Cid Turner vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

Project: Black Ice

”The Silent Treatment”

Rogers Arena
Vancouver, BC
September 16th, 2021
11:43pm

Selena blinked her eyes a little as she looked away from the bright lights on the ceiling. Once more, she found herself in a “medic room”, or, rather, the assigned changeroom/locker room that SCW had chosen for the medics/doctors for tonight’s episode of Breakdown at the Rogers Arena. She wasn’t there by choice, mind you, but after the actions of Cid Turner and Asher Hayes, well….

The world champion gave a sigh as she quietly reached up a hand while the doctor wasn’t looking, feeling the bumps and roughness of the new stitches that aligned the side of her forehead. Syren hadn’t needed time in here – in fact, Selena hadn’t seen much of the Hall of Famer since Breakdown had ended. What were a few kicks and stomps to one of the greatest wrestlers in SCW? She’s probably back with Infamous and her family… Selena thought, her mind freezing at the notion.

Family… she had rarely associated such a word – a form of humanism – to her ‘temporary’ ally. To Selena, Syren had, for so long and so many times, been a woman cut from the same cloth as Asher Hayes and, now, Cid Turner. Desperate to become World Champion and doing whatever she could – from faking injuries to allowing grand schemes to be planned that ruined other people’s lives… In a way, perhaps, Selena could almost appreciate the karma in someone like Asher targeting her. Of course, once the bastard had targeted Syren with a damn piledriver, that was where the appreciation had ended! And as for Cid…

Selena shook her head, feeling the air/movement combination affect her stitches against her pale skin. She couldn’t really be surprised by the events of tonight. After all, she and Syren had humiliated the pair a week ago, especially Cid. Not only had she, the World Champion, interfered in Asher’s match against Xander Valentine – a recompense from the bastard’s actions during her match with Tommy Valentine the week before that – but to orchestrate a larger, ‘Infamous-worthy’ scheme at the Jewel against Cid, knowing Asher would show up…

A quiet sigh escaped Selena’s lips. Did she feel guilty in being part – an accomplice – to such emotional manipulation that had lured Cid away from Asher’s side? In some ways, yes, actually. It did make her uncomfortable to be anything but direct. She preferred facing challenges head-on, rather through subterfuge. She preferred solving her problems in the ring/arena rather than outside it. She preferred using her kicks and punches to take on a problem wrestling-related rather than mind games, per say. 

But this whole thing… this was beyond anything she had dealt with before. This wasn’t someone lashing out at Deanna in the heat of the moment. This wasn’t something like Vixen Cain or Xander Valentine, enacting a plan and Deanna or someone close to Selena had been swept up unintentionally or merely scared by proximity. No, Asher and Cid, who never said no to him, had made bold threats to harm Deanna. Asher, in his promos, promising to hurt her. And Cid, not only with his cheap-shot antics but with his demented stalking of Syren…

Simply beating them up hadn’t seen enough for either The Face of SCW or the Alpha Female… Selena sighed again… Gods, she had felt so angry, so enraged at the two boys – Syren had been right to call them that instead of ‘men’, for what were their antics but mere temper tantrums? But for Odin’s sake, She had wanted to teach them both a lesson – had even teamed with the least-likely person in the world in Syren to do so – and had allowed herself to follow a “Syren/Infamous-style” plan. Such was the elements of revenge…

But revenge is a cycle that never ends… the thought came strongly of its own accord to the Snow Queen, and how right it was. That was why she was here in the first place. The collective A/C Unit had immediately sought ‘revenge’ despite being the ones in the wrong in the first place. They had, initially, sought to try and humiliate the unholy alliance the way Selena would – through outwrestling and beating them in a tag match, but when that hadn’t worked…

“How many times are you going to let yourself get hit in the head with the world title?”

The question came, not from her mind, but from the gentleman standing next to her, gaining the platinum-blonde’s attention as she turned her head to regard him. Dr. Curt Okafor, the head medical trainer, did not look up from whatever he was looking at from his clipboard, merely flipped the page to read the one under it, it seemed. After a moment, he lowered the clipboard to finally regard Selena. “Hmmm?” he asked with an upward inflection. “This is, what? The third time in as many months?”

Closing her eyes for a moment, breathing slowly and deeply, Selena, perhaps out of good humor, did a quick assessment of the medical trainer’s observation. Asher with his fake title… Cid from behind backstage… tonight… Wow… three times…

The realization was far more depressing than humorous, which the doctor clearly hadn’t meant it to be, but Selena could not help feeling that way. This was, indeed, the third time she had been blasted with a title across the head when dealing with Cid Turner and Asher Hayes. The third time she had been dropped in such a fashion… 

Haven’t you learned? her mind mocked. It was chastising her. How many times do you need to get hit in the head before you ‘duck’?

Selena had been worse for the wear in the attack. While Syren had suffered a clothesline and some stomps, Selena had been cut open across the brow and blasted with the title, hence her needing to be here – to be stitched up and checked for a concussion… Gods, was she sick of those.

“Good thing I have a hard head…” she offered in a lame attempt at good-naturing, rapping the side of her head with her hand. The doctor merely shook his head before casting his eyes to the watch on his wrist.

“Seems that way.” Okafor replied. “Just about done…” he added.
“You need to ask me the last set of questions, right?” Selena sighed. “You know, your remark about me getting whacked three times over was depressing, but the fact that I know the basic steps of sideline concussion testing now? That’s even more depressing?”

“Do you?” The dark-skinned doctor asked before biting his lower lip, an amused expression gracing his features. He was handsome, Selena remarked, in an aesthetic way to the Snow Queen. His eyes were gorgeous (though Deanna’s were, by far, her favourite), a well proportioned head and face, and he certainly was in good health (go figure). Carefully, the man hid the clipboard behind his back. “Care to show me?”

