Post by Peter Vaughn on Dec 20, 2023 19:26:46 GMT -5
~The picture comes up amidst absolute chaos. People are screaming, trying to escape, as a massive inferno can be seen in the background. There are multiple bloody brawls going on across the area. In the center of it all, we can see a dark-haired man, dressed in a suit & tie, letting out a violent yell as his eyes glow blue and his face shifts uncontrollably.~
AAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
~He fights to survive, as we zoom away, showing the mayhem from high above before going black.~
~When the shot returns, we're now looking over the city of Toronto from a high vantage point. The camera turns, showing us Peter Vaughn, standing with a rigging on him allowing him to lean diagonally, looking downwards towards the city. Next to him is a laughing Sadie Anderson.~
Sadie: This view is incredible!
Vaughn: You should see Barcelona, it's even better. Maybe TPW will go there in 2024. I'll talk to Alexander, he...
Sadie: Peter, just enjoy the moment, okay?
~With that, Vaughn shrugs and hangs there, looking out, studying everything below. Finally, time is up, and they're escorted back inside the CN Tower, a historic Toronto landmark. Not everyone is given the privilege of going outside the observation deck, but as everyone knows, Vaughn has connections everywhere. The couple takes the elevator downstairs, where Sadie is still pumped from the adrenaline rush.~
Sadie: I never got to go to places like this growing up. We were always sticking to the Texas plains.
Vaughn: Well, you're rolling with a wrestling superstar now, so expect more opportunities to see the sights...
~Suddenly, Vaughn's phone goes off. He immediately pulls it out, as Sadie shakes her head.~
Sadie: Really? I thought we were staying free of business tonight.
Vaughn: Sorry, I thought I had... turned it... off...
~Vaughn's attention is stuck on the burning screen in front of him, a strange sight considering he doesn't have a screensaver. He answers it.
Vaughn: Hello?
Peter Vaughn...
you seem at peace...
it's disturbing...
~Vaughn tenses up at the sound of the voice.~
Vaughn: ... Amaymon.
~Sadie looks on, confused by Vaughn's sudden change, as he straightens up, remembering the demon that had led to his half-brother being stabbed, confining him to a wheelchair. The demon that had possessed many followers, leading them to their death, as Vaughn pursued them. The demon that he hated more than any other.~
You know my name...
I am impressed...
Vaughn: I know all about you, prince of evil. It wasn't hard to figure out who your cult was, and from there, the answer was obvious. So what's with the phone call? Am I starting to worry you?
Not at all...
It is now time...
Vaughn: Time? Time for what? You to get a lozenge? Because your throat sounds terrible.
Nathan Phillips Square...
7:00pm tomorrow...
It is time...
~The phone clicks off. Sadie steps forward, concerned.~
Sadie: What on earth was THAT about??
Vaughn: I'm sorry, Sadie. Date night is off. I've got some planning to take care of.
~Vaughn turns, walking away, already dialing another number on his phone. Sadie looks after him, astounded.~
Sadie: Now just wait a damn minute! Get back here!
~Sadie rushes after Vaughn, even as the picture cuts off.~
~The picture comes up as Vaughn is walking down the city streets of Toronto by himself. For some reason, he's wearing a suit and tie, possibly to blend in with the festive crowd. Vaughn looks over at the camera, acknowledging it.~
Vaughn: I wonder if Matthew has even reached Toronto yet? If he has, he's probably costing TPW an arm and a leg for his hotel bills, knowing him. The guy DOES like to splurge, especially when he doesn't like the ownership. So, Matt, how's it going? Are you ready for your own Final Countdown? It's been a long time coming, hasn't it?
~Vaughn stops at a corner, checking the signs, before making a turn to the right. He knows exactly where he's going.~
It all started with your failure, didn't it, Knox? You blamed me for you and Amber losing the Duos Championships, refusing to take the fall for your own mistakes. You thought you'd get revenge at Music City Mayhem, but I out-thought you again, didn't I? I know it stung, falling like that. So you left. Next, there was Sin City, where I cost you the SCW Heavyweight Title. What can I say? I wanted to renew our 'relationship', feeling like it was unfinished... but you weren't interested. You left. Again.
