A Shadow Demon (gets a) Haunting

(W-D-L) 25-3-20

-8:30 PM, Backstage after Revolution: Hostility-

Shadow Demon stormed through the backstage area, his body bruised and battered. Rouge wasn’t far behind him. Shadow was pissed. He had just lost ANOTHER title match. How many more was he going to lose? He couldn’t stand it. He almost wanted to hit someone. Suddenly, a little kid reached out with a piece of paper, and called out to him.

Little Kid
Can you please sign this, Shadow Demon?

Shadow grabbed the piece of paper, screwed it up, and threw it into the little kid’s face. As Shadow walked off he began crying, but Shadow didn’t care. Rouge kept trying to speak to him.

Rouge
Shadow! Shadow please, slow down!

He ignored her, and pushed past a group of talking fans, who shouted at him as he walked down to his locker room. He pulled the door open, and stepped inside before slamming it shut behind him, not even waiting for Rouge to catch up. Rouge walked up to the door, and slowly opened it, scared at what she might see. When she fully opened the door, she saw Shadow inside, staring at the mirror. Rouge slowly walked in, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Rouge
Shadow?

Shadow Demon didn’t move, instead, just stood there staring into the mirror. Rouge walked over behind him, and looked into the mirror as well. There was Shadow Demon, his face paint smeared and mixed with blood, his hair messed up, and a tear rolling down his cheek. A few moments passed, before Rouge spoke again.

Rouge
Shadow, look it’s-

Shadow Demon
I...I can’t do it.

Rouge paused.

Rouge
What can’t you do?

Rouge looked at the mirror again. Shadow’s face was the perfect picture of a mix of sadness and disgust.

Shadow Demon
I can’t...I can’t win title matches.

Suddenly, without warning, Shadow slammed his fist into the cupboard below the mirror. Splinters flew into the air, as Rouge jumped back.

Shadow Demon
Everyone else...wins title matches...why can’t I?!

Shadow slammed his fist into the cupboard again, and more splinters flew out of the box. He was about to do it again, before Rouge grabbed his arm, and stopped him. He looked up, into his eyes.

Rouge
Please...stop. Please.

Shadow stared into her eyes for a few moments, before backing away and falling into a chair a few feet behind him. He held his head in his head. Rouge spoke up.

Rouge
Shadow, Shadow look at me.

Shadow obliged, looking up into Rouge’s concerned face.

Rouge
Shadow, you are a hell of a performer. You’re one of the best guys in this entire federation! I mean, sure, you aren’t the best when it comes to handling the pressure of title matches, but who cares?! Shadow, you’re great at what you do. We all have weaknesses, yours just happens to be title matches, and I’m sure we can work on that. Just, please, stop destroying the room.

Shadow nodded, before hugging her.

Shadow Demon
I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m an idiot.

Rouge
It’s OK. But hey, you know how you wanted to get a rematch against Cotton for the Freedom title?

Shadow Demon
Yeah...

Rouge
Well, before tonight’s show I talked to management and asked them if you could have that match next week-and guess what they said?

Shadow Demon
What?

Rouge
They said yes!

Shadow smiled. He had waited a while to get another shot at the giant monster that was Cotton the Clown.

Shadow Demon
Thanks babe. You know you’re the best, don’t you?

Rouge
I sure do!

As Shadow hugged her, visions of a dark, deserted, evil place. He quickly shook his head, and Rouge pulled away.

Rouge
Are you Ok?

Shadow Demon
Yeah, just a little sleepy...

Rouge
Well, I guess we should get back to the apartment, it is getting a bit late.

Shadow nodded, and they switched the lights off, packed up their stuff, and took off into the dark night.

-4 AM that morning-

Visions ran through Shadow’s head. He was in a dark, cold place, with only a torch to guide him. He moved slowly through the deserted space, looking around at the cold hard walls, felling sorry for himself. His steps echoed through the place, his face white with sweat. He heard a creaking and swung his torch around wildly, but he couldn’t see anyone.

Shadow Demon
Who’s there?!...Show yourself!

His breathing was now coming in short gasps, as his anxiety increased tenfold. More noises eroded from the space around him, and as he swung his torch around once more, a creature jumped out at him.

...And then he woke up. His body clothed in sweat, and his hair tossed around wildly. He looked around him, and down at Rouge, his heart threatening to burst out of his chest. He slowly laid down, his breaths coming out in sharp pants. What was going on? What was this place? Why was he having dreams and seeing visions about it?! He sighed. He would have to wait for those questions to be answered. He should be focused on his match with Cotton. He rolled out of the bed, and stumbled out into the lounge room, throwing the bedroom door back behind him. He fell into a lounge chair, and put his legs up on a coffee table. He felt like shit. Was he even prepared for Cotton?! No. As much as he wished he was, he wasn’t. Relax, he told himself. He would have time to prepare. He would get his Freedom title back.

Still, he could see the chance of that happening was fairly low. The last time he had faced Cotton, he had been overwhelmed by him. He had barely got any offense in, and he had destroyed him. And he had hurt Rouge. He had put her hands on her. Suddenly, he felt anger and urgency surging through him. He had hurt the love of his life. Suddenly, his eyes turned a bright red. He had hurt her. His hair turned a tint of red and gold. He had hurt her. Suddenly, he stood up, and was about to hit something, but he stopped himself. Control yourself, he thought. He needed to harness his anger if he was going to beat Cotton. Just going in there and getting puffed 5 mins into the match wasn’t going to help. But, at that moment, he knew he was ready. He was going to beat Cotton the clown. He knew it.

==================================================================

Shadow Demon
Last time, Cotton, you beat me. I know you did. You did it fair and square, and ever since I’ve been desperate for another chance at the Freedom title. That title meant the world to me-it was my first ever singles title. It made me feel great, having that belt around my waist. And then you came, and single handidly ripped it out of my hands. I hated that feeling of emptiness as I walked out of Direct Hit, holding my sore body. You beat the sense and pride out of me. I was even scared of you, for a period after you beat me. But now, I’ve realised that I can beat you. You aren’t an insurmountable mountain, Cotton. There is a way to beat you, I know it. There is a silver lining to every cloud. You’re just another cloud, the bigger they come, the harder they fall.

:Let’s go Cotton:

Shadow Demon
I’m ready to show you what I can really do, and how I perform when I perform well. Last time, I didn’t perform well, and you destroyed me, because I was unprepared. This time, you had better bet your sorry ass that I’m prepared. I don’t care if you’re bigger or stronger than me, I know I can beat you, and I know that I will.

:There’s only space in this fed for one clown: ME:

A Shadow Demon (gets a) Haunting

A Shadow Demon (gets a) Haunting

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