The Book of eXtreme: The Civil War (Part 2)

[Mikey eXtreme]

The Civil War Part 2

Philadelphia, a city rich (and creamy) with American History (and cream cheese), and the biggest United States Championship match in WCF history. Things couldn’t be any more perfect than this. Though, Mikey didn’t quite care, things were shaping up to make this one of the most historical moments in American History.

The battle of the United States title, Mikey eXtreme vs Bernard Core in a 2 out of 3 falls all American weapons match. This date would be marked on calendars for years to come, rivaling July 4th for the most patriotic day of the year. Well, at least it would top Flag Day, I mean, is that really a day? Flag day?

Mikey stood below a flag that was blowing in the wind, his hand over his heart like a true patriot. His hair blowing along with the flag, he stood there for what seemed like an eternity but was probably no more than two minutes. He stood there looking into the distance, looking over the city of Philadelphia. Though he didn't care about the city as a symbol of America, he did feel highly about his country.

Mikey eXtreme: Bernard Core wants to take the only thing that matters away from me. He wants to destroy the great nation of Mikey's America, a nation that I built up from the bottom. A nation that prospers under the control of the supreme leader..

But, Bernard wants to take that from me. He wants to destroy my life, take me out of power, and turn me into a laughing stock. He wants the world to laugh at me, but he doesn't know that his goals are unattainable. He doesn't realize that Mikey's America is no laughing matter, that I will fire back with everything and anything, I will not let Mikey's America come to an end.

No matter what happens, I cannot allow him to take that away from me. Without MY United States title, I am nothing. I do not matter. I am just another schmuck in the WCF, just another Grayson Pierce or a Joseph Malignaggi.

Does Bernard Core really think he’s going to do that to me? Does he really think that I would allow him to destroy my life? I am America, the greatest nation in the world. You don’t walk over America, America drops the bomb on you. America destroys your weak ass countries. Why? Not because we can, but because fuck you, we’re America.

That’s the same attitude I have coming into this match with Bernard. Fuck you, I’m Mikey eXtreme. Fuck you, I’m the greatest, I am the best United States Champion this federation has ever AND will ever see. Do you think I’m going to let you pry my legacy away from me this quickly? When people see this belt, and they see this beautiful flag that it’s dressed in, do you know what they think about?

They think about me. They think about Mikey’s America. They think about the KING of Darkness, Mikey eXtreme.

Can you blame them, though, Core? What do they see when they look at you? They see the next victim in the warpath of eXtreme. They see the next victim of sacrifice to the Darkness. They see you and they wonder what made you think that you could step inside Mikey’s ring, what made you think that you ever had a chance? They sit back and they wonder, does Bernard Core really have these educational accolades? Surely, someone of that level of intelligence would run from Mikey, they would go far, far away from the devastation that he brings.

So, Bernard, I must ask you: Are those accolades true or did you print those diplomas yourself at the local Maxi Mart and print them out yourself? Because when I look at you, I don’t see a smart guy, I don’t see a doctor.. I see a joke. I see a man that is lost in his own world, a man that will never be able to escape himself to reach the top of the mountain. You’re nothing like me, Core. You may be book smart, hell, I’ve never even read a goddamn book in my life. But, you’re smarts will fail you in my world. They will get you in a heap of trouble that you will never be able to escape from.

Bernard Core, shooting for not only upset of the night, but the biggest upset of all time. February 22, 1980; MY great United States put together a hockey team that defeated the mighty Soviet Unions in what some like to call the Miracle on Ice. 4-3, America. That game single handedly ended the Soviet Union.

You’re not the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team, Bernard. Instead, you’re team Norway. A team that did not win one game that year, and gave up an unbelievable amount of goals.

And, believe me, Core.. when I win this match and regain rightful control over the country, you will be deported to Norway. Because, just like their national hockey team, you’re complete and utter fucking garbage. You don’t belong to be on the world stage and you sure as hell don’t deserve to be there with me.

There is no way you’re making it out of this match alive, Core, and I suggest you run now. Run away while you still have a chance. Go into hiding, and never show your face around here again. This is your only chance, and as I do with all my opponents, I am offering you this chance, because I do have a heart. Sure, it might be small and black, but, for me to be able to say that I gave you this chance, that I allowed you to deny your own sacrifice, it takes all of the blame off of me.

