Allegiance? Gunnar/Cage vs Scorch/Ranks

[Gunnar Brian]

A flicker of light, a humming of an engine unusual fo a commuter to hear nothing but those noises. A newspaper page is flicked quickly to the horoscopes, a finger skims the list coming down to and stopping upon a sentence.

'No matter how hard you try and change the world you will meet someone who is an immovable object.'

Gunnar sits quietly, alone on the back of the bus, choosing to ignore the outside world, choosing to ignore everything that goes on in life.

"So it has been written, so has my stand against WPW fallen on deaf ears. How befitting that I shall be at an event named Ruined Fate. Three other men shall appear for judgement there and so far none of them have shown much more than disrespect for my ideals. Scorch, I have defeated you once, call it a fluke, call it divine intervention, no I am not calling Cage divine, but it was as if the gods smiled upon me, wanted me to win that match and once again you get a chance to test yourself against not only myself but against everything I stand for. Everything Scorch, my hate, my sorrow and my anger.. it will all combine into one unstoppable force, nothing can stop me, not anyone.

Ranks, you... you are one of the biggest sinners in the world.. I came to put an end to your evil, however I found that your evil is far beyond anything I have felt so far. I was unprepared, I was not ready.. I clutched to that book for too long. However the book is not something I require to win matches. Ask Forsaken, or your partner Scorch. Ranks I will do everything in my power to stop you, to defeat you, to prevent the evil from rising up the ladder of WPW. My task is already difficult, I already have my targets set of reaching the top and cleansing WPW of the evil and I will not make my job more difficult than it already is by allowing some childish punk sinner to keep me here."

Gunnar pauses as he looks out of the window for a brief moment, looking for where he is and how far away his stop is.

"Cage, make no mistake you may have an agenda with Scorch and somehow you have been paired with me to take down Scorch and Ranks, however you are not safe, you are not like me, you are more like the rest. You have tried to get on my good side but I see you as more of a hinderance, a problem, nothing more than the only reason why I may end up on the losing side. Cage I need not give you blessing to deal with the rest as you wish and for this one time I will overlook our rather large differences, triumph and perhaps I will allow you to learn of my secrets and of 'her' perhaps I may forgive you for yours sins. Fail and I will certainly seal your fate, I will make sure you continue in a perpetual nightmare from which you will never wake. Cage, out of the three of you, this is more important to you than ever, I never wanted a partner, I never wanted to have a tag team match, that fell upon death ears."

Gunnar stands up and slowly walks to the front of the bus, exiting it hurridly and swiftly moving into the shade of the bus shelter. His smile a calm one, like a child expectant of a good mark in a test.

"Past, present and future will collide and fates willbecome nothing more that ruined chances. The winner could go on to higher things, the loser shamed into retreating, the others left to fight in the realms of the eternal midcard. Scorch.. you are the past, Ranks, Cage.. you are the present, the future... I do not know who that is, no one could ever predict that. Myself? I do not know where I stand, I can not label myself in any tense, only 'she' has the power to do that.

Cage, Scorch, Ranks... I do not like any of you guys that is crystal clear and I know you hate myself and the others just as much, that is also crystal clear. The question which may not be clear is this one... Is your anger directed at me because you can direct it? Or is your anger aimed at me because you can not direct it? That is the question that is as clear as mud. I can answer it for myself, I am showing you now.. I do not control my anger, like the bus system I allow it to take me where ever it takes me... and somehow I always end up at the perfect place."

Gunnar smirks as a bus pulls up. The side of the bus blocks the view of Gunnar while advertising Skittles. The bus pulls out and Gunnar is no longer in the shelter. Assuming to be on the bus, however we could always be wrong.

[CTRanks]

Jerimiah Ranks is seen pacing around a hotel lobby on his cell phone.


Jerimiah Ranks: ...................... Hello? Scorch......... damn it...... Scorch i've called ou like a dozen times now call me back man we need to talk.


Jerimiah quickly flips his phone shut and grips it tightly. The phone rings again and he quickly answers it.


