Post by Alex Richards on Mar 24, 2019 17:50:09 GMT -5
"Loving the monsters always ends badly for the human. It's a rule."- Laurel K. Hamilton, Circus of the Damned
" You will never grow old and you will never die"- Anne Rice, Interview with a Vampire
"Ever notice the end of every bit of vampire literature ends with them burning up in the sun? Well this is the end"- Alex Richards
The Day before Kingdom Come- Woking, England
Alex Richards and his girlfriend Rebecca Thatch are dressed in their best clothes. For Rebecca this means a more formal witchy black dress. For Alex in this suit it's a loud blue leisure suit. In spite of the strange looking couple they made both appear to be dead serious. Alex and Rebecca hold hands with Alex using his other hand on some sort of tracking device. All around them are grave stones.
Alex Richards: Normally this would be the point where I'd make a joke to lighten the mood.
Rebecca Thatch: Actually I would. I'd suggest having cemetery sex.
Alex Richards: For bonus points we could find dirty sounding name on a headstone like Naylor.
Rebecca Thatch: We are in England.. that could probably be done.
Alex gives a ghost of a smile.
Alex Richards: Then Zach would freak out in spite of the fact we're totally only having this conversation just to get that reaction. But Zach isn't here. And this isn't the time for jokes. I know right? For me.. it's always the time for jokes. No matter how bad shit gets you can always count on Alex Richards to make you laugh, right?
Rebecca Thatch: It is the only reason I'm dating you.
Alex Richards: Now you're the one making jokes.
Rebecca Thatch: Somebody has to.
Alex's device begins bleeping. Rebecca and Alex stop.
Alex Richards: Right here is the unmarked graves of Alex Richards and Rebecca Thatch. Of course they don't really contain our bodies, merely mannequins and a tracking beacon. I knew I would want to come here.. at least once. I knew there would be an occasion when I wanted to face my own mortality. March 19 2017. Just over two years ago I died. At least I was supposed to die. Have you ever had the opportunity to see how you die? I don't recommend it. The Guardians were fighting a war against a group who called themselves the society. Their goal was to eliminate all metahumans. Basically eliminate all mutants, everyone who's different. Why is this that happens again and again in society? In every culture? Why is it people have never realized that anyone suggesting a genocide are always the bad guys? Why is it I'm the one pointing this one. I'm supposed to be the guy with the jokes. I'm supposed to be the fun loving goofball. But I can't be right now. I couldn't be then either.
Rebecca lays a hand on Alex's shoulder for support.
Alex Richards: Obviously I fought against this group. Until that day March 19.. when I was visited by the future version of myself. He wanted me to abort my mission. I was supposed to kill a sushi bar filled with gang leaders in Japan. But if I did that it would set about a chain reaction leading to Rebecca and my deaths. My future self laid things out. I should abort my mission, leave the UCI, return to the WCF, rejoin Pantheon. Leave the Guardians behind because they were doomed from the start. Well he was right about one thing. However if I didn't lay waste to that bar we could have lived. But tens of thousands of metahumans would have died instead of us. Our lives for the lives of thousands? Easy choice. Everyone thought I was dead but I competed my mission and it helped turn the tide against the society. I'd make the same choice again.
Alex smirks.
Alex Richards: Especially since.. I didn't die. I cheated death. I figured out a way to avoid my fate. But I was willing to risk my own death in order to help others. That's the difference between me and Bonnie. That's the ultimate reason I consider what she did.. casting her lot with Rabid such a betrayal.
Alex Richards: The version of myself from the future figured I would save my own skin because that's what he would have done. But even then I was greater then that version of myself. I figured out a loophole. He allowed me to see what happened to myself and Becky but only long enough to complete my mission. When it was done my memory of what happened would be completely gone.
Rebecca Thatch: So he called me while he was killing those gang members. And I wrote it down just to be safe.
Alex Richards: Simplicity itself, right? So Bonnie.. I know what it is like to face down death. We were both able to cheat death. The difference is, I found a way to do it without destroying the best part of myself.. without losing my humanity, both literally and figuratively. That's why Becky and I came here to visit.. so I could remember.
Alex looks around his eyes flashing with anger. Gravestones, grave markers, monuments, mausoleums as far as you can see.
Alex Richards: Many cemeteries in Chicago wanted Rebecca and my bodies. But I chose to have our graves here.. in England.. in Brookwood Cemetery. I didn't want people to come and mourn because I knew nothing was going to be in our graves. So I picked something anonymous, something far out of the way. But now that I'm here.. I'm simply filled with anger.
Alex tries to compose himself.. fails.
Alex Richards: There are doctors, poets, even a king of England buried here. There are thousands of soldiers buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. But mostly there are regular working class people buried here. Anonymous people whose names are lost. Mainly because of the amount of unmarked graves here. 80% of the graves here are unmarked. I don't know the exact number but I do know that over a quarter of a million people have buried in this cemetery.
Rebecca Thatch: Why does that make you mad?
Alex doesn't really answer.
Alex Richards: Everyday people cheat death. The very first people buried here were a pair of stillborn twins in 1849. But could modern medicine have saved them? Surgery could have saved thousands of people buried here. People who died of polio, diabetes, smallpox, tons of diseases they aren't considered a big deal these days. But the thing is.. when it's your time.. it's your time. I don't have a problem with people cheating death. But you didn't cheat death Bonnie. You stole life. And you will continue to steal life for every day of your existence until someone finally puts you to rest permanently.
Alex looks off in the distance.
Alex Richards: A quarter of a million people rest here. How many people will have to die for your thirst Blue? I risked my life and the life of the lady I love in order to save strangers. You chose to cheat death, keeping yourself alive at the expense of strangers, innocent people. You say you didn't betray me?
