Burned

[Spike Kane]

It had been so long since Spike Kane had been considered a member of the XHF Roster, a lifetime to some people, a careers worth of time to others. So many had come and gone, so many had claimed to be the next big thing, and faded away into nothingness, but not Spike. No. He'd gone on to greater things, bigger and better you might say. However, as arrogant as he was, as egotistical as he had become, he always knew that the place he really "made it" was XHF. His thoughts on this subject plagued him as he sat in his truck, driving towards the XHF Headquarters.

"You couldn't have just done this over the phone?"

A voice came from the hands free speakers in the truck. Spike's hands gripped on the steering wheel, as he closed his eyes for just a split second. He never liked admitting things, especially when it came to him being in the wring.

Spike: Not really Pan. Me and Mongo, we ain't exactly on the best of terms. That fat fuck won't take my calls....so I'll just go right up to his door.

"You might wanna start by not calling him fat fuck"

She brought a chuckle out of the "God of Xtreme" as he shifted in his seat. It was true, Spike's departure from XHF had sent shockwaves through the company and through the career of The Spiked One himself. Perhaps even setting him on the course that he'd been on ever since.

Spike: Look, you wanted me to try and set my affairs straight right? Since....since Xander.

"I didn't mean travelling across the country days before we have a tag team match with Gaither and Fiona...."

Spike: I'll be back in time Pan, even if I have to fly, OK? I'm almost there now. I'll let you know what happens.

"OK, well....I'll see you soon. This place is lonely without you."

The phone call ends and the music that must have been playing before hand begins to play again. Spike sighs out loud as he continues to drive, the building that host the XHF Headquarters looms in the distance and Spike maintains his speed. "Highway to Hell" begins to play, and it makes Spike grin as he pulls into the parking lot. He looks around, towards the big doors at the entrance, before looking at himself in the mirror. How will this go? Since he left XHF a lot has changed, he went through so much, shit....did they even know that Brad Kane or Reckless Jack as they knew him was dead? Boy, this was going to be a heavy talk with Mongo. If he even got to talk to him that was. With one last "fix" of his beard Spike climbed out of his truck and headed towards the entrance.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?"

Spike: Hey, I need to speak to fat a-erm....I mean, I need to speak to Mongo.

The woman cocks her head, before cracking a smug smile.

"I'm afraid that just won't be possible sir. Mr Mongo is incredibly busy."

Spike: Look, I get that he's busy, he's got this stupid ass Network to run.....but I'm not some nobody off the street OK? I'm Spike fucking Kane. I'm a two time hall of famer, I'm a two time XHF Champion.

She looks a little concerned and types a few things on her computer, almost as if she was google searching Spike right there in front of him.

"You don't look much like the photograph we have on record for a 'Spike Kane'"

Spike: Look toots....that was over ten years ago....stop fucking around and call Mongo.

"Sir, if you don't tone down your language I'm going to have to call security. Now, I can book a meeting with Mongo for you? Let me see..."

She clicks a few more keys.

"He's next free on the 8th"

Spike: Tomorrow?

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. The 8th of November."

Spike now closes his eyes and releases a real long sigh before he hefts his big bag up onto the table.

Spike: I'm sick of this shit. Call that fat fuck up and get him down here, or me up there now.

The receptionist looks quite panicked as Spike reaches into the bag and pulls out a banged up, tarnished, and damaged XHF Championship belt, still with the name 'Spike Kane' on the belt.

"Oh...I...umm....right away Mr Kane."

(OOC: Open to anyone for replies.)

[Mongo the Destroyer]

*Meanwhile, in Mongo’s office. XHF Network owner, Mongo the Destroyer is bent over a large….Risk board (as in, the board game Risk, it’s about world domination and stuff). He is discussing XHF Network plans with close associate, and longtime XHF employee, Joey Hawke.*

Mongo: And now with the Kingdom in my grasp we’re covering all angles. All-State for the classicists, Gen-X for the new age, and Kingdom for everyone else.

Joey: Yes, things are shaping up nicely.

Mongo: Indeed, is secret project four dash twelve a go?

