I will save you or destroy you

[Samuel]

Samuel has been out on the town with his high school sweetheart and ex-girlfriend who happened to be in town negotiating with GZWA for a possible contract and they had caught up tremendously throughout the night. He had a lot on his mind and she knew it but she didn't press earlier because she was just enjoying his company. She had stuck by him through thick and thin and that wasn't going to change. She was pleased to know that he was no longer in his "player" phase and wasn't chasing any and every pretty girl out there. Still she gave him a side eye when she saw him texting Morgan Davis but she couldn't read the message so she let it die. She loved to get him tipsy because that is when she found him to be the most attractive and less reserved and he definitely let loose when they used to get in the bedroom which is what any girl would want with those tools. Tonight however he was silent and had a weird look on her face. She'd never seen him cry more than twice and it looked as if that was near.

💗 "Princess A" Akasha Monroe 💗

Soooo...you're awfully quiet Boo. What is going through that brain of yours?

She slides her hand over and takes his hand. Usually he'd play with her and tell her how "it ain't like that" while pretending to pull away, but he didn't resist and she knew whatever this was, it was deep.

💗 "Princess A" Akasha Monroe 💗

Whatever you're holding on to so tightly, you need to let all of that out. Why don't you take out your phone and record a message to whoever this is about. You know I got you and I'll make sure to patch you up when you're done. Let it out hunny because I don't like seeing you in pain.

Samuel found it odd that she had used the word pain and it hit a nerve and a single tear began to fall down his cheek. He hadn't considered the fact that this was painful to him. Samuel was a very devoted and driven man and he held his morals and beliefs in high regard. When he selected a hero it wasn't something he did lightly and right now his hero was letting him down in so many ways that it did indeed hurt. He didn't know how to deal with it so he had buried himself in what Maryse had wanted to do but she couldn't be there always like tonight, she was off doing her own thing and although they had spoken over the phone it wasn't the same. He had been numbing the pain by filling the void with other people, training and performing at GZWA events but tonight he couldn't run from his emotions because the alcohol wouldn't let him. He didn't want to face this right now but it was inevitable because they'd be squaring off at the next Primetime and he couldn't run from this anymore. Deep down he knew she was right and the GZWA Nation had been dying to get this inside look on the "situation" that had been brewing and he had an obligation to the fans but most importantly to himself to get this out. He pushes to unlock on his iPhone 7 plus and switches the camera to video and pushes the big red button to start recording.

♕ "The Crown Prince" Samuel Chatman ♕

So I honestly don't know where to start this but at the encouragement of a close friend I owe it to myself and the GZWA Nation specifically those loyal subjects who are down with "The Crown Prince" to address this "thing" "The Statement" Victor Phillips talked about before our upcoming match. For those of you who have followed my career a long time ago I was discovered by our very own "Purple Fury" Ivory who you all know but I don't think anyone ever really knew how "The Statement" Victor Phillips came to be one of my trainers and mentor. I was in my early 20's and Ivory was great training me to be one of the best technical wrestlers out there because there is no denying her skills but she knew that I needed more. She called in favors with a lot of indie wrestlers who would often come in to help me train which is why I have such an array of moves in my arsenal. She wanted more for me than to just be a technical wrestler. Sure I had muscle but she always believed with my physique that I could be a mix of technical, power, and most importantly aerial. She wouldn't settle for less than perfection and was often very mean with her training as the Tough Enough kids found out. I would practice day in and day out but she knew there was something she couldn't give me. What was needed was a man to help me craft my persona that was natural to me, she gave me mic skills but she needed someone that the ZXWWF and many other organizations considered the "total package" so she called in one last favor.

One day we are training in the ring and through the gym doors walked Victor Phillips. I was in shock and just stood there like a star struck teenager. Ivory in turn slapped the piss out of me and told me to keep working and that he needed to see what I could do. For the first few days Victor wouldn't say a word to me, he'd just sit there and silently observe and when the training was over, he'd only talk to Ivory. I was a nervous wreck, was I doing something wrong? Was I not ready? Did he think I wasn't good enough? Ivory wouldn't tell me so I decided to work harder, I busted my ass in ways you wouldn't think possible and still he just sat there with a stone face that had zero emotion. Then after about a week he stood up and said nothing and walked into the ring. He nodded at Ivory and then looked at me. This was it, I was in the ring with the man who had entertained me and put on matches that still sent shivers down my spine. I was finally face to face with "The Legend" Victor Phillips. I watched in awe mentally noting every detail of this encounter. He never took his eyes off me as he slowly took off his sweatshirt and stood there in his t-shirt and shorts. Red and Black were his colors back then and he stayed true to it that day. He walked in the middle of the ring and his gaze commanded that I walk toward him. He didn't have to tell me what to do because my instincts kicked in and I just KNEW what to do.

