Post by James Nightingale on Apr 18, 2021 7:35:22 GMT -5
“Butterflies are very interesting. Here these things are little grubs for a while. And then they go into a little coffin. There they are in a sarcophagus, and then they come out and dance with the angels”.
Der Schmetterling, or as we say in the Queen’s English, The Butterfly. You may be ashamed of your old moniker, Matthias. Does it remind you how far you have fallen? Once a promising young wrestler out of the Eastern Block, you could have gone to the very top if you had steered the course of your projected ability.
But you were weak, as so many others are, as I once was until she found me.
Maybe that’s why I took you under the wing of The Angel of Death, I saw the raw potential being wasted through alcoholism, through steroid abuse. We’re similar because I spent years not realising my own potential, by spending years trying to cure weakness instead of eradicating it.
We both have gone through a metamorphosis of sorts…
Monday Night Clash
08/31/20
Sam Kidsgrove vs Matthias Mintzel vs QDT
James Nightingale and David Sanchez, the two co-founders of The Lost Breed are talent scouting for their new faction. Sanchez has already secured the services of Claire Hawkins in a secret meeting earlier that evening, now they are looking for something different.
They both watch from a secluded area backstage, with a clear sight to the ring. Inside the ring, Mintzel is attacking QDT with some vicious strikes...
“Look at that specimen”, states Nightingale, with a touch of excitement in his voice.
Nightingale’s war against Walter was ongoing, and he knew that he needed to recruit some “muscle” to help him gain the upper hand over The Mongrel.
“His technique is sloppy, and his cardio looks lousy,” replies Sanchez, who replies before taking a drag of his Marlboro Red.
QDT drops Mintzel with a gut-wrench suplex...
“You are correct David, but these things can be improved. I know you favour Downfall, and I assure you, we will look at him too. But Downfall is strong-willed, he’s a veteran of this business, he may not be as easy to control as Mintzel and Hawkins”.
Mintzel kicks out of a pin attempt following being hit with a reverse 450 splash. Nightingale steps forward a little...
“Just look at him, he has a willingness to survive. His potential hasn’t completely left him. If we take him under our wing now, we can reshape him, mould him into a formidable ally, a useful pawn to help us finally eradicate Walter, and help me become the World Champion”.
Mintzel connects with a stiff big boot to QDT’s face, but he is immediately thrown out of the ring by Kidsgrove, who covers QDT…
One!
Two!!
Three!!
Kidsgrove’s hand is raised in victory as Mintzel is left on the outside looking frustrated with himself.
“I’m not convinced, James”, says Sanchez dismissively whilst taking another drag of his cigarette. “But this is a partnership, and I insisted on recruiting Hawkins, so I won’t stand in your way. I hope he is worth it, Downfall would be…”
“He’ll serve us well”, Nightingale cuts off his partner, “I’m going to go have a little chat with our German friend”.
Nightingale begins to walk off into the darkness, but stops…
“What was it they used to call our reigning Pure Champion?” asks Nightingale.
Sanchez takes one final drag of his cigarette before dropping it to the ground and stamping it out, he exhales and replies, “Der Schmetterling”.
Nightingale turns back to Sanchez with his sadistic smile spread across his face, “Oh yes, The Butterfly”.
Nightingale continues on his way to find Mintzel.
In the present day, Nightingale paces around his office within AOD, Inc. whilst reading over the police report on David Sanchez, his incarcerated Lost Breed co-founder. He drops the file on his desk.
Well, it appears he isn’t getting out of prison for a long time. That stupid bastard. How could he be so sloppy, I don’t need him anyway, I never needed him. He needed me, they all needed me. I’m the star here, not any of them. They all attach themselves to me... LIKE LEECHES…
As I feel myself losing control, there she appears from behind me, The Matriarch.
“You need to regain your focus, James. Forget about David Sanchez. He is beneath you now. You were always superior to him anyway, The Lost Breed was always yours”.
“Yes it was… it is…” her words comfort me.
