Phase Seventy-Nine: Blind Ambitions
In the Mood
Already inside the ring with her title held securely on her shoulder, Priscila licked over her lips. A small smirk crossing them as she waved a hand slightly. “Last week, things didn’t exactly go as I wanted them to go. But, I plan on rectifying that. Now, my dear sweet niece Tefé... Please, come on out here and join me.” She smiled, something sickeningly sweet as Vipress and Corvus practically drag the redhead out into the ring. Priscilla keeping a firm grip upon one of Tefé’s arms as a sneer crosses the girl's lips.
“And now, one more piece to our little family reunion. Vipress, Corvus... Please, leave me.” She rolls her head slightly, from one shoulder to the next as Taeler makes her way out towards the ring. Vipress and Corvus dispersing into the crowd. “Taeler, my dearest sister... Please, come out here and join us.”
Taeler tied her hair back in a ponytail, and slid on a t-shirt. A Tigress shirt. Representing the only time before this she and Priscilla had been on opposite sides since meeting. Taeler enters the ring looking less than amused by Priscilla’s actions. Sledgehammer still with her after last week. She keeps her face neutral, giving Tefé a quick look. Though worried for her daughter she refused to show emotion. Keeping an illusion of control until the end. “What is that you want at this point, sister?” Priscilla chuckled slightly, tugging Tefé at a painful position.
“Yes, right now. Right at this very moment. I’ve got a pretty decent bargaining chip in my hands. I would really hate to nearly break her arm all over again.” Tefé squirms in Priscilla’s grasp and she only tightens it. “Now, we both know jealousy is not a good color on you, sister. I’m only trying to do what’s best for me here.”
“Green has always been my color, sister dear. I have no idea what you mean by that. As for my daughter, she is not yours, and our match is already set. What on earth more you could possibly want now.” Taeler would let Priscilla speak for a little longer. Then things were about to change. Priscilla was in charge for now. Only for now.
“Until it isn’t. In this very moment. Ever since I found friends of my own to play with, you’ve been far greener. Wreckless. Impulsive, even.”
There’s a slight pause, gaze never diverting from Taeler. There’s something sinister in her eyes. Something dark and cunning. “You don’t even realize what a hypocrite you are. Constantly getting upset at people who use the same tricks as you do.”
"I disagree. But maybe it’s the weather." Taeler looks straight ahead of her tone unchanging. Her grip slightly tightening around the sledgehammer. Priscilla’s usual expression was not one Taeler cared for. But not something she feared either. “Oh? Is that what you think this is about?” She gave a dry laugh. “It’s not how you play the game. It’s who your playmates are that disgusts me. Is that all you wanted to say? Can we move on now?”
“Who I choose to associate is none of your concern. You associated with Jay and that other guy and the ‘white’ witch. Who are you to tell me who I can and cannot standby?” She places a firm grip upon Tefé’s hair, one hand gripping her arm.
“Do you think mommy dearest would come running in here with that silly sledgehammer if you had a broken arm, T’?” She has a darker tone now, eyes a deep crimson now as she twists Tefé’s arm at a deadly angle.
“I am married to Jay. I never passed much judgment on your men, past or present. Miss Dawn, my that was a long time ago. Do you mean Pavor? Associate to us both now isn’t he? Sister dear, I would ask your associates have some more class than these people. Can I have my child back now, I’m not in the mood to play games.” Taeler lifted the hammer into both her hands. Watching as vines began to circle the ring. She had found a way to bring her power to this place. Seeding it, and placing a few plants here and there. If Priscilla tried anything she could end up tangled up. “You want anything else?”
Priscilla pretended to be lost in thought for a moment, grip still placed tight on Tefé’s arm. “Perhaps that’s all we need to say. I’ve never been one much for words. So, allow me to say one last thing...”
She silences herself, suddenly snapping Tefé’s arm as a loud cry breaks out. Her hold released as the girl drops to the mat. Priscilla already quick to make an escape, knowing fully well that Taeler would retaliate.
Taeler expected that. She wasn’t shocked, nor in awe. She made a swing for Priscilla but it was too late. The plants managed to do some lashing to Priscilla. A few poison cuts, and some bruises as she walked out. Not totally free of harm. As Priscilla left she helped her daughter to the back. Saying nothing. Using her hair to cover her face as she shed only a single tear. Saving her efforts, and her energy for Hell in A Cell. Knowing whatever happened after this she and Priscilla would never be the same.
