"How can a man that proudly flaunts his deadly sins believe he can walk with Gods?" -Mikey Stormrage
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Where is this guy?
We find Vega dressed in head to toe black and white compression running gear, running sneakers and running specific sunglasses while standing outside of a park in San Jose, Calidornia. The sun is shining, but Vega seems vexed. Exasperated, he stares at his watch, which doubles as a heart rate monitor, hoping his agitated gaze will help the situation. Vega's attention is drawn towards a feint noise in the distance. The sound of an irritatingly small motor running grows louder and louder. Vega's face slowly shifts from confusion to annoyance.
You've got to be kidding me.
Vega cringes as Mikey Stormrage sluggishly slides onto the scene riding in on a red Vespa Scooter. Mikey doesn't look like he could be any prouder as he sits a top his motorized scooter.
Look at ya! You look like a Nike commercial or somethin'.
Vega ignores Mikey's statement and stares at him with a baffled expression.
What the hell is this?
It's a Vespa!
I know it's a Vespa. I mean why-
Isn't it awesome!?
Vega shakes his head, however he himself isn't sure if he's shaking his head in disagreement or disbelief.
No. Vespas are not awesome.
No?
No. Definitely not.
It's Italian!
Vega lowers his head and face palms himself.
God dammit.
Seemingly oblivious to Vega's frustration, Mikey looks around admiring his Italian scooter.
The guy said this shade is called Candy Red.
The guy?
At the Vespa Store.
There's a Vespa Store?
Well where do you think people get Vespas?
I, uh-
And look!
Mikey points to a white basket on the front of his scooter.
I got them to add a custom basket.
Almost feeling defeated, Vega feels as if he's now obligated to humor Mikey.
Why the basket?
Mikey smiles even wider as he reaches in and pulls out a bag from Taco Bell.
For my food!
Vega simply shakes his head while Mikey rummages through his bag. He pulls out a Crunchwrap Supreme and puts the bag back in the basket.
We were supposed to meet up for a run.
Stormrage slaps the Vespa's handlebar.
That's what this is for, partner!
Mikey takes a big bite out of his cheesy Crunchwrap with a delighted smile plastered across his face. Vega looks on in disbelief wondering if he should disturb the wild boar while he feasts.
Seriously?
Mikey response is muffled by a mouth full of Taco Bell, but can still be understood... barely.
Oh, my bad.
He reaches into the bag and pulls out a second Crunchwrap Supreme.
Here's yours!
Vega lifts his hand up, palm out, stopping the Crunchwrap from getting any closer to him.
No thanks.
Stormrage shrugs as he tosses it back into his bag. Before he can even swallow his first bite, Mikey takes another two bites in succession. Realizing he still has some room in his mouth, he stuffs the final piece into his mouth. He makes some kind of noise, trying to communicate, but Vega can't understand a thing. Mikey makes the same noise again, only louder. Vega grows more puzzled than before.
I have no idea- you know what? It doesn't matter. Let's just go. You should have no problem keeping up.
Mikey responds with another Crunchwrap muffled noise and a thumbs up. Vega starts jogging at a healthy pace into the park. Stormrage revs up his Vespa and rides it along Vega while chomping down his Taco Bell. The odd pairing make their way around the park on this sunny afternoon. Mikey, having finally finished his mouthful, openly admires the weather.
Not bad for February, huh?
Guess so.
Yup. Beautiful day for a run in the park.
Vega looks over towards Mikey while keeping his eyes on the pavement every now and then. He chooses to ignore the fact that Stormrage considers what he's doing to be "running."
You seem to be in a good mood.
Why wouldn't I be?
Vega hesitates to state the obvious...
Am I supposed to ignore the parade of pink elephants in the room?
Ooh, the parade of pink elephants! I think that was in "Dumbo."
Instead of responding right away, Vega takes a couple of moments to control his breathing while picking up his pace. Mikey notices this and steps on the gas just a bit more to keep up.
You've had a rough couple of weeks as of late.
Ah, you mean Matt?
Of course, I mean Matt.
