The Ride Of A Lifetime
Jun 15, 2020 11:25:28 GMT -5
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Post by Kaven Drell on Jun 15, 2020 11:25:28 GMT -5
A soft, blue luminescent glow emanates from a television screen in an otherwise darkened room. The little bit around the screen that is illuminated reveals the soft fabric of a few toy stuffed animals scattered across the floor in front of a television stand. But outside of the gentle hum of the t.v. there is no other side. It’s quiet to a disconcerting extent. And then the screen flashes and white snow chases away the dim blue light that had been present before. The familiar sound that accompanies said snow scratches deep inside the mind of the viewer before being discarded and replaced by a soft metallic clicking as the image on the screen shifts to a point of view camera shot from the front row of the ever familiar ride, Space Mountain in Tomorrowland at The Magic Kingdom.
“OH MY GOD!”
A familiar voice exclaims, followed by a shrill shriek and jovial laughter. That laughter is immediately dashed away by the sound of a hand colliding with bare flesh, and the sound of a grunt.
“Don’t do that, Danny!”
More laughter and quick apologies come as the ride progresses, the soft metallic clicking continuing as the view on the screen gives a glimpse of the beginnings of the ride, slowly but surely ascending upward, the roller coaster climbing the first hill. And then.
Freeze Frame.
Pulling away from the television screen, the camera shifts around to spot Danny Rizzo and Leela Watts seated on a couch with Brownie, their chocolate lab, sprawled across Leela’s lap and Padme, their new French Bulldog nestled against Rizzo’s side. With a wink to the camera that’s now focused on him, Danny begins.
“It’s been said that life is like a highway but really, I’ve found it to be more like a roller coaster. Especially when it comes to this business. More acutely you could really apply that analogy to my time with Leela here in Union Battleground. You know, there was so much build up and anticipation. We were so looking forward to the chance to come together as a tag team here. And man, we reached the top of that first hill and all of that anticipation and build up culminated and climaxed in.. well…”
Shrugging his shoulders, Rizzo acknowledged what had happened at Lights Out 37.
“What we got was that terrifying first drop. It’s exhilarating and unpleasant all the same, but it sets the tone for the excitement of what’s to come. Because you know once you’ve overcome that first big drop, you can get through the rest of the ride with no problem. And you know, that’s exactly what started to unfold at the next show, at Lights Out 38. I mean really, Maxx. Really, Jason. The two of you had us on deaths door. You could have put the final nail in our coffin as a tag team here in Union. Our efforts would have been a complete, total abject failure. You had the whole damn world in the palm of your hands, with us still shaking off the thrill and terror of that first big drop. But instead, the two of us did what we’ve always done. And that’s overcome.”
He glances over at Leela who seems to be nodding along with everything he’s saying, and that only encourages him to push forward even more.
“But more than that, what we’ve learned along the way is that together, we can overcome even greater mountains. We can conquer deeper fears. The two of us, side by side? We’re just better than we ever have been on our own. And that’s the dose of reality that the two of you received at Lights Out 38. Now I’m sure you’re going to be quick to point out that those were singles matches, and hell that would be the low hanging fruit that most would chase after in your shoes. Except even on our own, we were fighting for each other. Fighting for the dreams that we share together. And now you know, better than anyone else, what’s coming for you at War of the Worlds III in Chicago, Illinois.”
Softly jutting his arm forward, he pressed down onto the remote control and brought the scene on the television screen back to life. On cue the ride ascends to the peak of its first hill, the metallic clinking eventually fading as screams of excitement and terror ring out as the roller coaster plummets on its track down the first big drop, guided by steel rails. Soon enough the screams fade into shouts of joy as the ride progresses further, the speed increasing constantly until once more Danny hit pause and glanced over to the blonde beside him, cueing her up. Leela looked from Danny, then to the camera with a grin on her face.
“And here we are now. At the next big hill. Heck. This may even be a loop. What always happens right before that? The momentum slows a bit and that’s what this period of time waiting for War of the Worlds is. That moment before you go through the big loop, or that next big hill. Your heart is racing. You know it’s going to be a thrill but in the back of your mind you wonder if you’ll make it through. Is this going to be the time the whole Coaster derails…”
Leela looks over at Danny as she pauses for a moment before looking back at the camera with a smirk.