Look back to last month, Core. Chelsea Armstrong did not take my offer, she stepped into the ring with me on the biggest PPV of the year, and look what happened. You’ll never see that bitch step foot inside a WCF ring ever again. You’ll never be able to look back on her career without thinking about the historic and sadistic beating that I gave her. Her name is not synonymous with sacrifice.

Fifteen? The biggest Pay Per View in WCF history, celebrating fifteen years of dominance. Well, Mikey eXtreme is entering his 17th year of dominance inside that ring, and Bernard Core will feel the intense rage that burns inside of me, he will be sacrificed to the Dark Lords and he WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

Mikey begins to breath heavily, his anger almost boiling out over his skin. His hands slide through and tug at the ends of his hair. He stares into the camera before lashing out at Bernard Core once again.

Mikey eXtreme: You attacked me a few weeks ago on Slam, Bernard. The whole world laughed at me. They seen you and your Core Institute standing above Mikey eXtreme and the Family of Darkness. To make matters worse, they seen as Grayson and Bonnie Blue came to my aide.

You embarrassed me like nobody has ever done here in the WCF.

Do you think that is going to go unpunished? Do you think what we did to your son, last week on Slam, is going to be the end of that payback? I will not rest, Bernard, until you are not only the biggest laughing stock here in the WCF, but until the thought of your own existence makes you want to end it all, makes you want to go sit in the Core-Mobile parked in your garage and roll down the windows and just sit there idling.

I will not rest until the day I can go to the cemetery that you’re buried in, and while I piss on your grave, I read an engraving on your tombstone that reads: Life was never the same after eXtreme.”

Until that day, Core, you are the target of the Darkness, and you will not escape. You cannot escape.

The scene fades away as Mikey stares deep into the camera.

Return to the Clock Tower

Inside the dark and twisted mind of Mikey eXtreme sits a colossal Clock Tower that holds the King’s throne. The gothic clock tower sat atop the Kingdom of eXtreme, in which Mikey ruled with an iron fist. Those did not dare to enter Mikey’s tower without fear of death.

Doc: It’s inching closer, Mikey. Inching so very close.

Over the past few months, the image of Doc inside Mikey’s mind had severely changed. The loving adoptive father had been taken over by the Darkness, turning him into a demon. Doc stood to the left of Mikey, his skin a dark red color, with small horns protruding from his temples. His eyes were not eyes at all, but instead were full of smoke.

Mikey eXtreme: Yes, I can feel it myself, Doc. I can feel every bit of the darkness coming closer and closer to Vidalia, which only makes my powers grow.

Mikey was sitting in the throne, his eyes looked through the face of the clock tower as he watched over the kingdom. In the distance were flames and an overcast of smoke clouded the area but this was normal for this kingdom. The kingdom of eXtreme was more of a wasteland than anything, but to Mikey, this was HIS kingdom, and it was special.

Mikey eXtreme: With my powers growing, Doc, there stands no chance that Bernard Core will best us. There stands no chance that anyone here in the WCF will be able to best us. It’s only a matter of time until I place my throne on top of this federation where it belongs.

But, until then, I will rule America.

Doc looks at Mikey, the smoke is pouring out of his eyes as he speaks.

Doc: Vidalia is going to need to recover from this experience, Mikey. She will not be strong enough to join you at ringside at Fifteen or you risk losing her. She will need her rest.

Mikey turns to Doc, he had not thought about her recovery.

Mikey eXtreme: Fuck. I was so caught up in my own business I forgot about her recovery time. Fuck. There is no way to rush this, but if she must stay in the back, she must stay in the back.

Doc: Plus, we don’t know how she is going to take her gift from the Dark Lords. We have no way of knowing how these powers will affect her.

Mikey eXtreme: She will be fine, Doc. She is not weak, she is far stronger than we could have ever realized when we met her. She will accept these powers and run with them. She will become a strong ally to our dark forces, I promise you.

Doc: If she fails, Mikey, this is on you. Remember that, son. She is your responsibility once you begin this process and if anything goes wrong, you will have to pay the consequences.

You may be the King, my son, but there are still forces above you and they do not take kindly to failure. They loathe even the slightest idea of failure. Do not anger your Dark Lords, Mikey.

Mikey nods his head.

Mikey eXtreme: I will do no such thing, Doc. I am here to please the Dark Lords, I am here to make sure that everything falls into place and that we comfortably control and rule this world as we have ruled the many worlds before this one. I am here to ensure the Darkness’ claim to this world get stronger and stronger by the day.

