[STEELE] Road To Recovery Part 2 (Xtraction)

[Steele]

THE STORY SO FAR...

Having lost his coveted AWF Heavyweight Championship to Hyperion at the last Prestige event, Jackson Steele was beginning to question his importance in the eyes of the company.

No rematch would be forthcoming, and his frustrations at being "considered" alongside the rest of the roster for a role on Team AWF at the upcoming Xtraction event had left him jaded.

He was, as far as he was concerned, just another employee to them. But he knew he was more than that.

Urged by Danny Boy Davis to buck up his ideas and use the opportunity at Xtraction to prove his worth to the company, Jackson decided to heed his advice and travel to England, the location for the next show.

This is his story of redemption and recovery...

The plane touched down on the tarmac at Bristol airport, and Danny Boy Davis began the ritual of waking Del Trevor. Del always slept on flights, being in a cramped cabin without being able to go anywhere for the best part of eight hours was enough to drive any man insane.

Del Trevor was already insane enough.

After an unfortunate incident involving a screaming toddler and an overhead luggage bin, Danny wasn't taking any chances. Del always slept on flights because Danny always slipped something into his drink before take-off, and it worked like a charm.


: I... fuckin.... I ain't done me 'omework mum, sod off...

: Come on mate, wakey wakey.


Danny forcefully tapped the side of Del's face a few times to rouse him.


: I said I ain't done it...


Jackson leaned over Danny and pinched his nose shut. Del struggled to breathe, and then jolted awake, gasping for air.


: What the fack! What- where'd me mum go?


A flight attendant gave Del a disapproving look for his colourful language.


: You know I didn't expect that to actually work on a mouth-breather like you.

: Why am I on a plane? Why do I always go sleep on a plane? Why don't I ever remember getting on the plane?

: Beats me, bruv. Take a look out there though.


Danny pointed through the window. Del craned his neck and his face lit up.


: Landan!

: Not London mate, Bristol.

: Oh.

: Chin up. At least it's closer to home.

: Can't be that far, surely? Isn't this place like twelve miles long?

: Well it's a bit bigger than that, Boss. Maybe not Canada-big but it's still a few hours away.

: Jesus you Brits sure do moan about traveling don't you? A few hours? Where I'm from our next-door neighbors are a few hours away.

: {Under his breath} Where you're from you put OUR Queen on YOUR money...

: {Distracted} Hmm? You say something?

: Nothing Boss. Just blessing the Queen, that's all.

: You Limeys are weird. Just like the Americans, you've got this weird attachment to your head of state. Like they're some sort of mythical deity or something.


Outside the plane was a blur of activity. Baggage carts rolled up and began to empty luggage from the hold as the refuelling process began, and the walkway was drawn across from the terminal building. A flight attendant began directing passengers to retrieve their belongings.

All around the trio people began to stand, taking their carry-on from the overhead compartments. Danny shivered as he relived Del's darkest moment over again in his mind.

The screaming. The relentless screaming.


: Danny?


There was no stopping Del once he got going. Danny knew that. He tried and tried to pull him away but he was too much once the red mist descended.

The screams.

Sixteen fully grown men tried to stop him. He took them out. He took them all out.


: Danny?


The screams.


: DANNY!


Danny snapped back to reality as Jackson called his name and motioned for him to move out of their row.


: You know if you'd booked first class we wouldn't have to do the walk of shame with all these troglodytes.


Danny grunted an acknowledgement. He still hadn't fully recovered.


: Yeah Boss. Sorry Boss, my fault. I'm used to going cattle-class.

: Well you'll know for next time won't you.


Danny nodded. He was definitely going to have to go to the duty-free.

---

Danny and Del hung back behind Jackson as they walked through the throng of people milling about the airport. Danny pulled his bag behind him, the casters rolling smoothly beneath the moulded plastic case. Del carried two bags - his own, and Jackson's. Come on, you didn't think Jackson was going to carry his own bag, did you?

Jackson power-walked through the terminal with his phone up in front of his face. His gurning mug filled the screen as he filmed what he was sure would become a smash-hit video diary for YouTube.


: So here we are, we just landed in... uh, Bristol? I dunno, it's somewhere in England, and I am here getting ready for the Xtraction show that's coming up this Sunday when AWF take on AXW! So first things first. Just who are team-


Jackson was interrupted as an "incoming call" screen popped up on his phone.


: Fuck sake! It's that unknown number again!

: Why don't you just block it Boss?

: I've tried but I can't figure out a damn thing on this new phone!


The phone buzzed in Jackson's hand as Del looked down at it.


: Well don't look at me Boss. I ain't got a clue.

: Just decline it. I'll take a look-see later on.


Jackson angrily pressed "Reject" and the screen flicked back to his camera app.


: Now I've lost my train of thought! Dammit. Alright, fine. Change of plan. Let's interview some locals.


Jackson spotted a woman nearby, struggling through the airport as her bags weighed her down. He strode over to her, and threw an arm around the woman's shoulders.


: I'm here in... Bristol? With some of my many, many fans as I prepare for Xtraction this coming weekend! So what's your name ma'am?

: Who are you?


