From the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Matt Tastic & Mikey Stormrage will bring their students Zorro Volador and Katherine King to face each other.
RP Deadline is 03/12/19 at 11:59:59pm CST
Extension Deadline is 03/10/19 at 11:59:59 CST
From the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Matt Tastic & Mikey Stormrage will bring their students Zorro Volador and Katherine King to face each other.
RP Deadline is 03/12/19 at 11:59:59pm CST
Extension Deadline is 03/10/19 at 11:59:59 CST
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
I looked up from my seat on the bed, I knew who it was before he walked in.
"I just wanted to let you know I was leaving. Everything I can take on the plane is at the airport. The rest of the stuff has already been shipped. Good luck this week."
Mikey was here in person, but his mind seemed like it was already back in California.
When Mikey had announced he would be moving back to California, I was surprised. You look at Mikey, and nothing about him really screams California. Nothing even remotely whispered California. Sure, he was pretty progressive, but that mindset wasn't limited to California. He also disliked hot weather. He bitched and bitched about the heat on the island non stop. He also wasn't a fan of a lot of people. That wasn't to say that he didn't like performing in front of crowds of thousands and putting on a show, he simply wasn't a fan of being a part of crowds. So him moving to Berkley was a shock.
I would miss him, and in that moment, I wasn't sure what to say.
"I'm not sure when I will get the chance to see you again, but thank you. Not just for this opportunity, but for everything."
He stopped, almost as if he hadn't expected me to say anything.
"No thanks needed. I honestly didn't do anything. Me getting your foot in the door with WZCW once before I fuck off to Berkley is the least I could do, because honestly, I'm not sure when I will be back there myself."
"What do you mean?"
He let out a sigh and pulled a chair over. I had given him room on the bed, but it was clear he wasn't exactly comfortable with that right at the moment.
"This story has been told a hundred times, and it will continue to be told, because it has no end. My entire life Katherine, I've been an outcast. I never fit in anywhere. I never had a true home. I grew up in rural Indiana, where I had no interest in rural life. I thought giant trucks were dumb, hunting was boring, working on cars never peaked my interest. I had few friends, and the ones I did were always destined for greater things than myself. I spent twenty years there, never finding my place. By a stroke of luck I found pro wrestling, but that wasn't an overnight change. I busted my ass training in a gun down gym that had two heavy bags, some free wights, and a ring with ropes that were so old you couldn't get them tight enough to use them properly. I spent a year either sleeping on the floor of that gym, or in the back of my run down Toyota Rav 4 in parking lots outside of Salvation Army buildings and VFWs around the Midwest. I was lucky if I made a hundred dollars a show. Most of the time I came out with less money than I started with due to travel costs. A lot of people who make it big in this business will tell you they miss those days, but they are fucking liars. Everyday I considered quitting. Every night I contemplated just finding some factory job and settling in life. The only thing that kept me going was that tiny spark I got when people told me I had a real talent, that I had a chance to make my mark. To that point, wrestling was the only place I had ever found where I fit, but often times the spot I fit was on the fringe, barely part of the society I craved to belong to. It wasn't easy and truth be told I probably wouldn't suffer through it again. I caught the eye of some WZCW talent scouts in early twenty twelve, just a few weeks after I had met a girl who I thought was going to make me happy. They said they liked what they saw from me and said they would be in touch. Weeks passed and I gave up hope. I had just wrestled a show in Akron, Ohio in early February and was on the drive back home when they called me. By that point I had deleted the contact info in my phone and didn't recognize the number, so I didn't pick up. They called back a few minutes later and I answered. They wanted me to be in Oakland to appear on an episode of Aftershock that weekend. They needed me in Las Vegas the next day to sign all the paperwork and go over the legal BS. I sped home and excitedly told Rose the good news..."
I cut him off.
"Is she the reason for the rose tattoo?"
He just nodded his head at me. Mikey was a bit of an enigma. Sometimes he would share his entire life story to a person he just met, and other times he wouldn't even talk about how he spent his weekend to people he was in contact with daily.
