"2000 years ago"

(A huge battle is taking place on a vast plain in the tundra steppes of a part of the Gobi Desert where the Mongols would migrate to in the summer months.  Now it's fall and there is no human eye to survey the battle between supernaturals, between immortals, between gods or Enlightened Beings.  Not one of today or by today's standards but one from 2500 years ago before gunpowder, before tiny mighty military units and patrols, before long distance drone attacks and missile strikes when hand to hand and face to face combat with swords, spears, shields, and any ranged anything was the whistle of arrows in the air.  The armies of good and evil face each other in another battle in an ongoing war to balance out the Universe.  Somehow Siddartha has been injured and is currently being carried to his tent.  On a raised plateau about a mile from the battlefield stand two figures ready to face each other.  The military bodyguards of each are standing on either side of the field while only two figures are between the two.  Vespertine and Sidanktha, Siddartha's evil brother.  They are circling each other weapons raised, he with a trident and she with a katana.  Their personal bodyguard are stomping the ground in unison to encourage their leaders on.)

Sidanktha:  So, Miss General.  You remember what happened last time we met?  I killed you.

Ves:  And yet we meet again on the battlefield.  

Sid:  You have been reincarnated yes but you have not obtained ultimate enlightenment like I have.  My brother just obtained it but he has not seen what I have seen.  Evil will never win.  Good will never win.  But what my brother wants is for good to win.  He thinks in order to balance out the Universe.  This cannot be done, he must not do it.  For if the Universe swings out of Balance, everything will come to ruin.

Ves:  Really?  And you know this by being Enlightened?  Or are you just saying that to scare the cute little immortal who is the only standing in your way.

Sid:  Do you really want to do this again?  Knowing full well that you will not defeat me,  you cannot defeat me.  

Ves:  No mercy, no quarter, never give up, never surrender.  

(They step forward and clang weapons and track each other's steps as they dance in a circle.)

Sid:  Do you really believe that my brother is the all power being of good that he pretends to be?

Ves:  You've always been a monster to him.  And your parents were even worse?  I know you.  I know your history.  Intimately, deeply, wholeheartedly.  He has always taught if I believe in one thing, have conviction and if you have to, die for your belief.  

Sid:  And what do you believe, little Vespertine?

(They clang weapons a few times as they continue their dance.  Their solders are now silent just watching the exchange.)

Ves:  I believe to have a better world, to have a better Verse, evil must not prevail over good.

Sid:  And nobody has told you that if good prevailed over evil, the Universe will fall out of balance.  How do you think you mortals have survived, have existed by now because of the battles that good and evil wage with no clear winners.  I don't fight to make evil the most dominant force, I fight my brother to make him understand that good must not prevail over evil.  It all balances out.

(They charge and weapons clang, they twirl and they clang again.)

Ves:  And still you believe this.  My memory of having faced you 150 years ago has you saying the same thing but being more vehement for the side of evil.  What happened to that conviction?

Sid:  I have been enlightened and I overcame.  Now I am all, I know all, I see all and am all.

(As if to emphasize his answer, as she runs by, he swings and catches her from the shoulder to the neck.  She comes away bleeding but not giving an inch.)

Sid:  Instead of fighting me, why don't you join me?  Why don't you leave his side, his blindness is all too apparent and join me in the darkness that is the Truth that one obtains when one becomes one with the "Verse".

(As in in another answer, he teleports to another side of her and strikes out catching her in the side.  He does this several, not killing her but slicing to give her cuts, making her bleed to emphasize his point.

Ves:  Fight like a man.  Fight like a mortal.  

Sid:  Why, this is so much better.

(He teleports behind her and as if knowing his strategy, she doesn't look but stabs backwards into his stomach.  Keeping a hold of the blade, she twists and turns to face him, then slowly slides the blade out and then slices upwards.)

Ves:  Hurts doesn't it.  See. You're still mortal.  You can be enlightened and still be killable.  

(She pulls her blade out and he backs up holding his stomach.  He comes back with blood.  He looks at her.  She smiles evilly at him)

Ves:  See, still human, still red.  Still very much in pain.  We can either draw this day and live to fight another day or I can kill you and yet wait 100 years for you to come back.

