Enigma Rising
He lowered himself onto the cold rock slowly, resting his arms on his knee's as he stared out into the expanse of water before him. The ice that had covered it only a few short weeks ago, was gone. Giving way to let the sun once again bounce off of the clear substance. Looking out there, a feeling came over him. The reverse appeared to be happening to his career. Once where his career had him darting around at rocket speed, destroying and winning against every single thing that stepped into his path, now, it was beginning to freeze under his feet. Slowly consuming himself, slowing the momentum he once had.
Two defeats, both within the same week. To be honest, it was hard thing to swallow. Shane constantly knew that the possibility of defeat was looming just around the corner. Yet, he so often tasted bitter defeat. He was used to being the one with his hands held high. Not the one slinking away to the back, while someone else celebrates. Because of that, he now felt broken, far more than he already knew he was.
He let a hand slide down to the rock next to him, picking up a pebble and chucking it hard. Why? He wasn't quite sure. Frustration maybe, “
You know, this whole moping thing isn't going to get you anywhere. Shouldn't you be in the gym?” The voice caught Shane off guard, and he found himself looking to each side quickly, light brown eyes darting around to find no one.
He sighed and shook his head, broken didn't even begin to cover what was wrong with him, “
Have you forgotten the deal, Shane?” The voice crept up on him again, this time, not taking him off guard. He only shook his head. He didn't forget, he had been doing exactly what was asked of him ever since, “
Why the HELL did you let that Jessica chick run right over you like that? We did not include being a chump in our agreement. You want my help, prove to me that you fucking deserve it.”
Shane exhaled and nodded, like a child would when being scolded by a parent, “
I don't even know where my own head is. I fucked up... You can't penalize me for that happened in TGW. Look at what happened with Magnum.” He argued, glaring down at a point on the rock, trying to keep his voice low, so that it wouldn't carry to the beach behind him. That was the last thing he needed.
A chuckle formed from his lips, but he didn't do it. The odd thing about it, was that he was used to this, “
Shane, don't fuck up again. You want the power to be what you used to be, then do me a favor and give people the old Shane Tallin. The Envoy of Destruction at his best.” Enigma, for that was what Shane had dubbed this specific alternate personality
Lifting his head a bit, and again staring out into the water, Shane nodded, “
I've been living up to my end. Yet you've done jack shit. When are you going to jump in and help me a little?” He continued to speak to his alter, to himself. And found himself growing slightly less intimidated by the sudden appearance.
A smirk formed on his lips, “
Don't worry, you'll get my assistance when you actually need it. So far, you've had things covered. Minus the hiccup with Blake that is... What happened with Magnum, that was just Lady Luck playing a hand against us.” Oddly enough, Enigma was right. Shane had Magnum right where he needed him, things just went wrong due to freak chance, nothing more.
Shane sighed and rubbed a hand across the bridge of his nose, “
Doesn't change the fact that I need to ind a way to pick things up. Beginning to doubt that I can really get the job done.” He truly needed to. He had the week away from GEW, which left him free to focus on TGW. There he would face a man called Lance Peterson, clearly fancied himself as some sort of bad ass with submissions.
“
That's the right train of though right there. Peterson, use him as your springboard back. How hard could it be to really beat him? I mean, what is he. The same sort of blind, cocky heel that has existed since the beginning of this sport? That's hardly a threat to you Shane. You pick men like that apart.” It was odd hearing the words leave his lips. Enigma often tried to instill doubt within Shane's mind. Tried ot make him think he was less than he actually was.
Shane ran a hand through his hair, “
Yeah, but he'll at least have the advantage of confidence. I'm not exactly myself right now.” Shane mused, brown eyes still resting on the calm waters in front of himself.
“
Then act, Shane. Make him think you are as confident as ever. Throw him off of his game. I know you have it in you to be nasty. I know you can be a jerk. Thing is, you also have the power to make the fans love it while you do it.” For years, Shane had been an anti-hero. Hiding in the darkness, and striking only when the time was right. Taking out other wrestlers who he deemed to be 'evil'. That was the point in his life where the name 'Enigmatic One' was plastered to him. It was so long ago, he had nearly forgotten.
Shane shook his head, “
That's not me anymore. I can't even pretend that I have the motivation to act like that.” When he had initially been in that stage. He had something to fight. A corrupt stable of wrestlers who he believed needed to be taken out. A lot like a super hero, fighting to destroy crime.
“
All you need to do is talk and fight like that is who you are, and you will find it inside. That burning desire to be everything I represent. That's when I can help you, Shane. Allow us to become on again, embrace it.” Shane felt like something lifted off of his shoulders as his alter stopped talking. He had a point, Enigma was the result of Shane from that era.
It was clear what he needed to do. He needed to go into the ring with a mind set of the former Shane Tallin if he wanted to be that man again. He needed to understand that Peterson, he was something wrong with TGW. He was a cocky, worthless stain on the wrestling industry that needed to be removed forcefully, or be left to run free.
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The camera's open up and we are met the face of Shane Tallin. Though, shadow covers his face, cast by the deep hood draped over his head. The background is nearly totally black. Light being granted only by a spotlight. This makes it hard to judge where we really are. Shane remains quiet at first, allowing a darker feel to come into the scene, “
I lost last week. A victim of my own ill preparation, and stupid perception of self immortality. Since then, I've had time to think. And realign my focus in this business. Something that I will admit, drastically needed to be done.” We can only see his mouth moving, framed by the hood and the strands of dark red hair that pour out from the sides.
“
I can also admit that because of my stupidity. I've actually let down my fans. Those people who fallow me from federation to federation, cheering me on no matter what the circumstances. Change is needed for them.” He shifts his feet lightly, and his head lowers, “
Change will begin now. And will fully take effect come Animosity, where I face a man known as Lance Peterson.” Shane strikes lines in the air, as if spelling out a marquee. He then smirks, an eerie expression considering the rest of his face is hidden.
“
The man fancies himself a submissions expert. Believes that repeating it over and over again, will somehow strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. But he himself has taken a wrong step. I don't think he really realizes what he's getting himself into. Who is going to be opposite him in that ring.” Shane motions the camera to get a closer, as it does, the shine in his eyes becomes clear, but the color remains nearly black.
“
Do you know, who I am Peterson? Have you allowed your ego to get thrust to the side for just one second, to actually do some research? I doubt you did. Why because you think you're some sort of god in the wrestling ring. When really, you have no background to back it up.” Shane scoffs and backs away from the camera slightly, “
I actually looked into you. Turns out you don't have a title history, hell your TGW bio is the only one I was able to locate. Said you've got no real history to speak of. So let me reverse the question on you Lance. What the fuck have YOU done, to deserve stepping into the ring with 'The Enigmatic One', 'The Envoy of Destruction', Shane Tallin. A living fucking legend.?” He shakes his head and a slow laugh escapes him.
“
You've done absolutely nothing. I've won titles all over the world. I've beaten men who I should have rightfully lost to. I am actually a name. And I did it all by remaining humble. You don't seem to share the same trait. It's fucking disgusting.” Shane then shrugs his shoulders, “
Look, Lance. I really hope you come to the ring ready. I always do, because I can't wait, to shove my fist down your throat. Maybe put a gag in it so we don;t have to here your bullshit claims of greatness ever again.”
A smirk comes back to the Enigmatic Ones face, “
I really pity you. I really do. You got lined up with Shane Tallin on the wrong week. I just hope you're ready.” The camera begins to fade as Shane walks directly out of the spotlight, heading into the darkness behind him.