“You now need to refocus on Matthias Mintzel. This main event is a big moment for us, we cannot afford for him to defeat you, not now when we are almost ready to reveal the next stage of our plan”.
Her words angered me, the thought of Matthias defeating me makes me feel sick to the stomach, I clench my fist.
“Do not fear, my Matriarch, I am more focused and more prepared for Matthias than you can believe. He was nothing when we found him. In his younger days, by all accounts, he was a hotshot prospect, but he got in his own way, and that shining light quickly dwindled. It was extinguished by alcohol, by drug abuse. It lay dormant until I found that small glimmering flame, that egg of potential, ready to be moulded into something useful that I could utilise in my… in our campaign”.
She extends her arm out, lifting her lamp over me, I gaze into the glowing red flame.
“All metamorphosis begins with an egg, James. When I found you in your darkest moment, you were lost. Fate presented me with an egg for which I needed to nurture. You had so much potential, yet it was undiscovered, unutilised. You were wasting your prime years trying to help the weak when in truth, you were born to eradicate them”.
My head drops, her statement hurts. But she quickly pulls my face back up…
“But where you differ from Matthias, is that you are an Alpha, you were born to lead our campaign. They all turn to you, you set the tone. Matthias doesn’t have the intelligence, nor the killer instinct to lead, he is a mere follower, a pawn. He is nothing more, nor will he ever be”.
“From one egg arose The Angel of Death, and from the other, Der Schmetterling. I for one know which one will fly higher”.
Monday Night Clash
10/19/20
The Following vs The Lost Breed (TRIOS Round One)
Wesley nails Mintzel with the Illumihook and makes the cover…
Nightingale and Sanchez struggle to get back into the ring, being held back by DiVito and Kemp respectively…
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
The Following defeated The Lost Breed to advance in TRIOS.
With DiVito and Kemp joining their stablemate in the ring to celebrate. Nightingale and Sanchez watch on from the outside, disappointed as they look on at their fallen partner, who remains on the floor, trying to regain his senses.
They turn and begin to walk up the aisle way, whilst Hawkins checks on her stablemate.
Sanchez shakes his head in frustration, Nightingale turns and looks back at Mintzel.
“He is your responsibility”, proclaims Sanchez. “If we had Downfall in our…”
Nightingale cuts off Sanchez.
“Enough David. Downfall is better served where he is tonight. The world will see how powerful we have become when he turns on poor little Sam Kidsgrove later tonight”.
Sanchez becomes irritated with Nightingale, “Winning TRIOS would have shown that we were powerful”.
“Yes, that is true,” replies Nightingale.
He then turns to his Lost Breed co-founder, a look of irritation on his face.
“The thing is David, is that as good as I am, and trust me, I am amongst the very best here, there is only so much carrying I can do on my own. Your winning record hasn’t been remarkable since this alliance was formed has it? Neither has their record,” he points to Hawkins and Mintzel, with the latter beginning to come around.
Nightingale regains control and stares at Mintzel.
“If anything, let us chalk this experience off as a humbling of sorts for Matthias. His ego has grown since he took Walter off his feet with that hellacious Spinebuster. I am concerned that as we continue to allow him to experience these big occasions, that he may begin to think for himself, believe his own hype. As much as I would have liked to have gotten my hands on the TRIOS trophy, I am comforted by knowing that at least our German friend will be knocked down a peg or two”.
Back in the present day, Nightingale has recomposed himself, looking out of the large window of his office over the beautiful Wyoming mountainside view.
Where would you be now Matthias if I had not insisted on bringing you into The Lost Breed?
Would you still be in Action Wrestling? I doubt it.
You fumbled your career the last time you made a go of it, and the time before that too. History shows us all that time and time again, Matthias Mintzel might have the physical attributes, but lacks the mental ones to forge a successful career, at least on his own.
