[A few weeks ago, after the airing of Climax Control’s Queen for a Day Edition][/b]
As much as Victoria thought it might, barring Eddie from her show did little to upset him, as she thought it would. It just gave him time to reflect, after losing the Roulette Championship. Reflect, and find his focus again after The Entity misted him in the face. The time off did more good for him than bad really. It gave him some time to relax, and watch his cousin make a complete ass of herself on national television.
“I hope your proud of yourself Victoria, karma will get you sooner or later.” Eddie said, as he clicked the TV off, after the Queen for a Day edition of Climax Control ended, “But that will be your burden to bear, I have to worry about myself and once again fighting my way back to championship.”
He sighed, and as he turned to leave, he found himself face to face with another of his cousins, Victorias own twin brother Vincent.”
“Vincent…” said Eddie, “Something you need?”
Vincent didn’t meet Eddie’s eyes, and Eddie cocked his head slightly sensing something different about him.
“It’s Victoria…” Vincent muttered.
“What about her?” Eddie said, raising an eyebrow and folding his arms.
“I just…” Vincent continued, “I know she’s been different ever since HWL closed, so have I…but now, that she’s alone in SCW, it’s like she’s getting worse or something, more hateful.”
“She’s been hateful for a long time now.” Eddie said, “She just has a proper platform to show it now.”
“Perhaps.” Vincent replied, “But I just finished watching her show, and I mean…”
Eddie rested a hand on Vincents shoulder, he didn’t need to say it. He could see it in his cousins eyes.
“You…don’t agree” said Eddie, “You think she went too far…”
Vincent signed, and said nothing. To Eddie his silence spoke volumes. Maybe there was hope for Vincent yet.
“She’s my twin Eddie.” said Vincent, “I’m supposed to understand her better than anyone, but even I’m having trouble these days.”
Eddie sighed, and removed his hand from his cousins shoulder.
[color=orange“Look Vincent.”[/color] said Eddie, [color=orange“I can’t really speak on the twin thing, being an only child. But at some point you just need to worry about what Vincent wants. It’s too bad you can’t talk to Kallie Reznik, she can relate to the whole irritating twin thing. She’d probably have some good advice. Victoria is going to be Victoria. You need to decide who you want Vincent to be. Like, aren’t you tired of doing her dirty work?”[/color]
“Alex does most of that now.” Vincent shrugged.
“Of course he does.” said Eddie rolling his eyes, Alex was their other crazy cousin., “Look Vincent, we’re family and I’m here for you.I’ll always be here for you because that’s what family is supposed to do. You came to me, that’s a good first step.”
“Yeah..” Vincent muttered.
“But I can’t do anything for you..” Eddie continued, “You need to stand up and tell her how you feel. Otherwise, all you’re doing is help feed her ego, and that isn’t helping her either.”
“Yeah..you’re probably right.” Vincent sighed.
“It’s not even about me being right.” Eddie said, “You need to do what’s right for Vincent, not Victoria, not Alex, not even me. Do it for Vincent.”
Eddie pushes a finger in his cousins chest, and Vincent nods.
“Yeah..I’ll think about it.” said Vincent, “I should probably go, I need to think about all this.”
“I’m here to talk if you need me.” said Eddie.
Eddie held out his fist, and Vincent paused for a moment, before bumping it with a fist of his own, with one final nod, he left the room, shutting the door behind him.
He hoped his cousin figured out the whole Victoria mess. He had been too subservient to her for years now, and it was time he finally stood up for himself. But like Eddie told him, Vincent had to do that himself. Eddie had his own future to worry about, and at the time he didn’t know it but his return to SCW would have him once again meet The Entity.
__________
The cameras open on Eddie Lyons, the cool Colorado air blowing past him as he leans against the wall of a nondescript building. The former roulette champion has a look of contempt on his face, showing even before he speaks, the disdain he holds for the Entity.
“So we meet again.” said Eddie, “You know, I could sit here and blame you for me not having a championship on my shoulder anymore. Say you got into my head, and I didn;t have proper focus against Aiden, and to some extent that’s true.”
Eddie nods, and sighs. He knows it to be true. He let the Entity’ mist attack distract him, but there was only one person he could blame for that.”
“But it’s not your fault.” he said, “It’s mine because I allowed it to happen, but make no excuses about it, Aiden Reynolds was the better man that night, bottom line. Shame his reign had to be short lived because my cousin is a nitwit. However, I know he’ll bunce back from this, because he’s no quitter and I will be doing the same.”
Eddie keeps his confident gaze on the camera, showing his usual fearless demeanor.
