Post by Peter Vaughn on Dec 8, 2021 10:53:08 GMT -5
~As the shot opens up, we seem to be looking through a pair of binoculars. At least, that's what the round edges seem to signify. The circle moves back and forth for a few moments across the area, before finally focusing on a man walking down the sidewalk. This is a man we've seen before, if only once last week. Thomas Hill moves with confidence, his workout outfit showing off how trim and fit he is. He's carrying a shoulder bag with him as he turns and goes into the small gym, closing the door behind him. The binoculars lower, and we see Peter Vaughn looking over them, nodding his head for a moment.~
Peter Vaughn: Good to know you're taking care of yourself... brother...
~Vaughn steps back inside the alley, making sure to stay to the shadows, out of sight as he continues his observations of the brother he never knew he had.~
The world is certainly changing, folks. My own world? It's taken a hell of a jolt lately.
Speaking of jolts, Supreme Machine got one last week, didn't he? I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I used strategy, I used numbers, and I used my own impeccable skills to take down the previously unstoppable monster. I still can't believe Terry Marshall thought he was justified in fining me for what happened in our No Disqualification match. If the rules say anything goes, how can you come back and say what I did was illegal? But that's in the past, the fine's taken care of, and now I can move forward content in the knowledge that a dream match is imminent.
Back in the fed-that-shall-not-be-named, I was set on making a name for myself, finally shedding the shadow of a low-card past. I wanted to win my first match there and become the World Champion. But the fates were not kind that night. I got double-teamed by two men that believed I was too great a threat, taking me down, while leaving another man to just hang around, hang around... and steal the match, following in his father's footsteps as a champion. At the time, I was more furious at the men who cost me that night, and I eventually got my revenge. I made it to the top, the greatest champion ever in the company, at least until the company completely imploded. But I never forget that first night, and who walked out on top... Xavier Lux.
I feel like we were set for our dream match after that. I was the Craze Champion, destroying men like Mike Zybala and Dylan Thomas. You were on top, smashing down Brim and seeming like our match-up was guaranteed... until Outcast planted you on that concrete and put you away. Dream match ruined. I didn't let that stop me, of course, but it did feel like a major missed opportunity. But I thought, hey, Xavier's bound to work his way back up. He won't let the man keep him down. At least... that was until the man actually DID keep you down, as James Raven took your rematch away and used it himself. Or at least, he would have. Hail Raven.
So missed chance after missed chance, it seemed to be the way our history would run. But now, suddenly, things have changed. I took out the monster, you took out the Omega, and here we sit. Two of the greatest wrestlers in the world meeting up in the semi-finals of the TPW International Title Tournament. Talk about bad booking. If Marshall had thought further ahead, he would have booked you and I in separate brackets, so we'd be meeting in the finals, removing the lesser half of Apex from the equation.
Yeah, I said it. I don't see how anyone can disagree with me on that.
Jim Caedus > Drew Archyle.
Robert Main > Oliver Main.
Let's face it, Xavier. This Friday? This SHOULD be the finals. And maybe it will be, when all is said and done. Because once we show the world how great the two of us are, Marshall will have no choice but to hand the championship over to the winner.
~We're now in a slightly different location, as Vaughn has moved to be able to discreetly peer into where Thomas is currently working out. He doesn't look pleased, as it seems that Thomas is currently doing a version of the thunderbolt, a yoga maneuver. Vaughn shakes his head, having hoped to see Thomas training harder than this. But then, he's not a wrestler, is he? Vaughn sighs, then glances around the neighborhood, taking everything in. He jumps, though, when a voice comes from behind him.~
Jonathan Barrows: Seeing anything you like?
Peter Vaughn: Damn, Jonathan!! Don't do that!!
~Vaughn managed to stop the binoculars in mid-swing, stopping from smashing them against his business manager's head. Barrows steps back, his hands in the air, glad to have not been brained with the binocs.~
Jonathan Barrows: Jumpy much?
Peter Vaughn: ... There are some loan sharks apparently after me, due to something out of my control. So I'm a little on edge. How the hell did you find me, anyway?
Jonathan Barrows: If you don't want to be found, don't leave your cell phone on. There are plenty of apps out there that allow me to ping your whereabouts.
~Barrows shows off his phone, with a blinking map labelling their current location. Vaughn doesn't look thrilled at this invasion of privacy, but before he can say anymore, Barrows pats him on the arm.~
Jonathan Barrows: Looks like your brother's still got a while to go in that yoga class, so why don't you and I go get a bite to eat down the street?
Peter Vaughn: Wait... you KNOW about him??
Jonathan Barrows: Like I said, Peter, let's go sit down, eat... and talk.
