CHAPTER 21 – BRADEN KINCAID

Uprising has been hard for me. Not because of the competition, even though I had to pull double duty and lost the Tag Team Championships to the ever-EVIL Diabolical Forces. No, this has a lot more to do with memory. Since I’m in the Uprising Gauntlet, I’ve had a hard time memorizing every guy’s names in it. Normally, I’d only remember the names of the big players that I need to get ahead of, or my own opponents on PPV, but considering both my matches have 21 other competitors involved, bummer! 21, that’s a lot of guys! I’m already pretty acquainted with the evil Mormon and Menonite, now that I lost the Tag Team Championships. But hey, I didn’t even get breathing time, after a huge first round win from the Uprising Challenge.

Now that was a challenge alright! I came in at #07 after watching the match on a monitor, the only thing I could do to avoid getting bored. Keeping up with the action was a little hard. Kenny started things off after beating some drill sergeant and two other guys with funny names. If only Miranda was here, I’d get to know they’re names for the obligatory 10 seconds, but she had to be out of town tonight of all nights! She also made sure I had to watch all the matches tonight too! Something about becoming better at what I do.. blah blah. Of course I had to! She hid the X-box till she was sure I did.

Then this huge guy Beast comes in and… wait a minute! That’s not X-Men’s Beast!!! Dammit, would have been fun to use sound logic against a guy like Kenny but brute force works too. Beast made quick work of Kenny and The Crippler, who looked nothing like the guy whose name was apparently erased from history. Tough break, now that guy was a killer… errr… wrestler. That’s when some nerd came up to tell me I was next.

ALRIGHT! Time for the “The Thriller” to dash his way to the ring. Good timing too as I had to teach this ‘Beast’ a lesson: never ever disappoint Braden Kincaid by pretending to be a Marvel character. While cleverly avoiding all of the heavy moves, I finally got caught by Beast in a bearhug, when I thought to use my head, literally! OUCH, that was one mean headbutt! Still, followed that with the Thrilling to the corner! Beast was on shaky legs as The Thriller hits the Thrill Ride for the pin. Next up, Jonathan Darkstar, one of those guys from the time I lost his North American Championship. Lucky for me, I STILL have THAT belt. SUCKERS! Next up was Sevyn, the guy who’s had big-time matches with the legendary Sean Taylor, and for having the neatest blue hairdo. Sevyn was tough though, as he brought in a lot of fight and almost nailed a Perfect Plex which I ‘thrilled’ out of into a Kincaid Klash for the pin! And with that the bell rang. Braden Kincaid wins!!! Wait, DAMN! There’s a round 2 too…

This is where things started going downhill. Picture this: I was sorta celebrating backstage high-5ing everybody. Went past this guy Lynch Garrison who wasn’t in the mood. Looks like he had a bad night. That when those EVIL Diabolical Forces jumped me from behind. Which was a bad thing since my Tag Title defense was next. 20 minutes later, I head down to the ring for the match. Should have just stayed in the ring and gotten ahead with it; now for half the match my partner Hawkeye had to go it alone. Finally made the hot tag, but with a little assist from Sevyn, the Diabolical Forces walked out as Tag Team Champions. Was I upset? You betcha! But not as upset as Hawkeye was, as he just left the ring without even saying anything. I did try calling him back but then I thought I’d prolly catch up with him in round 2 of the Gauntlet.

Sure enough, Round 2 started with me going head to head with Paul Doom. The Baddest Man from Australia, this guy was the International Champion and just beat Rocko Daymon to retain the belt. So he’s got the International Title, he doesn’t need the big belt right? Didn’t seem like it as this guy was big and tough. Almost about to go for a powerbomb but didn’t. I look around and see Daymon in the ring with a baseball bat. So he’s about to hit Doom with it right, and turns out, he hit ME in the gut! ME?! Why the f***?! This couldn’t be good, but then the bells rang and get this: Doom gets DQ’d! WTF?! Doom argues with the ref and then runs right after Daymon. So I’m still in it I guess, but dammit why am I taking all the hits here. The lights then go out, now what!? The spotlight hits the rafters and, uh oh…

Now this was scary. Here’s the guy that literally tore up that guy Garrison. Then it hits me its Lord Alucard’s turn now. And there he is, standing right there up on the rafters. Gotta admit, that jump to the ring thing he does is off the hook, and it could scare me shitless right now. But he’s just standing there. Waiting and doing nothing. Just tonight he beat up the Hazard in a brutal Cage match and it was all gloves off for that match. But with gloves like THOSE, it was better he kept them on! Then the light goes off and that’s… it? He doesn’t get in the ring and the next guy’s about to show up. Sad though, really wanted to ask him where I could get me those gloves.

Next up is AOD… not to be mistaken for POD, which by the way are awesome. This guy on the other hand looks like that sh*tty Twilight guy, which by the way is NOT awesome. Having a girlfriend is like a dream, which turns into a nightmare once she forces you to watch TWILIGHT! Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah, AOD beat Alucard for the title before, so it’s his turn now. HEY! I just remembered an EUWC Fact! Miranda, if only you could hear me now. At least I had time to get my breath back from that stupid baseball bat shot. This guy AOD thinks he can old school me out… well it’s time to put pops back in his place. Wonder how the REAL AOD must feel about this guy. I mean seriously, hasn’t he ever heard of “Copyright Infringement”?

So while I have pops ready for another patented Kincaid Klash when he reverses and shoves me into the referee. Still doesn’t do him any good as he STILL gets the Kincaid Klash! Then… lights out?! All I remember then is something hit me on the head! A briefcase? The referee woke me up later to get me out of the ring. I couldn’t believe this guy AOD got the better of me, but wait what the f***!? That punk with the briefcase knocked me out in the match! Wait’ll I get my hands on him! And as for pops, he’s already got his hands full.

CHAPTER 20 – UPRISING

Fireworks explode all around the stage as Uprising kicks off! The Ford Field in Detroit Michigan is sold out as fans are excited to culmination of a wild June. “WE ARE LIVE from the Ford Field in Detroit Michigan! I’m Scott Marchman and with me is John Shaft.”

“And on behalf of EUWC, we welcome you to Uprising. Tonight is going to be history in the making.”

