Sunday night wasn’t exactly the best ending to the new alliance formed between Rage, J2H and JT Midas. Rage, particularly, was having a bad night. He was hoping that he could get through to Despayre...talk to him for a few minutes. But, unfortunately, Despayre was doing exactly what everyone else was doing. Completely shrugging him off and refusing to speak to him. But it didn’t stop there as Rage made perhaps the biggest mistake when he grabbed Despayre and tried to stop him from walking away. Cue Papa Synn’s entrance, and Rage was lucky he walked away from that.
Later on in the night, Rage and JT had their first test as a “team” when they faced off against Dmitri and James Tuscini, a.k.a The Unholy Alliance. But it was a test that they failed when Dmitri pinned JT, scoring the victory for he and James Tuscini. Needless to say, Rage, J2H and JT were far from thrilled about what went down, especially following the match, and all Rage wanted to do was get back to Vegas for a little bit of R&R. If that was even possible. And he’s about to find out that it won’t be.
He pulls his car into his driveway and immediately spots his fiancee, Kittie, sitting on the front porch. She’s clearly been waiting for him for quite some time, judging by the angry scowl on her face. Once he cuts the engine, she stands up and folds her arms across her chest, and has her eyes locked on him. Rage closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath, preparing for the argument that should have happened last week. He gets out of the car, not even bothering to grab his bag from the backseat, and he slowly makes his way towards the front door.
Rage: How did you know I was coming home today?
Kittie frowns, keeping her eyes on him.
Kittie: I didn’t, but I had a hunch you would.
Rage: How are Synn and Des...Joshua?
Kittie shakes her head and rolls her eyes. Rage walks up to her and stops just in front of her.
Kittie: Now you care how they’re doing? I didn’t come here to talk about them, by the way. We have other things we need to discuss.
Rage: Hey, I’m not the one that beat the shit out of Synn last night, and I sure as shit didn’t do it last week either. Shipman made that choice, but here you are still painting me out to be an asshole for how I went about things. And, yeah, I care. I’ve been trying to talk to you guys since last week, but all I keep getting is the cold shoulder, so it’s whatever. You guys are pushing me not to give a shit.
Kittie: You started all of this, you know that? You set all of this in motion, and who knows, if you hadn’t joined sides with J2H and JT Midas last week, Shipman probably wouldn’t--
Rage holds his hand up quickly, silencing Kittie. He glares at her and his nostrils flare as he clenches his other fist at his side.
Rage: Don’t you EVEN go there, Kittie! Don’t you try and fucking blame me for Shipman doing what he did last night! He’s the one who aligned himself with that Father Williams idiot, or whatever his name is! And need I remind you he did that like two weeks ago?! He was planning that shit for a while, clearly!
Kittie takes a step back, holding her hands up defensively. She takes in a deep breath as Rage lets out a growl and quickly walks past her, storming inside the house. Kittie’s jaw drops and she turns around, following behind him. Rage immediately goes to the fridge where he grabs a cold beer and twists the top off, tossing it in the trash and taking a big swig of the beer. Kittie stands there, glaring at him with her arms folded and Rage walks up to the island countertop and sets his beer down.
Rage: Would you quit looking at me like that?! You know I’m right so don’t blame me for what Shipman did last night!
Kittie: Can you honestly blame me for thinking that? Shipman is a follower. Naturally he’s going to follow your damn lead when you leave the Sins!
Rage laughs and shakes his head.
Rage: Look, all I wanted to do was come home and relax for a few days before I have to head back to California and deal with all the promotional shit for High Stakes. You’re making this pretty damn difficult.
Kittie: Oh really? You’re the one who wanted to talk last week so you could explain what you did. Now’s your chance, peanut head.
Rage: Fuck that! I’m not doing things on your schedule, Kittie. I’m not doing things when and how you all think I should!
Kittie’s jaw drops again, and she stares at Rage, confused. He takes his beer and takes another big swig before he walks into the living room, not wanting to talk about this anymore but Kittie follows behind him agin.
Kittie: Care to explain what the fuck you’re talking about?
Rage: Everything! I’m talking about everything, Kittie! Every time I did shit the way you, Gabriel, Shane or Synn said I should, something chaotic always followed after! I was tired of it, Kittie. So I fucking did something my way for once.
