Post by Dylan Black on Oct 22, 2021 11:54:35 GMT -5
October 30th, 2021
Miami, Florida, USA
Port of Miami
We open on a large cruise ship docked in the Port of Miami. It is early in the day, and wrestlers are boarding the ship to get into their private quarters before fans bombard their ship. It's a hectic area as everyone tries to make their way on. From sponsors to guests, wrestlers to advocates, everyone is making haste to board. Somewhere in the middle of the sea of people waiting to board are a fat walrus of a man and a tall, slender figure beside him. The taller person wears his hair back in a ponytail, with a cap on and sunglasses on the bill of the hat. He turns to the person beside him, leaning over.
Dylan Black: I hate boats. I hate being out on water. Why did we agree to this again?
The walrus turns to Dylan.
Antonio Katō: Well, it could be a few things. Publicity. Mongo the Destroyer and Kira Izumi extending their reaches around the wrestling world through one of their greatest exports.
Antonio takes a moment to ponder.
Antonio Katō: Or perhaps, it's a change of scenery. You're so used to the comings and goings of the XHF and this is going to be your foot in the door of places who aren't familiar with the particular brand of... violence you bring to the table.
Dylan stands back up and the pair shuffle forward.
Dylan Black: Still doesn't change the fact I hate being on water, in a boat, surrounded by so many people.
Antonio just shakes his head.
Antonio Katō: Sucks. You're in line to get on one, and wrestle two very intriguing people. We'll make the best of it, enjoy some festivities, unwind. This is your only obligation for the next month. Maybe we can pick up an opportunity or two along the way.
Dylan nods along.
Dylan Black: I suppose. Let's make the most of this then.
We zoom out as the pair keep shuffling forward and onto the cruise ship.
October 2nd, 2021
Hokkaido Prefecture
House of Black
The shot transitions to Antonio sitting in a chair in the middle of Dylan Black's living room. He sits there in a fancy blue Armani suit. He sits with his hands folded in his lap and leaning forward. He smiles at the camera.
Antonio Katō: Greeting, everyone. My name is Antonio Katō. Newly hired advocate, spokesperson, occasional council. But you're not here for me. You are here for my habitué, my patron. My client. Dylan Black.
Antonio offers a wicked grin.
Antonio Katō: Mr. Black is aware of the fact that few people here even know him. The odd XHF regular is aware of his talents but for those uninitiated, allow me to educate you.
The look on his face changes as he's gearing to lay down the law. Antonio's expression is more serious as his tone drops to just above a whisper.
Antonio Katō: Dylan Black is far and away, one of the most violent, dangerous personalities to grace a wrestling ring. There are few who match him blow for blow in the ring, and that was before he had his limbs amputated and replaced with cybernetic limbs. But he wasn't always like this. Dylan Black was once a young lion, hungry for the good fight, eager to make his mark upon the wrestling world. And he did exactly that. There was a time where Dylan Black was arguably one of the best pure wrestlers in the business, for he didn't engage in the shenanigans he does now. He would hop pond to pond, making splash after splash until he found himself in the vast ocean of the XHF Network.
Antonio Katō: And the XHF Network, it became Dylan's home for years to come. The XHF would change Dylan. He became darker, more twisted and unhinged in the ring. The pure wrestling would be less and less prominent as he incorporated a more methodical style. Long gone were the days of the Rookie Sensation, as he now dubbed himself the Messiah of Mayhem.
Antonio bows his head a moment.
Antonio Katō: And things went well for Dylan up to that point. He kicked ass, took titles. All was well until a freak accident with a self-proclaimed God. He left that encounter with just organic limb, and three bionic ones. The results of his reality warping enhancement surgery left him a lot of things. Broken. Lost. But, also insane. And as his mental state quickly deteriorated he found himself on an... interesting path. One that lead right to the church of E.V.E.
His hands flip from folded to clasped, almost in a prayer?
Antonio Katō: Dylan was quickly indoctrinated in the church of E.V.E. and has been on a warpath to this very day. That leads us to the charity cruise. Everyone is looking to win their matches, support their charitable causes. Dylan isn't looking to support his charity. In fact he put all the charities he could think of on a spinning wheel, blindfolded himself, and tossed a dart at the board. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is lucky that they were "chosen" to be Dylan's representative charity because it's not, it's not about the charity for Dylan.
