Backstage At Into The Void
Into the Void was rolling on, the fans in attendance enjoying each and every exciting moment of Sin City wrestling action new Champions had been crowned, there was a new King and Queen for a Day but in the world of Victoria Lyons everything was calm. Her match with Mercedes was yet to come and all she wanted was to walk out as world champion and she needed no distractions. The locker room she had rented was her space of peace where she could achieve her Mushin.
Only Darian had been allowed in the room mostly to deliver her news of the winners and to ward off any nosy reporters. Has she felt her fiancee approach, she knew it meant that another match had ended and another winner had been crowned.
“Frankie Holliday has just won Queen for a Day.“ Darian said calmly, keeping the information short and to the point just as she instructed.
“The Final Obstacle.” Victoria said quietly, still maintaining her zen-like state.
“Final Obstacle?” he repeated it was actually the first words she had spoken to him all night.
She didn't reply, she just remained in her state of zen. Darian shrugged and went back to his seat, but before he could sit down there was a knock at the door, and the slight annoyed exhale from Victoria was all he needed to hear.
“I think it's that pesky reporter…” he said “She's been lurking around all night. I'll handle it.”
Victoria didn't say anything, and Darian didn't expect her to. The instructions before they got to the arena were clear. Once they got to the locker room there would be no disturbances, and Darian was only to inform her of the match winners.
As Darian dealt with whatever reporter was trying to seek an interview, she thought about what he said. Frankie Holliday had won Queen for a Day. Everything Victoria had come to learn about Frankie meant that Frankie's target was going to be the Bombshell World Championship. That meant if Victoria became the World Bombshell Champion later that evening her first defense was going to be Frankie Holliday.
“Frankie's predictable..." Victoria muttered to herself “Poor Bella though..”
That felt a little weird, why was she feeling some sort of sympathy for Bella Madison?
It didn't take Darian long to return back into the room and make a quick do not disturb sign which he stuck to the door.
“Those reporters should leave us alone now.” he said.
“Any news on Alexandra Calaway did she retain her championship?” she asked.
“I'm not sure..” he said “I haven't heard any news on her yet, but it seems like her match might have been canceled. I'm not sure what's going on.”
“Can you go find out?” she asked.
“Yes of course.” he said
“Thank you Dare Bear. “ Victoria replied.
With a nod Darian once again left the locker room to find out some more news for Victoria while she returned to her peaceful state, getting yourself fully prepared for her big world bombshell championship match later that evening because in her mind she was absolutely going to walk out with that strap, and then all she had to do was prepare for Frankie Holliday, because she already knew Frankie was coming for her or Mercedes next.
__________
It wasn't her and Darian's North Carolina home but the warmth of Eddie's Las Vegas home was welcoming just the same. It just felt good to be somewhere more familiar after being overseas for so long.
And a shiny new world championship certainly helped as well.
Eddie sat with his wife Sabrina on their sofa, As Victoria sat cross-legged on the floor playing with their baby Jordan. Darian sat observing as well from one of Eddie and Sabrina's lounge chairs.
“That's a cute new shirt Jordan” she said “Does that mean your number one? Because you certainly are.”
Jordan giggled.
“I see your mom has a number two on her shirt.” she said “I think Dad needs a number three shirt.”
Eddie and Sabrina looked at each other on the couch with a smile. Victoria sensed something was amiss but she couldn't quite place it.
“Why are you two looking at me like that?” she said to Eddie and Sabrina.
“Oh it's nothing..” Sabrina giggled.
“So I never got to tell you congratulations, champ.” said Eddie “How's it feel?”
“Still doesn't feel real.” Victoria said looking at the championship belt laying next to her which Jordan seemed particularly interested in.
“Yeah it's shiny, isn't it sweetie?” Victoria said.
Jordan looked up at Victoria.
“Vivi.” Jordan babbled.
“Yes.” Victoria replied “Vivi is here.”
Jordan giggled.
