Post by CJ Phoenix on Sept 28, 2016 16:10:12 GMT -5
Intro
Back roads are quite the enigma. When it comes to them, it's hard to tell where you are unless you know where you're coming from and where you're going. It's the equivalent of a blank canvas. The canvas itself isn't very lively until you make something out of it. A drive through a back road is just a long, boring road trip unless you give it meaning. Right now, one of the thousands of those paved blacktops is a focal point on the road to WCF's WAR Pay-Per-View. Approximately 102 miles from Madison Square Garden, a lone vehicle rolls along the pavement. The headlights of this unit of mobile transportation are the only means of illumination aside from the moon and stars. As the song "Short Change Hero" by The Heavy plays in the background of the scene, its revealed that the four wheeler is a silver 2016 Dodge Charger Hellcat. The driver of this car is CJ Phoenix. His face shows focus and determination as he cruises down the forest-like road. As he travels, holographic neon signs as well as other things project themselves in front of him as he drives past them. The first of which is an image of the MTG creature Progenitus. The beast lets out a roar as it flies straight at the Hellcat. However, it vanishes upon impact. A smirk grows on CJ's face and a white spark lights up in his eyes.
"I can't see where you comin' from"
Phoenix drives by two armored guys with swords facing off. They are revealed to be Dion Necurat and Bruno Armstrong. A third man suddenly appears with a police officer next to him. The man is Steven Singh and he's trying to convince the officer that Bruno stole his theme song.
"But I know just what you runnin' from"
Giant, virtual versions of the already above average sized Oblivion and Odin Balfore are on each side of CJ fighting off rookies and jobbers like a typical giant monster fights off the police force.
"And what matters ain't the "who's baddest" but"
A billboard appears with a picture of Adrian Archer and Damian Kaine staring face to face in front of a grey background. In between them is a single Guy Fawkes mask with "The Purge" on its forehead. Under it are the words "WCF Presents: WAR! Sunday, October 2nd". Behind that billboard is a second, much simpler one that still speaks volumes because of its convenient placement. It's simply a black poster that has the same aforementioned WAR advertisement. However, this time the person on it is Zombie McMorris next to the words "LOL. FGTS.".
"The ones who stop you fallin' from your ladder, baby"
An obstacle appears in the road at the top of a short hill. It's a group of kids, five to be exact, holding makeshift weapons in the air while their backs are turned to the approaching vehicle. They are Sector V of the Kids Next Door. Phoenix looks confused, but he doesn't slow down. He goes from confused to flat out flummoxed when the KND operatives dive out of the way of the vehicle without even looking at it. As they dive, it's revealed that they are wearing face paint similar to Gemini Battle. Speaking of reveals, Blaze the Cat flies from the other side of the hill and into the sky with phoenix wings. It quickly becomes apparent that her focus is on the KND and not on CJ Phoenix, so he continues driving.
"And you feel like you feelin' now"
He glances at the passenger seat, which has a flyer on it for the Gym owned by Thomas Uriel Bates. On the front it says "Bates Gym, we'll Psychopomp *clap clap* you up!". Phoenix shakes his head and chuckles to himself every time he sees the paper, reminding him of how much he wanted to bring this comical advertisement to the World Champion's eyes.
"And doin' things just to please your crowd,"
An illusion of a Flash Foods gas station appears. Phoenix checks the gas meter and sees that he still has plenty left in the tank, so he drives right by it. The road looks clear again until once more, the Alpha Champion's path is obstructed. This time, it isn't by something living. It's a wall of giant chess pieces. Bishops to be exact. CJ tilts his head to the side slightly before tilting it back and speeding up. He drives straight into the wall, causing a black mist to fog up the front window. The spark in CJ's eyes return and send out a burst of light that pierces the dark haze just in time for him to make a sharp, drifting turn to avoid driving off of a cliff with the word "Doom" written on the road in front of the epic drop.
