Post by _.Candy._ on Oct 22, 2024 22:55:19 GMT -6
===== ON CAMERA: OCTOBER 25TH, 2024 =====
“Well, we’re certainly not on the Sweetest Path any longer.”
The scene opens with Candy dressed in hiking gear as she takes in her new surroundings.
“Welcome to the Breakneck Ridge where the name is as intimidating as the trail itself.”
Candy takes a breath and begins walking again.
“That's okay, it’s not like I ever expected any of this to be easy.”, she shakes her head, “Now I know you all gotta be wondering why I’m even in the Rumble to begin with. Shouldn’t I be solely focused on defending my Indy Championship inside the Monster’s Ball? Definitely more smart that way. Which I'm sure Dalilah and Callie will be quick to point that out. But even though my attention may be a bit divided, I'll still prove to be better than the both of them when the time comes.”, she nods, “Given the way Parabellum went down, I feel like I have no choice but to be in the Rumble. If I had lost that Undisputed Championship Match without any interference, I could accept that and move on. However, since that wasn’t the case, I'm left to take matters into my own hands.”
At her side, Candy squeezes her hands into fists as she walks along.
“I'm not about to wait around any longer. Winning the Rumble Match is the quickest way back into the Undisputed Championship picture. So that’s exactly what I'm going to do.”
Candy looks determined as she carefully positions her feet on the rocks before her.
“I realize no one will make that easy for me. As it is, I wouldn't be surprised if they think they’ll have the advantage over me. Who knows what condition I'll be in after the Monster’s Ball. It’s likely not going to be pretty. Which is why I can see everyone targeting me. They’re going to want to boost their resume with a quick elimination.”, she rolls her eyes, “Truth be told, it doesn’t matter what condition I’ll be in, at least I won't be hungry anymore. I can go back and load up on candy bars and other sugary things. By the time the Rumble actually starts, I'll be on such a Sugar High and ready to eliminate as many competitors as I can while running circles around the ring.”
Carefully, Candy picks up the pace.
“If speed isn’t the answer, I can always rely on my skills to get the job done. Everyone should know I got loads of those by now. I’ve also gotten myself out of plenty sticky situations in the past. But hey, if counting me out is the way they want to go, it will only benefit me and cost them in the end. Their choice.”
Candy shrugs a shoulder as she continues moving along the rocky path.
“Either way, I know this path is going to be more rocky than the last. There’s going to be people coming at me from all sides. We all want the same thing. While I don’t blame them for that, I'm not about to let them knock me from the path I've chosen and take it for themselves.”, she shakes her head, “Been there, done that. And I'll be damned if I let it happen again.”
Candy claims through gritted teeth as she walks on.
“I don't care if you’re someone like Ace Sky or Chelsea Skye struggling to find their way. Someone like Nika Kosov who’s yet to find their footing. Or someone like Sunny Skye or Phoenix Winterborn who’s returning to action. Each of them knows what winning the Rumble would do for their careers. It would put one of them back on the EWC map in a big way. But try as they might, I won't allow them to get by me.”
Candy sidesteps a few gaps in the rocky path.
“If Sunny and Phoenix don’t want to take my word for it, they can block my path and see what happens. Since I have every intention of retaining my Indy championship, I plan to send a message to any and all Prime Members. Give them a little taste of what’s to come. Let’s just say there won’t be any Phoenix flying in Yankee Stadium unless it’s over the top rope. Or any Sunny days ahead.”
Candy ducks under a branch and pushes some brush aside.
“Hopefully Jack receives the message loud and clear. Otherwise, he’s going to find himself out of the Rumble sooner than he wants to be. Then again, I’m going to eliminate him regardless. Only one of us can be Indysputed. And come hell or high water, I’m going to make sure it’s me.”, she continues walking as she points to herself, “If Jack’s looking to get under my skin, he can always try his luck with Sour Candy again. It didn’t work for him last time and it won’t now.”
