VANGUARD SAN FRONTIÈRES

[GAIA]

[ The broadcast opens with a fade in from black, an office desk with orange light from the lowering sun outside radiates from between near-closed shutter blinds. At the desk sits Vernon Tressler, elbows on the desk littered with papers, fingers locked before he begins to speak towards the camera. ]

Vernon Tressler: Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am Vernon Tressler -- VANGUARD Pro’s benefactor and president. I am coming to you live from the VANGUARD headquarters in Los Angeles, California as I am afraid I couldn’t attend tonight's festivities in Portland. For that, I apologise as I am afraid I have had business enquiries to attend to. Security has been put on high alert for my absence and I have placed someone as an interim matchmaker for the night should they need to step in at any point during the show. With all that being said, I would like to say on behalf of VANGUARD Pro that we hope our faithful in Portland, Oregon enjoy tonight's show.

[ The screen slowly fades to black before the VANGUARD Pro intro plays. ]

[ 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*” coming from a very vocal Portland, Oregon crowd, packed so close there is very little distance between the ring and the front row. The camera pans to the balcony area of the Hawthorne Theatre where the commentary station resides for the evening. ]

Mark Stephens: VANGUARD SAN FRONTIÈRES -- VANGUARD Without Borders! Our influence has spread to the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, Oregon! Mark Stephens as always here, joining me is the ever-incomparable Chet Kensington. Tonight we are here with a special attraction event, brought out to The City of Roses to simply showcase what VANGUARD Pro has to offer. We have three matches on the card tonight, three matches that are sure to get the adrenaline pumping and have an impact on the future of not only the competitor's careers but the divisions they're in.

Chet Kensington: We know Gal Pals Deluxe are ready to go to war with The Rogues Gallery. We know Jason Tressler and Lord Enon are in the building for their First Blood war. And we have been given word that four competitors of the Bellatrix Division will be going at it for, what the interim matchmaker for this evening has titled a "Progressive Opportunity." Whatever that means. We've also been informed Bellatrix Champion Raena Ripley is in the building and has requested time to address the VANGUARD Faithful. Beyond that, who knows what could happen tonight?!

[ 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: The following contest is a First Blood match!

[ Anticipation rises in the crowd, knowing the ramifications of the next bout. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The only way to win this bout is to lacerate your opponent!

[ “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: An issue that can only be solved with the spilling of blood; Lord Enon has had his foot on the chest of the men's division here in VANGUARD Pro. Potentially ending the career of D.C. Wiland at Chapter II. Standing as one of the few who stayed following the Chapter I riots. Dismantling Clinton Stone at Chapter IV. Wherever Enon has been involved, broken bodies have laid in his wake.

Chet Kensington: Enon hasn’t found competition that has been able to push him to his limits since Chapter I, which seems to infuriate the mad titan. A lack of worthy opponents seemingly has made him hellbent on the destruction of unworthy opponents, or at least what he would consider unworthy. He has even threatened the benefactor of the promotion Vernon Tressler into giving him competition or he’ll just take his frustrations out on competitors outside of the rules of a wrestling ring.

Mark Stephens: Which has led us to this encounter. Jason Tressler has been trying to earn his fathers favor in letting him onto the VANGUARD Pro roster and twice he wasn’t able to hold his own, proving he wasn’t ready for what VANGUARD Pro could provide. Upon rejection, Jason took it upon himself to step up to Enon for his father, only to have his father punish him for his disobedience by not only putting him into this match but allowing Enon to select the stipulation.

Chet Kensington: And Enon has made it very clear, he wants the blood of a Tressler on his hands. Jason better be smart about this one because if he loses, this is the last time we will ever see him in a VANGUARD ring. And that is if he’s lucky.

[ 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. ]

[ “Start a war” by Static X begins to play over the P.A. system, a new and more aggressive theme song for the prodigal son of VANGUARD Pro. Lord Enon awaits his arrival with a grin of anticipation, growing even larger as Jason takes his time to emerge from the back. The crowd begin reacting to something off camera, quickly revealed to be Jason Tressler storming the ring behind Enon, sliding into the ring and slamming a steel chair into his back! ]

Mark Stephens: Jason Tressler just blindsided Lord Enon with a steel chair! He’s not taking any chances against Enon!

[ Jason’s expression changes drastically as Enon slowly turns around, the chair shot seemingly completely ineffective against the larger Enon. ]

Chet Kensington: I don’t blame him in the slightest, but I think more than anything else he pissed off the titan.

[ Enon isn’t given time to react as Jason drives the hinge of the steel chair into his stomach, actually bending him over before lifting the chair high and slamming it down hard into Enons back! Larry Blackwell only now decides it’s an appropriate time to call for the bell to start the first blood match! ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Enon receives both shots, both seeming to do damage, but neither able to topple the monstrous figure. Jason winds up the chair over his head, looking to crack the skull of Enon with it, but a powerful swing of his fist is able to send the chair flying out of his hands and clattering between the ropes and onto the floor. Shock and horror immediately paint their way on the originally aggressive Jason Tressler, who attempts to high-tail it, only to have the large hand of Enon grab him by the roots of his unkempt, blonde hair. Nowhere to go as he is subject to the mercy of Enon, rather, a lack thereof as he is tosses Jason off his feet and back-first into a turnbuckle. Jason makes use of a speed advantage as he is able to land a boot into the jaw of an oncoming Enon, climbing to the middle turnbuckle, looking for some kind of dive but isn’t given an opportunity to take off as Enon grabs him by both sides of his neck and beils him damn near all the way across the ring, bouncing off the canvas and rolling under the ropes in the corner. The sheer power of Enon is frightening on its own, almost as much as the fury that fuels it.

