Jordan Majors vs. La Pequena Luz

[Wisteria Waltz]

Sometimes, it was a struggle to admit when you truly needed to take a step back and relax before pushing yourself too hard.

La Pequeña Luz knew this struggle all too well, and 2025 so far had been a prime example of her constantly pushing herself to the point where she was starting to run on fumes, as much as she tried to hide it and push onward.

Up until the past few weeks, Luz had only really had maybe two weeks off all year from wrestling, and they were both nights where Amelia was competing solo to try and earn momentum for the both of them as a team. Luz didn't mind, considering how long she had reigned as Television Champion, but the thought of wearing herself out never seemed to cross her mind. If she was asked to compete, even on short notice, she would gladly step into the ring and go full steam ahead against whoever stood across from her, no matter how much her body ached or begged her to just take a step back for a moment.

Thinking back on it, Luz supposed it was a dangerous combination of her ADHD and how much she had been bullied growing up because she was never supposed to really amount to anything, at least according to those who pushed her around and spoke ill of her purely for existing. She felt like she'd been backed into a corner and forced to push herself harder just so she could stand out and earn anything that she was told she was never meant to achieve. Being neurodivergent made it worse, because most of the time if Luz wasn't focused on doing something, she felt an urge burning beneath her skin to fix that. She recalled back when she and Amelia had been put on the shelf to end their first run with SCW, how she nearly went crazy waiting to try and get back in the ring even though she both had to clear concussion protocols first and wanted to wait until Amelia's neck was OK again, feeling like guilt would eat her alive more than the burning need to just do something wrestling-related if she didn't stay by the side of her beloved.

And yet, she couldn't argue with how much her body was thanking her for not keeping her foot slammed down on the proverbial gas pedal for the past few weeks, keeping her efforts to just training and making sure she didn't even go overboard with that.

The March 27th Breakdown in Salt Lake City had been the last time she had competed in a match, joining Amelia in bouncing back from the loss of their World Tag Titles at Retribution when they defeated the Shinigami Foundation. Since then, CHBK had seemed determined to give the young luchadora a proper break. He'd told both her and Amelia the following week to just take the night off completely and relax, though Luz had insisted on sticking around to talk with him one more time regarding the state of the interim U.S. Championship. The final Breakdown before the next pay-per-view had seen her supporting Amelia in an endeavor that was purely for her wife to step up and remind the world that she was every bit the potential singles star that they already seemed to see Luz as, and Luz was more than happy to stand at ringside and watch as her wife notched a win over Kirsten Scott to validate that claim.

While she knew the world was waiting to see if and when she and Amelia stepped back up to the plate to try and get the World Tag Titles back from the Fall of Man, Luz, in the meantime, had shifted her focus to the uncertainty surrounding her rematch with the interim title she had also recently held, especially since everything Jordan Majors was doing irritated her and spat in the face of all the hard work she had put in to try and become the proper United States Champion in the first place, taking advantage of the opportunity she had been given while Amelia was working to earn her Trios contract. She didn't know how Jordan had gotten her hands on the title belt or what she had done to Asher Hayes, but for as much as Asher seemed to care little for the title both because of the 'interim' tag and because it wasn't the World Title, he'd at least been willing to actually face her and earn it fair and square and even acknowledged her efforts... even if it was in his own kind of backhanded way.

Jordan? She just showed up with the belt and claimed it was hers now, and made a mockery of 'defending' it when she wasn't the rightful champion or even facing people she clearly knew weren't up to her level or had already gone through a match right beforehand.

While Luz had been keeping up with her training so she wouldn't feel like she was growing complacent during the past few weeks, now she was really kicking things into high gear with Rebirth on the horizon and a match with Jordan looming. Luz, despite her usual kindness, hadn't been shy about sharing her issues with Jordan and everything she'd been doing right to the woman's face, and while Jordan seemed to scoff at the idea of a proper challenge from the former champion of the title she was parading around with, it seemed that CHBK was willing to make the match official regardless, giving Luz exactly what she wanted in a situation like this: the chance to solve a wrestling problem inside a wrestling ring.

She had to reluctantly admit to herself that having those two Breakdowns off from competing had actually been a Godsend, because being able to really throw herself into her work now made it clear that her body was more energized than ever before, her muscles ready to work instead of aching and demanding even a little bit of rest. It felt liberating in a way that only made sense to someone in her position, and she couldn't help but wear a big smile even as she and Amelia worked their way through a full speed sparring match.

