Victoria sat on the edge of the couch in her family home, her eyes watching Vincent as he sat legs crossed in the middle of the floor. Across the room Eddie Lyons leaned against the wall near the door frame watching as well.
Vincent's return had surprised her and Eddie both. Neither had expected to see him let alone in the middle of an SCW show. Now here he was back in the living room of the home he grew up in, muttering to himself about wolves and Charlie.
“Run ran hide… wolves..too many… run ran hide.” Vincent muttered “Charlie fell down the hill wolves came… the screams the screams.”
“Who is Charlie?” Eddie asked.
“That's the friend he left with on the boat.” said Victoria “Do you think something happened to Charlie?”
“Wolves… wolves got Charlie…” muttered Vincent “Run ran hide.”
“Whatever it is that happened to Charlie, it doesn't sound good.” said Eddie. “Something tells me there is no Charlie anymore.”
“Charlie fell down the hill.” Vincent muttered
“Yes Vincent I know…” said Victoria “But it's going to be okay. You're home now. Mom should be back soon with the Kentucky Fried Chicken that was your favorite, remember?”
“Bad brother bad brother bad brother bad brother” Vincent muttered.
“What makes you say that?" Victoria asked “Why are you a bad brother?”
“Left you..” Vincent muttered "Abandoned you… bad brother bad brother..”
"It's okay Vincent." said Victoria “I'm not mad at you You're home now you're not a bad brother you're a good brother.”
“No! No! Shame! Shame!" said Vincent “Sister too nice…bad brother bad brother.”
Vincent continued to mutter his repeated nonsense as Eddie and Victoria looked at each other Eddie moved closer to the couch to address her.
“So what's the plan your mom's going to take care of him right?" asked Eddie
“He won't listen to her.” said Victoria “But he listens to me. I think I need to get him a contract with us in SCW.”
“You can't be serious.” said Eddie “Look at him he's in no condition to wrestle. Does he even remember how? What if he hurts somebody or himself?”
“Wrestling is what we've known our entire lives Eddie." said Victoria “It's in his muscle memory, he'll remember. It will all come back to him Right now what's best for him is to keep him by my side. He's my twin and I know what's best for him.”
“I don't think this is a good idea Victoria.” Eddie insisted
“Look she said if we leave him here with my mom he's just going to leave and try to find his way to me.” said Victoria “I may as well keep him by my side where I can keep an eye on him and besides this works out the best for both of us.”
“How's that?” asked Eddie
“Now I get to have my team with Vincent like we both wanted since we were kids." said Victoria “And you don't have to worry about me anymore you can continue to chase Finn or whatever championship you wish.”
“This is a terrible idea…” said Eddie shaking his head, “I can't support this….”
Victoria walked over and squatted in front of Vincent to get to his eye level.
“It's going to be okay little brother..” said Victoria “You're going to come with me. We're going to fight together like we always wanted. Do you remember?"
Vincent said nothing for a moment but then she saw a familiar smile grow on his face.
“Fight.” said Vincent.
Victoria smiled back with a nearly identical smirk of her own she had her brother back and now he seemed more dangerous than ever. This was going to be quite a year for the Lyons family.
______________
The cameras open on Victoria Lyons as she sits on a throne draped in red and black velvet with her Bombshell Roulette Championship resting on a pedestal beside her and crown still firmly resting on her head. Her lips curl into a smirk as she leans back casually on her throne.
“So Song, we finally get to meet.” Victoria began, “Face to face in a match where I don't even have to defend my sweet Rue now some might think that would take the pressure off of me but I find that it bit insulting. I mean I'm supposed to consider you at least some sort of threat is that right? But the truth is you've been around this company off and on for years and your best moments probably happened way back in 2017. I mean A match with you doesn't even warrant a championship defense. That should really let you know where you actually stand in this company because even Mercedes Vargas was gifted a championship match.”
Her signature smirk still plastered on her face she crosses one leg over the other as her tone grows colder.
“The truth is Song.” Victoria continued “You are just a relic. A name people vaguely remember when they think about the history of SCW because you failed to leave any sort of impact. I mean the glorified comedy act Bobbie Dahl? Andrea Hernandez who is the definition of overrated mediocrity? These are the names that bested you? I mean I don't have a perfect record anymore either but at least the names that bested me are Kayla Richards and Luna Pasilno. Because if I'm going to lose I'm only going to lose to names that are considered among the very best. And nobody still has actually pinned my shoulders to the mat, let's not forget that.”
