X vs ZERO

[Handsome Harley]

Free For All Title Singles Match
X
vs
Zero

[Zero]

-(- The scene opens up to a darkened hallway where a tall man dressed in dark clothing can be seen pacing back and forth. The odd thing about the man is that his face cannot be seen. A mask covers his face, concealing his identity from the public. HEW Interviewer Toast who has a microphone in his hands. Toast prepares to speak while the man stops the pacing and now turns his dark-masked face towards the camera, only his creepy masked eyes can be seen staring at the camera. --]-

-(- Toast -)-
Tonight, we have an interview with none other than the mysterious man known as Zero. Now Zero, you have been a very successful wrestler in many defunct wrestling organizations. The question that most fans have been wondering, is: out of all of the wrestling federations around the globe why did you chose HEW?

-[-- The cameras reflection can be seen in the partial shiny sections of the mask. Although the mask covers his face, there is a glint of madness and mania in his words. --]-

-(- Zero -)-
Toast, it’s fairly simple. I know that to be the very best in this business I had to come to HEW. There was no other place in the world that I needed to go. Everywhere I go, people stop and ask me when I'm going to join HEW. People have been begging me to join and I'm here. There are titles here that have my name ready to be etched onto the nameplate, especially the Free for All Championship, which I won on my debut match. I'll work my way up the ladder, but I will hold them all. That's my goal and that starts in the FFA Division, where I'm going to tear through every single person who steps in front of me. I'll prove that I'm a fighting champion and that I'm worthy of holding this title in my hands.

-(- Toast -)-
Now moving on to my next question. Since your signing, you've been informed that you may have your biggest match to date in front of millions of fans watching worldwide this week on HEW. What are your thoughts on this upcoming match against the mysterious X?

-[-- Zero nods his head and points at the camera. His hand is covered in a black glove, but just on the outer edges of the glove, charred, withered flesh can be seen from beneath it. Undoubtedly, this man has been through some sort of accident that left him visibly scarred. --]-

-(- Zero -)-
I don’t know very much about the wrestlers here, but I already know that I hate them all. I hate everything that they stand for and I'll take it out on them in the ring. They want to make an impression? They want to be noticed? I'll be more than happy to accommodate them with a beating like they've never had before. They can talk about how they're going to be a star, but I'll back up my words in the ring every single time. I dare them to say something, in fact, I'm begging them to. Say something!

-(- Toast -)-
But you must realize that there are those who would aim to see you fail in your quest to retain the FFA championship belt here in HEW. HEW is a pinnacle of pride for wrestlers around the globe, there are hundreds of hopeful wrestlers who petition just for the opportunity to become an HEW tenured wrestler. But you are one of those who was able to get into HEW on your own name, without anything or anyone behind the scenes helping you out. How does that make you feel, knowing that now you're going to have to prove yourself every single week in front of the wrestlers and fans?

-(- Zero -)-
What? Is that some sort of insult? Am I supposed to quake in fear? I don't care what the other wrestlers think. I can back every single word I say in the ring. I'd love to see if those other wrestlers can talk the talk and walk the walk against me. As for the HEW talent, I will have more to say on this on a later date, but believe me there’s no way on a God's green earth that in I’m in any shape or form scared of them. They might think that they're going to make something of themselves here for a second time, but I'll send them packing right back to the bush leagues where they belong. Maybe the other federations might tolerate someone like them, but I won't!

-(- Toast -)-
But what about my earlier question?

-(- Zero -)-
I don't care. I know that there are going to be guys who want to see me fail. I know that there are dozens and dozens of guys on the roster who want my spot, and the spot that I will soon occupy in the list of all time HEW greatest. They can try to say otherwise, but I think it's more than obvious that I am going to do big things here in HEW, and once I beat the hell out of X, the quicker I will be on my path... to my destiny! I'm gonna warn them all right now. Get out of my way, because I'm going to turn HEW into a slaughterhouse this week on Shockwave. But I'm not worried.. X isn't exactly FFA Title material, but I'll still beat him regardless.

-(- Toast -)-
While I know it's a very touchy subject, what do you have to say about the rumors regarding your previous mental health evaluation? Your previous wrestling federation employer stated that you were institutionalized for a period of a year due to a "psychotic mental breakdown". Would you care to elaborate on that period in your life in any detail?

-[-- If looks could kill, Toast would probably have been incinerated right where he stood as Zero's eyes narrowed. His clawed hand reaches up within an few inches of Toast's throat, but then lowers after a few very intense seconds. Zero now turns and storms off down the dark hallway, his black gloved fists clenched as a maniacal laugh escapes from within his mask. The camera focuses back on Toast who looks extremely uncomfortable and quite rattled by the interview. --]-

-(- Toast -)-
I... I'd like to thank Zero for the interview. Up next, another great interview from an HEW megastar after these messages.

