I’ve re-watched season five of Arrow a few times. Best season ever. I doubt you want to know what my taste in television shows are. Be patient. There’s a point. Trust me. I was watching the scene where Black Siren was trapped in a cage. Oliver Queen asked Black Siren…. ‘Who Are You.’ That’s a question I’ve been asked my whole life. ‘Who are you… why is your name Persephone… home come you can’t tell us your real name. I have my reasons. Aren’t we taught to be an open book? To tell our story? To be forthcoming. I have a question for you…
Where is the fun in that?
Hundreds of years ago the world was unknown to us. We created myths to explain the explainable. As time goes on, the world becomes more and more… predictable. Boring. Answerable. There aren’t many questions left to answer. There are some. What is the cure for AIDS? Can we eliminate cancer once and for all. We pour millions upon trillions of dollars into finding the answer. We’ll never know in this lifetime. Such trivial questions are of no use to me.
The question you want to know is, who am I? What did I become a wrestler? Why am I teaming with Kaycee? All valid questions. So little time. If you want to know who I am, that will take a while.
Here is my story.
Part of it.
Enjoy… at your own risk.
Why would they do that Persephone?
See, it seems like there are two sides to every story and these Sheila’s and Blokes don’t always deserve to hear the right side. The fact remains, there will always be stories to be told, some fake, others real, all depends on who is the one narrating them. For me, this was a case of been naïve. Mates, when I came to wrestling a few years ago, I thought it was all fun and games, little did I know that this Aussie was dead wrong. I don’t get it, like a bloody wombat to a dingo, I was scoured up, I didn’t know any better and maybe that is what was wrong with me all along, I don’t know but the fact remains much like Persephone, life had become a game….
One I wasn’t very good at.
When you live your life in a bubble, you tend to see the outside world in different shapes, they don’t look real. I believed in humanity, all of you really and isn’t that the theme here especially going into this match?
Believe.
The choices we make, the life we live, the things we see and experience are all part of our maturation but let me ask all of you this, what happens when you learn nothing about maturing through your actions and the consequences faced from them? I know, pretty deep shit there, follow along….
Because you see, this didn’t have to be about poisonous existence….
But when you fed us the venom?
It was us that became Toxic.
THOSE GIRLS ARE POISON
A few years back, Kaycee Caprice was on top of the world, coming from a rich and wealthy family, all she wanted to do was wrestle, it was an opportunity for her to leave Australia and start a new life. She had joined the ranks of Chimera Pro, a chance to make a name for herself and that didn’t happen, Kaycee never won a match, matter of fact after three matches she was not only beaten but put out of commission with a concussion. Maybe she wasn’t ready for it, the training was not there or Kaycee just took things too lightly.
Kaycee learned very quickly that life was not going to give her what she wanted and instead she would need to take it. Caprice trained under Tony Todd, the father of Cindy Todd, a notorious rulebreaker that has led New Eden in the past to new heights. Kaycee really didn’t concern herself with that, it is though that at The Thunderdome in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada where she met Persephone, now that is not her real name but only one other person besides Persephone knows that, Kaycee Caprice….
That is how tight of a bond they developed early in their training.
Kaycee though, was different, Persephone was dark, a little brooding and very seductive, Kayce was fun loving and extremely naïve. She didn’t have a clue what she was getting herself into and especially the type that didn’t want to wait, she was so gung ho, she elected to leave right away, not even waited for Persephone and paid the price for it…..
Two Years Ago
New York City, NY.
Kaycee Caprice laid on the couch fast asleep, she had not been cleared to wrestle after her concussion. Wearing yoga pants and a tank top, her nails polished white and long brown hair hanging down, the beautiful Aussie was not expecting a visit from her best friend, sister at arms, the woman she left behind to pursue a career in Chimera…..
Persephone.
Wearing jeans, heels and a purple blouse with her jet black long hair hanging down and nails polished black, Persephone walks in and closes the door gently, she goes up to Kaycee who is asleep on the couch and sits next to her, brushing the strands of hair from her face, she slowly opens her amber eyes and looks up, a bit shocked and startled….
Kaycee: “Crickey! Bloody hell, you scared the piss out of me.”
Persephone: “Sorry, didn’t want to wake you, besides, is that how you’re going to greet an old friend?”
Kaycee: “You’re right, I’m sorry….”
Kaycee wraps her arms around Persephone. The two embraces for a moment before Persephone smiles and sits back, Kaycee gives her room on the couch as the two starts to catch up….
Persephone: “Don’t be. I’m here to see how you’re doing and well….”
Kaycee: “I’m fine mate, seriously. I have a concussion, so I need to stay bed ridden a few days, hopefully I get out of it soon and then I can go back to Chimera and win the Valkyrie Championship. You should totally come and watch!”
Persephone: “I don’t think that’s really such a good idea.”
Kaycee: “Why? We are great together.”
Persephone: “Not that. I mean it’s not a good idea to go back to Chimera, Kaycee.”
The beautiful Aussie starts to get a bit defensive….
Kaycee: “Why would you say anything like that? It’s not nice!”
Persephone: “I’m sorry, I must’ve left my kindness at the door after you fucking left the Thunderdome with me still there so anxious to start wrestling that you never finished your bloody training!”
Kaycee: “I did finish!”
Persephone: “No, you did not, Kaycee. What happens when you don’t huh? This is what happens. So, come with me, we’re going back home, back to Thunder Bay. Then we can go on and do what we need to, okay?”
Kaycee: “Really? You’re really going to pull this on me? Do you not remember what I had to do to even get here, Persephone? I had to literally beg my parents, I had to lie and worst part, I still have Carlton watching over me, do you know how embarrassing and annoying that is having some bloke appointed by your family to watch over you?”
