-■The Day I met Rob Langdon■-

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-■†Monday 11-09-09†■-
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Just like old times, I was sitting in the pitch black darkness of my locker room, just like I did after defeating Johnny Stylez at War Games. A small bit of light shined in from underneath the locker room door, from the hallway. In just seven days, I knew my career would be on the line, against Rob Langdon, Shadow Demon. The man who gave his life to protect mine, and sacrificed himself to make sure I could grow up and fulfill my destiny. He went to prison in place of me, sacrificed his future for me, and now I’m fighting this man for the fifth time in my wrestling career. I thought about my past.


-■†Monday November 3rd, 2003†■-

Turning fourteen a month earlier wasn’t the same, it was the first birthday without my parents, and the day after my birthday was the one year anniversary of their death. I was living in a group home called, The Sunrise House. The third floor of the building was where the guys stayed, with the middle floor being for the girls. The bottom floor consisted of a dining room, a living room centered around a small television, and the rest of the downstairs was behind a locked door, where all the group home staff would stay. I had been living there for only a month and was getting ready for my first day of school. I grabbed my backpack and dragged it down the steps.

■■Karl Graham■■
You feeling alright Brenton?

Karl followed me down the steps, his smile made me hate my life even more. Karl was the head staff member at the Sunrise house. He picked me up from the temporary home I had been staying at. After my parents death I had broken down, fallen apart. I didn’t want to live anymore, and wished that I had been taken instead of them. People tried to adopt me, take me in, but I refused. They let me stay in the temporary home as long as I possibly could, but they had to send me off after the one year mark.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
No I’m not.

I tried to walk down the stairs faster, trying to get away from him. But he continued following me. I made it to the bottom floor and rushed towards the door but he put his hand on my shoulder.

Karl Graham
Brenton, do you need to talk to the grief counselor?

I pushed his hand off of me.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
No. I just need everyone to leave me alone.

I was extremely anti social, I hated everyone and wanted them to feel the same pain I felt. When they brought me to the Sunrise Home, they introduced me to everyone who lives in the home, but I didn’t care. I looked at the ground, not acknowledging anyone. I didn’t introduce myself to anybody, and once they showed me to my room, I locked myself in, pushing my feet against the door with my back against the wall. I just wanted to be alone. Finally they got me transferred to the school, and they forced me to leave.

Karl Graham
Brenton, we’re here to help you. We know we can’t bring your parents back, but we can find you a family that will love you and take care of you.

I could feel an unbearable sadness take control of me, I fought back tears, then snapped at Karl.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
I don’t need anyone. Just myself ok? So you can go to hell, because I’m already there!

I picked my bag up and tossed it over my shoulder, then hurried away towards the front door. I opened the door and pulled it open. Karl called out to me.

Karl Graham
BRENTON!

I stopped in my tracks, prepared to shut the door behind me.

Karl Graham
Have a great day at school buddy.

I slammed the door behind me and walked to school, my first day of High School. I couldn’t focus on any of the school work or anything, I just drifted throughout my day, with no purpose to my life. Towards the end of the day I was staring out the window, looking at the sky.

“Mr… Cyrus?”

I heard him but didn’t bother looking up.

“Brenton Cyrus!”

The second he called out my name everyone in the classroom turned to look at me. I took my eyes off of the window and looked towards the front of the classroom.

“Are you paying attention?”

I turned my body around in my desk, then looked up to the front of the classroom at the teacher.

“Hello? Are you paying attention?”

I only stared at him, not giving him any kind of acknowledgment or answer. He began walking down the aisle between desks towards me. He placed his hands on my desk and leaned towards me.

“What‘s a matter little guy, is someone having a bad day?”

The class began to laugh, then someone threw a paper ball at me, hitting me directly to the forehead. The anger had consumed me, filling me with a rage I had never felt before. The rage was so powerful, too powerful for anyone to deal with. I jumped up out of my desk and grabbed the teacher by the back of his head, then slammed him face first into my desk, sending him to the floor.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Who threw that paper at me.

I looked at a kid crushing a piece of paper in his hands. I looked down at the teacher then kicked him to the skull. I ran and dove over a desk grabbing the kid who hit me with the paper. I grabbed him by the throat and punched him several times as other guys in the class grabbed me.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Get the fuck off of me.

I tried my best to fight out of everyone’s grip, but they had me pretty good. Eventually school security arrived and took me away to the principles office. After a long lecture, I flipped off the principle and Karl arrived.

Karl Graham
What happened here? BC are you ok?

He put his hand on my shoulder and I brushed it off.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
I'm fine.

They brought me to a different room, while the principle talked to Karl. The school bell sound signally the end of my first day, not exactly the debut I had in mind, but at least people would leave me alone from now on. I looked out the window and noticed a large group of people rushing somewhere. I stood up and walked to the door of the room I was in. I looked to the left and looked to the right, and no one was around.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Fuck it.

I walked out into the hall, then ducked down and crawled past the principles office. As I did, I could hear Karl and the principle talking.