“...but no I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen to Danny and I at all. If there’s one team who I think it’s their time to be worried about being derailed off the track? It's current Battalion champions the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad. The team that is no stranger to the ups and downs of wrestling. Even if they don’t always want to admit it. Always riding the high of being successful. I know what that’s like. There’s no better feeling, but at some point everything that goes up? Must come down and as great as Lisa and Ana are. I know Danny and I are capable of being greater in the end. I know that we can endure it all together. This isn’t a team built on trying to one up each other all the time. Making your partner your biggest competition and rival isn’t a smart move. At some point those thoughts and emotions bubble over and those cracks start appearing. I see them and we’re ready to capitalize.”
Gently he patted the top of Padme’s head as she stood, pawed at the spot on the couch beside him, walked in a tight circle and the curled back up right against his leg. Still, the ride on the television screen continued, though the volume was lowered and the sounds of their laughter and joy were little more than background noise now.
“You know, it’s interesting that you mention the Hellcats, Leela. Because when I think of someone who is a champion, I think of a person who eats, sleeps, breathes and fully embodies the championship that they hold. It’s sort of like when you’re walking up to get in line to get on a ride. You know what’s there? A big sign that tells you what the ride is. That’s what a championship basically is. It says that this division, this accomplishment, belongs to you. But with the Hellcats, I mean they’ve held the Battalion Championships for a combined total of 431 days and, interestingly enough, have never successfully defended them here in this company. I mean, sure, they just happened to sneak in a championship defense in Lisa’s own company a few days back. But, man maybe it’s just me but it’s almost like they did that for the purpose of being able to say they have put them on the line. But, really, can you make that claim when it’s not exactly a neutral site? Imagine, Lisa Seldon defending her own championship in… her own company? Maybe it’s just the cynical side of me coming out there, but it seems like they’re not willing to put themselves at risk unless they can control their environment.”
The questions were clearly rhetorical. They knew the answers to them. Their audience knew the answer to them. These were the sorts of questions that the world had been silently asking themselves for, well, four hundred and thirty one days.
“Ironic, isn’t it, that they were supposed to defend those very same titles at Bad Company and something just happened to come up where they weren’t able to do so. When is the last time anyone has seen Lisa or Ana at a Union Battleground event? When is the last time someone saw them compete in a Union Battleground ring? I don’t know about you, Leela, but it doesn’t seem like they’re too invested in the ride that bears their name right now. So you know what I think? I think it’s time for a name change. I think it’s time for those championship belts to change hands. I think it’s time for them to be wrapped around the waists of two people who do want to be here. Who do want to represent the tag team division in this company. Who do want to raise the banner of the Battalion Championships high above their heads, and bring pride and honor back to those titles. Two people who are willing to take on anyone, and everyone, at any time, on any show, in any place. You and I? We’ve been ready from day one.”
Leela had a mixture of emotions on her face the entire time Danny had talked. She had been puzzled, and a bit uncomfortable but she didn’t feel he wasn’t speaking the truth. Just could have gone about it a different way, but this was how they balanced each other out. Danny could say and do the things Leela couldn’t. While Leela could balance out Danny and keep him level headed. She patted Brownie’s head that had managed to sneak its way in her lap, by the time Danny was done speaking Leela’s smile was back on her face as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Yes! Danny is right. You can even look at Max and Jason and see that in spite of their flaws? They are HUNGRY for the Championships. They want to hold them. They want the validation of beating some of the best in the world. To be ready to face tough competition and beat them.. one bad penis joke at a time. I look at Ana and Lisa and I just don’t see that same passion. That drive to be the Battalion Champions that this company deserves. Not once have they commented on the fact teams came to Union to fight them. Not once have they acknowledged the challenge that awaits them. Not once have they even hinted at caring about what it means to be Tag Champions. Danny. You know how much I love theme park rides but from where I’m sitting? I think this ride with the Hellcats holding the Battalion Championships.. It’s not living up to the hype at all.”
