KING ARRIVED
We see the PRIME*RAMP and the PRIME*STAGE, which is absolutely gorgeous and delightful. Free of blood (at least thus far, the night isn’t done quite yet) to boot. The production crew are feverishly working as the fans are trying to wrap their minds around… whatever the fuck that eGG Bandit Lumberjack Match was…
Then, the body of The Anglo Luchador is tossed out onto said stage, half unconscious, half battered. The fans immediately turn their attention to their favorite hero (well, for some it might be their second-favorite hero, but he is still a hero, damnit!) who seems out of it and unable to move very much.
Nick Stuart: What the hell is going on?
Richard Parker: You know, I don’t know any better than you do. I’m literally sitting next to you. You think I planned this? You saw my bachelor party in 2004. I can’t plan for shit.
Nick Stuart: Yes, very true. The Anglo Luchador though is lying on the PRIME*STAGE. We saw him right after the Eddie Cross and Dave Gibson match where he’d received some flowers —
Richard Parker: Not from me, just want to make sure that’s clear for the record.
Nick Stuart: — yes, we know not from you — and he seemed to go unconscious.
Richard Parker: I assumed he was just taking a quick nap.
Nick Stuart: Well, clearly he wasn’t and now he is here.
As he lays there, two men emerge from backstage. One wears a pair of black basketball shorts that match perfectly with his black tank top. His hair, dreads, rests on top of his head like a man bun that hangs loosely around his head. His caramel face exhibits joy and glee at the scene. The other, dressed in black pants and a white button-up shirt doesn’t look to be as joyful though. His face is stoic as he looks at the other man, his short buzz cut a sharp contrast to the other man he’s with.
Nick Stuart: Wait, isn’t that the team that Eminence faced at the Milo Flynn Cup? Kinetic Innovation?
Richard Parker: I… couldn’t tell you actually. I never watched it. This is about all of the wrestling I watch if I’m being honest.
Nick Stuart: I’d heard they signed a contract with PRIME, which is weird considering we don’t have a tag division any longer.
Richard Parker: Or that TAL isn’t a tag team wrestler? This is definitely odd.
They stand around The Anglo Luchador, mocking him, but not touching him. They seem to be having fun though, and that’s the most important part of all this, right?
Oh, probably not. Sorry TAL.
Then, another body emerges. A man with blonde hair slicked back and a pair of black shades (keeping in mind that it’s definitely night time in the city of Chicago at this time) steps out onto the stage, running his fingers around his goatee with a bemused look on his face. Wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a blue cotton-soft shirt, he looks at The Anglo Luchador and slowly shakes his head.
Nick Stuart: What the hell is going on?
Richard Parker: Well, you know how TAL has been receiving random flowers each week?
Nick Stuart: Yeah…
Richard Parker: And you remember those commercials about KING…
Nick Stuart: Yeah…
Richard Parker: And the logo of KING was on one of those boxes…
Nick Stuart: Would you just spit it out already?!
Richard Parker: I think this is KING!
Nick Stuart: Oh…
Then, a fourth man appears from the backstage area. This one, the PRIME faithful recognize a bit more. Those in Chicago might also remember him as he appeared for a local wrestling promotion that we’re not discussing tonight. He is wearing a pair of light blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and denim jacket. He carries a microphone in his right hand and looks down at The Anglo Luchador.
The fans, recognize him, make a reaction, though it is a scattered reaction because of the fact that he appears to be associated with this group. This group which has dragged one of their heroes out onto the stage.
Nick Stuart: Wait, is that David Noble?
Richard Parker: Well, I sure as shit didn’t expect to see him out here tonight.
Nick Stuart: No kidding and yet, here he is. With that random guy and Cory Kensington and Jamaal Ingram. What the hell is going on?
David stands mere inches away from The Anglo Luchador, who is pawing at his ankle, trying to get himself back up to his feet. Noble looks down, a sly smile on his face, as he kneels down and looks at The Luchador.
David Noble: Tom, Tom. Just… relax. It’s going to all be okay. I promise you. Trust us, we wish it didn’t have to happen after your battle with Paxton Ray, but that’s kind of… your thing, isn’t it? You know, saving people? Being the hero?
David then stands back up and looks out at the fans.
David Noble: And these people… the PRIME faithful, they love you for it. Because that’s why they come out here, show after show. It didn’t matter that there was a ten year hiatus in the middle of it, they still showed up in droves! To see… their heroes. And that word? Heroes?
