Post by Storm on Sept 25, 2016 16:04:42 GMT -5
"Your hero, and mine."
There's no point denying it now.
There's no need for me to shake it off.
I've been given that title, the hero, and whilst I've tried to deny it, it's only given me a stronger reception by you, the audience. So what the hell, I'll play your game, and I'll play the role as the hero, as you see fit but I won't do it conventionally, I'll do it on my own terms. Under chaotic measures because that's just who I am and that's not stopping, for anyone. The hero, huh? Never thought I'd acknowledged that but maybe that's what this promotion needs. Maybe, this promotion needs a leader, someone the people can look up to, someone the people can root for instead of these egotistical fucks with too much baggage and drama for anyone to care about. In such a short space of time, this promotion has grown to be one of the biggest in the world, and I'm not kidding when I say that. I'm not. Everybody who's anybody is filling up that application, attending try-out's, doing everything in their power to be apart of the new age of wrestling. It's rather baffling, if I'm going to be honest. I was here right in the beginning, when there was merely a roster of thirty, twenty individual but that number has doubled, and hell, it may eventually triple.
"It makes me proud."
Knowing that I was apart of building the foundations, right from the beginning and now that this place is getting a hell of lot of publicity, everybody wants in on the action. Everybody wants one of those prestigious legendary contracts, so they can brag about how they're earning more money than regular members. Everyone wants to be apart of the unveiling of a new era in professional wrestling, as well as combatant sport in general. It's a very special time for this promotion.. whilst for me, it's all about taking the opportunities that swing my way, but as of late - I've been slacking on that behalf, I've allowed myself to slip not once, but on two occasions.
First, it was Dexter Anthony who bested me to advance to the finals of the Honor Championship tournament.
Next, it was Justin Spirit who bested me to advance to the finals of the Prestige Championship tournament.
I went from being undefeated, to having such a mediocre record, two wins and two losses. Oh how time flies by. Two opportunities, squandered and I'd be lying if I told you that it didn't burn me, because it does. But I can't let it keep a hold of me forever. I've got to do something about it. I've got to turn that burning sensation into something beautiful, in order to redeem myself, in order to become whole again. And an opportunity waits for me on Sunday night, at Wrestlebowl.
"Etching my name in history books, is what I strive for."
And if I get that victory on Sunday night, I take a step closer to doing that; to making something of myself in this promotion, a step closer to what I came here for. The Honor Pro Wrestling Championship. That's why we're all here, isn't it? Because we want a piece of that title, that hasn't even been heralded but already has garnered such a following, you could mark it as one of the prestigious in the industry. Everyone's got their eyes on it, and that's what motivates me more. I want what everyone wants. But I'm willing to go that extra mile to get it. And the opportunity, has presented itself this Sunday; and I promise you, squandering is not an option.
I made a promise. To Hope, my daughter.
I made a promise that I'd win that Honor championship for her and that's a promise I intend on keeping.
"Thy will be done. From your hero, and mine."
SECOND CHANCES
Characters: Mark Storm, Gregory Murphy, Gretchen Lockheart
Scene: 03
Word Count: -
Training was always intense, but the stakes were higher now. It was go time, no time for messing around, no time for social media spouts and wars with idiotic colleagues, no time for youtube videos or spending time with friends. Mark Storm didn't have time to waste time. At least that's what Gregory Murphy would tell him however he was more lenient; whilst Storm, well, he knew full well and this was too important, that he literally didn't have time to be somewhere else. He needed to dedicate himself to this and that's exactly what he done. "Come on kid, two more and we'll call it day!" It's 04:11am. His session started at 20:20pm. This wasn't normal for the generic wrestlers but for Mark Storm, this was a regularity - pushing himself to death, was common.
Jogging on the treadmill, he felt his legs trembling but despite that, he pushed through, not allowing pain to get the better of him. "Two more minutes..", is what he silently muttered to himself, and gradually he picked up the pace. This was his cardio for the session as for the most part, he'd been working on specific technical enhances to his game, variating from British submission wrestling to German technicality, despite being in this game for quite a while he was still a student always looking to get better.
