Derek Adonis vs. La Pequena Luz

[Wisteria Waltz]

OOC: Just as a reminder, this CD takes place prior to the promo I posted yesterday, specifically right as the last Breakdown was wrapping up.
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Fate can be a fickle mistress, something that Amelia and Luz knew all too well.

Fatal Fortunes was in the books, and The Light In The Darkness could honestly call their first taste of the concept a huge success. The girls had gotten through their first World Tag Title defense and simultaneously gotten a measure of revenge against Holly Adams by tossing her into a dumpster, Luz had managed to make it out with her TV Title as well and even scored a non-title win over Brittany Lohan that hopefully sent a clear message to Twisted & Sadistic that taking their tag team crowns was not going to be as easy as they may have thought.

The only hiccup that prevented a perfect record for the two week event was Amelia losing what had essentially become a handicap match. Being drawn to team with the supposedly returning Selena Frost against her wife Deanna and Diamond Steele, Selena had ultimately not shown up. Efforts were made to correct this with Deanna and Amelia both willing to either go one-on-one or allow Luz to take Selena's place (which Luz would have still gladly done even if she had the foresight of knowing her TV Title defense was the very next match), but Diamond's desperation to get a win under her belt over a reigning champion regardless of how she did it had ultimately created the scenario that played out. Had this not occurred, the possibility that Amelia could have scored her own win for Fatal Fortunes existed since she'd overcome Deanna one-on-one before and it quickly became clear both women were dying for the chance to do it again and see how things would play out this time, but a Diamond cheap shot left Amelia wide open for the Burnout and that was the end of that.

They didn't hold it against Deanna, knowing full well she didn't agree with this turn of events and clearly seeing how uncomfortable she was at being able to say this was how she'd beaten Amelia this time around. A conversation had happened between the three of them once they'd gotten back through the curtain, and while Deanna hadn't given them the full story because of Luz immediately needing to go back out to have her last remaining title defense, they wouldn't have pressed her on all the details anyway and she'd still been willing to share enough that they had an idea of what was going on. Even with the limited time, they had reassured her they held no contempt for her or Selena and that they were always open to talk if she needed someone to vent to or even get a second opinion on what to do next before encouraging her to go find Selena's bus and get to the bottom of that mystery while they shifted attention to Luz's match.

With this Breakdown now coming to a close, though, the two of them had retired to their locker room to shower and change before taking off. Since they were back in California, the plan was to crash at a hotel for the night before driving to Anaheim tomorrow so they could return home and allow their friends a place to stay for a bit while they tried to plan ahead. 2023 was almost over after all, so the thought of looking ahead to 2024 and deciding what to do to ring in the new year helped give them some much-needed peace.

Especially since Christmas was already looking to be more stress than it had any right to if The Empire had their way.

With plans still in place on their end for a Christmas Day wedding between Henry and Amelia, Caleb and the Blythe parents had stepped up all efforts from The Empire to try and at least capture her so the plan could proceed as scheduled. Luz had been a secondary concern, but clearly there had been some extra incentive driving their cronies if she was brought back as well. Given there had been a few moments where Luz had been the only target over the past two weeks, everyone had realized the idea of her being abducted to try and force Amelia's hand was on the table as well. There had even been efforts to capture the others as well with this same hope in mind, with the only people who'd been safe thus far being Camila and Valentina since Mexico had basically become off-limits to Caleb's cult.

Unfortunately for The Empire, all of their attempts had been thwarted thus far in a way that they were certain had Caleb fuming. Whoever Marilyn knew in the FBI had come through for them because a combination of their agents and local law enforcement seemed to be keeping an eye on the couple and anyone affiliated with them, and every time someone from The Empire made a move they were immediately shut down and apprehended. It was almost surreal the kind of constant security detail they effectively had now, but it had helped immensely in taking the burden of Caleb's deranged scheming off their shoulders so they could do the only two things they really wanted to do right now: focus on their SCW careers and just live their lives.

At the moment, Luz was finishing up a call with Gage to see where everyone was at so she and Amelia could meet up with them outside and make the trip back to their hotel. Luz couldn't help but grin as she ended the call and turned to Amelia, having gotten some news she knew her fiancée would be excited to hear. Her grin faded, however, when she saw the glum look on Amelia's face after she'd finished getting her shirt on. She had a feeling she knew what was going on, but she still carefully sat down beside her wife-to-be and let her rest her head on her shoulder as she gently wrapped an arm around her waist.

“¿Estás bien querida?” Luz asked, opening the door for Amelia to tell her if she wanted to.

“I want to say 'yes' but I know better,” Amelia admitted with a sigh. “I just... I know it was pretty much out of our hands and we talked with Deanna about it after the fact, but it still hurts knowing I wasn't able to get a win of my own out of Fatal Fortunes like you did. Yeah, we defended the Tag Titles, and it was very satisfying getting to take out the trash after Holly saw fit to try and ruin our very first Rise to Greatness moment, but...”

“You think people are going to hold this against you?” Luz replied, knowing where Amelia was trying to go with this. “That they're going to try and claim you're holding me back when they had that argument reversed for most of this year?”

