The Devil is a Liar

[The Silver Tongued Devil]

january, 2016 

atlanta, georgia 

lions den f.c. 

Splat. 

Splat. 

Splat. 

Sweat dropped from the tip of nose like a leaky faucet as I sat on the end of an wooden bench that was secured to the rubber-padded floor of Justin Brooks’ Lion’s Den F.C. My chest heaved with every exhausted breath I took as an nylon jump rope sat at my feet in a spiraled heap. I wasn’t sure how much time I spent in the gym today, but armed with the news that my father was actually alive, it wasn’t long before my knuckles to start to throb through the thick white tape that was wrapped around my knuckles. I reached up slowly, placing my hand on the back of my neck, rubbing the sore muscles the best I could as I lifted my head up, looking into the full length mirror on the wall and stared at my own reflection.



It was only several months ago, Exodus was closing and I was just another name in the crowd. I wanted to think that nobody knew me…hell, why would they? I was just some twenty-five year old kid with a duffel bag in his hand, who just wanted to make a name for himself...but I was wrong. It took four days and the FGA was knocking at my door. And with that, I’m one of the hottest arrivals in the FGA…



And all it took was 2 months.



Call me lucky.



Call me talented.



But there is one thing that was unmistakable:



A force to be reckoned with.



But tonight, a soft smile spread across my lips as I placed my hands on my knees and pushed myself up with a grunt as I slowly made my way over towards the ring. I rolled into the ring and climbed to my feet as I stepped into the middle of the ring.



I looked up at the lights, placing my hands on my waist, hooking my thumbs into the waistband of my shorts before I threw my hands into the air, making a tight fist as I danced in a small tight circle.



“And you’re NEEEEEEEEEEW Frontier Grapple Arts World Champion…”



I was cut off by the intrusion of a voice in the gymnasium, stopping in middle of the ring, dropping my hands.



“…Aries Reed…”



I was able to see who was out there from the lights shining down over me as I squint my eyes hoping to gain better sight.



“Who’s there?”



I call out rather cautiously, still wanting to believe that I was only one out there. I started to make my way towards the general direction of the strange voice as the sounds of clapping simply made things even freakier. Slowly he stepped into the outskirts of the lighting, still clapping his hands. He standing about six foot four and roughly two-hundred and sixty pounds himself, he had the build as if he was one time a force in the ring. His black hair was all but gone on top but yet grey hairs were sprinkled all about his head.



“I’ve followed yo’ career since you were in High School...”



Forming a smirk as I leaned over on the ropes, crossing my arms over each other.



“Yeah…you’re going to have to excuse me if I’m not too impressed, Old Man.”



He shook his head with a laugh. “From Westlake High…to Georgia Southern, I’ve watched every match before you went off ta’ college. And when I heard dat you was a pro wrestler, I couldn’t help but see fo’ myself and sure enough there you were, like poetry in motion. I couldn’t help but smile to myself when I first watched you in that ring and I was proud to say that I was yo’ Daddy.”



I didn’t know what to say to this man who had somehow found his way into the empty gym, that I assumed was locked up to prevent this kind of thing from happening. I slowly stepped out of the ring and shook my head as I held my hands up to stop him, I really wasn’t into the mood to deal with this tonight.



“Look...this really is a bad time and I’m not in the best place right now to deal with this shit...”



He just continued to go on as if I didn’t say anything at all.



“And just to think, yo’ ass been all over da’ world. Aries Reed, spreading his legacy from sea to shining sea! It’s unbelievable to know that my boy is actually somebody.”



I shook my head, not really wanting to hear what this senile old man had to say.



“Wait…what did you say?” I said as I took a small step back, feeling something snap in my psyche.



He simply smiled and nodded his head as he opened his large arms for an embrace.



“Yeah, Aries…yo’ my son ain’t ya?”



I just stood there and looked at him with a look of resentment in my eyes as he just laughed as his large shoulders shook with that condescending smile on his face.



“Well…are ya’ just going to stand there with yo’ mouth open? Come give yo’ Old Man a hug!”



