Chapter IV: Vaccinate your Children

[GAIA]

[ Kavinsky’s “ProtoVision” fills the arena, the chants of “WE ARE VAN-GUARD! *clap clap clap clap clap* WE ARE VAN-GUARD! *clap clap clap clap clap*” filling the listener's ears as the camera pans across the excited Los Angeles crowd are on their feet around the ring before the familiar voice of play-by-play commentator Mark Stephens welcomes us to the program. ]

Mark Stephens: On what is sure to be the biggest night in this company's short history, we will be seeing the crowning of VANGUARD Pro’s first champion! Hello, my name is Mark Stephens and joining me at the commentary station is none other than the ever incomparable, Chet Kensington. Chet, tonight is looking to go above and beyond everything that has been done thus far in VANGUARD, especially in tonight's main event where we will be crowning the inaugural Bellatrix Champion!

Chet Kensington: You’re goddamn right, Mark. These three women that we’ll be seeing in the main event tonight, Azurine Vebbins, Stacy DeVille, Raena Ripley, you can debate that these three women have defined what makes VANGUARD Pro so great with their performances in that very ring and it’s anyone's guess as to who will be walking out with that beautiful championship belt around their waist!

Mark Stephens: Throw on top of that some debuts, some tag team action, and god knows what else is in store for us tonight! One thing we have learnt so far about VANGUARD Pro is that anything can happen at any given time. Who knows what to expect except for one guarantee; a great night of professional wrestling!

Chet Kensington: Well, as much as I like to hear you gush, Mark, I think we better get this show on the road! Rhett Sweeney, if you could please do the honors!

[ We head to the ring where Rhett Sweeney is standing in the center, the fans chanting loudly as “Protovision” begins to fade in the background. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Ladies and Gentlemen, the opening contest of this evening is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 10-minute time limit!

[ “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin plays as Kai Terblanche emerges from behind the entrance curtain, a scowl on his face as he looks over the crowd, an aura of seething hatred ever radiant as he makes his way to the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Johannesburg, South Africa, weighing in tonight at 226 pounds! HE IS THE RAZORBLADE! KAAAAAAI!!! TEEEERBLANCHEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: Off the heels of what can only be assessed as an upset victory over a departing Donny Dragon, Kai Terblanche is not coming in tonight braggadocious or overly confident because he has a huge chip on his shoulder. His victory didn’t boost him up in the VANGUARD rankings as he would have hoped for, many labelling the victory as a lucky fluke. He comes in tonight as a man on a mission.

Chet Kensington: One can hardly blame him, Mark. Imagine getting the better of someone on their final night in the promotion, sending him off with a loss, expecting that victory to see some sort of meteoric rise in the ranks only to be looked over? Kai has every right to be annoyed at that fact and labelling the victory as a fluke is salt to the wounds. Tonight, he’s coming out to shove the idea of fluke wins down people's throats.

[ Kai enters the ring, scowling at Howie Dewitt before he gets into his corner, crouching and staring at the entrance way with a look of absolute menace. ]

[ From the back, amidst a light fog, emerges Trey Cole confidently walking in the beat of “Sweatpants” by Childish Gambino at the top of the ramp. Cole continues his stride taking in all the cheers and the boos, onward in a journey of smoothness to the ring, walking slowly and taking in the atmosphere fully. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And his opponent! From Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in tonight at 174 pounds! HE IS THE COMBO KING! TREEEEEY!!! COOOOOOLEEEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: Now this man has quite the hype around him. You can see the swagger he comes out with, in contrast to his opponent, a lot of self-confidence and apparently, according to our talent scouts, there is a lot of reason for him to be. Cole is reported to be incredibly athletically gifted, a former track star that is lightning fast and has incomparable agility. As they reported “if you can keep your eyes on him, you won’t be able to take them off him.”

Chet Kensington: I’ve done my own little bit of research on this guy, Mark. Apparently, he only associates with people who can match him in pure athletic ability, only shows people who that can rival him in that field respect. Now, we have heard on social media Trey is somewhat “testing the waters” of VANGUARD for his triad known as the Hooligunnz who, if Trey is associating with them, you know they’ve got to be gifted in their own right. Cole might have a cool and confident personality but, if he underestimates his opponent tonight, he won’t go back to his boys with a W on his record.

[ Cole climbs the stairs, posing for the crowd, before climbing to the middle rope on the outside and posing for the hard cam. He hops down and catapults himself over the ropes, rolling into the center of the ring. Cole makes his way back up to his feet and poses for the camera and fans in preparation for his match. Howie Dewitt asks both men if they’re ready before calling for the first bell of the evening. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

No time is wasted before the match gets to a fast pace as Cole’s care-free approach flares the temper of Kai who retaliates as he feints a lock-up attempt to deliver a swift knee into the midsection. The Irish whip attempt proving to be a mistake as Cole’s speed becomes overwhelming for Kai, who has to evade colliding with Cole every lap of the ropes until Trey rolls forward under a clothesline attempt, laying on the canvas with a relaxed yet cocky pose, a smirk on his face having not broken a sweat. A “bring it on” gesture only angers Kai even more, leading to a poor choice in judgement as Trey quickly performs a schoolboy attempt, not holding it at all as Kai rolls to his knees, Trey kips up and swiftly delivers an enzugiri that catches Kai right in the side of the head and causes him to roll to the floor outside for a breather. The displays of speed and precision wow fans quickly, but not as much as the display of athleticism that follows as Trey Cole runs off the ropes, cartwheels and delivers a Moonsault over the ropes with the momentum! The crowd are in on their feet as Trey catches Terblanche and still lands on his feet, arms outstretched and a coy smile on his face as he looks out to the approving masses.

That cocky bravado proves to be detrimental as he pushed Terblanche back into the ring before giving the VANGUARD another display of his confidence before getting back into the ring, only to have the second rope kicked into his groin behind Howie Dewitt’s back by Kai. The retaliation causes a chorus of boos that fall on Kai’s deaf ears as he spikes Cole into the canvas with a hangman's DDT, going for a cover with a forearm across the jaw.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! T--

Too early for Kai to think the match was won but stays firmly in control with a vicious series of knee drops to the head of the Combo King, keeping him grounded before Howie Dewitt has to step in and pull Kai off, receiving an earful of verbal abuse from the Razorblade. The lambasting gives Cole enough time to recollect himself, pushing off Kai as he turns around and met with a boot to the chest, rolling backwards onto his feet, rolling sole kick into the midsection, upwards kick to the chest and stiff forearm shiver to top it off, Kai reeling back into a corner in a daze. Cole charges in with a head of steam, Kai back body drops him over the ropes but Cole is able to catch himself on the apron, delivering a rope-assisted enzugiri to Kai that sends him stumbling out to the center of the ring. Cole scouts him, springboards into the ring with amazing altitude and grace before connecting with a vicious European uppercut! Cole goes for the cover, hooks the leg!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! T--!!

Kai gets the shoulder up at two! Trey Cole pulls him slowly up to his feet, looking to deliver a Saito suplex but is met with 12-to-6 elbow strikes to the back of his neck that forces him to break his grasp, followed by a VICIOUS short-arm clothesline that sends Cole inside-out before he lands on the canvas. Kai Terblanche has learnt from his past mistake of giving his opponent recovery time, hoisting Cole onto his shoulders before delivering the rolling fireman's carry senton, laying over his chest with the leg hooked!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! TH--!!

Cole quickly pulls Kai backwards with a makeshift crucifix hold!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THRE--!!

Cole almost stole a victory from Terblanche and Terblance doesn't take it in kind after kicking out just before the three with a stiff knee lift into the midsection while Cole is laying on his side, trying to knock the last winds out of his opponent's sails. Kai has evil intentions to follow as he is pulled off of Cole after driving his knee into his midsection repeatedly once again, heading to a corner and untying the top turnbuckle pad's strings, pulling off the padding and tossing it to the outside. The crowd have witnessed this action, hailing him with vigorous jeers while Dewitt is completely oblivious while checking on Cole. The jeers don't quiet down as Kai Terblanche pushes Howie out of the way to get to his opponent, hoisting him up into the crucifix position, turning slowly to face the turnbuckle he had just exposed. The fans know what's coming as Kai charges to the corner with the Crucifix Powerbomb! London Bridge!

Trey is able to slip out of Kai's grasp just before he is launched off into the steel turnbuckle latch, Kai having to stop his forward momentum before he himself collides with it. Cole charges towards him to get momentum back on his side, but Kai side steps! Cole is able to put his foot up and stop himself from colliding with the turnbuckle, only just having noticed Kai's attempt to cheat, turning around to be met with a charging Kai Terblanche! SIT YA ASS DOWN, BOY! TREY CATCHES KAI WITH A HARD IMPACT STO! And he doesn't look done, as he starts to ascend to the top rope! Trey takes a few seconds to get his balance as he stands upright on the turnbuckle, hands behind his head, he leaps! BIG BANG ATTACK! A REMARKABLE 630 SPLASH FINDS ITS MARK AS THE CROWD CHEER THE ASTOUNDING MOVE! COLE HOOKS THE LEG WITH THE COVER!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “Sweatpants” by Childish Gambino begins to play as Trey Cole makes his way to his feet, dusting his hands and pantomimes wiping the sweat off his forehead before Howie Dewitt raises his hand in victory. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The winner of this match! TREEEEEY!!! COOOOOOLEEEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: WOW! I have never seen a move like that in my many years calling action in this sport! A six hundred and thirty-degree splash, unbelievable! This Trey Cole has lived up to his reputation out here tonight. Speed, agility and ring-awareness tonight bested Terblanche’s ferocity, power and straight-up foxes cunning.

Chet Kensington: Cole approached this with the confidence that he already had the match won, and every move he delivered, he made it look like it was easy. Terblanche knew ways to shut him down momentarily, but couldn’t find a way to keep him down. Cole picks up the victory tonight and, if I were Vernon Tressler, I would be keeping an eye on this guy. Especially if he has friends tagging along.

[ Cole starts making his way up the ramp, bobbing his head to his theme song as Kai rejects any form of assistance from Howie before leaving the ring himself. ]

---

[ We cut to an ominous, creepy scene of forest tundra, bushes and trees shrouded in darkness. As the camera slowly makes its way through the bushes, the faint musical tones of Julius Fucik’s “Entry Of The Gladiators” begins to play as we are met with a big white tapestry. As the song begins to pick up, lights from around the open grounds ignite, showing the large carnival tent that stands in the site. It’s not long before we hear a disembodied voice, distorted as if it were coming from a megaphone. ]

?: Come one, come all! To bare witness to the greatest collection of oddities and freaks ever assembled under one tent! Spectacles! Spectacles no man or woman has ever been able to comprehend! Death-defying! Awe-inspiring! Anything is possible at the Karnival o--

[ The voice stops for a brief moment before the entry of the carnival tent opens. Standing with a megaphone in one hand at his side and a sinister, uneasy smile stands a man wearing facepaint, multiple tattoo’s over his body and his eye in different colors with contacts. He aggressively grabs the arm of the man holding the camera, pulling him towards the tent. ]

?: Welcome to the show, friend!

[ As the cameraman is pulled inside the tent, we are witness to a scene that resembles less of a circus grounds than a horror scene from a movie. A tightrope that spans over a “safety mat” of barbed wire netting, several torches lighten ablaze, beds of broken glass, along with many different sights perhaps a squeamish person would rather look aware from, much less imagine their purpose in any form of a show. The figure lets go of the camera mans arm, hands outstretched as he speaks with his back turned to the camera. ]

?: Have you ever seen a show like this? Ever seen a spectacle where men defy death with a spit in the face and a twisted smile? If not, you need not look any further than with me; Karnivall.

[ Having name-dropped himself he turns around to face the Cameraman, his smile even more uneasy than before, his voice quieter and with a little more menace in his tone. ]

Karnivall: What’s the matter? Not the talkative type? Good thing you brought your camera then because I need you to take in everything you see in this tent and tell the people of VANGUARD Pro that the Karnivall is in town.