She looked at him with a mixture of shock and terror. Jackson fake-laughed.


: Don't I just have the best fans? Now tell me- and be honest! Who's gonna win this weekend at Xtraction?

: Uh... Chelsea?

: Who?

: It's a football team, Boss.

: Stupid bloody bint, season's finished!

: We're not talking about soccer! This is pro wrestling! You mean you don't know who I am?

: You're a wrestler? You mean like Big Daddy?

: Well... some call me Big Daddy, sure, but I think he's-

: I don't think she's watched wrestling since Dicky Davies and Mick McManus were around boss. And they was thirty years ago.

: Ooh that Mick McManus! Now he was a shifty bastard!


Jackson cut the woman off and shoved her aside.


: Yeah, this isn't really working. Next!


He spotted a younger woman striding confidently through the airport. He fired up his camera again, and caught up to her.


: Hello love! Can I just-

: Get the fuck away from me with your microaggressions and white male privilege!


Jackson stopped dead in his tracks as the woman carried on without even turning to look at him.


: That's... that's... that's the first time I ever got shot down by a woman... ever...

: Don't worry about it Boss. I doubt she's into oily men tumbling about in their underpants anyhow.

: I don't get it... how can these people not know who I am? I made a movie here! I should be huge!

: Perhaps your fame just hasn't transferred across this side of the pond yet. You've spent 99% of your career in America so it's natural that you're more famous there. Why don't we go get something to eat, and then we'll head up north and check out the venue.

---

Jackson sat in the back of the hired car, playing with his phone settings, trying to figure out how to block calls from the mysterious number that had been trying to contact him. Del was in the front passenger seat, and he turned back to speak to Jackson.


: 'Ere, Boss-


Jackson looked up and almost had a panic attack.


: DEL! Look at the road!

: Boss... I'm driving. On the left here, remember?

: Jesus Christ... you damn near gave me a heart attack.

: You looked up any of them AXW guys yet? Homework, like?


Jackson shook his head.


: To be honest with you Derrick, no I haven't. Don't see the point really.

: Surely it'd be good to get to know your opponents?

: Well I already know Kanyon and he sucks. And if HE made their team, then they must be seriously short of talent over there in AXW.

: You really don't like Kanyon, do you?

: Time was that I respected him. I still do, on some level. But his best days are behind him now. I proved that I was better than Kanyon on the way to winning End Of Days yet still he doesn't get the hint that it's time to just step back and retire. I guess it's my duty to give him yet another reminder that all good things must come to an end.

: You know if you wanna get to know your other opponents a bit better, I think Michael Storm and Randy Angel are here already. Why don't you meet up with them, share some knowledge?

: Ha! Asking those two to share their knowledge is like asking a hobo for spare change.

: It's your match, Boss. So you don't know anything about these guys?

: I know enough. I know that Anemone just came off the back of a massive undefeated streak. Big deal though, I've been there. It's one thing to get the streak in the first place, and something else entirely to bounce back from losing it and make sure you don't sink. I'm gonna make it my mission to find out just how high he bounces, the hard way.

: So you have been researching them then?

: Alright, maybe a little. Just to see what I'm up against. Take this Effigy guy for example. Thinks he's some sort of physics-bending god. It's like all the worst parts of Hyperion and that Yuki chick all thrown into some sparkly gold gimp suit. Gives me flashbacks to my first movie whenever I see him.

: He sounds like a right fruitcake.

: Wouldn't surprise me. I feel like I'm the only real person in wrestling these days. But if this guy thinks he can bend time and space I'll be more than happy to prove him wrong by bending him and shoving his head right up his own wormhole.


Danny laughed out loud.


: Oh it gets better! You think that guy's mad, then you gotta get a load of Price! Dude thinks he died and got reincarnated!

: He what?

: I know right! He's too embarrassed to admit he's just a massive weeb who got plastic surgery to make himself look Japanese and then wound up regretting it... so he made up this ridiculous lie about being some sort of freakin' zombie!

: Good grief, what sort of freak show are they running over there? But you wanna be careful with that one Boss, I've heard a lot about him. He sounds sick in the head in more than just being a bit deluded.

: Don't worry. I know he's got a reputation. Calls himself the "Messiah of Hardcore" - just don't forget who you're talking to right now. If he's the messiah, then I'm literally god when it comes to hardcore...

: That's a different sort of hardcore though, innit Boss?

: Well yes, but... still. You're splitting hairs, Derrick.


Danny quickly interjected, moving on before Del could delve further into Jackson's murky past.


: And Shawn Rossdale? He's new on the scene. He could be tricky.

: Yeah. I don't know much about him except he used to run ICW. So by extension, he's an Icon and Icons are bad news.

: You think he's gonna try and get his boys to jump ship? Bobby, Jack, Maverick?


Jackson jumped as his phone buzzed again. Just a short, solitary buzz that came out of the blue. A text message. It was from the unknown number.

From: <<UNKNOWN>>

Don't toy with me. Thirty minutes, then I'll call again.

I have something for you.

Miss the next call, and it's gone forever.
Speak ONLY to me about this.

: Everything alright Boss?


Jackson nodded.


