Mikey Stormrage
Is he my biggest challenge yet? Id be remiss to view him any differently than that, if Im honest.
Former Tag Team Champion, more than once, former Eurasian Champion
and of course, former World Heavyweight Champion. Belts held by multiple hall of famers and legends of the industry of professional wrestling. And, in truth, Mikey Stormrage deserves to be in such company.
More than that; he had been one of a very few people I'd come to know as a friend, both in wrestling and, more specifically, WZCW. Its been some time since we spoke, but his Lottery appearance had been a genuine shock.
More than that, his part in my elimination felt like it ripped my soul out. Not because it was him necessarily. But just because he'd ended my chances of becoming the number one contender. Something I've worked towards since returning.
I honestly cant help but wonder
..is this all a step too far for me?
Ladies and gentleman, we will be touching down at Charles de Gaulle airport in about ten minutes. Please take the time to make sure your seatbelts are fastened and that your tray-tables are returned to their upright position-
About time.
Triple X opened his eyes and turned to
Talia. Even on a flight that had lasted nearly seven and a half hours, she still managed to look more beautiful than he could find the words to describe.
What time will it even be in Paris?
About 5:45 I think.
Geez. Good think I dont suffer with jet lag.
She turned to face him, but he was looking out of the window. The majority of the flight all that could be seen was the vastness of the ocean, but finally, near journeys end, they were now above France. The host country of Meltdown 150 in a few days time. And yet, it wasnt the beauty of the country below that captivated his attention. No, she could tell by his body language; it was something else.
You okay, Xander?
He paused for a moment before reacting.
Sorry yeah, just
just taking in the view.
Babe, I know you well enough to know when somethings horseshit. Ill give you a pass but you tell me whats up.
X smiled.
No fooling you, is there?
He sighed and stretched his arms up high.
Im fine. Honestly. Im just thinking ahead to Meltdown. And reflecting on a few things.
Youre worried about facing Mikey?
He turned and shot her a look of annoyance.
Okay fine, not worried about that then
Being in wrestling; Ive only ever had a handful of people Id consider close friends. Red is one of them. And theres a few more, but, honestly theyre few and far between. Mikey was someone who I always thought was genuine, and I rated highly as a person. In WZCW, whether I did it a lot or not, I always knew he was someone who I could go to.
And now
you dont see it that way.
Thats just it. Mikey
..hasnt changed. Hes the same guy Ive known since I first came in here and yet
now I feel disdain for that genuineness. For the person he is. And there isnt anything different about him to warrant that feeling. Yet I still feel it.
X looked back to the window, the darkness of the night giving way to the morning sun over the foreign land of France.
Its something I dont recognise.
THE NEXT DAY
Merci. Talia handed over her Euros in exchange for the bottled drinks, and headed out into the Parisian sunshine. Xander was sat on a wall next to the shop, staring into his phone.
Here. She threw the bottle to him, almost knocking him off the wall with surprise. He took one look at it and sighed.
Diet?
Its all they had.
Lame.
He took a swig and hopped off the wall. Talia drank form her bottle before taking her map out, searching for their location.
Straight down here, then if we follow it to the left, cross the bridge and keep going we should get there.'
Cool.
They began walking through the sun-soaked French streets.
What did Andrey's message say?
Just confirming what time I need to get to the arena. The mans insistent that they go through him as my agent.
Well, at least he cares.
True. He keeps going on about my match with Lynx-
Well, it was a damn good match.
Youd say that no matter what.
Not true.
Really?
Yeah. You sucked when you debuted against Jack OLantern-
Oh, OH! Youre really going to invoke Jack OLantern??
Yep. Yes I am. She laughed and slapped his arm.
But you should be proud of it. It was a good performance, and you avenged one of your toughest losses since you came back.
She was right, Xander thought. Ever since hed been back, Lynx had been the only person hed not been able to put away in some way, shape or form. Hell, hed beaten John Constantine and even had a winning record against Titus. But now hed avenged his other main loss and, even he had to admit, it felt really good.
One more step on the path.
Talia stayed silent for a moment, before tentatively saying
You should be really proud of what youve achieved since you came back, X. I mean it. Youve managed to slot right back in where not many people would have been able to. That says a lot about you and your abilities in that ring.
