Post by Ghost Spike on Aug 17, 2013 2:09:33 GMT
(OOC: Note - All the events mentioned in this roleplay actually occured over the time of Spike’s career in different efeds, the people involved in them can confirm them if need be.)
The scene opens up on an image of Spike Kane sitting on the sofa in his house fully dressed, wearing his jacket and everything. His face is sombre, almost solid and cold, his eyes glazed over as he loses himself in his thoughts, a voiceover plays over as Spike sits there.
“Your honour, we have several character witnesses’ here to explain why Mr Kane should be granted full custody of his flesh and blood Xander Aiden Kane. Mr Kane has already said that his fortune accrued before his tenure at Imperial Wrestling Federation is not disputed and will allow Mrs Gardner-Kane the full amount, and their marital home in Boston, the only thing my client is here to dispute is custody of his son, our first witness is Jake “The Ace” Conway”
Another voice kicks in now, a slight tone of disgust in there.
“Mr Conway, is it true that you’ve know Mr Michael Kane, professionally known as “Spike” Kane for a considerable amount of time?”
Jake Conway: That’s true yes. Spike gave me my first job in this business.
“And is it also true that Mr Kane put you through an obscene amount of mental and physical torture during your tenure under him, and in other occupations following this?”
Jake Conway: I’m not quite sure that’s what I would call it. Michael was a veteran of this business, and he was helping me become a much better wrestler than I started out as, it was sort of a master and apparentice type dea-”
Jake was cut off by the other voice, which as we can probably imagine did not sit very well with The Ace, but we don’t see any actions, just the lost look on the face of Spike Kane, our hero, our tag team champion, our God of Xtreme.
“But is it not also true that Mr Kane acquired the services of your -at the time- female partner, and forced her into sexual acts with himself and his -then female partner?”
Jake Conway: …..yes.
“And is it not also true that Mr Kane laid his hands on your wife Kathleen Conway? Dropping her on her head and causing considerable brain damage to her, that took some time for her to recover from?”
Jake Conway: Yes....but, Spike isn’t like that anymore. He’s a great father to that ki-
“No further questions”
If we could have seen this court case acted out, we’d probably see a very frustrated and annoyed Jake Conway right now, and maybe even a slightly distraught Kathleen Conway, the bonding that Jake and Spike had worked through over the years thrown away in mere minutes, and Spike painted as a monster.
First and foremost, Alex Jones.
We didn’t exactly part on good terms last time we were in the ring together. The Dragon’s Den, my creation, my baby, a thing I made to hurt people, and we really did hurt each other didn’t we Alex? For some time you thought you had ended me, you thought you had retired Spike Kane, but I’ll have you know that nobody can retire me, I’m immortal Alex. I’m the one who does the retiring....Jack Manson, Vertigo Dirtmurder, …..
Angel.
We’ve done this dance so many times that we know what the other person is thinking, what we’re going to do and what we’re going to say. I had an issue with you getting the last title shot in nCw, and I was quite vocal about it. I never felt you deserved it Alex, that was my beef, and if I was wrong, then I humbly apologize. You may have earned it, you may not have....we both know when it came towards the end, nobody gaze a shit who held that belt, except Verona himself who tried in vain to bring something to that belt that had been ruined by Ricky Johnson and Todd Williams.....and once you won it?
Was destroyed by Zelda Knite.
I’m not going to mock you, you were screwed, in a horrible way Alex. I stand here as a part of the undefeated tag team champions with a member of your family by marriage, and I tell you Alex....the grudge? I don’t hold it anymore, I’ve come to my senses, I never should have had it in the first place, but after the way you were treated, I shouldn’t hold on to it, because you were worse off than anybody else in that company when the final curtain came down, and I’m sorry for that Alex. I see that in IWF you’re trying to turn over a new leaf, and I commend it, I really do. You, like myself, have often let your ego get the better of you, you’ve let it drive you, even turn on your friends - yes I remember when you left Kevin Hardaway and myself to suffer, but it’s water under the bridge Alex.