Snapping back to full attention, Selena shrugged. “You’re going to ask me, now that I’ve answered every question about how I’m feeling, questions about my short-term memory and long-term memory. Where are we? The Rogers Center in Vancouver, Canada. It’s September 16th – I don’t know what time it is because there is no clock on the wall but, since Breakdown is over, I’ll wager it has to be after 11pm. I was attacked by Cid Turner and Asher Hayes – specifically Cid who hit me with my world title, though Syren and I did win our tag match. And…and…”

Selena stretched her mind, trying to recall the last question or two. “I don’t remember the last couple of questions but they’re related to long-term memory.”

His lip jutting out a little as he half-smiled, Okafor nodded his head. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or worried for you, Selena.” He stated.
“Don’t be worried.” Selena shook her head. “I’ve had more close calls than actual concussions…” though she wasn’t entirely certain if that was true.
“And a week ago?” The doctor asked.
“A week ago, I interfered in Asher’s match and beat up Cid and Asher in a restaurant named the Jewel with Syren.”
“Week before that?”
Selena’s jaw clenched at the question. “I think that was when Syren came out during my segment and we agreed to team up because Asher interfered in my match, Cid attacked me from behind and Asher put his hands on my wife. Oh, we also plan on visiting my parents next week before the pay-per-view, and-”

“Alright…” the doctor nodded with a laugh. “Physical test, fine. Current state, good, and memory, clearly alright. Aside from the cut, I don’t see any lasting damage or signs of a concussion.” He then gave a tired sigh. “But you know what I am going to say.”

The Snow Queen gave a tired roll of her eyes. “Keep an eye out for any symptoms like headaches, nausea, memory impairment-“ she counted off the list with the fingers of her right hand. “Balance issues, blurred vision, confusion, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.” She quickly held up a hand to the doctor, who had moved to his “desk” of sorts to pick up a piece of paper – an instructional sheet of symptoms and what steps to take. “I have the last one you gave me, doc.” Selena gave a sad smile. “I doubt the symptoms have changed since then.”

“Oh…right.” Okafor laughed, returning the paper to its resting place. “Maybe you should get one of these framed or something.”

The Snow Queen rolled her eyes again at that remark before excusing herself, promising to call or seek medical aid in New York should any symptoms arise. As it was, she wasn’t worried about her own health. Deanna, the children and her were planning on visiting Selena’s parents in Maplewood, sure enough, but aside from that, SCW was in its pre-PPV setup, tonight being the ‘final stop’ before Apocalypse. She had no physical demands from SCW until the pay-per-view…

Emotional, on the other hand…

Making her way down the halls, the Snow Queen was not surprised at the lack of superstars or crew. Breakdown had been over for almost an hour and most of the roster had, no doubt, gone home/their hotel rooms to recuperate and plan for Apocalypse, leaving the halls mostly bare and the world champion alone to her thoughts.

She wasn’t sure what had prompted a desire to see her parents – Jonathan Van Hohenheim (formerly known as Donovan Frost) and his wife, Alejandra, Selena’s birth parents… Though they lived only thirty to forty-five minutes away from her home in Manhattan in Maplewood, New Jersey, none of the Frost family had frequented there.

And while some would attribute that to the infamous “New York vs. New Jersey” rivalry that had existed since the dawn of time, Selena put no such stock in that. And it was no ill-will, either. She loved her parents, even though she knew Alejandra the least – only a few years, actually. But, for the longest time, seeing her father had just been… just been too hard.

For most of her life – all of her teenage years, she had believed that her father was gone. She had been forced to accept that – be it death or removal – at such a young age, taking on his ‘legacy’ of the gold-mine onto herself. It had only been a few years ago when she had learned of his survival and, tracking him down, learned of his amnesia. 

It was a double-edged sword – one that hurt Selena two-fold. Her father was alive… but for all he tried… the certainty was inescapable. Jonathan Van Hohenheim was not Donovan Frost. He didn’t have those memories. He didn’t know Selena like Donovan had. He just… no matter how hard he tried… he wasn’t Donovan. And for so long, Selena had kept her distance. She hadn’t been able to simply accept that – a man with her father’s face but not fully her father…

She wasn’t sure what was prompting her now. Maybe it was the idea of Killjoy hanging over her head, promising doom on her at any time and she wanted to make sure, worse-case scenario… or maybe it was the last few sleepless nights in her office when she wasn’t thinking about Killjoy and work. She had, one night, brought her box of ‘personal items’ that had meant the world to her. Photos, pendants, a receipt from her first date with Deanna, one of the fake-flowers that had been used in her wedding to the redhead, and, of course, her father’s gold-nugget necklace…

She couldn’t be certain why, but she had wanted to see them now. Wanted to talk to them – even though she had no idea what she was going to say or what they would say. Would they blame her? Would they be upset with her at her own weakness? She knew that avoiding them, or distancing herself from them, hadn’t been a fair call to them – they had done nothing wrong… but… but…

A sigh escaped her as she pushed the door open to her changeroom, walking in to see the room, same as so many other changerooms she had visited in her years with SCW. Sitting in one of the large chairs, hands in her lap, was Deanna. Upon hearing the door open, the redhead had turned her head towards it, seeing her wife walk in.

“All clear.” Selena sighed, tapping her head with her finger. Deanna only gave a nod of her head as the Snow Queen made her way into the room, closing it behind her. “I’m glad for it.” The platinum-blonde added, trying to humor the whole situation. “I’m sick of getting sick from concussions.” 

