Post by Ace Watson on Jul 18, 2015 21:32:12 GMT -6
Countless numbers of championships, accolades and awards were to the name of a Watson. But not Ace. It was something he reminded himself of far too often. Those accomplishments belonged to David Watson, Ace's father. From an early age Ace admired his dad, he was his role model and his idol. The person he aspired to be. Seeing the very short list of accomplishments he had and lining them up next to his father's was heartbreaking. Sure, David had won those titles over a much longer time than Ace had been in the ring, but David had won double the amount Ace had in his first five years. Ace obsessed over that fact, which did no good to him whatsoever.
These thoughts were more prominent in Ace's mind today especially, as he was going to be meeting up with David for the first time in a month or two. This would be the shortest amount of time between the two seeing each other in a few years.
Malibu, California.
"This place is nice." Said the low voice of David Watson, as he walked into the house Ace shared with his girlfriend Bianca. She was out at the time, and was expected back home in the next few hours. The house was everything you'd expect from a house in Malibu. Everything was very modern, clean and sleek. The furniture was polished and everything was tidy.
"Yeah, this is like the perfect place to relax." Ace said, a few steps behind his father. "You and mum should come live in Cali, you always said you wanted to retire to somewhere hot."
"Think this place might be a bit too hot."
"Oh it must be better than rainy England." Ace said with a smirk,
"Haha, maybe."
Ace walked over to the kitchen. The house was open plan for the most part, and was very spacious. He did not quite picture himself living in somewhere like this, and the only reason he was was because the house was Bianca's. She was rich, partly because she had so many sponsorships and endorsements, modelling shoots and her own wrestling career. And rich parents. That always came in handy.
Ace's parents were not poor, nor were they rich per say. But they were well off. David's career as a wrestler and his mother, Maria's booking and behind the scenes in wrestling career meant they had quite a bit of money, enough for all their kids to have lived comfortable lives growing up. That was partly why Ace was so entitled when he first started wrestling. It shaped his personality early on in his own career, and that was something one of Ace's opponents at Heatstroke, Tyler Storm, would know about.
"So, can I get you anything?" The younger Watson asked.
"Just water please."
Ace poured them both a glass of water then sat down on the black sofa perpendicular to the one his father was sat on, placing the drinks on the glass coffee table in the middle.
"I feel like there's an elephant in the room." David said, finally.
"What do you mean?" Ace replied then instantly realised what his father meant. "Oh the mask."
"Yeah."
"I lost a match where the winner had to wear a mask until after the next pay per view. Do you honestly not watch my matches?" Ace said a little surprised.
"I know why you're wearing it. It's just a bit weird to look at, especially considering you're in your own home."
"You should try being the one actually wearing it."
"I'd rather not, thank you."
"You should see some of the looks I get when I'm out in public." Ace laughed. He had become used to it now, he learned to block the people out when they said something at him or gave him a weird stare.
"So you've only got a few more days of wearing it then?"
"Yeah, but thinking about it, I might keep it."
His father gave him a weird look, similar to that a stranger gives him when they see him in public wearing it.
"Not for all the time, just in the ring. I feel like it gives me an extra something when I wear it. If I decided to make it a permanent thing I think Bianca would rip it off."
"Well the mask is certainly different. Wearing it just in the ring could be interesting, just don't go putting stars on it like you used to with all your old ring gear."
The father and son shared a laugh, Ace did go a bit overboard a few years back with adding stars to his attire, to try and emphasize his self-given nick name "The Five Star Phenomenon." A nickname he was starting to dislike. Taking a long sip of the water, Ace remembered something he was planning on telling his dad, something that he hoped his father would be happy to hear.
"Ah, I almost forgot, I was looking on switching up some of my moves, and I thought I'd add a move inspired by you."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, 'Made in England.' " It was a spinning neckbreaker slam, one of the many moves that people associated with David's wrestling. Ace hoped his father was happy with this news, he had always tried to "mimmick" his father's wrestling style in some ways, but this was the first time he had taken a move from his father's repertoire.
"Hmm, that's one of my favourites. Good choice."
The tone in David's voice was not that of a proud father, but he was happy to a certain extent. Ace could not help but feel a little disappointed.
Ace and David had progressed onto beers now, and their conversation was a bit more light-hearted and less serious in tone. It was then that Bianca returned home. They both turned to look as the door opened and she walked in. This was the first time David had met Bianca, and upon seeing he turned his head to look back at Ace, and gave him an impressed nod.
Bianca smiled, "Hi!". The father and son got up from their seats and Ace walked up to Bianca, placing a "welcome home" kiss on her lips. She wasn't so reciprocating of the kiss, seeing as he was wearing the mask though. It was still a put off for her.