"When I love you like the way I love you,"
An image of Kaiyah appears on the hood of the Hellcat. She's sitting on the hood while holding a sniper rifle and laying her back on the window closer to the passenger side. She turns her head towards CJ and blows a kiss at him. Then, she winks and fades away as a swarm of black rose petals.
"And I suffer, but I ain't gonna cut you 'cause"
The viewpoint switches to a steady shot as CJ Phoenix continues driving down the back road. The music slowly begins to fade.
"This ain't no place for no hero.
This ain't no place for no better man.
This ain't no place for no hero
To call "home.""
The music completely fades as the screen goes black.
September 26th
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The scene opens up inside the home of WCF Alpha Champion CJ Phoenix. He is currently located in his room packing a suitcase. As he continues filling his suitcase with clothes, Kaiyah is on the bed under the slowly spinning ceiling fan. She's sitting Indian style in her pink and white t-shirt and matching boy-shorts while piecing together a sniper rifle.
Kaiyah: You sure I can't just start The Skybox by sniping someone in the audience?
Phoenix: I don't think the whole legality thing would sit well with that. I think it has something to do with the whole "murder is illegal" thing.
Kaiyah: Oh that's bullshit. You're in a match in six days against people like Oblivion that HAVE KILLED PEOPLE AND ARE NOT INCARCERATED! People might literally die in that match, but the little Kaiyah woman can't point a sniper rifle and pull the trigger without staring down life in prison or one of those straitjacket places.
Phoenix: That's because WCF tosses the finger up at the law. Plus, you and I both you that you wouldn't stop at pulling the trigger just once.
Kaiyah smiles as she holds up the completed weapon.
Kaiyah: Now you know that only applies to SMGs and LMGs.
Her eyebrows raise as if the final pieces of a mental puzzle were put in place. She then looks in his direction.
Kaiyah: I got it! I'll just kill everyone in your match, and it'll be legal because, as you said, WCF tosses the finger up at the law. It's brilliant!
Phoenix zips up the full travel bag and turns to look at her and begins speaking with a sarcastic tone.
Phoenix: Yes! That's a great idea, babe! Few problems though. Just a few.
Kaiyah also adds sarcasm to her vocals.
Kaiyah: Just a few?
Phoenix: Just a few.
Kaiyah: Like what?
Phoenix: Let's play the "What If" game!
CJ stands up and changes his voice to sound more like a game show host while Kaiyah applauds like a contestant.
Kaiyah: Yaaaayyyy!
Phoenix: Tonight, we're gonna find out what would happen if Kaiyah killed every WAR match participant that isn't yours truly! So the WAR match happens and Kaiyah commits company genocide, causing the second mass exodus in the WCF in 2016. Good news, CJ Phoenix wins! Wooooo World Title shot at One! That's the positive outlook. Now, here comes the bad news. WCF would be down to two champions with only the World Title being a contendable title. The lack of talent in addition to the WCF Galaxy's fear of attending after someone not signed to the company sunk the roster would cause sales to plummet. The company would go belly up before we'd even get to One.
Kaiyah pouts and folds her arms.
Kaiyah: Fine. I'll let the flesh piles live.
Phoenix: Good. Very good.
Kaiyah: Actually, now that you mentioned all of that, why do you even want to win WAR? You're the Alpha champion and holding that title will lead to you getting a World Title match, so why does this even matter?
Phoenix: Strategic reasons. If I were to not win WAR and cash in the Alpha Title for a World Title shot, then the World Title match at One would most likely be a Triple Threat. While it does help that my opponents would wear each other down, I have to be everywhere. If I end up out of the ring or something at the wrong time, one of my opponents could pin the other. I don't mind a Triple Threat, but I'd rather it be one-on-one, where I have one person to focus on and I have a better chance of working the match at my pace.
Kaiyah nods her head in agreement.
Kaiyah: Makes sense.
