End of the Year Special Open Invitational

[Team Desire]

  Giovanna Steward | "Her Own Path"

  Gigi Steward’s eyes open up. She looks around the room she’s standing inside. The Halls of Reflection. A place that Katie Steward has made her place of sanctuary for the last few months. Where Kings would visit and reflect on themselves. Gigi stands in the middle of the room and she looks around. She sees the carnage of a battle that had just taken place. Katie’s horsewomen sit around the room licking their wounds. Maddy sits against the altar holding her head trying to suppress the voices inside. Katie is down on her knees behind Gigi. Looking at the shards of steel scattered around the floor from The Queensblade. Now a broken blade. Gigi looks around the hall with pink swirls of light flying around and upward through the ceiling. She looks down at her hand. Gripping tight the hilt of the Sword of Light. What did she do?


Gigi springs up in her bed waking up from her dream. Bizarre dream. A dream that feels almost real, but that’s ridiculous. Couldn’t have been. She gets out of her bed and get herself ready to start the day.

In the kitchen, Gigi stands in front of the coffee maker. Waiting for it to begin to brew. The bedroom door opens and Gigi’s sister Ash walks out and finds Gigi.

“Hi G, how are you doing today? Any better?” Ash asks, walking up to the counter.

“Yeah, I’m feeling fine. A little tired, but fine. Just can’t get over this really strange dream that I had. Where’s Maddy?” Gigi questions Ash and wonders why she came out of Maddy’s bedroom.

“Maddy went and stayed with her mom for now. Things got a little intense for her and she needed a break. So I thought I’d stay here while she’s gone to keep you company. I hope that’s ok.” Ash smiles at Gigi.

“Of course, it’s fine. I’m just having a little trouble remembering things. Anyways, yes I love having you stay while Maddy is away.” Gigi returns the smile as Katie’s daughters look happy they’re living together for now.

“So do you want to go out and get some coffee?” Ash asks Gigi who she watches standing in front of the coffee maker not brewing anything.

“Is there no coffee being made here?” Gigi questions Ash.

“Oh I don’t know how to use that. I thought we would just go to the Starbucks on the corner and get our coffee.” Ash answers and Gigi nods her head.


At the Starbucks, Gigi and Ash get their coffee and find themselves a table to sit at. Gigi checks her phone messages and notices that she hasn’t gotten anything from Katie in awhile.

“Katie hasn’t answered me back.” Gigi tells Ash to set her phone down next to her coffee.

“I don’t think she’s going to get much reception where she was headed. Katie did some things that she wasn’t proud of and she thought she crossed a line. So she went to get some help.” Ash tries to explain Katie’s situation to Gigi.

“She left for some far and away retreat? So Maddy is gone and Katie is gone. Now I’m all alone.” Gigi realizes she’s the only Steward here.

“Well you still have me, but yeah seems that way. Sorry G.” Ash tries to be there for her, she knows she isn’t Katie or Maddy to her.

“I haven’t been on my own since Katie became my big sister. I kinda had my dad, but it wasn't the same.” Gigi tries to figure herself out.

“Hey, you’re a Steward. I’m sure you have plenty of opportunities that can be handed to you. Any roles to be cast in. Maybe you should get an agent like Katie has?” Ash continues to try to be helpful for Gigi.

“Yeah, Katie and Ms. Winters found me someone a while ago. I guess I can give them a call. Maybe later.” Gigi replies, but her phone begins to buzz.

Gigi checks her phone seeing a new message that was sent. She doesn’t react much to it and just puts her phone back down on the table.

“Who was that?” Ash asks Gigi, interested in what she got.

“It was just a message from Sasha. She sent a message inviting people to her home for a winter party this year. I don’t think I’ll go.” Gigi takes a breath while looking at her phone.

“Come on, G. It’s a party. I can be your plus one. Is it a fancy party? That’ll be pretty sweet to see. Never been to one of those before. Plus what else are you going to do? Sasha might be able to help you solve a bit of you dilemma that you have.”Ash tries to negotiate with Gigi to get her to go to the party.

“Yeah that would be a fun conversation to have. Definitely think we’ll be staying in tonight. I haven’t talked to her in awhile. It’ll be weird if I just show up.” Gigi shakes her head being dead set on not attending the winter party. She grabs her phone and coffee and leaves.

“But you got an invite to the party… She clearly wants to see you there.” Ash says to herself confused by Gigi not wanting to attend. She grabs her coffee and follows Gigi out.



At Sasha D.’s home, Gigi and Ash arrive for the party. Ash is wearing a nice dress while Gigi is in a suit.

“You are too much like Katie and getting your way.” Gigi tells Ash as they walk up to the front door and knock on it.

