..Never been better.

[dragon]

"....Never Been Better"
by Jaden Hunter

“That’s it.. Do it again…”

Hands rub along my back as I reach out, caressing soft breasts within my fingertips. Her lips pucker, blowing soft bubble gum scented air into my mouth as I meet her lips. We gently touch one another, my tongue searching out under her teeth into her accepting mouth in return. Running one hand behind her bare back, I bring her into me as I stare into a set of crystal clear hazel eyes. They look back upon me with adoration… and lust.

“I have loved you for an eternity..”

Staring into one another's gaze, I say nothing, my long blondish-brown hair pinned underneath me as we lay upon my bed. Life can be no better for me as I fight to keep myself from getting lost in the moment. Yet, there is a hunger. Not a hunger for the flesh, but for violence. A hunger that can not be suppressed… at least not when in the arms of a lovely woman such as I now find myself in. I have lived a lifetime that others could only dream of. I have seen the highs and lows that life could bring, defeated men that most would consider invincible, and along the way I have put together quite a legacy for myself. Most men in my position, when placed underneath a woman of this beauty, would just be thankful for their fortune.. but not me.

You see, I am Xplode.. and nothing is EVER good enough for me.

Looking over her shoulder, I reach out for the remote control and switch on the television. The large HDTV pops to life as my guest looks at me disapprovingly. She arches her head to the side, and let’s her dark red hair fall as she asks me, “Jaden, why the TV? Am I boring you?”

Now isn’t that a funny question? Most men, when placed in this spot, would probably throw out a white lie and make her feel better. You know, all those happy fairy tales of princes and wonderful relationships kind of thing? I live in reality though. Long ago, I learned the harsh lesson that there really was no such thing as happy endings and fairy tale moments. Life was what you made of it, and I preferred to make life my own personal bitch instead. Turning to look at her once again, I let my eyebrows meet one another as I reply with a dry tone, “You’re in my way..”

“In.. your way?” she stumbled out, almost in disbelief. “Is it because you are still thinking of her?”

“Her?” I answer once again.

“You know.. That Skyler lady?”

Now, that was cute. A little jealousy was always a good thing I suppose. It makes a woman appreciate the things that they could actually lose, you know? In this situation though, it was actually quite annoying. The woman that she referred to was nothing more than a blip on the lineage that was my career. You could classify her as one of the people who attempted to tag along for the ride, hoping that I would make her a name that people actually gave a shit about. Last I heard, she felt I owed her an apology or some shit for however I may have treated her. I just hope she isn’t holding her breath. I can’t remember the last time I have apologized for shit and if and when that day comes.. It won’t be to some crazy bitch like her, you can believe that. (On second though, I do hope she is holding her breath.) Thinking over how to react, I decide to take the quick route. I wasn’t in the mood for some long, drawn out conversation anyway, “You don’t need to worry over that chick, she is old news, probably working at a gas station or some fast food joint by now..”

“Really?” she asked me again, ever the relentless one. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” I answer. “Now, let’s change the damn subject. We are giving her far more attention than she actually deserves. Why the worry anyway? I never promised you a relationship. I told you that right now, the only thing I want to focus on is-"

She suddenly places two fingers upon my lips, hushing me. “I know.. Oblivion. I don’t get it, he is your brother. Aren’t you two supposed to love one another and be an ACTUAL family? Isn’t that what normal people do?”

Normal. Now that is a word, perhaps the ONLY word that I would never use to describe my brother. Let’s see, where do I start. Toby Hunter AKA Oblivion is my brother, that much was pretty much common knowledge. What the lesser man does not know though is that my brother has a tendency to walk along the darker side of life. Let me rephrase that for the new folks out there. My brother walks IN the dark side of our reality. He may even be more crazy than that looney bitch, Skyler Claire! I have heard my brother tell me that he speaks to actual demons for starters and to top it all off, weird shit seems to happen when he is pissed off. (Example: Flashing lights, weird sounds, cold climate changes) Personally, I don’t buy into that shit. Here is some inside info for you all. Long ago, my brother lost his family in a house fire. That pretty much drove him off the deep end causing him to drop his true name of Toby Hunter and to take on the name you all know now and the newest retard of the month moniker.. Oblivion.

Being the good brother that I am though, I didn’t say shit. I let him have his new life and went about on my own, doing my best to uphold our family traditions of being a World Champion Professional Wrestler. I never brought up the fact that our Father never gave a shit about me nor spoke of the fact that Toby was the golden boy around the damn house growing up. I never asked for a hand out nor cried that none was given either. What you see here is a self made man, perhaps the best to ever step foot in that damn ring.. and the only one I have to thank for it is ME. Of course, my loving brother has never let me enjoy a moments peace though, constantly trying to steal my thunder on many an occasion. So, it was my job to place his ass back in line… until the last time we met in the ring.