A sly smirk is upon Antonio's face.
Antonio Katō: For Dylan Black, it's all about getting his name out there. Extending his reach to the rest of the world, regardless of reward. Regardless of consequence. Dylan Black cares first and foremost, for how many people he gets to hurt and how he gets to do it. He doesn't care about the party animal, charitable millionaire Giovanni Santana. And he certainly doesn't care about IWF Hall of Famer and two-time IWF World Champion Dean Harper.
He holds his hands out, almost bargaining with Dean and Cholo.
Antonio Katō: Dylan Black frankly doesn't care about winning the match. So maybe his chosen charity isn't chosen. But Dean and Giovanni, heed my warning. Dylan Black is coming to the cruise with a baseball bat and an itchy trigger finger. He intends to hurt you, to punish you and he will do everything within his power to make an example out of you two. Not because he holds a certain disdain towards you. Not because he wants to assure his charity or the XHF are well represented. He will maim you simply because he can.
His hands return to a comfortable folded position on his abdomen. His expression pleading. His tone full of worry.
Antonio Katō: Beware the Messiah of Mayhem. Beware Dylan Black.
And with his final warning spoken, he leans back and closes his eyes as we SMASH CUT! into the next scene.
October 30th, 2021
Miami, Florida, USA
Port of Miami
It's now about an hour or two after Dylan and Antonio have boarded the ship. They sit in their own room in the ship, where Antonio and Dylan are unpacking their cases for the three day trip. Dylan removes a long black and red object from his case, his patented baseball bat. The Blacklight. He sets that leaning against the nightstand beside his bed. The rest of his case is zipped up and kicked to the foot of the bed. Dylan jumps into the bed and takes a moment to stretch out and close his eyes, in a moment of peace. Antonio breaks that peace as he gently puts his own case on the floor and sits on his bed.
Antonio Katō: So. Do you plan on joining in on any festivities on this long weekend, or do you wish to brood in here when you're not wrestling?
Dylan sits in silence, unmoved. Ignoring his compadre? He takes a deep breath, carefully considering his answer.
Dylan Black: Perhaps I may look out upon the world. Mingle with some and check the festivities. Wear a hoodie to remain incognito. But largely, I expect to be holed up here. I ran through the itinerary of things provided and aside from a bar or two, there isn't much that catches my eye.
Antonio nods.
Antonio Katō: You know, there will be plenty of CEOs, executives and talent managements on the ship. Might be worth some time to mingle among them, get your name out so they can keep an eye out for your match tomorrow.
A single eye opens, as Dylan turns his head ever so slightly to stare at Antonio.
Dylan Black: But why? The only thing I plan on doing to promote the Dylan Black name is to go out, wrestle my match, and steal the whole cruise. Besides, contract negotiations and talking isn't really my thing.
He chuckles.
Dylan Black: That's why you're here. You're the one that handles the talking, negotiating and preparing. I handle the punching and kicking, like a boss.
It's Antonio's turn to let out a laugh now.
Antonio Katō: In my experience, executives appreciate when talent reach out with the negotiators, not let them to all the work.
Dylan scoffs.
Dylan Black: Well I'm not going up to important people on the cruise, being like "Please sir, watch my match and consider reaching out to my advocate. I'd love to work with you." That's not how I roll, not anymore. People want to see my worth? They can watch my matches and do the math. I refuse to shill and kiss ass to work my way up the ladder. They can find me, or they can miss out.
There's a silence that follows this. Antonio sighs, before he slaps his knees and pushes himself into a standing position and making his way to the door.
Antonio Katō: Well. I'm going to go get a head start on enjoying myself this weekend. Should you care to join me, I'll be up top enjoying some nice weather and good food.
Dylan Black: Antonio?
Antonio is one foot out the door but stops and turns back to his client.
Antonio Katō: Yes, sir?
Dylan sits himself up ever so slightly to see his spokesperson.
Dylan Black: See to it that a triple bacon cheeseburger, some decent fries and a vanilla shake make it down here.
Antonio nods hurridly.
Antonio Katō: Yes sir. Right away sir.
Antonio shuts the door behind him, to keep any unwanted visitors away from Dylan. We freeze frame on the door to their room before there's a slide to the next scene.
Date Unknown
Location Unknown
Some dark and moody room
The first thing we see is Dylan Black rubbing his robotic hands together, laughing as the sparks fly from them. He wears a black I Prevail tank top, blue jeans and black boots.
