Amelia Nevado vs. Kirsten Scott

[Wisteria Waltz]

Amelia Nevado couldn't remember the last time she felt like she'd truly had a break from everything.

This was supposed to be her chance to have such a thing, but all she felt was restless.

After taking some time to get their heads back in the game, with some help from their found family to make sure they didn't go overboard or beat themselves up too thoroughly again in the wake of their loss at Retribution, Amelia and Luz had bounced back on Breakdown last week with a win over the Shinigami Foundation, proving the hypocritical claims of Dante Slayton wrong that they truly needed to change who they were and become something they weren't if they wanted to not only beat him and Alex Belmont, but also bounce back at all from the end of their third World Tag Title reign.

Being honest, Amelia was getting sick of all this talk that claimed she and her wife had to become 'more violent' or 'more brutal' or whatever to keep thriving in SCW. It had been a hard enough fight throughout her life just to be who she truly wanted to be and not what her parents had tried to mold her into, and so many people ignoring that struggle and claiming she still needed to change who she was into something else entirety frustrated her. Not only did it go against everything The Light In The Darkness stood for, but it almost made everything she and Luz had achieved up to this point just seem trivial if they became radically different people now. They had proven they could step up and fight more difficult, more bloody battles if necessary, they had proven last week that who they were didn't dictate how good they were in the ring, and she knew, deep down, that she and Luz could learn from their mistakes and become a better team that could get the World Tag Titles back from the Fall of Man whenever they got that opportunity.

Still, they had people looking out for them that clearly had their well-being in mind, and maybe it was a little surprising to some people that CHBK seemed to be one of them.

When the couple and their found family had arrived in Nashville, the tandem had every intention of being present for Breakdown and seeing whatever happened, both in the Tag Title match between the Fall of Man and the Dangerous Minds as well as anything else that might end up on their radar, whether it be the nonsense of Jordan Majors parading around with a title that technically wasn't hers or even the supposed interest of Kandis and Tommy Valentine as they desperately sought to not only break the record for most reigns together as World Tag Team Champions, but also tried to keep Amelia and Luz from tying them in that endeavor. Instead, CHBK had tracked them down almost immediately before the show even started and told them to just take the night off and have a proper break, especially Luz as she'd barely had such a thing since this year had started.

Even then, while Amelia had done as he asked and returned to the hotel to relax and watch Breakdown from there, Luz had insisted on staying at the arena for a little bit, wanting to make sure CHBK was aware that she was more than willing to take her other rematch for the interim U.S. Title if need be to help figure out some clarity for that poor championship at this point.

“She should be back soon then,” Amelia told herself as she watched Luz have said conversation after Jordan had clearly tried to further muddy the waters to justify her claim that she was the 'rightful champion' now.

Her phone buzzing, however, reminded her of another problem that still hung over her head, and Luz's as well.

Amelia sighed as she reached for the bedside table and grabbed it, hoping to herself that it was Luz just texting to make sure she knew she was on her way back now that she'd pleaded her case to the boss, but she knew better. The number was unrecognizable, and she knew that if she blocked it, there were probably five more that would send the same text message until she acknowledged that she'd read it.

Vladimir Basmat truly wasn't anything like what she and Luz had dealt with regarding The Empire up to this point, and that thought bugged her. Vladimir was clearly a smart man, and every bit as cunning and manipulative as Caleb and everyone else he surrounded himself with in his twisted, messed up efforts to try and 'save the world' or whatever he claimed his endgame truly was. Theresa, Adrian, her parents... heck, even Caleb himself to some degree had all been pretty direct most of the time, or at least made it clear when they were being indirect as to how their scheme truly tied back to the couple in one form or another. Vladimir, however, seemed content with sticking to cryptic riddles and trying to create this aura of care, like he and Caleb truly just wanted to help them and were willing to overlook the issues that ignited this entire conflict in the first place.

“Never mind the fact that if they truly cared, they'd just leave us alone and let us live our lives in peace,” Amelia huffed as she opened the text message, frowning at its contents.

“Why does Luz get to thrive on her own? When will it be your time to stand alone in the spotlight?”

Amelia scoffed and set her phone aside, knowing that Vladimir was trying to play a game that so many had with her up to this point. Ravyn had attempted it two years ago heading into the match where she and Luz had finally won the SCW World Tag Titles for the very first time, Selena had made an attempt at it heading into the Trios finals last year (and subsequently apologized for it after she realized just what kept Amelia and Luz a stable, healthy couple for so long), her parents and Theresa had both attempted it as well at different points... she wouldn't be surprised if Vladimir got the idea from them and thought he could succeed where they had failed.

It truly was a miracle how the collective egos of The Empire's 'true elites' haven't caused them to completely collapse yet.

