Boston Tough [EOD X*Crown #4]
Oct 20, 2020 2:29:14 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, bloodiedfox, and 2 more like this
Post by Dylan on Oct 20, 2020 2:29:14 GMT -5
12-10-20
Northampton, MA
Polaski Park
We open in a small park in Northampton, Massachusetts. The crisp autumn air cuts through a small crowd as they've gathered around a small podium. They all wear masks and take the proper safety precautions, as a few moderators make sure everyone remains as safe as possible. A few people in masks walk up from behind the podium, hidden from the rest of the crowd.
Lexi: That's a lot of people.
Dylan: Of course! A lot of people wish to support the rightful X*Crown Champion. That's what this rally is all about!
Lexi: But in the middle of a pandemic, is it wise to host this many people in a single event?
Dylan: Don't worry, I've taken many precautions to make sure everyone is safe.
Someone calls out to Dylan, and he turns. Lexi looks at him, perplexed.
Lexi: Who's that?
Dylan: This is Mitchell. He's my connection with the network, bit of a super sleuth and an agent. Met him back in Europe when I was in AXW and we remained in touch ever since. Mitchell, this is my caretaker and friend, Lexi.
Mitchell: Pleasure, mate. May I talk to ya a moment?
Dylan gestures towards the crowd.
Dylan: Actually, I'm about to go out and speak. Drew quite the crowd, eh?
Mitchell: 40 people in this day and age? Not shabby I suppose. Yeah nah, this won't take long and it's about the little project you sent me out about.
Dylan looks at the crowd, then at Mitch.
Dylan: Well that is more important. Let's see what you got.
Mitchell pulls out his phone and opens a notepad he has on it.
Mitchell: So, I have a little information about the missing X*Crown belts that you've been looking for, and an offer for something.
Dylan rushes him along.
Dylan: We can worry about that offer later. The belts?
Mitchell: Yes yes, so you acquired the ICW Championships. Leaves five missing belts. We know the location of two of them.
Mitchell: The SEX Championship frequents the GUNS Show. Held by Dr. Strangelove
Dylan: Should be easy to get. Strangelove, likeable as he may be, isn't the most athletic in the ring. I won't underestimate him, though, as beating him down may result in poor fanfare. Although, I don't particularly care.
Mitchell: But herein lies the problem - you're banned from GUNS.
Dylan lets out a deep, guttural laugh.
Dylan: Oh please. I got in there on the 2nd to get the ECF Championship... that went well. I assume we don't know where that is?
Mitchell shakes his head. Negative.
Dylan: Pity. Well I'll figure out where it is and how to get it back.
Mitchell nods along. Dylan always finds a way. Dylan will find a way.
Dylan: What's the other one we know about?
Mitchell: Right. The BDDWF Championship is currently resting at Chris Kanyon's grave in Los Angeles. I went there to make sure it was still there and not yet stolen by some hobo, and lo and behold it was still there.
Dylan: Wait. You went to Chris Kanyon's grave, saw the BDDWF Ultimate Championship, and didn't think to pick it up?
Mitch pauses, realizing his screw-up.
Mitchell: I, uh. Don't want to talk about that.
Dylan groans, and pinches the bridge of his nose.
Dylan: If I don't get them all back, Mongo will have my head. Alright. So the EPW and WWO Championships. Any leads on those?
Mitchell: We know Scorpion has the WWO Championship. But his whereabouts are a mystery. Some say only Rob Arnold knows his location on a day-to-day business.
Dylan: Sooo, call Rob and figure it out?
Mitchell: Yeah. Except Rob doesn't answer calls he doesn't know. Or the phone attached to his XHF information in the datalogs is fake.
Dylan: Fuck... and the EPW Championship?
Mitchell: No one has any idea where it is. Some say Rob had it shipped out to a remote location in Nevada, but no one knows for sure.
Dylan: Nevada. Hm. I think... nah, nevermind.
He turns away for a second before doubling back.
Dylan: You mentioned an offer, in the beginning of our conversation?
Mitchell: AH! Yes yes yes, this is something I think you will certainly be interested in. There is someone from SWAT who's looking for some... how'd he put it, long term backup within the Network.
Dylan shakes his head.
Dylan: I don't do that here.
Mitchell: You don't understand. This guy, looking for backup, is willing to be your partner in the Sakura Tag League. All they ask is for a long-term alliance.
Dylan ponders this.
Mitchell: I think you'll like this guy. He's a young prospect and honestly, one of the most talented guys in the SWAT locker-room.
Dylan: Even more talented than the Big Deal Eddie D?
Mitchell: Please. I have more talent in my pinky than him. He can only lift. Anyone can do that.
Dylan: Not Caffrey. The great wrestling emperor can't lift for shit.
He rolls his eyes.
Dylan: Anyway, tell them I'm interested, and give them my contact information. I hope we can strike up a deal and have some awesome stuff going.
Mitchell: Right away, sir.
Mitchell reaches out for a handshake, but Dylan opts for the "Wakanda Forever" salute. Mitch returns it, and they part ways. Dylan walks back to Lexi, who gestures with her head to the crowd.
Lexi: They grow impatient, Dylan. I think it's time to entertain the guests.
He nods, and takes to the podium. There's some scattered applause as the crowd notices Dylan. It turns to... well as much of a roar as a crowd of less than 50 can muster. Dylan gestures to the crowd.
