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[TKOW Board]

Tobias "the Heartless" Burden

vs

"The Forsaken One" Salazar Tyrenus

[Tobias Burden]

Male Voice: ?? so you?re looking for a Dark Eden still, eh???

Our scene is outside? the occasional spattering of stars across the navy blanket of a midnight?s eve as well as the pale luminescence of a full moon tell us this much, as does the sounds of such an evening: The crickets chirp, the sounds of random creatures, both bred to be predator and prey simultaneously move through the brush, attempting to find nourishment, or at the most, survive on this night?

? The sounds of heavy breathing as well as running water are most predominant however?

? And the running water makes one question glare above all others: Where the hell is this scene taking place?

The camera pans downwards slowly, revealing that we are, in fact, located in a wooded area, as the branches of taller trees begin to blot out the starlight, as we pan down further our view comes to what appears to be a path? a narrow path centered in between a gap about a meter in width separating the trees from one another.

? At the end of that path is the silhouette of somebody.

Male Voice: ?Every time you say the words Dark Eden, Salazar, every time you say them, and your actions over the course of a good deal of your career prove this, you enable me to realize exactly how human you are. Exactly how much, despite your feeble protests, you?re like every other goddamn human being in this fed? this business, and hell, in this world in general.?

The moonlight invades the small pathway fairly well, illuminating the as of yet unnoticed streams that run alongside the small forest path, yet even so, the figure remains blanketed in midnight as he takes several cautious steps forward.

Male Voice: ?? Walking around, preaching for every person?s Eden, claiming that your ?Dark? one reigns supreme and would satiate the will of all beings when it eventually happens, even those that are currently trying to stop you. Claiming you?re a savior, a hero, someone whose true intentions are noble and extending a kind hand to those who see fit to join you? all, what? Three? Yeah, three weak-minded fools believe in your bullshit.?

The silhouette spreads his arms out wide in the midnight light, there appears to be something within the grasp of both of his hands.

Male Voice: ?Or they did, I find it funny that once the Order no longer seemed to have time to help you achieve your goals that you dropped them faster than your IQ. They must realize now, that your Eden is no different than theirs?? or Phoenix?s, Griffen?s? or mine. Your Dark Eden doesn?t exist, it isn?t ?Dark? Salazar, it?s just Eden? and it?s oh so simple to know what it is. Deny my words, as I know you will, but your Eden lies within the prize at Megabowl V. That belt, that thing we all strive for? that?s the Eden you speak so highly of. So, what in the fuck makes it so ?Dark? Salazar???

A moment of silence passes.

Male Voice: ?If you speak of the path you had to take to get here, to this point right now as we speak, than you sir, are a goddamn idiot, many have taken more ruthless and bloody paths. Don?t try to deny my claims Sal, if these accusations didn?t bear fruit than you?d have had no reason to attack me at the last show? you?re running scared now, you?re doing what no ?higher being? would ever do, your just letting your gothic words and phrases empower you and believe in the bullshit that continues to come from your mouth. You?re not dark, or evil, or on a different level than me Salazar, I proved that when I beat you, you ARE human, and you?re beginning to realize it? and now with your false claims of a better Eden in store for you it is also revealed that your hopes and dreams too, are entirely human.?

The objects in the hands of the silhouette are thrown to the side and into the twin streams that run alongside the forest path, a faint splash is heard? then the water starts to hiss? as if coming to a boiling point?

Male Voice: ?If your Eden is dark, as is your path? then like I told you last month Sal, I?m burning, I?m on fire, allow me to light your Dark Eden the fuck up!?

Unknown to us, the two objects that the silhouette has tossed into the water was in fact condensed blocks of the element Potassium? and for anyone who knows there elemental charts, when such an element hits water? it ignites?

FWOOOSH~!!!

Flames jump up from the surface of the water, illuminating the surrounding forest in an orange-golden light, the fire burns downstream, right past the camera and we can only assume behind it as well.

It also reveals the silhouette to be?

Male Voice: ?Tobias ?The Heartless? Burden is a name you?ve been getting used to whispering a lot lately, haven?t you Salazar, you?ve been spouting my goddamn name off right, left, and center even after I knocked you out at New Era... what?s more pathetic is that you?ve been fucking BRAGGING about the fact that I didn?t follow through with my promise to end your life! What!?! Like you had any-fucking-thing to do with that, like somehow you used the power of your mind to not allow me to kill you? Don?t be so na?ve or fucking ignorant, Salazar, the fans aren?t, and neither are the wrestlers in the locker room, the match was over, had I killed you afterwards I?d have been liable? and I still have MY Eden to find? and unlike you, I don?t plan to glorify a goddamn thing. My Eden is simple, it?s true, and it?s right out in the open for one-and-all to witness.?

Tobias begins to walk forward, his well toned muscle displayed fully by the fact that he?s shirtless, besides that though he?s clothed in full ring attire, pleather orange baggy shorts, kick and knee pads, wrestling shoes? even his fists are taped up.

Tobias: ?Rage, anger, disappointment, hope, anticipation? even love, I claim to be Heartless, Salazar, yet I?m a flurry of all these things at once, I?ve become an oxymoron, a man of contradiction, I?m living in a large grey fucking area, yet everything I see comes out black and white, this thing? these things, more precisely? they?ve been building up over the course of my career and I?m finally past the point of ignoring Salazar, I?m relishing it, encouraging it, I?m letting it consume me? and in case all of this poetic garble is making people confused, I?ll come right out and say it, that this feeling, I now know exactly what it is to burn? can you claim the same, Salazar, do you possess that commitment, to go as far as is necessary??

The light of the fire casts shadows across Tobias? face, making his eyes invisible to us all, the licks of dancing flame leap up from the water and begin to catch on the dry leaves and dead wood of the forest?

Tobias: ?Furthermore, do you have that commitment to stand up and look your obstacles dead in the face? Can you look me dead in the eye, can you start this fight on equal ground? and lastly, can you finally beat me??

The flames quickly rise up the surrounding trees as smoke begins to accompany the high reaching tree branches in their quest to blot out the stars.

