Post by Gemini Battle on Feb 27, 2016 2:24:08 GMT -5
POST SLAM
A bittersweet victory at Slam filled the Rebellution locker room with certain unease as Steve Orbit left after sharing a shot of Hennessey. Bonnie, Andre, DeMarcus and Grayson all took a seat on the uncomfortable couches supplied by the arena.
Andre
So we won… why don’t I feel as pumped as I normally do?
Grayson
It’s the fucking family. They’re a bunch of low-life pieces of shit. Who wants to beat the shit out of a woman who just had her only friends abandon her?
DeMarcus
Well, we give help the helpless, right… should we reach out to Twilight?
Grayson
Fuck no. She has a history. She hasn’t earned the right to be helped.
Andre
Well, who’s to say who deserves to be helped or not?
Grayson
ME. I tell you who gets helped and who doesn’t. Don’t you see that? Don’t you see that the success and failure of this team is on MY SHOULDERS! I’m not bringing in a loose cannon, a person who can’t be trusted… I’m not even entertaining the notion that Sarah FUCKING Twilight will be a part of our cohesive unit, DAMMIT!
He gets up and paces around the room… he would normally storm out, but he felt like he had nowhere to go. Confused, ashamed, and downright embarrassed about his actions he found a corner and contemplated his emotions. He didn’t even know he felt this way, yet after releasing this sudden outburst he somehow felt better.
And that made him feel even worse about it.
Meanwhile the remaining members of the group whispered to each other.
Andre
What crawled up his ass and died?
Bonnie
He got… well we got some bad news today before the show?
DeMarcus
What?
Bonnie
A friend of ours died?
Andre
Oh, no. I’m so sorry to hear that.
DeMarcus
Anyone we know?
Bonnie
No, I don’t think so. He left before either of you got here.
Andre
An ex-WCFer? We MUST have known at least who he is then.
Bonnie
You know… we JUST found out, and we maybe were the closest to him in the WCF… I think if he wanted more people to know you would already.
Grayson
Guys…
The three of them nervously looked up at their ‘leader.’
Grayson
And girl.
They all forced a laugh as he smiled his million dollar smile at him that always seemed to ease the tension in any situation he was in.
Andre
Don’t mention it.
Pierce looked at his tag team partner incredulously. He didn’t deserve compassion after that unnecessary outburst. He deserved to be punished, possibly even kicked out of the group.
DeMarcus
It’s all good, bro.
His eyes turned to the darker skinned member of his team who looked sorry for him. This moment of compassion was beginning to take an odd turn for Pierce. He had remembered this look from his days in the DRG when he was struggling with drugs. He remembered the bearded face of Thomas Bates staring at him with the same look of pity. He remembered the look of disgust on Doug Murdock’s face. He remembered the look of apathy on the face of Mikey eXtreme.
Then he looked around the room. He saw no pity… he saw no disgust and he saw no apathy. He looked in the deep blue eyes of Bonnie and saw concern. When he looked at the bearded face of Andre he saw concern. When he looked in the weathered face of Jordan he saw concern.
This team was not the DRG. This was a team far different than them, far superior. They may not have the numbers as the DRG did, or the sheer size and force of will, but this team had more heart than any team that he had ever been with. Even though he was suffering with Gemini Battle during his time with the DRG he still remembered the feeling that it gave him, and how it drew him out of that near yearlong slumber.
And as he felt himself being dragged into the abyss of Gemini once more he looked around at a trio of people who he knew 100% had his back, even though outbursts like this, which he feared would become more frequent and less savory each time. Yet, despite that he had a feeling that this team of under dogs would fight for him harder than the DRG ever did and would have his back more than anyone else he’s ever dealt with could.
With their support he had a feeling that this whole Gemini Battle thing would get sorted out nicely.
Grayson
Well, good job out there tonight guys.
They all nodded their heads.
Grayson
And girl…
Bonnie
New rule… just refer to us all as guys… I’m fine wit’ that.
They all got up, DeMarcus first, as they parted ways. DeMarcus and Grayson did their newly patented cool black guy hand shake ending with a fist bump and explosion before they left. Bonnie gave Grayson a sweet kiss on the cheek that warmed him up inside and Holmes a typical handshake that Grayson held on to.
Grayson
Not so fasts there, guy!
The door closed leaving Holmes and Grayson alone.
Grayson
I need to talk to you…
Andre felt like a kid in the principal’s office as he sat down and Pierce stood over him. But just like the punk kid he was he smirked and gave a smart-ass remark.
Andre
Let me guess, you want to admonish me for not telling Kaitlyn.
…
…
…
...
Grayson
No. You’re right. There’s no reason to tell her. The only thing you would be doing is making yourself feel better at the detriment of harmony. No, you’re right… don’t tell her.
Andre was stunned. For the past month almost Pierce has advocated telling the truth to his ex-wife about his infidelity but for the first time he has seen the light and finally understood where he had been coming from this whole time.
Holmes got to his feet and stared at his partner.
Holmes
I am right. I know that. I’m going to take your advice to a point but when I know I’m right I am going to stick to my guns.
Grayson
That’s smart. I’m not very good at life.
Holmes
Ha… who is? But you are damn good in the ring, and I want to use this time to talk about next week.
Grayson
First title defense. This is the big one, bro. This will tell everyone that we’re legit and we’re ready to fight. We had a rocky start, thought we defeated Dag Riddick and company in our first match as a team but Fifteen did not go as well for us as it could have. Fortunately, people are distracted by #BeachKrew’s poor performance at that PPV but we came out empty handed too.
