The photograph had been sitting on Remi’s desk since she found it. Every time she passed it, her eyes found their way back to it. At first she had been convinced the answer would reveal itself if she simply looked hard enough. Then she had started researching. Old event posters. Archived websites. Records. Anything she could get her hands on. Most of it led nowhere.

That morning, with a half finished notebook filled with observations spread across her desk, she found herself staring at it once again. Her eyes drifted over it over the image for what had to be the thousandth time. Then stopped.

She frowned.

Slowly, she picked it up as her pulse quickened. How had she missed that. The image was old and faded, worn from handling, but now that she was looking at it from a different angle, something near the bottom of the ring apron caught her attention. Writing, almost impossible to make out.Remi grabbed her phone and switched on the flashlight, angling the beam across the glossy surface. Not much, just a few letters, cut off by the edge but enough to know it was there. Her heart began racing.

For the first time since the hooded man had handed her the package, she felt like she might be standing on the edge of a real answer. She examined it again, every detail as her thumb ran over the ever so slight indentations. She reached for her pen and started jotting down possibilities.

A flicker of movement outside caught her eye.

She paused and looked out the window. At first she thought it was just a reflection, then she saw it again. The air beyond the glass shimmered. The space itself seemed to ripple and distort. A familiar sound echoed faintly through the evening air. Her eyes widened. “No way…”

The shimmering intensified, and a blue light flashed. And suddenly a purple phone box materialized in her yard with all the subtlety of a train wreck.

Remi stared, the photograph forgotten in her hand.

Outside, the purple time ship known as Excellence sat proudly on the grass as though it belonged there. For along moment Remi remained frozen. One mystery in one hand, a time-travelling phone booth in the backyard. Eventually she laughed. She set the picture back down. The clue would still be there later. Excellence wouldn’t.

And if she had learned anything, it was that when Betsy arrived with Excellence, normal plans were about to become completely irrelevant.

Shaking her head, she pushed to her feet and headed towards the door.

The mystery could wait.

This couldn’t.

She opened the door and waved at Betsy, who was standing by her machine grinning.



Life was always full of ups and downs.

The low of her life outside the ring being in shambles, overpowered by the high of winning the Television title against Bobby Bourbon, and now the arguable low of having to defend said title… against her two closest friends in the company.

Remi looks across the circle at Betsy, lustrous hair floating as she dipped down atop her steed. She rose again, then dropped as the carousel spun, unfiltered joy all over her face. Remi can’t help but smile herself, her thighs gripping the ornate saddle of her own ride.

“You know Bets, I think the easiest thing I could do right now is talk about friendship. I could tell everyone how much I care about you, how much respect I have for you, and how difficult it is knowing that when this match begins, one of the people standing between me and keeping the Television Championship is someone I genuinely love having in my life.

And every single one of those things would be true.

But thats not the only truth. Truths don’t stop when things become uncomfortable, or when the person standing across from you is your friend. It doesn’t stop because you’d rather say something nicer. And the truth, Betsy, is that I’ve spent months watching you and asking myself the same question over and over again.

It’s not whether you’re talented, tough or capable. I’ve never questioned any of those things.

The question I’ve been asking myself is why somebody with all of those gifts keeps finding herself back where she started.

See, I knew who you were before I ever got to the XWF. I knew the reputation and accomplishments. I saw the respect people have for you. And when I finally got the opportunity to come into the XWF and see for myself, I understood why.

You’re easy to root for and believe in. You’re the kind of person who makes people want to see you succeed. When I look at you I see somebody who should have been holding more championships. Somebody who fought through setbacks that would have broken other people.

But somewhere along the way talent and potential stopped being the question. The question became consistency.

I’ve been paying attention to you for far longer than you ever became aware of me. The last nine months or so, I’ve watched the same cycle play out over and over again.

You’ll build momentum, then something happens. I’m not sure what, but you take a step back. You lose ground. You have to rebuild and fight your way back, and then the momentum returns again. But before long, we’re right back at the beginning. You came back with an opportunity to remind everyone exactly who Betsy was. There have been moments you did exactly that. And then you trip. Not because you’re incapable. On your best day, you’re terrifying. On your best day you could beat almost anybody. Your best day could absolutely leave this match with my belt.

But is that the Betsy who is going to show up?

The best Betsy?

Championships aren’t built on best days. It’s when you can be that person over and over again. Reliability. Knowing exactly who is going to show up every time the lights come on and your music hits. If we’re being honest Bets, that’s been your biggest battle since coming back. Not your opponents, by all accounts you could have eaten them all alive.

