Post by Swindle Shelldrake on Aug 25, 2021 22:18:59 GMT -5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---|A Series of Fortunate Events |---
"Wrong place"
"You are in the wrong place"
"It's ok"
"You can be the new oblation"
"Dagon"
"He will need more souls"
"And now"
"You better start to"
"Run"
"Run"
"Run"
"Run"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| Breaking News in the Wrestling World |---
Some incredible news coming out of the Project: Honor promotion this week as reports are declaring that numerous talents from their brands, Proving Ground and Fallout, are either unable to compete on their following event, or are refusing to do so. This is a massive blow to the promotion with their Night of Honor PPV event fast approaching, and with many staple talents and big names not slated to wrestle on their go-home shows. In further developments, Fallout's Prime Champion Jason Long will be featuring highly in both Proving Ground's and Fallout's main event matches, one of which against a relative newcomer to the promotion, Swindle Shelldrake. Be it through the lack of talent available to face The Emperor, the ball is in Shelldrake's court to match level against one of the best going in the promotion. Needless to say it's a massive spot for the young wrestler.
A DOOR OPENS
---| One Foot in the Grave |---
"Main Event....I like the sound of that".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---|A Series of Fortunate Events |---
August 13th, 2021
Tangerang, Indonesia
After Proving Ground XXI
A DOOR OPENS
Night has fallen over the skyline of Indonesia and Proving Ground has come to a close for another chapter. A tall figure walks through the doorway onto the train station platform. The rhythmic thrums of a train rumbles though the ground as it expresses through the station, whipping up a gust of wind in its wake. The suitcase being dragged behind him lightly jumps over the surface of the station, erratic clacks and jittered with its wheels picking up all the tiniest imperfections in the ground. Making the timbre of the moment sound like a 1930s drum solo to be found in a Jazz Club. The man eventually comes to a stop and whips the suitcase around to lean against the handle, standing next to the large route map on the platform. Swindle Shelldrake wipes the tiredness from his eyes before taking a drag from his cigarette, the streaks of smoke gliding away into the air after a protracted exhale, only to mix in with the night and fade away.
A few moments go by before another set of clanking wheels is heard rolling over the platform as Swindle looks over to the entrance, seeing a tired-looking man dressed in a generic dark grey suit. One that every office worker grunt would pick up for their wardrobe and blend into a sea of the exact same colour jackets of their cubicles. Swindle first thinks nothing of it and turns away, but his attention is drawn again as he eyes what looks like a Project: Honor laniard around his neck. Urgh. The nameless suit seems to be speed-walking his way right towards Swindle, the man being out of breath as wiping the sweat from his brow.
PH OFFICIAL: "Phew, hey, Swindle. Glad I caught up with you. It's late but I've got some news that I think you'd be interested in hearing. I know it's late, but Indy Darling, uh....I mean, Larry KaChow has made some pretty cool plans tha-"
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Couldn't this have waited until tomorrow morning or something? The show is over, it's late, it's humid as shit here, and I'm tired, ok? Just have another grunt or something text me in the morning like usual...."
PH OFFICIAL: "Well I volunteered to get this out to you in person. It's a little bigger than the usual announcement you'd get. You're getting some good momentum going for someone whose just come into the company. Indy Darling already seeing the potential in you to represent Proving Ground at Night of Honor with big names like Arata Asakura, TJ Thompson, Ulf Hednir and even Mark Hunter! That's a huge....well, honor!!"
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Get to the point....for my own sanity...."
PH OFFICIAL: "You're in the main event of Proving Ground XXII against Prime Champion Jason Long".
Swindle turns with a perplexed look on his face, an eyebrow firmly raised in disbelief of what he's hearing. Despite the denial in his expression, there's now a focused intent in his gaze to the nameless official.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "....you're pulling my leg right? You have to be joking".
PH OFFICIAL: "If I was lying I wouldn't have ran down here to tell you now".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Well, what happened? It doesn't make sense that I'd be put into a singles main event against Jason this soon, not with everyone else running around. What's the real story?"
PH OFFICIAL: "A bunch of talent aren't going to wrestle on the next episode. Dunno if it's just Larry KaChow being weird, but it's also affecting Fallout too, so I doubt that. Either way, you're in the main event. Congratulations".