Unrelenting, Enon pressed on with the offence as he stands on the lower-back of young Jason, applying all 327 pounds onto the small of his back, Blackwell having to ask him to get off knowing full well he can’t disqualify Enon for these actions that would normally be illegal. Enon seems to enjoy the wails of agony that escapes the lungs of Jason as he keeps his feet planted in his back for a good while before delivering a hard, firm stomp into the lower back that has him rolling around and suffering from the damage. It becomes very obvious from this point that Enon has no intention of ending this match any time soon, electing to take his time in the slow and methodical torment of young Tressler, savoring every moment of it as pulls Jason up like he’s weightless and tossing him between the ropes and onto the floor, catching himself on a few of the patrons of the first row as he stumbles from the momentum. The match stops feeling like a professional contest and more a disturbing display of dominance when Enon pulls Tressler up and whips him hard against the edge of the apron; Jason just crumbling to the floor holding his lower back and screaming from the pain. Evident in its disturbance, the crowd aren’t chanting or trying to rally behind Jason, instead only reacting in periods where Enon mercilessly tosses around the poor teenage boy, yelling at the crowd to move out of the way as he beils Jason once again, this time into the sea of seats the part from the force of Jason Tressler being thrown into them! At least seven rows of seats are completely blown out of the impact, some of the chairs even contorted and bent, which only raises the question of the state of Tressler himself. Fan’s don’t dare to check on him as Enon is again in hot pursuit of his prey and dragging the heavy-breathing carcass back to ringside but by no means showing mercy as he lifts him up horizontally to his chest and rams Jason spine first into the steel post! Jason can’t even let out cries of agony, showing very little ability to move at the ringside crew jump into action and check on him, some of them having to plead off Enon while they try to assess the broken Tressler.

But no rules are keeping the tyrant shackled, tossing aside attendants to further mame the Tressler boy, tossing him back inside the ring and gloating over the crowd, like a gladiator about to deliver the killing blow. As peculiar as it is to see the monstrous Enon resort to weaponry, it’s to no ones surprise but to a lot of concern as he slowly pulls out a wooden table from beneath the ring and sets it up at ringside before putting his focus on the seemingly unconscious Tressler. Climbing into the ring, it almost seems elementary what fate awaits Jason as Enon pulls him to his feet, slumping against the chest of Enon as he’s unable to hold himself up under his own power. Enon has a sick, evil smile as admires his handiwork on poor Jason before pulling him in and lifting him high for a powerbomb, edging his way to the edge of the ring as fans are verbally in concern as Jason is teetering over the wooden table below!

Hold on! Jason has pulled something out of his jacket pocket, something bright in color that he brings into Enon’s forehead, but that doesn’t prevent the fate that awaits him as Enon powerbombs Jason down into the wooden table and concrete below with a sickening cracking of the wood and thud onto the floor! Jason is damn-near lifeless on the floor! Chant’s of “Holy Shit” begin only to stop at the calling of the bell!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Amongst the carnage, confusion arises as to why the bell had been sounded as the stipulation for the match wasn’t met by Jason at all. Instead, we come to find the face forehead gushing blood was that of Lord Enon, who wipes the crimson flood from his forehead and, as he clenches his hand seems furious.

Rhett Sweeney: The winner of this match! JAAAAASON!!! TREEEEESLEEEEER!!!

Mark Stephens: Jason did it! Jason Tressler actually did it! He made Enon bleed!

Chet Kensington: I don’t believe it… I don’t even know how!

Attendants are checking on Jason Tressler, pulling him to his feet to take the unconscious boy to the back, among the wreckage that is the wooden table he was driven through is an orange-cased box cutter! Fans at ringside see it immediately and Blackwell, who had also assisted in the damages of Tressler, picks up the item and indicates it towards the commentary desk!

Mark Stephens: Do my eyes deceive me?! Jason had a box-cutter in his jacket pocket before the start of the match!

Chet Kensington: Talk about an easy way out! That was surprisingly smart of the pip-squeak. He couldn’t use it from the offset but had to find an opportunity to. I think it was out of desperation and nothing else that he used it just before receiving the powerbomb but that does it! Jason wins the First Blood match! Jason has earned the right to be in VANGUARD Pro and handed Enon his first loss! I imagine he would be celebrating if he could even feel his legs right now.

Mark Stephens: A quick slash to the forehead and Jason Tressler has earned the first written contract with VANGU-- Oh no…

[ Jason is being helped to the back, but is being pursued by an angry Lord Enon, a gentle stream of blood running down his face from the box-cutter laceration. Attendants are trying to intervene but Enon just shoves right past them until he gets to Jason and clubs his arm into the back of his head, leaving him sprawled on the floor as the crowd boo this post-match assault. ]

Mark Stephens: How disgraceful! Talk about being a sore loser!

Chet Kensington: I said it was a smart move, but that’s only if he wanted to win the match. Never said it was smart of him to do it on Enon, because I have a feeling if Enon ended a career just because he felt like it, Tressler might not even be able to make use of his newly earned contract.

[ With malicious intent and reckless abandon, Enon pulls Jason to the steel archway that holds the entrance curtain and drives him spine-first into it, almost knocking the entire structure over! Jason is an unconscious heap and Enon is going on an absolute rampage, and the crowd goes into gasps of horror as Enon picks up the near-lifeless Jason and pulls him up on his shoulder. The same way he broke the neck of D.C. Wiland, he’s looking to paralyze Jason Tressler with the Detonation Tombstone Piledriver! ]

[ The lights around the arena change to a crimson red. Enon looking around with Tressler still on his shoulder as the video screen flickers on. ]

[ Enon drops Jason to the floor as “Death Becomes Him” plays, the house lights returning to normal as Enon awaits the signalled return. Though, he doesn’t see a member of the crowd leaving their chair and walking onto the entrance way behind him, brandishing a Louisville Slugger in his hand. The crowd are able to react but Enon isn’t given the chance as he hears the crowd, turns around and is met with a wide swing of the baseball bat into the midsection! Reeled over, the bat comes down onto Enons back and the wood breaks around the spine of Enon who falls to the floor, Erik Holland standing over the fallen Enon with what remains of it. ]

Mark Stephens: Ladies and gentlemen, Gilgamesh is back in VANGUARD Pro! Erik Holland is back and has his sights set on Lord Enon!

