New Endings
A young Matty and a Young Kyle sit inside the classroom. They must be no older than about 14 years old. They’re sitting and chatting away. Meant to be doing Math but forget that.
The teacher approaches them.
Boys, can I see you both outside for a second?
They look at each other with worry, but follow her to the outside of the room.
They shut the door behind them and the Teacher looks down upon them.
Good news boys. You both aced the test.
They look at one-another with absolute joy in their eyes.
But. Both your test papers look the same. The exact same scribbling outs, the exact same positioning of your writing on the paper, the same everything, except the actual style of handwriting.
Oh shit. Shadow was always good with numbers, so he’d allowed Kyle to copy, but didn’t realise they’d get caught.
It was all Matty miss, I let him copy cos we’re best friends, please don’t send me to detention.
Thanks for being honest Kyle, you’re free to go back inside.
Matty looks on in confusion as his Friend just totally double-crossed him.
As for you Matthew, I am shocked! Usually such a good boy. I’ll see you in detention tonight.
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The boys sit together at lunch.
Kyle, how could you do that to me? You know you copied.
Matty, we’re best friends. Sometimes we have to take the fall for each other. You know I can’t afford to take another detention. What would my dad say?
Kyle was right. And Matty had a lot of respect for Kyle’s dad and wouldn’t like anything to upset him. But was it really right to drop your friend in it to save yourself?
Look, I’d do the same for you. Don’t worry anyway, it’s just ONE detention.
I guess you’re right.
Matty had a lot to think on. But he knew he’d forgive Kyle. He was all he had.
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*1 Day after Vortex Episode 4*
We see Matty and Kyle approach each other in the middle on the Gym. With a clasp of their hands, they pull their arms around each other’s back. A ritual of Male friendships. They begin to speak to one another
The Gym is alive. There are around 8 men within. 2 Sparring in the ring, a couple on the treadmills, 2 guys on the weight machines, one doing sit ups and another walking out of the shower rooms dressed to leave.
This man pats Kyle on the shoulder as he is mid conversation with Matty.
See ya man, thanks for coming!
Kyle turns back towards Matty.
It’s been great here. Despite our little PR session not going according to plan last week.
Look, the Legacy champion was here, that’s all you needed. There’ll be plenty more occasions for those events and with guys who are actually willing to help.
Shadow taking shots at the challenger before their big meeting in the Main Event next week.
Good point. But anyway, we gotta work hard if you’re gonna win, you’ve lost all of that momentum.
Excuse me? I’m not the one who got beat by a wannabe and muscle and fitness’ answer to Jim Carrey.
You may think that, but the archives have that down as a loss for Shadow.
Matty knew that was true. And it burned him up inside. Infact no, it pissed him off.
It doesn’t matter, we’re gonna train hard this week, and retaining this gold is going to be no bother.
Once again, you’re wrong. I’ve got a lot of meetings to try and set us up some advertisements, sponsorships etc.
So what, I’ll just work with the guys here?
I’ve appointed a head of training. Someone to help these fellas mainly, but also because I think you’ll do great under his help.
All of a sudden behind Shadow is a behemoth of a man. Standing at least 6”9. Short Silver hair but the physical build of a pure athlete.
Big B… Barry O’Shea.
At your service young man.
Matty and Big B shake hands.
He heard I opened this place back up, and he wanted a slice of the action.
Built my life here. Carved a name for myself in these walls. No better place for me.
And now, he’s head of training. So this week, he’s built up an intense course for you to both undertake which will see you retain that belt.
That’s right, with my help you’re gonna do what I did and dominate your opponents. Just maybe not with as much physical presence. But never the less, it starts at Vortex 5 when you defend the strap against that moron Barney Williams. I dunno what he was doing this week, but he’s put an asterisk on your title reign making you lose that match. And there ain’t no way that a man under my tutelage is having an asterisk above his head.
That’s right, you’re the legacy champion because you’re carrying the legacy of this place, of me and Barry, and of the old man himself, Steve Dawson. What legacy is he carrying? Let’s face facts. You unmasked and it lead you on a path to the Legacy Championship. You embraced much more than just following the darkness, and it’s brought you success.
But a lot of me and what I do is still about harnessing the darkness-
Let me finish. He unmasked, and he found a little success of his own. He won that Prometheus torch. But that’s not an opportunity. Whilst you’re the champion, whilst you’re with us, that torch is a guarantee. A guaranteed failure and a beat down at the hands of Shadow. Because you do still utilise that darkness. You still have that side that is willing to go the extra mile, and that’s why you can’t lose.
You’re right. Yeah. I will win. I will utilise everything I have in my arsenal. My move set, new tricks I’ve learned training with you, anything Big B can show me. And the Darkness. Barney is another man who used to have dark aspects to his life, but he’s dropped them. My maintaining of them will be what takes me further, and what means I walk out of Vortex still flying high and holding this prize over my head.
All three men have an intense stare at each other.
Let’s do this.
Wow it’s like the band’s back together isn’t it… We just need Tony. Shit, where has Tony been?
I haven’t seen him since Dad’s funeral. It’s not really crossed my mind.
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*Couple of Days after Alpha and Omega*
We fade into a flash-back type moment. Matty and Kyle sit side by side at Steve’s funeral. Tony stands at the front giving a truly emotional speech.
… And with that being said. Steve. My Coach in life, in sport. My father figure, and above all else, my friend. I want to say goodbye. We ALL want to say goodbye. So one by one, if everyone could make their way out, walking past Steve, and just say a final little goodbye we’ll then see him off for the final time.
Having kept it together so well, as soon as Tony leaves the podium he bursts into tears. People walk past one by one. Sone touching the coffin, some just passing. Everyone having their own little way of saying goodbye. “Bye Steve; I’ll miss you; See ya Steve; So long friend etc.”
As Shadow passes, his eyes are flooded with tears. He takes his time, touches the coffin and delivers his final farewell.
I know you’ll always be here, but for now, I’ll see you soon. Thanks for it all.
Tony is still watching all the people walk past. He pulls Matty aside.
Hey man, heard you’re trying to re-build the bridge with Kyle?
Yeah, he came and met me at the Gym the other day. We trained. And well, you saw the outcome I guess.
Yeah I did, congrats man, if anyone deserves it, it’s you. But be careful, alright?
I’ve been a champion before; I know this paints a target on my back.
Not that, Kyle.
What do you mean? You’ve always been the one who wanted me to patch it up with him?
I know that, but something about this just doesn’t feel right.
Something about what?
Suddenly Kyle approaches the two.
Hi Tony, how’s it going?
As good as it could, considering the occasion.
Kyle hugs Tony.
Look, we’re all here and we’re all in this together, right?
Matty smiles at Kyle and looks back at Tony as the pair leave. As they walk away, Matty's head goes mad with thought. That moment felt so awkward. So strange. It feels like there's something no one's telling him, but what?
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*Back to the day after Vortex 4*
We fade back up in the gym. Matty remembers the conversation with Tony and confusion begins to surround his mind. He’s seen nothing apparent that would mean anything Kyle was doing “Didn’t feel right”. In fact, it felt very right, back to old times and almost like his life coming full circle.
Yo Matty, what’s up?
Suddenly Matty snaps out of this world of his own as Big B and Kyle have been speaking this entire time.
I erm. I gotta go find Tony…
Matty turns and begins walking hastily to leave. Big B and Kyle look on in confusion.
Just as Matty reaches the door, it swings open. On the other side, is Tony.
Me and you need to talk.
Cut to black.