Not long after they had gone through introductions, sat down with drinks and conversed more, Ace noticed Bianca wasn't quite her usual self. At first he passed it off as nothing, but as the evening went on it became clearer that something was wrong. He knew there was a chance she wouldn't want to talk about whatever it was with his father there, so Ace came up with a plan to get them both away for a moment or two.
"I should get that wine out that we got the other day."
"The red one?" Bianca asked.
"Yep, you like red don't you dad?" He knew the answer.
"Of course." David answered with a smile.
Ace walked over to the kitchen and opened a cupboard, then pulled out a tall green bottle of wine. Ace wasn't paying attention to whatever Bianca and his dad were talking about as he did, and assumed his dad probably used him being away to quickly make sure Ace was treating her nicely. Which he was, of course.
Ace opened a few drawers, "looking" for the corkscrew to open the wine bottle, purposefully missing out the drawer he knew it was in.
"B could you come help me find the corkscrew, please." He called,
"It's in the-"
"Can you come show me please."
Bianca stood up and walked over to the kitchen, leaving David to sit on his own. Ace continued to open drawers, opening ones he had already opened, pretending to look for the corkscrew. Bianca got to the kitchen and before she could go straight for the correct drawer Ace gently put his hand on her arm, just below her shoulder.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, in a quiet tone.
Bianca's eyes dropped to the floor. "Nothing..."
"No there's something, I can see it."
"I don't want to talk about it right now."
"Later?"
"Maybe." That was a no.
Ace sighed.
"Okay... Okay." Ace knew it wasn't the mask, they had already had a few conversations about that. Whatever it was, Ace was going to have to wait to find out.
Psych Ward
Ace Watson walks down the hall of what looks like a hospital ward, with an open envelope in hand. He has a lock of mock relief on his face.
"Great news!"
He raises the hand holding the envelope.
"I'm not crazy!. And frankly it's a huge relief because I thought there might be something going around, seeing as two out of five of my opponents claim to have mental problems. I don't want to catch the crazy!"
Ace turned a corner, then continued walking.
"Scarlet Flint and Sophia Halter, are the two crazies in the match, in case you care so little as not to keep up with the times."
"First off I'd like to start off with you, Scarlet. Mainly because you targeted me quite a lot in your little video. I actually quite liked the part where you said that I'm not going to win the match. That really helped back up my point of how I'm the underdog, so thank you for that. I'm interested in the part where you came out and straight up said you weren't right in the head. Honestly, I thought the whole point of being crazy was that you weren't aware that you are crazy. Maybe it's just me, but if you actually specify that you are crazy, it takes away from the effect."
"Another thing you liked to try and "hammer home" was how attractive you think you are. Honestly I don't see it. You've got that punky-edgy chick look going on, some guys are into it, but personally it's not for me. Speaking of looks, you made a few comments on how you think the other crazy person, Sophia Halter, is plain and unattractive. Honestly I like her look more than yours. But whatever, I'm not here to judge a miss Crazy USA 2015 beauty competition. I'm here to judge you as people, your actions, and your in-ring ability. Almost like a psychiatrist, without all the PhD's and doctors uniform."
"Sophia, your recklessness in the ring reminds me of another opponent in out match, but I'll get to him later. Sophia I have no reason to be scared of you in the ring, and I know you have no reason to be scared or intimidated by me in the ring, none of the competitors do. Hell, I'm not intimidated by anyone else that will be in the Quest for the Case match. Because, like I've said, it will all come down to who is the best at seizing the moment, and the opportunity."
"Scarlet, Sophia... I'm going to win this match."
Casino
Now, Ace is stood on a balcony overlooking a large casino. It is unidentifiable which one or where it is, but it is very clear that it is a casino, given the countless amount of poker tables, roulette and slot machines placed strategically on the floor below. But, it's probably Vegas. Any excuse to go there, really for Watson.
"Andrew Charles Evans. Or ACE, as they call you for short. I do hope that doesn't get confusing. The fact we're both called Ace in some way is part of the reason I've come here."
He gestures to the casino below, it is filled with people gambling, and the smell of hope is fresh in the air. Oh, and alcohol. That too.
"Pretty much everyone down there is hoping for an ace. You've made a thing of ACE being your initials, I'm a fan of the whole shuffling of the cards as you walk to the ring. And the ace of hearts that you pull out of the deck, it's a good choice in card. Although, I like diamonds better."