“Kind of,” Amelia lamented. “Don't get me wrong hermosa, I'm very proud of you and seeing what you're building for yourself with your TV Title reign is inspiring. It's just a bit hard when it seems clear for right now that the longer your reign lasts, the more SCW wants to focus on you every week unless we need to defend our tag team gold. Tonight was the first match I've had since we beat Dark Fantasy back at Under Attack, and having to deal with that whole handicap scenario...”

“It was bullshit,” Luz threw out, which at least got a chuckle out of Amelia at the rare swear from her love. “Believe me, I get it. Being completely transparent? I may have had those same concerns back when you became TV Champion, especially since at that time my only chance to show what I can do on my own was my Trios outing last year. Those thoughts went away when you lost the title, but I felt horrible thinking about it because what kind of partner would I be if I was happy to not worry about sitting on the sidelines because you lost a championship?”

“It's not the first time either of us have been singles champions,” Amelia noted. “Although... that title truly has been a test of endurance that was relatively new to the both of us.”

“And it doesn't have to mean you can't bounce back on your own and remind the world of what Amelia Blythe is truly capable of,” Luz told her, the excitement creeping into her tone hard to miss. “So Diamond Steele wants to celebrate because she 'beat' you tonight? Maybe think that entitles her to something? Well, we've always preferred to solve our wrestling problems in a wrestling ring...”

“...so maybe we see if she's willing to put her money where her mouth is and make her earn a fair and proper victory over me,” Amelia's eyes lit up as she caught on to what Luz was implying. “It's a chance to get that win back and start setting myself up for future opportunities while making it clear I'm not going to just be forgotten about while you're over here being the best champion that SCW television could ask for.”

“Sometimes we have to be the ones to take the initiative to get the results we want,” Luz grinned. “That's why we have the gold we have right now and why anyone who wants to take any of it from us or defend their own gold down the road against us better bring their absolute best. That actually reminds me! Gage told me that Ivy's decided she wanted to take a stab at that open invitational at the End of the Year Special after all!”

It didn't take long for Amelia to have a grin that mirrored Luz's at this news. “Speaking of taking the initiative! I can't wait to see how she does because she's more than earned a chance to prove herself on the biggest stage just like we have.”

“They're waiting outside, so we can talk more with her about it as soon as we get out there!” Luz responded.

That seemed to be all the motivation they needed as they had a plan in place regarding SCW already for the coming weeks, and it didn't take them long to pack up and start heading out to the parking lot. Luz could tell Amelia was still clinging to some doubts about being their tandem's one and only Fatal Fortunes defeat even despite the circumstances that she knew many others on the roster would have simply walked away from to not put up with an 'unfair match drawing,' but she at least seemed to be in better spirits for the moment. She made a mental note to talk with her more about it, and maybe pitch an idea or two to CHBK if possible, to give her fiancée the opportunity she deserved... maybe saying something a little more public about it going into next week's Breakdown in St. Paul to really help lift Amelia's spirits and make her own thoughts on this nonsense clear.

Still, they were certain there was plenty to be excited for heading towards the end of the year. Luz would still have one more TV Title defense before 2023 was done, but she and Amelia had certainly made a statement that, for all they knew, could be considered for a few things regarding the End of the Year Special. Not to mention knowing that Ivy was going to take a stab at the invitational gave them something to do besides potentially accept awards if nothing else was in the cards for them on that night, and as they stepped out into the parking lot to meet up with the others, they were eager to prepare for rooting Ivy on.

“It's about time you two joined us.”

Any positive feelings the couple were experiencing vanished the moment they heard those words, their eyes taking in the sight before them as they froze in place. Ivy, Gage, Edward and Emily were standing in front of them, lined up almost like a human wall, and they quickly realized why. Standing just far enough that he was safe from any immediate retaliation was Aleister Blythe, flanked by a small horde of goons dressed in Empire attire. The thing that sent a chill down their spines, however, wasn't the surprise appearance of Amelia's father, but rather the fact that the four figures with him were all armed. Two men had handguns clearly aimed right at all of them, while two masked figures armed with what looked like assault rifles stood behind them keeping watch, no doubt to respond if the law tried to intervene like it had been lately.

“Tienes que estar bromeando,” Luz muttered under her breath, and Amelia shared in her shock and frustration as she glared at her father.

“You've gotten so desperate that now you're willing to threaten shooting your own daughter just to get your way?” she spat at him.

“We have no intention of causing serious harm to the two of you,” Aleister replied, his tone stoic as though he wasn't bothered by the accusation or the implication of what those around him might do. “That said, you are the only one who is truly safe in that regard Amelia dear. Your friend-”

“Fiancée,” Amelia didn't hesitate to correct him.

“-isn't as safe, but Caleb can understand if an 'accident' were to put her out of commission until he can completely save her,” he continued, ignoring his daughter's interruption. “The other people you care about, however... if you don't want their blood to be on your hands, I suggest the two of you cease with this little charade and come along peacefully so we can prepare for the wedding.”