[ With a firm grip on the camera man’s collar, his crazed mixed-colored eyes staring into the lens as he screams through a loud, shrill laugh. ]

Karnivall: And NO ONE! Is safe… HAHAHAHA!!!

[ Karnivall takes his hand and covers the lens as the transmission cuts out. ]

[GAIA]

[ The cameras cut back to inside the arena, fans ready for the second contest of the evening as Rhett Sweeney steps into the ring with the microphone in hand. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit!

[ Izzy comes out of the curtain bumping to “Coral Fang” by the Distillers. She rips open her vest, throws her head back and poses at the top of the ramp. She smiles and smirks with the fans chanting "Izzy, Izzy, Izzy". Upon reaching the threshold where the ramp meets the ring mat, Izzy bites her lip, winks to the camera and slides into the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in tonight at 146 pounds! SHE IS THE PUNK ROCK WIFEU! IIIIZZYYYYY!!! VAN!!! DOOOOREEEEEN!!!

Mark Stephens: Someone who has become somewhat of a human highlight reel in VANGUARD Pro; Izzy Van Doren is up there in the list of fan favorites. Death-defying, hard-hitting and laser-focused on getting to the top of the Bellatrix division, Izzy took very little time to get the wrestling world talking after a potentially make-or-break dive from our commentary area here in the balcony of the Globe Theatre onto a sea of her fellow female competitors.

Chet Kensington: Of course, with how competitive the division has gotten since that night, the wrestlers in the Bellatrix division have been going all-out, especially following the announcement of the Bellatrix Championships. The line is starting to form with potential competitors and it’s hard to debate that Izzy isn’t up the--LOOK OUT!

[ As Izzy makes it to the bottom of the rampway, she is jumped from behind by a frantic Hannah Stanton! Doctor Gina Riggs makes her way down the aisle, showing no restraint for Hannah as she hammers down clubbing blows into Izzy’s back as “Coral Fang” dies down! The crowd boo heavily as Hannah drags Izzy up to her feet by the roots of her hair and whips her hard against the steel barricade that almost comes off its hinges from the sheer momentum behind the impact. ]

Mark Stephens: Hannah Stanton has attacked Izzy Van Doren during her entrance, I don’t even know where she came from but her quack doctor is following behind in glee! I think this might have been a set-up, Chet. The Bellatrix division has gotten so volatile that they’re doing whatever it takes to get a win.

Chet Kensington: The match hasn’t even started, Mark. I don’t know if this has anything to do with the title, I think Hannah has been two weeks since she dismantled Aubrey Cassidy and has been in need for another opponent to vent against. It could have been a plan of Dr Riggs, but who knows with this crazy chick.

[ Hannah Stanton takes her time to be directed by Riggs, telling her what she needs to do. She runs crazed towards Izzy but, from off-screen, a chair lies into Hannah’s head, the seat opening around her skull as she falls backwards! Izzy reached for a chair over the barricade and hurled it towards her attacker, and it looks like she also took a fans beer as she takes the clear plastic cup and chugs down its contents, half of it pouring down her front before she tosses the cup back and slides into the ring. She gets right up to Howie Dewitt, telling him to ring the bell and start counting Hannah out. Howie takes a little time to contemplate the right course of action but makes the judgement call to call for the bell and start the 10 count while Dr Riggs checks on her patient. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Howie Dewitt: ON-- Hey! What are you doing?!

Izzy leaves the ring the second the bell has rung, having no intention of winning this match by count out as she heads back towards Hannah, pushing Dr Riggs away from her, pulling her up to her feet with the chair still wrapped over her head, picking up a lot of momentum as she pulls Hannah and whips her over the barricade and into the crowd! The fans having to get off the way of the incoming competitor while Izzy walks back towards Dr Riggs, mouthing off to her while Riggs tries to defuse the situation. Izzy feints a punch to Riggs, who trips and falls on her ass as a result, before Izzy turns her focus back to her opponent who has removed the chair from her head and is using chairs in the crowd to pull herself back to her feet. Izzy’s smile becomes one more sinister as she eyes her opponent and picks up speed, charging towards the barricade and dives over it with a barrel roll tope, knocking them both deeper into the sea of steel chairs! Chants of Holy Shit echoing through the crowd as Izzy pulls herself up first, throwing up the horns to ovation and offers of beer from nearby male fans. Alcohol can wait it seems, as Izzy pulls Hannah up and pulling her closer towards the ring, Howie warning them he is going to start his count again if they don’t take the action into the ring immediately.

As Izzy throws Hannah into the ring, Howie has to check on her as a small laceration above her eyebrow has opened up and started leaking down her face and into her matted hair. Izzy is stopped from getting into the ring by Dr Riggs, who has grabbed her leg and refusing to let go as Izzy is attempting to shake her off. Riggs holds her long enough for Hannah to get to her feet and his a baseball slide dropkick to Izzy, who comes off the apron and hits the thin padding on the floor with a hard smack. It became very clear this was not going to become a traditional wrestling match from this point on as the action returned to the outside, Howie losing control of the contest as Hannah lays closed fists into the forehead of Izzy Van Doren. Howie tries to remind the competitors they are required in the ring by starting the ring out count, though it seems to fall on deaf ears of Hannah Stanton.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! --

Hannah goes into an absolute destructive rampage as she starts ripping at the padding on the floor, pulling it up and exposing the bare, cold concrete beneath it. Even Gina Riggs has seemingly lost control of her patient as twisted ideas have seemingly formed in her head as she starts to laugh like a crazed hyena upon revealing the concrete, eyes frantically switching back and forth between the concrete and the recovering Izzy Van Doren.

Howie Dewitt: THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SI-- Hey! Don’t do that! Don’t!

Howie Dewitt can’t verbally stop Hannah as he hoists Izzy into the air and scoop slams her down onto the concrete, Izzy writhing in pain as she connects spine-first with the unforgiving floor. Hannah is held back by Dr Riggs, trying to calm Hannah down enough to talk sense into her and tells her to get into the ring until the referee counts to ten. She reluctantly obliges, the damage done to Izzy. Howie, too frail to confront the clearly mentally unstable Hannah, decides to continue the count instead of verbally lambasting her.

Howie Dewitt: SIX! SEVEN!

Izzy is seemingly conscious, though having trouble finding her feet from the shock to her spine.

Howie Dewitt: EIGHT!

Izzy is able to slowly pull herself up using the barricade, though her legs seem to be shaking from the shock and she can’t seem to get towards the ring.

Howie Dewitt: NINE!

The crowd are behind Izzy, trying to motivate her to get into the ring but she falls onto her hands and knees just before she can hobble to the ring, using the apron to try to get up!

Howie Dewitt: TEN!!!

You could have heard a pin drop for a split fraction of a second as Izzy pulls herself into the ring, only to be met with a roaring cheer as Howie signals she made it in just in time! Gina Riggs can’t seemingly believe it, thinking her patient had the match won by count out but Hannah looks happy at this, allowed to dish more damage out on her opponent. Pulling Izzy to her feet, she is caught off guard as Izzy pulls Hannah into a small package cradle, Dewitt checking the shoulders are down!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! TH--!!

Hannah kicks out, and quickly jumps up and delivers a stomp to Izzy’s ribs in retaliation to Van Doren attempting to steal a victory. Izzy is in a bad way, Hannah is starting to pull out some of her own hair as she’s completely driven by rage at this point, though smiling at the thrill of wounding the Punk Rock Wifeu. Hannah pulls Izzy up, hooking both of her arms and starts driving her skull frantically and repeatedly into Izzy’s chest, her matted hair flailing back and forth as she delivers them. Howie attempts a five count but it isn’t necessary as, with one violent motion, Izzy throws her head forward and catches Hannah with a sickening headbutt of her own to the forehead of Hannah that forces her to let go as both competitors stumble away from each other. Hannah leans down as she holds her forehead, which was the opening Izzy needed as she shakes off the cobwebs and delivers an axe kick down on the back of Stanton’s head, roaring around with an elbow strike that catches Hannah flush on the jaw! Hannah seems out on her feet as Izzy lets out a loud scream into the air before she pulls Hannah’s head under her arm, kicks out her leg and drives Hannah head first into the canvas with the Headlock Driver! ADIOS AMIGOS! Izzy crawls into the cover, hooking the leg!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “Coral Fang” by the Distillers begins to play as Izzy is seated against the ropes, a sly smile on her face before showing some difficulty getting to her feet, Howie Dewitt raising her hand as she throws up the horns, her free arm wrapped around her midsection. ]

Rhett Sweeney: HERE IS YOUR WINNER! IIIIZZYYYYY!!! VAN!!! DOOOOREEEEEN!!!

Chet Kensington: If there was any doubt Izzy Van Doren is the hardest woman in VANGUARD Pro, I don’t think there will be much debate now. Took a hell of a beating during the contest and dished it out back. You have to now consider Izzy Van Doren one of the front runners when it comes to a number one contender for the Bellatrix Championship now.

Mark Stephens: Without question. Izzy has earned a cult following amongst the Bellatrix Division since chapter one, has been making impression after impression for the VANGUARD faithful so you have to believe sooner or later the Bellatrix Champion will cross paths with the IzFit and, when that day comes, we’re guaranteed to have a contest that will be all kinds of mayhem.

[ Izzy takes a cup of beer from another fan, offered to her of course, cheersing it to them as she knocks it back and tosses back the cup as she heads to the back, all the while Dr Riggs is checking on her patient. ]

---

The camera comes in on one of VANGUARD’s younger stars, Shane Holliday. Shane stands in front of a white brick wall somewhere backstage, a toothpick in his mouth, shades over his eyes, and a black jacket on. The camera only shows him from the waist up. After waiting for a few seconds for the camera to fade in and the audio to pick up, he begins.

Shane Holiday: Ladies and gentlemen, hotel, motel Holliday is IN! Just last show, you all watched as ‘Saucy’ Shane Holliday went toe to toe and eventually out marvelled the man known as Marvelous Red. Now, unfortunately, the Young Man who grew up near San Fran isn’t in action tonight – instead, I was granted this time to fill you all in on a couple of things about me – so let’s get started. For starters, I have yet to be pinned or submitted in singles action. As a matter of fact, the only losses handed to me have been in tag team action. If I can be candid for a moment? I’m borderline unstoppable. I’m a lot like Zach LaVine in the dunk contest because if I’m gonna throw it down, I’m doing it with a full head of steam and you’re better off just getting out of my way. Now, that’s not to discredit anyone on the roster – sure, some people have caught my attention here. For instance, that Tressler guy – losing his matches in mere minutes. Kinda a tough rep to come back from, my guy.

Shane rubs the back of his head, cringing quite noticeably as he thinks about Tressler’s run thus far here in VANGUARD Pro. After doing so, he takes off his sunglasses and clips them to the front of his shirt, while also tossing away the toothpick in his mouth.

Shane Holiday: There was one name I noticed almost instantaneously when I got here – one Christopher Sabretooth. Doesn’t really roll off the tongue well, but it’s a name that catches your eye faster than accidental side boob. I mainly know Christopher from watching him during his time in Omega Wrestling Alliance and Strong Style Wrestling – both companies I would have loved to have been a part of, but unfortunately, they didn’t recognize the talent that was doing everything but literally biting them on the ass. However, now that I’ve signed the dotted line here in VANGUARD Pro, I’m be a proverbial pain in the ass for at least one of those companies – y’know, the one still around.

Shane lets off a laugh as he runs a hand across his chest, adjusting the black jacket he’s wearing as he does so. He shakes his head, a large grin on his face, before he continues on.