-[-- The HEW logo pops up and fades to a commercial break. --]-

[ryder]

An eagle sores over head as X stands in a small field surrounded by a large amount of trees. All is quiet as he stands motionless in what appears to be training clothes. Similar to what masters of the ancient art of Kung Fu would wear in black and gold. Standing there, he recalls all the times he’s ever struggled in the ring, from when he was a young man up until now. His eyes are closed, but he is aware of his surroundings. The sudden sound of a branch breaking from behind him causes him to open his eyes, but he does not turn around. He is well aware of what the cause of the disturbance is.

X:
Uncle...

A voice doesn’t respond right away. For a moment X is unsure if the man he assumed was behind was actually there. He knew better however. He knew not to doubt his instincts now. He simply smiles as he closes his eyes once more and goes into a near meditative state. Suddenly the voice he had called out for earlier speaks, but he does not move. He knows the words spoken are the words that he must hear. He must know exactly what is being said in order to actually learn something.

Alec Cruise:
Xander, why have you summoned me here? It has nearly been seven years since you last stepped foot upon this hallowed grounds. I cannot help but notice you are in your training gear. Have you forgotten what I have taught you, or is it something else?

The question felt odd to Xander. He heard it loud and clear, but it just didn’t have the familiarity about it he was so used to as a child.

X:
I have not forgotten anything you have taught me; to this day I use all of your lessons to my betterment. But this place, it feels like home. It’s a place where I am most comfortable. I knew in order to find my sanity I would need to return here. I am glad you have not left yet.

Alec Cruise:
Why would I leave my home? I have no need to leave where I have built my life. I have no desire to travel the world anymore Xander. That life is long past me. I can see you are troubled by something, let us dispense of these formalities and get right to the point. Although I’d rather not admit it, I have been keeping up to date with your career. I have seen you on the television. I can see the pain you are in, but it is not physical. Something is troubling your mind, so please, share with me what you have experienced in the dream life.

It is at this point that Alec walks out in front of X, he is wearing almost the exact same outfit, but instead of black and gold, it is a purple and silver kind of colour. The edge around the shoulders and neck are silver where as the outfit as a whole is purple. He is a much older man, easily in his forties, perhaps even older. He has a thick white beard that does not affect his looks in the least. For a man of his age, he is handsome. His graying hair is neatly buzzed, almost bald. His eyes are also a gray looking kind with a scar going diagonally from the bottom left area up to the right upper area. His facial expression hints at a wisdom untouched by even the eldest of monks. His eyes have seen more than any man can dare even describe.

X:
I saw my parents, they were suffering. It was strange, I felt pain and sorrow for my mother, but my father is a different story. I felt almost relieved to see him suffer. It was almost as if I wished this kind of suffering upon him. I don’t understand why as I hardly knew him as a child. And why would I feel these things towards my mother who I did not know at all? It’s as if the Dream World is telling me something that I don’t entirely wish to know, but must eventually come to terms with. Uncle, you are the only one that truly knows me other than the few people I have allowed into my life. You raised me in the ways of our family, something my father did not. I know he is a traitor to our family and brought a mass amount of shame that I cannot walk away from. It is because of him that the family sees me as unfit to wear the crest of the Cruise clan. But I did not know him, why would I hate a man I do not know?

Alec ponders over what he has just heard. He is unsure as to how to properly respond. He slowly begins to circle X in a clockwise rotation as yet another eagle or possibly the same eagle begins to circle over head, but in a counter clockwise fashion. The eagle seems to be well aware of the situation unfolding below it as it lets out a scream to make its presence known. X opens his eyes and looks up to watch the eagle for a moment as his uncle still thinks about what X has revealed to him. Suddenly he stops.

Alec Cruise:
Your father is a different man, and I cannot give you all the answers you seek at this very moment. But I want you to know, it was not your mother’s intention to leave you. You know this as I have told you countless times before. This almost seems like something the High Council will have to look into. Until then, perhaps prepare yourself for this Zero character on this upcoming Shockwave. Your time spent here should prepare you for him. Not much is known about him, but I can sense he is not a foe you wish to underestimate. Fortunately, he underestimates you so you have the advantage. Now close your eyes and continue to meditate as I contact the High Council and see if I can arrange a meeting.

X closes his eyes once more and nods as he listens to the footsteps of his uncle as he leaves. X slowly crouches down until he finally gets into a seat position. Crossing his legs he sits in the wilderness atop the Whistler Mountains of Vancouver and allows nature to take him adrift into a stream leading back into the Dream World.