Selena Frost, Cid Turner & Purity Pixie vs Kandis, Ricky James & Ace Marshall

[SnowQueenSCW]

Project: Black Ice

 

 

”State of Nature”

 
Malcom Scythe’s House
Nome, Alaska
October 8th, 2021
4:40pm
 
 
Deanna had thought that Selena was calling Regan as she watched her darling wife hold the cellphone to her ear. Who else would Selena call for such much-needed advice? Malcolm Scythe was just in the other room, expecting some kind of positive answer to his request. The issue was that any positive answer would involve an allowance to let him be close to her and Selena’s children.
 
The very idea filled Deanna with a sense of dread, which she was sure was shared with Selena.
 
How could either of them forget the hell Malcolm had put them through? How he had kidnapped Elsianna years ago and driven Deanna to flee to Germany to protect the young girl and David? Maybe, compared to the two years in prison, a far fresher pain to the redhead, Malcolm’s acts would have seen less severe, but they weren’t, especially to Selena.
 
Stealing a glance, Deanna caught herself taking in the features of her beloved. How many years of joy and happiness had Malcolm stolen from Selena? What would he have driven her to become had it not been for her fleeing to SCW and being lucky enough to get employed there? For Odin’s sake, Malcolm was responsible for Selena losing Elsa at childbirth, driving the poor platinum-blonde to near insanity!
 
No, Deanna had felt sorry for the old man all but begging the Frost women to allow a visitation, and she was sorry to see him so haggard and run down but… well, no one was sure what was going on to prompt all this, and that was the whole issue.
 
Seeing Deanna gazing at her, Selena offered her a gentle smile, her free hand reaching out to take Deanna’s. Her mind snapped to attention when she heard the phone call pick up.
 
“Hey…” she started in a whisper. “…dad.”
 
Deanna’s eyes widened as her ears picked up the word. Dad… that meant that the person Selena was calling wasn’t Regan, but Jonathan VanHohenheim in New Jersey.
 
As if sensing her wife’s surprise, Selena quietly pulled the phone from her ear to push a button the screen, turning the phone onto speaker mode.
 
“I’m sorry to be calling you so late.” Selena sighed, knowing it was nearly 9pm in New Jersey.
“That’s alright, kid. What’s going on?” came the strong voice of her father.
“We’re…” she cast a glance to her wife’s emerald eyes. “Deanna and I are in Nome.”
 
There was the sound of movement on the other line before Selena heard the ‘clicking’ of someone else picking up another phone, the landline connected a third party to the call. “Hunny?” the voice that came out was now feminine. “It’s mom.”
 
“Hey, mom.” Selena replied. “I have Deanna here too.”
“Hi, mom.” Deanna spoke. “Sorry it’s so late.”
“It’s only 9ish.” Alejandra VanHohenheim dismissed. “Why are you two in Nome? Is everything alright?”
“Not…” Selena tried, again gazing at Deanna before returning to the phone lying on the bed between the two Frost wives. “We’re not entirely sure.”
 
“See…” Deanna tried. “Malcolm is asking to see the children.”
“Malcolm?” Alejandra asked before suddenly speaking. “Malcolm SCYTHE?”
 
“Yeah…” Selena sighed. “Apparently, he stepped down as mayor of Nome and…” she shook her head. “Mom, he’s in bad shape.”
“Bad shape how?” Alejandra asked.
“I have no idea.” Laughed Selena. “He’s rugged, his hair is more white, and he looks like he hasn’t slept in days. I have no idea what he’s trying to pull here, but…”
“It’s beyond confusing.” Deanna finished with a sigh.
“And he wants to see the kids?” came Jonathan’s voice.

“I’m guessing just Elsianna and David.” Selena shrugged. “Those are the only two remotely related to him.”
“Tell him to fuck off.” Jonathan replied strictly.
“I have to agree with your father.” Alejandra sighed. “You don’t owe him anything after everything he’s done to this family.”
“I know.” Selena sighed. “I told him the same thing.”
 
“But we were hoping saying that to his face would force him to drop the hammer-“ Deanna explained. “You know…show all his cards?”
“Because he must have known you’d say no.” Alejandra reasoned.
“What is he blackmailing you with?” Jonathan asked.
 
“That’s just it.” Selena ran a hand through her platinum-blonde hair. “He’s not blackmailing us. He’s…he’s just practically begging to see them.”
 
There was a long pause – a silence that unnerved both Selena and Deanna.


“I don’t understand.” Came Alejandra’s voice.
 
“Neither did we!” laughed Deanna. “He kept talking about Anastasia dying and making amends and-“
 
A laugh came from the other line, the masculinity of it sounding like it belonged to Jonathan. “Is he dying or something?”
 
