Millennium CXVI

The camera pans to the parking lot where Selena Lyre, and Mr.X are seen talking outside the arena entrance.

Selena Lyre:
Never in a million years would I dream that I would be in Ireland Mr.X! I wanna visit so many places while we are here, but there is so little time.

Mr.X reaches under the collar of his mask, and turns on a voice changer that gives his voice the familiar deep robotic sound that Mr.X uses whenever he talks.

Mr. X:
Welcome to being in the big leagues my dear student. You will visit some amazing places on your journey as a professional wrestler, this is but a taste! I'm talking about scenery that will make your jaw drop, cultures that will make you think you're dreaming! Yes Selena, our profession is one wild ride, and if you really wanna enjoy the most of this life then you must continue to work hard to make fans, and fellow wrestlers respect your names, WIn Championships, and become undeniable! I wonder though, do you have what it takes? Do you have the killer instinct to plant a knife in the back of a friend as you rise to the top while watching their career spiral downwards as a result of your actions?

Selena puts out her right palm in front of Mr.X causing him to stop talking.

Selena Lyre:
I apologize master, but let me stop you right there. Yes I do wanna experience all those things, and I want to be the best and will never stop training, and learning until I get there, but stab a friend in the back? I could never.

Mr.X:
Give up then, because I promise you when it comes to this business? They wouldn't waste a minute to do the same to you, this business is cut throat.

Selena shakes her head.

Selena Lyre:
You didn't let me finish sir. I am aware that I am going to probably experience multiple betrayals in my career. I mean I have already seen it happen with Karen betraying her daughter Erika, but you see Mr.X I will not do the same, because I am aiming the knife straight for the jugular! So tonight I am in a triple threat match with one of my opponents being my only friend so far in Gabriel Laundry, and so I say this Gabe! I am going to win this match tonight where it be you or them, whoever is standing in front of me at the opportune time? I will unholster the knife, aim it at their chin, and plunge it deep as I drop them with a Lightning Strike.

Mr.X lets out a small chuckle.

Mr.X:
My dear Selena you never failed to amaze me, and everytime I start to doubt you? You remind me why you are my star student.

Selena smiles brightly at that comment.

Selena Lyre:
I’m glad you have faith in me Mr.X, but star student? The best friends are impressive also you know.

Mr.X takes his cane, and strikes the bottom of it on the ground startling Selena.

Mr.X:
Now now that is a conversation for the future lets not get ahead of ourselves here, and say to much.

Selena Lyre:
You're right, my apologies Master.

Selena, and Mr.X turn, and continue walking into the arena as the scene comes to an end.

There is a vibrant glow that comes to life as the cameras take us to a night club environment where we find A very well dressed Haylie LaFluer who is accompanied by a well dressed solider man, Rhys Adelson stands tall in a well pressed suit and he looks to Haylie with a smile on his face.

Rhys Adelson:
Going to go and arrange our seats, I’ll be right back.

Haylie LaFleur:
Alrighty, I’ll be here. Just going to freshen up.

She mentioned pulling a compact mirror from her handbag as Rhys scurried off and Haylie let out a little laugh. Lowering her mirror to look directly to whoever is filming the scene. Her eyes gauging each of the viewers at home as if she saw them all directly.

Haylie LaFluer:
I see you there, sillies and believe me it’s alright. I know I’ve been away from the Millennium ring for a week or two, but after the debacle with Paula Parker, mentally we needed a break.

Haylie offered a light shrug before she continued.

Haylie LaFleur:
The truth of the entire matter is that I actually do respect Paula and would love to see her truly cement herself as the prodigy she claims to be, but like any insecure teen, Paula has a crutch she believes she needs. It isn’t my place to tell her how to live nor is it my place to continue attempting the kind of matches I want to achieve and thus, I decided to end things at #OnThinIce when her brothers decided they needed to involve themselves in our contest. Does she want to count it as a win? Of course she does and she can, personally I am happy she was able to once again discount herself from something she could have truly earned. Nevertheless, I chose to stand on my own morals and leave the match, she’s the winner on paper, I’m the winner in life. We both are happy.

