Post by Jason Zurra on Sept 9, 2019 9:13:08 GMT -5
September 1st
Anaheim, California
ASU Headquarters
Jason: Welp. It's not happening. I wasn't booked for XIII.
Jason is in the medbay of the ASU HQ with Auron, Nozomi, Roku and Kai. Auron is checking on Jason's legs and spine to make sure he isn't too heavily damaged after his match with Odin Balfore. Nozomi is sitting near them as per usual. Meanwhile, Roku is sleeping in a med bed next to Kai, who, for once, is the moral support for Roku, instead of the other way around.
Nozomi: That's probably for the best, Jason. You just had a rough match against Odin, and now we have to head to Japan to face Masuda. You need to take it easy with this big idea you have for a return tour.
Auron: Actually…
Auron gets up and stretches a bit before shrugging.
Auron: Jason's in good health, for the most part. His lip is a bit busted, and his nose took a big blow, but his legs and spine are good to go. I figured after that Ragnarok move Odin pulled, that you'd be on the shelf again. Although, if it weren't for-
Jason: Let's not bring up aftermath that I have no memory of.
Nozomi: Jason… I think it's obvious who got you out of danger after that match.
Jason: Look, what matters is that Odin won the match. So now, I can't hold him back from turning APW into a shit storm. Not to mention my return tour's been cut short. I need to prove that I'm ready to come back.
Kai: At what cost, Jason?
She moves away a bit from her lover's side, and confronts Jason. Her obvious Italian-American accent taking all three of them aback.
Kai: Just because I'm stuck in this house, don't mean I dunno what's goin' on. I know why you got put on the shelf for over a year. I know why Roku's lying there like a sittin' duck. You ain't exactly been the best commissioner lately. You been so focused on yourself and ya whole deal with Odin that ya forgot about us.
Jason: This whole thing was for us, Kai.
Kai: Nah, that's just a cover. I know you, Jason. You're prideful. Sometimes, a little too prideful. You wanted Roku to help make the ASU look good. You wanted him to beat a legend. But that ain't the case. Instead, I have to make sure he ain't killin' himself trying to get outa bed while alla y'all leave constantly. Ya got me stuck here, away from the rest of the world, but then ya let this shit happen. Then ya go and face him yaself. Ya think ya got Odin's numba, but he had yours this whole time. Masuda does too. Ya know that, right? He has ever since he hired ya's.
Jason: Kai, you have to understan-
Kai: Let me talk, Jason! For once. I'm more than a tickin' time bomb! I'm a fuckin' human too.
The air gets colder the more angry she gets. Auron goes over to her.
Auron: Kai, it's all right. He'll let you talk. You can make your case.
Auron looks to Jason for confirmation. Jason, with a regretful look, nods at them. Kai's chilled breath subsides a bit.
Kai: You need to take a step back and realize how you've been acting, Jason. You always said that the ASU are equal, yet you make a lot of the final decisions, negatin' the purpose of our meetings, and what it means to be ASU. You're the main reason I'm cooped up in here. I get it, but it only makes me feel worse. Maybe I wanted ta help with New Blood. Maybe I wanna help with AP-Dub. You've not even had me in the meetings, and I think that's fucked up.
Auron: I have to back her up on this, Jason. Her mental health is suffering a bit from being in solitaire, aside from seeing us.
Jason stops and sits for a bit, thinking about everything that was said. He looks spaced out, as if he's deep in thought.
Nozomi: Are you ok, Jason?
Jason: Kai's right. She's absolutely right. I've had my priorities all out of order.
Kai sighs, looking emotionally tired.
Kai: I'm right here. You can talk to me directly.
Jason tries to compose himself for a moment. Finally, he stands, and steps closer to Kai.
Jason: I haven't been fair to you for a long time. You've been my friend since childhood, and yet, here I am acting like you're a weapon that needs controlled. You're still my friend. Just as you've always been. I need to remember that.
He turns to Nozomi and Auron.
