Trust The Process

Opening of Supremacy #80 isn’t anything but the expected first sight, Renascene in the ring. Ace Reeves is dressed as dapper as ever with a smile on his face and Cross is in a suit too just with his bag still over his head as he does so. They’re standing side to side protecting a podium with a microphone on it but more attention grabbingly they’re doing that in front of some massive names sitting down for this conference. From left to right the names in seats are:

Joseph Santos
Cameron Kray
Rhys Matthews
Christian Alvares
Chris Proudfoot

Behind all of them is a seat with a name on it but no butt in it. This seat was intended for Jay Young who didn’t show up for very obvious reasons.

All these names but someone’s missing, the headliner of this whole thing.



That’s until now anyway.

Out he walks dressed as formal as his partners, an expensive watch on his wrist that doesn’t compare to the real gold he cares about which is around his waist. The reaction is negative both because by now the pleasant presentation Lipnick has forged to protect some face has been absolutely stained at this point but also because of how he dismantled Amber Reed a few nights ago. The match that was claimed to be “one of the most anticipated matches in CMV history” ended in only a few short minutes. Does John care? Hell no, he’s smiling like crazy on his way down to the ring while pointing at the award he got for ending the night so early!

After some expected taunting, he steps in the ring and greets his golden boy Ace Reeves with a warm embrace in the form of a hug. When it comes to Cross he does the same thing just a whole lot more awkwardly since Cross just takes it while his eyes are barely present through his paperbag. Doesn’t bother the man that took Robert in though as he then moves on to take his spot at the podium set up in the middle of the ring. He takes a big gulp and places his title on said podium carefully.

John Lipnick:
Welcome.

Not to another transient feller going up here after winning and declaring a new era, some sorta takeover or nothin no no…

Welcome to the first day of a better life.

Y’all that have provided me with trust, those that have not once doubted my abilities, thank you.

She and those that thought I was a lying manipulative snake in man’s clothing that couldn’t survive on my lonesome, could not strive on my lonesome, I forgive you. The greatest well set plan that was ever plotted unfolded before your eyes at Requiem and the shock and maybe disdain you felt toward that moment is what I believe has made us equal. Y’all know me now, ‘Ol Johnny Boy that’s standing well above the people sitting behind him literally and fundamentally above! Step back onto the attractive train that is Lippy because all I did so far was take. 147 days is all it took for me to get this belt, impressive right? I took this belt from an overzealous noirette that wanted everything at once, friends and history with gold. Ran with it for a while despite being overburdened and did wonderful things! Never dare to think I do not respect Amber Reed, however, I respect her limitations too y’know! Got all that weight on her back but that spine could not stand the ton that was awaiting her because I thought it should. The bone shattering pressure of messing with me and me coming back to pay equal, that’s what ended it. Threw the broken gal face first and took what was hers. While it might prove to have been better for her since now she can take nice vacation time after losing to Rayne with no responsibility needed for now, I still TOOK it from her. 147 days of taking doesn’t strike me as morally pure. So I am going to be giving back, the last few individuals didn’t do that. After taking it’s time to play Santa for all these needy kids, that’s what John Lipnick believes in. Trust me, I’m the only person that would willingly allow their moment under the sun to be shared with others.

So how about we take a peaky at em, the roster that I am the head of. Unlike Luger, I don’t follow an ambition of greed that I will fail to succeed on and take things from others more and more to feed my failing ambition. Don’t need Borton to take from others to give to me, I make the opportunities. Let’s take a look into the future and acknowledge the opportunists behind me.

The formerly-dressed Redeemer removes the microphone from its stand and turns around to spread his arms to the obviously hand-picked selections he allowed to intend. He claps his hands at this dream team, pleasantries. Lipnick then points first at the Former Zero G Champion sitting all the way on the start, the Rat In The Hat Joseph Santos who, unlike his peers, looks like he’s actually kinda alright with being here.

John Lipnick:
Joseph Santos, long road here right? Road isn’t done yet, probably isn’t going to be done for a long while with no Suraci but hey! Trust me, I believe you can get up here. Keep note of this though alright? Enjoy the trail and know it well, learn to love it man! Since once you do get up here, you’re going to have to walk it again completely alone this time because John Lipnicks don't lose to people like Joseph Santos. Enjoy the A+ penthouse because you aren’t going to ever own the building and get the racks, no offense intended.

The expression of the alright Joseph Santos becomes very not alright, it becomes caught off guard and annoyed. The audience feels the same, it’s so so clear what he’s doing. Instead of continuing on Santos he moves onto the briefcase holder who’s chuckling at the disarray of another.

John Lipnick:
Cameron Kray! Unlike him, you’re up here. Not pandering to you because I have any positive feelings toward you, know that. Have to make that clear since don’t be forgetful enough to have me remind you what happened last time. All of YOU remember what happened though yeah? Cameron Kray got super grumpy and upset lastime because it turns out John Lipnick didn’t actually want to be friends with him and let him get his ass kicked by Kliq! Who’d expect the sociopath wouldn’t have people gunning to join his friend group?!  For all that ice-cold aura reeking off you I’m not intimidated at all because you are OH so naive. Write this down like Santos since it wouldn’t shock me if you never thought up this situation. You cash in and you manage to put me down, you get this belt. Absolutely beautiful moment however, you immediately have to vacate it and I just win it back. Why? Because I have two established worthwhile thankful boys that would help me individually render every part of your body useless. Don’t think you’re playing a game of chess waiting for the right time to cash in when this isn’t that complicated. You cash in and it isn’t worth it, that’s all it is.

