Post by Corey Bull on Feb 28, 2021 23:59:17 GMT -5
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The unusually warm day has the sun shining and the blanket of winter slowly receding into puddles and mush. A large frame walls this trail, a familiar trail. Corey Bull...monster...man...myth, walks through the forest to The Swamp That Never Forgets. His gait is slower than usual, a contemplative look on his face. Behind him, hopping in puddles with fuzzy boots and a fuzzy leopard print jacket with black leggings, is Loa. She has a smile on her face and seems content.“Gods I use to love this as a child. We didn’t get allota snow in Louisiana, but we got allota rain. Grams use to let me run out and puddle jump in the rain.”
Bulls smile is genuine and he nods, not saying a word. His eyes are glued forward. Loa notices this and walks up beside him, redirecting him to a stop.
“What troubles you love?”
Bull looks at her, his eyes filled with a barely contained anger. His voice is like thunder, a deep bass that rolls out. It’s both loving and terrifying at once.
“You. The things these guys are doing...how they use you to get to me...it fills me with such a rage. I want to eviscerate them. I want to pull them apart and watch the light fade from their eyes. This attacks...the threats...Frank has gone too far again. And then Shaw’s bullshit. I fear for your safety when you are with me at the ring. And now...with Frank hovering like a buzzard ready to pick this spot outta my grasp...it’s a lot for me to shoulder.”
Loa smiles.
“I love this about you my Hatebringer. So much of you is hate and rage, but there are things no one else but I can see. And it’s how I know you care. But your concern isn’t needed. They know what will happen if they truly harm me.”
Bull looks out over the frozen swamp and scoffs.
“Frank is a maggot and doesn’t care how far he goes. RD found that out too late. I don’t want him pulling you below the surface. I’d never leave the prison...my crime would be that severe and...messy. And you and I know that everyone would see it. No...I need something else...a guarantee of some sort.”
Loa looks at him and smiles, shaking her head a little with a chuckle. But then her eyes get a serious look.
“Don’t think you're getting rid of me. I am going nowhere, my Monster.”
Bull smiles and laughs himself.
“No...nothing that severe. No...but I am thinking. I read over our contracts again. I think I may have some leverage in it. I don’t know yet. I need to focus on the Battlebowl.”
Loa hooks his arm and smiles an impish smile.
“I got that covered my Hatebringer. The video room is on standby with your opponents top matches ready to watch. And I just got some popcorn.”
Bull laughs, kisses her on the cheek and they walk back through the woods towards Bulls house on the hill.
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**A white room, or at least a white background. The clacking of heels and from the right side appears Loa. She is dressed in a form fitting white dress, complete with little feathered white wings attached to the back. She smiles and then laughs**“Don’t be alarmed hate lovers, I haven’t gone soft. Merely divine. You see, my Hatebringer is primed to walk into Battlefield and have a field day in the battle royal. OG Bishop would be proud of what is about to take place. But, there are forces at work here that insist they are to be the victors. But the evidence speaks otherwise. And I would never lie to any of you.”
**A darkness envelopes the white background and a large black mass walks towards Loa. It is Corey Bull, and he looks massive compared to the angelic Loa**
“We all know he will never lie to you...that he will always speak to you the truth. And the truth is...out of everyone in this battle royal...he needs it the most. More than any one of you. Not an underdog though, that story belongs to another. But my Hatebringer has more fight, more determination, more will than even the mighty Spencer Adams.”
**Bulls hands are in a prayer like formation as he starts to speak, not looking up, but rather in**
“There was a time I use to think highly of you Spencer. Of your guts...your will to survive some of the most devastating of attacks. But then you changed and came here and became this arrogant...self centered being. So the first night I wrestled in Action Wrestling’s Clash...I came out and slammed you to the mat three times to take the UCI title off of you.”
“And here we are...three years removed from that fateful night. And while the song and dance have seemingly changed...deep down...you’re still that pathetic ant I squished in front of the world in a matter of seconds.”
**Loa smiles**
“We are not underestimating your ability to win. But your ability to get to the end. I watched your footage, not a lot has changed Spencer. Still the same style and moves. Still gets to the same stance and goes at it. Rinse and repeat. This isn’t your match to win Spencer, for it has been foretold that you are destined for other things. That remark holds true for you as well Sam.”
**A rare smile and a nod from the monster**
“You are one of the few people left here that I respect Sam. Because through every hurdle and pothole, you found a way to keep pushing forward...and in many cases...succeed. But your success has come at a price...a price to you...to who you are and to who you were. The Sam Kidsgrove that tagged with me in this tournament...isn’t the same man we had faced years before. A Carter Shaw wouldn’t have gotten the drop on that Sam. And while we didn’t carry you in this tourney...it wasn’t hard to see that you’re not the same.”
“It’s time for your curtain call Mister Kidsgrove. Really hope you break a leg. And while I am on the subject of legs that need breaking, how ya doin Carter?”
**Both laugh, a mixture of sweet and terrifying, like the movie Gremlins on steroids**
“Carter Shaw...still carrying that briefcase I see. So many times you could have used that. Instead you’re just someone’s dog...and when Ash tells you to do what must be done...you lick her hand and wag your little tail. You were right though Shaw...I did change you. I turned you hard...gave you some walls to block out the crazy with...all the while being able to do what has to be done. But you put that guy in a box. Instead what stands before us is Carter Shaw: Philidors personal bitch. “
**Loa grins**
“I know it sounds like a broken record Shaw. But it’s what you are showing the world. You don’t like it? Change it! But we know that won’t happen. You don’t have the testicular fortification to knock down the Philidor gates and claim what you think is yours. Now if we are talking about testicular fortitude, then one has to talk about Howard Black.”
