End of an Era: Part 2

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End of an Era

Part 2 ; Scene 1

Off Camera

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Olympus was a momentous occasion for Julia Alexis Noel, better known as “The Kensington Knockout” Julia Braddock.  It had been half a year or more since Julia Braddock was drafted to the Uprising Brand of Independent Wrestling Cartel and shortly thereafter Uprising branched off and became its own wrestling force.  They became UWA, Uprising Wrestling Alliance, and Julia went with them.  But from her time in Uprising in IWC to her time in Uprising in UWA, Julia never could seem to get off on the right footing.

It was shameful for Julia.  She felt humiliated.  She proudly used the Braddock name in the ring, a name that was synonymous with victory, and yet victory was something she herself could not seem to achieve.  Every match she had been in was either a loss or a draw.

Granted, no one would call Julia Braddock a failure, but Julia herself felt that she had failed the Braddock family name.  Even in the UWA Queen of the Ring League, she only managed to win one match the entire round robin style tournament.

It had been a disaster for Julia.  She felt as if she deserved no opportunities heading into Olympus and yet Drew Bryant and David Helms felt that she was worthy of one more opportunity, a chance to compete against Abigail Lindsey to determine who would be the first ever UWA Hybrid Champion.

Julia knew that she had to make the most of this opportunity, because if she did not claim this championship, then she may never get another championship opportunity for a long time.  This was her opportunity to show that she still was a force to be reckoned with.

A force to be reckoned with?  She was all of that and more.  Julia Braddock defeated Abigail Lindsey to become the first ever UWA Hybrid Champion.

It was just the kick start she needed for her career and it was just the confidence booster she needed.  Now Julia is ready to take on the world, starting with Danny Darko.

Danny Darko had once been Julia’s tag team partner during the lethal lottery tag tournament to crown new number one contenders for the UWA World Title.  Ever since then Darko had been seemingly trying to forge an alliance with Julia, and at the same time tear apart the bond she had with Glenn Braddock, her trainer and uncle.

Now Darko gets the first shot at the UWA Hybrid Championship, and Julia must deal with him again, but not before dealing with another force that threatens the bond between her and her uncle Glenn.

This is what brings her to a place she is very familiar with; the home of Aphrodite Noel.  It is more like an estate than a home.  Julia remembers this exquisite mansion quite well from her time when she called this place home.

In the past when she first met Aphrodite, she was blackmailed into working for Noel as her servant.  Later on that relationship changed.  Over the years, the two bonded.  It was a bond that few truly understand but does it really matter?  Aphrodite Noel is the mother Julia never had and thus Julia has no problem calling herself a daughter of Aphrodite Noel.  Julia may have been born a Braddock but now she considers herself a Noel.  She only uses the Braddock name in the ring because of the respect and fear that comes with it.

This home before her with the lovely, expensive oak front door, is her new familial home.  She will always feel comfortable at her mother’s residence.

She doesn’t knock on the door, as large as that house is it is doubtful anyone would hear.  Instead she rings the doorbell.  It isn’t long before an old friend of hers, Bret, answers the door.  Julia smiles warmly.

“Bret!  How are you?”

She greets him with a warm hug.  He sighs and shrugs his shoulders.

“Fine I guess, Ms. Noel...”

Julia frowns and wags her finger at him.

“No, no, no!”

“Huh?”

“We worked closely together once upon a time, Bret.  We are friends.  You can call me Julia, ok?”

He grins.

“Ok, Julia…but what brings you out here, though?”

“Do you have to ask?”

He chuckles and shakes his head.

“No, I guess not.”

He leads her inside and then shuts the door behind her.

“Your mother is in her room.  I will go let her know you are here.”

He starts to walk off but Julia stops him by placing her hand on his shoulder.

“Oh no, don’t bother.  I remember where her room is, I will go find her myself.”