“I’m not sure how this match came to be, rumors say it might have something to do with my cousin.” Eddie said, some disdain in his voice, “Is it supposed to be a punishment or something? A reward? I don’t know, don’t care. But I’m glad it’s happening. Because I’m once again going to beat you, but this time, I’m going to BEAT you.”
The fire grows in his eyes, as his smile grows more confident
“If I pin you, or even better cause you to submit, I can wash myself of this pestilence you put on my mind.” Eddie says, his voice growing more stern, “You already know you can’t beat me, that’s why you did what you did in the first place. Oh, you’ll concoct some clever words to make yourself seem clever and mysterious, but deep down you know the truth. You are and always will be what Aiden and I both see you as, a coward and a farce.”
Eddie keeps a stern face on the camera, silently reaffirming his words.
“We see through the mask you wear, and we’re not fooled.” said Eddie, “I will not meet your malice with malice. I will fight with honor, as I always have. I've talked before about just wanting to keep some honor on my family name, and now that everyone is bearing witness to my cousin Victoria, I’d like to imagine they understand the reason a whole lot more.”
Eddie shrugs.
“This for me, is the perfect grudge match back.” Eddie continued, “I can put you behind me, and push onward to the next chapter in the story of Eddie Lyons. Where will he find himself going next? There’s still room in the Ultimate X match, perhaps two former champions take the final spots. Perhaps he finds himself going after the man he beat for the Roulette Championship Peter Vaughn, this time for Peter’s Internet championship. Or even try to dethrone Finn Whelan and put to rest an old, nearly forgotten grudge. It could be anything, wherever the wind takes me. It’s how I like it. I said it on Climax Control, just give me an opponent; line em up and let me knock em down. If Mark and Christian think I deserve a championship match along the way, then I’ll gladly accept the challenge. But I ask for nothing, nothing but an opponent. Once again, I am going to expose you. Prove you to be nothing but a farce. Your riddles and flavorful words will fail to help you once again, as for the danger? I’ve gone to battle with Peter Vaughn, and he’s a much more dangerous animal than you, and unlike you he doesn’t hide behind a mask or speak in riddles. That’s why he was able to seize the briefcase, and not you.”
Eddie shrugs.
“I can be dangerous too.” said Eddie, “The limits I will push myself are second to none. I know I’m not perfect. I’ve had wins, and losses both by now But I always come strong, I always come with honor and that’s not something I will break. Try as you might, you will always find me unbreakable. They call you dangerous, well I say bring on the danger. Bring all you fucking can because I want no excuses when I expose you as nothing more than a blowfish. Puffing up to appear big and scary to those around him, when really he’s small and weak. So let’s make ol’ Darkwing Duck proud, and let’s get dangerous. You bring the danger, and I’ll bring the unbreakable power of HONOR BEFORE GLORY.”
Eddie exhales heavily, and looks fearlessly into the camera, as the scene fades out.
__________
[A Day after the airing of Climax Control’s King for a Day Edition]
Eddie wasn’t sure why Coach Kaiser had called him into his office, he hoped he hadn’t done something wrong, or was about to be told that Victoria was in fact replacing him in SCW. Foolish thoughts of course, as Eddie would come to know in a few moments.
“Hey Eddie, thanks for coming. I won’t keep you long.” said Coach Kaiser. “I know you have a match with Entity you wish to prepare for.”
“Everything good Coach?” asked Eddie
“Yeah, everything is good.” nodded Coach Kaiser, “I just wanted to call you in here, to let you know I am leaving SCW.”
Eddie blinked, and cocked his head
“Wait, what?” he asked.
“You don’t need me anymore.” said Coach Kaiser, “I was only there to help you get jump started. Now you’ve held a championship, and are one of the most respected members of the SCW roster. I’d say my work is done. Besides, most probably didn’t know I was there anyway.”
“What will you do now?” asked Eddie
“Oh, I’ll still be here at The Lyons Den.” said Coach Kaiser, “Training, finding new talent, the whole deal. I just won’t be with SCW in any full capacity. I’ll still be here to support you from the background when you need it.”
Eddie nodded, it really was foolish of him to think the worst. Coach had faith in him, that he could find his own way now without him.
“Alright.” said Eddie, “I get it, you got a few contracts to manage now, can’t play favorites right? Then again, that would just put you in PWS with Cleo.”
Eddie grinned.
“Oh shove it.’ said Coach Kaiser with a laugh.
“Well, I guess…back to it then.” said Eddie, as he turned to leave the room, “I’ll be out there if you need me.”
Coach Kaiser nodded and mimed tipping his hat, as Eddie exited, the room. It didn’t take long, before she showed up, fucking Victoria.
“What is it NOW?” said Eddie, he was really growing tired of his cousin bothering him with her nonsense.
