NFW Trauma #64! 04/02/2022!

Seth Ernst: Well, Miranda? Are you ready to enjoy the 64th episode of Trauma?

Miranda Augustino: Absolutely, Seth! Bring it on!

Perhaps that is not something she should have wished for. At that moment, all of the lights in the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum go out. Save for the flash photography, there’s no sign of illumination. The fans are confused.

Miranda Augustino: ¡Mierda santa! What’s going on? Are we dealing with technical difficulties?

Seth Ernst: I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling about this…

Even the Trauma commentators have no idea what’s going on. After several seconds in the darkness, the lights finally come back on… and Sathariel stands in the center of the ring. Her reception is immediate boos, cries of foul play, and questions desperate for answers. She stands with a microphone in her right hand and the hood of her white robe drawn up. Then she raises the mic and parts her lips… However, the negative reactions of the fans only grow louder.

Seth Ernst: The fans are letting Mrs. Matthews know exactly how they feel.

Miranda Augustino: I’m not surprised! Their Paladin, their Hero, has fallen! She’s betrayed them. She’s betrayed the Guardians.

With a slow turn, Sathariel gauges their reactions. They even begin to chant “Why, Jessica?! Why?!” Her face becomes stoic, her soft blue eyes cold and unfeeling. Her free hand reaches back and draws the hood up. With her face concealed, there’s no way to read her.

Jessica Matthews: . . .You are unworthy of the answers you seek.

She stands there, simply taking in the hateful, conflicted, and haunted reception. Then suddenly, the lights go out again. The fans are clearly spooked, especially when the lights turn back on and Jessica Matthews is nowhere in sight. In the center of the ring is simply her angelic mask.

Seth Ernst: Well… so much for that.

Miranda Augustino: I-I’m a little scared, Seth. If Lord Lucifer and the Children were able to turn Jess… no one is safe.
Dakota Winters was waiting for someone. She sat waiting with a smile before the camera widened showing that Ayu Megumi was walking towards her with a smile after having just passed March Mayhem. Ayu sat down next to her before. Pick up the mic from Dakota Winters.

Dakota Winters: Hello again everyone and we are now with Ayu Megumi. She didn't have a match today but thanks for taking your time for us today Ayu. Let's get started with the first question. How do you feel about beating Nova Joaquin at March Mayhem and is there anything else to say about Nova Joaquin after all that?

Ayu nodded as she heard Dakota Winter's question. She bowed her head slightly, taking a deep breath before she raised the mic and began to answer Dakota Winters's question.

Ayu Megumi: Winning at March Mayhem was a great feeling and that's what I always try to tell Nova that I'm going to win the match like I beat her the first time. I've said before that nothing can change the outcome of this match, even as Nova tries to hit me hard, I've already shown her that I'm not an opponent that she can easily defeat. I've made it clear that no matter how much I hurt, I won't give up. I beat her in a match that I wasn't the most comfortable with as if I had broken my walls. I was able to overcome my fears and it allowed me to unlock myself. So I'm ready for the next challenge I'm going to face here and Nova. I've done what I said and there's nothing you can doubt about me. You say I'm not good enough. You said I could never beat you again. But I proved you wrong, no matter how hard you tried, in the end it was me who made you tapped out. So I hope you don't have any problems with me, Nova. I won't have to tell you how much better I am than you Nova. I respect you no matter how much you hate me. I respect you as an opponent. and respect you as a professional partner. I took revenge for what you did to me. I got my revenge that you insulted my family. But now that the trouble between me and you is over, I hope I can shake hands with you, Nova. I'm not angry that you hurt me. I'm not angry that you insulted me and my family. And you should admit that I'm better than you because that's the truth Nova. Thanks for the great match that happened in March Mayhem. I would say you did well. But on that day I did better than you, I hope that in the future we will meet again. You are a strong opponent but now it's time for me to move on.

Dakota Winters: Okay, so what's your next goal after March Mayhem is over? And what do you expect the most after this?

Ayu Megumi: I already said that I want to be a champion. Adrianna Salvatore, Alexandra Caldwell or even Faye Brown are strong champions but I would love to challenge them one day. I want to try to fight them. I would like to part with them someday. I don't care if I can keep my streaks any more. I don't care 5-0 or anything because it wouldn't matter if I wasn't a champion. And I think that if one day I lose some, it will teach me many lessons. It will make me stronger. Challenging champions will make me stronger. I want to become the best wrestler here someday. I've been looking forward to challenging the championships because I want to learn to fight with top wrestlers. I want to develop myself. I didn't expect to become a champion from the very first challenge. I want to be taught a lesson that will make me stronger. I want to learn from mistakes to improve myself. I know that many people may think that I am overestimating myself. But I'm learning to fight with high-level wrestlers like I said. I don't want to maintain streaks, I want to face more challenges. Defeat isn't my end but it's what keeps me coming back strong. Everyone gets stronger when they learn from their mistakes. I'm looking forward to the day when I can challenge a champion. I will run to that opportunity myself, this is a sign I can tell everyone here what I want.