[ Stepping on the small of Enons back, Holland raises the remaining handle of the bat high above his head and lets out a loud yell before cutting to the back. ]

---

[ SEGMENT TO BE FILLED ]

[GAIA]

[ As we return to the venue, we see Rhett Sweeney in the ring as the crowd anticipate the next contest. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following Fatal 4-Way contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 20-minute time limit!

[ "Heavy Rotation" by Nogizaka46 begins to play as a cheerful Velvet Twinkle emerges from behind the curtain, exuberant as she makes her way to the ring, slapping outstretched hands with a skip in her step. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Bournemouth, England by way of Tokyo, Japan, weighing in tonight at 110 pounds! SHE IS THE GAIJIN IDOL! VEEEEELVEEEET!!! TWIIIIINKLEEEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: As we return to competition tonight, we’re being treated to a Fatal 4-Way bout between four up and coming competitors in the Bellatrix division including the young lady coming out right now, Velvet Twinkle. Came up short on Chapter 3 to Ruby Auriel despite showing a lot of heart, hoping to rebound tonight and seize this “progressive opportunity” that has been laid out for this contest.

Chet Kensington: Now, we don’t know what said opportunity is, Mark. Quite frankly, I don’t believe it matters to the four women coming out here tonight. Had impressive showings on Chapter 3 but looking to climb the rankings and sometimes you just have to step on a few heads to get there. I doubted Twinkles abilities to hold her own against a real student of the game, but she has just as much a chance as anyone else in this match tonight.

[ The lights dim to a light purple like hue as the sound of wolves growling can be heard. The growling intensifies until a loud howl breaks out "7 Days to the Wolves" by Nightwish picking up with it as Eliza Garou begins to make her way on all fours towards the ramp. She rises to her feet, pulling off the face cover she wears and letting out a howl into the sky before running to the ring. She sprints to it, sliding under the bottom rope and darting towards the opposite end of the ring with manic energy, pounding her head to the music as the crowd chants "WOLF, WOLF, WOLF, WOLF" to go along with her motions. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing next! From Where the Moonlight Touches, weighing in tonight at 105 pounds! SHE IS THE FLAIRWOLF! ELIIIIIZA!!! GAAAAAROOOOOU!!!

Chet Kensington: Speaking of people looking to rebound, Eliza Garou here and Ximena Blaze who we’ll see momentarily went down to the wire at the Chapter 3 show, holding their own and pushing the other to the point Ximena was able to secure a pinfall with an elaborate flash pin. Eliza may have been on the losing end of that encounter, but redemption could be hers tonight should she find it.

Mark Stephens: She presents quite an intense demeanor, a very imposing aura around the Flairwolf that, with this opportunity hanging in the balance, can only make her crave a victory tonight more. Spirit of competition is one motivator, but reward for it is another and I can only assume the Flairwolf is chomping at the bit for an opportunity

[ “Natural (Bass Boosted Mix)” by Imagine Dragons begins to reverberate through the Globe Theatre as a hooded woman slowly makes her way out onto the entrance way, cold-dark lights giving a chilling vibe through the arena. As the chorus kicks in, the figure throws back her hood and, with a flamethrower in hand, puts it close to her lips and blows a large stream of fire into the air to the bewilderment of the crowd. The figure pulls her head down, looking down the aisle as a black, tar-like substance drips down her chin and face as she makes her way to the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Next! From Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in tonight at 120 pounds! SHE IS THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON SPIRIT! XIMEEEEENAAAAA!!! BLAAAAAAAAAAZE!!!

Chet Kensington: Whew! I am never going to get use to that.

Mark Stephens: Able to pull off an impressive win over Eliza Garou as we mentioned earlier, Ximena has been a somewhat quiet figure since her victory at Chapter 3, though credited her opponent at the time to be great competition over Twitter. No doubt she has been looking forward to another clash with the Flairwolf, but the extra bonus of this mysterious opportunity has got to be a pushing factor in her mind also.

Chet Kensington: You know, the Bellatrix division already has intense competition across the board, each female on the roster seems almost more driven after not only the title was introduced but when the champion was crowned; especially the women who weren’t involved in the Triple Threat match to crown the inaugural champion who we’ll be seeing later tonight. For these women, I think the furthest thing on their mind is losing and for Ximena, this could push her to immediate title contention if the opportunity leads her there.

[ “Heartbreaking Son of a Bitch” by Heaven’s Basement plays as Ruby Auriel flaunts her way from behind the curtain, turning her back to the camera and posing before turning back, walking down the ramp while ignoring the fans as they begin to boo the snobbish demeanored Ruby. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing the final competitor! From Miami, Florida, weighing in at 129 pounds! SHE IS THE QUEEN OF THE MIGHTY! RUUUUUBYYYYY!!!! AUUUUURIEEEEEEL!!!

Chet Kensington: Now this is a woman who seems groomed for the top spot, already considers herself to be the queen and all she’s missing is the crown to prove it. If looks could kill, she’d have already won. One victory alone might not have warranted front line in title contention but, you have to admit it mark, she put Velvet Twinkle through the proverbial ringer at Chapter III.

Mark Stephens: Can’t discredit Ms Twinkle in the slightest, but Ruby Auriel showcased she is a naturally gifted competitor in the ring. She has undeniable promise, maybe it’s her attitude that rubs me the wrong way personally, but if it gets results I can’t really speak on it. Nonetheless, a huge opportunity for her as well could be moments away to propel her status within VANGUARD Pro.

