December 29th, 2021
Home of James Raven and Betsy Granger
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It had only been a few hours since James had left, slamming the door behind him. They had stood alone at the top of the stairwell, gazing at the door calmly, knowing that it would only be a minute or two at most before James stormed back in. Anytime they’d had a lovers spat he’d ta a walk around the block before coming back to talk it out with her. He could see that clear as a day in her mind, so posed and poised in all her glory until the People’s G.O.A.T. came back, begging for her forgiveness. And so, compelled by how much conviction went behind the emotion, He had allowed Them to wait.
And wait.
Aaaaaaaand wait.
Checking her phone after a few minutes, They are surprised to learn that a full hour had passed and James still wasn’t home. Despite there being no alerts, He checks her messages, which are empty. Curious, He opens up Twitter, and rage surges through Them when They begin to scroll. One vague post from James about his wounded emotions, and Atara Themis was reliably all over it, inviting him to hang out with her. And so, he’d gone with no word to Betsy either way about where he would be or when he would be home.
As the blue skies darkened to midnight velvet, Betsy continued to sit on the top of the staircase. He could feel her jealousy, anxiety, and raw hatred mixing like poison through her blood; it didn’t help that Atara was keen to put on a show for her sake. James still hadn’t so much as sent a text to let her know where he was, and He could feel her tears inside his head like hot pokers.
This just wouldn’t do.
There was plenty to be done in the absence of her biggest weakness, who had done Them the favor of removing himself. Why in the fuck does she cling on so tightly when Raven himself was ready to fall into the arms of another? It didn’t make sense to Him, but He knew if He was patient a bit longer, He could make her see that she never needed the male. After all, what had James ever given or done for her that she wasn’t capable of acquiring herself? And now that He was in control, They would only reach new heights; if Raven didn’t want to be around to partake in the rewards of her labors, that was on him.
Let him have his Greek Whore.
Getting to His feet, He walks slowly down the stairs, His eyes flitting around the room. A restlessness from Betsy nudges at Him, causing Him to turn His eyes instinctively towards the backyard. Adrenaline courses through His body as Their heart begins to hammer in Their chest; how had He not come to this conclusion before? Of course, it wasn’t every day that a vessel had ownership over a legitimate form of time and space travel; He still had His doubts, even though He’d seen it for Himself by now.
With renewed purpose, They walk swiftly towards the sliding glass door in the kitchen and slip out onto the back porch. The freezing night air doesn’t affect Them as They walk barefoot through the snow towards the unassuming purple phone box. Reaching out His hand, He wraps his fingers over the knob and pushes it...
But the door remains stubbornly shut.
Narrowing His eyes, He pushes at the door a little harder, but Excellence doesn’t give an inch.
“What magic is this?” He mutters, taking a step back and looking up at the doors. Distracted by His racing thoughts, He slips a hand into His pocket; at the bottom, He feels the familiar cool surface of the metal. Running a finger over the rough edge of one side and the smooth back of the other, He traps the key between His fingers and pulls it carefully from His pocket. A smile crosses His face as He steps forward once more and fits the key smoothly into the lock and turns it.
The doors creak open slowly, revealing the deceptively massive main cabin.
Stepping inside, He looks around in open astonishment, happy no one was there to witness His giddiness. Never before had He felt such power from one contraption and knowing what this thing was capable of...
“Why don’t we take you for a proper test run, hmm?” He purrs as He makes His way up the bridge, allowing a hand to run over the metal rails.
The engine remained ominously still, which should have struck Him as unusual right away. But Betsy herself was being oddly quiet in His mind, which was a first since Christmas night. Stepping up to the control console, He runs His fingers over the different buttons and levers, searching in her memory banks for the correct ones to configure. Again, Betsy is surprisingly compliant about this, which now gives Him pause. Closing His eyes, He slips into Their mind and confronts her face to face. She stares up at Him from her now shallow grave, noting the shackles around her wrists and ankles.
“Is this a trap?” He asks her venomously, His eyes glowing menacingly.
“Do you think I want to sit around and watch this happen? Get us out of here, please.” Betsy calls up.
Giving a satisfied nod, He resurfaces and hits a random set of coordinates into the navigational computer. Excellence’s engine begins to chug merrily, making that oh-so-comforting sound that everyone had become accustomed to. A sinister smile crosses His lips as He clutches the lever that would send Him and Excellence into the time vortex itself. Feeling a strange warmth under His fingers, He pulls it down gleefully, His head tipping back as jolly laughter escapes His lips...