Ayu Megumi finished speaking. She handed the mic back to Dakota Winters before she nodded as a signal that she had finished speaking. Ayu smiled slightly at Dakota before she got up and walked away.

Scene fade to black
The camera shifts into the backstage area where the lights of the hallway begin to flicker. One of the stage hands that was working in the hallway to get everything ready for later in the show looks up from the clipboard in his hand with a sudden confused and apprehensive look on his face.

Seth Ernst: Oh, this can’t be good…

Miranda Augustino: He’s just tryin to do his job…

Between the flickers comes the repeated child-like eerie giggles that signal the arrival of everyone’s favorite temptation, Asmodeus. The stage hand swallowed down the lump in his throat and looked around finding nothing.

When the camera turned to face the man head on again and his eyes began to turn down toward the clipboard a painted face could be seen over his shoulder looking over at him with that sinister grin on her face as if she had appeared out of thin air.

Seth Ernst: Oh god….there she is.

Miranda Augustino: Maiko Adachi, also known as Asmodeus the Demon of Temptation. One of Lucifers Children!


The stagehand reads the clipboard before a hand appears, the fingers wiggling and he jumps to the side in shock. Maiko grins and comes toward him with that sultry walk of hers only to suddenly stand up straight and withdraw a folded brown envelope from inside her top.

Maiko Adachi: “Can you do me a favor?”

Seth Ernst: Where did she have that envelope?!

Miranda Augustino: You sure you wanna know? I’ve heard horror stories about what Ashley Kenyon will do if you ask too many questions about that.

Stage Hand: Uh…I mean that’s not really my jo..uh…sure?

Maiko Adachi: “That’s a good boy!”

Maiko reaches out and touches his face with her palm and drops the package into his hands.

Maiko Adachi: “Make sure it gets into the hands of the one they call Atlas.”

Seth Ernst: Atlas?! Trey Johnson?!

Miranda Augustino: Oh no….after Jessica? If they manage to recruit the Titan?!

Stage Hand: Uh…Seriously?

The stage hand looks down at the envelope and when he looks up he’s alone. Asmodeus is just gone.
The view fades to our new United States Champion, Faye Brown. She's not dressed to compete tonight, given she's not on the card, but she's there. But instead of feeling celebratory about having a trinket, Faye simply sits on a couch, distant.

Faye Brown: Well, I finally did it. I've got me a title that I actually get to keep. This United States Championship represents thirteen months of putting myself through absolute hell physically, psychologically... literally at times... and it turned out there was a light at the end of the tunnel here. None of what I had to do was in vain. Absolutely none of it.

Brown just shakes her head no before looking to the camera with a bit of a squint.

Faye Brown: But you wanna know something? I don't feel accomplished. I know I won at March Mayhem, I have the belt and the scars to prove it, but I don't feel like much a winner. All I feel is worried, just to be completely honest. Ever since Stacy got admitted to the hospital, I've felt... I've just felt hollow. Part of me--part of me feels like... the only I was gonna win this was by injuring someone I love like a sister. Maybe that's just the little voice in the back of my head being particularly loud this week, but...

The United States Champion looks out to nothing for a second before trying to form more words.

Faye Brown: Just... thank god she's going to be OK. I couldn't live with myself if not.

Brown purses her black lips, popping them a little before meekly continuing.

Faye Brown: I know she told a lot of people, me too, that it was her own fault, but I don't believe that. She'd been fine in the weeks leading up to this. She'd been preparing for this. This was her story of becoming the greatest United States Champion ever. And she'd done it, too. She didn't hold it as long as Adrianna did, but she defended this thing seven times... and that little voice gets to yelling, "maybe I should have just been defense number eight instead of champion number five. Maybe none of this happens if I hadn't kicked out of that Black Eclipse."

Faye looks up, trying to get an "I" out, choking on it just a little before actually getting it out.

Faye Brown: I should be celebrating the fact that my labors in this sport are finally bearing good fruit. That my trials and tribulations have rewards to them that aren't just resetting the status quo. I should be celebrating that I'm a champion. But for the past week, I've not been able to do any of that. I've just felt guilty.

The US Champion purses her lips again before finishing with...

Faye Brown: But I'm just glad she's gonna be OK.

A hurt look crosses Faye's face before she looks away from the camera and the camera moves away, before the view fades elsewhere.
Diamond is all smiles as she is backstage. She has a very disgusted expression on her face as the cameras land on her. She rolls her eyes before she ignores the cameras completely. She shakes her head before she takes out a small pocket mirror and she begins to play with her hair.

Diamond Steele: I would just like to get a few words off of my chest. Damn does it feel good to finally get off of this shithole that is Trauma. Do you know how long I have been waiting to finally get some bloody fucking respect around here?! Spoiler alert it has been way too damn long and I know for a fact that I deserve so much better than the way I have been treated.

