MD95: Matt Tastic vs. Theron Daggershield

[Kermit]

Deadline is Tuesday (November 5th, 2013) at 11:59P.M. (Central Time). Extensions available upon request. ​

 

[Dagger Dias]

Theron's Merry Band of Misfits

In the back office sat Damgar, the Orc who was in charge of determining which combatants faced each other at the Wheloon branch of the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation. Damgar sat at his desk preparing the next string of matches, very focused on his work. Suddenly, the door to his office is kicked open by a very frustrated Theron Daggershield.

Theron: What's this about me losing my title shot?

Theron is by himself. His Merry Band of Misfits had gone to report their findings at the ruins to Redbeard, the gentleman who sent them on the quest in the first place. Theron walks up to Damgar, who does not face Theron and continues his work.

Theron: Damgar, I am talking to you. Can you explain what's going on?

The orc sighs and responds while still working, facing his match listing paper rather than Theron.

Damgar: You didn't read the rules did you? No Floating Skulls in the bar. That's our number one rule here and with you violating it you cannot have a title match.

Theron: I won fair and square! Not to mention the fact that the other gladiators from that match are all dead.

Damgar looks up at Theron and places his match listing paper on his desk.

Damgar: Not all of them. The amazon you killed at the very end of the match was brought back to life by one of our clerics, who are always on site for just such an incident. She will have the title match in your place since she got 2nd in the contendership battle.

Theron clenches his fists in frustration.

Theron: I worked hard for that title shot! Plus, that wasn't even my floating skull. He belongs to a Necromancer who was traveling with me. Why are you punishing me for breaking such an idiotic rule?

Damgar, still looking at Theron, leans back in his chair and stares at Theron for a moment before responding.

Damgar: Look, kid.... Rules are rules. That title shot is gone, you aren't getting it back. However, since you're such a tremendous warrior, one of the finest this arena has ever seen since the great Sealamin Glimmergaunt was your age.... I will still give you an opportunity to take out some of that anger.

Theron: Alright! So who is it?

Damgar: I'll put you in a match against a Dark Knight human named Leonaros Moonshadow. He's actually the same individual who reported you for violating the no floating skulls in the bar rule.

Theron: That jerk? Isn't he the former paladin who recently turned on all of his fans resulting in him becoming a dark knight because he didn't like that monsters and constructs are now allowed to compete here?

Damgar: The one and the same. He happened to be in the bar and saw your pirate ally sneak the bartender money to keep quiet about your floating skull. I'll add your match against Leonaros to the next event. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do. Leave my office.

Damgar starts writing again, Theron shakes his head and leaves the office. Scene fades out.


Scene fades back in at the bar of the arena. There is a larger crowd than usual made up of a diverse number of races such as humans, elves, gnomes, halflings, and dwarves. Theron is enjoying a drink while waiting on his allies to return from meeting with Redbeard regarding their encounter with Sealamin at the ruins. Suddenly a dwarf walks by Theron, handing him a piece of paper.

Dwarf: Carrier gryphon message for you, Mr Daggershield. It is a letter from somebody named Kirilah.

The dwarf leaves and Theron opens the letter.

Theron: Kirilah? Could it be? She's alive....?

Theron recognizes the handwriting of his former companion and begins reading. Kirilah's voice can be heard as he reads her letter.

Theron, I hope that you receive this letter in time. I fear you are in danger. I am currently in the town of Waterward investigating the New Church of Shar, a cult worshipping my deity's sworn enemy.

Scenes of Kirilah's recent incident in the town of Waterward begin playing in the background. She is seen speaking with the Halfling who signed her up for the Superstars Show where she faced the Centaur Pink, but the only audible sound is her voice citing the contents of the letter.

I hear you are a member of the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation now. I'm sorry to hear about your title contendership not being granted to you due to breaking an unncessary rule. It would not surprise me in the slightest if Keifasar purposefully brought Neep into the bar to sabotage your contendership status.

Scenes of Kirilah speaking with Brock the dwarf and Autumn the dryad now play, as Kirilah's voice-over continues to recite the letter.

