“It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.”
-Winston Churchill
Two men sat in front of a wide screen 32’ plasma screen in a suite somewhere in the middle of Las Vegas, and by the look of the window, they were right on the Las Vegas strip, a definite upgrade from the place Ace Baldwin, newest up-and-comer in the SCW had been staying, a ratty apartment just outside of the city, but how outside of Las Vegas could you really get? Ace sat in front of the television screen as the evening sun peered in the window of the suite. He had on a pair of jeans and a Las Vegas Wranglers cut off shirt on as he leaned up to take a swill of the water bottle in front of him. The man beside him, a bulkier, taller figure pointed out something on the screen, it was Derek Daniels, “The Dynamic One” just so happened was Ace’s new manager.
On the screen they were watching an SCW match, in the ring was Ace Baldwin as he locked up and arm dragged Kevin Carter. Every now and again, Derek would pause the film and point out a couple of mistakes Ace made, Ace would note them and keep on going. Derek paused it once and pointed up at the screen again.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
See, you aren’t getting off to great starts in your matches. Three matches now you’ve let the other guy get the jump on you. Right here, Carter comes out with a head of steam and, right here. You can’t come out and want to lock up with a guy like Kevin Carter, this little worm thrives on things like that.
Derek pointed it out, Ace rubbed his temples for a moment as he looked up to the screen as Derek rewound the part over and over where Carter begins with the advantage.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Yeah but, they each gave me a cheap shot. Carter, Goth, Lucien or whatever his name is. They all attacked me either before the bell or before I had a chance to defend myself, it’s not like it’s my fault. I try and go in and lock these guys up, I can’t if they are attacking me.
Ace honestly looked a bit confused as Derek shook his head and pointed to the screen as he rewound the bit back to where Carter gets the advantage.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Yeah, it’s your fault. You can’t go into these guys expecting just to lock up and try to get an advantage. You know why these guys come in and attack you from behind? Throat punch you? Take cheap shots? You are better than them. You’ve won a match in every way possible thus far, you’ve survived a fight with Goth, you’ve made Kevin Carter tap out in the center of the ring and you pinned Lucien. That’s pretty impressive, but when you get in a big time match, you aren’t going to be able to recover from a bad start, think of it like a basketball team.
Ace nodded as he watched the match over with Derek, this had been a couple of times now they had watched it, the sun was dwindling behind the Las Vegas buildings as they talked about the match as Ace now had the remote control.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Yeah, let’s look at this again…Rewind it.
It was Ace who gave Carter a knee strike and then hit him with a spinning spine buster and then locked him with the Ace Lock right in the center of the ring. He watched Carter give up in a matter of seconds with nowhere to go in the ring. Ace rewound it again, and again, and again.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Yeah, yeah…Keep tapping. I can’t see that enough. I hate that twit. He had the nerve to say that he had never heard of you before, or the MMSW, and then proceeded to proclaim his greatness, and I’ve never, literally, never heard of this dude before. Then I made him my bitc—
Derek laughed and cut Ace off by grabbing the remote and rewound it back to Ace getting beat up by Carter, even if it was just briefly in the match, because in reality that is the only time Carter was in control of the match.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Yeah, that’s all well and dandy, but you aren’t going to dominate Carter like that if you ever get in the ring with him again, he isn’t going to lay down for you. He’s going to want to embarrass you, kid. He’s going to want to prove a point. I don’t know when he’s going to get that chance, but you have to be ready, and you can’t get off to another slow start, not again. Got me?
Ace nodded, but snatched the remote back and played the match over again, he would ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at the moves he pulled out, and then laugh as Carter faltered, he was full of himself, which was for sure as he kept rewinding his submission over, and over. He forced Derek to watch.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
I bet you could never do anything like that, could you? You nor Jack, you were never big on submissions, well, I guess that is why I came along after all…DAMN look at that dragon sleeper…Damn, who isn’t going to tap out to that? I know you would…You don’t know how good it felt to make that temperamental douche bag tap out in the middle of the ring.
He pounded his chest a bit more before Derek’s phone began to ring. He held up a finger to Ace and stood up and walked over to the large window which overlooked the strip. He held the phone to his ear and spoke.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Yes…Yeah, I understand…Oh…Oh really? I see, yes…I understand. I’ll pass the word along right now, he’s sitting right here beside me. Yeah, goodbye.
Derek gave a significant smirk on his face as he closed his phone and slid it back into the pockets of the athletic shorts he wore. He walked over and sat on the couch with a grin as Ace match played. Ace looked over to him.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
What? Who was this? What was it about, was it my match at Blazing Glory II? Come on! Let me know! I’m jacked! I want to get in the ring tonight. Who is it? Who’s losing?
