Continuing from the last chapter*

There it was, the news was out. Tyler has a cancerous tumor in his spine. This was a shock to everyone that currently knows, and they had no idea what to do.

And neither did Tyler.

Everyone is now sitting in Ty's living room*

Bea was still crying a bit, laying in Will's arms as he got a little emotional. Tyler was sitting across from them in a chair as Toni joined him by sitting on the arm rest and slowly going down as she was laying on him.

She was wiping her tears away as she hadn't stopped, and as Tyler slowly put his arm around her it started up again.

The best friends would look at each oyhrt and see them crying, then they would get worse.

Everything needed to calm down so he can continue. So Tyler hinted at Will to calm down Bea while he worked on Toni.

She was now running her finders through his hair and staring off into one part of the apartment while the tears kept slowly falling.

Tyler: Hey, come here.

He got up and pulled her in for a hug as she buried her head into his chest and started to cry again. At this point nothing was working, so he kept his arm around her and they started to walk out of the living room, then out the door.

Will watched them leave as everyone needed to calm down.

Outside*

It was raining, so they stood in the outdoor hallway as they could hear the rain hit the roof above them. Tyler heard Toni stop crying, lifted her chin with his hand and wiped her tears away for her.

This was very emotional for her as this suprise was never on her mind, she always figured he had a slight injury but never thought of cancer.

Tyler: Hey, you need to calm a little.

Toni: sniffs* I- I can't. Sniffs*

She started to cry again and he knew that nothing was working.

Tyler: T. Listen to me babe.

As he started to speak, she stopped crying and looked at him dead in the eyes as he started to explain what was happening.

Tyler: I know this is a shock, but this is just a small set back.

Toni: But it's cancer Ty.

Tyler: Yeah, but I'll get through it. With your help.

Toni: Me?

Tyler: Well yeah. I'll need someone with me through all this.

She sniffed again and then they wrapped their arms around each other and embraced in another hug.

Toni held him tight as Tyler felt the love and support pouring off of her.

He then grabbed her hand and they walked back into the apartment to see everyone's okay now.

Now, everyone was back to sitting down with each other as it was time to explain what was next.

Tyler: sitting across from everyone* So, now I can say what's next. The doctors were shocked by the discovery as well, and they started to plan immediately.

Toni: ...

Tyler: I have to get ahold of Hunter as soon as I can because they have scheduled surgery for Friday.

Toni: This Friday?

Tyler: Yeah, four o'clock in the afternoon. I have to prep Thursday, then go in Friday and the way he talked was I'll stay in the hospital for two weeks.

Toni: Two weeks!? That's alot.

Tyler: You don't need to stay the whole time.

Toni: Well I'm going to.

Bea: Were getting off track.

Tyler: Anyways. The surgery could take up to three or five hours.

Will: That long?

Tyler: It's because, the way my tumor is positioned now; if they cut near the tissue that surrounds the tumor, it can paralyze me. The nerves surrounding makes it more crucial to keep calm while cutting me open.

Will: So, after that? Then what?

Tyler: If the surgery is successful and they're able to take out the tumor, they'll test it to see how strong the cancer has gotten. If it's really bad then they'll make me go straight to do chemotherapy. Around that time then I'll be out of action for more than a year.

Toni: And what if it's not that bad?

Tyler: I know that cancer is bad, very bad. But if they're a slight spread then I should be able to go through chemotherapy for a month or two and then begin training for a return.

Toni: Let's hope on the second choice.

Tyler: We only can.

They all continued to talk as Tyler shot Hunter a text, and since it was getting late; He knew he wouldn't get an answer until the morning.

Tyler: Hunter, whenever you see this and have time. I need you to call me, it's serious.

And not after two minutes of him sending that text, his phone was vibrating.

Throughout the call was bascailly everything that the doctor wanted him to relay.

This was a shock and a shot to the heart for the creator and head guy at NXT, one of his star picks now will be out with serious health issues.

But what was done had to be done. Hunter explained his deep emotions and support that Tyler will have, but then came the business part as they were setting up a meeting for tomorrow before the recording for NXT starts.

After the phone call, Tyler took a deep breath and followed Toni back to her apartment.

They both got changed for bed, slipped under the covers and held each other.

Tyler had his arms around her as she locked him in and held his arms close, he could tell that this was hitting her hard as she was making sure to be by his side at all times.

Just thinking about that made him forget about what was going on at some points in the night. Now everyone fell asleep in deep shock and left over emotions.

The next day, Wednesday*

It was quiet in Toni's bedroom, no alarm clock blasting, no dog barking. Nothing.

Tyler slowly opened his eyes to see the sun peaking through the shades. Then he felt a little bit of movement below by his feet.

Reggie had made a little bed in between his feet and was fast asleep, then he looked over at the clock to see it read 08:35am*

After laying there for a bit, he looked over and saw Toni buried into his arm as she had ahold of him close.

He knows how difficult it is on him, but he doesn't know how hard it is on her. She's always with him, doing everything with him. That'll change soon.

