Of all things (Invite)

[simon]

As Takedown returns from a break, the lights in the AT&T center go dim, then turn a sudden yet eerie hue of grey. Flames spew from the stage as Amon Amarth's "Death & Fire" plays. The arena comes to it's feet as for the 1st time in 2008, The Destroyer emerges from the smoke filling the arena...

Buzz: He...he's HERE!!! Simon Fierhart has returned!!!

Roach: I wasn't expecting him to come back so soon. I'll be damned.

Simon marches down the walkway to ringside. The smoke in the arena begins to clear as he ascends the ring steps. Once inside the ring, Simon extends his hand for the ring announcers mic without so much as a word. It's given to him, and all in the ring clear out. Soon enough, his intentions would be clear.

The XWA as we know it...is flawed.

Confusion from the fans is evident. Simon continues.

In a company that's supposed to be the new benchmark of this industry, where are the warriors? Where are the men who bleed for the sole purpose of bettering their skill? Not for fame, or glory, or prestige. I can count on 1 hand the number of men who call XWA their place of employment who even have a shred of warrior's pride. And some of them are names you wouldn't expect. Magnus Von Schwartz for example. He doesn't do what he does for pride. To him, it's merely sport. Wrestling to him is what it was meant to be when it was created 1000s of years ago, a competition between 2 men to determine who is the strongest between them. Nothing more, nothing less. Primo Valiante. A man everyone loathes because he's manipulator. He also just so happens to be one of the most decorated Greco-Roman masters on the planet. The PLANET. What you've seen him do in an XWA ring is only a shadow of what he's capable of. Adam Devlin. A modern day Samurai. If ever there was a man I've seen who embodies the warrior spirit, it's him. No matter how strong the foe, or how bad the odds, he fights on. Not because he has to, but because it's in his core. It's what he does.

XWA has many things going for it. Integrity isn't one of them. For the 3 men I just mentioned, you've got men who seek only fame. They punctuate there careers. The fact that they're taking years off of their lives in this ring for the chase of a 15lbs belt with gold or platinum on it. There's no honor in that. And I don't respect anyone who has no honor. So you can imagine where my opinion lies with most of the XWA roster. I stand in this ring tonight, because I see a flock of sheep who have lost their way. They've forgotten why they do this. The flashing lights of the camera and the high living that comes from lucrative paychecks have deadened them to the fact that to some, this isn't a job. This is life. And I start by issuing a challenge. The time has come for me to edge my spear once again and go hunting. The question is which one of you so called men backstage is willing to become my potential prey.

Simon lowers the mic.

He just issues a challenge? To who though?

Anyone man enough to get in the ring with The Destroyer. And I damn well know that there isn't a huge amount of guys lining up to do that.

A few seconds would pass before a familiar entrance theme began to play.

[xflame]

Indeed, a familiar song plays loudly throughout the arena. Everyone jumps to their feet and in utter shock as the sounds of Inside the Fire by Disturbed ring into their ears. The man that has not uttered a single word since his loss to Nathan Browne and his most recent loss against Romeo Davis. Michael Xavier. One of the few men in XWA that has the wrestling years on the majority of the roster, but seemingly cannot do whats needed to pullout the victory.

He steps onto the stage. Standing tall, his arms folded against his chest, looking at Simon.

OH MY GOD!!!!! YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS?!

Is Michael Xavier coming out to answer the challenge of The Destoryer? He must have a death wish. He's gotta be insane! No man in their right mind would willing come out here to face Simon.

Michael unfolds his arms and walks down the ramp. Past the raving mad crowd. Past the camera men. Climbing up the stairs. Stepping through the ropes and walking over to Simon, standing right in front of him and staring him dead in the eye.

Unbelievable! Michael Xavier is showing absolutely no fear towards Simon. What has Michael done since his last two losses here in XWA?

I don't know what he's done. I don't know if we will ever know. But one thing is for sure, Michael is here to answer the challenge of Simon Fierhart.

Michael signals for a microphone and one is tossed to him. Without leaving his spot, he raises his hand and catches it in the air. He raises it to his lips and his music begins to fade. He holds the microphone for a few seconds, letting the audience sit in anticipation for what he has to say.

Me. My answer to your question Simon is me.

[/b]

The crowd goes nuts at Michael Xavier's answer as Michael begins to pace the ring.

This season I've had my ups and my downs, but through it all, I've been the hunter. Hunting from one challenge to the next, but look where's its got me. Day in and day out, I fight in this ring with everything that I've got and it's just not enough. So, one has to ask himself, what is wrong with the formula. What is the missing equation. That is why I have been away. To try and figure out what it is that I am doing wrong. Why I can't seem to see the light of victory no matter what I do. And it wasn't until you, Simon, asked your question. It has been a very, VERY long time, since I've been anyone's prey.

Now don't kid yourselves. I was the one that hunted Bryan Jasta. I was the one that sought him out.

So, I'm thinking that perhaps its the edge of being a prey that is the missing equation. The thought of being hunted. The thought of being captured and defeated by someone that's doing the hunting that could very well put me back on the track that I need.

You see Simon, I have a lot of honor for this sport. I give my sweat, my blood, my tears, my body, my beart, my soul, I give my EVERYTHING for this sport. This is no mere sport though. This, is a way of life. You live it, you breathe it, you sleep it. Anything less is unacceptable. It's been a long time since I've felt the sting of being prey, but also a long time since I have felt that fire that burned within me when I first started in this place. And I'm not talking about XWA. By place, I mean Wrestling.

So Simon, I am ready to become your prey. I am ready to take on whatever it is that you can give me. Lord knows that I am damn well hungry enough for it![/b]

This is truly the most fired up I've seen Michael. I don't think he's ever been this fired up before since he's been in XWA.

Maybe his passion that he lost is now back. Only time will really tell. Simon's response will definitely be something to listen in....[/center][/font]

[simon]

An uncharacteristic grin follows Michael's words. Simon brings up his mic for a response.

Now this I must say is a pleasant surprise. I was expecting one of the egos to come out and do the usual waltz...essentially proving my point. But instead, we have Micheal Xavier here to answer the call.

Simon paces around Xavier as he adds...

A man who has still yet to live up to his true potential. A man who in his years in the ring hasn't accomplished what he should have for one reason, and one reason alone...

Simon stops in front of Micheal.

Weakness.Not physical weakness. Mental weakness. One of the oldest edicts of war is "He who loses his patiences, loses the battle." And for a man who wears his heart on his sleeve like you, it happens more times then usual. But it's as you just said, sometimes becoming the prey changes ones outlook. The will to survive takes over, and it makes you that much potent a fighter, because you refuse to be defeated. But I stand here and say with no malice or ego that you have yet to face an opponent like me. So I applaud your courage. But I don't know the meaning of "taking something off" when I fight. You've made the choice to answer my challenge, so you've in turn made the choice to face me with everything you have. I'll take nothing less.

And Simon waits...

[xflame]

I will bring you nothing less. I will give you all that I have and then when I feel that I have nothing less, I will push beyond that and dig deeper. You want all that I have then thats what I will give you.

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