Ascension: Royal Rumble

[Dominic Reynolds]

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

---

Duck, dodge, jab, uppercut…why won’t he go down, what else do I have to do? For the past eleven rounds I have been hitting this man with everything I have got. But he just keeps on coming, what am I going to have to do to get the job done? The salty sting of sweat stings my near swollen shut eye socket, through my narrowed field of vision I can see the bleeding cuts and bruises on the eyes of my opponent. My head is pounding and throbbing, but I can’t stop now. After taking a hard shot to my ribcage, I hear what sounds like the three bell sound of the round ending. Staggering backwards to my corner, I collapse on the small stool in a battered heap. My crew men start to wipe my face and apply the ointment to the cuts on my forehead and cheeks. My vision is blurry, but I can see my pops get in the ring and look my dead in the eyes. The fire and passion I see blazing within him is more than apparent as his face becomes level with my own.

Dominic Reynolds: Pops, I don’t know if I can do this…he just keeps coming.

Pops: Look over there son…do you see what is on display?

It’s the Welterweight Championship…it’s my second chance going for this prize. With it comes prestige…a temporary immortality…I want it…I need it…but I don’t know if I’ve got what it takes.

Pops: Listen to me closely son, this is your time…your night…you need to go into this last round and leave everything you’ve got…everything you are…make him regret the day that he ever stepped into the ring with you son. Only one of you is going to get his hand held high son…it’s going to be you…it has to be you…WIN SON!

Hearing the passion in his voice seemed to reignite a fire within me…as the referee stepped in to let me know that it was once again time to fight…I suddenly find myself standing up ready to fight until I can’t fight anymore. Jeremiah Leary stares at me from the other side of the ring, looking just as ready to go as I am. As soon as the bell tolls to begin the final round I immediately come out swinging, my body wants to give out on me…but the motivational words spoken by pops compel me to keep swinging. For the final three minutes Leary and myself unloaded everything we had on each other, neither of us wanting to budge an inch. Finally the bell tolled once again, signifying the end of the fight. My hand would be raised in victory on this night, the Welterweight Championship would finally be mine. Pops didn’t let me quit on myself, I would never forget that…never

---

Boxing came naturally to me, over fifty fights in my career and only two losses. Transitioning to professional wrestling was a challenge that I had poorly accounted for. One month and so far I find myself in an unfamiliar role, in the past if I was having a hard time I would always have my pops to turn too…he would always know just the right thing to say. But now…now I have to do this alone. Do I have what it takes? Feeling a tap on my shoulder I am awoken from my daydream…it’s my fathers’ nurse coming in to check the readings on all of the machines that he is hooked up too. Ever since he fell ill, I had him admitted to New York Presbyterian Hospital…that was about two weeks ago, since then I have yet to be given any definitive answer to what exactly has been ailing him. It’s starting to get a little irritating, but I don’t know what…if anything I can do about it.

[/i]

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Nurse: Mr. Reynolds, I have a message for you from our Accounts Department. It turns out that you won’t need to have your father classified as a cash account anymore. A retainer of a half million dollars was applied to his account.

Dominic Reynolds: Half a million dollars…from who?

Voice: From me Dom.

I watch a figure come from the hallway and push his way past the nurse and come into my fathers’ room. It’s Austin, we haven’t spoken since he convinced me to meet with Rick Speedwagon and sign with Thy WWE. Why would he do something like this though?[/b]

Austin Starr: Hello Dom…now I know you’re wondering why I did this…let me tell you…I didn’t do it for any favors…for any leverage. The main reason why I did this…is because I know how close you and your father are. I know how pivotal this man has been to the success you’ve had, and honestly it’s touching. And retirement has taught me that it’s about time I finally start making up for lost time…for righting some of the wrong decisions I made.

Life has always taught me to be very cautious of other people; so far the only people that I have ever really let in have been my brother…my sister…and my own family. But normally where I would be wary of taking such a sincere…something about the sincerity in Austin’s voice…something about the warm look in his eyes…I think I can trust him. [/b]

Dominic Reynolds: Thank you man…from the bottom of my heart man…thank you, I’ll never forget this.

Austin Starr: Don’t even worry about it man…so how you been?

Dominic Reynolds: It’s been a rough couple weeks Austin…I’m not gonna lie to you.

Austin Starr: I’ve been watching you on television Dom…first match in a wrestling ring and you almost defeat the World Champion.

Dominic Reynolds: Sheamus is an overhyped bum!

Austin Starr: Sheamus is the World Champion for a reason Dom…one thing you’re gonna have to learn about the wrestling game…it’s not as easy to get to the top as it was in boxing. To conquer in wrestling, it’s almost a chess game that you are continuously playing…trying to go move for counter move…until that inevitable checkmate.

Dominic Reynolds: I can take care of myself Austin…no need to worry about me. But what about you man…while I was learning more about Sheamus…I did a little looking around into your story man. You and Walker beat the hell out of each other a few months back and you haven’t been seen since. What have you been up to man?

Austin Starr: Ah Kenneth…my oldest and dearest friend. The only man that I truly look in the eye and call brother, after our final match Kenneth skipped town. Leaving a note that only contained a handwritten apology, and signed divorce papers. His ex-wife and I married a short time later, my daughter Savannah and his son Michael all moved into my home with me. The family that I had wanted for so many years…I finally had it now, but regrettably…it still felt incomplete. I’ve been spending these past several months trying to track Kenneth down and let him know that it’s okay for him to come back. That even though we may have our family now…that he is still a part of my life. But…but enough of that…I only came here Dom for two reasons…one was to take care of the money for your father. And two…two was to pass some words of wisdom to you. Which is this…you are going to face struggles here in the wrestling game. But it’s how you adapt to those struggles that really show the character you have Dom.

