RP #12- "Don't Back Down"

[Promo - The Undeniable Words #12, 5/11/08]

If ever there was a case for a 'mixed bag', I'd say that the last Disclosure was it.

On one side, I brought down the Platinum Champion, and perhaps showed the Pantheon that whatever plans they have, they'd better build them the long way around me. On the other side, the paragon of douchebaggery that is Nicholas Jaxx decided to throw a hissy fit like a little girl after it seemed that being struck down by his better was too much for his precious little 'my dick is bigger than your dick!!!!!' mentality to handle. Unfortunately, the nimrod didn't finish the job, and that's a mistake that he's going to be regretting until his dying day very, very soon.

But I'm not here to make threats to Jaxx. They will be made in due course and retribution will be paid in full, but right now there are other things being thrown my way that I have to take advantage of. For those of you who have had your head in the sand over the last Disclosure, it seems that Star's inaugurated an interesting little idea that some of Platinum's best and brightest will be chomping at the bit to take advantage of. Something that could provide the ticket to the upper echelon that most of us have just been waiting to seize. Something that could grant us the first major step on the road to our destiny here. Something that I'm prepared to break through everything in my path to seize.

The Platinum Cup.

Interesting concept, that one. Seems that whoever wins this tournament not only takes the cup, but also scores a shot at any title they choose. That's... an interesting prospect for me, given that I've been thrown at quite a few champions in the last month and have come out the victor. People have said- well, that makes him a pretty strong contender as soon as that Bloodshed Championship's off his shoulder. It now looks like we might not even have to wait that long, because if I take the Platinum Cup- and I do intend to take it- I get that shot. And I suppose the question that'll then be asked is, exactly what shot would I take? Would I go for round three with Julian Dark? Or would I decide to dive straight in, capitalise on my victory last week and try to take the Platinum title?

That's a question I'll leave unanswered until victory is in my hands. You'll all just have to watch, wait and see precisely what happens. To do that, I've got to get past the first stumbling block- and that's none other than Inferno. Or Efinn Rox. Or whatever people are calling him nowadays. Call him what you will, it all equates and translates into one thing- my next objective and the next thing I must neutralize in the name of my goal.

To be honest... I sort of thought I'd have clashed with Inferno somewhat sooner than I am. Particularly during his Cyber Championship days, and during some of the matches with the up and comers he was having then, I figured it was only a matter of time before I'd have to fight him, and I'd always kept it in the back of my head. Of course, things took a slightly different turn when I went for the Bloodshed Championship, and it never seemed to happen. Flash forward to now, and it's finally happening. Suffice it to say, I'm... interested in this clash and just how it will go.

I have to say, one of the reasons I'm interested in fighting you is that except for the odd, very rare hiccup, you've been doing rather well for yourself. There have been a lot of people who came in not long before I first arrived here who have failed to meet the challenges set and who have fallen by the wayside, but you've not only clung on but generally, you've done pretty well for yourself. Similar to myself. There have been quite a few times where you've been described as a force to be reckoned with and a major threat to anyone on this roster, and I certainly do want to test myself in that sense. I could use a break from idiots like Nicholas Jaxx, albeit only a short one.

Your... enigma is another reason I'm looking forward to fighting you. Most people bleed stuff about themselves, make it obvious, let their egos take control and lay all their cards on the table without knowing it. You've opted for a different path. You're shrouded in mystery and the unknown. You're a wildcard so to speak. Nobody knows very much about the man called Efinn Rox, and for a man who uses the facts and the psychological side of the game, I find that a challenge in itself. Out-thinking you and developing a strategy to take you down will be a worthy task and one I'm actually relishing. In that sense, you might actually be making this contest... fun.

[MAIN STORY]

DATE/TIME: 6:30 PM, Saturday May 10, 2008
LOCATION: MacKay Estate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"Good evening, madam. Gentlemen. May I see your invitations?"

This was... not usually Steve Jason's scene. That line had been delivered by none other than an almost ridiculously-stereotypical English butler, complete with impeccable tuxedo, slicked-back hair and a ridiculously broad smile- as if he were being paid a ridiculous amount to look happy.

