I heard some of the boys are going to have fire! Keaton shouted, the water splashing up his nostrils. He coughed and punched the water as the salty current flowed over his golden hair.
Mark Keaton had never joined his brother on the morning swim. Hed been asked multiple times but he always had an excuse whether it be that the air was cold, the sun was too hot or that hed been drinking the night before. More often than not it was the latter. Keaton loved to party and the smell of last nights adventure often stained him the morning after and throughout the day itself. No such smell lingered today. He was clean, focused and had joined Justin Cooper on the morning swim. He didnt even need to be asked.
Where did you hear that? Justin asked. The water brushing past him as the duo continued to swim out towards a cave that Justin found most calming due to its isolation from the rest of the beach. The sharp edges of the nearby rocks were a hazard to those who had never visited the cave before. It made for a peaceful retreat and on a day like today that was what Justin wanted... no, needed most of all.
The rocks formed a line with a narrow gap wide enough for one person at a time. Keaton was a fair swimmer but had never ventured this far out and struggled against the strong current trying to push him back inland. As a sharp rock caught Keaton unaware, Cooper heard him yell.
Ouch! Got me in the ribs.
I told you to be careful. Come on, were past the outer barrier now. Keep an eye out for the monsters that lurk beneath the water, Cooper laughed. For all the boasting about his swimming ability, Mark had been tossed and turned by the rough waves. That arrogant smirk which graced Keatons face for most of his life had soon disappeared after the first wave took him by surprise and knocked the brand new, two thousand dollar, pair of golden sunglasses off his head.
He never found them once the wave hit. The swearing and shouting had echoed over the water and several families on the beach had hurried away, covering the ears of young children. They climbed up the inside of the cave. The moss on the rocks around the middle was thick, a mix of green and brown, and very slippery. Justin, although he had been here before, still struggled at the best of times while alone but was unable to make it all the way up when Mark Keaton stretched out his arm and both men toppled onto each other and spilled into the water.
Splash!
Sorry bout that, Justin. Thought I felt something grab my leg. You can never be too sure. I mean, everything on land wants a piece of Mark Keaton. Im sure its the same for everything under the sea. Mermaids all over the world swimming at top speed to get a piece of the Remarkable One, baby!
Oh, of course they are. Perhaps even the merman are in on it? Justin replied. He climbed up the rocks by himself as Mark doggy paddled in the water to stay afloat. He reached out and pulled Mark out of the water and they moved over to what looked like a large platform.
It was solid rock but the moss offered a layer of protection. It wasnt slimy, the water a few feet below allowed them to dangle their feet off the edge.
As I was saying earlier, I heard some of the boys are going to have actual fire for their entrance. We should think about that, Mark said, scratching underneath his legs which had touched the moss.
Ive spoken to John and hes told me to come up with something for our entrance earlier in the night but for the main event we need something amazing. We need something thatll make the people know theyre seeing the next World Champion.
I hadnt thought about my entrance at all, said Justin.
Our entrance. Im coming to the ring as well, remember? Mark asked in a slightly annoyed tone as water clogged his ears. He began to tilt the side of his head and pound it with his palm. The water wouldnt come out.
Its not that important, Mark.
Mark leapt to his feet and almost fell into the water for his effort. His face was wet, his hair dripping and the normally beautiful golden locks were covered in salt water which drained the colour out significantly. He stood there and threw his arms up into the air.
Not important! Are you kidding me? This is the biggest stage in professional wrestling and you say its not important. People all over the world, millions of em, are going to be watching and they want to see the speculator. They want to see fire, bright lights, acrobats and canons. Mark proceed to imitate each of the things he named and several others, lasting for several minutes as Justin sat there watching the water underneath and for the most part ignoring the rookie.
They want the remarkable! We cant just walk to the ring. We have to give them a show. What are we wearing? What music will we use? Will we descend from the ceiling? Perhaps a magic carpet would be good. Oh, I know... we can fly a dragon! Ill get right on it. Ill get someone from the company to make us a dragon, red and gold for my colours, and we can ride that bad boy down to the ring. Theyll love it!
