“Wolfsbane” Adam Brock vs. Clyde Sutter

[Huddie]

2 RP Limit for singles; 4 RP limit for tag; 8 RP limit for Tactical Warfare (No word limits)
Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Thursday, January 30, 2025

[Adam Brock]

I hate bullies!

Author's note 1: The bullying incidents I referred to at the very beginning really happened.

Author's note 2: This was getting out of hand, so I clipped it and I'll have the promo in the next one. (Drinks and snacks recommended. It's a long one.)

[The Assassin]

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January 20th, 2025
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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“The Assassin” Clyde Sutter returned to Supreme Championship Wrestling and has been all business ever since; devastating Adrenaline Champion Glory Braddock and then crushing the likes of Sapphire Taylor and Sean Michael Prime. All three were choked out by Sutter’s overpowering Judgment Day submission hold. The Birmingham, England has been quite pleased with his second stint in SCW thus far. It could not have gone any better. Yet as a man who fiercely believes in the power of fate operating not only within his life, but within the universe at large, The Assassin now finds that fate has thrown a new wrinkle into his SCW return. William Heaven of The Fall of Man has paid Sutter quite a large sum of money to take out a new problem for them: Adam Brock. The Wolfsbane returned to attack The Fall of Man. Heaven cannot afford to have his group distracted heading into a Tactical Warfare Match at Dogfight in Dusseldorf. Thus it becomes Sutter’s duty to take care of the Adam Brock problem on behalf of The Fall of Man. And for Sutter, that is no problem; no problem whatsoever. It is the fate of every human being to eventually fall. Adam Brock just made his fate come along a lot quicker thanks to his own actions.

First, however, Clyde Sutter has another situation to take care of; with less than a week before his trip to Germany to compete against Brock, Sutter has decided to fulfill a promise he made to his biological mother, Autumn Van Stanton. Clyde wants to reconnect with the woman who had given him up at birth in the hopes of saving him from a dark future. Autumn told her firstborn son that she and her husband, Clyde’s step-father Henry Van Stanton, want desperately to reconnect with Melinda Braddock, Clyde’s current girlfriend who had once been engaged to Autumn and Henry’s late son Archie who got killed in a drive by shooting. Needless to say, such events are horrific and are difficult for anyone to get over. Melinda herself has yet to fully get over that horrible incident. Seeing the Van Stantons, the people who would have been her in-laws, would have brought back bad memories. Melinda has only now worked up the strength to go see them again.

The dining room is grand yet modern, with high ceilings and a stunning chandelier cascading down from above, its crystals catching the dim light and scattering it across the room. A long, polished mahogany table dominates the space, flanked by high-backed chairs upholstered in deep navy velvet. The walls are adorned with abstract art in muted tones, providing a contemporary touch to the otherwise classic decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows draped with sheer curtains allow a soft glow of twilight to filter in, complementing the warm amber hues of the wall sconces. A vase of white lilies sits at the center of the table, their fragrance subtly mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread. Melinda Braddock sits at the edge of the table, her elegant posture accentuating her black, form-fitting dress. The high neckline and long sleeves of her outfit lend an air of sophistication, while the daring slit up one side reveals her toned legs crossed gracefully. Her blonde hair falls in soft waves over her shoulder, contrasting strikingly with the dark fabric of her dress. Golden earrings, intricate and bold, catch the ambient light, and her black pointed heels add a sleek finish to her ensemble. She leans slightly back against the table, her expression poised yet mysterious, as though lost in thought or observing her companion. Her boyfriend, the ever intimidating Clyde Sutter, stands near her, dressed impeccably in an all-black suit. The Assassin’s tailored jacket and straight trousers complement his broad frame, while a shiny black tie is knotted neatly against his shirt. Silver rings glint on his fingers, and a matching bracelet peeks out from beneath his cuff. His neatly combed-back hair and short beard give him an air of quiet authority, his piercing gaze softened only slightly by the subdued lighting of the room. His stance is relaxed but deliberate, one hand resting casually in his pocket while the other lingers near the back of the woman’s chair, a subtle gesture of protection.

