"So this is what it's all coming down to. Seven on Seven. Gears of War. IWF verse... The Syndicate.

I have been sitting back listening to what people have been saying. Watching what people have been doing. Quite frankly, it makes me sick.

Some sit there spouting off at the mouth saying how Lance Norman is controlling everyone on his team, but in reality, that is far from the truth. I can not speak for everyone else, but I can speak for myself, and me... I don't do anything for LANCE. I never have. I have always done everything... FOR ME.

Before I joined The Corporation... I was nothing. No one cared about facing me in the ring, because I didn't care about myself. I didn't have an ounce of faith in my skills. Lance did. With him and Tyler pushing me week in and week out... I grew in the ring. People started to realize that I wasn't just someone who was sitting around getting their ass kicked week in and week out. I was someone who was starting to kick ass.

Everyone wants to say Lance has pulled a group of people together to do his work for him, and while they might think that, its not quite the case. He pulled together a group of people who have passion for the IWF. People who are tired of the shit that is being pulled by The Syndicate. People who want to see them go down."

The Black screen changes and the sound of a storage door is being heard opening before a stack of boxes are shown along with everything else I removed from my home before burning it down. That along with items that I stored away while living with Tyler as well.

"Those of us fighting for the IWF would be foolish to believe that this will all be settled after Gears. It's very unlikely that it will happen. Sure they might fall apart and no longer call themselves The Syndicate, but that doesn't mean they wont be operating behind the scenes anymore.

This week is about ridding the IWF of a problem. Cleaning out the trash so to speak to make it a better place. We break up the Syndicate, we have a shot at things being better for all of us. Key word, shot. Nothing is guaranteed. Anyway, I figured since it was time to do some spring cleaning in IWF, why not do it within my own life as well. After all... everyone knows people have been dropping around me like crazy, now its time to get rid of things. In other words, don't mind what I am doing, but make sure to listen to what I have to say... It might help you fellows out in the end."

I sat the camera down on the top of a pile of boxes, not really aiming it at anything before moving into the storage unit and going through my things.

"If there is one thing that is bothering me about this whole thing... it's the fact that I already know The Syndicate is going to count me out... I also have a feeling many on team IWF might be thinking the same thing. The whole, she is a girl thing will come into play. She is the weaker sex. The whole yards. I am expecting to hear all of it from everyone involved. All I have to say in regards to that before I move on, is don't count me out. I have proved that if I want something bad enough, I will fight for it... and you had better believe I want the Syndicate GONE. Sure, my reasons might be selfish, but I don't give a rats ass about that. The sooner they are gone, the better. End of Story there.

As far as who is involved in the match... both sides have those on them that are going to have problems working with one another, but we all have common goals that we have to keep in mind while stepping into the ring at Gears of War. The Syndicate is fighting for title shots. The IWF, to break up the chaos. What it is going to come down to... is who wants the win more?

Rain, you sir, are exactly what you claim Lance Norman is. A man who is setting out to have everyone else do his dirty work for him. You wanted information about Tyler Brooks, so you sent Deruty to convince me to join ranks with you. I thought about that long and hard, and with him being so persistent... I finally caved and agreed to meet with you. Some might call it a mistake, but it was a lesson in the end. You never really know who someone is. I thought Donald was someone I could trust, but I was far from wrong on that. You also showed your true colors that night when you attacked me in the ring. Sorry to tell you, but everything I told you about Tyler, was completely wrong.

I know how this game works Rain. I have played it before. You wanted information, and you must have been insane to think I would actually give you the information you needed to defeat Tyler. All I did was told you good about him. None of his flaws. I gave you no advantage over him, and yet... you still got him to come over to join you.

Why?

Probably because he thought I turned on him completely. That was far from the truth. That alone told me you would do anything in your power to get what you wanted.. and bringing Mason into this... just goes to prove that.

You have screwed over so many people since stepping foot into IWF, that you have to wonder if there is not something else in store for you at Gears. You are a lucky man right now Rain. Not only do you have everyone on your team thinking you're standing by them, and helping them out... but you have Norman not pressing charges on your ass. It's a great thing too, because now we get our hands on you.

However, there is something you didn't think about. Something you should have went over before signing that contract. Norman said if you win, he won't press charges on you... Mason never agreed to a damn thing. I hope and pray that if you make it out of this standing... you get hit hard."

Why did I have to open a box of pictures? I shook my head looking through them, getting rather silent for a long moment. Myself and Heather at the beach. Tyler and myself. My family. I crumbled the pictures in my hand before tossing them on the table behind me.

"Tyler... I don't even know where to start with you. After the last time we stepped into the ring... I couldn't even stand to look at you, think about what you did... none of it. I almost blamed myself for everything.. but it has nothing to do with me. It was and is, all you. 