Noble looks around at the crowd gathered in Soldier Field and then looks over at his compatriots.
David Noble: It makes me sick, Tom. They applaud you, they cheer you on. Are you a good guy, Tom? Are you a good guy? Sure, Paxton Ray is a shit human being, but he doesn’t disguise himself to be anything other than that. He doesn’t come out here and pump this crowd up while being a despicable person behind the scenes.
David inches back towards Tom.
David Noble: I get it, though. You think you’re doing the right thing. You hid Melissa and Nora from Paxton because we see the monster that he is. For these fans out here, they believe that’s the right thing to do. Right is relative though, Tom. You see, just because you believe that you are right, doesn’t make it so, now does it?
A smile appears on David’s face.
David Noble: Forgive my manners. I’m out here rambling and I’m sure some of the people in this audience don’t recognize me. You probably don’t watch that little indy place up the road from here that is absolutely seething tonight, knowing that the big ‘ol PRIME is out here in their backyard doing record numbers. Some of you probably didn’t catch my first stint in PRIME or even in DEFIANCE. Well, allow me to introduce myself. I’m David Noble.
He then points to each of the remaining men in order.
David Noble: These two dynamic guys are Kinetic Innovation, Cory Kensington and Jamaal Ingram. And this other guy, this guy who looks like a sexy Ryan Gosling who wouldn’t blink an eye before dropping you where you stand, is Shawn Graham. Together, we are KING. Together, we are here for…
That smile returns to David’s face.
David Noble: Spoilers. I don’t think we’re quite ready for that talk yet. No, no. Tonight, we are here for Tom. We are here because while he’s been busy playing hero and puffing himself up to be the Paladin of PRIME… but, we know the truth. We know who Tom really is. And it’s okay that Tom is who he is. What’s not okay, is that he pretends to be someone else for the rest of you. Just like most of the people back in the locker room do.
David then kneels down in front of Tom once again.
David Noble: But, I see your confusion, Tom. Because you’re looking at me, and you don’t recognize me in the least bit. And that’s right, you don’t know me. You look over at Cory, Jamaal, and Shawn. You don’t know them either. Don’t worry, they don’t know you either. But Tom…
He looks Tom in the eyes.
David Noble: She does.
Then, the lights dim inside of Soldier Field as “Only One King” by Tommee Profit and Jung Youth plays.
‘Cause there’s only one king
And there’s only one crown
And there ain’t enough room for us both on the throne
So it’s ’bout to go down (So it’s ’bout to go down)
So you better start running
So you better start running
So you better start running
Because I’m coming right now
‘Cause I’m coming right now
Then, a woman emerges from the backstage area. Dark brown hair tied into a ponytail, dark blue jeans that are tight, a flow-y white blouse. Her eyes are familiar, with a tint of fire to them, as she steps out onto the stage that she swore she’d never step onto.
The music then fades.
Nick Stuart: Holy shit…
Richard Parker: Wait.. is that…
Nick Stuart: That is the daughter of PRIME Hall of Famer, Dusk. That is Rose!
Richard Parker: Well, let me tell you, I didn’t have that on my bingo card for tonight.
Her black boots echo off the stage as she walks towards Tom and David, before taking the microphone from Tom’s hand and kneeling next to Tom. David stands up and moves behind her.
Her eyes, sharp and focused, would burn a hole through Tom’s face… if they could. She brings the microphone to her lips.
Rose: Hi Tom, long time no see. [pauses] This isn’t just about you, but you are going to be the example for everyone. I promise you that.
She then flips the microphone onto the stage and stands up over Tom. The fans look on, some confused, some stunned. She stands there for a moment before the smile appears on her face.
She may not have wanted to be on this stage…
But it was going to be hers, regardless.
Rose turns around and walks back the way that she came as “Only One King” plays throughout Soldier Field again. The rest of KING follows behind her, taking a final look at Tom, who is trying his best to get up, but is unable to do so.
Nick Stuart: Shit, after last night, things have just gone from bad to worse.
Richard Parker: You’re telling me. Glueminati is in full force. KING is here and it’s not one person, but four and shit, Rose looked like she could compete if she wanted to. People in the back need to be worried.
Nick Stuart: Scary, indeed. We need help for The Anglo Luchador though.
Our final shot is of TAL on the stage, out of it, as medical staff rush out onto the stage to help him out. We then cut to the backstage area.