“I am glad you decided to come, my love. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you.” Clyde says in a hushed whisper. He knows that Henry and Autumn are in another room. He doesn’t want them to overhear anything. Melinda sighs, indicating that she is a little upset, but she hides it well underneath a warm smile.

“Honestly, this is something I should have done a long time ago. I’ve just been afraid.”

“Fear is understandable.” Clyde pulls up a seat next to her. He kisses her hand reverently. “What you went through that night when Archie…when he…”

“It’s not that.” Melinda shakes her head. “I mean, yes, the shooting was traumatic. I was shot. I almost died. Archie did die. And yeah, it did take me awhile to get over his passing. But that’s not why I was afraid to come back here, afraid to see Archie’s parents again.”

“Then why?”

“You.” Melinda says quietly.

“Me?”

“I love you, Clyde. But I had also loved Archie. I thought Archie and I would spend the rest of our lives together. I thought…” she chuckles “...it’s a stupid fantasy, I suppose, but the Van Stanton and Braddock families had been feuding for two generations. I had hoped this third generation, myself and Archie, would end the feud with our marriage. Then the shooting happened and Archie was murdered. I intended to come see Autumn and Henry at some point after I recovered from my shock, from the trauma of it all, but by the time I had recovered, I was already developing a romance with you.”

“I see.” Clyde’s voice trails off.

“I didn’t know Autumn felt about you but I knew Henry hated you. I was afraid…” she sighs and shakes her head “...I was afraid me being here, me dating you after what had happened to their son, that it would just rub salt in the wound. I felt that maybe it would be best if I stayed away.”

“Oh my sweet Goddess.” Clyde hugs Melinda tightly. “You had nothing to fear. My mother still cares for you. Henry still cares for you. And so much time had passed between my half-brother’s death and when you and I renewed our destined relationship. They knew better than to expect you to never again seek out a love interest. They knew that Archie would have wanted you to find love.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am positive.” Clyde runs his hand through Melinda’s long blonde hair. “Besides, you still do get to fulfill your fantasy. I may not be a Van Stanton by blood, but my biological mother married into that feud. So in a way, our love can heal the divide between the Van Stanton and Braddock families.”

“Nice thought, babe.” Melinda smirks. “But have you forgotten that my mother hates you?”

“Your mother does not matter.” Clyde answers quietly. “What matters is you, me, and our love.”

“You are right, of course.” Melinda leans in and kisses him on the lips. The kiss is broken almost immediately because they hear footsteps approaching. Sutter and Braddock snap to attention as they turn to see Autumn Van Stanton and her husband Henry entering the dining room area. Both are impeccably dressed, Autumn in a form fitting long sleeved red dress and heels. Henry in a brown blazer, matching slacks, and a white button up silk shirt. Clyde smiles pleasantly, motioning to Melinda.

“As you can see, mother, I kept my word. Melinda is here.” Clyde remarks. Melinda stands up and extends a hand to Autumn.

“Nice to see you again, Ms. Van Stanton. I apologize for not reaching out sooner or…”

“No apology is necessary.” Autumn says as she fights back tears. Autumn doesn’t accept the handshake. Instead she hugs Melinda. “Henry and I missed you so much. You were like a daughter to us.”

“I had no idea you felt that way.” Melinda says through a mix of laughing and some tears.

“There is quite a bit we should catch up on.” Autumn says as she wipes away her tears. She turns to Clyde and Henry. “Why don’t you boys go to the living room while Melinda and I put the finishing touches on dinner?”

“You literally just asked me to come in here with you.” Henry says, chuckling.

“Now I’m literally just asking you to leave.” Autumn says, winking. Henry shrugs his shoulders.

“I know when I’m beaten. Come along, Clyde.” Henry turns and motions for Sutter to follow him. The Assassin, for his part, doesn’t feel comfortable being alone with Henry Van Stanton. Henry had always hated him. If there is one person who hated him as much as Glory Braddock did, it was Henry. Clyde casts a gaze at Melinda, as if to ask for a way out. But Melinda simply nods her head, as if to indicate that she supports Clyde, that she thinks Clyde can handle this. Sutter sighs with resignation and then exits the dining room, following Henry into an equally nice living room area. Henry sits down in a recliner. Sutter sits down on a sofa that sets perpendicular to the recliner. If Melinda had feared a meeting between herself and the Van Stantons, this is the one confrontation Clyde had feared; himself and Henry.

