The Light in the Darkness vs. Chris Cannon & Syren

[Wisteria Waltz]

The closer they got to Rise to Greatness, the more pressure they felt.

Despite having been through this for two years already, Luz and Amelia couldn't help but feel the heat the closer they got to the biggest spotlight they've ever stood under, their nerves igniting beneath their skin as the desire to put on their best performance yet and keep building on their own legacies with all eyes on them threatening to overwhelm and swallow them whole.

It was moments like this where they were grateful that their connection to one another didn't start and end with the wrestling ring.

Despite the shared desire to be known for what they, themselves, could do and not simply as the latest link in the chains of their respective family lineages, they had been doing this long enough to know that, without each other, they would have crumbled and been consumed long before now. SCW may not have ever been a possibility, and even if it had still been on the table in that timeline, the Luz and Amelia who would've stepped through its doors may have likely been shells of both their former selves and the women they truly wanted to be.

Amelia wanted to vomit at the idea of being nothing more than her parents' 'perfect prodigy,' the latest and greatest piece of the Blythe legacy who wrestled with such cold efficiency you would question if she was even human, or if she loved the sport of wrestling at all. Opinions would be irrelevant because no one could outwrestle her, she would be unstoppable because it was the very least of what was expected of her, and no one would ever question the fact that the Blythes were the greatest wrestling family, bar none... no matter how much Amelia would have to hide the cracks it left upon her.

Luz was of two minds as to how she would turn out in that scenario, and both cut through her in ways she couldn't even describe. Either she would've faltered under the expectation of being anywhere close to the level of her father and gotten seriously hurt or given up and admitted that she just wasn't good enough, or she would have lost herself and shed her own identity, becoming the carbon copy of her father that fans so desperately wanted her to be, even knowing that it's never what El Espíritu Angélico would have wanted for his daughter.

They hadn't really considered the idea of 'soulmates' at any point in all the years they'd known each other, but it was hard to argue that fate seemed to realize exactly what would happen to them without a supportive figure in their lives and brought them together to be that emotional anchor for each other. As time passed and their bond deepened, they slowly grew into the best versions of themselves, and that went a long way in opening doors and rebuilding bridges that likely wouldn't have existed without the other's positive presence in their lives. Destroyed friendships had been rebuilt, new friendships had been created, old family bonds had been reforged, and through it all, the two young women were happy, healthy, and above all else... themselves.

They loved wrestling with all their hearts, they competed for themselves and each other because it's what they wanted to do, and while they were both far from perfect, together they had learned the value of seeing the beauty in the broken glass.

Maybe that made them different in this landscape... maybe that made them too nice, or too trusting despite over half a decade of experience at this point, but being themselves was the sword they were both willing to fall on if it came down to it.

Those were the thoughts that the couple had immersed themselves in after leaving Miami and putting the previous Breakdown in the rear view mirror, spurred on by Amelia's post-match chat with Chris Cannon as her match with him was now set in stone for Rise to Greatness. Her win over Gavin had helped a lot in fortifying her self-confidence, especially after Gavin had given her the kind of fight that showed flashes of the All-Star he wanted to be. Chris had made it clear that while he did respect Amelia, he also saw her as both an obstacle in his own path and someone 'not worthy' of being in that position, igniting the fire that gave her a reason to walk into Rise to Greatness and not just put on the match of her life, but also to try and win to knock Chris's growing ego down a few pegs and prove that she as more worthy than he wanted to give her credit for.

Luz had actually been surprisingly content with not doing much for the last Breakdown beyond supporting her wife and being ready to jump in should Chris have tried anything beyond revealing his true colors. True, none of it had anything to do with her own Rise to Greatness plans, but as much as part of her hated to admit it, the break had been necessary considering how hard she'd been pushing herself lately and the frustration of Jordan's desperation to gain any sort of edge that she could heading into the U.S. Title unification fourway. She was arguably the only opponent in that match that Jordan hadn't tried anything with yet, and while she could only speculate as to why considering Luz had even been the first one to step up to her when she began this whole stunt months ago, that didn't mean she could let her guard down.