Leela shrugged her shoulders as she turned her attention to the tv. Watching the ride come to an end. The sighs of relief could be heard. Plenty of giggling and laughing. Some people even clapping and cheering because of how fun it had been. Leela shook her head.
“And here we are. At everyone’s least favorite part of the ride. When it’s over. Yeah you still got those butterflies in your stomach. You still feel the effects of the high… or maybe you don’t. Maybe you’re sitting in the seat and you’re depressed because you thought it was going to be so much better. All you’re left with is this feeling of disappointment. When I look at the two teams we are facing Danny? I think that Max and Jason are gonna be happy with whatever happens. The ride is gonna be thrilling for them no matter what. They’ll be so high on their own supply when the train derails and crashes they won’t even care, but The Hellcats?! Their egos NEED for them to enjoy this ride. For it to come to an end and them to be satisfied and cheering. They NEED this ride to validate all the hype the ride they’ve been trying to sell to everyone for an impressive as heck year but I’m sorry. It can’t happen. The ride has been open for too long and everyone is officially getting bored. It’s time for a new attraction to bring life into Union.”
A nod of agreement comes from Rizzo in the light of the television screen. Stretching his arms high above his head, he let one fall around Leela’s shoulders.
“And that’s the thing, Leela, they NEED this to validate four hundred and thirty one days of lackluster effort. Four hundred and thirty one days of no peaks, no valleys, no twists and turns. Nothing. Both of their reigns as champions started as things that people hoped for. And who could blame them with all of the hype around them? I mean you look around and you see the other names associated with them. You’ve got the likes of the Skull Kids, smashing and bashing their way to stardom wherever they go. You’ve got the time lord herself, Anna Daniels, drawing attention to herself by being one of the most unique acts in the business. Even the loosely affiliated people like Bryan Laughlin, the Monster King, had his relentless reign of terror in 4CW and in Death Trip Wrestling. But here? Now? In Union Battleground? All we’ve been given is a thrill ride zerol thrills. And it’s time for that to end. Now, say what you want about us. Say what you want about us coming up short at Lights Out 37. We’ll own that. But just like there was that valley at Lights Out 37, there was a peak at Lights Out 38. And now the twists and the turns of the Battalion Championship match awaits us at War of the Worlds.”
On the screen other nameless figures who had been on the ride can be seen exiting, and moving on to whatever awaited them elsewhere. There would be other riders, other shows, any number of food and merchandise vendors to be visited. But Danny and Leela remained seated and it was there that Danny paused the video once more.
“Say what you want about us, but there’s no denying that when the time comes, we’re ready to go. That’s what has, and will continue to, separate us from the rest. How many obstacles have been put in our paths throughout our career? How many times have we had the weight of carrying a championship, a brand, a company or an entire coalition? How many times have people sought to tear us down on our own? Hell, I’ve been on roller coasters all throughout my life. I’m a survivor. An overcome. I became UnYielding on my own. But you know what I learned quickly in the few days that you weren’t by my side? In our darkest moments when we weren’t sure what our future held for us? Above all else I realized that as much as I can handle on my own? As much as I can achieve on my own?”
He paused for a heartbeat, letting the question hang on the air as he looked directly into her eyes.
“I’m better with you. I’m more capable with you. Together, there’s nothing that can stop us. Because while Maxx Bennett is out searching for the spotlight to be on her with every ludicrous tweet she makes and every false accusation she breathes into existence. And while Jason Van Owen is desperately trying to be the coolest, edgiest kid on the block. While the Hellcats are too busy eating themselves alive from the inside out. You and I have done nothing but realize that as good as we are on our own, we’re that much better jumping on these rides side by side.”
There’s a long moment of silence where the two… friends… simply stare at each other in silence. In Leela’s eyes there’s a twinkle as her expression shifts to one of contentment and happiness. Danny’s gaze remains attentive on her but he speaks once more.
“And once the Battalion Championships become ours? Once that ride bears our name?”
Another pause as he continues to stare at her, a soft smile creeping across his face, curling his top lip upward.
