Storming Raven [vs] Tim Patrick

Prologue: IWF after the bell.

After the big reveal of Tim Patrick faking his illness, Storming Raven walks back through the curtain. He rubs his chin but there is a maniacal smile on his face. He looks into the camera with a wink before speaking.

“There's a few things I'd like to discuss. First off, the Empire of Blood. They think they can replace me with a woman? That's cute, real cute. I wasn't aware the blood was coming from their vaginas. Seriously, how long will it take for their periods to synchronize? Secondly, Good job, Tim. You managed to make all these mindless sheep believe you. I never did, and now the wolf is knocking at your door, and instead of using his breath to blow the house down he's coming with C4! This is just the beginning. I have all kinds of surprises in store for you. Get plenty of rest, as much as you can before waking in a cold sweat. Come Sunday, only one of us will walk away with our careers in tact.”

Storming Raven motions for the camera to move in closer to his face.

“Now ever since this whole thing started, everyone's been asking why? Well they will soon find out. The mindless sheep think it started with your fiancee and unborn child, but it goes back further than that. Soon everyone shall know. Stay tuned boppers, stay tuned.”

With another wink and sinister grin Storming Raven walks off camera.

Scene one: Around the world

An IWF.com exclusive

As the camera comes on, the time stamp in the bottom right hand corner reads August, 22nd,2013. It's a muggy overcast day in Paris, France. The Eiffel tower stands in the background as Storming Raven steps into the frame. Though it's a stifling eighty-one degrees, he is dressed all in black. That sinister grin comes on his face as he turns slightly and motions toward the Eiffel tower.

“Do you remember this place,Tim? You should. Hell I'm not even supposed to be here, legally speaking. This was the site of our first epic encounter at Bloody Sunday two. My first high profile match with the company. If you look close enough at the side walk, our blood still stains this place.You won that match....your match. It was pure luck, and it has eaten away at me ever since. On that day, I promised I would have my revenge. I know you're not better than me, and soon the world will know it. You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. From that moment, I swore to myself, I would bide my time, and befriend you. I would get to know you like no one else. Then when the moment was right, I'd strike. That was phase one.”

The camera fades out for a second, when it fades back in it's another location important to Storming Raven and Tim Patrick. A bar in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Storming Raven sits at a table in the corner. A bottle of Jack Daniels he brought in himself sits in front of him, half gone.

“Now I KNOW you remember this place Tim. The last IWF world tour, we were here. I was playing with my band Spirit Wheel, and you knowing the danger tried to sneak in. Of course your cover was blown...Gee I wonder how that happened exactly?”

Storming Raven shoots a crooked grin.

“You killed a man here. Unbeknownst to me, this is where I found phase 2. I came back the next day, and this is where I met Ian. It was then I knew the time would soon be right. I had planted the seed, I just had to watch it grow. Funny, I've never actually killed anyone myself. Abduction sure, but never murder. What's worse you kill for political reasons, this really makes you no better than a common terrorist.”

With a shrug he picks up the bottle of Jack Daniels, twists the cap off, and grins.

“Cheers, Tim. Should auld acquaintance be forgot...and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance before forgot....and auld lang syne. For Auld lang syne...my dear, for...auld lang syne, We'll take...a cup of kindness yet....for auld lang syne”

He takes a swig from the bottle as the camera fades to black.

Scene two: Swamp music

It's the Friday before From The ashes. As the camera comes on it's blurry, unfocused. A baby crying can be heard. A shrill mocking voice is heard, along with the strange clacking sound of teeth.

“Help me,Tim. Help me! He's killing me Tim!”

The camera focuses to show Storming Raven's hands playing with a skull. He sits at the table in his swamp in the shack. A lit cigarette dangles from his lips. It's three fourths smoked. He scoffs and throws the skull over his shoulder. Another skull with the top cut off sits on the table, he flicks his ashes into it, and stubs out the cigarette.

