An Impossible Task (COTI Prestige Title #1)
Jun 16, 2021 12:41:23 GMT -5
IMMORTALS and terras like this
Post by TheImpossibleTraveler on Jun 16, 2021 12:41:23 GMT -5
From the Private Journal of Betsy Granger
September of 2013
Dear Diary,
So today was my first day of college at the University of California in San Diego. Hard as I tried not to, I know I stuck out like a sore thumb on campus. I know the age gap isn’t wide between my fellow students and me, but knowing it’s there makes me feel even more uncomfortable. Maybe if I had developed as quickly as Addy, I wouldn’t feel so insecure around this place. I wish I could turn to my big sister right now, she’d certainly know how to handle these people. But she, as well as Mother, of course, couldn’t have been any happier at my exit. The only one who seemed to care at all was Papa, which comes as no surprise. I’m grateful we decided to road trip it here from Iowa, giving us a few days to ourselves. The father-daughter bonding we got in was needed much more than I’d anticipated. Hugging him goodbye yesterday was probably the hardest thing I’ve done so far in my life.
Even still, I have my classes to look forward to and my studies to bury myself in. And from what Papa was telling me, there’s wrestling in the area at least once a month. I’ll have plenty to keep myself busy until I make some friends around this place… Or thought I did until I accidentally made my first friend during my first class. I’m not one to believe in fate and all that silly superstitious nonsense, but meeting Adam Sanders was truly a blessing in disguise. Imagine me, in all my gawky, giraffeness trying to fold myself into something smaller than an origami swan. Then all of a sudden, this giant oaf of a fella is standing in front of you, looking like he’s about to trip over his own two feet, talking so quietly that it breaks you out of your shyness. But he had a few wrestling stickers on his notebook, so not only was this guy as nervous as me, but he also liked the same stuff. I’ve found my people.
His name is Adam like I said, and he’s one tall drink of water. Pretty cute, in a puppy dog sort of way. For his size, he’s incredibly introverted and doesn’t open up easily to others. I steered most of the conversation today, but by the end of class, I had him coming around. I wish we had more classes together, but we exchanged Facebook's and numbers and we’ll probably meet up for dinner at some point. I have to ask him more about his wrestling interests. You can tell a lot about a person by who they cheer for, their favorite wrestlers, who they boo, that kind of stuff. Right away, I can tell that he idolizes Adrien Cochrane, a choice I can’t give him too much guff for. It’s certainly on par for the type of guy Adam is shaping up to be so far, so long as he’s not hiding any sociopathic or player by night ways. My gut says he’s as good as he seems so far, which is a relief. How lucky am I, finding the right person to be friends with on my very first day? Someone was looking out for me for sure.
Anyway, I should be getting some rest now. It’s been a long day and tomorrow should prove even more taxing. I’m sure I’ll have more to talk about then, at any rate. Until next time, Diary.
*************
I ·con
/ˈīˌkän/
noun
2. a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration.
“In a world full of self-proclaimed kings, queens, and gods, what does it take to become an icon among them? This is the question I intend to answer with no discernable doubt remaining come Clash of the Icons itself. Despite Ascension Wrestling closing the doors to its arena one final time, they felt I had earned my chance to become the final face of its hallowed halls. In an attempt to make controversial waves, Horton hears a Who couldn’t have picked a better main event in which to send AWF into the sunset. I thought for sure our match would get bumped somewhere else on the card; when you promise finality on this scale, the Titans show up en masse. Just look at the type of competition I have to outdo leading up to the Prestige Title match.
Card vs. Recoba
Tasmin vs. The Jitterman
Draven vs. Young
MGK vs. Bobby Barrett
These are all icons in their own right, both established and in the making. These are names that’ll stop even the most casual of fans and put their ass in a chair for the show. On July 4th, I’ll be surrounded by absolute legends of the industry, desperately clawing for my footnote among them. The Prestige Title itself holds so much promise; walking out as the final champion is even more tantalizing still. My only regret in all of this is that I won’t be able to truly write my chapter in AWF’s history books. Oh sure, the Impossible Traveler will be remarked upon as a damn fine Phoenix Champion. They’ll marvel at the meteoric speed of my rise and many will say that I did indeed deserve to be in the final AWF main event. And for my part, it would be an honor to be the final face of the Ascension Wrestling Federation. I would be pleased to be the final Prestige Champion than to never have held it at all.
That all sounds nice and pretty, wrapped up neatly with a lavish bow.
Leaving AWF as the final Prestige Champion would certainly aid in my efforts to become the next ICON of the XHF Network. Only a fool would ignore what leaving Clash of the Icons with the Prestige Title promises for the person holding the belt.
Only one person stands between me and a shot at glory.
And it couldn’t get any more Awkward.”
***************
From the Private Journal of Betsy Granger
March 2014
Dear Diary,
Holy… Smokes. So EXODUS Pro just announced that starting in April, all of their home-based shows in the US will be taking place at the RIMAC right here at the University! Somebody pinch me, for I must be dreaming! You mean to tell me that Adam and I get to see, FOR FREE, all of our favorite professional wrestlers, every single week?! Where do I sign up? How is this real life?
