Post by CJ Phoenix on Oct 3, 2021 12:12:52 GMT -5
It's the morning after Clash, and the hangover headache is provided by the brutal match he was in the previous night. Fortunately for him, the last six months of chaotic matches and sneak attacks that he dealt with made it much easier for him to deal with as he had gotten used to it. Instead of sleeping through the morning, CJ Phoenix is getting ready to do something that he hasn't done in ages, interacting with the fans.
As he's checking out of the hotel he was staying in, a couple of guys who look to be in college attempt to reach out to him.
Fan 1: Phoenix!
Phoenix: I suppose that would be me.
Fan 2: Can we take a picture with you before you leave?
Phoenix: Sure.
Their eyes light up as they rush over to take selfies with the Luminary of Despair. CJ can tell that they're genuinely happy. It brings back memories of when he used to hang out with his fans at various casinos and such back in his WCF days. Even though his alexithymia had gone away, he had still been at a disconnect with the public since his return. The only time fans would see him in person would be when he was in the ring. The constant traveling combined with the focus on honing his craft had essentially taken all of his attention. In a sense, CJ Phoenix had been released from the mental prison he was in and has been readjusting to the world around him ever since. As beneficial as his friendship with Vanessa has been, it wouldn't exactly fall under the same category of fan interaction. Not only was Kaiyah the one that introduced them, Vanessa was already a coworker of his when they met. If he's going to get more than just the rush that everyone that steps in the ring gets from the crowd, he would have to connect with people that he will likely never see again.
Fan 2: Thanks a lot for this, man!
Fan 1: I can't wait to show this to the crew back on campus!
Fan 2: Hell Yeah! This is like an early graduation present!
Phoenix: Really? You guys graduating this semester?
Fan 1: That's the plan, but we still have finals to worry about, plus all the other exams we have to take before then.
Phoenix: How are the classes going?
Fan 1: They're difficult. It's hard just trying to keep up. Uggghhhh. Why are all the hardest classes at the end?
Fan 2: Riiiiight!? And the student debt afterwards. And having to keep a good paying job long enough to pay it off. Aw man. I was trying to forget about all of that.
Phoenix: Sounds problematic, but not impossible. Just study hard and be diligent and you'll be fine.
Fan 1: Sure hope so. We actually came out here to watch a live Action Wrestling event to help boost our morale.
Fan 2: Watching you and all the other people out there is already exciting, but it was SUPER special awesome seeing a live show!
Phoenix: Glad you enjoyed it.
CJ could feel the sudden aura of despair emanating from their shift in mood. They were trying to cope with the stress of potentially failing after making it so far. He knew what it was like to be on a tightrope to success while an active volcano of failures and the potential consequences of failing lay under him. After pausing to think for a moment, he comes up with an idea.
Phoenix: Before I go, I'm gonna make you a deal that should help alleviate some of your stresses. If you guys pass your classes, I'll clear out your debts for you.
The students look at each other in disbelief before happily accepting the offer. The feeling of taking someone's despair and providing them with hope was oddly satisfying. He hadn't changed the world, but he made three lives a bit better in that moment, theirs and his. It was a step in the right direction outside of the ring, but if he was going to have any shot at unlocking his full potential, he would have to walk down the right path in the ring as well, and the match that laid in front of him provided a perfect opportunity to right some wrongs.
The scene begins with a tracking shot leading to the entrance of a mansion. Once inside, the camera pans down from the foyer to the hallways and stairways, finally descending into the basement. Monokuma then pops out from a coffin, cackling wildly.
Monokuma: Greetings, creatures of despair! I am Monokuma, and I have a story for you! It's about a man on a quest to do the improbable and three souls that were plunged into the depths of despair. It's called "The Chronicles of Nah Fam: the Liar, the Bitch, and the Worn-out" and it's one of my favorite tales! Better have your popcorn ready!
The scene cuts to the roof of the mansion. CJ Phoenix is standing in a black robe, holding a candelabra with three lit candles on it. There are three business suits laying in front of him.
