Selena Frost, Polly & Raynes Vs. Williams, David Striker & Sean Michael Prime

[Konrad Raab]

2 RP Limit per person (6 per team) for Trios Tournament

3500 Word Limit Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Wednesday, September 11, 2024

[The Matt]

1 of 2
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September 9th, 2024
Wilderness of Massachusetts
Off Camera
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What is a crisis of faith? For most with religious beliefs of some sort it boils down to the same thing, but to put it in Judeo-Christian terms, it is a painful experience when one begins to doubt their beliefs, which causes grief and confusion and a great disconnect from their god. What happens when a psychopath has a crisis of faith? That’s much harder to define. Kimberly Williams has never truly embraced religion the way her sisters and mother have, but if there is one thing she does truly believe in it is the concept of chaos. The self-proclaimed Queen of the Death Match has allowed herself to be guided by chaos for the better part of a decade. It just made sense. For most of her life she had allowed herself to be manipulated by her sociopathic foster mother named Emma Floreschu. This unhealthy relationship led to Kimberly making some horrific decisions that landed her in a psychiatric ward. Ever since she was released from said psychiatric ward, she never trusted Emma or anyone else. No one deserved her trust; no one except for two things; her family and chaos. And due to how long it took to earn her family’s trust, Kimberly was ultimately guided by the comforting hand of chaos. Chaos felt right. It felt fair. Unlike Emma, who had taken advantage of her, chaos had never led Kimberly astray. Through chaos, Kim found herself a nice little niche in the world of professional wrestling where she was able to stand out apart from her famous family and make a name for herself as a death match warrior. Through chaos she built up a strong fanbase that was consistently loyal to her through thick and thin.

Now Kimberly Williams finds herself in a crisis of faith. She isn’t sure what is wrong but she does know that something is definitely wrong. She lost the SCW Underground Championship to Eavan Maloney, albeit thanks to outside interference from James Evans. But that’s all part of the rules. That’s part of chaos; you never know what might happen? Then she had a chance to regain the championship at Rise To Greatness but failed when Leroy Adams won the title, pinning Maloney. It stung but once again, that’s what you get when you ride with chaos. And now, following a recent edition of Breakdown, Kimberly has learned that Leroy has been working together with James Evans and Waylon Creek all along. After that third surprise in a row where chaos failed her, Kimberly now finds herself in a crisis of faith. She is unsure if she should even continue this path that she has been on? Chaos failed her, so why not try something else? But then other thoughts are there as well, causing her to think twice about making such a rash and hasty decision. Maybe it isn’t chaos that failed her but Kim who failed chaos? Maybe Kim is the one who strayed a little too far from the path of chaos? Kimberly must admit that in the months since the return of her twin sister Marie, she has found herself growing tamer than usual and, worse yet, normal.

No one wants a normal psychopath and no one wants a normal Kimberly Williams. Or do they?

This question is plaguing Kimberly’s mind as she makes her way through through the dense trees of the wilderness in the late afternoon here in Massachusetts. The Woman Scorned is wearing dark, slightly worn jeans, scuffed but sturdy brown boots that crunch against the underbrush with each step she takes as she marches along with a determined stride. She wears a loose fitting black shirt underneath a black leather jacket. In her right hand she carries her beloved penguin plushie, Wasley. In her left hand she carries a cage that contains her hamster, Caligula.

This trek through the Massachusetts wilderness is not all too unfamiliar for her, she has made this trip before but she hasn’t made it in a very long time. Yet she still knows where she is going, like second nature. After what feels like hours of trekking through the dense woods, she comes to a clearing. There, nestled in the middle of the wilderness, stands a run down cabin. The wood is weathered and gray, the roof sagging in places, and patches of moss cling to its sides. The front door hangs slightly ajar, creaking faintly in the breeze. Vines have begun to snake their way up the cabin's sides, and the small windows are so caked with grime and dirt that it's impossible to see inside. The cabin is isolated and abandoned.

It feels just like home.

“Well, boys! We’re here!” Kim proclaims happily. “We’re home!”

“This aint home ya crazed bitch!” ‘Caligula’ says. Well, not really Caligula. It’s just Kim providing the voice for her beloved hamster, or what she imagines he would be saying to her right now.

“Of course it’s home!” Kim insists. “I spent my childhood here cooped up like an animal.” Kim sighs and grins from ear to ear. “Ah, such good memories.”

“You’re a fucking lunatic.”

“Thank you, Caligula.” Kim says. “But no matter how much you compliment me, I still won’t give you extra pellets for dinner.”

“Cheap whore.”

“Hush now!” Kim says. “Let’s go, with any luck I’ll forget where I parked and we can starve out here!”

Kimberly takes Caligula and Wasley and marches towards the cabin. This is the cabin where Emma, her guardian, her foster, would care for her. Although some would not call it caring. They would call it holding hostage. If anyone knew what Emma was doing, where she had been keeping Kim as a child and the conditions she was being held, Emma would have been arrested. Being here, alone and isolated from society, in this dense wilderness, it is all Kimberly knew for her entire childhood. It is part of what made her snap, made her the psychopath she is today. It took Kim a long time and lots of therapy to begin to adjust to enter society for the first time. She rarely visits this place anymore but her crisis of faith brings her back.

The Woman Scorned pushes her way through the door and into the cabin. It is a very small space with little living area to speak of. There’s no electricity, at least not any longer. Anyone using this cabin would truly be roughing it. This is the sort of place you might expect to have an encounter with a sasquatch. Kim finds a small table where she sets caligula’s cage down. Kim then sits down on a small, wooden chair and places Wasley the penguin down on the floor at her feet. Kim leans back and breathes a sigh of relief.

“I feel…”

“Like an idiot?” Caligula asks.

“No…I feel at peace!”

“Nah, you’re just an idiot.”

“Well no one asked you, you stupid rodent!” Kim sticks her tongue out. “I have half a mind to just leave you up here so some fox or coyote or something will get you!”

“Do it. Shit, I might find some untamed rodent and make wild love to her sweet ass. I hear the rats out here like kinky shit.”

“You are a sick and twisted hamster, you know that?” Kim exclaims as she pretends to gag.

“Hey, don’t blame me. I didn’t ask to have my hairy ass brought all the out to the middle of damn nowhere.”

“Just try and be happy and enjoy yourself, ok?” Kim says. “Do you hear Wasley complaining?”

“Wasley is an inanimate object you stupid fuck!”

“You are pressing your luck, Caligula.” Kim shakes her head. “Watch your language before I skin you. I am a psychopath, after all, and torturing small animals is what we psychopaths do best. At least, I’ve read that in books.”

“I almost wish you would just go ahead and kill me and put me outta my god damn misery. Shit, living with you as your pet is annoying as hell.”

“I don’t know why you can’t just enjoy yourself.” Kim picks up Wasley and displays him proudly to Caligula. “See? Wasley is happy!”

“And I don’t know why you won’t get to the point.”

“What do you mean?” Kim asks as she places Wasley back down on the rotten wood floor of the cabin.

“You brought us out here for a reason. What the fuck for? Get on with it so we can get back to civilization. Or at least that low rent dump you call civilization.”

“Maybe I’m just here to enjoy some fresh air, huh?” Kim asks arching her brow.

“You don’t come back to this place…THIS PARTICULAR SPOT OF HELL…just to enjoy fresh air. Now quit playing me for a god damn idiot, ya bitch, and get on with it! I need to read the latest issue of Playhamster.”

“Ugh, fine…” Kim rolls her eyes and sighs out of frustration “...as you and Wasley are well aware, things have been going that well for me lately. I lost the Underground Title to someone I thought was cool but turns out wasn’t. I couldn’t recapture the title at Rise To Greatness thanks to a dope who I thought was cool but turns out wasn’t. Now that same dope is working with a bunch of other dopes and are probably plotting and planning on how to bastardize my hard work! They’re gonna fuck around with my Underground Title…and I don’t mean literal fucking becasue, damn, I don’t think even those creeps are that weird…”

“Well, I dunno, I can see ol’ inbred yeehaw hillbilly Leroy being desperate enough to fuck a title belt.”

“Caligula!” Kim exclaims. “I…I…” Kim sighs and nods her head “...ok, I can see it too…and it is disgusting…”

“You’re welcome.”

“See what I mean? See my problem?”

