has met. Slowly the sounds of the plane fade as his memories take him back.....
Days after signing:
JJ and I are running along the cliffs edge overlooking the sea below. JJ stops me and we watch the sun slowly sink into the sea and we catch our breath. The fading sunlight reflects off the castle ahead of them, making it look as though the castle is on fire.
JJ- So I hear Egon is sending you to train with some of the greats right off the bat.
Koch- Thats what I heard too. But who are Tiger Star and Ryder?
JJ's mouth falls open as he stops and stares at Koch. JJ shakes his head as he grabs his sides.
JJ- Oh.. that's rich! Hahaha! No, no, no don't worry Koch. They are one of the top tag teams in the World. Seriously man I
faced them in, ...He starts ticking off his fingers... Australia, and Japan, Oh yeah Mexico and American federations... And he is sending you there first? Wow that says he sees a lot of potential in you. Dang man I wish I could go with you. I always wanted to train with those two. Tiger is tough and some say cruel but I know he is fair and strict too. His partner though.... Ryder is a unique individual. Some say he was a professor or something at one time or another. But now I know he is a wild man in the ring and both have a really twisted sense of humor.
Koch- Sounds just like what I need!! I been looking for a way to show my old man that I deserve his respect and that I can
merge the ways of the old to the ways of the new. I will show my real father the tribute he deserves.
JJ-...JJ gets serious and points at me... Listen up Koch. I am going to tell you this as
a friend and a fellow wrestler, listen well to what these men have to teach you. Learn EVERYTHING they teach you. BUT remember who you are and what you do, and do it best. Make your name and mark. And LISTEN I mean LISTEN because they are going to train you to be Almost as good as me. Hahaha!
JJ punches my shoulder and we take off sprinting toward the mansion on the cliffs. If only I had known how deeply I should have took that warning... I still remember that meeting and days of training that followed.The land rover bounced along the jungle trail, after the cramped plane ride I was glad for the break even if I could swear we left the road at the city's edge. After several hours we pull up to a break in the trees. The driver swings the rover around facing back down the trail. The driver smiles at me and thumbs towards a path across the clearing. I grab my bags and he drives off laughing as I look around bewildered. A man comes walking towards me, he stops at the treeline and signals me
to follow. Shouldering my bag I follow him along the trail. I feel that if it wasn't for my guide I would have been lost and never heard from again. The foliage is so thick that literally I had to part curtains of leaves and vines, it was like some bad movie. I saw a boa lounging across a branch I had to walk under and as soon as I did I saw a sight that stole my breath. A valley spreading out in front of me hidden by the forest of growth, a waterfall sent up a shower of droplets in the air that caught the sunlight making rainbows scatter around the valley. Standing out of the forest canopy rose a temple, almost like some lost Incan temple. But knowing where I was I knew that was impossible, the guide chuckles as I stare open mouthed.
Guide- Welcome to the Temple young man,
is currently running an experiment. Hold on ...He pushes the side of his mask again... Yes, right you are old man. ...I looked perplexed and confused. Tiger reaches out and grabs a zip line... Oh, Ryder says you look like you need some endurance training. So meet us at the temple kid. Oh and training begins now.
He points a garage door opener at me and jumps off the cliff. He zips off towards the temple as I hear the low growl behind me. OH crap. Tossing my bags in the air I start sprinting down the path not looking as something crashes through the brush behind me. As I get to the temple panting I find Tiger Star waiting with a smile on his face. He seems to be listening to his earpiece.
Tiger Star- NOW!! Let's begin. You were sent here to learn. Lesson one: Be yourself and break free. Ask and you shall receive. OK?
Koch- WHAT? What the F*ck are you talking about? All I learned is that you are crazy!! You sicked whatever in the hell is out there on me. So what did you teach me?
Tiger Star- To be silent. Which you did not learn, Otherwise you will never see the little buddy coming....Koch looks at Tiger Star turning redder by the minute. He looks like he is about to go off...
Koch- What ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT'S A LITTLE BUDDY? Ryder? Please I haven't even seen him yet! Geesh!! What the F*CK!! ...I stalk towards the woods and whirled getting ready to plant my fist in this freaks face. Only to feel his foot land on the side of my face. The next thing I know I am sitting on my butt rubbing my face....
Tiger Star- NoW if your done being a child. We can begin again. ...He leans down bouncing on his
toes and fingers on one hand... Go GET YOUR BAGS AND GET BACK HERE, before I do release my pretties on you!! And if you back talk me again you will get another 'lil buddy got it kid? WE are here to TRAIN you not coddle you. We are here to show you what you can expect and to bring out the talent they saw in you. Personally I don't see it! ...He grabs Koch's jaw... Respect is earned, NOT given. You haven't EARNED the right to speak to me like that. But after WE are done..You may be....A second figure leans in close from out of nowhere...
