Post by Raion Kido on Dec 31, 2022 13:42:12 GMT -5
“One of the best in the world.”
So ended the World Series of Wrestling, and “The Lion” Raion Kido had been in the podium - ranked in the top three.
“But not number one.”
And while he was happy to have reached that high a spot in his very first year - it rankled him that he was not number one.
“But there’s only one thing to do - nothing but to rise again and reach the top!
He had ended 2022 with only five defeats, having been a World Champion, and still holding a briefcase that would enable him to obtain a rematch at the time of his choosing. But that would have to wait until 2023, although there was a preview just waiting for him in WGWF.
“There’s still the best in the world…”
Twenty people in the West Coast Rumble - among them Mark Flynn and Peter Vaughn. The man that had beaten him for the XWF Universal Title, and the man who won the World Series of Wrestling.
“... and that shall be me!”
Thus ran the Lion’s thoughts inside his head as he wandered through the streets of Las Vegas. The vivid lights of the city bombarded his senses as he walked, but as he looked up to the sky, there was something that he never stopped seeing.
A lone single star, twinkling in the distance above the chromatic excess of Sin City. A star that led to the west - the brightest star of the night sky, and the heart of the constellation that had guided him since birth:
Regulus of the constellation of Leo - the heart of the Lion.
“Hmm?”
It was at that moment that the young Japanese wrestler decided to follow it - no longer wandering, but chasing it as if it were to fade away.
“Say, is that not Raion Kido? The wrestler that shook the XWF to its core?”
“Why he is! Hey, Lion! Nice to see ya! What brings you around to Vegas? And why the rush?”
“Ah!”
Two fans spot him in his way and approach him, which forces him to stop before he really takes off. After all, he is a polite man, and it would be rude to disrespect the people that follow his road.
“I’m sorry, friends, I was distracted. There was a star that I was following, and I wanted to see where it led.”
He points up to the sky at Regulus.
“Do you see it?”
The two tourists look up to the sky, squinting their eyes, and after a while, they manage to spot the distant star.
“I see it! Nice eyes to spot it under all the neon signs and stuff!”
“And now I want to see where it goes too. Mind if we tag along? We got nothing else to do anyway.”
It wasn’t like the Lion had any reservations to that either, so as an answer, he smiles.
“Of course not. Walk with me.”
Moments later, the Lion and his two companions make their way through the Sunset Strip, the twinkling light of Regulus their guide.
“You didn’t say what brought you here, Mr. Kido.”
“Ah, sorry - I am here for the WGWF West Coast Rumble. I have… several things to do over there.”
“You want to get in Chris Page’s federation? You’re facing him in his special Pay-Per-View!”
“Yes, but it’s not just that, ma’am. There are several people over there that are due a reckoning. There is Mark Flynn who won the XWF Universal Title from me. There is Peter Vaughn that was first in the World Series of Wrestling.
There is all of that, ma’am. For me, this is vindication. And that’s what I chase just as that star that guides our way. But it looks like we are exactly at our destination!”
The star is now above the one building in Vegas that overshadows everything else around the city - the ARIA Resort and Casino.
A smile now on his face, the Lion turns towards the fans.
“Well, sir and ma’am, it appears it is your lucky day. If you feel like trying your luck at gambling, or to treat yourselves to anything else here, go for broke - it’s on me. Thank Athena for complimentary treatment, right?”
“Dude! Thank you so very much! We’re going to have the time of our lives!”
“You are really one in a million, Mr. Kido! But what could you be looking for at the ARIA of all places?”
“Let us go in, and I shall show you.”
As they cross the resort’s entrance, among the shining marble floors and tiled walls, they are greeted by a sitting, smiling figure upon a marble plinth - a jolly, bald man with a protruding belly, on whose hand is a rosary of beads.
“The Buddha, lady and gentleman. That’s what brought me here.”
At the base of the plinth, there is a carved inscription at which the Lion points.
“IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, I ALONE SHALL RULE”
“That is what I have been looking for all along. That is what my star guided me to see… and now I know what it is that I must do.”
“I understand, Raion. You mean to be the ruler of the West Coast Rumble, like the Lion you are!”
