The cameraman made his way through a doorway followed by Mister J. Mister J smirked as he closed the door, then the door vanished into the sunlight, as the cameraman looked around. He smelled cherry blossoms, hearing the prayers of those who have fallen. He begins his walk as he taps the familiar sign standing on the path. He smiles as he walks along the path, watching the farmers and such, as he sees a bridge going beside him, to cross a calm river. The souls in the river look peaceful as the cameraman looks over the edge. One winks at him as it passes, while another tries to reach up for him. A Silver Katana comes flying to cut the hand, as it reaches. It digs the blade into the bridge, as the cameraman falls back. The Katana has a yellow aura running through it almost like lightning. A cackling is heard in the distance as the hand drops down back into the water fading. The cameraman makes his way across seeing the doll sitting back first against the tree. He goes over to pick it up, removing the pin from it first. The note falls into his hand, as he sees the doll spring to life. It pulls out two coins from inside the middle of itself as it looks up at the cameraman.
The Doll Two coins for the ferryman, two coins to gain freedom. She requires a pittance as she will only allow passage after she receives them. Immortality is only two coins away…
The doll jumps from his hand leaving the two coins in his hand. The cameraman begins to turn, and sees a choice in front of him. There are two paths in front of him, one that leads to the forest, the other that leads up the mountain. He turns to the forest path, as he looks down it. He sees the marching ronin, as a hooded figure all in black is standing in the middle of the path holding the Silver & Yellow Katana. She flips her hood off then sheaths her Katana as the cameraman approached her. She smiled as she only had one eye the other patched but barely. The cameraman stumbles back, as Legion offers her hand to him. She cackles, as he takes her hand. She helps him stand up brushing him off.
“the Last Ronin” Legion We are grateful you could come here, to see the play that is about to unfold in front of you. The doll had pointed out you had something for us, trust us, it may think it can hide things from us, but in the end, it cannot. We are the master of this world, not it.
She smirks as she opens her hand as he places the two coins from it, in her hand. She opens the bag she wore on her waist, placing the two coins inside of it, as she motions for him to follow her. She spins as she begins walking the cameraman scurrying behind her not wanting to be left behind with the shadows, and those who were marching to their doom.
“the Last Ronin” Legion Last week ended up in a no contest, between that clown Desmond Master, and us. But this week we have a chance to right that wrong, prove to the world that, we are still the same monster that once ruled. This week though it is a chance for us to claim our first title in California Wrestling. You only get one chance to be the first of something. If your Desmond Masters however you get the chance to be last at everything. But for the time being, we are focused on winning the championship, and adding it to the treasure chest, locking it away for all time, like the others that have come to existence. Masters, Halsey, you think you have us figured out… But there is still much to learn. Masters you think you can make us scream, you can try. There will be no screaming coming from us, the only thing that will be screaming is your eyes, when we spit the mist into your face, Halsey, you are new to us, but that does not mean you are not a threat. In the end, there can only be one who stands upon the mountain as champion, and that someone will be us, Legion!
Legion disappears from in front of him, as the cameraman looks around, he never sees her re-emerge as she grabs him by the collar pressing him up against a tree. She draws a smaller blade as she scratches her name into the tree beside the cameraman’s head. She jams the blade into the tree, as the tree screams loudly, she looks at him with her one good eye.
“the Last Ronin” Legion You know the old saying sticks and stones, but words can never hurt me? Desmond Masters happens to be that little gnat that sticks in my ear. We nearly beat him last week, and yet he still thinks he won the match. He did not win anything, and neither did we. A draw is the point where the two competitors could not keep moving, and hence, we both did not win but we both did not lose. The difference between you and us Masters, we’ve never heard your name mentioned at the sight of championships. We’ve always heard your name as a sign of weakness. You couldn’t get the job done the last time, and neither could we, but we came close. Desmond, you were given a second chance, to show us, why we should believe in you. There is so much, that you could learn, but in the end our little gnat. We will just squash you, adding your pathetic soul to our river over there. See our river is a pantheon of those who have claimed to do the same thing you are trying to claim, that you can beat us. But in the end Desmond Masters, we hope you come to the realization, there is only room for one at the top. We hope your future opponents, as well as your two past ones look at this as the salvation that they deserve after we are done with you.
