Post by Ratball Slade on Nov 16, 2021 21:55:59 GMT -5
Present Day somewhere in Detroit
The picture slowly comes to life with Slade’s voice immediately coming through.
Slade Castle: And once again I remain, unpinned, unsubmitted, and in my mind… undefeated.
Slade is sitting on the edge of a rooftop overlooking Detroit. Down below are the lights and goings of daily life in the city. A faint cascade of sounds can be heard from occasional yelling, traffic, and sirens. Slade’s breath lingers in the air when he speaks as the temperature is far below comfortable. The Noble Championship is haphazardly half dangling off the roof of the building.
Slade Castle: At this point I should be used to it, but when you’ve gone as long as I have where it’s either you or your opponent, it’s difficult to be okay with losing because of another’s incompetence. This could be the week that all of that changes. Unless…
Slade stands up, the edge of his boots peeking over the ledge. He leans down to slowly pick up his title. Slade brings it up to his face and stares at the nameplate.
Slade Castle: Not one person has defended this title. Hell, having this title seems to ruin careers, or at least be more of a speedbump than an acceleration. There’s nothing to ruin for me. Maybe this title was meant for me. The tag team titles however, were not meant to be. I fight better alone these days anyhow, so Julius and Petey can have their time in the sun for now. True Society will come all the same.
Slade walks the edge of the building, looking down to the streets below. Not once does he hesitate or look fearful of the multiple story drop if he were to fall.
Slade Castle: So many people question what True Society is, or why we rally behind Arik. For me Arik is a means to an end. He’s got his uses. So long as the uses stick, he has my assistance. However, like many of the others, I have my own reasons for joining. These next two shows are the closest examples you can get for why I joined. Violence and materialism. While they may not seem related at first they absolutely have everything to do with each other.
Slade stops at one of the corners of the roof and kneels. The camera follows as he points to a jewelry store.
Slade Castle: One of the most common causes of violence is because of material possession.
Slade knocks on the faceplate of the Noble Championship.
Slade Castle: Where there is wealth of any kind there will be people who try and take it. It’s the primary reason I bother holding these damn things. It all comes down to pride, envy, greed, and power. What brought us all to Project: Honor? Why do we enter these matches? We are prideful. We all believe that we are the best there is. We all think we can take on everyone and everything to get what we want, where we need to be. We want what others have. We see those champions in the spotlight. We see how the crowds look at them. It disgusts us. It makes us want it even more. The gold, the wealth, it should be yours, right? The things you could do in that position. The power you would have…
Slade cracks a smile and begins to chuckle, turning to the camera, his back to the city now.
Slade Castle: None of those things matter to me. I fight to survive. I fight to live. I fight cause I fucking love it. I love the feeling of breaking someone's jaw. The more prideful they are, the further I want to knock them down. The more envious, the more I want to deny them of their ambitions. The greedier they are, the better it feels to take everything away. The more powerful… the easier it is to show them their power is irrelevant.
Slade steps away from the ledge of the roof and drops the title. It makes an awful screech as it clatters against the floor of the roof. Slade takes a deep breath.
Slade Castle: Everything I love about this place. Everything I want to do. I can do it all right here. The Purge… Mall Mayhem… Two birds with one stone.
3 Days Prior at Mental Garden Institute
Sarah is sitting in her office alone taking in deep breaths with a pen gripped in her hand, seemingly unready for her upcoming meeting with Slade. She hadn’t seen him since the day he ruined her office. She jumps at the knock on her door. As she takes a moment to relax, Sarah takes one final breath before saying…
Sarah Green: Come in.
The door opens as Slade walks into the room, bag over his shoulder. They both remain silent as Slade finds his seat. Slade drops his bag, sits down, and stares at the floor. The air is still as both wait for the other to speak.
Slade/Sarah: So I…
They both speak at once then stop.
Sarah Green: Go on…
Slade Castle: I uh… I went too far last time we spoke and… uh... I’d like to apologize, I guess…
Sarah looks at Slade and nods, still holding her pen tightly.
