Vin Halsted

AWS - Vin Halsted - The Gods Must Be Crazy ::The scene opens in the jungles and temple grounds of Angkor Wat. Before training begins, Vin Halsted must reach the temple and that journey becomes the first trial. The Cambodian sun crushes him. Every breath feels like steam. His shirt clings to him like a shroud. Vines snag his arms, roots trip him, insects bite relentlessly. Nature tests his patience and resolve. Waist‑deep water, thick with silt. He pushes through, muscles burning, refusing to turn back. He arrives at the temple not triumphant, but stripped down — physically exhausted, mentally raw. Perfect for rebuilding.:: Halsted: No gym in this world or the next can prepare a man to face the most brutal obstacles that he will face besides those found in the most harsh conditions of the outside world, Valhalla. This first part ahas humbled my body and awakened my will to send your gods off to The Elysian Fields. ::Next, the outer courtyards become his training field. Sandbag Carries Across the Causeway: Uneven stones force balance and footwork. Every step is a negotiation. Sprint Between Fallen Pillars: Short bursts of speed in suffocating humidity. Pushups on Hot Stone. The heat radiates through his palms, testing pain tolerance. Shadowboxing Against Tower Walls: His reflection in the stone reminds him of who he used to be and who he must become again. He collapses one evening, staring up at the temple towers.:: Halsted: I’m not done, Valhalla… not even close!! ::The jungle answers with silence but he feels watched, judged, measured. Then, Halsted expands his training into the surrounding jungle.Hill Climbs Through Dense Underbrush:Legs burning, lungs screaming, sweat pouring. Log Carries Over Muddy Terrain Strength meets balance; one slip means starting over. River Resistance Training: Running upstream, water battering his shins. Vine Pull‑Ups: Improvised equipment, primal strength. He stops fighting the jungle. He starts moving with it. His footwork becomes lighter. His breathing steadier. He is becoming dangerous again.:: Halsted: Scarlett sent me here so that I could break myself down to nothing so that I can emerge into something that not even the gods can break. This is something Valhalla, Odin and Ares will never be able to take from me. ::The steep, near‑vertical staircases of Angkor Wat become his ultimate test. Weighted Stair Ascents: Each step is tall, uneven, slick with moss. Halsted climbs with sandbags on his back. Bare‑Handed Climbs: Fingers gripping ancient stone, forearms screaming. Timed Repetitions Up and down until his legs shake uncontrollably.Halfway up, he freezes, the same height where he once fell in the fight that cost him everything. He forces himself upward, step by brutal step. At the top, he stands tall for the first time in years.:: Halsted: What the gods don’t understand is that when a man falls, he has no choice to to force himself back onto his feet. No one can lift the man back up until he finds the will to do so. Charlie and KD have given me that will again and I inturn have released the chaos within KD. No one holds either of us back and that’s when we will stand over the gods in victory. ::Inside the temple’s heart, he trains in silence.Meditation Under Carved Deities: Halsted steadies his mind, confronts his failures.Precision Drills in Narrow Corridors: Footwork, timing, discipline.Strength Training with Fallen Stones: Deadlifts, carries, holds raw, ancient power. At dawn, he performs his entire regimen in one continuous sequence:Jungle run → Moat crossing → Causeway sprint → Stairway ascent → Inner sanctum drills.He finishes at the highest tower, overlooking the jungle canopy. He doesn’t collapse this time.He stands. Breathing steady.Eyes sharp. A champion reborn.:: Halsted: This is the moment that I returned to AWS for, the moment that I reclaim what was taken from me. The gods must be crazy to think they can stop me and KD from attaining our destinies in AWS. This is only the beginning… All Hail!! ::He descends the temple steps with a new gait not the swagger of the man he once was, but the quiet, lethal confidence of someone who has rebuilt himself from the ground up. The world that stole his glory is waiting. And now, he’s ready to take it back.:: Halsted: The gods will be butchered at Survival of the Fittest and KD and I will reign supreme as we send the gods off to the final resting place upon the end of Ragnarok. ::Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - Sins of the Father ::FLASHBACK to a random day during COVID - A Motorola Razr vibrates on a marble top kitchen counter as a little hand reaches to lift it up.:: Caden: Daddy, your phone is ringing. Cranston: Thanks, kiddo. ::Joe Cranston flips open his phone and immediately answers the call.:: Cranston: Hey, Charlie, how have you been? ::A brief pause as two old friends exchange pleasantries.:: Cranston: Yeah, man… It’s been a while. Retirement is great. I’m enjoying my time now that I don’t have to placate any bruised egos after I closed HHW and CWI for the final time. ::A brief pause as two friends reminisce about better times.:: Cranston: Those were good times, but I knew I had bigger responsibilities as a father to Caden after the adoption papers were signed. CWI was no place for a child, ya know? ::The two continue to reminisce as Cranston cackles in response.:: Cranston: Oh, you know, Big Nose has never gotten over the greatest Breakfast Match of All Time! ::The two share another laugh.:: Cranston: What can I say? The kid takes after his Daddy and has a wicked tornado DDT into a cereal bowl. ::The two continue to laugh as Vin Halsted walks into the kitchen of Halsted Manor. He looks a little disheveled as he seems to be shaking off his morning sleep.:: Halsted: Dude… Who are you cackling with this early in the morning? ::Cranston looks up from his cereal bowl.:: Cranston: Speak of the Devil…. ::Cranston sets the phone down on the marble-top kitchen counter next to the cereal bowl while still on the call.:: Cranston: Funny you should ask. Halsted: Oh… I don’t think I like where this is going. ::Cranston shrugs.:: Cranston: Well, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. ::Halsted looks down at the phone and sees a number he recognizes. Then, angrily points at it.:: Halsted: Oh… Absolutely not… I told you to block that damn number. I don’t wanna hear anything that snake has to say. Cranston: I can talk to anyone I want, Vin. Just because Caden and I live at the Manor, doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends with Chuckles. Halsted: ya know, I would think that you’d have more respect for me after you saw what happened in AWS this last time. Cranston: Just hear him out, man. Halsted: No… That guy is dead to me. He asked me to come back to AWS for another surprise return for a stupid ass tournament for his federation’s top prize. I went through two brutal matches to get the finals only for him to swerve me again. He literally handed that fucking title to his step-son for a second time at my expense and then, when I called him out, I got sent on another exile. For what? Cranston: Now, you know you have a temper and you said a lot more than that, but I digress. Chuckles is still my friend and I can talk to him whenever I want. ::With that, Cranston grabs his phone and runs out of the kitchen like a moody teenager.:: Halsted: Whatever… I have better things to do than pacify you. ::Cranston screams back as he exits the kitchen.:: Cranston: How dare you!!! ::Cranston continues the call once he’s out of Halsted’s earshot.:: Cranston: No, you didn’t do anything wrong, Charlie. He’s just still kinda pissed at you, ya know? So what’s this all about? ::Feigel responds with some more apologetic sentiments, then explains everything to Joey. He tells Joey that he has something that he thinks Halsted needs to hear and that it might finally mend the fence between the two old friends. Cranston’s jaw drops as he listens to his friend explain everything.:: Cranston: Well, that certainly could change things between you two fore the better, but I think you two need to sit down and talk it all out. ::Charlie agrees with Cranston, then tells him what he has to offer.:: Cranston: Wo… do you really wanna go there with him? ::Charlie continues to explain that he wants to help his son have the best chances as he starts to break into the business. This rings loudly in Cranston’s ear.:: Cranston: Family is everything, my friend, I know what it’s like to want to help your son with anything that you can within your own power. Let’s have you and the kid over for dinner. ::Charlie sounds relieved in his response, but asks if that would be ok.:: Cranston: Let me worry about him. Besides, this could be fun! ::Cranston sets the time and place for a meeting and Charlie agrees to it. Later that night, Cranston convinces Halsted that they should go out for a big dinner at Signature Room & Lounge at the 95th inside of the John Hancock Center. Cranston encouraged Halsted to wear one of his best suits and Cranston decided to wear his famous orange tuxedo that he had made in honor of Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber.:: Halsted: Dear God… I can’t believe you wore that hideous thing again. I thought I told you to burn it and let me get you set up with my tailor. Cranston: Don’t hate, Vin!! ::Halsted rolls his eyes.:: Halsted: Whatever, why are we here, again? ::Cranston cackles.:: Cranston: I told you… we had some unexpected friends who came into town and I wanted to show them a good time. Halsted: Riiiiight. Cranston: Don’t be like that… I know how much you love this place and I figured they would like it, too. It’s been too long since I released the poison onto CWI but we still have old friends from that time period! Halsted: Yeah… I know how much you love shoving your weird friendship with Gino and Neo in my face so I’m looking forward to seeing those two screwballs again. Maybe we can hit up Sound Bar after this. Cranston: What Bar??? Oh no… we’re too old for that silliness, besides you don’t drink like that anymore, remember? ::Halsted nods in agreement as Cranston wanders off to greet the hostess. Cranston quickly banters a little bit with her before she nods and leads the two men over to their table that overlooks the entire city of Chicago. There they meet two well-dressed men who stand when they approach the table. Halsted’s face immediately turns red upon seeing the older of the two men.:: Halsted: What the Hell is this, Joey? Cranston: I told you… old friends were in town. Halsted: You’re an asshole… you told me that Gino and Neo were in town. Cranston: No, I didn’t. I just let you think that on you’re own. ::Halsted scoffs in disgust as he looks over at Charlie and KD Feigel. The Feigels seem to look a little out of sorts as the tension between Halsted and Charlie can be cut with a knife. Charlie exyends his hand to Vin and Halsted thinks it over for a moment before receiving his handshake.:: Cranston: Whew…now that that’s out of the way… Let’s talk, gentleman. Feigel: Damn, Joe… you still know how to set up a meeting. Cranston: Of course, I do! I may be retired but I still hold the business firmly in my heart and I think this is what’s best for business in AWS. ::The four men sit down and begin to break bread.:: Feigel: Agreed, so let me start… Vin, I’m sorry and you were right about everything. I brought you back with the intention of pushing my stepson over you. He lobbied for it and I caved. I made promises at your expense and I set you up both times. ::Halsted slams his fists on the table.:: Halsted: I knew it… YOU SON OF A… ::Just as Halsted is about to lose his mind, the server rushes over to their table.:: Server: Good evening, gentleman. I was told to ensure that all of you are well-taken care of, so let's start the first course! ::The server waves frantically to cool the tension and has a group of servers rush out with Warm Octopus Salad for each of the men. Joey squeals at the sight of it and Halsted rolls his eyes.:: Halsted: Just eat it, Joe. Cranston: But it’s got those thingies. ::Halsted smirks as Joey pokes the tentacles. Halsted takes a bite and stares down Cranston until he does the same while pinching his nose. Cranston stops chewing then nods in approval. Charlie continues his confession.:: Feigel: Look, I’m sorry, but it was just business, nothing personal. Halsted: Fuck that… It was absolutely personal BOTH times!! You needed my name to put him and your DAMN title over with the Halsted rub. I know for a fact that AWS and you were drowning in debt and you needed me and my name to pull you back up. It was a dirty fucking thing to do and you know it. Feigel: You’re right. I used your name to get asses in seats and to pay the bills. You did that and I owe you one now that AWS is thriving again. Halsted: Yeah, you do… you need to put his head on a platter and serve him up to me like you did for him. Feigel: I can’t do that, Vin. Halsted: then, I don’t know why you’re here because we’ve gotten to this point in conversations before without the truth being said, of course, and we’ve never found a way to get past this, so what’s different now? Feigel: My retirement. ::Crnston nearly choices on his next bite upon hearing these words. Halsted drops his fork.:: Halsted: Excuse me? Feigel: You heard me, Vin… I’m retiring and I want you to be the one to finish it. Halsted: Absolutely not. Feigel: Vin, I’m the reason why your career was derailed from the start and now it’s time for me to make things right. Halsted: That’s bull shit, man. ::The server rushes over with the main course of the Signature Selection Ribeye for each man cooked to each of their preferences that were sent in by Scarlett before their arrival.:: Feigel: Look, I’m not gonna lay down for you, but I’ve decided that I want a Retirement Match with you. If you win, I will retire from being an in-ring performer forever. Halsted: What are the terms? Feigel: We’re gonna lay it all out in the ring and the better man will walk away knowing that they have always been the better man. ::Halsted shakes his finger at Charlie.:: Halsted: That doesn’t work for me, Chuckles… We’ve already done that dance enough times. Feigel: Fine… You get the honor of retiring me, if you can, but you stay far away from my stepson. This match will end the issue and you never bring it up or touch him ever again. Halsted: How does that solve anything? Feigel: i can’t carry thins anymore andit’s broken me. I’m not the man I was and I need you to step in for me as KD steps out of my shadow and into the big bright lights of AWS and beyond. I can’t do it any more and KD deserves to have the best possible partner and mentor I can think of to help him achieve things I can’t do for him. ::Halsted and Cranston look at each other in shock.:: Cranston: Vin… you need to do this. This will finally give you the peace to put the past away and move forward with a new fire lit inside of you. I’ve seen what KD can do and I know you two can take the world by storm, together. That’s why I set this meeting up. It’s time to move forward. Feigel: Please, Vin, don’t let my sins prevent KD from becoming everything I know he can with your help and guidance. I promise that once you come back that the sky’s the limit. Halsted: Ya know, I was looking for a way to finish my story but you and your piece of shit stepson took that from me… TWICE. What makes this any different? Kid Kaos: Because I hate that asshole as much as you do, Vin…. I don’t know any other way to spite him that is coming to you to partner up. It will eat him up inside!! Halsted: Hmm… I like the sound of that! ::Halsted raises a glass and offers a toast to the Feigels and Cranston as they enjoy their incredible meals together while overlooking the greater Chicagoland area for the 93rd Floor. Scene fades to back. END SCENE.:: ::PRESENT DAY - Halsted is scene in-ring with KD at the Halsted Fieldhouse. The two men continue to perfect their new tandem finisher that Margot taught them, the God Butcher. The two continue to work as the cameras zoom in and the two sit down on the ring apron.:: Halsted: That’s it, Kid… keep it coming. Bring everything you got because we need to function as if we were of one mind in this ring when we take on the frat boys, Leon and his little creepy boyfriend, The Baron. KD: Those two have no clue what they landed themselves in. Halsted: No… they sure as Hell do not. Those two little bitches think that cursing and slapping asses makes them tough. Leon wants to show off a title that he never really earned because he never faced me. Anyone who has held the AWS World Championship since I left the first, second, and third time, think they’re valid champions but they’ve only been placeholders until I returned. I’ve won that title three times and it seems like Leon needs a lesson in history. KD: They both do. They think you’re just here to put me over and they will learn how wrong that really is. Halsted: Leon wasn’t even on my radar because he’s just a flash in the pan. He won’t even be champion by the time I decide