingers and now he is transformed.. wearing a purple pants suit, a wispy mustache and an upside down cross on his lapel.
SZR: A weird satanist of some kind?
Alex Richards: Close, I'll give you a hint... think purple rain.
SZR: Oh god, Dark Prince?
Alex Richards: No, wrong again! Still Grime!
SZR: But you're Dark Prince...
Alex Richards: Same diff! I'll give you one more chance to redeem yourself Zach! Now watch closely..
Alex snaps his fingers again and this time he is wearing a green zip up jumpsuit with the top gun logo on it, aviator glasses and carrying a single red rose.
SZR: You're Grime right?
Alex Richards: No, of course not! I'm Ace Maverick. You're really bad at this Zach.
ENOUGH!
The single word from a single, incredibly hoarse and raspy voice somehow echoes over all the music and noise.. actually at that very second the music stopped. We hear a loud dragging sound and see a large man enter the room dragging his badly damaged charred black leg behind him. The rest of his body doesn't seem to have fared much better. It as also burnt nearly as black with some oozing red patches. His face is burnt beyond recognation. Alex looks at the man with respect.
Alex Richards: Now that's a costume Zach!
SZR: Um.. I don't think it's a costume.
Man: It's time for you to go Shaun.
SZR: I didn't tell you my..
Shaun can't even finish the sentence as the man motions to the ceiling and the chandelier comes crashing down hard right on top of the form of Shaun Zach Richards who instantly crumples to the ground, completely motionless.
Alex Richards: You killed him!
The burned man snorts and laughs bitterly, which quickly turns into a cough.
Man: He's not that lucky.
Alex ignores him, quickly ripping off the chandelier and then lifting up the white sheet that was Shaun's costume, only to reveal... absolutely nothing beneath.
Man: I said it was time for him to go. I didn't say I was going to hurt him.
Alex Richards: Who are you?
Man: I'm you. From the future.
Alex Richards: No, you're not. I've met me from the future. He has hair, no tattoos, is a lot saner than me. You are none of those things.
Man: I'm not THAT you! I'm you from a different future! I'm you from the path you are considering embarking on!
Alex Richards: I don't use words like that.
Burnt Alex: You would if you had as much time to choose your words as I do. I'm here to stop you from making a horrible, catalytic decision. I know what you're going to do.. I know you Alex, shit I am you, or at least a version of you. And I know that you are no quitter.
Alex Richards: I'm not quitting! I'm leaving Pantheon because I have failed. Because my best efforts were not good enough!
Burnt Alex: No.. I have failed. You haven't failed yet. That's why I'm here. I show you where you went wrong. To show you what happens if you quit Pantheon. If you give up.
Alex Richards: That's the very reason I'm leaving Pantheon. They need better men then me. I don't cut it. I have failed the group. I was unable to accomplish what previous members did for Pantheon. I couldn't do that for them! So I'm stepping aside. So a new generation can lead Pantheon back to greatness! Pantheon is the most resilent stable in the world! Life will go on for them!
Burnt Alex: That's what you think...
Alex Richards: You're telling me there isn't going to be a new generation of Pantheon?
Burnt Alex: I'm telling you you'll wish there wasn't a new generation of Pantheon. What's the absolute worst thing you could imagine happening to Pantheon?
Alex doesn't even hesitate. He has an answer instantly.
Alex Richards: Jayson Price and Torture taking over Pantheon. I could see Jayson doing that out of revenge and Torture has a big enough ego that he might want to finally get into Pantheon. But they wouldn't destroy it, because that would hurt them.
Burnt Alex: Funny you should mention Jayson Price.
Alex Richards: Ha! Knew it! I was right!
Burnt Alex: Not even close. The Man Made Gods would be a massive step up. You want to see what happens to Pantheon after you leave? I'll show you..
Alex and his charred future self are transported in front of a dressing room, actually it's the boiler room. There is helpfully a piece of paper taped to the door identifying it as the Pantheon locker. Alex looks confused.
Alex Richards: Isn't this normally the area where the jobbers are sent?
Burnt Alex: It's still the area where the jobbers are sent.
Alex looks horrified.
Alex Richards: Who is in Pantheon?
AWOOO! Is heard coming from the locker room.
Alex Richards: Wolf? Wolf is a member of Pantheon now?
Burnt Alex: Wolf isn't a member of Pantheon.
Alex Richards: Thank god.
Burnt Alex: Wolf is one of the leaders of Pantheon along with Occulo.
Alex Richards: What? That can't be!
Burnt Alex: Sure it can. You left Pantheon after what you consider this week. Does it not make sense you would have lost this week?
Alex Richards: I don't know. I lost to Wolf and Occulo? I would have thought I could beat them on my worst day. I mean isn't Occulo the guy who called in sick every month for a month in order to train for Jay Omega then still lost? Including calling in sick for XIII? He missed a XIII for absolutely nothing? How could these guys beat me and Dex? Beat Pantheon?