Sid:  No need.  (He begins to glow a bright light and when it dims, he looks like he is heeled.

(She doesn't give, she charges and at the last second, jumps into the air.  He puts his trident out and catches her in the shoulder but at the same time, she slides her katana through his heart, then it, her and trident all fall to the ground.)

Ves:  Vampires, Djinn, Naga, dragons, ghosts, lost souls, werewolves and every thing that we thought was imaginary or in folktales told to keep children in line are VERY real.  They can be scary but there is one truth that we all hold on to: aim for the heart.  And if that doesn't work, aim for the head.  Don't miss the first time because you don't get a second chance.

(She falls with a hand on the trident which is sticking out of her chest and he breathes heavily having used up his energy to heal himself earlier.  He drops to his knees and pulls a hand away to reveal...more blood.  He gasps in between words)

Sid:  We'll... meet... again.  But.... look into your heart... and find the truth... that I speak.  He wants... to hold you back.  I want you... to be the warrior... that you are.  The Universe.... is out of balance. You know this... to be true.  You feel it in your heart and I've seen the doubt in you... for a while now.  You and I.... are the only ones... who know it to be true.... and.... can put it back into... balance.

(He collapses and then both warrior units pull their respective generals off the field.  The battle on the vast plain continues on for the war between good and evil.)

(...They will meet again in 30 years time.  Both older or one older and now wiser, the other still enlightened, still immortal and still determined to get her on his side.  In his fight to keep good from plunging the Universe out of balance.)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Actual Promo pt 1"

 

(voice from the darkness.)

Ves:  My name is on your lips.  For good or bad

Thoughts of me are always on your mind.  For good... or bad.

Am I the weak link of Eternal Grove? Or are you?

The weak link of whatever faction you are starting

To stop Eternal Grove.

I am not your favorite.  You are not mine.

And when we meet, and we come to blows.

That we aren't each other's favorite

Will become blatantly obvious.  

That you think you are better than me

Remains to be seen.

My only downfall, the one loss I truely regret

Is losing to Zolothach.

Who has since become the most wanted

Female on the roster.

So all eyes are on her.

And none are on me.

Yet I beat Steve Murdock to gain a title shot

For a title you currently have.

I will admit, that's not impressive.

Murdock is not impressive.  

He tried.  He came.

He saw, I conquered.  

And soon, the same will happen to you.

Limb by fucking limb

You will be torn down.

Chewed up, spat out.

People see me more as like a whore.

Until they meet me in the ring.

Then they realize how dangerous I can be.

Don't take your eyes of me, Father.  

For when we meet, it will be too late.

And you will soon be relieved of your Elite title.  

And put around a waist that deserves it 

More than you ever did to earn it.  

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

        "3 days ago, at the gym"

James: What's up, mi amore?  How can I help?

(We are the gym.  Vesey called James an hour ago to her gym.  A public gym.  Not a private gym, mostly like the YMCA she teaches at when she is mortal.  A few patrons see her and wave.  She smiles at them.)

Ves:  I've been slacking.  I feel like I've been slacking.  Spot me.

James:  Don't you have a Mike to do that?

Ves:  Yes.  Usually.  I just wanted to spend time with you, outside of the bedroom and also since you don't have a show till two weeks from now and your current article is being reviewed by your editor.  I mean if you don't want to help, you can sit back and watch.

James: The view is always lovely.  What do you need me to do?

Ves:  Right now, just hold the punching bag.

(He does so and immediately she goes into punches, kicks, hits, palm strikes and elbows.  Each blow striking harder than the last.  The last few he has to take a firm stance against what she does.)

Ves:  So.... uh.... have you been watching, CWF?  (he answers with a yes) So you know what is going on?  (Again yes as she continues to strike.) Did you see what I did to Tabitha and then I stabbed Steve Murdock to get a title shot for the Elite Title.

James:  I saw the car, I missed what Steve.  What did you do?  (She explains what she did) Oh!  Ves.  That is so not good.  That's not wrestling.  What were you thinking?  