Kittie: Again, what the fuck are you talking about?! What the hell changed, Rage?! I’m so fucking confused right now.
Rage plops down on the sofa as Kittie walks around and stands in front of him, waiting for an explanation, but he still seems hesitant to continue talking about it. Kittie sits on the coffee table and faces him, trying to be as patient as she can, but Rage is making it more difficult than it should be.
Kittie: Would you just talk to me, please? I’m trying to understand this whole fucked up situation. The past few months you’ve been particularly on edge and I’d really like to know what set this shit off. If you talk to me I might be able to get through to Synn.
Rage lets out a snort and shakes his head.
Rage: Yeah, good luck with that one. He practically threatened me last night!
Kittie: Yeah, well can’t say I blame him. You shouldn’t have grabbed Despy like that. I’m more surprised that Despy didn’t go postal on you right then and there.
Rage: Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Rage rolls his eyes and proceeds to finish off his beer, putting the empty bottle on the coffee table next to Kittie.
Kittie: Come on, Rage. I’m just trying to understand all of this. I mean last week you basically turned your back on the Sins, and now I find out you actually asked for this match against Shipman at High Stakes. Are you trying to confuse the fuck out of everyone?
Rage: Look, just because I sided with J last week, doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and let Shipman get away with what he did! This whole last month has been fucked up, and I’m actually looking forward to beating the fuck out of Shipman for once.
Kittie: This whole last month? Are you telling me that you losing the Internet Championship to Despayre is the reason for all of this?
Rage closes his eyes and shakes his head. He runs his hand over his head and takes in a deep breath before he opens his eyes and looks at his fiancee very seriously.
Rage: No, not exactly. Look, I don’t care that I lost to Despy. I tapped out, remember? I’m not going to sit back and lie and say that I should have won, because I shouldn’t have. I don’t have what it takes to beat that kid, and I proved it by tapping out to him.
Kittie: Okay. Sooo...what the hell is this about? What else happened?
Rage takes in another deep breath.
Rage: Ember...
Kittie looks confused.
Kittie: Ember? What does she have to do with this?
Rage: She has everything to do with this, Kittie. Ever since I found out she was my kid, I felt like you guys were pressuring me to be a part of her life. To step up and be her father.
Kittie: Whoa, whoa, whoa...When did--
Rage holds his hand up again, silencing Kittie for the second time.
Rage: You and Synn never actually came out and said it, but I know it’s what you were thinking. The fact that there is a kid out there with my DNA, how could I not want to be her father, right? I was conflicted about the whole damn thing for so long, until…
Kittie: Until what?
Rage narrows his eyes at Kittie.
Rage: Would you let me finish?! Damn!
Kittie holds her hands up and nods.
Rage: Until I decided to take Electra up on her offer to go see Ember for her tenth birthday. Electra wanted to tell her the truth then. About us being her parents, and she wanted me to be there so Ember knew that I was her father. So I went.
Kittie: And? How did things go?
Rage lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
Rage: Honestly? Not good. Not that I expected them to go well, anyway...
Thursday October 13th
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Rage knew where he was going. He’d been here just one month ago, but he didn’t expect that he’d be back. But today was an important day, and he couldn’t deny that. Today was a day that just a few months ago, he had no idea he would even think he’d be celebrating, but that was because he didn’t know the little girl who was turning ten years old today even existed.
His daughter, Ember Blaze.
He still had a hard time saying that in his mind, but he couldn’t deny it anymore. He knew he was her father. He could see the resemblance in not only her physical appearance, but also her demeanor, given just last month she had stormed off in a temper tantrum. Though most people would chalk that up to just being a child. Either way, that was one trait that no one could deny she had in common with Rage.
Rage pulls his rental car up in front of Danny Blaze’s home. There is only one other car in the driveway, and given the flame decals on either side of it, it was a dead giveaway that the vehicle belongs to Electra. As he walks up to the front door, he doesn’t need to knock as Electra opens the door and greets him with a surprised smile.
Electra: Rage...Hi! I didn’t think you’d actually show up.
Rage nods and runs his hand across his head.
Rage: Yeah...I wasn’t planning on actually being here, but...