UIC Pavilion
Arisa Hoshiki vs Ivelisse Vélez vs Mark Andrews vs Katie Forbes
Katie stayed on the outside, looking in rather than getting hurt herself. Instead, she was interacting with the fans. A few booty pops here and there awarding her a few bills from the crowd. Meanwhile the match progresses with fast-paced action. No one was trying to give leeway to their opponents. Arisa catches Velez with a headbutt, connecting with a German suplex soon after for a two count. She tries to follow up, but Andrews catches her with a huracarrana. She rolls into the ropes and can barely stand before she eats a running knee to the face to send her out to the floor.
Andrews tried to capitalize on Ivelisse with a standing moonsault. Velez gets the knees up and quickly transitions into a crossface. Mark doesn’t dare tap out, trying to get to the ropes. He rolls her up for a two count before she’s forced to release the hold. He gets the armdrag and looks for dropkick as she gets to her knees. Velez rolls into the corner and stands as Mark races into with a corner cross body, slipping through the ropes onto the apron. Mark intends to springboard in, but suddenly Aries messes with the ropes and knocks him down. Katie remained on the outside, but kept her distance from the man. Arisa was already up and tried to stop him from meddling, but he kicks her back. Austin races in to beat down on Mark before Ivelisse tries to break it up.
Austin immediately headbutts her hard, dropping the woman to the mat. Aries chops Mark’s chest so hard it echoes before dropping him on his head with a brainbuster. Hoshiki tries for a crossbody from the top rope to take him down, but Aries catches her and slings her effortlessly from the ring to the floor. He looks at the bodies he laid out with a grin, his veins bulging just below the skin of his neck and arms. Austin cracks his knuckles and rolls out of the ring, exhibiting a new attitude and strength unlike ever seen before.
He rolls out the ring and glares in Katie’s direction. The woman raises a brow and pulls a twenty out of her top, trying to bribe him to keep his hands off her. Austin snatches the bill from her and Forbes breathes a sigh of relief, only to be taken down with a spear to the floor. Every individual in this match was left in a heap as Aries stands tall, re-emerging with a new attitude in PCW.
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Brother, can you spare a dime?
Aleister was now headed into another session. His wrists were cuffed as two guards gripped his arms with a vice grip. After his last session went awry with the therapist quitting and being moved to a new facility, they weren’t taking any chances with him. The last seven days were something special. He’s been stuck in his cell, enjoying the quiet, empty room. There he was able to simply think and plan.
As the days passed, his hair had been cut. Short, black, and messy spikes were bouncing across the sides of his head. It looked like it could use a wash. His facial structure seemed slightly off. His jawline was bigger, sneer that much more malicious. Aleister wasn’t weak by any means, but he was quite skinny. Muscle seem to have appeared during the last week. He looked bigger, stronger than ever before.
Once brought to the white room again, he was shoved down into a steel chair and his hands were locked down against the table where they could be clearly seen. The new therapist sat across from him, red locks hanging down her shoulders. She had emerald eyes that flickered with a sort of hidden curiosity. “Okay Aleister, I’m going to ask you some questions. Let’s try not to have a repeat of your last session.”
“No promises.”
“I’ve been told you hear things. Voices, to be exact. What do they tell you? Are they friendly...or not so friendly?” Aleister smirked and shook his head.
“There is only one and he is far from nice. All that he wants, all that we want, is to kill, kill, kill...and kill some more.”
“Have you killed yet?”
“Not yet. I plan to.”
“You know killing is wrong, right?”
“And yet it feels so right. Have you ever killed, Dr...?” Black looks to the name badge and smiles. “Dr. Danvers.”
“No. I’ve only ever been a near victim of it.”
“Intriguing. Tell me more.” Black leaned in his seat, grinning with curiosity and madness.
“We’re here for you. Besides, my story isn’t all that spectacular, but yours? Now that is one for the ages.”
Aleister didn’t say anything as she scribbled something down. “You mentioned revenge last week. You attacked your therapist because she looked like someone else. Are you afraid of this person?” Black laughed suddenly, his voice booming throughout the room.
“Afraid?! No, I simply want to mangle her body and toss her into a ditch with the rest of her parasitic kind. She took everything from me and I plan to take it back.”
“Who is she?”
“...her name is none of your business. Can’t have you go protecting her, right?”
“Do you know where she is now?” Black nodded before leaning closer and whisper. His gaze locked on hers, intense and cold. She shivered in her seat.
