Well, what did you expect? He told you all that it was going to happen. He told the world. February 9th, 2015. The day Frodo Smackins' world came crashing down around him, and the day that his career came to an end at the hands of one man - Justin Sane. Don't get it twisted, this was no fluke. There was no doubt about the result. From bell to bell, Justin did exactly what he said he was going to do.. he dominated. He proved to the world, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is indeed deserving of his 24/7 briefcase. He proved to the world, that he is without question, the future of this business. And he proved to the world, beyond dispution, that you don't fuck with Defiance. Two days later on Warfare, Sane would come out to gloat about his victory, but his parade would soon be rained on by none other than the new Director Of Operations, Gabrielle House. House would inform Sane that he and CorVus' Tag Team Championships would soon be defended, and that a tournament would be held to determine the new number one contenders. Unsurprisingly, very little interest was shown, and who can blame the superstars backstage? Who in their right mind would step foot into the hurricane of destruction and violence that is Defiance? Nobody with two brain cells to communicate with each other, which really only leaves Peter Gilmour. No, the tag situation is dead for now, and that suits Defiance just fine. Justin Sane has his sights set on yet more gold, this time the newly announced Intercontinental Championship. This is the chance he has been waiting for. Ever since his loss to his now brother-in-arms, Gator, in a fatal five way for the TV Title months ago, Justin has been patiently waiting for his shot at individual glory. This is it.. this is his time. Becoming the inaugural XWF Intercontinental Champion is something that Sane just can't resist. Since it's announcement, his eyes have been firmly set on that perfect cocktail of gold and white leather, and as we have now seen time after time.. when Justin Sane really wants something? He gets it.

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision."
- Muhammad Ali

[// END FORWARD \\]

Sunday, 22nd February, 2015 - 8:47am || Sane Residence || Philadelphia, PA

:: I lay there in my king size bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, my mind ticking over as the weak, early morning sunlight begins to pour through the smallest gap in between the heavy black curtains which are drawn almost closed. For the past two weeks, my thoughts have been pleasant, to say the least. Successfully defending my 24/7 briefcase has given me plenty of satisfaction, whilst spending the week away at Michelle's parents place in Boston has also given me plenty to smile about. Things are back to normal between us, if you were wondering.. perhaps even better than before. However, that was the past two weeks, and we all know that Justin Sane does not dwell in the past for too long. See,a few days ago I was sitting at home, right here in Philly.. watching Warfare as I always do. To be honest, I have grown somewhat bored of Madness and the ridiculous matches they book me in.. I'm a prime time player, and the fact is, I am wasted there. Now, I was already seriously considering a permanent move to Wednesday nights, but it seems as though my mind has been made up for me. Why? Because on Warfare, they announced that this tournament next week will be to crown the first ever XWF Intercontinental Champion. Seriously, who better than yours truly to be the inaugural champ? There's not a man in this tournament that is more qualified or deserving than Justin Sane, and the world knows it. That belt, and this tournament, now consumes my thoughts. No, it's not like Turning Point. See, while I think about it a lot, it's focused. I know that I am the one, that I am the only man worthy of that belt, and what must be done is clearer to me than it has ever been. That belt will be mine, mark my words.

I hear a soft sizzling noise creep through the small gap in the bedroom doorway that Michelle has left. It takes me out of my train of thought a little, and after a few seconds, the train of thought is broken completely. The unmistakable aroma of Bacon & Eggs comes wafting into the room, and I inhale it deeply through my nose. My stomach lurches, as I suddenly become aware of how hungry I am. I lay there for a few moments longer, before throwing the heavy black comforter off my body and swinging my legs out of bed, sitting on the edge for a moment, naked. I scratch my head, satisfyingly ridding my scalp of an itch I was unaware of before now. I let out a large yawn and stretch, my back emitting a soft 'crack' as one of my discs finds its rightful place in my spine. I climb to my feet, heading into the walk-in and throwing on a pair of Calvin Klein's, before making my way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. Michelle is plating up breakfast, and looking damn fine doing so in her silk, pink robe. Her short, dark brown hair sits perfectly around her face, making her steely blue eyes pop. She smiles at me as I walk up behind her and throw my arms around her waist, pulling her in close and kissing her neck as she giggles and dislodges a piece of bacon from the frying pan onto a plate. ::

"Morning baby."

"Hey you..."

:: Michelle sets the pan down on the stove as I lean around and kiss her.. well, try to.. she throws her head back and pushes me away. ::

"Ew, Justin! Morning breath!"

:: Michelle grabs the two plates of food and carries them over towards the table, setting them down neatly on the large oak dining table. I cup my hand in front of my mouth, exhaling through my mouth and inhaling quickly through my nose. Eck. I wouldn't kiss me either. ::

"Can you grab the coffees, babe?"