“Eh, I dunno. Is this whole problem of yours REALLY about the Underground Title?”

“Of course it is!” Kim nods her head insistently. “I mean, tell him Wasley! I put my heart and soul, my blood, into making that division what it is today!”

“Yeah, and ya said you would be ready to step aside and move onto other things. Even I understood that and I’m a fucking hamster. Ya coulda stepped aside when that bitch Maloney had it. Ya could still step aside with inbred fuckboy Leroy having it. I doubt he’d wanna kill the division that’s currently making him money. He may be nuts but he aint James Evans nuts. See, I don’t buy your argument that this is all about the Underground Title.”

“Caligula, I…” Kim starts, before she is interrupted…

“Shut the fuck up, bitch! Look, I’m sure you would love to break the record for the most Underground Title reigns. That’d be nice. But I think there’s something else underneath that thick skull of yours. Am I right?”

“Shut up, Caligula!” Kim leaps to her feet and starts to pace the floor of the cabin like a caged lion. “It isn’t like that it’s…it’s…”

“What is it, bitch?”

“I just…” Kim sighs and shakes her head “...I just don’t know.” Kim sits back down and shrugs her shoulders. “Ever since I was released from the psychiatric ward so damn long ago, I have devoted my life to chaos. I wanted to live on the principles of chaos. Because the horrific, awful, manipulative bitch who kept me here, the woman who was supposed to care for me, Emma, she had an agenda. She had a plan for me. She wanted to use me and her little plan ruined my life. You wanna know why kidnapped Marie and replaced her, tried to live her life for her, so many years ago? Because I envied her. She had the normal life that I had always wanted. Shit, I still envy her and she’s the one who got caught up in a cult.” Kim rolls her eyes. “I envy her because she got to have a normal childhood. Emma and her plans ruined that for me. So I chose to embrace chaos. No plans. Just do…things…do things and see what happens. And it worked! It worked so god damn well! I was loving life! I was a success story; I stood out from my family, I made a name for myself, I even have the love of a good guy. Everything seemed to be going my way.”

“Up until recently.”

“Yeah.” Kim nods her head. “Everything has been going against me. And I gotta ask, what’s gone wrong? Has chaos led me astray the way Emma led me astray? Or maybe I’ve gone astray? Maybe I left the good, comfort of chaos by allowing myself to be tamed…allowing myself to become normal…”

“You’re talking to a god damn hamster. You also talk to a fucking penguin. You wanna say you’re normal?”

“Shut it, Caligula!” Kim exclaims. “Relatively speaking I have become…civilized.” Kim snaps her fingers. Her face lights up as if she has an idea. “I got it! I know what I’ll do!”

“Oh dear God…what?”

“I’ll kidnap Marie again! Shit, I’ll even kidnap my mom this time! Two for one special!” Kim grins from ear to ear. “Kidnap someone near and dear to my heart! It led to my first round of success, it’ll lead to another round of success, right?!”

“I don’t think it works that way.”

“Oh and why not?” Kim folds her arms over her chest and pouts.

“Look. Maybe ya are getting a little too…civilized…but that’s easily fixable and I don’t think its as bad a ya make it out to be. You are one crazy bitch. Shit, chaos is never gonna be a nice and easy ride. You shoulda known that. But hell, you talk about chaos, one of the most chaotic events of them all is coming up.”

“Trios…” Kim says quietly.

“Damn right. You, that horny fuck Allocco, and Kirsten Scott won Trios. And look at what you did with your Trios Contract.”

“I created glorious carnage and chaos!” Kim says gleefully.

“Yeah and you can do it again. You wanna bounce back, Trios is your chance to bounce back. You just gotta find a way to work with David Striker…”

“I like him!” Kim says clapping happily. “We nearly killed each other!” She sighs. “Fun times…”

“...and SMP.”

“Who?”

“Sean. Michael. Prime.”

“Wait…he’s still with SCW?”

“Of course he is, ya damn bitch. Where the fuck have ya been?”

“I’ve been distracted, ok?” Kim sighs and shakes her head. “Ok, fine. I don’t know if I can trust SMP. But me and Davey Boy Crockett can sure as hell get along and crack some skulls!” Kim winks. “I think you’d like him, Caligula.”

“I’m into women, you whore!”

“Prude.” Kim sticks her tongue out at the hamster.

“Anyway, that’s the answer to yer most immediate problem. Focus on Trios. Win that contract and you can create all sorts of carnage with it. Make your enemies' lives a living hell. Y’know?”

“Maybe…” Kim scratches her chin “...or I can use it on any number of things.”

“What ya getting at, bitch?”

“I mean, do I really have to keep fighting this war against Jimmy Buffett Evans and whatever hillybilly ally he drags up outta the sewer? Me and him trying to kill each other was fun for the first few months but lately I’ve grown bored dancing with him. And I don’t particularly feel interested in doing that dance for another extended period of time with sheep fucker Leroy and Waylon Jennings. Is that even my fight? Is it worth fighting that battle?”

“Whatever. You do you, boo. But your sister?”

“Marie will be fine. I’ll tell her it isn’t her fight, either. She’ll listen to me. Hopefully.” Kim grins sheepishly. “But that’s another decision for another time. First on my priority list is Trios!”

“I support you. Shit, as long as you keep feeding me I’ll support whatever foolish shit you choose to do.”

“Thanks, Caligula.” Kim grins. “I came out here not sure where I stood with chaos. I just need to return to my old brand of chaos. I probably have allowed myself to become a little too civilized, not by a lot, but enough to stop my momentum. I need to let loose again. And maybe, with any luck, I can win Trios.”

Kimberly stands up. She picks Wasley back up in her right hand and Caligula’s cage in her left hand. “Come on, my favorite boys! Let’s go find a wild, carnivorous animal to provoke!”

[The Matt]

2 of 2
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September 10th, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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It hasn’t been that long since Kimberly Williams ventured off into her all too familiar journey into the wilderness, a place where she grew up, a place that symbolically represents her own descent into madness. Strangely enough, that madness feels comforting for The Woman Scorned. It makes her feel at home and that venture into the wilderness, that descent into madness, it is exactly what Kimberly needed to right the ship, so to speak. It is precisely what she needed to get herself back into the right frame of mind going forward, especially as she prepares to navigate the rough waters of the upcoming Trios Tournament. Boise, Idaho for Breakdown will be the place and Kimberly must form a cohesive unit with David Striker and Sean Michael Prime in order to advance past the trio of Selena Frost, Polly, and Andrew Raynes just to continue their march through the Trios brackets. Most experts are looking at Kimberly’s odds of going on to win her second straight Trios Tournament as being very good. She has won one before, so she has the experience. Plus she already has a good working relationship with David Striker, bringing SMP along for the ride should not be too difficult. Still, Kimberly Williams is a wild card. You never know what to expect from The Woman Scorned. Plus there is one variable that no one knows about yet. It is the result of Kim’s visit to her old stomping grounds, to the wilderness she once called home. Kimberly is sincerely, genuinely, believing that she needs to return to the chaos that put her on the map. She believes that she has gotten off the path of chaos and that is what has led to her recent string of failure. If Kimberly is to descend back to chaos, what could that possibly mean for the Trios Tournament? Is anyone in the tournament, her partners or her opponents, prepared for what a truly chaotic and unhinged Kimberly Williams is prepared to bring to the table?

Kimberly’s day long absence where she, for all intents and purposes, fell off the face of the earth, did not go unnoticed. She has been summoned to her mother’s opulent home in Boston, Massachusetts which is really the only reason Kim finds herself surrounded by the opulence and luxury of her mother’s home on this day. The lavish living room is filled with soft, elegant lighting and is decorated with rich, plush furniture. The Woman Scorned sits on a large ornate sofa. She wears a simple white T-shirt, slightly worn, and a pair of torn jeans that bear the marks of casual wear and tear. Her bare feet are tucked underneath her as she sits on the sofa. Next to Kim sits her mother, the graceful Angelica Jones, who contrasts sharply with Kim’s attire. Jones wears a deep emerald-green dress, which is modest yet feminine, falling just below her knees. The dress features delicate lace trim at the neckline and cuffs, while a string of simple pearls adorns her neck, completing her understated, elegant appearance. She sits with perfect posture, her legs crossed at the ankle, her hands gently clasped in her lap.