Alex snorts.
Alex Richards: You might as well have ripped out my heart Bonnie and ate it in front of me. Sure, you didn't physically turn on me yourself but you turned your back on all that was right in the world. That's much much worse.
Alex Richards: Stephen King said it best in Pet Cemetery... "Sometimes DEAD is better". You have her name but you're not the real Bonnie Blue. Last month you didn't buy Noble Savage's excuse that sacrificing that baby was justified to aid her. I don't buy your excuse either Bonnie. All those deaths to further your own life is too much of a cost to bear.
Alex looks thoughtful for a second.
Alex Richards: I'm only saying this because I want Bonnie to know what she's in for. She knows me. She knows what I'm like when I get this anger, this justifiably angry. She's been trying to calm me down for months, ever since One. You think I'm stupid Bonnie? You really think I'm buying the claim you stepped aside so I could lead the Guardians? That you didn't betray us... you merely chose a different parallel road?
Alex screams.
Alex Richards: FUCKING BULLSHIT BONNIE! THAT'S A FUCKING LIE AND EVERYBODY FUCKING KNOWS IT! Even worse is that you still try and stick to your story. You still try and sway people to your side! I know better. Everyone else should as well. But yet just a few weeks ago Damian Kaine was talking with Bonnie they were talking about how I made a flimsy excuse to end our friendship and implied I wasn't much of a man. Guess I shouldn’t have expected much more from the guy who once opened a pit to Hell and threw his opponent Z Mac down into the depths instead of fighting him fairly. No wonder he supports Bonnie. Dirty tricks in lui of a fair fight seems to be both of their games. At least from what I got from Bonnie and John two weeks ago. The two of them couldn’t finish me off then. Bonnie certainly won’t be able to do it on her own. But still, that kind of makes me regret fighting for the Guardians at One. Since apparently nobody else knows what the Guardians were supposed to stand for!
Bonnie thinks I ended our friendship? Does she forget about the week after One. Where I was wrestling a match against Sam McPherson. You remember who did commentary on that match? One John Rabid. He spent the whole match insulting me. Then after I won... he got in the ring and jumped me! Your husband jumped me after I just finished competing in a hard fought match. Does that sound like the actions of someone who wants to be friends? I stated the whole time that John Rabid was evil.. and as he clearly proves.. over and over.. a leopard never changes their spots.
When he transformed you into a vampire. That was bad enough. But when you married him. That was it. That was the final nail in the coffin of our friendship. That was the moment that I knew there was no good left in you. That was the moment I knew I was going to have to destroy you. When you married John Rabid that meant you accepted his evil. That meant you were okay with a parade of corpses throughout time to sustain your life.
Rebecca Thatch: Hate to interrupt but why all the big 5 dollar words this week?
Alex Richards: That ain't much my style is it? I'm doing it to prove I'm smarter then people give me credit for. Clearly I'm smarter then Bonnie gives me credit for! She expected me to be a sucker, be a patsy for her. I'm no one's second wheel! Not any longer! The fact that she thinks I should accept the fact her husband thinks jumping me is some kind of sport makes me think we were never really friends anyways!
Odin Balfore.. my team mate in the Enforcers. Notice I said team mate not leader. He showed me what a real friend does. He should be in this main event alongside me. But he isn't. Because he chose not to. He chose to let me get my revenge on my one. One on one. Odin chose to sacrifice his chance at a 6th world title for friendship. Bonnie chooses to sacrifice her friends and the friends of others for that matter for the sake of a sick toxic relationship with John Rabid. So yeah.. I'm fucking furious.
People always used to think that Bonnie was the brains behind the Guardians and I was the muscle. But I think I just pretty much proved that's a myth. I managed to survive certain death by using my brain. While Bonnie survived certain death by giving over her life to John Rabid.. then marrying the bastard.. and not even being fucking smart enough to learn what happened to his old wife before doing it! Because John Rabid does seem like the type who'd off his own lover if he got bored of her. I always knew he was a pure sociopath. I never knew Bonnie would try and take after him though. She has every other member of the former Guardians fooled, but she doesn't fool me. But I'm the one she needed to fool. Because out of all the former Guardians I'm the one who can fucking kick her ass. And she knows it. Bonnie was the leader of the Guardians. I was always her right hand man. I was content with that. She could have the spotlight if she wanted it. I didn't need it. I didn't want to be known as the leader of the Guardians. I didn't need that glory. I had all the confirmation I ever needed from a match on UCI Overload
The words footage courtesy United Championship Infinite come across the screen as the clip begins
Back to back vicious right forearms pushes Alex to be stunned for that sheer moment where she would spin around to stand behind him. Hooking his neck in a Reverse DDT, she quickly snaps down her right elbow across his chest to land his back down on the mat.
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Jimmy Garcia: INFINITY PARADOX! INFINITY PARADOX! IS THAT ALL?!
Gravedigger: NOT THIS CUNT, FUCK THAT! IF SHE WINS, I QUIT!
Bonnie slowly gets up from the canvas and walks over to the corner. She starts climbing all the way to the top rope with Alex lying down on his back in the center of the ring. Seeing the opportunity in front of her, she leaps backwards corkscrewing into a normal flip. However, her back slams against the canvas was Alex manages to roll out of the way in the nick of time.
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Jimmy Garcia: Bonnie Blue missed! She tried to finish off her own Guardian brother with the Sonic Screwdriver but Alex Richards moved out of the way. Bonnie is still up?! Damn, how much can she take?!