[ Ruby enters the ring slowly, keeping an eye on the other three competitors who are standing in all their respective corners, eyes bolting between each other in anticipation of the bell. Official Larry Blackwell moderates the contest as he calls for the bell to ring. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The competitive rivalry between arguably two of the most intense female competitors on the roster unsurprisingly surfaces and takes precedence over the early stage of the bout as Eliza Garou and Ximena Blaze don’t hesitate for a second before they make their lunges towards each other at the sounding of the bell. With Twinkle and Auriel being forced to play the role of bystanders, Ximena and Eliza go into an intense sequence of moves that almost mirrors their first encounter in intensity, Ximena charging toward Eliza getting side-stepped, ducking under a returning Blaze and leaping over a second lap, Ximena rolling underneath and wraps her arms around the waist of her opponent as she lands on her feet. Eliza runs towards the ropes, being pushed or of her own will is unknown, but Ximena attempts to perform an O’Connor roll after getting to the ropes, only for Eliza to hold onto the ropes and push Ximena back into a backwards roll. Ximena ducks a clothesline attempt, running off the ropes to meet Eliza in the middle with a step-up hurricanrana that creates some distance, Eliza rolling out of the ring beneath the ropes groggy as Ximena picks up momentum for a suicide dive, only for Eliza to slide back into the ring and run past Ximena, throwing her off guard as Eliza springboards back and catches Ximena with an armdrag that sends her towards the ropes. Another charge towards Vanguard’s Khaleesi results in a back body drop over the ropes, though Garou is able to catch herself on the ropes and land on her feet on the apron, catching an unsuspecting Ximena in the stomach with a shoulder into the abdomen, reeling her over as Garou dives over and is able to perform a springboard assisted schoolboy roll-up onto Ximena Blaze!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! --

Ruby has had enough of being apart of the peanut gallery, jumping into action as she tries to make good on an opportunity to steal a victory, pulling Eliza out of the pinning predicament and pulling her shoulders to the canvas with a backslide!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TW--!

Velvet Twinkle tries her hand now, leaping over both Ruby and Eliza and grabs Ruby as she floats over into an Oklahoma Roll!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO!--

Blaze reenters the mix, pushing Velvet and Ruby to over rotate on the pin attempt, grabbing Velvet’s arm and tying it with her leg before cinching in the la magistral on Twinkle!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO!--

Both Ruby and Eliza an axe handle to the back of Blaze, breaking up the flash pin attempt sequence and leaving all four competitors at a standoff while the crowd show a great deal of approval at the hot and fast opening moments of this contest. Though some sort of silent agreement, Eliza and Ximena seemingly turn their attention entirely to Ruby and Velvet respectfully, perhaps seeing them as obstacles preventing them from their true rematch from Chapter III. Ruby is quick to put come to that conclusion and slips out of the ring in a tactical retreat mere seconds before Eliza pounces onto her, following and pursuing the Queen of the Mighty around the outside of the ring. Velvet finds about this temporary alliance the hard way as Ximena blindsided her with a dropkick into the back as she was paying attention to the chase outside, Velvet falling into the ropes before a swift upward kick strikes the rope into her throat. Reeling from the shot, Ximena grabs the head of Twinkle to deliver a bulldog, only to be pushed off by Velvet into an oncoming Ruby who had just entered the ring after being chased by Eliza, who dodges disaster so that the pursuing Eliza gets the head-on-head collision with Ximena. Both women fall between the ropes and to the outside from the collision, Ruby immediately tries to take advantage to finish the contest with an attempt at the Auriel Special (Backdrop Driver), however, Velvet Twinkle is able to flip backwards out of it, jumping up and connecting with a nice neckbreaker that drops the Queen of the Mighty to the canvas. Velvet hooks a leg, hoping by a miracle she can end this contest the victor.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO!--

Not ready for such miracles yet as Ruby kicks out at two. Velvet looks for a climactic finish as she awaits Ruby to return to her feet, perhaps for her finishing maneuver. Ximena climbs onto the apron after some time on the outside, and is met with Velvet’s Heel no Takasa (Jumping Thrust Kick) that sends her back out as Velvet tries to keep the ring to only herself and Ruby, but this gave Ruby all the opening she needed as Velvet turns around and eats a boot to the face! Ruby now has Velvet to herself and knows time is fleeting before either Eliza or Ximena intervenes, looking to deal as much blunt force damage as she can to secure a victory for herself as she pulls a groggy Velvet up and delivers the Auriel Special (Backdrop Driver), folding her up for a cover!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH--

Velvet kicks out just in the nick of time! Ruby is in a haste to finish this one, pulling Velvet up forcefully and runs to the ropes for the handspring -- Golden Bullet (Handspring Cutter) on her mind -- but seemingly out of nowhere, Eliza Garou shadows Ruby into the ropes and delivers a Tiger Feint Kick into her back as she attempts the handspring! Eliza springboards in, over Ruby on all fours, delivering a missile dropkick that eliminates Velvet Twinkle from the situation as she is knocked to the canvas and rolls to the outside from the sheer force! Ruby now recovered, takes a wide swing at Eliza that is evaded, her hand then grasped followed by a stinging overhand chop to the chest as Eliza runs towards the turnbuckle, climbs it and jumps onto Ruby’s shoulders to deliver a beautiful Hurricanrana that sends Ruby rolling to the outside alongside Velvet! What comes next almost seems elementary as Eliza lets out a howl that a number of fans echo in rallying response as Eliza picks up speed and dives between the ropes and connects with a suicide dive onto both Ruby and Velvet, wiping out a few rows of chairs that fans were smart enough to get out of the way. All three women now struggle to find their feet, but a fourth enters the fray as Ximena starts mounting the top rope, her back turned to the other three as they look up and notice far too late to get out of the way of a tope Dragon’s Curse (Moonsault)! Chants of Holy Shit begin to break out as all three women are laid out on the floor, the remnants of the four-way carnage these women are putting their bodies on the line for as they hope to reach the metaphorical brass ring. Ximena is the first to find herself back on her feet, choosing from the bunch Eliza to send into the ring as she attempts to grab the brass ring as she covers Eliza, leg hooked!