Doesnt say anything if there isnt a belt involved.
Xander, youll get there.
I should already be there.
I know, I know. Just dont rush your life away, thats all.
Im not. Im lamenting what should already be mine-
X stopped for a moment, looking at Talia.
What do you mean, rushing your life away?
I just think that you have an opportunity to do so much that you dont want to push everything into one pocket.
Whats that supposed to mean?
Just
..look, since youve been back youve been focused on that World Title. And your chance was at the Lottery, and you got eliminated. Talia could slowly start to see the vein on Triple Xs head begin to bulge with anger.
which was unfair, and shouldnt have happened, sure. But you dont have the shot you feel you deserve. So, why not regroup and look for something else? Theres more than one Championship in WZCW-
-yeah, and none of them mean a damn thing in comparison. X walked a few steps onto a bridge nearby, looking over onto the river in the middle of Paris.
You dont think Ive earned it yet, do you?
Talia took a moment, before approaching him.
You earned it when you faced Ricky Runn and Ty Burna. Youd even earned it when they threw you into the Hell in a Cell at the last minute, and had you not already wrestled that night, things may be very different. But all of that
was four years ago.
And since Ive been back Ive proven to everyone that I am better than anyone they put in front of me.
Then can I ask you a question without getting mad?
X took a breath, realising how worked up on the subject he was getting.
Sure.
Then how come you arent both the Eurasian Champion, and the number one contender for Kingdom Come?
Xander looked out onto the river for a moment, before smiling and looking down.
Ask yourself Xander. Cut through all the bitterness and ask yourself. Why do you think you deserve a title shot?
He looked her in the eye, touching her face, before kissing her.
What was that for?
Lending me perspective. And grounding me. He put his arm around her.
Come on, lets keep moving.
. . . . . . . .
The Notre Dame de Paris. A cathedral that had stood in France since the mid 1300s; it towered over everything in the surrounding area with its gothic design and its classic design. Xander looked up at it in awe, having never seen anything quite like it.
They went inside, each being handed a candle. Each set of columns had lights in between, softly adding to the natural light that the stained glass windows were letting through. The stone walls themselves had carvings and statues built in. The room itself was packed; what must have been hundreds of people were seated, as down near the front, a man sat at what looked to be an ancient Organ, preparing to play.
This is really something, isnt it?
Sure is. Xander smiled.
Talia grabbed his arm.
Im sorry for what I said before.
You were right. He looked down to her and smiled.
I cant look too far back and think Ive automatically earned my shot. Even when I have beaten some top-tier quality. I need to look forward. Look more at what I can do to earn it.
The organ started to play, as X looked at the candle he was handed. Where they had walked to, people had lit their candles in a symbolic gesture pertaining to people making wishes.
You want to know why I obsess over the World Championship? Why I feel like I deserve it? He looked back up at her.
Because no-one else sees what I see when they look out at the audience. Those people dont appreciate the person who holds that championship; all they see is the title, not the person holding it. They dont appreciate anyone. X took a box of matches that were placed to the side of the candles, and lit his own.
They dont deserve a World Champion, let alone one they can manipulate.
You want it
so they dont have their favorites holding it.
X smiled.
I want it, so it has someone worthy, who isnt strung along by the hordes of leeches as I once was, holding it up high.
X looked down at the flame on his candle, as he set it down. Talia took the matches out of Xs hand, staring at her own unlit candle.
Its a shame that Mikey Stormrage has to be in your way. But he made his choice when he caused you to be eliminated at the Lottery. If he didn't rake your eyes and left you vulnerable for attack by Matt Tastic
who knows what might have happened.
Cant live in maybes, Tal. You taught me that.
But still, you can at least avenge that in some manner here. She lit her candle.
And continue on.
She placed it down, walking back to Xander and putting her arm around his waist.
I realised what had changed. When thinking of Mikey Stormrage. I wish that hed seen what Ive seen and realised these people have played him for a fool for all of his career but, poor Mikey needs their cheers for validation. Thats the change. Not in him though; in me. I realised that I didnt need it, and unlike most, my hatred, my disdain for him isnt through hating them playing up to the crowd
its that you wish he could see past them.
Xander and Talia looked at both of their flames respectively.
If he doesnt see past them-
-then he wont get past me.