
Time Line -
Thursday a few hours before the show
Location - XWF Backstage locker room
I looked down at the pill
bottle in my hand. Even though it states to only take on every six
hours, I really don't want to feel anything tonight. Blizzard and Nitro
aren't going to take it easy one me, and in the shape I'm in, I don't
think I can take a good beating tonight. I open the pill bottle, and
dump out 3 pills into my other hand. I look at them for a second,
before throwing them in my mouth. I grab a bottle of beer that's
sitting on the table in front of me, and wash the pills down. Tonight,
no matter what happens to me in the long run, I am walking out with the
gold still around my waist. I know this sounds a little self
destructive, and maybe even stupid. But the fact is, last week I
suffered defeat for the first time since coming back to the XWF. It was
the worst feeling in the world. Knowing full well that you could have
won, knowing that you had the match in the bag, only to lose because
your body failed you. Had Lee Stone not broken my ribs, I would have
been able to react much quicker, and stop his pin attempt. I know I
could have. Tonight, I refuse to allow my body to fail me. There's no
telling what shape I will be in after this match, but one thing is for
sure, I won't be feeling it for a while.
I stood up, and walked over to my locker. I had my gym bag sitting on
the floor in front of it. I removed my shirt, and placed it in the
locker. Inside of my bag, I had a few ace bandages. I pulled out the
first one, and began wrapping it around my rib cage. As I was applying
my bandages, Sean walked in. He dropped his bag beside of mine, and
stood there staring down at me for a moment.
Sean Graves
Whoa bro, your not looking so
hot.
Micheal Graves
I'm fine man, really.
Sean Graves
The shows not too far off now
man, how much can I expect out of you tonight?
Micheal Graves
Your going to get everything I
have man. I think I'll be running at around 80%.
Sean gave me a confused look
before he questioned my answer.
Sean Graves
80%, how is that possible?
Last time I spoke with you, you could barley walk.
Micheal Graves
I'm a quick healer.
Sean Graves
Right...
Micheal Graves
Ok, so I'm on painkillers, but
the fact is, I'll be able to do more tonight than we first thought.
Sean Graves
I thought you didn't like
taking pills ever since... Well you know.
Micheal Graves
I don't, but when weighing out
the consequences of taking them compared to not taking them. I made up
my mind to just take them.
Sean Graves
Your that bull headed that you
will go against your beliefs just so you can play an important role in
this match? What, do you not think I can take care of Blizzard and
Nitro alone?
Micheal Graves
Nothing against you bro, but
no, I don't.
Sean looked shocked at my
answer. I think he figured I would tell him otherwise, try to stroke
his ego, but that wasn't the case. I was just speaking the truth, and
the truth was, I didn't feel he could handle two me alone.
Sean Graves
Wait a minute, as I recall,
you were able to beat Kore and Gecko in a match during your first run
in the XWF when your partner didn't show up, but you don't think I can
beat Bliz and Nitro?
Micheal Graves
...
Sean Graves
So, basically your just trying
to say your better then me. Like I can't handle the challenges you
have, that's what this is all about isn't it?
Micheal Graves
No dude, I didn't say that, I
just don't want to risk losing the titles.
Sean Graves
Yeah, and God forbid you don't
play a big role in their defense. You know, you've been trying to carry
me in all of our matches before this. You always try to be the leader.
Why can't I lead the match this time? I'm in better health than you
are, so it would only make since for me to run with this match.
Micheal Graves
You can start the match off
man, just don't be afraid to tag me in if you need me, ok?
Sean Graves
Yeah, sure...
With that said, Sean turned and
walking out of the locker room. I sat their thinking about what just
happened. I know I pissed Sean off, but I really can't understand why.
I mean, I'm just trying to be here to support him, to have his back.
But he is taking it almost like an insult to him. Like I don't trust
him with this title defense. He asked me, do I think he could beat
Blizzard and Nitro alone. My reply was no, and that's because I don't
think I could either. He fails to realize that when I beat Kore and
Gecko by myself, it involved a little luck, allot of work, and the fact
that Gecko wasn't in the greatest shape of his career didn't hurt
either. Blizzard and Nitro are on top of their games, we both need to
be their giving everything we can to stand a chance.
Fin