Persephone: “That’s why you’re ditching him and we’re going back.”
Kaycee scoffs at the idea, instead she stands up and shakes her head, getting a bit woozy but catching herself…..
Persephone: “You are NOT well, how much more of this are we going to argue about before you get the picture?”
Kaycee: “There is nothing to argue, I’m not going back.”
Persephone sighs and nods….
Persephone: “Okay, fine. I understand.”
Kaycee: “You do?”
Persephone: “Yes, I do. I understand completely which is why I’ll let you be, I don’t want to disrupt anything. You and I are like best friends, sisters even, the last thing I would ever want to do is upset you.”
Kaycee: “Really?”
Persephone: “Yes, really, can I get a hug?”
Kaycee: “Of course!”
Kaycee walks over and hugs Persephone when suddenly….
Kaycee: “Ouch! Something bit my bum!”
Kaycee steps back a little while Persephone shakes her head, holding up an empty syringe…
Kaycee: “What the hell is that?”
Persephone: “It’s Ketamine, I’m sorry but you’re going to be out for quite a while and it works….”
Caprice’s eyes roll back as she falls on the floor unconscious….
Persephone: “….. fast.”
She shrugs her shoulders and walks into Kaycee’s room, grabbing a suitcase and packing things up for a long road trip back to Thunder Bay…..
Piper’s Point
Sydney, Australia
One Year Prior
It was the dinner that the Caprice family was expecting, their daughter, Kaitlyn Cecelia Caprice, Kaycee for short had just announced that she was going to enter professional wrestling. Her boyfriend at the time, Josh was a collegiate wrestler at the University of Sydney and after she saw him and then started watching TV she was hooked, the day before she mistakenly went to a tryout thinking it was for a fitness competition that could lead to a calendar or a magazine spread, instead it was a tryout for Race Radford, a former SWA wrestler and commentator for OWL that produced such stars as Gavin Taylor, Sebastian Blake, Vanilla Skyy, Typhoid Mary and Cindy Todd. Kaycee was excited, she actually felt like she was doing something important even if her parents wanted her to become a doctor. She ended up beating her opponent and it was by total accident….
Kaycee didn’t even care.
After coming back from dinner, Kaycee in her white dinner dress, Louboutin open toes shoes with her hair in a half ponytail and her nails polished burgundy walked in with her best friend Josey McKay in a black short crop dinner dress, peep toe matching pumps and her long black hair hanging down with her nails polished black walked behind her trying to calm her down as Carlton opened the door and allowed Mr. and Mrs. Caprice inside dressed in a black suit and purple evening gown respectively….
Barbara: “Kaitlyn, you will cut this nonsense this instant. We took you to dinner to celebrate your graduation and expected that you have decided to go for your Doctrine’s and follow in our footsteps, what the bloody hell is this a joke? Wrestling, how barbaric.”
Kaycee can only shake her head, she sits down on the plush white leather couch and folds her arms in defiance. Josey sits next to her knowing that there is no one else in that house supporting her decision at the moment. She gently rubs her back trying to calm her down……
Milton: “She is right Kaitlyn; you are a Caprice not some crow eater. We gave you a very fine education young lady, we have supplied you with everything you want in hopes that you would carry on the family tradition but to see that you are contemplating this wrestling thing is absurd. Are we expected to be okay with this? To watch you throw away your life and for what? A few dollars? So that your beautiful skin that we paid for gets bruised?”
She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. The fact her parents are acting this way toward her is disheartening, she thought they would question her decisions but not berate her in the process. Maybe the shock of not wanting to be a doctor was one thing but the reaction was a bit overboard….
Kaycee: “You didn’t pay for my skin, I’m not a Barbie Doll dad. You make it sound like I’m some toy or something, I’m not. I like wrestling, I think I could be really good at it. I don’t know if I could be a doctor.”
Barbara: “You have Doctor blood in you, this is nonsense Kaitlyn, the jokes over. I know you’re young and you want to travel the world, your dad and I can understand that, take a year off, go on vacation, live life and travel but come right back and start on your Doctrines. Is as simple as that, we understand, we really do and are willing to help you anyway we can.”
Kaycee: “Then help me become a wrestler mum.”
Barbara: “Did you not hear what I just said young lady? You will NOT be pursuing this wrestling thing anymore. We had the discussion, the answer is no, that is it. You will finish college in the Master’s program and then go for your Doctrines. You will not be the first to break tradition Kaitlyn, you will not.”
Josey wants to speak up in all of this but she knows that in her position she shouldn’t though she believes that her parents are being unreasonable…..
Josey: “Mr. and Mrs. Caprice, Kaycee really wants to pursue this, she even qualified yesterday to be trained by some of the best. This is really a good opportunity for her. Do you really think that she is going to embrace being a Doctor if she doesn’t want to be one? Think about that for a second, all that money wasted in school and she will be so disconnected and why? Because you want her to be a doctor and she doesn’t?”
Milton: “Josey, we appreciate that you are looking out for Kaitlyn but I can assure you that we have her best interests at heart here. It is a phase; it is always a phase with Kaitlyn. You remember the time she wanted to be a croc hunter until that Steve Irwin bloke died? This is the same thing. She went to this tryout, beat some woman that apparently was huge and now suddenly she thinks that she can wrestle? Kaitlyn, they will kill you out there, do you understand? I don’t want to see my daughter get hurt, I don’t’ want to see something bad happen to my little girl so forgive me for being a little pessimistic here.”
Barbara: “He’s right, Kaitlyn does this all the time, she is always trying to come up with different things to do to avoid what she needs to and that is medicine.”
Finally, Kaycee stands up frustrated as all hell. She tries to walk upstairs but her father stands in front of her shaking his head in disappointment. They honestly think this is a simple phase in Kaycee’s life but she is dead serious about wrestling. Josey knows that but her parents are not sold…..
