Amelia Blythe vs. Chance Owens/Polly Playtime

[Wisteria Waltz]

To say that Amelia was getting frustrated would be an understatement.

All things considered, the last time The Light In The Darkness had been in SCW it had gone pretty well for the most part, up until the night they were both put on the shelf due to underhanded tactics that, while legal in the four-way they were competing in, still left a rotten taste in their mouths once it had all set in. Even then, they had been proud of what they had proven up until that point, including being able to stick to their guns and avoid all the excessive chaos that tended to dictate how SCW seemed to operate half the time.

This time around, however, SCW was more chaotic than ever, and trying to work their way up the ladder was becoming more of a struggle than they had anticipated.

Beyond their return match, it seemed like any time one of them was in action, some sort of outside factor was determined to come into play and make sure they didn't make it past the first hurdle on their journey to prove themselves in this company. Bear's actions that had cost Luz and her Trios team were bad enough, but when the couple had their chance to settle that score in the ring and make a huge statement in their hunt for tag team gold, that had found itself derailed as well. Had the Farmstead Friends actually beaten them, straight up, then they'd shrug it off and go back to the drawing board for the next time they crossed paths. The interference of Pro, the violent guardian of Nicole Kinnick's system, had both ruined an incredible battle between the two teams and ultimately caused Amelia and Luz to start the year off on the losing end of things.

Learning that Nicole was not only getting away with that but also getting a Tag Title shot out of the ordeal because The One saw value in that for her own games with the Frosts had left the couple both infuriated and struggling to make sense of how to proceed if this was the way things were being done now. Having James Evans praise them for apparently doing things the way he's been wanting them done in SCW since his return, the way the two of them have always preferred to conduct their wrestling business, and begging them to not allow themselves to be lost on the shuffle for it had been an interesting turn of events but hadn't made their immediate path forward any clearer.

While Luz seemed to regain her senses much quicker, something that Amelia was a bit concerned with given Luz's lengthy track record of ignoring all of her problems in favor of the distraction of throwing herself completely into resolving the problems of others, Amelia found her brain refusing to try and let go of this issue of their progress stalling two matches in a row now because of outside factors beyond their control. The idea that she was struggling not because she wasn't good enough and just needed to work harder but rather because others kept getting involved in her business and, even unintentionally, dictated her path brought back so many painful memories of everything she'd lost because she wasn't strong enough to stand up to her parents when they laid out all their plans for her life with no room for disagreement. It brought about conflicted thoughts because she didn't want to sound like a control freak and remind herself of her mother, but she knew taking issue with not being able to simply have the chance to let her and her opponent figure out in the ring who was truly better on that night with no excessive shenanigans was a legitimate concern to have.

Thinking about her past and the issue of not being able to fight for any control of her own life inevitably brought her thoughts back to the first person she called her best friend and how badly she had screwed up by not fighting harder when all the flags with her parents couldn't have been more red.

Aside from heavily hinting both privately to Luz and publicly when it slipped through while addressing the Farmstead Friends that her parents were to blame, Amelia hadn't opened up any further about her past with the woman known as Ivy Plume. To her credit, Luz hadn't pushed her to open up about it, figuring that there was still a lot that she needed to unpack herself before feeling comfortable talking about it in full with even her. While Luz wasn't wrong in that assumption, the truth of the matter was that Amelia felt that if anyone needed to hear the whole story first, it was Ivy herself.

The fact that she couldn't even be honest with her about why she was breaking off their friendship in the first place and had resorted to being cruel like her parents had always haunted her, and it was no surprise that it was coming back to bite her in the ass long after she'd finally escaped their clutches.

With the final Breakdown before Body, Heart and Soul approaching and the surprise that she was being given her first chance to try her luck solo by challenging for the Television Title, she found herself struggling to focus on this huge opportunity before her. Luz's optimistic presence in training with her did help significantly, but every now and then there was a lapse in her focus as her thoughts flickered back to how hurt Ivy looked when they had locked eyes for the first time in almost two decades. That inevitably led her back to the pained expression she'd worn on the day it had all come to an end, and ultimately Luz would need to call a break on training as Amelia began to crumble.

She knew what she needed to do... the problem was trying to actually initiate it. The only line of communication she had with Ivy was through Gage, who she and Luz wanted to think could be a new friend of theirs but his preexisting friendship with Ivy could close that door and she wouldn't blame him in doing so if Ivy's told him of all she knew about what happened between them. Ivy didn't know the full story though, and Amelia didn't feel right in trying to go through him to get the chance to finally try and fix this. The thought of Luz once again losing out on a potential new friend because of things beyond her control only twisted the knife more, but she knew that she had hurt Ivy pretty bad and if she wanted nothing to do with her anymore then she was perfectly justified to do so.

She tried to shrug it off as best as she could and forge ahead toward the golden opportunity in front of her, despite Luz's concerns about how it was obviously affecting her and the need to get her into a healthier mindset before she gets back in the ring, but she was stubbornly clinging to her self-loathing over this glaring mistake she'd made. It never fully sank in how badly it was truly affecting her until the memories began to affect her in ways they hadn't since the immediate aftermath of what she had done.

