I know, I know.. I should have fought my daughter at Synergy, right? I should have given the fans a show, and given away any and all build up to this match at Battleground, right?

I mean that’s the only reason I can think of that we’d be put into a tag match a week before our title match. Well that and, the powers that be.. those who have been heard and recorded saying that I might be the greatest champion in UGWC right now… they may have wanted Sarah and I to go into Battleground having scouted our opponent.

Well it’s too late for that now, darlings.

She and I have fought each other four times now, Monday will make five and we’re tied two all. Battleground will be just that… and it will be the tie breaker. Once and for all, we will find out which of us is better.

Will it be the young upstart with all the talent in the world? A woman who has turned the wrestling world on its head, a woman who isn’t afraid to come in and go for what she wants… morals be damned. Will it be Mrs. Lacklan who comes out of our war victorious?

Or will it be me?

The old, tired veteran who just doesn’t have it anymore? The woman who’s held this Cross-Hemisphere Championship with more pride and respect than that young woman EVER could fathom, the woman who stands up to people like her – regardless of the consequences, regardless of how ‘stupid’ it might make her look. Could I possibly come out of Battleground victorious?

I suppose we’ll find out.

We’ll all find out.

Can the ‘Old dog’ keep up?

Or will she have to be put down?

 

 

“You can’t keep going like this, Lucille.”

“What?  What are you doing here?

“I’m here to tell you the truth.”

“What truth?”

 

Date October 23rd 2017 / Time Unknown / Status Not Recording
Location UGWC Synergy – Chicago, Illinois

“Yeah. I just don’t want to cause you any more unnecessary grief.”

I look up into his eyes after a few seconds to see Gabriel wide-eyed. I can’t imagine how what I said could be garnering that reaction. There’s a sadness there, at least that’s what I see it as. He can’t be that upset about Outlast.. about my costing him the World title… It can’t be all the shit everyone has been saying about he and I…

Like he said, it’s nothing he hasn’t dealt with before.

Just because I’m bothered doesn’t mean that he is. I mean hell; there’s much more important stuff in the world than me – as everyone else has been so poignantly saying. I’ve been so consumed with my own awkwardness about this that I’ve obviously failed to notice that look in his eyes until now.

If it’s not the belt, if it’s not the twitter bullshit.. Then what could it be?

“I..”

“It’s okay.”

He replies, his face morphing back into that poker-face of his. I nod my head and glance away. It’s not like I don’t understand what it feels like to hide my feelings… That’s been my life lately.

But the finality of his statement makes it obvious that he’s not interested in taking this conversation further, at least not with me. That’s fine. Trust me, I know he’s not my biggest fan lately and I know when I’ve used up my welcome.

“Good luck tonight.”

I say, reaching out and touching his arm gently, my eyes meeting his as I force a minuscule smile on my lips. I stare into his eyes for a few more seconds, but I don’t really want to wait for a response… Even though his eyes are just lovely. There’s so much soul within them… So much more than what everyone can see on the surface.

Makes me wish even more that I hadn’t of messed this up.

The fact remains though, that I did – and that’s not going to go away anytime soon. Blinking my eyes a few times, I turn away and keep walking towards my locker room. He’s got shit to do, a match to prepare for… and he certainly doesn’t need me hanging around him like a lost puppy dog.

Not that anyone else thinks that about me anyway.

“Miss Wylde?”

I roll my eyes as I open the door to my locker room. It’s like these people know to bother me right when I want to be alone. I turn around in the doorway to see one of the backstage workers; someone I’ve seen around a few times but have never spoken to, walking towards me.

“Yes?”

I say, confused as to why they’re even speaking to me in the first place.

“Y-you requested these?”

I look down into their hands to see a couple bottles of water. I nod and grab them, chuckling.

“Oh, yeah.. Yeah. Did a bunch of work tonight, haha. Thanks.”

I turn to head into the room, but I sense them still standing there. Odd.

“Is there something else?”

He looks nervous, like he’s got something to say.

“Oh, yeah… Actually, there is.”

It’s now that I sigh and turn my attention back to this person. I should have known… around here there is no such thing as being left alone. There is no such thing as simply delivering waters to someone and leaving. Nope. It’s always something.

“And what might that be?”

He wraps his hand around the back of his neck, rubbing it as he responds.

“Well, I don’t know what kind of problems you have and I don’t claim to know, Miss Wylde.. but I don’t know if fighting your daughter is the best–”

Daughter?