Phoenix: Also, me winning WAR would add even more reasons for the WCF Galaxy to tune in. With a guaranteed match at One for the World Title in my pocket, I can cash in my Alpha belt on ANY champion. Seth said that I had to wait at least two months for a Non-World shot and three for a World shot. He never said I couldn't wait three and go after a Non-World Title match.
Kaiyah: Finding loopholes already I see.
Phoenix: As always. It'll take much more than outsmarting the rules like Ty Montgomery did on that kickoff earlier to win the kind of match that I'm in. It may not seem this way realistically, but everyone in that match has the exact same statistical chance of winning the WCF version of musical chairs...except with the music being the sound of endless violence. I have to be prepared physically. More importantly, I have to be prepared mentally.
He gets up and lays next to her on the bed. His face expresses concern as he looks at the ceiling. Kaiyah removes one hand from the sniper rifle and places it on one of his hands.
Kaiyah: What's wrong?
Phoenix: This match. It's unlike any match I ever had. I'd even go as far as to say that it isn't a match. WAR will be the equivalent of soldiers marching into an epic bloodbath. Normally, when wars end, many people come back different after the dust settles. However, October 2nd is different. WAR is already changing people into ravenous beasts and it hasn't even started.
Kaiyah: It is?
Phoenix: Yep. Think about it. That brawl I'm gonna be entering is more than just new faces versus current stars versus the nostalgia-causing returning competitors. It's literally driving people into desperation because they want the spoils that come with the victory. I can honestly say that I love how this match is bringing out the best in everyone, but it's also bringing out the worst.
Kaiyah: That's what competition does sometimes.
Phoenix: Right. I've been sitting back and reading up on these guys and gals in the WAR match. I've been taking notes on the social media wars that are still ongoing. These are just some of the things that have helped me get some insight on the mindset on the people in the match. A select few are taking this match very seriously and truly understand what they're getting themselves into. Others are just walking in blindly and swinging for the fences. It doesn't mean they were always erratic like this, but like I said, WAR has already changed people. Guys like Jay West, Bruno Armstrong, Jaice Wilds, and all the other newbies that are just now getting their feet wet in the WCF can easily steal a quick three on some of the guys that are higher up on the totem pole. That could be what gives them their first taste of relevance in the eyes of the WCF Galaxy. This is their chance to prove that they are more than just stat padders.
Kaiyah: I'm guessing at least one of them will step up.
Phoenix: I wouldn't be surprised. Then you have guys who have already stepped up from the bottom card. Guys like Cliff of Doom and Steven Singh.
Kaiyah: Don't Steven and Bruno have the same theme song?
Phoenix: Yep. Normally when that happens, it's because they're a tag team. Apparently, this isn't one of those cases. Considering it's WCF, they'll probably settle it in a game of fencing...with actual swords or some shit, but that's post-WAR. Truth is, Cliff and Singh are incredible athletes who are definitely proving that they deserve the contracts they signed. Problem is, like most of the people in this match have done and will do heading into it, they're trying too hard to boost their own image with attempting to downplay the others in the match.
Kaiyah: So if they don't win, they just look a little silly by swearing up and down that they're the greatest and everyone one else sucks and then falling flat on their faces in the match.
Phoenix: Precisely. Steven Singh claims to have done hours of research on his opponents. That's great! I'm glad he's taking the match seriously and getting to know the people he's going to be facing. I'd even say I'm proud of the guy, but it seems like he's proud of himself. Not just normal proud. I mean "head in the clouds" proud. He went from "Superstar" to proclaiming himself to be some "Golden God" like WCF hasn't had it's fare share of self-proclaimed "Gods". Oblivion, Six God, even Wade Moor calls himself "Godnilla", which I give him props for because it's as cool as it is funny to me. Ironically, none of them call themselves "Golden", yet the one who does is the only one of the bunch to have never won gold here.
Kaiyah: Then why would he call himself that?
Phoenix: My best guess is that he holds himself to a high standard. A "Gold" standard, dare I say. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up winning a title sometime down the line, but he has to come back down to Earth first. Right now, he's up there with the aliens that abducted Joseph Malignaggi.
