Post by Ratball Slade on Feb 17, 2022 14:54:57 GMT -5
Private Jet Charting Airport, Detroit, 1 week ago
Slade arrives at the airport per the instructions of the phone call he had a week prior. He looks around when he spots the hangar he is meant to be heading to. Slade reaches to his back and pulls a gun from his waist. He inspects it to make sure it’s loaded and ready in case anything were to go down. He tucks it back into his waistband and continues on. Slade walks across the empty airport and as he approaches the hangar he notices something off. He sees cameras but no security. Castle takes one last deep breath and takes another step forward when the hangar door begins to open.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Hello Mr. Castle. It’s a pleasure having you join us.
The doors slowly split apart revealing more and more of the inner hangar. The Woman in White is standing in the center of the opening flanked by only one large man, presumably her guard. Behind them is a private jet with the entrance ramp down. Slade stops and stares at the two in front of him.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You have nothing to fear, Mr. Castle. We simply want you to help us help you. Why don’t you come aboard and we can talk about this in a more private setting?
The Woman and her guard turn and make their way up the stairs into the jet. Slade begrudgingly follows, making sure to be ready for anything with his hand on his hip. He slowly makes his way up the stairs, carefully observing his surroundings. As he boards the Jet he looks around to notice that there is no one else there. He approaches the seating area where the Woman in White is at a table, sipping a glass of Champagne. Slade cautiously approaches and takes his seat across from her.
WOMAN IN WHITE: *sigh* You know you don’t have to be so careful, right? We don’t gain anything from hurting you. You’ve actually done a great service for us in the past. It was one of our people that assigned your squads’ missions after all.
Slade freezes, unsure of what he just heard. A bead of sweat falls from his forehead as he begins to recall his past missions.
WOMAN IN WHITE: It’s a shame what happened to all of you. You were good soldiers. Capable Soldiers. Followed orders better than any squad we could’ve asked for. It’s truly unfortunate you all started to dig into what your missions actually were. We kept that information from you for your own safety.
Slade’s face begins to turn red as his temper begins to flare up, hearing the woman speak about his friends.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Either way, Jackie, Jester, and Brickson was it? They could never live up to your standards and potential.
Slade’s arm whips around to his back where he pulls out the gun and points it at the woman’s face.
SLADE CASTLE: YOU KEEP THEIR NAMES OUTTA YOUR MOUTH YOU PIECE OF SHIT!
The woman barely reacts to the gun being pulled on her and looks up as if unimpressed by Slade’s reaction.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You think I didn’t know you had that with you? We have eyes and ears everywhere, Slade. Shoot me now and you are dead within seconds. So why don’t you put that away and hear our proposal?
SLADE CASTLE: WHY SHOULD I?
WOMAN IN WHITE: Because we know who got your squad killed.
After considering his options, Slade lowers his gun as he rests his arm, still aiming it across the table.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m listening.
WOMAN IN WHITE: It’s the very people your partner has been helping. They go by the moniker, Purple Reign. We believe they want to fix him, so he can go back to helping them. We believe Julius would be better served staying as what you may know as Foulweather. Permanently. After all, Foulweather is the only version of him that seems to like you, right? As stupid as your little wrestling thing is, we know you put a lot of yourself there so having an edge at Wargames would be useful as well, no?
The two sit in silence while Slade contemplates the offer. He quickly looks up and stares into the woman’s sunglasses, trying to look into her eyes, but the shading makes it too dark for him to see.
SLADE CASTLE: Okay, but who did it?
The woman hesitates, not following Slade’s reasoning.
WOMAN IN WHITE: What do you mean? I just told you.
SLADE CASTLE: Nah~ You ain’t playing me for a fool. I want to know the person. Who… did… it?
WOMAN IN WHITE: Well there was no particular individual involved…
SLADE CASTLE: CUT THE BULLSHIT. I know there was a man on the inside. No one knew what we were doing. We were extra careful. I took precautions even my squad didn’t know about and they still found us. So I need to know, who killed my friends?
The Woman brushes her hair behind her ear and brings her hands together on the table.
WOMAN IN WHITE: I can’t give you that information without you doing what we asked first. We need you to just inject Julius with this and you have our word that we will get you the individual responsible.
The woman pulls a glass syringe out of a small white pouch she had at her waist. It’s filled with a viscous green fluid. Slade grabs the syringe and inspects it, glancing at the woman then back to the syringe.