“Well I can tell you Vicks.“ Eddie continued “Whether it feels real or not, it is real and you earned every bit of it. I've been here rehabbing this leg of mine itching to get back into the action. I never thought it would be this hard being home so much. I love my girls and I always spend time with them but I need to get back out there.”
“Well you've certainly found other ways to occupy your time.” Sabrina winked at him while rubbing her stomach, Darian raised an eyebrow at that but remained quiet.
“You know what Eddie?” Victoria said “You're right it is real, and I did earn it. I need to start thinking about Frankie Holliday now. But first I think we should celebrate a little bit. Darian did some moonlighting as a bartender a few years ago and still knows how to whip up some pretty good drinks.”
“I do make a mean Long Island.” Darian grinned.
“You know what?” Eddie said “Why not a couple drinks won't hurt.”
“Just seltzer and lime for me.” said Sabrina.
“You don't want to drink with us?" Victoria said.
“Not today.” said Sabrina
“Just one?” Victoria pleaded.
“No. It's okay.” Sabrina replied.
There was a short moment of silence, then Darian spoke up.
“Are you pregnant?” he said bluntly.
“Darian!, don't be rude.” Victoria said
“I'm not trying to be..” he said “But the shirts…, Eddie is hinting around with his…. um.., extracurricular activities, and now you don't want to drink?”
Victoria paused for a moment, looked at Darian and then back at Eddie and Sabrina then back to Darian then back to Eddie and Sabrina again. Finally she caught the knowing grins on Eddie and Sabrina's faces.
“Are you serious?!” she exclaimed “How far?!”
“A little over a month.” Sabrina replied.
“Congratulations you guys!” said Victoria turning to look at baby Jordan, “You hear that you're going to be a big sister like me.”
Jordan only observed her with the big curious eyes of a baby.
“Well this certainly calls for those drinks now.” said Darian, starting to make his way to the kitchen “And lime and seltzer for Sabrina.”
“Extra lime.” noted Sabrina.
“Extra lime.” You got it, said Darian heading off to the kitchen
“So, you excited about the wedding?” Eddie asked.
“Yeah Darian's a little goofy but he really is great.” Victoria smiled. “Hard to believe this will be my last Climax Control as an unmarried woman.”
“Any talk about kids?” asked Sabrina
“We've discussed it.” said Victoria “We definitely want to have some kids in the future, but right now I need to keep focused on my career. Especially now that I have the Bombshell World Championship. But definitely someday.”
She smiled as Jordan reached for the gold play to the championship again, her tiny fingers pressing against the leather strap.
“You'll have your own one day, I'm sure.” Victoria said.
The room settled into a comfortable silence, that only existed between people who'd been through enough together, that there was no pressure to fill every second with noise.
Victoria looked around the room quietly. It was different from the constant chaos of the airports and the hotels and the arenas. It was different from all the pressure she carried chasing the world championship, it just felt normal.
“You know, there was a point a few years back when I thought none of this was ever going to happen to me.” Victoria said “This championship, this life, any of it. I wish that it would be one of those people that everybody knew had something but never actually got there.”
“Well they would have been stupid.” Darian said returning with drinks carefully balanced in his hand.
“Thank you Dare Bear." she smiled while taking her drink.
“Of course.” he smiled back at her.
Darian turned to Sabrina and handed her seltzer.
“Extra lime as requested.” he said.
“A gentleman and a scholar.” Sabrina replied.
“First time anyone's called him that.” Victoria grinned.
Eddie accepted his drink and Darian returned to his seat.
“You did get there though.” Eddie said, taking a sip of his drink “And nobody handed anything to you. You went through hell for that championship, and the accolades that came along with winning it.”
Victoria looked down at her championship.
“That's why it means so much.” she said “That's why at Climax Control I need to beat Frankie. I've fought too hard and too long to earn this championship. She wants to use her Queen for a Day powers to stop my rain before it really begins? No, the real queen refuses to let that happen Eddie. I won't let it happen.”
“I know.” Eddie agreed.
Jordan yawned slightly letting out a sleepy noise and started to rub at her eyes.
“Looks like somebody wants a nap..” said Sabrina standing from the couch.
