"When you are a hero you're always running to save someone, sweating, worried and guilty. When you're a villain you're just lurking in the shadows, waiting for the hero to pass by. Then you pop them in the head and go home, piece of cake...." - James Marsters
--PROMO BEGIN--
You join me on this very fine evening...
*The screen cuts in and Drake Hunter's face is immediately visible, as the moonlight from behind him shows the features of his face. He is grinning - like usual - arrogantly, and his hair is gelled up like it usually it, with his blonde tips shaped into a mohawk. Drake smiles at the camera as he looks around him, and for the first time the camera is able to grasp a bit of the scenery.
In a dark alleyway, nobody around, absolutely without thought. This is a place that people pass without a second thought. that somebody would avoid without hesitation. And you know what? It's exactly the type of place where i thrive.
Would you look at this place hey? Dirty, grimy, generally accepted by society as somewhere that's not a nice place to be at night right? This is the type of location you'd see in bad horror movies when the idiots walking past think it's a good idea to start making out directly in front of an abandoned alleyway, and then the baddie jumps out at them.
*The camera swings around a bit and the scenery is visible. It's very late at night, probably the very early morning, and the street is lit up by the night lights of Las Vegas, the streets still crowded with people partying on a Friday night after a week at work. The alleyway is skinny, with nobody about. The camera zooms up on the people crowded into the small club opposite the alleyway, which is packed with multitudes of young men and women all celebrating the finish to the week.
Such a lively place, isn't it? The night is the place where everybody thrives, where humanity finally gets some release from all of it's choices, all of it's shackles and all of it's restraints and people can simply let loose completely. This is where we thrive, and more specifically, this is where I thrive.
The shadows.
Now, without attmepting to sound like Batman, but the shadows is where i was trained, where i honed my skills, and the shadows is where i will remain in my wrestling career. Why? Because i'm a villain, plain and simple. If you're the type of person who likes to put a tag on things, i would absolutely play the villain. I'm the Joker of MPW, i'm the one person everybody loves to hate. And you know what?
I couldn't love something any more than being hated.
*Drake runs another hand through his hair as he leans back on the dirty wall and smiles at the camera.
Yeah, i think i pretty much sounded like Batman there. But superhero or no superhero, the fact remains the same. When it comes to wrestling, there is one place where i completely thrive. In the shadows. Because i'm a villain, and i know that. I wouldn't have it any other way, and no matter what happens. I will always be a villain.
Why? Why do some people just like being the bad guy so much? Well, where's the fun in being a hero huh? Where's the fun in having to listen to rules, abide by them, and most of all, have to enforce them? There's no place in this world for rules, all they do is obstruct us, restrict us from unlocking our full potential. Just like the daytime, when we're all being constrained by day jobs and debts and business.
Do you know how good it is to feel the power when the hero lies on the floor in front of your and you know that you're the one person holding the power, you're the one person who holds the greatest amount of power in that one exact moment and the person beneath you is the one person who holds the least.
Power, power is something i thrive on, something we all thrive on. Wars, battles, corruption, vengeance, trickery, companionship, all human traits, all based on the one key flaw in humanity; power.
Guess what, we all want power. Trey Baxter wants power, Roxi Johnson - however much she claims not to - wants power, we want power. Arrogance is power. We are arrogance. However much people try and try to maintain their generous and compassionate side, everybody wants power. And we can't all have it.
*The camera spins around and takes a direct look at the partyers doing their business across the road, as the lights flash around the road, illuminating the street and the buildings beside it. Drake steps back in front of the handheld camera and grins as he looks back for a moment, then looks back at the camera.
Humans crave power, it's built into our innate desire, and here's the thing. For every single person out there, for every single person in our wrestling company - a company that we're currently dominating like no other before - there will be a thousand different reasons why they want power. There will be thousands of different innate desires built into us that makes us do unimaginable things in order to satisfy that desire.
People see the obtaining of power in black and white. There's the right was to get power, and the wrong way. Just like most things. What people don't see, are the shades of grey in every single motive, every single action that we do. And that's the real reason i'm holding up a camera to my gorgeous face, ranting about humanity and the lost causes of the fans. In essence, everything i do is for those shades of grey that nobody likes to bother to understand.
There's the black - people like Trey Baxter, who seem to think that the only thing that matters is themselves, and that they're simply anti-fans, anti-heroes, anti- pretty much fucking everything. But with black, comes white. That's where our beloved little superheroes come in.
