The Path Pt 1

Sometimes in life, we come to crossroads. Decisions we must make that could impact the rest of our lives. One such event happened to me recently. Now, yinz know me. Pro wrestler. Bad ass bitch. Your reigning, defending Alias champion. So what could possibly cause me such pause, such mental distress? Well I walked into the apartment Angel and Bex are renting that I'm freeloading in (I do pay ⅓ of the rent). Angel was sitting on the couch. And in her hands?

Beer Cheese Burger flavored Pringles.

Now I like to think I'm a pretty open and accepting person. It takes a lot or very specific things to offend me. These chips? They offended me. Offended me quite a bit. More than they really should.

“Angel. What the hell are you eating?”

She looked down at the tube. Back to me. Down at the tube. And what does this bitch do? She held the tin towards me! With those big, beautiful blue eyes. I'm damn near tempted to at least try one, but no. I have standards, damn it!

“Babe, how high were you when you ordered those?”

Angel thought for a moment before she answered.

“Yes.”

Welp. Walked right into that one. Okay, I'm really not that bothered, obviously. I plopped down on the couch next to her, my arm going across her shoulders. I love how my arm just seems to settle perfectly against the dips and peaks of her upper body. Like, finding someone I vibe with has been amazing. Feeling like we're puzzle pieces fitting together on a physical level? I literally couldn't ask for better. It makes me crave her touch. Even if her taste in chips is tragic.

“So I'm gonna take another trip.”

A sound, something between a whine and a groan, leaped from Angel’s throat.

“But you've been taking so many trips! Why do you have to go back to Japan?! Unfinished business? Leave something behind? Are you scoring some cool ass drugs or something? Or...are you falling into televisions and awakening your Persona–”

Her arms wrapped around me. Boa constrictor of love. My fingers found a seam in her braids to gently scrape along her scalp.

“I didn't say it would be to Japan. And I didn't say I was going alone.”

Angel yanked back from me. You'd think the girl stuck her finger in an electrical socket from her expression and the way she moved.

“Bex! I’m about to get kidnapped. Want to at least hear the demands?”

It took a minute, but she wandered into the living room, towel draped around her thick neck. Bex was covered in sweat, taking in recovery breaths. Bitch was working out in her room again. Can't think of anything more on brand from her.

“Bitch, if she wants to, she can take your ass. Maybe I’m the one to put her up to it, huh? You even think about that?”

Giving each other shit. A signal that they were in good moods. I sat up properly. I don't see this going poorly, but hey, I think we've established I'm dramatic. Gotta lean into those natural gifts, ya know? It'd be wasteful not to!

“So… I'm looking to take a trip. But this isn't gonna be like my trips to Japan. Yeah, it's gonna be partially for business. But pleasure can get mixed in too. I'm going to Mexico. And you bitches are going with me.”

Angel tilted her head.

"Where we going? How we traveling? Are we gonna get like for real kidnapped by ransom people and put up for...um...ransom?”

I rubbed my forehead. I love this girl, but she gives me gray hair sometimes.

"What?! We're going by plane, ya fuckin' gremlin!”

She pulled her feet up, holding them while gently rocking.

"Can we get Taco Bell down there?”

I'm not sure if she's fucking with me or serious. She does this. Internationally trolls me. Bex loves it cuz it used to just be her dealing with it. Now I pick up half of that fuckin' load.

"They have ACTUAL Mexican food. Why the hell would we get Taco Bell?!”

Angel shrugged. She looked completely innocent, but I know damn well it's a trap.

"But isn't it, like, way more authentic there?”

I yanked my phone out from my pocket and started tapping. When I was satisfied with the information I found, I whipped my phone around and damn near shoved it in her face.

"I just googled that shit! There's no Taco Bell in Mexico. Guess you'll have to have regular ass food.”

Angel was still calm. Infuriatingly calm.

“So McDonalds then?”

Imma strangle her. I'm gonna make her face match her hair color.

“We gonna see the ocean? Like, what do you have planned?”

Bex Savage: Voice of reason. I took a breath to steady myself.

“We're going to Mexico City. Specifically, Templo Mayor.”

Bex loosely crossed her arms, towel thrown over her shoulder.