“Relax, it's obviously not really her skull. That one is still being cured. Congratulations on killing Ian by the way. There's really no big loss there, he was scum like the rest of this festering world. He was just a means to an end. Though it does make you a murderer, no better than me really. See I never killed anyone, as I've said. Yet everyone thinks I'm the bad guy? Well a great man once said:”

Now Storming Raven begins speaking in a dead on impersonation of Al Pacino as Scarface.

“Joo little cockaroaches need people like me. Joo need people like me, so joo can all point jore fingers and say, 'There he is, there's the bad guy.' So joo can feel better about joreselves mayne. Well fuck it, say 'allo to the bad guy.”

Storming Raven shrugs, and continues in his own low voice.

“So I guess that's the way it's gotta be. Oh well, the world needs bad guys, just as much as good guys. I mean what would Batman be without the Joker....Speaking of Batman, they cast Ben Affleck as Batman, what kind of shit is that?! Did they not see how atrocious Daredevil was? Though I digress. If there was no bad in the world, we wouldn't realize what was truly good. So as I see it, I'm doing the world a service. Somehow the world has got it in their heads that you're a hardcore icon. Don't make me laugh! While you and your friends were in backyards beating the shit out of each other for fun, I was on the street, fighting for my life! You see that makes me a little angry. How do these sheep see you as a hardcore Icon, when I've LIVED hardcore for two thirds of my life?!”

Storming Raven rips off his black shirt revealing a torso with so many scars it looks like a patch work quilt.

“Not all of these are from wrestling. Most of them damn near killed me, but I just got back up and came back even harder! I've done everything you have and more, twice over! Yet these people cheer you, and laughed at me! Well they're not laughing anymore are they?!”

Storming Raven is visibly shaking with anger. There is no remorse in his cold black eyes. Blood begins to trickle from his mouth.

“It's funny how two people can be so similar, yet so different. Right now, all you care about is vengeance. Me? Hell I enjoy the pain, it reminds me that I'm alive. So anything you can possibly do to me. I will just laugh and come right back.”

Storming Raven stops, and looks down at the table where the powdered glass covered gloves those idiots in the Empire of Blood gave him sits. He picks them up and slowly slips them on. Then looks back in the camera.

“Our first meeting was by your rules. This time, there are no rules. It's almost bad for you, that you're not broken like you pretended to be. As it is you are far too emotional. You'll let your emotions take over, and take risks, throwing any form of strategy out the window. It will be the...death of you.”

Storming Raven chuckles at his little joke.

“You've signed your own death certificate as it is. I have only lost one trail of tears match in IWF, and I don't plan on losing another any time soon. Though this has transcended far beyond winning and losing hasn't it? If by some act of god I lose, I will do everything in my power to end you at From the Ashes. There will be a new crowned king of hardcore, and like the phoenix I shall rise from the ashes of your empty career to new heights.”

Storming Raven pushes back from the table and begins to pace the floor.

“The trail of tears match is beyond anything you've seen in your worst nightmares. A twenty foot tall steel cage, an already unforgiving structure. Then add that each wall is wrapped in barbed wire and broken glass. If that's not enough, one wall will be electrified, one wall on fire, and as an added bonus for this particular match, one wall will be covered in C4. The remaining wall will just be the barbed wire and broken glass. Hanging inside are the most extreme weapons you can think of. Pinfall or submission inside the cage, hell since this one means so much let's make it two out of three falls inside the cage. Here's the catch that previously mentioned wall with just the barbed wire and broken glass? If one of us is to climb out of the cage, and let's be honest it'd most likely be me, the other must follow or forfeit, once outside it becomes last man standing. How sweet it will be for you, your last match is basically in your own backyard. It must feel like a dream right now, but I promise you, it will quickly turn into a nightmare....You're in my world now bitch!”

Scene three: We never been to the Bronx before...