I continued to stand there with my arms at my side as I did the only thing a man could do when he meets his father after twenty years…



…punch him right in the face as hard as I could.

theblackestsun.com/promos 

the silver tongued devil chronicles 

fga wrestling presents vertigo e08 

aries reed v. johnny karma 

hype video i 

[The pendulum of an antique grandfather clock swings side to side, counting the fleeting seconds until the eighth episode of FGA Vertigo in Queens, New York. Sitting in front of large grandfather clock is Aries Reed, dressed in a tailored black suit with a red silk tie undone and hanging around his neck. A glass bottle of his bourbon, Crown Royal, sitting at his left as he looks at the half empty glass, hearing the light clinging of the several ice cubes hitting against the glass. Looking at small amount of liquor, he shrugs his shoulders slightly and finishes off the drink in a single gulp before letting out a satisfied sigh.]



“Tick Tock.”



“Tick Tock.”



“This is happening, Johnny.”



“That sound you hear, that faint annoyance in the back of your head that’s starting to get louder and more defined?”



“That sound?”



[Placing his hand behind his ear and cupping it, he gets quiet only leaving the sound of the grandfather clock behind him, ticking away.]



“It's your impending doom.”



“It's the sounds of you losing everything you've ever worked for...”



“...losing everything in the span of three seconds.”



“It happens that quickly.”



[Suddenly Aries snaps his fingers.]



“And then you're left with nothing.”



“Then you’ll understand, then you'll finally begin to grasp what I've been trying to show the rest of the FGA. “



[Reaching out, Aries pull the stopper out of the bottle, pouring himself another drink.]



“Last time out, I came into the ring and did exactly what I said I was going to do...that I was going to beat the living shit out of Chris Vector from the opening bell, I did exactly that...I made him into my own personal highlight reel because he didn’t deserve to be the same ring with me, let alone in the same business.”



“So this time, I’ve been given the task to step into the ring with you, Johnny Karma, a former FGA Pride Champion in his own right. Now granted that moment in the sun was well over two years ago, I don’t want to take away anything from you, that’s a serious accomplishment around these parts…”



“...or at least that’s what I’m being told.”



“But regardless of what you’ve done, what matters is what is going to do down in the middle of that ring because I have plans on stealing the show. I have plans on making the rest of the card struggle to reach the bar that I plan on setting because honestly, I’m a world-class athlete, an international known name…”



“...but above all else, I’m a showman and I’m going to make sure that the rest of the FGA Roster knows that when it comes to Aries Reed, there is a certain standard that you have to meet and fail to reach that objective?”



[He takes a slow sip of the bourbon.]



“Well, you see what happened to Christopher Vector.”



“But this is the struggle that we've found ourselves in, Johnny...and this is the battle that we've been destined to fight even before our paths cross in a few short days.”



“Unlike our rather lackluster Main Event, this battle between the two of us will not be for the faint of heart, it will not be for those who came to see a fight because Johnny, my dear friend...”



“...because I'm going to hurt you.”



“I'm going to break you.”



“I'm going to destroy you like no one else because no one has ever been able to emulate what I can do in that ring.”



“I'm better than you Johnny...you know I'm better than you and even though you won't admit it...”



[Aries taps his temple.]



“...in your head and heart, you know it to be true.”



“Gone are the days of Johnny Karma of old, the brash...arrogant...talented young man who set the world of the FGA on its ear with his own brand of athleticism, in the running for the likes of Pride and the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship, respectively. What's left is Johnny Karma of new; tired and mostly forgotten.”



“But I will make them remember, I will make them all see...I will make them see what kind of wrestler you are in the middle of that ring.”



“They will see what Johnny Karma is capable of when his shoulders as put to the mat for the three count.



“They will remember the day where Karma was put down in the middle of the ring, like an old dog, as Aries Reed reigns supreme and continues to cement his place in the FGA Roster.”



“They will see the day where Johnny Karma was revived into one of the MUST SEE competitors thanks to Aries Reed.”



“I don't do this for me, Johnny.”



“I didn't do this for the FGA, Johnny.”