Believe me, Doc, I will make sure that everything goes to plan. I will guide Vidalia just as I have done with Freakshow. She will harness those powers and we will use them to grow. We will use them to destroy everyone and anything that gets in our way.

Doc: Good, son. Good.

Mikey eXtreme: We will start with Bernard Core, albeit without Vidalia, but none the less, Bernard Core will fall victim to the Darkness. We will blanket him in fear and death and he will end up like the many before him.

Doc: Do not make the same mistakes you made against Kaz Mazy or Scarecrow.

Mikey sits up, inching to the edge of the seat of his throne. The anger in his eyes can be see throughout the kingdom.

Mikey eXtreme: Do not mention those names here, Doc. DO NOT BRING THEM UP!

Mikey screams, his voice bouncing off the walls and echoing down the halls of the tower.

Mikey eXtreme: Bernard Core will never treat me like that. Nobody will ever treat me like that again. Nobody will embarrass me like that. Nobody will take me out like that. It will NEVER happen again, Doc.

Doc: You failed once, you can fail again.

Mikey eXtreme: I cannot, Doc. I will not.

Doc: But you have and you can.

The anger grows higher and higer.

Mikey eXtreme: NO!

Doc: Yes, let the anger flow through you, my son. Let it make you stronger, let it devour everything inside.

Mikey eXtreme: I still have much to learn, but I promise I will not disappoint the Dark Lords. Vidalia will pass her test. Bernard Core’s soul will enter the soul chamber and we will grow in power.

Our Father

Mikey opens his eyes to find himself sitting in the back pew of a local church. His head is throbbing, and he doesn’t remember coming to this church. He notices there is a broken bottle of whiskey on the floor and he can smell the alcohol in the air.

Mikey eXtreme: Fuck me, there was still a good amount in there.

Suddenly, a tap on Mikey’s shoulder causes him to spin around at the speed of light. His hands are in the air as if ready for a fight, only to see an older priest standing there.

Father Ted: May I be of some assistance? I am Father Ted.

Mikey rolls his eyes.

Mikey eXtreme: Was Father Dougal not in today?

Father Ted: Father Dougal? I’m not sure I know who you are speaking about, he is not part of this parish to my knowledge.

A smirk comes across Mikey’s face.

Mikey eXtreme: Don’t worry about it, Father. It’s not important.

Father Ted: What bothers you? You appear to be in a very bad place.

Mikey laughs.

Mikey eXtreme: I guess you could say that.

Father Ted: Tell me about it, son.

Mikey gives the priest an odd glance.

Mikey eXtreme: There is nothing to talk about.

Father Ted: Well, we could start with these glass on the floor. Have you been drinking?

Mikey looks down at the glass and back at the priest.

Mikey eXtreme: I.. uh.. I.. I don’t know.

The priest nods his head.

Mikey eXtreme: I guess, I must have been.

Father Ted: Do you drink a lot?

Mikey closes his eyes and begins to rub his temples.

Mikey eXtreme: I don’t know, I suppose I do. What’s it to you?

Mikey starts to get defensive.

Mikey eXtreme: I’m a grown man, I can have a drink if I want.

Father Ted: There’s nothing wrong with a few drinks, but once it starts to affect your every day life, there is a problem.

Mikey eXtreme: There’s no problem, Father. I’m fine. I’m in control here, not the booze.

Father Ted: Well, then, how did you get here?

Mikey refuses to answer the priest.

Father Ted: How about we sit here for a few minutes and pray? Do you know the Our Father?

Mikey nods his head.

Mikey eXtreme: Everybody knows the Our Father, I’m not sure how this is going to help me right now.

Father Ted: Well, what is troubling you? Maybe I can be of some help? What’s the worst that could happen?

Mikey eXtreme: I’m currently in the middle of a very intense battle between good and bad.

Father Ted: Mhm. Tell me about this battle.

Mikey eXtreme: You would not understand.

Father Ted: Try me.

Mikey eXtreme: I am in a battle with someone whose views are not right. Who is so locked into his own mindset that he does not see that he is wrong. He does not see the right way, and thus challenges me to take over.

Father Ted: And, what if it is your views that are wrong?

Mikey eXtreme: My views?

Mikey grows increasingly angrier by the minute.