For the first time today, Mikey's smile seems forced.
Y'know, Vega... a human being's ability to compartmentalize is astounding.
Vega almost trips, not expecting such an insightful comment from Mikey.
I didn't take you as a man of thought.
Yeah... most people don't.
Stormrage's almost deadpan response peaks Vega's interest. Although his breathing rate increases, Vega can still maintain a conversation rather easily while keeping up an even faster pace than before.
Does that bother you?
Mikey shrugs.
I guess. Nobody likes being thought of as dumb.
I didn't mean-
It's alright. I've been fighting this fight the entire time I've been in this company, dude. I'm viewed as a gluttonous sloth. How can a man that proudly flaunts his deadly sins believe he can walk with Gods? Because that's what that ring is to me, man. Sometimes, that ring is heaven, even though I go through hell because of it. Compartmentalization, my athletic buddy. It's an amazing ability.
Vega doesn't respond right away. Instead, he allows Mikey's words to echo in his mind.
You know, I used to envy you.
The admission draws Vega's attention once again.
Me?
Oh yeah. Big time.
Why?
Mikey let's out a slightly sarcastic laugh.
I remember when you first showed up, Vega. Guys like Showtime and Barbosa were on top while guys like me, Matt, Titus, Constantine, Eve, Celeste, so on and so forth were all riding some of the greatest times of their careers. There were a lot of newcomers the learned quickly they didn't have what it took. But you? You won the Mayhem Championship so early on in your career, and then you... you just kept winning, and winning, and winning. Title defense after title defense. There was never any doubt about you, man. Everyone knew it, man... you uh-
Stormrage struggles to find the words.
I could walk with the Gods.
Emboldened, Vega's pace quickens. Mikey matches his speed with the Candy Paint Red Vespa, observing how much more laborious his "running" partner's breathing has gotten. The Italian scooter's motor has gotten louder, working harder to maintain this new speed. Mikey speaks up a bit louder to compensate for the noise.
Damn right you could... and I envied that.
Vega wipes his sweaty black & blonde hair away from his face revealing a perplexed look. He matches Stormrage's volume.
You're a Hall of Famer... a legend. Why would you envy me?
I didn't always have the accolades. You got to taste victory early on. I wasn't so fortunate when I started off in this company. Shit, there was a point where I was one of the biggest losers ever to step foot into this company. Meanwhile, you walk in and becomes the longest reigning Mayhem Champion of all-time like nothing.
Like nothing?
Yeah. Like nothing.
Those mayhem matches didn't feel like nothing. I lost years off my life defending that title.
Trust me, I know. I mean you made it look easy, that's all I'm trying to say.
Mikey shakes his head, frustrated in himself.
It just never came easy for me, dammit. Ever decision I made seemed to be the exact opposite of what I should have done. When the world needed me to go right, I'd go left. When it needed me up, I'd be down. It was never easy. But, I couldn't let it get me. I kept that part of me that wondered if I could walk with Gods separated from the real me. I had to. It was the only way I'd ever succeed.
Compartmentalization.
Exactly.
Vega check the heart rate monitor on his wrist while taking the time to think about what Mikey is saying. Stormrage rides along in silence for the moment, pondering his struggles in the past.
You know, someone like me... the things I've done in my life...
Mikey looks over to Vega, sensing a change in the tone of his voice.
You develop a sick ability to compartmentalize. It's bred from necessity. I have done some terrible things... made some terrible choices. I need to be able to put that part of my life away to succeed.
You can't run away from your past.
Vega shakes his head, displeased with Mikey's response.
But it doesn't mean you can't change.
Vega takes a deep inhale, breathing in as much air as he can before exhaling, giving him a bit livelier stride.
That's the plan.
Mikey looks down at Vega's feet, mesmerized at the quickness they're moving at. He looks back up at him as he runs gracefully at this high speed.
This new you, the running, the weights... this is part of you changing? This part of the "plan?"
Vega doesn't respond immediately. He recalls something that may help him answer Mikey. Vega breaths heavily every now and then, but is still able to maintain the conversation.
