Selena Frost vs. Bree Lancaster

[SnowQueenSCW]

The Royal Letter

The screen flickers a little before settling on the image – the webcam and microphone working and recording everything necessary. Everything situated properly, the owner of these techs sits back and give a small smile and a wave – the slight sound of traffic in the distance is heard every so often but not in a too distracting way.

Hello True-Believers and everyone listening in the SCW Universe.

The face before them is Selena Frost – the Snow Queen and next contender for the United States Championship. She allows a moment for the viewer to take in the details of the scene. To the viewer, Selena sits on a couch of leather with large windows behind her. The shades are drawn on the windows so the focus is on Selena. The lights above, white in color, illuminate the space. As for the Alaskan Dragon, herself? She wears a simple blue, shoulder-less sweater with snowflakes decorating the top. Her bare neck and shoulders allows the viewer to see the dragon-snowflake pendant around her neck, the symbol of her family: the Frost clan. Lastly, while her eyes are slightly red, perhaps from the webcam quality, her hair stands out prominently, platinum-blonde and wrapped in its iconic braid.

For those of you who don't know where we are, this- she gestures with her hands to her own surroundings. This is the “Believe It!” tour bus and myself and my driver, Eric, are on our way – where else? - to Little Rock, Arkansas. That's right, we are headed to Breakdown!

The words seem to stir in Selena's head for a moment.

Quite easily one of the most important Breakdowns of my career... You know, what's coming up – the main-event – fighting for the United States Title...

For a moment, the platinum-blonde says nothing, as if at a loss for words. And before everything goes down, I'm having a hard time believing this is all really happening. I mean: worst kept secret, I've been waiting for this moment to come for a long time... a really long time  - I've wanted it so badly. And I must have thought of a hundred different ways to start off a 'Royal Letter' for it. Would I show respect to the champion? Would it be someone I DID respect like Kennedy or Dawn or Jake? Would it be someone I hated like Regan again? Would I be excited... nervous? 

And... the thing is... the more and more I thought about it – the idea of me fighting for the United States Championship after Mr. D. announced me as the next contender – the more I thought about just how many people that single decision must have upset.

With a click of her tongue, Selena shakes her head a bit. And when I say 'people', I don't mean the SCW Universe of True-Believers, because if your reaction to that announcement was any indication, dare I say, you might be looking forward to this match even more than me, and I didn't think THAT was possible! 

No... I'm referring to the people that cried outrage – or conspiracy – or a mixture of both with the adding of 'Lizard King!' when the announcement was made. Words like 'favouritism' and 'buying favours' and 'kissing ass' and 'didn't earn it' were consistently tossed around by those in the SCW locker room and on Twitter and Discord – hell, even the current champion, Bree Lancaster, has forsaken the 'believe' jokes and 'family jabs' in favour of taking that stance. 

And, honestly... Selena shrugs. Who can blame her? I mean, yes, I lost my last two pay-per-view matches against Owen Cruze and, more recently, against Christy Matthews in what, some have called, 'high-way robbery'. But, you've all heard our United States Champion in the past – winning is winning and losing is losing. Like in The Fast and the Furious. Doesn't matter how you win, right, Bree? Long as you win? Yes, you made it clear how you're ready to defend the only championship you have left, but most of us, including me, aren't questioning that. Now, most of us, where you are concerned, question how long until you con and cheat your way out of it – or at least try to. And given the history between you and I? It's not that hard to understand why you would.

The Snow Queen shrugs.

The other reason why, I'm sure, that this train of thought has passed your arrogant lips, Bree, is because of who you're listening to. Let's face it, you haven't been shy in mentioning getting advice from the World Champion when it comes to dealing with me. Hell, last time you spoke about me, I actually thought I was listening to a Sienna Swann promo from earlier this year:

'Selena is selfish.'
'Selena only cares about herself.'
'Selena doesn't care about SCW'.

I could go on, and I probably will in a few more days, but while I heard it all before – hell, I just heard it with your 'evaluation' of how I even got to this match - I have to admit there was a certain tone in your voice that brought me back to that last time you spoke about me: I'm referring to Fatal Fortunes now, by the way. The way you said my name, broke down who I was before jumping into other names like Billy Breakdown and Konrad Raab- there was a word you said... what was it?

Snapping her fingers, Selena suddenly stops. I remember! Formidable! That was the word! You didn't think someone like me or Billy or Konrad was as formidable as – say – someone like Syren, right?

The Snow Queen lifts her eyebrows playfully as she shrugs. You do realize, Bree, I've actually beaten Syren in the middle of the ring, right? I was in the ring and I pinned her for the clean count. And this was before she was ducking shows and refusing to wrestle and before she was demanding a world title shot every time the camera was on her. Back when she was actually a damn good wrestler. 

But now? She's 'formidable' to you? The woman that literally plays politics and refuses to wrestle rather than shutting her mouth and wrestling in the ring is a personal 'choice' for you? 

Maybe I shouldn't really take that remark seriously then if what you are basing that word on is that woman or the world champion who says she stands for the company while blackmailing her way out of title defences.

An amused scoff comes from the Snow Queen.