"I'm rambling. Andrew... Andy... Andrew... An- No, Charles, I hear you have a bit of a temper. Good, that's good. They're always fun to capitalise on. And of course, the cockiness, that too is fun and incredibly easy to capitalise on. I really, really like that."
"Andrew Charles Evans, I'm winning this match."
"Moving on."
House of Mirrors
Now, Ace is walking through what appears to be a dimly lit maze of mirrors. Everywhere you turn a mirror greets you with your reflection, at times it can be very confusing, but you can always see behind you.
"I've come here, to this Mirror Maze, because one of my opponents has a habit of attacking people from behind. In a place like this it's very difficult to get jumped. Because it's very easy to see what's around you at all times."
"Of course, I'm not expecting you to jump out and attack me here, I had the place cleared out first, but I do expect you to be the sort to do it in our match. Because you're an opportunist. That much is very clear. You'll be one of the guys in that match who knows when to strike. But, so am I. And with your cockiness combines with your short temper it's going to be very easy for me to jump you."
"Again, Steve Herring... I'm going to win this match."
--------------------
Museum
"Tyler Storm."
"Now, do we have some history or what?!"
He smirks, visibly quite proud with himself.
"Which is why today I've come to a museum, because like our pasts, this place is full of history. Tyler, we have faced each other countless amount of times, we've even fought on the same team a few times. I don't think there is a person on this planet who knows you in the ring better than I do. Our rivalry goes back to the very first few months of my wrestling career. You accepted me into your little stable you had going, after I was rejected by a stable that was at the top of the company. Then, not long later, you kicked me out. Forced me aside."
"To this day, I think back to how I felt that day. But I take great happiness in remembering that you and your group were my second choice anyway. And Tyler, at Heatstroke, you will be second best again."
Ace walks around the room, looking at a few exhibits on the walls and on stands. None of them seem to really interest him.
"We have become friends over time Tyler, and honestly I'm happy with that. And I look forward to stepping in the ring with you again, especially in a match that means so much for our careers. It's a big stage for an old rivalry. And I'm going to steal the show."
These thoughts were more prominent in Ace's mind today especially, as he was going to be meeting up with David for the first time in a month or two. This would be the shortest amount of time between the two seeing each other in a few years.
--------------------
"I guess all I needed was a second chance. Winning that match could just be the thing I need to further my career in VoW. It's just down to me to show the world I want it more than the five other competitors in this match."
--------------------
Malibu, California.
"This place is nice." Said the low voice of David Watson, as he walked into the house Ace shared with his girlfriend Bianca. She was out at the time, and was expected back home in the next few hours. The house was everything you'd expect from a house in Malibu. Everything was very modern, clean and sleek. The furniture was polished and everything was tidy.
"Yeah, this is like the perfect place to relax." Ace said, a few steps behind his father. "You and mum should come live in Cali, you always said you wanted to retire to somewhere hot."
"Think this place might be a bit too hot."
"Oh it must be better than rainy England." Ace said with a smirk,
"Haha, maybe."
Ace walked over to the kitchen. The house was open plan for the most part, and was very spacious. He did not quite picture himself living in somewhere like this, and the only reason he was was because the house was Bianca's. She was rich, partly because she had so many sponsorships and endorsements, modelling shoots and her own wrestling career. And rich parents. That always came in handy.
Ace's parents were not poor, nor were they rich per say. But they were well off. David's career as a wrestler and his mother, Maria's booking and behind the scenes in wrestling career meant they had quite a bit of money, enough for all their kids to have lived comfortable lives growing up. That was partly why Ace was so entitled when he first started wrestling. It shaped his personality early on in his own career, and that was something one of Ace's opponents at Heatstroke, Tyler Storm, would know about.
"So, can I get you anything?" The younger Watson asked.
"Just water please."
Ace poured them both a glass of water then sat down on the black sofa perpendicular to the one his father was sat on, placing the drinks on the glass coffee table in the middle.
"I feel like there's an elephant in the room." David said, finally.
"What do you mean?" Ace replied then instantly realised what his father meant. "Oh the mask."
"Yeah."
"I lost a match where the winner had to wear a mask until after the next pay per view. Do you honestly not watch my matches?" Ace said a little surprised.
"I know why you're wearing it. It's just a bit weird to look at, especially considering you're in your own home."
"You should try being the one actually wearing it."
"I'd rather not, thank you."
"You should see some of the looks I get when I'm out in public." Ace laughed. He had become used to it now, he learned to block the people out when they said something at him or gave him a weird stare.
"So you've only got a few more days of wearing it then?"
"Yeah, but thinking about it, I might keep it."
His father gave him a weird look, similar to that a stranger gives him when they see him in public wearing it.
