So the "Aerial Knight" Jonathan Heartsford is being plagued by bad dreams, and voices in his head. Well, doesn't this sound familiar? Nice try Jonathan, but even over here on Warfare, your CGI demons are about as see-through as your entire gimmick. He calls himself honorable, says that he always tries to do what is right. He has built his entire career, albeit a sub-par one at best, proclaiming to be a man of integrity. So what has changed? Why now, after all the losses.. after all the humiliation.. after all the under achieving.. what is so different about this week? I'll tell you what's different, kids. Justin Sane. This week, the "Aerial Knight" knows that he is facing a man like no other. What he faces is a man who is undoubtedly 'The Apex of Ability'. A man who is, without question, 'The Epitome of the Elite'. The beast at the top of the food chain. And honestly, who can blame Jonathan for becoming so desperate.. so afraid of what is to come, that he would sacrifice himself and all that he has stood for? Nobody. The sad truth is, however, that this week.. Heartsford stands to lose far more than his own identity. Justin Sane is ruthless. His desire is strong, and his thirst for success almost unquenchable. This week, he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to become the first ever XWF Intercontinental Champion. Jonathan should be less concerned with channeling Doubt and Anger, and more concerned with finding and channeling Survival.. for that is the best he could possibly hope for.. to survive. This is Justin Sane's time. To become the Intercontinental Champion is his destiny. You don't stand between a man and what is rightfully his, Jonathan. For Justin, this is more than a tournament. This.. is his moment. He will not be denied.

"Moments, once lost, can never be found again. They are gone forever."
- Jenny Han

[// END FORWARD \\]

Sunday, 22nd February, 2015 - 3:46pm || Pearl Theatres || Philadelphia, PA

:: I allow my head to recline back, coming gently to rest against the wall I am leaning on. CorVus stands beside me, his hands dug deep into the pockets of his long, black jacket and his right foot resting up against the wall behind him. His usual blank expression occupies his face, and the conversation between us is about as riveting as it always is. Without Gator to translate, or at least make up what he thinks CorVus is trying to communicate, the silence is often deafening. I gaze out across the hustle and bustle over the scattered crowd. Lines filled with families, giggling school girls and couples who think that public displays of affection are absolutely fine. I look up at the screening board, taking note that our movie is due to start in fifteen minutes. We agreed on American Sniper, which I was actually pretty keen to see. Gator has insisted on buying the tickets and food, as he continuously tells CorVus and myself that after tomorrow night, he will be earning some serious coin as the XWF Universal Champion. I'm not complaining.

Through the crowd of people, I see Gator emerge carrying three large Pepsi's and a couple of boxes of popcorn, with three tickets hanging out of his mouth where he has rolled his mask up. As he walks over to us, heads turn as people take in the sight of a man dressed in red and black lycra. As their gaze follows him, they also notice CorVus. Now, I can appreciate what a strange sight the three of us must be, but surely these people know who we are. Gator finally reaches us, and CorVus and I relieve him of a couple of the drinks and the popcorn. Gator retrieves the tickets from his mouth with his right hand and smiles at us. ::

"Okay, Cinema One in five minutes."

"What?"

:: I look up to the screening board again, before turning my attention straight back to Gator. ::

"It says that American Sniper is in Cinema Four? And it doesn't start for like another ten minutes."

"Oh.. yeah, about that.. they uh.. sold out."

:: I glance over at the door to Cinema Four. Three people waiting to see the movie. Cinema One, however, is laden with couples and giggling school girls. My stomach sinks. ::

"Ohhh no. No, no, no. Gator, you didn't?"

"What?! It's supposed to be a great movie!"

"Gator, there is no fucking way I am watching Fifty Shades of Grey with you and CorVus!"

"..."

"Ha, I know, right?"

"Know what?"

"CorVus says you're homophobic."

