Las Vegas, Nevada

She would have been surprised had she not worn out a groove in the floorboards beneath her feet as she paced back and forth in the front room of her small, Las Vegas apartment. Hands clasped together with fingers steepled, she paced back and forth as she waited for her invited visitor to show, altogether uncertain of how she was going to proceed with what she now needed to do.

The issue here was the fact that Tempest did not confide certain things to this little makeshift family here in Las Vegas that was predominantly responsible for opening her doorway into the world of professional wrestling. Reason being, she was an intensely private person and she simply did not want people feeling bad or sorry for her. Some might welcome such sympathy, while others might heartily encourage it. But Tempest? She found it both belittling and insulting. But here’s the simple truth; that was when it just involved her. Now, she had something else to consider. Someone else. And that was why she was preparing herself to step out of her comfort zone.

She needed help.

Luckily, that was when the rap on the door reverberated in her home. Her amber eyes turned toward the door and she closed them, drawing in a deep breath. Exhaling through pursed lips, she walked over and promptly opened the door to be greeted by none other than…

Gabriel: Alleyene.

Gabriel Stevens, co-owner of one of the world’s most premiere wrestling schools - the famed GO Gym, and the man responsible for her in-ring training. Tempest stepped aside, allowing the man to enter her home. As she shut the door behind him, he turned around to face her with a curious expression on his face.

Gabriel: Is everything okay?

Tempest: Why wouldn’t it be?

Gabriel smirked a rather knowing smile. True this student of his had her secrets but he had been around her and people in general long enough to be able to read them deftly with a rather unique precision.

Gabriel: Because you aren’t exactly known for inviting people into your home. It’s your safe house, your sanctuary… or, am I wrong?

Tempest cast an exasperated look heavenward. This was a reason why she wasn’t more forthcoming. It seemed these people around her could read her anyway so why even try? She finally lowered her head and shrugged her shoulders, hands tucked in her jean pockets.

Tempest: I need help.

Gabriel blinked, rather taken back by this admission.

Gabriel: Wow. That must have stung a bit.

Tempest just tilted her head and looked at the boss man, prompting another smile from her trainer, but this time it was more soft … genuine.

Gabriel: Seriously, what’s going on? How can I help?

That being said, Tempest turned and walked away from the foyer of the apartment and through the door frame that led to the inner sanctum of the bedroom. Gabriel remained where he stood, figuring if she wanted him to follow then she would have stated so outright. He heard soft spoken voices from the other room, recognizing one as Tempest’s but the other one…? He knew that whatever was going on, it would be the unexpected but what he was not prepared for was seeing Tempest emerge from her inner apartment dwelling with a young child, a girl of only perhaps nine years of age. Tempest led her into the front room by the hand, the girl never once taking her eyes off of the stranger in the home - Gabriel himself.

Gabriel smiled. He couldn’t help it. He loved kids – he had two of his own in fact. He watched as the little girl was being led closer to him but the little one eventually put on the proverbial brakes, not wanting to come any closer just yet, and Tempest wisely did not force it. Gabriel looked from the little girl to Tempest herself.

Gabriel: Who’s this?

Tempest a hand on the little girl's shoulder, ushering her ahead a step or two. The girls eyes never leaving Gabriel's own.

Tempest: Gabriel, this is Anela. My stepdaughter.

---

Gabriel: How long?

It was an invasive question, he knew. A painful one. But the floodgate had been left wide open and now was the time for questions to be answered. Especially if he was going to be able to help in the way she asked. Gabriel cast a glance from where the pair of them were talking quietly between themselves in the dining room, to the front room where Anela was curled up on the sofa, her eyes fixated on the television and an episode of Bluey. Tempest briefly followed his gaze before she looked back to him.

Tempest: Just over five years ago. Malulani's mother hated me from the start and wasted no time in taking her away from me after he died.

Gabriel: But you were the stepmother. Didn't you legally have the…?

Tempest: I was in totally unfamiliar territory and my mind wasn't right after losing her Daddy like that. She made threats and I took them seriously and thought there was nothing I could do.

Gabriel: Until now.

Tempest nodded.

Tempest: As soon as the old witch died, Malulani's sisters found out the truth. That she never had legal custody. Malulani wanted her with me and if I didn't take her, she would have gone into the system. You know, I had hoped for years that this would happen and now that it’s here…?

Gabriel: You’re not sure where to go from here?

Tempest only nodded silently. Gabriel casually looked around at their surroundings and then back to her.

Gabriel: Well, I think you’re going to need a bigger place. This is barely big enough for you.

Tempest: I know, I was thinking about that actually. I have my house in Hawaii and I was thinking maybe it’s best to pay off my lease and bring Anela back to…

Gabriel: Well, you can’t go back to Hawaii right now. … How is your family, by the way.

Tempest: Safe.

Gabriel nodded, satisfied. He was above all else, a family man and he knew what mattered most. His thoughts strayed momentarily as Tempest watched her stepdaughter watching cartoons, curled up against a mountain of pillows. He could already tell what was going through her mind, knowing she felt cornered, perhaps with no options. He’d respect whatever she chose was best for the little girl, but he wanted her to know that she did, in fact, have options.

Gabriel: You don't have to retire, you know. You're just getting back on your feet again…

Tempest: I know, and I hate the idea of doing it but what else can I do? I have new priorities. And I don’t see how I can raise her while still wrestling…

Gabriel: Why not!? Alleyene, do you seriously think you’re the first parent – or even single parent – that would be in this business? You can do this, without having to leave Vegas permanently. You have options now.
Tempest: I also have family in Hawaii that are going to watch to get reacquainted with my daughter.

Gabriel: Of that I have no doubt! But you can have the best of both worlds. You can do this! And if things get overwhelming for you, there are people who can step in and help you!

Tempest: But they’re in Hawaii, remember?

Gabriel stared hard at the woman for several long moments before he cleared his throat and pointed a finger directly at himself.

Gabriel: I wasn’t just referring to them. You have all of us too, you know? Synn can help you get a bigger place. Odette and I would be happy to help you get Anela in the same school as our kids. Lucas is close to her age, they may even wind up in the same grade. Or, if I know my boy, he might just pour on that charm of his.

To that, Tempest just snorted back a laugh, shaking her head. Her eyes were downcast, but Gabriel’s voice drew her attention back up to his own gaze.

Gabriel: So what do you say? Give it a chance? Let us help?

Tempest just exhaled, rolling her eyes heavenward, which to Gabriel was all but an admission of defeat on her part. Gabriel sat back, relaxed and he smirked.

Gabriel: You know, Despy has been saying for months that you were hiding something.

Tempest: Yeah, well … Despy needs to keep his nose out of other people's business.

Gabriel scoffed.

Gabriel: Yeah. You’d have a better shot at landing a hurricanrana.

---

“Queen For A Day.”

“Not a bad distinction at all to have, to call what will be the first of many. Funny thing about this match. Not a whole lot of people expected me to get this far. I heard whispers that people ‘in the know’ expected Luna Vanity to beat me and join her man cake Alexander Raven, maybe make the effort for the ‘happy couple’ to reign over Sin City Wrestling as the King and Queen together? Well … surprise! All of Luna’s hopes and dreams to be Queen…”

Tempest sliced a finger across her throat, making the appropriate sound effect.

“Off with her head! And the moment – the moment – that I gained a spot in this match, one particular person looked right past me in the assumption that I was just a number. A spot filler. A roadblock that she was just going to run right over to climb that ladder and be Queen For A Day. And I can’t really fault them for their assumptions. I know that when it comes to singles competition, I’ve had a person or two take their shots at me and my relative lack of success where championship gold comes into play. And trust me when I say there is a very simple reason for this, but I’ll get to that later.  But for the moment? Yes, I am talking about that washed up geriatric Bombshell known to most as Mercedes Vargas.”

“Girl, ever since I earned my way into this match, you have been running your mouth non-stop. A feat you hold a particular talent for. And last week, when you and I finally met one on one to build this match the way it was meant to be? Well, if you had just slowed down that motor mouth of yours, maybe you wouldn't have got your foot wedged and made a damn fool of yourself! Oh trust me, I watched every minute of that little promo you shot at my expense, and even if I didn't go out of my way to show it, I really appreciated each and every word that you said. Because for every negative thing you said about me, about my career and where I stood in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't have been so inspired – so enthusiastic – to go out there and spay you like the old bitch that you are! Vargas, you could say everything about who I lost to in my time as a singles wrestler, but I noticed that at the same time, you never mentioned the women that I have beaten. Namely – Zoey Lukas. You remember her, don’t you? The third woman in our little court? And who else? Oh, I remember now!”

She snapped her fingers and pointed right at the camera.

“You, Mercedes. I. Beat. You! Do you know deep down the meaning behind that accomplishment? It means that without Kim Pain involved in this match, I am literally the only woman in this match that holds a victory over the other two participants. That means, logically speaking? The smart money would fall on…”

She tapped a finger to her chest.

“Me. And as for you and that broken record you tend to play every single time someone points a camera in your direction? The one where you take the time to remind everyone of your championship record in SCW? Of your Hall of Fame status? Your last tag team title run was in January OF LAST YEAR. And the last time you had a singles championship around your waist was in 2019 – FOUR YEARS AGO! So yes, dear. You certainly have had a stellar career inside of the ring – but has anyone else besides you fallen from grace so hard, and so fast? When was the last time you had a significant win – of ANY kind!? And what does it tell you Vargas – that people were paying more attention to Zoey Lukas last week as a referee than they were to you in the actual match that you were officiating?”

“How does it feel Mercedes, to be the third wheel inside of the ring? In your own match?”

Tempest shook her head and looked aside before giving the camera a sidelong glance.

“But don’t think for a moment that I’ve forgotten about you, Zoey. Sister, the moment that fist of yours came down across my face I lit up like a Christmas tree in the summer! You Zoey, you above anyone else reminded me of one of the reasons why I got so involved mentally into this sport! Not just for the leisure of breaking a Barbie doll or two, but to get the chance to face women like yourself. A REAL woman who doesn’t give a DAMN about what the world around her says or thinks! Chick, you are you – and for that…”

Tempest clapped her hands together.

“Respect! But…”

She then held a finger up.

“Respect will only get you so far when you get in my face the way that you did. The way that you got in my business! I don’t give a DAMN about you being the referee or whatever mistake Vargas made where you were concerned! I did not WANT your help against her, nor did I NEED it! Vargas does not get enough calcium, Zoey. Her bones are growing more brittle by the day and I had her one way or the other in that match, and you involving yourself like that? I might have walked away the winner but all you did was cause people to question me and whether or not I could have done it had you not gone rogue! Now here’s the thing…”

She motioned for the camera to come closer.

“I don’t like being questioned. I don’t like people having doubts about me and what I can do! I know myself. I know what I can and can not do and in the ring? There is very little that I can’t do! I mean, I beat you – after all. And no, you didn’t make it easy on me which is, believe it or not, the way I prefer it! But the fact remains! And if I can best you in your own environment, the one that you were groomed for by birthright? What the hell do you think I’m going to be able to accomplish when all I have to do is climb a damn ladder!?”

She sneered.

“Eight days away Zoey. Let’s beat the holy hell out of one another and make it something to remember before I get that crown. Then we can dump Vargas back at Shady Pines and grab a beer.”

Honolulu, Hawaii

The home that Tempest once shared with Malulani served as a tense setting for the storm that was quickly rolling in. And when we say storm, we are not referring to a simple thing such as a force of nature. Not a hurricane or monsoon, but a disagreement between two women, once linked by the same blood. A man, both a brother and a husband. Maile, the older sister of Malulani and the next in line as family matriarch, and in being so, she had come to expect her every thought to be revered and every judgment to be followed. However, she had run into someone who simply did not play by her foolish rules, the widow of her deceased brother and now the adoptive mother to her niece.

Maile stood in faux shock as she watched Tempest stand on the opposite side of her bedroom in the house, putting the finishing touches on packing the bags that she would need when traveling overseas.

"You can't be serious!" Tempest stood rigid as she faced off once again with her former sister-in-law, Maile, sister to her deceased husband Malulani. Maile held her arms out as she said, "You're actually going to go on this stupid tour!?"

"I don't actually have much choice in the matter, Maile. It is my job, after all." Tempest said in this heated exchange between (former) family, and anyone will tell you that family can and will make for some of the most heated battles because blood is involved. Tempest closed her luggage and drew the zipper across. She stood upright with a smile that was more bitter sarcasm than one of mirth and amusement.

"Oh, sorry." Tempest said. "I think that's the first time anyone said the words 'Maile' and 'job' in the same discussion. Seeing as how you've never had one!"

"How dare you say something like that to me!?" Maile was aghast, clearly affronted at the mere accusation that she did not work. She said, "I am a mother and homemaker and THAT is the toughest of jobs!"

"Hm, true." Tempest nodded, despite herself. "And I'd probably be more open to giving you credit for just that if your husband hadn't hired a nanny to do the majority of the work raising your kids and a housekeeper to take care of the house. After all that, what's left? Taking spa days with your girlfriends and having morning mimosas!"

"Don't you DARE speak to me that way!" Maile hissed through clenched teeth, growing angrier by the second at such blatant disrespect. "As matriarch you show me res-"

"You are NOT the family matriarch, Maile!" Tempest threw her clothing luggage to the floor in an act of anger and annoyance. "You think just because your mother is gone that means you're matriarch and people have to kiss your ass the same way they kissed her's!?"

Maile stormed across the bedroom and around the bed to confront the woman opposite her, her right arm stiffening for an obvious blow to come but Tempest just stood there and stared at her, calmly stating, "I would think very carefully before you do what it is that you're thinking about doing. Because I can - and will - throw you through that wall."

Maile shook her head, "I regret ever calling you about my mother. I regret telling you about Anela!"

"You didn't have a choice in the matter, as I recall." Tempest stood right up to her, looking down at her dear Malulani's sister. And credit due, the woman did not back down from Tempest despite the vast size and strength differences. But before she could say anything else, anything more scathing that might leave Maile without the skin on her body, Tempest closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

"Listen to me..." Tempest finally said. "I am no more thrilled at the idea of taking this time away than you are of my doing it. But I don't have a choice! It IS my job and I can't take her with me into another country while the adoption process is being finalized so she is safe and secure!"

Maile looked away, her lips pressed so tightly that they practically disappeared. But then Tempest spoke up, taking a step closer to the woman and she turned her head back to look her in the eyes.

"Listen." Tempest said quietly now. "I do not like you, and I know that you have no love lost for me. But this isn't about either of us. There is a little girl in there that needs some semblance of comfort and familiarity! That is why I called you! That is why I asked you to stay here with her as opposed to my own mother! Because she knows you! I mean, have you any idea the level of trust I am putting on your shoulders right now??? You could easily wait until I'm in Jordan and then pull the same act your mother did..."

"I won't." Maile said simply. Tempest nodded and said, "I know. That is the other reason why I asked you."

In that given statement, more was said than mere words between the two women. One did not have to like a person in order to show them the proper respect.

---

Tempest was standing at the very site that had led Sin City Wrestling to the city of Amman, Jordan and more importantly, to one of the modern Wonders of the World -- the Ancient City of Petra. The 6'3" amazon stood stoically, arms crossed as she stared straight ahead at the carvings in the mountainside. Carvings that had withstood both the ravages of nature and the tests of time, remaining not only standing to this day, but in remarkably superb shape. The heat was intense, even for a woman whose wrestling career was based in Las Vegas which was smack dab in the middle of the Nevada desert.

But Nevada was one thing. Jordan was a true desert! Her tanned flesh glistening under the sun, she watched as the SCW ring crew busied themselves, setting up the ring before the Gates of Petra.

"I'll be the first to admit that I have a temper. If something is bothering me, I speak up on it. If I think I've been wronged, then I will happily call someone out. I have absolutely no qualms in telling anyone how I feel and if it upsets anyone listening..."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Well that sounds like a 'you problem' more than anything else. I call things as I see them, and the thing about people is this; when you're calling them out, the more truthful you are, the more upset people tend to get. People do not like it when you're being honest - ESPECIALLY when that honesty is directed toward them. But here's the thing... I'm here because of exactly that situation, but I'm caught at a bit of a crossroads. Because I feel that I have been wronged, but the people who are getting something that I feel I and another are owed, did me no wrong. They accepted the hand dealt them, so where do I go? Who do I speak to?"

She turned her head toward the camera and unfolded her arms, setting her hands firmly on her hips in an open stance of defiance.

"The world, that's who! This match I was given against Alexandra Calaway... this whole Queen For A Day thing? It's a bone that I've been tossed by the top brass. Same for Austin in his opportunity against Miles Kasey. They're giving us this consolation prize because they gave something that we're owed, to someone else. Now this is no knock against Ben Jordan because, well who doesn't like that guy? And no REAL knock on Sam Marlowe because... maybe she's not so bad. But here's the thing... that's the team that Mercer and I beat to get to the Mixed Tag Team Fatal Fourway at Summer XXXTreme XI! We advanced to that championship final event! We were the team to beat and while we didn't win, we also were not the team that lost so MIkah and Kris Ryans 2.0 could win! You know what that tells me? That tells me that Austin and I should be fighting for that championship! But nope!"

She threw up her hands and shook her head.