Dylan Black: So this is it. The Tara Phoenix Charity Cruise. A three day, fun filled extravaganza where people will be letting loose, kicking back and enjoying some high-stakes wrestling... for two people early on Halloween, they will most certainly not be having the time of their lives.
He cackles and claps his hands together.
Dylan Black: Dean Harper and Giovanni "Cholo" Santana. The two unfortunate victims who will have the displeasure of standing in front of me on October 31st. Before I get into tearing apart the legacies you've built up around yourselves, allow me to give you the introductory packet.
Dylan Black: My name is Dylan Black. 9 time World Champion around the world, including two reigns with the world's most prestigious championship - the XHF X*Crown. That's not a slight to every other world title in the world, but the X*Crown hosts 23 dead World Championships. Sort of a "honoring those who've fallen before" thing, sort of an ego trip for Mongo the Destroyer. Greatest X*Crown Champion of all time, by the way? You're looking at him.
He waves a hand dismissively.
Dylan Black: 2021's XHF Rumble and J-ROK King of Hokkaido winner. GWA Season 27 Wrestler of the Year. I've made a few laps around the world in my short career, and I plan to keep going as long as I can.
He cracks his neck, keeping nice and loose.
Dylan Black: I don't list off my greatest achievements to jerk myself off. I want you two to know just what you're getting into. I am a force to be reckoned with in that ring when something's on the line, but when there's no more than pride and bragging rights on the line? This is where I'll be at my most dangerous.
A grin from Dylan as he licks his lips.
Dylan Black: Giovanni, you're a relative newcomer to the wrestling scene, right? Thirty-one but just dipping your toes into the wrestling side of the business earlier this year. Impressive that your first outing saw you make it to the finals of the Quagcup. But you're new to this, and there's a reason you didn't win the Quagcup. Experience. Teaching wrestling is one thing, to put it to practice is a whole other art that I don't plan on letting up on. While I admit your extensive teachers knowledge could help you spot weaknesses quick as a snap, I'm as unpredictable as they come. Unhinged and dangerous. While most would build a plan of attack, I have just one plan. Attack. A brutal assault that'll leave you zonked out on the party deck of the cruise ship.
A sigh as Dylan folds his arms and the fun escapes him.
Dylan Black: And Dean Harper, perhaps the most interesting opponent I could have gotten. Man am I glad I was chosen to fight you because because you and I, we're kind of like the two sides of a quarter. The backside, with different states. We follow a similar path, but are just different enough that makes this appealing. I guess my biggest thing I wanted to start with was correcting one of your biggest claims to fame. If you recall, there is a certain guy you flattened in the middle of an IWF ring with the Joker in the Pack briefcase. Seemingly killed him smack dab in the center of the wrestling ring. I'm afraid I've got to be the bearer of bad news.
He leans in, his voice almost a whisper.
Dylan Black: Spike Kane's not dead. Has dragged his ass back up from hell and actually, teed off with me just a few months ago.
He runs his hands down face, where scars from his war with Spike Kane and Jesse Jamester still haven't healed.
Dylan Black: By the way, when this is over? I'd like to compare notes on how you took Kane down. I owe that fucker a few good licks and you seem to be a professional in putting him down for a while.
He pauses, standing back up.
Dylan Black: But you are a homegrown IWF legend, Dean. Similar to my upbringing within the XHF. Young upstarts, who scratched and clawed their way to get to the very top of our games! Plagued by personal flaws and parental issues. Lack of a desire to win, though our match motivations are stark differences. In some ways, I wonder if we are dream dance partners with that once-in-a-lifetime square dance ahead of us. The thing is though...
Dylan chuckles.
Dylan Black: Only one of us is going to walk off of the ship still able to walk. I intend to cause so much destruction, so much pain and hurting that your your getting off will be just edging compared to the sensations I make you feel on Hallows Eve. Kinky sounding or not, I have one goal headed into the cruise. Arrive. Cause Pain. Leave.
He ponders for a moment.
Dylan Black: Or arrive. Be Extreme. Leave. I haven't decided yet.
He shrugs.
Dylan Black: I made a promise. I took an oath, I SWORE to be EXTREMELY VIOLENT, EVERYDAY! And that's just what I plan to do on this cruise. Beware.
Cut.