Phoenix: I used to be like you three. Another cog in the corporate machine, drifting from match to match. I cared more about causing despair than I did winning, and that used to be good enough for me. I would laugh at those who would squander the opportunities given to them after stealing wins from me. I was nowhere near ready for the World Title back then, but Uprising showed me that it's within my reach now. As painful as that loss was, it intensified my resolve. I'm as close to reaching my potential as I am to reaching that belt. I know the moment I reach one of them, I'll reach them both. I'm not gonna give up and walk away after being that close. I can win that title. I WILL win that title!
The LIAR: Damian Kaine
Phoenix: Statistically, I don't have a great track record in matches like these. It's unfortunate to admit, but I have to stay true to myself. Simply not losing won't cut it anymore. If I'm gonna make a run at the pinnacle of Action Wrestling, it starts with me winning these types of matches.
Are you really being true to yourself, Damian? Of course not. You may have gained some humility, but you traded away your honesty for it. You even doubled down on your deception by dipping into the depths of "reality" television. If that smile of yours were any faker, you might start getting paid in Monopoly money. You're trying too hard to show that you've changed. Always quick to tell people what they wanna hear in front of the camera. All you want is to be a good little lab rat. It's repulsive, and the fact that you tried to turn the All-In match into some kind of pseudo-rescue mission makes me sick.
“CJ Phoenix is my Brother. And whether he knows it or not, I am his."
Remember when you said that? That statement is only half true. When we're opponents in that ring, you're no brother of mine. You're an ENEMY, and I will treat you and BEAT you like such. I'm not pulling punches in a match that I feel is a must-win just because one of my opponents calls me his "brother". Of course, that doesn't mean anything to you because there is no must-win for you. The only thing you care about is looking like you're the "good guy" so you can keep this facade going. Luckily for you, you're in the right place at the right time.
Call it a passing of the torch if you want. The only reason you were even called up to Clash is because of me. With me setting my sights on clawing my way to the World Title, Clash needs a new Swiss army knife. Someone with no specific title aspirations that they can put up against anyone to keep ratings high across the board. That's perfect for you. You've been so desperate to atone for your sins from previous wrestling runs that you'll happily take any little thing that comes your way. Anything to hide the fact that behind that false smile is a lost soul who no longer believes he deserves a will of his own. You feel like if you go too far against the grain, you'll regress back to the person you were before, and then no amount of damage control or TV show appearances will be able to redeem you. That frightens you, especially since you're already breaking. You slipped back into that dark place after Roddy Zalez kept putting your face in the dirt. Then, a couple of cheap shots from some stooges was enough to break you and make you show the ugliness that you're still trying to keep hidden. You're not in control like you thought you would be. So you try to be as low-risk as possible when it comes to your approaches. That's you don't mind being a guinea pig, and that's why you won't be upset when I beat you Monday. You'll probably churn out some kid friendly speech like "Well I did my best out there, and the fans supported me, so it still feels like a win." and you'll get a pop and continue the cycle of being tossed around like laundry in a dryer. Go ahead, Damian. Live your life in lies and fear. As long as you're "Happy to be here" that's what matters.
CJ removes one of the candles and uses it to light one of the suits on fire. He sets the candle down in front of it.
The BITCH: John Black
Phoenix: John Black at his best is equivalent to a trap game. The only way he stands a chance against anyone is if they're just as pathetic as he is, or they play down to his level. Someone's gotta go give that poor man a hug or something because he's down catastrophic. He goes into every match with the mindset of "If I insult myself and put myself down first, maybe my opponents will feel bad enough for me to let me slide." and that doesn't work here. He might as well wear a t-shirt that says "Please don't hurt me. I'm trying to be an artist. Wrestling is my side hustle." every time he heads out to the ring. At least that could somewhat justify why he waves the white flag before he even takes the battlefield. Even when I teamed with him and DK, he couldn't help but belittle himself. This man is damn near NAGITO levels of self-deprecating. It's horrendous. Usually, it's the supremely overconfident people that are sad to watch because of how fragile they are. This man is on the other end of the spectrum. He's too underconfident to even deserve the contract he's signed to.