Slowly shakes her a little*

It didn't take much but Toni finally woke up.

She let go of him and sat up as she looked exhausted.

Tyler: Did you get any sleep?

Toni: No, I couldn't stop thinking about what happend.

Tyler: Yeah, me neither.

Then it was a little quiet until Tyler broke the news on what was happening today.

Tyler: So, I have to be at the Performance Center before going to Full Sail tonight.

Toni: I'm assuming you are talking to management?

Tyler: Yeah. I let Hunter know what was happening, and it was a shock to him.

Toni: Well, you don't hear from alot of wrestlers that have cancer while wrestling.

Tyler: I guess. Anyways, I need to get ready.

Toni: We..

She got up and grabbed him his extra pair of workout clothes and pushed him into the bathroom. That made him feel more relaxed on how he could tell that Toni was making the situation as simple as possible.

Even though it's serious, she was making it seem like it wasn't.

Later on into the day, Performance Center*

NXT taping will start rolling in about two hours, so the meeting was moved back at Full Sail.

Tyler and Toni jumped in her Jeep and headed down to the university where the parking lot was packed.

WWE and William Regal were planning on something big for the new NXT Champion, but this was now scrapped as Tyler has thought of everything on how to walk away.

It would be something special, but it would also involve something he's never wanted to do.

NXT Live*

The show has been filming for an hour and a half as everyone were on edge since Triple H has announced that Tyler Black will be here tonight with something to say.

He was backstage in a private locker room with his NXT Alumni girlfriend as they were watching the show, and also monitoring social media.

Some people were trying to figure out what was happening. Most tried to call it that he would be calling out someone for the next storyline, and others are saying that he's creating a team to revolt over Undisputed Era.

It crushed him to see everyone were excited to see his plan.

Last segment*

Hunter personally walked to his locker room and told him that it was time.

Tyler got up, left his phone, grabbed his jacket and title. After looking at it for a while he put on both and grabbed Toni's hand as they walked out.

Everyone in the back had no idea what was happening, but when they watched the couple walk through then something was wrong.

A couple cameras then followed them as a live feed kicked on the titantron. The croud cheered as they all then walked into gorilla as the feed dissapeared, then his entrance theme kicked on and everyone stood up.

Tyler walked out and looked around at everyone, and they all looked back at him to see him not in character, not in wrestling attire, not the NXT Champion they know.

Phones were out and loud cheering were being heard by him as he slowly made his way into the ring.

It was time to take it all in as this would be the final time for a while.

The announcer sitting ringside handed him a working microphone so he can let it all out.

Still wearing his jacket and championship belt, Tyler was about to shock the world.

Tyler: Long time no see N. X. T.

Everyone cheered as he was about to spill it all.

Tyler: I've been in NXT for over a year now, and it has been the best year I have had in my professional wrestling career. From everyone in the back to all of you; You make us who we are, you make us the best in the world.

They cheered again and applauded him and were a little confused since this wasn't his character. Some knew that something was up.

Tyler: Now, I've been a little silent on social media about my hiatus from this great place we call NXT. I should explain to all of you here, and all of you watching at home.

He pointed at the camera as this was going to be the hardest speech that he's ever had to speak before.

Tyler: Back at Takeover Phoenix where I won this bad boy. After that match, I was sent to the back for a bit with back pain. Now I can see everyone in here thinking they know this could be a injury. Let me explain a little bit more.

When he was grabbing the microphone from before, Tyler also grabbed a chair and stuck it in the ring. He quickly grabbed it, set it up in the middle of the ring and sat down while looking dead at the hard camera.

Tyler: The trainers in the back told me that they would need to set up an appointment as soon as they could, which I held off and it was my bad. I went to Smackdown last Friday to watch my Toni debut, man did she kick ass. Anyways, while I was back in the back sitting I felt a sharp pain shoot up and down my back. Those are called spinal spasms which basically paralyze me for a quick second. I fell out of my chair and fell, passed out for a minute and woke up in the trainers office.

At this point into the speech, the atmosphere changed as the energy was shot back at Tyler to make him continue.

Tyler: Well, I went to the doctor yesterday. Had the normal examination until we started talking about my back, that's when I was quickly scanned. I never thought I'd ever hear a word come out of the doctors mouth at me. I have a tumor growing in between a couple plates in my lumbar section of my spine. And it's also cancerous.

Gasps filled the room to be able to catch the cameras microphones and even Tyler's.

That hit him hard as he could see the effect saying that did on some people, so he started to tear up just a little.

Tyler: Doctors told me that they've discovered cancer cells spreading around it, which means it needs to come out as soon as possible. I'll have surgery this coming Friday sometime in the morning, hopefully get that sucker out and get back to training. What will happen though, with it being on my spine they'll have to carefully remove it. I'll have to have help with no use of my legs for a week or so, then maybe chemotherapy and training.

....

Tyler: Which also means, I Tyler Black here by relinquish my NXT Championship.

He then dropped his head and looked at his own shiney shiney. The bright gold X belt was glimpsing off the lights and showing its worth.

