Post by Xavier Cross on Aug 1, 2013 12:29:27 GMT
Some people say, that the mirror holds a gateway. A gateway to alternate realities, just how many are out there? Who knows? The idea is interesting, in the aspect that each dimension is equal to time. When you walk into the mirror, as do the ‘other’ yous. Each decision you make, creates an alternate timeline, another you will choose the opposite direction.
So consider yourself, walking down the road, and you come to a fork, you may choose to go left, but this creates a separate timeline, where you chose to go right. Taking the left route, will bring you home quicker, you won’t run into any trouble, but what does the right? A longer path to your destination, you run into thugs, you get robbed and murdered, laying bloodied in the streets.
But it’s all just a theory...right?
******
Xavier Cross, a little bruised still, walks through his home. The kids are spending the day with their grandparents, he walks around the house, looking tired, but a little more defeated than usual. His shorts are loose, a little baggy, he’s shirtless, a few scars from old battles. Collapsing on the couch, Xavier stares at the ceiling.
“Really bit the bullet. My head is still killing me, yet...i’m medically cleared to go next week. I don’t get it...”
Xavier’s eyes drift from the ceiling, towards the mantle, just above the fireplace, where the IWF title is held. Around it, are framed replicas of the titles he has won through his passed, it’s a full wall, but it doesn’t matter, they’re all just momentums of the past.
“Xander kicked my ass. Any chance I had, I took it, and it didn’t matter. He kept getting back up, and swinging harder. I saw the videos, he even beat the hell out of me when I was unconscious...He has no restraint, he wants to hurt me, he damn near succeeded in killing me..This couldn’t get any worse..”
Reaching down, Xavier grabs his water, trying to drink it while still laying down, it spills on him. Shaking off the odd feeling of drowning, Cross sits up, shaking his face. Soaked.
“Damn it...”
He quickly gets up, going to the bathroom. Cross dries his face off with a towel, before looking at himself in the mirror. The slightly blackened eye, Cross sighs a bit.
“Nothing ever changes...I may be a champion, but I’m still a loser.”
/////////////////////////
Closing his eyes, he leans into the mirror, resting his head against it. The smell of the bathroom immediately changes, noises from outside in the kitchen. Cross immediately steps out, not noticing how messy the bathroom is. We see a large man digging in the refrigerator.
“WHAT the HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY KITCHEN?!”
Jimmy Turner pops his head up, looking around confused.
“We’re room mates brother, this is our home...”
Xavier’s eyes get wide, as he rushes into the living room, looking above the mantle there are no titles, the room is a lot messier, but more importantly, there are no children’s toys anywhere in the room, Cross turns towards Jimmy Turner, now standing in the door way, eating a turkey leg.
“Where are my kids?! Where is their stuff?!”
Jimmy scoffs, almost choking on a large bite of turkey.
“Kids? They’re with your wife...she has custody...have you been drinking?”
“..M-My wife? Cari?”
“Well, your ex-wife...you guys got divorced...what...after you baby died. Remember, before you lost to the Ace?”
Cross gets dizzy, and a little green in the face.
“How did you forget? She left you, and almost as soon as the divorce papers were signed, she married that Will Washington brother...”
“W-Will?”
“Yeah? Then you spiraled down, and are now known as Cross the Cat? You’re a glorified jobber my man...”
******
I lost it...my confidence, swagger, whatever you want to call it. I got knocked out, busted opened, and nearly murdered by Xander.
What do i got left? A title I don’t deserve?
What do I have, I’m sitting here, watching who I thought to be a dead Jimmy Turner, eating a god damn turkey leg in my living room. I smell like booze, my wife is alive, but with my best friend...
James...little James...is dead...
I’m stuck in this nightmare, I have to get home, I have to get back...
But Cari...she’s alive...
I can feel it in my stomach, something is wrong, this weird place isn’t right...
I’m teaming up with Joe Everyman, The Imperial Champion.
I don’t know which is reality, and which is bizarro world. Joe Everyman is the top champion in the company. I never thought I’d see the day. I never once imagined Joe would ever be at the top.
He did it, and I’m happy to see it. Joe was never the most confident, or consistent fighter I’ve seen, but when it came to heart, Joe was untouchable, when it came to doing the right thing, Joe Everyman never bent. Joe and Andrew Jacobsen have a lot in common, they won’t compromise who they are for a win, or for anyone else. I’m lucky to have such a stand up partner in this match.
Speaking of partners, I’ll be looking across the ring at a man I teamed up with, once so far here in IWF. Mike Laszlo. Another man who had a shot to become the Imperial Champion, and fell just a little too short in the end. I’m assuming he’ll have his attention on Joe for most of the match, maybe wanting to show the fans, and the suits in the back that he deserves a shot at the champ.
But we’re champions for a reason Mikey, He’s the Imperial Champion because he won, I’m the World Heavyweight Champion, because I won. The thing that links Joe and I, as we hold the gold. You lost.
When are you going to hit your stride Mike? You talk such a big game, you got all the talent, but you can’t seem to climb over the hump, to get over the mountain that is stopping you from achieving victory. Is it mental? Maybe, just maybe. But a Tornado Tag is a tricky match, having to watch your back, and your partners back at all times.
Can you trust Doc?
Speaking of Doc, it’s good to see the man back in the ring. Doc and I never saw eye-to-eye on many things, but he was a great competitor in NCW, I’m glad to see him sign onto IWF, he’s going to do good things. But my curiosity Doc, is what exactly is your ambition? What do you want to achieve? For a man who has held down the mid-card for so long, you find yourself facing the top two men in this business.
Not to mention, you’re teaming up with Captain Choke, Mike Laszlo. I asked if he could trust you, but maybe you have more to be worried about Doc. Will Laszlo mark your downfall, will you be able to watch you back while you take on Everyman, or myself? While Laszlo takes the other.
I know I can depend on Joe, the dude is Captain freakin America with a bad hairline.
He’s the Imperial Champion, he’s the best of the best...for now...
And me, I’m just....
an undeserving champion...
*****
“....Jimmy...”
“Sup Boss...”
“I need you to do me a favor...”
“Yeah?”
“When I come out of the bathroom, slap me. As hard as you can. I want you to grab me, and rip of the most Remember the Titan kind of inspiration speech you can give me. Force me out that door, and don’t let me back in until I fix things with Cari. Get my life together...okay?”
“S-Slap you?”
“Slap the piss out of me...”
“But you’ll kick my ass...”
“I won’t...trust me...just immediately launch into speech mode...”
“Well...okay...”
Cross stands up making his way to the bathroom, looking back at Jimmy.
“You know...I guess you’re not so bad...you might want to put the turkey down...maybe exercise a bit...you’re heart isn’t that strong y’know...”
Cross smiles a bit, entering the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Looking into the mirror, his stomach turns as he throws up in the sink, closing his eyes, trying to get the taste out of his mouth.
///////////////////////////////
The smell fades, his head begins spinning, as he looks up. Eyes wide open, the bathroom is cleaner, he immediately steps out of the door, looking around. Kid’s toys scattered everywhere, no Jimmy Turner...
“Oh...my...god...”
Cross slams his back to the wall, sliding down.
“Cari...was alive...am I losing my mind, what the fuck was that...”
Grabbing his knees, he folds himself up, sobbing. We see a shot over his shoulder, back into the bathroom.
A shadow slowly makes it’s way out of the mirror...
Well howdy there pardner.