The Impact of Perceived Betrayal

[Metrodamus]

It doesn’t have to end like this Kurt, we both know that. I did what I had to do and we’ll move past it, just like we always have.

Sent: Sunday, October 28th, 11:57 PM

Hey, I know you’re still upset and I understand but you’ve got to rebound. You haven’t lost anything that matters yet Kurt. Amy still cares about you, she’s willing to fight for this as long as you are. You’re still my best friend … that hasn’t changed.

Sent: Monday, October 28th, 8:32 AM

Have you heard the rumblings about President Jeff stepping down? I’m assuming Kylie has the scoop on that.

Sent: Monday, October 28th, 12:12 PM

Also, I’m hearing rumours about some form of tag tournament to name a number one contender for our titles. Maybe we should put masks and capes on and enter so we can face ourselves? Only chance someone would have of ending the streak.

Sent: Monday, October 28th, 12:13 PM

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Tuesday, October 30th
Tokyo, Japan

“Hey Kurt, it’s Chris. Just giving you a call to make sure that everything’s ok? I imagine you’ve gone dark after the pay per view like always. I imagine you’re still fucked off about Sunday night but we’ll move past it … that’s what brothers do. Give me a ring when you get this, ok?”

Chris Hart hangs up the phone as he turns away from the window of the penthouse looking out over the heart of Tokyo. “You’re pathetic, you know that? says the teen in the corner, lounging on the couch in a pair of True Religions and an ‘Abercrombie & Fitch’ T-shirt.

“Have you looked in the mirror lately?” Chris asks, drawing a laugh from his audience.

“The mirror likes what it sees” he responds.

“You’re worse than Michael Harris” Chris says, causing his younger brother, the current JPW Heavyweight Champion James Hart to beam.

“Woah! Easy on the H-Bombs!” he laughs, eliciting a smile from his older brother. “Besides, what isn’t there to like? I’m the biggest thing to hit this country since Godzilla. Heavyweight champion, number one hit on the top 40 charts, hell I’m going to star in a fuckin’ movie with that chick from Gangnam Style!”

“Hyuna?” Chris asks.

James immediately shakes his head in disbelief at Chris’ response. “I’m embarrassed to call you my brother. It’s bad enough that you’re grand return to the land of the rising sun sees you get your ass kicked for twenty minutes … but it’s even worse that you’re into that shit” James responds with a derisive smile on his face causing Chris to shake his head.

“So I guess it’s not time to bring up my new entrance music?” Chris asks as James phone vibrates on the coffee table in front of him.

“No, because you probably let that cunt Kylie talk you into using some retarded Bon Jovi song like Christian Kane, or you’re using something by Carly Rae Jepsen hoping it’ll get you in her pants” James says as he bends over and picks up the I-Phone, bringing it to life and quickly reading the text message before a smile comes across his face. Speaking of getting in people’s pants …”

James tosses the phone to Chris who deftly snatches it out of the air. “Hey, I had a great time last night. I don’t know what you did but …” Chris halts himself as he silently finishes reading the text before he looks up at Chris, his eyebrows raised. “Wait a minute, you were out with us last night. Me, Chris, Jo and …”

Chris doesn’t finish his sentence as the beaming smile on James’ face tells the entire story. “You’re not the only one screwing people Chris” James says with a gigantic, shit eating, grin on his face, before leaning back into the sofa. “Although I think for some reason I probably get a better sense of satisfaction once I’m done than you did.”

“You’re an idiot” Chris replies which only causes James’ grin to grow larger.

“Champagne out of her belly, body shots off her titties, hell we even …” James stops, frozen by the glare of Chris Hart, but only momentarily before he delivers the coup de grace. “I’m sorry, I forgot you’ve been crushing on her for … how long has it been?”

Chris shoots James a hate filled look, having hit his boiling point and giving James the victory. “I’ve got a phone call to make” Chris says as he pulls out his phone and starts punching at the numbers before putting it to his ear.