Kaycee: “Dad, get out of the way, I’m getting my things.”
Milton: “Where are you going?”
Kaycee: “I’m going to the states.”
Barbara: “Kaitlyn, enough of this!”
Kaycee: “Sorry but I really want to do this. I knew that I would get some resistance but I never imagined that you two would be so nasty about it. Right now I’m like so upset because you think I’m joking but I’m far from that. I want to do something exciting and new, not the same old stuff all the time. I’m sorry dad, mum that you don’t approve but I’m going.”
She sidesteps her father up the stairs, Josey follows as her mother and father stand there in shock. Milton paces as Barbara just shakes her head in disbelief……
Barbara: “I can’t believe this; how disrespectful she can be. We have done everything for her, she wants to wrestle? It’s insanity.”
Milton: “Wait Barbara, maybe we should be supportive, let her go do this wrestling thing.”
Barbara: “Have you lost your bloody mind?”
Milton: “I wish I had but I’m serious, she’s our daughter, we should support her and when she fails then she knows she can come back to us with open arms and be more willing to pursue medicine.”
Barbara: “Are serious?”
Milton: “I am serious. Think about it, she will be on our side, we will support her in anyway even fly her to the states, pay for everything and that way we can keep tabs on her. We will tell her that she has our blessing, I’ll even get a detail on her 24/7. This could actually work out for the better, we turn this situation around and before we know it she is with us. I’m serious Barbara, it will work.”
She continues to pace for a moment before she finally stops and nods “yes”…..
Barbara: “Okay, I agree. We support her on those ventures and yes get her on our side but she needs someone that will be our eyes. Send Carlton with her.”
Milton: “Great idea, Carlton it is. I will go talk to her now.”
Barbara: “Yes definitely.”
Milton decides to go upstairs and address his daughter, Kaycee is in her room, barefoot packing her bags, Josey is trying to talk to her and calm her down. He knocks on the door…..
Kaycee: “Go away.”
Milton: “Let’s talk.”
Kaycee: “No, go away.”
Milton: “Your mother and I have decided to support you.”
Her eyes widen, she slowly turns to face her father. Josey smiles, happy to hear that her parents are willing to cooperate with her…..
Milton: “We fully support you, we don’t like it but we are not going to stop you from going but we ask for one thing, that Carlton goes with you.”
Kaycee: “Dad…..”
Milton: “Please Kaitlyn, it’s all we ask and you will have nothing to worry about when you go to the states. Can you at least entertain your mum and I with that?”
Kaycee: “Yeah dad…no worries.”
Milton: “Good, now stop packing, brunch tomorrow, then you pack and we’ll put you on the plane this weekend. Okay?”
She smiles and nods…..
Kaycee: “Okay dad.”
The two embrace while Josey looks on with a smile on her face. Meanwhile downstairs, Barbara stands with Carlton talking to the young man……
Barbara: “You watch her like a hawk and you report everything to us, is that understood Carlton?”
Carlton: “Yes ma’am, of course.”
She cracks a smile knowing that no matter what happens her daughter will learn sooner rather than latter that wrestling will not be the career she sticks with, eventually she will go into medicine….
All the Caprice’s need is a little patience.
Two Years Ago
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Persephone drove while Kaycee laid in the passenger seat unconscious, asleep due to the dosage of Ketamine that would keep her out for hours. Persephone didn’t want to go that route but her friend gave her no choice. Sooner or later her family would find out that she was missing and come looking for her, Persephone had one thing in mind, to take her back to the Thunderdome. She dressed up Kaycee in jeans, a t-shirt and converse with no socks, something to get her ready for the trip.
Persephone knew that the only way Kaycee would ever toughen up, learn and see that there was no way she could ever compete at the level she is in now was with that mindset or how naïve she was. Tony Todd knew that but most importantly so did someone else….
A Few Weeks Prior
The woman known to the world by one name, Persephone, is sitting at a table inside a Starbucks, a large Midnight Mocha is waiting for her to devour. On this day, she is dressed in all black. Black blouse. Black leather pants. Black leather boots. She didn’t care that the weather outside the air-conditioned establishment registered in the nineties, black is her second favorite color, first is purple. She stares at her Mocha not bothering to look the slight bit interested in slurping the drink she paid a good penny for.
???: I didn’t expect for you to meet me. You’re not obligated too…
A bright smirk flashes on Persephone’s face. She brings the mocha to her lips, seductively wrapping her lips around the straw, taking a few sips of the mocha before her eyes acknowledge the male who demanded her attention. He is a tall African American male, this isn’t the first time they met, his dimensions weren’t foreign to her. Six foot four. The man pulls out the chair in front of him to take a seat. Persephone hands the mocha to the man…
Persephone: Want some Special Agent Reese? It’s quite delicious.
He shakes his head.
Reese: That’s former Special Agent Reese…
Persephone cuts the Special Agent off before he can complete his thought…
Persephone: Don’t call me by my birth name, Mr. Reese. That person is… a memory.
Reese: As long as you stop calling me Special Agent. We both know why I am not working for the FBI anymore.
She cracks a smile.
Persephone: You had a choice Mr. Reese, obey your superiors who closed the case of my dead husband or continue to stalk a grieving wife. A wise woman once told me, we all answer to someone. You chose to disregard your master’s wishes so here we are. I am about to become embark on a journey that will take me and my best friend to super stardom. While you…
Persephone shrugs…
Persephone: … continue to stalk me.
Reese: Can’t blame me for being sucker for justice.
Persephone: No I can’t, Mr. Reese. I do blame your continued need to stalk me.
It is former Special Agent Reese’s turn to smirk.