I could sit here and claim that I was tired and worn out at the time, having successfully defended the championship over the previous 6 months but I won’t. He beat me with the stipulation that I would retire should it come to pass. I was overconfident and the price was high. I have had nothing but time to think about that fact… and there was no way in hell that I was not going to make it right. It took a little work to put the pieces into place, sure. I was lucky to have Maynard Hetfield rise to dominance like he had, as it left my intentions totally undetected by the Big Dog of the EUW. It was me that orchestrated the kidnapping of Annette Ritter, and it was myself that tricked Hetfield’s manager, Zack Cornell, into walking right into the hands of Oblivion’s club.. The Devil’s Due. I played both sides of the fence..

Just like I always do.

So, you could imagine my surprise when Oblivion himself approached me, asking to face me at Prestige. I was almost disappointed that I was not the one to drive the Big Dog to revenge against me. As he walked up to me that day, there was something different about him all together. Toby seemed almost sore, perhaps even tired.. Something that he has NEVER been in the years I have known him. He walked with less of a purpose, and his aura of dominance was no where to be found at all. This was not the man that I had worked so hard to take down. I was angered, and then depressed all at once. The game.. Was over.

After listening to the man, I think I finally began to actually believe him. All of the stories about demons and such that once seemed like nothing more than bullshit now began to make sense. He was certainly a different man, and he needed me to help him to find peace now. It was Oblivion that agreed to sign the paperwork that lifted my retirement clause surprisingly. I found myself just standing there, like an idiot without a purpose, as I was basically given the keys to do the ONE thing I had dreamed of for so long. It was this dream that haunted me, a part of my life for so such a time that the thought of being without it actually scared me. My job was simple:

Destroy Oblivion and end his career.

Yes, I can hardly believe it either. The funny thing was that for a moment, I almost turned it down. This was not the way I had wanted this to go down. I always pictured myself ending Toby’s career by cracking him over the head with a hammer or something. Yet, I was no fool. I accepted the match right there and then, standing on the porch of our late parent’s farm.. With one condition. I wanted Oblivion to give me all that he had in that ring and hold nothing back. If I was to defeat the Big Dog, I wanted to do it on my own so that NO ONE in the world could ever say shit about me again. There would be more “Obi retired you” talk if I had my way. Oblivion agreed and we would both go our own separate ways. He would not speak on what would happen to him should I defeat him but I could sense that things were serious. I would have to think on that later though. I had a match to prepare for, perhaps the last great match of my career… and this time I would not fail.

Turning to my side now, I shove my lady friend out of the way and walk over to the large window nearby. The San Francisco skyline looked back at my nude frame as I did so. I could see my reflection in the mirror, offering me a sense of sadness. How many times had I stood here throughout the years prior to a match, my body in a much more youthful shape than it was now. I was once a weapon of war, the Strategic Assassin, and a man that achieved victory never seen before in the industry. All of the big names of today owed me a bit of thanks for who they were today, as it was myself who paved the way for them by destroying the legends of the past in my career with an intensity never seen before. I was a triple crown champion, and a multi time champion. If anyone has anything to say about me or how I did business than they could just kiss my ass at this point. I did my time after all..

As for my brother, there was no denying his impact on the sport either. Oblivion has been called the greatest of all time, and for good reason. His symbiotic relationship with the fans is a story to tell to your grandkids one day, and his exploits in the ring are legendary. He is a man who should care about nothing, having lost his family and been screwed over by his own friends recently. Hell, I have even heard that his slut girlfriend had an affair with Chris Sabora a year ago. Yet, with all of that in mind, Oblivion never looks back.. only forward. He brings positively to people’s lives and leads by example. The world has fought hard to defeat him and yet.. He perseveres. It has taken me a long time to understand all of this about him. I once hated him, and often dedicated my life to bringing pain to Oblivion. Now though, I think I finally get it. I respect that man. Why?

He has earned it.

That doesn’t mean that I am not going to hurt him. This is my time. For a career, I have been “Oblivion’s little brother”, and nothing more. In one week, on the grandest stage of them all that is Prestige, I will be the man who retired Oblivion for good. I will win this war finally, just as I always do. Evan Black, Alex Falcon, Brett Cross, Chris Sabora, Lincoln Daggerson, Warrior… you name it. The list is long but I have been the last man standing each time. In a few days, I will add Oblivion’s name to that list and perhaps for the first time ever… I will have my own version of peace as well.

“Jaden.. Are you okay?”

Turning around, I stare at my female friend once again. I would say what her name is by now but let’s face it.. She won’t be around long. There will always be another bitch to carry my coat tails out there, just as there will always be another asshole who needs to be set straight. There will always be a need for an Xplode. That is probably the only lesson that my father ever taught me. My own brother, ironically enough, taught me the meaning of being patient. It took awhile, but I finally got it. I have learned my lessons well. Clearing my throat, I scratch my balls and smile. She looks back at me with interest as I answer her with a wink.

“I have never been better….”