It’s cut short when Excellence suddenly shuts down completely.
“What?” He gasps, grabbing the lever and yanking it up and down several times.
He hears her snicker from her prison just as the hologram appears before him. It’s Betsy herself, though she looked worried and exhausted. He and the hologram stare blankly at one another for several moments before it announces loudly:
“Shut Down Protocol 0415 has been activated. Unauthorized beings have been detected. This ship will no longer be operational until the correct DNA matches have been confirmed.”
Seething now, He closes His eyes again and wastes no time jumping into the grave and pinning her against the hard-packed dirt. As His hand tightens around her throat, He catches the satisfied smile on her lips. “Come on, you couldn’t have possibly thought I’d make it this easy for you.”
“What does the correct DNA mean? You had better tell me, girl.” He growls, His fist tightening.
The laughter in her eyes is His only reply; even as the fragile bones of her neck begin to crack under His grip, she never relents. With a roar of rage, He drops her to the ground and turns away, running a hand over His head. Clutching her throat with a gasp, Betsy crawls away and stares up at Him from her knees, feeling only slightly victorious. “You’ll never take flight as long as you remain an unwanted entity. She needs my DNA and my girl knows best when Betsy isn’t herself. Nice try, though.”
He turns and glares at her as she manages to gloat between taking in heaving breaths. Having half a mind to finish the job, He takes a step towards her, but she doesn’t flinch. Again, He pauses, now tipping His head curiously at her. A smile touches His lips now, one that sends ice water down her spine. In a soft voice, He leans over and rests a hand gently on her golden hair. “That’s fine, Betsy. You were wise to think ahead while you still could, but all you’ve done is delay the inevitable. You will surrender yourself to me completely once I have purged you of what weaknesses hold you back. Your passion and devotion are misplaced, have always been. You treasure people over your own ambition, believing they would always stand at your side no matter what.” Her heart sinks as He inches closer. “Where is James when you need him more than ever? Where is dear brother Shawn? What about any of the other liars and pretenders who are quick to call you a friend on any public platform they can? Where are they now as your world continues to fall apart around you?”
Betsy turns her head away, refusing to hear any more of what He had to say. “You underestimate how much bigger people can be on the inside. If you think my friends will abandon me, you are in for one nasty surprise. Nothing you say will hold any weight in the end and they will help me get free of you.”
He snorts with mirth, unable to keep the condescending tone from His voice. “And what if they don’t?”
Betsy draws her green eyes up to meet his dreadful red ones and they only glare at one another. Realizing that she wasn’t going, or was reluctant, to answer the question, He allows Himself to surface once more. Retreating from the ship, He walks back into the house and calls out; silence is His only reply. Pushing back the knots that wanted to form in His stomach, He heads to the office to rethink His immediate goals...
****A Rogue Promo****
“Oh hey, so we’re to meet again, are we Willy? That’s cool, just let me know if you’re done lamenting over the last time we met, when you and Xaria took that L. If not, that’s cool too, just do the gypsy and me a favor and take it to a corner, out of the way and hopefully out of earshot. Then you cry over the fact that Xaria doesn’t love you back and someone has been consistently making a fool out of the both of you. I still think both of you need to chill with those fingers of accusation at Zoey... I reckon someone a bit closer to home is having a go at all of you.
But what do I know? I’m just a shit-stirrer and I want to see how all this lovely bullshit drama unfolds like the rest of them.
But while you question your career and whether you still have enough left in the bag to keep up with us kids, Lucy and I will be over here having it out like the big girls we are.”
Betsy Granger grins and waves at the camera.
“Speaking of you, Andalucy, I’m glad we’re finally getting back to this. I don’t know if you recall, but we were to face off once before... I believe circumstances on both our ends caused our little tango to be delayed. But oh happy day, it seems we’re finally set to clash at last and I couldn’t be more thrilled for it. I’ve been watching you for a while and at first, I couldn’t make head nor tails of you... And girl, how much did that piss me off? You were the first question mark of a human I’d met in a long time, and I don’t like that shit. But as time wore on... it became a game more than a mission and I enjoyed watching you wreak havoc. You have a different flavor and my palette couldn’t get enough. The problem with most people is that they’re easy to figure out because basic bitch is a common genetic trait. Very few are immune to it, and most of the ones who believe otherwise are suffering from it the worst.
I ought to know, I spent a lot of time being a victim of it.”
She chuckles, though the sound falls flat against the empty room.