The camera fades in on Yankee stadium, seemingly covered in blood. Soon a red rain begins falling and a sinister laugh is heard. The camera spins until it focuses on Storming Raven in the very last row. It zooms in as he speaks.

“I always hated baseball. Use a bat to hit a ball, then drop the bat and run around some bases hoping to not get “tagged out” by someone on the opposing side with the ball. If there's one thing I learned in my time on the streets, if someone is chasing you, having a bat in your hands will stop them pretty quick, so why drop the bat? It's stupid. I've never ran from anyone, and I damn sure ain't going to do it for a useless game.”

Storming Raven takes a drink from a flask, and grins as a strange red liquid dribbles from his chin.

“It occurs to me, that this is the very first time a trail of tears match has taken place outdoors. This works out great for me, because I always feel stronger, closer to nature. It's history in the making. It is said history is written by men who win wars. Well win or lose I intend to make my own history. The history of Tim Patrick the hardcore poser. He has held the wool over the eyes of these people for far too long. I'm the real hardcore icon in this company. Compared to me, Tim is Mickey Mouse. It looks like my Thanksgiving has come a few months early. It's quite funny every child is taught the story of the first Thanksgiving, but never the second. You see the second Thanksgiving was one of the bloodiest turf wars in the north east. The pilgrims repaid my people's kindness in helping them survive, by killing them a year later. Many lives were lost, and what's worse they made sport of kicking around decapitated chieftains' heads while enjoying their meals that we taught them about. Well, come Sunday I rewrite history. Come hell or high water, Tim Patrick will NOT walk out of this place of his own accord, because it's one,two, three strikes you're out in this crazy game of life and death!”

Scene four: Behind closed doors.


Off camera,Storming Raven stands by the sliding glass door that leads to the balcony of the room at the downtown New York Marriott, deep in thought. Tonight could be the biggest moment in his career and he wonders if he’s ready. He smiles as he hears the door open and looks in the reflection of the sliding glass door to see Nekora.

“Where’ve you been, love?

“At the graveyard...Talking to mom. Had to do a Spirit Summoning spell to do so. Only she could enter the circle, so i wouldn’t be interrupted.” She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

Storming Raven nods and turns around.

“I usually travel to the spirit world to speak to my father.”

He looks out the balcony door again.

“I’m not sure if you should come out with me tonight or not. The trail of tears isn’t just an ordinary match.”

“Oh? What do you have to do in this match? I’ve never heard of it…”

Storming Raven continues looking out the balcony door.

“It’s my specialty match. A twenty foot steel cage, wrapped in barbed wire and broken glass, with weapons hanging inside. One side is electrified, the other is on fire, another is covered in C4, and the other is just the barbed wire and broken glass. It’s pinfall or submission while in the cage, but if either me or Tim climbs out, then the other has to follow, or forfeit. It then becomes last man standing. I don’t want you getting hurt in the crossfire.”

“C4?! That’s basically a tool to kill you! Why the fuck did you accept this match?! I can take the Broken Glass and Barbed wire, fire, and a little shocking, but why a highly powerful explosive?!” Nekora said, her dark eyes wide in shock.

He walks over to her with a smile, and caresses her cheek with his fingertips.

“That which doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger. I’ll be okay. I just have to prove to everyone I’m the hardcore icon of IWF not Tim.”

“I just don’t want you to die…” She said, a small tear running off her cheek as she sat on the bed and laid back on it, sighing.

Storming Raven turns on the stereo and “Leaving on a Jet plane” by John Denver begins to play. He looks back at the stereo and shakes his head before jumping on the bed next to Nekora and puts his arm around her. He kisses her tear away.

“I’m not going to die, darlin. I’m just gonna kill Tim’s career. You can come out with me if it will make you feel better. “

"I hope you murder it..." she chokes out, putting her head on his chest.

He runs his fingers through her hair.

“You don’t have to worry. Nothing will ever take me away from you.”

Scene five: Lyin' eyes, and alibis.