“Someone's in a good mood today,” Amelia acknowledged, having taken note of just how much more 'Luz' her wife was today, something that made her internally breathe a sigh of relief.

“I'm just pumped,” Luz laughed as she hopped up and down a bit to stay loose while she and Amelia circled one another. “My body's well-rested, my head's in the game, and I'm ready to walk into Rebirth and show Jordan how a real champion conducts their business in that ring.”

“Just don't get too far ahead of yourself,” Amelia reminded her wife. “True, Jordan's been 'competing' every week since Retribution while you had that much-needed break-” She paused to give Luz a look that made it clear she was well-aware of Luz's inner thoughts she'd tried to keep to herself, which only made Luz give her a sheepish grin. “-but I don't know if or how often she's competed outside of SCW between now and when she left. For all we know, she could be rustier than she's been letting on, but she'd be aware of that and willing to do whatever it takes to beat you and prove that she 'truly is the rightful champion' or something.”

“Don't worry, mi amor,” Luz reassured Amelia. “I've been going back through tapes of all of Jordan's matches in SCW, as well as looking real closely at any new tricks she's shown these past few weeks since coming back. I'm bound and determined to get this win over her fair and square to prove that it's one thing to call yourself a champion, but it's another entirely to actually BE a champion, a challenge we know all too well at this point.”

Amelia chuckled in response as the two of them locked up again, both feeling at peace being here in a ring, helping one another to grow and improve at something they were both beyond passionate about. Luz was starting to take a more technical approach to this sparring match as Amelia was clearly holding back in that regard in favor of trying to throw more strikes, doing her best to simulate Jordan's wrestling style. One thing they had picked up on from watching tapes of Jordan's previous time in the company were the holes in her grappling game, something they knew would have made a match with Amelia a veritable death sentence if it was her and not Luz who had the issue with the false champion. Luz wasn't up to Amelia's skill level yet, but Amelia would easily admit that Luz had come a long way in her technical wrestling game, firmly believing her wife had the potential to be just as good in that department as she was if she kept at it.

Something they could help each other with that didn't require any 'help' from a group of individuals that, while composed of wrestlers they both knew were very sound in the art of European grappling styles, clearly only had their own schemes and interests in mind.

Aside from Vladimir's text message to Amelia from one of his burner numbers that was clearly trying to play on her insecurities and drive a wedge between the couple, The Empire had gone eerily silent once more, something that felt like it was becoming more and more of a theme as 2025 rolled on. On one hand, it was no surprise given that most of the world had become aware of them in one form or another and were actively hunting the cult to try and stop whatever twisted schemes they were cooking up before more people got hurt. On the other... as nice as it was to feel like they finally had a break from these nutjobs, Luz and Amelia knew that they were clearly working on something big that they'd been keeping under wraps, and they had stayed vigilant ever since arriving in Pittsburgh for any hint of Empire activity that would be related specifically to them.

Luz would admit that her and Amelia seemingly being the centerpieces for whatever Caleb and his fanatical followers were plotting had grown tiring real quick, but unfortunately, there was nothing they could do about it until the former wrestling legend who practically claimed he was the second coming of Jesus Christ himself was once again behind bars. The fact that Caleb had seemingly vanished without a trace after crashing their wedding reception via hologram to announce his prison break and had been relying solely on his most elite goons to try and 'save them' wasn't lost on the couple, because for as dangerous as Caleb's obsession with using them as some sort of 'redemption story' for himself was, they were both well aware that he could be so much more dangerous when he was left to his own devices to focus on his greater passion throughout this whole fight: trying to effectively start World War 3 as some sort of holy war that he believed would 'cleanse the Earth of the impure and unworthy' and leave behind only those who apparently 'deserved' to inherit the world.

“...do you think Caleb believes he and he alone is the only truly pure soul alive?” Luz suddenly asked out of nowhere as she and Amelia separated following a clean rope break after Luz had managed to get Amelia into her Ensnaring Vines submission.

“Why do you ask?” Amelia raised an eyebrow.

“I mean...” Luz started, leaning back against the ropes of the training ring. “We already know his own interests take priority over everything else. It's pretty much why The Empire has mostly followed his commands to try and 'save' us instead of just trying to eliminate us if we're such a problem.”