She pauses for a moment and her smirk seems to grow even wider.
“Speaking of Luna has anybody heard from her since I defended my championship against her?” Victoria asked rhetorically, “ I know I haven't. It seems like she may be too ashamed to show her face around here anymore.”
Victoria laughs to herself.
“I've been a name in this company for a fraction of the time you have Song maybe you're gone for a while and came back. Whatever.” Victoria said “But have you seen what I've done l in a mere what six or so months? I've become the queen of this company and I will remain queen of this company until they dare to try crown another one and then she will have to deal with me. I have elevated the Bombshell Roulette Championship and as short-lived as it was I was able to help dethrone the Wolves of Gheimhridh for the Mixed Tag Team Championships. That rain did not go as I expected but once again at least Kayla Richards has a respectable enough resume that losing to her does not feel embarrassing.”
She looks to the championship on the pedestal next to her with pride.
“So what you think if you can get one over on me you might get a shot of this championship? Maybe they'll add you to this match I have coming up with with Bobbie Dahl and Alicia Lukas?” Victoria asked, "It's a nice dream but it's not going to happen sweetheart. Because I am on my way to becoming the longest reigning Bombshell Roulette Champion of all time. After I broke Luna Pasilno, who is there left in this division that can even stop me? It certainly isn't going to be Bobbie Dahl or Alica Lukas but I'll deal with those ladies when the time comes. Please tell me Song what makes you think you're going to be the one?”
Victoria pauses for a moment as though she's waiting for the answer.
“Is it because you're some sort of veteran?” Because just being around doesn't mean you're relevant and it certainly doesn't make you worthy of sharing a ring with me.” said Victoria “This match is non-title for a reason you don't deserve a shot of my championship. Honestly, I don't even think you deserve my time but I'm giving it to you anyway because I am a charitable Queen.”
Victoria takes another moment to pause and let her words linger.
“You don't belong anymore Song. This is a new era of SCW.” Victoria said “This is my era. While you're busy fumbling your way through history, I'm carving out a future where I stand on the top. I will make you just a reminder of why I'm better than everyone who came before me.”
Victoria takes the championship off the pedestal and rests it on her shoulder.
“You have an opportunity before you Song.” said Victoria “But it's not the one you think it is, this is not your chance to rise. It's your chance to fall at the hands of the most dominant Bombshell Roulette Champion in SCW history, and when you're lying on your back looking up at the lights, hearing my name called as the victor, You'll know why I wanted the most dangerous Bombshells in this company and and that your “song” has reached its crescendo a long time ago and it's now time for it to come to an end."
Victoria smirks arrogantly into the camera with her championship draped proudly over her shoulder as the camera slowly fades to black.
________
Soft instrumental music played in the background of the home of the Lyons family. Victoria watched her brother Vincent as he sat cross-legged on the floor back hunched over, a vacant stare at his eyes, as his lips moved in constant murmurs lost in his own world muttering fragmented phrases that Victoria did her best to catch.
As she shot perched on the edge of the couch her mind turned with what she should do next at least Eddie wasn't here to try to push his way into things. His pregnant girlfriend Sabrina had needed him and that left her alone to manage Vincent by herself which is really exactly what she wanted. They had shared a womb together and she knew she understood Vincent better than anyone else ever could.
“Run ran hide…..the cowardly lion.…..” Vincent mumbled in a barely audible tone “Too many wolves…Charlie fell down the hill…”
Victoria felt her stomach churn slightly at the mention of Charlie but she kept her composure. She had met Charlie before he was one of Vincent's friends, the one that Vincent left on his ill-fated boat trip with, but unlike Vincent, Charlie never came back.
She leaned in slightly closer to Vincent as she spoke in a soft tone, “Vincent what happened to Charlie?”
His eyes started toward her as he spoke “Charlie fell down the hill… bone snapping…. wolves came.. scary…run ran hide….the screams…”
Victoria kept her expression neutral and nodded, she didn't need a detailed explanation to piece everything together. What happened to Charlie out there wasn't good and it seemed Vincent still carried that nightmare with him.