Ryder- Carvings!!! CARVINGS!!!!
Tiger Star- He said his names Ryder and welcome to wrestling 101!!! Hahaha Now run!!
And so began my training with Tiger Star and Ryder... After a few months they showed me how to curb my tongue. How to pump the crowd. When to showboat and when to be silent. Tiger Star taught me how to break a body down and make a man submit to the pain, as well as how much bending and twisting I could endure. And Ryder showed me how to reach for the stars and fly. Both men showed me how far I thought I could go. Then they pushed me further making me study moves and work on them for hours till I had made the move my own. First Ryder with the "Mid-West Revolution" as he called it. Then Tiger Star with "Silence the Screams" moves I crafted and designed to make them my own. They showed me the limits of my endurance and power then made me give them more. Making me fight day and night, hot and cold, sick and injured, tired and healthy. Everyday worse than the day before even though I absorbed it all like a sponge. Till that last day..
Ryder- Carvings carvings carvings. Carvings!!
Tiger Star- Do you really think he is ready? I don't know Ryder. I don't think he quite has it yet. and I don't see how a 'lil buddy is going to help him.
Ryder- Carvings!!!
Tiger Star- Oh, alright but only if he asks for it...Koch comes in whistling. Seeing Tiger Star and Ryder turn to look at him he stops looking around.Ryder starts getting animated...
Koch- What? What did I do now? WHat else you two got for me? What do I have to learn now? And whats wrong with your little buddy?
Ryder- Carving carving CARVINGS!!
Tiger Star- Well I guess you were right. He did ask... But first... Koch its a great day don't you think? We do it's a graduation day so to speak. ...He puts a arm around Koch's shoulder and leads him to a balcony... Feel the breeze on your face. Feel the sun. Oh and Ryder says CONGRATUlATIONS you passed!! Just remember your first day...Koch turns and is hit with a 'lil buddy kick to the face by Ryder.
Ryder- Carvings!!
Tiger Star- First lesson. Be prepared and Silence!! Pick up your bags and head to the rover kid. Your fun is just beginning. Hahahaha! ...Little did I know a few days later my past would rear up to bite me. And the history it
brought with it...
The little plane taxied down the runway and the co-pilot began to let down the door as we slowed to a stop. This place was nothing like the places I had been before. With JJ & King in the palace, or Tiger Star & Ryder in the temple, neither one had prepared me in any way shape or form for what was to come. The wind blew across the tarmac as I got off the plane. A lone figure stood waiting on the other side of the glass. He was dressed in white tenis shoes and blue levis. His tee
shirt had a faded symbol and words that read Team Blaze. He stepped out and pulled down his mirrored shades. HIs blond hair seemed to glow as he walked towards me.
Man- Hey kid! Are you Koch? Hahaha of course you are your the only man on the plane. Hahaha. JJ said you would be here.
...The man grabs Koch's bag and starts walking towards the airport... And he also said you just came from Tiger Star & Ryder. So how are the oddballs? ...He looks at Koch... Oh my bad hi. ...He holds out his hand... My name is Loon. I will be one of the trainers while you are here. Oh we are right over here.
Koch- Ummm. Hey, my names Koch. Nice to meet you loon.
He leads me to a hummer where he tosses my bags in the back and climbs in. I quickly jump in the passenger seat as Loon giggles and guns it out of the parking lot. He drives down the street talking away not seeming to pay attention to the road. He chuckles and giggles everytime I grab the oh sh*t handles as he weaves in and out of traffic, speeding up and hardly touching his brake. In no time we arrive at where the road stops. Loon shuts the hummer off and hops out giggling. I grab my bags and go with him. The scene before me is out of some rich mans fantasy. Before me is the realms of middle earth? Loon busts up laughing at the look of bewilderment across my face.
Loon-Don't worry kid you ain't lost your mind. Hahaha. My partner and I bought the land after the movies were made. And we sorta made use of the structures that were here. Now come on we got someone else to pick up.
Loon and Koch get back into the hummer and they follow the signs to the docks. A boat is pulling away leaving a man with his bag at his feet. Koch watches as Loon goes and introduces himself. Then both men head back to the hummer. After they are in Loon starts up the truck and they begin to head back.
Loon- Kid this is Rev. Rev. this is Koch. You two may want to get to know each other because I got a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!!! hahahahaha ...Loon pulls up to a stop in front of a dorm and motions for Koch to get out...