"Instead that honor has gone to Saint Ben and Sammi Girl for this next Supercard and where are Mercer and myself? Split up and put into singles matches to give us a shot at these King and Queen spots. Now yeah, I get it. This would mean that when we get that far and win the whole deal -- and we WILL -- that we can book whatever we want, including a mixed tag title shot. Fine. Then. How the hell does that do anything for us now? We are talking about a championship match at the climax of this tour, at Violent Conduct IX as opposed to handing yourself a title match on a normal show. We are talking about being recognized and rewarded for something you deserve by the top brass -- as opposed to using your one day of power to gift yourself something that should have been yours in the first place! The bosses gave this opportunity to someone else, and left me with scraps as a means to TRY and mollify me. And heavy emphasis on the use of the word 'try' because trust me -- it doesn't work!"

"Which puts this so-called 'queen' Alexandra Calaway in a really bad spot because she's the chick I have to go through in order to make it to Violent Conduct IX, and angry as I am over this whole scenario? She's the one I get to take everything out on, all in one fell swoop. Now I admit I have watched Calaway, and she's earned her spot. Okay I admit SOMETIMES she seems to get over stimulated on her own hype and it bites her right in the ass, but she's a fighter. And that's a trait that is going to come in very useful where I am concerned because the chick is going to have to fight if she wants to survive. Let alone win! She showed she could fight with that Luna Vanity, and even though she dropped that one, she showed she wasn't afraid to bleed in order to get the job done."

Tempest nodded.

"Respect. And she even beat the chick that got a win over me last time around when she won against Bobbie Dahl. That loss still bothers me but I can't fault Dahl for getting one up on me, and for Calaway to take the win there? Well, she earned it the hard way. Too many girls want to get ahead and 'earn' their spots in this business with their tits and asses hanging out but Calaway simply fights for it. That's someone after my own heart so yeah... this match won't be as easy as some might think. I'm not delusional enough to assume just because I'm twice her size, that it'll make it so. Calaway will give me a fight, that much is certain. Because if she doesn't, that would just piss me off all the more and make me hurt her even worse."

Tempest shook her head in mock dismay.

"And that's not something I want, Alexandra. And not something you want, either. I have no real beef with you, other than you simply being put in the path of an oncoming storm. And that, Alex, is where the most damage gets done."

Las Vegas, Nevada
Current

There was one hard, fast constant within the hallowed walls of the GO Gym, more of an ever-lasting rule than anything else. And that was the belief that a student only stopped being a student when they were no longer active in the sport. It was not unheard of for students who had "graduated" from this premiere academy to return often to workout and maintain their in-ring skills so that they remained sharp. In fact, it was practically expected. Even when down and out with injury, "the White Wolf" Fenris could be seen at the weights. Once he had been given the green light from both his surgeon as well as Whisper who had helped him with rehab, Gabriel had reopened the Gym's doors for him to take full advantage of everything he and Odette had to offer. Yet it was what was taking place inside of the one of three wrestling rings that was the reason why we were here today.

As in only a mere matter of days, the "Amazon Bombshell" Tempest was being given the opportunity alongside Austin James Mercer to regain the Mixed Tag Team titles at Summer XXXTreme XI, becoming the division's first two-time champions. That being said, Gabriel had expected Tempest to be here until she had to leave for the Port of Los Angeles, readying herself for her biggest match in what seemed like forever. And he had made certain that Tempest would be prepared for anything those three other women could throw at her. He had set her up against perhaps one of the few women in the famed GO Gym who could, in fact, stand toe to toe with her if not by size then certainly by fighting spirit and determination -- namely Mackenzie Page of London Underground fame. There was absolutely nothing Mackenzie loved more than a good fight inside of the ring, and there was nothing Tempest wanted more out of a match than a legit challenge - of which for her there were few and far between. So, where these two were concerned, it was a win/win.

"God damn it!" Tempest growled between clenched teeth as her phone started to go off -- again. The one time she had forgotten or neglected to turn her phone on vibrate, she answered for it. Her workouts and sparring matches were of such notoriety in the Gym that even Fenris acknowledged her as such, stating, "Bitch is crazy!" A viewpoint that Tempest took neither offence nor umbrage too. Tempest stood up, Mackenzie still hanging off of her in the front chancery guillotine choke, and Mackenzie saying, "Just ignore it!" As Tempest turned her attention inside of the ring toward the outside where her gym bag had been set near a workout bench she had laid claim to for a post-match workout.

But this time the phone continued to ring, not letting up or stopping to take the voicemail option, so a slight worry started to grow in the recesses of the bigger woman's mind. "I've got to take this!" Tempest stated outright as she hefted the former Women's Tag Team and Mixed Tag Champion up and set her down with a gentle respect few would know she was ever even capable of. But when working out in the GO Gym, respect between students was key.

"Oh for fucks sake..." Mackenzie finally yielded with reluctance, setting defiant hands on her hips. "Fine, but make it snappy! I had you going!"

Tempest was stepping halfway through the ropes, between the top and middle, when she cane to a full on stop. She paused for a handful of uncomfortable seconds until she resumed her stance, standing on the ring apron and just looking at Mackenzie with a smirk, "Sure. You bet." To which Mackenzie smirked herself. Like two peas in a pod where these two women in particular were concerned. She then dropped to the floor and walked with purpose to her gym bag and snatched the phone from on top of it. Without even bothering to look at the Caller ID to see who had just interrupted her workout, she swiped up and barked, "This had BETTER be important!"

"Alleyne?" The woman's voice from the other end of the conversation spoke, a slight tremor behind her tone.

"Of  course it's Alleyne, you called me!" Tempest answered hotly. "Now who the hell is this!?"

"It's Maile."

"Mai-" Tempest almost dropped the phone from her hand in shock at the name she had not heard in the past few years. Maile -- the older sister of Malulani, her deceased husband who had been killed in combat overseas. After finding her voice and regaining  her composure, Tempest asked, "How did you get my number?"

"Your mother." Maile answered, to which Tempest closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. her mom. Her mom gave away her private number to the older sister of her husband, a woman who like her then-mother-in-law Mahina had never accepted her as Malulani's new wife following the death of his former. She had been treated like an outcast from the very get-go, and aided Mahina in removing Malulani's daughter -- her stepdaughter -- from her care.

"She gave you my number..." Tempest seethed, her eyes opening to mere slits but the emblazoned fury could be witnessed even then were anyone to take close enough notice. "I can not believe she...!"

"Mom died." Whatever else Tempest thought her ex sister-in-law might have said to her as to why she was calling out of the blue after more than four years, that was certainly not it. A part of Tempest wanted to tell her that she hoped her mother would rot in hell. But the part of her that yet loved and mourned Malulani prevented her from saying the scathing words. That was still his mother and she would not disrespect her -- no matter how much the bitch might deserve it.

Instead she asked, "What happened?"

"She had a heart attack." Maile answered. "The funeral is in..."

"I'm not coming to the funeral." Tempest interrupted her. But Maile answered, "We didn't expect you to. We probably would have been shocked if you did. But this isn't about Mom. It's about Anela."

Anela. Her Malulani' daughter, and the stepdaughter she loved like her own. When Malulani had first introduced them, admittedly Tempest was worried. Yes -- Tempest was worried. She was very concerned how the little girl would react to her Daddy dating another women, let alone marrying her. But much to her surprise and Malulani's relief, the little girl had not only been more than happy her Dad had met someone, but Anela herself seemed to be over the moon at having a new mother figure in her life.

And it was perhaps Anela's reaction to her that spurred her mother-in-law to work so feverishly to remove Anela from her care after her father's passing. If there had been any doubt to the girl's affection toward her, Anela's screams and cries at being removed from her house haunted her to this day. Almost as much as the feeling of being helpless at preventing it.

Tempest again had to swallow back the choke of memories and she found her voice once again to ask, "What about her?"

"CPS wants to take her away." Maile stated in a voice that cracked under the pressure of emotion, at both losing her mother and now possibly her niece.

"Take her away???" Tempest barked, her voice carrying across the Gym and the walls, having great acoustics to sound, caused heads to turn. Tempest quickly turned and walked past everyone, avoiding their eyes as she barged into the women's dressing room. Only then did she continue her conversation as she asked hotly, "How the hell can they take her away!? If your Mom had legal custody then they should be placing her with..."

"Mom never had legal custody, Alleyne." Maile interrupted, and judging by how frail her voice sounded at the very moment, it was as if she were waiting for the inevitable explosion from the woman she was talking to.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE NEVER HAD LEGAL CUSTODY!?!?!" Annnnd there it was! The explosion, and she was certain that everyone out in  the Gym had heard her outburst and truth be told, she didn't give a damn! "Bitch, you better start talking...!!!"

"Alleyne!" Maile called aloud from her end, trying to both diffuse the growing situation and solve the problem as to why she had called. She had the given effect and the opening, so Maile continued, "You know better than anyone how the courts are when a child is involved. Someone at CPS did some digging and they found out Mom never got legal custody of Anela. Something happened to the paperwork on the judge's end and the custody issue was never notarized."

"What are you saying...?" Tempest asked, feeling almost paralyzed on the spit by everything that was unraveling around her right now.

"I'm saying..." Maile took a deep breath from her end of the phone. "That after Malulani's passing, legally you should have had custody of his daughter. You still can."

Tempest closed her eyes, and a lone tear streaking from her right eye and down her cheek as Maile continued, "Alleyne... the CPS agent said that if you don't make a case for custody, Anela will be taken away and placed in 'the system'.

---

Los Angeles, California
Port of Los Angeles

The opening shot is of none other than the Princess Cruise ship, an impressive monolith of maritime leisure. At over 143,000 tons and a length of 1,083, the ship held a total capacity of 3,560 between staff and passengers alike. A perfect setting for an epic summer extravaganza. In just a matter of eight days, such an event would be taking place ON BOARD this very vessel while out at sea, as famed SCW summer event Summer XXXTreme XI would be once again dominating the summer heat!

And as the camera slowly panned out, one such participant was standing on the dock in  her summer street clothes, a teal colored tank top, cut-off denim shorts and high tops -- Tempest. Former World Mixed Tag Team Champion, and soon-to-be two-time co holder of those very same championships. Hands on her hips, Tempest kept a careful eye on the ship as workers went about their business, readying everything well ahead of time as the sun slowly started to descend into the ocean waters.

"As impressive as this sight is, I will go on record and admit that I am probably the only person booked on this show that wishes it was anywhere else but on a cruise ship. Not for any reasons that the so-called experts who ply their trade from their mama's basements and offering their views and opinions from the relative safety of a keyboard might assume. I'm not afraid of the open water nor do I get seasick. I don't mind narrow spaces like these cabins or interacting with the occasional fan who actually approaches me for a picture or an autograph. I simply lost my taste for cruises a few years ago. I haven't liked nor appreciated them since."

"This does bring back memories though. Not personal ones, but professional. Because the last time I was on a Princess cruise for Sin City Wrestling and Summer XXXTreme in particular, it was for 2021's event where  Austin James Parker and myself defended these very same championships against Miles Kasey and Seleana Zdunich -- successfully I might add. I won't lie and say that I didn't have my fun moments during the cruise. Mercer saw to that, which I suppose I am grateful for. It's just ... cruises don't do for me what they do for everyone else it seems. But, that is neither here nor there. Austin and I won this opportunity, and whether it be on a ship out at sea or on solid, dry land, we are going to make the most of this I can assure you that."

Tempest stops mid-promo for a moment to take a seat on a wooden bench as a seagull flies across the sky, it's screech heard by everyone in the vicinity.

"Austin and I are not alone in this endeavor. Like us, the other three tag teams in this Fatal Fourway earned their chances alongside us. By hook and crook, by sheer talent ... or just plain, dumb luck. You be he judge because I won't bother. My eyes are set straight ahead toward not just the three women that I will be inside of the ring with, but their partners as well. Because like it or not, this is a TEAM effort, and while I can't lay my hands on Peter or Alexander or Oliver, nor they me, it doesn't take away from the fact that we have to work together with our partners to achieve the same goals -- score the win and win the championships. And with all due respect to the other three teams involved in this match, there's only one team in this match with the proven history in this division as champions."

She tapped a forefinger into her own chest as the camera swerved around to catch her from the front.

"Austin and myself. Austin and I are the ones who held the championships for over five months. In that time, neither of us abandoned the other allowing another to simply be handed the championship without earning it. We kept those titles around our waists and defended them whenever the higher ups called on us to do so, against whomever they could find that were willing to take the risk. And yes..."

She nodded her head.

"Facing Austin and myself as a collective unit is a risk. You can put on all the false bravado that you want to in order to save face or prevent your toxic sense of masculinity from wilting like a flower in an oven, but it's the hard, cold truth that all three of these teams are going to have  to acknowledge and accept. We have the size and power. We have the experience as a team. And we have the successful track record. And whom did Austin and I beat to get this far? None other than the team everyone wanted to see together, and a team I desperately want to face once again -- Sammi Marlowe and Ben Jordan. Sam brought it, I have to admit. More so than I ever thought her capable of. And the only thing that ruined our moment between our teams was Bea Barnhart who just could not accept the fact that she and her hubby were no longer in the running at the time. Still, a win is a win I suppose even though it wasn't how Austin or I wanted to get here, so winning the championships and meeting Ben and Sammi one more time will more than satisfy those lingering doubts."

"But what about you, Luna Vanity and Alexander Raven? I have literally no idea what is going on in that head of Luna Vanity, because as the name implies, the chick is about as unstable as a game of Jenga during an earthquake. Still, she has pulled off some impressive wins, such as beating Alexandra Calaway at her own game and being a former Roulette Champion - for about two weeks. To me, the true strength behind this team is Alexander Raven because the man has been nothing short of impressive since he first showed up. I am not so full off myself that I can't say that about someone on the opposite side. He's been the Roulette AND Internet Champion, and held both championships for an impressive run each. Jesus Christ, the man beat Fenris! Granted, some say that Fenris pretty much beat himself in their title match but like I said before, a win is a win and if anyone on this team is going to be the threat, it'll be Alexander Raven."

"Not that I'm not looking forward to stepping inside of the ring against Luna, because I am. I always appreciate new experiences inside of the ring, hoping for an opponent that might actually surprise me and give me the sort of fight that I am really hoping for. Zoey Lukas gave me that fight, as did Bobbie Dahl. Few and far between, but it happens. Can Luna do the same?"

She shrugged.

"It's possible. I mean, after seeing that wild match she had with Calaway I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility, but I have my doubts. That match had no restrictions. This one does, and Luna does not exactly strike me as the sort of woman who easily focuses with that scatterbrained mind of hers."

"But then again, Luna is not the woman I am really all that interested in facing the most out of this match."

She bit her lower lips with her teeth, a smile that was much like a hunter anticipating a meal wile she shook her head in the negative.

"No, that honor would fall most toward Kim Pain, a woman whose career I have followed even before she set foot in SCW. When she came here, all I could think about was the chance to wrestle this woman who's stepped inside the ring elsewhere with men twice her size and lived to tell the tale. The woman, who despite all intents and purposes, is a legit bad ass inside of the ring but displays a complete opposite side of herself once the match is over and business is concluded. I've heard enough about the good she's done for others inside the facility of Hellsgate, Carter in particular. Kim had absolutely no reason or obligation to help with some of Carter's rehab, but she did it anyway. Why? I never asked but I assume it was because she and Carter got along well enough, and because she simply felt that it was the right thing to do. I can respect that. Appreciate it, even. I can say as I would do the same because I'm just not that sort of person, but that sort of person performs outside of the ring, and that just is not where we're going to clash."

"It's rare to have something you look forward to in this business that doesn't involve a championship, and while the titles are at stake here between us Kim, and I truly think this match will come down to you and me -- and of course our partners by proxy, this is what I look forward to. And while I hope that one day my curiosity will be satiated in a one on one encounter, for now this will have to do because I have no doubts that while you and I could steal the show, that Luna and ... **snort** Eiley will attempt to steal our thunder. What say you and I take a moment between ourselves, lay down our arms and take out the trash, then settle things between just us?"

She waved a finger between the camera and herself, a clear indication.

"Which brings us of course to the final piece of this little mixed tag team puzzle. And no, I did not save the best for last. if anything, I saved the least for last because out of every team in the entire mixed tag team division, this is the team I think the absolute least of! Oliver Zahn from Jet City and Eiley from ... whatever the hell Mikah calls where she dug this girl up from and trained her. Oliver and Eiley, or as whoever names these teams should refer to them as ... Mikah and Kris Ryans 2.0. Because honey, let's face it, when we see either one of them on the screen, you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a rerun of an old edition of Climax Control where Mikah and Kris were onscreen together. I am almost ASHAMED that Mikah calls Hawaii her home now because she is the exact type of person who natives of the state such as myself don't want around. Vain. Self centered and thinking the entire thought of an island paradise revolves around their own personal pleasure rather than maintaining the beauty and prosperity of the islands and the people born and raised there. But I can't say as I'm surprised, that's just the sort of person Mikah is. It's always been about herself and what people can do for her. Case in point... Kris Ryans. Before her retirement and kris's staged death, the two were revealed as being an item. Not surprising that they picked up right where they left off in that regard because every time Kris disappeared or took time off and returned, Mikah practically knocked everyone over that was in her path so she could latch her hooks into the man. It bordered on stalker obsessed behavioral patterns. But this time the chick outdid herself because now as soon as he returned, suddenly she's pregnant with his baby!"

