Post by Xavier Cross on May 25, 2018 7:29:58 GMT
I started out in the wrestling industry at the age of twenty, I’m now thirty-four years old. Fourteen years in this business, and I’ve done some incredible things. Rivalries, title reigns, terrible things, great things, spots to end all spots. I’ve leaped off of, through, and over many things in this career, cages, ladders, trucks, cars, you name it, I’ve done it. I think one day, looking back, I write myself a little autobiography, or if my hands stop working, I’ll have someone listen to my stories. Some of it just seems like...fiction.
Outside of this business, I’ve managed to do some incredible things. I started a charity organization, ‘The Cross Roads’ foundation, in the name of my late wife, Cari, we’ve raised the average test scores across the entire Atlanta region public schools, founded scholarships, help kids stay off the streets, with various after school programs. When I was in japan, I was able to get some of my creativity out, and while wrestling for the promotion out there, I got into the whole graphic novel thing, which has been a very rewarding and fun experience. As most of you know, I’ll be appearing as a guest role on a few CW shows coming this fall.
The fact is, none of those things wouldn’t have happened without those four corners, that squared circle, and one opponent that can truly pull it out of me. At Night of the Immortals, I will be facing more than one man, looking to make a name for themselves. And for the first time in my career, I’ll be competing twice in one night, and it just so happens, this one night is the grandest stage of them all…
It’s crazy to think, I think that twenty year old wide eyed kid bumping and learning in a long since dead federation, would have been arrogant enough to say, ‘Yeah, I’ll be a top guy in the biggest federation out there, and I’ll probably have to work three or four matches.’ But deep down, I don’t think I’d ever believe, I am where I am today.
But at the end of the day, that isn’t going to do me any good. Because as proud as I am about what I’ve done, where I’ve been. It has nothing to do with what I’m going to do, and what tomorrow brings me. I’ll have to overcome Red Cap within a few minutes, and as athletic as he is, that will be. No easy task. Then, who knows how long of a time period I’ll have between that match, and the Joker in the Pack match. I could go on right after, be exhausted, and have already spent my second wind.
Or does it take place an hour or so, and I’ve cooled off too much?
Shit, I kind of feel like I’m making excuses up already. And that, that just won’t do, because I didn’t get here making excuses, and the upper echelon of Imperial Wrestling didn’t put me in this position because I make excuses. They put me here because I perform. That win, lose, or draw, putting my name on the marquee sells tickets, that whenever I step into that ring, they know I’m going to give a thousand percent to entertain the masses.
Sometimes, that ends with me standing victorious, but more often than not, I lay down for that three second tan. Every win makes me hungrier, and every loss makes me stronger. But I don’t know, it just feels, it feels good right? Like it finally feels like the odds are playing into my favor. I mean, I want to steal the fire from God right? This Joker in the pack would provide me the ultimate opportunity to do that?
But even I have to sit back and acknowledge that sometimes my ego gets in my own path. Because I’ve been salivating over the idea of winning that Joker in the Pack, and turning around and cashing it in that same night. Imagine that headline in the morning paper.
‘Xavier Cross: Imperial Champion, Three and Zero at Night of Immortals.”
Three victories, in one night is incredible, to do it at Night of Immortals I could be a legend. Something I think for the longest time I treated myself like, but at the end of the day. I’m just a solid six to eight month worker. Whether it’s an injury that pulls me away, or other obligations, or when I get too wrapped up in it, and let the drugs take me over.
I’m still clean and sober.
You ever get that feeling, when you lace your shoes up. It fits just so right, not too tight, not too loose, and when you walk, you don’t even feel it. Maybe it’s just me, but something is in the air, something feels right. This...this feels right.
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m able to say I love you to the most amazing woman in the world, or the fact that despite the crazy business I exist in, that I have a stable family environment, or maybe for the first time, in the longest time. I’m not only doing what I love to do, I’m loving doing it.
For the last few weeks, I keep having these words bounce around in my head. It’s almost maddening but it seems to be just the kind of motivation. I kind of want to put it on a little sign, and hang it above the door whenever I walk out of the house, the locker room, the bathroom, whatever it may be.
Cable Arcane said it a few weeks back, when CaBerto was taking on TnT, and it’s been ringing in my ears. I think I’m repeating myself from a few weeks ago, but something has never sounded so true…
‘"We're professional wrestlers."
"We eat, breath and sleep this business."
"This is our world, you're just living in it."
Has this ever truly been, ‘my world’? Looking back, I kind of feel like I half assed a lot of things, I made dick and fart jokes when I should have been serious. But at the end of the day, that’s my legacy, that’s the bed I made myself, and now… I have to lay in it.
Have I truly ever ate this business, sleeped this business, breathed it in? I mean, I’ve helped with the ring crew...I’ve spent nights getting maybe two hours of sleep driving from town to town, seeing my kids maybe twice a week, and to do that I sacrifice more sleep, training time. How can you truly be in this one hundred percent without sacrificing things.
Maybe that’s why I’ve never been world champ? I mean, outside of the dick and fart jokes. I mean, I haven’t been willing to sacrifice what means the world to me, to claim the world….But, I hopefully have a few more years in the tank, but if my career ended tomorrow. I wouldn’t be satisfied….but I wouldn’t be disappointed.
I’ve had an incredible journey, I’ve met incredible people, friends for life. My support system, my drinking buddies...I owe this business a lot, and I think I’ve given it everything I’ve had up until this point, so I want to see, just how far I can push it.
I just feel, like I’ve already got my fingertips on it, and the time is growing closer and closer. Because you can work hard, and your time will come, but sometimes...just sometimes. You have to shatter that clock face, and grab the two hands of time, and make it your time….
This, this is my time
/A Long Time Ago, in a Federation Far...Far...Away/
We see a very young, twenty-two year old Xavier Cross, across from him is an older black male, copyrights have insisted that we have to call him, Tee Monay, he was the leader of the current wrestling stable that Xavier Cross had aligned himself with. It was odd, being the only white guy in a four man stable. 2006 was a weird year to be alive. But more so, a few weeks prior, Xavier Cross had turned on his former best friend, and partner, Jamal Carter. Both were young rookies in the business, with plenty of talent and a real shot to be something in this business, but Xavier decided to align himself with the world champion, and baddest man on the planet.
It was an odd situation to be in, it didn’t feel comfortable, the air felt stale and the tension was high. Maybe it was because the leader was also the champ, and there were three young talented males who could challenge for it at any time. But more so, Xavier was hurting. He had taken a few chair shots to the back, and they weren’t light ones. Stretching a bit, he winces in pain letting out a gasp for air.
Tee Monay: “You good X?”
Xavier Cross: “I think Jamal wanted to send me a receipt with that chair, it’s hard to move…”
Tee Monay: “I got you, brotha.”
Brotha, brother, whatever you want to call it. At that time, Xavier thought that this man had his back. That he had his best interests out for him. But it was all just a fix. The guy laid out a few pills on the table, Xavier knew what they were, and despite being still a kid in this business, he knew what they could do.
Xavier Cross: “Maybe...I should go see the doc?”
Tee Monay: “Nah homie, just take a few of these, you’ll be right.”
Looking up, the pressure felt like a bad squat, just the oncoming pressure just from a simple look. He didn’t want to let Monay down, so he grabbed the pills up. Tossed him in his mouth, and just like that.
It all went downhill from there.
You see drug addiction is a serious thing, it doesn’t start from that moment, but the next time it hurts. Cross knows a quick fix, right before he goes through that curtain his knee stiffens up, gotta get it right to compete. Can’t let the team down. Can’t let the company down.
Dope yourself up, don’t feel the pain. Compete, Let the fans eat it up. Break your body against that mat for nothing, for people who use you, for your fake friends. Take another pill, you can’t feel it anymore. It don’t matter anymore.
But when you bust your ass, you earn yourself a title shot, you turn around…
And your mentor, Tee Monay, he lays you out on the canvas, you look up through that drug haze, that addiction cloud, while the adrenaline coursing through your veins. That you made it, but simply put….the top guys, they aren’t ready to give up that spot.
So they feed you more, the dose gets stronger, the high lasts longer. They’re gonna hit you harder, throw you further, you can’t feel it though. But truth me told.
They’re killing you, and you’re just letting them.
You want to be the champion, but they can’t have it, you get passed from veteran to veteran, using you to establish their own name, while they break you. When you earn something, they take it away from you. But it’s not their fault, it’s just business.
When you can’t stand on your own, that’s how they defeat you.
We open to Xavier Cross, who has just came out of a memory, like he just emerged from water. Trying to grab his breathe, his hand clutching his shirt, eyes wide, a little misty. Thought of the past, well they can hit pretty hard. It wasn’t an excuse, it never was. It was just a cause to get smarter, and stronger.