Kaiyah looks flummoxed.
Kaiyah: Aliens? You really think that's what happened to him?
Phoenix: I wouldn't be surprised at this point. It would actually be par for the course considering we have an immortal zombie, a girl wrestling in floss, and a teddy bear obsessed woman who should be in Arkham's Mental Asylum CLEARED to compete.
Kaiyah: That's true.
Phoenix: But yeah. Singh's got a bright future, but he's shooting himself in the foot and sticking it in his mouth right now because the WAR match has gotten to him. He spent so many words berating me like he sees himself as that much higher than me, and then contradicts everything he said at the end. He literally said. "I’ll wait for you to rise again so that you can DROP that Alpha Title to somebody deserving...somebody a bit more Golden." at the end of that tirade. DROP! As in going from a higher place to a lower place. I'm just sitting there like "You're better than this, Stevie. You got too much talent and potential to be making logical mistakes like that." It's alright though. He's still learning.
CJ sits up.
Phoenix: Actually, speaking of learning, think about what this match has already done to Cliff of Doom. He's a teacher! Someone meant to be a positive role model, but even he has been driven as far as to mock God himself in an attempt to try to shoot at me. He's undefeated. Great. He got a huge win last week. Awesome! Then he got consumed by the shoot fest to the point where even he had to admit he went too far. Not because of how hard he would say he was shooting, but because he's also missing the mark. Like Steven Singh, the teacher did his homework. No surprise there. He's an intelligent guy who's quickly rising up the ranks. It would be foolish to not take someone with a skill set like his seriously. However, he's going to need much more than just insults on clothing, Greek Alphabet jokes, and deities. Honestly, my favorite part about what he so graciously said about me is when he said he's got me figured out. He even went as far as to say how he would counter some of my moves. It's like facing Jordan Ciserano all over again, but you know what the strange thing is?
Kaiyah: What?
Phoenix: I still respect those guys. I still have high hopes for them and I want them to bring their best to WAR. Guys like Cliff and Steven represent the next wave of guys who will make names for themselves. This match will make them better. It'll give them battle scars that mark milestones in their journeys. I still believe that Cliff of Doom will be a good teacher, and I'm gonna remind him that a great teacher is one that knows how to be a great student. So let them, or any of the other participants take all their shots at me, if that's what helps them sleep at night, so be it. At the end of the day, that's what's WAR's all about, but it doesn't have to be the ONLY thing it's about. I have no problems with firing back shots of my own, but I want to set an example that it takes more than just a constant shoot to be successful. As much as I'm driven to win WAR, I have an even greater desire to do it with balance. If I shoot at someone, I'm giving them respect with it so that they know exactly why I'm taking those shots. They might not feel the same, but that's not my problem. My focus is on being prepared to expect the unexpected. In fact, the only two certainties are the first and last entrants.
Kaiyah: Well, at least you don't have to worry about coming out first.
Phoenix: But I do have to worry about the guy how will be coming out first.
Kaiyah: Henry Spearman?
Phoenix: Yeah. He and whoever comes out second may have the furthest distance to go, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's still in the match once Mikey eXtreme enters the ring. Those two had a hell of a rivalry, and they're both viable contenders. I've been in the ring with both of them, and they're definitely worth their weight here. Chances are, they'll end up costing each other the match somehow, so I might just steer clear long enough for that to happen. Besides, I still have other guys to take into consideration. Guys like ZMAC.
Kaiyah: The coked up madman?
Phoenix: That would be him, and while most people see him as just some drugged up looney toon, I know he's more than that. He's the longest reigning, and arguably greatest, Internet Champion that the WCF has ever had. He held that belt for 301 days and only lost it because of the Ultimate Showdown match. I haven't even been in the WCF for 300 days! Behind all of the drugs and the "LOL FGT"s and the internet trolling is a guy that took the WCF Internet Championship to new heights. That's what I like about Ol' ZMAC. I want to continue to raise the prestiege of the Alpha Title just like Zombie did with the "Dat Internet Strap". Not to mention the guy's a single World Title reign away from having a Grand Slam. Less than ten people have accomplished that feat.
