Is It Worth It?

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Is It Worth It?

Inner Monologue

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I didn’t participate all that much in Invictus Week.  I watched as Katelyn Buehler, Taylor Chase, and even Abigail…excuse me, Serenity…did the Q&A thing, signed autographs, and so on and so forth.   I participated in The Interrogation but that was the extent of it.  My mind has been elsewhere.

Many people have questioned my judgment as of late.  In the lead up to Invictus I have taken on Silas Mason as a manager.  Silas Mason is notorious for making Kelcey Wallace and Taylor Chase’s lives a living hell.  But I didn’t care.  I also knew he had a history for guiding superstars to championships and that is what I wanted more than anything else; championship gold.

True to his word, Silas Mason guided me to the IWC World Tag Team Championship and guided me to the main event of Invictus where I shall compete for the world heavyweight championship.

But was that enough?  No, it wasn’t.  Not for me.  I even took on the advice of Kimberly Williams.

Yes, THAT Kimberly Williams, the same Kimberly Williams who kidnapped me, tried to replace me, and had been the arch rival of my family for years.  She made peace with me by offering me the one gift she knew she could give to me…

…a killer instinct.

Just look at the IWC World Title picture as of late…Mika Kozlov, Taylor Chase, Katelyn Buehler, Serenity…I could go on and on, and three of those ladies I just named will be my opponents at Invictus.  Three very dangerous ladies.  Pure technical expertise and ability alone wasn’t enough to get me into the Invictus main event, and it won’t be enough to get me the victory and the world title.  I needed to become a killer and that’s what Kimberly did to me.  She made me into a monster capable of becoming world champion.

Many people question my judgment, but prime among them is my own sister Jessica Lasiewicz.  Why would I trust a man in Silas Mason who so many other women in this industry seem to despise?  Why would I trust a woman in Kimberly Williams who has tried to destroy my family many times over?  Why trust her just because she now says she’s turned over a new leaf?

Why?  Because I want to become IWC World Champion so badly that I am willing to do anything, that I am willing to sacrifice anything to get it.  I want it so badly that I can taste it.

So is it worth it to sell my soul to Silas Mason and sacrifice myself to Kimberly Williams all for the sake of becoming World Champion?

You damn right it’s worth it.

 

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Marie Jones

On Camera

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Taylor Chase, you and I have been at odds for months now.  We have been on a collision course with one another since the weeks leading up to Last Stand.  At that point I made my intentions abundantly clear that I was sick and tired of being the welcome mat, that I was done playing nice.  I wanted to become world heavyweight champion and I was prepared to do anything to get it and if that meant going through you then so be it.

I take absolutely nothing away from the reigning World Heavyweight Champion in IWC.  Taylor Chase has had to battle through a lot, whether it be her own family...Mika Kozlov...tyrants with delusions of granduer...Ba'al and the Sinistry...or plain monsters....Legion.  I could not take your accomplishments, your achievements, away from you even if I tried.  You truly are the best in the world right now.

So after New Age came to a close, after you ruthlessly trashed my agent Silas Mason, I got to thinking about why I really hated you so much and it hit me.  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I don't really hate you because of anything you've done to me.  I don't even hate you because of anything you stand for, because let's face it, there's nothing you represent, nothing you stand for, that I really oppose.  You led the fight against Sinistry.  Later on you led the fight against New Eden.  You have always been the consummate locker room leader.  What is there to be opposed to?

No, I don't hate you for any of the traditional reasons.  I don't hate you because of anything you've done or anything you stand for.  In fact, you could even argue that my hatred of you isn't even hatred at all.  It falls more under the category of envy.

I hate you because you have something that I want.  I have worked long and hard to get to this point in my career, to be recognized as the best in the world at what I do.  And right now, Taylor, you are the one and only obstacle now standing between me and achieving that goal.

Taking absolutely nothing away from Katelyn Buehler and Serenity...

...ok, scratch that...taking absolutely nothing away from Serenity, at the end of the day everyone knows that YOU are the one to beat at Invictus II.  You, Taylor, are the top dog.   You have the top prize that everyone is after.  To be recognized as the best, to get what I want in my career, I have to defeat you.

I am prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to get what I want, Taylor.  I am prepared to do anything necessary to get what I want.  But you already know that, don't you?  You already know that I am prepared to sell my soul for the world heavyweight championship if that is what it takes.

I have made it this far, Taylor.  You are not going to stop me now.

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Scene 1

Off Camera

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Things are not all fun and games backstage as Marie Annabelle Jones and her mother Angelica Jones, two proud members of Silas World, make their way through the backstage area after New Age comes to a close.  This is, of course, the final New Age before Invictus and to say things did not go exactly as planned would be an understatement.

Silas Mason, Marie’s agent was scheduled to face Taylor Chase, one of Marie’s Invictus opponents tonight on New Age.  Unfortunately, instead of Taylor being laid out just weeks before Invictus, it was Marie’s agent who ended up flat on his back.  Even Brittany Lohan got in on the act, acting as special referee.  Instead of a glorious send off for Invictus, what Marie got was her agent getting annihilated in front of the world.

But now all that is done.  Now she must put all of that behind her because the next stop is Invictus and that is when Marie will get her very first opportunity to wrestle for the IWC World Heavyweight Championship.  It will not be the ideal dream match she had envisioned ever since signing with IWC.  Ideally it would’ve her and only her in the main event against Taylor Chase.  Ideally it would be just Marie given the task to prove that the old lion Taylor Chase is done for and that Marie’s time in the spotlight had arrived.

That is not to be.  Instead Marie has to share this spotlight with the champion Taylor and two other challengers in the form of Katelyn Buehler and Abigail Lindsey, better known as Serenity.  And that spotlight is having to be shared all thanks to Buehler herself.  It was at Last Stand in the rumble match when it came down to Marie and Serenity.  One of them  would have won and gone on to the Invictus main event and Marie is certain that it would have been her had she been given the opportunity.  Instead Katelyn Buehler ran interference and threw them both out to win the match…after she herself had already been eliminated.

Now the four way dance for the IWC World Heavyweight Championship is set.  Taylor Chase will defend against Buehler, Serenity, and Marie Annabelle Jones in the main event.  As if getting through Taylor wouldn’t be challenging enough, having to get through Taylor and two other challengers will be very difficult if not insurmountable.

Not for Marie.  For others it may be insurmountable but for Marie she knows she can do this.  She has to do it.  This is her opportunity to step up out of her mother’s shadow and prove that she is the best wrestler in the world today.