Shane Holiday: My point is, I’m aware of what I’m dealing with – or, who I’m dealing with. Christopher, Tressler, Levitt, anyone on this roster – it’s straight up just not that impressive. Put me in the ring with literally anyone on the male side of the roster, and I’ll prove I’m more than a catchphrase machine, I’ll prove I’m more than a t-shirt printing press – I’ll show the world that I’m not only the most gifted talker on the planet, but that I’m the best wrestler the squared circle has or ever will see. VANGUARD, you need a face of your company? Look no further. It’s chiselled, handsome, and more importantly, the man it belongs to is the most talented man you could’ve possibly brought in. Just sit back and watch – you’ll enjoy the view.

Holliday would wink, then put his shades back on his face. Smirking, he’d pull out another toothpick and place it in his mouth, running a hand through his hair as he walks out of frame. This man is definitely one to look out for.

[GAIA]

[ We return to ringside, Rhett Sweeney with the microphone in hand. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit!

[ "So On It" by MIYAVI feat. Seann Browne & Meron Ryan blares through the arena as Takaaki and Ryuki Asano emerge from the curtain, a red strobe light filling frantically flashing as Ryuji looks over the crowd with a stoic expression while Takaaki is mouthing off to the crowd in his native Japanese tongue. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first, From Tokyo, Japan at a combined weight of 370 pounds! The team of Takaaki and Ryuki Asano! THE TOOOOOOKYOOOOOO!!! RIIIIIIIOOOOOOT!!!

Mark Stephens: We return with some tag team action as we are about to introduce two more teams into the ever growing division. Two weeks ago we saw P.O.P. make their impressive debut against the Baewatch triad and now, we are seeing a team that has come over to the United States from the land of the rising sun on an excursion to become one of the best tag teams in the world, brothers Takaaki and Ryuki Asano; better known as the Tokyo Riot.

Chet Kensington: You got to respect what these two young men are doing. They’ve come to the United States to prove themselves and grow as a tag team, originally came as fun-loving party animals and found out the hard way that to make it to the top you gotta take this seriously. They might not be international darlings anymore to the U.S. crowd, but they’ve seen far better results choosing to follow one simple mantra; beat the best to become the best.

Mark Stephens: Taakaki the youngest of the two Asano brothers, a little more verbal and flashy in the ring while his older brother Ryuki is a stone-faced powerhouse, their different styles and strong cohesiveness will make them a tandem difficult to overcome.

[ Taakaki takes a seat on the top turnbuckle, chin-checking himself as Ryuki stands beside his brother, arms over the rope and looking up the aisle as “So On It” dies down. ]

["The Great Destroyer (Dark Star Mix)" by Nine Inch Nails begins to play over the PA system as Lycan breaks through the curtain with a hoodie over his head and a bandana over his face, squatting down and spitting a fog of water from his mouth when he removes the bandana. Following close behind is Kyle Radcliffe, wearing a bandana over his nose, mouth and jaw and a leather jacket with a lot of horror-inspired decal on it, looking over the crowd as he follows a frantic Lycan to the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing their opponents! Residing at the Abyssal Lodge in Melbourne, Australia at a combined weight of 348 pounds! “The Black Pharaoh” Kyle Radcliffe! “The Hound of Tindalos” Lycan! THEEEEEE!!! ROOOOOOGUEEEEES GAAAALLEEEEEEERYYYYY!!!

Chet Kensington: This is a team I have been hearing a lot about. You could draw some comparisons between Tokyo Riots and the Rogues Gallery as they’re both expatriate competitors who have come to the U.S. to pursue wrestling careers, however, The Rogues Gallery go about it in a much more… untraditional fashion shall we say.

Mark Stephens: I think the word you’re looking for is crude. These two, specifically the mouthpiece in Kyle Radcliffe, express they’re not here to follow traditions, oblige to any rules or conform to any standard -- they’re in this industry to get paid, get their kicks at the expense of others and disrupt the natural order of any company in their wake. They’re punks, thieves and other words I dare not say to be a professional, but regardless of what I call them, they wear it like a badge of honor.

Chet Kensington: Lycan a technical savage and a “ledgeador”, assumably Australian slang, and Kyle Radcliffe a cerebral surgeon and, as he calls himself, the absolute top cun--

Mark Stephens: CHET! Be a professional, will you?

[ Lycan charges to the ring and rolls in, climbing a turnbuckle and letting out a howl while Radcliffe climbs climbing the turnbuckle, removing his bandana to spit a fog of water into the crowd before getting into the ring, giving fans the "up yours" taunt as “Great Destroyer” slowly dies down. The Rogues and The Riot remove their jackets, tossing them to ringside attendants as Larry Blackwell asks both teams to send a member of the team out onto the apron. Radcliffe and Taakaki seem to be the two that are going to start the match off as Lycan and Ryuki leave to their respective corners before Blackwell calls for the opening bell.]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The crowd seem very torn to determine who their de facto favorite is in the match, though their opinion is quickly swayed after a scouting process in the ring between Radcliffe and Taakaki concludes with Lycan rushing into the ring and attacking the younger Asano from behind while Radcliffe cheapshots Ryuki off the apron, quickly turning the crowd against the Rogues. Lycan and Radcliffe lay the boots to Taakaki while Blackwell gives Lycan a warning to get out of the ring, but he only responds to Kyle telling him to get into their corner. Ryuki tries to get into the ring after this in retaliation to the cheap shot, but Kyle quickly points this out and Blackwell has to refrain Ryuki from entering the ring, all the while the Rogues are taking advantage of the official being distracted, isolating Taakaki into their corner as Lycan using his jacket to strangle him while Kyle keeps throwing verbal insults at the older Asano to keep Blackwell distracted longer. Ryuki relents to the apron as Lycan throws the jacket away, Blackwell unaware to what has transpired with his attention averted as a strangled Taakaki holds his throat in the corner as Kyle makes the tag to Lycan. Radcliffe applies a Camel Clutch, leaving the head of Taakaki vulnerable for a basement dropkick by Lycan, the former leaving the ring to allow Lycan to go for a pinfall attempt.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T--!

An early near fall, but no victory yet. Taakaki’s face a slight shade of blue from the strangulation, but still with enough life in him to continue. Lycan shows little restraint as he pulls up the fake teeth on his mask and starts biting into the forehead of Taakaki, Blackwell seeing this blatant rule breaking and gives Lycan a quick five count before he calls for a disqualification, which gets awfully close before Kyle runs in and physically pulls Lycan off of Taakaki and tosses his smaller partner into their corner while “you sick fuck” chants are breaking out from Lycan’s biting. This doesn’t seem to lead into any descension between the Rogues, however, as Lycan obliges to Kyles request for a tag without a second of hesitation, allowing Radcliffe into the match as Taakaki is getting to his own feet to look for a tag. Radcliffe gets to him first and cuts him off, applying a cravate to pull him away from the Tokyo Riot corner and blasting the younger Asano with a European Uppercut that rocks him and sends him to a neutral corner. The Rogues early game has seemingly paid dividends as Taakaki seems to have his reactions shot as, following another cheap shot by Radcliffe to Ryuki, he charges back to Taakaki and whips his head back with another European Uppercut that renders him groggy while Radcliffe tags out to Lycan.

Taakaki starts to mount a comeback after Radcliffe whips Lycan towards him from one corner to the other, catching Lycan in the face with a lifted boot. Radcliffe meets a similar situation as he tries shutting Taakaki down, only to run into the opposite boot of Taakaki. Both Radcliffe recover on a knee side by side in the center of the ring before Taakaki rolls forwards out of the corner, springing up to deliver dual single leg dropkicks to their faces! The crowd start to clap, rallying behind the de facto faces of this match as Ryuki stands in the corner with his arm outstretched for the tag. Lycan and Radcliffe shake the cobwebs off, but too late to prevent the tag from the Tokyo Riot, the powerhouse Asano who charges in and takes both members of the Rogues down with a jumping shoulder block, followed up with a pair of Ipponzeoi judo arm drags with enough power to send the Rogues retreating to the outside. Taakaki comes back into the fray as both the Tokyo Riot members eye the Rogues, running off the ropes and diving to the outside with stereo Suicide Dives! The tables have effectively turned for the Asano Brothers as they both push Lycan back into the ring.

Looking to bring the bout to a finish, Tokyo Riot whip Lycan into the ropes, Ryuki popping him up into the air before Taakaki catches him with a superkick on the way down! Ryuki makes the cover as Taakaki stands guard for Radcliffe.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH--!!

Despite an impressive sequence of moves, Lycan is able to get the shoulder up at two! The tandem keep on the assault as Taakaki gets out onto the apron as Ryuki lifts Lycan up for a powerbomb! Ryuki charges forward and delivers a nasty Turnbuckle Powerbomb to the smaller Lycan, with Taakaki assisting with a stiff apron enzugiri to the back of his head! Lycan is looking worse for wear as Ryuki pulls him out of the corner, turning him inside out with the Urajigoku Belly-to-Back Sitout Facebuster! Cover made again, Taakaki looking from the apron for Radcliffe!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T -- !!

Radcliffe was able to slide in unnoticed by Taakaki, breaking up the cover! Taakaki gets in and jumps onto Radcliffe, delivering a Jumping Forearm Smash to knock him groggy before he summons his brother for some assistance against the fresher man. The duo take turns to deliver machine gun style chops to his chest, leaving his chest a bright red before they both pull him out of the corner, Ryuki lifting Kyle into the air for a suplex, Taakaki coming off the second rope to assist in the downward momentum. Kyle is shoved out to the apron by their collective boots before Taakaki and Ryuki turn their attention back to the legal man, Taakaki being ejected to the apron while Ryuki drags an out of it Lycan to their corner, making the tag to Takaaki as they look for one last move to bring the team victory.

Taakaki ascends to the top rope as Ryuki hoists Lycan up onto his shoulders in the electric chair position, staggering into position as Taakaki stands tall for the diving Double Knee Facebreaker! GIANT KILLAAHHH!!! WHAT?! Lycan just spat a red mist into the face of Taakaki who loses his balance and crotches himself on the turnbuckle! Lycan pulls back, falling off of Ryuki’s shoulders and stumbles back into the Rogues Gallery corner, where an awaiting Kyle makes a blind tag and pretends it didn’t happen as Lycan evades a clothesline from Ryuki. A second mist catches Ryuki right in the face, turning around blinded as Kyle enters the ring, the Rogues tandem delivering a high running European Uppercut in sync with Lycan delivering a running leg sweep, knocking over the older Asano, rolling out of the ring kicking and rubbing aggressively at his face as both the Rogues make their way to Taakaki who is about to meet a similar fate. Radcliffe and Lycan unhook Taakaki’s legs, pulling him onto both of their shoulders with his head tucked and they deliver a double Electric Chair Driver -- THE AZATHOTH DRIVER! Radcliffe makes the cover!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ "The Great Destroyer (Dark Star Mix)" by Nine Inch Nails begins to play as both Lycan and Kyle leave the ring, smirking evilly as they make their way up the ramp, watching both Asano brothers getting Lycan’s mist wiped out of their eyes. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Here are your winners! Kyle Radcliffe! Lycan! THEEEEEE!!! ROOOOOOGUEEEEES GAAAALLEEEEEEERYYYYY!!!

Mark Stephens: What a despicable way to win this otherwise hot contest! Whatever that red fluid Lycan sprayed into their eyes, it must be something that can’t be considered legal because look at them, they’re acting like they’ve been pepper sprayed! Blackwell saw both mists and did nothing about it!

Chet Kensington: We don’t know if that’s legal or not, Mark, I think VANGUARD’s officials will be looking into the use of whatever that red spray was for the future. Even so, The Rogues came into VANGUARD with a win by any means necessary mentality, they don’t care how they get it done hook or by crook, as long as they’ve won the match they don’t care. The Asano’s showed their chemistry, that they’re the better team when it comes to wrestling. But the Rogues worked smarter than harder tonight, and they took the shortcut they needed to get the victory.