A DOOR OPENS
The denial on his face slowly softens to a widening smile. The groaning screech of a train on the rails fills the air as it slowly pulls into the station and the doors open, while Shelldrake gives a long look to the PH Official, just as the light, smooth percussive taps of a ride cymbal begin to play in the background. The swing beat meshing into the sounds of the train station before a heavy, growling and prowling bassline joins the ensemble. "Esoteric Order" by Tortuga begins to play. Swindle and the Official step into the carriage as Swindle turns to face the platform, the smile now a scheming grin as the lyrics ominously ring out as the doors close and fade to black.
Tangerang, Indonesia
After Proving Ground XXI
A DOOR OPENS
Night has fallen over the skyline of Indonesia and Proving Ground has come to a close for another chapter. A tall figure walks through the doorway onto the train station platform. The rhythmic thrums of a train rumbles though the ground as it expresses through the station, whipping up a gust of wind in its wake. The suitcase being dragged behind him lightly jumps over the surface of the station, erratic clacks and jittered with its wheels picking up all the tiniest imperfections in the ground. Making the timbre of the moment sound like a 1930s drum solo to be found in a Jazz Club. The man eventually comes to a stop and whips the suitcase around to lean against the handle, standing next to the large route map on the platform. Swindle Shelldrake wipes the tiredness from his eyes before taking a drag from his cigarette, the streaks of smoke gliding away into the air after a protracted exhale, only to mix in with the night and fade away.
A few moments go by before another set of clanking wheels is heard rolling over the platform as Swindle looks over to the entrance, seeing a tired-looking man dressed in a generic dark grey suit. One that every office worker grunt would pick up for their wardrobe and blend into a sea of the exact same colour jackets of their cubicles. Swindle first thinks nothing of it and turns away, but his attention is drawn again as he eyes what looks like a Project: Honor laniard around his neck. Urgh. The nameless suit seems to be speed-walking his way right towards Swindle, the man being out of breath as wiping the sweat from his brow.
PH OFFICIAL: "Phew, hey, Swindle. Glad I caught up with you. It's late but I've got some news that I think you'd be interested in hearing. I know it's late, but Indy Darling, uh....I mean, Larry KaChow has made some pretty cool plans tha-"
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Couldn't this have waited until tomorrow morning or something? The show is over, it's late, it's humid as shit here, and I'm tired, ok? Just have another grunt or something text me in the morning like usual...."
PH OFFICIAL: "Well I volunteered to get this out to you in person. It's a little bigger than the usual announcement you'd get. You're getting some good momentum going for someone whose just come into the company. Indy Darling already seeing the potential in you to represent Proving Ground at Night of Honor with big names like Arata Asakura, TJ Thompson, Ulf Hednir and even Mark Hunter! That's a huge....well, honor!!"
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Get to the point....for my own sanity...."
PH OFFICIAL: "You're in the main event of Proving Ground XXII against Prime Champion Jason Long".
Swindle turns with a perplexed look on his face, an eyebrow firmly raised in disbelief of what he's hearing. Despite the denial in his expression, there's now a focused intent in his gaze to the nameless official.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "....you're pulling my leg right? You have to be joking".
PH OFFICIAL: "If I was lying I wouldn't have ran down here to tell you now".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Well, what happened? It doesn't make sense that I'd be put into a singles main event against Jason this soon, not with everyone else running around. What's the real story?"
PH OFFICIAL: "A bunch of talent aren't going to wrestle on the next episode. Dunno if it's just Larry KaChow being weird, but it's also affecting Fallout too, so I doubt that. Either way, you're in the main event. Congratulations".
A DOOR OPENS
The denial on his face slowly softens to a widening smile. The groaning screech of a train on the rails fills the air as it slowly pulls into the station and the doors open, while Shelldrake gives a long look to the PH Official, just as the light, smooth percussive taps of a ride cymbal begin to play in the background. The swing beat meshing into the sounds of the train station before a heavy, growling and prowling bassline joins the ensemble. "Esoteric Order" by Tortuga begins to play. Swindle and the Official step into the carriage as Swindle turns to face the platform, the smile now a scheming grin as the lyrics ominously ring out as the doors close and fade to black.
