The Dream Complete

[Joe Everyman]

Wish I were with you
I couldn't stay
Every direction
Leads me away
Pray for tomorrow
But for today

Last week, I stood at the gates of Hell, unwavering, unworried and unflinching. I marched into Hell itself and fought the demons of my past, my present and my future. I watched as they fell at my feet, one by one. And finally... I came to the big boss man himself... Lex Sense. The biggest demon of all, the darkest cloud from my past, stood in my way, willing to spill as much blood as he could possibly muster, all in the sake of honor, passion... and legend. I stood up against him, the devil himself, and I had never felt more scared in my entire life. I knew that it was win... or die.

I stood up against him...

And won.

And I didn't just win some little match, no no. I finally... after all of these years won the big one. I know there have been so many people in my past who have cheered me on, pushing me towards that final goal. But, there have been just as many who doubted me, or said that I would NEVER do it. And right now... NONE of them are a World Champion! You know who is?! ME!

I fought for seven long years, and it finally all paid off! I finally slayed my demons, I finally blew away the clouds and I FINALLY proved that my heart is the absolute strongest in the entire world! And finally, I have something to show for it. I finally have that golden belt to call my own. Nobody will EVER be able to take that away from me! Because nobody else can call themselves the first ever IWF Imperial Champion. That... is only me.

And yet... here I stand, at the very top of the mountain, and I see another storm brewing. I see how many now are gunning for me. I see that even my friends and foes alike want what I have. And to each and every single one of them, I have but one thing to say.

BRING!

IT!

ON!

I don't care if it's Lex Sense, Xander Famularo, Rob Diamond, Spike Kane, Steve Awesome, whoever! I will fight ANY and ALL comers, and I will take them all down! This is not going to be remembered as some fluke victory. This is not going to be remembered as a one and done title reign! I started last Sunday what will be remembered as the single GREATEST title reign in IWF history! Fans and wrestlers will look back upon Lineage and say, "Wow, I wish I could've been in his shoes". And maybe, just maybe, one day you will be. But unlucky for you... you're going to have to go through me to get this championship. I've worked my ASS off for eight LONG years now, and I'm just going to roll over for anybody! I will fight till the bitter end if I have to. Because down the road, I know that I will be the underdog again, even as the champion. And yet... that's exactly where I belong.

That is home to me.

The scene slowly opens up inside of the Joe Everyman household, more specifically inside of his bedroom. Joe is sitting on his side of the bed reading out of a rather large book with what seems to be a glass of scotch in his hand as well. After a few moments, Melanie labors into the room, looking significantly less pregnant. Before saying a word, she acts dramatic and face plants into the bed, causing a slight laugh out of Joe. She crawls up the bed up next to where Joe is laying.

Melanie Brooks: Whatcha reading, Joe?

Joe raises his book to reveal War and Peace, however on the inside is a Captain America comic book. Melanie sees it as giggles a little, causing Joe to smiles as well.

Joe Everyman: Were you able to get James and Curtis to sleep ok?

Melanie Brooks: Surprisingly, yes. James gave up a fit, but he eventually fell asleep too. And Aurora was a big help too. She said she'll do anything she can to help out with the babies.

Joe Everyman: That's great. I'm glad they could get to sleep.

Melanie's expression quickly changes though, as she sees the glass in Joe's hand.

Melanie Brooks: Joe... what's in that glass?

Joe sighs a little, knowing what is brewing now.

Joe Everyman: It's scotch... it helps me sleep at night.

Melanie Brooks: ...it helps you sleep? You never needed that before...

Joe Everyman: Well... I do now, ok?!

Joe's voice rises sharply as Melanie continues to look concerned.

Melanie Brooks: Are you ok, Joe?

Joe Everyman: Yes... I'm fine. The stress is just getting to me, and this helps keep the edge off.

Melanie Brooks: Oh... well... maybe you could try to cut down on it a little...

Joe Everyman: I don't have to cut down on a damn thing, Melanie! Do you have any idea how much I'm having to deal with right now?!

Melanie Brooks: But... I'm having to do the same things, and you don't see me drinking for it.

