Post by Ratball Slade on Oct 25, 2021 21:47:46 GMT -5
Present Day on the outskirts of Detroit
The camera feed opens with Slade Castle in center frame, behind him, a random assortment of things piled into a heap towering high above him. Sitting on the ground next to him is a large metal container. Slade is facing the heap initially, then turns toward the camera.
Slade Castle: It took a little while to find a cameraman willing to film this after my actions before the last Fallout, and I’m sure due to recent events not many are ready to trust me. Nervous glances and cowardly retreat are things I’m used to though. Things I’m sure all my new associates can easily relate to. We live in a world where no one is willing to concede to anyone other than those in power. We all have to live by a set of standards that exclude anyone not able to live within those standards. You get abused or thrown in jail for living by a different set of rules. You gotta work for the machine, then you die for the machine. Anyone who thinks or acts differently to you must be wrong, evil, or even the villains of society's story. I hate to break it to you, but we all live our own story. My story has left me with nothing but pain and abandonment by the very people I dedicated my life to protect. So what if I came back from my duties as a soldier a little fucked up? Anyone would be after going through what I went through. The only place I found peace in was violence. That's all I know anymore. I fight so I can survive. I’ve done pretty damn good for myself considering all the bullshit I’ve had to deal with. I’ve made a living, thriving on the fringes of society. I’m not gonna live like that anymore.
Slade paces back and forth past the metal container at his feet. He wipes the spit from his mouth trying to contain his rage, wanting to make sure he can speak his mind in a clear manner.
Slade Castle: If we all answer to someone in power, might as well be someone acting in your own best interests. I don’t trust Arik Holt. I don’t trust my associates. What I do trust in is our message. A message of a new... true… society. It’s about time we rewrite the rules. This time, the rules will be in our favor. They could be in everyone's favor. We all need a fresh start. I… need a fresh start. I’m ready to make the sacrifices that are necessary to make that happen..
Slade opens the metal container, its contents not yet visible to the camera.
Slade Castle: Behind me are my worldly possessions. It’s everything I own. It means nothing to me. My family is gone. My closest friends. The only person I’ve ever loved. I got nothing left in the old society…
Slade pulls out a gas canister and a matchbook.
Slade Castle: ... so it can burn…
Slade walks over to his belongings and begins to cover the heap in gas, making sure not to miss an inch. Slade then creates a trail leading to the camera, stopping just in front and staying in frame.
Slade Castle: It’s time I leave the past in the past. I won’t let it haunt me anymore.
Slade strikes a match and sets the gas trail ablaze. The trail rapidly ignites, eventually reaching the stack. An initial explosion of flames eventually turns into a large pyre. Slade stands there, back to the camera, and watches the fire burn.
2 Days Prior at Mental Gardens Institute
Sarah looks at Slade with disbelief and shock present in her eyes.
Slade Castle: That piece of shit had it comin. I don’t care if he was just “doin’ his job”, he came into my house and he followed me when I didn’t approve of his presence. When I joined Project: Honor, when I joined Fallout, I didn’t sign up to being stalked by some psychotic cameraman. I’m not some human puppet they can force to dance for their own entertainment.
Sarah hesitates then confronts Slade.
Sarah Green: That’s no excuse to hospitalize a man just trying to do his job. You may have signed up to fight or wrestle or whatever, but he didn’t. If you worked anywhere else you’d probably be in prison by now.
Slade Castle: It’s a good thing I don’t gotta worry about that, huh.
Sarah begins staring dagger at Slade, now not fearing the man, believing he wouldn’t lay his hands on her.
Sarah Green: This is the exact reason we are doing these sessions. This is the kind of behavior the people who put you here were afraid of. Maybe getting this opportunity at Project: Honor wasn’t the best for you after all.
Slade stands up from his chair now, his face visibly becoming red.
Slade Castle: You wanna talk about the people who put me here? That really the route you wanna go? They turned their backs on me. Just like everyone else. I needed help and what they did was force me to talk about my feelings?! Are you fucking kidding me?! This is exactly what Mr. Holt has been telling me about. They just don’t understand. YOU, don’t understand. Project: Honor is just what I needed. For once I don’t feel like I need to hold back. I can express myself in the only way I know how. Through breaking faces and knocking people out.