The Lost Breed is unable to take credit for your Pure Title reign, but defeating Cormack is hardly impressive, and if you’d known that your Evolution grudge match with him was for the inaugural Pure Championship, you would have likely fumbled that opportunity away.
When I offered you a place at my table, you almost bit my handoff. It was abundantly clear that you needed me, perhaps even more than I needed you. The look in your eyes showed me that you were desperate and grateful for the fantastic opportunity presented to yourself. You knew that you needed me to help steer you on the right path, that without my guidance, you would likely again succumb to the drugs and the alcohol, just like countless Jews succumbed to the gas when your Grandfather forced them into the gas chamber during the Second World War.
Your “Larvae” phase was indifferent, despite David’s insistence that you were not good enough, I persisted to try and mould you into my pawn.
You went from being a nobody, a mid-card at best potential performer, to being relevant in mere seconds just by being associated with me, by myself allowing you to share my spotlight when I orchestrated our attack on Walter at Execution when you were allowed to Spinebuster The Mongrel inside that cage.
But every time I gave you an opportunity, you displayed arrogance, you began believing your own hype. You were never in The Lost Breed to become a star, Matthias. You were there to be my muscle. If I was looking for someone to groom, to help them reach the next level, I would have brought Downfall into the frame quicker, you were there to merely watch my back, to Spinebuster the likes of Walter and help your leader score countless victories.
David Sanchez used his political sway as the then Mayor of Chicago to reward you with a shot at the Hardcore Championship, which you won with our help.
During this phase of our allegiance Matthias, you failed me. When you should have been earning your keep at my table by standing by my side, you were trying to prematurely break free and fly away. You were trying to prove that you were on my level when it was always clear to everyone who is the Alpha, me!
It wouldn’t even be fair to say you were the Beta of The Lost Breed, because in truth everyone knows David Sanchez was under my control. I guess that leaves you as the Gamma? Although as time went on it has become apparent that Downfall was higher up the ladder than you too.
You had no place in the hierarchy, you were merely a heavy, a taller, German version of Adrian with some questionable in-ring abilities.
Regular humblings were necessary during this period to show you your own worth: being pinned in TRIOS, losing the Hardcore Title, even missing out on a place in Wrestler of the Year.
Humbling an underling is vital from time to time, making one lower in rank know they are less important, because in this instance Matthias, you were and always will be less important than me, and your constant failings helped me deliver that harsh but necessary lesson.
Gulliver’s Gym (The night before Monday Night Clash)
02/07/21
Mintzel continues to work frantically with NATE inside the ring, preparing the mentally stunted Action Wrestling superstar for his Battlebowl opening round match, teaming with James Nightingale against FPV and Jayson Price.
Unaware to Mintzel, Nightingale stands in the shadows, watching the German working hard to ensure The Angel of Death’s partner is ready for their tag team match.
Alice appears next to her husband, kissing him gently on the cheek, yet Nightingale doesn’t acknowledge his wife. His steely focus remains on the ring, on Mintzel, determined to ensure his Lost Breed brother does not fail him.
“Will he be ready”, asks Nightingale, whilst reaching inside his jacket pocket, pulling out his pack of cigarettes.
Alices sighs, “I hope so, I have reiterated our expectations to Matthias. He knows what’s on the line, and the look on his face showed me he understood the ramifications if he fails us”.
Nightingale places the cigarette in his mouth and lights it. He inhales a drag, then holds it as he appears to be deep in his thoughts.
He exhales, “good, it’s taken time, but Matthias has finally fallen under my rule. He has finally put aside his own personal ambitions, and stands united behind mine”.
Alice nods in acceptance of her husband's statement. Nightingale steps forward slightly.
“After losing the Hardcore Title to Spencer Adams on Sunday, I sat Matthias down and laid out my expectations to him. From here out, he will accompany me to the ring and to ensure I am left alone with my victims inside the ring”.
Nightingale takes another drag and extends his arm to Mintzel, pointing his index finger at him, exhaling as he begins to speak.