“Not a pleasant thought to think about,” Amelia admitted, to which Luz sighed in agreement and a sort-of unspoken apology for even bringing it up in the first place. “But... you're right. We've heard Theresa, Adrian, Vladimir, and even Kiki admit that they aren't even sure about 'saving' us... ugh, just saying that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, even sarcastically. But, they do it anyway because it's what Caleb ordered.”

“If only we knew what he was truly planning,” Luz mused, stroking her chin in thought. “If it was something we could expose, maybe try to turn his followers against him...”

“It's a nice thought, Lulu,” Amelia said as she walked over to place a comforting hand on Luz's shoulder. “But if Henry's right about him always keeping the important parts of his plan to himself—and I have no reason to doubt him considering he's Caleb's nephew and even HE was kept in the dark about some of the bigger elements of whatever his uncle's scheming—then the only way we'd even find out anything would be to do something incredibly risky that has such a low success rate it wouldn't even be worth it.”

Luz sighed, knowing Amelia was right. It bugged her, not knowing what Caleb was really up to, not being able to expose him and potentially open the eyes of even those who probably didn't deserve their help, but that was just who Luz was: a kind, caring soul first and foremost always trying to stay positive and see the best in others. Truth be told, such a risky plot would be the kind of thing Luz would be willing to do in a heartbeat if there was any hope of finally putting an end to all of this, but she knew her self-sacrificing ways would only worry her wife and their found family. She doubted they would actually turn on her if she pulled such a stunt... but the fear of that even being a possibility that would return her to feeling all alone in the world, shunned because of how 'weird' she was, served as a powerful anchor that kept her from wanting to take such an absurdly dangerous leap of faith.

“You look like you're thinking a little too hard about something,” Amelia said, snapping Luz out of her near-spiral as she ran a finger along the cheek of Luz's mask. “What's going on inside that cute head of yours?”

Luz took a slow, deep breath that ended up being a bit shakier than she would've liked. “Just... thinking about you. Are you sure you're alright with how this panned out? I mean, me facing Jordan at Rebirth to try and upend her arrogant delusions while you're missing out on a pay-per-view booking?”

Amelia raised an eyebrow, making it clear that she knew full well that wasn't what Luz looked like she was about to spiral over, but she chuckled regardless, her heart touched by how much Luz cared for her... even when it was painfully clear some of that care was at the expense of herself.

“I told you, it's fine, Lulu,” Amelia firmly stated, kissing the corner of Luz's lips to punctuate her words. “I made my own statement on Breakdown back in Newark. Admittedly, I am a little annoyed that Kirsten is still wrestling in a match to determine the number one contender to the Adrenaline Championship after I just beat her, but that's just incentive for me to keep working harder to prove myself. Besides, that title was YOURS not that long ago, and you have every right to take issue with what Jordan's been doing.”

“I know, but...” Luz tried to argue.

“No buts, Luz... no matter how cute yours is,” Amelia grinned, and Luz couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity and gently push her wife away.

“Ames! Ay dios mío!” Luz kept laughing as she tumbled out of the ring, making sure it was intentional so she could gracefully land on her feet despite still being doubled-over in a giggling fit.

“Sorry, hermosa,” Amelia grinned as she leaned on the ropes, looking down at her wife. “But you know I'm right, and it's also good seeing you smiling and happy instead of burying yourself too deeply in your own head again.”

Luz shakily sighed, still fighting off a few giggles as Amelia stepped out of the ring to join her. Luz wasted no time in embracing Amelia, surprising her with a rather deep and passionate kiss that just about turned Amelia's legs to jelly and saw her melt into a puddle on the spot.

“Thank you, Amelia,” Luz breathed out as the two women leaned their foreheads against one another. “My head is a really dangerous place sometimes...”

“I know you, Luz,” Amelia replied, hugging Luz tighter. “You've told me of your struggles, I've seen more than enough since we first became friends to know how self-sacrificing you can be, and as much as I love how willing you are to put others before yourself, you're not in this alone, now or ever again. We all want The Empire gone just as badly, and somehow, someway, we'll figure this out. Together.”

“Together,” Luz echoed in agreement, relaxing in Amelia's arms as she knew she shouldn't have been surprised her wife picked up on where her thoughts had truly gone. They knew each other so well at this point, and as much as a part of Luz deep down still wanted to do something alone that would, despite the risks, maybe take a huge step forward in trying to end this mess once and for all, she knew it wasn't a risk worth taking. Not when The Empire had already taken so much from them and made it painfully clear they weren't above taking more lives if it meant getting the 'paradise' they firmly believed in.