“You do realize you cost Kurt the Undisputed Championship, right? I don’t know why you’re calling him … I mean last time you fucked his wife he nearly killed you, what’s he going to do to you this time?” James says as Chris ignores him but his face grows depressed as he listens to the pre-recorded message on the phone, hanging up before it goes to voicemail and sliding it into his pocket.

“Pick up your phone Kurt!”

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Sunday, November 4th
Noble Manor

“Hey Kurt, it’s Chris again. I called President Jeff earlier and he wouldn’t confirm anything as far as him stepping down, or a potential tag tournament but he did mention that Christmas Chaos would be a good time to see the titles defended; he also mentioned something about having the longest tag title reign in Action Packed Wrestling too. Give me a shout when you get this message; I got a phone call from someone for Visionary Wrestling Incorporated with an idea for us if we’re interested.”

Chris hangs up the phone as he sits on the porch of Noble Manor, looking out over the water in a t-shirt and blue jeans while Amy Noble sits next to him. “I don’t know … how you can sit out here … like that in this weather” she chatters as her teeth click together. Chris turns around and gazes at her for a moment, chuckling, before he reaches down and grabs a hold of the beer on the table and raises it to his lips.

“You’ve been to my place for New Years, this is a tropical vacation in comparison” Chris guffaws as he sits the bottle down as Amy stares at it for a moment before she looks out at the water.

“And speaking of New Years, I think it’s your turn to come down here for the celebrations; you don’t have being a minor as an excuse anymore” she chuckles as Chris grabs a hold of the bottle and takes an exaggerated drink from it.

“I think I might look at …”

“Oh shut it! You’re coming here and that’s final” Amy interrupts as Chris stares at her.

“And what about Kurt?” Chris asks.

Amy stares at him for a moment, gathering her thoughts as he stares at the man who had potentially driven the final nail in the coffin of Kurt Noble. “He’ll come around. We both know how he is after a loss, especially one like that” she replies as Chris shakes his head in disagreement.

“This is different though” he comments. “What if he thinks he’s lost everything Amy; his title belt, his fan base, his best friend?”

“Don’t worry about that Chris. You’re right about this being different but there’s still so much that’s the same. Everyone still cares about him Chris … Kurt Noble might not realize what happened but Curtis Parker is going to come to the realization that you had no choice, you had to put a stop to him before something happens again” Amy replies as Chris looks forlornly at the bottle next to him. “You’re not second guessing this, are you?

Chris turns his gaze from the bottle, to Amy, and then back to the bottle before taking a long, drawn out drink from the bottle, leaving it almost empty. Quickly polishing it off, Chris sets it back down before he turns towards the ocean, the tide crashing against the wharf. “No, I know it had to be done Amy. There was no way around it; one way or another Kurt Noble has to be stopped. We both knew going in to that match what was going to happen and I hoped it was the wake up call he needed, but desperate times call for desperate measures.”

“He …”

“Eventually he’ll realize what happened Amy” Chris interrupts “but until that time I don’t know what’s going to happen. He’s got a decision to make and whatever he decides I’m going to be there right beside him, whether it’s as friend … or foe”

Chris words hang in the air as he stares at Amy for a moment before he gets up from his seat. Amy passively follows him as he ducks past her speechlessly and opens the screen door before stepping into the confines of Noble Manor. “I hope it doesn’t come to that …” Amy says before pivoting on the ball of her foot and turning towards the screen door, he unfinished sentence hanging in the air until she has one foot in the door.

“… for everyone’s sake.”

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Come on dude, this is some shit James would pull after some bitch wouldn’t suck his dick. You’re responding to Bailey on twitter, show me some love? You do realize I can see you’ve read these also, right?

Sent: Sunday, November 4th, 10:10 PM

Did you watch Meltdown last night? It seems like the new boss is going to be running things a little differently than Diamond did. I wonder what’s going to happen with him?”

