Here we are, only a few weeks after I first spoke those simple words in the subway tunnel; those simple words that seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Maybe deaf is too harsh a word. How about ignorant; or maybe naïve? It doesn’t matter I guess. Anyway you look at it, I was ignored. I guess it’s time to finally make a statement and show you all who you are dealing with. So many years I’ve sat back and watched all you children play your games. I’ve watched flavors come and go as I’ve watched legends made and legends toe tagged. What ever happened to those days when superstars were in this business, not for the quick buck, but for the love of giving the crowd a grand show? Seems those days are long since forgotten, like the legends that came with them. Oh how the world has changed. All I see now is corruption and deceit. Take one Drusilla for example. Not only did she play her “man” Seth for nothing more then a pawn in her proverbial game of chess, but she played him like a fiddle on its last string. She is the poster child for who should actually be caned in this country. You wonder why, don’t you? You all wonder why I speak of Drusilla like I do? Usually this is the part when I tell you all to mind your own fucking business but not this time. Drusilla knows as well as I do why I’m here. She knows that her and I have unfinished business to deal with, and that business is one of the few reasons this fed has been graced with such a presence. Drusilla, you vanished on me many years ago. No phone call, no mail, not even a “hey asshole, fuck you!” That would have been at least some kind of common courtesy, but too much to expect from you it seems. You ramble on now like you lost your mind. You know what, maybe you have, but baby, you never had much to begin with. If it wasn’t for me, if it wasn’t for Darion, you would be nothing in this business. Before there were Seth’s, and Winter’s and only god knows who, it was Darion and Drusilla. I made you a name when that was all you were; yet another name among six billion others in the world. So you got your ass locked up. I’ve been inside those places before Drusilla. Believe it or not, they have phones. It’s those tiny little devices with numbers on them. No Drusilla, not the calculator, the other one. There you go. You’re such a cute little mental case aren’t you? Aren’t you? Yes you are! Dumb bitch! I don’t know about you Dru. Things from the past still haunt me. The words you spoke. The touch you made. The “love” you gave. Where they all lies? Was everything you ever did nothing more then a game; a ploy to you? If so Dru, you need more help then I thought was possible. Not only mentally, but definitely physically when I get through making clay figurines with you in the ring. I tell you this now Drusilla. You and I both know you haven’t seen the last of me. You never know when I’m going to show up. Maybe in the ring, maybe in your car, maybe in your shower; you will never know. Watch your back Drusilla, for those personalities of yours can’t always be watching your back. Seth, you on the other hand, you I’m not to sure about. I’m not sure if it’s the company you’ve held, or the lack of obvious brain power that throws me. From shots to the head, to bring dropped on your thinker numerous times in matches, to having fiery cocktails thrown at you. You seem to be your own recipe for disaster. You should have known from day one you were getting played by someone like Drusilla. All that training and shit you have done in your past, all the meditation you do and you STILL didn’t see it coming. You’re just like a child with a dying flashlight. You know it’s gonna die out, but still scared as fuck when it does and your left in the dark. There will be a time Seth, a time that you and I will meet in that ring. I’m not gonna stand here and tell you that I’m better than you. God knows you already know the answer to that one. What I will tell you Seth, is that no matter how valiantly you fight, or how much of a show you put on for the crowd watching, is I will always be just that one step ahead. Just that one extra step will make all the difference in the world. As for the rest of you self idolizing flake superstars, Excreetium, The Jeweless Jester, Markus Maxipad; you all will know when your time will come. A shadow will be cast over you that day. Not by the thousands of fans in attendance, or the pressure of winning yet another match in your pathetic careers; but by a man, a myth, and dare I say it, a legend that stands firmly behind you, with nothing but ice in his eyes, and a smile on his face. It will be that moment, that very moment in your life, that you realize that you have no chance. Chew on it! ~The sounds of heavy booted footsteps can be heard crushing crisped leaves with each step. An average figure looms out of the darkness, long black hair covering its face. Out from its pocket comes its hand, holding onto a Zippo style lighter. Open and close the lid of the Zippo goes; clicking over and over again. The brisk wind blows, moving the hair from the figures face, exposing Darkness, NWR’s newest member. He continues to open and close the lid of this Zippo as he wanders through the darkness of a local New Jersey park. Between the jungle gym and the swings, sits a larger figure at a wooden picnic table. Darkness walks over to the figure at the table, sitting across from it. He continues to play with his Zippo. Voice: Goddamn it Pete. Would you put that damn thing away? Pete opens it again, lighting the wick, engulfing the open Zippo lighter with flame. The warm flame dances in the breeze, illuminating the figure across from Pete. There sits Darion Steel; his hair dancing in the breeze like the flame. Pete: Geez, someone’s a bit testy today. First you tell me I’m not allowed to play with that police officer, even though we both know she wanted it… then you tell me that I’m not allowed to hang out with the cool kids. It’s not my fault they were heading to the fireworks factory. And now this? My Zippo I’m not allowed to play with? Am I hearing you