See the Future #6 (Gilded)

[kaster]

Hours before Odyssey goes live, Caleb Cannin stands by resident IWF interviewer Tiffany Jones.

Jones: We’re here with Caleb Cannin, who will be in the tournament to crown the inaugural IWF Invictus Champion. Caleb, tonight, you have to go up against two of IWF’s most decorated talents in Pax Stormcrow and Shelly Diamond. Thoughts?

Cannin simply takes the microphone from Tiffany’s hand, giving her a cocky little smile.

Cannin: Tiff, I think I can handle a microphone by myself, thank you very much. And when you talk to me, you will address me as the Captain, okay?

He tilts the mic towards Jones, expecting an answer.

Jones: Well-

Before she can give a proper response, Cannin pulls the mic away.

Cannin: That’s great, Tiff, but to answer your question, I don’t think there is anywhere in the entire world, not even in bumass Toronto, where Pax Stormcrow or Shelly Diamond get one over on the face of the brand. It’s my destiny to win the IWF Invictus Championship and carry this show to great heights.

He closes his eyes, lifting his chin up.

Cannin: I can just imagine it. Go ahead and close your eyes, Jones.

Tiffany simply stands there, looking stone faced at Cannin.

Cannin: I’ll have that championship around my waist and everyone will come out to celebrate my hard-fought victory. All the training, all the work, it finally pays off for this one moment… I can see it now. Me, holding that championship high above my head while millions around the world finally recognize the greatness that lies before them.

He opens his eyes, glancing at his interviewer.

Cannin: It will be a sight to behold because I am a sight to behold. But you didn’t come here to ask me about things that will happen, you came to see what I think of my opponents for tonight. I’ll save you the breath.

Taking a deep breath, he goes cross-eyed into the camera, putting on an overtly mocking tone.

Cannin: “What’s up, Neechies? It’s me, Pax Stormcrow, the Olympic nobody! I make vlogs because I’m a little punk! Did you know I was the longest reigning TV Champion? Dur dur dur… peace out!”

Flashing a peace sign to the camera, he then uses his other hand to make a scissoring motion. After a brief moment, he goes back to normal.

Cannin: Sorry, Tiff, I don’t know what came over me there. I think I came down with a little PSD. You know, Pax Stormcrow Disorder. It’s when you always get hyped up as being somebody, like this huge threat that people are supposed to worry about, but you never actually get the job done. I’m only speaking facts here, alright, Paxy? Tonight, when you step into my ring on my brand, it will be the same old tale that it’s always been. Pax Stormcrow… Olympic failure, professional choke artist!

He shakes his head, passion and intensity fueling all that lies behind his eyes.

Cannin: Now, let’s move onto the so-called “Best… Ever”. Shelly Diamond, I respected you. In my opinion, you were one of the most dominant Women’s Champions to ever set foot in this company. The key word is were. Because right now, Shells, all I see is a complete joke. A, pardon my phrasing, shell of your former self.

He claps his hands, looking dead into the camera.

Cannin: However, I applaud you, Diamond. I congratulate you on being undefeated for over a year… in the women’s division.

Stopping his clap, he sneers.

Cannin: But this isn’t the women’s division, this is a whole different ball game you’re playing. You can be The Best Ever when you’re facing the women, but when you step into the ring with The Future… you might have bitten off more than you can chew. I don’t care about your fucked up family tree, leave that shit at the door, sweetheart. You can be a part of the Addams Family for all I care. The only thing I care about is beating you and the Olympic dipshit so I can get that shot for the gold. You step into that ring with me, and I’ll make sure to rip that arm out of your socket, so help me GOD!

At this point, the camera is fully focused on Caleb Cannin. Tiffany Jones isn’t even in the shot anymore.

Cannin: I am going to send you back to the women’s division. You made a nice little career for yourself there, Shells, so you should stick to what you’re good at. If you think this is just another match where you can waltz in and take the victory, YOU’RE DEAD WRONG! I AM THE FACE OF THIS BRAND! I AM THE CAPTAIN OF ODYSSEY! I AM THE FUUUUUTURE!