Bonnie manages to get back on her feet barely. Alex pulls in that right arm to send her off into the ropes at flying speeds. When she rebounds, he presses his hands into her waist to pop her up into the air. Caught seated on his shoulders, he Powerbombs her back onto his knees in that Pop Up Powerbomb Lungblower that has her flying across the ring onto her side.
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Gravedigger: POP-UP SANITY SLIP! YES! YES! YES! THE PIN ATTEMPT IS MADE!
One!
Two!
Three!
Ding Ding Ding!
Taylor Lorde: Here is your winner and advancing into the finals of the Watch The Throne Tournament, Alex Richards!
Alex Richards: That was our only one on one match. I took everything you had and I came out the victor. That was the moment things changed wasn't it Bonnie. I never realized it at the time but you were jealous of me. That's why you teamed up with the Beach Krew, maybe that's why you let Rabid change you instead of trying to find another way to cheat death. You wanted the power boast. You needed the short cut. Because deep down Bonnie it tore you up that I was the better wrestler.
You gave up Bonnie. You quit.. on yourself. How long did it take you Bonnie? You've been wrestling for less then four years before you had to start taking short cuts. I got my ass kicked time and time again. Never won the WCF world title. Never really got close. When I finally earned my shot at One, I not only failed but was the one pinned. If anyone should give up and beg Rabid to make me a vampire so I was better it's me. But I didn't. I wouldn't. I would never give up on myself. But you did Bonnie. You admitted you weren't good enough without Rabid's help. You're weak Blue. No matter what your psychical abilities are you're mentally weak. That's why you never successfully defended the championship because other people wanted it more then you did. You can win a match against someone based on skill but when it comes down to a battle of wills you always come up short. Well this is no mere ordinary battle of wills.. this is a blood feud. You think you have a chance against someone with a will as strong as mine? I'm too stubborn to quit at the worst of times. You're gonna have to behead me to get me to stop this week. Even then my body would probably still try to fight you! That's how badly I want this. Can you stay the same? No.. you're merely trying to escape with a title. I'll take the title and my revenge. Because I want this more then you could ever know.
Your love of Rabid didn't destroy the Guardians. Your jealousy of me did. Because of that thousands of people are going to die to your bloodlust. Unless I stop you.
There could be another graveyard just like this dedicated to your future victims. Unless I stop you.
Bonnie.. I will stop you! That’s why I challenged you to a steel cage.. that's why I accepted your challenge to make someone bleed before you score the pin. Because this isn't just about the world title. This is about vengeance. I will take that title from you. Because I don't think you deserve that award. Not any longer. Once upon a time I would have been proud to be partnered with you. If you were world champ I would have been proud. Now every time I see you hold that belt up it's a slap in the face. It's proof that life isn't fair. That hard work can be overcome with short cuts.
No! It fucking can't! I will personally make sure of it! That's why you want me to think we're still friends. You want me to forget the fact you betrayed me. Because you know how bad it was having to face me back when we were friends. You can't even begin to imagine how much more difficult it's going to be this time.
I WANTED YOU IN A STEEL CAGE!
I WANTED TO MAKE YOU BLEED!
Think about that. The only time we ever had a match I took your two best moves and came up the victor. You couldn't handle my sanity slip. And you know it. You remember what happened.
Most importantly?
You never asked for a re match. You never wanted one either! Why is that/
Because you knew the result would be the same!
And that.. that was when we were friends. I believed in you Bonnie. I trusted you. I respected you.
You pissed on all of that.
You betrayed me.
You betrayed everything the Guardians stood for.
This isn't about the Guardians though.
Not this time.
This is a straight up war. A war you can not win. Because if you couldn't beat a man who respected you how can you possibly beat a man who wants to tear you literally limb from limb.
You're a vampire? I don't fucking care! I don't fucking care how you manhandled Odin to win the world title. I don't fucking care how you exposed Noble Savage to regain it. I'm not impressed. I beat both of them too. You know who else I beat?
You.. Bonnie Blue.
The difference you.. you never beat me.
Be afraid Bonnie because this is your day of reckoning. You can fool some of the people all the time but you can never fool me. Because we really were friends. I really did know you. I know you're different now. Everything about you is different. A few months ago John and you burned a fish and chips place to the ground. You endangered the lives of everyone inside.. just for shits and giggles.
That's not the Bonnie Blue I remember. I'm sick of this Bonnie Blue. I'm sick of her destroying her legacy. So I'm going to do something about it. Steel cage matches used to be billed as potential career enders. I'm going to bring that reputation back. Have you ever seen a sanity slip off of the top of the cage?
I don't care what new powers you may have Bonnie you are not surviving that. I don't even feel guilty about what I'm going to do to you because I know you wouldn't do the same to me. You would do it to weaker people. People who can't stop you. That's why I know you're changed. That's why I know you're not the real Bonnie Blue. Bonnie was a champion of the weak. Now she preys on them. What's worse she thinks they deserve it because they can't fight back.
Well Bonnie.. I can fight back. And I will. This is your third time stepping into the ring with the world championship in the WCF. The last two have ended in losses. This one will end exactly the same. It's not that you didn't deserve the title. It is that you don't deserve it now. Once upon a time you were a hero of mine Bonnie. I used to look up to you. Now I only see a threat that must be destroyed. You've become no better then the villains the Guardians used to fight. You lost your way Bonnie. You gained eternal life but you did it by losing everything that made you special. I'm sick of looking at you. At the husk of what you were. I'm going to end you Bonnie Blue.