CJ thinks about his statements and takes a deep breath.
Phoenix: And two of them are in the WAR match. FPV and Odin Balfore. I remember seeing FPV the Slam after Revenge.
Kaiyah: Me too. Guy was taking notes on people. He's intelligent.
Phoenix: Great minds think alike. I've been taking my own notes...making a list of some sorts. Best believe he's on it because sometimes, in order to be a World Champion, you have to know how to think like one. Same reason Odin Balfore made the list. He's proven himself capable of being a top guy. That's pretty Norse.
Kaiyah: Noirse!
The two smile and share a laugh.
Phoenix: Ahhh. Good ole Epic Rap Battles. Norse jokes aside, Odin's a scary mofo, like Oblivion. Guy's as strong as FPV is strategic, and that's DANGEROUS! He's out to try to establish dominance by doing something that no one has ever done before. He doesn't just want to break the WAR eliminations record, he wants to obliterate it. He wants to take at least 10 guys out of the match. That's nearly a quarter of the entrants! If all of the newbies get trapped in the ring with him, that might very well happen. Hell, he'll probably take out some of the upper card guys too. Maybe I'll pass under Odin's radar and he won't take me seriously. It would give me a bit more of a tactical advantage. However, I know good and well I can't rely on that to overcome him, just as I can't rely on research alone to get past FPV. I need precision and strategic excellence as well as resiliency. Thankfully, I have these skills, but I have to execute them to the best of my abilities.
Kaiyah: Don't forget that two of the people in the match have won it before.
Phoenix: How could I? I put Jeff Purse and Jay Omega on the list as soon as I found out that they were in the match. They've won WAR before. They know what it takes to survive this type of match. Actually, with all the Greek alphabet puns that have been directed at my Alpha title, I'm surprised that none of them thus far have come from Omega. I wouldn't be surprised if he hopped aboard that ship between now and WAR. A part of the "contention" package at this point, I guess. Even guys like Gemini Battle, Joey Flash, and Oblivion, none of whom have claimed victory in this hellacious match, are serious contenders. Battle won the WCF World title at Ultimate Showdown and is tied for the record of most WAR match eliminations. Flash is a two time World Champ with over 40 wins and only a handful of losses. The guy's good. Like REALLY good. Then you have Oblivion. Another guy who's held the top title in the business. Not to mention he's held the Hardcore Title EIGHT TIMES! Oh, and I don't believe you can get disqualified in a WAR match. If so, than we're a little safer. If not, everyone in that match is in trouble, including me! I'm not gonna back down, but I'll back up in a hurry if he starts swinging weapons because getting hit by one would be detrimental to my chances of winning.
Kaiyah: Annnd your chances of leaving WAR in one pieces.
Phoenix: Exactly!
Kaiyah: Is your list finished?
Phoenix: Not quite. I still have to do things like breaking down the members of The Brotherhood and trying to decipher the insanity that is Zero Tolerance. I don't see a reason to try to turn them against each other because I believe that they have stronger bonds than that. So I'll have to go for a different approach. All of these guys are good, so it'll definitely be no easy task. We'll see how WAR changes them.
He looks at the sniper rifle and then at Kaiyah.
Phoenix: What about you? Ready to host The Skybox this week?
Kaiyah: About as ready as I can be. You sure I can't-
Phoenix: Murder.
Kaiyah: Yeah, I know, but-
Phoenix: Illegal.
Kaiyah: Just one kill?
Phoenix: No.
Kaiyah: Fiiiiiine.
As the two get ready to go to sleep, Kaiyah places the sniper rifle next to a notebook titled "The List of Phoenix" as the scene fades to black.