There was one final Breakdown before Rise to Greatness would be upon them, and Seattle would be the site of The Light In The Darkness reuniting for their first proper tag team match since their failed bid to recapture the World Tag Team Titles from the Fall of Man inside of a steel cage... a thought that helped keep them grounded amidst the increasing pressure of what awaited them.

The thought of teaming together again before they had their own matches at Rise to Greatness, not the reminder of their defeat that night.

Odds were pretty good they'd both thought that exact same thing as it was the only thing that could explain their sudden outburst of laughter, followed by locking eyes with one another and then laughing a bit more, keeping the air between them on the lighter side even as they focused on the tasks at hand. Yeah, it drew some confused looks from their friends, but they chalked it up to one of those things that was just part of the connection the two women had developed with one another and weren't going to press further so long as they were happy.

“So...” Gage said after a moment of hesitation. “I really don't want to be 'that guy' but... what are the odds this match actually goes off without a hitch?”

Luz and Amelia gently set down the weights they'd been doing curls with in the gym before glancing over at their friend, who held up his hands almost like he was trying to take the question back despite his voice failing him now. Even Ivy raised an eyebrow to him after Henry helped her rack the weight she'd just been bench pressing.

“OK, I know that I'm still getting the hang of this whole 'social interaction' thing after spending so long being molded entirely by my uncle,” Henry admitted, “but even I'm pretty sure that's one of those things that's probably best left unspoken.”

“Sorry,” Gage admitted. “It's just... Luz and Amelia facing Chris Cannon and Syren right before Rise to Greatness? Ignoring the early Amelia/Cannon preview the fans are getting, between Luz being the only person in the U.S. Title match competing on this week's Breakdown and the whole Strader clan still wanting Syren's head on a pike, I can't be the only one with that 'fan intuition' of something just waiting to happen... am I?”

“You're... not wrong,” Amelia admitted sheepishly. “This is one of those matches that's almost begging for chaos even if we try to ask that it wait until after the bell, and I hate it.”

“At least it's even with Syren and I both having to watch over our shoulders for whoever's probably- no, definitely coming for us?” Luz admitted, her voice inflecting in a way that made it clear she wasn't entirely sold on what she was even saying.

“I don't know how much that thought really helps, querida,” Amelia admitted as she stood up and stretched her back before helping Luz to her feet. “My dad would consider something like this a 'trap match' where the more I tip my hand, especially sharing the ring with Chris, the more information he has to prepare with for our one-on-one at Rise to Greatness. If last week proved anything, it's that while he respects me, he's wouldn't be above gaining any information that could give him the upper hand over me when it's going to count the most.”

“That's not even getting into the thought of you two needing this win as a team more than they do,” Ivy added as she sat up on the bench she'd been laying on. “I doubt Chris and Syren would team together regularly after this, but you guys? A win here doesn't just mean momentum going into Rise to Greatness, it could mean the first step back towards another Tag Title reign.”

“Not going to lie, earning those titles back one more time would be pretty nice even despite our recent singles endeavors,” Luz chuckled. “Especially since we know, deep down, that we can beat the Fall of Man and probably could've had them in that cage if Xander hadn't gone all martyr mode.”

“That's all a bridge we can cross later, but Ivy's right,” Amelia stated. “It's going to take a bit of careful planning, but I think we can pull this off and make the most of what this match has to offer us, Lulu... hopefully before everything breaks down.”

“Fingers crossed,” Luz said, actually crossing her fingers as proof. This drew a bit of a laugh from everyone, and Luz had to admit that it felt good to have this peaceful moment. Though, she couldn't ignore the lingering sense of dread that seemed insistent on settling in the back of her mind... a dread that had nothing to do with SCW, but more to do with their other problem.

As nice as the peace was, The Empire had been far too quiet for her liking lately.