Gregory Murphy stood by the side of treadmill, one hand on his hip and another wrapped around a stopwatch. He could barely keep his eyes open, but promised he'd be there for Storm through his late training regiment, as Storm needed a spotter and God knows nobody else wanted to stay up until 04:11am. Even if he paid them. But Gregory Murphy was motivated by money, so of course, he would never slide past an opportunity like that if it arose.
And all of a sudden, the intensity grew and grew and grew; and Storm's skin regressed to slime of sweat, slivering down his body as he picked up the pace, exhaling heavily but managing to compose himself again. He knew why he was doing this; and his why, was all he needed to get through it. Murphy's eyes flared up after a momentary close and the buzzer went, and almost immediately, Storm hopped off the treadmill and collapsed to the floor, exhausted.
"That'a boy!" Gregory Murphy said, rather enthusiastic like he gave a damn. He was just happy it was over, he needed his beauty sleep.
Helping Mark to his feet, the two walked over to the bench located nearby and took a seat, Storm grabbing a bottle of water and quickly gulping it down his throat before watering the remains over his head and chucking the bottle aside. Grabbing a towel, he then dried his moist skin and rubbed the towel into his hair; you could tell by his eyes, that he was tired, more than tired in fact - he was exhausted.
"One of these days Greg, it'll pay off." He assured him, nodding his head and turning toward his agent. "It's gotta pay off.. I work way too hard."
Jogging on the treadmill, he felt his legs trembling but despite that, he pushed through, not allowing pain to get the better of him. "Two more minutes..", is what he silently muttered to himself, and gradually he picked up the pace. This was his cardio for the session as for the most part, he'd been working on specific technical enhances to his game, variating from British submission wrestling to German technicality, despite being in this game for quite a while he was still a student always looking to get better.
Gregory Murphy stood by the side of treadmill, one hand on his hip and another wrapped around a stopwatch. He could barely keep his eyes open, but promised he'd be there for Storm through his late training regiment, as Storm needed a spotter and God knows nobody else wanted to stay up until 04:11am. Even if he paid them. But Gregory Murphy was motivated by money, so of course, he would never slide past an opportunity like that if it arose.
And all of a sudden, the intensity grew and grew and grew; and Storm's skin regressed to slime of sweat, slivering down his body as he picked up the pace, exhaling heavily but managing to compose himself again. He knew why he was doing this; and his why, was all he needed to get through it. Murphy's eyes flared up after a momentary close and the buzzer went, and almost immediately, Storm hopped off the treadmill and collapsed to the floor, exhausted.
"That'a boy!" Gregory Murphy said, rather enthusiastic like he gave a damn. He was just happy it was over, he needed his beauty sleep.
Helping Mark to his feet, the two walked over to the bench located nearby and took a seat, Storm grabbing a bottle of water and quickly gulping it down his throat before watering the remains over his head and chucking the bottle aside. Grabbing a towel, he then dried his moist skin and rubbed the towel into his hair; you could tell by his eyes, that he was tired, more than tired in fact - he was exhausted.
"One of these days Greg, it'll pay off." He assured him, nodding his head and turning toward his agent. "It's gotta pay off.. I work way too hard."
Burying his head into his hands whilst Gregory Murphy watched him, a smile growing on his face out of admiration.
Gregory Murphy found inspiration from anything, but in particular, he found inspiration from his client Mark Storm. Mark, relatively known for his work ethic - always believed that enough, was never enough and because of that, he was constantly beating on his craft in an attempt to better himself, and that's something that always impressed Murphy, that's something that gravitated him towards Storm.
"You've got so much potential kid." Genuinely, he said, and Storm turned; confusion and surprise overwhelming him.