Reese: It doesn’t make sense, Persephone. Whoever you come into contact with dies without fail. You continue to walk away the beneficiary of fortune. That is the classic sign of a black widow. How you easily fooled my bosses is beyond me. You don’t have my fooled. I am onto you. I won’t rest until I bring you to justice.
Persephone: Determined. Passionate.
She passionately licks her lips.
Persephone: I like you.
Reese scoffs at Persephone’s’ obviously attempt to flirt his suspicions away.
Reese: I am not going to end up like the rest of your victims.
She takes another sip of her mocha.
Persephone: I admire a man who is willing to move heaven and Earth to get what he wants. Lost your job. Your wife. When is the last time you’ve seen your children, Mr. Reese?
Reese scowls.
Reese: Hey, how do you know I have kids. Leave them out of this.
Persephone: What’s the point of playing a game if we don’t know what hand to play? You took the liberty of finding out my real name. Only fair I look into your life, don’t you think? Of course not. For you, you think “bringing me to justice” will fix the fact you want to prove that I am this… what did you call me… black widow who leaves a trail of destruction in my wake…
She frowns.
Persephone: I am offended you would accuse a still grieving wife of using the man I loved.
He rolls his eyes.
Reese: That’s the part that doesn’t make sense. You are in your mid twenties. Your deceased husband was in his seventies. Rich. He could not had been enough to…
Former Special Agent Reese trails off. He couldn’t bring himself to finish what he wanted to say. Persephone tilts her head to the side.
Persephone: Complete your thought, Mr. Reese. Don’t stop now.
Reese: My point is, I am not going to let you get away with this. One day I am going to find the smoking gun, and when I do, you’re going to prison. I thought you were smarter. The mistake you made was becoming a professional wrestler. Now, you’re visible. Nowhere for you to hide. I’ll be watching you. Every town you travel to. Every hotel you reside in. I’ll be there. I have nothing to lose, Persephone. My only purpose in life is to bring your husband and the others who died some justice.
Persephone chuckles.
Persephone: Charming. Can I ask you a question.
Reese: Sure. Go ahead.
Persephone: Is there a order of protection preventing you from being within a certain distance from me? And are you in violation of it right now? Yes, you can argue I invited you, nullifying the order. You would be correct. Now, the question you need to ask yourself, why with a protective order in place would I allow you to get this close to me?
Reese: Because you’re a sociopath!
Persephone: It’s not nice to name call, Mr. Reese…. Trevor Reese. To answer your inquiry, how did I find out you had a wife and kid? I did my research. And I happened to find your wife and child. Why didn’t you tell Elena about me? Why didn’t you tell her I am the alleged unsub of the case you neglected your duties as a husband and a father? Wouldn’t she like to know everything? Now she does know everything…
Persephone points over her shoulder to someone who is holding newspaper to block their face. The person lowers the paper to reveal a Caucasian woman with blonde hair who forces Trevor Reese to pop out of his seat in absolute shock. Elena walks over to the table they are sitting at. She gives Trevor a firm slap across the face.
Elena: Really? You were willing to give up your family to torment this poor girl? Think of the example you’re setting for our daughter.
Reese: Please, Elena, don’t fall for her games. She is a textbook sociopath. She is trying to ruin my life because she knows I am telling the truth. That woman is a murderer. A con artist. You have no clue how many aliases she has used over the years, she is in the same league as Ted Bundy.
Elena: Now you’re being ridiculous. She’s a sweet girl.
Reese: Don’t be naive, Elena. Don’t let her fool you, too.
Elena: The only naive one is me, Trevor. I was a fool to think you would be the man I married. Know what, I’m done. You won’t see my daughter again if I have anything to do with it.
Elena storms off. Reese looks dejected. In a fit of rage Former Special Agent Reese flips the table over. He grabs Persephone by the throat…
Reese: I’m going to kill you, you hear me. I’m going to kill you.
Persephone doesn’t bother freeing herself from his grasp. It takes several people in the Starbucks to pull the massive man off of Persephone. The group of people drag Reese towards the front of the store, the last thing he said on his way out was…
Reese: THIS ISN’T OVER. THIS, ISN’T, OVER.
With the coast clear, Persephone avoids anyone who wanted to see how she was doing after the assault from the former Special Agent. She skirted to the bathroom, there was no one inside. She felt her neck where Reese had wrapped his firm hands around, with a devilish smirk on her face she caresses the bruise. Her attention is then diverted to her pants pocket, pulling out her vibrating phone, she answers cheerfully.
Persephone: Hey Kaycee. How are you doing girl?
…
Persephone: Not much. Had to deal with a situation from my past that won’t quite go away. No worries. The person in question got the message. I don’t believe it is over. If it was, where would be the fun in that?
…
Persephone: How are things? Listen, I’ll call you back in a bit.
Slipping the phone into her pocket, Persephone exits the bathroom. She made sure to give everyone in the Starbucks a show. To the world she is the woman who was victimized by an obsessive man on a mission to take her down. On the inside she is smiling, playing the game to her heart’s content. Only she knows for certain whether former Special Agent Trevor Reese is right….
… and that is an answer she will take to her grave.
Persephone walked to her car and stepped in, she started the ignition when she realized someone was sitting in the back seat, quickly turning around she saw the Queen of Chaos, Cindy Todd there in leather pants, boots and matching jacket, her nails polished black and long hair hanging down….
Persephone: “Cindy?”
Cindy: “Hello, I know we haven’t really talked much, I try not to involve myself with my father’s students. Bad for business, if you know what I mean.”
Persephone: “I do. What can I do for you?”
Cindy: “I can’t help but notice you have a checkered past.”
Persephone: “That really…”
Cindy: “Yes, I know, none of my business. See, Persephone I am the type of woman that likes to make a lot of things her business and this is no different. I can’t help but admire your approach, this tenacity you have which is why I am here to talk to you about Kaycee Caprice.”