He looked at me walk towards him and as I got closer he shoved me backward and I fell because I was caught off guard. He looked at me and said one word "Again" I was confused, how could I have already messed this up? I began my approach again and again he shoved me back to the mat. I looked at Ivory who refused to give me a cue or any help whatsoever and then looked back at him as he kept his steely gaze on me. I scooted backwards towards the ropes and pulled myself up and walked towards him again this time instead of shoving me, he slapped me. I held my face like a scolded child in shock that I got slapped. He folded his arms and a smirk appeared on his face. "Look kid, you have got to get over your "fanboy" attitude because you are entering a business where all the people you grew up watching will be in the ring with you. You freeze up because you're in awe and you could hurt one of us or worse yourself. I'm a man just like you are. Now get your shit together and walk towards me like we are about to wrestle at ZXWWF Mania." I thought to myself that was easy for him to say because he's been in ZXWWF Mania before and main evented the thing. I was a nothing and a nobody and I was confused because I was taught to render proper respect to the veterans that would be in the locker room. I could tell he was growing impatient while I was mentally sorting this all out so I did as I was told and got my shit together. This was a no fail mission if I was to make it in this business I had to embrace this. We trained all day and when we were done for the day, he silently left the ring without a word and he and Ivory went and huddled on the other side of the ring. It seemed like an eternity but thinking back it was probable ten minutes.

I remember them both turning to look at me and I read his lips and I'll never forget this moment because he said ""He's a good kid with a lot of potential, I'll do it" My heart felt like it was bursting and I remember clutching my chest as they hugged each other and he departed. Ivory walked up to the ring and slid under the bottom rope and sat next to me. With tears in her eyes she looked at me and hugged me like it was good bye. I knew what that meant because I remembered that feeling as a kid. My parents gave me that same hug the last time I saw them and to this day I don't know what happened the night they were ran off the road by a drunk truck driver and never came home to hug their little boy again. This felt like mom was hugging me because it was time to send me to stay with dad for a while, and that is what it became, not only were they my heroes but they were like a mom and dad to me. So now you see why this new "Statement" that Vic is making doesn't really sit well with me. How could you? You turned you back on yourself, the fans but most importantly on me! All while I was sitting in that bunker in Afghanistan waiting to get back home I was thinking of coming back to the GZWA to be reunited with you Vic, only to come home and get the biggest disappointment in my adult life to find out that you sold your soul to Satan and his bride. You were apart of their "Machine" and for what? You and I both know that you could win titles on your own without selling out. You may not want to admit it because it's hard to face but YOU SOLD OUT!

How can I strive to be like you or perform in what was once one of the greatest tag teams ever Royal Statement with this empty shell that is you now? How Vic...how? You act like I am the one creating a "problem" but we both know that I didn't do this, you knew I wouldn't stand beside you like this. This new you is the same guy we used to hate and made it a point to always take that guy down in a big way that would send a message to all those that would become a bully that hid inside a power stable trying to take over. Time and time again Xion has formed these ridiculous factions and we have always been there to thwart his plans, was it a lot of work? Hell yeah but we did it...together. Now you are the thing we hated, the thing we said was wrong with this business, you are nothing more than a corporate bitch who hides behind your enforcers. Deep down you knew what I would do, but you counted on our relationship to sway me but you rolled the dice and lost. I cannot condone this or be a part of it. It demeans everything we are fighting for and those prestigious titles that are in this company. I can't roll with you like this, I can't even associate my legacy with yours until you stop this and come back to your senses. I have to save you from yourself because when you do wake up you are going to hate yourself for becoming this disgusting being that you are right now. Sometimes the Prince has to save the King and that time is now. Perhaps you aren't fit to rule anymore and it is my duty as The Crown Prince to step up and rule until you are well again. Make no mistake Victor, if you don't get well, I will put you down like any good son should because I don't want to see you suffer. Perhaps it is only fitting that you helped bring me in this business and it may be my destiny to usher you out.

This isn't how I wanted to pass the torch but if this is the time, then I'm prepared and ready to do what must be done. Many have tried and failed by your hand to defeat you but those guys aren't me. You know the love, passion and drive I have and that kid that you knew who busted his ass is still alive and kicking but like you said all those years ago, I'm not a fanboy and who knows you better than me? I don't want to do this Vic...please don't make me do this...

Samuel stops recording overcome with emotions and Akasha was tearing up at the emotional address. She stops at a red light and leans over to kiss him on the cheek in support as he silently weeps because he knows that he is in for the fight of his life but his mission is clear. Save Vic or destroy him, there is no in between.