“Look at him, my love. The look in his face, that is fear. He knows he must not allow that abomination being the cause of myself not reaching the Battlebowl match, almost if his life depended on it. NATE has always been Matthias’s responsibility, I still question the reason why he kept him around all this time. If NATE fails me tomorrow, both he and Matthias will suffer the harshest of consequences”.
Nightingale takes one last drag of the cigarette before flicking it away, again holding his breath whilst thinking.
He finally exhales, “Instruct Adrian to keep tabs on Traw Ma. My gut tells me she is the reason Matthias keeps NATE around. If they let me down tomorrow, have Adrian slit her throat”.
Nightingale gives that order without a sign of remorse, kissing his wife on the cheek and then turns and leaves her watching over NATE and Mintzel.
Back in the present day once more, Alice enters Nightingale’s office, keen to discuss an urgent matter with her husband.
“James, my love, I have some important news I need to discuss with you regarding…”
I cut her off, whatever she has to say to me right now is not important.
“Not now my queen, I need to maintain my composure, I have to prepare myself for the war with Matthias”.
“But I really need to…”
“NOT NOW ALICE!!”
Does she not understand me! Her face turns to one filled with anger and frustration, but she isn’t listening to me. I can’t deal with her shit now, I must focus on Matthias.
My hands become busy, I need to grab something to focus myself. I find a pen on my table and pick it up, rolling it with my fingers.
“Matthias, once he conformed to my ways, became a useful ally. Once he stopped thinking about himself and put my needs ahead of his own, he finally met my expectations. It’s a shame David wasn’t around to see that he finally became what I said he would when we first scouted him”.
“You don’t need to prove anything to Sanchez, you were then, and have always been, the leader of The Lost Breed,” she says, as she begins to calm down following my outburst.
“I know, I know. I just like to be proven right,” a smile forms on my face, one that I cannot control.
After a moment though, I fill with rage, and I break the pen in my hand, dropping fragments of broken plastic on the floor.
“That bastard, we gave him everything. He walked away from his previous life, casting aside Traw Ma and her abomination of a son. He had cocooned himself in our darkness, ready to perform his eclosion, his rebirth as my enforcer. He would have stood by me throughout our reign of darkness, throughout our bloody campaign to eradicate the weak from these shores…”
The pain of Matthias’s betrayal takes my words, the thought of it makes my skin crawl, fills me with a growing need to leave him laying in a pool of his own blood in the ring.
“What arose from that cocoon of darkness was not what I had planned for, it too was an abomination”.
I refocus myself, I know what must be done.
“She gave me the tools needed to fight, lead her campaign to eradicate the weak. It is abundantly clear to me now that Matthias is as weak as the rest of them, and for that, he must be eradicated. I know in the matchmakers' eyes, Nightingale vs Mintzel is a PPV calibre matchup. But my charity towards Matthias ended the minute he bit the hand that fed. I will not give him the satisfaction of another big PPV payout off of my name, I will put him down next week on Monday Night Clash”.
Timebomb
03/28/21
Downfall and Adrian help Nightingale into the back following Mintzel’s attack.
Nightingale regains his senses, and pushes away Adrian and Downfall.
“I’m fine, get off me,” he barks at his two companions.
Nightingale reaches for his jaw, the pain still ringing from the sucker punch he’d received from his former enforcer.
“Matthias failed tonight,” Nightingale proclaims.
Downfall and Adrian look at each other, both confused by Nightingale’s statement.
Nightingale continues to walk, “Tonight was Matthias’s final test to prove his allegiance to me. NATE’s death would have proved his loyalty to my cause. And he failed miserably”.
“I’m sorry boss,” replies Adrian.
“No, it’s fine. I need to know who is loyal to me, Adrian. We now know Matthias is not loyal to my cause. We’ve carried his worthless carcass now for nine months and he has leeched off of my name for too long”.
