Post by Ratball Slade on Apr 27, 2022 20:09:47 GMT -5
Present Day, somewhere in Detroit
recorded
The camera feed comes to life as an old familiar face is seen on screen. It’s Slade Castle. Behind him is the notorious Julius Fairweather, but he appears to be minding his own business. Slade is resting in a small warehouse type setting, on a fold out steel chair with a small folding table and a bottle of whiskey next to him.
SLADE CASTLE: Ahh It’s been a while since we’ve done this, eh? A lot has changed since the last time we did this.
Slade takes a deep breath and exhales as he appears to be building up the ability to get the heavy burden he has off his chest.
SLADE CASTLE: For one, while I can’t really talk much about it, me and Julie had a little extra bonding time to come eye to eye. While on one hand he had plenty to be angry at me about for the choices I made, he seems to understand the reasoning behind them. Either way, clearly with Holt outta the goddamn picture, thank fucking god, it is much easier for us to see eye to eye. We actually have a lot in common, believe it or not. Different stories, same results and all that.
Julius can be seen chuckling in the background whether it be related to Slade’s comments or not. It is unknown as he is doing his own thing a decent distance away.
SLADE CASTLE: I’ve been thinking, there’s more for me in this business than destroying it and rebuilding it in some psycho’s image. To think, that was basically my fault. I swear I gave that damn walking thumb the idea to form True Society, but no one will ever believe that so I’m not gonna dwell on it. The idea was there, it was a solid one at that. I should’ve known better than to trust him though. There are few people you can trust in a place like this. That sure as hell ain’t management, it ain’t the psychos, and it definitely ain’t those high and mighty goody two shoes that seem to think they are beacons of morality. There’s nothing moral about a place like this which makes people like that the hardest to trust. People like me and Julie? We just see shit for what it is. Shit…
Slade pulls the top off the whisky and takes a small drink of it making a slight shift in expression as the drink burns his throat going down.
SLADE CASTLE: I don’t know where Julie finds this shit but it’s strong as hell let me tell yuh’.
Slade sets the bottle down and goes back to explaining the list of events up till now.
Just after Slade and Julius’ trip to REDACTED
Slade and Julius agree to go their own separate ways after the operation, leaving Slade alone on the Yucatan Peninsula. He is surveying the wreckage they had caused, looking for a clue, anything that might point him to what he is looking for. He sees what looks to be a member of the Illuminati crawling from some rubble left by the explosion caused by himself and Petey. Slade walks over and watches the pathetic man crawl for his life in his fancy torn up suit. Slade smiles, then stomps on his hand, making the man whelp but stops himself to not give himself away to any possible remaining Purple Reign forces.
SLADE CASTLE: Well, look what we have here? You seem important.
Slade gags him then bags the man's head before looking around to make sure no one is watching as he drags him away from the war zone.
A short time later…
Slade sits the man upright in a small wooded area away from the wreckage and ties him to a tree. Castle removes the mask to look the man dead in the eyes, his own devoid of emotion.
SLADE CASTLE: So, let’s start this nice and easy. Are you a talker, or a squealer?
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: I…*huff*... I don’t…*huff*... please…
Slade cracks a smile and chuckles.
SLADE CASTLE: You don’t what? Know what I mean? Here, I’ll show you…
Without a moment's hesitation, Slade reaches over and begins to toy with the bound man's hand.
SLADE CASTLE: If you’re a talker, you’ll tell me what I need to know, if you’re not…
Slade suddenly and violently snaps one of the man’s fingers, breaking it at the center.
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: GGGAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Slade whips a hand over the captives mouth, muffling the screams.
SLADE CASTLE: You’ll squeal what you know. See what I mean?
Tears fall from the business man's eyes as he nods at Castle.
SLADE CASTLE: Now, if you’re willing to talk I only have a few questions.
The man continues to nod as Slade slowly removes his hand, making sure he isn’t going to start screaming again.