So what if Marie has to share the spotlight with Buehler and Serenity?  So what if she knows that Brittany Lohan, an arch rival, will be the guest referee for this match?  Jones understands that she cannot use those as excuses.  At the end of the day it will all come down to her and her alone.  And no, tonight wasn’t the perfect Invictus send off that Marie had hoped for, but there are some small silver linings in the dark clouds overhead…

The lovely ginger smiles with pride as she carries that titanium knee brace in her right hand, the knee brace she had lost not too long ago, the very same knee brace that she got back tonight.

“At least I got the knee brace back.” Marie says with a proud grin on her face, holding it up eye level to her mother so that she can see it too. “This will prove to be very helpful at Invictus, don’t you agree?”

The mother looks at the knee brace, gazing at it up and down, looking rather unimpressed by the weapon her daughter sports.

“Good for you, dear.”

“What’s this?” Marie feigns shock as she lowers the knee brace just slightly. “Aren’t you impressed with  my new toy?”

“Yeah, impressed, sure.”

The mother and daughter pair make it to Marie’s dressing room door.  Angelica is about to push it open and step inside but Marie places a hand on her shoulder to stop her.  She spins Angelica around to face her, studying her intensely.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.” Angelica attempts to turn back towards the door again but once again Marie stops her, turning her back to face her. “Marie…don’t….”

“Don’t what?  Don’t try and get answers?  Look, I know you, mother.  I know you better than anyone else knows you.  Something is bothering you so tell me, what is it?”

Marie Annabelle Jones is the oldest child of Angelica Jones.  They have been through it all together, the good times and the bad, the rough times and the great times.  There was a time that Angelica referred to Marie as the glue that kept her together, that kept her sane.  Angelica has always had a sixth sense when something was wrong with her daughter and that sixth sense works both ways.  Marie, too, can sense when something is wrong with her mother.  That is the nature of their relationship.  That is just how close they are to one another.

“Do you really want to know what’s wrong with me, Marie?”

Her eldest child nods her head. “Yes, I want to know.”

“Fine,” she sighs and points a finger at Marie “but you asked for it.  Especially after tonight.”

“What do you mean?” Marie asks, genuinely confused. “What did I do?”

“What did you do?  Better yet, what didn’t you do?”

Angelica frowns as she gets up into her daughter’s face. “You were so caught up in your obsession with becoming world champion that you forgot how to treat people…how to treat longtime friends of the family…with the proper respect they deserve.”

Angelica taps Marie on the top of her head. “Ringing any bells now, Marie?”

“Lohan.”

“Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!” Angelica says in an extremely sarcastic tone.

“Look, mother, I can explain…”

“Good, because I have sacrificed a lot for you, a HELL OF A LOT, and I’ll be damned if that will include sacrificing the close friendship and love of someone I once considered as close to me as a sister.”

“No one asked you to, mother!” Marie exclaims, growing a bit frustrated.

“Oh yes they did.”

“When did I…”

“I never said you asked me to do anything.” Angelica retorts, interrupting Marie. “But did Silas want me to watch your ass?  Did Silas want me to protect your ass?”

“Um….”

“Damn right he did and that includes protecting you from yourself and protecting you from people like Lohan who can break you in half!”

“I could have handled Brittany myself.”

“Like hell you could!” Angelica exclaims. “Lohan is a monster and she could have been YOUR monster.  Had you treated her with the respect and dignity she deserves, she would’ve defended you to the death.  Hell, not only would you two still be tag champs to this day, but Britt would’ve helped you win the world championship at Invictus.”

She touches Marie on her nose. “But now you have to do it on your own because you squandered away the friendship of Brittany Lohan.”

“Hey now!” Marie exclaims, sounding slightly offended, maybe even insulted. “Don’t you think I can do this, mother?  Don’t you think I can win the world championship on my own?”

Angelica nods her head. “I know you can do it on your own, but wouldn’t it have been so much nicer to know that the referee was on your side?”

“Are you implying that Brittany will try and screw me out of the title?” Marie asks, her face flushing red with anger. “If so, I’ll teach her a thing or two!  I’ll….”

Angelica shakes her head. “Down girl…I think I can safely say that Brittany will indeed call this match right down the middle.   You don’t need to worry about her.  You just need to worry about Chase, Buehler, and Serenity.”

“And how can you be so sure?” Marie asks demandingly. “You heard the things she had to say about me, the things she tried to do to me.  Brittany Lohan is pissed with me and would want nothing more than to screw me out of what I want more than life itself.”

Angelica sighs. “You’re wrong.”

“I’m not wrong!” Marie insists. “I have had the unfortunate task of having to tag team with her since Last Stand!  I know her!  She has no integrity and wants to hurt me!”

“No, and yes.”

Marie blinks her eyes in confusion. “Huh?”

“Yes she wants to hurt you but no, she DOES have integrity.  I have assurances from her that she will call the match down the middle.”

“Yeah?  Well I don’t trust her.”

“Then don’t.  But you can trust me.  You will be fine.”

Angelica turns and heads back towards her daughter’s dressing room door.  Marie shrugs her shoulders and follows her.  The mother pushes the door open and steps inside with the daughter following closely behind.  As soon as they are inside a voice rings out…

“Nice of you to join me.”

“Huh?” Marie looks around from side to side trying to find the source. “Who?  Where?”

“Behind you.”

Angelica and Marie both turn around.  Standing there is none other than Marie’s sister, Angelica’s other daughter, the former IWC Queen of the Ring Champion Jessica Lasiewicz.  The young Polish woman is wearing blue jeans, black boots, and a black top.  Her long raven black hair is left to hang unrestrained down to shoulder length.

“What the hell are you doing here?!”

Jessica smirks. “Nice to see you too, sis…”

“Seriously, what ARE you doing here?” Marie asks. “Mom and I both know how much you hate Silas Mason.  You have to know that he could be here at any moment, right?”

“Silas Mason already left the arena.”

Marie Jones rolls her eyes. “Fine, smart ass, you got me there, but still, your last experience with IWC wasn’t that great.  What brings you back here?”

“I can tell someone is real happy to see me.”

Marie growls as her frustration starts to build.  Angelica, sensing the tension build, steps in between her feuding children and embraces Jessica with a big hug.

“I’m real happy to see you, Jessie.”

“Great to see you too, mom.”

