Amelia Nevado vs. Clyde Sutter

[Konrad Raab]

2 RP Limit for singles

3500 Word Limit Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Saturday, March 1, 2025

[The Assassin]

1 of 2
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February 23rd, 2025
Miami, Florida
Off Camera
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Breakdown in Charlotte was not without incident for “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter. The imposing Sutter, who took the newly crowned Television Champion Ryan Lecavalier to her limit, made it abundantly clear that he had not forgotten their encounter. He had not forgotten that her victory came as a result of a disqualification and that victory over him was not certain. The Assassin has made it clear that he wants another opportunity at the Television Title. But his business dealings with The Fall of Man are not completely done, either. Next Breakdown he will face Amelia Nevado, one half of the SCW World Tag Team Champions. Amelia and Luz, Light in the Darkness, have been locked in a war with The Fall of Man and are on a collision course to defend their tag team championship against James Evans and Giovanni Aries. The Assassin knows what his task is; he is to weaken Amelia, if not take her out completely, in advance of Retribution, to make Evans and Aries’s job easier. The extra cash from William Heaven, as well as the potential cash from becoming Television Champion if he does get a rematch, all of it is promising to Sutter. All he wants is to make life easier for the love of his life, for Melinda Braddock. That is what he lives for; that is why he does this job. Everything he does is with her in mind.

Sutter is scheduled to be in Columbus, Ohio next week to face Amelia Nevado. Normally he would go straight to Columbus right out of Charlotte. Instead he has opted to drive himself and Melinda right back to their second home in Miami, Florida. Melinda’s mother, Glory Braddock, had purchased the home for Melinda so that she could be closer to the family. Sutter and Melinda do stay there from time to time for that very reason. Sutter’s logic in going to Miami is simple; he wants to get away from his sister, Lilith Sutter. His sister has been a thorn in his side as of late, stalking him at every turn. The most recent and most dangerous incident was when she stalked him to his and Melinda’s hotel room in Dusseldorf, Germany when they were there for SCW Dogfight in Dusseldorf. He has no idea what Lilith’s agenda, her true motivation, might be, but he doesn’t want to expose Melinda to Lilith. He can sense that Lilith is dangerous and he does not want to endanger Melinda. The Assassin hopes that by going to Miami that Lilith will be unable to find them, that they will be out of her reach.

Clyde Sutter lay stretched across the luxurious king size bed, his muscular frame partially covered by the thin sheet that clung loosely to his lower body. His broad chest rose and fell with the steady rhythm of sleep, the golden morning light filtering through the partially drawn curtains highlighting the definition of his shoulders and arms. His long, dark hair was slightly disheveled from sleep, and a hint of stubble shadowed his strong jawline, giving him a rugged, unpolished look. Even in rest, he seemed imposing; his sheer size, the way his muscles tensed even in unconsciousness, as if always ready for a fight, a chase, or some unseen danger lurking just beyond the horizon. Beside him, Melinda Braddock lay curled up against his side, her head resting on his bicep, one hand draped across his chest as if to anchor herself to him. Her long, wavy blonde hair spilled across the pillow and onto his arm, strands catching the soft morning light. Her skin was fair, almost porcelain-like in contrast to his, and a smattering of freckles danced across her shoulders. She had an elegance about her, even in sleep; her lips slightly parted, her breathing deep and even. The contrast between them was stark: she, delicate and refined, and he, all raw power and barely contained strength. She was raised in luxury, he had to fight to survive on the streets.

The bedroom itself included sturdy furniture, built to last; dark wooden nightstands flanking the bed, a matching dresser against the far wall. A worn leather armchair sat in the corner, Clyde’s boots resting haphazardly beside it, as if he had kicked them off the night before without a second thought. The room itself is very limited in its decor. In fact, the only real decoration came from Melinda; soft touches here and there. A lace-trimmed throw blanket draped across the foot of the bed, a small vase of wildflowers on the dresser, a framed photograph on the nightstand of the two of them, taken when their relationship was still new. The sunlight creeping through the curtains slowly illuminated the sleeping pair. It was quite a peaceful, serene moment, a moment that would be shattered in very short order. A loud banging is heard coming from the front door. Sutter and Braddock try to ignore it at first but the banging becomes more and more insistent, louder and louder. Finally, giving in to the demands of the unexpected and uninvited guest, Clyde throws his legs over the side of the bed and then stands up. He walks over to a pile of his clothes on the floor where he had left them the other night and proceeds to begin to get dressed. Meanwhile Melinda sits up and stretches.

“Babe, why are you getting up?”

“We have a visitor.”

“I know I heard.” She yawns. “But seriously, just ignore them.” She pats the bed. “Come on back to bed.”

“I have a feeling that this individual will not give up so easily.” Just as Clyde says this the knocking continues and again it is even louder than before. Melinda is growing more and more annoyed with the constant banging.

“Does this person not give a damn about our privacy? We just got in from a long flight, we barely got any sleep…”

“But we did have fun, did we not?” Clyde asks with a wink as he slips a pair of loose fitting black jeans on over his legs and then a simple white t-shirt on over his head. He sits down in the chair and starts to put his socks on his feet followed by his boots.

“Yeah, yeah we did.” Melinda giggles. “But seriously, we got to make another trip to…where is it again?”

“Columbus, Ohio.”

“Yes, Ohio, and you have to face Amelia. You know her, right? One half of the World Tag Team Champions.”

“I am well aware of her abilities and accomplishments.” Clyde remarks with little to no emotion. “She should be aware of what I am capable of. Ms. Lecevalier got lucky, I would have been Television Champion had it not been for…

“Waylon Creek?” Melinda smirks. “That’s the company you keep, babe.”

“Fair enough. Still, this is my chance to prove that I am championship material.” The knocking, the banging, it escalates. Sutter is showing signs of frustration. “But for now I need to deal with whoever the hell is bothering us at this hour!”

“Babe…” Melinda begins, her face showing signs of concern “...what if it’s your sister?”

The Assassin goes silent. This is something he had not considered. His sister, Lilith Sutter, has been obsessed with him as of late. She stalked him and Melinda when they were in Birmingham, England. She has gone as far as to track him down to Germany at Dogfight in Dusseldorf. All of this because she feels she knows what is best for him. Lilith Sutter does have plenty of resources and connections, she definitely could find them here in Miami at their second home. Realizing this raises a few alarm bells for The Assassin but he refuses to show any concern, not in front of Melinda. Instead, with as much confidence as he can muster, he walks over and gently kisses her on her forehead.

“I will be fine, my love.”