All things considered, given the location, Steve wouldn't have been the slightest bit surprised if he was.

It wasn't often that Steve Jason went into the rich side of town- while Steve certainly wasn't a poor man, he wasn't really a fan of exclusive estates and giant mansions that practically screamed 'give me attention', and didn't have the same isolationism as a lot of richer people. But unfortunately, one Kaitlyn Hawking had absolutely insisted that she be accompanied to a function being held in the estate of some upper-crust established Philadelphia family - 'networking', she called it - and what Kaitlyn Hawking wanted, Kaitlyn Hawking generally got.

Thus it was that Steve, Dougy McNamara and Kate herself stood in the wide atrium of the MacKay estate. One of the pricier houses in Philadelphia, the place was a mansion through and through. The roof was a good twenty feet above Steve's head, and the atrium itself stretched out to the left, right and straight ahead in distances that Steve would have probably jogged to save himself the delay of walking to the walls. The floor was a classic black and white-tiled piece, while marble columns, Greco-Roman style, lined the far left and right of the room. Dead ahead was a masterpiece of a fountain- a rectangular piece featuring a kneeling Atlas with a rotating globe on his shoulders, water cascading off it into the pooling fountain below. Beyond that was a red-carpeted staircase leading up to the second floor of the estate- which was off-limits. To the right of the staircase, a number of arch-shaped alcoves were cut into the walls. The crowd was varied- the women were decked out in ridiculously-expensive dresses, and the men were a literal sea of black and white- making Steve stand out just a little in his beige sportscoat and pants and black mockneck.

"I'm Kaitlyn Hawking. Sarah MacKay invited me..." Kate answered confidently, stepping in front of Steve and Dougy and presenting a folded piece of paper with a flourish, "The invitation said I could bring guests- these two men are my friends, Steve Jason and Dougy McNamara." She'd decked herself out well, wearing a shimmering golden dress that clung to her form, leaving her shoulders bare. Her dark hair was pinned up in an elaborate twisting and curling hairdo, and there was no doubt that unlike Steve and Dougy, who'd worn the outfits out of necessity, she'd dressed to catch everyone's eye.

"Douglas Henry Phidippidies McNamara III Esquire, to be precise," Dougy amended that statement- which contrasted his heavily-accented party-man voice and his brightly-colored floral shirt underneath his suit jacket in a hilarious fashion. The butler read the piece of paper briefly, then nodded- although he did eye Dougy's outfit with a critical eye.

"It would have been preferable if your friend had chosen his wardrobe more appropriately, but we can make an exception. Feel free to join the festivities."

"And what in the bloody hell is wrong with my outfit?!? You prejudiced against Hawaiians?" Dougy's voice suddenly rose as if insulted.

"Forget it, he's giving you a pass. Let's move." Steve muttered, eyeing the crowd around him who were suddenly being drawn to the fuss.

"Fine, fine. Friggin' snobs. Why in the hell did we get dragged to this penguin-fest anyway?"

"Because Kate needs to do some 'networking', whatever the hell that means, and we're here as the backup in case some pop-collar punk here on Daddy's money tries to put his hands where they don't belong."

"God, you two make it sound like it's a colossal chore..." Kate rolled her eyes, moving to gesture towards the atrium and the various crowds of people populating it, "You're mixing with some of Philadelphia's elite. Really big players. People who run important things in this town. This is your chance to make connections, get yourselves noticed!"

"Oh, goody. More socialites. I sure as hell missed being surrounded by them in Los Angeles." Steve's response was absolutely saturated in sarcasm. Dougy, on the other hand, suddenly grinned, rubbing his hands together.

"You mean these people could help me continue to expand my empire and further me on my goal towards getting absolutely loaded? And all I have to do is drink with them and talk with them?"

"That's right." Kate was positively beaming at the idea, "As for me? I've got socialites to meet and inner circles to get into so I can finally land myself a halfway decent job. You two can do what you want- and knowing you, Steve, that'll be marching around scowling at all the rich people like a wet weekend. I don't get it- you're famous, aren't you? A celebrity?"

