Post by T-Marv on Jul 7, 2012 20:14:44 GMT -4
The Golden Throne adorned with jewels that will seat the worthy winner of this vicious war for APW royalty sits alone in an empty hall. The battle plans were still laid out, much shifted from the last time we visited here. All is quiet…except for the one voice that sounds out above all the silence.
The war raged on for what seemed like centuries, though it had been just a few days. The lands of Overdrive were quickly commanded by the superior forces and strategy of King Marvin and victory in this part of the kingdoms was WELL in hand. But looming in the distance was the unknown. The lands of Asylum are savage and ruthless. What dwells in those ungodly territories are a mystery to all who dare to think about them. Few who have traveled there have returned, and those lucky enough to survive were forever maimed either mentally or physically by the horrors they had visited upon them. As unthinkable as it may be, it was time to turn the attentions to the Armies of Asylum for the battle there is close to an end and soon the forces of the two distinct lands will collide in what may be the most brutal conflict man will ever witness.
In the Throne room, footsteps are heard from the hall as two shadows pass near the entrance to the room followed by the figures of King Marvin and his most trusted advisor Varys. They slowly walk toward the throne, quietly whispering the entire way.
“Thank you for meeting me tonight. I didn’t want to do this in front of the other advisors for obvious reasons.” Varys looks concerned and intrigued as Terry stops before the map laid out on the ground. He takes one step over the land labeled “Asylum” before lifting his chin and looking Varys in the eyes. “Tell me what I can expect coming out of Asylum.”
Varys looks confused by this question. Asylum is much to dangerous of territory for anyone sane to travel and befriending one of that continents savage citizens is a most heinous crime punishable by death, even if it’s for the worthiest of causes. “I’m sorry sire… I have no contacts in Asylum as you may well know. Very little is known about that nightmare of a land.”
Terry gives a small grin as he looks down to the floor. He then looks up at Varys and tilts his head in a knowing manner. “Please, do not test my intelligence again. I am not the naïve king who likes to keep his hands clean that most of my subjects perceive me to be. You are the SPIDER, the master of whispers….the greatest spy in all of the land. So I‘m going to ask you this one last time….Tell me of Asylum!”
Terry’s eyes lock with Varys who’s normally sly grin has vanished from his face as a small streak of fear crosses over his face. The look in his eyes tells the whole story of a man who’s secrets have been exposed in the most subtle of ways. He sighs and continues on. “As usual, my liege, you are correct. Though my information of the Asylum lands is choppy at best. You‘ll find that the people over there are unnecessarily difficult to deal with.”
Terry’s expression doesn’t change as Varys draws a section on the map and labels it “Dillinger.”
“Chaz Dillinger…quite the dangerous man who has danced around the loose code of morals that governs the savages. He is not the sharpest stone in the pit, but he has many high ranking friends…politicians that keep him running his fine running war machine.”
“Ah yes… I‘ve vaguely heard of this so called ‘Lord.’ But isn‘t he just a puppet of Lord Callahan of the “Crazed out Nazi“ clan?” Terry tries to recall everything his other advisors were scraping together. Terry recalls his battle with Lord Callahan, a victory that carried with it more accolades than just a simple victory…it was his stepping stone to the kingdom!
“That’s quite true Sire. I have often suspected Callahan of calling the shots…the chess master in the background slowly manipulating his pieces to where they should be. He couldn‘t defeat you even with his best attempt, so he‘s sending his underling to finish the job. Foolish man!”
Terry lets out a laugh. “Clearly Callahan doesn‘t have the stones to face me himself, but if he thinks his little puppet stands a chance in hell of uprooting my God given mission, then he‘s been sipping on too much of that devil‘s juice that he often preaches against. Dillinger isn‘t smart enough to keep the strings attached! He‘ll want his freedom, his independence from Callahan and that will be his downfall. It is very unlikely that Dillinger will even make it out of Asylum…but if he does, it‘ll be without the aid of Callahan, and that‘s where the well runs dry in his ingenuity….he‘ll be a sitting duck. ”
Varys nods in agreement, partly because he truly concurs with Terry, and mostly because he’s trying to save his own head. He then draws out another section and labels it “Morrison.” Terry looks on in intrigue.
“Morrison? I am unfamiliar with this name.”
Varys seems to shake a little before somehow managing to keep his composure. When he speaks, his voice cracks at first. “ThA….Ahem…That‘s because the only people who ever hear it, or look upon his face are usually nothing more than blood and bones in seconds. He is a crazed madman who keeps to the shadows. His army moves unnoticed, but don‘t mistake that for weakness.”
