Shilo Valiant vs. Autumn Valentine

[SnowQueenSCW]

Send in the Clown

Chapter 11 – Part 2: A Failsafe

“Alright, Shilo.” The soothing, baritone-bass voice of Nomas filled my ears. “Now without the brace.”

I shuddered as I heard those words. Standing in a room without a shirt on (my choice after starting to sweat from the exercises Nomas had put me through, rigorous as they were) didn’t bother me, but him asking me to do that? 

With shaking hands and breath, I pulled up the pant-leg of the sweatpants I wore until the metal contraption was visible. Slowly, I unlatched it, immediately feeling its absence as I placed it on the floor. 

“Take the exercises slower if you need to.” The dark-skinned doctor instructed. “I rather you not hurt yourself.”

I nodded, my hands shaking a little as I tried the first set of exercises: simple lunges. It was harder without the brace, of course, but I managed. Still, by the third or fourth exercise, I was struggling to the point where I had to stop – my knee locking and Marina having to help me.

It had been like this for the past hour of tests and observations, the only break I had being when the X-ray room was ready for us. I was used to wrestling in my vests and, on occasion, shirtless, so walking around the halls without one didn’t bother me, though I did get some odd looks when it came to my dragon-tattoo on my left arm and the scorpion one on my right.

“When did you…” I started as I settled down in the chair after my last exercise. “Get your license back?” I asked as Marina wiped off my back with a towel.
“About three years ago.” Nomas replied with a smile. “After…everything… I couldn’t just settle into ‘retirement life’. I had to get out there and do something.”

“I know the feeling.” I sighed, earning a quiet squeeze of my shoulder by Marina, my soulmate trying to comfort me. “That’s really why I’m here.”
“I know.” Nomas smiled as he sanitized the medicine ball and weights we had used in the larger room we now occupied before moving towards the ‘patient room’ Marina and I had first been brought. 

Before entering the room with us, Nomas was stopped by an attendant of some kind, who handed him a folder of some kind. With a nod of thanks, Nomas entered the room after us, closing the door behind him and immediately placing two large, black ‘film-paper’ of some kind on the white screen and turning on the light behind it to illuminate the x-rays.

It was odd seeing the interior of my leg – the bones and pieces that comprised it. I didn’t know what I was looking for, to be honest (not being a doctor myself), but it was still weird seeing the bane of my problems before me. Turning my gaze a little (to see out of the corner of my eye), I saw Marina also regarding the illuminated images, as if trying to solve the mystery herself.

Nomas, however, was laser-focused, knowing exactly what to look for. “And there it is…” 

I could hear a near laugh in his throat before reaching up to flick the light off, darkening the images before my eyes. The good doctor turned to me. “Sit down, Shilo. Marina.”

We obeyed, of course, taking a seat in a pair of chairs as we had when we first came into this room. Nomas, on the other hand, took a different seat near a desk. I felt the panic continue to wage war in me – almost smothering the joy and relief I had felt at seeing my old friend and family member again after so many years. I heard my shaky breaths as I tried to wait for him to speak.

“There is…extensive damage.” Nomas began, the tone serious, doctorly. “Which you probably already know.” 
Slowly, my hands tightening their desperate grip of Marina’s hands, I nodded my head. 

Turning a little to further regard me, Nomas must have seen my expression, my panic before holding up a hand as if to calm me. “I’m sorry for being to the point, but I rather be honest with you than give you falsities.”
“I…I know.” I tried. “Is it…” I dreaded the words I needed to ask, the certainty that would come up as an answer. “Is it over? No other way?”

He looked at me, studying my eyes – perhaps more than that. “There…is a way.”

My heart stopped. My eyes widened. I heard a gasp come from Marina – though whether that was excitement or relief, I wasn’t sure, but I turned my head quickly to see a smile on her face.

“Are you certain?” she asked, and I DEFINITELY heard the hope in her voice.
“Fairly certain.” Nomas smiled. “I’d have to do a more invasive test to be 100% sure but all the signs are there.”
“What signs?” I asked, suddenly desperate to know more.