Andre
But what did we do? Bonnie won her match, and we won these!
He pats the gold and leather strap over his shoulder.
Grayson
It doesn’t stop there, though. This week is our first true test. And of course Seth didn’t make it easy for us. He made it so we have to face one of the hottest up and coming tag teams in Holden and Henson…
Andre
I can’t wait to get my hands around that fucking Albino’s throat.
Grayson
Something tells me that Henson would enjoy that. That lack of oxygen might give him the breakthrough he needs to finally give a shit about something.
Andre
Ha, yea. Maybe you’re right.
Grayson
Listen, go home, and hold your woman close. For the next few days your family is all that matters. Hold them like it’s the last time you ever will because when I step into the ring I always plan on stepping out, but I’m always prepared to die in that ring. We bring everything we have in there, we bring the frustration and the pain that living life brings even the best of us. We bring the joy only a loving family can provide. We bring the passion that earned us these titles in the first place, and when we leave that we leave all of that in the ring and come out a brand new man.
Wrestling is so much more about being a physical competition. It’s about being ready for anything and about giving your all even when you think there’s nothing left to give. For 2 years I’ve been here and I’ve given everything I have. I leave the ring and when I am with my family, and I finally get my head back on my shoulders I wonder if it’s worth it to even step back into the ring again. I ask myself if there’s anything more to give, but every Wednesday when I hit the gym again and start heading towards my next show I realize that there is nothing else.
This is more important to me than you could possibly believe, Andre. Since my son passed this is all I have left. This title means more to me than I can even explain and the fact that I share these belts with you, a man that I handpicked to be part of this Rebellution that we have set in action in the WCF means even more.
There’s more than potential in you, Holmes. The success that I’ve had will be shadowed by the success that you will have. In this team there is no leader and there is no follower. There is no weak link, there are only two strong links. I am not a champion… you are not a champion… WE are champion, brother. And this week at Time bomb… WE will retain these belts.
Andre shakes his partner’s hand, forgetting about the outburst earlier and seeing the passion in his friend’s eyes that he saw the first time they met during an unceremonious ass kicking at the hands of one of their opponents this week at Time bomb.
This team is fucking ready to fight, as Grayson grabs his gear bag and opens the door to allow his friend out first. He looks back to make sure that he didn’t forget anything…
Of course he didn’t. He always finishes what he started the first time.
He shuts the lights and shuts the door.
The Mourning After
He got home at a reasonable hour, and the day he expected to, not a week later which Kat found reassuring. It was over a week since his last bout of Gemini (he was unsure of what to call this phenomenon of lost time and memory so he decided, as he does, to make light of a shitty situation regardless of how inappropriate it may be.) He was a week Gemini-free but he still felt like he was being watched…
*****
Gemini watched from above, still weakened from his Zombie Apocalypse battle recently. He still hadn’t gotten used to his vessel since being apart from one for such a long time. But he was certain he had made the right choice. He watched as Grayson was comforted by his lover, Katrina Ruiz-Pierce.
It disgusted him. It was a vile sight by people too clouded by their emotions to see the forest through the trees. They truly believe that this ‘Jay Omega’ was truly gone and that they never would see him again. They don’t understand the cosmic repercussions of a soul being dispersed into the universe. A soul cannot be truly lost until it’s fully destroyed.
But Omega was the Maniac. The Maniac was chaos incarnate. And Chaos must be destroyed, the soul, the fiber, the being. It ALL must be DESTROYED! The time will come. But first, I need to find out more. I need to this to play out. I need Grayson Pierce at his strongest so when it’s finally time to emerge from my interminable slumber I too will be at full strength.
I need his mind and his soul at peace so when I rip it out of him I’m full of all that satisfying, nurturing passion that I need to survive.
So I lay in wait.
And wait…
And wait…
And…
Wait…
*****
Kat
Penny for your thoughts?
Grayson
You’d be overpaying.
Kat held him close, and he felt their heart beats synchronizing. He felt love and compassion from her and knew that everything was going to be okay. He played this off as though he was upset that a friend died but in reality the fact that Omega died around the same time that Gemini had rearose left him uneasy. Part of him felt like Gemini was the reason of Omega’s untimely death and couldn’t shake it.
For the first time since Teddy died they had sex. People say that mourning brings out these urges in people, but for Pierce he wanted nothing to do with it. He wanted to mourn in his own way, and in the most platonic way possible, he wanted to be with Bonnie. He wanted to be with someone that he could have a few drinks with and shoot the shit about memories of the past.
He knew that Bonnie and Omega didn’t have the past that Reb and Omega did, but she seemed more than willing to share her memories with him. That’s what he needed, his memories were so jaded and people say that the memories are what keeps people alive. But his memories couldn’t be trusted.
He got up and put on his sweat pants and went to the bathroom to wash his face. He wished that they hadn’t done this act; he wished that he could have been more enthusiastic about it and truly shown her how he felt physically instead of half-heartedly making love to his wife. Ashamed, embarrassed and defeated he left leaving a beautiful naked woman behind.
He walked towards the bathroom and on a table in the hallway lay the ominous yellow envelope containing the Last Will and Testament of Jay Omega. He hadn’t read it yet. He wanted to but every time he lifted the card stock envelope it felt like a million pounds and he couldn’t bring himself to open it. Another try at it was unsuccessful, yet he found himself putting less and less effort into it each time.