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: *sobbing*... Please, whatever you want t-to know… I-I-I’ll tell you…
SLADE CASTLE: Good, that means I can get right down to the point. A couple years back, the Illuminati were running a covert counter operation to the Purple Reign through an elite squadron of marines. Ring any bells?
The Illuminati members' eyes grow wide as he quakes in fear, nodding along to Slade’s reasoning.
SLADE CASTLE: Good. I have reason to believe I was a member of that squadron. You might also know what happened to them. Would you also say that sounds familiar?
The man continues to nod.
SLADE CASTLE: Great, see? As long as you’re cooperative we can keep the damage to your extremities at a minimum. So, let’s start with something simple. Both the Illuminati and the Purple Reign were after something. I need to know what and who was in charge of the operation on both sides.
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: …Nefertiti’s Tomb… we were after… Neferti-
*BLAM*
A hole forms in the man's head while a burst of blood splatters the tree and into Slade’s eyes. Slade's ears begin to ring, so he cups them in an attempt to get the ringing to stop while he turns to see where the shot came from. He looks on in shock as the Woman in White stands before him.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Hello, Mister Castle.
Slade looks on in shock, watching as the woman who died by his hands… in his arms, walks before him, perfectly healthy and alive.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Surprised to see me? You should be. Most wouldn’t survive a shot like that. I mean, I didn't after all.
She gives Slade a coy smile as she walks past him, leaving his vision. Her hand brushes his cheek. She leans down behind him whispering in his ear.
WOMAN IN WHITE: (in a whisper) It’s good to see you again.
She does a full circle around him, reentering his vision. Slade begins to get to his feet when two large hands are suddenly on his shoulders holding him down.
SLADE CASTLE: DAMMIT! How the-... *grunt*... How the fuck are you alive?!
The woman smiles and kneels down in front of Slade who is now on his knees.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Wouldn’t you like to know? I’m sure many others would as well. It is a closely held secret amongst our organization. Many members of the Illuminati still don’t know. Most aren’t even aware I was dead in the first place. You’re now one of the lucky few. This is a matter for another time though.
Slade shakes his head in disbelief. Not wanting to buy into this, Sci-fi bullshit.
SLADE CASTLE: Alright, well, at least tell me why you shot him.
Slade motions his head toward his now dead captive.
SLADE CASTLE: Isn’t he one of your own?
WOMAN IN WHITE: He was. Then he decided to share heavily classified secrets with an insurgent. Let’s consider this his official excommunication.
SLADE CASTLE: You’re sick lady.
The woman chuckles, amused by Slade’s observation.
WOMAN IN WHITE: That’s quite charming, coming from a trained killer.
SLADE CASTLE: At least I know who I am.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Do you though?
The woman gets back to her feet, the men holding Slade also lifting him to his. She walks away, almost taunting Slade by turning her back to him.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Unfortunately, I don’t feel it’s necessary to share the details of our operations with you. I must admit, while I’d love to kill you, we made a deal with someone to spare your life, and it’s not our way to go back on deals. Bad for our credibility. I will tell you this, however. Keep getting involved in our affairs and you might be the exception.
The woman continues to walk away now, her voice getting more distant as she does.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You may still have your uses but for now… knock his ass out and leave him.
SLADE CASTLE: Wait but I-
Before he can say anymore, a hard smack to the head from the butt of the Illuminati Soldier's gun is all it takes as Castle falls to the ground unconscious.
Back to present
SLADE CASTLE: Long story short, I met with some old friends, thought some shit out. I’ve got a complicated life outside of Project: Honor and I gotta focus down on my priorities.
Julius looks over to Slade with a cocked eyebrow.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: You best not be talking about Cancun! The less anyone knows of that shit the better.
Slade chuckles.
SLADE CASTLE: No worries Julie, my lips are sealed.
Julius nods his head then goes back to what he was doing.
SLADE CASTLE: What those priorities are, I can’t say. When it comes to Project: Honor however? It’s fairly straightforward. God knows I could use a little of that right now.
Slade leans back in his chair, looking more comfortable and relaxed now than the Project: Honor audience had seen of him before.
