Post by gvb on May 16, 2023 14:10:19 GMT -6
3x24 THE END
The Hallway
May 12th, 2023
6:15 PM
It's the last day of the Academy, moments before the Graduation ceremony. Kyle Ashton, one of the quieter members of this year is seen leaving his room dragging his suitcase as he heads to the stairs.
Jelena Scherbakova:
Kyle!
The voice of the former Arina stops him on his tracks. He turns around to meet the Russian's soft smile., even though her expression quickly changes when she sees his luggage.
Jelena Scherbakova:
Oh.. You are leaving already? I thought you would stay for the Graduation.
The magician returns the smile, nodding his head slightly.
Kyle Ashton:
I will come back for it. But my parents are here already, I'm taking them to see Chicago. We will leave right after the ceremony though, it's a long way back to Atlantic City.
Jelena Scherbakova:
I thought a magician like you could just teleport wherever he wants...
The former Arina says with a light giggle, coyly hiding her smile with her hand.
Kyle Ashton:
Oh someone got jokes!
The two share a laughter. Kyle's expression suddenly turns to a more serious one as he looks at Jelena.
Kyle Ashton:
And that's not the only thing you have apparently... What is this?
He extends his hand toward the puzzled Russian's face, reaching behind her ear. As he pulled his hand back, he was holding a silver coin between his fingers.
Kyle Ashton:
This is my lucky coin, I lost it a few months ago... Where did you get it?
Jelena Scherbakova:
I... I have no idea! I swear I have never seen it before...
Ashton rolls the coin on his knuckles with great dexterity, raising an eyebrow to his fellow student. But soon enough that frown turns into a smile.
Kyle Ashton:
Relax, I'm just playing... So, what's up with you? What are you doing after graduation? I heard you want to take up some journalism class...
The young russian nods her head.
Jelena Scherbakova:
I will. Gian is helping me with the paperwork, I will be attending the School Of Communication at the Loyola University here in Chicago next year.. But you're not getting rid of me so easily. I was also offered a position as backstage interviewer in MWE, you'll still see me plenty.
The smile on her face isn't reciprocated by Kyle, whose expression turns serious with a hint of sadness.
Kyle Ashton:
I'm afraid not... It wasn't an easy decision for me, but I decided to turn down MWE offer.
Jelena Scherbakova:
Oh no, you too?
Kyle Ashton:
Wait.. Who else is going to dip out?
The future interviewer lets out a sigh.
Jelena Scherbakova:
I know that Dakota said she won't continue. And I think Rizz and Adrianna are doing the same. I'm not sure about Clementine, but her family is quite rooted in wrestling so I'm keen to believe she will stick around.
A brief pause before she continues.
Jelena Scherbakova:
It makes me sad to see you guys going. You all had a promising future, I was hoping to see you all thrive....
Kyle Ashton:
Hey, I'm not hanging up the boots, yet. I just don't think MWE is a good fit for me, that's all. There's so many people in their roster and I don't have the skills and the personality of Reign, Scott, Ava, Sammy or CJ.. Even those who joined halfway through the year, they all have better chances than me. I feel that, if I joined MWE, I would've just got lost in the shuffle.
Jelena nods her head lightly, understanding her friend's concerns.
Kyle Ashton:
I need to find a smaller place to start in and work my way up. And I think I found the right one.
Jelena Scherbakova:
That's awesome!
She replies with excitement, giving Kyle a brief hug.
Jelena Scherbakova:
Although... I will miss you.
Kyle Ashton:
I will miss you too, Lena.
He smiles at her, glancing at the coin in his hand.
Kyle Ashton:
You know what? You can keep my lucky coin as a memento of our friendship.
He hands her the coin, which she gladly accept. As soon as the token is in Jelena's hand, Kyle takes out a red napkin from his pocket.
Kyle Ashton:
Just let me clean it up for you real quick.
She nods and hands the coin back. Ashton rubs the red piece of fabric on the coin's surface and eventually wraps it around the small metallic object. When he opens the napkin, the coin is gone.
Kyle Ashton:
Well... This is awkward now...
He scratches his head, looking just as perplexes as Jelena about what just happened.
Kyle Ashton:
Magic coins... You never can tell what happens with them.
The young magician rolls his eyes.
Kyle Ashton:
Hold up, let me try something....
He closes his left hand in a fist and pushes the napkin inside it.
Kyle Ashton:
I don't know if it'll work but... Do you mind blowing on my hand?
Kyle raises his hand closer to the young woman's face.
Kyle Ashton:
Not too hard though... More like a gentle breeze.
Jelena does as he asks, growing more and more curious with every passing moment.
Kyle Ashton:
That was perfect. I can feel it, something is going to happen.
Ashton pulls out the napkin from his hand and unfolds it, showing both sides of it to his audience of one to prove that he isn't hiding anything. Holding it with both hands, he brings the right corner on his left arm and pulls out a red rose from out of nowhere, offering it to a shocked Jelena.
