Post by Ace on Jun 11, 2016 19:56:59 GMT -5
They say time heals all wounds, yet it's been a little over two years since Drake Vandenhart's passing and it hasn't gotten any easier. I sit beside myself trying to convince myself that one day I will see him again, but unfortunately I won't. Following his funeral, I was shattered, an empty shell of who I once was. Little by little everyone left the cemetary, but I along with the rest of Nightdyne remained to pay our final respects. We stayed there for hours reminiscing, sharing stories, trying to make the best out of an awful situation. On that night, we were at our weakest, but we were also at our strongest. The sun went down, and we said our goodbyes, unbeknownst to all of us, that would be the final time we all saw each other. Apparently the corporation does die, and that night it was buried with Drake Vandenhart.
” You know... ”
Ace paused as a gust of wind lifted up the leaves surrounding his feet. He was standing lakeside in the back of his northern Pennsylvania cabin, staring out into the water as the sun reflected off his RayBan aviators.
” Nothing in life is truly guaranteed. You can obsess over things as much as you'd like, but in the end, things may not always go according to plan. I always thought I'd never leave this business, but I did. I left the very day after my fri....my brother's funeral. There was nothing left for me to give. I just had it with everything, with everyone. I didn't find it fair, and after that I didn't give a shit, about anything.”
The crunching sound of leaves is heard as Ace begins making his way towards a trail that leads to a small wooden bench, nearby the lakes dock. Upon reaching the bench, Ace slightly smirks and sits down.
” It took me a long time to recollect myself, and realize I had to move on and I had to continue. With life, and with this business, because that's what he would have wanted me to do. If he was here he would be cracking some joke saying something along the lines of “Get your stupid Ace back in the ring ass, I mean ass in the ring Ace.” The man was always positive, and always cracking jokes, even if they made no sense at all. So I make a few calls, leave a few messages, and it turns out that a place by the name of the WCF returns one of them. So me and this Seth guy talk, and just like that I'm back in the game. Things are coming full circle again, the only thing I hate about it? Publicity. I tell him my story, he puts the word out, and now every body wants to know, where happens next? I'll tell you what happens next... ”
Ace stands up from the bench and removes his sunglasses, only to realize that was an incredibly stupid decision because the sun is blinding and he puts them back on.
” I'm taking my ass back into my cabin, going to have about two to twenty more beers, and then tomorrow....well...Hope I'm not to hungover to attend the press conference I have scheduled, because that is no way to show up for your first day of work. Until then............ ”
Ace pauses and pushes his hair to the back of his head while scratching it in confusion.
” There was a catchphrase or two I use to say here, but honestly...I got nothing. ”
He begins walking away towards the cabin still seemingly confused as we see a final shot of the lake until we hear some mumbling.
” Seriously what the hell did I use to say? ”
THE NEXT DAY
8:45AM EST
SANTANDER ARENA CONFERENCE ROOM
Just as I expected, the morning came incredibly fast. One minute you're looking out the window watching the sun set on a beautiful lake, and the next you know there's a shitload of cameras in your face. I don't even remember the drive here. Publicity is a bitch, and not like the nice sexy bitches. More like the kind of bitch you would find in a Walmart, fighting off all local residents for the last shopping cart. Yeah, that kind of bitch. Like a Julie named bitch. Sounds about right.
” Fuck you Julie!”
Ace looks around the room as everybody's eyes are widened, people writing in their little notepads, cameras flashing all over the place.
” Uhhhh. I said that out loud didn't I? Well then, that happened. Moving on shall we? Also, good morning, for those of you that believe those two words belong together. I know you all have a lot of questions, but before we begin let me clarify something before anyone even asks. The situation last year in South America was a huge misunderstanding, the snake was in fact real, and the dog was just having an off day, his trainers have taken full responsibility. With that said, let's get this thing going. The sooner I can leave here, the sooner I can focus on more important matters, like whiskey, and uh, well, whiskey. How about you young man in the third row? ”
” Well first of all I'm a woman, so there's that.”
” You're absolutely right, you are in fact a woman which would explain the inexplicably short hair and comb over. Nice shirt by the way I think my nephew has the same one.”
” I'm just going to disregard that and forget the past minute never existed. So, moving forward. There has been quite a buzz going around.... ”
Is this man child woman onto me? I could have swore I gargled enough Listerine. I even bought the spearmint flavored gum and I don't even like spearmint. There's no way it knows I had a bit before coming here.