"Anyway I told her the news and we packed up everything we could and booked the cheapest next day flight to Vegas we could. Contrary to popular belief, WZCW doesn't roll out the red carpet to every new guy they pluck off the street. You don't even get your own locker room until you prove yourself worthy of that distinction. So despite them wanting me there, I had to foot the bill. We got to Vegas and took care of the legal side of things and did some basic promotional work. Quick photo shoots for the website and magazine. A quick press release for the corporate side of things. It was nothing fancy, but I felt like I was on top of the world. I had found my place. It didn't matter that I lost my first match, or that I didn't even get a spot on the Lethal Lottery card in Los Angeles shortly after my debut, I was in the biggest wrestling company on Earth. I was home. Except I wasn't. I eventually ended up moving into James Howard's house in San Francisco, and by no means was it awful, but it was never home. James was a good friend, his family accepted me and helped me when Rose left me. I may have drank myself to death had they not have been there for me, but it wasn't their place to tend to me and eventually a rift formed and I stumbled around looking for my place in WZCW and the world. I won a few matches, nothing special, until Matt came along. They say opposites attract, but that's just some folksy bullshit people in shitty relationships say to make it look good to their friends and family. Matt and I weren't really opposites, but we didn't have that much in common at first. We grew together though, through a mutual love of Mexican cuisine, sophomoric humor, and both being outcasts. Matt grew quicker than me, it took me time to get on the level that he had achieved, but I did, though it did almost cost us our friendship. Like I said though, I had finally reached the top of the mountain, tens of thousands of people would pack stadiums to cheer me on, I was home....until I wasn't. When you are successful in this business, you make enemies. I ended up out of WZCW with a broken back due to those enemies. I got the last laugh, Mark Keaton and Justin Cooper are both pariahs and I'm in the Hall of Fame, but it wasn't always looking like things would have been okay. I got lucky. Had that injury occurred ten, twenty years ago I wouldn't be able to wrestle again, and even with medical advancements it was iffy."
"Is that why you started the school? You thought you would never wrestle again?"
I don't think he appreciated me cutting him off, as he just shook his head no.
"I opened it to be closer to Matt. I moved to Europe to see a specialist in Holland for my back and ended up moving to Denmark simply because they are consistently rated the happiest place to live, and rarely in those days before I moved was I happy. It was okay, I spent a lot of time in a Buddhist Monastery, really reflected a lot on my life. It was there that I realized I loved Matt. I hadn't seen him in so long, I missed him. I thought about him day and night. I had dreams of spending my life with him. So once I got clearance and got back into the swing of things, I decided I would open the school and move to the island to be closer to Matt. I thought I had finally found my place, my home."
He took a long pause.
"And now you see where that got me."
I think he was trying to hold back tears. It was a weird feeling I felt inside. I was conflicted. On the one hand, I loved Mikey. I wanted nothing more than to grab his hand and tell him things would be okay. I wanted to be the surgeon that cut him open, and fixed all of life's mistakes. I wanted to be the home he wanted, the place he wanted to feel safe. I wanted to be his shower in the morning, that made him clean and awake. I knew I couldn't fix him though, not yet at least, because the wound was fresh. That wound was Matt Tastic, his betrayal the knife still stuck deep within Mikey's skin. I wanted to grab that knife, to pull it out and tend his wounds. I knew though, that even though Mikey had told me he felt the same toward me that I did to him, that only he could remove that knife.
"So here I am again, despite all the titles I have won on display, all the records to my name, the Hall of Fame ring I keep in a case, I can't find my home. This title, it isn't home. The ring, as much as I say it is, it isn't home. I'm going to be thirty in a few weeks, as far as age goes, I got plenty of time in this business. I just don't know how much time this heart has. How much more it can yearn for something more. I sacrificed my twenties chasing something I thought was home. Chasing some abstract romanticized concept that exists only in my head. I don't wanna chase it anymore Katherine. For some people, home just doesn't exist. Very few get the fairy tale ending. Fuck, not many even get the straight to DVD ending in this world. Maybe the best I can hope for is a small place down the street from a nice bar with a cold drink and sad music. If something better existed, you think I would have found it by now."