Legion vanishes as she lets him breathe for a moment. She reappears further down the path, with a treasure chest behind her, and she is still holding the small blade, as she looks at the cameraman. She grabs him once more, and slams him into the tree, as she carves Halsey’s name into her tree. The tree starts screaming, as she does, she looks up at it, it goes silent.
“the Last Ronin” Legion Then we come to Ms. Halsey. Ms. Halsey you have been silent, and we have noticed this. But do not think for a moment, that we do not consider you a target. We consider you a threat, just as much as our little gnat is. But you have had 2 matches just like we have, and we are impressed. But what we cannot accept is anything less than victory. So, my dear, you are just another casualty of war. You are just another victim of the despair that Desmond will feel, but in the case of this we are offering you a cure. We are offering you the same cure that we will give to Desmond Masters, and hope that he can finally see the truth. We will offer you the same truth, and that truth is, you are stepping into the ring with a ring general, a ringmaster if you will. Rejoice in knowing that your sacrifice will power this world, and the treasure will be once more brought to the promised land.
She cackles as she vanishes, she makes it to the end of the path, as she kneels down on the mat in front of her. The cameraman ignores the chest, as he makes his way past it to where she is. She lays down her final note, then, picks up the sharp knife. The knife is unsheathed, then falls to the ground covered in blood. The cameraman goes over to her, the one eye she had that was good, had gone pure white. She looks at him, as she points to the chest that has opened.
“the Last Ronin” Legion Masters, Halsey, you are prepared for the upcoming war. But our soul, remains until such time as we take the treasured Immortal Icons Championship. Rejoice in your death, and rejoice your life.
She cackles as the storm begins to pick up. The cameraman goes over to pick up his key finding the door has materialized in front of him, as he opens the door, he steps through back to a cold night, as the scene fades.
To face the consequences of anything. We must overcome, to enter that place where all of our inner most vulnerable thoughts must fade away and bury themselves into extinction. For this is the validation and realization of what is to come.
All that hard work, the sacrifice, the resilience and confidence to get to this moment. Second chances to not only be met but to be taken into account as opportunities.
For this young student of the game, the road to redemption is not only long overdue but Definitely worth the effort and with time... battling the demons is something that he must do in order to obtain the prize.
End of Prologue
The scene would open up on the city streets of California and after a strenuous workout and also the fallout of Destiny within his rear view mirror. A smile bursted onto his face when he noticed that the last time he was here.. Legion and him had a bit of a scuffle and it ended up being a draw to which he didn't like.
The positioning of this match though would be difficult to handle but nonetheless in his favor. A regular triple threat, one fall to a finish and no one to blame for his actions... the odds were one and done.
"You know what... the world is a mischievous little marble. The odds aren't in my favorite with me being the most hated man on social media but I've never been one to bask in my own smells... by that I have not been the one who wallows with his feelings. The last time we fought here Legion. It was quite amusing to see that lust for pain in your eyes just boil down and to see your body glaze up in scars... a magical sight.
You seem to get the feeling I get when things don't work. See you thought you had the tournament bout one and you fought with all the passion in the damn world after I told you that demons of the earth like yourself should not be lusting after gold nor should they be inspired by anything resembling the cause for gratitude.
Now I know what you are going to say... something dark and broody to the point where a person like me will Definitely want to walk away and just forefit the contest but the wrestling world of California want more.... they want me to overcome this test and make the most of it! That's why I need to beat you!"
The confidence in Desmond's case and eyes was now burning, those chocolate orbs seething with a burst for success like never before. This walk continues with more purpose than ever before, turning a corner while leaving the camera man determined and puzzled as far as the destination.
"As stated before you are highly gifted and confident in your abilities to ensure victory by any means necessary. Countless companies have seen you wrestle and are captivated by your Multiple personality syndrome where you think you're this badass demon who's going to eat my head if I don't surrender to your gaze.
