Go Again

[Spike Kane]

Defeat isn’t easy.

To pick yourself up, after a heavy loss, it’s a hard thing to do - some people are completely incapable of doing so, and it fucking shows too. Me? Well, I’m not going to lie and stand here and say my pride isn’t hurt, because it sure as fuck is. I failed in every attempt to topple Alastor Touchdown, I failed to get my hands on the National Openweight Title..

I failed to lead Chaos Theory to tag team gold.

It hasn’t been a fun time for The Spiked One since arriving in IPW.

So now what? What’s next?

First of all - you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, accept your failures, re-evaluate…

And go again.

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to introduce this new group of fuckwits to who I really am, and I think maybe - just maybe - all this fucking around with the BANG! Bros and the Pillars of Violence has made -me- forget exactly who I am….so it’s time to refresh, refocus, and begin earning back that reputation. Earning back that fear.

I’ve never shied away from a fight in my life.

I’ll take on anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Soon enough, the bodies will start piling up and everyone will take notice.

~~~

We open up on a skyline of the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan before the camera pans to a J-ROK changing room. We see Spike Kane sat on a bench, dripping wet and shivering. We can hear the celebrations of other superstars who won their End of Days matches, and Spike is just sat glaring a hole into the floor. PRICE is with his daughter, Kanyon and El Combatiente are together, and Steve Awesome is busy celebrating with Rat Bastard. Just then the Awesome Bastards theme song starts to play in the room next door, and with a flourish Spike rises to his feet and throws the towel at the wall.

Spike: Fuck this.

Alone, wet, and very cold Spike just flicks his wrist to open up a fiery hell portal, and heads through it, leaving the End of Days failure behind him. As he steps through, he’s almost instantly warmed up and dried by the fire before stepping through into the cottage he has in Ireland. Spike is greeted by a cloud of smoke, as he turns to see Dax toking away.

Dax: Heeeeyyy, welcome back!

For a moment it looks like Spike is going to lose his shit, but after a few moments he collects himself, the portal behind him closes and there we see Tomo looking through a book.

Tomo: Oh hey!

Spike: What are you guys doing?

Tomo: We’re just taking a break.

Spike: From what?

Slowly, Spike turns to lock eyes with Tomo, who looks a little sheepish.

Tomo: ….from helping Dylan.

Spike: Why in the fuck would you do that?

Tomo: Because it’s fun?

Dax: And dangerous?

Exasperated Spike just throws his arms in the air and shakes his head turning to walk outside. Dax and Tomo make eye contact and there seems to be an understanding - more likely, Tomo (being the ball of chaos and magic that he is) is talking to Dax in his mind. Dax slowly puts down PRICE’s bong, and then gets up to follow Spike outside. Spike is standing a small way away from the cottage and staring out towards the water.

Dax: You er, you alright mate?

Spike: I honestly don’t know Dax.

Dax: What’s wrong?

Spike: It just feels like everything is falling apart man. The BANG! Bros are all over the place, PRICE is taking a break from IPW, I’m getting my ass handed to me by people way below my calibre…

Dax: So is it a mental thing then?

Spike: What do you mean?

Tomo: Well, y’know all the hell torture and everything. Dying takes it’s toll, especially on the mind.

Tomo had casually walked out of the cottage with a tablet in his hand, he’s scrolling through.

Tomo: You just need to reset. Kick some ass, and be back up there like you used to be. Lucky for you IPW have booked you in a match.

Spike: …ok, against who?

Tomo: Well it’s a tag team match.

Spike: But PRICE isn-

Tomo: With a makeshift partner….Nate Pierce.

With a grunt of frustration Spike turns.

Spike: So, when I have a partner I’m in singles matches, but when I don’t I’m in tag matches?

Dax: That doesn’t matter right now…

Spike: Who against?

Tomo: Err….Xoltol Hun?

Spike: Oh I actually like her, she has a wonderful thirst for violence…but, like…realistically…I’d murder her…plus she’s a hun, fuck the huns.

Dax coughs to try and move on.

Spike: And who?

Tomo: Nobody.

Spike: So a handicap match?

Tomo: No, nobody.

Spike: …I’m gonna smack you.

Tomo: Joe Nobody.

Spike: …that idiot!? For fuck sake. Well, at least I have a competent partner.

Dax: That’s the spirit!

Spike: …Dax, go load up the bong, we’ve got some thinking to do.

With that Dax walks off, and we fade on Tomo and Spike discussing the match.

~~~

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it doesn’t even have to be brutal. I’m glad my partner in this match understands, and as long as you’ve got my back Nate? I’ll have yours, but for Xoltol and Joe? It’s already game over. I could easily defeat you both on my own, but that’s not going to be the case, instead, Nate and I will slowly dissect you, tear you apart piece by piece and leave you wishing you’d never stepped foot in the squared circle.

I may not be the National Openweight Champion.

I may not be a Tag Team Champion.

I am still Spike FUCKING Kane.

I have risen to such heights neither of you will ever see in your career. Enjoy your time in the ring with a bonafide living legend, because it may well be your last.

All. Fucking. Hail.