Team Angelldy

[LACKLAN]

~VAUGHNEMOUS~
NO I WON’T GIVE IN
I WON’T GIVE IN
TILL I’M VICTORIOUS
AND I WILL DEFEND
I WILL DEFEND

The arena erupts into rapturous applause as the opening tones of the new UGWC Champion’s theme song start blasting through the PA system. An overhead spotlight focuses on the emerging Angelica, clad in her new pink outfit complete with cape, and the two shimmering titles on her shoulders are almost, if not quite, as radiant as her smile.

Covert Jay: Welcome, ladies and gents, to another episode of Synergy, and what a way to kick things off! Fresh off of Infinity, the new UGWC Champion has decided to grace us with her presence.

Lieberjosch: Dethroning the best of the best counts for something, only fools deny that. I’m still stunned she was actually able to pull off the upset of the century, but those two titles around her shoulders don’t lie.

Vinegar: Like those hips?

Covert Jay: You had to make it weird.

She strides down the aisle, waving at the fans like the Queen of England at a parade. She takes her sweet time, making sure to high five the smallest and youngest of fans, some of which are even dressed up like her. It’s a lovely sight to see for anyone without any bitterness in their hearts… The culmination of years of hard work and struggle. The unofficial coronation of a girl who nobody ever thought capable of achieving the impossible.

She gracefully makes her way into the ring using the steel steps, her cape tracing the edges as she goes through the top and middle ropes, rather than usually trying to go over the top (and failing horribly most of the time). She accepts a microphone with a polite nod of the head and looks around as deafening ‘AN-GIE’ chants shake the entire building.Angie raises the microphone to her mouth, but the chants do not subside, causing her to give pause. She just smiles and bows her head in grateful acknowledgement.

Lieberjosch: These fans sure sound pleased! The reign of “Vain”...

Covert Jay: The Vain-reign!
Lieberjosch: ...shut up… The rain of Veign… I mean, the rein of Vaign… Damn it, Jay! You threw me off completely!

Vinegar: Hang on, let me take a look at your auto-cue. Idiot. “The reign of Vain has ended like that of a gladiator in the Colosseum… Under thunderous applause, with people taking delight in his demise!” Did you write that yourself?

Lieberjosch: Of course not, I just smashed my fist on a keyboard a few times and that popped up.

Covert Jay: Do you guys think an infinite amount of Lieberjosch’s would eventually hammer up the complete works of Shakespeare?

Lieberjosch: Can an infinite amount of Jay’s please shut the hell up?

The back-and-forth bickering of the announce team goes largely unnoticed by the live crowd, who still have their attention focused on the champion inside the ring. Angelica eventually puts a finger over her lips, inaudibly shushing the crowd. Slowly but surely their chants die down and Angelica is able to speak.

Angelica: Thank you! Thank you so! So! Much!

It’s a cheap pop that follows, but a pop nonetheless. Angelica smiles again and takes a look at the World title on her shoulder.

Angelica: Boy oh boy, what a ride, eh? From a small neighbourhood in Vancouver, all the way to the grand stage of Infinity, where I did what nobody said was possible. At least, that’s what the media wanted you to believe. And hey, no hard feelings. They have stories to tell and ads to sell, clicks to gather and comment sections to fill. But the truth is, while I may have doubted myself from start to finish, I was able to pull of this upset, because of all of YOU!

She points at the crowd and twirls around, her cape spinning as if it was a ballroom gown. The crowd cheer once again. A cookie cutter face she may be, but not even Willie Wonka would be able to recreate the magical dough that made the end result so special.

Angelica: All of you always believed in me, and thanks to you I was able to overcome my irrational fear of never being good enough! This constant nagging inside my brain how I would never measure up to the greatest the industry has to offer. That’s why I didn’t just win this world title. That’s why I didn’t just beat Alan Wallace… WE won this title! WE beat Alan Wallace! This title belt belongs to each and every one of you!

She holds the title aloft and the fans rise to their feet to applaud her.

Angelica: And that’s what a new era is! A new era, where champion and fans exist together as one. Where nobody will ever be made to feel they’re inferior or deserve to be looked down on! The era of inclusivity! Where everybody will come together in a great and glorious future!

Covert Jay: Well I say, the future is looking Vaughnemous indeed!

Lieberjosch: You forgot the hashtag. It is NOT silent! And… Hang on a minute…

Angelica, as well as the majority of the crowd, looks up as three figures make their way to the top of the aisle. They’re distinguished characters, immediately recognized by the UGWC faithful. The Blood Princess. Kenzito. And the number one contender to Angelica’s UGWC title herself: the bubblegum bombshell, Roxanne Cotton.

Vinegar: Someone tell this narrator that that is not her name, bb.

Shit up, Vinegar, I’m telling the story here! N-E-Ways…

Angelica’s face grows even more radiant at the sight of three of her closest friends. Her fellow #CoolKids make their way down to the ring, largely ignoring the crowd for what they are and sliding into the ring. They surround Angelica, immediately pulling her into a warm and loving hug, the kind only shared between friends who are as close as family. Sarah rubs her cheek against Angie’s almost as if a cat would, and Kenzi grabs Angelica’s shoulders, squeezing them like a toddler fascinated by a piece of play-doh. Roxy meanwhile gets handed a microphone and Sarah hoists Angie up on her shoulders, proving that she regained most of her squatting prowess after her accident. Roxy looks up at Angie, who’s beaming so brightly that she looks like a six year-old having her birthday party at DisneyWorld.