Julia makes her way through the hall, a hall she knows quite well from the time she spent living here as servant and later daughter of Aphrodite Noel.  At the end of the hall she turns and walks through a door.  The room, Aphrodite’s room, is large as well as extremely elegant and luxurious.  She sees Aphrodite standing by the window with her back turned.  Julia lightly knocks to get her attention.

“Mother?”

Aphrodite turns around to see her loving daughter and current UWA Hybrid Champion standing there. She beckons for Julia to join her at the window. She does. Aphrodite greets Julia with a loving hug.

“Always great to see you.”

“I had to stop in and see you and…”

She stops as she looks out the window at the view.  Julia sighs.

“...such a beautiful view.  I forgot how beautiful it was.”

“I’m hoping Chris will move in with me when we get married. We haven’t discussed living arrangements yet. I can’t give this up.”

“Of course not, our family home should remain in the family.”

Julia smiles warmly as she takes Aphrodite by her hand and kisses it.

“How have you been, mother?”

“Trying my best to stay strong publicly. Privately...”

Aphrodite frowns.

 “... not well. Hope you understand beating Abigail at Olympus had very little to do with her going off on Victoria Salinas. Abi made a bad decision joining New Eden. I blame them. Cindy and Willow screwing with her mind was wrong. Neither of them regret a damn thing. Feel powerless. I want to defend my cousin but she won’t let me. And then there’s your sister.”

Aphrodite runs her hands through her thick blonde hair. “I blame myself for what is happening in GCW. I love her for not denouncing our family name. It’s because of my actions the Board over their views her as unfit to use her power. And now the entire company is going to suffer because of it. Our family is not in a good place. I am powerless to do anything about it.”

Julia nods her head.

“I understand, and as far as my cousin is concerned, I agree, New Eden ruined her.  And I will always support Abigail.  She is my family now and I want to help in any way I can.  As for Glory…”

She sighs and shakes her head.

“...I’m not sure.  You’re right, she chose not to denounce our family name, knowing that had she done so she would have gotten  her power back.  I think that shows she does truly love you and this family, but at the same time I can’t help but worry if this quest for power isn’t going to her head.  You know what they say, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

“A reality I know too well. I came close to losing you because my ambition made me forget there are things in the world more important than power.”

Aphrodite smiles.

“Family. I don’t need to rule the world. As long as I have you. Glory. And the rest of our extended family, it’s enough. I do fear Glory is going to get lost on the same dark path. She loves us. I don’t question that. Hate watching her allow the thirst for power corrupt the beautiful person she is. Hate people calling her a monster and a psychopath. That’s not who she is.”

Julia shakes her head.

“No, no she isn’t, but at the same time…”

She balls up a fist and smacks it in the center of her other palm.

“...if push comes to shove, if my hand is forced, I will stop her.  She can’t be allowed to destroy professional wrestling like this.”

“I don’t want a war, Julia. It's hard. This is tough for me too, but, there has to be another way.”

Julia sighs and bows her head.

“I’m sorry, mother.  It is difficult but...I will try not to wage war with my sister.”

Aphrodite wraps her arms around her daughter.

“We’ll get through this, ok. I found my way back, so will your sister.”

“I do not doubt that, but there is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about.  I need your opinion, mother.”

“What can I assist you with?”

Julia laughs lightly.

“I’m here...I really should be preparing to defend my Hybrid Championship against Danny Darko...but I can’t.  My agent Henry Van Stanton and my trainer, my dear uncle Glenn Graddock, both refuse to work with me.  They’ve given me an ultimatum, mother.”

Tears form in Julia’s eyes which she quickly wipes away.

“Neither one of them approve of our relationship.  In their ideal world, I would denounce the family name, just like the GCW Board of Directors want my sister to denounce our family name.  The difference is that uncle Glenn, my trainer, has accepted that he cannot change my mind.  And he will allow it, against his best wishes, because he fears that voicing his concerns will drive me away from him.  Henry is a different story…”

Julia shakes her head.

