“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
Solid white hexagons side by side and on top of each other are what our vision opens up to. The camera begins to slowly pull back revealing we were zoomed in very closely on a stack of Styrofoam cups, more specifically, the bottom cup of the stack which sits on your now typical, white colored, high-density polyethylene, fold out table with a black steel frame and legs underneath the table top. We see a few Styrofoam cups have strayed from the group as they lay on their side, close to the edge of the table, with some odd red specks strung across them. The camera begins to move to it’s right and we notice another Styrofoam cup toppled over, but this one holds dozens of black stir sticks inside of it, with some of them scattered across the table in close proximity. The camera keeps moving and we see the obvious; a black, Keurig coffee maker with various coffee stains in front of the machine, seeping into the ridges of the plastic molding that is the table’s top.
The camera continues panning, leaving the coffee table, quickly passing by a shot of the blandly painted cement walls, similar to what you’d see in a school’s classroom or a church basement. The slow, silent and steady weeping of a woman suddenly comes into audio range as the camera continues moving on, passing by a few white, high-density polyethylene fold out chairs that match the fold out coffee table perfectly. Noticeably, they too have odd, random specks of red on them, as we only see the back rests of the chairs with the camera keeping the ground and seats of the chairs out of our view. We finally come to the source of the weeping, a blonde woman, in a purple knitted turtle neck, with her hair up in a bun but her face out of sight as her weeping and emotional state has led to her currently hanging her head downwards.
She finally looks up after a few moments, with her mascara running down her face like a black waterfall of utter sadness and emotional despair. A few strands of her hair’s bangs fall just below her eyebrows, giving off a sense of beauty and light in her obvious moment of darkness by portraying her as a damsel in emotional distress. Her chest pumps in and out rapidly, showing obvious signs of panic and anxiety while the dead silence around her is deafening in itself, as if it’s feeding off of each weep her body exhales. Again, oddly she too has these consistent red specks we’ve seen on the Styrofoam cups and the fold out chairs, though she only has a few on her that are very tiny and rest on her chin.
The camera moves us in closer to her face, showing every crack and crevasse in her weathered skin, yet her oceanic blue eyes give off the sense off a young soul ready to escape the shell of herself and wanting to truly live in this world. Her eyebrows furrow suddenly as a familiar voice breaks the silence layered beneath her constant weeping but she’s not startled by the deep, booming yet eerily calm voice that seems to be coming from the nothingness over her left shoulder, as if she’s heard it before like we all have so many times, though her hearing it much more intimately, as it’s the voice of Union Battleground Champion Nemesis.
“You need to free yourself now Bethany, my Child…”, Nemesis’ voice lightly echoes and rings through her soul
“B-but I already did what you said would take the pain away….”, Bethany manages to sputter out with a slight sob
“And now my Child, you are ready to free yourself from the shell that encapsulated all of that pain and suffering…to truly be free”, Nemesis’ voice now oddly only seems to originate from the thin air over Bethany’s right shoulder but again, she doesn’t even flinch in the slightest
“I-I know…you’re right”, Bethany says as she once again drops her head down and weeps a little bit harder now
“They judged you…he hurt you…you’ve freed the world of them…now my Child…FREE yourself…”, Nemesis’ voice persists with his tone a little more aggressive this time around while his voice echoes all around her and not specifically to one side of her or the other
Bethany continues to weep, dwelling in her sadness before composing herself, or at least attempting to while she seems to wrestle around with something in her lap, eventually getting a grasp of whatever it is but momentarily stopping herself and taking a deep breath as if preparing herself for what’s to come in mere moments. Suddenly, from the bottom of the camera’s view Bethany brings a black, snub nosed, six-shot .357 Magnum Revolver but even more noticeable are her blood-covered hands, as one holds the barrel of the gun while the other is tight around the black rubber grip causing the gun itself to lay horizontally in them. She continues to look down at the gun, with it’s shiny, compact alloy frame and caresses it for a moment, smearing blood into every ridge of the gun her fingers touch, with her bloody finger prints now glistening on the gun from the ceiling light reflecting off of them.
She had purchased this firearm months ago after finally reaching her breaking point, the alcohol was no longer providing a temporary Band-Aid to cover her emotional scars and it was no longer alleviating the physical pain he caused her daily. It went from being a “once in a while” thing, onto a “he’s had a bad day at work” thing to eventually becoming an everyday occurrence and she figured this would eventually help her get out if need be but yet, here she is, staring into the blackness of it’s frame realizing the blackness this little weapon is capable of bringing to one’s existence. Bethany closes her eyes and takes the .357 fully into her right hand’s grip and brings it up to her right temple, clenching her eyes tightly closed as if she doesn’t want to face the decision she’s contemplating that lies before her.
