Another Year.

[Ricky Johnson]

“I see now there's a need for what you do. But I'm still going to work towards a city that doesn't need Batman.” – D.A. Janet Van Dorn

“Me too.” – Batman
Batman the Animated Series

This past Tuesday, I turned 31.

Sure, there was cake. I enjoyed the company of family and friends. My wife made my favorite dinner, presents were exchanged. I got a flesh-light from my best friend. But the best moment is when my wife and I had our alone time, and we talked about our future and our children while also reflecting on the past, and what this past year has meant to us.

For her, a year which she oh-so briefly returned to NCW, and contemplated returning full time until she became pregnant with our children. As an avid comic reader, she always wanted to be a superhero. Now she gets to play one to our kids. After all, Moms can do anything. So I think she’s grateful. Plus, for the first time in a long time, I think she’s really happy.

But when she asked me, I wondered what that year meant.

It means that another year in my career has passed, and quite frankly, another solid year if I do say so myself.

But, it’s another year that I did not win the NCW world title. Instead, a consolation prize in the National Title. Which is sitting on my lap right now.

It's another year where I made my stand against the oppression and overlooking done for so many years. Things started to change for me last year. And I wound up National Champion for a second time.

I know this means very little to you Curtis; you just want to fight, right? You just want Ricky Johnson, in the ring, ready to fight you, Sunday. More than that, you want this National title sitting on my lap. While I'll be more than happy to oblige you on those first two requests, it’s the third that will not be taking place. No Curtis, you will not defeat me on Sunday, and you will not take my National title, despite what you may think.

Yes, I said it. Point blank. Period. You, Curtis Kanyon are not going to beat me at Metamorphosis. You may be asking why I'm so confident...well, probably not. You probably think I'm just saying it because I want to upset you or get you off your game, whatever it is. But that is not the case. Honestly I don't really care if you have a game plan or strategy. Because those go out the window when someone punches you in the face. Which is what I'm going to start with on Sunday.

No, I'm telling you I'm going to beat you because it's the truth. There is a serious lack of truth going around NCW recently, which has forced my hand to be played. No disrespect Curtis, I can tell you honestly that being BANGed! by you is incredibly painful. And I know you are one hell of a fighter, and you’ve got a constant motor and all that jazz. It’s really impressive, but in the end, It won’t really matter. And it won’t matter because I have a knack for ruining a person’s dreams.

Ask Jimmy Zane. He’s the main reason I have this title right now. Because it meant more to me to crush his dreams of winning any sort of championship, then it did my own career path. And yet look at him now: Shoehorned into a match he doesn’t deserve to be in, with an opportunity to be carried by Lex Sense once again towards a future world title match which would be a waste of a pay-per-view Main Event. I mean, I’d rather watch Joe Everyman get a main event against the champion then Jimmy ****in’ Zane.

Huh. Actually that analogy doesn’t work. I guess the point is Zane is not going to come close to winning any championships any time soon, and neither will you, Curtis.

But at the time, after I beat Zane, then beat Verona, Two men who do nothing but steal from me, I was a champion, whereas Zane was an afterthought. Which, sadly for you Curtis, is the exact path you are going to take come Sunday. You will become an afterthought. Another man lost in the shuffle of Hierarchy nonsense until it is destroyed.

It is like any other group of its kind: Power hungry tyrants who have trouble tying their shoes let alone running a company. And like the ones before it, it too much be shut down. And then maybe, just maybe we can get back to some semblance of order. But those ideas seem like a passing fancy at this point. The future may indeed look bleak, but as long as there is a ray of hope, a glimmer of a chance, I will fight. I started this, and even if it kills me, I’m going to finish it. I will not stop coming for Adam Knite, Gib, Xander and whoever else they want to recruit until it’s dead and gone and buried. Until then, the fight continues Curtis And If Adam Knite sent you, he’s dumber than he looks. Because he should know by now that I don’t get fooled easily. And even if you somehow figured to do this on your own, the end result will be the same. You will be beaten to a pulp on Sunday, and I will move on with my title and you can go off and play with your
string somewhere else.

You want my title Curtis? As I said before I’m not a hard man to find. I will be in the ring Sunday, ready to fight, ready to hurt, ready to do whatever it takes to hold on to my title. Even if it means ending your career. Believe me, I would much rather not, but as the old saying goes…

“If you want blood…you got it.”

Ricky - What is it Edward?

Edward - Sir, there is a man named “Adam” on the phone.

Ricky - Adam who?

Edward - He did not say, sir. He says he is filling in for a Jennifer Walters

Ricky - Jennifer is my agent. Put him through.

Edward - Very well sir.

Ricky - Hello?

Adam - Mr. Johnson?

Ricky - Yes.

Adam - My name is Adam and I’m from the
Whiterun agency.

Ricky - Yes?

Adam - Well, I’m filling in for Jennifer while she’s on vacation.

Ricky - I see. What happened to Eva?

Adam - She went to work for the Patriots.

Ricky - New England?

Adam - No. Some international group. Headquartered on some island in Alaska.

Ricky - Right. Anyway, what prompted this call?

Adam - Well Mr. Johnson, I don’t know if Jennifer told you before she left, but she’s been trying to get you parts on Television shows.

Ricky - No, she never mentioned that.

Adam - Alright, well, I guess since it’s news to you, let me say congratulations, you’ve been offered a
part on Criminal Minds!

Ricky - What part, exactly?

Adam - It says here that the plot you get to play a wrestler who’s interviewed and later becomes a suspect about a murder at a wrestling show.

Ricky - Why is this wrestling oriented?

Adam - What do you mean?

Ricky - Why is it every time a wrestler gets put on TV, the plot of that show is about wrestling?

Adam - I don’t really know. Maybe to make you guys comfortable?

Ricky - Adam, let me ask you, do you even watch wrestling?

Adam - Oh yes.

Ricky - Really?

Adam - Yes.

Ricky - So, who’s your favorite wrestler?

Adam - Honestly, I am such a huge fan of that Bryan Dani-

Ricky -Okay, forget I asked. When are they shooting?

Adam - It’s just a two-day thing, I would like to visit with you at your home about this and future project Jennifer lined up for you. Is tomorrow around 11am good for you?

Ricky - You do that Adam. I’ll have Edward call off the dogs.

Adam - What dogs?

{Click.}

Roxi - Who was that?

Ricky - Adam from Whiterun. He’s filling in for Jennifer while she’s out.

Roxi - Wait, Jennifer?

Ricky - Yes, Jennifer Walters, my agent.

Roxi - Why does that name sound familiar?

Ricky - I don’t know. Anyway, I got a part on an episode of Criminal Minds

Roxi - As a wrestler, right?

Ricky - Isn’t it always?

Roxi - Sounds right. So when are you leaving?

Ricky - This Adam guy is coming over tomorrow to give me dates and times.

Roxi - Okay then. I’m going back to my book.

Ricky - I love you.

Roxi - I love you…Wait THAT’S IT!

Ricky - What?

Roxi - Your agents name, Jennifer Walters. It’s She-Hulk! Your agent is She-Hulk!
…