” Ever since it was revealed you have come out of seclusion and have signed a contract with the WCF. The last time any one has heard anything of you was shortly after the passing of your good friend Drake Vandenhart. It was around this time the faction you belonged to, Nightdyne Incorporated, were at very top of this business, making headlines pertaining to the sheer dominance of the re opened ERWF. Can you fill us in on where you went and what you did after such a tragedy? ”
” Well I can tell you this Madeline.... ”
” My name is Emily. ”
” Same thing. I can tell you this, once Drake's funeral ended I felt like a part of me was ripped away from me. Drake and I were long time friends, and he was the one who introduced me to this business. He was the reason I got my foot in the door. He is the reason I ever came to amount to anything when it came to the squared circle. As the years went on, despite mentoring me in the beginning, he came to end up looking up to me, complete role reversal. He was the first person I truly trusted, and then bam, he was taken away, far too young. What do you think I did? I suffered, I grieved, I was snorting coke from scantily clad woman in a Denny's bathroom. I tried to numb everything just so I didn't have to feel. Don't worry by the way Seth, drug test passing is imminent. I traveled, all around, never staying in one place for too long because I didn't want to know anybody past a “hey how you doing today?” little chat. As far as Nightdyne goes, I couldn't tell you where the rest of them went. I've spoken to Zero, Rayn and Enigma here and there, but the realization is we will never be what we once were. We all took our own paths, dealt with things our own way. I'm sure they're all fine and dandy as we speak, but let's be honest here, nobody is present today to hear about the past, because no one could give a shit.”
Ace reached in front of him grabbing a bottle of water as he glanced back at his agent, whispering something before re focusing on the crowd before him.
” Next question.”
An older sharp dressed man stood up in the front row, looking down at his notepad as he cleared his throat.
” Ace, with you being away and inactive for so long how do you plan on preparing for your first match back this Sunday? I would imagine you've gathered some ring rust and aren't as conditioned as well as you used to be. Let's not forget to mention you are facing another newcomer in the WCF, so whichever way this match goes, someone is losing in their grand debut. ”
” Well Jim, is that your name? Jim? You look like a Jim, or a Nelson. Jim Nelson. Yeah, killer mustache by the way. The eighties are alive and well with you good sir. Ring rust, conditioning, debuts, it's all irrelevant. The fact still remains time in and time out, if you play your cards right, the Ace ALWAYS wins.”
THAT'S WHAT I USED TO SAY! I REMEMBERED! I. AM. AWESOME.
” I'm not going to lie to you folks, I've been so busy these past few days I haven't the slightest idea who my opponent for Slam even is. But I can tell you this, I'm like 87 percent sure I'm close to perfecting grilled cheese sandwiches.”
” Your opponent goes by the name of Jeffery the IQ, and he is from Springfield, Missouri.”
” Jeffery the who now? Did you say the IQ? As in like...intelligence quotient? That can't be right. Can it? Intelligence and Missouri just don't go in the same sentence. I mean, what exactly is Missouri known for anyways? Better yet, does anyone even know where Missouri is? Show of hands anyone?”
Ace stands up, looking around the room with his hand over his eyes, making sure he gets a complete view. Nearly everyone in the room was holding there hand up whilst looking around at the people seated nearby them.
” See, exactly. Nobody.”
” Um Ace, nearly everybody had their hand up.”
” I saw nothing.”
” Uhh, okay then. Um. It's uh, evident you're not too concerned about your match outcome. Can you tell us what the future holds for you then?”
” Do I look like the kind of guy who can see the future Sheldon?”
” It's um Edward sir. Ace, um, sir Ac..Mr Ace, sir.”
” Does it look like I drive a DeLorean?”
” I um, no I uh I don't know sir.”
” As much as I wish all of that was possible, it's just a question left unknown. Unless of course you're asking what do I think the future here in WCF holds for me, which is absolutely what you were asking wasn't it Sheldon? Man, you're something else kiddo. Totally loved in The Big Bang Theory by the way, excellent work. While I can't say for certain what the future holds, I can promise you this. I WILL have an incredible merchandise line with unnecessary bright colors, wrist bands, lunchboxes, staple guns, the works. You name it, I'll see it through. But in all seriousness, like seriously, I want what everyone wants, to get to the top. The only difference between me and Joffrey the EQ is that I'll make it. Whether it be this facade of a quote champion unquote you guys call Oblivion, or whether it be some guy with a female attachment as a last name. It really doesn't matter to me. You see, I'm not picky. I'm like the male white version of Oprah, with less curls and body fat. You want a beating? You got it! You get a beating, you over there gets a beating? Ugly guy with chips stuck in his beard in the fourth row wearing the Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt, don't worry you get one too. ”
As Ace moves around in his chair attempting to re comfort himself, he takes a minute to close his eyes and take a deep breath as everyone watches, awaiting him to speak again.