“We aren’t ever getting off.”
He leans toward her, and she moves in simultaneous motion as Danny presses play on the remote control once more. Slowly, the camera pans away as they draw near to one another, focusing on the screen once more. Softly, from the television, Leela’s words ring out true.
“Do you want to go again?”
And then Danny responding excitedly.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Softly. Quietly. Slowly. The scene darkens and drifts off like a dream.
“OH MY GOD!”
A familiar voice exclaims, followed by a shrill shriek and jovial laughter. That laughter is immediately dashed away by the sound of a hand colliding with bare flesh, and the sound of a grunt.
“Don’t do that, Danny!”
More laughter and quick apologies come as the ride progresses, the soft metallic clicking continuing as the view on the screen gives a glimpse of the beginnings of the ride, slowly but surely ascending upward, the roller coaster climbing the first hill. And then.
Freeze Frame.
Pulling away from the television screen, the camera shifts around to spot Danny Rizzo and Leela Watts seated on a couch with Brownie, their chocolate lab, sprawled across Leela’s lap and Padme, their new French Bulldog nestled against Rizzo’s side. With a wink to the camera that’s now focused on him, Danny begins.
“It’s been said that life is like a highway but really, I’ve found it to be more like a roller coaster. Especially when it comes to this business. More acutely you could really apply that analogy to my time with Leela here in Union Battleground. You know, there was so much build up and anticipation. We were so looking forward to the chance to come together as a tag team here. And man, we reached the top of that first hill and all of that anticipation and build up culminated and climaxed in.. well…”
Shrugging his shoulders, Rizzo acknowledged what had happened at Lights Out 37.
“What we got was that terrifying first drop. It’s exhilarating and unpleasant all the same, but it sets the tone for the excitement of what’s to come. Because you know once you’ve overcome that first big drop, you can get through the rest of the ride with no problem. And you know, that’s exactly what started to unfold at the next show, at Lights Out 38. I mean really, Maxx. Really, Jason. The two of you had us on deaths door. You could have put the final nail in our coffin as a tag team here in Union. Our efforts would have been a complete, total abject failure. You had the whole damn world in the palm of your hands, with us still shaking off the thrill and terror of that first big drop. But instead, the two of us did what we’ve always done. And that’s overcome.”
He glances over at Leela who seems to be nodding along with everything he’s saying, and that only encourages him to push forward even more.
“But more than that, what we’ve learned along the way is that together, we can overcome even greater mountains. We can conquer deeper fears. The two of us, side by side? We’re just better than we ever have been on our own. And that’s the dose of reality that the two of you received at Lights Out 38. Now I’m sure you’re going to be quick to point out that those were singles matches, and hell that would be the low hanging fruit that most would chase after in your shoes. Except even on our own, we were fighting for each other. Fighting for the dreams that we share together. And now you know, better than anyone else, what’s coming for you at War of the Worlds III in Chicago, Illinois.”
Softly jutting his arm forward, he pressed down onto the remote control and brought the scene on the television screen back to life. On cue the ride ascends to the peak of its first hill, the metallic clinking eventually fading as screams of excitement and terror ring out as the roller coaster plummets on its track down the first big drop, guided by steel rails. Soon enough the screams fade into shouts of joy as the ride progresses further, the speed increasing constantly until once more Danny hit pause and glanced over to the blonde beside him, cueing her up. Leela looked from Danny, then to the camera with a grin on her face.
“And here we are now. At the next big hill. Heck. This may even be a loop. What always happens right before that? The momentum slows a bit and that’s what this period of time waiting for War of the Worlds is. That moment before you go through the big loop, or that next big hill. Your heart is racing. You know it’s going to be a thrill but in the back of your mind you wonder if you’ll make it through. Is this going to be the time the whole Coaster derails…”
Leela looks over at Danny as she pauses for a moment before looking back at the camera with a smirk.
