Adams vs. Britt Lohan vs. Kandis vs. Autumn Valentine vs. Williams vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: Occurs immediately following Selena’s first. Promo occurs day of Retribution. Good luck, all!

Project: Black Ice

”Shoot first, ask questions later”

She looked around desperately, trying to get her bearings. All she could see was snow. Snow as far as the eye could see. Snow that covered the ground. Snow that covered the trees that surrounded her. Snow that feel in thick, heavy clumps from the black skies above.

Why was she here? Hadn’t she just been… just been…

Her eyes widened. She couldn’t remember where she had last been, but she knew it hadn’t been here. Maybe a place like here, there was some familiarity with the snow that she felt.

But I wasn’t here… she thought. This is where I always go to die…

The thought brought no sadness or despair in her. How many times did she face death here, her blood staining the pure-white snow? How many times had she been destroyed only to wake up?

Wake up… so it was lucid dream this time. She had had those before as well – and they were always preferred. They gave her courage, even if she couldn’t entirely remember where last she was. Was it work related?

Quickly, as she took her first step forward, seeing her black boots sink into the snow up to her shin, she tried to recall her last vivid memory…

Defeating Glory Braddock.
Something about choosing opponents?
Utter chaos…

With a shake of her head, the woman decided to push on. She would have all the answers once she faced whatever was waiting for her and woke up - of that she was sure of. But she remembered Glory for some reason.

The woman deemed “The Best Wrestler in the World”… and she was banished from the world title match – had that been the platinum-blonde’s doing? Was it her fault? She had fought with the belief that both of them, regardless of who won and who lost, would highlight the main-event at Retribution. She had argued that Glory had fought with nothing to lose because she truly believed Glory had nothing to lose… when she unknowingly had all along.

Was Selena a murderer? A killer of dreams? She hadn’t meant to eliminate Glory from the match – she wanted Glory there, adding to the integrity of the title! Even so, it had been her kick – her attack – that had brought Braddock down… so there was no one to blame but her…

She shook her head harshly as she saw the snow fall off from the top of her scalp, joining the thick blanket that spread before her. No, there needed to be a winner and a loser. That was what the SCW world title was about. The days of two people sharing it were, thank Odin, long gone! Only one person could be champion and it deserved to be the better person. Not someone that would get one or more friends to outnumber the opponent. Not someone that won one match and declared themselves “the rightful champion”. Not someone that broke every rule and deemed it ‘fair’. Not even someone that called themselves “The Best Wrestler in the World” and failing to live up to that moniker…

“It was either her or me…” was that her voice? She didn’t feel herself talking but the voice was clear in her head and it sounded like hers.

Selena Frost…

She spun around on the spot, searching high and low for the sound of the voice she heard. It was loud and ominous, dark and intimidating… yet there was nothing. Nothing but the snow falling around her.

Selena Frost… echoed the voice again, as if trying to get her attention. Again, the Snow Queen spun around, but saw no one. However, as she turned back around to continue her walk, she was suddenly no longer staring into the vast blanket of snow…

But five pairs of bitter, angry eyes all glaring back at her.

She opened her mouth to gasp in shock, but no sound came out. She tried to take a step back as well, but her back met resistance. Turning her head, she spied the large, brick wall that now blocked her path from behind.

Selena Frost! boomed the voice, louder than ever, almost deafening her ears and forcing her to, once more, face the line of people standing before her, recognizing each one.

Kandis.
Kim Williams.
Holly Adams.
Autumn Valentine.
Brittany Lohan.

All five women stared her down, some of them flexing and relaxing their hands into fists and back again, as if itching to be the one that attacked first. Yet, none of them did.

“Well?” Selena asked, standing before them. “What are you waiting for?”

Selena Frost… came the voice once more. You stand before this court accused of murder of the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder, theft, and conspiracy to commit theft, and blackmail. That you knowingly stole the world title from Holly Adams, conspired with others to keep it from her, and, lastly, with great prejudice and violence, murdered Glory Braddock. A series of crimes that is punishable by death. Do you understand the charges?

Casting her eyes from one woman to the next, she spied the wide grin of Holly Adams, the smug smirk of Autumn Valentine, the dismissive boredom of Kim Williams, and the amused smile of Kandis. Only Brittany Lohan seemed to have no expression other than a serious one as she observed.

“I do.” The platinum-blonde finally answered.

And how do you plead?

“Depends on which charge.” She answered honestly.

On the charge of theft and conspiracy?
“Not guilty.” Selena remarked.
“LIAR!” she heard Holly scream but ignored her.
On the charge of blackmail?
“Not guilty.”

There was a moment of silence between the women before the voice was heard again.

On the charge of murder?

Slowly, a sigh escaped from Selena, condensing into mist as it left her lungs. “Guilty as charged.” She answered. “I knowingly defeated Glory. Even if I didn’t know it would kill her chances to be here with the rest of us… I am responsible for that.”

So noted… It is the decision of this court that you be executed by firing squad.

Casting her eyes back towards the others in a rush, Selena spied that their hands were no longer at their sides and no longer empty. Each one of them held some sort of firearm – Where did they… she started to think but her mind froze as all five guns were pointed directly at her. She could see the utter joy in so many of their faces, either for her destruction or just destruction in general.

May God have mercy on your soul… came the voice. Take Aim… demanded the voice. At the order, Kimberly and Autumn aimed their guns.

Fire. came the order.

For some reason, Selena saw the flashes of the bang before she heard any sound. Still, even as she saw blood burst out of her as she hit the ground, she felt no true pain. Slowly, as if moving through quicksand, she pushed herself to her knees, seeing her blood spilling from her shoulder and stomach as it stained the white snow.

Take Aim… came the voice again, giving her just enough time to look up to see the others: Holly, Kandis, and Brittany now aim their guns straight at her. Fire.

She was blasted onto her back, her sapphire eyes staring up at the dark clouds and snow still falling. It was, actually, quite beautiful a sight and she felt, oddly, comforted by it, a smile forming across her features. In fact, she was so enchanted by the sight of the snowfall that she almost missed the sound of crunching snow approaching her until a cloaked figured stood above her. She could not see their face.