“It's okay Vincent you're home now.” she said trying to comfort him
“Abandoned you….” he said shaking his head “Left you alone… Bad brother. Bad brother”
“You didn't abandon me Vincent..” Victoria told him “You came back and that's what matters you're here now and you're home.”
“Home…” Vincent muttered as if her words were resonating somewhere"Fight?”
“Yes fight.” Victoria said “Just like we always wanted since we were kids remember? We were going to take on the world together side by side and now we have chance. We can do this together but I need you to trust me. Can you do that little brother?”
Victoria smiled and extended her hand toward him. Vincent hesitated but reached up his hand into hers as she pulled him up and they met eye level with each other.
“Trust...” he nodded at her “Sister knows best sister is smart. Good sister. Good sister.”
“Yes.” Victoria smiled she knew she had him “Don't worry, you're safe with me I'll take care of everything.”
“Together.” Vincent murmured
Victoria smiled back at him “Together.” she said
This was it she had her brother back and not just a shadow of his former self but has someone she could rebuild reshape and to whatever image she needed him to be with him at her side they just might be unstoppable has she led him to the door her mind raced with the possibilities as this was only the beginning together they were ready to tear through anyone who stood in their way.
__________
The camera opens on Victoria sitting in a dim desolate room she rests in the dim light on a stool her brother Vincent lurking around in the shadows behind her. As always the Bombshell Roulette Championship proudly rests on her shoulder and her crown proudly rests on her head.
“You know I've been thinking a lot about you lately Song” said Victoria “Not because you're particularly memorable or interesting but you become something of a case study in my eyes. A walking identity crisis that is found their way into my ring.”
She smirks into the camera.
“Oh yeah I know you've been wondering do you want to be good? Do you want to be bad?" Victoria said “I'm the queen of SCW I've got little birds that whisper to me about everything, and they tell me you're questioning who you want to be.”
Victoria pauses for a a moment Vincent still lingers around in the shadows behind her pacing around mumbling to himself.
“You want to fight with honor and respect and do things the right way and all that.” said Victoria “The funny thing about that is my cousin Eddie has built his career on many of the same values and he does it so much better than you. He lives and breathe honor and respect because that's who he is. You just slap the word yourself on like it's a cheap sticker and hope it'll stick but it doesn't. Because unlike my cousin Eddie who's honor comes from knowing exactly who he is you don't even know where to start looking.”
With her signature smirk she leans forward slightly.
“That's the biggest difference between us too.” said Victoria "I know who I am I've known for a long time. Once upon a time in a company called WWH, I used to believe in things like honor and fairness Vincent and I were even part of a revolution that looks to stop some that company's oppressors. It worked for a while but it only got me so far. It was never going to lead me to a championship so you know what I did I killed that version of myself and buried her deep in the dirt.”
“Sister grew stronger…” Vincent muttered more audibly.
“Yes" said Victoria “I grew stronger and that led me to become the dominant champion you see today. The old me, she was weak and pathetic, she cared what people thought. So from someone who has fought your battles before Song I think you should pull the trigger. Who cares what anybody thinks? Song should worry about Song and Song only. Do you even need Master Lilly anymore how about you take control like I did? I'm just saying I made the change and my success speaks for itself.”
She motions subtly to her championship.
“Lions hunt. lions rule the domain.” Vincent muttered again audibly from the shadows.
“Exactly Vincent.” said Victoria “You get it you know what it means to be a predator, to be a lion. This is about knowing exactly who you are and using it to tear through anybody who gets in your way. I don't hide behind any outdated codes of honor. I don't waste time pretending I'm something I'm not. I'm Victoria Lyons I'm ruthless, I'm resentless I'm unstoppable and I am the most dominant bombshell roulette champion this company has ever seen.”
She pauses again keeping the smirk on her face.
“So what are you going to do Song?” Victoria asked “When you step into my jungle and you come face to face with a predator one that rests at the top of the food chain? Will your honor save you? It certainly keeps my cousin Eddie from truly reaching his true potential and like I said he's better than you at it so what do you really have left Song?”
“Nothing.” muttered Vincent. “No escape.”
