How many set backs would it take to keep Zarek down? How many runs would he make at the top prize before he was finally laid to rest? There's only so many times one can fight their way up the ladder, only to get knocked back down. Not even third time was the charm in Zarek's case, and the world would continue to look upon him as just another challenger that couldn't cut it. tt was true that Drew Stevenson had managed to thwart Zarek's plans of becoming World Heavyweight Champion, as well as saving BUD from the evils that had penetrated the walls through the years. The Heroes Showdown had been fought and won by the better man, but either way, BUD would benefit. It had been granted a fighting champion, someone who would uphold the true virtues and save BUD from it's own downfall. Even with Drew as victor, the company couldn't lose...or could it? After winning the title, Stevenson proved to be nothing more than a hypocrite. Not only did he challenge several people for the title that he now held, but he then attempted to tell the world of his superiority. Now where is he? Gone, perhaps. Leaving BUD with another chump champion. It was almost expected. Drew had played to Zarek's weaknesses, and gained his trust. Impressive, yes, but it was about time Drew showed his true colors. Drew Stevenson, once looked upon as a hero, was now exposed as his true self...a lie. Meanwhile, as the false champion himself remains in the background, his contenders were duking it out amongst themselves. The main ingridents consist of two former lovers, both yearning for a shot at the primetime. If the mixture wasn't bad enough, you toss in an allie of the champion running his mouth off about how he's so indy and a former superstar/enemy of Zarek. Damn, I think we've got ourselves a Monday night main event. The New York appartment had seen many events in Zarek's life. He had kept the place throughout his career in BUD, despite having to move around the country. It was always nice to have a place somewhat considered home to come back too. From when young Abram McCallister still managed the rookie sensation, to the multiple showdowns with Emerald, to the breakup of Zarek and Jade, and it had even been the homestead of Zarek as he recovered from the accident he was in. Krystmas Kaos proved t be overwhelming, and Zarek was immediatly given a week off. It was at this time that Zarek was thankful he held onto the appartment for so long. It made for a nice retreat away from the wrestling world, and all of the politics surounding it, where nobody knew where to reach him except for maybe Jade. It's here, at the ever so famous appartment, that our scene takes place. The brightness of the morning sun shown through the cracks of the blinds, hitting Zarek directly in the face. The oncoming heat was what initally woke him from his slumber. A grunt was heard, and he looked around in the darkness. He rolled over, gazing at the clock on his bedside table. It read 9:00, so going back to sleep was not an option. Instead, Zarek stood up and slipped on a pair of black jeans. It didn't take him long to acknowledge the camera. Still, he kept his gaze on his jeans as he spoke. "Surprised to see me?" He now looked into the camera, giving a gaze that would make a liar sweat. It gave off the feeling that he could almost see out of the screen, his eyes gazing right into yours. The soft blue eyes hadn't been seen in over a week, since Krystmas Kaos and his showdown with Drew Stevenson. Drew had shown up the next day to gloat and show off his new prize, while Zarek chose not to. He had half a mind to go down to the arena just to shut Stevenson up, but he did no such thing, leaving the BUD fans to wonder where he had skipped off to. "Krystmas Kaos was just a few short weeks ago, and I'm still feeling the effects. Not so much the psyichal, but the emotional, I suppose. There's only so many times someone can put their heart and soul into something only to get shot down. So I've been doing some self-reflection since then, some investigative work too, I guess, trying to figure out what went wrong. Why was Drew Stevenson, who does have talent, but clearly isn't the better man, able to gain a victory over yours truly? I wanted it more, I had more talent, but yet somehow fell short. As almost two weeks past, that brought us up to this point, I finally realized my downfall. My mindset going into this match was that when you have good versus good, there's no way of evil winning. But alas, I was terribly wrong, and my dream had foreshadowed the proceedings of the match. In short, how was Drew Stevenson able to pick up the World Heavyweight Championship? Simple... deceit." The word rang through the empty appartment, creating an echo that could cause an avalanche. Not many would associate Drew Stevenson with such a word, but then again, not many people knew Stevenson like Zarek knew him. Not many people knew the truth. In the amount of almost two weeks, Zarek had managed to pin point the exact moment in which everything went wrong, and uncover a massive lie that would expose Stevenson for the fake that he really is. Drew claimed time and time again to be for the people, by the people. But did the people really want a so called 'hero' that would turn their backs on them immediatly after he got to the top. The answer is evident. Two weeks isn't needed to figure that one out. "Drew Stevenson not only fooled me, but he fooled the rest of BUD. I was making my way up to the top, in order to give BUD a fighting champion, someone to wear the title and bring glory back to the name. Then, in walks Drew Stevenson saying that he wants the exact same thing, and even going so far as to call himself a hero, as well. Right when I noticed he was almost a carbon copy of me, I should have realized that the whole thing was a set-up. I figured it would be an outstanding match, and either way, BUD would win, but that wasn't the case. Outstanding match, definitely, but in the end BUD was not the victor. You see, Drew said he wanted a fighting champion, he said he wanted to save BUD from the darkness, and he said that he was a hero. The only response I have for that, is where is he now? Where is this fighting champion that would bring glory back to the championship? Where is this man that is supposed to be driving back the parasites of BUD? Gone. Never to be seen again? Perhaps. But it almost looks as if he's running from something. No, I'm not implying it was me, but it might be. Maybe it's Sparrow, or Seifer, people he said he was ready to lay the belt on the line against. I respect the man's ability, I will give him that much, but his tactics are less than favorable, and the fans will never see him the same way again." He lifted himself off the bed and onto the cold floor below. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness overnight, but he was never one to sit in the dark and do a promo. No, that was for people like Giant who gave off that whole emo "poor me, I want to kill myself and light candles." vibe. Zarek walked to the window and pulled the chain, which opened the blinds, letting the light flow in and uncover the darkned areas of the appartment. All was clear, now. Though Zarek wanted to get his hands on the likes of Drew Stevenson again, as well as take the belt off the unworthy champion, he knew he would have to wait. Infact, he wasn't even the number one contender anymore, so it was a bit impossible. It was, however, possible to work his way back up near the number one contenders spot. His popularity had dropped a bit in losing at KK and disappearing for almost two weeks, but he would be able to rebuild his reputation. A monday night tag match seemed like the perfect opportunity. "But that's not the issue at hand, is it? The issue at hand is the tag match on Hangover, in which I've been forced to team with Scott Addams, whose ink is still wet on his contract. We've all heard of your great endeavors Scott, and I commend you for your achievements, but I have to ask, why in the hell do you think it matters? I really could care less how many times you've beaten Sean Hunter, and of how you think it has anything to do with the situation at hand. We've all heard you talk a million miles per hour, and explain to us about how you think you're the best, and we all love your name dropping, really we do, but please, shut the fuck up. You might be my partner on Monday, but let the management take note that a more competant would have done just fine. We're forced to work together Scott. It doesn't mean I have to like you or your attitude towards those superior to you in this company. I know you'd like to think you're the shit, but you're clearly not. Atleast not until you can prove something. Here's your reality check Addams, you might have been something in IRX or wherever you've been, but here you're not. I would even go so far as to question why you're in the main event in the first place. You might be someone who I will end up respecting, but at this point in time, even if you are on my side of the ring this week, you are just another face claiming to be the best. Everybody looks down on you Scott, not because your different but because for some reason you think you can just walk in here and be considered a god. Try again Addams." The card has previously stated Giant would be on Zarek's side of the ring this monday night, but then was soon changed to Scott Addams. Did Giant possibly run off to join his pal Drew Stevenson in the black abyss of fakes? Hmm...who knows. Actually, he's probably still around just supposily out of action. Atleast I think that's the bullshit line that was told. Either way, Zarek is forced to team with someone he doesn't know, or particularly like. It's alright to be arrogant, as long as you have proven yourself to be a force. All Scott has done is drop a couple names, and rant about how great he is. In other words, at this point in time, he's all talk. Just like the others who talk a lot of crap, but can't seem to back it up. "Then your pride yourself on the fact that you're friends with that fake Drew Stevenson. Maybe last week I would have thought that meant something, but after his disappearing act, I wouldn't say so. You obviously know nothing about my relationship with Jade either. We've publicly expressed, even when we were together, that we wouldn't lay down for the other if we were forced into a match such as this one. History would show that we already have been in a tag match such as this. Her teammate was Dark Child, and mine was Kim Pain, so why would I think about screwing myself out of a win? You must be talking about Manic when you say 'a friend', right? Manic and I have never been friends, and he's even expressed out mini-history that occured last year, so I'm not sure why you would believe us to be friends. I respect the guy, but I also respected Drew Stevenson, it didn't make us friends. I suggest you do your homework a little better next time if you plan to flaunt it. Then there's this infection buisness you keep rambling on about. I feel like I'm in fricken' Resident Evil or something, don't let the infection spread! Oh no! Well it would appear that I'm immune to your little infection. I really can't decide which partner I would have been better off with, you or Giant. Then again, I hear Giant gave Justin Klien a blowjob on national television over in OCW, so hmm..." At the point in Zarek's career when buisness was slow, and he had a lot of time on his hands, he was contacted by a talent scout from another corporation. Zarek signed and stayed for a week or two before tacking his leave, not one to get caught up in backstage antics. During his time there, there were many talks of previous stars, and events that had occured throughout the year in the most controversal federation. One person in particular that was talked about, was Giant. Zarek strayed away from such talks, and he never really took an interest in it, due to the fact that he had never come in contact with the man. Of course, now that he had, it stuck out in his mind like a sore thumb. "Scott may think we're friends Manic, but you and I know the truth behind our history. I don't know where Scott got his history lesson from, but I wouldn't exactly describe us as friends. You were my second match here in BUD, and my first loss. I believe it was in a Falls Count Anywhere match? The week after that is when I won the BUDvision battle royal, and you just so happened