Deanna Frost vs. Amelia Nevado

[Kemal Yilmaz]

SCW World Championship

2 RP Limit for singles

3500 Word Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Saturday, August 8, 2026

[Wisteria Waltz]

Rise to Greatness…

The biggest match of her entire career…

Main eventing SCW’s grandest show, defending the World Title on the biggest stage possible, the dream come true…

All of these thoughts and more should have been swirling around Amelia’s head, making her feel special about the fact that she was getting to live something very few ever get to do once. Even the shadow of her past haunting her every thought should have seen it as an excuse to gloat about how Amelia was going to be doing something not even her wife had achieved yet, as if trying to prove that she was superior to Luz after all.

Despite being in Detroit, however, Rise to Greatness was the last thing on Amelia’s mind.

The reason why was all around her. She wasn’t surrounded by her wife, her siblings, her closest friends that had formed a found family around her and loved her for who she truly was without any strings attached. Instead, she was just another face in a sea of white clothes, a small piece of the picture of purity that was piling into white vans and SUVs to take them away from the airport. There would be no chance to check into a hotel…at least, not until all was set and done.

Caleb had timed everything perfectly. As soon as his private plane had landed, everyone piled out neatly and efficiently. The self-proclaimed reincarnation of Jesus himself, Amelia, all of the Empire’s elites, and enough masked cultists to form a perimeter like a small army all their own. It wasn’t all of their numbers, Amelia had figured some would be left behind at their hideout in the British countryside, but enough to make it clear Caleb wasn’t taking any chances.

‘Still think you have some magic trick up your sleeve or believe the power of love and friendship will save the day?’ she heard Other Amelia mock her from deep in her thoughts.

Amelia just took a deep breath to try and ground herself, knowing that she needed to be focused and in control if this was going to happen. If she wavered now, there may be no Rise to Greatness for her, no chance to meet Deanna in that ring and prove that she had finally come to her senses, that she was ready to prove she truly was a worthy World Champion the right way.

‘You already have,’ her inner critic commented. ‘You’re the Blythe you were always meant to be, greatness personified. Quit letting Luz drag you back down to her level… it won’t be long before she’s trapped in Caleb’s light as well. Maybe she’ll finally-’

Amelia shook her head, trying to kick Other Amelia out of her thoughts. Even if it was her own voice, stained with arrogance and cruelty, she refused to think of her wife like that again. She’d been a fool this entire year, letting her emotions get the better of her and drive her to such extremes. Luz was strong, and she insisted that Amelia was just as strong as her. The two of them had earned the right to be among SCW’s very best, and not only was she finally going to truly prove it to herself, she was going to free the both of them from the real burden that had been weighing them down for years.

“I agree, this city truly is a wretched place,” Caleb commented from the driver’s seat as he looked over at her sitting beside him, his false concern making her skin crawl. “Rest assured that we won’t have to linger in this cesspool for long. We’ll take care of business, you’ll silence that vile harlot at Rise to Greatness and prove why you are superior now that you are free of that disgusting corruption God frowns upon, and then we shall return to our castle in celebration.”

“What exactly is the business we’re tending to, if I may ask?” Amelia spoke, keeping her voice neutral. She already knew exactly what it was, but Caleb hadn’t told her and she needed to maintain the illusion of loyalty if she was going to do anything. It was already hard enough to restrain herself from throwing hands in disgust at everything that left Caleb’s mouth, from slandering the hard-working city of Detroit to believing her family’s castle was his in any fashion and especially his sickening homophobia towards someone who, despite everything, Amelia still considered one of her best friends and vowed to make amends with her in the ring come Sunday night.

“Right, I was so busy planning for this moment that it must’ve slipped my mind,” Caleb chuckled, though Amelia suspected he was just trying to play it off. “I’ve arranged a little trade with your… former friend.” Amelia fought to bite her tongue at how Caleb ultimately chose to refer to Luz. “She will finally join us and allow me to save her, just as God always intended. She believes that in return, I will be letting you leave us to rejoin that flock of lost and damned souls. I trust that you have an idea of what I’d like you to do instead before returning home…”

Before Amelia could consider playing dumb, Caleb extended his arm behind his seat and one of the elites (Amelia couldn’t see who) handed something to him. When he held it out to her, she had to stifle her gasp. He was handing her a dagger, spelling out his intentions loud and clear. He genuinely intended for Amelia to pretend to rejoin her found family before literally stabbing them in the back, leaving only her and Luz remaining to ‘bathe in his salvation’ or whatever religious bile he’d already been trying to drown her in.

“I bequeath to thee my most treasured memory,” Caleb spoke reverently, not making Amelia’s desire to prematurely expose her true colors any easier. “This very dagger is the one I used to save my brother’s soul from the witch who tainted his heart, the weapon I wielded to send her to the depths of Hell where her wicked soul belongs. Today, I pass it on to you to continue the mission of The Empire, in the name of the greater good and the cleansing of the human race.”

Amelia slowly took the offered dagger, silently nodding in understanding. Truthfully, she wanted to just roll down the window and ditch the dagger altogether as she felt it burning in her hands, but had to hold strong, had to swallow the vomit that threatened to rise from her throat because of all of this.

‘It’ll be used for the greater good, alright,’ she mentally reassured herself. ‘Your arrogant pride will be your downfall Caleb, I swear it.’

‘Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Amelia,’ Other Amelia teased her. ‘Especially not to yourself.’

Amelia exhaled in a manner that Caleb and the Empire elites would consider a method of trying to focus on her task at hand. If there was any moment in her life where she absolutely could not fail, it had to be this one. If she were to fail at Rise to Greatness… it would suck, but at least she could accept the opportunity to start over and earn her way back the right way, proving to herself and others that she could eventually be the World Champion she truly wanted to be, that set that shining example for SCW’s future, all while the belt would be in the hands of someone who was ready to lead the way now.

If she failed here and Caleb was allowed to infect Luz with his warped religious ideology…

“We’re here.”

Caleb held up his hand as a sign that nobody would move as the other vehicles saw Caleb’s followers pour out and move to establish a perimeter, making sure they were positioned in a way that hid how many there truly were but made it clear The Empire had the numbers so the other side didn’t try anything. By getting here first, Caleb ensured that even if the NCA wanted to try the same tactic, they would quickly find themselves on the back foot. Only after everything seemed to be in order and he got a signal that Caleb slowly exited the vehicle, followed by Amelia and every elite as the eight of them moved to position themselves out in the open at what appeared to be an abandoned parking garage, far from prying eyes and the festivities of SCW being in town for Rise to Greatness. Amelia was made to stand beside Caleb in front of the others as she hid the dagger in her belt.

After several minutes trying to quietly fight off the last of the nerves and Other Amelia’s taunting, she saw a familiar set of cars pull up across from them, and she wasn’t surprised when the first person to emerge was the masked face of La Pequeña Luz.

Everyone else exited and followed behind her. Ivy and Gage looked more determined than she’s ever seen them before. Henry looked fearful of being in his uncle’s presence again but did his best to hide it. Edward and Emily immediately cast concerned glances her way. Camila and Valentina were worried but clearly trying to stand strong for their daughter and sister respectively. The Clauson sisters both looked ready to just rush in and start swinging, and Avery, Darius and Evie all had their hands near their hips as if clearly ready to draw their guns if necessary.

Luz, however… even beneath the mask, Amelia could see a darker fire burning in her beloved’s eyes, as if she had accepted what she might have to do to finally end this nightmare. It broke Amelia to see Luz having come to this conclusion, but as her hand ghosted the dagger hidden at her hip, she knew she was in the same boat.

If there was to be any hope for their future, then Caleb White had to fall.

“I commend you for your punctuality.” Caleb sounded sincerely impressed, but Amelia had to fight the urge to roll her eyes in disgust. “Now, I know that the parties of interest here have important business to prepare for, so shall we make this quick and seamless? I’m sure you, Luz, will greatly appreciate the help I can offer you to erase the blight that is the Braddock name from this Earth for good, just as I’ve helped prepare Amelia to erase the plague that is another-”

“Don’t even dare to utter Deanna’s name, you sick monster,” Luz growled, and Amelia was taken aback by the ferocity of her words. Still, she fought to keep her expression neutral.