Roxi, AJ Ash, you all think that you're in the right. You all think that the only things that matter in this world is the morally right, the ethically "good" and whatever is "bad" in your little world should be eradicated. Now don't try to deny it, because you all know it's true, and in the end, actions speak louder than words. Your actions of trying to stop us is explanation enough, because you're too ignorant to realize that it's us that are the ones who matter in this company, and you're nothing more than obstacles for us to overcome.
You are nothing, you will always be nothing, and this week is a simple demonstration of that.
Because arrogance is many different shades of grey. Arrogance can be seen in the shadows, and the shadows is where we live. We're not afraid to jump out of the shadows when the hero passes by without a second glance and stabbing them in the back. Morals don't affect us, but that doesn't mean we're evil.
In fact, we're simply doing this because we're the opposite of evil. We're the saviours of this company, and we're saving it from the people who are going to destroy it - the fans. I don't care what they, or anybody else, thinks of us, because in the end, it doesn't matter how we do it. It doesn't matter how many people get hit by cars and how many people's careers need to come to their finality, in the end it will all be worth it.
In the end, the only thing people will remember is the Age of Arrogance reigning supreme, all they will remember is the fact that justice prevailed in the end.
Well, maybe not in the eyes of the fans, considering they pretty much are injustice when it comes to this business.
Because justice is only going to be achieved when all of our opponents are vanquished beneath our feet, when all threats to this business are exterminated. There is only one way forward for this world of professional wrestling, and that is arrogance. Because in this company, the only way forward is winning. The only thing that matters is success, the fans don't matter, the people who run the place don't matter, nobody matters, but the win.
And yet, people still believe in ideas bigger than winning. People think that appealing to the fans and doing all this for the entertainment of the people is bigger than simply winning. Hell, there's people like Roxi who draw on the fans in order to win. You wanna know what i think of that? You wanna know what i think of those people?
*Drake pulls the camera in close and gives it the middle finger, leaning back on the wall again.
You people make me sick, especially you Roxi. I'm glad you hate me, because i'll tell you what, i hate you too. Even if you seem intent on getting me into bed with you - and sorry babe, but i'm taken - and even if you think you're going to bringing about your new era, all you will be doing is further digging your own grave.
You said that you're going to be pestering like me like a bug, that you're going to be at me every single day until we lose control, and when we are stripped of our power. But that's the thing Roxi, what happens if you strip us of our power? What happens if what you're saying is true, and you conquer us, and force us out of our control?
I'll tell you what happens, the power shifts to you or one of your other cronies, where you continue to perform your injustices in this world, where sluts like Laura Tavares are in charge and there's nobody to stop injustice in this company. Why? Because humans crave power, and you're human, aren't you Roxi?
Oh no, that's right, you're a superhuman. You're a hero, you're the ones that people all look up to and you're the type of person that everybody wants in charge. You're the one people always look to for overthrowing the baddie, you're the only person that the people want to see as champion, because you're the person that will defend them.
You and your little crusade make me sick, everything you stand for makes me sick, and i can guarantee you, while you beat my girlfriend two weeks ago and you managed to keep a hold of that shiny Sin City championship that belongs to the Age of Arrogance. And you may have beaten me last week thanks to blatant ignorance and bias from our general manager and whoever she was talking to on the phone, but you won nothing but a battle, the war is far from over, and it's a war that only we will be able to win.
Roxi, i hope you're watching tomorrow night when i explore more about our little meeting this thursday, because now i have to move on to something more demanding right now...
*Drake reaches into his pocket and grabs something in his enclosed fist, rolling it around a bit as he stares at the object inside his hand, and then unfolds his hand and shows the small object to the camera.
I was able to borrow this from my sexy girlfriend, none other then the Goddess herself last night when i told her i'd be shooting my next promo here. Not all of you fools will recognize this little piece, so let me give you a little explanation for this little white queen in my hand.
*The camera moves into the light and is finally able to get a good glimpse of the small white chess piece - the queen - given to Bliss by Khaotek.
Khaotek, i'm not sure exactly what your problem is, i'm not sure exactly why you're so psychotic and i'm not sure exactly what business you have with me, but whoever you are, know that if you think that you can just simple walk in here and pick a fight with the World Heavyweight champion, then that's fine by me. But if you think that you can pick a fight with the greatest group of wrestlers to ever grace that ring, then you've got another thing coming.
Because, i don't care if you like to create chaos, i don't care if you've got three different personalities and i don't care about your stupid little game that you've got going on with me, whatever you'd like to call it - chess, mindgames, ramblings of a masked psycho, either way you're eventually going to feel the full force of what happens when you mess with arrogance.