"What you want from me, Greg?" Storm inquired, clasping his hands together as he readied himself for whatever proposal Gregory Murphy had planned. But there was no proposal prepared, to the surprise of Mark Storm - this was something genuine, something real.
"We haven't really known each other for that long." Greg pointed out. "But if there's something I've learned about you over the last few months, is that you're one heck of a worker. You're one of the hardest working individuals in this industry, and people don't.. they don't, appreciate you enough!" And all of a sudden, the tiredness from the eyes of Gregory Murphy faded away, and he was alive again. "You're here, you're there... you're everywhere! And what, people kinda just.. take the piss, because you enjoy doing what you do? People don't understand.. and because they don't understand, they don't like or pay attention to what you can do.. they just go off the fact that you beat around the bush, preconceived notions when in actual fact, you're by far one of the talented wrestlers I've ever witnessed! I don't understand."
He looked baffled, and so did Mark.
And silence exasperated the room in that moment.
"You been back on the herbs again, Greg?"
"I'm serious!" He exclaimed, chuckling afterwards. "You're a fuckin' gem, kid. A gem that people don't take seriously enough!"
"Oh come on Greg, I couldn't care less what people think." was Storm's reply, but Greg shot back immediately.
"Well I do! I care about what people think because I care about you.. and I know you don't care, but I do!" This sounded a little too intimate for Storm, who shuffled further away from Murphy without him knowing. "But you're killing yourself, Mark." This captured the attention of Storm, who turned to him. "You're spreading yourself too thin and this tour, this global embarkation of promotion to promotion, week after week, night after night.. it's become too excessive! It's gone on for way too long and you've gotta think about where you wanna be right now! You've done well! Managing to show up all around the world, it's impressive and you've put on some blockbuster matches, but you've gotta decide! You've gotta just decide, where you wanna be and stick with it!"
This conversation was well overdue, but Mark was glad it was coming to fruition.
"I know Greg. The tour, is, coming to an end."
"So what happens, where does Mark Storm go from here!? What promotions is he permanent at?"There was another moment of silence and Storm thought to himself.
"The tour is coming to an end, but on my terms, Greg. I've got shit, I gotta do."
"Oh come on!" Greg complained, shaking his head sideways. "I love you, but you're gonna burn yourself out, and I'm telling you this because I care!"
"We made a promise, Greg!"
"Fuck that promise, that promise is gonna force you to early retirement!"
"And if it swings that way, it swings that way! I'm not done, until I've said I'm done!"
"What are you trying to prove anymore, huh?" He asked him, his voice raising in volume. "You've already proved that you're one heck of an athlete alright, now what? Now, you're just becoming a laughing stock! Now, you're just becoming the guy who sucks, because he wrestles too often, takes too many defeats and forgets about it!"
"DON'T YOU GET IT?!" Storm shouted, rising to his feet in a hurry. "THIS ISN'T ABOUT PROVING SHIT, TO ANYBODY ELSE! ALRIGHT! I COULDN'T GIVE A DAMN, WHAT THIS GUY, OR THAT GIRL, OR ANYBODY THINKS OF ME! I CARE ABOUT WHAT I THINK OF ME! I CARE ABOUT WHAT MY DAUGHTER, HOPE, THINKS OF ME! I CARE ABOUT WHAT GRETCHEN THINK'S OF ME! AND RIGHT NOW, I THINK THAT I'M INCOMPLETE! I THINK THAT I'M ALMOST THERE, I'M JUST A FEW CENTIMETERS WITH BEING CONTENT, FOR JUST A MOMENT! THIS WAS NEVER ABOUT PROVING SHIT TO ANYBODY BUT MYSELF! PROVING TO MYSELF, THAT I AM.. THE BEST! AND YEAH, THIS JOURNEY WAS GOING TO BE HARD, AND THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME HARDSHIPS, BUT I'VE MADE IT THROUGH, EACH AND EVERY TIME!"
"Come on..."