“Yes, I do recall seeing her at your wedding the night I was justly freed,” Caleb smugly gloated. “A pity that things between her and Selena don’t seem to have worked out… it is to be expected with such abominations of love, I’m afraid, as you and Amelia here have discovered.”

“Can we get this over with?” Amelia found herself snapping. She hoped that it came off in a way that implied she was growing impatient with this taking so long so she could do what she needed to do to resume preparing for her main event moment. Luz subtly locked eyes with her, and Amelia hoped she could see the truth hidden in her outburst, the confirmation that no matter what Caleb said or did, she wasn’t as ‘saved’ as he claimed.

Speaking up did end up fully drawing all other eyes to her, though, and the moment they all saw her wrist, uncovered, their expressions ranged from horrified to disgusted. The elegant sword and shield, each with a spread set of angel’s wings, scarred into her wrist was on full display, and all of them were beginning to realize just how far Caleb had started to go to have a sense of absolute control over everybody in his grasp.

“What… have you done to her?” Henry demanded, his voice trembling with barely-restrained rage as his fists clenched tightly. Despite wearing every scar his uncle had ever inflicted on him as a means of ‘purifying his soul,’ not even he had The Empire’s sigil branded into his skin. Both Ivy and Lily placed a hand on his shoulders to try and calm him.

“What I felt I had to do in order to avoid any more… complications,” Caleb spoke with a tone that sounded almost insulted at the implication that branding those that followed him was wrong, especially as he narrowed a glare towards the NCA agents. “I couldn’t afford any more attempts to infiltrate and corrupt my holy cause that would escape the watchful eye of God. So those truly devoted to our divine mission prove themselves by being marked as proof of their loyalty and devotion, just like my elites… and just like Amelia here.”

“You sick son of a-” Evie nearly lost it as she began to pull out her gun, but that immediately drew clicking sounds from every Empire cultist surrounding the area, a show of force meant to warn her against what she was about to do. Darius grabbed her shoulder, as if anticipating this issue, but it was clear he was just as disturbed by this revelation as everybody else.

“I notice you don’t have one,” Marilyn jabbed, clearly looking to instigate. “What’s the matter, bozo? Not loyal to your own preaching?”

“My loyalty to God is unquestioned,” Caleb frowned, but maintained a level head in the face of the antics of someone he’d been haunting for just as long as he’d loomed over Amelia and Luz’s families. “He has guided my hand in judging and cleansing every filthy, unworthy soul I have met throughout my life, from my own brother to the witch who led him astray.” He grinned at Marilyn’s furious reaction before turning that grin to Henry before his eyes ultimately landed on Luz and her family. “And that includes the man who donned a mask and proclaimed himself an angelic spirit when your people are the most corruptive influence this world has ever suffered from.”

It took a herculean effort on the part of Amelia’s willpower to not just grab the dagger and start swinging at Caleb right here and now, feeling so disgusted with his blatant racism framed as some sort of divine commandment that she even briefly considered turning the dagger on herself for having to even pretend like she suddenly agreed with any of it thanks to him. Luz was obviously struggling just as much, having to hold her mother back as Camila unleashed a harsh torrent of Spanish that would’ve made a sailor blush if they could understand even half of what she was saying.

“As much as I’ve enjoyed this conversation,” Caleb continued, brushing all of this off as if he was above it all, “it’s not why we’re gathered here today. Luz… shall we make our exchange so that I can begin making amends for your father’s existential failures and prove that even you are truly worthy of a place in Heaven if you try?”

“Let’s do this,” Luz spat before he could continue rambling, not hiding her disgust but making it clear she wanted to just get this over with. Amelia’s heart twisted in her chest that even after this sickening spiel, Luz was still willing to let herself end up in Caleb’s clutches if it meant she wasn’t anymore, even though she knew the truth now. Even still, Amelia fought to maintain an emotionless expression as she followed Caleb to meet Luz halfway, their found family staying back lest they risk Caleb’s goons opening fire while the elites looked like they were watching a miracle happening in real time. As both sides stopped before one another, Amelia and Luz locked eyes, as if trying to have a silent conversation and figure out if they were on the same page here and figure out their next move while they had these precious few seconds.

As it turned out, Luz seemed to be a step ahead, courtesy of a very important detail Amelia had let slip weeks ago.

Before the two could exchange places, the moment was interrupted by Caleb’s phone ringing. To say he looked irritated would be an understatement, but he tried to play it off all the same.

“My apologies,” he insisted before answering the call. “This had better be important, because I’m in the middle of-” He trailed off as whatever news was being broken to him destroyed his composed control entirely. “What do you mean our base has been discovered? That’s impossible! The NCA should have no… knowledge… of…”

As Caleb’s stunned gaze slowly turned towards Amelia, she knew Luz had given her an opening, and she had to capitalize. Without any wasted movement, she revealed the dagger Caleb had given her earlier and attempted to rip open his throat with it. Caleb, however, dropped his phone and caught her wrist, twisting it to try and force his dagger from her hands. He tried to move his other hand to reclaim it, but it had to move to seize Luz’s wrist as she revealed a dagger of her own, aiming for his heart.

“You two… truly are beyond salvation…” Caleb grunted as he tried to use his legendary wrestling prowess to disarm them, but Amelia and Luz were not going to be stopped. He still knew exactly how to end this stalemate as he yelled to his minions, “Kill them all and let God sort them out!”

Unfortunately for Caleb, his order never came to pass. The moment the cultists prepared to fire, they found themselves being fired on in return as several small drones, each armed with small turrets revealed themselves from well-hidden locations and began either mowing them down or driving them back. The elites prepared to move in and back Caleb up, but Amelia and Luz’s loved ones didn’t hesitate to rush past the three of them and start a fight of their own, having the superior numbers to keep Caleb’s supposed best out altogether.

This didn’t deter Caleb, however, as he surprised his two biggest thorns by rolling back and expertly throwing them into one another. It didn’t disarm either of them, but that didn’t stop Caleb from revealing another dagger on his person as he tried to stab down between Luz’s eyes, only for Amelia to block the strike with the weapon he had given her.

“I had such high hopes for you… both of you…” Caleb growled in disappointment, still trying to rip away at Amelia’s self-worth and Luz’s kind nature even now. “All I wanted was to save you both from damnation… to make things right…”

“For yourself!” Luz spat. “All you’ve ever cared about was false redemption because you can’t stand the idea of going to Hell where you belong!”

“My soul has always belonged in Heaven,” Caleb sternly continued. “I have always been better than every other wretched soul corrupting this world, God himself has decreed it. That is why I know you will not strike me down… you aren’t strong enough to stain your souls-”

“Enough!” Amelia yelled as she managed to grab Caleb’s wrist and roll underneath his blade, kicking his leg out from under him and giving Luz an opening to kick his dagger out of his hands. “Luz and I have had to live our lives with your shadow looming over us, making us fear you. Just like my parents, you’re done trying to dictate our lives for your selfish gains!”

“You’ve tried to break us for years, all because you couldn’t cope with the truth that everything you’ve done locked you out of Heaven a long time ago!” Luz added.

“You don’t understand!” Caleb tried to plead. “We’re better than all of them! We don’t belong in the fiery pit! I don’t belong-”

As Caleb ranted, he tried to lunge for Luz once more, but Amelia wasn’t going to let him win… not this time. She felt it before she saw it… the blade piercing Caleb’s back, tearing straight though whatever was left of his twisted heart. She felt her blade make contact with Luz’s, realizing that her wife had mirrored the attack from the front as Caleb gasped between them, blood oozing from his mouth.

“If we’re hellbound, then so be it…” Luz fiercely declared.

“...as long as we go down together,” Amelia finished with just as much ferocity.

Caleb had nothing more to say… he tried, but the blood rising from his throat refused to allow words to form. They both let go and stepped aside, collapsing against one another as the man who had tormented them for most of their lives fell to the ground, his death as undignified as he deserved.

Somewhere in the midst of it all, they felt their loved ones surrounding them, checking on them, questioning Amelia specifically about what she’d pulled, but she couldn’t answer. All she had the strength for was looking into Luz’s eyes, the realization dawning on them of what they’d done. Even still, though, they took solace in the fact that it was necessary.

Their souls may have been stained, but they were finally free.

Without its self-righteous leader, The Empire would crumble, especially once the brainwashing was broken and the truth of Caleb’s intentions finally sank in.

Rise to Greatness would truly be the first night of a truly brighter future for the couple.