Because i don't know if you've realize yet, but i'm the world champion for a reason. I'm the goddamn fucking best in this company, and no superhero, psycho, or douchebag with a new look on life and a fat fucktard of a weasel for a manager is going to change that. Roxi, last week you bested me thanks to the very thing we're trying to stop. This week, that changes.
Khaotek, you keep promising an interesting game, you keep telling me that you're going to put an end to me, and guess what, i haven't seen anything from you yet to prove that theory, maybe this week i might notice you're even there.
And finally, Mr. Baxter. The big man who keeps calling us out, the man who thinks he's the number one in the company, the man that thinks he can defeat arrogance and the man who keeps claiming that i'm holding his title. Well Trey, i'm not sure if you need a reality check, but this title isn't going anywhere, and i can guarantee you that if you ever have the balls to stop talking and just come and get what you think is your title, i'll be ready, and you better bring you're fucking a-game, because i'm certainly not bringing anything less.
So there we go, it's time to depart on this fine night on the Las Vegas strip, and just let me leave you with this warning.
Nobody can escape justice. Nobody can escape this revolution, this week is going to be further proof of that.
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There is a shitload of people flocking the entrance to the airport, most of them wrestling reporters who are flocking to see the arrival of the Goddess of Millennium Pro Wrestling from her short stint away looking after her father after he was involved in an accident. Oh yeah, and there was also some superstars from a wrestling show that were due back after their biggest PPV of the year, and the next show was in Vegas.
Either way, i'm swarmed by a swamp of reporters who can't ignore the chance to talk to the greatest wrestler in the world, and who would take any scoop from the World champion on Millennium Pro Wrestling.
"Drake! Drake! Drake! Any word on your loss last week to Roxi Johnson?"
"Mr. Hunter!! Anything to say about the General manager getting involved in your match last thursday in your falls count anywhere match against Roxi Johnson!!"
"Drake! What do you have to say to critics claiming that your underhanded tactics are nothing more than cheating and you're ruining wrestling!"
That last comment makes me spin around as i face the mess of reporters surrounding me. In the background i can hear the doors from Bliss's flight open and i know that she'll be out any second. I guess i've got a bit of time for these useless drones.
"Cheating? Underhanded tactics? Please, all we're doing is obtaining a competitive edge over those people who seem to think that what you call "cheating" is completely off and completely lacks respect. Well i couldn't give a fuck about respect, all i care about, and all that matters, is wrestling. At the end of the day, wrestling is what we do, wrestling is the thing we're trying to save, and every single time we step into that ring, we're doing the world of wrestling a great deal of good, no matter how we win."
"Because nobody remembers how it happenened, all they remember is the result. I bet most people have forgotten how i smacked that imbacile Apostle Kried over the head with a pipe before our match at Uncivil War, and guess what? I won. People won't remember that our general manager fucked us over last week before my match against Roxi when she stopped the Age of Arrogance from giving me the support i should've had, and she won."
"All that people remember is the one detail that etches itself into everybody's mind. And that's either a win, or a loss. I won at Road to Glory, and look what i got. I'll win this week in our tag team match, and people will remember that. At the end of the day, all i need to do is win, by any means necessary. Sure, if that means i need to break the rules, then i couldn't give a shit."
"What you people don't seem to understand is that rules are simply there to be broken, they're simply there to give people like Roxi Johnson, Ash Soulsfate and AJ Stark to find ways to target people like us. But here's the thing, this week we make our first step in the extermination of these so called 'superheroes'. This week, just like every other week, the revolution continues to swing."
"Do you have any word on whether or not this week you'll be having the support of your comrades? Obviously Jack Dogwin will be a big presence in the handicap match..."
"It doesn't matter whether or not Jack Dogwin will be an important presence or whatever the fuck that big oaf will be doing there. Over the past couple of weeks, we've decimated Roxi Johnson, we've decimated AJ Stark. This week, we'lll decimate them both...again. Theren is nothing that will stop us from making those two idiots feel the full force of arrogance, and guess what Roxi? This week, i'll make sure that you get all the punishment you should've received last week."
"Drake, how do you respond to Roxi's comments about being a sociopath? I have a quote here; "You are aware, you simply have contempt for them. You wish only to use them to make your own ends meet." Do you have anything to say in response?"
I grin, rubbing my currently growing beard that Kahlan seemed to like for some reason. I never liked having a beard, but now the idea was actually presenting itself to me.