Electra: But what? All that matters is that you’re here and just in time. We’re getting ready to take Ember out for her birthday dinner.
Rage: I...uh...I should come back later, then.
Electra pushes the door open and shakes her head with a smile.
Electra: No, you shouldn’t. Come on inside.
Electra steps aside, holding the door open for Rage. He looks hesitant, but with further reassurance from Electra, he walks inside. Danny appears from the kitchen down the hall and as soon as he lays eyes on Rage, he frowns. But he walks up to his sister’s former boyfriend, and extends his hand for a handshake.
Danny: Hello, Jake...
Rage shakes Danny’s hand.
Rage: Danny.
Electra: Well, since Rage decided to show up, how about we get this over with then? No time like the present.
Rage and Danny both turn their heads quickly and stare at Electra, shocked. But Danny’s shock just as quickly switches to anger.
Danny: Whoa, whoa, Electra. Be lucky I’m even agreeing to you telling her the truth on her birthday, but can’t it wait until after we go out for dinner? You have no idea how she’s going to react to hearing this. I don’t want--
Electra: Danny, I’ve waited ten years. I don’t want to wait any longer, and I’m sure Rage doesn’t either.
Rage: Look, if it’s gonna spoil the kid’s birthday, let’s just wait. What’s another couple of hours, right?
Electra: I’m not waiting! She’s our daughter, Rage, and I want to tell her the truth now.
Rage and Danny both go to speak, but a surprised voice behind them causes them all to quickly turn. Young Ember is standing there, a shocked and confused look on her face as she looks around at all three of them.
Ember: W-what? Daddy, what is Aunt Electra talking about?
Danny frowns and lets out a sigh. He walks up to Ember and kneels down to her eye level as Electra walks up to her as well. Rage just stands back, lose for works and completely unsure of his next move.
Danny: Well, sweetie, I didn’t want you to hear it this way, but...
Electra: Ember...honey...I’m so sorry you had to hear it that way, but the truth is...
Danny: Electra, let me handle this, please.
Electra stares at her brother for a moment, not happy with that idea, but when she looks back to Rage, he just nods to her, saying it’s alright. Electra takes a step back, standing next to Rage as Danny gives Ember his full attention, and the little girl glances to Rage and Electra, almost in tears.
Danny: The truth is, honey, that Electra is your mother. And Jake, there...he’s your real father. Electra was a little sick when she had you, so I took care of you until she got better.
Ember: I...I don’t understand. Why?
Electra: I know it’s a little confusing, sweetie, and I’m so sorry it is, but it’s the truth. I’m your mom and Jake is your dad. You see when you were born I wasn’t--
Ember: No! NO YOU’RE NOT!
Ember starts backing away and she’s on the verge of a full blown tantrum. Rage lets out a sigh and looks to Electra.
Rage: I told you this wasn’t a good idea right now.
Ember: You’re NOT my mom and dad! He’s my Daddy!
Ember points to Danny.
Ember: HE’S MY DADDY! NOT YOU! YOU’RE JUST A BIG DUMB MEANIE!
Ember is now on hundred percent focused on Rage, and she’s almost trembling. Rage shakes his head and he tries to speak, but he can’t. Electra takes a step towards Ember to try to explain.
Electra: Ember, please, try and calm down. Don’t be mad at Jake. He just recently found out, too. It’s all very complicated, and I’ll do my best to explain it as you get older so you understand better.
Ember shakes her head furiously.
Ember: NO! I HATE YOU! YOU’RE NOT MY PARENTS! STAY AWAY FROM ME!
Danny: Ember, honey...
Danny and Electra try and step forward towards Ember but she steps around them, heading straight towards the door. Before she runs past Rage, however, she pulls her leg back and kicks him hard, right in the shin! He doubles forward, holding his shin and letting out a pained bellow as Ember runs out of the house.
Rage: FUCK! WHY DO THEY ALWAYS GO FOR THE SHINS?!
Danny gives chase to Ember, as Electra stays behind to check on Rage. He manages to stay on his feet and shakes out his leg, trying to get the feeling back in it, and Electra looks at him apologetically.
Electra: Rage, I’m sooo sorry...
Rage: Don’t even bother, Electra. I knew this was a bad idea.
