Post by Raiden Ishimori on Oct 24, 2018 22:47:35 GMT -5
Date: October 20, 2018
Location: Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
{The days seemed to drag on in recent times since Raiden’s world was engulfed in a wild storm of chaos and paranoia. The beatings he had received, the constant threats, the kidnapping of Tenya...an ending for the whole fiasco almost seemed impossible with the pressure being placed on his shoulders and the constant need to check his surroundings wherever he went. Anywhere he went was no longer deemed safe within Osaka City and even if he ran from the issue and fled to somewhere else within the country, he’d be leaving everyone else to the mercy of the Akagawa Family, especially Tenya since he was kidnapped just six days prior. In the meantime, and out of precaution, Kohei sent Bone Cold out to Hirakata for a few days in order to try and sort the situation out himself. Despite protests from the wrestler, the head of the Ushioda Family also sent Reina, Toru, Sora, and their grandfather Gempachi with Raiden. It was the last thing Raiden wanted to deal with in terms of having to watch out for Jin and Takuma possibly pursuing them but to counter it, at least he was around people he could trust and ease his troubles slightly.}
{In an attempt to try and distract the Lone Wolf from the current troubles brewing back in the city, the group dragged him out to Hirakata Park as a means to unwind a little from the stress that had been running rampant. As if rewinding to the days of when his grandchildren were still little kids, Gempachi still felt a need himself to keep a close on Toru and Sora, especially the former given his behavior in most situations.}
Gempachi: “Toru! Don’t be wandering too far off ya hear?”
Toru: “Yeah, yeah gramps! You know me! I’ll be careful as always!”
{The messy haired playboy runs off into the crowd of people walking about, immediately vanishing from everyone’s line of sight. With a sigh, Gempachi rubs at the back of his neck with a faint chuckle.}
Gempachi: “He hasn’t changed since his high school years has he?”
Sora: “Not a single bit.”
Gempachi: “Guess it’s for the better. I won’t force change on him but I do worry a lot about his antics…”
Sora (giggling): “You’re such a worrywart, grandpa.”
Gempachi (shrugging): “It’s in my blood since I looked after you two a lot since your parents are usually busy with travel and other corporate tasks. They really need to visit more often than just showing up around Christmas.”
Sora (sighing): “I’ve tried to tell them the same thing but they refuse to listen. Business is apparently more important to them than family.”
Gempachi: “Your parents always were hard-working folks. It’s a tough habit to grow out of, especially if such a job requires so much travel.”
{Behind the duo’s friendly conversation, an air of uneasiness loomed over. Hands tucked in his pockets, Raiden seemingly struggled to even keep up with the others. His mind was skittering all over the place, causing him to grit his teeth the more he thought the situation over. There was no way he could outrun the issue because if he tried, it certainly meant imminent death for the others. It was bad enough that Tenya was in Akagawa hands, leaving his torture to the imagination of the Lone Wolf. Countless times, he shook his head at each thought, trying to squeeze the images out of his brain but to no avail. Amidst his thought process, his forehead bumped against an object, stopping in his tracks. Slowly coming back to reality, his eyes wandered up at what was in front of him. Standing with her arm stretched forward, finger pressed against his forehead, Reina stood with her other hand on her hip. A frown rested on her lips as she looked back at her long-time friend.}
Raiden: “.....”
Reina: “Raiden…”
Raiden (looking at the ground): “....?”
Reina: “Can you at least look at me?”
{Raiden’s shoulders slump at the question, his gaze not shifting from where it is. Switching positions, Reina carefully lifts Raiden’s chin up with her forefinger, bringing the two back into eye contact.}
Reina: “You can’t be silent on the entire thing. Just moping around like this isn’t going to do you any good.”
Raiden (solemnly): “I don’t know what to do. With everything engulfed in chaos, I feel helpless on what to do. Tenya’s been kidnapped, I’ve been beaten down...I’m basically broken.”