“That’s right, as tonight we’re gonna witness the first ever Uprising Gauntlet! 20 Men all vying for the right to challenge the World Heavyweight Champion, whoever that might be after tonight”

“Right to the point, as the reigning EUWC World Champion Dan Ryan, the ‘Ego-Buster’ takes on another veteran Sean Taylor.”

“It’s been a long road for Taylor and tonight is the night he gets his big moment. Taylor was one of the greatest Champions in the EUWC, and tonight he’ll look to regain the title.”

“Or become another has-been following STEALTH.”

“Hmmm, wonder if he’ll wanna do commentary?”

“HEYYYY!!!”

“That’s right Fonzie, and speaking of Ryan, his associate Rocko Daymon challenges another veteran Paul Doom for the coveted International Championship!”

“Yeah tonight lightning will strike twice! Not only will Rocko beat Doom again, but the New Breed is going to flush down another has-been.”

“Funny how has-beens have title belts and you have a headset. And let’s not forget the man that Doom beat last month. I’m talking about Lynch Garrison, the Hazard, as he is in a weird predicament tonight against the man he seemingly injured.”

“Seriously, I cannot get it! I saw him break Alucard in half at Ultra Brawl. Alucard’s doctor said he wasn’t going to be competing for a long time, and right off the bat he comes back like nothing happened.”

“Well we’ll get to see what mood is Alucard in, as he looks for revenge inside a Steel Cage. Let’s head to the ring now for our first match…”

As the night began, Garrison had been tense. Surrounding the events ever since Ultra Brawl have made the Hazard look constantly over his shoulder. Things have gone from bad to worse as he’s lost his championship, his entourage, his state of mind. If he hadn’t been upset before, then coming back from the doctor’s office after his only associate Mac had been laid out backstage, left him with no peace at all.

This would be Garrison’s 3rd appearance on Uprising. He had represented the Regime in his first outing, whereas his last appearance was inside the Hades Dungeon Match. Fitting then that this night share elements common from the last two. Number 1: There was a steel cage involved. Number 2: Lord Alucard.

Garrison has spent the entire month frantically looking for Alucard; tracking him from his hospital but losing the trail. His surgeon’s also disappeared to Rio de Janerio, so the trails gone completely cold. Despite trying so hard to convince him otherwise, all signs point to the obvious that he’ll be taking on Alucard. As if Ultra Brawl and his vengeance never happened.

Confusion is the only thing that has warped Garrison’s mind. He’s been around the entranceway, where he saw a dejected duo leaving without their Tag Team gold. He watched as EUWC’s brightest up-and-coming star won the first round of the Uprising Gauntlet and still had 10 Former Champs to go through. He also had a wicked smile directed at him by Paul Doom, who obviously wasn’t just smiling after his match. Garrison knew he was being mocked, but he needed to change his mood.

The pills.

They worked perfectly at Ultra Brawl. They’ll work again. One dose and slowly, but surely, he starts feeling more aggressive and impatient. He can’t wait any longer as he heads out to the ring. The music plays but that’s not his focus now. The boos are only fuelling his anger and contempt. He grabs a mic from ringside and enters the ring.

“Lord Alucard! … NOW!!!”

No sooner he had said that the lights go dark. The anticipation among the audience builds as spotlights hover on the rafters, the only place where they can attempt to look. One spotlight finds a shadow but loses it just as easily. It’s only a matter of time before a figure descends towards the ring. Garrison has felt the chill of the black flash past his eyes, but with a heightened sense of aggression, this jump has just upped his state of mind.

He looks different.

Aside from the overcoat, there’s something different about him tonight. Its only when he takes it off that he reveals it. He’s sporting those very gauntlets he used a few weeks ago against Johnny Lao. Given the circumstances of the match, they were perfectly legal. His costume however, is different than his traditional attire; tighter but intimidating. It’s almost as if it is a second skin. More of an armor in fact. His mask is still firmly attached to his face, only showing his forehead and eyes.

The cage starts coming down towards the ring as he watches Garrison fuming to get started. The cage finally bolts down and the bell rings when Garrison pounces! He jumps right on with a Lou Thesz Press and starts hammering away on his face. Garrison picks him up and whips him for a clothesline but he ducks and comes back at Garrison with a reverse shoulder block! Garrison bounces off the ropes as he uses the big man’s own momentum to send him straight to the cage wall! As Garrison goes into the corner, he starts hitting the big man with full force of his hands and the strength of those gauntlets. He punches away at his chest, stomach and finally his head.

Garrison gets a sudden burst of energy and shoves him away. He runs back only for Garrison to get him with a shoulder back toss into the cage wall! Garrison roars into the crowd as he picks him up. Like a missile when he shot Paul Doom years ago, Garrison shoots him towards the cage. But he grabs on the cage like an insect, and flies off to hit Garrison with a roundhouse dropkick! He bounces off the ropes and drops on Garrison with a double kneedrop! He grabs Garrison by the throat and attempts to choke him out, using the pressure from his gauntlets. Garrison manages to kick him off and charges at him right into the cage wall! Garrison then scoops him up for a running powerslam!

Garrison then climbs up the ropes and measures him for a Terrarizer! Garrison flies off but meets feet to his face! He nails Garrison with a sharp uppercut; elbow jabs and a spinning back kick. He resumes his flurry or right hands but Garrison attempts to match him hand-to-hand. Garrison can’t believe the fury in him but his opponent isn’t sparing him at all. Garrison knew Alucard was tough and fast, but this is a lot more ferocious. This lethal combination of punches and kicks beats his usual moveset.

Garrison finally loses the upper hand as he takes in the ferocious hits from those gauntlets. Garrison finally stops him with a thump to the gut and grabs his throat for a Showstopper chokeslam. Garrison hoists him up but his opponent is a lot more agile as he grabs his head by his legs in a standing triangle choke. Garrison can only flay his free arm in the air as he tries to slap his opponent away, but eventually he comes down to one knee. Still in the choke, Garrison tries to get back on his feet and with one burst of energy, rams his opponent right into the corner, forcing him to break the hold.