“Hellllllooooooo!” Marie waves both her hands. “Eldest child here!  Number one contender to the world title!”

Angelica and Jessica turn and both smirk.  “Has she been like this all night, mom?”

Angelica nods her head. “Pretty much.”

“Quit antagonizing me!” Marie stomps her foot like a petulant child. “I have the most important match of my career coming up!”

“Don’t you think I know this?” Jessica approaches her sister. “That’s why I’m here, to offer my support.”

“Your support or are you here to rub it in?” Marie sneers. “We all know you hate Silas Mason.”

Jessica starts to chuckle lightly under her breath.  This immediately draws the ire of her sister Marie.

“What is so damn funny?”

“You are.” Jessica retorts, pointing a slender finger at Marie. “At the end of the day you still don’t grasp the simple most fundamental principle that makes us special.”

“And what’s that?” Marie asks, placing her hands on her hips.

“Family.” Jessica approaches Marie, placing a hand on her shoulder. “No, I don’t like Silas, but he’s not family.  You are my family and I will do anything to protect you and to support you.  I will support you through thick and thin.”

“Nice speech but get to the point.”

“It wasn’t just a speech, it’s the truth.  I have gone out of my way and taken many risks for your sake, Marie, and from what I have observed so has mother.”

Marie rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, she’s put me through the guilt trip already.”

“Just listen to your sister, Marie.” Angelica says, placing a hand on Marie’s shoulder.

“Why should I?” Marie asks throwing her arms up into the air. “You know exactly what she’s going to say.  It’s the same old song and dance with her.”

“Maybe you should listen to that song and dance.” Jessica retorts. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe…just maybe…I am looking out for your own well being?”

“Silas Mason is what’s best for me, Jess.  He helped get me where I am.  He helped get me to the main event of Invictus.”

“And what of Kimberly Williams?”

Marie remains silent, as does Angelica.  Jessica just nods her head. “Yeah, I know all about Kimberly and your newfound friendship with her.  Have you forgotten all about how she kidnapped you?  Because I haven’t.  First Silas Mason…then Kimberly Williams…tell me, Marie, what lengths are you NOT willing to go to become world champion?”

“I think you know the answer to that question.” Marie responds.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

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Jessica Lasiewicz

On Camera

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My father was called “The Gambit” Andreas Lasiewicz because he had a strong love of gambling.  I remember quite fondly how he would teach me how to play the classic games such as poker and blackjack and, just to boot, he'd even teach me some of the dirty tricks.  I learned well from him and his lessons.

There are four suits in every standard deck of cards: the heart, club, diamond, and spade.

To me the heart represents Katelyn Buehler, the sentimental favorite at Invictus.  She's admittedly been through all kinds of hell, fought back through it all to win the Last Stand Rumble and earn a world title shot.  Who wouldn't want to see an IWC veteran who has been through hell finally get what she feels she deserves?

The problem with the sentimental favorite is that they rarely work out in the real world.  The harsh reality is that the sentimental favorite tends to never get ahead, tends to never get what they seek.  They are constantly chasing the big prize but they never EVER quite reach that brass ring.  Sorry, Buehler.

The club reminds me of Serenity.  Much like how a club is used as a weapon against other people, Serenity's individuality is in question as she has become more of a weapon herself, a weapon used by people like Cindy Todd and others to be used at their whim.

So even if Serenity were to win the title, we all know that she really wouldn't be the TRUE champion, am I right?  She'd be champion in name only.  The real champion would be the individual she swears allegiance to at that particular time.

The diamond represents the diamond of the entire Triad and that is none other than Taylor Chase.  Here is someone has, quite literally, fought against demons and won.  She is easily the most popular and most prized possession in the IWC right now due to how dominant she has been in the company.

But every dominance must come to an end.

The spade represents my sister Marie Annabelle Jones.  The spade is the top suit, the best of the suits, and at Invictus the spade very well could dethrone the diamond.  Marie very well could become the new world champion.  She has the talent, she is that damn good.

And that IS a true story.

It's just a shame, a DAMN shame, that Marie feels she has to have Silas Mason to help her pull it off.  Marie is good enough that she can do it on her own.  And that is the real shame in all of this, not that we will crown a new IWC World Champion, but that she'll probably do it thanks to Silas Mason.

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Marie Jones

On Camera

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I sold my soul to Silas Mason because I was sick and tired of being the proverbial welcome mat for every single son of a bitch to walk all over in the Independent Wrestling Cartel.  I was sick of being overlooked and unappreciated and I was willing to do anything to get what I wanted.  The days of Marie Annabelle Jones being a patsy were over.

That brings me to you, Katelyn Buehler.  You see, out of everyone in this company, on this roster, you have always been the single biggest patsy, the single biggest welcome mat, the single biggest loser of them all.  Hell, you were even bigger loser than I was back in the day and that's really saying something because when I was playing to the fans and trying to do “the right thing” I was really pathetic.

But you, you really took the cake.

Now I can respect someone who can recognize the harsh reality of their situation and then take the necessary steps to change it.  That's what I did, Kate.  I took the necessary steps to ensure my success in IWC.  I sold the fans down the river and I started doing things my way.  I started looking out for number one.  And look at what happened to me...

...I became IWC World Tag Team Champion.  I became number one contender to the IWC World Championship.  All of this because I got smart and decided to change things.

You decided to change things.  You were sick of being the patsy and so you took the necessary steps to get what you wanted.  In other words, you started to look out for number one and it all began at Last Stand when you bent the rules to suit your whims and desires.

Make any excuse you want, Kate, but you had been eliminated from the Rumble.  Everyone knows it.  You had no right coming back out there...under a veil of deceit, no less...and yet you did come back out, using nefarious, underhanded tactics that would make Silas Mason blush.  And look at what happened...

...you won.  You won the rumble and you punched your ticket to a world title match at Invictus.  Congratulations.

I can respect you for wanting to do whatever necessary to get what you want.  I did the same damn thing, Kate.  What I don't like about you, what I cannot stand about you, is your hypocrisy.  You run around here still trying to claim the moral high ground.  You run around still trying to claim you are better than me when, in reality, you and I are exactly the same.

I'm just gutsy enough to admit it.

I cannot and I will not respect you because you are a pretender, a phony, and a hypocrite.  You try to put people like me down for doing the exact same things you are doing.  You're not a better person than me, Buehler.  If anything, I'm a better person than you because I am honest about who I am.