“Shilo…” Nomas smiled, tilting his head. “You have locked-knee.”
“I know.” I stated with a shrug. “I could have-“
“No, you don’t understand, son.” Nomas gently halted me with a hand. “The cause is the cartilage in your knee has deteriorated, which causes swelling, lack of mobility and for the knee to ‘lock’ frequently.”

I sat there, letting Nomas’ words sink in. I knew what he was explaining, but it was the funniest thing I had heard in weeks. Without meaning to, a laugh escaped me, almost in disbelief. “So…you’re telling me…” I couldn’t help it, the laughs continued to escape me. “that all this hell I’ve been put through. All the crap I have dealt with – the pain, humiliation, the fear and anxiety… was because of a stupid sac of cartilage…”

“In a nutshell? Yes.” Nomas shrugged, smiling all the same.

I turned my head to Marina. “Sort of puts things in a new perspective doesn’t it?”
My love nodded her head at me. “The smallest things…” was all she added before turning her attention towards Nomas. “You said there was a way to fix this?”

His smile never diminishing, Nomas nodded his head. “There is.”
“Well… out with it, man!” I exclaimed. “If I can fix it – I can keep wrestling-“
“Whoa, hold on, son.” Nomas warned. “I said there was a way. I didn’t say it would be easy.”

Well THAT shut me up.

Slowly, Nomas lowered his hand. “I or my team can perform a surgery to repair or replace the cartilage….” His words slowed.
“But…” I had to say it, because I knew he was indicating it.
“But… it would take you out of wrestling.” He stated.

“Out of…” I felt all of the breath leave my body. I thought… I thought he said there would be a way. That I could come out of this and still be a wrestler…

I couldn’t say anything. I was too stunned. Thank the gods for Marina.

“For how long?” she asked, surprising me. “You said this was a solution, Nomas. So, I can’t believe this would take wrestling away from Shilo.”
“No…” Nomas quickly replied. “It wouldn’t. But he would need to step away for awhile in order for it to work.”
“How long?” the question came from both Marina and I this time.
“Depending on the much we need to do? At least a month, but my guess? Three to six.”

“Three to six months?” I asked, disbelief feeling me. “That’s it?!”

Nomas nodded, immediately causing my laughs to return with a vengeance, tears now coming from my eyes.

“Marina… only 3-6 months!” I laughed. “That’s NOTHING! I’ve been a champion in SCW for six months, I think I’ve earned some vacation time! And I can come back and not miss Rise to Greatness next year! I can-“

My mind raced so fast that I couldn’t put it into words. Sure, 3-6 months was a bit of a break and I would probably be forgotten, but, if I could come back better? Stronger? No more locked-knee? Maybe I could wrestle better than I did now! Maybe…maybe I could headline Rise to Greatness again… maybe I could… I could be the World Champion again…

I shook my head, refusing to let my hopes get away from me. “Is it so simple?”
“Simple? Yes.” Nomas nodded. “But I urge you to get your affairs in order before jumping into it, okay, son?”

I nodded. “Of course, Nomas. Thank you.” I stood up, with Marina’s help, moving over to him to embrace the doctor, who heartily embraced me. “I’ll make sure to clear everything as soon as I can.”

“Good.” Nomas grinned, clasping my shoulders, making me feel like the safe, little boy again. “We’ll get you through this son. Cheer up.”

A few goodbyes and hugs later and Marina was driving us home, and I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m so…”
“Relieved?” she asked.
“Yes.” I grinned. “All I have to do is talk to management and figure this all out. I’m sure they’ll grant me the leave without any hassle.”
“Of course they will.” She grinned, reaching over with one hand to take my hand. “I’m proud of you for keeping your promise.”
I smiled, lifting her hand to kiss the top of it. “Thank you for choosing Nomas and…and not giving up on me. I promise you, I will do whatever I have to to fix this.”

Sadly… that would be a promise that I would not be able to keep. Because little did I know that SCW, at that moment, were already making plans involving me, Ace Marshall…

And the Television Championship…


****************************************************************

The Carnival of Rust

Well now… what a fascinating way to return to the land of Supreme Championship Wrestling…

I mean, laughaholics and soon to be entertained, I am genuinely surprised by these developments. For six glorious months, I held the Adrenaline Championship. I took on all challengers and defended the title in entertaining matches like Under the Big Top and TLC. I defeated the likes of Dylan Howell, Glory Braddock, and YES! Even the delirious Holly Adams! 