Burnt Alex: Why do you think they were scheduled to face you. At your absolute lowest point. After you and Dexter Radcliffe were the final two members of Pantheon on the active roster. They weren't chosen because of their high talent level. They were chosen because of their lack of talent. They were chosen because they would be the worst possible choice to beat Pantheon on their way out.
Alex Richards: And now... they lead Pantheon?
Burnt Alex: Yeah, Dexter and myself were defeated by them, you left the WCF, left Pantheon. But Seth Lerch had trademarks on the Pantheon name so the group stuck around. But it was never a serious force again. Wolf and Occulo, the men who defeated you in your last match in wrestling took control. And.. everything went downhill.. everything went downhill fast. Neither of them are leaders, they just exist. Seth and the Beach Krew they knew that, they wanted to destroy Pantheon but couldn't do it by simply disbanding Pantheon.
Alex Richards:Because it would still always be remembered as the stable of legends, hall of famers, world champions.
Burnt Alex: So they turned it into a joke. Wolf and Occulo, sadly enough they are the good members of the new Pantheon.
The door swings open and two men step out of the locker room obviously ready for the opening cluster fuck match. Or maybe the dark match. Alex instantly recognizes them. The goatee clad, short haired “Original Psychopath” Jack Page, but now is is wearing an outfit that looks stolen from MC Hammer. Purple is the color of Pantheon but I doubt anyone meant purple parachute pants. Or for that matter a purple jacket that looks like and probably is a purple windbreaker. And a gold colored undershirt just to add to the stupidity of his look.
Alex Richards: How the hell did he get into Pantheon? He didn't even come close to winning the Cut-Theon! And what the hell is he wearing? If I was dressed like that I would think I lost a drunken bar bet.
Burnt Alex: They aren't exactly an in demand stable to join these days. But as for the outfit it's his new gimmick. “The Original Psychopath Records” Jack Page.
Alex Richards: Seriously? Pantheon has a member representing the insane clown posse? Are you fucking kidding me?
Burnt Alex: That's not even the worst part, his outfit has nothing to do with the insane clown posse or psychopath records. It's like a generic early 90s rap rip off. I mean could you expect something creative or clever from a name who calls himself Wolf. He obviously has no imagination. And his vision of Pantheon is just as sad as you would have thought.
The second walks by wearing what appears to be a GI.. but it is made entirely out of taco bell wrappers. Jack Daniel Case, Jay Omega's candidate for the Cut-Theon warms up on his way to the ring doing some weak, poorly executed martial arts kicks. The formerly well conditioned martial arts expert now appears to be at least 70 pounds overweight.
Alex Richards: Jack Case? What happened to him?
Burnt Alex: Pantheon now lives and trains out of the Taco Bell he used to manage. Actually the fact he provided a place from them to crash is the only reason he got into Pantheon. Lord knows it wasn't his stellar win/loss record.
Alex Richards: What about Price Towers?
The crispy future version of Alex shudders at the thought.
Burnt Alex: We'll get to that eventually. Far too soon in fact. But listen... do you hear that?
A much louder, more steroid inspired sounding AWWOOOOOO comes from the locker room, followed by a hiss as ooze begins to eat through the cheaply made door.
Alex Richards: They couldn't be...
Burnt Alex: They are...
Alex Richards: Biowalker... in Pantheon? What could be worse..
As if to answer Alex's question loud music begins to play, The Ultimate Warrior's theme song which sounds like it's been blasted through an 80s boombox by the way.
Alex Richards: It's not.. The Ultimate Destroyer? Pantheon is Wolf, Occulo, Jack Page, Jack Case, Biowalker and the Ultimate Destroyer?
Alex sighs in relief.
Alex Richards: I knew it! I knew this was a joke. I knew that couldn't possibly be true! I mean first off where is Dexter Radcliffe? And second, and more importantly... Corey Black would never allow this! I know the Beach Krew might be in charge now but as soon as they were out of control Corey Black would have come back. And he would never allow this... this disgrace to be made of the Pantheon name.
Burnt Alex: You're right.. he wouldn't.
Alex Richards: EXACTLY!
Burnt Alex: Too bad he never returned to the WCF.
Alex Richards: You kidding? The heart and soul of Pantheon never returned?
Burnt Alex: When you left Pantheon there was nothing left until Seth rebuilt it as a joke. He was able to release Dexter Radcliffe because he claimed his only value was as a prospect within Pantheon's rank. When you left, you took that away. So the one last person on the roster who cared about Pantheon's legacy was released. With Pantheon out of sight, Seth never had to resign Corey Black. So he didn't. Is it really a surprise? Seth formed groups with the sole reason of destroying Pantheon. He aligned with groups such as the Beach Krew, and the Vapor Kings because they went after Pantheon. But they could never destroy Pantheon... until Pantheon destroyed itself. You know how bad things got for Pantheon? Honest Abe Lincoln himself left Pantheon.
Alex Richards: You mean we even lost our honorary president?