correctly on this? Darion: Yes! Pete: Cool. I just wanted to clear that up. Darion lets out a slight chuckle as he shakes his head. Darion: Only you man. Only you can get me laughing when I’m moody. Pete: Come on big man. Compared to the moods I’ve seen you in before this is nothing. How about that time Ariana left you sitting at the restaurant? Who was it that showed up and ordered as many cheeseburgers as I could eat and them some? Darion: You; and I wasn’t allowed in the bathroom for almost three fucking days. Pete: Fine, bad example. How about the time I got you to dress like Polkaroo, and choked-slammed that ass hat at the bar? Darion: Yeah I get where you’re going with th... Pete: Or that time I cooked cat for you and Helena. Now that was an interesting supper that night. Darion: Alright, I ge... Pete: Or the time you and Drusi... Darion slams his fist to the wooden table, vibrating it, stopping Pete with a halt. Darion: Don’t you dare! Pete: Don’t I dare what? Darion: Mention that name in my presence. You know better then that. Pete: Oh grow up! She left; big fucking deal. It happens all the time to people. It’s called life. You are welcome to join us anytime you wish. Darion: You think I’m being childish don’t you? Pete: I’m not one to label you this or that. I’m not the one to tell you how you should treat any and all situations, but yes. Yes I do. Darion stands from the table, and starts to walk away. Pete: I think I just heard the table sigh in relief Darion. Darion: Shut up. Pete chuckles as jumps up from the table, and wanders after Darion. He catches up to him as Darion stops on the corner of the street, letting a city bus roll by. He tugs on Darion’s black trench coat. Darion: What? Pete: You mad at me? Darion: Nah. I’m not mad at you man. I’m just all up in arms about this whole brouhaha with Drusilla. I mean seriously, can’t I go anywhere without having to be reminded of her? Pete: What could possibly remind you of her here in Jersey? The only thing Jersey reminds me is how much hot showers and cold Coke. Darion: Well don’t you remember the house show we did back in iWi days man? You, Drusilla and I had that some no names we had to dispose of for Ripper? Pete: Yeah what about it? Darion lifts his arms to the side and slowly spins around as he looks down at Pete. Pete: Why are you dancing near me? Darion: Do you remember where that house show was? Pete: Ofcourse I do. It was East Ruth…..ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Darion only stands and gives Pete a half grin then turns away and continues walking. Pete puts his arms out to the side like Darion did, and begins to spin in circles. Darion looks back and rolls his eyes. Darion: Why? Pete: It looked fun. Plus, I had seen Wonder Woman do it once. She got a neat lasso when she did it. Darion: Come on you putz! Darion turns and begins to walk off again. Pete finally stops spinning, albeit dizzy. He tries to get his bearings as he attempts to follow Darion. He waddles and sways back and forth behind Darion. Darion: As for Drusilla man. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when I’m finally able to step foot in that ring with her. Pete shakes his head again, trying to clear the cobwebs. Pete: I dunno man. Probably the same thing you do every other time you get in the ring. You work your ass off, you beat on people and you win matches. Darion: And Okami? He will more then likely get involved. Pete: Listen, you won’t have to worry about Okami when that time comes. I’m sure he will get a little visit before he has a chance to do anything. Darion: Another moment like the one with Seth? Pete: Oh don’t you worry your pretty little head off my friend. It will be covered. Darion: Good, I don’t need to deal with Okami’s bullshit when I have to deal with Drusilla. Pete stops suddenly, catching Darion off guard. He looks back at Pete who is sniffing the air like a dog. Darion: What the hell? Pete: I smell something. It.. smells so....pretty. Darion: Uhm.. Before Darion can say anything, Pete takes off running to the east, his hair and jacket blowing behind him. Darion starts walking in the direction Pete jetted off in at his pace. Within minutes, Darion hears siren’s blaring and people screaming. He picks up his pace a bit. He turns the corner, and sees Pete standing in front of a two story complex completely engulfed in flames. Pete is almost dancing with glee as he bounces back and forth watching the fire blaze. Darion walks over to Pete and taps him on the shoulder, startling him. Pete: I didn’t do it! Darion: What? I never.. Pete: I didn’t do it this time Darion, I swear! Darion: It’s ok man. Are you gonna come back with me to the hotel? Pete doesn’t answer. Darion nudges him. Pete: Hmm? Darion: I said, are you coming back with me? Pete: Nah, I think I’m gonna stay here a bit. Uhm, incase anyone needs, uhm…help. Yeah. Darion sees the entrancement that the fire has once again over his friend, and lets him be. He slides a second hotel keycard into Pete’s pocket and wanders off, leaving Pete and the chaos behind him. ~ Drusilla, Seth, Okami, the rest of you simple minded folks. You know it’s inevitable don’t you? You know it’s all but said and done now. The papers haven’t been signed, but the promise is there. The contract isn’t official, but I don’t need it to be official for me to get my hands on you all. This has been building for some time now. Old or new faces, old or new foes, old or now alliances. It doesn’t matter to me. It’s all the same. I know some of you have been hunting for a challenge, yearning for that extra chance to prove you are better then the rest of the simpletons here. Well you’ve been told before, be careful what you wish for. Now that you were ignorant in your wishes, you have now just got the challenge of a lifetime. You all will have a chance at beating a legend. Do you think you got what it takes? Do you really? I’m coming whether you like it or not. Drusilla, they say that revenge is a dish best served cold. If this is true, then bitch, put on your Sunday finest, because it’s time to feast!