“Very deep for me, but good fortune to you, sir!”
The Lion motions towards the Buddha as he turns towards them.
“Don’t forget to rub the Buddha’s belly. It is said to bring good fortune before trying your luck!”
“We most certainly will! But will you be joining us?”
At this point, the Saint of Athena unstraps the golden box that he has carried at his back all along.
“I shall follow you shortly, friends. Let us not forget what time it is right now.”
“And what is that?”
The Lion’s only answer is a silent smile and a wink as he starts equipping his golden armor and his cape, which could only mean one thing.
It was finally time to make the cosmos burn.
“In Heaven and on Earth, I alone shall rule.
This was said by the Buddha at the time of his birth, but I doubt many in this City of Sin know about that, despite the statue I have at my back.
However, there is not one soul on this earth that does not know of this city of blinding lights.
And that exactly is what I mean to talk about, ladies and gentlemen, for I come to the WGWF to bring you a spectacle even the glitz and glamour of this city, and of the Velvet Rabbit, cannot hope to match.”
Some already knew him, some did not. But one thing was certain - after the day is done, all shall know the name of the Lion.
“You might have heard that I am a Saint of Athena, from an old Anime show, and that I am a warrior of justice and hope.
You might have also heard, more recently, that Raion Kido is one of the best wrestlers in the world.
And while I take pride in the compliment, I know that for me, it’s not enough.”
There is only room for one to be the best in the world - and that is exactly what Raion Kido means to be.
“The last time you heard me, I talked about a power that lives within all of us - the power of the cosmos, that inner strength that drives us to do the greatest of feats and accomplish the greatest of deeds when we tap into it and make our very souls burn.
And at the West Coast Rumble, you shall witness it with your very own eyes - and the other nineteen people here will feel it right in their bodies when I bring it to bear.
Therefore, without further ado, let’s get into it.”
Thus the Lion begins his speech - a fist thrust forward, and a snarl on his face.
“There’s three people here that dare not show their face. What exactly are they hiding from? I am as new here as they are, but at least I have the decency to show myself and tell you who and what I am, and what I mean to do.
If these three are incapable of giving the same courtesy to the people facing them, the thousands in attendance, and the millions watching at home, then they deserve no words from me.
Because to me, they are nothing - and when the time comes, I shall reduce them to nothing.”
But it was time for Raion Kido to address those that had felt his power before.
“There is Holden Ross - who knows exactly what I can do. The last time we met you did not see fit to say anything before our match - but I made it certain to let you know I was coming not to survive you, but to defeat you.
This time, however, I come to make a declaration to the entirety of the WGWF, to CCPE, and Chris Page himself. Imagine that. The President of CCPE, the owner of the WGWF, having to face his own World Heavyweight Champion on his own vanity show.
That is what I mean to achieve in one fell swoop, and who shall dare stop me!? Not one single soul in this competition, and certainly not Holden Ross!
So ended the World Series of Wrestling, and “The Lion” Raion Kido had been in the podium - ranked in the top three.
“But not number one.”
And while he was happy to have reached that high a spot in his very first year - it rankled him that he was not number one.
“But there’s only one thing to do - nothing but to rise again and reach the top!
He had ended 2022 with only five defeats, having been a World Champion, and still holding a briefcase that would enable him to obtain a rematch at the time of his choosing. But that would have to wait until 2023, although there was a preview just waiting for him in WGWF.
“There’s still the best in the world…”
Twenty people in the West Coast Rumble - among them Mark Flynn and Peter Vaughn. The man that had beaten him for the XWF Universal Title, and the man who won the World Series of Wrestling.
“... and that shall be me!”
Thus ran the Lion’s thoughts inside his head as he wandered through the streets of Las Vegas. The vivid lights of the city bombarded his senses as he walked, but as he looked up to the sky, there was something that he never stopped seeing.
A lone single star, twinkling in the distance above the chromatic excess of Sin City. A star that led to the west - the brightest star of the night sky, and the heart of the constellation that had guided him since birth:
Regulus of the constellation of Leo - the heart of the Lion.
“Hmm?”