Sarah stays seated but stands her ground, only slightly flinching when Slade makes sudden movements.
Sarah Green: So this Arik Holt person, what exactly has he been telling you?
Slade is about to speak but stops himself and smirks.
Slade Castle: Ah, so there it is. Who you been talkin to? Huh? Mr. Holt has many ideas, but those aren’t for your ears or whoever has you in their pocket. You know what though, I will give you this. Nothing can stop us now. The train has already left the station and it will arrive at our True Society.
Sarah has a confused look on her face but takes some notes. Slade continues to grin at her, unnerving her more than she thought he could.
Slade Castle: You all think you know what’s best for me. Instead you made me out to be a monster living among humans. Well it’s time for me to be what you all created. If you view me as a monster then don’t let me stop you. Mr. Holt however, views me as an asset, a champion. I belong to something greater than myself now. I am somewhere where my natural talents and behavior are viewed, not as crazy or cruel, but useful and effective. In exchange for those uses I get the benefit of his opportunities and allies against those who wish to hold me back.
Sarah has continued to take notes but suddenly sets her pen down.
Sarah Green: Yes, opportunities. Just like this opportunity for the Noble championship you earned yourself, right? Is this his doing now?
Slade cuts her off.
Slade Castle: Hey now, I see what you're doing but you can shut your mouth cause Mr. Holt has been advocating for me every step of the way…
Sarah Green: Is that what he told you? Is that what he wants you to believe? How about how your match is a triple threat instead of a one on one match? Was it him who made your match?
Slade Castle: Quit talkin about shit you don’t understand. There’s more at play here than just Mr. Holt. He can only do so much.
Sarah now grins at Slade smugly.
Sarah Green: It already appears your Mr. Holt has less power than you thought, huh?
Slade flips the small table in between the two, his face now boiling red. Slade approaches Sarah but stops before doing anything rash. Sarah, initially trying to display confidence, immediately loses her composure as the table flips and is now closing her eyes, praying that Slade doesn’t attack her.
Slade Castle: Don’t worry doc, you’re just not worth my time. You can thank Mr. Holt for showing me that. If anything, Mr. Holt knows I can handle these goons no problem. All they gotta do is beg me not to hurt them worse than I already plan… want to.
Slade crouches down to Sarah’s eye level now snarling at her.
Slade Castle: You could understand that, right doc? If you don’t want to get tossed around this room all you gotta do is apologize.
Sarah is visibly shaking now. She begins speaking in a much less confident, softer tone.
Sarah Green: I’m… sorry…
Slade gets right into Sarah’s face and begins to yell.
Slade Castle: TO WHO?
Sarah recoils in tremendous fear now.
Sarah Green: I’m sorry Mr. Castle! Please, Slade, I’m sorry...
Slade Castle: Very good, you only got three more apologies to go.
Sarah continues apologizing until loud banging is heard at the door of the office.
Man behind the door: Everything alright in there? Miss Green?
Slade speaks up in a much calmer voice now, just loud enough for the man to hear.
Slade Castle: It’s alright, we just had a little disagreement is all. Isn’t that right, doc?
Sarah reluctantly plays along.
Sarah Green: Right…
Slade Castle: Would you look at the time? Looks like our session is over for the day. I’ll be seeing you, doc.
Slade walks toward the door, opening it and walking past the man checking on Sarah. The man is shocked to find Sarah with tears in her eyes and her office in complete disrepair. Sarah, trying to regain her composure, assures the man everything is okay.
Sarah Green: I can clean this up, it's alright. Cancel the rest of my appointments for the day. I need some time…
3 Years ago in |Redacted|, China
It’s the middle of the night when Slade steps out of the tent he and Joker are sharing. He stretches, then looks around. Towards the edge of camp he finds Brickson standing watch. Slade approaches Brickson.
Slade Castle: Guess who?
Brickson: What are you doing up so late, Slade? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. You need to get some rest.