:: I snap my gaze around to CorVus, who instantly looks away in the opposite direction so as not to make eye contact with me. ::

"I'm not homophobic, you mute! I just don't really want to be seen watching a porno aimed at bored housewives with you two!"

"And what's wrong with us?!"

"Nothing. I just... forget it."

:: The tone of annoyance in Gator's voice told me that he took slight offense to my words, and that he probably took them out of context. ::

"Look, Saney Baby, it'll be fine. We're all adults here. Besides, maybe you'll learn a thing or two you can show Michelle."

"Gator, I don't need to learn anything to show Michelle, trust me."

"..."

"Haha!"

"What? What did he say?!"

"CorVus said that's not what he heard!"

:: I swing my head violently around in CorVus' direction again. This time his head snaps up and he pretends to be looking at the ceiling. I go to say something, but Gator cuts me off. ::

"Come on, everyone's going inside. Don't want to miss out on a seat."

:: Gator turns and makes his way to the line at Cinema 1. CorVus brushes past me with a smile on his face, finding his place beside Gator in line. I sigh deeply, exasperatedly, and shake my head. This is ridiculous. I take a sip of my Pepsi and slowly bring myself forward off the solid backing of the wall and head over to join the other two in line. I feel my face start to burn up as a group of young girls, maybe around 18, start giggling amongst themselves when they see us standing in line. Gator and CorVus are clearly not bothered, but for me, this is downright embarrassing. ::

O N E H O U R L A T E R . . .

:: I sink down a few more inches in my chair, so that my hair is barely visible over the back of the seat. The last thing I want is for somebody I know to see me. We managed to find three seats in the fourth row, surrounded by couples, of course. Gator and CorVus seem to be really into the movie, though I haven't been paying all that much attention. All I know is that it's about some rich businessman who is boning this chick who interviewed him. Hardly riveting stuff, but I can almost feel puddles forming under my feet from the gushing women in the cinema. Gator sits to my right, CorVus to my left. I feel like an awkward third wheel on a first date with these two. I place my right elbow on the arm rest between myself and Gator and rest my head on my closed fist, staring up at the screen. I reach over to the popcorn that sits between myself and CorVus, but instead of grabbing a handful of salt and melted butter, I find something more solid. I look over at the tub and see my hand on CorVus'. He looks at me.. I look at him.. we both snap our hands away quickly and look straight ahead at the TV screen awkwardly. I hear Gator chuckle and look over at him as he shovels a handful of popcorn into his mouth and whispers. ::

"Dude, you two are so fucking gay."

"Fuck off! Why didn't you get us all some popcorn?"

"Sane, I'm not Universal Champion yet. Does this suit look like it's made of money?"

:: I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat and look over at CorVus. He grabs a handful of popcorn and then picks up the tub, placing it in my lap. ::

"Thanks."

"..."

"He said you're welcome."

"Yeah, I gathered that."

"How? You don't speak CorVusonian."

"Because, that's what you say when somebody says thank you!"

"SSSHHH!"

:: I feel a hand tap me on the shoulder and swing round to see an older lady staring at me with a stern expression. I hold my right hand up apologetically and turn back around to face the screen. On the way, my gaze catches a stunning blonde looking at me from the row in front, about four seats to my right. She bites her bottom lip seductively, flicking her glance over at her bored boyfriend beside her momentarily to make sure he is not aware of her wrongdoing. I smile over at her and sit up a little more confidently in my chair. She flicks her head back slightly, gesturing for me to meet her out the back. Wow, this movie really does send chicks into a frenzy. But I can't do that to Michelle, can I? She grabs her drink and seductively wraps her pouty lips around the straw, sucking slowly. I raise my eyebrows, and she lowers the cup back into her holder. She grabs her boyfriend on the arm and I hear her tell him she is going to the bathroom, to which he shows little interest. Prick. I watch as she makes her way to the end of the isle to the right and her curvaceous figure begins to ascend the stairs. Gator is so into the movie that he doesn't even notice me staring. I'm going to do it. Michelle will never find out. Besides, you can't really expect me to sit through this damn movie, can you? I push myself up and turn to my left to exit, only to notice that there is an empty seat where CorVus' was no more than three minutes ago. I then notice one of those damn sticky notes. ::