“It all feels like a dream, the past of mine, sometimes, when I think back it’s like I’m watching a movie about someone else’s life...the accomplishments, the dumb mistakes, sometimes...even Cari, it’s like I’m watching someone else’s life...It almost breaks my heart, but it just doesn’t feel like me, even though it’s the most of me that anything could ever be. Sometimes, I feel so numb, but then I crash back to earth. The endless cycle of what feels like being on the verge of self-destruction. In a time where I only need some kind of familiarity, I find myself in a different city, a different town, wrestling a different guy. “
He chuckles a bit.
“I guess, I should have brought streamers and some balloons, throw myself the best kind of pity party…”
Taking a deep breath, he scratches his chin a bit, rustling his beard.
“But, it’s time to focus up. Nose to the grindstone. I’ve done my talking of Red Cap, and how excited I am to be double booked at Night of the Immortals. I mean, look at that card for a second. Three people are double booked, the world champion, Angel, his partner, and main event opponent, Spike Kane, and then there’s me. Xavier Cross. Remember me? That’s quite a list to be on right, I mean, you have the two quote unquote top guys of the company, and then there’s me. Heck, you could think it’s a slight. That the upper management is wanting to screw over Xavier Cross, I mean the first match is gonna take its toll, then when I’m fighting for a chance for a shot, whenever I want to challenge for a title. Now what would be an easy way to make sure I lose that?”
He tilts his head a bit, a serious expression on his face.
“You book a match before, against a young upstart. Where the other competitors in the second match are still rested. I think if this was a few months ago, I’d be spouting off theories, of why that it was being done to me, how I won’t be given a fair chance. How the world is out to get me, to keep me down. But now, hearing myself say that, in the shoes I stand in now. It all sounds kind of silly right? It all sounds wonderful now. Like the idea, of being able to win two matches on the biggest stage, at the biggest event of our company? That sounds like a great career milestone, a great push onto the next chapter of my career.”
His serious expression melts into a smile.
“So onto the main course, Joker in the Pack. A chance to change the landscape of the Imperial Galaxy in a simple moment, a simple choice. Last year, at Night of the Immortals 4, Will Fennell, Ryan Shane, Sam Braxton, Dean Coulter, Devlin Raine, and Derek Brooks stepped inside the ring to compete. God, look at all those names I listed off, and look how many a year later are still here? How many of them are on this card? As a wrestler, it doesn’t really make sense, we take our spot on the card and try our hardest to bust our ass to put on an incredible match. But maybe, let’s step back and look at it from a booker standpoint...I mean, none of those guys are here, a year later, once given the chance to change their destiny, where are they now?What a fucking headache that must be... Fuck, I mean, look at this Joker in the Pack…”
Running his hands through his hair, Xavier blinks a bit starting to realize some things.
“Ulf Hednir. Pax Stormcrow. Thaddeus Bancroft. Andrew Jacobsen. Dean Harper.”
He shakes his head a minute.
“Maybe Captain Bancroft can look in his time machine, and see how many of these men will be here in a years time? Dean Harper exploded on the scene last year with his gang of merry miscreants. Ulf Hednir was taken under my influence during the run with The Council. Thaddeus Bancroft who may be the most dangerous man in the entire world. Pax Stormcrow a prodigy mat tech doing what he can do. Andrew Jacobsen, what can I say…”
He puts his head down, shaking it.
“Old friend...we both know you shouldn’t be here, you shouldn’t be sitting here planning on a ladder match for a chance. You are a champion, that main event, that should be Andrew Jacobsen. I don’t know what happened when I was gone, I don’t know what slipped through here while I was gone, but I do know Angel. I know more than a lot of people here know, but at the same time. I feel like I know nothing at all. But you, you I know, what you can do in the ring, I know, I know what you’ve done, how far you’ve come, how hard you want to work. But simply put, you are the best of us, you deserve so much more, much more than one lifetime can offer.”
His hands run through his hair, still looking down.
“Your time is eternal, a flame constantly burning. A fire that I never had to ignite, I don’t think anyone could have ignited it in you, but you. Andrew Jacobsen, you are the true, blue, competitor that brings a hundred percent at each time, you bring out the best of your opponents every single time. You are one of the best in the world, and when it’s said and done, you’ll be one of the greatest ever.”
We see Xavier glance up, a tear running down his cheek.
“You are an amazing friend, we spent a few months together in Japan a few years ago, we’ve spent a lot of time together. But there were times in the past where I could have been a better friend, maybe even a mentor, and now I have to focus on being a better man than I was back then, and I think backstage I’ve done a great job doing so, and I can still be the arrogant asshole we all know and love, but I think I finally got my ego in some sort of check. But more so, I want to be the best superstar I can be y’know, because if I’m great, then that means everyone else can be, and then there will be no argument that Imperial is the undisputed place to compete. But in order to do so, at Night of the Immortals, I will have to defeat you, and four other imperial superstars in order to become the next Joker in the Pack. But the days of Xavier Cross being a joker, those are far gone. So, when I pull down that briefcase, and become the Joker in the Pack, it’s only going to lead on me being on a path to becoming the new King of Imperial. But, now I have to take a shower, because using these card references makes me feel dirty, like Jake Conway dirty. Like, metaphors for kings, and queens, jokers and aces, isn’t it a little played out? I mean it’s almost like we’re considering ourselves God’s now...oh...wait.”
Cross smirks as we fade out
Opening back, we are in a hotel room where we see Vivienne Rodgers standing in front of a full sized mirror as she tilts to the left, tilting to the right. We hear the soft beats and the shower running. Vivienne shakes her head, smiling softly as she knocks on the door.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Sweetie...we’re gonna be late.”
Xavier Cross: “They say in heaven love comes fiiirst”
We hear Xavier sing in offkey in the shower, as Vivienne rubs her forehead, shaking her head laughing softly. The shower cuts off as the door opens, as a dripping wet Xavier Cross leans his head out.
Xavier Cross: “We’ll make heaven a place on eeeaaarttth…”
He leans in for a kiss, but she pokes him in the forehead.
Vivienne Rodgers: “You are soaking wet.”
Xavier Cross: “An astute observation Ms. Rodgers, would you care to join me? There is still plenty of hot water, and if it runs out, then y’know, I’ll keep you warm.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “As enticing as that sounds, we have that thing you’ve been so adamant to get to.”
Xavier Cross: “But...I still have like two songs left on my shower playlist, and I think I still have our late night happy time music playlist from last night.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “You are a wordsmith, but….I have your suit laid out for you, and if we’re late I’ll be very annoyed”
Xavier immediately salutes.
Xavier Cross: “Yes ma’am, You know, when I win that joker in the pack, I may cash in on that women’s open weight champion…”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Oh really? Well if memory serves me correct, you’re not that hard to keep on your shoulders for longer than three seconds…”
Xavier Cross: “If I remember as well, I had you pinned quite quickly with a sunset flip, but I just couldn’t seem to get my head u-”
She puts her finger over his lips, as he smirks.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Go finish your shower.”
He grins a bit, as the door closes. We hear the opening to ‘Livin on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi play as Vivienne Rodgers begins laughing once again.
“Ulf Hednir, my dear little brother. We spent a couple months on the road together, I wanted to take you under my wing. Do some right in the world, repent for the mentors I’ve had in the past, that only used me. But, I still feel as though I failed you. You have incredible talent, you’re still so young, and you’re still trudging along, doing the best you can. I like to think maybe I taught you something, the cheapest cars to rent, the better hotels to stay in. But maybe, I taught you to be wary of who you trust…”
Sighing a bit, Xavier scratches at his temple.
“You teamed up with Dean Harper in that tag team classic, the fact that you two coexisted doesn’t surprise me. Moral grounds down matter when talent is there, it just kind of works y’know? Not that I have much moral high ground, I mean Dean is a sociopathic cult leader-second in command type, me, I’m an asshole who has done some shitty things. One of them may be trying to teach you, one of them may be leading you away from your noble path to become something great. But I don’t think the light has shine it’s last breathe on your path, I still think you can become something great Ulf.”
But he just shakes his head.
“Night of the Immortals isn’t that time. As great as you are, as great as you can be brother, tonight is my night. Tonight is the beginning of the end. I am the one man who can take that Joker in the Pack, and finally redeem myself. The simple fact, is that every man in this contest wants it, but I am different, I need this, I need this more than anything I’ve ever needed in my life. It’s selfish, ignorant, and everything wrong, but this moment, is the moment I need to really...accept my career.”
Shrugging his shoulders.
