Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2013 12:32:32 GMT -5
7 years in the future
The pitter-patter of little feet can be heard running over the hardwood floors of this Las Vegas Mansion. Childish giggling can be heard as we follow these little feet down the hall and to a barely cracked door. We see a young boy and girl, neither any older than 4 or 5, quietly trying to peek through the door. They each have blond hair and blue eyes. The boy dressed in blue and green pajamas holds his finger up to his lips letting out a “shhhhhh” to the girl. Her blond hair flowing down to the middle of her pink princess pajamas, the little girl bounces excitedly.
She gives off a little squeak that alerts the man in the next room. Sitting at his desk is a slightly older Terry Marvin. Terry smiles, pretending not to hear the kids as he returns to some fake paperwork he was only slightly pretending to do in the first place.
The door slides open ever so slowly and the boy and girl tip toe into the room. They make their way right behind their father, covering their mouths to prevent the giggles from coming out. They slowly get right behind him and then look at each other for a second, all smiles. But before they can jump at their father…..
“ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRR!”
The kids let out shrieks and giggles as Terry surprises them and scoops them up in his arms. He pulls them onto his lap and tickles them about, the kids wiggling and thrashing about wildly, all the while giggling. Terry finally stops and the kids manage to catch their breath.
“Daddy” The little girl said with a slight pout. “We were twying to scawe you.” She folds her arms across her chest and lets out a little “harrumph.” Terry just smiles at how much she’s become just like her mother.
“Yeah” The little boy exclaimed. “I was super quiet but she messed it up.”
“Did Not!”
“Did Too!”
The fighting would have gotten out of control if Terry hadn’t stepped in and hushed them both with his firm yet gentle tone. He smiles down at them…they are his world, his everything. He never thought a few years ago that he could ever love anything this much, well except for himself that is.
But that’s another story.
“Which one of you would like to explain to me why you’re out of bed so late?”
The kids both looked back and forth at each other, seemingly afraid of giving the wrong answer. They clearly knew they had done wrong and were worried about the consequences. The boy looked at the little girl and whispered “you tell him.” And she shakes her head back and forth.
Terry smiles at this silent little exchange. He of course knew what they wanted, why they were in here. It was the same thing almost every night. Sometimes he thinks her mother does it on purpose. No doubt she was waiting just outside the door to watch this cute scene. Terry has to wipe the smile from his face and return his stern look.
“Somebody better start explaining.”
The little girl looked down at the ground and finally spoke up. “We can’t sweep”. She said as she put her head on his chest and tried to butter him up. Terry melted of course, like he always does. But he had to remain firm. “Can we have a story…. Pleeeeeaaaaassssseeeeee!”
Terry chuckled inside his head. It was amazing that Xander knew to let Lilly do all the talking. He was wrapped around her finger so tightly that he was losing circulation! But he just couldn’t help but spoil either one of them. They gave his life new meaning, new purpose.
Once upon a time, his career was everything to him. He sacrificed his happiness over and over. But now, now his career was just a distant memory. All the success, all the fame, he may have missed it from time to time. But all that was just to build towards this…this perfect happy home.
He smiled down at his girl who was joined in by his son in the “please” marathon that had taken over.
“I don’t know, it’s kinda late!”
They gave him the puppy dog eyes. He was doomed.
“Well which story would you like to hear?”
They looked at each other with a victorious glance in their eyes. They already had the story picked out. Clearly this had been a discussed plot rather than the normal “beg daddy till he gives in and spend the next 20 minutes arguing about which story” that seems to be the status quo.
“The Comet!”
Terry chuckles. He really loved that story, but honestly couldn’t see what they liked in it so much. It wasn’t your normal kid friendly type of story with little pigs or Goldilocks. This was a deep and emotional story that had so much relevance to real life that it was clearly non fiction. Terry shook his head with a smile.
“That One? Again?”
They all nodded emphatically and then got up off his lap jumping up and down with more of the “please” barrage. Terry finally relented and got off his chair. He sat on the couch he’d moved into the office for JUST this occasion. The kids flanked him and cuddled up to him putting their heads on his chest. He smiled brightly as he pulled a blanket from the back of the sofa and covered all three of them.
Suddenly, for the first time since the sneak attack, the kids were absolutely quiet. Their eyes were wide open ready to soak in every single part of this story.
“Once upon a time, in the vast depth of the universe lived a spectacle of which has been talked about for eons and eons. Flying through the sky with such grace and beauty, was a RED Comet.
This comet was certainly dashing to one’s eyes. It burned bright red with all the hopes and dreams of everyone who looked upon it. It flashed through the night sky, illuminating it the way only the brightest of stars ever could.
You see, this was more than just a ball of gas and dust surrounding a giant celestial body of some sort, this comet held the awe of entire nations. You see, every so often this comet would pass by for the world to see and bask in its glory. People would line the streets in hope and anticipation that this comet would fly past them and allow them the pleasure of casting their eyes upon it!”