Jason: I'd like to gather everyone, once Roku is awake.
Auron: Are we having a meeting?
Jason: Sort of. You'll see.
---
ASU Airway
Destination: Yokohama, Japan
Jason is in a private jet, wide awake, on the way to Yokohama for Jubeilation II. Around him are his sleeping ASU comrades. He, however, is restless. He takes the over ear headphones out of his ears and lets out a sigh.
Jason: I remember when we first flew over here for the revival of New Blood Wrestling. We had so many plans. We rebranded with an emphasis on Japanese Puroresu. But when you hired me… you never wanted me as a partner, did you, Masuda? You wanted me as your puppet. You wanted me to do your every bidding and bow to you like a respectful little henchman. You didn't even trust me enough to be a part of the main show. You wanted me with the Ronins. No disrespect to Vincent or his friend Steve, but that was below me and you know it. I'm worth more than you ever viewed me. Than you viewed any of the ASU. Look at us now. In a bigger, better company.
Look at you, even! You're a better competitor than you ever were as an owner. Do you want to know why that is? Because you're not a leader, Masuda. You want to lead this Corporation, but leading isn't what you do. You manipulate. You control, and you manipulate everything around you. That's how you got the top spot. You've mentally manipulated your way to the number one prize, the APW World Heavyweight Championship. That's actually really brilliant. You have a fantastic mixture of brains and braun. I'll give you that. But I've learned your tactics, and I've figured you out. I knew you wouldn't have taken this match if I challenged you for your title. You wouldn't dare risk losing your title on your own special event. No, no, no. I don't need the title anyway. I'm the commissioner, that's not what brought this match to existence.
Jason looks over to a sleeping Kai, who's for once traveling with the ASU.
This is about pride. This is about proving that I'm still capable, and giving you the comeuppance you deserve. This injury was very difficult for me. I thought I could get myself booked for XIII, face Corey Bull, and show him that what he did to me was not something that he could get away with. That will come in due time. Until then, you and I have a score to settle. You can manipulate all the people you want. Bring in a corporate army. I'll fight until I can't anymore. Even if this is my last match. You can retire me, for all I care… but I refuse to end the night with you still thinking that you can manipulate me any longer. I wanted this match. I was not cornered in anyway. Remember that, Masuda. Remember that you are giving me exactly what I wanted. But most importantly, even though you're the one holding the World Title…
Jason puts his headphones back over his ears.
Here in APW, I'm your boss.
He lays his head back and closes his eyes, joining the rest of his family in the land of slumber.
---
Kyoto, Japan
September 8th
ASU Japan HQ
Jason has gathered all of the ASU members into a meeting room, which sort of looks more suited for meditation, or yoga. Everyone looks confused, but eventually, Jason speaks up.
Jason: Ahh, I knew there was a reason to keep this place. It's a good thing I decided not to sell it.
Jason looks to everyone, and realizes that, for once, the entire group is together.
Jason: This isn't a meeting, really. This is more of… an apology, so to speak. I understand that I've overstepped my boundaries as a member of the ASU. I realize now that I've treated some of you unfairly.
Jason walks over to Steve, and places his hand on his shoulder.
Jason: Steve, I should never have stopped you from doing what you love. I can't let my fears get in the way of your happiness. It shouldn't have taken Auron and Skye taking you under their wing for you to be able to fly yourself. I held you back, and for that, I am sorry.
Steve looks at Jason with a bewildered expression.
Steve: Oh, Mr. Zurra, you don't have to apologize. I appreciate everything you've done for me. Honestly, it was probably better for me to wait a bit longer to start my career.
Jason: That's not the point, Steve. In the end, your career is your decision. And please… just call me Jason, or Skar.
Steve: Oh. Ok. I'll try to get used to that Mr… uhh… Jason. No, maybe Skar's better. Yeah. I think Skar's better.
Jason pats Steve's shoulder and walks his way to Auron.
Jason: Auron… we had a lot of issues last year.