No.
Mark stopped. He couldnt believe it.
No? You dont like the dragon? Fine, we can do something else...
Justin stood up and approached Mark. He placed a hand on the man who had come to be known as his own brother. They werent blood related but they had been to battle together. They were tested against the very best and the relationship had formed a bond that was unbreakable. Justin had been there when Mark was in hospital and Mark stood by Justin when his world changed forever at Lethal Lottery. They were and forever would be brothers.
Thank you. I really mean it. I get what youre trying to do but please stop. I dont care about the entrance. I dont care about what I wear or the amount of pyro. None of it matters to me. Justin looked Mark right in the eyes and spoke with a tone of happiness but at the same time it broke ever so slightly into nerviness.
This is it for me. Im finally getting the one chance that I never thought Id get but here I am. When I woke up this morning I half expected this to be a dream. I was ready to wake up and find out that not only had I not won Lethal Lottery but that wed lost the Tag Championships or even that this entire year had been some wonderful dream. Justin felt the wind sweep into the cave and the air made both men shiver as the water intensified with coldness.
Tonight could be the end to a six year journey. A journey I never thought would end. Entrances and all that fluff doesnt matter. All that matters is that youre by my side when I make that walk. Thats the entrance I want.
Keaton never cried. He rarely showed any emotion but these two men had bonded and formed one of the best tag teams of all time. Under the arch of the cave, on the day of their biggest matches, the day that could define each mans career, Mark Keatons eyes were red.
Its from the salt water, Mark said, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
I know. Damn that salt water, Justin said.
Alright but leave the entrance to me. I know youve got a lot to focus on but if I manage to pull something together, will you do it?
Fine. No dragons though.
They laughed. The duo moved towards the edge of the cave and Justin was ready to jump in until he felt Keaton grab him by the arm.
I know weve both get busy days once we get back to shore so I just wanted to tell you that Ill be with you no matter what, win or lose. Just dont go getting all heroic when the time comes. I never knew the man you were before but John has told me he sees the same fire inside me that he saw in you. That same fire that brought you to The Empire. Dont suppress that, Justin. Its your advantage. Dont look at it like a virus or something to be afraid of using. Mark ran his hand through his hair and smirked.
I can only do so much on the outside but I promise that Ill give you a chance. Youll only get one chance though and Im begging you to not let it slip through your fingers for some make believe fantasy of being a hero to the people. Those people dont care. Were nothing but bits in the machine to them. Guys and girls come in and out of this business and are forgotten just as quickly as they started. When your career comes to an end youll look back at this day as either the day you let the World Championship, a chance at history, pass you by or itll be the day that you took what was rightfully yours.
Mark placed both hands on Justins head and went forehead to forehead with him. Their eyes locked in a gaze as Cooper said nothing.
Our team was put to the side so you can chase this dream. A dream of becoming WZCW World Heavyweight Champion. I refuse to accept that you would hand over our Tag Championships and just end what we had if you weren't going to do every damn thing you could to win the World Championship. Do not tell me that our time together was so easily thrown away! You will not pass on this chance, Justin. You will become the WZCW World Heavyweight Champion by any means necessary!
***
By the time they both got back to shore it was time for the press conference and a day of media. Justin had the worst of it. He was the main event alongside Mikey Stormrage and had to be paraded around from talk show to talk show, radio interviews, podcasts and the odd breakfast TV show. It was all a distraction to him and it was unwanted. He had to prepare but his stomach turned, his palms were sweaty and his knee ached whenever he thought of what was coming.
Kingdom Come, the main event and a chance to become World Champion.
He sat on the podium during the press conference and barely heard a word. He muttered common phrases and basic answers which got him through the worst of the press gauntlet earlier in the day. He was tired. Justin was out on his feet. His eyes glistened over and his knee ached with every movement. He tried to adjust, shifting in his seat but nothing worked.