Terry smiled knowing the kids were already hooked. Unbeknownst to him, there was another hooked on his every word standing right outside the door with her back against the wall and a smile on her face.
“Sometimes this comet would bring destruction! It would crash into anything in it’s way and leave decimated debris all around it. These were the times the people would turn it’s back on the Comet, would want it to go away and never return.
But return it would and often not as the scourge of the people, but as a symbol of their pride, of their hopes and dreams. It would light up the sky and give everyone a show. It would bring with it good luck and fortunes for everyone. These were the times that the people would praise it and never want it to leave.
You see, this comet was ever changing, ever growing. It hadn’t YET reached its full potential. It didn’t even realize what its full potential was. It simply wondered the universe trying to make as big of an impact as it possibly could. But like Comets do… this one never stayed around for long. It flew by, made everybody fall in love with it and wonder what it was going to do next, then it simply disappeared.”
Terry paused for a second, thinking back in his head and smiling.
“The people wondered why? Why it kept disappearing. Why it never stayed around. Why it couldn’t just develop into a star and burn eternally. And those were questions that would never be answered. For it was the comet’s nature to be unpredictable. It was the comet's nature to burn bright and then fade away. Always wanting to sustain itself, but never having the ability.
And so, once again the People all waited, waited in anticipation for the darkness to fade and the comet to come back.”
Terry smiled as he looked at the kids. They were full of smiles and looked up at him and in unison. “Again!”
“Oh, I think you’ve had enough. It’s time for bed.”
We see Maggie Marvin walk into the room and pass a loving smile towards her husband and then wave her hands calling her kids over. They run and hug against her leg and the pleading begins again.
“Please Mom! Just one more story.”
Maggie smiles and looks at Terry who shrugs.
“WE want Dad to tell us about the time he did battle with the Red Comet!”
They jump up and down excitedly.
“I don’t know if daddy’s up to it. That’s up to him.”
They turned to Terry and the “please” brigade started again. Terry just smiles and calls them over. They run and jump in his lap again. Maggie smiles and sits on the floor like a little kid, intently listening to every word Terry says. Terry just smiles at her, and reflects again on his perfect family. He continues on…
“During one of his journeys, the Comet verged off course in a way that had never happened before in the history of this comet’s existence. It broke it’s orbit and had other desires in mind. It no longer let itself be controlled by destiny, by the rules.
This comet headed straight for the star where it would seek to challenge for superiority of all the cosmos…..”
Terry continues the story as the scene fades to black.
Time has a very interesting effect on all of us doesn’t it? I mean, here I am in the present ready to take on one of the biggest matches of my life, which given my recent history is pretty fucking spectacular to say, against Leander Apollo. Yet the past and future keep swirling around in my head, as they should be.
The past is where we’ve been, it’s who we are. Everything that’s happened has molded us like clay into the sculptures that we are now. There may be parts in it that we want to forget, want to change. There may be dark parts, evil parts, rotten parts, but you cannot pick and chose who you are. It’s all melted together into one being. We must accept it and move on. To change it, would be to change everything about yourself. A catastrophic event like that would bring few positives….and those that it would bring would PALE in comparison to losing your entire identity.
The future is where you’re your going. It is infinite and full of possibilities. And it is being shaped every single day by the choices we make. Whether good or bad, we will have to deal with the consequences. The future is where hope lies. The future is where everything that you’ve ever wanted, every goal, every piece of treasure or happiness resides waiting for you to come and claim it. But the future is fragile. You can destroy it with a single thought. You can revive it with a second guess. You can turn it completely around by making a wrong step. You can fortify it fully by doing the right thing.
Where does your future lie Leander? Where does my future lie? How will all of this be changed by the encounter we’re about to have, by this glorious confrontation that will be talked about throughout the ages?
I think to determine that, we must examine the past.
And boy…. WHAT a past you have don’t you Leander? I mean, you were a bit of a dick! Don’t get me wrong, I have no room to talk. I’ve done things that made Satan cry. But you’re not that far behind me are you? I mean, look at what went on between yourself and your OWN brother in law? I get it… That’s a touchy fucking subject so I’m not going to go near that. But again, I’m in no position to hold the gavel on judgment day. I sold out my own wife for a chance to win the BIGGEST match of my career. I had to drop her to focus, to trim the fat.
At least that’s what I told myself.
I was so desperate to win, to gain success that there isn’t a soul alive that I wouldn’t stick a knife in their back and twist it a few times just for extra leverage. I didn’t care who I hurt… who I ran over. And it’s hard, Leander, getting past that mindset. And in some ways I NEVER will. I still love to win, still love to feel the rush as the crowd recognizes the victor, as my name comes across the intercom. And there still aren’t many things I won’t do for a victory. Winning, in our business, it’s what it’s all about. It’s EVERYTHING!