All that beside the point, you did make one critical error in the lead up to Invictus and the bigger match of your career...

...you played your cards way too early.

Now I know exactly who you are and I know exactly what you are capable of doing in order to get that championship and this time, unlike what happened at Last Stand, I will be ready, I will be prepared for your trickery, for your deceit, for any kind of manipulation you may use.

You may have tricked your way into the Invictus main event but you will not trick and con your way to the world title.  I grew up in this business as a second generation superstar.  I know every dirty trick in the book and I am ready, willing, and able to use each and every one of those dirty tricks to give myself the edge.

You think you're the only one who has fought long and hard for this moment?  Think again.  I have lived for this moment.  I have bled and sweat and I have paid the price for the opportunity to compete for the world title at Invictus and you, just like Taylor, are just another obstacle in my path.

You will not stop me.

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Scene 2

Off Camera

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Invictus is going to be the biggest match of the career for one Marie Annabelle Jones.   A four way match against the likes of Taylor Chase, Katelyn Buehler, and Serenity for the IWC World Heavyweight Championship.  Against such tough competition the infamous ginger knows that she will have to be at the t op of her game, and even at the lowest of her lows, prepared to do anything to become world champion.

What is one willing to do to become the best?  What is one willing to do to become the world heavyweight champion?  For Marie, she is willing to make a great many sacrifices in order to get into the situation she is in right now.  She signed with Silas Mason, joining  Silas World with the hopes and dreams that he could do for her what he did for Kelcey Wallace, Taylor Chase, and others and get her to the world championship and, true to form, Silas Mason did indeed get Marie a world heavyweight title match at Invictus II.

Unfortunately Silas Mason being just a manager can only get Marie so far.  The Boston, Massachusetts native knew that, in order to get through her three opponents she would have to get some special help, namely from one Kimberly Williams.

Marie Annabelle Jones has a large family, three half-sisters, each from a different father, but the one, Kimberly Williams, has always been borderline psychotic and has never had a smooth relationship with Marie.  Kimberly tried to manipulate and later kidnap and destroy Marie Jones.  Now they are on a united front, working together.

Kimberly was brought on board simply to make sure Marie has that killer instinct necessary in order to win the world championship at Invictus.

With Invictus just over the horizon Marie knows that it is imperative she and Kimberly do some last minute preparation for the main event.  Thus Marie has scheduled to meet Kimberly at a small bar, a local dive, where they can have some secluded time together.

The red-head is walking down the sidewalk, closer towards the door.  She is wearing a black skirt that stops just above the knee, black high heeled pumps, and a red blouse.  She is wearing her signature black leather jacket and sunglasses.  Her long red hair hangs unrestrained to shoulder length.

The Phoenix stops, looking up and sees the sign.  She smiles as she slips her sunglasses off and back into her coat pocket before walking over through the front door.  She walks over to the front of the bar and sits down on one of the red stools.  The bartender approaches.

“Good evening, Ms. Jones.”  He asks, wiping a glass clean. “What may I get you tonight?”

“Nothing.” Marie says, politely refusing the drink. “I’m just waiting for a friend.”

“Suit yourself.” The bartender nods as he turns to walk away. “If you change your mind, let me know.”

“You can bring me a glass of water.”

“Sure thing.”  The bartender walks away to fill the order.

Marie Annabelle Jones sits there waiting for the arrival of Kimberly Williams.  The two women have planned this get together for quite awhile, their last meeting before Invictus, Marie’s last attempt to plan for how she will approach the world title match.

“Marie?”

The Phoenix turns in her stool and watches from afar as Kimberly Williams steps in through the door and makes her way up to the front.  Kimberly is wearing blue jeans, plain black tennis shoes, and a long sleeve black sweater.  Her long black hair hangs unrestrained to shoulder length.  The somewhat unhinged Kimberly makes her way up to the front and sits down next to Marie.

“I’m not too late, am I sweetie?”

Marie chuckles, shaking her head. “No, you’re just on time.”

“Excellent.” The bartender returns, handing Marie a glass of water and then turning to face Kimberly. “I want a Cuban Mary, please.”

“Will do”

The bartender walks away to fill the order.  Marie then turns to face Kimberly, grinning from ear to ear.

“So, the plan is to get dead ass drunk?  Is that it?”

“Yep.”

“And how exactly will that help me?” Marie asks jokingly. “I mean, you are supposed to provide good advice.  How can you do that when your judgment is hindered?”

“Hey now, I’ll have you know that I give my best advice when I’m drunk as hell.”

“I guess we’ll get the chance to put that to the test.”

Marie says this as the bartender returns, with the Cuban Mary in hand sliding it in front of Kimberly.  Kimberly thanks the bartender and then proceeds to take a sip.

“Ah, that’s good…” Kimberly says “…so Marie, tell me, what’s on your mind?  How is your Invictus preparation been going?”

“It hasn’t.” Marie says with a regretful sigh.

“Oh now don’t go saying that!”

“It’s the truth.” Marie responds. “My mother isn’t all that happy with me lately, not with what happened between me and Brittany Lohan.”

“Lohan?” Kimberly sighs. “Yeah, that may have been a mistake.”

“Gee, great, you too?”

“Well, honestly, having the guest referee on your side could not have hurt.”

“Great, rub it in why don’t you?” Marie suddenly pours back her glass of water, gulping a large portion of it down her throat.

“Sorry, sweetie.” Kimberly says, placing her glass of beverage down long enough so that she can embrace Marie tightly. “Forgive me?”

Marie nods. “Yeah, sure…”

“Great!   So, is your mother’s little qualms the only thing that’s bothering you?”

Marie Annabelle Jones sighs and shakes her head. “No…there is one other thing…”

“What’s that?” Kimberly asks, her brow arched.

“Jessica.”

Kimberly frowns. “Oh, her…”

“She means well, she honestly does, but she…”

“She just doesn’t know when to keep her nose out of our business.” Kimberly says, finishing Marie’s thoughts for her. “Am I right?”

“Well…”

“Look, I’m sorry, but your sister Jessica has always been a bit of a pain.  What’s her problem this time?”

“Two things, really.” Marie begins. “For starters she thinks me siding with Silas Mason is a mistake.”

“What does she know?” Kimberly snaps back angrily. “Silas Mason is a cunning business man.  He may not be the most honest of people but then again, who really is all that honest?  What you need to do is USE HIM for your advantage.  Nothing wrong with that.”