Dominic Reynolds: I’ll be alright Austin…don’t worry about me.

Austin Starr: Use that stubbornness my friend; trust me…you’re going to need it.

Austin offers his hand to me and I shake it firmly…he then nods his head and exits the room quickly. Looking back towards my father, I sit back down in the chair I was in and take his hand.

Dominic Reynolds: Pops I want you to know…you never let me quit on myself when times got tough…and now I’m not going to let you quit. You may not be able to be here to tell me what I need to hear, but I want you to know that I am never going to stop fighting for you dad…I will turn things around and make sure that you get better. First stop pops is the Ascension Rumble…this is going to be all for you dad…I love you.

Kissing my old man on the forehead I make my way from the hospital room…I need to get back to the gym…I haven’t had any time to really properly train or prepare for this match. For me to even have any kind of a fighting chance…that has to change. [/i]

---

“When there is no struggle, there is no strength”

Arriving to my gym several hours later, I see my brother Ronnie waiting for me outside. Getting out of my old Crown Victoria, I see him beaming from ear to ear. On the way here from the hospital, I had called him and instructed him to get me twenty-nine men. For me to have any chance of succeeding in this match coming up…I needed to prepare.

Dominic Reynolds: Ronnie…what’s up man, did you get everybody together?

Ronnie: Oh yeah man, they’re all inside…this is going to be fun to see. You’re going to hurt these guys Dom…I already know it.

Coming through the doors of the gym, the feeling that lingers in the air is one of loneliness…a lack of control. My dad carries such a commanding aura when he is here…that now; it just seems empty without him here. Seeing the men standing next to the ring, I decide to already get down to business and get inside of the ring.

Dominic Reynolds: Alright guys…what’s gonna happen now…is every ninety seconds one of you is going to rush into the ring and your objective is simple. Your objective is to throw me over the top rope and make sure that both of my feet touch the floor, my objective is to prevent that from happening and toss each and every single one of you over. All of you are going to be compensated for your time accordingly, but if one of you can toss me out, there will be an extra five thousand dollars in it for you. Any questions?

None of the crowd speaks

Dominic Reynolds: Then let’s get this started guys, first man come in.

Austin told me that wrestling was like a chess game…alright, strategically placed moves each connected leading to the ultimate goal of victory. First man in charges me like a bull, a simple side step and I am able to toss him over the top rope and watch him land in a heap on the thinly padded floor. One down, the second man comes in, ignoring the ninety second rule and charges me also…but this time he stops and starts trying to push me backwards. A simple dropping of my body weight and I am able to heave him over the ropes and chuckle to myself as he smacks the floor. I’ve memorized the list of the twenty-nine other combatants that stand in the way of me finally getting my chance to face Sheamus once again. Aaron…a man who is in a very familiar position to my own…a newcomer who is so desperate to make a name for himself that he is going to do whatever it takes. Regrettably, he has already set himself up for failure. Aaron is nothing more than a cookie cutter, carbon copy of a stereotypical newcomer. Oh I will win, oh I am the best, oh I am superior. Aaron you pander to the fans that fill the seats, but you don’t give them any reason to care. When you fail to get the job done tonight, have you asked yourself what you plan to do? Do you have any idea of what you are going to do when you fail? I don’t think so…

The third and fourth men have apparently come in together, no matter. This time putting myself on the offensive, I back one of them into a corner and clothesline him with such force that his legs fly up and he crumbles over the ropes and lands on the floor in a heap. His partner simply wants no part of me as he climbs over the nearest top rope and jumps down to the floor. Barton…Barton you are by far the most impressive entrant I’ve seen and honestly I think you possess the biggest threat to my victory. A man such as yourself…a man who is dealing with so much pain and torment…perhaps in another lifetime you and I could have been kindred spirits. But on this night…for this match…we are enemies. I already know that you are going to come at me with everything that you’ve got. I know that you are going to leave every ounce of yourself in that ring, because you want it…sadly friend, I regret to inform you that you do not want it as much as I do. You do not need it as much as I do, for that reason alone, this is what I live for Barton.

How many guys are left? I’ve already lost count…I just know that another two have came in, and those same two have gotten tossed over the top rope. I have yet to break a sweat, this is proving to be much easier then I had expected.

Ben Connor…a bore, your listless and monotonous style did nothing for me. I truly believe that you don’t have a firm grasp of what you are getting yourself into. You don’t pose any kind of significant threat to me, honestly, if you were in the ring by the time I got in…I would be more then surprised. Beno…you my friend are a true enigma. You were brought into this business by that bum Maven, but since then you have carved yourself a pretty impressive path. Along with Barton, I see you as another threat. Along with Barton I see you as another man who could potentially stop me from getting my hand raised at the end. That is why I am going to personally ensure Beno that I remove you from the match personally.

Voice: Dom!

After kicking another one of the volunteers over the top rope I stop and look over at who was calling my name. What are Lisa and my sons doing here?

Dominic Reynolds: Lisa…what are you doing here?

Lisa: I need to speak to you Dominic

Looking over at the remaining men, I motion for them to take five as I exit the ring and follow her into the office. Closing the door I can see that she has been crying as she turns towards me.

Dominic Reynolds: Lisa, what’s wrong.