Derek grinned and turned to Ace on the couch.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Well, you get your wish. You’re going to be going up against Kevin Carter, this time on a bigger stage. I guess they liked what you guys did last week.
Ace kind of fist pumped in the air and grinned.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Let’s go! I’ll prove him a fraud just like I did last time, put me in front of a camera, let me tell him what I’m going to do to him before I do it. I want to embarrass him, I want to make him bleed. I want him to understand who the best in SCW really is…
Ace stood up and smirked as he walked over to the window and crossed his arms, but Derek wasn’t finished, he kept looking forward.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Forgot to mention, you’ll also be in a match with Argento as well. You, Kevin Carter, Agento—
Ace cut Derek off before he could finish as Ace put both hands on the window and looked over the strip, where the lights began to flicker to life as the evening overcame the city.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
What do they call that guy? The Silver Fox? Or something like that, I’m not sure. I know a bit about him, a similar time span in SCW like myself, pretty sure he isn’t undefeated, like yours truly…So I chance to kill two birds with one stone. I like it…
Derek smirked as he turned to see what Ace’s reaction would be as he announced other names. He laid one arm across the back of the couch.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
And…Blade Alexander…
Now he had Ace’s attention, just as suspected as he turned around and looked at Derek with a cocked eyebrow. He put a hand on his hip and narrowed his eyes.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
I don’t get what you’re playing at, regardless, that guy is trash as well. He’s a mouth breather just like Kevin Carter, I’ll have no problem stepping into the ring with him as well. Bring them all on, bring the whole damn roster.
Derek grinned as he stood up and placed both hands on his hips as Ace was still jacked up as he walked over to the window himself and nodded.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
And…Tommy Staggs…
Ace looked shocked at this point.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Who in the hell is Tommy Staggs? Not only that, but that makes…Five people in this match—including me, what in the hell?
Derek raised a finger, and said in his best infomercial voice:
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
But wait, there’s more. You’re going to be fighting in a reverse steel cage match, which means the person who climbs inside the cage first, wins.
Ace’s eyes stayed narrowed, he was skeptical.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
So, I need to climb inside the cage to win? Easy enough, I’ll just let those knuckleheads fight one another and I’ll beat everyone in and win the match, easy, right?
Derek shook his head as Ace was all ears.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Not that simple. Or maybe, maybe it is. Get this, you have to climb inside of the cage, with five guys fighting on the outside, you have to be the one inside the cage, but not only get inside, but grab a golden briefcase, in that briefcase you might ask? A contract that gives you a shot at any title in the SCW, on any show…
Derek looked out upon the strip, it was nearing dark now as he turned around to look at Ace who had a wide grin on his face. He turned that into a classic smirk.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
So, even though you made it sound like some Oceans 11 movie, you’re telling me that I have a chance at any title…On any show…
He grinned and Derek watched the youngster as he fist pumped with a laugh and jumped up onto the couch with both feet and began to leap up and down on it.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Do you even know what this MEANS for me? I’m going to be the heavyweight champion of the SCW! I’m going to be the man! I’m going to—Wow, I’ve only won three matches, but…I’M GOING TO BE THE CHAMPION! WOOO!
Derek wasn’t content though, he watched Ace with—not a scowl but a look of discontent as Ace paused from his celebration and leapt over the couch and landed in front of Derek who rubbed his forehead with his hand. Ace furrowed his brow.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
What? I know you’ve been a real hard ass since you’ve become my manager…But can’t you be happy about this? Can’t you smile? Can’t you agree that I’m about to become the SCW CHAMPION? This is…This is going to be amazing.
Derek sighed and crossed his arms. He walked by Ace and turned off the DVD of Ace and Kevin Carter, which was paused on the shot of Ace who had Carter locked in the Ace Lock. He turned the player off as well as the television and looked at Ace.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
I know I’ve been hard on you, but it’s easy to get lost in and around this city, sucked into the wrong things. Sure, your destiny may be the SCW Heavyweight Championship, but what about the Roulette? That is saying that you win—Look what I’m saying is you need to take this one step at a time. You have to win this match, you’re 3-0 in the SCW, you want to be looked at as a serious threat, or someone like Kevin Carter? Someone who talked a lot of shit but can’t back it up in the ring? I’m glad you want to win this, all I’m saying….One step at a time, one wrung at a time and eventually you’ll get to the top of that ladder, you can’t leap up there all at once…
Ace seemed to be brought back down to earth. He tucked his chin to his chest and nodded once more with a sigh and then looked back up to Derek.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Fine, I’ll focus on this match first, so when is training going to begin for this thing? I’ve…Yeah, come to think of it this is my first cage match….Ready when you are captain.