Jerimiah Ranks: Hello? Oh hey Uncle Kenny what's up?..... Nah i just thought you were Scorch..... Yeah i've been trying to get a hold of him lately to go over some things but i can't reach him... Yeah man i'll be there tonight don't worry..... Allright man se you there... bye.


Jerimiah hangs up and spots Amy White passing by and he walks up to her.


Jerimiah Ranks: Amy hey.

Amy White: Oh hey Jerimiah how are you.

Jerimiah Ranks: Fine, ummmm by any chance have you seen Scorch?

Amy White: Ummm no i don't think i did. Have you called his cell phone?

Jerimiah Ranks: Only a million times.... Man!

Amy White: You alright you look stressed out.

Jerimiah Ranks: Nah im fine it's just that i feel like i am having to prove myself to everyone now a days. Like even until recently have i got the support of my fans back and it feels great but i don't know,...... it's like everyone thinks i have an alterior motive or something.

Amy White: Like Scorch?

Jerimiah Ranks: ..... I mean you saw the way he looked at me when he shook my hand. As if to say i don't trust you or something and that just gets under my skin. Amy if we go into this match at Runed Fate without preparing can be defeated and I just wanna let him know i have his back. God man I have been trying so hard lately to do the right thing and prove to everybody that i am not the same person... to prove i have finally conquered my demons but no one seems to notice.

Amy White: Well i have Jerimiah and I think you've done a great job. Just give people some time and they will have to see what a great guy you are.

Jerimiah Ranks: But Amy I don't believe you really know the history between me and Scorch. Amy I have abondoned him before. Back in PCW I was apart of The Originators for all but a week, then the following week i turned my back on then and in return they turned there back on me. Hehe, then to make things worse stupid ole me joined forces with Rhys Saunders of all people and robbed them of there tag team championship. Now do you think that he'll see "what a great guy i am".


Amy White puts here hand on Jerimiahs shoulder.


Amy White: Jerimiah i know that it seem crazy but i believe he will.


Amy pats Jerimiah on the shoulder and walks away. Jerimiah takes a deep breathe then picks up his phone dialing a number as he walks off the screen.

[CTRanks]

The scene opens up to the same hotel lobby but Jerimiah is sitting down at a couch and through the window you can see it is night time. Jerimiah's cell phone and he answers it.


Jerimiah Ranks: Hello! Hey Uncle..... Ohhh man im sorry i totally forgot........ No i just need to talk to my tag partner today..... Yes it's that important.... ... Well can we reschedule... Okay.... Okay.... I'll be there and sorry but I gotta talk to him.... Okay... Talk to you later bye.


Jerimiah quickly shuts the phones rolling his eyes. Jerimiah looks around to see if he spots Scorch but he doesn't. Jerimiah takes a deep breathe and then looks into the camera.


Jerimiah Ranks: Gunnar... Cage... I bet you guys are watching this with a big smile on your faces. Yeah this is the team you will go up against Tuesday at Ruined Fate. Well don't be to happy because you better believe that when we step into that ring we will be a unit if i have anything to do with that. See, when i came out there to save Scorch from the bet down you cowards were orchastraiting i didn't do it to be loved by the fans, i didn't do it for me. I did it because there was a time when me and Scorch were friends and the old Jerimiah Ranks would have never turned his back on a friend. The old Jerimiah has his friends back to the end. The old Jerimiah has morals and codes of honor he lives by and jumping someone is not one of them. The old Jerimiah is back and here to stay. Scorch... if you're watching this right now just know that if there is one man that will have you back come tuesday, it's me and you can take that to the bank. You just have to trust me.

Chris Cage... i don't know who you think you are but you make me sick. That young inspirational kid that entered PCW is somehow lost inside of you and i can't see him at all. Don't ge me wrong... you're still a fantastic competitor and i can't wait to lock horn with you but your just simply an asshole. Sorry man but I can't find any other word for it. You have to let PCW go. You like to talk about the future and all well WPW is the future and your vendetta with Scorch ends Tuesday.