“...but no I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen to Danny and I at all. If there’s one team who I think it’s their time to be worried about being derailed off the track? It's current Battalion champions the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad. The team that is no stranger to the ups and downs of wrestling. Even if they don’t always want to admit it. Always riding the high of being successful. I know what that’s like. There’s no better feeling, but at some point everything that goes up? Must come down and as great as Lisa and Ana are. I know Danny and I are capable of being greater in the end. I know that we can endure it all together. This isn’t a team built on trying to one up each other all the time. Making your partner your biggest competition and rival isn’t a smart move. At some point those thoughts and emotions bubble over and those cracks start appearing. I see them and we’re ready to capitalize.”
Gently he patted the top of Padme’s head as she stood, pawed at the spot on the couch beside him, walked in a tight circle and the curled back up right against his leg. Still, the ride on the television screen continued, though the volume was lowered and the sounds of their laughter and joy were little more than background noise now.
“You know, it’s interesting that you mention the Hellcats, Leela. Because when I think of someone who is a champion, I think of a person who eats, sleeps, breathes and fully embodies the championship that they hold. It’s sort of like when you’re walking up to get in line to get on a ride. You know what’s there? A big sign that tells you what the ride is. That’s what a championship basically is. It says that this division, this accomplishment, belongs to you. But with the Hellcats, I mean they’ve held the Battalion Championships for a combined total of 431 days and, interestingly enough, have never successfully defended them here in this company. I mean, sure, they just happened to sneak in a championship defense in Lisa’s own company a few days back. But, man maybe it’s just me but it’s almost like they did that for the purpose of being able to say they have put them on the line. But, really, can you make that claim when it’s not exactly a neutral site? Imagine, Lisa Seldon defending her own championship in… her own company? Maybe it’s just the cynical side of me coming out there, but it seems like they’re not willing to put themselves at risk unless they can control their environment.”
The questions were clearly rhetorical. They knew the answers to them. Their audience knew the answer to them. These were the sorts of questions that the world had been silently asking themselves for, well, four hundred and thirty one days.
“Ironic, isn’t it, that they were supposed to defend those very same titles at Bad Company and something just happened to come up where they weren’t able to do so. When is the last time anyone has seen Lisa or Ana at a Union Battleground event? When is the last time someone saw them compete in a Union Battleground ring? I don’t know about you, Leela, but it doesn’t seem like they’re too invested in the ride that bears their name right now. So you know what I think? I think it’s time for a name change. I think it’s time for those championship belts to change hands. I think it’s time for them to be wrapped around the waists of two people who do want to be here. Who do want to represent the tag team division in this company. Who do want to raise the banner of the Battalion Championships high above their heads, and bring pride and honor back to those titles. Two people who are willing to take on anyone, and everyone, at any time, on any show, in any place. You and I? We’ve been ready from day one.”
Leela had a mixture of emotions on her face the entire time Danny had talked. She had been puzzled, and a bit uncomfortable but she didn’t feel he wasn’t speaking the truth. Just could have gone about it a different way, but this was how they balanced each other out. Danny could say and do the things Leela couldn’t. While Leela could balance out Danny and keep him level headed. She patted Brownie’s head that had managed to sneak its way in her lap, by the time Danny was done speaking Leela’s smile was back on her face as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Yes! Danny is right. You can even look at Max and Jason and see that in spite of their flaws? They are HUNGRY for the Championships. They want to hold them. They want the validation of beating some of the best in the world. To be ready to face tough competition and beat them.. one bad penis joke at a time. I look at Ana and Lisa and I just don’t see that same passion. That drive to be the Battalion Champions that this company deserves. Not once have they commented on the fact teams came to Union to fight them. Not once have they acknowledged the challenge that awaits them. Not once have they even hinted at caring about what it means to be Tag Champions. Danny. You know how much I love theme park rides but from where I’m sitting? I think this ride with the Hellcats holding the Battalion Championships.. It’s not living up to the hype at all.”
Leela shrugged her shoulders as she turned her attention to the tv. Watching the ride come to an end. The sighs of relief could be heard. Plenty of giggling and laughing. Some people even clapping and cheering because of how fun it had been. Leela shook her head.