"Look, while i admit my methods and my tactics are somewhat....despicable among many, i resent being called a sociopath Roxi, i really do. Do you know how much that hurts me? Right here..." I point to my heart, mockingly, and the reporters give me a glare that tells me they're not impressed. Well they can go fuck themselves for all i care.
"Your words stab deeper than any knife Roxi, they really do. I can't believe anybody would say such a thing. Me! Of all people, you're callling arrogant. You're calling a sociopath. Wow, i'm stunned..." I put on a mocking sad face as i take a few deep breaths and then break out into another wide grin, laughing softly as i look back at the reporter.
"If i remember correctly, dumbass, she actually said that calling me a sociopath was far too unfair for all the sociopaths out there, if you bothered to actually do your job. Not surprised though, with that hair i'm surprised you even have a brain at all, i would've thought your mind was taken over by all the hair gel by now. What is that, an automatic hair gel dispenser in between your ears?" The reporter is completely red faced, and i can tell he wants to have a go at me, but he's restraining himself so that he doesn't get embarrased in front of all of his workmates. He's smarter than i give him credit for.
"But no, i'm not a sociopath, otherwise i wouldn't be nearly as conniving and cunnning and clever, would i? No, while i grant you i listen to the voices in my head that tell me to do horrible things, and i admit that i've long since let my anger take control of me and let it roam free inside me, i can guarantee you i'm not a sociopath."
"Roxi, the one thing i am going to say is this. You're wrong. In fact, you're always wrong. You're wrong in believing in those parasites of fans, you're wrong to try and stop the Age of Arrogance from taking over and bringing change, and you're wrong about me. Oh, if onlyu you knew the full story behind everything i am, everything i've been through."
"One person does not have power here, in fact, we want power for all, we want equality and we want to maintain a world where people like you don't have to run rampant, where "superheroes" and "good and bad" are eradicated and where wrestling can simply prosper. Because you're not an obstacle in the conventional sense Roxi, you're an ideal. It's not what you've done, it's what you fail to do."
"I've said it before and i'll say it again, you are a key part of the popularity problem. In fact, you embody the popularity problem. You are trying to stop me for your own personal gain, i am trying to stop you because i'm doing what i know is just, what i know is for the greater cause that we are trying to bring about."
"You're right, i like to use people. I used Johnny, even if he was too stupid to realize it. I used Ash Soulsfate, hell i'm going to use Jack Dogwin this week in our 3 on 2 handicap match, but don't think for a single second, not one, that i use my comrades. Because we are all in this together, i did not brainwash them, they came to me personally. They all have their own reasons. Sure, i spread an ideal, i made myself heard, but that's what this business is all about isn't it? Making yourself heard?"
"I'm simply doing what is right for justice in this world, and that is exterminating you and all others who oppose us. If you think for one solitary second that anything you do or say will hamper us in this war, you''re dead wrong. Go get the board of directors, go get the general manager on your side, hell, they can fire us for all we care! In the end, the only thing that matters is a single word: Change."
"Change is what we promised, and i keep my promises. Just like i promised to win the Army of One rumble, just like i promised to win the World Heavyweight championship, just like i promised myself that i was walking out of the showroom last week with a brand new car. I keep promises, and this week, i promise to exterminate you and your little friend AJ Stark like the bugs that you are."
"You said that you were willing to put it all on the line to win this war. Well guess what, i am too. But even more than that, i'm willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to win this war, to claim victory. Because in the end, victory is all that people remember, and victory shall be mine this week, and every other week from now until the day i quit this business."
"This week, victory....is mine."
Suddenly i feel a presence behind me and i immediately lift my arm up so that Bliss is able to squeeze her way to my side, and we stand in front of the reporters and walk out, slapping her softly on the ass as i kiss her, whispering to her that i missed her and she grins at me.
"Don't worry, we'll make up for lost time."
"We damn well better, you owe me..."
"How'd you go with the moving?" Kahlan asks as we step into the Huayra, and as I push the button to start the car and hear the engine roar with approval as i rev it, i grin back at her.
"Don't worry, i've got my best people working on it right now." The car pulls away, and i look back in my rear view mirror to see the cameras getting a glimpse of the V12 powered Pagani pull away from the airport, past an oncoming bus.
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We arrive back at the new house at around 5 on the wednesday evening. The house was incredible, in the outskirts of Vegas in a nice enough location, and Kahlan and I had already expressed our desire in spending a lot of time in the pool. When we arrived we saw Cable's car there, Kuk's pickup was there as was Dixon's car.