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

No! Eliza is able to kick out as Blackwell’s hand was a centimetre away from calling this match over! There is no rest for the weary as time is proving to be a decisive factor while the other two competitors are stirring on the outside. Ximena pulls a limp Eliza to her feet, rolling around for the Ring The Alarm (Roaring Elbow), but Eliza with a sudden burst of energy and life blitzes Ximena with a combination of kicks to the thigh, a single knee to the skull, followed by a roundhouse kick -- Caribou Hunt! An immense fighting spirit surfaces as Ximena uses the rotation from the roundhouse kick to deliver one desperate Ring the Alarm that finds the mark on Elizas neck and both women fall to their knees, seemingly knocked senseless by the sheer brutality of the strikes. Like a thief in the night, Ruby Auriel sneaks in and tries to claim the victory as she nails a devastating Beheading (Knife edge chop to the back of a kneeling opponent’s head) to Ximena, knocking her out cold! Not taking any chances, Ruby grabs Eliza by her hair and her trunks and tosses the Flairwolf out of the ring to ensure she doesn’t attempt to break the cover as she lays across Ximena, assured that victory is now hers!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!

A last-second save by the Gaijin Idol prevents the finale of this contest! Velvet having to essentially throw all she had into breaking up that fall, Ruby felt victory was in her grasps and has to put away one last minor annoyance. Velvet Twinkle, unable to defend herself from the fatigue, is at the mercy of Ruby Auriel as she decides the killing blow, not taking any chances with the Golden Bullet, instead opting for the Golden Impact (Double Underhook Piledriver)! HOLD ON! TWINKLE IS ABLE TO WRAP HER LEGS AROUND RUBY’S NECK AND PULL HER DOWN! SNAP FRANKENSTEINER! A LEG IS HOOKED, RUBY IN THE SHOCK IS FLAILING HER FREE LEG TRYING TO GET HER SHOULDER OFF THE MAT!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ The crowd is as delightfully surprised as Velvet Twinkle herself as "Heavy Rotation" by Nogizaka46 begins to play, Ruby Auriel on her knees, eyes wide in shock as she looks on to Larry Blackwell raising Velvet Twinkles hand, Eliza Garou and Ximena Blaze on the outside, holding themselves up with the apron to see the same shocking result. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The winner of this match… VEEEEELVEEEEET!!! TWIIIIIIINKLEEEEEE!!!

Chet Kensington: I am speechless, Mark! Velvet Twinkle with what can only be considered a huge upset has not only pinned the woman she was bested by at Chapter 3, but has won this “progressive opportunity” over all three of the other competitors!

Mark Stephens: All competitors can with their A-game, the match was full-throttle since the opening bell and hadn’t slowed down in the slightest all 10-minutes this contest went for, each of them putting it on the line to seize the opportunity but, tonight, the opportunity belongs to young miss Velvet Twinkle!

[ Velvet Twinkle is handed a wax-sealed envelope from Larry Blackwell, which she opens in the ring and reads to herself its contents while the other three competitors limp their respective ways backstage. Velvet seems happy with the contents of the letter as she celebrates in the ring before cutting to a commercial break. ]

[GAIA]

[ We return to ringside where Rhett Sweeney is standing in-front of the Hawthorne Theatre crowd, microphone in hand. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the inaugural VANGUARD Pro Bellatrix Champion! RAENA! RIPLEY!

[ To a standing ovation, Raena Ripley emerges from behind the entrance curtain, the VANGUARD Pro Bellatrix Championship proudly over her shoulder. She smiles as she makes her way down to ringside, slapping hands along the front row. ]

Chet Kensington: Rightfully so, we’re hearing quite the ovation for the first Bellatrix Champion. Went through a gruelling contest against both Stacy DeVille and Azurine Vebbins, women who were on top of their game, and Raena fond a way to emerge as the victor and the spoils resides on her shoulder.

Mark Stephens: If it were up to her, she’d be competing here tonight in Portland, unfortunately, the rib injury she obtained during Chapter II originally thought to be completely healed was reaggravated during the contest and the doctors chose not to clear her to protect her championship status. She instead has requested the floor to make her intentions known as champion, so without further ado, let’s hear from the Bellatrix Champion!

[ Chants of “RAE-NA! RAE-NA! RAE-NA!” echo off the walls as “Fire, Fire” dies down, Raena with a huge smile on her face as she holds Sweeney’s microphone in hand, the title resting on her shoulder. ]

Raena Ripley: You know, some thought it wouldn’t happen. Truth be told, took a good few days for it to register with me that it did. But here I stand, as your first VANGUARD Pro Bellatrix Champion!

[ Raena raises the championship into the air to applause before returning it to her shoulder. ]

Raena Ripley: Now, being the first champion puts a lot of weight on your shoulders. You have a quota to fill. You have to set the standard for every other person that holds the championship after you. And I aim to do nothing but make this championship the most competitive, ambitious championship for female competitors around the world!

[ More verbal approval from the fans in the stands. ]

Raena Ripley: So you better believe I am going to bust my ass to put this title on the map -- winning this title has lit a fire under me and the Mid-Morning Inferno isn’t looking to be extinguished anytime soon. So my official decree as the Bellatrix Champion is that I am opening the floodgates. I want every female wrestler that wants a shot to line up and I will take you all on one-by-one! But know this, if you stand too close to the fire, you’re going to get bu--

[ Suddenly, guitars whirring and tuning kick in as the camera pans over to the staging area. Out comes Izzy Van Doren dressed in street clothes running around and moshing to “Coral Fang” by The Distillers. She stands and looks around at the audience with a smile. ]

Mark Stephens: And just like that, Izzy Van Doren is throwing her hat into the ring for Bellatrix Championship contention.

Chet Kensington: Oh sure, why not? Not like she doesn’t cause enough chaos around here as it is. Her jumping over people in the rankings is right up her alley.

[ Izzy climbs the ring steps and enters the ring. She grabs a microphone. ]

Izzy Van Doren: “Red”, I gotta be honest with ya. The last time I was competing in this ring, I was knocked out and nearly crippled. I gritted my teeth and I stood back up and continued my match. I sure as hell didn’t want to because I knew the risks. But I did it anyway because everyday I have to prove how tough I am in this ring because everybody doubts me. I won that match. Just like I won my last match. I may be small, but my fighting spirit is as big as the sun. But that was then, and this is now. Right now, I see you walk around backstage with the Bellatrix Championship. I gotta tell ya that ignites a fire in me, “Red”. You may have run through Stacy. You may have run through Azzy.