“I’m less worried about you than I am worried about whoever is at the door.” Melinda says. “Don’t hurt them.”

“I promise.”

Clyde turns and exits the bedroom. The loud banging and knocking begins again the very moment he shuts the door behind him. The frustration is showing on his face. Who is this and what could they want this early in the morning? He walks down the hall and approaches the front door. The loud knocking at the door continues.

“I’m coming!” Sutter shouts loudly. He places his hand on the doorknob and opens it. He wasn’t sure what to expect from the incessant knocking at this early morning hour, but it certainly wasn’t Glory Braddock. Yet there she stands, The British Bombshell wears tight, form fitting jeans, sneakers, and a faded royal purple t-shirt. Her long blonde hair flows down in waves to past the shoulders. And if looks could kill, Clyde Sutter would be dead and buried right now based on the angry glare she is giving The Assassin.

“Glory?” Clyde looks bewildered, confused. “What are you doing here?”

“What the hell is this?!” Glory takes an envelope that she had in her hands and smacks him on the chest with it. It has already been opened, presumably by Glory herself. “This arrived in the mail today. Mind explaining it to me?!”

“Gloria, I honestly I have no idea what you are talking about.” He sighs. “But if you want to come inside and talk then…”

“I’m fine right where I am, thank you very much.” She states angrily. “Although I might leave with my daughter.”

Now that, to Clyde, is like a threat. He narrows his eyes in a steely-eyed glare at Glory Braddock.

“I will not let you take her against her will.”

“Oh trust me, it won’t be against her will.”

“What the hell is going on?!” The voice is that of Melinda Braddock, Glory’s daughter, coming from within the house. Melinda instantly recognized her mother’s shouting. She had quickly got dressed in a a simple attire consisting of black shorts, sneakers, and a white crop top. Her blonde hair is pulled into a ponytail in the back. She frowns upon seeing her mother standing there berating Clyde. “What the hell are you doing here, mom?”

“Come with me, Melinda.” She reaches out and grabs her by her arm. “We’re leaving.”

“The hell we are!” Melinda snaps back.

“You will want to leave once you take a look at what’s in that envelope.” Glory points to the envelope that Clyde now holds in his hands. “Open it, asshole.”

“Would you please calm down?!” Melinda exclaims. Clyde places a gentle hand on her back to comfort and calm Melinda, as she herself starts to get angry at Glory.

“It is fine, my love.” The Assassin takes a look at the envelope and reaches inside. He produces photos, obviously taken by hidden cameras. They are difficult to make out but one thing is obvious; it is a man and a woman and the man is unmistakably Clyde Sutter. The woman with him is none other than Lilith Sutter. He looks up at Glory. “Where did you get these?”

“I told you, they just arrived today.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I have no idea where they came from or who sent them. All I know…all I NEED to know…is that it shows you are cheating on my daughter.”

“Oh bloody hell…” Melinda rolls her eyes “...you don’t know a damn thing.”

“I know that these photos prove that I am right about Clyde! It proves that I have always been right about him!”

“It proves nothing!” Clyde exclaims, his own temper getting the best of him. “Do you know who that woman is?”

“Your mistress.”

“No.” Clyde shakes his head. “That’s my sister.”

“Your…sister?” Glory is now the one who looks confused. She considers it for a moment and then shakes her head. “No, that’s not true.”

“It is.” He nods his head. “She stopped by my hotel room while you and Melinda were out shopping in Dusseldorf.”

“You’re just making excuses.” Glory says, skeptical of Clyde’s story. “I tried to give you a chance, I was WILLING to give you a chance for my daughter’s sake, but you’re cheating on her! It’s plain as day and pictures do not lie!”

“But people do lie…” he states coldly “...and emotional people like you can be manipulated by good liars like my sister.”

Glory’s face is still full of rage. It is obvious she does not buy Sutter’s explanation. The British Bombshell turns her attention back to Melinda.

“Do you believe this nonsense?”

“Look, mom, I know you hate Clyde but, believe it or not, he’s telling the truth. I can confirm it because I actually met that crazy woman in those photos.”

“You did?” Glory asks curiously. “You actually met his sister, this…this woman?”

“Yes.”

“Then why…” Glory sighs “...why would these pictures be sent to me?! What the hell does she hope to gain?”

“Isn’t it obvious.” Clyde remarks stoically. “My sister is trying to stir the pot. That’s what she does best. She is trying to sow seeds of discord. She knew how you would react if you thought I was abusing your precious daughter and you did not disappoint. I hate to say it, Gloria, but you have been manipulated by my sister.”

“Now do you feel dumb?” Melinda asks, staring a hole right through her mother. Glory just sighs and shakes her head.

“Bloody hell, I do feel like a fool. I…I’m sorry, for this, for everything…I just…” she cannot find the right words. Melinda still looks to be furious with her mother as she turns and storms back into the house. Clyde just nods his head assuringly.

“It is quite alright, Ms. Braddock; you just wanted what was best for your daughter. Any parent, any worthy parent, would have reacted the same way you did.”

“Yeah, well, maybe…” she shakes her head “...but it did nothing but hurt Melinda.”

“I will handle Melinda.” Clyde assures her. “Now have a good rest of your day, Ms. Braddock.” He shuts the door after stepping back inside the house. The Assassin remains standing there for just a moment as he tries to compose himself. His sister has struck again, this time getting even closer to him and his family in her sick and twisted game. This is only serving to further infuriate him, which he knows is exactly what she wants. He walks down the hall and then returns to his bedroom where he finds Melinda Braddock seated on the edge of their king sized bed.

“Are you ok, my love?”

“Can you believe her? Without any thought, without any pause for consideration, she just assumed you were guilty. She just assumed the worst of you.” Melinda shakes her head with frustration. “I’m not sure my mom will ever give you a chance.”

“To be fair to your mother, my reputation is not exactly sparkling.” Clyde responds as he walks over and sits down next to Melinda. “Remember when we first dated, I was a bad boy. That’s what attracted you to me. But you didn’t realize that I had no control over my anger. I was verbally and physically abusive.”

“Yes but you have changed since then.” Melinda points out.

“I got you hooked on drugs and that addiction nearly ruined your career.”

“Again, you made a mistake but you turned your life around. And the drug addiction isn’t entirely on you, I have some of that blame. I just with my mom could see that and would give you a chance.”

“Your mother and I will handle our issues in due time, my love. But right now I have more pressing concerns…” his voice trails off. Melinda knows what is on his mind right now.

“Your sister.”