Do you know the fable of the lion and the gazelle?
Stormrage shakes his head.
Every morning, a gazelle wakes up. It know it must outrun the lion or it will be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve.
So... are you a lion, or a gazelle?
That's the thing... it doesn't matter whether you're the lion or the gazelle. Moral of the story?
Vega looks over towards Mikey, never breaking stride.
They both wake up running.
Mikey rides in silence, letting the moral of the fable sink in. Suddenly, Vega's running seems more purposeful than ever before.
We all may want to walk with Gods, but at some point in our lives we all find ourselves running for our survival. Right now, I'm running. And I see other people running, too. See, even though I beat Matt at R-Awakening, we couldn't be on more opposite sides of the spectrum at the moment. I was once the lion, now he's the one roaring. And he's roaring at you, Mikey. You gonna roar back?
Stormrage seems bothered by Vega's line of questioning.
You worried about my roar? All this talk about you wanting more... but where were you at Gold Rush? You could have been out there challenging me for the Elite Openweight Championship... but you didn't. I didn't even see you at the show. I was the one trying to defend two titles in one night. If you ask me... Vespa or no Vespa, I've been running this entire time while you've been struggling to stay on your feet as of late.
I should have been there.
Why weren't you then? It could have been Vega vs Stormrage. Instead-
I know.
Why didn't you take the opportunity.
I don't know. Losing to Xander, then to Callie and Eve...
There's no shame in losing to them. Only in not fighting.
Vega can't help but agree with Mikey.
Annie could have been in that ring at Gold Rush, too.
Annie Halloway...
Vega shakes his head.
She's like me...
Vega winces a bit, feeling the effects of a vigorous workout through the park.
She's running for survival... just like me.
At Ascension, you make sure she's the gazelle.
Laughter escapes Vega.
I came across a number of hackers through my past affiliations.
You mean when you were a government assassin!? Gnarly.
No. Not gnarly.
Gnarly.
Regardless, hackers could do a lot of things... but they could never hack a bullet. Annie Halloway has no idea what's coming. There's no code to input, no virus she can upload. She cannot avoid The Kill Shot.
Vega finally comes the a stop. Stormrage stops his Vespa right next to him wearing an excited look on his face.
Hell yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about! You got me all pumped up now...
Mikey reaches into his basket and pulls the other Crunchwrap Supreme from the Taco Bell bag. He opens it up...
I'm feeling motivated now! I'm going on a diet, starting now!
Mikey throws the Crunchwrap Supreme on the floor. Vega seems surprised as he breaths heavily, regaining his composure after a strenuous run. They both stare at the Taco Bell snack. Mikey looks to regret his decision, and quickly reaches for Crunchwrap.
5 second rule, 5 second rule!
He picks it up off the ground like a parent apologetically picking up a child after accidentally dropping it. Lovingly, Mikey takes a bite out of his salvaged Crunchwrap Supreme as Vega watches on disapprovingly.
This week, at Ascension... I'll watch your back. But trust me, Mikey... I'm done throwing away opportunities. One day, maybe real soon, I will be taking that Elite Openweight Championship away from you.
Mikey stops chewing mid bite. He stares at Vega, confused and defensive at this sudden animosity.
Because that's the difference between you and I, Mikey. You're okay just walking with the Gods. But me? I wanna slay them. So you keep indulging. Me? I aint done running.
Vega looks over his shoulder towards the long, winding, inviting road behind him before turning back towards Mikey.
In fact, I'm just getting started.
Vega turns around and starts running once again. This time, Mikey doesn't get on his Vespa. He doesn't rev up it's engine and doesn't ride beside Vega. Instead, Mikey looks at the food in his hand, barely chewing what's left of it in his mouth. Stormrage stares off in the distance, watching Vega leave him behind. He watches as his future tag team partner gets smaller and smaller the further he runs away, until the Elite Openweight Champion can't see him at all anymore. Mikey looks down at the Crunchwrap Supreme in his hand as the scene comes to a silent end.