Post by Xavier Cross on Aug 17, 2013 0:47:17 GMT
Maybe it’s the pressure of the world, or just this moment. So many times, I’ve failed, I’ve come up so short in it all. I talked about how I didn’t care about the past, but how true is that? The past defines our present, but it doesn’t make our future. Though going off that thought, that the past defines our present, and our present decides our future.
Xander, did you have any other choice but to step between these ropes? You had the pedigree, you had it all laid out for you, like a map to get to this very moment. Almost the polar opposite of myself, no one but yourself, with something to prove. To the world who doubted you, to the father who neglected you, to yourself. To prove that you aren’t just here, but you are the greatest, better than the blood that runs through you.
What do I have? I was just an athlete who had a shot, who took a chance in this business, floundered around for the longest time, from fed-to-fed, and here I stand, the IWF World Heavyweight Champion. The greatest accomplishment I have to date in my career. You were the greatest, the best that has ever been, one of the top superstars of your generation, and you’re still so young.
Still so brutal.
But here I am, thirty-odd years old, wondering are you finally going to break me?
I can’t even break me, Will Washington couldn’t break me, Adam Knite couldn’t break me, Gib couldn’t break me. For every hammer to the forehead, for every car crash, for every right hand to the head. I’ve stood up, stronger than before. I never quite understood it, but having faced down the barrell of your gun long enough, I’m starting to understand.
I won’t quit.
Now more than ever, I’m finally understanding who I am.
Looking at my last promo, that’s not me...That’s not me at all. The fans know it, my friends know it, you know it.
I may have hurt your sister, I may have done a lot of bad things.
But those petty insults....I don’t know what that is....
I’m trying to be a role model, and such filth comes out of my mouth. I feel like Alex Jones throwing a temper tantrum. Maybe I’m just showing how unfocused, how rambled I am. But when it boils down to Xander, it comes down to his. He’ll trash talk you into fury, followed by getting into your head. With most people the match is won at that moment, at the very moment Xander begins to speak you get entranced with emotions, and immediately start reacting.
Not this time.
The fact is, I don’t need my head to beat you. I need these fists. Though I feel so jaded, flip flopping around, back and forth between hate and logic. I just want to scream at the top of my lungs why I think you’re a scum bag. Why you don’t deserve these chances you’ve been graciously handed your entire career.
You work hard? Harder than anyone else?
Bullshit, we’re all athletes, we put in blood, sweat, and tears, and we have earned everything we have achieved. Nothing sets you apart from any other Laszlo, Evans, or Jacobsen, other than your hunger. That’s the only thing that sets you apart, you’re insatiable for glory, for gold, for that sadomasochism that haunts you so deeply.
But what have you exactly done since coming to IWF? I mean, what even gives you a right to even take a shot at this title. Because you were big somewhere else, because you’ve aligned yourself with Lex Sense and taken out Joe Everyman, and then you get two more flunkies and come after me. You know what I was never much for the entire ‘wolf pack’ mentality, because it shows you can’t do it on your own.
I won this belt against many men.
What did you do?
You managed to cause a Street Fight turn into a No-Contest.
Or was it my fault, that there was literally no contest.
No matter the fact, the ropes, the ring, and the referee, the three Rs we base our lives around. The rules are intact, no weapons, no wandering around the outside, no outside interference. Just you and I, fighting to the first fall. I fell once, it’s your turn Xander. I will not be broken by such a fraud like yourself.
*****
The door closes, a simple suit is worn. Xavier Cross leans against the door, looking exhausted. He is in his office at the CrossRoads charity. It was the only place he could think of to truly clear his mind, his head hurt more than usual, and with the match with Xander upcoming, Xavier needed to clear his head, distract himself. He was letting the Gladiator get into his head, he was letting his head, these delusions of an alternate reality seep into his brain.
“Sweet mercy...”
He slowly undoes his tie, before entering the bathroom, drying the sweat of the sun off his face, Xavier’s hand reaches up, closing the door behind him, before splashing a small amount of cool water in his face, just to wake himself up. Looking up into the mirror, his eyes have a shade of red next to them, which makes his leap backwards, shaking his head, trying to remain calm.
“What the....whoa...Calm down...it’s all in your head...”
//////////////////////////
“Xavier? Yo Xavier you okay?”
The voice is oddly familiar, Cross steps out of the bathroom, looking around. He sees the familiar face of Roberto Verona. A little bit confused, Xavier looks around.
“Whatdya doing in my office chief?”
“You mean...OUR office. C’mon, don’t tell me that bump to your head is giving you memory loss..
“No...I think it may be...”
“C’mon..we’re at International Wrestling Federation Headquarters, here in Atlanta? You know, take it to the deep south of wrestling...”
“Wait...don’t you mean Imperial....and this is the Crossroads foundation...”
“CrossRoads? Are you still talking about that stupid charity basketball benefit for the cripple kids? I told you, we got better things to do....and Imperial?”