SLADE CASTLE: Looks like I’m going straight back into the swing of things. Me and Julie here have our own little business venture now and the calls are pouring in, but we can only focus on one thing at a time. Especially when our current employer pays out well and is good for the money.
Slade stretches his arms and rolls his neck staying loose and ready to fight, never knowing when he might need to in his line of work.
SLADE CASTLE: BFG were only the first. The list of hits is long and changing everyday. On the other hand, Myojin is sticking his face where it don’t belong. Now Myo, this whole faction business is behind us. Who the hell do you think you are starting a new one? All you’re gonna do is start a chain reaction of people banning together to take down the enemy. Then we’re right back to where we left off. Just be careful what you wish for.
A few days prior at the Mental Garden Institute
He can see and hear it clearly. The gunfire, the explosions. The chaos of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s like for the first time in a long time, he was home again. Suddenly a voice calls out to him.
SARAH GREEN: Slade? Hello? Are you even listening?
As Slade comes back to reality he rubs his temple, fighting off an awful migraine.
SARAH GREEN: What’s going on with you? Are you alright?
Slade leans back in the soft chair of his therapist's office.
SLADE CASTLE: Sorry doc, just been a long couple of weeks.
SARAH GREEN: I can tell, you look like you’ve gone through hell.
Slade chuckles, amused by his doctors worry.
SLADE CASTLE: Yeah? Tell me what you really think.
SARAH GREEN: You know what I meant.
SLADE CASTLE: Yeah…
The two sit there for a moment before Sarah tries to move the conversation along.
SARAH GREEN: So, you took a few months off from competing. How was that?
SLADE CASTLE: Not as nice as you may think. I… I guess I missed it.
SARAH GREEN: Tell me more.
Slade rubs his eye and stretches, relaxing back down into the chair once again.
SLADE CASTLE: Well, for starters, with Holt gone it feels like I actually got some of my freedom back. Which is funny cause I went to him looking for freedom. Funny how that works.
Sarah Green takes a few notes in her journal then sets her pen down, while making direct eye contact with Slade.
SARAH GREEN: Well sometimes, we look to others to give us what we can’t give ourselves. Maybe at the time, you felt like you were imprisoned, or isolated while on your own?
Slade gives a nonchalant shrug, showing he isn’t worried about it one way or the other.
SLADE CASTLE: It’s in the past now. I’m not gonna worry about it.
Slade pauses for a moment but Sarah can tell something is on his mind, so she waits for him to speak for himself. Almost entirely out of character, Slade decides it’s time to open up about something that has weighed him down for a long time.
SLADE CASTLE: I… I went back to war. It was temporary but I felt like I was right back at home. Like that’s where I was meant to be. Where I belong. Yet, at the same time, I don’t want to go back. I can’t give any details but… the pain and suffering. Why are we driven to violence like this…
A single tear drops from Castle’s face. Still silent, Sarah hands him a tissue. Slade rejects the offer, opting to wipe his face with the back of his hand.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m ready to leave that aspect of myself on the battlefield. It should’ve died with the rest of my squad. Unfortunately, it looks like that isn’t an option.
Sarah walks over to Castle and sits next to him. She still refuses to speak a word while she rubs his back. They continue to sit in silence for the rest of the session.
Present
Slade runs his fingers through his short hair, brushing it back, though it springs back into place anyhow.
SLADE CASTLE: Nuff chit-chatting though, time to get down to the brass tacks. This tag team turmoil match? Bullshit. Me and Julie deserve our rematch whether anyone else wants to admit it or not. Now we get to go through a bunch of stupid minor league shits to get it. That’s fine though, it won’t be any major sweat for guys like me and this motherfucker over here.
Slade looks over to see Julius flipping him off without looking back. Slade chuckles and turns his attention back to the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Love you too, Julie. So, first and foremost we get to show those Phantom fucks once and for all that their win was a goddamn fluke. Me and Julie had a lot goin' on you see, neither of us were nearly at the top of our game. Well, after the hell we just saw you two go through at Public Execution, I’ll just come out and say it. Y’all ain’t even a threat. We’ll trash and dispose of you just as fast as we would those damn roided up math teachers. Not until after we’ve had our fun of course. You’re both gonna feel just how badly you fucked up by stealing our belts.