Haylie offered a quick chuckle before she continued.

Haylie LaFleur:
Enough of that however, she won’t mention me any longer and I won’t mention her . . . Until we possibly meet again someday, so you may wonder what comes next for Haylie LaFluer. Only a few matches into her MWE career and already it seems unclear of where she goes next and that is perfectly fine by me, my return to wrestling wasn’t to hold all the gold or to be some hot shot, I’ve already done that. You may think that my genuine demeanor of kindness is simply naivety but I have spent my time being the most competitive, now I simply want to go to the ring and simply put on the best show I can. To wrestle in exciting matches and give you exactly the type of show that you deserve each and every time I am there. Will there be shenanigans?? Of course! Will there be direct precision and calculation? Well that’s always been in the formula.

There was a light wink given before she continued to speak.

Haylie LaFluer:
You’ve only just begun to see what it is I can do, but for now my LaFluerians you’ll just have to wait.

Before she could finish what she was saying Rhys once again reappeared crossing his arms and looking confused.

Rhys Adelson:
Babe? Who in the hell are you talking too?

Haylie giggled looking to the audience once more.

Haylie LaFleur:
Shhhh!

She said laughing again as she gave another wink before looking back to him.

Rhys Adelson:
Oh no one. Just hyping up our little viewing party tonight. Are our seats ready?

She asked though Rhys still looked dubious before shaking his head and staring around to see if he saw anyone there. For a military man and SABER employee you could tell his inability to track something left him with unease as Haylie nodded approaching him and waving off.

As the two disappeared inside; the camera now turned showcasing a little camera tucked inside a well hidden rock in a larger set of foliage just outside the night clubs entrance. Music being heard faintly in the backdrop before a hand reached to grab hold of it and retrieve it from the scene as it closes off.

Backstage we find Summer Collins and Jessica Lasiewicz walking through the hall. They look ready to compete, ready to bounce back after a disappointing loss at On Thin Ice. Suddenly Lasiewicz stops dead in her tracks and looks to her right. Summer keeps walking ahead but eventually notices Jessica has stopped. Summer turns and goes back over to her tag team partner. Summer waves her hand in front of Jessica’s face.

Summer Collins:
Jess, hello? What’s wrong?

Jessica Lasiewicz:
…

Summer Collins:
Quit with the ellipses. That’s your dad’s thing. You need your own thing, remember? And right now we need to focus on beating Walker and King. We can still get back in the tag team division. We can still become MWE World Tag Team Champions but we need to win and…

Lasiewicz points. Summer looks over to where she is pointing. Summer spots none other than “The Woman Scorned” Kimberly Williams, Jessica’s half-sister, standing not too far away. The Queen of the Death Match is waving playfully at the pair. Collins sighs and looks over at Jessica.

Summer Collins:
Seriously?

Jessica Lasiewicz:
She IS my sister.

Summer Collins:
But we have a match, a match we cannot afford to lose.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Just let me talk to her, ok? I will handle this.

Collins rolls her eyes.

Summer Collins:
Fine. But make it quick.

Summer turns and walks away. Once she is gone Kimberly comes skipping happily over to her half-sister.

Kimberly Williams
Wow, she sure sounded like a sour puss. It’s almost like you lost a big tag title match or something?

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Przegraliśmy mecz o mistrzostwo.

Kimberly Williams
jIHvaD qotlh vIlo'taHvIS jIcheghqang

Lasiewicz furrows her brow.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Huh?!

Kimberly Williams
You were speaking Polish so I decided to speak Klingon! What’d you think?

Jessica Lasiewicz:
I think you’re nuts. Now what do you want?

The Woman Scorned grins from ear to ear.

Kimberly Williams:
I’m sooooo glad you asked! I have been listening to what you and your bestie have been saying for the better part of a year now. You two have been griping and complaining about Bolshevik and Bourgeoise for a longtime now.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Bad and Boujee.