We always said that we wouldn't let the business come between us, and when I walked out on you business wise... you walked out on me for good. Not only did you walk out on me... You stalked me. Kidnapped me. Attacked my family. Turned Heather against me. The list goes on.

After the match between us... when you decided to put your hands on me again just to make me go unconscious... that there let me know once and for all that you were lost. However, recent events tell me there might be hope for you yet.

I could care less about what happens between us from here on in Tyler. I don't care if I never speak to you again... but I still can't stand to see what you're doing to yourself. It's not healthy Tyler. 

The man you're trusting... is no good. Sure, right now you're lost, so you needed someone to side with you, and Rain picked up on that. But what he did to Mason... that was just wrong. I bet he didn't even say anything to you about it after finding out that it was YOUR brother he did that too. 

You showed at Warzone that you have a heart still when you told Mason he should leave so Rain didn't find him. You protected your brother. I applaud you for that. It doesn't change anything though. It doesn't change who you are, and what you have done. You know me Brooks. I can forgive and forget, but when you brought my family into this last month... that was crossing the line. 

You didn't see me talking trash about the man you believed to be your father. You didn't see me tossing anything into your face about your mother and her death... I would never stoop so low. How you could have done such... just disgusts me. You're a sick man Brooks. You need help. 

This business is changing you. You have to be able to see the man you have become. How you can stand to look at that man in the mirror each and every day.. I will never know. 

We had it all Tyler. I was stupid enough then to believe that this business would never come between us... now I am wondering if I am sure I can believe that little glimpse of a heart I seen on Warzone was even really there. 

Think things through Tyler. You don't want to go down this path anymore. You have to see all you're doing is hurting those that care about you. Forget about me. Forget about Lance! THINK ABOUT MASON. Your brother had nothing to do with this. He was just as out of the loop as you were. He missed out on knowing you. 

Don't let him come to know the man you are NOW. Let him get to know the real you Tyler. Think things through. How is it going to look to Mason when you come down to the ring at Gears of War with the same men who traumatized him for life? You were gone before you knew about Lance being your father Tyler... don't let your brother only know you like this.

No matter what you decide to do though... the Gears are in motion. This war will happen no matter what." 

I found myself pushing a few boxes over before being silent. I swore I just heard someone talk. I must have been hearing things.

"The reality of it all is this. ALL OF YOU, are blaming Lance for something or another. You want to make him pay for something. Remember something. You are your own person. He did not force anyone to do anything. YOU ALL stayed here and did as asked, when in reality if it bothered you, you could have just walked away. Stop blaming other people for your actions, and face the facts. You all let yourselves down. Man up. You are all being pussies right now. I'm a woman, and even I don't bitch as much as you all have lately. Grow up, or walk out.

Cussen, you are siding with them because they treated you as a human being. All they're doing is using you... how can you not see that? You're a smart man. You overcame a lot recently, and they're taking advantage of that. Be careful, they can not be trusted. You're trusting too much when it comes to Brooks and Rain. Look at their actions. Instead of taking things out on those that done wrong to them, they attacked family members. They are cowards. YOU are better than that.

King, you are just being a sad pup because of Norman letting you go as Commissioner. Big deal! You weren't doing anything but for your own damn self anyway. I believe that is all you will do in the end at Gears. What are you going to do when you all fail, and you still have no title shot?

Vulnero, you are a twisted fuck. Enough said. You enjoy pain, so this is perfect for you. All you are all after is a title shot. How about earning it by yourselves instead of grouping up and having to rely on others to get shit done for you?

And Chase.... Dear god. I don't even know what to say about you. After everything... you joined the Syndicate. Because Lance chose Jeckel? Really? That is just completely pathetic. That was a huge stab in the back right there Chase. You say I should understand why you did it.. but its wrong. You should realize how much you let me down. 

After everything I did for you! I got your ass out of jail. I put my name on the line for you. I HAVE BEEN SAVING YOUR FUCKING ASS! Ever since you got out do you know how many times you could have been tossed back into jail for violating your probation? I keep covering your ass! Quite frankly.. It's at the point that I might just pick up the phone and let them know what you have REALLY be up to. Video footage does not lie. Paying off a child that you tried to sleep with! Trying to abduct children! You deserve to be behind bars for that.. but instead I have been covering for you and keeping your ass out of jail hoping you would come to your senses. I was completely wrong about you."

You were wrong about a lot of things. I can help you there though Kaylyn.

There it is again. I know I heard something that time. 

"What the.."

Moving things around I smirked seeing where the voice was coming from. Moving behind the boxes I looked at her and laughed.

"I forgot you were hiding out in here. I could really use your help right about now.."

And help you I shall.

Pushing over some more boxes I didn't even notice that the stack the camera was on was knocked over cutting the feed. 

 

OOC: Good luck everyone. Really looking forward to everything this week.