~*~We All Have Our Demons~*~
Back in the day when my mother’s career was still fairly young, she was a part of a hellacious match that was called “Elimination Incarceration”.
First of its kind ever and hasn’t been repeated since.
It’s something that Laura, herself doesn’t like to talk about much because she always said it did something to her mentally. Considering what had happened post that match, it was putting it rather mildly.
Maybe it was being locked away in a single cell, hanging high above the arena with no food, no water, no one to even talk to...hell they were blindfolded and were told no interaction even when they used the restroom...but the match changed her.
A match in any cage can shorten a career. But this one revitalized it in such a way that she formed one of the most dangerous alliances ever and turn into one of the most heartless people.
This was about 2 years before we were reunited but even my dad, David, refused to let me see the match after I had to miss it the night before.
Mom even hid it from plain sight so I could go back and I never understood why until one day I was home by myself, found it and decided to watch it.
I was maybe 15 at the time and she had come home just in time to see me on the couch, my mouth dropped opened and eyes wide watching as her and her friends that formed Omega had destroyed the now former champion, with my own mother holding what was then the PWSWF World Championship, the ring destroyed, bodies of the now former champion, the referees and the personnel laid out around the destroyed ring.
And all at the center was the strongest woman of them all.
My mother.
And she was smiling without a regret in the world.
From there on out, the landscape of that entire promotion changed.
Laura Phoenix sat atop the world, her pack of wolves ready to do her bidding.
And the conversation that followed...
I’m pretty sure she seemed to have thought that I would have thought differently of her. I was still pretty young when that happened, that wasn’t the woman that I had seen when I officially became a fan of hers before I even knew she was my actual mother.
“Now I know why David refused to let me see it right away- and why you and Nick hid it.”
“Nick didn’t do anything, I decided to hide it.”
“Why? So I didn’t know that my own mother was capable of something so...” -looking back at the TV, I just couldn’t help myself but feel 40 million feelings all at once and I couldn’t pick just one, “I don’t even know the words.”
She would sit down next to me and look at it herself, “Baby, I want you to understand something, when it comes to what happened during this time, the powers that be left me with no other choice. It left guys like Hawk, Fuzz, Desmond, we had no choice but to do what we did.”
I couldn’t help it, “You had no choice but to take out everyone?”
“Omega did what needed to be done. The old guard did everything to hold each and every one of us down and we made a pact, we took our chance and it paid off for each and every one of us.” I watched as my mother sat back and looked up at the vaulted ceiling of the home that she and Nick built, she was looking like she was trying to unlock all these memories, “We changed the very fabric of the entire landscape because we had literally no choice. The fact that we were all locked up for 24 hours, hanging way above that arena...well that’s the part that made us practically feral.”
I really didn’t know what to say to that, I knew all of these guys in a way. Especially one known as Desmond, who I called Uncle Des, because he had been working in PWSR with mom, Nick and others.
“Over time, they understood and even respected what we had to do.” she broke up the silence.
“Why did you think you should have hidden this from me? Did you think that I couldn’t have handled it?”
“I didn’t want you to think any differently of me, Bella. I know you know the difference between the heels and the faces when it comes to the business. I’m sure there are things that Nick has done that he’s not proud of either that he’s scared to show you too. I also know how you dream of stepping up when you get through school and becoming a wrestler yourself, even though part of me wishes you wouldn’t at times like these.”
I couldn’t help it, I just laughed.
“What also concerns me is all the hell you went through before you and I were reunited.”
“That’s what the therapist is for mom and I’m doing just fine thank you. The nightmares are few and far between and when they do pop up I am able to handle it. I’m not that little girl anymore that was tortured by a demon.”
“No, but you are and have always been my priority. We don’t know what the long term effects are and who knows what the future may hold.”
“No one can tell that, mom. I just know that no matter what, I want to follow in your footsteps and that is never going to change. Yes, I am going to get my education. Yes, I’m going to go to college. Who knows, maybe I’ll finally get a boyfriend and start a family during all of this but it’s in my blood, mom.”
And she smiled at me.
“I know. I just...I don’t wanna lose you like I lost myself. Who knows when a match like this will appear for you...but just know this, it’s going to test you in every form.”
She wasn’t lying.
~*~Training Grounds: Forging Resilience~*~
Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the Wolfslair Gym in New York, Bella found herself immersed in a rigorous training session alongside her mother, Laura Phoenix, and Alicia Lukas. The air crackled with intensity as they helped Bella hone her skills, preparing for the impending Blood Bath Brawl.
Under the watchful eye of Laura, Bella pushed herself to the limit, her determination unshakable despite the physical strain. Each move, each strike was executed with precision, a testament to her unwavering resolve.
Alicia Lukas, a seasoned veteran in her own right, offered guidance and support, sharing her wealth of experience to help Bella navigate the challenges ahead. Together, they drilled tirelessly, fine-tuning their techniques and strategies for the brutal match looming on the horizon.
As the training session wore on, Bella felt herself and her breath steady, from the possibilities of each weapon that she may be able to get her hands on all the way to the cardio build. They even talked about the possibilities of what the cage could do and to use it to her full advantage. They pushed each other to excel, drawing strength from their shared determination to emerge victorious in the face of adversity.
Amidst the clang of weights and the sound of grunts, Laura's voice cut through the din, her words a rallying cry to fuel their determination.
"Keep pushing, girls," she urged, her gaze steely with resolve. "This match will test every ounce of strength and resilience that she possesses."
Bella redoubled her efforts with those words, channeling her energy into each movement with a focus that could have easily been just as she would do when she was in school. And in a way, this was her learning tree. Alicia and her mother had been there, done that, got the t-shirt so many times that if it was anyone else, it would have been almost an insult to her. They were the professors, she was the graduate level student.