"Yeah, and I moved to Philadelphia to get away from the celebrity overdose, remember? I can't stand it. S'why I never really dated around much- only real choice was pampered celebrities, and their superficial melodrama irked me so much that I very rarely stuck around past date one. But I'll try to enjoy the atmosphere long enough for you to do what you gotta do."

"Aw, thank you..." She was definitely laying on the charm now, eyes fluttering downwards, exuding the satisfaction of somebody who just got their own way, "I'm going to go see if I can find these people. You two go have fun- and no drunken fights. I'm looking at you, Dougy."

"I'm shocked and hurt by these terrible accusations." Dougy replied with a straight face. Steve could only smirk. Kate didn't respond to that, simply offering a wave before looking over towards a group of young women calling out to her and quickly vanishing in their direction, leaving Steve and Dougy alone in a sea of tuxedos and high-price dresses.

"Well, she's probably going to be busy for the next five hours..." Steve observed.

"Just enough time for us to get plastered!" Dougy grinned and clapped his hands together, "You in, mate?"

"I don't know about 'getting plastered', but I'll take a drink or two." With that said, both men made their way over towards the drinks table. The path to it was surprisingly empty, and before long both Steve and Dougy had both acquired their beverages of choice- Dougy with a tall, frosty beer, and Steve with a glass of whiskey and cola. Both men stood to the side of the bar, not too far away from the staircase leading up to the higher floors.

"So what's been going on PDW-wise, mate?" Dougy asked, "Besides Jaxx and all that."

"Preparing for the Platinum Cup, and not a whole lot else," Steve replied, "Been hanging out with Julian Dark a little bit, too."

"You do? I thought the two of you were trying to outdo each other at every turn."

"Well, we have to, we're both vying for similar positions on the roster. But he's not that bad a guy, doesn't take competition as a personal affront like some. Definitely worse people I could be hanging out with. Other than that... eh, not much. I've heard there's been a bit of a roster-boom- tons of new people flooding through the door. Might make for some interesting new competition."

"Cool, and I... oh no. Uh oh." Dougy suddenly drew himself off to a halt as he seemed to spot something in the atrium, his green eyes widening. Steve blinked a couple of times, then raised a brow.

"Something wrong?"

"Shit! We've gotta move!" Before the stunned Steve could even reply, Dougy grabbed onto his sleeve and dragged him into an alcove alongside the staircase, out of plain view of the majority of the guests. Once they were in, Steve yanked his arm free, eyeing his friend's face. Sure enough, a look of sudden worry was on Dougy's face as he stayed out of sight.

"What the hell's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"It's Diablo, man! Diablo is here!"

To verify his friend's statement, Steve leaned along the wall of the alcove, casting a cautious glance out among the people. Sure enough, Dougy was right- the iron-gray hair and beard of James Augustus Diablo, more commonly known as 'Jim Diablo' caught his eye, standing in the center of the goings-on with a glass of some kind of drink- probably whiskey- in his hand, decked out in a pure white suit. He wasn't alone- behind him was a tall hulk of a man, Caucasian and scarred with a shaved head, a black suit and sunglasses- including the phonecord wire behind the ear that some agents and bodyguards wore.

"Yep, it's him all right. Figured he'd be somewhere in the penguin parade."

"We've gotta grab Kate and get outta here, man!" Dougy's voice was getting a little loud now, and there was no question he was more than a little excitable by the sudden turn of events. Steve could only shrug.

"Why? Don't tell me you're going to walk away just because someone who wants to menace you out of your property is here. Stand up to the man! Show him you won't be pushed around!"

"Steve, have you seen that friggin' behemoth behind him?"

"If that guard touches you, I'll break his arm. But I don't think he will, and believe me, more harm will be done if Diablo sees you running away from a venue just because he's there. People like Diablo have to be stood up to, because if you lie down for them they hurt you even more. So we're going to go show him that you're not afraid of him!"

"You sure about this?" Dougy's confidence did seem to returning, although he did still have some misgivings.

"Alright, let me clarify it for you. Fleeing equals fear. Fear equals weakness. Weakness equals Diablo stepping up the pressure. Diablo stepping up the pressure potentially equals no Shack. And no Shack equals no beer! Is that what you want?"