“Amelia isn't marrying Henry!” Luz defiantly yelled, and Amelia didn't hesitate to take her hand as they held them up, showing off their engagement rings without fear. “She and I are engaged because we truly love one another and have done everything to make each other better. If your only issue with that is because we're both women, then you really need to find a better argument.”

“You know nothing, you filthy little mongrel,” Aleister growled. “Amelia marrying Henry is meant to help bring both the White and Blythe names into a new era of prosperity that will also benefit the world as a whole. A Christmas marriage between our family prodigy and the son of the designated savior of humanity is the symbol of purity and unity that will be the first step-”

“Do you even hear yourself right now?” Ivy suddenly cut in, a fury in her eyes the likes of which none of them had ever seen before. “You truly believe that Caleb White is the second coming of Jesus Christ, here to save us all despite how he's manipulated and brainwashed everyone around him, taken innocent lives because he's trumped up how 'terrible' their sins are and believes no one should have a choice because he's the only one to make it for them? Last I checked, God gave everyone free will to be whoever they wanted to be, and if that's a sin now then who among us is actually worth saving?”

“Ivy's right,” Amelia added. “Caleb has this 'grand vision' that I'm pretty sure only makes sense to him, and I know I'm not interested in being married off to a man I know I will never have feelings for all just so you and mom can live out some corrupt power fantasy.”

“I doubt even Henry's on board with this plan,” Luz fired off as well. “He's only playing along because he's afraid of Caleb, just like everyone else in your group is because you've all given him that much power over you.”

“I've heard enough,” Aleister sternly called before turning to the man on his left and nodding. “Since you still wish to be defiant, I suppose an example will have to be made so you know there will be no more running from your destiny. I believe Miss Plume has meddled in our family's business for long enough.”

The man on Aleister's left aimed his handgun right at Ivy, finger preparing to pull the trigger. At that moment, it fully sank in for Amelia and Luz that he truly wasn't making idle threats and fully intended to kill, and they started to move only for the other man to turn his handgun in their direction, ready to fire himself. The masked figures also took firing stances, almost as though they'd spotted something and prepared to ensure there was no interference. Ivy, despite the situation and the very clear concern from her friends, stood defiant all the same, almost daring them to fire.

“Farewell, Ivy,” Aleister coldly said. “I'd say you'll be missed, but the Blythe family garden will truly look better without you being the weed that keeps infecting my daughter with your awful influence.”

“And just when I thought you couldn't be any more of a pathetic hack, Aleister.”

Aleister was confused at this sudden addition to the conversation, but that confusion soon turned to anger as the man aiming at Ivy was clobbered over the back of the head by one of the masked figures, with the other turning only to immediately have their legs swept out from under them and the butt of a rifle cracked across his face to knock him out. Once the threat had been neutralized, the two figures unmasked. The smaller one was a tan-skinned woman with a wild mane of auburn hair that had somehow been hidden with her Empire disguise. The taller man, and the one who had spoke, was a black man with a goatee and black dreads tied into a ponytail.

“Darius!?” Aleister exclaimed, clearly not expecting to see someone he seemed to know, barely even reacting as the woman started putting him in cuffs. “What are you doing here!?”

“Working on behalf of the NCA to help the FBI put an end to this madness since your 'dear friend' Caleb has seen fit to make this an international affair,” the man now identified as Darius bluntly told him. “But we can talk more about that while we have you in custody. Evie, take him away and keep a close eye on him.”

The woman—now identified as Evie—hummed and nodded in acknowledgment before leading Aleister away. The man began to rant about saying nothing and not being their prisoner for long, but he was surprised to find his struggles to free himself countered as Evie made sure he wasn't going anywhere. A few FBI agents weren't too far behind as they apprehended the other two men while Darius approached the group, the Blythes staring at him in awe while the others looked grateful.

“Everyone alright?” he asked them.

“Thanks to you,” Luz confirmed.

“Darius?” Amelia asked, causing Luz to turn and look at her with a bit of confusion. “Darius Darlington, dad's old wrestling rival?”

“And old friend of his... or so I thought,” Darius lamented. “It's amazing to see how much fame and fortune will change someone you thought you knew... I'm at least glad to know his and Ophelia's children at least turned out alright.”

“So... what does this mean?” Emily asked.

“Well, between law enforcement from several countries now working to try and shut The Empire down and bring Caleb White into custody once and for all... hopefully an end to this sooner rather than later,” Darius stated. “Especially with one of their biggest players now in our custody. That said, there's still a lot more work that needs to be done... with any luck, though, we can take it from here and try our best to keep you all out of it going forward.”

Luz and Amelia really wanted that to be the case, and Darius's reassurance helped to put them at ease, but even as they gave statements and prepared to head back to their hotel for some well-deserved rest, they just knew it wasn't going to be that simple. Seeing Darius and Evie pull Ivy aside to privately talk with her about something partially confirmed their suspicions, but knowing full well how far Caleb was willing to go to get his way, all they could hope for was that this storm quieted down and things at least got better for them before they got worse.

Unfortunately, at this point, only time would tell.