Moving throughout the room, the wrestler pulled herself out of her wrestling clothes, packing them in a separate bag and grabbing her regular clothes before making her way to the bathroom and showering. The cold water felt good – no, amazing – on her frame, her skin showing goosebumps as it was pelted with the soft, cold water from the shower. Her stitches itched a little, reminding her to keep her head away from the water, which she was fortunate enough to do, stepping back before getting it wet. Holding her head back, she adjusted the shower head to only get her lower torso and down. She felt a pang of annoyance at that, Cid’s actions denying her a proper, cold shower for about 48 hours.

It was an interesting revelation. She found Cid’s antics – the attacks from behind or with the title, his insults, usually childish at best, repetitive at worst… they were more annoying than anything else. 

It was Asher she hated. Asher that had put his hands on Deanna and Asher that was the ‘puppet-master’ to Cid. What was Cid Turner? A man that hid behind Asher. Who let Asher do all the things that he either couldn’t or was too afraid to do… it didn’t matter to the Snow Queen. Cid Turner was almost a child in his actions… Throwing tantrums and saying things that were borderline stupid to claim like that nonsense about “being the best tag-team in 20 years” when he had barely held the tag-titles with Asher outside a month or two. Cid had yet to cross the line of putting his hands on Deanna…

For a moment, Selena was glad that it was her that had suffered the hit to the head rather than Syren, because she WANTED to see Syren destroy Asher, not just for herself but for Selena and her wife. She had watched Xander Valentine decimate the fake “Co-Champion” and, the platinum-blonde wasn’t shy to admit it, she had enjoyed watching it. She had felt justified – vindicated – in her actions. And as good as Xander Valentine was – Selena would be the first to claim as such after her wars with the Executioner – he had fought purely as she normally would have. To win – for wrestling, no personal stakes.

Syren, like Selena, was beyond that. Far beyond that. For Selena, she was fighting for SCW still, of course. For the representation of Supreme Championship Wrestling and to keep the nightmare that was “The Co-World Champions” nonsense at bay. But for what Asher, and by extension Cid, had done towards Deanna? And for Syren, the bastard had tried to end her career – endangered her life! Something Selena wouldn’t have wished on any of her worst enemies, including Syren!

No, while tonight had ended on a ‘note of suck’ with that beatdown, it had only served to justify Selena’s thoughts and decisions towards Apocalypse. She needed to go into Denver and not just beat Cid with a roll-up like she had months ago at Taking Hold of the Flame, though she would if she had to… she needed to put an emphasis on it. Needed to put the exclamation point on it like she and Syren had in their match tonight. An emphatic pinfall or submission that declared her still the world champion the same night Syren beat the hell out of Asher.

And afterwards…

Her movements stilled as the shower continued to rain water upon her. She knew it was foolish to “assume” anything when it came to the future. As SCW had made it clear, much in the same as with its notion of “rematches are not guaranteed” and whatnot, NOTHING was for sure in SCW. Matches, feuds, title opportunities could come at any time and change just as fast. It had taken Selena four years to come back to the world title picture and part of her – perhaps it was ego or simply knowledge of that uncertainty – had no desire to simply “pass the title off” so soon when things were so uncertain. Even so, she found herself hopeful and unable to stop the thoughts – as they were a welcome distraction to her growing anxiety over seeing her parents next week. 

She was hopeful that she could beat Cid Turner once again, even if the odds were more against her than before…
She was hopeful that Syren would beat Asher Hayes… more than that, she wanted them both to win so profoundly that they could put the whining, crying, and arrogance of the A/C Unit behind them.
She was hopeful that…that…

A laugh escaped her, echoing in the small shower as she turned the water off carefully. It was just beyond funny. She was hopeful that- that Syren would face her next!

It was insane to comprehend, but it was as true as Selena’s hair was white – the Snow Queen catching her reflection in the panelled glass of her shower as she stepped out of it – her eyes also catching the black, detailed, snowflake-tattoo that covered her left shoulder socket completely. She wanted to defend the world championship against Syren. She had been too distracted by Rise to Greatness and Ace Marshall to give much though to the future and the number one contender match that took place and by the time she had gotten to it, she really couldn’t give it much thought to ‘what-ifs’ with Cid being the next challenger.

But now? If she could get past the A/C Unit? If Syren could… who else? For a moment, the Snow Queen thought of Xander Valentine. She had heard the man’s words earlier tonight during Breakdown – the glint in the man’s eyes as he spoke about the week before, a look the two of them had shared… “perhaps there’s a future clash over her title…”

Despite herself, Selena’s hands reached up to place themselves over her heart. It was racing! It was beating so damn fast! She was excited! She wanted to face Syren with the World title on the line! She wanted to face Xander Valentine with the world title on the line! She wanted to face – she didn’t know who else in that moment – but she wanted to face them for the world title! It didn’t matter where: regular matches, ladder matches (she had never been in one of those before), cages, it didn’t matter. Her heart leapt at the possibilities…

If she could only get past Cid Turner.

It was a cold dose of reality – one that felt like the cold water that had been splashing down her body, now being dried off by Selena and a dark blue, large towel. She had every tool in her arsenal to defeat the man and she would be mentally prepared for whatever barbs he threw at her, whatever mental schemes he and Asher concocted… but if that wasn’t enough… if she failed…

With a shake of her head, Selena quickly finished drying herself off. It was late and they had a long journey back to Manhattan – a good near two days (fortunately, Eric would take the first leg of driving while an additional driver – I think his name is Mike… Selena thought – would take another leg and the pair would alternate in such a fashion, providing a near constant span of travel. Even so, Selena was quick to finish dressing, putting on black sweatpants and a dark purple t-shirt. She was heading straight to bed after the night she had and, thus, was opting for more comfortable clothes to just fall asleep in.