It was at that moment that the young Japanese wrestler decided to follow it - no longer wandering, but chasing it as if it were to fade away.
“Say, is that not Raion Kido? The wrestler that shook the XWF to its core?”
“Why he is! Hey, Lion! Nice to see ya! What brings you around to Vegas? And why the rush?”
“Ah!”
Two fans spot him in his way and approach him, which forces him to stop before he really takes off. After all, he is a polite man, and it would be rude to disrespect the people that follow his road.
“I’m sorry, friends, I was distracted. There was a star that I was following, and I wanted to see where it led.”
He points up to the sky at Regulus.
“Do you see it?”
The two tourists look up to the sky, squinting their eyes, and after a while, they manage to spot the distant star.
“I see it! Nice eyes to spot it under all the neon signs and stuff!”
“And now I want to see where it goes too. Mind if we tag along? We got nothing else to do anyway.”
It wasn’t like the Lion had any reservations to that either, so as an answer, he smiles.
“Of course not. Walk with me.”
Moments later, the Lion and his two companions make their way through the Sunset Strip, the twinkling light of Regulus their guide.
“You didn’t say what brought you here, Mr. Kido.”
“Ah, sorry - I am here for the WGWF West Coast Rumble. I have… several things to do over there.”
“You want to get in Chris Page’s federation? You’re facing him in his special Pay-Per-View!”
“Yes, but it’s not just that, ma’am. There are several people over there that are due a reckoning. There is Mark Flynn who won the XWF Universal Title from me. There is Peter Vaughn that was first in the World Series of Wrestling.
There is all of that, ma’am. For me, this is vindication. And that’s what I chase just as that star that guides our way. But it looks like we are exactly at our destination!”
The star is now above the one building in Vegas that overshadows everything else around the city - the ARIA Resort and Casino.
A smile now on his face, the Lion turns towards the fans.
“Well, sir and ma’am, it appears it is your lucky day. If you feel like trying your luck at gambling, or to treat yourselves to anything else here, go for broke - it’s on me. Thank Athena for complimentary treatment, right?”
“Dude! Thank you so very much! We’re going to have the time of our lives!”
“You are really one in a million, Mr. Kido! But what could you be looking for at the ARIA of all places?”
“Let us go in, and I shall show you.”
As they cross the resort’s entrance, among the shining marble floors and tiled walls, they are greeted by a sitting, smiling figure upon a marble plinth - a jolly, bald man with a protruding belly, on whose hand is a rosary of beads.
“The Buddha, lady and gentleman. That’s what brought me here.”
At the base of the plinth, there is a carved inscription at which the Lion points.
“IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, I ALONE SHALL RULE”
“That is what I have been looking for all along. That is what my star guided me to see… and now I know what it is that I must do.”
“I understand, Raion. You mean to be the ruler of the West Coast Rumble, like the Lion you are!”
“Very deep for me, but good fortune to you, sir!”
The Lion motions towards the Buddha as he turns towards them.
“Don’t forget to rub the Buddha’s belly. It is said to bring good fortune before trying your luck!”
“We most certainly will! But will you be joining us?”
At this point, the Saint of Athena unstraps the golden box that he has carried at his back all along.
“I shall follow you shortly, friends. Let us not forget what time it is right now.”
“And what is that?”
The Lion’s only answer is a silent smile and a wink as he starts equipping his golden armor and his cape, which could only mean one thing.
It was finally time to make the cosmos burn.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“In Heaven and on Earth, I alone shall rule.
This was said by the Buddha at the time of his birth, but I doubt many in this City of Sin know about that, despite the statue I have at my back.
However, there is not one soul on this earth that does not know of this city of blinding lights.
And that exactly is what I mean to talk about, ladies and gentlemen, for I come to the WGWF to bring you a spectacle even the glitz and glamour of this city, and of the Velvet Rabbit, cannot hope to match.”
Some already knew him, some did not. But one thing was certain - after the day is done, all shall know the name of the Lion.
“You might have heard that I am a Saint of Athena, from an old Anime show, and that I am a warrior of justice and hope.
You might have also heard, more recently, that Raion Kido is one of the best wrestlers in the world.
