The Running Free III: My Stepping Stone

[Nathaniel Havok]

The Running Free III: My Stepping Stone


“Action Packed Wrestling Presents…
In association with Havey Creations…
My Stepping Stone”

Chapter I: Making Abnormal Headlines

Sunday - April 28, 2013
The basement of Abdallah the Butchers mothers house
20:00

[The scene opens up fairly "abnormal". Instead of our usual from Nathaniel Havok, in front of the camera stands Abdallah the Butcher. Abdallah (Not to be confused with Abdullah the Butcher) is a weekly internet show host, as well as a professional wrestling enthusiast. His show covers all avenues of entertainment. But for the most part, he focuses most of his energy on the sport of professional wrestling. Nathaniel has included this particular webcast as a part of his promo, for reason currently unknown. But maybe by the end, we'll know exactly why.]

Abdallah the Butcher
Hello ladies and gentlemen! As you know, I'm Abdallah the Butcher, and you're watching Abnormal Sports with Abdallah! The big news today is... Twin-isher and Fin-isher... Are they as faithful to Phoenix Wrestling as you think? Johnny Rebel... Could he be thinking the same thing as the twins? And finally... Nathaniel Havok is seen leaving a high-end restaurant. Shortly after, Evan Envi is seen leaving the same place. What in the world is going on here?

[The bulk of the show is then fast-forwarded. As fans see Abdallah in fast-forward mode, he seems to be moving faster than his 400lb. frame has moved in years. Finally, the fast-forward slows down, as an image of Nathaniel Havok pops up on the top-right portion of the screen, right above the head of Abdallah the Butcher.]

Abdallah the Butcher
Onto the breaking news of the evening. Not too much is known, but we can tell you that in an undisclosed location last evening, Nathaniel Havok was photographed, leaving a high-end restaurant. Shortly thereafter, the current APW Overdrive Champion, Evan Envi, was seen leaving the same place. I'll be honest, I know almost nothing about the man known as Evan Envi. Truth be told, I've never even been in the same room with him. However, I do know Nathaniel Havok. I've known Nathaniel for nearly ten years, and would like to think that the two of us are friends.

I reached out to both Nathaniel, as well as his lawyer, Cole Turner. Both men were very vague, when asked about Mr. Envi. Nathaniel informed me that he had seen Mr. Envi at the same place, but the two men never spoke to one-another. In a contradicting statement, Cole Turner informed me that Nathaniel and Evan did indeed have contact, shaking hands on Nathaniel's way out the door. Could this have been a small oversight by Nathaniel? Could Cole Turner just be trying to give his client some publicity? In all the years I've known Nathaniel, he has never once lied to me. In all the years I've known Cole Turner, Nathaniel's legal counsel, he's lied to everybody and their mother.

Let me clarify that I do indeed believe Nathaniel. Cole Turner is there to not only defend Nathaniel in a court of law, but to assist him in creating buzz around his client. These two men have been tight for years, and both have benefited from their working relationship. However, I would LOVE to believe Mr. Turner in this instance. Think about it! Nathaniel Havok and Evan Envi, friends!?!? Not only that, but the two men "ironically" having dinner in the same place, at the same time? I know Nathaniel, Nathaniel doesn't eat like royalty. He's a burger and fries kind of guy. But from what I know about Mr. Envi, he thinks that he is a king, and does indeed eat like one.

The fan in me hopes that Turner is spot on. However, Nathaniel might be asking him to leave a few things out. The mark in me hopes that not only were they eating at the same place at the same time, but they were eating together, discussing business. These two men have often shared an admiration for one another on-screen. On multiple occasions, Evan Envi has stated that Nathaniel Havok is among one of the last "real wrestlers" around. Respectively, on more than one occasion, Nathaniel Havok has praised the work of Evan Envi. These two men are completely compatible in their views of what professional wrestling should be today, and are two of the biggest names on APW's Thursday Night Overdrive.

Of course, I'm just attempting to create a little bit of buzz around this story, hoping to be the first one to break it. If Abnormal Sports were to be the first to break this story... MAYBE I could move out of my mother’s for once, and into my own place! But then again, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there really isn't anything to this story, just like Nathaniel says. Nathaniel may have never lied to me, but he has indeed lied to the fans in the past, on more than one occasion. Although be it for personal gain, but still... He has proven in the past that he's capable of hiding things for his own benefit. So let's look at another possibility. If these two were indeed there together, what could this mean for Action Packed Wrestling?

Imagine the possibilities of an alliance involving Evan Envi and the Enforcer of Sorrow, Nathaniel Havok. I wouldn’t rule it out, even though both men seem to be doing their own things right now, involved in their own ventures. But a super group involving Nathaniel Havok and Evan Envi? Come on, now! Overdrive would be a completely different place, with these two men on the same team. But we can't forget the fact that the two are indeed facing one another this next Thursday night on Overdrive. The two men will do battle one on one this Thursday, in what is sure to be a classic professional wrestling match!