Reina: “This isn’t like you to be this way. Kohei said he’d have everything under control so I don’t know why you’re having such a hard time accepting the fact that we’re getting the help that we need.”
{He grits his teeth at the remark, holding back his impulsive response to it. Stepping back, he draws away from Reina’s reach, turning his back to her as he folds his arms over his chest. HIs boot scuffs against the ground with an emitted sigh.}
Raiden: “It’s not that I don’t accept the help that Kohei is giving us...it’s the fact that this almost seems hopeless in attempt to prevent the past from being repeated. Do you not have any idea how close we are to tumbling off that same cliff again?”
Reina (hesitant): “To an extent, yes I--”
Raiden: “That isn’t good enough.”
Reina: “What?”
Raiden: “To an extent isn’t a good enough answer. Just tell me if really do you know how close we are to seeing the past repeat itself because of me.”
Reina: “Hold on, are you blaming yourself for everything that’s happened?”
Raiden (nonchalant): “...Yeah, I am.”
{The words struck like a freight train. Raiden wasn’t one to normally demean himself in such fashion but one had to wonder if the recent events of the month had a big impact on him, influencing negative thoughts in his mind. He gripped at the edges of his sleeves, forcing back more words as he continued to stand his ground.}
Raiden: “All these years, I’ve been thinking what could’ve been different and after reading that letter that Jotaro had left, I wondered if I was one to blame for his death. I could’ve stopped him and the others from going out that night and getting themselves killed in the ensuing fight. If only I hadn’t been so weak-hearted I could’ve prevented the catastrophe that followed and the reality that we live in today.”
{He curses himself under his own breath while trying to hold tears back at the same time. To think back on the night he last saw Jotaro still alive, along with Yoshi and Meiji was always heartbreaking but with the current circumstances, it served as a terrifying reminder as to what could become of the others around him. Rather than seeing the three Yakuza he called friends, he’d be seeing those who had helped him cope with the environment they were living in now. Angrily, he shook his head at the thought, grip tightening on the sleeves with gritted teeth.}
Raiden: “I’ll be damned if I let the past happen again but there’s only so much I can do in these dire straits. I’m having to protect not only myself but also you, Gempachi, Toru, and Sora from this demon that I thought we were done dealing with but alas...here we are. Doomed to repeat a cycle that cursed us once and here we stand…”
Reina: “Stop talking like that…”
Raiden (turning): “Or what? At this rate, I almost wouldn’t be surprised if Jin or Takuma came in and bashed my head in some more because it will only continue to allude to another unlucky ending for us. Face it, we may as well accept what’s coming to bite us in the back.”
Reina: “You’re wrong…”
Raiden (irate): “Am I? Am I wrong in the sense that this is what we’re stuck with? The constant cycle of life and death determined by the Yakuza lurking in the shadows? We’re the hamsters practically running on the wheel of it thinking there’s something at the end of it but there isn’t. There never is and never will be as we’re constantly being watched, head-hunted, and stalked.”
{He pivots on his heels, releasing the grip on his sleeves with a huff.}
Raiden: “I’m getting out of here. I haven’t got the time to be playing civilian when I got an X*Crown match to handle in the near future.”
{Storming off, Raiden tucks his hands back into his pockets, leaving a distraught Reina behind him. He hangs his head low, clearly frustrated with himself in terms of the pit he’s fallen into because of the eventful encounter with the Akagawa Family members. After brushing shoulders in the crowd, he finally exits the park, winding up on the sidewalk next to the busy road with numerous car horns blaring due to the current traffic jam. Irritated by the noise, Raiden continues down the sidewalk, looking for a quieter place to wait around in until the others came looking for him. Throughout the walk, he found himself lost in thought over the situations he was involved in: The Yakuza attacks, the threats, the X*Crown...There was so much to manage that he felt a migraine coming on from the thought of it. Pausing next to a coffee shop, he leans up against the exterior, rubbing his temples to ease the pain. It was only after he finished massaging that felt the presence of a large figure next to him. Slowly looking to his left and slightly up, he makes eye contact with the man that had been causing him so much pain...Takuma. Instead of punches being thrown this time around, Takuma simply produces a piece of parchment from his breast pocket before bowing in front of Raiden and extending it towards him.}
Raiden: “The hell…?”