“I didn't do this for the fans, Johnny.”



“Those monkeys don't know the sweat and tears that men like me and you shed. These monkeys have no idea of what it takes to come in and come out every week and put it all on the line just for their amusement. And when given a gem in the middle of the ring, they simply shit on it because they don't know the difference.”



“I do this for you, Johnny.”



“You need this...you need this more than anyone. You need this because without it, you'd continue to fall deeper and deeper into mediocrity until the name Johnny Karma becomes nothing more but a footnote in the annuals in the FGA.”



“And with that...I look forward to stepping into the ring with the man who I call a worthy opponent...and beat him within an inch of his miserable career.”



[The large clock that sits behind Aries strikes 12 as it bellows several times, letting it echo through the large study. Aries is all smiles as he stares into the camera, casually swirling the glass of bourbon in circles. He raises his glass high and tips it towards the camera before bringing it to his lips for a slow sip.]



january, 2016

atlanta, georgia

lions den f.c.



I looked over at the man who claimed to be my father as he held his hands over his nose as blood oozed between his fingers. I shook my right hand a little, still feeling the sting from connecting with his nose, causing it to shoot blood upon impact with my fist. I looked down at my knuckles as the white tape was stained with his blood as I made sure I kept at one hand clenched so I could protect myself if he tried to get up and retaliate for the strong jab he took to the nose.



"Shit, son...I knew ya’ could fight, but shit...I think you broke my nose! Is that anyway to greet your Father?"



He slowly removed his hands as the blood that once was pouring from his nose had stopped. He smiled as he looked down at his blood covered jacket as I made sure that I kept eye contact with him. He simply chuckled as he looked at his massive palms of his hands; they too, covered in blood.



"Look, I can understand that ya’ upset...I really can, but if you are going to hit me, do you mind at least hitting me in the stomach next time?"



He laughed, which I didn't find funny at all and as he stood, I landed a swift right hook into his stomach. He didn't get a chance to fully brace himself for impact as the wind from his lungs escaped his lips. Instantly, he grabbed his midsection as he collapsed to his knees, wheezing and gasping for breath.



"You sonuvabitch!” I yelled out, feeling my emotions slowly start to get the best of me.



"You left Mom and all of us!? And all of those years...those empty birthdays and Christmas, wondering what happened to our father! Why?! Tell me why? I at -least- deserve a goddamn explanation...and to come back in here like you expect a fucking parade!? Who the hell do think you are?!"



Slowly pulling himself to his feet slowly, starting to regain his balance and his breath back once again. Still, with clenched fists and tears threatening to betray me, I just looked at him. I could remember all those times, I've been so upset...so angry...so frustrated and within seconds, it was all pouring out as if a damn broke and it was starting to overflow and I didn't know how to stop it.



" Where were you when I was a little kid?! Where were you when Mom stayed up crying all night because she didn't know what to do or how to take care of three kids by herself? She loved you and you left us all! Jesus Christ...then there is Bianca! Why...dammit...tell me why..."



I couldn't help myself now, warm tears started to flow down the sides of my cheeks as I became slightly choked up on my words as my transient father simply stood in front of me. For the first time, his smile faded away and his brown eyes seemed to lose their initial glow and seem to soften slightly as he looked away for a moment, as if he was ashamed to even look at me.



"No, no, no…you look at me.", I said in a harsh whisper through clenched teeth.



I shook my head as the thought of punching him entered my mind again as he didn't meet my glare once again.



"Look at me, you asshole! You at least owe me that...look at the man that you’ve now decided to claim as yours. Look at the men that your sons have become...look at what your youngest has done without a father...look what's he's accomplished without you."



Slowly turned his head as he lowered his head.



"Aries...I'm sorry. I never wanted to be like this. I'm really sorry for leaving ya’ mother all alone, I was young, stupid and I was scared...but I hope ya’ believe me when I tell you that I'm truly sorry."



Shaking my head slowly, I stepped passed him.



"Sorry isn't going to cut it this time...Matthew."



