Post by Peter Vaughn on Aug 26, 2023 16:45:42 GMT -5
Peter Vaughn's recent struggles have come to an end, although not how Vaughn ever expected.
Vaughn had been suffering from hallucinations, slowly overtaking his life as he strove to stay a top contender. In desperation, he had made his way overseas, searching out the Chalice of Hygieia, a mystical item that was said to be able to make souls whole. Vaughn found it, expecting it to allow the destruction of the 'visions' that plagued him. Instead, the Chalice seemed to bring the pieces together, repairing fragments that Vaughn never acknowledged in his psyche, changing him without his consent.
Now, Vaughn undertakes a new journey. Who is he, now, that he's apparently unified for the first time in years? And what shape will he be in, having lost his WGWF World Title?
~We find ourselves moving down a hospital hallway, a location that many of us know all too well. The camera slowly turns into one of the rooms, showing a man sitting on the edge of the bed, buttoning up his shirt. He tugs at it, trying to adjust its fit.~
Thomas: It feels looser for some reason.
~He glances over to his right, where his half-brother, Peter Vaughn, is standing with a smile on his face.~
Vaughn: You've been eating hospital food for weeks. You're bound to have lost some weight. You didn't have a lot of muscle to begin with.
~Thomas scoffs at the joke, even though he seems content. Last month, Thomas was stabbed during an assault from some Hellish cultists, seemingly in revenge for Vaughn's part in rescuing a soul from Hell. It was touch and go for a while, but Thomas is finally being discharged, free to continue his life... with a few restrictions. He starts to stand, then thinks better of it, slipping back down, as Vaughn steps in closer.~
Vaughn: Easy, Thomas. Let's wait for the wheelchair.
Thomas: I don't need a stinking wheelchair. I can walk. I just... don't feel like it, yet...
Vaughn: Uh huh. Well, it's hospital policy, so hang in there. You need anything? Water? Need a hand to the restroom?
~Vaughn stands attentively, which has Thomas eyeing him sideways, still confused by his half-brother's new attitude.~
Thomas: For the last time, Peter, I'm okay. Really.
Vaughn: Okay, well, we've got a room set up for you at the ranch for the next few weeks. I also hired a nurse. You'll like her. Her name is Janet.
~Vaughn gives Thomas a wink, which throws off Thomas even more, considering that Vaughn never seems to have any reaction to the opposite sex... or either sex, really.~
Thomas: Are YOU feeling okay?
Vaughn: Never better.
Thomas: I know you took a hard loss, dropping the WGWF Title after such a long reign. It's got to be eating at you.
Vaughn: Nah. Not really. I made mistakes, but they're easily rectifiable in the rematch. I'll get my belt back soon, don't you worry.
Thomas: Okay, sure, but you'd normally be raging still at this point... in fact, I'm surprised you're here.
Vaughn: You're checking out, why wouldn't I be here?
~Thomas is saved from answering this question as the door swings open, bringing in the doctor. He comes over, handing Thomas a set of papers.~
Dr. Roberts: Here you are, Mr. Hill. This is your discharge paperwork, as well as a few prescriptions you need. You will still have some pain...
~Before Thomas can say anything, Vaughn quickly snatches the paperwork away.~
Vaughn: I'll take care of that. He'll have everything he needs.
~The doctor stares at Vaughn for a second, as does Thomas. A nurse then comes in, pushing a wheelchair.~
Thomas: Oh, c'mon, do I really...
Vaughn: Yes, you do. Now stand up, I'll help you...
~Vaughn manages to get Thomas into the chair, with the nurse's help. The doctor nods to the nurse, subtly getting her to take Thomas away.~
Dr. Roberts: Mr. Vaughn, if I can just have a word with you for a second...
~Curious, Thomas tries to look back, but he's already being pushed out. Vaughn turns to the doctor attentively.~
Vaughn: What's up, Doc?
Dr. Roberts: Please make sure that Mr. Hill attends all of his physical therapy, so there are no setbacks. Also, you MUST keep a close eye on his medications. Some of them can be quite addicting if not followed correctly.
Vaughn: I'll be on top of it, doctor. You don't have to worry.
Dr. Roberts: I'm afraid circumstances dictate my worrying nature, Mr. Vaughn. Forgive me, but you... haven't been here that much since your brother was attacked. We've had to coordinate a lot through your ranch. It felt like... you weren't really invested in his well-being at the time.
~Vaughn shakes his head, knowing that what the doctor says is true.~
Vaughn: I was going through... a bit of a rough patch. But I've gotten through it, and I guarantee you that I'll do everything in my power to help my brother. Family is everything.
Dr. Roberts: That's good to hear. I had been concerned you were going to be a... problem for his rehabilitation.
Vaughn: No, sir. I'm going to be the solution for it. He'll be 100 percent in no time flat. You'll see.
Dr. Roberts: I hope that's true, Mr. Vaughn. You can catch up with Mr. Hill now.
