PROMO: Revisionist History

[Guest realitycheck]

“Ow. Ow. Ow.”

 

Alex “Z” Zenon limps through the hallways of the Best Western hotel. Every step he takes, limping down the carpet, sends a fiery pain through his body. It still hurts from WarGames. Granted, between the minimal amount of exercise Z does and the ridiculously violent nature of the match, this sort of thing should’ve been *expected,* but still. Pain is pain. Something Z should be used to by now…

 

Well, IS used to by now. But if it were just pain, this would all be easy to deal with for Z. Pain, you can fight through. Pain doesn’t ask questions. Pain doesn’t formulate ridiculously over-complex plans of doom. Pain doesn’t drive your leader and mentor to the frayed ends of sanity. Pain is not some conspicuous manifestation of evil, which keeps you up at 3am, trying desperately to figure out exactly what it is, and why it’s doing what it’s doing.

 

Pain goes away.

 

This… all of this is the sort of thing that’s going to have Z asking questions for a long time. Sigh. Chalk it up to this fed being one big enigma. …Maybe actually asking someone would help?

 

And with that though in mind, Z shuffles past the ice machine, briefly wondering if sticking his head in wouldn’t help the now splitting headache he’s received thanks to thinking about all that. “Stupid thinking… just more pain for today…” grumbles Z, as he opens the door to the hotel room reserved for the Carnival, takes one step in, and…

 

“WhoaaaaAAAAAUGH!” *thunk!* “Guh. Oof.”

 

…falls face-first over the welcome carpet, into the darkened room.

 

“Owe… damn. That hurt.” Z pulls himself up off of the floor, reaching over to find a wall to guide himself up with. “I know that Raynor wouldn’t be here… Mags is probably out drinking or something. But I could swear Edwin said he’d be here…”

 

“I did, didn’t I? Well, probably because I am.”

 

With a small -click- a shaded lamp fills the room up with soft light, illuminating Edwin MacPhisto. Slumped in a chair in the corner, regarding the newest Carnie with a smile—albeit an obviously forced one. Weather Z can see that or not, the look behind the yellow and green eyes reveals a far more downcast mood. He speaks… “Ah… sorry about the light, there.”

 

“Yeah, no kidding.” Z pulls himself to his feet, dusting himself off. “I never thought you were the type to be all DARK and BROODING and ANGSTY.”

 

Edwin smirks a little. “No… no, I suppose I’m not. Becoming oddly frequent now, isn’t it?”

 

“Yeah…” Z shuffles over to one of the beds, taking a seat with a noticeable lack of grace.(Well, more so than usual.)

 

“Goodness…” Muses Edwin, “Now I think parts of my life are starting to become like some stock, lame scene out of the X-Files.”

 

Z blinks. “Uh… okay.”

 

“You ever watch the X-Files? I used to. My, I can’t stand that show anymore. David Duchovney is such a flake. I mean, it’s not just that--”

 

“Edwin?”

 

“Yessum?”

 

“You’re starting to sound like me. Stop. …please?”

 

Edwin turns to look at the lopsided look on Z’s face, and can’t help but chuckle. “Alright Z, sorry. I’m just trying to find something to distract myself. I’ve been preoccupied with… things.”

 

“Bah.” Z dismisses. “You don’t need to be coy, fearless leader. I think I know what it is…” Z forms his face into the best serious one he can. “Back at the arena… that Nathan guy. He’s… Silent, isn’t he?”

 

Edwin sighs, and takes a moment to examine his shoes. “Yes.”

 

“Yes? Yes. YES! I knew it! I knew it! I KNEW IT! I--” Z pauses, realizing he’s just hopped off of the bed in celebration. He gives Edwin a sheepish look. “A-heh. Sorry.” Z returns to sitting. “Anyway, Silent… what is it about Silent? I know he’s sadistic… and a member of the Clan. The two go hand in hand, don’t they?”

 

“Yeeeees, they have a habbit of in this federation.”

 

“I figured.” Z nods a few times. “I saw some of what Silent did in the JL… it’s pretty scary stuff. But I somehow doubt that that’s the only thing about him that bothers you. What is it about Silent? Heck, what is it about the Clan that bothers you so much, Edwin? What are they? WHO are they?”

 

Edwin contemplates Z’s question for a moment, before falling out of thought. “You know, Z, that ‘bloody weird reliability factor’ of your is kicking in again.”

 

“Uh… go me?”

 

Edwin gives Z a semi-smile. “Heh…” The smile immediately fades away. “You wanted to know about the Clan, right? Let’s see… the Clan… the Clan… y’know, as far as their origins are, I’ve never really found out. Judging from their bloody violent nature, I’m not too sure I’d really like to find out… but regardless, they’ve been reaping grimness since they first came along.”

 

“Ee. I see…” Z pauses for a moment to think. “Say… weren’t they formed by that Spider guy? Naka… Nukie… Nasa…”

 

“Nekura?” Responds Edwin. “Indeed they were. Spider was actually my second opponent, and I beat him down quite fashionably, if I do say so myself.” Edwin grins and serves a look to Z, who returns it. Sardonically.