Terry contemplates this for a minute.
“That could be very tricky to deal with. A madman like this with seemingly very little regard for human life is unpredictable and dangerous. However his followers are likely just as fucked up in the head as he is and therefore are more than likely few in number. I have dealt with many madmen before. The secret is to find the one thing that pushes their buttons more than anything else and sends them on a frenzied rampage. At that moment, when their guard is down and the only thing on their mind is blood and wrath…that‘s when you strike in the most unconventional way that you can possibly think of…That‘s when you have to throw caution into the wind and become something else...”
Varys looks confused again as he raises an eyebrow… “What exactly are you saying sire?”
“To BEAT a madman…you have to BE a madman! You have to get right down to that carnal part of your being and throw all logic out the window and get into the mindset of a raving lunatic, to know exactly what to do…”
“But how does that make you any different from him? How do you keep from making the same mistakes that crazed psycho would make?”
Terry smiles as if waiting for that question, as if baiting Varys into asking it to appear like the biggest genius in the world. “Because at the end of the day….I‘m still me. I can snap out of it, return to sound mind and body…and can add a bit of logic to my crazy plan to turn it into something they write down in history books for years to come. There is a thin line between crazy and genius….I plan on blurring that line!”
Terry laughs a bit out loud as he waves his hand over the map to allow Varys to continue. He steps over to another large section of the map and writes the word “Knuckles” on it.
Terry bursts out in laughter. “What in the hells is that? Some kind of joke?”
Varys smiles slyly and nods. “In a word….yes. That pretty much sums up Lord Knuckles. He is little more than a jester setting on a throne. He dances and plays and makes great humor for all of his subjects, and they love him for that. But when it comes to actually being a leader…that is the greatest joke of all.”
Terry continues chuckling. “Well, I don‘t know how good of a commander he is, but as a FOOL he is one of a kind. He‘s already got me halfway in stitches. I can see it now… the heat of battle, and he begins juggling lumps of horse shit and spurting out humorous anecdotes. His entire game plan will be to cause my subjects to laugh themselves to death. And who knows… it may just work.”
“Don‘t let his humor deceive you Sire. He may be just a joker, but his façade hides his true ambitions to be the supreme ruler of all the lands. And he‘s one of the most professional revolutionaries that we have ever seen. After all he‘s tried many, many, MANY times to rise to power. Of course, he‘s failed in each and every single one of them, but that just goes to show you where his ambitions lie.”
Terry thinks on this for a second and then smiles. “Persistence will get you very far in this world. So will his cunning personality. Hell, it may even be enough to conquer the lands of Asylum and challenge for my crown himself. But what happens when he gets here and the only thing that matters is pure strategic prowess? What happens when he looks across the battlefield and stares into my still eyes, the only grin on my face coming from my steadfast confidence of my predestined victory. Will the laughing fool finally be brought to tears? Will he no longer be able to wash away his clandestine failure with jokes and limericks. Will all that joy be sucked out of him when he‘s face to face with his FINAL defeat? As I‘ve said many times in the past….I will always be the one with the last laugh, and it would be fitting if the court jester was the one providing it for me.”
Varys and Terry study that land all carved up with three names. But there is one section left un-carved. There lies the biggest chunk of land available. Varys goes to write a name in it, but Terry Stops him.
“There is no need Varys. I know full well who that land belongs to.” The memories flood through his mind…memories he’s spent years trying to squash and forget.
Varys stares up at Terry who is lost in thought. Finally, as if to break the silence, he writes in the final name…. “Talfourd.”
“Lady Talfourd is the only woman to vie for your crown, and is the only woman to have held it once before.”
Terry knows the story all too well. “Yes, we all know the tale Varys. She was in power when Gates swooped in, usurped her and banished her to the lands of Asylum. I have been in some mean and vicious battles before in my life…but there‘s only one that haunts me to this day!”
“I know the battle you speak of. You were trying to overthrow the Queen…trying to take the crown for yourself. And your forces were crushed….”
Terry glares up at him annoyed. “THANK YOU for that painful reminder. Yes, I was rushing toward power, not fully aware of what it meant to be in control. I took on Sally LONG before I was prepared. I was naive then…to think that I could easily challenge and defeat the queen. I was NOT READY. But things have changed dramatically since then. Sally is not the same all powerful force that she used to be. There are flaws in her armor now…she has been proven to be mortal. She has fallen down a long dark tunnel and is incapable of climbing back out. She was bested by the Lord Callahan. She is now desperately clinging to any ounce of power she once had. And now, the reclamation of this throne is the only thing that keeps her sane.
