Post by CJ Phoenix on Aug 7, 2022 12:35:11 GMT -5
The /simulation\ hypothesis proposes that all of our existence is a /simulated\ reality, such as a computer /simulation\ which convinces its inhabitants that the /simulation\ is "real".
Let's set something straight here. Don't expect some newfound friendship to form between me, someone I can respect, but am ultimately indifferent towards, and the guy that backstabbed me. I'm not sure if this is 3-on-3 or 1-on-5, but it matters not. It's an opportunity to scout the competition AND land another win against Afflu-.....wait.
Should I even call you two that? Has the break-up been made official, or are you both still in that 'Ohh it's not working, but I don't wanna be the one to say it' phase? It's like watching a cringe teen drama when it comes to you two. Toss in Alice and you've got the Mean Girls except you can't sit with each other because you're all just a wee bit too self-centered for that. I can see it now. The three of you pretending to coexist until one of you gets greedy and tags yourself in, throwing away your momentum along with the match. You're all too obsessed with a spotlight that's not big enough to shine on more than one person.
At least with our team, the disdain is obvious. If anything, we're more likely to fight each other than the three of you. It's actually pretty funny. You all may see this as some golden opportunity to gain momentum. A chance to try to put someone down before Uprising. Bragging rights and all that silly shit. Or, if you're smart and sinister like that snake Kyle Kemp is, you'll be happier if you can keep someone from being able to make it to the All-In match. If we're being honest, I'd actually be quiet disappointed if no one takes advantage of such a rare opportunity. So am I excited about this match? Yes. Do I trust my teammates? Not in the slightest.
Of all people, why me?
We find ourselves on a bloody battleground. Hundreds of warriors lie dead in the desert as the crimson intertwines with the sand. Fighting through that army is the duo of CJ Phoenix and Spencer Adams. Might and magic were on display as Spencer's shield and sword combined with CJ's Despair Magic proved to be a formidable force. After another exhausting, but successful battle, the duo spot a temple raising up from the ground.
Spencer: Is that it?
Phoenix: Yeah. Let's go before it disappears.
They run to the temple, but a familiarly unfamiliar voice stops them as a large figure blocks their path.
Distorted Voice: I knew it was only a matter of time before you came crawling back here. Just like an addict desperately looking for their next fix. What makes you think you're even worthy of returning to this place and drawing upon that boundlesss potential of yours?
Phoenix: I didn't come this far to stop here.
Distorted Voice: Too bad you will. Besides, can you even trust that it'll be enough? Can you even trust those that support you?
Phoenix: The hell are you-
Suddenly, a sword pierces through CJ's back and exits through his chest. As blood runs down his body, he turns around and is shocked to see Kyle Kemp standing where Spencer Adams was mere seconds ago. As his vision slowly fades, the world around him changes to the night that Kyle Kemp blindsided him shortly after last year's Evolution.
Phoenix: That's pretty much what happened.
Spencer: Damn. How do you keep having these weird dreams?
Phoenix: Because I'm a weird person?
Spencer: ....You should see how much I'm glaring at you right now.
But I couldn't. We're talking on the phone. Spencer's with his family and I'm driving towards Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. So instead, we both laughed it off.
Phoenix: Hey....Spencer. I wanna ask you something.
Spencer: Sure. What's up?
Phoenix: You ever feel like life is a video game and you're stuck on a boss fight, having to try again and again each time you fail?
Spencer: Sometimes. Kinda reminds me of when I was recovering in the hospital. Some days I felt like I would be back on my feet in no time. Others felt like I'd never be able to get out of bed again. It was rough, but I got there eventually.
Phoenix: You sure did.
Spencer: Is that how you're feeling?
Phoenix: Something like that. Everything's starting to blend together to the point where I almost feel numb to the world. I thought it was just wrestling at first, but it seems like every time I fail, I end up back at a different version of the same place. I know I can trust you, but I'm not sure I can trust myself to not be paranoid. I can't believe that there's no chance Kemp won't throw the match just to try to take me out of the All-In match by attacking me. Anything to try to keep me in this endless loop that I'm trying to escape from. I don't know. Maybe it's that whole Vegas incident still bothering me.
Spencer: Vegas?
Phoenix: Yeah...before I came back to Action Wrestling......someone died because of me.
There was a pause. Silence from both sides of the phone line.
Spencer: Wait WHAT!?
CJ takes a deep breath and then he sighs.
Phoenix: Two years ago I had a feeling like this. Successful, but somehow still unaccomplished. The difference was that I was more depressed back then....and it led to me crashing my car. I lost connection to my emotions, and it led to a lot of bad things happening. Even after I recovered, I'm still suffering for it. I was a key witness and a prime suspect to a murder back then. If I would've handled things better, no one would've had to die that day....but if I didn't do anything, I would've been falsely imprisoned for murder. I wouldn't have even been there if I didn't crash my car, and I wouldn't have crashed if my mind wasn't so fucked up. So many tragedies...all from one mistake...
Spencer: I'm sure it isn't like that, CJ.
Phoenix: Over and over again....the more people I help, the more people I hurt.....and I still haven't made it to where I need to be. It doesn't feel like I can sometimes, but I can't afford to keep failing. Not when the consequences are this catastrophic.
Spencer: I understand that, but you're taking too much credit for the blame. That isn't how life works.
Phoenix: But it is, man. Life is nothing more than a series of butterfly effects. One fuck up could fix or ruin everything forever. I wouldn't even have this weird ass match I'm in if I didn't screw up last year's All-In match. The whole issue with Dandy only happened because I messed up and hid something unrelated from my wife because I thought I was protecting her. Every time things feel like they're lining up to go right, something goes wrong. It's so damn frustrating!
Spencer: Hold on. What about the good things that have come out of this? If you didn't survive that car accident, then Hope's Peak Academy would've never been built. All those kids with hope for a better future may not have one anymore. Not to mention-aw shit.
Phoenix: Huh?
Spencer: Oh, sorry. The infant is doing infant things. Not on the couch! I gotta call you back, man.
Phoenix: Good luck.
Spencer: Shut up.
They both hang up their phones and CJ sighs. He buries his head in his hands.
Phoenix: Why? Why can't I just get everything right the first time, every time? Why is failure a natural reminder of being human? I can't keep doing this....
I can't k33p doing this....
....siht gniod peek t'nac I
Am I losing touch with this world.....
OR IS IT LOSING TOUCH WITH ME
-System Error-
"FUCK! Boss, we may have a problem here."
"MAY have a problem?"
"Well, if it gets worse, it'll be a SERIOUS problem."
"And that problem is?"
"I'm afraid our subject might be stumbling towards the truth."
"Well make him stumble somewhere else, dammit! Fill his mind with useless subliminal messages or something! We can't risk him finding out!"