Now we stand in the pinnacle of our careers, gloried and prestigeous champions in our own rights, but what you are after you can’t possibly hope to obbtain. The tag team championships are something Rob and I hold with pride and dignity. We are the epitome of tag team wrestling, and we’ve held the bar so high that so far nobody can compete, and as good as you think you are, and as good as I know you are, you don’t stand a chance, not when you have to keep one eye on your partner because you don’t trust him.
Rob and I trust each other with our lives Alex, and that is why we’ll triumph.
Trust.
Faith.
Teamwork.
This time the scene opens up on the bedroom of Xander Kane, his name is spelled out in big blocks on the wall: X-A-N-D-E-R, it’s all blue and baby boyish. He has a small little blue Thomas the Tank Engine bed, with Aston Villa pictures everywhere and some Celtic logos too, Spike’s influence clearly. Spike stands in the doorway looking into the room, his face is cold, his eyes are all but dead. No tears, no frowns, just cold deadness.
“The defence calls Milo Holland...”
The defence lawyer voice comes in again, but it fades out almost right away before the prosecution lawyer, Alysson’s lawyer comes back in for the cross-examination of the nCw Hall of Famer, a man who has known Spike since he was a young child.
“Mr Milo Holland, can you please explain to the court how long you have known Mr Michael Kane?”
Milo Holland: I’ve known Spike since we was both kids. We were in that Orphanage together, along with my brother Dave and a few other guys who became wrestlers later in their lives.
“Was it also Mr Kane who gave you your first shot in the wrestling business?”
Milo Holland: Yeah, Spike helped me get a contract, but it was under a pseudonym. I was Bahamut.
“And did he play a part in the recruitment of your brother David Holland?”
Milo Holland: Of course. We were good friends. Spike would do whatever he could to help us get work.
“So he abused his power in companies? Did he powerplay to get you a job?”
Milo Holland: No, that’s not what I said. Not what I me-
“Isn’t it true that he also once played a part in an elaborate prank to fake your death? A “spot” as they call it in your line of work that actually claimed the life of a poor individual who was a stunt double, and Mr Kane himself was only able to avoid a prison sentence due to the companies backing?”
Milo Holland: I....that was...like a decade ago.....
The sadness could be heard in Milo’s voice at being reminded of the terrible outcome of the exploding casket match that Milo had with one of their old friends Triple D that ultimately took the life of a poor innocent stunt man.
“And is it not also true that Mr Kane once attacked a poor innocent man in a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise just because he had the same name as your brother?”
Milo Holland: …...
“And at one point did Mr Kane not once force your brothers hands to become impaled into barbed wire which was wrapped around a cage just to ensure a partner could win a match and almost take the life of your brother in the process?”
Milo Holland: …..
“No further questions your honour”
Milo Holland: You listen here, you jumped up little prick. Spike did what he had to do to survive, to make sure that he could provide for one son that he has already lost, you can’t take this one away from him!
“Ah....a son he already lost? The mark of an unfit father. As I said, no further questions”
Once again we can only imagine the rage that must have been flowing through the body of Milo Holland after feeling like he was manipulated. Clearly Alysson had gotten a good lawyer, and he had done his homework trawling through the dark side of Spike’s life and dragging up every single dark detail.
Once again the scene opens up on Spike Kane in his house, this time he is standing in his Den which has photographs from big moments of his wrestling career around the room as well as championship replicas that he won, plaques and other trophies. In the center of it all is a large picture of his wedding with Alysson Gardner, the look of sheer joy on his face is complete contract to the look on his face now. Looking like his heart had been pulled out through his chest, Spike looks around the room not impressed by any of his accomplishments at all, as the voices kick in once again.
“Thank you for joining us today Mr Wade Summers, can you confirm that what your alias was when you were studying and working under Mr Kane?”
Wade Summers: I was known as Atreyu.
“And is it true that you were the first person to graduate from Mr Kane’s wrestling school that had been set up in the small village he owns?”
Wade Summers: That’s correct, I graduated and went to work for New Championship Wrestling straight away.
“Would you say that Mr Kane was like a father figure to you after you lost your own father in the nine eleven attack?”