I get why you're like this, John. You're just trying to soften the fall by being as low as possible from the start. Losing doesn't even hurt you because it's about as devastating as falling out of a chair. Yeah, you still fell, but because of how close to the ground you already were, you can just laugh it off and get back up. While Damian Kaine tries too hard, you don't try hard enough. Instead, you just exist to be a doormat. You hate these types of matches, don't you? Main event matches. Matches with high stakes and huge opportunities. They make your blood boil because they're outside of your comfort zone. You'd rather cling to the bottom rung because you think that'll make you a more relatable artist. A lot of great artists, both past and present, knew how to tell a great story through their own personal experiences. Their words hit deep because they were relatable to the point where you felt like you were there with them. You're trying to use Action Wrestling to tell your story as an artist and make it big. The problem with that is the fact that your story is terrible. You wanna portray yourself as this resilient underdog who seemed to never get out of first gear, but he didn't let it stop him from living his dream. Know what comes after that? Hard work, dedication, and persistence. You don't have those things. Even when they're handed to you, you don't want them. After our match in the Execution cage back in April, I gave you my respect. My acknowledgement. A lot of the fans did so too. That was your chance to put your foot down and start building up that confidence. Instead, you turned us all down. You shrugged off our hands so that you could continue to feel sorry for yourself. You don't wanna be great, John. You don't even wanna be GOOD. You wanna be pitied. You want expectations to be so low for you that even nearly winning a match comes as a shock to everyone. It's a shame that you would go so far just to stay so abysmal, but if that's how you wanna be, I'll have no problems disposing of you like the trash you continue to be.
A second candle gets removed. It too is used to set one of the suits ablaze.
The WORN-OUT: Claire Hawkins
Phoenix: Behold the Metal Witch known as Claire Hawkins. One of Action Wrestling's most legendary competitors. If anyone can understand how I'm feeling and why going after the World Title has become important to me, it's you...right? I've been told countless times that I've either wasted that potential or I'll never live up to it. Their words won't deter me. Just like how they didn't stop you from becoming synonymous with the Television Title. I've learned a lot from your journey, especially what NOT to do when I reach my destination.
For starters, you've won the TV Title more than anyone else in the history of Action Wrestling, but you've also lost it more than anyone else. I wouldn't even point this out if it wasn't significant. After all, anyone can have an off night, but your situation is different. Every time you've lost that gold, it's been largely due to your own arrogance. One would think that you would've eventually learned to stop underestimating your opponents, especially when you're defending the belt. Unfortunately for you, it's the opposite. Whenever you have the TV Title, you look past your foes. When you don't have it, you use your past reigns as a crutch to try and hold yourself on your high horse. Get ready. I'm gonna knock you off that horse Monday night.
You've trapped yourself in an endless cycle. You made the TV Title your home. Your heart and soul. Your idol. Your GOD. When you hold that belt, you act like you're a goddess. When you don't have it, your behavior drastically changes to that of a peasant. People may call you washed up and past your prime, but no one does it more than you do behind closed doors. Any time you're not TV Champion, you think to yourself "Do I still have it in me? Can I make one more run to the Television Title?" knowing that one day, the answer will be "no". When I say you're worn-out, it's not because I think you can't wrestle anymore. Far from that. I say it because of what you've become. How is it that after FOUR GOD DAMN YEARS of facing people who looked down on you, you're out here doing the same thing they did? You're so caught up in constantly reminding everybody of what you did for the business that you haven't even noticed you've made the TV Title your tomb and became your worst enemy. Those four years have not been kind to you.
As for me. I didn't set the bar for myself to see how many times I could reach it. I set it to see how high I can raise it. I'm gonna push that bar up higher every time I step foot in the ring so that when I finally reach out and grab it, it won't be a bar anymore. It'll be the World Title. Yes, I'm aware that I missed out on the opportunity to take the fast track to this goal. That just means that I'll have to earn it the old fashioned way. One week at a time. One win at a time, starting with this match, and you should be excited about it. People thought I'd be gone after a couple a months. Been here eleven months and I ain't going anywhere but up. I've faced everybody from jobbers to champions all over the cards on both shows and made history along the way. I've stepped up to every challenge no matter the odds. I've been through more this year than most of the people signed here....and I'm still here fighting. You should be excited, but you're upset and jealous because I've shown more heart and growth in eleven months than you have in the last four years. So I WANT you to look down on me the same way you looked down on Katherine Hastings and so many others. The same way other people looked down at you. Do it so that I can be the mirror that shows you what you've become before I continue to do what you used to do. Beat the odds and the people that doubt me. Somebody better call the Hex Girls, because I'm shooting down the Metal Witch's ghost Monday night.