SLADE CASTLE: I think I’ve heard enough.
WOMAN IN WHITE: So you’ll do it?
SLADE CASTLE: Well, I didn’t say that.
Slade stands up from the table with the serum in hand. Facing away from the woman.
SLADE CASTLE: You’re right, you know. I was a good soldier, but I’m not your goddamn soldier anymore. I’m not gonna ruin Julius’ life based solely on your word. I always valued my squad above all else. You never considered the possibility that Julius is a member of my squad now. Thanks for the tip though.
Slade begins to walk away when the woman gets to her feet, losing her previously unbreakable composure.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You cannot walk away from me like this, Slade. Hand the serum back.
SLADE CASTLE: Yeah? Or what? You gonna kill me?
WOMAN IN WHITE: Don’t make me do something we’ll both regret.
The large man that was with her steps out from the cockpit of the jet. Slade looks back and forth between the two and carefully lays the syringe onto the table. He then raises his hands.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Very good. Now if you could please sit back…
Before she can finish her sentence, Slade throws a wild hook to the jaw of the large guard, knocking him to the floor. Slade enters a mounted position and begins to lay into the man, not letting up until his face is mangled and he falls unconscious. Slade brushes his hair back and wipes the spit from his mouth as he gets back to his feet and grabs the syringe.
SLADE CASTLE: I’ll see you around, I’m sure.
The woman quickly draws a weapon from under the table but before she can do anything Slade lifts his own weapon and fires it at the woman. A large red stain begins to taint the woman's pure whte dress in the center of the chest. She tries to speak but fails, only capable of spitting up and choking on blood.
SLADE CASTLE: Now why’d you gotta go and do that? I didn’t want to kill you, but you forced my hand there a little bit now didn’t you?
Slade walks over and sits next to the woman who is now unresponsive staring down at the table in front of her. He wraps an arm around her shoulders as he inspects the wound in her chest.
SLADE CASTLE: Unfortunately, it looks like you probably aren’t gonna make it. You got eyes and ears everywhere right? Well I hope they’re listening. Maybe this will serve as a good lesson for you people. Don’t fuck around with me. I’ll know.
Slade stands up and begins to make his way off the jet. As he makes his way down the stairs, he carefully observes his surroundings, watching as multiple cameras track his position. He holds up a middle finger to one of the cameras then leaves the hangar.
4 Years ago, lost in the Sahara
SLADE CASTLE: Jest, stay up here and keep watch. I'm gonna make sure the area is clear. If I yell, get the other two and come get me.
Jester, knowing not to question Slade, nods and kneels at the top of the stairs as Slade makes his way down. While the building and beginning of the stairs all looked long abandoned the tunnel slowly turned more modern. As Slade reaches the bottom of the stairs he flips on his barrel mounted flashlight and looks around. It takes a few moments before he sees anything of interest but suddenly something catches his attention. He looks on in shock, unsure of what he is seeing.
SLADE CASTLE: What the hell…
Slade approaches a set of computer monitors that all appear to be fairly new. He finishes clearing the room and confirms there is no one there and sits down at one of the computers.
SLADE CASTLE: Jest! It’s clear, come on down.
Jester makes his way down the stairs as Slade begins to try and turn on the computer. A screen comes up and says Purple Reign in large purple text with some form of logo. After that a dialogue box comes up asking for a username and password.
SLADE CASTLE: Purple Reign? You heard of them before Jest?
JESTER: Nah, doesn’t ring any bells.
Jester walks around the room finding storage lockers filled with purple suits and guns. Slade fiddles with the log-in screen for a bit but inevitably gets locked out.
SLADE CASTLE: Damnit. I can’t get in.
JESTER: Well no shit, you really think you’d just be able to guess the password like that?
Slade stares at the computer screen unsure of what to think. There are multiple personal belongings left strewn about on the desk as if it was left in quite the hurry.
SLADE CASTLE: What do you think was going on here, Jest? This what we were looking for?
JESTER: Not sure, but I think it’s probably best if we don’t fuck with any of this any further. We don’t know what they might have trapped down here.
Slade stays in the chair staring at the screen. Jester begins to make his way over to the stairs when Brickson makes an appearance at the base of the stairs.
BRICKSON: I think Jackie is stable… What in the hell is going on down here?
JESTER: I don’t know, but I don’t want any part of it.
