Into Oblivion We Walk---

[maddelinesatterfield]

There's one thing I have never done in my career. One final 'infinity stone' that I must pit into the gauntlet in order to truly be able to say that I have done everything there is to do in the sport.

That is, win a tag team championship.

Yes, that's right. I have never won a tag title in my career. Never even had an opportunity to win them either - my success has come from the singles side of thing. Hailey and Ricky were the tag team of our group. That was their thing, and in return, Alyce and I carried the weight when it came to going out there and owing the singles gold. Something we have more than done throughout our career.

Between the years of 2008-2019, we ruled the roost. We walked into every match and made sure it was understood just who was running the show. Between the 2 of us, there is at least 50 championship reigns - probably closer to 100 the more I think about it, throughout a range of companies. I dare you to find a more dominant duo than us.

You won't be able to.

But that doesn't matter now, as I finally have the opportunity I have been craving. The chance I have yearned for to correct the one 'blank space' on my career white board, and it is thanks to my family with the BDL.

The sisterhood we have formed has allowed us to be in position to strike the Gaijin Asssult Army where it hurts the most. To take away the one thing that matters to them more than anything else in the world. The one thing that in their own minds, puts them at the head of the table and ensures they are the ones who rule the roost.

That is, the trios titles.

Belts that Aria, Anya and Chloe have defended with their hearts and souls. Belts that they have made their own - and belts that indicate the next chapter of our story.
---

I sit, alone in a steel chair, surrounded by a barren wasteland of a construction site. My reasoning for being here doesn't matter for now - it is all a part of a matter that will be solved soon enough. One involving 'Infra Red' and intel that Sofia had passed through to me the other day. Mainly pertaining to a potential hideout.

Yet right now, it is quiet. Eeriely so, if you were to ask me. But what it has allowed me to do is ponder things. Map out a strategem in order to leverage our position. The BDL's position. Not just in terms of the impending journey to the Mecca, but also in terms of the upcoming match for the trios titles.

Megumi, Tora and myself against Aria, Anya and Chloe.

I don't know much about Megumi in the ring. I saw her in the battle royal and was impressed, but haven't really had the chance to talk to her on a personal level, or truly get to know her like I have the others. Something that I need to fix sooner rather than later.

As for Tora? I've known her since I first joined the family. I've seen her grow from a young little cub, hanging onto Caponata and trying to find her way, into a fully grown tiger who still has room to grow, but has begun to leave her own mark on the business. Even if she hasn't quite put everything together, she has blazed her own path - something that should be admired.

"We are the ones that have been entrusted with the task of prying the trios belts from the deathgrip of the Gaijin Assault army. The ones who Sayaka trusts to step into the field of war together and make sure that they know that it doesn't matter if they have the Interstellar Dream championship. It doesn't matter if they are supposedly stronger than ever, because we are still here. We are still breathing."

"And our story is far from finished. The power struggle at the top of the mountain is far from down, no matter how many times we see one another in between those ropes. You know it - we know it too."

A soft plume of smoke leaves my mouth as I let out a soft breath. It's cold outside, but I don't mind that one bit. The cold brings a weird sense of comfort to me. A sense of clarity washes over me with the chill of night.

"It is as if it's our destiny to fight forever. To be the last parties standing on the battlefield, each attempting to claim the crown as our own."

I flash a small smile, embracing that reality.

"And I welcome it honestly. I wish for this fight to be eternal, so that we can bring you into our realm and pick you apart. One by one. Piece by piece, the way that it needs to be."

"The way that it was always devised to be. See, Chloe, Aria and Anya - the 3 of you might be the best warriors the Gaijin Assault Army has. You 3 might be the ones that Maggie turns to whenever she wants to flex the group's muscle, but all you are to us is pounds of flesh. Meant to be broken and scarred by the sands of time. By the war that shall await you in the ring."

My eyes narrow.

"For Tora, Megumi and I - we are a family. A sisterhood bound not just by the bonds we share, but the desire to bring you down. To uphold the traditions and legacy of the Black Dahlia Legacy, no matter what it takes. This is just the next step toward the 3 of us achieving that."