“Lilith stalked us in Birmingham, stalked us in Dusseldorf, and now she stalked in Miami and tried to use those photos to sow the seeds of doubt in the mind of your mother.”

“It wasn’t a terribly bright idea.” Melinda remarks. “I mean, did she forget that I knew who she was? Did she really think that those photos would convince me to go along with my mom and split up with you?”

“This was not about splitting us up.” Clyde shakes his head. “Lilith wanted to get my attention. Now she has it.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I will take care of this.”

“Clyde, babe…” Melinda says, her voice sounding nervous and anxious “...you are obviously angry with her. That’s what she wants. She wants to get under your skin. She wants you to lose your temper. You need to remember everything you learned in therapy. Control yourself.”

“I know she wants me to lose control.” Sutter shakes his head. “But trust me, my love, she will not get what she wants.”

[Wisteria Waltz]

When it came to The Light In The Darkness, there was a feeling of frustration lately that felt like it was stuck to them with super glue.

It had been quite a while since they'd felt this way, and Amelia Nevado vividly remembered why she hated it so much.

She and Luz had every reason to feel frustrated coming out of the Breakdown in Charlotte. Luz, despite her best efforts, had seen her interim U.S. Title reign end at the hands of Asher Hayes. That, in and of itself, wouldn't have felt like such a big deal, if it weren't for the fact that Asher had made it clear he really didn't care for the title, interim or not, and had made clear his intentions to ditch it as soon as he had a clear path back to the World Title he felt still rightfully belonged to him. At least Luz cared for the honor of calling herself U.S. Champion in any form, just as she and Amelia cared deeply about the SCW World Tag Team Titles and all the hard work they had put in to make the division mean something again.

Something they both knew the Fall of Man could care less about.

William Heaven's smug gloating, trying to kick Luz while she was down, had Amelia seriously considering breaking her and Luz's oath of professionalism to shut him up, but she was able to resist the dark temptation and keep him from feeling like he won any more than he already thought he had. As if that and his smug reminder about their upcoming World Tag Title defense against James and Giovanni wasn't enough, before leaving the Spectrum Center, Amelia had been informed that on next week's Breakdown in Columbus, she'd be in action against Clyde Sutter. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Heaven had probably pulled some strings to try and use the self-proclaimed Assassin to make sure Amelia was as damaged as he hoped Luz would be going into Retribution, a pay-per-view that the couple already had a less-than-stellar track record at with last year's outing being the first time they'd ever won on that stage.

As frustrating as matters within SCW were, however, things beyond the ropes weren't looking any better to try and provide any sort of reprieve.

Amelia still remembered the tense confrontation with her parents just outside of Madison Square Garden the previous week, the arrogance of her parents grating on her nerves almost to a degree that William Heaven would be jealous of. Having to interact with them when they should rightfully be sitting in jail was infuriating enough, but for them to go and deny Avery the opportunity to reveal what they needed to share on their terms, all while openly displaying that whatever time they had spent sitting behind bars hadn't had any effect on their blatant homophobia and racism... it made Amelia's blood boil, to put it nicely.

She recalls when they had all made it back to the hotel that night, how they had quickly shelved the talk of Luz's surprise U.S. Title defense so Avery could reveal everything. Unsurprisingly, the knowledge that they were no longer working for the FBI because of the asinine antics of the U.S. President virtually ignited an inferno under everyone's skin, but that fire had been smothered beneath the news of Jacob Harrison's death. They were all in agreement that while the guy had been a creep and a pest, he was ultimately a pawn that was used by The Empire to get to them and even he didn't deserve to be a casualty in this whole sick and twisted game Caleb White was playing.

It was becoming painfully obvious he and his cult were looking to take advantage of rising political tensions across the globe, looking for any dominoes they could knock over while making it look like someone else's fault so he could ignite the hellstorm he was looking for to carry out his 'God-given mission.' Worse yet, it was an angle that Amelia knew they were all powerless to really do anything about, as politics was a realm that was far beyond anything any of them really knew or even wanted to be involved in.

Powerless... that was the common theme between matters inside and outside of the ring right now, and Amelia despised it. She remembered all the years she had felt powerless to stand up to her parents and be able to decide for herself who she wanted to be, not to mention everything that it had cost her before Luz had barged into her life and lived up to that name. Needless to say, it was a very understandable problem that brought up a lot of painful memories and feelings, especially considering how it made people like William Heaven and Caleb White feel untouchable, empowering them to pretend like they were these brilliant tacticians when the cracks were plainly visible to anyone willing to look for them. Those they led certainly wouldn't, as they were too blinded by what they felt was a necessary path to receive the rewards they believed the world owed them.

It was no surprise to anyone that once they had all arrived in Columbus, Amelia had wasted little time in getting to work in the nearest gym she could find. Granted, they all likely believed she just wanted to stay on top of her game and make sure she was prepared to try and reverse the fortunes of The Light In The Darkness however she could before Retribution. While there was some truth to that, the further reality was that Amelia was chomping at the bit to vent some of her frustrations in a way that felt comfortable to her without risking her blowing up on anyone and making it seem like she had relapsed in any way. Sure, she knew there was nothing wrong with being angry about how things had been playing out lately, but there was only so much relief she could find by simply venting to Luz or her siblings or... anyone in their little found family, really.

'Luz is already beating herself up enough over Breakdown,' she reasoned to herself as she knocked around a training dummy with a barrage of european uppercuts that were perhaps a little more vicious than she'd ever thrown in her entire career. 'She deserves a mental break to return to the brilliant ray of sunshine she deserves to be.'

It hurt Amelia so much to see Luz's light beginning to dim because of how everything had been going, and she couldn't blame her. 2025 had been an awful year so far for the two of them, and they were both desperate for anything that could turn the tide anywhere. Losing matches and hearing their opponents gloat about their self-perceived superiority was nothing new to them... they learned and adapted so they could do better next time. Even slumps like the one they currently found themselves in had happened before and they knew those clouds would eventually break if they kept at it. The problem had been not only far far the Fall of Man was pushing to try and break them beyond just beating them in the ring, but how little progress there seemed to be in trying to deal with The Empire now that they were a problem again. The mere thought of just how difficult and overwhelming it was all starting to feel drove Amelia to that familiar state of zoning out as she transitioned into complex submission hold after complex submission hold with terrifying ease.

“If that dummy were alive, I'm pretty sure it would've tapped ages ago.”

Amelia gasped as she was pulled out of her trance, her head snapping up at the unexpected voice. It took a moment, but she eventually lowered her guard once she realized it was Henry who had spoken to her, looking like he was dressed to train as well. As Amelia slowly regained her bearings, she took the opportunity to really take in every single scar that decorated Henry's body, having never really noticed beyond the facial ones until now.