Was it Kandis?
Kimberly?
Autumn?
Holly?
Brittany?
Killjoy?
Ryan?

She didn’t know, for all she saw under the hood were those glowing yellow eyes as the being held a gun of its own towards her, aiming straight at her head.

Mercy on your soul, Selena Frost…

The sound of one last gunshot filled her ears… and then… oblivion.

*************************************

Nome Recreation Center
Nome, Alaska
March 3rd, 2022
6:41pm

“SELENA!”

Her ears were still ringing as she heard her name being screamed, but the voice was enough to rip through to her. In an instant, sapphire eyes flew open, to the teary emerald eyes and mane of red hair.

“Please, wake-“ those emerald eyes widened as they say Selena’s sapphire orbs. “Oh, thank Odin!”. With a cry, Deanna threw her arms around Selena, who, only at that moment, realized that she was lying on the floor, with the hard wood underneath her and Deanna on top of her.

“Deanna…” she tried, instinctively drawing her arms around her wife. “What are-“

As if waking from a dream, everything flashed behind Selena’s eyes.

Gavin Scythe’s party to officially begin his campaign for mayor of Nome.
His brother, Ryan, showing up to crash it and try and bury his brother.
Gavin sticking to the strategy by him, Jean, Zelda, Talia and Selena and beating Ryan!
Selena leaving Ryan in the corner – damn that had felt good!
Dancing with Deanna – the gunshot…

Without thinking, Selena bolted upright, causing Deanna to jump back a little, shifting to her knees. As Selena’s eyes flew around the room, her ears seemed to finally pick up the sounds around her. Sounds of people screaming as they ran around like chickens with their heads cut off. Some were rushing to the exit, while others were huddled in the corners of the room. Several people dressed in black were swarming the room as well – security – seemingly trying to regain order and control in what had become a gymnasium of chaos.

“What…” Selena’s head seemed to explode with a dull ached that gripped her skull and neck, causing a pale hand to grasp it. “Ahh…” she winced, trying to breath the pain away. “Conceal…” she whispered. “Don’t feel…”

A few slow breaths later, with Deanna helping the Snow Queen to sit up against the cool wall, Selena refocused her attention back onto her wife. “Are you alright?” she asked, her eyes running over her wife’s form. “I remember hearing a gunshot while we were dancing and then…”

“You threw me to the ground, trying to protect me.” Deanna nodded, staying close to her wife. “But the gunshot made everyone start panicking and rushing around and someone really kicked you in the head.”

“I got knocked out?!” Selena’s eyes widened in surprise. “For how long?”
“Just a minute.” Deanna assured her, breathing another sigh of relief. “Longest minute of my life.” She added, aggressively wiping at her eyes with her palm.

Continuing to stare into the room, at the dissolving chaos, Selena shook her head. “Who the hell fired that shot?” she asked aloud. “I thought security checked everyone before they entered.”

“They’re supposed to.”

Both Frost wives turned their heads to stare up at the kneeling Jean Black, the suited detective on a knee and leaning a bit on his cane to check over the two women. “Are you both alright?”

Selena opened her mouth to speak, but was quickly interrupted as Deanna took charge. “Selena was knocked out for barely a minute.” She reported. “I think she was just stunned by an errant kick.”
 
“Thank goodness that’s all that happened.” Jean surmised, earning a nod from Deanna, who cast another emerald gaze on her beloved. “Can you both stand?” he asked, immediately pushing himself to his feet.

Slowly, with help of Deanna at first, Selena pulled herself to a standing position. Testing her balance, she was relieved to feel… nothing. No dizziness, no nausea – all the signs of concussion that she knew so well from her years in SCW were absent. Only a slight headache and a stiffness in her neck, probably from the whiplash. “I’m fine.” She remarked with an exhale of relief.

“Good.” Jean nodded curtly. “We need to get moving.”
“Why?” Deanna asked, her eyes widening. “Where’s Zelda-“
“She’s with Gavin heading to the hospital. The boy was-“
“Oh gods…” Deanna gasped, while a quiet gasp escaped the platinium-blonde.

“Easy!” pressed Jean, holding out a hand to grasp Selena’s shoulder, though his gray gaze shifted between Deanna and Selena. “He was just clipped in the shoulder! He’s fine. Security got himn out. He was talking and seemed alright.”

More sighs of relief came from the Frost wives. “So, what do we-“ Selena tried.
“I already spoke to security.” Jean remarked, lifting up his hand to hail a security guard to take their statements. “We’ll talk to them first and then we’re heading to the hospital.”

“What do we tell them?” Deanna asked nervously.
“The truth.” Selena sighed. “That we have no idea what the hell happened.”
“Don’t we?” Deanna whispered her eyes glancing up at her wife. “Because I…” her voice trailed off.

“What is it, Deanna?” Selena asked, reaching out to take her wife’s shoulders into her hands gently. “Did you see something?”
“No, I didn’t see anything.” Deanna shook her head sadly. “But…I mean… weren’t we told this would happen?”

The redhead bit her lower lip, partially ashamed for asking such a question and yet, neither Jean nor Selena could blame her for asking it. For, in truth, they had been told that something would happen. A very real threat from a very real danger…

And they had all but outright dared it to come after them…

*******************************************

Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Nome, Alaska
March 3rd, 2022
7:33pm

Selena had been checked quickly by the doctor to ensure she had not suffered any lingering issues from that passerby kick to the head, and the Snow Queen was relieved that she hadn’t. The last thing she wanted was to be less than 100% with the most difficult title defence of her career on the horizon.

Well, that’s not true… she thought glumly as she pulled the dark-blue hoodie over her bare frame, completing the transformation from that ‘elite’ dress to the black leggings and the snowflake embroidered hoodie that wrapped around her and comforted her. Last thing I want now is for Gavin not to be shot.

Not giving herself a glance over in the mirror as she exited the bathroom stall, Selena marched out of the bathroom and into the hallway, one of many, of the hospital. Immediately, her eyes spotted Deanna leaning against the wall. Like the platinum-blonde, Deanna had changed into more comfortable clothes, exchanging her dress to shin-high brown boots, black leggings and a burgundy sweater, along with Selena’s leather jacket to keep her warm.