Diamond shakes her head as she continues to speak.

Diamond Steele: I am a star. I should be everything to this business and yet this brand never really used me for the talent that I know I am. Why do you think I represented Zion in the entire war in the first place?! It’s because there was never any love for me. Outside of Trauma I now stand as a woman who currently holds three titles from three different companies. Those are three simple reasons why I am indeed the best damn thing in wrestling right now and why Trauma is definitely going to miss me when I am gone.

Diamond cracks a grin as she begins to speak.

Diamond Steele: I am onward to Destiny for greener pastures and I know I am going to elevate that brand to new heights that one couldn’t even imagine. After all I am a Diamond. I am a woman who is destined to shine brighter than anything else and I won’t let anybody or anything get in the way of me reaching the top.

Diamond nods her head as she speaks some more.

Diamond Steele: Anyway tonight I step into the ring with Cosmic Swan and you can rest assure that I won’t be dropping the ball against her. I plan to show to Destiny how I am going to put on a show they will never forget. Watch out world because this Diamond will shine bright.

With that Diamond cracks a grin as we go elsewhere.
After the match, the lights go out and “Netherworld Circus” can be heard playing in the arena. The crowd begins to murmur as they come back on and Ringmaster is standing there, right in front of Jessi who jumps back and scrambles back towards the corner. She composes herself for a moment before walking back up to Ringmaster, trying to steady herself as she stands toe to toe with him as Ringmistress jumps up from behind Jessi with a scream and causes her to jump once more as Ringmistress begins to laugh hysterically before joining Ringmaster at his side and handing him over a microphone.

The Ringmaster: Jessi, there’s no need to be scared of me. I’m not here to harm you, no, I’m here to show you that your friend and mentor is doing better than ever. I want to show you the power of the Circus and just what it’s able to do for people.

Jessi stands there, trying to keep her composure as she stares up at Ringmaster.

The Ringmaster: So, without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, the Chaos Circus proudly brings to you the newest addition to its ranks, the Liontamer of the Chaos Circus, Kai Morgan!

For the first time in what feels like forever, “Adrenalize” by In This Moment begins to blare over the speakers of the Vlad Blackheart Coliseum! Kai Morgan makes his way out of the entry tunnel, looking a lot different than when we last saw him in full form back in February. His hair’s gotten longer, along with his beard, and his usual expression of jubilance has been replaced by a blank narrow stare. He makes his way into the ring, before taking the microphone from The Ringmaster and turning to his protege, his eyes softening as he looks at her.

Kai Morgan: God…I missed you so much…

Kai gives Jessi a narrow-eyed look, almost as though Jessi doesn’t have to say a word for him to know how she feels.

Kai Morgan: You’ve been…afraid…haven’t you? I can tell it hasn’t been easy not having me to hold things down. But I’m still here…as a matter of fact, I feel better than when you last saw me. I feel unstoppable.

Jessi is in near tears at this point, the man standing in front of her seeming familiar, yet at the same time unrecognizable to her.

Kai Morgan: Listen…remember when I first took you in, and I said that as long as you stuck with me, you would never be afraid for the rest of your life? I know I haven’t held up my end of the deal for the past month…but if you join us…if you join me, I promise we’ll have more than enough time to make up for it.

Jessi’s heart sinks now, almost as though she knew that this request was where Kai’s words were leading her. The tears begin to well up even more as she shakes her head at Kai, not wanting what she’s hearing to be true.

Kai Morgan: I know, trust me know, kid. Change can be scary. But it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to go through the same things that I do. That’s what the point of us has been the whole time. Me going through the scary parts of life so that you don’t have to. I’ve stayed true to that our entire time together, and I’m staying true to it now. All you have to do, Jess? Is fall into my arms. Do what you’ve been wanting to do since I’ve been gone, embrace me, and you’ll become better than you ever could’ve imagined. Better than I could ever teach you to be.

Jessi is still shaken up by all of this, completely bawling by this point as Kai outstretches his arms to give Jessi a hug. She slowly approaches, inching closer and closer to her best friend as she seemingly wants nothing more than to be close to him once again. In the end however, she pushes him away. The two stare into each other’s eyes for what feels like an eternity, with Jessi returning Kai’s look of utter confusion by looking absolutely petrified.

She finally makes a move, rolling out of the ring under the bottom rope and making her way up the ramp, keeping an eye on all those in the ring as she does.

The Ringmaster: Just think about it, Jessi. We’ll be here, ready to be your family. Speaking of family though, I have one more person to ask out here tonight. Kasey Kash, come on down!

Ask and you shall receive, just as his presence is requested, “Zombified” starts playing throughout the speakers and Kasey Kash walks down to the ring, with his sweatshirt hood up and over his head, obscuring his face from the public's eyes, he slides under the bottom rope and snatches the microphone from The Ringmaster, but his attention is immediately turned away from Ringmaster to that of Kai’s.