Wade Summers: I don’t see why you had to bring that up.....but yes. Spike....Michael, looked after me. He took me under his wing and helped me develop, he helped me have a lasting effect in my time in nCw.
“Do you believe that you were brought into the limelight of nCw too early?”
Wade Summers: Not not at all, Mike and I worked really hard to make sure I was as good as I needed to be, at the level that nCw required to make sure I could compete with the talent that they had there.
“But your mental state? Does your short tenure not show that you were unable to compete at that level. That you’re mental capacity could not handle stardom being thrust upon you at such an early age?”
Wade Summers: I don’t think so. I held a championship that was created for me, I had a legacy-
“And it was too much to live up to, thus once you lost that championship you faded into obscurity? What is it that you do now Mr Summers?”
Wade Summer: I..er....I run the wrestling school.
“Ah, as they say.....those who cannot.....teach. No further questions your honor”
We can hear the agitated noises coming from Atreyu as he would have been stepping down from the dock, and the face of Spike twists a little into anger. Every little dirty aspect of his life being dragged up and put on display. He thought he had done good by the kid, but now he was doubting himself.
This time we open up on the truck of Spike Kane. He’s sitting parked on the street right next to the sidewalk, he has his duffel bag with him, packed to the brim by the looks of things. His face still looks lost, the pain clear to see on his face. This is the man who lost a son to the same heart condition that he fought his entire childhood through, and even fought for the nCw World Title around having one last surgery. Spike closes his eyes and lowers his head as the final voiceover comes in.
“We also have with us via Webcam, Mr Bradley Allen Kane. Twin brother to Mr Michael Kane....”
Brad Kane: I’m glad to be here. Michael has grown into quite a proud father, and I think that this whole thing is a complete farce.
The other voice kicks in now, and it’s time to drive the nail in and close the coffin once and for all.
“Brad, if you don’t mind me calling you that to avoid confusion? Can you explain how it was that you came to know that you and Michael were family?”
Brad Kane: Despite being twins we didn’t really notice it, because we dressed differently, we acted differently, we had different accents, facial hair, hair length the whole lot, but it was Spike who brought it to my attention.
“Ah yes, during an in-ring segment in the Xtreme Hardcore Federation company, correct? Threatening the woman who you were made to believe was your younger sister. Correct?”
Brad Kane: Yes.....yes, that is correct.
“But Miss Freya Kane was not your sister was she?”
Brad Kane: No....
“Please tell us Bradley...”
Brad Kane: Spike....was brainwashed by our Dad....who put him through hell, to kidnap Freya and in turn brain wash her into beliving she was our sister. I didn’t know because I didn’t remember.....we shared blood to a degree, but you have to understand our father really screwed with Sp-
“So “Spike” as you call him, was the reason why Miss Freya spent the majority of her young life in a mental institute!?”
Brad Kane: I....I guess....yes. But it was Conr-
“Brain washing is a subjective term Mr Kane.....and isn’t it also true that at one point your brother was so out of control that you had to force a match with him, and not for the first time mind....once after he attacked you AND your wife at the time, but this one in particular where you had to drive a railroad spike....yes, you heard me people, drive a railroad spike through his hand just to stop his trail of destruction?”
Brad Kane: …...yes. I did.....I had to....
“And you think this man is fit to be called a father?”
Brad Kane: It’s not like that......Michael is a good man...
“A former drug addict, a mental patient, a man with severe anger issues......I’m sure you may show bias to your brother Mr Kane, but this isn’t about family, this is about the law and what is the best for Xander Kane! No further questions!”
The tone hung in the air, and Spike opened his eyes, they looked so cold and dead, no emotion hung there. No firey passion, no determination, just the empty shell of a man who wants nothing more than to be a Daddy to his little boy. Spike flicks the door open and grabs his bag walking up to the front door and ringing the doorbell, after about a thirty seconds the door opens and Rob Diamond stands there looking a little confused to see Spike standing there like his world had just ended.
Rob Diamond: …..Mike?
Spike looked up to Rob, only having his duffel bag and his tag team title with him and managed to blurt out without breaking down - remarkably.