But there is pride. There is a sense of respect for yourself and others. And that’s something that’s taken me a long ass time to learn. I hope to hell you’re picking up on it quickly Leander. Cause trust me, you don’t want to be who I was. You don’t want that dark cloud looming over your head. It’s a path you’ve treaded down, and there’s no good at the other end.
And I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Chris Strike…. But I’m not him. I hold you in the highest reguards as a person and as an athlete. I mean you’re accolades in the tag team ranks alone speak for themselves. Tag Team wrestling is a lost art, one that I respect. And for you to be SO successful that people talk about it every time your name is mentioned…. That’s something special Leander.
But you’re not just a tag wrestler are you? Your SINGLES success speaks for itself. You’ve faced down some of the greatest in our sport, and held your own if not gone on to victory. IT’s something special that you’ve done Leander.
It reminds me of somebody….
You’re the second coming of Terry Marvin, Leander. I know that may not seem like a huge compliment, but in my eyes it is. I see in you the very same degree of determination and fortitude that propelled me in this business. It’s a hell of a trait to have.
But it’s not all compliment Leander… cause the things you’ve done, the things you’ve tried to do. Just remember that I did them first, and I did them MUCH better. Everything that I do in that ring and outside of it resonates throughout the entire wrestling world. Fireworks go off and EVERYONE from miles around pays attention. So what you’re doing…don’t think you’re an original. You’re simply a pretty good imitation of yours truly. Everything you want, everything you desire, I’ve already done it, I already possess it.
Then again… you’re used to getting my sloppy seconds are you not?
The one thing that bugged me about your past Leander, the one thing that I cannot let slide is your utter inconsistency. Be it lack of focus, or just bad luck with injuries… you never quite seemed to go that extra distance to cross the finish line do you? You burn bright like the comet you are. You hang around getting peoples hopes up, and then you just go away, leaving us all a little disappointed wondering what could have been.
But it’s not long before you come back, and do the whole cycle over again. It’s exhausting really Leander, that you never had quite the staying power that you should have? Sure, it’s not all your fault… but sooner or later you’re going to have to, I don’t know, accomplish something to continue calling yourself a legend, to earn all these verbal accolades that people throw your way. You never have in the past…don’t you think it’s time you started?
Here’s your chance!
So the past is past…it’s over and done with and you can’t change that, nor should you want to. The important thing, the thing that we have complete and total control over is the future. What does the future hold for you Leander? Do you see a thousand world title reigns in your future? Could happen. Do you see your statue standing in the national wrestling hall of fame? Could happen. Do you see yourself with a major victory over the Hottest wrestler in the world today, over GOD’S GIFT TO WRESTLING?
Maybe! This could be just the beginning for you Leander. This could be your epic restart where you’ll blow up for a while and have a great success.
OR this could be just another prelude to a exile.
I’m a huge fan of you Leander, don’t get me wrong. I want to see you succeed, I want to see big things come out of you. Unfortunately, I’m just basing my predictions on the way you NORMALLY flame out. I keep waiting, keep hoping that you’ll live up to your full potential. That’s why I wanted this match Leander, to push you to your fullest extent and make that little thing inside your brain click, that thing that tells you that this is the time to shoot for the stars. The thing that screams at you that you must keep going, that you must keep climbing.
Every other time in your carreer, you’ve either ignored that or something got in your way.
THERE IS NOTHING IN YOUR WAY LEANDER!
This is your time to reach out and grab it. Your future is open and with a victory over me you could have ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you’ve ever wanted.
But I’m not going to just lay there and let it happen. I’m not going to just hand it to you on a silver platter. First of all, that’s not my way! I don’t let ANYTHING just walk all over me without a fight. It’s how I’ve always done things, and it’s how I’ll always do things. I hope you’re not stupid enough to think that just cause I’m old, just cause I’ve less to fight for in this match that I’m going to back down from you even one tiny inch! I know you’re not that blockheaded despite some of the asinine things you’ve done in your past!
And also…. There’s my future to think about.
Let’s face it Leander, I’m in the twilight of my career. And I promise you that there will be no sparkly vampires as I pass to the other side. There will also be on holding on too long. There will be on “one last match” 500 times. There will be no clinging to past glories. I know that after the last year in my career that there will NEVER be anything better to look forward to. So the end is coming, and it might be sooner than you think. So with that said, I’m going to make every last moment in that ring count! I’m going to make sure that I remember every feel, every emotion, every hit, every bump, ever bruise, every joy and every heartache! And you bet your ass that I’m going to make damn sure that I go out on a high! That I strive for perfection and face down every challenge that comes my way.
You will be no easy challenge. Lord knows I haven’t had many of those lately and that’s the way I like it.
