The Best (o2a)

[Matt Vander]

Ladies and Gentleman goes over the PA system and a unfamilar face walks out onto the stage. This man walks to the ring and asks for a mic. Let me introduce myself. I am Matt Vander, and I'm better than all of you. Now the reason I am here is because I wanna prove myself to all of you posers out there. Now down to business, I am issuing an open challenge to ANYBODY who thinks they can beat me. He lowers the mic and waits for a response....

[XDX]

Chevelle's Comfortable Liar blasts over the speakers...as the guitar riff starts, Jeff Pryce walks out for the second time tonight. He slowly walks across the stage, to the top of the ramp, mic in hand.
He stops at the top of the ramp, and raises the mic as the music stops...

Always nice to see another new face.
Better than all of US, huh?
Now listen kid, there's a few different ways to get noticed...and given a choice between going to the ring and running my mouth, or otherwise, I think I would go a different route.
Like, I dunno, just walking up and knocking the SHIT out of somebody!

Crowds cheers a bit at this, they haven't quite warmed up to Pryce yet, but then again...Vander didn't exactly make many friends with his statement.

Since you already have, and we're already here, I guess we have no choice but to move forward.
I seem to remember our esteemed GM saying we could participate in multiple matches as long as our bodies could take it.
Well, being a bit younger than Scorp, I think I am the man for the job.
And to keep it interesting for the fans, I am gonna do something really great for them.
The fans of ELF, will get to see Jeff Pryce, in TWO ladder matches on the next show.
First off, you and me in a nice old fashioned ladder match....

He gets a bit of a pop at that...

...and later on, let's not forget the brutal TLC match that is gonna take place between XDX and Darkside!

Lots of cheers at that one, with the events earlier still fresh in everyone's minds.

So, Junior, consider yourself a warm up for me.

Oh yeah.

Welcome to ELF!

Plenty of cheers at that one, as Pryce lowers the mic, grins, and turns to walk to the back as his music plays once more.......

[Caden Zicari]

Sliding into the ring Caden stands behind Vander. He moves like a old man broken by the years of hardships and neglect. He face streaked with a mixture of blood and tears. Moving slowly into his corner he sits with mike in hand. swaying back and forth, shaking his head to and from then up and down. His mouth shapes words but none come. He is soundless. Lost to reality, his eyes clouded with pain. Rocking slower now his breathing still comes in short quick harsh breaths.

He now sits quietly steadied but the familiar voice once more as it rises over the din of the crowd. Caden watches as the words start to float in a dreamy manner toward their target.

Vander Vander Can you hear me? I have come to ask you a question? Are you the man you think you are? Do you truly believe you are the one? The one needed to unleash the past?

Caden now stands very quickly. He shoots out of the corner. Cat like he bridges the distance between him and Vander. moving faster and faster now he circles him. Around and around he goes, on the 2 pass he brings the mike level and begins to speak.

You say you are better then all who fight here? Is this the truth, or are you trying to convince yourself of this statement?

I will give you one thing about that little talk you just mumbled on about. You are better then I. For I am on a quest, a quest of renewal.

Stopping abruptly turning to focus on the other man in the ring. Caden sways gebtly from side to side. His head hanging, hair covering his face. Looking to the mat he sees the blood dripping from his arm, down his fingers, pausing there breifly before it drips to the mat below. Lost in the moment he pauses to watch this as the tiny droplets course down and then expand the tiny puddle below. Shaking his head with passion biting his lip, bringing more blood to the scene, he returns to what he was saying.

Will you test me? will you take me to the fires?

I would like the meet you in this ring. I would like to battle you now within the flames. To have you be the one to burn away this pupa casing that i am trapped within. An Inferno match... that is what i require. The cleansing blaze will set me free. To once more return to past glory. To shed this imposter. To rid myself of the voice. To be free once more. Will you be that man? Can you prove to me and these fans, that you are what you say you are. To burn this hollow husk from me. To bring peace to this broken body. To let it live in the light once more, to unshackle me from this darkness in which i have lived. To end this nightmare once and for all?

Then he slumps to the floor in his growing puddle of blood. As he does this the little voice rises again.

Can you do what Genesis, Darkside,and the Coffin Puppets could not? Can you be the one that finally brings ELF its new beast. Its new animal. A true legend? In the past, this man you see has been the best in the world. He was unbeaten in singles matches for 2 years. Are you ready to release that onto the world once more? If you do this man will stand in this ring without the gimmicks. He will stand alone against all who will come before him. They shall fall away like his blood does now. They will pool on the mat at his feet. Cowering to his might once more.

Can you Vander? Can you be the one to do this or are you afraid? Afraid of the consequences. Truth be told I do not think you are strong enough. Do you have the will and fortitude it will take?

[XDX]

As Pryce is about to walk through the curtain, he hears the commotion in the ring.
Turning around, he sees Caden's antics.
Kinda pissed at not being noticed, he walks back to the top of the ramp and raises his mic once more.

Whoa! What do we have here?
Why, its everyone's favorite broken down pile of bones and blood, Caden Zicari!