Upon my disappearance, I had been warped to a wasteland by some sort of magic. None of our other companions nor the kobold sorceror we fought were with me. Keifasar had to have had something to do with it, I swear on Mystra's holy name if he tried to kill me he will regret it. I was saved by a dwarf named Brock and a dryad named Autumn, who offered to take me to the nearest town, which is Waterward and that is where I am going to remain for the moment.

Scenes of Kirilah fighting prophets of Shar and a unicorn play as her voice-over is still heard.

Spoiler

Brock had a condition for showing me to the town, it turns out he wanted me to follow two prophets of Shar to their local temple. Obviously I refused and proceeded to smite their unholy hides. In their dying breaths they summoned an evil unicorn that I was able to defeat. Unfortunately I was not quite as lucky in my match against Pink the Centaur later that day, which I lost.

A scene of Kirilah looking up at the World Gladiatorial Combat Federarion's logo with a concerned look on her face is seen as she finishes up her letter.

I plan on visiting the Shar temple after all so my suspicions regarding the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation's involvement in this cult can be confirmed. They supposedly have an artifact blessed by Mystra at the temple that I must retrieve, but it is too dangerous for me to go alone. I wish for you and the Merry Band of Misfits as you call them, to come with me. I pray that Mystra guides you here safely, and I hope everyone is well. Including Keifasar. Please hurry to Waterward as soon as you get the chance, I will be waiting.

Mystra's blessings to each of you,
Kirilah

Scene shifts to Theron, Kirilah's letter in one hand, his drink in the other. Theron has a look of deep thought in his face. He takes a few sips from his drink while floating text comes up reading "25 minutes later" and then once the floating text flies offscreen, Kayrentia the Druid and Sheshmish the Swashbuckler return to find their leader reading Kirilah's letter. They sit down at the bar next to him, Sheshmish to Theron's immediate right and Kayrentia beside Sheshmish.

Kayrentia: Theron, we have returned. What's that?

Theron: A carrier gryphon letter from none other than Kirilah. Where are Keifasar and Davivel....?

Kayrentia: In town. We did not want to risk you getting in trouble for bringing Neep in here again, and you won't allow Keifasar to be alone so Davivel is watching him.

Theron looks around to make sure no one is listening to their conversation. None of the other customers in the bar appear interested in what Kayrentia just said. He puts the letter down.

Theron: Keep it down. So.... How did it go with Redbeard?

Sheshmish: I challenged him to a rum drinking contest, the landlubber declined.

Theron: Ok.... Did anything that's actually important happen?

Sheshmish: Not really, captain. He ordered we report future findings to him about the other artifacts.

Kayrentia: Redbeard is fine with us searching for the rest of the artifacts. What did Kirilah say in her letter, how is she? Or should I instead ask where is she?

Theron looks at the letter, then looks back at his allies again.

Theron: She's in the town of Waterward and participated in a gladiatorial combat match there against a Centaur named Pink. Unfortunately I heard she lost the match. Now she is investigating the New Church of Shar. She fears the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation is connected to it somehow and wants us to meet up with her in Waterward.

Kayrentia: New Church of Shar? Wasn't Sealamin's cult a chapter of that?

Theron: Yep. I'm glad she's alive. For now, I'll need you two to get the others and meet up with Sealamin's contact in town about the other ruins locations. I'd go, but I have another match coming up against a Dark Knight human named Leonaros Moonshadow.

Sheshmish: Can ye beat him, captain?

Theron: I hope so. It will be no easy victory, he has been a regional champion before. Multiple times. However, if Kirilah's suspicions are true, he may be connected to the New Church of Shar too. They would be the type to recruit a Dark Knight, Shar being an evil deity and all.

Kayrentia: Shouldn't we try to reunite with Kirilah immediately?

Theron: It depends on how it goes with Sealamin's contact. Waterward should be where we will go next if at all possible. My match with Leonaros takes priority right now though. He was the one who cost me the contendership in the first place.

