Post by CJ Phoenix on Feb 5, 2022 14:49:04 GMT -5
Deep within the confines of the universe that is the mind of CJ Phoenix, we find two occupied reclining chairs in what appears to be a therapy room. In one is the Luminary of Despair himself. In the other is Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective.
Phoenix: It happened again. The moment Gerard was on the other side of the cage. At that moment, something changed. I wasn't thinking about the damage I'd take from the landing or anything like that. All I knew was that I couldn't let him get away. He was willing to lay his life on the line to try to take my title, so I had to do the same.
Kyoko: I noticed. It takes a tremendous amount of concentration, focus, and balance to pull off what you did. You tapped into that potential again and found strength beyond limitations. How does it feel to know that you're making progress?
Phoenix: It feels good. I'm starting to get better at tapping into that hidden strength, and for longer periods of time. Kicking out after getting hit by Claire's Shining Witch was a split second burst of energy. This time, I held on to a human with gravity working against me, and I overcame them both. I still can't quite call upon that strength at will, but it seems to be able to call upon me.
Kyoko: That's interesting. It appears this boundless energy of yours comes at a time of need instead of a time of want. I suggest using your upcoming match as an opportunity to see if you can tap into it willingly.
Phoenix: Good idea. I'll see what I can do.
We fade out of the darkness to the sight of CJ Phoenix shuffling a deck of cards while dressed as a card dealer. He sits at a poker table with his United States Championship sitting over where the chips would be.
Have you ever built a house of cards, Joey? Or rather, have you ever thought about the concept of doing so? I'm guessing no since that would require activating a pair of brain cells, which is three more than you have in that skull of yours. I'll give you a visual example in hopes that you can at least retain that information.
He stops shuffling and places the deck in front of the title. Then, he draws three cards. Afterwards, he leans two cards against each other and the third face up next to them.
A few days ago, Gerard Angelo was like this Jack of Diamonds here. Laying on his back after a valiant, but unsuccessful attempt at taking my title. It could've ended there, but you and Holden Ross had to get involved. You all attacked me, and in that moment, you became a house of cards.
He lifts the card and lightly lands it on the other two.
By itself, a standard playing card tends to fall when it's stood up by itself. However, when you take two of those cards, and lean them against each other against each other, they become a foundation. One strong enough to raise up another card while holding each other up. It's quite touching, really...until you realize how fragile your little fortress is.
The United States Champion starts shuffling the remaining cards again. This time, he shuffles them over the US Title, but not a single card touches the belt.
I've built countless card houses over the years. From three cards to three whole decks, I've built quite a few masterpieces. I've even tossed in my cards to help build a castle. We used to call it "The Following". Wanna know what happened? Two cards fell apart and one spontaneously combusted, burning the whole house down. I still carry a few of the ashes with me. Your house will burn down for a different reason. You've simply made the fatal error of trying to build your empire too close to an inextinguishable flame. A flame that has survived everything. Wars. Victories. Defeats. Deaths. No matter what happens, the fire still burns. It still grows beyond obstacles, expectations, and adversities. Your 'Grindhouse' is barely a tipi compared to the capital of perseverance that is Despairica, and you're gonna find that out the hard way.
The Luminary of Despair flicks one of the standing cards off the table, causing the other two to fall.
Monday Night, I'm gonna kick your soul out of your body further than I just launched that card. You can take solace in trying to do something productive with your brutish ways, but that alone won't get you far here. You act like you're some sort of story of perseverance, but you're nothing more than a common criminal. A henchman incapable of raising himself to the level of a boss. Bragging about how much of a ruthless thug you are. What you really are is sloppy and underhanded. You don't stand a chance against me. While your moves are the equivalent to facing an angry drunkard, I'm much more methodical. This isn't Joey Scala taking on some bottom feeder or bystander. You're going up against a psychological surgeon. Someone who will defeat you long before the bell rings and then stomp out whatever's left of you in the match itself. I'm gonna tear you apart with every expertly calculated strike and counterstrike until you're tripping over yourself, regretting what you did at Revolution and pleading that I put an end to you as quickly as possible. Don't worry, it'll be over quickly, and I'll be victorious while you'll be unconscious.