Garrison recovers from the dreaded choke hold but when he turns around; he sees a demon flying at him in the air towards him. With extraordinary quickness, he takes down Garrison and pierces his claw-like gauntlets right into the Hazard’s skin. He tears off Garrison’s tank-top and starts punching with deadly ferocity at the big man. Garrison throws him off and finally feels blood running from his forehead. The Hazard starts feeling drowsy as he attempts to charge at his opponent, who swiftly moves out of the way to let Garrison hit the cage. He then grabs Garrison by the skull and scrapes his head with the cage. He watches Garrison attempt to stand with support from the ropes when he dropkicks his head to the cage. He watches silently as Garrison can barely stand, blood oozing from his head forming a pool around the Hazard. The crowd reacts as he hoists a staggering Garrison over his shoulders and drops him with a thunderous Einhander!

Upon impact, Garrison knew this was over. Garrison realized that this was something he couldn’t beat; a force he couldn’t comprehend. His thirst for vengeance was quenched at Ultra Brawl, but this was something that was beyond him. Garrison lay motionless on the mat, knowing that it was all about to end. Which is why he was surprised when he was lifted back up and into a military press. This was how it was going to end, he thought. Eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth.

Garrison could only mutter, “You… you’re not… him… You can’t…be him. Go ahead… finish it. It’ll prove you’re not him…” Garrison didn’t know whether he could be heard or not but 5 seconds later, he fell back to the mat. Garrison was saved from another coup de grace as he saw his opponent look right down to his face.

“I’m not him. I’m a lot more — and a lot worse.”

He exits the cage from the door as the referee calls for the bell. He re-enters the cage to look at a fallen Garrison. He climbs up the cage and stands on top to look at an elated crowd, all cheering for him. He can feel the electricity in the air as they chant the name he’s heard several times. He can feel it’s him they’re calling out to, and he realizes it is true now.

He is the one.

He is dominance.

He is Lord Alucard.

CHAPTER 19 – SHRIEK

The night is now a distant ocean through which his eyes and mind swim, floating and weightless, above a forest drenched in dark wonder and secret sin. It is a place long since cursed by a flood from heaven, and forsaken by true light.

His abode in the mysterious Crystal Lake has seldom seen any more visitors since he disappeared. The cabin itself has been plagued by dust both inside and out. It was cleaned on a daily basis but for nearly a month that has not happened. Even though he’s been at this house more frequently, he preferred not to touch anything there. He simply took in the dwelling for what it was and allowed his mind to lose itself in it.

He felt a sort of clarity he had been denied for a long time now. He stands on the roof, a dark angel on spread wings. He watches in the distance as the cold blue waters call for him. He years to dive in, all the way to the bottom; the only one willing to descend deeper in order to have all his pain and stiffness washed away by the sea. He wishes to be lost in a part of his mind he no longer knows, as he seeks…

He goes back to Mainframe, where he fought a stalemate with Jay Smash till the contest was interrupted. He knew things were far from settled and that was the same thought in Jay Smash’s mind as he was approached backstage. He felt the presence of the ‘Disease’ near him as he hid in the darkness, preferring not to be disturbed. However, ‘disturbing’ was only the least that could be said about Jay Smash.

“That was SPECTACULAR! You truly are full of surprises aren’t you! I mean, after I faced you that one time, you were something else. And tonight, you were something else, ENTIRELY! The way you made your move on Big G tonight was crazy man. And I should know crazy. After all, I’m crazy about, umm, well hey, I’m just crazy! Every now and then I have the feeling I’ve totally lost my mind. And you know what, it’s a great feeling.”

“To tell ya the truth, sometimes it’s only madness that makes us what we are. People think it’s an obsession, a compulsion; like an irresistible impulse to act. But for me, it’s never been like that. I chose my life. I know what I’m doing. Being The Disease, being with W.A.R., it’s whatever my mind can conjure up. And I can see in your eyes or from the looks of that mask that you’re no different from me at all. You and I could be the next Casablanca.”

“In fact, you wanna know a secret? I think you’re crazy, and so does everybody else! Oh wait; in that case… it’s hardly a secret anymore, right?”

He feels the thoughts fading away as he remembered turning back at Smash, looking him in the eye, as he had listened intently; processed what the Disease had infected him with. And then for the first time, he remembers what he said…

“I’ll tell you something I never admit, even to myself: I AM confused. I don’t know exactly who I am, or what my place in this world is. But I am sure of one thing… I am nothing like you.”

The ocean recedes now, replaced by bracing wind. It clears his mind of the dreamlike trance. His eyes open, alert, out of the ocean; breaking out of his shell a new creature drying in the biting air. His overcoat grabs the wind, stretching apart and fluttering in the cold breeze. It’s almost ready to let him ascend into the unforgiving sky.

He hears it as he stretches his arms apart, simulating the feeling of gliding; It’s soft at first, still distant and echoing; almost haunting in fact. Then it rises: a sound not unlike a damsel’s scream, reaching higher and louder and closer till it fills his heart with its unearthly thrill. It is the wild night, screaming for his soul.

He is still marveled on the creation, feeling the new second skin as he stretches out to fill this new outfit he tailored without thinking; somehow knowing it was right. It is something born only when nothing else matters, filling him now, even as his mind soars higher, the wind beats on his perfect cast forged in a fire he never felt. He only feels stronger, better, tougher.

He knows it waits for him out there, the brute force, which broke the old and created the new. It holds an end, promising a beginning… one for each of them.

He yearns to meet Lynch Garrison. “The Hazard”. Find him, remove him, and he will have finally taken his place. And become a darker heart, feeding the rest, the new center holding it all.

And then finally, it pours as he looks up in the sky. Rain. Perfect. The flood from heaven finally pours. He removes his mask to welcome the drops on his face, a silhouette in the dark.

The roar of thunder. And his dark heart pounds, as the wild night shrieks louder.

CHAPTER 18 – JAY SMASH

Looking around him, all Jay Smash can think is “Its Smashing Time”.

For weeks, Jay Smash has had pent up aggression literally waiting to come out. He looks at his association with Wake All Reverie and thinks its Sleeping All Reverie. Ever since Bloodbath, where they made major impacts after winning the Tag Team Championships and the Money in the Bank, they’ve made little to no impact that could lead somewhere. Sure they had a battery of attacks on Nero, Mike C, Kincaid and Hawkeye, but what was the end result?

Post Ultra Brawl X, they no longer have the Tag Team Championships. They’re not even in contention now that the Diabolical Forces challenge Hawkeye & Kincaid. Nero, who was at the end of their attacks, finally derailed Beast. Since then, he’s also beaten their prized Mr. Money in the Bank Cobris Grayson. But what really gets to Smash is their level of effectiveness. Their interferences in several key matches have hurt Smash’s understanding of their overall agenda. They cost Beast a shot at the Gold Rush tournament, he personally defeated Braden Kincaid in a singles match, but it wasn’t marred without interference either. They allowed Nero to steal a victory over Grayson, this time ironically not interfering.