It didn't take long for Dougy to vacate the alcove under those circumstances. He strode directly out in a business-like manner, at such a pace that even Steve had to step quickly to keep up with him. Soon Dougy had reached the area directly in front of Diablo himself, the bodyguard craning his head before Diablo himself waved him off in surprise, waiting for Dougy to speak.

"Oi! Diablo! Maaaaate! What's going on?"

"Well, if it isn't the current caretaker of my rightful property..." In spite of those belligerent words, an almost jovial smile crossed Diablo's face, "I'm a little surprised to see you actually approach me, Douglas. I'd have expected you to hide from me."

"You're just a man, Diablo," Steve replied casually as he moved in to flank his friend, staring up at the bodyguard to offset him. Diablo merely laughed.

"And I must admit I'm a little surprised to see you here, Steve- given that you seem to have this habit of rejecting any and all offers given to you by powerful people if they don't do everything the way you like it. You don't actually intend to network here, do you? Because none of these people will help you. I know them all, after all."

"I've got no interest in getting sponsored by a bunch of rich people. We're here with a friend."

"Kaitlyn Hawking, you mean?" Diablo replied casually, a quiet laugh escaping him at the sudden show of surprise both Steve and Dougy let on, "Oh, you gentlemen didn't think that I didn't actually know about your new friends and their movements, did you? If so, I think you've vastly underestimated just how much I'm watching the two of you- and your actions around my property."

"How many bloody times do I have to tell you, Diablo?" Dougy suddenly piped up with a fair amount of daring, "The Shack ain't yours. It's mine. I paid for it, you lost out."

"It will be my property soon, however. I will admit, I hadn't anticipated your little stunt with the Russians and getting them to work security, but I will find a way to take my property back. And I'm still watching every last one of you. I believe last Disclosure proved that even you aren't an infallible defender, Steve." A mocking laugh followed Diablo's statement, as if rubbing the salt in the wounds after Nicholas Jaxx's beatdown on Disclosure.

"Well, you might want to watch what I do in the way of retribution when I get it on Jaxx, Diablo..." Steve shot back, "Maybe you'll change your mind about putting the pressure on Dougy when you see what happens to people who go too far."

"If you survive him. That's a big 'if'. Perhaps that's a lesson you have yet to learn, Steve Jason- to finally know when you're getting in over your head." Diablo's tone was venomous, although to all external appearances and to anyone watching, he still looked quite happy and non-threatening, "I'm afraid I haven't the time to talk any further, gentlemen. I'll see you... later."

"Can't wait." Dougy wasn't quite as good as sarcasm as Steve- but he came close. Steve merely fell silent, going eye-to-eye with Diablo before he finally turned his back, the bodyguard behind him doing the same. In the space of a few moments, Diablo melted into the crowd, leaving Steve and Dougy on their own.

"There, see? Easy as that." Steve said as both men began walking again.

"I dunno if it was necessarily the smartest idea, though..." Dougy's voice was dubious "He's redoubled his threats now, in case you didn't notice."

"I'll guarantee you that any threats, veiled or otherwise, he made back there he was probably going to carry out anyway. But now you've shown him you're not afraid of him, and maybe, just maybe, he'll think twice about trying something. Remember, he's been trying to intimidate you so far. He hasn't actually done anything. He may not actually have any intentions to do so, maybe he's just hoping the threats will work..." Steve fell quiet, and both men came to a stop as they reached the foot of the grand staircase. Sure enough, Kate was there- but she wasn't alone. She was walking rather quickly, trying to desperately get ahead somebody trailing her- some young-looking man decked out in a suit and blue undershirt, with a slick faux-hawk haircut, and a somewhat puffed-up look about him. He was continually attempting to sidle up to the obviously-not-interested Kate, a sly pseudo-seductive expression on his face.

"Seriously, honey, just one night. You know you want this. I'm loaded..."

"Ah, Kate! There you are..." With as little dignity as possible, Steve strode directly between Kate and her pursuer, blocking him off as he turned to regard her casually, "Been looking for you forever! There's a really cool fountain I've got to show you. Come on."