Don‘t get me wrong… she is still my biggest threat out of the lands of Asylum…but she‘s no where near the immortal sensation that she used to be. She is beatable…very beatable. Once you crack that now fragile confidence of hers…it‘s a downward spiral to the pits of hell.”
Terry smiles as he looks down at the map of Asylum. He smiles and shakes his head.
“Once I solidify my rightful place on this throne, I will do to Asylum what should have been done a long time ago….” Terry pulls out a box of matches and lights one up. “We don‘t need no water.” He drops the match and the parchment goes up in a bright ball of flame. “Let the MOTHER FUCKER burn!”
He watches with delight on his face while Varys desperately tries to stamp out the fire.
Suddenly off the scene there is very loud and over exaggerated clapping….
“BRAVO!!!! BRAVO!!!!”
Terry and the actor playing Varys both look at each other startled and then look off the set as a figure approaches the medieval Movie stage. Finally he gets to the edge of the shadows, and standing there in the light is the figure of a man long forgotten…..standing there is the face of Ryan Ruckus!
Finally in street clothes and back to reality, Terry Marvin walks toward his one time friend with a grand smile on his face. The two shake hands, share a laugh, and embrace in a half hug. Terry pulls away and looks Ryan up and down.
“You look like shit!”
“And yet STILL prettier than you!”
“What the hell are you doing here? Wait, let me guess! You saw that Test for the Best was coming up and you just couldn‘t stay away? Feeling all nostalgic? Do I sense a Rucking Return in the future.”
Ryan laughs a bit and shakes his head. “Nah, that life is behind me. Just in town for the day, saw that you were here and thought I‘d come look you up.”
Ryan smiles a bit and looks at the huge movie like set… “I see you‘re still cooking up the big production numbers. How‘s that working out for you?” His tone is extremely sarcastic and more hostile than Terry was expecting.
“In case you‘ve forgotten in your old age…we are in the entertainment business….that‘s what I‘m doing…Entertaining.”
Ryan doesn’t chuckle, doesn’t smile, doesn’t even break his glare. “So is that your plan for tomorrow night? You‘re going to entertain yourself into the Test for the Best title? You going to entertain Sally Talfourd until she‘s tapping out for dear mercy?”
Terry has a look on his face like he’s just been shot by his best friend. “What the fuck is your problem?”
“YOU ARE Terry…You‘re my fucking problem.” Ryan doesn’t even skip a beat and gets right up into Terry’s face. “I sat back the last few months and watched as FINALLY you‘ve begun to make something of yourself…that you‘ve finally hit your stride. So I decide to come here and cheer on my good Friend Terry Marvin and I find you playing dress up and acting out scenes from whatever Dragon Books you‘ve been immersing yourself into.”
The rage flashes in Terry’s eyes. “Wow…here I am being insulted by the poor little baby who at the first sign of things getting tough ran away crying to never return. It‘s so fucking easy to judge other people from FAR FAR away on the sidelines isn‘t it?
Well since you obviously haven‘t been paying close attention, let me clue you in on a few things. I am the APW OVERDRIVE CHAMPION… I have destroyed anyone who has dared to get in my way, and I am one day away from becoming the #1 contender to the Undisputed Championship.”
“That‘ll never happen.”
Terry‘s anger can almost be physically seen now. “Excuse me?”
“When I left… you‘re were a joke, a pushover! You were the laughing stock of APW… an egomaniac who thought his shit didn‘t stink. Standing here now, I can see nothing has changed. You‘re still a joke...”
“I‘m a joke? I‘M A JOKE? Do I look like some second rate loser playing games on camera like that God damn pathetic punch line Johnny Knuckles? Do I look like I‘m hocking some nasty ass energy drink and doing dances backstage for the world to laugh at? Johnny has tried and failed to achieve that world title so many times that they‘ve put out a calendar depicting the epic failures he‘s achieved. And you‘re calling me a Joke?
Chaz Dillinger is a lapdog of the biggest joke in politics since George Bush declared “Mission Accomplished“ to the laughing faces of millions of people. He is being allowed to think that he has some bit of purpose, some bit of right to be in this match in the first place, but the fact is that he had it handed to him by a man that I soundly defeated in the middle of the ring just weeks ago! Callahan is the man calling the shots…he‘s the voice whispering in Chaz‘s ear. The real punch line of that is that Chaz is actually listening as if Michael Callahan really was the second coming. And you‘re calling me a joke?
