Undying (NoC RP #1)
Jul 24, 2019 2:11:56 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 2 more like this
Post by Raiden Ishimori on Jul 24, 2019 2:11:56 GMT -5
Date: July 15, 2019
Location: The outskirts of Kitamoto, Saitama
{Heat was the only thing that filled the wrestling school, coupled with the dreaded feel of humidity that clung to the skin of the three men in the building. Despite the emptiness of the building and there only being bodies, didn’t change the fact that it felt like an oven in and outside the ring they were in. Alternating with each push-up on the canvas, it was a matter of seeing how much Raiden and Kazuko could endure in the sweltering environment they had today while Daisuke kept pacing, although slowly, back and forth as he watched the two carry on with their current drill. Every so often the Saitama veteran wiped away the sweat running down his face with the towel that sat over his shoulder. Heavy breathing gradually begins to emit from the two on the mat, Kazuko sounding a bit more gassed than Raiden.}
Kazuko (panting): “How...much…”
Daisuke: “When I say, Kazuko.”
Kazuko: “But...uncle...this heat…”
Daisuke: “We all learn to put up with it. Even you know this since I decided to help you out from years’ past.”
{Kazuko groans at the mention but carries on with a now more sluggish pace alongside Raiden. After another minute or two, both men collapse to the canvas, exhaustion and the humid heat finally getting the better of them.}
Daisuke (dissatisfied): “Seriously you two? Get the hell back up.”
{Kazuko struggles to push himself up on tired arms but Raiden opts to remain on the canvas, catching his breath. His heart rate begins to accelerate at the sound of footsteps drawing close to him only for it to be followed by a surge of pain in his hand as a foot now sits on his knuckles.}
Daisuke (sternly): “Raiden...remember what I said. I’m not gonna ask twice if you’re voluntarily gonna not listen.”
{The pressure increases, upping the pain level with Raiden clawing the canvas with his other hand with a wild look. His mind racing back to the recent match that him and his Black Sheep tag partner Seth had against Maverick and Drago, submitting to the latter’s submission hold.}
Raiden (wildly): “GET OFF!”
{In a panicked frenzy, Raiden awkwardly forces himself up off the mat, pushing against Daisuke’s legs to knock him off balance. The veteran stumbles back, landing on the mat with a solid thud, relatively surprised by the sudden attack. Immediately, Raiden clutches at his hurting hand, holding it close to his chest with gritted teeth.}
Raiden (seething): “Don’t fucking touch me!”
Kazuko (hands up): “Jesus Raiden, chill man. I know it’s irksome when he does that but-”
Daisuke (interjecting): “No, no. I’ll take the blame for that one.”
{Daisuke pulls himself back up to a vertical base, dusting his pants off. His eyes dart back up to Raiden: the wild, animal-like look still nestled in Bone Cold’s eyes as he stares at his hand. It was a look that Daisuke was well-familiar with and it was something that Raiden had informed him about several times during his stay with the two in Kitamoto.}
Daisuke: “Right, we’ll call it here then. Triggered something I should’ve known not to but well...mistakes happen.”
{He rolls out of the ring, leaving Kazuko and Raiden to themselves as he retreats to the locker room. Upon realizing that his current mentor is well out of earshot, Raiden slams the mat with a rage-filled fist, silently cursing to himself before returning his grip to the wrist of the injured hand.}
Kazuko: “That loss really shook you, huh?”
Raiden: “...”
Kazuko (standing up): “Come on man, let’s at least get back to the house so you can blow some steam off. No point in brooding right now.”
Raiden: “I’m not letting history repeat itself…”
Kazuko: “Yeah, I know. No one wants a repeat of something like that, especially given the stakes now.”
Raiden: “God damn bastard…”
Kazuko (sighing): “Let’s just get out of here, Raiden. Besides, you got someone waiting for you back there.”
Raiden (drawing away): “Don’t touch me.”