“What are you doing here?” she carefully asked him, and Henry actually snickered at her continuing to keep her guard up.

“Luz asked me to come check on you,” he replied with a shrug of his shoulders. “She was getting worried about you. She wanted to come down here herself, but her mom doesn't want her anywhere near here until her arm's got full strength in it again.”

“That makes sense,” Amelia chuckled as she exhaled, feeling a lot of her tension leaving her body thanks to the brief moment of levity. “I love Lulu dearly, but that dummy would've taken the first chance to throw herself back into training as soon as she set foot in here.”

“Kind of like you did?” Henry asked, his eyebrow raised, and that brought an annoyed scowl onto Amelia's face that caused him to raise his hands. “Hey... no offense, but we all know how hard you and Luz push yourselves. It's honestly kind of scary sometimes.”

Amelia opened her mouth to reply, but quickly closed it as she realized she didn't really have a good argument, knowing full well she and her wife shared a lot of the same issues when it came to their self-worth and how far they would bend to do anything even as simple as Amelia trying to prevail over Clyde Sutter on this upcoming Breakdown.

“Sorry if I hit a sore spot,” Henry spoke again, sheepishly running a hand through his sandy blonde hair. “I know it's been almost a year since you all got me away from him, but... even now, I'm still kind of learning how to properly be social like this. I... I know how you and Luz feel... how much it hurts thinking you're not good enough...”

Amelia just stared at Henry for a moment, silently contemplating his words before she nudged the training dummy out of the ring.

“It's kind of sad, actually...” Amelia admitted as she backed into the nearest corner of the training ring and leaned against the turnbuckles. “All this time, all the effort we went through to get you away from your monster of an uncle... and I don't think we've ever really had a proper conversation to get to know one another.”

“Well... I know everything about you... or at least, who you were supposed to be...” Henry grimaced as those words left his mouth, and he couldn't blame Amelia's face for scrunching up in a bit of disgust as well. “Even disregarding what I was supposed to know when the plan was for us to be married—thank God that never came to pass—I think I've got a pretty good idea of who you really are just from what I've seen over the course of the past year. It's... honestly really scary how similar we are in a lot of ways. Feeling like you aren't good enough, pushing yourself or being pushed too hard to live up to some impossibly high standard...”

“It is kind of scary how much of a trend that seems to be with everyone,” Amelia noted with a concerned nod. “Did Caleb...?”

“Yeah... most of my scars are from him,” Henry admitted, turning his gaze to the mat in shame. “Some were the result of matches, just like you and Luz, some were from whatever dumb missions he sent me out on that got a little more physical than was planned, but... where your parents made sure to never leave you with any noticeable evidence of what they did, Uncle didn't care because I'd always be hidden behind the mask he gave me... I was always his 'Golden Prodigy' and never Henry.”

“It's amazing how much of a hypocrite that man can be, considering how much he demonized both Luz and her father over wrestling under masks for cultural reasons,” Amelia huffed.

“I mean,” Henry replied, “you know the story all too well by now, if not from dealing with him then from William Heaven pretending to play puppet master. They don't care about contradicting themselves because as long as they have the results, they believe they will always control the narrative.”

Amelia let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that Henry was right. Unfortunately, it didn't help in figuring out how to truly upend that narrative, but maybe knowing that was the best place to start. It was honestly the best she could come up with right now as she pulled herself out of the corner, going to potentially retrieve the training dummy.

“Don't take this the wrong way,” Henry spoke again after a moment, “but... I think Luz losing that title was a blessing in disguise.”

Amelia's head snapped to Henry, briefly frightening him with how scary she looked as she charged him, shooting into a takedown, but Henry managed to block it and spin so he had her against the ropes.

“How dare you say that!” Amelia shrieked as she started reaching for any limb she could grab a hold of, but Henry managed to block every attempt with terrifying precision.

“Just... hear me out! Please!” Henry pleaded with her. “I'm sorry, but I'm-”

Henry trailed off as Amelia managed to grab hold of his hand, twisting it and moving to his fingers, ready to snap them. Henry grit his teeth in anticipation but otherwise stood his ground, eyes locked onto Amelia's glare as she breathed heavily but made no further move to do what she was poised to do.

“You have one chance to explain yourself,” Amelia finally spat, voice trembling with barely-restrained anger.

Henry took a deep breath, trying to keep himself calm even in the face of Amelia's understandable fury. “I'm sorry... I know how much Luz means to you and vice versa, so I know something like that isn't what you want to hear right now. But consider this: the Fall of Man have had the upper hand on your two for most of this little war, and a good reason for it has been the distractions. As much as I know Luz saw being a double champion as a challenge to prove herself, ultimately I think it was hurting you both in the long run. These guys? They've been preying on that, pulling the strings to run you both ragged so they don't have to try as hard as they know they should to prove whatever point they think they're making.”

Amelia continued to stare him down, ready to snap his fingers, but she bit her bottom lip as Henry's words seemed to resonate with her. Seeing this, Henry continued.

“Trust me when I say I know how much you both want to prove yourselves and leaves your marks on SCW, but there are some battles you have to give your undivided focus to if you want to truly be at your best. I really hate saying this, but Luz's U.S. Title reign was keeping you from doing that, especially when they have the numbers to take everything if they wanted to. It's like The Empire and how they keep using their numbers and connections to pull games like what they did with Jacob...”

“But how are we supposed to deal with that?” Amelia finally cut in, her hands trembling even as she still seemed ready to snap Henry's fingers at a moment's notice. “Caleb's taking advantage of us trying to focus on wrestling and it's throwing us off in both aspects!”

“But you have something against The Empire that you don't quite have in SCW right now,” Henry pointed out. “Help. No offense to the Dangerous Minds, but the help they were giving you against the Fall of Man was more about wanting to resolve their own issues and you just happened to have a common enemy. But I know, you know, Luz knows, we all know... that the two of you can beat the Fall of Man no matter what they pull because despite what they convince themselves, you two are that good and you deserve to be where you are now. As for beyond the ring... well, no matter how much my uncle wants to focus on the two of you specifically, you've always got people watching your backs. Let us help to shoulder some of the load so you and Luz can focus on what's important to you, and whenever Uncle decides to stop hiding and make his next move, we'll make sure you're not caught off guard or overwhelmed.”