Sarah Green: That was the first and will be the last time I allow you to get that out of hand. You only get one. If anything like that happens again, the police will be involved and I will recommend you be committed to an institution. Are we clear?
Slade reacts as if being punched in the gut, and lets out a deep sigh.
Slade Castle: Yes ma’am.
Sarah Green: Good. Then why don’t we just forget that ever happened and move along, shall we?
Slade Castle: Works for me.
Sarah takes a few notes, her grip starting to ease on her pen. Sarah looks up to Slade with an inquisitive look.
Sarah Green: After all this talk of not finding a place where you fit in, why are you now making acquaintances with the exact kind of people you had been told not to interact with and have been avoiding?
Slade looks at Sarah with a look as if he himself is confused.
Slade Castle: I don’t know. Like me, they’re all outcasts. Even if our similarities end there, that’s all it takes. I don’t expect to be friends with them. I don’t even expect to like most of them. However I needed something. This is just how I can get it right now.
Sarah Green: So what is it you need? What are they actually giving you?
Slade pauses. Now far more confident in what he says.
Slade Castle: Purpose. It’s a strong thing many people don’t understand. I don’t even understand it. The group gives me purpose to be there. I have my own separate goals, some of which align with the group, others not so much. When last we spoke I praised Mr. Holt, but I’ve reflected since then. He’s an intelligent man. More than some give him credit. I know he doesn’t give a damn about me. I think we all do. Even so, he has the ability to give all of us what we want. At least for now.
Sarah Green: Let’s talk about your other team members then, shall we? How about Lesley Adora? It seemed you two had been getting along. Doesn’t it worry you that the group could do the same to you?
Slade Castle: Lesley was alright in my book, but he wasn’t accomplishing what the group needed. Not to mention the man denied being a part the entire time despite obviously being with us. They don’t have those problems with me. As you can see…
Slade leans over and unzips his bag, pulling out the Noble Championship, laying it across his lap.
Slade Castle: I already did exactly what Arik needed. As far as the Tag Team Championships are concerned, I’m not worried. Julius is a tough bastard and it’s gonna take a hell of a lot to bring him down. Not to mention he seems to really be trying with this Petey loser but eh…
Slade shrugs. Sarah continues to write now as she asks further questions about the members of True Society.
Sarah Green: Okay, so how about Valkyrie, or Miss Sorensen? How do you get along with her?
Slade laughs a bit to himself.
Slade Castle: If I’m crazy then she’s fucking insane. We get along pretty damn well though. I mean, she’s maybe a tad too much for what I’m used to but that’s someone I at least know I’m on good terms with. Just like me, she held up her end of the deal and I can’t say it was either of our faults for losing the tag match at Clash.
Sarah Green: How about the others then? Anyone stand out to you?
Slade drapes the title over his shoulder now as he looks up. He begins to nod as he looks back to Sarah.
Slade Castle: I haven’t really talked much to any of the others. Havoc though… we’re good for now but if I’m going to keep climbing this ladder, eventually that means going through him. That can wait for another day though. I still have this…
Slade looks over to his title.
Slade Castle: … to worry about.
Sarah looks at Slade’s title belt and presses her pen to her lips. She then points to the belt with her pen.
Sarah Green: So about that… I thought you didn’t care for titles or recognition?
Slade Castle: I don’t. Just like before, this gold right here is the perfect motivation for people to give me their all. Everyone wants to be the best. I know I’m the best. I don’t need this damn thing to prove it, but it drives others to be better than they already are. I’m hoping just maybe I will finally find someone capable of keeping me down. Until then, I’ll keep holding onto this.
There’s a brief pause where Sarah takes a few more notes. Sarah puts her pen and clipboard on her desk and stands up.
Sarah Green: Well Slade, this has been very helpful. I hope we can continue being open and non-hostile towards each other in the future.
Slade pulls the belt off his shoulder and stuffs it back into his bag. He stands up and outreaches a hand to the doctor.