Slade scratches his head then sits on a collapsed tree limb.
Slade Castle: Couldn’t sleep anyways. Figured I come out and give you some company.
Brickson: Guess it was the nightmares again? Everyone else asleep?
Slade Castle: I think so…
The two sit in silence for a moment before Slade starts to speak.
Slade Castle: Brickson…
Brickson cuts Slade off.
Brickson: How many times I gotta tell you, when we’re not around the guys you can call me Matt.
Brickson chuckles and begins to smile at Slade. Slade looks down and nods his head, then smiles back at Brickson.
Slade Castle: Matt… How much longer you think they're gonna keep us out here, goin’ from country to country, mission to mission?
Brickson’s smile turns in expression as he shrugs. Brickson takes a seat next to Castle.
Brickson: I don’t know. Are you in that much of a rush for everyone to learn about this?
Slade Castle: I don’t want to hide it anymore. I know we decided it’d be best for the mission but…
Brickson: It’s alright. We can make it. You can make it. Once this is over we can break the news and start to finally live our lives.
Slade leans over onto Brickson’s shoulder.
Slade Castle: Together right?
Brickson: Of course. Together.
Present Day on the outskirts of Detroit
Slade is staring into the blaze, he takes a deep breath, then turns halfway to the camera.
Slade Castle: To start this True Society off right, we all have an opportunity. An opportunity to take away what those living in the past crave so much. A symbol of wealth, power, and recognition. I’ve said in the past I don’t need these things. I still don’t. Yet for us to be properly represented it is the one tool we need for everyone else to recognize us as real threats. As much as I don’t like it, these titles legitimize us as a faction. As a force for change. Of course nothing is ever simple and I have to go through two opponents.
Slade Castle: Ellie Quinn. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t know much about you. From what I gather, you're a little bit unhinged. Well, so is every other mother fucker in this company. I don’t see how that makes you any different, and just like every other mother fucker, I’m gonna knock your teeth down your throat. Although, I imagine my name is a little difficult to pronounce with no teeth. Maybe I’ll choke you out instead. I have been doing quite a bit of that recently, ain’t that right, Savannah?
Slade unleashes a devilish smirk.
Slade Castle: I’ll get to her in a moment, cause Ellie, I can’t leave you in the dust here. I don’t believe we’ve met in the ring before so let me just give you a little advice. A little bit of fear goes a long way. Fear is what you should be feeling right now. I don’t care where the hell you came from. I lived in fucking war. I’ve had people legitimately try to end my life and almost succeed. I don’t care what accolades you may or may not have. This is a whole different territory when you step in the ring with me. I’ve only been here a few months and shown why I am just the monster everyone sees me to be. I don’t care if you don’t wake up the next morning. I’m way past that. So when you plead my name so I stop beating your broken body, you’ll know fear, hell, you’ll learn respect.
Slade takes a brief moment to pause and collect himself.
Slade Castle: Savannah Sunshine. It’s unfortunate for you that Valk isn’t here to stop me from finishing the job and choking you out again. However, in the interests of Mr. Holt, I believe he would appreciate it if I did so much worse to you. So before I choke you out, I’ll beat your face into a bloody pulp, and throw you around, maybe break a few limbs, and all you gotta do is say my name to stop me. It would’ve been nothing personal after all. However, while I don’t care for your stupid ass snarky remarks on twitter, when you try to drag me through the mud without even calling me out by name, well, that just don’t fly. Now I get to settle things in a way I’m much more suited to. Even that little bit of your evil side can’t save you from me. You think beating up your dear Asher is enough to show everyone that you're truly ruthless. Well that isn’t enough and nothing you ever do will be.
Slade lets out a deep sigh and looks up as he reaches into one of his pockets. He pulls out a folded piece of paper. Slade grips it tightly while looking at the fire.
Slade Castle: You will both say my name.
As Slade unfolds the paper, it’s a picture of himself and soldiers, likely the members of his team. On the back is the message, “To a better future, for us” signed, “Matt Brickson.” Slade stares into the fire, but then decides to refold the paper and put it back in his pocket.