But do you know what happens when a comet crashes into a hot burning sun Leander? POOOF!
The comet becomes a distant memory and the Sun simply shrugs it off and goes about its business. I’m burning like a sun Leander, and while I respect you too much to simply shrug our encounter off…it clearly means more to you to get this victory than me. It is your future, you’re everything. To me, it’s a MAJOR feather in my cap. Nothing to sneeze at, but still not at your level of importance.
Unfortunately, you’re about to be sadly disappointed!
My future holds a victory holds a GIANT victory over the Red Comet.
Your future, while I believe to be great and full of many things, will not include you standing tall over the GREATEST THING TO EVER happen to wrestling. Not now…Not ever!
Cause the future is Sunday night in New York city. Cause the future is now Leander. It’s here, in the present.
And in the present there is nobody in the world who can stop the Real Show Era. Those who have tried have failed. I’ve been beaten, tormented, and downright obliterated over the past year. Yet I keep rising from the ashes and I keep on my path toward greatness. Every time the odds got stacked against me, I kept breaking through them no matter how insurmountable they were. And once again the people were surprised, shocked that I kept going, that I kept moving on! Yet nobody could stop me, nobody could hold me down.
And here we are again, at the cusp of the Summer of Showtime Part 2! And yet everyone who’s anything in this business is coming to this match for one reason. And that one reason isn’t to watch a wrestling match that will go down in history as one of the greats. No, they’re all coming to watch Leander Apollo beat the great Terry Marvin, to root you on, and to be in your corner. They have already written me off and checked up a notch in the loss column. They’re underestimating me, burying me under a mountain of expectations!
And it will give me a deep seated, sadistic kind of joy to send each and one of them home heartbroken, head in their hands and tears littering they’re clothes. That’s just what I do Leander, I spit in the face of the insurmountable odds and do whatever the fuck I want to no matter the cost, no matter the climb! Because I am THE REAL SHOW!
I want this match so badly Leander I can taste it. Beating a talent of your caliber will be the cherry on top of my ice cream sundae of a year! And I Ill beat you. I have to beat you!
Two weeks ago, I failed… for the first time in over a year I failed at a goal. I failed to get the Apex Championship. I failed to beat Tobias Burden. I could sit here and bitch and complain about the circumstances at the end of that match, but the bottom line is I didn’t get the job done.
And that left an empty spot in my soul, that left a hunger that CANNOT go unsatisfied. That left something burning deep down inside that will not be satisfied, that will not be quenched until I feed the hunger, until I give it what it wants and desires the most. And right now Leander, it wants your blood, it wants your flesh for its sacrifice. It wants the satisfaction of standing over you with my arms raised and looking over your downed body, broken and exhausted. It wants to tell the people that the Code Red Comet has flamed out once again. It wants to tell the people that Terry Marvin has NOT lost a step, that he is NOT declining, that he’s the stalwart castle that he’s always been and that he’s here to continue the path of success and destruction that has trailed him for so long!
I like you Leander. I respect you.
But as soon as that bell rings on Sunday… I NO LONGER GIVE A FUCK!
You are standing between me and that feel of redemption that I long for, that I desire. When I put you down on that mat and leave you there for dead, I will have that sense of Redemption. When Kate Upton screams my name as the victor of the match, I will have that sense of Redemption. And when the crowd is looking down at me in awe, shocked to hell that once again I’ve broken through the glass ceiling and did what they ALL said I could not do….I will have that sense of Redemption!
Doug E Fresh.
Drake Mosa.
Kurt Noble.
Level One.
Liam Alexander.
Gryphon.
These are all names of Icons… of Gods that I was told were indestructible. The mythical stories existed that they were all made out of this magical metal that could not be scratched, that could not be dented. They were fixtures. They were unbreakable.
AND I BROKE THEM!
This week, one more name gets added to that list, a name of a man who although he hasn’t accomplished nearly enough to be lifted to the level of divinity, had the moniker of legend cast upon him. This week I destroy that mold! This week I send the Red Comet plummeting down from the heavens to the fallen wasteland of earth.
Then, Leander, then we’ll see if you can bounce back. Then we’ll see if you can rise again like I’ve done so many times.
Or we’ll see history repeat itself.
We’ll see you fade away.
Either way, there is no question of who will be standing victorious, of who will be praised above all others, of who did the seemingly impossible. But of course, that’s simply a load of bullshit.
It’s not impossible….It’s just what I do.
And I’m ready to do it to you Leander. Are you ready? Are you ready for disappointment? Are you prepared to fail? Are you ready to fall short of the lofty goals you have set?
Doesn’t matter, cause the lights are falling and you’ve run out of minutes….
For whether we’re in the past, the future, or the present, there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind what time it will be when Face Off Rolls around.