Ves:  It was a hardcore match.  He didn't die.  Neither did she?  

James:  That's not the point.  It was a hardcore match.  Not "kill your opponent" match.  

(She finally finishes with the bag and beckons him to the ring.  They get in and start to trade blows via capoerira where the they go over and flip around their opponents.)

James:  How's your sexcapades going with Vastrix and Tarrasque.

Ves:  Oh you see those two?

James:  I have always been your biggest fan.  I'm watching even when you think I'm not.  It hurts.  But I know that at the end of the day you are loyal to me and I you.

Ves:  Well, Vast isn't happy and we broke up because I wouldn't leave Eternal Grove.  Tarrasque is doing ok.  He and Mick are in a tag team now.  Doesn't need me much so I'm off to the side.  

(They continue to trade blows.  People are stopping what they are doing and starting to watch them)

Ves:  What is your current article your working on?  Is it me or have we not talked in ages?

James:  Seems like it.  Makes me wonder how you manage all this and keep Kenji and Geisha.

Ves:  I was down there this morning giving them my love for about two hours.  Came back immediately to be here with you.  Feels good to be home.  

James:  Anyway, they had me look into the growing Diesel prices and how it's affecting our farmers.  Not good.  So my article is being reviewed and edited.  Johnny says hi.  His wife was pregnant last show and so after our match he wanted to go home with her and not go for a beer with us.  

Ves:  Understandable.  Have they had the baby yet?

James:  Not yet.  It's due in another week.  She dropped.

Ves:  Oh my god.  That is good news.  Do they know what they have?

James:  Johnny wanted to know but Maria wants to keep it a surprise.

(They stop for a minute as the onlookers clap and then go back to their workout.  He goes over to get sparring gloves.)

Ves:  Good for her. (pause as she starts to throw down) How is your family doing?

James:  Doing good. Family is family it's always there.  

Ves:  I wish.  Mine never was.

James:  Oh sorry right.  Alexandra started 1st grade this year.  She's my sister's daughter. (She nods)  I think she loves it.  You know with Alexandra, you can never tell with her, she's going to have a great poker face.  

(They stop talking and she gets in a few more punches and kicks)

James:  So, I know you weren't in last show.  I know you just got out of prison.  Something about starting a riot with an audience.  You're getting quite a rap sheet.  Meanwhile Karlie lost.  Viktor and Mick are at each other's throats, Drago has disappeared, reappeared and doesn't seem to be around.  And now you got a new shadow crew.  When's your next match?

Ves:  In two weeks.  I face Father Nathan O Connell for the Elite Title.  The whole reason I stabbed Steve I guess.  I don't know.  

James:  How you feeling?  Are you ready?

Ves:  Not feeling so hot.  But I'm as ready as I'll ever be.  And I'm not going to start showing weakness now.  Abigail hit the nail on the head:  I may not be the best wrestler out there but I know how to manipulate people very well.  

James: She said that?  

Ves:  On commentary.  Yes, we listen.  She ain't that far off.  But she got me to thinking how I could be better and do better.  Hence, why we are here.  Sparring.  In the ring.

James:  Makes sense.

(They continue to spar and talk.  The gym manager watching them closely because he remembers last time she was here with Tarrasque and he beat Mick to a bloody pulp.  He won't let that happen again.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

        "3 days ago.  Same"

(I open my eyes for what feels like the first time in a few weeks.  I try to get out of bed and find I am chained to it.  An orderly comes in.)

Order:  Ah, Kimber.  You're up.  You doing ok?  You feeling rested?

Ves:  Why am I chained?

Order:  You got into a fight and then you stabbed another inmate- ah patient.  In the side.  You called it a hardcore match and  in your therapy session you said it was for a shot at the Elite Title.

Ves:  So wait.... I stabbed someone?  That isn't me.  I would never do that!  Did he die?  (The orderly shakes his head)  Then why am I chained up?