As the camera crew walks into Storming Raven's hotel room, he is wearing an attire a lot like Tim's. He sits on the edge of the bed reviewing the press conference from earlier that day,he motions as if to say be with you guys in a minute. He fast forwards to Tim's part and is seized by uncontrollable laughter. He composes himself with some trouble, before standing up and wring his hands together. He nods letting the camera man know he's ready to go.

“Tim Patrick... You're such a god damned liar.”

Storming Raven changes to a mocking tone.

“I don't care about championships, I do this so everyone who is struggling has someone to look up to.”

He goes back to his normal tone.

“BULL SHIT! Anyone who says they don't want to be a champion in this business, just knows they're not cut out for this business. Not to mention people look up to champions more than common men. Everyone remembers Jesus, not the guy who sat at the end of the table at the last supper. Furthermore, you mention how you've beat Thor twice, and he beat me in the trail of tears. Use your head chump. I LET him beat me because I was joining the Empire of Blood,idgit ”

He rolls his neck and shoulders, the muscles popping in succession like a roll of fire crackers.

“No one ever helped me out while I was on the street. Everything I have, I had to earn the hard way. I often wonder what it would be like if I did have help. Would I have turned out this way, or would I be one of those snot nosed kids looking for their hand out? I love who I am, I wouldn't have it any other way. The Great Spirit helps those who help themselves.”

A slow malicious grin spreads over his lips.

“Do you like the new look by the way? Consider it my parting gift to you. So even when you're gone people will still remember the shell of the person who once wore it, and the person who now wears it being so much more than that person ever was.”

He shakes his head with a chuckle.

“As far as the woman and the bastard goes; you should be thanking me. I heard through the grape vine if that woman had as many dicks sticking out of her as she had in her, she'd look like a porcupine. So who knows if the whelp was even yours? Far as I'm concerned I did you a favor. Take it from someone who knows...”

He heaves a melodramatic sigh.

“It's a shame it had to come to this. I really do respect you. Sure you made some bonehead moves, like taking me up in this match, but we all make mistakes.”

That sinister chuckle escapes again.

“I almost fooled myself with that one.  You're almost a memory now. A mere foot note in the history of wrestling, while there will be entire chapters about me. Tim Patrick, WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE!”

Scene six: It's show time folks!

The camera shows Storming Raven standing in his locker room, making some last minute preparations. We see him wrapping barbed wire from his feet to his shoulders. He slowly turns around with a scowl.

“Can you feel it, Tim? Can you feel the winds of change, the end of an era? Your sheep can't help you. Hell once we step in that cage, no one can help you. Did I forget to mention the door is welded shut? So there is no easy way out. We're both people who live with no regrets, but after tonight you will have one. You will regret the day you ever decided to step inside my world.”

Storming Raven does a few stretches and walks out of his locker room the camera following close behind.

“You think you know pain now, but you have no idea. The trail of tears was specifically designed to push the boundaries of what the human body can take. As I stated, it's not about winning or losing anymore. It's about making sure you never step in a ring again.  Everyone thinks these kind of matches are sadistic and bloody, not real wrestling at all. They're half right. You see in this match it's not about size,speed,or technical ability. It's not even about the pain. It is a test of will. Two men throwing everything they can about each other. The winner will be the one who can ignore the pain. I know I can ignore the pain, but can you? We're about to find out. You see no matter who wins or loses in this match, in the end, in life, I win, you lose. Because I will continue to do what I'm doing. You will sell out and become just another suit. I know how much, deep down, that fucking eats away at you inside. The thrill of the hunt will be gone. Guys like us aren't meant for office jobs. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and this dog will continue to hunt. While you lay with the sheep, I will be out there in front of everyone proving to everyone that I am the real hardcore icon in IWF.”

At this point Storming Raven's music hits.

“Tim Patrick....The hunt is...on”

The camera fades out as Storming Raven bursts through the curtain, on his way to the biggest match of his career, and his future.

 
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