Unfortunately, as much as she knew better, the text had gotten the gears in her head turning in a way that she hated and knew she'd need to discuss with Luz one she got back to the hotel. Having to keep Vladimir's contact with them under wraps out of fear The Empire would make a move since the former FBI agent had made it keenly known that Caleb had eyes everywhere was already bad enough. Thankfully, Ivy and Gage had insisted on going to the Bridgestone Arena with them and hanging around for Luz to do what she needed to do, and Henry had accompanied her back once Luz insisted she hang around and meet with CHBK about her rematch, so they weren't truly alone in any way where anyone from The Empire could try to take advantage without exposing themselves. It still didn't help make the threats any easier to stomach, but Amelia was hopeful they could find a way out of this without having to fully commit to what Vladimir and Caleb were hoping from them.

Still, her thoughts were veering into territory she knew she wasn't going to like while she was left alone with them. In a twisted sort of way, the implication through the texts wasn't wrong. Since the decision had been made to hold off on going for a Tag Title rematch for the time being until the two women were certain they could make the most of their improvements, Luz's efforts to try and get her rematch for the interim U.S. Title seemed to have taken center stage for the time being. True, Luz deserved to be able to get that title back, and Lord knows she'd respect the belt far more than Jordan Majors clearly did, but that did seem to leave Amelia in this odd position of not having anything to do in the meantime.

She knew she had her Trios contract and still had a few months to figure out what she wanted to use it on, but it still felt bittersweet thinking about having that kind of power and not feeling like she truly deserved it. Then again, there didn't seem to be much else open at the moment to consider as an alternative. The Fall of Man still didn't want to leave Xander alone after he'd proven that Waylon Creek was not unbeatable, a thought that made her feel guilty that she and Luz had been asked to just take the night off for their own sake. The Underground Title was supposed to get something confirmed for it later tonight, and she didn't want to feel like she was cutting in on Glory deserving one last rightful crack at the Adrenaline Title. Maybe trying to get a second, ideally better run with the Television Title wasn't out of the question?

Before her thoughts could start spiraling too far into possibilities of where she could go without falling victim to the hope she figured Vladimir wanted of her despising Luz over how this was playing out so far, a knock at the door thankfully pulled her out of her own head. Taking a moment to shake her head to further clear her mind, she pulled herself off the bed and peeked through the peephole, raising an eyebrow at who was standing on the other side. It wasn't anyone from The Empire, thankfully, but it also wasn't Luz having returned quite yet. Still, she opened the door, and had to fight from hitting the floor as her older twin siblings tackle-hugged her.

“Baby sister!” they both exclaimed as Amelia fought to stay upright,at least moving back towards the bed so she could land on it when the twins finally won.

“Edward! Emily!” Amelia shouted, though there was no anger behind it as a few giggles that escaped indicated, the twins happily laughing along before they let her go as Edward moved to close the door so the Blythe siblings could have some privacy.

“Luz still trying to plead her case with your boss?” Emily asked.

“I just watched it happen, so she should be on her way back right now,” Amelia noted.

“Assuming Ivy and Gage don't take her out somewhere first,” Edward threw out as he plopped back down on the bed right beside his sisters. “Believe me, I get it, but you both really needed a proper break for a change and I'm glad ol' CHBK seemed to read our minds.”

“I know, but...” Amelia tried to argue, almost on instinct, and she knew it the second the words left her mouth. Thankfully, Emily knew where this was going to go and stepped in.

“But nothing, sis,” she stated. “Ed's not lying when he says he gets it, and I do too. We've all been there, under mom and dad's suffocating influence, the claims that rest is for the weak and if you aren't competing every single show than you clearly don't care enough to succeed. I'm honestly surprised he and I reigned as champions for as long as we did before you and Luz came together to thankfully give us a wake-up call.”

“You two were already fighting against their influence and trying to do things your way, though,” Amelia pointed out.

“Doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy and healthy being yourself too, Amelia,” Edward countered. “Yeah, old habits are hard to break and all that jazz, but you and Luz feel like you've just had the gas pedal slammed down since you first came back to SCW. Heck, you two haven't even tried to take time off for a proper honeymoon yet!”

“That one's more because of The Empire than SCW, though...” Amelia admitted, and her siblings' eyes narrowed towards one another as the air felt like it was sucked out of the room for a moment.

They didn't want to say anything, given that the whole mess with their parents and this 'bigger picture' they had been wrapped up in for longer than they'd realized was delicate enough already, but it truly ticked them off that none of these people could just let their baby sister live her life and be who she wanted to be, to the point where they knew it was compounding on top of both her and Luz's efforts in the ring and further wearing them down. They doubted that anyone else on the SCW roster had the kinds of extra struggle weighing down on them beyond the ropes, and it just made them wish there was more they could do to help resolve this problem so they could all be well and truly done with it.

“Can I ask you guys something?” Amelia cut through the building silence.

“Of course, dear baby sister,” Edward cooed, which earned him a playful shove from the aforementioned baby sister.

“I'm serious, Ed,” Amelia huffed, pausing to look between the twins to make sure they fully understood that whatever she wanted to ask warranted a serious answer from them, even if she appreciated their efforts to help lighten the mood. “If I... if I hate the fact that I'm feeling a bit left out because of Luz trying to get her U.S. Title rematch, does that make me terrible?”