He finally made it to the bathroom which was only about 10 feet away and closed the door and locked it behind him. Kat always gave him shit about locking the door but Grayson has very vivid memories of being lifted off the toilet while dropping a deuce by his surprisingly strong sister only to be locked out for 45 minutes with a turtle head poking out and 9 times out of 10 finishing his business in the back yard which had very little shrubbery to maintain any semblance of privacy. That shit happens to you 3 or 4 dozen times you finally learn to lock the door.
He turned the water on so when he spoke out loud it was barely audible.
Grayson
One day at a time. Every day I will choose not to be Gemini and if that’s too overwhelming I will simply choose not to be Gemini at this singular moment.
He had secretly gone to AA for this issue and followed the 12 step program to keep his shit together. He found the mantras soothing and familiar and very helpful.
Grayson
I choose not to be him.
Gemini
Choose all you might, the time will come when you have no choice.
Grayson flinched. He heard the voice like it was coming from within himself. He tried to act like it didn’t happen and closed his eyes tight and in his head repeated the mantra.
‘I choose not to be Gemini right now… I choose not to be Gemini right now…’
He remembered how he would manifest himself in times of crisis. He remembered how when a big match was looming how Gemini would take the reins and guide him through the match. He remembered the comfort of knowing that a part of him who didn’t care about his wellbeing forcing him to do things in that WCF ring that otherwise he never would do.
And once fear became comfort he repeated the mantra again.
‘I choose not to be Gemini right now… I choose not to be Gemini right now…’
Finally as his voice stopped inside his mind he opened his eyes and all that could be heard was the sound of rushing water filing up the sink. He shut if off and finally there was silence. Sweet, sweet silence.
He felt invigorated, he felt alive. He didn’t want to admit it but his brush with Gemini left him feeling motivated and complete. He hated to accept that he felt that a part of him was missing for some time now and when he walked past that envelope he ignored it because only one thing was on his mind. He got back into the bed room and saw Kat standing in front of the full length mirror on the closet door examining her perfect nubile body from all angles possible.
Kat
I think I’ve finally lost all that baby weight…
He approached her with ferocity and fiery passion as he tossed her on the bed and gave her the passion he knew she deserved.
Hello, Mr. Henson… I Bet You Thought I Was Gone.
But I’m back, with a fiery vengeance. I’m back to get revenge on you for what you did. I’m going to make you feel that pain I made you feel in Hell in a Cell back at Revenge. I’m going to make you pay for making Grayson realize his reality, and tossing me from it.
But you can’t keep a good Capuan down. You can’t force me from memory, and you can’t eliminate me form existence so easily. You were the catalyst to my downfall, but I have risen again, and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. I’ve seen you vanish after our encounter. I watched you the whole time, though you may not have known it.
Because believe it or not, you don’t know everything, Mr. Henson. You don’t know JACK SHIT!
Excuse me, pardon my French. I try not to use such foul language, but in moments such as this you leave me no option. I had it all. I had a man in Roscoe who would die for me. It was real to me. My reality was all that matter, and it made me stronger and it helped me reach my goals.
My goals have changed, but my intentions have never been clearer. And this week at Time bomb you face off against my creation and his partner. You will notice a ferocity in Mr. Pierce that you have not seen in some time. That’s me doing that to him, because though he turned me way, he cannot resist forever.
No human can. No mortal being can resist the urge of Gluttony forever. We are all sinners in this world. We all succumb to our own devices, and in your case it’s the sin of Pride. You are unable to comprehend failure on your end because your damned pride always gets in the way.
Even in defeat you come out believing that you were the victor, and in some ways there is some nobleness to that cause, but it more ways it is merely foolish to not learn from your errors. It is your errors and your misfortunes that truly mold you into a human being.
I’ve learned that though my interactions with them, and though you are one, you still can’t seem to comprehend this. Does that make you a genius or does that make you a fucking IDIOT PIECE OF SHIT!
My apologies again for the foul language. But it seems that you have that effect over me. I promise you that I’m here to save the human race, but in your case, I’ll make an exception.
Mission: Possible- Part 1
The sawdust on the floor of Macarthur’s Pub helped to soak up the vomit and piss from the drunken patrons that passed through nightly. The out of place Irish Pub in the heart of Austin, Texas seemed a likely place for Bonnie Blue to want to meet as it maintained a certain anonymity amidst the colossal breweries and bars surrounding it. It’s a lost gem in the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitan area.
Well, gem may be over exaggerating the quaint charm of this place but as Grayson Pierce sat at a high top table atop an uncomfortable wooden stool with a pint of lager in front of the portentous yellow envelope containing documents he wanted to wait to read he felt at ease being in a place where nobody knew his name.
Meanwhile Bonnie Blue rushed through the rain though she didn’t need to. She slowed and realized that though the rain seemed to be coming down hard, hardly being able to see the raindrops as they were as numerous in various puddles as she strolled, they were falling so gracefully that she could hardly feel them on her hand as she reached out to touch them.
She made it into the bar they agreed to meet at and shook off like a puppy and made eye contact with her companion and she walked over there. A cordial greeting was followed by some brief small talk before getting to brass tacks.
Bonnie
So… you gon’ read it?
Grayson
What better time than now?
He opened the envelope and read the top line of the paper inside- Last Will and Testament of Jay Omega.
Grayson
‘By the order of Jay Omega… ‘
He mumbled a few of the words, losing track of the jargon written in there until he found his name.