Kazuko: “I don’t have time for this Raiden. Now come on, we gotta go and I got a flight to catch in the morning so please just make this easier for both us and get up so we can head back home. Jeez…”
{Raiden mumbles to himself as Kazuko helps him back up to his feet. He shrugs off the assistance, exiting the ring on his own accord and instead skips the trip to the locker room and makes his way out to the parking lot, growling in a low tone toward Daisuke’s truck.}
Raiden: “The demons will never die will they? Not with these constant reminders. The similarities are nearly pulling me into a paradox. I’m not getting sucked in like this...I’ll do what I always have and fight against the tide. I don’t care who’s against me or with me...I’m not letting everything slip away now.”
{He curses something else under breath although it isn’t audible enough for the camera to pick up as he presses his forehead against the driver’s side door of the truck, donning a scowl the longer the memory of the most recent Prestige sits in his mind, knowing he was already failing as a champion compared to his most trusted ally.}
{The hills in Kitamoto often provided decent views of different parts of the bedroom community but under the guise of night, sometimes you wouldn’t even know people were observing from grassy landmasses. For Raiden, it was a place to get away from the residence in order to hold his inner demons at bay. For fear of lashing out because of, such demons was a recent thing that had latched to his brain, striking a new fear into his system as he sat at the apex of one of the many surrounding hills in the nearby park.}
Raiden: “We’re all fearful, aren’t we? Just people trying to lead normal lives in this world but nothing goes the way we ever see it. Countless times I’ve touched upon my past as a prime example of this but now given the current circumstances, there’s new darkness that has begun creeping its way into my peripherals. I thought it was terrifying enough knowing that I had the weight of a company’s future on my shoulders but now I face the task of maintaining my sense of pride...sanity even.”
{He sighs, shaking his head.}
Raiden: “But even with challenges such as this, I’ve overcome them. Keeping myself relevant? Defeated Kuroi at Prestige 30. Taking down two of the most dangerous tyrants in AWF history? Taken care of at Clash of the Icons after dropping Card on his head and providing a much-needed assist to kick Danica right out the doors and into the street where trash like her belongs. It’s been a difficult road to achieve this success but I conquered each obstacle despite the drawbacks and here I am now...having to prep against one half of the tag team champions in a real test of patience, willpower, and drive to see if I really am one of the heroes that this company needs and deserves. Card was just the beginning but now I’ve got a completely different challenge to put up with this time around…”
{A low snarl emits from his throat as a certain name begins to fill his thoughts, rage burning into his irises the more he prolongs the thought.}
Raiden: “Drago...master of contorting even the smallest joints. A man who has left a wake of destruction and carnage with what he brings and I’d be lying if I said he was doing alright for himself but no, this kid’s a lot more fearsome than what most make him out to be. Am I scared? Yeah...but I’m scared for him. Why? He’s gone and pissed off the wolf that’s why. People still haven’t learned not to mess with untamed animals and boy oh boy did you pick the wrong one to start a fight with, Nathan.”
{Raiden begins to laugh a bit but it sounds rather unstable compared to his usual calm tone.}
Raiden: “You wanted to bloody your hands by trying to kill an already dangerous animal but you aren’t no Weaselpop or Subject 42, oh no. A punk band reject like you could never possess that capability. Even with as much of a fluke victory you and Maverick hold over Seth and me, you could never live up to that hype again if you damn well tried against me. Claim that victory how you want but inexperience, as a team is our excuse while you and Maverick have just been sitting on your asses with those belts for God, knows how long and now you’re back to your ways of trying to accomplish your previous double-champion feat.”
{He scoffs at the thought, rolling his eyes.}
Raiden: “Good. Luck. That Phoenix Championship is one thing but to come after my prized kill is something else. You wouldn’t just wander into a wolf den in the woods, trying to steal food because at that point you’re the one that’s gonna be the night’s meal instead because you thought you were slick enough. I’ll sniff your game out one way or another because let’s be real, our submission games almost walk the same path except you’ve got something more intricate where I’m more broad in terms of making people break. And you know what? It works. I’ve made people scream like you have, tap as you have. I could’ve broken limbs if I wanted to but I’m not the savage that you are in that ring you fucking pig.”
