Poison Envy (Combined RP)

[kaster]

Anger.

The only word to describe how she felt after Legacy. Yes, Serenity retained her championship. She knew she would but the events following the aftermath garnered her rage to evolve in ways where no one was safe, not even her inner circle. To watch another who did what she did in the eyes of many but in her eyes, to delve worse and be praised, it drove her to a point of near fury. Serenity contemplated ending it herself when it came to Shimizu and Stormcrowd but she resented the idea of letting them believe they were in her head. No, she needed to let this play quietly and by doing so, instill the remnant of fear and confusion so that she may strike when the time is right.

Sacrifice was near. The main event, a match of four champions, designated to be an expected telltale event of power versus revolution. Caleb and Serenity were under the guidance and employment of Roberto Verona who wanted to test his proteges in their skills against the newly-crowned champions. A smart chess move after Legacy since his loss against Allen Chaney but to him, this was only chess. For Serenity? It was personal.

She despised Charlotte Shimizu for reasons yet to be revealed. Watching her become World Champion put the sour taste in her mouth and she was longing to get her hands on Charlotte by any means necessary.

"HURRY UP!" An unnecessary bark from Serenity’s lips made the escorting driver whimper in the driver’s seat. She sat in the SUV, ordered by the management of Roberto’s legion, tapping her foot against the floor in the back and pressed her elbow on the armrest to keep her chin held up watching the city behind the window. Sure, she was dressed for the occasion of promotion for the upcoming card but her thoughts were racing on the different ways to extract pain for her future opponents.

"Caleb, you better have a good reason for bringing me out here."

"Of course. You know I wouldn’t lead you astray, right? Just like Verona has not led us astray."

Caleb sits next to Serenity, perfectly comfortable in his position. He has seen the vision. A chance at the world champion, even if it is non-title, is an irrefutable opportunity. Looking over at his future tag partner, he gives a small chuckle.

"You’ve already seen what I’ve done with Hathaway. But now? I’m working with a bonafide champion. The Invictus Champion, no less. Taking on all comers and stopping every single one."

A smile emerges on his face as he recounts Serenity’s match at Legacy.

"A nice performance, I must say. I was impressed by it. And yet… you seem unhappy. Is it me? Or… is it someone else?"

In truth, his intrigue in this upcoming bout stemmed from the implications that victory held, at least for him. A win over Stormcrow could rocket him up into title contention. All part of Verona’s plan. He is the chosen one. The champion determined by the vision. The Legionary. He can’t have his teammate in disarray before then. Might as well get any underlying issues out of the way now. This would be his moment to hurt the wielder for the championship he so desperately needs.

"I’m fine." 

Of course, the typical statement from the average immature girl who wanted the man to say otherwise. There was no need for her to be upset, she was living the best life one could achieve in the business. No, she was livid inside. The culmination of watching the one person she hated the day they met in the company being handed a belt she coveted made her want to open the gates of hell.

"You know what?" She finally looked at Caleb as the destination to the Hotel Albuquerque was lessening in distance. "I’m glad you’re here. I get to reason with you." Her tone was professional with a hint of slight distrust. However, Roberto needed both of them to deliver. "Do you think I’m ungrateful? I’m a hypocrite as everyone else likes to describe?"

She was adamant in her questions. The narrowed eyes and leaning towards him after crossing her legs in short black dress with her boots on made it quite clear she demanded to know his point of view about her.

Cannin takes off his sunglasses, folding them up and placing the pair into his black suit pocket. His eyes slightly light up as he looks Serenity up and down. Then, he gives a hearty chuckle.

"If you worry about what everyone else says, my dear, then I’m afraid you’ve already been beat."

He glances down at his hands. The words he just spoke were sage advice that he could have used a long time ago. However, that was the past. This is now. He peers back up at Holmes and gives her a smirk.

"But… to answer your question, I don’t think you’re ungrateful. Why would you be? You’ve taken the opportunity to become a champion. You’re at the top of the food chain. And as for being a hypocrite? I could name dozens of other people as hypocrites before I even think of you. In fact, when I heard we would be teaming together… I was delighted. I can not think of a better woman to be paired up with."

As he pauses, he looks out of the window on his own side. A vibrant, beautiful city that is only one stop of many. Turning his head back to Serenity, he slowly raises an eyebrow at her.