[ Izzy steps up to Raena. Meeting face to face. Izzy smirks as she sizes up Ripley. ]

Izzy Van Doren: But you’ve *never* run through me...

[ The crowd are buzzing with excitement as things look to be heating up and about to pop off. An “Oooh Izzy Van Doren” football chant breaks out among the fans.]

Izzy Van Doren: I’m one to put myself out there. That’s why I wanted to come challenge you to your face and in front of all these people. See, I’ve been on a roll recently here. By the looks and sounds of things, I should be next in line for the Bellatrix Champions--

[ Izzy’s speech is interrupted the jarring chords of Benea Reach’s “Dominion.” Scarlet Flint saunters out a moment or two later. She takes a couple of steps until she’s on the base of the entryway. Scarlet peers at Izzy and Raena in the ring before she lifts her left hand and snaps her fingers. Her music starts to die down. ]

Chet Kensington: Now this is the right woman for the job!

Scarlet Flint: “By the looks and sounds of things, I should be next in line for the Bellatrix Championship―”

[ A suck of the teeth and an eye roll reveal her great annoyance. ]

Scarlet Flint: Izzy? With all due disrespect, shut the fuck up.

[ The fans aren’t too happy about that comment; they show their displeasure by booing. Though, that didn’t seem to bother Scarlet very much. ]

Scarlet Flint: I feel like I’m going brain-dead when I hear bitches in this company talk. Not only are ya’ll dumb as hell, but ya’ll also lack self-awareness to boot. Ya’ll could at least have the courtesy of picking a fuckin’ struggle.

[ She shakes her head. ]

Scarlet Flint: Izzy? Raena? Let me hip ya’ to some game. You know, since you can’t actually be bothered with paying attention to what else goes on here in VANGUARD. There’s another person in the company that is deserving of a shot at the Bellatrix Championship. The hell, the bitch was even more deserving than some of the dusty ass broads that fought in the inaugural match. And yet, she was left out. She was snubbed. For what reason? Fuck if I know. No valid reason was ever given. Aint that something?

[ It’s clear to everyone that said person is herself. Scarlet quickly taps on her chin as she thinks about her words. ]

Scarlet Flint: And ya’ know what’s different about this bitch in question? She aint go a sordid story about how she nearly died in the ring and how the cheers of the fans brought her back to life. No mystical, ra-ra bullshit over here. Naw. She’s earned her place in VANGUARD by beatin’ ass. She’s earned her place in VANGUARD by being nearly unstoppable.

[ Scarlet turns her head ever so slightly in Izzy’s direction. ]

Scarlet Flint: So go on, Izzy. Lie to all these motherfuckers in the stands. Lie to yourself. But if you keep them blinders on and neglect your surrounding, ya’ might not get a shot at anything. That dominant bitch might break you before ya’ get a chance to.

[ Tensions are rising in the Hawthorne Theatre, Izzy and Scarlet now exchanging loud words without the microphone across the rampway, interrupted as Raena picks her microphone back up. ]

Raena Ripley: Now this is what I was talking about! I am fueled by this competitive nature -- I live for it! So ladies, you don’t have to bicker about who deserves the shot more, you’re both more than welcome to have a swing at the Mid-Morning Inferno’s Championship. But I think it’s only fitting that the first to get the shot was the first to come knocking --

[ Raena turns her attention entirely on Izzy, smiling in her face. ]

Raena Ripley: -- and I want a shot at you first.

[ The crowd roar in approval of this VANGUARD dream match being made between Ripley and Van Doren, all the while Scarlet stands on the stage, arms crossed as she watches the two shake hands, not breaking eye contact with one another from the entryway. She sucks on her teeth, nodding for a moment before turning her back on the scene and walking back through the curtain as “Fire Fire” plays, Izzy and Raena smirking at each other as Izzy makes her leave. ]

Mark Stephens: Wow! Did you hear that, Chet? Raena Ripley has decided that Izzy Van Doren is the first official challenger for her title! What a match that has the potential of being an instant classic!

Chet Kensington: Are we just going to gloss over that Raena completely undersold Scarlet’s right to be the first challenger? Instead giving it to this depressive lunatic!? VANGUARD Pro advertise themselves as giving fair and equal opportunities, but we’re forced to wait for Scarlet to take her rightful place. This is some bullsh--

Mark Stephens: She’ll get her shot, Chet. But Raena has wanted to face Van Doren for some time now, so she’s jumping at the opportunity as early as possible.

[GAIA]

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

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Rhett Sweeney: And is a Luchas de Apuestas match with a 20-minute time limit! If Gal Pals Deluxe are victorious, they will replace the Rogues Gallery in the VANGUARD Pro Tag Team Championship decision match at Chapter 6, Level Up!

[ The Portland crowd cheer. ]

Rhett Sweeney: However, if the Rogues Gallery win they receive a considerable advantage in the Championship decision match and the Gal Pals Deluxe are exiled to singles competition in the Bellatrix division.

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! 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!!!

Mark Stephens: Now this has turned into an interesting situation to say the least. Vernon came out on Chapter IV to announce the creation of the Tag Team Championships and gathered the five existing teams in VANGUARD to give them the news about a possible decision match concerning them and other teams that make their way to VANGUARD in that amount of time. A team he didn’t invite out, however, was the Gal Pals Deluxe who took it as a slap in the face.

Chet Kensington: And look, I don’t blame them. The only reason I can think of that they were left out of the conversation was because of their gender, so I applaud them for stepping up to Vernon and demanding a chance to compete in the division. But they may have gotten over their heads accepting Kyle Radcliffes challenge for tonight because, if they lose, they won’t have a chance at it again. They have a clear experience disadvantage and Radcliffe manipulated Ferris’ hot-headed nature to get her to agree to a match where, if they win, they get a considerable advantage in the decision match, whatever that will end up being.