Now Gunnar... you talk about my sins and all but Gunnar what you really need to do is focus on you. I mean really what have you done that is so great that youare the sole person to critcize and chastize everyone for there sin huh? Well Gunnar there was a man that used to be just like that and he goes by the name of The One. Now there is a reason why he doesn't do that anymore. There is a reason why he doesn't talk about this one and that one's sins... because that did not get him anwhere and Gunnar you will not get anywhere unless you look inside and find the real reason why you point the finger at everyone else. Gunnar the last time we faced i told you about my path and i told you how i've been down that lonely road you are choosing to take yet you still choose to follow that path. Well take it from experience that that road is leading you straight into a dead end. Gunnar there will be a day when you have no where to go but back... Back to the way you used to be... Back to your roots and core morals, but i can't do it for you and no one can and until then i will walk out to that ring and prove to you that i chose the right path and that i have a future. Gunnar my fate is not Ruined buddy it has only begun.


Jerimiah Ranks stands up and walks away as the scene fades out.

[Guru of Greatness]

Camera comes on to Chris Cage at the WPW Interview Center

I'm Chris Cage, but I am sure you already knew that. Last week I was scheduled for a match against Michael Maddux, but I could not show. You want to know why? It's simple, Michael Maddux, just was not worth my time or energy. Michael Maddux just... plain.. sucks.

But that was then, at Ruined Fate, I only solidfy my spot as one of if not the best professional wrestler of my generation. Chris Cage is an instant classic! At Ruined Fate i team with Gunnar Brian to face former co-PCW Alumni Jerimiah Ranks and the biggest whining little bitch on the roster, Scorch!

Scorch, it really doesn't take brains to wonder why I targeted you. Honestly, it goes like this. No matter what I did, No matter how much I bust my ass, I always come in 2nd. Well NOT ANYMORE! Come Ruined Fate, myself and Gunnar Brian will establish ourselves as a dominant force in this company!

Oh oh oh, Ranks, don't think that I forgot about you... homie.
Ranks, I have always respected you, but at Ruined Fate, I Destroy you. You claim that I am no longer that "young inspirational kid" you met, and your right. I am now a man, a man who knows his skills, a man who is a winner, but above all else, a man who is a future world heavyweight champion.

Ranks, Scorch Your futures are in my hands, and they are inevitable

Camera then fades out

[CTRanks]

The Scene once again opens up to Ranks in the hotel lobby, this time laying on the couch sleeping with his hands behind his head. Suddenly a shadow comes over Jerimiah.


?????: Wake up!


Jerimiah's eyes slowly open swinting a bit, then suddenly he bolts up into a sitting position.


Jerimiah Ranks: Well look who it is.


Jerimiah stands up and the camera turn as we see none other than Scorch standing face to face with Jerimiah.


Jerimiah Ranks: You've been like a frikin ghost man where have you been, didn't you get my calls.

Scorch: Nevermind all that, you wanted to speak to me well then i'm here now then speak.


Jerimiah looks at his watch and then shakes his head.


Jerimiah Ranks: Well ehh where do i begin... Scorch whether you like it or not... we are partners.... At Ruined Fate we have to come together as a unit to face Chris Cage and Gunnar Brian. Now i know we have a sketchy past but starting right here... right now that all can change.

Scorch: But do you want it to change.

Jerimiah Ranks: What!? Of coure i do what do you mean.


Scorch begins to paces the room.


Scorch: What i mean is not to long ago, you did this very same thing and pretended to be my ally when deap down you didn't want to. Now Jerimiah if you are pretending then come Ruined Fate you can just let me walk out there alone.


Scorch stops pacing with his back to Jerimiah.


Scorch: I'll do it myself... i don't need any allies anymore.


Jerimiah Ranks bow his head shaking it before taking a deep breathe look back up.


Jerimiah Ranks: Scorch... I'm not pretending... Scorch this is real. In case you haven't notice i have had a revelation. I know now that success by any mean neccesary is not the way to be. Back then in PCW all i cared about was succeding and yes i would break alliances and form new ones to get what i wanted but not anymore. Scorch you better believe that when i say i have your back, that i really have your back. All i ask is if you have mine?


Scorch turns around.