to set my sights on regaining what I never lost! But now, he wants to dredge up the bodies in my backyard, well… the two butt-buddies are about to find out what happens when you try to play gangster with us. They wanna talk about desert burials, but the only funeral they’re attending is their own right here in my hometown of Chicago. I can make a call and have some special shoes made for a nice boat ride on Lake Michigan. KD: Nah… we don’t have to make that call because we’re gonna bury them right in the middle of The United Center in front of the entire AWS Universe. Halsted: Fair enough… I’ll show them who the real dogs are when I shred them into pieces like Cerebus. I made him my bitch during my exile and I’ll do the same to them. The BLM will fall at our hands and then you’ll take everything from Leon because you let him off easy in that draw last time. Show him why you are the second-coming of the only kind of Hell a Feigel can serve up. KD: It’ll be my pleasure, Vin. Together we are unstoppable and there’s nothing they can do about it. Kaos will be served! Halsted: That’s all I need to hear because I’m gonna take care of the Baron for you. Leon is nothing without his back-up and the Baron is nothing more than a waste of human trash. I’m gonna flush him down with a Halsted Hangover and I’ll leave Leon’s scraps to you for the finish but before we go. I need to address the elephant in the room, now that Leon and He Who Shall Not Be Named opened their mouths and opened the door to the past sins of the father. ::KD nods.:: Halsted: the punishment is that yo will never get what you want. You had your chance at a fair dance and you blew it so you need to live with that forever. I know it burns you up inside but I have the final say and here it is: NEVER again… Bend the fucking knee and move the fuck on because Austin versus Hogan will never happen so let that keep you up at night as you cry into your pillow you fucking piece of shit. You low-life fucking heat… we all know you could never beat me on your best day without it being handed to you just like every title you have ever held. You never earned anything on your own and you never will. Let that sink in for you and for that false champion, Leon. ::KD and Vin stare down the cameras as they fade to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - Solving the Riddle of the Sphinx ::As Halsted sits quietly behind his presidential desk in his study within the Halsted Labyrinth, a phone rings. He picks up the phone and listens to the voice on the other side of the phone.:: Halsted: Halsted speaking. ::Voice continues.:: Halsted: I have to be honest. I never thought this call would ever happen but I appreciate it and I’ll be happy to make my return. It’s been long overdue and I can’t stand having unfinished business. We all know what happened and how it caused my plight. I look forward to righting this wrong and finally claiming what it mine there. ::Voice concludes the conversation.:: Halsted: I look forward to it. Thank you. ::Halsted ends the call, then receives a message from Scarlett concerning his upcoming match at AWS Holiday Hall against The Sphinx Drake Nygma in Candy Cane Deathmatch. Scarlett follows up by letting Halsted know that Nygma has already broken his silence on the AWS programming about their upcoming match. Halsted opens his ASUS Laptop and opens AWS website. He leans back and watches everything available about Nygma, then watches the latest post about their match. Halsted strokes his wild beard, pulls back his feathered hair, then leans forward as he closes the laptop.:: Halsted: So, the Riddler has spoken, and I’m just supposed to spring into action like Adam West? Nah… not this time. See, that would have been something I would have done in years past when I was in HHW, Cwi, or even in my first run in AWS, but not anymore. I don’t just take bait blindly, anymore. ::Halsted takes a breath and stares out into the darkness of the Halsted Study.:: Halsted: It’s funny how drawn out your little video was but you had very little to say. All you could do is try to regurgitate what was already known about me. I was actually quite entertained by how much you assumed you knew about me as if you have been in my life this whole time. However, you simply made an ass out of yourself because you know nothing about me but here’s what I know about you. ::Halsted leans back and smirks.:: Halsted: You are nothing but a backstage kissass who apparently doesn’t have his own home because you walk around AWS arenas and use their training facilities at any time of the day. Funny… I had no idea the arenas continue to stay open and have random rookies just hanging around after we leave for the next city. Nor did I know that AWS even had a training facility, but hey, good on you for putting those places to use. I prefer to use my own home and training facility that I designed myself. ::Halsted folds his arms and shifts his weight in his chair.:: Halsted: Now, you want to talk about my dwelling at Halsted Manor and how I use the Halsted Fieldhouse. You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last to try to find some sort of fault of my own that I use these places rather than bore the AWS Universe with some sort of appearance in an AWS ring, backstage, or any other AWS facility because it honestly makes no sense to do so. Is AWS and all of its facilities open twenty-four seven with a live crowd? No, so why would anyone try to make us believe that it is. However, you forgot to mention my personal jet and my car service while you tried to insult me for taking care of the people closest to me. ::Halsted begins to glare with daggers in his eyes.:: Halsted: You made the biggest mistake of your life by trying to evaluate me, Sphinx, especially when you tried to bring my family into this. Mr. Han may be my butler but he is the man who stepped in when I needed a father figure. My mother is well taken care of and has always been in my life. I just choose to keep her out of this world for many reasons like the one you brought up. You have no business even trying to mention her and for that I will personally remove her from your mouth with one of the very many little toys that will be at ringside for me to surgically dissect you. ::Halsted snarls.:: Halsted: You claim that you feel nothing but deep down you and I both know that isn’t true. Michael Myers, Freddy Kroeger, Jason Vorhees… you are not and I’m going to prove it to you and the entire AWS Universe when we get to start Holiday Hell as the first match of the night. No one will be able to follow the brutality and mayhem that will ensue during our match, Drake, for I will solve the riddle of the Sphinx in front of everyone then vanquish you from AWS. You have something that doesn’t belong to you, by the way. ::Halsted points outward.:: Halsted: Let me ask you what legacy means to you. What qualified you to hold the title I created? Were you ever a world champion in any era of AWS? Did you ever have to earn your top spot by taking on anyone and everyone while beating each challenger? Are you in any Halls of Fame or are you in the Circle of Legends? Did you give your entire being to AWS? Did you give your blood, life, and tears to this place? Were you ever so good that other competitors had to find a way to get you removed from here? No… you haven’t earned that title. You didn’t even beat me for you, so you are just another paper champion holding something that doesn’t belong to you. You have not, nor will you ever, earn that Legacy Title because it belongs in the hands of those who built the foundation of this company. You’re simply a stand-in and still dusting off your rookie stench. ::Halsted smiles.:: Halsted: Lucky for you, I’m gonna help you remove that rookie stench by putting pain and fear into your miserable existence. I’m going to break you down into dust then sweep you right out of AWS. I am the greatest talent AWS has ever seen. I never had to be political to get what I wanted here, I simply earned it by outworking everyone. Look around, Riddler, where are those legends who walked back in every time a new title was conceived? Where are the ones who thought they should get what they wanted without actually earning it? Where are the ones who couldn’t find a way to beat me in the ring so they pushed for my exile? They are all gone and what they created in me is nothing that you think you know. Halsted leans forward, again, with purpose.:: Halsted: I have and always will be the standard-bearer, the flag-bearer of AWS. You’re a fly-by-night who just showed up to this party while I was being forced into exile. I waited at the gates of AWS, starving for the opportunities punks like you took without actually having to fight for them. You’re just like those who came before you. You fear having to actually put effort into anything and skate through others while sucking on brass’s teets. I’m gonna ruin each and every one of you who think politicking gives you everything without actually earning it. I’m not sitting back and letting everyone else get their turn. I’m taking every opportunity as my own and I will be the Unified AWS World Heavyweight Champion again. I’m not sitting and waiting this time because I have something to prove to each and every one of you who thought I should just go off into the sunset and call it a career. I’m not chasing my final curtain call any more because I plan on conquering everyone and everything in my way. Halsted smirks.:: Halsted: ECWF called and they have extended an olive branch. It’s something I thought would never happen, but you know what, Sphinx? I’m gonna show you, AWS, ECWF and the rest of the world the rage that has been built inside of me ever since the ECWF owner wronged me, Enforcer and Fiegle. I’m taking everything back and no one can stop me. The Reign of Terror will finally become a reality and it starts with you, Riddler!! You have no idea what you just stepped into and I’m gonna can take your fake ass psychology degree and shove deep down your throat with a fucking candy cane wrapped in barbed wire. They’re gonna wire your mouth shut and you’re gonna rethink every word you spewed out of your mouth about me, my life, and my family. I’m gonna introduce you to a whole new move setlist that you can’t read up on and think I’ll be doing against you. You will feel pain for the first time and you will know to fear me from now on. ::Halsted laughs maniacally.:: Halsted: Welcome to the new Era of Halsted, AWS… Just remember that you created this monster and now it has been set free to tear the entire everything you ever knew about AWS and rebuild it the way I see fit. It all starts with the Riddler and I will say when it ends. The Iconic King rises from the ashes once more! All hail, Halsted!! ::Scene fades to black. The next scene opens with Halsted sitting quietly in the Mystical Hot Tub. He closes his eyes and reminisces about his time in ECWF. He thinks about the way he entered after being warned by Cranston not to agree to go there. He remembers the feeling of trust he had with the owner and the contract details. Feigle and Enforcer would join him and they were excited about the opportunities that were promised to them. They would create a formidable faction and quickly took the Trios Championship into their possession. Everything was moving according to plan until they went on to chase the tag titles. Momentum stalled and they began to question their decision to join ECWF so they tried to have a sitdown with the boss. The meeting didn’t go the way they thought it would and things got so heated that the three legendary combatants decided to end their contracts. Heated words continued to be thrown and Halsted was the one who suffered the worst of it. Halsted went from being the most sought after talent in the history of the business to being the biggest pariah it had ever seen. The phones at Halsted Manor began to be silent and Halsted would simply wander the halls of Halsted Manor as if he were a zombie, void of purpose. Time passed and Halsted simply faded into the void. Then one day, a new trainer named Margot, made the acquaintance of Scarlett and Angelina’s yoga studio. They quickly became close friends and Scarlett decided it was time to introduce Margot to Halsted. Margot decided to speak with him but she brought plans with her. She pitched the eventual building of Halsted Fieldhouse and Scarlett made a call to Charlie Feigel to say that Halsted may be ready for a return to the ring. Everything felt like it was falling into place and Halsted seemed to have found a sense of healing. However, Feigel was persuaded to swerve Halsted and use him as a means to put over an undeserving lowlife who couldn’t find his way out of a paperbag let alone a wrestling ring. This history causes a burning rage in Halsted that cannot be put out. With all of those memories burning inside of Halsted’s mind, the waters of the Mystical Hot Tub begin to fizz, bubble, and quake as Halsted opens his eyes with a red glow forcing its way through.:: ::END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - Purgatory ::There is a place where lost souls go when they refuse to move on to their judgement. The refusal comes from a desire for a final resolution that went unfulfilled. This is beyond the reaches of an exile and this goes further beyond death. They are simply stuck in a tortured state and there is an immeasurable amount of anger. No matter how hard they try, they just can’t move on. This is the beginning of a descent into madness and rage. A constant and endless cycle of pain and suffering. This is Purgatory. “Why would anyone go to purgatory? To be cleansed, for “nothing unclean shall enter [heaven]” (Rev. 21:27). Anyone who has not been completely freed of sin and its effects is, to some extent, “unclean.” Through repentance they may have gained the grace needed to be worthy of heaven. This is to say, they have been forgiven and their soul is spiritually alive. However, that’s not sufficient for gaining entrance into heaven. They must be cleansed completely.” So, there he is a soul unsatisfied, a king without a crown, and a man without a purpose. This is how immortality rewards a legend who will not just accept an end to his legacy without the opportunity to end it on his terms. Vin Halsted finds himself stuck between unfinished business and the postponement of unreached glories. He has had to sit on the sidelines too many times over while watching former foes and new faces steal his glories and his opportunities. For far too long, Halsted has been forced into Purgatory for far too long and he stands ready at the gate when it’s time for his release. It starts with a whisper…:: Whisper: Halsted… Halsted… ::Halsted is found sitting in a throne-like chair in his hidden study deep inside of the Labyrinth of Halsted Manor.:: Whisper: Halsted… You no longer have to send the souls of your victims to The Ferryman. You are free of your debt to him. You will now take the souls of those who have wronged or stepped over you for yourself. You will gain strength from each victim you put down as you are an Immortal, The Iconic King. You have fulfilled your prophecy and now it’s time for you to take everything that is owed to you in AWS and beyond. ::Halsted leans forward as a new fire has been lit in what was a cold, desolate fireplace within him. He has sat motionless in his throne for far too long. His beard has become wildly untamed, think and almost majestic. His hair has grown into a free-flowing, wild, lion’s mane. He feels a hunger like he has never felt before but he feels stronger than he has ever been. He stands up from the throne and makes his way to the Halsted Fieldhouse. He turns the lights on for the first time in months and steps into the Mystic Hot Tub that was gifted to him by Necra. He sits into the waters and allows the water to heal his stiffness that he has allowed to settle in since having to step away from his last run in AWS. He attained his rightful place on top but the usual jackals forced their will and had him exiled, again. In his mind, this would be the last time as he proved that he can reign over any era of AWS but the mention of “beyond” was what woke him from his latest stay in Purgatory. He leans back, closes his eyes, beatles the steam in deeply, and lets the water work its magic.:: The Whisper: I am coming to you and I’m opening the door to your cage to free you once again. This time, there is no leash, and you may proceed with the utter destruction only you are capable of on your own free will. You don’t owe me or anyone else anything but you may find that my cause is a very honorable one. You will rise from the ashes, once again, and you will take all of the glory for yourself. For the ones who wronged you or stepped over you will finally get what they deserve. You are an uncrowned, unbeaten champion. It’s time for you to remind AWS who you are, again. No one will be safe and no one will escape unscathed. ::Halsted sits back and allows the words of The Whisper settle into his mind. He is an animal that