Michael Morrison strikes fear in the heart of everyone he faces…not because they‘re worried about losing, but because they‘re afraid that he‘s going to lose it in the middle of the ring and reenact scenes from Alive and go captain cannibal on everyone. He‘s so damn deranged that he doesn’t even realize that his disconnection with reality is what puts him at the biggest disadvantage of everyone else in this match. He‘s a giant freak show that APW should be charging a buck a head admission to ogle and gawk at. And you‘re calling me a joke?
As for Sally Talfourd. Has anyone else in the history of epic declines ever fallen so far in such a short period of time. Last year she was the queen bee of APW and now she‘s nothing more than that BITCH that Callahan Humiliated. She couldn‘t hack it anymore on the main event program so she had to go running off to Asylum to try to pick off weaker prey only to get bested by Rush Limbaugh‘s little brother. I‘m surprised that she even made it this far after clearly showing that she hasn‘t a thing left in the tank. This year will be much worse for her than last year. She‘ll have that large glimmer of hope if she reaches the finals only to have the prize YANKED out of her grasp by a man who she‘s looked down on ever since I entered APW a year and a half ago. When that‘s all said and done….I‘ll be the one laughing….and you‘re calling me a joke?”
Ruckus yawns after listening to this little tyrade. “You‘re right… you‘re not a joke… at least a joke is a little bit funny…you‘re just sad and pathetic! If you‘re lucky enough to make it out of the Overdrive side of the bracket… Asylum will destroy you.”
Terry now is in Ryan’s face, backing him up to the wall.
“Now you listen and you listen good you little BITCH! I‘m the GREATEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO WRESTLING! Every single thing I‘ve done since my inception here in APW has led me to this moment. Everything that‘s happened good or bad was all a set up for TEST FOR THE BEST! This is my moment to go out there and prove to the world…to prove to you that you‘re inaccurate misconceptions of me were laughable at best. Test for the best is my final battle. It‘s my motherfucking holy grail and I will be the one to climb up that mountain of bodies, stepping over Keaton Saint, Steve Stryker, John Dionysus, AC Smith, Johnny Knuckles, Mike Morrison, Chaz Dillinger, and even your precious Sally Talfourd to stand on top of the world as the undisputed BEST to ever step foot inside the wrestling ring. And I‘m not going to let anything stand in between me and my destiny.
Not the king of clowns Johnny Knuckles who hopes that this will be his one chance to over come the moniker as the man who‘s come the closest to glory only to fade off quietly in the night. Honestly, how many chances can one guy get to become the champion of the slums?
Not the master or maddness Michael Morrison who so loves the pits of obscurity that it‘s a wonder that he even had a desire to enter Test for the Best and expose himself to the world. If he think‘s he‘s a little lost in the brain…just wait till he attempts to interfere with my fate. It will define the phrase…disturbing behavior!
Not the prince of conservation Chaz Dillinger who bends to the will of corruption and ignorance to the point that he gleefully follows a man who would just as soon stab him in the back as he would shake his hand. Chaz is stuck in a large shadow that he‘ll never get out of. ”
Terry pauses and takes a deep breath.
“Not even the queen ghost of APW past who is so concerned with being the darling to all the crazed fans out there that she doesn’t have the time to realize that she’s not only lost a step but an entire flight of them. Sally Talfourd, the once golden child of APW…she will not stand in my way Ryan. Let’s be honest here…WHEN I make it to the finals, it will be Sally standing across from me in that ring. And I will take her down a little trip on memory lane. No, I’m not talking about that sham of a victory she owns over me in a match that meant less than the hairs on my ass. I’m talking about the pinfall I had over here at Survive and Conquer when something real was on the line. It’s time for Sally to remember that I am GODS GIFT TO WRESTLING, and she is simply my last great hurdle toward destiny! ”
Terry backs off of Ryan a bit and smiles.
“I saw what you tried to do there. ”
“Hey, I had to light a fire under you…..”
“Bullshit… you tried to throw me off my game. ”
“Why would I….”
Terry stops him with a piercing glare.
“Because you’re worried. You’ve been watching me climb the ladder and you’re worried that I will surpass your legacy…and with good reason. See, in conturage, you were always the one on top…and you were always there to hold me down. But since you pussied out of wrestling…you don’t have that luxury anymore. So you tried to disrupt my rhythm because a selfish little bitch like you couldn’t stand to see me thrive.
Go RUCK Yourself Ryan!
You now have no choice but to sit idly by as I do something you’ve never been able to do, as I surpass your legacy here in APW, as I erase your memory.
Tomorrow Night, you can sit there with the rest of the world and watch as I cement myself as the KING of APW! And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.
Just sit back, watch, and be terrified of the future to come….