Burnt Alex: Oh no.. they managed to find a replacement for him...
Smoke billows on screen again.. you would think the horrible disfigured and burned version of Alex Richards would use something else to transport but apparently not. We see... Alex groans..
Alex Richards: Richard Nixon? Seriously?
The mysterious Pantheon theme Hail To The Chief remix starts to play as Richard Nixon begins to speak.
Richard Nixon: In my opinion this is the best version of Pantheon ever. It is still the world's mightiest stable. This is merely the Post Watergate version of Pantheon. What makes it better you ask? Unlike the American public they didn't get rid of me!
Richard Nixon gives his trademark V for Victory hand signal as even charred Alex snorts in disgust, waves his hand and Richard disappears in a puff of smoke.
Alex Richards: So... I was the final nail in Pantheon's coffin? But they can rebuild. I mean we might all be gone but that doesn't mean there can't be a comeback...
Burnt Alex: You might think that... but you would be wrong. Dead wrong.. literally dead wrong. You;re thinking... Corey Black could come back... he could save Pantheon, the group he worked so hard for.
Alex Richards: Of course he could!
Burnt Alex: But this isn't what happened..
Flames shoot up and smoke engulfs the hallway. It quickly clears revealing Corey Black in what appears to be a bar. He is seated at the bar's one long table. By himself. At the head of the table. Corey looks at his drink... a 2 litre bottle of Diet Coke. Then he turns his head and screams at the bartender.
Corey Black: Line em up!
Bartender: Line them up?
Corey Black:One bottle is not enough! I need a dozen... LINE EM UP!
Bartender: Are you sure?
Corey Black: I'm paying for them aren't I? And I said line them up!
The bartender scrambles and produces an extra 11 2 litre bottles which Corey proceeds to drink deeply from. Drinking even faster as he shakes his head noticing the edition of Slam on the television behind the bar stools.
Burnt Alex: Corey Black.. can't come back.. not now. Not ever. Because Corey Black died of a Coke overdose.
Alex Richards: That's not a real thing..
Burnt Alex: That's what he said..
The smoke again appears this time we are transported to what appears to be a doctor's office where a young, but yet still balding sort of shady looking doctor is checking Corey out shining a light down his tongue.
Doctor: Mister Black, I'm telling you for your own health. You have to cut down on the Diet Coke. It can cause bone density problems, hallucinations, the amount of pure caffeine can do frightening things to your system.
Corey Black: You're telling me Diet Coke is bad for my health? Are you sure doc? Because I think telling me to cut down on Diet Coke is bad for your health.
And with that Corey grabs the doctor and before he can get in a word of protest Creeping Death nails a brutal burning hammer onto the doctor right through his own examination table!
Alex Richards: Right on! He showed him!
Burnt Alex: He died of a massive heart attack. Corey was the healthiest member of Pantheon. He didn't drink, he didn't abuse drugs. But the destruction of Pantheon lead to him over indulgencing in his one vice. His ultimate downfall.
Alex looks shocked and shaken.
Alex Richards: How could that happen? He was our leader.. he was the one who always had a plan..
Burnt Alex: How did it happen? Without wrestling, without Pantheon he lost his identity. We all did.
Alex shakes his head mournfully.
Burnt Alex: He was lucky. At least he died doing something he loved. Drinking diet soda and giving someone a burning hammer. The rest of you... not nearly so lucky.
Alex Richards: You mean.. we all died?
Burnt Alex: Oh, not all of us...
Alex waves his hand again and this time appearing out of the smoke cloud is Kate Winslet who appears to be wearing a long white t shirt with the naked portrait of her character Rose from Titanic.
Alex Richards: So she's still around?
Burnt Alex: OF course she is. But she's gotten..
Kate begins to rub against the melted flesh version of the Archduke, purring like a kitten.
Kate Winslet: You look hot tonight Alex. How about you and I make beautiful children in a vat of butterscotch pudding.
Burnt Alex looks like he's going to throw up and quick waves his hand banishing the image of Kate.
Burnt Alex: Like I was saying she's gotten.. even weirder.
Alex Richards: So everything has gotten worse?
Burnt Alex: Everything has gotten much worse. Want to see what happened to Jeff Purse?
Alex Richards: I know he was injured by Von Liebert. But he was coming back at XIII and he was going to send NVL right back where he came from..
Burnt Alex: What XIII? There is no Pantheon to bring back XIII. It never happened. Jeff Purse never came back to wrestling. But his paranoia increased. You remember how he always thought Nathan was stalking him? Was coming for him.
Alex Richards: Yeah but he was going to deal with him.
Burnt Alex: But he didn't. And it just got worse... and worse... and worse. He send his wife Kari away. He sent his newborn child away.. but things got worse for him still. Without Pantheon to help him in his war with Liebert his mental state decomposed. To the point where..
The now almost traditional cloud of smoke changes the scenery. This time we re appear in a small windowless yet very clean room with a locked door and padded walls..