Seeing her wife emerge from the bathroom, the redhead held out her hand as Selena reached her, the Snow Queen immediately taking the offered hand into her own. “How is everyone?” she asked, running her free hand through her untied platinum-blonde hair.

“Jean and Zelda are talking to Gavin right now.” Deanna replied with a sigh.
“Can’t imagine what he’s feeling.” Selena remarked.
“Yeah. I mean…” Deanna tried to smile, though it was a little forced. “We deal with maniacs all the time – he’s lost his dad and now…” she gave a shrug.

It was a somber thought. For while Malcolm Scythe had been an evil bastard for many years towards the Frost family, Gavin had, for the most part, been sparred of any true horrors that the former mayor had unleashed with the aid of his son, Ryan. Not that that made the youngest Scythe ignorant. Far from it, but having an idea of such evils existing wasn’t the same as being in the thick of it – of being the target as the Frosts had been. That was no longer the case for the poor boy.

“Sort of makes me being kidnapped seem kind of tame.” Deanna remarked as she quietly slid into her wife’s embrace, resting her head under her wife’s chin as the older Frost held her.

The remark caused a chuckle to rumble a little in Selena’s chest. “I’d choose hot mustard sauce over bullets any day of the week.” She agreed, opting to kiss her wife’s crown protectively. “Or five women with massive ego complexes over one madman with a fascination for skull helmets and poison.”

She felt Deanna nod her head against her chest before lifting her head up, pushing herself on her tiptoes a little to steal a chaste kiss from the world champion.

“Selena…Deanna…” once more, the couple were interrupted. However, this time, it was Zelda calling out to them from just halfway down the hall. She was wearing a gray long coat of wool and her hair was tied in a ponytail.

“Zoe…” Deanna approached the woman first, the taller Selena following behind, the trio walking the necessary steps to reach the room where Gavin was being tended to. “How is he?”

“Spooked.” The brunette answered simply with a rise and drop of her shoulders. “And I…” she seemed to pause for a second before turning back towards the two wrestlers. “I think you should know that he thinks Ryan had something to do with it.”

Now, there was a chance that Zelda was expecting some kind of disbelief from either Frost wife. Some kind of logic to rebuff such a claim. However, as Selena and Deanna shared a glance, the pair could only sigh in understanding. “We suspected that too.” Deanna replied. “We… were kind of talking about it on the way here.”

“Then it’s not just me?” Zelda exhaled, relief washing over her lovely features. “It doesn’t sound crazy, does it?”

“No, it doesn’t.” Selena explained. “The security were absolutely careful on every person that came into the gymnasium initially. Everyone was checked and had to go through the metal-detector.” She recalled, remembering the near hour of ‘extra security measures’ the “Gavin for Mayor” team had employed after Killjoy’s threat weeks ago. “There wasn’t a single person that had a weapon on them at the start. The only person that wasn’t so thoroughly checked…” her voice trailed off in a lead.

“Was Ryan.” Zelda correctly answered. “We thought it was the megaphone he brought in setting off the metal detector, but what if that was a diversion…”
“But it’s still so hard to believe…” Deanna shook her head, her emerald eyes wide. “I mean, I’m not on good grounds with my sister, but I would never-“
“Ryan isn’t you.” Selena answered simply. “And he’s the only person that wasn’t checked. The only person that could have brought a gun into the center.”

“Except for one glaring problem, dearie.” The sound of Jean Black’s voice as he exited the room where Gavin was caused all three women to turn and regard him, the older detective, not once, breaking his stride. “Ryan was the first man searched by security after they rushed in. They found no gun on him.”

“Then he hid it in the ensuing chaos.” Deanna guessed, earning a shake of the head from Jean.
“No gun was found on site.” Jean stated. “I’ve been getting text updates from the security team every twenty-minutes.” He held up the phone, displaying his screen full of text messages, as if to prove his point before sliding it back into his pant pocket.

“He could have passed it off to someone else – maybe a paid plant.” Selena reasoned. It wasn’t so hard of a leap. She recalled how Giovanni Aries had hired a plant to pose as an audience member in order to attack her from behind during her Breakdown match with the ‘Spiritual Advisor’ to Holly Adams months ago. “Have someone pose as an elite citizen and then, in the chaos, slips out with the gun.”

“Possibly.” Jean nodded his head. “But we’re thinking that Ryan took the shot. And in a room filled with people, would he really take that risk of being seen?”
The nearby brunette shook her head. “One witness would be more than enough to tarnish his reputation and any chance of becoming mayor.” Zelda surmised, displaying her growing deductions skills that came from years of working/being married to the detective.

“Let’s look at the facts, ladies.” Jean pressed, resting both hands on the top of his cane. “A few weeks ago, Gavin receives a threatening message from our ‘mutual friend’, Killjoy, telling him to abandon running for mayor or be ‘removed’. Now, Gavin ignores the threat and goes anyway, leaving Killjoy little choice but to follow through. But how? Gavin is protected. No one’s allowed in and it’s not like the bastard can waltz in with a gun…”

“But who would suspect Gavin’s own brother?” Selena finished Jean’s sentence, thinking out loud, immediately earning Jean’s attention and a smile from him. Still, the Snow Queen’s mind raced. “But, if we’re right, and Ryan brought the gun in and handed it to Killjoy – who was already in the room…”

“But that would mean…” Zelda’s voice trailed off, her eyes, like those of the other three shifting to one another.

“It would mean that Killjoy was in the gymnasium with us the entire time…” Deanna finished what everyone else was thinking. “And we never suspected…”

The very idea, even if they were wrong, was enough to cause a shiver to grip all of them, Deanna’s hands finding Selena’s to grip them tightly until their knuckles turned white. For Selena, it was infuriating. Again, Killjoy had outplayed them, outsmarted them. Again, he was ten moves ahead! And if he was working WITH Ryan Scythe?

“How can we possibly win?” the question came from Deanna and nearly stole the breath out of Selena’s lungs, because she didn’t have an answer. And as the Snow Queen desperately sought the eyes of Jean and Zelda, she felt her heart break as she saw that same expression of uncertainty. Of not knowing.