With all of the possibilities, we can only wonder, wish, hope, and pray that this could very-well be something groundbreaking. However, sources and gut instinct tell me that we might actually be looking too far into this. Stars show up at the same place at the same time, more often than not. When I attempted to ask Nathaniel for a reason as to why he was eating there, Nathaniel simply told me that he was "out celebrating". No other APW personnel, or anybody else involved in the world of professional wrestling, were there that night. So it's kind of hard NOT to believe Nathaniel's story. Maybe he was just celebrating his definitive answer from A.C. Smith on this past Overdrive. Could be true, but maybe it's not. All I know is that we will update you as soon as possible, if any new details become available.

[The scene fades out as Abdallah continues talking. Although, there's nothing left for him to say that Nathaniel wants you to hear...]

Chapter II: My Stepping Stone

Wednesday - May 1, 2013
23:45
The Underworld - Far away from the Sources Chambers

[Ah, here we go. Good Ol' Nathaniel Havok never lets us down! We find ourselves to be somewhere in the Underworld. In a place that never seems to change its scenery, Nathaniel Havok is seen walking with his close confidant, Cole Turner. As they continue to slowly walk through the Underworld, things seem to be in shambles. Scorch marks everywhere, charred remains of former demons... It looks like the Underworld has lost a very crucial war. But none of them would ever have thought, that this war on the Underworld, was started by the man who rules over above-said Underworld...]

Turner
You do understand that there are still demons running around out here, right?

Havok
And?

Turner
The ones you haven't caught yet, are the ones who are running around taking all of these powers.

Havok
So, they become the new power brokers. We're going to need them after we begin the recruiting process.

Turner
That has already begun.

Havok
Good, then consider us ahead of schedule.

Turner
You seem to be fairly focused on what's going on down here, right now. Shouldn't you be focusing on Evan?

[Nathaniel looks at Cole with a smug look on his face.]

Turner
Don't underestimate Evan Envi! You know what he can do in that ring, you've seen it! Not only that, you've acknowledged it and praised him for it in the past!

Havok
Are you high, Turner... Or just incredibly stupid?

[Cole gives Nathaniel the same exact look that Nathaniel had previously given to him.]

Havok
I know what Evan can do, you silly bastard! There's a reason that no one has been able to take that Overdrive Championship away from him! Evan is a one in a million kind of wrestler, same as yours truly! We were cut from the same cloth, created from the same mold. There aren't too many of us left.

Turner
That still doesn't answer my question. You can't go into this thing thinking that this is going to be an easy win. It's just not going to happen like that! You're facing a mirror image of yourself!

Havok
No, no I'm not! Evan Envi is his own man, he's very different from me. However, we are quite similar. And you, you need to keep your mind on affairs down here. I've got things handled with my APW happenings.

Turner
But look! If you go into this match thinkin...

Havok
No, you look! Nathaniel Havok and Evan Envi have an understanding, you already know that! Regardless of what others think that they know, Evan and I have already discussed this! Evan Envi IS the king, and for right now, I do not wish to dethrone him. In all honesty, I'm looking forward to our time in the ring with one another. Be it one on one, be it together, be it any way they'd like to book us.

I've always wanted to wrestle Evan, and now I get my chance. I get the opportunity to step into the ring with a man that I know can put on a hell of a match, just like I can! Together, we could make this match the match of the year! While the rest of the world might think of this as "just another match", Evan and I have plans of changing that thought process. Giving us the time to put together an amazing match, is what APW has done. Evan and I, we have an understanding.

This match isn't about who can get ahead. This match isn't even about wins and losses. This match is about putting wrestling back on the map! Something that Action Packed WRESTLING hasn't cared about doing in ages, Evan Envi and I will accomplish in one night!

Turner
Would you consider this a friendly rivalry?

Havok
I wouldn't go as far as to call Evan Envi my friend, Cole. I'm sure Evan would put the knife in my back, just as quick I would put it in his! If it meant that one of us could shatter that glass ceiling, either of us would do it. But Evan and I, we're different. We don't have to put knives in backs. We don't have to kiss ass, we don't have to pander to fans. We go to that ring, prove that we're the best week in and week out, and the people just learn to accept it! That's why he's been able to hold Lady Overdrive in such high regard. He's doing his thing, and he's doing it better than most!

But where Evan and I DO start to differ, is the fact that I need this win! Evan has been on a roll for a long, long time, on Overdrive. I've been back a month, and had only one match. Sure, I won that match. Right on for me, right?

Turner
I...