Slade Castle: Same, Doc. Sorry for getting carried away again. I was just paranoid. Never know who you can really trust, you know?
Sarah shakes Slade’s hand.
Sarah Green: I do know, more than you might think.
In the corner of the room, a small hidden security camera continues to capture everything. Somewhere far from the office in which Slade and Sarah are wrapping up their therapy session a man sits and watches, hanging on every word Slade speaks.
??: Would you ever trust me again... Slade?
Back to the Present
Slade Walks to another corner of the roof where an assortment of weaponry is laying neatly arranged. The camera pans over everything there. Barbed/Razor wire, baseball bats, lighter fluid, etc.
Slade Castle: Violence for violence’s sake is where I and many others fit into the Purge. Rewards be damned, I only want to inflict as much damage as possible before being the last man standing. My only question is, what is my instrument of choice? You see, now I’m a man who enjoys feeling the punishment I inflict. I want to feel my knuckles bruise, my head crack open and bleed…
Slade begins pushing everything aside, revealing a large pane of glass on a tarp sitting next to a bucket, some wrist tape, and glue.
Slade Castle: I’d always heard of the Taipei Deathmatch. I was fascinated by it. It’s a barbaric form of combat, but it requires you to get in there and use your hands to do the work. When that Purge horn blares across the town, it’ll be time for old instincts to come alive. We aren’t entering a match. It’s a fight for survival. Something I’ve been doing since before I was old enough to drink.
Slade kneels down wiping his hand across the glass. He stares at it, the look of death coming from his eyes.
Slade Castle: I’m an expert in guerilla tactics. I know how to stay unseen until it’s time to strike. It’s something my squad specialized in. We had to encounter so much of it while I was in the field, yet we never failed our mission. If we needed to, we could stay out of sight until just the right…
Slade punches the glass, breaking a piece off.
Slade Castle: moment…
Slade holds up the sharp piece of glass he has just broken off.
Slade Castle: I’ve killed before, I’d do it again if I had too. It was just the nature of war back then. Some of you may be a bit more familiar with this world, but many are entering a world they simply are not ready for. I only have one line of advice. Get out while you can. I only wish I could have known and saved myself from the path I’m on. However, when the match starts all bets are off and I don’t care who you are, you’re a target.
Slade swings the shard of glass around like a knife, then gestures it across his throat. He chuckles to himself.
Slade Castle: To my fellow True Society members. Together we will be unstoppable. We may start this together but don’t get comfortable. When it comes down to it, I have no problem shredding you to pieces and taking any of your heads off. I still gotta put myself first, got it? So once everyone else is gone, it’s everyone for themselves.
Slade throws the shard of glass back onto the tarp. He stands up and walks over to all the pushed aside weaponry and grabs one of the bats. Slade then swiftly brings the bat over his head and begins slamming it down onto the glass, shattering it into smaller and smaller pieces.
Slade Castle: There’s a few big targets in this match. Don’t think I’m not watching out specifically for you, cause I most certainly am. In all this mayhem there are a few names in particular that stand out. People like Jason Long, Ozymandias… Syndicate… People who have climbed to the top. If I see you, you’re first on my fucking hit list. No way I’m gonna let an opportunity to make a name for myself like this slip away.
Slade takes the tarp covered in shattered glass and wraps it up before putting it into the bucket.
Slade Castle: Of course I will have to watch my back for people like Savannah and Ellie who I happily took this Noble Championship away from. I have already proven I can beat them, but it doesn’t hurt to have eyes in the back of your head.
Slade puts the bucket aside with the wrist tape and glue then begins to make his way to the other side of the rooftop.
4 Days Prior in Slade’s Stronghouse
Slade is sitting in a kitchen/dining area of the stronghouse. In front of him is a plate of mashed potatoes and an assortment of steamed vegetables. Slade sits and stares at his food which has gone untouched since he finished plating it. Suddenly some loud knocking can be heard from the front door. Slade gets up and walks over. As he looks through the peephole he sees Jerry standing there anxiously waiting to get in.
