The Truth

[Ghost Spike]

That was intense wasn't it? I went and made a statement last week, I convinced my best friend to come back to the ring, break his silence and he was all for it. Spike Kane brought Rob Diamond back to the IWF, I'm really bummed that he's retired now, but glad I shared the ring with him in his last match. But then, Andrew had to go and upstage me…. 

He brought back the goddamned Nighthawk. 

I'm not going to lie, it threw me off. Totally took me by surprise and forced me to adapt. Instead of facing Andrew and two bodies nobody cared about, now it was Andrew…. The man who took my Man of Steel Championship, and a man who was out for revenge. I can't blame him, I really can't…. What I did to Tristan was out of order, I invaded his sanctuary and laid waste to it, like Godzilla attacking Japan…. I was a monster, and I could have, probably even should have, ended his career. 

I'm a different man now. 

Back then, I was a monster, consumed by my grief...pain, you all know that famous line from Star Wars, right? I’d lost my second son, and I was afraid of losing everything, and fear leads to anger - anger that consumed me, and created the God of Steel. Anger leads to hate, and I began to hate everyone around me, even Kyle, one of my oldest friends who just wanted to help. Then of course, hate….leads to suffering. The thing is, they never tell you who is going to suffer, do they? I made everyone around me suffer, inside that ring, outside of that ring….I did everything I could to make people feel as broken as me….

..and I regret it so much.

The thing is, everything that has ever happened to me, everything I’ve done….I wouldn’t change a moment of it, because if I did? I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I wouldn’t be the person that stands before you, and I never would have met Pandora.

To me?

That’s worth everything.

~~~

{Once more we open on the XAK Memorial Wrestling School, we see Spike Kane sat at his desk in the office, the computer screen illuminating his face. He’s busy sifting through some paperwork when there’s a knock at the door. He grunts an almost inaudible word, and the door opens, Pandora popping her beautiful smiling face in through the crack in the door.}

Pandora: Hey gorgeous, I know you’re busy in there….but….he’s here.

“Ah fuck. Already!? ….shit”

{Spike sighs heavily, as he pushes himself out from his desk a little and brushes himself down, fixing his t-shirt.}

Spike: I look okay?

Pandora: *with a wink* Perfect.

Spike: Okay love….send him in.

{She nods almost solmenly as she opens the door wide and guides a young man inside. His blonde hair all but shining in the light. Some people would recognise this kid, others wouldn’t have a clue, but the blonde boy, dressing in a full suit comes into the room, looking a little skittish as he does.}

Spike: Olly…..I’m so glad you came.

{Spike stands up and reaches from across his desk, extending his hand. Olly, doesn’t take it, he looks at Spike with some scorn.}

Spike: I guess I deserve that….

{He motions for Olly to sit, as he does so himself.}

Spike: Look Olly…..I know we didn’t part on the best of terms..

Olly: Yeah. You kicked me out of IWF Developmental, despite being one of the best students you had going.

{Spike lowers his head a little, and nods.}

Spike: Yeah, I did, and we both know that the reason I did that had nothing to do with you. It-

Olly: It was because I was seeing Warren, and you wanted to hurt him.

{His words sting, just like he intended and Spike takes a small but physical recoil. He sits back in his chair, really looking at Olly now.}

Spike: You’re right. I was totally out of line, and I was a Grade A prick…..I know you went to train with Nighthawk at the Wrestle Factory, right?

{Olly fidgets a little, Spike, however, is painfully aware that Olly wasn’t present when Spike went to the Wrestle Factory to fight Nighthawk.}

Olly: For a while…..yeah….

Spike: You stopped going?

Olly: After everything that happened….after Warren went missing, it….it all just felt so useless. Y’know?

Spike: I do…

{Spike leans forwards now, looking Olly right in the eyes.}

Spike: I want to fix it Olly, I want to make things right. I’m sure you noticed my school is open again, and we’ve got the top of the line equipment…..I want to offer you a spot here.

Olly: Look, I appreciate what you’re doing….but I can’t afford it, I don’t even have a job right now.

{Spike stands up, moving around to stand next to Olly, offering his hand again.}

Spike: You don’t understand, I’m not asking you to pay. I’m offering you the chance to come here and train, whenever you want, take part in classes, and use the facilities free of charge. ...as for the job part? If you’ll take a janitor spot, I’ll pay you too.

{Olly climbs to his feet, excitement in his eyes. He grabs Spike’s hand and shakes it wildly.}

Olly: That’s great! Hell yeah! I’ll do it, I’ll even clean toilets!

Spike: That’s...kinda the job description…..you brought your gear, right?

{Olly nods.}

Spike: Then what are you waiting for?

{Olly runs out of the room, with a big smile on his face. Spike allows himself a small smile before he sits back down at the computer. The computer beeps and Spike looks up to see a new email, he let’s out a deep sigh as he looks at it.}

[To: [e-mail]
Subject: We need to talk.
Message:

Dear Mr Kane,
It’s been several months since we spoke, and my secretaries tell me you’ve rescheduled several appointments and not attended. Please can you come and see me at your earliest convenience, I’ve instructed my secretary to allow time for us to talk.

Regards,
Dr Ahman Singh]

{Before we can read the rest of the email Spike closes it, he leans forewards onto the palms of his hands, and let’s out a long, almost depressing sigh.}

~~~

Third time's the charm.