“You know, Kim, you had a lot of us worried.”

“Who?” Kim asks rolling her eyes. “Who was worried?”

“Me. Your sisters. We all tried reaching out, we all tried to contact you, but you didn’t return our calls…”

“That’s because I was in the middle of nowhere and my phone had no signal.” Kim winks playfully.

“Yes, well, you could’ve told someone where you were going.”

“Oh gee, I’m sorry.” Kim rolls her eyes. “You act like you’re my mom.”

“I am your mom.”

“Oh, right! I forgot!” Kim exclaims cheerfully. “Sorry! It’s funny how your memories go after a few dozen chair shots or so to the head!”

“I’m being serious!” Angelica exclaims out of frustration. The Matriarch of the Jones family shakes her head. “Look, I get it, we all need our space at times, but this week is very important to you. This week is the week of the Trios Tournament. If you play your cards right you could win your second straight.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Kim scoffs, acting as if this isn’t really that big of a deal to her.

“You should be more grateful. You know? Marie didn’t get drawn for Trios.”

“She can have my spot if she wants it.”

“Don’t be absurd. Besides, there are no swaps. CHBK wouldn’t allow it.”

“How would he know?” Kim smirks devilishly. “We are identical twins.”

“That’s ridiculous, I…” Angelica pauses and thinks about it for a moment “...you know, Marie subbing out for you in the semis, if you make it that far, would be a good idea, actually…”

“See?” Kim taps herself on the head. “I’m always thinking!”

“Good because you should be thinking.” Angelica says scoldingly. “You should be thinking about how you are going to work together with David Striker and Sean Michael Prime. You should think about what strategy you three will employ against Selena, Polly, and Raynes. And hell, maybe you should even start thinking about how you will use that Trios contract if you win it all.”

“I think me and Davey boy get along quite well. It shouldn’t be too difficult to drag SMP along for the ride. As far as that contract goes?” Kim shrugs. “I’m not thinking that far ahead. Hell, I’ve made plans before and look where it got me. So I’m not making any plans for using a contract that I haven’t even won yet.”

“I understand but still…” Angelica smiles “...that contract is powerful. You could use it to help you against Leroy, James, Waylon, an…”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up.” Kim says, holding up a hand to indicate that she wants her mom to be silent. “Let me stop you right there. Who said I wanted a part of that fight?”

“But…” Angelica blinks a few times, she looks rather surprised “...I mean, I thought…”

“You thought.” Kim shakes her head. “Don’t think, mom. Thinking isn’t always a good idea. So they’re the big bad right now in SCW? Well, behind Juneau McFrosty. But just because they’re the big bad, does that mean I have to fight them? Does that mean me and Marie have to take the fight to them? You see, mom, that’s one thing that being out there in the wilderness did for me. It opened my eyes and made me remember that I am not a hero. I am not a villain. I am just an agent of chaos. I brought the Underground Division back and rebuilt it in my image. Let Hillybilly Leroy and his inbred fuck boys have fun with it for awhile if they want. I also have fought Jimbo Evans so damn much that I’ve grown bored with maiming him all the time. It is time for me to get back to the basics of pure, simple, beautiful chaos. And fighting The Inbred Bunch is just a distraction from spreading chaos throughout SCW.” A devilish smirk forms on Kim’s face. “And winning that Trios Contract, that gives me the power to create beautiful chaos in SCW.”

“I hear you, Kim…” Angelica shakes her head “...I’m not sure I agree but I hear you.”

“You don’t have to agree.”

“Right, but…” Angelica sighs “...what if Marie wants to keep fighting them? And what if they keep going after her?”

“I might rethink my position. I will never abandon Marie. But let me make it clear, I have no desire whatsoever to pretend to be a hero because I am not. I am a Queen of Chaos because that’s what I do best, I create chaos, and that’s what I intend to do if and when I win my second straight Trios Tournament.” Kim stands up and immediately storms out of the room, leaving Angelica in a stunned silence.

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September 11th, 2024
Boise, Idaho
On Camera
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We open inside of a dark, empty warehouse. Standing in the center of this eerie scene is none other than the Queen of the Death Match herself Kimberly Williams. She stands tall and poised, exuding an air of confidence. She wears a sharp, tailored purple dress suit that hugs her figure, the structured blazer cinching at the waist with a subtle belt, giving her a sleek, polished look. Beneath the blazer is a vibrant green blouse made of soft silk, the color a bold yet complementary choice that adds a pop of brightness to the ensemble. The blouse has a modest neckline, but the rich green tones draw attention to her face, highlighting her porcelain skin and accentuating the brightness of her red hair. Her skirt is knee-length, form-fitting without being tight, allowing for easy movement while maintaining a professional appearance. Her heels, also purple and perfectly matching the suit, are elegant and sharp. Her striking red hair cascades in soft waves just past her shoulders, the fiery hue contrasting beautifully with the deep colors of her outfit.

“Chaos is what we've lost touch with. This is why it is given a bad name. It is feared by the dominant archetype of our world, which is Ego, which clenches because its existence is defined in terms of control.” Kimberly chuckles softly. “Terence Mckenna said that! Society clenches in fear of chaos because chaos threatens the natural order of things. Chaos threatens the very notion that people have control over their destiny, over their very fate. People make all their intricate plans and complex plots and they feel safe and comfortable thinking that all of their bases have been covered and that everything will be fine because their plans have been set into motion. But all you need to do is to introduce one teeny tiny element of chaos and all of those plans and plots go out the window.”

“I am an agent of chaos…or at least I used to be…” Williams shrugs her shoulders “...maybe I have gotten off track? Maybe I have allowed myself to think that I could make a difference, that maybe I could plan and plot my way to success just like the rest of you? But I remember now that I am not like the rest of you. What makes me unique, what makes me dangerous, is the fact that I am one of those elements of chaos that disrupts and, at times, outright destroys all of your silly little plots and plans. I have been overthinking it lately. That’s been my problem all along. Now it is time to return to basics, it is time to return to pure, simple, yet oh so beautiful chaos. It is time to return to what put me on the map. It is time to go back to what set me apart from everyone else in my family, hell, from everyone else in this business.” Kim takes a small bow. “Ladies and gentlemen, your favorite chaos bringer has returned!”

“The Trios Tournament is another element of chaos that disrupts and destroys the plots and plans of everyone in its path. There are those who hate Trios but me? I love it! I thrive in the Trios environment! And you know why? Because of the chaos involved! You do not get to pick your partners, they are drawn at random. You might get paired with your best friend or your worst enemy. You might get paired with a superstar or a total loser. It’s all up to chance. It’s all up to the luck of the draw. And that’s when chaos takes over, because you cannot plan or plot for the hand that Trios deals you. You just have to play it and hope for the best! Trust me, I know, because I won Trios. I won it with Adam Allocco and The Onesie. Three totally, absolutely conflicting personalities, which what makes the chaos of Trios oh so beautiful and which is what made our victory in Trios oh so glorious! And then I used my Trios to inflict the maximum chaos upon Supreme Championship Wrestling…”

“Owen Cruze as a double champion? NOPE! Not anymore! Selena Frost teaming with Ace Marshall of all people? YEP! Polly and her playmates trying to commit first degree murder on live television? THAT HAPPENED! All of that glorious chaos created by yours truly! You’re welcome!” She snickers knowingly. “And that is what Trios is all about. Fighting through the chaos of the tournament to earn the power to create even more chaos using that contract. You may scoff at it but know that it is true. Each and every person who has ever used a Trios Contract has indulged in chaos. Each and every person, by utilizing their Trios Contract, has created chaos by disrupting someone’s plots or plans, either in a small way or in a big way. But it takes a special kind of crazy to really upset the status quo and that’s why I have my eyes set on winning my second straight Trios Contract. I want to really turn SCW up on its head!”