IT’S SHOWTIME!
The pitter-patter of little feet can be heard running over the hardwood floors of this Las Vegas Mansion. Childish giggling can be heard as we follow these little feet down the hall and to a barely cracked door. We see a young boy and girl, neither any older than 4 or 5, quietly trying to peek through the door. They each have blond hair and blue eyes. The boy dressed in blue and green pajamas holds his finger up to his lips letting out a “shhhhhh” to the girl. Her blond hair flowing down to the middle of her pink princess pajamas, the little girl bounces excitedly.
She gives off a little squeak that alerts the man in the next room. Sitting at his desk is a slightly older Terry Marvin. Terry smiles, pretending not to hear the kids as he returns to some fake paperwork he was only slightly pretending to do in the first place.
The door slides open ever so slowly and the boy and girl tip toe into the room. They make their way right behind their father, covering their mouths to prevent the giggles from coming out. They slowly get right behind him and then look at each other for a second, all smiles. But before they can jump at their father…..
“ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRR!”
The kids let out shrieks and giggles as Terry surprises them and scoops them up in his arms. He pulls them onto his lap and tickles them about, the kids wiggling and thrashing about wildly, all the while giggling. Terry finally stops and the kids manage to catch their breath.
“Daddy” The little girl said with a slight pout. “We were twying to scawe you.” She folds her arms across her chest and lets out a little “harrumph.” Terry just smiles at how much she’s become just like her mother.
“Yeah” The little boy exclaimed. “I was super quiet but she messed it up.”
“Did Not!”
“Did Too!”
The fighting would have gotten out of control if Terry hadn’t stepped in and hushed them both with his firm yet gentle tone. He smiles down at them…they are his world, his everything. He never thought a few years ago that he could ever love anything this much, well except for himself that is.
But that’s another story.
“Which one of you would like to explain to me why you’re out of bed so late?”
The kids both looked back and forth at each other, seemingly afraid of giving the wrong answer. They clearly knew they had done wrong and were worried about the consequences. The boy looked at the little girl and whispered “you tell him.” And she shakes her head back and forth.
Terry smiles at this silent little exchange. He of course knew what they wanted, why they were in here. It was the same thing almost every night. Sometimes he thinks her mother does it on purpose. No doubt she was waiting just outside the door to watch this cute scene. Terry has to wipe the smile from his face and return his stern look.
“Somebody better start explaining.”
The little girl looked down at the ground and finally spoke up. “We can’t sweep”. She said as she put her head on his chest and tried to butter him up. Terry melted of course, like he always does. But he had to remain firm. “Can we have a story…. Pleeeeeaaaaassssseeeeee!”
Terry chuckled inside his head. It was amazing that Xander knew to let Lilly do all the talking. He was wrapped around her finger so tightly that he was losing circulation! But he just couldn’t help but spoil either one of them. They gave his life new meaning, new purpose.
Once upon a time, his career was everything to him. He sacrificed his happiness over and over. But now, now his career was just a distant memory. All the success, all the fame, he may have missed it from time to time. But all that was just to build towards this…this perfect happy home.
He smiled down at his girl who was joined in by his son in the “please” marathon that had taken over.
“I don’t know, it’s kinda late!”
They gave him the puppy dog eyes. He was doomed.
“Well which story would you like to hear?”
They looked at each other with a victorious glance in their eyes. They already had the story picked out. Clearly this had been a discussed plot rather than the normal “beg daddy till he gives in and spend the next 20 minutes arguing about which story” that seems to be the status quo.
“The Comet!”
Terry chuckles. He really loved that story, but honestly couldn’t see what they liked in it so much. It wasn’t your normal kid friendly type of story with little pigs or Goldilocks. This was a deep and emotional story that had so much relevance to real life that it was clearly non fiction. Terry shook his head with a smile.
“That One? Again?”
They all nodded emphatically and then got up off his lap jumping up and down with more of the “please” barrage. Terry finally relented and got off his chair. He sat on the couch he’d moved into the office for JUST this occasion. The kids flanked him and cuddled up to him putting their heads on his chest. He smiled brightly as he pulled a blanket from the back of the sofa and covered all three of them.
Suddenly, for the first time since the sneak attack, the kids were absolutely quiet. Their eyes were wide open ready to soak in every single part of this story.
“Once upon a time, in the vast depth of the universe lived a spectacle of which has been talked about for eons and eons. Flying through the sky with such grace and beauty, was a RED Comet.
This comet was certainly dashing to one’s eyes. It burned bright red with all the hopes and dreams of everyone who looked upon it. It flashed through the night sky, illuminating it the way only the brightest of stars ever could.
You see, this was more than just a ball of gas and dust surrounding a giant celestial body of some sort, this comet held the awe of entire nations. You see, every so often this comet would pass by for the world to see and bask in its glory. People would line the streets in hope and anticipation that this comet would fly past them and allow them the pleasure of casting their eyes upon it!”