Ace said this sarcastically as Derek crossed his arms and nodded. He glanced over his shoulder and looked over the strip and then smirked.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
You know, you are right. You’re 3-0 right now, just got a huge win over Kevin Carter last week. How about this? Training can wait…We need to go celebrate…On me.
Ace looked up and smirked and then walked over to the window and looked back over his shoulder to Derek and laughed.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Since I’ve been here I’ve wanted to hit the strip. I’ve been here a few weeks and I’ve not been shown Vegas properly…Let’s put off training until tomorrow. I’ll go suit up!
Ace rushed off toward his room in the suite to get on his suit as Derek rubbed his chin and walked into his own bedroom.
-A Few Hours Later-
Ace Baldwin and Derek Daniels walked into the casino bar. They wore their best suits; Ace with a pink undershirt on with a matching tie, Derek rocked the blue as they walked into the bar like they owned it, quite frankly. Some heads turned as the two athletic looking men walked to the bar and sat down and ordered a couple of drinks as they sat on the stools. Derek ordered a shot for them both to start out with.
-Beer One-
Ace swirled the last bit of beer in his mug that the bartender had sat in front of them. Ace—wouldn’t be called a drinker by any means. Sometimes he drank to celebrate; he would have a beer or two with dinner, maybe on a date, maybe to pick up a woman. Derek leaned back on the bar stool and crossed his arms and looked over to Ace.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
You know, you remind me a lot like myself when I was a rookie breaking into the business. I was a little younger than you. Maybe a little better in the ring than you.
Ace shook his head and down the rest of his beer, he scoffed.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Better in the ring than me? I’m the total package, the only thing you have over me is strength. Who are you? Kevin Carter? Step into the ring and prove yourself, just don’t talk smack and not back it up.
It was all in good fun, especially how he poked fun at Kevin Carter, who had been seen on SCW propaganda crying and complaining about how overrated Ace is and how he got lucky, Ace took it all in stride. Derek signaled for another couple of beers.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
No, I’m a hell of a lot better than that guy, and by the way. I knew he’d blame his ring rust on the loss, I’ve came out flat and looked like garbage before too and well, it’s easier to blame everybody but yourself. Who did you blame when you started losing matches in GIW?
Ace pointed at himself, right in the chest and Derek nodded.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Exactly, that already makes you better than Kevin Carter, but you don’t need to be told that, you proved him wrong. I did the homework, you made him tap out for the first time in his career from what I hear. I think this guy was wrestling monkeys are the circus or something, no way he was EVER big time…You looking forward to doing battle with him again?
Ace chuckled as he played with the mug in front of him as he waited for his other beer, the bar was crowded, but the crowd gave Derek and Ace their space.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
I’m a competitor; you know I love to fight as much as I love to wrestle. I may have the baby face but I’m not afraid to bleed and in a match like this, I don’t plan on bleeding, I plan on making someone bleed, and there is NOBODY I would rather make bleed than Kevin Carter, plain and simple.
-Beer Two-
Derek tossed back the end of his second beer as Ace had his head tilted back as he took a deep draft from his mug and finished his beer just slightly before Derek did.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
What about this Blade Alexander guy? What do you know about him? I’ve seen a bit about him, doesn’t seem impressive, quite frankly he seems a bit weak. I don’t think a guy like him, a high flyer wants any part of this brawl that’s going to be out on the ground.
Ace shrugged it off and leaned back in his chair again after being slightly slumped over the mug he had in front of him which was empty, he motioned to the bar tender to bring a few more over.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
All I know is I saw this goon complaining about the match type of Twitter, and really that’s all he does is bitch. He’s an emo version of Kevin Carter. Why do people complain about a match type? It’s kind of like sports fans blaming the game on the referees. It’s a part of this business. I’m going to give this blade guy something to complain about, you better believe it, when I climb into the cage, grab that briefcase and I’m just going to smile at him, and flip him the bird as I go on to become a champion.
Ace looked back over to the bartender to try and speed him up on the next beer that is on tap for him and Derek.
-Beer Three-
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
I know Blade can be a bitch, but he is rather impressive here in the SCW, but I really, really doubt he has an advantage over you one on one, but that is the thing, you can’t trust this match to be a one on one situation because, they’re five people in the match, what about Argento. Know anything about him?