“I once thought of you as an enigma, some dark horse lurking about that needed to be figured out. If I’m being honest, I was relieved when I found out our match had been called off the first time. I put so much time into trying to crack your moral code, that I never put any time into making sure I took you out. The Betsy Granger you were meant to face would have been shoved to the mat face first and soundly defeated. And all it would have taken was the correct sequence of words said in the right tone.
Look at how much I’ve allowed Kayla Richards to monopolize my time. I should have liberated Damian Ayla of the Excellence Championship ages ago, and yet, here I stand. Looking to a mid-card triple threat with a man I’ve already beaten and a woman I no longer look at with fear.
But now I see you clearly, and oh how I’ve laughed myself stupid at my own folly. You see, my brain works at a million miles per hour, and when I become infatuated with a topic, it becomes all-encompassing. Going into our match before, that’s what you were, my obsession, the mystery to be solved. I thought you kept your cards so close to your chest, that you left so few clues that I missed the biggest one glaring me right in the face.”
Betsy tips her head and smiles wickedly as her green eyes dance.
“You have no plan, no motives, no goals.
You’re only here to spread chaos. Destruction.”
She holds out her arms in an inviting way.
“And I think it’s beautiful.”
The smile widens, becoming more unnerving.
“There were never any secrets or mysteries to you, Lucy. You never held cards to your chest, you were already shoving them down the throats of your victims.
Are you ready for that, Willy Boy? You may come out from the corner now if you promise not to talk about Xaria or sneak attacks for a moment. We can talk about how you never should have stepped foot back in this business. Or maybe we can prattle on about this wave of self-pity you’ve been riding recently. Whatever you like, I’m just here to do my part in keeping your name somewhat relevant. I’ll give you this, you at least know how to read a room when it comes to you being in it. It must be hard, pretending not to notice when peers don’t come up and greet you reverently. I can’t imagine how much it stings to walk out to a lukewarm crowd at best.
Maybe it's about time to pack it up and call it a day, old boy.”
Rolling her eyes and heaving out a sigh, Betsy turns and stretches her body out like a cat on a chaise-style couch.
“Neither of you has your head in the game or eye on the ball, and it’s going to sting you both in the taint. My objectives have never been clearer, though I’m not a fan of the long way around the path I’ve been thrust on to get there. Still, if I’m on the scenic route, I may as well enjoy eliminating all the mediocre, sideshow fluffer talent Ophelia and Charlie want to throw my way.
I’m going to enjoy showing you how far I’ve come, Lucy. I’m sure you still think me the same good, obedient girl, a slave to her place in society. The demure maiden, quietly accepting of her place on the roster even in the face of ruthless bitches like Kayla and... dare I say it... You? Maybe that was then, but things have changed significantly, gitana. It’s unfortunate I’m forced to take your head because I see now that we really could have made great friends. Perhaps in another life... Perhaps sooner than either of us believes. Never say never, am I right? But first, you need to fully comprehend what I bring to the table, and what better way than up close example? After all, I can’t spend however long they’ll allow this match to go on beating on a man that’s already down.
That would be in poor sportsmanship, wouldn’t it Willy? Then again, you and Xaria have been attached at the hip, pointing fingers at everyone else; maybe a beatdown is a lesson in respect you need. I suppose a tag match wasn’t enough, and it’s unfortunate this group dance doesn’t give me enough time to put you through the mat properly. At least when you’re looking over your shoulder this time, there’s a reason to fear what’s lurking.”
Tipping her head to the side to face the camera, Betsy’s hair spills over like a golden waterfall. Her green eyes have darkened to obsidian orbs, the chilling grin still plastered to her face.
“Put aside whatever petty trifles you have going on when you step between those ropes. Get your head out of your ass, Willy, and earn your place in the ring; I’m dying for a reason to finish stripping you of your pride, show me you still have some fight left to defend it. And you, Andalucy, prepare for the fight of your life. Unlike Willy B. Mason here, I think there’s a future for you that’s not so bleak. Don’t get too excited, you still have a long way to go to get to my level... But there’s hope for you, kid. Show me what you’re made of, hit me with your best shots. Bring the pain as brutally as I know you can; don’t worry, I can take everything you’ve got and more.
I’m inviting both of you to release all of your anger... fears... nightmares... revenge... everything you believe makes you weaker.
Take it all out on me.
And watch in horror as I feed upon all of it and use it to destroy you. Neither of you will see it coming until it’s too late. Even as I warn you now, the natural arrogance of the human ego blinds you to the truth of my words. You’ll laugh it off as an empty threat; only when I feed on your souls will you realize the mistakes you’ve made and beg for mercy.