Kasey Kash: “...you got some serious fucking explaining to do, Kai. I’ve been trying to find you for months. I don’t know if I should hug you or stomp your fucking teeth in… you know the kind of pain you’ve put all us through? You know what you’ve missed while you were gone? I’m having a kid, man. You were the first person I wanted to tell… and then on top of all that, I’ve gone through so much shit in the last two weeks... Beau died, Kai. While you were gone, the night you showed back up…”

Kaseys voice starts to break as he talks about this topic, that’s still quite fresh to him.

Kasey Kash: “...and I couldn’t fucking talk to you about it, Kai… no one could. I wanted three people in that room with me. E, Jah… and you. You’re my best friend, Kai… what the fuck are you thinking?!”

Kai stares back at Kasey blankly, almost as though his best friend’s words just hit a brick wall. He takes the microphone back from Kasey and begins to slowly speak to the man standing across from him.

Kai Morgan: You don’t understand. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. After Invasion, I could’ve gone home with my fiance, could’ve slept off the embarrassment of having to walk off with my tail between my legs…or at least could’ve tried. I could’ve lived with the fact that when it mattered, I gave up. Life would’ve been okay from there. But that’s the thing…it could’ve been just okay. Trust me, when this thing first happened, I didn’t want it as much as you all did. But when this man right here showed me how much better I could be, I look back on that night over a month ago, and I wouldn’t take back a thing.

The crowd begins to boo, all the goodwill built for Kai in his absence slowly trickling away as the fans begin to remember why they hated him so much in the first place.

Kai Morgan: That guy who tapped out in the Ultimate Battleground is dead. That Kai Morgan was weak. That Kai Morgan was shackled down by the weight of his own sentiment, made lesser than because he cared too much about those who surrounded him. Zion? Teresa? Hell, even you. All of it kept me on a ball and chain for too long. It’s ironic really…me being taken and trapped away is the thing that finally cut all of my strings loose.

Kasey stands there for a few seconds… looking him in the eyes… he slowly lowers the hood of his sweatshirt… grabs the microphone from Kai… BEFORE SLAPPING HIM ACROSS THE FACE AS HARD AS HE CAN!

Kasey Kash: “...the next words out of your fucking mouth better be ‘I’m sorry Teresa… I’m sorry Jessi… I’m sorry to everyone I let down…’ You wouldn’t take back the months of torment you put us all through? Are you fucking sick in the head, cunt?! You weren’t there the night after you got kidnapped, when Jessi couldn’t stop crying and couldn’t sleep. You know who was? Erika and myself. We had to take up some of the responsibilities YOU abandoned. You want to stand here and credit this fucking freakshow for doing what they did to you…”

Kaseys words start to grow more and more aggressive

Kasey Kash: “Y… god I fucking hate what you’ve become. I shouldn’t hate you for what you went through… but fucking hell… you don’t make it easy. I should be standing here with you and we should be celebrating that you came back. But you… god fuck you… and fuck YOU especially…”

Kasey turns his head towards The Ringmaster.

Kasey Kash: “... I don’t know who you’ve got in front of me, but this isn’t my best friend…”

Kasey then turns his attention BACK to Kai, getting right in his face.

Kasey Kash: “...because I know for a fact that my best friend wasn’t such a stuck up fuckfaced cunt before he left.”


Kai immediately snatches the microphone from Kasey’s hand, getting nose to nose with him now as his face portrays a look of simmering anger. He steps away at The Ringmaster’s insistence, before preparing to unload on Kash.

Kai Morgan: Don’t you put any of this shit on me! I didn’t have a choice before. If I did, we wouldn’t be in this position. I wouldn’t need to apologize for a damn thing. Hell this show wouldn’t even be happening right now. All I had to do was not drop the ball. All I had to do was not be so WEAK...that’s why I gave in. That’s why I let him in…so that a moment of weakness like that can NEVER happen again.

Kai looks at The Ringmaster, before directing his attention back to Kasey.

Kai Morgan: This man may have made me a stuck up cunt…but at least that makes me better than the soft ass bitch you turned into…

Kasey once again snatches the mic from Kai, not wasting any time as he starts to shout directly into his face.

Kasey Kash: “Soft ass bitch? Seriously?! Do you not understand what I’ve fucking gone through?! Maybe you didn’t hear me when I started talking, Kai. But I lost the last link I had to my fucking father on the night you showed your face for the first time in months, the SAME night I wrestled in two matches across two states, both of which I fucking bled in. So don’t you even THINK about calling me soft again, unless you really want to fuck around and find out just how soft I am. You can stand there and say you ain’t weak anymore. But with you pulling shit like this, in my eyes you’ll still be that same twenty year old fresh faced kid in the biz that followed me around like a lapdog.”

