Post by Centurion on Jul 10, 2021 17:48:47 GMT -5
Voice: WELCOME TO MONDAY NIGHT BRAWL!!
(The haze and fog lifts from Centurion's eyes as he is brought back to conscienceness by the sound of a loud announcer, followed by a giant roar of boos. Centurion blinks a few times and looks around, incredibly confused. It quickly dawns on him that he is sitting in a crowd, and whoever is standing in the ring is not well received by the fans.)
Voice: Please, there's no need to thank me. You being here - and, subsequently, you giving me your money, is all the thanks I will ever need.
(The voice sounds familiar to Centurion, but while it is similar to a voice he has heard before, it is not the exact same. Something is...different. Centurion tries to make out the person in the ring, but his eyes are still blurry from whatever ritual Roxy was running.)
Centurion: What the...where the hell am I?
Female voice: You can't tell?
(A second, familiar voice is heard, this time directly next to Centurion. This voice is soft, with a Russian accent. Centurion's eyes immediately light up as he turns his head toward the voice.)
Centurion: N...Nikita?
(The voice belongs to Centurion's now deceased ex wife, Nikita.)
Nikita: Hello, Andy.
Centurion: What...how...I…You're dead.
Nikita: One of the things I always loved about you is how observant you are. Yes, I know I'm dead. This isn't real. This is all taking place in a part of your mind you never explored.
Centurion: What? What part?
Nikita: The "what if". Look closer.
(Nikita gestures back toward the ring. Centurion turns his head, and he still can not make out the figure in the ring, but the signs and the ring apron become a lot more clear - they all say "WGWF", the federation Centurion had co-owned in 2013 before it was closed down and Centurion went into hiding. Centurion's confusion only grows as he glances back at Nikita.)
Centurion: I don't understand.
Nikita: Sometimes, in the deepest part of our minds, we store images of desires or dreams that we eventually keep locked away. It's almost like looking into the future, or a different reality, but only from your perspective. Right now, we are looking at a world you would have built had you not...changed.
(Centurion turns back towards the ring and squints, and finally, after a few seconds, he can make it the figure in the ring…
...it's Centurion.
He is as old as Centurion is in the present day, but he doesn't look at youthful. His hair is grayer. He has very noticable lines under his eyes and on his forehead. And he isn't in as good of shape. This is clearly someone who had retired from the ring and has taken some sort of office job.)
"Dream" Centurion: And yes, I know you are all mad at me for what went down at WrestleWars last night, but I assure you, I did it for the right reasons. I did it for my Long Term Vision. I did it for the WGWF. And I did it...for all of you. Jocelyn Camden is a faded star. Her time leading this company was over. She needed to go. She needed to be retired. And that's exactly what I did.
(The crowd continues to boo as Centurion - the real one - turns back to Nikita.)
Centurion: Why are you the one showing me this? Your death wasn't related to the WGWF at all.
Nikita: I don't know. You tell me. Your mind is what is creating everything you see in front of you. If I am guiding you through this vision, it's because you want me to.
Centurion: And why the hell would I want to be reminded of perhaps my biggest failure in my life?
Nikita: To put it all into perspective for you. To remind you that, no matter what you do or have done, THIS was what the future originally held for you. THIS is what you would be experiencing in July of 2021 had you not decided to become a better person.
"Dream" Centurion: The WGWF no longer belongs to the meek and humble! It belongs to those who wish to take initiative. It belongs to those who do not make excuses, and do not wait to act. Instead, the pounce on their opportunities! They seize the moment, and eliminate all those who dare to stand in opposition to them! THAT is what we need at the top of the WGWF! Not the heros, but the villains!
(The crowd continues to boo as Centurion cringes.)
Centurion: Jeez, was a comic book villain or something?
Nikita: Essentially, or at least, you were going to be. Remember, you spend the vast majority of your life being the "good guy". It's all you knew. So when you were on your path - your darkest path - you did the opposite of what you did before. You just found what you hated, and turned it into what you loved.
Centurion: So even as a villain, I'm boring?
Nikita: Remember, your vision…...but yes.
"Dream" Centurion: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, the newest members of Long Term Vision, and the ones who retired Jocelyn Camden for good
…..
……
GABRIEL BAAL, and the NEW WGWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, EDEN MORGAN!