CJ Phoenix takes the final candle and ignites the third suit with it. He watches the suits burn until there's nothing left but ashes in the darkness of night.
As he's checking out of the hotel he was staying in, a couple of guys who look to be in college attempt to reach out to him.
Fan 1: Phoenix!
Phoenix: I suppose that would be me.
Fan 2: Can we take a picture with you before you leave?
Phoenix: Sure.
Their eyes light up as they rush over to take selfies with the Luminary of Despair. CJ can tell that they're genuinely happy. It brings back memories of when he used to hang out with his fans at various casinos and such back in his WCF days. Even though his alexithymia had gone away, he had still been at a disconnect with the public since his return. The only time fans would see him in person would be when he was in the ring. The constant traveling combined with the focus on honing his craft had essentially taken all of his attention. In a sense, CJ Phoenix had been released from the mental prison he was in and has been readjusting to the world around him ever since. As beneficial as his friendship with Vanessa has been, it wouldn't exactly fall under the same category of fan interaction. Not only was Kaiyah the one that introduced them, Vanessa was already a coworker of his when they met. If he's going to get more than just the rush that everyone that steps in the ring gets from the crowd, he would have to connect with people that he will likely never see again.
Fan 2: Thanks a lot for this, man!
Fan 1: I can't wait to show this to the crew back on campus!
Fan 2: Hell Yeah! This is like an early graduation present!
Phoenix: Really? You guys graduating this semester?
Fan 1: That's the plan, but we still have finals to worry about, plus all the other exams we have to take before then.
Phoenix: How are the classes going?
Fan 1: They're difficult. It's hard just trying to keep up. Uggghhhh. Why are all the hardest classes at the end?
Fan 2: Riiiiight!? And the student debt afterwards. And having to keep a good paying job long enough to pay it off. Aw man. I was trying to forget about all of that.
Phoenix: Sounds problematic, but not impossible. Just study hard and be diligent and you'll be fine.
Fan 1: Sure hope so. We actually came out here to watch a live Action Wrestling event to help boost our morale.
Fan 2: Watching you and all the other people out there is already exciting, but it was SUPER special awesome seeing a live show!
Phoenix: Glad you enjoyed it.
CJ could feel the sudden aura of despair emanating from their shift in mood. They were trying to cope with the stress of potentially failing after making it so far. He knew what it was like to be on a tightrope to success while an active volcano of failures and the potential consequences of failing lay under him. After pausing to think for a moment, he comes up with an idea.
Phoenix: Before I go, I'm gonna make you a deal that should help alleviate some of your stresses. If you guys pass your classes, I'll clear out your debts for you.
The students look at each other in disbelief before happily accepting the offer. The feeling of taking someone's despair and providing them with hope was oddly satisfying. He hadn't changed the world, but he made three lives a bit better in that moment, theirs and his. It was a step in the right direction outside of the ring, but if he was going to have any shot at unlocking his full potential, he would have to walk down the right path in the ring as well, and the match that laid in front of him provided a perfect opportunity to right some wrongs.
The scene begins with a tracking shot leading to the entrance of a mansion. Once inside, the camera pans down from the foyer to the hallways and stairways, finally descending into the basement. Monokuma then pops out from a coffin, cackling wildly.
Monokuma: Greetings, creatures of despair! I am Monokuma, and I have a story for you! It's about a man on a quest to do the improbable and three souls that were plunged into the depths of despair. It's called "The Chronicles of Nah Fam: the Liar, the Bitch, and the Worn-out" and it's one of my favorite tales! Better have your popcorn ready!
The scene cuts to the roof of the mansion. CJ Phoenix is standing in a black robe, holding a candelabra with three lit candles on it. There are three business suits laying in front of him.
Phoenix: I used to be like you three. Another cog in the corporate machine, drifting from match to match. I cared more about causing despair than I did winning, and that used to be good enough for me. I would laugh at those who would squander the opportunities given to them after stealing wins from me. I was nowhere near ready for the World Title back then, but Uprising showed me that it's within my reach now. As painful as that loss was, it intensified my resolve. I'm as close to reaching my potential as I am to reaching that belt. I know the moment I reach one of them, I'll reach them both. I'm not gonna give up and walk away after being that close. I can win that title. I WILL win that title!