Well guess the fuck what... I'm not. I'm a fighter, a survivor of things far worse then a mythical being who thinks they have the power to understand what it's like to be a deity. You are no mere person nor anything in resemblance of a human. A fraud. All you are is a fraud and exposure is Definitely in the cards for someone like you who needs to reevaluate things and the idea of you being here on this earth or even champion in your mental state is just baffling to me but it'll all be solved within time.
Now as far as this other female is concerned... I have no beef with you. The idea of you finding your way into this war with myself and the demon known as Legion strikes me for something else and it sure as hell isn't amazing as you may seem. The problem with you is ma'am that relying on your popularity... oh wait! I never got your name. My apologies... ahhh yes Hayley! Now miss Hayley you seem to have suffered from a case of ring rust and you find yourself placed between a rock and a hard place.
I'm a person who does things by the book and the goal in mind did not concern you with your nonsensical thoughts or ways on winning. How you got here was simply by means of survival so that aspect of you merely thinking that the people will be behind you is just utter bullshit."
The thoughts of the young man having the contest in the bag were a bit farfetched but his pride was something that he stuck with even in the toughest of situations. Opposition was not only to be tamed but to be overwhelmingly opposed and with the walk almost nearing it's endgame. A bag would appear over his body while he started to edge his footing on gravel with a chuckle now knowing what he must do to ensure victory.
"Know this California Wrestling. My time here as been somewhat of a good experience and I wish it would continue. To know that I have respectful management to here me out regardless of my accounts is meaningful. It's not just the fact that I want your immortal icon Championship. I need the belt as a bit of validation. To provide all the haters on social media of my life growing up on those Vegas streets! They don't have it like I do! Having to hustle and grind for every penny of the day to make ends meet!
I want to not only show my critics that I've made it but if I were to beat the other contenders. My future would glisten in the spotlight! Hearing the words of immortal icon and just saying them no less would be like opening the pearly whites to heaven.
So understand that when the smoke settles and the bell has rang. Everything in front of the world will be revealed and the people will rejoice having no choice but to bask in my glory... but Legion and Hayley... remember one thing.
Blaze with the fire that is never extinguished!
With these words the footsteps would now continue as an outer shot of the arena would be shown, he was ready for combat like no other meeting before him. All he needed to do was win.
As the camera fades in on Hayley Halsey, we can already see that she is far from amused and in fact, she’s appearing to be frustrated. This is quite a demeanor for the smalltown girl that’s only getting started in California Wrestling and who has actually done quite well to start things off in her run there… winning her first two matches against the likes of Jordan Ayers and Eleni Krapolopolis… as Hayley liked to call her. With a championship match on the horizon, this still isn’t quite enough to sully her apparent frustration as she begins to speak her mind.
Hayley: Two weeks ago, there were four qualifying matches to determine who was going to be in a four way to crown the first Immortal Icon Champion in California Wrestling history and I’m going to be honest… it was largely a disaster. You had two qualifiers end in a no contest resulting in two spots being completely wasted. I on the other hand, did my job. I went in there against that glorified bikini model and I did what I had to do! I qualified for this championship match that stands in front of me tomorrow. I earned this! But the disaster… it didn’t end with the no contests. The disaster continued when Desmond Masters and Legion fought to a time limit draw. So… what was the decision that was made? For BOTH of them to get this title match against me and I’m so sorry with what I am about to say… but this needs to be said…
As far as the two of you are concerned?
Hayley pauses and sighs with a mixture of regret and frustration.
Hayley: NEITHER of you even DESERVE this championship match because the cold, hard, fact of the matter is… I was the only person in ANY of the four qualifiers that actually won. Now, I’m not saying to automatically hand me the championship, that’s not the kind of wrestler I am. But if would have been nice if… you know… the other wrestlers that blew their opportunities in their no-contests actually showed up and gave a damn. Still… the fact that you’re both in this match with me… it’s an injustice. No, this isn’t a knock on your abilities. I have seen what you’re both capable of and you put on a hell of a show during your draw… it’s just that… well… you both didn’t win. How is this fair to me? It would have been a far better idea to just have a rematch between the two of you where the winner got to face me…but instead… we get THIS?
I get put in an unfair situation because my two opponents couldn’t get the job done themselves?