“It’ll be okay my Child…your path to freedom has been a tough and tenuous one but now, it is time to leave this existence behind and embrace what lies beyond it!”, Nemesis’ voice urges as it once again surrounds Bethany who now opens her eyes with a sudden calmness in them
BANG!
Without hesitation and with a look of acceptance in her eyes, Bethany pulls the trigger of the .357 Magnum Revolver with it up against her right temple causing a large quantity of blood and brain matter to exit the left side of her skull as her body falls to her left as well, making a loud thump on the ground as complete and utter silence now hovers over the room, creating an unimaginable level of creepiness which is added to by the lights suddenly flickering on and off a few times until they finally remain off for a few moments, blacking out the room and our vision. The lights come on and standing a few feet behind the chair in which Bethany took her own life is Union Battleground Champion Nemesis with Salvation member Viduus to his immediate right, Preacher stands to Nemesis’ left and Viduus’ own manager, The Speaker stands to Viduus’ right.
Nemesis is wearing black, steel toed work boots, black jeans and a black leather jacket with no shirt underneath so he can show off his usual markings across his chest, neck and face that symbolizes the evil lurking within his body while also wearing his ritualistic headpiece to match. Preacher too is donning his red clergy suit with a black clergy dress shirt underneath and his signature red clergy collar instead of the typical white collar. New to the sight of a Union Battleground camera are Viduus Morta and his manager The Speaker, the newest additions to Salvation. Morta’s presence is intimidating with his upper body cloaked in a long, black, sleeveless jacket revealing his tattooed covered arms, his neck has multiple necklaces laced with the bones and teeth of past victims while on top of his shoulder length dreads sits a black top hat that has skulls circling the hat, just above the brim. His piercing, orangish-red eyes glare deeply into the camera while his manager The Speaker stands next to him also dressed for the occasion in a long purple trench coat with purple gloves covering his hands, dark green dress pants, and a blue collared dress shirt with a dark green waist coat underneath it while his off colored hair dangles down across his forehead and a smirk is painted across his face.
“Weakness is such a pestilence amongst existence and nothing signifies weakness more than those who constantly relapse into their bad habits…or give into their addictions”, Nemesis says with such certainty, obviously referring to Bethany
“And it seems as though the title of Uunion Battleground’s next show is fitting Richard, because one would be inclined to say that you too have become addicted to squaring off against me…addicted to the suffering caused by Salvation and myself…”, A sadistic grin begins to surface on Nemesis’ face
“What is it though that keeps you coming back Richard? It can’t be the thrill of not knowing whether tonight will be the night you beat me because you and I both know that’s just not possible based upon how inferior you are compared to me both physically and intellectually. Is it the drive to put on six star matches and entertain every paying customer in the stands and every viewer at home? No, it can’t be because you’re a fighter, not a wrestler and I’m pretty certain that being known as a ‘crowd pleaser’ isn’t exactly you’re top priority, so again I ask Richard; what is it that keep you coming back?”, Nemesis stops for a moment as if to ponder the question himself before he continues on as if a light just went off and he figured it all out
“I know! You must be an adrenaline junkie, wanting to see how far your limits can be pushed, how much your body can take before it doesn’t just break but snaps in half and how often and for how long can you teeter on the thin line between life and death because that’s the only reasonable explanation for you wanting to step into the ring with myself and Salvation, let alone in a ‘Prisoners of War’ match…if it’s pain, suffering and an obsession with beating me to try and take back the Union Battleground Championship you desire Richard than I truly hope you understand what you are about to endure…let alone what it seems you have now brought Kuk Killswitch and Johnny Vachon into because now you're addiction is going to cause those around you to live with consequences that they truly are not prepared for…”, Nemesis’ sadistic grin changes to a deep, bellowing and haunting laugh
“Kuk…where do I begin? How has your sleep pattern been holding up over the last six months or so? When we held you in captivity, your screams of pain and agony were like music to my ears as if it brought a sense of sanity and stability to my existence, my how I look forward to basking in those screams again at Relapse…and I can only imagine the visions of what we will do to you that are currently running through your head, after all, besides Richard, who else really knows the horror we are capable of inflicting better than yourself?”, Nemesis sneers as if to mock Kuk’s time when he was kidnapped by Salvation
“But at Relapse…Richard, Kuk and Johnny Vachon will be the first in Union Battleground to discover first hand what this man, the newest addition to Salvation Viduus, is capable of…won’t they Speaker?”, Nemesis asks Viduus’ manager without breaking his own focus on the camera
“Since Viduus’ glorious emergence at Coup De Grace, we have waited idly by, waiting in the shadows, in the darkness to unleash the monster that is Viduus Morta amongst all of the weak, for you see, this monster craves to be fed and it looks as though the land of Union Battleground is overflowing with potential victims. When Nemesis first presented this opportunity to us, the prospect of purging this world of the inadequate and worthless was tempting to say the least but when the realization overcame Viduus and I that this union could elevate us to newer and greater heights, well, the decision was quite simple…to stand by the side of Nemesis and the rest of Salvation while we watch the world burn at our feet”, A Grinch-like grin overcomes the face of The Speaker as Viduus simply nods in agreement by his side
“So, it seems feeding time is quickly approaching and at Relapse, Dick Devereaux, Johnny Vachon and Kuk Killswitch will not only be the first of many victims to meet their untimely demise by Viduus’ doing but they will only be but a mere appetizer for what we have in store for Union Battleground! For you three, there is no Salvation to be had, no, instead there is only torture and torment waiting, which Viduus intends to inflict upon you, slowly and surely, milking out and enjoying every moment of agony you three infidels are destined to endure!”, The Speaker exclaims with excitable aggression in his tone while Viduus rubs his hands together in anticipation for the their upcoming match
Nemesis looks to his right at Viduus and The Speaker and then back towards the camera with a devious smile of accomplishment across his face before continuing on himself.