“No arguments there.” Marie answers back, taking a sip of water. “Silas Mason got me to the world heavyweight title match at Invictus II.  Who knows what else the future could hold?”

“Precisely.” Kimberly takes a sip of her Cuban Mary. “What’s her other big problem?”

Marie starts to answer but then her eyes grow wide.  Just then someone else beats her to the punch…

“You.”

“Huh?” Kimberly says.

“You are my other big problem.” Kimberly recognizes that voice.  She turns around and spots Jessica standing there, grinning nastily. “Hi there, bitch.”

Jessica grabs Kimberly by her long black hair and hurls her down off of the red stool she was just sitting on and down onto the floor, flat on her ass.  Kimberly scrambles back up to her feet and approaches Jessica menacingly but the Polish woman sidesteps her and sends her crashing back into the bar.  Jessica then pulls a double leg, taking Kimberly back down flat on her back on the ground and Jessica begins to rain down right hands.

“Jessica!” Marie exclaims. “Stop!”

Marie jumps over and grabs hold of Jessica’s shoulders and pulls and pulls and finally manages to pry her half-sister off of Kimberly.  Jessica struggles to get free but Marie hangs on tightly.

“Let me go!”

“No!”

Jessica uses an elbow to the side of Marie’s head, forcing her to break the grip.  Jessica then turns around into a double leg from Kimberly that takes down Jessica.  Now it’s Kimberly on top pouring on the right hands.

“Kimberly!”

Marie jumps in yet again and this time pulls and pries until she pulls Kimberly off of Jessica.  Much like Jessica earlier, Kimberly is struggling in Marie’s grips.

“Let me go!” Kimberly exclaims. “She started it!”

“It doesn’t matter who started it because I am finishing it!”

Jessica pops back up and makes a menacing motion towards the two but Marie gets in between her and Kimberly.

“Jessica…no…”

“Have you forgotten already who this woman is and what she did to you?”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Marie responds. “But have you forgotten something, Jessica?  Have you forgotten that I am going to be wrestling in the main event of Invictus II for the world heavyweight championship?  Silas Mason helped put me into that situation.  And Kimberly…she’s going to help train me for it.”

Jessica nods her head. “So that’s it, then, is it?  You’re willing to do anything to become world champion?”

“Anything.”

“Including sell your own soul?”

“Yes…even sell my own soul.”

Jessica turns and starts to walk away.  “Jessica?”

“No, you’ve made your decision.  And I’ll respect it…but Marie, after it’s all over, ask yourself one thing…”

She stops and turns to face Kimberly and Marie one last time “…is it all worth it?”

==========

Kimberly Williams

On Camera

==========

Invictus is coming up and I am sooooooo excited!  My sister and my bestie are gonna get to compete for the world heavyweight championship of the universe!

Ok, did I sound a smidgen too excited there?  SORRY!  But you get my point that I am very happy about the Invictus main event and that I will be even more happy so long as Marie or Abigail win it all!

Now I know Marie may hate Abigail right now but the fact remains that Abigail pushing her to the limits is why she is in the Invictus main event today.  Serenity pushed her to her physical limits time and time again, much in the same manner as I have been pushing her.

I know exactly what it will take to leave Invictus a winner.  You have a desperate Katelyn Buehler, a dangerous Taylor Chase, and of course my psycho pal herself Serenity, all three vying for the same title my sister Marie is vying for.  There's only one way Marie Annabelle Jones can walk away from Invictus with the win and the title...

...she has to become more desperate than Katelyn Buehler...

...she has to become more dangerous than Taylor Chase...

...and she has to become more psychotic than Serenity.

That's what I'm working with my sister on, ladies and gentlemen of IWC.  I am working to enhance that desperation, make her more dangerous, and make her more psychotic than before as she heads into Invictus.  I know that in order to become champion she has to defeat her opponents on all fronts.  If she does that, if she is successful, then at the end of the day...

...Buehler's dreams will be crushed...

...Serenity will disappoint New Eden...

...and Taylor Chase will go down in a blaze!

Ladies and gentlemen get ready to bow, bow and worship your next world heavyweight champion, Marie Annabelle Jones!

==========

Marie Jones

On Camera

==========

Serenity and The Phoenix, Abigail Lindsey and Marie Annabelle Jones, two individuals with a great deal of history together...

I remember back when I first started here in IWC.  I was so young, so naïve, so eager to please, and I was easy prey for the smug little jerk who hired you to attack me, hired you to blindside me for no other reason than to just make a quick buck.  I can't say I blame you, I'd want to make a quick buck too.  Plus I know who you are and more importantly HOW you are.

Nothing else should've surprised me about you, but then came my kidnapping.  That's a traumatic experience for anyone and for me it was especially traumatizing as I didn't know whether or not I would see my family again.  Believe it or not, the hits kept on coming even after I was rescued, for it was then that I learned that you, Abigail, knew all about what happened.  You knew all about the danger I was in.  You could've rescued me but did nothing about it.

You know, Abigail...or would you prefer I call you Serenity...for a long time now I have tried to wrap my head around you.  During our bitter rivalry several months ago, heading into Last Stand, and to this day I have tried to figure you out all to no avail.  You were like an enigma, Serenity.  Unable to be comprehended.

But now I think I got it.

At one time you were part of The Triumvirate with Constance and Nikki.  In IWC you tried your hand at running Psychomachia.  And now here again, after that failed, you went back to your old ways...the way of the follower, the servant, the slave...you are a member of New Eden.

That's all you know, isn't it Abi?  “Yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir”....all you know how to do, all you are good at, is working for other people.

That's where you and I differ.  I work for my own benefit.  That's why I threw my lot in with Silas Mason.  People like Taylor Chase and Kelcey Wallace are fools.  They are fools for ignoring the greatness and prosperity that Silas Mason's skills can bring them.

As I have already said, Abigail, I want to become IWC World Champion, and I am prepared to do anything to become champion, and that includes letting Silas Mason use every dirty trick he knows in order to get the job done.

But you, you work and operate at the beck and call of Cindy Todd?  Aiken?  Who is it today, Abigail?  And who will it be next month or next year because it is always the same damn trend when it comes to you.

The world heavyweight champion must be a leader, the flag bearer of IWC.  You, clearly, cannot be that leader when you can't even lead yourself.

I am prepared to step up and be that leader.

==========

Scene 3

Off Camera

==========

“Hit it!  Hit the bag!”

