Deal Breaker or Dream Maker

Despite being a relatively new face for mainstream audiences, the career of Indy Darling has already spanned over the past five years, and with his increased schedule over the past several months, that time has begun to take its toll. When issues with his back surfaced, his doctor in the States recommended an early retirement, and while the young star agreed to cut back on his commitments, giving up his lifelong passion was not in the cards. Fortunately for Indy, WrestleWorld has employed some of the best medical experts in the profession, and with Indy in the midst of the biggest push he’s ever known, a second opinion is worth its weight in gold.

Indy: So I’m cleared? I’m good to go?

Fearing that his patient is still refusing to accept the risks he’s choosing to take, the doctor rubs his chin as he chooses his next words carefully.

Doctor: I wouldn’t put it exactly like that, but if you understand the risks and are willing to take them, then I won’t keep you out of the ring. It wouldn’t hurt to pull the reins back a bit and take fewer risks…

The suggestion is met with an immediate shake of Indy’s head.

Indy: Sorry, Doc. Changing my style isn’t an option. The fans have certain expectations when they come out to see Indy Darling, and I’m not about to disappoint them by throwing on a series of rest holds.

Undeterred, the spinal specialist continues to explain.

Doctor: As I was going to say, as much as changing your style wouldn’t hurt, the damage your back takes is going to depend on your opponents as much, if not more, than it will depend on you.

Indy: Yeah, something tells me that asking an opponent to lay off my back isn’t going to go over too well…

Doctor: What I’m trying to say is that a lighter schedule could extend your time in the ring. Surgery is inevitable at this point, but the more risks you take and the more your opponents target your back, the sooner you’re going under the knife. So talk to management, ask for a lighter schedule, focus on opponents who won’t push you to your limits.

Indy stifles a laugh upon hearing the doctor’s suggestion, as visions of Zane and Colt Montoya dance through his head.

Indy: Sure, Doc. I’ll consider that.

Doctor: Good. Injuries in your line of work are almost an inevitability, some worse than others. A crushed disk is nothing to laugh at, but with regular treatment and pain medication, there’s no reason why you can’t keep going. The bottom line is that I’m willing to let you put off surgery if you’re willing to endure the pain.

The doctor means for his statement to give Indy pause, but instead it serves as exactly what he wants to hear. It means that he can look forward to Colt Montoya, and if he survives that, his long awaited match against Zane.

Several hours after his appointment, having had time to consider his options and think about the future, Indy Darling sits on the balcony of his apartment while his camera drone buzzes in the air nearby. It’s the best place he’s found for quiet contemplation since joining WrestleWorld, and while it doesn’t yet have the comfortable feel of his old rooftop in Indianapolis, it does insure him a peaceful location to cut a promo.

Indy: I’ll say this for you, Zane. You really know how to pick someone’s poison. I know I’m not exactly innocent in that aspect of our contract signing/pizza party, but I thought that handing you a match with Jacob Striker might be looked upon as a favor. After what he’s put your dad through, I know that loyal and fierce competitor inside of you is itching to put him in his place. I know you can do it, too. You can put Striker down while wearing a smile on your face and still be ready to face me for The Territorial Championship once it’s all said and done. That’s how good you are, and frankly, you deserve the opportunity to kick his ass all over the WrestleWorld Castle.

The camera hovers from left to right as Indy leans on the balcony railing with both elbows, the skyline reflected in his blue aviators.

Indy: On the flip side, you’ve handed me a match with Colt Montoya. On one hand, I like to think that’s how highly you think of me. That I can have a classic match with Colt, put him down for the count, and still be at the top of my game when our match comes around. Only that’s not it, is it? This has more to do with softening me up, with testing me one last time before we get into the ring with each other. As well as we’ve gotten to know each other, as many good times as we’ve had, that devious little trickster side of yours is starting to show. I guess I should have seen it coming. After all, it feels like you’re testing me or sizing me up every time you look my way. You’re a student of the game, and I’m your latest subject. Now it’s up to me to pass or fail the test you’ve put in front of me. I shouldn’t have assumed that our mutual respect, our friendship, would convince you to treat me any differently than you would another opponent. Honestly, I’m glad you’re not treating me differently. For that, I sincerely thank you.

Indy’s fingertips dance upon the surface of the balcony railing as he fights the gnawing urge to light up a cigarette, having given them up in an effort to be at his absolute best.

Indy: Our match wouldn’t mean the same thing if I thought you were treating me with kid gloves or if you were going easy on me in any way. Putting Colt in my path shows how seriously you’re taking this, how serious of a challenge I am to you. You could have given me anyone on the roster, but instead of just throwing an unstoppable monster in my path, you’ve challenged me with someone who has a legitimate reason for beating my ass. You’ve dredged up one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever had in my career, you’re kicking off Colt versus Indy part two, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Indy gives a half-smirk and lets out a soft chuckle as he begins to think about his upcoming opponent and the strange past they’ve shared.