"Wrong place"
"You are in the wrong place"
"It's ok"
"You can be the new oblation"
"Dagon"
"He will need more souls"
"And now"
"You better start to"
"Run"
"Run"
"Run"
"Run"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| Breaking News in the Wrestling World |---
Some incredible news coming out of the Project: Honor promotion this week as reports are declaring that numerous talents from their brands, Proving Ground and Fallout, are either unable to compete on their following event, or are refusing to do so. This is a massive blow to the promotion with their Night of Honor PPV event fast approaching, and with many staple talents and big names not slated to wrestle on their go-home shows. In further developments, Fallout's Prime Champion Jason Long will be featuring highly in both Proving Ground's and Fallout's main event matches, one of which against a relative newcomer to the promotion, Swindle Shelldrake. Be it through the lack of talent available to face The Emperor, the ball is in Shelldrake's court to match level against one of the best going in the promotion. Needless to say it's a massive spot for the young wrestler.
A DOOR OPENS
Unknown Date
Unaired Audio
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Unaired Audio
SWINDLE SHELlDRAKE: "It's bigger than big".
ROLAND: "Good, Very good. One minute you're having to go all in on everything. But then, all of a sudden, you're the big stack at the table and you're sitting on the hot hand".
"But don't let this go to your head. Don't fuck it up now that you're finally in a decent light for once. This isn't against some washed up goobers or average journeymen. Take what you can, just look good in a defeat. All you need to do is make a crack in the ice. You can get a lot from chasing out while you're ahead here. Making Jason Long's weakness known to the world is the goal. Think about the shock that there will be when he comes in expecting to destroy you, only to be taken to his absolute limit. Away from his own brand against a newcomer. You'll need that momentum heading into the Tag Tournament and for Night of Honor. I want to see you with Tag Team gold over your shoulder, that's more important than some vanity tune up match for The Emperor of Fallout".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Am I fucking hearing this right? You tell me that victory is the only option for the longest time and hang it over my head. But when it's suddenly against a world champion, just looking good is enough for you? Here's a news flash, Roland. 'Good enough' was never enough for my either. I'm not going to slip by with only what I can survive with. It's not like this is an opportunity that comes around every day".
ROLAND: "It does for the upper echelons like Jason Long. He lives for and is well acquainted with a spot like this. You'll just be setting yourself up for disappointment. You talk a whole lot of shit with that big mouth of yours. Kind of too loud for your own good, you'll get yourself into more shit that you're bargaining for. You'll say you can beat him, when you won't. I don't mean any disrespect, but it's true".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "He's not in the upper echelons. He's fallen from Olympus and still needs to crawl his way back. This is the chance to do more than just 'look good'. I'm taking him fro everything that he has and more. I don't have anything to lose here, Roland. I might be opportunistic and definitely rub some people the wrong way. I don't claim to be a universal god to be loved. But I'll never settle for something that others, especially you deem to be out of my reach. If I didn't push and give it absolutely everything when the chance has arisen, then what the fuck am I doing here? Just by being in the match I'm already getting more spotlight and a bigger chance that what you seem to be comfortable with. You wanted to develop a star well this is what it looks like. It looks like defeating the Prime Champion in the main event of Proving Ground. It's taking a mile when they give an inch".
"Screw your safe strategy. Proving Ground is mine. Even if it's for just one week, it will be mine to cherish. Take that and be content with it or find someone else".
"But don't let this go to your head. Don't fuck it up now that you're finally in a decent light for once. This isn't against some washed up goobers or average journeymen. Take what you can, just look good in a defeat. All you need to do is make a crack in the ice. You can get a lot from chasing out while you're ahead here. Making Jason Long's weakness known to the world is the goal. Think about the shock that there will be when he comes in expecting to destroy you, only to be taken to his absolute limit. Away from his own brand against a newcomer. You'll need that momentum heading into the Tag Tournament and for Night of Honor. I want to see you with Tag Team gold over your shoulder, that's more important than some vanity tune up match for The Emperor of Fallout".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "Am I fucking hearing this right? You tell me that victory is the only option for the longest time and hang it over my head. But when it's suddenly against a world champion, just looking good is enough for you? Here's a news flash, Roland. 'Good enough' was never enough for my either. I'm not going to slip by with only what I can survive with. It's not like this is an opportunity that comes around every day".