“My, how I truly look forward to our ‘meeting of the minds’ at Relapse, Richard because I assure you, if you thought the ending of Season One at Coup De Grace was something else, it will pale in comparison to what is in store for you and all of Union Battleground come January 14th! Not only will we once again shake the foundation of this company, but also, the entire wrestling industry as a whole!”, Nemesis seems like he’s finished as he goes to take a step forward but stops himself and speaks towards the camera once again
“And don’t think for a minute the Crown of the King Cobra tournament or the subtle jabs by an incoherent, unaccomplished stoner have flown under my radar because none of it has and yet, neither the tournament nor the comments of a doped up nobody have phased me in the slightest, in fact, it’s more humorous than anything…but to one being who I know is watching, who recently claimed the Championship of the company he competes in, you know who you are…your words have not gone unheard and I implore you to heed my warning; as empowered as you may feel by your recent victory, the opponent you defeated doesn’t even come close to being as proficient or as skilled as myself, let alone being remotely capable of what I can and will do if provoked, which is to not only darken your light which shines so brightly but I will also make your fall from grace even more glorious than your recent victory, so much so that I assure you, there will be no rising from the fall brought down upon you by my hand...because I am Nemesis...and I will be your downfall”, Nemesis has a bold, stern look on his face while glaring deeply into the camera’s lens
Nemesis, Viduus, The Speaker and Preacher stand still for a moment before Nemesis begins to lead a single file lineup with Viduus, The Speaker and Preacher following him in that order. As the group begins to move, the camera switches to a wide angled shot of the room, now showing Bethany slumped over on her left side in front of the chair she was sitting in. In front of her body lies various pools of blood with four bodies lying on the ground, a short distance away from each other with each body showing a clear head wound inflicted by a gun shot, obviously Bethany had snapped earlier before we set in on this scene. Red specks of blood, similar to what we saw earlier on the Styrofoam cups, chairs and Bethany’s chin can now been seen spotted on the walls and throughout the room that we once didn’t have a full view of before. The four men walk over the bodies of the fallen, leaving foot prints in the puddles of blood as the camera follows them for a moment before speeding ahead of the group to a sign which sits in a holder by the front door that reads;
Post by Dick Devereaux on Jan 10, 2018 23:00:16 GMT -5
[The sound of a punching bag being struck is heard as the scene opens up. We are inside of the Reject Wrestling Training Center in Ozone Park, New York. The training center is empty, aside from the three men and camera crew set up inside. The owner of the wrestling school, Kuk Killswitch is standing beside the punching bag with his arms crossed in front of him. He is watching as Dick Devereaux throws solid shots at the bag, causing it to swing around after each hit. We hear the flushing of a toilet before we see a door swing open. Johnny Vachon walks in, zipping up his pants as he takes a swig from a flask. Both Devereaux and Killswitch remain focused as Johnny simply grabs a chair and opens it up before planting it down next to the ring and sitting down. Killswitch then turns to him and nods before turning to the camera.]
KUK KILLSWITCH: I've been in this game a long time. I've beaten people into submission, shortened careers, taken dump trucks full of broken bones and pits of blood. But never have I ever been the victim. Nemesis, you got one over on me. You grabbed me and tortured the shit out of me. But what you seem to not get about it all is that you grabbed me when I wasn't ready. When I was out of focus. Nemesis... you've got my attention now.