Jelena Scherbakova:
How did you...?
Kyle Ashton:
A magician never tells his secrets.
He replies with a wink.
Kyle Ashton:
I wish you the best, Jelena. And maybe we'll meet again one day.
He smiles at the young russian before turning around and leaving the Academy. Jelena stands there with the rose in her hand, bringing it up to her face to inhale its scent.
Jelena Svherbakova:
Dasvidanya, Kyle.
She whispers softly as Ashton walks through the door.
The Auditorium
May 12th, 2023
8:03 PM
It was now time to crown the 2023 MWE Academy Valedictorian, as Gian, Lady, Helena and Kayla stood in front of the class, many of them dressed in all their finery in what had been set out as a celebration for all of the graduating students. As the camera panned around the room, it came for the young man who narrowly won the fan vote, in what some were saying was in controversial fashion, the current Gold Star Scott Martell. The Great One was already on his feet as the majority of the room applauded, students and coaches alike, as he bent down to give Ava Grimes a kiss before pacing over to the stage, holding what looked like a small piece of paper which may have been his planned speech. He shook hands with each of the coaches, and finally Gian as he was handed his doctrine, nodding his head as he shared a few words with the Academy Head, before moving to the podium as he stared out at the class.
Scott Martell:
You know, when I came to the Academy… this was my dream. This was my goal, this was everything I wanted. And I’ll admit, achieving what I have in a class such as this has to be the biggest achievement of my life so far. But, dude, it sure wasn’t easy and I sure wasn’t sure I’d make it.
Martell looked at his notes, then scanned the room as he continued on. He was attired in a pretty smart suit and tie combo, really dressing to impress on the biggest moment of his young career.
Scott Martell:
I came here without one of the big wrestling names. I didn’t have family in the business. I didn’t have friends, allies or even a cult on the main roster to back me up. All I had was the confidence that I could do it, and an amateur background that had given me the tools to get myself started. And, I have to admit, a goddamn chip on my shoulder that could have been the end of me.
He took a breath, looking out to Ava in the crowd before continuing on.
Scott Martell:
Early days, I messed up. I got injured in the opening weeks and tried pushing through the pain, and it didn’t work out as well as I hoped. It was a major setback being practically on the shelf, and didn’t do any of my confidence any good. I came here by myself, and tried to do everything by myself. And that was a mistake I learnt from. And afterall, this is a place to learn. And if I wanted to become Great, I had to learn. From both my mistakes, and everyone else’s. You see, I looked at those who had been successful over the past couple of seasons here, and the ones who were flourishing this year. And I didn’t like what I saw. Scamming, cheating, manipulating, putting people off their game rather than improving their own. Succeeding by bringing out the worst in people, while not bringing your very best. I didn’t like that, I still do like that. So I wanted to do better, be better. And be Great.
The group watched on, though it was clear that Sammy and Reign were clearly not interested in what he had to say, despite the very clear shots he had just directed at the former Gold Star.
Scott Martell:
I’m proud as hell to be voted as Valedictorian. Especially seeing that it was not just the coaches selecting this year, but also the class themselves and the fans. This really means the world to me, knowing that the fans were valuing the hard work put into this place, and that they valued someone who wanted to better themselves rather than succeed by putting down others.
Ava was clapping for Scott already, Martell gazing at his girl with admiration in his eyes, before he turned back to the crowd.
Scott Martell:
I wanted to firstly thank my parents for giving me their blessing to come here. I want to thank the coaches for their lessons in the ring, on the mic and in life itself, and give thanks to Helena for giving me my first shot, and to especially for Lady for trading for me in the final months and giving me the tools to reach the very top here. I wanted to thank Clem for being my first training partner here, and I especially wanna thank everyone on Team Strike. Dakota, Marina, CJ… It was an absolute blast training with you. You learnt from me, I learnt from you, and it was just Great feeling a part of a real team from the get go. Thank you for being so welcoming.
The camera panned around to take in the reactions of those he had personally thanked, and there was a finger point between CJ and Scott, each knowing that they would be facing each other at the upcoming supershow.
Scott Martell:
And most importantly, I wanna thank the woman who I came here with tonight.
Great Scott looked over to Ava, a hand on his heart as he spoke to her.
Scott Martell:
I honestly thought I would just keep to myself when I came here. I never thought I would click with anyone, nevermind as deeply as I have. So Ava, babe… Thank you for being my rock and for having my back even when I doubted myself. Like I said before, you’re my Gold Star, and I wouldn’t have made it to the top without you by my side.
Ava blew Scott a kiss, one that he playfully caught with his hand and held to his heart, smiling at the woman he adored. Finally, he turned back to the group and raised his doctrine in the air.
Scott Martell:
Thank you all for making the Academy Great… MWE main roster, here I come!
Martell proclaimed, as the room rose to applaud the Valedictorian, minus a couple of notable exceptions.