: Yeah just... someone messing with me.


'Probably her.' Thought Jackson. But he didn't know whether the message was intended as a threat, or as some sort of bait. He apparently only had half an hour to decide whether he wanted to find out.


: You want me to go break some legs Boss?


Jackson shook his head.


: Not this time, Del. But when I need some knees capped, I'll know who to turn to.


Del gave him a thumbs up, and turned back round.


: Do you think he'd get them to jump?

: Hmm?

: The Icons. After all, they took their name from his fed. Icon Championship Wrestling. And now he's turned up in AXW, while they're over in America. It's gotta be tempting for the British guys-

: Maverick's Irish ain't he?

: Same difference. But you've seen the Icons expanding across the Network. What if this Shawn Rossdale is the one pulling the strings? What if they all come together to screw us over? Poach some of the biggest sta- er, midcarders - from AWF?

: I thought you didn't care about AWF?

: I do when they're the ones paying me. You said it yourself - if AWF loses this match, we're gonna be in the shit financially. And we're already in enough shit as it is with Terry fuckin' Bradshaw as the CFO. I have to make an impact in this match. I can't speak for those other losers on the team but even if they drag us down, as long as I look good then it'll make negotiating a contract elsewhere a lot easier.

: Very pragmatic of you, Boss.

: Damn straight. Are we nearly there yet? Feels like we've been driving forever.

: I thought you said this place was tiny?

: It is but.. damn, everything looks the same. Just fields and farms everywhere. It's like we've been going round in one giant loop forever.

: Welcome to the West Country. Don't worry, we're nearly there.


Just as Danny said this they began to head down hill. With a view of the valley below them, they drove down into the town of Nailsworth itself. Once a world leader in textile production the town was now best-known for its football club. Forest Green Rovers - owners of the world's first organic football pitch and the world's first vegan football club, they played their home games at the New Lawn stadium. With a capacity of 5000, the stadium would be playing host to the upcoming Xtraction event.

Turning left at the town's infuriating mini-roundabout, Danny drove the car up the steep hill to the hamlet of Forest Green. They passed a group of feral council children, one of whom tried to climb up onto the car bonnet to offer a mysterious powder to the occupants.


: Yeah, lock yer doors round here Boss. It ain't quite Dagenham but it can be pretty rough.


Finally they arrived at the venue. The towering, structure stood before them, all twenty-ish feet of it.





: That's it?

: I don't know what you was expecting, Boss. This is AWF vs AXW, not the Monday Night Wars.

: It doesn't even have a roof!

: It's summer!

: It rains in the summer in Britain!

: It'll be ok. Forecast says it's just gonna be scattered showers on Sunday. Besides, didn't you do shows at that baseball ground all through the winter?

: Yeah and it was hell. Freezing cold. Another reason why this damn company sucks!

: But... you still have to save it Boss.


Jackson hung his head.


: Yeah, I guess.


The three men walked into the building, and were met by a duty manager. They explained who they were and that they were here to see the venue - of course this had all been agreed beforehand, but nobody ever includes those details. You can't just turn up at a venue and wander around willy-nilly you know.

The manager showed them to the concourse underneath the main stand that would serve as the "backstage" area for the event, and to the tunnel that the players used to emerge onto the pitch. Jackson walked through the tunnel, imagining all the greats who had been through those hallowed halls previously.

Thingy, you know, that one guy whose second cousin played for Manchester United that one time. And old whats-his-name.

Stepping outside once more he saw the pitch for the first time. And it was... well it was alright, Jackson supposed. It's flat at least.





Jackson took out his phone and began filming, panning around the stadium as he spoke.


: Well this is it boys. Ground Zero. Where it all begins again. Five nights from now I'll be out there showing the world that there's nobody can do it quite like I can. Nobody in AWF and nobody in AXW can hold a candle to me. Hyperion might have my title for now but mark my words boys, when I say "my" title I mean "MY" title. I hope those boys from AXW know what they're letting themselves in for - Anemone, Kanyon, Rossdale, Price and Effigy... you bring your best fight and I'll show you that your best is simply not good enough for me, let alone with three and a half other guys on my team.

: Three and a half?

: Randy Angel's not a real person though, is he? Let's be realistic. But just as much as this is a message for AXW, this is also a warning to everybody else on Team AWF too. Don't think you can upstage me on Sunday night. Don't think that you're gonna be the one to score the crucial pinfall. Don't think you'll be the one to break Price or retire Kanyon because All the accolades are going to be mine. This is Ground Zero, where I kick it up a notch and prove AWF management wrong - that they were wrong to put my title on the line against Hyperion, that they were wrong to now give me a rematch clause, that they were dead wrong to even consider that I might not be first pick for this team. I am the past, the present and the future of this company. The future starts this Sunday when Jackson Steele begins his recovery.

: That was beautiful, Boss.

: Wasn't it just? And I meant every word.


Jackson closed the camera app, just as his phone began to vibrate again. He pursed his lips as he stared at the screen for a moment.


: Excuse me boys. I better take this.


Danny and Del nodded, slipping silently back down the tunnel as Jackson folded out one of the plastic seats.

He sat down, and answered the call.