So here we are.

Another UGWC super-show has come and gone. Another week off has passed us by.. And here we are again, ready for another Synergy. Another beginning of another cycle. Another journey, the path drawn out before us.. heading directly  towards Massive Melee…

But…

It feels different this time around.

Every other time I’ve been the hunter. I’ve been the one chasing what everyone around here wants. I’ve been the one that’s gotten so close… so damn close – but I just couldn’t close the deal. I couldn’t get the job done. Every other time… it just wasn’t my time.

Until now.

Now I’m the hunted. I’m the one everyone wants to dethrone. I’m the one that holds the thing that everyone else craves.

I won’t lie. It’s still sinking in. Lucy Wylde is the UGWC World Heavyweight Champion.

I did it. I worked my ass off and here I am.

The journey doesn’t stop there though. My journey as World Champ is only just beginning… And my God it’s going to be a fun one, starting this week – teaming up with someone who’s been there and supported me through each and every failure, and who’s been there to celebrate the biggest successes too… Against two people I’ve never had the pleasure of fighting.

Or should I say the pleasure is all theirs?

 

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Date April 30th 2018 / Time 8:21AM / Status Not Recording
Location Atheneum Suite Hotel – Detroit, Michigan

Waiting.

Seems like that’s all I’ve been doing lately, fucking waiting. I mean that’s not entirely true, but sitting here in this hotel room; that’s all it feels like. I’m excited to be here though. I decided to come back to Detroit to go to the debut episode of Chill because I feel like that’s what I should be doing as world champion.

Hell, that still feels weird as fuck to say.

Not because I don’t feel like I deserve it, or earned it but because.. Much like a dog chasing a car, I almost don’t know what to do now that I’ve caught it. Except I do. I told everyone that I was going to do great things with this success – and I don’t plan on disappointing.

So I’m here. I’m here, but I’m missing the one I left back at home. The woman who’s been my biggest supporter through everything… and I hate being away from her.

And that’s why a special package is being delivered to the Paper Street Tattoo Company today and into the hands of one Magdalena Lockheart. Something to show her that I might be away, my heart, my mind.. My fucking soul is still there with her.

A box of pictures and documents to augment the research that I’ve already done about the old Barber shop that was housed within the walls of the current day tattoo company, and the man who operated it for many, many years before he passed away.

I’m partially sure that she thinks I forgot about it – but she’s going to (hopefully) happy to see that I haven’t. If it means something to her, for whatever reason… then it means something to me. Besides.. It keeps my mind off of the other thing I’m waiting on…

A phone call, a letter… something telling me that what I already thought was a shit hole was about to get a lot worse. Punching my father in the nose was rewarding as fuck, there’s not one doubt in my mind about that fact. The impact of my fist hitting his face… I’ve been riding that high just as much as I’ve been riding the one of my big win at No Holds Barred.

But… I also know that with Gary Johnson, there will be some kind of repercussion. Or at least some attempt at consequence.

Am I surprised that it hasn’t already come? Am I surprised that it wasn’t as swift as I had first thought it would be?

Yes and no.

Yes because I know that obviously he was livid that day in the bookstore. How could he not be? And I guess in my mind, I’d assumed that in his best case scenario – I wouldn’t have even made it to No Holds Barred that weekend… Yet it never happened.

But no, I’m not surprised because once I had time to sit back and think about it.. He damn well knew I was expecting an immediate reaction from him. He’s a manipulator. He’s an ‘evil genius’. He most certainly isn’t going to give me what I expect. I mean, what’s the fun in that after all?

Still, it’s getting old. I’m so tired of the bullshit and the Goddamned waiting.

Jesus I wish I could fast forward to this evening – at least going to Chill would get me out of here and out of my own head for a few hours. Besides, there’s a bit of celebrity status when you go to these things.. Wearing that belt sitting across the room on the chair – draped over one’s shoulder.

Not that that’s the main reason for going.

But it’s a reason.

My phone starts ringing and I pull it out of my pocket, hoping that it’s Maggie and that she’s finally received her gift. I’m excited to see, or rather hear her reaction to it. Not that I think gifts equate love, because they fucking don’t. But I don’t know, I like doing things for her. I like letting her know in small ways that no matter what, she’s my priority and the reason I keep going.

I glance down at the screen and sigh, seeing that it isn’t her.

“Hello?”

“Hello? Miss Wylde?”

“This is she.”

“Hi, this is Roxy Malone – I uh, g–”

“Roxy, hi. What’s up?”

I say, looking out the window at Detroit – playing with a string hanging off of one of the curtains. For a nice hotel like this, one would think their curtains wouldn’t be falling apart.

“I, well we heard that you were in Detroit for Chill tonight, I-is that true?”