Terry smiled knowing the kids were already hooked. Unbeknownst to him, there was another hooked on his every word standing right outside the door with her back against the wall and a smile on her face.
“Sometimes this comet would bring destruction! It would crash into anything in it’s way and leave decimated debris all around it. These were the times the people would turn it’s back on the Comet, would want it to go away and never return.
But return it would and often not as the scourge of the people, but as a symbol of their pride, of their hopes and dreams. It would light up the sky and give everyone a show. It would bring with it good luck and fortunes for everyone. These were the times that the people would praise it and never want it to leave.
You see, this comet was ever changing, ever growing. It hadn’t YET reached its full potential. It didn’t even realize what its full potential was. It simply wondered the universe trying to make as big of an impact as it possibly could. But like Comets do… this one never stayed around for long. It flew by, made everybody fall in love with it and wonder what it was going to do next, then it simply disappeared.”
Terry paused for a second, thinking back in his head and smiling.
“The people wondered why? Why it kept disappearing. Why it never stayed around. Why it couldn’t just develop into a star and burn eternally. And those were questions that would never be answered. For it was the comet’s nature to be unpredictable. It was the comet's nature to burn bright and then fade away. Always wanting to sustain itself, but never having the ability.
And so, once again the People all waited, waited in anticipation for the darkness to fade and the comet to come back.”
Terry smiled as he looked at the kids. They were full of smiles and looked up at him and in unison. “Again!”
“Oh, I think you’ve had enough. It’s time for bed.”
We see Maggie Marvin walk into the room and pass a loving smile towards her husband and then wave her hands calling her kids over. They run and hug against her leg and the pleading begins again.
“Please Mom! Just one more story.”
Maggie smiles and looks at Terry who shrugs.
“WE want Dad to tell us about the time he did battle with the Red Comet!”
They jump up and down excitedly.
“I don’t know if daddy’s up to it. That’s up to him.”
They turned to Terry and the “please” brigade started again. Terry just smiles and calls them over. They run and jump in his lap again. Maggie smiles and sits on the floor like a little kid, intently listening to every word Terry says. Terry just smiles at her, and reflects again on his perfect family. He continues on…
“During one of his journeys, the Comet verged off course in a way that had never happened before in the history of this comet’s existence. It broke it’s orbit and had other desires in mind. It no longer let itself be controlled by destiny, by the rules.
This comet headed straight for the star where it would seek to challenge for superiority of all the cosmos…..”
Terry continues the story as the scene fades to black.
Time has a very interesting effect on all of us doesn’t it? I mean, here I am in the present ready to take on one of the biggest matches of my life, which given my recent history is pretty fucking spectacular to say, against Leander Apollo. Yet the past and future keep swirling around in my head, as they should be.
The past is where we’ve been, it’s who we are. Everything that’s happened has molded us like clay into the sculptures that we are now. There may be parts in it that we want to forget, want to change. There may be dark parts, evil parts, rotten parts, but you cannot pick and chose who you are. It’s all melted together into one being. We must accept it and move on. To change it, would be to change everything about yourself. A catastrophic event like that would bring few positives….and those that it would bring would PALE in comparison to losing your entire identity.
The future is where you’re your going. It is infinite and full of possibilities. And it is being shaped every single day by the choices we make. Whether good or bad, we will have to deal with the consequences. The future is where hope lies. The future is where everything that you’ve ever wanted, every goal, every piece of treasure or happiness resides waiting for you to come and claim it. But the future is fragile. You can destroy it with a single thought. You can revive it with a second guess. You can turn it completely around by making a wrong step. You can fortify it fully by doing the right thing.
Where does your future lie Leander? Where does my future lie? How will all of this be changed by the encounter we’re about to have, by this glorious confrontation that will be talked about throughout the ages?
I think to determine that, we must examine the past.
And boy…. WHAT a past you have don’t you Leander? I mean, you were a bit of a dick! Don’t get me wrong, I have no room to talk. I’ve done things that made Satan cry. But you’re not that far behind me are you? I mean, look at what went on between yourself and your OWN brother in law? I get it… That’s a touchy fucking subject so I’m not going to go near that. But again, I’m in no position to hold the gavel on judgment day. I sold out my own wife for a chance to win the BIGGEST match of my career. I had to drop her to focus, to trim the fat.
At least that’s what I told myself.
I was so desperate to win, to gain success that there isn’t a soul alive that I wouldn’t stick a knife in their back and twist it a few times just for extra leverage. I didn’t care who I hurt… who I ran over. And it’s hard, Leander, getting past that mindset. And in some ways I NEVER will. I still love to win, still love to feel the rush as the crowd recognizes the victor, as my name comes across the intercom. And there still aren’t many things I won’t do for a victory. Winning, in our business, it’s what it’s all about. It’s EVERYTHING!