“And here we are. At everyone’s least favorite part of the ride. When it’s over. Yeah you still got those butterflies in your stomach. You still feel the effects of the high… or maybe you don’t. Maybe you’re sitting in the seat and you’re depressed because you thought it was going to be so much better. All you’re left with is this feeling of disappointment. When I look at the two teams we are facing Danny? I think that Max and Jason are gonna be happy with whatever happens. The ride is gonna be thrilling for them no matter what. They’ll be so high on their own supply when the train derails and crashes they won’t even care, but The Hellcats?! Their egos NEED for them to enjoy this ride. For it to come to an end and them to be satisfied and cheering. They NEED this ride to validate all the hype the ride they’ve been trying to sell to everyone for an impressive as heck year but I’m sorry. It can’t happen. The ride has been open for too long and everyone is officially getting bored. It’s time for a new attraction to bring life into Union.”
A nod of agreement comes from Rizzo in the light of the television screen. Stretching his arms high above his head, he let one fall around Leela’s shoulders.
“And that’s the thing, Leela, they NEED this to validate four hundred and thirty one days of lackluster effort. Four hundred and thirty one days of no peaks, no valleys, no twists and turns. Nothing. Both of their reigns as champions started as things that people hoped for. And who could blame them with all of the hype around them? I mean you look around and you see the other names associated with them. You’ve got the likes of the Skull Kids, smashing and bashing their way to stardom wherever they go. You’ve got the time lord herself, Anna Daniels, drawing attention to herself by being one of the most unique acts in the business. Even the loosely affiliated people like Bryan Laughlin, the Monster King, had his relentless reign of terror in 4CW and in Death Trip Wrestling. But here? Now? In Union Battleground? All we’ve been given is a thrill ride zerol thrills. And it’s time for that to end. Now, say what you want about us. Say what you want about us coming up short at Lights Out 37. We’ll own that. But just like there was that valley at Lights Out 37, there was a peak at Lights Out 38. And now the twists and the turns of the Battalion Championship match awaits us at War of the Worlds.”
On the screen other nameless figures who had been on the ride can be seen exiting, and moving on to whatever awaited them elsewhere. There would be other riders, other shows, any number of food and merchandise vendors to be visited. But Danny and Leela remained seated and it was there that Danny paused the video once more.
“Say what you want about us, but there’s no denying that when the time comes, we’re ready to go. That’s what has, and will continue to, separate us from the rest. How many obstacles have been put in our paths throughout our career? How many times have we had the weight of carrying a championship, a brand, a company or an entire coalition? How many times have people sought to tear us down on our own? Hell, I’ve been on roller coasters all throughout my life. I’m a survivor. An overcome. I became UnYielding on my own. But you know what I learned quickly in the few days that you weren’t by my side? In our darkest moments when we weren’t sure what our future held for us? Above all else I realized that as much as I can handle on my own? As much as I can achieve on my own?”
He paused for a heartbeat, letting the question hang on the air as he looked directly into her eyes.
“I’m better with you. I’m more capable with you. Together, there’s nothing that can stop us. Because while Maxx Bennett is out searching for the spotlight to be on her with every ludicrous tweet she makes and every false accusation she breathes into existence. And while Jason Van Owen is desperately trying to be the coolest, edgiest kid on the block. While the Hellcats are too busy eating themselves alive from the inside out. You and I have done nothing but realize that as good as we are on our own, we’re that much better jumping on these rides side by side.”
There’s a long moment of silence where the two… friends… simply stare at each other in silence. In Leela’s eyes there’s a twinkle as her expression shifts to one of contentment and happiness. Danny’s gaze remains attentive on her but he speaks once more.
“And once the Battalion Championships become ours? Once that ride bears our name?”
Another pause as he continues to stare at her, a soft smile creeping across his face, curling his top lip upward.
“We aren’t ever getting off.”
He leans toward her, and she moves in simultaneous motion as Danny presses play on the remote control once more. Slowly, the camera pans away as they draw near to one another, focusing on the screen once more. Softly, from the television, Leela’s words ring out true.
“Do you want to go again?”
And then Danny responding excitedly.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Softly. Quietly. Slowly. The scene darkens and drifts off like a dream.