Spike Kane: ….Rob....I-I.......I need a place to stay.
Lips trempled, he’d done so well to keep it together but speaking seemed to break the spell and Spike just breakes down as Rob puts his arms around him and ushers him into the house and closing the door behind him as the final voiceover plays.
“I’m afraid that the court see’s fit to award full custody of Xander Aiden Kane to Ms Alysson Gardner. The assets of Mr Michael Patrick Kane will be divided between the three, Xander’s share being placed in a trust fund and the marital home in Boston will remain with Ms Gardner. Mr Kane will keep ownership of his wrestling school and the money he has earned since beginning his new placement with the IWF. I am sorry Mr Kane, but what the court has heard here today has shown us all, that you are simply not fit to be a father.....”
Fade to.....whatever.....
The Lethal Lottery finally came to an abrubt and shocking end last week at Sacrifice, and I can imagine the grin on Doctor Riley Griffith’s face when there was no winner declared, ratings must have soared, and the buy rates for Legacy must have gone through the roof. De Montfort will certainly be patting Riley on the back....me? I see two tag teams hungry for gold, hungry for competition, and hungry to make it big here in IWF....The only problem I see myself facing right now.....is my wife has left me, she’s taking me to court, and she want’s custody of my son....
Why should I give a shit about a wrestling match?
~~~
The scene opens up on an image of Spike Kane sitting on the sofa in his house fully dressed, wearing his jacket and everything. His face is sombre, almost solid and cold, his eyes glazed over as he loses himself in his thoughts, a voiceover plays over as Spike sits there.
“Your honour, we have several character witnesses’ here to explain why Mr Kane should be granted full custody of his flesh and blood Xander Aiden Kane. Mr Kane has already said that his fortune accrued before his tenure at Imperial Wrestling Federation is not disputed and will allow Mrs Gardner-Kane the full amount, and their marital home in Boston, the only thing my client is here to dispute is custody of his son, our first witness is Jake “The Ace” Conway”
Another voice kicks in now, a slight tone of disgust in there.
“Mr Conway, is it true that you’ve know Mr Michael Kane, professionally known as “Spike” Kane for a considerable amount of time?”
Jake Conway: That’s true yes. Spike gave me my first job in this business.
“And is it also true that Mr Kane put you through an obscene amount of mental and physical torture during your tenure under him, and in other occupations following this?”
Jake Conway: I’m not quite sure that’s what I would call it. Michael was a veteran of this business, and he was helping me become a much better wrestler than I started out as, it was sort of a master and apparentice type dea-”
Jake was cut off by the other voice, which as we can probably imagine did not sit very well with The Ace, but we don’t see any actions, just the lost look on the face of Spike Kane, our hero, our tag team champion, our God of Xtreme.
“But is it not also true that Mr Kane acquired the services of your -at the time- female partner, and forced her into sexual acts with himself and his -then female partner?”
Jake Conway: …..yes.
“And is it not also true that Mr Kane laid his hands on your wife Kathleen Conway? Dropping her on her head and causing considerable brain damage to her, that took some time for her to recover from?”
Jake Conway: Yes....but, Spike isn’t like that anymore. He’s a great father to that ki-
“No further questions”
If we could have seen this court case acted out, we’d probably see a very frustrated and annoyed Jake Conway right now, and maybe even a slightly distraught Kathleen Conway, the bonding that Jake and Spike had worked through over the years thrown away in mere minutes, and Spike painted as a monster.
~~~
First and foremost, Alex Jones.
We didn’t exactly part on good terms last time we were in the ring together. The Dragon’s Den, my creation, my baby, a thing I made to hurt people, and we really did hurt each other didn’t we Alex? For some time you thought you had ended me, you thought you had retired Spike Kane, but I’ll have you know that nobody can retire me, I’m immortal Alex. I’m the one who does the retiring....Jack Manson, Vertigo Dirtmurder, …..
Angel.