After a moment, Amelia finally let go of Henry's hand, her eyes turning to the mat as she pondered his words. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Henry rubbing his hand, and guilt began to settle in over how she'd acted. He was right... she'd jumped to conclusions because she assumed someone who was supposed to be a friend was putting the love of her life down, and there was no telling what would've happened had she actually pulled joint manipulation on him.

“Sorry...” she exhaled after a moment.

“Apology accepted,” Henry shrugged, surprising Amelia at how quickly he forgave her. “Believe me, if I were in your boots, I'd probably react the same way to something like that. Maybe I should have been more tactful about it, but my point still stands. Besides... you both have your whole careers ahead of you. Heck, you have your Trios contract still, Amelia! But you both will get more chances to shine as singles stars, and you can prove that come Breakdown. But you know you need to be 110% focused if you want to defend the mountain you've rebuilt together from those clowns, and you can show that and be the spark to burn down the efforts of William's goons.”

“Just as Luz has been that spark for me so many times in my life,” Amelia breathed, a smile finally beginning to form on her lips. “Thanks, Henry... I think I really needed that.”

“It's the least I can do after everything,” Henry nodded to her. “You want me to hang around and give you a sparring partner?”

“I think I could use that over a dummy right about now,” Amelia nodded. “Plus, I'm sure it'll buy you some time to think up a better way to word that to Luz later.”

Henry could only respond with a nervous laugh, but as much as it hurt to hear him say it, Amelia knew he had a point. In one form or another, the couple had been torn in multiple directions for the longest time, and what had once felt like a perfect challenge to prove themselves had started working against them. Like it or not, it was sound strategy on the part of William Heaven.

Unfortunately for him and his plans, Amelia and Luz were always willing to learn from their mistakes and setbacks, and the time would come when Luz or even Amelia would be standing tall as United States Champion again down the line. Right now? All that mattered was denying Clyde Sutter his dirty pay day and showing the Fall of Man that their games were done, regardless of whatever nonsense William continued to feed their fragile egos.

And if Caleb and his Empire felt this was the perfect opportunity to strike of their own accord?

Well, Amelia and Luz could adapt to that mess as well, and despite their best efforts to single them out and break them down, they would have help in weathering that storm the next time they tried something.

It was only a matter of grounding themselves and focusing on how to make all the puzzle pieces fit together to form the bigger picture... one where The Light In The Darkness continued to shine and thrive for years to come, as survivors of everything the world sought to throw at them.

[The Assassin]

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February 25th, 2025
Southampton, England
Off Camera
==========

A couple of days ago, Clyde Sutter and his girlfriend Melinda Braddock were caught off guard by a manipulative trick from Sutter’s sister, Lilith Sutter. He knew that his sister was obsessed with him, and he knew that she would try to find them, but The Assassin had hoped that by traveling to Miami to stay at Melinda’s home, they would be well outside of the reach of Lilith. Unfortunately, Lilith managed to find a way; namely through Melinda’s mother, Glory Braddock. Photos of Clyde together with Lilith were sent to Glory Braddock’s home in Miami. Those photos sparked an angry rage within The British Bombshell, who automatically assumed Clyde was cheating on Melinda Braddock with another woman. The trick worked; Glory Braddock marched right over and threw a fit. The situation was quickly resolved but the damage was done; Lilith managed to reach out and touch Clyde, even from across the pond. This was exactly what Clyde had feared would happen. It seems that no matter he does, no matter where he goes, Lilith will find him. Now that The Assassin’s hand has been forced, he knows what he must do. He must travel back to England, he must find his sister at her home in Southampton and find out once and for all what she wants and, hopefully, make her leave him and his family alone. It means major traveling for Sutter. He will be making the long trek to Southampton, England before turning right around and traveling back to Columbus, Ohio to face Amelia Nevado one on one on Breakdown. Still, to protect his girlfriend Melinda, The Assassin would do anything.

Nestled within the rolling countryside on the outskirts of Southampton England, Lilith Sutter’s stately residence is a luxurious masterpiece. It boasts meticulously landscaped gardens, a sweeping driveway lined with mature oak and beech trees, and an impressive stone fountain at its center. The exterior façade is a blend of classic Georgian influences and contemporary design, featuring red-brick construction, white columned porticos, and expansive sash windows that flood the interiors with natural light. A series of manicured lawns, topiary hedges, and flower beds brimming with English roses and lavender create a tranquil atmosphere. Beyond the gardens, the estate opens onto a scenic woodland area, offering both privacy and picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. A heated outdoor swimming pool, complete with a sun terrace and pool house, provides the perfect space for relaxation or entertaining. Adjacent to the pool, a tennis court and an ornamental pond with a stone bridge enhance the estate’s grandeur. Clyde Sutter feels very much out of place on this nice piece of real estate. He looks out of place, for that matter. He isn’t wearing a fine attire that you might expect someone to wear while visiting this property. He is wearing a black leather jacket over a fitted red button up shirt, black pants, and black boots. His hairstyle includes a neatly tied-up bun on the top of his head, and he has a well-groomed beard. Clyde approaches the front door. He sighs as he braces himself for what is to come before he finally rings the doorbell. He waits patiently for a few minutes before he hears the door locks unlatching. He steels himself as the door opens and he spots his sister standing there with a smug grin on her face. Lilith is wearing a striking black dress with thin spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline, exuding a vintage and sultry aesthetic. She pairs the dress with sheer black stockings that add an element of elegance and allure. Around her neck, she wears a bold red scarf, loosely tied, which provides a striking contrast to her dark ensemble. Her footwear consists of black high-heeled platform shoes with red soles, complementing the scarf and adding a pop of color to her outfit. Her dark, short, wavy hair frames her face.

“I knew you’d come, dear brother.” Clyde doesn’t even bother to respond to the sarcasm and arrogance that drips from his sister’s voice. He storms on past her and crosses the threshold. She can sense his anger and chuckles lightly to herself. “By all means, come in…”

Inside he is met by even more opulence that illustrates just how much his sister loves the life of luxury. A sweeping marble staircase with an ornate wrought-iron balustrade takes center stage, while a cascading crystal chandelier illuminates the space. The polished oak floors, high ceilings with intricate plasterwork, and a soft neutral color palette create a sense of timeless luxury. Lilith walks on past Clyde and uses her hand to motion for him to follow her.

“Follow me, dear brother.”

“As if I had much of a choice.”

He follows Lilith off to the right and into a living area that features plush seating, a limestone fireplace, and a state-of-the-art entertainment system discreetly integrated into the design. Expansive bifold doors open onto a sunlit orangery with a glass roof. Lilith sits down on the plush comfortable cream colored chair. Sutter sits down on a sofa perpendicular to her.