Scorch: Well if what you say is true than lets do this thing. I have your back Jerimiah.


Jerimiah nods his head.


Jerimiah Ranks: Thankyou, now lets walk into Ruined Fat and show these two rejects what two great athletes can do when they join forces.

Scorch: Damn Right.


Scorch extends his hand for a handshake and Jerimiah goes to shake it but Scorch pulls it back.


Scorch: But if you double cross me Jerimiah, there will be reprecussions.

Jerimiah Ranks: Trust me it won't happen again.

They shake hands and the camera zooms in on the handshake before fadng out.

[Guru of Greatness]

Camera comes on to show Chris Cage sitting on his couch watching his tv which is also his computer. On the screen is the ending of the exchange that occured between Scorch and Ranks. Chris starts laughing.

Wow, this match is so easy I probally would not have to show up to that match either. But I will, simply to prove a few points.

Number One is that I should not be underestimated. it seems since the death of PCW, some people have also considered it the death of my career as well. I mean who can blame them, I lasted in that hardcore cage match all of 30 seconds, I boast about holding one tag team title,and haven't been on a winning streak since. So Sunday I am there to prove a point. Chris Cage is still alive, Chris Cage is still a threat, Chris Cage is still an instant classic, but most importantly I am still and will one day be World Heavyweight Champion.

Number Two, you two are as coexistent as fire and water, you two just don't mix. Gunnar and I? We are united by a common mission, dismantle Scorch, and Ranks if you decide to stick your pitiful self in our business, I swar you will regret it.

Come Ruined Fate, you all will find out my fate, Victory.

Cage then clicks the remote off as the camera statics out

[CTRanks]

Jerimiah Ranks is seen stand in front of a plain brick wall.


Jerimiah Ranks: I have requested this small time right now to just respond to Chris Cage's retarded promo. Chris you pretty much said it all. Let's be honest i don't even have to do this promo because you basically did it for me. You lastinf all of 30 second in the Hardcore match at When Worlds Collide... You boasted your tag title reign which was way way wayyyy long ago and you have actually been on a losing streak. So now you expect to walk into Ruined Fate on Tuesday not Sunday and defeat me and Scorch because you "have something to prove". Well buddy sorry to burst your bubble but Tuesday will not be your not no no no. I will not let you relive your Sudden Impact glory days with Gunnar Brian. I am no stepping stone for either one of you and I'll be damned if you think me and Scorch are gonna lay down for you two. Chris in case you haven't noticed... me and Scorch are walking into Ruined Fate as a team unlike like you who is walking into Ruined Fate with a guy who doesn't even like you. You say me and Scorch are Fire and Water well take a better look because i see Fire and Lightning. We are combustible, we are dangerous and there is no stopping us. I mean really think about it for a second... you are goin up against Jerimiah 'The Shocka' Ranks and Scorch ooooo weee what a team... man if i were you.


Jerimiah Ranks puts on his sunglasses.


Jerimiah Ranks: I would prepare to be electrified.


Jerimiah walks off the screen and the scene fades out.

[Guru of Greatness]

Camera is seen on Cage in front of the same brick wall

Chris starts lauhing

Nice Jerry, Real creative promo. Repeat what I said, and make fun of an error I made saying it's Sunday when Ruined Fate is on Tuesday.

Ranks, you just don't get it. You can say your nobody's stepping stone till your blue in the face, but just face reality. You have been since you started wrestling. While I was getting Main events, you were jobbing in midcard. Ranks, come Ruined Fate, it has come to you finding out the hard way. I am here to make an impact, and you and Scorch just happen to be my first victims.

You talk how I am trying to relive the glory I had with Sudden Impact, no bro, I am a much bigger star now. I am more skillful, I am more determined, but most importantly I am on a new stage, the WPW stage, and Ruined Fate, I Leave my mark. I am walking out of Ruined Fate, question is if I will let you.

Tuesday, Gunnar Brian and Chris Cage take on Mother Nature's unwanted children. Fire can easily be put out, and Lightning, the onlly purpose it serves is that it's awesome to watch. Kids stare out thier window staring as it flashes in awe. Jerimiah that's all you are, something to stare at, nothing intresting, nothing important, your just there to be something to pass by.