It’s yourself.

Everytime it seems like you’ve finally grabbed ahold of something, it slips away again. You rise and fall just like this carousel. You had a chance at the Universal and fumbled. You were the Revolution Champion, and now you’re not. You were one of the final competitors in the Leap of Faith match, and that’s something to be proud of. It is. But it was another missed opportunity in a long line of them. Bad days happen, but the frequency begs the question: why? What is going on with you? What is running through your mind? What is taking the Impossible Traveler off her game? Why all the losses?

What’s taking your focus off your game?

And that makes this difficult Betsy. Because under any other circumstances, I’d be rooting for you. I’d be the one trying to help you find yourself. The one pointing out the things you’re doing right where all you can see are the things that went wrong. That’s what friends do. I want you to find the success that’s been slipping through your fingers. I want you to become that shooting star I know you deserve to be.

Just not at my expense.

I’m sorry if that sounds selfish but this championship means too much to me to pretend otherwise. I’m holding it and I’m defending it, and I’m not ready to let that go. I’m bringing my all to this match, and I’m taking it very seriously. Because if your best version shows up, I know exactly whats waiting for me. The only thing I can do is make sure the best version of me shows up too, like I have been doing. Hope that when we are all standing in that ring giving everything we have, that I’m the one left standing in the end.

I fully believe you’re going to be sprinting towards this opportunity before you figured out why the last one slipped away. You had the gold, and then you lost it… and before the dust completely settled, another championship was suddenly hanging right in front of you. You’re going to be out looking to make an example out of me, to prove that you’ve still got it. But you know what I think Bets? I think you’re starving, and starving people don’t always make smart decisions. They grab for the first thing they see. You’re hoping this is going to be your next high, looking at the belt like your redemption to your loss against Summer Page.

I look at this championship and see something I fought for. Something I earned and worked for. A dream that became reality for me.

Maybe thats the difference between us. Not talent, not heart, and not even ability. Maybe the difference is that I’ve already figured out what drives me. I know what i’m fighting for. I know exactly what I’m willing to sacrifice to keep this championship

I might be a rookie and new to XWF, but you’re playing with someone who already knows what version is showing up when the bell rings. And that’s a dangerous thing for anybody standing across from me… and unfortunately Bets… thats you this week.

If I have my way, you won’t be finding me your ladder rung back up. I hate to do this to you Bets, but I’m going to have to leave you scrambling in the dirt, wondering where you went wrong this time. Another loss along your path.

I’m not going to be the back you step on to try and return to the top.”

The carousel slowed gradually, the cheerful music softening as the painted animals rose and fell one final time before settling into place. Remi remained seated on her pink pegasus for a moment longer, one hand resting against the polished gold pole as her words lingered in the air. Chocolate orbs drifted across the ride once more.

Betsy was sliding from atop the deep purple dragon, its fierce and snarling facade a deep contrast to its grinning rider. But Remi knew that very same nature lurked beneath the surface of her friend.

Then her gaze shifted beyond her, where Rowan was seated several rows back astride a silver wolf. The choice suited him perfectly. The wolf’s expression looked almost stoic, and Rowan wasn’t much different. At least on the surface. His posture was relaxed, his face carrying the same thoughtful expression he seemed to wear most of the time. But his eyes were different. They sparkled with amusement.

The ride came to a complete stop and around them, children immediately began scrambling toward the exits while parents gathered strollers and souvenirs. The atmosphere shifted from gentle movement to excited chaos in seconds. Remi swung one leg over the side of the pegasus and hopped lightly onto the platform below. The three of them naturally gravitated back together near the carousel exit. Betsy was stretching her arms overhead and Rowan had his hands tucked comfortably into his pockets as they turned as one and started sauntering away. “So,” Remi said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “What’s next?”

“Rollercoaster.” Betsy answered as if she’d been waiting for someone to ask.

Rowan glanced at her with a smile. “You didn’t even think about that.”

“I’ve been thinking about it since before we got here.”

“I’m pretty fond of the gravity wheel.”

Remi nods approvingly. “Well for the record, I was thinking bumper cars.”

“Bumper cars?”

“I’ll have you know that controlled vehicular chaos is a highly respected art form.” That earned a chuckle from Rowan. “But,” Remi continued, raising both hands in surrender. “I picked the carousel. We can do what you two want first.”

“A rollercoaster is the correct answer.”

Rowan folded his arms thoughtfully. “I like rollercoasters.”

