Post by Admin on Aug 9, 2023 5:34:57 GMT
“When I fell into OCW's PORTAL-POTTY, it took me to a crazy place. A place that could give me my own body, which let Victoria and me to have our own bodies and our own lives. Even as we were fighting for our lives and being forced to be mercenaries, all the while the corporation that gave us this gift had taken our Affliction, Valerie, and used it as a weapon.”
“Even through all that, Victoria never gave up trying to get me to talk to our dad. It didn’t work, but if I am being honest, it planted the seed.”
“Even through all that, Victoria never gave up trying to get me to talk to our dad. It didn’t work, but if I am being honest, it planted the seed.”
Vee and Ronnie’s Apartment
Night City (Alternate Dimension)
May 5th, 2077 (Before OCWs Technical Difficulties PPV)
“If we get back, do you think you’ll talk to dad?”
Ronnie looks over at her twin with a shrug.
“Why should I, Victoria?” Veronica stands up from the cubbyhole where the couch is built in and where the TV hangs to open the shutters to overlook the city. She watches the Night City Police Department in a shootout with one of the local gangs. “I’d rather be a Tyger Claw dodging the NCPD bullets.”
“Ronnie, he isn’t that bad.”
“That bad? Are you serious? Have you forgotten all the shit he said to me and about me? Or the way he stuck up for Atara and Cashe when she left you for that overgrown walking tattoo?”
Vee sighs with a shake of her head and sits on the step down into the couch area, looking up at Ronnie.
“Dad isn’t perfect. No parent is. Even mom has her downfalls.”
“Yeah, the way she adores Cara.”
Vee smacks her in the back of the calf and Ronnie mouths “ow” but lets a smile breakthrough.
“Ok, ok, I know. You’re right, but you know how much it sucks to watch him praise and adore all his other seventy-two children? Or even his surrogate children? He goes to their matches. Celebrates their title wins. For me? He put me down for being a champion in OCW. I know I didn’t get to take on Betsy, but I still won it and no one has taken it from me yet. Not even the Supreme Machine is going to.”
Vee stands up and walks over beside her sister on her left, putting her arm around her. Ronnie, in a moment of vulnerability, leans her head against her twin’s.
“Look, Ronnie, you scare him.”
“Scare him?”
“Yeah. Out of all of us Knox-spawn, you are the most like him.”
Ronnie looks at Vee, almost insulted.
“How could you be so mean? We were making so much progress!”
“Call it even for that Cara comment earlier. But it is true. You are both the moodiest people I have ever met in my life. You both let your pride get the better of you, and lately you two have been too proud to admit the both of you are wrong.”
Ronnie lifts her head and looks at Vee quizzically.
“How would you know? We just got our own bodies and have been here or that island Marcus got us stuck on.”
Vee gives her that side look, meaning “are you serious?”
“Just because you had me locked me away in that psyche mind palace you built, doesn’t mean I didn’t hear and see the things you have been up to.” Ronnie raises her brow, moving her head side to side in that “Yeah, I get it,” kind of way. “Just, if we get out of this place and back home, will you give it a go with him?”
“No promises. I just can’t promise I will. I hope you get that.”
With a sigh, Vee nods and hits the ignore button on her ringing Holograph phone.
“Wakako keeps calling, we better go finish that job.”
“Which one? Planting the bug at Militech HQ?”
Vee gives Ronnie a side hug and walks over to her leather jacket and gun. She drops the clip to make sure it’s loaded and cocks the chamber before putting on her jacket, placing the gun in the back waistband hidden under the jacket. Ronnie gives her sister a sneer.
“I’m rubbing off on you, ya know?”
“Yeah, I know. Do me the favour and let me rub off on you.”
The sisters head out, but not before Ronnie grabs her Samurai jacket and double-barrel shotgun.
“The alternate dimension was a wild ride, I have to say. It also allowed me to escape this world, a couple months for everyone here, but 6.5 for me so I could have mine and Christian’s child. I know no one believes me about it, but somehow just bought into the fact that Victoria and myself were always two people.”
“Then my soulmate returned to me, and we became partners in life, under the love of God. That’s all new for me because until I saw my mom with her wings, and fought alongside my dead grandfather to save my husband’s soul, I didn’t believe in anything.”