Right?

Two times already this year we have stolen the show Andrew. On cards where other matches were booked ahead of us, we made everyone else look like amateurs. We went above and beyond, and showed the entire world what it really meant to be at the top of the class, to be the best professional wrestlers going. On those two occasions you failed to beat me, but….when we then took our personal battle into the Roulette, you emerged victorious.

You did something, I’ve never done.

You won the IWF Roulette.

At the time, I was furious, maybe even a tad delusional. I believed I was owed everything, that nobody on the roster deserved an Imperial Title shot more than me. Truth be told? I still believe that. Honestly, tell me someone on this roster who has worked as hard as I have since returning to action. Tell me someone who has made more highlights in the past year, someone who has been in more headlines, someone who has simply had more matches than me. Nobody, it doesn’t happen, because despite what everyone would like to tell you?

Spike Kane is the hardest working person in IWF.

Like me, or hate me, you can’t deny it. There’s a reason why people want to have matches with me, there’s a reason why many people consider me the measuring stick of IWF. There’s a reason why every single person who steps into the ring with me steps up their game. Even you Andrew, you stepped up months ago when we clashed…..because you knew you had to, you knew it was going to take your best to put me down, I mean you didn’t…..but you tried.

‘Lo and behold, it led you to the Imperial Championship.

You’re welcome.

I’m not taking credit, no, but I certainly pushed you in that direction. You raised your game against me, and realised that you’d been operating at a sub par level to what you’re capable of, now here we are. I knew, deep down inside, we’d meet again, and I might not have known it’d be for the Imperial title, but I always hoped….because Andrew, we’ve stolen the show already, nobody comes close to what we’ve delivered in the ring. Cable vs Noah? Nobody cared, everybody was more invested in Andrew vs Spike...and now we’re ready to deliver chapter three, the most important match we’ve had.

Because it’s where I’m going to take your title from you, and become the second two time champion.

I’d say it’s not personal, but we both know it is.

It’s always personal.

~~~

{We open up on a rather well dressed Spike Kane walking through some kind of doctors, he has his phone in his hand and is idly playing with it. Without warning it begins to vibrate and the screen shows “Pan Calling” he hovers for a few seconds, before pressing to ignore the call.}

Receptionist: Mr Kane! We’re so glad you could make it, Dr Singh is actually free right now, if you’d like to go on through?

{He half smiles and nods at her, before knocking on the door and entering to the sounds of the Doctor inside inviting him in.}

Dr Singh: Aaaah Mister Kane...please, please take a seat.

{Spike walks into the room, closing the door behind him. The room is full of wood, large stacks full of a books, a skeleton in one corner, and a small trolley for patients. Spike slips his phone into his blazer pocket and takes a seat opposite the doctor.}

Dr Singh: You haven’t been responding to any correspondence Mr Kane, for months now, if not longer.

{Spike doesn’t say anything, he just nods his head and looks right at the doc.}

Dr Singh: It’s not uncommon, I assure you….many patients, once they find out that their cancer is in remission. Sometimes they disappear all together. It can be a blessing to some, or even a curse. A lot of people take what is for lack of a better word, death sentence, and live their lives as such….then when they’re told they are not going to die…..they can’t handle the consequences, but you Mr Kane? I never expected what you did.

{Spike leans onto the desk, a somber look on his face.}

Spike: You mean telling the entire world that I faked having cancer?

Dr Singh: Exactly Mr Kane. I quite simply couldn’t understand it, you were given a second chance. A chance to rebuild those bridges you’d burned and perhaps live a more fulfilling life.

{Spike let’s out a snide laugh sigh as he cocks his head to the side.}

Spike: Do you have any idea what it feels like to have the entire world pity you? To have people who were once your sworn enemies wishing you all the best? When people think you’re on your way to the reaper, they let everything slide….they want you to be happy. I couldn’t handle being pitied, even people like Jack Gaither pitied me…

Dr Singh: I have no idea who you’re referencing Mr Kane. I know you….umm...professional wrestlers, you have a unique way of living, but having the world pity you must be better than the world hating you?

{Spike shakes his head.}

Spike: Not for me doc. I felt so small, I felt so pathetic. The world I lived in, people hated me, people feared me…..and now they were looking at me like the biggest sob story going. I couldn’t live like that. I’d rather people hated me than pitied me…

Dr Singh: Why not just tell them that you were in remission?

Spike: It wasn’t enough, it wasn’t grand enough of a gesture. Their feelings would still be there. Everyone I ever fought would pull their punches, I’d be handed things just because, rather than earning them. No….I don’t regret it Doc, I don’t look back at the last year and think I made the wrong choice.

{The doctor takes a moment to fix his glasses, trying to understand Spike’s point of view, but not quite getting it.}

Dr Singh: Regardless Mr Kane….on returning to the United States you attended the local hospital in Boston, and they updated your records on file. I’m pleased to say, from what we can see your cancer is still in remission, perhaps even gone altogether, or...as gone as cancer can be. I’d still like to conduct some tests to be one hundred percent sure….but I thought you should know, given your lack of correspondence, I wanted to make sure you hadn’t fallen of the wagon.

{Spike actually smiles.}

Spike: I appreciate that doc, I really do…..but me? I’m as on the wagon as you can be right now. Months ago? Maybe not...but right now? I’m on cloud nine….I’m in my prime, and I can feel it, and doc….I’m gonna get married.

Dr Singh: That’s fantastic Mr Kane. I’m very happy for you.

Spike: But as for those tests? ….I’m good thanks. I’m better off not knowing, I’m better off nobody knowing….I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’ve got a lot to prepare for….I’m planning on becoming champion again, and like I said….I’m getting married!

{Spike begins to rise from his chair, as the doctor reaches out for him.}

Dr Singh: Mr Kane, please! Ignorance may be bliss, but you’re putting your life at risk!

Spike: I’m sorry doc…..but, I’m happy, and I’m not putting that at risk.

{Spike turns once more, to leave the doctor's room, before noticing a small camera peeking through the window, and a paparazzi behind it. The guy holding the camera flinches and runs as soon as Spike sees him.}

Spike: Shit…

{Fade}