Don't believe me? Ask John Rabid how dangerous I am. Because what I did to him last month. That was meant as your final warning. Your last chance to change. But you not only ignored it.. you slapped me in the face by marrying John after winning the world title. Once upon a time I would have loved to be in your wedding party. Fuck, I woulda worn a dress and been your maid of honor.
Rebecca Thatch: Kinky.
Alex shakes his head gives Rebecca a playful swat on the bottom.
Alex Richards: Now.. I wouldn't go to the funeral. But I would be the cause of it. Kind of makes me sad. You used to be my best friend now you're someone I wouldn't regret taking from this world. You fucked up Bonnie. You've become so jaded, so corrupted you don't even realize that you're the bad guy now. That you're the evil one. But at Kingdom Come.. my vengeance will come. You can count on that. Then you can take after John Rabid once again and release your own book on Kindle. How To Destroy My Legacy. After Kingdom Come that'll be all you're good for. Your title reign will be over, your career will be over. Confusion won't be reigning though. Because I know exactly what I'm doing this to you. To prevent you from destroying others. I don't like the fact I have to destroy my former partner and best friend but I understand why I have to do it. Bonnie Blue.. this bloods for you.
Rebecca Thatch: Making puns? I thought you were going to be serious.
Alex looks at her without a hint of a grin.
Alex Richards: I am serious. All the blood I'm spilling at Kingdom Come.. it's going to be on her hands. This is all Bonnie's fault and it's going to be exactly what she deserves.
The Day of Kingdom Come- London, England
Alex Richards walks into the O2 arena early in the day. Even before noon which is really early for the archduke. He walks with a purpose into the part of the building the WCF is using as their temporary offices during their UK trip. He doesn't knock, simply opens the door of the largest, nicest office. A boot of Zim-Quila in one hand, a bottle of diet coke in the other. He places the Diet Coke on the desk then looks..
Alex Richards: You're not Corey Black.
The young intern behind the desk shakes his head.
Intern: No, I'm Jake Johnson. I'm an intern from the Universe of
Alex Richards: I got business with Corey Black. I even brought him a bottle of diet coke. I'm so deadly serious I was even willing to bribe him.
Jake Johnson: Corey is out. Rumour has it he's still searching for a high profile opponent to face at tonight's show.
Alex Richards: Skip the hard sell Jake. I'm already on the show I don't need to buy a ticket ya dig? Everybody with power I can talk to around here?
Jake Johnson: Due to recent cutbacks it's just me, Corey and Stephen Singh.
Alex Richards: Fuck that. I'm not talking to Singh. I'd rather talk with Jayson Price. He doesn't even have real power people just think he's in charge.
Jake Johnson: I can take your concerns to Corey Black.
Alex Richards: Guess that's as good as it's getting right now. You want this diet coke?
Jake Johnson: Mister Richards.. not a chance. That's all there ever is to drink around here. Mr. Black even stocks the water coolers with diet coke. I'll take the Zim-Quila if you're offering though.
Alex slides the boot across the desk.
Alex Richards: Diet Coke ain't so bad. You just gotta know how to doctor it up. Seeing as I am a doctor.
Alex reaches into his ever present old school doctor's bag and pulls out a second boot of Zim-Quila which he proceeds to add to the Diet Coke. Then sips.
Alex Richards: Always listen to your doctor. Now back to business.
Jake Johnson: What can I do for you?
Alex Richards: You can give me the match I requested for Kingdom Come.
Jake Johnson: I heard about that.. you see
Alex Richards: I wanted a bloodlust cage match where you couldn't win until you make your opponent bleed.
Jake Johnson: You always got along well with Corey, right?
Alex Richards: That's true enough.
Jake Johnson: If you get to pick the match then why would you do something that helps Bonnie Blue.
Alex Richards: Exactly that. I want to send a message. I wanted the stipulation where the loser must bleed because it potentially helps Bonnie. I want her to know that not only did I beat her.. but that I beat her even when the odds were in her favour.
Jake Johnson: That doesn't seem like a smart play though. What if you lose?
Alex Richards: I'm not going to lose. Not to my former partner. Not to the person who destroyed what the Guardians were supposed to mean. She took everything from me.. and I reinvented myself. I became even stronger. I became even more dangerous. I became a better competitor. More importantly I even became a better man. So I want Bonnie in a bloodlust cage so I can return the favour. I want to beat her bloody, take her championship and do it all in front of her husband. If I do that.. I'll prove to Bonnie her way was wrong.
Jake Johnson: That doesn't sound like you hate Bonnie. That sounds like you're trying to give her another chance.
Alex Richards: Jake.. that's the thing. I remember the good times. I may never trust Bonnie again but I want her to have her redemption. But to do that.. I need to break her down completely. Destroy her.. completely. Tell Corey I want that bloodlust cage.. it may sound stupid but playing to Bonnie's strengths is the only way I can end this nonsense. The only way I can finally put this to rest. I don't just want to beat Bonnie, I want to prove I'm better then her. Which proves my way is better then hers. That was the point. That's what I want to gain. Bonnie turned her back on the side of righteousness. I want to enlighten her on just what she truly lost. I hate what Bonnie has become. I still remember my friend. That’s why I’m going to fight so hard to destroy this version of her. That’s why I will destroy what she has become. If there’s nothing left.
Alex shrugs.
Alex Richards: So be it. I tried to be merciful. She refused to listen to reason. Maybe she’ll listen to violence instead.
Jake Johnson: You know.. that wasn't what I was expecting from you at all. I heard stories the last time you were in the office you smashed a water fountain with a candy bar machine.
Alex Richards: Damn right I did. Snickers bars are just too dry. Besides Jake.. the more you get to know me the more you'll know.. that I'm not like everybody else. But look on the bright side Jake.. you aren't going to be the one I throw into a world of confusion this week.
