Wrestling One-Shots Six

Jack Perry

The roar of the crowd out in the arena is deafening as Jack bears down on a defenseless Tony Khan in the middle of the ring. Okada and the Jackson brothers look on with sinister smiles and laugh as Jack continues his assault.

"Finish him off, Jack." Matt snickers as he admires Jack's handiwork.

"Yeah!" Nick agrees. "Before someone decides to be brave and try and stop us." He scoffs.

Backstage you watch in horror as Tony takes hit after hit from Jack. Your mouth hangs ajar in disbelief as you witness the attack. You knew that the Jackson brothers had invited Jack back to AEW now that his suspension is over. But this? You'd never thought in a million years you'd be a witness to this blatant display of disrespect and savagery. Especially not from someone who's usually as bright and nonviolent as Jack Perry.

"Where's security at?" You finally snap out of your trance-like state and begin thinking again. You've got to stop this! "Well?" You whirl around to the staff all standing behind you frozen. "Security! Where is security? Tony needs help!" You shout at them.

"The-th-they're all still breaking up that fight between Eddie Kingston and Malakai Black." One of the staffers finally offers you an answer.

Your heart pounds in your chest. You know that you can't just sit by and do nothing. Not after everything that Tony's done for you. "Well go get them! Now!" You bark an order at your group of terrified subordinates.

Most of your staff hurries off in a rush to find the security team. But you set your sights on the ring. You've got to put a stop to this. No matter what it takes.

Heartbeat pounding in your ears, you head out to the ring alone. The Jackson brothers are the first ones to notice you but choose to let you join them in the ring. They whisper to one another as you come up the stairs and dare to enter the ring. Okada is the next one to spot you. But he doesn't seem bothered by your presence either.

"Jack!" You step into the ring and call out the name of the man you thought was a friend.

Jack recognizes your voice instantly, despite the crowd all shouting at the top of their lungs. His foot stops midair and returns to the mat rather than collide with Tony's torso again and Jack turns toward you.

"YN." Jack greets you with a smile that makes a shiver run down your spine.

This isn't the Jack Perry you knew before.

"Jack, stop this!" You try your best to sound intimidating, but your voice cracks when you say his name.

Pathetic. You think to yourself.

"Go backstage, YN," Jack warns you, his eyes dark with rage.

"No!" You protest. "I'm not going anywhere until Tony is safe!" You stand your ground, but you're trembling in fear where you stand.

Jack steps away from Tony's body and approaches you. You take a step back and retreat out to the ring apron, putting as much distance between you and Jack as you can.

"Go backstage, YN," Jack warns you again. "I'm not going to ask you again." His jaw twitches with malice.

"N-n-no." You shake your head, hands shaking as you grip the top ring rope. "I-i-im not afraid of you, Jack." You lie to him.

There was a time when that statement couldn't be more true. You never used to be afraid of the man standing in front of you. The Jack you knew was carefree and sweet. A gentleman who was always there when you needed someone to talk to. A comforting shoulder to cry on.

This Jack isn't the same person you once knew. The old Jack Perry is dead.

"If you're not scared, then why are you trembling?" Jack asks you, his gaze flitting down to your shaking hands.

"I'm worried about, Tony." You reply, voice cracking again.

Jack scoffs at the mention of Tony's name and inches closer to you. You remain on the outside of the apron and cautiously step onto the steel stairs to steady yourself. Jack steps through the ropes and meets you on the stairs with his icy gaze directed at you.

"Don't be a stubborn bitch, YN," Jack warns you one last time. "You're a good person, YN. Sweet and innocent. So go. This isn't about you." He points up the ramp.

"Or what?" You dare to stand your ground one last time, despite your fear.

Your reply seems to ignite something in Jack. He takes a hefty step forward and stops right in front of you. His chest is puffed out in a display of dominance, and for a split second you fear that he might actually strike you.

You flinch when Jack's hand moves from his side and raises toward your face. But a strike never comes. Instead, Jack lays a surprisingly gentle hand on your cheek.

"You think that I'd hurt you?" He asks you in a whisper.

"I-I don't know." You squeak out a response.

Jack huffs a breath out of his nose and glances back into the ring where the Bucks and Okada are waiting for him before turning back to you. His gaze softens ever so slightly when he looks at you.

"Please go backstage where it's safe, YN. For me." He asks you. "I have to do this. It's the only way I can move on. But I can't if there's even a chance you'll be collateral damage." He grits his teeth. "Not you. So please, go." He sets his hands on your shoulders and turns you around toward the ramp before giving you a small shove.

You stumble forward and look back at Jack. His posture is still rigid. But there's a small hint of the Jack you used to know in his eyes still.

Reluctantly, you slowly move up the ramp and over to the tunnel. The security team finally file out from backstage and await your orders.

"Ma'am? What's the orders?" The head of the security team asks you.

"Get Tony out of the ring and to the medical team." You reply, gaze transfixed on Jack.

The security team all nod and begin their retrieval of Tony Khan. Jack meets your gaze and offers you a subtle nod as he and the rest of The Elite are driven off. The security team begin flooding into the ring and Jack is forced to retreat as well, but he keeps his eyes on you until he can't anymore.

This isn't over.

No.

Far from it,