Taking Hold of the Flame 2026

[SnowQueenSCW]

Frost No More

”Taking Hold of Hope”

The Frost Gold Mine
Outside Nome, Alaska
June 6th, 2026
8:13 PM

The truck disappeared down the dirt road behind her, and for several moments, Deanna Frost simply stood there, letting the cold, night air flow past her. The wind rolled across the Alaskan landscape, carrying the scent of pine, stone, and distant ocean water. The evening sky glowed northern twilight. It was beautiful... especially considering the almost jaw-like entrance that stood before her.

The Frost Mine.

The sight made her feel equal parts relief and frustration.

"Oh, you idiot." The words escaped her before she could stop them, but she refused to take them back. Of course! Of course this would be where Selena went.

Deanna rubbed her free hand across her face in frustration. Weeks! Weeks she had spent searching - Calling everyone. Following every lead. Checking every possibility.

And somehow she had never seriously considered this place. THE MOST OBVIOUS PLACE TO LOOK!

But maybe that was what it seem obvious now. Because it didn't make sense... Not emotionally. Not for Selena. Not for the woman who had spent so much of her life trying to escape Nome. Trying to escape being ‘The Crazy Miner’s Daughter’. Trying to escape the loneliness and cruelty she'd endured here.

Even as she stood there, a mix of hope and fear gripping every part of her, the idea that Selena would willingly come back... that she would stay... that this place – of all places! - would become her sanctuary...

It felt completely backwards! Which was exactly why Deanna hadn't thought of it.

But it was the place nobody would expect. The place nobody would understand. The place where the world couldn't reach her.

A humourless laugh escaped Deanna. "You really are impossible, minx." she sighed, the wind offering no answer to her assessment. Only silence.

Yet, Liam had known. And Deanna trusted Liam. Casting a glance back, she managed to just see his truck pull up and down a hill and disappear from sight. The bar owner had called a few days ago, prompting her to make get to Nome as fast as she was able – not so easy consider Selena was the one with the private plane! Still, she had made it and Liam had taken her to the cave, explaining everything that he couldn’t say in the brief time he had had Selena’s phone.

What he had said? Deanna couldn’t remember it all: drinking, NX, every reveal was a punch to the gut for the redhead, the idea of Selena – HER Selena – falling so far, faster and faster with each day. But more importantly... Liam had sounded scared.

Not panicked.
Not terrified.
Just scared.
The kind of scared that came from watching someone slowly disappear.

The memory tightened her chest. For a moment she almost turned back toward the road – almost. Then she thought of Selena...

Not the woman from Hubris.
Not the woman who had forged her signature.
Not the woman who had stolen her championship opportunity.
The real Selena.

The woman who had taught Deanna what courage actually looked like. The woman who had stood beside her through every nightmare imaginable... The woman she loved.

A white dress
A tiara of vines and gems amidst platinum-blonde hair
A smile of love and hope...

Deanna adjusted the camera hanging from her shoulder before she picked up the lamp and started walking. She kept her eyes forward, only catching glimpses of light that made the shadows dance across the cave walls. Before she knew it, she had pressed the lever and switch to activate the old elevator, hearing it creak and groan as it pulled itself upwards towards her. She stepped in before she could overthink it, hitting the down button down to the only floor available.

She hated how quickly the memories returned. The last time she had been here. Killjoy...

The name alone made her stomach knot: A face identical to Selena's. A smile utterly different. The same voice. The same features. The same sapphire eyes. Yet those eyes had held something Selena never could – or Deanna had thought so until this past year...

Malice.
Cruelty.
Murder.

Deanna remembered standing in these tunnels - Remembered the fear and uncertainty. The realization that one wrong decision could get her killed. Remembered how every instinct had screamed at her to run.

Instead she had stayed - because Selena had needed her. Because some things mattered more than fear.

The elevator shuddered as it came to the stop and the doors opened, the cold air greeting her. Stepping out, she gazed into the depths. The darkness seemed endless, the mine stretching far beyond what her lamp could illuminate - massive tunnels that disappeared into blackness. Ancient support beams that vanished into shadows. Stone walls that glimmered faintly with traces of mineral deposits.

She had forgotten how enormous this place truly was. Had Donovan carved all of this? Or had it been the miners before him? Or maybe nature itself? She honestly didn't know.

Maybe nobody does now... she thought. Time had a way of erasing the so much of the past...