Not formidable, huh? Not 'to be taken seriously'? Why is that, Bree? Because I don't pose for cameras or strike the 'perfect pose' like you do? Because my measurements don't make me the ideal 'hourglass' shape for Dior or Victoria Secret? You know what? You and Sienna can have as many pictures taken as you want, sign as many product deals as you can handle, and Syren can come up with as many plans with Ravyn or tantrums to throw on television. But, the reality is that people aren't watching SCW for your photos or your latest 'fashion statements' or the tantrums. 

No, Bree. These people are watching for the pure athleticism and talent that only 'supreme wrestling' offers. People in Emerge – they work their butts off to get to where we are. They dream of it – yearn for the chance. People in the audience, some of them pray to some day do what we do – perform at the level that we perform at.

Selena shrugs.

But what do you care? Long as you win, right? Long as those deals from Dior and that fame keeps rolling in for you, right? You're the champion and because I'm not as 'pretty' as you – that's okay, I don't mind if people find me ugly – or because I respect my boss and all that this company has done for me, I'm not 'worthy' to stand on your level.

I've heard those words from Sienna, Regan, Josh Hudson – basically everyone that was associated with Past, Present and Future and now the Beauty Network. Does that mean I take your words as the 'be all' and turn down such an opportunity? One that I've desired longer than you can imagine? 

Just because you don't see me as 'formidable'?

Taking a huff of a breath, Selena runs her hands through her hair.

You know what, Bree? Maybe I AM getting handed this opportunity. Maybe I was 'unfairly' picked to be the next contender. Maybe there is a chance that there are some politics at play with this that I just don't know of. If Bound by Blood was any indication, there certainly is something off in the D. household... 

But, maybe there is a chance, and I'm just saying maybe here, that after taking shots to the head with monitors, fracturing my ribs, having a crate dropped on my ankle and nearly taking me out of SCW - maybe after winning the damn Trios Tournament! Oh! Speaking of which!

Selena reached over to her side to reveal the contract that she has held for nearly a year. Remember this, Bree? I could have used this and it wouldn't have mattered what you thought about it. Whether you thought I 'deserve' it or not. Know why? Because I earned this Trios shot! I could have gotten that United States Championship match anytime I wanted, Bree - whether you liked it or not. No matter how much you whined on Twitter or cried to your interviewers or into your pillow while TMZ filmed the whole thing, you would have to have faced me.

With frustration, Selena tosses the contract down on the couch she sits on. Know why I didn't do that, Bree? Why I didn't just use my Trios to get that shot against you? It's not because I fear you or that I didn't have a chance. Don't get me wrong, you've shown me time and time again that, to you, the ends will always justify the means. While someone like Christy Matthews will deny her involvement in that screwjob that happened at Bound By Blood, you would have revelled in it. You would have taken a win against me and held it over my head – regardless of the implications – till the end of days. That makes you as dangerous as anyone I have ever faced – that desperation. That obsession to just win. I've seen it and dealt with it most of this year with Regan and Sienna. 

Me? That's not good enough, Bree. It's not enough for me to just use my Trios, get my shot and take the United States Title from you. No, Bree. I wanted to earn it. I wanted to fight and win until SCW thought that I was worthy of challenging for the United States Championship. Until I knew – in my heart, until they knew – that I was worthy to fight for that championship. Because despite what you think, or, more accurately, what Sienna is whispering in your ear: THAT is how I have lived my entire career.

The Snow Queen shakes her head slightly before readjusting the webcam for a better picture.

Tell me, Bree, because you're the closest thing to this whole 'never earned anything' source that started with Sienna and continued with the whole 'formidable' and 'being handed everything' nonsense: What part of my career wasn't earned? 

Are you talking about how I got my first Adrenaline title shot by beating the then champion, Thomas Watson, three times in a row before beating him a fourth time for the title? Was it when I regained the Adrenaline championship by winning, not just the title back, but winning the whole Shot of Adrenaline tournament? Was it when I became World Champion because the people voted me to face Alexis Quinne after 'The Year of Selena Frost' that saw me beat people like Kelcey Wallace, Kennedy Street, and Ravyn Taylor? 

Was that it, Bree? Or was it all the number one contender matches I had to win against the likes of Alistaire Allocco, Vixen Cain, and your ex-husband, Blake Mason? What part of my near five years here wasn't 'earned', Bree? Because the more I think about it, the more I wonder what part of your logic has it that I don't earn my keep here in SCW? Which part of your logic makes me 'unformidable' or 'undeserving', Bree?

Selena thinks for a moment. What? 'Unformidable' isn't a word? Well, if you can make up words like 'ambitchous' and 'unfuckwithable', then permit me this one time, will you please? Because I am sick of thinking about that, Bree. The Beauty Network's opinion of me and my worth here in SCW. And from you of all people...

Because – yes, let's turn this around - how did you even get a shot at the United States Championship, Bree? Who did you beat? What contendership match did YOU win?