Roxy: Angie… Congratulations, bb. When we initially formed the #CoolKids, I think it’s safe to say we didn’t exactly get along. In fact, we barely even tolerated each other. I was as mean as… well, as me. I was as vain as Alan Wallace. As ambitious as just about any young wrestler looking to make it big. I was an evil bitch, trying to make my mark and I would gladly, at the time, having crushed you under my wheels if it meant extra traction. But you changed me, Angie. You made me realize what it is to have friends. You liked me for ME, which not many people ever have. I knew at the time that your potential was unlimited and I think Sarah and Kenzi saw it too. Which is why we latched on to you, our crown jewel. Our final piece of the puzzle. If the #CoolKids are a house, then Sarah certainly was the foundation, giving us the base of our joint venture and bringing us together. Kenzi provided the bricks, helping to build the walls around us. I provided the electricity, truly sparking life into everything. But you, you were the mortar and plaster that kept all of us together. Without you, everything would fall apart. And look at you now, Angie, doing what we never could… Becoming the UGWC Champion!

Roxy smiles and holds up her thumb at the end of an outstretched arm. Then, her eyes wander over to Angelica’s title.

Roxy: Unfortunately, fate is a cruel mistress, bb. Because this was never meant to happen.

And Roxy’s smile dissipates. Her upwards thumb turns 180 degrees downwards and the cheers from the crowd turn silent. Angelica’s facial expression turns from pure bliss to straight horror. Her jaw drops slightly as Roxy points at the championship belt.

Roxy: Because that title? It belongs to ME! Drop her… sis!

Adding the last word as insult to injury, Sarah levels Angie with an electric chair drop. Immediately, the three ##CoolKids start stomping away on a defenseless Angelica while the crowd boo relentlessly. It doesn’t stop Roxy from screaming into the microphone.

Roxy: You are NOTHING without us! We made you! We own you! You’re a piece of trash that only escaped the landfill of mediocrity because we picked you up and gave you a second life! You were a tool to be used, not meant to overshadow us! But now, the path is clear. That tile is mine!!!

And as a defenseless Angelica absorbs the numerous relentless and remorseless kicks from her former stablemates, one of which her sister, the public outrage becomes spectacular. The gruesome display of jealousy and betrayal ignites the heart and soul of every bystander as the stewards have trouble not letting the #Vaughnstars storm the ring itself. As she’s damn near kicked into unconsciousness, the commentators contribute with their own thoughts.

Covert Jay: I can’t believe this The #CoolKids were just using her all along! They’re jealous!

Vinegar: Well, if Angie’s so great, why isn’t she fighting back!

Lieberjosch; Well, it WAS a bit of a sneak attack. Besides… Wait a minute, Vinegarn why is there a cat on your lap?

Vinegar: Oh? Hey, you’re right, so there is. But… Jay, is that a ninja standing next to you?

Covert Jay: A nin-..? Wow, you’re right! And OH MY GOD A DINOSAUR JUST BURST INTO THE ARENA.

Lieberjosch: Ugh, it’s a dream isn’t it? It’s all just a stupid dream…

And it was at that moment that Angie woke up, her heart racing as if it wanted to jump out of her chest, screaming at the top of her lungs.

~~A Bottle of Jack~~

Panting, Angelica threw the bed sheets off of her, ignoring the hiss of a displeased ser Bobby whose AM nap was being disturbed. Sweat was dripping off her forehead, her golden locks tangled together in thick strands that stuck against her face. She wiped them away, using her fingers to tuck them behind her ears while she stood up. Her heart seemed about to explode, beating at one hundred miles an hour. It was difficult to breathe.

“Pull yourself together, Angie!” she whispered to herself, even though her voice sounded hoarse and a few letters didn’t even make it past her vocal chords. Her throat was dry and she craved some cool water to help ease her mind and hopefully calm her heart down a bit. She stumbled her way out of the bedroom and through the hallway towards the kitchen. It was dark but she found a glass on instinct and filled it from the tap before chugging it down. It did wonders, the shock of the coolness resetting her mind after the panic attack her nightmare had caused. She was still panting, but also calming down. The images of her dream kept flashing in front of her eyes. It felt so… real. The hatred in Roxy’s eyes, the jealousy and disdain in those of Sar and Kenzi… It was pure heartbreak and like every time after a nightmare, it was hard to un-fool your brain into believing that it hadn’t actually happened.

And it hadn’t, had it? Her friends would never do that to her! Sure, she was scheduled to defend her title against Roxy, and bound to face the #ClearConnection alongside Zane Scott soon… But they were happy for her! The afterparty following her title win at Infinity had been nothing short of epic, and they’d celebrated the whole night through, telling her how genuinely proud they were. Sure, Kenzi was going through a rough period and didn’t always seem like herself… And Roxy was… well, Roxy. But they loved her! And she loved them! No, there was no way this nightmare could ever have happened… or ever could happen, for that matter.

She put the glass down on the counter, the clunk bouncing off the kitchen walls. Why was she so uncertain? This was supposed to be the greatest time of her life! On top of the world! Why, even now, was this self-doubt still eating away at her?