“What a pleasure it is to see you, Clyde.” Her voice oozes with fake sweetness. “It has been far too long since we had the chance to catch up.”

“You can cut the crap, Lilith.” He snaps back angrily. “I received your little gift.”

“Oh you mean those pictures I sent to your future mother-in-law, the Braddock woman?”

“Yes. You couldn’t resist stirring up trouble, could you?”

“It was just some minor provocation, nothing more.” Lilith shakes her head. “It wasn’t like you were in any real danger, now were you? The Braddock woman hates you, she always has and always will. My photos didn’t impact that relationship in any form or fashion. And that little slut you’re dating…”

“Don’t you DARE speak of Melinda like that!” Clyde says, rising up to his feet and shouting angrily. Lilith is unphased by her brother’s loss of temper.

“Oh sit back down, dear brother.” He glares with hate at his sister but, eventually, Clyde does sit back down. She nods her head. “Better. Now then, my photos were not going to damage your relationship with Melinda either. She knows who I am. She knew you weren’t cheating on her.”

“So why?” Clyde asks demandingly. “What was the purpose of sending those photos? Why stir the pot?”

“I needed to get you to come and pay me a visit.” She grins from ear to ear. “And from the looks of things I succeeded.”

“I have nothing to say to you, sister…” Clyde growls under his breath.

“Oh but I have plenty to say to you.” She responds. “You need to understand that the Van Stantons, Autumn and her husband, are not your family. The Braddocks are not your family, either. None of them will ever accept you, not really. They will always look at you with a hint of doubt and skepticism, wondering just when you will snap, when you will fall off the wagon and become that monster they believe you to be.”

“I suppose you are accepting of who I am?”

“Yes, because I KNOW who you are.” She nods her head. “You need to return to your real family, the Sutters.” She takes his head and grasps it lovingly. “We are the last of the Sutter line, dear brother. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

He looks at her hand and then back up at Lilith. He jerks his hand out of her grasp. “I am already with my real family.”

“The Braddock family will turn on you. Your biological mother, Autumn Van Stanton, she will forget about you. But you can join me, rejoin the Sutter line, and claim your inheritance.”

The Assassin lets out a low chuckle. “You are not as bright as you believe yourself to be, my sister. Otherwise you would have known that the Sutter family is dead. It’s literally just you and me.”

“I know, it is a sad state that we find ourselves in, isn’t it?” Lilith sighs as she leans back in her chair. “This is why we need to stick together. We have a chance to rebuild our family and make it great again.”

“Our family was never great.” Clyde snarls. “Our father was a sick, twisted soul who took advantage of young women. He…”

“He was a scoundrel, I agree.” Lilith nods her head. “But I do not intend to rebuild the Sutter name in HIS image. I want to rebuild something entirely different and I want to do it with you by my side.”

“What are you getting at?”

Lilith Sutter stands up. She starts to walk around this spacious living area. Clyde remains seated, watching her with curiosity. She finally stops and turns to face her brother.

“I have done my homework on you. You were left with little to nothing growing up. You barely survived and were it not for handouts from the Van Stanton family or working for the Page family, you would be nothing. And you aren’t alone in your climb from poverty to success. I, too, had to climb out of poverty. Yet here I am as a success, just like you. Haven’t you wondered how I pulled myself up out of our father’s sick and twisted abyss of failure and into this grandiose life of luxury?”

“The thought crossed my mind, yes.” Clyde nods his head. “Our father did not exactly take care of his own.”

“He never cared about us.” She shakes her head. “He never cared about anyone from his cult. That’s why it collapsed after he died. But I was still there. Unlike you, who managed to escape, our father kept me. I never did escape.”

For a fleeting moment Clyde feels bad for his sister. Ethan Sutter, their father, was a sick, twisted psycho and the leader of a cult. Everyone was just a pawn in his evil games. He can only imagine what he did to her. Perhaps being raised by that monster is why Lilith is the way she is today?

“I hate you had to endure that.” Clyde responds.

“Most of our father’s followers left after he died. Those few who remained pledged their loyalty to me.”

“What did you do?” The Assassin asks with an arched brow. “Did you continue his stupid, foolish cult?”

“I did not buy into our father’s con-game. He never bought into it, not really. Our father just used the cult as a backdrop to manipulate and use others for his own gain. Instead, I restructured his organization and made it slightly more…” she smirks knowingly “...legitimate.”

“Slightly legitimate?” He repeats. Lilith nods her head.

“Just slightly.”

So organized crime, then.”

“I am not a mafia boss.” She rolls her eyes. “But if you’re asking if my business dealings sometimes has me involved with organized crime then yes, it does.”

“Then I’m not interested.” He stands up and starts to walk away. “I am a success without having to risk everything by getting involved with whatever garbage you are involved in.”

“Stop and listen!” Lilith exclaims. Clyde has never heard her shout like this before and he is taken aback. He stops and turns to face her. “You may have powerful connections but let’s face it you are limited. The Page sisters pay you very well and they have connections. You are dating a Braddock and they have connections. Lately you have been receiving payments from William Heaven and he has connections. But I have connections too. Imagine the two of us, siblings reunited, with our combined connections and resources…” she snickers “...we would be unstoppable.”

“You sound like some bloody cartoon super villain.” He scoffs. “And I have no desire to control the world.”

“Oh, right, because you believe fate is in control.”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever stopped to think, dear brother, that fate is giving you this chance? Did you consider that fate is bringing us together for a greater purpose?” She winks. “And who are you to turn down fate? Who are you to turn down your inheritance?”

“For the final time, Lilith, I am NOT interested.” He remarks coldly. “Now, for your own good, leave me alone. Leave my family alone.” He sneers. “If I have to visit you again, it will not be pleasant.”

==========
On Camera
==========

We open outside in the nighttimes sky, a sky that is illuminated only by the moon itself as well as the various stars that little the darkness that hangs overhead. A few moments later and footsteps can be heard approaching, though the camera does not catch a shot of who these footsteps belong to, due to it still being focused on the night sky. But the voice that echoes out in the darkness is unmistakable…

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

This is the voice of Clyde Sutter. The camera pans down to show The Assassin himself in his imposing, intimidating form. He is wearing black dress pants, black boots, a white silk button up shirt, and a black leather jacket. His long dark hair hangs down to past the shoulders. A confident smirk is etched across his face.