Grayson
‘… And to Grayson Pierce… the Livewire. We have not always seen eye to eye but I always saw you as someone I can trust, and have done so for various things in the past. Well, though my life has ended I feel our working relationship does not need to end with it. Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to complete a simple task that will unlock a plethora of opportunities for you, as well as some much needed income.
Please, deliver the enclosed package to the address marked on it personally. I do not trust the American Postal Service to do so. Once done that individual will hand you an envelope. In that envelope will be One Million Dollars!’
Bonnie
Holy shit!
Grayson looked stunned at Bonnie who covered her own mouth.
Bonnie
Pardon my French!
Grayson continued.
Grayson
‘…From there you will have a decision to make, but if you choose to accept this mission then you will find out what your next task is. I promise you that it’s worth your while… when have I ever steered you wrong?’
He put down the paper and reached into the envelope pulling out a smaller yellow envelope with an Address in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Bonnie
Baton Rouge… that’s like…
She looks up as though contemplating then returns her gaze towards Grayson.
Bonnie
…Six hours and forty eight minutes away, given you drive the posted speed limit the whole time.
Grayson
How did you know that?
Bonnie
Well…
She paused, clearly wanting to say something but second guessing herself.
Bonnie
You can make that trip and back in a day. It’s only Wednesday… we’ve got 5 days till Time bomb. You should do it.
Grayson forgot about the savant-like talent of knowing precisely how long it would take to get to Baton Rouge from their location… a Google search later proved her accuracy. He chalked it up to being from the future and refocused on his potential task of finding a Million Dollars. It felt like a treasure hunt with a very simple map.
Grayson
You know what… I think I will. Wanna take a ride?
Bonnie
Nah, can’t go…got business to take care of here. Me and DeMarcus got a training sesh planned for that Battle Royal. You should call Dre…
Grayson already had his phone out and typed away at it.
Grayson
Way ahead of ya. I was gonna see if we all wanted to take a road trip actually. But it’s good. You two should rock that Battle Royal. Too bad both of you can’t win it.
Bonnie
Me or him I’m good. But to be honest… I kinda want it to be me more. Ha.
Grayson
That’s what this is all about isn’t it? Fighting to see who the best is? Some honest clean competition with the better person coming out ahead. I’m a little bummed that I’m missing this tournament, but I’m surprisingly excited about holding the tag team belts.
Bonnie
I figured with you headlining One for the World Title and all you would continue fighting singles.
Grayson
Me too at first, but this teaming for the Tag Titles a few weeks ago I think gave me the kick in the ass I need to refocus and get back in gear. I wasn’t expecting this opportunity but when life throws you lemons…
Bonnie just stared at Grayson expecting him to finish.
Grayson
… you make lemonade?
Bonnie
Lemonade… ne’er heard of it. This damn 21st Century has got so much I gotta learn about still.
They laughed and ordered another drink. They talked about life in the future and life in the present. They talked about wrestling. They talked about Jay Omega. It was a cathartic evening and it was just what Gray needed. He always felt that he had a peaceful soul, and there was no soul more peaceful than Bonnie’s. She had passion and drive, but always wanted to do what’s right. He needed that type of force in his life, especially in the WCF.
He felt connected to her in a way he couldn’t explain, but in a way that didn’t make him feel guilty. Last time he had a relationship with a woman like this was with Kat, and she tore him away from a woman that he thought he was going to marry before her. But this was different.
There connection was on a different level, not higher or lower… just different. She wasn’t emotionally cuckholding Kat. They were friends… they had common interests and common goals, and they knew that by working together they could complete those goals.
They were drunk… officially and they didn’t want to walk back to the hotel in the rain. They ordered an Uber to share back to the hotel when Grayson’s phone buzzed. He smiled as the Gray sedan pulled up to pick up he and Bonnie.
Grayson
The doctor is in!
Bonnie
Is that another 21st Century idiom?
Grayson
Well kinda, but it refers to Holmes and I’m calling him Dr. Dre and saying that the doctor is in.
Grayson laughed…
Bonnie didn’t laugh…
Both responses were appropriate.
Mission: Possible- Part Two
Grayson Pierce drives up to the outside of the Grand Lux Hotel in Dallas Texas where Andre Holmes is staying. He texts him and waits, playing System of a Down in the car, rocking out and ready for this adventure to Louisiana to retrieve a cool Million bucks. He stares down at the looming envelope, much smaller than the one that had been haunting him, but seemingly more threatening.
The instructions explicitly said not to open it, and he had no desire to do so, but you know that feeling when they say don’t push the red button… all you want to do is push the fucking red button!
Andre Holmes came rushing out of the hotel with a backpack and several plastic bags. He had the youthful smile and exuberance of a teenager who finally got out of being grounded for a few weeks and can now see his friends for the first time in like forever!
He opens the door and throws himself into the seat. He opens the plastic bag.
Andre
Road trip essentials. Chips… Soda… Red Bull… Chips…Chips…Chips… and most importantly…
He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a CD.
Andre
Dre’s Road Trip Hits… everything from Bare Naked Ladies to Wu Tang on this bitch. You want it you got it. Over 90 minutes of the hottest tunes from 1999 to 2002.
He reaches to put it in the CD player of the car… but can’t find one.
Grayson
You think I can afford a rental car with a CD player? What am I, made of money?
Andre
Well, you will be at the end of the day!
