One Last Run: I

One Last Run: I
It Starts All Over Again …

..:: Sometimes in life a man has to stand up and be counted ::..

..:: Wrapping my large brown leather jacket over my shoulders and rising up from the chair, I took a few moments to contemplate the enormity of the task at hand. Would Neil Armstrong bother to travel to the moon again? Did Sir Edmund Hillary ever think about venturing up Everest again? Of course, the answers to both of these questions is… irrelevant ::..

..:: Johnny Styles is his own person and will continue to chase his own destiny, regardless of what has gone before him ::..

..:: Carefully brushing a long strand of hair out of my eye line, I gazed out of my bedroom window towards the horizon. The sun seemed to offer it seal of approval to my quest with a faint nod in my direction as it bobbed just above the hillside backdrop. Cupping my face away from its golden glow momentarily, I felt my skin warm to its presence. My cheeks began to bubble with a healthy vibrancy about them and I realised that this was the first time I’d actually felt alive in a long time ::..

..:: Too long ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“I was born to do this”

..:: I pronounced with authority ::..

..:: As I walked through the door and down the stairs, I nurtured each step with careful consideration. After all, this simply wasn’t a case of achieving a mission objective. No. This entire ordeal was about achieving a mission objective… and doing it with style

..:: Years from now, when the next wave of fresh faced rookies look to the past for inspiration, the chances are that all they will see is a list of names. History only ever manages to capture the facts, the solids, and the absolutes of an individual. It is, indeed, a very rare occurrence that history actually manages to capture the heart and soul of a person ::..

..: Christopher Columbus discovered America, but now he’s just a name in a text book. What was Columbus really like? Was he caring? Harsh? A bit of a dick? I don’t know. Nobody does. However, I’m determined to make sure that there’s one guy that goes down in history that people actually remember as an individual, maybe even as a visionary that brought about a new way of thinking, but certainly more than just a mere name ::..

..:: The blood that runs through my veins is, after all, worth more than mere letters alone ::..

..:: And so, letting out a heavy sigh and exhaling deeply, I lifted the weight of the world upon my shoulders and strode towards the outside world once again. Battle Grounds was once again calling my name ::..

..:: This time there would be no slip ups. This time there would be no distractions. This time ::..

..:: It was time. ::..



..:: The shaky hands of the silver clocked tiptoed their way past the dial marked “6” and signalled the arrival of the evening. It had been a chilly day in Toronto; a sleazy breeze had thrown a veil over the entire city, probably arguing the case for summer’s impending death and autumn’s resurrection. ::..

..:: Still, life goes on ::..

REPORTER
“Mr. Styles, do you have anything to say about your replacement of Brian Hunt in this years Battle for the Briefcase?”

..:: Squealed the latest in a long line of ferret-like reporters eager to return back to the nest with an exclusive. ::..

REPORTER
“You’re back on the front cover of Wrestling Times magazine, sir! It seems you’re causing quite the stir!”

..:: He threw the bait out and waited for the bite ::..

..:: Flattery is every good reporter’s trump card. You see, although I’d hate to confirm a stereotype that condemns the profession that has been good enough to provide me with a living, it is in fact true that the vast majority of wrestlers in this day and age are meat heads. Seemingly obsessed with either their physique or ego, any half witted journalist can land an interview simply by turning on the charm. However, I’ve spent years in this industry dealing with misfits of this sort and it’s this experience that has bought me immunity to such tricks ::..

..:: Johnny Styles speaks only when he has something to say ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“I have no comment”

..: I said, beaming from ear to ear. Naturally, the smile killed the reporter’s bubbly facial expression as a look of stone overcame him ::..

..:: Slamming the gym door shut with an authoritative bang, I turned to face the assortment of metal bars, treadmills and exercise bikes left at my disposal. The doctors had told me that getting back into shape was integral to any attempted comeback I might make – especially given the nature of my back injury. Still, as I peered out at the metallic wonderland that stared back at me with evil intentions, I couldn’t help but think life would be so much easier sat on the couch with a bottle of Bud ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Fuck. Where do I even start?”

..:: Then, a voice bellowed from the Heavens… well, not quite the Heavens, the other side of the room actually. ::..

VOICE
“You could start by giving an old friend a hug!”

..:: Throwing an awkward glance to my left, I looked on as my eyes scrambled backwards and ran towards the rear side of my head. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Jada!”