He stood up, and despite him being a foot taller and nearly three times as heavy, I'd never seen him look so small. His story wasn't completely unlike mine. Mine was more Deep Impact to his Armageddon, but there were parallels, and I think that is what drew me to him. I briefly asked myself if Manic Pixie Dream Girls existed, was there a male equivalent? Depressed Slobby Dream Guy? I was looking too far into this, but in my head I did feel like part of my attraction is that Mikey could somehow cure me as much as I could cure him. Emotionally Damaged Dream Couple? I had to stop.
I didn't know what to do. I knew he needed something. He knew he needed something. Maybe he was afraid. He had said before he was afraid his own shortcomings would harm those around him. He said more than once "I fear my inability to swim would cause others to drown trying to save me." He always projected this aura that he was hurt, that he wanted someone, but he was afraid, that he feared he didn't deserve it. It was heartbreaking when it wasn't annoying.
I took his hand. I didn't stand, I didn't look up at him, I didn't speak. I just grabbed his hand. He squeezed. I heard a sniffle.
He pulled his hand away and wiped his eye with it. He took his hair out of its bun and allowed it to fall, likely to block his face.
"Don't let them put you in a box."
I looked up as he began to open the door of my hotel room and walk outside.
"It's what they do. They will put you in a box and expect the same from you each time. Then when you try to give them something from outside the box, they won't like it."
I tried to speak, but he was gone. I got up and walked to the window and watched as he got in his car and drove away. Never once did he look back, but I imagine the pain it caused him to keep his head forward was equal to the pain I caused myself by not chasing after him. He was hurt. I was hurt. I hurt for him, I hurt for myself. I was days away from the biggest opportunity of my life, days away from fulfilling my dream, but my mind wasn't on Los Angeles and my WZCW debut, because my heart was in the passenger seat of that green SUV driving through the countryside on its way to the airport.
I let my emotions get to me. I let him get away. I ignored my game plan. I failed to get my reward.Originally Posted by Ascension 135
I must pay the price now. And I hate it. I hate it a lot. I should’ve secured a victory. I should’ve focused on that.
==========
Matt: I’m still pushing for a title match against Stormrage. I’ve earned it. I pinned him on on one.
I may have failed last week but I know that with the attention we’re getting, WZCW cannot turn away the idea of me facing Mikey Stormrage for the Openweight title. The money is there and I know it. I just have to keep myself from screwing up AGAIN! I can’t stress enough how angry I am at how I screwed that up. I was so stupid to trust Annie Halloway to win the match. A completely foolish mistake. But this time, I’ll make sure to play it right. To play to my opponents mind as well as his body. Even if I’m personally removed from WZCW for the next set of shows, I will find a way to get a win over Mikey Stormrage to then collect it. So I decided to call in a favor with a phonecall.
Vance Bateman: Ah, Matt Tastic. I was not too pleased with your actions with your actions. You could’ve hurt the fans and that would’ve gotten us sued. I hope our reaction too much against us.
I fucking hate what they did. I fucking hate his excuse is “we could’ve hit the fans”. I don’t give a damn about a bunch of idiots standing in my way.
Matt: Ah sure. Of course not. I understand. I don’t hold it against you. I was actually call you for a bit of a suggestion. You see, I kinda know your box office takes a bit of a hit without me and Mikey in the show. I kinda have a bit of idea that might just spice things up and serve both of us.
Vance: Well then. Let me hear it then.
And such. I got our students a match. The school me and Mikey have let it fall, but I still have a bit of a soft spot for my students. And I know Mikey has a very soft spot for Katherine especially. What better way to get to him than to beat his girl and show who’s the true master here. But I have to prepare my student properly. Katherine was our top student by far. And I know I have a lot of work with Pablo over here.
Short, scrawny and inexperienced. Pablo came to our school begging for an opportunity. He was uninspiring but Mikey insisted on bringing him in. “Oh, he’s like us.” So far, I’ve been unimpressed. I can’t deny Mikey’s great resilience and ability to learn. I have it too. It’s what drew us together and what split us apart. But I don’t see it in this kid. If anything, he’s pretty maleable. I guess I can mold him to my image and go from there.