It’s not just the lack of successes, but Smash feels it’s almost as if the group could amount to so much more but just doesn’t want to. Smash feels as if they’re the goths in high school: always brooding in a corner and trying to scare away the jocks. Smash had let his frustrations be known after he left his group in the ring after an unsuccessful rematch for the tag titles.

So who does he blame? Is it the ever expedient Angel of Death? Is it the deceptive Black Widow? Is it the careless Beast? Or is it the hazardous Lynch Garrison standing in front of him.

Wait, what’s wrong with this picture?

Smash shakes off the trance state to notice Lynch Garrison in the “W.A.R. Room” as it were. Maybe Garrison will be his fodder for Smashing Time, he’ll soon find out as Garrison has come with a proposition.

“Look, I know you guys don’t like me, and honestly, I don’t like any of you either.”

“Nice way to start a proposition”, AOD quickly remarks, earning the smirks of everyone except Smash.

“Ha ha. Very droll.” Garrison still serious. “Look Angel, I need your help, and W.A.R.’s. The fact is I’m ending up short on resources here and I have this menace that I need to get rid of.”

“You mean Lord Alucard?” Jay Smash finally breaks his silence.

“HE IS NOT ALUCARD!!!” Garrison now red in the face. “He can’t be Lord Alucard!”

“Look G, stop pretending it can’t be. The truth is right in your face. If it’s not Lord Alucard, who could it be?”

“It can’t be!” Garrison responds. “I broke his back. He should be in a hospital somewhere now. He was transferred to somewhere I can’t locate him.”

“Don’t take us for fools Lynch.” AOD responds. “We know full well your vendetta against Lord Alucard has depleted your ranks. You’re now looking for more fodder and you came to us. True we have our disagreements with Alucard, but we’re not going to be pawns in your problems. We have our own agendas.”

“And what would those be?!” AOD and Black Widow now turn their attention to Jay Smash, whose outburst couldn’t be ignored. “What has been our agenda, or agendas, or whatever it is we’re supposed to be doing? Of late, the only thing we’ve been doing is sitting as silent spectators, watching things happen without us. We formed this group to take control of the EUWC, to become the major power. But so far, all we’ve done is get embarrassed by the likes of Mike C and Nero and Kincaid and Hawkeye and Kincaid and Mike C and Nero… all this time I’ve been tempted to break out of this cycle, were it not for the fact that I still think this group can be a better ice cream company.”

“Ice cream?” AOD looks puzzled.

“You heard me right! It’s time we took charge around here. And for real this time! How long do you expect the goth treatment to work? This isn’t high school AOD! I’m sick of staying on the sidelines and having to wait while the globe spins round and round.”

Everyone else in the room is confused. Smash then turns his attention to Garrison.

“And as for you… you just want us to get Alucard to you on a silver platter. Well like AOD said, we’re not gonna be replacement lackeys. But you just gave me an idea. Tonight, I stand alone. One man against damnation. Let ‘em come!”

And with that, Smash doesn’t remember what he did next. It must have been important, as he’s now facing Lord Alucard in the ring. He obviously must have left the room, went to Matt Pickstock, got a match signed and is now in the ring facing Alucard in a wrestling match. Or he could have simply teleported to the rafters and brought Alucard down to the ring in a mystical elevator. It could be one of countless possibilities, as Smash considers his memories to be nothing more than “Multiple Choice” scenarios.

Still, there was no argument that he was in a match. Lord Alucard, his nemesis from a whole list of nemeses. He’s had several other challengers that have been his greatest challenge ever, but Alucard was definitely up there. Right with all the others. Only a few months ago did he face him one on one to settle an old score. Something with how the student finally overcomes the teacher, or how the hunter actually becomes THE hunter.

But there was something different this time. Previously he had beaten Alucard after a grueling match. Alucard then was much more controlled, effectively timed, and more precise. The experience he had over the years turned him into a more effective and precise competitor and a veteran no less. This time however, Alucard appeared wilder, more uncontrolled, fiercer, and more tenacious. Smash really couldn’t put his finger on it. If it weren’t for the clothes and appearance, he could feel he was wrestling someone else entirely. Either that or Garrison’s assault had inadvertently caused a chain reaction in Alucard’s DNA, giving him enhanced speed and ferocity. Another possible scenario in a multitude of choices. The vast array of chops, kicks and faster movement in the ring were something Smash hadn’t anticipated. And he liked it.

Alucard had Smash on the run indeed, as he took him down with a spinning back kick. Smash would have wanted to follow-up, but his sights led him to the ramp way where his W.A.R. compatriots had started coming down. Smash may have hallucinated, but he also felt Alucard had paused to see the new developments as well. Smash got back to his feet as W.A.R. was now at ringside. Both competitors paused as Smash had to ask his comrades just what the hell were they doing here. No sooner had he asked when he looked in the titantron to see Garrison enter the ring from behind and knock down Alucard! Smash turned around puzzled to watch Garrison stomp away on Alucard in the corner.

At this point, Smash could have left the ring and let Garrison & Alucard settle this. But he was enjoying himself in the match. Alucard had fought him like a rejuvenated man and had him excited for the last 15 minutes. Smash had already given his comrades a lot of flak for interfering in matches. And he didn’t like another interruption, by Garrison no less. Sensing his rage boil, Smash grabbed Garrison and shoved him aside. Garrison retorted with a shove of his own till Smash started hammering away on Garrison! Smash nailed him with an elbow jab to the head and finally threw him over the ropes and outside. Oh Garrison, if only you were still Big G.

“The Disease” then turned about face to notice his comrades attacking Alucard, but Alucard also fighting back. That did it! He’d already made an example of Garrison, and still these guys don’t get it. Smash shoved Cobris away fast and easily and knocked Beast out of the ring. Cobris went out as he saw his mentor face to face with his uneasy partner Angel of Death. It then dawned upon Smash that the ring now had three former World Champions in it, in fact, the history started from Alucard to AOD and then Jay Smash. The irony may have just dawned on Smash, or the other three, or everyone else, as the commentators never failed to put forth any fact. Smash didn’t hear anything around him, just the sounds in his head that told him more filtered stuff. Particularly how he had the advantage over these two in the Uprising Gauntlet on Sunday.

