The throne room of the Crimson Queen appears once again before the viewer, but not all is as it seems or should be. While the Queen's Court banner hangs on the wall, the throne itself is unoccupied. At first not a soul is visible, just the empty throne once occupied by EBWF's self-proclaimed queen and conqueror.
For several long, anxious moments there's nothing but silence and emptiness. Finally we hear the same semi-robotic voice that's been heard making cryptic statements on EBWF programming the last few weeks.
The voice: "The monarchy is going to crumble once again and I will be there to watch it fall again. Enjoy the spring, EBWF, the winter shall soon be no more."
A moment later we see Utami Hayashishita near the rear of the room, pacing back and forth as she glares down at her phone. Each time she turns on her heels to head the opposite direction her pace picks up a little and the scowl on her face grows increasingly distraught. We hear the same clip begin playing again as Utami maddeningly paces, and it becomes apparent that the Crimson Queen is fixated on it exclusively. After she turns to the left again, we see Himeka Arita step in front of the camera, dressed in her fine red entrance robe. She glances over her shoulder at the Crimson Queen, and then looks back down the camera. For the first time we see her express something other than stoic menace. Her expression is filled with concern and confusion at the situation, and after a moment she sighs. It's clear that the Crimson Queen is just going to continue rewatching the video and pacing, so Himeka at long last breaks her silence.
Himeka: <"So this isn't how I expected this to go. Hayashishita-san has always spoken for me here, so I'm not sure how to start. I'm not so confident in my English, so I'll stay with Japanese -">
She speaks in Japanese with white subtitles appearing at the bottom of the screen. Her opening sentence is cut off by Utami shouting rather suddenly.
Utami: "How did she get this broadcast?! Where is she?!"
Himeka flinches, then raises an eyebrow.
Himeka: <"She's really not happy right now, do you think we should wait to record something?"
Another woman's voice is heard from behind the camera.
Camerawoman: <"Nah, keep going. I don't think she'll mind.">
Utami: "Is Ikeda in on this?!"
Himeka nods and continues along even as Utami fumes behind her.
Himeka: <"Right. Well you all know me. I'm the Dangerous Princess, Arita Himeka, and I've been working with Hayashishita-san for the past few months. It seems like forever doesn't it? Things have been tense for a while, but I think that's just because Hayashishita-san is intense herself. Becoming the queen of such a big international company isn't easy, especially when so many people want to sit on the throne instead of her. When I came over to America with her she promised that I'd get more exposure than ever before. She said I'd be a big star, and I can't say she was completely wrong. I was feeling bad about myself back home. I wondered if I could really keep wrestling when I had a ton of terrible people telling me I shouldn't be anywhere near a ring. It wasn't that different from what Arisa-san dealt with, but unlike her I know that Hayashishita-san's right. So I'm going to keep fighting for Queen's Court to prove I'm as strong as I am beautiful.">
Utami: "It has to be the same person who's been telling me these things! But why is she escalating her messages?!"
Undeterred, Himeka stares down the camera and continues.
Himeka: <"Tonight my fight's with Jamie Hayter-san. I did a quick translation with my phone and I guess she calls herself the 'Lord and Savior of EBWF'. She keeps going on and on about how she's here to conquer EBWF one body at a time and how nobody's as strong as she is. And look, I know who Jamie Hayter is! She's one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling and she's definitely, unquestionably strong. I've seen what she's done in EBWF, and there aren't very many women capable of the kind of destruction she causes when she's in or near a ring. Squaring up with that woman is putting your health on the line no matter what the circumstances are. One slam, kick or lariat from her and she can knock your lights out. And let's be honest, that's when she's in a good mood!">
Utami stops pacing in the background, glares at her phone and furiously types a message into it.
Himeka: <"There's no question that Jamie-san's not in a good mood these days. Just look at her Twitter! She's always so angry and has to tell everyone how meaningless things are unless she's involved! I'm not going to talk about Tam-san or Arisa-san though, they're not who I'm fighting. Jamie-san's business with them is her own. I'm not sure why she's so angry, really, if she's as dangerous as she says she is and as strong as she's shown she can be. I really got to wondering about that - I had to know why someone with all the strength, beauty and talent in the world is so upset all the time.">
She glances over her shoulder as Utami growls and mutters something unintelligible. With a sigh Himeka looks back to the camera and taps her chin thoughtfully.