Indy: I’ve never shied away from the fact that my first match against Colt is what put me on the map. It brought me my first world class championship, it made a place like Wrestleworld take notice of the kid who beat The Outlaw, and it convinced thousands of fans to get behind me. To a guy like Colt, who has faced the best in this business, it was probably just another day at the office. For me, it was life changing. So now I have to ask myself, what could a second match with Colt do to change my life?

Indy pauses as if considering the answer to his own question, but ever the optimist, he quickly pushes the negative consequences out of his mind.

Indy: Sure, there’s a chance it could break me. There’s always the possibility that Colt will get revenge for that prior loss and hurt my chances against Zane in the process. There’s even the prospect that I won’t make it past Colt to face Zane at all. This match could be a deal breaker or a dream maker. Only I’m not leaving the outcome up to Colt alone. In the six months that have gone by since our last match, I’ve grown by leaps and bounds. I know Colt is listening to this, so I guess you could say that I’m calling my shot. I’m not the same kid who needs to win with an inside cradle or a small package. Instead, I’m the man that can drop you on your head or kick it off your shoulders. Don’t mistake that confidence in my abilities for cocky arrogance. I know this is the biggest challenge I’ve had since coming to WrestleWorld, but facing challenges is what drives me.

Indy pushes off the railing and stands up tall, expertly hiding any discomfort he may feel in his lower back.

Indy: On the surface, considering how well we all get along, one might assume that there’s nothing personal when it comes to our match, Colt. We both know that isn’t true. You’re on an epic last run, doing everything you can to leave your mark on this business. What better way could you do that than by avenging an old loss? To beat the upstart kid who took your gold in an upset? As for me? I take it personal because Colt’s desire to win is a threat to my lifelong dream. Not just holding an elite championship, but challenging myself against one of the best competitors in the world to achieve it. Colt Montoya threatens to put that dream back on hold, and you can damn sure bet I take that personally.

The smile has faded from Indy’s face as he considers the importance of the next Dominion, not only for himself, but for all involved.

Indy: I’m not saying there won’t be a handshake when it’s all said and done, but until that final bell rings, my focus is one hundred percent on putting Colt Montoya out to pasture, at least as far as him and I are concerned. I admit it. Colt Montoya is like a big brother to me in a lot of ways, but just like the little brother has to stand up for himself and show big brother that he’s his own man, it’s time for me to show Colt that this business will be in good hands once he’s gone. Maybe there will even be another pizza party after Zane and I have our match, but now that our names are on the contract for Arcadia, the fun and games need to be put to the side. My respect for both of you will not waver, but I can’t let that cloud my vision when I’m this close…

Indy holds up his index finger and thumb, emphasizing what he’s saying by holding them apart with only a fraction of space between them.

Indy: ...this close, to the single greatest accomplishment of my career. I’ve been a mid-card champion, and I’ve achieved wins over some of the best this business can offer, whether they were upsets or not. So far I’m undefeated in WrestleWorld, and I have more fans than I could have ever hoped to dream of. I’ve reached that apex where I have everything to lose, but still so much to gain. I can’t let anyone slow me down now. Not Zane. Not Colt. Not Clyde Livingston, Jacob Striker, Kimberly Chase, John Nash Strader, or any other devious mastermind that might show their head between now and Arcadia. If I have to crawl to the ring on my hands and knees to get that moment in the sun with Zane, that’s exactly what I’ll do. There’s no other option, because I’m Indy Darling, and this isn’t the time to be good enough, it’s time to be the best.

Indy’s promo comes to its conclusion as he shuts off the camera with his handheld remote. He brings the drone to rest on the balcony, but even then he continues to look out over the capital, thinking about everything he’s just said and focusing on how to make it a reality. The coming weeks will be filled with training and physical therapy to ensure that he’s at the top of his game, both physically and mentally.

Even if he were not so focused on his upcoming challenges, it would be difficult for the young man to realize he’s not as alone as it might seem. In a bustling metropolis like WrestleWorld’s capital, one is never truly alone, but there are one pair of eyes that fall upon Indy with more than a passing interest. It is not one of the many citizens who wander the streets and sidewalks below his apartment building, but a single individual in a high-rise apartment of his own. The man lowers the binoculars from his pale blue eyes before running his fingers through the short, nearly white hair atop his head. As his focus lingers upon Indy’s balcony, his lips twist into a devious smile, and while no one is present in the unfurnished room to hear him, he whispers aloud in a voice that drips of venom.

Unknown: Pride comes before the fall, Nate. Like the most prideful of angels, you’re going to fall so very, very far. It’s like you said, there’s no other option. You have to fall so that I might rise...