Smash wanted to see someone twitch. Someone, anyone! He saw Alucard take the first kick, right to Garrison who was just about getting on the ring apron. The kick hit right at the jaw, and knocked Garrison out of the picture.

“That looked like it hurt.” Smash thought. “Wait, why am I guessing…? I know it hurts.”

The sound of boos then caught their attention as Matt Pickstock appeared on stage with a microphone in hand.

“All right that’s enough!” Pickstock shouted. “W.A.R., you’ve made your point yet again about how you wish to be a nuisance in the EUWC. Well this Sunday at Uprising, you two, AOD and Smash, get the chance of dominating in the Uprising Gauntlet. So I’d save my breath for that match if I were either of you.”

Jay Smash couldn’t help but smile at the prospect. He would finally get to settle the debate of W.A.R. in the Gauntlet, considering how he had a much better chance than Angel of Death to last in the match.

Pickstock continued, “And as for Lynch Garrison and Lord Alucard… well I’m kinda spooked as to how you’re here Alucard. But that obviously means Garrison screwed up. So since you’re obviously out for revenge, I’ll give you your chance to face Lynch Garrison one-on-one at Uprising, inside a STEEL CAGE!!!”

Smash could interpret that look in Alucard’s eyes. The look that told him that he was pleased as hell. He could also tell Garrison was pi$$ed, but so could everyone else considering how he smashed stuff around ringside. Smash stared at his comrade AOD and at Alucard. He saw AOD looking with that angered face; the one that expressed disappointment. The one that wanted to settle this ‘partnership’. He looked at Alucard, at how hungry he was. For vengeance anyways, but it would be interesting as to how he conducts in the Uprising Gauntlet.

Who knew Smashing Time was going to be so much fun now?

=======================================

LESSON SIX: No Enemies

“He’s obviously not fit to be champion!”

Matt Pickstock, the CEO of EUWC couldn’t agree more. Especially if it’s coming from the one person who’s successfully taken the World Title from Sean Taylor in the past. “Classy” Mike C, the reigning International Champion is poised to get double gold, and his confidence has only increased tenfold ever since Taylor’s recent troubles.

“I know where you’re coming from Mike, but here’s the deal; you’re not the only one who wants a piece of Taylor. Granted you’re the only one with the most bragging rights, but if you get a title shot, I’ll have Kincaid coming in here asking for a rematch. Then you’ve got the usual suspects like Sevyn, AOD & Grayson… Then I’ll have to come up with some kind of solution that satisfies all of you, and take into account the fact that Taylor might not be able to handle that kind of pressure in one night. I DO have to draw the line somewhere.”

Both men stare at each other for a few seconds of still silence. Then, in unision…

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

“Haha… you almost had me there boss!”

“I know, right? I do crack myself up.”

“So anyways, now that you bring those other guys up, what have you got in mind?

“Well seeing as the time is ripe, tonight we’re going to have ourselves a World title match alright! It’s going to be monumental, and you know what? I think I’ll head down to the ring and break the news to our World Champion myself.”

“Good plan boss. Ready when you say so.”

“I say so now. Pad up!”

——————————————————————————————-

Sean Taylor arrived barely 15 minutes ago into the arena when a stage-hand informed him of his surprise match. Given his state of mind, Taylor feels as lousy as he’s ever been. Still, if he knows Pickstock’s timing, this is either vindictive or brilliant. Maybe both… especially both. Taylor can’t spare his thoughts on anybody else right now, despite how many times Pickstock has embarrassed him Not right now, not after all this…

Ever since he walked out of Superiority victorious, he’s forgotten what happiness has felt like. True, he did retain his title and also proposed to the woman he loved, but everything after that has gone straight to hell. He was forced to watch his love fall to injury and a coma in front of his very eyes and there was nothing he could do about it. He was forced to come to terms with his past in which he may have betrayed the trust of his only friend and mentor. His will has been tested to the extreme as he tries to find his bearings. All because of one person. One psychotic, twisted individual who has rattled Taylor to his core. Ironic though, because in another time and another place, Taylor could have been more to Tommy Trevor.

“Would you bring your attention to me please! I have, an important announcement to make here tonight.” The ever so confident CEO Matt Pickstock now stands in the center of the ring, microphone in hand and in the midst of his audience, who spare no opportunity to let him know of their displeasure at his arrival.

“Keeping in view of all the recent events that have taken place, it’s the opinion of many backstage, and in my better judgment, that we have a problem involving the World Heavyweight Championship. You see, the World Title should be around the waist of someone who is confident, able, talented and above all, in the perfect state of mind to exert dominance over the rest of the superstars. Unfortunately, as we all saw before, that is no longer the case. So tonight…”

Before another word is uttered, Pickstock is interrupted by familiar music and the fans are on their feet for the World Heavyweight Champion Sean Taylor. With no expressions, no microphone, Taylor carries his World Title belt as he heads to the ring.

“Whoa hold it right there Taylor! Before you do something you regret…” Pickstock quickly utters as Taylor gets in his face. “Look let’s be honest here. You’re a mess! You need a break. You’ve had a lot on your plate lately and that can get to even the best. And really I understand that. I really do, even though for some reason it’s because of you that I’m out 3 talents. It’s because of you that three people these fans want to see are in the hospital But still, I’ll make this a once in a lifetime exception for you; hand the belt over, relinquish the title. Go home, get some rest, stay with Kandi. Get away from it all. What do you say?”

Taylor does not back down. Not for one instant. All the pent-up rage and he can’t even channel it out on someone. Well, not in this particular instant anyway.

“Okay tough guy, you had your chance. Don’t say I was never nice to you. Since you think you can take punishment and humiliation, I’m not going to take the easy way out and strip you of the title. Oh no, you deserve much worse. Right here, right now, the World Title is going to be on the line. And your challenger…”

The speakers blare once again as Taylor finally budges to turn around. His opponent from Superiority, the young upstart Braden Kincaid comes down to the ring, looking determined as ever. AS “The Thriller” enters the ring to stare down Taylor, Pickstock interrupts.

“Wait, wait… did I say ‘challenger’. My bad, I meant, challengers!