Lisa: Dominic I asked you to walk away after Arthur got sick…I asked you to think about me and think about the children. The last thing I ever want to see happen is to see you in the bed next to him in a coma. But you chose to sign a contract, you chose to become a professional wrestler. Why Dom? Why do you continue to fight? Do you do it because you need to? Or is it because you want too?

I didn’t need this now…not tonight…

Dominic Reynolds: Lisa, I told you…you and the boys…and my dad…are the reason why I keep fighting. I continue to beat and get beaten to make sure that you guys are taken care of. Why can’t you understand that.

Lisa: Dominic, there are other ways…you don’t have to take that burden all on yourself.

Dominic Reynolds: Lisa, this is the way that it has to be…please I just need you to understand that.

I need to get back to my training, pushing my way past Lisa I open the door and head back over to the ring. She calls out to me, but just grabs my boys and leaves the gym upset when I do not respond. I really hate to take such a tense stance with her…but there is no other way for my family to enjoy the livelihood that they had gotten use too, there is no way for my father to really be taken care of without me continuing to fight. I made a promise that I wouldn’t stop, until I couldn’t fight anymore. I don’t intend to break that promise…I can’t. Getting back in the ring, I wave the next man in…it looks like there are about twenty of them left. CM Punk…the Straight Edge Saviour…a man who preaches a life style of clean living, no drinking, smoking, or illicit drug use. Regrettably though, this is a man who seems to spend so much time concerned with getting others to think the way he does, that he neglects his responsibilities within the squared circle. To be totally honest, if CM Punk even shows up tonight…I will be taken aback.

Crisis…what can be said about a man such as yourself…what can be said about a man who strikes fear in those around him. What can be said about a man that has star quality written all about him? Wait a second…this isn’t a horror movie…this is a wrestling match. Last time I checked Crisis…this isn’t Scream…you are not the Ghostface Killer and I am not one of the mindless kids who gets murdered. This is a match where you are going to rely on smoke and mirrors to spread the intimidation factor; but the bad thing is…you’re going to be looking at a man who isn’t afraid. You’re going to be looking at a man who won’t hesitate to toss your ass over the ropes and laugh when you smack the arena floor.

Uhhh

Finally one of the men is putting up a fight, getting kicked in the stomach; I cover up as this man starts to punch away at me. Taking only a few moments to catch my breath, I tackle the man attacking me and slam him into the corner turnbuckles. Unloading several stiff left hands, I finish with a right handed uppercut which sends my aggressor flying over the ropes and landing hard on the floor. Freedom…why do you wear a mask? What are you hiding from? What pain lies behind those eyes? Do you need somebody to reach out to you? Freedom, I don’t know who you are…I don’t know who you are capable of. Honestly, you very well could serve to be my downfall…you very well could defeat me. I don’t want that to happen…I can’t let that happen, but then again…there are just some things that we can’t control Freedom.

Good luck…and have at you friend.

After tossing yet another man over the ropes, I suddenly am losing patience with this practice.

Dominic Reynolds: Alright, the last ten or so of you…this session is over.

I leave the ring and I see Ronnie look at me with a quizzical look on his face.

Dominic Reynolds: I need to clear my head

There’s only one place where I can go to safely clear my head…Ronnie knows it so he just lets me by. Ascension is only a few hours away, so I am going to have to make this quick.

---

“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity”

Looking down at the headstone in front of me…I feel tears begin to form in my eues. Evelyn Reynolds-Bure…mom…for years I always had wondered why you left dad and me. For years I had always thought that it was my fault that you weren’t around…for years I was angry with you…For years I even hated you mom. I just wanted the one chance to ask you…why? Why would compel a grown woman to abandon her young son and husband? I know my condition when I was younger made things stressful for you and dad…I know that things weren’t easy…but what right did you have to abandon us mom? All I have from you now is a letter…a letter dropped off from an estate lawyer; I never had the heart to show it to dad and now look where we are mom. I honestly have never had the heart to open this. And I don’t think I do now…I just ask you mom, you couldn’t be there for me in life…so now I ask you in death…please mom…please look after pops…please make sure that dad is okay and please look after me tonight. I know you never were there for me, but now this is your chance mom…look after me tonight and help me find victory.

Maybe another time I’ll get another chance to return here and see what you had to say…but for now mom…I’ve gotta win, to many people are counting on me…failure is not an option.

Failure is not an option…[/i][/center]

[Lance Mercer]

The stars in the night sky seemed especially bright tonight, shining through the mid night air into the window of the airplane. The Young man sat in his first class window seat and looked out into the night. He loved flying at night, something about it just made the experience more magical to him. He had been flying around from place to place for years now but he never got over the rush off it and when the opportunities for him to fly at night came around the rush was even more so. To him it was all about the lights. Maybe it was his massive ego talking but he liked the feeling of all the lights on the world shining on him. It made him feel important, special, powerful, cared for. It was the reason he got into the business in the first place. The lights of the camera, the lights of the arena, and as he looked out the window the lights of whole cities pointed towards him as if to say “go man go” it was what he lived for.