(The boos of the crowd reach an all time high as out from the back steps Gabriel Baal, following by his wife Eden Morgan with the WGWF Title around her waist. "Dream" Centurion applauds in the ring as the real Centurion glances over at Nikita.)
Centurion: Wait, what? Baal and Morgan were never in the WGWF. They didn't even know the place existed.
Nikita: Yes, but in time, as social media became a tool in the business, you would have learned about them, and you would have become a big fan of their work. Their evil, cut throat nature would have been a perfect fit for your group, and you would have signed them to one of the biggest deals in the company's history. And of course, you can't spend that kind of money without protecting your investment, so you did all you could to put the title on Eden.
Centurion: That's insane. Even when I was at my worst, I still never did deals with folks as truly vile as the Baals.
Nikita: You didn't have the opportunity to. But what would have happened had Jocelyn Camden continued to one up you and the rest of Long Term Vision? What would have happened if every wrestler you threw at her got turned away? Eventually, you would have gone mad, and you would have turned to the most diabolical wrestlers you could find on the roster.
(Gabriel gets to the ring first, and holds the rope down for Eden, who steps into the ring. She takes off her belt and raises it high into the crowd, causing the crowd to react by throwing garbage towards the ring.)
Centurion: Wait, why did I choose Eden as the champion?
Nikita: Because no matter what universe you're in - whether that be the real world, or the world where you maintained your dictatorship over the WGWF, you will always have more respect for Eden than you will for Gabriel. Besides, it's the WGWF. Most of the champs were women by this time.
Centurion: True.
"Dream" Centurion: Never before has there been a collection of wrestling talent this great gathered in the same ring at the same time! Together, the three of us stand, unable to be stopped by any force! Jocelyn Camden is GONE! And in her place are the present and future of the company…
"VAUGHNEMOUS!!"
(The crowd EXPLODES as Centurion is cut off. He, as well as Gabriel and Eden, angrily turn toward the rampway, as out from the back steps Angelica Vaughn - however, instead of the usual pink get up and happy personality, she steps out wearing an all black leather outfit with a giant scowl on her face. Flanking her on one side is Roxy Cotton, but her usual seductive nature and revealing outfits are exchanged for a more "punk" look - a pair of ripped jeans and a t-shirt, and her long blonde hair has been cut and dyed black. On the other side of Angie is Ruby, but there is no superhero outfit. Instead, it's just Ruby, no mask, with a hoodie and a pair of jeans. All three stare into the ring as Gabriel, Eden, and Centurion point at them and scream.)
Centurion: They joined the WGWF, too?
Nikita: Not long after Gabriel and Eden signed, the WGWF started putting the pressure on their competitors. You eventually ran the UGWC out of business, so Angie came here.
Centurion: They all look so...different.
Nikita: They didn't start like that. In fact, they came in to the federation completely normal; however, you eventually beat them down enough that they had to completely change their personality. You and LTV beat Angie up so much that you stole her smile from her. She started to see that it was impossible to win without completely changing who she was. Ruby lost her belief in heroes. She no longer thought fighting the good fight was worth it, and she burned the mask and the suit, leaving the Banana Lime Blur behind forever. And Roxy? Well, so many awful things happened to Roxy under your watch that she wanted to become someone completely different.
Centurion: And at no point did I, or would I have, seen the error of my ways? At no point would I have prevented such evil from existing?
Nikita: No, because you did not have anyone around you to point you in the right direction. Your feud with Jocelyn caused Allison to never speak to you again. Nellie was so distraught by your actions that she changed her last name. And the one person who could have truly stopped you - the one person who could have prevent such pain from being spread onto the people, was gone.
Centurion: Who was that?
Nikita: …….me.
(The arena begins to fill with fog, and eventually, the fog becomes so thick that it engulfs everything to the point where Centurion can no longer see anyone or anything. Centurion reaches out into the fog toward Nikita, but it's nothing but air. He waves his arms around frantically through the fog, hoping to find her, but it is no use. Eventually, though, an arm reaches through the fog toward Centurion. Centurion grabs on the arm and pulls the person on the other end towards him, and through the haze comes Ruby.)
Ruby: Andy? ANDY!
(The fog instantly clears up again, but instead of sitting in an arena, Centurion is lying on the cool hardwood floor, with Ruby cradling his head.)