I will pass the test.
I will be the best!
IT IS SHOWTIME! ”
Terry walks away from a shocked Ryan Ruckus as the scene fades to black.
The war raged on for what seemed like centuries, though it had been just a few days. The lands of Overdrive were quickly commanded by the superior forces and strategy of King Marvin and victory in this part of the kingdoms was WELL in hand. But looming in the distance was the unknown. The lands of Asylum are savage and ruthless. What dwells in those ungodly territories are a mystery to all who dare to think about them. Few who have traveled there have returned, and those lucky enough to survive were forever maimed either mentally or physically by the horrors they had visited upon them. As unthinkable as it may be, it was time to turn the attentions to the Armies of Asylum for the battle there is close to an end and soon the forces of the two distinct lands will collide in what may be the most brutal conflict man will ever witness.
In the Throne room, footsteps are heard from the hall as two shadows pass near the entrance to the room followed by the figures of King Marvin and his most trusted advisor Varys. They slowly walk toward the throne, quietly whispering the entire way.
“Thank you for meeting me tonight. I didn’t want to do this in front of the other advisors for obvious reasons.” Varys looks concerned and intrigued as Terry stops before the map laid out on the ground. He takes one step over the land labeled “Asylum” before lifting his chin and looking Varys in the eyes. “Tell me what I can expect coming out of Asylum.”
Varys looks confused by this question. Asylum is much to dangerous of territory for anyone sane to travel and befriending one of that continents savage citizens is a most heinous crime punishable by death, even if it’s for the worthiest of causes. “I’m sorry sire… I have no contacts in Asylum as you may well know. Very little is known about that nightmare of a land.”
Terry gives a small grin as he looks down to the floor. He then looks up at Varys and tilts his head in a knowing manner. “Please, do not test my intelligence again. I am not the naïve king who likes to keep his hands clean that most of my subjects perceive me to be. You are the SPIDER, the master of whispers….the greatest spy in all of the land. So I‘m going to ask you this one last time….Tell me of Asylum!”
Terry’s eyes lock with Varys who’s normally sly grin has vanished from his face as a small streak of fear crosses over his face. The look in his eyes tells the whole story of a man who’s secrets have been exposed in the most subtle of ways. He sighs and continues on. “As usual, my liege, you are correct. Though my information of the Asylum lands is choppy at best. You‘ll find that the people over there are unnecessarily difficult to deal with.”
Terry’s expression doesn’t change as Varys draws a section on the map and labels it “Dillinger.”
“Chaz Dillinger…quite the dangerous man who has danced around the loose code of morals that governs the savages. He is not the sharpest stone in the pit, but he has many high ranking friends…politicians that keep him running his fine running war machine.”
“Ah yes… I‘ve vaguely heard of this so called ‘Lord.’ But isn‘t he just a puppet of Lord Callahan of the “Crazed out Nazi“ clan?” Terry tries to recall everything his other advisors were scraping together. Terry recalls his battle with Lord Callahan, a victory that carried with it more accolades than just a simple victory…it was his stepping stone to the kingdom!
“That’s quite true Sire. I have often suspected Callahan of calling the shots…the chess master in the background slowly manipulating his pieces to where they should be. He couldn‘t defeat you even with his best attempt, so he‘s sending his underling to finish the job. Foolish man!”
Terry lets out a laugh. “Clearly Callahan doesn‘t have the stones to face me himself, but if he thinks his little puppet stands a chance in hell of uprooting my God given mission, then he‘s been sipping on too much of that devil‘s juice that he often preaches against. Dillinger isn‘t smart enough to keep the strings attached! He‘ll want his freedom, his independence from Callahan and that will be his downfall. It is very unlikely that Dillinger will even make it out of Asylum…but if he does, it‘ll be without the aid of Callahan, and that‘s where the well runs dry in his ingenuity….he‘ll be a sitting duck. ”
Varys nods in agreement, partly because he truly concurs with Terry, and mostly because he’s trying to save his own head. He then draws out another section and labels it “Morrison.” Terry looks on in intrigue.
“Morrison? I am unfamiliar with this name.”
Varys seems to shake a little before somehow managing to keep his composure. When he speaks, his voice cracks at first. “ThA….Ahem…That‘s because the only people who ever hear it, or look upon his face are usually nothing more than blood and bones in seconds. He is a crazed madman who keeps to the shadows. His army moves unnoticed, but don‘t mistake that for weakness.”
Terry contemplates this for a minute.