Sent: Monday, November 5th, 11:47 PM

Hey. I just took a look at the APW website and saw the brackets up for some tag team tournament to name our number one contender. Looks like President Jeff is done with Overdrive ‘cause I know he’d have given us the heads up. Have you taken a look? Any thoughts? I think it’ll be Envikado but I wouldn’t want to overlook M & M. Give me a shout, ‘kay?

Sent: Tuesday, November 6th, 9:25 PM

Have you seen the new Noble-Hart merch! It looks fuckin’ sick. There are some samples at your place for you to take a look at and decide what you want to rep. Also seems as if there’s already some people talkin’ smack about us in advance of Christmas Chaos. We’ll have to remind them what happened to Yarmouth and that cunt Raab when they opened their mouths.

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Wednesday, November 7th
Monaco Hotel, Washington DC

“Hey Kurt, it’s Chris. I’ve been hoping to talk to you in person over the past week and a half but it seems as if that’s not atop the list of your priorities. I just wanted to let you know that I don’t hold anything against you, what was said, what’s been done, because I know you did it to protect your family. It’s not who we were but what we are and what we become that defines us.”

“Isn’t that cute” Terry Marvin says as he strolls past Chris Hart, sliding his phone into his pocket, as he steps through the doors of the Monaco Hotel. Chris shakes his head as he refuses to look at Terry as he sets his bags down in front of the counter to check in. Terry stands waiting for Chris as he finishes his arrival, sliding the key card for his room into his jacket pocket, before turning around and looking straight at Terry.

“What do you want Terry?” Chris asks in a rather bored tone, aided by exhaustion from the flight from Florida to Washington amidst the traffic following the election.

“I actually wanted to speak to you” Terry says with a genuine smile on his face.

“Cut the bullshit Terry. I’m not buying this ‘good guy’ act from you” Chris comments as he retakes his bags and attempts to brush past Terry, only to have his path blocked.

“It’s not an act Chris. I would say that you’re just jaded by the fact that I beat you last Sunday” cockily states Terry as Chris smirks to himself, “but I know that’s not it. I’ve almost got it …” he says, pausing for a moment and raising his finger in the air before punching it emphatically. “Kurt Noble, perhaps?”

Chris glares at him for a moment, staring straight into the eyes of the Undisputed Champion before he sets his bags down again. “Alright” he says, “but this better be good.”

“I just wanted to thank you for taking care of Kurt at One Night in Hell” Terry says as immediately Chris’ eyes rage with fire.

“Fuck you Terry” Chris hisses as he grabs his bags once again.

“No. Not like that Chris. Kurt Noble was a danger to everyone, including himself. I don’t pretend to know him as well as you do but as of late he’s just seemed … off” Marvin states as Chris can’t help but chuckle.

“No thanks to you”

Marvin stares at Chris for a moment before bowing his head, almost in defeat. “I admit I might have had something to do with it, but at the end of the day it wasn’t me who stepped in and put a stop to it. It was you Chris … and it had to be you.” he says as Chris looks at him curiously.

“What …”

“You did the right thing Chris, no matter what anyone else says. They can say that you stabbed him in the back; that you turned on your best friend, any number of things but no one person who’s saying that has had to stare Kurt Noble down as of late. At the end of the day Chris you did something no one in that locker room was willing to do, and that’s sacrifice themselves for a friend” Terry finishes as Chris pauses contemplatively.

“Come on Terry, really? That’s your best veiled shot …” Chris adds as once again he attempts to leave the conversation with Marvin, only to have his efforts rebuffed.

“It’s not a veiled shot at you at all Chris. Look at me” he says before pulling his arms to the side, ‘exposing’ his entire person. “I spent my entire life fighting for an opportunity to get a shot at the Undisputed Championship and when it came, I did everything in my power to win. Yours came along and you willingly threw it aside for Kurt Noble”

“What are you talking about?” responds Chris.

