“All the colors and puppets in Arcadia can’t mask the truth…”

[Jasper Redgrave sits in silence. He’s battered and bruised from Ring King. The wounds of a war that he did not come out on top of.]

“The truth that even a blind man can see.”

“You and I, Felix, we’re a lot more alike than you’d like to admit.”

[He winces as he adjusts himself in his chair. And for once, we see a weaker side of Jasper.]

[A human side.]

“We both want the same things. We both go out there week after week and put our necks out on the line all for the same goal.”

“We both want to climb back to the top of the proverbial mountain.”

“And we both have a much darker side. A more vicious and violent passenger capable of guiding us straight back to the throne.”

“The difference in us is what a lot of people would call a kill switch.”

[The Artist straightens into a kingly posture within his chair. The winces of pain are no longer visible. It’s as if he healed before our very eyes.]

[His hands grip at the arms of his chair until his knuckles turn flush white. A look of malice dripping from his scowl.]

“I’ve come to embrace that darkness. I’ve come to harness it’s power. I will do anything to get back to my throne, even if I have to kill every last one of you to get there.”

“But you, Mister Foley, hide behind a defense of lies. You cater to the children of Arcadia. You preach of a brighter future for Arcadians.”

“But the battle that wages inside your own mind would never allow you to deliver such a thing.”

“You’ve spent your entire life trying to deny those dark thoughts. You’ve tried to stifle the monster that dwells within.”

“You’ll do anything BUT flip that kill switch.”

[A cocky smirk appears across a very sadistic looking face.]

“And every time we cross paths, I’ll be there to put my boot across your throat.”

“I’ll be there to use you as a stepping stone to get to my destination.”

“Because at the end of the day, I don’t need any flashy theatrics or bright colors to put you in your place.”

“All I need is to be able to flip that fucking switch.”

“I did it when I beat you for the Spartan Cup..”

“I did it last year to claim the crown of Ring King..”

“And come Ascension, I’ll be there to put an old dog down once again.”

[Jasper stands confidently.]

“We’re a lot alike, Foley. But you’ll never be better than me.”

“You’ll never be able to flip that switch freely. You’ll never be able to harness the power that dwells within you..”

“And as long as I’m around, you’ll never make it back to the top of this mountain.”

[Jasper chuckles slyly as he brushes past us to take his leave.]

[No theatrics.]

[No colors.]

[No puppets..]

[Just cold, hard facts.]

[Fade.]