 

“Uh-huh…”

 

“Heh.” Edwin grins again, and continues. “Anyway… I watched him all through the minor league, as he recruited members for the Clan. I remember the first three quite clearly, actually… Tsunami, a young and impetuous Sacred, who was playing ‘Bayawolf’ at the time, and…”

 

“And…?”

 

“…and Silent. Silent was the third.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“Yes. He’s one of the oldest members… another thing about the Clan is that they take and cut members at their own will. If you don’t cut it, Spider will make sure you disappear. John Doe, Christian Fury, Malice, John Kruger… they all disappeared. Hell, Strangler might be the only one to be part of the Clan, and ever be seen again. Hell, the only constants of the Clan have been Spider and Thoth, really.”

 

Z involuntarily shudders. “Ugh. That’s pretty scary, Edwin.”

 

Edwin regards Z grimly. “Scary isn’t the half of it… they’re evil, Z. They embody the evil of this federation. You about as free from them as you’d want to be, Z, so don’t get involved.”

 

“Wait… even considering this alliance we’ve got?”

 

“Don’t get involved with them, Z. They just aren’t worth the trouble.” Edwin takes a stern tone, before lightening up a bit. “Anyway… as far as that alliance goes, I don’t know what the bloody hell Spider is plotting. You can only trust him so far, you know? And… there’s a bit of tension. After all, he did kinda’ smash me through the roof of a 25 foot cage, and then I did sorta’ superkick him a while back. With Silent back, I don’t really know how much longer the Clan and Carnival alliance will hold. Spider is an enigma like that… you never know what he’ll do next. I’m bracing for the other shoe to drop.”

 

Z grimaces, “So, you’re telling me that Spider recruited all of those guys? Every last one of them?”

 

Edwin shakes his head. “Well, not really. Thoth invited more then a few people to join the Clan, but it’s mostly Spider’s doing. He truly is the master manipulator if there ever was one.”

 

Z’s eyes widen “Even compared to Wilson?”

 

Edwin nods, “Wilson’s got nothing on Spider. He’s made his closest followers so fanatically loyal that if things start to slip, he can just duck out and they’ll take the hits for him.”

 

“And the closest of those followers would no-doubt be Thoth, right?” Inquires Z “I once talked to Thoth, just before WarGames… he ignored me most of the time, but still. He seemed so cold… so distant. Did something happen to him?”

 

“You could say that…” Edwin frowns a little. “His father died last year, Z. As far as I know, he tried to act as if it didn’t matter, but it made him cold.”

 

“Oh… that’s… awful.” Z looks down at the floor. “His father? I couldn’t imagine not having my parents around...”

 

Edwin notes the downcast-ness going through all of the room, but continues. “Well… Thoth’s also perhaps the most human member of the Clan. He’s gone through a bunch of changes since he joined... meditating and that jazz. He’s become a great fighter… and developed a weird sense of his own honor.”

 

Z blinks. “His honor? Like, he carries a gavel around and stuff?”

 

Edwin pauses for a moment. And then smirks. “No, Z, not quite. I should’ve worded that better. What I mean is… well, it’s hard to explain. Do you remember him and I feuding over the ICTV title?”

 

“Uh… would it help if I said yes?”

 

“I figured. Anyway, what I mean is, there was a level of mutual respect… we may not of liked each other as people, be it because of our stables or whatever, but we respected each other in the ring. Does that make sense?”

 

Z mulls it over for a bit, before nodding. “I think so, Edwin. It’s sort of like with Tom and I, and how he was willing to forgive me and get back to being a dick asap?”

 

Edwin blinks. “Uh… well, not quite. But you’re getting closer. Anyway, after he lost the ICTV title to Sacred, he went on a hiatus. When he came back, he was going to go through any and everything to get at Chris Wilson. And… you never know. He’s actually been a little supportive of this alliance-y thing… so maybe he’s aiming for something bigger than the Clan? Maybe more than just Nekua’s soldier.”

 

“Wow… man, who would’ve thought that there’s so much behind these guys? They’re obviously a little more than meets the eye.” Z says.

 

“Yes, most definitely.” Agrees Edwin So does that answer your questions about the Clan? That’s really all I know… Well, unless you want to hear all about Fallout and Flesher, heh.”

 

“Heh, no thanks.” Z dismisses. “Well… except for one thing. You never really told me anything about Silent.”

 

Edwin sighs for about the millionth time, and looks downeard. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask anymore, Z…”

 

“C’mon, Edwin! This is obviously the source of all your problems!” Z leans in closer to Edwin, almost slipping off of the sheets.

 

Edwin sighs. “Z… that’s true but… I dunno… bah, blast you for being so easy to talk to. Z it isn’t that I don’t trust telling you this, it’s just… well…” Edwin sighs again. “Well, you do know that Nathan and I used to know each other a long time ago.”

 

“In a time zone far, far away, yeah. Just not in a nice old friends sort of way, right?”