Phoenix: It happened again. The moment Gerard was on the other side of the cage. At that moment, something changed. I wasn't thinking about the damage I'd take from the landing or anything like that. All I knew was that I couldn't let him get away. He was willing to lay his life on the line to try to take my title, so I had to do the same.
Kyoko: I noticed. It takes a tremendous amount of concentration, focus, and balance to pull off what you did. You tapped into that potential again and found strength beyond limitations. How does it feel to know that you're making progress?
Phoenix: It feels good. I'm starting to get better at tapping into that hidden strength, and for longer periods of time. Kicking out after getting hit by Claire's Shining Witch was a split second burst of energy. This time, I held on to a human with gravity working against me, and I overcame them both. I still can't quite call upon that strength at will, but it seems to be able to call upon me.
Kyoko: That's interesting. It appears this boundless energy of yours comes at a time of need instead of a time of want. I suggest using your upcoming match as an opportunity to see if you can tap into it willingly.
Phoenix: Good idea. I'll see what I can do.
We fade out of the darkness to the sight of CJ Phoenix shuffling a deck of cards while dressed as a card dealer. He sits at a poker table with his United States Championship sitting over where the chips would be.
Have you ever built a house of cards, Joey? Or rather, have you ever thought about the concept of doing so? I'm guessing no since that would require activating a pair of brain cells, which is three more than you have in that skull of yours. I'll give you a visual example in hopes that you can at least retain that information.
He stops shuffling and places the deck in front of the title. Then, he draws three cards. Afterwards, he leans two cards against each other and the third face up next to them.
A few days ago, Gerard Angelo was like this Jack of Diamonds here. Laying on his back after a valiant, but unsuccessful attempt at taking my title. It could've ended there, but you and Holden Ross had to get involved. You all attacked me, and in that moment, you became a house of cards.
He lifts the card and lightly lands it on the other two.
By itself, a standard playing card tends to fall when it's stood up by itself. However, when you take two of those cards, and lean them against each other against each other, they become a foundation. One strong enough to raise up another card while holding each other up. It's quite touching, really...until you realize how fragile your little fortress is.
The United States Champion starts shuffling the remaining cards again. This time, he shuffles them over the US Title, but not a single card touches the belt.
I've built countless card houses over the years. From three cards to three whole decks, I've built quite a few masterpieces. I've even tossed in my cards to help build a castle. We used to call it "The Following". Wanna know what happened? Two cards fell apart and one spontaneously combusted, burning the whole house down. I still carry a few of the ashes with me. Your house will burn down for a different reason. You've simply made the fatal error of trying to build your empire too close to an inextinguishable flame. A flame that has survived everything. Wars. Victories. Defeats. Deaths. No matter what happens, the fire still burns. It still grows beyond obstacles, expectations, and adversities. Your 'Grindhouse' is barely a tipi compared to the capital of perseverance that is Despairica, and you're gonna find that out the hard way.
The Luminary of Despair flicks one of the standing cards off the table, causing the other two to fall.
Monday Night, I'm gonna kick your soul out of your body further than I just launched that card. You can take solace in trying to do something productive with your brutish ways, but that alone won't get you far here. You act like you're some sort of story of perseverance, but you're nothing more than a common criminal. A henchman incapable of raising himself to the level of a boss. Bragging about how much of a ruthless thug you are. What you really are is sloppy and underhanded. You don't stand a chance against me. While your moves are the equivalent to facing an angry drunkard, I'm much more methodical. This isn't Joey Scala taking on some bottom feeder or bystander. You're going up against a psychological surgeon. Someone who will defeat you long before the bell rings and then stomp out whatever's left of you in the match itself. I'm gonna tear you apart with every expertly calculated strike and counterstrike until you're tripping over yourself, regretting what you did at Revolution and pleading that I put an end to you as quickly as possible. Don't worry, it'll be over quickly, and I'll be victorious while you'll be unconscious.
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