The question, meant as a joke, had the opposite effect, as it caused Selena and Deanna to snap their head at the same time to stare at one another, sapphire and emerald eyes wide.
 
“You don’t think...” she whispered.
“No.” Selena shook her head. “It can’t be.” Selena shook her head. “From what? He’s never had health problems – and if he did, he’d use his power to get the best doctors to cure him, not abandon that power…”
“No…” Deanna shook her head. “I mean, yes, I agree, but…what if…no that doesn’t make sense either.”
 
“Everything okay?” came Alejandra’s voice.
“Yes.” Selena replied. “Regardless of the reason, this whole thing just feels so unlike everything we’ve dealt with and… we don’t know what to do.”
 
She didn’t want to say ‘I’ in that statement, but it was far more fitting choice of words that she had wished to say. She was beyond confused by all of this. The change in her enemy, his actions, so unlike the bastard she had known for years…
 
Did…did she feel pity to Malcolm? Did a part of her actually believe that this was genuine? That, for all the years he had lied and stolen and destroyed so much, that he was, now, just an old man wanting to see the only grandchildren he had?
 
“Tell them what you’re thinking.” Whispered Deanna, squeezing her wife’s hand, as if to instill confidence through skin-to-skin contact.
 
With a deep breath, Selena spoke. “Father, you don’t remember him, but… Malcolm is responsible for everything that happened to you and so much of what happened to us. He… he was responsible for your amnesia and the DeCarlos and me losing Elsianna…”
 
“I know.” Came the slow voice of her father. “Alejandra told me long ago what happened. It didn’t take much over the years to put everything together and fill in the missing pieces.”
“So…what if he were in front of you right now, asking you to shake his hand and forgive him?” Selena slowly asked.
 
There was a moment of silence, even from Alejandra, as if she, herself, was waiting for an answer from her husband. It was only a few minutes that passed in silence, but Selena and Deanna found themselves repeatedly holding their breath without meaning to as they waited.
 
“I’d shake his hand and tell him I forgive him.” Came the slow reply.
 
Selena’s throat hitched, words failing her. Deanna, on the other hand, allowed a small smile to grace her lips.
 
“I imagine that surprises you, kid?” Jonathan asked.
“I…” Selena stammered. “Yes…how can you…”
“Because, yes, he took so much from me.” Jonathan breathed. “And what he did to you… I can’t forgive him for that. But what he did to me? I ended up with the woman I love, I got to have you back in my life… and maybe that wouldn’t have happened…”
 
He paused for a moment, slowly continuing. “No one knows what the future holds and you can’t change the past. But you’re alive, you have a family, just like I do. So, maybe I can’t entirely forgive him, but I can let go of whatever hate I had for what he did to me.”
 
Selena was stunned. Forgiveness had never factored into the equation for her. Not just because Malcolm never asked for it, but because it never seemed like a possibility. In her mind, Malcolm was irredeemable. There was no ‘turning back’ for him.
 
And yet…
 
If he hadn’t pushed Selena to the breaking point, would Selena have had the courage to run away from Nome and join SCW? Would she have still met Deanna? Would she have been able to find her family? And, whether she admitted to it or not, it had been Malcolm that had helped get Deanna out of prison, not just with the data-drive retrieval but also forcing Talia to help them over in Oberwesel.
 
“So…what should I do?” Selena asked, her voice shaky.
“I can’t tell you that.” Her father sighed. “This isn’t a matter of forgiveness. Your children are involved, that’s why I made my original suggestion.”
 
“I’m sorry, sweetie.” Alejandra offered. “You and Deanna need to make a decision on this. We will support you either way.”
 
The platinum-blonde felt her hopes crash to the floor and shatter to pieces. Even her parents – good people that they were – were unsure how to proceed one way or another. With a quiet ‘thanks’, Selena hung up, lifting her head to gaze into Deanna’s eyes. “What do we do?” she asked.
 
Biting her lower lip, Deanna took a shaky breath. “Selena…what if he IS dying?”
“He’s not.” Selena sighed. “It’s just a ploy.”
“Okay, but what if he is?” Deanna looked away.
“I…I can’t just forget what he’s done, Deanna. All those years…”
 
“Yes, you can.” Deanna smiled. “Because you said the same thing about Syren. And Kelcey. And even Regan, remember?”
 
Selena’s mouth hung open. Women that Selena had once hated, who had stolen and hurt her and her family… she had, without realizing it, forgiven Syren, befriended Kelcey, and even made a sister of Regan!
 