“Awwwwww.” said Victoria as Sabrina lifted Jordan off the floor “Well you go get your beauty rest sweetheart.”
Victoria watched as Jordan reached back at her with her tiny grabby hands.
“Aw you're going to get me emotional…” Victoria laughed softly.
Sabrina disappeared down the hall, the room settled into its quiet atmosphere once again. The sound of the baby monitor crackling deeper within the house.
“I have to say Darian..” Eddie spoke up “You really do make a good Long Island.”
“Careful..” Victoria. said “It'll get to his head.”
“Too late.” Darian grinned.
They all shared a laugh together.
“Just don't let that championship get to yours.” Eddie said “Like you said you've come too far and you've made a lot of changes within yourself, but if you move too far back you're going to find yourself in trouble. Just remember to keep yourself moving forward Vicks, you're doing great.”
“Thanks Eddie.” she said.
“To another record-setting reign.” Eddie said, raising his glass to Victoria.
They all three raised glasses and took a sip.
Victoria looked around at the people in the room, Sabrina was returning as well. She had her support. Now all she had to do was go out there and show Frankie why she was the Bombshell World Champion and why she would remain the Bombshell World Champion.
__________
The camera flickers to life slightly off center as if it was picked up mid-adjustment. The surroundings themselves are just an indistinct quiet space with plain walls and a few utility doors that are out of focus as Victoria Lyons walks into frame holding the Bombshell World Championship.
She lets the camera linger on her for a moment, the World Bombshell Championship resting proudly on her shoulder.
“You know what fascinates me about Queen for a day Frankie?” Victoria began casually leaning back against a nearby wall “It tells you all you need to know about a person.”
A faint smirk grows on her lips.
“Some will win that crown, and immediately start thinking about power and championships.” she continued “And others use it to turn themselves into something greater.”
She tilts her head slightly.
“I know because I was Queen for a Day once too.” she said
The camera pushes slowly closer.
“When I held that crown I didn't use it to force my way into a championship match.” she said “I didn't need to chase that validation. I used it to create an identity that would outlive the moment itself. But I knew you would, from the moment I was informed of your victory.”
Her eyes sharpen as she pauses for a moment.
“That really is the difference between us Frankie.“ she said taking a step forward to the camera, “You used Queen for a Day to book yourself a championship match.”
She pauses for a beat.
“I used it to become the queen.” she said matter-of-factly.
She looks down at the championship resting on her shoulder.
“I understand why you did it though.“ she said “The way this championship makes you feel? I get it. I felt it the moment my name was announced as the winner at Into The Void."
She nods slowly.
“You had it too.” she said “For a few short months Frankie Holliday stood at the top of the division almost the second she walked through the door. People were calling you the future before you even got your feet wet in this place.”
As she smirks again a faint laugh escapes her lips.
“Then it all ended.” she continued “And ever since then you've been chasing that feeling.”
She paces slightly as she continues speaking.
“That's really what this is isn't it?” she continued “Your continuous chase to get back on top because you came in like Icarus and got burned. Now you find yourself on your Sisyphus arc, trying to make your way back to the top, only to be knocked back down again and again and again.”
She exhales.
“It sounds a lot like desperation to me.” said Victoria. “You're desperate to get that feeling of being champion again back but you are not going to do it at my expense. Not this time.”
Her tone grows sharper and something in the air shifts.
“So what is it then? You're going to bring up our history?” Victoria said “You're going to bring up the fact that I haven't beaten you yet you do realize that only makes me hungrier and that only makes me more dangerous. I'm well aware what you are. You're my final obstacle. The only one left that I haven't conquered, and now that I'm the Bombshell World Champion the time has come for the one true Queen of SCW to overcome her final obstacle.”
She keeps her eyes firmly locked on the camera.
“It was last year's Queen for a Day when you defeated me.” Victoria said “Let me remind you it was that idiot Harper Mason who ruined everything for me, that idiot Harper Mason who I only wanted to help. I told her all about Cassie and she wouldn't listen and now look at her and look at me. Everything I told her about Cassie Wolfe came to light. Now Harper has nothing, and I sit at the very top of the division.”