“I’m afraid it gets worse…” Jean spoke after a slow breath. “Gavin is contemplating dropping out of the race.”

The statement seemed to suck whatever sound remained between the four of them the instant it was uttered, all eyes on remaining on the older detective as they tried to process such a statement and all that it implied.
“Wha- he can’t!” Deanna remarked slowly in disbelief, without thinking. “If he does, Ryan wins!”

“And if he doesn’t, he very well might die!” Jean countered sternly. “I don’t want him to quit either, but…” he took another slow breath. “We brought him into this. And this was just day one. Day one, Deanna! What will happen if he pulls ahead? What about if he DOES win? What will Killjoy do? He already killed Malcolm! You don’t think he’ll kill Gavin to get Ryan into office on a default?”

Despite herself, Selena found herself agreeing with her old friend, Jean. Since the beginning, Killjoy had shown himself to be a bloodthirsty, desperate monster, willing to do anything to achieve his goals – which were still not entirely clear to any of them. Hell, Selena was still dealing with certain people in SCW – mainly the Brand and Kim Williams – believing that Holly Adams was the ‘rightful World Champion’ due to the events of Body, Heart and Soul – believing that Holly should be the world champion on account of a disqualification, which usually wasn’t how a title was meant to change hands. But Holly was desperate to be world champion and Kim was desperate to cause trouble – so who cared what they had to do to achieve that? And those were wrestlers, not killers like Killjoy!

“And it would be our fault if he did.” Zelda spoke the implication Jean had been making, causing the redhead beside Selena to deflate a little. “All of us.”
“I… I won’t force Gavin to continue.” Jean replied. “Not if he doesn’t want to.”
“Neither will I.” Zelda agreed.

Emerald eyes sought out Selena, Deanna trying to find something – anything, to try and make things better.

“I’m going to talk to him.” Selena finally replied, turning her gaze back to Deanna. “Alone.”
“Oh…” gulping a little, the younger woman nodded her head, releasing Selena’s hands and arm as she did. “Okay.”

Carefully, Jean moved out of the way as Selena approached the door to the next room, but his hand flew out to take Selena’s as the pale hand reached for the door handle. “He’s scared.” The detective whispered to the platinum-blonde. “He doesn’t need the Snow Queen…”

Gazing into his gray eyes, Selena gave a small nod, turning the handle as soon as she felt Jean release her hand. Slipping into the room, sapphire eyes took in as much detail as possible. It was a large room that linked to other rooms throughout the floor. The walls were the same color as the ones in the halls, with the cupboards being a beige-colored wood. The curtains were black and the beds were all white.  

“Hey.”

Gavin’s voice filled Selena’s ears, drawing her attention towards a white-mattress of a bed on her left. Sitting at the end, the young man offered a sad smile to the platinum-blonde. While he was still wearing his dress pants, his suit top and white dress shirt had been removed, leaving him in a white wifebeater. A thick wrap of beige gauze was snugly wrapped around his arm, a bandage over the bullet that had winged him.

“Hey.” Selena offered, along with a sad smile and a tilt of her head. “Does it hurt?”
“Well…” Gavin tried, eyeing the bandage for a second. “It certainly doesn’t tickle.”

To his response, Selena gave an offhanded nod as she made her way towards Gavin, sitting down beside him at the foot of the bed and feeling the mattress shift under her weight. “Crazy day, right?”

“Yeah.” Gavin shook his head. “And by the way! This-“ he pointed to his bandaged arm. “Hurts SO MUCH more than a BB gun.”

Hearing that, Selena lifted her head, turning it quickly towards Gavin. “How would you know that? What? Did you shoot yourself with it?”

To her shock, the young politician made a shrug of his shoulders. “Couple days after I shot you. I felt bad and… I couldn’t outright apologize to you but-“
“You shot yourself with a BB gun because you felt bad?” Selena laughed.

It was such an odd story. Selena had snuck out of the house one night, the (at the time) 13-year-old taking a night-walk during the cool fall-winter night to clear her head, when she had stumbled upon Gavin Scythe and his cronies, using Gavin’s new ‘Daisy air-rife’ to shoot BB pellets at an abandoned dog that had been tied up to a lamp post. Seeing what they were doing, Selena had rushed onto the scene and grabbed the gun. However, in trying to wrestle it away from Gavin, the gun had gone off accidentally (The Snow Queen was old enough now to understand that that had been the case), blasting a BB into Selena’s left shoulder. Of course, the boys, Gavin and co., had high-tailed it immediately, leaving the Snow Queen winded and beyond sore, forcing her to drag herself back to her house before Anastasia caught her and learned what had happened.

Until tonight, the young woman had almost forgotten about it entirely, chalking it up to the plethora of memories she had of Gavin making her childhood and teenage life a living hell. Still, the idea that he had felt bad, even at that age? Now? Of course! He was an adult now. He had grown up, as she had. But back then? Teenage Gavin being remorseful seemed almost possible.

“Why didn’t you just apologize to me?” Selena sighed with a bit of a laugh in her voice.
“And lose my credibility?” Gavin shook his head, ashamed of the answer but choosing honesty. “Me apologizing to the Snow Queen? I wasn’t that mature yet.”

“Oh! So you’re mature now!” Selena teased, nodding her head. “MISTER Gavin Scythe!”
“That’s right.” Gavin nodded. “I haven’t used that air-rifle in years.”
“I had my spot covered with a tattoo.” Selena gestured to her shoulder, tapping the spot where her black snowflake tattoo was.
“Oh, that’s gotta be more painful than a BB.” Gavin remarked.
“It really wasn’t.” Selena shrugged her shoulder. “I mean… I’ve dealt with a HELL of a lot worse.”

“Okay! Most painful thing?” he asked, seemingly needing the distraction.
“Physically?”
“Sure.”

Biting her lower lip, Selena cast her gaze towards the door. There was no window for people to peer into. Checking the other side of the room from where she sat, and seeing no one, she quickly pulled at her hoodie, sliding the back up and over her head, keeping the clothing against her chest and, thus, modestly covered as she showed her bare back. Still, it made Gavin’s eyes go wide.

“See them?” she asked gesturing with her head towards her exposed flesh.