has starved too long and suffered too much. A smile comes across his face as he realizes that his time for retribution has finally come. He opens his eyes and peers through the steam of the mystical Hot Tub.:: The Whisper: I must warn you that past allies may become new enemies so beware of who you trust. You will have to face Necra. I want you to make her an example. Show AWS what why you are the greatest talent that has ever walked through its doors. ::Halsted leans forward and responds to The Whisper.:: Halsted: Necra, I’m sorry that this has to be done but you are standing in my way. I need to show you what kind of monster you helped create so that the rest of the AWS locker room understands what they will be facing. I am in your debt for your hand of helping me find immortality but with it comes a price. That price I will share with you at Ward this week. The Asylum is about to be put on notice that their beloved King has returned to take his rightful place. The Whisper: When you put Necra down, you will gain your first piece of hardware as the inaugural AWS Vanguard Champion. That will just be the start as destiny will lead you back to the top of AWS. You will regain the World Championship that was unjustly taken from you three times and you will hold it longer than you initially did. Do you remember the year you reigned over AWS? Halsted: Of course I do. No one could step up to me as I continued to level up while reigning as champion for a year. If I wasn’t forced into exile, then I would still be champion today. Hence, why I was able to take it two more times and no one could stop me. No one could take it from me in competition, but I’ve learned that there are some don’t have the courage to actually face me and dare to take championships from my grasp. Then, there are others who have taken those titles thinking they earned it but they never faced me for them. Those are false champions and placeholders. They will feel my wrath, as well. The Whisper: Today you rise from the ash and tomorrow you begin to burn the Asylum down. Welcome back, King. ::Halsted sits back and folds his hands.:: Halsted: It’s time to right the wrongs and return to my place on top of everything. Bow down to your King, Necra, the rest of AWS will follow. ::Halsted smirks as the scene fades to black. END SCENE.:: com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.kix.editors.clipboard?uuid=b58c6652-ad58-4506-a7c0-1cb659642513 com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.kix.editors.clipboard?uuid=f0e83a54-84f8-436d-bebd-583ae6fc631a com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.kix.editors.clipboard?uuid=755c7d23-881a-486c-a546-8f80a9d811d0 com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.kix.editors.clipboard?uuid=90aafbdc-95ce-4e74-a631-b0dec84bafba

AWS - Vin Halsted - Proving Ground ::Seen opens with Halsted sitting in front of a mirror in his master bedroom of Halsted Manor. For the first time in his life, he has been forced to face his motivation, direction, and mortality. He has spoken to his closest friends and family. He carefully weighs all of their advice and has come to the realization that it is time to move past the crossroads that he now faces.:: Halsted: It’s just you and me, now. It’s time we sat across from each other, looked each other in the eye, and had this chat. You and I both know that we faced the Darkness and found the Light. Now that has come to pass, we have to come to terms with what is next for us. So, what do you want to do here? ::Halsted stares into the mirror as if he is expecting a response.:: Halsted: I know I won’t get a response from you, but we need to come to an understanding so that we can move forward. I don’t have time to sit around and wait but this needs to be done. Time is not on our side no matter how many times we sit in the Mystical Sauna the grains of sand continue to fall in the hourglass. Our legacy is at stake and questions of my talents are in full swing. ::Halsted shifts his weight forward while staring into the mirror.:: Halsted: As much as I want to believe that I am timeless, I know that an end will come for me, but I have the power to choose how I want it all to end. I wanted to do right by him but I knew the timing wasn’t right. I had to lay the Legacy Championship down because I didn’t want to be the guy who didn’t know when or how to let it go. It wasn’t the right time but I needed to step away and find my purpose again. I know what I want and I know how this will end for me but I was spinning my tires. I needed to get myself unstuck. It seems as though I climb the ladder and reach a certain rung, but it all comes crashing down just when I think I’m going to make it to the absolute top of the ladder. ::Halsted looks around the room then back at the mirror.:: Halsted: There is nothing more that I want but to prove that I can still run through anything and everyone in IKON while reigning supremely as the longest, greatest champion the Network has ever seen or will ever see. I have always wanted to prove that no one is my equal and that there will never be another champion like me. At one time, I proved that, but there were others after me who couldn’t let that stand. They have done everything in their power to piss all over that legacy so I had to return and show the entire company that I am who I have always been. I was so close to that, but somehow Daron Smyth found a way to steal that final run from me. I began to question my very existence and why the Light led me to that pinnacle, only to watch me fall from the very summit I was supposed to stand, tall on as the Elite Champion. A championship I helped manifest and I was destined to set the bar as the first of its kind. It was to be my swan song. I was going to take all challengers and show the entire roster what it takes to be the greatest champion but it was snatched away as he pulled it down from the ladder and held it over me. The rematch was just an added insult to injury when he walked away with it cleanly. Then the marks started to talk about how I was never gonna let anyone else take a run with the Legacy Championship so I did what was right and relinquished it. ::Halsted stares into the mirror as if he is expecting a response.:: Halsted: So here we are… where do we go from here? Well, The Enforcer said that even Vin Halsted can’t do everything alone. Joey and Mr. Han both agreed so I sat down with Margot and Scarlett to talk about what I need to do and who to turn to. We quickly realized that our list had grown very short as most everyone on the list was either retired or enjoying their final resting place. Then, one name came up and it was a familiar one… Feigel. Not the one that went to war with me and against me, but the one that I watched go from crawling on all fours to an unwavering machine of brutality, desire, and determination. ::Halsted smiles at the mirror and waits for a reaction that will never come.:: Halsted: KD… Kid Kaos brings a refreshing new spirit to me that I thought was long since lost to me and The Enforcer was right in telling me that I need someone to remind me of who the fuck I am. KD has laid the gauntlet down for me and now I need to step it up. I’m about to rise from the ashes and return to the glory that is rightfully mine through his Kaos as my motivation. He reminded me that I am the only one who can enter the hurricane, thrive in its eye and come out better than I was before. Our showdown with the Tyler family will not just be our beginning but it will be our proving ground. For KD, it’s his opportunity to step out into the Light and show the world just what he can really do with me in his corner and I will return to my roots of simply being the Juggernaut I have always been. ::Halsted snarls at the mirror.:: Halsted: We are walking into this because we are going to show the Network that it owes us everything we are about to take, unlike the Tyler family who is just happy to be here and accept any and all nepotistic achievements that they are given. When will these novice little peons realize that hanging out in their locker rooms or in the backstage area is for the developmental talents, ring rats, and ring crew? I’m so tired of having to show them how this is really done so now I’m taking the Kaos to them. They will either step up, step aside, or get stepped the fuck on. We will never be happy with just being status quo, because we are and always have been the measuring stick of IKON. So, playtime is over and we are taking it all whether the Network likes it or not. I have and always will be the one true IKON and its standard-bearer. The Iconic KIng will never be denied again. All hail the Kings of Kaos!! ::Halsted leaps to his feet, shoves the chair back as hard as he can, then grabs the mirror and smashes it to pieces while mouthing “Never again!!”. Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 5: Fade In, Fade Out ::As Halsted walks out of the AWS cage, he shakes his head and shrugs. He points out into the AWE Universe then puts his hand out for a microphone while signaling for the backstage crew to cut the final playout music. The crowd is shocked by this, and the arena is completely silent.:: Halsted: This is one thing I never do because it’s the most uncreative thing a talent can do but there’s no better place to do this here and now. I want to talk about me, the real Vin, and not the character all of you have either loved or hated. I want to talk about the guy who loves this business and the guy who has done anything and everything to make it a better place for everyone in the back. ::Halsted sits down in the middle of the ring, cross-legged.:: Halsted: The one thing I care most about this business is making it fun for everyone, making sure everyone gets a chance, and helping make our stories make sense because this is professional wrestling, and we need to make you care about us. It isn’t about a match; it’s about a story and us telling that story in front of all of you to be invested in us. If we can’t do that, then why are we here and why are you watching us? ::Halsted shrugs and looks around.:: Halsted: I have always wanted to just tell my story and then when it was done, I wanted to move on. I thought I finally found my opportunity this time around in AWS to do that when I met Matt Wilson. We sat down and plotted out an incredible outline for a story that we thought the AWS would love to see unfold. However, the story had expectations that I had to live up to. I had to earn it like how Tom Hanks’s Captain Miller tells Matt Damon’s Private Ryan to do so just before he dies on the bridge. The story was gonna be an epic and my final opus. I was going to climb the ladder in AWS and take the Elite Championship and the Legacy Cup while leading the group of Darkness. Once I did that, I would run with it as best as I could for as long as I could until one of my group members turned on me. I would lose the Elite Championship and the Legacy Cup which would force me to retire because the Legacy Cup Champion has to retire once they lose it. That was our deal as that was why the AWS Legacy Cup was created. Charlie, Matt, Necra, and I all agreed that was our way to finally end our stories the way we wanted to go out. ::Halsted hangs his head.:: Halsted: The plan was to have Halsted come back because I was forced to retire under extenuating circumstances. I would then fight the good fight, put over the next generation and leave the way I was intended to leave. However, one thing we didn’t see happening was Matt’s passing. So, I did the only thing I could do, I changed the story out of respect to Matt. Except, Creative couldn’t get on the same page with me. No matter how hard I tried to shift the story, they kept ignoring what I was doing. First, they sent me home for two months, then they had me “feud” with TJ. I seriously beat him six times in a row, and I know all of you felt the same boredom I did. Then they were just gonna have me float around more while putting TJ in title matches, he didn’t earn. They even gave him the Global Title and I had to stand up for myself and say how that made no sense. How does a guy lose six times only to win one of the top titles afterwards? ::Halsted shakes his head.:: Halsted: So, yeah, I beat him again and took the title that was rightfully mine. I set up the match at Zero Day to be a unification match and told the story to make it a ladder match. I gave the world a New Years’ Eve Championship Celebration and told the story of how the Light led me to that place. My opponent simply gave you a boring backstage segment after he won the AWS Heavyweight Championship. Personally, I thought my story was more compelling but hey I can accept a defeat. However, the rematch was the same result as Zero Day, but I put my blood sweat and tears into my response to his little clipart show. I guess I’m just a relic of a different era. I just don’t think I’m welcomed here nor does the talent in the back need me around to push them to be better. ::Halsted stands up and points to the Matt Wilson Legacy Cup and calls for it to be brought into the ring. The crew guys grab it and bring to Halsted. He hoists it up with his right hand and points to it with his left.:: Halsted: This cup is the meaning of the end for a legend, but I’m not at the end of my road. I’m just at a point where I don’t have a story to tell for my ending but Creative and I just aren’t working out. I need some time away and I’m gonna leave for now. Maybe in time I will find my story-ending and comeback to tell it. ::The crowd continues to be hushed but random gasps are heard throughout the Crow’s Nest.:: Halsted: And for that reason, I’m not ready to do what Matt and I had planned for my final sunset, so with that in mind. I’m gonna just put it right here in the middle of this ring and say this: This isn’t goodbye, it’s just I’ll see you down the road sometime. Until then, there are others back there who are looking to tell their last story and deserve to do so with this as their final goodbye, but you have to EARN it. Nothing is handed out to people just because it’s a new shiny toy and they want it because they haven’t had it yet. Tell the story and make it great, Matt is watching so make him proud. ::Halsted sets the AWS Matt Wilson Legacy Cup in the middle of the ring as the cage rises above. Scene fades to black as Halsted walks out of the Crow’s Nest. He puts up a middle finger and mouths two names of Creative. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 5: Every Second Counts ::The scene opens with Halsted putting a note on the GE Cafe 27.8 cu ft. Smart 4-Door French-door Refrigerator in Platinum glass. He walks out and heads down to the Halsted Theater. About ten minutes later, Joe Cranston enters the kitchen with Caden and sees the note. He pulls it down and reads it.:: Cranston: Oh my God… It’s happening!! It’s HAPPENING!! ::Caden looks up at his father with a puzzled look, then shrugs and sits down at the kitchen table to wait for his usual breakfast of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Joe starts running around the kitchen as he rushes to feed his son, then looks around for Mr. Han. Joe spots Mr. Han as he makes his way into the kitchen for a morning coffee.:: Cranston: Mr. Han… Mr. Han…. It’s HAPPENING!! Mr. Han: I will see you in the theater, Master Cranston. ::Mr. Han grabs his morning coffee mug and fills it with Espresso from the Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine with Grinder. The brown liquid pours from the machine and swirls into his cup then ends with its rich foamy finish. The aroma infiltrates Mr. Han’s nostrils and his eyes slightly widen as a smile appears on his face. He turns and nods to Cranston as he walks out of the kitchen towards the Halsted Theater. He walks into the video room and starts up the audio/visual system for viewing. He finds the video that he’s to show. Meanwhile, Cranston walks into the theater to find Vin Halsted waiting for his friend to arrive. He’s holding the largest tub of popcorn imaginable and it’s in the shape of a bust of the Incredible Hulk. Cranston sees that Halsted has already eaten a good amount of popcorn. Cranston takes a seat next to his long-time friend as he finds an obscenely large, limited edition Captains America cup filled with Coca-Cola and a small amount of ice. Halsted smirks and puts his hand up to let Mr. Han that they were ready to watch. Mr. Han nods and pushes play as the curtain rises. The projector begins to whiz and whir as the video begins to flicker on the screen.:: Cranston: Oh… This is gonna be good!! Halsted: Yeah… we’ll see. ::The film opens with Daron Smyth’s voiceover as he explains the events that led to his decision to walk away from wrestling 12 years ago. Cranston giggles as he reminisces about how he was a fed owner at one time and how he would cause chaos with his talents’ lives just for the good of the show. Halsted leans forward to watch everything Smythe is about to show the world. They watch as the events at the Sportatorium in January 2012 unfold. The two friends