:: I sit back down in my seat, picking up the note and thrusting it in Gator's direction. Gator looks down at my hand and then grabs the note. He reads it and then looks to the empty chair where the stunning blonde once was, then past me to verify CorVus has gone. He starts laughing. Loudly. ::

"HAHA! Fucking CorVus!"

:: Several people swing around to look at Gator and the older woman behind us raps me hard on the shoulder again. ::

"SSSSHHHH!"

"What?! It wasn't me!"

:: I responded in a loud and urgent whisper. Gator sunk lower into his seat, giggling to himself. He spoke again, but this time in a very hushed and barely audible whisper. ::

"Yeah Justin, people are trying to watch a movie!"

"You're a real dick sometimes, you know that?"

:: My hushed tone matched his, and this time didn't see me receive any form of complaint. ::

"Speaking of dicks, I can't believe CorVus is getting his wet again!"

"I know, right? Dude looks like he walked out of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and gets more tail Dan Bilzerian."

:: I sigh and turn my attention back to the big screen, digging my hand deep into the popcorn container and shoveling a handful into my mouth. I sit there, watching the movie but not really taking any of it in, constantly thinking I would rather be almost anywhere but here. About fifteen minutes pass before the stunning blonde comes back down the stairs, straightening up her frazzled hair, but there's still no sign of CorVus. I grab my Pepsi and take a drink as a particularly raunchy sex scene is in full swing. I hear Gator yawn beside me, and turn to see him stretching madly. Guess he is getting sick of this too, finally. I return my gaze to the screen, until I feel Gator's left arm come stealthily down around my neck. I freeze for a moment as my brain tries to process just what the fuck he is doing. Having said that, a moment is all I freeze for as I jerk my head forward and throw Gator's hand away from behind my neck. ::

"Gator, man, what the fuck?"

"What?!"

"Why are you putting your arm around me in the middle of a damn sex scene?"

"I didn't."

"You did, I just threw it off!"

"SSSSHHHH!"

:: Gator looks at me puzzled, like I am the weirdo. ::

"Justin, you're imagining things! Relaaaax baby, enjoy the movie!"

"Fuck this man, I'm out."

:: I launch up out of my seat and push unceremoniously past the sea of legs between myself and the ascending staircase, listening to Gator chuckle in the background. I make my way up the stairs and walk through the double doors at the top, before making my way outside of the building. As I exit, I see CorVus leaning against the wall outside, his jet black hair messed up and a lit cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He notices me, and smiles, quite happy with himself. He digs into his pocket as I approach, retrieving a packet of cigarettes and flipping the top open, offering them in my direction. I draw one out of the deck and place the filter in my mouth, before grabbing a lighter on of my jeans pocket and sparking it up. I draw back on the cigarette and inhale the smoke, feeling my muscles become a little less tense as I exhale the toxic concoction. ::

"Thanks man."

"..."

:: I return the lighter to my pocket and take a seat on the garden bed opposite CorVus. ::

"How'd you do that? You know, with the girl."

"..."

:: CorVus merely smiles at me again and takes a drag from his cigarette, as do I. ::

"Well, anyway, at least something good came out of yet another one of Gator's stupid ideas. I mean, honestly, Fifty Shades of Grey? The hell was he thinking?"

"..."

"He should be focusing on his match with Morbid Angel tomorrow night. He has a chance to become the XWF Universal Champion and bring the gold home to Defiance where it belongs. I hope he understands just how important this is to our dominance as a group. I'm a twenty four seven briefcase holder. You and I are the XWF Tag Team Champions. After this Wednesday night, I will be the first ever XWF Intercontinental Champion. If he brings home that belt tomorrow night on Madness, Defiance will have all the gold. All the power. There will be no question as to who the most dominant faction in the XWF is."