I pray that fate is in your favor that night.”
Sitting up, Betsy throws back her head and laughs loudly. Throwing up her hand, she sends a flash of white-hot energy at the camera, frying it completely.
//FADE TO BLACK
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January 13th, 2022
Unknown Location
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The scenery outside His window was like a live Bob Ross painting, but He was too busy with His research to give it any mind. The quaint B&B He’d found was the perfect getaway once He’d used His power to empty it of the other occupants. Now the only ones who remained were Him, the owners, and the two housemaids. They stood in a row behind Him, terrified into silence, knowing what He could become if they angered Him. One of them had recognized Betsy Granger from the wrestling programs her son watched; now she stared at her with fear-stricken confusion. This couldn’t be the same woman who heroically stood up to the bad guys on TV, could it?
Oh, if she only knew.
If any of them could see what was going on within her mind...
The world around Him meant nothing, however, as He continued to watch through previous Excellence shows. Every opponent must be studied and as far as He was concerned, everyone was His enemy. Very few showed promise as far as allies; weak, pathetic meat puppets scurrying about with their trivial goals and meaningless titles. It was amusing, watching them all parade around with their fragile egos on their sleeve and defend a strap of leather with a fancy metal plate attached.
And yet, He could feel her desire to covet such trinkets. He couldn’t help but chuckle at how short-sighted Betsy remained, even now.
But it wasn’t time to make His move yet, so it couldn’t hurt to throw her a bone. Leaning back in His chair, He tosses out a question to His help. “If I were to go after the top prize in my company, would I fare better doing it on my own or securing a few somewhat trustworthy alliances to watch my back?”
The four look to one another in confusion, afraid to speak. Finally, the young woman who recognized Betsy steps forward. Her voice trembles as she replies. “I would be open about who I was before I earned the trust of those around me. The serpent of Eden was charming, too.”
He turns slowly in His chair to give the young woman a more thorough gaze. “Interesting... You speak of the Serpent, who spoke no lies to Eve. It was God himself who refused to give reason as to why they shouldn’t eat the fruits. Why give them a temptation if he knew they would inevitably fail?”
“It was a test of their faith and they were unworthy.” She says stoutly, grasping at the rosary around her waist.
Rising from His chair, He walks slowly up to the young woman and gazes down at her, a sinister smile forming. “Blind faith is a fool's game, little girl, one your Good Lord and I happen to excel at. Your God didn’t put you here; and if he did, he did so as a way to stroke his dick and lord over a race of dumb animals.”
“Your blasphemous words will never shake my faith in Him.” she says defiantly, holding the rosary to her chest now.
“Have a care, young lady; I’ve allowed you to step out of line this time for the sake of spirited conversation. I won’t be so kind next time.” And with that, He brushes past them, reaching into His pocket for Betsy’s phone. At the top of the stairwell, He pauses and turns back to them. “Oh, and the answer is always gain the trust of at least one or two of those around you. One never knows when a scapegoat may be necessary.”
With a chilling laugh, He turns and redirects his attention back to the phone. Dialing the number He’d found in her records, He listens as the phone rings. Eventually, it goes to voicemail; no matter, He knew He’d receive a call back once she had time to think over what He had to say.
“Hey Zoey, forgive the blocked number – one can’t be too careful these days. Anyway, it’s Betsy Granger and I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while. It’s terrible, the way your ‘friends’ have been accusing you of treachery and you have every right to be upset about it. I know how it feels to have people who claimed to trust you suddenly accuse you of betrayal... It burns. And as it happens, the betrayal I felt awakened something I don’t quite understand, but I thought perhaps... You could help? There’s no one else who understands what I’m going through quite as you do, and it’s hard to explain over the phone, especially a voicemail. If we could meet up soon, I’d be happy to go more in-depth about everything and possibly offer you an ear to vent to as well? I’ll text you my number after I wrap this up... I have a feeling I’ll be speaking to you soon.”
With a satisfied smile, He ends the call and opens up the messages of the new phone He’d purchased. Once that number was texted and sent to Zoey, He enters the bedroom and looks in the mirror, a smile on his face. The imprint appears of Betsy appears, looking worried.
“What have you done?” she whispers from the other side.
“Started you on the path of getting you everything you want, just as I promised.” He purrs to her, sliding a finger affectionately down the glass. “Your future couldn’t be brighter, my dear Traveler...”