---

[ “Welcome to the Real World” by Gun plays over the P.A. System as The Rogues Gallery were just about to go to the back. Vernon Tressler makes his way onto the stage to meet them, flanked by Brooklyn Kinsley, Adam O’Bannon and Garrett Manning of P.O.P., Cadets Jacob Holliday, Barry Allen and Andrew Thomas of Baewatch as well as the newly announced team for the division in Otto and Lance Kingsley of the High Score Kings. Vernon gestures for both members of the Rogues to follow him to the ring, but the two seem to brush this off and elect to stay on stage instead as Vernon begrudgingly allows them to as the rest follow him to the ring. Tokyo Riot still in the ring, being cleans off by ringside attendants and doctors applying ice packs to their sore appendages. ]

Chet Kensington: It looks like we’re getting a surprise visit from the benefactor of VANGUARD Pro himself, Mark, and he isn’t coming alone. Seems like he’s bringing all the tag teams in the division out with him. Baewatch, who has officially changed from the Lifeguards from the last show, followed by P.O.P. who had an impressive debut against the aforementioned triad. Behind them is the debuting tandem of Lance and Otto Kingsley, better known as the High Score Kings, who have yet to make their VANGUARD debut but Otto, if I am not mistaken, is the husband of Videl Rose who we saw the last chapter.

Mark Stephens: It looks like he has summoned the tag team division for a meeting in the ring, four teams currently are in there, the Rogues electing to stay on the ramp instead of joining the other competitors. Understandably so, they can’t be too popular with the rest of the division given how they just won their match against Tokyo Riot. I wonder what this is about.

[ “Welcome to the Real World” slowly dies down as Vernon Tressler, two security guards at either side and a few around the ring, takes the microphone handed to him by Rhett Sweeney while all four teams in the ring occupy a corner. ]

Vernon Tressler: Now, I bet you’re all wondering why I have brought you all out here. I’m going to cut right to the chase. Later tonight, we’re going to see the crowning of our first Bellatrix Champion in the main event. And in three shows time, we’re going to be adding a new championship to the mix. I speak of course of the VANGUARD Pro Tag Team Championships!

[ The crowd begins to cheer as the four teams in the ring look around to the other three while the Rogues watch on from on stage. ]

Vernon Tressler: I had only just got off the phone with the rest of the board and they’ve agreed that all five teams out here tonight will be competing in matches to determine the inaugural champions in a match, or series of matches, that is still to be determined. With there still some wriggle room for late-arriving tag teams, all I know for sure is that it will be a test of endurance, strategy and cooperation that will determine our first champions. With that said, I want to wish all five of you teams lu--

[ “Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys interrupts Vernon Tressler as all teams turn their attention up the aisle, including The Rogues who look up from their seated position to see the duo of Marissa and Farris Ortiz, dressed in training outfits come down, Farris, in particular, looking rather ticked off as the two approach the ring. ]

Mark Stephens: Well, this is Marissa and Farris Ortiz, sisters who have recently signed to VANGUARD Pro. Honestly, I don’t know what their intention is for coming out here.

Chet Kensington: Farris has been quite vocal on Twitter at her annoyance that neither of the sisters were booked for tonight's show, so perhaps some grievances they want to air to the head honcho himself.

[ As the Ortiz sisters enter the ring, Farris demands a microphone from Rhett Sweeney, who provides one after a few moments. “Sabotage” dies down as Farris smacks her hand on the microphone to test it’s working, Marissa standing behind her. ]

Farris Ortiz: Listen, Vernon. When Marissa and I came to VANGUARD we told you we wanted to show you, these fans, and all the fans around the world what we can do. And we said we wanted to do it as a team. Yet, you gather all the tag teams from the back but you left Marissa and I standing back there to twiddle our thumbs and let us overhear that we’re being left out of your idea for the tag team division. And I think I speak for both of us when I say that we’re not just going to sit on our hands and let you overlook us.

[ There is a small cheer for the fired-up Farris Ortiz, Vernon trying to calm her down but she isn’t having it. ]

Farris Ortiz: I know we’re the only female tag team VANGUARD Pro has, but I refuse to be left out of this just because of our gender. So I am not asking you Vernon -- I am telling you that Marissa and I want in on this championship opportunity!

[ Marissa tries calming down Farris, who is getting a little hot-headed with Vernon, prying the microphone from her sister's hand before trying to defuse the situation with Vernon. ]

Marissa Ortiz: What my sister means to say is that we started wrestling together, came to VANGUARD together and we want to be champions together. So we are asking you, begging you, to let us have a chanc--

?: Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[ Marissa is interrupted as Kyle Radcliffe and Lycan have made their way to the ring and have jumped onto the apron. All teams watch as the Rogues enter the ring and forcefully yank the microphone out of Marissa’s hand as she backs away to her sister. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: Am I hearing this right? You two want into *our* tag team division? I mean look who is in this ring. You have the cuck party over there, The ambiguously gay trio, Panda Express and the speedrun short bus…

[ Kyle receives boos after the racist remark, only getting louder as he has demeaned the other teams. Though he is interrupted for a moment, he continues. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: But you wanna know something? While these other teams might be down here.

[ Kyle gestures his hand to his chest. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: Two girls like you don’t make the cut. That’s why Vernon left you back there. Because you both belong --

[ Kyle gestures just beneath his crotch. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: Down here.

[ The crowd boo these remarks heavily, but the Rogues seem unaffected while Farris is fuming. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: But I’ll tell you what, girls. I was just sharing an idea with me mate Lycan here and I think you two are exactly what we needed for this idea to work. So Vernon, listen up.

[ Kyle turns his attention from Farris and Marissa and focuses solely on Vernon. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: Whatever you have planned for the rest of these schmucks, we don’t want it. We don’t want to go through a tournament bracket or run the risk of some fluke elimination from some gauntlet, whatever you have planned, Lycan and I aren’t willing to participate.

[ The boos continue but Kyle waits for them to quieten down before continuing. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: But. That being said, we still desire to become the VANGUARD Tag Team Champions. So, I have an idea that should give these two what they want, give you what you would want and, most importantly, give Lycan and I what we want. So, how about we settle this little dilemma with a match at Chapter V?

[ Vernon raises an eyebrow as Kyle pitches him his idea. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: I’m not a generous person Vernon, so there are three stipulations that I am going to ask for. And don’t worry, one of them will benefit the Babysitter Club here. If they win, they can have our spot in whatever you have planned for this championship clusterfuck.

[ Marissa and Farris look on, waiting for a catch along with Vernon. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: But, WHEN Lycan and I win, we want something a little more guaranteed. We want the best possible odds of walking out with the titles. We want the Rogues Gallery to have the best possible spot in the tournament, or gauntlet, whatever your plan is, we want a guaranteed spot in the final two.

[ There is another roar of boos, the other teams looking annoyed at the Rogues’ proposal to Vernon. Vernon takes a second to process and consider the stipulation. ]

Vernon Tressler: Well, I am sure we can make that ha--

Kyle Radcliffe: Ah, bup, bup, bup, bup! I said three stipulations, I only stated two. This one only they can agree on.

[ Kyle turns his attention back to the Ortiz sisters. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: You want a chance to prove yourselves? Do you want to step up to the men? We’ll give you your chance. We’ll even sweeten it and put our spots on the line for you. But. *When* we win… we want you both to turn around, walk up that aisle, and go play with the other girls in the Bellatrix division.

[ The boos keep hailing down by Kyle doesn’t stop. ]

Kyle Radcliffe: You can play there and wait for them to grow a tag team division of their own, or you can try and make it as singles stars, that doesn’t matter to us. But when we prove to you that you don’t belong in the Rogues Gallery’s tag team division, we want you both to fuck right off because you don’t belong in it!

[ Kyle finally finishes as he and Lycan just shower in the jeers from the fans and the dagger-like stares from the rest of the tag team division as Vernon talks to the Ortiz sisters, looking to find some other compromise. The hot-headed Farris yanks the microphone away from Vernon and gets right up in Kyle’s smug face. ]

Farris Ortiz: You’re on, fuckwit!

[ The crowd approve of Farris stepping up to Kyle, who just grins and blows a mocking kiss to Farris before he and Lycan leave the ring, backing up the ramp as Kyle grins an evil grin as Marissa is talking frantically to her sister while the rest of the division are silent observers. ]

Chet Kensington: Wow, Mark. It seems we have a confirmed match on our hands for Chapter V. The Rogues Gallery will face Marissa and Farris Ortiz in a match that will not only determine the status of these two young women in this promotion but will also determine a very deciding factor when it comes to the tag team championship situation!

Mark Stephens: It seems like Farris may have made the decision on behalf of her and her sister, I don’t know how well she thought out accepting this match. Chances are Vernon could have given them a spot in the tag team championship decider anyway, but you have to give Farris credit on this if nothing else; she’s standing up for her and her sister when it comes to people like The Rogues.

Chet Kensington: it’s a big gamble for them, possibly career suicide, but I have to agree, she’s earned a bit of my respect and I think of the people in the ring and the fans for standing up and speaking out about inclusion when it comes to the tag team division. One thing is for sure, though; The Rogues have quickly made themselves public enemy #1.

---

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit!

[ “What the Hell” by Avril Lavigne begins to play as the happy-go-lucky Kylie Drafthouse makes her way out through the curtain, a skip in her step as she bobs her head and claps along to her theme, getting fan participation as she makes her way down the ring, waving to fans along the way. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing their opponents! First, from Dover, Delaware, weighing in tonight at 128 pounds! SHE IS THE DOVER PRINCESS! KYYYYYLIEEEEEE!!! DRAAAAAAAFTHOOOOOOUSE!!!

Mark Stephens: Young, fun-loving and full of potential, Kylie Drafthouse making her VANGUARD Pro wrestling debut with a smile on her face as she looks out to the faithful. Second generation competitor, daughter of Peter Drafthouse, is all about having fun and enjoying herself along with the fans as she competes in the ring.

Chet Kensington: That’s good and all, Mark, but in an industry where it’s eat or be eaten. The tomboy that is “here for fun” is someone who is going to be served on a silver platter and, given her first opponent in VANGUARD, she’ll be lucky to not be eaten up and spat back out.

[ Kylie jumps into the ring, climbing to the second rope and looking out over the VANGUARD faithful, looking happy to be here while “what the hell” dies down. ]

[ The lights dim to a low level. “Dominion” by Benea Reach begins to play. Scarlet slowly walks out from behind the curtains after about twenty seconds has elapsed. She glances around the arena, taking everything in. Cue that patented smirk of hers; it’s wicked in nature. And so begins her slow descent down to the ring. Upon reaching the ring, Scarlet wipes her boots and then hops onto the ring apron. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing her opponents! From New York City, New York, weighing in tonight at 120 pounds! SHE IS YOUR LITTLE NIGHTMARE! SCARLEEEEET!!! FLIIIIIIINT!!!

Chet Kensington: Now here is someone with the right mentality. Someone who is no-nonsense and backs up every word she says in the ring and does it really well. The sophisticated brawler who, rightfully so, feels overlooked when it came to the Bellatrix Championship match, felt she earned the right to be involved in the title picture but was left out for one reason or another. She has a chip on her shoulder, and I don’t envy Kylie being in her sights.

Mark Stephens: Impressive to say the least, she has been very verbal about her displeasure in being “overlooked” as you said it, Chet. Warned the Bellatrix Division that she’s looking to go through anyone that stands in her way of that championship, stating that she will not be held responsible for what happens to whoever she faces. She looks to set an example tonight, but we’ve seen upsets before in a VANGUARD ring, so I don’t think we can count out Kylie.