Ruby: Are you ok? You received one heck of a shock!
(The haze and fog lifts from Centurion's eyes as he is brought back to conscienceness by the sound of a loud announcer, followed by a giant roar of boos. Centurion blinks a few times and looks around, incredibly confused. It quickly dawns on him that he is sitting in a crowd, and whoever is standing in the ring is not well received by the fans.)
Voice: Please, there's no need to thank me. You being here - and, subsequently, you giving me your money, is all the thanks I will ever need.
(The voice sounds familiar to Centurion, but while it is similar to a voice he has heard before, it is not the exact same. Something is...different. Centurion tries to make out the person in the ring, but his eyes are still blurry from whatever ritual Roxy was running.)
Centurion: What the...where the hell am I?
Female voice: You can't tell?
(A second, familiar voice is heard, this time directly next to Centurion. This voice is soft, with a Russian accent. Centurion's eyes immediately light up as he turns his head toward the voice.)
Centurion: N...Nikita?
(The voice belongs to Centurion's now deceased ex wife, Nikita.)
Nikita: Hello, Andy.
Centurion: What...how...I…You're dead.
Nikita: One of the things I always loved about you is how observant you are. Yes, I know I'm dead. This isn't real. This is all taking place in a part of your mind you never explored.
Centurion: What? What part?
Nikita: The "what if". Look closer.
(Nikita gestures back toward the ring. Centurion turns his head, and he still can not make out the figure in the ring, but the signs and the ring apron become a lot more clear - they all say "WGWF", the federation Centurion had co-owned in 2013 before it was closed down and Centurion went into hiding. Centurion's confusion only grows as he glances back at Nikita.)
Centurion: I don't understand.
Nikita: Sometimes, in the deepest part of our minds, we store images of desires or dreams that we eventually keep locked away. It's almost like looking into the future, or a different reality, but only from your perspective. Right now, we are looking at a world you would have built had you not...changed.
(Centurion turns back towards the ring and squints, and finally, after a few seconds, he can make it the figure in the ring…
...it's Centurion.
He is as old as Centurion is in the present day, but he doesn't look at youthful. His hair is grayer. He has very noticable lines under his eyes and on his forehead. And he isn't in as good of shape. This is clearly someone who had retired from the ring and has taken some sort of office job.)
"Dream" Centurion: And yes, I know you are all mad at me for what went down at WrestleWars last night, but I assure you, I did it for the right reasons. I did it for my Long Term Vision. I did it for the WGWF. And I did it...for all of you. Jocelyn Camden is a faded star. Her time leading this company was over. She needed to go. She needed to be retired. And that's exactly what I did.
(The crowd continues to boo as Centurion - the real one - turns back to Nikita.)
Centurion: Why are you the one showing me this? Your death wasn't related to the WGWF at all.
Nikita: I don't know. You tell me. Your mind is what is creating everything you see in front of you. If I am guiding you through this vision, it's because you want me to.
Centurion: And why the hell would I want to be reminded of perhaps my biggest failure in my life?
Nikita: To put it all into perspective for you. To remind you that, no matter what you do or have done, THIS was what the future originally held for you. THIS is what you would be experiencing in July of 2021 had you not decided to become a better person.
"Dream" Centurion: The WGWF no longer belongs to the meek and humble! It belongs to those who wish to take initiative. It belongs to those who do not make excuses, and do not wait to act. Instead, the pounce on their opportunities! They seize the moment, and eliminate all those who dare to stand in opposition to them! THAT is what we need at the top of the WGWF! Not the heros, but the villains!
(The crowd continues to boo as Centurion cringes.)
Centurion: Jeez, was a comic book villain or something?
Nikita: Essentially, or at least, you were going to be. Remember, you spend the vast majority of your life being the "good guy". It's all you knew. So when you were on your path - your darkest path - you did the opposite of what you did before. You just found what you hated, and turned it into what you loved.
Centurion: So even as a villain, I'm boring?
Nikita: Remember, your vision…...but yes.
"Dream" Centurion: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, the newest members of Long Term Vision, and the ones who retired Jocelyn Camden for good
…..
……
GABRIEL BAAL, and the NEW WGWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, EDEN MORGAN!