Mark Stephens: Not to mention that the Rogues Gallery are not above cheating and abusing the system, at Chapter IV they defeated Tokyo Riot with Lycan using some kind of mist attack on the brothers, giving the Rogues an opening to pick up the victory. It’s clear they have no honor for the sport and, as they displayed when offering the challenge, they have no respect for anyone outside of their camp. It has made them public enemy #1 with the tag team division, as well as with the crowd as you can hear from the uproar of boos.

[ Lycan charges to the ring and rolls in, climbing a turnbuckle and letting out a howl while Radcliffe climbs 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. ]

[ “Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys hits as both Ferris and Marissa Ortiz emerge from behind the curtain to a loud ovation, both smiling as they do their signature Fusion Dance gesture before making their way to the ring, slapping outreached hands from the crowd. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And introducing their opponents! From Austin, Texas at a combined weight of 240 pounds! Marissa & Ferris Ortiz! GAL! PAL! DEEEEEELUUUUXEEEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: Despite the doubt I have about these ladies and their chances of winning tonight, I believe they have every right to not only be involved in the tag team division but to stand up for female inclusion. Although I think Ferris’ hot-headed nature has essentially fallen for the bait laid out by Radcliffe, it shows they have heart and guts to step up to the challenge to prove themselves.

Chet Kensington: Heart is a valuable asset and these two girls have it. The Rogues might have the cunning, the experience and the size advantage over the Gal Pals, but heart can take you a long way. I agree that the Rogues came into this with a plan and I don’t doubt they see Gal Pals as a non-threat and a mere obstacle toward the tag team titles, but I think they’d be foolish if they completely counted them out. As much as I can appreciate confidence, I can’t endorse the level of misogyny of the Rogues towards their opponents. Girls, kick their ass!

[ Ferris and Marissa enter the ring, taking off their ring jackets with a serious demeanor as “Sabotage” begins to die down. The Rogues Gallery, Kyle in particular, is smirking with confidence as he gestures for Lycan to let him have the opening segment of the match as he sees Ferris asking the same of her sister. Howie Dewitt asks both competitors if they understand and agree to the stipulations to the contest. Ferris is quick to agree as Kyle just grins and shrugs. Howie calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Kyle Radcliffe approaches this match with very little showing of concern to his opposition as he takes his sweet time to join Ferris in the center of the ring. The fans are heavily behind the Gal Pals with chants while Kyle just takes the unpopularity in stride. Ferris and Kyle look to lock up after moments of stalling on Kyle’s behalf, only to pie-face and push Ferris to the canvas to a downpour of boos. Ferris looks enraged as Kyle stands over her, mouthing off.

Kyle Radcliffe: Should have stayed where the girls play. This is a mans division in a mans world. You don’t belong in it.

Ferris gets to her feet in a hurry and nyxes any intention of making this a clean contest as she drives forearm shivers into the jaw of Radcliffe in rapid succession, although the effectiveness of them is seemingly non-existent as he just grins the entire time, having gotten back under Ferris’ skin. Though it seems the prodding for her hot-headed attitude has seemingly driven her, as a forearm shiver by Radcliffe is ducked and Ferris starts barraging him with more forearm shivers and knife edge chops in altering blows, overwhelming the taken-aback Kyle until he is backed into a neutral corner where she starts to lay the boots into his midsection with rapid stomps! The Portland crowd get really behind the Gal Pals as Ferris’ stomps the ever-loving hell out of Kyle until he is seated into the corner and Howie has to admonish her following a four-count to back away. Ferris is running on frustration and adrenaline as she takes a moment to taunt to the crowd to their adoration. This comes back to bite her though, as she turns back to Kyle and is met with a Yakuza kick right into the chest that turns the crowd back to disapproval as he flips them off.

He pulls Ferris to her feet by the roots of her hair, throwing her into the Rogues Gallery corner before making the tag to Lycan before throwing her face-first down onto the canvas, mounting her back for a camel clutch only to fish hook the sides of her mouth. He is given the five count to break the illegal hold but Lycan intrudes at the count of four pie-face her once again, rolling her onto her back for a quick fall attempt.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! --

Ferris powers her shoulder of the canvas, showing defiance against the Rogues Gallery and their disrespectful antics. Lycan has Ferris to himself with Kyle exiting the ring and his approach to their opponents shows just as little concern for their chances as Kyles as he methodically stalks Ferris, stomping on any exposed limb she presents as she tries to pull herself from the canvas. Ferris crawls herself into the neutral corner, trying to pull herself up but Lycan presses his boot to her jaw, pushing it back and hyperextending her neck. Lycan runs to the opposing corner, on all fours like his namesake as he stalks Ferris as she pulls herself up into the corner, charging at her once she finds her feet. Ferris is able to shift her lower body around and between the top and middle ropes, her upper body moving in kind as Lycan’s chest collides with the turnbuckle and face met with a pendulum kick as Ferris shifts her weight backwards to bring both her legs upwards into the face of Lycan. Lycan is rocked as Ferris stalks from the apron, springboarding in with a missile dropkick that knocks Lycan back and onto the canvas, making the opening for Ferris to potentially make the tag. Lycan is able to jump onto Ferris’ leg, preventing her from getting closer to their corner, Ferris having to find her way to her feet and swat away Lycan, though he is persistent and refuses to let go of Ferris’ leg, even taunting her as he finds her helpless in her grasp. Ferris makes him pay for it quickly as she nails an Enzugiri into the side of his head the breaks his grasp, running into the ropes and receiving a tag on the back by Merissa who is becoming legal the first time this match. A solebutt kick by Ferris into Lycan’s midsection is followed by a superkick by Merissa, rocking Lycan before both Ortiz sisters sandwich Lycan’s head between a superkick and second Enzugiri that finally knocks him down and out. Merissa goes for the cover, leg hooked.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! T--

No, Lycan not out of this contest yet. The Gal Pals have gained control for the time being, Merissa now having the ring alone with The Hound of Tindalos. A combination of roundhouse kicks to the chest of a kneeling Lycan knocks some of the wind out of him, screaming out to deliver a stiff one to his head, only to be ducked and shoved into the ropes. Merissa showing her athleticism as she catches Lycan with a Tilt-a-whirl headscissors that sends him sprawling under the bottom rope to the floor as Merissa looks to perform a big dive to the outside as she gets momentum from running the ropes. She is intercepted by Kyle who stands in her way on the apron, mouthing off to her, inaudible from the cameras. Kyle is caught off-guard as Ferris leapfrogs over her sister to dropkick Kyle off the apron and onto his partner on the floor. Both sisters look at and high five each other as they come to a silent conclusion as the crowd dissipate around both members of the Rogues knowing what is coming next; a pair of Tope Con Hilos over the top rope and onto both Radcliffe and Lycan!