Kayrentia: What? How did that happen?

Theron: He saw Sheshmish slip money to the bartender to keep quiet about Neep and then he told the arena staff, all of which are part of the team who put the matches together. I have a chance to take some frustration out while also making a name for myself. That is an opportunity I don't want to pass up! Go get the others. I'm sure the contact is waiting for you as we speak. Should the meeting go well, we can leave for Waterward in the morning. Have Davivel speak on my behalf, I trust his judgment.

Kayrentia: We will. Best of luck in your match. Are you going to write Kirilah back to let her know we are coming to find her?

Theron: Yeah. I'll write her back the moment my match is over to inform her we will come help her.

Theron starts drinking again as his two allies leave the bar to join the rest of the Merry Band of Misfits in meeting with Sealamin's contact in town. As they leave an armored human approaches Theron. Theron looks up at the armored man, the warblade's drink still in his hand. Theron recognizes the figure, it is his next opponent, Leonaros Moonshadow.

Theron: Leonaros Moonshadow, right? I liked you a lot better as a paladin. I take it you're not here to wish me luck in our match?

Leonaros: No. Never! I have sworn to rid the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation of all of its silly ridiculous competitors. We have a construct running around wearing a championship for goodness sakes. A CONSTRUCT!!!! They even let a Lizard Man join the federation after the match at last year's big event!

Theron: So what? Not everyone has to be a humanoid. You aren't being very fair.

Leonaros: FAIR!? You want to talk to me about what's FAIR!? I should be the champion of this region right now! Not that ridiculous construct!

Theron stands up and puts his drink down.

Theron: Hey, don't interrupt me. I wasn't done yet. I was about to tell you that the champion you lost to, who I should be facing this week had you not incorrectly informed the staff of the floating skull situation mind you, he's a Golem. Not a construct.

Leonaros: Construct, Golem, same thing. The point is, combatants of non-humanoid origin should compete in monster arenas, not in gladiatorial combat for contendership of one of our prestigious championships. You're half fire elemental, you wouldn't understand. I'd put you into that same category with the constructs and lizard men.

Theron: To think you used to be a respected crusader.... You deserve all of the disrespect and hatred of the fans you currently endure. What's next, will only humans be allowed to compete?

Leonaros: I came to warn you. I will be restoring the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation to its former glory by ridding it of all non-humanoid fighters. That includes you and your floating skull.

Theron: You leave Neep out of this. He's not even mine. He's my friend's pet. Now I will let you know where we go from here. Either you leave me alone to finish my drink and save this confrontation for our match, or we can do with the second option where I have no problem of starting our match early, RIGHT HERE.... RIGHT NOW....!

The dwarven bartender walks over to Theron and Leonaros to intervene, as the entire bar is watching them now.

Dwarf: Hey! No fighting in the bar!

Leonaros: It's fine, I was just leaving.

Leonaros turns and has his back to Theron.

Theron: I'll see you in the arena, where I'm going to prove to you just how worthy combatants who aren't human can be!

Leonaros stands still for a moment, still facing away from Theron. Then slowly exits the bar without looking at his opponent. Theron sits back down to finish his drink.

Theron: Hey, barkeep! Get me another round of drinks. I'll buy one for everyone in the bar.... and for those who aren't human, make it two!

The rest of the customers in the bar cheer upon hearing this and begin chanting Theron's name. Scene fades to black.

 

[ABMorales787]

Matt Tastic finds himself in Stockholm Sweden, where WZCW holds the first of it's stops in it's European Tour. At Redemption, Matt's attempt at redemption did not go well after losing to SHIT. He cannot challenge the robot again as long as he's champion. So what now? An interview has been set to discuss that particular issue as well as his match this week against Theron Daggershield.


==================Backstage==================
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Leon Kensworth: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first of many interview sessions that will emanate from all over Europe as WZCW presents it's annual European Tour. At this time, I would like welcome the man who at Redemption challenged the Elite X Champion, but after a very brave effort, came up short. That man is Matt Tastic.