Tobias: ?You can feel the heat now, as you?ve journeyed down your path? but from the moment you extended your hand to me for me to join the Order, you knew my fire had the power to leave you in cinders, and that?s the exact moment you knew I was a threat, my very presence has already charred your path, now, right here, the final stretch to Megabowl your path lies in flames? I?m reaching my Eden, Salazar, I?m comin? up fast? and I aim to light yours up? and leave it smoldering.?

He continues to walk forward, a small brush of flame quickly makes its way across the path but ?The Heartless? One merely steps right through it.

Tobias: ?Instinct is telling you to run away while you still can Sal, but your pride won?t let you, you fear me, you did two months ago and you do right now. A sneak attack is a sign of cowardice and fear? and if you can fear, you can be beaten, and since I?ve done it before, I can do it again. This time it takes place in Nevada, on the biggest evening the company has ever witnessed, that I?ve ever witnessed, and that I?m damn sure you?ve ever witnessed. No DQs this go around, oh ?Forsaken One?, and you think I hurt you last time??

The Heartless One marches right past the camera but it turns to follow him as he walks down the path towards what appears to be a bright light?

Tobias: ?In Nevada, Salazar, is where I show you where true light lies? before I turn your fucking lights out and put the kibosh on your ?Dark Eden?, and this falls count anywhere rule allows me to pin you right on the front goddamn step of your goal, so that you may never see it again? don?t doubt me, don?t underestimate, and don?t try to call my bluff, we Heartless have been known to do crazy things? and it?d be the least I could do at this point in time.?

His figure becomes a silhouette once again as he disappears into the bright light at the end of the path, leaving the pathway to Eden to burn? and leaving the crackle of flames as the only sound leading off into the night.

[T-Money]

OOC ? The reference to ?Eden? in this promo should be fucking clear to any of you right now, if it isn?t well you suck a lot lol because I?ve tried to make it as obvious as possible without ruining the damn thing. I?m just saying this because there have been complaints that I went overly philosophical, which I didn?t and I was just opening up new RP possibilities for all involved, and actually building depth of storyline and character through a wrestling promo. OMG!! lol.

------- ------- ---------

-Gusts blow across the plains where a single tree stands, naked with only its branches to show its skeletal demise. The clouds as predicted are dark blue, moving along at unreal speeds, as if the storms of Jupiter had invaded our world. The giant amount of space continues to stretch off into the horizon, the moon only starting to bring out its shrouded menace as it casts a dull light over the land where one figure can be seen walking, far off.

Within instant the vision skips and the figure is a lot closer. Another skip. He can be seen clearly now, clad in a dark trench coat and hood. Another skip. He?s there?right in front of the camera, his face looks pale blue through the light, a scar or two on his face?he smiles, but his eyes share despair. We are looking at The Forsaken, Salazar Tyrenus.

Another skip. He is far off again, beside the root of the tree, leaning against it and lighting a cigarette, the smoke lingering only a second before flying off with its companions in the wind.-

Salazar: Its sickness. This disease has infected me, infected my mind, infected my body, infected my very breathing process, infected my heart, oxygenated and deoxygenated blood seem the same now?pale. I might go as far to say its infected my fucking soul. What does that mean for you Tobias Burden? It means certain and swift decline into a new ocean of my mind?s construct.

-The moment seems to stand for ages, the word of ?decline? echoing across the plains with unholy force as The Forsaken leans, puffing out smoke and looking at the emptiness around him.-

Salazar: You probably didn?t even understand that Tobias. Being the primitive little shit you are. I will take you to a place you?ve never been before, and yes?its worse than your fucking family members dying, and that?s not even something to despair over. I don?t even have a fucking family, and you tell me that I don?t know about the ?nothing to lose? mentality? Look?

You?re an infant between a cold world. The choice is there for you to make?commit yourself to hopelessly trying to slay me, or commit yourself to learning that there are some people who are ahead of you mind, body, and soul wise. Do you even hear me stuttering? Not today?not ever. I smiled when you won that match at New Era, Burden.

I smiled?just like I am now.

-The vision skips and suddenly it is near The Forsaken, by the tree, and indeed he is smiling, the crazed yet unnerved smile?not a hint of evil in it, but of cold hard will.-

Salazar: Does that damage you? Have some food for thought?

Does it not help you in preparation when you can reason out your loss? You can tell yourself and the world that the reason you lost was me giving you a Voluntary Despair on the chair and costing you the match. It vindicates you doesn?t it? Restores confidence that other forces besides your skills were at work continuing your demise?it takes the pressure off your shoulders. Doesn?t it?

-The clouds continue moving at their high speed, the moon being blocked at times, then shining once again, like a torch turning on and off as The Forsaken?s face goes dark and light in succession, almost blending.-

Salazar: Eden lies ahead. That?s the source of the infection. A sickness that is its own antidote, if that were possible. Cast aside the notions that make you think that you do have a chance of surviving, Tobias. Not this time around. This is where I care?I care about this, Burden? I CARE TO MAKE MY EDEN, and that is not something pleasant.

What else can you do to me that hasn?t been done? You?ve already failed trying to kill me?you?ve already failed at trying to get inside my mind, what the hell else can you do Burden? I?VE SEEN MY OWN BLOOD AND I HAVE DROWNED IN IT AND CHOKED IN IT. I LOST MY FUCKING BREATH IN IT! I HAVE HAD MORE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES THAN YOU?VE CRIED OVER CRAVEN BURDEN!

(Whispering) What the fuck else will you do to me? You know you can?t kill me?

All the energy you gained in your entire life was cast onto me in a vengeful burst at New Era?and I SMILE IN YOUR FUCKING FACE. Does that give you confidence? Has that brought back the fucking pressure?

I go to your most cherished place?a graveyard for a pathetic family member where you spend months weeping and crying, telling god how unfortunate your life is. You sicken me. YOU FUCKING SICKEN ME FOR YOUR PETTY WEAKNESSES BURDEN. I DON?T HAVE ANY ?PEOPLE? TO FUCKING MOURN?

(Whispering) and that?s a damn shame because the only thing I might mourn about is thinking in retrospect and wondering if you got less violence than you deserved at Megabowl.