Persephone: “She left school to Chimera.”
Cindy: “I know. Bring her back.”
Persephone slowly turns around to face the gorgeous Todd. Now she is intrigued, wondering why she has shown so much interest in she and Kaycee. Wanting to ask questions but knowing that she may not get the answers she’s looking for…..
Persephone: “Why the interest?”
Cindy: “Potential, is that not so bad?”
Persephone: “I’m not following.”
Cindy: “I like you too, let’s just say it’s the perfect mix. We have this gentle little Aussie flower, a rose if you will in Kaycee. So pure and naïve, it makes you want to just hug her all day, am I not correct in my assessment?”
Persephone: “You are.”
Cindy: “And you, a dark past, a thorn in the bush. A Rose and a Thorn, the perfect combination. My father has taught you everything there is to know about the ring but psychology? Leave that to me. I can help you both, spend some time away, learn the craft and when you both are ready to debut? The world will be taken by storm, wouldn’t you agree?”
Persephone: “But why?”
Cindy: “That’s easy Persephone, why not? In time, this sport is going to become nothing more than a platform for men and women to show off their gimmicks, use it as a platform for Hollywood, bigger and better things. My father has spent his entire life creating Champions all to see it disappear in a cloud of smoke due to the ever-changing business? That is why I need good people to fight this war on the forefront. Are we really going to accept Snow Queens and Perfect 10’s? You’re smarter than that Persephone or at least I would hope you are.”
The raven haired vixen nods…..
Persephone: “I tend to be.”
Cindy: “Good, so you will bring her back?”
Persephone hesitates for a moment then nods….
Persephone: “And if she doesn’t want to come back?”
Cindy hands her a small box, Persephone opens it, finding a syringe and bottle of liquid….
Cindy: “Then you make her.”
Two Years Ago
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Persephone looks over at Kaycee who hasn’t moved a muscle. She parks and gets out, opening the door and grabbing her friend, lifting her up on her shoulders and carrying her inside the Thunderdome. There is a training room in the back, the facility is empty, the door was left open for Persephone as she makes her way toward the back. She lays Kaycee down on sofa in the locker room….
Suddenly turning around and seeing Cindy Todd standing there in jeans, a leather jacket, boots and a white button up untucked shirt….
Cindy: “I’ll take it from here.”
Persephone: “What do you mean?”
Cindy: “I mean, she comes with me. Don’t worry, she’ll be back in a day or two, I promise you that.”
Persephone: “I broke her trust, she’s my friend, Cindy, my…. Sister.”
Cindy: “I know so I need you to trust me. Tomorrow you have class, be there, on time. My father expects it. She will be there, tell my father and that is all.”
Persephone: “But…”
Cindy: “Shhh… we are done.”
Persephone sighs and backs up, looking down at the unconscious Kaycee, she turns back to Cindy who cracks a smile….
Persephone: “Take care of her.”
Cindy: “Trust me, I will.”
With that said, Persephone leaves. Cindy sits down and waits about an hour before Kaycee starts to come to, she slowly sits up with her eyes trying to focus on the woman standing in front of her, that being Cindy Todd….
Kaycee: “Cindy…. Todd?”
Cindy: “Hello Kaycee, it’s finally nice to spend some time with you alone.”
Kaycee: “What is happening? Last thing I remember me bum was hurt and I blacked out.”
Cindy: “Persephone brought you back to Thunder Bay, you’ve been unconscious for about 12 hours now. You’re home so there is nothing to worry about.”
Kaycee: “I’m home!? I wanted to stay in New York! This was my chance to make it big and be…..”
Cindy: “Silence! Silence. You do not have a choice in the matter. You’re here because of this poor decision making, what have we learned so far Kaycee? That if you think for one minute this business is unforgiving and you are going to waltz on in and be some cute little pin up girl you’re wrong! You were eaten up, swallowed and spit out and all for what? To defy your parents? To become something, you’re not? I know what you can be and I can bring it out of you.”
Kaycee holds her head, a bit confused as Cindy walks over and brushes her long hair back….
Cindy: “Let me help you. You want to survive in this business, you want to succeed? You want to be able to say that you made it? Good. Then allow me to help you make it. Come with me, take my hand and allow us as one to bring the best out of you. A delicate Rose? And her Thorn.”
Kaycee: “Rose? Thorn? I….”
Cindy smiles and slowly leans in, kissing Kaycee on the lips almost hypnotizing her in mid-sentence. Kaycee again goes limp in Cindy’s arms as she helps Caprice up to her feet.….
Cindy: “Come home with me?”
Kaycee: “…. Yes.”
Cindy: “Good girl, you won’t regret it.”
With that said, Cindy takes Kaycee out through the back and into her car, they drive away into the night of Thunder Bay….
Two Days Later
Thunderdome
Tony Todd stands in the ring, he has 15 students there including Persephone. He paces a little as the potential wrestlers watch on hand. Suddenly the door open, he stops and turns to see Kaycee Caprice walk in with a bag in hand, she has her wrestling gear on ready to compete, he looks on shocked first because she was hurt and second, she wasn’t supposed to be there, still in New York resting. Her long brown hair now with purple highlights, Persephone looks on as well cracking a smile as she sees a totally different Kaycee…..
Tony: “Kaycee? What are you doing here, eh?”
Kaycee: “Persephone had convinced me that I was gone too soon. I should have finished my training and I was foolish to go ahead without it being done.”
Tony: “You’re injury?”
Kaycee: “Clean bill of health.”
She takes out a Doctor’s note and hands it to Todd. He looks over it and nods, then back to Persephone who smirks….
Tony: “Is this true?”
Persephone: “Yes, it is.”