“When I get out of here? I’m going to get my buddies Jake, Fulton, and Dave and we are going to tie her down, working our way to the bone slowly. Cut off her clothes before impaling the skin, peel it off bit by bit while she’s still conscious. I’m going to relish in her screams of agony. She’ll beg for death, but this will only be the beginning. I’m going to rip open her gut, scoop out the insides like ice cream, and make her watch before stuffing her own intensities down throat. Make her choke. Make her vomit. I—“
“That’s enough,” she replied calmly.
The therapist’s was appalled, but she fought hard not to show it and within a quick push of a button on her pager, some guards made their way into the room. “You wanted to know the truth, hear my story, but you can’t handle it!” They pulled Aleister up out of the seat and dragged him out, leading him to his padded cell. He was locked in. Black grinned and waited. All he needed to do was wait.
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Tyler Breeze vs Doll Spike (With Pavor Nox)
As the match started, the doll took control easily with a wristlock. He flips Tyler over onto his behind and kicks the former champion square into the back. Breeze rolls into the ropes and the doll looks for the dropkick. Tyler rolls out the way and quickly follows up with a hangman’s neckbreaker from the middle rope. He hooks the leg, but the doll kicks out at one. It gets to its feet just as Breeze rebounds off the ropes for a single-leg kick to the side of the face. The doll slips out of the ring to recuperate.
Breeze looks for the suicide dive, taking out the doll. Pavor looks on with a dulled expression. Tyler sends the doll back in and looks for the pin. Another kickout. Breeze has him up and sends the doll into the corner, but misses a clothesline. The doll quickly sets him up on the top before looking to take Tyler down with the crucifix powerbomb. Breeze wiggles out just in time and is back on the top turnbuckle. He elbows the doll until it falls before getting the moonsault. He hooks the leg. One...two...th—It kicks out again.
As Tyler is ready to end it, Pavor races into the ring with a boot to the face. The spike on the end cuts the skin and the match is called off as Nox continues to beat down on the former champion. He commands the doll to help, the two yanking Breeze up before they drop him facedown onto the mat. Pavor jams the spike into the hand as Tyler was grounded, piercing the skin. Blood sleeps out of Tyler’s palm as he screams in agony. However, he wasn’t alone. Scarlett Bordeaux comes racing down the ramp and takes out the doll before working on Nox.
Tyler slowly stands and the two dropkick Pavor from the ring. Nox glares at them both as they stand tall in the ring. Scarlett dares him to step back in, but he smiles instead. He and the doll slink back up the ramp, surely plotting their next attack.
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Embraceable you
Mike was sitting at his office, reading over the legal documents that Friedman's lawyers had sent over for review, he didn't look particularly concerned, dressed in an elegant suit with delicate frame-less glasses over his nose, turning over the pages and quietly repeating to the camera what was written on it.
"...Multiple accounts of attempted murder, defamation of character, unsafe working environments and a litany of other grievances... A gigantic raise to my already lucrative contract. Permanent first-class accommodations to every single show. Taya Valkyrie's office as a personal dressing room... A match of my choosing, anytime and place against anyone. Title match, stipulation..."
Anything I want, he said. Anything he wants, is what the paperwork reads.
Mike put down the papers and took off his glasses, shaking his head and turning to the camera with a sigh.
"I've been in this business for many years, I've owned a company for longer than you've been wrestling, and I know the kind of paperwork and the kind of environment we sign and we live in as professional wrestlers. I don't want to diminish your... 'Grievances' because I know the kind of person I'm dealing with, and laughing at this, as Taya may have done, Is not only out of character for me, but also a risk I'm not willing to take."
He raised his hands, closing his eyes for a second with a very slight smile on his lips.
"You've got it, Mr. Friedman. All of your demands, that's fine with me. But in return, I get to keep the contract you didn't have your attorneys look over, and that's the release of liability which we're not going to make use of today."
He shrugged, raising a paper with MJF's signature on it, putting it down after, both hands crossed at the fingers over it.
Your demands aren't anything that we can't do... But once you get in that ring for the match of your choosing... All bets are off.
Legal matters are a gamble, Mr. Friedman, and when you have had to learn all these terms and conditions, heard your accountant tell you you're in the red and the company you love should shut down, but you go on anyway, and make a success out of it, and when you have to read up on how to protect yourself from pampered, spoilt, entitled children, much like yourself and Lord Spike Trivet...