Opening the door and running a hand through her still damp, medium-length hair, she was quick to pack up her remaining items, including the world championship (which Deanna had brought back to their change room while Selena had been checked by Okafor). 

“Ready to go?” she asked, slinging her back over her shoulder, sapphire eyes on her beloved wife.

Without a word, Deanna stood up and marched towards the door, surprising the Snow Queen.

“Ooookay…” Selena half-whispered. Where the hell did that come from? Now that she thought about it, Deanna hadn’t said a word to her when she had returned to the change room either, had barely acknowledged her beyond her entry into the room. Now, she was marching away like – well, to Selena it felt like the redhead was pissed off at her.

Over what? Though the young woman. It’s not the first time she’s seen me get beaten up… Shit! Did I forget something?

Quickly, as she followed her wife, Selena wracked her brain, going over dates, appointments, anything she could have missed that would have upset her wife. It wasn’t until the pair had reached the parking lot that she had managed to catch up with her. Their limo-bus, the “Believe It!” was on the far side of the space, making it easier to enter and exit for poor Eric. “Hey…” Selena spoke out as she walked in pace with Deanna. “You okay?” her voice was gentle in her question.

The redhead remained silent, not even casting a glance towards her wife, further stunning the Snow Queen to say the least. What was up with Deanna? Was it tonight? About what happened? Okay, so she got beaten down a bit – okay, a lot – but compared to being thrown into a cage flooring or getting her head smashed by a monitor or whatever… this wasn’t that bad! Like the good doctor had said, this was the third time it had happened in her dealings with Cid and Asher – really their most successful tactic when dealing with her.

Does she blame herself again?

Selena thought as she followed her wife onto the bus, giving a quick hello to Eric and ‘Mike’ as she did so. She soon found herself at the back of the bus in her ‘resting quarters’ with Deanna. The redhead was putting her bags in their proper place, which Selena copied. Even then, the redhead would not look her wife in the face as they passed one another, even with the jolt of moment that came as the bus began moving, beginning its journey back to Manhattan. 

“Deanna.” Selena huffed. “What’s wrong?”

The redhead was changing into more comfortable clothes, similar to Selena’s but more green and light blue. Without answering, she adjusted her t-shirt over her form and undid her hair from the ponytail she had put it in.

“Seriously?” Selena asked. “You’re giving me the silent treatment?” her tone was more in disbelief than anything else. Her wife seemed genuinely pissed and it made no sense. “Tell me what’s wrong.” She asked, reaching out her hand. It had just landed on her wife’s shoulder when Deanna slapped it off! 

“What the hell?!” Selena asked in disbelief, hurt more from the shock than any actual pain, holding the smacked hand in her other one. “What is with you?!”

She was not prepared for the sight of her beloved turning around and the emotions that stormed in those emerald eyes. Anger – no, rage! That’s what it was – Rage, shock, more rage… it was like staring into the heart of a fire! Without meaning to, purely on instinct, Selena took a step back, as if that would help matters. Deanna did not flinch, but kept her eyes locked on Selena.

“You have one chance to tell me what the hell happened out there.” She spoke slowly and coldly, eyes never leaving Selena. “Tell me what the hell happened?”

“I’m…I’m sorry…” Selena tried automatically, though she wasn’t entirely sure what she was apologizing for. Still, saying something was better than saying nothing, right? Even if she had to guess. “I wasn’t expecting them to attack us like that… least of all for Cid to instigate it.”

That part was actually true. The post-match attack by A/C Unit had been instigated not by Asher, which would have been expected, but by Cid. The former World Champion had, Selena assumed from what she had seen/remembered, grabbed the title from Deanna. Usually, Cid’s attack would be because Asher was being attacked or something, like after Selena’s match with Tommy Valentine. But the tag match had been over, and Selena and Syren were not going to attack finished opponents – Cid had just attacked out of malice. Frustration. Hatred. It didn’t matter – it was a far cry from his previous attacks and justifications of “saving his friend”.

He shows his true colors… Selena thought with disdain before returning her attention to the redhead still staring at her.

“It’s not your fault.” Selena tried, reaching out a hand to try and touch her wife. It was like meeting a brick wall – a warning going off in Selena’s head that told her that if she came closer, Deanna would swat her hand away again – causing her to pull back the offered pale hand. “Don’t blame yourself for what they did.” She added with a smile.

It made sense that Deanna would blame herself for her wife getting attacked again. She had done the same thing a few weeks ago, blaming herself for being unable to free herself from Asher when Cid had been attacking Selena. And she had been the one holding the proverbial weapon Cid had used. 

“Cid took the World title from you.” Selena tried. “He chose to attack me. You can’t blame yourself for that. “

She was hoping her words would calm her wife, help her to understand that no blame was held in her direction. That Selena, and she was sure Syren, believed that there was nothing Deanna could have done to stop Cid – he had stunned all of them with his actions, cowardly as they were. Surely, her words would ease Deanna’s mind.

Except when Deanna’s closed and the redhead took a deep breath before opening them – that was when Selena realized that her choice of words had been the absolute worst ones.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Deanna asked under her breath, her glare becoming angrier.
“What?” Selena tried desperately. “What is it?” she repeated. “Tell me and I’ll try and explain it! I don’t know what’s wrong!” she held up a hand to her forehead. “I’m fine, De. See? The doctor said it wasn’t a concussion. It was a stupid little attack – a tantrum from a pair of poor losers and-“

She was unable to finish the statement as Deanna marched out of the room.