“What the hell did you say to Vincent?” she said marching up to him, wagging an accusing finger in his face.
“First of all.” said Eddie, pushing Victorias hand away from his face, “You need to start talking more respectfully to people if you want them to listen to you.”
“Don’t patronize me.” said Victoria, “Why is Vincent acting weird?”
“Define weird.” said Eddie.
“You know what I mean.” said Victoria, “He told me he talked with you. Is this because I banned you from my show? You get in my brothers head, try to turn him against me? He is MY twin. MY little brother, and I’d ask you COUSIN, to mind your own damn business.”
“Vincent came to ME.” said Eddie sternly, “He has a mind of his own you know. Maybe his thoughts aren’t the same as yours anymore.”
“You poisoned his mind!” Victoria insisted.
“No Victoria, you did.” said Eddie, “You have been for years, and I’m glad hes finally showing some signs of thinking for himself again.”
“He’s my LITTLE BROTHER.” said Victoria, “It’s my duty to care for him and keep him safe.”
“Enough with that little brother crap.” said Eddie “He’s hated it forever, since we were kids even. You were born two minutes apart, technically in different years since Aunt Kristen went into labor around midnight on New Years Eve. It’s not funny anymore, never really was.”
Victoria furrowed her brow, but Eddie wasn’t done.
“Even Vincent knows you went too far with that Carter and Kasey crap.” said Eddie, “And I think deep down you know it too. You’ll never admit it of course, you’ll make up excuse after excuse. But deep down, you know it was wrong.”
“The only thing wrong was their act of treason, and nobody doing anything about it.” said Victoria.
“Of course.” said Eddie, “Whatever you say. But now most of SCW is against you, your own twin seems to be leaving you, and Alex ran back to PWS where he’ll probably be coddled in the arms of Alexandra Calaway.”
“Alexandra is our friend.” said Victoria.
“And Miles is her tag team partner.” said Eddie, “So you have to think she may not like you as much as you think she does. But that’s your cross to bear. I’m not the number one contender to her championship. I’m just saying, your actions have consequences, and as it goes, you reap what you sow.”
Victoria shifted her eyes a little
“I’m not even saying you need friends.” said Eddie “I don’t think I have anyone in SCW I’d call a friend. But people like me, people will stand in battle with me. People don’t like you Victoria, and in this business that’s not a good thing. All I’m saying is, I guess…good luck to you in SCW cousin. But it can be a cold world if nobody likes you.”
Eddie pats an annoyed Victoria on the back, with a smile and continues along his way, to get in some more training before he had to dance with darkness against the Entity.
_________
“I don’t know who talks more. You or my cousin.”
Eddies voice was heard, as the cameras came on, and found him, seated on large rock beside a nature trail, overlooking the Colorado scene, sunlight beaming down on his face.
“I’m not much of a talker.” Eddie continued, “I do my best when it comes time to do these things. But for me, it’s about the action. It’s about getting it done in the ring, and that’s exactly what I do each and every time I step in it. You already know that don’t you? When you stepped in that ring with me you felt it.”
Eddie grins, the confidence beaming off his face.
“You felt the very reason why I’m called unbreakable. You knew you couldn’t get the job done, so you took a cowards route. Make all the excuses you want, deep down you know the truth.” Eddie continued, “The truth that I had you beat that night, and the whole world saw it. Now the whole world is going to see me beat you once again, and I’ll bet you still continue to make excuses.”
Eddie laughs to himself, and smiles.
“You don’t even think I deserve to be here.” said Eddie, “Or at least you told Peter I’m not as good as I think I am, that I never will be. But when have I ever oversold myself? I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’ve also accomplished a lot in my year with this company, and I won’t let anyone take that from me.”
Eddie pauses for a moment, just enjoying the scenery.
“I wonder, what are you going to do?” asked Eddie, “What are you going to do when you realize once again that I am built different? That I’m sort of an abstract survivalist in the ocean on a canoe. I work with what I’m given, and when I fall. I make no excuses. I dust myself off and move on to the next challenge.”
Eddie takes in a breath, stretching his arms out for a moment before continuing.
“You’re too focused on destruction.” Eddie continued, “It’s not enough to just get a hard fought win for you. You wish to inflict pain, to send some sort of message, or maybe you just like doing it. I don’t know, but it won’t work on me. It won’t work on someone who isn’t out to seek glory, only honor. It’s honor that will always best men and women like you. You relish too much in your violence, that it makes you weak, once nobody is afraid anymore. You become powerless.”
Eddie blinks a few times, and cracks his neck.