SLADE CASTLE: I think we found our mystery group. Have you heard of Purple Reign?
BRICKSON: Honestly, it’s not my place to say. Our missions are kept secret from us for a reason.
Slade gets under the desk and pulls out one of the computers.
BRICKSON: What are you doing?
SLADE CASTLE: Getting some evidence.
Slade prys open the side panel of the computer before ripping out the hard drive.
BRICKSON: Slade, think about this for a second. We aren’t even supposed to be here. We should leave this shit as it is.
Slade ignores his squadmate and stuffs the hard drive into his pack then stands up.
SLADE CASTLE: If we got a chance of gaining some information about these fuckers then I’m gonna take it.
Brickson lays a hand on Slade’s shoulder stopping him before he can pass.
BRICKSON: Take it from me, please. Just leave it man. We don’t want to get more involved than we already are.
Slade looks up to Brickson, far angrier than he had looked at Brickson before.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m sick of the senseless killing. I want it to end, Matt.
Brickson looks down to Slade and wraps him in a hug as tears begin to fall from Slade’s eyes.
BRICKSON: Soon. It’ll be over soon.
Present inside the wargames cage in the Wells Fargo Center
Slade is standing in between the two rings with his back against the cage. He rests both his arms on the two adjacent corners with his legs crossed.
SLADE CASTLE: War. Multiple sides, one conflict, no winners. I should know. Why are we all here? Do we know why we fight? In my time, I’ve learned one lesson. It’s not a soldier's place to think. We act. We act in place, not of those who can’t, but won’t. We can launch our attacks and drop our bombs but if we ain’t doing it for the right reasons then why do it at all? I’ve been in True Society since its inception. Hell, if not for me True Society might not even be here. It’s not something Arik would openly tell you, but I called him. I told him he needed help if he was gonna run Fallout. He needed people that would stand by him. I was willing to be one of those people so long as he stood by me. For a while that was the case. Then he let his ego get the better of him and led True Society to fight amongst ourselves. So I will ask again, why are we here? Are we here because Arik wants us to be? Who are we to blindly follow this man? I’m sick of fighting for the visions of those who hide their true nature. Today is it. After wargames, I wanna know what your end goal is, Arik.
Slade stands up straight and looks around the dual ring cage.
SLADE CASTLE: Together, one by one, I will meet with my “team” in this cage. It’ll be the five of us locked in here with eight other competitors. A piece of me hopes Julius will get his shit figured out by then, but I find that unlikely. Each competitor has their own reasons for being here. No one is on the same page, let us be real here. The only group that seems to actually understand how to be cohesive is the goddamn KaVengers and they are just a bunch of losers who have no place even being in the ring with the rest of us.
Slade pauses and falls backward into the cage once more.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m a tired man. I’m ready for all this to end. Let’s go down the list of people I’ll be seeing in this structure. Firstly we got my fellow members of True Society. Julius, whatever happens in there, you’re one of us. Just don’t do anything to fuck that up.
Slade begins to roll his eyes as he starts to talk about his next "partner."
SLADE CASTLE: As for Billy Bennett, she wouldn’t know how to work as a team if it was for the last ounce of crack. Billy, I’ve tried my best to just ignore your antics. I really have. I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut but it seems like you just can’t help but run yours. I’m gonna tell you this once. When we are in that ring, we ain’t a team. You stay the fuck outta my way. I can be a patient man but you really wanna push that to its limits. You’ll be the reason this team falls apart at the Crowning. It was just Arik that enabled it.
Slade lets out a sigh as his eyes wander the vast amount of steel surrounding him.
SLADE CASTLE: Next we got Drago Santiago. Not gonna lie, I have no fucking clue who you even are. You showing up for the assist last week was as much of a surprise to me as it was everyone else. Shows how much we know what’s going on around here. You probably don’t want any advice but you’re gonna get it anyways. Keep your head low and stay out of everyone else's way. You might as well be in the ring with a bunch of wild animals in there. True Society is no more a team than that. Just know what you’re getting yourself into.
Slade pauses and looks directly into the camera, making sure to acknowledge his last partner personally.
SLADE CASTLE: Lastly, we got my good pal Syndicate who seems to be catching on to the fact he got in over his head too. Listen, so long as you got my back in there Syn, I got yours. That’s a promise.