But there is pride. There is a sense of respect for yourself and others. And that’s something that’s taken me a long ass time to learn. I hope to hell you’re picking up on it quickly Leander. Cause trust me, you don’t want to be who I was. You don’t want that dark cloud looming over your head. It’s a path you’ve treaded down, and there’s no good at the other end.
And I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Chris Strike…. But I’m not him. I hold you in the highest reguards as a person and as an athlete. I mean you’re accolades in the tag team ranks alone speak for themselves. Tag Team wrestling is a lost art, one that I respect. And for you to be SO successful that people talk about it every time your name is mentioned…. That’s something special Leander.
But you’re not just a tag wrestler are you? Your SINGLES success speaks for itself. You’ve faced down some of the greatest in our sport, and held your own if not gone on to victory. IT’s something special that you’ve done Leander.
It reminds me of somebody….
You’re the second coming of Terry Marvin, Leander. I know that may not seem like a huge compliment, but in my eyes it is. I see in you the very same degree of determination and fortitude that propelled me in this business. It’s a hell of a trait to have.
But it’s not all compliment Leander… cause the things you’ve done, the things you’ve tried to do. Just remember that I did them first, and I did them MUCH better. Everything that I do in that ring and outside of it resonates throughout the entire wrestling world. Fireworks go off and EVERYONE from miles around pays attention. So what you’re doing…don’t think you’re an original. You’re simply a pretty good imitation of yours truly. Everything you want, everything you desire, I’ve already done it, I already possess it.
Then again… you’re used to getting my sloppy seconds are you not?
The one thing that bugged me about your past Leander, the one thing that I cannot let slide is your utter inconsistency. Be it lack of focus, or just bad luck with injuries… you never quite seemed to go that extra distance to cross the finish line do you? You burn bright like the comet you are. You hang around getting peoples hopes up, and then you just go away, leaving us all a little disappointed wondering what could have been.
But it’s not long before you come back, and do the whole cycle over again. It’s exhausting really Leander, that you never had quite the staying power that you should have? Sure, it’s not all your fault… but sooner or later you’re going to have to, I don’t know, accomplish something to continue calling yourself a legend, to earn all these verbal accolades that people throw your way. You never have in the past…don’t you think it’s time you started?
Here’s your chance!
So the past is past…it’s over and done with and you can’t change that, nor should you want to. The important thing, the thing that we have complete and total control over is the future. What does the future hold for you Leander? Do you see a thousand world title reigns in your future? Could happen. Do you see your statue standing in the national wrestling hall of fame? Could happen. Do you see yourself with a major victory over the Hottest wrestler in the world today, over GOD’S GIFT TO WRESTLING?
Maybe! This could be just the beginning for you Leander. This could be your epic restart where you’ll blow up for a while and have a great success.
OR this could be just another prelude to a exile.
I’m a huge fan of you Leander, don’t get me wrong. I want to see you succeed, I want to see big things come out of you. Unfortunately, I’m just basing my predictions on the way you NORMALLY flame out. I keep waiting, keep hoping that you’ll live up to your full potential. That’s why I wanted this match Leander, to push you to your fullest extent and make that little thing inside your brain click, that thing that tells you that this is the time to shoot for the stars. The thing that screams at you that you must keep going, that you must keep climbing.
Every other time in your carreer, you’ve either ignored that or something got in your way.
THERE IS NOTHING IN YOUR WAY LEANDER!
This is your time to reach out and grab it. Your future is open and with a victory over me you could have ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you’ve ever wanted.
But I’m not going to just lay there and let it happen. I’m not going to just hand it to you on a silver platter. First of all, that’s not my way! I don’t let ANYTHING just walk all over me without a fight. It’s how I’ve always done things, and it’s how I’ll always do things. I hope you’re not stupid enough to think that just cause I’m old, just cause I’ve less to fight for in this match that I’m going to back down from you even one tiny inch! I know you’re not that blockheaded despite some of the asinine things you’ve done in your past!
And also…. There’s my future to think about.
Let’s face it Leander, I’m in the twilight of my career. And I promise you that there will be no sparkly vampires as I pass to the other side. There will also be on holding on too long. There will be on “one last match” 500 times. There will be no clinging to past glories. I know that after the last year in my career that there will NEVER be anything better to look forward to. So the end is coming, and it might be sooner than you think. So with that said, I’m going to make every last moment in that ring count! I’m going to make sure that I remember every feel, every emotion, every hit, every bump, ever bruise, every joy and every heartache! And you bet your ass that I’m going to make damn sure that I go out on a high! That I strive for perfection and face down every challenge that comes my way.
You will be no easy challenge. Lord knows I haven’t had many of those lately and that’s the way I like it.