Slade feels himself getting heated so he recollects himself for a moment.
SLADE CASTLE: Then there’s these snobby “Levanni” dickheads. I’ll go ahead and acknowledge you both as individuals cause looking at your tag record, you definitely aren’t a team. Hell, I doubt you two would know cooperation if you were joined at the waist. Gio, you think your dinky little title proves anything? I hate to say, but that belt’s bottom of the barrel here. People are more interested in whichever loser has the Triple A than that stupid fuckin' thing. I hope you enjoy your spot in the lower midcard. As for your partner… Who the fuck is Levy?
Julius can be seen chuckling in the background when he turns to answer Slade’s inquiry.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: He’s that privileged motherfucker that thinks everyone else is a racist and out to get him. Specifically my good friend Indy.
Slade scoffs.
SLADE CASTLE: Indy? A racist? He for real? Well, I guess we’ll just have to break his jaw so they can wire his whiny ass, mouth, shut.
Slade directs a snide smile at the camera, clearly aimed at Levy.
SLADE CASTLE: Now that we got, what are somehow two of the biggest threats, outta the way, let’s move on to DIANA and Mikey. I’ll be the first to admit. These two are way out of their league here. I’d say that means they got guts though. I’ll be happy to knock their lights out, keep that underdog story goin for them. Every time y’all wanna get back up I’ll keep knocking you back down. For your own sakes of course.
Slade starts scratching his head.
SLADE CASTLE: Betsy and Lexi are probably a sore spot for you I’d imagine.
Slade turns back to Julius. Without turning to look at Slade Julius shrugs his shoulders.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: The motherfucking Motor City Psychos got to do what we got to do, to get our legacy back. Even if that means letting you beat the hell out of a few pretty mommas.
Slade nods his head with a smirk while turning back to the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: There you have it. While he might have some reservations, I sure as hell don’t when it comes to beating the opposite sex. It’s the same as war. You sign up to be treated equally, well, I got you equality right here. I’m not gonna take either of you as non-threats though. I understand you’ve both been here doing your thing. That just means you get the same damn Slade Castle as everyone else. Whether by fist or submission I’ll put both of your lights out.
Slade unscrews the cap on his whiskey and pours himself a glass.
SLADE CASTLE: That just leaves Caddy and TJ. Caddy, I have not had the pleasure of meeting but from what Julius tells me, we might actually get along. Be that the case or not, this poor guy is tagged up with possibly the most annoying asshat on the roster. Julie might have some respect for you TJ, but as for me? I’ll be happy to show you just how much I hated you Big Drip punks. I hope the rest of them are watching when I turn your ass into a bloody slump of a mess. That’ll be a message for the rest of them to stay the fuck outta my way.
Julius gets to his feet as he stuffs something into his jacket pocket.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: I think it may be time we wrapped this up. Chop chop motherfucker, we got business to attend to.
Slade waves off Julius.
SLADE CASTLE: You can’t rush art man, let me do my thing.
Julius raises his hands defensively.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: Alright, alright! Just hurry it up. We got a fucking job to do.
Slade grabs his glass of whiskey and looks down into the drink.
SLADE CASTLE: Well, I guess I need to wrap this up. So, I propose a toast.
Slade lifts the glass into the air.
SLADE CASTLE: To the reclamation of the Motor City Psycho’s Legacy.
Julius just smiles at Slade.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: Cheers to that, motherfucker.
SLADE CASTLE: Cheers.
Slade downs the drink and then slams the glass on the ground shattering it into a million pieces.
SLADE CASTLE: Alright, let’s get the fuck outta here.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: Amen to that.