“Deanna, wait-“ Selena called out, trying to follow her. She stumbled a little, her slipper-wearing feet slipping as the bus turned into another lane. Holding her hand up against the nearest wall, she steadied herself before she was able to walk out of the room to follow Deanna, only to see the redhead at the front of the bus, demanding a surprised Eric to pull over to the side. Confused, the driver clearly obeyed (what else could he do?) and ensured the bus was on the side of the highway.

“De-what are you?” Selena began as she grabbed a hold of various surfaces to re-secure her balance.
“Open the door.” She ordered, Eric doing so just in time to prevent the redhead from walking into the door as she exited the bus, reintroducing herself to the midnight air.

Without a second thought, Selena was following her out of the door and into the night. At that moment, neither woman cared about how they looked, dressed in sleep/comfort wear, to passing-by traffic. Deanna was too upset, clearly, and Selena was too damn confused.

“Deanna…” she called out. “Please, sweetheart – just tell me what I said. Tell me what I did wrong – I don’t even know if I did anything wrong-“

And again, that seemed to be the wrong thing to say, for the younger Frost spun around at those words, hurt and angry eyes back on the Snow Queen. “And THAT is the problem!” she barked, causing Selena to halt in their tracks, the two now standing on the ‘curb-side’ of the bus as it sat on the highway. 

“The problem is I don’t know what’s wrong?” Selena asked. “Deanna, I’m not a mind-reader. I can’t see what you’re thinking. You have to tell me-“
“No, the problem is that you think you haven’t done something wrong.” Deanna shot back before suddenly, angrily, slamming her fist against the side of the bus, the metal giving a dull ring from the impact. “The problem is that you MADE me stand there and do NOTHING while you were beaten down by Cid and Asher!”

The Snow Queen stood there dumbstruck, her mouth hanging up, unable to say or do anything as Deanna marched back up to Selena to poke at her with a finger.

“I was ready to jump in there to help you. To protect you. But YOU… you looked at me- and I knew that look. You forbid me from entering that ring, didn’t you? That’s what that look meant, wasn’t it?”

Selena tried to say something but no words came out. She could only close her mouth at the truth behind Deanna’s accusations.

“I had to stand there, fighting every fiber of my being from running into that ring while Cid stomped away at you and Asher mocked us!” her voice was a low growl. “And all I could do was hate myself that I was listening to you!” she turned away from a moment, taking a few steps away from Selena before spinning back around to eye her. “Why?! Why couldn’t you let me get in the ring?!”

“You’re… You’re not a wrestler…” Selena tried.
“Oh bullshit!” Deanna shot back. “I know how to fight! I know how to throw a damn punch and a kick!”

Silence followed that, broken only by the sounds of passing traffic as the two women stood there. For Deanna, her glare never faltered. As for the Snow Queen, part of her was still in shock at Deanna’s outburst, but that was slowly leaking into anger herself.

“Okay.” She huffed, crossing her arms. “What exactly would you have done, Deanna?” She tilted her head. “A former World Champion and one of the most desperate men in SCW right now. Syren and I are incapacitated. What the hell would you have done to help Syren and I? You. Against them.”

Deanna’s eyes narrowed at Selena at the challenge but she said nothing.

“Go ahead, De.” Selena frustratingly huffed. “Since you obviously are mad at my judgement call – with eight years of experience – what would you have done that would have made things better?”

“Grabbed a chair and-“
“And what?” Selena laughed. “Swung wildly and hoped to hit something? They would have seen you coming a mile away! Asher was watching you the whole time. You’d never have managed to get in the ring without them stomping the chair right out of your hands – and now they have two weapons.”
“Doesn’t mean-“
“Still waiting on a plan here, De.” Selena tapped a slippered-foot against the ground. “What would you have done to stop Cid and Asher from beating on us. Thrown a fist? A kick? Like you said?”

Deanna’s jaw clenched again, her hands tightening into fists. 

“I stopped you from getting in the ring because I knew you were going to try. And IF you had tried, they would have put you in the hospital.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make!” Deanna countered.
“Yes, it was!” Selena shot back. “You’re MY manager and MY wife. I brought you back into SCW. Meaning you’re MY responsibility.”
“You didn’t do shit!” Deanna threw back. “I CHOSE to come back and stand by your side!”
“And I am grateful!” Selena tried. “I want nothing more than that!”
“So, why are your treating me like a porcelain doll?!” Deanna countered. “Have you forgotten what I’ve been through?! What I survived on my own?!”

Selena’s eyes narrowed at that hurtful statement. “I can never forget it.” She stated coldly. “But you’re asking me to be okay with you blindly running into danger without a plan.”
“Even if I didn’t have a plan!” Deanna laughed angrily. “I could have at least distracted them enough to give you or Syren time to recover!”
“And gotten destroyed in the process?”
“YES!” Deanna spat. “Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices for the greater good. In chess, sometimes, a pawn has to be thrown away for the good of the game. Sometimes, you need to give up a piece to get that pawn to the end and get back your Queen.”
“This isn’t a game, Deanna!” Selena shot back. “You don’t get a ‘reset’ if you fuck up! You get put on the shelf, or worse! For Odin’s sake, look what happened to Regan! I won’t have you following me into fire!”
“THEN STOP RUNNING INTO FIRE!” Deanna shouted. “It’s not fair! You can’t just run into wars and fights and whatever else and then tell me to just stand there and watch while you burn!” 

Another pause with only the sound of traffic vehicles, the two women now breathing heavily in their storm of emotions.

“You don’t have the right…” Deanna’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “To go running into trouble and then tell me that I can’t do the same – Especially when it’s to protect the woman that I love more than anything on this earth! You don’t have the right to tell me to not do anything stupid while you’re stupidly fighting the whole damn world.”