Just then, the crowd is confused as from behind the barricades, four superstars jump the rail and enter the ring, surrounding Taylor and Kincaid. Taylor looks around and sees Sevyn, Cobris Grayson, Angel of Death and the International champion ‘Classy’ Mike C, forming a deadly circle along with Kincaid. Taylor spots Pickstock squinting out of the ring and making an announcement.

“This match is a special 6-pack free-for-all challenge, with one fall to determine the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! Gentlemen, have at it!”

Taylor’s face is full of contempt not just at Pickstock but everyone surrounding him. Everyone in this ring has a bone to pick with him, and all aspiring to be the next World Heavyweight Champion. Taylor, like a cornered animal, looking around him now looks determined to pounce.

“Come on then. All of you!!!”

Taylor leaps up at Grayson and knocks him down with a flurry of lefts & rights, but the others pick him off and start pounding on the champion. Taylor does his best to get his hands of each of his opponents but the numbers don’t agree with him. Shortly, AOD holds Taylor’s arms from behind but Taylor uses this as a chance to dropkick Classy Mike C and toss AOD away! Taylor comes face to face with his nemesis Sevyn who’s just tossed Kincaid out of the ring. Sevyn hits the champ with a headbutt and whips him into the ropes. Sevyn runs at him with a body splash but Taylor moves out of the way and Sevyn crashes into the corner. Taylor grabs Sevyn and hits him with a reverse neckbreaker, but eats a kick to the face from a recovered Kincaid! Kincaid goes for a cover but is kicked in the head by Grayson, after which AOD hits Kincaid with a DDT! AOD, Classy and Grayson join in to stomp away at the fallen champion while Sevyn gets back up. Kincaid gets back up and gets into a fistfight with Classy, while AOD and Grayson hold Taylor up. Sevyn recovers and kicks Taylor in the gut. Sevyn grabs Taylor at the throat, but gets hit from behind with a steel chair!

MINE! You had your chance! He’s mine!

Sevyn turns around as Brett Force hits him square in the head with a steel chair, knocking him out cold! AOD runs at Force who simply kicks him in the gut for a chairshot to the back. Grayson manages to pull the chair away from Force and goes for a right hand but Force chops at him on the chest repeatedly!

I’ve planned this for a while now. I profiled all of you. Even you Grayson.

Force grabs Grayson in a rear naked choke hold and continues talking to him.

You’ve always felt inferior. You always thought less of yourself than your mentor Jay Smash. Not as smart and certainly not as special.

Grayson tries to fight back with a few elbows and goes for a right hand but Force grabs it and wrenches his arm.

You feel special now… now that he’s gone. Powerful, stronger. But not more powerful than ME!

Force finally finishes of Grayson with a backcracker! Classy Mike C, who has disposed of Kincaid at ringside, now re-enters the ring and confronts Force as both men lock up.

“Whoever or whatever you are… you’re way out of your league mate!”

You really think so? Anyone ever tell you you’re a real piece, Mike? You and I are a lot alike… both of us fought to get to the top, but you just can’t stay focused long enough. You get distracted too easily.

Force kicks Mike in the gut and hits him with an uppercut.

That’s where I’m better than you Mike. You don’t recognize that this is MY TIME! Not Yours!

Force finally hits Mike C with a body slam, knocking him out.

So stay out of it!

With all challengers incapacitated, the referee has no choice but to call for the bell, as Taylor gets back up. He surveys the scene around him as all his opponents are down & out. He turns to spot Force looking intently at him.

It wasn’t their time Sean. They’ll all be stronger though. Someday, when it’s their time. Right now… it’s all about you.

================================================

Scene from Chapter 9

(In a conference room, Paul Doom, Holocaust and Vince McMahon are sitting at a table where all three are displeased of the N.W.O.)

Vince: I don’t know why the fact that Wrestlemania being just 15 hours away is supposed to scare me. All we need right now is good protection. Doom, get the APA.

Doom: I’m afraid that’s not possible sir.

Vince: HOW DARE YOU DISAGREE WITH ME! I’M VINCE MCMAHON DAMMIT!

Doom: Well, you did fire Farooq, and then Bradshaw turned into JBL, a stock market success who’s rich and comes out to the ring in a limo.

Vince: Bradshaw in a limo?! WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEBACLE!!!

Doom: I think it was the writers…

Vince: WHAT WRITERS!!!

[A cloud of thought appears over Paul Doom’s head where he sees I.R. Baboon writing something on a log. Another cloud appears over Vince as he sees Paul Heyman being cooked in a cauldron and Vince rubbing his hands. A dark cloud appears over Holocaust as he looks a bit irate over the discussion till…]

Holocaust: Oh, WHO CARES!? WHO THE FU—CARES?! WHAT MATTERS IS THOSE INGRATES NEED TO BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY!

Vince: Whoa settle down. You need to keep it cool in situations like this.

Holocaust: But you’re yelling at practically everyone and the bathroom floor every time you have a problem!

Vince: Well that never solves anything, we need to deal with the problem in a rational manner.

Holocaust: Oh this is rich [under his breath] Vince McMahon talking logic.

Vince: Huh?

Holocaust: Oh nothing.

Vince: What we could do is take out the league members one by one.

Doom: That’s a great idea! And do you know who you should go for first? That rotten Alucard!

Holocaust: [pissed] Oh great, here we go again…

Doom: No really, Alucard IS our biggest threat. Wanna know why? Because…

Holocaust: Here it comes…

Doom: …Alucard is THE DEVIL!

Vince: Really? WOW, never thought of it that way.

Holocaust: Now Paul, like I told you 8 times already…

Doom: But this time I have a way to be sure. Wait up a bit…

[Doom gets up and heads for something covered in a sheet. Doom takes off the sheet and it reveals some kind of souped-up electric chair.]

Doom: This is the special electric chair that I developed myself. Once I have Alucard strapped in and throw the switch, it’ll send thousands of volts of electricity into him that’ll show the truth once and for all. If he survives, HE’S THE DEVIL! If not, I HAVE TENURE!

Holocaust: Yes, incredibly fascinating. HAVOC, MALICE! [Havoc and Malice enter the room] Destroy that repulsive machine.

[As instructed, Havoc and Malice proceed to tear apart the chair as Doom just watches helplessly.]

Doom: I…spent…money I got from leave encashment on this.