Leaning back a little, Gavin’s eyes went wide as he spied the long scars, like spiderwebs, that ran along the young woman’s back and ribs. “Ahh…” his voice trailed off. “What the hell?’

“Barbed wire whip.” Selena explained. “My best friend and sister gave it to me.”
“Your…what?” Gavin asked, his eyes wide. “Why would she-“
“She wasn’t my friend at the time.” Selena explained, pulling her hoodie back over her head to cover herself. “It hurt more in the days that followed as my back healed.”
“Oh that’s comforting.” Gavin shook his head.
“Least you can use painkillers.” She offered. “I can’t.” she shook her head sadly.

Gavin opened his mouth as if to request an explanation to that, but instead slowly closed his mouth, allowing silence to fill the room for several minutes, the two simply sitting on the bed in contemplation.

“Jean spoke to you.” It wasn’t a question. Gavin already knew the answer.
“He did.” Selena nodded.
“And you’re going to convince me not to?”
“No.” Selena shook her head. “I’m just here because I know…”

A sigh escaped her, her hands in her lap as she gazed at the pale palms. “I know you’re scared.”

A scoff came from the young man, who merely shook his head. “I’m more scared that my brother may be behind this I am of some phantom.” He admitted. “Isn’t that crazy? I know this – Killjoy – exists. I have no reason to doubt you on that. That such a dangerous man is after me now too… And yet, all I can think about is Ryan. That he would purposefully align himself with our father’s killer – I just… I don’t…”

His head dropped into his waiting hands, the poor boy at an absolutely loss, and Selena’s heart went out to him. “This is just… too much…” she heard him admit. “People dying… suffering… and for what?” he turned his head to her, allowing Selena to see the redness in his eyes and the frustration buried deep within him. “At the end of the day, we’re just some pitiful little town in the middle of a winter-desert! What’s the point?!”

Once more, silence greeted them in response because neither Selena nor the wounded Gavin had an answer.

“I…I can’t answer that.” Selena shook her head. “Earlier today, I was…” she exhaled slowly, not wanting to admit to this but she powered through. “During the gathering, I was quietly mocking how small the town was and how little the supposed ‘elite’ were compared to the rest of the world I had seen. They seemed…” she breathed. “So much smaller than when I was stuck here, their problems so much more insignificant now. But…” she shook her head. “All I can think about right now is worrying about you.”

She turned her head back to Gavin, seeing the surprise on his face. “Isn’t that crazy?”
“What about you?” the young man asked.

“Oh, I’m terrified for myself.” Selena laughed, pushing herself off the bed to take a few steps around the room. “I’ve got five women wanting to tear me to shreds to make names for themselves. I’ve got the same madman that took a shot at you wanting me dead and my wife is now wrestling! I’m surprised I still have any hair on my head!” She shot a finger to point at her platinum-blonde locks. “Pretty sure I’ll be bald if one more bad thing happens!”

“You know Tyler, Patrick, Joey and I once contemplated tying you down and shaving your head.” Gavin remarked without thinking, his eyes growing wide as Selena turned to look at him in shock. “None of us wanted to be the one to do it.” He admitted. “Sorry… I was just reminiscing.”

“You were a very sick boy, Gavin.” Selena shook her head. “But…I guess I can be grateful that you didn’t.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because if you had…” Selena sighed. “I don’t know if we’d be here now as…” her eyes widened as she realized the next word she was about to say. “…as friends.”

Even Gavin’s eyes widened a bit. Sure, they had been friendlier to one another for years, but neither had openly said anything about it. For Gavin, he was too ashamed of his past actions against the Snow Queen to say such a thing and for Selena, it was just sort of weird to contemplate. And yet…there they were.

“That sounds so weird.” Gavin admitted first, a sigh escaping him. “Well, as my friend…” he tried the word. “No, still weird. But as my friend…” he looked up at her, seeing her sapphire eyes staring gently at him. “What should I do?”

Looking away, because she had to, Selena bit into her lower lip. It would be so easy to tell him to stay the course. To tell him to keep to the plan and become the mayor of Nome. For Odin’s sake, it was for her children! GAVIN’S nephew and niece! Even now, every part of her wanted to scream at him to keep going! To fight back! To rise above this and believe that things would get better.

But Gavin wasn’t her. And this was Nome, not SCW.

And seeing him there, so lost…so afraid…

She couldn’t. Even if it was the safest best for her children. She couldn’t willingly endanger him like that. It didn’t matter what he had done to her in the past. It didn’t matter how he had tortured her in their youth. He was a good man. He didn’t deserve to die.

Despite herself, Selena felt her eyes stinging with unshed tears, the Snow Queen angrily swiping at them with her hand before turning her attention over to Gavin. He had features so similar to his father’s, she could almost see Malcolm Scythe.

“Selena?” Gavin asked gently, leaning a little forward onto his knees as she sat on the bed.

“I’m sorry, I….” Selena sighed. “I don’t know what you should do.” She quietly admitted. “I’m…I’m so stupid, Gavin. I would keep fighting. I would keep going. Every challenge, no matter how terrifying, how frightening, even if it’s death – I… I don’t know how to do anything else. I don’t know how to hide anymore. I don’t know how to run anymore. You beat that out of me long ago.”

She could see the sadness and guilt in his eyes at that statement – though the intention was not a vicious one.

“You made me fight back against you.” Selena admitted, a slightly grateful smile on her face. “You made me need to fight back to the point where I couldn’t run away ever again. Against anyone. Not against my step-mother, against your father, against anyone… and SO many times, perhaps I should have. Then maybe, I wouldn’t have these scars.” She gestured to her back. “Maybe I wouldn’t have lost Deanna to two years in prison. Maybe I wouldn’t have lost friends along the way. I…” she gave a sad shrug. “I don’t know.”

“But you would keep fighting.” Gavin observed, ever the politician.

Exhaling slowly and working her lower lip with her teeth, Selena nodded her head. “Did your father ever tell you how Anastasia died?”

“Your stepmother?” he asked, shaking his head. “No. I heard it was an allergic reaction to the medication she received at the hospital – which she wasn’t aware of.”

“Of course.” Selena laughed dryly before returning her attention back to him. “Gavin…don’t hate me for this, but…”
“He killed her, didn’t he?”