The look on Kate's face was pure relief and gratitude as she nodded to Steve and formed up with him and Dougy. The rejected young man, however, wasn't too happy about Steve's intervention, raising his voice in a loud, indignant tone.

"Excuse me, but what do you think you're doing? We were talking..."

Steve responded by turning on his heel- slowly and surely, levelling the youth with a frosty stare that caused him to flinch back slightly. When he spoke, his voice was even colder.

"Oh, you were talking, were you? Looked more to me like you were following a girl around who wanted to be left alone. That's harassment, buddy- I don't care how rich you are."

"Who the hell do you think you are? My dad is one of Pittsburgh's biggest names in the steel industry and I..."

"Yes, that's nice. Have a lovely night!" Without even allowing the young man any chance to respond, Steve and Dougy immediately started moving, leading Kate away from the staircase and over towards the square fountain in the center of the room, leaving the scowling youth in their wake.

"You handled that well..." Kate observed.

"SJ's been in a bit of a 'not taking any crap' mood in the last fifteen minutes..." Dougy observed with a smirk.

"We ran into Jim Diablo..." Steve explained casually. The reaction on Kate's face was priceless, her eyes widening.

"Jim Diablo's here?"

"Of course he is. We're at an upper-crust penguin convention, remember? Of course Diablo would be there."

"What did he do? You guys didn't get into a fight, did you?"

"Diablo's too stupid to try anything in a crowded area," Steve shrugged, "Mainly, we stood around and exchanged veiled threats. He subtly hinted he'd be coming after The Shack at the first opportunity and that he still wasn't above coercion, and I subtly hinted that it'd be the dumbest thing he ever did. That sort of thing."

"Well, at least nothing happened..." Kate sighed.

"Diablo's the least of my worries right now..." Steve shrugged, "Right now I've got enough problems to be dealing with in Platinum without having to worry about him. I've got... a lot to do at Disclosure."

"Like take out Pop Rox or whatever his name is, and start the road to the Platinum Cup and the Platinum Championship, right?"

"Efinn Rox, actually. Inferno. And yeah, I've got that match against him- and he's pretty good when he wants to be so that could be tough in itself- but I've also got to deal with Jaxx."

"You're not going to strike back, are you?" Kate's expression took on a visibly concerned cast. It shouldn't have surprised Steve, really. The look on her face when she'd finally caught up with him after Jaxx's beatdown had been one of absolute horror. Her little crush evidently didn't help the situation, and she'd already been stressing out about what the Pantheon might have done to Steve. It turned out what Jaxx had done might have been even worse, and it had taken Steve a good twenty-four hours to convince Kate that he was alright and that he was walking. But it was quite obvious she was very concerned for his well-being still.

"Have I got a choice? He fired the first shot. It's on now. There's no turning back."

"You don't have to do this, you know. What do you honestly think striking back will achieve? He'll just try again. You shouldn't provoke him."

"What, and let him think he can just get away with this?" While Steve's voice was still calm, there was the slightest hint of iron-hard resolve in it, "I'm going to tell you a cold, hard truth, Kate, and you're not gonna like it. Sometimes, you don't have a choice but to strike back. Because with people like Jaxx, if they don't get a comeuppance they will continue to think they can get away with it. This isn't about being a 'hero' and it's not about 'saving' PDW from this nimrod. It's purely about self-preservation- because if I don't hit him back ten times harder than he hit me, he'll think he has the God-given right to keep coming after me over and over again. I need to strike back, and I need to strike back so hard that he won't even be able to hear the name 'Steve Jason' without running for the hills."

"But beat him into a bloody pulp at the next show? He's got to be expecting that, Steve, you know he will, and he's probably already set up a trap that you're about to run straight into."

"Who said I was going to beat him to a bloody pulp?" Steve's brow rose in visible amusement at Kate's prediction, "I said nothing about beating him to a pulp at Disclosure. Like you said, that's too obvious- and it wouldn't have the maximum psychological and physical damage I want to unleash on Jaxx. The only time I'll be able to strike that fatal blow will be in a match. I know that to finish Jaxx, it'll have to be in a match. But I've got... something else in mind. I figured that since Jaxx's actions remind me so much of what I went through in California... then I'll deal with it like I did in California."