And it would see the real Amelia finally rise again.

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: Takes place following Selena’s first roleplay. For better understanding on the event mentioned, people can read the roleplay(s) here: https://www.supremecw.com/forums/showthr...p?tid=4550

Frost No More

”The Difference a Year Can Make...”

The Frost Forever Home
Manhattan, New York
August 3rd, 2026
4:18 p.m.

The clouds refused to stay still...

Deanna Frost watched them drift above the garden, separating and joining in shapes that lasted only long enough for her mind to recognize them...

A ship became a mountain.
The mountain became a bird.
The bird stretched until the wind pulled it apart...

I wonder if she’s watching them too...

With a sigh, Deanna sat on the stone border surrounding the garden. Sweat darkened the red training shirt against her spine. Her lungs had stopped burning several minutes ago, though her heart continued to beat hard.

Three miles.
Twenty hill sprints.
Forty minutes of weights.
Then another twenty minutes working through various ways of avoiding the Blight Choke.

Too much. Deanna knew it. She also knew she would probably repeat it tomorrow.’

Rise to Greatness was close enough now that every day carried the quiet accusation that she could have done one more thing to prepare.

She had won the Shot of Adrenaline tournament.
She had won Taking Hold of the Flame.
She was still Adrenaline Champion.
She and Selena were World Tag Team Champions.

None of it prevented the same question from returning whenever the house became quiet.

What if Amelia is right?

What if Deanna had reached the main-event because other people had removed the strongest obstacles? What if she had survived the royale only to discover survival and readiness were different things? What if the greatest night of her career ended with Amelia standing above her – with every doubt Deanna had tried to outrun thus confirmed?

Just like when I faced Asher... she slammed her eyes shut, not wanting to dwell on it.

She had spent nights imagining every direction from which the match could go – every way interference might come, every moment Amelia could use, every way a referee could be distracted...

But now, Selena had been named the special guest enforcer.

That should have made Deanna feel safer. Instead, it complicated every possibility. She knew Selena would never willingly allow Delatosso to steal her opportunity. But if Selena struck Amelia, Deanna’s victory would belong partly to the Snow Queen. If Selena hesitated because she feared doing exactly that, Delatosso’s people could overwhelm the match. And the list of those that had a score to settle with the Frosts... every person wanting the Adrenaline title she held, the tag-teams that were eyeing the House of Frost now - The list was ever-growing!

Even so, Deanna did not want to be protected into becoming World Champion. She wanted to defeat Amelia cleanly. And she knew, deep down, her friend wanted the same thing!

But wanting a fair fight did not make the people around Amelia fair. That was the issue!

Without thinking, Deanna’s left thumb rubbed against the base of her ring finger... It found only skin.

The absence had become its own sensation. For more than ten years, the ring had been there. Even when she removed it, she knew exactly where it was.

Now every unconscious movement found nothing.

Worse, whenever Deanna thought about Rise to Greatness, she found herself thinking about the moment before the match: Her boots tied, her wrists taped, the titles nearby to be carried to the ring, the noise of the stadium waiting beyond the curtain, and her hand rising automatically to her lips... Only for there to be nothing there to kiss.

No silver.
No diamond or gems.
No little private ritual...

For luck...
To remember...
To help...

The idea of entering the biggest match of her career – of her whole life - without it frightened her far more than she wanted to admit.

Despite obeying Selena’s instructions, Deanna still had had arena security search the changerooms. A custodian had checked the drains and garbage and she had called the hotel, the transportation company and two SCW officials who had been polite enough not to tell her she was obsessing... Nothing.

Meanwhile, there had been no taunting message from the Glimmers or Delatosso or Amelia or anyone!
No photograph or demand attached to its return. Nothing that resembled the satisfaction of someone making someone else miserable.

Only absence... And Selena’s voice in the locker room.

You’ll have the future you earned, Red.

Deanna pressed her thumb harder against the bare ring-finger.

“Pretty sure skin doesn’t grow faster because you glare at it.” The voice came from behind her, causing the redhead to turn and see Elsianna standing on the garden path, a tall glass of water in one hand.

At fourteen, she had entered the strange stage where she could look impossibly young one moment and uncomfortably grown the next. Today, with her dark clothes, loosely tied hair and elbow-length gloves,  she looked more like Selena than she probably wanted to.

Gratefully, Deanna accepted the glass her daughter offered, sipping it slowly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Elsianna remained standing. “Yeah. You’re overtraining.”

The redhead raised an eyebrow. “Am I now?” she laughed a little. “And since when are you my coach?” she teased.

“I’m not. Your actual coach called the house and said if you did another workout today, I was supposed to hide your shoes.”
“She called you?”
“She called David.” Elsianna corrected. “David gave me the phone because he was playing something online and apparently saving an imaginary kingdom was more important.”

Elsianna sat beside her, eyeing the large gargoyle statues that ‘guarded’ the estate. For a while, neither spoke. Eventually, though, Elsianna’s eyes lowered to Deanna’s hand. “Still nothing?”

Deanna shook her head in reply.
“You don’t believe it will turn up?” her daughter tried.
“I want to.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
“No.” Deanna admitted with a shake of her head. “It isn’t.”

The teenager picked at a loose thread near the knee of her pants. “I didn’t know you still wore it.”

Deanna’s fingers curled slightly at the remark. “I wasn’t hiding it.”
“I know. I just never looked.”
“That’s probably healthier than paying attention to your parents’ jewelry.”
That actually prompted a smile from the eldest Frost-child. “Probably.”

Another silence, a bit more awkward than the last one. For Deanna, she couldn’t stop replaying the events of last Breakdown. Where had she misplaced it? She had turned her dressing room upside down before Selena had ‘checked-in’. And what did she mean by-

“Why?” Elsianna asked, making Deanna lose her train of thought.
“Hmmm?” she asked. “Why what?”
“Why do you still wear it? Mother’s been gone for two years now.”

Deanna sighed at the question. Of course Elsianna would ask that. She still hadn’t fully forgiven Selena. She answered honestly. “Because taking it off never felt honest.”
“But you’re divorced.”
“That’s what your mother told me.”
“She wasn’t wrong.”
“Nope.” Deanna shook her head, shrugging knowingly.
“Then why didn’t it feel honest?”

“Because divorce changed what Selena and I were allowed to call each other. It changed where we lived, what paperwork we signed, what decisions we had the right to make for one another.” She glanced at her empty finger. “It didn’t change what she meant to me.”

“Even after everything?”

“Even then...” Deanna sighed. She saw Elsianna’s expression tighten. The anger there was earned. Selena’s choices had reached beyond SCW and wounded everyone in the family. A loving memory did not erase cigarette smoke, arguments, fear – any of it.

“I’m still not asking you to forgive her.” Deanna added.
“I know.”
“And I’m not pretending love fixes everything.”
“I know that too.” the young teenager scoffed.

“Then what are you asking?” the redhead raised an eyebrow, causing Elsianna to look towards the house, biting her lower lip.

“We’re coming to Rise to Greatness.”

Deanna blinked – the statement almost missing her completely. “What?”

Elsa’s eyes bore into her mother’s. “Me, David and Ami. We already talked about it.”
“Oh really?” Deanna laughed, partially amused – partially scared. “And which of you will be driving? And have you set aside time for pit stops? Ami’s got a small bladder and David gets hungry on roadtrips.”

“I’m serious.” Elsianna’s voice held an edge that almost made Deanna wince.
“Why?” she asked, shaking her head as she regarded her daughter. “You want to see me become World Champion?”

“No.” The smile disappeared from Deanna, causing Elsianna to hold her gloved hands up. “Not no like that. Obviously, we want you to win!”
“Good recovery.” the older woman remarked.
“What I meant was that we’re not coming because of the championship.”
“Okay...Then why?”
“Because you’ll need us there.”

Deanna shook her head at that. Immediately, she could hear Selena’s words from that night – In that ring, anything can be- she had meant to say ‘anything can be a weakness’ or something like that, relating to family – of course Deanna had interrupted and killed that notion! She refused to believe her family was a weakness for her!

But that didn’t mean she was stupid!

“No.” she shook her head. “I need you somewhere safe. There could be half a dozen people around that ring trying to help Amelia. Even with your mother there to watch over you-”

“That’s exactly why!” Elsianna interrupted. “Everybody keeps deciding what this match is supposed to mean for you and Mom. Amelia thinks it proves you aren’t ready. Your boss thinks it proves he can control everything. You think you have to win without needing anyone.”