Kimberly Williams:
Boujee, Bourgeoise, same difference! Anyway, I have heard about your complaints. You have complained about their constant cheating and breaking the rules. You complain about how no one in management will do a damn thing about it. You and Summer even went as far as to say Karen Eldon and Olly of all people were more honest than them! Now THAT is saying something! And by the way, I agree. Karen and Olly at least own up to their dishonesty. They own up to their blatant cheating and breaking of the rules. Unlike Bob and Breadsticks who use TWIN MAGIC all the time to cheat like crazy and act like they’ve done nothing wrong. Management punishes some but won’t punish others. They reward the bad behavior of some but will not reward people like you and Summer who are trying so hard to do things by the rules.

Williams smirks knowingly. Jessica shrugs her shoulders.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Why do you care?

Kimberly Williams:
Oh other than the fact that you are my sister and I want to help you? We are family! We stick together, Jess! Also the fact that Beast and Beastiality are stealing mine and Marie’s shtick! We run the Twin Magic switcheroo in SCW and GCW and we have done it waaaaay before they did! I WANT ROYALTIES DAMN IT!

The Woman Scorned winks.

Kimberly Williams:
I just think, and it’s just a piece of advice, take it for what you will…that maybe it’s time for a little VENGEANCE…

Jessica arches her brow.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
You really think MWE is ready for Vengeance?

Kimberly Williams:
Uh-huh…

Jessica Lasiewicz:
And what about Summer?

Kimberly Williams:
Who?

Lasiewicz rolls her eyes.

Jessica Lasiewicz:
Look, I appreciate the concern, Kim, and I promise we’ll talk later, but right now Summer and I have a match.

Jessica turns and walks off. Kimberly watches her with a smirk on her face.

There’s an innate calmness to the man who is sitting alone in the locker room, often a common thing for him when he has been seen. The man who has dubbed himself professional wrestling itself, or at least a form of it, just seems reflective as he has his hands together and his face, thoughtful yet at a little bit of peace.

Seth Iser:
It’s been a little while since I laced up boots in Ireland…and oftentimes when I did way back in the day it was some young kid with talent and potential staring at me back. Though I do think fate was a little different…it would’ve been the Irish Teegan in this. Neither of them would want to threaten my career like a handful of people have lately. Wonder why…it’s like I’ve robbed some people of their meals or something.

A mischievous smirk creeps onto his face as if he knows his own reputation but after a second that fades away and the neutral expression returns.

Seth Iser:
But the kids don’t learn lessons well…never have. You think the one line on social media is the thing that reaches you to the top or some god forsaken flashy move or threatening to take me out of professional wrestling. Well…you aren’t too damn comfortable doing actual work in front of the camera if you rely on tweets. You need your ass stretched if you just want to do flashy moves while ignoring the fundamentals. And news flash: You can’t kill what I am or what I’ve meant to professional wrestling. Long after I’m gone…my mark will forever remain.

There’s a frown creeping on his face, contemplative as always.

Seth Iser:
Every attempt to kill someone like me…you’ll end up adding to my longevity and legacy. That’s the truth of it all…for over two decades now I’ve gone through and molded professional wrestling MY way! When I get in the ring…I say what I do…whether it’s teach or whoop somebody’s ass, sometimes both, and I go do it. People can like or dislike how I perform my job…but I damn sure get the job done!

A calmness returns to Seth after he states this as matter of fact.

Seth Iser:
Tonight…I aim to do both. Bree…I hope you’re a willing student for as long as I’m in there…I’m going to give you a masterclass demonstration of why I’ve been one of the most successful, respected, and sometimes hated professional wrestlers to ever play the game. Ever. But I do pose a warning…because on the off chance someone else gets involved…she knows who she is because she loves interfering in matches she has no business in getting involved in…shows her weakness in that regard…yeah Megan Manning, I’m speaking about you.

The frown remains but there’s a little bit more intensity on his face.

Seth Iser:
Faith spent twenty minutes trying to take me out entirely because she had all the worries in the world I was going to intervene in Julian’s plan to piss off an entire company. She hurt me for the night…but couldn’t take me out entirely. Can’t kill someone like me. And I know you want to complete Blyss’s revenge as well and do the thing she can’t…and nobody to this point can…and that's to wipe me out. I’ll give you an opportunity to do just that. In one of the places I reached some of my greatest infamy years ago…in London, England. Anarchy in the UK. You and me.