(The boos of the crowd reach an all time high as out from the back steps Gabriel Baal, following by his wife Eden Morgan with the WGWF Title around her waist. "Dream" Centurion applauds in the ring as the real Centurion glances over at Nikita.)
Centurion: Wait, what? Baal and Morgan were never in the WGWF. They didn't even know the place existed.
Nikita: Yes, but in time, as social media became a tool in the business, you would have learned about them, and you would have become a big fan of their work. Their evil, cut throat nature would have been a perfect fit for your group, and you would have signed them to one of the biggest deals in the company's history. And of course, you can't spend that kind of money without protecting your investment, so you did all you could to put the title on Eden.
Centurion: That's insane. Even when I was at my worst, I still never did deals with folks as truly vile as the Baals.
Nikita: You didn't have the opportunity to. But what would have happened had Jocelyn Camden continued to one up you and the rest of Long Term Vision? What would have happened if every wrestler you threw at her got turned away? Eventually, you would have gone mad, and you would have turned to the most diabolical wrestlers you could find on the roster.
(Gabriel gets to the ring first, and holds the rope down for Eden, who steps into the ring. She takes off her belt and raises it high into the crowd, causing the crowd to react by throwing garbage towards the ring.)
Centurion: Wait, why did I choose Eden as the champion?
Nikita: Because no matter what universe you're in - whether that be the real world, or the world where you maintained your dictatorship over the WGWF, you will always have more respect for Eden than you will for Gabriel. Besides, it's the WGWF. Most of the champs were women by this time.
Centurion: True.
"Dream" Centurion: Never before has there been a collection of wrestling talent this great gathered in the same ring at the same time! Together, the three of us stand, unable to be stopped by any force! Jocelyn Camden is GONE! And in her place are the present and future of the company…
"VAUGHNEMOUS!!"
(The crowd EXPLODES as Centurion is cut off. He, as well as Gabriel and Eden, angrily turn toward the rampway, as out from the back steps Angelica Vaughn - however, instead of the usual pink get up and happy personality, she steps out wearing an all black leather outfit with a giant scowl on her face. Flanking her on one side is Roxy Cotton, but her usual seductive nature and revealing outfits are exchanged for a more "punk" look - a pair of ripped jeans and a t-shirt, and her long blonde hair has been cut and dyed black. On the other side of Angie is Ruby, but there is no superhero outfit. Instead, it's just Ruby, no mask, with a hoodie and a pair of jeans. All three stare into the ring as Gabriel, Eden, and Centurion point at them and scream.)
Centurion: They joined the WGWF, too?
Nikita: Not long after Gabriel and Eden signed, the WGWF started putting the pressure on their competitors. You eventually ran the UGWC out of business, so Angie came here.
Centurion: They all look so...different.
Nikita: They didn't start like that. In fact, they came in to the federation completely normal; however, you eventually beat them down enough that they had to completely change their personality. You and LTV beat Angie up so much that you stole her smile from her. She started to see that it was impossible to win without completely changing who she was. Ruby lost her belief in heroes. She no longer thought fighting the good fight was worth it, and she burned the mask and the suit, leaving the Banana Lime Blur behind forever. And Roxy? Well, so many awful things happened to Roxy under your watch that she wanted to become someone completely different.
Centurion: And at no point did I, or would I have, seen the error of my ways? At no point would I have prevented such evil from existing?
Nikita: No, because you did not have anyone around you to point you in the right direction. Your feud with Jocelyn caused Allison to never speak to you again. Nellie was so distraught by your actions that she changed her last name. And the one person who could have truly stopped you - the one person who could have prevent such pain from being spread onto the people, was gone.
Centurion: Who was that?
Nikita: …….me.
(The arena begins to fill with fog, and eventually, the fog becomes so thick that it engulfs everything to the point where Centurion can no longer see anyone or anything. Centurion reaches out into the fog toward Nikita, but it's nothing but air. He waves his arms around frantically through the fog, hoping to find her, but it is no use. Eventually, though, an arm reaches through the fog toward Centurion. Centurion grabs on the arm and pulls the person on the other end towards him, and through the haze comes Ruby.)
Ruby: Andy? ANDY!
(The fog instantly clears up again, but instead of sitting in an arena, Centurion is lying on the cool hardwood floor, with Ruby cradling his head.)
Ruby: Are you ok? You received one heck of a shock!