And while I take pride in the compliment, I know that for me, it’s not enough.”
There is only room for one to be the best in the world - and that is exactly what Raion Kido means to be.
“The last time you heard me, I talked about a power that lives within all of us - the power of the cosmos, that inner strength that drives us to do the greatest of feats and accomplish the greatest of deeds when we tap into it and make our very souls burn.
And at the West Coast Rumble, you shall witness it with your very own eyes - and the other nineteen people here will feel it right in their bodies when I bring it to bear.
Therefore, without further ado, let’s get into it.”
Thus the Lion begins his speech - a fist thrust forward, and a snarl on his face.
“There’s three people here that dare not show their face. What exactly are they hiding from? I am as new here as they are, but at least I have the decency to show myself and tell you who and what I am, and what I mean to do.
If these three are incapable of giving the same courtesy to the people facing them, the thousands in attendance, and the millions watching at home, then they deserve no words from me.
Because to me, they are nothing - and when the time comes, I shall reduce them to nothing.”
But it was time for Raion Kido to address those that had felt his power before.
“There is Holden Ross - who knows exactly what I can do. The last time we met you did not see fit to say anything before our match - but I made it certain to let you know I was coming not to survive you, but to defeat you.
This time, however, I come to make a declaration to the entirety of the WGWF, to CCPE, and Chris Page himself. Imagine that. The President of CCPE, the owner of the WGWF, having to face his own World Heavyweight Champion on his own vanity show.
That is what I mean to achieve in one fell swoop, and who shall dare stop me!? Not one single soul in this competition, and certainly not Holden Ross!
And there’s someone else - same violent nature, same road of carnage, Mr. Bam Miller. A man who was voted Star of the Month not long after his arrival - but so have I. But unlike him, the name of Raion Kido is not mere novelty value.
For I come here determined to do the unthinkable, Mr. Bam - to rule the WGWF as I did the XWF. You are just another name that floats around the name of Chris Page, another violence addict that knows not what an actual hit is until they find themselves struck by my Lightning Bolt.
So bring your FIGHT, and your BRICK, and watch the former end, and the latter shattered. You pride yourself on being a hitter, but it is a very different thing to ambush someone for the XWF Xtreme Championship than to face one of the top people in the world in open battle.
Just ask Holden.”
A mischievous grin, before he continues.
“Next we have one of the final… survivors, for lack of a better word, of the World Series of Wrestling, Samantha Voxx, and what is there to say? She simply does not care. She speaks about being the Queen, but is quite content to rule from her supposed cabin in the woods.
If you cannot dedicate even a fraction of your time to someone like Fred Debonair - who questioned your entire identity - then how is anyone going to expect you to make your words on ruling a reality? And it gets much worse, Ms. Motionless, when your biggest event of note is your absence, although I suppose you are being true to your nature.
Motionless, indeed, is exactly what you’re going to be when the fangs of the Lion close upon your heart.
Who’s next? Paul Montuori - who seems to be more interested in sex than actual wrestling. The one place in which he ever attained gold shut down, and he failed elsewhere. From Fight ONE, to Level Up Wrestling, to Pro Wrestling Excellence, there is nothing of note he has ever achieved.
Tell me something, Paul - what exactly are you doing here? You couldn’t make a mark in wrestling - like you couldn’t in adult entertainment. Was having sex as an occupation too exhausting? Were the STIs a bigger danger than injury? Here is a man who could not last in a business of carnal desires. What makes him think he has the gall for this?
Or maybe it’s something worse- you were tired of having to live with your jealousy. All those years compared to your cousin and nothing to show for it, but here we have a twist. He was one of those six WSOW survivors that went without notice, and you stand now against one of the top three. And since he could not be bothered signing up for this event, I have to deal with you instead.
But so be it.
On January 2nd, The Dopest D00d to ever disgrace a ring makes a habit of looking for the BIG ONE, and I will be happy to give him just that - a big heart punch which shall return him to oblivion.”
Another pause, before he peels back his teeth and shows his canines.