I smirk and nod my head. I did post it on Twitter… Of course they ‘heard’.

“Yep. I’m here.”

“Oh, that’s great! We were wondering if you’d like to come down to the arena for a couple of interviews? I mean of course unless you already have plans for tod–”

Immediately I perk up and cut her off, not intentional, I swear.

“Oh that sounds fucking awesome. Give me like an hour?”

Finally. The distraction I’ve needed, though probably not the one I deserve right now.

 

Fast Forward >>

Date May 4th 2018 / Time 1:05PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Lockheart Residence – Inwood, New York

“Hey, baby I–”

I put my hand up as Maggie walks into the kitchen, silencing her as my lawyer finally comes on the line, his voice filling the room, the tone one of annoyance. I’m the one that should be annoyed. I’ve been sitting here on hold for fucking twenty minutes now.

“Miss Wylde… what can I do for you today?”

I glance up at Maggie and sigh as she sits down across from me. I guess she’s just as interested in hearing what Mr. Reed has to say as I am.

“Hi, James. I just wanted to see if you’ve heard anything about the ca–”

“No, Miss Wylde. If I would have, I would have contacted you as soon as I had.”

I roll my eyes.

“I just..”

“Why; did something happen, Miss Wylde?”

I tilt my head to the side and put my chin on my hand. Did something happen?

“You could say that.. In a manner of speaking.”

I hear him sigh on the other end of the line, no doubt rubbing his temples with his eyes closed. I’m sure he regrets taking on this little, job now. Little does he know though, that I regret even having to be in this situation at all.

“Just tell me.”

“Well Gary.. He wanted to meet with me the other week.”

“I don’t suppose you said ‘no’ like I’ve advised you to do, did you?”

My eyes flash up again, taking in the stoic expression on Maggie’s face. I feel my cheeks begin burning, the memory of losing control inside that bookstore running through my mind once again. While I still feel good about standing up to him… In this moment I feel foolish.

I feel like I’ve let everyone down by letting myself go for that single moment… by finally releasing the pent up rage that I’ve felt for all of these years.

But it’s done now. There’s nothing I can do about it.

“No, not exactly.”

“And what exactly happened during this little ‘meeting’?”

“I hit him.”

There’s a long pause, long enough that I check the phone to make sure that the call hadn’t been lost; and just as I thought.. It hasn’t.

“Come again?”

“I’m not sure how you’d like me to say it, James. Things got heated and I hit him. Struck him. Bloodied his nose…”

“You do realize this doesn’t make you look any more innocent in his case against you, Miss Wylde, correct?”

This time it’s me with my fingers rubbing my temples. Of course I know it doesn’t make me look very good in the face of a case where I’m being accused of being an abuser, or rather someone who has treated her parents badly… Obviously jacking my ‘daddy’ in the face in a public place… or at all doesn’t help me one God damned bit.

I get it.

“I realize that, but–”

“I’m honestly surprised I haven’t gotten a call from his lawyers, telling me all of this. But give it time, Lucy. I’m sure I’ll be hearing something soon – and in turn, so will you.”

My stomach turns in knots as he tells me good day and abruptly hangs up the line. I push the phone away from me, it sliding a few inches across the table towards Maggie. How can something feel so fucking good, yet be so damn bad?

My mind turns to last year, and Gabriel… And I realize… This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way.

The way he made me feel, it felt so good.. It made me feel exactly how I wanted to feel, the way I thought I needed to feel… But it ended up much like this.. Miserable. Like it would never end. But then again, that whole chapter hasn’t exactly ended yet either.

See you on Monday sweetheart… 

His words echo in my head, and I can only imagine what he thinks he’s got in store for me on Monday.

“Well that went well.”

Maggie’s voice interrupts my thoughts, and I turn my eyes upwards to the ceiling, shrugging my shoulders.  Trying to shrug off the feelings and the dread I feel.

“Could have went worse, I guess.”

“You know him better than anyone, Luce… Why wouldn’t he have gone straight to the lawyer after that?”

Again, I shrug my shoulders.

“He’s a snake… He’s going to do whatever it takes to make me the most miserable. And by his calculations, making me wait.. And wonder… That’s what he thinks will make me squirm.”

Truth be told, I’m not. At least not as much as I would have been in this same situation a few months back. At this point I don’t even care what happens, as long as it’s over with. At this point I’m thinking I should have stuck around that bookstore and made his life just a little more… miserable..

“Well at least we get to team up this week.”

She says cheerfully, smiling at me. My heart skips a beat and I return her smile. In the midst of this mess, her eyes and that smile can always brighten anything.

“You’re right.”

“I’m so glad we get to finally do this. I mean, you are excited, right?”