“I love you Ulf, and if somehow, you stand high above anyone else in this match up, if you become the man. I’ll be the first in line to shake your hand, and drinks will be on me. I will be proud, I will be annoyed that I couldn’t pull it off, but I promise you, I will celebrate you until the Odin Crow Caws, or whatever the ravens or whatever do..I’m not good with your Nordic ways, but I’ve seen Thor enough times to know that fighting against you...fighting with you at Night of the Immortals is gonna be...rough, but...fun.”
Tapping his hands on the steering wheel, we see Xavier Cross and Vivienne Rodgers riding together through the Las Vegas strip, the bright neon signs still had a weird glow even during the middle of the day.
Xavier Cross: “I haaaate Las Vegas.”
Vivienne raises a brow, glancing over at him..
Vivienne Rodgers: “What makes you say that?”
Xavier Cross: “Well, it’s hot, and I’m from Atlanta, but it feels like I’m walking on the sun. I have to have the air conditioning on blast in the car, the hotel, in the locker room, or I may literally melt. Plus, it just feels greasy. Everyone seems to want to rip you off, or sell your coke.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “You’re adorable, but please don’t melt, that sounds super messy. But I get it, but I mean, they just legalized sports betting, so I think that Vegas may lose some of its, appeal?”
Xavier Cross: “I mean, it does have the perk of having drive thru weddings….”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Oh very funny, but if you ever think of asking me to marry you, and drive me through one of those churches, I will disembowel you.”
Xavier makes an over exaggerated shocked face as they stop at a red light, she giggles a bit looking away from him.
Xavier Cross: “Calm down Rowan, I was just joking.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Grrr, I can be mean.”
Xavier Cross: “But you’re far too adorable to be evil.”
He smiles at her, reaching over giving her hand a squeeze.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Will you at least tell me where we are going? I love surprises but this is a busy week!”
Xavier Cross: “Trust me, I looked at both of our schedules, and trust me, the time we spend here is gonna be worth it!”
She raises a brow, glancing over at him. As the car begins to move once again.
“Pax Stormcrow, what a name. Does Pax stand for anything, Paxander? Paxamillion? Paxis? Paxel? The Stormcrow is a nice touch, I bet George RR Martin would love to steal that, but it’s not like he’s doing anything important right now. Yeah, I am taking time out of talking about Pax Stormcrow to call you out George! We’ve been waiting for years! This is ridiculous you old, fat fuck. I love you, but I hate you.”
Cross takes a moment to breathe, gathering himself.
“My apologies friend, well probably not friend. I’d rather not associate with someone named Pax. I mean, I get your mother is dying, or dead, but all those years ago she couldn’t think of something better? I know I’m being a dick, but these are the questions that are hard hitting and I need to know. But the simple fact is, this ain’t your element boy. This isn’t a olympic style wrestling match, this is an anything goes, motherloving slugfest where the winner has to climb up a god damned ladder and retrieve that briefcase. I’m gonna be tired, but I’ve done enough scouting on you kiddo to know that this just ain’t your ball game. But you got some spunk, so despite how tired I may or may not be after my previous event, I’m actually excited to test the waters, see what this little wrestling machine can do. You see the thing about wrestling machines, is they talk a lot about talent and ability, but at the end of the day, they all just end up a little too…”
He smirks a bit.
“Nighthawk-ey. So boy-o, bring the funk, or whatever it is you do, you got talent but I just don’t think you have what it takes to really do this, I mean, you kind have this Bobby Boucher thing going on, First off, when you talk, I literally cannot wait for you to finish, I don’t know if it’s how you talk, or just your voice, but I just need it to. Stop. Second of all, it’s all for Mama ain’t it? You think Mama gonna love seeing her baby boy Paxy get beaten to a pulp, driven to ladders, and generally made to look like the olympic sized bitch he is? Cuz I know something for sure, Mama didn’t say knock me out boy.”
He holds up one closed fist, pushing it against his jaw.
The car slides into a parking spot, as Xavier throws the SUV into park. He smiles a bit, looking at Vivienne who seems a bit confused, they were at a small studio.
Xavier Cross: “Alright, c’mon now. Grab your title, we gotta head in through the side door.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “...is this...a porn studio?”
Xavier Cross: “What? No...wait, would you do that.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “XAVIER CROSS!”
Xavier Cross: “Whoa, whoa, easy I was just testing the waters.”
He puts on a big smile, as she sighs in frustration.
Xavier Cross: “C’mon, I promise it’ll be worth it. Trust me. I promise, no penises or anything.”
She narrows her eyes at him, as she reaches into the back seat grabbing her Women’s Open Weight Title.
Vivienne Rodgers: “...Xavier...I got my eye on you.”
Xavier Cross: “I would hope it’s because I’m a handsome gentleman and not that I am a mischievous twelve year old boy.”
The two exit the SUV, as Xavier immediately begins pouting as the Vegas heat shines down on him.
Xavier Cross: “I’m literally going to die..”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Can I have the keys?”
Xavier Cross: “You...are...so...mean…”
The two share a smile as the walk around to the side entrance of the building, where a man wearing a director’s hat motions for them to hurry. Vivienne shoots Xavier a look.
Xavier Cross: “It’s not porn!”
An aggressive whisper shoots from his mouth, as the director leads them to a chair.
The Director: “Thank you for coming Ms. Rodgers, Mr. Cross here pulled some strings, and well..”
Vivienne looks a bit nervous, as she turns to Xavier who smiles.
Xavier Cross: “Just...look into the television set right there, and you’ll see exactly why we are here…”
“Oh Captain my Captain...I mean, that’s fair, I’ve been runnin around claiming I’m a greek titan, so the idea that you’re a captain makes sense, just like Sanders was a Colonel, and Major Payne was a good movie. You are a strange man, and I think earlier, I may have said you are the most dangerous man in this match. Part of that is because, I simply don’t know that much about you, but what I do know, is that you have some ability to duplicate yourself? Or time travel? Or maybe you just have a twin brother, is this twin magic? I don’t know, but you are the x-factor here, because simply put you can do whatever you want, and how can we stop you? I’ve seen Back to the Future a couple of times, and I’m not sure how you do this timey bullshit, but I know that it’s gonna feel good to get my flux capacitor one point twenty one gigawatts of power…”
He slaps his knee.
“And I’m gonna drive my knee, so deep into your jaw that you will be forced into next week. Because I’m a fan of this mystic metaphors, or these great stories. But you know what I don’t have time for. Your police box, paradox causing, bullshit. But maybe I can let you, and the olympic let down take each other out. There’s a history there, and if I remember correctly, weren’t you two schedule for a flag match? This would be a great time to settle the differences, in fact, here’s an idea…”
Biting his lip, a smirk comes to his face.
“You kick the shit out of each other, while I try to rest up. Because, I’m beginning to realize I’m not just dealing with some insanely talented people, some of you are just too far out for me to try to pull it back in, and I knew Trent Helms. But see, you, Pax, and Ulf, all talented youngsters, but what have you achieved? I know Pax jerks himself off about title shots, you want to wreck his shop, and Ulf is seemingly running in circles. But where is the direction, where is the drive? You aren’t a good guy by any stretch Captain Insane-O, wait...wait...wait..”
Holding up his hands, Xavier shakes his head.
“I’ve made two waterboy references, I’m so sorry. Netflix suggested it. Captain Thaddeus Isembard Bancroft. You remind me of any of those guys who competed in the last Joker in the Pack. You’re gonna be relevant for a month, maybe a few months, and poof. You’re gone. You don’t have goals, you’re just here to be...chaos? I don’t know, and I don’t think I really care. Because at the end of the day, you’re just a goof ball with a really cool look and ambiance, but...it’s a shallow puddle behind that isn’t it?”
Shrugging his shoulders.
“Maybe it’s my fault, it just seems like this young crop, with all this talent just wants to do things to do ‘em. They want to add an extra flip because it looks cool, they want to do some special effects because they saw it in a movie and thinking they can translate it to something in the ring. But there is an element of ability of what you can get away with, and what is just traveling circus bullshit. In order to compete with guys like Andrew Jacobsen, and I bite my tongue so hard trying to say this...Dean Harper…”
Almost like eating sour, his face twists.
“You gotta bring your A-Game, you gotta be ready for everything and prepared to do anything. I just don’t think you care enough to do either.”
We zoom into the television screen, as a little girl stands there, her mother standing behind her.
Director’s voice: “It’s okay Hillary, take your time…”
The little girls nods, as we see she’s wearing a Vivienne Rodgers t-shirt, clutching a little toy replica of the Open Weight Championship in her tiny little hands.