“It appears as if my mother has quite the commanding presence in this household, Henry.” Clyde remarks. Henry chuckles and shoots right back through a wry grin.

“From what I saw, Melinda has a fairly commanding presence in her own right.”

“Fair point.”

“Let’s face it, Clyde, the women in our lives have us wrapped around their fingers.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. My love, my Melinda, she gave me a second chance when I did not deserve one. She also helped me get a second chance with SCW when they had no reason to grant me a second chance or to sign me to a new contract.” Clyde states. “I owe a great deal to my love.”

“Ah yes, your return to SCW. I admit that I have been following your career with great interest ever since your surprise return at Fatal Fortunes. You have been quite a dominant figure.”

“I suppose my performances against Ms. Taylor and Mr. Prime were rather impressive.” Sutter answers flatly.

“Yes, and what about your performance against Glory Braddock.” Henry smiles. “That was one of your best matches to date.”

“Yes, a match I lost. I would hardly call it a stellar performance.”

“You’re being hard on yourself. There is a reason why so many fans call her the best in the world and yet you left her laying, and had it not been for a lucky roll up on her part, you might have won the Adrenaline Title that night.”

“Thank you, Henry.”

“You’re good Clyde, far too good to be doing the dirty work of that Heaven fellow.”

“What I do is my own business, Henry.” Clyde remarks coldly. “I would eventually have choked out Brock just like I choked out Glory, Sapphire, and Sean. Why not earn an extra paycheck for something I otherwise would have done for free?”

“We can agree to disagree.” Henry shakes his head. “Let’s just focus on the positives…like, how I want to thank you for getting Melinda to agree to come by today.”

“I was only fulfilling a promise I made to my mother.” Clyde begins. “My love would have reached out sooner but the trauma she felt from…well…the incident left her suffering emotionally and mentally. By the time she had finally managed to cope with the trauma, she had already reconnected with me and she was afraid…” his voice trails off.

“She was afraid of how Autumn and I might react to the fact that she was dating you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s fair. Obviously you do have a reputation.”

“One I have been trying to change.” Clyde snaps back sharply. Henry quickly nods his head in agreement.

“Yes, and I was about to say that out of everything I have observed from you recently, the one thing I have been most impressed with…even more so than how you handled your last three matches in SCW…is how you have managed to contain your anger.”

“Oh really?” Sutter arches his brow, his curiosity genuinely peaked at Henry’s comment.

“I recall when my brother managed your career.” Henry chuckles. “You were quite the angry rage monster at that time. I honestly didn’t think anyone could control you and yet here you are, perfectly calm and focused. You managed to control that rage yourself. Yes, Clyde, I am impressed. How did you do it?”

“My rage, as you put it, was due to me being a nameless, faceless individual in a society that not care about me or care to get to know me. I did not even know who I was. All I had was the rage. But then I learned about my past, I put a name to my face, I learned about my family…namely my mother…I gained family, namely Melinda…and that, combined with some therapy, has helped me to focus and channel that rage. It no longer controls me, I control it.”

“Therapy always helps.” Henry chuckles.

“I am just grateful that fate has allowed me to receive a second chance from those I care about, especially from Melinda. I recognize how horribly I treated her. I recognize that I did not deserve a second chance. But here we are, together again thanks to fate, and I am not going to waste this opportunity. I am determined to make Melinda happy. Everything I do, every dollar I make from SCW…and from other job opportunities…will be dedicated to making Melinda’s life a good one.”

“Yes, she DOES have you wrapped around her little finger.” Henry laughs and, despite himself, so does Clyde. “And you know something, Clyde? She isn’t the only one willing to give you a second chance.” Clyde extends his hand. “Look, I know this must have been difficult for you…”

“Very.” Clyde admits.

“...and I admit, for the longest time I did not like you. I did not trust you. I looked at you and only saw that monster. But seeing you here, now, so calm and collected, how you are such a gentleman around Melinda, seeing you treat her like a princess, it has helped me realize that you have changed. Plus Melinda isn’t the only person whom we both care about.”