Before I get too much farther into that, let me get the life update out of the way. Midterms just passed and my brain is properly fried. However, I’m pleased to announce that I nailed every last one of those bastards with top marks. Adam was right behind me in all his scores, so we celebrated the best way we knew how: food and wrestling. Our little twosome has expanded some with the arrival of some other fellow fans that we discovered. Who knew going to Buffalo Wild Wings for PPVs would expand our clan this much. I’ve bonded heavily with quite a few of them, and none of them seem to mind that I’m the hardcore baby of the group. They treat me as an equal every time we’re out; Patrick even helped me out by getting me hooked up with a fake ID. He’s super cute, but I’ll never tell anyone I think so. He’d never be interested in me, anyway…
Papa still calls me every day before dinner, as devoted as ever. Mother and Addy are never with him, even though he insists on sending their regards. I know better, though. I don’t mind so much anymore… It’s funny, being away from them and having a life of mine puts my relationship with those two into a wider perspective. I’m suddenly not as shattered by my mother’s lack of love or Addy’s support as I once was; having friends, real friends, has given me all the family I’ve lacked from them.
I’d love to write more, but I can hear Adam and Patrick making their way up the hall. Elizabeth is almost finished in the bathroom; I’ve been ready for ages after a million outfit changes. I think Lizziebits knows about my crush, but she’s nice enough not to say anything out loud. Maybe tonight is the night I can make a breakthrough with that… Wish me luck.
***************
friend
/frend/
Noun
1. a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.
“When I pictured myself chasing after my first world title, I never could have imagined these circumstances going into it. Yet, if I flip the coin over, I couldn’t imagine a worthier champion to take this shot against. When Adam Sanders won the Prestige Title off Keith Williams at Road to Victory, there was no one there more proud of that boy than I was. Eddie, Adrien, and Tasmin may have come close, but the fact is… Adam is my best friend. I know at this point, that fact is common knowledge, and repeating it over and over is likely as redundant as a ReVenants promo. I was the first one behind the gorilla position to hug and congratulate him, just as I’ll be the first one to do so should he retain at Clash of the Icons.
Adam… We’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing lately. Okay, to be fair, I’ve been the one caught up in this wave of nostalgia and dragging you along with me. Not that you’ve seemed to mind; the situation I just described has almost always been the basis of our friendship. More often than not lately, I find myself gravitating towards that selfie I made us take after our first day in college, after class. I know you remember the one, I had it blown up and framed as a reminder of where we came from. I was just a frightened sixteen-year-old kid, trying to keep a low profile when this soft-spoken, awkward giant of a young man asked if he could take the seat next to me. Did you know that I was opening my mouth to tell you off when I saw the sticker of Adrien Cochrane’s symbol on your notebook? It had never occurred to me until that very moment that there would be other wrestling fans around me and in that instant, I knew I’d found my bestie.
Remember when we saw that first poster for EXODUS, announcing that they would be based permanently out of the RIMAC? Who would have ever guessed that seven years later, it would be our faces gracing those posters? And in the main event for the top title, no less! For as much as I gas myself up in these things, can we talk about how much you’ve grown since those first days? Never would I have ever guessed that the gentle giant who couldn’t even raise his hand in class would become the man carrying an entire wrestling company. It’s like you’ve found your way to becoming Professor Hulk. The way you’ve flourished under the spotlight has been truly inspiring. No, I’m not being facetious or flippant when I say that; it’s encouraged me to get my head out of my ass and give the dream one last shot. Look at where we are now because of it.”
*************
From the Private Journal of Betsy Granger
March 2014
I’m just arriving home and I couldn’t be giddier! I’m going to bed, but I wanted to note that Patrick pulled me aside tonight and I got my first kiss! I know, I’m geeking out so hard right now, but I’m so happy, I could burst! For some reason, Adam doesn’t trust him, but he’s letting it go for now, per my request. I think he’s just being overprotective of me, which is sweet… But we can deal with that later!
For now, I’m gonna drift off into the sweetest of dreams about what the future holds.
P & B 4Ever
*************
Clash
/klaSH/
Noun
1. an incompatibility leading to disagreement.
“With all of that said, it’s time to finally speak the truth we both know I’ve been putting off. So here it is:
I want what you have and I’m going to come for it with everything I’ve got.
Our friendship is one of the most important things in my life, I want you to remember that. As far as opponents go, it really couldn’t have gotten any more complicated for us. I know you want to trust me, you’ve sworn to me several times now that you do. The words tumble easily enough out of your mouth and I know you want to believe them. That big, beautiful heart of yours doesn’t easily cater to mistrustful feelings towards anyone; a trait Tasmin and I will forever adore and defend, no matter how much we grumble about it to each other. I once believed in people as easily as you still do; it used to be so easy to look at the world out of the same whimsical optimism you still view everything from. But I was forced to remove the rose-colored glasses a long time ago and I failed you as a friend for not helping you to do the same.
I’m apologizing now for how forcefully I’m about to tear them off your face.
Once we’re in between those ropes, I’m not looking at you as my best friend, Adam Sanders. When the bell rings, you become the wall that blocks the way between me and a shot at the X-Crown Title. A championship that both of us are worthy of vying for, no doubt about that. Call to Arms was meant to be the obvious first step towards that inevitable fate, but destiny proved otherwise. No matter, I’ve always had a habit of setting up plans B, C, and D just in case; something you’ve no doubt been prepared for all along. You know me better than almost anyone, you should have seen this coming strategy coming from a mile away. It wasn’t my first choice and it’s still not the most ideal option on the table, but it’s the best one I’ve got for now. I owe it to myself to take it.
We both owe it to ourselves to fight our hearts out for the opportunity.
And we owe it to one another to give the Network its match of the year.
I ought to stand here and spout off all the cliches of good sportsmanship and friendship. It’s expected of me to wish you luck leading into this ground-shaking main event. I could lie to you and every one of the AWF’s loyal fans and say it doesn’t matter who leaves Clash of the Icons with the Prestige Championship.
I could, but I won’t because, for me, only one outcome is acceptable.
Granger Victorious.”