In the plane itself things weren’t as magical as they were outside
most of the cast was sleeping or reading through the script. Donny was snoring loudly with his mouth wide open. It was your normal red eye flight party. The man who would be king thought about taking out the script and reading through it again before he too would eventually catch some shut eye. It would have been the smart move but that wasn’t always his specialty. Instead the young champion reached down under his seat and pulled out a little packet. The cover page read “Thy WWE: Ascension information”. He had gotten the packet in the mail a couple of days ago Donny said. It had all the information about the upcoming pay per view inside, including his entry number. Even though he had been in matches like this before, such as the royal rumble back in his WWE days, he realized that he had never actually won any of them. And he never really understood why

More often than not he would make it to one of the final ten or five. once he was even one of the last two men in the ring. But somehow every single time his feet had been put over the top rope and down to the floor. Around the internet it was known as the “Taker Curse”. From way back when the young champion had feuded with the Deadman and was “cursed” to never win a Royal Rumble match. Even after the feuded had ended it seemed the so called “curse” still was in effect as he had never come out the victor. “but that was back in the WWE” he told himself shifting in the seat of the plane “Thy is a whole new ball game”. The champion also noticed that he had never actually read any of the information about any theme pay per-view like before. He got the general concept but if they took the time to right a packet about it maybe there was more to the match then he originally thought. So he closed the curtains, clicked the little light button above his head, and opened the Thy WWE Ascension packet.

Each and every name of the people in the match were shown inside the first couple of pages along with their finishing moves and wrestling stats. The World Premiere stopped and looked at Donny, who was still fast asleep, wondering where on earth he got this from. Granted most of the people in the list were people that the young champion already knew. But the fact that every wrestler competing in the main event was listed with stats was pretty impressive. He flipped to the page where he was and saw his picture next to the words “ The Clockstopper: Powerful Super Kick & The World Premiere: Grade A Unprettier”. His own cocky smile looking up at him from the picture made the Icon champion laugh a little. From what the packet said he was one of the fans favorites to win but from the in house poll he was hardly on the ballet. He shook his head in disappointment.

Excuse me sir is something wrong?

The champion looked up to see a young flight attendant looking at him from the isle. Her blue and white uniform hugged her body a little tight as if she had ordered a size smaller to bring attention her curves.

Me? Oh no nothing is wrong…..well actually yes something is kinda wrong here.

Her face immediately showed signs of distress.

Well what can I do to help you sir?

The young champion turned in his seat and opened the page to his stats for the main event.

Do you see that? Can you read that there?

He held the packet up as she moved in a little closer

Yes I can and very nice picture of you mr..

Before she can continue the young man cuts her off

Not the picture, but thank you so much for the compliment, I am talking about the stats next to my name here. Take a look at those.

The flight attendant leans in again. As she does she puts on a smile

From what is says here everyone really thinks you are going to win this..main..event.. rumble match. That’s good right?

The champion lets out a sigh and shakes his head

Yeah the fans are smart but that’s not what I am talking about. It’s the other bar the one that says “in house poll”. I am not even in the running

She leans back into the isle and puts on a face of concern even though it is clear that she isn’t quite sure what is going on. In fact all she can muster as a response is

Oh…im sorry

The world premiere closes the packet and looks up at her.

I have a feeling you are not a wrestling fan huh

The young flight attendant shakes her head sheepishly. With a smile she says

No, not really… sorry. I know my little brother is and I remember my dad was big into it too. But I love your movies.

he peaked out the curtains again before turning back to the young woman with a smile.

Hey it’s ok thanks for your honesty. It’s just that there is this big match coming up and none of my peers seem to think that I am much of a challenge…it’s kinda upsetting. Think about it like this, how would you feel if all of your flight attendant buddies thought there is no chance in hell you could teach all of us passengers how to buckle our seat belts?

The young woman laughed but tried to contain herself do to the sleeping passengers around the plane. She smiled and responded

I don’t think I would feel too good at all.

Exactly! I mean half these guys should already know I am a major front runner. Hell I beat most of the people on this list several times. You would think they would at least mention me.

The world premiere looked back down at the packet and sighed. The two hung there in silence for a bit before the woman spoke softly

Back when I was in college I was in cheerleading and the captain would always put me towards the bottom of the pyramid. Everyone said it was cuz she thought I was better than her and I guess it got frustrating. But then one day she broke her ankle doing a back handspring and the coach put me up on top. So maybe right now it might seem bad but I am sure you will get your time to show them how good you are.

The Icon champion laughed a little and smiled, surprised that the young flight attendant’s words of wisdom. She must have realized how funny she sounded too because her face turned bright red with embarrassment.

But you know haha that was cheerleading back in the day ha im sure your wrestling thing is a lot different than that…not that you can’t show them what you can like cheerleading but……I think I am just going to stop talking now.

Hahahaha no no you are fine. And thank you….

The World Premiere pauses, waiting for the flight attendant to fill in his blank with her name

Oh haha Emilie Waters

Well thank you very much Emilie Waters. And you know what? I am going to take your advice to heart. Screw what the guys in the back say about me. If I cared what they thought about me selling out to whoever gives me the most title shots, and pissing all over the fans that make this business great. No no no I am not going to let them tell me I am not a threat, I am not going to let someone else who doesn’t deserve it take my place in the sun light…I am gonna remind each and every one of those walking wastes of air space who the hell I am!

The smile on the Icon champion seemed to bring a smile to flight attendant Emilie Waters face as well.

That’s great! If you as good in the ring as you are in your movies I am sure you will do amazing. I would really love to talk some more but I am being called so..

She leans in to row and writes down ten digits on a napkin that was resting on top of a tray table. She drew a little smiley face before putting the pen back in her pocket and leaning back into the isle. The man who would be king took the napkin and smiled his oh so familiar cocky smile, and slid the napkin into his inside jacket pocket.