Slade opens the door and lets Jerry in, looking behind him to make sure no one followed him. Jerry makes his way to the table Slade was sitting at and takes a seat on the opposite side. Slade walks back over to his plate and sits down.
Jerry: Why am I here, Castle? I told you all that I could.
Slade Castle: I need you to pass along a message.
Jerry shakes his head in disbelief. He looks around realizing he has no option other than to hear Slade out.
Jerry: Were you not listening to what I said last time? I barely know who this guy is, or rather, who these guys are. What makes you think I can get a hold of them?
Slade Castle: You won’t need to. I just need to know that you will.
Jerry wipes his mouth with the back of his hand then wipes some sweat from his forehead.
Jerry: Alright, so what is it? What message could you possibly need me to pass along, Castle?
Slade Castle: All you gotta tell ’em is that I know. I know who they are. I know what they did. I’m coming for them, and they better be ready to finish the damn job.
Jerry stands up and looks at Slade sternly. Jerry, not wanting to get Slade into trouble, angrily shakes his head thinking of how to get out of the situation.
Slade Castle: You will do this for me. You got to.
Jerry: I don’t have to do shit, Slade.
Slade stays calm and begins to eat his food, speaking with a full mouth.
Slade Castle: If you don’t wanna go to prison you do.
Jerry stops and sits back down hanging his head.
Jerry: Are we not friends, Slade? I realize that I betrayed your trust but…
Slade interjects.
Slade Castle: Whether we’re friends or not doesn’t matter. This matters more than anything else in the world to me, Jerry. I just need you to pass it along.
Jerry silently nods and accepts Slade’s request.
Slade Castle: Secondly, I need you to schedule me a fight next week. I may be a busy man with Project: Honor. I may barely be able to walk by then as I’m about to go through hell twice in one week, but I need this. Only cause I know he’s gonna be watching.
Jerry: Whoever this guy is, you sure you can just provoke him like this?
Slade Castle: I don’t just think I can. I know I can.
Back to the Present
On the other side of the roof, Slade points toward a building far away. The camera turns and zooms in on what looks to be a mall. Slade drops his hand and gazes off into the distance.
Slade Castle: After the Purge, I have a date with that which creates said violence. Proving Ground... Black Friday...
Slade paces for a few moments in short back and forth motions. Slade looks to the camera then back to the mall.
Slade Castle: Society loves to consume. Consumerism is a modern cancer to not only people, but the earth. It urges us to give into our most primal materialistic desires. We all dictate how we treat each other based on the newest clothes, movies, games…
Slade turns around and sits back down, letting his legs dangle off the edge of the roof.
Slade Castle: Why join a match all about that which I hate? It sickens me, a match that glorifies modern society. Well… I joined cause I’m gonna burn it to the fucking ground. Just like society itself, it’s institutions should be destroyed. Only way to do that is from the inside out. So I will be in this match, but the prizes mean nothing. I joined because taking away toys from insufferable little shits like Asakura, MYOJIN, and Shelldrake brings joy to my life. Imagine how they’ll feel knowing they missed their pointless little opportunities because a guy from a different show came in and took it from them.
Slade looks to the street below, then looks back over to his title in the center of the roof.
Slade Castle: Beating the shit out of prideful pricks like Emmanuelle and Tara is something new that I may not get many chances to do being a member and champion of Fallout. I’ve been watching Proving Ground. I’m not coming in blind. I know there are tough opponents there. I just hope losers like Minj, Burque, Blade, and Greyfeild can stay outta my way long enough for me to find some decent competition.
Slade spits to the busy street below and watches as it eventually becomes impossible to see.
Slade Castle: Those people down there don’t know what guys like me have gone through just so they can keep living in their fantasy land and destroy everything around them. For that, I’ll destroy their heroes and idols.
Slade stands up and turns to face the camera still on the ledge once again. Slade jams his thumb into his chest and with a fury burning in his eyes now, says one final thing to the camera.
Slade Castle: I will show them that I am un-goddamn-deniable…
With Slade standing over the city, the scene slowly fades to black.