{Hesitantly, he reaches out for it, slowly taking hold of it before drawing it to his chest.}
Raiden: “How the hell did you find me?”
Takuma: “Jin sent me. Kohei wasn’t exactly subtle in sending your friends out to Hirakata with you.”
Raiden (annoyed): “Despite the protests…”
Takuma: “Regardless, I gotta head back since he wants a progress report.”
{He blankly looked down at Raiden before moving past him without another word, leaving Bone Cold at a loss for words. Looking back at the parchment and Takuma once more, a serious look pops up on his face.}
Raiden: “Hey! What’s even written on this?”
Takuma: “Read it yourself. I’m just the courier today, not some teacher.”
{Before Raiden could get another question out, Takuma had already disappeared around the corner and into the crowd, leaving the Lone Wolf by himself. Unhappily, Raiden slipped the paper into his pocket with a heavy sigh. Running his hands over his slicked-back hair, he locks his fingers behind his neck as he looks up into the clouded sky. As much as he didn’t want to admit, he was losing control as to how to go about things. The only thing that he could control, however, was the outcome of the X*Crown match. If he wanted things to become stable again, he would have to force himself to a side he never would’ve thought of going into before...and that was the darkness…}
{The camera starts recording, focused on the same spot from last time Raiden did his video entry. The chair under the light was tipped over on its back while the light above continuously flickered, seemingly ready to go out any given second. A few more seconds go by before the room becomes swallowed by darkness, only for the light to flicker back on with Raiden standing under it, baseball bat in hand with the end touching the ground. His eyes are bloodshot as he stares back into the lens while subconsciously adjusting his grip on the bat’s handle.}
Raiden: “Video entry number two. October 21, 2018. Very slowly, my control in the perilous predicament I sit in has been fading away and even now, I struggle to identify who I am. Am I man who fights for justice? A savior to those who have unfortunately fallen into this pit of despair with me or am I the opposite? A Yakuza with blood-stained hands that reflect the scars of years past, revealing the damage that has been done to not only myself but to those I call friends. I struggle to find the truth to this question but the one thing I’m not struggling to find is the amount of carnage I plan to carry into the Annihilation Complex at the End of Days finale. The power of the untapped beast inside is desperately wanting to play with some newfound toys and it looks some have decided to show their faces.”
{His lips slowly curl up into a malicious grin as he picks up the chair, sitting it upright before placing his foot on top of it.}
Raiden: “Of course, before I get into the depth of my new playmates, I want to address the current champion, Jack Diamond. The Icons’ Number One, the Ace of Spades, owner of the Diamond Lounge, and the man who’s pride is just setting him up for a grand old fall from the pinnacle of the XHF. You think you just have it all don’t you Jacky boy? Part of one of the best stables in the Network, a seemingly an infinite amount of money, your very own #FuckMoney bit of merchandise, hell you even got your own casino to your name...but what else is there? Why do you spend so much money on extravagant things, Jack? Are you afraid of something that lurks in the shadows? Are you afraid that if you can’t show off your wealth that you’ll lose the respect you’ve gained from others?”
{A dark chuckle escapes his lips.}
Raiden: “Oh how there’s just nothing but a sad, lonely man sitting beneath that rich facade of yours. We all know how rich people are thinking that money can buy happiness but everyone knows that it can’t. Instead, it builds up stress, makes you uneasy, you feel judged for being a rich bastard and before you know, you start to rot from the inside because you are nothing but a rotten bastard, Jack. I couldn’t care less about how you grew up trying to make it big down in North Carolina because your pain will never match mine. The reality I’ve had to live with has been a bigger struggle than you could ever imagine because all you do is sit your lazy ass in that throne of yours, titles at your feet while you count your bills, taunting those who are lower in the hierarchy. You don’t know what real pain is until you go through your impeachment on Sunday when I take all those titles away from you and you try and try to drain your sorrow and tears into the assets you’ve bought because you got all that money. You’re gonna learn just how much of a bitch life can be, Jack.”