Tony: “Then good, nice to have you back Kaycee.”
Kaycee: “It’s good to be back, Coach Todd.”
Tony nods and starts the class, he points at Kaycee and gestures her to start first with another young woman, Macy Lane. Persephone looks on, Tony rings the bell as Kaycee and Macy lock but quickly there is an aggressiveness to Kaycee never seen before, she lifts Lane and throws her on the ropes, snaps back and locks her in a triangle choke, she starts to tap but Kaycee holds on and smiles before letting go, Todd looks over at Persephone who shrugs her shoulders.
Kaycee stands up, runs against the ropes and kicks Macy with in the face with a Mafia Kick knocking her out….
Tony: “Enough! Match is over Kaycee!”
Tony Todd grabs Caprice and takes her to the side…..
Tony: “What was that about?”
Kaycee: “Ask her.”
She points at Cindy Todd who stands by the doorway, Tony sighs and puts his head down, walking toward his daughter who smiles….
Tony: “I thought we had an agreement, you do not influence my students.”
Cindy: “She and Persephone are different dad, they are very special and I couldn’t help myself. Just finish their training, I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.”
Tony: “Damn it Cynthia.”
Cindy: “Love you.”
She kisses her father and walks out, Tony looks over his shoulder at Kaycee who smiles and turns to Persephone…..
Persephone: “I like this.”
Kaycee: “Good, next time you drug me, I’ll rip your bloody tongue out, mate.”
She winks, Persephone cracks a smirk as the two walk to the side and it was on that day….
The Rose and the Thorn were created….
The birth of Toxin.
SCENE FADES
Told you, there is always a beginning and an end to every story, we all have a starting point and honestly for me, it was the day my best friend and a woman that helped me see the light showed that I could be something so much more. I was naïve, sure, innocence lost but in due time….
Persephone and I?
Will be part of something so much bigger.
The seeds are planted.
PROMO TIME
LETHAL INJECTION
The Scene opens….
By the bay, alongside the Golden Gate Bridge stand both Kaycee Caprice and Persephone. Both wearing jeans and open toed boots, black halter tops, their nails polished white. Kaycee and Persephone are the team known as Toxin, they are mysterious, sexy and sultry. No one knows their intentions, why they are here, their purpose but graduating from the Thunderdome automatically puts them in the same light as Cindy Todd, The Queen of Chaos. This match is important for both ladies, it is against a former and possible next World Champion in Selena Frost of the SCW and Ricky Octavius of UWA, the current X-Limits Champ. This is a moment they have been waiting for a chance to really put on a good show and put other teams on notice especially the big leagues like the SCW, UWA, GCW and MCW to name a few.
The camera begins to record…
REC:
Kaycee steps up and starts to talk in a very sarcastic Australian accent with a huge smile…..
“G’day mates! Here I am shivering me knickers off a little with this nice cool Bay breeze in the middle of the bloody summer, who would have guessed it right? It doesn’t really matter, Persephone and I wanted a background that was fitting to what we are doing, eye appealing, maybe take your focus away from us and on something else…
Didn’t work eh?
Didn’t think so. So anyhoo like I was saying, I’m happy like a Banana Bender that the World Hazard Festival took a chance on us. See, a few years ago me mum and dad hated that I’m a pro wrestler, they think it’s a dangerous job and I’m going to be hurt; seriously though I’m a big Bimby that can take care of me self. I think I proved it in Chimera the few times I competed before being hurt, I held my own and such, was a bit nervous, made me knickers moist but….”
Persephone taps her on the shoulder and whispers something in her ear….
“I can’t say that? Bloody hell mate, I look like a drongo! Wait I can’t …ahem, sorry….”
She clears her throat and turns her attention back to the camera…..
“Pay me no attention, wait pay attention just not what I say and wait what I meant to say was pay me no attention when I speak in Australian slang, yeah that’s it. So back to this World Hazard Festival, we are excited to take part in this historic match against Selena Frost and Ricky Octavius, the fans will be out of control and it will be like croc wrestling, well without the big croc that will eat you up like a steaming bucket of prawns. The best of the best will be there and WE are honored to be a part of that. Persephone, Cindy Todd, Siouxsie Blade, Punk Hazard….
Me?
Right, Me! This show is only going to get better, brrrr…..it’s cold! The windshield factor alone has frozen me toes….”
Persephone again whispers something in her ear….
“I know it was me idea to wear these bloody shoes, we had a fresh pedicure, I get it, bad call! I will take the blame, this time.”
Kaycee clears her throat as Persephone smirks….
“I’m tough though as you will see, I had to go against me parents just to be here, they are not happy with my decisions but they also understand that I’m a young adult and can make me own choices, things though went awry for me, concussions and I became a huge failure. These choices, may not always be the right ones but with a face as cute as mine I don’t make too many wrong ones. I trained for this, I went up to Canada, they are so nice up there, mates, love their maple syrup and say “eh” a lot. Such nice people, that’s where I learned my craft so I am very confident that I can hang with the best along with my partner. Look, I have every resource available to me, except for something to stop this wind from blowing in me face.”
Persephone steps in front of the wind to block it. Kaycee cracks a huge smile and continues to speak into the camera…..
“Thanks Persephone, I swear this wind keeps blowing me nose is going to be filled with bush oysters. As I was saying, we make our tag team debut at the World Hazard Festival against Selena Frost and Ricky Octavius, yes Selena, what a wallop she packs mate, she’s good, really good and a former World Champion and you know how much that impresses me?
ZERO.”
Her demeaner quickly changes…..