Continuing to walk, Deanna eyed the large cavern she, eventually entered, her own steps echoing through the tunnels and up towards – she wasn’t even sure where.

"Selena?" Her voice echoed with her steps, then disappeared.

Nothing answered, making her heart sink a little. Still, she kept walking - boots crunching against gravel and the lamp swaying gently beside her.

"Selena?" she called again. And again: only silence. The mine felt impossibly large. Large enough to hide a hundred people – a whole village in case of emergencies. Large enough to swallow entire lives. Large enough to lose yourself inside forever.

But Deanna continued deeper, determination carrying her forward. Of course, fear walked right beside determination... Mostly because part of her knew that if Selena truly wanted to hide... She could.

That’s what Nome was good for. Disappearing from the world... forever.

"Selena!" she called out more urgently, the name echoed through stone corridors. Once more: No answer. No movement. No sound. No sign.

Yet Deanna refused to believe she wasn't here

She could feel it. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was hope. Maybe it was stubbornness. Probably stubbornness. she admitted.

Eventually, she reached a large cavern. One she vaguely remembered. The ceiling rose high overhead. Natural stone columns stretched upward into darkness. Ancient mining equipment sat abandoned nearby.

This will work.

Decided, the redhead set down the lamp and began assembling the camera.

Tripod.
Camera.
Lighting.
Recording settings.

Deanna handled it all. “I know you’re there.” she called out. “Even if you don’t want to come out.” she stated. “That’s fine.” she sighed. “You can just listen to what I’m about to say...”

Eventually she finished her assembly and checked the power on the camera. The red recording light blinked and she quickly moved into position, took a breath...

Finally she looked directly into the camera.
_____________________________________________________________

The camera opens up to a dark cave, illuminated only by a bit of lighting. The cave wall is a dark stone, but standing in front of it, dressed in a sweater, coat and a mane of red hair is the SCW Adrenaline Champion, Deanna Frost.

With a shrug, she keeps her eyes on the camera, her voice echoing a little amongst the stone walls.

So... where do we start? she gives an honest shrug, letting the question sit before speaking.

People have asked me why... Her voice echoes softly through the cavern.

Why am I doing this? Why am I spending so much time trying to find Selena. Why am I spending so much time when... I’m the SCW Adrenaline champion and I’ve... I’ve not been able to get through a match in weeks. I’ve not been able to defend the championship like I wanted to because of everything that happened...

And I... I can’t deny it anymore. she gazes at the camera.

It’s the worst kept secret in SCW. And I can’t deny it’s existence. I was... I was hurt. Yes, Selena forged my name. Yes, I then allowed her to go through with it and take the championship shot for herself. And yes... she sighs, running a hand through her hair. Yes, I would do it all again...

She looks away from the camera for a moment, as if to compose herself. I’d make the same choice, knowing what it meant. Knowing what it could do and what it would cost me. But I’d do it again if I had to. Because it’s... she sighs, unable to find the words. I suppose it’s the same reason I’ve been looking for Selena this whole time. And why... why I am announcing here and now my intention to enter into the SCW Taking Hold of the Flame royale...

She bites her lower lip hard, trying to control her own warring emotions.

And again... probably a ‘why’ in there. Why enter Taking Hold of the Flame? She folds her arms over her chest.

Honestly? I've been asking myself the same question... and questioning the same reason that came to mind... The sadly-amused smile fades from her features. Because think about it! Forty competitors. Forty!

Former world champions.
Hall of Famers.
Future Hall of Famers.
Past winners potentially
People who've accomplished things I'll probably never accomplish.

She shrugs her shoulders. And then there’s me... and all the names that came along with me... "The lesser Frost." or “The poor person’s Selena”. Maybe they're right. She glances away briefly, then returned her attention to the camera. Maybe all of this is because I can’t exist without Selena around in some capacity. Maybe I can’t be what Selena was or what the Frost name should be about or I can’t do the same good in SCW that she did – I don’t know!

Her voice echoes a bit stronger throughout the cave, bouncing off the walls as she calms herself. But this isn't about proving them wrong.
This isn't about becoming World Champion.
This isn't even about main-eventing Rise to Greatness!

For a moment, the cave is absolutely quiet as Deanna lets her words settle.

This is about you.

And you know exactly who I'm talking to....

Her emerald eyes never leave the lens. Five years. You've main-evented Rise to Greatness for five consecutive years. Pride of SCW. Face of SCW. Snow Queen. Legend.