Grayson had told him of the ‘mission’ as Omega had phrased it in his Will, always with a flair for the dramatic. It was a simple delivery, but the reward was far outweighed by the taxing toll a road trip has on the body. Grayson pulled out his iPad and showed the auxiliary cable plugged in.
Grayson
This is what we got. And that’s it. Rules in my car are once a new person enters it they have to listen to this…
He scrolled to ‘The Criminal Bogies’ album ‘X’ and pressed play. A punk rock influenced tune started as Grayson rode off.
Andre
Who is this?
Grayson
Me.
Andre
No shit. I forgot you were in a band.
Grayson
A fucking good band too. Toured all over the north east. Could have been signed if I didn’t start wrestling.
Andre
Why did you get into wrestling in the first place?
Grayson got onto the highway. From there it was a straight drive most of the way so he put himself in cruise control and drove about 70 a majority of the trip.
Grayson
Well, my dad was a wrestler. But that’s not why I got into it… well maybe it was…
He talked about his rocky relationship with his father. He spoke about how he wanted to be better than him. He wanted to prove that a person could be a good dad and a wrestler. There was a stigma placed on professional athletes that deemed them poor parents due to their dedication to their craft, and in professional wrestling where you’re on the road for 300 some days a year it goes double.
Grayson truly felt that his 6 months of being a parent he did his best to put his kid and wife first, and in his 2 years married, he put his wife first in all aspects.
Andre appreciated this, as he was struggling to do the same thing at the moment, and as far as Gray could tell he was succeeding.
Grayson
You don’t have to do one or the other. You can have your cake and eat it too…
Andre
Preach it.
He took a sip of the Red Bull… and by sip I mean downed the whole thing in one gulp.
Grayson
Easy… I’m not taking 15 thousand bathroom breaks.
Andre
I’ve got an iron bladder. Don’t worry about me.
They drove on bobbing their heads to the music. They saw a sign saying ‘Louisiana 55 miles.’ They were making good time, but it was still a hike once they got to Louisiana to get to the state capital.
Andre
Dude, I know you would rather be in the Trilogy Tournament…
Grayson
Back up there killer. We’re the tag team mother fucking champions. You think I would rather be in that Cluster Fuck Battle Royal with DeMarcus and Bonnie than fighting for gold?
Andre
Well, you just said in the Buzz Worthy Round table that only one title matters in the WCF…
Grayson
Fuck yea, only one title DOES count. If you want to cement your legacy in the WCF you HAVE to be the World Champion. You don’t win it by fluke… well Wade Moor did… but he beat me at one and proved that he deserved it.
Anyway.
You gotta fight and earn your way to the top. You gotta win these titles. The Tag titles, the US Title, the Hardcore Title. They build your legacy, but that World Title completes it, you know what I mean.
Andre
Good, because I’m so fucking pumped to have them. After losing that Television Title match I was a bit bummed, obviously. But then we got this opportunity and look at us now.
Grayson
This defense is our shot to build our legacy, and the legacy of Rebellution. Anyone can win these belts, but only true fighting champions can retain them, and let me tell you brother. My goal is to make it into the Ultimate Clusterfuck… Ultimate Showdown with these bad boys and enter one of the most historic matches in the WCF.
Andre
What’s the deal with that match, again?
Grayson told him about the rules of the match…
Grayson
… I’ve missed out for two years… I was even the Trio’s Champion last year during it, but apparently they don’t count. The Tag Titles just got in 2 years ago, and they better be in it this year, because me and you can walk out with the World and Hardcore Titles respectively that night.
Andre
Then I can go on to be the longest reigning World Champ in WCF History… that’s my goal.
Grayson
Well, in my scenario I pinned you but whatever, to each his own.
They laughed as another sign read ‘Louisiana 25 Miles.’
Grayson
Getting close.
Andre
Can you hit up a rest stop?
Grayson
Alright, Iron bladder. Next one is in 10 miles.
Andre
So, you have history with Henson, right?
Grayson
Kinda…
Andre must have been referring to the storied rivalry between Gemini Battle and KL Henson where it was revealed that Gemini Battle was simply an alter ego of Grayson Pierce. That Grayson was the body behind the mind of Gemini Battle.
People still often confused Gemini and Grayson as the same person, but trust me when I say that Gemini and Grayson are two completely different people. Nevertheless, there was some history there.
Andre
So what’s his deal? Sociopath, right? But what makes him so power hungry?
Grayson
He’s not power hungry. He’s just hungry. He’s insatiable. He wants to try to understand why people feel the way they do about things. He strives to comprehend complex emotions power is a sensation that he is incapable of feeling. But he sees the way people flinch when his name is spoken. He hears the tone of people’s voices when they speak to him. You, defiantly, yet Katherine Phoenix spoke oddly properly and redeeming of him.
He doesn’t want to be Seth; he wants to know what Seth feels. He is beginning to know what people are feeling, but what’s even more interesting to him is why people act the way they do around him. And trust me, he knows. He knows more than I could possibly understand why you’re so defiant against him.
Andre
I’m defiant against him because fuck him, he can’t suspend me.
Grayson
He knew that. But he wanted to get the reaction out of you, and he fucking got it, bro. You gave him everything he wanted, and by fighting out of his grasp and helping us win these titles, you gave him the necessary information to really get inside your head. Don’t think for a second that he’s done with you, bro. Because he’s got a whole lot more tricks up his sleeve than you can even imagine.
