Eyes on the Prize
The scene opens up. You’re standing behind the Havoctron, in polite conversation with Alexis and Sarah. Wisdom Parker has just stepped out and the sound her theme music and the roar of the crowd are in competition with one another. Smiling at the two ladies, you fall quiet, there’s no sense in talking now. Both Sarah and Alexis are coming to the same conclusion. You’ve all been gathered here… well, those that didn’t leave the arena early in a childish strop that is… or Cain and Abel, hiding again no doubt… besides them, everyone that was on the roster and at the event were here. Draconis and his family were to one side, Sean and Michelle were standing close by you, you’d greeted them both, asking after his health and planning in your next training session with Michelle. Matt and Jeremy were to the other side. You were smiling inside, happy for them. Your second stint in the HWA, your friend Jason, well, he wasn’t ‘out’ by then. Then he was and you’d inadvertently had a hand in that. Something to laugh about with him now, but at the time, well, your wife had to educate you. It was nice to realize you’d grown. You had been speaking to them both as if they’d always been a couple, as if nothing had changed. They were Matt and Jeremy. From one happy thought to the other side of the emotional spectrum. Her. That b*tch, she’d learnt absolutely nothing. No self reflection. Nothing. Was she glancing at you? Hard to tell with the shadows from where she and Herr Chaos are. Urgh, leave it. Your attention is drawn forward as is everyone else's, at the sound of Wisdom’s voice calling you all to the ring. Legion, Wyatt, Sean and Michelle make their way out first, William Draconis alongside Luna Rain, Jesse, Kratos and Angelus head to the ring next. Then Maniac wheels Erica out and down to the ring. You find yourself smirking somewhat at the obvious pain she’s still in, your thumb and ring finger on your right hand idly twisting the wedding band on your left hand as you do. Out next are Jeremy and Matt to a huge crowd response followed by Liliana and Briar. You gesture to Sarah and Alexis. (Hans): Ladies first. Mouthing a ‘thank you’, Sarah heads out first. (Alexis): Age before beauty. You laugh. (Hans): Nein, definitely beauty before age. Both laughing now, Alexis heads out and a few seconds after you follow. The sound of the crowd roars and buffets you as you stride down towards the ring. Before you know it, you’re standing in amongst the others. Seeing you’re all now there, Wisdom raises the mic back up. (Wisdom): I know there are several other faces missing here, one being my husband who couldn’t be here with us tonight but I guarantee you’ll see him soon. The crowd bursts into another “Thank You Butch” chant and Wisdom smiles. (Wisdom): Yes, Thank You Butch and Thank You to Hans and Maniac for twenty years of dedication to this company. You know, one year ago the new broke that HWA was set to make its big comeback. There was Matt, and Sean, and Jeremy, Sarah, Michelle, and Erica all who contributed to the stability of HWA over the past 8 years. It’s been a long year, but past the test, Butch and I can say with confidence that we are stable, but now it’s time to grow, it’s time to go big and there’s only one way we’re going to do it. Wisdom turns to the Havoctron that lights up… What plays sets your heart racing, makes your mouth dry and your thoughts to coalesce around a single aim. There weren't many things in your life that you’d set your mind, body and soul towards, but this is one. 20 years since you watched your friend succeed. This, this is why you came back. You’re almost ignorant of the title belt being announced as the prize… That’s not what you’re interested in right now. It’s a bauble on top, the cherry placed upon the icing, it’s not the main event. The cheering and chants from the crowd are all around you mixing in with the sounds of your fellow competitors reacting. It’s all fading to silence, you’re lost in your own world. Ringmaster. I will be Ringmaster. Your fists are clenching, you draw in a large breath as you process things. Ringmaster is returning. This is my time. Around you, the roster are looking around at one another. Not you. You’re staring straight up at the Havoctron. Eyes on the prize Hans, eyes on the prize. The scene fades out slowly to black.
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