ROLAND: "It does for the upper echelons like Jason Long. He lives for and is well acquainted with a spot like this. You'll just be setting yourself up for disappointment. You talk a whole lot of shit with that big mouth of yours. Kind of too loud for your own good, you'll get yourself into more shit that you're bargaining for. You'll say you can beat him, when you won't. I don't mean any disrespect, but it's true".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "He's not in the upper echelons. He's fallen from Olympus and still needs to crawl his way back. This is the chance to do more than just 'look good'. I'm taking him fro everything that he has and more. I don't have anything to lose here, Roland. I might be opportunistic and definitely rub some people the wrong way. I don't claim to be a universal god to be loved. But I'll never settle for something that others, especially you deem to be out of my reach. If I didn't push and give it absolutely everything when the chance has arisen, then what the fuck am I doing here? Just by being in the match I'm already getting more spotlight and a bigger chance that what you seem to be comfortable with. You wanted to develop a star well this is what it looks like. It looks like defeating the Prime Champion in the main event of Proving Ground. It's taking a mile when they give an inch".
"Screw your safe strategy. Proving Ground is mine. Even if it's for just one week, it will be mine to cherish. Take that and be content with it or find someone else".
---| One Foot in the Grave |---
25th August, 2021
Maebashi, Japan
Maebashi, Japan
A DOOR OPENS
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "When the cats are away...the mice will play".
"To humour the idea of a fight between the suits who either aren't cleared to fight their own battle, too much of a pussy to do it themselves, or they just get some weird morbid pleasure in seeing their little toys fight on the playground. Fallout vs. Proving Ground. Not something I would typically rise to the occasion for, fighting for the sake of a brand or the like. Typically.
"Where is everyone else to batten down the hatches and fight against the blood rabble at the gates? Nowhere. Left it all abandoned. Absconded for their own sakes. Where is Arata? The man whose been such a bitter sourpuss about being denied his deserved singles match. It's not so hard when you're in the right place at the right time. This match could have been yours, you know? Most eliminations in the Opportunity Knocks Rumble, surely, you'd have gotten your chance to shine against the Prime Champion. If only you didn't let your eye off the ball for this one moment. Where is everyone that's already graced the posters and the touring trucks and the banner of Project: Honor's marquee events? They're nowhere too".
"All too absorbed in their own precious Night of Honor moments to really give a damn, feigning that they need to 'rest up' for the big night. So much for brand warfare when your own wrestlers are big leaguing your own show. Mark Hunter and I set the example of actually showing up to work and do his job description, while the others kick their feet up pretending that they're stars, probably getting all cosy in their backstage segments rather than getting their hands dirty. it's ok to say you'd flinch at the prospect of facing a world champion. No shame in that if you admit it. But, because I was here to pick up THEIR slack, no doubt I'll get all the flack for it".
"Watch them come out in their droves at me for taking their spot and stealing what is theirs. And they'd be right, I am stealing it....because every last one of them has left the door WIDE OPEN for me to waltz in and take it. Watch them. When victory comes, they'll show up at Night of Honor and pretend it was all their own efforts that fought away the denizens of Fallout. Suddenly clamouring to show false loyalty in droves. I'm not going to pretend that I'll live and die for Proving Ground, there's not enough hours on the earth to do such a depressing crusade for so long. But, I'll happily take apart some invaders if it means I can earn something. And low and behold, I can. Not only that, but we can earn something. Venting on my upcoming Proving Ground teammates is fun and all, could do it all day if I really was so inclined. But, being the better man, I'm willing to put all of that aside. They did inadvertently give me this moment after all. We have a potential Grand Championship match on the horizon, boys. So, maybe show up this time, and with some pragmatic thinking, no prejudices against gaijins, record deals or rock-brain viking actions.....we can all help each other get a little higher before we kill each other. With all these big matches coming up and up, Night of Honor, a Grand Championship shot hanging in the balance, the Tag Team Championships up for grabs.....slumming it up with Ace Sky feels like a century ago. As much as I crave to have championship gold around my waist, for JÖRMUNGANDR to swipe the Tag Titles from under everyone's noses in the shadow of Night of Honor.....tonight is a different beast. Someone who I at least see eye-to-eye in our drive for gold. And proving what we have...."
