Shogun was supposed to be the night, The night Vincent Lyons Jr made everything right and got his long awaited victory over Havoc. In the end the history books would see Vincent as the winner but a DQ victory wasn’t enough. He needed to take what Havoc holds dear, the Affliction Championship. As a result of Havocs unsportsmanlike actions, Vincent has been given another chance to become Affliction Champion once again, a goal that has obsessed him over the past almost two years.
It had been a while since the twins had been seen together, both had been dealing with their own issues going into Shogun and needed to focus on themselves. Now a Post Shogun meeting was taking place over lunch outside of a local Night City deli.
[Victoria] I understand your frustration Vincent, but don’t lose focus. Havoc is scared, that’s why he did what he did.
[Vincent] I should have won Victoria. I had Havoc right where I wanted him.
[Victoria] Well, that’s why you’ve been given another chance, Angelica Ambrose saw the miscarrige of justice and made it right. I got to say it’s nice to have someone in power finally give a shit about what Havoc has been doing.
Victoria takes a bite of her sandwich, Salami on white, cheddar cheese, easy mayo, easy lettuce.
[Vincent] Like trying to turn WWH into Jonestown?
[Victoria] Exactly, besides Havoc is starting to fall, losing the World Championship to Zolton can’t be sitting well with him.
[Vincent] That might just make him more dangerous.
Vincent takes a few bites of his own sandwich, Roast Beef on rye, with everything.
[Victoria] Well you know I always have your back, but I understand if you want this to be your fight.
[Vincent] Thank you.
[Victoria] Furthermore, I won’t let you be stubborn either. This match is No Disqualification and that means Havoc can do whatever he wants. Jade Blaire can do whatever she wants, he can use any of his little minions at will.
[Vincent] I know…
[Victoria] If I have to get involved I will. Don’t forget all the back you have backup of your own. Myself and Renee of course, but you know Johnny will stand by you if need be, and Ace will as well. You’re not alone.
Vincent nods, these things he knew already but having his sister reaffirm them did feel good, and was something he did need to hear. This war with Havoc had gone on for far too long, and it really was time to end it.
[Vincent] I understand, but I’ve also done some thinking. This..this will be the last time.
Victoria raises an eyebrow, and looks curiously at Vincent.
[Victoria] Meaning….what exactly?
[Vincent] After this...and I’ll talk about it more on Dystopia. But if I fail to capture the Affliction Championship at Dystopia then I’m done with Havoc. I’ll be forced to admit he is indeed the better man, and refocus my career elsewhere.
[Victoria] Refocus? What do you mean?
[Vincent] A break? A change? I don’t know.., I’ll figure it out after Dystopia, assuming I don’t win of course.
Vincent carries somewhat of a lost look in his eyes, the look of a man who’s been chasing the same goal and failing for far too long.
[Victoria] Well, whatever you choose I support you. Know that. I know we haven’t been hanging out as much, but your still my fucking brother. I care about you. I worry about you.
[Vincent] I appreciate it, but I can’t just rely on the support of my sister forever. We’re both twenty-one now, not to mention you’re married. I need to be able to stand on my own.
[Victoria] Trust me. I get that. I’m trying to find myself still in this. I feel like I’m starting to come around, but there’s something missing. I just need to find that last piece of the Victoria Lyons puzzle and then it will all click.
[Vincent] It’s just...I can’t keep chasing Havoc forever. At some point I just needs to face facts that maybe I’m not good enough.
Victoria visibly furrows her eyebrow at that comment.
[Victoria] Now you’re just being stupid. You ARE good enough. This..this is why you can’t get the job done. Remember Havoc is just a man, a weakened man. Zolton delivered a hefty blow to his pride. I know you thought Zolton was going to be picking up the scraps you left behind, but you had it wrong.
[Vincent] Excuse me?
[Victoria] It’s YOU who is picking up Zolton’s scraps. It’s you who gets to deliver the killing blow, take the Affliction Championship and put the real end to this wannabe Jim Jones.
If lights could turn on in someone's eyes, they would have in Vincent's. Victoria's words start reaching him, building up his confidence once again.
[Vincent] Yeah.., you know I hadn’t thought of it that way. Now it’s me who gets to put Havoc down for good. It really would be quite the storybook ending if I dealt the killing blow wouldn’t it?
[Victoria] It would, so go out there and do it. Like I said, I got your back. I have the night off, so I’ll be rooting for you and Renee both to bring home some championships to The Revolutionaries.