"I might as well ask, what do you think of me? I’m curious. People have always felt the need to let me know how they feel about what I say, who I am and who I’m not. What’s your answer?"

The vehicle came to a slow halt after arriving at the front of the hotel. The hosts were outside preparing to open the door on Serenity’s side. She was asked the question by Caleb. Her eyebrow perched towards his demeanor for asking and she exited the vehicle pretty interested on her point of view.

"You’re like me." She shrugged. "Young, talented, successful and backed by the right people. Hated by others who do what we do and are loved by the world because they kiss people's asses. They want to say whatever they can and believe they know our story but fail to realize they’re worse than us."

Serenity has her championship belt wrapped around her right shoulder.

"Follow me."

Being escorted by members of the Legion on scene, she led the path through her aggressive clicking of her heels on the floor in the lobby alerting others to move out of the way. One can tell this woman was on the verge of experiencing anger that could put herself and others in danger which meant everyone had to be walking on eggshells.

"I’m glad we have similar views. Not often that I find someone that I can agree with."

Caleb glances at Serenity’s championship, yet does not dare to let his gaze linger. The Invictus Championship is hers. He has his sights on a different title. Listening to her command, he follows Holmes through the lobby. Her aura of authority is something to behold, especially up close. Her aggression and anger is certainly more radiant than his. He holds his penchant for rage inside for later use. Eventually, Cannin decides to walk up to Serenity’s side so that the two stride in tandem.

"If all goes well in our match, we could very well be a power couple in this company. Beating two world champions in one night is a feat that many dream of, but few can accomplish. It has very important implications for us."

He grins at the thought of victory. His willingness to follow the vision has brought him into a main event spot. If he has to share the spotlight with someone, he cannot think of a better person than a champion like Serenity. Adjusting the cuffs of his suit, he examines the security detail that surrounds the two. He enjoys the extra measure of protection.

"I hope those two know what they’re dealing with. They want to chase dreams while we make reality. They, like others, may think we are… undeserving. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We were simply meant to be at the top of the mountain. People are jealous of that fact. We are in this spot for a reason. Anyone who disagrees can come and try to take it away from us."

Now that was the truth. Serenity stopped in her march surrounded by her team inside the lobby and looked at Caleb with an eye twitch. Jealousy. The word struck a chord in her mindset that triggered an unrelenting response in her body to become abrasive. She looked at Caleb who hit the nail on the head as to what Serenity was feeling that she couldn’t describe herself. Serenity slammed the belt on a table preserving fragile items to show causing it to shatter which garnered attention from everyone around her. The members of the Legion ensured no one would come close, not even the hotel’s security and staff, and Serenity burst into a maniacal chuckle to look at Caleb.

"Jealousy.

I cannot stand that word anymore Caleb! Jealousy! I hate that this match has to be booked under the precipice that we are supposed to be cannon fodder to the world champions. Do you know how long I’ve had to play sideshow to Charlotte? Ever since she’s been given her high horse, she thinks she’s untouchable through being granted an easy path to the women’s world championship that should have been mine.

And to make it worse, of course she would be the lovable girl to everyone else in IWF. I mean, it’s not that hard to put someone with an average face, spray a little make-up, slap her ass and tell her to go out in the ring so everyone can be happy.

But we both know that it’s all for show.

She has the nerve to question us. People who understand how the business works and play judge. What does her and her boyfriend think they have the right to judge us? Pax Stormcrow? Don’t get me started on him. It’s bad enough we get the same pathetic “believe in yourself” crap but now that he’s world champion? It makes him downright annoying.

The Chief Executive Officer of IWF chose us to be the future. You, the man who literally called himself The Future, and Serenity, the IWF Invictus Champion. We were handpicked to be the future and that’s why everyone hates us.

We became the future and now they sent their little lap dogs of world champions to slow us down but they will never stop the inevitable.

To be quite frank, I think it’s time we’ve had enough of the games. I am sick and tired of everyone in that locker room thinking they have a right to preach about their moral high ground when they would slit each other’s throats at the mere chance to be where we are.

How many times do we get scrutinized by others?

How many times do we have to be put at the end of their judgmental rants when their actions prove otherwise?