Havok
Wrong! One win doesn't mean a damn thing, Cole. I've got an opportunity at Mayhem to bring the Xtreme Championship back home, where it belongs! I can't do that, if I don't beat the best that Overdrive has to offer! I can't get inside the head of A.C. Smith, if I don't beat someone that is quite obviously better than he is. And Evan Envi IS better than A.C. Smith! There's no question that Lady Overdrive and her better half, could take out that giant steroid, any day of the week!

I hope that A.C. Smith is close by, when Evan and I put on this classic. I want to show the world, as well as A.C. Smith, that even though Nathaniel Havok might have seen better days in the past, I'm still the same son of a bitch that ran Overdrive for a long, long time! Evan Envi also knows this, he knows how bad I want to beat him. And regardless of whether our goal is to win, or to put on an excellent wrestling performance... I'm still going to do whatever it is that I have to do, WITHIN MEANS, to beat Evan.

Turner
Within means? What in the hell happened to you, Nate?

Havok
What do you mean?

Turner
You've gone soft! The old Nathaniel Havok would have done ANYTHING just to win a match. But now... You've lost your edge, man! You've lost what made you... YOU! What happened, man? When did you change?

Havok
Just because I have respect for another wrestler, and wouldn’t take the chances that I normally would, doesn't mean that the Enforcer of Sorrow has gone soft! I'm still Nathaniel Havok, I'm still the Source of all Evil, and I'm still the man that decides whether or not you live or die. Keep that in mind, Turner. ALWAYS keep that in mind.

[Nathaniel stops dead in his tracks, as Cole continues to walk. Cole notices that Nathaniel is no longer with him, and stops to look back. He walks back over to Nathaniel, as Nathaniel looks around the Underworld, almost looking confused.]

Turner
You coming?

Havok
No, no I'm not. Actually, you go ahead.

[Cole looks confused. He thinks about things for a moment, before deciding to grant his bosses wish. As Nathaniel continues to look around, almost confused, Cole vanishes out of sight, continuing his walk throughout the Underworld.]

Havok
I know you're here. You can go ahead and show yourself!

[Nathaniel looks around for a minute, but no one appears.]

Havok
Dammit, Barbus! Show yourself, you coward!

[Out of thin air, Barbus appears right next to Nathaniel.]

Barbus
Nice to know you could feel my presence, my liege.

Havok
Feel you? Are you kidding? I could smell your stench!

Barbus
Oh, darn. Put downs? And here I thought that we were going to start off a fresh, new working relationship. My lord, a good relationship, working or personal, relies a ton on respect given.

Havok
I don't respect you. Remember? You're to do as I say, when I say, and I might let you live.

Barbus
So Balthazar isn't the only one getting that treatment, I see.

Havok
Why were you following me, Barbus?

Barbus
Why, whatever do you mean?

Havok
I want a purpose, and I want it now.

Barbus
I was just curious as to if you'd heard what Evan Envi had said yet.

[Nathaniel waves his hand over the face of the Demon of Fear. With the wave of his hand, Nathaniel now has gained knowledge of everything Evan Envi had to say to him. With a smirk on his face, he dismisses Barbus.]

Havok
Thank you, you're free to go.

Barbus
What? No unimportant small talk? No meaningless conversation? You haven't even asked me about the wife and kids, my lord!

Havok
No woman would ever want you, let alone breed a demonic imbecilic embryo with you. Get out of my sight.

[Barbus lowers his head.]

Barbus
As you wish.

[Barbus shimmers out of the room, vanishing into thin air. Nathaniel continues to look around the Underworld, never acknowledging the cameras.]

Havok
I want you to remember something, Evan... Overdrive, the show that YOU'RE the champion of... Nathaniel Havok held that show hostage for the better part of a year. While you were busy establishing yourself on APW television, I was busy taking it over!

[Nathaniel continues to look around, never looking into the cameras. He scoffs, and looks a bit offended.]

Havok
I have to be honest, you kind of called me out a bit. After dinner the other night, I really thought that the two of us were on the same page. Maybe we are, I don't really know right now. Part of me wants to believe that you're just hyping the match. Another part of me believes that you really do think my time has passed, and that it's time for Overdrive to be all about Evan Envi.

I have no problem sharing the spotlight with you, not even the slightest bit of a problem! But when you talk down on me, trying to convince the world that my time has passed, you and I start to have issues! I've been where you are right now, but long before you. My time at the top, made me the target of everyone in Action Packed Wrestling, even the man that runs the promotion.

You're right, Evan. Hurricane Jeff beat me. But remember, I beat him as well. So the way I see it is... You trying to convince people that my time is up, by using the fact that Jeff beat me once, is completely invalid. It seems to me that you and I differ on another level, because I would have actually done my homework, and chalked the Jeff/Havok feud up as a draw, ending at one win apiece. Sure, he beat me when it mattered most, but over a year later, and look what I've done!