Aside from Vladimir calling Amelia before last week's Breakdown, trying to glean any sort of information from her about The Empire's problematic splinter cell, those still loyal to Caleb had been disturbingly quiet ever since those listening more to Stephen Crane had started going on an offensive that even he opposed. Speaking of Stephen and his splinter cell, they had also been eerily silent since the attempt on Amelia's life almost a month ago now, having essentially left their assassin to rot in prison and with no hint as to whether or not they were aware Luz, Amelia and their found family now had a name and a face for their mysterious puppet master. It would be one thing if they had made some sort of attempt only to be thwarted by the extra security the NCA had been willing to effectively provide them, but not even that was the case.

Luz and Amelia were choosing not to count the endless barrage of texts from the latter's parents, as that was just typical petty behavior from Aleister and Ophelia at this point, somehow still believing their negative and disapproving words would be enough to break their daughter enough to just fall back in line.

Before Luz could devote any further thought to it, Amelia's phone began ringing. Fishing it out of her bag, Amelia's immediately gained a look of disgust as she saw it was one of those burner accounts the Empire elites had become way too fond of using, making an attempt to video call her.

“If this is who I think it is, then I don't even know why they'd bother,” Amelia huffed before declining the call. Unsurprisingly, another attempt was made within seconds of her declining.

As she moved to decline once more and just turn her phone off to avoid dealing with this altogether, Luz's phone suddenly buzzed. Retrieving it, she saw a text message from another burner number... though she didn't quite know what to make of it.

“'You might want to tell Amelia to accept the next video call if you're smart'?” she read aloud, drawing confused and concerned looks from the others. They all gathered around her to verify, and sure enough, what she'd read was accurate. That's when a third attempt was made at the video call, and after everyone exchanged glances, Amelia sighed and braced herself as she finally accepted it.

The sight of her parents grinning like they were clearly up to something almost didn't surprise her at this point.

“About time you answered,” Ophelia said dismissively. “With all due respect, Amelia, your father and I taught you better manners than that.”

“You both also abused me and dangled the prospect of your affection over my head like a trophy I was never meant to earn,” Amelia replied, not even bothering to hide the venom in her voice anymore.

“Again with the 'abuse' nonsense,” Ophelia scoffed. “You really need to stop listening to that filthy rat stealing what should rightfully be yours.”

“Hey!” Luz chimed in, leaning against her wife to make sure her mother-in-law could see the disgust even behind her mask. “This 'rat' has earned her opportunities fair and square, just as Ames has, so maybe try showing some respect and you'll get it in return! I wouldn't think it'd be that hard for you to understand money can't buy you everything.”

“This is a family matter,” Aleister suddenly stated, his voice cold and dismissive in a way that made Amelia's blood boil. “Kindly shut your mouth and stay out of this.”

“My wife is very much family and therefore allowed to be a part of me telling you both, for the last time, to leave me alone!” Amelia growled. “I thought I made it perfectly clear in the courtroom last year that I wanted nothing to do with either of you anymore and you both were better off rotting in prison for everything you've ever done to me, Ed and Em, Luz, Ivy, and anyone else you've ever crossed paths with you always believed was 'beneath you.'”

“Ugh, you're still acting like an unreasonable brat,” Ophelia slowly shook her head in disappointment, unfazed by her daughter's words. “Is it any wonder why Aleister and I are ready to just move on and start over with our hopes for a true family legacy, untainted by all this nonsense about 'loving someone of the same gender' or thinking you know better than the man and woman who you should thank for bringing you into this world in the first place.”

Luz and Amelia both rolled their eyes at the blatant attempt by Amelia's parents to try and force their beliefs down the young couple's throats. Ivy could be heard audibly gagging, and even Gage and Henry were just shaking their heads at this point.

“Of course...” Aleister spoke again as he glanced at something outside of the view from their end. “If Ophelia and I are going to start anew, then we can't exactly leave behind the tainted, rotten fragments of the legacy we've tried to build up until this point, now can we?”