She jetted out a lower lip and nodded.

"Well good for her. But if I were Kris, I'd get a DNA test done as soon as that kid is born because with her track record... Drake Green, Mark Ward, etc etc... the record is against him. Oh, wait... sorry!"

She lightly tapped the side of her head with the palm of her hand.

"I was talking about Mikah and Kris all of this time when I was supposed to be talking about their respective proteges, Eiley and Oliver. Easy mistake to make, considering they're practically mirror images of the other. Oliver really hasn't shown me much of anything, which is a damn shame considering his trainer Kris is a proven commodity in this business and a Hall of Fame recipient. But Oliver himself? I just can't help but feel he's hoping to use this new tag team division as a means to an end, as a way of boosting his standing elsewhere in SCW when HE should be the one boosting the division. Not the other way around! And Eiley...?"

She drew in a breath and chuckled.

"You know when she first showed up and we were told she was trained by Mikah, that was all I needed to hear. Yes, Eiley has gotten one or two good wins, but otherwise she's been an absolute bust in making any kind of impact. It's like Mikah wants her to be a mirror version of herself and Eiley just wants to emulate the woman who brought her into the sport! I always thought that a good trainer wanted their respective students to grow past them and become their own person but that just is not what I see in Eiley -- or Oliver for that matter. But Eiley is the one I have to deal with in the ring and oh...!"

She shook her head with an almost sadistic chuckle.

"I will do so GLADLY. And when the match is over and Eiley is put out to sea, I just wonder if she's going to try convincing the world that she meant to lose. That she wanted to lose the match and the chance for the championship, just like Mikah tried telling the world that she wanted the same when she dropped the Internet title to Devona. I mean, birds of a feather and all that."

That being said, Tempest pushed herself to her feet, the camera rising u along with her so she could stare straight into the lense.

"It doesn't matter. None of it. The saviors are not what they once were or had the potential to be. At least their presense here in SCW isn't, and that includes Kim Pain and Peter Vaughn. Alexander Raven and Luna Vanity have about as much chance of winning this whole event as the ocean has of turning into peanut butter. And Mikah and Kris 2.0 aka Eiley and Oliver? Say your prayers, kissos. The sea ha5s claimed enough victims these past few weeks."

She leaned in close and taped the lense with her forefinger.

"And it's about to claim two more."

By admission, there was a lot of explaining to do in recent events. There was a point in time where Tempest was set to take the Bombshell division by storm, but with as much momentum as she would build behind herself with her sheer, dominant presence, something always seemed to happen that stalled her from taking advantage. And in some cases, she would seemingly fall off the face of the earth just as things were going her way. In one instance, she had injured herself - straining her back by lifting the car of Gabriel Stevens so that he could look under it.

No, we’re quite serious!

And in another, she was called home to Hawaii due to a family emergency when her brother Nohea, a military man, was home on leave and was stabbed with a broken bottle in a bar fight. All because he and his Navy buddies objected to some drunkards mistreating the barmaids working that evening. While he was in recovery and fighting for his life afterwards, Tempest steadfastly refused to leave Hawaii. Not when her brother could lose his life and for that reason, both the SCW brass and the Stevens could certainly understand and appreciate. Family would come first – or at least, it should. But that was the last Tempest was scene in the six-sided ring of SCW; her match against Zoey Lukas that had drawn many fans’ attention due to the sheer physicality of both women.

So then the question begs; why now? Why was Tempest back, and why did she not return sooner? Well, that’s why we’re here right now. To shed some light on the return of the ‘Tower of Power’.

---

Barbados - Garfield Sobers Gymnasium
04/02/2023

Chaos reigned supreme in the backstage annals of the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, and where SCW was primarily concerned, that was certainly speaking volumes. The activity backstage was always at a frenzied pace as staff was routinely working at a frantic pace to better ensure what happened out in  the ring and what was seen by hundreds of thousands on their weekly webisode broadcast of Climax Control went as smoothly as possible. But sometimes the unexpected would happen, and mere moments ago in one of the final 2023 Blast From the Past opening round matches - that was certainly the case. All that the “Benedict Arnold” of the Bombshell Division – aka Krystal Wolfe – wanted to do was break her personal curse and make it past the opening round, and with the Hall of Fame monster Casey Williams at her side, she was well on her way to accomplishing exactly that. At least that was until her own past caught up with her, and karma bit her on the ass.

Security was everywhere, more so than the usual as guards en masse had surrounded the former World Mixed Tag Team Champion Tempest and they were forcibly removing her from the premises as she argued with the men hired on by Mark Ward and Christian Underwood to keep everything in order! But in this woman, they had their hands full because Tempest was not just any Bombshell who was half the size of these guards, as she literally stood as tall as many on the men’s roster and she was fearsomely noted for her raw, brute strength! One guard made the grievous error in attempting to restrain her or direct her away from the immediate vicinity by placing a hand on her shoulder, only to have Tempest whip around and grab him by the arm.

Tempest: Don’t TOUCH me!

She bellowed as more security moved in to physically intervene against her when a voice brimming with authority that would not be denied called out, causing many heads in the area to turn toward the British accent.

Hot Stuff: Oy! You lot! What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing!?

Mark Ward might have been playing  nice these past number of years as opposed to his business partner, the Ying to Christian Underwood’s Yang (no puns, please!), but when the British Bossman spoke, you listened because he had a temper that rivaled any of the stars that he and Underwood employed. he simply chose when and where to showcase it to the best of his abilities.

Many of the staff backstage scattered and the security guards on hand parted like the Red Sea, and Hot Stuff himself was Moses. Tempest stood there, looking around toward each man who had just attempted to accost her and forcibly remove her from the building while Mark stood in on spot, but turned around on his feet to openly survey the scene an d ensure each person present was looking at him and ONLY him!

Hot Stuff: I asked you a question! What the hell are you doing with this woman!?

One older man in his mid to late fifties, the Security Director of his team, he alone stepped forward with his own sense of authority to address the situation.

Security Director: Mister Ward, we’re just removing this woman from the premises. Didn’t you see…?

Hot Stuff: Yes, as a matter of fact I did see what happened out there! And while I don’t condone it, I never authorized her removal from this building!

Security Director: I don’t understand … I was under the impression that fans were not allowed to…

Hot Stuff: She’s not a fan, genius! She’s under my employ! She’s one of our wrestlers!

The security team glanced around at one another with uncertainty in their eyes.

Security Director: Well… how were we…?

Hot Stuff: Supposed to know?

Mark finished his question for him, prompting the man to nod.

Hot Stuff: If she were a fan, would she have come from backstage rather than the crowd!?  If she was ‘just a fan,’ I would have thought that the security we employed would have been more diligent in stopping her before she got that close to one of our wrestlers! Or am I mistake?

Mark held his arms out in wonder, all but daring the frustrated head of security into saying something… anything. The older man's face was flushed red but discretion being the better part of valor, he turned instead to Tempest.

Security Director: Our apologies, ma'am.

But the Amazon of the Bombshell division simply stared at the man, neither acceptance nor rejection of his apology coming forward. He cleared his throat and signaled to his team to follow him, leaving Tempest alone with the boss man. She exhaled.

Tempest: Sorry about that.

To which Mark shrugged.

Hot Stuff: No harm done. It's not like you hurt any of them.

Tempest paused at that and then frowned.

Tempest: No. I mean what caused it. Tossing Wolfe into the audience.

Hot Stuff: Oh, that.

He shrugged.

Hot Stuff: Meh.

---

Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, Scotland
04/09/2023

Of course, nothing comes easy. The very next week on the supposed haunted Isle of Eilean Mor, Krystal Wolfe sought some payback for costing her a chance at the Quarter-Finals and she boldly called Tempest out for her actions. The angry amazon indeed indulged her and did come out to the ring for a face-off, but it quickly devolved into a brawl between the two women. It looked as if Tempest might end it just as quickly as it started the moment she got her hands on Krystal, who had spent much of the time imitating a car wreck – as in hit and run. But Krystal escaped her predicament and the two women were separated, the entire time Wolfe smugly acting as if she had the entire situation in the palm of her hand. But it was what happened after this confrontation that had the tongues of wrestling fans wagging the world over, when Tempest came to the aid of her friend and former championship tag team partner, Austin James Mercer. The moment when Tempest stood toe to toe with the hated World Heavyweight Champion Michael Harris, preventing him from doing further damage to Mercer whom he had ambushed from behind.

Austin sat on a bench in the first aid area that had been set up for just such emergencies, far enough away from the action to remain away from the prying eyes of fans and/or reporters looking for a newsworthy scoop. As the show was taking place outdoors, literally on Eilean Mor itself, the medical station was inside of a large tent, cordoned off and away from the rest of the ‘backstage’ area set aside for staff and wrestlers alike. The medics needed privacy and quiet to do their work, away from all distractions. Austin would have preferred just to get dressed and get off this damn island… actually, he would have preferred to pull Michael Harris’s head right off his neck and THEN get dressed and leave, but he wasn't given much choice in this instance.

The blow to the back of his skull with the World title belt had opened up a deep laceration, and blood had flowed freely down the back of his head and the medics were currently working on cleaning it before they would determine if he required stitches, or if the medical skin adhesive would be sufficient to the task. And even then Mercer would have been all but fine ignoring the situation so long as it got him off of this rock, but unfortunately he had a commanding presence in his path. Namely Tempest.

When Austin left the ring, he stubbornly did so under his own power and without any assistance from the ringside staff. Tempest had waited until Harris and his “Sister Wives” had been forced away by security before she accompanied Mercer ‘backstage’. Even then, Austin tried to ignore his situation and he pulled away from all offers of help to go to the dressing area, only Tempest had taken him by the arm and steered him directly toward first aid whether he liked it or not. Anyone else and Mercer would have reacted accordingly, lashing out with appropriate acts of violence. But she was different. She was quite possibly the only friend that Austin had left on the active roster and so she was probably the only one guaranteed ‘safe’ from the infamous wrath Austin had rained down on much of SCW in recent months.

Austin James Mercer: God dammit! That stings!

Tempest watched as Austin lashed out verbally to the team that was working as a unit to take care of him, dabbing at his wound with sterilized cotton and then cleaning it with antiseptic to prevent infections out here in the open air.

Medic: Austin, we need to clean the wound before we can set to seal it. It won’t likely need stitches but…

Austin James Mercer: Just get ON with it!


Mercer growled with menacing authority, prompting the medics to continue their work. Tempest just shook her head, arms folded over her upper body.

Tempest: Jesus… all the hell you wreak and the blood you spill, and you are still a big baby!

Austin glanced up through his brow, having to keep his head tilted down so the first aid staff could work on him properly, and she could see the flash of anger and annoyance in his eyes but it vanished just as quickly. Just as well, because it had literally bounced right off of her without a care.

Austin James Mercer: I didn't ask for your help… I didn't need it!

Tempest: Of course you didn’t.

Nothing else was said between them for what seemed forever. Nothing needed to be said, that was the beauty of a tried and true friendship. When you knew one would have your back, and be there for each other. Anything else was just  formality. Just – words. But something was said after several long moments when the staff began to apply the ‘skin adhesive’ to the back of his head. The voice indeed belonged to Austin, but it was so softly spoken that anyone else might have believed it impossible or just thought that they were hearing things.

Austin James Mercer: Thanks … for that. Out there.

Tempest just smirked, shrugging her shoulders in a playful indifference.

Tempest: It’s what I do.

“Excuse me, Tempest?”

Tempest turned her head at the voice, emanating from the vicinity of her shoulder. She looked ‘down’ and exhaled in a sharp sense of disgust at the arrival of one of SCW’s backstage reporters, namely the comely Pussy Willow.

Pussy Willow: Could I get a word with you, please?

Tempest all but rolled her eyes at this request and made a motion with her hand, directing Pussy’s attention toward the man currently sitting under the care of the paramedics.

Tempest: Is this absolutely necessary? I do have a friend that’s hurt, in case you can’t see!

Pussy Willow: This will only take a moment, I promise!

Tempest sighed and Austin blindly made a shooing motion with his arm.

Austin James Mercer: Go on, I’ll be fine.

Tempest: You’re enjoying this.

She accused him with a frown, and a hard laugh escaped Mercer who knew the negative feelings Tempest felt towards the backstage reporters of SCW, particularly Pussy Willow and Ms. Rocky Mountains. They seemingly exemplified everything she detested about the business. AJM just gave her a thumbs up - not exactly a denial to her accusation, but she finally relented and turned and allowed herself to be escorted just outside of the first aid tent so they could speak.

Tempest: This better be good! Make it quick!

Pussy Willow: Yes, it will be and I am sorry for interrupting but what we just saw out there….

Tempest: So what!? Fights between wrestlers happen all the damn time! And if Wolfe hadn’t taken the cheap shot I would have…

Pussy Willow: No, not that. You are right, fights between wrestlers happen all the time. But you just literally got in the face of Michael Harris and you even shoved him!

Tempest: The bastard shoved me first!

Pussy Willow: Yes and had it not been for the ring ropes, you would have put the reigning champion of the world on his back! That’s one of the reasons why I had to get a word with you! It’s a first for SCW! A Bombshell actually facing off with the World Heavyweight Champion! It has never happened in ten plus years!

Tempest: Yes and I’m pretty sure the both of us with be getting a nice little fine because we violated their intergender rule.

Pussy Willow: Most likely, I admit, but that brings up the other reason I wanted a word with you. The reason behind what happened. You came to the aid of Austin James Mercer.

Tempest shrugged her shoulders.

Tempest: Yeah, so?

Pussy Willow: Well it’s just … haven’t you seen what’s been happening in recent weeks where he’s concerned? I mean, it was just a few weeks ago when he brutalized Helluva Bottom Carter to the point Miles Kasey had to make the save! Despite the fact that they’re both members of Wolfslair!

Tempest: What exactly is it that you want me to say? Carter and Mercer were in a match. It was a mismatch from the start and things got out of hand.

Pussy Willow: But … is that all you have to say? Two weeks ago Austin attacked Carter at ringside for the sole purpose to get into Miles’s head! You and Carter are both members of…

Tempest shot a hand up in Pussy’s face, stalling anything else the blonde was about to say.

Tempest: We’re both members of the GO Gym ‘fraternity’? Is that what you were about to say, or were you somehow under the impression that I wasn’t aware of this little fact? Yes, Carter and I come from the same stock where the GO Gym is concerned, and yes I will always support the men and women who came from there because I came from there! Do I agree with Austin using the kid as a means to an end? No. Are you somehow under the assumption that because of what’s been happening, that I should sever the friendship I already have with Mercer out of loyalty for a kid that was nothing short of disrespectful the last time he and I crossed paths?

Tempest paused and leaned in for emphasis, towering over the reporter.

Tempest: If that’s really what you expect out of me then you have a pretty piss poor sense of what loyalty is! Mercer was there for me as a friend when no one else was – NO ONE! Yes, I have my secrets and yes, he might have found out one or two on his own. But he didn’t judge me. The man didn’t coddle me. He was simply there for me! Have you any idea how rare that is in a person? And you think I’m just going to throw that out the window because of something that doesn’t even involve me???

She held up her hands, not allowing Pussy to get a word in edgewise.

Tempest: Let me make this divinely clear for you! I don’t agree with what happened between Mercer and Carter. I don’t. But I am not going to just abandon a near TWO YEAR friendship with a man that you and nobody else out there knows ANYTHING about!

Tempest then moved past Pussy Willow, poking her in the chest.

Tempest: THAT … is what loyalty is!

That said, she brushed past Pussy harshly and went back inside of the first aid tent, leaving the blonde clearly intimidated.

---

All caught up are we? Good! See, that brings us to the present but one has to wonder how exactly we got here in the first place. What was Tempest doing in Barbados in the first place when she was last seen in a match against Zoey Lukas in Las Vegas? The answer to that would be quite simple, really…
March 2023

Gabriel: Just… talk to him.

Gabriel Stevens, owner and proprietor alongside his wife Odette, of the famed GO Gym training facility, spoke over the video chat messenger with none other than Tempest from her home in Hawaii. Tempest looked heavenward, but her respect for Gabriel was evident on her face and in the calm tone of voice as she questioned the man’s reasoning behind what he was asking of her.

Tempest: You’re asking me to pick things up here and fly all the way to Barbados to meet with Mark Ward. Why…?

Gabriel: Because it’s your chance to get your foot back in the door. You stayed in Hawaii to help your mom care for your brother…

He quickly brought his hands up to stall anything that she might say in case she took his reasoning wrong.

Gabriel: Respect, by the way. Family always comes first. Especially considering the circumstances. I understand that, and so does Mark. That’s why he wants to talk to you about a comeback.

Tempest: What ‘comeback’ Gabriel? My contract expired. It’s over. I wasted so much time with injuries and personal issues…

Gabriel: And Mark told me that he’s prepared to offer you a brand new contract if you make it to Barbados. But ONLY … if you make it there to speak to him face to face.

That little fact clearly caught the attention of the amazon, as she stared at Gabriel as if she were waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. When it did not, when nothing else was said between them, Tempest found her voice and shook her head questioningly.

Tempest: Why … would he do that? I wasted so much of his time and efforts in pushing me…

Gabriel: All of which was entirely out of your hands. His words, not mine. And maybe, just maybe … he sees something in you that deserves that push. And I don’t just mean the fact you came from here and we have ourselves a PRETTY DECENT track record. I’m talking about the exact same thing I said to you when I first interviewed you. You bring something new and different to that division. Maybe he wants to nurture that.