“What the fuck a minute… What did you just say?”

He looks like he just saw a ghost.

“Your daughter… You should be working out your family issues without physical violence… I mean–”

I put my hand up to stop him from making a bigger fool of himself. I don’t have a damned idea what he’s talking about.

“My daughter? I don’t have any children.”

I reply, matter of factly.. unless you count little Riko – who CJ adopted without me knowing. Either way, I don’t have any kids. Any that are alive, anyway.

“Sarah? I mean, Mrs. Lacklan.. She’s not your–”

“God NO… Where in the hell did you get an idea like that?”

“Well.. you and she… you look–”

I roll my eyes.

“We look alike? Hardly.”

“And she, well–”

“Let me guess.. she didn’t deny it. Jesus. How old do you think I am?!”

Silence.

Well that’s not promising.

“I’m not THAT old, for your information.”

It’s like all the air’s been sucked out of his sails as he stands there staring at me wide eyed and scared. He should be scared.

“I’m sorry Miss-”

“Just get the fuck out of here.. and do me a favor? Don’t listen to a God damned word that little bitch says.”

I don’t even let him respond before the door is closed in his face. I shake my head, letting the waters drop onto the chair beside me.

“Wow.”

My eyes flicker up, making eye contact with myself in the mirror across the room. I walk closer to the mirror, noticing the tired eyes, the crows feet… Dear God… I look old. I bring my hands up, smoothing my skin – bringing everything back up to where it’s supposed to be… to where I don’t look like a has-been.

My stomach drops when I let my face go and I go back to seeing the face of someone who I don’t know. Who the fuck is this old woman staring back at me? I put my hands on the mirror, feeling the cool glass beneath my palms… my gaze never leaving my face – What’s happened to me?

 

 

”You’re done.”

”No.. I’m not”

”You were never going to amount to anything more.”

”I’ve already amounted to more than you.”

”That’s where you’re wrong.”

”W-What?”

”You’re nothing without me.”

 

Date October 25th 2017 / Time 4:10PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Forge – Manhattan, New York

I look up at the building we’re standing in front of. So unassuming. This place really is the definition of a ‘hole in the wall’. I’ve been past here tons of times, I never realized that this was ever here.

The Forge.

First off, that’s a hell of a name. But more importantly, it’s the gym of someone I’ve looked up to for a long, long time. True, my area of expertise isn’t exactly the same as his, but good lord I could learn some shit from him. And to find out earlier today that Maggie has met him and he’s told her that he appreciates her work… That fucking floored me.

In a good way of course.

I bring my eyes back down to the entrance, where my sky haired friend is pulling the door open. She turns her head and glances back at me, I guess making sure I’m still here. I wouldn’t be anywhere else right now… Except maybe back home in bed. But I wanted to come out today, wanted to do something besides lay around, drink and watch everyone and their brother criticize me.

I smile at her, even though the butterflies in my stomach are going absolutely apeshit right now. She’s helping me realize a dream… something I thought I’d never get to do.

It’s just…

I wonder if I’m even in the right place right now to do this. Mentally, physically… spiritually. It’s been a hard few days since Synergy. I have a title match coming up, I have one of the biggest matches of my career coming up.

…And I feel old.

I feel like my time is coming to an end. Or maybe that it should come to an end.

“Damn…”

I say, moving into the gym. Instantly I’m surrounded by fighters; people doing their thing in ways not too dissimilar from the way Maggie and I do ours… Except one of us is the future, and one of us is soon to become the past.

It’s hard to be excited right now. It’s hard to feel like I have anything that I could possibly bring to the table right now that’s anything above the woman standing beside me. She’s only going to get better. She’s only going to rocket into super-stardom.. like I did when I was that age.

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

Her voice storms into my thoughts, bringing me back to this moment. I can only turn and nod as I’m still taking in the sights, the smells, the sounds around me. It’s then that I see him. Jay Fles. MMA God, Jay Fles.

“Yeah… Totally…”

I reply, watching him talking to someone on a weight machine. I see a mane of blue-green hair out of the corner of my eye, but I can’t take my eyes off of him. He’s one of my idols. A man I’ve respected for years and years… and knowing that he’s been right under my nose this whole time – Jesus… I can’t handle it. He turns his head towards Maggie and I, and I see his eyes light up.

“Heya!”

He throws his arm in the air, waving presumably at Maggie; who waves back – her face slightly pinker than it was a few moments ago. She wasn’t kidding when she told me she may or may not have had a thing for him… Can’t blame her. I reach out and grab her arm as he begins moving towards us.