Kai doesn’t even snatch the microphone from Kasey this time, opting to just slap it out of his hand before getting right into his face. Tensions look as though they’re about to boil over between the two before The Ringmaster steps in. Ringmaster grabs the microphone as he stands between the two men, looking right at Kasey.

The Ringmaster: Remember, Kasey, I let you beat me. I wanted to give you a sign of good faith. You could have your best friend back, just join us. Think about it.

As Ringmaster drops the microphone, the lights go out and when they come back on, Kasey is seen standing in the middle of the middle of the ring alone as Ringmaster and Kai have both disappeared.
The lights in the arena go dark in the main hall when

Player 1 Ready…

comes up on the screen. There's a fade in voice as Koda Kumi's "W Face" fades in.

"Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch, slay."

The screen flashes

Game Start!

The main tune hits and the lights come back up showing Kate on the stage in her hooded jacket posing under the lights as the music continues. She flips her hood down and starts to strut down the ramp to the disapproval of the crowd. Kate has an extra sway with every step, an inspiration of lust as she moves, teasing male and female audience members alike.

Seth Ernst: Looks like we’re getting a visit from the Wildcard herself.

Miranda Augustino: Wooooo, la chica bonita y comodín. Katie baby, you still got it.

Seth Ernst: Kate’s match with Anton may have been one of the most brutal we ever witnessed. Kate refused medical attention after and apparently is still in good spirits.

Miranda Augustino: And she deserves to be. Finally overcoming her ex and her own trauma from her past.

"Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch
Lips lined, beautiful
She's fine, itsumo
matou BE-RU
furimuku Everyone"

Kate seems unperturbed to walk flauntingly and openly as she approaches ringside in a sensuous manner, looking over the audience with a seductive look. Kate goes to one side of the ring, climbing on the apron and shakes her ass and poses once more for the audience.

"hontou no sugata No way toko mo
futatsu kasanari watashi ni nareru
mite hoshii watashi to
minna ga shiranai watashi
Inside & outside, which do you like?
Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch, slay
Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch, slay
Yass bitch, yass bitch, yass bitch"

Seth Ernst: But how much is left under that face right now? She can’t be 100 right now.

Miranda Augustino: Definitely no way she’s 100 in health, but look at her work her body. That’s 100 right there!

Kate looks over her shoulder and gives a wink out to the camera before she hops into the ring. She gives one more slow and seductive dance in the ring but as the beat takes back again, she slaps her ass at the audience. Another pose later, under a shower of boos and Kate's music fades out. Kate grabs a mic and the lights fade out to a spotlight on Cali-Kate alone.

Cali-Kate: Once again, when the war ends, the smoke clears, the drums fade, the tallies taken, there is only one left standing and once again it’s me. Two wars in a row for NFW, but the worst is still yet to come.

The audience gives a light applause, but it is half-hearted. Kate is not disturbed by this. In fact, she nods at the audience’s disregard.

Cali-Kate: Unfortunately, we all know that war has its cost. … And I personally suffered a heavy loss with the betrayal, the breaking of an oath, by the one I call sister. Even still, with this harsh fucking treachery, I can’t bring myself to not call her that. Jessica’s… motives are her own I suppose, but now I realize that deep down…

Kate purses her lips and shakes her head, seething deep inside and ready to boil over.

Cali-Kate: … after all the shit we have been through, I now know what it really is with her. Once again, it’s a fucking game of one-upsmanship! No, and I can prove it with her! I entered the scene, a fresh-faced, bubbly, charismatic, spirited gamer girl, she followed close behind and stole everyone’s attention. I stood first against the Children in Hybrid, she built the first Resistance together with Stacy Dean and the rest. … Even… even Dean, we grew very close, and she still got his heart. Okay, extenuating… circumstances… kept me from following through with that one, but still it was no damn secret. I got married, got pregnant, my last match being against her in Hybrid as well. She married, got pregnant and had twins! And now she’s following through on the one thing I did that she didn’t: betray everything she fucking stood for!

Seth Ernst: Is all of that true?

Miranda Augustino: Far as I know, everything there does match up with what happened.

Seth Ernst: But there’s no way Jessica could have honestly known…

Kate is pacing the ring like a caged animal being poked with a stick. The audience is nearly all jaws on the floor as she lists everything.

Cali-Kate: That… that is the fuking legacy Jessica Matthews wants to build now! Everything that I did first, she’s got to make it even bigger and better! She gets all the credit for it in the end too! And now that brings us to today: the original story writing new tales to make itself bigger than the goddamn reboot!

Kate finally pauses as the audience now has their full attention on Kate. Kate smirks finally as she goes to lean on the ropes.

Cali-Kate: Well, tonight, I’m finally gonna have one over her that she can’t ever fucking take. One that I know not only can I do now, not only can I get done, but I can actually make it meaningful as well and back it up when the time finally comes around. You see, I’m not gonna wait for everyone else like I did before, I’m not gonna wait to be invited in or be a fucking sidepiece. I’m not even going to wait for NFW and Steven Brody to bother making the fucking announcement.