"..."

:: I take another drag from my cigarette as CorVus just nods his head slowly, that goofy grin still present. ::

"As for my match with Cain tomorrow night, I have no interest in it at all. It's irrelevant a far as I am concerned. Win or lose, it makes no difference to me. My mind is focused on winning that XWF Intercontinental Championship and that is exactly what I am going to do. I don't care who I have to go through. Knight, Austin, Desmond, Duke, D'Ville.. it makes no difference. You know that when I want something, I get it."

"..."

:: CorVus merely raises his eyebrows.. I have no idea what that means. ::

"Are you ever going to just talk to me? How the hell does Gator understand what you're saying?"

"..."

:: He shrugs at me. I take another drag from my cigarette and flick it on the ground, stamping on it with my foot and grinding it into the concrete. ::

"Right. Well, so long as you keep kicking ass the way you have been, I couldn't care if you never say a damn word. Makes a nice change from that motor mouth in there sometimes."

"SANEY BABY!"

"Speaking of the devil wearing Prada."

:: I roll my eyes as Gator walks out with his soda in his right hand with a big grin on his face. ::

"What's the matter, Fifty Shades get you a little hot under the collar? Like that blonde bird?"

:: Gator laughs and offers up a high five to CorVus, who accepts. ::

"Gator, that was a stupid idea, we all agreed on American Sniper!"

"Haha, we did, but this was far more entertaining for me. So, what do you guys want to do next?"

"Maybe you should go and start getting yourself prepared to bring the Universal Championship home to Defiance tomorrow night."

"Justin, relax man! I got this! Have you not heard me schooling Morbid all week long? The guy is an oaf, and a retarded oaf at that. You have nothing to worry about, this is going to be a walk in the park."

"..."

"Haha! Right! Anyway, what about you and Cain?"

"Cain? Gator, I'm not concerning myself with Cain. Defiance is all about success. Gold. Accolades. My attention is where it needs to be, and that is with every last man in the Intercontinental Championship tournament on Warfare."

"Oh, word. Yeah, good call, you should probably be focusing on that."

"Oh I am, don't worry. Come on, let's just grab a couple of beers before I have to get home to Michelle and you have to get on a plane."

"Wow, you have a curfew now? That's cute."

"..."

"Haha! Oh come on, don't be mean CorVy."

"What?"

"CorVus said you're such a little bitch these days."

:: I look over at CorVus, who looks away from me instantly again. I shake my head and let out an exasperated sigh.. what else can I do? It's not like I can have an argument with the guy. I turn and start heading back towards the car, Gator and CorVus walking behind me. I can hear Gator filling CorVus in on some explicit sex scenes he missed out on. For once, I wish I could understand what CorVus doesn't say, as I'm sure he has a great sex scene of his own to fill Gator in on. ::

Monday, 23rd February, 2015 - 4:46pm || Whereabouts Unknown || ????? ??????

:: I see light on the front of Rodd's camera switch suddenly from a crimson red to emerald green and I know it's show time. The room we are shooting in is very dimly lit, adding a bit of a darker atmosphere for me to deliver my promo in. I stare into the lens and allow a slightly wicked smirk to creep across my face before I begin speaking. ::

"Oh Jonathan, you poor, lost soul. In the space of just a few days, you have already become a broken shell of your former self. You're lost, Knight.. and well you should be. This Wednesday night on Warfare, you step into the ring with the darker side of Justin Sane. A side reserved for occasions such as these, when failure is not an option. In just a few short hours, I will step into that ring with Cain, but will I truly be there?. In body, sure, but mind and spirit? Oh no, they are reserved only for you. You see, I care little for what happens in my match tonight with Cain. I don't fight for wins and losses, I fight for a far more important cause.. and what is important to me, is the XWF Intercontinental Championship.