The picture slowly comes to life with Slade’s voice immediately coming through.
Slade Castle: And once again I remain, unpinned, unsubmitted, and in my mind… undefeated.
Slade is sitting on the edge of a rooftop overlooking Detroit. Down below are the lights and goings of daily life in the city. A faint cascade of sounds can be heard from occasional yelling, traffic, and sirens. Slade’s breath lingers in the air when he speaks as the temperature is far below comfortable. The Noble Championship is haphazardly half dangling off the roof of the building.
Slade Castle: At this point I should be used to it, but when you’ve gone as long as I have where it’s either you or your opponent, it’s difficult to be okay with losing because of another’s incompetence. This could be the week that all of that changes. Unless…
Slade stands up, the edge of his boots peeking over the ledge. He leans down to slowly pick up his title. Slade brings it up to his face and stares at the nameplate.
Slade Castle: Not one person has defended this title. Hell, having this title seems to ruin careers, or at least be more of a speedbump than an acceleration. There’s nothing to ruin for me. Maybe this title was meant for me. The tag team titles however, were not meant to be. I fight better alone these days anyhow, so Julius and Petey can have their time in the sun for now. True Society will come all the same.
Slade walks the edge of the building, looking down to the streets below. Not once does he hesitate or look fearful of the multiple story drop if he were to fall.
Slade Castle: So many people question what True Society is, or why we rally behind Arik. For me Arik is a means to an end. He’s got his uses. So long as the uses stick, he has my assistance. However, like many of the others, I have my own reasons for joining. These next two shows are the closest examples you can get for why I joined. Violence and materialism. While they may not seem related at first they absolutely have everything to do with each other.
Slade stops at one of the corners of the roof and kneels. The camera follows as he points to a jewelry store.
Slade Castle: One of the most common causes of violence is because of material possession.
Slade knocks on the faceplate of the Noble Championship.
Slade Castle: Where there is wealth of any kind there will be people who try and take it. It’s the primary reason I bother holding these damn things. It all comes down to pride, envy, greed, and power. What brought us all to Project: Honor? Why do we enter these matches? We are prideful. We all believe that we are the best there is. We all think we can take on everyone and everything to get what we want, where we need to be. We want what others have. We see those champions in the spotlight. We see how the crowds look at them. It disgusts us. It makes us want it even more. The gold, the wealth, it should be yours, right? The things you could do in that position. The power you would have…
Slade cracks a smile and begins to chuckle, turning to the camera, his back to the city now.
Slade Castle: None of those things matter to me. I fight to survive. I fight to live. I fight cause I fucking love it. I love the feeling of breaking someone's jaw. The more prideful they are, the further I want to knock them down. The more envious, the more I want to deny them of their ambitions. The greedier they are, the better it feels to take everything away. The more powerful… the easier it is to show them their power is irrelevant.
Slade steps away from the ledge of the roof and drops the title. It makes an awful screech as it clatters against the floor of the roof. Slade takes a deep breath.
Slade Castle: Everything I love about this place. Everything I want to do. I can do it all right here. The Purge… Mall Mayhem… Two birds with one stone.
3 Days Prior at Mental Garden Institute
Sarah is sitting in her office alone taking in deep breaths with a pen gripped in her hand, seemingly unready for her upcoming meeting with Slade. She hadn’t seen him since the day he ruined her office. She jumps at the knock on her door. As she takes a moment to relax, Sarah takes one final breath before saying…
Sarah Green: Come in.
The door opens as Slade walks into the room, bag over his shoulder. They both remain silent as Slade finds his seat. Slade drops his bag, sits down, and stares at the floor. The air is still as both wait for the other to speak.
Slade/Sarah: So I…
They both speak at once then stop.
Sarah Green: Go on…
Slade Castle: I uh… I went too far last time we spoke and… uh... I’d like to apologize, I guess…
Sarah looks at Slade and nods, still holding her pen tightly.