Hillary: “Before my daddy got sick...we used to watch wrestling all the time...I wasn’t allowed to watch a lot of matches, but...V-Vivienne Rodgers is my favorite...and I saw how hard she fights and smiles through everything and sees the good in people...and I wanted to be strong like her for my daddy…”
Hillary’s mom: “My husband’s cancer is in remission now.”
Hillary: “And I didn’t cry alot! I was strong Miss Rodgers!”
Vivienne’s jaw drops a bit, as she keeps watching the monitor, the scene on the television screen flips over to a young boy, in his teens.
Garrett: “I always watched wrestling as a kid, and I got a few close friends but...school is tough y’know...and I uh, I just find it hard some days to get through it...but...y’know…”
He looks down, he is also wearing a Vivienne Rodgers shirt.
Garrett: “I just know that wrestlers are tough...I know it’s...predetermined or whatever, but...seeing Vivienne Rodgers, no matter what...she’s doing what she loves, and she just is such a positive force…I try to be a positive force, y’know smile when I can, don’t let people’s words get to me…”
Vivienne smiles a bit, as Xavier reaches over putting his hand on her shoulder, her eyes still glued to the camera screen.
The next girl is a larger african american girl, who has a spark in her voice.
Kiarra: “I get picked on alot for my size...but watching Vivienne Rodgers kick butt, made me realize I want to do the same one day. I don’t let people’s words get to me anymore, because I’m Vivienne strong, and I’ve lost thirty pounds and plan on getting down. I know she’s the Open Weight champion, but I’m going to take that from her one day!”
She smiles, flexing her arm, a own little toy replica of the Open Weight Championship rested on her shoulder.
The screen goes black, as Vivienne is moved to tears.
Xavier Cross: “I know how much wrestling means to you, and you mean a lot to wrestling….but I’ve been getting the feeling you didn’t understand how much you mean to these fans…”
She looks up, shaking her head.
Xavier Cross: “I won’t lie, I saw this idea on television, so I had Chris made a few calls...but...these all were filmed a few minutes ago...now...I think it’s time…”
He holds his hand out, and motions to a little side door.
“Dean Harper….”
He bites down on his lip, trying to release the tension we see the tooth mark buried into his lip.
“The thorn in my side, the man sitting on a false thrown. Trying to hold it together for the kids, but without Rowan it’s been a little rough hasn’t it? The former Man O’Steel, now finds himself having to compete for an open title shot. Maybe the pressure of being a cult leader got to you eh Manson? No...no...that’s a low blow, you aren’t as relevant as Charles Manson. I mean, what kind of qualifications does it take to be a substitute cult leader? I mean, since Rowan’s gone...Angel has shot to the top, it’s the Age of Gods, under your leadership, Brooklyn is a champion, Caleb is a champion….but The Pack just doesn’t feel as relevant does it? I mean you needed The Council to make an impact, but without us, you’ve kind of just dwindled...poor sweetie…”
Cross tilts his head, blinking slowly looking deep into the camera.
“It’s still hard to sleep at night. What happened at the compound, in that room, it’s something I’ll have to live with forever. If I close my eyes too long, I see your face, the sickly calm sound of your voice ringing in my ears. You’ve hurt me Dean Harper, but you didn’t break me. You tried to put me out of commision, and I’m sure the marks in the forums would argue that night, that last sacrifice we fought, you tried to end my life. Maybe you saw it as a failure, a failure to your sweet queen Rowan. You failed her a lot back then didn’t you?”
Nodding his head a bit, Cross looks down.
“I’m a little ashamed to admit it, that I can see why you follow her so loyally. When I invited Rowan to the Council, I knew I couldn’t trust her...but something inside me wanted to be near her. Maybe it was her innate ability to pull the darkness out of you, almost like an addiction. Being near Rowan was like lust, like a high I never wanted to come down from. Maybe that’s why her betrayal hurt me. I never wanted to control her, I wanted to see her bloom into the bloodied rose...But when the Pack was formed, I had to stand strong. My pride was struck, and because I was stubborn, I stood my ground. If I was less proud man, I may be standing beside you now Dean. Would you welcome me home? You have the room still ready, can I come home?”
Looking up, tears in his eyes.
“Please...Dean…..Sa-...Okay I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
Cross shakes his head, laughing.
“ I’ll say this simple and straight. I came back to right wrongs, and show this roster that they are more than what they think they are. That these Gods are nothing, but we can’t have gods without devils, but in the end...it’s us human’s that get caught in the middle Dean, it’s men and women that you once were one time in your forsaken life. The Fall of Rowan, The Age of Gods...they will not compare to the coming storm, the Dawn of Men...Men who are willing to fight. Men like Andrew Jacobsen, Men like Ulf Hednir...like Jason Sandman, like Nighthawk….like….me…”
Standing up, he slowly begins walking closer.
“Dean Harper. I hate you. I want to hurt you more than I ever could want to win this match. But I’m not so blind to see that trying to do terrible things to you, isn’t my destiny, not that night at least. No...I am not afraid of you Dean...you may haunt my dreams all you like, you may stay in the corner of my eye. But I refuse to bow to a foolish boy who is playing queen. So you better pray to Rowan, to Angel, or just get on your knees for me fancy face….you pray, you pray that Red Cap hurts me, you pray that I get my hands on every other man before I get my hands on your Dean Harper. Because I will claw your eyes out, I will bite out your tongue, and I will do terrible terrible things. Because with any other man I compete against there is the line in the sand, and then….”
His lip is twitching, his eye twitching. Rage in his eyes.
“There is you Dean Harper.”
A sly smile runs across his face.
“I won’t ever forgive you, and I won’t ever forget you. But maybe I’m a fool, but I believe there is a fire in you, something that Rowan hasn’t touched yet, and maybe...just maybe I can reach down into whatever people like you have instead of a soul, and I can find that flame, I can nurse that flame, and I can show not the world, but you, that down there...Dean Harper isn’t just a tool for an apocalypse engine...that he isn’t just the right hand of darkness...That Dean Harper is a man...I’ve never been your equal Dean, I’ve never succeeded against you Dean...I don’t know if I can beat you Dean...but I can survive, I can try, and...I can fight...and maybe one day, I can fight...for you? I could just be a fool, trying to catch whispers in the wind. I don’t think your too far from redemption Dean Harper, but I know it’s going to be an uphill battle...and maybe, that starts at Night of the Immortals…”
The scene ends with Xavier Cross, a somber expression across his face.
Xavier leads Vivienne around the corner, as the set ends and they can see the group of kids, some we’ve heard talk, and some that hadn’t spoken their sweet words when the two arrived. Xavier nods a bit, as Vivienne bites her lip.
Xavier Cross: “Go on, give ‘em a moment they’ll remember...they think this is just a commercial. One of the Imperial Positivity movements. They deserve to meet their hero...and Vivienne, I think you need to meet them…”
She doesn’t say anything, but she steals a kiss from him quickly before taking a deep breath. She throws the title over her shoulder and quietly walks out behind the group of people.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Did...Did I miss out on the fun?”
The group slowly turned around, and Xavier felt like you could hear a pin drop. The look on their faces was something indescribable, the looks of joy, and utter shock, before Vivienne is swarmed with love and affection. Xavier leans against the doorway, leaning his head watching her interact with the people who looked up to her, that admired her. She was their hero, and this was that moment, a moment that wrestlers don’t realize is better than any title, any victory, anything else in this business. We do meet and greets, but something like this, intimate, a surprise. This, was the greatest victory any of us never knew we could get.
Stepping back into the shadows, Xavier walks away letting Vivienne have her moment.
“I am Xavier Cross, I’ve had more nicknames and gimmicks than almost anyone. I’ve busted my ass for so long, and I’ve had some incredible moments, I’ve had some really good ups, and I’ve had some really low downs. This road I traveled, I’ve been looking for vindication. I’ve had a interesting life, I’ve done a lot of things, I’ve been everywhere but I haven’t seen anything…”
Biting his lip, he looks away dusting up.
“I don’t know why it’s so hard to open up. I don’t know why it’s so hard to let you in. You’ve been with me from the beginning, through all the highs and the lows. Have I done okay? Have I made you proud...is this worth it? Should I quit...I’ve been looking for your vindication for so long...Please tell me I haven’t wasted all these years. Please...please tell me that I shouldn’t just walk away. The anxiety is so high, the pressure is everywhere. I want to do good...Please, just tell me...I’m doing good..”
Shaking his head rapidly, he shuffles his head.
“I feel my fire fading...I’m so scared that I’m going to run away…”
Gritting his teeth, we can hear his sobs.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Xavier...are...are you okay?”
He looks up, as the camera widens out as we see Vivienne look up from the bed, the light on the nightstand clicks on, and we seem the promo was taking place in the hotel bedroom.