We’ve done this dance so many times that we know what the other person is thinking, what we’re going to do and what we’re going to say. I had an issue with you getting the last title shot in nCw, and I was quite vocal about it. I never felt you deserved it Alex, that was my beef, and if I was wrong, then I humbly apologize. You may have earned it, you may not have....we both know when it came towards the end, nobody gaze a shit who held that belt, except Verona himself who tried in vain to bring something to that belt that had been ruined by Ricky Johnson and Todd Williams.....and once you won it?
Was destroyed by Zelda Knite.
I’m not going to mock you, you were screwed, in a horrible way Alex. I stand here as a part of the undefeated tag team champions with a member of your family by marriage, and I tell you Alex....the grudge? I don’t hold it anymore, I’ve come to my senses, I never should have had it in the first place, but after the way you were treated, I shouldn’t hold on to it, because you were worse off than anybody else in that company when the final curtain came down, and I’m sorry for that Alex. I see that in IWF you’re trying to turn over a new leaf, and I commend it, I really do. You, like myself, have often let your ego get the better of you, you’ve let it drive you, even turn on your friends - yes I remember when you left Kevin Hardaway and myself to suffer, but it’s water under the bridge Alex.
Now we stand in the pinnacle of our careers, gloried and prestigeous champions in our own rights, but what you are after you can’t possibly hope to obbtain. The tag team championships are something Rob and I hold with pride and dignity. We are the epitome of tag team wrestling, and we’ve held the bar so high that so far nobody can compete, and as good as you think you are, and as good as I know you are, you don’t stand a chance, not when you have to keep one eye on your partner because you don’t trust him.
Rob and I trust each other with our lives Alex, and that is why we’ll triumph.
Trust.
Faith.
Teamwork.
~~~
This time the scene opens up on the bedroom of Xander Kane, his name is spelled out in big blocks on the wall: X-A-N-D-E-R, it’s all blue and baby boyish. He has a small little blue Thomas the Tank Engine bed, with Aston Villa pictures everywhere and some Celtic logos too, Spike’s influence clearly. Spike stands in the doorway looking into the room, his face is cold, his eyes are all but dead. No tears, no frowns, just cold deadness.
“The defence calls Milo Holland...”
The defence lawyer voice comes in again, but it fades out almost right away before the prosecution lawyer, Alysson’s lawyer comes back in for the cross-examination of the nCw Hall of Famer, a man who has known Spike since he was a young child.
“Mr Milo Holland, can you please explain to the court how long you have known Mr Michael Kane?”
Milo Holland: I’ve known Spike since we was both kids. We were in that Orphanage together, along with my brother Dave and a few other guys who became wrestlers later in their lives.
“Was it also Mr Kane who gave you your first shot in the wrestling business?”
Milo Holland: Yeah, Spike helped me get a contract, but it was under a pseudonym. I was Bahamut.
“And did he play a part in the recruitment of your brother David Holland?”
Milo Holland: Of course. We were good friends. Spike would do whatever he could to help us get work.
“So he abused his power in companies? Did he powerplay to get you a job?”
Milo Holland: No, that’s not what I said. Not what I me-
“Isn’t it true that he also once played a part in an elaborate prank to fake your death? A “spot” as they call it in your line of work that actually claimed the life of a poor individual who was a stunt double, and Mr Kane himself was only able to avoid a prison sentence due to the companies backing?”
Milo Holland: I....that was...like a decade ago.....
The sadness could be heard in Milo’s voice at being reminded of the terrible outcome of the exploding casket match that Milo had with one of their old friends Triple D that ultimately took the life of a poor innocent stunt man.
“And is it not also true that Mr Kane once attacked a poor innocent man in a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise just because he had the same name as your brother?”
Milo Holland: …...
“And at one point did Mr Kane not once force your brothers hands to become impaled into barbed wire which was wrapped around a cage just to ensure a partner could win a match and almost take the life of your brother in the process?”
Milo Holland: …..
“No further questions your honour”
Milo Holland: You listen here, you jumped up little prick. Spike did what he had to do to survive, to make sure that he could provide for one son that he has already lost, you can’t take this one away from him!