{Turning, Raiden clubs the headrest of the chair, evidently cracking it as he kicks it over. With the sole of his boot, he kicks the chair out of the shot, flourishing the bat in his hand before resting the end on the floor.}
Raiden: “If there’s one person in this match that I can’t stand as of late, it’s that Akeed ibnwhatever the hell the rest of his name is because my God is he a one-trick pony when it comes to talking about wrestling. He preaches about how everyone’s an infidel in his eyes and how he’s been treated poorly, he’s been ridiculed, spat on, beaten down well guess what buddy life isn’t fair in case you haven’t figured that out by now. It’s 2018 and you’re still complaining about the issues you’re having to face? Way to be late to the party and you’re not even fashionably late, you are juuuust catching up to date with the world we live in because, despite your sheer size, you sure as hell don’t a brain up in that peanut sized head of yours do you, Akeed? I would go further and try to tear you a new you friendo but you're doing a fine job as is by making yourself look completely stupid with your talk of infidels and how you’re going to bring the X*Crown to Really Shitty Wrestling. If I find RSW to be a joke, then that means you’re a joke as well. Jokers don’t deserve to wear crowns and I will make sure as the executioner of the Annihilation Complex that your hands go nowhere near it you pretender.”
{Abruptly, he slams the end of the bat into the floor, the metallic impact resonating around the room before all is quiet once more.}
Raiden: “Speaking of executions, you people ever heard of this guy named...what was it, Money Sign? No, that isn’t it I’m thinking of Jack again...Price! That guy. The undead resident of Cleveland himself who appears to be falling off AXW’s radar yet still landed in this match as the promotion’s representative. Funny how things have turned out: You got an undead guy repping a live promotion and a live guy repping a dead fed in this match but I’ll make sure you wish you were still six feet under and stuck in the afterlife. Despite having been one of the greats from XHF’s past, you just can’t seem to keep up with today’s talent, can you? The younger, more agile, not so rusty kids running wild in the XHF and winning titles like you used to. Shame I’ll have to put you back in the dirt because you look like someone I could get along with but I guess we won’t see that happen, will we? Not after I’ve splattered your blood across the walls of the complex because after all, if you’re The Hardcore Messiah, then you won’t be afraid of what’s to come for you...or are you? The old man quaking in his boots as the youngster steps up to the plate and then BOOM! He’s down for the count and back in his grave, finally put to rest after proving just how useless his presence was but if you want to talk useless, let’s chat about Ember Ferrari a little bit shall we?”