“My mother?” Clyde asks. Henry nods his head.

“That’s the one. Autumn was grieved for a long time ever since she learned who you were, when she learned you were her son, the one she gave up so long ago. She felt so guilty and wanted so badly to make it up to you, to have some sort of relationship with you. She was so happy when you reached out and tried to make it happen. I suppose it’s only fair to my wife that I do my best to make you feel comfortable, to make you feel like a part of this family.”

Sutter accepts the handshake. “I appreciate it, Mr. Van Stanton.”

“Henry. Call me Henry.” He chuckles. “And remember, if you need anything, anything at all, just ask. We are family now.”

“I will remember that.” Clyde says, a warm and sincere smile on his face. It is then that they hear Autumn’s voice from the dining room.

“Boys! Dinner is ready!”

Henry looks over at Clyde and smirks. “Let’s not keep the women waiting.”

“After you…Henry.”

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January 20th, 2025
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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The dinner has concluded. Henry and Autumn enjoyed the company of Clyde and Melinda. They enjoyed seeing Melinda again and Henry, for his part, was pleasantly surprised at how well Sutter carried himself. Despite their pleasant words earlier, Henry still half expected The Assassin to lose control at any point. Yet he was ever the gentleman the entire time. This is slowly but surely bringing about what Clyde Sutter has secretly wanted but yet even he never knew he truly wanted; acceptance and a family. For the longest time he had no one but now he has Melinda Braddock, he has his mother Autumn, and her husband Henry. This is a true family and support system, one Clyde knows he can count on, unlike his sister Lilith Sutter, who has returned to his life for reasons he still does not know, or even Henry’s brother, Mason Van Stanton, who had used him as nothing but a mere weapon during the early part of his career. This dinner has been a truly wonderful experience for the normally cold hearted Assassin. But all things must come to an end and Clyde knows that, soon, he will have to start packing for his trip across the pond to Europe, to Germany for Dogfight in Dusseldorf. He has to prepare for Adam Brock. So he and Melinda are now preparing to leave, saying their goodbyes to Henry and Autumn Van Stanton as all four are gathered around the door.

“We have certainly enjoyed this, mother…Henry…” Clyde says “...we should do this again.”

“Of course.” Henry remarks. “I wish you two could stay longer but I know you have important SCW business to handle, a match coming up next week in Germany.”

“Yes, Mr. Brock.” Clyde nods his head.

“I may not agree with how it came about but I wish you the best of luck nevertheless.”

“Thank you, Henry.”

“And as for you.” Autumn hugs Melinda again. “Do not be a stranger next time.”

“I promise I won’t, Autumn.”

Their goodbyes are interrupted by a loud knocking at the door. Immediately all four have confused looks on their faces. Autumn looks over at her husband.

“You weren’t expecting anyone, were you?”

“No, not at all.”

Henry approaches the door and opens it. Standing there dressed in denim jeans, black dress shoes, a black shirt, and black blazer is Henry’s brother, Clyde’s former manager Mason Van Stanton. This is an unwelcome and unexpected surprise visitor. Which immediately sets Clyde off.

“What are you doing here?” Henry asks.

“Yes…” Clyde growls as he steps in between Henry and Mason “...what are you doing here?!”

“I just figured I would pop in for a visit. No harm in that, is there?” Mason shrugs his shoulders. “A birdie named Autumn had told me that my nephew had been calling her and visiting her more frequently lately.”

“What of it?” Clyde asks coldly.

“Well, you visit my brother and my sister-in-law but not me?” Mason feigns a pout. “I’m offended.”

“I highly doubt someone of your pathetic morals can possibly be offended.” Sutter scoffs. “Still, I did not intend it as an insult.”

“Great!” Mason exclaims. “So can we talk?”

“Perhaps I should make myself clearer.” Clyde growls. “You are NOT my uncle. Your brother just so happened to marry my brother. And our previous business arrangement did not end on a positive note. So I warn you, Mason, tread carefully. My advice? Leave now.”

“Whoa, Clyde, back off.” Melinda grabs Clyde by his arm and gently pulls him away from Mason. “Do not let him get to you. Remember? Control yourself.”