“And the reason you want to go there.. .is?”

My right leg crossed over my left leg. I leaned back, my eyes darting back and forth between the two women.

“There's an artifact… The Coyolxauhqui Stone.”

They both stared at me like I was speaking a foreign language. Which, fair, I guess. Angel was the first to speak.

“That’s lewd!"

Bex rolled her eyes at her tag team sister.

“So...you wanna explain what exactly the...uh–”

“THE BONER STONE–”

“--that is, or why you wanna see it?”

Alright, guess it's time to reveal how mentally ill I am while using the promise of beaches and vacation for cover. Fuck it, I don't exactly go out of my way to hide it at this point anyway. I am what I am. Angel and Bex are my people.

“It's a stone carved in tribute to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war. I've said I wanna be PRIME’s Goddess of Violence. That wasn't just trash talk. I'm serious about it. Hence my Alias stip and this trip.”

Aaaaand there's the awkward silence. Kinda figured that would happen. I mean shit, if we weren't wrestlers, I'd expect a far more concerned reaction. Angel put the ‘chips’ down on the coffee table. And she snuggled up to me.

“I believe in you. If that's what you wanna do, we've got your back.”

Bex nodded and walked over to the couch, leaning on it with her arm.

“Yep. We're there. I kinda dig it, honestly.”

And this is why I love these bitches. That devilish little grin crossed my lips.

“Pack your shit. We're going to Mexico City!”

Hey, did you know it's hot in Mexico? I knew this. Have known this. But I still went there. And I bitched about it the whole time. Why doesn't the outside have AC? We can send billionaires into space but the best I can do for cooling is a dumb little neck thing I gotta charge every night back at the hotel room?! I hate it here. Here being existing. ANYWAY!

You ever wanna see Bex Savage act like a kid? Take her to the beach. For real. There are three places Bex seems most happy; working out, in front of a grill and at the beach. She's a more complex person than some would understand. Yeah, she's buff and badass and such, but she's still a woman. She likes getting her nails done and doing her makeup too. I think people are more understanding of duality than they once were, but there's still morons out there.

It's the same with Angel. Some people think she's just a goofy bimbo that says funny or weird things. She's not. They don't see her when she's upset or hurting. They don't see her frustration. I do. And it tears me up. But I'd rather be there, see it and comfort her than not. We are not our masks. I've been trying to shed more and more of mine. Hence the uptick in brutality from me. Hence this trip.

The beach, the drinking, hanging out and unwinding was nice. But even with all that, my primary goal was still ticking in the back of my head. That nagging thought, a blinking neon sign that can't be ignored; alluring with its colors and blinking pattern, frustrating with its constant buzz and visual cry for attention. I don't know if this visit or the path I'm on will satiate me, but it's giving me purpose beyond “wrestle, win match.” A path for growth, even if the means lead to a gory end.

There's a certain calm that comes with walking through ruins. Time passed, stories you only see the ending of, proof of evolution in front of your eyes. You ever look at such things and imagine them at their peak? See the figures navigating what was once an exquisite and bustling metropolis? Maybe that's just me being weird. Even without the brain trauma, I know I'm built different. Mind you, I said different. Not better.

There's no voices here anymore, other than our own. No Aztecs, just a couple of white bitches walking along hallowed ground. I feel like I can hear them, though. Not chatter. Not laughter. The screams. Cries of war. I can feel their agony. And the scary part is it refreshed me. Refueled me. I used to try and fight these kind of thoughts off. Here's the thing; I am a kind person. But even a genuinely kind person is capable of performative kindness. I'm over that. Been over it. Doesn't do you much good with the kind of company you keep in a PRIME ring.

I kept that to myself while we continued our journey. While I definitely wanted to see the ruins, there was something I was looking forward to even more. The actual museum located at Templo Mayor. The other displays get a bit of attention from me. Honestly? I think Angel and Bex are a bit more invested in them than I am. You ever go to an amusement park, knowing full well that there's really only one ride you wanna get on? Other things can be fun, but they're more a distraction or maybe an appetizer. I'm ready for the main course. The main event.

The Coyolxauhqui Stone.