Electra: What? No, it wasn’t. She just needs time, Rage. She’ll come around.
Rage: It doesn’t fucking matter, Electra. Danny raised her! Danny is her father, not me. She’s better off anyway.
Rage quickly turns around and heads for the door, but Electra tries to stop him by grabbing him by the arm.
Electra: Rage, please...
Rage: Give it up, Electra! She doesn’t want me to be a part of her life and that’s all there is too it. It’s for the best.
Rage yanks his arm out of Electra’s grasp and storms out of the house. Electra runs out of the house and can only watch as Rage gets into his rental car, roars the engine to life and speeds off down the street, away from the house. She lowers her head and shakes it disappointedly before heads in the direction Danny went to find Ember.
Kittie: Damn...she pulled a Despy move there.
Kittie grins and chuckles as she tries to lighten the mood a little, but Rage frowns at her, not finding anything amusing. He blinks his eyes slowly, having finished telling Kittie about what happened, and she clears her throat and takes in a deep breath.
Kittie: Alright, bad time I guess. So Ember freaked out when she found out that Danny wasn’t her father and that you and Electra are her parents. That honestly surprised you? The kid is ten years old, and I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but Electra was right. She just needs some time.
Rage shakes his head furiously and leans forward, propping his elbows on his knees.
Rage: No, Kittie. She doesn’t. It doesn’t matter anymore. The fact is, that I did what everyone kept urging me to do, saying it was the right thing to do, and it fucking blew up in my face like it always does. She’s better off with Danny, and if Electra is smart, she’ll see that, too.
Kittie: Did you even tell Synn about what happened? He has first hand experience dealing with that sort of thing.
Rage again shakes his head.
Rage: No, because like I said there was no reason to. He would have just tried to talk me into giving it some time and going to see her again because she’s my kid. It’s what you’re trying to do now, but I’m done letting you guys persuade me to do shit I don’t want to do.
Kittie frowns.
Kittie: So you turned into a selfish asshole and turned your back on people who have been the only family you’ve ever known to join up with J2H, and for what? That’s what I don’t fucking understand.
Rage: It doesn’t matter anymore, Kittie. I did what I had to do, but I’m still going to be painted as the asshole no matter what so the why doesn’t fucking matter.
Kittie: Yeah, it fucking does, Rage. Because there is more to this fucking story considering you went and asked for this match against Shipman after he attacked Synn last night. Tell me what the hell is going--
Rage quickly stands up from the sofa, glaring down at Kittie.
Rage: Shipman attacked Synn, Kittie! He fucking embarrassed the man in the center of the ring, which is something I didn’t fucking do, alright?! I made a decision not to tell you guys what I was doing, because it was the only way it had to be fucking done! And regardless of what I did, I still respect Synn and everything he’s done for me...For us.
Kittie: And you think that defending Synn’s honor is going to sit well with J2H? If that is what you think, you’re fucking stupider than I ever thought you could be, because you’re just going to go from being a valued member of a team...a family...to J2H’s bitch boy.
Rage: Yeah, well we’ll just have to wait and see about that won’t we? Are you done insulting me now, because I thought that ring on your finger meant you were on my side.
Kittie lets out a frustrated laugh. She slaps her palms against her knees and stands up, looking up at Rage.
Kittie: I’m not taking anybody’s side here, Rage. I’m just trying to get a better understand of what the hell is going on, because I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place right now.
Rage: You’re not stuck at all, Kittie. By all means, if you want to call off the engagement, go right ahead. I know you want to.
Kittie shakes her head.
Kittie: No, I don’t. I agreed to marry you, and the one who is gonna have to call it off is you. If that’s what you want. Until then, I’m going to make it very clear that I’m remaining neutral in all of this. I’m not turning my back on you or our engagement, but I’m also not turning my back on the Sins. So don’t even think about trying to make me choose.
Kittie just pats Rage’s chest gently before she steps around him and heads for the door and Rage turns around, watching her.
Rage: And yet you’re walking out the door right now...
Kittie: That’s not me leaving for good, Rage. It’s me giving you some time and space to deal with this mid-life crisis or whatever the hell it is you’re going through. You know how to reach me...