~The walk continues. Vaughn checks his watch every so often, making sure he's still on pace.~
Then we have recent times, when you returned to TPW, finally ready to get your revenge on me. You thought having Larry Tact and El Diablo Blanco on your side would finally make us even... only to have El D playing you from the very beginning. You were floored once more. But to your credit this time, you didn't give up. You didn't run.
~Vaughn stops, thinking about that.~
In retrospect, you probably should have. Because the Cabal has beaten you on every front since then. In tag matches, at War Games, no matter where we fight, your team can't get it done. They couldn't stop me. So now, Matt, it's time to come full circle. Knox vs. Vaughn II. Your final shot at the apple. And I have to ask... WHY do you think anything will be different this time?
~He shakes his head, before continuing on his path. The camera is doing an excellent job of following along.~
The funny thing is, I'm hearing you on Twitter, Matt. You're talking about destroying my "legacy". In one match? You're too late for that, boyo. You had your opportunity. You could have stopped me years ago, before I became an 11-time World Champion. You failed. You're a failure. That's not going to change at Winter Wrestleland, either. Once more, I'm going to find a way to defeat another Raven, just like I have James and Alexander. I have clipped the wings of Ravens all over the world, and I see no reason to stop now.
~Vaughn laughs, but is interrupted as his phone beeps. He takes a look, nodding at the text message, then starts to hurry up, walking faster.~
The absolute truth, Matthew, is that I DO consider you one of the best in the world when it comes to in-ring action. You're an all-star, a competitor that everyone dreams of fighting... they just don't dream of the verbal diarrhea beforehand. All you do is talk like you're some high-and-mighty muckety-muck and above everyone else, trashing anyone & everyone beneath you... even those proven to be better than you. But it ends here, boyo. It ends when you fall in the Three Stages of Hell.
~Another message comes in, with Vaughn quickly sending confirmation of receiving it. He barely looks at the phone, continuing forward.~
You might think you have the edge in the first round, a straight-forward pinfalls only match, but I say it works to my advantage. After all, I know 50 different ways of getting a quick roll-up... 100 if you count holding the tights. I'm willing to bet I can put you down quickly, leaving you on the defensive. Then there's No Disqualification, which works fully in my favor. I can do anything I want to you, Knox. Anything. But say we need the final level... the Last Ride. I can think of nothing better than to send you out of the Scotiabank Arena, locked away in a hearse, the true definition of your ambitions in TPW dying once and for all.
~As Vaughn continues forward, he straightens his tie, preparing for whatever is to come. But he's still set on making his statement.~
When I send you packing, Matthew, you can no longer act like all of my wins over you mean nothing. Because, once again, I will be standing triumphant, carrying the TPW International Championship into the new year. And you, my friend? You can return to the tag-team division where you belong. And I promise... I won't be the one to blame when you fall short at the Cup again. Like everything else, all the accountability will fall where it's deserved: on your head.
~Vaughn seems to reach his destination, looking around the Nathan Phillips Square. He turns back to the camera once more.~
Get ready to finally get Plunged, Knox. Now and forevermore.
~With that, Vaughn walks arrogantly straight into the Square, showing no fear at what's to come.~
~We catch up with Vaughn as he moves deeper into the crowd at the Square, where a lot of people seem to be in festive spirits. The 55-foot Christmas Tree towers above the square, lit up like the Northern Lights. Underneath it, we can see a large choir gathered, singing Christmas carols. At the moment, they appear to be singing "Silent Night", a rather ominous song given why Vaughn's here. He walks around the crowd, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of the young teenager he knew had been possessed by Amaymon. He moves around the side... then jumps, as someone grabs his arm. He spins around, raising a fist... and then stops, shocked.~
Vaughn: What the hell?? What are YOU doing here?