She fell silent, still unsure given the circumstances. Gabriel realized this and felt the need to sweeten the pot, so to speak, in order to give her a better nudge in the proper direction.

Gabriel: Mark sent us a copy of the contract he’s offering you. Synn looked it over…

He chuckled.

Gabriel: Despy made a few adjustments. You’re getting a decent raise, and a lighter schedule so you can stay in the ring while tending to some of those nagging injuries of yours. But…

Tempest: I have to be in Barbados.

Gabriel nodded.

Gabriel: You have to be in Barbados. So…. will you go?

Tempest bit at her lower lip, deep in thought and eventually looked up to Gabriel…

And, as the history books might say… the rest would be history. Just as Krystal Wolfe will be in just a matter of days.

---

London, England -
the Copperbox Arena

Everything was prepared. In just a matter of days, the next Sin City Wrestling Supercard event would take place right here in London. The aforementioned arena was set up, workers continued about their job, setting up the stage and lighting while others went about lining the ringside floor with rows upon rows of chairs that would soon be filled with screaming fans, young and old alike. And standing inside of the already set-up ring was none other than Tempest.

The towering figure of a woman, clad in a jean jacket over black tank top, blue jeans and tanned, heel boots, the recently returned Bombshell has her hands tucked inside of her jean pockets as she turns around in the center of the ring, surveying her surroundings.

“God I missed this feeling! It’s not going to be long before every seat out there on the floor and in the stands will be filled with men and women, children.. Just thousands of fans. And it’s been so long, so long since I’ve gotten to experience the feeling of those thousands of fans screaming, cheering - or far more likely in my case, booing. But considering who I’m up against? Who knows? But there are times when you’ve been away from something that you loved, that you enjoyed more than words could express, that it almost feels like a dream when you return and get to do it all over again.”

“October… Christ! Has it seriously been that damn long!? I’m beginning to understand just why Zoey Lukas has been so hot, and not just because I played a bit of a hand in her tournament match against Wolfe, but because she wasn’t exactly wrong when she accused me publicly of beating her in our match and then not taking advantage of the momentum that win against her gave me. Beating that chick put me in the hot seat, literally! She had been unbeaten up until that point in her SCW career, and I brought that to an end and what did I do with that win?”

She shrugged.

“Absolutely nothing. I let that win ride itself out and I did - nothing. I did not get straight back inside of the ring and start pressing my advantage to negotiate for a championship shot like so many of these other chicks might have done. One win is all they seem to need to start their own personal entitlement issues, thinking that sole victory is all they need to get a shot at a champion. Hell! Some of them don’t even think they need the one win! They’ve convinced themselves that all they need to get what they feel ‘they deserve’ is the ability to cut a promo for a show that they're not even booked for, or they rely on their so-called past legacies that they had elsewhere before even coming to these greener pastures. And most of the time those past legacies are about as fudged up as a waiter telling his clientele how he’s an actor who’s never set foot on stage or a model who has never walked a runway.”

“But I didn’t do that. I didn’t even negotiate for my next match, so yeah. I can see why Zoey got pissed at me for not just the aftermath of our match, but my getting involved in her first round match. And no, before anyone out there works up the courage to ask me, I’m not going to explain why. Because one, it’s nobody’s goddamn business, and two? I already explained why to the people in the business that matter the most to me;”

She counted off on her fingers.

“Mark Ward and Christian Underwood. Gabriel and Odette Stevens. And yeah – Austin James Mercer. Those are the people I explained myself to, and that right there should tell you exactly where I place them on the pedestals in my life because I never felt the need to explain myself to anyone! Now I can see some of the armchair experts who pretend at being the expert wrestling fans having their theories or some of my colleagues trying to dig up some dirt at my expense to explain everything well… you’re more than welcome to try. Give it your best guesses boys and girls, because even if you manage to guess right, it won’t really matter as far as I’m concerned because my reasons are my own, and those are the past. Where we are right here, right now? That’s what really matters to me. In the present, and my beef with Krystal Wolfe? That I have no issue at all in explaining myself.”

“Which really brings us to the subject at hand, and why we’re even here in the first place. Krystal and me? We have a little issue between us. See, she’s blaming me that she – again – got eliminated in the first round of the Blast From the Past tournament. How many times in a row does that make it now, Krystal? Two? Three? Doesn’t matter. My problem with her … is the fact she’s a sad little twat who is looking for any semblance of relativity in this business. She knows that she’s not as important as she once was – if ever she was – and she’s going to drastic measures to climb back out of the pit of obscurity that she’s found herself in ever since she tanked as the Roulette Champion. Sad, but true. And that’s really not saying a whole lot because when it comes to the Roulette Championship…”

She shrugged.

“Well, sorry to any woman who held that championship but let’s be honest. It’s more about luck than what one can accomplish in the ring where it’s concerned because more often than not, you’re not even inside of a ring. You’re either climbing a ladder or fighting in a parking lot or fighting on a scaffold above a tank filled with piranha…”

She made a face, frowning and silently mouthing ‘what the fuck’!?

“And that Krystal, that was your claim to fame ever since you left SCU and made your way into the big leagues. And let’s be perfectly honest, when you got here, you weren’t exactly making the biggest waves, were you? No, in fact, you found yourself on a losing streak that would almost make the Troll a little green with envy. But you came from behind and pulled yourself out of that losing streak, and good for you!”

She pumped a fist.

“But, look at what’s happened since. You went from being the woman who walked away as Future Star of the Year and Most Improved in the 2021 Year End awards, to a bitter little girl who is blaming the world around her and everybody in it for her own shortcomings! No, nothing is your fault, is it? Everyone else is to blame! Everyone else either used you like Keira Fisher or your little cousin Cassie, or the so-called **air quotes** dead weight from the GO Gym that you surrounded yourself with like Carter and Ariana! It’s their fault, yes? You sound like one of those little divas on some reality show that can’t accept the real world does not revolve around her! So you go out and make every excuse in the book and tell lies that a grade school child could see through and disprove, hoping that at least one person will take pity on you and buy that whopping pile of bullshit that you spew out every time you open your mouth! Like, telling the world when you first showed your face that you were the second-ever graduate of the GO Gym after Evie Jordan and I don’t even know what you were trying to accomplish with that one! Anyone with half a brain and access to the Internet could find names like Fenris and London Underground came before you! It was almost like you were trying to use Gabriel and Odette’s past successes as a means to catapult yourself to places you don’t deserve to be! Which, when you get right down to it, is both sad and hypocritical considering you turned your back on those who supported you, ‘claiming’ that THEY used YOU when really - it was entirely the other way around.”

“When you were down in SCU, Carter and Ariana were the stars of the show where the GO Gym grads were concerned and when your name was brought up, all people could say was ‘who’? They’re the ones who won the Pride tag titles. Carter was the one who captured just about every singles title that the men down there were offered. You? You were the wrestling equivalent of a bench warmer. So you left. You got out of SCW where better talent was overshadowing you and you signed with SCW where Carter wasn’t and Ariana had yet to sign. Oh but when she did…”

Eyes closed, she shook her head with a smirk on her face.

“It was like history repeating itself because all people cared about was Ariana’s arrival and nobody gave a damn about you any more. And when Carter signed after SCU’s closure, things just got worse so you practically latched yourself onto the two that you refer to as ‘dead weight’. Hanging around them so that your name would be heard and that you could be seen. But, oh yes. They’re the ones who were using you!”

She nodded, mock sarcasm etched all over her face with faux sympathy.

“Right. Until you did the unthinkable and decided that you could do better. You signed with the Saviors, and then attacked not only your own flesh and blood, but Ariana as well. Which, in hindsight, should tell you just how unlikable you really are because even the Saviors got fed up with everything you were saying and doing and not even a month after joining…”

She whistled and jetted a thumb back over her shoulder.

“They chucked your bony butt to the curb. That HAD to have been some kind of record for shortest stay in any stable or team! And the fact they chose the Troll over you…???”

She scoffed.

“That is just a visual aid to what the world around you really sees and feels where you’re concerned. Nobody gives a damn about you, Krystal, so you try every cheap little tactic that you can think of to get your name back in the minds of everyone watching. You could literally disappear off the face of this earth tomorrow and nobody would notice. Nobody would care. Well… maybe that new little play toy you have for yourself might. Who the hell knows? You could have done a lot better than another cheap Barbie doll accompanying you. Hell, you could have had J2H…”

She casually glanced at the camera with a raised brow before resuming her train of thought.

“But I suppose I can’t fault you for being who you are and what you like. Just tell your little side chick to keep things in your corner because I swear to god if she tries to get involved to give you any sort of advantage…? Well, her time in SCW will end up shorter than yours was with the Saviors. Keep it real, Krystal, and just accept what’s coming. You brought it on yourself. When I put you six feet under on Sunday, not a single person will show up to mourn your loss. They’ll simply say ‘Krystal Wolfe - we’re richer for having lost her.”

Tempest then turned her back on the camera as the light above the ring went out.

Where on Earth has Tempest been? That is the question on many minds within the SCW Universe. Fans who fancy themselves the experts on the Bombshell division, as well as different promoters who work closely with Mark Ward and Christian Underwood in the booking of Climax Control in their respective cities that SCW is known for traveling through regularly. In fact, the amazonian Bombshell has not been seen since her match at Into the Void XI against Seleana Zdunich. In the climax of that extravagant event in Athens, Greece, the final show of the unfortunately named “Greece Lightning” Tour, Tempest did indeed fall to Seleana in what some have called something of an upset. True, Seleana had the experience factor going in her favor, but from a size and power standpoint, many fans and so-called experts expected the much larger Tempest to steamroll over the former World Champion.

An expectation that did not, in fact, come to pass.

Some misguided souls believed that perhaps Tempest was in such disbelief or ashamed at the rare singles loss that she was unable to handle it and simply left, walking out of Sin City Wrestling without a word to anyone. Nothing could have been further from the truth had anyone paid close enough attention to social media posts from Christian Underwood on Twitter…

May 15, 2022
Athens, Greece

Seleana had surprised not just the fans, but Tempest as well when she took advantage of their positioning and struck - bringing the 200 plus pound Bombshell from the corner in an Avalanche Asai DDT - coined by Seleana as the Kattöga. Realizing too late what was about to happen as she came down, Tempest attempted to shield her head from the impact by bracing herself with her forearm, but it was a rookie mistake because the moment her head struck the mat, with her weight working against her, she felt a sharp, intense pain in her forearm despite the fact the impact all but knocked her senseless, allowing Seleana to make the successful cover.

Afterwards, Tempest was alert enough to make her way back up the aisle and into the backstage area, shrugging off any offers of assistance from the staff or security. The moment the curtains parted at the “gorilla position”, she was met by SCW Co-Owner Christian Underwood. He beckoned her with a lilt of the head, stating simply, “Follow me.”

She huffed, a growing sense of annoyance and yes, embarrassment, flushed her features as she took what some have insultingly named he “walk of shame” - what anyone who just lost their match had to endure as they left the arena and walked past staff and peer alike, feeling the sense of a loss against them and in the eyes of those that watched. Whether those around her tried to hide the fact or not. All Tempest wished to do was simply get to the women's locker room, change and wait out the remainder of the evening and finally leave. Go home. And by “home”, she meant Hawaii, not Las Vegas. She just wanted to get away for a week or two and surround herself with her family. Something she had been unable to do for quite some time. But for now, she found herself at the first aid station in the backstage area where the medical personnel employed by SCW for the evening busied themselves, tending to minor wounds and injuries of the Superstars and Bombshells alike.

She kept still as the light in the physician’s hand shone in her amber colored eyes, before he turned it off. He then said, “Okay, that checks out. No change. Now, follow the pen with your eyes.”

And she reluctantly did as instructed, her eyes following as the physician moved the pen across her field of vision horizontally from left to right, then back again. Up, down, right, left, then in a wide circular pattern and not once did her eyes stray.

Satisfied, he set the pen down and asked, “Any dizziness or headaches?”

“No.” She shook her head.

“Any nausea or loss of balance when you were walking back here?”

Again, she answered in the negative as Christian himself chimed in and offered, “I was with her on the walk here and she was moving perfectly fine for a woman that just landed on her head from ten feet high.”

The physician whistled at what Christian had just described, shaking his head in faux disbelief. He turned back around to Tempest but spoke for Christian’s benefit as well, as he was her employer. He said, “I think it’s safe to rule out a concussion. Which I have to admit greatly surprises me considering what you just described. But I wouldn’t take any chances. I would still stay here in Athens for an extra day or two before hopping on a flight. Preferably with someone who can keep a close eye on you.”

Tempest scoffed at that notion as there was absolutely nobody present who would or could fill that role. Well - Austin, perhaps. But he had to get back to the States and return to his own family. He was probably as anxious as she was to leave, if not more so.

She shook her head at the notion, stating simply, “I’ll be fine.”

“You can use the extra day to visit the hospital and have your arm looked at.” Christian suddenly spoke up. Tempest looked at his with a frown on her face, but before she could object or play innocent, the boss man shook his head and said, “Don’t play dumb with me. You haven’t stopped holding your arm since you stepped through the curtains. And I was watching. I saw how you landed on it.”

Their eyes met and admittedly, Mark was quite correct when he stated that Christian was intimidated by this woman. But he was also very serious when it came to looking out for those that worked for him (at least to a degree) and he met her eyes with as much stubborn determination as her own.

She stated, “I’d rather be seen by my own doctor.”

“Your doctor is all the way in Hawaii and god knows when you’d be able to see them without doing yourself even more damage.” He shook his head, “This is not a democracy and it’s not up for debate. You’re going. Not after the show. Now.”

He stood there stoically as the physician waited for her to concede the point, until she finally looked away and exhaled in disgust.

Two days later…

The video call on her laptop was picked up on the other end of the call from her hotel room, and there was the face of Gabriel Stevens, one-half of the proprietors of the famed GO Gym, and the man that prepared her for the world of professional wrestling. Gabriel, of course, knew what had happened as he and Odette, along with their children, had watched the event live. Gabriel had sent immediate texts her way and she had assured him that she was fine and would be back in the states soon, but he had called her bluff right from the start until she admitted that she had to go get her arm checked out at the nearest Greek hospital. Gabriel gave her the condition that she contact him the moment she had any news.

Gabriel said from his end of the call, “So! What’s the official…?” It was then that he saw her arm in a sling and he flinched, “Oh, ouch.”

“Yeah.” Tempest sighed, an overwhelming sense of defeat in her being. “Ouch.”

“What’s the word?” He asked amicably and she answered, “Hairline fracture in one of the bones of my forearm. They said it would take six to eight weeks to fully heal.” 

“That’s not so bad.” Gabriel found himself admitting in an attempt to lessen the blow. He knew this woman well enough that she was figuratively kicking herself over causing her own injury over a simple, rookie mistake. “Feet and shoulders”. That was the better way to practice your landings inside of the ring, but the way Tempest was brought from out of the corner by Seleana? There was little to do to shield herself from that much impact. She tried to use her forearm to brace for the impact, but the error in judgment caused her to land her head on her arm, rather than use her arm against the canvas, thus causing the injury.

Gabriel continued, “It could have been a lot worse. I saw the match and the way you landed, hell Alleyene. I wouldn’t have been surprised had you snapped that bone in two.”

“Thanks.” She nodded. “Message received.”

“Oh don’t go getting all butt hurt.” Gabriel corrected her before she could properly build a full head of steam. “”I’m just saying that things aren’t as bad as you’re thinking. Two months is not that long.”

“Long enough for them to forget anything that I’ve accomplished.” She pointed out, then shrugged to concede. “Not that I’ve been given much opportunity outside of my team with Austin.”

“We can talk about when you hit Vegas.” Gabriel promised. But tempest shook her head and returned her eyes to the screen, and thus, to him. “Hawaii.”

“Excuse me?”

She said, “I’m not coming back to Las Vegas. At least not straight away. Maybe long enough to grab a few things but I’m going to spend the majority of the recovery time back home.”

It took a moment for the words to register in Gabriel’s mind, and not that she was giving up or acting morose, but something else altogether had caused this frame of mind to take charge. He suddenly chuckled and nodded, saying, “Your mom?” And saying it as more of a statement than a question.

“Yeah.” She sighed. “The woman never would have forgiven me if I hadn’t called her first with the news from the examination. Just got off the call right before I contacted you. I was going to come to Vegas like you said but then she…” Tempest frowned at Gabriel who was attempting to smother his smile and her eyes narrowed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you!?” She accused him.

To which, Gabriel held up a thumb and forefinger very close together. “A little bit.” He admitted, then flat out laughed. “You can hardly blame me! The woman is twice your age and a third your size!”

“Hell, even my brothers know well enough not to cross her.” Tempest found herself admitting at the expense of herself as well as that of her siblings. She tilted her head to the side and yes, a soft smile curved the corners of her unpainted lips. “We learned that lesson early.”

Gabriel chuckled as he nodded in understanding. He said, “I can appreciate your mom wanting you to be home while you recover. And you wanting to. Just swing by the Gym first when you stop in Vegas for your things.”

“Talk business?”

“That…” Gabriel smiled. “And Lucas and his sister have been working all day on their get well cards for you.”