The LIAR: Damian Kaine
Phoenix: Statistically, I don't have a great track record in matches like these. It's unfortunate to admit, but I have to stay true to myself. Simply not losing won't cut it anymore. If I'm gonna make a run at the pinnacle of Action Wrestling, it starts with me winning these types of matches.
Are you really being true to yourself, Damian? Of course not. You may have gained some humility, but you traded away your honesty for it. You even doubled down on your deception by dipping into the depths of "reality" television. If that smile of yours were any faker, you might start getting paid in Monopoly money. You're trying too hard to show that you've changed. Always quick to tell people what they wanna hear in front of the camera. All you want is to be a good little lab rat. It's repulsive, and the fact that you tried to turn the All-In match into some kind of pseudo-rescue mission makes me sick.
“CJ Phoenix is my Brother. And whether he knows it or not, I am his."
Remember when you said that? That statement is only half true. When we're opponents in that ring, you're no brother of mine. You're an ENEMY, and I will treat you and BEAT you like such. I'm not pulling punches in a match that I feel is a must-win just because one of my opponents calls me his "brother". Of course, that doesn't mean anything to you because there is no must-win for you. The only thing you care about is looking like you're the "good guy" so you can keep this facade going. Luckily for you, you're in the right place at the right time.
Call it a passing of the torch if you want. The only reason you were even called up to Clash is because of me. With me setting my sights on clawing my way to the World Title, Clash needs a new Swiss army knife. Someone with no specific title aspirations that they can put up against anyone to keep ratings high across the board. That's perfect for you. You've been so desperate to atone for your sins from previous wrestling runs that you'll happily take any little thing that comes your way. Anything to hide the fact that behind that false smile is a lost soul who no longer believes he deserves a will of his own. You feel like if you go too far against the grain, you'll regress back to the person you were before, and then no amount of damage control or TV show appearances will be able to redeem you. That frightens you, especially since you're already breaking. You slipped back into that dark place after Roddy Zalez kept putting your face in the dirt. Then, a couple of cheap shots from some stooges was enough to break you and make you show the ugliness that you're still trying to keep hidden. You're not in control like you thought you would be. So you try to be as low-risk as possible when it comes to your approaches. That's you don't mind being a guinea pig, and that's why you won't be upset when I beat you Monday. You'll probably churn out some kid friendly speech like "Well I did my best out there, and the fans supported me, so it still feels like a win." and you'll get a pop and continue the cycle of being tossed around like laundry in a dryer. Go ahead, Damian. Live your life in lies and fear. As long as you're "Happy to be here" that's what matters.
CJ removes one of the candles and uses it to light one of the suits on fire. He sets the candle down in front of it.
The BITCH: John Black
Phoenix: John Black at his best is equivalent to a trap game. The only way he stands a chance against anyone is if they're just as pathetic as he is, or they play down to his level. Someone's gotta go give that poor man a hug or something because he's down catastrophic. He goes into every match with the mindset of "If I insult myself and put myself down first, maybe my opponents will feel bad enough for me to let me slide." and that doesn't work here. He might as well wear a t-shirt that says "Please don't hurt me. I'm trying to be an artist. Wrestling is my side hustle." every time he heads out to the ring. At least that could somewhat justify why he waves the white flag before he even takes the battlefield. Even when I teamed with him and DK, he couldn't help but belittle himself. This man is damn near NAGITO levels of self-deprecating. It's horrendous. Usually, it's the supremely overconfident people that are sad to watch because of how fragile they are. This man is on the other end of the spectrum. He's too underconfident to even deserve the contract he's signed to.
