Post by Jack Severn on Apr 19, 2024 14:00:14 GMT -6
April 19th 2024
London, England
The Langham Hotel - Room 333
London, England
The Langham Hotel - Room 333
Rain slams against the window as Jack Severn slumps down on the bed in his hotel room. Supposedly, it’s haunted, but Jack is no stranger to ghosts.
He rubs his arm as he lays down, sore from the training session he had earlier with Alastor Gray. Alastor was teaching him the Excelsior armbar he taught to Callie, albeit… the hard way.
That’s when Jack hears a familiar voice. One that he hears everywhere.
“A steel cage match against Callie Clark for the Indy Championship at StrangleMania? I told you this path of being a scoundrel wasn’t as easy as it looked.”
The specter of his dead trainer, Nick Houston, looms over Jack. Jack doesn’t even look up, just flipping on the light and sitting on the edge of the bed instead.
“Seems like you’re in need of one last lesson, kid. You’re walking into a brutal match, especially since there’s no escape, and you barely got cleared after your shoulder injury, which is going to make your arm a huge target for Callie’s Excelsior. But you don’t need your arm to hit the Silencer. Still never been kicked out of, right?”
Jack shrugs.
“And lately, you’ve faced some of the best. The Undisputed Champion, the Tag Team Champions, and your old rival, Narumi Tsutsumi. Iron sharpens iron, Jack. Those fights have shown the world just how hard you work. They may not have gone how you want, but I think you’ve proven that you want this more than Callie does.”
Jack turns toward his dresser, grabbing an object out of the drawer.
“Because I DO want this more than she does! She’s been a champion since the very start of The House, and it’s been because of MY sacrifice! Without me propping her up, she’s back to jerking the curtain on Brawl! And last time we faced off? She couldn’t beat me.”
“You couldn’t beat her either.”
“But this isn’t some silly arena-spanning brawl. If the Undisputed Champion had to cheat practically nonstop to beat me, what’s gonna happen when I face someone she’s beaten clean, like Callie?
Remind me, who was the ONLY House member to be pinned at House Party? Callie. And who was it who tapped out Ace King in War Games while Callie failed to make Melody Malone give up to her so-called finisher of the year? Your’s truly.
Plus, Callie hasn’t won a single House vs House battle, even losing to Cosmo Goldworthy last month. Maybe if it wasn’t for her deciding to provoke me instead of focusing on the match, we would’ve beaten The Heat Packers.
The fact is, Callie Clark ISN’T the best in The House. I don’t know if I am either, but I am damn sure of one thing, and that’s that I’m the leader, no matter what coup she tries to attempt.”
Jack finally shows off the object he grabbed, brass knuckles, as Nick sits down next to him.
“Without me giving her these, she wouldn’t be a champion. She knows that. Maybe it’s time these change the trajectory of my career as well…”
Nick shakes his head.
“Hey, I’m done trying to stop you. It’s legal here, and honestly? She deserves it.”
Jack, for the first time tonight, turns to look Nick into his cold, dead eyes.
“Excluding Rumbles, this is my 6th championship match. Everyone has written me off as a choke artist. Even Cosmo said he expects me to lose. Callie was right when she said that I failed The House. I also failed myself… and I failed you.”
Jack’s voice cracks slightly.
“I’ve only been beaten clean in a championship match once. Three years ago today. That loss to the man who I later helped Callie beat, starting all of this, has been my single motivator. How appropriate is it that the next Prime is in the very same venue? I don’t intend on returning there without gold.”
Nick puts his hand on Jack’s shoulder.
“And just like I was then, I’m here for you. But do you know what the difference between now and then is? The crowd knows who you are now, and they love you for it.
It’s time for Jack Severn, and for James Stevens, to be a champion. Finish the story.”
Just like that, Nick is gone. Jack is left alone, and he takes a deep breath before laying back down. He shuts his eyes…
And the radio turns on by itself.
Jack smiles slightly at the song:
Home Sweet Home.