Crowd murmurs, not sure what to make of these events.
Pryce grins as he goes on...

Wow, Vander, no shortage of people lining up to beat the hell out of you!
Looks like your way to make a statement worked, after all....I applaud you...

Pryce slides the mic to his elbow, and golf claps...

Well well well, now we do have an interesting scenario.
What are we gonna do about this now....

Pryce is cut short by a strange little voice....

[Caden Zicari]

Jeff....Jeff Pryce.... Strange to see your ugly mug here.So you want to join the fray as well. I didnt see you as im still stuck in this pocket. He will not let me out of here since i tried to strangle him awhile ago. I thought I was strong eoungh to rid this world of this lump of puss. But alas I was not strong enough.

Suddenly Caden jumps to his feet. Tearing out of the ring and up the ramp. Reaching Pryce, he stops rocking back and forth violently.

Are you the one Jeff? Do you want to help me? You know who resides within.....Don't you?

You know the history that figaro speaks of you were there. You were in boston you saw what this man within can do. what he has done. what he will do once more.

Tearing at his hair..scratching his face, clawing deep gashes into his flesh, Caden sinks to his knees wavering back and forth, side to side again mouthing wordless sentences. The tiny voice rises once more.

Your ladder match may work well enough Jeff. Maybe you and he can unleash him. Do what you two must do. Bring the pain kill the head. If that is done the body will soon follow. Then the giant will rise, rise to destroy the darkness that has conquered the peak of ELF. The darkness that has captured ,and is holding the gold captive here. only this man can dethrone that darkness. He is well versed in the ways of this darkness. A darkness you yourself Jeff. You was battled once or twice before. AM I Wrong Jeff? Are you and Matt strong enough to fulfill this task?

[XDX]

Pryce just stands there, stupified by the recent events.
He looks at Caden, he has heard the rumours, but....
NO! It CAN'T be...

Jeff Pryce just stands there, then looks to Vander for a response......

[Matt Vander]

Vander looks at Caden then at Scorpion. Who in the blue hell are you people?? Lets see....we got some psycho looking guy, and we have some random dude named Scorpion. You two look like pussys! I'm accepting both of your matches. I'm gonna send this ugly freak straight to hell, and this nobody Scorpion is gonna get his face smashed in. Good luck assholes, I'm out. End for Me.

[XDX]

Pryce recovers some composure.
After a sidelong look at Caden,
he speaks to Vander

You know kid, that takes balls.
Maybe you're not so bad after all.
I mean, not one debut match but TWO!
...and a ladder match, AND an inferno match!

The crowd gasps as Pryce just chuckles.

You may have balls, but you're a little short on brains.
You may have just signed your death certificate!
Ah well, can't be helped now.

Best of luck to you...

With that, Pryce turns to make his way backstage, but is stopped by that strange little voice again...

[Caden Zicari]

Jeff maybe he isnt what he says he is. He thinks you are Scorpion. I would hope he is of stronger body then he is of mind. But you are the one Jeff you see what lies beneath. You do don't you? Look into the eyes of the crumpled man that lays cirled up in a ball weeping before you. Look you do see that familar fire within them dont you?

the tiny voice stops waiting for reply from Jeff. But then a new stronger voice rises from the body at Jeff's feet.

You know it is me Jeff you have been hammered and beaten at the hands of what lays beneath. I thought Darkside would feel it when we battled in the ring. But the flesh was stronger then. Too strong for me to rip though. This match will be what it will take to break free. You will be my instrument of rebirth. By your hand and the hands of that welp in the ring. These are the hands that will break the bonds that bind me to this shell. You Jeff you are conduit to my return. Or are you? Do you know truly know what you will do to ELF if you succeed? Vander your time has come. Are you ready? Jeff I will be seeing you soon enough.

[XDX]

Vander, in case you missed it my name is Pryce. Jeff Pryce.
Scorpion is...uh, the other guy.

The crowd laughs a bit

As for you Caden, I am whatever you need me to be.
Maybe after all the dust settles, the two of us can do the match to bring back...whatever it is that you are.

As a matter of fact, if there is anything left of you, I understand that I can have 3 matches.
Maybe the two of us can go ahead and dance, as well.

The crowd is stirring, Pryce doing this many matches on the next show?
That's suicide!

So, my battered friend, the choice is yours.
What is it that you require?

[Caden Zicari]

Caden jumps to his feet. Looking at Jeff wild of eye.

Jeff you can be off the hook for now. I will test this new fish first. If he is what he says he is. He maybe what is needed. But if he is lacking I will be seeing you shortly.

Turning away from Pryce He looks to the ring. Then leaves without a sound.

Vander your test is coming. You be the one to do what needs to be done.

Caden then disappears though the curtain to prepair for his inferno match with Vander. Pryce he will be for another day.

[XDX]

Jeff Pryce watches Caden and his chia pet disappear to the back.
Pryce just shakes his head, turning, he winks at Vander.

Be seeing you shortly.
Better bring your "A" game.

With that, Pryce finally leaves for the backstage area, leaving Vander alone in the ring.