“Maybe this is a stretch, but maybe…” Deanna tried. “Maybe Malcolm has changed or is trying to. And if you could help make things better with Regan… only to deny Malcolm this, even if you have every right to… I know you’ll regret it.”
 
Selena took a slow breath through her nose before speaking. “There’s a factor here that we’re not considering.”
“What?” Deanna asked before a sapphire gaze was back on her.
“Killjoy.”
 
Deanna’s eyes went wide. “You…you think all of this has to do with him?”
“I don’t know.” The Snow Queen shook her head. “But what other reason would prompt Malcolm to quit being mayor and seek out some kind of redemption in our children?”


For a moment, Selena was alone with her thoughts, only to push herself to her feet and march out of the room, Deanna quickly following her. She was soon in the same room she had sat in with Malcolm and Talia, the two not having left their place. Hearing their entry, Malcolm looked up at them with a calm expression and matching voice. “Thought it over?”
 
For a moment, Selena said nothing, merely studying the old man’s expression, his eyes, taking everything into account. What if Deanna was right? What if Selena, herself, was right?
 
“One thing.” Selena ordered, prepared to interrogate him about Killjoy when she suddenly stopped herself. “We give you this – it’s on our terms. You do as we say, where we say.”
“I shall.” Malcolm replied. “I shall follow your instructions to the letter. I assure you of that.”
“Oh trust me.” Selena laughed. “This won’t be pleasant. I’m not letting you with ten miles of my children until I know you’re harmless to them.”
“I give you my word-“
“No.” Selena stated sharply. “You’ll give me your word on the second part of this offer. We do this, then you owe me something.”
“If it is within my power.” Malcolm tried, his calm never breaking.

“One question.” Selena stated. “After you meet them, I will ask you one single question and you MUST answer it.”
“What’s the question?” Malcolm asked.
“Not part of the deal.” Selena stated back. “Yes or no. Right now.”
 
A moment passed. It was Malcolm’s turn to study Selena in that moment before he took a slow breath. “Very well.” He stated. “I will answer your one question.”
 
With a nod, Selena was out of the house and heading back to the car, Deanna following behind her. They remained silent for several minutes until they were heading down the roads back to the airport.
 
“You…you have a plan?” Deanna tried, keeping her eyes on her wife.
“I…have an idea.” Selena replied. “But I think…” she sighed. “I think I just needed a reason to say ‘yes’.”

She couldn’t believe part of her was buying this… but it was there, a small sliver asking the same question of such a twisted man: What if?

_______________________________________________________________
 

The Royal Letter

 
 
Dear SCW Universe,

I’m starting to see a pattern. It seems that Breakdown isn’t really an episode of Breakdown until Cid Turner hits me with some kind of weapon.
 
But let’s start off with the more satisfying news. I promised to take Asher Hayes down and I did just that. The supposed “man who ALWAYS puts his Co-World Championship” on the line now stands at a loss to Xander Valentine, Syren and to me – which, I must admit, is oddly satisfying to me personally after what he put my Deanna through.
 
However, it seems that with the good comes the… actually, I don’t know if I can say ‘bad’ but it certainly doesn’t make me feel excited as other team-ups seem to have gone. You take the team I am set to face later tonight: A proverbial “who’s who” of my past.
 
Ace Marshall: the man I defeated at Rise to Greatness to retain the world title in the “Unbelievable Main Event”.
Kandis: The woman Regan and I defeated to become tag-team champions and for my sister to become Supreme Champion.
And Ricky James: A man that, only until recently, was using my name to bolster his career, relating me to a modern day “Joseph Stalin” I believe.
 
Now, could I bank on the issues the Jackals seem to have with LexyCorp? Hardly. A few rough weeks would not make Kandis or Ace stupid enough to throw this opportunity away. LexyCorp needs this to further their delusions, Ace Marshall, apparently mad with ‘gold fever’ after losing to me, needs this, and the Jackals need this to continue their destructive domination. It isn’t hard to overlook a few rough weeks of fighting if the prize is large enough.
 
I could share a similar notion between Pixie and myself. A rookie trying to find her place in this world after struggling for so long. I can respect that she hasn’t let it get her down and that she continues to fight for her place here, which isn’t easy, trust me. The opportunity to work with a young rookie, maybe help them as veterans like Regan and Dawn Lohan helped me…
 
But that isn’t the elephant in the room, is it? That’s not what everyone is talking about. That isn’t what is on everyone’s mind, is it? The loudest conversation piece in this whole tournament is that the current world champion is teaming with Selena Frost.
 
I don’t know if it was fate pulling a joke or A/C Unit pulling some prank on me like they’ve been trying to do to keep Asher as “the number one contender” to the world title despite not winning one match since he got back here.
 