"Not for all the time, just in the ring. I feel like it gives me an extra something when I wear it. If I decided to make it a permanent thing I think Bianca would rip it off."
"Well the mask is certainly different. Wearing it just in the ring could be interesting, just don't go putting stars on it like you used to with all your old ring gear."
The father and son shared a laugh, Ace did go a bit overboard a few years back with adding stars to his attire, to try and emphasize his self-given nick name "The Five Star Phenomenon." A nickname he was starting to dislike. Taking a long sip of the water, Ace remembered something he was planning on telling his dad, something that he hoped his father would be happy to hear.
"Ah, I almost forgot, I was looking on switching up some of my moves, and I thought I'd add a move inspired by you."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, 'Made in England.' " It was a spinning neckbreaker slam, one of the many moves that people associated with David's wrestling. Ace hoped his father was happy with this news, he had always tried to "mimmick" his father's wrestling style in some ways, but this was the first time he had taken a move from his father's repertoire.
"Hmm, that's one of my favourites. Good choice."
The tone in David's voice was not that of a proud father, but he was happy to a certain extent. Ace could not help but feel a little disappointed.
--------------------
"There could be anything in that case. It could be a shot at the World Visionary Championship, a bumper new contract or even the keys to a car. Whatever the prize that will be suspended above the ring will be, I want it and I'm going to take it.
--------------------
Ace and David had progressed onto beers now, and their conversation was a bit more light-hearted and less serious in tone. It was then that Bianca returned home. They both turned to look as the door opened and she walked in. This was the first time David had met Bianca, and upon seeing he turned his head to look back at Ace, and gave him an impressed nod.
Bianca smiled, "Hi!". The father and son got up from their seats and Ace walked up to Bianca, placing a "welcome home" kiss on her lips. She wasn't so reciprocating of the kiss, seeing as he was wearing the mask though. It was still a put off for her.
--------------------
"In a match with six individual wrestlers, anything can happen. No one should really be treated as an underdog. Ladder matches of any kind are matches of opportunity and being in the right place at time. Sometimes it doesn't come down to who was the better competitor, more than often the winner is the one who was the best at seeking out their chance... And taking it."
--------------------
Not long after they had gone through introductions, sat down with drinks and conversed more, Ace noticed Bianca wasn't quite her usual self. At first he passed it off as nothing, but as the evening went on it became clearer that something was wrong. He knew there was a chance she wouldn't want to talk about whatever it was with his father there, so Ace came up with a plan to get them both away for a moment or two.
"I should get that wine out that we got the other day."
"The red one?" Bianca asked.
"Yep, you like red don't you dad?" He knew the answer.
"Of course." David answered with a smile.
Ace walked over to the kitchen and opened a cupboard, then pulled out a tall green bottle of wine. Ace wasn't paying attention to whatever Bianca and his dad were talking about as he did, and assumed his dad probably used him being away to quickly make sure Ace was treating her nicely. Which he was, of course.
Ace opened a few drawers, "looking" for the corkscrew to open the wine bottle, purposefully missing out the drawer he knew it was in.
"B could you come help me find the corkscrew, please." He called,
"It's in the-"
"Can you come show me please."
Bianca stood up and walked over to the kitchen, leaving David to sit on his own. Ace continued to open drawers, opening ones he had already opened, pretending to look for the corkscrew. Bianca got to the kitchen and before she could go straight for the correct drawer Ace gently put his hand on her arm, just below her shoulder.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, in a quiet tone.
Bianca's eyes dropped to the floor. "Nothing..."
"No there's something, I can see it."
"I don't want to talk about it right now."
"Later?"
"Maybe." That was a no.
Ace sighed.
"Okay... Okay." Ace knew it wasn't the mask, they had already had a few conversations about that. Whatever it was, Ace was going to have to wait to find out.
--------------------
"People won't be backing me in this match. They will look at my record, they will look at my accomplishments and they will shrug me off. But what they will fail to realise is that this is a whole new match. The past does not matter in this match, or any match. The winner isn't the one with the most titles they've won in the past, the winner is the one who has the case in their hands at the end of the night. I'm beginning to realise this now. Weighing myself down comparing myself to others who have been in the game longer than I have will only make me self-destruct. When what I need to be doing is focusing on the now and the future, and my Quest."
--------------------
Psych Ward
Ace Watson walks down the hall of what looks like a hospital ward, with an open envelope in hand. He has a lock of mock relief on his face.
"Great news!"
He raises the hand holding the envelope.