Ruined Fate that's exactly what is gonna happen, Gunnar and I are just gonna pass you by, and you won't even know what hit you.

Chris then puts on a leather jacket and black sunglasses

It's just simply inevitable.

Chris walks off as camera fades out

[Gunnar Brian]

Lightning crashes as thunder booms throughout the sky. The sudden storm brought on almost immediately. People begin to rush in the town center, hurring out of the now heavy rainfall, and as quickly as the storm came on.. the center was empty. Gone were the people, and gone were the noises they brought. Parents talking, salemen selling, children crying and whining, all gone. Once again silence ruled supreme. Another flash in the sky as a shining bolt hits an open bin surprisingly close, causing a fire to start. Gunnar stands under a shelter, staring at the newly created fire. A smirk creeping upon his face as he takes a small step towards the edge of the shelter. The wind begins pounding against abandoned doors causing several clattering noises. Again Gunnar steps forward out into the rain

"Fire, Lightning, Water and Wind... all elements,....none can be controlled by humanity as hard as they try. Forever a mystery, its power forever underestimated. If one talks lightly of them then that is the beggining of their own destruction caused by ignorance. However, this is not the reason I have been granted time to talk today. Nor has this time been given for me to explain a series that is intent on explaining myself or 'her' but I must explain that I have been misleading about 'her' for you see, this person may infact not be female, but may be male, again that will be explained in due time and this is not it."

Gunnars smirk fades as he shakes his head in a knowing type of way as he turns around to face the television store. Serveral screens begin o play different videos lasting perhaps a few seconds from certain people. Gunnar turns away at the end in disgust as his expression changes suddenly to one of anger.

"I have been informed from my evergrowing list of minions or druids as I prefer about these certain videos and I feel that neither of thesehumans take me seriously, neither of these humans have placed me into the story, the story leading into Ruined Fate, the story that has an ending that Shakespeare would have been proud to even read. Ranks, Cage... I did expect alot more than what I have heard but like the basic elements you seem to have underestimated me. That being the case I suggest you do some research... both of you."

Gunnars eyes open up wide as he finishes that sentence, a look of sheer annoyance on his face as his breathing becomes detectable by the sense of hearing. Gunnar slowly down trying to regain his composure as he begins to walk away from the shop, towards another shop.

"Ranks, you need to look at yourself, you need to ask yourself about what you consider certain things. You need to ask yourself questions. Questions like 'Who am I' and 'Am I someone who can judge other people' I ask myself those questions everyday and I answer them with the utmost confidence, and my answer has always been a one hundred percent and rather believable...Yes.

Cage, you need to look up at the skys and prey for it to open, you live in a world of denial, you refuse to accept the widely common knowledge. I do not trust the fans, I do not trust wrestlers, and I do not trust you...after Ruined Fate I move up and you stay down."

Gunnar turns around and walks back towards the lit bin, still burning well despite the continuous downpour.

"Elements are a powerful thing, I would not talk about them lightly, nor would I disrespect them.. that would be a rather mornic thing to do. Water, Wind, Fire and Lightning, all powerful on their own and when combined, dare I say they could even be a match for the individual light or dark element, however I am not ligt, nor am I dark.... I am a combination of them both, I am the supreme man in this ring come Tuesday, I am te supremem man in the ring at anytime...I am the one man army, I am the man who cleanses souls of the dirty, dirty sins they hod, I am...."

Lightning crashes down illuminating the area for a split second, the fire dies out, the wind calms and the rain stops and leaves all as suddenly as they came.

"...Gunnar Brian"

[Scorch]

Every decision we make comes with a consequence. Sometimes the consequences are immediate and sometimes they do not come until later. Often the immediate consequence is a positive one, but the long term consequences turn out to be miserable experiences.