Flash! The cameras were going off. His eyes burned sharply. It was like needles digging into his eyes and his head pounded from the inside. They were shouting over and over again at him. Questions he had already answered earlier in the day.
Stop!
Ive already answered... please... I cant think! Damn it, help... Im falling.
His vision became blurred and Justin felt himself losing it. Surrounded by a swarm of press, vultures all wanting their little piece of him, he staggered through, pushing past and escaping through the slight gaps between each person. One smelt of strong alcohol, another of a sweet perfume but had over done it slightly and the final one, the person coming out of the toilet as he entered, smelt of vomit.
Except it wasnt the man coming out of the toilet he smelt. Justin soon discovered it was himself. He vomited and he just made it to the sink. The smell twisted up into his nose as he heard the rabble going on outside. The press still demanding more.
They will also want more, Justin thought.
Its never going to be enough unless I lose. Would it be worth it? To give up the title to escape all of this?
What do you think? Justin said aloud, though nobody else was in the toilet. It was a small area with yellow bricks and three toilet stalls with one mirror hanging above a sink. It had likely been white but now was a murky brown.
Nothing to add? Justin asked again. He was looking at his own reflection in the mirror.
He was only a few hours away from the chance of a lifetime but here he stood in the toilet, vomiting into the sink, his knee aching with every step, his heart pounding, his palms sweating, his head thumping and his eyes...
This should have been a triumphant moment. He should be on the verge of celebrating but the truth was that Justin was more nervous than ever. Try as he might to deny it his body kept reminding him. You can lie to everyone else but not to yourself, Justins vomit stained shirt reminded him of that. The main event, all those people counting on him and now he was breaking.
He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. The smoke calmed him as he looked at his own reflection in the mirror. His heart started to slow and his head no longer pounded. Was it the cigarette or was it the thought that had just occurred?
Mark. Hell be there with me, Justin said softly. He knew it was strange talking to himself but everything about this experience was strange. He wasnt supposed to be here. He cant be in the main event. Then he thought of Mark. The conversation in the cave, the triumphs and the failures they had shared. He thought of the pain that had shot through his body when he handed over his half of the Tag Titles, which had hurt more than any pain he felt now. He remembered the brotherhood they shared.
Justin splashed water over his face and stood looking into the mirror. He thought of Mikey Stormrage, wondering if he was going through the same turmoil he was.
Weve been on this journey together and now our date is finally here. Three words sum up this entire situation; First Time Ever. Both of us are walking in blind on the grandest stage of them all. For all the experience you have wrestling for World Championships its meaningless now. Im not Garth Black, Im not Constantine and Im not Tyrone Blades. Years ago they would have called you the favourite and sealed your predicted victory with a kiss. Now they all wait on the edge of their seats asking themselves who will land the final blow.
That is the game we shall play tonight, Mikey. You versus me. One on one. Try as you might to turn me into the villain, let me tell you this, you have failed. You may hate me but do not think for one moment that I like you. I detest you. I hate you just as you hate me. When I see you with the World Championship it makes my blood boil as my voice makes yours burn underneath your own skin. Each time I look into your eyes I dont see a man worthy of becoming called World Heavyweight Champion. All I see a leach who sucked away the talent of better wrestlers, threw them aside after he was done and left their bones to rot.
As the cold water dripped down his face it mixed with sweat. Justin remained focused on the mirror and the image of himself standing tall with the title during the SuperShow reflected back at him in his minds eye.
That is what you are, Mikey. You are a leach, a paranoid little leach that will find out at Kingdom Come that you are no hero. I. AM. THE. HERO! I will achieve my dream, the six year journey is at an end. I know what I must do now. I cannot let you walk out of Kingdom Come as WZCW World Heavyweight Champion. I give you my word.
Even if it destroys me.
With that Justin splashed some water onto his face for a second time, wiped his shirt clean and headed back toward the swarm of press. He had his focus back, he had his motivation and had a promise to keep. He had to defeat Mikey Stormrage, for the fans, for all Mark had given him and to cement his legacy, and take the World Championship by any means necessary.