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All things considered, Amelia thought her 7th birthday party was going pretty well.

She wasn't a fan of some of the kids her parents had invited, feeling they were far too mean and would probably bully others to get their way, but her parents were insisting she befriend them because it would make for 'great connections' down the line in the wrestling business. She didn't want to think that far ahead just yet, but her parents had already started pushing her hard to prepare her for following in their footsteps as the next step for the Blythe legacy and their real birthday gift for her (ignoring the new training gear they'd had custom-made for someone her age) might as well have been letting her have the day off from being worked to the bone.

Despite all of that, she'd managed to mostly avoid interacting with all the guests she didn't want to since her parents were more focused on their own conversations with other parents in favor of interacting with the one guest she definitely wanted to spend time with. After all, why be forced to make friends with bullies when she already had a genuine best friend in Ivy?

She did find it weird that Ivy hadn't been on the guest list her parents had put together, but it was her birthday party and she wanted her best friend there. A simple handmade invitation easily fixed that mistake.

The two had isolated themselves to a corner of the living room, eagerly chatting about different kinds of flowers Ivy had found while on a nature hike with her dads the other day. Honestly, if Amelia wasn't already being forced to follow in her parents' footsteps as a wrestler, she wouldn't have minded doing something flower-related when she grew up, especially if she could do it with Ivy. The fact that the other girl had also expressed interest in being a wrestler, initially just wanting to make Amelia happy before she developed a genuine interest in the sport for herself, had gone a long way in easing some of the stress the birthday girl was already under for someone her age.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Ivy suddenly said, derailing the tangent she'd just been on while Amelia happily listened. She watched as Ivy reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a small wrapped gift that she handed over. “What's a birthday without a present for the birthday girl, right?”

“You didn't have to Ivy,” Amelia told her as she opened the present, pulling out a beautiful handmade purple hair tie that had her eyes going wide. She flexed it a bit and was surprised by how sturdy it felt.

“I remember you telling me how you were having problems with your hair ties breaking while your parents were showing you the ropes,” Ivy admitted. “So, since you loved the ones I made for when you braid my hair, I figured you'd like one for yourself! I'm sure it'll last you a very long time.”

“I love it! Thank you so much, Ivy!” Amelia replied as she practically threw herself at Ivy, who caught her in a hug as the two laughed.

“Ahem.”

Amelia and Ivy separated as they turned to see Ophelia Blythe standing over them, not even bothering to hide how annoyed she looked.

“Amelia, your father and I would like to have a word with you.” With that, Ophelia turned and left the room, expecting Amelia to follow. The two friends exchanged concerned looks and Ivy patted Amelia's shoulder reassuringly before the birthday girl headed off to see what her parents wanted. She ultimately followed her mother through a couple of hallways, the intention seeming to be ensuring that no one would interrupt them, before Ophelia met up with her husband and turned so that they both stared down at their daughter.

“Amelia,” Aleister told her, his stern tone combined with his and his wife's disapproving glares already causing Amelia to feel like a rock was sinking in her gut.

“Yes, father?” she carefully replied, knowing he wouldn't tolerate a lack of acknowledgment.

“What is that girl doing here!?” her mother lashed out. “She wasn't on the guest list for a reason! Are you trying to make us look bad?”

“But...” Amelia flinched back, having not expected her mom to be this harsh with her over something so small. “But Ivy's my best friend.”

Her father merely scoffed at that. “Amelia, what have we told you and your siblings from the moment you were old enough to start properly interacting with other people?”

“That Blythes only associate with the elite,” Amelia replied, her voice monotone from having to repeat that phrase so often when answering this question.

“Exactly,” Aleister nodded. “We define elites as anyone who is both skilled enough to warrant our attention, has the wealth to be considered worthy of our position in society or possesses the connections needed to guarantee the Blythe legacy will continue to grow and prosper in the ring once you and your siblings are finally old enough to compete. Can you honestly tell me that this Ivy girl matches any of that criteria?”

“I...” Amelia started but quickly silenced herself. She knew what her parents wanted her to admit, and while they technically weren't wrong they also didn't know Ivy like she did. Even if she didn't fit into their definition of an 'appropriate' friend, Ivy had been such a good influence on Amelia's life.

“Answer your father when he's speaking to you, young lady,” Ophelia demanded.

“I don't care if Ivy isn't considered 'elite' by your standards!” Amelia yelled back, surprising both of them. “She's my best friend and nothing will ever change that!”

Amelia took a few deep breaths as her parents just looked at one another, stunned at this outburst from their youngest child. It didn't take long for that to fade, however, and they both glared down at her.

“Oh, dear, this simply won't do,” Ophelia remarked. “That girl has clearly been a terrible influence on you if you're actually speaking back to us when we only want what's best for you. That's why we invited so many companions that would be far more suitable for you to spend your time with.”