”Take a deep breath. And another. In and out through the nose.”

Her cats must’ve sensed she was distraught because they both came up to her and started to brush past her calves. Usually such a gesture came with begging for food, but not now. They sensed their mommy was upset and wanted to provide whatever comfort they could. It finally made a slight smile appear on Angie’s face.

Suddenly, the light flicked on in the kitchen. Angie winced, immediately closing her eyes before she dared open them again ever so slightly. The single light bulb may have well been a trillion suns to her enlarged pupils that were still used to the dark. But a familiar voice soon comforted her.

“Are you okay, sweetheart? We heard noises…”

The shape of Mary Vaughn started to emerge from the blinding light, until she clearly saw her mother standing in the doorway. Dave was right behind her, a genuine look of worry on his face as well. It wasn’t the first time he’d ‘slept over’, as her mother had called it, but she was surprised to see him up and about now.

“Yeah…” Angie said. “Nightmare. Sorry for waking you guys. I just needed a drink.”

“Yeah, nightmares,” Dave replied. “I get those too. Never known water to make them go away, though. But there’s this guy I know called Jack Daniels who…”

“Dave!” Mary said, slapping his bicep with the back of her hand as a manner of reproach. “My daughter drinks quite enough alcohol already for a girl her age, thank you!”

Dave held his hands up apologetically. “Sorry.” He walked over to his tag team partner and put a hand on her shoulder. “You okay, kid? You can talk to me, you know.”

Angelica shrugged, trying to act dismissive. “It’s nothing, just being silly, really.”

Dave frowned, clearly not believing her, and rightly so. Mary shook her head too.

“Look, sweetie,” she told her daughter, “let us help you. I’m your mother, Dave’s your tag team partner. Whatever you’re going through, whatever doubts or fears you may have, you don’t have to go through them alone. But you have to talk to us if you want us to help you. I was silent for 18 whole years and it made me so incredibly unhappy. It wasn’t until I started talking, to you most of all, that I finally found happiness again.”

“I know, it’s just…” Angie answered, but she couldn’t find the right words. “It’s like I’m failing, you know? I’m the World Champion, I shouldn’t be having these doubts. I should be stronger, not question myself at every turn. I thought it’d get better once I won this title, but… It hasn’t.”

Mary wanted to reply, but Dave held up his hand. “Mary, darling, can I have a moment alone with my tag team partner, please?”

Mary withdrew whatever words she was about to say and nodded without saying another word. She pulled her night gown and bit tighter and folded her arms before turning around and walking away.  Dave leaned on the counter next to Angelica. He looked at her distraught face and smiled sympathetically.

“I know what you’re going through, partner,” he said. “You’re mother’s right, you’re not alone in this. You think I don’t have doubts gnawing away at me every second? Of course I do. Think I don’t have voices inside my head constantly telling me what to believe is real? What to think about myself and those around me? In the end you gotta listen to and believe in yourself. I’ not gonna stand here and lie to you and claim that it’s an easy fight, but you’ve overcame tougher battles, Angie. Taking down Alan Wallace for the most coveted prize in the entire Coalition? That’s an exclusive club you belong in.”

“Do I?” Angie asked, looking back at her partner. “Do I really belong though, Dave? Everywhere I look, I see people so incredibly confident in themselves, as if they can take on the world and come out on top. They believe it! They constantly claim they’re the best, constantly rise to the occasion,... Isn’t that what a champion should do? Lead by example? Not collapse under this immense pressure I am constantly feeling on my shoulders?”

Dave sighed. “Look, it’s always easier to pursue than to stay ahead of the pack. You’re top dog now, Angelica Vaughn. But you’re there for a reason. So what if you don’t have the arrogance of a man like Alan Wallace? So what if you don’t carry yourself the way he does? Because newsflash, that’s a good thing!”

“That… is true,” Angelica was forced to admit. It was a good outlook to have. So what if she wasn’t like all those megalomaniacs shouting into the void how wonderful and powerful and unbeatable they were?

“See?” Dave said, softly bumping his fist on her shoulder.

“But it’s not just that, though! Like, being World Champion, it’s weird. I had this nightmare see, and all my friends started to hate me and attack me! Roxy, Kenzi, even Sarah! And us having to face them doesn’t exactly put my mind at ease. Considering who else we have on our team…”

“Yeah… That Bordy makes the Mad Hatter look like a guy who really has all of shit together. And I’m not gonna lie, your friends and I don’t exactly get along. I know all about how they think I’m holding you back, how I’m leeching off of your success. But through it all, they’ve always supported you, and they’d never turn on you. I know that for sure. They may try to take your title, but that’s the name of the game, and it’s never personal. You gotta keep that in mind. Always. No, I’m more concerned about our other teammate. I trust her about as far as I can throw her.”

“Can’t you, like, throw her across the room if you wanted to?”

“Well yeah. Good point. Poor choice of expression. All I’m saying is, keep your head on a swivel around her. She’s like a snake in the grass, slithering closer until she can sink her teeth into your veins and poison your blood.”

“Aveline is…. Complicated,” Angie hesitantly answered. “She’s gone through a lot. It’s easy to judge her for the things she’s done, but judging isn’t OUR role. As misguided as she is, she believes she’s doing it all for the greater good. She’s no longer on the straight and narrow, but I’ve seen good inside of her as well. And… I know someone who loved her very dearly.”