” Look, I'm not here to make friends. I've been down that road, and all was great, trust me it was. That ship has sailed though. For the first time in quite a long while I'm focusing strictly on myself and nothing but. Call it arrogance, call it confidence, call it whatever you see fit, I know what I have to do, and unlike these other clowns, I see my words through every single time. For the people in this room that know me, know of me, seen me in the past, whatever. You know what to expect. For those who don't, those in the locker room who don't, you'll see soon enough. Just do yourselves a favor, don't try and figure me out, because you won't. Jeffery the IQ as he calls himself will be the first, but he won't be the last, that's more than certain. I may not know anything about him, but I don't need to. My view on the subject is this, whoever you are, whoever I face, it doesn't matter, you're in my way. Nothing is permanent, not even a person posing as an obstacle in my path. Obstacles can be conquered, with ease.”
A beautiful brunette haired Caucasian woman close by stands up from her seat, her name tag simply reading “Tae”. Her blue eyes shine through her black framed glasses as Ace stares at her.
” Ace, let me start off saying that I have been a follower of yours for some time now. I know your history, I've seen the Nightdyne years, and in fact I actually knew Drake Vandenhart. We spoke quite a few times some years back. Don't get me wrong, you're a hell of an athlete, but the question asked awhile ago has yet to be discussed. Is there any ring rust? How is your conditioning these days? Have you stayed in shape? If my memory serves me correctly, some years back, although not your last match but close to you and former fellow Nightdyne member Rayn went at it. Although the ending was controversial, the fact remains that although primarily dominant in the ring, in the end Rayn did a good number on you, and the word going around was you were dealing with some pretty bad back issues. Care to comment on that?”
Oh. My. Fucking. God. Becky.
As the woman stood there patiently awaiting answers, everyone else in the room whispered amongst themselves as Ace just stared at her with confusion, or love, or both. Either way, his eyes were locked on.
” Ace? Hello? Anything?”
Either I had too much to drink beforehand and I'm imagining things, or that's her. OR. OR. She has a twin sister. No, no she doesn't have a twin sister you shithead, you know that. That's not her is it? I thought she.. but she. What the shit man? I really need some water. I have water. It's in front of me. Yep, I just spilled it. Get your fucking act together man. Answer the damn question. Questions! Yes there were a few of them. Did she say Rayn?
” I uh. Okay, that was straight forward. Curve ball anyone? Let's set the record straight. I wasn't dealing with back issues, I was dealing with all sorts of issues. You're always going to feel the effects of the ring the next day, next month, and in the years to come. That's a given. As far as Rayn doing a good number on me, let's talk about memory. Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts. I've kept in shape, isn't that obvious? You people seem so concerned with this fabled ring rust, wondering if I can still what I've done before. I was made for this, molded to do this. The fact is, you need to be more worried about Jefferey. As far as Rayn goes, he got his, enough said on that subject. Do your research, the internet can be a wonderful thing. You can review every match I ever had, and when you do, you'll come to the realization that I was, am, and will continue to be a force in this industry. Look up Jefferey the “IQ”, what do you think you'll find there? A storied career in comparison to mine? I don't think so. Anything of relevance? Nope, highly doubtful. What you may find is rejections and failures of his career, and his life. Do you think anything he has done in the past will help him come Sunday? Do you think attending church the hours prior to the bell ringing will help him? Please. He'll be grasping for something to hold onto, and you know what? He won't find a balance, in fact, he'll find absolutely nothing. He will reach his hand out in hopes I lend my back and save him, and it will not happen. This has no happy outcome, no storybook twist. Jefferey the IQ will be the prologue to my newly written story, and believe me when I say my new story will have plenty of chapters until the end has been reached. Nightdyne Incorporated may be dead and buried, but the words of the motto will forever live on. No tolerance. No mercy. No escape. THAT's what Jefferey has to look forward to. A bright future shadowed by an oncoming stormcloud, and that cloud is in the form of me. So why doesn't everybody in here do me a favor, and supply the WCF locker room with some of those handy pens and pads you got there, because it's time for them to take some notes. I'm finished here.”
Ace slides back in his chair and stands up, immediately walking away from everybody, but keeping a keen eye on the last lady who questioned him.
Nailed it.
THE DAY AFTER
12:48PM EST
HILTON HOTEL SUITE
We open up to a lovely view of the city atop a balcony connected to one of many luxurious suites in the Hilton hotel. Ace is seen with his elbows firmly rested on the railing as he looks to his left.
” I don't even know where to begin.”