..:: Standing to my right and wearing a stunning red trouser suit was none other than one of the women that had helped propel my career into stardom in the first place. Jada Hart. She was the wife of Frank Hart and the mother of Robbie Hart. We go way back, even before her and Frank ever met, It was good to see her but I was almost certain she was here to try to talk me out of my role of aiding VVR. ::..

..:: The last time I’d laid eyes on Jada she’d been on the run from the police because of some bogus drugs scandal. The cops had, wrongly, accused her of aiding smugglers in transporting cocaine over from Cuba. The Hart Crime family is infamous for its coke deals, but Jada had neither the financial clout or brains to pull off a massive drugs operation. She was the sex behind the family and Frank or I guess Robbie were the power. Besides, in my eyes, she’d always be the sweet, little girl that helped me through a few hard times in JWF ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“What brings you to this part of town then, stranger?”

..:: I asked, releasing the hug and staring at the gleam in her eye excitedly. ::..

JADA
“Well, I figured I was due a vacation and all. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, you know? It just seemed like you transformed from this small time show athlete to the wrestling superstar I see before me today overnight! So, I decided why not buy tickets to go and watch your return since your showdown with Shadow Demon? It makes sense, don’t you think?”

..:: She said with a giggle ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“I guess so! Your sure this little trip down memory lane has nothing to with me helping VVR, break the curse?”

..:: Jada continued to give me the once over with a constant stare that suggested she was somewhat in awe of me. I hate it when that happens. ::..

JADA
“Why don’t you go and get changed out of that silly little costume you’ve got there and then you can take me to dinner? I’d say we’ve got a lot of catching up to do!”

..:: She blurted out suddenly ::..

..:: Pausing for a moment as I pondered over whether or not to decline her invitation and actually work out, I once again looked around the room as the shiny faces of hurt seemed to pop up in every corner. The treadmills seemed to grin at me, the dumbbells cackled and the rowing machines… well, they just nodded in agreement too, I guess. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Well”

..:: I began, sighing at my lack of mental strength. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“I guess you twisted my arm.”

..:: And with that, I hopped off back to the changing rooms with newfound dreams of three course meals at the forefront of my thinking. ::..

I am only facing a Ninja this week though, right? Oh well, the gym can wait.

..:: It’s this sort of uncompromising, determined attitude that I attribute as the sole reason to my success. It’s an attribute I’m going to have to teach to VVR if he has any hope in beating eighter Brenton Cyrus or Robbie Hart::..



† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Cheque, please”

..:: I said, waving my right arm around in the air enthusiastically. ::..

..:: Once again, it seemed as if the wine had gotten the better of Jada. Sat across from me at the table behind an empty plate of grilled fish, she continued to drone on about how great the ‘good ol’ days’ were and just how much life had changed for her. Despite her undoubtedly dazzling good looks, Jada always did have this annoying tendency to punctuate her speech with a nervous giggle that actually sounded like a middle aged man gargling tooth paste. Every time the giggle left her mouth it sliced the night air in two, polluting it with a sleazy irritation that made me cringe noticeably ::..

JADA
“You ok?”

..:: She noticed, falling flat in mid sentence ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Yeah, yeah, I’m great”

..::: I lied, throwing my eye line over towards the waiter, hoping that the bill would magically appear in front of me. No such luck. Time for a change of subject. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“So, aside from work, how have you been keeping yourself busy?”

..:: Jada’s tongue rolled to the back of her open mouth as her entire body seemed to recoil, waiting to spew forth a predetermined response. It was almost as if I could see the robotic workings of her brain processes unfolding before my very eyes. A cold shiver ran down my spine ::..

..:: Maybe I shouldn’t have asked ::..

JADA
“Well, I’m not going to beat around the bush here Johnny, I don’t think you should back VVR, Now before you say anything I want you to listen. We go way back, so do you and Brenton, and your career has almost been mirrored by Frank. And Robbie, my son has promise, the last thing I want is this to put a tear into are relationship or the relationships of anyone else”

† JOHNNY STYLES †
”I apprecaite the concern, and your right we do go way back. But I refuse to let Brenton Cyrus ruin another young career.”

JADA
”Alex made his own choice, you can’t keep blaming Brenton for what happened between you two!”

..:: Explained Jada, pouring emotion into her tone. ::..