And she was going to soak it in, even if it was going to bend her seemingly well handled mental state...if she needed to break it to make it through, she was going to do it.
Because she was done just settling for what should have been and she was ready to take her destiny to a whole new level.
With each move, Bella's mind raced, grappling with the uncertainties that lay ahead. What if she wasn't strong enough? What if she couldn't measure up to the formidable opponents awaiting her in the ring? The doubts gnawed at her confidence, threatening to undermine her resolve.
Yet, amidst the chaos of her internal struggle, Bella found moments of clarity. She drew strength from the support of her mother and Alicia. Their words of encouragement pierced through the fog of uncertainty.
She would lay there, drenched in sweat for a moment almost wondering if she could break if she got up, or if she got up and they would break her.
"You've got this, Bella," Laura's voice rang out, cutting through the noise of the gym. "Trust in your training, trust in yourself."
Alicia nodded in agreement, her gaze unwavering. "You're stronger than you realize. Believe in your abilities."
Their words resonated within Bella, sparking a flicker of defiance amidst the chaos of her thoughts. She clenched her fists, digging deep within herself to find the strength to press on. With each breath, she silenced the doubts that threatened to consume her, channeling her focus into the present moment.
In that gym, amidst the clatter of weights and the sounds of sparring, Bella forged a resolve as unyielding as tempered steel. She refused to let fear dictate her actions, refusing to surrender to the doubts that sought to undermine her confidence.
As the training session drew to a close, Bella stood tall, a sense of calm settling over her. The war within her raged on, but she faced it with a newfound determination. The Blood Bath Brawl awaited, and she would meet it head-on, armed with nothing but her steel resolve and the support of those who believed in her.
She considered herself blessed.
~*~Rules of Engagement: War Within~*~
As Bella prepares for the Blood Bath Brawl, her mind races with thoughts of her formidable opponents. Alone in the quiet of her training space, she reflects on each adversary, contemplating their strengths and potential strategies.
"Crystal Zdunich... she's a force to be reckoned with. Agile, cunning, and fearless. Her high-flying maneuvers could catch me off guard if I'm not careful. I'll need to stay on my toes and watch for any openings she might exploit. And those weapons... I have to be prepared for anything she brings into the ring."
"Then there's Mercedes Vargas. She's a powerhouse, pure and simple. Her strength is unmatched, and she's not afraid to use it. I'll have to rely on my speed and agility to evade her attacks. And those steel chairs... I can't let her get her hands on one of those. I'll need to outmaneuver her and use the environment to my advantage."
"Ariana Angelos... the technician. She's precise, calculated, and methodical. Her submission holds are deadly, and she knows how to wear down her opponents. I can't let her dictate the pace of the match. I'll need to stay one step ahead, using my resourcefulness to counter her technical expertise."
Each opponent presents a unique challenge, but Bella is determined to rise to the occasion. She knows that victory won't come easy in the chaos of the Blood Bath Brawl, but she's ready to face whatever comes her way. With her eyes set on the prize, she braces herself for the ultimate test of skill, strength, and resilience.
As Bella ponders the looming Blood Bath Brawl and her adversaries within it, she can't shake the realization of what this match represents for each woman involved, including herself.
"This match... it's not just about physical strength," she murmurs, the weight of the impending chaos settling heavily on her shoulders. "It's about endurance, about pushing past your limits, about facing your demons head-on."
She envisions the six-sided ring surrounded by a steel cage, the domed roof sealing them all inside, trapping them in a battleground of their own making.
"For Crystal, Mercedes, Ariana, and myself, this isn't just another bout. It's a trial by fire, a test of our mettle in the most brutal of environments," she continues, her voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. "Every weapon at our disposal, every blow exchanged, every drop of blood spilled... it's all a testament to our resolve, our willingness to endure whatever comes our way."
Bella knows that this match will push them all to their limits, both physically and mentally. It's a crucible of combat where survival is not guaranteed, and only the strongest will emerge victorious.
"And for me... it's more than just proving myself to the world," she reflects, a steely determination hardening her gaze. "It's about confronting the doubts and insecurities that linger within me, about proving that I am capable of rising above the chaos and emerging stronger than ever before."
In the crucible of the Blood Bath Brawl, Bella knows that she will be tested in ways she never imagined. But she's ready to face whatever challenges come her way, knowing that victory lies within her grasp if she has the courage to seize it.
As Bella contemplates the Blood Bath Brawl, a storm of conflicting emotions brews within her, fueled by the memories of her recent clash with Crystal and the looming specter of the upcoming match. She can't help but wonder if she's capable of unleashing the same ferocity that her mother exhibited in the infamous Elimination Incarceration.
"Part of me wonders... am I capable of that level of brutality?" she muses, her thoughts swirling in a tempest of uncertainty. "After facing off against Crystal in that brutal street fight, I felt something awaken within me. A primal instinct, a hunger for victory at any cost."
The echoes of their battle still reverberate in her mind, a visceral reminder of the raw power she possesses when pushed to her limits. It's a power that both terrifies and exhilarates her, tapping into a primal wellspring of strength that she never knew existed.
"But can I tap into that darkness again? Can I embrace the chaos and let it consume me, just like Mom did all those years ago?" she wonders, her voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. "I don't have all the answers, but I can't wait to find out."
For Bella, the Blood Bath Brawl represents more than just a chance at victory. It's an opportunity to confront the demons that lurk within her own soul, to explore the depths of her own strength and resilience. And as she stands on the brink of battle, she knows that whatever awaits her in the ring, she'll face it head-on, ready to embrace the chaos and emerge stronger on the other side.