~The camera shifts, showing Sadie, dressed in a stunning red dress.~
Sadie: You seriously thought I'd let you come to this alone?
Vaughn: I... yes, actually, that IS what I thought.
Sadie: Well you should know better, you goof. Honestly, your disguise doesn't even work without someone on your arm anyway. We go together now, or not at all, understand?
~Vaughn, annoyed, opens his mouth to argue... but then suddenly hears the crowd noise change from singing to shouts of alarm. He spins, looking back at the center of the square...~
Sadie: Oh my God! The tree!
Vaughn: Damn it. That must be part of his plan. Look, just get to a safe distance, okay, Sadie? It's all about to go berserk here.
~Without another word, Vaughn turns and runs towards the now-engulfed tree. People are screaming, running in all directions, mostly to get away from the heat. The choir itself has taken some hits, with some of their robes now burning as they desperately try to shed them. Vaughn heads their way, but stops when a large man steps into his path.~
Man: It is your time, Vau...
~Without hesitation, Vaughn kicks the man in the nuts, dropping him to the side. He steps over him, but two more come out of the shadows, grabbing his arms. He flips out of their grasp, landing rights and lefts to drive both back, but more are coming out of the crowd: all of Amaymon's followers. They grab at Vaughn, holding him, as the possessed body of Amaymon also appears, smiling darkly.~
It is time...
Vaughn: You... keep saying that... but you're right. It IS time. Now.
~Amaymon considers Vaughn, even as several people nearby shed their own robes... revealing janitorial uniforms. The forces of the Custodial Coalition swarm forward, attacking the devil worshippers, as full-on chaos breaks out! Vaughn manages to free himself, landing some heavy kicks to one man, knocking him out. He turns, seeing a screaming woman charging him, but Vaughn quickly pulls out a police baton, waffling her. This allows Amaymon to grab him, though, hanging on tightly.~
Vaughn: Get off of me, you freak! I'm not into...
Be silenced, Vaughn...
It is time...
For you to assume your true role...
~With that, Amaymon puts a hand on Vaughn... and there's an instant flare, as Vaughn's eyes suddenly glow blue.~
AAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
~Vaughn cries out, knocking the teenaged youth's body aside, but it's too late. Before him, the young man suddenly ages, becoming an older gentleman, before collapsing, dead, to the street. Meanwhile, Vaughn seems to be de-aging, his face altering quickly in the light. His voice, too, has changed.~
This vessel shall live forever...
Your strength will be mine...
Together, we will rule...
~Vaughn shudders, his struggles weakening... until the police baton bangs against his head, knocking him down. Standing behind him, her dress torn and her heels lost, is Sadie.~
Sadie: Snap out of it, Peter! You're really going to let this Gozer wannabe win?? You're stronger than that!
~Suddenly, Sadie is thrown back, landing hard on the ground, as Amaymon/Vaughn gets up.~
You know nothing...
No...
Your world will be...
Nobody... Controls...
What??
PETER... VAUGHN!!!
~Vaughn's hands come up to his face. It's almost like he's trying to tear himself in two, while two other 'hands' appear, as if to stop him. They struggle, with Vaughn, determined, yanking at the seams, causing a tear to appear. The voice screams, as Vaughn pulls apart the veil... and the light becomes too bright to see. When it clears... Vaughn is on his knees, breathing heavily, a large cut on his forehead. Sadie drops next to him.~
Sadie: Are you okay?
Vaughn: ... No. But I survive. I always survive...
~Sadie helps Vaughn up, as the fighting is still going on all around them. As Sadie puts a shoulder under him, guiding him away to safety, we see one of the larger devil worshippers launch a custodian flying, screaming, into the fiery blaze of the tree. The worshipper turns... with blue, glowing eyes, staring after Vaughn. We fade out.~