Fade To Black
" You will never grow old and you will never die"- Anne Rice, Interview with a Vampire
"Ever notice the end of every bit of vampire literature ends with them burning up in the sun? Well this is the end"- Alex Richards
The Day before Kingdom Come- Woking, England
Alex Richards and his girlfriend Rebecca Thatch are dressed in their best clothes. For Rebecca this means a more formal witchy black dress. For Alex in this suit it's a loud blue leisure suit. In spite of the strange looking couple they made both appear to be dead serious. Alex and Rebecca hold hands with Alex using his other hand on some sort of tracking device. All around them are grave stones.
Alex Richards: Normally this would be the point where I'd make a joke to lighten the mood.
Rebecca Thatch: Actually I would. I'd suggest having cemetery sex.
Alex Richards: For bonus points we could find dirty sounding name on a headstone like Naylor.
Rebecca Thatch: We are in England.. that could probably be done.
Alex gives a ghost of a smile.
Alex Richards: Then Zach would freak out in spite of the fact we're totally only having this conversation just to get that reaction. But Zach isn't here. And this isn't the time for jokes. I know right? For me.. it's always the time for jokes. No matter how bad shit gets you can always count on Alex Richards to make you laugh, right?
Rebecca Thatch: It is the only reason I'm dating you.
Alex Richards: Now you're the one making jokes.
Rebecca Thatch: Somebody has to.
Alex's device begins bleeping. Rebecca and Alex stop.
Alex Richards: Right here is the unmarked graves of Alex Richards and Rebecca Thatch. Of course they don't really contain our bodies, merely mannequins and a tracking beacon. I knew I would want to come here.. at least once. I knew there would be an occasion when I wanted to face my own mortality. March 19 2017. Just over two years ago I died. At least I was supposed to die. Have you ever had the opportunity to see how you die? I don't recommend it. The Guardians were fighting a war against a group who called themselves the society. Their goal was to eliminate all metahumans. Basically eliminate all mutants, everyone who's different. Why is this that happens again and again in society? In every culture? Why is it people have never realized that anyone suggesting a genocide are always the bad guys? Why is it I'm the one pointing this one. I'm supposed to be the guy with the jokes. I'm supposed to be the fun loving goofball. But I can't be right now. I couldn't be then either.
Rebecca lays a hand on Alex's shoulder for support.
Alex Richards: Obviously I fought against this group. Until that day March 19.. when I was visited by the future version of myself. He wanted me to abort my mission. I was supposed to kill a sushi bar filled with gang leaders in Japan. But if I did that it would set about a chain reaction leading to Rebecca and my deaths. My future self laid things out. I should abort my mission, leave the UCI, return to the WCF, rejoin Pantheon. Leave the Guardians behind because they were doomed from the start. Well he was right about one thing. However if I didn't lay waste to that bar we could have lived. But tens of thousands of metahumans would have died instead of us. Our lives for the lives of thousands? Easy choice. Everyone thought I was dead but I competed my mission and it helped turn the tide against the society. I'd make the same choice again.
Alex smirks.
Alex Richards: Especially since.. I didn't die. I cheated death. I figured out a way to avoid my fate. But I was willing to risk my own death in order to help others. That's the difference between me and Bonnie. That's the ultimate reason I consider what she did.. casting her lot with Rabid such a betrayal.
Alex Richards: The version of myself from the future figured I would save my own skin because that's what he would have done. But even then I was greater then that version of myself. I figured out a loophole. He allowed me to see what happened to myself and Becky but only long enough to complete my mission. When it was done my memory of what happened would be completely gone.
Rebecca Thatch: So he called me while he was killing those gang members. And I wrote it down just to be safe.
Alex Richards: Simplicity itself, right? So Bonnie.. I know what it is like to face down death. We were both able to cheat death. The difference is, I found a way to do it without destroying the best part of myself.. without losing my humanity, both literally and figuratively. That's why Becky and I came here to visit.. so I could remember.
Alex looks around his eyes flashing with anger. Gravestones, grave markers, monuments, mausoleums as far as you can see.
Alex Richards: Many cemeteries in Chicago wanted Rebecca and my bodies. But I chose to have our graves here.. in England.. in Brookwood Cemetery. I didn't want people to come and mourn because I knew nothing was going to be in our graves. So I picked something anonymous, something far out of the way. But now that I'm here.. I'm simply filled with anger.
Alex tries to compose himself.. fails.
Alex Richards: There are doctors, poets, even a king of England buried here. There are thousands of soldiers buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. But mostly there are regular working class people buried here. Anonymous people whose names are lost. Mainly because of the amount of unmarked graves here. 80% of the graves here are unmarked. I don't know the exact number but I do know that over a quarter of a million people have buried in this cemetery.
Rebecca Thatch: Why does that make you mad?
Alex doesn't really answer.
Alex Richards: Everyday people cheat death. The very first people buried here were a pair of stillborn twins in 1849. But could modern medicine have saved them? Surgery could have saved thousands of people buried here. People who died of polio, diabetes, smallpox, tons of diseases they aren't considered a big deal these days. But the thing is.. when it's your time.. it's your time. I don't have a problem with people cheating death. But you didn't cheat death Bonnie. You stole life. And you will continue to steal life for every day of your existence until someone finally puts you to rest permanently.
Alex looks off in the distance.
Alex Richards: A quarter of a million people rest here. How many people will have to die for your thirst Blue? I risked my life and the life of the lady I love in order to save strangers. You chose to cheat death, keeping yourself alive at the expense of strangers, innocent people. You say you didn't betray me?