Xavier Cross: “I...don’t know…”
Without hesitation, she throws the covers over, walking over wrapping her arms around him, as we fade out hearing the sobs of Xavier Cross, as Vivienne Rodgers tries to calm him down.
Outside of this business, I’ve managed to do some incredible things. I started a charity organization, ‘The Cross Roads’ foundation, in the name of my late wife, Cari, we’ve raised the average test scores across the entire Atlanta region public schools, founded scholarships, help kids stay off the streets, with various after school programs. When I was in japan, I was able to get some of my creativity out, and while wrestling for the promotion out there, I got into the whole graphic novel thing, which has been a very rewarding and fun experience. As most of you know, I’ll be appearing as a guest role on a few CW shows coming this fall.
The fact is, none of those things wouldn’t have happened without those four corners, that squared circle, and one opponent that can truly pull it out of me. At Night of the Immortals, I will be facing more than one man, looking to make a name for themselves. And for the first time in my career, I’ll be competing twice in one night, and it just so happens, this one night is the grandest stage of them all…
It’s crazy to think, I think that twenty year old wide eyed kid bumping and learning in a long since dead federation, would have been arrogant enough to say, ‘Yeah, I’ll be a top guy in the biggest federation out there, and I’ll probably have to work three or four matches.’ But deep down, I don’t think I’d ever believe, I am where I am today.
But at the end of the day, that isn’t going to do me any good. Because as proud as I am about what I’ve done, where I’ve been. It has nothing to do with what I’m going to do, and what tomorrow brings me. I’ll have to overcome Red Cap within a few minutes, and as athletic as he is, that will be. No easy task. Then, who knows how long of a time period I’ll have between that match, and the Joker in the Pack match. I could go on right after, be exhausted, and have already spent my second wind.
Or does it take place an hour or so, and I’ve cooled off too much?
Shit, I kind of feel like I’m making excuses up already. And that, that just won’t do, because I didn’t get here making excuses, and the upper echelon of Imperial Wrestling didn’t put me in this position because I make excuses. They put me here because I perform. That win, lose, or draw, putting my name on the marquee sells tickets, that whenever I step into that ring, they know I’m going to give a thousand percent to entertain the masses.
Sometimes, that ends with me standing victorious, but more often than not, I lay down for that three second tan. Every win makes me hungrier, and every loss makes me stronger. But I don’t know, it just feels, it feels good right? Like it finally feels like the odds are playing into my favor. I mean, I want to steal the fire from God right? This Joker in the pack would provide me the ultimate opportunity to do that?
But even I have to sit back and acknowledge that sometimes my ego gets in my own path. Because I’ve been salivating over the idea of winning that Joker in the Pack, and turning around and cashing it in that same night. Imagine that headline in the morning paper.
‘Xavier Cross: Imperial Champion, Three and Zero at Night of Immortals.”
Three victories, in one night is incredible, to do it at Night of Immortals I could be a legend. Something I think for the longest time I treated myself like, but at the end of the day. I’m just a solid six to eight month worker. Whether it’s an injury that pulls me away, or other obligations, or when I get too wrapped up in it, and let the drugs take me over.
I’m still clean and sober.
You ever get that feeling, when you lace your shoes up. It fits just so right, not too tight, not too loose, and when you walk, you don’t even feel it. Maybe it’s just me, but something is in the air, something feels right. This...this feels right.
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m able to say I love you to the most amazing woman in the world, or the fact that despite the crazy business I exist in, that I have a stable family environment, or maybe for the first time, in the longest time. I’m not only doing what I love to do, I’m loving doing it.
For the last few weeks, I keep having these words bounce around in my head. It’s almost maddening but it seems to be just the kind of motivation. I kind of want to put it on a little sign, and hang it above the door whenever I walk out of the house, the locker room, the bathroom, whatever it may be.
Cable Arcane said it a few weeks back, when CaBerto was taking on TnT, and it’s been ringing in my ears. I think I’m repeating myself from a few weeks ago, but something has never sounded so true…
‘"We're professional wrestlers."
"We eat, breath and sleep this business."
"This is our world, you're just living in it."
Has this ever truly been, ‘my world’? Looking back, I kind of feel like I half assed a lot of things, I made dick and fart jokes when I should have been serious. But at the end of the day, that’s my legacy, that’s the bed I made myself, and now… I have to lay in it.
Have I truly ever ate this business, sleeped this business, breathed it in? I mean, I’ve helped with the ring crew...I’ve spent nights getting maybe two hours of sleep driving from town to town, seeing my kids maybe twice a week, and to do that I sacrifice more sleep, training time. How can you truly be in this one hundred percent without sacrificing things.
Maybe that’s why I’ve never been world champ? I mean, outside of the dick and fart jokes. I mean, I haven’t been willing to sacrifice what means the world to me, to claim the world….But, I hopefully have a few more years in the tank, but if my career ended tomorrow. I wouldn’t be satisfied….but I wouldn’t be disappointed.
I’ve had an incredible journey, I’ve met incredible people, friends for life. My support system, my drinking buddies...I owe this business a lot, and I think I’ve given it everything I’ve had up until this point, so I want to see, just how far I can push it.
I just feel, like I’ve already got my fingertips on it, and the time is growing closer and closer. Because you can work hard, and your time will come, but sometimes...just sometimes. You have to shatter that clock face, and grab the two hands of time, and make it your time….
This, this is my time
/A Long Time Ago, in a Federation Far...Far...Away/
We see a very young, twenty-two year old Xavier Cross, across from him is an older black male, copyrights have insisted that we have to call him, Tee Monay, he was the leader of the current wrestling stable that Xavier Cross had aligned himself with. It was odd, being the only white guy in a four man stable. 2006 was a weird year to be alive. But more so, a few weeks prior, Xavier Cross had turned on his former best friend, and partner, Jamal Carter. Both were young rookies in the business, with plenty of talent and a real shot to be something in this business, but Xavier decided to align himself with the world champion, and baddest man on the planet.
It was an odd situation to be in, it didn’t feel comfortable, the air felt stale and the tension was high. Maybe it was because the leader was also the champ, and there were three young talented males who could challenge for it at any time. But more so, Xavier was hurting. He had taken a few chair shots to the back, and they weren’t light ones. Stretching a bit, he winces in pain letting out a gasp for air.
Tee Monay: “You good X?”
Xavier Cross: “I think Jamal wanted to send me a receipt with that chair, it’s hard to move…”
Tee Monay: “I got you, brotha.”
Brotha, brother, whatever you want to call it. At that time, Xavier thought that this man had his back. That he had his best interests out for him. But it was all just a fix. The guy laid out a few pills on the table, Xavier knew what they were, and despite being still a kid in this business, he knew what they could do.
Xavier Cross: “Maybe...I should go see the doc?”
Tee Monay: “Nah homie, just take a few of these, you’ll be right.”
Looking up, the pressure felt like a bad squat, just the oncoming pressure just from a simple look. He didn’t want to let Monay down, so he grabbed the pills up. Tossed him in his mouth, and just like that.
It all went downhill from there.
You see drug addiction is a serious thing, it doesn’t start from that moment, but the next time it hurts. Cross knows a quick fix, right before he goes through that curtain his knee stiffens up, gotta get it right to compete. Can’t let the team down. Can’t let the company down.
Dope yourself up, don’t feel the pain. Compete, Let the fans eat it up. Break your body against that mat for nothing, for people who use you, for your fake friends. Take another pill, you can’t feel it anymore. It don’t matter anymore.
But when you bust your ass, you earn yourself a title shot, you turn around…
And your mentor, Tee Monay, he lays you out on the canvas, you look up through that drug haze, that addiction cloud, while the adrenaline coursing through your veins. That you made it, but simply put….the top guys, they aren’t ready to give up that spot.
So they feed you more, the dose gets stronger, the high lasts longer. They’re gonna hit you harder, throw you further, you can’t feel it though. But truth me told.
They’re killing you, and you’re just letting them.
You want to be the champion, but they can’t have it, you get passed from veteran to veteran, using you to establish their own name, while they break you. When you earn something, they take it away from you. But it’s not their fault, it’s just business.
When you can’t stand on your own, that’s how they defeat you.
We open to Xavier Cross, who has just came out of a memory, like he just emerged from water. Trying to grab his breathe, his hand clutching his shirt, eyes wide, a little misty. Thought of the past, well they can hit pretty hard. It wasn’t an excuse, it never was. It was just a cause to get smarter, and stronger.
“It all feels like a dream, the past of mine, sometimes, when I think back it’s like I’m watching a movie about someone else’s life...the accomplishments, the dumb mistakes, sometimes...even Cari, it’s like I’m watching someone else’s life...It almost breaks my heart, but it just doesn’t feel like me, even though it’s the most of me that anything could ever be. Sometimes, I feel so numb, but then I crash back to earth. The endless cycle of what feels like being on the verge of self-destruction. In a time where I only need some kind of familiarity, I find myself in a different city, a different town, wrestling a different guy. “
He chuckles a bit.