“Yeah, International doesn’t quite make sense if we’re just in Atlanta...”
“It was your idea! I told you I didn’t want to associate with these people. You're forgetting this is just home base to our global operations... But....obviously you’re concussed....”
Roberto moves around the desk, turning on a giant flat screen.
-Welcome to IWF...-
-International Wrestling Federation-
A picture of Roberto and Xavier Cross flips up on the screen.
‘Two men, with two destinies collide...to dominate...the world...’
Roberto Verona, former NCW Champion, man of justice and law, internet billionaire.
Xavier Cross, former NCW National Champion, man of love, international playboy.
When Leonard Fox suddenly died, everyone thought Kelly Fox-Knite would inherit the business, but with Adam dealing with the cancer, and Crystal Meth operation. Kelly was forced to sell the company.
Verona immediately picked up the pieces of NCW, reforming the clay into something more. Xavier Cross, knowing the potential, wanting to bring the most out of it, with a bold move, the playboy settled down, with wrestling superstar, Zelda Knite-Cross.’
Xavier reaches over grabbing the remote, pausing it.
“I’m married to Zelda?!”
“Yeah bro, she’s actually in the gym right now doing some cardio. Don’t forget you two have dinner reservations tonight at Le Mis...”
“The...play?”
“No...it’s Trent Helms’s restraunt, where all the cooks look like Hugh Jackman, and the waitresses look like Anne Hathaway. You now, he makes all those people get plastic surgery and stay on a strict diet.”
Cross falls back in the chair.
“So..I was never married before...what did it mean by international playboy?”
“Wow, you’re totally forgetting who you are my man. So check it out. Remember before NCW? It was...”
“GWC.”
“Wrong, EPW, you were the World Champion over there, business moves happened, you guys bought out GWC, you unified the titles, then before the company went under, you jumped ship. Rocked it over in NCW for a while, couple of World Title reigns, before hopping boat into the film industry, where Diaper Duty is the next Titantic. Dude people loved that movie, which is why we are able to stay successful. I handle the wrestling, you handle the media. Boom.”
“Why do you sound like a douche off entourage?”
“Whoa...low blow, no one likes that show...”
“You still didn’t explain to me...what makes me a playboy...”
“Well, as soon as you hopped into NCW, you were puling tail left and right.”
“You make me sound like Steve Awesome...”
“Steve who?”
“....Oh...okay this makes sense now.”
Xavier has just now realized, in this reality he was a bigger professional success than he had ever realized, possibly stemming from the fact that he never met, or married Cari Thompson. He had evolved into a Steve Awesome type figure, his entire career had changed shape into this, this International Wrestling Federation. He was married to Zelda Knite. Adam Knite had turned into Walter White, and Trent Helms was a famous business mogul of a Les Mis named Restaurant.
“Thanks for helping me get my head on right Roberto, I need to go talk to Zelda...”
“Whoa man, don’t forget the box!”
Roberto tosses Xavier a small black box, Cross catches it with ease. Opening it, looking down at the gold bracelet. It was the same one he was looking at in his own reality, but...this was different, there were more diamonds on it. But he had planned on getting it for Zelda when they were still together.
“Ha...forgot about this...”
Cross exits, making his way down the hall, he bumps into a man, the two stumble a bit as Cross drops the necklace.
“Ah! I’m sorry!”
The voice was familiar, as Cross picked himself up, looking over to see a dirty, booze smelling Will Washington, dressed in a janitor jumpsuit.
“Will?”
“Oh no! Mr. Cross, I’m so sorry! Please...forgive me.”
Will basically throws himself at Xavier’s feet, as Cross nearly jumps back. His best friend, looked rougher than ever.
“Will...what happened to you...you smell like booze.”
“I promise! I’m not drunk, I just haven’t been able to wash my clothes...there isn’t much room in the boiler room...”
“You’re...living in the boiler room...”
“I mean no! No!”
Xavier shakes his head, almost disgusted with himself, how could he have let his best friend....Oh, it would make sense, without Cari, Will and Xavier would never clash, the death of Cari Cross would never draw the two men close.
“Will...here...”
Xavier reaches in his pocket, pulling out a key.
“This is to my suite upstairs, go clean yourself up, and wait for me there. I’m going to help you...somehow...”
Will looks confused, as Xavier pushes past him. He needed to ask Zelda one thing. Cross rushes down the hallway somehow instrincts told him where he needed to go, rounded the corner, the door was open, the room was empty except for Zelda. Cross goes to step in, she turns, smiling at him.
The scene freezes, Xavier is walking, but he stops, realizing something is wrong.
“You enjoy this, don’t you? The success, you’re with her, you’re at the top of the world. This may not be your world, but you can feel how great it feels to be so damn awesome right?”
The voice is his own, turning around, Xavier is confronted by his shadow.
“This is my home, this is my world Xavier, this is what you could have, if only you’d stop caring about those around you. Zelda is only a figure wife, the fans love her, marrying her, the fans love you, it also brings you into good graces with the Knite family a wrestling dynasty, it also makes Verona’s takeover of NCW a lot smoother. You obviously don’t understand how great this actually is...”