Alex snorts.
Alex Richards: You might as well have ripped out my heart Bonnie and ate it in front of me. Sure, you didn't physically turn on me yourself but you turned your back on all that was right in the world. That's much much worse.
Alex Richards: Stephen King said it best in Pet Cemetery... "Sometimes DEAD is better". You have her name but you're not the real Bonnie Blue. Last month you didn't buy Noble Savage's excuse that sacrificing that baby was justified to aid her. I don't buy your excuse either Bonnie. All those deaths to further your own life is too much of a cost to bear.
Alex looks thoughtful for a second.
Alex Richards: I'm only saying this because I want Bonnie to know what she's in for. She knows me. She knows what I'm like when I get this anger, this justifiably angry. She's been trying to calm me down for months, ever since One. You think I'm stupid Bonnie? You really think I'm buying the claim you stepped aside so I could lead the Guardians? That you didn't betray us... you merely chose a different parallel road?
Alex screams.
Alex Richards: FUCKING BULLSHIT BONNIE! THAT'S A FUCKING LIE AND EVERYBODY FUCKING KNOWS IT! Even worse is that you still try and stick to your story. You still try and sway people to your side! I know better. Everyone else should as well. But yet just a few weeks ago Damian Kaine was talking with Bonnie they were talking about how I made a flimsy excuse to end our friendship and implied I wasn't much of a man. Guess I shouldn’t have expected much more from the guy who once opened a pit to Hell and threw his opponent Z Mac down into the depths instead of fighting him fairly. No wonder he supports Bonnie. Dirty tricks in lui of a fair fight seems to be both of their games. At least from what I got from Bonnie and John two weeks ago. The two of them couldn’t finish me off then. Bonnie certainly won’t be able to do it on her own. But still, that kind of makes me regret fighting for the Guardians at One. Since apparently nobody else knows what the Guardians were supposed to stand for!
Bonnie thinks I ended our friendship? Does she forget about the week after One. Where I was wrestling a match against Sam McPherson. You remember who did commentary on that match? One John Rabid. He spent the whole match insulting me. Then after I won... he got in the ring and jumped me! Your husband jumped me after I just finished competing in a hard fought match. Does that sound like the actions of someone who wants to be friends? I stated the whole time that John Rabid was evil.. and as he clearly proves.. over and over.. a leopard never changes their spots.
When he transformed you into a vampire. That was bad enough. But when you married him. That was it. That was the final nail in the coffin of our friendship. That was the moment that I knew there was no good left in you. That was the moment I knew I was going to have to destroy you. When you married John Rabid that meant you accepted his evil. That meant you were okay with a parade of corpses throughout time to sustain your life.
Rebecca Thatch: Hate to interrupt but why all the big 5 dollar words this week?
Alex Richards: That ain't much my style is it? I'm doing it to prove I'm smarter then people give me credit for. Clearly I'm smarter then Bonnie gives me credit for! She expected me to be a sucker, be a patsy for her. I'm no one's second wheel! Not any longer! The fact that she thinks I should accept the fact her husband thinks jumping me is some kind of sport makes me think we were never really friends anyways!
Odin Balfore.. my team mate in the Enforcers. Notice I said team mate not leader. He showed me what a real friend does. He should be in this main event alongside me. But he isn't. Because he chose not to. He chose to let me get my revenge on my one. One on one. Odin chose to sacrifice his chance at a 6th world title for friendship. Bonnie chooses to sacrifice her friends and the friends of others for that matter for the sake of a sick toxic relationship with John Rabid. So yeah.. I'm fucking furious.
People always used to think that Bonnie was the brains behind the Guardians and I was the muscle. But I think I just pretty much proved that's a myth. I managed to survive certain death by using my brain. While Bonnie survived certain death by giving over her life to John Rabid.. then marrying the bastard.. and not even being fucking smart enough to learn what happened to his old wife before doing it! Because John Rabid does seem like the type who'd off his own lover if he got bored of her. I always knew he was a pure sociopath. I never knew Bonnie would try and take after him though. She has every other member of the former Guardians fooled, but she doesn't fool me. But I'm the one she needed to fool. Because out of all the former Guardians I'm the one who can fucking kick her ass. And she knows it. Bonnie was the leader of the Guardians. I was always her right hand man. I was content with that. She could have the spotlight if she wanted it. I didn't need it. I didn't want to be known as the leader of the Guardians. I didn't need that glory. I had all the confirmation I ever needed from a match on UCI Overload
The words footage courtesy United Championship Infinite come across the screen as the clip begins
Back to back vicious right forearms pushes Alex to be stunned for that sheer moment where she would spin around to stand behind him. Hooking his neck in a Reverse DDT, she quickly snaps down her right elbow across his chest to land his back down on the mat.
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Jimmy Garcia: INFINITY PARADOX! INFINITY PARADOX! IS THAT ALL?!
Gravedigger: NOT THIS CUNT, FUCK THAT! IF SHE WINS, I QUIT!
Bonnie slowly gets up from the canvas and walks over to the corner. She starts climbing all the way to the top rope with Alex lying down on his back in the center of the ring. Seeing the opportunity in front of her, she leaps backwards corkscrewing into a normal flip. However, her back slams against the canvas was Alex manages to roll out of the way in the nick of time.
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Jimmy Garcia: Bonnie Blue missed! She tried to finish off her own Guardian brother with the Sonic Screwdriver but Alex Richards moved out of the way. Bonnie is still up?! Damn, how much can she take?!
