Shining Truth

[Utami]

The camera comes to life. An empty EBWF ring sitting in the Barclays Center is lit by a spotlight. Occasional pulses of golden light dance in the stands from the rafters to ringside as ‘Shining Star’ plays in time with them. A moment later the music fades and Arisa Hoshiki stands alone in the ring, the EBWF Women’s Championship around her waist. As the dancing lights fade out, we see she’s holding a rose in her hand.

She taps it on the opposite palm idly as she looks down the camera.

Arisa: How long have we been dancing around each other, Mademoiselle? How long is it that you’ve had your eye on this Shining Star so bright that it gives hope to people around the world? We didn’t cross paths until you’d been here for a couple of months, but you’re the kind of woman who plays the long game. If you’re as old as you say you are, you must’ve seen the state of women’s wrestling and known that I might make a miracle happen.

The champion winks as she gives the title a gentle pat.

Arisa: But maybe you only really noticed me when we first stood across the ring from each other at Total Supremacy. No matter what the case is, I’m surprised that you didn’t learn more about me then. For someone who claims to know the real truth about the world, you don’t know the first thing about Arisa Hoshiki. But you know what? I know everything there is to know about you, Rose of Versailles.

Arisa motions to the camera with the rose, like a conductor waving her baton.

Arisa: After terrorizing an entire company for years, you set your eyes on the biggest stage in the world of pro wrestling. But instead of showing your face you hid in the shadows and let those poisoned words of yours do the damage for you. Queen’s Court fell, but it was already weakened after I freed myself from Utami’s cult of personality. Since then you’ve gone on to be one of the most dominant women in EBWF, and I respect the undeniable talent you have in this ring. No one builds the record you’ve got without being able to back up her words with actions.

Even with the compliment, there’s a mischievous playfulness to her tone of voice.

Arisa: I saw it first hand in July. It’s why I knew that one day down the road we’d run that back. Saksiama, you are undoubtedly one of the best wrestlers in the world; but don’t you dare mistake my success for luck. For months you’ve been talking about how the Queen of the Ring ended how it did because of momentary good fortune. Really? I expect more out of a woman of the world like you. It’s not luck that led to me fighting all the way back from a career ending injury to stand in a wrestling ring again. It’s not luck that I went the distance at Last Survivor and outlasted the entire roster to earn my second shot at this title. It’s definitely not luck that I went through the best shots the entire roster could dish out to reach the final of the Queen of the RIng.

Her expression grows more fiery as she lists off her accomplishments.

Arisa: For three years I’ve worked through the worst physical, psychological and emotional pain imaginable to reforge my body into a living weapon. Three years of pain and frustration, always picking myself up off the ground and getting back to work when I fell. The fact that I became the first woman to defeat you in EBWF and then ended Tam’s record breaking title reign is because of the work I put in day in and day out to be the best at what I do. Every time you say that my success is a fluke you’re spitting in the face of what I’ve accomplished. I can’t just let that continue, Sakisama. When we meet again in this ring on Christmas Eve, I’m going to remind you exactly why the Shining Star is EBWF Women’s Champion.

She laughs a little as another thought occurs to her.

Arisa: You say that you’ve only told the truth, but if you believe I’m weak you’re lying to yourself. I’ve had moments where I wondered if I could ever wrestle again, or if I could get back into this ring after the beatings I’ve taken from the best wrestlers in the world. Yes, my body’s let me down in the past but that’s changed. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, and I’m right back to where I was the last time I was a champion. Just like 2019 I ended the historic reign of a seemingly invincible champion. And just like then I’ll take on every last woman who steps up to me and break her down piece by piece with the most dangerous kicks in the business. Every last one who stepped up to me then went home empty handed. And I’m even better now than I was then. How does that fit into the story you’ve told everyone about me?

Though playful in tone, it’s clear the champion means business.

Arisa: You saw how good I was when I dropped you with my Pulsar Kick and you’ve been trying to recruit me into your group. If I wasn’t strong, why would NEO Biishiki-gun be so desperate to add my strength?

The champion taps her head with the rose.

Arisa: Since you’re so fond of the truth, let me give you some. The only thing you’re better at than competing in this ring is getting into people’s heads. That’s how you finished breaking Utami and brainwashed her into becoming your little maid. That’s how you’ve always won people over, whether they were a struggling prodigy or a frustrated hero. No matter how good you are with your words and mind games, they won’t work on me. Not even when you got involved in the title match at Fanniversary.

Another tap of the rose to her forehead this time.

Arisa: You didn’t do that out of the kindness of your heart, it was just another of your mind games. Get people talking about how I wouldn’t have beaten Tam without your help. Make me question whether I really deserve to be champion. Bravo!

She then forcefully throws the rose down to the mat.

Arisa: You took your best shot, but it failed. I know who I am. I don’t need a musty old Frenchwoman to bring out my beauty, it’s on display every time that bell rings. Every kick I land, every hold I lock in is a masterpiece painted with my passion as a professional wrestler. Every victory is a one of a kind work of art that shows all of my fans that with hard work anything is possible! And now you’ve made me furious, because I have to prove once again that I deserve to be at the top after what you did.

Arisa shakes her head in disbelief as she continues.

Arisa: As much as I respect your skill and everything you’ve accomplished in this sport, I’m going to make Christmas Eve the most painful night of your life. This isn’t going to be over quickly and it’s going to hurt worse than anything you’ve experienced in however long it is that you’ve lived. You’re getting the full power of everything in my arsenal, and I’m going to tear you apart piece by piece until the Rose of Versailles wilts in front of the world!

She stomps on the rose violently for emphasis.

Arisa: Beauty is strength and strength is beauty? Mademoiselle, please. You’ve made a career out of punishing everyone who doesn’t fit into how you see the world through those rose tinted glasses. You push people around, bully them, twist their minds around your elegant finger. I fail to see how you’re any different than Utami. And just like her, I can’t let you become the face of EBWF. You’ve messed with me enough, you’ve thrown your weight around enough, and now it’s time for you to find out what happens when you mess with the wrong woman. To keep the future bright and end this awful philosophy of yours, I’m going to kick that pretty head of yours into the nosebleed seats.

Arisa throws a Pulsar Kick and then smiles confidently.

Arisa: My story as champion is just beginning, and you’re only the first chapter. No matter how brightly you shine, the truth is simple: you’re about to be eclipsed by the Shining Star.