It was at this point that Ophelia turned her phone to where Aleister had been looking, and Luz and Amelia audibly gasped at what they saw. Edward and Emily, Amelia's older twin siblings, had returned to England within the past week to fulfill some wrestling obligations they'd been booked for, and some of the NCA agents had accompanied them back to form a second security unit in case any form of The Empire tried anything. The fact that the twins were both bound and gagged together in back-to-back chairs, looking understandably scared for their lives as red-cloaked members of The Empire's splinter cell had them at gunpoint, raised so many alarms about how they had managed to get through the NCA.

“Ed! Em!” Amelia cried. “Let them go!”

“Now why would we do that?” Aleister slowly chuckled. “They were already a wrench in our plans when they were born as twins... it's why we tried again for you, dear. Their rebellious prankster nature only cemented their fate. That said... as tempting as it would be to do away with them right here and now... we know that won't get you to cooperate.”

“And Luz?” Ophelia added, grinning like a cheshire cat. “You might want to check your phone again.”

No sooner had Ophelia said those words, Luz's phone buzzed again with another text message. Opening it up, Luz nearly dropped her phone at the sight that greeted her eyes. From the same burner number that had insisted, through her, on Amelia taking this video call from her parents, a picture had been texted, revealing Camila and Valentina, Luz's mom and sister, also bound and gagged just like Edward and Emily were. The background of the picture gave the implication that they weren't being kept in the same place as Amelia's siblings, though, at least as far as she could tell. Camila and Valentina were also being held at gunpoint by Empire splinter cell members, and a second text soon followed:

They're safe... for now. If you'd like for that to remain the case, you'll meet me in Houston, alone. I'll text you the location prior to your precious Rise to Greatness, but I wouldn't worry about that show if I were you.

“V? Mom!?” Luz cried in disbelief and anguish, drawing everyone's attention. Ivy and Gage almost immediately moved to hold her, while Amelia turned her glare back to the video call with her parents, more furious than anyone had ever seen her.

“What did you do with them!?” she yelled. “I swear to the God that you think condones anything you two have ever done, if you take the only family Luz has left away from her...”

“Oh, that one isn't our doing, dear,” Ophelia practically chucked as she talked, only infuriating her daughter even more. “That is the work of a dear friend of ours... someone who helped us realize that, for as good as he's been to us over the years, Caleb has started to let his vision for the world be muddied by your continued existence as sinners he feels obligated to save.”

Luz let out a sound that made it clear she was about to say Stephen Crane's name, but Henry quickly interrupted by patting her on the back as a cover to he could hold a finger to his lips, and Luz subtly nodded at the indication to keep from revealing that they knew the true mastermind behind the splinter cell, in case they still had that element of surprise.

“Our friend has the right idea, so we're going to follow his lead if he texted your harlot what I'm certain he did,” Aleister told Amelia, maintaining an air of cold indifference as he moved to block Ed and Em from view. “If you want to make sure your siblings will be alright, Amelia, then you'll meet with us for a little family discussion once you get to Houston for SCW's big show. We'll text you the details then, but if I may make a suggestion? You may want to enjoy teaming with her on this Breakdown... because it will be the last time you'll do so and embarrass our family name in the process.”

Before Amelia could even respond, Ophelia ended the video call, and it took every last ounce of willpower for her to keep from just hurling her phone into the nearest wall of the gym. She made an attempt to call back, but got a notification that she'd been blocked. Before she could get too worked up over it, Luz had pulled free of the others and thrown herself at her wife into a hug, and Amelia's arms instinctively wrapped around Luz's waist as the two rested their foreheads against one another, not caring that they were shaking from fear and anger and tears were beginning to fall from their eyes. They barely even registered that Henry, Gage and Ivy had joined them for a group hug, trying to help stabilize both girls before they lost it.

There was a painfully good reason this splinter cell of The Empire had been quiet, as they sought to divide and conquer to end the 'threat' of The Light In The Darkness once and for all.

If anything, it made Luz and Amelia dread the fact that Rise to Greatness was almost upon them a little more now.