Ace shrugged as the third beer got sat down in front of him. He pondered the thought of the silver fox for a moment before he looked over to Derek with a shrug.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Yeah, but no. I’ve seen him backstage. He’s something else for sure, he’s a freak of nature at 6’7” and as athletic as he is to be that tall, I’ll give him a little bit of credit unlike the other absolute trash in this match. I’ll find a way to beat him in a match like this, but if this were a one on one match, he would be the one I would be most scared of. Not Kevin Carter, not Blade Alexander, but whichever Staggs in this match, but Argento. He can back up his talk.
Derek shrugged and then nodded toward the beer in front of Ace, it seemed Ace was slowing down a little bit as Derek smirked as he finished the mug as Ace had just taken a sip.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
You slowing down already, Baldwin? Come on now, you may can out wrestle me right now, but you can’t out drink me, I guarantee you that. Kill that one and we will hop to another place.
Ace held his stomach and looked at the beer and then looked back to Derek, he shrugged and picked it up and drained it in a couple of seconds and then slammed the mug on the bar.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
You can try to out drink me but it isn’t happening, just like these other four idiots aren’t going to be able to out fight me for that briefcase in the center of the ring…Let’s go….But wait…Promise me…You won’t let me gamble if I get a little inebriated.
Derek nodded and extended a fist bump for Ace and Ace went ahead and tapped it as they grabbed the jackets off the back of their chairs and Derek paid the tab as they walked out to the next bar.
-Beer Seven-
Derek and Ace find themselves in a club, after dancing with a couple of rather nice looking ladies they made their way over to the bar to order two more beers, these two in bottles as Ace leaned on the bar with his jacket tossed over his shoulder. Derek looked over.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
So what about this Staggs dude, Tommy I believe his name is. Looks like a pretty good body to have in this match, that being said I have no idea about him….You?
Ace shrugged and narrowed his eyebrows as Derek as he finished the rest of his beer and called for another bottle as he looked across the dance floor.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Dude, hell if I (hiccup) know. Those Staggs’ are like the goddamn Von Erich’s so many of them and they’re all mediocre. A lot of comparisons, but you know what? F*CK the Von Erich’s bro…Let’s go find those chicks dude.
Ace walked away from the bar with another beer in his hand as he went out to find the girls he had just been dancing with as Derek rolled his eyes.
-Beer Twelve-
Derek tried to pull Ace Baldwin away from the roulette table as he waved him off, throwing down hundred dollar bills and pushing him chips on random numbers as he hiccupped a few times.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
COME ON 32 BLACK!
He cheered as the ball spun around the wheel as Derek watched.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Um, I don’t even think you have your money on 32 black, Ace.
Ace looked over and leaned in close to Derek and then shoved him and then narrowed his eyes and opened his arms up as he hiccupped again.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
(Hiccup) Who the hell do you think you are telling me? I am killing it over here on the black jack wheel and you think you can just pull me away, who do you. Think. You. Are.
He poked Derek in the chest as Derek pointed a finger to the roulette wheel, it was safe to say the number and color Ace had double downed on had not hit. Ace turned around and hiccupped before yelling a profanity and swinging at Derek who dodged and then walked with Ace toward the bar.
-Beer Fourteen-
Derek had stopped drinking at th
is point, for anymore and he wouldn’t be able to take care of the now drunk Ace Baldwin who stumbled and blubbered into his beer.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
I…Sniff..I love you man, I’m sorry I swung at you but I lost all my (hiccup) money back there and (sniff) I could use another drink and then I’m going to try and win my money back, what do you say?
Derek stared at Ace and smirked and nodded as he motioned for him to follow him to the bar where Ace stumbled in that direction.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Sure…Let’s get you another drink kiddo..
-Beer Fifteen-
Ace stood on stage with the microphone at a karaoke bar in Las Vegas as he swayed back and forth singing a very butchered version of “Hotel California”
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
WELCOME TO THE HOTEL CALIFORNYA….SUCH A LOVELY PLACE, SUCH AN AWESOME FACE…SOMETHIN’ SOMETHIN’ AT THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA!
He played some air guitar instead of singing the rest of the lyrics in the song as a familiar face swam in the crowd, it wasn’t Derek Daniels who was posted up at the bar, Ace’s suit had slowly disappeared throughout the night. Ace’s tie and undershirt was missing, only a t-shirt and dress pants remained on for Ace, Derek still had his suit on as he had began to chat it up with a blonde at the bar.
The face was none other than Ms.Rocky Mountains who was dressed rather nicely for tonight’s outing. She had a smirk on her face as she waded through the crowd to find Ace Baldwin on stage finishing up his butchering of Hotel California.
Ms. Rocky Mountains caught the eye of Ace who dropped the microphone and stumbled down to the floor where he used Rocky Mountain’s shoulders to hold himself up.