JADA
“I can’t simply stand by and let you turn your back on more people who love you, Johnny. This game is full of sharks, you know this better then anyone. You can’t help VVR”

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“I’m helping VVR, and if you cared about Robbie you wouldn’t try to talk me out of it. I find it sickning how people are so quick to forget what Brenton did to a lot of people. Everyone is quick to kiss his ass, I’m not one of them. VVR is a dick, but having him as champion is a lot better then having Brenton or someone that is his puppet. What surprises me is the fact you’re here pleading me to not help VVR, while your son is serious thinking about giving his shot to Brenton. Maybe you should be convincing your kid, not me”

JADA
“He’s still young Johnny, part of me thinks maybe he’s to young for this shot. But if you think I’ve been trying to talk him into making this deal with Brenton, your wrong. Like I told Robbie, I support whatever he decideds to do. But I can’t say the same for you case”

..:: Her words sobbed out like a tramp pleading his case to a market full of rich people. However, unlike most tramps, Jada Hart actually had a choice of whether or not to prostitute herself, to help Brenton and/or her Son. It was for that reason that I was pretty unsympathetic to her case.

Actually, scratch that. I didn’t give a flying fuck.

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“VVR is the one with my support Jada. Nothing you say or do well change that”

..:: I declared argumentatively. ::..

..:: Maybe it was her laugh that had pissed me off to the extent of forcing that rant out. Maybe it was the fact that I was going to have to pick up the cheque… I don’t know. Either way, several seconds later, I was going to regret opening my mouth. ::..

JADA
“What?”

..:: She snapped, like a Venus fly trap snaring another victim in its jaws. ::..

JADA
“How can you be so callous? You don’t think VVR isn’t using you for his own cause? He learned everything from Corey Casey, and Corey learned everything from Brenton! You’re not chaning anything by helping VVR, by helping him, you no better then Brenton himself.”

..:: The red mist descended over the table ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“I’ve earned my dues in this life, Jada. I’ve wrestled in every dirty corners this game has to offer and further beyond. Hours of dedication and practise got me to the level I’m at today. So, don’t lecture me on my choices”

..:: I said. Our eyes tussled like two angry rams colliding heads. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Right now, I’m having to do things ‘the hard way’ as you put it. I’m starting over because of the actions by Brenton and my son! I’m trying to rebuild my reputation in the wrestling world! So excuse me if I’m not jumping on the new relationship between your Son and Brenton”

..:: The smoke erupted from her ears like an overworked kettle venting its frustration. Sure, maybe that wasn’t the best analogy I’d ever used to describe a situation and maybe I didn’t actually believe what I was saying, but someway or somehow Jada had started to irritate me. ::..

..:: It’s only fair to fight back, right? ::..

JADA
“I can’t believe you!”

..:: She shrieked, alerting the rest of the restaurant of our ‘little’ argument. Banging her fists down onto the table and looming over me with intent, she continued to bawl at me. ::..

JADA
“Are you even the same man that I used to know? Does fame really change someone this much? You can’t honestly tell me you regret anything that happened, when you have millions of fans who adore you and provides you with every courtesy that you could ever wish to encounter in life?”

..:: Raising my head a little and staring around the room, I noticed that pretty much all eyes were focused on our table. The women in particular looked on with a vested interest – they’d clearly overheard the content of our conversation. It was hard not to really… ::..

..:: I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Sometimes it’s hard, you know? Standing up for something you should have stood up for years ago”

..:: I said, clearly taunting her. ::..

..:: I watched on curiously as the hyenas in high heels around the room began to sharpen their teeth. ::..



..:: Cornered like a helpless child, I stood there amongst the rabid pack with a resolute determination to once again overcome what seemed like a hopeless situation. The sound of hyena saliva dripping onto the coarse ground beneath me was accompanied only by an ominous growl that ensured the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. ::..

“We’re going to rip you to shreds”

..:: Snarled the leader ::..

..:: After several near death experiences in the past as an adventurer, I was used to these kinds of odds. The first time I was placed in a situation like this I had to fight off twelve orang-utans that figured I looked like a pretty nutritious lunch. On that occasion, fear had left me paralyzed and limited my chances of survival. Thankfully, I made it out alive. Ever since, I’d always maintained that I’d never again let fear get the better of me again. ::..

..:: However, it seemed like someone had forgotten to send that particular memo to my legs. ::..

..:: Knocking together like two wind chimes in unison, I struggled to compose myself in the face of such adversity. Collectively, the pack eyeballed with a sickening red glow that promised nothing but violence. I tried to compose myself. ::..

“Any last requests, SB?”

..:: The leader barked. Her teeth seemed to sharpen ::..

..:: Suddenly, a mysteriously mechanical noise echoed around the baron valley and forced the pack backwards. Bewildered as to what could make such an unearthly sound, the hyenas fled in fear, leaving me in a puddle of perspiration that could have easily filled a lake. ::..