“Now I know anything is possible.”
Strader Estate
July 4th, 2023
Victoria Strader, in her pink maid of honour pants suit, watched Veronica get ready for the biggest day of her life. She was marrying the alive and well Christian “Outcast” Cain, the love of her life and the father of her child.
“Ronnie looks amazing in that gold-coloured pants suit. Of course, she wouldn’t wear a wedding dress or let me wear one. She’s always been different.”
Her iPhone 14 goes off and Vee reaches into her pocket to see a message from their dad, Matthew Knox.
TEXT FROM DAD
Hey kid, I am at the side gate.
Ok, I’m OMW!
Victoria excuses herself and heads to the side gate, which was a quiet entrance for her grandfather, SNS, when he needed to come and leave quietly.
15 Minutes Later…
The Raven stood on the roof of what was called the “Whitehouse” that belonged to Tamika Strader overlooking the ceremony setup down below where one of his first known adult daughters is getting married. He heard a door close behind him, and turned to see Victoria walk towards him, holding little Christian-Michelle, his “CM Punk” aka granddaughter, in her arms. He didn’t let it show, but it was beyond moving that Victoria was doing this for him.
“Hey, little one, this is your grandpa Knox. Don’t tell mom that Auntie Vee did this, ok?”
The little one coos as she hands the baby to her dad. Knox, an instant smile across his face, takes the little girl gently in his arms. He touches her nose with his index finger and her little hand instinctively grabs onto it.
“She’s gorgeous. She has our glasz eyes.”
“Yes, she does. I have to get her back downstairs soon, but I wanted you to have a few minutes with her.”
“Think your sister will let me see her?”
Vee hugs her dad from the side, leaning her head against his, and smiles.
“I am working on it. She’s extremely stubborn like our dad, ya know,” Victoria said, with a small chuckle.
“Yeah, I have heard that somewhere before. Bye little one, I hope to see you again soon. Know that I already am madly in love with you.”
The Raven kisses the little one on the forehead before reluctantly handing her back to her aunt. Before Victoria heads back downstairs, she turns to look at him.
“You can watch the wedding from here. Best seats in the house. Just don’t get caught and get me in trouble, ok? Love you, dad.”
“Love you too, kid.”
Knox turns and looks down at the grounds where people are taking their seats and where Christian and his best man, Peter Vaughn, have taken their places.
“One day, kid. One day.”
A short time later...
The guest list is light for this wedding and will be much bigger for Victoria and Brooklyn, but this was how Christian and Veronica wanted it to be. Christian and Peter look handsome in their black suits and black collarless shirts, but Outcast of course has the top button undone as fancy wasn’t ever his thing. Victoria stood on the other side of Peter with the little one in her arms who coos away happily. A priest stood behind them, as Christian wanted to be married under the eye of God, and Veronica had recently become a believer herself. Tamika, sitting behind a grand piano, playing the wedding march as the family and guests stand, turning to the patio doors at the back of the house as John Nash Strader, in a suit steps out and looks over to his love, Alexandra Calaway who sits on the bride’s side holding his Brothers of Mayhem kutte in her folded arms. The crowd gasps in awe as Veronica steps out beside her uncle, who takes his arm.
“He looks so handsome and happy. I’m so lucky.”
The Uncle and niece duo slowly make their way down the fabricated aisle, smiling wide, which wasn’t a usual occurrence for Veronica. John turns to his niece as they reach Christian and company, and smiles at his niece.
“Your mom would be so proud of you, kiddo. We all love you. And you, welcome to the family,” John said, nodding to Christian, who returned the gesture. “Be happy, sweetheart.”
Veronica is all smiles as she nods to Peter, and walks to Vee and kisses the little one before taking her spot beside Christian, taking his hand in hers and looking towards the priest.
“Good evening everyone! From the lovely Strader-Estate that is filled with love and family loyalty, we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of Veronica and Christian. Today they join their lives in the union of marriage. To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you. They have known most of you for many years. You watched them grow up, you maybe went to school with them, or you worked with them in the ring. Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them.”
The two of them glance at one another, hands squeezing.