 

“Right.” Edwin nods. “I think I told you… we had a bit of a falling out. And Nathan… Nathan isn’t here to shake hands and make up, that I know.” Edwin looks up and over to Z, and thinks for a moment.

 

“Z… promise me something.”

 

“Okay, I promise.”

 

“Oof. Not funny. Seriously, promise me something.”

 

“Alright…”

 

“Nathan… Silent isn’t someone to be trifled with.” Edwin locks eyes with Z “He’s dangerous, and not the type of person you want to act all tough up against. If you are ever faced against him… or pitted against him… or, hell, even looking at him. I want you to run. As far and as hard as you can. Alright?”

 

“…alright.” Z blinks. “That’s really not something too hard for me, Edw--”

 

“Seriously, I mean it. Promise me that.”

 

“…Allright Edwin, I promise.”

 

“Splendorous!” The seriousness falls from Edwin’s voice, and the Edwin-isms return. “Alright, I gotta head out for a while. They got some daiquiri’s on discount, and be damned if the Mac Daddy isn’t going to be there! You’re still looking to be in pain from WarGames… so you get some rest, alright?”

 

“Okay, mom.” Z smirks. Before getting a handful of tissue paper thrown at him.

 

“Not funny, Z. Now, this cowboy is headed. Yippe ki ye ki yo ki yay!” And with one final disturbing cry, Edwin MacPhisto leaves the hotel room.

 

Finally, getting a chance to lie back, Z thinks over what Edwin’s told him. The Clan were more human then he could’ve possibly imagined. But Edwin… Edwin’s more afraid of Silent then Z first thought. It didn’t make any sense at all. I mean, Silent couldn’t possibly be THAT bad, right? Not considering all of the other Clannies… right? It didn’t make any sense. Edwin had just answered a bunch of Z’s questions, only to leave a bunch of new ones behind him. And Silent remained just as much of an enigma.

 

But… egnima or not, seeing Edwin like that is awful. Z’s got to do something. It’s the right thing… isn’t it?

 

…

 

…

 

“…Run away? From what. I’m not afraid of Silent.”

 

…

 

…

 

“…after all, I’m undefeated against the Clan. …right?”

 

 

Ces’t fin.

[Guest TheBostonStrangler]

This promo was absolutely incredible. I love how Z has become Edwin's buddy, and how he's willing to stick up for him. It's a great sideplot to the main storyline, and this promo is EXTREMELY well done. Z hits paydirt yet again. Write more of these!

[Guest Kibagami]

Run, Carnie-boy! Run as fast and as far as you can~!

 

Awesome work, Z. Truly awesome. You got Edwin's character spot-on, and filled in blanks about the Clan I think most people not in it have forgotten. Very good stuff.

 

S.

[Guest AnnieEclectic]

Excellent Promo, I'm actually highly highly impressed!

 

However... you know my sister hasn't been seen since I dragged her out of the Clan's hands.... *cough cough*

 

 

[/shameless self-promotion]

 

-Annie

[Guest Tod deKindes]

Amazing stuff.

 

Now go read mine.

[Guest Thoth]

Wow, you got me spot on. Cool.

 

Great work of promo.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

God damn, Z. That was fricking great.

 

A little research goes a long way...and I'll echo Strangler's sentiments. I love the way the Edwin/Z dynamic has evolved. It's been a while since we've had complex character relationships in the Carnival, and I really think we're heading towards that.

 

Truly awesome. A bit of foreshadowing, a lot of history, and a lot of ideas.

[Guest Ash Ketchum]

Great promo, Z.

 

Which reminds me I need to churn my next one out today.

[Guest kelloggs]

Great stuff Z. You rule all

[Guest Beingz0wningj00]

Z... you have been churning out these awesome promos man, gotta do them more often.

 

 

Love the bit on how Spider owns Wilson on manipulating.

[Guest Rabbi_wilson13]

Z’s eyes widen “Even compared to Wilson?”

 

Edwin nods, “Wilson’s got nothing on Spider. He’s made his closest followers so fanatically loyal that if things start to slip, he can just duck out and they’ll take the hits for him.”

Ahem...Wilson recruited Spider before. Wilson has won world title. Wilson biggest, baddest monster heel around.

 

Nice promo, though. Good to see how spectacularly unbalanced Edwin is, even when around close friends. You write the quirks well. Now go respond to my promo. Muhahaha.

[Guest realitycheck]

Ahem...Wilson recruited Spider before. Wilson has won world title. Wilson biggest, baddest monster heel around.

 

No, no, see, you recruited REECE, not Spider. See, Reece isn't Spider... well, okay, he IS, but he's like... uh, not as good at manipulating... and, um, more fragile and er... 'Black' has nothing on 'Nekura' and uh... yeah. So THERE.

 

-Z

[Guest Longdogger_Pete]

Good stuff, and quite informative... someone has done his homework. I'd almost say that Edwin coached Z on this promo until I remembered that Z is a longtime "lurker" that knows just about everything about this fed's history.

 

And did I miss something? Since when does Z have a full name?

 

Anyway.. I know I sound like everyone else, but now go read mine!