{He pulls the bat up to his shoulder before laying it across his shoulders as he begins to pace in a slow circle.}
Raiden: “You see, Ember’s a special case in the form of that no one really knows what she is. Is she a man disguised as a woman? Is she just a really hairy woman? A doctor says that she’s a woman but her wrestling repetoire says otherwise from what I’ve analyzed and also the fact that she appears to have an unhealthy obsession with Jack Diamond who she calls Jacky-poo. I can agree that Jack is shit but probably not as crappy as Ember is. What does she really have to offer and why does SSS constantly send reps who just can’t seem to deliver on their promises? I guess when all you do is suck all month, and I mean that in multiple ways, then you just suck period. By the way Ember, I know you’re always looking to get Jack in between your legs but allow me to interject and introduce you to the toy that will make sure you won’t be walking out on your own after Sunday night…”
{Raiden takes a few steps toward the camera, rearing the bat back with his gaze completely focused on the lens.}
Raiden: “Say hello, to my secret for winning the X*Crown…”
{In a split second, the bat comes swinging in, smashing into the lens and sending the feed into complete static before it quickly goes to a black screen, signaling the end of the recording.}
Location: Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
{The days seemed to drag on in recent times since Raiden’s world was engulfed in a wild storm of chaos and paranoia. The beatings he had received, the constant threats, the kidnapping of Tenya...an ending for the whole fiasco almost seemed impossible with the pressure being placed on his shoulders and the constant need to check his surroundings wherever he went. Anywhere he went was no longer deemed safe within Osaka City and even if he ran from the issue and fled to somewhere else within the country, he’d be leaving everyone else to the mercy of the Akagawa Family, especially Tenya since he was kidnapped just six days prior. In the meantime, and out of precaution, Kohei sent Bone Cold out to Hirakata for a few days in order to try and sort the situation out himself. Despite protests from the wrestler, the head of the Ushioda Family also sent Reina, Toru, Sora, and their grandfather Gempachi with Raiden. It was the last thing Raiden wanted to deal with in terms of having to watch out for Jin and Takuma possibly pursuing them but to counter it, at least he was around people he could trust and ease his troubles slightly.}
{In an attempt to try and distract the Lone Wolf from the current troubles brewing back in the city, the group dragged him out to Hirakata Park as a means to unwind a little from the stress that had been running rampant. As if rewinding to the days of when his grandchildren were still little kids, Gempachi still felt a need himself to keep a close on Toru and Sora, especially the former given his behavior in most situations.}
Gempachi: “Toru! Don’t be wandering too far off ya hear?”
Toru: “Yeah, yeah gramps! You know me! I’ll be careful as always!”
{The messy haired playboy runs off into the crowd of people walking about, immediately vanishing from everyone’s line of sight. With a sigh, Gempachi rubs at the back of his neck with a faint chuckle.}
Gempachi: “He hasn’t changed since his high school years has he?”
Sora: “Not a single bit.”
Gempachi: “Guess it’s for the better. I won’t force change on him but I do worry a lot about his antics…”
Sora (giggling): “You’re such a worrywart, grandpa.”
Gempachi (shrugging): “It’s in my blood since I looked after you two a lot since your parents are usually busy with travel and other corporate tasks. They really need to visit more often than just showing up around Christmas.”
Sora (sighing): “I’ve tried to tell them the same thing but they refuse to listen. Business is apparently more important to them than family.”
Gempachi: “Your parents always were hard-working folks. It’s a tough habit to grow out of, especially if such a job requires so much travel.”
{Behind the duo’s friendly conversation, an air of uneasiness loomed over. Hands tucked in his pockets, Raiden seemingly struggled to even keep up with the others. His mind was skittering all over the place, causing him to grit his teeth the more he thought the situation over. There was no way he could outrun the issue because if he tried, it certainly meant imminent death for the others. It was bad enough that Tenya was in Akagawa hands, leaving his torture to the imagination of the Lone Wolf. Countless times, he shook his head at each thought, trying to squeeze the images out of his brain but to no avail. Amidst his thought process, his forehead bumped against an object, stopping in his tracks. Slowly coming back to reality, his eyes wandered up at what was in front of him. Standing with her arm stretched forward, finger pressed against his forehead, Reina stood with her other hand on her hip. A frown rested on her lips as she looked back at her long-time friend.}
Raiden: “.....”
Reina: “Raiden…”
Raiden (looking at the ground): “....?”
Reina: “Can you at least look at me?”
{Raiden’s shoulders slump at the question, his gaze not shifting from where it is. Switching positions, Reina carefully lifts Raiden’s chin up with her forefinger, bringing the two back into eye contact.}
Reina: “You can’t be silent on the entire thing. Just moping around like this isn’t going to do you any good.”
Raiden (solemnly): “I don’t know what to do. With everything engulfed in chaos, I feel helpless on what to do. Tenya’s been kidnapped, I’ve been beaten down...I’m basically broken.”
Reina: “This isn’t like you to be this way. Kohei said he’d have everything under control so I don’t know why you’re having such a hard time accepting the fact that we’re getting the help that we need.”