Andre
Like Holden. It’s almost like he’s got him brainwashed.
Grayson
Holden is a little bit more interesting. I feel for the guy, he didn’t know who he was for a while, but in finding out who he was two things could have happened. He could have accepted the fact that shit happens and you roll with the punches, or you can go the path that he took.
Andre
Become a complete lunatic?
Grayson
No… well yes. But he lost all faith in humanity. If he was living a lie for so long how can anything be true? Trust me, bro. I get that shit more that even he does. I sat in bed for so many nights wondering where 9 months of my life went. How I could have had a baby and not been there with my wife as she birthed it. How I could miss the first 3 months of his life. How I could miss so much of the most important things in the world yet come back and try to live a normal life.
I thought about quitting, right there, I thought about succumbing to the numbness and becoming a hating sycophant too, but I had something that he didn’t have. I had the support of a loving and healthy family… I had a child who the sun rose and set around. I have a wife who will touch it pretty much whenever I want. I’ve got a pretty great life considering my money problems, and the problem I seem to have keeping children alive…
He made the joke. It didn’t land.
Grayson
Holden doesn’t have that. He awoke form a yearlong slumber of missed memories to a person who has no need for memories, or remorse, or acceptance. He fell into the open arms of KL Henson who not only didn’t care about helping Henson realize his true potential, he only cared about turning him into a mindless drone. And he sets up matches that the guy can’t lose to help build up his confidence, not so Holden can get better, but so Henson can see what it’s like when a person who is unable to feel happiness feels success.
You and me, when we succeed we feel joy. We want to celebrate. We want to share the moment with people we care about. When Holden wins he acts differently. He accepts the victory and moves on. This cold feature is what drives Henson to his side. How can someone be so apathetic about winning?
But I’ll tell ya what, it’s our drive and our passion, and our joy that’s going to put us over this week. I guarantee it.
He said in his best Cajun accent… which is pretty terrible.
He looked at the road sign…
‘Rest Stop’
He pulled over.
Grayson
Grab me some Doritos while you’re in there, Iron Bladder! And remember, when the guys in the stall next to yours sticks his foot underneath the stall he wants you to close your eyes and put your mouth over the duct tape covered hole in the wall. There’ll be a treat waiting for you.
Andre
Will do. Perv!
He watched as his partner ran off to the market and into the bathroom.
Mission: Possible- Part 3
Around 8 PM they pull up to the address on the envelope. Grayson realized that he had no phone number or contact information, simply an address.
Grayson
So I’ll just go up there and drop this off.
Andre
Yea, you do that. I’ll stay here and not get shot in the face.
Grayson
You think that’s a possibility.
He looked around the desolate area. The only things signifying the fact that this was the right house despite the Maps App on his phone telling him so was a hand written message on a rusty metal mailbox in the middle of the swamplands that they have somehow found themselves in.
Andre
Are the Cooper Family here?
Grayson
I thought we were no selling that shit.
Andre
Oh yea. Well… good luck.
Grayson
So you’re really not coming.
He rolls up the window, as his voice fades.
Andre
Sorry, I can’t hear…
He mouths the word ‘You’ and points at his ears and shrugs. Pierce flips him the bird.
Grayson
Coward!
He joked as he rolled the envelope in his hand, feeling the packing tape surrounding all possible openings. He didn’t know what to expect walking up to the door as he carefully stepped on the stones as to not ruin his 40 dollar Nikes. He was expecting a guy that looked like Wade Moor to open up… but like, naked… probably.
He made it to the door and turned around to see Andre Holmes looking anxiously out the window of the ’02 Civic. He flipped Pierce the bird and it oddly put him at ease. He turned around and looked at the foreboding wooden door and raised a furtive fist to knock upon it.
*Knock Knock*
He waited. Upon closer inspection of the home none of the lights were on inside. Pierce got a rush of travail pulsing through his veins as he realized that this trip all may have been for naught. Not to say that Omega had sent him on a wild goose chase, but perhaps the recipient of this package simply wasn’t home.
He raised his fist again, and louder than before he knocked on the door, fearing he would break it with the force.
*Knock Knock*
And he waited.
Still nothing. Pierce swore out loud.
Grayson
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
No motion in the house. No lights, and no car in the vicinity. There was no one fucking here. What a waste of…
Voice
Grayson Pierce, I presume?
He turned and saw a well-dressed man standing at the door with a handlebar mustache and a cup of tea in his hand. The sight of the marketable Earl Gray tab hanging from it put Pierce in a different frame of mind.
Grayson
Yes.
He answered, unsure of what to do next.
Man
Would you like to come in for a spot? I’ll bitch the pot.
Grayson knew from his experience with his Uncle Egg that this meant tea.
Grayson
Actually, I’ve got to get back to Texas tonight. I… um… have a package for you.
Man
Yes. Of course.
The spectacled man reached forward and Grayson hesitantly gave him the envelope. He immediately regretted the decision not having gotten his payment, or even mentioning it beforehand. He was not one for monetary confrontation but fortunately he needn’t worry.
The man reached into his back pocket and pulled out a rather hefty envelope and handed it towards Grayson.
Man
And this, my good sir, is for you.
Grayson accepted the offering and put it in his pocket, hoping that everything was on the up and up.
Grayson
If you don’t mind me asking, this is a lot of money for a simple delivery. I’ve worked for Omega before, but this was a relatively simple task for such a large sum.