-The smile fades from The Forsaken, as expected. He throws the cigarette away, drawing a new one from a pack in his pocket, lighting that one up with the faint brilliance of fire. Instead of the clouds, the ground beneath him now moves at the hurtling speed, almost like a desert sea fleeing towards other pastures.-

Salazar: They?re all scared that I will become TKOW Champion. That they cannot predict me, they cannot capture my motives?that they don?t clearly know what exactly I mean by ?Eden?.

Eden is bliss?a time and place, a philosophy?of pain where we can freely cast out our inner demons and let them run wild in this federation, where no boundaries or corporate fiends are there to stop us from becoming princes of violence. Eden is the Garden of Violence, Tobias?a terrible fucking place that will see its inception at Megabowl. My intents are clear, to hang your carcass like an infidel outside the Garden?letting people like Phoenix and Matt Griffen know that they are unwelcome in The Garden?the grail.

It will be perfect?

You can hope that these are mind games I?m playing. You can hope to god that Salazar Tyrenus doesn?t mean these words, and only uses them to incite fear in your mind?NO, fear is a weapon for the fearful. FEAR IS A WEAPON FOR THE FEARFUL. It is a false mask used to disturb and dissect the human mind. I speak only the truth and emotion, Burden?and those emotions may seem dark to you?INSANE OR FUCKING PSYCHOTIC TO YOU?but they seem perfectly, balanced and divine to ME.

I don?t partake in false senses of being ?good? or ?evil?, ?pure? or ?filthy?. I only partake in the truth?and the truth is the end of your quest for vengeance. Pull your halo down, Burden. Cast aside that bible, that Khoran, that Gita?hell even that 15 year old prostitute lying by your side every other night?because NONE of those are going to put the pressure off you any longer. You are going up against The Forsaken?THE. Key word ?THE? most Forsaken man in this fucking world?and you should be able to decide the image that will greet you at Megabowl because Eden MUST arise?and casualties are a way of life. (Long pause)

The time is upon us when we shed all our tears, shed all our inhibitions and thoughts?and bathe ourselves in the sweet violence we will do to each other Tobias? I will give you new skin to thrive on?a new skin of red, and a new mind of black...utter blackness that shames my fucking soul?and believe me that is quite dark.

-Only now does the desperate smile arise into The Forsaken?s mouth, a heinous and venomous smile, of utter peace and triumph inside that twisted wasteland?-

Salazar: (Whispering) I?m coming?

-The vision skips. The Forsaken is right in front of it like earlier, smiling straight into the vision, pulling his hood on. Another skip. We see him many yards away, walking past the skeletal tree into the horizon?the clouds and the ground now moving in unison, and thunder can be heard far off like a vile war cry, he disappears into the clouds and ground as both seem to merge in the whirlwind?a faint shadow can be seen in between, almost like an eye?-

[T-Money]

Voice: Am I supposed to be impressed at someone who imitates my demeanor in hopes to put me in fear? What kind of pathetic tactics are you using Tobias?tsk tsk, it?s a real shame that you?re humiliating yourself even further before the entire world looks in horror at your beaten body at Megabowl.

-A tremendous screech is heard inside the darkness after the voice, someone is speaking, inaudibly as the voice is heavy and dark at first, then light pitched and comic, somehow the interruption is sorted and we know it is the voice of Tobias Burden?-

Tobias Burden said:

I?ll come right out and say it, that this feeling, I now know exactly what it is to burn? can you claim the same, Salazar, do you possess that commitment, to go as far as is necessary??

Voice: Why are you repeating the same question I kept asking you for fucking weeks? Hell you haven?t even answered me yet you piece of shit.

Is your mind still retaining sanity or did my predictions occur so fucking soon that you seem to be lost in a state of ignorance already??and don?t pretend you didn?t want to finish me at New Era after I dragged out the violence from inside you even before we threw a fucking fist at each other. You tried the same at the graveyard but of course?your knife seemed to go missing, an action that your entire body will repeat at The Bowl.

I may be devious?but I preach facts and only the truth greets my victims. I?ve already shed whatever mixed emotions I held at New Era?it?s a distant memory to me?and you may have been fighting for your TKOW career that night Burden? but I had absolutely nothing to fight for?besides drawing you out and giving you such a stimulant that you now feel you can actually win this ?tournament?. That?s not laughable?that?s just sad.

-The shadow finally gives way, a dim light illuminating a man sitting on a wooden chair, out in that familiar desert, in the middle of nowhere, a dark hooded jacket silhouetted against the moonlight. Slow hazes from the cigarette smoke slither up, blocking parts of the eyes of the man, his gaze intent on the ground, the same moving ground, like a desert sea moving at hurtling speeds.-

The Man: This is a new trait I seem to be seeing in you?putting on imitations?masks of other people, of other personalities to somehow hide the constant anguish that plagues you still now. Are you trying to be Phoenix? Spouting arrogant words to gain a higher mental ground to convince yourself that you are the greatest? That?s disappointing Tobias?I thought I taught you well that there?s no way you can spark illusions to somehow stop the disease from spreading inside you.

-A faint smile can be seen from the man, only faint?-

The Man: You know I?ll never run from you Tobias?I?m the one that?s confronting you, that?s been confronting you and giving you a name?giving you a reputation all this time. You were a ruined wreck when I saw you at the graveyard, and suddenly I?m supposed to believe you?re a GODLY FIGURE? Even if you?re trying to lie?you?re hopeless at doing it. (Long Pause)

-Every minute the dim light seems to illuminate more and more of the man, until we do have a clear sense that it is Salazar ?The Forsaken? Tyrenus, the deep black eyebrows and even deeper eyes, staring fixatedly down, as if in some Messianic trance.-

Salazar: Why ride false clouds of strength? Clouds are hollow?only a vista in the sky, nothing more, don?t pretend you?re in a state to dismantle the potential rising of Eden. The whole federation roots for anyone against me, whispering into the ears of the bosses to somehow confound the intentions of The Forsaken One. Even you know I?m the only one who has suffered sufficiently enough, shed enough blood to get here?to get to this road, I encountered the most turns, the largest pitfalls?the biggest scythes poking deeper and deeper into my soul?BUT I AM STILL FUCKING SEEING CLEARLY. DON?T DOUBT THAT?BURDEN. (Pause)

I don?t spare a single second for those fools who want to initiate a screw job on me?let them keep their hollow minds fixated below the glass ceiling. That?s where you?re at fault too Burden?you don?t see the magnitude of the occasion, and don?t give me the crap that ?it doesn?t matter?, will you say that when I literally end any chances of you EVER becoming a mainstay in this federation? I may not do it physically Burden?BUT I SURE AS HELL AM ABLE TO DO IT MENTALLY. (Whispers) But physicality will suffice for Megabowl?