Candy kicks a rock out of her way with authority.
“Though it’s nice to know I'm not the only one hearing voices in my head. However, Rick Rampage’s don’t seem to be doing him a bit of good. He's getting nowhere fast. I’ll make sure it stays that way.”, she nods, “The same goes for the former Television Champion. Granted, he turned a few heads when he won the championship. But now that he’s lost it, along with his two chances at the Fighting Spirit Championship, there’s ZERO chance I'm going to let him rebound in the Rumble!”
Candy continues to weave between branches and brush.
“Speaking of the Fighting Spirit Championship, it’s now held by the Mercenary. It took him awhile to get his first championship so I'd just like to say congratulations. Now that he’s tasted gold, I know he’s going to want to expand upon that. That’s where I gotta put my foot down.”, she stomps on a bug crossing her path, “I’ve gotten the better of him before and I will again if I have to.”
Her tone is confident as she keeps moving.
“I'll do whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of everyone. That includes the Mystery opponents. They’re the tricky ones. Who are they? Have we faced off before? Even if we didn’t, I'll adapt and overcome any challenge they may present.”, she stops and takes a breath as she reaches a plateau, “The closer I get to the end, the harder it’s going to get.”
Candy looks up a moment before starting to climb.
“Neither Ace King, Amis Shelton, or Xavier Reid are going to want to see me get that very far. They know what can happen. Back in 2018, the three of them competed alongside me in the Insanity Cage. I stole the spotlight from them then and I’m ready to do it again.”, she flattened herself against the rock wall to avoid some debris falling in her direction, “Since none of them want to see a repeat performance, maybe they’ll work together to put a stop to me in the Rumble. Wouldn’t exactly be a bad idea. But could they put their differences aside long enough to pull it off? That remains to be seen. Either way, I'll be ready to hang in there against anything they have to throw at me individually or otherwise.”
Candy remains in place as she looks up, mapping out her easiest way to the top.
“Speaking of working together, I think El Pablo and I can do some damage with our speedy styles. Before competitors even realize what’s happened, we’ll have them eliminated. Just something for him to think about.”, she gives a bit of a shrug while still hanging on, “Then once the competition has been thinned out and the time is right, we can find out what’s better once and for all. Skittles or M&M’s?”
Only she could think of candy at a time like this. Candy chuckles as she starts to climb again.
“The olive branch is there, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he decided to work with his Shinijoshi sister instead. Though I'm not sure why. Given Narumi's new attitude, I know I wouldn’t trust her. She’s in it for herself and would likely kick the ground out from under you if she could.”, as her foot slips from a rock she’s quick to find another spot for it, “I know Narumi likes to see herself as the best of Prime. But is she really? Once upon a time, maybe. Though since I've returned, not only did I pin her in my second match back, I did it again in the Elimination Chamber. I gotta figure that’s likely to paint a target on my back. But the moment she decides to come for me, I'll prove to still be one step ahead.
As Candy pulls herself up onto the next ledge, she scans the area with her eyes as she starts to walk once more. It isn’t long before Candy comes across a fallen tree trunk in her path.
“Another person that might be holding a grudge is Ibuki Ito. Back when he was Killjoy, I ruined his homecoming and retained the FSW Championship at FSW #100.”, after a moment’s debate, she starts climbing over the top, “Granted, that was a long time ago and he’s achieved many things since then, but I know that moment still haunts him. And what better way for him to get even than by taking away my chances at becoming Indysputed?”, as she places her one foot atop, it goes right through, causing her to drop down, “Even if I get a little hung up, I refuse to give him the Kill Shot he needs to eliminate me from the Rumble.”
Candy briefly struggles to free foot, then finishes climbing down.
“Much like Nevaeh, I'm not about to let him intrude on my future plans.”
As she moves on, Candy comes across a small creek. In order to get to the other side, there’s a bridge. Only it’s covered in algae. While all that green reminds her of money, she knows it’s slippery.