I get why you're like this, John. You're just trying to soften the fall by being as low as possible from the start. Losing doesn't even hurt you because it's about as devastating as falling out of a chair. Yeah, you still fell, but because of how close to the ground you already were, you can just laugh it off and get back up. While Damian Kaine tries too hard, you don't try hard enough. Instead, you just exist to be a doormat. You hate these types of matches, don't you? Main event matches. Matches with high stakes and huge opportunities. They make your blood boil because they're outside of your comfort zone. You'd rather cling to the bottom rung because you think that'll make you a more relatable artist. A lot of great artists, both past and present, knew how to tell a great story through their own personal experiences. Their words hit deep because they were relatable to the point where you felt like you were there with them. You're trying to use Action Wrestling to tell your story as an artist and make it big. The problem with that is the fact that your story is terrible. You wanna portray yourself as this resilient underdog who seemed to never get out of first gear, but he didn't let it stop him from living his dream. Know what comes after that? Hard work, dedication, and persistence. You don't have those things. Even when they're handed to you, you don't want them. After our match in the Execution cage back in April, I gave you my respect. My acknowledgement. A lot of the fans did so too. That was your chance to put your foot down and start building up that confidence. Instead, you turned us all down. You shrugged off our hands so that you could continue to feel sorry for yourself. You don't wanna be great, John. You don't even wanna be GOOD. You wanna be pitied. You want expectations to be so low for you that even nearly winning a match comes as a shock to everyone. It's a shame that you would go so far just to stay so abysmal, but if that's how you wanna be, I'll have no problems disposing of you like the trash you continue to be.
A second candle gets removed. It too is used to set one of the suits ablaze.
The WORN-OUT: Claire Hawkins
Phoenix: Behold the Metal Witch known as Claire Hawkins. One of Action Wrestling's most legendary competitors. If anyone can understand how I'm feeling and why going after the World Title has become important to me, it's you...right? I've been told countless times that I've either wasted that potential or I'll never live up to it. Their words won't deter me. Just like how they didn't stop you from becoming synonymous with the Television Title. I've learned a lot from your journey, especially what NOT to do when I reach my destination.
For starters, you've won the TV Title more than anyone else in the history of Action Wrestling, but you've also lost it more than anyone else. I wouldn't even point this out if it wasn't significant. After all, anyone can have an off night, but your situation is different. Every time you've lost that gold, it's been largely due to your own arrogance. One would think that you would've eventually learned to stop underestimating your opponents, especially when you're defending the belt. Unfortunately for you, it's the opposite. Whenever you have the TV Title, you look past your foes. When you don't have it, you use your past reigns as a crutch to try and hold yourself on your high horse. Get ready. I'm gonna knock you off that horse Monday night.
You've trapped yourself in an endless cycle. You made the TV Title your home. Your heart and soul. Your idol. Your GOD. When you hold that belt, you act like you're a goddess. When you don't have it, your behavior drastically changes to that of a peasant. People may call you washed up and past your prime, but no one does it more than you do behind closed doors. Any time you're not TV Champion, you think to yourself "Do I still have it in me? Can I make one more run to the Television Title?" knowing that one day, the answer will be "no". When I say you're worn-out, it's not because I think you can't wrestle anymore. Far from that. I say it because of what you've become. How is it that after FOUR GOD DAMN YEARS of facing people who looked down on you, you're out here doing the same thing they did? You're so caught up in constantly reminding everybody of what you did for the business that you haven't even noticed you've made the TV Title your tomb and became your worst enemy. Those four years have not been kind to you.
As for me. I didn't set the bar for myself to see how many times I could reach it. I set it to see how high I can raise it. I'm gonna push that bar up higher every time I step foot in the ring so that when I finally reach out and grab it, it won't be a bar anymore. It'll be the World Title. Yes, I'm aware that I missed out on the opportunity to take the fast track to this goal. That just means that I'll have to earn it the old fashioned way. One week at a time. One win at a time, starting with this match, and you should be excited about it. People thought I'd be gone after a couple a months. Been here eleven months and I ain't going anywhere but up. I've faced everybody from jobbers to champions all over the cards on both shows and made history along the way. I've stepped up to every challenge no matter the odds. I've been through more this year than most of the people signed here....and I'm still here fighting. You should be excited, but you're upset and jealous because I've shown more heart and growth in eleven months than you have in the last four years. So I WANT you to look down on me the same way you looked down on Katherine Hastings and so many others. The same way other people looked down at you. Do it so that I can be the mirror that shows you what you've become before I continue to do what you used to do. Beat the odds and the people that doubt me. Somebody better call the Hex Girls, because I'm shooting down the Metal Witch's ghost Monday night.
CJ Phoenix takes the final candle and ignites the third suit with it. He watches the suits burn until there's nothing left but ashes in the darkness of night.