{He spits on the grass, eyes now seething with hate and rage.}
Raiden: “You’re no different than the Yakuza I’ve had to wrestle off my backside for the better part of almost eight months now and even if it means dying to protect everything, I’m not letting you get what I hold. Break my friends, burn everything around me, it’ll do nothing because I’ve seen it all before. That’s how you know you’re fucked, Nathan. When you do everything in your power to demoralize your opponent but the moment you see no change, then you can’t go back on what you’ve done because like John Wick, I will hunt your ass down and make sure you never get back up to challenge me again. Ever. Because I am sick, and tired, of having to deal with the scum that walks the same planet that I do all because they just want a piece of me to try and fragment even more than it already is. You can’t break what’s already broken and I’m a walking example of that, Nate. A broken man with broken dreams yet here I am at the top of the mountain that you’re trying to push me off of with everything you got in you arsenal. Considering you already don’t get your ass handed to you at Master Clash, I’ll be waiting for you to come and try me again. The ending won’t be the same miracle that you had against me and Seth. No, it’s gonna be more broken-limb filled with more blood than Bloody Sunday and on that day, I will make sure that one Icon is forever in the dirt, like Otojiro. For me. For Reina. And for Jotaro and the boys. I will cleanse this company the same way I helped cleanse it of Danica’s filth-ridden tactics to gain the upper hand and push me down through Chris Card.”
{He shakes his head once more, standing up, eyes focused on the illuminated buildings in the distance.}
Raiden: “Through the spirit of the undying wolf, and the identity of being one of the Black Sheep, I will make sure that this kingdom is under my protective reign. We don’t need another god damn tyrant running rampant. Chris Card was enough…”
{He begins walking out of the shot, the camera not panning over to follow him as it begins to fade out, ready to power off until a voice-over suddenly chimes in.}
Raiden: "Best take your ball and go home before your hopes get swallowed by the abyss, Drago."
{End of recording.}
Location: The outskirts of Kitamoto, Saitama
{Heat was the only thing that filled the wrestling school, coupled with the dreaded feel of humidity that clung to the skin of the three men in the building. Despite the emptiness of the building and there only being bodies, didn’t change the fact that it felt like an oven in and outside the ring they were in. Alternating with each push-up on the canvas, it was a matter of seeing how much Raiden and Kazuko could endure in the sweltering environment they had today while Daisuke kept pacing, although slowly, back and forth as he watched the two carry on with their current drill. Every so often the Saitama veteran wiped away the sweat running down his face with the towel that sat over his shoulder. Heavy breathing gradually begins to emit from the two on the mat, Kazuko sounding a bit more gassed than Raiden.}
Kazuko (panting): “How...much…”
Daisuke: “When I say, Kazuko.”
Kazuko: “But...uncle...this heat…”
Daisuke: “We all learn to put up with it. Even you know this since I decided to help you out from years’ past.”
{Kazuko groans at the mention but carries on with a now more sluggish pace alongside Raiden. After another minute or two, both men collapse to the canvas, exhaustion and the humid heat finally getting the better of them.}
Daisuke (dissatisfied): “Seriously you two? Get the hell back up.”
{Kazuko struggles to push himself up on tired arms but Raiden opts to remain on the canvas, catching his breath. His heart rate begins to accelerate at the sound of footsteps drawing close to him only for it to be followed by a surge of pain in his hand as a foot now sits on his knuckles.}
Daisuke (sternly): “Raiden...remember what I said. I’m not gonna ask twice if you’re voluntarily gonna not listen.”
{The pressure increases, upping the pain level with Raiden clawing the canvas with his other hand with a wild look. His mind racing back to the recent match that him and his Black Sheep tag partner Seth had against Maverick and Drago, submitting to the latter’s submission hold.}
Raiden (wildly): “GET OFF!”