"A moment against one of the best....A moment against a king. An Emperor....."
".....or so they say. Returned to his throne, so they say. Sadly it's not such a clean story to tell I'm afraid, Jason. How'd death treat you by the way? Not sure if it's confidence or stupidity to take on such a gruelling test before Night of Honor when you're so freshly escaped from Davey's locker. Nobody has the power to overcome death completely, Jason. I do hope you at least have the common sense to see and respect that virtue. It might be back to the home comforts; title around your waist, Savannah on your arm. But none of it makes you alive. Death isn't done with you yet. You're far from breaking the surface to breath the autumn air. Still surrounded by the ice-cold water and it's my job to keep you below the surface. You're not compete because death will take something from you, even if you don't see it. How many times are you willing to die for your dreams, dear champion? A visage of invincibility is all but washed away in this day and age, when we've all seen you be destroyed. You won't be allowed to return and go on as if nothing happened. You are the living proof that even a God-King can bleed. A gap in the armour is there for all to see".
"No doubt a lot of my peers in the locker room, or watching at home, or people who aren't familiar with me already have the result carved into stone. Because it's Jason Long. What else would happen? It's Jason Long. Even people that are supposed to be guiding me to greater things already write it off. Take the bag that you can, survive for the next day. Look good while you can with what's left. Everyone has me dead to rites already, except for me. All of that shit can go to the dark place where you came back from, Jason. The rest might be scared to match up against someone with gold over their shoulder just because they're paranoid over the slightest weakness that can't see in themselves. Not me. I don't take this moment for granted as my peers might. Or as you might. I didn't come here to be a footnote for you".
Your name might carry a resonance over on Fallout...but you're not coming to Fallout. You're a king in foreign soil. The Prime Championship might still be yours but what happened to your Noble Championship? Such an iron-grip over your domain should decree it still be yours....unless you don't have the power you really think you have. Power that a deadman can only cling to desperately. Fallout don't give a shit about you! It's such an albatross over your head, that you already have the Legacy Championship in your head. Looking to replace your second title, to balance out your shoulders so they can carry that big head of yours. What's going to happen if you win that too, huh? DeMarco gonna click his fingers and like a good dog you'll relinquish the toy, only to chase after it once again when he throws it down the street. This isn't the battlefield for you to glide over on your way to Night of Honor. I'm not the ideal champion to defend Proving Ground. Far from it. But you can chase DeDraca for her gold, get caught up in your blood feuds over in the pits of chaos with Redd. But we won't be having any of that here. I provide you with a different challenge. No vendetta. No deep-seated lust for violence. I face you as a man on the rise. As someone who might not be so accustomed to the hallowed main event scene....not yet anyway. But look me in the eye and say I don't belong. Luck and opportunity or otherwise, I'm the guy that is here saying he'll beat you. Even with everyone out, I am here to face you all the same. While you've already been a double champion, so it's all downhill from here, I am only hungrier to make that next step. For what might only be a fraction of the glory you have seen, to me I will pull you back down into the depths of the ocean and back into the grave myself if it means I can rise above you. The Tag Team Championships, the Grand Championship....they are greater prizes that what you have. You will be the stepping stone for me, to rise above what your new dead world is".
"That veneer of dominance and power means nothing to me. Because you're not in your main event, champ. Nothing about Proving Ground is yours, nothing about this match is yours to have, take or even envision as belonging to you. Jason Long will be seeing his second trip to the pearly gates when he's looking up at the lights. THAT is your value to me. Not for a fleeting bask in the spotlight in your road. Fuck that. I'm here to stand over the Prime Champion with my hand raised, because I have the capability and the hunger to make it happen. Just as I took this main event spot from anyone and everyone too stupid and up themselves to see the danger they've allowed to fester, I will take the story from you. Simply because I want it. Simply because a win over you is a far greater embarrassment against your precious Fallout than anything I could do at Night of Honor. I have no such vestige to defend, while you. Every waking moment that death slows you down more and more, is another where the crafted prestige you want to cultivate over there is stripped away. Felled by nothing more than a newbie, in his fourth match. Either way, you'll walk out of the Green Dome, The Prime Champion will continue on and slink his way into Night of Honor with the seeping wound I give to you. When you least expect it from this little old match amongst your clashes with titans. Death might not have taken your body, but I can certainly leave a mark on your soul as the title you cherish will remind you....that The Kraken has a grip on you. Swindle Shelldrake will own Jason Long. The door opens for me....and closes for you!"