“That could be very tricky to deal with. A madman like this with seemingly very little regard for human life is unpredictable and dangerous. However his followers are likely just as fucked up in the head as he is and therefore are more than likely few in number. I have dealt with many madmen before. The secret is to find the one thing that pushes their buttons more than anything else and sends them on a frenzied rampage. At that moment, when their guard is down and the only thing on their mind is blood and wrath…that‘s when you strike in the most unconventional way that you can possibly think of…That‘s when you have to throw caution into the wind and become something else...”
Varys looks confused again as he raises an eyebrow… “What exactly are you saying sire?”
“To BEAT a madman…you have to BE a madman! You have to get right down to that carnal part of your being and throw all logic out the window and get into the mindset of a raving lunatic, to know exactly what to do…”
“But how does that make you any different from him? How do you keep from making the same mistakes that crazed psycho would make?”
Terry smiles as if waiting for that question, as if baiting Varys into asking it to appear like the biggest genius in the world. “Because at the end of the day….I‘m still me. I can snap out of it, return to sound mind and body…and can add a bit of logic to my crazy plan to turn it into something they write down in history books for years to come. There is a thin line between crazy and genius….I plan on blurring that line!”
Terry laughs a bit out loud as he waves his hand over the map to allow Varys to continue. He steps over to another large section of the map and writes the word “Knuckles” on it.
Terry bursts out in laughter. “What in the hells is that? Some kind of joke?”
Varys smiles slyly and nods. “In a word….yes. That pretty much sums up Lord Knuckles. He is little more than a jester setting on a throne. He dances and plays and makes great humor for all of his subjects, and they love him for that. But when it comes to actually being a leader…that is the greatest joke of all.”
Terry continues chuckling. “Well, I don‘t know how good of a commander he is, but as a FOOL he is one of a kind. He‘s already got me halfway in stitches. I can see it now… the heat of battle, and he begins juggling lumps of horse shit and spurting out humorous anecdotes. His entire game plan will be to cause my subjects to laugh themselves to death. And who knows… it may just work.”
“Don‘t let his humor deceive you Sire. He may be just a joker, but his façade hides his true ambitions to be the supreme ruler of all the lands. And he‘s one of the most professional revolutionaries that we have ever seen. After all he‘s tried many, many, MANY times to rise to power. Of course, he‘s failed in each and every single one of them, but that just goes to show you where his ambitions lie.”
Terry thinks on this for a second and then smiles. “Persistence will get you very far in this world. So will his cunning personality. Hell, it may even be enough to conquer the lands of Asylum and challenge for my crown himself. But what happens when he gets here and the only thing that matters is pure strategic prowess? What happens when he looks across the battlefield and stares into my still eyes, the only grin on my face coming from my steadfast confidence of my predestined victory. Will the laughing fool finally be brought to tears? Will he no longer be able to wash away his clandestine failure with jokes and limericks. Will all that joy be sucked out of him when he‘s face to face with his FINAL defeat? As I‘ve said many times in the past….I will always be the one with the last laugh, and it would be fitting if the court jester was the one providing it for me.”
Varys and Terry study that land all carved up with three names. But there is one section left un-carved. There lies the biggest chunk of land available. Varys goes to write a name in it, but Terry Stops him.
“There is no need Varys. I know full well who that land belongs to.” The memories flood through his mind…memories he’s spent years trying to squash and forget.
Varys stares up at Terry who is lost in thought. Finally, as if to break the silence, he writes in the final name…. “Talfourd.”
“Lady Talfourd is the only woman to vie for your crown, and is the only woman to have held it once before.”
Terry knows the story all too well. “Yes, we all know the tale Varys. She was in power when Gates swooped in, usurped her and banished her to the lands of Asylum. I have been in some mean and vicious battles before in my life…but there‘s only one that haunts me to this day!”
“I know the battle you speak of. You were trying to overthrow the Queen…trying to take the crown for yourself. And your forces were crushed….”
Terry glares up at him annoyed. “THANK YOU for that painful reminder. Yes, I was rushing toward power, not fully aware of what it meant to be in control. I took on Sally LONG before I was prepared. I was naive then…to think that I could easily challenge and defeat the queen. I was NOT READY. But things have changed dramatically since then. Sally is not the same all powerful force that she used to be. There are flaws in her armor now…she has been proven to be mortal. She has fallen down a long dark tunnel and is incapable of climbing back out. She was bested by the Lord Callahan. She is now desperately clinging to any ounce of power she once had. And now, the reclamation of this throne is the only thing that keeps her sane.
Don‘t get me wrong… she is still my biggest threat out of the lands of Asylum…but she‘s no where near the immortal sensation that she used to be. She is beatable…very beatable. Once you crack that now fragile confidence of hers…it‘s a downward spiral to the pits of hell.”