to be the second contender. Bypassing the first, we went head-to-head in a Flaming Casket match for my newly won BUDvision title. Fate would name me the victor this time, but what happened to you after? Up until this point, I thought you had realized you couldn't cut it in the industry or something, and took off. But now you're back and that doesn't seem to plausible anymore. Respect is a word that I don't use to often, and when I do it usually doesn't last to long. I mean, look at Drew Stevenson. But I have respected you ever since our first match, and you're one person I know that can bring it. You've already proven that you can be my downfall, and I've proven the same for you, so there's no doubt in my mind that it will be explosive when we get into the ring with each other." The story he didn't tell was that he was waiting for Manic to return to the wrestling scene. Many had said Zarek's win had been a fluke, and that the rookie sensation didn't deserve to wear the BUDvision title. Although it was around March that this whole event occured, Zarek had still waited for Manic's return. A tie between fierce competitors never leads to content. Infact, there's always the question as to who the better man is. "You want me at one hundred percent, and I want the same from you, Manic. There is no way I'm going to allow any sort of scapegoat in this match once my hand is raised. I hope you have had time in the gym to shake off that rust, because I hope you don't plan on using that as an excuse either. Don't worry, I'll show up, and I'll be better than ever. I'm coming off a loss in which I feel was unjust, which means I'm out for revenge... redemption. You'll get more than just your usual Zarek Lyle. I hope you're ready for that." Zarek walked over to his closet and slipped on a shirt. He obviously planned to go somewhere this morning, but where? "Jade, we have a long and...interesting... history together, there's no doubt about that.What has it been now, almost a year now since I first met you? A little over eleven months actually, when we fought it out in the battle royal. Since that time there's been crazy events. Jealously fueld fights, career or home arguments, and...other things. Even so, we've both put it behind us, and where we are left now is still a bit unclear. On a sidenote, congrats on beating Andrew for the number one contendership, and hell, congrats on winning the BUDvision as well. Seems like nowadays you are only a few short steps behind me. I fully understand that we may end up facing each other for that contendership, or even the actual title down the line. An even closer event is that we are more than likely going to end up looking at each other across the ring Monday night. I want you to know that I don't plan on taking it easy, and I expect, and know, that you will do the same. Nothing will get in my way on my journey back to the top, not even if they throw you in front of me. You know that I thrive in the spotlight, and I've always been working my way to the top. No matter how much I dislike it, if they are honestly going to put us up against each other, then so be it. I'm out to prove that I deserve another shot at the title, and if in this tag match, I have to beat you to do it, then I guess that's that." Many people knew of Zarek and Jade's very public affair. They were often seen together one moment, and seperated the next. The official reason for their breakup was the Zarek was to caught up in his career for Jade's liking. Of course, that was all put up for debate once Chris Burden made his presence known, and a fight between the two broke out. A match at Beyond Redemption between Burden and Lyle with Jade as the special referee would show Jade refusing to count the three for Zarek, ultimately leading to Burden's win. Had Jade indeed cheated on Zarek with Burden, or had he really walked back into her life once they were seperated? It's a question never answered, and has been put in the past. It was the last time Zarek was in the ring with Jade, and now that they were again, would feelings of that past time be brought up? "We both know what happened before, what happened in the first tag match that we were scheduled in. You were managing Dark Child at the time, and Abram had made a small alliance with Kimberly Pain, thus the tag match was made. We did get into the ring together, and we put on one hell of a match, but we both know how it ended. I know you did it because you and Dark Child were having buisness problems and all that jazz, but I have to ask you not to do that in this match. Like I said, I have to prove my worth all over again, and I can't having anyone coming to my rescue. Unlike these other boys, I know exactly what you're capable of, and underestimation is definitely not on my mind. You forget I'm one of the people who knows you best, besides a select few, and I know when you want something, you go for it. You wanted the BUDvision title, and you went for it. You wanted the number one contendership, so you went for it. You probably want to walk out of this match the winner, and I know you're going to go for it. You see, that's the dilema in this match. I know you, and you know me, better than anyone else in this company. When we're forced on the opposite side of the ring together, there's bound to be a mix up. It almost calls for an entirely new offense. What is there to do when your opponent knows you like the back of their hand?" Zarek grabs his keys and his wallet from a side table, and slips them in his pocket, heading for the door. "So gentlemen, lady, I have some buisness to attend to, so I'm going to have to duck out for a bit. It would do you well to hit the gym or something though, maybe brush upon your skills. Honestly though, you'll need it..." Without knowing it, the four of them had embarked on a journey that would soon lead to one of the biggest hangover matches in recent memory. There was so much action in between the four, the chemistry was unbelieveable. Jade and Zarek have a massive history, Zarek and Manic have there's, and Addams has been added as the catalyst, also looking for a shot at Jade's title. The result would obviously be one worth waiting for. With that, Zarek slips out the door. Gone.