Sarah Green: That was the first and will be the last time I allow you to get that out of hand. You only get one. If anything like that happens again, the police will be involved and I will recommend you be committed to an institution. Are we clear?
Slade reacts as if being punched in the gut, and lets out a deep sigh.
Slade Castle: Yes ma’am.
Sarah Green: Good. Then why don’t we just forget that ever happened and move along, shall we?
Slade Castle: Works for me.
Sarah takes a few notes, her grip starting to ease on her pen. Sarah looks up to Slade with an inquisitive look.
Sarah Green: After all this talk of not finding a place where you fit in, why are you now making acquaintances with the exact kind of people you had been told not to interact with and have been avoiding?
Slade looks at Sarah with a look as if he himself is confused.
Slade Castle: I don’t know. Like me, they’re all outcasts. Even if our similarities end there, that’s all it takes. I don’t expect to be friends with them. I don’t even expect to like most of them. However I needed something. This is just how I can get it right now.
Sarah Green: So what is it you need? What are they actually giving you?
Slade pauses. Now far more confident in what he says.
Slade Castle: Purpose. It’s a strong thing many people don’t understand. I don’t even understand it. The group gives me purpose to be there. I have my own separate goals, some of which align with the group, others not so much. When last we spoke I praised Mr. Holt, but I’ve reflected since then. He’s an intelligent man. More than some give him credit. I know he doesn’t give a damn about me. I think we all do. Even so, he has the ability to give all of us what we want. At least for now.
Sarah Green: Let’s talk about your other team members then, shall we? How about Lesley Adora? It seemed you two had been getting along. Doesn’t it worry you that the group could do the same to you?
Slade Castle: Lesley was alright in my book, but he wasn’t accomplishing what the group needed. Not to mention the man denied being a part the entire time despite obviously being with us. They don’t have those problems with me. As you can see…
Slade leans over and unzips his bag, pulling out the Noble Championship, laying it across his lap.
Slade Castle: I already did exactly what Arik needed. As far as the Tag Team Championships are concerned, I’m not worried. Julius is a tough bastard and it’s gonna take a hell of a lot to bring him down. Not to mention he seems to really be trying with this Petey loser but eh…
Slade shrugs. Sarah continues to write now as she asks further questions about the members of True Society.
Sarah Green: Okay, so how about Valkyrie, or Miss Sorensen? How do you get along with her?
Slade laughs a bit to himself.
Slade Castle: If I’m crazy then she’s fucking insane. We get along pretty damn well though. I mean, she’s maybe a tad too much for what I’m used to but that’s someone I at least know I’m on good terms with. Just like me, she held up her end of the deal and I can’t say it was either of our faults for losing the tag match at Clash.
Sarah Green: How about the others then? Anyone stand out to you?
Slade drapes the title over his shoulder now as he looks up. He begins to nod as he looks back to Sarah.
Slade Castle: I haven’t really talked much to any of the others. Havoc though… we’re good for now but if I’m going to keep climbing this ladder, eventually that means going through him. That can wait for another day though. I still have this…
Slade looks over to his title.
Slade Castle: … to worry about.
Sarah looks at Slade’s title belt and presses her pen to her lips. She then points to the belt with her pen.
Sarah Green: So about that… I thought you didn’t care for titles or recognition?
Slade Castle: I don’t. Just like before, this gold right here is the perfect motivation for people to give me their all. Everyone wants to be the best. I know I’m the best. I don’t need this damn thing to prove it, but it drives others to be better than they already are. I’m hoping just maybe I will finally find someone capable of keeping me down. Until then, I’ll keep holding onto this.
There’s a brief pause where Sarah takes a few more notes. Sarah puts her pen and clipboard on her desk and stands up.
Sarah Green: Well Slade, this has been very helpful. I hope we can continue being open and non-hostile towards each other in the future.
Slade pulls the belt off his shoulder and stuffs it back into his bag. He stands up and outreaches a hand to the doctor.
Slade Castle: Same, Doc. Sorry for getting carried away again. I was just paranoid. Never know who you can really trust, you know?