Joey: Don’t worry. Also, can we use clever names instead of numbers, its re-

*Mongo’s phone rings.*

Mongo: Hold that thought.

*Mongo presses the speaker button*

Mongo: You’re on speaker.

Receptionist from Downstairs: Um, sir, there’s a rather agitated man down here demanding to see you.

Mongo: Ooh, great, we just re-opened and already things are getting back to normal. Anyway, send him away or book him for when I’m actually open- or send him to one of the Network companies, we’re not booking any global shows right now.

Receptionist: Um, he’s got a somewhat used looking XHF Championship.

*Silence. Mongo thinks.*

Mongo: Are there food stains everywhere and does the man have an oddly-well-kept perm?

Receptionist: No, his hair is slicked back and there appears to be no stains.

“Are you talking about me? Mongo, it’s-”

Mongo: Hmmmm, is the smell of alcohol strongly present?

“Hey, what the heck, are you sniffing me!? What’s going o-“

Receptionist: No sir, I don’t smell any alcohol.

“Will you just let me-“

*Mongo holds up his hand*

Mongo: Ub-bub-bub! I got this.

Receptionist: Sir, he can’t hear you.

Mongo: Oh, that’s right, put me on speaker down there.

“Oh thank goo-

*Mongo again puts his hand up while he thinks*

Mongo: Up-bup-bup! That voice…I’ve heard it before…

“Mongo it’s-“

Mongo: Don’t tell me!

“Have you lost you-“

Mongo: Hold on, lemme think

“Oh [beep] this!”

*There’s silence for a few moments*

Receptionist: Sir, he’s, um, bypassing security.

Mongo: By force?

Receptionist: Yes.

Mongo: Well then at least we know he’s not a paper champion, am I right Joey?

*The two share a laugh, even though the joke wasn’t very good. It isn’t a fake laugh though, they just have a similar thought code.*

Mongo: Anyway, put the war board away, it looks like we’re back to business as usual!

*Joey Hawke starts to pick up the Risk board and pieces (which seriously, what were they even for?) as Mongo goes behind his desk, beaming with the joy of a man who’s life once again has exciting purpose.*

[OOC: Still open if someone can make it to the office before Spike, lol]

[Steve Awesome]

Mongo and Joey Hawke stand ready to endure the ballistic force of Spike Kane when suddenly the door swings open and in the door way is the former X*Crown champion and the one that never got a proper rematch for; The one and only, Steve Awesome.

Steve Awesome: Hey....mind if I come in?

Steve casually strolls in and kicks his feet up on the desk.

Steve Awesome: It was pretty easy to get in here....there was like no security to stop me at all. You guys gotta work on that if your going to run a huge network company.

Mongo tries to speak but Steve Awesome just keeps on talking.

Steve Awesome: Look guys.....I've been hearing some rumors and rumblings going on that your trying to build a wrestling network. Well then you need somebody to build that brand around. One single person that can take the network and all the other little guys with it to super stardom. You need the guy with the good looks, the charm, the charisma, the sex appeal and the all the talent in the world....you need The Face of the Franchise himself. You need me.

He reaches up and pulls off his aviator sunglasses and hangs one arm inside the sleeveless vest he was wearing. He greets the owners with those deep green eyes and that movie star smile. Joey Hawke couldn't help but swoon a bit. He stands with his arms outstretched as if he were displaying a product.

Steve Awesome: You need, Steve Awesome.

His eye's twinkle.

Steve Awesome: Think about it Mongo....I was your last true X*Crown Champion. Just because some giant idiot with with a learning disability beat me for it on the last show we had doesn't mean anything. I carried your company on my back and defeated anybody they put before me, and I did that for you when no one else that used to call XHF home would. And now that it's coming back, I want to do that again. I'm telling you Mongo....you build this brand around Steve Awesome.....I'm a multi-time world champion, a multi-time hall of famer, and arguably the best wrestler in the world.

Steve flashes a confident smile.

Steve Awesome: You give me the opportunity to prove what I can do for you and this brand and I promise you....you won't be sorry.......