“I do.”
“No, you have to win the match!”

Deanna stared at her, Elsianna’s expression not changing as she continued. “You taught us that accepting help isn’t the same as being carried.”
“That’s different.” Deanna sighed.
“Why?”

“Because if Selena gets involved-”

“Mother isn’t there to beat Amelia for you! She’s there to make sure nobody else does. She doesn’t need to make you World Champion.” Elsianna pressed. “She just needs to stop everybody else from making sure Amelia stays one.”

Deanna opened her mouth, then closed it. She tried to find a fault in the logic, but one didn’t exist! The back door opened before she could even formulate a response, catching her gaze.

David emerged first, holding a handheld gaming system against his chest. Amiliah followed him, her red hair tied into an uneven ponytail that suggested she had done it herself and refused assistance.

Slowly, Deanna looked from them to Elsianna. “This was planned.”
“A little.” David admitted.
“A lot.” Amiliah corrected.

Elsianna gave them both a look before facing Deanna again. “We’re going to get our mothers back.”

Deanna’s breath caught somewhere between inhale and exhale as David sat on the grass and Amiliah squeezed herself into the space between Deanna and Elsianna, forcing both to move before settling proudly into the gap she had created.

“You have us.” Deanna said carefully to her children.
“That isn’t what she means.” Amiliah replied, enthusiastically shaking her head.
Deanna sighed. “I know, sweetheart.”
“Then why did you say it?”

Because buying time had always been easier than answering...

Slowly, Deanna set the water glass beside her as Elsianna leaned forward, forearms resting on her thighs.

“We all know you still love her.” the eldest remarked, causing Deanna to regard her children again. David was suddenly very interested in the dark screen of his game. Amiliah stared openly. Elsa just waited.

“That isn’t exactly a secret,” Deanna admitted with a shrug.
“And she loves you.” Elsianna continued.
“That is... far more complicated.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Elsa-”
“She watches every match.”

Deanna stopped.

“When she was here after you won the Flame?” Elsianna shook her head. “She pretended she was checking messages. She wasn’t. She watched the replay three times.”

David nodded. “She also told the television to shut up when one of the commentators said you only won because everyone else eliminated each other.” the young boy added.

Elsianna glanced at him in surprise. “You left that part out.”
“I remembered it just now.”

Despite everything, warmth moved through Deanna’s chest at her children’s words.

“She smiled when you won.” she heard David add. “On the TV during the match and every time she watched the rematch. Not the weird smile she does when she thinks she knows something nobody else does... A real one.”

Amiliah rested her head against Deanna’s arm. “She smiles different around you.” the youngest added with a smile of her own.

“She also becomes angry around me.” Deanna laughed.
“People can do both!” Amiliah said, as though explaining something obvious to a particularly slow adult.

Deanna almost laughed again at that... almost.

Elsianna continued. “You won the Flame and tried to give her the match. She said no. Then she tried to stay away because she thought she’d take it from you. And you teamed together anyway. You trusted her enough to tag her.” Deanna remembered the instant her palm had struck Selena’s.

The moment had contained no contract.
No marriage.
No guarantee.
Only a choice made in the fraction of a second available to her.
She had chosen Selena.
Selena had chosen to come through.

“I don’t really care about wrestling.” David suddenly remarked.
“We’ve noticed.” Elsianna and Amiliah remarked simultaneously.
David ignored them, choosing to look up from his game to his mother. “But the house felt different after she left.”
Deanna tilted her head. “Different how?”

He shrugged, uncomfortable with the attention now that he had it. “Messed up? Out of place? Too quiet to be comfortable?”
“That... was surprisingly poetic,” Elsianna said.
“I read.” the boy puffed.
“Text bubbles in your games don’t count.” Elsa countered.
“Says who?!” David shot back, causing a grumble from both him and Elsa as Amiliah lifted her head to Deanna.

“I liked when you both had the belts. Like...together.”

The single word pressed deeper than it should have. Deanna looked down at her youngest daughter, watching as Amiliah’s brow furrowed.

“If you both love each other, why aren’t you married?” she finally asked – at last showing her young age.
“Ami...” Elsianna warned.
“What? Nobody answers me.” the young redhead pouted.

“Ami...” Deanna tried. “The reason is... because loving someone doesn’t mean you always know how to live with them. Sometimes... sometimes being apart is safer until people learn how not to repeat the same damage.”

“Did you learn?” Amiliah asked.
Deanna looked at her hands, specifically the one with the indentation. “I’m trying.”

“What about Mother?” asked Amiliah.
“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.” Elsianna pressed - the sharpness in her voice surprising Deanna. “I’m still angry at her. Some days I don’t want to talk to her. Some days I remember everything and think it would be easier if she stayed gone.”
“Els-”
“I’m not finished.”

The redheaded-mother let her hand fall.

“But she came back for you.” Elsianna continued. “She let you be the one everyone talked about, even though that has never been easy for her.”
“That doesn’t undo what she did.” Deanna sighed.
“I didn’t say it did. But you keep telling us people are more than their worst choice. Does that only count when the worst choice belongs to someone you don’t love?”

To that... Deanna had no answer. No, that wasn’t true. She had one... it’s just that the confession felt more difficult than anything she could say about Nevado.

“I’m... I’m afraid if I let myself believe this means something, Selena will run again. I’m afraid she’ll decide she’s protecting us and disappear. I’m afraid I’ll forgive too quickly because I want the old life back, then discover we rebuilt it on the same cracks.” Her voice weakened. “I’m afraid every time I choose her, she’ll convince herself I’m sacrificing something.”

She stared at the empty space on her finger. “I offered her the Rise to Greatness match because I believed she deserved the chance to finish what she started. She saw it as me giving away my career. She backed away from the tag titles because she thought standing beside me would take something from me. She tells me to forget about a ring because caring about her might cost me against Amelia.” Her emerald eyes stung at that last one. “She keeps taking my choices and turning them into debts she has to repay.”

A sad smile came to the redhead. “She doesn’t understand that I get to decide what matters to me. And I’m afraid that one day...” She stopped, drawing a shaky breath. “One day she’ll decide the best thing she can give me is a life without her, and there won’t be another chance for me to tell her she’s wrong.”

Quietly, Amiliah slid her hand into Deanna’s. David put his game aside and did the same. Elsianna’s expression softened without losing its seriousness.

“We don’t want the old life back.” she said. “We want a better one.”
David nodded. “One where nobody disappears without telling us.”
“One where you kiss again!” Amiliah added.
“Ami!” Elsianna groaned.
“What? That’s what married people do.”
“Not the point.”
“It can be one of the points!” the little redhead countered.

Deanna covered her mouth, caught somewhere between laughter and tears - the sound that escaped contained pieces of both.

Even children could recognize the reality that both Selena – and even Deanna – were denying one way or another.

For several seconds, Deanna simply breathed, her mind reflecting the last time she saw the Snow Queen.

Blocking the door.
Touching the collar of Deanna’s shirt.
Becoming unnaturally calm after Deanna mentioned the rooftop.
You won’t have to worry about me taking anything else from you.
You’ll have the future you earned, Red.

’One day she’ll decide the best thing she can give me is a life without her, and there won’t be another chance for me to tell her she’s wrong.’

Deanna’s eyes snapped open as she remembered the words she had just spoken. “What day is it?”

The children exchanged confused looks. “Monday.” David answered. “August 3rd”.

The garden tilted. July 30, 2025.

Sunrise over Manhattan.
Selena beyond the balcony railing.
Their hands locked together.

Give me a year.

Deanna rose so quickly that Amiliah nearly slipped from the stone border. “Mom?” she asked alarmed.

“No…” the word was barely a sound as Deanna grabbed the phone from beside her training bag - her fingers shaking hard enough that she nearly dropped it.

Selena had kept the promise!
And Deanna had forgotten!

But that wasn't the worst part. Because suddenly everything the children had just said came crashing through her mind at once.

The World Championship opportunity - Selena had refused it. Not stolen it. Not forged anything. Not manipulated her way into another main-event. She had given it back.

The House of Frost. Selena had come when Deanna needed her. She had entered that ring without demanding control. She had waited for the tag. Deanna had made the choice. Selena had trusted her enough to accept it. Then she had won beside her.