“Oh but look at me getting ahead of myself! Don’t worry, I’m no hypocrite. I’m not going to start making plans or plotting on how to use a Trios Contract, especially one that I haven’t even won yet. It’s all about the process. It’s all about winning the chaos of the tournament. Now you might think that getting me as a partner is challenging in and of itself but don’t let my insanity fool you. These eyes might be the eyes of a psychopath but I have proven that I can be a team player. I am a former SCW World Tag Team Champion. I am a former Trios Tournament winner. I can work for the common good if necessary. And can I work with David Striker, a violent man after my own heart whom I respect a great deal? Damn right I can!” Kim nods her head. “It looks like luck was on my side this year giving me Davey Boy as my partner. And as far as ol’ SMP goes…” she shrugs her shoulders “...what can I say? He might have had some bad luck in the past but he lucked out by getting the two most chaotic, violent people on this roster as his Trios partners. If Sean wants to kickstart his career then winning Trios is the way you do it and Davey and I will drag him kicking and screaming across the finish line if we have to. Davey Boy Striker, SMP, and The Queen of the Death Match are your dream team that will win this whole damn tournament. We have all the tools, the resources, and the makings of what could be the perfect trios team. Chaos brought together an unlikely trio of nincompoops that can certainly navigate their way across the finish line.” She smirks knowingly before shaking her head.

“That’s the funny thing, Trios is never about the team with the most talent. If it were, previous tournaments might have turned out very different. If it were all about talent, our distinguished opposition in the quarter finals might have a shot. I mean, seriously, who would bet against Juneau McFrosty?” Williams waves furiously with a grin on her face. “Hi there, Selena! You really are my favorite Frankenstein’s monster! I don’t even know why you’re in this. Seriously, don’t you already have a few dozen special contracts just waiting to be used? It seems that every time this planet makes another turn you find another contract to use. You found a contract on how you got to be treated as world champion, you have a contract for a rematch you’re holding over Joshie’s head, what’s next? Do you have a contract that’s gonna let you decide what snacks we’re gonna have in catering? If so, please consider the chocolate covered cream filled donuts. Those are the bomb!” Kim pauses. “Now where was I? Oh yeah! You have all those other contracts now you want a Trios Contract? You’re a contract hoarder. A contract hog. Shame on you!”

“But you are good…and no one should ever bet against you…I’m a god damn lunatic and even I know better than to bet against you. But as good as you are, even you are at the mercy of chaos, McFrosty. Did you like your tag team partners for this little event? One is Polly who you have had a few dozen fights to the death with already! Now you have to help her WIN? Gee, that isn’t awkward at all, is it?” Kim throws her head back and laughs hysterically. “I’m not sure when it happen, I just know it will happen…I know you and Polly will throw hands at some point in our quarter finals match and I am going to enjoy every minute of it! The idea of you two getting along is hilarious! I can’t wait to see THAT fall apart before my very eyes! But if Polly wasn’t enough, there’s the third member of your group…” Kim again waves playfully at the camera.

“...my friend Andy! Hi, Andy! You’re my bestie! My BFF! Love you! If for some weird reason my team doesn’t make it all the way, if by some chance Juneau McFrosty ruins my plans again, then I hope you do make it all the way. The idea of what you might do with a Trios Contract, well, it warms my heart…assuming I still have a heart…” she shrugs her shoulders “...but what’s that old saying of yours? Embrace the Hate, right? Is that still your motto? I don’t blame you. I’d hate Selena Frost too. She’s so damn stuck up it’s annoying. Good luck working with that stuck up little ham, Andy-Roo!” Kim laughs nastily.

“So how’s about that, Juneau McFrosty? Polly? You two already hate each other. Your partner hates everyone…except me! Your group should be called Team Hate! In fact, that’s what I officially dub thee! I can dub things now just because! I hereby dub thee…TEAM HATE! And my group? We are officially dubbed Team Chaos, led by the Queen of Chaos herself! Don’t worry, I got licensing, marketing, shirts, the whole deal! We’re gonna make a ton of money, we’re gonna have a blast running through Selena’s team, and we’re gonna create chaos by winning this Trios Tournament and then…” she pauses for dramatic effect, laughing quietly.

“...and then, with my new contract in hand, I will create chaos again.”

[SnowQueenSCW]

Villain of the Year

”Whispers in the Dark”

The Eyrie Tower
New York City, New York
July 30th, 2024
2:12am

She hadn’t made much noise leaving The Dome – or in St. Louis for that matter. Hadn’t made a fuss, screamed anything in outrage or even take note of the fans still booing her as she had quietly left the ring. Hadn’t spoken a word walking through the halls, hearing some of the jeers from her ‘peers’ as she passed them, her loss seemingly like music to their ears. Hadn’t spoken a word as she made her way in and out of her changeroom, showering and changing there quickly. Hadn’t spoken a syllable or made a sound as she had walked out of the arena, barely slowing her step to exchange contracts with CHBK, who was waiting for her outside the changeroom – as he was forced to. She had swiftly taken the contract from him – the rematch ‘failsafe’ she had kept just in case – and handed him the signed extension of her own contract, which kept her a hired superstar in SCW, and simply kept walking past him. Hadn’t spoken a word to Otrera when she had reached the ‘Believe It or Not!’ bus, merely raising her hand to politely refuse the ride, instead opting for a rented car Otrera had picked up. Hadn’t said a word as she then drove all night, taking the 15-hour drive from St. Louis all the way back to New York City – stopping only once at a 7-11 store (which even then, grabbing a pastry or two and an energy drink required no words – merely a nod and tap of the credit card).

Even as she, the next day, still in the clothes from last night, reached the Eyrie Tower, parked the car, shot a text to Otrera where she could find said car, and walked into the tower, she still hadn’t spoken a word. Silence followed her up the elevator and into the castle-suite, where the keycard (returned to her by Deanna – apparently Leslie not too happy being made the fool of regarding their ‘wager’ and not wanting the place) granted her access. She had barely made it into her room before she collapsed on the bed, the silence of sleep joining her next. How long she slept… she wasn’t entirely certain, but when she awoke, there were only a few lights on throughout her home. The night sky had come hours ago and New York City, while some parts were still very much awake, was simply dots of lights below her.

Even then, days after St. Louis, she had not spoken a word. Instead, she peeled herself out of her clothes, took a cold shower – least she could still enjoy those – changed into her favorite magenta nightgown, keeping her platinum-blonde hair free, and moved into the sitting room near the large window that overlooked the city, grabbing her cellphone and a candle, which she lit on the nearby table.

That had been about an hour ago – an hour where she sat in silence in that chair, simply watching the candlelight flicker and dance along the wick, creating dancing shadows amidst the space its light could reach, her cellphone turning in her hand.

The curse of Rise to Greatness had gotten her yet again. It was a reality that she had come to terms with some time between walking up that ramp and getting into the rented car. For the third consecutive time, she had dropped the world title at ‘The Unbelievable Main-Event’. She could only imagine the jokes and lines that would be used against her once SCW returned from its usual ‘August-Break’.

Truthfully, it didn’t sting as much this time around. Maybe she was used to it. Maybe there was a part of her that took solace in the fact that she had done what she had, truly, wanted to do. Get back to the main-event, get Aaron Demitria the RTG main-event he was denied last year for nothing more than “PPV-buys”, and, finally, lose the world title cleanly with ZERO controversy. Yes, it sucked that it was to another ‘passerby’ – a person that only had to work from Taking Hold of the Flame to RTG to get the world title off her – but at least there was nothing for her to complain about in terms of design. Her sixth reign now stood as the third longest – tied with Xander Valentine – and she was STILL the longest reigning world champion in the title’s history.

So… what was the ache in her chest that had weighed on her like stone from the moment she had realized she had lost? What was the nagging thought that had persisted in her mind as she had driven those 15 hours across multiple states?

That it hadn’t been worth it.

CRASH!

She saw the phone in her hand fly in the dark, the light just barely creating a slight glimmer across its metal and plastic frame as it sailed across the room and clattered hard against the wall before meeting the floor, breaking the silence. She had lost track of how many times in the last hour she had thrown that thing before inevitably getting up out of her seat to retrieve it before returning to said seat – a one-woman game of fetch. She did so again, feeling the device in her hands and the difference in its texture, dings and dents along it’s frame and cracks along its screen as she sat back down in her chair near the candle.

Slowly, she breathed. Inhale. Exhale. Her thoughts were quiet but numerous. Still, in the dim light, her finger easily traced itself along the screen and its cracks, the digit dancing over a memorized pattern of unlocking and then swiping, and then pressing the proper ‘buttons’ and then dialing the proper contact. She held the device to her ear, almost hearing the proper ringing, followed by a sound of connection. Of course, she would get an answering machine. It was night here and properly everywhere else along most of the states and Canada. Still, she gave herself a few seconds for an inevitable beep she knew would have come.