Slade exhales and lowers his head. The camera is able to pick up the faint bags under his eyes. It looks as though he has barely even slept.
SLADE CASTLE: Big Drip. Why the fuck are you guys even a thing? What’s the point? You really just want to oppose True Society? It sure as hell didn’t seem like we needed your help to fall apart. Lil Petey, I already beat your ass and took your partner. What more do I gotta do? You started your little faction, you had your fun. It’s over. Time to pack up, go home, and finish your retirement tour before it ends early at the Crowning.
Slade walks toward the center approaching the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Myojin, what are you doing taking orders from a guy like Petey? Don’t you have better things to do? A talent of your caliber has no place being someone else's lackey. I should know, I’m in the same damn predicament.
Slade raises a finger and closes his eyes as he turns his back to the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Now Swindle is a guy I’m surprised even joined up with a Big Drip in the first place. I feel you woulda fit better with us there, bud. That is before everything kinda went to shit. You seem like a pretty ruthless individual, so I can’t wait to mix it up with you out there. Make sure to bring the pain.
Slade walks back over to the edge of the rings and turns back toward the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Lastly we got TJ. Honestly, you already seemed like Petey’s lackey to me. Even before Big Drip came around. I don’t find anything respectable about you. Here’s your chance to prove me wrong. Show me why you ain’t just Petey’s lackey. Bring some of that fire you’re burying real deep. Or you could also just nearly lose the whole thing to a group of jobbers like you did last week. Who am I to judge?
Slade slumps onto the ground sitting on the metal connector piece between the two rings.
SLADE CASTLE: Lastly we got the KaVengers. Noah Hope and Rapture are losers. Plain and simple. Couldn’t take a majority of the people in this fight if their lives depended on it. No power of friendship is enough to disprove that. It’s over before the match has even begun for them. Serrano and Ratman have nearly had me and Jules’ number in the past, I’ll give them credit. That won’t be enough though. Not this time. Y’all are in over your head if you really think you got any shot at winning. Your a fat fucking wannabe chef and a homeless dude that pretends to be able to speak to rats. You ain’t got no business being near this ring with the rest of us. That’s all I got to say on the matter. I’ll see all you bitches at the Crowning.
Slade pulls himself up by the ropes and makes his way to the cage door to exit the structure as the screen fades to black.
Slade arrives at the airport per the instructions of the phone call he had a week prior. He looks around when he spots the hangar he is meant to be heading to. Slade reaches to his back and pulls a gun from his waist. He inspects it to make sure it’s loaded and ready in case anything were to go down. He tucks it back into his waistband and continues on. Slade walks across the empty airport and as he approaches the hangar he notices something off. He sees cameras but no security. Castle takes one last deep breath and takes another step forward when the hangar door begins to open.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Hello Mr. Castle. It’s a pleasure having you join us.
The doors slowly split apart revealing more and more of the inner hangar. The Woman in White is standing in the center of the opening flanked by only one large man, presumably her guard. Behind them is a private jet with the entrance ramp down. Slade stops and stares at the two in front of him.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You have nothing to fear, Mr. Castle. We simply want you to help us help you. Why don’t you come aboard and we can talk about this in a more private setting?
The Woman and her guard turn and make their way up the stairs into the jet. Slade begrudgingly follows, making sure to be ready for anything with his hand on his hip. He slowly makes his way up the stairs, carefully observing his surroundings. As he boards the Jet he looks around to notice that there is no one else there. He approaches the seating area where the Woman in White is at a table, sipping a glass of Champagne. Slade cautiously approaches and takes his seat across from her.
WOMAN IN WHITE: *sigh* You know you don’t have to be so careful, right? We don’t gain anything from hurting you. You’ve actually done a great service for us in the past. It was one of our people that assigned your squads’ missions after all.
Slade freezes, unsure of what he just heard. A bead of sweat falls from his forehead as he begins to recall his past missions.
WOMAN IN WHITE: It’s a shame what happened to all of you. You were good soldiers. Capable Soldiers. Followed orders better than any squad we could’ve asked for. It’s truly unfortunate you all started to dig into what your missions actually were. We kept that information from you for your own safety.
Slade’s face begins to turn red as his temper begins to flare up, hearing the woman speak about his friends.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Either way, Jackie, Jester, and Brickson was it? They could never live up to your standards and potential.
Slade’s arm whips around to his back where he pulls out the gun and points it at the woman’s face.