Her smile waivers slightly, as if it hinges on the tone of my response. Why wouldn’t I be excited to tag with the woman I love? She’s talented, she’s beautiful, she’s passionate… Did I mention she’s talented? I’ve watched enough of her matches to know that if I want anyone at my side – it’s her.

And that’s no slight to Jase and Rogan. Not in the slightest, but there’s definitely something about being with Maggie – and knowing that she’s got my back, always.

Hell, at this point – I think I’ve got the best group of people at my side that I could possibly have.

And she’s at the forefront of that group.

I smile and stand up – walking around the table until I’m standing in front of her. I lean forward, placing my hands on her thighs and I kiss her nose and then her lips softly as I whisper against her lips.

“Of course I am. I’m glad you stood up and asked for what you wanted.”

She smirks and kisses me again, sending butterflies into my stomach.

“Well I mean, I already have what I’ve always wanted.”

I feel her hands on top of mine, squeezing.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah. Well I think we can do some pretty great things together and it’s about time UGWC saw that.”

“They’ve already seen it, Mags. I mean you’ve been on a tear over the last month or so.”

She nods her head and withdraws her hands. I stand up and move towards the window, looking out at the busy street below.

“Yeah, well you picked me first for Outlast and we both know how that went.”

I can’t stop a chuckle from escaping my mouth.

“Why are you laughing? It was pitiful…”

I turn around, shaking my head. That’s where she’s wrong.

“It was not.”

“Oh come on. You won the first pick and you picked me… And I ended up disappointing you.”

“I picked you because I believe in you, I told you that. You didn’t disappoint me. Jesus Christ, Maggie… There’s so much more to it than where you ended up in the match. You stood up against people that were many years your veteran and you stood your fucking ground.”

She doesn’t respond right away, she just sits there and ponders what I just said. I turn back towards the window, watching the traffic move slowly below us. It’s funny.. She and I are so different in our views on things like this.

Sure winning is nice. I guess the last week is a great example of that. Winning is pretty fucking great, but I’ve learned so much in my career.. It’s not really about winning. It’s not about the belts or the prestige that comes with all of the positives.

It’s how you handle yourself when the chips are stacked against you. It’s how you cope with the bad moments. It’s how you pick yourself back up and dust yourself back up. It’s how you continue. And she does that better than anyone I know… Myself included.

I could learn a thing or two from her.

“Yeah..”

I nod my head.

“That’s what fucking legends are made of, baby.”

 

Bordy. Angelica.

I wasn’t really surprised to see either of your names across from ours on that card this week. Why? Because, to be honest, I knew it was only a matter of time before I had the chance to step into the ring with either, or both of you.

But you in particular, Bordy.. Angelica, I’ll get to you in a little bit.

So, Bordy – Should we get this party started, or what? Or would you rather me call you the ‘Hardcore Croissant’? I mean, it’s whatever. Because all jokes aside; I think you know that this meeting has been inevitable.. This fight has been in our destinies since you first turned up here in UGWC, wouldn’t you agree?

Since the moment you came here, all you’ve done is judge others on their lifestyles and the choices that they make.. Neither of which affect you in the slightest, am I right? I mean it’s not like the Twitter lesbians of the world, or the… you know what? I’ve only really ever seen you attack the Twitter lesbians. I’m sure you’re an equal opportunity hater though, so I’ll just go with my original point.

It’s not like the sluts and the other undesirables of the world are tying you down and forcing their vaginas down your throat. It’s fucking twitter. Why do you even have a twitter in the first place? So you can make everyone and their brother translate your pedantic ramblings just so that we can all collectively roll our eyes and continue doing whatever in the hell we want anyway?

I think you and your kid have more in common than you realize.

Neither of you get it.

Neither of you understand that none of us give one flying fuck about anything that you have to say, or any of your idiotic fucking opinions. That’s why they’re opinions, bitch. They’re just like assholes, everyone has one. But most people don’t pull theirs out and show it off to the entire fucking planet saying, ‘Hey everyone look at my amazing fucking asshole! Isn’t it great? I mean it’s way better than all of yours, so just look at it…’

That shits just gross.

And so is your bullshit, Bordy. I’ve stopped translating your tweets. I figure, if you have anything worthwhile to say, someone else will let me know, because nine times out of ten you’re just telling everyone how much better you are than them. Whether it’s your religion or your talent… You just think you’re the best thing since sliced bread.

I mean you are the Chaos Champion, so yeah, congratulations on that. You obviously are no slouch in the ring, but that alone doesn’t make a worthy champion. I should know. I am a champion too, you know. A former Cross-Hemisphere Champion, the second greatest in history, according to your daughter.. Or is she my kid?

I don’t know anymore. It gets so confusing, I know.

Kids, am I right?