**Bull looks up, his eyes filled with...honor? Pride? Respect even?**
“You and I Howard..,we have been at this for a long time...so I won’t go insulting your intelligence as long as you return the favor. You’re riding your so called swan song but it feels like this record may have a bit more than twelve tracks to it. And that’s a good thing to me. I haven’t yet had the privilege to stand toe to toe with a man that was one of the best. Note that Howard. Once was one of the best. The truth is...while we know you are still a great fighter...what did you sacrifice to get where you are? Me...not a lot ever changed. I’ve always been what I am...even if I have placed myself into situations I didn’t want. I never changed. But you sacrificed the people around you...the ones you shouldn’t have let go. And now you walk your final walk towards the end...and your still sniffing around places you shouldn’t.”
**Loas face holds no smile**
“The whole world has seen you, seen the way you and Lissie interact. I imagine people really, really close to you have as well Howard. I make this warning as an admirer of your work in the ring. Lissie Hope is bad for you. While she may appear good, there's something there you don’t need.”
**Bull coughs, trying to suppress a laugh and failing.**
“I look upon these next three and I wonder what splendid shit storm is about to take place. Because you can’t tell me that these three don’t want to have that place for themselves. CJ is filled with a redeeming fire. Dandy is just a straight up back stabber. And Kemp is...well Kemp.”
“Poor CJ. I feel like you have been placed in a position of failure. This match, this opportunity, it isn’t about you. It’s about Kyle and his little game. He is the mastermind behind this and you’re just the hired help. He will expect to be the winner, not you. Not the resurrected one. Of course you’re going to say something about it not being like that. Maybe you’ll even attempt to save some of the souls in this match, but take a good look at my Hatebringer. His redemption has already come and passed. He has accepted his fate, embraced it even, and ensured he was a force to be reckoned with. But you can’t say the same. Can’t even claim to be a top end talent since Dandy did all the heavy lifting in the tourney.”
“And you Dandy...what has become of you? You are nothing like you were all those months in Action that we battled. That mad man that knew the odds...and just didn’t care. You were reckless and headstrong...and you succeeded. That Dandy is dead. Instead...I see this meek man when it comes to who Dandy was. You’re compliment...not even forced into this spot...but you sought it out. The Dandy I faced would go to the most extremes to win. This Dandy though...he worries about the things he shouldn’t. He isn’t the Dandy of old...he is a shell of a version of that fighter. I’m almost ashamed to say we fought epic battles with you...if I could be ashamed. Truth be told...putting you down now would save your memory...preserve the legacy you built. I respected that Dandy...even thought about teaming up with him to clear out the wastes here. This one...I wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire.”
“But we know that the two of you are in this match to simply clear the way for another. Kyle Kemp doesn’t want either of you to win this match, he wants that golden opportunity for himself.”
**Bull cracks his neck and stares in to your soul**
“Certainly a step up from the man you thought you were so long ago. Now you are a man that is barely keeping his group together...who somehow managed to stack the field full of his men. Kudos for that Kyle...I would have used a similar tactic. But that’s all the real acknowledgment I’m going to give you. You haven’t earned my respect...nor do I plan to ever give it to you. When I look at you...all I see is the Kemp of old. Same old guy who couldn’t accomplish anything. His failure always managed to erase any success he had. And now you can see it here too...the cracks of this facade are starting to widen. CJ and Dandy stand in this match. Neither one is going to willingly throw themselves over the top. If you believe that...then you’re just outright stupid. No...this is about to be the proverbial tornado in a trailer park scenario and I will ensure I am the only force left standing.”
**Loa clears her throat and speaks professionally**
“As it comes to the status of our contracts..”
“It’s none of your business.”
“And as for the matter to our loyalty..”
“To Action Wrestling it’s total...to anyone else...that is also none of your fucking business.”
“But since the competition likes to point out how Bull is now a Hangman…”
“Then you are going to get a hangman.The rope swinging, noose filling, body dropping, straight hate bringing bastard is on his way to Battlefield to do one thing. Fill his gallows and win this thing.”
**Bull lifts a noose up in his right hand from off camera, but it’s made out of barbed wire and chain**
“If you really think you have my number...then you had better fucking pull it...call it...dial it up...whatever you need to do. Because I am tired of not feasting at the table. I’m tired of being talked about so much...but then getting the ‘if only’ bullshit. I’m mostly tired of watching the small percent spend so much time at the top...and most of them just half assing it in the spotlight of another. Management is in for a rude awakening. I am walking into this match and someone is going to get hurt. Then...when I’m the last monster standing...when that buzzer at thirty hits...I’m going to win the Havoc rumble. It’s happening...you can’t stop it...so fucking deal with it.”
**Bull has worked himself into a frenzy, his eyes beacons of destruction. The blood coursing through his veins has his body on the edge of release. The barely contained monster is held in check by the innocent looking woman that stands before him**
“My Hatebringer is going to erase these other seven from existence. This is the time of the Hatebringer. This is his type of match, his world. He is allowing you to stand in it. But rent day is here...time to pay the bringer of your dooms. Tick. Tock.”
**the camera fades out to the look of innocence and bloodlust in the face of the beauty known as Loa.**