Tempest stared hard at the man on the opposing side of the screen for a fair few moments before she snorted back a laugh and shook her head. The smile was evident enough on her face as she said, “Fine.” trying to play it off but deep down, this “monster of a woman” had a notable soft spot for children; the Stevens children chief amongst them.

---

Honolulu, Hawaii
Two months ago

It was their first house together, one that her husband Malulani and she had purchased jointly from his funds as a soldier and hers through her bounty hunting business. It had three bedrooms, evidence that they had planned to expand past just themselves and Malulani’s daughter Anela, and maybe, just maybe, a child of their own some day. Unfortunately, fate was not on their side for any such dreams, and with her husband’s death and Anela being taken from her by her grieving and bitter mother-in-law, Tempest had nevertheless kept the house in her name, refusing to sell despite the many offers. It was, after all, prime real estate here on the island of Honolulu. Up on a secluded hill and surrounded by trees of many kinds; among them 'Ōhi'a lehua, Eucalyptus and Jacaranda, along with so much local plant life. But it was the seclusion that sold her on the house, and was the deciding factor in her keeping it. There was but one path on the land that led to the city and the surrounding, nearby ocean. There were other homes nearby, but they were few and far between.

And to those in the real estate game who came house hunting? The house, and the land it was on, was her own. She owed nothing. No payments, no mortgage. It belonged to her and more than one realtor was sent scurrying with tail between legs when approaching her to sell for the fact alone.

From the outside, it looked humble and for the woman who had come to be known as Tempest? That was quite alright because she wasn’t one of those women who had to fill every nook and cranny of her home with meaningless plants and trinkets to fill up space. It was a large home, but with simple tastes.

And it was where she had just returned following a rather full day, complete with the physical that brought along with it the good news that she had been cleared officially by her doctor to return to competition if she so desired. Her doting mother was understandably upset at the idea of her only daughter leaving Hawaii once again, and if she was going to be perfectly honest? Tempest herself was as of yet, undecided where her next path would lead.

Still, she had her doctor fax her release papers to the SCW offices in Las Vegas and she phoned Gabriel and Odette Stevens to tell them the good news. Their glowing, positive energy was slowly eroding away any doubts she had laying deep in the recesses of her mind. She was interested in a return to the six-sided ring, but as she explained to the Stevens and she would repeat to Mark Ward or Christian Underwood, whichever of the two bosses who would be contacting her the next day, she just needed a little more time with her family. She had spent the early evening with her parents and siblings, along with their respective spouses and children in a big family dinner that her mom went completely overboard in preparations. Now that night had fallen and the air had cooled off, with winds blowing through the trees that surrounded her home, all she wanted to do was grab a beer, maybe watch a late movie and then finally go to bed.

But again – fate.

She felt the tell-tale vibrations on her phone that told her she had a call coming in. A call, at this hour? And from who..? She picked her phone up from her kitchen counter and saw that it was actually a video call request, and from Austin – of all people. Wondering what he could want at this hour, she quickly hit the green button to accept the call request, to which his face appeared on the screen opposite her own.

“What’s up Buttercup…?” She started to ask in her usual, playful greeting to the man that had gone from being tag team partner to acquaintance to genuine best friend, but her words quickly halted at what she saw before her eyes. Austin looked – absolutely pitiful. Haggard, to be more specific. His eyes were sunken with bags under them, a clear testament that the man had not been sleeping. His complexion appeared almost like wax, as if he had been violently sick. But it was his eyes… haunted. Brimmed red and bloodshot as if he had been crying buckets of tears and the streaks down his face testified that he had indeed, and he was not finished yet.

“Austin…?” She spoke with much concern in her voice. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Austin could only close his eyes and draw in a shaky, choked breath before he could bring himself to find his voice and answer her.

TBC…

---

“Well… when the higher ups in SCW first contacted me to tell me my first match back was set, this was not what I was expecting. I thought for certain I’d be stuck in yet another meaningless match that served as much purpose as your average card filler match, but this? A six woman Battle Royal for the Internet Championship that Roxi Johnson just recently gave up? And in India, no less? I guess the best way to sum up how I feel about this little turnabout is… Roxi’s loss is about to become my gain.”

“I think I’ve done fairly well for myself here since I started laying waste to all the Barbie dolls that seem to mass produce in the Bombshell division. The fact that I’ve only been pinned twice is evidence enough, but let’s not ignore the fact that at one point, Austin James Mercer and I were so feared as Mixed Tag Team Champions that Mark and Christian had extreme difficulty finding us challengers that wanted to risk their physical well being by getting into the ring against us! What does it say about your reputation when championship gold isn’t enough of a lure to compete against us, and they had to resort to just throwing teams together at random so the championships could at least get defended if but semi-regularly. But still, there is always the lure, always the bite. The desire to prove yourself capable and as much as I look back on my time with Austin and as much fun as I had with the man as a friend and a tag team partner, yeah. I admit it. I wouldn’t exactly object to proving myself capable of winning a championship of my own, on my own. And here that opportunity has practically been dropped right into my lap!”

“The Internet Championship. Some have said that the Internet title is the second most prestigious singles title in SCW, while others state that this distinction belongs to the Roulette title because of its long and distinguished lineage. I don’t know. I’m not one of those arguing over the point. I just know there is a championship being dangled in front of me, and I apparently have to go through five other Bombshells in order to claim it for my own. Well, hell! That suits me just fine!”

“The fact that I’m going to be surrounded by five other women isn’t as concerning as you might like to want me to believe, and make no mistake about it! I will be surrounded! There is no way those women are going to target anyone BUT me because they know from a physical standpoint, I’m the threat! I’m the one they have to get out over that top rope and onto the floor if any of them have any hope of walking away with that championship. And more power to them for even considering trying because those hopes and dreams are going to be slammed to the floor just as easily and just as assuredly as their own bodies will be! Four of those women, I know. One, I’ve never had the pleasure and I’m not exactly broken up over the fact.”

“That woman, of course, is Keira Fisher-Johnson. The picture personification of a Barbie Doll wrestler. The woman who practically uses her body to sell herself to fans and promoters. I mean, all you have to do is go on Twitter every damn week and you’ll see her posting as many pictures of herself in as little as legally possible! And she does it for one reason; to draw eyes on her. Classic narcissist, am I right? She of course plays it off but anyone with two eyes can see the woman is completely full of herself and as much as her eyes are all over her wife, those eyes stray and unapologetically so. I’m sorry but if my spouse was on social media and posting all these sexual innuendo remarks towards others, I wouldn’t just sit back and laugh like it was nothing! All the “And Roxi is the only one for me” tweets week in and week out don’t erase the fact the woman is a psychological cheat.”

“In this business, Keira is probably second only to Crystal Zdunich when it comes to selfish ambitions. How many times has she called Roxi and herself the greatest tag team of all time when there has been clear evidence in the past that other teams have had just as good if not better records? How many times has Keira whined about the Internet title when she neglects to mention the fact that she never held the title that I did? The Mixed Tag? Oh that’s right! That’s because she’s too good to team with anyone BUT Roxi! Despite the fact that Despayre hinted more than once about teaming with either half of Team Hero, only to get snubbed! But every time, every single time, Keira makes an appearance, it’s the same song and dance. Woe be to Keira! ‘Am I not good enough? Maybe I should just hang up my boots?’ Wash, rinse and repeat! Well Keira, honey? Keep those thoughts fresh because you are the first chick I plan to toss out of that ring!”

“Now Kayla Richards, I can’t deny the fact I don’t know too much about because of my own time away, but given how she debuted and then vanished for weeks on end, one could be forgiven for having forgotten she was even still signed to SCW. That is either a mark against the bookers or her, but I do know she’s come back strong and I know enough to know she comes from pretty damn strong stock where Wolfslair is concerned. Proud as I am of the GO Gym legacy and the fact I think them the best, I’m not one to deny facts and anyone who comes from Wolfslair is someone worthy of respect. But respect doesn’t get you anywhere when it’s every woman for herself so, Kayla? Sorry about it but if I have to go through you, and I do, then I will.”

“Bea Barnhart is one chick I have direct experience against, because Bea and her hubby are the team that Austin and I blew through to win the Mixed Tag titles. When I heard you were in this match, Bea, I had to ask myself two questions. One … why is she in this match when she’s done less than nothing to deserve being in it? Hell! I’ve been gone for two m months and even I did more in that time frame than she has to warrant being entered into this Battle Royal! The other question I wonder if she remembers much from our last time in the ring together? Or, outside of the ring I suppose would be more accurate. The time I caught you and threw you right into the barricade? Remember, Bea? Good times! I suppose I was curious if that blow into the barricade rattled enough around in that head of yours to make you forget just why you should be doing everything possible in order to avoid me. Well, that won’t be much of an option because truth be told, I just don’t see you lasting that long in this match. If I don’t throw you out myself, I could easily see every other woman in this match teaming up just to dump your bony butt out of the ring. They’d do it for the pleasure of it. I’d do it because of a little thing called loyalty. Trust me, I haven’t forgotten even if everyone else has. Tell all the lies that you want to in order to put your halo back. I don’t care. I just know that you helped blind Fenris, the man that went to the same Gym as I did. And for that… bye bye!”

“Now… Seleana. The one chick out of all the others that has a win over me. Props for that girl, I won’t lie and say that you cheated or got lucky. You are what I would call the Anti-Barbie. Girl is the walking talking picture of a Barbie doll, but doesn’t fight like one. I will say that I was as much at fault for my loss as you were for beating me. So let;s just think of this as something of a return match, shall we? A way that I might get into that ring with you and correct a past mistake. I’m not going to be like any of these other women who look at you and play down the things that you’ve done like it was nothing. Most of them haven’t accomplished half as much as you have and to me, that’s just being bitter. I’m not bitter, Seleana. I’m ANGRY. It was the match against you that put me out for the past eight weeks, so you are just going to have to come to an understanding why I am going to steamroll right over you and take a great amount of pleasure in doing so!”

“Which brings us to the last woman I have to get inside of the ring with, and maybe the one that's going to be the hardest to find myself in there against. For sentimentality if not from a physical standpoint. Ariana Angelos, my own GO Gym grad! Well Ariana, I think we can both say that this is … awkward. Everyone out there, perhaps yourself included, is going to expect the two of us to go into this match with the sole purpose of working  together until it’s just the two of us and then we can focus on one of us eliminating the other. Well, I have to admit that it’s a nice plan, but not without its faults. I mean, it IS every woman for herself so if my back is turned, could I trust you not to surprise me and TRY to get me out over that top rope? Or can you say the same that when every other woman in this match jumps me in a hang up attempt, you won’t join in rather than pull them off of me to help? Ari girl, there are three things between the two of us. Loyalty and respect chief amongst them. You’re not Krystal Wolfe. Now HER I wouldn’t think twice about grabbing and tossing her out on her happy little ass, but you? You’ve had it pretty rough since you got up here in SCW from SCU. But you don’t give up. You fight on so like I said… loyalty and respect. But… that third thing? The Internet Championship? That third thing is the one thing that is going to throw the first two out the window because only one of us is going to win this one…and sister? It’s not going to be you.”

“SCW knew what it was doing when they were booking this match, because it would take five women to get between me and my first singles championship and even then? It’s not going to be enough!”

Galaxy Hotel Iraklio

She had arrived in the evening at her hotel, and was immediately captivated by her surroundings. Tempest had heard from the grapevine about this wrestler staying at this five star resort or that wrestler boasting about he or she staying at some ocean side hotel that cost an excess of over $300 a night. And Tempest? She would have been comfortable in a Motel 6 but seeing as how they were not exactly available in the historical Greek city of Crete, she was quite happy right there. The Crete night sky only served to better highlight the all-white structure of the five story building.

The pool was the space that had captured her particular interest, surrounded by Greek palm trees native to Crete and draped in soft, white lights that carried a basking glow to the waters of the pool and those that chose to submerge themselves within. Tempest had, admittedly, never been one for the use of a public pool. Given the nature of people, in her own words to Austin James Mercer, “Why not just pee directly on me?” But it was Austin’s own tenacity and insistence to get her to ‘loosen up’ on the 2021 Summer XXXTreme cruise that gave her more of an open mind – somewhat – and she could see herself wading into this pool’s waters for a bit of relaxation. Or at the very least, lounge close by on one of the many offered deck chairs.

When she did relax in a pool, her preferred time to do so was after the sun had already begun to set and the stars were coming out. By then, the sun had warmed the waters but there was more to it than something so simple. There was just something peaceful and calming about swimming at night beneath the stars. It was almost primal by nature, and that was something someone such as she needed.

Of course, the ironic part of this location is that it was not where Tempest was originally scheduled to stay during her foray into Crete at all. She had originally been scheduled to stay at one of the other hotels where the vast majority of both SCW as well as SCU stars had been booked. The Blue Palace, Amirandes Grecotel - among others, were the choice stays for the men and women, staff and wrestler alike, and despite the lap of luxury of all spots being offered on hand, Tempest had contacted Gabriel Stevens to specifically ask him whether or not he could pull a string or two and allow her to stay somewhere else. Of course, Gabriel and Odette both refused to let her stay in some dingy one star hotel in some dangerous back alley. They wanted only the best for their students when they were out and about, traveling while putting their bodies at risk for the entertainment of the fans. But they understood her reasons when they had asked her ‘why,’ and so they did look up other options for her and the Galaxy Hotel Iraklio was just the thing.

They could not guarantee that nobody else from either promotion wouldn’t be staying here. It was, after all, quite comfortable and not without its own luxurious surroundings. They were just fairly certain that a certain someone else was not staying there. Tempest simply wanted to forget what had happened between Mercer and herself and relax. And so that was what she proceeded to do – from within the confines of her room.

Oh please don’t get us wrong! The rooms at the Galaxy Hotel were as swanky (Tempest’s words, not ours) as she had ever seen. A traditional white room with beige carpet and modern furnishings, she felt hard pressed to find any difference between this room and any other that she had stayed at during her tenure as a wrestler. A full bath, queen-sized bed, bedside television – hell! There was even a laptop available for use on the desk opposite the bed!

Old habits tend to die hard, however. You know the saying, and when you are thinking of Tempest, the words are anything but hollow. They rang true as from the moment she checked in, with exceptions to venturing out for her usual intense workouts or some pre-arranged meet up with the fans courtesy of SCW, Tempest spent the vast majority of time in her room. Even when meals were concerned, she had all the options of local restaurants and even dining experiences right in the hotel itself. But, she was what some might see as a creature of habit and she shut herself off from the world around her and practically everyone else. That in itself was a positive influence that Austin James Mercer had over her, and some of those closest to her both acknowledged and wished would return; the fact that he was solely responsible for dragging her out of both her room while on tour, as well as getting her (somewhat) out of her shell.

But once they had their falling out over a misunderstanding, it was back to square one and the walls that Austin had helped tear down from around her went right back up.

Nalani: Dear, I’m just saying that it’s not healthy.

Indeed, the one person aside from the Stevens who might speak their viewpoint toward Tempest without (much) fear of reprisal was her own mother, Nalani. She might have snapped at her father despite the adulation she felt toward the leading man in her life, and her brothers she DEFINITELY would have told them where to stick their opinions, but her own mom? There was something definitely sacred in the relationship between a mother and her only daughter.

Tempest: Mother, I’m perfectly healthy…

Nalani: Mentally, I mean.

Tempest: That too – if you don’t pay attention to the people I train with at the gym.

Nalani: It’s just not good for you, either physically or mentally, to steal yourself up behind closed doors like this. You should get out into the fresh air and sunshine. I hear the weather in Greece is lovely right now.

Tempest shrugged, trying to act indifferent even though she would be hard pressed to deny the truth; that the weather in Greece since the tour had first begun was nigh on perfect with clear, blue skies and nary a cloud. It was something she heard Ben Jordan refer to as ‘beer garden weather’, whatever that meant.

Tempest: It’s alright.

Nalani: Honey, you are in one of the most beautiful countries in the world! There are people dying to visit some of the places you’ve been. Your father and I both said we’d love to see Greece some day and here you are, staying at your hotel rather than venturing out and taking advantage of where you are.

Tempest: Mother, I know how lucky I am. But you know me; I’ve never been the sort to just venture out like a common tourist and play looky loo.

Nalani: Maybe not before, but you have been. Or at least, you started to go out more with Austin.

At the mere mention of his name, Tempest frowned and looked away from her phone but the reaction did not go unnoticed by her mother. True she was a woman in her middle years but Nalani still had the sharp wits of a woman half her age.

Nalani: What happened there? Aren’t you two friends any more?

Tempest: It’s complicated, Mother.

Nalani: Oh ‘complicated’ my butt! This isn’t a Facebook relationship status, it’s real life. It’s…

But whatever else she was going to say, her daughter drowned her out with the simple truth.

Tempest: He thinks I have a thing for him, Mother! He thinks…

She closed her eyes and shook her head before resuming.

Tempest: He thinks I’m in love with him.

Nalani: Oh… and are you?

Tempest turned the phone directly to face her so that her mother could get an even better angled view of her wide-eyed expression as she said with a hint of incredulous heat…

Tempest: NO!

Nalani: Alright, alright!

She teased despite the tense situation, playfully holding her hands up in a display of mock surrender.

Nalani: I had to ask. He ‘is’ a rather handsome young man.

Tempest: He must think so if he thinks a woman only wants to hang out with him because she’s hot for teacher.

