Post by Peter Vaughn on Apr 18, 2024 21:50:19 GMT -5
~The picture opens up on a dark scene. It appears to be a thunderous evening in the West Texas plains, as there are flashes of lightning in the distance. Sitting on one knee, staring downwards, is Peter Vaughn. It's hard to fully read his expression, as he's never been one to show off too much emotion. But there are definitely some waves rising under the surface, if judging by his eyes. We hear a painful neigh, and the camera slowly pans out to show a downed young foal in front of Vaughn. The younger horse appears to have severe wounds to its abdomen, wounds that are usually unrecoverable. Vaughn puts a hand on the foal's side, calming it for a moment, as he looks at the man riding up towards him. The man jumps off of his horse and walks up, shaking his head.~
Cliff Sterling: Damn it. I was afraid of that. I'm sorry, boss, I don't know how this one got out of the pen. It doesn't make sense, all the gates were closed.
~Cliff comes around to the side, taking in the horse's condition. He quickly knows there's nothing that can be done.~
Cliff Sterling: The coyotes must have found him. Vicious animals. Boss, do you want me to...
~Vaughn raises a hand, silencing him. He looks down again at the injured foal, who tries once again to get up, without success. Vaughn pats it on the neck, before leaning in close and whispering to it.~
Peter Vaughn: Vengeance will be ours.
~With that, Vaughn pulls a revolver from his side holster, something he's taken to wearing now that he's running a ranch. He puts the nozzle of the pistol against the horse's head, before pulling the trigger. There's a single shot. Vaughn then stands up, turning to Cliff. We can see a few drops of blood splashed across his face, but he's ignoring it. He's staring forward, keeping his revolver out.~
Peter Vaughn: Let's find those coyotes. Shall we?
~After a moment, Cliff nods and turns, looking for where the tracks lead. He's far better at tracking than Vaughn is, although Vaughn has been learning on the job. He takes it all in, preparing himself for the hunt.~
Sometimes it feels like you can't trust anyone.
I thought this year, I had been doing better on my partnerships. Sure, Chris Page had quickly betrayed me, trying to take my TPW International Title, but other friends seemed to be sticking with me. That is, until last month, when Xavier Lux decided to brutally attack me after I had already been through a war. I had Xavier high on the short list of people I believed I could trust.
I was wrong.
Xavier decided that attacking Johnny Stylez/Jestyr Seryous/Multiple Man wasn't enough. He decided he would send a message by bloodying me up. Well, message received, 'old friend'. I know you've been ducking me since that happened. I've gone to Brawl, I've gone to Smash, and you've always made yourself scarce. I suppose I should have attacked you after a match like you did me... but I like to be original, and I also knew that I didn't have to rush anything.
When it comes to WrestleWars, you won't exactly be able to escape me.
You're going to find out, Xavier, what so many before you have realized: you don't piss off the Mechanic. I tend to take things a little... extreme when that happens. And since we're fighting in a match with no rules, I know I'll be able to get the revenge I'm looking for. I plan to torture you, Xavier, and I will do it, even if it puts my Blood Bath victory in jeopardy. I am set to make sure that you don't want out of there with the new championship.
But if I get that opening to truly rub it in your face, and pin you to become the new champ, well, that'll just be icing on the proverbial cake.
Still, you're the one I'm looking for, X. You're the target. You're in the crosshairs.
Prepare yourself. It's going to hurt.
~We switch back to a little later in the night. The skies have opened up, bringing down the rain from above all across the plains in front of them. Cliff is trying to keep his cowboy hat lowered, to block as much rain from his vision as possible. He turns back, as his horse complains, snickering for a moment.~
Cliff Sterling: Boss, it's getting worse. The trail is pretty much gone. It led up into this pass, but there's no guarantee they're anywhere up there. I think we've got to turn back and try another time.
~Vaughn comes up alongside him, riding his own black mare. He just stares over at Cliff, as it appears that the rain is nothing more than an inconvenience for him, if that.~
Peter Vaughn: So you're wanting us to give up?
Cliff Sterling: That's not what I'm saying, Mr. Vaughn. We'll come back later. I think Ms. Anderson would rather you not be out here in this storm. We won't even see the coyotes if they're close by.
~Vaughn stares forward, as if thinking through this comment. But he just raises his hand, pointing forward.~
Peter Vaughn: They're just up there. I can smell them.
Cliff Sterling: Smell them? Boss, I don't know...
Peter Vaughn: You don't have to follow me, Cliff. Go back, tell Sadie what's happening, and then feel free to pack your bags.
~With that, Vaughn spurs his horse forward, heading into the pass. Cliff sputters for a moment, then shakes his head and comes after him, knowing that Vaughn is too set on taking revenge to care about his own well-being. It's up to Cliff to make sure he returns.~
So let's talk about some of the others who I don't plan on making roadkill.
First off, good ol' Jesthny. I've already locked down a victory in our little Blood Bath series, but you certainly were willing to take a lot of abuse in that fight. So I know you'll be a definite threat to get in my way when I'm trying to throttle Xavier. I'm telling you now, Johnstyr... stay out of my way. Go and play with the other competitors.
Or else I'll spill even more of your blood.
Then there's Amber Mansley, who has been making a lot of noise about becoming a multiple champion after this weekend is over. I'm letting you know now, Amber, your best chance would be to no-show the Blood Bath, if you REALLY want to win that X-Division Title over on Smash. After all, your odds go way up if you haven't been cut to shreds in a violent brawl the night before. One thing I've learned in wrestling is that you need to prioritize to get what you want.