“Have you ever stopped and just looked up into the sky at night, Ms. Nevado? Some people let their imaginations run wild with images of constellations like The Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt. Others like to look up into the night sky, and they like to think of hope, hope that they might not be alone in this universe. Still others look up into the night sky and they see the countless stars stretching the expanse of space and they come to believe that this universe and creation itself is infinite. Is that what happens when you look up into the sky at night, Ms. Nevado? Do you let your imagination run wild? Do you think about creation? Do you think about the vastness of the universe?” He chuckles softly but that smile quickly turns to a stone cold, icy glare.

“Do you know what I think when I look up at the night sky? I think of death. I think of the end of all things as we know it. I think about how Fate has already set this universe into motion and we are but bit players in its majestic play.” He points up towards the sky with his right hand. “Do you see those stars that litter the sky, Ms. Nevado? Most look at them and think of beauty, life, and light, but I look at them and I see nothing but death and darkness. Those stars were in the process of dying from the very moment they were born. Those stars you look at with awe, they all burn out eventually. It may take anywhere from millions to billions of years but inevitably each and every one of those stars will burn out and die.”

“Now that should remind you of something…” he points a finger at the camera “...namely yourself and your tag team partner. Light in the Darkness. Cute name, but the fact is that light is but darkness waiting to happen. The light from the stars will give way to darkness when that light burns itself out. It is science. And much like the stars in the sky, Ms. Nevado, you are burning yourself out.” The Assassin snickers nastily. “Yes, I applaud you for everything you have accomplished here in SCW. No one can deny the greatness that is Light in the Darkness; you overcame Dark Fantasy, Twisted & Sadistic, and Team Desire in your tag team championship run. Along the way, between you and your partner, you secured singles gold and a Trios Contract. But let’s face facts you are burning yourselves out. You are running on fumes as we speak.”

“If you refuse to believe me then just look at what happened at Dogfight in Dusseldorf. You fell to The Fall of Man in Tactical Warfare. Now I am sure there are those who will want to pin the blame on Dangerous Minds but that’s not fair to them. You win as a team, you lose as a team, and you, Ms. Nevado, lost. And I suspect that you will not try to shuffle that blame off onto someone else. You are not that kind of person and neither is your tag team partner. Speaking of your partner…she lost her singles championship to Mr. Asher Hayes? Such a shame. Yet it is another example of how Light in the Darkness is beginning to burn itself out. Most teams at this stage would try to avoid fights, especially a fight against someone like me who can break someone like you in half, Ms. Nevado. Yet you do not back done from anyone, no matter the odds against you. I respect that. But you need to respect and accept your own limitations. You have taken on the world, you have refused to back down from any challenger, and where has that gotten you? What has that accomplished? You are a well respected and decorated tag team but you are also bruised, battered, and worn down from constant, nonstop war.”

“In short you are burning yourself out…just like those lights in the sky…and just like those lights in the sky you are on the verge of going supernova, you are on the verge of that light going out and becoming nothing but darkness. It is Fate that great stars like the ones in the nighttime sky or great stars like yourself, Ms. Nevado, should eventually burn out. It would be much easier if you just accepted it. But that’s not your style. You refuse to quit. You refuse to accept Fate.” He pats himself on the chest.

“That’s where I come in. People like you who are too stubborn to accept defeat, who are too stubborn to realize that Fate has dictated that your bright and shining star is about to be snuffed out, people like you…I deal with people like you. I am not the hand of fate, I am Fate’s weapon. I am the one who takes people like you and puts them down. Everyone falls when Fate dictates and you are not special. You are not unique. You do not get a pass from Fate. So on Breakdown it is my task to beat the truth into you. It is my task to put you down and put out your light for good. It is my task to show you and anyone else who dares to come after you, who dares to follow in your footsteps, that everyone’s light will become darkness eventually.” He points back up into the night sky, at the stars.

“Those stars will not survive. They will burn out and die. On Breakdown, Ms. Nevado, you will not survive the destruction that I will rain down upon you, because your Fate is the same as that of the stars. Your fate is that you shall burn out, your light shall be extinguished. Your fate, Ms. Nevado, has been sealed.”

[Wisteria Waltz]

One of the most unique places you'll find in Columbus is known as Otherworld, an immersive art experience that not only shows off breathtaking lifelike creativity that makes you feel like you've stepped straight into a realm of fantasy and sci-fi, but even gives visitors the chance to be part of its amazing story through their exploration of everything it has to offer. Anyone who knows The Light In The Darkness intimately knows that they are lovers of fantasy and creativity at heart, making this the perfect place for them to visit while they're in town. Perhaps that makes it no surprise when we find Amelia Nevado wandering around a section of this unique museum that feels like it came straight someone's dream... or perhaps their nightmares. We watch as she slowly walks around a small obelisk adorned with various symbols glowing in different colors, all while a multitude of glowing purple eyeballs hanging from the ceiling watch her every move. And yet, Amelia doesn't flinch or look put off by that thought. Instead, a small smirk adorns her lips as she takes it all in before her gaze moves to us.

“You know... there was once a point in my life where visiting a place like this would feel like a dream come true. Otherworld is truly one of the most unique artistic experiences you could ever indulge in, especially if you love fantasy and sci-fi... in a way that might sound twisted to some of you, I almost feel at home here, indulging in everything this place has to offer. It's an opportunity I never would have gotten if I had followed what I was led to believe was what fate had decided my path was from the moment I was born.

I think it goes without saying that wrestling is in my blood, whether I wanted to pursue it or not. Throughout Europe, the Blythes are highly regarded as the best of the best when it comes to pure wrestling, artists of the mat that can bend and twist our opponents however we see fit because, if my father's words were to be believed, there was no one capable of stopping us from doing so. It was drilled into my head, literally and metaphorically, from a young age that my fate was to follow in my parents' footsteps and become the next link in the chain, carrying the family legacy to heights it had never reached before. As far as fate, my parents, and the entire world were concerned, I was put on this Earth for the sole purpose of being the perfect wrestler, bar none, destined to reach a level of technical perfection that even Glory Braddock would wish she could obtain. I would be unstoppable to a degree that even the likes of Xander Valentine and Waylon Creek could never compare, because the simple fact of the matter was that no one existed in the world who could, or would, be capable of straight-up outwrestling me.

I know... that doesn't sound like the Amelia you've all come to know, nor does it even sound realistic when you truly think about it. But that was my reality from my birth up until around my second year of being a professional wrestler. All I would ever hear, day and night, is about fate's grand design for me according to my parents, about how being absolute wrestling perfection that no one could ever hope to defeat was the bare minimum EXPECTED of me. It didn't matter how many times my parents broke me, because I had to put the pieces back together and hide them under a mask that made anyone who looked into my eyes wonder if I truly was a machine designed to wrestle. All eyes were always on me, and I couldn't afford even the most minor of mistakes or else I would be disgracing our family name and everything it stood for.