Alex Richards: They wouldn't put Jeff here..
Burnt Alex: He is here on his own choice. He feels safer here.
In the corner of the room sits a very nervous looking bearded looks at least ten years older version of Jeff Purse.
Burnt Alex: But he isn't..
Alex turns towards Jeff Purse trying to soothe him.
Alex Richards: Jeff.. Jeff.. it's alright. Everything is going to be alright. You don't have anything to fear. C'mon Jeff..let's get out of here. You can take a nice shower, shave..
Burnt Alex: You know he can't hear you right. You know we're not really here. But he does have something to fear. Because Nathan Von Liebert learned where he was. So he stops by to visit.
And with that there is a sharp rap at the door, which opens just a crack leaving a plate of food and waving with his strong red hand.
Man: Jeff... Jeff.. you can come to me.. or perhaps I'll come to your son. He can use some fatherly guidance. I made a man out of Legion... I can do the same to your boy..
Jeff gets up wild eyes ablaze and springs for the door towards his enemy.But it slams shut as Jeff pounds on the door in frustration.
Jeff Purse: Let me out! Let me out!
Jeff continues to pound on the door shouting threats.
Alex Richards: We have to do something.
Burnt Alex: You can't. You're not here and by now..
The ruined version of Alex says with great regret.
Burnt Alex: By now you're not in a position to help anyone. If it makes you feel any better NVL never actually located the child..
Alex looks relieved.
Alex Richards: It does actually.
Burnt Alex: He just convinced him he did. Convinced him he turned his own child against him. And drove him further and further into madness. With no one to refute it he believed the worse. Jeff Purse never got out of this hospital.
Alex looks sick. Literally sick.
Alex Richards: I should have been there for him. Why wasn't I...
Burnt Alex: We're going to save that for later..
Alex Richards: Doesn't anyone have good news? Did anything good happen to anyone?
Burnt Alex: Someone got what they wanted.
Alex Richards: Show me that. I'm sick of seeing my friends, my family suffering.
Burnt Alex: It's only beginning Alex. But I'll show you what Chelsea Armstrong wanted.
This time a large cloud of smoke appears and it takes a very long time to finally clear. The crispy version of the former internet champion continues to enlighten his younger self as the smoke billows.
Burnt Alex: Chelsea Armstrong slipped back into her old habits, but in a much worse, and much darker way.
Alex Richards: I don't understand that. What happened to her?
Burnt Alex: Maybe you should find that out yourself before it's too late. But I'll tell you what became of her, at least in my reality, Chelsea Armstrong became the most infamous member of Pantheon as well as one of the most prolific female serial killers in American history. In a three year period she murdered 14 people. Fourteen single mothers as it turned out. In the states of Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, and Virginia. You know why she chose those states?
Alex looks crushed to hear this about his mentor. He looks almost to the point of tears. He finally speaks in a strained voice.
Alex Richards: No, I don't. I don't have a clue. I don't understand any of this..
Burnt Alex: They are the states with the most executions..
The smoke clears and we see Chelsea Armstrong wearing orange prison garb strapped to a gurney in front of witnesses, and the warden who seems to be looking at Chelsea with a mixture of fear and distain.
Warden: Any last words?
The former Sweet Nightmare snarls, all the sweetness was been drained from her. She looks at him with a cold, black expression of pure malice and hatred.
Chelsea Armstrong: I only regret I couldn't kill all of you as well. I hope you know... your loved ones suffer.
And now Alex looks stunned, looks more sad and dismayed then ever before.
Alex Richards: That's not the Blue Lady I know. That can't be her! That's nothing like her!
Even the charred remains of Alex seems to take pity on him quickly flashing in the smoke to take him away to another time and another place. A place with a cheering, albeit white trash and rednecky looking crowd. On the stage is one skinny guy holding a chair in his hands wearing a white wife beater style shirt confronting a obese guy who of course isn't wearing a shirt unless you count all his back hair.
Skinny Man: I can't fucking believe you fucked my sister!
Fat Man: You fucked her too!
Skinny Man: But she's my sister!
Fat Man: And she's good in the sack ain't she?
Skinny Man: You used to be a man!
Fat Man: You motherfucker! You never told me that!
And with that the two men who are obviously poster child against imbredding come together in a clash of fists, forearms, and chairs while the crowd cheers until the host of the show, the handsome former member of Pantheon Dexter Radcliffe gets in between them and pushes them away. When that doesn't work he gives them both superkicks.
Crowd: DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX! DEX!
Dexter Radcliffe gives a smart ass grin to the crowd as he completes his opening line.
Dexter Radcliffe: Until next time take care of each other.. or I'll take care of you.
Burnt Alex: Dexter Radcliffe after his wrestling career was ended was able to parlay his youth and good looks into the talk show world where he took over for a retiring Jerry Springer.
Alex gives a relieved half smile.
Alex Richards: Good for Dexter. I'm glad one of us did something productive after leaving the WCF. He was a good kid, he deserved that success..