I’ll be sure to use this soon. Now you go be not late heh heh I wouldn’t you to be in trouble.

Emilie Waters the flight attendant gives a little wave and a smile before walking back down the isle to wherever it was she was being called to. As she left from sight the young champion opened up the packet again and nodded his head speaking softly to himself.

Yeah you don’t be let….i’ll show them im Just-In-Time.


…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Scene One- Space Gladiators 2: “Revenge of the Mars Queen” 3D

In the sky the sun was burning bright down on the barren wasteland. Burning in the air the heat clung to every living creature like a leech. Everything thing was hot from the red sand on the ground to the birds that flew in the sky it all seemed like at any moment it they could spontaneously explode into a giant ball of fire and smoke. And this was only a cold day in the dessert of New Mexico. But despite the almost unbearable heat the surrounded the land it still held a natural beauty that one could fall in love with. Mountains rose up to twirl the clouds around like flying mounds of cotton candy, Little reptiles and creatures scurrying about from rock to rock. It was a snap shot of nature’s beauty that seemed to be left untouched by the hands of man and the modern era.
Unless you count the massive spaceship lodged in the ground and the lasers shooting out from all directions.

As well as being a beautiful backdrop for nature documentary the dessert of New Mexico was also one of the many different filming locations for Warner Brothers next big motion picture Space Gladiators 2 “Revenge of the Mars Queen” 3D. The movie was a sequel of the first Space Gladiators that was a box off smash hit. Earning more than fifty million dollars state wide within it’s opening weekend. The film was being called the next generations Star Wars and was gathering a rather large fan base stretching from both sci-fi faithful to everyday families.

It had everything a movie could want, Action, adventure, thrilling suspense, Sci-fi special effects and even a pinch of romance for the ladies. The story followed a young but strong gladiator from the days of roman rule being sucked out of his time and space to compete in a massive battle of the planets with each gladiator battling for not only their personal freedom and wealth but the survival of their entire home planet. The reviews had nothing but amazing things to say about the movies script and it’s director, Christopher Nolan. But as much as they liked the movie and it’s director one of the things that Space Gladiators had was grade a cast. Space Gladiators was filled with as many stars as their spaceships flew around. From the comedic talents of Chris Rock, Steven Colbert, Ricky Gervais and Zach Galifianakis all the way to major blockbuster names such as Gorge Clooney, Robert De niro , Anne Hathaway, and Matt Damond. It was a star studded product in every sense of the world.

Another one of it’s major pulls was the casting of the movies leading man. Many people had gone out for the role but the one that finally grabbed it was two time Oscar winner and superstar from professional wrestling fame Justin Time. The one superstar that many people in the business called “the 21st century renaissance man”. Space Gladiators was such a success that within only its second week of running in theaters the studios and producers began talks for a sequel. And after many late night discussions, nudges from friends, and a very large sum of cash the Thy WWE Icon Champion signed on to reprise his role as “Maximus” the movies starring role.

And it was that reason why Justin Time found himself standing in the New Mexico dessert today. Even though the set had its fair share of cooling area’s and his personal trailer was fully accommodated right now he was sandal deep in burning hot sand in the middle of the hot sun or as he was told to vision it “one of Mar’s many desert terrains”.

It had been a good day so far. Filing was going fast and it wasn’t as deathly hot as he had thought it would be but as the sun rose higher into the sky he knew that it probably would be before long. Noland, the director, had a family emergency the night before so he was off the set today but instead of losing a day of filming the studio decided to hire substitute director until Noland returned. Justin wasn’t sure where they had found this guy but it almost seemed like he was trying his hardest to put on the Hollywood director stereotype, The Icon Champ wasn’t amused.

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
Justin, Celebraty, Baby! How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Maybe some water? SOMEBODY GET MR.TIME HERE SOME WATER!!! Do you feel good cuz ya look good kid very top notch. You ready for this next scene?

Justin tried his best not to look annoyed as the small pudgy man put slapped him on the back and blew out a small cloud of smoke from his cigar. Justin opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the overzealous substitute director.

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
Who am I kidding of course you are! You’re a professional, a master of your craft, BETTY WHERE THE HELL IS THAT WATER?!, do want me to call Mr. Jackson over here? Maybe do a little run down of the fight scene one more time?

Mr. Mei Jackson was the fight scene choreographer for Space Gladiator 2. From what Justin had heard about him he had been trained by both Chuck Norris and briefly by Bruce Lee himself. Granditd in this town almost everyone was “trained by Bruce Lee” something made The Icon Champion think he might be right this time. Justin had spent a lot of time with him during the course of filming because, with the exception of the most dangerous ones, Justin liked to do his own stunts, a decision that both the Producers and Thy WWE management weren’t too happy about. Once again Justin tries to say something but is interrupted by Peppermen.

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
You know what? I am going to bring him over here. You guys can talk it over. You’re doing great baby your star and I mean that. JACKSON! COME OVER HERE AND TALK WITH MR.TIME!! AND BETTY SO IF I DON’T SEEM HIM ENJOYING HIS WATER IN THE NEXT FIFTEEN SECONDS I AM GOING TO DROP BACK TO WORKING IN STARBUCKS WHERE THEY FOUND YOU!! Alright Justin talk to you in a bit.

