chapter i. // the chariot.

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December 7th, 2021
12:30 PM
Ellie Quinn's Apartment, Chicago, Illinois

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     A long night of drinking left Ellie Quinn waking up after noon once again. Groaning as she slowly popped her head out from underneath the sheets and electric blanket. Another day, another hangover. Grunting as she slapped away at the nightstand, finally gripping a water bottle and a bottle of Aleve. Taking two of the pills to try and subside the ache. Finally, she moved into a seated position, grunting as she stretched her sore body. Arms outstretched as she let out a yawn before her phone began to buzz. Looking as she received a text from her tag partner, Andi Wylde. Quickly tapping her thumb against the touchscreen keyboard and sending her response before pulling herself out from under the covers.

     Letting out a grunt as she approached her couch, the redhead practically flopped on her face onto the leather sofa. Sighing as she tried to pull herself together, albeit unsuccessfully. Groaning as her phone began to ring as soon as she tossed it onto the coffee table and out of reach.

     "Fuck. Off."

     Today was going to be a long fucking day.

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December 7th, 2021
8:30 PM
Outback Steakhouse, Chicago, Illinois

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     Such a nice night for a table for three.

     Culture Shock were all seated in a booth. The largest of the trio, Jodi Turner sat in one seat by herself, Ellie and Andi sharing a seat. Ellie was seemingly in far better spirits, albeit thanks to a couple of beers. The trio had each pounded back a couple brewskis while waiting on their dinners. Jodi had a rack of ribs and fries, hungrily gnawing away at the meat placed before her. A tipsy Andi Wylde nibbling on some chicken fingers as Ellie took a knife and fork to her sirloin, taking a bite before addressing her partners.

     "Y'all ready? Because we're about to shock the world."

     Flashing a smirk, Ellie leans back in the booth, wrapping her arm around the backrest and around Andi's shoulders.

     "About goddamn time. We're ready to make an impact, ain't we, Andi?"

     "Yup! Y-You know that Jodi and I will have your back, Ellie. Now...can we eaaaaaat!? Your girl is staaaaaarving!"

     "Good thing you ain't driving, Wylde."

     "Bro, I'm fine!"

     Ellie continues to smirk as her stablemates banter, nodding along and rubbing Andi's shoulder before the trio dig into their meals, all three on Ellie's dime.

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December 9th, 2021
2:30 AM
Outside Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois

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     "This is my fucking city."

     Ellie Quinn was seated on the ground, her back pressed against the glass exterior of the Wintrust Arena. Her hot breath visible in the cold, lit nighttime air. A cigarette hung out of her mouth, puffing smoke into the air as she looked into the camera she'd set up in front of her. Next to her sits Andi Wylde and Jodi Turner, her teammates in Culture Shock.

     "I don't think there's any better place to make my debut for PWE than here in Chicago. Hell, I live a ten minute walk away from this arena! No better place in the world to show the entire world that Ellie Quinn is the future of this industry. Ain't that right, girls?"

     Jodi Turner is the first to respond, a smirk on her lips as she adjusts her hoodie.

     "Culture Shock is going to show the world that we're a force to be reckoned with. We are the most dominant force in PWE, and everyone will find out just how dangerous we are."

     Andi Wylde sits up from her position laying on the ground, cracking her neck as she also speaks.

     "We're going to shock the system and take this company over."

     Wrapping her arms around her stablemates, Ellie smirks in agreement with their remarks.

     "Damn right we're taking this place over, babygirl. We're going to show everyone in this company that Culture Shock is the most dominant faction in professional wrestling, come hell or high water. See, the three of us are ready to show everyone in this company that its our way or the goddamn highway. For months, I was part of a group that intended to take over a company, only for some total dipshit to come along and ruin everything. Lucky us, I'm not dumb enough to let some dipshit make all my decisions for me. That's not going to happen to us here. It's us against the world, no questions asked, no new friends, no giving other people handouts. No remorse, no second chances."

     "And you know? Speaking of handouts, it feels like they gave me a fuckin' layup here. I mean, yeah, it's a five way match, but look at who else is in the match! Some wannabe cop, a roided-up musclehead, two nobodies, and me. I mean, you might as well just give me the win by default! It doesn't matter how many needles you put into your ass, how cute you are, how many handcuffs you pack, no one on this roster can touch me. Not a single goddamn soul. I'm on another level, another plane compared to every wrestler in that locker room, and nobody knows that fact better than Charlie Jones herself."

     "It's been a while, hasn't it, Chuck? You know, since I beat you down in that hallway in Glasgow? Since I practically ripped the KINGDOM Pro Atlantic Championship out of your hands? That was the night my career hit another stratosphere. A month later, that championship was officially mine. And now? Now, I'm coming for the PWE Victory Championship. And just like there was nothing you could do that night in Glasgow, there's nothing that you can do to stop me from ripping yet another championship away from someone's hands. Except this time? It's not in the name of Killjoy Club, it's in the name of Ellie fucking Quinn."

     "So, let's take a look at who they've lined up for me to knock down one-by-one, shall we? We have Grim, the wannabe cop. Well, everyone knows all cops are bastards, and you look like one big, dumb bastard. We have Samuel Scythe, who's muscles are 100% manmade by chemicals to the point you can probably poke his biceps with a needle and the 'roids will burst out like a geyser. We got Cassie McBride...better known as Generic Blonde Number Five. Then you got Taylor Blazer, who might actually prove she's something close to a challenge if she tries hard enough. Sure, kid, you've got the muscles, you've got the athleticism, you've got the moves...but let's see how quickly I can break you in the middle of that ring."

     "Then we have the very, very special referee, Lachlan Kane. Sure, you have ten-pack abs and you probably haven't eaten a carb since 1996, but from what I've seen of you? You ain't that fucking special. I take one look at you, and you wanna' know what I see, champ? Just another guy. Bland, generic, drifting on the barebones. Yawn. Snoresville, population: us. You wanna' do yourself a favor? Don't fuck me over, be a good little boy and you count that three count, and then? Then you can keep that title nice and warm for a real champion to take it from you. So, let's poll the room about this match, shall we? Say, Jod', you think any of these guys can beat me?"

     "No fuckin' chance."

     "Andi?"

     "Every single person on this roster has a better chance of winning the lottery than they do of beating any of us in that ring. And you're going to prove it when you take out four of them on your own in one match."

     "Damn...seems like none of you have the Culture Shock seal of approval. That sucks for you, couldn't be me. You think I can beat all four of these dudes, Jodi?"

     "Kane may as well just hand over the belt now. Just wasting his time and everyone else's time trying to hang onto it."

     "You hear that, 'Scrapper'? You should be listening and listening real good, because if you stay in my way much longer, 'The Scrapper' is going to be ripped into nothing but scraps I wouldn't feed to my fuckin' dog. Whether you like it or not, that Victory Championship will be wrapped around my waist before you even know what hits you, Lachlan. These other four clowns are just minor speed bumps on the way to the promised land. And you'll have a birds-eye view of just how dangerous we can be when you're refereeing that five way match. You'll see exactly what's headed your way...but you're on the tracks staring down a freight train now. And you're not getting out of the way in time before Ellie Quinn runs your ass over."

     "You all will be made an example of. The message is simple: You get in our way? We won't hesitate to put you in the fucking dirt."

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i.