Betsy looked victorious. “See?”

“I didn’t say it was better than the gravity wheel.”

“Too late. You already agreed with me.”

Rowan sighed, but grinned.

Remi’s own smile widened. “Sounds like we got a winner.”

As the discussion continued, she found herself watching her friends. Betsy attacked decisions the same way she attacked opportunities. Passionately, without hesitation. If something excited her she went for it. Rowan approached everything differently. He listened and considered, measured it, then offered his thoughts. Despite herself, Remi found her brain cataloging those differences. Observation had become a second nature long ago. She liked understanding what made people tick. That same curiosity had led to her spending time with Cashe before their match… turning a championship dream into a reality. It had served her well in every match since. And very well might in this instance as well.

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she fell into step beside them and followed the flow of the crowd deeper into the park. The day was still young with plenty of things to do, memories to make. And whether they realized it or not, every single moment was teaching her something.

Remi had always been a very good student.



Rowan had been missing for nearly thirty minutes.

The girls had come out of the restroom to no sign of him. They had checked gift shops, food stands, nearby rides, and everywhere they thought he might be.

Nothing.

Eventually, after exhausting every single reasonable possibility, Betsy shrugs. “Maybe ge got abducted by aliens.”

Remi snorts. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?”

Remi considers that. Given she had just teleported via Excellence and recently found that vampires and other supernaturals existed, maybe it wasn’t so far out of the realm of possibilities. “.........Fair.” She goes to speak more and catches the change in Betsy’s expression. It had gone from joking to serious concern. Remi tries to shake off the unease that slides along her spine. What could have a woman like Betsy looking like that? A second later, her friend’s features transform back after one last glance at the sky. With no better options available, they eventually join the line for one of the larger rollercoasters in the park. Naturally, the universe decided to make things more complicated as soon as they got to the front.

The attendant pointed towards an empty seat. “We need one rider.”

Betsy looked at Remi.

Remi looked at Betsy.

Betsy stepped forward, calling over her shoulder. “Good luck!” Before Remi could protest, her friend was escorted onto the departing train.

A few minutes later, Remi found herself climbing into the next one alone..The safety bar locked into place with a heavy click. The train lurched forward and slowly began climbing. As the first hill stretched endlessly toward the sky, Remi found herself thinking about Rowan and musing outloud.

“Rowan, with you there’s a level of understanding that comes from standing across the ring fromone another and finding out exactly what kind of person is looking back at you. Before we ever became friends and spent time together outside wrestling, we did the thing that matters the most in this business.

We fought.

And when you fight somebody, you learn things about them. You learn who they are when things get difficult and the pressure starts building. You learn who they are when the easy answers stop working. That’s why I’ve always respected you, and even more so after our match. You’re methodical. Patient. You pay attention. The funny thing is, I don’t think enough people realize how dangerous that is. Everybody notices the people who walk into a room and make sure the entire world knows they’re there. People like you don’t operate that way. You watch and listen, build a picture before making your move.

In a lot of ways I recognize that quality. I’ve built a lot of my success the same way. By noticing details and understanding things other people overlook. That’s why I studied you before our match. I knew I had to. I wasn’t stepping in with somebody reckless. I was going in with somebody capable of adapting who would challenge me.

And thats exactly what happened.

You pushed me. You made me work for every second of that victory. But we got in there together and I found a way to win. I know how dangerous you are. I also know what it takes to beat you. I stood in the fire with you once and walked out the other side.

Some people would look at the result and think the story was over.

I didn’t.

One match doesn’t guarantee the next one.

I’m not complacent or comfortable, and I’m certainly not about to underestimate you. If anything it does the opposite because I know what I’m dealing with.

I’ve watched the way you responded and carried yourself forward. You took a setback and kept going. After our match you earned a victory, and then took a tumble in the Leap of Faith match. After our match, I beat Jordan Penn and his six cronies and then Bourbon to get the TV title. Then our roads crossed once again, and this championship represents something different to each of us.

For you, it’s something you’re trying to win.

For me, it’s something I’m trying to protect.

Two very different mindsets. I’m not hoping I’ll be a champion.

I am one.

And I’m coming in determined to stay one.

It changes how you prepare and how you think. How you approach every challenge in front of you. Make no mistake Rowan, I see you as a challenge. A serious one. I’d actually be disappointed if you hadn’t been studying me looking for weaknesses. That’s what competitors do. Problem is, I’ve been doing the exact same thing.