“I guess, I should have brought streamers and some balloons, throw myself the best kind of pity party…”
Taking a deep breath, he scratches his chin a bit, rustling his beard.
“But, it’s time to focus up. Nose to the grindstone. I’ve done my talking of Red Cap, and how excited I am to be double booked at Night of the Immortals. I mean, look at that card for a second. Three people are double booked, the world champion, Angel, his partner, and main event opponent, Spike Kane, and then there’s me. Xavier Cross. Remember me? That’s quite a list to be on right, I mean, you have the two quote unquote top guys of the company, and then there’s me. Heck, you could think it’s a slight. That the upper management is wanting to screw over Xavier Cross, I mean the first match is gonna take its toll, then when I’m fighting for a chance for a shot, whenever I want to challenge for a title. Now what would be an easy way to make sure I lose that?”
He tilts his head a bit, a serious expression on his face.
“You book a match before, against a young upstart. Where the other competitors in the second match are still rested. I think if this was a few months ago, I’d be spouting off theories, of why that it was being done to me, how I won’t be given a fair chance. How the world is out to get me, to keep me down. But now, hearing myself say that, in the shoes I stand in now. It all sounds kind of silly right? It all sounds wonderful now. Like the idea, of being able to win two matches on the biggest stage, at the biggest event of our company? That sounds like a great career milestone, a great push onto the next chapter of my career.”
His serious expression melts into a smile.
“So onto the main course, Joker in the Pack. A chance to change the landscape of the Imperial Galaxy in a simple moment, a simple choice. Last year, at Night of the Immortals 4, Will Fennell, Ryan Shane, Sam Braxton, Dean Coulter, Devlin Raine, and Derek Brooks stepped inside the ring to compete. God, look at all those names I listed off, and look how many a year later are still here? How many of them are on this card? As a wrestler, it doesn’t really make sense, we take our spot on the card and try our hardest to bust our ass to put on an incredible match. But maybe, let’s step back and look at it from a booker standpoint...I mean, none of those guys are here, a year later, once given the chance to change their destiny, where are they now?What a fucking headache that must be... Fuck, I mean, look at this Joker in the Pack…”
Running his hands through his hair, Xavier blinks a bit starting to realize some things.
“Ulf Hednir. Pax Stormcrow. Thaddeus Bancroft. Andrew Jacobsen. Dean Harper.”
He shakes his head a minute.
“Maybe Captain Bancroft can look in his time machine, and see how many of these men will be here in a years time? Dean Harper exploded on the scene last year with his gang of merry miscreants. Ulf Hednir was taken under my influence during the run with The Council. Thaddeus Bancroft who may be the most dangerous man in the entire world. Pax Stormcrow a prodigy mat tech doing what he can do. Andrew Jacobsen, what can I say…”
He puts his head down, shaking it.
“Old friend...we both know you shouldn’t be here, you shouldn’t be sitting here planning on a ladder match for a chance. You are a champion, that main event, that should be Andrew Jacobsen. I don’t know what happened when I was gone, I don’t know what slipped through here while I was gone, but I do know Angel. I know more than a lot of people here know, but at the same time. I feel like I know nothing at all. But you, you I know, what you can do in the ring, I know, I know what you’ve done, how far you’ve come, how hard you want to work. But simply put, you are the best of us, you deserve so much more, much more than one lifetime can offer.”
His hands run through his hair, still looking down.
“Your time is eternal, a flame constantly burning. A fire that I never had to ignite, I don’t think anyone could have ignited it in you, but you. Andrew Jacobsen, you are the true, blue, competitor that brings a hundred percent at each time, you bring out the best of your opponents every single time. You are one of the best in the world, and when it’s said and done, you’ll be one of the greatest ever.”
We see Xavier glance up, a tear running down his cheek.
“You are an amazing friend, we spent a few months together in Japan a few years ago, we’ve spent a lot of time together. But there were times in the past where I could have been a better friend, maybe even a mentor, and now I have to focus on being a better man than I was back then, and I think backstage I’ve done a great job doing so, and I can still be the arrogant asshole we all know and love, but I think I finally got my ego in some sort of check. But more so, I want to be the best superstar I can be y’know, because if I’m great, then that means everyone else can be, and then there will be no argument that Imperial is the undisputed place to compete. But in order to do so, at Night of the Immortals, I will have to defeat you, and four other imperial superstars in order to become the next Joker in the Pack. But the days of Xavier Cross being a joker, those are far gone. So, when I pull down that briefcase, and become the Joker in the Pack, it’s only going to lead on me being on a path to becoming the new King of Imperial. But, now I have to take a shower, because using these card references makes me feel dirty, like Jake Conway dirty. Like, metaphors for kings, and queens, jokers and aces, isn’t it a little played out? I mean it’s almost like we’re considering ourselves God’s now...oh...wait.”
Cross smirks as we fade out
Opening back, we are in a hotel room where we see Vivienne Rodgers standing in front of a full sized mirror as she tilts to the left, tilting to the right. We hear the soft beats and the shower running. Vivienne shakes her head, smiling softly as she knocks on the door.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Sweetie...we’re gonna be late.”
Xavier Cross: “They say in heaven love comes fiiirst”
We hear Xavier sing in offkey in the shower, as Vivienne rubs her forehead, shaking her head laughing softly. The shower cuts off as the door opens, as a dripping wet Xavier Cross leans his head out.
Xavier Cross: “We’ll make heaven a place on eeeaaarttth…”
He leans in for a kiss, but she pokes him in the forehead.
Vivienne Rodgers: “You are soaking wet.”
Xavier Cross: “An astute observation Ms. Rodgers, would you care to join me? There is still plenty of hot water, and if it runs out, then y’know, I’ll keep you warm.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “As enticing as that sounds, we have that thing you’ve been so adamant to get to.”
Xavier Cross: “But...I still have like two songs left on my shower playlist, and I think I still have our late night happy time music playlist from last night.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “You are a wordsmith, but….I have your suit laid out for you, and if we’re late I’ll be very annoyed”
Xavier immediately salutes.
Xavier Cross: “Yes ma’am, You know, when I win that joker in the pack, I may cash in on that women’s open weight champion…”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Oh really? Well if memory serves me correct, you’re not that hard to keep on your shoulders for longer than three seconds…”
Xavier Cross: “If I remember as well, I had you pinned quite quickly with a sunset flip, but I just couldn’t seem to get my head u-”
She puts her finger over his lips, as he smirks.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Go finish your shower.”
He grins a bit, as the door closes. We hear the opening to ‘Livin on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi play as Vivienne Rodgers begins laughing once again.
“Ulf Hednir, my dear little brother. We spent a couple months on the road together, I wanted to take you under my wing. Do some right in the world, repent for the mentors I’ve had in the past, that only used me. But, I still feel as though I failed you. You have incredible talent, you’re still so young, and you’re still trudging along, doing the best you can. I like to think maybe I taught you something, the cheapest cars to rent, the better hotels to stay in. But maybe, I taught you to be wary of who you trust…”
Sighing a bit, Xavier scratches at his temple.
“You teamed up with Dean Harper in that tag team classic, the fact that you two coexisted doesn’t surprise me. Moral grounds down matter when talent is there, it just kind of works y’know? Not that I have much moral high ground, I mean Dean is a sociopathic cult leader-second in command type, me, I’m an asshole who has done some shitty things. One of them may be trying to teach you, one of them may be leading you away from your noble path to become something great. But I don’t think the light has shine it’s last breathe on your path, I still think you can become something great Ulf.”
But he just shakes his head.
“Night of the Immortals isn’t that time. As great as you are, as great as you can be brother, tonight is my night. Tonight is the beginning of the end. I am the one man who can take that Joker in the Pack, and finally redeem myself. The simple fact, is that every man in this contest wants it, but I am different, I need this, I need this more than anything I’ve ever needed in my life. It’s selfish, ignorant, and everything wrong, but this moment, is the moment I need to really...accept my career.”
Shrugging his shoulders.
“I love you Ulf, and if somehow, you stand high above anyone else in this match up, if you become the man. I’ll be the first in line to shake your hand, and drinks will be on me. I will be proud, I will be annoyed that I couldn’t pull it off, but I promise you, I will celebrate you until the Odin Crow Caws, or whatever the ravens or whatever do..I’m not good with your Nordic ways, but I’ve seen Thor enough times to know that fighting against you...fighting with you at Night of the Immortals is gonna be...rough, but...fun.”