[ Upon reaching the ring, Scarlet wipes her boots and then hops onto the ring apron. She steps through the ropes and heads towards the adjacent corner. She takes a seat on the mat and rests her back against the turnbuckle as she stares a hole through Kylie Drafthouse as Larry Blackwell moderates the two before calling for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The cheerful approach of Kylie makes her an easy subject of mockery for Scarlet, who immediately pie-faces the Dover Princess after feinting a lock-up attempt, loudly asserting “You don’t belong here, girly!” as Kylie is shoved to the mat, inciting a mass of boos towards Scarlet. Kylie gets to her feet, annoyed at the disrespectful actions of her opponent, getting in her face and showing a serious side of herself as the two begin mouthing off in the center of the ring. Kylie has enough of the banter and slaps Scarlet on the chest with a knife edge chop, albeit an ineffective one as Scarlet just laughs it off and visibly beckoning for another. A second one gets zero reaction from your little nightmare, doing a gesture like she’s brushing food crumbs off her chest instead of selling the chop. A slap to the cheek from Kylie provokes a reaction, Scarlet giving it a small rub, looking at her palm with tongue in cheek before she tackles Kylie onto the ground and starts raining palm strikes down onto the face of Kylie Drafthouse. Blackwell having to make a count for Scarlet to let go.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! F--!

Scarlet stops the pummeling before she gets disqualified, Kylie having to block the shots with her guard up but a few made contact with her face. Scarlet makes a gesture to Blackwell, presenting a calm nature while Kylie is grunting in pain on the canvas as Blackwell can’t see Scarlet standing on Kylie’s leg, the same leg that put her on the shelf for a year prior to her appearance on VANGUARD with an ACL tear. It’s clear Scarlet did some homework and isn’t above exploiting the injury regardless of the crowds' jeers. Blackwell catches on to this and Scarlet steps off Kylie's knee, but not without a jumping stomp to the side of her knee for some extra damage. It becomes very clear from here on out where the focus of attack will be, and Scarlet makes very little excuses not to target the surgically repaired knee. For the moment, she’s confident, goating Kylie to get up, yelling to her mockingly to “stand the fuck up” as Kylie gets up gingerly hobbling on one foot for a moment. Scarlet grabs at it, pulling it upwards and trapping it as she delivers a few slaps to Kylie in receipt to the one she got earlier, but Kylie is able to use her other leg to deliver a stunning Enzugiri that catches Scarlet on the ear, knocking out her equilibrium as she shows a little difficult to maintain her balance.

An opening made for the Dover Princess, she grabs Scarlet and drops with a sit-out jawbreaker that also effectively rocks her for the moment, but a moment is all Kylie needs to manipulate the arm of Flint to perform a nice springboard arm drag to take Scarlet to the canvas before she rolls to the outside. Claps from Kylie gets the crowd to clap along as Scarlet turns around as Kylie charges towards the rope! Scarlet moves out of the way from a suicide dive, but Kylie follows her out onto the apron, catching an unsuspecting Scarlet, who assumed Kylie crashed and burned, with a crossbody off the apron and onto the floor!

Riding off the adrenaline, the momentum is quickly shut back down after a pump kick from Kylie goes awry, Scarlet moving out of the way as Kylie’s leg goes over the steel barricade, exposing the leg as Scarlet dropkicks directly into the knee that has Kylie on the floor in agony. Scarlet is in the driver's seat, pushing Kylie back into the ring and quickly applying an ankle lock, applying the grapevine to shift pressure to the knee, which has Kylie crawling towards the ropes slowly, the pain expressed on her face. Eventually, Kylie does make it to the ropes, grabbing the bottom rope to force the hold to be broken. Scarlet makes complete use of the five count before releasing the hold, the damage being inflicted and the injury being manipulated to its full extent. Kylie finds no safe haven in the corner, as she seats herself trying to get feeling back in her knee, Scarlet drives stomps into the midsection before washing the sole of her boot with Kylie's chin, running off the ropes and delivering a face wash with a bullet-like momentum! Dragging Kylie to the ring, a forearm into the throat of Kylie as Scarlet makes the cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH--!!

Kick out at two by Kylie, still holding out again your little nightmare. Scarlet is done toying with Kylie, waiting for her to get up, palm raised for the Shotei, thrusting it forward towards her head with a running start! Kylie swings around, hooking both arms and pulls Scarlet down onto the canvas with a backslide! Blackwell making the cover as Scarlet is trying to get her shoulders off the canvas

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THR--!

Scarlet JUST get’s her shoulders off in time, caught off guard with the flash pin as she rolls back from the backslide, completely vulnerable for a Purple Joust (Pump Kick) at point blank to the face! Kylie falls into a second pinfall attempt, this time with a leg hooked!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THRE--!!!

A close call but not close enough for the victory just yet, Kylie starting to pick up a lot of momentum shaking off some of the pain going through her knee to drop Scarlet with a Whirling Darvish (Swinging Neckbreaker) before she could get all the way back to her feet, ascending to the top rope and clapping on the turnbuckle pad to get the crowd back behind her as she leaps off and connects with Dover City Limits (Diving Body Splash)! Lateral cover, leg hooked!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THRE--!!!

NO! Scarlet kicking out again! The savage refuses to be shown up by the Dover Princess, running low on options to keep her down! She has one resort left, waiting for Scarlet to find her way to her feet, eyeing her for the Draft Party Superkick! She moves in! OW! Scarlet delivers a hard front kick into the knee of Kylie that buckles the injured knee out from under her, leaving her completely open for the Exit Note (Killshot Knee)! Kylie is out of it as Scarlet makes the cover, leg hooked deep!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “Dominion” by Benea Reach plays as Scarlet pulls herself to her feet, smug as she rejects her arm being raised by Blackwell, yelling into the hard camera “This the Scarlito that ya’ll want. This the Scarlito ya’ll gonna’ get!” ]

Rhett Sweeney: HERE IS YOUR WINNER! SCARLEEEEET!!! FLIIIIIIINT!!!

Mark Stephens: Scarlet Flint picks up the victory after exploiting the damaged ACL of Kylie that kept her from the ring for an entire calendar year, showing absolutely no remorse in her mission to get to the top of the Bellatrix division. Kylie gave it her best effort, but the second the target was made, Scarlet kept shooting bullseyes until her hunt stayed down.

Chet Kensington: It’s like I told you before Mark; Scarlet isn’t someone to fuck with. It’s dog eat dog -- Canis Canem Edit -- and the alpha male eats the weak. Kylie gave it a valiant effort, that’s all fine and dandy, but the Technical Savage of VANGUARD Pro is going to the top and, if I was the winner of tonight's main event, I’d be looking over my shoulder all the time knowing Scarlet wants the next shot.

[ Scarlet departs from the ring, looking out to the crowd with disdain to their jeers as Kylie is having her knee looked at by the ringside doctors. ]

[GAIA]

[ We return to the arena, fans anticipating the final match of the evening as Rhett Sweeney clears his throat before raising the microphone. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest scheduled for one fall! --

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: Is your main event of the evening! With a 10-minute time limit!

[ “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath plays through the arena, the crowd singing along to the cords of the song. Lord Enon slowly and menacingly wanders out onto the stage, wearing garb that would be expected of a Mad Max antagonist, looking over the legion of fans who have stopped their singing to boo Enon as he makes his way down the aisle. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From the Outlands, weighing in at 325 pounds! LOOOOOORD!!! EEEEENOOOOOON!!!

Mark Stephens: I don’t think it’s any stretch of the imagination to say that this man, Lord Enon, is the most dangerous man currently on the VANGUARD Pro roster. After being one of the few men that didn’t sustain injuries in the riot that culminated Chapter I and possibly ending the career of D.C. Willand on Chapter II, the bodies already in Enon’s wake is intimidating to say the least.

Chet Kensington: Literally, no male competitor on the roster feels safe being pitted against him following the events of Chapter II. There is a reason Enon has to come to the ring first now -- the ensure his opposition at least makes it through the curtains. Vernon wanted to suspend him for his actions, but Enon threatened that he wouldn’t be saving his roster from Enon’s wrath. Vernon thought it would be easier to have damage control, sending out whoever WANTS to fight him in an attempt to control the damage Enon can cause and well… let’s just say I don’t envy his opponent.

[ Enon steps into the ring, removing his hockey mask and raises it into the air with a loud battle cry. “Iron Man” begins to die down as Enon starts removing his garbs as he awaits his opposition. ]

[ “Let's Go (The Royal We)” by Run The Jewels begins to play over the PA system as Clinton Stone steps out on stage and looks around the arena, taking in the atmosphere before amping himself up and jumping around mosh pit style - going back and forth between each side of the ramp and high fiving the crowd. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And her opponent! From Cincinnati, Ohio, weighing in tonight at 185 pounds! DIE HARD! CLIIIIINTOOOOOON!!! STOOOOOONE!!!

Chet Kensington: Now, I don’t know if this man has a death wish or just more guts than brains but he ELECTED to be put into this match with Lord Enon according to Tressler. Said he wanted to prove he wasn’t just a footnote in the Triple Threat match at Chapter II that saw him being pinned by Sabertooth after he was a last-minute replacement for the now departed Axl. He’s brave, but there is a fine line between brave and stupid. This may cross it.

Mark Stephens: The mens division has kind of been instrumental for the last few chapters, mostly due to numbers that fell during the riot and, morale-wise, after Enon put Willand on the shelf and threatened to make similar situations for the rest. Clinton Stone may be the martyr right now, looking to possibly show some weakness into the tyrant known as Enon and pull the men's division back out of his oppression.

[ Clinton takes a moment as he climbs the ring steps, looking at Enon who hasn’t dropped his gaze from the weekend warrior since he made his way out of the curtain. Stone takes a little bit of time getting in the ring, dropping any fanfare as he doesn’t break eye contact with Enon. Howie Dewitt asks Clinton if he is ready to compete, taking a second to answer before obliging. Enon is asked the same question, not saying a word. With no objections from either side, he calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

It becomes very clear what Clinton Stone is using as strategy for this encounter as he charges at Enon from the opening bell, delivering rapid forearm shivers to the jaw his bigger opponent. Giving up over a hundred pounds and a foot in size, the forearms seemingly have very little effect, if not piss Enon off as he swipes at Stone but misses as Stone is able to disengage and re-engage in the attacks before Enon can get a hold of him. Forearms to the jaw, chops to the chest, kicks to the leg, Stone is sticking and moving as much as he can, weaving out of the way every swipe Enon makes for him. Eventually, though, Enon is able to catch one of Clinton's legs while kicking for his leg, planting a hand in his chest before lifting him seven feet into the air and down hard onto the canvas with a modified spinebuster! Like swatting away an annoying fly, Enon only seems annoyed at the mere audacity of Clinton’s approach, pulling him up to his feet with very little effort and whips him to the corner with such power the ring may have shifted a few millimeters with Clinton whiplashing from the impact and slamming onto the canvas face first!

What started off as a hopeful sign of Clinton dispatching the outland behemoth quickly turns into concern as Enon shoves Clinton to the outside of the ring with the sole of his boot, hitting hard onto the thin padding and following close behind, much to the verbal warnings from Howie Dewitt. It doesn’t seem to bother him in the slightest as he looks to make an example out of Stone, pulling him up by both sides of the neck before launching him from one post to the other with a high and powerful biel throw! The crowd wince as the body of Stone makes a loud *thwack* with the contact of his back to the padding, knowing there isn’t a lot of give. What has far less give, however, is the steel barricade that Enon has been eyeing while Howie is trying to tell him to get back in the ring, too intimidated by the bloodthirsty tyrant to actually start a count. Enon shoves Clinton into the steel post that holds up the turnbuckles, yelling in his face “You’re weak like the rest!” before once again bieling Stone, this time into the corner barricade that, with the force of a car running into a brick wall, comes off its hinges and falls over with Clinton falling nastily onto it, the crowd looking really concerned as Stone is immediately immobile, only his chest moving as a sign of life.

Ring attendants swarm Stone as he lays in a heap over the dismantled barricade as Enon watches with an evil smirk on his face. Boo’s begin to rain down heavily as Enon pushes his way through the attendants, grabbing Stone by the back of his neck and dragging a wobbling legged man back to the ring, tossing him in with very little concern whatsoever about his well being, telling attendants that are concerned about Stone to “back off.” Enon’s slowing zero mercy as he plays with his metaphorical food, putting his foot firmly onto the chest of Stone, Dewitt counting a cover.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TW--!