Matt enters the picture with a smug look in his face, not showing frustration from his loss. An uncharacteristic thing about him.


Leon: It's a basic question, Mr. Tastic. What's next for you now? What's your plan with Apocalypse on the horizon?


Matt Tastic: You're saying I lost at Redemption? I did not lose to SHIT, Leon. I was screwed.


Leon: Screwed? By who?


Matt: Leon, it's become clear to me what's going on around here. I've finally had the wool removed from my face, I now see the truth.


Leon: What are you talking about?


Matt: There is someone out to keep me from being successful. I've seen it. I'm aware of it.


Leon: I didn't see anyone during your match.


Matt: During the PPV, lighting struck the building as I had SHIT pinned on the mat. Because of this strike of lightning, the ref delayed the 3 count and SHIT was able to kick out. He was clearly startled by it.


Leon: What?! The sky was perfectly clear that night. There was no--


Matt: WHAT THE HELL WOULD YOU KNOW?! It was a closed arena. You couldn't see the sky.


Leon: But you--


Matt: SHUT UP! As usual. WZCW management sets me up to succeed, but then they pull the rug from under me. It's clear that all they wanted is for me to make SHIT look like he's half decent. Well congrats, he's half decent now. He's still SHIT though.


Leon:How could you say you were screwed when you lost fairly? It was pretty clear to watch?


Matt: You just keep believing in your little fantasies, Leon. But not me. I live in the real world. And in the real world, a cardboard robot makes no sense. He's more squared than the wrestling ring for God's sake! I know people are still hung that he's real, but don't worry baby birds, poppa Tastic is here to feed you. I'm the cure to the sickness that plagues this wrestling company. The one sane man under this carnival parade.


Leon: What are you talking about?


Matt: Listen, Leon. I know that you know that I know that there's a major power play going backstage. The wind is changing and the tides are turning. We have a new boss after all. And from now on, our direction will change. We used to go south, now we'll go north. I also know that there is a cabal of powerful people that make the world move. Boy bands popping up again, Miley Cyrus twerking, Syria, George Lucas selling out to Disney, me losing because of a freak thunderbolt to a walking cereal box, it's all connected. It's like with aglets, Leon.


Leon: What are aglets?


Matt: WHAT?!


Matt crouches off screen for a moment and pops back up with his shoe, a cheap OSIRIS sneaker with silly colors, on his hand. He pulls out the shoelace and shows it off.


Leon: That's a shoe.


Matt: The tip of the shoelace, you dunderhead. That's an aglet. And they don't fool me. I can tell. I know. Their purpose.......


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…........Is sinister.


Leon: You've lost it.


Matt: The match? Yes. And I am extremely mad about that. I demand another chance to show SHIT what a real wrestler is like. He didn't beat me. A fluke made him get lucky. But I can't ignore the conspiracies around me, Leon. But this isn't like the conspiracies Drake Callahan used to talk about. No no no, this is- this is far bigger stuff. There are major forces beyond your unimaginative understanding that want to keep me from reaching my destined success. Because in a logical world there is simply no way an alleged, automaton, which bases it's actions on a series of “yesses” and “noes” is a better athlete than the Super Saiyan Of Professional Wrestling himself. The Man-Beast Machine, Matt Tastic. Now is there Leon?


Leon: It just looks like you're making up cheap excuses--


Matt: SHUT UP! Leon, we are discussing reality here. If you're gonna keep talking your silly little fantasyland BS, I suggest you leave. I'm not gonna put up with more unprofessionalism. Mr. Banks may fire you if he finds you incapable of performing appropriately.


Leon: Sorry. I guess. But moving on--


Matt: Wait. That reminds me.


Leon: Are you gonna keep interrupting--


Matt: SHUT UP! “Fantasyland”. What's that's dork's name? He's my opponent coming up.


Leon: Theron Dag--


Matt: Jeff.