“...the Doctor distrusts you so much that he will never let me forget your past.  He will never quit voicing his concern.  He will constantly bring it up and he is threatening to leave if I don’t denounce.  Now Henry and Glenn are angry with each other, because they do not like the other’s approach in dealing with me.  They refuse to work with me and are making me choose between them.”

She sighs.

“I don’t know if I CAN choose, mother.  Glenn is my blood but Henry has helped through so much.”

Aphrodite scoffs. She has no love for Henry Van Stanton. Changing her devious ways hasn’t erased the ill will she holds towards that man. Glenn, she had her tit for tat with him, the one thing she has in common with him is their love for family.

“Julia, no one gives a Noel an ultimatum. We are strong, independent. Driven by a passion to do what WE feel is right, no one will box us into a corner and make us feel guilty.”

Aphrodite places a hand on Julia’s shoulder.

“Both men have helped you. I will never be a fan of Von Staton, professionally he has been of great service. Henry should know his place. It is not his place to dictate who you associate with. As far as Glenn is concerned, he should have more faith in you. Assure him he can speak his mind without consequence. A line in the sand must be drawn. Don’t let them dictate terms. They can’t accept your choices, they know what to do. Being a Noel means standing by your guns. Both men want to back you into a corner? Don’t let them. Call there bluff. See what happens.”

A knowing grin forms on Julia’s face.

“Well, there may be a third option that Glenn and Henry do not yet know about…”

Julia produces a small card.  She passes it over to her mother.

“...what do you think?”

Aphrodite furrows her brow. “Interesting. Going Option C wouldn’t be a bad idea. It's worth looking into.”

Julia curtsies.

“Thank you, mother.  I think I know what I must do now.” 

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End of an Era

Part 2 ; Scene 2

Off Camera

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“Where the hell is she?!”

To say that Glenn Braddock is an impatient man would be an understatement.  Glenn Braddock never has been one for patience.  He wants what he wants and he wants it yesterday as opposed to right now.  Glenn Braddock truly does hate to be kept waiting, especially when it comes to the sport he loves; professional wrestling.

Glenn Braddock finds himself pacing the floor, about to create a moat if he keeps it up, in his gym on the outskirts of London, England.  He has been asked to wait here for the arrival of Julia Braddock…

…and he is not here alone.  With him is Henry Van Stanton, but instead of pacing the floors like a caged lion, Henry seems patient and calm.  He appears cool and collected as he awaits the arrival of Julia Braddock, the same woman who asked both of them to meet her here.

“Give her time, Glenn.”

Henry looks at his watch.

“She still has five minutes.”

“I always told her to arrive ten minutes early!  What the hell is wrong her?!”

Henry smirks.

“Now look who is trying to force their will upon her.”

Glenn sneers as he turns and points a finger at Henry.

“Don’t you get smart with me, you pencil neck geek!  You’re the one trying to impose your will on her!  You’re telling her she can’t be a Noel!”

“And if she wants to continue our working relationship then she cannot.  Don’t pretend you like the idea of her being Aphrodite’s daughter.”

Glenn growls angrily.

“No, I don’t like it, but I love my niece enough to give her the freedom of choice.  If that’s what she wants, let her do it.”

“Wrong.  What you have is a fear of losing her masked under the auspices of freedom of choice.  You wouldn’t even bring it up.”

“But at least I’d keep her!  Which is better than you can say!  She’s going to dump you, I know it!”

“She knows my ultimatum.  Me or Aphrodite.  It’s her choice.”

The two bickering men are interrupted when the front door swings open.  Glenn stops his pacing immediately.  They turn to the front entrance of the gym and they watch with interest as Julia Braddock enters.  She makes her way over towards Glenn and Henry.  She smiles, but it is clear that the smile is forced.

“Hi, guys.”

She checks her watch.

“Three minutes early! Heh…”

Glenn grunts angrily.  Henry chuckles.