Terry smiles as he looks down at the map of Asylum. He smiles and shakes his head.
“Once I solidify my rightful place on this throne, I will do to Asylum what should have been done a long time ago….” Terry pulls out a box of matches and lights one up. “We don‘t need no water.” He drops the match and the parchment goes up in a bright ball of flame. “Let the MOTHER FUCKER burn!”
He watches with delight on his face while Varys desperately tries to stamp out the fire.
Suddenly off the scene there is very loud and over exaggerated clapping….
“BRAVO!!!! BRAVO!!!!”
Terry and the actor playing Varys both look at each other startled and then look off the set as a figure approaches the medieval Movie stage. Finally he gets to the edge of the shadows, and standing there in the light is the figure of a man long forgotten…..standing there is the face of Ryan Ruckus!
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Finally in street clothes and back to reality, Terry Marvin walks toward his one time friend with a grand smile on his face. The two shake hands, share a laugh, and embrace in a half hug. Terry pulls away and looks Ryan up and down.
“You look like shit!”
“And yet STILL prettier than you!”
“What the hell are you doing here? Wait, let me guess! You saw that Test for the Best was coming up and you just couldn‘t stay away? Feeling all nostalgic? Do I sense a Rucking Return in the future.”
Ryan laughs a bit and shakes his head. “Nah, that life is behind me. Just in town for the day, saw that you were here and thought I‘d come look you up.”
Ryan smiles a bit and looks at the huge movie like set… “I see you‘re still cooking up the big production numbers. How‘s that working out for you?” His tone is extremely sarcastic and more hostile than Terry was expecting.
“In case you‘ve forgotten in your old age…we are in the entertainment business….that‘s what I‘m doing…Entertaining.”
Ryan doesn’t chuckle, doesn’t smile, doesn’t even break his glare. “So is that your plan for tomorrow night? You‘re going to entertain yourself into the Test for the Best title? You going to entertain Sally Talfourd until she‘s tapping out for dear mercy?”
Terry has a look on his face like he’s just been shot by his best friend. “What the fuck is your problem?”
“YOU ARE Terry…You‘re my fucking problem.” Ryan doesn’t even skip a beat and gets right up into Terry’s face. “I sat back the last few months and watched as FINALLY you‘ve begun to make something of yourself…that you‘ve finally hit your stride. So I decide to come here and cheer on my good Friend Terry Marvin and I find you playing dress up and acting out scenes from whatever Dragon Books you‘ve been immersing yourself into.”
The rage flashes in Terry’s eyes. “Wow…here I am being insulted by the poor little baby who at the first sign of things getting tough ran away crying to never return. It‘s so fucking easy to judge other people from FAR FAR away on the sidelines isn‘t it?
Well since you obviously haven‘t been paying close attention, let me clue you in on a few things. I am the APW OVERDRIVE CHAMPION… I have destroyed anyone who has dared to get in my way, and I am one day away from becoming the #1 contender to the Undisputed Championship.”
“That‘ll never happen.”
Terry‘s anger can almost be physically seen now. “Excuse me?”
“When I left… you‘re were a joke, a pushover! You were the laughing stock of APW… an egomaniac who thought his shit didn‘t stink. Standing here now, I can see nothing has changed. You‘re still a joke...”
“I‘m a joke? I‘M A JOKE? Do I look like some second rate loser playing games on camera like that God damn pathetic punch line Johnny Knuckles? Do I look like I‘m hocking some nasty ass energy drink and doing dances backstage for the world to laugh at? Johnny has tried and failed to achieve that world title so many times that they‘ve put out a calendar depicting the epic failures he‘s achieved. And you‘re calling me a Joke?
Chaz Dillinger is a lapdog of the biggest joke in politics since George Bush declared “Mission Accomplished“ to the laughing faces of millions of people. He is being allowed to think that he has some bit of purpose, some bit of right to be in this match in the first place, but the fact is that he had it handed to him by a man that I soundly defeated in the middle of the ring just weeks ago! Callahan is the man calling the shots…he‘s the voice whispering in Chaz‘s ear. The real punch line of that is that Chaz is actually listening as if Michael Callahan really was the second coming. And you‘re calling me a joke?
Michael Morrison strikes fear in the heart of everyone he faces…not because they‘re worried about losing, but because they‘re afraid that he‘s going to lose it in the middle of the ring and reenact scenes from Alive and go captain cannibal on everyone. He‘s so damn deranged that he doesn’t even realize that his disconnection with reality is what puts him at the biggest disadvantage of everyone else in this match. He‘s a giant freak show that APW should be charging a buck a head admission to ogle and gawk at. And you‘re calling me a joke?