[Dick slams another fist into the bag before turning to the camera. Sweat pours down his face as his shirtless body shows off his scars from the battles he's gone through.]
DICK DEVEREAUX: You've never seen a focused Killswitch! You think you're dangerous Nemesis? You think Salvation is scary?! Wait until you see a veteran, a Hall of Famer, a MONSTER IN HIS OWN RIGHT like Kuk Killswitch step into the ring to do what he's done for years! You've brought out the old Killswitch. And he's targeting Salvation! I on the other hand, have had my sights set on you all since you went all crybaby after I denied your offer to join your playgroup. And then you took my Championship. I'm out for blood, not a win. I told you once and I'll tell you again, this is more than just a fight for the belt. This is WAR on Salvation!
[Devereaux slams his fists into the bag before turning to Vachon.]
DICK DEVEREAUX: You've got numbers Nemesis. More then I have. So I went out and did what I never thought I'd do. I recruited. I asked for some FUCKIN' help! I'm not a man who asks for assistance. But ask and you shall receive! Johnny here was happy to get a shot in this war. You see, he trained with me right in this building. Right in that ring we fought night after night, trained harder than we've ever trained before to make it into this business. He's the only backup I've got. But he's more than enough.
[Johnny chuckles arrogantly as he sits back in the chair. It's spun around backwards, the back of the chair in his front. Johnny leans against the ring apron as he eyes the camera with ego written across his face.]
JOHNNY VACHON: See, I'm not the type of guy to get into anybody's business. And I'm not the type of guy who usually aids a hand in a fight unless that fight benefits ol' Johnny Boy. But shits a little different when it comes to Killswitch over here. You attacked a defenseless man. You know who does that? Little fucking bitches! Sneaky little bitches who know they can't beat a man face to face. You didn't call Killswitch out and fight him one on one. You attacked him from behind when he was weakened. Like a little bitch. You act like you're this big bad wolf leading a murderous pack of equally vicious wolves, but really you're a scared little bitch hiding behind smoke and mirrors. We've all seen the games before.
[Killswitch nods in agreement. He steps to the camera, a bit of laughter in his voice.]
KUK KILLSWITCH: Every single place I've been in my career there's always the big scary nightmare. A guy who hides behind facepaint and theatrics to try and scare the life out of his victims. Nightmares are for children and the weak minded. We are neither of those. You hide behind your face paints and masks and blow your smoke and seemingly appear through the air, but I'll tell you what I told each and every one of the nightmares before. Everybody bleeds when steel meets skull.
[Devereaux steps forward now. The rage behind his eyes fuels the anger in his voice. It booms through the building as Dick rants.]
DICK DEVEREAUX: I'm tired of the games, the sneak attacks, and the mysterious cronies showing up to help you. I've got plenty of help now and you've got nobody to help you now. What are you gonna' do when Killswitch and Johnny take out your cronies and it's just you and me standing face to face? Where you gonna' run then? Who you gonna' call? There's only so many times you can escape me Nemesis. Fuck Salvation, I'm ready to fight YOU! This whole war has been you ducking me! And now that I've got my guys, you'll have no choice but to fight me! We've seen what happens when we duke it out. I WILL END YOU NEMESIS! And with the help of Killswitch and Johnny... I'll end Salvation too!
[Johnny pulls out his flask and takes a swig. He passes it to Devereaux who takes a swig before passing it to Killswitch.]
JOHNNY VACHON: The days are numbered for Salvation. I'm here to fight, that's it. I've dealt with scarier monsters in the Slaughterhouse. You fake ass voodoo zombies ain't putting the scare on ol' Johnny Boy here. Blood is blood, like Killswitch said, a steel chair or two will show Salvation for what they really are.
[Killswitch hands off the flask before looking to the camera.]
KUK KILLSWITCH: And a bit of barbed wire will make you squeal like those Slaughterhouse piggies!
[Devereaux grabs his "Butcher of the Battleground" hoodie and pulls it on before the three step to the camera. The new unit stands shoulder to shoulder as they eye the camera, Johnny with a smirk, Killswitch with a scowl, and Devereaux with a snarl.]
DICK DEVEREAUX: You haven't met a group like this Salvation. You thought you had the game done when you grabbed hold of that belt and Nemesis recruited the group. But don't get comfortable. Once you reach your usefulness... Nemesis will toss you out like yesterday's trash. I'd tell you to ask the former members, but you'd search forever to find them. Nemesis is a user, and it'll all come to a head when he goes through Relapse!
[Devereaux smirks before covering the camera with his hand, cutting the scene to black before it eventually turns to static.]