“Ah....a son he already lost? The mark of an unfit father. As I said, no further questions”
Once again we can only imagine the rage that must have been flowing through the body of Milo Holland after feeling like he was manipulated. Clearly Alysson had gotten a good lawyer, and he had done his homework trawling through the dark side of Spike’s life and dragging up every single dark detail.
~~~
This isn’t the first time we’ve come across each other Cable, and I’m pretty certain that it won’t be the last. You and Gjenrei entered this tournament as one of a few legitimate tag teams because good ‘ol Riley didn’t want to break you up, because he thought that might hurt ratings - I reckon you and Gjenrei going up against each other would actually be great for ratings, but that is neither here nor there.
But I digress, we’ve crossed several times and to my knowledge I do not think you’ve been able to score a victory against me, I could brag and ram it down your throat about how I’m better than you and it’s my extensive years of experience and around the world training that makes me better than you - but that would be boring. We are two people with different philosophies Cable, two people who were always destined to collide.
Add in a little social enemies training, and boom, instant drama. Unlike you.....I actually do hold you in respect Cable. You’ve come a long way in a very short amount of time, you’ve made a name for yourself, and you survived being trained by one of my best friends and one of my greatest enemies.....a man, I’ll remind you...
That I retired.
That recent enough for you?
You did earn your way here. You have fought valiantly week after week to claw your way back up the ladder, the ladder that Rob and I kicked you off the night we rose above you all and claimed this titles. Not once have we backed down from a fight, and not once have we shirked our responsibilities as tag team champions, no matter what is going on in our lives. We hold these belts with pride Cable, that is something you should be able to see even with your blindfold on. I say this, because if you did your homework you would know that yes, I have turned on people in the past - but never my friends. I am an honourable man in my own way Cable. I have my own code and I stick to it, I do things my own way and it helps people become great stars....
The Ace.
Dave Holland.
Rob Diamond.
Joe Everyman.
I’ve played an integral part in every one of their careers development, because I see the talent, I see the potential, just like I do with you and Gjenrei, so I see what I can do this Sunday, and I hate to be cliché. but of course how could I not be? Bring your “A” Game Cable, and watch InFamous....
Make you famous.
~~~
Once again the scene opens up on Spike Kane in his house, this time he is standing in his Den which has photographs from big moments of his wrestling career around the room as well as championship replicas that he won, plaques and other trophies. In the center of it all is a large picture of his wedding with Alysson Gardner, the look of sheer joy on his face is complete contract to the look on his face now. Looking like his heart had been pulled out through his chest, Spike looks around the room not impressed by any of his accomplishments at all, as the voices kick in once again.
“Thank you for joining us today Mr Wade Summers, can you confirm that what your alias was when you were studying and working under Mr Kane?”
Wade Summers: I was known as Atreyu.
“And is it true that you were the first person to graduate from Mr Kane’s wrestling school that had been set up in the small village he owns?”
Wade Summers: That’s correct, I graduated and went to work for New Championship Wrestling straight away.
“Would you say that Mr Kane was like a father figure to you after you lost your own father in the nine eleven attack?”
Wade Summers: I don’t see why you had to bring that up.....but yes. Spike....Michael, looked after me. He took me under his wing and helped me develop, he helped me have a lasting effect in my time in nCw.
“Do you believe that you were brought into the limelight of nCw too early?”
Wade Summers: Not not at all, Mike and I worked really hard to make sure I was as good as I needed to be, at the level that nCw required to make sure I could compete with the talent that they had there.
“But your mental state? Does your short tenure not show that you were unable to compete at that level. That you’re mental capacity could not handle stardom being thrust upon you at such an early age?”
Wade Summers: I don’t think so. I held a championship that was created for me, I had a legacy-
“And it was too much to live up to, thus once you lost that championship you faded into obscurity? What is it that you do now Mr Summers?”
Wade Summer: I..er....I run the wrestling school.
“Ah, as they say.....those who cannot.....teach. No further questions your honor”
We can hear the agitated noises coming from Atreyu as he would have been stepping down from the dock, and the face of Spike twists a little into anger. Every little dirty aspect of his life being dragged up and put on display. He thought he had done good by the kid, but now he was doubting himself.
