Post by 💀 ＡＰＯＫ 💀 on Aug 23, 2020 8:05:20 GMT -5
♬ The battle raged on and on
Fueled by the venom of hatred for man
Consistently, without the eyes to see
By those who revel in sewer equally
We, the prosperity of the future seal
Cloaked by the thunders of the north wind
Born to capture the essence of
The trails of our kind
Zero tolerance must be issued forth
Behind the enemy's line
So it shall be written
And so it shall be done
Discover and conceive the secret wealth
And pass it unto your breed
Become your own congregation
Measure the sovereignty of it's invigoration
We, who not deny the animal of our nature
We, who yearn to preserve our liberation
We, who face darkness in our hearts with a solemn fire
We, who aspire to the truth and pursue it's strength
Are we not the undisputed prodigy of warfare
Fearing all the mediocrity that they possess
Should we not hunt the bastards down with our might
Reinforce and claim the throne that is rightfully ours
Consider the god we could be without the grace
Once and for all
Diminish the sub principle and leave it's toxic trace
Once and for all ♬
Lucas Balkan isn't going to go down without a fight… and I couldn't be happier. I have spent months ravaging mere mortals and it was just… boring. The few times I had a real fight to look forward to were spectacular. Fighting Rumpke was probably the highlight of my SFT career. It's not only possible that my match with Lucas Balkan will surpass that… but it's also probable. He's arguably the best wrestler in SFT… for now.
On Tuesday… at Titans 91… the ultimate test takes place. Lucas Balkan will go up against a monster willing to do unspeakably terrible things in order to fulfill its destiny. Does he have enough time to properly study for what's to come? How likely is he to pass this test? Only time will tell. He's had a lifetime of lessons to make it to this point… but so have I. He's travelled the world and seen it all… but so have I. He's reached unimaginable peaks in our industry… but so have I.
Until Tuesday… we are equals.
Only one of us walks out champion though.
Imagine a world where Apokalypse is the SFT World Championship. That's a world we all should live in. From the day I arrived… I proclaimed that it was only a matter of time until I stood atop a mountain of skulls. That time is now. The summit is Tuesday at London Astoria… allegedly. Part two of my grand plan was to destroy SFT and rebuild it in my image. As time went on… I realized that prophecy was a lost cause.
This place is fundamentally tone deaf to change… and that's how it will remain… whether or not I become World Champion at Titans 91. Plenty of men smarter than me have tried to usher in an era of prosperity and they have all failed miserably. What did I really hope to accomplish? I'm no deep thinker. I'm no businessman. I'm no talent relations guru. I'm just a guy who likes to kick ass.
So that's exactly what I'm going to be. That's what I'm good at. That's what puts food on the table. Well… my wife puts food on the table. She makes more money as an actress than I've ever made in pro wrestling. I'm not ashamed to admit I married up. She is the most important person in my universe… and she will be rooting for me on Tuesday.
Who will be rooting for you? Your friends? Your family? Your wife? You've got the entire world on your shoulders but you're carrying the weight in solitude. I've got a legion of support… and you've got… yourself. It must be lonely at the top, Lucas. Your fall from grace will be just as lonely. When I kill the king and take the throne… there will be a celebration unlike the world has ever seen.
If by some miracle you leave London still champion… you'll be having a me party…
Hit it, Amy Adams and Miss Piggy.
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Will: If I knew you kids would be here so early… I would've thrown on more steaks or whatever.
Kevin: It's okay, dad. We grabbed a bite on the way here.
Josie: I'm a vegetarian anyway… so…
Dan: Gross.
Will: It's better than being vegan, I guess.
Josie: Oh for sure. I tried vegan for a few weeks and it was a living nightmare.
Kevin: I could never do it.
Josie: You don't eat any veggies though.
Dan: None?
Josie: He's basically a carnivore.
Will: Well there's drinks in the fridge. Can I get you anything?