Selena’s eyes widened as Gavin interjected, his expression not shifting for an instant. “I…” she tried but could not find the words – as they had just been stolen by the youngest Scythe.

“I always thought it odd that they matched up so well. Your mother dying and father suddenly abandoning his desire to gain custody over Elsianna and David…” he sighed. “I’m not a fool, Selena.”
“I know that!” she tried to assure him but he held up his uninjured hand tiredly, silencing her.

“My father was always a shark. Always going for the kill. One time, he forced an antique store to close shop just because they sold him a faulty clock. It was…an ugly affair.” He laughed sadly at the memory. “I use to love that antique shop. The owner would always have something cool to show me, like a pocket watch or something. It’s where I first saw that Daisy rifle, you know?”

“I…was it Phil’s?” Selena asked with a tilt of her head.
“That’s the one.” Gavin nodded. “Even the smell, a little musty but – it added to the place. Father destroyed it without hesitation. Never saw Phil after that.”

“No…” Selena shook her head. “I heard he died in his home shortly after.”
“That’s what I heard.” Gavin sighed. “I’m sorry, I interrupted you.”

Giving a quiet nod, Selena began pacing the floor. “After her death, I acquired the means to defeat your father and marched right into his office… I was ready to tear him to shreds. Part of me-“ she stopped herself for a second, if only to move past whatever hesitations she had mentally put up in her confession. “Part of me was ready to kill him.”

“I…I don’t blame you for that.” Gavin assured her.

“I wouldn’t have cared if you did.” Selena admitted, a hint of guilt in her voice. “I was just beyond angry. Anastasia and I never got along but she was trying to be a mother to me. Trying to be good – she wanted to get to know my wife. She wanted to get to know our children. But Malcolm took that away from us. And…” a smirk of recollection graced her features, almost recalling it for the first time in so long. “And as I stood there in his office, I didn’t mock him. I didn’t try and break his ego… the first thing I did was ask him ‘Why?’.”

“Why?” Gavin asked, tilting his head to the side, regaining Selena’s gaze.

She gave a nod. “Why did my step-mother have to die all for money and gold? Why did I have to lose the woman that helped make me into The Snow Queen simply for a bigger fortune? Why did Elsianna and David, and now Amiliah, have to grow up not knowing their step-grandmother?” she shook her head. “That’s what I truly wanted to know. More than crushing him. More than winning against him. More than anything, really…”

Quietly, Selena moved back a few steps to stand before Gavin. “Isn’t that what’s killing you, Gavin? Wondering why Killjoy killed him? Why he did this? And why Ryan helped him, if we’re right?”

Slowly, as if in thought, Gavin looked away before slowly nodding his head.

“I can’t tell you what to do, Gavin – I WON’T tell you what to do.” She corrected. “But I will tell you, from someone who knows… Killjoy plans to kill me and destroy me.” That regained Gavin’s attention. “He’s set me on a path that he is sure will do so – something called ‘Project: Black Ice’. And by all accounts, I should just abandon looking for it and for answers… but I can’t…”

“Because I know that if I do, the ‘why?’ will remain. Why is he after me? Why is he so fixated on me? Why is he doing all of this? And if I don’t keep fighting… if I don’t keep trying to live and stop him, those whys will drive me insane, just like yours will too.”

She didn’t know what prompted this, but as she watched Gavin process what she had told him, she saw her arms reach out, drawing the young man into her embrace, holding him gently.

“Whatever you do – we will stand by you.” She swore to him in a whisper.
“Even if I’m too scared to go on?” he asked, earning a nod from the young woman. “Why?”

“Because…” she smiled, keeping him in her embrace. “I never want my children to wonder why they can no longer see their uncle…”

_______________________________________________________________

The camera opens up to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, the site for what could be the Match of the Year! For the first time in SCW history, a Double Jeopardy match will host not two singles matches leading to a final singles match, but two TRIPLE-THREAT matches! The hype for this pay-per-view has been massive, with some believing the card and build rivals that of last year’s Rise to Greatness!

A simple glance into the empty arena allows the audience to see just how much SCW, itself, believes such statements, as the setup is massive, reminiscent of something you’d actually see at the ‘greatest show of the year’, Rise to Greatness. Even the woman standing in the ring seems awestruck by, her sapphire eyes taking in the displays as she stands in the middle. She is dressed in a black, form fitting body suit, a silver-purple line running from her collar, down both sides of her bust, along her hips down to her boots, which are also black. A collar of similar color lines her collar bone and a matching sash wraps around her lithe frame. The sleeves are baggy until they are cuffed at the forearm with similar designed cuffs as her sash and, lastly, like her usual wrestling attire, two stripes of cloth (these a deep purple) run down her shoulders, hanging from the back.

What stands out due to these colors, however, is the gold metal of the SCW World Championship, which shines a little in the arctic blue and white lights. Make no mistake, as Selena Frost stands in the ring, she looks not only every inch the SCW World Champion, but also aware of the majesty of tonight.

How is this possible? she asks, a smile gracing her features as her eyes trace across the gorgeous arena designs surrounding her. How can I feel the same nervousness and excitement that I felt months ago? How has SCW – you, the True Believers – managed to make me feel like… like I’m back at Rise to Greatness again, about to do something so unbelievable?

Turning her head to gaze at the camera, the Face of SCW offers a genuine smile, her eyes a little teary. What other word can I use for such a night? For such a spine-tingling feeling? Here we have the largest ‘Double Jeopardy’ match in SCW history! Six combatants – all women – fighting for the greatest prize in this industry! Making history! How can I… biting her lower lip, she gives a shake of her head. No other word will do but ‘unbelievable’.

She gives one more shake of her head to refocus herself. And let’s be clear. This isn’t for me. This isn’t for Autumn. It’s not for Kandis. It’s not for Brittany. Sure as hell isn’t for Holly Adams or Kimberly – this is all for you. she gestures towards the camera, to the audience she knows is watching.

Because this – this hype? This majesty? This is part of what you deserve! This is part of what the SCW World title deserves! The stakes! The hype! The grandness of it all! This is what has been missing for so long, coming by once in awhile, but quickly being snuffed out by those that THINK this is all for them, and THIS… she holds up the SCW championship a little. Is all about them – and trust me, they know who they are!

