"We Only Fall So That We Can Get Back Up"
Constantine was no stranger to his own company. After all, he was seemingly known as an altogether divisive character, separating opinions of his work and his own personalty. He had learned a long time ago that the only person he could trust was himself and he liked it that way.
But now, in this empty arena, everything seemed different. Sure, Constantine had been alone in the past. But without his Empire, John Constantine truly was alone. The threats of bringing the wrath of his union down upon any and all who stood in his way had disappeared and all that remained was a devastated Constantine.
Constantine looked around the arena, reminding himself of the last time that he had the luxury of being found in such a scenario. That day, Alex Bowen and Justin Cooper were on the eve of their biggest tag team win. Constantine had seen the desire in their eyes that day as he stood delivering another of his glorious motivational speeches. He had lit a fire in their stomachs that could only be doused by success. It was Constantine's proudest moment as a leader of men. All of the political gain he had received meant nothing in that moment. He had finally mastered his Empire and he was sure that nothing but success awaited them.
But how far he had come from that moment. What success story was being written with that win had been swiftly erased as Constantine's Empire crumbled to dust.
Even his own successes had been overlooked as news broke of the demise of his brotherhood. The win over the current Elite X Champion Sam Smith was as good as eradicated. The loss to Mikey Stormrage had seen to that. But with so much on his mind, Constantine was assured of his loss to the overweight gamer. It was only a matter of time until cracks began to form in his façade. He would be lying if he told anyone that he didn't see this coming. Finally, it had taken it's toll; mentally and physically.
Mia: It's eerie, isn't it?
Sitting on the edge of the half-assembled ring, Constantine turned his head slightly towards the ramp. There, the beautifully put-together figure of Mia Sinclair stood, her hands clasped tightly behind her back. Constantine gave her a slight nod as he turned away from her.
Mia: I've always thought there was something strange about an empty arena. All of those seats with no one to sit in them. There's just a strange feeling about that, don't you think?
Constantine: Yeah, I get that.
Mia shakes her head a little before beginning to walk down what remains of the ramp. Slowly, she climbs the steps to the ring before finally seating herself beside The Power Trip. Wiping the dust from the front of her grey skirt, Mia turns to Constantine.
Mia: I remember the first time I ever sat in an empty arena with you, you know?
Constantine turns to Mia offering her a look of surprise.
Mia: Almost 3 years ago it was. I remember being so scared about it all. I'd never been in an arena so big before. I was sweating like crazy and I could barely keep my thoughts in order. God knows what you must have been feeling that night.
Constantine gives a little chuckle at Mia's light-hearted barb.
Constantine: You were sweating? I remember having to change my shirt right before I came out to interrupt Doug Crashin, of all people.
Mia begins to laugh softly, tilting her head back and allowing her hair to dance around. Constantine had always liked her laugh, it made him feel peaceful. Constantine needed that now.
Mia: Doug Crashin. Jesus. We've come a long way you and I, John.
Constantine turns to look at Mia, her eyes meeting his for a moment. She gives him a smile and turns away again.
Constantine:
Yeah.
Mia: Do you ever regret it? Coming here?
Constantine pauses for a moment, looking out deep into the rows of unfilled seats that lie before him. He had often thought about his position within the company and pondered any regrets that he had. His mind had raced between thoughts of Showtime David Cougar betraying him and his alliance, allowing Steven Holmes to rob him of his Elite X Championship reign, and not putting Cougar away at All Or Nothing. But those were personal thoughts and silence was the only answer to Mia's question.
Mia: That night, the night we first came to a WZCW arena, I remember thinking that we were so out of our depth. I mean, I had never seen anything like this in my life. And you, you were just a politician, disgraced and shunned. I remember thinking to myself what are we even doing here. We didn't belong here.
Constantine's silence fuels Mia fire as she presses on.
Mia: And when you had your first match with Austin Reynolds, I remember standing backstage, just waiting for you to appear round the corner on a stretcher. And I would tell you that I told you so and we would lick our wounds and move on.
At that, Mia reaches for The Power Trip's hand. Shocked but appreciative, Constantine meets her gesture. He gives a slight smile but it doesn't seem genuine.
Mia: But that's not what happened, John. What happened was that you fought for everything you believed in and gave Austin Reynolds the fight of his life. He had never seen or faced a competitor like you in all of his wrestling life and you showed him everything he needed to know about you. You fought and you fought and you would never have dreamed of giving up.
The former politician turns to Mia.
Mia: And since that moment, John, you have never given up fighting for what you believe in.
A sudden look of pride sweeps across the features of The Power Trip now.
Mia: You have worked harder than anyone in this company to forge a legacy for yourself and you have picked yourself up every time it has crumbled. You always come back stronger and smarter. It's what made you a great politician and it is what will make you a glorious Champion for this company.
Constantine: It feels different this time, Mia. I put so much time and effort into The Empire. I gave it everything that I had and it still wasn't enough. I was sure that Cooper and Bowen could take me places. With a little refinement and a bit of hard work, I was sure that I could forge a legacy for myself. All of my words and all of my actions. They mean nothing now.