SLADE CASTLE: YOU KEEP THEIR NAMES OUTTA YOUR MOUTH YOU PIECE OF SHIT!
The woman barely reacts to the gun being pulled on her and looks up as if unimpressed by Slade’s reaction.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You think I didn’t know you had that with you? We have eyes and ears everywhere, Slade. Shoot me now and you are dead within seconds. So why don’t you put that away and hear our proposal?
SLADE CASTLE: WHY SHOULD I?
WOMAN IN WHITE: Because we know who got your squad killed.
After considering his options, Slade lowers his gun as he rests his arm, still aiming it across the table.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m listening.
WOMAN IN WHITE: It’s the very people your partner has been helping. They go by the moniker, Purple Reign. We believe they want to fix him, so he can go back to helping them. We believe Julius would be better served staying as what you may know as Foulweather. Permanently. After all, Foulweather is the only version of him that seems to like you, right? As stupid as your little wrestling thing is, we know you put a lot of yourself there so having an edge at Wargames would be useful as well, no?
The two sit in silence while Slade contemplates the offer. He quickly looks up and stares into the woman’s sunglasses, trying to look into her eyes, but the shading makes it too dark for him to see.
SLADE CASTLE: Okay, but who did it?
The woman hesitates, not following Slade’s reasoning.
WOMAN IN WHITE: What do you mean? I just told you.
SLADE CASTLE: Nah~ You ain’t playing me for a fool. I want to know the person. Who… did… it?
WOMAN IN WHITE: Well there was no particular individual involved…
SLADE CASTLE: CUT THE BULLSHIT. I know there was a man on the inside. No one knew what we were doing. We were extra careful. I took precautions even my squad didn’t know about and they still found us. So I need to know, who killed my friends?
The Woman brushes her hair behind her ear and brings her hands together on the table.
WOMAN IN WHITE: I can’t give you that information without you doing what we asked first. We need you to just inject Julius with this and you have our word that we will get you the individual responsible.
The woman pulls a glass syringe out of a small white pouch she had at her waist. It’s filled with a viscous green fluid. Slade grabs the syringe and inspects it, glancing at the woman then back to the syringe.
SLADE CASTLE: I think I’ve heard enough.
WOMAN IN WHITE: So you’ll do it?
SLADE CASTLE: Well, I didn’t say that.
Slade stands up from the table with the serum in hand. Facing away from the woman.
SLADE CASTLE: You’re right, you know. I was a good soldier, but I’m not your goddamn soldier anymore. I’m not gonna ruin Julius’ life based solely on your word. I always valued my squad above all else. You never considered the possibility that Julius is a member of my squad now. Thanks for the tip though.
Slade begins to walk away when the woman gets to her feet, losing her previously unbreakable composure.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You cannot walk away from me like this, Slade. Hand the serum back.
SLADE CASTLE: Yeah? Or what? You gonna kill me?
WOMAN IN WHITE: Don’t make me do something we’ll both regret.
The large man that was with her steps out from the cockpit of the jet. Slade looks back and forth between the two and carefully lays the syringe onto the table. He then raises his hands.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Very good. Now if you could please sit back…
Before she can finish her sentence, Slade throws a wild hook to the jaw of the large guard, knocking him to the floor. Slade enters a mounted position and begins to lay into the man, not letting up until his face is mangled and he falls unconscious. Slade brushes his hair back and wipes the spit from his mouth as he gets back to his feet and grabs the syringe.
SLADE CASTLE: I’ll see you around, I’m sure.
The woman quickly draws a weapon from under the table but before she can do anything Slade lifts his own weapon and fires it at the woman. A large red stain begins to taint the woman's pure whte dress in the center of the chest. She tries to speak but fails, only capable of spitting up and choking on blood.
SLADE CASTLE: Now why’d you gotta go and do that? I didn’t want to kill you, but you forced my hand there a little bit now didn’t you?
Slade walks over and sits next to the woman who is now unresponsive staring down at the table in front of her. He wraps an arm around her shoulders as he inspects the wound in her chest.
SLADE CASTLE: Unfortunately, it looks like you probably aren’t gonna make it. You got eyes and ears everywhere right? Well I hope they’re listening. Maybe this will serve as a good lesson for you people. Don’t fuck around with me. I’ll know.