Selena raises her arm and then immediately drops it. I mean, if you want to use the same insults I've heard a hundred times, ignore me for weeks and then send an offhand tweet as 'good enough' to deal with me, fine, but if you're going to join Sienna and tell me that I didn't 'earn' this chance, then for the love of the gods, don't have your reign be the result of 'good fortune'. Because, if you actually think about it, perhaps my chance was because, since Rise to Greatness, I've only lost twice – while number one contenders to the world title like Alistaire Allocco and AJ Helms, people like the Taking Hold of the Flame winner, Giovanni Aries, people like former world champion Damian Angel, and yes, even your chief of security, Dante MacCafferty, have all fallen to me.

Maybe showing that kind of ability – the kind you brag about having as you surround yourself with a personal security team – was what made SCW believe I was ready to challenge you for that title. But you? You didn't beat anyone to get your shot, did you, Bree?

By your own admittance: Regan Street handed it to you on a silver platter. Regan all but forfeited the U.S. Title to Jason Helms and, since you just so happened to be facing him at Rise to Greatness, you got the shot. Remember? You were laughing about it during your Fatal Fortunes promo – about how 'delighted' you were to think about how I was robbed of my chance and it was given to you – hell, you just took delight in that again on that cellphone-recorded promo of yours! But you shame me for not 'earning' my shot in your eyes?

The Snow Queen shakes her head.

You know what? You're right, Bree. It did bother me back in July. It bothered me that Regan would throw away so amazing and wonderful a title as the one you hold just to spite me. Throw away an incredible reign just because she was terrified that I would prove her wrong and make her eat her own words that I would 'never hold the United States Championship'.

Stopping suddenly to bite her lower lip, it is clear that this is still a sore spot for the Snow Queen.

That word again – the other word I hear over and over again with you and the Beauty Network and those that hate me. 'Never'. I'll 'never hold the United States Title', I 'never pinned you or made you submit', I 'never earned anything in SCW'. It infuriates me. Know why, Bree? Because that word is the most fragile word I've ever heard and you use it as gospel! Yes, I've never pinned you or made you submit. Know what I have done to you, Bree?

Selena holds up her fingers as she counts. 
Put you through a table so you couldn't answer a ten count.
Beat you down to the point where Josh Hudson had to rush in to save you from me.

Those were our last two singles matches, Bree and you know what they have in common? I won. I outlasted you in stamina in the first and I beat you down until a veteran like Josh Hudson knew you were cooked. But, you're right. I've never 'officially beaten you' by pinfall or submission. You've bragged about that up and down for years. Even when we weren't fighting one another like we are now. But do you know what the stupid thing is, Bree? Something I actually DON'T brag about in my promos but is just as true?

Selena sighs as she looks up at the roof of her bus before turning her gaze back at the camera. You've never pinned me. You've never made me submit.

A light chuckle comes from Selena as those words sink in and she speaks slowly. I cannot tell you how dumb you have sounded every time you have said that. How you desperately clung to that fact against me because it was all you had. Know why I didn't brag about it, Bree? Because it may be good enough for you to hang your hat on – but, like I said, it's not good enough for me...

A shake of her head and Selena continues. Your 'gospel' with me? No different than the lies you tell to hide your scandals or the words you make up like 'ambitchous' to make yourself feel superior. It's fake. It's not real. And your 'nevers'? Well, they are the most fragile things that I have ever seen. Because you know what it takes to break a 'never', Bree? All it takes is courage to do what that never is accusing. To make it untrue. Make it a lie – just like your supposed 'superiority' over me.

The Snow Queen runs a hand through her hair again, a knowing smile gracing her lips.

I mean, think about it, Bree. The biggest arguments? Yours, Regan's, Sienna's? About me, my worth, the title, earning, 'truly beating you'?

Those nevers become dust if I just... well, beat you and become the United States Champion.

I mean, isn't that something? One match. One match where I don't think about Giovanni's plans or Christy's words, or Regan's crap or Sienna's tweets – one match where I just do what I can pretty much do better than anyone else in SCW. Fight for my dreams and believe with all I am that I can achieve them.

One match, Bree – and I can take all those nevers and poof! Selena flashes her hand in a gesture simulating a 'poof' explosion. Gone. Destroyed. 

And you know it. You know what I can do in the ring and how all those lies of yours are hanging by a single thread – a thread on the cusp of being cut by a glass shard. All I have to be is better than your 'classiness', faster than your skills, and stronger than your desperation to remain champion...

I guess the question is: Can I do it? You were SO sure James Evans and Angelica Jones could never match you last weekend – that they were inferior to your team... and that James Evans – whom you vowed would NEVER become Supreme champion on your watch – would fade into obscurity...

How did all that end up, Bree? All those 'nevers'?

For a moment, Selena reaches up to hold the pendant that is around her neck.

You know, just last week, I was in two places at once. Not joking. Was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. But we did it – my wife and I. We believed I could do it and we made it happen. We made something impossible possible. Now, another seemingly 'impossible' task lies before me. Now, I can earn the championship I never could win by 'officially' beating the woman I never have before. And all I am asking myself now is 'can I do it?'.

Looking back at the screen, Selena offers a genuine, kind smile.

But you? You already know what my answer is... don't you, Bree?

The screen fades to black as the writing in pink appears on the screen. Sincerely, Selena Michelle Frost before fading to black completely.