Man
Ah, Omega. Such a character. It’s a shame of his passing, you know. They shot his corpse directly into the sun, I heard… but not our sun of course. Yes, this is a large sum of money, but the information in this package could change the world as we know it, young man. One day, you will realize that you were a part of history.
Grayson
Well, hopefully for the good, ha.
He laughed nervously. The man sounded like a mad scientist of some type.
Grayson
Well, I guess I’ll be…
Man
One more moment, son. I’ve got one last piece of information for you.
He reaches into his pocket again and hands him a folded piece of paper emblazoned with the Infinity Omega symbol on it.
Man
This. Omega implicitly asked me if you were to stop by and deliver this to me to hand you this letter. It’s been sealed in wax with his insignia so you know I haven’t read it, but I have no need to of course. He just wanted to make sure that you were aware that once you opened it you will have been the first person to have read it since he did last.
He held the paper realizing the magnitude emotionally that this had for him. This paper was last read by Omega, and written only for Grayson’s eyes only. Normally he wouldn’t think anything of it, but the brief encounter and exchange of information regarding the passing of Omega made the whole thing a bit more real, and a bit more unsettling.
Grayson
Thanks…
He looked up and saw only a wooden door and darkness beyond it. He almost felt like the exchange didn’t happen at all. Like he was in a different dimension the whole time and now he’s back to reality. Considering his company as of late, that didn’t seem too farfetched…, nothing did any more.
He turned around and headed back to the car, a bulge burning a hole in his back pocket and a letter in his hand, making him realize that the situation did occur and he was indeed lucid once again. He got to the car and sat down, quietly and stared at the letter, seemingly more important than the cool million in his back pocket.
Andre
Did you get it?
Grayson
It’s right here.
He lifted the letter like it was the most important thing in the world. Andre stared at him incredulously as Pierce started the car and drove off the way that they came.
Mission: Very Possible-Part 4- Retaining the Titles!
#We win
Some time passed with silence in the car. Andre saw the look on his partner’s eyes and didn’t know what to say. For the first time in the Relentless One’s life he was speechless. And just as suddenly as he entered the trance, Pierce got out of it, looked at this sign and saw that they were just 25 miles from the Texas border.
Grayson
Woah, we got here fast.
Andre
It’s been like 2 hours.
Grayson
Really? Still fast, no?
Andre
Not really. What’s up?
Grayson
Not much, man. Why you asking?
Andre
Because you haven’t said a word in the past 2 hours.
Grayson
That can’t be true. Where’s the music?
Andre
It’s been off… for the past 2 hours.
Grayson
That’s can’t be true.
He kept driving.
Andre
Can you pull over at the next rest stop?
Grayson
Alright, Iron bladder. Ha. Looks like there’s one in like 5 miles.
They drove in silence still. No music, no talking, but Grayson now had an odd smile on his face as he drove. They pulled up to the rest stop and Pierce reached into his back pocket and pulled out the envelope. Holmes couldn’t help but stare as Grayson opened the envelope, and hundred dollar bills seemed to pour out of it uncontrollably.
Andre
Holy shit, I’ve never seen so much money at one time before.
Grayson
And you won’t again.
He handed Holmes a 100 dollar bill.
Grayson
Because now it’s less. Grab me some Red Bull and chips. Keep the change.
Andre
You’re the boss.
He went inside and returned refreshed and with some goods for the remainder of the trip. When Holmes sat down he looked at his partner bobbing his head to Korn and playing drums on the steering wheel.
Andre
Here ya go. Red Bull for you and Monster for me.
Grayson
Sorry I’ve been acting so weird. I guess with the…
Andre
Don’t mention it. I don’t give a shit. As long as we’re cool for the title match at Time Bomb I don’t care about your mental breakdowns. Just kiddin, man. If you wanna talk about it…
Grayson
I don’t, really wanna. But I am pumped for this match, dude. Title retention mother fucker!
He drives off and onto the highway.
Andre
I wanna win this week, dude. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like this is a must win for us.
Grayson
It is. If we lose we’re just a fluke team who won the belts, but that can’t be true, can it? We fucking beat Johnny Rabid and Kyle Kemp for these. Say what you want about those guys…
Andre
Douchebags, assholes, overrated, ugly, annoying, irritating, jerks, horrible…
Grayson
And then some. But they’re fucking good fighters, and they beat a lot of teams including the last stable that tried to fight for good in The People’s Choice. Vic Venable and Spencer Adams couldn’t do it at One, among a strove of other opponents. Even before they owned those titles, me and Mikey eXtreme fought them and only tied. It took the addition to you on the team to take us over the edge.
You see, we beat Johnny Rabid and Kyle Kemp, we earned these titles, but after we beat Holden and Henson this week at Time Bomb we will earn the title of Champion. And that’s a world of difference. Fuck anyone can hold a title. Fucking Holden holds the Cruiserweight title, but does that make him a champion?
Andre
No?
Grayson
Wrong. Fuck no is the right answer, but 2 points for trying.
Andre
Yay!
He claps.
Grayson
Holden thinks he can squash jobber after jobber as Henson feeds them to him in order to get over, but that ain’t how it works here. It may work like that in other places, but in the WCF the only way to get over, the only way to be called a champion is to beat people as good as or better than you, and even at the top, even fucking Dune needed to beat people better than him to earn his reputation.