“Oh, yeah? Who?”

Angie took a deep breath. She wasn’t quite ready to reveal the truth to Dave yet. The truth, that her biological father was married to Aveline Lacklan. The same man who conceived her with the woman he was now sharing a bed with. And then there was the matter of the ‘vision’ she’d had. The vision of her father, the man she still loves, even in death. She HAD to talk to Bordy about it. She was the only one in the world who’d understand. ‘Il est resusscité’ indeed...

“It doesn’t matter now. All that matters is the future.”

Dave nodded. He took the glass that Angie had drunk out of and swirled it around as if it was filled with something ‘stronger’.

“True. A glorious future. But even champions need to sleep, partner. How about we fill this glass with a nightcap and see if we can make it to the morning, huh?”

“Good idea.”

The duo went back to the living room, where Angie’s mom had already put the bottle of Jack on the table. Along with three glasses. She knew them so well.

~~Réflexion~~

~~Tuesday, February 26th, 2019~~

Aveline Lacklan walks in weak sunshine.

A bright smile lights up the face of “Bordy.” The Chaos Champion walks down Michigan Avenue, the seasonably cold day in Chicago forcing the denizens to wear jackets, and she finds herself looking at them as they go by. Each give her an odd look, though that is to be expected, considering her entourage. Two men in matching black uniforms with silver pins, each with matching short dark hair and pale skin speaking of the New England, march before her, their movements rigid and in time with one another. She knew the two guards behind her were the same, Lacklanders chosen as much for their devotion to her house as the craft of security, along with a handmaiden dressed in the black livery with tufts of purple lace right behind her. And while her own dress of brilliant gold entwined with green vines from hem to her shin no doubt brought their own looks, she knew most were drawn to the massive man taking up the far rear position. She felt safe when Redmaine was near. She felt complete. She could feel his warmth, even from there.

Aveline’s green eyes soak in the people around her as they are distracted by her guards. She enjoyed people watching; it was something she learned from her departed husband. He taught her to watch people, to listen to them, to feel them both during conversation and when they did not think they would be noticed. Such was part of the reason for all of the pomp and circumstance. Anyone facing the full grandiose image of “Lacklanland,” as her step-daughter had branded the compound, would be forced from their positions of strength. No one could stand up to the guards, the flags, the bands, the muchness of who and what they were and keep ahold of their position. When faced with any member of their house, from the departed patriarch, to the rightful queen, and even to the Blood Princess, few could control their emotions. And that was when they pounced.

Aveline raises up her arm and curls her hand into a fist, bringing the group to a sudden stop. A child was before her, the little boy’s eyes full of a light she well recognized. The boy tugs on the sleeve of his father, who at first stands motionless, mouth falling open, before the group from the Path of the Light Church, but after a second, more forceful, tug by the child, he shakes his head and nods to the boy. Aveline smiles wider as the boy approaches, a piece of paper and pen in hand, and then spreads her skirts wide and lowers herself to the ground, so as to be at eye level with the girl.

“Bonjour, mon petit enfant.”

The little boy’s brown eyes look clueless, and mirth fills the Chaos Champion’s emerald. Even years removed from the small cottage in France that was her birth, her accent was still thick, and plenty of people had difficulty understanding her, even when she spoke English. And she knew it was not the child’s fault that he was born in such an insoler country as America, and thus didn’t know God’s preferred language, and she wasn’t about to take it out on him.

“Hello, my child. And what is your name?”

“J-John,” stumbles out the words of the child, but he visibly calms and stands taller as Aveline places a hand on his shoulder and squeezes.

“Do not be afraid, little one. What is it you wish?”

His face brightens into a smile and he waves the paper and pen in his hands.

“An autograph! You’re my favorite!”

The smile of sunshine, the smile that brought hope like a warm blanket to the destitute homeless when she announced herself the prior year, grows even wider. She takes the paper and pen and, with a deft movement of her fingers, silently calls one of her guards over. The guard falls to his knees and turns his back to her, allowing the Queen of Red a desk upon which to write. Aveline places the paper on his back, smooths it out, and signs with an elegant script:

Que la lumière te trouve sur le chemin,

Aveline Lacklan

She hands the paper and pen back to the child.

“Never let this world hold you down, dear child. Stay steadfast. Stay vigilant. And all that God promises will be yours.”

The child nods excitedly, the light of fervor filling his eyes, and Aveline pats him on the head. He runs back to his father, waving the autograph in the air as if Charlie and the ticket of gold, and Aveline smiles even more broadly.

“We can change the world...if only we have the courage.”

She taps her guard on his back, and the man raises to his feet, turns, and lowers a hand to help her up. She is quickly on her own feet, the strength of the guardsman evident, and gives him a tiny bow of his head. His pale cheeks flush before he turns to join his partner.

“You are filled with courage.”

Aveline’s body suddenly shivers as she hears the deep voice behind her. She turns and looks upward to see the half-mask of Redmaine before her, the man’s bald head shining in the weak sunlight, the mask covering his mouth designed to look like some giant worm out of Lovecraft’s fancy.