Kevin: I got 'em. Keep at that steak.
Kevin goes into the house for beverages.
Will: So, Josie, how was the audition for Black Panther 2?
Josie: Wow. Word travels fast. Lexi?
Will: Of course.
Josie: It went really well. It's not a huge part but it's enough.
Will: It's Disney money and exposure. Whatever it is, will be great.
Josie: They're making final decisions soon. I hope to find out before heading off to London.
Kevin comes back out with beverages.
Dan: You're going to London? I'm a Yorkshire man myself!
Josie/Kevin/Will: We know.
Dan: Oh. Right.
Josie: Yes, I'm tagging along for his wrestling match.
Kevin: She doesn't normally go with me to shows but this gives us an excuse to spend some time together on SFT's dime.
Will: You're still saving receipts for your "work expenses"?
Kevin: Sure am!
Dan: Oh boy. The things we got away with back in the day. Yiiiiiikes.
Will: Those were different times.
Kevin: I don't know. I've gotten away with saying and doing some awful shit in the last four years.
Will: That was before they knew you were my son. Don't be surprised by a draw next week.
Kevin: Nah. That wouldn't happen.
Will: Don't be so sure. Some of the greatest matches in history ended in a draw. Murphy and Shadow. Ace and Radiant. Nirvana and Ghost. DVD and Jude. Allisa and Megan. Cage and Hect. Connor and Nirv.
Dan: Me and Nate. Erik and Nirv. Fox and Nick. Glenn and Erik. Schizo and Nirv. Shadow and Glenn. Amp and Myris. Fox and Radiant. Allisa and Radiant.
Will: And those were just some of the big ones on pay per view.
Kevin: Shit! How'd ya remember all those?
Dan: I found a torrent of The Greatest Draws in SFT History. We spent all day yesterday watching it and shouting at the screen.
Will: Amazing that somehow took the time to put that together.
Kevin: There's no way my match ends in a draw though. I won't let that happen.
Will: Good luck with that. Balkan is beyond what you've faced so far in SFT. He's got layers of his arsenal that you might not be totally prepared for.
Kevin: Oh, I'm aware of what he can do. I also know there's some depths I'm willing to go that he's not prepared to follow.
Dan: It's true, Will. I just added some siiiiiiiick matches to my Plex server of his stuff in Japan. It's… uhh…
Josie: Disturbing… to say the least. This isn't one of your deathmatches, is it?
Kevin: No. Not intentionally.
Josie: Good. Try not to get arrested this time.
Will: Wait! What?!
Kevin: Long story.
Kevin: … and this is the middle finger that started it all.
Josie has her head down on the table, having lived through that tale. Dan and Will look like grizzled statues, jaws drops and eyes widened. There is a long, awkward pause before Josie sits back up.
Josie: Okay. How about another drink?
The other three nod and she walks into the house.
Dan: That… was… wow…
Will: Yeah. I… uhh… well…
Dan: He's most certainly your son, Will.
Kevin: You should hear about the time I---
Will: Another time. I'm too sober for this.
Dan: You only drink non-alcoholic beer.
Will: Exactly. Special Effects from Brooklyn Brewery is fantastic. I'm happy I invested with them years ago.
Josie gets back to the table.
Josie: I've done quite a bit of investing. Kev says it's a waste of time.
Kevin: I'm bad with numbers… but great with fists.
Will: A well balanced marriage.
Kevin: I learned from the best.
He said sarcastically.
Dan: Weren't you raised by…
Kevin: Exactly. You see… he was---
Kevin: --- and I never saw him again.
Dan: Unbelievable.
Kevin: If I hadn't lived through it… I wouldn't believe it either.
Josie: I'm happy you got out of there. Otherwise we might not have met.
Dan: How so?
Will: That bastard who raised Kevin was… well…
Kevin: Racist as fuck.
Dan: OH DAMN!
Kevin: Yeah. If I hadn't reconnected with the family… I probably wouldn't have traveled to Japan in the first place.