Jealousy. It’s envy, the fear of everyone else understanding we are this close to putting the entire locker room as a whole and they fear the outcome of us being on top. This main event is the exact reason why the company cannot stand us, let alone the world champions."

"We are the influence.

What we have done is set the standard for others to follow. And when people realize they cannot keep up with us, they will attempt to tear us down. Because of who we associate ourselves with. Because of what we’ve done. Because of who we are. It will not work. Like you’ve said, we are handpicked to be-"

He hesitates slightly, as if the words cannot be said.

"We are handpicked to lead. Chosen as the next in line. You have gold on your shoulder. I want to join you in the dance of champions. Which leads me… to Pax Stormcrow. Pax, you and I are no strangers to each other. We’ve clashed in the ring before. Both of us were younger and less experienced than we are now. Now? You’re going into the IWF Hall of Fame."

His hands clap together in a round of applause.

"Congratulations. A Hall of Fame that is reserved for only the finest. But, as I see it, that accolade comes to those who are relics of the past. An award given out of tradition. You want to follow tradition. I desire to break it. As you hold that championship aloft, you only hold it as a beacon for me to follow. It’s the proverbial target that I know you’ve heard about time and time again. But I know you are not the same man that I faced back then. I am not the same man you defeated in Heir to the Throne. I now have allies more powerful than anything you could ever fathom. I hold the keys to the kingdom. You are the lock I must go through. So, consider our tag match a small taste of what will be coming to you. Take notes, study every single movement I make, ready yourself. It will not be enough to save your title reign from the inevitable.

As for the little princess, Charlotte, I may not hold the same grudges towards you that Serenity does. However, I do understand why she would be so frustrated. Someone as aloof as you are would be an underwhelming choice to be at the peak of the division. You may hold that championship for now, but you will soon learn that a smile does not cure the pain inflicted on you. If you believe that the fans will give you the support you need, then I may suggest therapy to get you acclimated to reality. If we have anything to say about it, your reign will be as short-lived as your tag partner’s.

My goal when I walk into Sacrifice is very simple. I want to hurt Pax Stormcrow as much as possible. I do not care if Charlotte watches or is too preoccupied with Serenity. It’s not like she’ll be able to do much. I want to hear Stormcrow scream before the sweet sound of his hand hitting the mat. Like a symphony. And as he lies in the ring, wondering what he has done to deserve a fate like that, I will await my chance at his title. Serenity will await what she has been owed, a shot at the women’s championship. Because we are the ones destined to be king and queen of this company. There is no childhood dream, there is no wish, there is no fulfillment towards anyone. It could very well be us against everyone. And we will still win. They will still hate our guts. Let them. People envy what they cannot be."

Serenity pats Caleb on the shoulder after calming down from her temper’s control. She takes a deep breath of relief knowing he shared her contempt on the matter.

"Welcome to the reality of how the real world works. You all can judge us for our choices but you cannot deny that we have been on the rise here in IWF. The fear that emulates from you all is laughable but the sheer ignorance from our world champions will be their downfall.

Pax Stormcrow and Charlotte Shimizu?

Enjoy your world championship reigns. Bask in the glory of being described as the power couple of IWF, let the world sing your songs and chant your names. It won’t matter when it comes to Sacrifice.

How long will it take to break your spirits when you have to see each other suffering at the expense of your relationship being too prideful?

How will you cope knowing that the Legionary and the Invictus Champion left an asterisk after we beat you in the main event?

All we need is a crack in the armor to exploit and once we see it, we will do everything in our power to make sure you both walk away the sorry pieces of crap we know you are. We are the true champions of the company and we will show it when we put you down as the worthless squatters in our home."

Caleb puts an arm around Serenity, pulling her in as the duo face the camera with looks of scorn.

"And as we take your championships as our own, you will soon realize what little power you actually hold. We will hurt you. We will beat you. We will prove you to be hypocrites. Serenity and I do not hold ourselves back by listening to the pointless cries of the people. We take what we want because we have the ability to. You’re looking at a real power couple. Holmes. Cannin. This is what’s in store for the top billing in IWF. Stormcrow and Shimizu are just the bridge we have to cross towards our destination of gold. Come Sacrifice, try to stop us. You can have your heart and soul. Lay it all out in that ring. We’ll find a way to snuff it out. See the vision."