Back in Boston, Massachusetts, at the special private gym owned by Angelica Jones herself, we see the self-named and self-made woman, The Dragon of Silas World Angelica Jones, sitting on the edge of a wrestling ring.  A few feet away she watches as her daughter, Marie Annabelle Jones, laces into a heavy bag that dangles from the ceiling.

Invictus II is coming up and Marie needs to get her final preparation in.  Marie had planned on training with Kimberly Williams.  At least that was the plan.  The deranged Williams isn’t so sure about training with Marie, not after the way Jessica assaulted Kimberly at the bar.  As far as Jessica is concerned, she is still sticking to her word that she’s going to leave Marie alone to her own devices.

This means that Marie is left with only one option; her mother, Angelica Jones.

Not that having Angelica Jones in your corner is a bad thing.  Quite the contrary.  Angelica Jones is a thirteen time world champion and a member of three separate professional wrestling halls of fame.  Angelica has competed on the grand stage before on many occasions.  Angelica has battled many types of competitors, from brutal violent hardcore grapplers, submission artists, high flyers, to all rounders, Angelica Jones knows how to do it all inside of the squared circle.  If anyone can help Marie get ready for Invictus, it’s her.

Still, Marie enjoyed the knowledge that she didn’t have to put all of her eggs in one basket.  Knowing that she had a variety of sources to turn to in order to help her prepare for Invictus made her feel confident in herself and in her chances at becoming world heavyweight champion.

Plus one piece of assistance Angelica can provide comes in the form of mental and emotional preparation.  That last New Age before Invictus, Marie knew the task at hand and she knew what she had to do in order to become world champion.  Unfortunately, Jessica made her doubt.

Jessica has pushed the envelop to such great lengths, even to the point of tracking down Kimberly Williams at the same bar Marie met her at and fighting her.  It was there that Jessica asked her if any of this was worth it.

“Harder!  Harder!”  Angelica exclaims as she watches her daughter continue to pound away. “Picture Buehler…Serenity…or Chase.  Picture your opponents as you lay into that bag!”

Marie nods her head as she continues to throw hands.   A few moments later Angelica hops up off of the ring apron and approaches her daughter.

“Ok, stop.”

Marie does as she is told and stands there, catching her breath as she waits on her next instructions.  Angelica points to a bar with weights attached.

“Lift the weights.”

“How many?”

“Just until I say stop.”

Marie sighs deeply. “Fine…”

Jones kneels down and picks up the bar.  Then she begins to lift, up and down, up and down; Angelica smiles with pride as she watches her daughter perform as instructed.

“Good.  Very good.”

After about twenty reps, Marie puts the bar down. “Did I say you could stop?  Keep going.”

“Not right now.” Marie states in between deep breaths. “I just need to…”

“Need to what?” Angelica asks, sounding rather frustrated. “Do you need to rest?  I hope that’s not it because Taylor, Katelyn, and Serenity won’t let you rest.”

Marie shakes her head. “I know.”

“Then what’s your problem?  Do you want my help or not?”

“It isn’t that simple, mom.” Marie shakes her head. “It never is.”

“Then make it simple.”

It’s funny, but one talent Angelica has is the ability to go from hard nosed tough as hell trainer to good-hearted mother with the flip of a switch.  Seeing that concerned, even disappointed look on her daughter’s face tells the story to Angelica, it tells her that something is wrong and that she needs maternal care right now, not a trainer.

“What’s wrong?” Angelica asks, placing an arm around Marie’s shoulder.

“I just don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?”

“Is…is it worth it?”

“Is what worth it?”

“This.  The Invictus main event, the world heavyweight championship, is any of this worth it?”

Angelica sighs deeply. “I see why it’s not so easy.”

“Jessica is my sister.  So is Kimberly, for that matter, but Jessica is closer to me than Kimberly ever will be.  Joining up with Silas Mason and Kimberly Williams may very well bring the world title to my waist but it may also cost me Jessica.  So I ask…is it worth it?  Would you do the same if you were in my position?”

Angelica places both hands on Marie’s shoulders.  She stares deep into her daughter’s eyes.

“Let me start by telling you that no matter what you do, your sister will always love you.”

“I kind of doubt that.”

“You can trust me.” Angelica smirks. “Jessica doesn’t like Silas, she doesn’t like Kimberly, quite frankly I’m not sure I trust Kimberly either, but the bond this family shares is bigger than anything else and nothing can break us up.  Nothing.  That being said…”

Angelica nods her head. “Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I would do exactly what you are doing, I would do anything to become world champion.  Ask forgiveness later.  Opportunities like this do not come every day.  You know it, I know it, everyone knows it.”

Despite hearing all of this from her mother, Marie Annabelle Jones, the oldest daughter of Angelica, is still unsure, she still questions herself.  The past several days she saw her own sisters, Jessica and Kimberly, get into a fight over Marie’s actions and eventually both of them walked away out of frustration over this.  This is not what she envisioned nor is this what she wanted.  She wanted her family to be united, to stand by her side.  She did not want the infighting.

The ginger-haired warrior sighs and then sits down cross legged on the floor, propping her head up in her hands.  Seeing this, her mother Angelica immediately sits down cross legged on the floor as well, next to her, wrapping an arm of comfort around her daughter’s shoulder.

“What is it?”

Marie looks up into her mother’s eyes.  “How can you tell me that I should do whatever it takes, everyone else be damned, when you yourself are having doubts about what you’re doing?”

Angelica sighs, nodding her head.  Marie is right, of course.  Angelica is indeed having doubts of her own, doubts about her own career choices, specifically doubts about Silas Mason.  And yet here she is telling Marie not to doubt Silas and to go all in with Silas World.  It is a contradiction and she knows it all too well.

“Look, my situation is different…”

“How?” Marie asks impatiently. “Tell me how your situation is any different from mine?”

“I joined Silas World based on a lie.” Angelica responds quickly and definitively. “My wife lied to me so that I would fire Samantha Hodgson and join up with Silas.”

She points a long slender finger at Marie. “But you joined Silas knowing full well what to expect, knowing full well what he brought to the table.  And what has he brought to the table thus far?”

The younger Jones doesn’t respond, instead she just shakes her head.  “It doesn’t matter…”

Marie hops up off of the floor and walks back over to the heavy bag.  Immediately she begins to lace into it with rights and lefts.  Jones even throws a few martial arts kicks or three in for good measure as well.

“It damn well does matter,” Angelica begins as she hops up off of the floor as well “because I need to know what frame of mind you are going to be in at Invictus.”