“She is tough and one of the building blocks of the SCW, I gotta say that she along with a few others could go anywhere and dominate… wait, she tried that and failed. Then there is Ricky Octavius, you’re bigger and stronger, I’m cuter and more talented, somethings gotta give. When I was a little Bimby brat back in Australia I always thought that hurting others wasn’t my thing, I mean really, I probably would’ve been a model or something but that was just too boring. I needed to find a corker of an idea and one day I was watching wrestling, there are a lot of cute guys, big muscular blokes like you that just kept me in awe, the gals too, I’ll tell you the first time I saw them wrestle I thought to me self….
I can do that…..
Well that was before wondering how they got so hot and when I did I started questioning me sexuality mates and that kinda scared me, I didn’t know I was or could be a doovylackey but I knew I like me doodles. Well as stupid as it sounds, I decided to join wrestling, put me body on the line but I’m a tougher than I look, I can brave anything and Persephone can attest to that for I learned the hard lessons that people like Selena Frost don’t give a shit about people like us. Ricky Octavius?
Come on Bloke, you and I both know that you agree, this world is fucked and Cindy Todd is a pretty damn good teacher mate.…..”
She turns and whispers to Persephone….
“It’s fucking cold!”
“Would you like to go inside?”
“No….”
Persephone chuckles a little, allowing Kaycee to continue her speech….
“Isn’t Persephone just the sweetest!? No you can’t have her, except she may be a blast at Birthday parties and such! No, come a gutser mates, come a gutser. So back to you Selena and Ricky, at World Hazard we are going two and two and you’re the favorite, there is no denying that. Both of you are Class World Champion wrestlers and we are a bunch of drongos eh? The unknown Sheila’s? Not exactly. I know that are back is to the wall, at least me arse balances the rest, right? We are going to surprise you two, we have the skill and the talent to be the same type of Champions as you, we definitely have the face to be the women that leads professional wrestling in 2017 and beyond, you’re our first step. I know mate that a lot guys and gals are going to come out here and run you down with insults, others will kill you with a whole bunch of kindness and respect, say they respect you here, they respect you there and all that bollocks….
After World Hazard some will be Gobsmacked, others will know the name Kaycee Caprice and Persephone, of course they kinda already know me, ever notice how Aussie Jillaroos are always fancied by the boys? Must be me voice. Selena and Ricky, I have seen what you can do and if I didn’t tell you I was a bit grumbly about getting creamed in the past when I first started I’d be lying. Sure I have those wallaby’s jumping in me stomach….”
Persephone leans in again and whispers something in her ear…..
“I said wallaby’s mate, why would it be butterflies? They are all pretty and gentle, I don’t want to feel all relaxed that I’m in the nuddy on me couch leg spread and….I just said that on TV didn’t I?”
“Yes you did, now every man on God’s Green Earth is going to fantasize about you being in the “nuddy” when all I said is that American’s say Butterflies.”
“Persephone, look mate a wallaby will fuck up your stomach, butterflies are gentle, now if you had said caterpillars that’s a different story, they are just ewwww! American’s find too many gentle creatures dangerous. I mean I’m trying to look all cute and instead I’m shivering like a broken leaf and me nipples are rock har…..we really need to stop filming, I’m not used to this camera!”
“Kaycee, your audience is waiting for you to finish what you were saying about Ricky and Selena, beautiful.”
Kaycee rolls her eyes and slowly turns back around with a huge grin on her face. A sheepish one. She clears her throat and continues to address the camera…..
“Sorry, Persephone and I were having a discussion about the butterflies and the wallaby’s. Back to what I was saying. I’m not going to blow smoke up your arse, I respect your ability but you two are walking in here confident. I know that you think you might have the upper hand but I can promise you this, we are bringing the fight to you both, we will make sure that everyone sees that this tag team division will one day belong to US….
I’ve been knocked down many times, well no more!
I’ll get right up and do it again….well unless they break me back or something, then I couldn’t get up if I tried but damn it I’ll fight in a wheelchair if I have too no matter what my chances are because in my life I’ll be honest, I have everything I want, I didn’t have to work for anything, I could have easily just stayed and lived in the west wing of me parent’s mansion but I’m not like that, I should earn my keep and that’s exactly what I am going to do at the expense of both Selena Frost and Ricky Octavius though I must say, Ricky, I will enjoy stepping in the ring with you mate.”
The gorgeous Aussie cracks a smile as Persephone giggles a little, the two turns to each other and giggle some more before she winks and allows Persephone to now speak…
“Quite interesting how we got here.
Kaycee and I waited. And waited. And waited to be challenged to a match. We put out feelers on Twitter, too. We grew quite impatient. Deadline came, no one challenged us to a fight. Now, there are several theories floating around, the most popular of them being no one wanted to challenge us. It would be fun to entertain that theory, a more arrogant person would make that claim overestimating their own importance. I like to have fun. I’m not serious all the time. I would have loved for someone to lay down the gauntlet, could have been, interesting. Everyone else was making challenges. Selena even wanted to be tag partners with a friend of Kaycee and mine. In the end, nothing came of it. Dante needed to work his promoter magic. So here we are. Toxin versus a current champion in Ricky and the much hyped, near unbeatable force of a woman who has inspired a mixed bag of feelings in the wrestling world, Selena Frost.
I’ll never forget the feeling of being overlooked. Everyone else had their agenda, we didn’t fit their plans. I’m not upset. On the contrary, having no one challenge us gives Kaycee and I a worthy goal to aspire to. What is life without goals? An empty one in my humble opinion. We should be the most talked about. Teams all around the world should aspire to beat us, to rise up to our standard, if me and Kaycee aren’t in this to be the best tag team on the planet, we are doing something wrong, right? So alas, we set out on our journey. We won’t set the bar… we aim to be the bar as the common saying goes. A year from now, no one will overlook us. No one will dismiss us. Their desire will be to prove they are the best by stepping up to the plate to try to beat us, so yes, we are the goal the rest of the tag team world will aspire to reach. We won’t make it easy on you.”