Steve points toward the door as Mongo and Joey think over what they just heard.

(ooc: still open for anyone)

[Mox Mox]

The Owner OF Gen-X Wrestling, Kristopher Curtis, Walks In The Room And Closes The Door Behind Him.

Kristopher Curtis:I don't know what company you were thinking of joining but i think we could strike a deal that would make you apart of The GXW Family.

Kristopher Curtis Then awaits Steve's response.

[Spector]

Before anyone in the room can murmer, there's a firm knock on the door. Without hesitation, it swings open gently and round peeks a gent, suited in navy with a lighter blue shirt buttoned to the top with complimentary tie, clearly an individual who likes to scrub up. Bemused faces appear as the man steps inside the room, he glances at each individual for a moment before leaning his hand against the door, apparently in no mind to sit. A cheeky grin crosses his stubbled face before the silence is broken.


Spector |  Well, well.. it does indeed appear that we're having a small gathering in here, I hate to miss out on a party!


No reply, just blank looks. Mongo appears to be the only person that makes a move, shifting slightly as he stares at Spector with a suggestive "What are you doing?" expression. Spector continues to look around, waiting for a reaction to his apparent humour.


Spector |  No? No party? I mean, I just saw this guy *motioning at Kristopher* wander right in and I'm hearing a commotion from somewhere near by I figured we we're throwing some kind of welcoming committee but I'm guessing that's not the case. Mongo, care to introduce?


Spector pushes the door closed gently to leave it sitting ajar. He steps forward again and opens his arms slightly in an inviting manner and begins to speak again without Mongo having a chance to say anything. His tone changing slightly from slightly humorous to a more warm and questioning one.


Spector |  Well, OK then.. whilst I have your attention, let me share a few words. Gents, I am the owner of All State Professional Wrestling. If you havn't heard of it yet, then I'm disappointed in you and you need to do your homework. - *He chuckles to himself very slightly* - I.. am Spector.. and If you've been unlucky enough to somehow have ASW evade your knowledge then this is where that changes. I'm presuming that you four are already familiar so we can skip on the "get to know eachother" games. Mongo, you've been very.. kind to allow All State to join amongst your network.. I do like to be in the company of folk who have the foresight to know something great when they see it. However, I'm not hear to cuddle with you, I'm here to negotiate.


Steve Awesome - clearly looking the part - turns as is he's got something to say but Spector raises a finger and quashes any opportunity to talk


Spector |  You, Mr. Vest, now you don't seem like you fit in with the suited type do you? ..and you certainly seem more athletic than each of us so I presume that instead of head hunting.. no, instead you're here to be hunted. So from that quick analysis, let me do that job for you. If you're here to join the ranks, here to take the stage, if you're here to.. prove yourself.. then I highly suggest..


Spector leans in toward Mike and lowers the volume, suggesting a private remark in hush but is purposefully still to be heard by all


Spector |  Now, don't let on too quickly that your so very excited to forge your future with us here at All State, we don't want to be hurting any feelings do we?


He stands back again to address each of the others again


Spector |  Yes, sorry.. I suggest you think  - *winking at Awesome* - about plying your trade where the absolute best will choose to play. It, It just makes sense and if you're going to be watching the upcoming Showcase event that Mongo here has been a top guy to put on, then I think you'll realise exactly where you'll fit in! A nice and snuggly fit.


Spector smirks again and backsteps towards the door again and grips it


Spector |  Anyway, I seem to have drifted off path whilst getting to acquaint with you all. I just wanted to slide on in and see what the hustle was, hope I havn't interrupted anything too important but really, you should have yourselves a little something on up in here, I'm sure Mongo loves a cigar and a glass as much as the next man. Speaking of, Mongo, If you've got anyone that you need taking off your hands and you know, if you're feeling generous then I'm sure I can help entertain. As for the rest of you gentlemen, it's been a ball. Now, I've got some business to attend to so I'll leave you to it.. that.. and I don't like how this one here is staring, It's ..unsettling.


Spector - pointing - looks over at Mr. Curtis with a frown before he swings the door open and directs his point at Mongo with and smirks, before taking one last look at the others and sliding out the door as it closes over and the footsteps fade.

