“How's it hanging, Champ? I’m sure you’ve been feeling on top of the world ever since you won that strap. Riding that wave of Victory, never minding that you just happened to be the best out of a group that is destined to be little more than career curtain-jerkers.
Do you understand what I’m saying to you, or should I spell it out a little more?”
Betsy Granger smiles indulgently towards the camera. She’s dressed to the absolute nines as the sounds of frivolity grow louder behind her.
“In case I’m not being clear, let me make it crystal.
Congratulations on not sucking as much as the others. Here’s to your long and glorious career as a mid-card hero.”
Betsy raises a glass filled with sparkling pale wine and takes a healthy sip from it.
“You may have cleaned house on a handful of wasted roster spaces to become the Victory champion, but now you’re staring the biggest challenge of your career dead in her gorgeous face. And I know you’re aware of that, I’ve seen how you look forward to rising to the challenge. I certainly hope you’re capable of it, because I’ve got a lot of aggression to work off and no more fucks to give about my opponent's welfare moving forward.
Maybe spending so much time with Kayla has sparked something inside of me I didn’t know I had.”
A ponderous look crosses her face at the notion before she shrugs.
“You’re lucky I have no interest in that title you hold; but you will serve as an example to Kayla, to Damian, and to anyone else who believes they’ve got Betsy Granger bested. Much like Galactus, I’m coming to destroy the worlds of my enemies and you will become my heralder, my Silver Surfer, warning the others of what is to become of them.
I’ve spent far too much time playing nice... It’s time to release the girl that’s always lurked beneath the surface.
You poked and prodded, begging for me to release the true power of my chaotic nature. Congratulations, kids, despite my best efforts, you now get from me what you’ve desire, and so much more on top of it.
Just remember when the end arrives and you look up into these emerald eyes, that you asked for this.”
Turning from the camera, Betsy begins to sashay across a cobblestone path towards a brightly lit up castle. As the camera widens, revelers in various states of intoxication are dancing in the perfectly manicured gardens. All of them have some sort of party gear on, all of it announcing the arrival of 2022. As Betsy glides on graceful feet in their direction, many stop and turn as if it were a scene in a movie. Her red ball gown clings tightly to her curves, the lace train of her skirt trailing silently along the grey stones. A smug smile touches her lips as she looks over her shoulder at the camera and winks.
“You may be walking into this match as a champion, but all eyes are going to be on me when that bell rings. Oh, I’m sure you’ll have your fans and admirers who will cheer for you, even as I pick you apart piece by piece. But once I’ve effectively made you my bitch, you’ll be forced to listen as my name thunders through the walls of the Enterprise Center. As will Kayla... Damian... And anyone else itching to step up and take their shots at the Impossible Traveler.”
A dark look crosses her face as her eyes flash a menacing crimson. As she continues, her voice becomes raspy as her tone bubbles with malicious glee.
“No, that doesn’t quite fit any longer, does it? Betsy Granger as you knew her died off-world on the Earthly date of October Twenty-Second, in the 2021st year of your false prophet. Ask James Raven what happened after I died and how far he went to bring me back. Never stopping to ask what the consequences might have been, jumping right to desperate measures to have me in his arms once again.
I owe him a debt of gratitude that I’ll never have enough time to repay...
For he allowed me to be free; at long last, I see now the power I possess and how scared I’ve been to use it to get everything I want.”
Those who had been admiring her were now backing away as they watched her. Betsy paid them no mind, allowing them all to depart quickly, leaving her alone in the barren garden. Winter had heavily left its mark, leaving no traces of the lush green and vivid colors that would blossom soon after Springs gentle caress. A bitingly cold wind picks up, causing her dress the flutter out; but her bared shoulders, back, and cleavage showed no signs of being affected by the freezing night air.
“Lachlan Kane... You are one lucky son of a bitch, you know that? You get to be the first in Excellence to sample the new Betsy Granger; a small taste of what’s to come. Hug your loved ones tight, because it’s going to be the last time you’ll have the use of your limbs for quite some time. I’m not saying I’m going to maim you, of course I wouldn’t be that barbaric... But I may get a wee bit carried away and accidentally leave you permanently damaged.
It’s nothing personal; you’re merely a sacrificial lamb in a long list of those who are about to be slaughtered in my journey to...
Everywhere.”
Entering a maze made of shrubbery, she enters an area lit only by moonlight. The background noise lessens as she goes deeper into the thick brush.
“It’s funny how few people listened as she cried out for help in those last days. It didn’t take long for her to embrace me once she realized just how few people actually cared... How little regard they gave her once she served the purpose she was needed for. Discarded and tossed away like yesterday's useless garbage; now listen as the same neglectful ignoramuses' cry foul when I’ve given her the power to take her revenge.
New year? New woman, new attitude, new outlook on life.
The Impossible Traveler devoted her life to saving the Universe. The Rogue Wanderer will grasp its entirety in the palm of her fist.
Do you think you have what it takes to defeat such a force, Victory Champion?”
A laugh dripping with scorn bubbles up from her throat.
“Shine your belt and be happy that my focus is on something much greater than your mid-tier trinket. Once I get past you, I’ll stop at nothing to reach my personal heaven. I’ll finish off Kayla Richards once and for all and show Damian Ayla why he got lucky that night by her interference.
If there is anyone else who would like to stand in my way, take a number and wait for you destruction. I’m a busy woman, after all.”