” I understand what you must be feeling. Trust me, I wanted to reach out to you for a long time, but when Nightdyne collapsed, and Drake passed away. I, like you, distanced myself from everybody, and I landed a job that required me to travel. I was overseas in Italy for some time. But, things didn't work out in the end. Then imagine my surprise when I came back here to the states, the one big headline buzz going around was that you've resurfaced, and not only that but you've signed a contract with a new organization. My understanding was you were leaving this life behind.”
Our view expands as we see the lady who questioned Ace yesterday at the press conference standing beside him. Ace slightly shook his head and removed his sunglasses as he stood up and turned to face her.
” Taelia, we were engaged. As if what happened wasn't tragic enough, you also left me. Now you're here? What do you want from me? What do you expect me to say in this situation? I WAS leaving this life behind, but then I realized I had nothing else to go to. I wasn't in the best places if you know what I mean. I figured this is the one thing I can do right, and it's the one way I can legally release my emotions with no consequences.”
” Believe me Ace, I didn't stop thinking about you, not once. But we all needed our own space. The way we were at that time, it wouldn't have ended well with us. We lost our focus on everything, and it was just a set up to a letdown, and I didn't want that to happen. I thought some space would be best, for all of us. Things fall a part, but remember, they can always be put back together.”
” Taelia, I don't even know if I'm in the right mindset to even begin putting back together what we had. I have a lot to focus on right now, and there's an overwhelming amount of pressure. ”
” Since when did the pressure ever get to you? ”
” Never, but things change, and it's been awhile. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a doubt in my mind, it's just all eyes are on me right now. ”
” Isn't that what you always wanted? Look... ”
Taelia reaches out and places her hand on Ace's shoulder.
” You'll be fine, you always are. Let's catch up when this event passes by. Good luck Ace. ”
Taelia leans over and lightly kisses Ace on the cheek, then proceeds to walk back in the suite and leave the room. Ace let's out a deep breath as he turns back to the city view.
” Oh life, you always seem to throw some sort of curve ball into every situation don't you? It's honestly almost never a surprise anymore. There is always something. But you know what? She's right, the pressure never got to me. New faces, new place, same outcome. I go out there, do what I do best and walk away victorious. I've yet to hear a single word from this Jefferey the IQ character. Even if he does decide to speak up, it really won't even matter anyways. Jefferey, I want you to think long and hard about Sunday night, think if it's really worth it going out there. I know my goals, I know what I want, and I know where I want to be. Can you say the same for yourself? Do you have a game plan, or do you just plan on winging it? They say a man without a plan can be equally as dangerous, but I fail to even take your name serious. What makes you think I should take you as a wrestler serious? I fail to find a reason. To be honest, I looked over this companies quote star unquote roster and I asked myself, is anybody here going to be a challenge? My answer? Nope. Think you're different? You're not. Tyler Durden from fight club said it best, you're the all singing all dancing crap of the world. You, and everyone else are not a beautiful snowflake. You're existence does not matter to me. Time changes people, it changes how we see the world, how we handle certain situations, how we view things. And let me tell you this, I see things a lot more clearly than I did some years ago, but my approach to these kind of situations remains the same. My game plan is set.”
” You see, Nightdyne may be over and done with, non existant. But back then, when we were dominating everything and everybody, we set forth a huge goal, and it was known as Incubo Di Funzionamento. For those of you who may not know, that's Italian for Operation Nightmare. What we started, I will see through, and it all begins again right here in the WCF. So Jefferey, Oblivion, whoever else on the roster, make sure you pray to whatever god or religion you believe in, because you're going to need all the help you can get. This isn't a fiction novel, this is real life, and believe me, there will be no happy endings. I'm here now, and with that said, know that the entire landscape of this company is forever going to be changed. The unfortunate part for Jefferey and everyone else? There is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent it. Stage 1 begins this Sunday. But you know, now that I think about it. You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe,trust, let go and see what happens. Which approach should I take here? Hm, I guess the better question is, does it really matter? Who is really going to stop me from my endgame? Tune in this Sunday, watch closely, the time has come. Jefferey, you call yourself the IQ for a reason I imagine, I take it you believe you're a smart individual. If that is the case, look at the situation, examine it very closely, and do what's best for you. If you are as smart as you believe, don't even bother showing up. Ace trumps all, even Jack...asses like yourself. Sweet dreams princess, I'll be seeing you soon.”
Taelia coming back certainly took me by surprise, but she isn't whats important right now. Although she made some valid points. The pressure never got to me, and the attention is what I wanted, it fueled me. It's my reason for getting out of bed in the morning, it's why I push myself so much harder than those around me. I'm ready for this, the most entertaining part of it all is knowing that everyone else, is not.