She pauses.
“But I solved my Harper Mason problem, and I moved on.” she said “Now it really will be just you and I, and you will find out how dangerous and violent I can get. Oh you like violence don't you Frankie? You made that very clear to Bella Madison that you will do whatever you can to win. So let me tell you something. So will I. I went through seven stages of hell with Luna Pasilno and survived. I went to war with the legend of Mercedes Vargas and came out on top. If you want to talk about violence then we can get violent my dear.”
Another pleasing laugh escapes her lips.
“I told you on X.” Victoria said “Anybody can be Queen for a day but only one queen remains constant, and that constant is me. Victoria Lyons, the Head Lyoness and your SCW Bombshell World Champion.”
That soft smirk returns to her face, as she adjusts the championship on her shoulder.
“That's the thing about all this.” she continued “When people look at you they still see that woman who came in and shocked the world. When they look at me they see the woman running the division, and the woman that made herself undeniable. Make no mistake about it, I am the standard now.”
She paces slowly again.
“While you were busy trying to reclimb that mountain top and reclaim what you lost..” she said “I was building a foundation. A foundation that I can stand on and truly call myself one of the very best in this company's history. Grand Slam. Triple Crown. Record breaking reigns. I am more than just the Bombshell World Champion, I am among the elite in Sin City wrestling and I earned every damn bit of it. If you want this Championship you're going to have to go through hell with me to get it.”
She pauses shortly.
“You're not fighting for a championship anymore Frankie.” she continued “You're fighting against memory. I can see that horrible little voice in your head that keeps whispering that maybe the world has already seen the best you've had to offer. You reach backward to the brightest moment of your career like maybe if you just reach far enough, the universe will give it back. But you have to understand that your reign wasn't the beginning of an era Frankie, it was a shooting star. A beautiful moment, but forgotten just as quickly.”
She steps closer to the camera.
“You got to touch the top of the mountain before you understood how tall it was.” Victoria continued “And now you have no foundation to fall back on so you're stuck in the same cycle of climbing and falling. Continuing to reach for something that keeps moving further and further from your reach. You had a taste of the spotlight and now you feel it moving on without you. You need this world championship back because you haven't figured out who you are without it.”
She grinned.
“Understand that this isn't even the end for me.” she said “I'm the Bombshell World Champion but I'm still going to climb and defend, while you're still stuck there playing your introduction. You had your fairy tale Frankie, but I'm where that book ends. I'm when reality finally decides who the real champion is.”
She smacks her championship for emphasis.
“I became champion because this division could only ignore me for so long before I forced it to acknowledge exactly what I am.” she said “And maybe that's what bothers you the most because I didn't have any sudden lightning strike that disappeared as fast as it came. I stand here now as the most important champion in this company. You came in with all the momentum in the world Frankie but momentum fades and foundations don't. That's why I survived every war that was supposed to break me.”
Her words come fierce and sharp.
“That version of Victoria Lyons that you've beaten in the past no longer exists.” she said, “That woman has evolved into something more, that woman became the one who stopped waiting for permission to sit at the top, and took her place there, and that's a danger you can't fully understand.”
She takes a slow intentional step toward the camera.
“The Victoria you remember was still in her beginnings.” she said “And beginnings are easy. I said you are nothing more than a shooting star, beautiful when it first lights up the sky but the hard part is staying there long enough to become a constellation. That's what I've become. I became permanent, so bring all your violence and desperation and every ounce of panic you've been carrying around since the moment this Championship left your hands, because when that bell rings you'll finally understand the difference between somebody who had an era and somebody who is one.”
She holds her championship out to the camera.
“You can come try to take this from me all you want.” Victoria said “But at the end of the day you will realize the truth and that's that the queen remains constant. I don't need to trust you because this isn't your jungle snake, this is my savannah, so you need to……”
She pauses.
“Be prepared.”
She keeps her confidence in her eyes, looking into the camera, holding her championship out for emphasis as everything cuts to black.