{In a panicked frenzy, Raiden awkwardly forces himself up off the mat, pushing against Daisuke’s legs to knock him off balance. The veteran stumbles back, landing on the mat with a solid thud, relatively surprised by the sudden attack. Immediately, Raiden clutches at his hurting hand, holding it close to his chest with gritted teeth.}
Raiden (seething): “Don’t fucking touch me!”
Kazuko (hands up): “Jesus Raiden, chill man. I know it’s irksome when he does that but-”
Daisuke (interjecting): “No, no. I’ll take the blame for that one.”
{Daisuke pulls himself back up to a vertical base, dusting his pants off. His eyes dart back up to Raiden: the wild, animal-like look still nestled in Bone Cold’s eyes as he stares at his hand. It was a look that Daisuke was well-familiar with and it was something that Raiden had informed him about several times during his stay with the two in Kitamoto.}
Daisuke: “Right, we’ll call it here then. Triggered something I should’ve known not to but well...mistakes happen.”
{He rolls out of the ring, leaving Kazuko and Raiden to themselves as he retreats to the locker room. Upon realizing that his current mentor is well out of earshot, Raiden slams the mat with a rage-filled fist, silently cursing to himself before returning his grip to the wrist of the injured hand.}
Kazuko: “That loss really shook you, huh?”
Raiden: “...”
Kazuko (standing up): “Come on man, let’s at least get back to the house so you can blow some steam off. No point in brooding right now.”
Raiden: “I’m not letting history repeat itself…”
Kazuko: “Yeah, I know. No one wants a repeat of something like that, especially given the stakes now.”
Raiden: “God damn bastard…”
Kazuko (sighing): “Let’s just get out of here, Raiden. Besides, you got someone waiting for you back there.”
Raiden (drawing away): “Don’t touch me.”
Kazuko: “I don’t have time for this Raiden. Now come on, we gotta go and I got a flight to catch in the morning so please just make this easier for both us and get up so we can head back home. Jeez…”
{Raiden mumbles to himself as Kazuko helps him back up to his feet. He shrugs off the assistance, exiting the ring on his own accord and instead skips the trip to the locker room and makes his way out to the parking lot, growling in a low tone toward Daisuke’s truck.}
Raiden: “The demons will never die will they? Not with these constant reminders. The similarities are nearly pulling me into a paradox. I’m not getting sucked in like this...I’ll do what I always have and fight against the tide. I don’t care who’s against me or with me...I’m not letting everything slip away now.”
{He curses something else under breath although it isn’t audible enough for the camera to pick up as he presses his forehead against the driver’s side door of the truck, donning a scowl the longer the memory of the most recent Prestige sits in his mind, knowing he was already failing as a champion compared to his most trusted ally.}
{The hills in Kitamoto often provided decent views of different parts of the bedroom community but under the guise of night, sometimes you wouldn’t even know people were observing from grassy landmasses. For Raiden, it was a place to get away from the residence in order to hold his inner demons at bay. For fear of lashing out because of, such demons was a recent thing that had latched to his brain, striking a new fear into his system as he sat at the apex of one of the many surrounding hills in the nearby park.}
Raiden: “We’re all fearful, aren’t we? Just people trying to lead normal lives in this world but nothing goes the way we ever see it. Countless times I’ve touched upon my past as a prime example of this but now given the current circumstances, there’s new darkness that has begun creeping its way into my peripherals. I thought it was terrifying enough knowing that I had the weight of a company’s future on my shoulders but now I face the task of maintaining my sense of pride...sanity even.”