“I don't seek to be the greatest.” Eddie continued, “When people look back on my career, I want them to see me as someone they can respect. Someone who always stood tall against adversary and never gave up. No matter what. Sure he had some downfalls, but he always bounced back. He had his highs as well, but he never asked for anything, he earned it. He was inspiring and always tried to do the right thing.”
Eddie pauses for a moment, once more.
“We’re going to do this again Entity.” said Eddie, “They say I’m supposed to be worried or even afraid, but we’ve done this once already and you didn’t have enough then. So why would I be worried? I’ve already been misted, I’ve felt your malice and it didn’t break me then and it won’t on Sunday at Climax Control. Maybe it’s you who should be concerned, because I intend to expose you as the fraud you are. You won’t be so scary anymore, and you’ll just fade back into your own darkness. I don’t know where my future takes me, that’s up for Mark and Christian to decide. I just have to take on whatever they challenge me with head on, and keep the fight the same as I always have, with HONOR BEFORE GLORY.”
__________
[A Few Days Before Climax Control 397]
Eddie wasn’t the only Lyons Den talent preparing for a big match, his friend and training partner Cleo Phillips had a huge World Championship match coming up in PWS against current SCW Bombshell Roulette Champion, Alexandra Calaway. Eddie had been training with Cleo, helping her get ready, as she was also helping him get ready for his first match back since losing his own Roulette Championship against the Entity.
“Damn, you really want that championship don’t you?” Eddie said, sitting next to Cleo on a ring apron, “I’m gonna feel those chops for days.”
“Gotta prove I still got it.” said Cleo, “And we both know Calaway is serious business. I have no choice but to go hard because she’s going to do the same.”
“How’s Jazz by the way?” asked Eddie, of one of their fallen compadres,
“She’s okay.” said Cleo, “We just gotta give her space after the attack, but hey, what about you? Gonna put the boots to that Entity dope?”
“Just like last time.” nodded Eddie, “He can’t beat me and he knows it, so all he’s going to do is try and hurt me, but we both know I cant’ be broken.”
“You’ve grown a lot in this past year Eddie.” said Cleo, “You know that?”
“Thanks Cleo.” said Eddie, “Just doing what I can.”
“That’s all any of us can do.” Cleo replied
The two shared a fist bump.
“I’m just eager to get back to it.” said Eddie, “Feel that rush from the crowd, all the energy. It’s what I live for."
“I know what you mean man” nodded Cleo, “It’s quite the rush.”
“Anyway, ready for round two?” said Eddie motioning back to the ring.
“Do you really gotta ask?” grinned Cleo
And it was back to training, and running drills for the two hardest workers in The Lyons Den. The two who tended to prefer action over words. They just liked to get in the ring, and compete, or throw hands as Cleo sometimes put it. The friends worked in different companies, but still found time to train together during the week, and Eddie hoped that the next time he saw Cleo, she would have a world championship on her shoulder, and that he would have once again foiled the Entity.
__________
The classic shirtless, post-workout towel around neck look is how we see Eddie, as the cameras open on him sitting on a locker room bench.
“You do realize, it’s your own darkness that will prevent you from true success.” Eddie said, “All it does is keep you in a world of lies, Entity. You allow your fears and insecurities to control you, and you create this image of a monster to help combat them. That’s why you wear that mask as well, to hide your own insecurities.”
Eddie shrugged, and exhaled.
“Darkness will never give you any clear path forward.” said Eddie “It will only continue to cloud your judgment, and the more you continue to allow it to the more lost you become. Even behind that mask I can sense you are a very insecure man, that’s why you need your actions to be so violent. You need to feel dangerous, you need people to fear you because without your intimidation tactics, you’re nothing.”
A short pause from the former Roulette Champ.
“We’ve seen some changes in the landscape in SCW. I mean I’m no longer Roulette Champion, and Aiden who defeated me, isn’t either. Then we got Peter Vauhgn walking around with the briefcase, and honestly THAT scares me more than anything, certainty more than you, and I’m not even a champion anymore. But Peter with that briefcase means danger for the other champions, Whelan in particular if I had to guess.” said Eddie
Eddie exhales again before continuing
“I refuse to succumb to any darkness.” continued Eddie, “The light will continue to guide me, as it always has. Making my future bright and prosperous. So continue on wanting to be the big bad wolf of SCW. Just remember, that I am no little piggy. I am a LION, and I refuse to let you intimidate me."
Eddies eyes get his ever familiar more serious look in them.
“Get yourself ready for a reality check.” said Eddie, “You will find out I am the real deal. You will find out that you simply can’t intimidate me. You can’t break me, you will always be forced to take shortcuts against me, because my name is Eddie Lyons, fight for honor before glory and I am fucking UNBREAKABLE.
He stays focused, confidently on the camera, as the scene fades out.