"What do you mean by that?" Kate's expression was one of confusion. She glanced at Dougy as if expecting him to answer the question, but all he could do was shrug. Steve chuckled- but it was a cynical, harsh chuckle as he delivered the only answer he was prepared to give on the subject.

"You'll just have to wait and see."

[CONTINUED: Promo - The Undeniable Words #12, 5/11/08]

But I have noticed we do seem to have something in common. The answer to that can be found simply by looking at your title belt and reading the words on it: 'Next. Big. Thing'. You obviously have some very concrete proof of being the 'next big thing'- you literally won the right to be called it and have a continual reminder of that fact around your waist. But there are... other ways to be considered such. Harder ways. It's one of those harder ways that I traversed. The message that you have around your waist, I've sent through every single battle I've had in the ring. You are the next big thing, absolutely- but so am I, and there are a lot of people who would back me up on that.

Unfortunately, only one of us can become the 'current big thing' at this point in time. There's only one way to do that and that's by taking the Platinum Cup. It's one thing to be considered the next big thing, it's another to make that grand leap and become current. The honest truth is, one of us will have to sit there at the end of Disclosure and accept the cold, hard, bitter fact that it's just not happening yet. And I strongly suspect that will be a fuelling point for both of us. Not only do I want to beat you and not only do I want the cup... but I really, really don't want to have to face the music. I will fight and I will give it everything I have to avoid that 'no, you're not ready yet' message. Unfortunately, it means I have to send that message to you. Does that make me a bastard? Probably, but it's me or it's you. There are some times where being the nice guy doesn't pay, and this is one.

It seems you've been bulldozing a path in the last few weeks, Inferno. You know, that's something I can relate to. I've been doing a similar thing- although I seem to be blessed for the most part with opponents who try. But let's face it, the last few weeks have been good for you. You've had wins and you've made them look easy. We all remember what you did to Rachel Price and how you absolutely and utterly decimated her. And we also all remember what happened afterwards when you exacted revenge on her for wasting your time. Am I going to claim some divine right to stop you from doing that? No, it's not really my business. I sort of understand the frustration of having a slack opponent myself, although I don't think I'd go quite so far as you did.

Nevertheless, it's the way you disposed of Rachel Price that's got me thinking a bit about this match. Obviously, you can do some serious damage when you want to, and I suppose I always have to keep it in the back of my head- if you really need the win, you might try that again. Brutality's obviously not beneath you, enigmatic as you are. About all I can say is, don't expect me to be taken by surprise so easily, and don't expect me to be as prone to that method. The Bloodshed Championship has... done a surprising amount of good for me in that regard. I've been forced into a scenario where brutality is commonplace and where I need to both counter it and exercise it to survive. A Rachel Price situation will not happen with me. I will be prepared, and odds are any attempt could backfire on you big time.

To be honest with you, Inferno, I haven't the slightest clue how exactly you'll react to all this. A man of mystery such as yourself could literally say or do anything. Hell, for all I know, you might say literally nothing at all. I don't pretend to have any predictions as to what you'll say. You could be an enigma like you usually are, or you could be nothing short of overkill like you were with Rachel Price. The best I can do is prepare myself for anything- cause let's face it, you could say or do anything.

But make no mistake about it- if I have it my way, there isn't a thing you'll be able to say that'll sway me or make me take my eyes off the prize for the slightest second. As far as I'm concerned, seizing the Platinum Cup is the key to my destiny- and I intend on letting nothing short of the Apocalypse stop me in my quest to attain it.

I suppose I can say- rejoice, Efinn Rox. After weeks of facing disappointing opponents and people who didn't give you the challenge that you felt you deserved, you finally get to face an opponent who will not only actually try for once, but somebody who will no doubt give you one of the bigger trials you've had during your time in PDW. I may not be arrogant like so many others, but I do promise you that much. So consider your frustration abated, and consider your wish my command. But with that said- well, the phrase 'be careful what you wish for' might just apply here...

And that... IS UNDENIABLE!