September 4th, 2019 - Inside the Mind of Quartz

[Quartz]

...and now here you sit just 2 years later.

 

A voice protrudes over the darkness. The screen covered in black with slight flashes here... and there...

 

What do you truly have?

What have you earned during your journey?

 

Flashes of Ijitu Quartz competing in the ring are shown in the video.

 

You expect to convince yourself that he played no part in this success?

You think this was only your doing?

 

Flashes of Inness Quartz debuting, returning, and winning the tag team championships are shown in the video.

 

...and you. You watched as Inness completed the goals that you sought to reach.

Are you to believe that he stole this from you?

 

The entire screen fades to black, the flashbacks coming to a grinding halt. As it fades back in. A large man in a black jacket stands tall. He sports glimmering reading glasses and a stoic facial expression.

 

It is Intell Quartz. "I.Q."

 

Intell: The fact of the matter is, the both of you are complicit in this success, whether you like it or not.

 

As the view shifts, both Inness and Ijitu are seated. The entire scene takes place inside The Mind of Quartz. The usual black purgatory and emptiness fill the screen alongside the 3 personalities.

 

Ijitu and Inness are seated inside a classical desk/chair combo, something you would see in a mid-2000s high school. Ijitu is leaned back, seemingly ignoring Intell arrogantly. Inness is staring off to the side, also seeming to disregard Intell's words.

 

Intell: I have long grown tired of this petty squabbling between the two of you. It has cost the body many years of potential success.

 

Intell turns and suddenly a 16:9 frame flashes out from nothing. It is Quartz standing perfectly still. Morphing and changing over the last 20 years. The body changes from thin and athletic, to flabby and prodding, to the lean and cut version we know today.

 

Ijitu: Pfffffft.

 

Intell: I'm sorry, Ijitu. Did you see something that you found funny?

 

Ijitu does not answer instead closes his eyes and smirks.

 

Intell: ...Typical.

 

Intell: 20 years... Wasted.

 

Ijitu becomes a bit serious and opens his eyes to see Inness standing in the purgatory.

 

Intell: Can you possibly imagine how this body would operate... How Isaiah would be supported... If you two egotistical children could co-exist?

 

Both Ijitu and Inness stare at one another seriously.

 

Intell takes a step back and tosses his hand forward. The desks disappear and Inness and Ijitu stand up, continuing to stare at one another.

 

Intell: Symbiosis. Solidarity.

 

Intell removes his eye-glasses and walks backwards out of view, his voice still able to be heard.

 

Intell: I know that neither of you will concede control voluntarily... but please imagine a world where co-existence leads to the greatest pride Isaiah has ever known. He is why we are here, after all.

 

Ijitu and Inness continue staring at one another before a flash of white brings us back to reality, as Inness' blood shot eyes fill the screen. The view zooms out and Inness lifts the Undisputed Tag Team championship, staring at it for a few moments intensely.