Holocaust: You had your leaves encashed? When did you NOT have days off?

Doom: Look I may not have appeared on Mainframe every now and then, but that doesn’t mean…

Vince: Wow, this has been fun. I even forgot about what was it that we were concerned for.

Doom: We were actually talking about JBL in a limo.

Vince: Oh yeah, that. I need to be on Smack down more often. I remember the last time I was there, when I BURIED THE UNDERTAKER ALIVE!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!

Holocaust: I believe it was Kane.

Vince: No, it was definitely Taker. Kane was up there with me as we were laughing maniacally. (Sigh) Good times, good times….

==========================================

Scene from Chapter 11

[In the hall for Vince McMahon’s Talent Search, after Jay Smash reveals/squeals to everyone that a league member is present in the building, Nero, in disguise, tries to convince everyone else he isn’t. Just then, a person brings a huge cake on the stage in a trolley.]

Nero: WOW! That’s a big cake!

Vince: Well, what have we here? I guess we can all take a little break and after which, we’ll get down to some serious talent searching. We’ll find the league member along the way. In the meantime, let’s enjoy this fabulous cake. Oh and during the break, if any of you suspect someone to be a league member, tell me or Mr. Holocaust or Mr. Doom immediately. If I find any one of you that’s keeping a secret, you’ll be sorry you did. For I am Vincent Kennedy McMahon! I OWN WRESTLING! I KILLED TED TURNER! No superstar has had the guts to stand up to me. Not Hogan, Not Austin, Not Foley, Not even The Undertaker…

[Just then the cake lid pops open but instead of the league, Randy Orton comes out and does his trademark pose.]

Randy: YOU’RE MINE TAKER…AW CRAP! That idiot Kane brought me in the wrong hall!!!

Nero: What the f–?

Vince: WHAT’S GOING ON IN HERE, I’M VINCE MCMAHON DAMMIT!

[On cue, the league barge in through the auditorium door and get on the stage.]

Nero: What the hell is going on here? And what took you guys so long?!

Taylor: Well, Orton stole the cake. And besides, you told us to wait till Vince said his line.

Nero: Alright then, Orton. What took YOU so long?!

Randy: I was waiting for someone to say “The Undertaker.” Besides, I’m Randy Orton. So sue me!

Nero: How could Orton possibly steal the cake? Alucard was guarding it wasn’t he?

Alucard: To tell you the truth Nero, I could care less about that infernal cake!

Taylor: So Orton, you wanted to catch Taker by surprise?

Randy: Yeah, just softening him up before my match at Wrestlemania. You gotta admit, that would have made for one near-heart attack.

Taylor: Whoa, hang on. Dude, this isn’t sports entertainment right now. You don’t have to follow and one-up Taker every waking moment.

Randy: What are you talking about?

Taylor: Hello? Sports entertainment? Wrestling? You entertain a crowd, do some matches, insult a couple of people, million dollar contracts.

Randy: You’re not making any sense. All I know is that I’m Randy Orton [sniffs the air] Legend……Killer. And I’ve accomplished killing legends, which will include Undertaker after tonight. What else do you expect me to do?

Taylor: Well…do the things you do after the show ends.

Randy: Well, after I took out Taker, I just went backstage and…I dunno, I guess they put me…back in… the box…?

Taylor: Riiiiiiiighht.

Nero: You mean you have no real life outside of WWE?

Randy: Real…life…wha–? What are they talking about Uncle Vince?

Vince: [wiping sweat] Uhhhh…that’s Vincent Kennedy McMahon to you!

Randy: Yes sir.

Classy: [after crying over the ruined cake] My beautiful cake! You’ll pay for this Orton!

Randy: Who the hell said that? Hey wait! You’re not that legendary unnoticeable guy, are you?

Classy: Me? Legendary? WOW! Oh wait…

[Randy listens intently for Classy’s voice source and RKO’s Classy]

Nero: You know you made up that whole ‘legendary’ unnoticeable guy crap, didn’t you?

Randy: You’re annoying me dude! I could RKO you too you know…

Nero: That’s actually my move pretty boy. And it’s called the Buzzcutter. RKO, PUH-lease!

Randy: On second thought…

[Randy then promptly RKO’s Nero, whose glasses and moustache comes off with the impact.]

Randy: BAM!

Nero: [down] Damn! My…entertaining….wrestling career…is over.

Taylor: Nah! You’re just saying that to make everyone feel happy.

Nero: Seriously, my time…is running…out.

Taylor: Oh really, my watch must be slow.

Alucard: Somehow, that would be the only Randy Orton moment I found entertaining.

Randy: Oh yeah? I could RKO you too…but hey wait, Kane warned me about you!

Alucard: I’m sure he did in another backstage altercation. You do realize he sexually assaulted Lita like that too.

Randy: Uh yeah, I did see that happen one time before they closed the lid on the box. Oh well, later. [Randy leaves]

Taylor: [to Alucard] You DO know that kid’s been brainwashed.

Alucard: I guess it wouldn’t work any other way. How incredibly underhanded and obnoxiously evil. Just the way I would like it. My compliments to the artist.

Vince: Aw geez, it was nothing.

Holocaust: AHEM!

Vince: Huh, wha–? OH MY GOD! It’s Nero! It was Nero all along!

Holocaust: [sarcastically] Yes, the fake moustache and glasses had all of us fooled.

Nero: [getting up] Now wait just a minute. I may look like The Great and Almighty Nero…

Taylor: Poor guy.

Nero: …but there is no way you can prove that I’m Nero. Face it; you’ll need concrete evidence to prove I’m Nero.

[Just then, Jay Smash comes on stage.]

Jay Smash: THERE HE IS! THAT’S HIM! NERO! HE WAS IN DISGUISE WITH THAT FAKE MOUSTACHE AND GLASSES! IT’S HIM, NERO! GET HIM!

Doom: The Squealer’s word is concrete evidence enough.

[Funaki also walks into the room.]

Funaki: Indeed!

[Silence as everyone just stares blankly at Funaki with no reaction, prompting Funaki to just drop his shoulders in sadness and walk away.]

Nero: That’s it! I’m gonna get you squealer!

[Nero charges towards Smash but then he just falls over something and its…yes, Classy Mike C]

Nero: Okay, is it so much to ask to get the unnoticeable guy OUT of my way before I run. Everyone knows I’m NOT gonna notice him lying there.