Mia: But you never needed them, John.
Mia pleads fall on unappreciative ears as Constantine lets out a grunt of derision before turning away from his long-time friend.
Mia: Where were Alex Bowen when you defeated the likes of Everest, Big Dave and Showtime David Cougar?
Constantine shakes his head in disagreement.
Mia: Where were they when you defeated 5 other men in an Elimination Chamber match to win the King For A Day case? Hell, where were they when you beat Sam Smith in the middle of this ring only a few weeks ago? The real strength of The Empire was you. Your leadership, your spirit, your success. That's what brought Alex Bowen and Justin Cooper to you. That's what was driving you forward. You still have all of that.
Constantine: I just...
The former politicians speech trails off once more as he loses himself in thought once again.
Mia: You always told me that the night was always darkest before the dawn. No matter how bad things got, there was always another day to look forward to; another chance to redeem yourself and take what was yours. Well this is your darkest night, John. But just ahead, your day is coming. Sam Smith stands between you and what should be rightfully yours. Your chance to make good on all of those promises is there. Just take it.
Constantine turns back towards Mia now, a slightly renewed vigour upon his face.
Constantine: Maybe you're right, Mia.
Mia allows a wry smile to cross her face.
Mia: Maybe I am?
Constantine matches her smile with one of his own, this time with more genuine feeling.
Mia: Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you. I got news on Operation Wild-Dog this morning.
Constantine immediately perks up, his eyes alive with passion now. Letting Mia's hands go, Constantine rounds on her, excitement not beginning to emanate from the number one contender to the Elite X Championship.
Mia: It was successful.
At that, a huge smile crosses the features of Constantine. Mia lets out a small laugh as Constantine embraces her strongly.
Constantine: This changes everything, Mia.
Mia: I thought you'd be pleased.
Constantine: And what of stage 2? Now that stage 1 is completed, we need to press on. Time is running out Mia.
Constantine jumps to his feet, thoughts racing through his mind frantically.
Mia: It's on-going, John. We knew it wasn't going to be easy but we're working on it. Perhaps you may want to get involved with it yourself.
Constantine: Yes, right away.
Constantine offers Mia a hand, From her seated position, Mia grabs the hand of her boss and is immediately pulled to her feet with gusto. Constantine's smile has returned and Mia cannot help but take some satisfaction from that. Meeting her eyes for a moment, Constantine puts one hand on her arm.
Constantine: I have to thank you, Mia. You have been my most loyal of friends and have never given up on me. And for that, I will not give up on you. The news that you have just given me sets in motion a chain of events that will truly bring about change in this company. Honestly, Mia, this changes everything.
Mia gives a slight nod in Constantine's direction, accepting his thanks graciously.
Mia: And of Smith and the Elite X Championship?
Constantine comes to a halt now, a chill running down his spine. In all of his excitement, it seems that The Power Trip lost sight of his next adversary. In his current frame of mind, Constantine was sure that Smith would pose more of a challenge than he ever had. Constantine knew he was dangerous and that he would be looking for revenge.
Constantine: Sam Smith was a worthy Elite X Champion, Mia. Many will run his accomplishments into the ground in an attempt to size him up. But I have been in the ring with Sam Smith on multiple occasions and I know what he is capable of. The mistake of other competitors is underestimating Smith. He is a dangerous competitor.
Mia widens her eyes a little.
Mia: I never really expected you to say that, John.
Constantine: Quite. However, Sam Smith has never beaten John Constantine. Let the records show that the current Elite X Champion has never been the measure of John Constantine. On numerous occasions, I have stood toe-to-toe with Smith and I have never found myself a loser yet.
Mia: That's more like it.
Constantine: Sam Smith refuses to do this, Mia. He refuses to see the absolute truth and this is why he will never beat me. Sam Smith, just like John Constantine, has faced personal dilemmas that have rocked him to his very core. But unlike me, Smith has never learned from them. He has found himself stuck in the mire of his own lies and deceit. I have said it once before and I will reiterate it now when it is most adequate, Sam Smith is living a lie.
Mia nods in agreement, caught up in the excitement and flowing bluster of her bosses words once again.
Mia: More like Sham Smith.
Constantine lets out a small laugh as he surges with excitement.
Constantine: Smith has been an excellent Elite X Champion but it has taken everything from him. He stands clutching his Championship as everything else turns to dust around him. His relationships, his personality; these have been the causalities of such a reign. And just like you just witnessed, our mistakes will catch up with us all. Sam Smith's day of reckoning has arrived and I can assure you that John Constantine will be the one doling out the justice.
Mia suppresses a laugh as she talks.
Mia: Quite the turn around we've had.
Constantine: All it takes, Mia, is one single action. One domino to fall to cause a change through anything. Whether it is something small like my ego or something huge like WZCW, chain reactions pulse through everything, one after another. This Saturday at Ascension, I can be that domino for WZCW. Just when I thought that everything was lost, another opportunity to put myself amongst the great presents itself to me.
Constantine stops, a smile upon his face.
Constantine: Thank you, Mia. Thank you for giving me my domino.