Miranda Augustino: Beating the CEO to an announcement?!

Seth Ernst: Something that company-affecting wide takes guts and nerve that even I didn’t think Cali-Kate had on her.

Miranda Augustino: The Wildcard is about to break something and probably ruin a lot of days right now.

The audience is abuzz as Kate steps back, stands up to her full height, where even at 5’2 she still somehow has a slightly intimidating posture.

Cali-Kate: Tonight, here Trauma, no April Fool’s bullshit, that was yesterday. Tonight, right here, right fucking now I am announcing that I am entering into the 2022 Vlad Blackheart Memorial Tournament!

Miranda Augustino: Holy shit!

The audience pops big for the announcement. They may not like Kate, but to bring out something like this, they don’t really care. The audience cheers and applauds for a couple minutes. Kate basks in the applause with a mischievous but satisfied smirk.

Seth Ernst: This is… this is big! Huge! The tournament isn’t for 5 months. That’s a long way and a lot can happen.

Miranda Augustino: Kate’s made the announcement! She’s put her word on it! Think what you will of her, but when she gives her word, she does everything to follow through.

The audience dies down as Kate stands in the middle of the ring again.

Cali-Kate: Mark… this… date everyone. I am going into the tournament, and I am once again going to rip through absolutely every last competitor that stands in my way and unlike last year, there won’t be a singe fucking point dropped from me, all the way through the fucking finals where I will do what I should have done last year and put whoever stands in my way down for good!

The audience is back to boos for Kate’s overconfidence, but they are still jazzed on the announcement.

Cali-Kate: I said it last year, that I would make everyone watch. I said last year was going to be my year. This time when I say it, there’s only one thing anyone can do. This year is my year! Watch me! Game Start, bitches!

“W Face” hits the speakers again and blasts through the arena. Kate drops the mic and poses again in the ring.

Seth Ernst: Someone wake me up. Did Kate just…

Miranda Augustino: Mamacita probably biting off more than she can chew, but I’ve never seen her do less ever.

Seth Ernst: And without a doubt, she’s got a target on her back now. Anyone looking to break out in the tournament is going to come after her, for sure.

Whether Cali-Kate has considered this or not doesn’t seem to register with her at the moment. The audience is a mix of their disapproval for Kate and the excitement that comes with the VBMT that’s still to come. Kate is walking back up the ramp, still smirking, as the scene fades out.
The cameras cut backstage where Ibbie, still dressed in her ring gear, is standing beside Loree, who is in her usual business attire. Ibbie is signing autographs for a couple of fans near the entrance of the Colosseum. Ibbie's fans are smiling, Ibbie is smiling, Loree is smiling, everybody seems to be having a great time. After Ibbie finishes the last of the autographs, she is approached by Dakota Winters.

Dakota Winters: Ibbie, if I can, I'd like get a few comments from you. It won't take long at all.

Loree looks to Dakota, but Ibbie seems to be looking off in the opposite direction and lost in thought. After rolling her eyes at her client's odd behavior, Loree decides to answer instead. Her Northern English accent prevalent as she speaks.

Loree Merope: My sincerest apologies, Dakota, sometimes Ibbie gets a little shy around press and needs a little time to warm up. Usually she's pretty friendly, but doesn't handle spontaneous, in-person, social interactions very well other than ones with her fans and on social media. Proceed with your questions, by all means.

Dakota nods her head in response and prepares her first question while Ibbie continues to look away.

Dakota Winters: Tonight, we all witnessed Ibbie's first victory in an NFW ring. Coming off losing a United States Title shot to Stacy Jones, tonight's victorymost definitely has to feel good for her.

The camera moves in closer to Loree as she speaks.

Loree Merope: Most definitely, indeed, Ms Winters. After that loss, Ibbie took my advice and Ms Jones' offer to help train my client. This victory tonight was the result of all of that in tandem with the patience and dedication Ibbie has within her. I would like to thank Ms Jones for accepting Ibbie as a challenger and for not treating her any differently than she would with anyone else given that it was Ibbie's first professional level match. She's had plenty of time, and still does, in the independents, so she's by no means a rookie in the sport. With more matches under her belt in the coming weeks, she's got nowhere to go other than up. That one match gave Ibbie a preview of not just a professional match, but also a championship match, and we can't thank Ms Jones enough for all she's done to help with Ibbie's development and future in this company. As far as her opponent tonight, Ibbie was happy to face Ms Ivory being her final opponent on the Trauma brand. We wish her the best and a bright future on the Destiny brand and thank her for the respectable competition.

Dakota Winters: So, with all of that said, there's nothing but momentum building up for her from this point forward and better times to--

Ibbie: Hi! I'm Ibbie!