“I am the Queen Mother, Redmaine. I am courage incarnate. Perseverance personified. The cog that causes change. I began a change both in Maine and in this city of Chicago, and it is a change which has permeated the very bones of the buildings, and the bones of the people. I have remarked upon perseverance the last few days, and that perseverance is showing dividends. It-”

Vous avez un message!

Aveline cuts off as the voice fills the air. She reaches into her expansive dress and pulls out a smartphone. Unlocking it with a press of her thumb followed by a scan of her eye, she looks to see the message…and groans with such emotion that it no doubt came from the very bottom of her stomach.

5’10” of WORLD CHAMP, BAY-BAY!

Can we talk?

Aveline’s fingers whip across the screen with an angry speed.

La Reine Mere
Non

Aveline doesn’t bother looking up to meet the no doubt condescending gaze of her masked protector.

Vous avez un message!

5’10” of WORLD CHAMP, BAY-BAY!

Pretty please? Its kinda important.

Axly, super important.

Like, TABS important.

And you know how N TENTS tabs is.

At least, I think you do?

Aveline’s fingers begin to flash, but they stop at the sound of Redmaine’s garbled voice.

“She is his daughter, Ava.”

Aveline hangs her head and clenches her eyes shut. She offers up a large sigh and her fingers reply, much slower this time.

La Reine Mere

Fine. We will speak later.

Vous avez un message![

Aveline shoves her phone back into her dress pocket without looking at the message.

Vous avez un message!

Vous avez un message!

Vous avez un message!

Vous avez un message!

She ignores ALL of the quick-flying messages and scowls up at Redmaine.

“The things I do to bring this family together!”

Vous avez un message!

Vous avez un message!

Vous avez un message!

Vous avez un message!

She stalks away down the street, her entourage dutifully following behind.


~~Mind Trap~~

February 27, 2019

Darkness.

You won!

I did.

And you really threw a big twist out there after!

So did Ichabod.

Yeah, but you must have known that you had a defense coming up soon.

True, I just didn’t think he’d throw it out there for next week.

I mean, he’s really just trying to get into your head.

Yeah, well, he really is just a fucking snake and he pisses me off.

He pisses everyone off.

Also true.

Did you prefer his predecessor?

Oh, well, over him? Absolutely. Hastings was a prick but he at least threw a bit of respect my way on a few occasions.

Be honest. Nobody fucking respects you.

Shut up. Why do I even talk to you?

Well, I AM you…so there’s that.

Fair enough. So listen. We’ve got a big month coming up. Back to back title matches. Defending the Co-Op belts with Angie and then a Cross Hemisphere Title shot the week after that.

Yeah, you sort of fucked yourself on that one.

How so?

You put yourself in a position to need something from the authority and then gave them all of the power to do what they wanted with you. And now, you’ve not only put yourself but your partner in a bad spot too.

That wasn’t my intention.

No, I think it was. You see, when you made the choice to go after Fear and his belt, you made it a point to let the world know that you are feeling a little blue. You feel like she’s better than you. You feel like she is carrying the team. What’s crazy is we’ve been through this bullshit before and you guys were crushing it in competition. Now, because she won the World Title and you lost to Konrad fucking Raab of all people, you have this desire…this NEED to prove yourself to be a worthy member of the team. Do you really think going after Fear is going to change that?

Look. I’ve beaten Fear in the past and I will beat him again. That’s why I challenged him. And you know what? Maybe it is true. Maybe I am the weak link in this team. But this is my chance to prove it.

Obviously this is why you did it. You are jealous. You’ve been gunning for that World Title for almost a decade. It took you 7 years to win the LWF World Title after jumping over to there. And you’ve already surpassed that length of time here. And NOW…you’re in a match with a guy who gave you your first title loss in the LWF. You and Fear for the Cross Hemisphere Title…only thing that would make it more appropriate is it being a tables match. Then it’d really be full fucking circle.

That’s actually not a bad idea.

Seriously? You’ve just stacked every deck possible against yourself in the month of March and you still have the 6 person tag match next week! What the hell is wrong with you?

Nothing…nothing…fuck. I really wasn’t thinking about it.

Well, you’ve done it now. You’ve almost certainly sealed your own fate…how the hell did you do that?

It’ll be fine. It’s Bordy and Angie! It’ll be just fine.

You’ve yee’d your last haw!

Shut the fuck up. What does that even mean?!

It means you screwed yourself and your team. You aren’t ready. I don’t know why I bothered showing up to try to help.

But you did help! I beat Travis!

Well, he’s not that hard to beat. You just suck sometimes. Which is why you could’ve been Cross Hemisphere Champion last fucking year.

Can you not? We’ve got a match to get ready for.

No, YOU have a match to get ready for.

Wha-…c’mon!

…

Seriously?

…

Fine, fuck you too!

…

Whatever. Stay gone. I don’t fucking need you.

…

Fuck.

As we fade in, Dave is sitting on his couch in his living room…alone. That’s right, alone. He’s still talking to himself. He is slumped back on the couch. He is in sweats and a hoodie. His beard looks completely messy and unkempt. He looks as though he hasn’t shaved his head in a couple days. He looks exhausted. He has bags under his eyes, which are also bloodshot. He sits up on his couch and picks up his phone. He scrolls and makes a phone call.

Dave: Angie! Hey, listen, can we talk?

………….