Dylan: Thank you! Thank you all, you're too kind!
He clears his throat.
Dylan: First things first, I hope all of you have managed to stay safe during these trying times. I know that things have been rough for the last eight months, with the pandemic and crashing economy. I grew up close to this community, and it pains me to watch this great area suffer.
He gestures to the crowd again.
Dylan: When I look out at this crowd, I see a lot of things. Diversity of race, sex, sexual orientation are the clear pointers. But I also see people who have taken on so many things during these trying times. Massachusetts has been home to some wild things, good and bad. The Boston Tea Party. The Salem Witch Trials. The Boston Marathon Bombing.
He takes a moment to respect those who lost their lives all those years ago.
Dylan: Massachusetts is always the butt of the jokes from the rest of the country. BUT LOOK AT US! SIX SUPER BOWL RINGS! NINE WORLD SERIES WINS! 17 TITLES IN THE NBA! WE ARE THE CREAM CROP, THE SPORTS MONARCHS OF THE DAMN UNITED STATES! But now...
He raises the X*Crown Championship.
Dylan: We're the best in the god damn world.
Cheers!
Dylan: We're the best that'll ever be. And the XHF, Mongo? They think they can just toss some nobodies at us and strip away what we've managed to scratch, claw and crawl our way to achieve!
He wags a finger.
Dylan: I'd like to beg to differ! Guys like Dev, and Evil-Borg, let's be real, they want to just profit off of us! Their hearts aren't really in this, and they won't bring us a better XHF. More importantly, they won't bring anything to Massachusetts!
Boos!
Dylan: I mean, Evil-Borg comes from the AFTERWARD! He probably doesn't think Massachusetts exists, and thus won't do anything here! And Dev, he's so lazy he probably forgot where he's from. Luckily, I've done the research. And trust me, even your mates in Cape Town, South Africa don't support your endeavors. Nobody does!
He swipes his hand to the side, a serious look on his face.
Dylan: And Hyperion, he has so many personalities in his head he can say he's from just about anywhere! But none of your personalities will be able to handle the pain I'm gonna bring to you, Knox. Yeah, James Knox. I don't fear you. What I do fear, is the wrath of Felix Ziko that you'll endure when you are branded a FAILURE! I pity you, fake God, because my arms are certainly enough to box with a GOD!
He does a few boxing jabs to the delight of the crowd.
Dylan: Speaking of people with egos that rival gods, congrats Eddie. Congrats on joining the KGB, it must be nice to be in association with such cheap scummy asshats. But I'm not here to criticize your career choices on being a meathead lackey. I'm here to reiterate that your fear of answering a couple personal questions is going to look real silly if you win at End of Days.
He pauses to let that sink in.
Dylan: If. Because even with your slimmest chances of winning, if you win I promise that you're going to be ridiculed for not being able to answer a few questions.
He holds a hand up, scouts-honor style.
Dylan: I will say, I have smoked pot. I've drank, not enough to be called an alcoholic. A lot of people can attest that 2019 was a terrible year for me. But here's the thing, I'm honest about myself. I am aware that I haven't been a great person, but then I embraced it! Well not the stuff I said around the Rumble, but I can at least admit I've sinned! I'VE FACED MY SINS UNDER THE BLACKLIGHT, AND SO SHALL YOU! I'VE EMBRACED MY SINS, AND THEY'VE MADE ME MORE POWERFUL! YOU WILL RUE NOT STRIKING UP A COMPANIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP WITH ME! BECAUSE I HAVE BECOME MORE... evil...
The signature smirk.
Dylan: Yeah, Dominicus knows a thing or two about evil. Your little chicken stunt was real cute. You even got a stifled laugh out of Lexi and I. But, let's be real, "Only Champion in NPW." When you're locked in a glass cell with me, I'll show you why they call me the Parental Advisory. I advise your "son," the unnamed child to look away, lest he want to see Unkie Dominomicon be BROKEN! MADE HUMBLE! DEMOLISHED!
He does the bone snapping motion, to symbolize just how much he wants to put down LD.
Dylan: Let it be known that when the dust settles, the smoke is cleared and the bell is rung, there is no shadow of doubt to be cast that I shall not walk out victorious. Because I have the support of all of you!
The crowd cheers for him once more!
Dylan: And not only do I have the support of my fellow Massholes, I have the stamina! I'M THE LONGEST LASTING ENTRANT IN AN XHF RUMBLE! I have the pain tolerance! MY LIMBS HAVE BEEN SEVERED, MY LUNGS PUNCTURED, AND STILL I STAND UP TO KICK ASS! I HAVE THE ABILITY TO OUTWRESTLE EACH PERSON IN THIS MATCH WITH ONE EYE CLOSED DAMMIT!
He slams his fist into his hand.
Dylan: WE ARE BOSTON BRED! WE'RE BOSTON TOUGH! NOTHING, NO ONE WILL STOP THE GREATEST X*CROWN REIGN OF ALL TIME! AND TOGETHER, WE WILL HAVE AN IRON GRIP ON THE FUTURE OF THE XHF!
The crowd roars once more, as Dylan waves and steps down. We fade to black.
We open back up on a promotional poster for Dylan. A figure walks past the poster, but then stops and walks backwards to take another look at the poster. He turns to the camera, and we see it's former SWAT TV Champion El Combatiente! He looks back at the poster, and back to the camera before giving a thumbs up. We fade to black.