“We’re just glad to see you, Julia.  Why did you ask us to meet you here?”

Julia sighs.  She pulls up a chair and sets it down across from Henry.  Glenn stands over them and watches on intensely.  It is clear that Julia has made her decision and the decision she made is a tough one.

“Several weeks ago you gave me an ultimatum.  You told me that you could no longer work together and that I had to choose…”

She points at Henry.

“…you…”

She then points at Glenn.

“…or him.”

Julia lowers her finger and then sighs.

“And all of this is because you two don’t like the fact that Aphrodite Noel is my mother.”

Henry shakes his head.

“She is NOT your mother, Julia…”

“SHUT UP!”

Julia sighs and shakes her head.

“I’m sorry…but yes, she IS my mother.  That is why you tried to back me into this corner and tried to force me to make a decision.  And unfortunately, that makes my decision very easy.”

Julia stands up.  Henry follows suit and now the two are face to face.

“Henry…I apologize for this but you left me no choice.  You are fired.”

Henry Van Stanton remains stoic as he stares at her for a few moments.  It’s hard to tell what is going through his mind right now.  Finally he just simply nods his head.

“Ok then, it is clear to me that you have made your choice.  You did not choose Glenn Braddock over me, you chose Aphrodite Noel over me.  And that is fine.  You may have that witch if you wish to have her.  But know this...”

He points a finger at her.

“…when she betrays you, again, I may or may not be there to help you.”

With that, Henry turns and walks away.  Julia tries to remain strong.  She forces back her tears as she watches Henry leave her presence and leave the gym, possibly for the last time.  Once Henry is gone, Julia immediately turns her attention towards Glenn.

“As for you…”

“Me?!”

“Yes, you.  You are not just my trainer but my uncle.  I value your opinion and you need to share your opinion with me.”

She takes his hands and squeezes them tightly.

“We are a team, you and I.  But this team cannot work if we do not communicate and that means communicating the bad along with the good.  If there is something that concerns you, tell me and we can discuss it.  I was disappointed when I learned that you had been hiding concerns from me, just because those concerns had to do with mother.”

“I was afraid of losing you, damnit!”

“Don’t be stupid!  I wouldn’t leave you!  You are my uncle!  I love you, but you need to play your part and train me, work with me, and help me through this business.  And I’ll play my role by getting the job done in the ring.  You play your role, I play my role, and we’ll go places.”

Glenn nods his head.

“Fine, I understand, but I don’t have to like her…I don’t have to like Aphrodite.”

“No, you don’t  have to, but you have to respect that she is my mother.”

“Look, let’s forget her for a moment…”

He points to the door that Henry just walked out of.

“What are you going to do about representation?  I’m a damn fine trainer if I say so myself but I’m not an agent.”

“I know this, and I already have a replacement in mind.”

She hands him the same card she handed Aphrodite earlier.  He grins from ear to ear.

“I like this idea.  I like it a lot.”

“So did mother.  The fact that you both agreed on something tells me that this must be a good idea.  I’ll set up a meeting with my potential new agent as soon as possible.”

“Excellent.  And Julia?”

“Yes?”

Glenn frowns.

“You sound a lot like your mother.”

 “You mean Mary?”

“No…I mean Aphrodite.”

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On Camera

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It’s been a long time since Julia has had reason to smile, but she is smiling, grinning from ear to ear, and one reason could be the UWA Hybrid Championship that is setting on the brown stool next to her.  Julia herself is wearing a royal blue allover sequined mini-dress with a deep v-back three-fourth sleeves.  Her long blonde hair hangs unrestrained to shoulder length.

“Yes, I’m smiling.  Yes, I’m happy.  I’m happy because finally I have made my mark in UWA!  Finally I have done my family proud!”

Julia picks up her UWA Hybrid Championship belt and slings it over her right shoulder.  She pats the centerpiece.