[Steve Awesome]

Spector walks out of the room and once everyone was sure he was gone Steve finally spoke up.

Steve Awesome: That guy was weird. Anyone else get a weird vibe?

Steve polls the room with a look. Mongo, Joey and Mr. Curtis all sort of glance back and forth at each and Steve just shrugs and waves it off.

Steve Awesome: Whatever....must be me. Look, I guess I should make a decision...I mean this guy has been awaiting my response for like....”

Steve glances at his watch. Rolex. Super expensive.

Steve Awesome: ...for what SEEMS like an entire day almost...

Steve looks up at Kristopher Curtis who was still hoping to hear some good news.

Steve Awesome: ...so I guess I should make a decision. I mean ASW has some good talent and so does GSX, I'm sure both of those companies could stand to gain a talent like me. A multi-media sensation. A bonafied movie star. A wrestling legend....... but honestly the fact of the matter is that neither of you could afford me! Suck it. HA!

He does the cross chops and laughs out loud as he reaches down and puts his sunglasses back on his face. He turns and points at Mongo.

Steve Awesome: But you and I.....we will be in touch again.....

Steve flashes a confident smirk directly at the owner of the XHF Network.

Steve Awesome: Woo me.

Steve turns and leaves the room.

Joey Hawke: Damn he's cool.

Mongo glares at Joey.

Mongo: I know. Shut up.

{ooc: I put that last part, thought it would be funny, if you dont like it i'll edit it out..but yeah still open if anyone wants or if Spike ever wants in on his own thread lol)

[Mongo the Destroyer]

*Mongo breathes in like he's about to say something; but then...*

(OOC: I felt like I should say something, but let the chaos continue!)

[Spike Kane]

Spike finally makes it to Mongo's office, bumping into Steve Awesome on the way there. The two stop dead for a second and look right at each other, so much history, so much tension....so much that the people of XHF wouldn't even know. Spike cracks first, and just smirks.

Spike: You came to see the fat fuck too?

Steve: You know it.

Steve flashes his million dollar smile, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses, and Spike smirks back at him, but then both of their faces turn serious again.

Spike: You know we're gonna have to deal with.....this....at some point, right?

Steve: I know. Not like you've ever beaten me anyway...

Spike: Oh....it's coming...

Steve: That's what she said.

He couldn't help it, and it still made Spike smirk, before the two of them throw a tiny little crotch chop at each other, and are all serious once more, and Spike's face turns back to the super serious, super pissed off look he had before, and Steve heads out. Now Spike storms into Mongos office and sees a bunch of people he doesn't recognise, and Joey Hawke standing there.

Spike: What the fuck is this? A circle jerk?

Mongo had just been about to speak, but Spike had cut him off. Pissed that he'd had to wait, even more pissed that Mongo hadn't come to see him, or even acknowledge him, and now even more pissed that some random nobodies were in his office all along.

Spike: I'm standing here with the god damned XHF Title in my hand, and you're...what, glad handing with these.....people?

Spike eyes them both up, squaring his shoulders, as if he's ready for a fight....who are we kidding? He's always ready for a fight.

Spike: I came back with a peace offering Mongo....I heard about this network, figured you'd wanna put me on it, figured you'd wanna put Brad on it - y'know Reckless Jack? ....well.....he's dead Mongo. He died a few months ago, and I didn't wanna do this over the phone. So here...

Spike moves forwards and dumps the slightly burned and tarnished XHF Title on the desk of Mongo the Destroyer, cracking his neck and standing there.

Spike: I hope you know, it's been in my trophy cabinet this whole time.....but it felt right, bringing it back. It felt like the kind of thing he would have done.....I know we ain't ever gonna be friends, but we can always do what's right for those close to us. As for these assholes? *He gestures to Spector and Curtis* ....the ain't family, and no matter what I've done, you know as well as I do, that this companies blood runs through all of our veins...

Spike now leans on the table and simply glares at Mongo.