But do you know what happens when a comet crashes into a hot burning sun Leander? POOOF!
The comet becomes a distant memory and the Sun simply shrugs it off and goes about its business. I’m burning like a sun Leander, and while I respect you too much to simply shrug our encounter off…it clearly means more to you to get this victory than me. It is your future, you’re everything. To me, it’s a MAJOR feather in my cap. Nothing to sneeze at, but still not at your level of importance.
Unfortunately, you’re about to be sadly disappointed!
My future holds a victory holds a GIANT victory over the Red Comet.
Your future, while I believe to be great and full of many things, will not include you standing tall over the GREATEST THING TO EVER happen to wrestling. Not now…Not ever!
Cause the future is Sunday night in New York city. Cause the future is now Leander. It’s here, in the present.
And in the present there is nobody in the world who can stop the Real Show Era. Those who have tried have failed. I’ve been beaten, tormented, and downright obliterated over the past year. Yet I keep rising from the ashes and I keep on my path toward greatness. Every time the odds got stacked against me, I kept breaking through them no matter how insurmountable they were. And once again the people were surprised, shocked that I kept going, that I kept moving on! Yet nobody could stop me, nobody could hold me down.
And here we are again, at the cusp of the Summer of Showtime Part 2! And yet everyone who’s anything in this business is coming to this match for one reason. And that one reason isn’t to watch a wrestling match that will go down in history as one of the greats. No, they’re all coming to watch Leander Apollo beat the great Terry Marvin, to root you on, and to be in your corner. They have already written me off and checked up a notch in the loss column. They’re underestimating me, burying me under a mountain of expectations!
And it will give me a deep seated, sadistic kind of joy to send each and one of them home heartbroken, head in their hands and tears littering they’re clothes. That’s just what I do Leander, I spit in the face of the insurmountable odds and do whatever the fuck I want to no matter the cost, no matter the climb! Because I am THE REAL SHOW!
I want this match so badly Leander I can taste it. Beating a talent of your caliber will be the cherry on top of my ice cream sundae of a year! And I Ill beat you. I have to beat you!
Two weeks ago, I failed… for the first time in over a year I failed at a goal. I failed to get the Apex Championship. I failed to beat Tobias Burden. I could sit here and bitch and complain about the circumstances at the end of that match, but the bottom line is I didn’t get the job done.
And that left an empty spot in my soul, that left a hunger that CANNOT go unsatisfied. That left something burning deep down inside that will not be satisfied, that will not be quenched until I feed the hunger, until I give it what it wants and desires the most. And right now Leander, it wants your blood, it wants your flesh for its sacrifice. It wants the satisfaction of standing over you with my arms raised and looking over your downed body, broken and exhausted. It wants to tell the people that the Code Red Comet has flamed out once again. It wants to tell the people that Terry Marvin has NOT lost a step, that he is NOT declining, that he’s the stalwart castle that he’s always been and that he’s here to continue the path of success and destruction that has trailed him for so long!
I like you Leander. I respect you.
But as soon as that bell rings on Sunday… I NO LONGER GIVE A FUCK!
You are standing between me and that feel of redemption that I long for, that I desire. When I put you down on that mat and leave you there for dead, I will have that sense of Redemption. When Kate Upton screams my name as the victor of the match, I will have that sense of Redemption. And when the crowd is looking down at me in awe, shocked to hell that once again I’ve broken through the glass ceiling and did what they ALL said I could not do….I will have that sense of Redemption!
Doug E Fresh.
Drake Mosa.
Kurt Noble.
Level One.
Liam Alexander.
Gryphon.
These are all names of Icons… of Gods that I was told were indestructible. The mythical stories existed that they were all made out of this magical metal that could not be scratched, that could not be dented. They were fixtures. They were unbreakable.
AND I BROKE THEM!
This week, one more name gets added to that list, a name of a man who although he hasn’t accomplished nearly enough to be lifted to the level of divinity, had the moniker of legend cast upon him. This week I destroy that mold! This week I send the Red Comet plummeting down from the heavens to the fallen wasteland of earth.
Then, Leander, then we’ll see if you can bounce back. Then we’ll see if you can rise again like I’ve done so many times.
Or we’ll see history repeat itself.
We’ll see you fade away.
Either way, there is no question of who will be standing victorious, of who will be praised above all others, of who did the seemingly impossible. But of course, that’s simply a load of bullshit.
It’s not impossible….It’s just what I do.
And I’m ready to do it to you Leander. Are you ready? Are you ready for disappointment? Are you prepared to fail? Are you ready to fall short of the lofty goals you have set?
Doesn’t matter, cause the lights are falling and you’ve run out of minutes….
For whether we’re in the past, the future, or the present, there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind what time it will be when Face Off Rolls around.
IT’S SHOWTIME!