Bonnie manages to get back on her feet barely. Alex pulls in that right arm to send her off into the ropes at flying speeds. When she rebounds, he presses his hands into her waist to pop her up into the air. Caught seated on his shoulders, he Powerbombs her back onto his knees in that Pop Up Powerbomb Lungblower that has her flying across the ring onto her side.
Crowd: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
Gravedigger: POP-UP SANITY SLIP! YES! YES! YES! THE PIN ATTEMPT IS MADE!
One!
Two!
Three!
Ding Ding Ding!
Taylor Lorde: Here is your winner and advancing into the finals of the Watch The Throne Tournament, Alex Richards!
Alex Richards: That was our only one on one match. I took everything you had and I came out the victor. That was the moment things changed wasn't it Bonnie. I never realized it at the time but you were jealous of me. That's why you teamed up with the Beach Krew, maybe that's why you let Rabid change you instead of trying to find another way to cheat death. You wanted the power boast. You needed the short cut. Because deep down Bonnie it tore you up that I was the better wrestler.
You gave up Bonnie. You quit.. on yourself. How long did it take you Bonnie? You've been wrestling for less then four years before you had to start taking short cuts. I got my ass kicked time and time again. Never won the WCF world title. Never really got close. When I finally earned my shot at One, I not only failed but was the one pinned. If anyone should give up and beg Rabid to make me a vampire so I was better it's me. But I didn't. I wouldn't. I would never give up on myself. But you did Bonnie. You admitted you weren't good enough without Rabid's help. You're weak Blue. No matter what your psychical abilities are you're mentally weak. That's why you never successfully defended the championship because other people wanted it more then you did. You can win a match against someone based on skill but when it comes down to a battle of wills you always come up short. Well this is no mere ordinary battle of wills.. this is a blood feud. You think you have a chance against someone with a will as strong as mine? I'm too stubborn to quit at the worst of times. You're gonna have to behead me to get me to stop this week. Even then my body would probably still try to fight you! That's how badly I want this. Can you stay the same? No.. you're merely trying to escape with a title. I'll take the title and my revenge. Because I want this more then you could ever know.
Your love of Rabid didn't destroy the Guardians. Your jealousy of me did. Because of that thousands of people are going to die to your bloodlust. Unless I stop you.
There could be another graveyard just like this dedicated to your future victims. Unless I stop you.
Bonnie.. I will stop you! That’s why I challenged you to a steel cage.. that's why I accepted your challenge to make someone bleed before you score the pin. Because this isn't just about the world title. This is about vengeance. I will take that title from you. Because I don't think you deserve that award. Not any longer. Once upon a time I would have been proud to be partnered with you. If you were world champ I would have been proud. Now every time I see you hold that belt up it's a slap in the face. It's proof that life isn't fair. That hard work can be overcome with short cuts.
No! It fucking can't! I will personally make sure of it! That's why you want me to think we're still friends. You want me to forget the fact you betrayed me. Because you know how bad it was having to face me back when we were friends. You can't even begin to imagine how much more difficult it's going to be this time.
I WANTED YOU IN A STEEL CAGE!
I WANTED TO MAKE YOU BLEED!
Think about that. The only time we ever had a match I took your two best moves and came up the victor. You couldn't handle my sanity slip. And you know it. You remember what happened.
Most importantly?
You never asked for a re match. You never wanted one either! Why is that/
Because you knew the result would be the same!
And that.. that was when we were friends. I believed in you Bonnie. I trusted you. I respected you.
You pissed on all of that.
You betrayed me.
You betrayed everything the Guardians stood for.
This isn't about the Guardians though.
Not this time.
This is a straight up war. A war you can not win. Because if you couldn't beat a man who respected you how can you possibly beat a man who wants to tear you literally limb from limb.
You're a vampire? I don't fucking care! I don't fucking care how you manhandled Odin to win the world title. I don't fucking care how you exposed Noble Savage to regain it. I'm not impressed. I beat both of them too. You know who else I beat?
You.. Bonnie Blue.
The difference you.. you never beat me.
Be afraid Bonnie because this is your day of reckoning. You can fool some of the people all the time but you can never fool me. Because we really were friends. I really did know you. I know you're different now. Everything about you is different. A few months ago John and you burned a fish and chips place to the ground. You endangered the lives of everyone inside.. just for shits and giggles.
That's not the Bonnie Blue I remember. I'm sick of this Bonnie Blue. I'm sick of her destroying her legacy. So I'm going to do something about it. Steel cage matches used to be billed as potential career enders. I'm going to bring that reputation back. Have you ever seen a sanity slip off of the top of the cage?
I don't care what new powers you may have Bonnie you are not surviving that. I don't even feel guilty about what I'm going to do to you because I know you wouldn't do the same to me. You would do it to weaker people. People who can't stop you. That's why I know you're changed. That's why I know you're not the real Bonnie Blue. Bonnie was a champion of the weak. Now she preys on them. What's worse she thinks they deserve it because they can't fight back.
Well Bonnie.. I can fight back. And I will. This is your third time stepping into the ring with the world championship in the WCF. The last two have ended in losses. This one will end exactly the same. It's not that you didn't deserve the title. It is that you don't deserve it now. Once upon a time you were a hero of mine Bonnie. I used to look up to you. Now I only see a threat that must be destroyed. You've become no better then the villains the Guardians used to fight. You lost your way Bonnie. You gained eternal life but you did it by losing everything that made you special. I'm sick of looking at you. At the husk of what you were. I'm going to end you Bonnie Blue.
Don't believe me? Ask John Rabid how dangerous I am. Because what I did to him last month. That was meant as your final warning. Your last chance to change. But you not only ignored it.. you slapped me in the face by marrying John after winning the world title. Once upon a time I would have loved to be in your wedding party. Fuck, I woulda worn a dress and been your maid of honor.