Slade picks up his bottle and as the two approach Julius’ signature ride, the scene fades to black.
recorded
The camera feed comes to life as an old familiar face is seen on screen. It’s Slade Castle. Behind him is the notorious Julius Fairweather, but he appears to be minding his own business. Slade is resting in a small warehouse type setting, on a fold out steel chair with a small folding table and a bottle of whiskey next to him.
SLADE CASTLE: Ahh It’s been a while since we’ve done this, eh? A lot has changed since the last time we did this.
Slade takes a deep breath and exhales as he appears to be building up the ability to get the heavy burden he has off his chest.
SLADE CASTLE: For one, while I can’t really talk much about it, me and Julie had a little extra bonding time to come eye to eye. While on one hand he had plenty to be angry at me about for the choices I made, he seems to understand the reasoning behind them. Either way, clearly with Holt outta the goddamn picture, thank fucking god, it is much easier for us to see eye to eye. We actually have a lot in common, believe it or not. Different stories, same results and all that.
Julius can be seen chuckling in the background whether it be related to Slade’s comments or not. It is unknown as he is doing his own thing a decent distance away.
SLADE CASTLE: I’ve been thinking, there’s more for me in this business than destroying it and rebuilding it in some psycho’s image. To think, that was basically my fault. I swear I gave that damn walking thumb the idea to form True Society, but no one will ever believe that so I’m not gonna dwell on it. The idea was there, it was a solid one at that. I should’ve known better than to trust him though. There are few people you can trust in a place like this. That sure as hell ain’t management, it ain’t the psychos, and it definitely ain’t those high and mighty goody two shoes that seem to think they are beacons of morality. There’s nothing moral about a place like this which makes people like that the hardest to trust. People like me and Julie? We just see shit for what it is. Shit…
Slade pulls the top off the whisky and takes a small drink of it making a slight shift in expression as the drink burns his throat going down.
SLADE CASTLE: I don’t know where Julie finds this shit but it’s strong as hell let me tell yuh’.
Slade sets the bottle down and goes back to explaining the list of events up till now.
Just after Slade and Julius’ trip to REDACTED
Slade and Julius agree to go their own separate ways after the operation, leaving Slade alone on the Yucatan Peninsula. He is surveying the wreckage they had caused, looking for a clue, anything that might point him to what he is looking for. He sees what looks to be a member of the Illuminati crawling from some rubble left by the explosion caused by himself and Petey. Slade walks over and watches the pathetic man crawl for his life in his fancy torn up suit. Slade smiles, then stomps on his hand, making the man whelp but stops himself to not give himself away to any possible remaining Purple Reign forces.
SLADE CASTLE: Well, look what we have here? You seem important.
Slade gags him then bags the man's head before looking around to make sure no one is watching as he drags him away from the war zone.
A short time later…
Slade sits the man upright in a small wooded area away from the wreckage and ties him to a tree. Castle removes the mask to look the man dead in the eyes, his own devoid of emotion.
SLADE CASTLE: So, let’s start this nice and easy. Are you a talker, or a squealer?
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: I…*huff*... I don’t…*huff*... please…
Slade cracks a smile and chuckles.
SLADE CASTLE: You don’t what? Know what I mean? Here, I’ll show you…
Without a moment's hesitation, Slade reaches over and begins to toy with the bound man's hand.
SLADE CASTLE: If you’re a talker, you’ll tell me what I need to know, if you’re not…
Slade suddenly and violently snaps one of the man’s fingers, breaking it at the center.
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: GGGAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Slade whips a hand over the captives mouth, muffling the screams.
SLADE CASTLE: You’ll squeal what you know. See what I mean?
Tears fall from the business man's eyes as he nods at Castle.
SLADE CASTLE: Now, if you’re willing to talk I only have a few questions.
The man continues to nod as Slade slowly removes his hand, making sure he isn’t going to start screaming again.
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: *sobbing*... Please, whatever you want t-to know… I-I-I’ll tell you…
SLADE CASTLE: Good, that means I can get right down to the point. A couple years back, the Illuminati were running a covert counter operation to the Purple Reign through an elite squadron of marines. Ring any bells?
