Post by thewhiterose on Jun 28, 2021 19:21:47 GMT -5
"YOU'VE RUINED EVERYTHING JONATHAN!" Father barked. I felt those pesky tears begin to well up in my eyes, but I refused to shed them. I refused to give him the satisfaction. I didn't ruin anything. What I did was show mother the lipstick stain that I found on father's shirt whilst doing the laundry. "Do you understand what this will do to me, to us, if even a whisper of this gets out around town? If my parishioners hear that their pastors own son thinks he's been unfaithful? As I told your mother, if you've lost faith in me then you've lost faith in the Lord himself, and that's on you. I've done nothing wrong, and the mere fact that you're trying to pin this on me proves that you're weak minded and spineless. You've ruined everything kid, our family will never be the same. You're a loser Jonathan. You've always been a loser." Father raised his hand, but thought better of it. Couldn't have two slanderous things come out at once, for people certainly wouldn't turn a blind eye twice. Exiting my room with a familiar slam of the door that I've come to expect, I knew, in a way for once, he was right.
After tonight our family would never be the same.
I snagged my backpack from under my bed, took one last look at the door and contemplated saying a prayer for mother. But I knew it'd fall on deaf ears. The window groaned as it opened for the first time in a while, and I slipped out into the night.
I never wanted to see my father again.
"I'm going to ruin everything." Lesley Adora states with a matter-of-fact tone. Adora sits in The Garden of The Light, trees and vines stretching out as far as we can see behind him. Obscuring the majority of Lesley minus the right corner of his face is a massive easel that houses a canvas, and Adora is apparently mid drawing, but continues regardless. "The darkness, Christian DeMarco, Arik Holt, Redd... Mason Destruction... I'm going to ruin it for everybody. They say one spoiled apple ruins the bunch, and ladies and gentlemen for the first time in my life, it's time to be the spoiled apple." With long rhythmic strokes Lesley continues working at his canvas, a look of tranquil yet vacant determination on his face.
"I said it a few weeks ago and I'll reiterate it today; they don't want me holding that Ascension Championship because they know once I get that platform... all their sick games are over. It's over for everybody." There's a long uncomfortable pause, and even in the placid surrounding of The Garden, a feeling of unease fills the scene. "Mmm... yes, but try as you must to stop the inevitable, it'll only make the fateful day that much disappointing for you and yours. And I know you will - you'll keep on trying just as I will keep on clawing my way back from every hurdle you throw in my way. I will stumble, but I shall not fall to you heathens.
Alas, you keep me on my toes, you do. This time on Fallout we have a match so convoluted that the very explanation of the contest looks like a marketing description on the back of a child's toy. All its missing is colorful explosion bubbles and exclamation points. I find myself growing tired of spending my energies and efforts trying to deconstruct every participant in these matches, for give it a few shows and the entire Project Honor roster will be competing in one match for the Ascension Championship at this point. So I'll touch on a few things, but first there is one question that I have for a very specific, very predictable person. Mason Destruction - -
Was it worth it?" A scratchy tone of malice overtakes Lesley's voice as he stops drawing and backs away slightly from the easel. Mild but noticeable burn scars litter the left side of Adora's face that was previously covered by the canvas. With a callous glare Lesley continues. "Was it worth marring the flesh of fellow souls? Or do you - do you not allow yourself to think of such things? Do you not allow yourself to think of the pain, agony and lasting effects your actions inflicted onto living breathing human beings? I know that Christian DeMarco and the other demons who help construct this hellscape don't give it a second thought, but I hope you do Mason. I hope you lay awake at night and think about the fact that others also can't sleep: because of you. I hope you think about the fact when you're in the shower nursing cuts and bruises, that others aren't afforded that opportunity without extreme, unrelenting pain: because of you. I hope every strike, every submission and every slam inflicted on you at Fallout, that you take a moment in the back of your mind to think that the hurt you feel is tripled for three of us in that contest: because of you.