Mikey eXtreme: My views are not wrong, Father. I fight the good fight, and I will be victorious because it is the way the Dar…. the way the Lord wants it to be.

Father Ted: If it is what the Lord wants, then it will be shown to you, my child. God has a mysterious way of letting us know what is right and wrong. Sometimes he wants for each and every one of us to grow by finding these answers ourselves.

Sometimes this can be frustrating as we feel we are left to struggle, but in the end, it is God’s plan that works out and cures and fixes all of our problems making us all stronger because of it.

I think you need to sit back and look at this battle from all sides. You must take everyone’s views and look at them from all points, perhaps some of these wrong views that you speak of are actually not as wrong as you thought?

Mikey eXtreme: Are you taking his side, father?

Mikey’s eyes begin to scare the priest a bit, as he begins to try to backpedal out of this situation.

Father Ted: I am not taking any sides, I am telling you to consider looking at these other views. Perhaps they are wrong, but in seeing where this other person is coming from, they may not appear so bad after all.

Mikey eXtreme: I do not appreciate your hostility, Father.

Mikey’s shoots a stare towards the priest which causes him to gasp.

Father Ted: The Devil is in your eyes!

Almost instantly Mikey kicks the priest straight in the jaw. X-Marks the Spot.

Mikey eXtreme: The devil? The Dark Lords laugh at your views of them. They are more powerful than your devil could ever be. They are more powerful than your God could ever be. Just as I am more powerful than Bernard Core can ever be.

The scene fades as Mikey begins to leave the pew.

Leave me alone, Hank

Mikey eXtreme is sitting at the bar, he has a jack and coke in front of him and is staring into space when a familiar voice speaks out behind him.

Hank Brown: I hope this isn’t a bad time, Mikey.

Mikey turns his head to Hank.

Mikey eXtreme: Are you fucking kidding me? Sit down.

Mikey pounds back a drink and motions towards the bartender for two more as Hank sits down.

Hank Brown: I’m not allowed to drink while I’m working

Mikey eXtreme: What? Those are both for me.

Hank, feeling a bit embarrassed, goes right back into question mode.

Hank Brown: So, have you put forth any training for this match yet? I’m sure the WCF universe would like to hear about it!

Mikey lets out a slight chuckle.

Mikey eXtreme: As a matter of fact, I was just working on my super kick not that long ago, Hank. Let me tell you, it’s never been more effective in my entire career.

Hank Brown: I’m sure Bernard Core does not want to be the receiving end of an X-Marks the Spot again!

Mikey eXtreme: Believe me, Hank, when I land this fucking kick on Bernard Core at Fifteen, I’m aiming for decapitation. I’m aiming to end his career.. to end his life.. with one swift kick.

Hank Brown: Why do you have such an hatred for the Headmaster of the Core Institute?

Mikey eXtreme: It’s quite simple, Hank. The man wants what I have. I don’t allow people to rob me. I don’t allow me to want what I have. I only have one simple message to everyone in the WCF locker room:

If you want what I have, step in the ring with me and I will make sure you’re never able to step inside with me again.

Does that answer your question?

Hank Brown: That’s enough to warrant wanting to end a man’s career? Hell, his life?

Mikey eXtreme: I believe so, Hank. Nobody, and I mean nobody, takes what is mine. All who try will pay the ultimate price.

Suddenly, a WCF fan approaches the two at the bar. She is a young blonde who is excited to see not just one but TWO personalities from the WCF at her local bar.

Girl: Oh my god! I watch you guys on TV!

Mikey rolls his eyes.

Girl: Can I get an autograph?!

Hank Brown: I’d be happy to giv--

Mikey eXtreme: Nobody wants your autograph, Hank.

The girl notices a slight tear well up in Hank’s eye. His spirit and heart breaking almost instantly as Mikey continues to talk.

Mikey eXtreme: and who the fuck gives you the right to address your supreme ruler without him telling you that you have the right to open your mouth?

The girl gasps.

Mikey eXtreme: And believe me, if I told you to open your mouth it wouldn’t be to hear you talk.

Mikey nudges Hank with his elbow. Hanke seems appalled at the way Mikey is talking to this WCF fan, but that quickly changes to shock as the girl’s hand comes crashing into Mikey’s face. The slap almost echoes through the bar as the bar quickly becomes as quiet as when Pee Wee Herman interrupted a private meeting of the Satan’s Helpers.

Mikey eXtreme: Don’t you ever lay your whore hand on me again.