Scorch sits alone in the middle of the hallway of an empty arena. The white brick walls have holes where nails once held up photos. A few light fixtures have been removed, the wires hanging dangerously exposed to the air. The paint on the wall is chipped seemingly on every brick. The floor is exposed gray concrete, though it looks to have been covered at some point in the past. A door is closed, where the handle should be there is but a hole. He looks down at the Indian head logo on his red Brent Seabrook Blackhawks jersey, and then at the new YoungStars game patch on the right sleeve. Scorch notices his left shoe is untied and starts to tie it. When he finishes, he realizes he left the laces too short and yanks the shoe off his foot. Scorch stands up and hurls it at the door with a hole for a handle. He then pulls his right shoe off and throws it down the hall in frustration. Scorch spins around slowly, soaking in his broken surroundings.

I admit it, I was a foolish man. I actually thought when I came to WPW, I left all the crap behind. I know better now than to make that same mistake again. All we did by sinking the ship of PCW, but not drowning the shipmates, was make sure those miserable men kept doing what they do on some other ship. I thought to myself here, I would face those men who spit on everything wrestling is about in legitimate matches and give them what they deserve. But no, Chris Cage, you had other ideas in your delusional little mind. You decided to go and cost me a match against Gunnar Brian, but you did something else as well. Yes, you cheated to allow him a win, but Gunnar had a chance already. I would like to say I was playing possum, but fact is, he was putting up a hell of a fight. You stole his opportunity to not just pick up a big win, but to have it not be a complete fluke.

The inflection in Scorch’s voice is one not of anger but rather of disappointment. He shakes his head as he thinks about Cage’s selfish behavior. Scorch stops speaking and focuses his eyes on the wall. He just stares at it, not saying a word, hardly even blinking. He just stares at the wall, and his eyes become lost. His body grows stiff, only the slightest rise and fall of his chest with each breath give any indication he is a man and not just some kind of wax figure or mannequin.

Chris, you not only robbed the fans of a clean match, you robbed your tag team partner of a wonderful opportunity. It is really no wonder he has no interest in being your partner in our little match up this Tuesday. Perhaps if you would just learn a little something about the spirit of in ring competition, and not just focus all your attention on where to kneel backstage, you might be better able to find people who could stand to be around you when you are actually on your feet.

Scorch’s body is still staring at the spot on the wall, only his chest, his lips, and his throat move all. His words are clear, though not as much as they normally would be given his direction. He finally moves another part of his body as he lifts his right arm up towards his face. Scorch digs his fingernails into his forehead and runs his hand down his face. He slowly turns his body, red marks visible on his face. He once again shakes his head, but this time his face shows the slightest hint of a reluctant smile.

Gunnar, I am not going to stand here and try and take your win away from you. You went out to the ring last week, and you got your hand raised. The record books will not reflect how you got the win; simply that you earned it. Be proud of what you did, Gunnar, but do not forget what happened before it, because I sure as hell have not. Like it or not, Chris Cage did have a hand in the outcome of our match. Sure, you might have won without him, I might have one, it might have ended without a winner, we have no idea. What I do know, is I know owe each of you one.

Tuesday marks my first chance to make the two of you pay. Gunnar, whether you wanted to or not, you stepped into the crossfire and I am not about to stop firing. I owe Chris so much from our days back in PCW. Gunnar, before you even joined the now defunct organization that made a mockery of everything wrestling stands for, Chris Cage touted himself as “The Future”. Though, he was just as likely to call himself “Teh Futre” or “The Furtre” or “Teh Futare”. He scored a number of high profile wins, had big feuds, and as he will tell you, was even one half of the tag team champions. But he earned none of it. Week after week, better talents were forced to lay down for Chris Cage, because of how popular he was with those in power.

Scorch takes a few steps forward so that only his face is visible. Several drops of sweat can be seen on his forehead; a trio of them begin streaking down his face. His upper lip twitches and his whole face begins to shake. Scorch’s entire face begins to grow red, but this time not as the result of running his hand over it or digging his nails into his flesh. He lowers his eyes and closes his eyelids tightly. He opens them quickly and it makes no difference, he still sees the very same things. His face still looks as did before he tried to calm himself, before he shut his eyes.