Karl Graham
This isn’t his fault, he’s a good kid who had something terrible happen to him.

Principle
So what do you suggest we do?

I crawled past the door, and stood up then walked out of the school office. I blended in immediately with all the kids leaving the school, then I turned and walked in the direction I saw the crowd walk in. I kept walking but I didn’t see anyone anymore.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Oh well, better head back.

I turned around right into another guy, we bumped into each other and he looked at me.

“Hey, are you in the Fight Nation?”

I thought he was going to give me a hard time for running into

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Uh.. No.

“Let‘s go man!”

I followed the guy down a hill onto a baseball field, We walked further, and I saw a huge group of people.

“What‘s your name?”

I looked at all the different people as we walked into the crowd. It felt like everyone was staring at me, like I didn’t fit in with any of them.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Brenton.

I bumped into a large man, he stared down at me, and laughed like a maniac then screamed at the top of his lungs.

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”

I looked at the man is disbelief, then rushed by him trying to catch up to the guy who brought me to this place.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Brenton Cyrus.

The guy let out a laugh and shrugged his shoulders, then with a large smile on his face he turned around and looked at me.

“Well Brenton Brenton Cyrus I‘m Shelton. Shelton Tyson.”

He held out his hand for a handshake, and I shook his hand. He let out a chuckle then turned and kept walking.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Good to meet you.

I doubt he heard me, he seemed like he was in a rush, and so was I. I could only imagine what would happen if the principle and Karl walked into that room to find me missing. Shelton turned his head slightly, paying attention to everything in front of him, while also being able to talk to me. He called out.

Shelton Tyson
So Brenton, Brenton Cyrus, I haven’t seen you around school, haven’t seen you here, who the hell are you?

I honestly didn’t know how to answer that, “Who the hell are you?” I thought for a few seconds. After losing my parents it felt like my life was over, and forced to start again, a brand new Brenton Cyrus. Not the kid who came home and spent time with his family, but the guy who fought teachers, and hated the world. I decided to give Shelton the short answer.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Yeah, I’ve never been here. I’m new, just was transferred here.

I cleared my throat and Shelton stopped. I bumped into his back, and he turned around. With a look of concern on his face he asked me.

Shelton Tyson
You sound sad Brenton, Brenton Cyrus. What’s wrong?

I looked at him for a few seconds, before looking away, then towards the ground.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Please just call me Brenton, and I really don’t want to talk about it.

Shelton Tyson let out a huge laugh then turned around and kept walking, he shouted.

Shelton Tyson
Fine, I don’t really care anyway. All I need to know is the answer to one question.

I continued following him.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Oh yeah, what’s that?

Finally we made it to the center of the group, I looked at two guys throwing fists at each other at top speed. Eventually one of the guys connected and dropped his opponent to the dirt floor with a huge right hand. He got on top of him and hit him once more before the fight supervisor ended it.

Fight Supervisor
Alright, Fight‘s over by Knockout! Winner, Alden Sykes! Everyone, make sure you join us at the Fight Club this Friday to see all of our top fighters, admission is Twenty dollars, for what will more then likely be the greatest night of your life.

The Supervisor lifted the kid who got knocked out and tossed him out of the fight circle.

Fight Supervisor
Who‘s next!?

Shelton looked at me, a large smile on his face.

Shelton Tyson
Can you fight?

I looked down at my fists, wondering if I could fight or not. I had never been in one, the thought of fighting had never even crossed my mind before that moment. I looked back at Shelton.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
I don’t know.

Shelton Tyson grabbed me and threw me into the fight circle, I tripped and fell to my knees, landing in front of the Fight Supervisor.

Fight Supervisor
What’s your name?

I got to my feet, and brushed myself off.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
I’m out of here.

“What‘s the matter, you a little chicken bitch?”

I wondered how anyone could be a Chicken Bitch, then turned around to see the kid who I attacked during class. He had a black eye, and I could tell he was pissed off. I tried to walk away, but the crowd wouldn’t move and let me leave.

Fight Supervisor
I said what’s your name?

I turned back towards the fight Supervisor and the Kid who’s face I bashed.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
I’m Brenton Cyrus.

“I‘m Lucas Horn”

The crowd began cheering for him, I looked around then looked at Lucas who had a confident smile on his face.

Fight Supervisor
Ok Brenton Cyrus, how long is this fight going to be?

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
What?

Shelton Tyson
He’s new, he’ll fight a one round fight.

The crowd began booing me, as Shelton pulled me towards him and whispered to me.

Shelton Tyson
It’s ten dollars per round for non members of the IFN, Rounds are five minutes, and if there is no winner by the end of the round, the fight is a draw. You can fight as many times a day as you want, as long as you bring cash. The better you are, the more chance you’ll have of making into the group of IFN Elites, the five championship holders, who run the IFN. Rob Langdon is the Fight Nation owner, and he holds the number one championship in the nation. As for rules, there really aren’t any. You win by knockout or Submission. Good luck, and try not to get knocked the fuck out!