But alas, all good things must come to an end, is that not so? The curtain must fall. The show must conclude. The lights must fade. The end. Fin.

Or perhaps not… for you see… I am without a championship, yet I am to be rewarded with another title opportunity at my VERY first match back! 

How…amusing… For who am I to receive such providence?

Does Shilo Valiant as a champion equal good things for SCW? Good things like ratings and sales? Is SCW INTERESTED in what the “Man Who Laughs” can bring to the table when he is defending a title like the Television championship every single week? Is that way I have, somehow, found myself as a contender for the title currently held by Autumn Valentine?

Or is the artistry of this match just too good a thing to pass up?

Let’s not beat around the bush, shall we? For all of that, this match came about because Ace Marshall went off last week to ‘blow off some steam’. He tried to fight me, couldn’t get the job done in ‘beating me up’ and his – whatever she is – Autumn Valentine got involved…

…

You made a mistake, Autumn. Truly, you did. I had not a care in regards to you. You were a decent performer and a good athlete, but, let’s face it, you weren’t really on my radar compared to goals like getting my Adrenaline title back or entertaining the masses. You were little more than Ace’s ‘current fling’ to me – Not to offend you, for you were doing some decent things in the ring, but… my priorities were elsewhere. But you stuck your nose in my business. You got involved in something that didn’t involve you. I didn’t seek Ace out. He sought me out and his mouth wrote a check that his ass couldn’t cash. 

But isn’t that just like Ace… like you… like all of Lexy Nation or Lexy’s Angels or Lexy Worldwide or whatever you’re calling yourselves? Overselling and underdelivering? I mean, you called yourself “the greatest tag-team wrestler ever” because what? You won the titles a couple of times? Interesting you would say that when you were, at one point, friends with Dark Fantasy – the longest reigning tag-team in history. Funny you would say that after you once happily handed the tag titles over to Ravyn and Christy Matthews at a house show – Hell, FUNNY YOU WOULD SAY THAT when you are no longer the tag-team champion. 

Almost as funny as Lexy Nation promising to be Television, Adrenaline, Tag, AND World Champion by the end of Rise to Greatness, yet here they are… with only you… One of four – Lexy's little group losing all their matches that night… A failing grade… an underachieved performance on the grandest stage, I must say…

You see, Autumn, I’ve never spoken about “being the best wrestler”. I’ve never talked about being “the best champion in the world”. That doesn't interest me. I spoke about being “the most entertaining”. I spoke about putting on matches that people would forever remember – moments that would stand the test of time in the history of SCW. But I’ve also taken it upon myself since my return to hold people accountable. People like Aaron Blackbourne, Holly Adams, Datura, Glory Braddock – I could go on… Those that claim similar things as I do but are copycats, liars, etc. and exposing them under the spotlight – my spotlight. 

Now, I am sure you think that this match between you and me is merely part of the conspiracy that Lexy has been spouting in her promos before you, eventually, interrupt her when the crazy gets too much, but, come now… that’s just you being unable to hold yourself accountable. You chose to lay your hands on me. You chose to attack me. What did you expect would happen, Autumn?

What? That I’d just shrug it off and say “Nah! She’s just protecting her man!”… what kind of fun would that be? How is THAT entertaining? Oh no, Autumn! You see, now, you have earned my full attention, at least for a bit of time. And the more I have looked into you… the more I saw your little story… the more interested I became.

Because what better way to not only return the favor on you, Ms. Valentine, but also give Ace, quite possibly, a bad case of PTSD…

Oh, did he not tell you? Not surprising really, given recent events… I am sure you are VERY aware that I, also, am a former Television Champion, but do you know who I beat to become the Television Champion?

…

The World Champion Ace Marshall!

HA HA HA! That’s right, Autumn! At the height of your “man’s” arrogance and delusion – when he had JUST become the goddamn World Champion by defeating Rachael Foxx years ago, I came in out of nowhere and beat him clean – silencing his remarks of “superiority” and being “the best” and TAKING the television title from him. The same title you hold.