“Veronica is pleased to have her family in the front row…close to them for the ceremony. Veronica thanks her mother for providing her with every opportunity possible and being the best mother anyone could ask for and that she may rest in peace with God above. Christian appreciates all the love and support his surrogate family has given him since coming into Veronica’s life.”
Veronica looks over her shoulder at Cara, John and Tamika, as well as Alexandra Calaway. She looks to her maid of honour, Victoria holding Christian and her baby girl.
“A wedding day is often a day when couples miss family members no longer with them. For Christian and Veronica, there are family members whose memories they hold dear.
From Christian’s son, to Veronica’s mother, just know they are with you right now on this glorious day. And so it is that Veronica and Christian present themselves to be married today…surrounded by the people they love the most. As Veronica and Christian prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they reflected on why they love each other. And this was the easiest part of planning this wedding!”
The priest turns to Christian.
“Christian Cain, Veronica Strader, loves that you blend in so comfortably with her family. She sees in you a funny, kind, and sweet man. You think she is funny and you always compliment her. She loves that you always want to be close to her. You remember details of the stories she tells. You want to be part of her family and circle of friends. You help her around the house.You are so close, even when she is at her worst, and you just want to be closer to her.”
He turns to Veronica.
Veronica, Christian loves that you have always believed in him. He loves your brain, your smile, and your beauty. It’s appreciated that you are “low maintenance.” You can be really silly. He loves your emails and texts. He loves your cooking. He loves your kisses. He just loves you more than anything! You both look to a shared future that includes raising a happy & healthy family. That future also includes a richly lived life together…going out to restaurants, hanging out with family, relaxing at home in front of the TV, singing and dancing…Bride will do the singing, and Groom will do the dancing. The years will come and go…you won’t take each other for granted, you will laugh a lot, you will be the best parents you can be, you will grow older and wiser together. It’s a good story, and the ending is not in sight!”
The priest looks at the family gathered with a smile.
“We come now to the words Veronica and Christian want to hear the most today…the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married. A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and enter with the desire and hope that it will last for life. Christian, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Veronica in marriage? If so, answer ‘I do’.”
“I do.” Christian looks at his soon to be wife with a loving smile.
"Veronica, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Christian in marriage? If so, answer ‘I do’.”
“I do.”
“Christian and Veronica, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows. Please face each other and hold hands.”
The two lovers turn to one another, fighting the urge to embrace and kiss now.
“Christian, please repeat after me…”
Christian had been practicing. He doesn’t wait for the priest and speaks out his vow.
“I, Christian, take you, Veronica, to be my wife. I will share my life with yours and build our dreams together. Support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love, and loyalty. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives.”
“Veronica, I would say please repeat after me, but I think you already know…”
Everyone has a light chuckle as Veronica smiles widely, speaking her vow now to Christian.
“I, Veronica, take you, Christian, to be my husband. I will share my life with yours, build our dreams together, support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love, and loyalty. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives.”
The priest smiles warmly at the two of them and continues forward.
“Your wedding rings are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love.”
Christian turns to Vaughn who does the whole “what rings?” act before finally pulling them out and handing them to the groom with the two laughing and Veronica shaking her head.
“I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, My love is eternal.”
“Veronica, place the ring on Christian's finger….”
“I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, My love is eternal.”
“May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love. Everyone has advice for newlyweds. Veronica and Christian, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day. May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health. May you always share open and honest communication between each other. May you respect each other’s individual talents and gifts and give full support to each other’s professional and personal pursuits. May you cherish the home and family you will create together. May all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love. May your love be a lifelong source of excitement, contentment, affection, respect, and devotion for one another.”
There is not a dry eye in the house, and even The Raven, who watches from above, unknown to Veronica, can feel that burning sensation in their matching eyes.
“And so now, by the power vested in me by the Great State of Texas and by God himself, it is my honour and delight to declare you two husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.
Cara whistles loudly as Christian and Veronica embrace in a passionate kiss, holding each other tightly with a love that only the lucky ones in life find and share. Tamika, John, Alexandra, and the others hold their hands up high, clapping for the happy couple.
“I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Cain!”
"Proud of you kid," Knox said, looking down from the roof. Victoria casually looks up and smiles knowing she made her father happy.