Rebecca Thatch: Kinky.
Alex shakes his head gives Rebecca a playful swat on the bottom.
Alex Richards: Now.. I wouldn't go to the funeral. But I would be the cause of it. Kind of makes me sad. You used to be my best friend now you're someone I wouldn't regret taking from this world. You fucked up Bonnie. You've become so jaded, so corrupted you don't even realize that you're the bad guy now. That you're the evil one. But at Kingdom Come.. my vengeance will come. You can count on that. Then you can take after John Rabid once again and release your own book on Kindle. How To Destroy My Legacy. After Kingdom Come that'll be all you're good for. Your title reign will be over, your career will be over. Confusion won't be reigning though. Because I know exactly what I'm doing this to you. To prevent you from destroying others. I don't like the fact I have to destroy my former partner and best friend but I understand why I have to do it. Bonnie Blue.. this bloods for you.
Rebecca Thatch: Making puns? I thought you were going to be serious.
Alex looks at her without a hint of a grin.
Alex Richards: I am serious. All the blood I'm spilling at Kingdom Come.. it's going to be on her hands. This is all Bonnie's fault and it's going to be exactly what she deserves.
The Day of Kingdom Come- London, England
Alex Richards walks into the O2 arena early in the day. Even before noon which is really early for the archduke. He walks with a purpose into the part of the building the WCF is using as their temporary offices during their UK trip. He doesn't knock, simply opens the door of the largest, nicest office. A boot of Zim-Quila in one hand, a bottle of diet coke in the other. He places the Diet Coke on the desk then looks..
Alex Richards: You're not Corey Black.
The young intern behind the desk shakes his head.
Intern: No, I'm Jake Johnson. I'm an intern from the Universe of
Alex Richards: I got business with Corey Black. I even brought him a bottle of diet coke. I'm so deadly serious I was even willing to bribe him.
Jake Johnson: Corey is out. Rumour has it he's still searching for a high profile opponent to face at tonight's show.
Alex Richards: Skip the hard sell Jake. I'm already on the show I don't need to buy a ticket ya dig? Everybody with power I can talk to around here?
Jake Johnson: Due to recent cutbacks it's just me, Corey and Stephen Singh.
Alex Richards: Fuck that. I'm not talking to Singh. I'd rather talk with Jayson Price. He doesn't even have real power people just think he's in charge.
Jake Johnson: I can take your concerns to Corey Black.
Alex Richards: Guess that's as good as it's getting right now. You want this diet coke?
Jake Johnson: Mister Richards.. not a chance. That's all there ever is to drink around here. Mr. Black even stocks the water coolers with diet coke. I'll take the Zim-Quila if you're offering though.
Alex slides the boot across the desk.
Alex Richards: Diet Coke ain't so bad. You just gotta know how to doctor it up. Seeing as I am a doctor.
Alex reaches into his ever present old school doctor's bag and pulls out a second boot of Zim-Quila which he proceeds to add to the Diet Coke. Then sips.
Alex Richards: Always listen to your doctor. Now back to business.
Jake Johnson: What can I do for you?
Alex Richards: You can give me the match I requested for Kingdom Come.
Jake Johnson: I heard about that.. you see
Alex Richards: I wanted a bloodlust cage match where you couldn't win until you make your opponent bleed.
Jake Johnson: You always got along well with Corey, right?
Alex Richards: That's true enough.
Jake Johnson: If you get to pick the match then why would you do something that helps Bonnie Blue.
Alex Richards: Exactly that. I want to send a message. I wanted the stipulation where the loser must bleed because it potentially helps Bonnie. I want her to know that not only did I beat her.. but that I beat her even when the odds were in her favour.
Jake Johnson: That doesn't seem like a smart play though. What if you lose?
Alex Richards: I'm not going to lose. Not to my former partner. Not to the person who destroyed what the Guardians were supposed to mean. She took everything from me.. and I reinvented myself. I became even stronger. I became even more dangerous. I became a better competitor. More importantly I even became a better man. So I want Bonnie in a bloodlust cage so I can return the favour. I want to beat her bloody, take her championship and do it all in front of her husband. If I do that.. I'll prove to Bonnie her way was wrong.
Jake Johnson: That doesn't sound like you hate Bonnie. That sounds like you're trying to give her another chance.
Alex Richards: Jake.. that's the thing. I remember the good times. I may never trust Bonnie again but I want her to have her redemption. But to do that.. I need to break her down completely. Destroy her.. completely. Tell Corey I want that bloodlust cage.. it may sound stupid but playing to Bonnie's strengths is the only way I can end this nonsense. The only way I can finally put this to rest. I don't just want to beat Bonnie, I want to prove I'm better then her. Which proves my way is better then hers. That was the point. That's what I want to gain. Bonnie turned her back on the side of righteousness. I want to enlighten her on just what she truly lost. I hate what Bonnie has become. I still remember my friend. That’s why I’m going to fight so hard to destroy this version of her. That’s why I will destroy what she has become. If there’s nothing left.
Alex shrugs.
Alex Richards: So be it. I tried to be merciful. She refused to listen to reason. Maybe she’ll listen to violence instead.
Jake Johnson: You know.. that wasn't what I was expecting from you at all. I heard stories the last time you were in the office you smashed a water fountain with a candy bar machine.
Alex Richards: Damn right I did. Snickers bars are just too dry. Besides Jake.. the more you get to know me the more you'll know.. that I'm not like everybody else. But look on the bright side Jake.. you aren't going to be the one I throw into a world of confusion this week.
Fade To Black