The camera moves back as Loree looks over to Ibbie who has her hand extended out toward Dakota. As Dakota looks a bit surprised by the sudden gesture and greeting, Loree is smiling appearing to be holding back a laugh. The growing awkward silence after the interruption is finally ended as Dakota shakes Ibbie's hand and continues the interview.

Dakota Winters: Hi, Ibbie, it's nice to meet you. I don't know if you heard my question, but--

Ibbie: It's nice to meet you too, Dakota! I love that your name is Dakota because we live in South Dakota. Do you know that place? Are you named after it? Where are my manners asking you questions when you're supposed do that. I'm hoping you're having a good night so far! Look at all these fans and all the lights and just the sounds and I'm just loving being out here and around everybody who are part of this great industry. I'm both hoping you're having a good night and I'm loving being out here, but I'm also still--

Dakota Winters:Ibbie, I'm sorry, to interrupt you but, I was trying--

Ibbie: I accept your apology. It's rude to interrupt people.

Loree looks at the two and is dumbfounded by her client's statement. She makes the best attempt to console and educate her client.

Loree Merope: Ibbie, dear child, you've interrupted this poor woman twice and she's just trying to do her job. Please just let her ask her questions and speak in turn.

Ibbie blushes with embarrassment, but nods her head and motions for Dakota to continue.

Dakota Winters: Thank you, Loree, for clarifying and Ibbie, for letting me speak. Now, as far as my question--

Ibbie: You're welcome! I'm happy to make other people happy and if not talking when you're trying to talk makes you happy, then I'm happy to not talk when you're talking and happy you're happy. I'm happy and also still Ibbie! The best Ibbie!

Loree shakes her head in disbelief and looks a little embarrassed herself.

Loree Merope: Ibbie, dear, you've interrupted her again. She's never going to get this interview started if you keep doing that.

Ibbie has a slightly upset look on her face as she didn't realize what she did and feels like she disappointed everyone. Ibbie does a motion of locking her mouth with a key and then once again motions to Dakota to proceed.

Dakota Winters: I need to get these questions answered quickly because I'm running out of time--

Ibbie interrupts again, but with singing. Her singing voice is perfectly on tune and beautiful.

Ibbie: ♫ I'm running out of time... 'Cause I can see the sun light up the sky... So I hit the road in overdrive... Bay-ee-bee!♫

Ibbie begins to do a little goofy dance in place while continuing to sing. Loree looks confused and Dakota's look is somewhere between shocked and annoyed.

Ibbie: ♫ This city's cold and empty! No one's around to judge me!I can't see clearly when you're gah-ah-on.♫

Slowly, Dakota walks out of the scene as Loree mouths the words "I'm sorry" and walks off with Ibbie who is still going. The camera fades, but not before catching Ibbie's improvised chorus to the song.

Ibbie: ♫ I said Oooo, I'm blinded by the lights.. ♫(and I'm also Ibbie!) ♫ No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch... I said, Oooo, I'm drowning in the night..♫(but still Ibbie!) ♫ Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I trust!♫
Within the backstage area, particularly close to Nathaniel Dixon’s locker room, a violin softly resonates. The camera spots Ami Kennedy playing the classical instrument at the end of the hallway. It brings a sense of peace and tranquility to this part of backstage. Despite this, what she plays carries a sad melody. It is likely reflective of her personal life. She slow dances as she plays, her eyes closed the entire time.

Coda’s piercing jet black hues watch from across the way. Her stylized face mask covers her nose and mouth, though her hair is braided in a long brown ponytail over her shoulder. Cautiously approaching the other woman with the stiffness of an introvert, the Trauma competitor recoils when Ami opens her eyes. The playing of the violin continues regardless of this discovery. Ami offers Coda a gentle smile.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Bonjour, Mademoisella Coda.

Coda: Ami. It is an honor to finally meet your aquaintence.

Coda bows gently to show respect.

Coda: You play the violin often? You are quite skilled.

The Dancing Violinist smiles softly.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Thank you. I’ve been playing the violin for as long as I can remember. Apparently, it’s in my blood.

This is demonstrated by her relationship with her Uncle Nate and his expert playing of the violin. She raises the bow from the strings of the instrument and relaxes her arms.

Ami Fitzsimmons: How are you feeling?

Coda pauses, her body language tensing up right before Ami’s eyes. She rubs her neck almost like its on instinct.

Coda: Hurt. March Madness did not end how I hoped. Casey Holliday defeated me justly, then moved on to the newly-created Destiny brand.

Understanding, Ami nods and holds her instrument in front of her.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Oui. I was in attendance of March Mayhem and learned about NFW’s third brand. Speaking of Mademoiselle Casey, the two of you clashed quite a bit. Despite the outcome of the match, were you able to accomplish what you wanted?

Coda agrees with a firm hum.

Coda: Yes. It was a most satisfying bout.

She pauses, eyeing the instrument, and then Ami.

