Post by Serenity Holmes on Jun 25, 2023 23:07:52 GMT
GROOMED.
We both knew this was coming, yet we were, standing on opposite sides of the line, wondering what we could bring to this match. Imperial Wrestling Federation has been itching for this to happen, and so have I.I am terrified, Mr. Knox.
You've been watching me for a very long time. You brought me into Pro Wrestling Valor and awarded me my first world championship match.
You've sat there and seen me proliferate that you believed I am the future of this industry, and you're right. You taught me to respect my elders but beat them to pave my road.
You've always been there for me.
It makes me wonder why? You have so many talented children who are world champions and can dominate the industry, yet you've chosen me who isn't bound to you by blood but by respect; The same concern I have for you as you have proven to be a pioneer of this industry.
You are the Raven, and your eyes are everywhere.
No matter what company or promotion, it becomes your land once you enter it.
But there's only so much time, Knox.
The Raven has flown for so long that even with all his children, he needs a successor, and I understand why you've been watching me with your fading eyes. The Raven is ready to land, and its wings are tired, but I'm not here to tell you you're an old timer; oh no, you're still one of the best.
You're just tired.
You're tired of seeing your children become senseless in not understanding how this game works. As much as they are your blood, they don't share the same sentiment you and I have. We are two alike in knowing this game is about establishing a legacy that will continue.
You have yours, but someone must continue it, and you've been watching me to see if I'm ready.
Knox, I'm more than ready, but I won't let you teach me anything you already have. I learned so much from you that night in London during my first world championship match.
I learned I had a long way to go, but now, I'm stepping up as you've wanted me to because I am the 22nd Century Girl who has already shown that time is all I need to outlast everyone in this business.
But you?!
I don't want to outlast you; I want to beat you. You gave me this honor, but I'm taking it with every intent to prove why I am the right person to carry the legacy of professional wrestling. I am walking into Imperial Wrestling Federation with one purpose: take the torch away from you, hold it high, and watch the skies burn!
Do you understand me, Matthew?!
Your kingdom has opened the gates, and now the people rally with me to say that your domain has finally chosen the princess to rule for all time!
CONFIDENCE.
The time was when Serenity was alone in that ring, surrounded by ten thousand fans in Wembley Stadium. Still, the faces were distorted, and the atmosphere was more evident. Her time in Pro Wrestling Valor may have been short, but in the early stages of her career, she had made significant impacts that the biggest names in the industry had chosen her to be the next one to lead the future generations. Serenity couldn't believe at eighteen years old; she would have garnered the respect of the entire world.Walking backstage, she received many compliments and gratitude. Although she didn't win the world championship, she won something more, respect.
In her locker room, she had the door shut and locked before standing in the center, drenched in sweat from such a tedious match that drew every part of her blood to be pumped through her heart nonstop. Serenity folded onto her knees and bent forward on her hands, and the tears flowed from her eyes, brushing off the tip of her nose. She bawled relentlessly, burying her face into the palm of her hands; The emotional tirade of finally being seen was her most significant achievement at the time, and Serenity had earned it.
She stood on her knees again and had her white towel around her neck as she sat on a chair, staring at the floor before her until her phone rang. Of course, her father would be fanatically glued to his flat screen at home. Hearing his daughter was getting her first world championship match? He had to watch for himself; Serenity answered the call and pressed the phone against her ear while slogging forward.
"I am so proud of you," Andre spoke excitedly, and the fatherly pride was evident. Serenity chuckled and rubbed her head.
"I didn't win." She sighed.
"You won something more." She perked up. "You went out in front of the world and said I'm here. It's okay, baby, but you earned the respect of many people. Many friends say you're the future, and I know you are. I am so proud of you, my love. Continue to do great things and show why you're the next star."
Once the call ended, Serenity leaned back on their chair and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to take it all in. Her father's love was prominent and peaceful, and the fans' support was terrific, but instead, she looked upwards to the banner on the wall where one face would matter out of the rest. Serenity stood up and walked towards the wall to be face to face with a man that had given her the one chance she needed to prove herself.
"Thank you." She pressed her hand next to the facial picture of Matthew Knox; Serenity had one mission in mind, and that was to face The Raven when she was ready; when will that time come? It's safe to learn and strike when the time is right.