She’s deep in the maze now, far from the party and James Raven, who was inside looking for her. She looks up to waning crescent moon. A gentle smile crosses her lips now as her eyes glow red through the darkness.
“The new moon approaches, and with it the final phase of my rebirth.
Lachlan Kane, you can try and fight it if you like. This can end one of two ways.
Down on your knees, paying tribute to your better.
Or with me taking your head as a trophy.
The choice is yours.”
Betsy blows a kiss towards the cameras as it fades to black. Waving off the crew, Betsy turns and heads further still into the maze. As she closes in on the center, a deep voice calls out behind her.
“You may look like Lady Betsy Granger, but you are an imposter.”
“Grand Admiral... What a surprise!”
Betsy’s eyes return to normal as she turns towards the man who had long been a bane of her existence; he was also the man responsible for her death. A sinister smile crosses her lips as she looks into the Grand Admiral’s glowing red eyes, his blue skin darker than normal due to Earth’s high oxygen levels. His gaze is intense as he drinks her in, his confusion never showing on his face.
“Last time I saw you, my assassin had just run you through with his spear. How can this be?”
The look that crosses Betsy’s face causes the Grand Admiral’s blood to run ice cold. Never had he seen such harshness or hate on the girl's face; as much as he had attempted to entice her to his side, this was not the same woman he had pursued time and space to find. Betsy took a step towards him unflinching, her smile predatory.
“The universe works in strange ways; you should be well used to that by now. You saw me die, there were no deceptions in that. However,...”
The scarce moonlight hits her face, turning it into a hideous mask of undead beauty. The Grand Admiral suppressed a gasp as he took in her deathly pale skin, blue lips, and glowing red eyes.
“It turns out, this James Raven fella, he wasn’t about to let his lady love die without a fight. He went to someone... close... to me for help. He wanted her back, and he was willing to do what it takes to have her. Too bad he didn’t bank on me.”
The Grand Admiral lifts his blaster between her eyes as he glares at the woman before him.
“I don’t know what parasite or mind control you’ve infected Lady Granger with, but I demand to speak with her.”
“I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible.”
Betsy is almost purring now as her voice grows huskier.
“But I can see who you are, her memories of you aren’t the most favorable. Betsy Granger was a naïve fool who became a product of her upbringing instead of the force she was born to be.”
The Grand Admiral is frozen on the spot now as Betsy circles him, her hand running over his muscles under the white dress uniform.
“Now that she’s finally given herself over to me, I’m going to show her how to use her power properly. Never will she want for anything; everything is at our fingertips now.”
Swallowing hard, the Grand Admiral’s red eyes remain locked on her, his curiosity showing now.
“Interesting... I came to finish the task of taking Earth and destroying what remains of the Grangers. But in light of this information,”
The Grand Admiral bestows her with a chilling smile of his own now.
“I’m wondering if you would be amendable to aligning our interests, instead.”
“Hmmm...”
Stepping back, Betsy drinks in the image of the Grand Admiral and nods.
“I’m intrigued... What did you have in mind?”
Before he could reply, the voice of James Raven cuts through the darkness.
“Bets? You out here?”
As he calls, the DJ in the castle announced that midnight was only five minutes away; 2022 was fast approaching now. Betsy and the Grand Admiral exchange a glance before Betsy touches his forehead with her fingers. His eyes widen as certain information is exchanged, including the most secret way to contact her. Once she removes her hands, his eyes are burning for an entirely different reason.
“Don’t keep me waiting... You had my curiosity, now you have my full attention.”
Betsy replies with only a smirk as the Grand Admiral turns. Just as he disappears from view going east, James Raven appears from the west. Betsy turns to him with a beguiling smile and holds out her arms to him.
“I was wondering when you would finally find me out here.”
James narrows his eyes as he looks around.
“I heard you talking; who else was out here with you?”
Betsy shrugs casually and bridges the gap between them, wrapping her arms securely around his well-chiseled torso.
“I was musing out loud, beloved, nothing more.”
“I heard a male voice Bets... Come on, what’s up?”
James pulls away from her and holds an arm out to keep her from wrapping herself around him again. Betsy drops her hands to her hips and finally glares openly at him.
“So now you don’t trust me?”
“You told me to call you out when you start acting weird; well, guess what baby? I’m calling you out.”
As the crowd loudly counts down the last ten seconds of 2021, the longtime lovers glare mistrustfully at one another. When the countdown ends, James sighs and takes a step further away from Betsy. She holds up her arms helplessly and shakes her head.
“What do you want me to say, James? What do you want from me?”
“I want you to be honest: are you still MY Betsy or have you succumbed?”
Betsy allows the silence between them to grow longer as she refuses to answer the question. As realization hits him, disappointment and genuine pain cross James’ face.
“So that’s how it’s going to be?”
A mirthless chortle escapes as she continues to stare at him challengingly.
“This was always how it was going to end, James. Her soul is mine and soon, so will yours and everyone else she loves. The faster you give in to my power, the faster you’ll be free of the chains that keep you humans forever imprisoned. People think you’re great now; imagine the legend, the GOD you’ll become with my help.”
“I don’t need your help, and neither does she.”
James steps forward and glares hatefully down into the face he loves so much.
“You won’t win.”
And that was that. After the words passed his lips in a dangerously low tone, he turned on his heel and started to stalk back towards the party. Snickering, Betsy begins to follow.
“Oh, you sweet summer child... I already have.”
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