Slade stands up and begins to make his way off the jet. As he makes his way down the stairs, he carefully observes his surroundings, watching as multiple cameras track his position. He holds up a middle finger to one of the cameras then leaves the hangar.
4 Years ago, lost in the Sahara
SLADE CASTLE: Jest, stay up here and keep watch. I'm gonna make sure the area is clear. If I yell, get the other two and come get me.
Jester, knowing not to question Slade, nods and kneels at the top of the stairs as Slade makes his way down. While the building and beginning of the stairs all looked long abandoned the tunnel slowly turned more modern. As Slade reaches the bottom of the stairs he flips on his barrel mounted flashlight and looks around. It takes a few moments before he sees anything of interest but suddenly something catches his attention. He looks on in shock, unsure of what he is seeing.
SLADE CASTLE: What the hell…
Slade approaches a set of computer monitors that all appear to be fairly new. He finishes clearing the room and confirms there is no one there and sits down at one of the computers.
SLADE CASTLE: Jest! It’s clear, come on down.
Jester makes his way down the stairs as Slade begins to try and turn on the computer. A screen comes up and says Purple Reign in large purple text with some form of logo. After that a dialogue box comes up asking for a username and password.
SLADE CASTLE: Purple Reign? You heard of them before Jest?
JESTER: Nah, doesn’t ring any bells.
Jester walks around the room finding storage lockers filled with purple suits and guns. Slade fiddles with the log-in screen for a bit but inevitably gets locked out.
SLADE CASTLE: Damnit. I can’t get in.
JESTER: Well no shit, you really think you’d just be able to guess the password like that?
Slade stares at the computer screen unsure of what to think. There are multiple personal belongings left strewn about on the desk as if it was left in quite the hurry.
SLADE CASTLE: What do you think was going on here, Jest? This what we were looking for?
JESTER: Not sure, but I think it’s probably best if we don’t fuck with any of this any further. We don’t know what they might have trapped down here.
Slade stays in the chair staring at the screen. Jester begins to make his way over to the stairs when Brickson makes an appearance at the base of the stairs.
BRICKSON: I think Jackie is stable… What in the hell is going on down here?
JESTER: I don’t know, but I don’t want any part of it.
SLADE CASTLE: I think we found our mystery group. Have you heard of Purple Reign?
BRICKSON: Honestly, it’s not my place to say. Our missions are kept secret from us for a reason.
Slade gets under the desk and pulls out one of the computers.
BRICKSON: What are you doing?
SLADE CASTLE: Getting some evidence.
Slade prys open the side panel of the computer before ripping out the hard drive.
BRICKSON: Slade, think about this for a second. We aren’t even supposed to be here. We should leave this shit as it is.
Slade ignores his squadmate and stuffs the hard drive into his pack then stands up.
SLADE CASTLE: If we got a chance of gaining some information about these fuckers then I’m gonna take it.
Brickson lays a hand on Slade’s shoulder stopping him before he can pass.
BRICKSON: Take it from me, please. Just leave it man. We don’t want to get more involved than we already are.
Slade looks up to Brickson, far angrier than he had looked at Brickson before.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m sick of the senseless killing. I want it to end, Matt.
Brickson looks down to Slade and wraps him in a hug as tears begin to fall from Slade’s eyes.
BRICKSON: Soon. It’ll be over soon.
Present inside the wargames cage in the Wells Fargo Center
Slade is standing in between the two rings with his back against the cage. He rests both his arms on the two adjacent corners with his legs crossed.
SLADE CASTLE: War. Multiple sides, one conflict, no winners. I should know. Why are we all here? Do we know why we fight? In my time, I’ve learned one lesson. It’s not a soldier's place to think. We act. We act in place, not of those who can’t, but won’t. We can launch our attacks and drop our bombs but if we ain’t doing it for the right reasons then why do it at all? I’ve been in True Society since its inception. Hell, if not for me True Society might not even be here. It’s not something Arik would openly tell you, but I called him. I told him he needed help if he was gonna run Fallout. He needed people that would stand by him. I was willing to be one of those people so long as he stood by me. For a while that was the case. Then he let his ego get the better of him and led True Society to fight amongst ourselves. So I will ask again, why are we here? Are we here because Arik wants us to be? Who are we to blindly follow this man? I’m sick of fighting for the visions of those who hide their true nature. Today is it. After wargames, I wanna know what your end goal is, Arik.
Slade stands up straight and looks around the dual ring cage.