Himeka; <"So what is it? What makes a woman who can cause people to tremble at her name alone so upset? Well - look at how things have been for her since she got here. She beat the hell out of Mina-san, who to be honest had it coming. That's a good start, but before and after that? She got into a fight with Arisa-san and lost when the actual match happened. Then she fought Alexa-san and somehow failed to beat her even after she'd been weakened by both her former manager guy and by fighting Tam-san. When you're talking about how dominant you are and how dangerous you are to other people's health, I can see how you'd get mad. And a mad Jamie-san who's upset at herself for failing against those two is going to be even more dangerous than usual. Most girls would put up a fight maybe and then get their lights knocked out by that lariat. 1-2-3, end of story.">
Utami can be seen staring angrily at her phone in the background, hands gripping it so tightly she might snap it in half. Himeka flinches a little as Utami growls again, but then continues to address the situation at hand.
Himeka: <"And I know she's probably expecting that from me. After all the last time I fought in singles action, I came up short against Liv-san. Fine. Doubt me all you want, Jamie-san. Look past me at Tam-san, Arisa-san, Hayashishita-san. But I'm not just any girl, and when you push I'm going to shove you back. You don't get to have your way with me. Your strikes are stiff, your strength is impressive, but your vision's clouded. You're more concerned about proving to yourself that you're the Lord and Savior you keep saying you are than about finding a way to win this match against Himeka Arita. And she's going to chew you up and spit you out.">
She actually smiles as she brushes some of her hair back.
Himeka: <"You see I'm upset too. Because when I first started wrestling in Japan, I heard stories about this terrifying foreigner who could decapitate you with one single move. A woman who arrived in the most prominent promotion and immediately went to work destroying even women who seemed like they were invincible. Jamie Hayter-san, who would've been the next great thing there if the pandemic hadn't forced her to leave the country. I saw all of your matches against the best that Joshi wrestling had to offer and I kept thinking about how strong you were. How hard you hit, how hard it'd be to bring you down. But I never got the chance to do that because you were gone by the time I got to the big stage back home. I never got the chance to test my strength against you, and that regret's been burning in my memory for the past two years. But now it must be a miracle because the EBWF gods have given me the chance to stand toe to toe with her for the first time ever. And Jamie-san make no mistake, I'm coming for your head.">
Himeka makes a finger gun and aims it right down the camera.
Himeka: <"It doesn't matter to me what you've done or failed to do in your other matches. I don't care about how upset they've gotten you. Tonight on Warfare you're stepping onto the dance floor with the one and only Dangerous Princess. You call what you've brought against the women's division power? Jamie-san, you haven't seen real power until you've gone up against me. When I finally get my hands on you after three long years of imagining what that'd be like, there's nothing that's going to save you from my real power. You step up to me with that attitude of yours and I'll scoop you up and powerbomb you across the ring! I'm going to dominate the woman who came her to dominate and prove there's no question who's stronger, prettier and more dangerous in this ring. Tonight it's about Himeka getting her spotlight and making the most of it by tearing apart the woman who thinks everything is meaningless without her at the center. Jamie-san, let me be clear - when you're on my dance floor, there's only room for the Dangerous Princess there. And the fire I put on that dance floor's going to burn you to ashes.">
We see Utami's face blanche suddenly as she drops her cell phone. Himeka's too caught up in her promo to notice and flexes one of her arms.
Himeka: <"And when you're all ashes, I'll scoop up what's left of you and blow you away so the path's clear for Hayashishita-san to take her next step. There's only one woman who can actually conquer this place, and her name isn't Jamie Hayter-san. I've admired your strength for years, but one thing you're not is a conqueror. And because I've promised to help the real conqueror, I can't have you getting in the way of her eventual victory. So I'm going to make an example of you by taking your worst blows and then destroying every last centimeter of you with my overwhelming offense. I'm not sure if you'll be able to stand by the time I'm done wrecking you like I've dreamed of doing since I debuted. But you know what? That's okay. Because in the end all I need you to do after we fight is..">
She winks into the camera as she points to her feet.
Himeka: <"Bow down to the Dangerous Princess.">
Suddenly Utami storms out of the room looking as if she's seen a ghost and is becoming infuriated by that fact. For a moment Himeka watches her go with some confusion, but then she looks at the camera questioningly. We see the camerawoman's gloved hand give a thumbs up, to which Himeka responds with a double thumbs up of her own as the scene ends.