"Oh yeah, and to all the people over on Fallout who want to be 'the one' to finally beat Jason Long and end the era of his reign. Too bad. You'll have to settle for second best, because I'll have carved my name into his soul before you get there to claim the glory. This is my match. My main event".
A DOOR CLOSES
"To humour the idea of a fight between the suits who either aren't cleared to fight their own battle, too much of a pussy to do it themselves, or they just get some weird morbid pleasure in seeing their little toys fight on the playground. Fallout vs. Proving Ground. Not something I would typically rise to the occasion for, fighting for the sake of a brand or the like. Typically.
"Where is everyone else to batten down the hatches and fight against the blood rabble at the gates? Nowhere. Left it all abandoned. Absconded for their own sakes. Where is Arata? The man whose been such a bitter sourpuss about being denied his deserved singles match. It's not so hard when you're in the right place at the right time. This match could have been yours, you know? Most eliminations in the Opportunity Knocks Rumble, surely, you'd have gotten your chance to shine against the Prime Champion. If only you didn't let your eye off the ball for this one moment. Where is everyone that's already graced the posters and the touring trucks and the banner of Project: Honor's marquee events? They're nowhere too".
"All too absorbed in their own precious Night of Honor moments to really give a damn, feigning that they need to 'rest up' for the big night. So much for brand warfare when your own wrestlers are big leaguing your own show. Mark Hunter and I set the example of actually showing up to work and do his job description, while the others kick their feet up pretending that they're stars, probably getting all cosy in their backstage segments rather than getting their hands dirty. it's ok to say you'd flinch at the prospect of facing a world champion. No shame in that if you admit it. But, because I was here to pick up THEIR slack, no doubt I'll get all the flack for it".
"Watch them come out in their droves at me for taking their spot and stealing what is theirs. And they'd be right, I am stealing it....because every last one of them has left the door WIDE OPEN for me to waltz in and take it. Watch them. When victory comes, they'll show up at Night of Honor and pretend it was all their own efforts that fought away the denizens of Fallout. Suddenly clamouring to show false loyalty in droves. I'm not going to pretend that I'll live and die for Proving Ground, there's not enough hours on the earth to do such a depressing crusade for so long. But, I'll happily take apart some invaders if it means I can earn something. And low and behold, I can. Not only that, but we can earn something. Venting on my upcoming Proving Ground teammates is fun and all, could do it all day if I really was so inclined. But, being the better man, I'm willing to put all of that aside. They did inadvertently give me this moment after all. We have a potential Grand Championship match on the horizon, boys. So, maybe show up this time, and with some pragmatic thinking, no prejudices against gaijins, record deals or rock-brain viking actions.....we can all help each other get a little higher before we kill each other. With all these big matches coming up and up, Night of Honor, a Grand Championship shot hanging in the balance, the Tag Team Championships up for grabs.....slumming it up with Ace Sky feels like a century ago. As much as I crave to have championship gold around my waist, for JÖRMUNGANDR to swipe the Tag Titles from under everyone's noses in the shadow of Night of Honor.....tonight is a different beast. Someone who I at least see eye-to-eye in our drive for gold. And proving what we have...."
"A moment against one of the best....A moment against a king. An Emperor....."
".....or so they say. Returned to his throne, so they say. Sadly it's not such a clean story to tell I'm afraid, Jason. How'd death treat you by the way? Not sure if it's confidence or stupidity to take on such a gruelling test before Night of Honor when you're so freshly escaped from Davey's locker. Nobody has the power to overcome death completely, Jason. I do hope you at least have the common sense to see and respect that virtue. It might be back to the home comforts; title around your waist, Savannah on your arm. But none of it makes you alive. Death isn't done with you yet. You're far from breaking the surface to breath the autumn air. Still surrounded by the ice-cold water and it's my job to keep you below the surface. You're not compete because death will take something from you, even if you don't see it. How many times are you willing to die for your dreams, dear champion? A visage of invincibility is all but washed away in this day and age, when we've all seen you be destroyed. You won't be allowed to return and go on as if nothing happened. You are the living proof that even a God-King can bleed. A gap in the armour is there for all to see".