If only you bitches clung on fake sanity knew, what I prepare to unleash, then the entire federation would be in the fucking ring trying to stop me?but of course EVEN these words I speak this very moment will go on deaf ears. Why? Because the shadow never distinguishes itself until its victims are FULLY engulfed inside it. With the TKOW Championship comes unparallel power. Not that Phoenix needed it anyway since he?s been orchestrating the rise of the careers of Matt Griffen and Kid Styles for a long time, solidifying his position while his lackeys pose a false threat to us.

-The trance remains, he stares fascinated at the cold grey floor, traces of a sneer spreading on his face. The desert grows darker around the seat, a red light covers the landscape dully, making the skeletal tree look akin to a human?s inner veins.-

Salazar: Are we SICK? Are we even ALIVE, Tobias? Has our personal conflict gone so deep inside your mind that you are clinging onto a forgotten mind state that wouldn?t have helped you anyway? My integrity is dead?I do admit that, it should have been obvious to you when I desecrated your personal life and now the entire world knows you. I heard your comment?Burden?

?Instinct is telling you to run away while you still can??

WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!!! Did you somehow look in the fucking mirror when you said that? Who?s running Burden? Did those painkillers completely wipe out that little part of your brain that actually functioned? You are the one running away?running away from the truth, running away from your life, running away from the epiphany that SALAZAR THE FORSAKEN TYRENUS IS BECOMING THE STEWARD OF EDEN, THE TKOW World Champion.

Did I reduce you to a druggie in denial? All these questions that I pose, and you haven?t got a fucking answer. You never had?you just dodged them by saying you are a man reborn and that you have stood against the tide your entire life?what will you tell everyone when I deliver my prophecy. The whole world will be listening?even a single whisper from you will be met with great reception?because you fell to a GOD. (Deep smile)

-The Forsaken finally breaks out from his trance, rising from the seat and taking a long studious look at the tree, walking towards it and running his hands over the roots in a soft caress?-

Salazar: Oh Eden, deliver me the bodies?the blood, the hopeless faces and let me bathe inside the anguish and despair?from out of that will I rise and lead The Federation towards true bliss?to the great Gardens you and I build together, carry Tobias to his fate gracefully?only in the way violence can achieve it. I will carry his carcass through Acheron personally, ushering his soul to where he will finally find himself?and then we shall raise Tartarus?the source of life and cover The Federation, finally free all their souls and give them the vision to see things as they should be seen.

But first?I must venture down to the depths of the black water and crucify Tobias Burden?let the hour greet me soon, for the disease grows.

-The Forsaken, Salazar Tyrenus leaves the tree, sitting back on the seat, and pulling the hood over himself to conceal his entire face in darkness. He seems to be rocking, back to the trance, the expression emotionless and blank??

Rise?..Rise?..Rise?.

My Eden?Bring His Demise.

The world?s caught in surprise,

Only I see through the demon?s eyes.

Only darkness can see shadow?

Only shadow can lead to the light?

Eden Rise?.

Edited by T-Money, 15 July 2006 - 10:39 AM.

[Tobias Burden]

[Fade in from black?]

Our view comes to that of Tobias Burden standing at a sidewalk? well, wobbling would be a better term, as the flask clasped in his left hand makes it quite apparent that he?s currently inebriated?

Tobias: ?? huh? maybe I shouldn?t ha? mocked yer ?Dark? Path at all ?ere Sally boy??

? OK, he?s currently hammered out of his mind.

Tobias: ?I? I mean, what better a place to find some sorta ?Dark? Eden than in this fuckin? place???

He makes a grand sweeping gesture with his arms and the camera pans out to reveal that The Heartless One is currently standing in the neon city, Las Vegas? the sight where the soon to be fought Megabowl V will be held. The casinos light up the late night, fading out even the stars with their sub-par, fake, imitation glamour.

Every man walking down the street appears to be wearing their good duds, leisure suits and fur coats abound, while every figure of the fairer sex has attempted false beauty through the power of silicone and tummy tucks, of bulimia and mascara.

Tobias: ?? I ain?t been ?ere in ages? ever since I was seventeen with a fake ID and a fistful o? tens, jus? hopin? ta? get into one of ?ese places an? make my fortune. Never happened of course? but a lucky shot at one of the slot machines is what enabled me ta? pay for my wrestling lessons? geez, talk about full circle, eh??

Tobias turns and begins his stumbling trek down the street, nobody even bothering to cast him a glance but instead stepping in the camera?s way as to be noticed by the public. Why no one would cast a glance at a drunken man making his way between ?the beautiful people?? Probably because they?d seen enough men who were down on their luck and were used to it, or, more likely, since it didn?t affect their ?oh so important? lives they simply didn?t give a shit.

The Heartless One stops just long enough however, to witness another man, drunk out of his mind, half passed out in a phone booth while a woman, the only innocent looking person we?ve seen walking the street thus far, berating the man, screaming at him, to sober up, the rest is lost for us to hear amongst her sobbing.

After a moment of staring at the scene for just a bit longer, Tobias shakes his head and snorts in disgust before moving on. He gestures for the camera to come up beside him which it does, then he stops, so suddenly that he nearly trips over his own two feet before turning and readdressing the camera.

Tobias: ?? This place? Las Vegas is painted as a place where one can make his? or her? fortune, a place where paradise can be foun? n? shit like that. Did that seem like paradise ta? any of ya?? How ?bout you Salazar?? HUH!?!?

As the young, drunken wrestler?s voice gains volume the people around him begin to give him a wide berth of area, almost as though they wish to avoid his preaching.