I wasn't given time to recover, yet he was. While I was busy beating people he put in my way, he had time to recover, to train for ONLY me, and to do nothing but form a plan to beat me. Now that I've rendered that point invalid, you and I stand at a crossroads. We stand united, but at the same time, this week, we stand very much divided in not only our sides of the ring, but it seems as if it's our views as well.

I respect you, Evan. You know that the Enforcer of Sorrow backs and supports your cause in every single way possible. But where we start to take that turn in the opposite direction, is where our opinions lie on the others work, as well as career stance at this point in time. Evan, we both know that we're two of the best wrestlers not only in Action Packed Wrestling, but in professional wrestling as a whole. We both know that on any given night, we could easily and without effort, have the match of the night.

Problem is, while you continue on your reign of terror, I'm trying to pick mine back up. Thus, I need this win more than you. I need this win, I need the momentum that comes with it, and I need to show the world that even though the landscape has changed in a little over a year, Nathaniel Havok can still come back and take things over at the drop of a hat! I need this, Evan. While you stand comfortable in your ways, knowing that the entire roster understands your greatness, it's up to me to show them that Nathaniel Havok is still just as great as he once was!

Little big man, I mean Evan... We're the last of a dying breed. No pun intended. You and I are alike in ways that others don't understand, but soon will. But it seems as if Nathaniel Havok needs to put a few things into perspective for you, before we go into this match tomorrow night. You're on one hell of a roll, I can't deny that. NOBODY could ever deny that fact, Evan. You're an established star with a lot to lose. Yet, what you don't realize, is you've got nothing to gain. NOTHING!

Me? I've got everything to gain by defeating you. Beating the almighty Evan Envi, reestablishes the almighty Nathaniel Havok as one of the best that Overdrive has to offer. It doesn't seem like many people have taken me serious since my return. I've defeated Legion, talked an awful lot, but have nothing else to show for it. If I'm going to go into Mayhem as the odds on favorite like I always do, I need to establish myself once again.

So many are saying that I don't deserve this shot. They're saying that I should have waited my turn. Why? That title is still mine, as you and I discussed the other night, when you wished me luck in not only my Xtreme Championship match at the pay per view, but as well as our match tomorrow night. We both know that defeating the likes of Evan Envi, the king who possess Lady Overdrive, would definitely do the trick.

You need not worry about Nathaniel Havok beating you, and then coming after Lady Overdrive. That's your woman, I dare not touch her. But to get inside the mind of A.C. Smith, I need to beat the King. As you know, Smith couldn't touch you. But also, as you know, Nathaniel Havok is not A.C. Smith. Nathaniel Havok IS capable of hanging with Evan Envi, and tomorrow night, I show the world that Nathaniel Havok can BEAT Evan Envi. No matter the roll you’re on, no matter how long it's been since I had a high profile match on Overdrive, we both know that I can beat you.

Your own words, Evan... Your own words are about to be uttered right back to you, used against you, and used to prove MY point! You called me a former World Heavyweight Champion. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, EVAN! While today, you make Lady Overdrive look just as important as the World Heavyweight Championship, the fact is that when I held the title that Michael Callahan is making irrelevant... Lady Overdrive wasn't anywhere near as important yet.

I've been where you are, but I've also been further. That means that I've experienced what you haven't! Higher profile matches, stiffer competition, I've been there, and I've done that! I took the damn World Championship from Asylum to Overdrive, without a draft! That's something that no person in APW could ever be able to say they did it BUT me! Evan, I understand that your confidence stems from the fact that you can back up your every word. But you need to remember who I am, before we step between those ropes!

I'm the man that tells you what I'm going to do, then does it, leaving you incapable of doing anything about it. I'm the man that tells you what I'm going to do, and then does the exact opposite, leaving you incapable of doing anything about it! So what is it that I'm trying to tell you, Evan?

[Finally, Nathaniel looks into the cameras.]

Havok
First, I'm telling you good luck. And second, a question.

...which Nathaniel Havok do you think you're going to get? Are you going to get the man that promised you a classic WRESTLING match? OR, are you going to get the man that gained your trust with a conversation over dinner, and then turns around and uses it to his advantage? Again, leaving you incapable of doing anything at all to reverse the outcome...

Evan, Nathaniel Havok has scores to settle, none of which involve you. But at the same time, they do involve you. Because beating you, will make settling those scores, that much easier. So thank you... Thank you, Evan! Thank you for being so great, and thank you, for being my stepping stone.

...Havok has spoken.

[Nathaniel is immediately engulfed in flames. When the flames disperse, Nathaniel Havok is gone, vanished into thin air. The scene then fades to black.]