I assure you, there's no amount of legal papers you can send me. that I not only will have a safeguard for, but that I won't be able to respond to.
Feel free to move to your new dressing room, enjoy your new paycheck, the first-class, the front row seats... But don't think for a second, that you've won. You've just gotten what you wanted.
He put his glasses back on and looked down at the papers again.
Oh, and happy belated Hannukah to you, Mr. Friedman.
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Indigo Kelly vs Vipress (With Corvus)
Kelly tried her best to stay ahead of Vipress, taking the witch down with a clothesline before rebounding off the ropes with a knee drop to the chest. Kelly quickly sits her up and looks for the dropkick to the face, but Vipress rolls out of the way to ringside. Corvus tries to comfort her, but Kelly is after her in an instant. Vipress wastes no time getting behind her partner as Indigo closes in on her. She shoves Corvus into Kelly before taking her out with a big boot.
Vipress whips her into the ring post before beginning to mercilessly beatdown on Kelly. Corvus eventually joins in, throwing away the match. Kelly was at their mercy, unable to overcome the numbers game they’ve become fond of using. Vipress has her up, looking for the DDT on the floor, but suddenly a familiar figure is running out from the crowd.
Vipress stares wide-eyed as Hania leaps over the barricade and enters the ring with a steel chair. Corvus takes the first hit and rolls out of the ring. Vipress rolls out soon after, avoiding another swing. Indigo is barely conscious, shaking her head to clear her mind. Hania helps her up, but the minute Kelly knows who she is, she shoves her back. “Who asked you to come back?! Who asked you to help?” She glares the woman down before exiting the ring. Hania looks on with a smile, raising the chair up high to signifying her return to PCW.
Scarlett Bordeaux vs Shane Strickland
Shane gave it his best effort trying to shake the champion. He caught her with a superkick and dropped her with a brainbuster, but she kicks out at two. He has her up and whips her into the ropes for a double footstomp to the chest. She rolls into the ropes and starts to stand, narrowly avoiding a big boot. Bordeaux quickly counters with a neckbreaker for a one count. She steps on his chest as a form of insult, swaying her hips as she blows a kiss to the crowd before stomping his chest.
Scarlett yanks him up by the hair and looks for a knee to the gut. She then flips him over with snapmare and catches him with the dropkick. Bordeaux hooks the leg for a two count. She turns him over for the surfboard submission, but Shane manages to slip between her legs and grabs them, locking in the Boston crab. Bordeaux drags herself to the ropes to break the hold. Strickland is on a roll, quickly slamming a leg onto the mat.
He continues to target the leg, but Scarlett eventually battles back. Even as she hobbles, she’s able to regain control with multiple clothesline’s. She catches him with a kick to the gut as he misses a forearm shot and quickly sets him up for the Scarlett Letter to secure a victory. Bordeaux holds up her belt, mouthing to Spike that she’s more than ready to face him at Moonstruck. While her back is turned? Zara crawls into the ring and slings a chair into the back. Bordeaux drops to her knees just before another blow connects with the back.
Now that Scarlett was no threat to her, she requested a mic. “Spike, my beloved Spike...he wanted me to send you a message. At Moonstruck, all that was witnessed in the War Games won’t compare to the things he plans to do to you, Scarlett. When it is just the two of you, Spike plans to not only beat you, but to break you. All of PCW’s perfect, little heroes are going to fall one by one. War Games was just the start. Now the real trial begins.” Bordeaux tries to stand, but Sabre immediately swings the chair again to keep her down. Zara slowly smiles, no longer confused about her role in the Fourth Circle. Whatever it took to be with Spike was her only concern.
She scoffed as Scarlett crawled to her, gripping her leg with what strength she had through the pain. Bordeaux gritted her teeth, glaring up at Zara as she slowly got to her knees, pulling on the woman’s shirt to stand. “Pathetic.” Zara yanks Bordeaux by the hair and quickly knees the face to send her back down, standing over the champion with a smirk on face as the message was clearly sent.
