~The subject is under my control, but he thinks he is the driving force behind his actions~
It is the night of the big match. Ichabod steps out onto the ramp, ready to face his biggest challenge yet. He walks down to the ring and enters. He turns and watches Lobster come toward him as the cage lowers...
Ichabod awakes from yet another dream of the past. He is starting to get sick of all this regression, he has no idea what causes it, or why he suddenly is so obsessed with what he's been through. His mind needs to be focused on Gladiator, but it seems to have other plans.
Ichy glances at the clock. 9:20, plenty of time to shower and get to the gym for his meeting. He heads to the shower shedding clothes as he goes.
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Ichabod sits at the gym with a few guys, big guys, and all of them are enjoying a beer, except Daniel, who has no need for alcohol. They are laughing and patting each other on the back. Everyone except Ichabod who is having thoughts of his own.
'so i seem to be a very targeted man in this event. b-pac has issued a challenge to which i intend to rise. b-pac, who believes my lack of titles in WoW equals a lack of experience. continue to believe this, b-pac, for it will be your downfall. woe to the man who underestimates me. there is judas, some nightwalking vampire who is trying to enlist the help of my friends to gain some kind of information as to my weaknesses perhaps. judas, there are many men who have fought me and discovered some of my weaknesses. but there are none yet who have found that key thing, the one brick to pull from my structure and bring me crashing down. you, who know nothing of this business, nothing of me, and nothing of the glory of championships. you will not be the man who stops me in my efforts to gain what rightfully belongs to me. then there is this mystery guy, who uses the same old washed up dime a dozen gimmick that over 50% of old friends and foes uses. the "mystery man." if i had a beer for every time i'd seen that one in a fed... i'd be a drunk son of a bitch right now.
my one true challenge lies in Chad Harzy, the man who found the edge, cut the corner, and stepped boldy onto the thin precipice of victory that stands above each encounter with ichabod. that...thin phantom which eludes so many men, and the ones who may grasp it merely stumble upon it for a few short moments, just to breathe it in in ecstacy. you felt this once Harzy, you felt it for a few short breaths. and though we may support one another, that phantom has escaped your grasp. i'll help you to get as far as me in the battle, but only that far, no further, for if one will displace me, it should not be you, it shouldn't be anyone. but, my friend, i'll only be satisfied with my victory if you make me pull that victory by the skin of my teeth.'
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Chad Harzy stands outside the gym listening to the laughter inside. He opens his bag and makes sure he has everything, all of his gear. As he is rummaging he too begins to think ahead to Gladiator.
'There are a lot of men in this match that none of us have seen before. Men who have come here to make a new name for themselves, perhaps to find their places in the world. How unfortunate for these men that the debut match of their careers here have to be with me, and not just me, but several men who will all be shooting for the greatest prize in the business. I'm beginning to think that what number I draw is not my biggest concern, for if I draw a lower number, I'll probably have to sift my way through guys like Torch and Judas quickly, in anticipation for the greater men ahead. If I draw a higher number, then these lesser men will be waiting for me on the outside of the ring, and with that in mind, it shouldn't be much trouble to reach the ring and my destiny.
There is reason to be anxious, however. There are at least two men in this match who I will have to face with a lot more than offhanded casual concern. Ichabod being one of the main challenges, I know that training with him is going to be to my advantage. I can get a better feel for his style, and I know that's going to be my edge for getting past him in this match. The other man in the match is Brimstone himself, because without beating him, this match means nothing. There is no victory here without the gold. It doesn't matter how many men I destroy, Judas, Archer, PKA, TormenT, Rage, Torch, Richard Gazinya, even Ichabod. It means nothing unless I take Brimstone to the edge and rob him of his glory, and take his championship for myself.'
With that last thought, Harzy walks into the gym.
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Chad, I'd like you to meet Daniel, Aaron, Thomas, Steven, Michael, and Wade. They are going to act as the guys outside the ring. When we get in we are going to do some takedown drills. I'm going to run it first, so you wanna get in the ring?
Alright man. Lets do this.
Chad steps into the ring as the guys surround the outer perimeter. Ichabod runs toward the ring, kicking Daniel in the gut. He clotheslines Steven and Thomas. Wade rushes at him and clotheslines him down, but Ichabod gets back up and spears him, then does a crescent kick on Aaron. They aren't giving it to him that bad, just putting themselves in his way. He enters the ring, and Harzy attacks with stomps. They fight around the ring, exchanging different moves. Chad knocks Ichabod to the floor. That's one for Chad. Ichabod gets back up and runs at Chad, who sidesteps. Ichy bounces the ropes and comes back, locking him up for a suplex. One for Ichy. They go at it back and forth. As they fight, Ichabod notes Chads weaknesses, the spots he defends least, the way he moves. Ichabod takes all this down in his head, making an imaginary list of maneauvers to use to take full advantage of his defense style. On the other hand, Chad focuses on Ichabod's strengths, noticing how he attacks, which moves he throws out first and most. In his head, he comes up with a list of blocks and counters to combat Ichabod's attacks.
After about six falls apiece, the two men shake hands, and now its Chad's turn to start outside. This time, each man will be facing fatigue, so it may be a little different. Chad runs toward the ring, and suddenly, all
six of Ichabod's buddies jump on Chad at once, making it very difficult for him to get any closer to the ring. Wade holds him by the arms as the other five take turns giving him gut shots and slaps in the face.
What the hell are you doing?? I'm the one supposed to be wrestling him. Let up dammit!
The guys let go of Harzy and stare at Ichabod confused. They were only trying to make Ichabod look good.
Aaron: Hey man what gives? What is your problem??
You are the damn problem. I didn't tell you guys to beat the holy living hell out of him.
Steven: hey man, fuck you. We are trying to help you and you are acting like a bitch. What is this guy your buddy or something? He is your opponent, you should let us break every bone in his damn body.
Ichabod steps out of the ring and in Steven's face.
You gotta get through me first asshole.
Not wanting any part of this squabble, Chad picks his things up and goes.
Hey man, I don't need this. I got to be in good shape for this.
As the door slams, Ichabod turns to look at his friends
Thanks a lot guys.
Ichabod walks out slamming the door behind him.
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