Angelica stops her daughter’s assault on the bag by placing a hand on her shoulder. “Answer me, Marie.”

“Do you want an answer?” Marie spins around to face her mother. “Here’s your answer.  I have been sitting around in the shadow of the Jones family legacy for far too long.”

“Really now?” Angelica asks with a smirk.

“I have fought long and hard to prove my worth, to prove that I am not just the next big thing in the Jones family dynasty but that I am the next big thing in professional wrestling period.  And I have made great strides towards doing that.  I won world championships in GCW and even earned a hall of fame induction.  But was that good enough?”

Marie shakes her head. “No, it wasn’t.  The world wants more of me, they want to see me accomplish more and more before they accept me and my claim as the best.  So I know what I have to do.”

“Which is?”

“I have to defeat Buehler…Serenity…but most importantly I have to defeat Chase.  I have to defeat Taylor Chase for the IWC World Championship at Invictus.  As great as Buehler and Serenity may be, at the end of the day Taylor is the big dog in the yard and I have to put her down to prove my worth and I am prepared to do anything to put her down.”

Angelica nods her head in approval. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

“Really?” Marie asks, looking somewhat surprised. “Are you really prepared to take a step down and let me take the limelight as the leader of the Jones family wrestling legacy?”

“I am…” Angelica runs a hand through her daughter’s long red hair “…it is your time now, kiddo.  Reach out and take that brass ring.”

==========

Angelica Jones

On Camera

==========

The Jones Wrestling Legacy began its era of dominance back in GDW in the year 2003 when I won my first GDW World Heavyweight Championship.  My sister Kayla would join the act, winning her fair share of world titles and tag titles.  We each had children but mine...

...oh my children...

Marie Annabelle Jones and Jessica Lasiewicz became part of the second generation of Jones Wrestling dominance.  Now Jessica already spoke to you some, now it is my turn, my turn to speak to you about my eldest daughter, my prized possession, my one and only, Marie Annabelle Jones.

Marie may have lost the IWC World Tag Team Titles recently but do you know what?  She STILL holds two other championships in two other companies.  My daughter has already been in the ring with some of the best wrestlers in this industry and has come out unscathed.  She has proven time and time again that she can hang with the best of them.

Do you know what else about my daughter?  She has already achieved in a very short amount of time what few ever achieve in their lifetimes.  Marie Annabelle Jones is the true heir, the true leader of the Jones Wrestling Legacy.

Seriously, who can possibly compete with my daughter?

The Lohan family is more dysfunctional than ever.

The Chase family is on top of IWC for now but that will all change after Marie unseats Taylor.

As for Buehler....is there anything really special about her and her family?

Let's face facts, ladies...none of you have a chance come Invictus because my daughter's time is now.  It is her time to lead, it is her time to rule this company as the best in the world.  I recognize it.  All that's left now is to take it.  Take it by force.

All hail Marie Annabelle Jones!

==========

Tina Valentine

On Camera

==========

So as you've all probably seen on Twitter at some point, I officially made my endorsement for Marie Jones to become the NEW IWC World Champion. But how is that even possible? How could I do such a thing when it's been on record that I am not the biggest Silas World fan in the world? How is it even possible considering the wars that I have had throughout my IWC career with her own sister, Jessica Lasiewicz? And of course, how can this be when... I'm not even a ginger?

Let me break this down. Okay? As it stands, Marie is the best choice to be the IWC World Champion because quite frankly, it makes the most sense when you actually sit down and think about it.

But what about Serenity? We get along too, don't we? See, I'm not taking sides with the bitter history between Abi and Marie, but the biggest and most obvious reason why I'm endorsing Marie is because of Serenity's association with New Eden, pure and simple. Silas World isn't exactly filled with angels either, but to me, they are the far lesser of two evils! Plus, to be real here, Marie is quite the enjoyable personality. Serenity has... well... lost her mind in recent weeks, if you catch my drift. Anyone remember "fun Abi"? "Happy Abi?" Yeah, she's definitely not that person anymore. It's a shame that she was weak enough to allow insecurities to seep into her mind the way she did. But not Marie! No, Marie is MORE than strong enough to fight against those internal struggles like that. Does IWC deserve a champion who can't even be responsible for her own state of mind? Definitely not.

As for the other two? Where do I begin? Katelyn Buehler is nothing but a con-artist, a two-face, and someone who has been, quite honestly, the fakest bitch IWC has ever known over the last few months. She doesn't care about the people that cheer for her. She has proven on more than one occasion that she can't be trusted, that Katelyn is all about Katelyn yet she puts on this mask and somehow convinces the idiots in the stands that she's all about them, when she's really not. Now I know Marie isn't a fan favorite either, but at least she is honest about who she is and doesn't try to hide behind a facade. IWC could do far better than a wolf on sheep's clothing, that's for sure. Katelyn has gotten away with KTFO'ing Tay, with cheating on Abi, with cheating her way to a Last Stand win and most importantly, all the months she has trolled, bullied and harassed me.

And Tay.... I'm going to hold my anger as much as I can. As a wrestler, I'll never knock her abilities. As a person? She can go fuck herself and go to hell. I can talk all day long about some of the shit she's told me and some of the shit she's put me through, but this isn't about me, this is about Marie. See, unlike Tay, and I can't believe I am defending Silas Mason but screw it... Marie actually APPRECIATES what Silas tries to do for her. Marie actually IS for Silas World cause whereas all Tay ever was about was herself! Unlike Tay, Marie Jones truly deserves to be the crown jewel of Silas World, without a shadow of a doubt! Not to mention that Marie is a compassionate, consummate individual who laughs in the face of adversity instead of running to Twitter and complaining 24/7 when something doesn't go her way. Marie represents the positives of Silas World that Tay never did, or never could and the same goes for the World Championship!

So, when you stack the facts, there's only one individual out of the four that truly deserves to be the world champion... Marie Jones! Period!

Ginger Nation, bitches!

==========

Marie Jones

On Camera

==========

We open on what is a bright and sunny day outside in a park.  The grass is green with life, two or three large oak trees stand upright towering over the skies.  Birds can be heard flapping and chirping overhead.  The peaceful, serene, image is like the calm before the storm, for we know that soon, not too far away from this very spot, the Independent Wrestling Cartel will be presenting its annual Invictus pay per view extravaganza.  In the main event of Invictus Taylor Chase will defend the IWC World Championship against Katelyn Buehler, Serenity, and this young woman we are about to bear witness to...