==========
The scene is a mountain side. Sitting by is the masked wrestler-in-training, Zorro Volador. He takes in the wind of his surroundings and the atmosphere. The leaves blow in the wind and the birds fly by.
Zorro: Man, I really miss the good old days at Kick Ass Academia. All the classes with Mr. Stormrage and Mr. Tastic, Granpa Tastic’s lectures, hanging out with the boys. And Katherine. But I don’t miss Ozzie. That bully. I hope Mr. Tastic and Mr. Stormrage work out their problems. Sigh.
Zorro gets a text message and pulls out his phone to read it. He seems shocked by it and gets up and runs off.
Zorro: It can’t be!!
Zorro runs off down the side of the mountain and we cut to see where he goes. It’s an old shack just outside Kick Ass Academia. Zorro slams his way in and as he does, the bright, colorful scenery that followed him is gone in favor of complete, pitch black darkness as he calls out.
Zorro: Mr. Tastic! Mr. Tastic, I’m here sir! I’m ready for my opportunity!
You can hear Zorro’s enthusiasm as he breathes heavily in the dark room. Nothing but his bright, cheery eyes can be seen. Full of desire for success. But a voice fills those eyes with fear.
Matt: Nice to see you, Zorro. I’m glad you came. I have an opportunity for you.
Zorro once again perks up hearing that. He patrols the shack still in the darkness, awaiting this opportunity Matt Tastic dangles over him.
Tastic: Tell me, Zorro. What is it that you want?
Zorro: I want an opportunity to showcase myself in the ring and show what I’m capable of.
Tastic: That’s not what you want. That’s how you’ll get to what you want. I’ll ask you again. What is it that you want?
Zorro stops and thinks this time. Reflecting more on the question before offering a better response.
Zorro: I want to win Championships. I want to be successful.
Tastic: That is a weak answer. I want a goal. One singular thing you wish to leave once your career ends. Maybe I should educate you better. Do you know what my goal in wrestling is? To break every wrestling record possible. I want my name to litter every record established in WZCW. I will be impossible to be forgotten. I never stand aimless even after reaching the top because I have set my mind to never, ever stop. Now you tell me, what do you want?
Zorro: I…….. want become a long-established star in order to prove to the people who always mocked me as a kid that I'm not just some push-over with no talent.
Tastic: …..jajajaja…….Jajajajajaja….. JaJaJaJaJaJa…….. JAJAJAJAJAJAJA!!! That's what I wanted. The drive. To prove you have talent. Well, lucky for you, I can help you. But the question is if you accept that help.
Zorro does not stall at all and answers instantly.
Zorro: YES!!! PLEASE!!
As Zorro answers, the light from his eyes suddenly vanishes. And suddenly, a scream.
Zorro: AAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
Matt: You'll not wrestle as Zorro Volador. No. You're no longer that person. You're someone new. Born of desire. You are it's child. You are now: Hijo Del Deseo.
========================
Success always comes with a price. Dreams do not come true. You must wake up and make them a reality. Nothing is simple. Nothing is sacred. The difference of desire and complaisance is separated by your willingness to detach yourself of the things you have for the things you want.
I was born an ignorant child. I grew to be a fan pretending to be a wrestler. Idolizing my idols but not bothering to learn from them. I see now what Mr. Tastic…… what Matt Tastic meant. If I want something, I must take it. Not stand and wait, longing for things to come my way. I must make them my way.
Katherine King was always seen as a prodigy. We all admired her. We also became jealous of her relationship with Matt Tastic and Mikey Stormrage. She was closer to them while the rest of us were just simple students. Before I just ignored these feelings. But now with my eyes truly opened, I can admit it. I felt that jealousy too.
Before, I would easily fail to defeat her. She would beat me with ease. But now, I'm armed with a new sense of desire. I now understand Matt's actions. Why he did what he did. He saw he had become complaisant. But that was not what he wanted. So he separated himself of what he had, to go after what he wanted. Now, if I want a wrestling career, I have to do the same. Katherine King is not a fellow student. She is an obstacle. I will go through it. As I desire.
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