A mocking fall as Enon raises his foot off Stones chest, cancelling the fall willingly as he bends over and pulls Stone’s unconscious limp body to his feet, only being held up by Enon’s strength as he lifts him up to his shoulder, draping him down and looking to repeat what he did to Willand as he looks for the Tombstone Piledriver. Stone starts to show life as he starts kicking his legs, trying to drop behind Enon but Enon isn’t letting go as he starts stumbling a little back from the momentum of Stone’s frantic kicks. Stone is able to pull Enon back into a corner, sitting onto the top rope and able to lock in a hanging Dragon Sleeper to Enon, who is swatting at Stone but unable to pull his arms back far enough to hit him. Dewitt having to step in and make a count for Stone to release the illegal hold.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIV--!!

Enon’s swipes start losing ferocity before Stone is forced to let go at the risk of a disqualification, Enon stumbling out of the corner as he catches his breath. This was the opening Stone needed to turn the entire contest around as Enon turns back to Stone, only to be met with a front missile dropkick from the middle rope, Enon’s mass preventing him from falling down but stumbles back to the opposite corner from the impact! The fans begin to rally behind Stone, knowing he has Enon on the ropes as Stone charges to Enon. Enon ducks and powers Stone over the ropes with a back body drop, but Stone is able to hold onto the ropes and land on his feet on the apron as Enon stumbles to the center of the ring to gather his composure. Stone stalks Enon like a rabid dog, Enon turning around to see an incoming Stone who delivers a beautiful springboard Blockbuster that finally gets Enon onto the mat! The tyrant is finally on his back, Stone takes a little time to get back up as he holds onto his back, eying the downed Enon who is beginning to stir. Stone looks to the ropes and makes a judgement call, springboarding off the ropes and connecting with a corkscrew senton! Stone lands the Deathstar and hooks one of Enon’s massive legs!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T--!!!

No! Enon kicks out with powerful authority! Stone’s sequence stunned the larger Enon, but the damage seems very limited as Stone and Enon both begin getting to their feet. Stone looks to deliver a decisive blow that may grant him victory as he pulls Enon towards the corner, climbing to the second rope as he pulls Enon close! Looking for a middle-rope assisted Canadian Destroyer! ENON COUNTERS! HE STOPS STONE FROM GOING OVER HIS HEAD, CATCHING HIM IN THE FIREMAN’S CARRY! APOCALYPSE! FIREMAN’S CARRY FACEBUSTER DROPS STONE IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! Stone lays nearly lifeless as Enon plants his foot into the chest of Stone, looking down at him as Howie makes the count.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ The crowd begin to boo as Enon raises both arms into the air in victory, foot still planted into the chest of an unconscious Clinton Stone. ]

Rhett Sweeney: HERE IS YOUR WINNER! LOOOOORD!!! ENOOOOON!!!

Chet Kensington: A dominant performance from Lord Enon. When he warned Vernon that no one in VANGUARD Pro would be safe from his carnage, he sure meant it. Stone had guts stepping up to the mad tyrant, but perhaps he wasn’t as ready for the fate Enon had promised.

Mark Stephens: Stone has more guts than most to step up to an opponent like Enon, courage will take you a long way but Enon just overwhelmed Die Hard with his vicio-- oh no...

[ Enon grabs Clinton Stone by either side of his neck, pulling him up and hoisting him over his shoulder and draping him down for the Tombstone Piledriver! ]

Mark Stephens: Come on! This isn’t necessary, you won the match! Someone’s got to stop him before he ends another career!

[ The crowd start to react to something off screen. The camera eventually catches a hooded figure wearing a ski mask hop over the barricade with one of the fans steel chairs in his hands, sliding into the ring before Enon can deliver the Piledriver and smacks him hard in the back with the chair! He drops Stone, who hands on his back and is pulled out of the ring by attendants as security rush the ring to restrain the intruder, who is viciously delivering a series of chair shots to Enons back! Security eventually gets the intruder restrained and pulls him out of the ring as Enon starts getting to his feet, seething as he watched the mystery attacker being restrained. ]

Chet Kensington: Good! Good! Get this low-life out of here! Fans, you don’t get involved with the show no matter what you feel about the wrestlers. This disrespectful punk is going to be facing charges and rightfully so.

[ Vernon Tressler storms out from the back, looking furious as he verbally lambasts the restrained intruder before yanking off his ski mask. The crowd and Vernon are both surprised when they see who was under the mask. ]

Mark Stephens: Jason Tressler?!

Chet Kensington: Jason was told not to come back to VANGUARD Pro, he had his chances to be on the roster and he blew them! What is he trying to prove with this!?

[ Vernon looks over to the camera and starts yelling into them “Cut to break! Cut to break, damn it!” before the scene cuts to an advertisement. ]

---

[ We cut back to a shaky camera backstage in the hallways, sounds of yelling echoing off the walls as security are pulling Jason Tressler into the hallway, Vernon following behind before speaking up as the guards hold Jason restrained. ]

Vernon Tressler: What the hell were you thinking, Jason?! I’ve never been more disappointed in you in my life! You just went out there and besmirched the Tressler name!

Jason Tressler: I am protecting the Tressler name! I saw what happened, Dad! I saw Enon lay his hands on you and threaten you and this company you love so much! A company that you seem to love more than me! I took it into my own hands to prove to you I belong here and that no one disrespects the Tressler family and this is how you’re going to repay me?! Your own son?!

Vernon Tressler: This crosses the line, Jason. I told you you’ve had your chances, but you’ve proven that you’re not ready to be here. It’s dangerous here, people get hurt if they’re not ready and you’ve gone and pissed off the most dangerous force on the roster?! Do you have any idea wh--

[ From off camera, a loud voice bellows down the hallway. ]

?: TRESSLER!

[ Vernon turns around and security gets between him and an approaching Lord Enon who looks absolutely furious. ]

Lord Enon: You sending your son to do your dirty work now, huh?!

Vernon Tressler: Enon! Enon, calm down! Look, I had nothing to do with this, I swear. Look, I am dealing with this situation, I’m having him ejected, having him banned from the building, I’m even pressing charges. Just let me handle this.

Lord Enon: I don’t care if you sent him or not. He still wants to pick a fight with me and that’s more than I can say for half your roster. You’re too weak on him, you’re just giving him a slap on the wrist. I want to deal with your little bastard.

Jason Tressler: Who are you calling a ba--

Vernon Tressler: JASON! I am handling this, so would you please shut up?

Lord Enon: Vernon, I promise you I will bulldoze this entire roster tonight if you don’t give me the brat.

Vernon Tressler: He is not a signed competitor, he’s an intruder and I am dealing with him the way an intruder should be dealt with.

Lord Enon: He wants to be in a match so bad? Give him one. Give him a match against me and I will sort him out like I sorted Willand out.

Jason Tressler: Bring it on you big fuc--

Vernon Tressler: ENOUGH!

[ The hallway bickering ceases as Vernon takes a deep breath. ]

Vernon Tressler: Alright. This is what I am going to do about this. Jason, I will drop the charges if you agree to settle this issue out with Lord Enon in a match. If you win, I will sign you to a contract that will allow you to be on the VANGUARD Pro roster. The first contracted talent on the roster. All you have to do is beat Enon in a match.

[ Enon smiles at this, Tressler looking frantic at his father and back to Enon before swallowing his pride. ]

Jason Tressler: Alright…

Vernon Tressler: But! If you lose this match, you leave. You leave and you don’t come back. Ever. You understand?

[ Jason remains silent, which Vernon takes as a silent agreement before turning to Enon. ]

Vernon Tressler: As for you. As compensation for what just happened, I want to offer you the choice of the stipulation. One the condition that if my son is hospitalised by you, you will face the legal actions I will take out on you and you will be suspended or fired if you take things too far.

Lord Enon: Fine, Tressler. I agree to your terms.

[ Enon looks over to Jason, an evil smile on his face. ]

Lord Enon: You hear that, Junior? Your fate now rests in my hands. And if your blood means so much to you, I’ll give you your chance to prove it’s worth. All you have to do is spill mine before I spill yours. You and I will face off in a First Blood match!

[ Jason tries to look stoic, but his body language suggests worry before Enon turns back to Vernon. ]

Lord Enon: But just so you know. Your son's blood will not be on my hands. It’ll be on yours, Vernon.

[ Enon laughs as he walks away from both Tresslers. Vernon turning back to his son. ]

Jason Tressler: Dad, I promise, I will not let you down.

Vernon Tressler: You already have, Jason. If you choose to disobey your father, I am not going to protect you any longer. You win, you’re in. Against my better wishes, you’ll be here. If you lose this match, I never want to see you in this arena again, you understand?

Jason Tressler: I understand Dad…

Vernon Tressler: Get him out of my sight.

[ Security drag away Jason Tressler, going with them willingly as Vernon rubs his eyes and heads off camera. ]

[GAIA]

[ We return to the arena and up to the commentary station in the balcony area with Chet Kensington and Mark Stephens. ]

Mark Stephens: Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to go into our main event of the evening; a triple threat match to decide the inaugural VANGUARD Pro Bellatrix Champion. This match has been building since our first chapter show in January and, as we’ll explain while the competitors make their way to the ring, the story is built around the spirit of competition and, above all else, the aspirations to becoming a champion.

Chet Kensington: These three women have stolen the show every time they’ve stepped into that ring, they’ve made an impression on this promotion that made it the place to be if you’re a female OR male competitor for that matter. All three of them can honestly say they’ve earned this opportunity to be the first Bellatrix Champion. But, with that being said, there can be only one first champion.

Mark Stephens: Due to a time limit draw in the past between two of these three competitors, they’ve been given an entire 60-minutes to determine who that first champion is. And other special rules have been placed to guarantee there will be a winner and champion by the end of the night. Despite being a Triple Threat match, disqualifications and count outs are in effect. If a competitor is disqualified or counted out, they are instead eliminated from the competition. This means that rope breaks will also be enforced.

Chet Kensington: Of course this is to uphold the integrity of the sport to make sure that we will crown a champion by the end of the night. In the event of a tie, be it triple count out, triple disqualification, time-limit draw, what have you, we will be going to a judges decision. Mark and I are two of the judges and Vernon Tressler himself being the third. No matter what folks, someone is leaving as champion!

Mark Stephens: Well, the anticipation is already at a fever pitch, the crowd are ready, I’m sure the folks at home are ready and I know that we’re ready Chet so, if you will --

Chet Kensington: Rhett Sweeney, the honor is yours!

[ The camera cuts back to the ring, a spotlight shining down on Rhett Sweeney as he stands in the center of the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Ladies and Gentlemen the following Triple Threat match scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Rhett Sweeney: Is your Main Event of the evening! And is for the VANGUARD Pro! BELLAAAATRIIIIIIX!!! CHAAAAAAMPIONSHIIIIP!!!

[ “Fire, Fire” by Heaven’s Basement blasts through the arena before Raena Ripley, dawning a custom made attire inspired by comic book character Jean Grey’s Phoenix Resurrection Red and Gold, bursts through the curtain full of energy and confidence. She looks out to the crowd, throwing her fists up as two pyrotechnic cylinders ignite with two spires of flame at each of her sides before she makes her way to the ring. ]

Mark Stephens: Perhaps the dark horse going into this match, Raena Ripley is coming into this contest with the worse win-loss-draw record of the three competitors in this match at 0 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, albeit a third party loss in a tag team match, she finds herself on equal footing to the competitors in this match despite being the least experienced.

Chet Kensington: According to a recent poll, she is also considered to be the fan favorite of this match to become champion. That speaks a lot to the potential of this young lady, if being among these two women who defined the quality of this division wasn’t already a statement enough.

Mark Stephens: Full of determination, tonight she’ll only need one victory on her record to become the Bellatrix Champion, although it will be a very steep mountain to climb, she doesn’t look afraid in the slightest.