Tobias: ?This place is lit up, all hours of the day to advertise their cheesy fuckin? wares? to pressure ya? into losin? everythin? for the chance to earn more. I can?t count the number of times I?ve seen a family man lose his entire fucking paycheck at the craps table when all he wanted ta? do originally was earn a little extra money to buy his children new mountain bikes. I can?t count the number of times I?ve seen a housewife screamin? ? just like that lady back there ? at her lover to get off his useless drunk ass, that same woman will probably sell her body and soul to just scrounge up the change to feed her kids! This place sinks its neon teeth into ya? then screws you every which way from goddamn Sunday. And you still think this? where you?ll find your completion Salazar?!?

?This place may be alight, all day, every day, without fail, but let me assure you that this place is truly dark, and evil, where it counts, and that?s where humanity is concerned, pimps, drug dealers and crack whores roam the street looking for easy out of town prey, and the true regulars would rather take your house and home then shake your hand and smile to your face, and this is the place where we, Salazar, where we: You, Phoenix, Griffen and myself have to fight for our Eden?! If this place remains true to its nature, the NONE of us may walk out the winner.?

Tobias turns and glances down the street, where a fake pyramid towers decoratively over most of the apartment buildings. Another snort of disgust later and he turns back to face the camera.

Tobias: ?? some people call my hometown of Los Angeles a hole, a pit, the ?City of Angels? is seriously lacking in halos these days, but at least we?re honest about it, unlike this hole, this pit, this hell, it?s a Venus flytrap, a Devil wearing the angel?s mask. You don?t know it?s hell until it?s too late and you?re a defeated man.?

?But hear me, Salazar, if not before than now, I?ve been here before, and not only that, but I thrived and earned my way back here again, where I aim to try and thrive once more? I will walk out of Nevada a winner through any means necessary, I refuse to fail and fall into hell, and you?re not the only one walking the ?Dark? path now because we will all be fighting here, we will all be going to hell here, and only one of us gets to find Eden, I WILL bury you at Eden?s front doorstep, not as a warning to any other potential enemies, but just because it?s my way to get ahead, you?ll be the first eliminated, beaten and disposed of, you will be the first to fold in Las Vegas, Salazar, because I trump you in every way that counts.?

His expression sobers up as he treks backwards down the sidewalk, people moving out of the way and casting looks of annoyance his way but otherwise not questioning the Heartless One as he spreads his arms out wide.

Tobias: ?I?ve beaten the house before, I?ve beaten Las Vegas before, and I?ve beaten you too. When I do all three again Salazar, will you have reason to laugh? Like you claim you did after I knocked you out? Will you be able to enjoy a moment of mirth when I destroy your aspirations of Dark Eden? You can claim you smile when I beat you Salazar, but I have a lot more riding on this than you considering I have nothing anymore, and you may venture around, claiming that I was lucky to have something to begin with, whereas you had none, but you then have no fucking right to complain about me? because YOU DON?T KNOW WHAT LOSS IS LIKE!! You didn?t have a family to lose, you?ve never had friends to lose and you haven?t had a championship to lose, I?ve lost all three, maybe not the TKOW world championship, but gold is still gold, and I aim to become a belt wearer again, whereas you?ve never had that chance until now, and you won?t know what loss is until I force you to lose your dreams.?

?And I find it fucking hilarious, by the way, that you claim that I walked into a title shot - this shot that we?re both fighting for right now ? as though it were given to me or happenstance? that I didn?t earn my way here, let me ask you something, Salazar: When was the last time you did anything deserving of a fucking title shot? You lost to Griffen?s girl, I knocked you out, you got yourself DQ-ed against Griffen? Jesus. You?ve done nothing, I repeat NOTHING to even deserve a spot at Megabowl V, and yet I?m the one lucky to fuckin?-well be here!?! You beat Kid Styles? SO WHAT!?! I did too, and I beat a former Chaos champ, and I?ve pinned you twice, I?ve already proven that I am, in fact, better than you, and probably always will be, no wonder you?re scared to fight me this round, and I?m not intimidated that you laugh in the face of me knocking you out instead of killing you, in fact, I QUITE remember you telling ME that you were looking for a reason to kill me! Ha! Joke?s on you fucker, I?m not dead either, I suppose I should go run around bragging about how I still have a pulse after making you my bitch.?

Random Man: ?Get the fuck out of the way jackass!?

A perfect stranger clothed in an expensive leather jacket shoves Tobias to the side roughly, an arrogant sneer on his face, TH1 looks shocked for a moment before an angry expression covers his face, he grabs the taller man?s shoulder, turns him to face him, grabs the man by the throat and slams him up against the nearest building wall.

Tobias: ?The fuck?s your name!?!?

Random Man: ?WHAT THE FUCK!? GET THE FUCK OFFA ME!?

The young wrestler drags the man away from the wall slightly then slams him back into it, this time lifting him several inches off the ground, leaving his feet dangling, the man?s head cracks against the brick lightly, but the sheer surprising strength in the arms of the Heartless One leaves the man with a look of intimidation.

Tobias: ?I asked: What the fuck is your name??

A few moments pass when?

Random Man: ?Larry??

Tobias: ?Alright Larry, let me ask you something, do you own the fucking sidewalk??

Larry: ?N-No? but you were-?

Tobias: ?You were a rude, uncouth son of a bitch, you shoved me, with regards only to yourself, I may have been standing on a sidewalk, Larry, but did you see me pushing and shoving people, acting like King Turd of Shit Mountain??

Larry: ???

Tobias: ?Exactly, no, you didn?t, walking around me might have been a small inconvenience to you, and you?re such a self-important prick that you just couldn?t bear it, now, I?ve hung you high, and you?re wondering why nobody has even given you a second glance despite the fact that I all but promise serious physical harm on you, and do you know why??

A look of thought crosses Larry?s face before he shakes his head no.

Tobias: ?? Not a very bright guy, are we Larry? It?s because they too, are self-important, self-indulgent little fucks with no regard for anybody but themselves? kinda like how you were before you pissed me off. But the difference between them and you is that ?THEY? have enough common sense not to shove a stranger? for common fear that maybe, just maybe, they won?t run into somebody that can see straight through this town and the people in it who have personalities with less depth than the average glass of orange juice??