“Maybe I don’t…” Selena took a shaky breath. “And maybe it’s not fair…” another breath. “But if you want to stay with me – as my manager, by my side… that’s how it’s going to be.”

Deanna’s head shot up, eyes wide in shock as Selena stood there, defiantly. She felt tears stinging her eyes and the anger return in a fresh wave of fury, only to be squashed by a new wave of absolute hurt at Selena’s words. Without another word, she marched past Selena, pushing the Snow Queen aside to re-enter the bus.

The platinum-blonde stood there for a moment, taking a few quick breaths as she replayed the last few minutes in her mind. Deanna didn’t understand. She wasn’t like Holly Adams, Ravyn Taylor, CHBK, Minerva or the other people that acted as valets or managers for their friends. Those were all wrestlers. People that could hold their own in the ring. Deanna couldn’t. She had proven that when they had fought Holly and Asher months ago in that impromptu tag-match. 

Again, the words from her sister, Regan Street, earlier in the week came ringing back to Selena – the notion of Asher piledriving Deanna… even if it cost him another suspension or even his job… if tonight had proven anything, it was that, when pushed far enough, Cid and Asher were capable of anything! And if Deanna had come into the ring, the things they could have ‘legally’ done per the laws of SCW?

No! Selena knew she was right. Yes, it was an unfair ruling and she hated the idea of commanding her wife like a boss to an employee… but this wasn’t a game! And this wasn’t just about hurt feelings! She could take whatever A/C Unit threw at her, but they were AFTER Deanna! Asher WANTED to hurt Deanna – had all but sworn that he eventually would! All he needed was a reason, if that!

No... Selena sighed. Deanna can’t fight my battles with me – not like how she wants to. I refuse to let her stupidly throw herself into danger like that.

Turning back, Selena made her way back onto the bus as well, apologizing to both Eric and Mike for the hassle. It wasn’t until she had reached the near end of the bus that she saw the pillow and blankets thrown on the floor in front of the door. She recognized them as belonging to her bed on the other side of the door.

With a slow sigh, she gathered the items up into her arms and made her way back to the middle of the bus. Reaching out, she closed the barrier to the driver’s seats where Eric and Mike were sitting, turned off the lights and settled herself down on the nearby long couch. She could barely make out the lights passing by through the closed shutters of the window, but she watched them ‘fly’ past as she lay on the couch.

It’s for her own good. she sighed as she thought that, repeating it a few times for good measure. In the end, she’ll understand that… I’m sure of it.

With that certainty, Selena closed her eyes. It took a while for the Snow Queen to fall asleep, but she managed it, though it was difficult to achieve with a mind as alert and troubled as hers. She replayed the night in her head, trying to think of ways things could have gone better.

Perhaps if she had left the title backstage, locked in the change room. 
Perhaps if she had anticipated such poor form from those two desperate boys.

Or perhaps things would have been different altogether if the world champion had heard the soft cries that filled the bedroom nearby…
_______________________________________________________________

The Royal Letter

The camera opens up to reveal the SCW World Champion sitting on a chair, one leg elegantly crossed over the other. She wears black jeans and a maroon shirt that shows her neck and the tops of her shoulders. Over one such shoulder sits the SCW World Championship, which she will be defending this weekend at the Apocalypse pay-per-view. With a smile, Selena Frost considers her words for a moment before speaking.

I don’t think I need to waste anyone’s time with an overdrawn buildup to this match.

Taking a short breath, Selena holds up a hand as if to further explain. That isn’t to diminish it. It’s because the world knows what this match promises to be by merely existing. You put the names of Cid Turner and Selena Frost together - that right there should tell you everything you need to know. You throw in the World Championship of SCW? That’s a bona-fide draw. That is a battle and a war simply in the marquee naming. Like Wayne Gretzky with greatness, like Elvis with rock and roll, Selena Frost vs Cid Turner for the SCW World title guarantees a war. 

The Snow Queen takes a slow breath as she adjusts the world title on her shoulder. That is what has come to be expected not just out of me and my matches but because of you, Cid. Because back and forth you and I have gone for months – and trust me when I say this, this has become more than just a fight for the world title, and you know it. This has become more than just me wanting to represent SCW as something more than the BS you’ve been trying to sell for so many months with your pal, Asher, and the “Co-World Champions” nonsense. 

She shrugs. If it was just that, this match would be simple for me. I’d dismiss your overused insults, come to Apocalypse and simply fight you, Cid. And win or lose, you’d either be right or I’d, once again, prove you wrong. Either you would be the world champion once again, or I would retain the championship. Like I said: simple. 

Biting her lower lip, the Snow Queen shakes her head slowly. Thing is, Cid, we both know this sure as hell has become far more personal than “simple”. You and I both know that this will not be settled simply by wrestling. You’re angry, you’re humiliated. And I’m just as angry and frustrated. This is not something that can be settled merely on who gets the winning pinfall or submission, can it? You and I won’t allow this to settle so simply, will we? Selena stares at the camera.

No, this will be settled in the fitting show of ‘Apocalypse’ and it will be settled by you and I beating the holy hell out of each other until the last bell rings. And, believe me, I am looking forward to doing just that.

A smile breaks across Selena’s pale features. Because I know that is what it will take to beat you once again, Cid. I know how much you want this title back. I know how desperate you are to get it back for you and for Asher. We’ve heard it week after week! A guarantee, right?! ‘Melt the Snow Queen’ because THAT’S not gotten old in the last eight years.