[ Raena slides into the ring, climbing a turnbuckle and giving the crowd some fan fare, taking off her leather jacket and tossing it to a ringside attendant, standing in her corner as she awaits both her opponents.

[ “Radio Gaga” by Queen plays through the arena as a spotlight falls onto the stage, the lights dimming out for the rest of the arena as number of ballet dancers make their way on stage, performing elegant dances before Azurine makes her way out from between them, wearing a swan lake crown as she pirouettes down to the aisle. ]

Chet Kensington: Now, Azurine is considered to be the statistical favorite given her win-loss record being 2 wins and zero losses. But, due to the intensity of her competitors and the results of the aforementioned poll, she is considered the underdog of this contest. She finds herself in a very grey area in the prediction board for this match.

Mark Stephens: She’s also the only person to have defeated another competitor in this match having pinned Stacy DeVille back at Chapter 1, albeit an indecisive flash pin, a victory nonetheless. Since then, Raena and Videl Rose have attempted to recreate that upset without success, believing flash pins to be an exploit for DeVille.

Chet Kensington: Despite her odd approaches and her strange dialect, no one can deny she doesn’t have an equal chance to become the Bellatrix Champion tonight.

[ Azurine glides between the bottom and middle ropes, performing another pirouette as the spotlight remains on her, smiling as the room lights return to normal. She backs into her respective corner, awaiting the last participant of this contest. ]

[ The eerie strings of “Flying Whales” by Gojira begins to play as the house lights go dim. After a few seconds, a group of men, wearing leather armor line the walkway to the ring, with shields, embellished with a bear paw, with a Rose in it. The crowd rises to their feet as the opening melody ends. To the confusion of all in the arena, “Flying Whales” dies down. ]

[ The darker song of “Ornstein & Smough” takes over as the arena is illuminated with golden light. a figure emerges in ornate, golden armor. The crowd cheers when the figure removes their helmet, and it’s revealed to be Stacy DeVille! The men along the walkway kneel as Stacy walks by on her way to the ring, then follow behind her. ]

Mark Stephens: A fittingly noble entrance for the Suplex Queen! Coming into this match not only as the most experienced competitor, but also the bookies favorite to win as the safest bet given her skills and displays of dominance and fighting spirit against every competitor she has faced in VANGUARD Pro. Coming in with a 1 win, 1 loss and 1 draw record, the one loss being the aforementioned flash pin.

Chet Kensington: What you have to consider in this equation is that Stacy is the only person to face both Ripley and Vebbins, so she has a first-hand experience of what the two are capable of. Vebbins and Ripley have not faced off one-on-one, so you have to believe if anyone has an advantage in this contest, it’s Stacy DeVille.

Mark Stephens: Driven by competition, focused on victory, DeVille has only one thing on her mind and that is claiming the Bellatrix Championship and proving she’s the best female wrestler on the planet.

[ As she reaches ringside, she takes a moment to stop and look over her opponents, then commands two of the soldiers to help her onto the apron, and one holds the ropes open for her to enter. “Ornstein & Smough” begins to die down, the spotlight solely on Rhett Sweeney as he stands in the center of the ring, beside him stands Larry Blackwell, holding the Bellatrix Championship belt. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first!

[ The spotlight shifts onto Raena Ripley, who is stretching in her corner. ]

Rhett Sweeney: From Brick Rock City, Nevada, weighing in tonight at 135 pounds! SHE IS THE MID-MORNING INFERNO! RAAAAAEEEENAAAA!!! RIIIIIPLEEEEEEEY!!!

[ Ripley throws a sole fist into the air as the fans cheer. The spotlight then shifts onto Azurine Vebbins. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Next! From San Angeles, California, weighing in tonight at 115 pounds! SHE IS THE ADORKABLE ANGEL! AZUUUUUURIIIIIIINE!!! VEEEEEEBBIIIIIIINS!!!

[ Azurine performs a a grande reverence to similar cheers before the spotlight shifts finally to Stacy DeVille. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Finally! From the Rose City, weighing in tonight at 137 pounds! SHE IS THE DRAGON RIDER! STAAAAACYYYYYY!!! DEEEEEEEVIIIIIIIILLE!!!

[ Stacy calmly starts removing her theatrical armor before Larry stands in the center of the ring, the spotlight on him as he raises the championship high above his head, turning to all four sides of the ring to give everyone in attendance a view of the championship belt. He hands it to Sweeney as he steps out of the ring. Blackwell consults the three competitors, reminding them of the rules of the contest to their acknowledgment. With all the pleasantries and pre-match ceremonies out of the way, the house lights go up and the bell rings. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The big fight atmosphere is undeniable as duelling chants of the three competitors begin at the sound of the bell, the tension at an all-time high as all three women circle the ring on their toes, being prepared for or preparing to deliver the first move. Stacy jumps first, applying a side headlock to Azurine and kicking back Raena as she tries to get involved, Azurine pulling Stacy back into the ropes, freeing her head and pushing Stacy towards Raena, who sidesteps and pushed Stacy into the ropes, returning to Raena and Azurine leapfrogging and dropping down over and above a returning Stacy respectively before another lap of the ring is stopped dead with both Azurine and Reana’s feet connecting with Stacy’s chest with a double dropkick! Azurine and Raena kip-up to their feet, Azurine offering a double high five as a possibly momentary alliance between the two, but Raena fakes it out, reminding Azurine it’s every woman for herself with a knee to the midsection before whipping her into the ropes. Azurine returns, Stacy getting up and both DeVille and Ripley deliver a tandem back elbow attack on Azurine as she comes back to the center of the ring. Stacy immediately jumps to Ripley instead of offering some alliance peace treaty, grabbing Raena and sending her off the ropes, ducking down for a back body drop only to Raena to combat roll over her back, continuing the momentum as she returns and is met with a tandem clothesline by Azurine and Stacy! Stacy and Azurine seem to have a silent agreement to work on the Spitfire as the both grab one of Raena’s legs, rolls her backwards and onto her feet, into the ropes to whip her off, only for Raena to hold onto Azurines arm and instead whip her off the ropes. More tandem offense is denied as Azurine ducks a double clothesline attempt, grabs Raena around the waist and throws her into Stacy, knocking noggins which stuns both women for the moment, Raena ducking down to shake it off which allows Azurine to leapfrog over her back and use the extra height and thrust to deliver a front missile dropkick into Stacy’s chest! Stacy rebounds for a double clothesline to both her opponents, but both are able to catch her with a tandem Japanese Arm Drag, all three women flat-backing onto the canvas before all three kip-up and turn to each other, the crowd going nuts at the intensity of the stand-off!

Although no one got the upper hand, the three women got a pretty good feeling out on how to approach the contest as they circle the ring once more, shifting eye contacts back and forth. It eventually came to a point where two of the three had to single out one to give them the long term advantage and, for Azurine and Raena, they seem to come to the same conclusion as both deliver a chop in stereo to the chest of Stacy DeVille. Stacy almost looks irked at the revelation she had become the collective target after both chops connect to her chest, but she takes it in stride audibly saying “This how we going to play it? Alright then.” before giving chops in receipt to both Azurine and Raena, both sounding a bit more impactful than their collective effort had. Raena and Azurine would take a turn each this time, palms smacking into the chest cavity of Stacy and met again with one in return, visibly this time inflicting more pain to the Vebbins Ripley party. It took both Azurine and Raena to barrage the chops into Stacy before she becomes overwhelmed and is pushed back to a corner, where the chops come at a machine gun pace from both of them, changing the pigmentation of Stacy’s skin to a bright blistering pink. Having the better of her for the moment, both Raena and Azurine whip Stacy into the opposite corner, Raena grabbing Azurines hand and whipping her towards Stacy for added momentum behind an attack. An attack with no recipient as Stacy tosses Azurine up and over onto the apron, catching herself from falling onto the floor with the rope, but that isn’t the case for long as Raena runs in for an attack, being caught by Stacy in what almost looks like a Blue Thunder Bomb before Raena’s legs eventually wrap around the neck of Azurine and is manipulated into an over-the-ropes hurricanrana to the outside, both women crashing onto the thin matting outside as the crowd break into early “Holy Shit” chants as Stacy looks out at both of them.

From this point on, momentum swings like a pendulum as Stacy takes her pick of which competitors she wants to wear down, electing the one who had pinned her in their chapter one encounter in Azurine. Pushing her back into the ring and leaving Raena to collect herself while she manhandles Vebbins in the ring, a quick succession of forearm shivers to the jaw by Vebbins has very little effect on Stacy before she grabs Vebbins around the waist, holds her off her feet for a few seconds before launching her overhead with a belly-to-belly suplex! Stacy has arms outstretched, gloating that she is proving to be the dominant force of the match before turning her attention back to Azurine, only to be met with Blind Fury (Sucker Punch outta nowhere) by Raena! Stacy is groggy on her feet as Azurine picks Stacy onto her shoulders and starts spinning around with the airplane spin, crowd counting the rotations.

Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN! ELEVEN! TWELVE! THIRTEEN! FOURTEEN! FIFTEEN! SIXT-OHHH!!

The rotations come to an abrupt stop as Raena performs a rotation of her own, knocking Azurine clean in the jaw with the Blazin' Kick (Spin Kick)! Azurine and Stacy both fall to the canvas, Raena picking her spot and hooking the leg of Azurine!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH--!!!

No, kick out at two! Raena with a not-so-friendly reminder that this is every woman for themselves and took advantage of an opportunity, which is successful as Stacy rolls to the outside to recuperate while Raena chooses to stay on the attack with Azurine, seeing she’s the more damaged of the two options. Pushing Azurine into the corner, she lays into her chin with a series of European uppercuts, one after the other knocking back the head of Vebbins. Stacy gets up onto the apron but is kicked away by Raena who springboards with a thrust kick to send her back sprawling to the floor. Raena rolls back, running off the adjacent ropes to put momentum behind a corner Blind Fury punch, but Azurine shows great awareness of the situation as she snaps Reana up and tosses her over the ropes, using her own momentum to toss her over and land a tope con hilo onto Stacy DeVille! Azurine is thinking what to do, analysing her situation and realising she has to take a risk to reap the rewards of this contest, picking up momentum as both DeVille and Ripley get to their feet, diving over the ropes with an over-the-top suicida that catches both women and knocks them to the floor! “Holy shit” chants pick up again as Azurine is the first to her feet, knowing Stacy took the biggest brunt of both attacks, chooses her to push into the ring and crawl over for the cover!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T--!!!

No, Stacy DeVille is not going down without more of a fight! Azurine, like a constrictor, applies a sleeper hold on Stacy, trying to sap as much life from the Suplex Queen. Stacy starts making her way to her feet, Azurine locking her legs around Stacy’s wait to keep the hold on, Stacy fading slowly as she stays on one knee for a few seconds. She shows immense willpower as she gets up to her feet and charges backwards into the corner, sandwiching Azurine between her and the turnbuckle pad with some momentum, forcing Azurine to lose her grip after some shock to the spine. Stacy walks out to the center of the ring, catching her breath before charging to Azurine, throwing a knee at her only for Azurine to slip her way out of the corner and onto the apron, Stacy connecting knee into the turnbuckle pad, very little give as she takes steel to the knee, limping out a little as she shakes it off and turns around into Azurine’s springboard double axe handle to the top of her head, knocking her onto the canvas! Azurine, full of new life now, pulls Stacy up to her feet and bridges back with a northern light suplex! Larry makes sure the shoulders are down!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH--!!!

Raena jumps in to make the save, though Stacy was pushing her shoulder off the canvas anyway! Raena pulls Azurine away from Stacy, locking the legs to try to apply the cloverleaf but Azurine is fighting against it, eventually freeing her leg and planting a boot into the face of Raena. Raena has to give up on the hold, but doesn’t give up any offence as she is able to catch Azurine with the Blind Fury sucker punch, knocking her groggy as Raena pulls her into position. She sees Stacy getting to her feet and decides to double down, hooking Stacy too and deliver a double Reverse STO to both her opponents. But Azurine slips free, drop kicking Raena to make he deliver the Reverse STO to DeVille alone! Stacy rolls onto the apron, leaving Azurine with Raena to do what she can to put this contest to an end as she hears Rhett Sweeney.