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Daisy bell
Wera Loca, get your cowardly butt out here, I know you’re listening! You went too far last time. You put your hands on me, you attacked my tag partner, and for what? Because I called you out? Because how dare I decide that Rocket Stars doesn’t deserve to wait anymore?! We were that close to finally having enough points, and you sabotaged us! Those 4th circle weirdos are running rampant all over this company. We had a chance at getting some gold away from them. Todos sabemos que no simpatizas con ellos, así que no actúes por un segundo como si esto no fuera personal. Cualquiera que sea tu pequeño problema, tienes que dejarlo ir. Tenemos una oportunidad real aquí. No dejes que tu egoísmo te distraiga de lo que sucede a tu alrededor. ¿¡Estas tan ciega por tu odio personal que no puedes ver lo que ocurre?!
“¡Oye! Perdoname, bruja. Aquí.” Jenny waited for Taya to make an appearance, but Valkyrie did not show herself...physically. Instead the titantron switched on with Valkyrie on the other side of the screen with a smile on her face. “Tu estás bajo la impresión de que esto es personal, pero esto es acerca de que te pusiste demasiado brava la semana pasada. Es gracioso que sigas jugando a ser la víctima. ¿Alguna vez te cansas de ser una lloróna, Jenny? ¡Claro que no! Te gusta la simpatía que estos idiotas te dan, pero no obtendrás nada de mí. ¿Tu y tu compañera tienen las agallas de llamarme para una oportunidad y para qué? ¿Para que puedas perder otra vez? Eso es todo lo que saben hacer últimamente.” Taya starts to laugh and shake her head. “You’ve been on a bit of a losing streak, but you wanna demand shots, demand a spot, and demand some kind of assistance when the issue lies with the champions simply outsmarting you at every turn?
“Truth be told, I think they’re pathetic. They huddled together because they’re weaker on their own, but you two have taken loss after loss after loss and you were going to take another regardless. All I did was remind you of your place and it is far beneath me.” Jenny looked on in disbelief, bringing the mic to her lips as Taya rolled her eyes. “Vamos a ganar más puntos. ¿Esto no es personal?! ¡Mierda! Eres la administracion, la gerente general, y le pones las manos encima al talento?! ¿Qué carajo tipo de pobre excusa tienes para eso?! ¡Si Quack tuviera algún sentido, te despediría por tal ofensa! ¡Somos el equipo más listo que tienes, y tu jodidamente lo sabes! ¡Pera como de costumbre, tu odio personal te ciega a la verdad! Eres fuerte Taya, eso es cierto. Pero estúpida! Ignorante como un niña!”
“You act like you’re the only one who’s ever been reprimanded for their actions. Kross, Phil, Quack himself—this isn’t brand new, Jenny. You’re just the first to get punched in the mouth for it. I’m so sick of everyone in this company constantly bitching about not getting their way because they’re too damn weak to make things happen on their own accord. If you were any good, you’d have been challenging for those titles long ago. Instead, you were whining about them getting the jump on you, like they’ve done most of the roster thus far, and decided to call me out instead of...I don’t know...calling out the people that cheated you. Either way, you got what you deserved and unless you’re going to do something about it, for the love of God...cállate de una puta vez.”
“You want me to do something about it?! Fine! Put yourself on the line cobarde bueno para nada puta. Pick a partner, any partner, and put yourself on the line! And when we beat you Rocket Stars will have a enough points to challenge for the titles! If you are as big, and as bad as you say prove it! Get your ass off the screen, and into the ring or so help me I will drag you out here myself, Taya!” Valkyrie laughed and winked before shutting off the titantron, leaving Blake fuming in the ring. She rolled out and started stomping her way up the ramp with intentions of finding Valkyrie, but as soon as she reached the stage, Taya raced past the curtains to spear the smaller woman down. Taya has her up, slinging Jenny into the stage set-up by her hair. It cracks and sparks, but that doesn’t slow Taya down.
In fact, it only has her picking up the pace. She yanks Blake up only to forearm her back down to the floor. The crowd was not happy in the slightest, booing the woman viciously as she stomps on Blake. Taya starts dragging the woman by her locks towards the edge of the stage, sinister intentions in mind, until Hoshiki attacks her from behind. The small warrior lays in multiple forearms just before connecting with a backfist. Taya drops to the floor as the arena applauds. Hoshiki was looking for her own kind of payback, dragging Taya to her feet. She looked ready to toss her off the edge instead, but Blake quickly pleaded with her. “Don’t be like her, Arisa! Don’t do it!” Jenny’s pleas stopped her partner momentarily and it was all Taya needed to shove Hoshiki back before kicking her over the edge herself. Arisa crashes down to the floor from the stage and Blake lets out a shriek as Valkyrie slinks away, leaving both teammates distraught and in a heap.