Preserver
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=December 26th, 2011=
[After his battle with Steve Pinex at BattleZone, Morrigan came out to berate The Violent One about his loss, and threatened his very job. That was short-lived as Brandon "B2" Barajas, dressed up as Santa, delivered a belly to belly suplex to Max's new "representation". It was then that he announced his re-signing with MWA, but now he is under contract as a wrestler for the first time in over a decade. With the no-contact clause with B2 back in affect, Max isn't allowed to speak to his former agent and friend. Now the show is over, and Max has made his way to the back. He has a laceration on his right forearm and a 2 inch cut on the back of his head from Pinex sending him through the announce table. EMT's begin to tend to his wounds, asking him the obligatory questions like "Do you know where you are?" and "What day is it?". After passing their tests, they patch him up and leave him to his thoughts. There is a knock at the door. Max doesn't even acknowledge it.]
Ig: Max? It's Ig, man.
[Max looks up at the door, his mask laying at his feet.]
Max: It's open..
[The door opens and Ignatius Blount enters Max's locker room. He is dressed in a black suit with a blood red satin tie. He approaches Max who is still staring at the ground. Ig tosses something by Max's mask, a bag of ice.]
Ig: That was impressive, my friend. That has got to be one of the best matches you have ever had.
[Max reaches down for the bag of ice as Ig grabs a folding chair from the wall and places it in front of Max. He sits.]
Ig: What's the problem. After a hard fought war like that, you're usually pretty high afterwards.
[Max places the bag on the back of his neck. He rises, the bumps and bruises now very evident on his body.]
Max: It's over, Ig. I'm going to lose everything I fought so hard for.
Ig: What are you talking about?
[Max's facial expression tightens.]
Max: You heard her. She doesn't give a shit whether or not I win. She is going after my job...my life. And I have no control over it.
[He hangs his head. A look of defeat on his face.]
Max: I just had one of the fiercest battles in my life, and I should be reveling in it. Instead, I'm fighting for my job on a nightly basis.
[Max raises his eyes to Ig.]
Max: She is going after everything I've built, and she is going to tear it down. And I can do nothing but watch her do it.
[Ig quickly stands, kicking the chair out from beneath him.]
Ig: What the fuck is this?! Just because things have gotten a bit tough, you're just going to tuck tail and let it happen?
Max: I remedied everything that has happened because of her. Your charges are gone, and B2 has his job back.
Ig: You think that absolves you from fixing this? I came close to becoming a sex offender, and Barajas had to go back to that honky po-dunk job in New Mexico, and now all you can do is stand back and watch it burn..
[Ig laughs to himself.]
Ig: Y'know, I thought you were a fighter. A true warrior. But when your land is being stormed by the enemy and you are faced with adversity, you shut down.
Max: You know that's not true.
Ig: Bullshit. I've been around you for most of your professional career, and I've seen you battle worse.
[Ig stops, as if suddenly realizing something.]
Ig: You....you don't still have feelings for her, do you?
Max: It's not that. I guess there's still a part of me that feels responsible for the monster she has become.
Ig: Sing a different tune. There are spurned lovers all over the world. Don't forget, she made you choose.
[Ig kneels down in front of Max.]
Ig: She deserves to suffer for what she has done to us, and she will. Now that I have B2 under my wing, the wheels are in motion. She won't get away with this.
[Ig stands up, and places a hand on Max's shoulder.]
Ig: Continue your campaign. Don't give her a reason to get you fired. B2 and I will take care of the rest.
Max: Thanks for the chat, Ig. I'm curious to see what kind of warrior B2 will become. I'll see you in Japan.
[Ig nods thoughtfully, and leaves. Max takes the bag, which is now just water, off his neck and drops it on the ground as the scene fades.]
=January 13th, 2012=
[The sun is shining vibrantly over the Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo. One of the most popular Shinto shrines in Tokyo, it is frequented by many visitors who hope that their homage is rewarded with prosperity. Nearby the large torii at the entrance, Maximum Violence stands as if waiting for someone. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the note that was left for him at the hotel lobby.]
"Meet me at the entrance to the Asakusa Shrine. - K"
[He smiles as he reads the note and places it back in his pocket. Five minutes later, Max is approached by a diminutive man well into his 70's. Max sees him and smiles as he approaches the man. He places his hands together and bows to the man in respect.]
Max: Master Kurosawa. It has been much too long.
[Kurosawa brings his hands together and bows as well.]
Kurosawa: Warms my heart to see you, my friend.
[The two shake hands and begin to walk towards the shrine.]
Kurosawa: I have been keeping up with you on television Booryoku.
[Max laughs at this. Booryoku is Japanese for "Violence". He hasn't been called that since he left Japan for the States and told Kurosawa so.]
Kurosawa: I've also noticed that you fight with a passion I haven't seen in a long time.
Max: Well, when I was given this opportunity again, I knew I had to run with it. I'm getting along in my years as a wrestler, and I don't know how many more chances I will have.
[Kurosawa laughs.]
Kurosawa: You speak to me of age? I'm almost 80 years old, yet I'm still as energetic as most young people.
[Kurosawa looks at his former pupil.]
Kurosawa: Your business with this woman has taken a great toll on you, hasn't it?
Max: Yes. It has raised some doubts in my mind. With her at the reigns, her only goal is to make me suffer for my supposed transgression.
Kurosawa: Revenge is one of the purest emotions the human mind can experience. And if you incur the wrath of a scorned woman, well, you know the saying.
Max: I'm well aware.
[Kurosawa smiles, knowing this topic has reached it's end and changes the subject.]
Kurosawa: So, Rising Sons....how are you feeling going into this?
Max: I feel ready. Still some nagging pains from the match with Pinex, but I have felt worse.
Kurosawa: And how do you feel about your opponent?
Max: Hardaway is a noble warrior. I don't think he is ready for what he is about to get into.
Kurosawa: You are still very confident in your abilities, I see.
Max: I'd be a fool not to be.
[Kurosawa laughs.]
Kurosawa: Its good to know that your pride remains unblemished. But pride can be a dangerous thing Booryoku.
[Max looks to Kurosawa and nods.]
Kurosawa: Remember...these opportunities aren't given to us. When you returned, you were offered the opportunity to write the final chapter of your career. Don't squander it. Love comes and goes, and so do friends, but the opportunity to cement one's legacy in the minds and hearts of all...well...one could live forever.
[He pats Max on the shoulder as the two enter the Shrine to pay their respects.]
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