:: Looking down to the bench, I see the two mugs filled with coffee. I grab them by the handles and walk over to the table, setting one down in front of Michelle, before walking around the table and sitting down opposite her, placing my mug on the black coaster to the right of my plate. Looking down at the spread in front of me, my stomach lurched in hunger again. ::

"Baby, this looks delicious."

:: It really did. Crispy bacon - still glistening with it's self-lubricating oils extracted from the fat - poached eggs, mushrooms, fried tomato, a portion of avocado and two slices of toasted rye bread. ::

"Thank you."

:: She said it sweetly as she sprinkled some salt atop her poached eggs. I reached for the butter in the center of the table and scraped a portion onto my knife, grabbing a slice of rye with my left hand and spreading it. ::

"So, you got any plans for the day?"

"Not really. Well, actually, remember I was telling you about Sarah?"

"Who?"

:: Michelle pursed her lips and stared at me through narrowed eyes. ::

"Justin, it's not even funny."

:: I laughed. I actually did remember this time, as I had actually been paying attention whenever Michelle spoke lately. ::

"Relax, baby, I'm kidding.. of course I remember. She's your friend from college, right?"

:: I turned my attention to my plate as I placed my fork into one of the poached eggs and dragged it onto the toast, watching the thick yellow yolk leave a trail in its wake. I dug the fork deeper, sinking it into the toast before slicing myself off a decent portion. I brought the godsend of food to my mouth so quickly that the egg which was sliding off the fork was unable to do so through sheer g-force. I started chewing, already plotting my next move against the enemy which was breakfast, as Michelle responded. ::

"Right. Well, she got a few days off work, so she's coming up to see me for a couple of days. I have to pick her up at the airport at twelve thirty, then we'll probably grab some lunch.. maybe do a bit of shopping."

:: This time, the egg did slide off my fork and land on the table with a 'splat!' as I suddenly stopped the fork inches from my mouth, looking across at Michelle, who was now gracefully eating a single mushroom. ::

"Let me guess. You want the credit card?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Oh..."

:: Surprised, but too hungry to offer anymore than that, I used my knife to push the egg off the table back onto the toast I had speared with my fork, and shoveled it into my mouth. ::

"But I mean, you DO make a lot more money these days, what with being a tag team champion and all... if you're offering..."

:: I stopped chewing, considered arguing for about 0.023 seconds, then remembered that to argue with a female about such a thing was just asking for trouble. I instead began attacking the mushrooms with my fork, picking up some tomato and avocado on the way. ::

"Yeah, it's fine.. go nuts. Actually, speaking of nuts, where's Rodd?"

"Thanks baby! Oh, he uhm, went for a walk..."

"What? Baby, Rodd doesn't walk."

"He does now. He's met a girl he likes at the cafe, five blocks from here. Surely you have noticed him going up there every morning for the past week?"

"Michelle, I go out of my way to not notice Rodd."

:: I grab my coffee mug and take a sip, making sure it's not too hot. Having decided the temperature is fine, I take a couple of large gulps, feeling the hot liquid slide over my tongue and down my throat. I place the cup back down and swallow the remaining coffee. ::

"So, what's his name?"

"Who? Rodd?"

"No, his boyfriend."

"Oh Justin, don't be mean! I mean, I'm not the biggest fan of Rodd, but even I think it's cute."

"Bet you that is the first time ever the words 'Rodd' and 'Cute' have been used in the same sentence."

:: Michelle smiled at me playfully over the top of her coffee mug, which she was holding with both hands. ::

"What about you, have any plans?"

"Ah, I dunno, Gator mentioned something about catching a movie with he and CorVus.. might do that. I've gotta have Rodd shoot an episode of inSane TV and e-mail it in by this afternoon though, otherwise management will be all over my ass."

"You know, I'll never quite understand why you guys spend all week talking smack about each other. Surely you can just handle your business in the ring."

:: I smashed another forkful of food into my mouth and chewed, my mouth salivating as the infusion of flavors found their way across my palate. I swallowed hard and looked at Michelle with a soft smile, my knife and fork now resting on the table beside my plate. ::

"Baby, it's business. Two weeks ago, everybody knew I was going to beat Frodo. It was a given.. but who wants to watch a one-sided fight? You have to sell it. You have to make people want to see what happens next. That's where I am the best, because even though people already know I am going to win, I make it must-see TV that they can't help but tune into. Like this week, for example. Everybody knows that I'm going to be the first ever XWF Intercontinental Champion.. but after I sell it? They'll make it their mission to have their asses in seats when the final count goes down."

:: Michelle sighed, then smiled politely before taking a drink from her mug. She placed it gently back onto a coaster. ::

"I guess, but still, seems pointless to me."