The Gal Pals are now in firm control of the contest as they send Lycan back into the ring, Merissa pulling him up as Ferris stalks on the apron, perhaps for a springboard variation of the Total Elimination, but her legs are cut out from under her by Kyle Radcliffe, sweeping under the legs and crashing her spine first on the edge of the apron to a scream of pain. Merissa is momentarily distracted as she disregards Lycan to go after Kyle who has climbed onto the apron, only to be chop blocked by Lycan, taking out her knee as he makes the tag to Kyle, holding her as Kyle runs forward with a running European Uppercut while Lycan sweeps out her legs! Kyle’s arrogance gets the better of him as he pins her with a simple foot on the chest.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! T--

Merissa kicks out! The Rogues Gallery underestimating the Gal Pals is proving to be detrimental as they are providing a tougher fight than they originally bargained for. Kyle calls Lycan back in, much to the verbal disagreement of Howie, hoisting Lycan onto his shoulders and sending him forward for a senton onto Marissa's abdomen! Marissa's holding her ribs as she’s kicking her legs, some serious damage may have been done and the Rogues are done playing with them. Kyle makes a tag to Lycan as he heads out to the apron, looking for Let Sleeping Gods Lie! Kyle lifts Marissa into the Gory Bomb! BUT LYCAN IS PULLED OFF THE APRON BY FERRIS, LYCAN’S JAW HITTING THE EDGE OF THE RING! Ferris gets onto the apron and nails Kyle in the face with a rope assisted gamengiri, rocking him while Marissa nails a beautiful Yoshi-Tonic! The crowd count along as the Gal Pals might have taken this one!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THR--

NO! Kyle kicks out! The Gal Pals were so close to redefining the Tag Team division before it even gained championship gold! Their spirits don’t die though as both the Gal Pals looks to deliver one of their signature moves, putting their palms together in a way the fans recognize, collectively yelling “KAA-MEEEEE! HAAA-MEEEEE!” as Kyle slowly gets to his feet, only to be met with both girls screaming “HAAAAAA!!!” as they deliver the collective double palm strikes into the chest of Kyle, knocking him back to the canvas! Marissa goes for the cover while Ferris keeps guard for Lycan!

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

Lycan bulldozed through Ferris and is able to break up the pinfall just in the nick of time! It seems the Rogues have found a point of desperation in the match, Ferris realizing this and tries to take Lycan out of the situation so they can finish of Radcliffe. Lycan pulls Ferris by the elastic of her trunks and is able to pull her forward in between the ropes and crashing on the floor outside, hitting the thin padding pretty hard on her back. Marissa tries her hand at removing Lycan from the ring, but Kyle recovers and puts a stop to it real quick with Majestic Twelve (Elevated Flatliner)! Kyle goes for the cover, this time with a more serious attempt as Lycan stands guard.

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

Marissa kicks out! The crowd were ready to boo the Rogues out of the arena, but that quickly turns to cheers as Marissa forces her shoulder off the canvas. The seething displeasure surfacing in Kyle Radcliffe as both the Ortiz sisters refuse to stay down and prevent the Rogues from their advantage in the championship decision match. He calls for the end of it to Lycan, pulling Marissa up to her feet and holding her arms back, the fans booing that they’re leaving Marissa defenceless! Lycan massages his throat, this isn’t good, this is how they beat the Tokyo Riot! Lycan sprays the black mist! MARISSA MOVES! KYLE GETS ALL OF THE MIST IN HIS FACE AND IS SWATTING AROUND! HE’S BLINDED! Lycan is shocked that he blinded his partner, but he doesn’t have time to react as both the Gal Pals are in the ring with him now and drive a twin superkick into his jaw that knocks him down! Kyle is the legal man! Marissa jumps onto his back, pulling him down with a crucifix hold, Ferris assisting with a jacknife cover!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ The crowd erupted as the bell sounds and “Sabotage begins to play, both Ferris and Marissa are on their knees in the ring, hugging each other as they realise they had not only obtained the victory, but a step closer to their dream. ]

Rhett Sweeney: YOUR WINNERS OF THIS MATCH! Marissa & Ferris Ortiz! GAL! PAL! DEEEEEELUUUUXEEEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: If I didn’t just see it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it! Gal Pal Deluxe has just pinned the Rogues Gallery! They overcame all the odds and managed to not only obtain the right to be in the tag team division, but have also obtained the Rogues Gallery’s spot in the Tag Team Championship decision match at Chapter 6! This has to go down as one of the greatest upsets in VANGUARD Pro’s short history!

Chet Kensington: The hubris of the Rogues Gallery came back to bite them. They refused to do some of their bigger moves until they became desperate, thought they could beat the Gal Pals with very little effort. They counted them out and they were caught slipping when they attempted to cheat their way back to victory, only to have it backfire and humiliated in the process and rightfully so.

Mark Stephens: You have to feel good for these two young ladies. They were originally left out of the tag team division by authorities choice and now? Now they have a chance to win the tag team championships and have greenlit that women can hang with the men in tag team competition!

[ The Gal Pals slap hands as they make their way up the ramp, embracing one another as both the Rogues look livid inside the ring before the VANGUARD Pro logo flashes, calling an end to the free presentation show. ]