The frown turns into a full blown glare as the intensity is picking up in his voice.

Seth Iser:
If you aim to end my career…then all you’ll be trying to perform is a macabre fairy tale…with a horrible ending: You choking on those mouthful of lies you’ve spouted for months now. Because I don’t claim to be eternal like Blyss…no, I’m flesh and blood. But flesh and blood that have created my own damn story in pro wrestling for twenty years…and you can’t kill it nor can you write my ending. And I’ll be sure to leave a nice paragraph in my autobiography just for how I dropped you on your head…

A smirk creeps onto his face as he stands up and even flings the chair out of the sight effortlessly with his left hand.

Seth Iser:
But you only have a couple weeks until the ink dries fully on your fate…use it wisely.

Deep Voice:
Tell me what you want to hear.

There’s nothing but darkness and the cackle of static. Without warning, a shrill scream is heard through the speakers that shocks and surprises the crowd. When the visual kicks in, it’s one half of the Murder City Saints, RAZE, starting his promo the way they used to.

RAZE:
Tell me exactly what it is you’d like me to say to you, and I can sit here and say it to you. I could tell you that everything was going to be alright. I could tell you that The Division were just kidding, we really don’t mean any harm to anyone, and we’re hosting the next MWE Game Night. Anything you could think of, those words would fall out of my mouth with a straight face…but it would be nothing but lies.

He taps the burnt red brick wall next to him, the background resembling something of a deserted alleyway.

RAZE:
Millennium CXV was just another example of the power we have. I didn’t have to lift a finger, I just got to watch the worms squirm. Each and every week, we’re still going to have those pesky white knights that attempt to step up. They envision themselves as some sort of hero. Unfortunately, this isn’t just some fairy tale.

He waves his fingers back and forth, like it’s some kind of make believe fantasy.

RAZE:
Back at On Thin Ice, I was inches away from becoming the Cloud Gate Champion. Addison shouldn’t be champion when you think about it, but I digress. Go back and watch the match, and in the final moments you’ll see me dominating. Addi knew better, and she stayed out of it while I put Miki into the ground. It was only then that Addi got the sneak on me, and was able to pin Miki. Interesting though, considering she tried to say it was strange I was in the match to begin with, yet I’m the one she mooches off of.

The big man chuckles, taking a moment to pause.

RAZE:
Typical. People will try to deny us, even when their faces are being pushed into the dirt and spit on. Take for instance, the Clyde and Erika Eldon. The worst thing to ever happen to MWE, is what I believe you said about us, Erika. You’re not wrong there, especially when I look at it from your point of view. You must really hate that people more talented and more hungry than you are getting their due. You really think your buck-ten ass is going to be able to put me down? I am The Anomaly, and you’re just someone else standing in our way!

Suddenly, another shrill scream in the dead of night, before we cut to static again.

Jack Graves:
I’ve got the girls taking care of the Anders issue for me since I can’t lay a hand on her dumbass until our match. That’s if there’s even anything left of her to have a match with when they get done. That should be going down soon but I’m glad I could be here tonight to help with this little…problem. Although, I reckon’ it ain't much of a problem at all, is it? Seems like The Division has been gifted a W if you ask me. How many times have we beaten these three?

The shot fades in backstage and it seems as though a camera man has decided to risk his life to get some candid footage of The Division’s Julian, Jack, and Olly talking shop in their dressing room.

Through the half opened door we can see the three men sitting around a card table in the middle of the smoky room. They appear to be mid-hand in a game of texas holdem, and Jack is puffing away on a lit backwoods as he speaks.

Julian tosses a few chips into the middle of the table and the other two men follow suit to call his bet. Jack then deals three cards face up for the flop causing Olly’s brow to furrow as soon as he sees them.

Julian Savell:
Good. I have no doubt they can handle it, just like I have no doubts we’ll be walking away victorious tonight. I assume you’re going to handle the Kross situation yourself then?

Jack nods, taking another puff from his backwoods as he looks his cards over.