{He grits his teeth at the remark, holding back his impulsive response to it. Stepping back, he draws away from Reina’s reach, turning his back to her as he folds his arms over his chest. HIs boot scuffs against the ground with an emitted sigh.}
Raiden: “It’s not that I don’t accept the help that Kohei is giving us...it’s the fact that this almost seems hopeless in attempt to prevent the past from being repeated. Do you not have any idea how close we are to tumbling off that same cliff again?”
Reina (hesitant): “To an extent, yes I--”
Raiden: “That isn’t good enough.”
Reina: “What?”
Raiden: “To an extent isn’t a good enough answer. Just tell me if really do you know how close we are to seeing the past repeat itself because of me.”
Reina: “Hold on, are you blaming yourself for everything that’s happened?”
Raiden (nonchalant): “...Yeah, I am.”
{The words struck like a freight train. Raiden wasn’t one to normally demean himself in such fashion but one had to wonder if the recent events of the month had a big impact on him, influencing negative thoughts in his mind. He gripped at the edges of his sleeves, forcing back more words as he continued to stand his ground.}
Raiden: “All these years, I’ve been thinking what could’ve been different and after reading that letter that Jotaro had left, I wondered if I was one to blame for his death. I could’ve stopped him and the others from going out that night and getting themselves killed in the ensuing fight. If only I hadn’t been so weak-hearted I could’ve prevented the catastrophe that followed and the reality that we live in today.”
{He curses himself under his own breath while trying to hold tears back at the same time. To think back on the night he last saw Jotaro still alive, along with Yoshi and Meiji was always heartbreaking but with the current circumstances, it served as a terrifying reminder as to what could become of the others around him. Rather than seeing the three Yakuza he called friends, he’d be seeing those who had helped him cope with the environment they were living in now. Angrily, he shook his head at the thought, grip tightening on the sleeves with gritted teeth.}
Raiden: “I’ll be damned if I let the past happen again but there’s only so much I can do in these dire straits. I’m having to protect not only myself but also you, Gempachi, Toru, and Sora from this demon that I thought we were done dealing with but alas...here we are. Doomed to repeat a cycle that cursed us once and here we stand…”
Reina: “Stop talking like that…”
Raiden (turning): “Or what? At this rate, I almost wouldn’t be surprised if Jin or Takuma came in and bashed my head in some more because it will only continue to allude to another unlucky ending for us. Face it, we may as well accept what’s coming to bite us in the back.”
Reina: “You’re wrong…”
Raiden (irate): “Am I? Am I wrong in the sense that this is what we’re stuck with? The constant cycle of life and death determined by the Yakuza lurking in the shadows? We’re the hamsters practically running on the wheel of it thinking there’s something at the end of it but there isn’t. There never is and never will be as we’re constantly being watched, head-hunted, and stalked.”
{He pivots on his heels, releasing the grip on his sleeves with a huff.}
Raiden: “I’m getting out of here. I haven’t got the time to be playing civilian when I got an X*Crown match to handle in the near future.”
{Storming off, Raiden tucks his hands back into his pockets, leaving a distraught Reina behind him. He hangs his head low, clearly frustrated with himself in terms of the pit he’s fallen into because of the eventful encounter with the Akagawa Family members. After brushing shoulders in the crowd, he finally exits the park, winding up on the sidewalk next to the busy road with numerous car horns blaring due to the current traffic jam. Irritated by the noise, Raiden continues down the sidewalk, looking for a quieter place to wait around in until the others came looking for him. Throughout the walk, he found himself lost in thought over the situations he was involved in: The Yakuza attacks, the threats, the X*Crown...There was so much to manage that he felt a migraine coming on from the thought of it. Pausing next to a coffee shop, he leans up against the exterior, rubbing his temples to ease the pain. It was only after he finished massaging that felt the presence of a large figure next to him. Slowly looking to his left and slightly up, he makes eye contact with the man that had been causing him so much pain...Takuma. Instead of punches being thrown this time around, Takuma simply produces a piece of parchment from his breast pocket before bowing in front of Raiden and extending it towards him.}
Raiden: “The hell…?”