Gulf of Mexico
August 9th, 2023
~ START TRANSMISSION ~
“First off, I apologize for calling the UGWC the UGCW. A little known fact about myself is that I am dyslexic and I work hard to keep it in check, but once in a while it slips up. A company like that deserves respect. Like Sebastian Everett-Bryce, I respect all the company has accomplished in its run.”
“I lost my CU:LT SNUFF Championship to Max Daemon. One of those situations, like Dangerous Dan, is that I wish I could take it back, but one can learn from a tough loss. Everyone loses, but when you lose on a big stage, you keep giving it your all to show you can win on that same stage. Now, like a true Strader, and, can’t believe I am saying this, Knox, I refused to tap out and went limp in the ring. Not pinned, I didn’t tap, but it is still a loss. To be honest, it was my first loss like that. I can count on one hand how many times I have been pinned, and this, well, was embarrassing.”
All things considered, her look of contentment is still on her face.
“So Max can have this run, lose it in his first defence as I move on. Just like when I lost the OCW TransAtlantic Championship, I moved on while Dan lost it to Cypher in his first defence. I don’t need multiple reigns, I look towards the future, and that future is the TPW International Championship, and whether it’s that Ava woman or Peter Vaughn (although I hope it is Vaughn) I will climb the ranks and bring the World title and glory back to the Strader clan, and into my new family of the Cains. Although I am sure Christian will bounce back and become a champion once again.”
“But that’s part of the reason I wanted to face you, to put myself against a man who went over 500 days as a champion and most likely will go down as the greatest champion in UGWC’s history.”
Veronica slips down off the hood onto the ground, in her mom’s worn and beaten cowgirl snakeskin boots while straightening out her mom’s black leather jacket.
“I know what you have accomplished in the ring. I am fairly confident you know what I have accomplished in the ring since our last meeting in Pro Wrestling Valor. We are quite similar.”
“We both have someone in our lives that loves us the way others can’t (when will you pop the question to Sloane?) and have proven many of our doubters wrong on multiple occasions. We both have a connection to my dad and I have to wonder if that’s because of your own dysfunctional relationship with yours. One thing you have had almost from day one is the respect and admiration of The Raven. Not me. Like I said before, we are working on building something, not just for us, but so my sweet little angel can have a grandparent that’s still alive to spoil her.”
“I won’t lie. I am jealous of the fact you have my dad’s love. I can’t help but be bothered by that. We will step in that FCW ring, daddy dearest in between us, who has been implored to call the match down the middle so neither of us can point fingers and either the score will be settled or you will go two up on me, I hope he’ll be prouder of me than you.”
The content look turns to the Strader Family Sneer, as she stares at us now, her glasz eyes turning a shade of yellow with a fire dancing behind them.
“I’m going to bring every ounce of my being into this match, Sebastian. I am gonna push you to limits you haven’t seen yet. I want you to remember I brought the Supreme Machine to his knees in our first go around in a jungle setting match type suited for him. I brought down the longest reigning SNUFF champion in CU:LT history to his knees (and most likely ruined his chance to procreate). I survived The Lost Stranger in a cage where he had a cattle prod. I walked into Peter Vaughn’s turf and defeated him cleanly in the middle of the ring.”
“I’m not the girl you wrestled before in Pro Wrestling Valor. I’m the woman that was one elimination away from winning the Calamity Chamber. I’m the Scorpion, Sebastian, and my sting will be felt for a very long time.”
“I was once part of the Proud and Strong. No one or anything gets in my way. I had lost that step, and that’s why I was at the OCW Arena a couple of days ago. I needed it after Bible Belt Beatings in CU:LT. I’m not sure what my future is with that company, but I know one thing: You will stand across from a woman scorned. I would apologize in advance for the level I am going to take against you, but I know you wouldn’t apologize for the level you are gonna go.”
Veronica pulls the keys to her whip out from her purple jeans, and takes off her mom’s jacket, gently placing it over on the passenger seat. She gets in the car, and the V8 fires up. She leans out the rolled-down window, giving us that sneer.
“Be mindful of what you have to say to me, Sebastian. Because….”
“God forgives.”
“I don’t.”
Our scene fades as the taillights of the classic Trans Am burn into the screen.
~ END TRANSMISSION ~