Professional Wrestling is a physical, dangerous and sometimes unpredictable sport, but what you did wasn't even close to professional Mason. And I hope it was all worth it. For what? Clearly you're playing into their hand, into their maniacal, manipulative grip. You were the chosen one after the Kween left her throne. Is this what you wanted? To have to defend your newly won title against eleven other competitors? They're grooming you Mason, they're starving you so that when they eventually give you a slice of bread you'll worship them as a master. If that's what you want, if being a carrier for the dark infection that is Fallout is your intentions - then I hope Kaidence has stopped watching. Because he wants a father who is a superhero, not... whatever animal you've become." The scowl on Lesley's face grows more intense, but he is somehow able to quell his anger. "But it's time to remember my purpose. I've become so obsessed with only winning the Ascension Championship that I've forgotten why I made my way to Fallout in the first place. I am The White Rose - and I'm here to purify this company. So Mason, while I like you and I truly believe you have a good soul, if anybody needs to be cleansed...
It's you." Lesley takes a deep breath, attempting to further regain his composure.
"My shot at the Ascension Championship is once again not in my own hands, but that of a complete stranger. Pandalike. They newcomer who has an incredible look, and showed a lot of backbone in his interactions with Shiori Shuko and Saint Uhaa last Fallout. That gives me hope that Pandalike, unlike all of my previous partners, has yet to succumb to the abyss that is the darkness. Pandalike was also incredibly impressive in his debut against El Puma earlier on in the night. However, brother Pandalike I do hope you believe me when I say I mean no disrespect, but you haven't been here long enough for me to trust you having my back. Usually I'm ecstatic to have any opportunity to work with my brothers and sisters of The Light, but as of my debut in Fallout I haven't had the best record in tag team matches. To no fault of my own, it seems that my partners tend to let their distaste for myself override their will to win and be successful. Just another trick up... their sleeves.
We have our work cut out for us, Pandalike, as we square off with ten other Fallout competitors, new and old. Former Ascension champions, former number one contenders, countless new additions to the Fallout roster - it will truly be a feat for us to make it to the final two. And I will attempt to do that, for you, I will attempt to get us both there brother so long as you're willing to do the same. If you have the integrity that I've pinned you with, I do believe we can be the team to make it to the end. But with the likes of Kagome Akaibara, Rey de Las Sombras, Levi Kirstein, the champion himself Mason Destruction and everyone in between, it'll be a difficult task. But if you're willing to take my hand, and follow me into The Light, The Light shall give us passage to the finals of this contest.
So Pandalike, I truly hope that you live up to the hype that you've surrounded yourself with, for I'd hate to... yet again... be let done but a fellow brother or sister of The Light." The sound of lead moving rapidly against paper is the only sound for a few moments, before he finally stops. Lesley looks on at his creation, and for the first time in this scene, Adora smiles.
"Life is an interesting thing. It can be dark and confusing, dreary and dismal when you allow others to craft your story. But when you take the time to hold hands with The Light and truly design your own destiny? To create the future you wish to see? The outcome is simply breathtaking.
I will finally claim the Ascension Championship at Fallout. I'm not a loser. I've never been a loser. And after tonight? Fallout will never be the same." Adora stands with a grimace, his finger tips brushing the scars on the side of his face with a pained lament. However he beams as he looks down at his creation before slowly turning and limping off. The camera pans around to the canvas, to what Lesley had been working on. We see the photo in all its glory as we slowly fade to black.
--------------
Article from the 2008 Stowe Daily News, Stowe Vermont.
"Police are still on the look out for a fifteen year old boy who ran away from home this past weekend. The boy, Jonathan Holbrook of Stowe Vermont is the son of Father Victor Holbrook, the pastor of the local church. Victor had the following to say.
'My wife Paula and I are worried sick. Jonathan is an incredible boy, he's well liked by everyone in the community, and I just - I don't know how this could have happened. We know by the light of the Lord Jonathan will make it back to us safe and sound, but it doesn't make it any easier in the interim.
Jonathan, if you can see this, come on home. Your mother is deathly worried for your safety, as am I.'
If anybody has any information or leads on the whereabouts of Jonathan they are urged to contact Stowe county police. Foul play is not suspected at this time."
--------------
--------------