{Hesitantly, he reaches out for it, slowly taking hold of it before drawing it to his chest.}
Raiden: “How the hell did you find me?”
Takuma: “Jin sent me. Kohei wasn’t exactly subtle in sending your friends out to Hirakata with you.”
Raiden (annoyed): “Despite the protests…”
Takuma: “Regardless, I gotta head back since he wants a progress report.”
{He blankly looked down at Raiden before moving past him without another word, leaving Bone Cold at a loss for words. Looking back at the parchment and Takuma once more, a serious look pops up on his face.}
Raiden: “Hey! What’s even written on this?”
Takuma: “Read it yourself. I’m just the courier today, not some teacher.”
{Before Raiden could get another question out, Takuma had already disappeared around the corner and into the crowd, leaving the Lone Wolf by himself. Unhappily, Raiden slipped the paper into his pocket with a heavy sigh. Running his hands over his slicked-back hair, he locks his fingers behind his neck as he looks up into the clouded sky. As much as he didn’t want to admit, he was losing control as to how to go about things. The only thing that he could control, however, was the outcome of the X*Crown match. If he wanted things to become stable again, he would have to force himself to a side he never would’ve thought of going into before...and that was the darkness…}
{The camera starts recording, focused on the same spot from last time Raiden did his video entry. The chair under the light was tipped over on its back while the light above continuously flickered, seemingly ready to go out any given second. A few more seconds go by before the room becomes swallowed by darkness, only for the light to flicker back on with Raiden standing under it, baseball bat in hand with the end touching the ground. His eyes are bloodshot as he stares back into the lens while subconsciously adjusting his grip on the bat’s handle.}
Raiden: “Video entry number two. October 21, 2018. Very slowly, my control in the perilous predicament I sit in has been fading away and even now, I struggle to identify who I am. Am I man who fights for justice? A savior to those who have unfortunately fallen into this pit of despair with me or am I the opposite? A Yakuza with blood-stained hands that reflect the scars of years past, revealing the damage that has been done to not only myself but to those I call friends. I struggle to find the truth to this question but the one thing I’m not struggling to find is the amount of carnage I plan to carry into the Annihilation Complex at the End of Days finale. The power of the untapped beast inside is desperately wanting to play with some newfound toys and it looks some have decided to show their faces.”
{His lips slowly curl up into a malicious grin as he picks up the chair, sitting it upright before placing his foot on top of it.}
Raiden: “Of course, before I get into the depth of my new playmates, I want to address the current champion, Jack Diamond. The Icons’ Number One, the Ace of Spades, owner of the Diamond Lounge, and the man who’s pride is just setting him up for a grand old fall from the pinnacle of the XHF. You think you just have it all don’t you Jacky boy? Part of one of the best stables in the Network, a seemingly an infinite amount of money, your very own #FuckMoney bit of merchandise, hell you even got your own casino to your name...but what else is there? Why do you spend so much money on extravagant things, Jack? Are you afraid of something that lurks in the shadows? Are you afraid that if you can’t show off your wealth that you’ll lose the respect you’ve gained from others?”
{A dark chuckle escapes his lips.}
Raiden: “Oh how there’s just nothing but a sad, lonely man sitting beneath that rich facade of yours. We all know how rich people are thinking that money can buy happiness but everyone knows that it can’t. Instead, it builds up stress, makes you uneasy, you feel judged for being a rich bastard and before you know, you start to rot from the inside because you are nothing but a rotten bastard, Jack. I couldn’t care less about how you grew up trying to make it big down in North Carolina because your pain will never match mine. The reality I’ve had to live with has been a bigger struggle than you could ever imagine because all you do is sit your lazy ass in that throne of yours, titles at your feet while you count your bills, taunting those who are lower in the hierarchy. You don’t know what real pain is until you go through your impeachment on Sunday when I take all those titles away from you and you try and try to drain your sorrow and tears into the assets you’ve bought because you got all that money. You’re gonna learn just how much of a bitch life can be, Jack.”
