Twisted & Sadistic vs. Light in the Darkness

[Braddock]

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January 21st, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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Glory Braddock and Brittany Lohan, the team known as Twisted & Sadistic, have been a dominant force in the SCW tag team division since reuniting several months back. Twisted & Sadistic have only had a few minor bumps in the road on their path towards the SCW World Tag Team Championship Match that they have been fighting for. Despite their dominance of the tag team division, Braddock and Lohan were not part of the tag team title match at Body, Heart, and Soul. The privilege to challenge Light in the Darkness for the belts belonged to former champions Dark Fantasy. It was frustrating to have to sit on the sidelines and watch from a distance. It was frustrating not to actively compete at Body, Heart, and Soul. The British Bombshell is hard wired to be a competitor. Sitting around doing nothing is just not her style. But her time to sit on the sidelines is now over. The patience that Twisted & Sadistic have had to endure is paying off. Braddock and Lohan were promised a championship match against the winner of the tag team title match at Body, Heart, and Soul. All of the fighting, the struggle, and the waiting have finally paid off for Twisted & Sadistic. They will get their long sought after SCW World Tag Team Championship Match on Breakdown against the winner. And since La Pequina Luz and Amelia Blythe managed to survive the challenge of Dark Fantasy, that means it will be Twisted & Sadistic challenging Light in the Darkness.

But not all was without controversy. The British Bombshell and The War Machine were seated ringside for the SCW World Tag Team Championship Match. It was Braddock’s idea. She wanted to do some scouting ahead of their tag team title match against the winner on Breakdown. She didn’t expect that her tag team partner Brittany Lohan would involve herself in the match. Lohan reached over the railing and assaulted Ravyn Taylor of Dark Fantasy when the official wasn’t looking. Did it hand Light in the Darkness a victory? Perhaps. Did it create controversy and impact the result? Definitely. Blythe and Luz were able to put away Syren with ease without Ravyn able to intervene. Nevertheless, what’s done is done, Dark Fantasy are now out of the equation and Twisted & Sadistic are up. Glory and Brittany have their shot at winning the titles. Braddock has her chance to become Supreme Champion.

With Body, Heart, and Soul coming to an end, The British Bombshell has decided that she should treat herself and her friend and tag team partner Brittany Lohan to some drinks at a nearby bar. It comes recommended by her cousin, Boston native Angelica Jones. On top of that, this bar happens to have karaoke, a hobby that Glory particularly enjoys. This bar is dimly lit and exudes a cozy atmosphere with its warm plain, simple decor. Posters of various celebrities and musicians from the Boston area line the walls. The bar area is full with patrons seated on leather stools. There is a DJ nearby operating the karaoke for the evening. Brittany Lohan is seated at a table on the far edge of the bar. It wasn’t Lohan’s idea to make the trip to Boston for Body, Heart, and Soul. She was furious that CHBK gave Ravyn and Syren the tag team title match instead of her and Braddock. Perhaps this played a role in why Lohan chose to assault Ravyn? Glory was angry too, but being the voice of reason in Twisted & Sadistic, she tried to convince Lohan that the silver lining lies in the fact that they at least will get a guaranteed tag team title match on Breakdown against the winners. That is a positive, but it doesn’t soothe Lohan much. It certainly doesn’t justify in her mind coming to Body, Heart, and Soul when they weren’t scheduled to compete.

“Miss me?” Glory Braddock’s voice startles Lohan back to attention. She looks up in time to see Glory Braddock approaching their table. The British Bombshell carries two bottles of Guinness, one in each hand. “You never told me what you wanted so I got you a Guinness…” she places one of the bottles in front of Brittany. She nods her approval.

“Thanks.”

“Look, I know coming here for Body, Heart, and Soul might not have been your idea of a good time, mate…”

“No, it wasn’t.” Lohan answers. But then she takes a swig of her Guinness and sighs. “But you’re treating me to drinks and this night out, so its good.”

“Anything for you, mate.” Glory grins as she sits down at the table next to Brittany. “You stepped up to be my tag partner when I had no one else. I was hesitant and reluctant to agree, I wasn’t sure Twisted & Sadistic still had mileage left, but you convinced me to take the chance, and it worked out. I can be one really stubborn human being, but you put up with it through thick and thin. Now look at us. We have dominated the tag team division and we are on the doorstep of becoming SCW World Tag Team Champions.”

“It’s about time.” Lohan remarks. “We should have already had this title match.”