"Oh God, the cavalry has already arrived." Kahlan says as i grin at her and we get out of the Huayra.
"I still don't know how you can have a car so low to the ground and which makes so much noise yet still be so comfortable." She remarks.
"Do i have a choice in cars, or do i have a choice in cars?"
"Yeah, almost as good as your choice in women." She says, running a finger up my chest as we stand next to the Pagani. I slam the door shut and we kiss for the first time since the airport, and i move to the boot in the front of the car - although small, it more was than enough space for several cases of VB thanks to a quick stop at Bliss's hook-up for foregin beer.
He was a nice guy, and he knew what he was talking about when it came to beer. Plus, he didn't seem interested in telling me his opinion in everything MPW, which was nice for a change. In fact, in a shocking revelation, i decided i liked the guy. Big step, i know, but it was great to meet somebody down to earth for once.
"Well, i can't say i've gone wrong with this choice, so maybe that makes up for all the others." I grin at her, it was rapidly turning into something, something i didn't know and didn't want to know about. What we had now was fun, and moving in together was going to be a blast, even if it was taking the relationship to the next level.
"And like your choice in men is any better." I stick a tongue out at her and we walk through the front door and into our new house, and the first thing i see is the boxes that were supposed to be unpacked, simply remaining unopened in front of the stairs. I facepalm as i look up the hallway at where i know the other three are, obviously not doing their job. Then i look properly at the boxes, and see one had been opened. One bloody box.
"You had one job..." I mumble, knowing that if i looked to my right i'd receive a death stare from the woman who entrusted me to unpack.
I walk down the halllway, unable to not notice the incredible walls and the awesome detail on the walls, as well as the chandelier hanging above our heads as we walk into the main room.
"God, i should've figured this would happen."
"You should've done it yourself." Bliss says under her breath, this won't be fun for me, but it'll be even less fun for the three men about to face her wrath.
"I couldn't be bothered! I guess not having you there just took the energy away from me." I see a glimpse of a smile in Bliss's face. Even when she's mad i manage to charm her.
There, in the main living room, with a view of the incredible fireplace, they set up a TV and the Xbox that were in the opened box at the foot of the stairs. I cross my arms and stare at them for a couple of seconds, before Bliss coughs and Cable pauses the game.
"Oh hey guys, come and join!" Cable says, chucking me a can of beer - and of course it's VB. Freakign trust.
"Okay, first off, why the fuck haven't you gotten everything unpacked like i told you to!!" I say, looking at the three as they stare at me amused.
"Hey, you could've done it yourself, you were the one who told us that you couldn't be bothered, and we stepped in."
"Yeah, for freaking a hundred bucks! Each!"
"Well, that was your mistake wasn't it?" Dixon says, moving back to the controller.
"Where's another girl when you need one?" Kahlan says, and i can tell that tweet about being the only girl was probably true. Even i'd struggle with these two, let alone Kuk as well, who's sitting there looking at his phone and the game as he looks at me with a smirk.
"Come and sit down, you've had an exhausting week Bliss, and besides, we've got one night all together right here, and if i'm right somebody said something about a party..." Trust Kuk to bring that up.
"That sort of required a house to hold it in guys." Kahlan says, shaking her head. I can tell she's starting to laugh inside, i should've expected nothing less from the three stooges. When i'd first met Kuk and Dixon, the last thing i was expecting was for them to be mucking around like Cable and I did, but i guess thats what happens when you get a tiny bit of time off and you share a common idea - you start to become more and more like one another.
"Pfft, it's just furniture. We've got an xbox, we've got a TV. We've got a fireplace. Now we just need alcohol."
"One step ahead of you idiot." I say, talking to Cable as i lift the cases of VB onto the table.
"Oh no, i'm not drinking that piss tonight." Kahlan says, and Cable and I looked at her with mock pained expressions.
"That hurts babe that really hurts..." She punches me playfully on the arm as i look across at the kitchen.
"Luckily, i at least planned ahead for one thing." I move to the kitchen and grab three american beers out of the fridge, throwing them to our American fools who seem to think that that piss is better than Victorian Bitter.
"So you managed to sneak beer in here, yet you couldn't unpack..." Kahlan says, cracking the bottle open.
"Pretty much..." I say, grinning.
"A toast." I raise my glass. "To arrogance, now and forever! And to the extermination of superheroes, continuing tomorrow night!" I grin as the sound of bottles clinking together echoes throughout the large living room.