Ambitions. // Chapter XIII

"Ambitions."
Chapter XIII

He was unsure of how much time had passed, but his body temperature had long acclimated to the cold stone floor. At the time of the attack, Issak still had a match to get ready for. He wouldn't be able to inspect the scene of the crime for quite some time. However, as soon as his hand was raised and he burst back through the black curtain, Otto found his way back. Almost all other thoughts had left his mind: There was a new Excellence number one contender who nobody seemed to know, Casanova had been given some just desserts by being named the Impulse challenger at Annihilation II despite losing in the triple threat, Issak had been named as a contender to a new belt that would see two other contenders revealed prior to Annihilation II. It was an eventful night for sure, but right there in the forefront of his thoughts stood The Wolf.

It wasn't difficult to find the exact spot; the incident happened during the show and the stage crew hadn't the time to completely clean up just yet. There were various broken crates and miscellaneous debris that littered the floor. There, amongst the rubble, lie The Class Act himself with his entire body pressed against the ground. He had done well enough during the match, but his thoughts consumed him the moment he allowed them to enter back in. He'd inched along, magnifying glass in his right hand like he was one of the Hardy Boys (from the books, not the other ones), looking for clues he could.

Those eyes, he couldn't escape them. That voice...he knew that voice.

No matter how hard he racked his brain, the vision of the Wolf mask was all that came to vision. There was something just out of reach, Issak knew that, and it was sending him into a slight spin. Otto reaches forward, pinching a single strand of hair between his thumb and index finger. Looking at it under the magnifying glass told him the hair was dark, but realistically he wouldn't be able to discern much else. It seems Issak hadn't thought that far ahead. The vibrations in his pocket and the high pitched chime as his phone rang made him gasp in surprise.

"Issak, where the hell are you? I've been waiting outside, did you get by me somehow?"

He had quickly slipped his phone from his pocket and brought it to his ear, although still lying in the debris. He hadn't forgotten about Carson meeting him after the show, not really, but he did however lose track of time.

"Oh uhhh no, actually I'm still here at the arena."

Issak pushed up off his elbows and onto his knees, cradling his phone between his ear and his shoulder. He needed to get a little closer look at the strand of hair he'd found. Unfortunately, his eyes weren't going to reveal any genetics to him no matter how long he'd look at it.

"Wait what? Did they keep you back for an impromptu meeting or something?"

He sounded more confused than anything, though Issak knew he wouldn't be super happy to learn the truth. Thus, as he told it to him he sounded rather sheepish.

"No... I've uhhh been here on my own, searching for clues."

There was a momentary pause in their conversation as Issak placed the strand of hair up to the light, as if it would change something. Carson was probably more confused than ever, but it only took a couple short seconds for his mind to make the connections and for a lightbulb moment to occur. Otto could almost hear the eye roll through the phone.

"Jeeeez Issak, I almost prefer it when you started drinking. At least I knew where you'd gotten off to."

Issak could see it now, Carson would be shaking his head like a disappointed Dad. He couldn't help himself, it felt like he'd been pulling Issak out of crap ever since they'd met. Issak, of course, was unbothered.

"Calm down Carson, I'm not hurting anyone. I'm literally minding my own business."

"But YOU could get hurt, Issak. I have a feeling you're playing with fire, but I seem to be the only one telling you that fire can BURN."

Issak continued pinching the strand of hair in his left hand, but turned back to the floor in front of him with the magnifying glass. Once again he combed over the rubble, his eyes glazed over in some kind of focus trance.

"The Wolf just seems so familiar...and they've been trying to tell me something...just can't figure it out..."

It was almost as if he wasn't speaking to Carson at this point, but rather, himself. Maybe undoing the mystery of the Wolf would undo the mystery of why the cult was interested in him in the first place.

"You're not at work anymore, Issak. You can stop this mystery hunt and focus on yourself."

There was a small pause where all Issak did was mumble something that was supposed to sound like he was agreeing with Campbell. But Carson knew better than that; Otto hadn't even heard what Carson had said.

"Issak, are you serious? You're looking around backstage for some kind of dropped item or mystery hint? You already know Tara is actually the one responsible here, doesn't matter who's behind the masks at the end of the day."