Anyway. Back to this little meet and greet of ours. I’m a three time Cross-Hemisphere Champion and I’m the current World Champion of this little place called UGWC. You might have heard of us, Bordy.. Because you know, there are other people in the world besides you. I know that may come as a shock to you sweetie, but the world does not revolve around you.

If you wanna be proud of that championship you’re holding, then why don’t you fucking act like it? Why don’t you worry a little more about yourself and how you fit into this place that we all call home instead of alienating everyone and trying to take over the joint?

It’s not gonna work. You see, I have something called integrity and much like I felt when I fought your daughter the three thousand times I fought her – I’m not going to let someone like you come in here and ruin everything we’ve built. And by we, I mean me and everyone else who’s ever held a title in this place… People like me, like Zane Scott, like Donovan Hastings… Well most everyone except the Court… Because fuck them…

Like it or not, I am where the line starts Bordy. It doesn’t matter what you feel about me or my girlfriend. It doesn’t matter who you side with or who you decide to put down from day to day. The fact remains that I’m here and I’m the bar that’s been set around here.

Do you measure up?

I guess we’re going to find out on Monday, aren’t we?

And if you and Angelica come out there and you beat us fair and square, then all the more power to you. I’ll stand up like an adult and I’ll congratulate you because that’s what true champions do. I don’t care how shitty I feel, I don’t care how much I hate what you stand for… If you best me out there in that ring, then you deserve at least that much respect for what you’ve accomplished.

But know this, Croissant… I’m not going to make it easy for you.

We’re not going to make it easy for you.

But then again, the sweetest victories are the ones we earn, am I right?

Now, Angelica.. I haven’t forgotten about you sweetie. How could I possibly forget one of the sweetest people I think I’ve ever seen. So kind, so naive. I wonder how in the hell you ended up in a team with that psycho bitch?

I don’t really know, and I suppose I don’t really care at this point. All I know is that you’re good. I’ve watched you and obviously you’re a force to be reckoned with. It’s just.. There’s one thing that I can’t get over… you know, other than this weird ass tag team you’ve all got going on right now…

How in the hell did you end up as a member of the #CoolKids?

How in the hell did you end up as a member of Sarah Motherfucking Lacklans squad of #ZOMG SO COOL Kids? It just doesn’t seem right to me. Don’t take this the wrong way, because I think you’re a perfectly nice woman. I mean, from what I’ve seen of course. I don’t really know you. But when I look at Sarah and then I look at you..

Of course, the first thing I see is an uncanny resemblence.

Bordy.. Are you sure you didn’t pop out another kid somewhere between Sarah and the straitjacket?

But anyway.. That’s the first thing I see. THEN.. I see the stark difference in attitude. Now of course the sample size from you is much smaller than the sample size I’ve gotten from Miss Cool-Ass Wheelchair… but let me just say that I’ve seen Lacklan at her most conniving, at least in my humble opinion.

I mean come on, the bitch did push me off an eight-foot stage while I was strapped down to a stretcher.. All because she was upset that I beat her for the CH belt. I’ve looked deep into that woman’s eyes, and I’ve seen the evil that burns down within her.

I just don’t see that when I look at you. Honestly, I don’t even know if you’ve got a mean bone in your body – and if you’ve been hanging around with Sarah… one would think that she’d of rubbed off on you by now or something.

I don’t know.

I’m just throwing shit out there now, because let’s be honest – I don’t really know enough about you to form an absolute opinion on what kind of person or wrestler I think you are. I think you’ve got talent, at least from what I’ve seen. I think you’re a kind person, again from what I’ve seen. But when we get into that ring together… who knows what the fuck I’m going to get.

Either way, Maggie and I are going to be ready.

Either way…

You best be getting ready for a fight, because as far as I’m concerned… My journey is only starting as the UGWC World Champion, and I’d like to start things off on an upswing.

Which is why I’m so damned lucky to have Maggie by my side this week. You all might not think much of her, but that’s your mistake.. And I’m sure she’ll happily make you pay for it over and over again. I know she’s said it many times, but I think it’s my turn to say it…

That woman is the future of this business, and with people like her willing to stand up and live the fight life the way she does, with passion and conviction and raw fucking talent… Then when people like me and people like Zane Scott hang up the boots… We’ll not only think… But we’ll fucking know that this business is in good hands.

It’s not everyday you get to stand beside someone who embodies the future, and when you do.. You’d better live each and every second of it while it lasts.. And that’s exactly what I intend on doing on Monday. I know it won’t be the last time she and I get to do this together, but there can be only one first..

And this is it.

So strap yourselves in ladies.

Make sure your seats are in the upright and locked positions because we’re about to rock your fucking world, and we certainly don’t want either of you to get bucked off before we’re finished with you.

 

OOC: Maggie used with permission