Slade Castle: I’ll make everyone say my name...
The camera feed ends.
The camera feed opens with Slade Castle in center frame, behind him, a random assortment of things piled into a heap towering high above him. Sitting on the ground next to him is a large metal container. Slade is facing the heap initially, then turns toward the camera.
Slade Castle: It took a little while to find a cameraman willing to film this after my actions before the last Fallout, and I’m sure due to recent events not many are ready to trust me. Nervous glances and cowardly retreat are things I’m used to though. Things I’m sure all my new associates can easily relate to. We live in a world where no one is willing to concede to anyone other than those in power. We all have to live by a set of standards that exclude anyone not able to live within those standards. You get abused or thrown in jail for living by a different set of rules. You gotta work for the machine, then you die for the machine. Anyone who thinks or acts differently to you must be wrong, evil, or even the villains of society's story. I hate to break it to you, but we all live our own story. My story has left me with nothing but pain and abandonment by the very people I dedicated my life to protect. So what if I came back from my duties as a soldier a little fucked up? Anyone would be after going through what I went through. The only place I found peace in was violence. That's all I know anymore. I fight so I can survive. I’ve done pretty damn good for myself considering all the bullshit I’ve had to deal with. I’ve made a living, thriving on the fringes of society. I’m not gonna live like that anymore.
Slade paces back and forth past the metal container at his feet. He wipes the spit from his mouth trying to contain his rage, wanting to make sure he can speak his mind in a clear manner.
Slade Castle: If we all answer to someone in power, might as well be someone acting in your own best interests. I don’t trust Arik Holt. I don’t trust my associates. What I do trust in is our message. A message of a new... true… society. It’s about time we rewrite the rules. This time, the rules will be in our favor. They could be in everyone's favor. We all need a fresh start. I… need a fresh start. I’m ready to make the sacrifices that are necessary to make that happen..
Slade opens the metal container, its contents not yet visible to the camera.
Slade Castle: Behind me are my worldly possessions. It’s everything I own. It means nothing to me. My family is gone. My closest friends. The only person I’ve ever loved. I got nothing left in the old society…
Slade pulls out a gas canister and a matchbook.
Slade Castle: ... so it can burn…
Slade walks over to his belongings and begins to cover the heap in gas, making sure not to miss an inch. Slade then creates a trail leading to the camera, stopping just in front and staying in frame.
Slade Castle: It’s time I leave the past in the past. I won’t let it haunt me anymore.
Slade strikes a match and sets the gas trail ablaze. The trail rapidly ignites, eventually reaching the stack. An initial explosion of flames eventually turns into a large pyre. Slade stands there, back to the camera, and watches the fire burn.
2 Days Prior at Mental Gardens Institute
Sarah looks at Slade with disbelief and shock present in her eyes.
Slade Castle: That piece of shit had it comin. I don’t care if he was just “doin’ his job”, he came into my house and he followed me when I didn’t approve of his presence. When I joined Project: Honor, when I joined Fallout, I didn’t sign up to being stalked by some psychotic cameraman. I’m not some human puppet they can force to dance for their own entertainment.
Sarah hesitates then confronts Slade.
Sarah Green: That’s no excuse to hospitalize a man just trying to do his job. You may have signed up to fight or wrestle or whatever, but he didn’t. If you worked anywhere else you’d probably be in prison by now.
Slade Castle: It’s a good thing I don’t gotta worry about that, huh.
Sarah begins staring dagger at Slade, now not fearing the man, believing he wouldn’t lay his hands on her.
Sarah Green: This is the exact reason we are doing these sessions. This is the kind of behavior the people who put you here were afraid of. Maybe getting this opportunity at Project: Honor wasn’t the best for you after all.
Slade stands up from his chair now, his face visibly becoming red.
Slade Castle: You wanna talk about the people who put me here? That really the route you wanna go? They turned their backs on me. Just like everyone else. I needed help and what they did was force me to talk about my feelings?! Are you fucking kidding me?! This is exactly what Mr. Holt has been telling me about. They just don’t understand. YOU, don’t understand. Project: Honor is just what I needed. For once I don’t feel like I need to hold back. I can express myself in the only way I know how. Through breaking faces and knocking people out.