Tell me something, Clyde Sutter... with all this talk of fate and you being it's supposed weapon, would you have wanted to face that version of me? Would you have been willing to face Amelia Blythe, the perfect wrestler who, according to fate, was always meant to outclass you so thoroughly you would reconsider the very thought of having become a wrestler in the first place because it would be painfully clear you could never hold a candle to the likes of me?”

Amelia's smirk has long since faded the more she spoke, her gaze becoming more and more intense as she almost seems to have fallen into a trance. Once she pauses, however, she snaps out of it, taking a deep breath and rolling her head to stretch out her neck. We can briefly see a look of concern in her eyes over what she's just had to say, but she manages to regain her bearings thankfully.

“I know you wouldn't have wanted that, Clyde, and not because, despite what you believe, there was actually some unfortunate truth in what I just said only because that really was the mindset I existed in growing up. No, we both know that wouldn't fit the narrative you're trying to spin, painting yourself as this almighty threat who is going to end me like the Fall of Man have been trying to do and like so many others before you have claimed would happen. That's the funny thing about all of this, really... you claim that fate has dictated that you put an end to me when I have been fighting against what my fate was supposed to be for years now. Just think, Clyde... if I had been a good little puppet and continued along the path fate had laid out for me according to everything I was always told growing up, then there would be no Light in the Darkness, there would be no Amelia Nevado... there would just be a woman who would've showed up in SCW and set to work trying to become the single most dominant wrestler it has ever seen all because it was the very least expected of me. Whether or not I could actually pull it off was irrelevant, because all I would know is that I had to make it happen, no matter what.

That's where you and I ultimately differ, Clyde: I found a way to cut my strings and embrace a life that is far happier and healthier for me, while you continue to dance like the puppet you've made yourself into.

Now, how could Clyde Sutter be a puppet, you ask? After all, he has his own desires and goals, including making it clear very recently that he has his eyes on the Television Championship. Given how his recent opportunity was ruined because of an attack on the champion that gave her the win, I can't say I blame him for wanting another crack at what he feels robbed of. But let's not forget that on that night, your opportunity was ruined by Waylon Creek attempting to assert his dominance once and for all over Ryan LeCavalier. Your championship desires were irrelevant, and that was proven when William Heaven compensated you for your lost opportunity with a paycheck, just like the one he gave you to try and keep Adam Brock from getting involved in this little war between the Fall of Man and The Light In The Darkness, and just like the one I know he's already writing out for you because of this very match.

Make no mistake Clyde, whether or not I want to avoid this fight doesn't matter... not because it's a match I would happily wrestle regardless, but because me having a choice in the matter doesn't fit the narrative that you and I have both been weaved into. If you ask William Heaven, this match was set in stone from the start because he needs you to do his dirty work for him, making sure I'm weakened like he believes Luz is so James and Giovanni can believe him when he claims to the world that they took the World Tag Team Titles from us 'without breaking a sweat.' And like the Assassin you claim to be, you agreed without hesitation because if you win, then you've got momentum to justify another shot at the Television Championship, but should you lose then at least you're financially compensated for your efforts. But if all that matters to William is any damage you can leave me with when he claims he's pulling all the strings, then where does that ultimately leave you in the grand scheme of things, Clyde? Say you fail to defeat me even if you do enough to earn your pay day... can you honestly stand there and tell me, or Melinda, or even yourself that you actually deserve another shot at the title you want so badly?

I may have never crossed paths with her in the ring, but I think there's enough parallels to paint a very clear picture you're ignoring, Clyde: if you struggle against someone with my skillset, then what hope do you have in a rematch against someone like Ryan LeCavalier when the stakes are much higher?”

Amelia tilts her head, almost as if she's waiting for an answer she knows she won't receive. Truth be told, it's clear by the look in her eyes that she's not sure if Clyde will even acknowledge anything she's had to say, but it's not going to stop her from sharing her thoughts regardless.

“I'm not going to lie: Luz and I have had a rough time so far this year, but that's alright. And do you know why, Clyde? Oprah Winfrey once said: 'Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.' Yes, the Fall of Man has seemingly had our number since 2025 began, and yes, Luz is no longer the interim United States Champion... and that's alright. Now, we are free to return our undivided focus on retaining the titles that have meant the world to us since the very beginning, the ones we have fought tooth and nail to defend and do our part to rebuild and elevate SCW's tag team division into what it is today. We know there will be plenty more opportunities down the line... for Luz to regain that title or win others, for me to add more gold to my own name. But right here, right now? We're adapting to the fight at hand and taking care of ourselves, leaving your employers with no hope of taking advantage of a burnout that no longer exists. If anything, The Light In The Darkness is completely dedicated to what we know awaits us on the horizon, and whatever awaits us after that is something to be dealt with when we get there.

And you, Clyde, are simply part of the problem that stands before us now, not the distraction you believe yourself to be in a desperate bid for any sort of advantage you can get.

I hope you truly understand what you've gotten yourself into Clyde, because all eyes will be on you come Breakdown right here in Columbus, Ohio.” Amelia can't resist pausing to motion up to all the eyes on the ceiling. “Those fans will get to see the beginning of what happens when you back The Light In The Darkness into a corner and assume you've already won. They'll get to see a sneak peak of the adjustments I've been making and how much harder I will always continue to fight, no matter the circumstances. Because that's the one thing you've failed to acknowledge, Clyde: in this business, you always have to be ready to fight with everything you've got. If you think that's something you can use against me, then maybe that's a clear sign of how little this business truly means to you... how content you are with being nothing more than William Heaven's errand boy whenever he wants to try and protect his little flock from being exposed as anything but everything he claims them to be.

If you truly believe you're worth more than that in this business, Clyde, then prove it against me come Breakdown. But make no mistake: when all is set and done, I will be walking away from that ring, knowing that no one... not you, not the Fall of Man, not anyone... can tell me what my fate is. That is my story to write, and mine alone... and this Breakdown will not be its final chapter, no matter how badly you and your employers wish otherwise.”

Amelia takes one last moment to look up at all the eyes gazing down upon her, smiling and nodding up at them before she nods to us a final time. With that, she proceeds to take her leave, and as she reaches the exit to this exhibit, we can see Luz and the rest of their found family happily meeting up with her, not a hint of distress or burnout or pain to be found. We linger for a moment longer as they head off to explore more of Otherworld before finally fading out.