She shook her head again and held up a hand, trying to diffuse her own mental state.

Tempest: It’s just that … much as I hate to admit it… he was the friend I think I needed after I lost Malulani. And now because of what he said – what he thinks, all that is gone.

Nalani: Why does it have to be gone?

Tempest: Because it would just be awkward, Mother! He thinks the only reason I’ve been hanging out with him is because I have feelings for him!

Nalani: Where on earth did he get these ideas from if not from you?

Tempest: Apparently from his wife and sister. I guess both of them told him the same thing. I just don’t get it. His wife seemed nice enough. She never seemed to mind when he’d invite me to tag along when his family would do something on tour. In fact, she’d almost insist as much as he did. She never even minded when we’d hang out when she had to stay at home! I don’t know if I could be that open minded if I thought another woman had feelings for my husband…

Nalani: If you thought another woman was in love with your husband, you’d stuff her down the garbage disposal.

Tempest could not help but smile and scoff back a laugh at not just her mom’s quick wit, but also her ability to assess her daughter’s personality so fluidly.

Nalani: Anyway, it doesn’t sound like this was Austin’s fault at all.

Tempest frowned.

Tempest: What do you mean?

Nalani: It all sounds like some big misunderstanding. His wife and sister misunderstood the signs and told him the way it looked from their eyes.

Tempest: Unless they did it to put on face and end our friendship…

Nalani sighed and rolled her eyes.

Nalani: That’s my girl! Always thinking the worst of people!

Tempest smirked.

Tempest: I tend to go with my strengths.

Nalani: Dear, don’t blame Austin for a misunderstanding. Him believing his wife and sister doesn’t make him arrogant. People on the outside tend to see things differently in a given situation than from those on the inside. He probably just thought they saw something that he didn’t. It’s not his fault.

Tempest took in a deep breath through her nose and exhaled the same way, looking to her mother from the screen of her phone.

Nalani: Just think about talking to him?

Tempest: Maybe. I have to go.

Nalani smiled. Stubborn. Her daughter was so stubborn but she had a good feeling this time. A good friendship was precious and rare, and she didn't want to see the one her daughter had formed with Austin to go to waste over something so silly.

Nalani: Of course. Love you!

Tempest: Love you too.

Her mother blew a kiss to the screen from her end and thus the call was ended. Tempest turned her phone off and set it on the surface of the desk she had been seated at, then ran a finger along her chin. Hawaii was thirteen hours behind Greece, she could not believe her mother stayed up that late just to have a chat with her. Well she could believe it, but seriously! It was noon here in Greece, which meant it was after eleven PM back in Hawaii. And her mother usually went to bed around nine.

Oh well, Tempest slowly pushed herself up to her feet and walked over to the bedside stand where she picked up a small menu that was provided for the hotel stay, and then the phone receiver. She gave a look at the menu to see what she might order from room service for her lunch when something gave her a brief pause.

She looked around at her room, and perhaps not for the very first time, she realized just how empty it was. Her clothes had been hung up by the maids and porter. Her casual belongings such as her books and such were carefully laid out on the desk across from the bed, a stack on each side of the laptop. Other than that, there was nothing.

Nobody else.

And here she was, preparing to order room service and find something in English that she could watch on TV to pass the time until she went for her afternoon workout. Her eyes roamed all around the spacious room until she set the menu back down, and hung the phone up.

Tempest: … Shit….

---

Tour Diktaion (Psychro) Cave


Don't ask her why this place out of all others that she could have gone for. There was so much that Crete offered to tourists and locals alike! It was why it was one of the premiere cities in the nation to visit, second only to Athens herself. There was of course the Chanian lighthouse and Venetian harbor. The Palace of Knossos. The Samaria Gorge. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The Preveli Monastery. And the beaches. Oh those glorious Crete beaches known from across the world! But no. It was here in one of Crete’s greatest natural wonders that Tempest chose to yield to her mother’s loving pressure and spend a part of her day, outside of her hotel room. Not exactly in the fresh air per se, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Mothers know best and all that!

What drew Tempest to this particular tourist attraction and natural wonder had much to do with the stories of Greek myths she and her brothers had heard as children and studied in school. According to Greek myth, it was right here in the Diktaion Cave where Zeus, king of the Greek Gods, was brought forth into the world to war against the Titans.

But this was more than just Greek myths and tall tales. The Diktaion Cave was known to be one of the very best of the over 4,500 caves and sinkholes found all throughout Crete. Tempest was not alone by any means on this guided tour. There were many tourists along for the proverbial ride, and she believed she even saw an SCW star or two in the crowd, as they were guided on a walk down deep into the earth. She had counted five antechambers that she and the rest had passed through until ultimately they reached the very bottom of the cave, where a glass-calm lake was, surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites.

The tour guide’s voice caught her attention and she looked up at one stalactite in particular, referred to by the guide as the “Mantle of Zeus”. It hung over the lake like a chandelier and which shape resembled that of a cloak. Her amber eyes then gazed at the soft, calm lake itself and across it, to the very back. And therein laid a small chamber, where legend said that the father of the Greek Gods was born.

She could not help but smile in gratitude for her mother’s sage advice. She was right. It did her good to get out of her hotel. It did her good to experience something of the world such as this. But the question in the back of her mind remained…

Was she right about something else?

---

“An accident?”

Tempest sat on the edge of the ring, her eyes burning straight ahead and into the lens of the camera in front of her.

“That’s what you called it, is that right… Markus, was it? Candy’s husband? The same man who was fool enough to get involved in his wife’s business once before and ended up with Fenris’s foot shoved halfway up his ass as a souvenir? Well, I suppose that this is all well and good, Markus. You had your say. You gave me your opinion on the situation between your little wife and myself, and I have to say…”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I can’t say that I could care less what your opinion on what went down Sunday is, because that would imply that I cared – at all. Look, Markus. Take a look at this…”

Tempest took a forefinger toward the rim of her Tshirt’s neckline and pulled it down just enough so that the still-visible burn mark could be seen for the camera.

“See that? That coffee your wife spilled on me was over 160 degrees! The paramedics who TRIED to look at it thought it might have been a third degree burn, and could have been worse had the majority of the spill NOT been on my shirt instead of bare skin! But that’s okay because, as you said… It was an ‘accident’.”

She spoke with air quotes.

“Funny thing, I’ve had worse, Markus. A lot worse, Candy. In my former profession alone? I’ve been shot, stabbed, so really. What’s a little bit of a coffee burn? I get it. I actually do. You said that it was an accident and accidents happen, but what I did to her after she caused me to get burned was no accident. It was stress relief. You see, this is where I ignore you Markus and my words are more directed toward your wife. Candy. C’mere girl.”

She beckoned the camera, and in a sense, Candy herself, to come closer.

“C’mere. There’s something I want to explain to you Candy, and I’ll keep it simple so that little childlike mind of yours can process it like the big girl we all know you hope to grow up and become some day. For you, what happened backstage and what is going to happen in just a matter of days? It’s all a simple matter of ‘wrong place, wrong time’! Things have not been so rosy and cheerful for me these past few weeks. Possibly even longer. For reasons both personal and professional, things have slowly just been going downhill for me, and that had put me in…”

She tilted her head to the side ever so slightly and cast a sidelong glance upward.

“... Not so great of a mood. Add on top of that a lack of bookings on an otherwise once-in-a-lifetime tour and… well honey you just really should have been paying closer attention to your surroundings and being more careful because otherwise… none of this really would have happened! So if you think about it… what happened last Sunday? What is going to happen this coming Sunday? Really it’s…”

She pointed a forefinger straight at the camera.

“... Entirely your fault! And it almost - ALMOST - makes me feel for you girl because I look at you, and on one hand, I wonder what the hell is wrong with you! But on the other hand, I wonder what the hell actually happened to you! I’m not exactly what you might call a ‘student of the game,’ but I know some history of SCW and especially that of the people I have to get inside of the ring with. I know that beneath that stereotypical sitcom ditz exterior, there lies a credible competitor somewhere buried underneath – apparently far beneath. You were a former Roulette Champion and you actually held onto that belt for a respectable amount of time. But after that…”

She frowned and shook her head in disbelief.

“Girl, I don’t know what the hell happened to turn you into… whatever it is that you are right now, but life has some harsh lessons. And one of those lessons is going to be taught when you and I end up in the same ring together. Alone, and without that hubby of yours to intervene.”

Tempest slowly stood up and leaned over into the camera, her hand extended forward and her palm unclasped to reveal a hard candy in the palm of her hand.

“It’s time to grow up.”

That being said, she clenched her fist tightly and SQUEEZED… until a moment later she unclenched her hand and there in the palm of her hand, was the very same piece of candy - now broken into three separate pieces.

Las Vegas, Nevada -
Thanksgiving Day

“I wish you would have been able to come to Hawaii.”

Tempest knew that this would be said the moment her phone rang and she saw who was on the other end of the line. Her family had asked her as far back as October if she’d be able to make it to Hawaii for Thanksgiving. She had initially told them it was up in the air, because she did not yet know that far in advance whether Sin City Wrestling would come calling and she’d have to work. Most of the family had been understanding - all except for her mother. Nalani was a master manipulator, even when she denied being or doing so. She had her ways to bring up little topics and work them until her children discovered themselves doing whatever it was that she wanted or needed. And she did not do it in a cunning way. Her children absolutely adored her and every one of them had little to no qualms at doing whatever they could to make her happy after everything she and their father had done for them.

This -- just was not one of those times.

Tempest: I know, but I told you I have to be in California for work this weekend. It’s three thousand miles there and three thousand back. That’s a hell of a jaunt for one day, and Austin is depending on me to be at my best. We’re defending against the same people we beat in New York.

Nalani: Why are they getting another match for your championships?

Tempest: I guess they impressed the bosses enough they wanted to see a return match? I don’t know. I just know they point me at whoever Austin and I have to beat, and we go and beat them.

Even though they were not on a video messenger for this call, she could just tell her mom was smiling. Whether out of pride or simply indulging her only daughter’s level of confidence, she didn’t know.

Nalani: And there was nowhere you could go there in Nevada?

Tempest: I had a couple of offers, I just didn’t … accept. Gabriel and Odette aren’t American but they do spend the day at a friend’s home and they invited me along. Gabriel said he understood when I told him I’d rather just stay home and watch the game and order a pizza…

Nalani: Pizza!? For Thanksgiving…?

Tempest smirked, a chuckle escaped her. Leave it to her Mom to be affronted by her choice of holiday cuisine, of all things. That would be as much a sin to Nalani Mahoe as simply being left on her own. She continued…

Tempest: … But something tells me he didn’t. Or didn’t like it, at least. But he respected it enough not to press. Then Austin and his friends and family are holding a dinner here in town and Austin asked me to come, but I just feel like I’d be intruding so I didn’t…

She sighed, shaking her head. She never did send Austin that RSVP, she simply hoped he would forget about inviting her and leave it at that. (Oh how she should have known better!) And if she was to be entirely honest? She felt terribly guilty for ‘ghosting’ Austin after he had proved his friendship time and again. He deserved better. She simply didn’t feel like she was good enough to give that to -- anyone.

Nalani: But why? That Austin seems like such a sweet young man. You should have gone! That’s what I don’t understand, dear. Nobody should be alone on the holidays…

Tempest closed her eyes as she listened to her mother’s words, but whereas normally she would pay strong attention to whatever her mom said out of sheer respect, this was an instance where words were just that, and they fell upon deaf ears, you might say. Her mom had always been of the mind that family was of the utmost importance, and possibly more so than that? That family should always be together during holidays and special occasions.

Tempest: Well, Momma, you know I’ve never been as into the whole holiday scene as you and Daddy. And it’s just been a pretty rough time … ever since I lost Malulani…

She closed her eyes and exhaled, the wave of pain evident in her voice as her mother did not press the issue further. Guilt could very easily be a mother’s best weapon against a stubborn child, but there was a time and a place for everything. This was not one of those times, even Nalani recognized that fact.

Nalani: I understand. I may not like it, but I understand. You can’t blame a mother for not wanting her child to be alone.

Tempest: I know, but I’m fine. Will be - fine.

Nalani: Well then! I’ll let you bet back to your day. Call me later, okay? So you can say hello to the family. Promise.

Tempest: I promise. Love you.

Nalani: Love you too, dear.

She hit the ‘end call’ button on her phone and set it aside on the kitchen countertop, and felt a sense of relief that it was over. And felt an almost sense of guilt for feeling that way. She adored her mom. She loved her, as well as all of her family, more so than she had ever let on. But there were times when she just did not want to hear it. Times when she simply wanted to sit back and be left alone. Stepping back into the kitchen, she picked up right where had left off when her mom had called; grabbing a few slices of pizza and opening a bottle of beer.

Carrying both around to the living room, she prepared for what she felt at least, would be a pleasant enough day; beer. Food. And a triple header courtesy of the NFL. The game between the Vegas Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys had captured her interest out of all the games, but she intended to make a day of this before worrying about making it to California for her title defense this coming Sunday.

But as fate would have it, some plans were not always to be. No sooner did she sit down and pick up the remote for her television when there was a resounding knock on her apartment door. She looked up in surprise, as few have ever deigned to simply show up at her door. She knew it could not be the neighbors, as she kept to herself so there’d be no reason. Perhaps Gabriel was to make one last minute pitch to go over to Synn and Despayre’s house for the annual feast? But as she dropped the remote and rolled her eyes before pushing herself to her feet, she was most certainly not expecting to open the door and find …

Tempest: What the hell are you doing here!?

Austin James Mercer.

Austin James Mercer: Thanks, I’d love to come in.

Yes, indeed. Austin James Mercer, her tag team partner and indeed - friend, was at her door in his holiday best and holding something covered in foil in his hand. And without so much as an invitation, he simply stepped inside her apartment, leaving her rather - confused? In more ways than one. He turned around and looked at her expectantly as she shut the door behind him, and she approached him, hands held up. Eyes closed, and shaking her head.

Tempest: Mercer, what are you… no, wait. Hold off on that thought. How the hell are you even here!? I never told you where I lived!

Austin James Mercer: Yeah, thanks for that, by the way. Real friendly like. Almost as much as you just ghosting my invitation.

It was a stare down between the tag team partners/friends, and neither was or would yield.

Tempest: Don’t change the subject! How the hell did you find out where I lived??

Austin shrugged.

Austin James Mercer: I asked Despayre.

Tempest: And he TOLD you!? Just like that!?

Austin shifted uncomfortably and clenched a hand over his mouth, clearing his throat.

Austin James Mercer: No. His, uh, teddy bear did.

Tempest just STARED at him and Austin closed his eyes.

Austin James Mercer: Please … don’t make me explain it!

He then opened his eyes again and there indeed was a hint of worry in his eyes.

Austin James Mercer: Why didn’t you accept my invitation? Or at least let me know you weren’t interested? Rather than just not showing? I had the others asking me where you were!

Tempest turned away from him so he wouldn’t see the sudden stricken look sweep across her face, or if he’d be able to sense the guilt awash on her features. She walked across the living room floor and made to retrieve her bottle of beer. But as she picked it up and turned back around, she found perhaps the biggest and juiciest turkey drumsticks being held up right in her face. She pulled her head back and away and gave him the biggest ‘WTF’ expression she was capable of mustering.

Tempest: What the hell do you think you’re doing!?

Austin James Mercer: My wife made you a plate, Alleyene!

Yes, he used her given name rather than call her by her ring name. That spoke more about the bond between the two that he could do so without being reprimanded for taking that sort of liberty. Austin then turned and looked down at her coffee table and the paper plate with the slices of pizza on it, then into the kitchen where the open box sat on the counter. He then mumbled as he gave his own ‘WTF’ look.

Austin James Mercer: And not too soon, I see.

He set the plate down and pulled the foil off, and revealed the mouth watering feast; turkey, cornbread stuffing, a literal mountain of mashed potatoes, greens, dinner rolls and probably the biggest piece of pumpkin pie she had ever seen. Tempest looked down at this and admittedly felt the pang in her stomach growl inaudibly. But she looked up to Austin…

Tempest: I KNOW you don’t expect me to eat all THAT!

Austin frowned.

Austin James Mercer: Oh give it a rest! I’ve seen you put away more than this whenever we hit the buffets! You and I made the manager of that place in New York actually cry!

Tempest: Why are you doing this?

Austin James Mercer: Because I give a damn, alright? Is that so hard to believe?

Tempest brought her one hand up and pinched together her thumb and forefinger in the universal sign of ‘a little bit.’

Austin James Mercer: Smart ass… So, why didn’t you accept? Or at least let us know you weren’t coming?

Tempest: It’s just another day to me, Austin. Most holidays feel that way. Have felt that way since…

She looked aside and shrugged, and to his credit, Austin didn’t press. He didn’t need to. He had deduced some time ago that something had happened in her personal life, to her husband to be specific, that had caused her such a great amount of emotional pain.

Tempest: Let’s just say I haven’t felt very thankful.

Austin James Mercer: Gee, thanks a lot!

Tempest turned to him with a frown, but to find him with a shit eating smirk on his own face, telling her without words that he was just ‘busting her chops.’ He reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, and for once, she did not shrug it off.

Austin James Mercer: Trust me, I understand. I’m not going to press or try to force you to come with. If you’re not up for it, you’re not up for it.

Tempest: Well, thanks for understanding at least.