Selena had watched Deanna win the Shot of Adrenaline tournament.
Watched her win the royale.
Defended her when nobody was supposed to be listening.

She had tried - clumsily, painfully, sometimes infuriatingly - to keep Deanna’s career from becoming another thing Selena consumed.

Through all the good and VERY bad, Selena had...  had stayed alive through it all...

Deanna's breath caught. That was the simplest part! The part Selena would never allow herself to count:

She had stayed.

Through the drugs.
Through the alcohol.
Through losing.
Through being hated.
Through watching Deanna rise while she convinced herself she was falling.
Through every mistake that Selena would undoubtedly list as proof that she had failed.

She had stayed alive.

Things had changed. Not in some perfect storybook transformation where one promise magically repaired years of hurt. But changed? Her eyes quickly gazed at Elsianna, and the answer came immediately...

Yes. Everything changed!

The problem was not that Selena had failed the year. The problem was that Selena Frost would never count any of it!

What if nothing changes?
Then I will stand here with you again.
And this time... I’ll let you go.

“Oh, gods.” This time, the words escaped like a prayer - or a curse.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Elsianna asked, but Deanna gave no answer as she paced across the stones, trying again and again to call Selena’s cell - every unanswered ring tightening around her chest.

“Answer...” she whispered. “Come on, Selena. Answer me.”

The connection clicked! There was no greeting... only silence and the faint sound of wind. “Selena?” Deanna heard a breath. “Where are you?”

Another pause.

Then... quiet and impossibly steady. “I’m at the castle…”

The line disconnected...

Deanna stared at the phone. For half a second, no one of them moved... Then she ran.

She snatched her shoes from beside the garden door, ignoring the ache in her legs as she shoved her feet into them. Her keys hung beside the kitchen entrance. She grabbed them and nearly tore the hook from the wall.

“Stay here!” she ordered, only to see her children rushing after her.
“No!” Elsianna answered.
“This isn’t a discussion!”
“We’re coming!” Elsianna countered.
“You don’t know what-”

“Yes, I do.” The eldest argued back. “I’ve known for months!” The fear in her daughter’s face ended the argument. David had gone pale and Amiliah clung to his hand, confused but frightened because everyone else was. It was almost too much for Deanna to bear but she couldn’t stop now!

Quickly, Deanna opened the front door. The clouds had covered the sun, casting the street in sudden shadow. She looked up only once before she and her children ran for the car.

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: Takes place following Selena’s second roleplay.

Frost No More

”A Different Answer”

Eyrie Tower
Manhattan, New York
August 3rd, 2026
4:36pm

It was the worst case of deja vu and it was enough to make Deanna Frost sick to her stomach. The realization struck somewhere between the elevator doors opening and her shoes pounding across the polished floor of Eyrie Tower.

Same corridor.
Same castle suite waiting ahead.
Same unbearable certainty that Selena Frost was somewhere beyond those doors and that every second mattered.

Except...

Faster... she was moving so much faster.

Her lungs burned, but they worked. Her legs ached from the ridiculous workout she had already forced them through earlier, but they carried her without hesitation. One year ago, running these halls had almost broken her.

Nine months away from SCW.
Veil still living inside every dark corner of her mind.
Her body softer, weaker, recovering from months spent trying to remember how to exist without fear.

She had arrived at this castle last year because she loved Selena... But she had arrived broken.

Today?

She had won the Shot of Adrenaline tournament.
She had survived Taking Hold of the Flame.
She was the Adrenaline Champion.
She was the World Tag Team Champion.
She was nine days away from fighting Amelia Nevado for the World Championship in the main-event of Rise to Greatness...

The difference a year can make...

The thought almost made her laugh – but instead, she pushed harder.

“Mom!” Elsianna’s voice echoed behind her, but the redhead barely slowed enough to look back. All three children were just a ways behind her. Elsianna led them, David behind her and Amiliah struggling to keep pace despite David holding tightly to her hand.

A year ago, Deanna had screamed their names at Selena as reasons to live... This year they had come to say it themselves. Again... the difference a year-

The thought left her before repeating as she reached the suite door and threw it open. “SELENA!” she called out loudly, hearing her voice ring within the familiar rooms to the tops of the familiar archways. There was no reply – not even a sound, causing her heart to drop. “Selena!” she tried again, tearing through the living room area, recognizing furniture only as blurs of colors. She didn’t have to search the vast suite – she knew exactly where she needed to go. Like her damn ‘flair’ would take her anywhere else!

She saw the open balcony doors as soon as she turned the corner... and the platinum-blonde that moved gently beyond the glass as she stood at the railing, overlooking the city of New York below.

Deanna stopped breathing. “No...” She gave one last burst of speed. “NO!” and saw Selena turn just as she burst onto the balcony. She barely registered anything except how close Selena was to the end.

“Don’t!” Deanna cried. “Don’t you fucking dare!”
Selena blinked, her face a dead calm. “Red-”
“Don’t!” Deanna crossed the distance between them and seized Selena’s wrist...Exactly as she had one year ago.

Except Selena wasn’t beyond the railing this time.
Both of Selena’s feet were planted safely on the balcony.

It took Deanna longer than it should have to realize it – just like the damn date. “I remembered!” she tried. “I’m sorry! Gods, Selena, I forgot the date but I remembered - I promised you. I promised if nothing changed I’d come back here and let you go but I was wrong!”

“Deanna-”
“No! Don’t tell me nothing’s happened and you were right! Things changed!” Her voice cracked. “They changed so much!”

Selena stared at her.

“You didn’t take my Rise to Greatness match!” Deanna continued desperately. “You could have! I offered it and you said no! You came back when I needed you for the tag titles and you waited for me to make the choice! You didn’t take it from me - I tagged you!”

Selena’s lips parted.

“And Elsa-” Deanna looked behind her. The children had reached the balcony doors -  Elsianna stood frozen there, breathing heavily. The instant Selena saw her, something changed in her sapphire eyes! Deanna saw it - so did Elsianna – but neither the teenager nor Selena spoke. So Deanna did, taking charge.

“You asked me one year ago if I thought I could help fix things with her.” Deanna’s grip tightened around Selena’s wrist. “Look at her.” Selena’s eyes remained locked on her daughter. “Look at all of them.”

David stood protectively beside Amiliah, whose face was wet with tears she clearly didn’t understand.

But Elsianna... Elsianna slowly stepped onto the balcony. “That’s not nothing changing!” Deanna whispered. “That is not failure!”

“Red-”
“No. You need to hear me.”

Deanna moved herself between Selena and the railing as though her body could physically block every terrible possibility. “You keep deciding what my choices mean! I offer you something because I want to and you decide I sacrificed it. I choose you and you decide you stole something. I love you and somehow you turn that into another crime you have to punish yourself for!” Selena’s gaze returned to hers. “You don’t get to do that anymore!”

“Deanna.”

“I decide what matters to me!” Tears spilled down Deanna’s cheeks. “You think the World Championship matters more than you?” She laughed bitterly. “Fine! Take the match!”

Selena’s eyes widened.

“I mean it! I’ll tell SCW right now. You fight Amelia.”
“Red-”
“If they won’t let me transfer it and I win instead? Take the championship! I’ll hand it to you myself!”
“Deanna-”
“The tag titles too! You can have mine. Both if you want! I don’t care!”
“Stop.”
“I’ll give you everything!”
“Deanna.”
“If this is about SCW-”
“It isn’t.”
“I’ll leave!”

That stopped Selena, sapphire eyes widening as Deanna’s chest heaved in quick breaths to keep her from collapsing.

“If that’s what it takes,” she whispered. “If you think me wrestling means you have to die, then I’m done! Rise to Greatness, Amelia, the Adrenaline title, the tag titles... all of it. I’ll walk away. I’ll never wrestle another match if that makes you understand that losing you is not some price I’m willing to pay for success!”

“STOP!” Selena’s voice cracked across the balcony, freezing Deanna and the children in place. For several seconds, there was nothing but the distant noise of New York beneath them.

Slowly, though, Selena pulled her wrist from Deanna’s hand. “You’re doing it again.” Selena whispered.
“W-What?” Deanna’s voice shook.
“Trying to save me by giving me everything.”
“I’m... I’m trying to keep you alive...”
“I know.”
“Then let me!”