Now I’m walking into this match with something neither of us had the last time we faced each other: Purpose. The kind that comes from achieving a dream and knowing exactly whats at stake. The kind that makes you willing to fight a little bit harder, dig a little deeper, and refuse to let go when everything starts hurting.

I respect you far too much to underestimate you, but I’m not afraid of you. I’ve already survived you once, and since then, I’ve only become more focused, more experienced, and more determined to hold onto everything I’ve worked for.

Since the day i arrived I’ve done nothing but climb. Not without challenges but every obstacle has pushed me forward. Every step has brought me closer to the woman I wanted to become. Meanwhile, you stumbled in our match, fought to regain your footing, and then lose momentum again. I know you always find a way to get up, that’s admirable. But Rowan, there’s a difference between recovering lost ground and taking new ground and right now, we ‘re standing on opposite sides of that line.

You’re searching for your next breakthrough and I’m living mine.

I think you’ll find your footing again, I genuinely do… just not with me. I worked too hard for everything I have to become somebody else’s redemption story. I worked too hard to get this championship to watch my reign become the moment somebody else gets their confidence back.

Maybe that sounds harsh but champions don’t stay champions by apologizing for wanting to keep what they earned.

Last time you made me fight for every inch. You forced me to be better. And honestly? I expect this time to be even harder. But understand something, the tougher you become the tougher I’m willing to become. And when the bell rings, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure history repeats itself.

Because I’m fighting for my future.

I know you’ll find your footing again Rowan.

But it isn’t happening here. Because if you’re looking for solid ground, you’re looking in the wrong place. The moment you step into the ring with me, the ground starts shaking.

I love you both dearly, and I’d do anything for you…

Except roll over.”

By that time, the coaster had reached the top and she spent a moment, hanging there, looking into nothing.

Then the drop came.

The world vanished into wind, speed and screaming. A sharp turn sideways. “OOF!” Her ribs collided with the metal side. The coaster climbed another hill. Remi groaned dramatically as it peaks and drops again, heading for another curve. Remi braces herself as the train banked sharply, ready for the assault on her side. But instead of colliding with hard metal again…

She slams against something warm and yielding.

“OOF!”

Her eyes snap to the side.

Rowan sat beside her.

His eyes met hers, just as confused. And then he smiles. She gapes at him. Neither say anything, there was no time as the coaster drops again and they both screamed.

The wind tore through their hair as the train dove down the tracks. Without thinking, Remi grabs the first thing she could reach, which happened to be Rowan’s arm, setting him off laughing. At some point, she starts laughing too.

By the time the coaster finally rolled back into the station, both of them were breathless.

“Woohoo!” She releases her grip on his arm.

“Wow! That was fun, even though I only got to do half of it!”

“Yeah, how the hell did you…” Remi shoves hair out of her face and turns to find the seat next to her completely empty. “..........annnnnnnnnd he’s gone.”

A minute later she stumbled off the ride and spotted Betsy waiting near the exit, she rushes towards Remi.

“Did you see that?!” at the same time as “How did Rowan get on there with you?!”

They stared at each other. Then stared at the coaster. Then slowly looked up towards the sky.

Another mystery.





Later, Remi sat alone on the ferris wheel with her thoughts, taking in the colorful lights as they twinkled to life in the impending darkness. The craziness of her life, traveling through a time vortex, vampires, possible aliens poofing her friend. What else was waiting for her?

“When you’re chasing a championship, all you can see is the top. You look at the mountain and convince yourself that if you just work a little harder, sacrifice a little more, everything will finally make sense. The dream feels different when it’s still out of reach. But when you’re holding a championship?

All you can see is how far you can fall.

The realization that everybody is looking at what you have and imagining it belongs to them. Friends. Rivals. Strangers. It doesn’t matter. The moment you become champion, you stop being the hunter and become the hunter.

And the funny thing is… I love it.

Every damn second of it.

Because this isn’t just for me. It’s for the little girl who fell in love with wrestling. The one who watched champions and dreamed about what it might feel that proved all the work was worth it. I found out when I won the Prestige off Cashe. I was willing to fight a friend to get it.

Now I have Television title… and I’m going to be fighting my friends to keep it.

Not because I love them any less… but because I love this too.

I know that sometimes I’m not the strongest or most athletic in the ring. I’ve never pretended otherwise.

What I am is dangerous.

The kind of dangerous that watches, listens, learns and remembers. Even when the people I’m studying are people I care about.

Especially them.

The view is beautiful from up here.

And I’m not ready to come down.”