A smirk appears on her features. In fact, I’ll tell you who currently thinks it’s all about them – scratch that. I’ll tell you who is the LOUDEST in WANTING it to be all about them and that’s you, Kimberly!

Standing in the middle of the ring, Selena stares right into the camera. Now, I want you to take a good look at me and see my lips moving, cause I don’t want you to think that I stole the cardboard cut-out you probably stole from Holly Adams’ studio set…

This is me talking to you because you’re the person that I so desperately want to knock out first in all of this. And if I have my way, I’ll get to do that because I’ve got to beat you and Autumn Valentine to stay the SCW World champion in match one.

The Snow Queen takes a pause, letting the weight of match one settle from her words. You’ve said a lot of crap about me, Kimberly. A lot of crap about this title and what it means, and most of it, yeah, I can shrug off. You want to call me a fraud? Go ahead, at least 80% of the other women in this match have in the past. You want to say I’ve failed in bringing integrity to this title? In two cases, sure, that’s hardly shocking news when you’ve got people, including you, running in trying to screw me out of the title for their own sake.

But… she smiles knowingly, holding up a finger to the camera, pointing at it. But if you want to talk about egos? Well…

Dropping the title to the mat, Selena suddenly, and very gracefully, performs a deep curtsy, lowering herself until she has reached the mat. Just as gracefully, ‘bowing to the master’ as it were, Selena raises to her feet, lifting the SCW world title back onto her shoulder.

’Queen of the Deathmatch’. Let’s talk about that. Let’s talk about you declaring such a name after only 24 days as Underground champion. I mean, Jake Starr won the Underground title once and declared himself the “Lord of the Underground” before losing it but at least he lasted 52 days – you didn’t last half of that, did you? But you’re the Queen of the Deathmatch? Yet you say I have an ego?

Let’s talk a bit more about ‘ego’, Kim. Let’s talk about you whining that a guy that’s been involved with SCW on and off for over a decade – a guy like Justin Davis, who held the Underground and the Tag titles – isn’t ‘worthy’ to challenge for that same Underground title, right? Let’s talk about how you claim to ‘not need a title’ but then what the hell has this WHOLE thing been about for you? That you’re not getting the title you want?

Or better yet, rather than talk about that – let’s talk about how you think you’re so damn good, so damn better than everyone and everything that you can ‘erase’ the history of SCW and the world championship. Immediately, Selena’s amusement at Kimberly’s hypocritical statements morphs into a cold glare.

Yeah – way to change it up there, Kim. First, you copied the brats of the past that wouldn’t stop crying about ‘being held back’ and ‘demanding things be handed to them’, now you’re trying to ‘restore the world title’? ‘Be a better class of champion’, huh?

Let me ask you, Kimberly. What kind of champion runs from a challenge? What kind of champion kidnaps innocent people? What kind of champion swears to bury the very championship she wants to ‘restore’? What kind of champion sees themselves as so damn good that they are capable of such a thing? she gives a stern tilt of her head.

I want to tell you a little story, Kimberly. Couple years ago, there was a guy, you probably know him – you spend enough time using his insults and following him on Twitter, his name was Giovanni Aries. Now Gio, he thought that he could win a title and then break it up into tiny little pieces and throw those pieces into the audience. He thought that, by doing that, he had destroyed the championship he had won. Destroyed all that that championship was to SCW and to the SCW Universe.

A knowing smile flashes across her face. You want to know what happened, Kimberly? SCW got another belt the very next show. And soon after, almost immediately, Giovanni was beaten for that title and it was like what he did? Never happened. Nothing more than a stitch in the history of that championship. Cause last I checked, the United States title is being contested tonight, too, isn’t it? The Snow Queen gives a shrug as she begins to pace around the inside of the ring.

And if you dig further back? There have been countless people that have stolen, robbed, broken, modified, and who knows what else to the titles of SCW. Some have faded into their rightful place in the SCW Hall of Fame, but others – the ones the SCW Universe most reveres? They have survived. They have lived on. They have maintained their history.

See, Kimberly, you think that by destroying a belt, that you can destroy that history.

Sapphire eyes turn to gaze at the title on Selena’s shoulder. But a belt can be replaced. A belt can be repaired. A belt can be changed…

What isn’t so easy to destroy Kimberly? Is what the belt represents. What the belt represents in the minds and hearts of SCW. Its roster, who fight like hell to hold it, and its fans, who believe in it and what it should be about. The memories they have of their favorite championship matches – yeah, there have been some bad ones, no one will deny that, but there have been some great ones too. Matches that live on as favourites in the minds and hearts of the True Believers and critics alike.

Turning her head back to the camera, Selena’s glare is once again cold. And Kimberly – you are NOT good enough to take all that away. You are NOT good enough to erase all of that from existence. You are NOT good enough to destroy that love and faith and belief that this title can represent such things! she holds the title out for a moment before placing it down at her feet.

Because nobody is bigger than SCW. NOBODY, not you, not me, not Autumn, not Brittany, not Kandis, not Holly. No one is bigger than SCW and the SCW Universe!

Passionately, Selena places her hand over her heart. It is a universe I believe in, Kimberly, and I’ve not been shy about that, which is why I was surprised that you gave us that history lesson about the world title as if I’ve never talked about it for the past year.

A little surprised, Selena shakes her head. I mean, have you been paying attention the past year, Kim? Or were you too busy chasing lizards and switching with your sister to notice anything outside your little ‘playhouse’? Carefully, the world champion picks up her title.

About a year ago, I decided to re-enter the World title picture and, trust me, that wasn’t because I needed the accolades boost. I didn’t do it to pad my resume or get the spotlight or make it all about me like Autumn and Holly have done. And it wasn’t because I didn’t know what was going on with the world title, Kimberly. I did it because I SAW exactly what was happening with the SCW world title – to its standard.

It was because I was THERE when Syren manipulated her way to another reign. I was there when people made impossible matches against the world champion for shits and giggles or for their own ego – go ask Sienna Swann and how she used a Trios Contract if you don’t believe me. I was THERE when people hid behind injuries or excuses to prolong their reigns. I was there when people tried to steal the championship. For four years, Kimberly, I was there – and you know what? After four years, I got tired of seeing it and just ‘being there’.

