The Fall of Icarus, and The Reckoning of The Arsenal

Jason Spade sets the Undisputed Championship down in it's case, closing the glass door, the lock clicking into place. Another championship has joined his collection, displayed proudly beside his NGCW Championship; his half of the CMV Unified Tag Team Championship. With high spirits, Spade turns to the camera.

I never thought I'd find myself here. I always thought that I'd go down fighting, defiant to the bitter end, with nothing to my name but my guts and a hell of a story. Now, I know what it's like to be at the top of the mountain. Finally, I get my chance to shine, on my own merits- no company shutdowns, corrupt bookers, nothing in my way this time. It's a good feeling- I feel validated, if you'll pardon the pun.

But I know better. Pride cometh before the fall, and I... I have a lot of pride. But not too much that I can't acknowledge others. Brett Curtis, you gave it your all. You're my partner, and a worthy opponent, and I have an endless mountain of respect for you. You and I are going to do great things together, and you're gonna go far. Don't let this loss demoralize you... I know what its like to work so hard- for years at a time- just to fail at the last hurdle. You need to keep fighting, and getting better, and better... And then, maybe someday, you'll get another shot at the dragon. You know where to find me.

Spade bows his head respectfully before continuing.

Do you know the... The uh, origin of the phrase "pride cometh before the fall"? It's a Biblical proverb, but to me, it brings to mind the story of Icarus. He was the boy who flew too close to the sun, and melted his wings, and drowned in the ocean. I think you know why I bring it up here, and now. There's someone out there- someone in the shadows, watching every little thing that goes on here in CMV- someone who's had some pretty ugly things to say about me.

Tailcoat Val... I've been watching you too, y'know. I've seen how you manipulate your followers- your Arsenal- and throw them out like garbage when you're done. I've seen that freak, Subject: ZERO, and yeah... You and your little Arsenal are dangerous, that's for sure... But so am I.

Spade grits his teeth, pausing to contain his anger.

I don't... Deserve to call Suraci a friend. But he's a fighter of a caliber I could only hope to dream of, and there's almost nobody in this business I respect more than him. You wanna say that I set him up to take a bullet, to give myself an edge? Well, that is a low blow, Val.

You have my attention... And you've really pissed me off. I'm coming for you now, Val. You and your operation are done- believe it.

Spade shoots a finger gun at the camera, before the scene fades to black.