“I’m not a fool Chris. You know I was right behind you last Sunday. You fell right into it and you shouldn’t have” Terry surmises accurately as judged by the fall in Chris’ demeanour. “You knew that you couldn’t walk out with the title if you were to salvage your friendship with Kurt. You knew you couldn’t even last another minute without it appearing like you were attempting to steal his glory. It shouldn’t have been Biggs and I as the final two Chris, it should’ve been us.”

Chris lifts his head and looks at Terry in resignation. “He’s my best friend. I wasn’t going to sacrifice everything Noble-Hart has ever accomplished for a fleeting chance at a title belt. I’ve got one Terry, and that’s the one I intend to fight for” he muses as Terry shrugs his shoulders.

“I hope Noble does too Chris … as a person, and selfishly; I don’t want to have to face you” Marvin adds as Chris meekly smiles. “If he doesn’t though, this is your opportunity to strike it big, to get out of his shadow. Everyone’s got you pegged as Kurt Noble’s lackey but I know differently Chris. If Kurt wants to draw this out, everyone’s going to take notice.”

Chris turns and looks at him for a moment, all the anger that had previously been present replaced by an almost unseemly calm. “Thanks Terry” genuinely says Chris as he grabs his bags and finally is able to stroll past Terry and enter the awaiting elevator. Marvin watches him as the door closes shut as he nods his head.

“This will be interesting”

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Thursday, November 6th
9:15 AM

“… Azrael Goeren”

Staring straight forward, an eager expression on her face, Kylie Demens looks across the desk at the large man seated with his back to the camera. “I’ll need some time to think about this.”

“What’s there to think about? He’s one half of the tag team champions, it’s a marquee match for Azrael to make his debut in. Besides, what’s the harm in booking the match? You’re simply protecting your investment” Kylie states before a smug smirk comes across her face. “I mean, what a let down it would be for the biggest free agent signing since Kurt Noble to show up and lose his first match.”

The room grows quiet for a moment as the man moves his arm towards his face, still hidden from the camera. “I think you’re doubting …”

“Doubting?” Kylie interrupts in a flabbergasted tone. “When was the last time he won a match? There are no guaranteed victories in Action Packed Wrestling except when you step into the ring with him. Even Nick Watson has won more often than he has.”

“Ms. Demens …”

“It’s Kylie” she interrupts again before the room becomes mired in contemplative silence. “It’s your first main event and you’re going to want to make an impact with it”

“Then why don’t I book Kurt versus Azrael?” the man asks Kylie.

“No one wants that” she stammers defensively, miffed at the very suggestion. “They’ve seen Kurt Noble versus Azrael Goeren before; it’s unoriginal, stale. Besides, who would they pull for? In case you haven’t noticed Kurt Noble isn’t as popular as he once was.”

Kylie halts herself as she beams at the shadowed figure, trying to read his facial expressions. “Not only that but there’s no one in this company that can put on a match like he can. The Sindicate, Level-One, tonight … he’s the fat girl that makes your new bauble appear especially radiant” she adds, a cruel smile coming across her face at the last remarks as the man grunts and leans back in his chair.

“You’re right Kylie” he states before pausing as he surveys he expression, her upper lip slightly beginning to curl. “It needs to be something the fans can really sink their teeth into and this could be it. You’ve got your main event, Chris Hart versus Azrael Goeren.”

“Thank you sir” Kylie exclaims genuinely, before the malevolent smile returns. “I’m sure we’ll both be happy with the results.”

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Thursday, November 6th
3:20 PM

“God damn it Kurt! Pick up your phone!”

Chris angrily hangs up the phone as he strides into the Verizon Center, nodding hello to the security personnel supervising the talent entrance, and then at the various personnel associated with the backstage happenings off Action Packed Wrestling. Rounding the corner, his disposition immediately turns sour as standing in front of his locker room as a smiling Kylie Demens. “Hello, Chris” she says, her tone exceptionally saccharine.