The Illuminati members' eyes grow wide as he quakes in fear, nodding along to Slade’s reasoning.
SLADE CASTLE: Good. I have reason to believe I was a member of that squadron. You might also know what happened to them. Would you also say that sounds familiar?
The man continues to nod.
SLADE CASTLE: Great, see? As long as you’re cooperative we can keep the damage to your extremities at a minimum. So, let’s start with something simple. Both the Illuminati and the Purple Reign were after something. I need to know what and who was in charge of the operation on both sides.
ILLUMINATI MEMBER: …Nefertiti’s Tomb… we were after… Neferti-
*BLAM*
A hole forms in the man's head while a burst of blood splatters the tree and into Slade’s eyes. Slade's ears begin to ring, so he cups them in an attempt to get the ringing to stop while he turns to see where the shot came from. He looks on in shock as the Woman in White stands before him.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Hello, Mister Castle.
Slade looks on in shock, watching as the woman who died by his hands… in his arms, walks before him, perfectly healthy and alive.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Surprised to see me? You should be. Most wouldn’t survive a shot like that. I mean, I didn't after all.
She gives Slade a coy smile as she walks past him, leaving his vision. Her hand brushes his cheek. She leans down behind him whispering in his ear.
WOMAN IN WHITE: (in a whisper) It’s good to see you again.
She does a full circle around him, reentering his vision. Slade begins to get to his feet when two large hands are suddenly on his shoulders holding him down.
SLADE CASTLE: DAMMIT! How the-... *grunt*... How the fuck are you alive?!
The woman smiles and kneels down in front of Slade who is now on his knees.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Wouldn’t you like to know? I’m sure many others would as well. It is a closely held secret amongst our organization. Many members of the Illuminati still don’t know. Most aren’t even aware I was dead in the first place. You’re now one of the lucky few. This is a matter for another time though.
Slade shakes his head in disbelief. Not wanting to buy into this, Sci-fi bullshit.
SLADE CASTLE: Alright, well, at least tell me why you shot him.
Slade motions his head toward his now dead captive.
SLADE CASTLE: Isn’t he one of your own?
WOMAN IN WHITE: He was. Then he decided to share heavily classified secrets with an insurgent. Let’s consider this his official excommunication.
SLADE CASTLE: You’re sick lady.
The woman chuckles, amused by Slade’s observation.
WOMAN IN WHITE: That’s quite charming, coming from a trained killer.
SLADE CASTLE: At least I know who I am.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Do you though?
The woman gets back to her feet, the men holding Slade also lifting him to his. She walks away, almost taunting Slade by turning her back to him.
WOMAN IN WHITE: Unfortunately, I don’t feel it’s necessary to share the details of our operations with you. I must admit, while I’d love to kill you, we made a deal with someone to spare your life, and it’s not our way to go back on deals. Bad for our credibility. I will tell you this, however. Keep getting involved in our affairs and you might be the exception.
The woman continues to walk away now, her voice getting more distant as she does.
WOMAN IN WHITE: You may still have your uses but for now… knock his ass out and leave him.
SLADE CASTLE: Wait but I-
Before he can say anymore, a hard smack to the head from the butt of the Illuminati Soldier's gun is all it takes as Castle falls to the ground unconscious.
Back to present
SLADE CASTLE: Long story short, I met with some old friends, thought some shit out. I’ve got a complicated life outside of Project: Honor and I gotta focus down on my priorities.
Julius looks over to Slade with a cocked eyebrow.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: You best not be talking about Cancun! The less anyone knows of that shit the better.
Slade chuckles.
SLADE CASTLE: No worries Julie, my lips are sealed.
Julius nods his head then goes back to what he was doing.
SLADE CASTLE: What those priorities are, I can’t say. When it comes to Project: Honor however? It’s fairly straightforward. God knows I could use a little of that right now.
Slade leans back in his chair, looking more comfortable and relaxed now than the Project: Honor audience had seen of him before.