~~~
I have two losses in this company, and one of them is to you Keeton. I’m not ashamed of it, I’ve wrestled you around the world, I’ve beaten you for a world title, I’ve had my moment over you, but that night you were the better man. I felt like I was stuck in “tag team” mode, and I let you get the better of me, I promise you this right now.
It will not happen again.
I respected you Keeton, I’ve held you in the highest regard with the likes of Lance Ryan, Gibford Famularo, and Angel. You were one of those guys that you could rely on to go out there with any single person on the roster and tear the damn house down, but since you’ve come to IWF I’ve noticed a decline in you, it all came down to winning the match and nothing else. Nothing else mattered as long as you got that W in your column. You compromised your integrity, and you lost a ton of respect in the process,
A man like you should never need to cheat.
I understand it may seem ever so hypocritical of me to throw the stone, after all I leave it quite a shiny glass house, but you were one of the best Jake. The epitome of what a wrestler should be, a man who has been doing this just as long as I have, but you are ruining your legacy Jake. You’re dragging it through the mud, what....just to win the tag team titles? I know that Rob and I have made these things worth while, we’ve brought prestige to the gold just like Simon De Montfort would have wanted us to, like Bo Langson wanted us to, and like Riley Griffiths is loving the fact that we have. We make his job easy, and people like you....
You make my job easy.
You’ve become predictable in your old age Jake. You’ve become dependant on a tactic you never should have needed in the first place, so now instead of tearing through the competition with a partner who has more than enough skill and ability to keep up with you, and put up one hell of a threatening challenge to Rob and myself.....instead, you’re a joke Jake, and it tears me up inside. I can’t see you posing a threat, and maybe that is your master plan? But I don’t see it, I see you and Alex watching your own backs and barely functioning as a team, I see you ultimately being the loser in this match Jake.
I’ll avenge my loss when I place my boot on your chest and defend the gold I’ve worked so hard to earn.
For old time’s sake.
~~~
This time we open up on the truck of Spike Kane. He’s sitting parked on the street right next to the sidewalk, he has his duffel bag with him, packed to the brim by the looks of things. His face still looks lost, the pain clear to see on his face. This is the man who lost a son to the same heart condition that he fought his entire childhood through, and even fought for the nCw World Title around having one last surgery. Spike closes his eyes and lowers his head as the final voiceover comes in.
“We also have with us via Webcam, Mr Bradley Allen Kane. Twin brother to Mr Michael Kane....”
Brad Kane: I’m glad to be here. Michael has grown into quite a proud father, and I think that this whole thing is a complete farce.
The other voice kicks in now, and it’s time to drive the nail in and close the coffin once and for all.
“Brad, if you don’t mind me calling you that to avoid confusion? Can you explain how it was that you came to know that you and Michael were family?”
Brad Kane: Despite being twins we didn’t really notice it, because we dressed differently, we acted differently, we had different accents, facial hair, hair length the whole lot, but it was Spike who brought it to my attention.
“Ah yes, during an in-ring segment in the Xtreme Hardcore Federation company, correct? Threatening the woman who you were made to believe was your younger sister. Correct?”
Brad Kane: Yes.....yes, that is correct.
“But Miss Freya Kane was not your sister was she?”
Brad Kane: No....
“Please tell us Bradley...”
Brad Kane: Spike....was brainwashed by our Dad....who put him through hell, to kidnap Freya and in turn brain wash her into beliving she was our sister. I didn’t know because I didn’t remember.....we shared blood to a degree, but you have to understand our father really screwed with Sp-
“So “Spike” as you call him, was the reason why Miss Freya spent the majority of her young life in a mental institute!?”
Brad Kane: I....I guess....yes. But it was Conr-
“Brain washing is a subjective term Mr Kane.....and isn’t it also true that at one point your brother was so out of control that you had to force a match with him, and not for the first time mind....once after he attacked you AND your wife at the time, but this one in particular where you had to drive a railroad spike....yes, you heard me people, drive a railroad spike through his hand just to stop his trail of destruction?”
Brad Kane: …...yes. I did.....I had to....