SUCCESSION.
"And that time is now." She removed her hand from the ruined, withered-down poster of their faces on the wall representing the pillars of Pro Wrestling Valor. Serenity stood in the old locker room approximately a year after that match and sat on the same steel chair where the frame had been bent."Imperial Wrestling Federation has chosen us to main event Odyssey but for the IWF Invictus Championship. I'm not sitting here and playing word dash with you, speaking in silly rhymes, or trying to establish a sadistic rivalry where heads must be cracked open to make a point."
"No, it's worthless. All I have to do is get into the ring and beat you to say I am ready to lead."
"You have done so much for this industry, but no one person has done the one thing the Raven has wanted to see—someone who can take the torch and keep running. Have you tried it with your children? They failed. Have you tried it with your enemies? They failed. You even tried it with your friends, but they still failed. You're on the verge of becoming alone at the heavens looking down above; you wonder if anyone is worthy enough in your eyes to be the next big one."
"This isn't about kingdoms or theatrics. We're wrestlers to the core."
"And that's why you're going to lose."
Serenity stood up and kicked the chair behind her, causing it to shatter against the wall. She stared at the poster until ripping it off the wall and throwing the pieces to the floor. However, one torn piece had the face of Knox, and she held it in her hand, staring at it intently.
"You've flown high enough. Many will say you have developed a massive ego from how you've been flying in the heavens; others will try to shoot you down and break your wings."
"What do I want?"
"Entry. Let me walk into Valhalla above and join you at the dinner table, but I'm not sitting on the right hand of your God or wiping the asses of the council with their left hand. I'm the head of the table because I've earned it! We are so similar, but I still remember what we do here. We are professional wrestlers; I only want to take the IWF Invictus Championship and carry the legacy you've established."
"You returned from an injury and then almost got put into a coma to protect your daughter. You did everything a man should and won the belt in such an impressive fashion that every company has to know you're still here. You're not afraid to do anything. You walked into Action Wrestling and defeated Corey Black, came to CU: LT and fought Bacchus with grit, dominated UPRISING, and here we are."
"Because I do the same thing too."
"I never needed to be taught to show initiative; I was born with it. I was born with the will to fight and win. That's exactly what I need walking into Baltimore on June 27th when everything is ready and that bell rings; we will wrestle."
Serenity held the piece of paper and gently placed it back on the wall before pressing her hand on it so it would stick. She backed away before kneeling on the old rugged carpet and nodded.
"But when this ends, Knox, I will be the new IWF Invictus Champion. I'm not here to play games or enjoy the time of riddles. I'm here for war against a man, ready to be on an island dancing with a woman and finally enjoying a soldier's homecoming. You've been fighting so long that you've forgotten the thrill of losing. I don't need to cheat or get inside your head; no, we're doing things old-fashioned."
"I'm going to walk into that ring, stare you in the eyes and tell you that I am the better wrestler. I am the woman of the century who has taken this industry by storm on one simple mantra: I want to win. It's that easy. We don't have to do the theatrics; we don't have to pay the marketing team to promote this. We just said we want to wrestle, and the world caved in."
"That's how big this is."
"But to me? It's a test for myself."
"Can I hang with the big dogs? Absolutely. Can I face a person who has been more than a friend? That's a question I need to answer."
"A question of wills. It's not about hatred, suffering, or pain; it's simply about who has the stronger will and the drive to win. That's the question, Knox, and we've both answered it, but can we answer it for each other?"
"I will. I will scream it in your face when we fight and see that you called me the greatest of all time. Yes, Mat, Knox, The Raven, the future hall of fame athlete and world championship caliber wrestler. You said I am the greatest of all time because, deep down, I'm next in line to carry this industry."
"And I do it out of respect! That's what you crave more than anything, respect."
"You have it, and I will give it to you by simply taking the Invictus Championship and holding it with pride. I will defend that belt until the end of time and create history. You helped me, Knox, you became family to me as I have to you, and we agree that this is the match to be of all matches."
"But there's one thing you've forgotten to understand that I have been ready for you the moment we crossed paths. The moment we shook hands, it was my sign that I was coming for you and your crown."
"The Raven can keep his wings and fly away."
"I always had my own, and now, I'm ready to soar."
Well howdy there pardner.