"I don't expect you to understand, I think we have already established that you don't quite feel the same way about my line of work as I do, and that's fine. "

:: I chuckled. Surprisingly, Michelle's ignorance when it came to the world of professional wrestling didn't really bother me anymore. Maybe I was starting to find a bit of balance in my life, and realizing that my down time when I was at home didn't always have to revolve around the XWF. Michelle didn't have to understand. I did, and that was what mattered. ::

"I appreciate what you do and all, and how hard it is.. I just don't fully understand some of the finer points. Anyway,"

:: Michelle grabbed her half-eaten plate of food and coffee mug, stood up from the table and started making her way over to the kitchen. ::

"I'm going to take a shower."

"I'll join you."

:: I scoffed down the last forkful of breakfast and stood up from the table, grabbing my plate and coffee mug. I drank the remainder of my coffee as I reached the counter where Michelle stood, placing my plate and mug next to hers. I placed my hands on her waist. ::

"Oh will you just?"

"Well, you know, just to save water..."

:: I slid my right hand around and firmly grabbed Michelle on the ass. She jumped a little, and giggled, placing her right hand on my chest. ::

"Ohhh, Justin! You are so bad!"

"You have no idea."

"Is that so?"

:: Michelle bit her lip playfully, and it drove me wild. Right now, I wasn't thinking about the shower. I was thinking there was about to be smashed plates and coffee mugs, because I was about to clear the counter and go to work. ::

"You know it is."

:: I pressed my body up against Michelle's as she back up hard against the counter. I ran my right hand through her silky, brown hair, grabbing a handful of it and pulling her head back slightly to expose her neck. I kissed her softly, high on the neck, and slowly made my way down to her collar bone, listening to her moan softly with each gentle press of my lips on her flesh. I unclenched my right hand and pulled her head forward, allowing my lips to meet hers. She suddenly snapped out of her horny state and pushed me away, again. ::

"Uh-uh! Justin, teeth. Now."

:: Michelle walked past me, dragging her sharp fingernails across my chest as she did. I closed my eyes for a moment as the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. I turned around, following her towards the bathroom, hell bent on the quickest tooth brushing episode known to mankind. ::

F A D E 2 B L A C K . . .

Sunday, 22nd February, 2015 - 11:32am || Sane Residence || Philadelphia, PA

:: I sit there on my black, leather lounge suite, ready to shoot yet another episode of InSane TV. Rodd has since returned from his expedition to the cafe down the road, and despite my best efforts, has remained tight-lipped about his morning. I run my hand over my right quadricep, the tight-knit stitching of the faded black denim jeans soothing a slight itch on my palm. Representing with a "This is not an alliance.. this is.. Defiance!" t-shirt on, I stare into the camera lens, a smirk on my face. ::

"Two weeks ago, I did what Justin Sane does best.. I came through on a promise. I promised the world that at Madness, not only would I defend my twenty four seven briefcase, but I would ascend that ladder and end the career of Frodo Smackins. Now before anyone says anything about the fact that Frodo has weaseled his way back into the company, make no mistake, his career is over. See, I have full control over who he faces.. and when he faces them. He's done. Finished. He needs two straight victories in order to regain his freedom, and you know what? I promise you again, it won't happen.. because if by some damn miracle he manages to get so much as one win, you can bet your ass that the next week he will go face to face with Defiance, and he will have his ass handed to him time and time again. He doesn't want to honor a contract that we both signed? Fine. But mark my words, by the end of all this, he will wish he had taken his ball, tucked his tail between his legs and left for good. This Wednesday night, Frodo takes on Austin Fernando in the first round of the Intercontinental Championship tournament.. and guess who made it happen? Me. Why Austin? Because I've been in the ring with both men.. I have beaten both men.. and I'm telling you right now, Frodo doesn't have a chance in hell of advancing to the second round on Wednesday night. Austin Fernando will eat him alive.

Speaking of Wednesday night, that's exactly what I am here to talk to you all about. Twelve Men. Nine Matches. One Title. The Intercontinental Championship. You know, for over a month now, all anyone ever seems to ask.. is, 'when?'. When is Justin Sane going to cash in his briefcase for the Universal Championship? Well, let me just put the rumors to bed and say this: Not for a damn long time. Tomorrow night, my boy Gator is going to put yet another nail in the coffin of The Asylum - something Defiance seems to be doing on a regular basis these days - and rest the Universal Championship from the shoulder of Morbid Angel. He will bring the gold home, where it belongs, and where it will stay until we say otherwise. Me? I've got my sights set on a far different prize. I plan on becoming the very first Intercontinental Champion in XWF history, and when I want something, I get it. If there are any doubts over the prestige of Warfare's new crown, you need only look at the list of names who are trying to claim the prize.