I humbled him, Autumn. I brought him down off his self-erected pillar, all to the entertainment of the masses! To the entertainment of SCW! And, of course, to my own entertainment. 

And now… like a nostalgic act or perhaps syndication taking hold… I have a chance to remind him of that… by doing the same to you. And, have no fear, the similarities are not lost on me… He he he….

Come now, Autumn. Not too long ago, you prided yourself on being a woman who, and I quote, “deals in what they see before them”. But do you really, Autumn?  What do you truly see? I mean, can you truly see what is before you? What about what you hear? Can you truly hear what is all around you? The deafening whispers of the SCW Universe.

Well… If that were so, would you not hear the desperation in Lexy’s voice when she talks to you? When she talks about you? Would you not hear how badly she oversells you to all who listens – needing to associate you, the ONLY champion she has left, as part of Lexy Worldwide? Your fame being her fame and thus dooming you to continuously undersell as you fail to reach her impossible promises? Do you not see and hear the segments recorded of Breakdown just a few weeks ago? Of your “man”, whom you protected against me, sneaking around with Cassidy Carter? Did you not hear the words of Jaina Lancaster just last week, warning you?

Well, Autumn? If you truly are a woman who deals in what they see before them, can you see how Lexy only clings to you because you are “her last golden attribute” and not because of your talents? Incredible as they are. Can you not see how Ace, the KNOWN womanizer, philanderer, and admitted failure as a husband, boyfriend, whatever, sees you merely as his current ‘toy’? 

Of course you don’t. Because you don’t want this to end, do you? You know that, when it does, as all good things do, you’ll just go back to the girl you’re too afraid to face again. The one you ‘left behind’, am I right? You’re so afraid of that that you believe everything Ace and Lexy tell you. You’re too blinded being champion. Too consumed with defending that title that it acts as a blinder to your sight. You only see yourself as a ‘prizefighter’, the ‘underdog’, etc. because that’s what Lexy tells you to believe.

But oh, Autumn, I am not Josh Hudson. I am not looking down on you. I am looking up at you. All the way up to the pillar you have erected for yourself. Where you stand high above me, the simple clown and entertainer. I am here, on the ground, looking up at you because I have to, Autumn. I have to be here to do what I do better than anyone else… entertain.

Because you, dear Autumn, for your successful title defenses with the Television Championship and defeating a legend like Josh Hudson… you don’t really see what is before you…

The end. The end of your little ‘rise’. You are as high as you can go, Autumn. And you can feel it, can’t you? Deep in your bones…

It is time for you to fall. It is time for the last pillar of LexyMania to shatter beneath your very feet and for you, like Lexy Nation, to fall to the depths. For you to see Lexy for the desperate, crazed woman that she is as she casts you aside, dismisses you until you are of use again. For you to be discarded by Ace Marshall...

Just like you discarded Gable Winchester…
Just like you discarded the tag-team titles to Ravyn and Christy Matthews…
Just like you discarded SCW over and over again when you couldn’t compete with the best…

That’s the inside joke, Autumn! This is not a conspiracy… it is turnabout and it is fair play! After all the people and titles you dismissed… now, it is your turn to be the one used and likewise discarded and 'left behind'! It is the greatest joke of the universe. It is entertainment! It is SCW getting what it needs!

And SCW needs to see Autumn Valentine fall.
SCW needs Lexy Nation to lose its last title and watch the backlash as it continues its descent to madness.
And SCW clearly needs Shilo Valiant to, once again, be a champion!

And my spotlight will make all of that possible. I will make all of that possible, Autumn, for the sake of that entertainment. For you, Lexy and LexyNation, and, especially Ace Marshall to be held accountable! And just like I humbled Ace Marshall back then, breaking him before he inevitably lost the World title a month later, I will humble and break you, Autumn. I will remove your blinders and allow you, under the brightness of my spotlight, to truly see what is actually before you…

Lexy, ready to abandon you.
Ace, prepared to discard you.
And I having just dethroned you.

All good things must come to end… 
And your end, dear Autumn, one way or another, will surely… 
Make Me Laugh….