Assessing the battlefield (open)

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Magnus Von Schwartz pulls into the United Center, carrying a suitcase in one hand and the newly won Pure Championship in the other. As the cameras catch up to him the reaction from the crowd is mixed as usual. Moments later, Fabiola approaches with mic in hand.

Fab: Magnus, this is the first time we're seeing you since you won the Pure Championship. Where have you been the last week?

Where have I been? Watching, Fabiola. Waiting. Like any good general, he must assess the battlefield before he makes his next move. Two weeks ago, I regained this Pure Championship for the second time-and in doing so I made a vow to restore the purity of it's prestige.

He holds it forward, the camera panning down some to show it's centerplate.

This is not a second-tier belt as some ignoramuses would imply. No, this is the symbols of wrestling in it's purest form, something that I pride myself in being the epitome of. This is why I waited. I will not jump headlong into a bout with just any available foe for this title. My motivation is and always will be competition, and I desire...no, I require that only the best of it be worthy to step into the ring with me. I will accept nothing less.

Fab: So then, do you have your eyes on anyone in particular you wish to face?

The better question my dear would be who wishes to face me. There are many who say that they can perform, but few who can perform on my level. That will be for me to judge.

To all of you who are in this locker room, do not think you'll be getting a "free shot" against me for this title, because this title is more than just a stepping stone. If you want it, you will have to prove yourself on the battlefield against me, and if I deem you worthy, then you will have the opportunity to face me for it. Think of it as...a proving ground. My own personal Crucible if you will. I will weed out the warriors from the wanna-bes...

...and then...I'll show those chosen few that as good they are, they still have a long way to grow.

With those words, Magnus soldiers on into the arena.

Fab: A unique challenge of sorts from the Pure Champ, I suppose we'll have to see who might be up to it. Back to you at ringside!

[/i][/font]

[King]

Seeing Magnus's challenge on his tv screen, King heads towards the ring. Moments later In The Shadow begins to play through the P.A. The fans begin to cheer as they see King coming out with his motorcycle, he circles round the ring before stopping a few meters away from the ring. King gets off his bike and proceeds to climb the steps, on the way he picks up a mic that was set on ringside and enters the ring. He stands in the middle of the ring and waits for the crowd to quiet down.

Well, Well, Well Magnus it seems like your looking for a challenge and since i dont have a match, and also its been a while since a faced a champion before... Basical what im saying is get your ass down here. Cause if im gonna challenge you to a match i aleast want to do it face to face.

King waits for Magnus's entrance

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

The sound of "Fever Dream", Magnus' theme song begins to play and the Pure Champion steps out from backstage. In the earlier segment he was in his business suit, but this time he came to the ring dressed to compete, the hood of his walk-in robe down and the title belt slung on his shoulder.

He marched down to the ring as his always does, with eyes as cold as ice and a face that looked as if it was chiseled from granite. Stepping into the ring, he's granted a mic to answer King's call.

Face to face is the only way I would ever accept a man's challenge, Mr. King. As you can see, I'm dressed to compete...but I didn't think I would be successful in my quest tonight to be honest. The pickings as one would say here on TakeDown are slim at the moment, most certainly few who meets my criteria of "worthy" adversaries.

Fortunately, you fit into that criteria. The "Colorful Colossus" is what was once your moniker was it not? At one point, you were a dominant champion and defeated dominant champions to make your mark. One such as you should surely be more than a challenge for me, at least I hope...

He begins to pace around.

...because you see, time marches on Mr. King. All things grow old. They age. They wither, and soon they die. It is the only thing that's absolute within all that lives. The same can be said for one's career. A true legacy is immortal, but even it must come to an end. I see you now, and I see a shadow of his former glory. You've been content to wrestle sideshow freaks and street thugs instead of facing the true competition that awaits. Only now it seems you've realized that you must make a "power move", or be forgotten like so many others who have been on top of this business and die slowly into shadows.

It is your past that garners you a certain measure of respect from me. Enough to grant you a match tonight. But it will be your present that will garner you an opportunity to once again call yourself a champion. If you can defeat me, you will earn a shot at my Pure Championship. If not, you'll be nothing more than another "shadow" bound to the darkness.

Finally he stops, and rests his eyes square to King's.

Are you prepared to put yourself to that test?

[King]

King nods after Magnus finished King begins to reply

Well Magnus its the first time I've ever heard someone calling me Mr. And i can see that you've been doing your 'King History' homework, impressive. And i do also have to agree with you on that we grow old, we wither, and we die, Legacies come and go. But my Legacy is yet to end i still have to prove to all you fans and the guys in the back why I'm still the best mask wrestler this business has to offer.

King pauses for a moment as he soaks up the cheers from the crowd.

And the reason why I've been fight the so called "sideshow freaks and street thugs" is like you said Takedown is slim pickings. You can hardly find anyone out here to wrestle with, and theres only a few people here that are actually carrying this brand on their shoulder. Hell even if you weren't wearing that title I'd still challenge you, cause that how slim Takedown has really become.

King pauses again

But enough of me ranting on, lets get down to the issue in hand. So we're on for tonight, but heres an idea how about we face each other the match that made you into a champion. How about we go at it in a Pure Rules match?

King lowers his mic and waits Magnus's answer.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Magnus chuckles for a brief moment.

What kind of match were you expecting to face me in my dear boy? Pure Rules in my opinion is the ultimate measure of one's skill inside of this ring. That is the sole reason why most are reluctant to wrestle such a match. So many claim to be good or great, but stepping into Pure Rules is where those claims are truly put to the test, and most of these boys who call themselves XWA Combatants fear their flaws will be exploited and exposed.

Hmph...

I do not have such fears, and my flaws are learned from and corrected immediately. I am the oldest man on the XWA roster, and everyone on that roster, as does everyone who follows this organization knows that none compare in the environment of Pure wrestling to me. If you defeat me in this match, then there is no doubt that you are a true competitor in every sense of the word.

Goldman: So far, only Overload's Romeo Davis and our own Syrus has managed to do that...and both of those guys have gone on to do pretty well I'd said.

To desire to face me in such a match proves to me that you are ready, Mr. King...

Magnus eases up a few steps to stand slightly face to face with opponent.

...but after the bells rings, we will see if you can prove that you're worthy.

With those final words, he steps back as his theme song plays again. He turns to exit the ring, already prepared for battle now. It would just be a matter of time before it began.