Order:  To keep it from happening again.  Also, this other personality of yours, the battlefield commander of some dark god or something has shown again in your ramblings.  Last time when we emerged you ordered a hit.  On who exactly we weren't sure, but we strapped you down, in case you were to carry out your dark god's orders.  

Ves:   What year is it?

Order:  Oct 22 2026.  Happy belated birthday by the way.  

Ves:  Geeze, has it been another year around the sun.  I'm what, 32 now?  Could you give an early birthday present and release me?

Order:  No.  That decision belongs to your therapist.  He'll be coming soon with breakfast.

(He leaves the room and she grumbles at her current sitch.  Her therapist comes in.)

Therapist:  Being a good girl are we?  (He unstraps her as a nurse puts her food tray on a side table) We haven't stabbed anyone since being battlefield general have we?

Ves: Another personality is coming out?  How many does that make it now?

Therapist:  5

Ves:  Where do they keep coming from?

Therapist:  That's on you.  You need to learn to control them, put the personalities away permanently and maybe we can release you into the wilds.

Ves:  Funny!  (She screams out in fury)  I want out of here!

Therapist:  Do we need to sedate you?  The state you are always in when these personalities come to the surface.  It's also been a while since you talked to James.

Ves:  Who's James?

Therapist:  I thought you knew?

(He looks at his watch.  Gets up and goes out with the nurse locking the door behind her.  She takes whatever it on her plate and begins to eat.  Again, not liking this reality.)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                "Actual Promo pt 2"

(The voice in the darkness continues)

Ves:  Do you think you have enough belief, Father Nathan, to take down the entirety of Eternal Grove.  What you saw last show, the chinks, the cracks in the armor, the spats, the arrests, that's all been for show.  That's what we want the world to see.  Underneathe we are just as focused, determined, just as united and driven as ever.  And when I come for you, I come for your belt.  When I beat you for it, it will be the third belt I ever obtained in CWF.

(Her lips come into the light and they reveal a smirk)

I'm becoming a legend here in CWF.  I'm becoming a veteran of CWF.  I'm becoming a person you don't want to see across the ring from you.  I'm going higher on the totem pole, higher on the ladder of success.  One day I'll be where Drago is.  At the very top.  You are just one step more.  You are one title underneath the Conquest title.  And you won that title only by a fluke.  Because at the time you weren't facing EG for it. You were facing someone who wasn't in EG, someone who was easy to wrestle, easy to get rid of, easy to beat.  

(A slow lopsided smirk replaces it)

How does that make you feel knowing that you haven't faced Eternal Grove and you won.  Because you know that when you face me, you...will.... LOSE!  If I can't beat you, then some other member at some other time, in EG, will.  You stand alone Preacher Man.  There are 6 of us, one of you.  And you never did get along with Upstarts and the Dynasty.  They may be on your side now but once this is over, they will smell blood in the water and come after your old carcass.  You don't belong here anymore.  Fiona will tell you.  You've staved at the table way too long.  You had your dessert years ago now your just having coffee.  Time for you to pay your bill and leave. Everyone sees you for the loiter you are but nobody is making you leave the table, leave the establishment.  I will do just that.  You didn't even save a spot at the table for Fiona.  She had to make her own way.  

(A small shrug)

Huh, great father you are.  Like Eoin and Annika.  Meanwhile the darkness, the dark daze that is the Eternal Grove is at your doorstep.  And while you have exorcised other creatures of darkness from their hosts, there are no hosts here.  There are only monsters and these monsters you can't kill.  These supernaturals you can't kill.  You are only a mortal, a normal, a human.  Against the likes of us, you have no chance. Even with the belief of your god which is what this match should ONLY be about.  My belief vs. your belief.  My dark buddha vs. your god.  Your faith my faith, your convictions, my convictions.  But no, throw a title into the mix and all that goes out the window.  The demon in me wants your blood, your soul.  But the competitor in me, sees past that and wants the real prize, the Elite Title.

(She steps back into the darkness)

I will get that title.  And for you, it will be the Inevitable end.  Of your title reign.  Of your career.  Hardcore matches always ends careers.  Mine is beginning.  Yours is ending.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________