“Ow! Luce!”

“Sorry…”

I let go and step back towards the door. What if I’m here just to humiliate myself? Wouldn’t that just be perfect? Lucy meets her idol and ends up looking like an idiot… What a headline. I’m sure Eden and Sarah would just love that. Lucy proves everyone right…

“Hey Luce?”

I whip my head around, realizing that I’ve not heard a word she’s been saying.

“Jeeze, I’m sorry Mags.. I- Oh….”

I lose the ability to speak when I turn my head to see Mr. Jay Fles directly in front of me, his chocolate skin glistening under the bright lights of the gym and his smile nearly blinding me.

“Lucy, this is Jay–”

“J-Jay Fles… Dear God… It’s such an honor…”

I manage to choke those words out as the man extends a hand. I reach my own shaky digit out and we shake hands.

“The honor is all mine, Miss Wylde. I’m glad you two fine ladies decided ta come in here today.”

“Lucy didn’t even know you had a gym around here.”

Maggie says, as a bit of color comes to my cheeks. No, I didn’t.. I just watched every one of his fights since I was a young woman, idolized him, worshiped the ground he walked on… I give Maggie the stink eye, and turn my attention back to Jay – forcing an awkward smile onto my face.

“I-I didn’t.”

He chuckles.

“Ha, that’s okay. I don’t exactly advertise that we’s here. Don’t want every Tom, Dick an Harry to be in here when we all busy trainin. Ya know?”

Maggie and I both nod our heads in agreement.

“Speakin of, ya’ll wanna hit the ring?”

“Yeah! I wanted to ask you if you’d be willing to give me a few pointers…”

Maggie and Jay start talking about something, and I retreat back into my head, watching their animated gestures to one another, but not hearing their words. They both appear so passionate about this… about fighting, about being the best.

This man has done so much in his career… He’s won more championships than I could ever dream of, he’s done exactly what I’ve always wanted to – He’s cemented his legacy as one of the best of all time. He’s become a household name, but he did it without changing who he was… At least that’s what I see…

But it makes me wonder again, if that’s something I’ll ever be able to do…

“Lucy?”

I close my eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’d love to.”

“Huh?”

Maggie replies, tilting her head to the side as Jay smiles at me and moves away from us – heading towards a doorway in the back of the gym.

“I’d love to get into the ring.”

“Jay asked you if… Nevermind… Is everything okay Luce?”

No.

“Yeah. I’m good.”

 

 

“I’m nothing… without you?”

“I made you who you are today.”

“No, you didn’t.  I made me.  You were just the catalyst.”

 

Date October 25th 2017 / Time 4:51PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Forge – Manhattan, New York

“Ya gotta keep ya arms up Mags!”

I hear his voice in the background as Maggie and I circle one another inside the ring. We’ve only been in here for a little while, but I feel like we’ve been fighting for hours. Jay wanted us to get in the ring together; as he put it – ‘it wouldn’t be fair if he were to mix it up with either of us’.

He’s probably right.

At least on my end… I think Maggie could definitely hold her own though. She’s tiny, but she’s a force to be reckoned with.

I lunge forward with a jab, but Maggie ducks it and kicks me in the shin for my troubles. I stumble backwards and lean over, watching the sweat drip from my forehead onto the mat.

“Ya got ta stay on her Lucy!”

I look up at Jay and then to my side at Maggie; still standing in a fighting stance, waiting for me to get back up to engage her. She’s smiling though; I can tell she’s having a great time. After a few seconds of staring at each other, she moves in closer, forcing me to get back up. I shake out my hands and pull them back up in front of my body.

I’m losing my step.

I never thought it would happen. In my young arrogance I never really thought I’d lose what made me… well, me. Or rather what made me such a force as a wrestler… But here I am; a lonely, desperate, aging fighter..

I don’t want to stay here past my prime. I don’t want to–

Before I realize what’s really happening, a bright flash of light takes over my vision and a piercing pain shoots through my jaw. I fall to the mat in a heap.

“Lucy!”

I feel her fall down beside me; at least I think it’s her.

“I’m fine…”

I roll look down at the mat to see a few drops of blood, presumably coming from my face or my mouth. I reach up and touch my lip, feeling that it’s split right down the middle.

“Damn, you got me good Maggie.”

I can already feel my lip beginning to swell.

“I didn’t expect you to just stand there and take it…. I’m sorry… So sorry.”