Larry: ?? What??

Tobias: ?Shut up, I hate this town, and I generally hate the people in it? you?re what?s wrong with society, and you??

Tightens his grip on the man?s neck.

Tobias: ?Are what makes me? Heartless??

He sets the man down to his feet and fixes his collar? Larry has a look of confusion on his face at the sudden hospitality?

Tobias: ?In that way, Larry, I should actually thank you??

Larry: ?? w-what??

Tobias: ?You? you and people like you, are what made me, you?re the reason I am where I am today, and why, going into my next great battle? I will have the homefield advantage??

Larry: ?And why?s that??"

Tobias: ?Because Las Vegas, and the people inside of it, have bred the Heartless??

With that last lingering statement, Tobias turns and walks away from the guy, into the neon glowing evening?

[Fade to black]

[Tobias Burden]

OOC: Here goes... enjoy.

____________________________________

[Fade in from black?]

Our scene is that of a small room, almost claustrophobic inducing, especially with the sheets, designs and patterns painted and posted all over the wall. We see every kind of symbol, from Celtic runes to Kanji symbols? as well as an assortment or dragons, skulls, monsters and naked women staring back out at us?

? a loud, persistent buzzing noise draws are attention to the middle of the room, where we see the feet of somebody reclining in a chair, with a large, bald guy obscuring our view of seeing the face of just who this man is.

We?re in a tattoo shop, obviously? but who has been known to get tattoos while cutting a promo.

Tattoo Artist: ?There man, yer done??

Male Voice: ?Thanks??

The bald man moves out of the way to reveal? Tobias ?The Heartless? Burden, shirtless but wearing a pair of black jeans, black sneakers and an orange bandana, on his chest however, over his heart, is his newest addition to his ?ink? collection? a mural? of a young child?s face? as well as the letters ?J.B.? written across the right side of his chest, right beside the image.

Tattoo Artist: ?No wrestling with that thing on??

Tobias: ?I ain?t got much of a choice there Joe.?

Joe: ?Fine, add more scar tissue to your body. What do I know, I?m just a tattoo artist.?

Tobias: ?And a fine one at that, this looks great.?

The larger man seems a bit taken aback by the compliment, but shakes his head and snorts in dismissal, he grabs what appears to be a photo off the counter next to him and holds it up in front of Tobias.

Joe: ?*mumbling* If you know you?re wrestlin? soon then why the fuck?d ya? get it? *Out loud* you want this picture back??

Tobias: ?You couldn?t pay me enough for it.?

The Heartless One reaches out and snags the photo from the artist?s fingers, he slides it carefully into his jean pocket before standing. He snags an orange button up shirt off of a spare chair and shrug it on, not bothering to do up the buttons and instead opting to leave the sensitive flesh of his chest and abs exposed.

Joe: ?Wouldn?t want it man, sure the kid?s beautiful, but I ain?t creepy that way, but since you have a permanent reminder of him? why keep the photo??

Tobias: ?Sentimental value??

Tobias turns to face the camera, his expression suddenly deadly serious, Joe notices this and makes his way quietly out of the room.

Tobias: ?Salazar, I?ve just been inked, mainly because of sentimental reasons, but also, to let you, and the world, know EXACTLY ? come Megabowl ? what I?m fighting for.?

?You see Salazar, a little while ago, you accused me of having found my heart, of having a conscience again, of never feeling the true carnage that I could bring and thus never bearing the fruit of my full potential. That I cared too much? all the while, I claimed that the last thing that I felt for, that represented MY heart, was my son, and that my heart was buried with him.?

He taps the flesh beside the fresh tattoo.

Tobias: ?Who the fuck do you think ?THIS? is??

The angered young wrestler reaches into his jeans pocket and procures the photo once again, only this time he faces it towards us for us to see the visage of a smiling baby boy.

Tobias: ?I?ve thought about my reason for fighting, I?ve thought long and hard, and I came to the conclusion. Fuck the glory, fuck the money, fuck the pride, and fuck you too. When you step in the ring with me at Megabowl, you aren?t gonna see a man driven by his petty ambitions or ego, you?re going to see a man who has found his fucking heart again, my son, his memory and ?HIS? legacy, not just mine, are going to be carried through the annals of time, Johnathon Burden is ready for immortality in a historical sense? since obviously, physically, he is gone.?

?I never had the chance to be a father to him Salazar - and I know you probably couldn?t give two shits about that - and when you can?t partake in the ?raising? of your own flesh and blood, you force yourself to sit down and think of other ways to help them? I was too late to help anybody in life so? this is my way of making it up to him after death.?

He storms past the camera and out of the room, the camera trailing behind, his open orange shirt billowing ever so slightly with his steps? as he walks past the counter of the tattoo parlor he reaches into his pocket, fishes out a money clip and tosses it onto the counter in front of Joe as he leaves the store.

Tobias: ?I watched that last promo you cut Salazar, and I found several things funny? addressing me while bitching at Phoenix and Griffen, stating that I was trying to piss you off and failing. What? That?s a lot like saying you win every time Phoenix or myself pins you, it makes no sense and it isn?t true, because while you claim that you infect people, I can?t help who?s under whose skin. Considering some of your previous comments towards me??

The wind out on the sidewalk is much stronger, his shirt flaps much harder in this breeze like a flamboyant wraith is clinging to his shoulders. He doesn?t turn back to face the camera as he speaks, but the wind carries his words clearly and concisely to the microphone.

Tobias: ?What was that whole spiel about pain killers? About illegal substance abuse? Huh!? The fuck are you talkin? about, have the time I don?t think even you know, because I?m not the one making comments of Eden, of dreams and of fantasy, and I sure as hell haven?t had the same delusions of grandeur that you thrive on. If I get knocked out, I know I lost, and just so you can stop acting like our previous match ended the only way it could have, I guess I?ll just come out and tell you that you should stop lying to Griffen and Phoenix and come to terms that it was a normal singles match, pinfalls and submissions count, it wasn?t a Last Man Standing and I knocked YOU the fuck out because I wanted to.?