That made him a bit emotional, but it all didn't show until he felt a hand grab his.

The cameras showed Toni walk out and grab him, embracing in an emotional hug.

As tears were flowing from the both of them, they ended it with a kiss until they heard Triple H's theme hit.

NXT creator and leader walked out and joined the two in the ring as Tyler slowly handed over the championship.

Hunter then pulled Tyler in for a hug as he was also pep talking him during.

It was bitter sweet as they all waved to the croud of Full Sail, giving hugs and handshakes as they walked up to the stage.

Toni grabbed his hand as Hunter grabbed his other hand and rose it high.

With the championship in his other hand, Tyler then looked at Hunter, kicked him in the groan area and hit his own pedigree on the boss.

Tyler was showing everyone that he was the champion, and forever will be the best champion that NXT has seen.

He will return to reclaim his thrown.

Backstage*

Camera's caught up with everyone as the gorilla position was full of producers, talent and management as they were giving their support to the former champion.

Tyler got to everyone, and gave them time to talk and hug it out.

After an hour of saying his goodbyes to everyone, him and Toni went back to her apartment where Will and Bea were there to exspress their own way of support to their best friend.

When it hit midnight, everyone was in bed. But not Tyler.

He was still awake in Toni's bed, holding her with one of his arms as he looked out the open window at the night sky. Something was going through his mind that he needed a sign from something to make sure that he'll be okay during this process.

Before he closed his eyes, he saw a bright star light up the night sky for a couple seconds.

2 days later, surgery day*

Today was a big day for everyone involved in Tyler Black's life as today would be the day to finally let him live his life without pain.

Last night, as Tyler was reading the instructions that the doctor and surgeon gave him in prep for his surgery the next day; He got a quick call from the office notifying him that his surgery time had been moved up to the early morning.

Now instead of going into surgery around four in the evening, it would now be six in the morning.

Now the nurves were getting to him as Toni quickly calmed him down by having a relaxing night, just the two of them and Reggie.

They would later then go to sleep, again not Tyler though. He spent the whole night coming up with scenarios on what could go wrong during the four hour surgery.

Something could go wrong while under the knife, the anesthesia could malfunction and never wake him up again. He looked at Toni and started to have a panic attack as he wanted to be able to come back here and sleep next to her.

Early Morning*

No Alarm*

Tyler was woken up by Toni shaking him up a little. As his eyes opened up, she had only one light on in the room.

Toni: Wake up T.

Tyler: Wha? What's going on?

Toni: I shut off the alarm, let you sleep. C'mon, we have to leave in an hour.

Tyler: Ok, ok.

He pulled the covers off and got out of the bed as he watched Toni pack a backpack full of her clothes and a clean pair for him. That pair must be for whenever he gets to go home.

As she was doing that, Tyler jumped in the shower and got ready.

An hour later*

Tyler was talking to Will and Bea as they were coming up in an hour, give him and Toni time before he goes in. So Tyler gave his hugs and said his goodbyes as what he didn't know was his dad staying a couple days later and flying in his brother Eric.

He hasn't seen his brother in three years from working so much.

As they walked down to the parking lot, Tyler jumped into the drivers seat and wanted to drive.

Toni smiled and allowed it since it'll be a while until he can drive.

While she buckled up, he flipped on a song and they drove off.

At the hospital*

Tyler was put into his room that he'll be in for the remainder of his stay and recovery.

They gave him a hair net and gown to wear, preping for surgery..

When the nurses, surgeon and doctors would come in and explain everything to him and Toni; Tyler would block everything they said out and just stare at his girlfriend.

Everything was now set as it was just the two of them now.

IV bag going in and heartrate monitor on filling the room with beets, Tyler had to say something to her.

Tyler: Hey, babe?

Toni: Yes love?

Tyler: Whatever happens eyes fill with tears* just know I'll always love you.

Toni: Also gets emotional* T, dont say that. Everything will be ok. You'll get out and we'll go back home to everyone, and Reggie.

Tyler: Sniffs* I'm just saying, you'll always be my best friend and I wouldn't wish anything else. I love you so much.

She got up and gave him a kiss and slow hug.

Tyler: Also, just remember. It's always Toni's time, ok?

Toni: Always babe.

She kissed him one more time.

30 minutes later*

A couple nurses came in and started to push his bed out of the room as Toni followed until they hit the doors that lead into the operating room.

They stopped as Tyler had requested to stay for a second.

Toni joined his side as he leaned her down and gave her a kiss.

Tyler: I'll see you soon.

Toni: I'll be waiting.

Then they continued to push him as he watched his girlfriend be distant.

He lifted his finger with the letter T on it and kissed it. Just before the doors closed, Tyler watched Toni do the same back.

END OF TONI TIME

Thank you everyone that has supported this story.

It was my lowest read book, but as it got more attention then it blew up. That made me more motivated to continue the book until here.

Toni will always have a special place in my heart, but it's time to move on and continue to another book.

🤘