{He sighs, shaking his head.}
Raiden: “But even with challenges such as this, I’ve overcome them. Keeping myself relevant? Defeated Kuroi at Prestige 30. Taking down two of the most dangerous tyrants in AWF history? Taken care of at Clash of the Icons after dropping Card on his head and providing a much-needed assist to kick Danica right out the doors and into the street where trash like her belongs. It’s been a difficult road to achieve this success but I conquered each obstacle despite the drawbacks and here I am now...having to prep against one half of the tag team champions in a real test of patience, willpower, and drive to see if I really am one of the heroes that this company needs and deserves. Card was just the beginning but now I’ve got a completely different challenge to put up with this time around…”
{A low snarl emits from his throat as a certain name begins to fill his thoughts, rage burning into his irises the more he prolongs the thought.}
Raiden: “Drago...master of contorting even the smallest joints. A man who has left a wake of destruction and carnage with what he brings and I’d be lying if I said he was doing alright for himself but no, this kid’s a lot more fearsome than what most make him out to be. Am I scared? Yeah...but I’m scared for him. Why? He’s gone and pissed off the wolf that’s why. People still haven’t learned not to mess with untamed animals and boy oh boy did you pick the wrong one to start a fight with, Nathan.”
{Raiden begins to laugh a bit but it sounds rather unstable compared to his usual calm tone.}
Raiden: “You wanted to bloody your hands by trying to kill an already dangerous animal but you aren’t no Weaselpop or Subject 42, oh no. A punk band reject like you could never possess that capability. Even with as much of a fluke victory you and Maverick hold over Seth and me, you could never live up to that hype again if you damn well tried against me. Claim that victory how you want but inexperience, as a team is our excuse while you and Maverick have just been sitting on your asses with those belts for God, knows how long and now you’re back to your ways of trying to accomplish your previous double-champion feat.”
{He scoffs at the thought, rolling his eyes.}
Raiden: “Good. Luck. That Phoenix Championship is one thing but to come after my prized kill is something else. You wouldn’t just wander into a wolf den in the woods, trying to steal food because at that point you’re the one that’s gonna be the night’s meal instead because you thought you were slick enough. I’ll sniff your game out one way or another because let’s be real, our submission games almost walk the same path except you’ve got something more intricate where I’m more broad in terms of making people break. And you know what? It works. I’ve made people scream like you have, tap as you have. I could’ve broken limbs if I wanted to but I’m not the savage that you are in that ring you fucking pig.”
{He spits on the grass, eyes now seething with hate and rage.}
Raiden: “You’re no different than the Yakuza I’ve had to wrestle off my backside for the better part of almost eight months now and even if it means dying to protect everything, I’m not letting you get what I hold. Break my friends, burn everything around me, it’ll do nothing because I’ve seen it all before. That’s how you know you’re fucked, Nathan. When you do everything in your power to demoralize your opponent but the moment you see no change, then you can’t go back on what you’ve done because like John Wick, I will hunt your ass down and make sure you never get back up to challenge me again. Ever. Because I am sick, and tired, of having to deal with the scum that walks the same planet that I do all because they just want a piece of me to try and fragment even more than it already is. You can’t break what’s already broken and I’m a walking example of that, Nate. A broken man with broken dreams yet here I am at the top of the mountain that you’re trying to push me off of with everything you got in you arsenal. Considering you already don’t get your ass handed to you at Master Clash, I’ll be waiting for you to come and try me again. The ending won’t be the same miracle that you had against me and Seth. No, it’s gonna be more broken-limb filled with more blood than Bloody Sunday and on that day, I will make sure that one Icon is forever in the dirt, like Otojiro. For me. For Reina. And for Jotaro and the boys. I will cleanse this company the same way I helped cleanse it of Danica’s filth-ridden tactics to gain the upper hand and push me down through Chris Card.”
{He shakes his head once more, standing up, eyes focused on the illuminated buildings in the distance.}
Raiden: “Through the spirit of the undying wolf, and the identity of being one of the Black Sheep, I will make sure that this kingdom is under my protective reign. We don’t need another god damn tyrant running rampant. Chris Card was enough…”
{He begins walking out of the shot, the camera not panning over to follow him as it begins to fade out, ready to power off until a voice-over suddenly chimes in.}
Raiden: "Best take your ball and go home before your hopes get swallowed by the abyss, Drago."
{End of recording.}