I walked away from him, making my way to the rear of the gym, pushing open the double doors into the back alley. The door closed behind me, I leaned back against it as soft rain fall filled the Atlanta air. I wrapped my arms around myself as I slumped to the ground, hugging my knees into my chest. Dropping my head, my shoulder shook lightly sobbing quietly to myself, letting the sound of the rain simply drown out my tears.

theblackestsun.com/promos 

the silver tongued devil chronicles 

fga wrestling presents vertigo e08 

aries reed v. johnny karma 

hype video ii 

[The grandfather clock behind him continued to tick away, as Aries leaned forward in the leather chair, staring intently at the minute hand on the clock. The fireplace in the corner of the room, gave the room a soft glow as the orange light danced against his face and rather large frame.]



“I know who I am, Johnny.”



[Slowly Aries pushes himself away from the table and stands from his leather back chair as he reaches up and slowly pulling the red tie off his neck. Disrobing from his tailored suit jacket, he discards it by flinging it across the room without care.]



“I know where I came from and I know what I'm after.”



“I talk about changing this business, yes, and through the years, I’ve done a lot of things that would prove different...but I never refused to let myself forget and even to this day, I've never forgot because when it comes to the FGA, it needs a change. It needs something more than just Chandler Scott and Izzy Anders. It needs something more than just Zero McHannon flaunting around the FGA World Title as if he’s just a child with a shiny new toy.”



“But have I changed?”



[Aries chuckled softly, running a hand over his freshly braided hair and shakes his head slowly. Placing both hands flat on the desk, he leans over as he looks up into the camera with a smile.]



“Oh yes...yes, I've definitely changed, Johnny. To be frankly, I’ve haven’t just changed...over the years, over the course of this short yet rather fruitful career…”



“I’ve evolved. And through that evolution, I continue to push forward.”



“I continued to work, I continued to change, I continued to develop into something that I wasn't before...”



“...something greater than I was before because I know if I was going to step into the ring with Johnny Karma, I needed to be better than I was yesterday...last week...last month...last year.”



“Anything else wasn't going to be satisfactory to me and we both know it.”



“But if you want to think that this suit...”



[With a look of disgust, Aries pulls his shirt from his body as the buttons come flying across the room, skittering across the floor as Aries tosses down the tattered shirt. His bare frame is outlined by the roaring fireplace behind him as his chest heaves with a heavy breath. His jaw line tightens as he slowly grinds his teeth as he continues on.]



“…or this drink...”



[With quick backhand, he pushes the bottle of bourbon off the table that lands with a crash.]



“Then the joke is on you, Johnny. I don't need this pomp and circumstance because underneath it all, I’m just grimy kid who’s got a chip on shoulder and something to prove and can’t not only hang with the best of ‘em...but can beat ‘em too. And if you think that for a moment that this match is just some play for you to make a move to become some big thing, then my friend...the minimal success that you’ve accomplished has spoiled you.”



“This isn't some game...this isn't some sort of dramatic act for the FGA.”



“I didn't come here in a suit, sipping on liquor to make myself look important just to set the FGA abuzz...because outside of this suit. I'm still the roughneck black kid from Atlanta who needed an outlet so I wouldn't end up in jail, on the corner slinging dope, or six feet in the dirt.”



“But for me...what you have, isn't what I want. What you've done isn't what I want to do. Does that make you better than me?”



[Aries chuckles slowly.]



“Not on your best day, Johnny. Not on your best day.”



“This is going to be about the two men who've gone their separate path and have reached a point in the road where we are going to find out who's the better man is.”



“There isn't another soul on this roster that can do what I can do and has the ability to beat you at your own game. You have never been in the same ring with me and the things that I've learned...the things that I've done in the ring, Johnny, my boy...it'll make your head spin. I'm going to show you what it means to inflict pain on another man.”



“And it's not because I have too...it's not because you've wronged me...”



“...it's because I want to because it makes me smile, it makes me laugh...it makes me feel good.”



“I can only hope that I have your full attention now, I'm glad that your eyes are finally on me because now that I have your undivided attention...”



“The real fun begins.”

fade.