Edward and Emily immediately exchanged looks again, almost stunned that Amelia would even think such a thing.

“Have you talked with Luz about this?” Edward asked.

“I was planning to once she gets back,” Amelia replied.

“Good,” Emily said, nodding and breathing a sigh of relief. “And no, Amelia, that doesn't make you terrible.”

“Deep down, I know that,” Amelia mused as her gaze turned to the floor. “It just... it feels like I forget that sometimes, no matter how hard I try not to. I mean, beyond our Tag Title reigns in SCW, Luz had the longer TV Title run, she won the interim U.S. Title...”

“And you won Trios on your first try when she's tried and failed twice,” Edward pointed out.

“Not to mention how close you came to being U.S. Champion yourself two years ago when Luz seemed like she was struggling to figure things out beyond teaming with you,” Emily added.

“I remember that one creating some tension between you two for a bit,” Edward added, “and you both pulled through once you talked things out.”

“It's OK to feel frustrated with things feeling like they aren't going your way, even if your partner's faring better in that regard,” Emily stated. “Believe me, when Ed and I finally started branching out and trying to put together singles runs of our own finally, we had quite a few fights over who felt like they were getting more attention too. But we got over it and we know you and Luz will get over all your frustrations as well.”

Amelia took a deep breath, partly to make sure the thoughts brought about by Vladimir's efforts to stir the pot via condescending text messages didn't start getting too loud again, and partly to stomp down on the guilt she was feeling over realizing she hadn't been keeping up with her siblings' own wrestling endeavors in a while to realize they'd finally started to break free of the mold they'd been cast in and prove they were more than just a great tag team just because they were twins.

“You're right, and I know you both are,” she admitted. “It's just... I know Luz has her rematch, just as we still have a rematch to go back after the Fall of Man if and when we feel we're ready, but considering Luz insisted on staying at the arena a little longer to try and talk with CHBK about that while it seems like I've got no direction otherwise... it's frustrating, especially knowing I'm just as good on my own as Luz is and so far everyone just seems to want to see me as the weak link or the tag team specialist of The Light In The Darkness.”

“Well...” Edward thought for a moment. “Maybe what you need to do is remind everyone of just what you're capable of, create those opportunities so when you step up to another champion, they know you deserve to be next in line, even if they won't say it out loud because of pride or whatever.”

“That's... actually not a bad idea, Ed,” Amelia admitted.

“He has his moments,” Emily laughed, and Amelia joined in after a moment.

“Hey!” Edward pouted, which only made the two of them laugh harder, and he couldn't help but join in.

“Still,” Emily continued on after she caught her breath and the laughter died down for a moment. “You already beat that Clyde Sutter guy, and he could be TV Champion after tonight. Maybe next week you'll get another chance to make a statement, show everyone that even without considering your Trios contract, you're ready to step back up and have an opportunity at something. You and Luz both know those statements create opportunities if you're patient enough.”

“You're right...” Amelia admitted as she stood up and walked over to her bag, digging around in it before pulling out a little notebook. She opened it up, flipping through pages of notes she's taken from rewatching her and Luz's matches. As she flips to the latest blank page, another thought seems to cross her mind as she jots something down before ripping the page from the notebook, folding it up and pocketing it away for later. As the twins stand back up, both of them curious, she throws herself at them into a hug that surprises them. “Thank you, both of you... I know I don't say it a lot, but it really does mean so much that you're both supporting me even now.”

“Of course, Amelia,” Emily replied.

“Mom and dad tried to make all of us into what they wanted to be, you worst of all,” Edward added. “We'll always have your back to make sure you get to be who you both want and deserve to be.”

Amelia fought to hold back tears, feeling truly blessed that there was at least somebody in her family that did love and support her. As she pulled away and nodded to the twins, they both felt it was best to let her get back to relaxing and headed for the door. As they opened it, Luz just so happened to be on the other side, inches away from unlocking it with her key card.

“Oh! Hey Ed, hey Em!” she greeted before they just grinned and stepped aside to let her skip into the room, nodding to Amelia one more time before they closed the door behind them. “Sorry for taking so long Ames, I got caught up talking with someone from production after chatting with CHBK. You've got a match with Kirsten Scott next week in Newark!”

“Sounds like an opportunity to start making waves to me,” Amelia chuckled before pulling Luz into a hug and a kiss, and it didn't take long for her wife to pick up on there being some unspoken thing, likely from chatting with her siblings, that Amelia probably wanted to talk with her about, which was perfectly fine with her.

After all, just as Amelia knew her siblings would eventually find the note she'd slipped them to secretly tip off the rest of the group about Vladimir's secret contact with the couple, she knew that a win over Kirsten Scott would be just the kind of move she needed to start putting her name back on radars, especially with the Rebirth pay-per-view right around the corner.

Vladimir's offer to 'help' be damned, Amelia Nevado was going to remind the world once again that she was just as much a solo threat as La Pequeña Luz was, and all she needed was an opening to prove it.