Sarah shakes Slade’s hand.
Sarah Green: I do know, more than you might think.
In the corner of the room, a small hidden security camera continues to capture everything. Somewhere far from the office in which Slade and Sarah are wrapping up their therapy session a man sits and watches, hanging on every word Slade speaks.
??: Would you ever trust me again... Slade?
Back to the Present
Slade Walks to another corner of the roof where an assortment of weaponry is laying neatly arranged. The camera pans over everything there. Barbed/Razor wire, baseball bats, lighter fluid, etc.
Slade Castle: Violence for violence’s sake is where I and many others fit into the Purge. Rewards be damned, I only want to inflict as much damage as possible before being the last man standing. My only question is, what is my instrument of choice? You see, now I’m a man who enjoys feeling the punishment I inflict. I want to feel my knuckles bruise, my head crack open and bleed…
Slade begins pushing everything aside, revealing a large pane of glass on a tarp sitting next to a bucket, some wrist tape, and glue.
Slade Castle: I’d always heard of the Taipei Deathmatch. I was fascinated by it. It’s a barbaric form of combat, but it requires you to get in there and use your hands to do the work. When that Purge horn blares across the town, it’ll be time for old instincts to come alive. We aren’t entering a match. It’s a fight for survival. Something I’ve been doing since before I was old enough to drink.
Slade kneels down wiping his hand across the glass. He stares at it, the look of death coming from his eyes.
Slade Castle: I’m an expert in guerilla tactics. I know how to stay unseen until it’s time to strike. It’s something my squad specialized in. We had to encounter so much of it while I was in the field, yet we never failed our mission. If we needed to, we could stay out of sight until just the right…
Slade punches the glass, breaking a piece off.
Slade Castle: moment…
Slade holds up the sharp piece of glass he has just broken off.
Slade Castle: I’ve killed before, I’d do it again if I had too. It was just the nature of war back then. Some of you may be a bit more familiar with this world, but many are entering a world they simply are not ready for. I only have one line of advice. Get out while you can. I only wish I could have known and saved myself from the path I’m on. However, when the match starts all bets are off and I don’t care who you are, you’re a target.
Slade swings the shard of glass around like a knife, then gestures it across his throat. He chuckles to himself.
Slade Castle: To my fellow True Society members. Together we will be unstoppable. We may start this together but don’t get comfortable. When it comes down to it, I have no problem shredding you to pieces and taking any of your heads off. I still gotta put myself first, got it? So once everyone else is gone, it’s everyone for themselves.
Slade throws the shard of glass back onto the tarp. He stands up and walks over to all the pushed aside weaponry and grabs one of the bats. Slade then swiftly brings the bat over his head and begins slamming it down onto the glass, shattering it into smaller and smaller pieces.
Slade Castle: There’s a few big targets in this match. Don’t think I’m not watching out specifically for you, cause I most certainly am. In all this mayhem there are a few names in particular that stand out. People like Jason Long, Ozymandias… Syndicate… People who have climbed to the top. If I see you, you’re first on my fucking hit list. No way I’m gonna let an opportunity to make a name for myself like this slip away.
Slade takes the tarp covered in shattered glass and wraps it up before putting it into the bucket.
Slade Castle: Of course I will have to watch my back for people like Savannah and Ellie who I happily took this Noble Championship away from. I have already proven I can beat them, but it doesn’t hurt to have eyes in the back of your head.
Slade puts the bucket aside with the wrist tape and glue then begins to make his way to the other side of the rooftop.
4 Days Prior in Slade’s Stronghouse
Slade is sitting in a kitchen/dining area of the stronghouse. In front of him is a plate of mashed potatoes and an assortment of steamed vegetables. Slade sits and stares at his food which has gone untouched since he finished plating it. Suddenly some loud knocking can be heard from the front door. Slade gets up and walks over. As he looks through the peephole he sees Jerry standing there anxiously waiting to get in.