~~~

Things between us can never be just professional Andrew. Not after what we’ve been through. Not when the Imperial Championship is on the line. I told the world, everyone, that I was coming for this championship. The brass made me jump through hoops to get here, but I did it. Even though countless men have been given chances having done less than half the things I’ve done in the last year alone, I did it…

I earned this.

Now don’t take that as me saying you didn’t earn yours, because you did. You won the Roulette, which is an accomplishment of it’s own, and you dethroned the only two time Imperial Champion. I respect what you’ve done Andrew, I respect what you’re capable of. Of all the people in this company, you’re one of the few who I know can push me. You’re one of the few that actually deserves to hold that title. However, don’t think for a moment that I’m not coming at you with everything I have, that I’m not going to take that title from you. Months ago, you tried to take my Man of Steel championship, but now? Now the tables are turned.

Winning a title is the easy part.

Defending it is where the real work begins.

Everyone is happy for you Andrew, everyone is glad that you’re the champion. There’s no bitterness towards you, you’re everybody's hero! Oh, I saw that whole shit with Jake, and his kid….man, that was some messed up stuff. Yet you stayed true, and gave her what she wanted. I’ve been to war with Jake, I know what he’s capable of, and putting him down twice was something….but you have to know, somewhere inside of you, you have to know, that when it comes to me?

It’s a whole different level.

I need to beat you Andrew, do you get that? Do you understand? Beating you and becoming the Imperial Champion will make it all worthwhile, it’ll make everything I’ve done over the past year worth it. It gives me a resolution, and an ending I could be proud of. My son, he always looked at my as a champion, he always thought that Daddy was his superman, and I owe it to him, to his memory, to live up to that. To be exactly what he thought I was, exactly where I should be.

Imperial Champion.

Even without a championship I’m regarded as one of the best to ever lace up his boots, let alone this company. Even without a title around my waist people still respect me - even if they hate me, even if they fear me - they respect me. I do this better than anyone else, because I’ve poured decades of my life into it. I’ve trained all around the world to try and better myself. Ever since that one voice told me I was just a hardcore wrestler, and I’d never amount to anything. I vowed to prove him wrong, and I’ve done so ten times over. I brought my own style into the main event, and people dubbed it “xtreme” they dubbed me the “God of Xtreme” that is what people always get confused….I’m no self proclaimed God…

The people gave it to me.

Those men, women, and children who cheer for you, are the same ones who willingly labelled me as the God of Xtreme, and whether they boo me, or cheer me, they all make noise when I’m around. Nobody ignores Spike Kane, because when I’m involved?

Shit goes down.

This week should just be an ordinary throaway Fight Night, but it’s importance runs through the entire company. I get my Imperial Title shot, and my fiancee gets her Diamonds title shot. This could reform the entire landscape of the IWF, and everyone knows it. This woman? She pushes me to be the best Spike I possibly can be, and I love her for it. I get it Andrew, I get why you are the way you are, I understand, and I understand the love behind it all. Not everything has to be about battles, rage, and anger….there’s another side, and me? I love this. I live for this. Wrestling is my life, and what better way to prove that than by winning the greatest championship in the game?

This time I’ll appreciate it so much more.

The things we’ve said in the past are still there though Andrew. You wanted to “save” me, by beating my face in and taking the one thing I had left that meant anything. I don’t think you understood what it meant to me, that to Xander I was always his superman, and I latched onto that, you wanted to take it away….and I hated you, boy did I hate you…..but now? Now I think I finally realise, people just either didn’t understand, or didn’t care. I hope you never have to go through the pain I’ve been through Andrew, because honestly? I like you, but I wouldn’t wish that pain on my worst enemy.

It isn’t going to stop me from doing what I have to do come Sacrifice.

I’m still Spike Kane.

I’m still the best there is at what I do.

….and what I do still ain’t nice.