Nobody's allowed to touch it. Not surprising. It could cause degradation and such cuz we're filthy little beings that destroy things without even meaning to. Still, even being in its presence is enough for me. That feeling from earlier roared back with a vengeance. The suffering. The pride of conquest. Pride and bloodshed.

“That's a big stone circle medal type… thing. Thingie. Totally a thingie.”

Thank you, Angel. Bex isn't much better.

“Yep. That sure is… a rock of some kind.”

It's fine. I don't expect them to get it. I don't expect anyone to get it, really. I know they're supportive and that's enough. This is for me.

“It's a monument dedicated to the Aztec god of war, the sun, and human sacrifice… Huitzilopochtli. It's his sister, who he decapitated in protection of his mother. Her body broke to pieces when pushed from the top of a temple. That's what this is depicting.”

They were both quiet for a moment. Then Bex rubbed her chin.

“Well… fuuuuuuck.”

Angel’s hands went to her hips as she inspected the monument once more.

“I'm sure there's more to that, but… It's kinda wild, right? Siblings fighting each other? Siblicide? Wild.”

My head whipped over to Angel.

“Where the fuck did you learn that word?”

She leaned back, practically indignant.

“I know words! Who said I don't know words?! I have the wordiest words that ever worded!”

Bex signed.

“Cut it out, dumbasses. We're in public.”

Angel made her way over to me. One hand went to my shoulder, the other to my hip. Seriously, it's so damn natural. She looked into my eyes. With her, that's one of my biggest weaknesses, and the bitch knows it.

“Are you satisfied? Like, do you feel better since we came here and saw this?”

It took me a moment, but I nodded.

“Yeah. This was what I wanted. I can feel it. I think I'm another step closer.”

My hand went to her cheek.

“But having you both here made it a journey and not a trek.”

Angel’s bottom lip quivered. She surged forward and wrapped me up in a hug. It didn't take long for Bex to step up and put her arms around both of us. And my arms went around both of them. Almost sixteen years. My wrestling career is almost old enough to get a driver's permit. And yet I've never felt more at ease than I am with these two.

That's no shade to anyone. I love Janelle and we'll always be friends. Kohime has a special place in my heart. I'm honored I have, and in ways continue to, share space with Vae Victis. I've had friends and important acquaintances come and go. Some are even still present physically, but gone emotionally. But Angel and Bex are here. We'll always be Trash. And we'll wear it like a badge of honor.

NEW MOVE UNLOCKED!

Fall of Coyolxauhqui

With the opponent on the apron or near a drop in elevation, RIA Lockhart will charge to hit them with a hip attack

+12 damage

Hehehe…

Hahahaha!

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

Wow. I legit couldn't have asked for a match I wanted more! Tony fuckin’ Gamble! In the match type I specifically chose?! Somebody up there must hate Tony, or someone down there must really love me! Doesn't particularly matter. No holding back from me. No Bobby Dean. No Ian Salt. No bullshit.

You think ol’ Goofy Grin fully comprehends how fucked he is here? Cuz real talk? Yeah, I wanna win the match. But that's not my top objective. No no. Gamble owes me. He owes my friends. He owes the entire fuckin’ world for all the shit he's done! I finally get to collect on that. But money? Possessions? None of that will do.

Jenny and Nate Colton. Kohime Mori. Ami Troy. Angel Quinley. Tom Battaglia. I could go on and on. Just a few names that Gamble has taken pleasure in belittling. Insulting. I wanna hear him say those things again. I wanna fucking hear him scream them while that barbwire sheds his skin! Every drop of blood, every bit of suffering… that's the payment.

I really don't care how badly I hurt Tony. Truth be told, I could end his fuckin' career and I wouldn't feel an ounce of sympathy about it. Why the fuck should I?! Why does he deserve grace?! I don't respect the fuckwit. I'm aware he's devious. I know he'll stoop as low as he has to for a win. That's where he's in the most trouble here. Let's say Laughing Bitch finds a way to somehow win the match. It won't be without me having caused him pain and suffering that might mentally scar him for the rest of his life, to go with the physical. So even if I lose? I win!

Welcome to the Nest. He won't escape without getting bitten. Who's laughing now?