But better or worse, they’re dangerous and need to be treated as such. Better or worse we need to step into that ring and put our lives on the line. We spoke earlier about the struggles of being a father and a husband while being a professional wrestler. Your family life has struggled because of it, whether it’s directly or indirectly, as has mine. And it’s not the time on the road…
It’s the effort we put into it. Because I know you, like me, re willing to put everything we have into the ring every week. I’m willing to die in that ring if it earns me glory. I feel like a fucking gladiator, there is not greater honor than to die in the middle of a ring, and these past years I have grown loyal to the WCF and that ring is where I want to perish should the time come.
Henson and Holden don’t get that. They don’t understand what it’s like to put their body and soul on the line each and every week. They are treating this whole thing as a learning experience, as a situation for them to grow mentally, but not physically, or emotionally or anything else. And even the mental growth they’re seeking isn’t enough.
What is going to make the difference for us this week is going to be me and you, bro. It’s going to be us working together, taking trips to fucking Baton Rouge, Louisiana together and getting to know each other. Understanding each other. Trusting each other. Knowing what the other one is going to do. Finishing each other’s s…
Andre
Sandwiches!
Grayson
Don’t mind if I do.
He takes a sandwich.
Andre
You’re fucking right, man. I came into this shit as an army of one. Ready to do whatever I needed to in order to get ahead. This whole teaming up with people thing is a new experience. I’m glad I’ve got a vet like you to guide me through it.
Grayson
You’re a sweetheart, now aren’t ya? But it’s just as much you as it is me. I’m only one half of the team. If I ain’t doing it you aren’t and vice versa. That’s what makes us successful, and that’s what makes it so important for us to win this week. People need to see that. People need to know that Rebellution isn’t just 4 individuals, its one team, and one unit. We are just cogs in a machine that is taking over the WCF one team at a time. First it was Rabid and Kemp, now it’s Holden and Henson.
Andre
Then the Family.
Grayson
How many times do I have to tell you that’ we’re no selling them. They don’t exist. The only people that exist are Henson and Holden. The Trilogy Cup isn’t happening. The World title doesn’t exist. The only thing that exists and the only thing that’s important is winning this week and retaining these titles that we fought so hard to earn. Do you remember how pumped you were when we won. Remember that feeling.
Well, let me tell you that the feeling only gets better and better every time you defend the titles. I defended the US title like 4 or 5 times, and each time it got better. The matches got harder, and the feeling of success and elation I had grew exponentially. You don’t want to drink, this is your new drug… these belts are your new drug, bro.
Andre
And I need my fix. GIMME MY FIX!
Grayson
We’ll get that fix, my man. We’ll get it by dividing and conquering these men. We will take them out systematically and painfully. They will know what pain is. They will know what defeat is, and with any luck, they’ll be humbled, though I can’t promise that. What I can promise is that they will feel the agony of defeat as we get a hit of sweet victory to hold us over until the next time Seth books us together as a team.
Andre
Fuck, man. Are we there yet!
They saw a sign: Now Entering Texas- The Lone Star State
Grayson
With us here now there are 3 stars!
The Letter
Grayson got to the hotel where the members of Rebellution were staying. Homes shuffled off and Pierce tossed the keys to the valet, deciding to keep it for the rest of the week just in case. He had the income to do so, and though he didn’t want to be foolish about the money, what’s an extra 100 bucks now.
He was greeted by the door man and got to his room. He immediately went to the safe and locked the envelope of loot in there, after grabbing a few hundos to keep in his wallet. He reached into his other pocket and found the letter. He was going to put it in the safe but he thought against it. He locked the safe and went to the bed and rubbed his finger across the raised wax emblem on the letter. He carefully opened it, only ripping the letter a little bit.
Omega must have known this was going to happen as he didn’t write anything where the paper got torn. He read through the letter.
‘Yo, Livewire,
So you got the letter. Great. So I hope you got that million you had coming to you too. If you didn’t, well there’s plenty more where that came from. Even if you did there’s plenty more. It will be easier if you have a bank roll, but if you don’t just contact my estate and we’ll make sure you’re ready for the rest of this list.
I have a list of an Omega’s dozen (that’s 14 because fuck bakers!) worth of tasks for you to complete. Each one will give you more money, it’s written below. But if you complete all of it you will get all of that money plus an extra 50 Million dollars. Yea. That much…
Listen, you don’t have to do this. I understand if you’re happy with only a Million Dollars, a lot of people would be, but I always saw you as a bit more motivated than that. But if you DO choose to do this… and you really have to pay attention to this part… once you start, you can’t stop. Once the wheels are in motion there’s no stopping this freight train.
The package you delivered to get this list was the final part of the first step to this plan. The first task on this list is the first step of part 2. If you choose not to do this, someone else will, so there really is no obligation. But… 50 Million dollars!!!
If you don’t want to do it call my estate and let them know. This shit has got to get done. If you do, follow the instructions attached carefully, and remember the first rule you learn in Freshman Seminar in college… who am I kidding, you didn’t go to college.
The first rule they teach you is to read through the entire exam before taking it. Once you know all the tasks you can decide whether or not you want to accept it. If you accept it, there will be more letters like this on your journey. If you decide to stop then this will be the last correspondence we have together until I come back from another dimensional plane… ha. Just kidding (or am I?)
Good luck Pierce… you’ll need it.’
Grayson looked through the list. There were some cryptic messages it seemed, as well as simple deliveries and pick-ups. Each one had a monetary value attached to it, yet the final one excited him the most.
50 Million Dollars for completing the final task…
Winning the WCF World Championship.