Her smile vanishes. And now? Pain flickered across her expression. Now you're hiding.
Now you're running.
Now you're trying to convince yourself that none of it mattered.

She shakes her head. No. she speaks a little stronger. No!

No, You don't get to do that! You don't get to erase everything you've done. You don't get to erase every life you've changed. You don't get to erase every person you've inspired. You don't get to erase yourself!

Deanna’s voice trembles a little as the emotion rips through her - barely restrained.

Because whether you believe it or not... I remember!

She pauses for only a moment.

I remember the woman that took me out of Kentucky and who taught me integrity!
I remember the woman who taught me courage when she faced stables and monsters and villains that would terrify anyone else!
I remember the woman who believed people deserved second chances! People like Regan! Like Kelcey! Like Kennedy! Like me!

A bitter smile crosses her features. I remember the woman who believed everybody deserved saving. I remember the woman that was too afraid to chase the world championship because she didn’t believe she was deserving or ready. And I remember the woman that refused to let anyone do wrong in SCW without them being held accountable...

The words hang heavily as Deanna takes a slow breath.

You made mistakes. Gods know you made mistakes. I know that better than anyone. But you're not the only one responsible... Deanna lowers her eyes briefly. I am too... I helped create this.

Her voice becomes quieter. [color=red]I helped put expectations on you.
I helped convince you that you always had to come back and be perfect.
I helped make you believe the world needed you to carry everything.
Even when you warned me... I kept pushing you to come back and save SCW... even when we knew what the SCW Universe thought of you...

She shakes her head. That's on me too. But that doesn’t mean you get to run away and not be accountable! That’s not how we do things! That’s not what our name stands for! That’s not... that’s not what we taught our children!

The redhead takes a deep breath, steadying her shaky nerves. You owe us all so much... me, Amelia, CHBK, even Syren and Xander! You don’t get to just hide away and leave us to clean up that mess!

So... here’s my offer...

She takes another breath. If I win Taking Hold of the Flame...
If I somehow survive thirty-nine other competitors...
If the impossible happens...

Her gaze hardens. I'll give you the opportunity. I'll hand you the main event.


Silence. She doesn’t even break it for a few seconds as the cave seems to absorb the declaration.

You want Rise to Greatness? I'll give it to you.
You want another world championship match? I'll give it to you.
You want your place back? I'll give it to you!

She points directly into the camera. But you have to come back!

The challenge is unmistakable but Deanna presses on.

You have to stop hiding.
You have to stop running."
You have to fight!
Not for a championship.
Not for SCW.
Not for redemption... a slow breath. For yourself...

Her eyes glisten slightly. Because if I can face forty wrestlers with integrity and honor – things YOU taught me! – then so can you! Whether you believe you can or not!

Another small bought of silence as Deanna composes herself. You always taught me that people are worth fighting for. Well congratulations.... Because now I'm fighting for you.

A long pause followed as Deanna exhales. And yes... I'm terrified!

Have you seen who's in this thing? Syren, Kimberly, Evans, Grant, Hayes, Cruze, Polly... Former world champions. Elite competitors. People who could throw me over the top rope before I finish introducing myself!

She shakes her head. I know what I am saying! I know it’s impossible! I’ve avoided this royale for so many years because I know how impossible it is! Because if you couldn’t do it! If Syren couldn’t do it! If none of them could do it... what chance does the ‘Lesser Frost’ have?

The honesty isn’t a show to boost attention and belief. It’s as real as the terror Deanna feels at the overwhelming odds. After everything... holding titles for over a year... going undefeated in a tournament... coming back from mental breakdowns... and I still don't know if I'm good enough. I still don't know if I belong. I still don't know if I'll last ten minutes.

Another breath as she steadies herself. But I know why I'm trying. Because this means more than a title shot. More than a main event. More than a championship...

Her eyes never waver. This is about the most important person in my life... which makes this the most important match of my life...

A final pause.

I'm coming for the impossible... she declares with finality. And if I find it before you do... she gives a genuine smile. I'll save your seat.

The recording continues for a few seconds longer more before Deanna steps forward and turns it off, sending the video to black.
_____________________________________________________

The cavern fell silent...

No audience.
No applause.
No reaction.
No catchphrase at the end this time...

Just darkness. Just stone. Just her.

For a moment, Deanna merely stared into the shadows. Waiting, hoping, listening.

Then her composure cracked - Not completely, but just enough.

"Okay." Her voice sounded smaller than it had when the camera was recording... more vulnerable. "I'm done pretending I’m alone." She looked deeper into the darkness.