gasp at times, giggle at other moments, and sigh heavily while rolling their eyes. The scene ends and Daron Smythe appears to summarize his feelings about how and why he will continue fight through the trauma he’s suffered.:: Cranston: That can’t be it. There’s gotta be more, right? Mr. Han, please tell me there’s more to this captivating movie!! Mr. Han: I’m sorry, Master Cranston, but that’s the end of the film. Halsted: What kind of shit is this? Cranston: I mean… That’s not exactly how I would put it, but I see your point. How is this the guy to lead AWS into the new era? Halsted: I had to really think about that while he walked out of The Crow’s Nest with everything, I worked for the last several months. I thought I did everything right leading up to Day Zero, but I still can’t figure out where I went wrong. I, literally, Put the entire thing in motion as I tried to clean up AWS by sorting things out, staying consistent, following the Light’s direction, and pushing to get fair divisions. I gave the match stipulation, and I made the AWS Universe care about The Light and Vin Halsted. The stage was set, the food was prepared, and all I had to do was climb my last climb. Then, this guy walks in and takes credit for everything. Cranston: Where did he even come from? Halsted: Apparently, he took us from being a guy who didn’t know how to keep his dick in his pants to a guy who quit when he was in his rookie year. Do we really care why or what brought him back, let alone his little temper tantrum when a fed owner messed with one opportunity? Cranston: I don’t get it, at all. This is professional wrestling, and we’re supposed to care. I care even less about this guy than before, so then how did he get one over you? Halsted: I think I’ve come to the realization that Chuckles will always just string me along. Maybe he’ll throw me a bone once in a while just to take it from me in the end. I’m honestly sick and tired of it. He’s strung me along for the last time and his new champion is gonna pay for it. Cranston: What are you thinking about doing,,,,,,,, Vin? Halsted: It’s time to lock him inside with the animal that I have inside of me. This won’t be a simple cage match, though. This will be the ending that I need to either move forward or start to consider an ending for myself. I have bled, sweat, breathed, and lived in this world of professional wrestling for a long time. I never left it under any guises but my own. This is my world and my life and it’s time I showed AWS what lengths I’m willing to take in order to reach the absolute top of the mountain. Cranston: I have been telling you for so many years to make every second count. You have to make every punch, kick, swing, slam, dive, and throw count. You have to push this guy to the very limits and make him bleed buckets to show him and the rest of the roster just who the Hell you are and what it takes to be the Elite Champion that you are. Halsted: He took something that is mine and barely even recognizes that. He’s too busy worrying about who's next and that simply pisses me off to no end. He is not my equal and he sure as Hell isn’t someone above me. I’m gonna make damn sure Chuckles sees just how bad he fucked up by putting this waste of space in the spot he’s in. He doesn’t deserve it and barely does anything a rookie would do. Seriously, post-match interviews, watching old film that no one cares about, and barely spends any time talking about why he is competing or who he’s facing. I’m gonna tear him limb from limb. Cranston: Where in the Book of Light does it say to do that? Halsted: We’re out of the book this time, my friend. I have to go back to a place where I simply shred anyone and everyone who stands in my way. The sands of time keep falling and there’s only so much time for me to do what I was made to do. Cranston: I remember a time when you would be willing to do anything to hold the HHW Championship. You were so brutal that the rest of the guys were asking me not to put them in the ring with you. They would complain about the beating that you would hand out, but the show had to go on. I had to keep booking going to keep putting butts in seats to keep the lights on. Halsted: I had to deal with one guy who did the bare minimum and kept coming back for more but this time it won’t keep coming back around. A statement will be made in The Crow’s Nest. I’m going to spill more blood than ever before and I’m gonna dish out more pain than Daron has ever experienced in his short little career. He seems to think that having a fed owner prey on him was traumatic, then he needs to strap in because that cage will be his final testament of pain. He committed a terrible crime at Zero Day by taking what was mine and I’m gonna make him suffer for that stolen valor. A valor that was mine to take and he stole it from me as I laid on the canvas and watched. He was a paper champion in PWX and he’s a paper champion in AWS. He doesn’t deserve nor did he show anyone that he earned anything anywhere. ::Cranston was immediately reminded about an epic temper tantrum that Al Laiman threw when Halsted finally instead him as HHW Champion.:: Cranston: Do you remember when you beat Al? Halsted: I sure do… He threw a fit and quit that night but at least he had the decency to fight me for the title. Daron cried about the PWX promoter and his sister messing with him to the point where he quit. He's a weak little bitch that's nothing and nobody. He doesn’t even deserve to be sent to Midcard Hell. His reign as Elite Champion will be less notable than Finn Balor as the Universal Champion. I have his hospital bed reserved already, and he’ll spend more time with his jaw wired shut than he will as champion. Cranston: You need to end this before it becomes something more. Maybe it’s time you showed the world the pain. The real pain! Halsted: What do you suggest? Cranston: Do you remember what you did to Ashley Slade when they locked the doors to Twisted Metal? Halsted: I beat her to within an inch of her life as her husband had to just stand outside and watch it happen.: I smashed her face repeatedly with that barbed-wire chair and nearly crippled her when you threw her through the top of the cage onto the plate glass window below. The only reason why she survived was because her husband found a way to pull her out just as I was about to finish her off for good. Daron won’t have that kind of luck, and this will be the end of him. Cranston: I remember that. You showed the world the long-lost Happy Chair, that night!! Maybe you should take it out of storage and bring it to the Crow’s Nest. Halsted: I love that idea… Daron wants to talk about his trauma but maybe it’s time I showed him what trauma really is. Especially considering how he wants to talk about my father’s murder. I’ll do to him that I have pictured myself doing to the man who killed my dad. This time I’ll leave the cage when I see fit. He will be carried out on a gurney. That title was supposed to be mine at Zero Day but now I’m gonna just take it as I planned on doing then. Cranston: That's the Vin I remember. ::Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 4 - A Reflection of New Year’s Light ::Scene opens in the Signature Room at the 95th located atop the former John Hancock Center at 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The room has been reserved for a small party to watch the fireworks display over Lake Michigan while reigning in the new year. The small group of people who are dressed in their best Ballroom attire walks into the room and they each marvel at the sights of the city. Caden peaks behind his father, Joey Cranston as he seems a little nervous to be so high up. The ladies of Halsted Manor stick together as they peer through the windows while Mr. Han and Vin Halsted smile and look on. A few minutes later the maitre d walks into the dining room to gather everyone at the main table in the center of the Signature Room.:: Maitre D: Welcome everyone to the Signature Room. Thank you for choosing to dine with us on such a special occasion. We have an exclusive menu for each of our special guests. Caden: Even me? Maitre D: Even for you, young sir. ::Caden turns to Joey and mouths “wow”. Joey nods approvingly.:: Scarlett: Alright, everyone gather around for a toast. Vin, the floor is yours. Halsted: Thank you, Scarlett, and thank you to all of you for being here. I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for all of you. Now, I’m standing on top of the world as the AWS Global Heavyweight Champion. ::Everyone gives a soft clap. Halsted nods to everyone and continues.:: Halsted: That’s only part of our celebration because Mr. Han informed me that everyone in the Halsted Manor has been able to experience what the Book of Light has to offer. I’m proud of all you and so happy that all of you have taken this step with me. I think this is the greatest thing to happen to the Halsted Manor and to our family of misfits. ::The small group turns and nods to each other.:: Halsted: With the readings of the Book of Light and the Mystical Hot Tub, we have all been able to experience years of pain fade away and have old injuries repaired. It’s as if we had 20 years of life restored to us. Margot: Maybe 20 for you, Vin. Some of us are younger than you. ::The group chuckle amongst themselves.:: Mr. Han: Well, Miss Margot, I certainly had more than 20 years given back to me because of the Light. ::Mr. Han takes a slow twirl to show off his new younger form to the group.:: Mr. Han: Look… no more grey hair!! ::Halsted smirks and nods to his butler.:: Halsted: Indeed the Light is astoundingly miraculous, my friend. I may have to ask you to step in as my sparring partner once in a while. ::Mr. Han chuckles and waives off Halsted.:: Mr. Han: Oh… I dunno about that, Master Halsted, but you never know. Don't underestimate my sneakiness. ::Mr. Han slowly backs into an unlit part of the dining hall and vanishes.:: Halsted: Absolutely not, Mr. Han. ::Mr. Han reappears behind Halsted and slips a sleeper hold onto him. Halsted begins to struggle for a couple of seconds, then flips Mr. Han onto his back in front of the small group. Mr. Han leaps to his feet and brushes himself off. Everyone claps enthusiastically for Mr. Han. Mr. Han bows to everyone and smiles with pride of his sneakiness, then points back to Halsted.:: Mr. Han: Sneaky… sneaky. Halsted: I’ll give you that one, old man. Anyway, I know we all feel a lot stronger, faster, and… Mr. Han: Sneakier!! Halsted: Absolutely, but we also feel as though weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. The Light came to us in different ways to help us settle the pains we carried from our past. We don’t have any more burdens because the Light took all of that away and cleared the path for us to move forward. ::Everyone claps and nods.:: Halsted: I have gathered all of you here as a way to symbolize our climb that we have taken together this year. I know that some of you had concerns when some idiot mid-carder thought he could destroy our home but rest assured, Mr. Han, Joey, and myself took proper precautions before we laid the plans out to build Halsted Manor due to our experiences in HHW. While that cretin never made it anywhere close to our home, he did destroy one of our decoy homes that were built all over the Chicagoland Area. our home will always be safe, please know that and remember that I will protect each and every one of you who live in or frequent the Halsted Manor. Caden: Even me, Uncle Vin? Halsted: Yes, even you, Caden. If any of you ever need help with anything, I will back you up and take care of whatever is giving you grief. ::Everyone nods and smiles to each other as Halsted continues.:: Halsted: The Light came to me in three sessions as it did for all of you. It showed me my past including having to witness my father being gunned down in his pharmacy to watching Mr. Han assisted my mother move past her grief so that she could raise me and my brothers on her own. She did the best she could and I thank you, Mr. Han for being there every step of the way. However, I was forced to revisit every one of my cruel misdeeds to anyone who stood in my way when I joined the world of professional wrestling. I know, now, that I did some terrible things and said some very cruel things to each locker room I worked out of, but the Light is giving me a second chance to fix those mistakes. The next session showed me my present direction had I stayed in the darkness and not accepted the Light. It showed me that over time, I would have lost each of you one way or another and I just couldn’t bear the thought of that. Finally, the Light showed my future and the future of AWS had I completed the mission of the Darkness. It was bleak and there was nothing left to stand above. Everything was destroyed and there was just pain and misery left. After seeing all of this, I decided that I needed to change. I had to welcome the Light into my heart and start anew. ::Everyone at the table cheers.:: Halsted: My work will never be done and I will spread the Word of Light to any and all who are seeking it as I have become the Enlightened King. You are all of my disciples in the Light. You all have experienced something similar to me and understand all that the Light can provide. I am so proud to call all of you my family and to reign in the new year with you! ::Everyone claps and cheers.:: Halsted: A toast to the Halsted Family and the Year of 2025!! ::Halsted reaches down and lifts the glass of champagne to everyone around the table. Everyone lifts their glasses, while Caden lifts his sparkling cider.:: Halsted Family: CHEERS!!! Halsted: Now that that’s done. I have to focus on the next order of business. I want to thank all of you for keeping me focused on crushing Tiny TJ. A kid who thought he was ready for the big time, but couldn’t step up to the plate. It took six decisive victories and me taking a title he never should have put his hands on to finally send him back to Midcard Hell where he belonged, but now, I have to teach another breacher of Midcard Hell that same lesson. ::Joey nods in approval.:: Cranston: Send them all back, Vin!! Halsted: You’re damn right, Joe. If they don’t want to accept the Light, then I will send them back to the Hell they came from. Daron Smyth is no different than Tiny TJ. Daron Darko can sit in the dark stills of any arena he wants while desperately clutching to the AWS Heavyweight Championship. He is just a placeholder, much like Tiny TJ was, These fools don’t understand the levity of what that they have been cast into. I am the one to lead AWS into Zero Day as the brand new AWS Elite Champion. Tiny TJ was the first stepping stone and Donnie Darko will be the second as I climb the biggest mountain of my career. No one will stand on my way to attaining this new peak of my storied career. Halsted Family: From Darkness to Light, so it has been written, so let it be done!! Halsted: The Light has brought me back and I have climbed every mountain top that has ever been put in my journey. Donnie Darko said that this was the highest climb of his career so I am going to demand Charlie Feigel to make this match a Ladder Match. It can be any type of Ladder Match that AWS desires but I want Chuckles to put my Global Championship and the coveted AWS Heavyweight Championship high above that hellacious ring until one of us is capable of pulling them down and unifying them into the AWS Elite Championship. ::The entire Halsted family and waitstaff gasp at the idea of an AWS Ladder Match.:: Cranston: Are you sure that’s what you want to do, Vin? Halsted: Absolutely, I’m going to put my entire body on the line to sacrifice everything to be the first AWS Elite Champion. This is what the Light has demanded of me and this is what I will do to preserve and spread the Light throughout AWS and the world!! So, let Donnie Darko cut a stupid ass backstage interview promo on me again so that he can see that he has nothing to offer AWS besides the lack of originality. He can keep his little nod to me and stick it up his ass for all I care. He wants to praise me like a chump, then move on to Tiny TJ, the insignificant cockroach I stomped on. Well, go ahead then, he’s making this way too easy for me. I just hope the rest of the AWS Universe takes note and prepares better than these last two because I’ll be the Elite Champion for as long as I hold dear. And Chuckles… I already have a nice spot in The Hall of Halsted to hang the retired AWS Global Championship and the AWS Heavyweight Championship when Zero Day comes to an end. I am your Enlightened King, AWS Universe, now and forever!! All Hail!! Halsted Family: ALL HAIL THE ENLIGHTENED KING OF AWS, KING VIN HALSTED, NOW AND FOREVER!! HAIL!! HAIL!! HAIL!! ::The New Year’s Eve ball drops in the center of Chicago as the fireworks explode around the Signature Room while the Halsted Family continues to cheer and celebrate. Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 3:Hard Lessons of the Light ::Scene opens with Halsted sitting in the Mystic Hot Tub. The healing waters are in full effect while Halsted just leans back and is fully relaxed. Margot walks in while carrying some equipment for their training session.:: Margot: What the Hell are you doing, Vin? Halsted: What does it look like? Margot: I know what it looks like, but you need to get your ass out of there and get to work!! Halsted: Margot, you need to calm down. Everything is going exactly the way the Light has shown me. Margot: Oh, so it told you that you would need to deal with a punk ass thief. Halsted: He’ll get his at Reindeer Games. I have something that I’ve been working on that I’m gonna introduce him to. It’s gonna blow the roof off of the Hammerstein Ballroom. Margot: Is that right? Halsted: Yep. ::Margot looks at Halsted blankly then snorts.:: Margot: Show me. Halsted: I don't think that’s a good idea, Margot. Margot: Oh? Halsted: Yeah… I don’t want to hurt you. Margot: Vin, shut your damn mouth and get in the ring, right now!! ::Halsted stares at Margot and Margot stares back. Halsted nods and slides out of the Mystical Hot Tub. He towels off and puts his gym shorts and t-shirt on. Margot nods and hops into the ring. She stands in the middle of the ring waiting for Halsted. Halsted walks over to the ring steps, wipes his feet before entering the ring and meets her in the middle of the ring. He locks up with her and whips Margot into the corner. He runs as fast as he can, leaps up and lands a brutal Stinger Splash. He holds her up and then lifts her onto his right shoulder while climbing to the top rope. He sets her down on her feet, then hits a glorious Spanish Fly but then positions her into a thunderous DDT finish. Both lay on the mat after the move and Halsted rolls over into a cover. He counts to three then slides off of Margot. Margot is still not moving so he rolls back to check on her. He shakes her and starts talking to her with a concerned tone.:: Halsted: Margot? ::Margot doesn’t respond so Halsted tries a little more assertively.:: Halsted: MARGOT??? ::Still nothing. Halsted jumps to his feet and lifts Margot over his shoulder. He looks at the Mystic Hot Tub and runs over to it. He drops her into the water and seconds later, Margot bursts through the water like a flailing animal. She breathes heavily and looks around in confusion.:: Halsted: Oh thank God!! ::Margot gasping for air and still breathing heavily.:: Margot: What the Hell was that? Halsted: I told you it was dangerous!! Margot: I guess I asked for that. ::Halsted shrugs.:: Halsted: I had a vision from my most recent reading of the Book of Light and that move just came to me. Margot: This is some Book. Halsted: Yes it is. Have you gotten to read it yet? Margot: Not yet. I keep missing out but I heard Angelina talking about it with Mr. Han. Halsted: Oh, so, Angelina read it? Margot: It sounded like she started it. Everyone around here seems like they’re changing for the better. I'm really hoping for my turn, soon. Halsted: You’ll get your chance. Don’t worry. Margot: Looking forward to it, but how did you land that move so perfectly? You haven’t moved like that since your first year in HHW. Halsted: I know… I just closed my eyes and the Light came to me with it. I call it the Chicago Blackout. Margot: Fitting!! Halsted: I thought so, too. It will be even more fitting to end this elongated series with TJ. I won’t even call it a feud because the guy just doesn’t know when to give up and walk away. I mean… I took that title off of him and he still wants more. Margot: He showed everyone that he’s noting but a coward when he ran off with the Global Title. Halsted: Agreed… This is the last time we meet but it will be the beginning of my reign while ushering in the Light that will carry AWS into the new era. TJ was a flash in the pan who never deserved to be in the position he was in. I proved that and now I put an end to him once and for all. This needs to end so that I can go on and take the AWS Heavyweight Championship. Margot: This is everything we ever trained for and it’s time for you to take your rightful place as the greatest of all time. Not just in AWS but in the entire professional wrestling world!! Halsted: The Light will always prevail and I will reign supreme and the Enlightened King for as long as I want. ::Scene fades black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 2: Let There Be Light (Cont.) ::The first snowfall of the season has arrived. The sky is grey and the wind comes and goes in strong gusts. The trees are bare and the ground is white. Winter has arrived early and the air is freezing cold. A man walks down an empty road in Downtown Chicago as the sun begins to rise over the lakefront. The wind whips through him even though he’s dressed for the weather. He’s wearing a Ralph Lauren men’s black down insulated Overcoat jacket over a blue Chicago Cubs hoodie, dark blue David Britton Buffalo jeans, and black Rockport boots with a Chicago Blackhawks beanie and a pair of Ralph Lauren black leather gloves. The man is Chicago’s own, Vin Halsted and he’s decided to walk around the city to take in the winter views. He walks by Grant Park and reminisces about the time he and a group of friends decided to hop on the L and witness the Bulls Championship Celebration in 1998. Before the Bulls Dynasty, the only championship Halsted remembered was when the ‘85 Bears won Super Bowl XX. Even though it was the last one the Bulls would have, it was the most memorable. They were the winningest team in the history of the NBA at the time and Halsted was always so impressed with how Phil Jackson kept such an unlikely amount of talents together to play at such a level, and then the celebration ended and the team went their separate ways. Chicago didn’t get to enjoy another championship team until 2005 when the White Sox finally ended their drought of 88 years. Halsted isn’t alone, though, as he walks with his long-time friend, Joe Cranston, who is dressed in similar yet less brand-name fashion.:: Halsted: Ya know, Joe. People like to talk about numbers and what they mean. Cranston: I’ve never really given that much thought. I’ve always felt that things happen when the time is right. Halsted: I guess that’s fair, but you didn’t grow up in Chicago. Cranston: What do you mean? Halsted: The people of this city have had to live with the longest droughts in the history of sports. We have endured generations of disappointment and yet we stay loyal. We’ve lived through the driest of droughts in the summer and some of the coldest winters imaginable, but we stay in our hometown vigilantly. We never slump our shoulders or hang our heads. We stand tall and say, “Wait ‘til next year.” Cranston: Is that why you aren’t wearing any Bears gear? Halsted: Eh… We know when to say it and get ready for the next season. Cranston: Ah… hockey season started, right? Halsted: It sure did. We always have another season to fight for and to put our hopes into. Cranston: People need a win at some point. Halsted: Absolutely, but it doesn’t just happen because someone said they wanted a win. It takes time to build a winning team. In order to win, it takes skill, talent, ingenuity, training, patience, learning from more experienced players, patience, mental toughness, studying footage of past games, strategy, creating plays while calling the right plays at the right times, and above all else, persistence. Cranston: So am I your Belichick to your Brady? ::Cranston smirks and chuckles to himself.:: Halsted: I guess you could say that. I definitely brought this city a number of championships to instill pride in me. Cranston: Sure… but that didn’t happen until I found you and put you in a ring. You were just a lowly bouncer on the Southside until I came along. Halsted: Lowly, huh? Cranston: I mean… you had a reputation. I just had to see it for myself. Halsted: Fair enough. Have you gotten to read the Book of Light yet? Cranston: Umm… Which book is that again? Halsted: You’ll know when you find it. Cranston: Mmkay. Halsted: Ya know, this city survived a fire in 1871. Cranston: Wasn’t it started by a cow that kicked over a lantern? Halsted: That’s how the story goes but that fire burned for almost three days killing about three-hundred people and it destroyed most of the city. The survivors stayed and rebuilt the city instead of packing their things and moving West. There are plenty of jokes about people from Chicago but we don’t let that bother us because we stand tall and move forward no matter what life brings us. Cranston: Those are some hard life lessons. Halsted: Persistence, Joe. That’s the key. We get knocked down but we always get back up. I guess that’s why TJ is so persistent about getting away from having to suffer his fourth loss to me. :Cranston looks at his friend sharply.:: Cranston: You say that like it’s already going to happen. Halsted: Well, tell me what has he done to change, to grow, and to improve? Cranston: You know better than me. You know I don’t get involved with your business anymore. Halsted: Well, he still thinks that I’m an old man with weak knees. I think I proved that in our third match just that. Cranston: Oh, I know you did. Halsted: Wait… you just said… Cranston: I may not get involved but I always have an ear to the ground, Vin. Margot tells me everything when you aren’t around. She can’t believe how you’ve been able to rehab and develop yourself like you have never before. She said that you’re bigger, faster, and stronger than ever. Plus, she said that all of your scars, muscle tears, and any other ailments you’ve had over the years have vanished. She said that she’s never seen anything like it and you’re a walking miracle. Halsted: I mean… Cranston: What’s gotten into you? ::Halsted takes a deep breath of cold air.:: Halsted: I think it’s the Light and I think I need to spread it throughout AWS. Cranston: Well, let there be light, then, Vin, but tell me more about the numbers. Halsted: Sure… so, 23 and 49. Cranston: Ok… what about those two numbers? Halsted: Those are the two longest droughts in NHL Stanley Cup history and both are owned by the Chicago Blackhawks. Cranston: Those are definitely long periods of time to wait but aren’t there longer ones? Halsted: Of course… The Chicago Bulls didn’t win an NBA Title until 1991 and they were founded in 1996. Plus, they haven’t won since Krouse and Reinsdorf disbanded the Dynasty in 1998. Cranston: Wow… so 25 years before the first one and 26 years since the last one. Halsted: Sure, but it gets worse. The Chicago Bears didn’t win a Super Bowl until the twentieth season of the Super Bowl Era and they haven’t won since then. Cranston: That was like 39 years ago. Halsted: Oh… it doesn’t end there. The White Sox had an 88 year drought before they won in 2005 and the Cubs suffered for 108 years until they finally snapped their drought in 2016. Cranston: That’s some generational suffering right there. Halsted: It really is, but a new day is dawning in Chicago and it’s time I changed things here. It’s been a couple of years since I stood tall over the AWS Universe and it was short-lived. Cranston: That it was and it’s time you finally stood above them all and showed them the kind of champion you are and have always been. Halsted: That’s exactly what the Book of Light has written in its text. It says that a new dawn is upon us and the Light will shine brighter than ever before with the prophet standing tall. Cranston: I’m gonna have to take a look at this book. ::Halsted stops and turns to his friend.:: Halsted: You really should. It says that the prophet must stand in contention of three trials and unify two worlds. I believe it means that I need to take the Global Title and the AWS Title into my possession. In doing so, I will usher in a new era in AWS, the Era of Light. Cranston: So, I guess TJ is the first to fall. Halsted: Upon his fall, he will be introduced to the Light. It will be up to him how he decides to proceed from there. However, if it’s taken him this long to learn from failing so many times, then maybe he won’t change at all. Cranston: Sucks for him. Halsted: I guess but that’s on him. The next trial will come when I meet the AWS Heavyweight Champion. Cranston: Is that Drake Nygma? Halsted: He has it for now, but the Light tells me someone else may come along before I can stand the next trial. Cranston: You beat him, too, didn’t you? Halsted: He might still be sleeping off a Halsted Hangover but the title wasn’t on the line. Cranston: How is it that you haven’t taken these two titles yet if you’ve beaten both champions already. ::Halsted shrugs.:: Halsted: Eh… I don’t ask questions. I just show up when I’m booked and wreak havoc like I always do. The Book says that I need to be patient and persistent as all things will come to me as the Light has planned for me. Cranston: I say again… Let there be Light!! Halsted: Indeed, brother… my time is near!! ::Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 2: Let There Be Light ::As Halsted walks through the Hall of Halsted, reality sets in and he realizes that he is about to reach the first of his trials in the Light. He looks down the line at all of the world championships that he’s captured over the span of his legendary career. He reminds himself what that feeling is like and he closes his eyes. He lets his mind drift to relive each triumph as he recalls lifting each one above his head in victory after putting down the champion before him. With each flash, Halsted is reminded of the pain and suffering that it took to capture each title. He recalls the reactions of the crowd in attendance. Sometimes he had their support and other times he felt their utter hate for him. The hair on his neck starts to rise as goosebumps run up and down his entire body right before he opens his eyes. A bright light forces him to come back to reality and he realizes that he isn’t alone in the hallway. The feeling comforts and reassures him just as he feels a hand on his shoulder.:: Mr. Han: Master Halsted, are you alright? ::Halsted reassuringly smiles.:: Halsted: I’m fine, Mr. Han. Have you returned from your Call to the Light? Mr. Han: Yes, it really was enlightening. Halsted: The Book has a way of putting everything in perspective, doesn’t it? Mr. Han: That it does, Master Halsted. Halsted: Have the others been able to read the text, yet? Mr. Han: I’m not quite sure. I believe I just returned from my venture into the Light. Halsted: Where is the Book, now? Mr. Han: After I returned to the bench in the Labyrinth, I brought the Book with me when I walked back to the kitchen. I’m afraid that I may have left it there, though. Halsted: I wonder who will pick it up next but I’m excited to see how the Light affects them. I hope everyone here gets to experience all that the Light has to offer them. Mr. Han: It’s a transformative experience. I feel that my eyes are open for the first time in a long time. Halsted: This is a different side of you, Mr. Han. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this. Mr. Han: The Light helped me put some things in my past to rest and forced me to come to terms with it. These were things that I thought I long forgot and well before you came into my life. Halsted: Now that seems like something we need to explore more of but not now. I want to sit down with everyone in the Manor once they have all experienced what the Book has to offer. There’s so much to it, but the first reading forces the reader to come to terms with their past. How it does it is a mystery to me for now, but I think we will be able to learn a great deal about it as we each get a chance to explore everything the text has to offer. Mr. Han: I agree… I think each reader will have a unique experience, but we will all be able to help each other as we become more enlightened by what the Book has to offer. Halsted: There are so many questions and answers that we will explore together. We will be able to come to terms with so much and we will be stronger than we have ever been. I, already, feel like a changed and refreshed man with the book in my hand. Have you tried the Hot Tub yet? Mr. Han: I wasn’t sure if I should. Halsted: It will put so much of what you read into perspective. They work together as the Book repairs your mind; the Hot Tub repairs your body. Mr. Han: I’ve noticed a difference in you, Master Halsted, and Margot has said that you are moving like you did when you first met her. I wouldn’t mind if my old back was a little straighter and less stiff. Halsted: Use the Hot Tub, today, Mr. Han. It will fix all of that and more for you. Mr. Han: Thank you, Master Halsted. I’ll do just that. ::Mr. Han nods to Halsted and walks towards the Halsted Fieldhouse. Mr. Han uses the locker room to change and then walks over to the Hot Tub. He climbs in and begins to feel the healing water around him. He sits down, rests his head on the back of the Hot Tub as the water quakes while the mystical blue light begins to illuminate. Meanwhile, Halsted returns to his memories of past championship glories. Margot walks in to remind him that it’s time for another training session.:: Margot: Hey… are you ready, Vin? Halsted: I’m always ready, Margot. What do you have planned today? Margot: Well, I wanted to see if you can do some of your older spots. You used to do more dives and high flying in your early wrestling career. I think it’s time for you to bring those moves back into your repertoire because TJ seems to think that you’re too banged up to execute moves like that. ::Halsted smirks.:: Halsted: When is this guy gonna learn that he’s just a placeholder for me? Margot: Let’s take it down a notch, Vin. I realize you’re beaten him all four times you two have faced off, but he is younger than you and he’s an excellent highflyer. I want to see if you can match his movements in the ring like you used to do before you had your wars with Charlie and Ashley. Halsted: Those were some brutal matches, but time heals all wounds. Margot: More like the Hot Tub heals all wounds. I barely recognize you as scars have completely faded and you move like you did fifteen to twenty years ago. Now, I realize that you’re almost forty, but I’ve never seen a forty-year-old man lift, run, and move the way you have been moving ever since you first sat in there. Halsted: If the Book has taught me anything, it has taught me that I will experience trials along the way to the absolute top of AWS. Taking the Global Championship from a punk kid is my first trial. It has said that I will be tested by youth and this brash kid is in need of a lesson in the Light. Margot: I know you believe that, but I need to see it for myself. Get in the ring and show me what you can do. ::Halsted nods and climbs into his sparring ring. He starts by running the ropes and bounces back and forth like Bron Breaker. He switches to leaping on and off of the ropes like Rey Fenix. Margot watches on with widened eyes and her jaw dropped.:: Margot: I just don’t understand what’s gotten into you, Vin. This is the best I’ve ever seen you move, and I didn’t even hear one snap or crackle as you moved. How do you feel? Halsted: I feel great, Margot. The Light is making me better in every way. ::Halsted smiles genuinely at Margot as she continues to look shocked.:: Margot: Your tone and demeanor have changed, too, Vin. I think you can face any trial that is thrown at you and absolutely destroy it. Halsted: Nothing is going to stand in my way, Margot. Not a trial of youth, not a ghost from my past, and certainly not time. I’ve been in desperate need of change and the Light is showing me the way. Have you gotten to read the Book yet? Margot: Which book is that? Halsted: The Book of Light. Margot: Is that the one you’ve been going on about? Halsted: Yeah, I think Mr. Han had it last. Margot: I guess I’ll ask him if I can borrow it when he’s done with it. Halsted: He said he left it in the kitchen. Margot: Oh, who knows where it will end up next, then. Halsted: That’s the exciting part! Margot: I’ll take your word for it, Vin, but you need to focus all of this newfound energy in finishing off TJ once and for all. I know he wants to believe that you barely got those previous wins over him and that he’s due for a win. Halsted: The Book of Light says that the Devil always believes he is due, but the Light will always prevail. I’ve shown this heretic four times and yet he still wants to show the AWS Universe that he deserves to hold the Global Title. The youth always want to be right and always wants to have the last laugh but that will be his demise. He may have taken that title from Necra but she knew it was only a matter of time that I would take it from him when she blessed me with The Book of Light and the Hot Tub. She sees the future and she knew this was the path that I was meant to be on. Soon the entire AWS will experience what the Light is all about and let them all be enlightened by their true king. A great unification is coming to AWS, and I am the one to bring it to Light. Margot: Just stay focused, Vin. Everything will come to you if you just stay the course. ::Margot looks at Halsted approvingly and Halsted goes back to work in the Halsted Fieldhouse. Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light: Chapter 1: Spreading the Light ::As a new day dawns in the Halsted Manor and the light from the Sun peers through the glass windows of the Hall of Halsted, Mr. Han is seen while he takes his morning walkthrough. He waters the plants, tends to the various gardens of the Halsted Labyrinth, and then goes to his favorite bench to do his morning breathing. However, just as he goes to sit down he is distracted by a light emanating from the Halsted Study. He decides to investigate and walks into the Halsted Study to find Vin Halsted asleep with his head down on his desk on top of an open book. Mr. Han walks over and attempts to wake Halsted but he doesn’t even stir. Mr. Han shakes his head and decides to side the book from underneath the sleeping Halsted. He walks back out and sits on his favorite bench, only this time, he begins to read the book from the beginning. A hour passes and Mr. Han is still reading the book. The book has a way of drawing in its readers and engulfing their entire attention that hours pass like seconds as the reader takes every word to heart. Two hours pass, three hours pass, and then Halsted finally wakes up and walks out of the Halsted Study to find Mr. Han still reading the book. He sits down next to him and Mr. Han doesn’t even break his concentration on the book to see Halsted sitting next to him.:: Halsted: So, what do you think about the book? ::Mr. Han continues to read and doesn’t respond to Halsted.:: Halsted: Yeah… that’s how I was when I read it the first time. Mr. Han? ::Mr. Han doesn’t respond. He just keeps reading.:: Halsted: It really pulls you in and doesn’t let go, right? ::Halsted continues to have a one-sided conversation with Mr. Han.:: Halsted: So, ah, what day is it? I feel like I’ve been missing for a few days. All I know is that I decided to read that book and it took hold of me. I couldn’t get out of my chair until I completed a full read-through. Then, I found myself wandering around the Manor as if I were under a spell. I, finally, walked back to the Study and read-through it again two more times while making annotations. There are some really powerful passages to it. What do you think? ::Mr. Han still continues to read and doesn’t respond.:: Halsted: I feel so free now. Like, nothing can hurt me or stop me from spreading the Word of the Light and soon, you’re gonna feel that, to, Mr. Han. I’m, actually, pretty excited for you because I know there are things in your past that you never resolved but never shared with me. That book will put all that away and finally help you move on. The Darkness will never be able to manipulate me or you ever again. :Mr. Han still continues to read and doesn’t respond.:: Halsted: All of the suffering, pain, and despair has been lifted from my soul and it will happen for you too, my friend, once you full accept the Light. This book will teach and guide you to it, but it will be you who has to decide and accept it into your heart. I can already see that you’re on your journey towards the Light so I can only hope that I can continue to build the Way for the others in the Halsted Manor and then in AWS. :Mr. Han still continues to read and doesn’t respond.:: Halsted: Enjoy every word, Mr. Han, I have work to do. :Mr. Han still continues to read and doesn’t respond. Halsted puts his hand on Mr. Han’s shoulder, then stands up from the bench. Halsted walks out of the Labyrinth and meets Margot in the Halsted Fieldhouse for their daily training session.:: Margot: I thought you weren’t gonna show up. Halsted: What do you mean? I never miss a session, Margot. Margot: Vin, you’ve been missing the whole week. No one could find anywhere. Halsted: Well, it sounds like I have to make up for some lost time. ::Margot scoffs and shakes her head. She shows her disdain of her clients when they don’t show up for their scheduled sessions by pushing Halsted as hard as she can. Each time, Halsted rises to her challenges by outdoing everything himself at every station: the sled, jumping blocks, bench press, deadlift, squat, and on wind sprint times on the track. Margot is in utter disbelief as Halsted barely shows signs of tiring. They climb into the ring and begin to spar. She notices that he’s running the ropes faster than he ever has, his dropkicks are higher, and his lifts into each move in his repertoire seem to be done with ease. He does all of this with a smile and without ever having to stop to catch a breath or cramping up. He shows no signs of slowing down, no cramps, or any other type of stalling out from any past wear and tear on his body. Margot stops to catch her breath for the first time during a training session in a long time.:: Margot: Ok… what’s going on with you? Halsted: I don’t know what you mean. Margot: You’ve been on a tear like I’ve never seen before. Halsted: Time off can do a body right, I guess. Margot: No, that’s not it. You’re giving off a different aura, today. You’re doing things I’ve never seen you do and you’re smiling. I’m a little concerned because you need to be ready to take on the new AWS Global Champion. Halsted: And who would that be? Margot: TJ Alexander. Halsted: Wait… how did the guy I put to sleep twice jump the line? Margot: He’s gotten really good, Vin. Don’t underestimate him. Halsted: Really? Margot: Yeah… plus, he’s a lot younger than you. Halsted: Ok… here we go. There have been too many times when I’ve faced a guy who’s a few years younger than me. They always say the same thing, especially when I have to face them more than once. Now, tell me, how many times have I faced this kid. Margot: Twice, already. Halsted: Ok, and what happened each time? Margot: You beat him, but he says that you barely pulled it off and that he’s been studying you ever since then. Halsted: When did he say that??? Margot: Well, you’ve been gone all week and you’ve missed a lot. Halsted: Look, I was waiting to hear from him, but this new champ didn’t bother to show his face. I just figured that he learned his lesson and was taking the coward’s way out. Margot: Nope… He even said that your legs are weak and that’s where he’s gonna attack you. Halsted: What do you think of that after our training session just now? Margot: I had my concerns but I don’t know now. Halsted: Maybe it’s because of the Book. Margot: Wait… are you telling me that you’ve been ditching our training sessions and somehow you’re moving better than ever because of a book? Halsted: Umm… I guess so. Margot: Vin, listen to me. I know you’ve been going through some things so I haven’t really been pushing you lately, but you were gone for a while. We were all freaking out. We looked everywhere for you and you were nowhere to be found. Now, you’re saying that it was because of a book? Halsted: I guess so. Margot: Haven’t we done this before? Halsted: It’s a really good book. Han’s reading it now! Margot: Oh boy… is he ok? Halsted: Of course he is! Margot: Alright… tell me about the book while we heal up in the Hot Tub. Halsted: That’s a great idea. I feel so… Enlightened, and I want to share that feeling with you and everyone else, anyone willing to listen, really. ::Halsted and Margot climb into the Mystical Hot Tub on separate sides and lean back against its walls while the mystical blue water heals their bodies from the latest training session. Margot was especially in need of the healing waters but Halsted was in need of a different kind of healing. He closes his eyes as he begins to search his mind in order to figure out why he was missing and to make sense of his reading of The Book of Light. He tells Margot an account of what the words mean and how they guided him to face his past. He tells her how the Light brought a new perspective and meaning to the most painful experiences in his life. While he does this, the mystical water quakes and bubbles more and more as it reacts to Halsted’s account of his journey into The Light. Margot looks on in bewilderment as she sees how calm and happy Halsted is after facing these painful memories with The Light guiding him. The Hot Tub and Halsted begin to beam in a bright light until he vanishes. Margot looks around frantically in search of Halsted as the water returns to its calmness. She takes a deep breath and shakes her head while blinking her eyes. She climbs out of the Hot Tub and walks down to where Halsted said he left Mr. Han. She finds an empty bench and an open book laying on the floor upside-down. She looks around to see if Mr. Han is still around and calls for him. The Labyrinth remains quiet so she decides to pick the book up and place it back on the bench. She looks down at where Mr. Han left off. The words begin to take hold of her so she flips back to the beginning of the book and sits down to read it on the bench.. SCENE FADES TO BLACK. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light Part 3: The Dark Passenger ::As routines go, Halsted has been refocused and more driven since his discovery of the Book of Light. He and Margot continue to study and follow its teachings with the aid of Mr. Han and Angelina. Even Joey Cranston and his eight year old son, Caden have taken up the impossible task of deciphering and understanding its teachings. There is a new air in the Halsted Manos and a new day has dawned. The group even convenes every Sunday at 4:00 pm CST sharp to discuss their findings and share their feedback on the readings. All who read and share are overcome with a sense of fulfillment and self-discovery. Each study session breathes new life into their very souls and they look forward to the next opportunity to share their insights and questions about The Book of Light.:: Halsted: Before we get too far into today’s session, I want to go back and review what everyone’s thought about this new path of enlightenment that we have all been put on by The Book of Light. First of all, have we figured out who left this book in the Halsted Study, yet? Margot: It wasn’t me, Vin. Halsted: Ya know, Margot, I really thought it was you, because you have always tried to find new ways to train me for so many years now, so I’m a little disappointed to hear you say that it wasn’t you. Then again, Mr. Han and Joey have been the ones who have been in my life the longest so I wouldn’t put it past them, either. Mr. Han: I’m sorry to disappoint you, Master Halsted, but it wasn’t me either. ::Halsted frowns at Mr. Han then looks at Joey Cranston. Cranston shakes his head and shrugs as if to say it wasn’t him either. Cranston looks at his son, Caden, as he begins to snicker and chuckle.:: Halsted: Tell me it wasn’t you, Caden. Did you do it before you jumped me in the Halsted Labyrinth? Caden: What? Me? No!! Halsted: Then, why are you such a giggle monster over there? Caden: I may have seen something/ Halsted: What did you see? Caden: I’m not supposed to tell! ::Halsted jumps out of his chair and scoffs at the eight year old boy.:: Halsted: Ya know, Joe… you’re kid can be such a… Cranston: Such a what, Vin? Caden: Oooo… here comes another swear jar payment!! ::Halsted stops himself before he goes on a string of cursing. He looks up and then straightens his body as he takes a deep breath while counting to ten. He follows with a slow exhale while counting to ten. He does this four more times before addressing Caden. He looks back down at the boy and softens his voice.:: Halsted: Caden, please tell us what you saw as this is a major security concern. Was someone else in the Labyrinth with us? ::Cranston decides to answer before his son can.:: Cranston: Vin, no one else was there. I was watching cameras in the security room the whole time, remember? Halsted: Let him answer, Joe. Your kid saw something and we need to know what it was. :Halsted turns his attention back to Caden and begins to stare down at him. Caden looks right up to Halsted and begins to stare back at Halsted. No one makes a sound as the two former archenemies hold a long-standing stalemate of a staring contest. Neither blinks or looks away until the most peculiar thing happens. The Book of Light becomes illuminated while slowly rising from Halsted’s side table next to his chair in the study. Everyone in the room gasps as Halsted and Caden continue their staring contest. Caden begins to point behind Halsted and Halsted refuses to look or break his stare.:: Halsted: Forget it kid, you aren’t gonna break me that easily. Caden You need to look, Uncle Vin. ::Cranston jumps out of his chair and forces Halsted to turn around. Everyone stares at the Book as a bright light beams from inside of it and then a white-shrouded female figure appears. She is quiet at first and everyone is in awe of her very essence but no one is able to identify her because the light is so bright. Before anyone can address her, the figure breaks her silence while holding the book over the group. She floats to the middle of the book circle and hovers above the floor.:: Unknown Figure: Be calm, everyone. I’m here to bring you a new direction. Let’s call it, A New Light. Margot: Who are you? Unknown Figure: All will be revealed soon enough. Who I am is not important right now. Halsted: Umm… I beg to differ on that. Mr. Han: Master Halsted, I don’t think we have a choice in this matter. Unknown Figure: You would be correct, Mr. Han. Mr. Han: You know my name? Unknown Figure: I know all of your names and I know everything there is about each one of you. However, I’m a little disappointed in you, Caden. ::Caden lowers his head and frowns.:: Unknown Figure: Caden has known of me for some time now and it was our little secret, wasn’t it, Caden? Caden: Yes, Miss, I’m sorry. Unknown Figure: Caden, you were supposed to keep our secret until everyone was ready to understand and embrace The Book of Light. However, you gave me enough time to place the book in the Halsted Study, so at least you came through for me there. ::Caden looks up at his mystical friend and smiles in response to her compliment.:: Unknown Figure: That’s a good boy, Caden, and you kept everyone busy while I cured the Darkness from the Mystical Hot Tub. ::Caden nods and smiles as everyone looks at him with shock and awe.:: Caden: See you guys, you never listen to me. ::The adults in the room groaned all at once as Caden smiles wickedly and cackles as he points back at each of the adults. The unknown figure floats over to the boy. She hold the book in one hand and drapes her other arm over him.:: Unknown Figure: This boy is special. ::Cranston beams with pride and smailes widely.:: Cranston: Told you so, Vin. ::Halsted rolls his eyes and scoffs back at Cranston.:: Halsted: Alright, enough of the Caden lovefest. Can we move on? ::The unknown figure nods and opens the Book of Light. She begins to read a passage from the book.:: Unknown Figure: IN TIMES OF GREAT PERIL, WHEN DARKNESS CONSUMES EVERYTHING AND EVERYWHERE YOU TURN, ONLY THEN CAN THE TRUE LIGHT BE SEEN. So it is written, so let it be done. The Light could not be seen until all was lost. Does this make sense to you, Vin Halsted? Halsted: I don’t understand. Were you testing me? Unknown Figure: No, Vin, the Light could not come to you until you felt that all was lost. You were made to believe that you were the prophet of darkness, correct? Margot: Vin, is that true? Halsted: I mean, that’s what the voices told me. Angelina: What voices??? Mr. Han: Master Halsted, you told all of us that everything was fine but are you saying that dark forces were among us here in the Manor? Cranston: Not cool, Vin… Caden can’t be around Dark Forces, he’s eight years old!! Halsted: Look, every time I settled into the Hot Tub, it would heal me and rejuvenate me. Each time, I felt stronger and more healed than I’ve ever been. I just assumed that it was something that Margot found for me to rehab. It took care of all of the little aches and pains that I’ve been ignoring over the years while competing at the highest levels in every ring I stepped foot in. Margot: Yeah… but I told you I wasn’t the one who had it delivered. Unknown Figure: No… That was the Darkness herself. She planted it in the Halsted Fieldhouse and then planted different stories of its arrival in all of you. She is my counterpart and yet she is me, as well. Cranston: I’m so confused. Unknown Figure: All will be revealed soon enough but first I need Vin to understand that I had to strip away everything that he believed was coming to him. First was his leader and friend. I’m sorry, Vin, I know you are still mourning his passing but he had to be sent back to whence he came. Had you brought him back into the fold, all would be lost. Halsted: What? He made sense of everything and we were going to take AWS the way we always intended it to be. Unknown Figure: No, Vin… You nearly ushered in the end to all things. Halsted: That was the point. He promised to bring me back to prominence once more. Unknown Figure: Then why weren’t you at that prominence already? Why did you need him to get you there? Halsted: Promises were made. Unknown Figure: And promises are made to be broken. Halsted: Who are you to decide, then? Unknown Figure: I didn’t make any decisions for him. I just showed him the true light. Halsted: Is that why he left? Unknown Figure: Yes, Vin, no one ever turns away from the true light once it's shown to them. He saw the error of his ways and decided to turn towards the light. It embraced him and lifted him to a higher plane where he enjoys true bliss for a final resting place. The door to darkness closed upon his Assumption into the Elysian Fields as a true warrior, he received the greatest of receptions as he put down his proverbial sword and accepted everything the Light had to offer him. In darkness, comes the Light. He single-handedly put an end to the chaos, misery, and horror that was about to release onto this plane and closed the door of darkness. However, he knew there was no going back and had to accept the fate that the Light offered him. I promise that you will see your fallen friend again one day but that day is still very far off for you, Vin. Halsted: As you said though, promises are made to be broken. Unknown Figure: Lift your spirit, Vin Halsted and hear me now. This promise is one that binds all of us here present in this room. However, it is up to all of you to finally accept the Light and carry it forth. Not just for your own salvation but to carry Vin as he steps into a new path. He will need all of you to keep him on this path and to assist him when he is tested. This will be an all out war and he will need to lean on each of you to keep him healthy, strong, and focused. Margot: What can I do to help? Unknown Figure: Continue to challenge his strength, stamina, and focus in every training session as you have been but now you need to push him even harder. Remember that the healing waters of the Mystic Hot Tub will any and all tears or breaks that he may suffer. Carry him to the water if you must but remind him that through the suffering comes the Light. Halsted: That sounds terrifying. Unknown Figure: This is the cross you will bear to nearly bring this world to its end. You have a lot to atone for, Vin, and it all starts now. You will spill your own blood, your body will break, and you will experience pain like you never have before, but your mind, body, and spirit will be aligned in the Light. From now on, you don’t send souls to The Ferryman, you will now turn them to the Light and the Light will show them their true paths to righteous glory. Halsted: How do I know this isn’t another false prophecy. Cranston: I dunno if you want to question her, Vin! Angelina: Seriously, Vin… This is a serious moment of enlightenment. Why are you questioning it? Halsted: I’ve been through enough to know not to follow blindly so I need answers. Unknown:Figure: Ask your questions… Halsted: I know Necra planted the Hot Tub but how is it that you’re able to reverse the waters from darkness to light? Unknown Figure: Simple… I am She. Halsted: You’re Necra, too? Necra, The Light: Yes, I am Necra, as well. We can take many forms and we are both Darkness and Light. We have no affiliation to either, we are just the messengers when one side deems it necessary. The Light has shifted the balance in its favor and has sent this form to you now. Halsted: I see, then why did the Light take the Legacy Championship from me? Necra, The Light: Yes, that was an unfortunate result of the Light’s return to this plane. While the Legacy Championship was meant to be in your possession, he realized that it had a different purpose and you aren’t on the same path as its true purpose. The Legacy Championship was lifted from your grasp because you are still meant for other heights before you are granted your rest, only then will you attain the Legacy Championship, again. That is meant for your final stretch of your path. He wants you to know that you held it to the highest of standards as you always have for every championship you’ve taken into your hands but it has a different purpose. When you come to a time for that purpose, you will have the honor of being the only two-time Legacy Champion, as it is only meant for those who are on their final runs on this plane. Until then, you are to reach the pinnacles of both the Global and the World while unifying them in the greatest of glories. You are tasked with the unification and complete defense of all who rise up to you until there is no one left. This is the last of your feats, in AWS Vin. Do you see the light? ::Halsted finds himself at a loss for words as he looks up at Necra, The Light.:: Necra, The Light: Speak, Vin… can you shoulder the weight of the world once more? ::Halsted looks down as he is completely unsure of himself.:: Necra, The Light: This is where everyone here needs to lift you up because they fight for you as you fight for them. Can this group keep Halsted on course? ::The group closes in on Halsted with him in the middle.:: Group: We can and we will! Necra, The Light: The Light is in all of you, now. It’s up to you to complete this journey, together. Not one of you can falter or take a step backward, now, as you are all, The Fellowship of The Light. Group: We welcome all challenges and only look to the Light. Necra. The Light: Now, then, all of you will assist Vin in his first great trial on this journey. He must dispel the enigma from this plane and send it back into the Darkness from whence it came. He let it out and he has to send it back. This will be his first step in his path for redemption. For he will experience great penance before redemption, and his ultimate rewards in the Light. Drake Nygma has enjoyed terrorizing not only AWS but this entire plane. Vin opened the door for it to crawl out of when he spoke the words of the Book of Shadows. This creature has committed murder in the name of darkness and the bloodshed is on Vin’s hands. Halsted: How can that be my fault? Necra, The Light: When you open Pandora’s Box, the darkest of nightmares come forth. You released these horrors when you prophesied his return and he sent his most destructive conduits of the Four Horsemen. Drake Nygma, or as I call it, The Dark Passenger, is the embodiment of Pestilence. It destroys everything it touches and you need to send it back to the Fourth Ring of Hell. Do this and a measure of your soul will be returned to you, Vin Halsted. From this day on, you will no longer be The Iconic King, nor the Harbinger of Death as you meant to be one of the fated Horsemen, you will be known as the Enlightened King, Vin Halsted. Kneel before me so that I may remove the chains of darkness that surround you and allow you to embrace your first real look at the Light. ::Halsted moves forward from the group’s circle and falls to his knees. Necra stretches her right arm out as a beam of light pours from her right sleeve. She raises her arm and lets the light touch Halsted’s left shoulder, then his right shoulder, and back to his left shoulder.:: Necra: Now, stand, King of Enlightenment, Vin Halsted! ::As Vin stands up from his kneeling position, his black suit changes to white, while a bright halo emerges from his head in the shape of a regal crown.:: Necra: Do you feel the Light’s embrace? Halsted: I do. ::The group ooo’s and ahh’s behind him and then Necra stretches both arms out over the group. Light beams from both of her sleeves as it pours over the group.:: Necra: You have all been welcomed into the Light. Please walk with your brother, Vin Halsted, and help him overcome all challenges he will face on this journey. It will take all of you for him to attain the greatness that is in front of him. For now, I must leave you, but remember to use The Book of Light whenever you need it. Study it, understand it, and stay on course, as this is the greatest of challenges you all will ever take on. I bid all of you farewell. I will be watching!! Be well and let The Light always guide you! ::Scene fades to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light Part 2: The Awakening ::For weeks, Halsted has been wandering the halls of Halsted Manor in between his meals and training sessions with Margot. Everyone in the Manor recognizes that this has been a very difficult time for Halsted as he tries to make sense of the loss he has suffered, but no one has the words to help him find his way back. It’s as if he floats from room to room, distraction to distraction all day, every day.:: Margot: He’s training harder than he usually does, Mr. Han, but he doesn’t say anything to me. He just shows up and pushes through each session like a man possessed. Mr. Han: I’ve seen him like this before, but that was a long time ago. Margot: What did you do to help him come back to the world of the living. Mr. Han: There’s really nothing we can do. The last time this happened, he just wandered for a while until he woke up from his grief. Margot: What happens when he wakes up? Mr. Han: Oh, now, that’s something to be seen. ::The two continue to talk about Halsted’s current state of mind while he hawks though the Halsted Labyrinth. Caden is seen hiding at the center as he is waiting to sneak attack Halsted. Halsted continues to glare ahead when Caden attacks. Caden hits a spinning tornado DDT and stands over Halsted while beaming with pride. Joe Cranston watches on in the security room while cheering his son on and beaming with pride. Halsted lays flat for a moment then rolls himself back onto his feet. Caden leaps into action against and hits an incredible Canadian Destroyer. Caden quickly jumps on top of Halsted for a two count. Cranston gasps at the near-fall. Caden shakes his head in frustration and disbelief. Halsted rolls out of sight and slips into the Halsted Study. Caden looks around for Halsted then stands up and walks back to meet Joe Cranston.:: Cranston: Oh c’mon… don’t hang your head like that. Caden: I almost got’im, Dad, but he just disappeared. Cranston: I know… I was watching you the whole time. Caden: Really? Cranston: Yeah… I thought that if you messed with him like you used to do in the HHW days that he would come out of his haze. Caden: I guess it didn’t work. Cranston: Yeah… I haven’t seen him this bad but it was worth a try, kiddo. That was a great Canadian Destroyer! Caden: Thanks, Dad… I’ve been working on it with Margot. ::Halsted rolls into the Halsted Study and turns the lights on. He sits behind his presidential desk and begins to close his eyes. His thoughts take him to a quiet memory of his fallen friend. He thinks about the laughs and deep conversations they shared. He opens his eyes to the quiet, empty room and then he spots a book on the shelf across the room. He walks over and picks it up to read the title, The Book of Light. He walks back to his desk and begins to read it quietly.:: “Walk away from the Darkness and return to the Light. There is a plan for you but you need to put an end to Pandora’s Box. You opened the door but now you need to be the one to close it. Only then, can you regain your true legacy.” ::Halsted reads these first words and feels as if the book was just written then and there to help him reflect and assess his current state.:: “Cast out the demons and devils who have led you astray and embrace the righteous path you need to follow to restore your greatness. Your time has not come to an end yet so let go of the Legacy and climb the mountain of the Asylum and the Global so that you can be the one to unite them both.” ::Halsted looks around the room as the lights flicker on and off. He remains focused on the book as it becomes evident that a new prophecy has arrived in place of the Book of Shadows.:: “Let the Light in and let it be your true guide. The Legacy is what is at the end of the line for you, but you have so much more to give. Stop letting everyone else shoot their shot before you. You are the one, true champion and it’s time you reminded everyone of that.” ::Halsted lets the words remind him of his purpose. The words take Halsted to the top of two conjoining mountains that are named Global and Asylum. It shows him standing above other mountains named World, UltraViolence, and Pinnacle. The book shows Halsted stand above the Legacy, Parental Advisory and Tag Team landscapes, as well.:: “You see now what you need to do. Something that no one has done before. You need to unite the Global and Asylum then run the table until there are no more challengers left. Only then can you take the Legacy on. You said it yourself that you want to be the one and only timeless champion of AWS. This is the path you have to take. Don’t let anyone sway you or deter you now that the castaways were sent back to their exile.” ::Halsted begins to feel the haze lift as the words speak directly to him and lead him back into the Light.:: “Return to the Healing Waters, only this time they will lift the Darkness and bring you back to the Light. All the Healing Waters to heal you and guide you to the top of the mountain once more.” ::Halsted closes the book and carries it back to the Mystical Hot Tub in the Halsted Fieldhouse. The water has gone from red to blue. Halsted climbs into the water and begins to float on his back as the water washes over him. The dark haze that has