“But they're mean!” Amelia angrily retorted. “Just because you know their parents and think they'll help me in the future doesn't mean I have to like them or want to hang around them!”

“This isn't up for discussion, Amelia,” Aleister growled. “You are going to go permanently cut all ties with Ivy, or we are going to do it for you.”

Amelia's eyes went wide with fear at this ultimatum. “What... what do you mean?”

“We can start by making sure the school board understands how unfit that girl is to be a student and bar her from being able to ever enroll,” Ophelia mused. “I don't think it will be that hard to have her parents conveniently lose their jobs either. Honestly, the possibilities are endless to resolve this issue.”

“You can't!” Amelia pleaded as she grabbed at her mother's dress, only to be pushed back.

“Then you know what you must do Amelia,” her father stated. “It's for the best.”

With that, Amelia was dismissed. She glumly walked back to the living room, ripping the party hat from her head and throwing it to the floor as though it would somehow make her feel better. Her thoughts were racing as she tried to figure out some way out of this, but her parents had made it perfectly clear that her friendship with Ivy was over one way or another, and they were giving her the chance to put the proverbial nail in the coffin before they caused irreparable damage to Ivy and her family. The whole messed up situation had her blood boiling.

“Amelia! Everything alright?”

Amelia's head jerked up as she saw Ivy approaching her, concern clear in her expression. Internally, she began to freak out more because she really didn't want to do this, but there was no fighting her parents once they settled on a course of action. She didn't know if they could actually carry out any of their threats toward Ivy, but she didn't want to test those waters since she'd never known them to make threats lightly. With trembling hands tightened into fists, she slowly turned away from Ivy.

“Please just go Ivy...” she quietly said, and before Ivy could question it, Amelia began walking away as fast as she could. It didn't take her long to find her room, but as she opened the door she glanced back to see Ivy still following her in confusion. “You have to leave Ivy! Now!”

“But... why?” Ivy questioned, her tone a little shaky now as Amelia stormed into her room with Ivy still on her heels.

“Because... because...” Amelia struggled to find a suitable reason. She wanted to admit the truth to Ivy so badly, but she feared that if Ivy knew what her parents would make her do then they might disapprove and pull the trigger on their threats anyway.

“Is it because of the whole wrestling thing?” Ivy questioned. “Amelia, I know I'm struggling in those wrestling classes I signed up for. Maybe the style just isn't what works for me, but I'm sure I'll get it in due time and catch up with where you're at training under your parents.”

Amelia could feel herself drowning in the stress of what she'd been tasked to do as she slowly let her thoughts begin to spiral. She lost control the more jumbled her thoughts became, and before she knew it she'd gone on autopilot as her brain decided to just latch onto Ivy's words and roll with it.

“Well... yes, that is why. It's because you're weak Ivy!” Amelia suddenly yelled as Ivy's eyes widened in pain from the remark. “You can't wrestle and you're never going to amount to anything as a wrestler, so I don't want to be your friend! Now go!”

It was only after she saw the tears beginning to fall from Ivy's eyes that Amelia realized what she'd just done, all the anger that she held toward her parents evaporating at the horrifying realization that she'd just lost control and unleashed it all on her best friend instead. With a sob, Ivy turned and bolted out of Amelia's room, the birthday girl holding out a hand to try and stop her but it was already too late.

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“WAIT IVY! PLEASE DON'T GO! I'M SORRY!”

Amelia sat up like she'd been shot out of a cannon, arm reaching out for something that wasn't there. Her eyes were wide and tears were rolling freely down her cheeks as she breathed rapidly, looking around to find that she wasn't in her bedroom back at the Blythe mansion on her 7th birthday. Instead, she was in a hotel room in Atlanta for the upcoming Breakdown, having just woken up from the nightmare of her memories.

“Amelia?”

Her head jerked to the spot beside her in bed as she saw Luz slowly waking up, clearly still out of it. Once she got a good enough look at her girlfriend, though, her drowsy state seemed to immediately vanish as she quickly sat up.

“Mi amor, is everything alright? What happened?” she asked, motioning for permission on whether or not Amelia wanted contact right now. Instead of answering, Amelia just threw herself at Luz, burying her face into her girlfriend's chest as she completely broke down crying. Luz could only figure that Amelia had some sort of nightmare that seemed to really get to her if she was this bad, but she could only speculate from there as to exactly what had haunted her dreams tonight.

Luz slowly laid the two of them back onto the bed as she held Amelia tightly, her hands rubbing her love's back as she gently reassured her that everything was alright and she was there for her. Amelia wanted to argue otherwise but she didn't have the mental strength for it tonight, wearing herself out in Luz's arms as she cried herself out. As much as she had wanted to wait until she somehow got a chance to talk to Ivy to tell the whole story because she deserved to hear it first, trying to hold it in was only tearing her apart more now than everything had come back to the forefront of her thoughts.

If she didn't get it off her chest sooner rather than later, then being in no state of mind to try and earn the first piece of gold to the name of The Light In The Darkness would be the least of her worries.