“This has been a long time coming!  Ever since I came to the Uprising Brand back when we were all part of IWC I have been trying to make my mark and prove that I was worthy of the Braddock name.  And my career was in a slump.  I clearly did not deserve anything, because I had been losing match after match.  My career in UWA had been, for lack of a better term, a complete and utter failure.  But Drew Bryant and David Helms gave me a chance.”

She holds up a finger.

“They gave me one final opportunity against my cousin Abigail Lindsey for the UWA Hybrid Championship.  It was an opportunity that I did not let slip through my fingers.  I took full advantage and became the new UWA Hybrid Champion…hell, the FIRST ever UWA Hybrid Champion!  I made history and now not only have I made an impact but I have put my name forever in the history books as UWA’s first ever Hybrid Champion.  That is an honor that can never be taken from me.”

Julia grins knowingly.

“And I find it very appropriate that my first title defense is against Danny Darko.”

Julia laughs lightly.

“Heh, I guess I should go ahead with the typical attack, right? Well, the most logical line of attack, at least.  The most logical line of attack would be to point that you don’t deserve a shot at the UWA Hybrid Championship.  At Olympus you lost toKalinda…and before that you lost the last chance battle royal…you lost to Myra Lynwood…and I could go on, and on, and on…”

She shakes her head.

“…but that’s unfair of me.  The fact is that you and I were in the same boat once upon a time.  The fact is that I did not deserve to be in the Hybrid Championship match at Olympus because I hadn’t done much of anything to earn my way either.  All it took was one opportunity…”

She holds up one finger.

“…I just needed one shot and I took that shot and now here I am standing before you as the Hybrid Champion.”

She points at the camera.

“Now you have a shot to revitalize your career just as I revitalized mine.  But there is a distinct difference between us, Danny. You have seemingly given up on the sport.  Don’t think it went unnoticed by me about how you’re ready to end it all in a match against Trinity Street.  Your last match ever, supposedly, is going to be at Sectioned.  But me?”

She shakes her head.

“I am not ready to end it.  But I do know how you feel.  I was damn near insane with the direction my career had taken.  The losses and constant failures hurt my spirit and I was to the brink of giving up but I told myself that I would not give up.  I refused to give up.  And now I stand here as a champion because I fought through the trials and tribulations in order to get to the promised land.”

“But what about you?  Are you ready to fight through the trials and tribulations that you will have to fight through in order to get this championship away from me?  Being Hybrid Champion means I get to choose how I defend this title and I chose to defend it in a submission match.”

A smirk forms across her face.

“Submissions, technical wrestling, that happens to be my specialty, Danny.  You should know that just from watching Olympus and how I defeated Abigail Lindsey in a submission match to become champion.  But you should also know due to the fact that we have worked together before.  We have been tag team partners before.  You should know what I’m capable of.”

“And that is your only advantage, the one and only advantage that you have.  You were my tag team partner and you had a real good chance to scout me.  But that was just the one time and besides, even with whatever information you were able to scout from that one time we were tag team partners, all it does is it lets you know that you are doomed.”

Julia sighs and shakes her head.

“You have no hope, Danny.  Your spirit is all but broken and you are competing against a submissions master in a submission match.  I’m going to give you the same chance Bryant and Helms gave me, but unlike me, you won’t be able to take advantage of it.  You will lose.  Again.  And maybe then you will quit trying to put crazy thoughts and ideas in my head.”

“Time and time again you’ve tried to tell me I’ve been doing things all wrong.  The way I see it, I am a champion and you are not.  And I got here by doing things my way, with my trainer, my wonderful uncle Glenn Braddock, and with all of my support.  I don’t know what kind of support you have, Danny.  I don’t really care, either.  But you’ve been trying to pull me away from my support system.  You’ve been filling my head with bullshit.  Now?”

She chuckles.

“Now you learn not to mess around with The Kensington Knockout.”

Fade to black.