Duty

[Ghost Spike]

Who saw it coming? Who predicted that Roberto Verona would throw it all away, just to get one up over Cable Arcane? I’m not an idiot, but I’m also not afraid to say I bought in. I was so sold on this team defending IWF, that I let it all slip. I stopped paying attention to the company I was in. Yeah, Verona’s a dick, that’s nothing new…

But who am I to say anything about anyone else given my past?

Everyone was so concerned with me, with whether I could actually put my shit aside and work with Laszlo and Arcane to fight the Council, that everyone stopped paying attention to Bertie. Maybe that was his plan all along? It was a nice bluff, truly well executed….and despite what anyone might think? I applaud the play, because everyone fell for it.

Me included.

So I know you all are waiting with baited breath for why I gave little old Mikey a Thunderstruck, right? “Why, Spike? Why?” it’s not like that, and I have every intention of explaining myself, come Monday Night at Sacrifice.

What a tease.

However, I guess seeing as how our mighty lord Verona has seen fit to “punish” Mason St. Croix by putting him against the God of Xtreme?

Guess I do have some words after all.

---

We open up on a huge banner that says “Wrestlecon” in big red and black letters. It’s a pretty big hall with tables all the way around in a U-shape. The camera focuses on one particular corner where we can see Spike Kane sat next to former Invictus Champion; Bob Pooler. The two of them are clearly deep in conversation as the doors open and fans begin to flood the room.

Spike: So, you got this twitch shit down?

Bob: Yeah dude, people tune in to watch me play games. We have a little back and forth in the chat, and it’s all good fun in the end.

Another head pops into view, and it’s current Invictus Champion Jayson Matthews, sitting on the other side of Bob Pooler.

Jayson: Yeah, but he still won’t play me at Madden!

Spike laughs out loud as Bob glares at Jayson, but in a playful manner.

Bob: People don’t watch me for Madden, but I dunno….bringing in some other wrestlers to do challenges could really bring up those subscribers.

Spike: Shit, I’ll throw my hat in for that. I don’t play anywhere near as much as I used to, but it’s like riding a bike, right? Maybe we could do an IWF 2k18 competition or something…..

The other two are a little stunned with how carefree Spike is being and talking, as if everything from the past year hadn’t happened. Weirdly enough, it brings a smile to Bob’s face, but Jayson just looks so unsure at what’s happening. Luckily enough they’re suddenly swamped by fans.

Bob: Come one, come all! Get your free autographs, and maybe buy one of my channels shirts?

Jayson: Hey guys, I’m happy to sign anything for you.

Spike: …...huh…

Nobody had gone to Spike just yet, though Bob and Jayson were flooded with fans, particularly the female variety.

Bob: Don’t sweat it Spikey, you know you’ve got fans too.

Jayson: Yeah man, people loved watching you throw Nighthawk down the stairs!

There’s some ever so slight tension in the air, as Jayson side glances Spike, and Spike just slowly nods his head. Bob nudges Jayson.

Bob: Dude?

Spike: No he’s right, and I know he’s right…..this past six months or so…..I’ve been so lost….

As Spike looks through the crowd, on the other side of the room he sees Shea O’Hara and Astrid Hall sat either side of Pandora Freeman, who is beaming with pride, as she takes a photograph with a young girl.

Spike: It took something powerful to drag me off that edge.

Spike is almost in a daze as he looks over at Pandora and her friends, so much so that he doesn’t even notice a fan come up to him.

Bob: Dude!

Spike: Oh, hey man! How’s it going?

Fan: Ummm, this is gonna sound really weird but….could the two of you put these on for a photograph?

The fan pulls out two luchadore masks, one being that of Senor Xtremo and the other Harirkiri. Bob grins from ear to ear, and Spike chuckles as he reaches out for the mask.

Spike: Sure thing kid. Shinigami rides again!

The two do put on the masks and stand for a photograph with the fan who is incredibly grateful. Spike then takes the time to autograph the mask, and Bob follows suit. After a nice fist bumb to the fan, he moves out of the way and through the gap we see Pandora Freeman standing tall laughing with her arms up in a muscle pose as a young girl hangs off each arm, Spike smiles wider than we’ve seen in an incredibly long time.

Spike: Damn dude…..I’m gonna marry that woman.