~Vaughn, dumbfounded, follows after Barrows down the street, looking back once more at where his brother is located.~
I know people want to hear me talk about the XWF, and how Xavier turned up during my match with Drew Archyle. Sure, he was there, but a lot of people are hung up on his actions that night. They give him full credit for MY victory over Archyle. Everything went according to MY plan, not Xavier's. He was a key piece of the strategy, but that doesn't change the fact that, in the record books, it will always be listed that Peter Vaughn defeated Drew Archyle on that night.
Circumstances are completely different on this night. Too much is on the line for friendship to get in the way. I want to destroy Apex utterly, and finally end their reign of terror on the wrestling world. To do that, I can't let them claim another championship like the ones they stole in the XWF. Marshall made it easy on them, of course, giving them three spots out of the seven in the tournament and virtually guaranteeing either Drew or Oliver would make the finals. I mean, c'mon. They were fighting the nut-ball Victoria, who's now changed her name to Veronica, and who, today, might be calling herself Vaseline for all I know. Yeah, Marshall wanted Apex in the finals, and apparently he's going to get what he's after.
We have to stop them, Xavier. We can't let them win. Come Friday, the Exiles will make another move towards dismantling these maniacs, and I'm sure everything will go to plan. You and I, though? The plan for us is likely the same: to win. I'm ready to regain some gold, Xavier. Anyone who is in the way... better be prepared to take the Plunge.
~We join Vaughn and Barrows in the outdoor patio of a restaurant down the street from Vaughn's brother. They've already ordered, and service seems pretty fast, as salads have already been delivered to the two men. Vaughn nods, content, as he's currently watching his weight due to his current training regime. Barrows looks less enthused, but is going ahead and eating the 'grass' anyways, munching away. It's clear Barrows has put a lot more ranch on his salad to cover up the taste of it.~
Peter Vaughn: So talk to me, Jonathan. How did you know about my brother?
Jonathan Barrows: You really want to jump in that quickly? I'm still waiting on my meatball sandwich...
Peter Vaughn: Jonathan...
~Barrows, catching Vaughn's tone, sighs and puts down his fork.~
Jonathan Barrows: It's my job to keep track of you, Peter, and everything involving you. Do you think we invested all that time and effort into your... rehabilitation, and not monitor what's happening with you? I knew about about you finding your mother. I know about her interaction with questionable loan operators. And I know all about Thomas Hill, your half-brother.
Peter Vaughn: And how long have you known? Is it something you've been keeping from me? Would you have ever told me if I hadn't found out on my own?
Jonathan Barrows: Honestly? I probably wouldn't have. You don't need distractions right now. Not with so much going on in your wrestling life.
Peter Vaughn: What makes it your decision? It's my family, Jonathan.
Jonathan Barrows: No, it's not, Peter. You don't even know this guy. Just because you shared the same womb doesn't mean there's anything connecting the two of you. He could be a criminal, you know. A serial killer. Or he could be a Jehovah's witness. You don't know what you might put yourself in for if you meet him.
~Vaughn shakes his head, taking a moment to grab a sip of water. Barrows watches closely, glancing at his watch regularly.~
Peter Vaughn: True. He's an unknown to me. We didn't grow up together like Robert & Oliver Main. We didn't travel similar paths like myself and Xavier Lux. But that doesn't mean I should completely throw it away due to "maybes" and "possiblys". Really, the only reason I haven't approached him yet is... because I don't want to disrupt his life. I don't know, maybe he doesn't need an older brother. But that doesn't mean I can't protect him.
Jonathan Barrows: You really gave that thug a beating. He was a sobbing mess when he reported back to his boss.
Peter Vaughn: Yeah, well, I wanted my message to be... clear.... how do you know what the guy said? You... you've talked to the loan shark?
Jonathan Barrows: Oh, I... uh... well...
~Barrows looks at his watch once again, checking the time, and Vaughn takes note of it. After a few seconds, everything clicks.~
Peter Vaughn: You son of a bitch. What have you done??
~Vaughn jumps up, shoving his chair over. He starts to move away, towards the patio fence, preparing to leap over it as Barrows follows.~
Jonathan Barrows: I had to make this deal, Peter! You're not part of it anymore! They don't want you!
~Vaughn lands on the other side of the small fence, in the street, as the sound of gunshots are heard. He turns down the street, his face paling for a moment before he begins to run.~
Peter Vaughn: THOMAS!!!!
~Down the street, we can hear tires screeching as a car peels out. Vaughn races that way, getting to the front of the gymnasium where Thomas Hill had been working out. There's a man laying on his side, a security guard from the looks of it. Vaughn kneels next to him, seeing the blood coming from the man's side. Vaughn works to stop the bleeding, as the guard sputters.~
Guard: They took... they took him... why... why'd they...
~Vaughn pulls off his jacket and uses it to stanch the wound, while he glares at the departing car turning the corner. He knows that his brother... is gone. We fade out.~