I can hear the defeat in her voice and I shake my head.

“Don’t be. My own fault.”

“Somethin tells me you ain’t alright, Miss Wylde.”

I hear Jays voice move closer and I feel his footsteps on the mat and then I see his shadow looming over Maggie and I.

“No, I’m fine. Just off my game today.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. I’ve seen ya work Lucy. I know that you ain’t off ya game very often.”

I lower my head down to my hands and shake my head. I wanted to do this today, and I can’t keep my focus about me. That’s so frustrating.

“Luce…”

I feel Maggie’s hand on my arm and finally I bring myself back up to my knees, and back up to my feet – pulling myself away from her. Walking to the opposite side of the ring, I look out at everyone around me, still doing what they’re doing – totally uninterested that Lucy Wylde is losing her mind. I run my hands through my hair and let them drop down to my sides, hearing Jay and Maggie talking behind me – their voices hushed so that I can’t hear them.

Instead of turning around right away, I take a few deep breaths to clear my head. Except all I can think about is retiring and letting all of this go, drinking my pain away and disappearing from the world like CJ and I did the first time we retired… Except this time I’m alone.

Really alone.

“Fuck.”

I mutter to myself; turning around to face Jay and Maggie again.

“I’m fine. I am. Let’s get back to work.”

“You sure?”

Maggie says, the concern on her face palpable as I step towards her. Her eyes move to my lip, and what I’m presuming is an ugly cut and some swelling – which I don’t even notice anymore. I touch it again and smirk.

“A little split lip isn’t going to keep me down.. you should know that by now.”

I give her a little wink, and finally I see her smile again, well behind the blush on her cheeks.  How in the world could I make her blush like that?  It’s gotta be the heat in here.

“Good, good. I want my girls to kill it.. So lets get goin, huh?”

We both turn back to Jay and chuckle. His girls? Hot damn. I never thought I’d head the Jay Fles saying that about me.

“An you?”

Jay says, pointing at me.

“Ya need ta figure out what ya need and don’t let that stuff mess up ya thing, girl. Ya don’t wanna talk about it, thats fine. But ya know ya got ears here that will help ya get ya head straight.”

I can feel Maggies eyes on me, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks again. I swallow hard, forcing that lump in my throat back down to where it came from – and with it, the want to just open up and tell them what’s been bothering me.

“I-I know. Thank you, but I’ve got it handled.”

“Then proves it girl.”

I nod my head and turn towards Maggie, bringing my fists up in front of my body. How to prove something that isn’t true… How to show that I’m fine when I’m really not. How to be what I once was when I really do think my time has passed…

I don’t know.. but I better figure it out.

 

 

“Keep thinking that, little girl.”

“Keep dreaming, old man.”

“Don’t talk to your father like that.  You know what’ll happen.”

“You can’t.   I won’t let you.”

“You don’t have a choice, Lucille.”

 

Date October 27th 2017 / Time 12:04PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Wylde Residence – New York City, New York

“I’m so happy to see you guys!”

I open the door to the Lee family, JC, Stacy and little Lizzie. I’ve been hoping to get them over here for weeks now, not only to show them the place…

“Well this is… Empty.”

“Nice to see you too, Joe.”

I reply, moving to let them in. Like I was saying, I’ve been hoping to get them over here to not only show them the place, but to talk to them about what happened at their house last month. To apologize. To make it right, at least as much as I can. I embarrassd myself by showing up drunk and I know it’s not appreciated… especially with that little baby in the house.

“I mean it’s nice.”

“It is beautiful Lucy. Must have cost a pretty penny.”

Stacy chimes in, giving Joe a cursory glance as she puts Lizzies carseat down on the floor and freeing the baby from her shackles.

“Thanks, Stace. I haven’t gotten it fully furnished yet… Haven’t found the right stuff yet.”

“That’s going to be a lot of stuff to fill this much space.”

I roll my eyes.

“Yeah, it’s almost too big.. I know. I just fell in love with it the moment I saw it.”

I sigh and look around. Joe’s been under a lot of stress lately; I should have known that he’d point out the negatives – but I don’t think he does it to be truly mean. Which sounds weird, but he just kind of says what he feels.. without filter. I respect that about him.

Stacy bounces the baby in her arms and I can’t resist any longer.

“Give me that baby…”

I say quietly, taking her from Stacy and walking through the foyer out into the kitchen/living room area.

“You going to have roommates? Looks like there’s room for like a dozen other people in this place.”