Josie: I once joked that he was only dating me to spite that monster… and he quickly shot that down.
Kevin: I am not what that man raised me to be. Well… in the ring I'm a heartless monster… but…
Josie: I know. As much as you respect Lucas… you've got to leave all that in the locker room on Tuesday. You need to do whatever it takes to win.
Dan: What if you don't?
Kevin sighs.
Kevin: Then I'm done challenging for titles.
Will: Really?!
Kevin: Yeah. If I can't win it on my first try, I don't want another shot. Not at that… or Intercontinental… or even Hardcore. I'll stick around SFT to keep messin' dudes up… but I've put forth maximum effort for four months to be the man. If I'm not the man… then I'm just a man. If Lucas beats me on Tuesday… our legacy is put to rest. Forty-nine titles and no grand finale.
Dan: That's… incredibly sad…
Kevin: Ehh. It's life. Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Losses don't matter. What matters is how you deal with losses. Win or lose… I'm content with how things turn out.
Dan: That is surprisingly humble. When your dad lost the SFT World Title… three times… he was a wreck.
Will: Despite doing it often… I wasn't very good at losing. Just never got the hang of it. Did I ever tell you about the time Labak and I fought in a scaffold match?
Kevin: Labak?
Dan: Kabal backwards. I was going through some stuff.
Will: So there we were---
Will: --- and technically we both lost.
Kevin: What a shitty way to end a best of seven series.
Dan: You're telling me. Those were different times. We were fighting weekly. Sometimes a few times a week. Now… you fight every other Tuesday. A guy like Balkan could be champion for a year and only have twenty matches.
Kevin: I don't think most of them could handle weekly. They're too soft.
Will: Still? After all the beatings you've dished out?
Kevin: Unfortunately. That's why I signed with Alpha Pro Wrestling. Gives me something to do every Monday, too. I've been there a month… with four matches… and I have yet to be defeated. The talent is pretty intense over there.
Dan: Any chance of a crossover episode?
Kevin: APW is always down for whatever. It's just the people hiding in The Village who pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist. ICW is the only interaction they've had in ages. Instead of working together… they just fought each other instead. It was a missed opportunity for both companies to grow. I don't even know if ICW even exists anymore. Candace still brings it up… but I don't listen to anything she says. She talks too much.
There is a dead silence as they all stare at him.
Kevin: Okay. I get it. I also talk too much. If I was them, I wouldn't listen to a damn word I say either. Words are pointless. What matters is what I say with my fists in between them ropes. It'll be a symphony of destruction when I get to London Astoria on Tuesday.
Dan: When did they rebuild it?
Kevin: They didn't.
Dan: I'm confused.
Kevin: Me, too.
Dan: I remember when it was torn down. They paved paradise to put up a parking lot. So you're fighting… nowhere?
Kevin: Probably.
Dan: Huh…
Kevin: Yup.
Das ende.
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Have you had enough of Apokalypse yet? It's been a good four month run to the top. Now the pressure is on to obtain the SFT World Title. All of the bumps and bruises. All of the blood… sweat… tears. All of the hardships of my life have brought me to this moment. All I have to do now is the impossible. The only thing standing in my way… is you… Lucas Balkan. You are where I need to be. I am envious of your success… and also fully prepared to tear you limb from limb to steal your spot.
When my hands are wrapped around your throat… and I feel your pulse weaken… that championship will nearly be mine. I am willing to go to the edge of sanity to commandeer your treasure. Are you prepared to fight just as hard to defend the throne? If not… then now might be the appropriate time to up your life insurance. I'm not saying I'ma kill you at Titans 91… because might make it seem premeditated… but I am saying I will not let you leave with that title.
Championships are important to my family. Did you know we have amassed forty-nine separate title reigns in Strike Fantasy Towers? We are a dynasty in this company… and I'm far from being the most decorated. I've only recently started my collection, and soon there will be another to display on my mantle. There is something big and shiny calling out to it… but there is a dark cloud looming over my victory parade. You are standing in the way of my destiny, Lucas.