Shelton pushed my back towards the center of the circle. I reached into my pocket and grabbed a ten dollar bill. I handed the official the money, and he shoved it into his pocket. Lucas walked up and handed the official his money as well, then flipped me off.

Fight Supervisor
Ready?

I shrugged my shoulders and put my hands up, ready to fight.

Fight Supervisor
FIGHT!

Lucas ran towards me and fired off a right haymaker, that caught me right to the cheek. I staggered to my right from the vicious punch to the face, and the crowd grabbed a hold of me and pushed me back towards the middle. Lucas kicked me to my right leg several times, leaving a stinging sensation throbbing in my leg.

Shelton Tyson
Fight back!

Lucas fired off a head kick, that came at me, seemingly, in slow motion. I put both my arms up and blocked it then punched Lucas right to the nose with a straight right hand. He stumbled backwards and I charged him tackling him to the dirt floor. He hooked my head, locking my in a guillotine choke, I stood up, then lifted Lucas who pulled tighter on the choke.

Fight Supervisor
Are you ok?

He was choking the life out of me, I could feel my face changing colors, but for some reason I lifted my arm and gave the supervisor a thumbs up. The pressure in my head was intense, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. I threw one final Desperation punch before falling forward, luckily for me, my punch knocked Lucas unconscious. We hit the ground, and I took a much need breath of air. I postured up and punched Lucas to the face, even though he was already out.

Fight Supervisor
He’s out!

I punched Lucas again, and again.

Fight Supervisor
Fight is over!

I punched Lucas one more time, then got tackled by the Supervisor.

Fight Supervisor
When I say it’s over, that means it’s over!

He got to his feet and scolded me.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Sorry… I… I loved it.

The Supervisor pulled me to my feet, and lifted my arm. I could feel my face starting to swell, but as the crowd cheered for me, I smiled for the first time I could remember.

Shelton Tyson
That was awesome.

I nodded my head, impressed with myself as I looked at Lucas who’s face was pretty messed up. My smile disappeared quick however when the realization that I should be in an office set in.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Fuck, I have to go! Thanks for everything Shelton.

I grabbed my backpack and ran away, pushing through the large quantity of people. I busted out of the group and was grabbed by my shirt. The guy was strong, strong enough to stop me with one arm. I looked at him and he returned my look with a smile.

“Great fight, I hope you come back tomorrow.”

I smiled at the man, who I would later know as Rob Langdon, and sprinted as fast as I could across the field, and busted through the fence. I ran back along the side of the school, then walked inside.

Karl Graham
Welcome back.

I looked at Karl Graham leaning against the wall, shaking his head at me.

-■†■-

The lights in my locker room turned on, ending the story in my head.

“Your Limousine is here Mr. Cyrus.”

I nodded my head. Not till signing the contract against Rob Langdon, did I feel so much anxiety towards the match. I tried my best to look at the match as Shadow Demon versus Brenton Cyrus, but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t. This was Rob Langdon versus Brenton Cyrus, and suddenly I didn’t want the match anymore. I looked up at the girl at my locker room door.

■■□Brenton Cyrus□■■
Thank you.

She walked out, with a smile on here face. I got to my feet, and grabbed my bags. I left my locker room, and walked to my Limo.


■The Match■
Our battles have been historic. At Resurrection of Respect we fought for the first time ever, before I knew who you really were. I was able to defeat you and defend the World Heavyweight Championship, crashing your dreams of becoming World Heavyweight Champion.

But Shadow Demon you are the toughest wrestler in the NLWF, no doubt about that. Everyone is impressed by Chuck Matthews ability to lose, then win even bigger and better then ever. You Shadow Demon couldn’t win the big one, you couldn’t become Champion.

But that didn’t stop you from trying. I respect you more then anyone I’ve ever come across. I owe just about everything I have to you Rob, and you are a brother to me, in a way not even Chuck Matthews achieved. You never let losing slow you down, you took each loss, and you used them to make you better.

Now look at you, you’re one of the greatest wrestlers in NLWF History because of your resiliency, and you are, without a doubt, the greatest Undisputed Champion of all time. You are far greater then that asshole Havoc who won it first, and you put all the other champions to hold that belt to shame. All of them, fall short when it comes to being Undisputed Champion.

Tails? Kaos? Cyber Punk? They failed when it came to being the Undisputed Champion! Chuck Matthews? Aaron O’Shea? Nick Ridicule? Everyone before you seems undeserving of that belt you have brought back to be a top championship.

I want to be Undisputed Champion, but I want my career to live on forever, and that means more to me then becoming Undisputed Champion. I’m the greatest wrestler in the entire world, and I’m only twenty years old.

I still have a long and amazing career ahead of me, and I plan on continuing that career after Legends of the Fall as the new Undisputed Champion of the NLWF.

Our friendship, Salvation, everything will be put aside when we enter that ring. You gave me hope when my life was darkest, and it’s because of you that I’m even successful at all in my life.

I love you like a brother.

But at Legends of the Fall I must beat.