clouded his mind begins to lift as a bright light beams from the water. Fifteen minutes pass, and Margot finds Halsted in the Mystical Hot Tub. He smiles up at her and whispers.:: Halsted: I’m ok and I know what I need to do now. Margot: And what is that? Halsted: I have to stop letting everyone walk ahead of me. I’m tired of letting everyone else have a turn. It’s gone on too long and it’s time I took my rightful place at the top of AWS. The Legacy Title will be waiting for me but I’m not ready to walk away just yet. It’s still mine but I need to take the Global Championship and unify it with the Asylum Championship. It’s never been done before and I’m the one to do it. Margot: I’m impressed. When did you figure this out? Halsted: I realized that I am the only talent in AWS history to hold every iteration of the top championship. No one ever held the Pinnacle, World Heavyweight Championship, and the UltraViolence Championship besides me. Plus, I’m a grand slam title holder. I have done just about everything anyone could ever do here, but I need to remind everyone that it isn’t just about former glories of a rundown old talent. I’m still in the prime of my career and I can still wreck more havoc than anyone in AWS. Margot: How do you plan on doing that? Halsted: I have to win the Wicked Games Battle Rumble. No one will expect to see me return at that time and no one will be ready to take me on. I can’t let anyone else get a hold of that golden ticket because I’m sick and tired of sitting around and waiting for my turn to challenge for the Asylum and Global championships. Promises were made but I stepped aside for Summer and Necra to get their turns and look where that got me. Margot: They both won and your standing around with nothing. Halsted: I did what was asked of me. I lifted the Legacy Championship to the level that it deserves to be at but then no suitable contenders stepped up. It’s as if I built a kingdom but no one came to see it so now I need to create a new world order within AWS by taking both the Global and the Asylum championships into my possession. Then the world will come after me and I plan on conquering it and everyone who dares to step forward and challenge me. I need to re-establish my longest reign record and run the AWS table until there is nothing left. Only then will I consider a return to the Legacy realm. This is the new prophecy of the Book of Light and there’s no in this universe who can turn this light out. Margot: Let's get to work. Halsted: Now, you’re talking and no one is gonna stop me now. ::Fade to black. END SCENE.::

AWS - Vin Halsted - From Darkness to Light Part 1: A Funeral for a Friend ::The following takes place about a month ago. It’s midday and Halsted’s phone has been ringing nonstop for about an hour while he relaxes in the mystical hot tub after another intense training session with Margot. Angelina and Mr. Hand enter the Halsted Fieldhouse in a panic as they search for Vin.:: Mr. Hand: Good afternoon, Ms. Angelina, have you seen Master Halsted? Angelina: I’ve been looking for him, myself, but I haven’t had much luck. Mr. Hand: Well, Ms. Scarlett said that we need to find him right away. Angelina: I’m aware. I’ve looked everywhere and Margot said they finished training an hour ago. This was my last place to look. Mr. Hand: Same for me. I thought that maybe he decided to do a run after their training session. Angelina: She told me that he likes to spend time in this hot tub. Mr. Hand: It seems as though this hot tub consumes more of his time than his affairs. Has he been distant with you, as well, Ms. Angelina? Angelina: I would say so ever since it arrived at the Manor. ::Mr. Hand and Angelina walk over to the hot tub and find Halsted face down while floating on top of the water. The water has a peculiar red hue to it as a mist hovers over the water and Halsted. Mr. Hand and Angelina reach into the water and pull Halsted over the hot tub wall, They lay him on the floor of the Halsted Fieldhouse and rush to do CPR. Before they can start, Halsted rolls to his side and coughs violently while spewing the hot tub water. His eyes open wide as he gasps for air and returns to a conscious state.:: Halsted: Did you see? Angelina: Did I see what? Halsted: HIM??? Did you see him? Mr. Hand: There’s no one else here besides us, Master Halsted. Halsted: That’s impossible. He was here. I saw him. She brought me to him and he spoke to me. Angelina: There’s no one here, Vin. Halsted: But… I… saw… him. Mr. Hand: We will settle this later, Master Halsted. There are more pressing matters at hand. Halsted: What do you mean? Angelina: Scarlett needs to speak to you right away. ::Halsted looks around in bewilderment as if he can’t figure out where he is. Angelina and Mr. Hand lift him to his feet and begin carrying him through the Hall of Halsted. He lowers his head and passes out while they carry him. Mr. Hand and Angelina struggle to drag him to Scarlett, now waiting for them in the Halsted Study. They sit him down on the presidential desk and prop him upright. Scarlett nods at them and then slaps Halsted across his face to wake him up. Halsted barely stirs, so Angelina takes her turn and slaps him. Halsted grumbles a bit in response so Mr. Hand takes his turn. Before Scarlett can slap Halsted again, Joey Cranston enters the room and cackles.:: Cranston: Oh… Let me try!! ::Joey rears his hand back and wallops Halsted as hard as he can. Halsted grumbles louder but still isn’t completely out of his unconscious state. Caden Cranston walks in and laughs.:: Caden: This looks like fun!! My turn!! My turn!! ::The four adults look at each other and shrug. Caden takes this as an act of approval so he jumps up onto the desk and hits his famous Tornado DDT on Halsted. A sickening thud is heard and Halsted jumps to his feet.:: Halsted: Aww, c’mon… I thought we said Caden wasn’t allowed to do that to me anymore!! Cranston: Desperate times call for desperate measures, Vinny. ::Halsted scoffs in disgust while staring at Caden. Caden responds by motioning to his waist as if he was wearing a championship title. Halsted steps over to Caden but Cranston moves in between them,:: Cranston: Now… Now… Vin, let’s not let this get ugly. We were trying to get you to wake up but you were pretty out of it. Scarlett: Yeah… We have more pressing matters to discuss. Halsted: That’s the second time I’ve heard that today. What the Hell is going on, Scar. Scarlett: It seems… ::Scarlett’s eyes begin to well up with tears as her voice begins to break and tremble. Cranston wraps his arm around her shoulders.:: Cranston: This is gonna be hard on all of us, Vin. Halsted: Well, is someone gonna tell me what’s going on or what? ::Cranston looks down and takes a deep breath.:: Cranston: We lost a friend today, Vin. ::Halsted’s frustration turns to shock.:: Halsted: What are you talking about? Who? Cranston: Matt passed away this morning. Halsted: Bull shit, man. I just talked to him last night and he was fine. Cranston: Well, I guess he went to sleep and never woke up. His wife found him this morning and just thought that he needed to sleep more than he usually does. After a while, she went to wake him up but he was already gone. ::Halsted falls to his knees and slumps over with his back to the desk. Cranston, Angelina, Mr. Hand, and Scarlett all huddle around him and embrace him. Scene fades to black. END SCENE.:: ::Two days later, Halsted is seen standing in front of his full-length mirror as he slowly puts on his three-piece black and white Armani suit. He stares into the mirror as he begins to tie his tie. A figure appears in the mirror as he stares. The figure appears to be Necra but she’s wearing white. She reaches forward and begins to open her mouth as if to call out to Vin but she disappears just as he turns around. Halsted looks around the empty room a few more times but there’s no one there. He shakes his head and assumes that he was just lost in his thoughts. He finishes with his tie, takes a last look into the mirror and nods. He turns and walks out of his master bedroom and walks down to the vestibule of Halsted Manor. There he meets Caden, Joey, Angelina, Scarlett, Margot, and Mr. Hand.:: Mr. Hand: There you are, Master Halsted. Well, is everyone ready? Halsted: I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for this. ::Cranston reaches and puts his hand on Halsted’s shoulder.:: Cranston: None of us are Vin, but we have to say goodbye to our friend, today. ::Everyone nods and begins to walk out to the car service waiting outside for them. The group climb into the limousine and they each put their seatbelts on right before it drives towards the private airway where Halsted’s Learjet awaits. The car drives up and they exit to board the plane. Halsted sits down and closes his eyes. He hears a faint voice calling to him but struggles to understand what it’s saying but it sounded like Necra. He starts to toss and turn until Scarlett nudges him awake to tell him that they were about to land. He looks around and sits up as the plane touches down for its landing.:: Halsted: That went by fast. Cranston: Not really. ::Caden stretches and yawn.:: Caden: Yeah… that took forever! ::Halsted shrugs then looks around at his group as they walk towards the exit of the plane. They all climb into the limousine on the tarmac. The car drives off into the heavy rain and takes the group to the funeral home for the viewing. They exit the car and walk into the building. They greet the grieving family and express their condolences before having their final words with Matt. Halsted walks over to the casket and kneels down in front of it. He takes two coins out of his pocket and places them over his friend’s eyelids. Halsted says an “Our Father” then whispers his final sentiments to his fallen friend.:: Halsted: We have unfinished business but until then… I’ll see you in another life, brother. ::Halsted turns to Scarlett as she hands him the AWS Legacy Championship. Halsted places it across Mat’s waist and walks back to the seating. The family opted to have the funeral ceremony at the funeral home due to the weather. After a brief emotionally driven eulogy and a few prayers, the casket is closed for the last time. Halsted steps forward with Charlie Feigel and others as the pallbearers. They walk up and carry the casket to the hearse waiting for them outside of the funeral home. The men slide the casket gently into the back of the hearse and close the door as the grieving crowd follows in tow. The crowd then disperse into various vehicles to follow the hearse to the cemetery for Matt’s final resting place. The grieving crowd gathers one more time as the priest prays with them one more time. Each person lays a rose on the casket before it’s lowered into the ground.:: Fiegel: Thanks for coming, Vin. I know that was hard but we did right by him. Halsted: I was honored by your request and that was something that he deserved to take with him. Fiegel: I have something for you but it took a little longer than expected. Halsted: No worries… I’m just happy he’s finally at peace and in a better place. Fiegel: That he is. ::Halsted and Fiegel shake hands and the two walk back to their awaiting cars. Scene fades to black. END SCENE.:: ::Present Day - Halsted rolls out of bed later than usual as he has for the last couple of weeks. He’s been keeping to himself as of late and Margot has been a little concerned. She spoke to Joey Cranston and today is the day he has decided to have a conversation with his friend. Cranston is seen waiting at the kitchen counter while eating a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Caden is sitting at the other end and eating Captain Crunch. Halsted walks in and glances at the father and son.:: Cranston: Hey, bestest buddy… How are you doing today? Halsted: Eh… Cranston: Oh c’mon now. Halsted: I think I’m late for training with Margot. Cranston: Well, ya gotta eat first. Halsted: Yeah… but not that processed crap you’re scarfing down. ::Cranston scoffs.:: Cranston: How dare you speak like that of the nectar of Bedrock?? Halsted: You know I’m right! Cranston: Pfsh. ::Halsted shrugs then looks for his usually prepared omelet. He grabs his plate and stands at the other end of the kitchen island.:: Halsted: So, since when do we have breakfast together? Cranston: Why can’t we have breakfast? Halsted: Fine, but isn’t the kid supposed to be on a bus at this time? Cranston: It’s a holiday, Vin. Halsted: Cool… so what are we doing here? Caden: Having breakfast, Silly Vinny. Halsted: Ugh… this kid!! Cranston: Hey now… be nice, Vin. Caden: Yeah, be nice, Silly Vinny. Halsted: Whatever! Cranston: Let’s not have another kitchen match, again. Caden: Ya, Silly Vinny, you don’t want none again. Halsted: Riiight…. Cranston: Look, Margot is worried about you. She says you’ve been going through the motions during your training sessions and you haven’t used the hot tub since you got the news of Matt’s passing. It’s been a month and you have a match tomorrow. You need to find that fire again and pull yourself together. Halsted: I have no idea about a match. When was I booked? Cranston: Charlie booked you two weeks ago. You’ve had enough time and I told him to go ahead with it. Halsted: I don’t think that was a good idea. I’m just not there right now. Cranston: Maybe this will help you find your way then. ::Cranston pushes a large package towards Halsted. The shipping label shows the AWS Headquarters address as Halsted tears the tape off of the box. He opens the flaps and reaches into the box. He pulls out a concealed championship title that’s been wrapped in a purple velvet bag. He opens the bag and reads the new title name to himself: AWS MATT WILSON LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP. He looks down at it for a long moment until Cranston shakes him back to the conversation.:: Cranston: Look, this was a great idea and we’re all here for you but you need to snap out of this and climb out of the hole you’re in. You’re still the Legacy Champion and you need to defend it at any opportune time. TJ Alexander is knocking at your door and you have to put him down once and for all. Halsted: Didn’t I beat that guy, already? Cranston: Well, this is a new and improved TJ who says that he has you figured out. Halsted: Is that right? Caden: Yeah… he said he’s gonna make you retire this time. Halsted: Oh, really? Cranston: So, what are you gonna do about it, Vinny? Halsted: Yeah… Silly Vinny, what are you gonna do about that? ::Halsted starts to grumble and growl. He grabs the title, then slaps the bowls out of Caden’s and Cranston’s hands. The cereal from the bowls spills everywhere as the bowls smash into pieces on the floor. Halsted runs out of the Manor and jumps into his 2024 Rolls Royce La Rose Noir Droptail. He starts the engine and peels out of the driveway. He takes the Eisenhower Express and whips around the Chicago traffic in a frenzy. He drives right up to the Lake Shore and jumps out of the car.:: Halsted: I can’t stand that kid, sometimes, but I know what he’s trying to do. It’s exactly what TJ’s trying to do and that is to piss me the fuck off. See, I was all set to let the darkness take over AWS. I set it all up and it was primed and ready to reign down an unfathomable terror but then everything changed. The leader pulled the plug and took one of our own. The driving force of our mission. So, here I am, left all alone with nothing and no one to turn to. ::Halsted paces back and forth while staring up into the sky.:: Halsted: Haven’t you taken enough? Haven’t you pushed me beyond what anyone should ever have to take on? What the Hell am I supposed to do now? ::A faint voice is heard calling out to Halsted in the distance of the crashing waters of Lake Michigan.:: Halsted: I’m not ready to go and I’ll be damned if it’s gonna be that insignificant punk, TJ. He’s out of his fucking mind if he thinks he can put an end to my career, let alone take this away from me. Now more than ever, I will defend it until my last damn breath. No one has that amount of talent to take this from me. Not now, not ever. AWS hasn’t even seen one-tenth of what I’m capable of because I spend more time training, developing, and healing, than I do in an AWS ring. No one has more speed, power, tenacity, ferocity, anger, or ability than I do and I have proven that I’m the greatest talent AWS has ever see or will see as I’ve put every single one of their greats and up-and-comers down by either choking them out or for a final three-count. No one has one over me and no one ever will. The only person who will get me to stop is me and I have so much more to bring down on AWS. ::The faint voice encroaches Halsted and a cold hand grabs his shoulders from behind him. Halsted collapses from the shock then looks around again. A message is left on his windshield as if someone drew with a finger in an icy patch. Halsted gets back to his feet and reads, “It’s time to talk, Vin.” Halsted looks back around and jumps into his car. He races back to the Manor and runs into the Halsted Study. END SCENE.::