?As for the drug comments well, I?m a drinker, that?s no secret, but what the fuck? I could care less if my liver?s destroyed. It?s just another big fuck you to my body akin to that of steel chairs and ladder falls. Oh, and I smoke? ooooohhh??

Pulls a pack of Craven Menthol from his pocket and throws it over his shoulder, it bounces off the camera lens harmlessly.

Tobias: ?? so do you, so don?t walk around preaching hypocrisy to the priest. I feel as though Griffen and I are the only ones in this tourney that aren?t full of shit. So let US point out the hypocrisy.?

He actually turns to face the camera now while backpedaling down the sidewalk, unlike the last time he did so in Las Vegas, it?s high noon, and the streets are all but deserted as the nightlife prepares for another evening of do-or-die.

Tobias: ?Another thing? fifteen year old girls? Where did you ever grab that little tidbit from Sal? The fact that I used to drive a rice box, avoiding situations like the one you accused me ? Well, made up in your head really ? of being involved in are exactly what I got rid of the fucking thing to avoid. I can?t wait to see what other little tidbit you?ll have in store for me next: ?Tobias Burden framed OJ? or better yet: ?Tobias Burden tried to kill all the Jews?. I thought you had at least some semblance that an accusation of the ones you?ve been laying on me? ought to at least have some suspicion of being true, you just pulled that from left field? much like the next thing I?d like to address??

He stops walking backwards and lets the camera get closer, right up to his face when he grabs either side of the lens and stares into it intensely.

Tobias: ?You ever claim that I?m the one running scared again Sal, and I?m gonna spoon out your eyes and skullfuck you until the screaming stops.?

He turns and begins to walk back down the street again, this time the camera struggles to keep up.

Tobias: ?I?m not the one making excuses defeat after defeat, nor am I the one blindsiding every single one of my betters, I?ve faced my problems face-to-face ever since my return to TKOW. I have never backed down from an opponent, I have NEVER attacked any of my own partners, I have NEVER backed away from a tag? and get this Sal: I HAVE NEVER LOST IN SINGLES COMPETITION since MY return to TKOW. Think that over heavily Sal, I earned my way here unlike you, you?re just here to face me for ratings? a rematch where everyone wants to the see the same results and I aim to give it to them, and every time you claim that past victories and losses don?t count is basically your way of having to avoid talking about how everyone short of Tito at the announce table has kicked the shit out of you at one point or another.?

He stops at a street corner and motions for the camera to make its way up beside him to stair across the street.

Tobias: ?And here is where our confrontation takes place, I hope you remember everything I?ve ever said to you Salazar. But above all, please, hear this, you have no hope in hell of winning, not on that night, not when this much is riding on the line for me, and since you?ve pissed me off so much I tell you, don?t even think about trying to win, I?ll kill you, do yourself a favor and only think about one thing: only survival. Because you see, MBV is NOT your night, that?s reserved for me, and title shots come and go, you can ?create? or find or whatever the fuck your Eden later, but I made a promise to the one I couldn?t promise a thing to as an infant. And I will follow through with it that night? and I will crush anything that stands in the way of that promise with extreme prejudice? hint: YOU.?

Our view is that of the Caesars Palace, the place that will become a battleground?

Tobias: ?You asked me? once, and only once last month that I can truly recall, if I burned, and I do, yet you act like I?ve already given you a real answer? and that?s what has caused me to burn, and how you know nothing about truly feeling like your flesh, your soul and your very essence is in flames? and that is because you have no love Salazar.?

?I have my reason to fight, and it?s all because of love, and that love has fanned the flames of what drives me, it courses through my veins, leaving any doubts, any inhibitions or restrictions that could keep me from attaining my goal in cinders, an afterthought to be carried away by a gentle breeze of calm after I succeed. I?m on fire because my goal is my love? my heart, the one I?ve hidden for so long is back and though it sears, I relish it, and when I take that title, after going through you? then Phoenix or Griffen, then you can breath a sigh of relief??

With that, Tobias begins walking across the street, making his way to the entrance of the arena? not looking back, not giving a damn about passing vehicles? nothing.

Tobias: ?? Because then, and only then, will the Heartless truly be dead in me.?

He disappears through the front doors, they swing shut with a loud bang? leaving an anti-climactic exclamation point on his final statement.

[Fade to Black]

[T-Money]

Voice: Come With Me?.For I shall lead you to lands of paradise. Come WITH ME?for I shall be the one to avenge the fate caste upon us. I will lead you?Salazar, bring me vengeance. Bring me my birth?put me into this world and let me unleash myself finally. Let me salvage what?s left of the human mind?let me salvage what?s left of YOU.

Other Voice: Mr. Tyrenus? You okay?

-We open to the shadowy ring, obviously the camera-man behind the vision concerned at the sudden silence. Once again only the black ring ropes can be seen, everything else shrouded in thick haze. Lying against one of the turnbuckles clad in the same gear as before is Salazar ?The Forsaken? Tyrenus, seemingly half asleep, the towel draped over his head.-

Jimmy (Camera): I thought we were going to shoot it right now?

-The silence still lingers in the air for an extremely long period of time, Salazar?s figure unmoving as if he had passed away already, until the towel goes off and his eyes come open automatically.-

Salazar: Is it not simple to hold your tongue? It doesn?t matter if this thing is recording or not?because Burden will hear me no matter what?he will see what I mean no matter what.

-He declines to rise, finding the turnbuckles comfortable enough for current accommodation.-

Salazar: Obviously whatever I say comes out differently in your ears, Burden. Sometimes you cannot distinguish sarcasm with reality?and vice versa. Do you think I would be so na?ve as to care if you took drugs? Do you think I would be such a simpleton and just speak ill of your human character? No. By the way?you did walk into a title shot, because you don?t know me doesn?t let you decide what pains it took me to get here. In fact I?m not one to revel in the pity of others so it really doesn?t have any bearing on how you approach me anyway. Yes?I give you that much respect to know that you?re going to gamble your entire career on this night?just to appease the forgotten spirit of a weak son.

Never?NEVER?think I haven?t thought this entire episode over, Burden. I?m disappointed you actually think losing before has affected me. No...its lashed my mind into this volatile state. It?s lashed my mind into a state that is poised to end your dreams because you?re right?