Dave: Excellent. I’ll see you then…..okay, bye.

Dave hangs up and slumps back down into the couch.

Dave: Fuck. What have I done?

Dave’s Mind: You’ve screwed the pooch, big time.

Dave: I thought you weren’t talking.

Dave’s Mind: You’re a lost fucking cause. Get your shit together. Go shower, clean yourself up. Get some damn sleep. And go meet your teammate. You aren’t going to get anywhere by wallowing on this couch in the dark.

Dave: There’s a lamp on.

Dave’s Mind: SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GO GET YOURSELF CLEANED UP!

Dave: You were cooler when you were quiet.

Dave’s Mind: I am so close to being done with you.

Dave: Fine.

Dave sighs, heavily. He gets up and heads down the hall to clean himself up. What a schmuck, he is. Fade out.

~~Vrais mensonges~~

Bordy fell to her knees before the pool and wept.

Two days ago, she had finally returned the call Angie had made to her, and against her own feelings of revulsion, she had made the trip to Texas and the Vaughn Ranch. Angie had provided directions, not realizing that the Queen of Red had visited the ranch once before in December, and had even offered to pick her up in her truck. Bordy had declined, as one would assume, glad to have brought one of her drivers.

“Why are we out here, child?!” had come Bordy’s annoyed screech as Angie led her away from her home and into the land surrounding it. Angie had convinced her to leave her guards at the ranch, had convinced her that the reason they needed to see one another was more than just strategizing for their important main event six-person cooperative match on Monday. Brambles where stepped on, slippered feet poked by tiny spikes to cause pain, and still Angie did not give her any more information. The World Champion still led her through the terrain until finally coming to the place she sought, though the Frenchwoman’s face was still full on confusion.

“Answers, child! Answer me or els-”

“...I saw my father…”

Angie’s voice was small when she told her, and a slight shake in her body birthed a quiver to her voice, and Bordy’s face stayed the mask of confusion. The Chaos Champion had stepped up close to her and had eyes of suspicion and danger held within them.

“Do not play games, child. I did not fly these hours to play games! I did not-”

“I saw him, Aveline.”

She raised her hand and pointed toward the pool in the clearing where she saw and felt her father’s spirit two weeks ago. Bordy kept her eyes full of suspicion as she looked at Angie, but then turned her head towards the place where Angie pointed.

“Texas was special to him, Vaughn. It might seem silly...it might seem odd...but he enjoyed this state. He fought here quite a bit. BLED her. He-”

She turned back to Angie and gave her a small shake of her head.

“Those who know you would be confused as to why, of all places, you put your roots down in Texas. I am not one of those. I understand.”

She turned back away and walked toward the pool. And then she had felt him.

Several minutes later, Bordy feels the strong hand on her shoulder, gripping tight. She shakes as she kneels, feels the wetness from the ground soaking through her dress to reach her legs.

“What did he say?”

Her voice was as low as Angie’s had been earlier, but it still felt loud in the quiet clearing.

“To fight. To win. To be proud of who I am.”

Bordy nods as she looks into the pool, tears from her eyes falling down to ripple away her own reflection. She pushes off the ground to come to a standing position then turns to face the World Champion.

“Regarde moi.”

Angie blinks and Bordy’s eyes harden. She reaches forward and grabs Angie by the arms and squeezes tight.

“I said look at me!”

Bordy stares up into Angie’s eyes with intensity, and Angie meets it. Bordy’s eyes move back and forth for a moment, studying her, and then she lets go of Angie’s arms and turns away. She walks for a step and then stops, her head down and her gaze back upon the pool.

“...I caused your sister’s accident.”

Angie blinks several times and shakes her head.

“Wh-what?”

Bordy shakes her own head slowly as she stares into the pool.

“It was not my intention. I...I don’t know what I wanted. I was lost. Your father had died...I had escaped...I was overcome with grief. I sought the boy out. Spoke to him. Influenced him. Just as I had been taught by the Path.”

She looks up from the pool to find Angie again, and her green eyes are welled with wetness.

“I told your sister-in-law that...while I didn’t mean for him to do what he did..I did not regret it.”

Angie’s own eyes well with tears and she visibly shakes, but before she can say anything, Bordy continues.

“That was a lie. A falsehood brought by my own anger...by uncontrolled emotion. I lied to Kenzi to get a reaction. Your sister…”

She shakes her head and looks back down into the pool.

“We do not get along. We both sought to hold your father’s love and be its only keeper. I do NOT like Sarah.”

She looks back up at Angie.

“But I DO love her. And am sorry for the pain I inadvertently caused her.”

She looks back down to the pool.

“Your father would be proud of you, Angelica Vaughn.”

After a few deep breaths, Angie walks over to Bordy and stands next to her. She looks down into the pool and sees their reflections.

“I know.”

~~Team Angelldy~~

Never before has there been a more odd pairing: the trio of Aveline Lacklan, Queen of Red; Dave Rydell, Virus of Life; and Angelica Vaughn, UGWC World Champion and crazy cat mom extraordinaire. Odd though there pairing may be, they stand together, as united as they possibly could be. Against a UGWC backdrop it’s the World Champion who steps forward first, with Le Bord de Dieu’s eyes closely following her every move… and Dave’s eyes fixated on Bordy’s. It’s clear they don’t trust each other 100%... But at least they’re working towards a common goal.