Burnt Alex: So you think he's happy then do you?
The invisible pair of Alexs follow Dexter Radcliffe off the set and down the hallway where he flashes a smile to several productive assistants and various workers on his show. The smile doesn't seem to extend to his eyes however and disappears entirely as Dex reaches his office where he first closes, then locks the door. Which of course doesn't keep either Alex nor his badly disfigured counterpart out of the room. Dexter stares mournfully, perhaps regretfully at the posters on his wall. He has one of Jonny Fly, one of Steve Orbit, another of Alex Richards, and finally one for Jeff Purse. He shakes his head and walks over to his desk pulling out a rubber band which he wraps around his arm to expose a vein. He reaches in again pulling out a needle and injecting it into the vein.
Burnt Alex: Dexter Radcliffe blamed himself for the fall of Pantheon. He took to abusing heroin in private. Publicly everyone thought Dexter was a happy guy, but privately he never got over the destruction of Pantheon. He spent the rest of his life thinking about what he could have done differently.
Alex looks as Dexter still staring at his posters, obviously broken up.
Alex Richards: He deserved better. It wasn't his fault.
Burnt Alex: We're almost done..
Alex Richards: Dex cared about Pantheon that much.. that when he finally got it.. and it was taken from it. It's not fair is it?
Burnt Alex: You want unfair? I know you're curious as to what happened to our brother.
Alex instantly looks even more alarmed, even more furious, almost protective, yet in a way resigned. He knows something bad is about to happen.And the cloud of smoke soon shows him the way. We see poor Shaun Zach looking in an absolute shock of fear and shock. He walks down a long hallway alone wearing his yellow prison jumpsuit.
Alex Richards: Why is Shaun in jail? He wouldn't do anything that would lead to prison! That's not him! They got the wrong man! Wait.. why is he alone. If you're alone in prison that means someone paid someone to leave you alone and that's never good! We gotta..
Alex obviously has gotten so worked up he has forgotten no one else can see him nor can he interact with him. However a massive black man also wearing the standard prison uniform walks briskly towards Shaun who looks worried for a second. Then he looks pained as the giant slams him against the wall with one hand around his throat. The man strokes Shaun's long black hair.
Man: I like them with long hair. Makes it feel more like I'm fucking a woman. Now.. don't say a word.. don't scream.. don't do nothing because I'd hate to have to rip your tongue out and force it up that sweet ass of yours. So do you want to fuck... or you do want to die?
SZR: I... I.. don't want to die.
Man: Smart choice. You're bunking with me.
The smoke appears again but while Alex doesn't see what happened to Shaun he does hear his primal scream of pain.. This time Alex breaks down sobbing.
Alex Richards: Why didn't you stop him? Even if we weren't here we have friends in prison, we have contacts in prison, we could have kept him safe. That didn't have to happen to him.
Burnt Alex: You asked why he was in prison... it's your fault.
Alex Richards: Fuck! Of course it is!
Burnt Alex: Ten year sentence for arson. He helped you set a fire. You see when Pantheon went down hard, you started to drink more and more especially as the world around you was destroyed. You got more and more angry. Things got worse when Steve Orbit, Jayson Price and Jonny Fly sued Pantheon in order to have their names removed from the legacy of Pantheon. After what it became I actually can't blame them. But at the time we did. You lost your bar due to repeated assault charges. You lost your money due to civil charges against you.
Alex Richards: But I had great lawyers.
Burnt Alex: Pantheon had great lawyers. Your brother tried to help you, tried to help us. But we wouldn't listen. You started mixing in antifreeze in your personal stock of Zim-Quila.
Alex Richards: That should kill you.
Burnt Alex: It should. But remember... you made that deal with God that you were going to live to the ripe old age of 105 so it surprisingly enough had no ill effects. Until it became public knowledge, causing Zim-Quila to be banned everywhere and costing you the rest of your money.
Alex Richards: I want to know about the fire.
Burnt Alex: Jayson Price and Torture got a lawyer, they got a team of lawyers and sued for the return of Price Towers. It took them 15 minutes in court to steal the location of so many Pantheon team meetings away. This angered you to no end. So you decided that it would be better for it to burn then for Jayson Price to have it.
Alex Richards: I could see thinking like that. But why was Shaun involved.
Burnt Alex: You asked for his help. He didn't want to but you pleaded with him, said you couldn't do it without him. Which by the way was true. At that point you could do very little. So Shaun agreed, with a catch. If he did you this favor, you would go to rehab.
Alex looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. He looks absolutely crushed. He has reached his breaking point.
Alex Richards: That sounds like him. No matter how much of an asshole I might become he would still try and save me.
The smoke appears once more and we see Alex in what appears to be a mini van. Shaun Zach stands outside of what is obviously a rental car with binoculars clearly acting as the look out. Alex who has now given up on drinking from boots produces a hollow wooden leg of all things from the backseat of the mini van he dumps in his Zima, his tequila, and unfortunately a jug of antifreeze from the front seat. He waves to Shaun, shakes his fist at Price Towers a few feet away then goes back to the trunk pulling out a gas can which he uses to coat the van.