You’ve sworn it.
Asher has sworn it. 
Pretty sure Holly will tweet about it at some point.
Hell, you and Asher have already made plans for the next show once it’s all over! You’ve already made plans on what you’ll do ‘when you win the world championship!’ Giving a smirk, Selena shakes her head.

You say ‘when’ when you really should be saying ‘IF’…

But see, Cid, that right there shows me how ill-prepared you really are to face me. There’s an old saying, Mr. Turner. An old saying that goes “those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. The Snow Queen pauses for a moment, letting the adage sink in.

And since you talked about being “so and so in ALL SCW HISTORY!” well, let me give you some actual history: Last time you and I faced you one-on-one, you declared up and down that you cared FAR more about this title than I did.
Last time we faced one-on-one, you called my passion ‘fake’. An ‘act’ that you could crush.
Last time you and I faced one-one-one, you vowed that there was no way in hell that I was ever going to beat you and become World Champion…

And that is exactly what I did. a pale hand reaches up to tap the world title that sits on Selena’s shoulder.

Had it been the other way around, I would have learned from that. I would have accepted the loss and worked hard to be ready for the next time. I would have learned from my mistakes, my past, and gotten better so that this time would be different. I would be different.

But hell, I just fought you in a tag-match last week, Cid, and what the hell happened?

You declared up and down that you cared far more about this title and for SCW than me.
You called Syren and my tag-teaming as ‘an act’ and weak compared to the supposed “greatest tag-team in the last twenty or so years of SCW”.
And you vowed that there was no way in hell that the ‘new team’ could beat the “untouchable talent” that is A/C Unit… 

Again, a smile breaks across Selena’s features. It’s starting to sink in, isn’t it, Cid? It’s finally starting to sink in even through your warped brain. Every time you have thrown the gauntlet down on me – every time you have opened your big, fat, mostly beard-covered mouth and laid out some kind of challenge to me or declared some kind of ‘certainty’ of my defeat – I’ve picked up your word, your challenge, and rammed them right down your throat! 

I beat you, even with your supposed “dominance” and “greater passion”. I defied your supposed ‘standards’ and ‘promises’ and ‘lessons’, and I passed every test you threw at me, leaving you to throw a tantrum or have Asher whine about “cheating” or “unfairness” . Acting like little boys who don’t get their way.

She shakes her head. And for all your talent, Cid. All the people you’ve beaten – the skill you’ve shown - that’s something you still haven’t gotten after over a hundred days. For all the punishment you put me through, all the crap you and Asher have tried to pull over me, Deanna, Syren and all of SCW, the beatings – the hits with a world title – all the schemes you and Asher have cooked up, you can knock me down, you can hit me with a title, absolutely! You can make me bleed, you can beat me up… but you still haven’t been able to keep me down. You still haven’t been able to stop me from getting back up. 

Selena’s eyes narrow. And that’s what I am seeing now when I look into those eyes. I see anger. I see hatred. But I see that truth has finally dawned on you! And more than anything now, I see desperation.

You may very well be a better wrestler than me, Cid. You may be smarter than me. You may be more experienced than me. You may be stronger, you may be faster, you sure as hell are more arrogant, you might have more resources or angles to use than I do… but every time you and I have stepped up and stared each other down, I have seen that desperation growing in your eyes each and every time. And last Breakdown? When your supposed ‘best laid plan’, your ‘surefire’ of the unbeatable bromance was conquered – when Syren and I BEAT the “Tag League Champions” and “greatest tag-team in SCW near twenty-year history”… I saw it all snap.

The Snow Queen snaps her fingers.

I saw you snap, Cid. I saw that desperation in your eyes take control and I felt it as you fell back on what you and Asher always fall back on. ‘If you can’t beat them in a match, beat them up after it.’ Just like when Asher couldn’t get past Syren at Taking Hold of the Flame… And, I won’t deny it, you sure as hell gave Syren and I a beating last week, sure gave me one.

The Face of SCW gestures to her forehead, where there are still the marks of stitches she received from that episode of Breakdown. Rather than be angry from that night, however, Selena smiles.

But if I needed any more convincing of who the hell I am facing at Apocalypse? I got it last Breakdown. YOU gave it to me, Cid. Because I don’t see that same arrogance and indifference in your eyes that you showed me three months ago. I don’t see that smugness anymore. Not when, twice now, you’ve vowed to beat me with your ‘superior abilities’ and you have failed.

I see a man who is desperate. I see a man who is clutching at straws. You want so badly to get this title back that it’s come to a point where you pretend to be doing all this in ‘service’ to SCW, but truthfully? You’re just jumping on the bandwagon that so many like you have done. Since you can’t seem to beat me on your own – you’re ready to use whatever method you can and break whatever rule you have to to try and make it happen.

Again, Selena adjusts the world title on her shoulder but her eyes never leave the camera. It’s a look that I have seen for years, Cid. In the eyes of Vixen Cain, in the eyes of Ace Marshall, in the eyes of Xander Valentine, in the eyes of Bree Lancaster, and, yes, in the eyes of Syren and Infamous. Where obsession becomes desperation and overrules morality and honour. Where it no longer matters how you do it… just so long as you win. her shoulders shrug.

And I know, Cid, I definitely know, that that mentality makes you even more dangerous. That mentality will not balk at the notion of being ‘helped to the World title’. That mentality will not hesitate to use the title belt to secure a win. That mentality will be another hurdle that will require everything from me to overcome. But it’s also a mentality that I know how to beat better than anyone. All those names I mentioned? There’s a reason I’ve taken them all on and not only survived but I won. There is a reason I am the World Champion. Because I know that mentality. I know that song and dance between them and me, Cid, and I can dance with the best of them! her tone drops a little, becoming colder.