“You’re like herpes, you know that” Chris venomously carouses.

“That was the last thing on your mind when you were gettin’ some” Kylie chuckles as she seductively lifts the edge of her skirt before letting it fall back down and putting her finger to her mouth. “There’s something I wanted to tell you. It escapes me though … maybe if you hadn’t been a backstabbing son of a bitch I’d be able to remember these things as opposed to dealing with a lunatic formerly known as Kurt Noble!”

“It’s pathetic how little you really know about him …”

“I mean did you see him? Posting on message boards with his fans, the latest edition of Nobledrive …” she interrupts. “Sorry, stupid question. Everyone knows you watched it Chris. I mean if Kurt had let you you’d cleaned his jock strap with your tongue.”

“Eloquent as …”

“He’s gone mental Chris and it’s all thanks to you. You weren’t satisfied with being the Tag Team Champions of Action Packed Wrestling. You were tired of standing in the wings, applauding, as Kurt Noble won another match. You were tired of being second tier, weren’t you Chris? Tired of living in Kurt’s shadow, tired of him coming first? There’s a reason the team was named Noble-Hart right?” she cackles as Chris glares at her, the fire a blaze in her eyes.

“I …”

“So you decided to go off the script and take him out. It should’ve been so easy Chris. You going in first and tiring everyone out, letting Kurt pick up the scraps. I was watching Chris and I thought you’d made the right choice … until Kurt came into the ring and you decided to eliminate him first!”

“You …”

“You’re going to have to live with your choices Chris and you know what. I remember what I came here to say: I’m sorry … I’m sorry that you’re an idiot who decided to stand up to Kurt Noble because I know you think tonight he’s going to come out and apologize for everything, that he realized what he’d done, and that he’s going to change. You think he’s going to thank you Chris but you’ve got another thing coming; I doubt you can even fathom what Kurt Noble’s going to do to you in revenge in Chris. I mean look at what you’ve taken from him?”

“I haven’t taken …”

“You turned his wife against him Chris! After everything he did to win her back you just couldn’t leave well enough alone. You turned the fans against him! After everything he did to get you back into wrestling you decided it was time to make your name! More importantly though, you abandoned him! You turned your back on him long before One Night in Hell when you were ‘taking care’ of Level-One as opposed to helping Kurt with Terry Marvin. You had this planned all along, Kurt knows that, and believe me; he’s not going to forget it. You want to attempt to use Kurt as your stepping stone to greatness Chris, be my guest, but the only thing that’s going to come out of this is the final chapter in the sad story of Chris Hart.”

Chris doesn’t attempt to interject finally, drawing a smile from Kylie. “I did throw you a bone though Chris” Kylie says with a schadenfraude filled smile. If you think you can take on Kurt Noble, that you’re capable of beating him, that you’re not scared of stepping into the ring with the best in the world … then tonight shouldn’t be a problem. You see I had a talk with the new general manager and I managed to score you a match in tonight’s main event … against Azrael Goeren.”

“Hmm?” Chris snorts as Kylie shakes her head.

“What?” she barks.

“Nothing” Chris says as he places his hand on the handle to his room. “I just think it’s interesting that you think Azrael Goeren scares me Kylie. If Level-One didn’t phase me and couldn’t kill me, if the Elimination Chamber didn’t bother me, and couldn’t keep me down, then what makes you think that Azrael Goeren’s going to even be a blip on my radar.”

“You’re already getting full of yourself … I like it” she says as Chris slyly shakes his head.

“No, you’re missing the point. I said I was going to survive against Level-One and I did. I said I was going to eliminate Kurt Noble and I did. I keep my promises Kylie and tonight, I’m going to beat Azrael Goeren … just … for … you!” Chris says as he turns the handle and pushes the door open. “And for the record there’s only one thing that scares me Kylie …”

Chris steps into the locker room as Kylie stares at him. With a smile on his face, Chris slams the door in her face with a final, perfunctory, shot.

“Me!”

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