“Correct.” said Victoria “And when the smoke settles and this is all said and done maybe you'll realize who you truly want to be and you'll thank me you'll thank me for helping show you your true self. Thank me for helping make you stronger because you'll see that my way is in fact the correct way to success. You think I'm blowing smoke up your ass why not take a look at the Wolves of Gheimhridh? Finn and Kayla have proven their dominance as champions. Do you think they care what anybody else thinks of them?”
“No wolves…. no wolves.” Vincent said “Wolves bad… wolves bad”
“It's okay brother.” said Victoria. “You're safe with me.”
After reassuring her brother she directs her attention back to the camera.
“Sorry he's got a thing about wolves.” said Victoria “But that's not for you to worry about Song, you need to worry about the Lioness, the queen that's coming for your throat.”
She smirks into the camera again.
“Every song must come to an end.” said Victoria “And you can go back to a song time and time again and enjoy it, but it's always fairly short-lived and it always has an end and Climax Control will be the end of this song.”
She continues to keep her gaze into the camera with Vincent looming behind as everything slowly fades out to black.
__________
The Lyons Den Wrestling Academy was as active as ever, especially considering the new talent initiative and some new talents that were coming out of this school looking to find their way in the beast of the wrestling business.
As Victoria walked through one of the hallways paperwork in hand she heard the voice of Eddie Lyons speak out to her.
“So you really went through with it didn't you?” said Eddie his gaze looking at the paper in her hand.
She didn't look straight at him but tapped the papers with a smirk on her lips
”What gave it away?” she said “The fact I signed my brother to an SCW contract.?”
Eddie sighed
“You know this is wrong.” he said “You're throwing him into the deep end you know he's not in the right mental state, and now you're going to put them in there with people who don't care about his past or well-being you're just using him.”
A dismissive laugh left her lips.
“Using him?” she said “I'm helping him Eddie but that's not anything you would understand because you're too busy playing hero worried about everyone else, but Vincent he needs me and he needs this contract. It's already been signed sealed and delivered. I'm giving him a chance to rebuild his life, the life we both always wanted since we were kids. He needs to fight Eddie it's what he knows, it's what he wants.”
“What he needs?!” Eddie shot back shaking his head “You're being blind Victoria, this isn't about what he wants or what he needs. It's just about you you're doing it because it suits your narrative and your agenda. You're just dragging him along into something to satisfy your own craving for control.”
“I'm helping him Eddie.” Victoria said her eyes narrowing, “Giving him a purpose, helping him find his way, he may be your cousin but he's my twin. I know him better than anyone I've seen him lose himself and I'm not going to let him slip away again into the shadows."
“And what if he crashes?” said Eddie “What if he gets in too deep and can't find his way back? What are you going to do then? Will you be there to pick up the pieces or will you just move on to your next project like you always do?”
A slight sense of anger burned under her eyes.
“I'm not like you Eddie.” Victoria said, “I don't waste time trying to be everyone's favor I do I need to be done if I need to drive Vincent needs to feel alive again and so be it you may think I'm being cruel but I'm just being real.”
“You're wrong.” said Eddie “This isn't what he needs, not like this. You think signing that contract is the best thing for him but you're just setting him up for failure and when he is in too deep and crashes you will have to live with the fact that you pushed him to that edge.”
“I'm doing what's best for him.” Victoria repeated sternly
“You keep saying that.” said Eddie “But deep down you know I'm right. You're doing this for yourself Vicks, and when it all goes wrong and you can't fix it you will have to live with that."
“I'm not afraid of what might happen.” said Victoria “I'm afraid of what happens if I don't do this. If I leave him behind and he gets lost in his own darkness, then that is what I wouldn't be able to live with. Vincent is my brother and I won't leave him abandoned again.”
“I just hope you know what you're doing..” Eddie's said his expression softening “You're not the only one who's had to pick up the pieces you know don't expect me to sit back and watch this play out without saying something. Don't think that I won't be the first to say I told you so.”
As Eddie walked off down the hallway Victoria watched him wondering if his words were more than just a warning but just as quickly they were was pushed aside she wasn't about to second guess herself this was going to work. She gripped the papers in her hand carefully her face full of determination. She would prove Eddie wrong and she would have prove that this was in fact the right decision.