SLADE CASTLE: Looks like I’m going straight back into the swing of things. Me and Julie here have our own little business venture now and the calls are pouring in, but we can only focus on one thing at a time. Especially when our current employer pays out well and is good for the money.
Slade stretches his arms and rolls his neck staying loose and ready to fight, never knowing when he might need to in his line of work.
SLADE CASTLE: BFG were only the first. The list of hits is long and changing everyday. On the other hand, Myojin is sticking his face where it don’t belong. Now Myo, this whole faction business is behind us. Who the hell do you think you are starting a new one? All you’re gonna do is start a chain reaction of people banning together to take down the enemy. Then we’re right back to where we left off. Just be careful what you wish for.
A few days prior at the Mental Garden Institute
He can see and hear it clearly. The gunfire, the explosions. The chaos of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s like for the first time in a long time, he was home again. Suddenly a voice calls out to him.
SARAH GREEN: Slade? Hello? Are you even listening?
As Slade comes back to reality he rubs his temple, fighting off an awful migraine.
SARAH GREEN: What’s going on with you? Are you alright?
Slade leans back in the soft chair of his therapist's office.
SLADE CASTLE: Sorry doc, just been a long couple of weeks.
SARAH GREEN: I can tell, you look like you’ve gone through hell.
Slade chuckles, amused by his doctors worry.
SLADE CASTLE: Yeah? Tell me what you really think.
SARAH GREEN: You know what I meant.
SLADE CASTLE: Yeah…
The two sit there for a moment before Sarah tries to move the conversation along.
SARAH GREEN: So, you took a few months off from competing. How was that?
SLADE CASTLE: Not as nice as you may think. I… I guess I missed it.
SARAH GREEN: Tell me more.
Slade rubs his eye and stretches, relaxing back down into the chair once again.
SLADE CASTLE: Well, for starters, with Holt gone it feels like I actually got some of my freedom back. Which is funny cause I went to him looking for freedom. Funny how that works.
Sarah Green takes a few notes in her journal then sets her pen down, while making direct eye contact with Slade.
SARAH GREEN: Well sometimes, we look to others to give us what we can’t give ourselves. Maybe at the time, you felt like you were imprisoned, or isolated while on your own?
Slade gives a nonchalant shrug, showing he isn’t worried about it one way or the other.
SLADE CASTLE: It’s in the past now. I’m not gonna worry about it.
Slade pauses for a moment but Sarah can tell something is on his mind, so she waits for him to speak for himself. Almost entirely out of character, Slade decides it’s time to open up about something that has weighed him down for a long time.
SLADE CASTLE: I… I went back to war. It was temporary but I felt like I was right back at home. Like that’s where I was meant to be. Where I belong. Yet, at the same time, I don’t want to go back. I can’t give any details but… the pain and suffering. Why are we driven to violence like this…
A single tear drops from Castle’s face. Still silent, Sarah hands him a tissue. Slade rejects the offer, opting to wipe his face with the back of his hand.
SLADE CASTLE: I’m ready to leave that aspect of myself on the battlefield. It should’ve died with the rest of my squad. Unfortunately, it looks like that isn’t an option.
Sarah walks over to Castle and sits next to him. She still refuses to speak a word while she rubs his back. They continue to sit in silence for the rest of the session.
Present
Slade runs his fingers through his short hair, brushing it back, though it springs back into place anyhow.
SLADE CASTLE: Nuff chit-chatting though, time to get down to the brass tacks. This tag team turmoil match? Bullshit. Me and Julie deserve our rematch whether anyone else wants to admit it or not. Now we get to go through a bunch of stupid minor league shits to get it. That’s fine though, it won’t be any major sweat for guys like me and this motherfucker over here.
Slade looks over to see Julius flipping him off without looking back. Slade chuckles and turns his attention back to the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: Love you too, Julie. So, first and foremost we get to show those Phantom fucks once and for all that their win was a goddamn fluke. Me and Julie had a lot goin' on you see, neither of us were nearly at the top of our game. Well, after the hell we just saw you two go through at Public Execution, I’ll just come out and say it. Y’all ain’t even a threat. We’ll trash and dispose of you just as fast as we would those damn roided up math teachers. Not until after we’ve had our fun of course. You’re both gonna feel just how badly you fucked up by stealing our belts.