Threats mean nothing to someone that’s arguably the most dangerous competitor in CMV. Kray shrugs and shakes his head before slapping his briefcase a few times, all that was pointless to him. Kray can do whatever he wants.

Next up is Rhys Matthews who-

John Lipnick:
Former. Always going to be former. .

Is immediately walked past by Lipnick.

Next up is the newest signing Christian Alvares which is an unusual inclusion to this whole conference. Despite being an utter rookie, yeah he isn’t going to just let this play out. Alvares stands up calmly out his seat and crosses his arms, staring eye to eye with the Undisputed Champion. No fear in his heart even though he’s standing up to the person that goes to the end of the earth to ruin anyone that tries that. John just stares back, a small grin curling up on his lips. This is a clear challenge, just one Lipnick isn’t going to play into.

John Lipnick:
Come on, really? You’re here for charity, I was going to give you some advice when I walked to you. I’ll forgive you only because I’ll assume this was just you overplaying yourself not underplaying me. Got some ego to you believing Lipnick would have anything to say about you relating to his title I’m guessing? Stood up because you don’t want to “take shit from anyone” or something? I help people that need it little guy, I hurt people when they need it. Out of my heart I invited you here to support your career and you want to be all rebellious about it. Protest during Aftermath because you threw away my hints and tricks. Nice one.

Alvares doesn’t just sit back down, he doesn’t just relax. Instead he remains standing and locked onto The Mastermind with fire in his eyes. Lipnick doesn’t play into other people’s games though, it’s the other way around. Lipnick is the one that walks away from the whole ordeal so he can address the one remaining person that attended this, Chris Proudfoot.

John Lipnick:
Chris Proudfoot! If this was five months ago, you’d be the guy. Had the whole world then you get sent here. Supremacy is better than Crossfire. Let's state the obvious right away there. Tougher competition and while I think you’re one of the top dogs in the company, maybe this isn’t your year. Not to downplay Oxley but you lost to him. That wasn’t expected for someone of your standards, the standards of the guy who won everything last season. You still got it in ya but take some time for yourself first okay? Rebuild the machine.

Proudfoot just doesn’t react and stays in the same pose he’s been in the entire time, his hand holding his head up. Lord knows someone doesn’t need to tell Proudfoot that he’s great nor do they have to tell him that he’s going through a rough stretch simply because Proudfoot will believe he’s God’s Chosen anyway no matter what.

John returns to his podium and with the utmost grace, grips and rests the title on his shoulder.

John Lipnick:
Now all this, all my guests, I appreciate them all coming here. But there’s one person, one magnificent boy I wanna introduce to you all. Someone I would adore if you all gave your applause. THE someone I think deserves more, THE someone I promised something. The someone they call…

CHRIS DIAMOND!

What?

It’s seriously hard to judge if this is some joke or not. Hard to judge if this isn’t just an insult toward Diamond.

But then an overwhelming feeling of worry spreads across the audience.



What is he doing?

Outwalked The Baller in an expensive all white suit, he’s dressed for this. His expression is tired and lifeless and his eyes aren’t daring to look out to the audience, they’re just locked on the ring. The almost asleep it seemed like Robert Cross comes alive in an instant with his head snapping to the entrance ramp to observe “him”. Ace Reeves on the other hand looks slightly bothered by this, jealous even. He attempts to speak to Lipnick but he just completely blows him off in his waiting for Diamond.

When he finally does step through that middle rope, it’s how it constantly is with Lipnick. They’re both on separate sides, clearly signalling they don’t stand on the same alliance but everytime this happens there’s also no opposition from either of them. Chris nods his head to Lipnick and John responds by nodding back. Lipnick places his hand out offering a repeat of what happened weeks ago.

John Lipnick:
I encouraged you to chase the truth and to come to terms with your relationship with Amber Reed. Everyone who was supporting that behavior was supporting a bomb being planted in your brain. The self-destructing prophecy that you fell victim to which was you not taking charge for real, for real real. You were a sidekick and the directors wanted to keep it that way, they wanted what was best for “Reed’s Friend” not what was best for Chris Diamond. I saw you and I was shaken because I couldn’t allow something so disturbing to take place. Just because Chris Diamond sometimes trained with Amber Reed suddenly THAT WAS ALL YOU WERE! They broke you down to just a role man, the co-star to a self centered lead star. Because you just knew her you suddenly were her tag partner. Because you just knew her now all the commentators and news articles would mention that and not you. Trivialized someone that’s so much more than that. I said before that this was the first day of a better life, that includes you.

I will fulfill the promise I made to you and I will help you fulfill all that you could wish for.

Just

Trust me.

Silence so thick it’s impossible to breathe in. Silence so thick even thinking of breaking it feels uncanny. Silence that’s so suffocating that’s only broken by one thing.

The sound of after weeks of torment, a girl’s heart being completely shattered.

Chris Diamond shakes the hand of John Lipnick and turns toward the hardcam. The audience is exploding with disdain but that means nothing right now. All that matters is that now Lipnick raises the hand of Reeves who then raises the hand of Cross but most importantly, Diamond raises the arm of Lipnick.


The FOUR of them pose together as the scene fades to black, moving onto the next segment of the show.