Jack Graves:
Yeah. I got Kross handled. Made the title defense a triple threat so I can get two birds stoned at once and--

Olly:
I don’t think that’s how that saying goes. It’s ki--

Jack gives him a stare and Olly picks up some poker chips and tosses them into the middle of the table with a shrug.

Olly:
I’m just saying..

Graves gives him a playful nudge and calls his bet by tossing a few chips of his own in the pot. Julian does the same and then Jack deals a fourth card face up on the table.

Jack Graves:
As for tonight? I think we isolate Miki. She’s the weak link. We make hot tags and stomp her ass. Don’t let her tag out. We’ll show Melissa that she never should’ve never gotten this poor girl involved in--

Olly nudges Jack, stopping him mid sentence.

Jack and Julian follow his gaze over to the doorway where they both lock eyes with the camera man.
He tries to flee, but the three men are on him like a pack of hungry wolves in no time. Jack snatches the camera from him, and Olly levels the cameraman with a nasty headbutt to the face. As soon as he hits the ground the three men give the poor guy the boots, stomping on him while Jack films the attack from his shoulder.

The cameraman tries to crawl away, but Jack hands the camera off to Julian and he walks over to deadlift the man into the air with a gutwrench lift. Seeing a table nearby, Jack doesn’t hesitate for a moment and he takes three quick steps before gutwrench powerbombing the defenseless guy through the table.

Security and medics flood in to break up the situation, and the scene ends with the Division Members looking accomplished at their handiwork.

Backstage we find the reigning MWE Intercontinental Champion Sophie O’Brian standing near the ready area. She is wearing her two piece teal and black wrestling gear. She has her Intercontinental Championship title belt wrapped around her waist. The Northern Irish native receives a loud cheer from her hometown fans in attendance. A sly smirk forms across her face.

Sophie O’Brian:
Fools are the ones who either out of ignorance or stubborn bullheadedness refuse to pay attention to the changes that are going on around them. The fools refuse to pay attention to the ever changing and evolving landscape. Perhaps they are stupid, perhaps they are stubborn, or maybe they simply fear the obvious change that is occurring around them? Whatever the reason for their refusal to accept the change, it still makes them foolish. They are foolish because deep down inside they must know that refusal to adapt to change just ends in their extinction. It is a law of science. Natural selection. Those species who are able to adapt to change will thrive and survive while those who do not adapt to change die out and are eventually forgotten, or perhaps they find a spot as a Museum piece? People can look at those extinct species in awe and amazement at the grace and power they used to possess.

O’Brian pats the championship belt around her waist.

Sophie O’Brian:
Kenzie, you used to possess this but now you do not. It belongs to me. That fact bothered you so much that you thought attacking me from behind with my own title belt, thus ruining my match against Olly, would somehow get under my skin.

The Northern Irish woman shrugs her shoulders.

Sophie O’Brian:
Honestly, you did me a favor. I was growing weary of fighting Olly. Fighting him and anyone in The Division has grown quite dull, boring, and I have no intentions of continuing that. You ended what hopefully was my final encounter with them. Since that didn’t successfully get under my skin you attempted to get a rise out of me by claiming I would cry, that you would send me home empty handed in my hometown? Once again you failed and you failed because you did not pay attention to the changing landscape. Did you pay attention to anything I said last Millennium? Did you hear the words that were coming out of my mouth? Alternative to listening is reading. You are good at using social media, so why didn’t you read the words I posted on twitter? I am NOT the person you think I am. Do you really think I give a damn about letting these idiots in Northern Ireland down?

The fans now suddenly boo at being called idiots. Sophie chuckles softly.

Sophie O’Brian:
And as far as crying goes, the last person I recall crying and leaving empty handed was you. I made you tap out, you cried in agony to be released from Wisdom, and then you left empty handed. You gave up, Kenzie. You quit. You, Kenzie, are nothing more than a quitter. And if you think tonight will end any differently than what happened at On Thin Ice then you are delusional. The simple fact is that you have refused to adapt to the change going on around you. Now you are going extinct. You will either be forgotten or end up in a museum like the rest of the fossils. You are finished, Kenzie. And my time, the time of Hagia Sophia, has just begun.

Sophie walks off.