Slade opens the door and lets Jerry in, looking behind him to make sure no one followed him. Jerry makes his way to the table Slade was sitting at and takes a seat on the opposite side. Slade walks back over to his plate and sits down.
Jerry: Why am I here, Castle? I told you all that I could.
Slade Castle: I need you to pass along a message.
Jerry shakes his head in disbelief. He looks around realizing he has no option other than to hear Slade out.
Jerry: Were you not listening to what I said last time? I barely know who this guy is, or rather, who these guys are. What makes you think I can get a hold of them?
Slade Castle: You won’t need to. I just need to know that you will.
Jerry wipes his mouth with the back of his hand then wipes some sweat from his forehead.
Jerry: Alright, so what is it? What message could you possibly need me to pass along, Castle?
Slade Castle: All you gotta tell ’em is that I know. I know who they are. I know what they did. I’m coming for them, and they better be ready to finish the damn job.
Jerry stands up and looks at Slade sternly. Jerry, not wanting to get Slade into trouble, angrily shakes his head thinking of how to get out of the situation.
Slade Castle: You will do this for me. You got to.
Jerry: I don’t have to do shit, Slade.
Slade stays calm and begins to eat his food, speaking with a full mouth.
Slade Castle: If you don’t wanna go to prison you do.
Jerry stops and sits back down hanging his head.
Jerry: Are we not friends, Slade? I realize that I betrayed your trust but…
Slade interjects.
Slade Castle: Whether we’re friends or not doesn’t matter. This matters more than anything else in the world to me, Jerry. I just need you to pass it along.
Jerry silently nods and accepts Slade’s request.
Slade Castle: Secondly, I need you to schedule me a fight next week. I may be a busy man with Project: Honor. I may barely be able to walk by then as I’m about to go through hell twice in one week, but I need this. Only cause I know he’s gonna be watching.
Jerry: Whoever this guy is, you sure you can just provoke him like this?
Slade Castle: I don’t just think I can. I know I can.
Back to the Present
On the other side of the roof, Slade points toward a building far away. The camera turns and zooms in on what looks to be a mall. Slade drops his hand and gazes off into the distance.
Slade Castle: After the Purge, I have a date with that which creates said violence. Proving Ground... Black Friday...
Slade paces for a few moments in short back and forth motions. Slade looks to the camera then back to the mall.
Slade Castle: Society loves to consume. Consumerism is a modern cancer to not only people, but the earth. It urges us to give into our most primal materialistic desires. We all dictate how we treat each other based on the newest clothes, movies, games…
Slade turns around and sits back down, letting his legs dangle off the edge of the roof.
Slade Castle: Why join a match all about that which I hate? It sickens me, a match that glorifies modern society. Well… I joined cause I’m gonna burn it to the fucking ground. Just like society itself, it’s institutions should be destroyed. Only way to do that is from the inside out. So I will be in this match, but the prizes mean nothing. I joined because taking away toys from insufferable little shits like Asakura, MYOJIN, and Shelldrake brings joy to my life. Imagine how they’ll feel knowing they missed their pointless little opportunities because a guy from a different show came in and took it from them.
Slade looks to the street below, then looks back over to his title in the center of the roof.
Slade Castle: Beating the shit out of prideful pricks like Emmanuelle and Tara is something new that I may not get many chances to do being a member and champion of Fallout. I’ve been watching Proving Ground. I’m not coming in blind. I know there are tough opponents there. I just hope losers like Minj, Burque, Blade, and Greyfeild can stay outta my way long enough for me to find some decent competition.
Slade spits to the busy street below and watches as it eventually becomes impossible to see.
Slade Castle: Those people down there don’t know what guys like me have gone through just so they can keep living in their fantasy land and destroy everything around them. For that, I’ll destroy their heroes and idols.
Slade stands up and turns to face the camera still on the ledge once again. Slade jams his thumb into his chest and with a fury burning in his eyes now, says one final thing to the camera.
Slade Castle: I will show them that I am un-goddamn-deniable…
With Slade standing over the city, the scene slowly fades to black.