I DON?T CARE ABOUT YOUR FUCKING SON?

(Whispering) I hope that little bitch sees his last hope of dignity fade inside his father.

-There is no sense of remorse after that comment, not even a smile, just a dry expression.-

Salazar: Let me fill you in?I?ve lost my entire life, not having a home to grow up in, not having any fucking constant in my LIFE. I had to run the streets of New York just to make a fucking living. I had to sleep on the street till only two years ago. I never knew happiness?and that?s why I have no love Tobias Burden?.but anguish? Anguish huh?! That?s something I rarely reveal?but that IS THE FUCKING REASON I AM HELL BENT ON FINISHING YOU AND ONCE AND FOR ALL. Eden has been my only solace, a philosophy, a place that promises me happiness?can you believe that? The Forsaken being happy? Neither can I?but that?s the only fucking thing keeping my body breathing, keeping me alive Tobias. There is no other reason to live in this world than maybe finding a hint of fucking happiness?I don?t even know what it feels like and that is MORE PAINFUL THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE MOTHERFUCKER!!!! (Long Pause)

-Salazar finally breaks out of his shell, shaking uncontrollably, but his face trying to keep itself completely still, an inner tornado raging.-

Salazar: This is a much more intimate situation Tobias Burden. You lost a son?an offspring, something that could or not could have come into the world?it was by your choice that he came into this fucking world, the same choice that gave you eternal pain and will not stop EVER. I never had the luxury of making a choice, NEVER and I hadn?t revealed this because I didn?t expect a bitch like you to even know.

You are so off the mark?so into league with these other fuckers that you fail to see that place I took you at New Era?I took you back to the fucking source man. I took you back. I?I?I I I I I I!!!! I TOOK YOU BACK. I took you back to what really mattered?and its not your son?its LIFE.

You think you?re ready to kill me? Motherfucker I?m the one that even brought up the thought. I took this?I took this struggle to the next level, and you?re still swimming like a fucking infant?falling into all the false traps I set you, falling into every little goading?every provocation?hell you even let that primitive piece of shit Phoenix get into your head. How in the fuck will you take me on WHEN I?M BATTLING FOR MY FUCKING LIFE. This isn?t even about somebody else?its about ME. Its about surviving?yeah, you?re right?.I do want to survive?but I can?t survive the way you think I should?the only survival is beating you and progressing. Don?t you think I wouldn?t want to kill you? Just because I gift wrap my blades to disguise the effect?DOESN?T MEANT THE EFFECT WON?T OCCUR.

-The shadow seems to be coming closer, like a floating tidal wave from beyond as Salazar gathers himself, rocking like a manic and looking around?-

Salazar: You so calmly fell into those words I presented at you?of course I know you don?t sleep with fifteen year old girls?and of course I know you won?t surrender yourself to drugs?yet. You let these petty things occupy your mind just as I thought they would, you let them rule your emotion?that?s your undoing Burden, too concerned about maintaining ?facts? rather than looking at the deeper meaning?hell you?re boat is rocking Burden, the memory of your son is not sufficient enough hate or motivation for you to last an entire match with me, and I?m just being frank about it.

I don?t spend time looking into past events?because I know there?s nothing for me there but disappointment, HOW THE FUCK ELSE DO YOU EXPECT ME TO BEHAVE?!!! HUH?!!!

You?re not even fighting for your life?how can you kill me when you don?t even have respect for death, when you can?t even welcome it. Once that blood starts flowing its not about your fucking son man?.its about you trying to stay the fuck alive because trust me when I say this?this is the night I put it all on the line, YES I WILL PUT MY WHOLE CAREER ON THE LINE?everything I?ve planned for in life, MY LIFE IS BASED ON THIS ONE FUCKING EVENT?that?s all its Tobias?this is MINE?this IS MY TIME TO RISE. Its Megabowl or nothing?I?ve never known happiness?I have never smiled a clean smile Burden?I don?t know what ?positive? means and that stretches beyond these words I speak to you, I promise. Violence is a measure?a path to happiness for me, of course its awkward to you because you?ve never lived in my mind?you?ve never been in a position I?ve been in?but the same cannot be said about your life, THERE?S A MILLION. There?s a million people who are exactly like you?trying to find some fucking meaning as to why their happiness was taken away. See in that sense I?m inferior Tobias, I?m not even on your level spiritually?I can?t be and I wish it was just a matter of choice like Griffen implied?it really isn?t Burden.

We?re worlds apart?you?re burning? Your so-called flame is a wavering candle of mourning, Tobias?yours is one that understands all senses of meaning and still doesn?t truly feel complete. Mines is a forest afire and it burns because it really doesn?t know anything else?that is the only thing I know?and its self destructive, YES IT IS. But I can?t stop and weep about that can I? I have to just give your Jesus the middle finger and try to find an extinguisher because flames will not burn forever?yes I am human?but my ideals are far from.

Its time to end this once and for all Burden, you know it, I know it. We will see who has a chance because its not about that anymore?chances come and go?but that opening comes only once?that REAL opening in life, when we have full control and only our wills can triumph?I?m fighting to stay alive Tobias, how much more will do I need? HOW MUCH MORE WILL DO YOU EXPECT ME TO HAVE?!! Its dangerous enough that I feel suicidal every minute of my life?imagine how I will feel when I make my last stand at Megabowl?because this is my last stand and I will blaze till I create a new fucking sun inside that squared circle?I will die for it I know?whether its on the same night or many months or years later?but I will come for you Tobias?only because it?s the only thing I can do in this life. My whole life depends on this?can you say the same?

The only thing I can do? the only thing I have left to live for? is to beat you and win the TKOW World Championship. Eden will come to me and I will sleep inside it. I WILL HAVE HAPPINESS?you will not stop me. You WILL NOT!!! YOUUUUU WILLLLL NOTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-The whole area is shaking at the scream, Salazar sees himself standing as if he just woke out of a demonic trance, looking around himself as if he?d just landed inside the ring. Then he sees his arms, holds up his hands and studies them vividly?-

Salazar: You love your son so much? You feel the two of you need a vindication? You miss him so GOD DAMN MUCH?

Then join him?.

-Fade Out-