"NO! NO! I'm not done, until I've said I'm done - and the tour, maybe coming to an end.. but that end, we've still got a long way to get there. I'm looking back at the last few months and I've grown as a competitor, I've become better but there's no accolades, no accomplishments, nothing meaningful for me to take away from this whole experience! I need something more! I need.. that Honor championship belt." He paused, and sat back down on his seat.
One match away.
One match away from the finals.
But it was not mean't to be.
Placing his hands on his head, he breathed in and out, calming himself down whilst Murphy looked beyond, nodding his head in agreement to Storm's comments. Mark hadn't tasted championship gold for so long; championship gold of prestige that is, championship gold of meaning.
Once upon a time he was on top of the mountain but those mountains had come crashing down and ever since, he's been trying to find his way back up. He was so close to getting there, so close to tasting the forbidden that lie within those mountains, but he fell once again.
"I need it." He sounded like a crack addict. He was addicted to the Honor Championship. He had become obsessed. "And, I'm not going to stop.. until, it's mine!"
"You do know who you're up against, right? Two, not just one.. two guys, are in your way."
Mark laughed, he was amused. Amused by the fact Greg thought that was deter him, it didn't. It motivated him more.
"That doesn't mean, shit to me. Gabriel Griffen, Erik Dafoe.. they don't deserve this - but I do. And I'm gonna get it." He assured Murphy. "I know I will."
"Can you believe it? We're already at our first pay-per-view."
Things have gone too fast, man. But I like it. And I'm enjoying my time here, despite the recent losses, and I'm going to enjoy the rest of the time I spend here. Am I going to leave? Nah. I'm not going anywhere, not yet. That's something that has become a bit of a speculation, my contract with this promotion due to a tweet I released on social media, where I told the twitterverse that the end of my tour, was approaching. But this place, it's full with a bunch of avenues I need to go down and the avenue I'm fixated on, is that Honor Wrestling Championship. That's my focus, that's my drive, and that's what's keeping me here right now! And I'm not leaving, until that championship belt is rightfully in my possession. Alex Jones and Dexter Anthony can fight for it at Wrestlebowl, it's all good and I wish them both good luck but I do feel sorry for the victor, because the victor is going to have to face me.
I wouldn't want to face me.
And I doubt my opponents at Wrestlebowl want to face me. Erik Dafoe, and Gabriel Griffin - both of whom have kept quiet for much of this week, which has stunned me, plus made me weary whether they're actually going to turn up but who knows. They could be doing it to try and trick me, to try and get me scared.. well if that's the case, it isn't working. I'm not scared, I'm hungry. I'm not scared, I'm thirsty. I'm not scared, I'm ready. I'm ready for whatever shitstorm that goes down Sunday night, whether these two give it there all or end up blowing it, I'm going to emerge victorious and I say that, with confidence.
And someone like me, who hasn't been on a roll here lately, shouldn't be saying that with such confidence. But I manage to find inspiration and motivation through everything in life. My losses as of late, they've motivated me instead of demoralizing, so I'm ready for this match, more than ready. The question is, whether they are. And if they're not, they better do something about it otherwise Sunday night is going to be very painful, for them.
"Going easy on you, isn't an option. It's all, or nothing."
This is the biggest night of your career's here thus far fellas. There's been no promotion on your behalf, seems like you guys don't give a damn. Well for me, this night is my everything, Wrestlebowl, will be my everything. But I don't know, you two seem to be somewhere else - I haven't got time for shit like that! People like me, we haven't got time, to waste time! We can only make time, bro!
But I know you two possess extraordinary talent, otherwise you wouldn't involved in such an important match and this is, an important match. The victor goes on to challenge for the Honor championship! And that's what it's all about right? That's why we're here! But you guys don't seem to give a damn but hey, that's your choice, but just letting you know, your choice is going to lose you the match.
The end is near boys. But my rise, is just beginning.
From YOUR HERO.. and MINE.