“And then comes Ace Sky - a so-called “walking contradiction”, but more like a supreme case of ignorance, if we take what comes out of his mouth to faith. It is quite baffling that a 39-year-old has lived to such an age with the way his brains spill out of his head, and that an “assistant astronomy professor” has the bright idea to sell mind-altering substances to students, more so when, at that time, he was apparently sixteen years old!
You know what? This barely intelligible lump of flesh is a waste of time. You study the stars - and I use that term loosely -, I wield the power of the universe. There is no match here - you are simply outclassed.
Is this the quality of talent that comes to the WGWF? Here comes another slab of meat, the “Mecca of Manhood”, Mike Mason. Former bodybuilder and football player, because of course he has to be. Claims to have a massive member, because of course he has to. What’s next, a harem at home?
As if we already didn’t have enough honest-to-Athena examples of toxic testosterone, there has to be one that makes every effort to hit the “alpha male” checklist. You call it the embodiment of masculinity, but all this shows is a boy that has just discovered his manhood, and if it sounds disrespectful, it’s because it is, because you are another disgrace. All you do is pose and flex like you were at a bodybuilding pageant. Your entire worth depends on the world accepting your supposed masculinity - but there is someone here that does not.
So pay attention, Mike. Pay attention when Raion Kido comes and finds you, before his fist strikes your heart and you can but double over in pain.
And then you’re going to know what it is that makes a man.”
Now the Lion clenches a fist, his snarl now replaced by a stony expression.
“Next is the Epitome Mike Angelo - the epitome of what? Just in 2022 I have been in the ring with men and women considered to be the greatest in the sport - and I’ve beaten one of them for the top title in the XWF.
Where were you then, Angelo? Where was this Epitome that I have missed?
The only thing I see is a man who has not done anything now, he just did it long ago, and seeks to rekindle that flame in the hopes the world has not forgotten.
Whereas I, all over this year, have fought to earn and to hold a place of excellence, and I come to the WGWF to do just that. So instead of holding onto a twenty-year grudge, look to the here and the now. See the face of one of the top talents of the world.
And know that your place in history will be set in stone once the Lion sinks his fangs upon your carcass.
Oh, but Mike is not alone. We also have his friend, the “Kingdom” Fred Debonair, who did not even make it to the World Series of Wrestling final survivors. The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. Hah!
As if those words would mean anything to a Saint of Athena - especially when, put together, you could not even reach the finals, and I reached the very podium. Tell me then, Fred. What will you do? Will you cling on to Mike until you both reach the end? Shall I have to bury you together?
For you see - this is not the first multi-person match in which I have been. Granted, there were not as many people, but I am used to alliances against me, and that did not matter when I won this.
The Lion now displays a briefcase with the XWF sign.
“The XWF Leap of Faith briefcase. It didn’t matter that 6 others joined against me, I beat them all, and so shall it be here.
And I’m going to make a fine story with you, Mr. Kingdom. All the King’s horses, and all the King’s men, shall not be nearly enough when Raion Kido comes to town. Maybe I’ll leave you for the end and see you and Angelo clutch each other in sheer terror as gladiators once they’re left staring down at the maws of the Lion.
And maybe the Kingdom shall end in the only way it is meant to end - in blood.”
The Lion drags his thumb across his throat - staring fixedly at the camera.
“Comes next Cholo, Giovanni Santana. Deadly Sins, and I know what that is like - as Xavier Lux was the first ever opponent I’ve ever beaten. But let’s give him a break. At least, Mr. Santana, you had an impressive showing in the Quag Cup tournament, but you’re now facing someone that actually made it to top quality gold - and isn’t done with having done so once.
And while you may look fondly at the Quag Cup, I look at the World Series of Wrestling, and say I should be number one. This is just another step in the way of doing that - to take on the supposed elite of CCPE and everyone that dares step foot into Chris Page’s ring.
So nothing personal, Mr. Santana, but this includes you. You’re yet another name among the other nineteen there are to beat - and though you’re far from last in my estimation, you’re not going to have what it takes.
Because as much as you will want to earn the WGWF World Championship, mi amigo, I know that I not only want… but that I also can.
And that if you get in the way, it’s going to be your final.”
The Lion drags his thumb across his throat - staring fixedly at the camera.