Sarah stays seated but stands her ground, only slightly flinching when Slade makes sudden movements.
Sarah Green: So this Arik Holt person, what exactly has he been telling you?
Slade is about to speak but stops himself and smirks.
Slade Castle: Ah, so there it is. Who you been talkin to? Huh? Mr. Holt has many ideas, but those aren’t for your ears or whoever has you in their pocket. You know what though, I will give you this. Nothing can stop us now. The train has already left the station and it will arrive at our True Society.
Sarah has a confused look on her face but takes some notes. Slade continues to grin at her, unnerving her more than she thought he could.
Slade Castle: You all think you know what’s best for me. Instead you made me out to be a monster living among humans. Well it’s time for me to be what you all created. If you view me as a monster then don’t let me stop you. Mr. Holt however, views me as an asset, a champion. I belong to something greater than myself now. I am somewhere where my natural talents and behavior are viewed, not as crazy or cruel, but useful and effective. In exchange for those uses I get the benefit of his opportunities and allies against those who wish to hold me back.
Sarah has continued to take notes but suddenly sets her pen down.
Sarah Green: Yes, opportunities. Just like this opportunity for the Noble championship you earned yourself, right? Is this his doing now?
Slade cuts her off.
Slade Castle: Hey now, I see what you're doing but you can shut your mouth cause Mr. Holt has been advocating for me every step of the way…
Sarah Green: Is that what he told you? Is that what he wants you to believe? How about how your match is a triple threat instead of a one on one match? Was it him who made your match?
Slade Castle: Quit talkin about shit you don’t understand. There’s more at play here than just Mr. Holt. He can only do so much.
Sarah now grins at Slade smugly.
Sarah Green: It already appears your Mr. Holt has less power than you thought, huh?
Slade flips the small table in between the two, his face now boiling red. Slade approaches Sarah but stops before doing anything rash. Sarah, initially trying to display confidence, immediately loses her composure as the table flips and is now closing her eyes, praying that Slade doesn’t attack her.
Slade Castle: Don’t worry doc, you’re just not worth my time. You can thank Mr. Holt for showing me that. If anything, Mr. Holt knows I can handle these goons no problem. All they gotta do is beg me not to hurt them worse than I already plan… want to.
Slade crouches down to Sarah’s eye level now snarling at her.
Slade Castle: You could understand that, right doc? If you don’t want to get tossed around this room all you gotta do is apologize.
Sarah is visibly shaking now. She begins speaking in a much less confident, softer tone.
Sarah Green: I’m… sorry…
Slade gets right into Sarah’s face and begins to yell.
Slade Castle: TO WHO?
Sarah recoils in tremendous fear now.
Sarah Green: I’m sorry Mr. Castle! Please, Slade, I’m sorry...
Slade Castle: Very good, you only got three more apologies to go.
Sarah continues apologizing until loud banging is heard at the door of the office.
Man behind the door: Everything alright in there? Miss Green?
Slade speaks up in a much calmer voice now, just loud enough for the man to hear.
Slade Castle: It’s alright, we just had a little disagreement is all. Isn’t that right, doc?
Sarah reluctantly plays along.
Sarah Green: Right…
Slade Castle: Would you look at the time? Looks like our session is over for the day. I’ll be seeing you, doc.
Slade walks toward the door, opening it and walking past the man checking on Sarah. The man is shocked to find Sarah with tears in her eyes and her office in complete disrepair. Sarah, trying to regain her composure, assures the man everything is okay.
Sarah Green: I can clean this up, it's alright. Cancel the rest of my appointments for the day. I need some time…
3 Years ago in |Redacted|, China
It’s the middle of the night when Slade steps out of the tent he and Joker are sharing. He stretches, then looks around. Towards the edge of camp he finds Brickson standing watch. Slade approaches Brickson.
Slade Castle: Guess who?
Brickson: What are you doing up so late, Slade? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. You need to get some rest.
Slade scratches his head then sits on a collapsed tree limb.