...Marie Annabelle Jones.

The gorgeous ginger of Silas World steps into view from stage right wearing a floral print orange sun dress and flip flops.  Dark sunglasses cover her eyes and her long red hair cascades down to below her shoulders.  Her nails, both finger and toe, are painted a luscious shade of red.  A matching shade of red lipstick is painted across her lovely lips, lips that form a smug, arrogant grin.

“Twelve months,”

Those are the only words that come out of the mouth of Marie Annabelle Jones as she slowly makes her walk, the camera following her every step of the way.

“I have been here with the Independent Wrestling Cartel for over twelve months now.  That's longer than a year, by the way.”

The founder of ginger nation stops and stares directly into the camera. “During those twelve months Taylor Chase has multiple times been world champion.  During those twelve months Abigail Lindsey has had her fair share of world title matches.  Katelyn Buehler may not have had the chance to do much of anything in those twelve months but that's her own damn fault.”

Jones motions to herself. “As for me?  In twelve months Frankie Paradise harassed me, I was kidnapped by my own sister, subsequently locked in a bitter rivalry with Abigail Lindsey, better known as Serenity...granted, I did get one reign as IWC World Tag Team Champion but my own tag team partner, Brittany Lohan screwed me out of that.”

There is a tense pause as the camera focuses in on Marie Annabelle Jones.  One can only guess what thoughts are going through her beautiful mind right about now.  As the camera remains focused on her lovely frame, we eventually watch as she reaches up and lifts her sunglasses off of her head and casts them to the side.  We can now see the full intensity that is in her eyes.

“Invictus is the biggest night of the calendar year for IWC.  Invictus is the night where dreams come true.  But it is also a disappointment.  It is a disappointment for one person because for one person's dreams to come true, another person's dreams must go up in smoke.  In order for one person to live her dream, another person's dreams must die.”

“This year at Invictus, the dreams of three people will die while the dreams of one will be achieved.  My point behind telling you this is all quite simple.” She motions to herself with her thumb. “I am that woman whose dream will be fulfilled.”

“For over twelve months I have been going through hell!  For over twelve months I have had to endure pain, heartache, and loss and misery!  For over twelve months I have put up with bullshit time and time again and now...”

That confident smirk returns to her face “...now is the time to pay the piper.  Now is the time for me to get what is coming to me, what I deserve.  I have endured over a year of pure hell while others less deserving, others like Taylor Chase, got everything that they wanted and then some.”

She holds up three fingers. “Three times in these past twelve months Taylor Chase has been world champion!  During these twelve months she had the love of a good man while someone like me has had nothing!”

She points a long slender finger directly at the camera. “You have lived your dream, Tay-Tay, and at Invictus it is my job to kill it!”

“Abigail Lindsey had her chance to become world champion but what did she do with that opportunity?” Jones shrugs her shoulders. “She squandered it.  She failed in her bid to defeat Ba'al and now she's bowing at the feet of New Eden and Cindy Todd.  Serenity HAS no real dream to speak of, ladies and gentlemen!  She lives to fulfill the dreams and whims of Cindy Todd.”

“Do any of you really want to see that happen?” She shakes her head. “I don't.”

“Finally there's Katelyn Buehler,” she chuckles lightly “poor old Kate, some would argue that she's been through just as much hell as I've been through this past year.”

Jones shakes her head. “I disagree.  The difference between me and you, Buehler, is that I did not ask for the troubles I found myself in.  I did not ask to be put into those situations.”

Jones points another finger. “You asked for this.  You put yourself into those situations and you expect us to pity you and to cheer you on like some conquering hero the way you won Last Stand.”

“You're no conquering hero.  The simple fact is that you are no better than me.  You stooped down to the same kinds of lows that I would stoop just to get ahead.  You brought in a smooth talking snake-oil salesman to con your way back into a match you had been medically eliminated from.”

“And people say I sold out when I signed Silas Mason on as my agent?”

“You're no hero, Beuhler.  You are a fraud.  You are a fake, a phony,” she snaps her fingers and the beautiful green park disappears into thin air; quickly we realize that it was all special computer generated effects the entire time “just like this television set.  Your integrity doesn't exist.”

“I'm honest about who I am and what I am willing to do to get what I want.  My name is Marie Annabelle Jones, daughter of Angelica Jones and the heir to the Jones Wrestling Dynasty.  I am the number one contender to the IWC World Championship and I will do anything to get that title.”

She smirks arrogantly. “Anything.”

“I am ready to step up to the next level and ascend to the gods and if that means killing the dreams of Taylor Chase, Abigail Lindsey, and Katelyn Buehler then so be it.  I will kill their dreams.  I will put them down like rabid dogs if I have to because Invictus is my time to rise up.  It is my time to cast aside all the doubters and critics and hatred and show them all, show the world, that Marie Annabelle Jones is the next big thing of professional wrestling.”

“It's my time now.  Deal with it.”

“That’s right, ladies, it’s my time now.  I’m tired of taking a back seat to everybody.  I am sick and tired of just being Angelica Jones’s daughter.  It is my time to step up and become the world champion that I know I can be.  It is time for me force each and every one of you, not just those of you in the main event of Invictus, but those of you watching at home, to sit up and take notice of me…Marie Annabelle Jones…The Phoenix of Silas World, The Phoenix of IWC, The Phoenix the Jones Wrestling Dynasty, and most importantly, your next world heavyweight champion.”

Jones nods her head. “That’s why I have done the things that I have done leading up to this very important moment in my career.  That is why I have done anything and everything within my power and within the power of Silas World to ensure that I had my spot in the main event of Invictus.”

A grin creeps across her face. “Because it is my destiny.  Taylor has had her time in the sun and as for Serenity and Kate, well those two crazy ass love sick prim donnas don’t deserve it.  They can go back to their hotel room after Invictus is over and have hate sex for all I care.  They don’t deserve the world championship.”

“I do deserve it!” Marie pats herself on the chest. “Me!  I deserve it because I have busted my ass for all of my career to get to this point!  I have sacrificed week in and week out throughout my career to get  to this point, to get to Invictus where I can compete for the world championship!  It is my destiny to seal the deal, to take the pretend queen down from her throne so I can ascend to the mountaintop, so I can step up and take what is rightfully mine.”

“It is my destiny, ladies, and you cannot do a damn thing about it.”