SLADE CASTLE: Together, one by one, I will meet with my “team” in this cage. It’ll be the five of us locked in here with eight other competitors. A piece of me hopes Julius will get his shit figured out by then, but I find that unlikely. Each competitor has their own reasons for being here. No one is on the same page, let us be real here. The only group that seems to actually understand how to be cohesive is the goddamn KaVengers and they are just a bunch of losers who have no place even being in the ring with the rest of us.
Slade pauses and falls backward into the cage once more.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m a tired man. I’m ready for all this to end. Let’s go down the list of people I’ll be seeing in this structure. Firstly we got my fellow members of True Society. Julius, whatever happens in there, you’re one of us. Just don’t do anything to fuck that up.
Slade begins to roll his eyes as he starts to talk about his next "partner."
SLADE CASTLE: As for Billy Bennett, she wouldn’t know how to work as a team if it was for the last ounce of crack. Billy, I’ve tried my best to just ignore your antics. I really have. I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut but it seems like you just can’t help but run yours. I’m gonna tell you this once. When we are in that ring, we ain’t a team. You stay the fuck outta my way. I can be a patient man but you really wanna push that to its limits. You’ll be the reason this team falls apart at the Crowning. It was just Arik that enabled it.
Slade lets out a sigh as his eyes wander the vast amount of steel surrounding him.
SLADE CASTLE: Next we got Drago Santiago. Not gonna lie, I have no fucking clue who you even are. You showing up for the assist last week was as much of a surprise to me as it was everyone else. Shows how much we know what’s going on around here. You probably don’t want any advice but you’re gonna get it anyways. Keep your head low and stay out of everyone else's way. You might as well be in the ring with a bunch of wild animals in there. True Society is no more a team than that. Just know what you’re getting yourself into.
Slade pauses and looks directly into the camera, making sure to acknowledge his last partner personally.
SLADE CASTLE: Lastly, we got my good pal Syndicate who seems to be catching on to the fact he got in over his head too. Listen, so long as you got my back in there Syn, I got yours. That’s a promise.
Slade exhales and lowers his head. The camera is able to pick up the faint bags under his eyes. It looks as though he has barely even slept.
SLADE CASTLE: Big Drip. Why the fuck are you guys even a thing? What’s the point? You really just want to oppose True Society? It sure as hell didn’t seem like we needed your help to fall apart. Lil Petey, I already beat your ass and took your partner. What more do I gotta do? You started your little faction, you had your fun. It’s over. Time to pack up, go home, and finish your retirement tour before it ends early at the Crowning.
Slade walks toward the center approaching the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Myojin, what are you doing taking orders from a guy like Petey? Don’t you have better things to do? A talent of your caliber has no place being someone else's lackey. I should know, I’m in the same damn predicament.
Slade raises a finger and closes his eyes as he turns his back to the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Now Swindle is a guy I’m surprised even joined up with a Big Drip in the first place. I feel you woulda fit better with us there, bud. That is before everything kinda went to shit. You seem like a pretty ruthless individual, so I can’t wait to mix it up with you out there. Make sure to bring the pain.
Slade walks back over to the edge of the rings and turns back toward the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Lastly we got TJ. Honestly, you already seemed like Petey’s lackey to me. Even before Big Drip came around. I don’t find anything respectable about you. Here’s your chance to prove me wrong. Show me why you ain’t just Petey’s lackey. Bring some of that fire you’re burying real deep. Or you could also just nearly lose the whole thing to a group of jobbers like you did last week. Who am I to judge?
Slade slumps onto the ground sitting on the metal connector piece between the two rings.
SLADE CASTLE: Lastly we got the KaVengers. Noah Hope and Rapture are losers. Plain and simple. Couldn’t take a majority of the people in this fight if their lives depended on it. No power of friendship is enough to disprove that. It’s over before the match has even begun for them. Serrano and Ratman have nearly had me and Jules’ number in the past, I’ll give them credit. That won’t be enough though. Not this time. Y’all are in over your head if you really think you got any shot at winning. Your a fat fucking wannabe chef and a homeless dude that pretends to be able to speak to rats. You ain’t got no business being near this ring with the rest of us. That’s all I got to say on the matter. I’ll see all you bitches at the Crowning.
Slade pulls himself up by the ropes and makes his way to the cage door to exit the structure as the screen fades to black.