"No doubt a lot of my peers in the locker room, or watching at home, or people who aren't familiar with me already have the result carved into stone. Because it's Jason Long. What else would happen? It's Jason Long. Even people that are supposed to be guiding me to greater things already write it off. Take the bag that you can, survive for the next day. Look good while you can with what's left. Everyone has me dead to rites already, except for me. All of that shit can go to the dark place where you came back from, Jason. The rest might be scared to match up against someone with gold over their shoulder just because they're paranoid over the slightest weakness that can't see in themselves. Not me. I don't take this moment for granted as my peers might. Or as you might. I didn't come here to be a footnote for you".
Your name might carry a resonance over on Fallout...but you're not coming to Fallout. You're a king in foreign soil. The Prime Championship might still be yours but what happened to your Noble Championship? Such an iron-grip over your domain should decree it still be yours....unless you don't have the power you really think you have. Power that a deadman can only cling to desperately. Fallout don't give a shit about you! It's such an albatross over your head, that you already have the Legacy Championship in your head. Looking to replace your second title, to balance out your shoulders so they can carry that big head of yours. What's going to happen if you win that too, huh? DeMarco gonna click his fingers and like a good dog you'll relinquish the toy, only to chase after it once again when he throws it down the street. This isn't the battlefield for you to glide over on your way to Night of Honor. I'm not the ideal champion to defend Proving Ground. Far from it. But you can chase DeDraca for her gold, get caught up in your blood feuds over in the pits of chaos with Redd. But we won't be having any of that here. I provide you with a different challenge. No vendetta. No deep-seated lust for violence. I face you as a man on the rise. As someone who might not be so accustomed to the hallowed main event scene....not yet anyway. But look me in the eye and say I don't belong. Luck and opportunity or otherwise, I'm the guy that is here saying he'll beat you. Even with everyone out, I am here to face you all the same. While you've already been a double champion, so it's all downhill from here, I am only hungrier to make that next step. For what might only be a fraction of the glory you have seen, to me I will pull you back down into the depths of the ocean and back into the grave myself if it means I can rise above you. The Tag Team Championships, the Grand Championship....they are greater prizes that what you have. You will be the stepping stone for me, to rise above what your new dead world is".
"That veneer of dominance and power means nothing to me. Because you're not in your main event, champ. Nothing about Proving Ground is yours, nothing about this match is yours to have, take or even envision as belonging to you. Jason Long will be seeing his second trip to the pearly gates when he's looking up at the lights. THAT is your value to me. Not for a fleeting bask in the spotlight in your road. Fuck that. I'm here to stand over the Prime Champion with my hand raised, because I have the capability and the hunger to make it happen. Just as I took this main event spot from anyone and everyone too stupid and up themselves to see the danger they've allowed to fester, I will take the story from you. Simply because I want it. Simply because a win over you is a far greater embarrassment against your precious Fallout than anything I could do at Night of Honor. I have no such vestige to defend, while you. Every waking moment that death slows you down more and more, is another where the crafted prestige you want to cultivate over there is stripped away. Felled by nothing more than a newbie, in his fourth match. Either way, you'll walk out of the Green Dome, The Prime Champion will continue on and slink his way into Night of Honor with the seeping wound I give to you. When you least expect it from this little old match amongst your clashes with titans. Death might not have taken your body, but I can certainly leave a mark on your soul as the title you cherish will remind you....that The Kraken has a grip on you. Swindle Shelldrake will own Jason Long. The door opens for me....and closes for you!"
"Oh yeah, and to all the people over on Fallout who want to be 'the one' to finally beat Jason Long and end the era of his reign. Too bad. You'll have to settle for second best, because I'll have carved my name into his soul before you get there to claim the glory. This is my match. My main event".
A DOOR CLOSES
"Main Event....I like the sound of that".
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