“Al-“ she coughed out, her vocal chords straining from the lack of use. Clearing her throat, Selena Frost shook her head, forcing her voice to a low whisper. “Hey…Alex…” she began cautiously. “It’s…” she sighed, the sound almost echoing in the room. “It’s me…”

Lame. Her mind mocked. The man was probably still celebrating with his ‘old buddy’ Hudson. You’d have to be blind not to see something was up with those two. How Hudson had ‘just appeared’ at the royale? How CHBK had all but paraded him around as the ‘solution’ to his ‘Selena-problem’? How the icon had constantly, and with as much subtlety as a goddamn firetruck, voiced his ‘dislike’ over Selena and her choices, despite how much money it made him and how many eyes it got on SCW when his ‘pick of champion-fighters’ in Asher, Kandis, and Simon Lyman had failed miserably!

Shaking her head, the platinum-blonde felt that pain in her chest again - It hadn’t been worth it. – before sighing again. “Sorry.” She stated simply. “Sorry I didn’t say much after the show. I didn’t figure you’d want me to. Didn’t figure you’d really want to talk. Not that I could say much then anyway. I just…” Again, she shook her head. She was struggling and she knew it, which only further frustrated her as she sat in the dark. “I…I’m sorry.”

She let the words settle for a minute, a bit of the ache in her chest suddenly relieved from her words. “I don’t know why I need to apologize to you. I mean, it was you behind the start of this at Rise last year, remember? You can say whatever the hell you want – you weren’t needed and you knew it. Aaron could have easily called that match down the middle. You and D.…” she shook her head. “You’ll never convince me that that was just some cash grab or something to get more viewers. And you behind so much shit I had to deal with. That stuff with Syren? How many times did you screw with me while you were with them? I honestly lost track! And don’t get me started on how you dropped the ball with Kandis constantly attacking me!” She sighed angrily, taking a moment to bite back on her words to try and reign in her emotions. “But…I am. I am sorry, Alex. I didn’t…” she felt her throat catch and her eyes sting in the shadows. “I didn’t mean for things to happen like this… Like…like…AH!!!”

With a yell, she had thrown the cellphone again, hitting the same area on the wall opposite her, hearing the clang and crash that came with it. Her voice felt dry, raw, but that paled in comparison to the ache in her chest, which had immediately flared up again. Her heart felt like it was made of lead, but, despite the weight, she still managed to push herself out of her chair again to retrieve her phone, slumping back into the cushioned seat as she returned. Again, she felt the device within her hands, tossing it back and forth before performing the same dance across the cracked screen as before. This time, however, the area code was different, as was the rest of the number, despite this contact also being in the same ‘A’ category as CHBK’s number.

Even the answering machine was different, if Selena remembered correctly. She gave it its proper time before the beep, but this time, when she spoke, she could hear the trembling in her voice.

“A-Aaron…” She tried, caring more that her words were properly heard over her shaky throat. “It’s…it’s me.” Again… Lame. came the familiar mockery but she didn’t let it slow her down this time. “Please don’t just delete this… I mean… I’m not here to threaten you or anything. I know… I know things were rough between us and… fuck, that’s so pathetic.” She growled to herself, looking away – anywhere – as if she could find the proper words to say somewhere amidst the shadows and the dancing candlelight. When none came from them, she merely shook her head and just…

“I’m sorry.” She whispered. “I didn’t mean for things to happen like they did. And I never meant to hurt your reputation when all of this started. All… all I wanted… was for things to be done right. For people to be proud of us – of SCW. I was just… I was so tired of controversy. Tired of everyone using shortcuts and needing interferences. Tired of-“ she felt herself opening up a little. “Tired of being hated for just trying to do the right thing. I could have done worse, you know? I could have made it mandatory to have an enforcer at ringside. Could have paid to have someone interfere and keep the title on me, you know? Why couldn’t anyone see that? Syren did it! Sienna did it! Cid did it! All I wanted, Aaron...” her voice hitched a little in her throat but she swallowed it down. “Was to just have it be fair. Just have it be legitimate. And… I don’t know… it got out of hand. I know it did. Somewhere along the way I… I got swept up in trying to just keep everything going on the right path – and as we got further and I saw that I could, actually, get us both to Rise and… But what was the point if you hate me or your reputation suffers and...” she wanted to throw the damn phone again, her fist tightening around it, ready to do it. Still, she restrained herself, focusing on trying to talk clearly into the device.

“I’m sorry. I’ll say it to you however many times as you want – as many as it takes for you to believe me. All I wanted was for you to have the main-events that you were denied. I don’t care how it’s rationalized. You deserved them, Aaron! You always looked out for me. When The Brand was trying to cheat me out of the title? When Infamous was running around? You were doing all you could to look out for me. To keep things fair. I… at least in the beginning, saw it as my way of paying you back. To help you after you’ve helped me so many damn times.”

She felt herself choke a little on her whispers, causing her to force herself to swallow what little saliva was in her mouth before she powered through. “I’m… I’m not mad that you did your job. I needed you to do your job the other night. It’s how I wanted things to end. Fair and square. I’ll deal with a rematch eventually, but…” she almost faltered on her next words. “I promise, you don’t have to worry about me anymore, okay? I didn’t make you part of my contract extension this time. You’re… you’re free to do whatever you want. I won’t refuse you being an official for my matches, but I won’t be upset if you pass them off to Hollinsworth or someone else. I’ll… I’ll understand.” She stated, though she felt her heart sink a little at the idea.

Because truthfully, she meant it.

She had never desired for the senior official’s reputation to be so constantly under-fire. CHBK? She couldn’t care less about him or his ‘image’. The man had done more than enough in his career to earn a ‘don’t completely trust ever!’ reputation. But Demitria? His record had been spotless – so spotless, in fact, that it squeaked – and because of one little error in a match, that had all gone to shit.

But still…

“It’s… it’s my fault.” She heard herself whisper into the phone. “I should have fought harder to explain what happened against Kandis at Retribution. I should have taken more of the blame – something to absolve you – but it just…” she gazed outside her window, seeing the city lights below her. “Sometimes… they can be more than I can take, Aaron. The fans… the SCW Universe. No matter what I say, they scream louder and drown me out. No matter what I tell them, they will believe the opposite – just because it’s me that’s talking. That’s… that’s why I wore the damn Keitaro mask in the first place.”

It was the first time in over a year and the last time she had been applauded. The End of the Year Invitational – she had wrestled the same as she always had – same as she had this entire year. Cleanly, with skill and determination. And because no one had known who she was thanks to her disguise, the SCW Universe had ate it up, applauding and chanting names and assumptions. In short, standing in that padded outfit and mask, there had been no denying the applause and support she had gotten from the fans – yet as soon as she removed the mask and revealed herself…

She felt her jaw clench angrily. She remembered it as clearly as if it were yesterday. No amount of ‘skill’ or ‘fair play’ or ‘integrity’ in the world could change the fans from hating her – shifting in a second to the loudest of jeers… simply because she was Selena Frost. Even blasting a jackass like Asher Hayes with a superkick – initially praised by the fans – was met with scour and disdain once they knew it was her that had done it. But if Hudson or Kandis had done it?

“Sometimes…” she whispered into the phone. “And lately… Sometimes and lately, I’ve wished I could just be… someone else. Doesn’t matter who. Just as long as I didn’t have to be ‘Selena Frost’ – even for a little while…” she felt her eyes sting a little again, and not from the smoke from the vanilla-scented candle. “Like if I put on another mask, you know? Then I wouldn’t be judged. I could wrestle happily… Wrestle because I love the damn sport….” She growled a little. “Fuck, now I sound like Hudson!”

Again, the phone went flying and again, and, again, the wall took the brunt without a single complaint. The new world champion – fuck, she could still hear the condescending tone in his voice. How he had monologued about wanting to ‘save SCW’ and ‘help Selena’ – same shit she had heard before for years. As if simply coming and going in and out of SCW like a bad cold for 20 years made him an expert. As if beating her in the ring was all he needed to do to ‘save her’ and ‘save SCW’. She scoffed at the very idea. Typical of Josh Hudson – someone of the same ilk as Adam Allocco and Kandis. One win and they thought they ‘knew better’ and were ‘the best in SCW’.