Alex Richards: Wait a second. I'm me and I know this is a bad idea.
Burnt Alex: You weren't exactly in your right mind at this point Alex.
Alex Richards: I mean, I would do this.
Burnt Alex: I thought you were in your right mind.
Alex Richards: I have the Strange Rover that thing can survive anything. That's what makes it so great. Why are we not driving that?
Burnt Alex: You destroyed it.
Alex Richards: Wouldn't Telsa have just fixed it up.
Burnt Alex: If he was still around yes. But unfortunately when Jay Omega left the WCF he got into the Ranchero and went back in time... or forward in time... he went to some time.. but he was never seen again. Without Jay financing Nicola he was forced to find other work.
Alex Richards: Wait.. was this is a suicide attempt?
Burnt Alex: No. The plan was to jump from the mini van as it hit Price's Towers, leaving the burning van loaded with explosives inside to do it's dirty work. Unfortunately..
At this point Alex has returned to his mini van having just reached into his ever present doctor's bag and set it on fire with a lighter. The van quickly speeds towards the entrance of Price's Towers which you see Alex struggle with the door, trying to get it open.. Finally he smashes out the window... too late... as the van explodes and Price Towers quickly becomes an inferno.
This time the smoke is real. The flames are real. But when the smoke clears we see Alex Richards, the charred form, covered in bandages in a hospital bed, dozens and dozens of tubes coming in and out of his body. At least four machine hooked up to him. At least two ivs. He's in bad shape.
Burnt Alex: 99 percent of your body was burned in that fire Alex. Your lungs were charred, your heart was charred. But remember that deal you made? Well you were going to live to see 105.. and you will. However you're never going to come out of that coma. Which is why I have time to visit you. I have 70 some odd years worth of time to kill. They unplugged us, but we still lived. People have come in and in attempted acts of mercy attempted to smother you with a pillow. You survived. Unplugged machines. You survived that. Hell, Wavedigger and the Beach Krew came in one day and Digger was carrying a 4 litre jug of water. I'll bet you can guess what he did there. So what do you think... now that you've seen yourself. Seen what your decision ultimately did.
Alex takes a deep breathe to compose himself, then speaks.
Alex Richards: Seeing my friends, my family, my teammates suffer... that's a fate worse than death. But seeing myself like that.. I feel nothing. Because I know, if I'm the guy who would abandon my friends, my family, and my teammates and risk something horrible happening to them. What happens to me, I'd deserve it. But then I thought about it, and I realized something. This isn't real. You're not real. Because I feel abandoning Pantheon is a fate worse than death so I would never do this! I would always continue fighting.
Burnt Alex: Let's say this isn't real. Why did all of this happen? What's the common link in everything that happened here tonight?
Alex thinks for a minute. He paces back and forth. Then it hits him.
Alex Richards: Easy! I didn't do anything to stop any of it! I just sat back and let it happen and hoped for the best. But it's wrong! I'm not just a member of Pantheon. With Corey Black fired from the WCF I am the SENIOR member of Pantheon! That means I'm not just supposed to follow the path. I'm supposed to carve out a new path! I'm supposed to lead the way.
Charred Alex smiles. Which is strange since isn't his face burnt away? But all the burnt skin suddenly slides off revealing the older, yet wiser long black haired, tattoo less version of Alex Richards.
Alex Richards: Future Alex!
Future Alex smiles and nods at his younger self.
Future Alex: I knew you'd get it. My work here is done.. but you... you have a lot in front of you.
Alex Richards: Any advice?
Future Alex: Yeah. Don't lose to Occulo and Wolf. That would be embarrassing.
Alex Richards: Any advice I don't already know?
Future Alex: Yeah, don't drink to forget this. It's important. Well some of it is.
But before Future Alex can say another word to himself present day Alex snaps to life, looks at Shaun with a huge grin on his face and grabs his brother in a bear hug.
Alex Richards: I missed you little brother! Don't ever go to prison! But if you do... shank the first men who even looks at you crooked. It will earn you respect and fear!
SZR: Um... didn't plan on going to prison. But thanks... I guess. You worried me. You went almost ten minutes without saying a word. I thought you passed out.
Alex snorts.
Alex Richards: Pass out? Me? Yeah... right.
SZR: That's why I thought it was strange.
Alex Richards: Wait... ten minutes? I could have sworn it was a lot longer.
SZR: You sure you're alright. I mean, before you passed.. okay blanked out, it seemed like you were going to quit. But now..