[Vincent] Yeah, I’ll be rooting for Renee as well. Matsuda is serious business...but I know she can pull it off. She won the Shogun tournament for a reason.
[Victoria] Because she’s among the best WWH has to offer, and so are you Vincent. You know it. I know it. WWH Management knows it, otherwise you wouldn't keep getting these opportunities, and Havoc knows it as well, that’s why he took the cowards way out and gave you that scar.
Vincent rubs the area above his left eye, where a gnarly scar has formed as a result of the chair shot from Havoc.
[Vincent] Is it bad?
[Victoria] It’s...not good. But it’ll get better over time. Makes you look like a badass though.
[Vincent] Yeah, Cassie said the same thing.
[Victoria] Is that still a thing?
[Vincent] Yeah, she’s still my girlfriend. She just isn’t interested in the business. We don’t all need to have a relationship with someone in the business you know. It’s possible to just have someone there as behind-the-scenes support.
[Victoria]....Okay, sorry. I was only asking. Don’t get all snippy with me.
[Vincent] Sorry…
[Victoria] It’s fine. I probably should have asked better. You about ready to get out of here?
[Vincent] Yeah.
The twins finish the last few bites of their sandwiches, and leave the payment on the table along with a tip, and leave through the exit of the Delicatessen.
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A closeup of a scar on a blonde mans head, with the non-scarred half covered in face-paint it’s easy to guess that it’s Vincent Lyons Jr in front of the camera. The word CHAMP is painted across the painted half of his face as we pull out just enough for a headshot, a cool breeze rolls through as he begins speaking.
[Vincent] I have to say, I didn’t see that one coming. I didn’t think you would show yourself as a coward Havoc. You say it’s because I’m not worth your time. But is that really it? Or is it because you’re just losing your edge? I mean you lost you’re World Championship to Zolton, but you’ve also suffered losses to Johnny Cedrone and Renee Jonae this past year. Had you not done what you did to me, you would have lost both your championships that night.
Vincent sighs heavily, and rubs the scar on his forehead.
[Vincent] It’s like a badge of honor you know. Every morning since Shogun, when I wake up. I’m forced to look at it, as a reminder. A reminder that you were getting your ass kicked so badly, that you had to take the route of a coward, and that the Ashes of The Wake are about to be blown away, becoming nothing more than dust in the wind.
The camera pulls back slightly more, revealing the Night City skyline behind him, from whatever tall Night City skyscraper he's perched himself on.
[Vincent] I could just ridicule you for losing the World Championship to Zolton, but honestly? It’s not my fight. That’s between you and Z. This is about me and you, about me being the one to END you.
Vincent's tone becomes more aggressive, his eyes becoming filled with emotion.
[Vincent] You thought that Shogun was going to be the end. That you could just walk away like that and be done with me. But that didn’t turn out well did it? Now I’m in a position I feel could be even better. The position to put you down for good. One championship is already gone, and when I take the Affliction Championship you will be left with nothing. Maybe you have something going in some other company, but my concern is WWH. OWA or wherever else it is you choose to spread your filth is their business. Like I told my sister at lunch the other day, I just need to stop you from turning WWH into Jonestown. As I’ve said before, The Lyons Twins are exclusive to WWH, and unless our contracts end or WWH closes its doors you won’t find my sister or myself anywhere else. Students of our family school maybe, but WWH is OUR home and I refuse to let you destroy it. Take your bullshit into someone else's yard because I’m tired of dealing with it in mine. This will be the last time. Of that I am certain. If I lose to you AGAIN, then that it. I’ll...figure something else out for Vincent Lyons Jr, maybe just try the tag team thing with my sister, maybe just take a break for a while and let my sister represent the family for a while. I’m not really sure. I only have to worry about that should I fail again and I truly have no intentions of doing so, but hey..how many times have I said that before right?
There might be a small sense of a slight lack of confidence but it's being masked by Vincents determined expression and tone.
[Vincent] Not long ago, you had mentioned something about me chasing the same goal and expecting different results,. How it is the act of a fool or something. I’m sure you phrased it much cooler than me, but you know what comments I’m talking about. Had you defeated me at Shogun, then I would already be considering my other previously mentioned options, instead of having this conversation with you. You could have been done with me. Finally done with this trash that isn’t worth your time, but you let your arrogance get the best of you, afraid that finally The Young Lion was going to take back the belt that really jump-started his career.
Vincent laughs to himself, and rubs his scar once more.