I could go out there and beat Cain tonight in a match of no consequence, but the fact is, six months from now, would anybody really remember? No. Why should they? It's a match where neither man has anything to gain.

If I walk through those curtains on Wednesday night, however, and I defeat eleven other men to be crowned the first ever XWF Intercontinental Champion.. six months from now, would anybody really remember that? You're damn right they would.

You see Jonathan, it's very simple. Everything I do, I do for a reason. I always have an 'end game' in mind. I'm not impossible to beat, nor have I ever said otherwise, because no man is. Blood, flesh.. and bone. We all walk upon the same soil, and one day, that very earth on which we stand will consume us all. What I have made clear time and again though Knight, is that when I want something, I get it. When I want something, I do become unstoppable. I am a twenty four seven briefcase holder, which I have defended successfully. I am one half of the XWF Tag Team Champions and there isn't two people stupid enough on this whole damn roster to challenge myself and CorVus, because they know that to do so would be career suicide. I'm Justin fucking Sane. I'm the beast at the top of the fucking food chain, and you? You're barely worthy of even calling yourself an XWF Superstar."

:: I sneer at the camera, allowing myself to fall deeper into the dark side of my mind. ::

"Face it, Jonathan.. you're a notorious failure, and the world knows it. I mean, for fuck's sake, you got handed a damn belt that you couldn't even hold onto for a month. You lose every big match you are ever booked in, and despite being given countless opportunities to prove yourself, all you ever seem to do is prove that you are as pathetic and worthless as anyone who has ever graced a wrestling ring. Hell, Gator has beaten your ass so many times that I've lost count. Last week on Madness, Austin Fernando would have annihilated you if it wasn't for your partner in the Underground, Vinnie Lane. Along with Peter Gilmour and Frodo, you're the laughing stock of this federation. The fact that you are even going to be in the same ring as Justin Sane is a joke in itself, because simply put, you are not worthy.

Trust me, Knight, it is going to take a hell of a lot more than an epiphany and a few bad dreams for you to find something inside yourself that would give you any hope of even being competitive against me. Actually, it's not possible. You can dig as deep as you like into that thick skull of yours, but the fact of the matter is, it doesn't exist. No matter what you do.. no matter what side of your simple mind you unleash, it will never be enough. I am the elite. I am the pinnacle. The simple fact of the matter is, this Wednesday night on Warfare, you will find yourself in way over your head. You will try, sure.. but you will be found wanting. As far as I'm concerned, all you are is a free pass. A one way ticket to the second round, because to treat you as anything more, would be to give you credit you don't deserve."

:: I run my right hand through my hair, thinking. I place my hand on my knee and continue. ::

"So, the what? What happens after I walk straight through Knight like he doesn't exist and find myself in the second round? I'll tell you what happens. Spoiler alert. I face Ricky Desmond and Austin Fernando. I've been in the ring with Underwood and Smackins, and those Asylum retards have about as much chance of advancing to the second round as Ghost Tank does of ever becoming the XWF Universal Champion.

Ricky Desmond, I'll tell you this once and once only, watch your tongue when you're speaking to yours truly or else you may just lose it. You want to say that me buying a title is fucking desperate? You want to question the validity of my reign with CorVus? I'll tell you the same fucking thing I tell everyone else. Find yourself a damn partner and step up or shut your mouth. Any time, any place. I have no problem defending my Tag Team Championship, and I hardly think I'm to blame if the locker room is full of pussies who are all talk and no walk. But seriously, who the fuck are you to question me? Am I supposed to be impressed because you see yourself as some big shot business man? Here's a newsflash for you Desmond, I'm not. Nothing about you impresses me, least of all your ability to insult someone. I mean, seriously, drawing the comparison between my name and Justin Beiber? Wow. That really cut me deep. Seriously, it's exactly the same as me comparing you to Ricky Martin.. which would be shamefully inaccurate, because Ricky Martin would probably stand a better chance in this tournament than you.