Chris, you decided to ride the coattails of a man who got to the top of PCW, but abusing his power. You reaped the benefits of your relationship, and now that it is his time to pay for what he has done, well you will reap the consequences as well now. You wanted everything that came with being attached to Mike Adams, and you got the good, now it is time to get the bad. You made the choice Cage, you picked your own path, you dug your own grave, and now it is time to throw you in. But just like Mike, your destruction will be slow and painful. When it finally does come to an end, you will thank me for finally showing mercy.

Scorch turns his body once again to the same spot on the wall he has spent so much time staring at, a spot on the wall, right next to the door with the hole for a handle. His look right in on that one spot, the slightest hint of a rectangle noticeable in the paint. Scorch’s body once again stiffens up. He regains the traits of a facsimile of a human being, a life like statue. His eyes do not blink this time, not even once. He just keeps up staring at the same spot, until finally the statue’s lips separate.

Jeremiah, when I walk to that ring to tag with you, I am doing so, trusting you to do the right thing. I fully trust you will not make the same mistake twice, and once again turn your back on me. Only a fool would do that one time, but to do it twice, well for a man to do that, he would have to have some kind of death wish, and you do not strike me as the suicidal type. So when we enter the ring at Ruined Fate, we do so as a team, as a cohesive unit. I know you have the talent, you know I have the mind, together we will have victory. What happens out there, Chris, Gunnar, it will not be fate, what happens to you is all “Shocka” and Scorch.

The sheet was right here, the space was empty. All I had to do was sign my name and my career would have gone down a different path. If I had simply put ink to paper, I would not be the man I am today. To think, this could have all been mine. I could have been a part of this. So many broken dreams could have belonged to me. One decision made as I held the pen in my hand, as I was just inches away from touching the tip to the paper. I have no idea why I made the decision I did, all I know is it was the right one to make. It was certainly not the easiest one to make. Besides, if I had gone through with it, I never would have met her and then, I would have at least one regret.

[Scorch]

The human mind is a complicated piece of machinary. Every person has one, and yet nobody really knows how they work. Even when we engage our own minds, we do not understand why they do the things they do. All we know is that we have them and a powerful mind in the wrong hands can have devastating results.

The bitter winter wind rushes towards the face of Scorch, still in his Seabrook sweater, a pair of blue jeans, his black and white Reeboks, only now he is sitting outside an arena. His back is against the wall, with no doors in sight. His knees are pulled up to his chest, his arms wrapped around them with his hands intertwined. Scorch gently pounds the back of his head against the gray brick wall. The wind and cold have turned his face a light shade of pink. His teeth start to chatter and he holds himself tighter. Scorch looks up at the sky, up to the sun whose warmth does not reach him down where he sits. His thoughts rush through his head as he just sits there staring at the sky.

This is a match where failure should not be an option and yet I know better than to think that I can control outcomes. I know better than to believe that I can do more than my best. I know better than to think I control anything beyond the effort I give and how I react to the results. Yet for some reason, I can never shake the feeling that I should be able to control what happens. I always have this feeling like destiny is just something we use as an excuse. A way to take things out of our hands, and yet the truth is, there are things that are out of our hands, beyond our control.

The smart thing to do would be to go to that ring and give my best. The smart thing to do would be to give all I had, and be prepared for anything to happen. Yet I am not going to do that. I am going to go, give my best, give my all, but I am not planning for any outcome other than having my hand raised in victory. I have to wonder if this makes me stupid, if it makes me a fool, if it makes me naive. The answer to this is something that I do not know and to be honest, I am not sure I want to know the answer.

Scorch, this is your chance to prove yourself, to validate yourself. Sure, the opponents are not exactly high profile, not yet at least. They might become such at some point in time, but for now they are not at that point. It does not matter, the fact is this is still a pay per view match. They are still booked to face you and that makes them worthy. I know this, and I know they feel they belong. I wonder if the Shocka realizes this as well. I mean I trust him out there. I trust him to give his best. But I would be lieing if I said I did not have the slightest hint of doubts about how serious he is taking those two.