And you know what the worst part of all this is? Becuase of what happened between you two when you faced each other, I already know that this championship match is going to be marred by the distraction by the feud that’s been going on between you two. First off, let me just say that whatever goes on between you two… and whatever has gone on between you two… I don’t give a crap about it because at the end of the day, I’m not going to feed into yet another injustice about this match. I am though… going to talk about some of the words you exchanged with each other though. Desmond… starting with you. Before you dug into Legion, you were talking about how you were willing to fight tooth and nail for the fans…
But knowing you’re going to prioritize your crap with Legion when this match takes place… how exactly are you doing this?
How in the world is putting your feud above this championship match fighting tooth and nail for the fans? I’ll give you a spoiler. It’s NOT! It’s putting your own selfish desires over the desires of the people you claim to fight tooth and nail for. You want to go around calling Legion a curse and a plague? Look in the mirror. The two of you being in this match despite not even winning your qualifer in and of itself is a plague… one that the wrestling business doesn’t need to suffer from. Which… ironically, that description fits Legion pretty damn good.
I mean… for real… yet another bitch that deserves to be in a psych ward and not a wrestling ring. Psycho Circus, huh? I’ll tell you this much… don’t expect me to ever be part of that nonsense. Fact of the matter is Legion… you have proven on two occasions that when the lights turn on and the big stage is your habitat… that you can’t get the job done. It’s not just the fact that you didn’t beat Desmond, earlier in your run here you fought Maki in a championship match and you tapped out to her. In my short career so far, on the contrary, I’ve proven that I can get it done… even if the qualifying match I won was against Eleni Gotreleased but still… I can get it done. I got it done in PHW when I became the Pure Champion just before they closed and I am going to get it done tonight not just because of my abilities, but because of the fact that I am going to exploit you for being such a weak, choking wrestler under lights that are too bright for you on a stage that’s too big for you. I am going to exploit Desmond as someone who hasn’t quite proven he can back up his big mouth even if he has showed some potential.
And most of all, I am going to exploit the advantage that I have over you two when I take advantage of you two being so focused on killing each other that you’ll forget about me and that you’ll forget that you’re fighting a match to determine the first ever Immortal Icon champion! Unlike you two, I am focused as all hell on this match. Unlike you two, I GIVE A DAMN about this championship. Unlike you two, I have proven that I deserve to be here. So if you both want to kill each other and forget about me, that’s fine because it makes my job easier. Maybe tomorrow, you’ll both learn your lesson about putting your own personal, petty garbage above this business and above what truly matters in the ring. I would hope that’s the case… seriously.
Hayley takes a break from her promo to calm down as she is really beginning to feel heated. She’s held in her anger regarding how the Immortal Icon championship match came together for quite some time, as is clearly made obvious and she’s looking to keep herself from going overboard and losing her focus. Taking a deep breath, Hayley does in fact, collect herself and continue.
Hayley: I hate that I have to be so angery… but throughout my career from training to now, I just haven’t had the greatest breaks in the world.
PHW dying on me right after I won the Pure Championship there, my second wrestling promotion being a one and done and sitting on the sidelines doing nothing, being ready to quit to be honest… while one of my mentors continues to be one of the best in the world and while one of my best friends is revelling in her first world championship reign…
And now this… being put in an unfair situation due to something out of my control.
What I can control though… is righting this injustice. That’s what I am going to do. I’m going to prove to everyone in this company that all along, I was the only person that deserved to be in that championship match by doing what you two couldn’t do and that’s earn it. At Puroresu III, I’ll show you what a wrestler is all about. I’m going to express everything that I have ever learned in my young career and i am going to make my family proud again when I win my second championship and this time around, I’m not going to have it taken away from me from such a nonsensical, bull-malarkey closure. It’s matches like these that brought me to California Wrestling and what it would mean to be a champion again after the way I was robbed by PHW’s closure… gosh… I can’t even measure it. Still, that’s the passion that I carry with me into this match… a passion that you both lack as your match against each other two weeks ago proves and what your actions during this match will further prove.
So enjoy your little bitchfight with each other… and experience the humiliation of defeat to the wrestler that you’re both overlooking tomorrow when she becomes the first Immorcal Icon Champion!