Shadow Cross steps towards Xavier, stroking his cheek. Xavier stands there, as still as possible.
“You’re facing Xander...you have your chance. Ger yourself DQ’d retain the belt, brutalize him in front of the world. Show him that he is just another man. Break him, end his career. You hit him hard enough on the neck, it will break.”
Xavier shutters at the thought as Shadow Cross steps towards Zelda.
“She’s beautiful isn’t she? Some people like her, some don’t, some think she was never cut for this business, that she was just a pretty face...”
“Enough...”
“What’s wrong, still got feelings for the princess? Well she’s mine. You squandered yours. She almost fell into a pit of despair that she would never recover. She gave you everything, opened herself up, and you crushed her. And for what? Some stupid kids?”
“Stop...”
“This could all be yours, if you’d stop being such a good guy...”
“I SAID ENOUGH!”
The anger building up in Xavier, his words are loud, louder than humanly possible, as the scene around them fades to white, an empty white room that goes on for eternity.
“You think my heart makes me weak. My kids, Cari, and my friends! You think that makes me weak. So what if I’ve never been a top champion in a company, I’ve made great friends. So what if my movies weren’t any good, I had a great time doing them. I love my kids, I loved Cari, and I loved Zelda. Things don’t work out, but instead of moping, I moved on. CrossRoads is making a difference. These kids have a real shot. Maybe you don’t remember, or maybe it just didn’t happen. But I threw my childhood away because I thought it was too much, to take on so little, and only run back. I was weak then, but I am strong now. I am Xavier Cross, you are some pathetic imitation of me. You think awards, and money make you who you are. I’d rather be broke, with no accomplishments if I could still surround myself with my friends, Will, Brad, Steve, and Adam. These people mean the world to me, and I won’t throw them away like trash. I would compromise who I am for any kind of victory. Not to Xander, and absolutely not to you.”
“Oh my dear Cross.”
“Enough! I’m sick of you.”
Shadow Cross moves quickly, but isn’t able to touch Xavier, who is surrounded by a golden aura. A warm feeling spreads across the body of Xavier Cross.
“My sweet Xavier...”
Another familiar voice, a hand is felt stroking the cheek of Xavier Cross, as the shadow backs away slowly, almost in pain. We begin to see an angelic version of Cari Cross.
“The darkness is but a temptation...you’ve fallen, but you’ve not given up. You remembered who you are, and what truly means the world to you...”
She leans down, resting herself in Xavier’s arms.
“...C-Cari...”
“No Xavier, don’t give into her!”
Xavier looks up, seeing the shadow is slowly fading.
“My sweet husband...let it go. The darkness...Let me go...you need to let go, you need to move on....I am the shadow in your heart. You won’t forgive yourself for what happened, it wasn’t your fault. I love you, but please...let go...”
“I...can’t...”
“You can, you’re strong enough now darling...let me go...”
Cross closes his eyes, the warm feeling is gone.
"Goodbye Cari..."
//////////////////////////////
Lifting his head up, Xavier looks around. The office from CrossRoads, surrounds him, shaking his head.
“...A...dream...”
He picks himself up, moving towards the bathroom opening the door he splashes water on his face, before looking up into the mirror. His same old reflection looking back at him. Xavier smiles a bit. His heart feels lighter, as a knock on the door gains his attention.
“Come in!”
He shouts, exiting the bathroom while drying his face. The door opens, and we see a young blonde man enter the room.
“D-Drew!”
“Mom let me come back!”
Cross is grinning with a smile, as Drew is followed into the room by his lovely mother, Xavier looks up at her and smiles.
“I’m glad you had a change of heart...”
“Well, I heard you were doing pretty rough, and Doug thought this would cheer you up. Drew won’t stop talking about you.”
Cross smiles at her, as Drew is running around.
“So you’re the Heavyweight Champion...So coooool! When can we start training? Are you gonna beat Xander? Cool! Cool!”
Drew is now holding Cross’s belt, as Xavier laughs, Drew’s mother sighs.
“He slept the entire way here, so he’s pretty hyper...”
Cross leans against his desk, realizing the bright future surrounding him...
******
I let it go Xander.
I let it all go.
You beat the shit out of me. You crushed me into the dirt, nearly killed me.
But here I am...
Here I will aways be.
Whether I am a champion or not, I won’t compromise that, not for you, or anyone else. Not even myself.
So a victory over you, as great as that would be. It won’t define me, or my career. It is only one match, and this is only one title.
Don’t get that twisted, I understand the weight of this title, i understand why I am here. I am here to make a difference, you are only here for selfish reasons.
But whether or not I beat you, isn’t the statement I’m here to make.
It is, that I won’t back down to a simple bully.
You or Lex.
Or anyone for that matter.
I’ll see you at Legacy Xander, good luck.
Well howdy there pardner.