“There now follows someone named the Punisher. You’re just waiting to see me take the low-hanging fruit, but I am no fox. I am the Lion, and I always fight fair. Unfortunately for Mr. Punisher, while he was unable to escape a cage before Buster Gloves, I was the one to give him his second loss in the XWF.
But of course, that would mean nothing to a man of the Punisher’s stature, because this isn’t about competing, BUT to make lives miserable. Let me guess, are you going to reach out to my dark side? Will you talk to me about pushing buttons? The last person that tried doing that found their great return to the XWF ruined because of yours truly - because there is nothing you can do to me or my conviction.
I hold within me the power of justice, and wield it solely for that purpose. Come the West Coast Rumble, Mr. Punisher, that is exactly what awaits. There is no darkness waiting for you. There is only light - the briefest crack of lightning, before it sends you to oblivion.
Which brings me, incidentally, to Max FN Daemon. Yet another guy to beat Centurion, which would be impressive if it weren’t for the fact that I did it earlier, and without the need to insult his whole career.
Nor throwing single.
Monotone.
Robotic.
One-liners.
Am I supposed to fear someone that speaks like they had a mental condition and a grungy accent, and that calls himself a Daemon? If we are to indulge you, then the Daemon faces the Saint. And we know how that story goes, does it not, Max?
In case you’re too drunk to figure it out, don’t worry, here it comes. Justice always wins - and so it shall in the WGWF - with the Saint standing triumphant, and the Daemon sent back into Hell.
Tell your father, once you get there, that it was Raion Kido that cast you down to the depths.”
Now Raion Kido crashes his fist against his breastplate - a loud clang echoing in the otherwise silent reception.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the people that really matter, and that brought me here: Mac Bane, John Cable, and THE Tristan Slater. Something is rotten inside CCPE, and it is because they needed someone whose worth they knew, to stand with them.
But here comes a warning for you, gentlemen. I too came here to win, and I too have something to show to CCPE. Now there is a chance for me to strike the greatest blow to them right there - and when the time comes, I shall not hesitate to face you, as I shall these others.
Make no mistake, gentlemen, I stand with you, but on January 2nd, that gets put aside. I wish you all fortune - but once you and I are in there, well… you too shall see the cosmos burn!”
Yet one more pause, before the Lion points directly at the camera.
“And then there’s Peter Vaughn - number one in the World Series of Wrestling. Which is exactly why it must be I that defeats him!
You and I should - no, must - do this one on one. Both of us XWF Universal Champions, and at the top of the WSOW. But only one shall be number one - and I intend that to be me.
That is why, Mr. Mechanic, this for me is the supreme prize - the WGWF World Championship, the defeat to CCPE, the XWF Universal Champion, and the number one of the WSOW - all in a single, devastating blow.
How exactly do you think I shall come into this now!?
This will be the ultimate fight, for the ultimate victory, and it shall take place here in the WGWF. And the victory that follows it shall be unlike anything the year 2023 has ever seen, nor will see after.
And it goes through you, Vaughn. Through you and Mark Flynn. Because there is still another thing between you and I, isn’t there, Mark!?
There is the matter of the XWF Universal Title - and the briefcase. There comes your reckoning, but this will be a sample - the warning light that strikes inside your brain and lets you know that the Lion has come - just like Leap of Faith.
Because you do remember, Flynn - who it was that won that match. And you know that, no matter how much you wish to claim it, I never tapped out. Now I come to rob you and Vaughn of your CCPE honors in your own territory, and that will be only the beginning - the rule of Earth.
And then, Flynn, there’s going to come the time where I take back the XWF Universal Title - and your Optimal Path shall turn into the Rule of Heaven…
And the Lion shall be your doom!”
The Lion’s mighty roar reverberates through the reception - almost as if the Buddha statue behind him meant to project the sound to the entire world.
“And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The Lion has spoken, and now he comes to the West Coast Rumble. And just as you shall remember my words, remember those of the Buddha.
In Heaven and on Earth, and on the West Coast Rumble…
… I alone shall rule.”
Fade to black.
4000 words (wordcounter.net)