The arrogance… she felt the familiar growl from her devil-mind. A single win at RTG didn’t change the fact that her accolades dwarfed Hudson’s. Her match experience did the same and she could only imagine her personal life was leaps and bounds above his – his only ‘saving grace’ being some fling with Bree Lancaster.

She actually wanted to call him next. Let him hear her laugh at his little ‘fun’. To share the little secret only she and CHBK knew. And lastly, to be the one to tell him where the power truly lied. It sure as hell wasn’t with him. She had seen this road before. With Adam…with Kandis…

It wasn’t her that would be ‘crushed by the weight of her own delusions’ as Hudson had arrogantly predicted in his RTG promo – oh no. She had survived those losses and had ALWAYS come out on top, taking advantage of every opportunity, just like she would this one… assuming she was placed in the Trios Tournament.

But Hudson?

She could not help the wicked grin that came to her lips in the shadows – the first and only moment of actual joy she had felt since leaving St. Louis. The reality she knew that Hudson was just one loss away from having it all crash down on him. It had happened to Adam. It had happened to Kandis. Soon as the world title was taken from them, they had never recovered. Their ‘vision for SCW’? Their ‘promises’? Never fulfilled. Never kept. Inevitably, the world title would return to her as these ‘betters’ or ‘future of SCW’ fakes ran out of steam, unable to maintain the pressure and standard she continued to perform at year after year. It was only a matter of time.

But that was why she wanted so desperately to be in the Trios Tournament. Scratch that! Why she wanted to win it! She had usually struggled with this tournament due to an incompetent team – a weak link in the chain. Such things were beyond her control and the odds of her not only getting into the tournament but also have a solid team she could work with to victory was small. Even so… she knew she could win this time around. And she needed to. SCW probably were placing bets on her leaving the company again as she had last year…

A clear message would need to be sent… something more than just “I’ve got a rematch clause.” Something that screamed “I have the power – Hudson only has a belt!”.

That was needed.

But first… her eyes moved down towards the cellphone lying against the wall on the other side of the room, her spark of excitement and joy over the possible future dampened down once more by the crushing reality of her stronger, prevailing thought.

The thought that none of this had been worth it.

With a sigh, the former world champion picked herself up to retrieve her cellphone once more. First, I’ve got one more phone call to make…

[PhantomTroupe]

(David Striker) "Pathways"

[Jay Gold]

OOC:  Yep, no repeat of 2021.  I did not go over the word limit as I am not going to let Hayden down again.  Here is part 1 of 2.



Season 5 / Episode 28 / Soul Food (Part 1 - Hungry)

[DeeSizzle]

An unexpected decision.

There was a belief that when Andrew left SCW that he was putting it in his rearview mirror permanently. There was no need to go back, no need to chase a pipe dream as he had the opportunity to go and spread his wings elsewhere. His evolution of hate culminated in the destruction of Amy Chastaine’s knee and although he didn’t walk away victorious, he walked away knowing that deep down he had set out to accomplish what he wanted. The build up to that moment meant more to Andrew than winning any championship or accolade. For everything Andrew endured from the minute his life fell apart, that was supposed to set him free and allow him to finally move forward and reclaim what was left.

However, it’s evident that we cannot always escape the past.

He had still been debating it when he arrived at the arena that night. Thoughts still rampaging through his head from the conversation he had leading to this moment. It was still eating away at him like a pesky gnat that wouldn't go away. Wondering to himself why he should even go through with this? What was there to ultimately gain for him by saving her? He was still trying to piece that part together until the very moment he went out there and shocked the entire world. It would have been easy to convince himself that there was some kind of salvation for what he had done before but he didn’t want to look at it that way. It wasn't about redemption because he didn't need to redeem himself for what he had done, that moment 5 years ago was always about everything that she had done to him in the worst moments of his life. He wouldn't have cared if she never wrestled again after that because he had come full circle in his evolution at that moment that it was always meant to be.

This was different though, it was a different way for him to move forward because he was brought back for a purpose and it was something that he knew, had he looked away from it, would have somehow come back to haunt him. There was a moment in the conversation he had before this, that reminded him that in order to truly move forward, he needed to free himself of a chain that had been secretly binding him even after everything he had done after that. The careers ended, the bones broken and the egos he crushed underneath him to get where he is today but he was still a man who was evolving. The hate that he had was no longer there, having traveled in the business and being in other companies had allowed Andrew to simply grow, perhaps in a way that was unbecoming of him but had organically come to him as he was getting older. He was still holding onto it, without him even realizing it until it was brought to the surface that he needed to finally let it go, to finally do the one thing he had been avoiding for so long because he thought as long as he was away from her, away from the source that it would finally be done forever for him.

Until he realized that it would never happen.

There it was, just over 5 years to the day when he fucked her up, the minute he leapt that barricade and spun Simon around, the moment he briefly looked into his eyes, through his mask, before he dropped him straight onto his head, knowing that he had just saved the one person he probably swore to himself he wouldn’t piss on to save if she was on fire. He had debated not revealing himself to her, giving it a small thought to leaving it a mystery so that he didn’t have to bother letting her know it was him. Though deep down, there was a small satisfaction of having a small full circle moment for himself after everything that had happened, the one who had ended her career briefly, had been the one who came back and saved her from whatever Simon was willing to do in order to end it in a likely permanent fashion. It's why he never said anything when he took his mask off, leaving Amy to be shocked and confused out of everyone who could have come to her defense, to save her from what Simon was about to do, be the last person on earth she ever would have expected to come to her rescue. He was still sorting everything out in his own mind, even after the damage had been done, still questioning himself knowing that there was no going back after that. Revealing to her that it was him who came for the save had changed everything. There had been a brief period when she asked him why, after everything they had been through in their history, that he could have said something to her but the words were never there to escape from his lips. It was weird for Andrew knowing it was the right thing to do, even if he still wrestled with the idea of it but had decided to follow through with it anyways. It was the path that was now set out in front of him, with only the way forward now towards a new road that would dictate where Andrew goes from here now but in that moment, watching Amy finish off Simon because he had given her that opportunity was a freeing moment for Andrew, one that would unbind the final lock and set forth a new monster inside him, freed of the shackles of the past that truly kept the final evolution of him locked away and would now allow him to see past everything that was still holding him back.

The road had never been as clear as it was from that moment on.

The Road to the conversation.
July 19th, Gulf Breeze, FL.

He had just come off his victory in his Florida Wrestling PRestige debut, a new road for Andrew to travel as he continues to ply his trade everywhere else. He had no concern for the well being of others, a man who had continued to evolve in a way that was making him more dangerous. A new place for himself to thrive as he kept working towards an end goal of his career was giving him the hope of a way out but never coming to fruition. He kept growing, evolving his levels of hate and calmness that was making him a sharper and better wrestler and fighter in his life. Approaching his 40th year and wondering where it was going to end for himself. He wanted to take more time to enjoy himself, he often kept to himself and kept quiet because he didn't want to get too close to anyone. He didn't want to admit it to himself but he was still having a hard time developing any sort of legitimate connection with a partner because of the concern that he would end up getting destroyed again much like he had done in the past. He allowed himself to enjoy the freedom of not being tied down, even as he was getting up there in age and knowing that there were others that were starting families and building lives while he was alone and independent.

It was why Florida was such a perfect place for him to be employed at, the opportunity to be able to come to south beach on a regular basis and enjoy the fine women along the beach and the fine weather gave him a nice sense of motivation. As much as he was an uncaring individual when he was in the ring and on twitter, he wasn't the same type of person outside of the ring. He really split his personality between work and real life because he didn't want to carry himself that way, he found a nice way to separate it and it really helped to keep him balanced.

He was down along the waterfront, shirt off and his shorts had a more floral appeal to them because he wanted to relax. There were tons of beachfront bars for him to enjoy and there was tons of entertainment for him as well. He sits down along the bar and just sort of takes in the experience, after a hard fought victory he was ready to just unwind and take in the weekend to enjoy himself. He looks over at the bartender who happened to be a cutie and smiles towards him.

Bartender: What can I get you?

Andrew looks over at her and smiles

Andrew: I’ll take a whiskey, straight up, neat.

Bartender: Sure thing.