Austin nodded, then turned and headed for the door. He pulled it open and turned back to her…

Austin James Mercer: Eat up! Oh and I did the turkey so feel free to tell me later how much you loved it. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tempest: Same!

She raised a hand in farewell, watching as the door closed behind him. She then turned around and surveyed what was before her… an empty apartment, she was the only one there. A television airing a game. A half-drank beer bottle in her hand, a pizza in the kitchen, and a plate full of a homemade feast that someone had taken pain staking measures to share with her. It was as if a wave of loneliness had swept in from all directions and struck her at once. She closed her eyes and shook her head at how she was feeling inside until…

Tempest: Shit…!

Quick as she was able, she picked up the plate and ran it to the kitchen to put inside of the fridge. She then ran to the door and grabbed her favorite denim jacket from the hook and swept the door open wide…

Tempest: Austin…!

And there he stood, standing facing the door with an expectant smile on his face.

Austin James Mercer: I know EVERYTHING!

Tempest begun to slip her arms into the denim sleeves of her jacket, glaring at Austin.

Tempest: Yeah? You know how fast I’m coming to using that turkey leg as a catheter?

Austin snorted.

Austin James Mercer: A catheter? Please! You’d need a bigger drumstick!

Tempest rolled her eyes as she locked the door behind her and allowed Austin to escort her toward his car...

---

Tempest sat on the patio deck of her apartment complex in Las Vegas, having brought the Thanksgiving evening to a conclusion for 2021. The members of Wolfslair had treated her warmly, like one of their own. When asked where she had gone, the Stevens were not insulted that she had decided to spend the evening with Austin and company at the last moment. They were simply happy that she had decided to go somewhere - anywhere - rather than spend the day alone as she was wont to do.

But now, she sat on the wicker chair (fun fact: she had a love for all things wicker), leaning back with a cold beer in her hand as she looked out into the night sky.

“I was going to wait and cut this promo in Stamford, but after checking things out and asking around, I had to wonder what the point would even be. There is literally nothing to do in that city or any places of interest to even schedule a shoot!”

She took a drink from her bottle and for a moment, seemed relaxed and content.

“You know, part of me wishes I had taken the time to go home to Hawaii to visit my family. I can’t deny that I had a good time with Austin and his family and the rest of Wolfslair for Thanksgiving, but there is truly nothing like a Thanksgiving back home. Alex Jones had asked me about differences in celebrations and really, it’s just the food. Everybody knows what the traditional food is for Thanksgiving in the vast majority of the States, but in Hawaii? While we do the whole turkey and mashed potatoes deal, same as you, we also add a bit of flare to the rest of the table. Purple potato soup. Coconut sweet potatoes. Butternut squash dressing. Garlic- and pineapple-glazed ham. I think by the end of my explanation, I had Alex and Austin both wanting to go to Hawaii.”

“You are probably wondering where I’m going with this, and what it has to do with my match this what it has to do with the match that Austin and I have waiting for us this weekend.”

She sat there, shaking her head.

“Nothing, really. It was leading to an entirely different point, that I never quite understood this holiday. Oh I understand its history and the traditions behind it, but the sheer level of hypocrisy that so many people want us to swallow as the new norm. A holiday where you celebrate being thankful for everything that you have, when twenty-four hours later you stampede perfect strangers to get a hundred dollars off a giant screen TV. Or kids start screaming and crying until their parents give in and start sending those letters to Santa with more wants and demands. I guess what I’m saying is that all in all, I’ve had a rough past. Some of it by my own design, much more not. But I’ve had some good things happen as well; things like my training at the GO Gym and being made to feel like family by (almost) everyone there. A career I love in SCW where I get paid to travel and beat the hell out of a bunch of conceited, entitled Barbie dolls. And for my tag team partner Austin who isn’t as bad a guy as he might want you to believe.”

“I’m even thankful for what SCW has given Austin and myself as a bit of an early holiday present; that being our championship defense this weekend. Main Event no less, and a return match from High Stakes XI against Goth and Mercedes Vargas. When our defense in New York was first announced, I was beside myself. I think I made it all too clear just how thrilled I was to step inside of the ring with a woman like Vargas. A woman who I legit respected and admired as both a trailblazer in the ring, as well as being a certifiable legend. Then -- something unfortunate happened.”

“I watched her promos and realized just how high her head was in the clouds and how little she actually acknowledged the women she was up against and what they had to say. I say how much I look forward to facing her, she speaks as if I hate the very ground she walks on. I say that out of every woman I’ve been inside of the ring with since the ink on my contract for SCW first dried, she is the one I respect the most? She talks down to me about how I’ll never measure up to her accomplishments or her skill inside of the ring. And after hearing all of that, you would think that my respect for the woman was chucked out the window just like that!”

She let loose with a whistle and jetted her thumb back over her shoulder in a symbolic gesture. She then shook her head.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. I may have admitted annoyance with her acting as if paying attention to what I said was beneath her, but the attitude? The self assured sense of superiority? That much I can still admire, because the woman has earned every right to be a stuck up bitch! Everything she has said from day one about her endurance on the roster and her legacy is one hundred percent fact! That’s also why when Austin and I left New York still the Mixed Tag Champions, it made the win so much better. Knowing that for everything she said and thought of me, that Austin and I, not she and Goth, were the Mixed Tag Team Champions when all was said and done.”

“Just like I predicted, she gave me the best fight of my relatively short career. The woman was a freaking lioness going up against a storm, scratching and clawing and DAMN did she do me proud! Because I may not have been the one to secure the win for my team, but the simple fact that I was able to take the fight to a woman like that, even if she is a third my size, is something that I look back on with pride. And the rematch that she and Goth have been granted out of the blue?”

She shrugged.

“It’s just evidence to the fact that everything I said about that match, the higher ups felt the exact same way. I mean, why else would they be handing a championship match for the second straight time to the same team? Do they expect the end result to be different or the same? Who knows? But Mark and Christian loved the match. The fans loved the match, and quite frankly, so did I! Our title match at High Stakes XI was a money maker, and why wouldn’t they want to repeat that level of success?”

“And no, sorry to rain on the parade of any of Goth or Mercedes’ supporters, but the result this time will be no different than it was three weeks ago. See, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Mercedes was just as discomforted by this rematch as I am excited for it. Because we all saw how confident she was going into it. How she told the entire world how I’d never rank compared to her. And she brought the fight to me, but I did the same to her! Yes I dished it out just as everyone has come to expect from me, but I sure as hell was able to take it and maybe THAT was the last thing expected from Mercedes. So yes, Mercedes, I admit that I am not at your level - yet. But in time, I will be. Everything that I want to be and want to accomplish? I will! But do you know what I am that you aren’t?”

“A champion.”

“You are not, and you sure as hell won’t be. Not at my expense, and Austin already showed Goth it won’t be by his either. I heard a few people act surprised that Austin ended the match by pinning Goth, and I thought…”

She shrugged, scoffing audibly.

“Why? Austin has been one of the most dominant Superstars in recent memory! Goth was away for how long and thought he would just come back and pick up right where he left off? Honey, it doesn’t work that easily. Austin proved that then, and he’s going to prove it again. His pinning a Hall of Famer was no upset. It was a certification of just how damn good he is at what he does. I have a hell of a tag team partner that has my back, as well as a damn fine friend! For that, I am thankful. And the two of you…?”

She waved a finger back and forth in front of the camera, indicating the tandem of Mercedes and Goth.

“You two, have absolutely nothing to be thankful for.”

All Hallows Eve -
The Go Gym

Gabriel: What the bloody hell are you doing here?

Those were the exact words that Gabriel said in a state of surprise when the door to the Go Gym’s lobby swung open and the 6’3” amazon Tempest stalked inside, her gym bag swung over her shoulder as she approached. A slight frown creased on her brow as she detoured from the women’s locker room in the back of the gym to where Gabriel stood in front of one of the two rings, personally supervising a session with a handful of students inside of the six-sided ring.

Tempest: Well, hello to you too.

She stepped up to his side and cast a sidelong glance to the session currently going on inside of the ring. Two young men were engaging in a mat wrestling session where one youth had ensnared the other into a side headlock and hip tossed him over to the canvas, whereas the other quickly countered the predicament by ensnaring his co-student into a head scissors. While his ‘opponent’ bucked his legs in an escape attempt, the young charge briefly glanced at Tempest and his face blanched as if he suspected one of them would be coerced into being her sparring partner and he doubted either one would be ready for that just yet.

Her reputation had preceded her.

Tempest then turned away from the in-ring action and smiled at Gabriel, a rare thing indeed but he was a man that had long ago earned her respect. He was a man of his word and a hard worker, and he always took care of his own. Admirable traits, and regrettably, ones that ran quite rare these days.

Tempest: Might ask the same of you, though. Surprised the Gym is even open considering tomorrow is Halloween. Shouldn’t you be getting your little ones ready?

Gabriel: Despy’s usual Halloween party is tonight. Odette is finishing getting the kids ready for Trick or Treating. They wanted their costumes to be a surprise so that’s why I’m here. So long as you’re in town, you could come…?

Tempest shook her head.

Tempest: I don’t do the costume thing. I appreciate the gesture, though.

Gabriel: But you’re changing the subject. You do that a lot, you know?

Tempest made a face, knowing she had been caught. It was true, however, what he said. When there was an unavoidable truth to be told, and she didn’t want to confide, she made the attempt to sway the topic at hand. Sometimes without realizing it. It had just always been that way so she there were times she didn’t even realize that she was doing it. Like when questions arose every now and then from the Stevens about her personal life or past. They didn’t do it to be nosy or to pry. She, like the other students before her, had come under their care. And despite the fact she was a grown woman and probably the oldest of the GO Gym graduates, she found it endearing how Gabriel and Odette looked out for her. Getting to know her by bits and pieces was simply another method; even if there was a part of her that yet remained hidden.

Tempest: Fair. I was in town and decided to see if you were open to get in a last minute session before I went back to New York.

Gabriel: ‘Went back’? You mean you were in New York and you decided on a whim to fly cross-country to get in a workout? You do realize the hotel Odette set you up in has a gym in-house?

Tempest: Yes, but it’s not here. And they don’t have a ring.

Gabriel: Okay, point for you. So what are you trying to do? Rack up some frequent flyer miles?

Tempest: No. Just something personal I wanted to take care of.

Gabriel: And it couldn’t have waited?

This time she did not answer with words. She bit her lip and gave her head a slight shake to indicate that it could not have waited, at least to her it couldn’t. This had further attracted Gabriel’s attention - as well as his concern - and he turned away from what was happening inside of the ring and addressed her directly.

Gabriel: Is it something Odette or I can help you with?

Again, she smiled. That was just like the Stevens. Even if she was off putting or flat out in denial over things, they were always there for her and every other student that came through those doors. Or at the very least, they tried to be. They saw themselves as more than just trainers. Everyone who passed through those very doors became family. And you took care of your family, no matter what.

Tempest: It’s not that serious, Gabriel. If it was, I’d tell you.

To that, Gabriel’s left eyebrow rose in a critical and questioning manner, causing her to snort back a laugh of derision.

Tempest: Maybe.

Gabriel smiled at himself this time and nodded.

Gabriel: Okay, I won’t pry. But it is getting late. You can probably get in at least a quick workout. I’d hate to subject either of these young lads in here to being your sparring partner so … I’ll get them both to do it.

Tempest turned away with a haughty laugh.

Tempest: Oh I’ll bet they’ll just LOVE that!

She marched away and toward the ladies locker room where she had first intended, not having noticed that Despayre had followed her into the gym after buzzing her through the doors. He had a lime Blow Pop between his lips, watching after her, then glancing upward at his “big brother” with those gray, puppy dog eyes.

Despayre: She’s not telling the whole truth.

Gabriel looked down at him, curiosity etched on his face.

Gabriel: Tempest?

Despayre just nodded, swirling the sucker stick in his fingers. Gabriel looked after the direction she had just vanished into the back, then draped an arm around Despayre’s slim shoulder and drew him in closely.

Gabriel: Do you know something, Despy?

---

“So I know I’m the new one around here, but do they do Trick or Treating here?”

“Trick or Treating?”

“Yes, the kids in the building. I know some apartments arrange something for the kids, so I was just wondering…”

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry. Yes, the building manager arranges something like that every year. Usually on the night before Halloween.”

Good to know. That was the exchange that Tempest had with a neighbor several weeks ago in the month of September. Why, you might ask?

Honolulu, Hawaii -
2016

She stood there years before she would become known as the amazon Bombshell aka Tempest. And despite her reputation for nothing upsetting or frightening her, she could not deny that the nerves was sending her stomach into a fit of turmoil. She had been dating the man that would soon become her husband, so this was naturally the next step in becoming a member of his family. Meeting the most important female in his life, and no. We are not referring to his mother.

Alleyene watched as Malulani held the small hand of the girl who could not be more than three years of age, escorting her through the gardens of the family’s front yard estate. She was an adorable sight, wearing a floral print dress with a matching ribbon catching her hair into a ponytail. The little one seemed hesitant, but whether that was because she was about to meet a stranger who was more than, or because she was just as big physically as her own dad, that remained the question.

Malulani Kahale: Alleyene? This is my daughter, Anela.

The man spoke gently, using the child’s hand in his own to steer her a step closer, despite the little girl’s own reluctance.

Malulani Kahale: … My daughter.

Alleyene smiled, despite her own nerves, and lowered herself to her knees so that she might not be so daunting a presence. Not that it mattered. Even on her knees, Alleyene remained a towering monolith over this child. Alleyene offered her hand to the little girl who eyes it warily.

Alleyene: Anela? I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.

Anela finally looked up into Alleyene’s eyes and slipped her hand into her own.

Anela: Are you going to be my new mommy?

---

Las Vegas, Nevada -
Current

“Trick or Treat!”

Came the sing-song symphony of young voices just outside of her apartment door. It was something that she had been hoping to experience, and looked forward to for several days now. The door to the apartment opened, and yes indeed, it WAS Tempest, but unlike any situation she had been seen in yet. She wore a tiger striped body suit costume, with matching ears headband and just the right amount of makeup on her face to depict the nose and whiskers. In her hands was a big bowl brimming with candy; everything from Snickers to Skittles and several varieties in between. A melancholy smile on her face, she leaned down so that the children in colorful costumes, from pirates to zombies and many a Disney Princess, could reach forward and eagerly help themselves….

---

“There’s a saying; if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. I can’t even begin to stress just how much I put behind that belief. It’s something that I’ve believed in for years. From the time I played sports in school, to when I personally ran my business in Hawaii, right up until now when I set foot inside of the GO Gym, and stepped out, an officially contracted wrestler for SCW.”

(“Sorry but I just have such a thing against being called a ‘Bombshell’!”)

“Now this belief, it might strike some as strange considering the fact I say it as not just a member of an active tag team, but one-half of the reigning World Mixed Tag Team Champions. Still, it’s true. Nothing against Austin who has more than proven his worth as a partner and admittedly over time, someone that I can and have hung out with. Maybe even confided in a little. But tag team wrestling was never my intention when I first delved into this sport. Despite the massive success rate Gabriel Stevens had in the very same division with Despayre as his partner, standing out on the ring apron and watching someone else take my career into their hands never sat right by me. If I was going to be a success, I was going to do it. Me. Alone. And that is where I think this whole mixed tag team division became less of a hindrance and more of a blessing.”

“I still wonder what went through the mind of Alicia Lukas when she first came up with the idea of putting Austin and myself together. Maybe she did it to annoy Mercer because he probably feels the same way about tag team wrestling as I do. Or maybe because she knew damn well that alone, he and I were both dangerous but as a team? She might have had something against the new champions the Barnharts and just wanted to turn us loose and have a laugh at their expense.”

“Funny that, after that title match, nobody was laughing. Least of all the Barnharts. Not Austin or myself, and I think Alicia herself may have watched what he and I did and have done, and is now thinking to herself ‘Dear god, what have I done!?’ Funny that, but every other team, both man and woman, that we've faced since becoming champions, have went and asked the very same question. They’ve been cursing the name of ‘Queen’ Alicia ever since, knowing that the days where they had at least some semblance of a chance at winning the mixed tag gold have never been further away than what they are right now. Which is sort of where my entire point behind my personal mantra comes into play.”

“You see, aside from the Barnharts and J2H and Crystal, we haven’t exactly had a long line of challengers lining up to try and make an attempt at dethroning us. And why? Oh we know the majority say that they too have little to no interest in tag team wrestling. Maybe they say there aren’t any other Superstars or Bombshells whom they trust enough to even form a team in the first place. It went from one point where we had some ‘Lethal Lottery’ team thrown together to a team where one woman tried to use the stature of her partner to find herself back at the top of a ladder - any ladder. Not exactly the storybook of champions, is it? There were times when Austin and I were just wondering if the championships were being used as a treat - or a Supercard-only exclusive. We were starting to get pissed off, and rightly so, when we decided if we wanted a real challenge, then we had to fight for it. So, we did what others have done before us and issued an open challenge. I bet Mercer money that Extreme Chamber or not, Jessie Salco would probably try to get involved in this because that’s what she does, but no. Lo and behold, wonder of wonders, we got an answer to our challenge.”

“A real challenge!”