{Turning, Raiden clubs the headrest of the chair, evidently cracking it as he kicks it over. With the sole of his boot, he kicks the chair out of the shot, flourishing the bat in his hand before resting the end on the floor.}
Raiden: “If there’s one person in this match that I can’t stand as of late, it’s that Akeed ibnwhatever the hell the rest of his name is because my God is he a one-trick pony when it comes to talking about wrestling. He preaches about how everyone’s an infidel in his eyes and how he’s been treated poorly, he’s been ridiculed, spat on, beaten down well guess what buddy life isn’t fair in case you haven’t figured that out by now. It’s 2018 and you’re still complaining about the issues you’re having to face? Way to be late to the party and you’re not even fashionably late, you are juuuust catching up to date with the world we live in because, despite your sheer size, you sure as hell don’t a brain up in that peanut sized head of yours do you, Akeed? I would go further and try to tear you a new you friendo but you're doing a fine job as is by making yourself look completely stupid with your talk of infidels and how you’re going to bring the X*Crown to Really Shitty Wrestling. If I find RSW to be a joke, then that means you’re a joke as well. Jokers don’t deserve to wear crowns and I will make sure as the executioner of the Annihilation Complex that your hands go nowhere near it you pretender.”
{Abruptly, he slams the end of the bat into the floor, the metallic impact resonating around the room before all is quiet once more.}
Raiden: “Speaking of executions, you people ever heard of this guy named...what was it, Money Sign? No, that isn’t it I’m thinking of Jack again...Price! That guy. The undead resident of Cleveland himself who appears to be falling off AXW’s radar yet still landed in this match as the promotion’s representative. Funny how things have turned out: You got an undead guy repping a live promotion and a live guy repping a dead fed in this match but I’ll make sure you wish you were still six feet under and stuck in the afterlife. Despite having been one of the greats from XHF’s past, you just can’t seem to keep up with today’s talent, can you? The younger, more agile, not so rusty kids running wild in the XHF and winning titles like you used to. Shame I’ll have to put you back in the dirt because you look like someone I could get along with but I guess we won’t see that happen, will we? Not after I’ve splattered your blood across the walls of the complex because after all, if you’re The Hardcore Messiah, then you won’t be afraid of what’s to come for you...or are you? The old man quaking in his boots as the youngster steps up to the plate and then BOOM! He’s down for the count and back in his grave, finally put to rest after proving just how useless his presence was but if you want to talk useless, let’s chat about Ember Ferrari a little bit shall we?”
{He pulls the bat up to his shoulder before laying it across his shoulders as he begins to pace in a slow circle.}
Raiden: “You see, Ember’s a special case in the form of that no one really knows what she is. Is she a man disguised as a woman? Is she just a really hairy woman? A doctor says that she’s a woman but her wrestling repetoire says otherwise from what I’ve analyzed and also the fact that she appears to have an unhealthy obsession with Jack Diamond who she calls Jacky-poo. I can agree that Jack is shit but probably not as crappy as Ember is. What does she really have to offer and why does SSS constantly send reps who just can’t seem to deliver on their promises? I guess when all you do is suck all month, and I mean that in multiple ways, then you just suck period. By the way Ember, I know you’re always looking to get Jack in between your legs but allow me to interject and introduce you to the toy that will make sure you won’t be walking out on your own after Sunday night…”
{Raiden takes a few steps toward the camera, rearing the bat back with his gaze completely focused on the lens.}
Raiden: “Say hello, to my secret for winning the X*Crown…”
{In a split second, the bat comes swinging in, smashing into the lens and sending the feed into complete static before it quickly goes to a black screen, signaling the end of the recording.}