Tapping his hands on the steering wheel, we see Xavier Cross and Vivienne Rodgers riding together through the Las Vegas strip, the bright neon signs still had a weird glow even during the middle of the day.
Xavier Cross: “I haaaate Las Vegas.”
Vivienne raises a brow, glancing over at him..
Vivienne Rodgers: “What makes you say that?”
Xavier Cross: “Well, it’s hot, and I’m from Atlanta, but it feels like I’m walking on the sun. I have to have the air conditioning on blast in the car, the hotel, in the locker room, or I may literally melt. Plus, it just feels greasy. Everyone seems to want to rip you off, or sell your coke.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “You’re adorable, but please don’t melt, that sounds super messy. But I get it, but I mean, they just legalized sports betting, so I think that Vegas may lose some of its, appeal?”
Xavier Cross: “I mean, it does have the perk of having drive thru weddings….”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Oh very funny, but if you ever think of asking me to marry you, and drive me through one of those churches, I will disembowel you.”
Xavier makes an over exaggerated shocked face as they stop at a red light, she giggles a bit looking away from him.
Xavier Cross: “Calm down Rowan, I was just joking.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Grrr, I can be mean.”
Xavier Cross: “But you’re far too adorable to be evil.”
He smiles at her, reaching over giving her hand a squeeze.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Will you at least tell me where we are going? I love surprises but this is a busy week!”
Xavier Cross: “Trust me, I looked at both of our schedules, and trust me, the time we spend here is gonna be worth it!”
She raises a brow, glancing over at him. As the car begins to move once again.
“Pax Stormcrow, what a name. Does Pax stand for anything, Paxander? Paxamillion? Paxis? Paxel? The Stormcrow is a nice touch, I bet George RR Martin would love to steal that, but it’s not like he’s doing anything important right now. Yeah, I am taking time out of talking about Pax Stormcrow to call you out George! We’ve been waiting for years! This is ridiculous you old, fat fuck. I love you, but I hate you.”
Cross takes a moment to breathe, gathering himself.
“My apologies friend, well probably not friend. I’d rather not associate with someone named Pax. I mean, I get your mother is dying, or dead, but all those years ago she couldn’t think of something better? I know I’m being a dick, but these are the questions that are hard hitting and I need to know. But the simple fact is, this ain’t your element boy. This isn’t a olympic style wrestling match, this is an anything goes, motherloving slugfest where the winner has to climb up a god damned ladder and retrieve that briefcase. I’m gonna be tired, but I’ve done enough scouting on you kiddo to know that this just ain’t your ball game. But you got some spunk, so despite how tired I may or may not be after my previous event, I’m actually excited to test the waters, see what this little wrestling machine can do. You see the thing about wrestling machines, is they talk a lot about talent and ability, but at the end of the day, they all just end up a little too…”
He smirks a bit.
“Nighthawk-ey. So boy-o, bring the funk, or whatever it is you do, you got talent but I just don’t think you have what it takes to really do this, I mean, you kind have this Bobby Boucher thing going on, First off, when you talk, I literally cannot wait for you to finish, I don’t know if it’s how you talk, or just your voice, but I just need it to. Stop. Second of all, it’s all for Mama ain’t it? You think Mama gonna love seeing her baby boy Paxy get beaten to a pulp, driven to ladders, and generally made to look like the olympic sized bitch he is? Cuz I know something for sure, Mama didn’t say knock me out boy.”
He holds up one closed fist, pushing it against his jaw.
The car slides into a parking spot, as Xavier throws the SUV into park. He smiles a bit, looking at Vivienne who seems a bit confused, they were at a small studio.
Xavier Cross: “Alright, c’mon now. Grab your title, we gotta head in through the side door.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “...is this...a porn studio?”
Xavier Cross: “What? No...wait, would you do that.”
Vivienne Rodgers: “XAVIER CROSS!”
Xavier Cross: “Whoa, whoa, easy I was just testing the waters.”
He puts on a big smile, as she sighs in frustration.
Xavier Cross: “C’mon, I promise it’ll be worth it. Trust me. I promise, no penises or anything.”
She narrows her eyes at him, as she reaches into the back seat grabbing her Women’s Open Weight Title.
Vivienne Rodgers: “...Xavier...I got my eye on you.”
Xavier Cross: “I would hope it’s because I’m a handsome gentleman and not that I am a mischievous twelve year old boy.”
The two exit the SUV, as Xavier immediately begins pouting as the Vegas heat shines down on him.
Xavier Cross: “I’m literally going to die..”
Vivienne Rodgers: “Can I have the keys?”
Xavier Cross: “You...are...so...mean…”
The two share a smile as the walk around to the side entrance of the building, where a man wearing a director’s hat motions for them to hurry. Vivienne shoots Xavier a look.
Xavier Cross: “It’s not porn!”
An aggressive whisper shoots from his mouth, as the director leads them to a chair.
The Director: “Thank you for coming Ms. Rodgers, Mr. Cross here pulled some strings, and well..”
Vivienne looks a bit nervous, as she turns to Xavier who smiles.
Xavier Cross: “Just...look into the television set right there, and you’ll see exactly why we are here…”
“Oh Captain my Captain...I mean, that’s fair, I’ve been runnin around claiming I’m a greek titan, so the idea that you’re a captain makes sense, just like Sanders was a Colonel, and Major Payne was a good movie. You are a strange man, and I think earlier, I may have said you are the most dangerous man in this match. Part of that is because, I simply don’t know that much about you, but what I do know, is that you have some ability to duplicate yourself? Or time travel? Or maybe you just have a twin brother, is this twin magic? I don’t know, but you are the x-factor here, because simply put you can do whatever you want, and how can we stop you? I’ve seen Back to the Future a couple of times, and I’m not sure how you do this timey bullshit, but I know that it’s gonna feel good to get my flux capacitor one point twenty one gigawatts of power…”
He slaps his knee.
“And I’m gonna drive my knee, so deep into your jaw that you will be forced into next week. Because I’m a fan of this mystic metaphors, or these great stories. But you know what I don’t have time for. Your police box, paradox causing, bullshit. But maybe I can let you, and the olympic let down take each other out. There’s a history there, and if I remember correctly, weren’t you two schedule for a flag match? This would be a great time to settle the differences, in fact, here’s an idea…”
Biting his lip, a smirk comes to his face.
“You kick the shit out of each other, while I try to rest up. Because, I’m beginning to realize I’m not just dealing with some insanely talented people, some of you are just too far out for me to try to pull it back in, and I knew Trent Helms. But see, you, Pax, and Ulf, all talented youngsters, but what have you achieved? I know Pax jerks himself off about title shots, you want to wreck his shop, and Ulf is seemingly running in circles. But where is the direction, where is the drive? You aren’t a good guy by any stretch Captain Insane-O, wait...wait...wait..”
Holding up his hands, Xavier shakes his head.
“I’ve made two waterboy references, I’m so sorry. Netflix suggested it. Captain Thaddeus Isembard Bancroft. You remind me of any of those guys who competed in the last Joker in the Pack. You’re gonna be relevant for a month, maybe a few months, and poof. You’re gone. You don’t have goals, you’re just here to be...chaos? I don’t know, and I don’t think I really care. Because at the end of the day, you’re just a goof ball with a really cool look and ambiance, but...it’s a shallow puddle behind that isn’t it?”
Shrugging his shoulders.
“Maybe it’s my fault, it just seems like this young crop, with all this talent just wants to do things to do ‘em. They want to add an extra flip because it looks cool, they want to do some special effects because they saw it in a movie and thinking they can translate it to something in the ring. But there is an element of ability of what you can get away with, and what is just traveling circus bullshit. In order to compete with guys like Andrew Jacobsen, and I bite my tongue so hard trying to say this...Dean Harper…”
Almost like eating sour, his face twists.
“You gotta bring your A-Game, you gotta be ready for everything and prepared to do anything. I just don’t think you care enough to do either.”
We zoom into the television screen, as a little girl stands there, her mother standing behind her.
Director’s voice: “It’s okay Hillary, take your time…”
The little girls nods, as we see she’s wearing a Vivienne Rodgers t-shirt, clutching a little toy replica of the Open Weight Championship in her tiny little hands.
Hillary: “Before my daddy got sick...we used to watch wrestling all the time...I wasn’t allowed to watch a lot of matches, but...V-Vivienne Rodgers is my favorite...and I saw how hard she fights and smiles through everything and sees the good in people...and I wanted to be strong like her for my daddy…”
Hillary’s mom: “My husband’s cancer is in remission now.”
Hillary: “And I didn’t cry alot! I was strong Miss Rodgers!”