“No Joe. Just me. All by my lonesome.”

“I’m sorry to hear about the divorce, Lucy.”

I nod my head, taking Lizzie over to the window to look out over the gorgeous New York skyline. I’m not really sure how to respond. Stacy is the first person, other than Maggie to actually feel apologetic about CJ and I splitting up. I know better than to expect that from Joe. He hates CJ.

“It explains a lot.”

Joe says a few minutes later and again, I nod my head.

“I know.”

Can’t really say I’m not still feeling fucked up over everything that’s been going on… Because I am.

“Listen, I wanted you guys to come over here so that I could say something to you in person…”

“Not to show off?”

I can’t suppress a chuckle as I turn back around and motion with my free hand for JC and Stacy to sit down at the dining room table as I pull a high chair out from the closet and slide it over to where Lizzie’s parents are sitting.

“Not to show off, although that’s a added bonus.”

I put Lizzie in the chair and bring myself down into the chair beside her. I open my mouth to keep talking, but Joe cuts me off with a confused look on his face.

“Before you say anything… Gotta point out that you just grabbed a high chair out of no where.”

Stacy smiles.

“She’s prepared, Joe.”

“That I am. Trying to be a responsible human being… Speaking of.”

I sigh and run my hands along the table, feeling Joe and Stacy’s eyes on me.

“I am really, really sorry about showing up to your home the way I did.”

I can’t bring my eyes up to meet theirs. The embarrassment and the shame of that morning when I woke up in their living room… I’m reliving it all over again.

“It was reckless, and it was irresponsible – and it wasn’t fair of me to put either of you in that position, especially with this little lady in the house. Just because I don’t have anyone, that doesn’t mean that I can inconvenience your lives. That doesn’t mean I can just waltz in whenever I want and trouble ya’ll with my own issues.”

Lizzie squeals and I turn my attention to her, giving her my hand and it hurts my heart to think that I could have hurt her or worse. Feeling her tiny little hand in mine, I almost forget that I’m sitting here with two other people.

A weight settles on my chest; again thinking about being alone and how I’ll probably never have one of my own. A child, I mean. CJ didn’t want one, and well… let’s face it… I’m not getting any younger.

“Lucy..”

Stacy says, bringing my attention up to her face – her seriousness making me feel like I’m going to get a good talking to from my mother. Except not my mother, because I’m not a snarky bitch like Sarah.

“I didn’t appreciate finding you in our living room that way. I do agree that it was irresponsible, and it was reckless – But I think Joe and I can agree that that’s not you. Neither of us knew what you were going through, and we certainly wish you’d of come to us and let us help you instead of finding the bottle.”

Joe nods his head, but his eyes look far away as Stacy continues.

“We care about you, and you’re not alone. But we do have to look out for the well-being of our little girl and I do ask that you not drink in our home again.”

I nod my head.

“Absolutely. Absolutely.”

I reply quietly, a calm silence settling between the two of us. The baby squeals again and all three of us look at her, with smiles on our faces.

“No Lizzie.. Mommy said no more keg stands. I’m sorry, I know you were really looking forward to the next one.”

I don’t even have to look at Stacy to see the look on her face, which makes me laugh.

“I’m kidding. Just trying to lighten the mood.”

“So how are you doing?”

Joe says, bringing me right back down to earth. The smile drops off of my lips and I shrug my shoulders.

“I’m okay.”

“You don’t sound okay.”

“But I am.”

Joe and Stacy both shake their heads.

“No, you’re not.”

I sigh.

“Fine. No, I’m not.”

“Is it that comment I made about you being called a mother?”

I scoff and shake my head.

“God no. It’s a lot of stuff, honestly. It’s the divorce. It’s Gabriel. It’s–”

“Oh God, you’re still on about him?”

“Joe!”

Stacy speaks up before I can even say anything, but I don’t know what else I can say anyway. I’m still on about Gabriel. Yeah.

“It’s okay. I know Joe doesn’t like him. But it’s also…”

My voice trails off.

“It’s also… what?”

“I… Joe… When will you know it’s time for you to hang up the boots?”

His eyes widen. I don’t think he expected that particular question. Stacy looks to him as well, I guess she wonders that same thing. Especially with this little girl right here in the world.

“You’re not letting what she said get to you? Come on.”

“I feel old.”

“That’s ridiculous. You’re what.. thirty six?”

“Thirty three.”

I reply, rubbing my eyes with my fingers. Even Joe thinks I’m older than what I am. Jesus Christ.