..:: The noise continued to beep away, saving me from any potential threat. ::..



..:: Taking out my trusty mobile phone from the top pocket of my jacket, I batted my eyelids in Jada’s general direction and threw out a paw, ushering her to sit down. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Excuse me, I need to take this”

..:: Throwing her napkin onto the table, Jada offered me a look that could easily have given the devil himself nightmares and turned on her heels. As she strode towards the exit, I knew I’d had a lucky escape with the timing of my phone call. The rest of the hyenas in the room began to chill in the absence of their leader. ::..

..:: Flipping up the lid on my phone, I glanced at the caller ID and beamed like a tickled newborn. ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“VVR”

..:: I said ::..

† JOHNNY STYLES †
“Mang, sometimes I just love you and your timing!”



“This is all about me.”

“The world will tune in to Battle Grounds to witness the rebirth of Johnny Styles. Already, the doubters have began to sharpen their knives, hoping and praying that the once unstoppable force falls one more time at the first hurdle. Fallen heroes sell newspapers; that’s the story everyone wants to read on Friday morning as they tuck into their bowl of cornflakes”

“But I’m not about to let that happen, again”

“Maybe Brian Hunt gave up his spot, because he has given it second thought as to whether or not I’ve got it left in me to compete at the top level. After all, what better way to crown a fall from grace than to see me lose to a Ninja?”

“Newsflash.”

“It isn’t happening.”

“I began to accept that this notion of a tournament to unveil a new holder in the Championship Briefcase was a fantastic idea. You see, when I walk into cash my case, I want to know that there isn’t a human being alive that can beat me a wrestling match.”

“This tournament is my ticket to that guarantee.”

“Over the past two years I’ve visited around five or six of the country’s top back specialists and they’ve all told me, almost without fail, that my body can’t take much more abuse. Being the competitor that I am, this is pretty hard for me to take.”

“The thought of retiring in this sport again is something I simply don’t want to think about.”

“I’ve got to admit though, I’m not Peter Pan and I can’t carry on forever. The day will come when my body simply refuses to function anymore. How close is this day? I really have no idea. However, that doesn’t stop the army of reporters banging on my door constantly asking about a possible retirement date.”

“From my perspective, I’m just going to keep rolling with the challenges.”

“This week they’re pitting me against some kid called The Ninja. I’ll admit that, despite this guy apparently being one of the young hotshots, I’ve not heard too much about him. You see, the Battle for the briefcase tournament is what I returned to this company for. I’m not here to make up the numbers. I’m here to compete on the biggest stages available to me. So, you’ll have to excuse me if I get a little insulted when the ‘next name on my things to do list’ starts running his mouth about any potential giant killings.”

“I didn’t break my back for this sport only to lose to somebody that I’d class as a nobody.”

“That’s right, Ninja. I don’t care which fucking Dojo you’re a part of now. I don’t care if you want to run around throwing ninja stars. That’s your business.”

“However, this tournament is very much my business and that’s where our problem starts and finishes.”

“You see, when I look back at the end of my career, I’ll have to recognize that this tournament was my biggest chance to get back to the level I once dominated. I don’t think I’ll be able to live with myself if I have to acknowledge that some wildcard stole this opportunity from me. So, as a special gift from me to you, Ninja, I’m laying it all on the line.”

“You want to fuck with Johnny Styles at the peak of his powers? That’s fine. Be my guest.”

“However, realize for one second that I’ve never been more determined and focused for a wrestling match. Any potential threats to my legacy have to be dealt with and it looks as if your luck is just about out.”

“This tournament is the platform I’m using to provide the fans with what they want. Every man on the planet wants to know whether or not Brenton Cyrus is actually better than Johnny Styles. Hell, I want to know, Ninja. I want to know how good I really am. All I know right now is that…”

“I’m better than you.”

“Don’t bother packing a spare shirt. You won’t need one going to where you’re headed. This is your funeral, Ninja. This is your dying hour. For me, this match is about finding myself and seeing whether or not I really am as good as the public says I am. I’ve travelled down many long and winding roads on my journey to find out what I’m really made of and Sunday night could well mark the finding of the Holy Grail itself.”

“Will I be remembered as the man that decimated The Ninja?”

“Will I be remembered as the greatest of them all?”

“Or will I be remembered as a man that fall short of his task at the final hurdle?”

“It’s time to answer all these questions and many more. I won’t be distracted on my path to greatness any longer. The head of Ninja will fall and with it comes another step towards immortality.”

“Sunday night will reveal the true Johnny Styles …”

“And perception is everything