“I agree.” Braddock sighs. “But we did lose to Dark Fantasy…”

“Do NOT remind me of that.”

“Unfortunately it happened. But at least we still get our opportunity. Though we cannot take any chances. That’s why I thought it was important for us to be here tonight. We were able to scout the competition. We were able to firsthand watch Light in the Darkness defend against Dark Fantasy.”

“Front row center. Best seats in the house.” Lohan says with a smirk as she sips her drink.

“Yeah…” Braddock’s voice trails off “...maybe that part wasn’t such a good idea?”

“What do you mean? If I had to be here at least let me clobber someone and there’s no one more deserving of a good ass whipping than Ravyn.”

The British Bombshell sighs with a hint of frustration in her voice. “You won’t find me disagree with you on that one, mate. I don’t trust Ravyn or Syren. I don’t care what they have accomplished. I lost all respect for the both of them after the way they manipulated their way into power, using Katya D. And yeah, I agree that Ravyn deserved what she got tonight.”

“I sense that there’s a ‘but’ coming…” Brittany remarks with an arched brow.

“But I DO respect Amelia Blythe. I respect La Pequina Luz. And you definitely played a role in helping them win tonight.”

“They should thank me.” Lohan says with a shrug as she sips on her drink. Glory rolls her eyes.

“You don’t get it mate. Light in the Darkness are like me, they want to get the job done the right way. They want to prove that they are the best and you do that by beating people like Dark Fantasy fair and square. They won’t be happy with us.”

“Tough.” Brittany answers coldly. “Ravyn and Syren don’t play fair. I did Blythe and Luz a favor.”

“I doubt they’ll see it that way.” Glory chuckles. “That makes our match against them on Breakdown that much more challenging. I’m sure they’ll be even more determined to stick it to us.”

“Let them try.” Lohan remarks stoically. “They retained their belts tonight. Now they defend against us and we’ve already beaten them once.” Brittany shrugs. “What’s there to know?”

“Plenty.” Glory answers back quickly. “Trust me, we cannot take this opportunity for granted.”

“I know, I know,” Brittany sighs “I don’t need another reminder.” She takes another swig of her Guinness. “Sorry for my attitude. I’m just frustrated.”

“No apologies are necessary, mate.” Glory remarks smiling warmly. “I get it, we have been fighting for this opportunity for a long time. We have more than proven that we are worthy after beating nearly every team in the division. But that’s why it’s important not to let up, not even once. We have to make this opportunity count. Look at how long it took to get it. We might not get another opportunity if we fail.” Glory points out. Lohan nods her head.

“I understand. I’ll try to behave. Thanks for taking me out tonight, by the way.”

“Don’t mention it.” Braddock grins. “Consider it some team building exercise.”

“Team building, huh? Right.” Lohan sighs. “I still think we could have done some team building elsewhere. We didn’t have to come to Boston. I mean, don’t you have your own little problem back in Miami?”

“Problem?” Glory furrows her brow. “What do you mean?”

“That chick’s name. Your old rival.”

“Oh you mean Melody.” Glory nods her head. “Yes, well, she is safe and sound in Miami right now. I’m certain of it.”

“Safe from what, exactly?”

“I have a suspicion that someone may be targeting her. So I figured if someone IS targeting her, then let’s keep her away from her home in England?”

“Makes sense. But why have your longtime bully stay at your own home? With your husband no less? That’s a lot of trust if you ask me.”

“I get it, I really do.” Glory sighs. “Melody and I used to be very close. And she did become my biggest tormenter when we were kids. But she has changed. I truly believe it. And I want to help her out in any way I can.”

“You’re good people, Glory.” Brittany says as she sips her beer. “I wouldn’t have helped her.”

“You would have snapped her neck.”

“Easiest way to deal with a problem.” Brittany answers, shrugging her shoulders.

“True but not always the right way to solve a problem.” Glory sighs. “To be honest, I’m not even sure that I am doing the right thing. I want to believe that Melody has changed, or at least is trying to change, if not for my benefit then for the benefit of my best friend Matthew who she is about to marry.”

“She’s marrying to best friend?” Brittany asks. Glory nods her head. “Now that is tough. Are you sure you don’t want me to break her in half for you?”

“No.” Glory says insistently. “And yet, I am still not sure just helping her blindly is right. There is that small bit of fear, that concern that she might just be taking advantage of me.”

“It’s the risk you run when you are a good person. And you are really good people, Glory. You’re helping an old rival of yours, you are also here in Boston scouting future competition, now we have a tag team title match coming up.” Lohan chuckles.