“From out of nowhere, two certifiable Hall of Famers, two of the very best of the best, step forward and take us up on our offer for High Stakes XI, and it’s none other than Mercedes Vargas and Goth! And I can tell you right now, from talking to Mercer and how I personally feel? I feel like Christmas has come early because finally - FINALLY - we have something that we’ve been asking for months! A legitimate challenge for the tag titles!”

“I know, I know. Our last Supercard defense was against a team that could be called the same; a combination of two Hall of Famers, but I can’t help but look past that. Not because of J2H because I’d be a damn fool to feel anything but respect for that kid and everything that he built himself up for. But Crystal herself? She used what happened to her own daughter as a means to an end. As a way to get herself back into the championship picture and managed to goad J2H into being her partner for that reason alone. J2H made his feelings clear where she was concerned. He held up his end of the bargain, but she did not. That is why I look past that match and toward this one with fresh eyes and an excited heart! Because Goth asked Mercedes to be his partner to answer this challenge, and she readily accepted for no other reason than to become a champion again for her own merit. Not anyone else’s. She’ll be there for him, and he her.”

“Goth, you might have settled all ill will with Despayre but as far as the GO Gym goes? You might think of yourself as something akin to the Bogeyman on those grounds. Gabriel had known you for so many years, from your days together in the old AWA, right up until the tile the two of you were on opposite sides of the ring in the early days of SCW. Where Gabriel and the Gym go? You simply are. You never go away, and one way or another, you find your way back into the lives of Gabriel and his students. This time, that student is myself. Now I know I can’t face you inside of the ring - intergender rules and all that - but that doesn’t mean your decisions and actions do not affect me in any way, shape or form. Because they do. I’m from the GO Gym. I’m one-half of the champions that you want to become. And accepting our open challenge was your idea, as is my understanding.”

“That’s fine. I get it. You want to be a champion again and the mixed tag titles are as good a place to start as any. Austin felt the same way, and after some time, so did I. Problem is, we’re the champions. And you? You have to face the man at my side while I step into the ring with your partner. The woman you chose above all others. I’m not altogether certain she’ll thank you for this opportunity when all is said and done, but where you’re concerned? I know what you’re capable of. As a graduate of the GO Gym, I was made to sit back and watch tapes of both men as well as women from times past. But I also know what Austin is capable of. I know just how much he wants to keep hold of these championships, and that is why I have every confidence that he will do his part, as I will mine, and we will walk out just as we entered; the champions.”

“No knock on you, Mercedes. Because everything that you heard me say before our Halloween match? I meant. Every. Word! I have a bucket list of women that I would dearly love to step inside of the ring with because not only do they have well-earned prestige behind their names, but I know that size difference aside, they’ll give me the fight I want. And your name? Mercedes, you are at the very top of that list. Seriously! Do you think I have fun facing and taking apart all of these Barbie dolls, week in and week out? The last time I had a legit threat inside of the ring, it was Bobbie Dahl! But she was closer to my size and those opponents are few and far between!”

“Yes, I admit it is fun throwing those little girls who think their looks are enough to get them by in life, all across the ring and beat them within an inch of their lives. Proving to them if they can’t right back, they really don’t have much business being in the ring with someone like me. Finding a woman half my size who can still bring the fight to me? That is you, Mercedes. Somehow, I don’t doubt it in the slightest. Now these days I watch your promos and sometimes it’s like a broken record of mentioning your age or how many years you’ve been competing and I think, for god’s sake! She’s not one of the Golden Girls! She’s Mercedes Vargas! It’d be nice if for once she would just remember that!”

“And just last week? When we had our little one on one in that ridiculous match? I got a glimpse of who you are and what you’re capable of. Had you put in the slightest effort to hype or match, maybe a promo? I’m sure things would have been even more impactful between us. But I won. And I enjoyed doing so because not only did you show me what you ere made of, but I gave you a taste of what is to come!”

“No coffins this time, however. This time it’s just you and me, girl, while the men watch from our corners and we give them something to strive for. Right up until the bitter end when history repeats itself, and I walk away the winner for the second straight time. As I said, no knock. All the mad respect in the world for you, I have. I’m just stating a simple fact, and giving you a reason why you should have told Goth no. It won’t be pretty, but DAMN will it be fun!”

The funny thing was that originally Tempest had booked for herself a room at the Holiday Inn for her stay in Philadelphia, but she quickly found out something about her trainers, Gabriel and Odette Stevens. And that was that they had this habit of taking charge when they felt and believed that their charges deserved more or better. And considering that Tempest, their latest graduate, currently reigned as a World Mixed Tag Team Champion alongside Austin James Mercer, there was simply no way that the Holiday Inn would do. So, with or without her consent, the Stevens put in a call and had her accommodations not only changed, but upgraded by a considerable amount.

Tempest stood in awe from the moment she set foot into the suite at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia, not the most expensive but quite grand all in its own right. From the outside it came close to resembling a palace, and the inside was not only fancy, but also warm and welcoming. It had a magical and festive feel to the very building, making every guest feel as if he or she were in a movie setting.  It was located in the central area of the city so that if she had a desire to take part in anything touristy, she would easily be able with a minimum of fuss. Not that there was much chance of that as Tempest had a habit of staying within the confines of her room, no matter where SCW ventured. She just was not much of the tourist/sightseeing sort. Unless, of course, someone had the brass to drag her out into the city to experience something other than her hotel’s painted walls and wifi. And that someone was usually Austin James Mercer who had seemingly taken it upon himself to ensure his tag team partner learn to live a little and have a little something called “fun” every so often.

Only this time might end up a little bit different.

Tempest: I’m telling you momma, this place just isn’t me!

Of course, Tempest was talking to the woman who held her respect more than anyone else on the face of the planet, her own mother, Nalani Mahoe. Tempest knew Austin would most likely attempt to corner her, no matter where she was staying, and as luck might have it, for good or ill, he just so happened to be staying in this very same establishment.

Nalani: Sweetheart, I know you’re not into the whole grand, princess scene, but just try to enjoy yourself. From what you told me, the Stevens put you up there because they wanted you to be comfortable and felt that you deserved it.

Tempest sighed as she took a seat on the edge of her bed.

Tempest: I know, but that little fact makes me feel even more apprehensive. Guilty, even.

Nalani: What on earth for???

Tempest: Oh you know me, momma. I never was comfortable accepting gifts or hand outs. If I couldn’t do it myself, I wouldn't be interested.

Nalani: I think in cases like this, it might be more like you are interested but you feel bad about others spending their money on you.

Tempest sat there silent, not saying a word to how her mother saw the situation with her daughter. Because, in truth, she had hit the nail on the head. Tempest had paid her own way through life for as long as she could remember. If someone did manage to talk her into going out to a meal, their treat, rest assured she would find the cheapest thing on the menu just so that she did not feel like a burden on them, or their bank account. But this luxurious hotel? When Tempest did a google search to find out just what Gabriel and Odette were spending on her so that their student was comfortable, she could have cried. If she was the sort.

Nalani: Let’s look at this logically, okay? You make good money still from owning your bonds business, correct?

Tempest just shrugged and answered with a silent nod.

Nalani: If you have the money to treat someone to something a little fancy, if you felt that they deserved it, would you?

Tempest: If I thought they deserved it, I suppose so.

Nalani: Then why waste time feeling bad about allowing someone else to do the same for you?

A soft laugh escaped from her daughter’s lips, telling Nalani that her words struck a proverbial cord. True, her stubborn nature might never really overcome this feeling she had regarding other peoples’ money, but it would at the very least ease some of her own feelings. Tempest cast a sidelong glance at the TV in her room which she had kept on for background noise, and something advertised caught her attention. Something that she had eagerly been anticipating and yet somehow in the rush of getting to Pennsylvania, had completely forgotten about.

A feature film released this very day, very appropriate for this time of year.

Tempest: Momma? What’s the date today?

Nalani: The fifteenth, why?

Tempest: I just thought of something that I would like to do today. Can I call you back tomorrow?

Nalani: Of course. Go out and have a good time - for once. Love you!

Tempest: Love you too.

That said, Tempest ended the call and turned her cell phone off, tucking it into her jeans pocket. She then grabbed her tanned aviator jacket and quickly exited her hotel room door, shutting it behind her. She walked with a brisk pace down the hall until she came upon the elevator. And a brief pause later as the elevator descended and she arrived on the lobby floor, as luck would have it, just as the doors slid open and she went to step off, Austin James Mercer moved to step on.

Austin James Mercer: Hey, where are you off to…?

Tempest: Come on!

She said, not giving him any time for questions or to even protest as she grabbed his arm and pulled him along with her…

And less than an hour later, in the darkened AMC Theater, Tempest and Austin kicked back with sodas and impossibly large tubs of hot, buttered popcorn, watching “Halloween Kills.”

---

The Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The six-sided ring had been set up and throughout the weekend, local fan events would be taking place including radio and local news interviews, webcasts and, of course, the obligatory meet n greets where the SCW Universe could meet their favorite Superstars and Bombshells; have a chat and get a photo op, walking away with a head full of cherished memories. The surrounding stands were empty, but in just days, they would be filled with screaming fans, men and women, young and old. Each one cheering for their favorites and hoping beyond hope that their least favorites would fall in defeat.

Seated on the edge of the ring where she has already made a name for herself, is one-half of the reigning World Mixed Tag Team Champions; Tempest. With her share of the championship draped across her lap, she is wearing a burgundy tank top and tight denim jeans with tanned boots.

“Okay, I have to admit when Gabriel contacted me and told me to haul my ass to Pennsylvania because Mercer and I had a championship defense, I was lost. Like, completely. On one hand, a part of me thought that it was about damn time because these championships aren't amounting to much if they just get regulated to special events only status. Every other champion defends between Supercards, why not Austin and myself? Now I have my dream opponents where these titles are concerned. If Ben and Evie Jordan were to ever return, boom! Then of course, there's the London Underground. Any combination of the four would be the challenge that Mercer and I not only want, but deserve. I would have also supported Bella Madison and her mancake Malachi to get a shot but I understand he’s having a bit of trouble where he is right now.”

She tapped a forefinger to her arm, indicating the injury sustained by Malachi at the hands of a three-on-one attack elsewhere.

“Now that I think about it, we haven’t really been challenged since we defended against J2H and Crystal … Whatever. So many people out there assumed there would be new champions simply because J2H was involved in the match.”

She scrunched up her nose and shook her head ‘no.’

“But due credit to J2H, that one’s on Crystal. He was right when he said he could have found a much better partner than that narcissistic air head. Then I grew curious, wondering who would be the unlucky duo? Granted, the pool of challengers for these titles is shallow, and seemingly getting more shallow with each passing day, but -- I always hold out hope. I admit I kind of like the whole Lethal Lottery system that SCW uses to set the champions up with new and interesting challenges. They’ve come up with a few interesting combinations, like Kain and Mercedes Vargas. But … this? The team they did manage to put together and throw to the wolves? We could have had anybody. Myra Rivers. Fenris. Mac Bane. Seleana Zdunich… but instead…?”

“But this is the one thing that somebody out there is going to have to explain to me, because I am completely lost, is what the hell is Violet Amelia Holt doing in this match!? Now I watched Austin's promo and he gave the little girl some props and respect, but me? I guess I just don't see what it is that he sees. What do I see? I see a little girl who made her big triumphant return to wrestling - and couldn't get past her first match. I see a little girl who Bella Madison took to a draw in her big return. Then in her next outing? She didn't even try! She didn't show any interest or effort in her match against Johanna Krieger. You'd THINK against that bad ass chick, she'd put in SOME kind of effort but…!”

Tempest held her hand up and gave a curt shake of her head, clearly affronted.

“She didn’t, and she got what was coming to her. I haven’t been here as long as Violet. I’m still a rookie compared to her and the majority of this roster. But even I know enough to know if you don’t give it your all, if you don’t put in SOME effort, then you’re not going to get very far. In fact, you’ll go nowhere. And fast. And against the right, or in this case, wrong opponent, all the effort in the world isn’t going to do you a damn bit of good, girl. Face facts, Violet. You can talk as big as you want but the simple truth is you have no chance in the ring against me. Zero. Zilch. You may have the experience but I have the size. I have the strength. And I sure as hell have the edge where training is concerned. Now okay, I get that there have been ‘upsets’ happen where a much smaller wrestler has defeated an opponent two to three times there size…”

She curled her hand and ‘fake coughed’ into it.

“*coughs*Despayre!*coughs* But those are special cases, and Violet is anything but a special case.”

Tempest then took a moment’s pause and glanced upward thoughtfully.

“Unless we’re talking about mental state because if she actually thinks she has a chance at taking me down and out in the ring? Then that girl isn’t just troubled. She belongs in a padded cell. You know what Violet reminds me of, now that we’re on the subject?”


“Right. Exactly! One of these little ankle biters that will run up and bark and growl at something a hell of a lot bigger than they are and more often than not, get sent running away, tail tucked between the legs. That’s you, Violet. You might want to play it safe and try to avoid tagging in because we both know what the end result will be. Just let that partner of yours stay inside of the ring, and let him take the damage we both know is meant for you. It’s a lost cause anyway, so why sacrifice yourself? You seem the type who would throw her partner to the wolves anyway, so why not cut out the idle man and sit back and watch Austin have all the fun?”

“No offense, of course, Lincoln. But when we’re talking about dominance and who the bigger and better man is in this match? All the cards are in this corner, right here. I don’t have to worry about you or really, even consider you to be a part of this match because I have a partner who is going to pick you up and treat you like a child would a fly and pluck your wings off. Austin is the type of man, destined for greatness. He’s already a former World Champion and two-time Internet champion. And you…?”

She leaned forward with a cupped hand over her ear.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the titles we hold right now, or getting back that World Championship. Austin has the world at his feet - which is appropriate because that is exactly where he’s going to leave you lying.”

Tempest slid off of the ring apron and took one last look into the camera.

“Play it smart, the both of you! Forfeit now and save yourselves a world of pain!”

Tempest then walked off camera and the screen slowly faded out to darkness.

Tempest: Look Gabriel, I appreciate the gesture. I really do, but this? It wasn’t necessary.

The latest in a long string of successful graduates of the famed GO Gym, the amazon Tempest said from her seat at the Steak N’ Shake restaurant along the Las Vegas Strip. Across from her, one of the two responsible for helping to bring her into the world of professional wrestling, Gabriel Stevens, carefully took a bite of the gargantuan burger on his plate. After a moment’s pause, he wiped his mouth with the napkin and looked to her and watched as her eyes roamed the room around them, her attention ever-vigilant from her days as an active bounty hunter.

Gabriel: No, I disagree. Odette and I always try to reward our students when one wins a championship, and yours was overdue. Plus, getting to know you these past months, you didn’t strike me as the type to prefer one of the ritzier restaurants.

Tempest scoffed as she reached down for her own burger.

Tempest: At least not with a married man.

That brought a look up from her trainer as she took a bite. Gabriel smirked and shook his head. A wisecrack, from her. Slowly he was growing satisfied at how she was loosening up and the proverbial walls started to crumble. It was a task. Not even Fenris took this long to feel free enough to be himself as was the woman seated across from him. He could tell there was a haunting behind her eyes. Why? He was unsure.

Tempest: I do appreciate it though.

She said casually as she took a bite from her own meal.

Tempest: I had to get out of the Gym. No offense.

Gabriel: None taken. Mind if I ask why? You left as soon as Krystal came in.

Tempest: You mean you don’t know? You didn’t see on Twitter?

Gabriel shook his head.

Gabriel: Been a bit too busy at home and at the Gym to be bothering with Twitter. Why? What’s been going on?

Tempest: Just a matter of my match with Bella this weekend and Krystal making comments about how she had every intention on interfering to cost me so she could have her one-on-one with Bella at the Supercard.

That certainly got Gabriel’s attention as he looked up before he could take a drink from his glass and slowly set it back down. His brow knitted into a slight frown.

Gabriel: Excuse me? Krystal said she wanted to cost you your match?

Tempest just nodded, silently brooding as Gabriel watched her carefully. One of his students? Threatening to interfere in another student’s match to cost them?

Tempest: It’s crazy. I knew when I got into this business that it was every woman for herself. But I also thought there was a measure of loyalty. At least where students of the same facility were concerned.

To say Gabriel was not pleased with what he was hearing would be a vast understatement. There had always been loyalty shown between the members of the GO Gym. He glanced sidelong to his student as she reached for her drink and he could see the wall around her slowly going back up.

Damn it.

---

“Let me make this perfectly clear. Bella? You and I have a history as I recall. When I first came to SCW, I had a time picking apart certain Bombshells on the roster. Just to get my name mentioned. To make people sit up and take notice. To make the bosses realize I was here. Just for fun. You were one of my first playdates, as I recall. And now, here we are. Our first actual encounter in a match where you have to get past me in order to finally get your chance at the Roulette title. You do know why they saved me for last, right?”

“Because the disappointment is always greatest when you are that close to success, only to fail. When the dumbblonde in a movie running from the crazed killer gets that close to safety, only to fall victim. Just this close to making it. That’s why, Bella. Because they handed you those first two wins on a silver platter. Now? You got me. One of the Mixed Tag Champions. Someone you don’t have a chance in hell of beating. I just thought you’d want to understand why they did what they did.”

“Oh, and Krystal? You made your sense of loyalty perfectly clear. So allow me to do the same. Come anywhere near that ring on Sunday and I’ll make what I did to that other Crystal look like playtime at Disneyland.”