Bob double takes at Spike’s words, before a smile of his own spreads across him. He places an arm around Spike and shakes him, almost in a hug, and the two laugh out loud. Just then a large crowd of older men come rushing towards Spike’s table. He chuckles to himself and smiles as he looks up and begins to engage the first one there, and we? ….we fade away.

---

I don’t know what Verona is expecting from this match Mason. I don’t know if he’s expecting me to tear you down and make you learn your place in this company. Maybe he thinks I’m some dog he can unleash on victims whenever he feels like it, but I don’t work that way. Verona pays my wages, that’s about as far as my duty to that man goes. I show up whenever I’m booked, I put on a hell of a match, and go home. Simple as that.

I’m also probably the most booked superstar in the history of IWF.

So there’s that too.

Thing is Mason? I have no desire to do anything Verona might want to you. As a person? I respect the fucking hell out of you. You’ve put your life on the line for your country, gone to places people in this company wouldn’t even if you paid them too, just to ensure your home stays safe and free. Also, like me, you’ve done things you’ll regret for the rest of your life, to ensure your own safety, to ensure the safety of those you care about….and to make sure that the “enemy” never took you out first. But no, that in and of itself isn’t why I respect you…..despite everything people might think about me, I don’t condone murder.

I respect you for being a man.

For doing what was right despite what it might have done to you in the long run.

I see you as a beacon Mason, even today, what you did for that little boy? That was incredibly nice, graceful, and downright awesome. The only problem is, our job is to get in the ring and beat the other person til they can’t get their shoulders up from a three count, or until they are forced to submit. Now, I don’t know if you were the best with that rifle in your hand, I have no idea where you ranked in your company, if you’re some kinda hot shot with so many confirmed kills under your hat…..but in the squared circle?

You bet your fucking ass I’m the best.

For a very long time I’ve excelled at what we do, from federation to federation I’ve risen to the top, and set a motherfucking example to the rest of the roster. I’ve been the measuring stick in several companies, and I’ve never, ever, buckled under that pressure. Everyone always thinks I’m done, but it never ends! I step up, I evolve, and I move forward, always forward. So when you look at me Mason?

You might see a cocky Irish immigrant.

You might see one of the cruelest bastards to ever step foot in this ring.

You might see an evil son of a bitch.

But you will see a god damn professional.

You will see someone who has spent his entire life bettering himself. Dedicated to this craft, from day one. Someone who represents what a lifetime of effort amounts to. Forget the fact that my trophy cabinet is bigger than anyone else on the roster, just look at how many matches I’ve had. Look at who those matches were against, and then look at where they are now, and where I am!

Everyone thought I was done, then I went on the longest championship reign in the history of IWF. I stepped away from the main event, and gave the new crop a chance - and look what that ended up like! Since then, I’ve been distracted, caught up in this council bollocks, but I’m passed that now. I don’t care anymore. I once thought I should stand up and defend IWF, as one of it’s founding fathers - for lack of a better word - I felt a sense of duty, something you are no stranger to. Yet that feeling is gone now, I learned that nobody cares about me, nobody is out for me…..only I can watch my own back, and only I can defend myself, so that’s what I’m going to do. I don’t care who you are, I don’t care where you come from, you step in that ring with me?

You’ll find out why they called me a God.

I demand respect, not because of my ego, but because my body of work should speak for itself. I’ve given everything I have to this business, and no matter where we go, no matter what I do, there will always be people cheering my name - because they get it. They understand. This is my life, this is everything I have, and everything I stand for. I’m not some untrained idiot who swings a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire - no, that shit I choose to do for fun, I’m world travelled, learned from the best around the globe...and I choose to be here. I choose to get back up after every beating, and keep on going….

I am what half this roster aspires to be, even if they’re too cowardly to admit it. You can see it in several people's actions, how they are in the ring, how they try to be outside of it…..everyone wants to be the King, right? Not you though Mason. You’re a breed of your own, you’ve got that thousand yard stare, and being in the ring is the only source of therapy that works for you. I know, because I’ve been there. I know, because without being in that ring? Doing what I do better than anyone else? ….I’d fade away into nothingness, I’d lose my damn mind….

But I don’t.

Because I am the best there is at what I do.

If you know the rest of that saying? You’ll know, that what I do ain’t nice. Yet nobody comes close, despite so many trying, despite so many claiming to be more violent, more extreme, more bloody…..nobody comes close. I am Spike Kane. The motherfucking God of Xtreme…

And you will…

ALL.

BLOODY.

HAIL!