Joe Everyman: You do NOT have to go through the same things as I do! After I won last Sunday, I got a HUGE pay raise, and most of that is going into the kid's college funds. I haven't seen you thank me ONCE for that! I'm making that money so you don't have to work, so they don't have to be afraid, and this is the thanks I get. Just fucking wonderful, Melanie!

Melanie Brooks: Joe... please keep it down. I don't want you waking up the kids.

Joe stops his rampage for a moment to consider the situation.

Joe Everyman: Yeah... you're right. I'll be outside.

Joe grabs his book and his glass, takes a drink and walks out of the room, leaving Melanie alone in the bed. She looks distraught before laying her head back with her eyes wide open.

Melanie Brooks: I don't know what I'm suppose to do with him...

The scene then slowly fades to black.

This week is somewhat special to me. After a huge win, my biggest win by far, I have a match with some of my biggest rivals and biggest supporters. It's almost like it was planned for me that way or something. Ayla St. James and Tifa Heafy will fight their own battle, as this is a mixed tag team match. They'll have a good fight in this match, and if I'm to be perfectly honest, I'm more glad that my team as Tifa on it than Ayla. Nothing against her, she's a good combatant. However, Tifa is turning into a good wrestler here, and very soon, she'll have that Diamond's Championship around her waist too. However though, I need to focus on the other three men in this matchup now.

Lex Sense. We went to war last Sunday, and I managed to beat you for the first time in my entire career. It came at a helluva time, don't you think? I know that I was hard on you these past couple weeks, but truth be told, I wouldn't have wanted to go up against anybody else for that title. You're still a good friend of mine, and not to take away from my win, but you are the most dominate wrestler in this company. And if you want a shot at my belt, you've got it.

We have a huge task set before us this week. We have to go up against another good friend of mine, Spike Kane, and the Bowser to my Mario, Rob Diamond. And again... I wouldn't have it any other way.

I finally proved to the whole world that I have what it takes to become the World Champion! And now, I have the chance to prove that I am a confident and strong champion, willing to a fight ANYONE, at ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! You hear that, IWF? If ANY of you think you can take me down, just ask the booking committee and it will be on! I will fight any single one of you, a team, a squad, anybody! I will prove that I'm meant to the Imperial Champion.

And now, this week, I get to fight two that have said I could always do, and could never do it. Spike, Rob, both of you are amazing champions in your own right. And I respect the hell out of the both of you. However, neither of you have going for you what I do. We can stand here all day and spout out what we love about each other, why we respect the other, but that won't get us anywhere for this match. The fact of the matter is, NEITHER of you are the first ever Imperial Champion. NEITHER of you are standing here with that World title around your waist. And NEITHER of you are as good as I am anymore.

In the past, Rob Diamond and Spike Kane were legends, and you still are today. You held glory in your hands and had worshipers at your feet. But now... you will realize that your glory is fleeting.

As of right now, as of this very second... I am better than the two of you. For the first time in my ENTIRE career, I can say that I am better than Rob Diamond AND Spike Kane! And I would be lying if I said it felt anything less than how heaven would feel. I love the rush I get... I love every second of it. And now, I will go out there and battle my heart out and prove to EVERYBODY again that I am the rightful holder of this belt! I will prove to everybody every single week from now until the day I die that I deserved this belt more than ANYONE ELSE! The doubters and naysayers are out of ammunition. They are out of fuel for the fire. All there is left for them now is to challenge me and fail!

Spike, Rob, Lex, Tifa, Ayla, this Monday night, we go to war. We go out on the main event of Sacrifice and do just that. We will sacrifice every thing we have to get one step closer to either your next goal, your next championship opportunity, or in my case... my next step towards immortality. Because in the end, we will either be remember or we will be forgotten. What have you done lately for you to be remembered by?

I have two newborn sons and the biggest championship in the world. My legacy will continue until time stops. I will be immortalized in this company as it's first ever Imperial Champion. And every single week, I will prove time and time again why I deserve this championship more than anybody else. The biggest heart deserves the biggest prize. My heart deserves the biggest prize. And this Monday, I continue my journey. I continue my sacrifices.

So tell me... what are you willing to sacrifice for the gold?

Stand in the mirror
You look the same
Just lookin' for shelter
From cold and the pain
Someone to cover
Safe from the rain