Koch- Whats going on I thought we were going to train? Where do I put my stuff?
Loon- Well gee, I guess in the doors behind you. Oh, I see the problem. No. Koch your trainers are through those doors. And trust me from what I have heard they have been expecting you for a long time. hahaha. But all will be revealed soon enough. Now I got to take Rev. to Doni my partner. but don't worry I will be back soon enough to help with your training 'lil buddy.
Koch glares at Loon as he drives off with Rev. Slowly he turns and walks to the doors. He throws them wide as he walks in from the light outside it takes his eyes a few minutes to adjust. He hear the familiar sounds of a gym and people working out on weights. Running machines. People chattering trainers talking to their students. In the center is a standing ring with four men wrestling inside. One cowboy grabs the dark haired man by the throat and plants him with a vicious chokeslam. The lighter haired gent tries to drop kick the tall cowboy when he is speared from the side by a second cowboy. Both cowboys drape themselves casually across their victims as a ref counts. 1-2-3! The two cowboys jump up and toss their opponents out of the ring then turn towards Koch.
Cowboy Two- Good to see you again BOY! Been a minute. We expected you here long before now. What took you so long?
Koch stares dumbfounded at his uncle standing in the ring leaning on the ropes as he looks down at Koch. The second cowboy takes his time turning the smile fading from his face as he sees Koch. An intense look enters his eyes as he glares at Koch. The color slowly drains from his face as the man begins to speak.
Cowboy One- So let me get this straight. YOU are the new talent we are supposed to train? YOU? Is
this some sick sorta joke Sean? I don't get it. I look out there and all I see before me is my runaway of a son?
The great Kid Koch? Don't make me laugh. He hasn't earned his name yet Heckler!!
Kid Koch- STEPSON old man!! Get it right!
Sean Heckler- Woah woah woah!! Both of you need to knock it off. What would your mom say if she could see you two now?
Koch Sr- DONT! Don't bring her into this Heckler. This is between him and me....Kid Koch drops his bags as he approaches the ring. He hops onto the apron and glares across the ropes at his step father...
Kid Koch- That old man killed her? He drove me away?
Koch Sr- Why you good for nuthin... ME!! Your running away is what killed her!! You little ingrate!! I tried to give you both everything but you couldn't let him go. Now look where we are. Come on lets see what you got kid!!
Heckler steps between the two pushing Koch Sr back. Suddenly Kid Koch springboards off the ropes with a flying forearm to Koch Sr. Heckler quickly rolls out of the way as the two men go at it exchanging blow for blow. Suddenly
Loon and Rev are there pulling Kid Koch back while Heckler pulls Koch Sr to the other corner.
Koch- You think you got what it takes KID? You think I taught you everything? You would be NOTHING without me!! Hell you wish you could be me!!
Kid- ANYTIME OLD MAN!! Trust and believe before I leave here I am taking you out! I am going to show the world what the name
Koch really means. But if I have to old man... I will take you out first!!
Koch- You little sh*t! You couldn't beat the smell out of a paper bag. The day you beat me is the day I give you my name!! The day you beat me is the day I retire!! You little B*stard!
Kid- Remember you said that old timer!! Remember you said that!!! Because I definitely WILL!!! I am going to take your name. I am going to take your Legacy. But first OLD MAN I am going to take your PRIDE!!! I have done more for the Koch name then you ever could....Loon and Rev drag Kid Koch out as Heckler holds Koch Sr in the ring. Outside Kid Koch shakes off Loon and Rev and begins to storm off. Rev follows Koch as Loon walks back inside...
Rev- What was that about? Do you know that guy? It seems personal between you two.
Kid Koch- It is personal! That was my step father. Micheal Koch. One half of S&M H&K. I have heard so many stories...
Rev-And the other guy?
Kid Koch- My uncle Sean Heckler. He is the calmer of the two.
Rev-So what happend?
Kid Koch- Lets just say I left home because of what he did and put my mother through. The broken promises, the lies, the ups and downs, the injuries. She put up with HIM through it all. In high school I wanted to try and make him proud. But whatever I did wasn't good enough. So when I turned 18, I left. I signed with a group of wrestlers called the Circus. I thought it would make him proud. He kicked me out that very day. Told me that since I wasn't going to listen to him then I should try to do it on my own. Eventually JJ found me.
Rev-So what now?
Kid Koch- Easy you heard the old man. I beat him. I take his name. I make him retire. I make sure people REMEMBER me. NOT HIM!! I take the name Koch to new heights and new extremes. I WILL make the old man watch as I make the name and the man something he could not... a Legend!!!
Rev-Hmmmm I think I may be able to help....
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