Vivienne’s jaw drops a bit, as she keeps watching the monitor, the scene on the television screen flips over to a young boy, in his teens.
Garrett: “I always watched wrestling as a kid, and I got a few close friends but...school is tough y’know...and I uh, I just find it hard some days to get through it...but...y’know…”
He looks down, he is also wearing a Vivienne Rodgers shirt.
Garrett: “I just know that wrestlers are tough...I know it’s...predetermined or whatever, but...seeing Vivienne Rodgers, no matter what...she’s doing what she loves, and she just is such a positive force…I try to be a positive force, y’know smile when I can, don’t let people’s words get to me…”
Vivienne smiles a bit, as Xavier reaches over putting his hand on her shoulder, her eyes still glued to the camera screen.
The next girl is a larger african american girl, who has a spark in her voice.
Kiarra: “I get picked on alot for my size...but watching Vivienne Rodgers kick butt, made me realize I want to do the same one day. I don’t let people’s words get to me anymore, because I’m Vivienne strong, and I’ve lost thirty pounds and plan on getting down. I know she’s the Open Weight champion, but I’m going to take that from her one day!”
She smiles, flexing her arm, a own little toy replica of the Open Weight Championship rested on her shoulder.
The screen goes black, as Vivienne is moved to tears.
Xavier Cross: “I know how much wrestling means to you, and you mean a lot to wrestling….but I’ve been getting the feeling you didn’t understand how much you mean to these fans…”
She looks up, shaking her head.
Xavier Cross: “I won’t lie, I saw this idea on television, so I had Chris made a few calls...but...these all were filmed a few minutes ago...now...I think it’s time…”
He holds his hand out, and motions to a little side door.
“Dean Harper….”
He bites down on his lip, trying to release the tension we see the tooth mark buried into his lip.
“The thorn in my side, the man sitting on a false thrown. Trying to hold it together for the kids, but without Rowan it’s been a little rough hasn’t it? The former Man O’Steel, now finds himself having to compete for an open title shot. Maybe the pressure of being a cult leader got to you eh Manson? No...no...that’s a low blow, you aren’t as relevant as Charles Manson. I mean, what kind of qualifications does it take to be a substitute cult leader? I mean, since Rowan’s gone...Angel has shot to the top, it’s the Age of Gods, under your leadership, Brooklyn is a champion, Caleb is a champion….but The Pack just doesn’t feel as relevant does it? I mean you needed The Council to make an impact, but without us, you’ve kind of just dwindled...poor sweetie…”
Cross tilts his head, blinking slowly looking deep into the camera.
“It’s still hard to sleep at night. What happened at the compound, in that room, it’s something I’ll have to live with forever. If I close my eyes too long, I see your face, the sickly calm sound of your voice ringing in my ears. You’ve hurt me Dean Harper, but you didn’t break me. You tried to put me out of commision, and I’m sure the marks in the forums would argue that night, that last sacrifice we fought, you tried to end my life. Maybe you saw it as a failure, a failure to your sweet queen Rowan. You failed her a lot back then didn’t you?”
Nodding his head a bit, Cross looks down.
“I’m a little ashamed to admit it, that I can see why you follow her so loyally. When I invited Rowan to the Council, I knew I couldn’t trust her...but something inside me wanted to be near her. Maybe it was her innate ability to pull the darkness out of you, almost like an addiction. Being near Rowan was like lust, like a high I never wanted to come down from. Maybe that’s why her betrayal hurt me. I never wanted to control her, I wanted to see her bloom into the bloodied rose...But when the Pack was formed, I had to stand strong. My pride was struck, and because I was stubborn, I stood my ground. If I was less proud man, I may be standing beside you now Dean. Would you welcome me home? You have the room still ready, can I come home?”
Looking up, tears in his eyes.
“Please...Dean…..Sa-...Okay I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
Cross shakes his head, laughing.
“ I’ll say this simple and straight. I came back to right wrongs, and show this roster that they are more than what they think they are. That these Gods are nothing, but we can’t have gods without devils, but in the end...it’s us human’s that get caught in the middle Dean, it’s men and women that you once were one time in your forsaken life. The Fall of Rowan, The Age of Gods...they will not compare to the coming storm, the Dawn of Men...Men who are willing to fight. Men like Andrew Jacobsen, Men like Ulf Hednir...like Jason Sandman, like Nighthawk….like….me…”
Standing up, he slowly begins walking closer.
“Dean Harper. I hate you. I want to hurt you more than I ever could want to win this match. But I’m not so blind to see that trying to do terrible things to you, isn’t my destiny, not that night at least. No...I am not afraid of you Dean...you may haunt my dreams all you like, you may stay in the corner of my eye. But I refuse to bow to a foolish boy who is playing queen. So you better pray to Rowan, to Angel, or just get on your knees for me fancy face….you pray, you pray that Red Cap hurts me, you pray that I get my hands on every other man before I get my hands on your Dean Harper. Because I will claw your eyes out, I will bite out your tongue, and I will do terrible terrible things. Because with any other man I compete against there is the line in the sand, and then….”
His lip is twitching, his eye twitching. Rage in his eyes.
“There is you Dean Harper.”
A sly smile runs across his face.
“I won’t ever forgive you, and I won’t ever forget you. But maybe I’m a fool, but I believe there is a fire in you, something that Rowan hasn’t touched yet, and maybe...just maybe I can reach down into whatever people like you have instead of a soul, and I can find that flame, I can nurse that flame, and I can show not the world, but you, that down there...Dean Harper isn’t just a tool for an apocalypse engine...that he isn’t just the right hand of darkness...That Dean Harper is a man...I’ve never been your equal Dean, I’ve never succeeded against you Dean...I don’t know if I can beat you Dean...but I can survive, I can try, and...I can fight...and maybe one day, I can fight...for you? I could just be a fool, trying to catch whispers in the wind. I don’t think your too far from redemption Dean Harper, but I know it’s going to be an uphill battle...and maybe, that starts at Night of the Immortals…”
The scene ends with Xavier Cross, a somber expression across his face.
Xavier leads Vivienne around the corner, as the set ends and they can see the group of kids, some we’ve heard talk, and some that hadn’t spoken their sweet words when the two arrived. Xavier nods a bit, as Vivienne bites her lip.
Xavier Cross: “Go on, give ‘em a moment they’ll remember...they think this is just a commercial. One of the Imperial Positivity movements. They deserve to meet their hero...and Vivienne, I think you need to meet them…”
She doesn’t say anything, but she steals a kiss from him quickly before taking a deep breath. She throws the title over her shoulder and quietly walks out behind the group of people.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Did...Did I miss out on the fun?”
The group slowly turned around, and Xavier felt like you could hear a pin drop. The look on their faces was something indescribable, the looks of joy, and utter shock, before Vivienne is swarmed with love and affection. Xavier leans against the doorway, leaning his head watching her interact with the people who looked up to her, that admired her. She was their hero, and this was that moment, a moment that wrestlers don’t realize is better than any title, any victory, anything else in this business. We do meet and greets, but something like this, intimate, a surprise. This, was the greatest victory any of us never knew we could get.
Stepping back into the shadows, Xavier walks away letting Vivienne have her moment.
“I am Xavier Cross, I’ve had more nicknames and gimmicks than almost anyone. I’ve busted my ass for so long, and I’ve had some incredible moments, I’ve had some really good ups, and I’ve had some really low downs. This road I traveled, I’ve been looking for vindication. I’ve had a interesting life, I’ve done a lot of things, I’ve been everywhere but I haven’t seen anything…”
Biting his lip, he looks away dusting up.
“I don’t know why it’s so hard to open up. I don’t know why it’s so hard to let you in. You’ve been with me from the beginning, through all the highs and the lows. Have I done okay? Have I made you proud...is this worth it? Should I quit...I’ve been looking for your vindication for so long...Please tell me I haven’t wasted all these years. Please...please tell me that I shouldn’t just walk away. The anxiety is so high, the pressure is everywhere. I want to do good...Please, just tell me...I’m doing good..”
Shaking his head rapidly, he shuffles his head.
“I feel my fire fading...I’m so scared that I’m going to run away…”
Gritting his teeth, we can hear his sobs.
Vivienne Rodgers: “Xavier...are...are you okay?”
He looks up, as the camera widens out as we see Vivienne look up from the bed, the light on the nightstand clicks on, and we seem the promo was taking place in the hotel bedroom.
Xavier Cross: “I...don’t know…”
Without hesitation, she throws the covers over, walking over wrapping her arms around him, as we fade out hearing the sobs of Xavier Cross, as Vivienne Rodgers tries to calm him down.
I am not the only traveler
Who has not repaid his debt
I've been searching for a trail to follow again
Take me back to the night we met
Well howdy there pardner.