Alex Richards: Oh no, I am going to quit. I'm going to quit whining! I'm going to quit making excuses! I'm going to quit letting other people take the lead! The Beach Krew and Seth want to destroy Pantheon? So what! They want to destroy Pantheon... they do everything within their power to destroy Pantheon. That doesn't mean I have to give up and let them! Previous members of Pantheon worked too hard to allow their legacy to be destroyed! I worked too hard to allow our legacy to be destroyed! There's a reason all the groups, all the men that went against Pantheon are largely forgotten by history. Because Pantheon made them obsolete. Now it's my turn to defend Pantheon's honor! Pantheon has has many, many members over the years, they always operated on one simple principle... get me a drink!
SZR: Um.. that doesn't make any sense.
Alex Richards: No, I'm just ordering a drink. Come to think of it, make it a double vodka on the rocks squared.
SZR: You want four shots of vodka?
Alex Richards: You're right that's foolish. Double that! Pantheon has been successful because of one principle.. the next man up! One star, two stars, three stars leaves Pantheon another one takes their place. Well now it's my turn to step up! Pantheon didn't invite me to join so I could fill out the ranks. Pantheon invited me because they thought I would be a future legend, a future world champion, a future leader. Well.. that time.. that time is now! Beach Krew wants to fire Corey Black, they want to steal the World title from Jay Omega, they want to cancel XIII? That means.. they want war!
The bartender returns carrying Alex's way too boozy drink. Alex smiles and downs it in a single gulp.
Alex Richards: Ohh... that goes down smooth. But like I was saying.. the Beach Krew wants war with Pantheon. They can have War. But much like the WCF's War, it will be a war they will not win. Pantheon represented by Jay Omega kicked their ass that time. This time, it's going to be Alex Richards executing that kill shot. Striking the death blow on the Beach Krew.
SZR: You have to make sure you don't get ahead of yourself though. Last week, you might have overlooked The People's Choice. You don't want to make that mistake again this week.
Alex Richards: The People's Choice beat us last week. They beat Dexter, Gunther, and myself. I could make excuses, but excuses are for losers. I am not a loser. I've been beaten before. I'll be beaten again. But then I look at what's offer this week... and it pisses me off. It makes me think... what the serious fuck. The Beach Krew are in charge right?
SZR: They are.
Alex Richards: So that means they make the matches right?
SZR: I believe that would be correct.
Alex Richards: This is the best they have for me? This is the best they have for Dexter Radcliffe and myself? They are probably laughing. They probably figured we are losing members, we have been losing matches, so they figured let's drive the knife in a little deeper. Let's put Pantheon against two men who would normally have no chance against them. Two men no sane person would consider big stars, two men no one would consider a real team. Two men with very little potential. It's a final insult putting a demotivated, disheartened Pantheon team against them. Thinking that Wolf and Occulo were going to pick up the embarrassing victory.
Alex pounds the table with his fist in anger.
Alex Richards: They thought wrong! I'm not sad! I'm not encouraged! I'm angry! I'm vengeful! Quite frankly, I'm pissed off! Wolf and Occulo.. this is your big chance.. you big chance to finally do something in the WCF... everyone thinks the odds are in your favor, this is the perfect time to face Dex and myself.. They are all wrong! This is the worst time for you guys to face me. Because I know the Beach Krew will be watching, expecting they won't have to get their hands dirty. That Pantheon will fall without them having to do any of the heavy lifting themselves. So I'm going to put on a show for them. I'm going to show them exactly what's in store for them. Because it doesn't matter how is put in front of me I'm ripping through them. Then I'm looking for you Beach Krew. Because I'll rip through Wolf and Occulo because they are in my way. Because there is absolutely no way they can stop me from getting my revenge. I'll rip through your members because I want to.. because I'll enjoy it! Because you were foolish enough to start a war with Pantheon and I'm man enough to finish it.
SZR: You seem tense. You need another drink?
Alex Richards: No, little brother, I'm good. I am in exactly the right mindset. You listen to me, and you hear the mindset of a winner. Which is why it's mind boggling that the Beach Krew could think Wolf and Occulo would be the people who could defeat me. I mean, I enjoy my drinking and pills more than the next guy. But if they honest think Wolf and Occulo are the people who are going to beat us, they need to slow down on the mind altering substances. Or they are lightweight posers in drugs like they are in life. I mean Wolf? Wolf is going to beat us? First off, Wolf hates his own tag team partner Occulo. He detests him because he knows Occulo is better than him and can't stand it. First off, if Occulo was better than me I'd be filled with hate too. Self hate. How the hell can I be a worse professional wrestler than Occulo? That's like starring in a worse movie than Troll 2!
SZR: You're going to make me watch Troll 2 with you later aren't you?
Alex Richards: Bad movies are my jam! Wolf got eliminated by Occulo in War then challenged him to a match. I can get behind that. I can see the logic there. Then he wrestles Occulo and not only does he lose to Occulo he submits to Occulo. He challenges Occulo to a grudge match and not only fails but fails miserably. But that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous. That doesn't mean he can't still be a threat. But his next actions did. His next actions proved what kind of a man Wolf is. Wolf lost to Occulo but he went on national television spouting some bullshit that the reason his performance was so bad was because he was drugged! Because he was drugged! Then he sworn he was going to hunt down whoever drugged him. You know what Wolf.. I confess.. it was me. I drugged you.