“Oh please, you wanted to come to the party. You just need a push. Besides, why are you so afraid? She’s your friend.” Ash says to Gigi not knowing why Gigi is so scared of coming out tonight.

Sasha opens the door for Gigi and Ash. “Gigi, you made it. I’m so happy that you brought a friend.” Sasha smiles at her guest inviting them into her home.

“This is my sister, Ash.” Gigi introduces Ash to Sasha.

“Ash, right. Maddy not joining you tonight?” Sasha asks Gigi wondering where her partner was.

“No. She is staying with her mom for her winter break. So it’s just me.” Gigi explains her status to Sasha.

“Well it’s nice having you here. Enjoy the party and mingle with people.” Sasha leaves to make her rounds with the other guest. Gigi and Ash walk into the party and look away.

“Oh there is shrimp.” Ash notices the food over on the table and walks away from Gigi leaving her behind.

“And now I’m all alone. Great.” Gigi stands in the room by herself. Awkwardly swinging her arms by her side. Not knowing what to do. After a few seconds she turns and leaves the room.


Gigi explores the house and finds herself in another room. A room filled with art decorating the walls. Sasha finds Gigi there and walks inside to join her.

“Hi Gigi. We really didn’t get to talk much really. How have you been? What is Katie doing?” Sasha asks, wondering how the Stewards were holding up.

“I’m fine. Not really sure about things. Katie left for some retreat she’s doing.” Gigi explains things to Sasha.

“Oh well that sounds like something nice for her to get back on her feet. If you’re looking for something you could always get back to SCW. We’ll love having you.” Sasha offers Gigi a chance to return.

“I don’t know. I’ll be without Katie. It’ll be weird. You know I’ve already got the target for being a Steward. If I’m by myself I wouldn’t stand much of a chance.” Gigi struggles on her feet. Revealing the reason she’s been feeling a bit afraid since finding out Katie and Maddy took some time away.

“I understand, Gigi. It does sound a bit scary. Trying to make it on your own. Especially in SCW now after so long with having someone watching your back. I always believed you were never one to take the easy roads to get where you were going.

 Well just know I’ll always leave the door open for you.” Sasha tells Gigi hoping to raise her confidence a bit in maybe making a decision for herself. Sasha leaves Gigi alone to let her think and she goes back to her party.



Gigi and Ash return home after the party. Ash looks to be happy and had a good time, a contrast to Gigi who is in her head still thinking about what Sasha told her.

“Ok, spill it G. Sasha talk you into going back to SCW.” Ash came straight out and said what she knew happened.

“No. She didn’t. She offers and says there is always a spot for me, but…” Gigi pauses as she has something else on her mind.
 “Ash, why did Katie leave? My dream was more real than it was, wasn’t it.” Gigi asks Ash for the truth.

“I told you Katie did some things that she might not be able to come back from. It was a blessing and a curse. She got back her Brats, but she lost control.” Ash tells Gigi how bad Katie messed up.

“I guess that is what should scare me. Katie is an amazing person and we know the mistakes she makes. I know I’d make the same ones. I can’t do that. I can’t abandon everyone. Katie and Maddy are taking care of themselves and I should do the same.” Gigi begins to build herself up.

“Oh no, am I going to need to find a roommate?” Ash thinks Gigi is about to walk out of the apartment.

“No. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be the person Katie and Maddy know that I am. Why am I the one wearing the suit? I’m a boss.” Gigi takes a breath as she prepares herself to get back into action. She heads to her room to retire for the night as tomorrow the montage hits and Gigi is back in the gym training.



A New Year, New Me story. I’m sure no one is interested in hearing another resolution for 2023 . That’s good, because I don’t really have one. I don’t have any big plans or goals for the new year. This battle royal is just a place to remind people I’m here. I’ve done it mostly every year. Usually with Maddy by my side, but this year is going to be different. I’ve got butterflies and I’ve got Katie’s enemies watching me. I can’t hide though. It’s not the person that I was taught to be. I was trained by the best and what that person would want is for me to turn her enemies into my own. I’m probably not going to win. That prize money should probably just be a mega millions jackpot and who needs bragging rights when you’re a Steward. Don’t need bragging rights when you’re already a thorn in everyone's side.

Though maybe I am going about this the wrong way. This is Katie’s strat. Katie played on everyone’s emotions. She’s an actress. She knows how to play her part. No, Gigi Steward’s game is more on a mental playing field. I got to outsmart these people. Some might be easier than others, but I can lure them in before they get kicked in the same way. Then they won’t be scared anymore. I can do this. I’m not saying The Brat Club will be its thing in 2023, but it’s sure going to be fun to try.