Can I call you Lucas? You can call me Kevin if you'd like, since the adolescent roster has a hard time with the name Apokalypse. I had to listen for months at how childish they all are, including one goofball thinking that an alpaca and an ostrich are similar. I also had to endure recipes and talk of munchies. Few were too concerned about fighting me… until you came around. I knew from the beginning that this was a match that had to happen.
Here it is. Titans 91. Live from London Astoria… that hasn't existed in over a decade. I've got a bad feeling that we're all walking into a trap. The last time I was in London… I fought in an underground right club. Lost a lot of blood… but walked away with a lot of money. That's not as a thrilling tale about London as I'm sure you've got… but… it's something. There was probably some meaningful connection from my time there… but I was pretty hammered.
I hope you're ready for a fight, Lucas. There won't be much room for grappling. More fistacuffs than anything. I'm going in hard… and fast… and I will not stop until you are unable to continue. There will be no safety word. You will be beaten down and defeated. Systematically and definitively. There is no point in arguing this. Apokalypse WILL be SFT World Champion by the end of the Titans 91. Whether you like it or not, Lucas… change is coming.
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A highlight reel plays, showing Apokalypse destroying mere mortals over the last four months. Jack Jones… Jamo… Reaper… Robert Saints… Louis Cypher… Twilight… Rumpke… Candace… Jay Impact… Emerson. Even in defeat, Apokalypse has caused extensive damage to his opponents. None of them left in the same condition as when they arrived.
Next on the list is Lucas Balkan, reigning World Champion. He is all that stands in Apokalypse's true destiny. You can't even imagine the horrors that will be unleashed on London Astoria if we do not witness the crowning of a new champion.
Then again… London Astoria was demolished in 2009… so I guess none of this really matters…
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For four months now… he has been so consumed by his quest to become SFT World Champion. Every other Tuesday he travels to an undisclosed location in a town chosen by throwing a dart at a map of the United States. Then he puts on a mean face and he beats up "mere mortals", as he calls them. The build-up to these matches is exhausting. Listening to him yell and ramble in his promo room is… too much.
The only thing that will calm that chaos is for him to become SFT World Champion. I feel like he will mellow out once he wins on Tuesday. I could be wrong though. Beating Lucas might have the adverse effect. He could become an even more intense megalomaniac. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Then again… if he loses… he claims he'll ease up on how intense he goes after competition every other Tuesday.
It's such a crapshoot, to be honest. There's no way to know what the future holds. Sure, he likes to ramble about prophecies… but does anyone really believe that nonsense? He always says that words don't matter… so why put any stock in them? I guess I don't quite understand his profession. I'm used to memorizing a script… following direction… and then promoting what I've done. His world seems so strange by comparison.
Lucas, I wish you nothing but the best. No matter the outcome of your match on Tuesday… you are going to bring the very best out of my husband. Then again… you are also going to bring out the very worst of my husband. It's not going to be a walk in the park for either of you. You're two skilled fighters at the height of your careers… but only one of you walks away victorious.
There's a good chance that one of you doesn't walk away at all. You got a glimpse of the fire in his eyes after he defeated Emerson two weeks ago. That was only a spark of the arson he's prepared for on Tuesday. He's committed to burning London Astoria to the ground… if it even exists somehow. I'm still not sure what's going on with that. Kevin said that type of mistake is common. I think it's just weird.
Anyway.
Where was I?
Oh.
Right.
Lucas, do your very best on Tuesday to not piss him off. You'll thank me later. Maybe when this is all over we can have a good laugh over how silly it was to say mean words about each other. I'm just happy this whole quest is almost over. It'll be nice for pillow talk to be about something other than the SFT World Championship. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy that he is passionate about his profession.
I just want my husband back.