He says all the right things, but deep down, perhaps he already has decided he is better than those two. This is not a problem, unless he thinks that makes him invincible. I have fallen to plenty of lesser men, because of circumstances outside of my control. It is not a feeling I ever wish to have again. Yet hear I am still feeling it right now, the result of last week's events. If Jeremiah is making the mistake of underestimating Gunnar and Cage, I fear he may have to share this feeling and that is not something I wish to inflict on any other person.

Gunnar, why did he have to drag himself into this. I would have been just fine leaving him alone, shy of putting an L on his record. Yet he had to go and get involved, I do not know if he asked Cage to be there, I only know that Cage was there. I only know that I know owe Gunnar. I hate to be indebted to anyothers so I will be paying him back with interest. He has not done much to deserve what is going to happen to him, but he made his own decisions. He opted to throw himself into the fire. Now he must realize that his choices, come with consequences and he is going to get burned.

As for Cage, well, he did the smart thing for a while. Once he saw his safety net taken out from under him, once he realized the walls were collapsing all around him, he went into hiding, a self imposed exile. He would have gotten away with all that he did to wrestling. But then he made a fatal mistake and he came back to allow me the chance to finish the job. He never earned his wins back in PCW, he simply hopped on the right bandwagon, and enjoyed the benefits that came with his seat. Now, I get the chance to make him pay for all that he did. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly at all. I am not just doing this for myself, I do this for everyone else in PCW who sat back and watched Chris Cage move up without merit, while they gave all they had, even when they knew that in the end it meant nothing. I owe it to any wrestler that has had that horrid feeling of knowing that no matter how hard you worked, the people in charge, would reward another.

Gunnar calls me the past, but he knows nothing of it. If I am the past, where was my present?! Where was my time be the man?! Where was my moment to shine?! When was my time not being another one waiting for his oppurtunity but rather being the one who forced others to wait?! I have always been a man waiting for the future. Even when I did all I could to seize the opportunity, I was still in the future. Now, I remain there, still yet to reach that top. Gunnar, I never had my present. I worked my way up to it on countless occassions, but each time it happened, everything was taken away. I fought harder and longer each time after, but the result was the same.

If you think that I am going to be your stepping stone to get you to the top, you are a damned fool. I am not and I have not yet been one of those at the top. I am still waiting for the very prize that you seek. I have watched countless men far less deserving pass me by and it was always out of my hands. Gunnar, this is beyond your understanding. This is behind your abilities to comprehend, you are but a naive young fool. I may be on the same chase as you, but I have the knowledge and the experience that comes with being on the chase much longer. The longer I have gone, the deeper my hunger has become.

Your false quest to rid the world of evil will not be enough Gunnar. You can bring whatever armies you may have and you will not be able to take me out. I may fall at times, but I never stop getting back up and in the end I will come out on top. Gunnar I do not accept mediocrity, I will not accept being stuck in the middle. I have been to purgatory, I have been through hell, and they are places I have no intentions on going back to. But if I have to revist hell to get to heaven, I would do so in a heartbeat, without a moment's hesitation.

I know that many are wondering, what the hell is going on in my head. They wonder what is going on with Sophie. People keep asking you Scorch, what is my interest, what are my intentions. I know my intentions, I know my interests, and right now only one person needs to know them. Still, I cannot help but wonder what this all means. I cannot help but wonder if everything does come full circle. It all seems just a bit too coincidental, though I can never rule out the possibility. If it is all happening in a circular manner, I can only hope that not all of it must happen the same way. But that is for a later time, for now I more important matters at hand. For if I do not beat Cage and Gunnar, that will have to wait, for if I do not beat those two, then the lucky ones will not be spared.

Scorch's thoughts do not finish at this point, rather they only stop being heard. He continues to sit, his back against the wall. He looks up at the sky as a light snow begins to fall on and around him. The snowflakes melt as soon as they hit the earth. Scorch watches one from the time it is merely a speck to his eye to the time it finally hits the earth disappearing into the tiniest little puddle. Scorch begins to slowly rock his body back and forth, his eyes starting straight ahead. He keeps on rocking, keeps on looking in front of him and his thoughts never ceasing.