Leon: No, it's The-


Matt: Whatever. He's Jeff to me now. I am fighting Jeff this round. The guy who throws those dices and runs around Imaginationville with his friends the Thudercats. What were their names? Tweedle Dee? Tweedle Dumb? Haha. Fitting that he calls them a "band" of misfits. Not even in a made up world does he fit in.


Leon: Hey, I liked the Thunder-


Matt: BE QUIET! I really don't care if you liked watching the Teletubbies, Leon. I am talking about Jeff, his stupid game, his stupid friends and his fucking stupid gimmick. He throws a die that isn't even squared and does things based on the number. I got that straight, right?


Leon: Yes.


Matt: See? I won't cut you off if you just stick to the subject.


Leon: I gu--


Matt: OK. That's enough lip from you. Come with me.


Matt grabs Leon by the collar of his shirt and drags him off. They eventually stumble onto Bob. The average backstage worker.


Leon: Ouch. Ouch! Sto--


Matt: Bill!


Bob: It's Bo-


Matt: Whatever, Bart. Listen, you wanna win 5 dollars?


Bob: That would be grand! I can get lun--


Matt: Jesus Christ, he's as chatty as you. Here. Hold the bill.


Matt gives Bob a 5 dollar bill to hold and instructs him to stick out his hand.


Matt: Ready? You have to answer quick. Got it?


Bob: Got it.


Matt: Anwerquickanswerquickanswerquick, how many of each animals did Moses load into the ar--


Bob: TWO!!


Matt shoots his signature cheshire grin. He'd bite his ears if it were any wider. He snatches the bill off Bob's hand in an instant.


Matt: Nope! It was Noah. Moron. Hahahahahahahahaha!!! Idiot. Tell you what. I'll give another chance at it. Easier this time. A coin toss. But since you messed up the last time, I'll call it. Deal?


Bob: Deal!


Matt pulls a quarter out of his pocket and throws it in the air.


Matt: Heads.


He catches the coin and places it on his hand and shows it.




It's heads.


Bob: What?


Matt: Surprised I won? Well I'm not. I don't let luck determine what I do.


Matt shows his coin is actually heads on both sides. He flips it, catches it and puts it away in his pocket alongside his 5 dollars.


Matt: Jeff lets his actions be determined by chance.


Bob: Wait, who's Jeff?


Matt grabs Bob in a headlock and nookies his head, then shoves him off screen before resuming his tirade.


Matt: And he dares to claim he's some fierce “dragon slaying warrior”. A real WRESTLER, what I do. What he's supposed to do. Doesn't let chance determine his success. A real wrestler relies on his skills in the ring. I make sure every hit I make is a critical hit. I'll pull Jeff out of his fantasy-filled bubble and kick his ass until he realizes he's not in Asgard. There's no unicorns or zombies here.
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Well, maybe he's not all that wrong. There's robots, psychos and of course dozens of mad doctors. But just like him, they're all just a bunch of cosplaying pretenders that come in here looking for a way to stick out and take the focus off the genuinely talented professional wrestlers like myself. But in the end, it's true talent and genius that prevails.


Leon: If I can ask another question, Matt. You say you want to get in the ring with SHIT. But because he's Elite X Champion and you lost to him, you can't challenge him again. What will you do?


Matt: Hehehehehe...... You just sit back and watch how I work, Leon. I won't let a talking cereal box get the better of me. Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice.


Leon: But we're somewhere e--


Matt: SHIT is shit! Jeff sucks and blows! And I'm awesome! That's all YOU have to worry about! Now for the one millionth time, stop freakin' interrupting me. This interview is about me. Not you. And right now, ME, the rightful Elite X Champion..... ME, the man who'll beat Jeff and send him packin', declares this interview over. ME! Now saunter on out of here.


Leon leaves as Matt grins on.


Matt: …..hehehehehehehe....... Hahahahahahahaha....... HEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!

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Matt is dead set of revenge. He truly believes something outside his power went wrong in his match with SHIT at Redemption and wants that second chance. There's no telling what he'll do for that second chance or what he might do in his match with Theron Daggershield. The plucky young competitor is heading into a match with a very determined Matt Tastic.​