“I need to get all of this stuff off of my mind, even if just for a moment, and try to relax.”

“I can see why you think a night on the town like this is a good idea. You need something to relax yourself after running around the way you do.”

“It’s a tough job being me but someone has to do it.”

Brittany laughs. Surprising coming from her. Then she points up to the DJ. “Speaking of relaxing and having fun, why aren’t you up there?”

“Where?”

“Up there for karaoke.” Brittany points out. “You love karaoke. I’m surprised you haven’t signed up.”

“Well…” Glory’s voice trails off, there is a hint of uneasiness as her voice cracks “...there may be reason for that…”

“What are you talking about?” Brittany’s eyes grow wide as it dawns on her what Glory might be referring to. “You didn’t…”

“Just listen, Britt…”

“Tell me you didn’t invite her!”

The ‘her’ Brittany is referring to is none other than Aphrodite Noel, the woman Glory Braddock has long considered to be a mother figure to her. Glory learned everything she knows about surviving and thriving in the corporate world from Aphrodite. Glory has long relied upon Aphrodite’s wisdom and guidance to survive the cutthroat backstage politics not just of the corporate world but in the backstage wrestling world, as well. And ever since Glory’s parents passed away, the two have grown even closer. Glory would do anything for Aphrodite and likewise Aphrodite would do anything for the woman she considers her daughter. Having Aphrodite Noel working with them, even in the form as an advisor or manager, is one of the best things Glory Braddock could have hoped for. The opposite holds true for Brittany Lohan. Brittany does not trust Aphrodite. The feeling is mutual. In fact, the last time they met Aphrodite accused Brittany of being the reason that Twisted & Sadistic have not won the tag team titles yet. Just like any doting mother, Aphrodite will favor Glory Braddock, which puts Brittany Lohan in a very awkward position.

Brittany wants to take her leave but she can see that it is too late. Glory is grinning from ear to ear as she watches Aphrodite Noel approaching their table. Just to make sure that she knows where they are sitting, Glory starts waving her hand to get her attention. “Over here, mother!” Lohan sighs as Noel catches sight of the two of them. Noel approaches their table.

“Why did you invite her?” Brittany demands.

“I wasn’t going to invite her…” Glory begins “...but she called me and told me about how she wants to help advise us, she wants to help guide us in SCW. She wants to help manage us to becoming SCW World Tag Team Champions. So I thought it might be a nice idea to invite her tonight.”

“We have done perfectly fine by ourselves, Glory.” Lohan remarks. “We earned this tag team title match on our own.”

“Yes, you may have a tag team title match,” Aphrodite begins coldly “but did you truly earn it, or did CHBK give you the leftovers of tonight’s Light in the Darkness/Dark Fantasy match? If you had earned it you would have challenged for the titles tonight, not on Breakdown. Seems to me like you were lucky runners up.”

“Great…” Brittany swigs her Guinness “...thanks for the drink, Glory. Turns out I might need another three or four to get through this.”

“Drinking while you two should be discussing strategy? Scouting Light in the Darkness?” Noel shakes her head with disappointment. “You truly are a bad influence upon my daughter. No wonder you are in such a situation.”

“The drinking was her idea!” Brittany protests.

“Yes, the drinks was my idea, mother.”

“It’s ok.” Aphrodite pats Glory on the back. “I understand. It was her influence.”

Once again Aphrodite is throwing Brittany under the bus. This infuriates Lohan but at the same time she knows just how loyal her friend and tag team partner Glory is to Aphrodite. Brittany is almost that loyal to Glory, loyal to a fault, and at the same time Brittany also wants to become SCW World Tag Team Champions. She wants to pound Aphrodite into the ground right here and now but if she does she knows that it probably means the end of Twisted & Sadistic. Like it or not, she will have to put up with Aphrodite’s presence. For now.

“All is well now that I am here.” Aphrodite declares. “So tell me, Gloria, who are the champions, the team that will have the distinct honor and privilege of being beaten by you on Breakdown?”

“La Pequina Luz and Amelia Blythe.” Glory answers. “Light in the Darkness.”

“Yeah, we beat them before once.” Lohan chimes in. “Should be no problem.”

“Excellent. Plus, they tend to play fair. Syren and Ravyn, you cannot trust those two.” Aphrodite smirks at Brittany. “Had you lived up to your end of the bargain, Brittany, Dark Fantasy wouldn’t even have been in the equation. But that’s ok, Luz and Blythe dealt with Dark Fantasy, and now YOU can deal with Luz and Blythe.”