As Donald walks back towards to the director’s area Mei Jackson made his way over to Justin. Now they had been over the fight scene over and over again at this point but, even though he was annoying, Peppermen was right about Justin maybe needing a refresher. His mind had not been in the game today. He was dropping lines, missing cues, not something that he was known for. But even thought he was in the Dessert of New Mexico or Mar’s Redone district, depending on if the cameras were rolling, his mind kept going to the Thy WWE and to one match in particular.
The Ascension Royal Rumble Match

It was insane how one little battle royal could get him so flustered. During one of the scenes where he was supposed to tell a guard that the thief escaped over the top ridge he said “over the top rope” and they had to shoot the escape scene again. Even now as Mei ran down the movements for the upcoming fight scene Justin’s mind wondered into the events about to take place in the Royal Rumble.

29 other men… it doesn’t really seem like that much. But it sure is once you’re in there. Half the time it’s not even that the people are better then you. But the fact that you have been fighting for over an hour can make even the lowest jobber seem like a threat if he’s fresh out the back. Some of these guys haven’t even been in a match at all and they are just being shoved into this major event…lucky them.
Not that it will matter I guess I mean tired or not I know that some of these guys will never be able to touch me. I can’t even believe some of them! Like this Aaron guy with his glass chair. i have seen a lot of stupid gimmicks in my life but a guy coming out and beating his wooden sex toy with a chair he probably stole from a Disney princess castle might take the cake. I couldn’t believe it when I watched the video, I mean I could hear Ric laughing on the other end of the phone. The man came out to the ring and latterly played with his dolls and then left. Maybe If he was trying to compete for My Little Pony Tea Party Champion he might of have a shot but not going into the royal rumble with real fighters. It was almost shameful, someone should toss his ass over the top rope just for being stupid I mean come on. And just take a look at…..

ACTION!

The word shot out like a gun shot across the desert. Justin looked up and around trying to figure out what was going on. He heard a roar as a man with a sword came running towards him. The Icon champion looked down at his hand. He had a sword too. He remembered now, he was filming a movie, this was the fight scene between him and one of the prime royal guard. Justin didn’t even remember anyone asking him if he was ready to go, man he really needed to get his head in the game. Justin’s opponent lunged at him but Justin leaped to the side sending the man rolling to the ground. “the choreography Justin” the young champion thought to himself “remember the choreography”. As the other slowly got up Justin gripped his sword in his hand and began to go through how the fight scene went as he fought.

Downward slash
Side slash
Duck
Parry
Parry
Thrust
Block
Ok I think I got this down, block down
Jump up
Right side slash
Parry
If only the royal rumble was gonna be this easy…um left side slash?
Block
Thrust
Jump?

As the Icon champion jumped up in the air to dodge what he thought was a leg sweep the fighter kicked out his leg hitting Justin right in the gut. It wasn’t super hard but the fact that Justin was in the air sent him rolling backward onto the sand.

CUT!

As the camera’s stopped rolling a bunch of people started to come to Justin’s aid. The first of them was Justin’s on screen opponent who Justin now remembered was name Kevin. Kevin was stunt double for Noland’s golden boy Christian Bale, who was sitting in the cooling station with a look of concern on his face. Kevin grabbed Justin’s hand and helped pull him to his feet.


Stunt Man Kevin
Sorry about that Justin are you ok?

Justin waved his hands and brushed the red sand off his costume

Time: no man don’t be sorry it was my bad. My mind is somewhere else right now.

Stunt Man Kevin
Yeah man I noticed that. You want to take five maybe hit this again after lunch or something?

Justin was about to respond when he was drowned out by the voice of another

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
Of course he doesn’t want to take five. A little hit like that is nothing for a Thy WWE Superstar right baby? Unless you want to take five cuz we can totally do that. WILL SOMEONE GET THIS DAMN SAND OFF OF HIS COSTUME! You tell me baby it’s all up to you right now.

Time: well actually…

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
You know I knew you would be fine. This man is a tank! He takes a licking and keeps on ticking am I right or am I right?! Alright let’s get you back into position and we will run it from the top ok? Ok! I STILL SEE SAND ON THIS MAN! WHAT AM I PAYING YOU PEOPLE FOR?! LETS GO LETS GO!

As the drones of costume and make people fluttered around him, Justin tried to keep his mind focused on the task at hand.

Ok that was a bad slip up but hey it happens. No big deal right. We will finish the scene, go back to the city, get a nice lunch, and then lay down for a much needed nap. Heh well maybe not a nap I am not some old geezer or something. Like one of those old geezers Hogan, Savage or Sting. i still can’t believe after all these years Thy WWE is actually going to let them into the ring in a real match. Ok maybe I should give Sting some credit he doesn’t seem to be totally dead but Hogan and Savage? They belong in a museum or a wrapped up in a mummies tomb somewhere. I would be shocked if they could even make up the steps to the ring let alone toss someone over the top rope.
I’ll give them credit where credit is due. Back in the day they sure were something to see. But you could say the same thing about a T-Rex. Im sure back in the cretaceous period Hogan and Savage were the toast of Bedrock but it’s way way way past their prime and I think it’s time someone put them out of their misery. I just hope when they have their old asses thrown over the top rope they don’t break a hip that would be really sa….

Aand ACTION!

Once again the cameras began rolling and Justin found himself in the beginnings of a battle. Even though he was a little caught off guard at least this time he knew where he was and what he was doing. As Kevin or “Christian Bale” came running Justin did his best to hit each move correct. He was not about to get kicked in the chest a second time.