Nightingale turns and looks at Downfall and Adrian with a fierce gaze, “Matthias will not have long to bask in his glory, in his new found fandom. Understand me that the consequences of Matthias’s treachery will bare the severest punishment, and will serve as a reminder to you all that you do not stab The Angel of Death in the back”.
Adrian nods frantically, whilst Downfall stairs uncomfortably back at Nightingale, who’s body language makes it apparent that his promise was aimed more at the former Television Champion then his MS-13 Lieutenant.
“You’ve been distant over the last few months, Daniel. It is now time I bring you under my wing as we prove to the world why Matthias Mintzel was never worthy of the position I afforded him, and why it will be Downfall who assists The Angel of Death in reaching the very top”.
They continue to walk down the corridor together, whilst Adrian flanks them both from behind.
Nightingale is once more in his private quarters, he has again grown increasingly agitated, pulling at his suit jacket, his tie off centre.
The Matriarch flanks him once more.
“They will lock you away in Devil’s Gate if you don’t learn to keep control of yourself,” she warns me.
She is correct, I’ve been losing control ever since losing to Spencer. Matthias’s treachery has only made it worse.
“I will make him pay for his sins against us on Clash”.
I stand and face The Matriarch, my confidence grows following her previous statement.
“Der Schmetterling was a lie; Matthias was never a butterfly, he was a god damn moth! What arose from that cocoon was not The Butterfly, no, it was a bastard moth. He whored himself to the fans like a moth does to the light. I’d hoped that Matthias would pass his final test and hang NATE in the ring at Timebomb, but he failed. He shed his cocoon and showed his true self”.
I look into my mirror, I adjust my tie as she watches over me.
“Now that he has shown his true colours, how will you punish him? He cannot get away with his treachery,” she asks, but I know already what must be done.
“Do not worry, my Matriarch. I’ve already set the wheels in motion for Mintzel’s demise. Thomas just called me to inform me that Pasternak granted my request: Mintzel vs Nightingale - Last Man Standing”.
“We will bathe in Der Schmetterling’s blood,” she claims, though it’s no longer appropriate to call Mintzel that now.
“Yes we will, my Matriarch. I’ve competed in two Last Man Standing matches here in Action Wrestling, and I've won them both. Matthias will no doubt state he won the second one for me, but his mere assist was no more than scraping the leftovers of one's dinner in the trash - I’d done all the heavy lifting”.
A smile forms across my face as I look upon myself in the mirror.
“It’s no longer appropriate to refer to Matthias as ‘Der Schmetterling’, or ‘The Butterfly’, because we both know that isn’t accurate. So henceforth, he will be known as ‘Die Motte’, ‘The Moth,” I begin to laugh.
“Calling him names will not get you the victory alone,” she informs me.
“No it won’t, but it provides one with a little humour before the bloodbath that will follow. I allowed Matthias a place at my table, by my side. And he threw it all in my face, for NATE and for Traw Ma”.
I turn and look at The Matriarch directly in the eyes.
“He may now be a fan favourite, those chants may be an addictive drug for him. But how will they serve him when he is unable to meet the count of ten, they won’t help him. They’re disappointed groans will be what he remembers, and they will soon be all he hears every time he fails them. When he expectantly will fail at Havoc, and then the next match and so forth”.
“Matthias Mintzel, is truly just a failed experiment. He was gifted with above average physical attributes, but failed to capitalise on these gifts. We attempted to resurrect his career after it was apparent he could not meet his potential on his own. We nurtured him, and attempted to mold him from what we found into what should have been my right hand man, a somewhat metamorphosis of sorts”.
“But unfortunately some things just aren't salvageable, as much as you can try to help evolve them. Ultimately you cannot fix stupid, and that’s what he is. He’ll regret his decision, turning his back on me, for the rest of his life. He will look at Downfall for years to come and see what he could have been”.
I begin to smile sadistically at The Matriarch.
“We live and die by the decisions we make, unfortunately for Die Motte, he made the wrong decision, and at Clash, he’ll be punished with the severest of consequences…”
I turn and leave my quarters.