“Oh for the love of God…” Lohan is enraged but one look at Glory calms her back down. Then she looks at her near empty bottle of Guinness. Brittany finishes the beer off in one quick gulp and slams it down on the table. “...tell you what, I’ll be back…” Brittany gets up and walks back over towards the bar. Glory looks nervously at Aphrodite.

“You shouldn’t push her buttons, mother.”

“Trust me, I know what I am doing.”

“Do you?” Glory asks. “Britt is showing lots of restraint here but only because I’m here. The second I’m out of sight, she might very well snap you in half if you continue to agitate her like this.”

“I understand her anger all too well, Gloria.” Aphrodite remarks. “And I also understand that an angry Brittany Lohan is the best version of Brittany Lohan that you need. You need an enraged War Machine by your side. That version of Brittany will take all of that anger out of Luz and Blythe. Instead of breaking me in half, she will break THEM in half. And you, Gloria, will then become Supreme Champion.”

“Yes, me and Brittany will be tag team champions.” Glory states, correcting Aphrodite, who just brushes it aside.

“Yes, yes, that too, but more importantly my daughter will be a Supreme Champion.” She smiles proudly at Glory. “I am so proud of you.”

“Thank you, mother. Although I still do not like what you are doing.”

“Trust me. Mother knows best.” Aphrodite says, patting her on the back. “Now then, before she gets back let’s catch up. Is your husband Kurt still well?”

“He’s fine. Except he misses being on the road with me.” Glory sighs. “I think he wanted to come to Body, Heart, and Soul with us.”

“Oh?” Aphrodite arches her brow. “And why did he stay behind?”

“That’s a different problem altogether.” Glory sighs. “He has to babysit my old school rival Melody Murphy.”

“Melody who?”

“Murphy.” Glory shakes her head. “She might be the target of an assassination and so I’m hiding her in my home until things cool down.”

“That’s quite a noble thing of you to do.” Aphrodite nods her head. “I would have left at the mercy of whoever is trying to kill her.”

Braddock chuckles. “Now you are beginning to sound like Britt.” Aphrodite shudders upon hearing this. Glory laughs. “But…uh…Melody claims she’s changed. She claims she wants to make peace with me. She’s even going to marry my longtime childhood friend Matthew Taylor. But I’m still finding it difficult to believe that she really has changed. I am finding it hard to trust her.”

“I see…well, Gloria, it may be difficult to trust someone like this Melody, especially if she once bullied you, but I think you should give her a chance.”

“Really?” Glory is somewhat surprised at that answer from Aphrodite. Aphrodite nods her head.

“Of course. I mean, just look at you and I. You once were so disrespectful towards me. But now look at you. You went from being my bitter enemy to my obedient daughter. My picture of perfection.”

“Thank you, mother.” Glory says, her face beaming with pride.

“And if you can change, so can this Melody.”

At that moment Brittany Lohan returns to the table carrying two drinks in her hand, a bottle of Guinness and a glass of wine. “I hope I didn’t interrupt you two lovebirds.”

“Not at all.” Glory says. Aphrodite rolls her eyes.

“Good. Like I said, I needed another drink.” She slides the glass of wine across the table to Aphrodite. “And I decided to get some wine for you. Consider it a peace offering.”

“A peace offering?”

“Yeah.” Lohan nods her head. “If we have to work together, why not do so over some booze?”

“You are a little crass.” Aphrodite sighs. “But then again, there is nothing wrong with a nice glass of wine.”

“Great.” Brittany smirks as she looks over at Glory. “See? We can work together.”

This is going to be an interesting dynamic and both Glory and Brittany know it. Glory Braddock began her separate relationships with both Aphrodite Noel and Brittany Lohan as their enemies but eventually became allies of both. Yet she finds herself caught in the middle in this situation where Aphrodite and Brittany find it very difficult to get along with each other. Tonight was the first of what will surely be many tests to see if this new dynamic can work out. They passed the test with flying colors. The next test will be if Glory Braddock and Brittany Lohan can win the SCW World Tag Team Championships from Light in the Darkness on Breakdown. If they can pass the test, if they are successful, Glory Braddock will have achieved her set goal of becoming Supreme Champion. More importantly, she will once again be tag team champion with her longtime friend Brittany Lohan. This is an opportunity that doesn’t happen often. Glory and Brittany do not have to say anything, they both know that they have to make the most of this opportunity.