"But Carson, I found a hair!"

"Okay? How do you think this is going to work? You find a hair and then what?"

Otto's eyes shifted back and forth. He hadn't thought that far ahead and Carson knew that. He knew him all too well.

"You don't have a lab under your apartment, Issak. That hair isn't going to lead you anywhere..."

Issak sat back onto his knees, and realized that he had somehow dropped the strand of hair into the debris. His eyes shot open, and for a quick second he became frantic, searching through the rubble. However, as he glanced up he caught a sight of himself in a small mirror on the wall. He suddenly felt very aware of himself, and how ridiculous this was. He saw that this was silly, and wouldn't solve the puzzle. Slowly, he stood up, feeling almost shameful.

"Just give me a little more time, I'll be right out."

'Iss-"

He disconnected the call before Carson was able to object. Carson had no way of knowing that Issak had come to his senses, at least in this aspect. There was still so much that he didn't understand, and could not see reason. But in this moment, his thoughts had matured. This wasn't a game where little clues had been left behind for him to follow. There were no breadcrumbs that would lead him to the answer he was searching for. From across the way, he starred into his eyes in his reflection. No, he wouldn't find the answer there either.

It was at this time that a stagehand began to walk through the corridor pushing a cart. He was a short and homely man, possibly in his 60's but he looked like he rather enjoyed being here. The cart had all sorts of cleaning supplies, everything he needed to clean up the mess that Issak helped make. The man stopped, grabbed a broom from his cart and began sweeping up on the far side of the area.

Issak was instantly filled with guilt. He walked over to the man, grabbing the roll of trash bags off the cart and unrolling one.

"Do you need a hand?"

The man, who had earbuds in, read Issak's lips and his smile broadened wider. He nodded his head, giving a thumbs up. Issak sighed, this would be among his punishment for losing himself to his whims again. Maybe Carson was right. Issak did know that Tara was responsible, and maybe he should focus all his energy there. Maybe it didn't matter whomever was behind the masks. Maybe he didn't know how to separate work life and personal life, but this felt personal.

"Before we get into anything, let's begin by agreeing that this is just cruel.

When I began to point out the imbalances and inconsistencies displayed by the PWE management. I know what I wanted to happen - I wanted to be heard, and then I wanted things to change for the better. Seems I only got half that, because heard I was but things didn't change for the better. What I didn't expect to happen is for PWE management to hear me, then turn around and dump me on my head by turning the imbalances up a notch.

I've just come out of the toughest match I've been involved in since returning to the ring last year. I went into a triple threat with Damian Ayla and Cassanova English, two of the deadliest competitors on the roster. A match that was so tight in contention, that many believe it was decided by a fast count. Their opinion is their right, but it only shows how close the match itself was. The Impulse contendership was said to be up for grabs at the time. Well, it's been pushed even further out of my grasp as the contendership I'd rightfully won was taken from me. I now hold a contendership spot for a championship that does not exist...rather, it newly exists...a slightly disheartening twist when I was first told.

The cherry on top of it all, we follow Victory XXI up with a non-title match against the Impulse Champion himself, whom I've beaten three times inside of a PWE ring.

Yes, Jason, you knew that was coming. We both know we can't go into this without acknowledging our previous battles. Battles that I came out on top in. I know you haven't forgotten, because you've mentioned it numerous times since then. We have our last encounter in the tag match at Victory XVII, and to your credit you didn't eat the pin. We have our very first encounter back on Victory XIII: The Bad Luck Club when I pinned you. Then we have our triple threat at Rebirth I when I managed to make you tap. I understand we're different people now, and a lot has changed since then. Congrats, by the way. Your stock has certainly risen. I'm glad you found success after those first few months, and I'm honored I could be that guy for you. The guy that holds a mirror up, points out your flaws and gives you drive to improve upon them. A good amount of time has passed since we were in the ring together; we've grown. At least, that's what you've been saying.

Allow me to preface by saying you've always been a strong competitor, Jason, but I personally don't think much has changed since the last time we've crossed paths. Benefitting off of the poor decisions of management doesn't make you a better fighter, unfortunately. I suppose we'll start there.