“So... we still have a day until Rebirth,” Luz noted. “Want to get cleaned up and go explore Pittsburgh a little more? Maybe we can go check out that Randyland place I've heard is a lot like Philadelphia's Magic Gardens?”

“Another art museum that's just as creative and unique as you are?” Amelia flirted. “Count me in... though maybe we should also hit up the others to see if there's any lunch plans in the works we should know about.”

“You know mamá will definitely scold us if we skip eating again,” Luz sheepishly admitted, remembering the last time the two of them had gotten so distracted by pushing themselves in their training that they had forgotten to eat anything, which had definitely not helped.

“And hey,” Amelia added as she and Luz began to walk, hand-in-hand, to the locker room of the gym. “I know things could be better for us right now, but... they're not as bad as they might seem. The Empire's mostly leaving us alone except for Vladimir's occasional texts or calls to try and convince us to let Caleb help, the others are in the know about what's going on now in a way that made sure that creep has no idea we revealed the secret.”

“I'm going to hopefully beat Jordan at Rebirth and hopefully provide some sort of clarity on the fate of the U.S. Title, interim or otherwise,” Luz tried adding, feeding off of her wife's efforts to bolster her confidence.

“Plus, we have that Fan's Choice Breakdown coming up as well,” Amelia reminded her. “I don't know exactly what the plan will be for that, but whatever it is, we'll make the most of it.”

“Right, because we step up and prove ourselves, no matter what, because that's just who we are,” Luz grinned, earning her another kiss of agreement from Amelia as the two entered the locker room, taking a moment to weigh their options before deciding they could just pack up and head back to their hotel room to shower and change, considering it wasn't too far away from this gym and they had driven here, knowing they were probably going to wear themselves out too much to walk.

As the two of them gathered up their bags and made sure they had everything, Luz heard her phone vibrating beneath the towel and spare clothes she'd brought in case they decided to shower and change here. Digging around for a moment, she retrieved her phone and was surprised to see that she had quite a few text messages... all of them coming from different numbers she didn't recognize.

“Hey, Ames?” Luz called, and Amelia moved to stand beside her wife as Luz scrolled through the numerous messages. There were maybe one or two that were legit spam texts, but most of them were definitely from different members of The Empire's true elites. They could tell just based on the wording and the tones used even through text, all of them wishing Luz good luck on Sunday and reminding her that the cult would be watching.

Only the cryptic texts from who had to be Vladimir sounded even remotely sincere about actually wishing her luck, but it wasn't hard to find the hidden meaning that was almost practically begging for her to contact him for whatever help he thought he could offer to 'guarantee' that she would get justice for the U.S. Title at Rebirth.

“Well, we knew they weren't going to stay quiet forever...” Amelia lamented.

“The fact that they're more invested in our SCW careers than before doesn't instill me with the confidence they're probably thinking it does,” Luz groaned as she started deleting the texts. As soon as she was rid of them all, however, a brand new one came in from another number she didn't recognize. When she opened it, the tone was wildly different from all the previous ones...

Blunt. To the point. And clearly not hiding any pretense about what whoever sent it thought of them.

“Sinners will be allowed no quarter. Kill them all, and let God sort them out.”

Luz and Amelia couldn't help but exchange looks after reading that text.

“Think it's one of your parents?” Luz asked.

“Maybe,” Amelia admitted. “Though contacting you, even to send something vaguely threatening, doesn't feel like something they'd do.”

“Wasn't this line used in some Simpsons episode some time back?” Luz openly pondered. “And in one of those anime abridged series on YouTube?”

“I don't trust it,” Amelia growled a tiny bit. “Not when it seems like the rest of The Empire is so deep into Caleb's obsession with us that they're actually doing his bidding on trying to drag us into their 'flock.' This could be someone breaking rank... maybe someone else entirely?”

“Maybe some sort of set up from The Empire to try and prove they're the 'good guys' and we can trust them?” Luz also threw out.

As they stared back at the text message before Luz pocketed her phone, deciding that one in particular was worth bringing to everyone else's attention, one thing was certain: the couple weren't looking to take any unnecessary chances or risks, no matter how tempting it may be to try and find a way to bring The Empire crumbling down.

Not when lives and bonds were at risk... potentially even their own now.