For several long, anxious moments there's nothing but silence and emptiness. Finally we hear the same semi-robotic voice that's been heard making cryptic statements on EBWF programming the last few weeks.
The voice: "The monarchy is going to crumble once again and I will be there to watch it fall again. Enjoy the spring, EBWF, the winter shall soon be no more."
A moment later we see Utami Hayashishita near the rear of the room, pacing back and forth as she glares down at her phone. Each time she turns on her heels to head the opposite direction her pace picks up a little and the scowl on her face grows increasingly distraught. We hear the same clip begin playing again as Utami maddeningly paces, and it becomes apparent that the Crimson Queen is fixated on it exclusively. After she turns to the left again, we see Himeka Arita step in front of the camera, dressed in her fine red entrance robe. She glances over her shoulder at the Crimson Queen, and then looks back down the camera. For the first time we see her express something other than stoic menace. Her expression is filled with concern and confusion at the situation, and after a moment she sighs. It's clear that the Crimson Queen is just going to continue rewatching the video and pacing, so Himeka at long last breaks her silence.
Himeka: <"So this isn't how I expected this to go. Hayashishita-san has always spoken for me here, so I'm not sure how to start. I'm not so confident in my English, so I'll stay with Japanese -">
She speaks in Japanese with white subtitles appearing at the bottom of the screen. Her opening sentence is cut off by Utami shouting rather suddenly.
Utami: "How did she get this broadcast?! Where is she?!"
Himeka flinches, then raises an eyebrow.
Himeka: <"She's really not happy right now, do you think we should wait to record something?"
Another woman's voice is heard from behind the camera.
Camerawoman: <"Nah, keep going. I don't think she'll mind.">
Utami: "Is Ikeda in on this?!"
Himeka nods and continues along even as Utami fumes behind her.
Himeka: <"Right. Well you all know me. I'm the Dangerous Princess, Arita Himeka, and I've been working with Hayashishita-san for the past few months. It seems like forever doesn't it? Things have been tense for a while, but I think that's just because Hayashishita-san is intense herself. Becoming the queen of such a big international company isn't easy, especially when so many people want to sit on the throne instead of her. When I came over to America with her she promised that I'd get more exposure than ever before. She said I'd be a big star, and I can't say she was completely wrong. I was feeling bad about myself back home. I wondered if I could really keep wrestling when I had a ton of terrible people telling me I shouldn't be anywhere near a ring. It wasn't that different from what Arisa-san dealt with, but unlike her I know that Hayashishita-san's right. So I'm going to keep fighting for Queen's Court to prove I'm as strong as I am beautiful.">
Utami: "It has to be the same person who's been telling me these things! But why is she escalating her messages?!"
Undeterred, Himeka stares down the camera and continues.
Himeka: <"Tonight my fight's with Jamie Hayter-san. I did a quick translation with my phone and I guess she calls herself the 'Lord and Savior of EBWF'. She keeps going on and on about how she's here to conquer EBWF one body at a time and how nobody's as strong as she is. And look, I know who Jamie Hayter is! She's one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling and she's definitely, unquestionably strong. I've seen what she's done in EBWF, and there aren't very many women capable of the kind of destruction she causes when she's in or near a ring. Squaring up with that woman is putting your health on the line no matter what the circumstances are. One slam, kick or lariat from her and she can knock your lights out. And let's be honest, that's when she's in a good mood!">
Utami stops pacing in the background, glares at her phone and furiously types a message into it.
Himeka: <"There's no question that Jamie-san's not in a good mood these days. Just look at her Twitter! She's always so angry and has to tell everyone how meaningless things are unless she's involved! I'm not going to talk about Tam-san or Arisa-san though, they're not who I'm fighting. Jamie-san's business with them is her own. I'm not sure why she's so angry, really, if she's as dangerous as she says she is and as strong as she's shown she can be. I really got to wondering about that - I had to know why someone with all the strength, beauty and talent in the world is so upset all the time.">
She glances over her shoulder as Utami growls and mutters something unintelligible. With a sigh Himeka looks back to the camera and taps her chin thoughtfully.