And with that, Kittie turns and walks out the door, and Rage lets her. He closes his eyes and runs his hand over his head again before he turns around and plops back down on the sofa, frustrated. A few seconds later, in a fit of rage, he grabs the empty beer bottle from the coffee table and throws it across the room. It hits the wall and shatters and Rage lets out a guttural growl, now left completely alone to think about the decision he made.
Since the card for High Stakes VI was announced, I’ve gone from receiving question after annoying question about why I aligned with J2H, to why I would demand this match against Shipman. People must really be writing a book about me or something, because that’s all it’s been. Why would you ask for this match against Shipman, Rage? Why do you care about what he did to Synn, Rage? You turned your back on the Sins, so why does what he did bother you, Rage?
Seriously, like I said last week, shut the fuck up already! I did what I did and that’s all you need to know about it. Gone are the days where I do things the way everyone thinks I should, or have to explain my every fucking move. This is a new Rage you all are seeing, and I can tell you right now, that ain’t a good thing for Chris Shipman.
You hear that Shipman? I’ve been looking forward to this match for a long fucking time. Maybe even more than getting my hands on Gabriel. You see, ever since you came back around and Synn got you your contract in SCW, I’ll I’ve heard about is how sick and twisted you are. How dangerous you are. Shipman this, Shipman that. At first, I thought alright...Let’s see what this fucker is all about. Let’s see what everyone keeps talking about, and you know what I saw, Shipman?
Nothing. Not a damn fucking thing worth getting all the attention that you do.
Don’t get me wrong, you’re one twisted fuck. That much is clear. But when it comes to getting the job done in the ring, when it all really counts? You’re nothing but a failure, Shipman. You always have been and you always will be. Ain’t gonna be anything different at High Stakes, because as sick and twisted as you may be, you sure as shit don’t stand a chance against me.
You’re proud of yourself, aren’t you, Shipman? You and your perverted secret pedophile new boy toy, Father Williams, feel good about what you did to Synn, right? People are still out there, chastising me for what I did, but you? You actually attacked Synn. The man who practically MADE you, and that’s something I can’t say I’ve ever done, or would ever do. You’re a piece of shit, Shipman, and at High Stakes, you’ll be lucky to be able to walk out of that ring.
You stood in that ring and said you used Synn to get what you needed? HA! I think you need to re-evaluate things, because you were the one being used Shipman. If you ask me, I think you did what you did because you were jealous of the success the rest of us in the Sins had achieved and how proud he was of all of us, but you? You were just the bitch, taking one for the team...If you get my drift. You want to bitch and cry about where the Sins were when you needed us?
Where the fuck were you, Shipman?
You weren’t a Sin, Shipman. Not in my eyes. You were just the loner that was rarely ever around, and when you were it was just for a roll in the hay with Synn. Don’t try to deny it, Shipman. You know damn well it’s true. You were the least valuable of the Sins, because when it all counted...when it was all on the line...You couldn’t walk away with the win. And that...that is your biggest problem, Shipman.
How does it feel, Shipman? How does it feel that out of all the Sins, you were the biggest disappointment? And despite all that, Synn still fought for you. He still believed in you and saw your worth as a Sin while the rest of us didn’t quite understand it. Hell, I still don’t understand it.
At High Stakes, the two of us will walk into that ring. We’ll glare across the ring at one another and go toe to toe and do you want to know what I’m going to be seeing over and over in my head, fueling my need to beat the fuck out of you and embarrass you in that ring? I’m going to replay what you and your new fuck boy did to Synn last week. And I’m going to dish it out ten fucking times worse.
Do you understand me, Shipman? I don’t give a shit how fucked up in the head you are, or how dangerous people think you are. The fact is, you are the one who is going to be wheeled out on a damn stretcher after High Stakes. Synn might be pissed off at me and he might want the both of us to rip each other apart, but you’re the only one that’s gonna be ripped to shreds. And if Father Williams or whatever the fuck his name is decides to try and get involved?
Well...I’m already going to hell, so what I do to him won’t matter, will it?
You’ve got less than two weeks, Shipman. Confess your sins. Pray to God or whoever the fuck it is that you pray to, because as soon as that bell rings?
You’re fucking finished.
See you at High Stakes, dickhead!
