"Ticking Down to ... Zero." 02.

[ZƎRO]

ZERO sat motionless in a pitch black room. The only light shines down on him, angled as it is positioned just behind. The camera is also behind him and remains that way. He’s hunched forward, and in his hands he holds his mask. The red, black and white colored mask he’s worn since his return, held in front of him.

“Everything is in jeopardy. The doctors, Miles, Lauren, Issak - they've all told me that I cannot compete at Screamfest. Arianny DeLise has temporarily taken my vision, just like she's taken away things before.

I was rightfully in place for the Absolute Championship opportunity at Deception. Instead I had to restart from the bottom because of her relationship, no matter how brief, with Miles Larsen. She is one of the reasons why everything that I’ve worked for is in shambles. And now with one good eye, I find myself standing on the brink of everything I’ve worked for - slipping through my fingers.

All because of issues I’ve had no control over.”

His words trailed off. His gaze never left his mask. “Everyone has placed their eggs in the Bryce Albright basket. He’s bigger, faster, stronger and better technically. He’s the leader of the Bryce Empire and one of the hottest champions in the company. … All because of Shawn DeLise. Shawn pulled my card, threw it to the floor and made me regain the opportunity that was mine. Shawn kept me down, and now that I’ve climbed my way back up … I have a handicap.

Am I naive to believe that Shawn didn’t tell Arianny to do what she did? Why shouldn’t I believe it? Shawn has threatened my career and held this opportunity above my head this entire time. And what of Bryce? Is he on the DeLise payroll too? It’s public record that Shawn told him to do whatever it takes to see that nothing happened to his wife - but does all of this go further than that? Is Shawn protecting his investment? Is Shawn protecting Bryce?”

Heavy exhale. “When you sit down and think about it, it’s all very convincing. How Bryce was always around Shawn at the exact moment that something happened involving anyone in Larsen Inc. The way Shawn protected him originally by removing me from the title picture in the first place. Shawn DeLise see’s something valuable in Bryce, and he’s protecting his investment in him. But Shawn didn’t expect this…

Shawn didn’t expect that I would claw my way back up the ladder and be in the position that I am. Bryce thought after he humiliated me and helped take out Miles, that I would roll over and play dead. The last thing he expected was for me to step outside my comfort zone and actually compete in the Japanese Deathmatch against my own. The last thing he expected was for my name to be said at the very end of the tournament to determine a number one contender.

…But it happened.” His voice trailed off again. He was now the official Number One Contender and this match has been made a Steel Cage match. “Does being confined with a man bigger and stronger than I intimidate me? No. For where he is bigger, I am faster. Where he is stronger, I hit a hell of a lot harder. Where he is quicker, I am more agile. His weaknesses are my strengths, as my weaknesses are his. In the end it will come down to who will last, and who will outsmart the other - both of which Bryce Albright cannot do.

At Vendetta, I was finally able to get my hands on Bryce for the first time in a sanctioned match - and I had his number. In every aspect, I had him beaten. I knew what he was going to do before he did. I should have finished him off when I had the chance, but I wanted him to suffer. I foolishly failed in achieving that. … Issak missed an attack and hit me instead. Bryce tagged. Arianny stabbed me. I cannot be held responsible for the mishap that was Vendetta.”

His mind was racing, replaying everything that happened. From Issak hitting him, to him giving Bryce the Year ZERO and to Arianny stabbing him. “Bryce feels like he has everything going for him and a one-eyed opponent will be a walk in the park. That arrogance will cost him dearly. His inexperience will play a heavy factor in this, which is his first Cage match I’m assuming. His glass jaw doesn’t do him any favors either. One Absolute Zero kick and his night is over.”

As he stopped, he began to reflect. All of this seemed too familiar to ZERO, as if a similar scenario happened before.

FLASHBACK Lucha Libre Cartel

ZERO and tag team partner, El Rey Suicida were chosen to represent the LLC teaming with representatives from other companies to compete against los Renegados. Should the team of El Rey Suicida, ZERO and Angel Asesino win - ZERO would get a rematch for the Middleweight Championship he lost to los Renegados wrestler; Trev Riddell. ZERO stood in the ring opposite Renegados fighter, Javier Cortez. Javier was climbing back to his feet, ZERO looked to be setting up for the “Absolute ZERO” kick that would finish this young man’s night. Angel Asesino stood in their corner cheering on his partner. El Rey Suicida was also in the ring, climbing to his feet as well after eating a step-up enzuguri from Javier. Once Javier was to his feet, ZERO exploded out of his corner.

Javier turned around just in time to see ZERO charging toward him. Javier used his quickness to dodge the oncoming kick. Javier turned around to see E.R.S. coming to him as well. E.R.S. lunged forward looking for a superkick - one that Javier saw and ducked underneath. El Rey Suicida superkicked ZERO in the back of the head! Stunned, Suicida didn’t notice Javier’s partners enter the ring until he was thrown to the outside. Javier moved to cover ZERO picking up the pin.

After the match, Suicida and Asesino helped pick up ZERO only to be pushed away. Asesino stepped back, but Suicida insisted on talking to his team mate. All that did was ultimately make him the victim of the “Absolute ZERO” kick. With one quick motion ZERO sent a message to his longtime partner. El Rey Suicida cost ZERO his rematch for the championship, and this one action would be the catalyst for a deadlier, more intense ZERO after he severed ties with his alliances.

PRESENT DAY

ZERO pulled his mask over his head, stood and turned to the camera. You could see his right eye covered by a black patch through the eye-hole of his mask. Just before the camera were to cut off, we heard the voice of another man. One that didn't belong to ZERO, Miles, Issak or anyone previously heard.

“You’re more than [NAME WITHHELD]. You’re ZERO. A man blacklisted in Mexico because of the violence inside of you..

…Use it.”