Angie: Facing your friends is never easy, is it? It’s hardly the first time, but it never gets easier. We’ve faced the #ClearConnection before, but Zane Scott is a guy who most definitely has had my number in the past. For a while it even seemed liked he would bring whatever momentum I had gathered to a screeching halt right before I was about to face Alan Wallace… But he taught me a valuable lesson, one I won’t soon forget. It’s easy to fall into the trap of pride. But on the other side of that coin is insecurity, self-doubt and vulnerability. As a champion, you need a bit of column A and a bit of column B. Zane Scott was right, I bought into my own hype too much and I shouldn’t have. My undefeated streak meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, and every match needs to be treated like a championship match. It was a harsh lesson, especially since afterwards I stopped believing in myself entirely. But thanks to the support of friends and family, I now know… It’s okay to admit your own flaws. You just have to be yourself. Too many people pretend to be someone they’re not, and it just makes them unhappy.

Angie sighs and pats her World title. She can hear some low grumbling...in French...behind her, but ignores it like a boss.

Angie: But being myself isn’t easy when you have to face two people you love so dearly. Kenzi has always given me so many opportunities to increase my media exposure, allowing me to star alongside her in Top Nun, for example. She believes in me, believes in what I can do, and without her support I would never have made it this far. And Roxy, I know there’s a good person underneath that exterior. And I know that you will stop at nothing to claim this title on my shoulder. I also know that you will not want to hurt me; that taking this title from me will hurt you mentally… But you’re strong, Roxy. In many ways, I wish I was more like you, because it would make things easier. So much easier! But we’re both very different persons, who have a lot of respect for each other. Many people misunderstand you, think that you’re malicious, selfish and evil. I wish I could change their minds with a snap of my fingers, but I know that you care very little about what others think of you. Tonight will be a great test of where we stand Rox. I know tonight is the start of you trying to take what belongs to me. And I look forward to the challenge more than I can say. May the best woman win!

Angie winks and takes a step back. Bordy frowns. She’s not exactly used to such… sportsmanship...as her earlier grumbling no doubt indicated. As Dave steps forward for his time to speak, he pauses. His eyes glaze over and he just stands there for a minute. Angie puts her hand on his shoulder.

Angie: …..Dave? You’re up.

Just then Dave shrugs her hand off and glances back with a look of mania in his eyes. Angie steps back, a bit confused. He looks a far cry from the man whose words of encouragement comforted her in her kitchen. Dave turns and faces the camera.

Dave: Angie and I...we’ve become an unstoppable force in this company and this business. We have yet to find a team who can beat us. We’ve beaten Kenzi and Sarah. We’ve beaten Alan and Kem. We’ve beaten Travis and Jet….I don’t care how it happened, we did it. We even beat two thirds of the team we are about to face on Monday. Kenzi and Roxy. Just because you add Zane fucking Scott to the mix, doesn’t change the fact that this team took off like a bat out of hell and isn’t stopping. You’re just in the way. You are just an obstacle that we are about to hurdle over.

And Zane. A while back you told me that I didn’t know who I was as a competitor. You told me I didn’t know where I needed to go. Well news flash Zane. I know exactly who the fuck I am and what the fuck I am doing. You’re going to feel that pain on Monday.

See, even with the addition of Bordy, we have become even stronger.

He peeks back at Bordy, who narrows her eyes at him.

Dave: Yeah, I respect you as a competitor.

He looks forward again and ignores what was a clear grumble about how he needs to shave.

Dave: The three of us combined are a more fearsome force than Thanos. We have the gold. We have the prizes that you all want. We have the skill and we have the power to stop you. On Monday; in lieu of the tradition for this upcoming event...we form an unstoppable trio.

I’ve had my moments in the slumps. I’ve had my time down below the rest of you. Hell, Dave even….I mean, I even lost to Konrad at Infinity. But is that loss going to stop be from barrelling forward and kicking the ass of anyone who gets in my fucking way? Absolutely not.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Some might have said in a past life that I did not play well with others. Some might have even said that I am the worst partner anyone could ask for. But the fact is in the results. I am needed. I am a necessity. I am no weak link to this team. I am no fill in for a spot. I am a powerful piece to this puzzle.

Dave pauses, holding up his half of the Co-Op Belts.

Dave: This belt right here….this belt right here proves that. Many have told me that I need to make a move quick because Angie is going to leave me behind. She isn’t. She needs me. Just as I need her. Pfft….I say get the fuck out of my business. Get the fuck out of OUR business. Angie and I have a partnership that is UNMATCHED in this company and this business. We are in no way ready to hand these over. And there isn’t a group of people out there who can take them from us.

So what if she won the World Title? Good for her. That just means when the time comes I’m going to be going after her.

Angie raises an eyebrow at that last statement.

Dave: The point is, it doesn’t matter who you throw in front of us. Zane, Kenzi, Roxy...bring back Travis Roberts and Donovan! Bring back Sex and Violence...IT DOES NOT FUCKING MATTER! We are an unstoppable force and you three are in for the beating of a lifetime. Friends or not...the win is the only thing of importance here. If you have questions...show up on Synergy for the first lesson in pain. Class begins at the opening bell.

