Utami Hayashishita: Destiny

[Utami]

It opens in the all too familiar confines of the Crimson Queen’s throne room. At first the trappings are quite familiar: floral wallpaper, red velvet carpet leading the way up a three tiered dais and an overstuffed gilded throne. The loyal retainer Himeka stands at attention to the right of the throne, the mysterious masked woman to the left. Behind it hangs the banner of Queen’s Court, noticeably off center. There’s also a poster with an elaborate golden frame hanging on the back wall. We see black and white images of Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Mina Shirakawa, Liv Morgan and Gail Kim, all X’d out in red. Two unmarred portraits appear to have been recently added to the display; one is EBWF Women’s Champion Tam Nakano, the other is former Queen’s Court member Arisa Hoshiki. Upon the throne sits Utami Hayashishita, sneering into the camera for a long intense moment before a single word leaves her mouth.

Utami Hayashishita: “How does it feel to know you are about to witness destiny fulfilled? I can only imagine how absolutely overpowering it must be. After years of mediocrity and disappointment, EBWF is on the precipice of crowning a queen who is worthy of praise and respect. A true queen who leaves no doubt to her superiority in the ring and out of it; a queen who forces all the pretenders to bow down before her. I am the queen you deserve. And truly I wish I could experience the anxious mix of nerves and inevitable joy you must feel, knowing what is about to happen at Fallout. It must be quite the experience to witness history unfold before your eyes as the rightful Queen of Professional Wrestling takes another throne.”

Her words are condescending and smarmy, but they quickly gain a sharper edge to them.

Utami Hayashishita: “But unfortunately that is not what I will feel. While you peasants all get to watch from the discomfort of your dilapidated hovels, I will be dealing with the burden of that destiny. Too many fools have distracted me from my true duty as your queen, and all have paid the price for their insolence.”

She motions to the poster behind her and sneers into the camera.

Utami Hayashishita: “But now there can be no other ending than the Crimson Queen sitting upon the throne of EBWF. If you doubt this, allow me to remind you that I remain unbeaten in this ring. No petty fool has come close to touching my greatness! I have done exactly what I promised to ever since I arrived here. Total conquest of EBWF. With one simple kick or snap of my fingers, I can bring anyone in that locker room to her knees. I have broken so many bones and shortened so many careers that I have lost count. But there are two more women who would deny the destiny that awaits at Fallout. I will end both of them.”


Utami snaps her fingers and the masked woman pulls down the portrait of Arisa Hoshiki. The Crimson Queen sneers at the very sight of her former acolyte’s face.

Utami Hayashishita: “Dear stupid Arisa. Do you remember where you were last summer? Do you not recall how the soul draining experience of watching other women do what you wished you still could? I remember every last syllable you spoke to me. You were suffering behind that desk, and you were practically begging for deliverance no matter the cost. We had fought before and I recognized the spark of greatness within you. I took pity on you and helped make your return to the ring possible. You even being in this ring to challenge for a title that is not yours is my doing. Your return is because of me - you owe me your career!”

Her eyes narrow.

Utami Hayashishita: “You had everything you desired and a position at my right hand. But what happened? You allowed your mind to be poisoned by someone who always puts herself before others. You rose beyond your place in the natural order and decided you could spread your wings and touch the sun. And now the sun is going to burn you alive. I am so glad you admitted your intention in delaying my destiny. It has given me the focus necessary to do what must be done. You have had many close brushes with disaster in your comeback, have you not? One move hitting just slightly differently and you would be back behind that desk. Remember that when I dismantle you in front of the world, you pathetic fool. I gave you career back, and now I will permanently take it away. That is the punishment you deserve and will receive for your betrayal. At Fallout I will step over the mangled remains of your life’s work to take what is mine.”

Again she snaps her fingers and Himeka removes the portrait of Tam.

Utami Hayashishita: “And I will take it from the beloved fully grown child, Tam Nakano. The champion thinks herself bigger than me for inviting her doom months ago. Her insolence in demanding an audience with the Crimson Queen before her time had come has not been forgotten. You see I was biding my time and dealing with some annoying pests that had infested this realm. Whenever I was ready to take this crown, it would be mine. I let you play with Arisa and the broken goddess to test if you truly were as improved as you claimed. I would congratulate you on holding the crown this long - but be honest, you did not earn either victory. It was only with the assistance of outside forces that you remained champion. You are a pretender, Tam, and the real Queen has come to remove you from her throne.”

She clenches a fist and her tone grows more ragged and furious.

Utami Hayashishita: “I do not fear you, Tam! There is nothing you can do which causes me a moment of pause! The fact that everyone treats you as wrestling royalty when you are the greatest fool of all is an insult to me. But more so is the fact that I have been denied the conquest I am long overdue. For four years you have avoided me save for a few occasions. When I cornered you previously, victory - eluded me. Every time that happened I grew more desperate - I could not get you out of my mind, every waking thought was about how you had somehow beaten me. I realized I had to become stronger and more focused if I was to finally beat you. So I came here to EBWF and announced my intentions. Queen’s Court was born. And then you came here as well. Your presence invited voices that told me I was not the queen I know I am. They taunt me still. So I have displayed my strength against all the peasants who rise beyond their station in order to silence those voices. You should be ashamed of yourself - the suffering everyone you care about has endured is your fault. The Crimson Queen was born from your short term success. Now nothing will stop her from turning your dream into a nightmare.”

Finally Utami rises from her throne and slowly steps down the dais.

Utami Hayashishita: “You brought this end upon yourself. I will enjoy tearing you apart in front of the world that loves you so very much. Piece by piece I will destroy every last centimeter of your being until there is nothing left of the woman who has lived in a fairy tale for the past five months. When you look up at those twinkling lights, blood running from your mouth, take solace in the knowledge that you have gotten the reward you most greatly deserve. Perhaps you and Arisa can reconcile with each other from neighboring hospital beds. But you will never rise again to plague this place again. I will take your beautiful crown and tear your dream to shreds. Total domination is your only end.”

She takes one more deep, seething breath.

Utami Hayashishita: “At Fallout, you both will kneel battered and bruised at the feet of Utami Hayashishita. The Twilight Dream is dead. Long Live the Crimson Queen.”