-Ms. Rocky Mountains:-
Well, hello Ace Baldwin. I do believe we haven’t been formally introduced…I’m Ms. Rocky Mountains…Backstage interviewer for the SCW…I was wondering if I could get a few words about your match coming up?
Ace of course had beer goggles on, plus Ms. Rocky Mountains could hold her won in a beauty contest, he hiccupped his way, getting a little too close to her, although she didn’t mind with a smooth smirk on her face because of Ace’s condition.
-Ms. Rocky Mountains:-
Well, how about you tell me a little about how you are preparing for what is being said could be the biggest match of your career, and honestly a great chance for you to get your first big win in the SCW and really make a name for yourself.
Ace raised a finger and started to talk but couldn’t really find the words as he looked over to see Derek fighting through the crowd to get over to where Rocky Mountains and Ace Baldwin stood as he had a hand on her shoulder to hold himself up as he swayed.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Ms. Rocky Mountains, I presume? Well, my client, if you will isn’t able to give you an interview at this time as you can see..He…Isn’t in the best of shape. He’s actually in really bad shape.
Ms. Rocky Mountains flashed a smile as Ace pushed Derek away in a very drunken matter as he waved him off, his eyes were half shut as he pushed him away.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
Nah...Man…Man I’m fine. I can do this interview, I’m fine man. Anyway, you want to know how I’m training for this match—wait, what match?
He said as he laughed loudly and leaned into Derek and nudged him on the joke that wasn’t that funny to begin with but none the less, the drunken Ace thought it was hilarious.
-Ms. Rocky Mountains:-
Um, your match with Blade Alexander, Kevin Carter, Argento and Tommy Staggs, the reverse steel cage match for the golden briefcase that gives you—
Ace hiccupped and interrupted her, she had pulled a small notebook out and was taking notes as Derek stood beside Ace and watched nervously. Ace held up his tiny glass full of amber colored liquid and tinkled the glass with the ice in it.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
I’m doing a little bit of this, a little bit of that, a little bit of that and a little bit of this. I’m drinking, I’m partying, and I’m having a good ass time, because I’M THE BEST IN SCW BAYBAY, WOOO!
Derek put an arm around Ace and laughed to Ms. Rocky Mountains who seemed to be enjoying the interview Ace was giving her.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
I think what Ace means is that we are in the process of blowing off some steam before we start our real training here in a couple of days, fact of the matter is Ace has been through the grinder here in the last couple of weeks with some great competition, so it was good for him to get out and have a couple—
Ace held up his drink in his cup and let out a yell as he cackled as he hung on the arms of Derek and Ms. Rocky Mountains as he downed the rest of whatever was in that glass.
-“Amazing” Ace Baldwin:-
I’ve only had a couple and the night is still young! Listen, Rocky Mountain woman, all you need to know is that Ace Baldwin is going to take the competition and he is going to bend them over and f—
Derek covered Ace’s mouth as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder as Derek nervously laughed, Ms. Rocky Mountains wasn’t completely sure what was going on.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
Look, Ms. Rocky Mountains. We are going to train, and Ace will be ready when this match is ready for the bell to sound for it to start, plain and simple. Ace can’t be stopped…He won’t be stopped and the fact of the matter is, nobody in this match has the talent, or the skill that Ace has. Kevin Carter can get on the microphone all he wants and spout about how he’s the greatest, but he hasn’t proved it against the best, who is standing right beside me. Blade Alexander is some elitist who wants to complain and bitch and cry, you know where that gets you? Over in the losers bracket. You can take from this interview what you want to, but I want you to take one, very important thing. This man’s nickname isn’t Amazing because it’s some stupid gimmick that rhymes with Ace, or because it’s some cheap ring name. It’s because in that ring, he is amazing. In that ring he can do what nobody else can do. Not Carter, Alexander, Staggs or Argento can stop him, he’s a man on a mission, and I’ll be damned if I sit around and let him be defeated. Now…Anything else? Ace, you want to tell her—
Ms. Rocky Mountains hadn’t paid attention to anything Derek had said, because Ace was slumped over and upside down in a chair asleep. Derek sighed and walked over and slung Ace over his shoulder and turned around to Ms. Rocky Mountains.
-“Dynamic” Derek Daniels:-
This interview…Safe to say, it’s over.
He winked to Ms. Rocky Mountains and carried Ace from the bar over his shoulder and out of site and towards the suite which was just a couple of blocks away as the scene faded.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
(OOC: I really hate to sandbag, but I've been super busy, even asked for a DL extension, but luckily I got back in town in time to finish this up, no coding, but enjoy! Good luck to my opponents )
*Edit fixed a spacing problem.