Himeka; <"So what is it? What makes a woman who can cause people to tremble at her name alone so upset? Well - look at how things have been for her since she got here. She beat the hell out of Mina-san, who to be honest had it coming. That's a good start, but before and after that? She got into a fight with Arisa-san and lost when the actual match happened. Then she fought Alexa-san and somehow failed to beat her even after she'd been weakened by both her former manager guy and by fighting Tam-san. When you're talking about how dominant you are and how dangerous you are to other people's health, I can see how you'd get mad. And a mad Jamie-san who's upset at herself for failing against those two is going to be even more dangerous than usual. Most girls would put up a fight maybe and then get their lights knocked out by that lariat. 1-2-3, end of story.">
Utami can be seen staring angrily at her phone in the background, hands gripping it so tightly she might snap it in half. Himeka flinches a little as Utami growls again, but then continues to address the situation at hand.
Himeka: <"And I know she's probably expecting that from me. After all the last time I fought in singles action, I came up short against Liv-san. Fine. Doubt me all you want, Jamie-san. Look past me at Tam-san, Arisa-san, Hayashishita-san. But I'm not just any girl, and when you push I'm going to shove you back. You don't get to have your way with me. Your strikes are stiff, your strength is impressive, but your vision's clouded. You're more concerned about proving to yourself that you're the Lord and Savior you keep saying you are than about finding a way to win this match against Himeka Arita. And she's going to chew you up and spit you out.">
She actually smiles as she brushes some of her hair back.
Himeka: <"You see I'm upset too. Because when I first started wrestling in Japan, I heard stories about this terrifying foreigner who could decapitate you with one single move. A woman who arrived in the most prominent promotion and immediately went to work destroying even women who seemed like they were invincible. Jamie Hayter-san, who would've been the next great thing there if the pandemic hadn't forced her to leave the country. I saw all of your matches against the best that Joshi wrestling had to offer and I kept thinking about how strong you were. How hard you hit, how hard it'd be to bring you down. But I never got the chance to do that because you were gone by the time I got to the big stage back home. I never got the chance to test my strength against you, and that regret's been burning in my memory for the past two years. But now it must be a miracle because the EBWF gods have given me the chance to stand toe to toe with her for the first time ever. And Jamie-san make no mistake, I'm coming for your head.">
Himeka makes a finger gun and aims it right down the camera.
Himeka: <"It doesn't matter to me what you've done or failed to do in your other matches. I don't care about how upset they've gotten you. Tonight on Warfare you're stepping onto the dance floor with the one and only Dangerous Princess. You call what you've brought against the women's division power? Jamie-san, you haven't seen real power until you've gone up against me. When I finally get my hands on you after three long years of imagining what that'd be like, there's nothing that's going to save you from my real power. You step up to me with that attitude of yours and I'll scoop you up and powerbomb you across the ring! I'm going to dominate the woman who came her to dominate and prove there's no question who's stronger, prettier and more dangerous in this ring. Tonight it's about Himeka getting her spotlight and making the most of it by tearing apart the woman who thinks everything is meaningless without her at the center. Jamie-san, let me be clear - when you're on my dance floor, there's only room for the Dangerous Princess there. And the fire I put on that dance floor's going to burn you to ashes.">
We see Utami's face blanche suddenly as she drops her cell phone. Himeka's too caught up in her promo to notice and flexes one of her arms.
Himeka: <"And when you're all ashes, I'll scoop up what's left of you and blow you away so the path's clear for Hayashishita-san to take her next step. There's only one woman who can actually conquer this place, and her name isn't Jamie Hayter-san. I've admired your strength for years, but one thing you're not is a conqueror. And because I've promised to help the real conqueror, I can't have you getting in the way of her eventual victory. So I'm going to make an example of you by taking your worst blows and then destroying every last centimeter of you with my overwhelming offense. I'm not sure if you'll be able to stand by the time I'm done wrecking you like I've dreamed of doing since I debuted. But you know what? That's okay. Because in the end all I need you to do after we fight is..">
She winks into the camera as she points to her feet.
Himeka: <"Bow down to the Dangerous Princess.">
Suddenly Utami storms out of the room looking as if she's seen a ghost and is becoming infuriated by that fact. For a moment Himeka watches her go with some confusion, but then she looks at the camera questioningly. We see the camerawoman's gloved hand give a thumbs up, to which Himeka responds with a double thumbs up of her own as the scene ends.