Coda: I know you are essentially paid to be here, but I wonder. Did you enjoy the show as well?

There’s a moment of thoughtfulness as Ami contemplates Coda’s question.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Oui, mademoiselle. It was a riveting showcase of Trauma superstars. A lot of twists and turns as well…

She certainly hasn’t overlooked anything. Studios as ever.

Ami Fitzsimmons: Honestly… I’m glad New Frontier Wrestling is still open. Regardless of what people think, everyone’s efforts were needed to succeed. Victory gives us hope. Defeat teaches us lessons. We were motivated and united with the same cause. That’s all that matters.

Coda: ”Victory gives us hope. Defeat teaches us lessons.”

Coda echoes the words, as if instinctively trying to highlight it. She says it with the same tone as Ami, too.

Coda: I must go prepare for my bout with Atlas. Trauma’s main events have a high standard I would do best to equal or surpass.

With that, Coda rushes off in the other direction while Ami continues to play her violin.
The camera slowly opens on a dark room, a bunch of bloody Barbie dolls hanging from tiny nooses. A figure slowly fades into view.

Voice: “Tonight… the will be blood… suffering… death… so much pain.”

Trixie Decker steps forward.

Trixie Decker: “And not just cuz you’ve gotta sit through my match.”

Trixie gives aggressive finger guns.

Trixie Decker: “So I’m facing one of the resident crazies in NFW in Anaquin Adams. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been pretty public about wanting to sample that crazy cuz, well, psychosis is apparently as sweet as sugar to me. Yeah, she’s threatening to kill me. Yada yada.”

Trixie picks up one of the Barbies that looks a lot like herself, looking it over.

Trixie Decker: “I guess we both got a lot to prove tonight. See, this is my last Trauma show before I get sent to Destiny. And I’d rather leave on an up-note. Trauma’s been… a mixed bag for me. I’ve worked hard. Shit, my last opponent here had to have help to keep her belt and a win because I just wouldn’t go down. But I want to go out with a win, y’know?”

Trixie begins to walk across the room.

Trixie Decker: “See, I’ve heard this, ‘I’ll kill you,’ trash a lot, Anaquin. You won’t. I can’t be killed by you. I can be hurt, sure. But not by you. And even if you did, I’d come back. I always come back. But, see, I have something I need to prove tonight. That I had a reason to be here at all. Maybe I won’t win. That’s okay. Losses happen.”

Trixie approaches a Barbie doll hanging from a noose, made to look like Anaquin. She pops the head off the Trixie Barbie, revealing a bloody blade. She immediately stabs it into the Anaquin Barbie before turning to the camera.

Trixie Decker: “But I’m sure as hell gonna leave a mark on you. See you in the ring.”

Trixie turns and leaves as the camera fades to black.
The locker room of the Titan of Trauma was bumping with music when the camera cut into it. A large, but still carryable boombox sat on the bench near the lockers playing some DMX to show love for one of NYC’s most missed legends.

Titan himself was pacing in the middle of the room finishing the tape on one of the wrists. His hair was up in the usual dreads pulled into a ponytail and on his face were the glasses he was seldom seen without.

In the background a shower was running and Trey was seen to look over at the half opened door to the locker rooms bathroom and shout.

Atlas: “Still say you tryin to get a brother in trouble, Ya Heard?”

He looked down at the tape muttering to himself.

Atlas: “Sexy ass lil Snow Bunny naked in the shower and I got a match to stay dressed for. What kind of shit is that?”

Titan seems to find this amusing as he grins a bit at himself and glances back at the door one final time as if he were making a judgment call.

Atlas: “Fuck it.”

He takes his shirt by the hem and begins to pull it up when a knock sounds off the door. Titan glances annoyed at the door and crosses the room pulling it open. A small man wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard stood on the other side looking more than a little scared.

Atlas: “Chu want boi?”

Stagehand: “Titan Sir? I was asked to deliver this to you.”

Atlas: “For sho’”

Titan takes the small envelope and walks back into the locker room. Peeling the folds of the envelope back inside was a single sheet of paper which reads.



Atlas: “The fuck?”

From within the envelope Trey pulls out a series of pictures. They were blurred but they were obviously of his bedroom window. Inside the window Trey could be seen with his boy Derryk’s girl Riley. Things were blurred but it was clearly a very compromised position of him in bed with his boy’s girlfriend. The next one was the two in a pool, similarly blurred and another in a billiard room of sorts, also blurred. The timestamp on the three showed they were in the last two weeks.

Titan closed his hand into a fist crushing the photos in one hand as the door to the bathroom opened and the beautiful Amanda Stafford came out dressed in a pair of hip huggers hugging her thigh hips and a top leaving her midsection open while she towel dried her hair.

Amanda Stafford: “You okay?”

Atlas: “Nah Baby Girl. Nah.”

Was all the big man would say, but the look on his face said enough.

The Titan was pissed.