Downward slash
Side slash
Duck
Parry
Parry
Thrust
Block
Block Down
Haha that’s more like it, Jump up
Right side slash
Parry
Left side slash
Block
I can do this just stay focused on the match,Thrust
Doge kick
Downward slash
Downward slash again
Ok don’t forget if Triple H gets you in a pedigree set up you have to…

Justin paused a second to long and Kevin slammed his sword up knocking Justin’s sword into the air. Before Justin could even think about what was going on his muscle memory took over and he kicked Kevin hard in the gut. Then hooking his arms he slammed him hard to the sandy ground with a double arm DDT.

CUT CUT CUT!!!

The camera’s stopped rolling a second time. Justin quickly got down to Kevin’s level

Time: oh shit! hey man i am so so sorry are you alright? Can you hear me?

Kevin’s head had a cut on it and had started to bleed. Justin helped him to his feet but the stuntman’s legs were like wet noodles. From the cooling area Christian Bale called out with a laugh

Christian Bale
You see people. That’ s why I have a stunt double. That man right there is a killer. He should be locked up!

Time: screw you Bale!

Justin called back walking the injured Kevin towards the cooling area. He sat him down and grabbed a water bottle form the nearest table.

Time: oh dude look at that…I am really really super man I wasn’t thinking and it just sort of happened. Drink this water and I’ll get someone over here to take a look at you.

The Icon Champion walks over to one of the assistants and ask if they could find the onset medic for Kevin. As the assistant walks off to find the medic Peppermen makes his way over to Justin.

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
Justin, Sweetheart, baby as much as I love ya, and you know that I love ya. You can’t go around giving all of my stuntmen massive head trauma. It’s bad for business. Now I like your fire, I love that intensity, but I need you to channel it into what have put together for this scene. you see when I was an actor in….

Donald Pepperman continued to speak as usual but Justin wasn’t really taking it in. as the Substitute directors gums flapped on and on about some off boardway show he was in the Icon champions mind was else where.

Damn it Justin what the hell?! We just need this right now! This isn’t some random jobber bashing where you beat the snot out of jokes like James Chaos or Killa Outlaw. This is a real career changing match up and i need to be one hundred percent focused or I am gonna find my ass over the top rope with the rest of the losers.
Randy Orton, Xavier, Edge, Cm punk! All those guys can strike at any moment. Hell Xavier took out HBK in his first five minutes in the Thy WWE. This match is not a joke and some of these people are not then ones you want to let your guard down with. I want to get this movie done, I really do, but I can’t do both, not with so much on the line. And not with this little piss wad still jabbering on in my ear!

Substitute Director Donald Peppermen
And another thing I think you should know when i…

It happened so quick that many people around the set didn’t even see it. But as Donald Peppermen opened his mouth, to give what was sure to be another long winded speech about his time as an actor, Justin Time jumped back and slammed his foot into his face with a huge Clockstopper. Justin stood still for a second as the little pudgy director lay out cold on the red hot sand. All across the sand it was as slient as the day the desert was made everyone’s eyes looking back and forth between the Icon Champion and the unconscious Substitute director. After a moment Justin removed the top half of his costume and threw it on the ground next to Pepperman and said.

Time: if anyone needs me…. I’ll be in The Palace of Auburn Hills….don’t wait up.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Scene 2: Time to address the competition

The crowds all over the city were enormous. People from almost every block all flooding The Palace of Auburn Hills. the yellow cabs rush back and forth from the building’s entrance back out into the sea of lights and sounds. Looking for the people hands waving, arms outstretched, trying to find away to the arena where the most amazing show on earth will be held. You could look anywhere on the planet but you wouldn’t find any place more alive than Michigan tonight because it was here that Thy WWE Ascension was going rock the world off it’s hinges.

Bright hot lights from the electronic billboard shoot far out into the night sky as it reads "Tonight: Thy WWE Ascension" then with a swirling transition effect the sign reads " 30 man royal rumble match". Below the sign the waves upon waves of people were too many to count. All the different shapes and sizes from all walks of life represented in one area. Even across the street people wait for cars to stop their speeding by so it will be safe to cross over and join their fellow fans. Camera men run back and forth trying to capture the screaming faces, pumping fists, superstar T-shirts, and waving signs. But with what seemed to be hundreds and hundreds of fans pouring it every minute it seemed like an impossible task to capture them all.

For the fans at home however it the never ending torrent of Thy WWE fans only made it that much easier to draw into the excitement that they knew this night would bring. Some decked out in their own Thy WWE gear others just excited to be watching some real wrestling for once and not having to be at work. the unlucky ones sitting at their jobs, flipping the burgers or popping the pop corn, delivering pizza, or just stuck behind a desk keep their eyes glued to their watches and their cell phones waiting for the time where they can clock out and catch ,at the very least, a fraction of the nights amazing events.

Back on the streets of Michigan the cameras continue to circle around and above the crazed fans. each and every one of them seem to be more excited than the one next to them. the line wraps around the building several times and even outside that line a mob of people gather just to see what all the commotion is about. As the camera makes its last pass around the outside of the Palace of Auburn Hills the scene cuts inside the stadium where every single seat is filled with amazing, wild, screaming Thy WWE fans.

All over the place signs where being thrust into the sky as well as big foam hands and flags with the logo's of certain superstars on them. These Michigan fans were not playing around when it came to their love of professional wrestling and they were prepared to show the world what the were made of. As the camera floats over the top of their heads the pryo on the stage explodes sending shock waves of loud booming sound rushing over the fans. but that noise is then quickly over powered by the enormous sound of the insane fans cheering for the start of their show. as always the Thy WWE cameras slowly move over the crowd, past the ring, and down to the announce table where sitting ready to get the pay per view rolling is two sets of Thy WWE Announcers Phil Latio, Don Chuckles, Chet Walters,
and Blake Erickson.