“While we’re on the subject of future plans, Sour Candy is still pissed M$J ruined hers. She could’ve been North American Champion. Now she’s screaming to be let out. She’d like to handle him in her own special way. But if she couldn’t get the job done then, I don't trust her enough to do it now!”
Candy seethes then winces as if the voice in her head snaps back. Candy ignores it as she moves across the bridge carefully.
“Despite entering the Rumble at #1, I know against all odds M$J is talented enough to make it to the end. But what shape will he be in at that point? I'll use that to my advantage. He's probably saying the same about me.”, she slips a bit here and there but manages to stay upright, “However, I've already overcome plenty of challenges in my career. Won things I shouldn't. It's time to make sure that trend continues. Even if that means keeping M$J from going the distance like Jay Cee did. Sorry not sorry.”
Candy adds as she clears the bridge and walks on. Unlike Jay Cee, she’s sure M$J wanted to do it without another winner. But he wouldn’t have to worry about that thanks to her. She doesn’t get too far before she finds a snake in the middle of her path.
“There’s no denying Cosmo Goldworthy will be my biggest threat.”, she sizes it up while deciding how she wants to handle this, “He’s been racking up championships and other accolades since his arrival. Definitely the odds on favorite to win. Everyone expects him to face the champion at WrestleFest XXII, right?”
When it moves towards her, Candy lets it chase her around the mountain area.
“Talk about the perfect way to end the year. I know he’ll do whatever he can to see that through. Unfortunately for him, I've got my own story to finish.”
Candy uses every ounce of speed she has and heads toward the hole in the ground. While she jumps over and lands with a hard oomph, the snake doesn’t make it and falls to the bottom.
“And I'll lead Cosmo to his own demise to get it!”
After dusting herself off, Candy goes back to look down in the hole. It’s a couple of feet deep. If the snake survived, it certainly isn’t moving at this time.
“It might be rough. It might be tough. But I'm willing to take whatever path necessary to become Indysputed for a second time!”
As she walks away, Candy pulls out a KitKat from her backpack as she reaches the top. It might be a little squished, but it’s still edible.
“Figured I’d better enjoy it while I still can!”
She couldn’t believe she would soon be deprived of all chocolate and treats for 24 hours. Candy shakes her head and laughs as she opens it.
“All kidding aside…”, she takes a bite and continues, “...the view from the top is nice.”
Candy admires the scenery around her, while taking another bite from the KitKat.
“It’s going to look a whole lot nicer after I best 19 other competitors to become the Rumble winner.”, she continues nibbling away, “Not just any Rumble winner. But the FIRST Prime Rumble winner.”
Candy smiles at the thought.
“If anyone can do it…I can.”, she finishes off her KitKat with a sigh, “Though I get why people might doubt me. Despite my perfect record on Prime this season, I've yet to pick up a win on a Pay-Per-View. But I’ll remedy that in a BIG way inside Yankee Stadium!”, her tone remains completely confident, “It’s way past time I fulfilled my promise to Jordan Sharpe and made Prime all it can be. Just as I did once before. Granted, there’s still the task of winning the Undisputed Championship. But winning the Rumble should do in the meantime. And if I didn't have enough motivation before, I do now!”
Candy turns the KitKat wrapper to face the camera.
“Not the chocolate. The kids. They’ll keep me fighting to the very end. While Robbie is home planning for their first birthday party, I'll be handling business in Yankee Stadium. Make no mistake about it, I'll stop at nothing to eliminate ANYONE standing in my path. It’s only worth being away if I return with the sweetest present possible. Mommy as the winner!”
Candy looks more determined than ever.
“Now I’m going to do my part for Prime and my family. Let’s hope JoJo Rush will do his and emerge from the Fight Pit with the Undisputed Championship. There’s nothing I want more than a chance for revenge at WrestleFest XXI. But I’ll be ready to face Lad Morales all the same. Be seeing one of you really soon.”
Candy winks and heads off the mountain.
FADE.