But how can I be confident in this after the events of Breakdown? Where my supposed ‘new partner’ bashed my spine with a chair? This isn’t some ‘fresh of the season’ battle like the Jackals and LexyCorp – something that can be overlooked for a little bit for the greater prize. Cid and I – this is a war that has taken up most of 2021! If you don’t believe me, look at the world title picture! We’re both still in it! How can I put that aside after last week? How can I just let that slide and believe that things will work out?
 
How can I be confident against such people like Ace Marshall and Kandis? I haven’t really fought Ricky James before, but I know those two VERY well. I know how little they care for the rules – only for the win. I know how dangerous they are.
 
Defeating those two one-on-one was a challenge in and off itself, but, come on, True Believers. We all know that fighting either of those two one-on-one is next to impossible. There’s always interference or some kind of ‘shortcut’ incorporated. With Ace Marshall, there’s Lexy and maybe Yashidi or Autumn Valentine and, as I said, the Jackals are not far off where Kandis is concerned.
 
But there’s also the A/C Unit. You think I haven’t looked at the total tournament bracket? There’s a chance that the winner of this match will face the team involving Asher Hayes. And I’m teaming with his proverbial “Yes man”. The man prepared to lay down and hand him the World title it seems.
 
But apparently, Cid has taken to the airwaves, promising to do all he can to ‘give’ something to Pixie and I.
 
Tell me, Cid. What kind of gift are you talking about? A beatdown from the Jackals or LexyCorp or A/C Unit? A team up that ends the second Asher tells you to lay down for him? Or maybe a series of wins where you use that belt or a chair or some other underhanded tactics at the behest of Holly or Asher if they’re eliminated?
 
If those are your gifts, then I don’t want them.
 
My entire career, tournaments have been the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and even luck in some cases. There is nothing that I enjoy more than competing in a tournament. A set of matches to overcome odds and challenges to stand as one of the best in SCW. And with Trios? We all know what those contracts can do. I used one to become United States Champion and Supreme Champion in one swoop. Ace Marshall has used it for chaos over and over again to the point where it’s not even funny anymore. The idea of that kind of power in your hands – in A/C Unit’s hands – unnerves me, Cid. No, to be honest, it terrifies me.
 
So why do it? Why go through a hell that may endanger my chances at regaining the world championship? Why willingly enter this tiger trap filled with Jackals and desperate people like Asher and Ace?
 
Because someone has to.
 
Because someone needs to be there to fight for this team and TRULY fight for this company. To look out for Pixie, who doesn’t deserve ANY of our issues Cid, or those with the Jackals or LexyCorp. Someone needs to be there to TRY and earn those Trios contracts.
 
Someone has to be there to do what you SAY you’re doing, Cid.
 
You think I forgot what you said the first Breakdown you came back as World Champion? You said that you were the man that would lead SCW. That you were the world champion SCW needs. And then last week, you stood on the ramp and held the world title up as if to emphasize that.
 
And we’ve all noticed it, Cid – this new ‘confidence’ you have. Whether it’s Glorb-Glorb or drinking Mr. Clean, whatever you’re doing - we’ve got it. But you should know by now, Cid, words aren’t enough in SCW. Just ask Asher – who promised he’d drop me and Deanna. Just ask Ace Marshall, who swore he’d end me at Rise to Greatness – or had Lexy do it most of the time. Ask Kandis, who declared that I would NEVER hold the tag-team titles with my sister. Hell, you said I would never care about the world title as much as you.
 
You may be the World Champion now, Cid, but I’m still the standard and the Face of SCW. It’s something I earned over years of work and countless victories. And I’m looking at you, Cid, and I’m hearing your words. You SAY you’re the champion SCW needs? I say PROVE IT! You say you’re not afraid of challenges, I say PROVE IT! You say you’re going to lead this company? I say PROVE IT!
 
Because I refuse to let this opportunity slip through my hands and slip through Pixie’s hands because of you. I refuse to have this SCW tradition devolve into another A/C Unit ego-trip!
 
I want to win this tournament. I want to help Pixie win this tournament! I want to represent SCW in this tournament while so many others are looking for shortcuts, I want to win by being the best team. Period.
 
The question really is: what the hell is the world champion going to do? What will Cid do if LexyCorp gets involved? What will Cid do if the Jackals get involved? What will Cid do if Asher gets involved?
 
And what will Selena Frost do to ensure that it won’t make a damn bit of difference?
 
That… supposed ‘leader of SCW’, is how I will lead this team and how I will lead SCW… with or without you.
 
Believe it!
 
Kindest regards,
Selena Michelle Frost