And as for Austin Fernando? Well, what can I say Austin? I gave you a job to do at Warfare, and it's one I full confidence in you completing without issue. See, I know you'll kick Frodo's ass. I have no reservations about that, and I'd even like to thank you in advance for getting your hands dirty on my behalf.. but that's where the niceties end.

You know, you're just one of those guys, Fernando. One of the unfortunate ones. You know who I mean, the wrong place, wrong time kinda guys. In a different period, I have no doubt you would achieve greatness. That you would ascend the ladder of success with unparalleled speed. But here's the problem.. this isn't some other period of time. This is the here and now, and in this era, you just lucked out. This is Justin Sane's time. This is my moment.. my spotlight! You and I, we have no beef, but I'll tell you right now.. you come between me and what is rightfully mine and I will send your ass back to Australia in a body bag. I've kicked your ass once, Austin.. I showed you just how far away from being elite you truly were.. and I have no issue doing it again.

So then, who's next? Who does Justin Sane face in the final? Is it the King of Darkness, Sebastian Duke? Or is it the good Doctor himself, Louis D'Ville? Ha, does it matter? Of course not. By this stage, my prize will be high above the ring and it will be so close I can taste it.

Tell me, boys, what will be running through your head? Two men, evil and sadistic as they comes.. fearless in so many ways.. what thoughts will occupy your mind as you stand across the ring from yours truly? When fear finally strikes you and takes a hold over your senses.

D'Ville, this has been written for months now. Will the XWF finally get the match they have been craving? Doctor D'Ville, the unstoppable XWF X-Treme Champion, versus Justin Sane.. the undeniable future of this industry. Rest assured Doc, I don't need one of your therapy sessions and I'm not here to play mind games with you. I have far more respect for you than that. I respect what you have accomplished here.. who wouldn't? Since day one you have been nothing short of impressive, and your run as X-Treme Champion is to be commended. Like myself, you are a twenty four seven briefcase holder, but I'm afraid that's where the similarities end.. my friend. For all your accomplishments and accolades, you've never set foot in the ring with the likes of Justin Sane. You've never been taken to your limits, and oh I promise you Doc, if you make it to the final.. that's about to change. I will take you to places you never knew existed, and I will inflict so much pain and suffering upon you that you will beg me to end it. But, you might get lucky...

It might not be you...

Sebastian Duke. I don't believe we have had the pleasure? Don't worry, I already know who you are. Former Universal Champion.. former United States Champion.. X-Treme Champion, Tag Team Champion, Twenty Four Seven briefcase holder, World War X winner, the list goes on and on, and it's damn impressive. Now, let me tell you just who in the hell I am. I am Justin Sane. I am the Apex of Ability.. the Epitome of the Elite.. and I am the one man who holds no fear of Sebastian Duke or his stupid fucking Illuminatus. You call yourself the King of Darkness? Well where I'm from Duke, shadows are the light, so I guess you and I are split from the same seed. You want to know something, Seb? I can call you that, right? Good.

I hope you are the one. I hope it's your body that I step over just moments before I ascend that ladder and retrieve MY Intercontinental Championship! I want to beat the legend that is, Sebastian Duke. I've danced in the devils playground before Sebastian, and believe me, I know exactly what it takes to walk through hell and come out the other side. Don't get it twisted, I know how good you were.. and sure, you might have wound back the clock at Turning Point, but that was a one time deal. You're looking at the new breed of excellence. You're looking at the new benchmark of the XWF. Sebastian Duke, you are looking at the NEW XWF Intercontinental Champion!

Do me a favor.. see to it that you find your way into the final round of this tournament. You and I, Duke..

Let's dance in the darkness, together."

:: Rodd slowly swivels the camera to the right so that there is nothing but darkness. ::

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