“Yeah, listen to your girlfriend.” Mason winks.

“I can control my rage for so long, Mason.” Sutter answers. “I warn you once more. Leave.”

“Fine.” Mason throws his arms up in the air in defeat. “I can see when I’m not wanted.” Mason turns and walks off. Clyde stares daggers as he watches his former manager walk away. Melinda keeps a firm grip on his arm to keep him from going after Mason.

“I wonder what that was all about?” Henry asks curiously.

“I have no idea.” Clyde remarks, shaking his head as he regains his composure. “Knowing Mason it could be anything.”

“He is still technically family.” Autumn points out.

“No.” Clyde insists, shaking his head. “He is a bad influence. His corrupt. What’s more is that he is just a reminder of the painful past.” Sutter shakes his head. “I do not need him in my life right now, or ever.”

“What if he genuinely wanted to get to know you?” Autumn asks. “People change, Clyde.”

“I don’t know, Autumn, I tend to agree with Clyde on this.” Henry remarks.

“Henry!” She exclaims.

“I’m sorry, but he is my brother, I know him well, and he is bad news.”

“This is true.” Clyde answers. “He never does anything without there being some shady motivation or suspicious agenda. He wanted something from me, I am sure of it, even if that something was to just rekindle our relationship so he can try to manipulate me and use me in the future.” Sutter shakes his head. “And quite frankly I want nothing of it.”

“Fair enough.” Melinda nods her head. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”

[The Assassin]

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January 25th, 2025
Dusseldorf, Germany
Off Camera
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“The Assassin” Clyde Sutter is in Dusseldorf, Germany for SCW Dogfight in Dusseldorf, where he will do his best to take care of a problem for The Fall of Man; that problem’s name being Adam Brock. Sutter made his return to SCW after a long period of being away from the promotion. He spent that time learning to control his rage, focus and channel it against his opposition in the ring, possibly making him even deadlier than before. His impressive performances against the likes of Sapphire Taylor, Sean Michael Prime, and Adrenaline Champion Glory Braddock have turned a few heads and caught the attention of many in the SCW locker room. Notably it caught the attention of William Heaven, who has now paid The Assassin to take care of their Adam Brock problem. Sutter has no qualms about being The Fall of Man’s hired muscle in this instance. Clyde would have gotten around to eliminating Brock eventually, may as well get paid a little extra to do it. Plus he gets to do it on the grand stage, in front of a huge viewing audience and the live crowds in Germany.

Clyde currently stands alone in the center of a standard hotel room in Düsseldorf, Germany, his presence dominating the otherwise unassuming space. Melinda Braddock is away spending time with her mother, Glory Braddock, leaving The Assassin to spend time in quiet contemplation. His broad frame was clothed in a loose white T-shirt, its simplicity offset by the striking green scarf draped around his neck, the frayed edges adding a touch of ruggedness to his look. His arms, heavily tattooed with intricate designs, were partially visible as the short sleeves of his shirt rode up. He held a small cellular phone up to his ear. Melinda, the love of his life, is on the other end. His dark hair was pulled back into a loose, low bun, a few strands escaping to frame his rugged features. A light beard shadowed his jawline. His black pants were fitted, emphasizing his tall, lean build. The hotel room around him was modest but functional. A queen-sized bed with crisp white linens sat against one wall, flanked by two small wooden nightstands with simple lamps casting a warm glow. Across from the bed, a compact desk held a coffee maker and a few brochures about local attractions. The carpet was a muted beige, and the walls were painted in soft cream tones, adorned with generic framed art depicting abstract cityscapes. A single window offered a view of Düsseldorf’s skyline, the faint glow of city lights filtering through the sheer curtains. The room exuded the kind of standardized comfort typical of mid-range accommodations, a stark contrast to Sutter who stands within it.

“I hope you are you enjoying the city, my love.”

“It’s alright.” Melinda’s voice comes from the other end, clearly audible as Sutter as her on speaker. She does not sound all that impressed. “I wish you were here with us.”

“It is my desire to always be with you, my love, but you know that I have a business transaction to take care of for Mr. Heaven. I always live up to my promises.”