(OOC: still open)

[Mongo the Destroyer]

*As Spike stares a hole through Mongo, and the whole room is tense, the owner of the XHF Network lights up with a bright and warming smile.*

Mongo: Spike! It's been too long! And of course I already knew about Brad's....y'know. I sent him a...

*Mongo looks at Joey Hawke, but Joey shakes his head like "What are you looking at me for!?"*

Mongo: ...It's good to see your face again though. I will say though....

*Mongo eyes Spike up and down.*

Mongo: You look like you've been through the ringer. And not just Xtreme matches, like deep psychological trauma kind of stuff.

*Mongo fiddles with the desecrated XHF Championship, trying to shine a corner of it with his thumb. For a brief moment, the air of adulation (fake or not, it's hard to ascertain) quietly diminishes into a somber seriousness. Memories flood both men of a mistake made in the heat of a moment. There's a disappointed look in Mongo's eyes, but then he looks into the now extremely different Spike Kane- at that Mongo's disappointment fades into an almost pity for a man who's obviously dealt with some serious issues over the last few years. With a quick breath Mongo returns to his effervescent self and smiles as he pushes the title forward, back towards Spike.*

Mongo: Keep it. You earned it- all of it.

*Slight twinge of something else in that last part, but there's not enough time to figure out what exactly as the currently bubbly owner slides back in his chair and reaches down into a bottom desk drawer.*

Mongo: Besides...

*He raises up a gleaming, golden, immaculately preserved XHF Championship belt.*

Mongo: ...I still have my own.

*He winks as the title is returned to its drawer.*

Mongo: Spike, that was nearly ten years ago- or was it ten years ago exactly?

*Mongo looks at Joey, he doesn't know. He shoots looks to Kristopher Curtis, of course he doesn't know. He looks to where Spector was, Spector isn't there any more. To where Steve Awesome was, he's gone. To Spike, who is none to pleased with this show, because he knows the exact date to this day. Mongo smiles.*

Mongo: I lose track of time; but the point is: All is forgiven. I thought you'd appreciate the welcoming committee downstairs but apparently I was wrong. How times change.

*The XHF Network owner readjusts himself at his desk.*

Mongo: Now, as for a return- I would in fact love to see Spike Kane, former XHF Champion back on Network-owned television-

*He puts his hands to the side of his mouth, like a physical version of parentheses*

Mongo: (Well, except for the reruns of course)

*He then gestures to the owner of GXW, still in the office.*

Mongo: However, it isn't up to me. It's up to the fine gentlemen I've been "glad-handing" with. I am merely a facilitator. The XHF Network will be so much more than we were- and we were something great. We have Xtreme flowing through our veins, it isn't a gimmick, it's a lifestyle...

*Mongo furrows his brow, he's serious when he says this and his inflection reflects it*

Mongo: No, not a life-style, everything is a life-style these days. Being Xtreme is a life, isn't it? It's not something that we throw into a garbage and set on fire when we've found a new hobby. No, Xtreme stays with you- haunts you if you've tried to discard it- it forever reminds you of who you truly are.

*Mongo looks down at the charred XHF Championship; there's a previously unforeseen gleam in what looked like a dead title, and then back at Spike. He almost sighs, not a sad one, just a tone-changing sigh.*

Mongo: Spike, what we're doing now, it's not just displaying Xtreme; we're not sitting on some shelf for people to look at. I want to take the entire wrestling world and inject it with Xtreme. This business is stagnating and we're the only cure on the market. If you want to be a part of that, you're welcome to do so. But you have to find the Xtreme in you first; because you're not feeding off of the XHF's Xtreme any more, now you need to feed it into an XHF Network federation- should you choose to do so.

*Mongo puts his elbows up on his desk and leans his face into his clasped hands*

Mongo: The real question, Spike, is whether or not you're satisfied looking at a somewhat tarnished legacy and saying "I'm ok with this" or if you are ready to sacrifice whatever semblance of yourself that stands before me that pretenders have taken from you to become something truly....

*He almost whispers.*

Mongo: ...Xtreme.

[OOC: Still open, yo! Sorry I wasn't able to respond sooner, Spike, I wanted it to be good ]