"Yet for me, there is a more --- shall we say --- personal motivation. One that has sat unchecked for my entire career, and one that I'm looking to check off. Finally having the chance to scratch that itch."

I stoically look toward the invisible camera, almost in a death glare sort of manner.

"Finally being within touching distance of holding a tag team championship - with 2 people that I respect more than anything else in this sport. 2 people who I know will be there for me, just as I will be there for them."

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a mysterious figure, but elect not to pay them any mind. It's unlikely to be any of the people that I was supposed to be keeping an eye out for, as they are in Kyoto currently. At least, according to what Sofia had told me, they were.

Even if it is one of them, I know I can handle them. After all, I may not be in the whole spying world but I am a fighter. I am someone who knows that she can stand toe to toe with whoever is thrown my way. Something that I have proven time and time again throughout the course of my career.

And something I will continue to do.

If nothing else, it is a good way to send a message to the Celestial Trinity champions and remind them just who they are up against. Refresh their memories as to who I am - especially that of Chloe Storm.

"For this is about more than the receipt that I owe Chloe. The only person who has pinned me throughout my time here in the MGP. See, I don't forget about those things - nor do I let them slide."

"I've been biding my time in the shadows. Waiting for the time that we will have the opportunity to step into the ring again. Where I can become the harbinger of your downfall and remind you of what I said last time we met. That I was gonna be the one to strip everything away from you."

"And I will be."

I pause, letting out a breath.

"For it is what I must be. The one to step up to you and draw the line in the sand that others either cannot or will not. It doesn't matter if you believe you can hide behind Aria and Anya, because I know that Tora and Megumi will handle them."

"Leaving just you and I to handle our business --- and me to pay you back in spades."

I smirk.

"For those belts - they are coming to our family. They are coming where they belong and there's nothing you, Aria, Anya or Maggie can do about it. You may think that the Black company or the Mecca is the threat you should be afraid of."

I pause, a small fire beginning to appear within my eyes.

"It isn't. It never was. We are the threat that you should be most worried about."

Standing, I begin to walk throughout the site, leaning against some scaffolding nearby.

"That doesn't just go for you though - that goes for the rest of the MGP. We may have been silent. We may have appeared to have lost some of our grip on the throne, but what you don't realise is that we have simply been biding our time. Waiting for the right moment to strike. Waiting for Sayaka to call us forth."

My voice then lowers into a whisper.

"That time has come. On all fronts."

The footsteps from earlier get louder, as I shoot a glance in the general direction, watching as the figure turns away. Pulling out my phone, I shoot a quick message to Sofia.

"There might be one lingering around. Want me to shoot?"

Awaiting her reply, I put the phone back into my pocket. For now, they are safe --- at least, until Sofia gives the signal to strike.

"And now, we plan on coming from all sides to strip everything away from those who stand against us. Those who foolishly believe that we aren't family. That we aren't bound by blood - that we won't stand for each other in the field of war."

"Starting with the trio everyone believes are the dominant force."

I chuckle.

"Megumi, Tora - I know you are with me. This is our story to tell. Our chapter to write and our names to enshrine within the sands of time. I know we can do this. I know we can stand tall."

"So trust in me, and I will make sure the song plays out."

It is then that I check my phone once more, seeing Sofia's reply.

'Yes. We cannot afford to be too cautious.'

Smiling, I put my phone back into my pocket as I approach the figure. Staring into their eyes, I watch as they feel a strange sensation within them.

Figure- What do you want?

"I could ask you the same thing."

Figure- Well, I asked you first.

I contort my smile into a sinister grin.

"I just want to talk. Don't worry - I'm not here to hurt you --- unless that is what you want."

The figure nods, seemingly understanding my motives. Or at least, believing that they do.

Figure- Okay. Come with me, and we can talk.

I nod as the figure turns around, heading to a more seculeded area of the site, so that we can begin our talk in peace...

END/TBC