[Vincent] Now, I have one last chance, one last opportunity. I proved to you at Shogun that I can do it, and now there will be no escape for you. I will put the final nail in this coffin and be the one who truly takes it all from you. It won’t be me who will be looking to refocus himself after this, it’ll be you. Then I can move on to the next goal, being a champion these people can respect. Righting my wrongs from my first reign and actually holding that belt with some honor this time.
Vincent stands upright from his perched position, and looks firmly into the camera.
[Vincent] At the end of the night, you will see The Revolutionaries stand tall, two champions among their ranks. I have all the faith in the world Renee will continue her momentum from Shogun into a championship victory, and I will be bringing home the Affliction Championship for the people. It’s over for you Havoc. All you did at Shogun was buy yourself a few more weeks. But now your luck has run out. The killing blow is imminent, and it will be Vincent Lyons Jr who delivers it.
Vincent holds his fist high up into the sky, the known gesture of The Revolutionaries.
[Vincent] Viva Revolution.
The scene holds on Vincent for a few idle seconds before fading to black.
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Taking time away from the spotlight can be a crucial part of one’s success. It helps to clear the mind and allows one to face their next challenge with a more clear mind. A popular Night City diner serves as the scene for a lunch date with Vincent and his off-screen girlfriend, a red-haired beauty named Cassie.
[Cassie] So you ready for your big match?
Vincent takes a bite of his double cheeseburger with a nod, his attire is casual and his face is free of any paint.
[Vincent] As prepared as I can be I suppose. I don’t think one can really fully prepare for someone like Havoc. I don’t know how many times I thought I was prepared and came up short.
[Cassie] Well, I can’t say I know much about the wrestling and all that, but I’ll be rooting for you.
Vincent smiles at Cassie, and she smiles back through a bite of her fried chicken burger.
[Vincent] Thanks, it means a lot.
[Cassie] Of course.
[Vincent] How are things going with you Cass?
[Cassie] Can’t complain. My Twitch channel is growing. A lot of my followers keep asking when you’re going to join us for a stream.
[Vincent] Maybe when I have more time, right now I just need to focus on ending Havoc.
[Cassie] Fine…
[Vincent] Sorry..I know it’s probably all I talk about. But I promise, after this..no more Havoc. I’ll find something else to do. Something else to chase after.
[Cassie] Its okay...you need this. I don’t really understand it, but I can tell you need to put this behind you win or lose. I’ll be here for you whatever happens.
[Vincent] Victoria said the same thing.
[Cassie] Of course she did. She’s your sister. You have some wonderful women in your life Vincent, and we’re all pulling for you.
[Vincent] I just don’t want to let anyone down. You, Victoria, Renee, the fans. I need to prove myself able to beat Havoc.
[Cassie] You did beat him though.
[Vincent] That doesn’t really count....
[Cassie] But it does. A win is a win. I don’t know a lot about your line of work but what I saw was someone who knew a loss was coming and took an easy way out. It’s like when I’m streaming and start kicking someones ass so bad they rage quit. That’s what happened. You didn’t lose. Havoc rage quit.
[Vincent] I guess.
[Cassie] It’s the truth. You are going to win this Vincent. You want to know what you’re going to do after Dystopia? You’re NOT going for any tag titles with Victoria, you’re NOT going to try and focus on the new champion Zolton, you’re NOT taking a vacation. What you’re going to do is be the Afflicted Champion.
[Vincent] Affliction Champion….
[Cassie] Sorry. Affliction Champion. But it still stands. You are going to win this championship. I believe in you. You are right that it it ends at Dystopia with Havoc, but it ends with you being the one to put the final nail in the coffin and take the last thing he holds dear.
[Vincent] Well, if I beat him. He might seek revenge but…
[Cassie] Well, let that be his problem. Also it’s WHEN you beat him. Now can we change the subject?
[Vincent] Okay. Yeah..you’re right. I will do this. I will put an end to Havoc. What he does after is his problem, he’ll have to do it without any championship though.
[Cassie] Exactly.
[Vincent] So you mentioned your channel is going well?
[Cassie] Yeah. I hit 1,000 followers the other day, I’m thinking of streaming some Among Us this weekend.
[Vincent] That’s awesome.
[Cassie] Yeah, and one of my mods is gonna see if they can help me upgrade my system, maybe invest in a water cooling system. So I can play Cyberpunk properly, and…
The conversation starts shifting more casual, as the couple enjoys their lunch together. Vincent just trying to feel human for a while before he heads into another way against Havoc. The one he has declared that win or lose, will be the last. If there was any of the wars against Havoc to win, this was the one.