Auron: We really don't have to do this, Jason. Agree to disagree, different methods, I already swept this under the rug a while ago.
Jason: No, Auron, this needs to be said. This is me telling you that, no matter my opinions, that you and the Scouter Unit are doing great, and that you don't need me micromanaging you any longer. I'll take a step back. If you ever decide you want to compete again, I'll respect your decision, and I'll support you, instead of criticizing your motives.
Auron nods and puts his hands together awkwardly to acknowledge what Jason said.
Auron: I don't plan on getting back in the ring anytime soon, but us Scouters have a lot of plans in the works, so I appreciate you letting us go about things our own way. We… won't let you down.
They shakes hands, but Jason pulls him in for a hug. Auron half ass hugs him to get it over with, before Jason walks over to Kai and Roku.
Jason: Ahh … my good friends. What would I have done without you two? Roku, brother, I should not have been so pushy about you facing Odin. I know it wasn't something you were particularly against, but I still can't help but feel as if I influenced you into taking the match on. Now you're the one on the sidelines, and I feel responsible.
Roku raises his hand to stop Jason.
Roku: Shut it, Skar. I'm not the person you need to apologize to. I was glad to fight in your honor. I don't regret a thing… except for all those headbutts. That was probably not the best idea…
They laugh a bit before hugging. Afterwards, Jason turns to Kai.
Jason: Kai… what have I done to you?
Kai: Well… in hindsight, I may have been a bit overdramatic…
Jason: No, you weren't. I'm the one that kept you in the medbay so often, and I'm the one that kept you away from these meetings. I thought that I was helping you… and I thought that you being in here, and Roku having to be indoors a lot of the time was a good fit. But now he travels with me, and that leaves you damn near by yourself a lot of the time. So… I don't want to keep you cooped up anymore.
Kai: What if I have an episode? What if I hurt people?
Jason: We'll figure that out when we get there, but for now, you should be allowed to be a part of the family in a bigger way. In a freer way.
Kai shoves him into a hug. He can't help but laugh as he hugs her back. Finally, he turns back to the group.
Jason: Whoever wants to go to Jubeilation with me is free to. I honestly would love all of us to be there, but that isn't an order. Roku, if you're still not feeling well, feel free to stay back. Everyone else, just let me know, and I'll either see you at Yokohama, or when I come back.
Jason walks out of the room, but Nozomi follows him. Jason realizes this as they walk down the hall and curses to himself.
Jason: Dammit, how did I not apologize to my own wife?
Nozomi: Oh hush. You have nothing to apologize to me for. I was just surprised that you did all of that.
Jason: I had to. I've not been treating you guys right, and I need to change.
Nozomi: I hope you know that groups like these, no matter how close, need some sort of leadership. It's always been you at the helm, whether you like to believe it or not.
Jason looks to the distance in front of him as they walk down the hall of the large headquarters.
Jason: I'd rather not be a leader. I feel like I've been doing a pretty lousy job at that lately. Both here, and in APW.
Nozomi: I disagree. Besides, if you don't lead us, then who will?
Jason laughs at Nozomi's question.
Jason: Who else? You, of course. It's always been you.
Nozomi stops suddenly as he continues to walk. Walking past her is Kai, who catches up to Jason.
Jason: Hey, you're not my wife.
Kai: Yeah, she's being a turtle. I just… I wanted to say thanks. And…
Jason: You want to come to Jubeilation.
Kai: Yeah… In place of Roku. You know he can't go anywhere yet.
Jason: I'm not stopping you anymore, Kai. I'd be glad to have you.
Kai: I…
They make it to the front door. Jason turns the knob and looks back at Kai.
Jason: Come on. Let's get some fresh air. You've been needing it for a long time.
He opens the door and side steps to let her pass through. Slowly, she makes her way outside. It's a bright day in Kyoto, with lots of lights and views. Kai doesn't seem to care about all of that, though. Instead, she simply looks up at the sky, and takes a deep breath, with a true smile on her face.