“Yeah, I know, Adam Brock.” Melinda responds. “You’ll take him apart just like you’ve done everyone else.”

“Your confidence in me is overwhelming, my love.” Just then there is a knocking at the door. This catches The Assassin off guard. Who would even know that he is here except for anyone else here for SCW? And who, among his SCW colleagues, would want to talk to him? He sighs. “I apologize, my love, but I have another problem to take care of.”

“Just behave.” Melinda states. “Promise?”

“I promise.” Clyde hangs up his phone and tosses it onto the bed.

He is frustrated that the phone call to his beloved was interrupted, yet he still maintains his composure. He walks over to the door, intending to get rid of whoever it is without being too rude. The Assassin opens the door and is surprised to find his sister, Lilith Sutter, standing there waiting. Her jet-black hair cascading in sleek waves over her shoulders. She wore a fitted black blazer with satin lapels, tailored perfectly to accentuate her hourglass figure. Underneath, a silk camisole in deep crimson added a splash of color, its delicate lace trim hinting at her sensual style. A pencil skirt in the same black as her blazer hugged her hips and ended just above the knee, showcasing her long, toned legs. The sheer black stockings she wore shimmered subtly in the light, drawing attention to the elegant curves of her calves. Her feet were adorned with classic black stilettos, their glossy finish reflecting her every step.

“Good evening, brother.”

“How did you find me?” Clyde growls angrily. Lilith chuckles.

“Nice to see you too, dear brother. You are as pleasant as always, I see.” Lilith tries to enter but her brother will not budge. She sighs. “May I come in?”

“How did you find me?” He repeats.

“Oh please. You are not dense, so do not pretend to be.” She smirks. “You are a professional wrestler. Find you is quite simple. All I have to do is check SCW’s schedule to see where you will be wrestling next. Much to my pleasant surprise you were going to competing in Dusseldorf. Germany is a lovely country, don’t you agree?”

“Leave, sister.” Clyde states coldly, commandingly. “Leave now or else…”

“Or else what?” Lilith ignores the warning and ducks under her brother’s massive arms and enters the hotel room. Clyde’s anger is only growing but he shuts the door behind him as he follows his sister into the room. He points back towards the door.

“I said leave, Lilith. I want nothing to do with you.”

“You know something, brother?” Lilith approaches him and takes the scarf from around his neck and tosses it aside. She looks at his shirt and scowls. “Your clothing is horrid. You look like a bum. And this hotel…” she waves her arms at her surroundings “...did you get the cheapest thing available?”

“What’s wrong with these accommodations?”

“What’s wrong?” She chuckles. “Dear brother, you are a Sutter. You should have finer, better taste than this.”

“This is everything I need.” He shoves her roughly onto the bed. Lilith is not bothered. In fact, she smiles. “Now I warn you, one last time, tell me what you want or leave. I am losing my patience with you.”

“For someone who seems to want a family oh so badly, you certainly are not acting like it.” She rolls her eyes as she sits up and composes herself on the bed. “Very well. I am here to rescue you, to return you to the life that you rightfully deserve.”

“Ah, that…” Clyde now rolls his eyes “...I heard that bullshit line from you the last time we met, sister. So allow me to spell it out for you; I am a professional wrestler, I get to travel the world, I have the love of my life, Melinda Braddock, with me every step of the way. I am living the dream. What, pray tell, is wrong with my current life?”

“What’s wrong is that you have it all backwards. You work for rich and wealthy individuals. The Page Family used you as their hired muscle…”

“And their substantial paychecks helped pay for my therapy, helped teach me to control my rage, making a better person, and gave me the tools to win back Melinda.”

“Pathetic.” Lilith says. “Now you are here in Dusseldorf to do the dirty work for William Heaven. You are here to take out that Adam Brock fellow on his behalf. Why? So you can use that cash to buy your little whore a nice shiny gift?” Lilith smirks knowingly. “My dear brother, you have connections through me that go far beyond anything the Page family or even that idiot William Heaven has. You and I together could bury them. We could buy THEM and PAY THEM to do OUR dirty work.” She winks. “Tell me the truth, you do not actually like them, do you? You just like their money.”