Just then Dave’s eyes glaze over one more time and he collapses to a knee. Angie rushes over to help him.

Angie: Dave! Are you okay?

Dave: What happened? Is it my turn? I’ve got a few things to say.

Angie: ….you just spoke….

Dave: I did? I… need to sit down.

Angie helps him up and pulls him back and he takes a seat on the stool behind them, burying his head in his hands. Angie expectantly looks at Aveline. The Champion of Chaos shakes her head as she steps forward.

de Dieu: ...et ils m'appellent fou…

Angie shoots her an unamused glare but it goes unnoticed.

de Dieu: Bonjour, solapes. And Zane. In just a few minutes’ time, we three march forward into the main event of Synergy to do battle with you, and unfortunately for everyone on your side, the outcome of this match with simply be what most would expect: Victory for the champions. And loss...terrible loss...for those who stand against us.

There was a time, to be sure, when the team of Cotton and Grey were fear. Oh! To be feared all across the City of Queens! Oh! To be feared throughout the STACKED house of Lioness! Oh! To be granted a Cooperative Championship match for little more than, at the time gaining a victory over a team so bored that they walked away after driving their fists and feet into Roxy’s head, without consequence or reaction, for several minutes. But when the time came to fight a team...a TRUE team?

She glances back at the two behind her, though she gives a somewhat dismissive look to the seated Rydell.

de Dieu: They failed. And as I have said before, while they DID find at least SOME sort of success against me when I was with Fear, they failed to do so again when I was standing beside Zane. And in the time between those matches, between standing with Fear and Zane, the Cotton woman’s only claim to success, other than being the last loser at Horizons for my Chaos championship, was to win a tournament by defeated a person who, in many ways, is still a cripple.

Angie shoots another unseen glare into Bordy’s back, but the Chaos Champion continues.

de Dieu: And all the Grey woman has accomplished in that same amount of time is fail to live up to either her potential or her opportunities. Her path at Horizons was to fail to the future World Champion. Her path during the holidays was to be ridiculed by a lizard and made to look the fool. Her path upon the new year was to soften Wallace up so that Vaughn could do what few others can, with Grey once again playing second fiddle. And even now, a week removed from her team with Cotton finding naught but failure, all she has now is a neck which found the embrace of God and the role of a minor character in the main event stories of Cotton vs. Vaughn and Le Bord de Dieu vs. Zane. But, as I have spoken before, we should find ourselves thankful for small victories. Grey finds herself in this match for a particular reason, after all.

She smirks, her eye shining with mirth.

de Dieu: Someone has to take the pinfall.

Yet another glare from World Champion into her back.

de Dieu: Of course, Zane Scott also finds himself in an unenviable position. He is partnered with one of the woman who gleefully participated in the vicious handicap match forced upon him by our former creative director, thus having little in the way of support as he faces me. Yes! He defeated me at Infinity. But! Oh...but! The first salvo...or the second, if you think upon my victory over him last year...is not the war! We fight...soon...for every ounce of importance this business offers.

Her fingers lightly dance on the Chaos Championship around her waist.

de Dieu: Tell me, dear Sir: How is your knee?

She smiles again.

de Dieu: Your limps have not escaped me, Sir. Your pain...it is real. It is vibrant. And it may well be your undoing. Perhaps your partner will send you a letter in apology when I use your injury to defeat you? Will she walk into the Halls of Mark and commission something to say, “Sorry, bb,” and will that make you happy? Will you be thrilled with delight as you sit in the hospital, your knee in a brace, with the card of apology upon your chest, as you watch me go on to bless the world at the Trios?

She suddenly turns to face her teammates.

de Dieu: Question! Are either one of you good with a Figure Four Leglock? Show it to me!

Angie opens her mouth immediately, her finger pointed up into the sky for what might be the greatest “AXLY!” of all time, but then closes it, her face looking confused. She looks to Dave, but his head is still in his hands. She ultimately looks back to Bordy and simply shurs her shoulders. Bordy rolls her eyes and turns back around.

de Dieu: Someone out there will teach me how to use the Figure Four Leglock, Zane, and when they do, the attacks and sins of Roxy Cotton WILL be your undoing. But until then?

She steps backward and stands next to Angie, the odd painting of the three champions, the people who held a full three quarters of all the championship gold in UGWC, coming back to life.

de Dieu: Bonne nuit

~~la fin~~

[Roxy Cotton]

I enjoyed this for several reasons, as I like all the characters and am always fascinated by seeing people interact in different ways. Seeing Angie have unconscious issues from her title win makes sense and I think the dream sequence is probably the strongest bit here (outside of it being a dream sequence, which is usually a boring idea).

My main criticism is that it didn't really feel like there was any reason for it to all be one big RP. Maybe I missed key points or something but outside of the shoot at the end it just felt like three separate RPs stuck together with no real cohesion. It may have just been necessary for the 3way shoot though. I liked seeing Angie shoot eye daggers into Bordy's back when she trashed her friends, that was a good piece that I don't know yo could get any other way.

Anyway, good work as always and I am looking forward to Roxy v Bordy again next week.

[The Circle Television Network]

I agree with Rox on the feed for this one, though I think Ang and Bordy did a good job of tying together their CD. I'm going to say I enjoyed the interaction of the three during the shoot, mainly because of the dynamic between them.