SZR: You did not!
Alex Richards: No, I didn't. No one did. But I'm confessing anyways because Wolf swore he was going to kill whoever did and quite frankly he doesn't scare me in the slightest. Some guy who whines over his losses, who makes petty excuses. This is not a guy who is going to beat me, let alone kill me. Wolf you are not a professional wrestler, you are a child throwing a tantrum! Grow the fuck up kid this is not a game! Wolf doesn't have the talent to beat me and Dex, he doesn't make the mental make up to beat me and Dex. Quite frankly even if he did have the talent he would lose this match because there is no way Occulo and he would win this match. A man who lost to his partner by submission than made nothing but stupid excuses? Do you really think this is the type of guy who has any interest in competing in a tag team match let alone winning? Wolf is going to turn on his partner. You know why Zach?
SZR: Because he always turns on his partners.
Alex Richards: I'll accept that actually. It's true. But not what I was gonna go with. No, Wolf is going to turn on Occulo because he knows he doesn't actually have a chance of victory so if he turns on Occulo that way he can say his partner got pinned so it wasn't his fault they lost. Sounds pretty far fetched, short sighted, and stupid right? But coming from a man who blamed a crushing defeat on being drugged... makes a lot of sense.
SZR: Sadly it actually does.
Alex Richards: I mean c'mon, he could have at least come up with an original excuse. Claimed he was controlled by aliens or something.
SZR: That's an original excuse?
Alex Richards: Well around here it's miles more believable at least. Wolf do me one favor though, lay off the children's aspirin this week. I don't want any excuses when I destroy you in the middle of the ring this week, okay? Speaking of pills..
Alex reaches into his doctor's bag and pulls out a bottle.
SZR: Haven't you had enough?
Alex Richards: Carrying around this bag practically makes me a doctor so I can be my own doctor. I'm just treating the patient. Now about Wolf's partner.. Occulo..
Alex thinks for a minute.
Alex Richards: Why exactly is there to say about Occulo?
SZR: You're the one fighting him, you tell me.
Alex Richards: I don't know what to say about him. I mean, he's there... I guess. I mean he's been around on and off since just before last year's One. He tried to win the People's Title. He failed. He tried to beat Joey Flash. He basically got owned week after week month after month in what has to be the most one sided feud since The Jersey Shore versus common sense.
SZR: That just sounds odd.
Alex Richards: Common sense never even shows up when the Jersey Shore was around. Occulo might as well have done the same thing with how easily Flash destroyed him every single week. He competed in the Trilogy Cup, no one thought he had a chance. He didn't. Jay Omega wrestled twice in one night but still was able to beat him without much suspense. But hey he won a title. The United States title. Even defended it once against Dark Prince. Then he lost it to Kaz Mazy. I mean I'm grasping at straws, I'm really trying to come up with some career highlights for him. I'm really trying. I got it! He formed the Sentinels! With Dune. Yep, that's your career highlight. You were the tag team partner of the world champion. Hell, even the third member you guys picked up for King of Trios Howard Black quickly passed you as the second most accomplished man in the group. Howard Black fought Joey Flash and Jonny Fly by himself. That shows more stones then anything you ever did Occulo. You hid behind your stable, you even hid behind your evil, horrible father. Because you know one thing, you are not good enough to be on your own. I surround myself with friends by choice, and help them as much as they help me. You surround yourself with friends because you desperately need the help no matter what the cost to them. I am a valued teammate and leader if need be. Occulo, you are nothing more than a leech!
SZR: Harsh.
Alex Richards: No, not harsh true. I actually wouldn't be so harsh if he didn't deserve it. But since he returned to the WCF he's been doing nothing but brag about how good he is. Brag about how dangerous he is. The only problem is.. he isn't. He's been here almost a year and he's done next to nothing. Occulo is good at one thing and one thing only. Feuding with or surrounding himself with people better than him in order to make himself look good. Sorry Occulo, Wolf does nothing for you. You're average if I'm being generous and he's terrible. Last week Raymond Hatcher exposed you. You can brag all you want but the facts speak for themselves. You didn't get any better during your time off. You're just not that good. You had better hope Dune comes back soon so you can latch on like the tick you are. Hang on to Dune for dear life because his hard work makes you somewhat relevant. But this week you are all alone, or with Wolf which is actually worse than being alone, against Pantheon... against me. And I... I am anything but average. Confusion always reigns, Pantheon always reigns.. that has a nice ring to it doesn't it. I'll make sure it does not change!
Alex thinks for a second then continues..
Alex Richards: And Wolf.. Occulo if you think for second you guys are going to join let alone take over Pantheon you are sadly mistaken! Over my dead body!
Poor Shaun looks confused and Alex doesn't explain before the scene..
Fade to Black