Week after week, I have seen the depths you and Asher are willing to go to keep this delusion of yours alive, Cid. I have seen that same mentality and I know what you are capable of, now more than ever. You? Despite all of that, there is a reason you have failed over and over again with me. There is a reason why you were outsmarted by Syren and I. There is a reason you couldn’t beat us last week.

Maybe you know Syren on some sick, stalker-level in your mind… but you have no idea what I am capable of. 

Leaning forward, Selena slides the title off her shoulder to hold it down over her knees. You have no idea how far you and Asher have pushed me. You have no idea how far YOU, Turner, pushed me when you shoved my wife simply because you were humiliated once again by your own unkept promises.

I have sided with the most unlikely of people in SCW.
I was actually part of an Infamous-worthy scheme to avenge my wife.
I even tag-teamed with Syren for the first time in half a decade!

All to make you and Asher pay for what you two have done. You think throwing milk and water and plants and salad in your faces was the worst? Cid, that is only a small example – perhaps a more fitting word would be ‘appetizer’ - to how far I’m willing to go to keep the world title from you and that fake bastard. Don’t believe me? Ask Xander. Ask Bree. Ask Ace and Lexy. Ask Syren, if she’ll talk to you, about how far I’m willing to go for something or someone that I love and I believe in! And there is nothing I believe in more than S-C-W. There is no one I love more than Deanna! the passion in Selena’s voice breaks through, her eyes shining with intensity.

See, Cid, you and I both know what Syren is going to do to Asher this weekend. And if I were you, I’d be terrified of that. But you also need to be terrified of me. Because this time around, I’m not just going to ‘fight for SCW’ or for the ‘standard’ I believe in. I’m not going to just ‘fight to give the world title the respect it deserves’.

Selena slowly shakes her head. You have made it so fighting simply for those ideals isn’t enough this time around. You have made it that personal for me and for my wife. And there are only a few people that have made it this personal for me in eight long years, Cid, but you and Asher are two of them. So, at Apocalypse, when they ring that bell, I’ll do more than just represent SCW and more than simply beat Cid Turner for a second time... 

At Apocalypse, I will finish the task of destroying A/C Unit’s fantasy when I knock the hell out of Cid Turner!

The Snow Queen’s voice echoes as she roars that last line before settling back to the cold tone she had.

I emphatically defeat Cid Turner and Syren, Deanna and I end the A/C Unit fantasy. We end the lies, we end the BS, the false title, and I do my part not as “The Face of SCW” or “The Snow Queen” or the world champion but as the wife of Deanna Frost. I do it as Selena Frost!

Because, regardless of the insults you throw, through all of this, Cid, one absolute certain exists. That is, throughout my entire career, I have risen and fallen as me. Not a brainwasher. Not a manipulator, not a princess-ripoff, not a liar, but as me. All the losses, the four years of waiting, the fails and successes, it’s all been with me being me. Why is this personal? Because I love my wife and you and Asher crossed a line. That isn’t for some draw. That is me being in love with Deanna Frost.

And the reason you hate me – the REAL reason you hate me, Cid – is because you don’t have the first damn clue how do that.

The Winter’s Knight tilts her head, her look that might resemble a semblance of pity. You have changed your ideology so many times, you’ve turned your back on the SCW fans that supported you, you screwed over the people that respected you, you’ve disrespected legends and icons and the company that heralded you as a Hall of Famer, you’ve disrespected the world championship, you’ve basically become a stalker to a Hall of Famer and now you’re a supposed ‘savior’ with a god’s power in your belly...

Selena gives a slight pause. All because you don’t know who Cid Turner truly is. And that notion terrifies you. Without Asher telling you who you are, without Holly Adams telling you who you are… you don’t know. And it scares the hell out of you. And instead of facing that fear – FACING that unknown - you bury your head in the sand and ignore the reality around you for as long as you can.

You ignore Syren saying “No!” to your advances, chalking it up to her being manipulated.
You ignore that I may actually beat you again, saying our last match was what? A fluke?
You ignore that Asher is using you despite the world screaming it every night to you.
You ignore the wrongs he does like piledriving Syren, the woman you supposedly love.
You ignore your moral code and allow yourself to just follow his lead – shoving my wife just because you lost a match.

You are a mindless, desperate fool that’s too scared to be anything on his own. Too scared to truly stand on his own as the SCW World Champion. Too scared to find out who the hell Cid Turner truly is on his own. You are a parasite in your own right, Cid, just like Asher is. And at Apocalypse? That isn’t going to change – but you using the world championship… this game of yours and Asher’s to keep your delusions alive? They will end.

Selena sits back in her chair. Last time, Cid, you got a much needed dose of reality at Taking Hold of the Flame and since then, you’ve done all you can with Asher to deny it, refute it, twist it, and vomit it out of your system, but it’s still there. It’s in those eyes of desperation.

At Apocalypse, I am going to give you another much needed dose of reality. The difference? Unlike that night in June, it won’t just be the end of a match. It won’t just be an end to your dreams with the SCW World Championship. This will be the end of A/C Unit’s hold on the world title. It will be the end of you and Asher’s claims of “Co-World Championship”. This Sunday, there will still ONLY be one SCW World Champion and her name will be ‘Selena Frost’!

And as for the name of Cid Turner? Well, you can claim Co-this and co-that with Asher – hell, photoshop your faces on some pictures with the title if you have to. But you will need to find something else to define who you are, Cid. Because you and Asher will scream “Co-World Champions”…

And nobody in SCW will believe you.

Not anyone in the back.
Not anyone in the audience.
And sure as hell not the SCW World Champion!

Believe it!

The camera focuses on Selena and the World title before entirely fading to black.