Slade Castle: Couldn’t sleep anyways. Figured I come out and give you some company.
Brickson: Guess it was the nightmares again? Everyone else asleep?
Slade Castle: I think so…
The two sit in silence for a moment before Slade starts to speak.
Slade Castle: Brickson…
Brickson cuts Slade off.
Brickson: How many times I gotta tell you, when we’re not around the guys you can call me Matt.
Brickson chuckles and begins to smile at Slade. Slade looks down and nods his head, then smiles back at Brickson.
Slade Castle: Matt… How much longer you think they're gonna keep us out here, goin’ from country to country, mission to mission?
Brickson’s smile turns in expression as he shrugs. Brickson takes a seat next to Castle.
Brickson: I don’t know. Are you in that much of a rush for everyone to learn about this?
Slade Castle: I don’t want to hide it anymore. I know we decided it’d be best for the mission but…
Brickson: It’s alright. We can make it. You can make it. Once this is over we can break the news and start to finally live our lives.
Slade leans over onto Brickson’s shoulder.
Slade Castle: Together right?
Brickson: Of course. Together.
Present Day on the outskirts of Detroit
Slade is staring into the blaze, he takes a deep breath, then turns halfway to the camera.
Slade Castle: To start this True Society off right, we all have an opportunity. An opportunity to take away what those living in the past crave so much. A symbol of wealth, power, and recognition. I’ve said in the past I don’t need these things. I still don’t. Yet for us to be properly represented it is the one tool we need for everyone else to recognize us as real threats. As much as I don’t like it, these titles legitimize us as a faction. As a force for change. Of course nothing is ever simple and I have to go through two opponents.
Slade Castle: Ellie Quinn. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t know much about you. From what I gather, you're a little bit unhinged. Well, so is every other mother fucker in this company. I don’t see how that makes you any different, and just like every other mother fucker, I’m gonna knock your teeth down your throat. Although, I imagine my name is a little difficult to pronounce with no teeth. Maybe I’ll choke you out instead. I have been doing quite a bit of that recently, ain’t that right, Savannah?
Slade unleashes a devilish smirk.
Slade Castle: I’ll get to her in a moment, cause Ellie, I can’t leave you in the dust here. I don’t believe we’ve met in the ring before so let me just give you a little advice. A little bit of fear goes a long way. Fear is what you should be feeling right now. I don’t care where the hell you came from. I lived in fucking war. I’ve had people legitimately try to end my life and almost succeed. I don’t care what accolades you may or may not have. This is a whole different territory when you step in the ring with me. I’ve only been here a few months and shown why I am just the monster everyone sees me to be. I don’t care if you don’t wake up the next morning. I’m way past that. So when you plead my name so I stop beating your broken body, you’ll know fear, hell, you’ll learn respect.
Slade takes a brief moment to pause and collect himself.
Slade Castle: Savannah Sunshine. It’s unfortunate for you that Valk isn’t here to stop me from finishing the job and choking you out again. However, in the interests of Mr. Holt, I believe he would appreciate it if I did so much worse to you. So before I choke you out, I’ll beat your face into a bloody pulp, and throw you around, maybe break a few limbs, and all you gotta do is say my name to stop me. It would’ve been nothing personal after all. However, while I don’t care for your stupid ass snarky remarks on twitter, when you try to drag me through the mud without even calling me out by name, well, that just don’t fly. Now I get to settle things in a way I’m much more suited to. Even that little bit of your evil side can’t save you from me. You think beating up your dear Asher is enough to show everyone that you're truly ruthless. Well that isn’t enough and nothing you ever do will be.
Slade lets out a deep sigh and looks up as he reaches into one of his pockets. He pulls out a folded piece of paper. Slade grips it tightly while looking at the fire.
Slade Castle: You will both say my name.
As Slade unfolds the paper, it’s a picture of himself and soldiers, likely the members of his team. On the back is the message, “To a better future, for us” signed, “Matt Brickson.” Slade stares into the fire, but then decides to refold the paper and put it back in his pocket.
Slade Castle: I’ll make everyone say my name...
The camera feed ends.