~Vaughn nods, quickly leaving, as the doctor turns away. He still seems unsure, but is at least comforted by Vaughn's answers. We cut away.~
It's a new day. A new life. A fresh start.
Here I sit, bereft of my championship, and yet ready to see what the world has to offer me. Its first gift? Bringing me into a Six-Man War, replacing a deeply dejected Lycana. It's only fitting that Jimmy & Lycy were trying to replace me, and I ended up replacing them. I'm sure I'll see them around eventually. So let's see where we've ended up.
First off, I've got my two teammates for the affair. Mac Bane and I have a long, colorful history, mostly ending up on the same sign. I know that he's one of the best in the business, a dominating force when he wants to be. I'm always willing to be his partner when he needs one. And then there's Justin York. I can't say I've had near the interaction with him, but I know he's had some success in the business. That said, I expect Mac and I will do a lot of the heavy lifting, simply because we have that team chemistry from CCPE and the Saviors. York can do his part, though, if he wants, by kicking some ass where he can.
There are plenty of assholes on the other side to kick, after all.
Let's start with ol' Spencer Adams, or as I like to call him, The Clinger. You see, Adams hasn't had a ton of success on his own. He hasn't been able to make himself a contender, no matter how hard he tries to be with the 'right guys'. I mean, Adams made a name for himself in a Rumble, but only because he stuck around and allowed others to do his dirty work, allowing him to cling to that rope like mold in a sink drain. He did the same thing at War Games, as he was only on the winning team because Jimmy decided to threaten a homicide in order to win. But you know Spencer's still going to be bragging about that for years to come. "I beat Peter Vaughn! True, I had nothing to do with the decision and I mostly got beat up by his team, but still, we won!"
Adams has to find a way to start winning on his own, instead of these little tag-team affairs, because otherwise, no one will ever take him seriously. And yes, I know he just got a victory over Jim Caedus at Grand Awakening. Congrats. You and I are now in the same boat: we beat Jimmy when he didn't give a damn about the business anymore. So it means absolutely nothing.
Sucks, don't it?
Next up, we've got Mr. Cable, who has been fighting obscurity as much as his namesake. You know everyone's streaming now, right? Still, I have to give the devil its due. Cable gave me an intense fight for the World Title not long ago, and very nearly took it away from me. I won in the end, decisively, but there were moments where I struggled to pull myself back together and keep the fight going. I could have easily given up a 3 count without realizing it. Thank goodness for good instincts, I suppose.
The question now is, was that Cable's last hurrah? His last opportunity to rise back up to the World Championship? Or can he find a way to climb up those rungs one more time with those old limbs of his, to try and grasp that brass ring? I don't know, Cable. I might have denied you your last gasp. But anything's possible right? Once I get my revenge on J-Mont (if that's even still possible now that he lost his career) and get my championship back, hey, I'm all for another tussle with an aging legend.
We just can't wait too long. Those social security payments will start rolling in eventually.
Third and finally, we've got Goth, another guy I've got some history with. I've taken you down before, too, Goth, back in the XWF, and I bet that loss still eats at you. But I've also supported you in the Saviors in Sin City Wrestling, and I'm looking forward to your return run there. I want to see you succeed... which makes this kind of... awkward. After all, I can't very well treat you with kid gloves, even if you are coming back from a near career-ending injury or two. I'm going to have to come at you full power.
That means I could accidentally put you back on the shelf without meaning to, and they'd probably take away my Saviors card.
Still, I won't insult you by not giving you everything I've got. I know your arms are going to be tired, trying to carry Adams & Cable across the finish line with you. I'm betting your back will be aching from the very first stomp you take to your spine, and it'll only get worse from there. JY, Mac, and I all tend to land some pretty powerful shots, especially when I'm coming off the top at full speed.
Just keep this in mind, Goth: it's nothing personal on my part. I respect you. But you'd be best off tagging in Adams and throwing him to the wolves to be massacred. Stay on the apron and enjoy the in-ring entertainment brought to you. But if you tag yourself in, expect the same kind of treatment I give to all of my competition.
Expect to get banged up. Expect to get bruised and battered, inside and out.
And expect that one of you will be taking the Plunge.
~The pictures cuts to outside later in the day, where we see Dr. Roberts walking into the parking garage as he looks behind him.~
Dr. Roberts: I'll see you tonight, Nurse Winnie.
~He smirks before letting the door shut, heading for his parking space. He reaches his car, a shiny Mercedes, and unlocks it. Before he can get in, though, someone grabs him from the darkness behind the car.~
Dr. Roberts: What? Who...
~Dr. Roberts is yanked away, out of our view, as someone in the shadows can be seen, swinging wildly at him with punch after punch. He gets slammed against the back of the car, gasping.~
Dr. Roberts: N... no... PLEASE...
~There is no mercy tonight. The doctor is again flung out of our sight, letting out a painful scream, as the assault continues. His assailant, though, is never seen. We slowly fade out.~