Selena shook her head knowingly. “You already did.” she gazed down into the streets below for a moment...  “A year ago.” before her eyes returned to Deanna’s “You saved my life - but that isn’t why I came back here today.”

Confusion slowly replaced the redhead’s terror. “You called me.”
“You called first.” Selena corrected.
“You told me you were at the castle!”
“Yes.”
“Why?!”

Selena breathed deeply, looking at Deanna, then at all three of their children again before settling back on the redhead. “Because you were right.”

Deanna’s mouth opened but no words came out. Perhaps that was for the best as Selena’s right hand slipped into her own pocket.

“I don’t know if forgiveness fixes everything...” she whispered. “I don’t know if redemption means becoming who I was before. I don’t even know if I deserve either one... but you were right about one thing.” Selena stepped closer to Deanna. “I don’t get to decide the answer alone.”

Deanna’s heart stopped as Selena slowly lowered herself onto one knee.

“What are you doing?” The question escaped Deanna as little more than breath. Selena looked up at her...

Not the Snow Queen.
Not the Blue-Eyed Devil.
Not the World-Ruler.
Not the most hated person in SCW.
Just Selena.

Her hand came out of her pocket and her fingers opened... and lying in the center of Selena Frost’s palm...

...was Deanna’s missing wedding ring.

Deanna stared at it, then at Selena... emerald eyes holding sapphire ones.

“This time...” Selena whispered. “You decide.”
_________________________________________


The camera opens up to reveal the interior of the Ford Field arena in Detroit, Michigan, the site of SCW’s greatest pay-per-view of the year: Rise to Greatness! The decorations – signs, graphics, billboards, all massive and easy to see from far away – display the opulence to anyone looking... at least to the one that is able to look and see them...

As the shot changes, going closer to the empty ring, it instead focuses on one section of where the audience will soon fill. Deanna Frost sits alone several rows above the floor, emerald eyes fixed on the squared circle waiting beneath the enormous stage. She wears blue jeans, an emerald-green t-shirt, but none of her championships are with her. It is just her... in more ways than one.

Empty seats. Empty ring. No crowd. No noise.

A small smile crosses her face.

Funny... I know someone who used to love doing this.

She rises from her seat.

Empty arena. Empty ring. Nobody around except her and whatever truth she wanted people to hear. she starts down the steps. I think I finally understand why...

Her smile fades as she looks toward the ring. Because when there’s nobody else here... there’s nowhere for the truth to hide. She continues walking. And for once... for once... I am going to decide where we start!

She stops as she eyes the ring from the outside before slowly walking around it.

You said I wasn’t ready, Amelia. She shrugs her shoulders. And maybe that was you trying to ‘get in my head’. Maybe you wanted to ‘fire me up’ so I could ‘come at you with all I have’. You’ve always been good at explaining your words afterwards, so I know you’ll find a way to ‘explain’ your words to Jessica, especially after our last match. Maybe you expected me to get angry about it. Maybe I’m supposed to scream about everything I’ve accomplished and demand you respect me...

She shakes her head. But here’s the funny thing... I know what “not ready” looks like. she gazes at something behind her that only she can see. I’ve been her before. Before rolling into the ring, getting to her feet rather gracefully.

2023. Two years into my career. End of the Year event. SCW gave the fans the choice of who should challenge Asher Hayes for the World Championship... and they chose me.

There is still pride in her expression at that moment, a small smile breaking past her features of focus.

And I fought him with everything I had. Tooth and nail. It literally came down to ‘who blinks first’! And I came close enough that, for a little while, I really believed I was going to do it. I was going to become World Champion... She stops her pacing within the ring, looking out at the empty seats.

But looking back now? She shakes her head. I wasn’t ready.

There’s no shame in the admission. Just a statement of fact.

I was talented. I was hungry. I had heart. But being capable of winning the World Championship and being ready to carry it are two completely different things. She resumes her pacing, a hand trailing along the top rope. Looking back now, maybe losing to Asher was exactly what I needed. Because maybe if I’d won that night, I would’ve spent every day afterward terrified somebody would expose me. Maybe I would’ve needed that championship to convince myself I belonged here.

Her eyes harden before shooting straight at the camera. Sound familiar? she lets the words settle for a second before speaking again.

Then came last year... a long sigh escapes her, her eyes flying to the large RtG graphic hanging high above.

Rise to Greatness 21. Nine months away because of Veil. Doctors telling me I shouldn’t be back yet. My first singles match ending in defeat. My 487-day United States Championship reign gone. Nine months of credibility, trust and momentum disappearing while I tried to remember how to walk into an arena without feeling like I was back in Kentucky...

She stops her walk within the ring – contemplating. You want to know if I’ve ever been unready, Amelia? Again, she turns to the camera – to her audience. I was barely ready to be in SCW... But I stayed.

She walks toward the centre. And then I worked.

Raising her hand, one finger lifts up. Shot of Adrenaline tournament. Undefeated. Another finger rises. Adrenaline Championship. Another finger. Taking Hold of the Flame. Another.

Every challenger who came after me – including you! She glances toward the imaginary place where the tag titles would rest on her shoulder. And when that challenge came? World Tag Team Champion.

Deanna lowers her hand. This time nobody voted me here.
Nobody gave me any of this.

I won my way here.

Her expression softens slightly. And the reason I understand you better than you probably want me to, Amelia... is Luz.

She paces slowly once again. I know what it’s like to love somebody and still wonder if everyone sees them before they see you.

A humourless smile graces her features...

Selena Frost was one of the greatest wrestlers SCW has ever seen – and that was before most people even knew my name. Then when the fame disappeared, the infamy became even bigger. Even now, in my first World Championship main-event at Rise to Greatness, guess who SCW put at ringside? She spreads her hands. So believe me... I understand shadows.

Her voice sharpens.

I understand watching somebody you love succeed while you’re asking yourself why it isn’t happening for you. I understand frustration. Jealousy. Inadequacy. Fear.

What I don’t accept is pretending those feelings made your choices inevitable!

The redhead stops again. Because when I felt small beside Selena, I eventually learned that Selena being great didn’t make me less. The only person who could make me smaller because of her success... was me. Her eyes narrow. But you decided to go another direction.

She takes a slow breath – a pause.

You got closer to Frank Delatosso. You benefited when things weren’t exactly honourable. You looked the other way when it helped you... and then apologized when you had enough distance from it. Or do we need to take a look at your recent match history of disqualification wins?

Deanna shakes her head. Even so... I still believe you when you talk about integrity. Her tone is genuinely sincere, though her expression/focus does not change.

Not all of it... Not anymore. But some of it? Yeah. I think the Amelia I know is still in there somewhere. Her jaw tightens. Which is why last Breakdown bothered me so much.

She points toward the ringside area.

Ryan LeCavalier attacked Selena from behind. Tried to injure her before Rise to Greatness... And unlike me trying to get there from backstage... you were right there... a few feet away. Deanna's expression shows disappointment more than anger.

You didn’t have to like Selena. Gods know over half the roster and staff doesn’t. But the Amelia I knew wouldn’t need to like somebody to recognize that attacking them from behind was wrong!

She shakes her head slowly. But you did nothing despite how wrong it was. You just... watched...

And that’s when I realized what scares me about you becoming World Champion. Her voice lowers. I’ve seen this before.

The challenger looks down briefly.

I’ve watched someone I love become so obsessed with being World Champion that eventually the championship stopped being something she held... and became something she needed in order to know who she was. Her eyes lift again. And Amelia? You are getting dangerously close.

She steps forward. You told me I wasn’t ready to face you before our tag-team title match. A small smile appears. Then I hit you with the Burnout.

And you stayed down longer than three seconds. No boast follows that statement. That doesn’t mean I beat you. But it means I proved I can. Just like you could beat me if you lock in The Blight Choke... I’m well aware of that.

The smile slowly disappears. But what happened afterwards told me much more. Deanna gestures toward one corner. You had Luz waiting. she then gestures toward another corner. And you hesitated.

She taps her own chest. I didn’t.

I could’ve tried to make that moment mine. I could’ve decided that I needed to be the woman who finished Amelia Nevado – the world champion of SCW! She shakes her head.

Instead, I tagged Selena. Because I didn’t need the moment. Her voice hardens. I needed the win.