As for Sally Talfourd. Has anyone else in the history of epic declines ever fallen so far in such a short period of time. Last year she was the queen bee of APW and now she‘s nothing more than that BITCH that Callahan Humiliated. She couldn‘t hack it anymore on the main event program so she had to go running off to Asylum to try to pick off weaker prey only to get bested by Rush Limbaugh‘s little brother. I‘m surprised that she even made it this far after clearly showing that she hasn‘t a thing left in the tank. This year will be much worse for her than last year. She‘ll have that large glimmer of hope if she reaches the finals only to have the prize YANKED out of her grasp by a man who she‘s looked down on ever since I entered APW a year and a half ago. When that‘s all said and done….I‘ll be the one laughing….and you‘re calling me a joke?”
Ruckus yawns after listening to this little tyrade. “You‘re right… you‘re not a joke… at least a joke is a little bit funny…you‘re just sad and pathetic! If you‘re lucky enough to make it out of the Overdrive side of the bracket… Asylum will destroy you.”
Terry now is in Ryan’s face, backing him up to the wall.
“Now you listen and you listen good you little BITCH! I‘m the GREATEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO WRESTLING! Every single thing I‘ve done since my inception here in APW has led me to this moment. Everything that‘s happened good or bad was all a set up for TEST FOR THE BEST! This is my moment to go out there and prove to the world…to prove to you that you‘re inaccurate misconceptions of me were laughable at best. Test for the best is my final battle. It‘s my motherfucking holy grail and I will be the one to climb up that mountain of bodies, stepping over Keaton Saint, Steve Stryker, John Dionysus, AC Smith, Johnny Knuckles, Mike Morrison, Chaz Dillinger, and even your precious Sally Talfourd to stand on top of the world as the undisputed BEST to ever step foot inside the wrestling ring. And I‘m not going to let anything stand in between me and my destiny.
Not the king of clowns Johnny Knuckles who hopes that this will be his one chance to over come the moniker as the man who‘s come the closest to glory only to fade off quietly in the night. Honestly, how many chances can one guy get to become the champion of the slums?
Not the master or maddness Michael Morrison who so loves the pits of obscurity that it‘s a wonder that he even had a desire to enter Test for the Best and expose himself to the world. If he think‘s he‘s a little lost in the brain…just wait till he attempts to interfere with my fate. It will define the phrase…disturbing behavior!
Not the prince of conservation Chaz Dillinger who bends to the will of corruption and ignorance to the point that he gleefully follows a man who would just as soon stab him in the back as he would shake his hand. Chaz is stuck in a large shadow that he‘ll never get out of. ”
Terry pauses and takes a deep breath.
“Not even the queen ghost of APW past who is so concerned with being the darling to all the crazed fans out there that she doesn’t have the time to realize that she’s not only lost a step but an entire flight of them. Sally Talfourd, the once golden child of APW…she will not stand in my way Ryan. Let’s be honest here…WHEN I make it to the finals, it will be Sally standing across from me in that ring. And I will take her down a little trip on memory lane. No, I’m not talking about that sham of a victory she owns over me in a match that meant less than the hairs on my ass. I’m talking about the pinfall I had over here at Survive and Conquer when something real was on the line. It’s time for Sally to remember that I am GODS GIFT TO WRESTLING, and she is simply my last great hurdle toward destiny! ”
Terry backs off of Ryan a bit and smiles.
“I saw what you tried to do there. ”
“Hey, I had to light a fire under you…..”
“Bullshit… you tried to throw me off my game. ”
“Why would I….”
Terry stops him with a piercing glare.
“Because you’re worried. You’ve been watching me climb the ladder and you’re worried that I will surpass your legacy…and with good reason. See, in conturage, you were always the one on top…and you were always there to hold me down. But since you pussied out of wrestling…you don’t have that luxury anymore. So you tried to disrupt my rhythm because a selfish little bitch like you couldn’t stand to see me thrive.
Go RUCK Yourself Ryan!
You now have no choice but to sit idly by as I do something you’ve never been able to do, as I surpass your legacy here in APW, as I erase your memory.
Tomorrow Night, you can sit there with the rest of the world and watch as I cement myself as the KING of APW! And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.
Just sit back, watch, and be terrified of the future to come….
I will pass the test.
I will be the best!
IT IS SHOWTIME! ”
Terry walks away from a shocked Ryan Ruckus as the scene fades to black.