You want to talk about The AC Unit disgracing the world title? Who was it that stopped them, Kimberly? Was it you? Was it Marie pretending to be you? Was it Holly riding the wagon and milking it for all it was worth?

How bout when Lexy Chapel tried to buy the world champion into her ranks for RTG? Who said “No! That’s not how this will be?”. Was it you? Was it Autumn telling Lexy not to?

How about fighting with this title on the line with no excuses or tricks, like you promise to do tonight. Who’s been trying to do that for the past near year? Was it you? Was it Holly sending Cid and Cookie and GiGi to try and save her? Was it Kandis needing Tommy and needing to attack opponents backstage to get an edge? Was it Brittany chasing people with a barbed-wire bat?

Slowly, Selena shakes her head. I didn’t fight my way to become world champion because I didn’t see the problems with the history of the world title and its standard. I became the world champion BECAUSE I was aware of them, Kimberly. But unlike you, I believed that the standard could change. I believed that the belt could stand for more than just interferences, ambushes, and controversy. I believed that this title could, once again, define what Supreme Championship Wrestling truly means.

But you? You want to try and hit the ‘restart’ button because things are ‘too far gone’? You just want to ‘start over’ because it’s ‘too hard’ to undo what’s been done? You know what that makes you, Kimberly? That makes you a coward. A coward too scared to fight so daunting of a fight. A coward that would rather take the easy way out and just call it something ‘superior’, ‘Queen of the Deathmatch’.

With a scoff and a shake of her head, Selena stands against the ropes. And don’t worry, Kimberly, it’s not like you’re the only one. Hell, you said it, Holly still claims that she deserves the world title through a damn disqualification. Not because she pinned me or made me submit but because you tried to hand her the title on a silver platter and failed. You’re just the same as her, Kimberly, you want it handed to you – the Underground title, the history of the world title, the accolades, the prestige, to be seen as a ‘new class of champion’, and you’re just too much of coward to fight your way to it.

Looking down for a moment, Selena collects her thoughts. And THAT is the major problem that still persists in this federation. That, at the end of the day, so few people care about ‘how’ they get this! They just want this! People like Kandis that have admitted that they will do “anything” to get what they want, from backstage attacks to sleeping with officials like she did in Emerge – yeah, we all say that Tweet from 2018. Awfully proud, weren’t you?

People like Holly that launched an investigation into a man’s financial records and edited footage just to weasel her way into a third title shot after trying to cheat her way to the world title. A woman that will whine and cry that she should have won the match by DQ, as if THAT’S good enough to be the World Champion here!

People like Autumn, who are just as entitled as Holly is but, while they have the talent, will settle for the quick and easy way to get something. Who has, over the last near decade, sold out her morals and ethics over and over again the second it benefits her to do so.

People like Brittany Lohan, who will forge pacts and alliances with anyone to get what she wants – be it money or titles.

Taking a deep breath, Selena once more gazes at the world title, almost lost in it. At the end of the day, you guys simply want to ‘be SCW World Champion’, and don’t give a damn about the ‘how’ or representing ‘integrity’ or the standard that this belt SHOULD stand for. That the SCW Universe WANT it to stand for! You want to hold this and ‘be the world champion’…

She turned her head back to the camera. And yes, that was good enough many times in this belt’s history – but that isn’t what is driving me. It’s not what has been driving me for nearly a year.

I never wanted to simply be the world champion. I wanted to be a GREAT world champion.

I wanted to fight that fight Kimberly is too afraid to fight. I wanted to fight that fight to restore integrity to the world title. I wanted to be the one to take that challenge on and, rather than be haunted by this title’s past, use it as motivation to give it a better future.

Lowering the title down to her side, the platinum-blonde gives a shrug. And I know many of you won’t like that. Many of you don’t like me – odds are all of you don’t. But deep in every one of your hearts, you know that I’ve never wavered from that goal.

I have fought each and every one of you in my career, and I’ve BEATEN each and every one of you in my career. So all of you, from Kandis to Kimberly, know what I am capable of, what I am willing to endure to fight for what I believe in and the standard that I represent that I am telling you to reach to have a chance against me!

Because what I believe in is SCW, the SCW Universe, and the integrity of the SCW World Championship.

What I believe in is trying to be a GREAT champion:

A champion that doesn’t rely on ‘doing anything’ to hold this belt.
A champion that doesn’t need ‘special rules’ or ‘handicaps’ to win this title.
A champion that doesn’t make excuses or ‘conspiracies’ when they come up short.
A champion that doesn’t think they are bigger than this belt or bigger than SCW, but a part of it.

Taking a deep breath, Selena’s eyes scan the empty seats in the arena as she turns in a slow circle. That is why this match is that much more important to me. Why it’s so much more important to them… she gestures to the empty seats with her free hand. Because they deserve this. They deserve to see an undisputed, undeniable, unbelievable World Champion. Not one put on a pedestal like Holly wants and Autumn and Lexy want. Not someone that wants to bury it in their own bitterness like Kimberly does, but someone that is there, in the trenches with all of the SCW fans, fighting with them, believing with them that this belt – the standard of it – can be so much more than some of its bad history. A standard that defines it rather than the belt itself.

Stopping her spin, the world champion stands, once more, in the middle of the ring. Tonight, ladies, you all will fight for the exact same thing – ideologies and methods be damned. I will not. I will be fighting for much, much more. And, just like I have in the tournaments that came to this pay-per-view, to the chamber matches that shaped this company, just like I have this past year, I will fight and claw my way past everyone in my way to ensure that that standard survives tonight. To make sure this title is not buried in the ground, stolen by a stable, or mired in controversy, but becomes exactly what it should be – represents exactly what it should.

The greatest wrestler in professional wrestling.
The standard of supreme championship wrestling.
The World Champion of S-C-W.

Believe it, ladies. Because this… she holds out the title to the camera. Them… she gestures with the belt towards the audience seats. They deserve nothing less.

The shot ends on Selena raising the title above her head before fading entirely to black.