Classy: *sigh* If only things were different. Maybe after I become World Heavyweight Champion…

Taylor: Heh, like that’s gonna happen.

[A cloud of darkness comes over Classy as he stares at Taylor with rage for a moment and goes into self-thought]

Classy: Let it be known, that from this day, till the end of days, I will not rest till I DESTROY Sean Taylor and take the World Heavyweight Championship from him!

Jay Smash: FUTURE WORLD TITLE FUED! I’m Callin it! SQUEALER BABY!!!!

==========================================

2nd Scene from Chapter 7

Nero: One of these days Sean, BAM!!! Straight to the pit of undercard hell!!!

Taylor: Dream on fuzzball. So how do we contact this squealer?

Classy: Well, I do have his phone number. (Pulls out a card from his wallet) I was gonna call him to ask if there was a push lined up for me in the future…

Nero: (snatches card from Classy.) That can wait!

Classy: Oh sure, hold down the unnoticeable guy!

Nero: Whatever.

[Nero takes out his cell phone and dials the number. He puts it on his ear and a split screen appears of Nero on one side and a man in a dark room on the other]

Jay Smash: “Operator….. Yes, this is The Squealer……… Actually I’m JAY SMASH! I’M THE SQUEALER! ME ME! I SHOULDN’T BE TELLING YOU MY seceret identification, BUT I CAN’T HELP IT, I SQUEAL!!! And when I squeal I just squeal some more! SQUEALY SQUEALY BEE is what you can call me. I rhymed, did you hear that, I rhymed. So where did you go? I’m ready for the squealin’. Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello?

Nero: Uh…could you hold on for a second… (puts phone on the hold mode) Classy…

Classy: Yes?

Nero: The squealer, its Jay Smash!

Taylor, Classy and Alucard: GASP!

Classy: But how can you tell?

Nero: Well, first he went in a monotone voice “This is The Squealer…” and then he goes “Actually I’m JAY SMASH! I’M THE SQUEALER! ME ME! I SHOULDN’T BE TELLING YOU MY SECRET ID, BUT I CANT HELP IT, I SQUEAL!!!” Blah blah. He just kept going on and on.

Taylor: Well, talk to him, see what you can find out.

Nero: You’re kidding right. Why don’t any of you guys talk to him?

Taylor, Classy and Alucard: NO NO NO NO…!!!

Nero: (sigh) This sucks (talking on phone) Hello Jay. Howya doin?

Jay Smash: Oh there you are, I’m just super!

Nero: How’s the squealing goin?

Smash: Squealing is good, I’m having a great time.

Nero: Uh huh.

Smash: I just completed a nice little adventure story of my days as a sqealer.

Nero: Uh huh

Smash: It should be out on secret bookstands everywhere to squeal throughout the world with what I know.

Nero: Listen, SHUT UP for a second.

Smash: Ok…. *waits a second* So I’m calling the book Me, myself, and I… The squealer. I was thinking more like Jay Smash and the Amazing Technicolor book about Squealing.. but….

Nero: [pissed] Okay a minute!

Smash: Oh… all right….. go on…

Nero: Listen, I need you to tell me where Kevin Nash and Scott Hall are hiding my BEAUTIFUL WAGON!!!

Smash: Well, you see. You first must look inside yourself and see the true meaning of why you are doing this in the first place. I would ask you slap yourself in the face, but nobody ever does.

Nero: Yeah, not gonna happen here either.

Smash: Ok, so have you ever heard of a place called…. the AMPITHEATRE?

Nero: Yeah

Smash: Well good….. in that case, they are hiding at a junkyard by the ampitheatre?

Nero: Okay.

Smash: Got it?

Nero: Yeah I got it.

Smash: It’s just a couple blocks away.

Nero: Yeah I know.

Smash: I can help you find it, I’ll bring some Pringles.

Nero: No I don’t need any Pringles.

Smash: No Pringles? Well all right then… I that case I’ll talk to you later.

Nero: Okay, thanks.

Smash: We can go to an amusement park. Ride some…. rides!

Nero: Okay SHUT UP ALREADY!!!

(Disconnects)

Nero: Geez, that guy would NOT SHUT UP!

Taylor: So we noticed. Annoyed Nero?

Nero: Very!

=========================================

Scene from Chapter 7

(Still in the parking lot after having the “Not the Nero Wagon” get hijacked by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, the league is more upset, especially Nero, who is continuously finger-pointing and yelling at Taylor.)

Taylor: Look, if you would have provided cover to the van like I asked you to, this would not have happened.

Nero: Cover? COVER!? That was a brilliant cover on the wagon. If you hadn’t been mocking that brilliant plan again and again, my wagon would still be with me. My wagon, (sob) my beautiful wagon…

Taylor: Oh geez, you’re not gonna go over-emotional on this are you?

Nero: (pulling out a photo-album from his jacket) I’ll never forget all the good times that we had together, (camera shows the pictures including Nero and wagon. Different pictures include Nero with some girls washing the wagon. Then at the beach, at a drive-in, etc) you were such a beautiful wagon.

Classy: My word, he has an album with pictures of his van in it!

Alucard: And they call ME obsessive.

[Alucard then wipes away some dust off his leather coat and straightens his glasses as Taylor watches him.]

Taylor: I hear that. [holding on tight to the EUWC Rulebook]

Alucard: [Noticing the Rulebook for the first time] Uh, how… long… have you been holding that book?

Taylor: How long? I don’t think I’ve ever let go of it, ever.

Alucard: O…kay, and where, may I ask, is the EUWC World Heavyweight Title?

Taylor: [Clutching the Rulebook with affection] Uhhh, what…World Heavy…Weight…Title?

Alucard: I see; I held on to the very belt for a 144 days and he loses it just like that [mutters something under his breath.]

Taylor: You say something?

Alucard: NOTHING! Just a curse on your very soul…

Nero: Yeah I bet you’re considering giving me a title shot right about now, huh Boredy?

Alucard: [confused] Why did you just mention a storyline that hasn’t happened yet but is a possibility for the future?

Nero: No reason. But it would have been awesome if I *sob* had a picture of me with the belt & THE WAGON!

Taylor: Isn’t there a picture of it running over you?

Nero: Yeah Garrison did accidentally knock me over with it once, but we didn’t have a camera that time cos…HEY!!!

 

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