She takes a second to admire him before making the drink quickly and sliding it over to him. Andrew looks her over but doesnt say much else as he smiles again and leaves a nice tip for her. He takes a drink and looks back over towards the water to admire the scenery. The water was wonderful as it crashed up against the sand, the heat was hitting Andrew to the point where he was able to feel the tan hitting him. He smiled, there was a real sensation that he was finally getting to a point he could actually feel himself taking those next steps.

That is, until his phone suddenly rings. He looks over at the phone and doesn't immediately recognize the number, he took a second before he decided to answer it just because he had no idea who would randomly be calling him. As he answered the phone, his tone was slightly curious.

Andrew: Hello?

Andrew’s demeanor slowly changes as he hears the tone on the other line.

Andrew: Are you serious?

Andrew doesn't say much more as he hears the quickness in the voice on the other end of the phone. He takes a few seconds as he takes a deep breath.

Andrew: Ok, fine, I will be there, this better be worth it.

Andrew waits a few more seconds before he finally hangs up the phone. His attitude totally changes. Knowing who it was on the other end, it couldn't have been good. There was a part of him that almost didn't want to go but knowing who it was, he couldn't say no and needed to actually see this for himself. He looks over at the bartender and asks for another drink as he begins making travel arrangements for a life changing decision he had no idea was coming.

[SnowQueenSCW]

Villain of the Year

”Shadow Play”

The Eyrie Tower
New York City, New York
July 30th, 2024
2:54am

She had tried to talk for twenty minutes, sitting in the dimly lit room of candlelight and shadows. She had thrown her cellphone against the wall another three times in those twenty minutes. Mentally cursed herself about a dozen times. Even screamed out loud in aggravation twice – which really hurt her voice due to its lack of use the last few days.

And yet, she hadn’t been able to make one call or utter a single word.

They all would be laughing their asses off if they saw how weak you look… her devil-mind mocked but Selena didn’t care. She had a solid month until SCW returned. A month to get her head on right and to formulate a plan to get back her world title.

Obviously, that was the end goal. Yes, she had a rematch contract ready to go, but simply winning the title again? What would that accomplish? Some no name person getting lucky with her again and the whole cycle repeats? No… she wasn’t going to run on emotion like last year. She would bide her time, take everything into account – this ‘Wild, Wild West’ Josh Hudson wanted… she’d watch it all unfold and when it served her best, only then would she make good on her rematch. Like a Sword of Damocles.

If Trios worked to her favor, that would only solidify the position. While everyone would be running around like chickens with their heads cut off, talking about what Trios was and whatnot, she would be looking for opportunities – killshots (this was the Wild Wild West now, right?). Because one thing she had learned from Regan, Kelsey, Sienna, and even Josh Hudson.

It wasn’t always the toughest or the strongest that won the war, but the smartest and most resilient. That was why she knew Hudson and his ‘vision’ wouldn’t last. And if she was the one that delivered the killshot? So much the better. If it was Xander or some nobody that got lucky like Kandis had? None the worse. In the end, the result would, inevitably be the same.

With her as the world champion once more.

You’re just looking for a distraction…

Biting her lower lip hard, Selena finally run her thumb along the screen, letting it dance in the dark as it pressed the spaces where numbers would be before putting the phone to her ear. She knew her own answering machine – Deanna hadn’t changed it yet – it was almost eerie for the Snow Queen hearing her own voice talk to her, instructing her to ‘leave a message’ followed by a beep.

“It’s…” she breathed. “It’s me…” she didn’t let her brain call her ‘lame’ for a third time, forcing it to focus it on talking. “I’m sorry, Deanna…”

Her breath escaped her for a moment, causing her to almost gulp in another breath to compensate, but she managed to speak shortly after. “I’m…” she didn’t even know where to start. Leaving her redhead, pushing her into that potted plant at the Alden-ball, leaving her to her own devices in SCW, everything with Jessica Winters – the list was too long to call forth one particular thing… which only made the tears she had been holding back through these confessions finally fall. “I’m sorry for everything.”

“I… I never wanted… I never meant to…” her voice shook a little, but she finally settled on the one thing she wanted to say – the thought that had persisted in her mind since St. Louis. “It wasn’t worth it.”

“When… when this all began, I thought that this was what I had to do. Fix things – that’s what I do in SCW. I fix it. I keep fixing everything. But… even after I succeeded – won the title – all of this…” she dug her free hand palm-first into her eye to rub out the tears. “It wasn’t worth losing you. I miss you. I miss us. I miss… I miss who we were. Gods…” She looked into the shadows, watching the light continue its dance, almost prompting her to continue.

“Why did I say anything about that stupid Trios cash-in?” she shook her head. “Why didn’t I just keep my mouth shut and take it as a ‘stupid idea’ and that was it?” she bit her lip angrily. That’s where it had all started. Her assessing Kimberly Williams’ cash-in, viewing it as a slap in the face of the titles by putting them as ‘consolation prizes’. It had NOTHING to do with losing the titles or wining the titles. She had just hated the idea of something like the ‘world tag-team titles’ being the fourth and fifth place prize when they were supposed to represent the ‘best tag-team in the world’! That slip – that opinion – had been the beginning of the end. The cash-out match had begun the turning of the crowd, their hatred going against her – them viewing her fight for integrity and for them as something to despise.

“I wish I had said nothing then, Deanna. More than anything, I wish I had said nothing. Then this… all of this… wouldn’t have happened.” She breathed. “Do you… do you ever think about that? What would have happened if they hadn’t turned on me? I…I think you’d still be United States Champion and all that. I probably would still be coming and going out of the world title picture. But maybe we’d be tag-team champions again…” she laughed a little, with a mix of a cry in there as well. “Maybe we could be paired to win Trios and cash-in together. You’ve never really won it before, have you?” she sighed. “It’s an incredible feeling. To know you can do something so amazing at any time. You want to just sit on it and think about it. But it’s also nerve-wracking, especially as time runs out.” She sighed in recollection. “If I won…” she laughed. “Who am I kidding? I’d opt to face you in a match where you remarry me if you lose.” She let herself laugh a little. “Yeah, I’m that petty and pathetic, Deanna. You know that.”

The sigh escaped her. “I… I wish I could go back and change it all. I wish I could use Trios and ‘unmake’ that match from ever happening. I wish…” moving her hand away from her ear, the platinum-blonde gazed down at the black screen of her phone. “I wish I could tell you all this…”

Slowly, she let the device fall out of her hand, the phone falling to the ground with a clatter. In the dim light, she could see another piece from the frame fall off and skid a few inches towards the table, almost hiding underneath it.

“But I can’t…”

Standing to her feet, the Snow Queen walked around the room, her memory serving her better than her vision, until she reached the nearby wall, flicking a switch to turn the lights on the chandelier on, casting the room into bright illumination. Looking at the adjacent wall, the former world champion saw the marks where she had thrown the phone… and the pieces of the phone that had broken off from each throw. Some of the screen, some of the cover, some of the frame, even part of a microchip or something that looked like it.

Have to get a new one… she told herself. The phone had died after four or five hard throws against the wall. But it could be replaced and the wall buffed and whatever. Gazing at the ‘carnage’ of ‘phone-guts’, Selena could only shake her head.

What good would such confessions be to anyone? CHBK? Aaron? Deanna?

It was too late for her. What she had done? The people she had cheated? The people she had hurt? She was now the most hated person in all of SCW. The ‘Villain of the Year’ if ever there was one! And there was no one to blame but herself.

She had chosen to speak her mind against William’s Cash-in.
She had chosen to defy everyone despite their issues with her.
She had chosen to come back after leaving.
She had chosen to be the Blue-Eyed Devil.
She had chosen to leave Deanna…

She couldn’t go back, no matter how much she wished to. She could only go forward. Down the ‘Devil’s Road’ until she reached its conclusion. Until someone could do what Josh Hudson pretended to want. Either save her… or take her out of SCW for good.

Fool… she thought. She hated either outcome… and there wasn’t anyone or anyway she could be saved. So that just left only one option. And there were clearly many takers that would leap at the chance starting when SCW returned.

In the meantime… Quietly, Selena walked over the pile of phone parts before reaching her landline phone. This time, she actually dialed numbers, she actually heard a ringtone and… someone actually picked up.

“What is it?” came the voice.