Okay, that's not really true. I would take on every World Title match that's set in front of me. That's how I'm a 12-time champ right now.
But don't follow my example. Take it easy on Night One, and avoid permanent injury from getting thrown through a window or anything. Then you can go do everything you can against Damage while you're at mostly 100 percent. Consider that some friendly advice.
The same would go for Ragnarok, but hell, you're fighting in two matches in one night, and you chose one of them to be a hardcore extravaganza. I've fought Enigma multiple times, and no way in HELL would I book myself to fight in another match when I'm going against him for a major title. You've really ruined yourself on this one, Rags. Similarly, Slater, you booked yourself against Robert Main... but then, I hear Main might take the night off, since you're not worth it, so maybe you'll squeak through.
I'll feel no concerns in beating the hell out of you irregardless.
Who's left after that? Rocco? Yeah, I don't know much about you. I tend to be a fan of your cousin Joe, but then, I've knocked that man out on multiple occasions, so I suppose you wouldn't call us 'friends'. More like 'associates'. But you, Rocco? You haven't even come to talk to me since you showed up and barged into this match. So you know what? No mercy for you.
Okay, a little mercy. I'll knock you out with a chair shot and let you just lay there. I won't be giving Xavier that benefit.
Really, guys and gals, everyone here knows me. I'm not one to back down from any sort of fight. I dominated the WGWF in 2023. I am a future Hall of Famer here for sure. And adding more gold to that resume couldn't hurt. But if it comes down to winning the Blood Bath championship or sending Xavier Lux through a stack of tables with the Plunge? I know which way I'm going.
Hopefully Xavier's got a friend left who will help him with the splinters. Because I'm going to be sticking them where the sun doesn't shine.
Looking forward to the chaos, boyos.
~Cliff is shown, riding on, keeping his eyes and ears open in spite of the torrential downpour coming down around him. He stops, reining in his horse, as he turns left and right.~
Cliff Sterling: Where did you go, boss?
~Suddenly, there's the sound of gun shots. Cliff spins himself and the horse around, heading further in. He rides smoothly but carefully, keeping his gun at this side. He comes around, finding Vaughn standing there, having dismounted from his horse.~
Cliff Sterling: What's going on? What were you shooting at?
Peter Vaughn: Thought I saw something...
~Vaughn turns back and forth, looking around, but there doesn't appear to be anything there. Cliff glances around as well, then shakes his head.~
Cliff Sterling: I don't see nothing, boss. Let's head back, okay? There might be flash floods if we keep going this way.
Peter Vaughn: I'm not giving up.
Cliff Sterling: No one is going to see it like that! Let's just...
~Suddenly, there's a loud growl from behind Vaughn. He slowly turns around, as we can see some glowing eyes appearing in the darkness. Vaughn raises up the revolver, pointing it that way.~
Peter Vaughn: Guess they were drawn by the gunshots.
Cliff Sterling: I reckon so.
Peter Vaughn: You ready?
Cliff Sterling: Locked and loaded.
~Cliff pulls out his own shotgun, reading it, as Vaughn takes aim. Several more sets of eyes appear.~
Peter Vaughn: Here we go...
~As if on a silent signal, the first coyotes leap forward together, aiming for throats. Vaughn and Cliff immediately raise their weapons as the attack begins. Two groups of hunters, meeting up. There's only room for one. The guns go off.~
I've been shedding blood in this business for years now.
I've gone through panes of glass. I've been sent into janitor's closet, having all sorts of cleaning supplies dumped in my eyes. I've strung people up in barbed wire, and I've taken that ride myself. I know all about what it means to put your life and livelihood on the line in a match like this.
I'm not sure some of the competitors are in the same mindset. I think some of them are going to panic when they see the amount of violence going down.
But I will not buckle. I will not break. Whatever the circumstances of this violent conflict, I am not going to give up one single yard as I fight my way forward. When I am done, I will probably be soaked in blood, both mine and others. But if it means that I got my vengeance, then so be it. I can always order a new pair of coveralls, and the scars will heal... eventually.
All that matters is that I end things my way. As long as that happens... I'm going to be pleased.
But most of you? You're not going to be happy after that night. You might not be happy for quite some time to come.
But smile. Scars add character. And your characters are getting quite a boost come Saturday.
See you all then.
~Slowly, Cliff gets back to his feet. He's rubbing his arm, where he either got bit or scratched. It's always hard to be sure in a chaotic situation like that. He looks around, blinking in the rain because his hat was lost during the skirmish. Nearby, another gunshot is heard. Cliff turns, ready, but Vaughn is just standing over the body of one of the coyotes. He fires again. And again. Until he's completely out of ammo. There are a few more clicks before Vaughn finally gives up, putting the gun in its holster, used up.~
Cliff Sterling: You okay, boss?
Peter Vaughn: I'm just dandy.
~Vaughn scours the area to make sure nothing else is coming. It appears that if there were any more members of the pack, they all fled when they saw what was happening. Those that didn't flee lay dead all around. Vaughn slowly kneels next to the one he shot multiple times, leaning in close.~
Peter Vaughn: Vengeance... is served.
~Vaughn then straightens up, taking a deep breath as if coming out of a trance.~
Peter Vaughn: Well, let's head back, Cliff. Sadie will be worried.
Cliff Sterling: ... Right, boss.
~Vaughn mounts his horse and rides off, with Cliff following behind him, taking one extra second to look around in bewilderment at what just happened. He then moves off after Vaughn, stopping only once more to snatch his cowboy hat from the bush it ended up on before heading off into the night. We fade out.~