"Selena..." Nothing answered. Still she continued. "I know you’re here."

It wasn’t a question this time.

"I know you are." Her throat tightened. "I don't know where. I don't know what you're thinking. I don't know what happened after Hubris." The next words nearly broke her. "But I know you're hurting."

Silence. Her eyes burned.

"You idiot." A shaky laugh escaped. "You absolute idiot." Tears threatened to fall but who would see them in this dark cave. Despite that truth, she fought them.

"I've spent weeks looking for you." The admission emerged quietly. "Weeks. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. I couldn't think." Another breath. “Every phone call..." Her voice cracked. “I kept wondering if it would be someone telling me..."

The sentence wouldn't finish. She couldn't make it finish. Instead she swallowed hard.

"I was scared..." The words echoed. "I am scared. Because I didn’t want my last words to you to be something that I didn’t mean..." her mind flashed back to that moment. Staring into Selena’s eyes in their ‘Forever Home’, telling the Snow Queen that she should, maybe, keep her date with that balcony after Rise to Greatness...

Keep that date and jump off it...

Deanna looked around the cavern. “I didn’t mean it...” she said. “I couldn’t... I wouldn’t...” she took a slow breath again, drawing that image to her mind again.

White dress
A tiara of vines
Sapphire eyes of hope and love...

"Elsianna tries not to ask anymore." A weak smile. "Which somehow makes it worse." she kept going. "David keeps pretending he understands." Another pause. "Amiliah still asks where Mommy is."

Silence followed, which caused Deanna to lowered her head. "I don't know what to tell her. I don't know."

She released a trembling breath. "I don't know how to explain any of this... Please."

The word emerged barely above a whisper. "Please talk to me."

Silence answered. Only silence.

The mountain remained still. Ancient. Unmoving.

“SELENA!” her voice suddenly cried out, ripping through the cavern like the blast of a bomb! Ringing in its pitch up and through every corner and crack of stone before slowly, the ringing stopped and silence returned.

I think the strongest ending is not another plea. You've already exhausted Deanna emotionally. The scene's final movement should be acceptance of uncertainty and commitment to action. Deanna came here looking for Selena and leaves without answers—but with purpose. Meanwhile, Selena is affected precisely because Deanna *stops begging* and starts moving forward.

Something like:

The echoes slowly died.

The cavern returned to silence.

No footsteps.

No voice.

No platinum-blonde woman emerging from the darkness.

Nothing.

Deanna stood there for several seconds, chest heaving from the force of her own scream. The sound of Selena's name still seemed to linger in the stone around her, refusing to completely disappear, but eventually even that faded, leaving only the mountain, silence, and reality.

The redhead closed her eyes.

For a moment, disappointment threatened to overwhelm her. The little spark of hope she had carried all the way from Washington, all the way from Manhattan, all the way to Alaska wanted desperately to break apart.

She had found the place. She had found the mine. But she still hadn't found Selena.

A shaky breath escaped her. Then another. Then more and more. Still, she did not shatter... she did not break there and then in the cave.

Slowly, she simply bent down and picked up her camera, folded the tripod, gathered the lamp, and collected every piece of equipment she had brought with her. Because there was nothing else to do - not tonight.

"Fine." The word echoed softly - Not angry or bitter or even defeated... Just tired. "You always were stubborn."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth despite everything. She adjusted the camera strap on her shoulder and looked one final time into the darkness.

"If you're listening..." Her voice was quieter now, but far steadier. "...then listen carefully."

The emerald eyes that had spent weeks filled with fear now held something else...Resolve.

"I meant every word." she paused. "I am entering that battle royal. And I'm going to give it everything I have."

The words hung in the air, the promise hanging thickly within it.

"You don't have to believe in yourself." Her throat tightened. "But I still do."

Her smile disappeared. "And if that's stupid..." she gave a small shrug. "Then I guess we're both idiots."

With that said, she turned towards the tunnel. Towards the elevator, the glow of the light shining against the vast darkness of the mine. The mountain was silent once more as she exited the elevator and re-entered the world of Nome.

Yet somewhere within that silence, hidden deep among the stone and shadows, one final sentence remained.

Not Deanna's scream.
Not her tears.
Not even her promise of Rise to Greatness.

Just four simple words that meant everything she had just said.

You don't get to disappear...

And for the first time in weeks, those words hurt far more than any loss within SCW ever could...