Kaycee looks on, shivering a little and smiling as Persephone cracks a sexy smirk….
“Does this position feel familiar to you, Mr. Octavius? It should. World Hazard 2017, you partnered with a woman from the infamous Mallory family to challenge two established veterans, Selena and Marina. In defeat, you and Celeste more than proved to the world you were ready for the world stage. Fast forward to this year. Me and Kaycee find ourselves in the same position you were, standing across the ring from two established veterans. You are the establishment now. A former Hybrid and current X-Limits Champion in UWA. You have earned quite the reputation for being the ambassador of wrestling, always quick to spread the good cheer, including myself and Kaycee on social media. Quite the charmer, aren’t you? Looker too. I’ve checked out several photos you and your beloved posted of yourself on Twitter. Scrumptious. Me and Kaycee could have some fun with a piece of meat like yourself…”
Persephone and Kaycee both giggle before rubbing noses….
“Unfortunately, Mr Octavius, fun of the erotic persuasion is off the table, for now.”
Persephone winks, Kaycee smiles…
“Can’t blame a girl for being overwhelmed by your masculinity. Some would describe the effect you have on Peyton as intoxicating. Poisonous. A poison seeps through every inch of your system, slowly infecting you, breaking down your nervous system until the will to continue is not enough to overcome the sheer magnitude the poison has on the body. Isn’t that how every boy meets girl story ends up? With someone falling victim to the poisonous effects of the other’
It doesn’t matter how much of a good Samaritan you are, Mr. Octavius, poison, in your case, toxin, affects everybody the same way. You can be a legend. A hall of famer. A future one. The past or present of the business, one way or another; everyone succumbs to toxin’s lethal effects. No one is truly safe, not even you Mr. Scrumptious. You are mature enough to understand this is nothing personal. I trust that I am speaking to man, not a child like most of the men and women who make their voices known in our business. Kaycee and I have a statement to make. Through a matter of sheer fate, you Mr. Octavius landed on our lap. If there is anyone to blame on this day, look up to the sky, blame fate. Not us. You may be a nice guy, when the bell rings, you my good man are not a delectable piece of meat I may or may not have had a few dirty thoughts about, you are a credible opponent who Kaycee and I are going to infect with a lethal dose of… Toxin.”
“Ooooh… poison!”
“It is only natural to feel nostalgic, am I right? I can imagine you stepping into the ring against Kaycee and I, you will allow all those good memories from last year sweep you off your feet, the adrenaline rush from allowing the nostalgia to overwhelm you will feel quite refreshing. What better way to give back to the event that made you a household name then by gracing us with your presence? That would be a touching sentiment. A noble one at that. I have a feeling that your foray this year will end the same way it did last year, in defeat. Only difference of course is Kaycee and I will make a name off you and Selena the same way you and Celeste etched your name in stone by giving the veterans a run for their money. We plan on winning. Losing is not an option. Nothing personal, hun.”
The two ladies look at one another and laugh again before turning back to the camera….
“Does this year feel like Groundhog Day, Selena?
A year ago you were overwhelmed by your circumstances. You wanted to be the Queen of the Triad. The defender of professional wrestling. Protector of the innocent. Far and wide you carried your beliefs to every wrestling company that would take you under their wing. But your ambitions drove you mad. World Hazard gave you an escape from being Queen of all of Wrestling. This year I can see the pattern. One company to defend versus two is a mark improvement to your travel schedule. The pressure is still there, this time in the form of Tainted Justice. Blake and Bree Experience. Regan Street. The list goes on. We’ve seen a different side of you as of late. More fereal. More willing to cross a few lines. You were charged with defending SCW again, some questioned your boss’s decision, so once again Mrs Frost, you come to World Hazard. See what I mean by Groundhog Day? Feels like the same day all over again, does it not?
For a star of your magnitude you can afford to look at World Hazard as an escape. What do you have to lose falling to Kaycee and I? Your spot in Supreme Championship Wrestling is secure. No one will hold a loss at World Hazard against you. Plus, there is the mystery as I am recording this video of, do you even care about winning? Will you approach our contest mirror your match with Ricky and Celeste from last year?”
Kaycee covers her mouth in shock and awe, trying to stay straight faced as Persephone smirks and winks at her before turning back to the camera…
“Just so we’re clear Mrs. Frost, World Hazard for myself is not about having fun. It is not about taking it easy from my regular job. This event is not an escape from the daily grind of being a mythical hero in a foreign land. To put it frankly, Mrs. Frost… World HAZARD 2017 for me is about planting my flag on the world stage.
This is a stage for Toxin to put the world on notice. Who am I exactly? You know my partner. Kaycee has been on the big stage before, Chimera, you may have heard of the place. The world has followed her on Twitter longer than I. The wrestling world knows Kaycee a lot better than I. This is my first time on the world stage. Pretty big deal for my individual. I don’t want to let myself, and especially Kaycee down. She could have chosen to get on her trusty stead alone to carve out a niche for herself. But she came to me, her best friend, her sister in arms, she wants to share the world stage with me, and for that I am eternally honored. What that means for you Selena, especially you Selena, is I am taking our match a lot more seriously than you can even imagine.
Should be interesting, hmm to stand across the ring from the infamous Snow Queen, Alaskan Dragon… the near unbeatable force that has drawn to her a sea of believers, that’s cure. You earned everything you have accomplished. On this day Mrs. Frost, with one match Kaycee and I will make the world believers in US.“
Kaycee steps up with her eyes narrowing….
“With a lethal injection…..
Of Toxin.”
Persephone and Kaycee both look into the camera before they start to laugh out loud…
FADE TO BLACK
/REC
ToXXin 