“Ah yes, and as tempting as that may sound, sister, I also know that in order to do that I would have to return with you and join whatever is left of our scoundrel father’s foolish cult.” The Assassin shakes his head. “I am happy with what I have. I am comfortable with the life I live. I have no desire to follow in our father’s twisted footsteps.”

“The movement…or cult as you put it…is all but dead and gone. Our father’s vision, Ethan Sutter’s vision, is dead.” She stands up and runs a hand across her brother’s chest. “But I have resurrected it into something better and I would love nothing more than to share it with you, since it is YOUR inheritance just as much as it is mine.”

“What is in it for me?”

“Always the mercenary. Everyone has a price. That’s what I like about you.” She winks. “How about richest, wealth, and power beyond your wildest dreams? And the women…you could have as many prostitutes as you want, not just one that happens to have a famous last name.”

Clyde is good at controlling himself. He has gotten better at controlling his rage. But everyone has their breaking point. Clyde’s breaking point is when you insult his girlfriend and Lilith Sutter just crossed that line. He reaches out and grabs her throat, squeezing ti ghtly.

“Never EVER insult Melinda!” He growls angrily, his rage boiling over. “I could kill you where you stand! Do you understand? NEVER insult Melinda Braddock!” Despite the pressure around her throat, and the potential for her brother to choke her to death, Lilith is laughing. Clyde lets up on the pressure just enough so she can talk. “What’s so god damn funny?!”

“Apparently you still haven’t quite conquered that temper of yours, dear brother!”

He still wants to choke the life out of her for the insult she threw at Melinda, but Clyde knows that all she is doing is taunting him. She is trying to provoke him. She wants him to lose his temper. Clyde won’t give her the satisfaction. He releases his grip fully.

“Leave, sister. Leave now before I change my mind about giving you mercy.”

“Oh I will leave.” Lilith nods her head. “But this isn’t over. I will rescue you, brother, one way or another. We are family…I am your sister, closer to you than the Van Stantons, definitely closer to you than the Braddocks. I am your true family, Clyde. You need me and you will realize that one day.”

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On Camera
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The camera begins to roll and we find “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter is seated on an outdoor bench. The bench is wrought iron with ornate curves, placed on a paved area. There’s foliage and a small structure in the background. Sutter himself is leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped together. He is wearing a white crisp dress shirt, black dress pants, and polished black dress shoes. His dark, slicked-back hair has a slightly tousled look. Standing next to him is his girlfriend, his confidant; the mischievous Melinda Braddock. She is wearing a sleek black, asymmetrical top with a single off-shoulder neckline. Long, fitted black leather gloves extend past her elbows. She sports a high-waisted skirt composed of long, flowing fringe strands that drape down to her ankles; the fringe of the skirt reveals her legs in a subtle, alluring manner. Melinda is perched atop black stiletto heels and her blonde hair is styled in soft waves that cascade over one shoulder.

“We are all at the mercy of fate. Fate is our one true judge, jury, and executioner. Fate will one day decide the day and the hour of our end.” Melinda Braddock says with a smug smirk on her face. “Those who are wise, those who are intelligent, can curry the favor of Fate and, perhaps buy themselves a few more days, months, or even years. The foolish who are headstrong, who are stubborn and bullheaded, they are the ones who make the mistakes. They do not think, they merely act. They act out and do something very foolish, very idiotic, and as a result they cause their own timeline, their own end, to come a hell of a lot sooner than Fate had originally intended.” She snickers and points at the camera. “Adam Brock, The Wolfsbane, you have made several mistakes but your biggest one was making yourself the target of The Assassin. You certainly had plenty of time left on your clock but now you have sealed your own fate. Fate has now decided that your time is up.”

Clyde Sutter rises up off of the bench and approaches his lovely girlfriend. He wraps a comforting arm around her shoulder. The Assassin leans in and kisses her on the lips before turning back to face the camera. The same stoic, cold, emotionless gaze never once changes, never once leaves his face.

