Rule At A Cost

We fade into a dark room, only illuminated by a purple light coming from somewhere in the bowels of possibly a basement dungeon. We can see Reginald Dampshaw III sitting on the ground with purple candles around him and scattered papers on the ground. He slowly looks up and smiles.


Reginald Dampshaw III: I’m sure you all think that I left Violent Ends in a blinding rage, angry about what transpired in the final moments of the Elimination Chamber match. And, yes, I’m upset about this new Ghost Organization coming in and ruining the end of Violent Ends. I was close to becoming the American Dream Championship until they came in acting all tough and mysterious. You see, I'm not angry about not being the American Dream Champion. I've come to the stark realization that championships mean very little to me. They're trinkets. Little toys to prop up the egos of weaker men. I just enjoy hurting people and I got to do that in spades at Violent Ends so I would say that I left...somewhat satiated. But there is something bigger afoot. Bigger than championships. Much, *much* bigger.

Reginald smiles and walks to the side, where Demis Polymeros steps into frame, towering over Reginald, staring daggers into the camera.

Reginald Dampshaw III: Look at this man. 6'4. 25 stone. That's 301 lbs for you dumb North Americans. A behemoth. A giant. A titan. Saved by my father from the slums of poverty stricken Thessaloniki in Greece when the two of us were both children. Right, Demis?

Demis merely looks back at Reginald. Reginald chuckles. He shrugs at his own words.

Reginald Dampshaw III: That's the story that's been told anyways. But we both know the truth. We've been brothers in arms for centuries. Whether it was fighting in the trenches during the Crusades or sitting side by side in thrones in the castles of Macedonia, The Time Lizard and The Earth-Shaker have always been extrinsically linked. But there have been...complications. Demis was distracted for months by that impostor in OWA. He was, what did you call him, Demis?

Demis Polymeros: Αδύναμος.

Reginald Dampshaw III: That's right. Weak. But no matter. He is back where he belongs, by my side. And thus, finally, the real work can begin. The true calling that The New Dawn have spoken of since the very beginning is beginning to take form. But the damage from OWA has been done. The New Dawn has been weakened almost beyond repair. So of course, this Ghost Organization comes in, makes idle threats and the people eat it up. I've seen social media. I hear people talking. There's a huge buzz about them and Jay Jones. That bothers me. That bleach blonde little prick parading around like he's somebody because he has a belt now and is surrounded by a group of thugs so he thinks he's something now, right? I don't care how many thugs you have, no groups of 5, 10, 100, 1000 men are going to outmatch the power and sheer force of Demis, but we also understand that we're only two people.

Demis steps off to the side which allows Reginald to return to the foreground. Reginald cracks his knuckles.

Reginald Dampshaw III: Which means we need more numbers. We need more bodies. We need more brothers. And I know that Wrestleworld wants me and my next opponent to near kill each other at Chapter 36 but...why? Why should I end this Artemis Sheperd's career? Because I can? Well of course I can. But Artemis. Tell me. You're a proud Englishman, correct? You consider yourself a monarch, a potentate, yes? I hear you call yourself The Ruler. Well it's taken me many, many years to realize that you sometimes can't rule alone. Sometimes what's in your best interest is the greater good for the collective. You see, Artemis, what I'm offering you doesn't come by everyday. What I'm offering you is the chance of a-no-it is the chance of a *thousand* lifetimes, and that is to join The New Dawn. You want to rule? There's no better place to rule than with us, because unlike The World's Finest or this Ghost Organization or even teams like Crimson Bouquet, Mac n Murphy Connection, SPAWN what have you, We are here to take it all and shape things into Our image. But We don't have to do it in the shadows. We don't have to prove anything. We take what we want with force and with any means necessary. Whether it's twisting around ligaments and breaking bones, or throwing men around into heaps.

Demis stands side by side with Reginald, still dwarfing him. Reginald laughs as he looks up to Demis.

Reginald Dampshaw III: Now Artemis. If you think joining The New Dawn will be a simple matter of saying yes and then shaking our hands, well, you're incorrect. No, you're going to have to go through something. You're going to have to be put through some horrible physical and mental pain and show Demis and I that you deserve the offer we so graciously put forward.

Demis Polymeros: βάσανος.

Reginald Dampshaw III: That's correct, Demis. I couldn't have put it better myself. It *is* going to be akin to torture. You have to draw some blood and go to the edges of your mind, body and soul. And only then will We deem you suitable for Our cause. So what say you, Artemis? We don't want you to drop to your knees and pledge your undying loyalty to Us. Anyone can do that. No, We want you to show Us how strong you are. What mettle you have in you. Are you truly a Ruler? Or are you simply another man? And if we have to do this with Neutral Rules like two perfect little athlete wrestler angels, then so be it. I have high hopes for you, boy. I would hate to see what would happen if you let Us down…

Demis punches the camera, causing it to smash. He doesn't flinch while we can hear Reginald laughing maniacally.