Austin Fernando, Hysteria, Louis D'Ville, Sebastian Duke.. some of the biggest names that the XWF has to offer today. The truth is, they are all great.. but none them are Justin Sane. I'm on a whole different fucking level, and I dare any of those men to try and prove otherwise. For months now, I have proven time again that I am everything I have ever claimed to be. I am the real main event. I am the Insane One. I am, the beast at the top of the fucking food chain. This Wednesday night, I'm going to do what I did two weeks ago on Madness.. I'm going to climb that ladder, and I am going to retrieve what is rightfully mine. Make no mistake, when it's all said and done, you are looking at the first ever XWF Intercontinental Champion!"

:: I smirk as a stroke the jet black stubble that occupies my jaw line with my left hand. After pausing for a moment, I hold up the index finger on my right hand, and continue. ::

"But before we get to that point, there's a couple of bumps in the road I'm going to have to navigate first. I say bumps in the road, because the reality is, they are nothing more than that. I mean honestly, I drew the 'Aerial Knight' in the first round for gods sake. Ha, I guess the wrestling gods were smiling down on me when the brackets were drawn. I'm basically walking into the second round, and I promise you that I will find little resistance there.

Jonathan, I almost feel sorry for you. There isn't a man on this roster who has had to deal with losing important matches like you have, and I can sympathize. Really, I can. Did you know that for a period of time there, everyone was talking about how Justin Sane couldn't 'win the big one'? True story. I'm sure you already knew that though, that you were part of the chorus. Here's the difference between you and I though.. I did something about it. I went out there and I tore through the XWF locker room like a fucking hurricane, leaving the bodies of the fallen in my wake. I proved to the world just how wrong they were about me.. can you do the same? Perhaps, but it won't be on this night. No, on this night, history repeats itself. Jonathan prepares himself for victory, only to ultimately have defeat delivered upon him. It's funny really, that someone who under achieves as often as you do, would be so pathetically ignorant as to talk about my time here in the XWF. What makes you think, even for one second, that you have any right to comment on my career? I've accomplished more in four months than you will in your entire lifetime, and I am just getting started.

You wanna talk about how I bought the XWF Tag Team Championships? How it means nothing? You stupid fucking moron. Honestly, you really want to go there? Fine. Pay real close attention, because you might actually learn something here. You're right, I did buy those Championships for thirty thousand xbux. Since that time, there hasn't been a team with a set of balls big enough to challenge myself and CorVus for them. But still, I bought them, right? In your eyes, that makes them token belts. Well, here's the kicker, Knight. Everybody knows that championships mean more money. Now, seeing as nobody wants to challenge us for these belts, and even if they did it would make no difference, CorVus and myself will be raking in those extra dollars for months and months to come, and the profit will far exceed my thirty thousand outlay. Do you get it now? If nothing else, you can call it a good investment. But what it really is, is proof that even with a prize on offer, nobody is stupid enough to challenge Defiance for those belts.

And speaking of belts, what about the one you used to hold? The TV Championship? Now, let me think, who did you beat for that?"

:: I pause again for a moment, mockingly scratching my head and pretending to think, before snapping my head up like a light bulb has gone off. ::

"Oh, that's right! Nobody! You had the belt handed to you like a damn chump and you lost it quicker than your sister lost her virginity. There's a reason your family sits on the poverty line, while Mr and Mrs Sane get a nice little top-up in the bank account every month, and it's because simply put: I am that much better than you. Whether I won the belt or not, you can't deny the fact that I can at least defend it. If you want to prove me wrong, by all means, go and find yourself a partner. Hell, find two if you like. CorVus and I will wipe the mat with you so fast, it'll be like watching a Peter Gilmour sex tape.

The fact is Jonathan, much like it was with Frodo, this script has already been written. The ending is clear. Wednesday night, February twenty sixth, two thousand fifteen.. you become just another statistic and nothing more than a stepping stone on my way to being crowned the inaugural XWF Intercontinental Champion. It doesn't matter who I face in the second round. I've kicked Underwood's ass before. I've gone toe to toe with Austin Fernando and showed him what it's like to be the elite. I've taken Frodo to hell and back and ended his career, and if it's Desmond? Well he will get his fifteen seconds of fame when he steps into the ring with the prime time pinnacle that is, Justin Sane! This is my time. This is my moment. Hell, this is my destiny.

At Warfare, Justin Sane is bringing the Intercontinental Championship home to Defiance, and we will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are the most dominant faction in the XWF. Jonathan, if you thought your dreams were bad before, think again.

Your nightmare is just beginning."

:: I allow a wicked smirk to creep across my face as I stare into the camera lens one last time. ::

F A D E 2 B L A C K . . .