Now breathing heavily, he quiets down to a low, hushed voice.

Cannin: And what would your daughter think, Shelly? If she can’t look up to you then…

A smile the size of the entire city of Toronto comes to Cannin’s face.

Cannin: …I can be her role model. And then, she can watch mommy cry out as I lock you in Clairvoyance… your shoulder tearing apart little by little as she looks on. She’ll smile, knowing that she, along with everybody else, has something to believe in. Someone to believe in. No longer will she have to put up with a mother that puts her in harm’s way. If I didn’t respect your work, I’d call child protective services on your ass and have you locked up! I didn’t come here to be a part of your little soap opera, I’m here to become the champ. But go ahead, try and stop me. Every single trick you might have up your sleeve, I’ve got one that’s better.

He points at himself.

Cannin: Once I win, I’m going to become what I was always meant to be. The main event. The top dog. The CHAMPION. You have dozens of guys who claim they’re the best in the business. I only say it because I am IT. So tonight, for all the critics and incels that can’t venture outside of their mom’s basement, watch me. You all think you’ve got something to prove? Whether it’s falling just short of the finish line or not keeping your personal shit under wraps, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Caleb Cannin steps into that ring and it will be one step closer to everlasting glory. Homer, the man who wrote the famous Odyssey, he was a captain and a pioneer. I plan on following in his footsteps, because I will pioneer the show of Odyssey and become the FIRST EVER IWF Invictus Champion! For he once said, “There is no greater fame for a man than that which he wins with his footwork or the skill of his hands.”. They will be my hands that rest on that Invictus Championship and absolutely nobody will take it away from me.

He chuckles as he revels in his own confidence.

Cannin: And one more thing… I got a call from some little men in big suits. They wanted me to come work at next week’s Sacrifice for a shot at the Television Championship. I just wanted to address my… potential opponents for next Friday. Nick Knight, if you think I’m as easy as little Paxy, think again. You’re not tying my feet together, pal, because I’m going to beat the everloving piss out of you. They say to respect the so-called veterans and legends around here, but who gives a rat’s ass what some old deathmatch geezer thinks of me? It is you who should respect me, Nicky, because once I square away my shot at the Invictus Championship, I am going to take away your precious little TV title. I’m a title match magnet and I refuse to let you halt my momentum. As for Johnny Blade… what about him? He comes to the ring and gives his shitty little Vanilla Ice impression, thinking that the fans will buy into his crap. You’re like, what, 30 years old? Time to put away the silly rhymes and trade that in for a spot in the unemployment line, pal, because this clearly isn’t the business for you. If you manage to beat Nick Knight tonight, good for you, you can keep that championship warm until The Future comes and snatches it from your Eminem wannabe ass.

Something catches Caleb’s attention from off-screen.

Cannin: Hey, hey, don’t tell me when my time is up! I am the face of this brand and you will respect me! I see you with your beady little eyes, hiding behind that clipboard. Don’t try to make The Future wrap up his promo! I do it on my own time, you got that, punk?!

A tad infuriated, he shakes his head and goes back to the camera.

Cannin: And that is exactly why I deserve to be the Invictus Champion. All the rampant disrespect towards guys like me, I’m trying to change that. It’s about time for some real change in this company. You’ve got all these stalwarts, all this older talent in this tournament… and then you’ve got me. The Future. Everybody says that you’re supposed to pay your dues in this business, right? You’re supposed to wait and hold your place in line for the older guys. I’m sick of that. That championship deserves better than that, this company deserves better than that… wrestling deserves better than that. I am going to kill off a bygone era, a decade full of decadence. With that title held high, I will lead the Imperial Wrestling Federation to a gilded age. So says the Captain. So says the Future. I’m done here.

He shoves the microphone back to Tiffany Jones as he walks off. A keen ear can hear him shouting at the poor stagehand from outside the camera’s view.

Jones: Lots of bold statements and claims from Caleb Cannin here today. One thing’s for certain, this Invictus tournament is something that can’t be missed. See you on Odyssey.

The camera cuts out after holding on a shot of Tiffany looking on at some commotion off-screen.