Slade feels himself getting heated so he recollects himself for a moment.
SLADE CASTLE: Then there’s these snobby “Levanni” dickheads. I’ll go ahead and acknowledge you both as individuals cause looking at your tag record, you definitely aren’t a team. Hell, I doubt you two would know cooperation if you were joined at the waist. Gio, you think your dinky little title proves anything? I hate to say, but that belt’s bottom of the barrel here. People are more interested in whichever loser has the Triple A than that stupid fuckin' thing. I hope you enjoy your spot in the lower midcard. As for your partner… Who the fuck is Levy?
Julius can be seen chuckling in the background when he turns to answer Slade’s inquiry.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: He’s that privileged motherfucker that thinks everyone else is a racist and out to get him. Specifically my good friend Indy.
Slade scoffs.
SLADE CASTLE: Indy? A racist? He for real? Well, I guess we’ll just have to break his jaw so they can wire his whiny ass, mouth, shut.
Slade directs a snide smile at the camera, clearly aimed at Levy.
SLADE CASTLE: Now that we got, what are somehow two of the biggest threats, outta the way, let’s move on to DIANA and Mikey. I’ll be the first to admit. These two are way out of their league here. I’d say that means they got guts though. I’ll be happy to knock their lights out, keep that underdog story goin for them. Every time y’all wanna get back up I’ll keep knocking you back down. For your own sakes of course.
Slade starts scratching his head.
SLADE CASTLE: Betsy and Lexi are probably a sore spot for you I’d imagine.
Slade turns back to Julius. Without turning to look at Slade Julius shrugs his shoulders.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: The motherfucking Motor City Psychos got to do what we got to do, to get our legacy back. Even if that means letting you beat the hell out of a few pretty mommas.
Slade nods his head with a smirk while turning back to the camera.
SLADE CASTLE: There you have it. While he might have some reservations, I sure as hell don’t when it comes to beating the opposite sex. It’s the same as war. You sign up to be treated equally, well, I got you equality right here. I’m not gonna take either of you as non-threats though. I understand you’ve both been here doing your thing. That just means you get the same damn Slade Castle as everyone else. Whether by fist or submission I’ll put both of your lights out.
Slade unscrews the cap on his whiskey and pours himself a glass.
SLADE CASTLE: That just leaves Caddy and TJ. Caddy, I have not had the pleasure of meeting but from what Julius tells me, we might actually get along. Be that the case or not, this poor guy is tagged up with possibly the most annoying asshat on the roster. Julie might have some respect for you TJ, but as for me? I’ll be happy to show you just how much I hated you Big Drip punks. I hope the rest of them are watching when I turn your ass into a bloody slump of a mess. That’ll be a message for the rest of them to stay the fuck outta my way.
Julius gets to his feet as he stuffs something into his jacket pocket.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: I think it may be time we wrapped this up. Chop chop motherfucker, we got business to attend to.
Slade waves off Julius.
SLADE CASTLE: You can’t rush art man, let me do my thing.
Julius raises his hands defensively.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: Alright, alright! Just hurry it up. We got a fucking job to do.
Slade grabs his glass of whiskey and looks down into the drink.
SLADE CASTLE: Well, I guess I need to wrap this up. So, I propose a toast.
Slade lifts the glass into the air.
SLADE CASTLE: To the reclamation of the Motor City Psycho’s Legacy.
Julius just smiles at Slade.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: Cheers to that, motherfucker.
SLADE CASTLE: Cheers.
Slade downs the drink and then slams the glass on the ground shattering it into a million pieces.
SLADE CASTLE: Alright, let’s get the fuck outta here.
JULIUS FAIRWEATHER: Amen to that.
Slade picks up his bottle and as the two approach Julius’ signature ride, the scene fades to black.