She pauses to let those words sink in. That’s the difference between us right now. She points toward the centre of the mat near her. When pressure hits, you keep asking yourself ‘what proves Amelia Nevado is the best?’. Her hand lowers.

I ask what gets the job done. That’s the big difference between us. It’s why the House of Frost has already taken a title from you... just like I will in this very arena.

Because at Rise to Greatness, I won’t hesitate.

Deanna stands completely still now, standing in the middle of the ring.

I know how good you are. I know how smart you are. I know you will throw everything you have at me – and I know anyone who wants that championship staying around your waist will do the same... She nods.

Good. She grins. I want everything.

Slowly, Deanna’s left hand rises – revealing the silver-banded, gem-stone laden, diamond ring around her finger. Because this isn’t only about becoming World Champion for me.

Her thumb passes gently over the ring. It’s a promise...

A year ago, I promised someone I would find a way to prove that everything wasn’t hopeless. Her emerald eyes stay on the camera. And somewhere along the way, I made the same promise to myself. And I made it to SCW.

Deanna's voice strengthens with every word.

You don’t need to forge somebody’s signature.
You don’t need to get comfortable with the boss.
You don’t need an entourage protecting you.
You don’t have to steal somebody else's opportunity.

She presses her fist against her heart.

You can get hurt.
You can fail.
You can lose everything you thought made you important.

A smile slowly emerges again. And then you can get right back up!

Defiantly, she looks around the empty stadium. Heart. Grit. And the refusal to stay down. Her eyes return forward. That’s what brought me from barely being ready to wrestle last year... to standing here ready to fight for the right to call myself the best wrestler in all of SCW!

She breathes. That is what a champion should be.

Slowly, the young woman looks down at her wedding ring. And that is the kind of SCW World Champion I’m going to become.

Just as slowly, Deanna lifts her left hand to her lips... So you keep telling me I’m not ready, Amelia. ... and kisses the ring. A year ago... you would've been right.

She smiles as she lowers her hand back down. But you’d be amazed what difference a year can make. Her emerald eyes narrow. But at Rise to Greatness... I’ll only need three seconds to prove it.

Three seconds to beat you.
Three seconds to make history.
Three seconds to become Deanna Frost... SCW World Champion!

With a familiar, excited and playful grin, Deanna gives the camera a small salute. Checkmate, bitches!

Before the camera fades to black.

[Wisteria Waltz]

It's hard to see much when we first open up, but what we can see is breathtaking view of the city of Detroit, Michigan from the rooftops above. The reason it's hard to see too much is because we see the sun off in the distance looking like it's only beginning to rise for the day, so the city is still shrouded in the darkness of night and its residents are still dreaming peacefully of what tomorrow may bring. Despite the beautiful view and the sense of calmness washing over us, the peace and quiet of a city that hasn't quite woken up for the day yet is broken by the sound of shattering glass somewhere behind us. At first, it's just one instance, but then it's followed by another, and another, and several more. Slowly, we turn away from the rising dawn to look down along the roof of this building, finding shards of broken glass everywhere. Slowly, we see shoes start to walk across this field of broken glass, their steps delicate but also not avoiding the glass as it crunches into smaller fragments and dust at their feet. We can assume the glass belonged to a mirror as the shards reflect someone's face from above, but it almost feels like we're trying to piece together an illusion as every shard reflects what looks like a different version, even if they all share the same recognizable face.

As the steps approach us, we slowly pan up to confirm the figure is none other than the SCW World Champion, Amelia Nevado. While the World Title belt rests over her left shoulder, we also noticed that she looks nothing like the champion she's tried so hard to present herself as for months now. If anything, her casual attire looks more like something borrowed from her wife's wardrobe, and if anything... it makes her look more like herself. Her hair is undone and blowing freely in the early morning breeze, and there's a look in her eyes and a smile on her face that makes it immediately clear this is not the Amelia Nevado we've been witnessing throughout the year so far. There's a genuine reluctance to the smile, but we can almost get a sense of freedom from how relaxed she looks despite the magnitude of what awaits her on the horizon. When she finally speaks, there's a gentle remorse that resonance in our souls at the tone of her voice.

“I'm sorry for failing all of you... and for failing myself.

By now, I've painted a very clear picture of the life I lived growing up. Parents who were abusive and didn't think twice about breaking me, believing that any weakness I possessed could simply be erased when they rebuilt me in their image. My older siblings suffered in the same way, but they coped with it by taunting and bullying me to express their disdain for the fact that I was the chosen heir to the Blythe legacy because mom and dad wrote them off at birth purely because they were born as twins. Through it all, we were expected to present ourselves to everyone, from family business partners to wrestling connections to fans, as the perfect family. We were flawless, we were unbreakable... hell, our family motto was 'never show weakness.' Back then, I didn't have a choice in who I became... I was forced to sever any friendships my parents didn't believe would benefit me or our family professionally above all else, I was supposed to marry some wealthy and talented man because my parents refused to accept that I was only interested in other women and continuing the Blythe legacy was more important than 'distractions' like love, wrestling and being the absolute best at it was supposed to be everything to me... to the point where I began to hate this sport and everything associated with it.

Back then, I was saved by a literal light in the darkness who saw through the walls I put up and refused to write me off until I got to decide for myself who I wanted to be and figured out my own path forward. Because of her, I found a reason to love wrestling, a desire to embrace the challenge of wanting to prove myself and earn everything with my own bare hands, not because I was owed the world because I was a Blythe, but because I earned it for myself. And through it all, I learned to embrace my imperfections, because the truth of the matter is... nobody's perfect. We all have our flaws, the cracks in our reflection, and unlike what my parents always told me, they are nothing to be ashamed of and shouldn't be hidden, because they are what make us human.

Unfortunately... I never realized just how deep my own cracks went until recently, and I'm ashamed of the woman I see when I look back on the last several months of my career. Not because it's a face I don't recognize despite being my own... but because it's a face I know all too well, and hoped I would never see again.”

Amelia's smile fades as she moves around us, and we turn to watch her as she takes a seat on the edge of the roof. She shrugs the World Title belt off her shoulder and lets it rest in her lap as she side-eyes the rising sun off in the distance, illuminating the scene just a little bit more in its warm glow.

“The woman you've all been watching for the past few months is not Amelia Nevado... in reality, it's been Amelia Blythe, the 'real me' according to my parents. That's the very person I fought so hard to escape from being when Luz came into my life... and yet, I found myself falling back into her embrace and letting her take over when my doubts began to consume me. It's easy for any wrestler to lose a match, maybe even find themselves on a bit of a losing streak, and say they'll bounce back and earn their way back into the winner's column again... unless you're me. There's a reason I fell into such a depressive spiral that I became vulnerable to promises of power and found myself on a path I swore to never walk again, why I became such an arrogant bitch standing as the crown jewel of Frank Delatosso's New Order, and one only needs to look at the psychological scars I wear to get an idea of why I failed myself after fighting so hard to escape from being... this.

When most of your life is spent being told that you're nothing but a failure, that you're not worthy of living up to impossible expectations as a poor attempt at motivation, you begin to internalize those words. All you want is the acceptance and acknowledgment of the progress you've been making, only for the goalposts to be moved without explanation because even success itself isn't good enough for you in the same way it is for everybody else. Even after I finally escaped those chains, not a day went by where I didn't hear the voice of my mother or father echoing in my head, berating me when I lost or mocking me for thinking any of my wins meant anything. After a while, I learned to tune it out, knowing they were wrong and having people around me who reassured me that my worth in this world wasn't tied to my wrestling success and nothing else.

Eventually, however... the voice changed, and I think you, Deanna, might understand this next part better than anybody else.

When I lost to Glory back at Shattered Reality, another setback in a big match when I was fighting so hard to prove myself, I stopped hearing the criticism masking itself in voices I knew never truly cared for me. Instead, it adopted a far more painful tactic... it began using my own voice. Other Amelia, I called it, my inner critic, digging deeper into my scars than the echoes of my parents ever did, convincing me that I was always going to be lost in Luz's shadow, the weak link of The Light In The Darkness... just as people have tried to claim for years that Deanna was the weak link of the House of Frost, doomed to forever vanish in Selena's lofty shadow. No matter how hard I fought to resist it, the voice kept digging, kept reshaping me in cruel ways that even my parents never thought to consider, and before I knew it... I had fallen back into the same darkness I thought I'd escaped from, back to being the Blythe prodigy who existed solely to be the perfect wrestler and nothing else.