"I'm not crazy!. And frankly it's a huge relief because I thought there might be something going around, seeing as two out of five of my opponents claim to have mental problems. I don't want to catch the crazy!"
Ace turned a corner, then continued walking.
"Scarlet Flint and Sophia Halter, are the two crazies in the match, in case you care so little as not to keep up with the times."
"First off I'd like to start off with you, Scarlet. Mainly because you targeted me quite a lot in your little video. I actually quite liked the part where you said that I'm not going to win the match. That really helped back up my point of how I'm the underdog, so thank you for that. I'm interested in the part where you came out and straight up said you weren't right in the head. Honestly, I thought the whole point of being crazy was that you weren't aware that you are crazy. Maybe it's just me, but if you actually specify that you are crazy, it takes away from the effect."
"Another thing you liked to try and "hammer home" was how attractive you think you are. Honestly I don't see it. You've got that punky-edgy chick look going on, some guys are into it, but personally it's not for me. Speaking of looks, you made a few comments on how you think the other crazy person, Sophia Halter, is plain and unattractive. Honestly I like her look more than yours. But whatever, I'm not here to judge a miss Crazy USA 2015 beauty competition. I'm here to judge you as people, your actions, and your in-ring ability. Almost like a psychiatrist, without all the PhD's and doctors uniform."
"Sophia, your recklessness in the ring reminds me of another opponent in out match, but I'll get to him later. Sophia I have no reason to be scared of you in the ring, and I know you have no reason to be scared or intimidated by me in the ring, none of the competitors do. Hell, I'm not intimidated by anyone else that will be in the Quest for the Case match. Because, like I've said, it will all come down to who is the best at seizing the moment, and the opportunity."
"Scarlet, Sophia... I'm going to win this match."
--------------------
Casino
Now, Ace is stood on a balcony overlooking a large casino. It is unidentifiable which one or where it is, but it is very clear that it is a casino, given the countless amount of poker tables, roulette and slot machines placed strategically on the floor below. But, it's probably Vegas. Any excuse to go there, really for Watson.
"Andrew Charles Evans. Or ACE, as they call you for short. I do hope that doesn't get confusing. The fact we're both called Ace in some way is part of the reason I've come here."
He gestures to the casino below, it is filled with people gambling, and the smell of hope is fresh in the air. Oh, and alcohol. That too.
"Pretty much everyone down there is hoping for an ace. You've made a thing of ACE being your initials, I'm a fan of the whole shuffling of the cards as you walk to the ring. And the ace of hearts that you pull out of the deck, it's a good choice in card. Although, I like diamonds better."
"I'm rambling. Andrew... Andy... Andrew... An- No, Charles, I hear you have a bit of a temper. Good, that's good. They're always fun to capitalise on. And of course, the cockiness, that too is fun and incredibly easy to capitalise on. I really, really like that."
"Andrew Charles Evans, I'm winning this match."
"Moving on."
--------------------
House of Mirrors
Now, Ace is walking through what appears to be a dimly lit maze of mirrors. Everywhere you turn a mirror greets you with your reflection, at times it can be very confusing, but you can always see behind you.
"I've come here, to this Mirror Maze, because one of my opponents has a habit of attacking people from behind. In a place like this it's very difficult to get jumped. Because it's very easy to see what's around you at all times."
"Of course, I'm not expecting you to jump out and attack me here, I had the place cleared out first, but I do expect you to be the sort to do it in our match. Because you're an opportunist. That much is very clear. You'll be one of the guys in that match who knows when to strike. But, so am I. And with your cockiness combines with your short temper it's going to be very easy for me to jump you."
"Again, Steve Herring... I'm going to win this match."
Ace smirked.
--------------------
Museum
"Tyler Storm."
"Now, do we have some history or what?!"
He smirks, visibly quite proud with himself.
"Which is why today I've come to a museum, because like our pasts, this place is full of history. Tyler, we have faced each other countless amount of times, we've even fought on the same team a few times. I don't think there is a person on this planet who knows you in the ring better than I do. Our rivalry goes back to the very first few months of my wrestling career. You accepted me into your little stable you had going, after I was rejected by a stable that was at the top of the company. Then, not long later, you kicked me out. Forced me aside."
"To this day, I think back to how I felt that day. But I take great happiness in remembering that you and your group were my second choice anyway. And Tyler, at Heatstroke, you will be second best again."
Ace walks around the room, looking at a few exhibits on the walls and on stands. None of them seem to really interest him.
"We have become friends over time Tyler, and honestly I'm happy with that. And I look forward to stepping in the ring with you again, especially in a match that means so much for our careers. It's a big stage for an old rivalry. And I'm going to steal the show."