“It’s me…” Selena replied, her voice cold and without hesitation. “What do you know about the upcoming Trios tournament?”

_______________________________________________________________

The Royal Letter

The camera opens up to a rather pleased Selena Frost sitting in a dark-green throne chair, wearing a dark-purple dress, flicking a piece of paper between two of her fingers as she gazes at the camera. Oh I’m sorry… were you expecting something different, SCW? she tilts her head.

Were you hoping for a repeat of last year? Where I lose the world title, throw my hands in the air and leave SCW again? Was that what you were hoping for in-between your little sing-song of “The Witch is Dead”? A repeat of history? Hmmm?

She shrugs her shoulders. Well, I am sorry to disappoint. No…that’s not true – I’m delighted to disappoint and upset all of you – because for those of you wishing for a ‘repeat of history’, the saying actually goes “Those that do not LEARN from history are doomed to repeat it”.

And I certainly have learned from my history. Do I look like Kandis? Gets suspended for assaulting officials earlier this year and decides… HEY! I’m going to do it again! What could happen? she laughs a little. Fitting, let me tell you. Never can count on that woman to learn anything that doesn’t involve some kind of sex-play.

But I digress. As I said, I LEARN from my history. That’s why I had this ready. she holds up the piece of paper, the one she has carried for the last few episodes of Breakdown – her ‘rematch contract’.

Because you know who is really repeating history? And who are so stupid that they don’t even know it? she tilts her head. Every single one of you.

Come on, people. You’ve got your ‘champion’ and you think he cares about you? What you want? That because he’s using words like “Wild, Wild West” that he’s any different? Let’s see what’s happened under his watch, shall we?

First show back, he’s beaten into the ground. Just like Kandis. Just like Adam Allocco.
Inevitably, Kandis gets kicked out of SCW… yeah that already happened.
We’ve got people running around like lunatics – just like last year with Kandis and with Allocco.

You’re all singing the same tune that you sang last year. It’s just the name has changed. It was Adam, then it was Kandis and now it’s Hudson.

That’s all Hudson is. He’s the stand-in. He’s the current ‘flavour’. He’s the guy that’s got a brief moment in the sun. And sooner or later, as you and him clearly refuse to learn from history – history will repeat itself. Again, she dangles the contract in front of the camera shot.

And when it does… the world title will find its way back to where it belongs. Where it’s always belonged. With me. Happened with Allocco… Happened with Kandis… she grins. It WILL happen to Hudson.

And when it does, your latest ‘hero’ will, as they did, show his true colors and fall off the face of the map. Back down the ranks or, maybe, quit for the umpteenth time. Again, look at the past because you can’t seem to learn from it.

Allocco…gone.
Kandis… she laughs again. Suspended and gone back to her OnlyFans.

So what do I have to worry about? I just need to wait. Wait for the pressure to crack and break Hudson and choose my moment to use this… she gazes at the piece of paper in her hand. The boys and girls want to play ‘cops and robbers’ or ‘outlaws and sheriffs’ in this Wild West? I’ll be the sniper. The one with the rifle, lining up her perfect shot… right to the head of whoever holds the world championship…

But in the meantime!! she places the contract on a nearby table before facing the camera, her smiling growing. I have a team to lead and a trios tournament to fight for. And again, you’ll notice I said ‘fight for’. Because while everyone else is refusing to learn, I am a woman that DOES learn.

You see, everyone is running around right now. Oh! We’ve gotta talk about Trios and what it means! We’ve got to talk about our partners and what that means! We’ve got to talk about our opponents and what that means! We’ve got to talk about our potential future opponents in the semi-finals and the finals and what THAT means!

She laughs a little. As if we don’t know all this shit already! I mean, I know we didn’t have one last season but blame CHBK and D. on that. But all of you – who are you kidding? We’ve had over a dozen Trios tournaments. We KNOW what it means! We know what the reward is! And anyone that’s paying any attention to anything knows most of these strange pairings and what they mean.

Blake and Josh.
Braddock and YUYO
Polly and I.

You’re all running around like fools when none of you have the first clue what to do to win this whole tournament. You’re looking towards the quarterfinals and then the finals. You’re all trying to be captains of your teams – hell, some of you aren’t even getting your opponents' names right. That’s how off you guys are being.

She shakes her head. When really… what you lack is focus. You shouldn’t even be thinking about the finals. What you should be thinking about is surviving tonight. Praying to whatever god you believe in that you face the ‘right’ team that you can get past. Praying you’re not the team that has to deal with me.

She grins. Because let me make this clear. I don’t need this Trios contract. I’ve got this one… again, she holds up the piece of paper. So any talks about Polly ‘screwing me’ simply shows your lack of thought. Because Polly – regardless of my opinion of her in some areas – is a very smart woman. Just like Raynes is an opportunistic man – a wildcard, if you will. Screwing me out of this tournament doesn’t hurt me.

It hurts them. And they know it. It denies Polly the chance to finally break that glass ceiling. Think about it. A match that she designs the rules and stipulations? After losing to Hudson AND to me? Not to mention her failed attempts to be the United States champion? She NEEDS this! Needs this power to finally break through!

Raynes? A man that has always needed someone to hang off of? Bree Lancaster comes to mind. Now he’s back and he has… well, the element of surprise I suppose, but what now? What can he do? He NEEDS this to establish himself. To remind SCW what he is capable of.

Selena smiles knowingly. That is the reality. I have teammates that need those contracts. Need to win. Me? I don’t need to win those contracts.

I just want to. her grin becomes more wicked.

And that is something that everyone should be terrified of. Including the world champion - actually every champion in this tournament, including the Queen of Chaos, and including every new face and old face here.

Because it is when I want something that I am at my most dangerous.

Don’t believe me? Ask Asher Hayes. Oh that’s right, you can’t! Because I ran him out of SCW! I didn’t need the world title back then. I just wanted it. So I took it. And there wasn’t a soul that could stop me.

And again, Polly and Raynes know that…

So maybe, instead of worrying about what to call us, Kimberly, or what nickname to stick us with, you understand the basic fact that, well… she shrugs knowingly. Well, that you’re not getting out of the first round. And maybe that’s fine for you, with your jokes and overused gags about my name and calling me – what was it? – the Frankenstein monster? But, let’s face it… you don’t have an Executioner this time around. Or an All-Star for that matter. It’s just you… and two nobodies. A guy that barely knows where he is and… well, when was the last time SMP won a match?

Selena rests her head on her knuckles. Your antics are cute, Kimmy, but even you can know when you’re fighting a losing battle. Still, you will be useful despite your little childish jokes. Because I am not worried about the finals. That’s not what Breakdown is about. Breakdown is about the quarter-finals and the semi-finals.

And for me… it’s about establishing my power.

Because I am more concerned that Raynes and Polly get what I am offering them. I don’t care if they don’t like me. The lineup of people that hate me is out the door and circles around the block about ten or so times. They can hate me all they want. But like I said, they are smart. And they know it is far better to have me with them than against them.

Breakdown? I am going to prove that. I am going to make them believe that. First with you, Kimberly, and with Striker and Prime – I will... well, to put it simply and in terms even you can understand, beat you to the ground. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s going to set the pace for this team – a REAL ‘Team-building exercise’ if you will. That’s what I will be running. And, as part of that, after – what did you call us again? ‘Team Hate’? Heh… Selena shakes her head good-naturedly. Kimmy, you’re not important enough for me to hate, but I’ll indulge you. After ‘Team Hate’ beats you, I am going to get my team through the semi-finals.

A dark grin crossed the Snow Queen features. And that, Kimberly, will be what truly unites this team to the point where winning the finals won’t be a wish – it’ll be a foregone conclusion.

And then you… Striker… SMP… Hudson… all of SCW, really… you can all be a part of ‘Team Hate’.

The team that hates seeing Selena with another contract in her hand.

She holds up the contract with one hand while flexing the fingers of her free hand. Hates seeing it… but can do NOTHING about it.

Whether you believe it…or not!

The camera focuses on that image before fading completely to black.

[PhantomTroupe]

(David Striker) "Written on the Wall"

[Jay Gold]

OOC:  Part 2 of 2.  Good luck to the teams we face.  I did stay below the hard stop on the word cap both times this time damn it!!!  



Season 5 / Episode 29 / Soul Food (Part 2 - Thirsty)