“Mr. Brock, before I begin I want to assure you that none of this is personal. Someone like you with your reputation, well I look forward to fighting you in Dusseldorf. Unlike my return match against Glory Braddock that was very much personal, or Sapphire Taylor who was no threat to me and no challenge for me, or even Mr. Prime, who was a pathetic piece of human scum who wasted his opportunity, unlike all of them, YOU are someone I actually look forward to testing my mettle against, Mr. Brock. In any other day, at another time and place, with different circumstances, this could have been quite the showcase of wrestling ability between two contrasting styles. We really could have put forward a good show for the fans here in Germany.” The Assassin shakes his head.

“Unfortunately you have made some serious missteps, Mr. Brock. Someone like you, with your reputation, one would think that you would be smart enough not to let your emotions get the best of you. Yet what happened? What happened to The Wolfsbane? The wolf in symbolism represents strength…leadership…guidance…you may be quite a strong fighter, I will grant you that, but leadership? Guidance? You demonstrated a severe lack of both with your headstrong, emotional, and reckless decision making. A leader is smart, Mr. Brock, but was it smart of you to get involved in business that had nothing to do with you? Was it smart to pick a fight with The Fall of Man? I am by no means accusing you of being a coward, Mr. Brock. I think everyone realizes that you are not a coward. But The Fall of Man were not fighting you. Mr. Heaven was not fighting you. They were fighting Light in the Darkness. They were fighting Dangerous Minds. They were NOT fighting Mr. Adam Brock.” Sutter chuckles.

“Oh, but forgive me, I forgot all about your cause de’jour…bullying. You don’t like bullies, do you Mr. Brock? And I take it that is why you decided to take up arms against the Fall of Man. You perceive Mr. Heaven and his pals as bullies and yet you fail to see the painfully obvious; it was an even fight between them, Light in the Darkness, and Dangerous Minds. Light in the Darkness and Dangerous Minds hardly needed your assistance. They did not need any extra back up. No one needed your self-righteous indignation involved in that battle, a battle that is very much on an even playing field. But you still got involved. If anything, Mr. Brock, you were the bully. You were the one creating an uneven playing field in a war that has nothing to do with you.”

“I normally do not involve myself in business that has nothing to do with me. Ordinarily I would have been pleased to just sit back and watch these two warring factions destroy each other and you with it if you are so convinced that your presence is so damn necessary. But I am also a businessman and Mr. Heaven needed someone to make the playing field even once more by taking you off of the game board and that is what I intend to do. I will take you out.” He sighs and shakes his head. “It did not have to come to this, Mr. Brock. Fate had left you with a lot of time left. Fate was smiling on you. But the foolish, the emotionally driven, the stubborn, they are the ones who can turn a positive into a negative within an instant. With one foolish act, someone can make an enemy out of fate.” He points a finger at the camera.

“That is precisely what you have done, Mr. Brock. Your fate has been sealed, your time is up, and you only have yourself to blame. What happens in Dusseldorf is not Mr. Heaven’s fault for paying me to destroy you. It isn’t my fault for executing you in front of the whole world. It isn’t even the fault of Fate itself, for Fate had bigger and better plans in mind for you, plans that you squandered away recklessly and emotionally. Everything that could have been yours will be taken away, everything that could have been will be over, and it is all your fault, Mr. Brock, because you involved yourself in matters that did not concern you.” Melinda Braddock steps forward and holds up one finger.

“Fate rules us all, Wolfsbane. The sooner we accept it, the better off we will be. But there is one way Fate allows us to have some minor control over our own destinies, but that is only in the negative, not in the positive.” She says. Clyde smirks as he kisses her once more on the cheek before looking back at the camera.

“Quite right, my love. Fate decides when our time is up. Fate decides when our end shall be and it is my job to execute the will of Fate. It is my job to bring an end to those whose time is up. But Fate does allow us some small, minor control in the sense that we can hasten our own end. We can bring about a quicker end for ourselves by making foolish, stupid decisions. Your, Mr. Brock, did take control of your own destiny…but you used it to hasten your own demise. You brought needless attention to yourself, you made powerful enemies that wanted to see you brought down. Who am I to argue? Who am I to argue with a man who clearly has a death wish by tangling with Fate itself?” The Assassin smiles coldly. “Do not fret, Mr. Brock. I shall grant you your wish. Your fate is sealed.”

[Adam Brock]

Sounding Off