I had to beat you and Paul in order to earn my Excellence contendership. I had to beat Cassanova and Damian to get an Impulse contendership that I won't be getting. So tell me Jason, because I've searched my memory and can't quite recall, who was it that you beat in order to earn yourself a shot at that belt? The truth is, the last match you had in PWE prior to challenging for the Impulse Championship was when you tapped out to me. Goading the champion and convincing management of a title shot is a skill, it's just not a skill that's going to help you against me.

You got the Stratford treatment before Stratford was here. That's his name, right? I've been mouthing off for months about people who are owed their due, and this dude isn't one of them. Especially not for the Excellence Championship, but I digress. At the top of that list would be someone like Casanova English. There was a time I considered you among that group, Jason. At least Stratford has some time to prove he deserves the shot, even if we all know he's getting it at Annihilation regardless.

I even believe you profited off of the work I put in against Chaney. I understand that's a bit of a stretch but hear me out. You and Tara earned every bit of the wins you got against Allen the last few shows, but he hasn't been the same since Magnificence II and we all know why. The Excellence Champion is still more talented than the vast majority of the roster, but you can't deny he's been shaken. He barely escaped that night, and now he can't escape anything. It's difficult to watch other people get their hand raised against a man that I know I could've beaten. So I hope you're not going to come at me with trivial words trying to put me down about my losses to Allen, when you've more recently taken the win against him. Mainly because to date, they are the only losses I have here in PWE. If the only marks on my record belong to the Excellence Champion, I'm okay with that. But more than that, you said yourself you thought I would win. So I don't want to see any 180 turns when it comes to this topic.

Above all, my chief complaint with you back then is the same complaint I have against you now. You're inconsistent. You get an impressive win under your belt and believe the glory is enough to glide on for the next month and a half. Even now, I wouldn't put it past you to bank on your win over Allen until Annihilation II. When was the last time we've seen you here in PWE, Jason? Because of some lame change, you didn't even show up for commentary two weeks ago, nor were you backstage as told to us by Greyson Marks. Even as the Impulse Champion, you dressed as a ghost for the last few shows, then have the audacity to pretend like you need your due, and you deserve better.

I deserve better. There's only been one show that I didn't have a victory, and since season two began there's only been one show I didn't compete on. Even then, I was still there in front of the camera, making sure PWE knew I was here for them. Since Magnificence II I've only climbed uphill, going so far as to earn myself a win against a former Excellence champion and your next contender. I continue to rise where others stumble and fall. I picked myself up from defeat, and I did better.

The only thing that changed about you, is your shoulder got a little heavier with that belt on it. I've only gotten hungrier. That's not saying you're not a threat, Jason, because you are. You've always been talented, and it makes perfect sense that you've found yourself upon the championship platform you are now. If we're to take management for their word, they even said you would be at the top of the Excellence contenders if you were to ever lose the Impulse. You've already cemented your name in PWE history. But if we're measuring stats, I've got your number.

Even with the distractions that have been going on with Tara and this cult, I've remained focused. The first show after Magnificence, The Wolf was out at ringside, probably trying to earn me a loss. Despite this, I persevered and had my hand raised. The last two shows I've been attacked backstage, still I trudged on and earned myself those victories. I am even more determined than the first time around, Jason.

More than ever, I am ready to be a champion. If my Fusion contendership is guaranteed, then I'm going to make sure the competition is red hot for it! PWE isn't going to look at the Fusion Championship as a third option, they'll look at it as THE option. If you want to compete, you know which division to rank in. I didn't beat you in the past because I was underhanded, and I didn't beat you because I outsmarted you. I defeated you because I outwrestled you. I defeated you because I'm one of the best technical wrestlers in PWE today. The match prior to ours is a triple threat that decides one of the other contenders in my match at Annihilation II. Best believe I'll be watching your match because I know you'll be watching mine. What I intend to accomplish with the Fusion Championship, it started long before the match for the belt. It started with every match I've had up until this point, making sure each bout is tight and explosive. It started with being inches from the Excellence Championship, and being denied my Impulse contendership.

At Victory XXII: Stolen Valor on March 7th, it starts with defeating the Impulse Champion."