“Whatever. She wants to get to you. Don’t let her. Jesus Luce, you’re better than that.”

 

 

“I’ve always had a choice.”

“It was always going to end up like this, Lucille Elisabeth.  You were always going to be alone, and you were always going to end up coming back here… where you belong.”

“No.”

“Just accept it.  You were never supposed to be anything, CJ carried you.  Gabriel carried you.  Everyone in your life carries you around like baggage.  You’re old news, my daughter.  You’re worthless, just like your sister and your mother.  Come back home, let me show you how you really deserve to be treated.”

“NO!”

 

Really, Sarah. The whole mom joke thing, it’s old and it’s tired. Kind of like me – See what I did there? No, really. It’s bad. It’s so fucking bad.

It’s like you’ve just taken everything else that everyone around here says about me and you’ve Zane’d it. You’ve copied it in other words. Saying it in a different voice doesn’t really make your insults sound any better, Sarah. It just makes you look bad. It makes you look like you can’t think for yourself…

Maybe you can ask Jet all about that once I’m done kicking your ass, Hmm?

But we both know you really look up to Eden.

I can totally see why.

Both evil bitches with a massive fucking chip on their shoulders for no God damned reason. Both putting down people who’s opinions differ from that of their own, or any of their associates. Both beautiful women with BAD fucking attitudes. Both spoiled brats with an inferiority complex.

I think that about sums it up, don’t you think?

You wanna call me mommy… but I think you need to look at her, personally.

That’s what I don’t get about people like you, Sarah. Maybe I’m a bit old school, and maybe my way of thinking isn’t exactly the ‘norm’ anymore, but whatever happened to just minding your own business and doing your own thing?

Sure you can argue that you do just that.

Maybe sometimes you do.

But… BUT a lot of times you have to drag someone else through the mud just to make yourself feel better, I suppose. So what if I don’t like you? I’m sure a lot of people don’t. And I’m absolutely sure that you do this same shit to all of those people too. It’s like an ego boost to you. It gives you a high like no other, I bet.

But you see, I won’t let you bring me down, Sarah.

I’m better than that, and I’m sure as hell better than you. The only matches against me that you’ve won… are our random tag team encounters. That really doesn’t say much, does it? Well damn, you’ve won all the matches in our history that DIDN’T fucking matter!

And everytime something was on the line? Everytime our match meant something?

I WON.

And that’s exactly what I’m going to do at Battleground because not only is the Cross-Hemisphere title on the line, but so is my pride. So is my self respect. If I go out there and lose to you, then you were right. If I go out there and lose my title, then I don’t have anything left.

That just won’t do, sweetheart.

Yeah, I know… There’s a fifty percent chance that you do go out there and you win. Trust me, that fact is ever present on my mind. And if you do? Good for you, you finally won the big one.. you finally went out there without someone dragging you behind them and you won gold on your own. I’m sure Kenzi will be proud of you. I’m sure the rest of your ‘cool kids’ will be super totes proud of you, Sarah…

But will it be enough?

Absolutely not, it won’t be.

And that’s where we differ, Sarah.

You could win this belt, and it’ll make you happy for five whole seconds… and then you’ll be hungry again. Beating Lucy Wylde won’t be enough.. you have to keep going… Your thirst for gold will overtake you and you’ll end up just like Sam Tolson… So many belts, but so little to show for it. You’ll be scared of defending them because you know that there’s not enough of you to go around… you know that the pressure is on in each one and that you’ll be constantly under the microscope, with your challengers trying to exploit every single one of your weaknesses… the most glaring one being that you’ve spread yourself too thin.

The Cross-Hemisphere title is enough for me.

I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to defend it and only it. I don’t need to go to promotion after promotion, trying to validate myself with title belt after title belt – showing everyone and their brother that I am that good. Nope. I just know. And so does everyone else.

You’ll figure that out someday, Sarah.. When you get older.

You see my age as a deterrent. You see it as something that is going to hold me back, but my age is experience. My age is knowledge and that, my dear Sarah will always… ALWAYS trump youth.

They always say that in youth we learn, but in age we understand.  And I understand Sarah… but you’re still learning.  Battleground will be just another learning experience for you.  Another bump in the long road to truly understanding what all of this is about.  I’m glad it’ll be by my hand, dear Sarah.  I’m glad I’ll be the one to help you along.

Once and for all.

 

OOC: Maggie and JC/Stacy used with permission