Larry Blackwell: Twenty minutes have elapsed!

With one-third the time limit expired, Azurine tries to put Raena away an open palm strike spinning the Mid-Morning Inferno, but Raena catches Azurine off guard as she finishes to rotation and swing at Azurine with the Will-O-Wisp (Discus Clothesline)! Azurine ducks, hooking both arms up behind Raena’s head, looking for the dragon suplex, but Raena refuses to take it, breaking Azurine’s grip and delivers a stiff back elbow into the side of her head! Rendering her groggy, Raena tries to finish the contest herself with Inferno Overdrive (Back suplex double knee backbreaker), but Azurine flips behind Raena, clutching her quick and delivering a snap dragon suplex! Azurine turns to crawl into the cover, but either the momentum or the ring-awareness of Raena has her roll to the outside, out of risk of being pinned by Vebbins. Having no other alternatives at the moment, seeing DeVille is recuperating on the Apron, Azurine approaches the Suplex Queen, delivering a forearm shiver, only to receive one in immediate return. The two go back and forth, Stacy trying to seize back control and Azurine trying to keep her momentum going as they refuse to let the other best them in this exchange. But an evaded forearm shiver reveals Azurines back and the perfect opportunity for Stacy as she grabs Azurine and applies a dragon sleeper with the top rope on the back of her neck! Azurine is fading quickly as Blackwell has to make the five count to break this illegal hold!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!!!

Stacy releases the hold but doesn’t let go of Azurine as she starts pulling her out of the ring and onto the apron with her. It becomes very apparent what Stacy intends to do know as she pulls Azurine’s head between her thighs, the crowd expecting the piledriver on the apron! The crowd get concerned as she pulls Azurine up, but she kicks her legs, holds on to the rope and takes a knee to fight against taking the move! Stacy gives up on the piledriver momentarily, driving a knee into the head of Azurine to knock her groggy! The piledriver may work this time, but she doesn’t get a second chance to attempt it as both her and Azurine see an incoming orange blur from the corner of their eye, turning their attention to it but too late to do anything about it as Raena dives through the middle rope and catches both DeVille and Vebbins, sending them to the floor with a suicide spear! The crowd lose it as all three women crash on the floor, laying near motionless as chants of “Holy shit!” and “This is awesome!” fill the Globe Theatre. None of the three competitors are moving as Larry Blackwell starts making the count.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE!

Nothing. All three women are down and out on the floor and hardly able to move.

Larry Blackwell: FOUR! FIVE! SIX!

They start to begin stirring as the count starts getting down to the wire, using the ring skirt, barricade and stairs to pull themselves up respectively.

Larry Blackwell: SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!!!

JUST IN TIME! All three women pull themselves into the ring right before the ten count and the fans sigh a sigh of relief! Their desire to become the Bellatrix Champion stays alive a little longer as they hear Rhett Sweeney on the microphone.

Larry Blackwell: Thirty minutes have elapsed!

The contest is coming really down to the wire now, all three competitors showing fatigue as they all find their feet, and the match begins to feel very real as they look at each other, slowly exchanging forearm shivers between the three of them. Sweat flying off each of them with every hit, starting to pick up in speed and ferocity until it comes to a damn near hockey fight between all three of them, the crowd getting really into it as the blows come fast and hard! DeVille gets the better of the exchange as she grabs both women around the waist and, with whatever strength she could muster, manages to drop both of them with a double backdrop suplex! All three women are down again on the canvas, head laying against head with all three looking up at the lights. Stacy is the first to find her way up, calling for the culmination of the match as she pulls Azurine up to her feet, pulling her head between the thighs for a third attempt at the piledriver! NO! AZURINE SWEEPS THE LEGS! JACKNIFE! THIS IS HOW AZURINE PINNED STACY BEFORE! COVER!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE!!!

NO! RAENA MAKES THE SAVE JUST IN TIME! Raena quickly pulls up Azurine, lifting her up for the Raging Ripley Slam (Leg hook sit-out suplex slam) but Azurine frees herself and spikes Ripley in the chin with a Superkick! Raena goes down and Azurine falls into the cover!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THRE--!!!

STACY DEADLIFTS AZURINE OUT OF THE COVER AND DELIVERS A GERMAN SUPLEX! SHE ISN’T DONE AS SHE ROLLS THROUGH, PULLING HER UP AGAIN, WRIST-LOCK TRANSITIONING HER INTO THE DEVILLE DRIVER (High Angle Northern Lights Suplex)! SHE MAINTAINS THE BRIDGE FOR THE COVER!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE!!!

RAENA, WITH AN OUNCE OF WILLPOWER, KICKS THE LEG OUT FROM BENEATH STACY WHILE STILL ON HER BACK, SAVING THE MATCH FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER! Stacy is choleric as she turns her attention to Raena, pulling her up to give her the DeVille Driver! Raena clutches Stacy around the midsection, delivering a knee to the sternum before manoeuvring her into the TrickShot (Pumphandle Uranage)! Raena showing her second wind as she looks to deliver the final blow as she slowly and clumsily climbs to the top rope. She is intercepted by Azurine, who pulls herself up to the top rope with Raena, delivering forearms before she leaps onto her shoulders! TOP ROPE FRANKENSTIE--NO!!! STACY COMES OUT OF NOWHERE, CLIMBS THE ROPES AND GRABS AZURINE AROUND THE HIPS AND FALLS BACK WITH HER OFF THE VERY TOP ROPE AND RAENA’S SHOULDERS WITH AN AVALANCHE GERMAN SUPLEX! AZURINE LANDS MORE THAN HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING AS STACY GOES BACK FOR RAENA, WHO HELD ONTO THE ROPES TO PREVENT GOING WITH THEM! STACY RUNS UP AND LEAPS ONTO THE TOP ROPE FOR A BELLY-TO-BELLY! BUT RIPLEY CATCHES HER IMMEDIATELY AND SPINS HER OUT AS THE BOTH DESCEND! RIPLEY BOMB! BLUE THUNDER BOMB FROM THE TOP ROPE! THIS IS IT! RAENA NEEDS A FEW MOMENTS TO CINCH IN THE COVER! THE CROWD ARE LOSING THEIR MINDS!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

HOW?! STACY KICKED OUT AT TWO POINT NINE NINE NINE! RAENA RIPLEY WAS LESS THAN A SECOND AWAY FROM BECOMING BELLATRIX CHAMPION! Raena runs her hands through her bright orange hair, realising the championship just evade her grasps, but can’t let the opportunity slip away from her as she pulls Stacy up, looking for a second Ripley Bomb! Stacy finds her own second wind, driving her elbow down into the back of Raena’s neck, breaking her grasp before Stacy delivers a SICK Headbutt! Raena is knocked out, grasping onto consciousness as she is on her knees, keeping herself up with the waistline of Deville’s trunks alone. DeVille, rattled by her own blunt-force headbutt, pulls Raena in for one more attempt at the piledriver! But Azurine interveniens, turning Stacy around before kicking her right in the chin with a Superkick, pulling her into the Sweetheart Sock Hop DDT! Stacy gets spiked! Raena is down, Stacy is down! Azurine crawls into the cover, Blackwell on the count while Raena stumbles under the bottom rope and onto the apron!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

NO! HOW IN THE WORLD DID STACY KICK OUT OF THAT?! AZURINE DOESN’T BELIEVE IT! I DON’T THINK ANYONE IN THE ARENA CAN BELIEVE IT! STACY’S FIGHTING SPIRIT IS FAR TOO STRONG! AZURINE LOOKS TO FINISH THIS ONE OFF AS SHE PULLS STACY BACK UP, PULLING HER IN FOR ANOTHER DDT! BUT STACY TURNS AZURINE INSIDE OUT WITH A LARIAT INSTEAD! STACY AND AZURINE ARE ON THE CANVAS TOGETHER, STACY STILL HOLDING ONTO AZURINE’S WRIST! STACY PULLS HERSELF UP, PULLS AZURINE UP WITH HER AS THE CROWD ARE ANTICIPATING THE CLIMAX, PULLING AZURINE IN ONE MORE TIME! THIS TIME SHE GETS IT! STACY HITS THE MAMA BEARS MAULING PILEDRIVER ONTO AZURINE! AZURINE IS OUT OF IT, STACY USING THE LAST OUNCE OF STRENGTH TO DRAG HERSELF INTO THE COVER!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

BLACK METEORITE!!! CAUGHT UP IN ALL THE ACTION, NO ONE NOTICED RAENA CLIMBING TO THE TOP ROPE, DIVING AFTER STACY DRAPES AN ARM OVER AZURINE, DELIVERING THE SHOOTING STAR ELBOW DROP INTO BOTH OF THEM TO THE CROWDS ASTONISHMENT! STACY GETS THE ELBOW INTO THE SPINE, AZURINE GETS ALL OF RAENA’S WEIGHT AS SHE HOOKS BOTH AZURINES LEGS!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ The crowd erupts as Raena is on hands and knees with “Fire, Fire” playing through the arena, in visible shock as she realises that she has just won the contest and, more importantly, the VANGUARD Pro Bellatrix Championship as Larry Blackwell presents her with the championship belt, which she takes into her hands, looking down at her reflection in the golden plate with tears in her eyes before looking out to ovation of the masses. ]

Rhett Sweeney: HERE IS YOUR WINNER! AND THE INAUGURAL VANGUARD PRO BELLAAAAATRIIIIIIX CHAAAAAAMPIOOOON!!! RAAAAAAEEEEEENAAAAAA!!! RIIIIIIIIIPLEEEEEEEEEEY!!!

Mark Stephens: She has done it! Raena Ripley, somehow, someway, overcame the odds to become the VANGUARD Pro Bellatrix Champion! I don’t think there is anyone in this arena that finds this harder to believe than Raena herself, you can see the tears in her eyes as she is overwhelmed with emotions!

Chet Kensington: And what a match to become champion! None of these women went easy on each other, all of them putting their bodies and well-being on the line to be the winner of this match, Raena won by the skin of her teeth but the skin of her teeth was enough to do it.

Mark Stephens: None of these women should feel ashamed or discouraged, this literally could have gone either way, but Raena struck at the right place and the right time to claim the title this night! Stacy showcased her undying fighting spirit. Azurine showcased her persistence to overcome. But it was Raena that showcased the heart of an absolute champion!

[ Raena stumbles to her feet, the tears starting to run down her face as she overlooks the VANGUARD faithful who are applauding and chanting for her. Azurine and Stacy are now on their feet, Stacy holding the back of her neck as Azurine hobbles over to Raena with her, both looking at Raena who is still in shock and disbelief. Both Azurine and Stacy take a moment before they extend a hand to Raena, acknowledging she was the better woman tonight, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship as she accepts both handshakes before throwing herself into a hug with both of them. Both Stacy and Azurine take either side of Raena, both raising her hands as confetti starts to rain onto the ring. ]

Mark Stephens: What a moment! Sportsmanship, respect and the spirit of competition. I think I am about to tear up myself.

Chet Kensington: Don’t think about hugging me.

[ Azurine heads out of the ring, Stacy giving Raena one last gesture, pantomiming the championship being around her waist before exiting the ring herself. Raena is left in the ring to enjoy her moment alone as she raises the championship belt into the air. ]

Mark Stephens: What a night for professional wrestling. Alas, this brings us to the end of the program. On behalf of Chet Kensington, with congratulations to our Bellatrix Championship, I have been Mark Stephens saying goodnight from VANGUARD Pro!

[ Raena climbs the turnbuckle, raising the championship one last time in the air before the logo fills the screen to close the show. ]