“And you think this man is fit to be called a father?”
Brad Kane: It’s not like that......Michael is a good man...
“A former drug addict, a mental patient, a man with severe anger issues......I’m sure you may show bias to your brother Mr Kane, but this isn’t about family, this is about the law and what is the best for Xander Kane! No further questions!”
The tone hung in the air, and Spike opened his eyes, they looked so cold and dead, no emotion hung there. No firey passion, no determination, just the empty shell of a man who wants nothing more than to be a Daddy to his little boy. Spike flicks the door open and grabs his bag walking up to the front door and ringing the doorbell, after about a thirty seconds the door opens and Rob Diamond stands there looking a little confused to see Spike standing there like his world had just ended.
Rob Diamond: …..Mike?
Spike looked up to Rob, only having his duffel bag and his tag team title with him and managed to blurt out without breaking down - remarkably.
Spike Kane: ….Rob....I-I.......I need a place to stay.
Lips trempled, he’d done so well to keep it together but speaking seemed to break the spell and Spike just breakes down as Rob puts his arms around him and ushers him into the house and closing the door behind him as the final voiceover plays.
“I’m afraid that the court see’s fit to award full custody of Xander Aiden Kane to Ms Alysson Gardner. The assets of Mr Michael Patrick Kane will be divided between the three, Xander’s share being placed in a trust fund and the marital home in Boston will remain with Ms Gardner. Mr Kane will keep ownership of his wrestling school and the money he has earned since beginning his new placement with the IWF. I am sorry Mr Kane, but what the court has heard here today has shown us all, that you are simply not fit to be a father.....”
Fade to.....whatever.....
~~~
You are the enigma in all of this Gjenrei. No matter how much I bug Kyle, he won’t tell me who you are, I mean at least this time around I know that you aren’t Kyle - even though that was pretty obvious. Instead I face an unknown once again, the unpredictable, a man with a certain code of honor that he follows brutally.
You in my eyes are the driving force in your tag team Gjenrei, whilst Cable might steal the spotlight with his semi-final appearance in the Heir to the Throne tournament, and the lord-knows-what debacle that is going on with Amber.....you keep yourself to yourself, you sit in the background and soak it all up, which to me, makes you the more dangerous one.
Much like Rob is the loud mouthed attention seeker, often I can sit back and watch my opponents moves, study how they react, study every single interaction, any flaws in their cohesion, any cracks in their foundations.....and whether you want to admit it or not, you and your buddy have some pretty obvious cracks. There is tension between the two of you, and there has been since you came here to IWF and I for one noticed it, I paid attention and saw what could end up being a money making match between the two of you, but I know that you both have your hearts set on the tag team championships, on carrying that Social Enemies banner to the top and reigning supreme.
But much like the past, I ruin the Social Enemies party.
I have an awful lot of respect for the both of you guys, I really do, I say it everytime but it’s the truth, you came through a tough school and you’ve made it to the limelight in no time. Ive been doing this since I debuted on TV back in October 1996.....it’s a pretty long time, I didn’t burst onto the scene as quick as you guys did. You personally though? You’re wearing the mask that Kyle wore so proudly, a man who I consider to be one of my best friends, a man who tried to save me from my own failings......if he has enough respect and faith in you for you to continue the legacy, then I have to consider you a threat, and I do. HonorBound have always been the main threat to our gold, and I’ve always seen that......but there is still a world of difference between us, a casm of skill and ability, and no mere posturing and words can bridge that. Just take a look at the IWF Power Rankings to show you a statistical definition of the gap between us, and you’ll see that no matter what you do, you’ll never be as good as InFamous, you’ll never take these titles away from us.
In fact....Jake, Alex, Cable, and Gjenrei, I want you all to list and listen good. I am the most dangerous man to ever set foot in a wrestling ring, and I have the Xtreme American Dream backing me up. I’m an extremely decorated tag team wrestler, I am a legend, a hall of famer, an icon.....and I’ve lost everything I ever cared about besides my partner, and this gold.
I have nothing else left to lose, but this gold....
Just try and take it from me.
Well howdy there pardner.