Phil Latio
Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to one of the biggest events ever to happen in the history of Thy WWE. And that is Ascension

Don Chuckles
You said that right Phil and it is about to get even bigger as we start the clock to the show stopping Royal Rumble match. But hey! don’t take our word for it why don’t you talk to our Smackdown colleges who are joining us for this pay per view.

Chet Walters
Thank you Don and hello Thy WWE Universe. My name is Chet Walters along with my broadcast partner Blake Erickson from Friday night Smackdown and I think the two questions on every ones lips is who is going to leave ascension with the World Heavyweight Championship and will it be a Smackdown or Raw superstar who comes out as the victor in this Royal Rumble match.

Blake Erickson
I don’t know about you Chet but I have seen the Smackdown superstars who are in this match and I just don’t know how the Raw locker is going to be able to compete.

Don Chuckles
I think our friends over on Smackdown don’t realize how easy they are gonna get beat tonight. I can’t wait to see their faces when Raw brings home the gold.

Phil Latio
Whether it is Raw or Smackdown the winner of this royal rumble will certainly have a good chance of become the number one name in all of Thy WWE and that is something we all can agree on.

Suddenly the lights in the stadium shut down. There is a moment of gasping from the sold out crowd but when the familiar flood lights start to fly around the arena the people started to scream their heads off. And as the music began to play over the loud speaker there was not a single Michigan fan still in their seats.



With an explosion of pyro the Only one in the Business who matters ran out from the back onto the Ascension stage to a wave of cheering fans. He was wearing silver and gold ring attire long with his signature diamond watch and aviator glasses. In addition on his head he had a tatter old baseball cap that sat on his head like a crown as he ran down the ramp high fiving as many fans as he could. Around his waist hung the Icon Championship that shone in the light as he posed on the top rope. The crowd at the arena could be heard from miles around as they screamed in roared for this fan favorite. Hoping down from the top rope the World Premiere grabbed a mic and tried to speak but the crowd chanted.

TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME

He tried again but they only grew louder. After a few more moments of waiting he put the mic to his lips, tilted his head back and shouted.

Time: IT’S TIME!!!

The two words threw the people into a frenzy. The cameras flew around as the signs waved from the tornado of sound coming from these fans. Justin started to pace around the ring, the crowds cheering amping him up.

Time: oh ladies and gentlemen tonight you are about to see history be made, in this very ring, by this very VERY excited Icon Champion! I don’t know if you know this but tonight is the night that the best of the best of the god damn better sends 29 other useless, talentless, wastes of air space and tosses them over the top rope to win this royal rumble!

The Michigan fans cheer loudly for the Icon Champion as he makes a couple more paces around the ring.

Time: that is right, that is right. And it doesn’t matter if I come in first or if I come down to this ring dead last all that matters is that I will walking out with the win! And there is nothing these jokers in the back can do about it.

Another chant of “TIME TIME TIME” rang out through the air as Justin continued.

Time: you see ladies and gentlemen everyone in this match knows that I am the better man, in fact, I have a feeling that some of them might not even show up! And the reason is they don’t want to come down to this ring and have me kick their teeth down their godman throat and toss their asses over. But I do know of a couple of people who are too stupid, to brainless, to understand that Time waits for NO MAN. People like John Cena

Some of the crowd boo’s some of the younger fans cheer as the Chain Gang Commander name is mentioned. Justin time points up to the screen and a picture of John is shown.

Time: I don’t know about you but arnt you sick of seeing the same man being put in these match over and over again? I know I sure as hell am. This guy right here is just one more notch on my belt in my road to the heavyweight championship. But I know what some of you are saying “well Justin we like John Cena but we want someone just like him but with a lot less talent” well ladies and gentlemen do I have a deal for you.

Justin points again to the titian tron and a picture of POT is shown. The crowd kinda laughs as Justin continues.
Time: let me introduce to you John Cena Lite! Cleverly named “Bob” Cena this man has all the gimmicks, all the finishers, even the nick name Professor of Crap-a-nomics like John Cena but none of the talent. Along us to have t-shirt and other POT merchandise to use when we run out of toilet paper.

The crowd laughs and cheers as the Icon Champion walks around the ring

Time: or how about this. What if you looking for someone who is “pure evil” well Thy WWE has more then enough of that just for you. Cuz it seems that every other loser on the roster is killing their parents, from an insane asylum, or the devil! Providing you with all your Halloween superstar needs when the Undertakers not around. So thanks for that Freedom, Crisis, Killa Outlaw, Brian Gunn, and all you other talents hacks who buy your wrestling gimmicks in bulk.

the camera zooms in on Justin’s face as he takes off his glasses and looks deep into the lens.

Time: let me tell you all something right now. Tonight I will beat you. It is not a question of if it is a question of when. You can fight, you can run, you can claim that you are a legend, or the future of this company. It won’t matter because by tonight’s end all 29 of you will fall to the hands of Time!

the crowd starts to cheer and clap as loud as they can

Time: and to each and every one of you fans I want to let you know that a new champion is coming. He will be better, stronger, and most of all he will FINALLY be…JUST-IN-TIME!!!!!!

With that Justin throws the mic down and the crowd goes wild. He once again goes to the top rope and strikes his pose. As the fans go wild around him the Icon Champion points at the Ascension sign above him. The scene fades to black as the all around the world seems to chant his name……

end