I think you, perhaps even more than Luz, can understand why I lost my way Deanna. I saw it when you came back after everything that happened with Veil... physically, you were here, but mentally, you were still fighting against phantoms that only you could see, haunting you and convincing you that you were weak, worthless, pathetic despite being a survivor, trying to convince you that you had to change if you wanted to prove everyone wrong whenever they compared you to Selena. We are both women whose scars run deeper than anybody will ever truly know... but the biggest difference between us, Deanna, is the fact that you proved you were stronger than me, and I'm not afraid to admit that. Where I eventually let the frustration consume me, break me, force me to once again put on a porcelain mask to hide the cracks because everyone had to believe I was perfect... you overcame your trauma. You proved just how strong you truly are, bouncing back from losing the U.S. Title to Luz at last year's Rise to Greatness to having probably the best year anybody's ever had in SCW history. You're the Adrenaline Champion, Shot of Adrenaline winner, Taking Hold of the Flame battle royal winner... one-half of the World Tag Team Champions...

Don't feel bad for that, by the way... truth be told? I needed that reality check to finally remember exactly who Amelia Nevado is, and I'm sorry it took me this long to finally wake up and come back to you.”

Amelia's eyes slowly drift down to the World Title in her lap, her fingers slowly tracing the letters of her name engraved into the nameplate.

“It's funny... all those voices, both in our heads and around us, who told us we were the ones destined to be lost in the shadows of the women we love, yet here we are, in the main event of Rise to Greatness, facing one another for the biggest prize in this industry on the biggest stage we could possibly have. We've accomplished things even Luz and Selena haven't... I became World Champion, but even that pales in comparison to everything I said you've accomplished, half of which even Selena never did. If that doesn't prove that you deserve to be here Deanna, even after every awful thing I've said to you because that arrogant little voice in my head was desperate for any sort of psychological edge, then listen to me carefully as I tell you the biggest reason that proves you belong across the ring from me on this stage.

You defeated Luz at the very end of the battle royal.

On paper, maybe that doesn't sound like such a big accomplishment despite everything that's happened between all of us, but I've known that woman for almost my entire wrestling career, Deanna. Believe me when I say that when Luz is really determined to make something happen, not even an act of God can stop her, and she made it perfectly clear that she was hellbent on winning that battle royal to stand where you are now, not because she wanted this title, but because she wanted me. She wanted to use this match as the ultimate test to remind me of who I truly am, the perfect callback to the moment where she handed me my very first professional wrestling defeat and then comforted me afterwards and helped me realize that one loss truly isn't the end of the world. You weren't fighting Luz at the end of that battle royal, Deanna... you were fighting a force of nature that wasn't going to be denied the chance to save me through the art of wrestling that connected us in the first place, and you won. You eliminated her, you earned the right to be in this match... and you deserve it more than me.

I want to sit here and try to think positively about my reign as World Champion, to believe that I've earned the right to be here with you, Deanna. When you really look at the fine details, I did earn every major victory that got me here the right way within the context of the matches I had to contend with. I won the four way that earned my my World Title shot all on my own, making Kemal submit while Glory tried and failed to break the Blight Choke. I won the four way that put this title in my hands when I made Selena pass out to that same hold, the only person in that match who didn't have anyone helping me regardless of the reason. I was forced to team with Luz to defend this title against the Glimmer Sisters in the most embarrassing and humiliating experience either of us have ever endured, made even worse by everything they did during the match to try and erase our talent and efforts just to paint us as raw sex appeal on par with theirs, and I came through for both Luz and for the prestige of this title and the Tag Titles when it mattered most.

But I'm sure you'll agree with Selena and even me, Deanna, in admitting that my reign is tainted, no matter how hard I try to look for the positives.

I wasn't supposed to be in that number one contender match in the first place, probably wasn't even supposed to have a match at all in my own home country, I was added at the last second by our CEO. Maybe I could have proved it if I won this title one-on-one against Gavin, despite the shift in attitude, but I wasn't given that chance and didn't even beat the champion to win the title. Even Taking Hold of the Flame raises questions because I needed Luz's help to retain, even if that was the hand I was dealt on that night. In that regard, Selena was right about me... I may be holding the World Championship, but I haven't earned the right to truly call myself a World Champion.

And that's exactly why I want you to give me everything you've got at Rise to Greatness, Deanna.”

Amelia swings her leg back over and stands up once more, the sun rising higher into the sky now as her silhouette stands against the warm glow of the dawn, bathing her in its light in an image that just feels right to see.

“I want you to forget everything I've said to you on the road to Ford Field, Deanna, because if I have anything to say about it? Amelia Blythe is dead and won't be standing across the ring from you come Sunday night, just like you watched her die in that chapel in Mexico on Día de Muertos two years ago when I cast off the shackles of the Blythe name and was reborn as Amelia Nevado. For the past several months, I have done wrong by my wife's name and it's high time I make amends to her, to you, and to the SCW fans.

The truth is, Deanna... I know you can beat me. I know you are worthy of being World Champion, of doing right by this title where I have failed thus far in that regard. We've met in that ring enough times over the years, and regardless of whichever one of us won, it was always a hard-fought war up until the very end where no one, especially not us, knew who was going to be the one with their arm raised in victory. I'm sorry it took me so long to get my head screwed back on straight and remember who I truly am, and even more than an apology Deanna, I owe you the best damn wrestling match either of us has ever delivered, a match that eclipses the classic we put on against each other years ago in that U.S. Title tournament, a match that not only proves that Deanna Frost is ready to be a true World Champion to guide the way towards the future of this company...

But proves that I'm just as ready to be the World Champion I should've been all along, even if this night ends in my defeat and I have to start the climb all over again.

Make no mistake, Deanna: if I'm going to put on a match worthy of the Rise to Greatness main event, if I'm going to give you the challenge that, should you win, proves that you are a worthy World Champion, then I can't just hand this title over that easily just because I'm done letting my inner critic take the wheel and drive me back towards being the Blythe I never wanted to be in the first place. If anything, this is my first real challenge as World Champion, not because Selena, Gavin, Syren or the Glimmers weren't good enough, but because you are the first chance for me to truly prove, especially to myself, that I can wear this title and not let the title wear me. I want to learn from not only Selena's mistakes she tried to warn me about, but from my own mistakes that have defined this title reign thus far. I want to give you everything I have to offer and then some Deanna, all in the name of trying to retain this title... not because you aren't ready, because I know damn well that you are and I will tell you that to your face before the bell rings if I have to, but because this is my chance to wipe the slate clean and start over, make Rise to Greatness the first real night I can truly call myself SCW World Champion and mean it. If we don't give each other our absolute best and beyond, then we'll both walk away with doubts when all is set and done... and I don't want that.

I want to be able to look you in the eye if you beat me, raise your arm and put this title around your waist myself while knowing that I can start over and work my way back up to you the right way.

I want to be able to hold this title over my head if I win, knowing that I not only truly earned that moment, but also knowing that someone as incredible as you will be hot on my heels to give me an even better match the next time we meet.

And as for Delatosso's little scheme? As far as I'm concerned, Selena will be out there to support her wife and watch you prove what you both already knew deep down, that you were never in her shadow... just as I know Luz will be supporting me in the same way. And while I apparently can't command the New Order to listen to me, I know that Selena and Luz won't let them ruin this for us just because I don't want to be Delatosso's only actual success story he's desperately clinging to anymore.

I want to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I can stand at the top not because Delatosso opened the door for me and tried to coddle me, but because I'm truly good enough to be here among the best of the best on nothing more than my own skills.

I'm sorry it took me so long Deanna, but I mean it when I say that I am proud to consider you a sister figure in this business, and I'm grateful for your help in reminding me of who I truly am. Come Rise to Greatness, it's time for the whole world to see the dawn of a brand new era in SCW.

An era defined by Deanna Frost... and the rebirth of the real Amelia Nevado.”

Amelia slowly raises the World Title in front of herself, as if holding it out for Deanna to take. As the sun continues to rise, Amelia is bathed in that feeling of a fresh start, embracing the dawn of a new day as the beginning of her road to redemption and the chance to prove truly truly is capable of Rising to Greatness, not because someone put her there and told her she deserved it, but because she was always good enough to earn it with her own blood, sweat and tears and will finally be able to prove it.