The girl goes to slap him one more time but Mikey grabs her by the wrist which causes a group of guys to approach him. Hank’s face has no shifted from shock to fear as he tries to distance himself from Mikey.

One of the guys yells at Mikey to let her go, threatening him if he does not.

Mikey eXtreme: I don’t take kindly to threats. You’re going to stand up for this bitch who just assaulted me?

Mikey pushes the girl away and walks towards the group of men.

Mikey eXtreme: I could destroy all of you right this second if I wanted to. But you’re not worth my time, I have bigger fish to fry.

Mikey turns his back on the crowd as they start to scream at him to get out of their bar. Mikey rolls his eyes and pounds down the drinks on the bar.

Mikey turns to the crowd one more time, pretending to throw a punch which causes a few of them to flinch. Mikey’s laughter fills the bar as he walks out the front door.

Murder Book

The time had finally come for Vidalia to gain control and join Mikey in the ranks of the Darkness. They had stalked their prey for the last few days and with Fifteen coming up in just a day they had to strike their target now.

They knew his schedule and they knew he would be home and in bed when they made their move at 3:37 AM. Freakshow would slip inside the house unnoticed like usual, and prep the scene for when Mikey and Vidalia arrived.

Mikey eXtreme: Are you ready Vi?

Mikey spoke calmly to Vidalia who was extremely nervous.

Mikey eXtreme: Freakshow is going to make this easy for us. He’s probably tying this bastard up right now. We’ll go in, I’ll hand you the knife and you do what you gotta do.

Vidalia: What if I can’t?

Mikey eXtreme: Don’t worry, Vidalia, it will happen. You will do this, we have faith in you.

Vidalia looks into Mikey’s eyes, and can tell his has 100% confidence in her. Her nerves ease a little bit.

Mikey eXtreme: Lets go, Freakshow sent the signal.

The lights in the bedroom flickered on and off three times, letting Mikey know that things had gone to plan and that this man was tied and gagged, waiting for Vidalia to take her revenge. The two of them made their way to the house, and entered making sure not to be seen by any neighbors.

They entered the bedroom of the man to find him tied to the bed, sweat dripping from his forehead as fear had began to take over his mind. He looked at the three of them, and whimpered a bit.

Mikey eXtreme: Do you know why we’re here?

Mikey asked him a question and the man shook his head, no.

Mikey eXtreme: You don’t see this girl right here?

He shook his head again, he had no idea what was going on.

Mikey eXtreme: You raped her.

Vidalia had tears coming down her face by the time he realized who she was. His lip trembled as Mikey grabbed him by his hair, and pulled the gag out of his mouth.

The man tried to speak, but the fear was too much.

Vidalia: It was a long time ago..

She was fighting the tears now.

Vidalia: I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. I didn’t think I’d ever regain myself, but.. Mikey.. Mikey has set me on the right path. He has taught me how to be myself. How to make myself stronger. How to put an end to the chapter of my life that you destroyed.

Mikey pulls a knife out from his jacket and hands it to Vidalia. The man begins to panic.

Man: Don’t do this! Please!

Mikey eXtreme: You get what you deserve.

Man: Samuel Light told me you would be coming.

Mikey looks at the man harder, he grabs him by his cheeks and screams in his face.

Mikey eXtreme: What did you just say?

Mikey couldn’t believe his ears, did this man just mention Samuel Light to him? How were these two men linked? Mikey needed answers, but then Vidalia plunged the knife deep inside the man’s chest. She pulled it out, and plunged it back inside. She repeated this 43 more times.

This was personal.

Each and every plunge, Mikey had another question in his head.

How does this man know Samuel? Does Samuel know they’re there now?

Mikey grabbed the knife from Vidalia, he made sure she had no wounds herself, and they walked out of the man’s house. There were no witnesses. Only questions.

How would these questions affect the mindset of Mikey eXtreme going into his biggest match in his WCF career? Mikey had to wonder where Samuel Light was and how much he knew about his current plans but that would have to go on the back burner. Mikey had a date with Bernard Core at Fifteen where he would retain his championship belt at whatever costs.

Vidalia would need to take a few nights off to recover from what she had just done, what she had just seen, and what she had just heard. Mikey would need some time to reflect on what he had just heard too, but that would have to happen after Fifteen.

Bernard Core was in for a world of pain, Mikey was hungry for more blood.