Post by CJ Phoenix on Dec 31, 2020 16:18:22 GMT -5
Los Angeles, California. Midday at the famous Staples Center. CJ Phoenix is sitting with his back on one of the outside walls of the building. Above him is a poster of The Following. The intern is holding a camera as he stares at the ground. Large, animated wings grow out from his back. One is completely white while the other is black with a diagonal, bloodstained line near the top.
Phoenix: The City of Angels. How ironic. In name, it sounds like a sacred place where only the holiest of beings reside. In reality, it's a sin-filled cesspool of calamity. An excellent place for a battle between myself and one J.C. Keeton of The Lost Breed. Those not living under a rock should be aware of the growing war of factions. It's essentially becoming an arms race with talent. I'd be lying if I say I wasn't interested.
CJ raises his head and stares at the camera.
Phoenix: Speaking of being interested, a former partner and friend of mine had his sights set on you. You know, Reo Raijin. He ain't too fond of you, and that caught my attention. At first, I brushed off the idea of dealing with you as you weren't in my path. However, now that you've popped up on my radar, this is a perfect time for you to be introduced to the cold reality of despair. I'm gonna show you how your life revolves around these five words: senpai watashi ni kizuite kudasai.
He turns his head to his right and points at the bright wing.
Phoenix: You're a successful competitor with an impressively high win percentage. You have accolades that I'm sure you're gonna try to hold over my head. Go ahead. Run and hide behind your insults and excuses as it's what you do best. Give me your hatred. Cut me with your words. Let me verbally taste my own blood before I force you to choke to death on yours! Senpai watashi ni kizuite kudasai! EARN the right for me to notice you!
He slowly turns his head in the other direction and points at the dark wing.
Phoenix: That's all you really want, isn't it, Keeton? To be in the light because you're terrified of the dark. That's why you burn so many bridges. You show no regard for serious, life-threatening situations by saying the worst possible things. All because you're jealous that the attention isn't on you and you're afraid that you'll be forgotten because of it. Your in-ring style proves your cowardice. You have to resort to every dirty trick you can use because you don't have the balls to prove that you're as good as you pretend to be by fighting with honor. Hell, you only joined the Lost Breed because they give you more bodies to hide behind while you continue throwing stones from your glass house. They feed you the attention you so desperately crave. Even they know that you're just the kid who stayed in trouble just so people would focus on them. What you've done isn't spectacular. It's a sad cry for help. Senpai watashi ni kizuite kudasai! Please notice me, senpai!
CJ stands up and looks at the camera.
Phoenix: I notice you, Keeton. I used to be like you. Doing stupid shit to get eyes on me. The darkness scared me too....until I finally decided to step into it. Since then, I've thrived in both light and shadows. The shadows tell me what I already know. You're afraid to lose, but you also know I'm gonna beat you. You hate to admit that I'm the better man, athlete, AND wrestler. I can hear you begging me not to turn off the light that you're clinging to. Senpai is not pleased. When CruiserClash comes, it'll be lights out, Keeton.
The camera cuts off. CJ looks up at the sky and sighs as the intern walks to him.
Phoenix: They still don't understand, but they're learning. Soon, they will all know what it's like to witness despair in its purest form....and they will thank me for it when they experience the wicked hope that follows.
Phoenix: The City of Angels. How ironic. In name, it sounds like a sacred place where only the holiest of beings reside. In reality, it's a sin-filled cesspool of calamity. An excellent place for a battle between myself and one J.C. Keeton of The Lost Breed. Those not living under a rock should be aware of the growing war of factions. It's essentially becoming an arms race with talent. I'd be lying if I say I wasn't interested.
CJ raises his head and stares at the camera.
Phoenix: Speaking of being interested, a former partner and friend of mine had his sights set on you. You know, Reo Raijin. He ain't too fond of you, and that caught my attention. At first, I brushed off the idea of dealing with you as you weren't in my path. However, now that you've popped up on my radar, this is a perfect time for you to be introduced to the cold reality of despair. I'm gonna show you how your life revolves around these five words: senpai watashi ni kizuite kudasai.
He turns his head to his right and points at the bright wing.
Phoenix: You're a successful competitor with an impressively high win percentage. You have accolades that I'm sure you're gonna try to hold over my head. Go ahead. Run and hide behind your insults and excuses as it's what you do best. Give me your hatred. Cut me with your words. Let me verbally taste my own blood before I force you to choke to death on yours! Senpai watashi ni kizuite kudasai! EARN the right for me to notice you!
He slowly turns his head in the other direction and points at the dark wing.
Phoenix: That's all you really want, isn't it, Keeton? To be in the light because you're terrified of the dark. That's why you burn so many bridges. You show no regard for serious, life-threatening situations by saying the worst possible things. All because you're jealous that the attention isn't on you and you're afraid that you'll be forgotten because of it. Your in-ring style proves your cowardice. You have to resort to every dirty trick you can use because you don't have the balls to prove that you're as good as you pretend to be by fighting with honor. Hell, you only joined the Lost Breed because they give you more bodies to hide behind while you continue throwing stones from your glass house. They feed you the attention you so desperately crave. Even they know that you're just the kid who stayed in trouble just so people would focus on them. What you've done isn't spectacular. It's a sad cry for help. Senpai watashi ni kizuite kudasai! Please notice me, senpai!
CJ stands up and looks at the camera.
Phoenix: I notice you, Keeton. I used to be like you. Doing stupid shit to get eyes on me. The darkness scared me too....until I finally decided to step into it. Since then, I've thrived in both light and shadows. The shadows tell me what I already know. You're afraid to lose, but you also know I'm gonna beat you. You hate to admit that I'm the better man, athlete, AND wrestler. I can hear you begging me not to turn off the light that you're clinging to. Senpai is not pleased. When CruiserClash comes, it'll be lights out, Keeton.
The camera cuts off. CJ looks up at the sky and sighs as the intern walks to him.
Phoenix: They still don't understand, but they're learning. Soon, they will all know what it's like to witness despair in its purest form....and they will thank me for it when they experience the wicked hope that follows.