Jessica Tendonin © vs Paige Lewis ©

[Bondic]

Deadline 1 is September 24th 11:59pm
Last Chance Deadline is September 26th 11:59pm


Rp Limit 3 max

[kinvar]

September 12th, 2023
Aspire Track A17
Nevada

The day had great visibility for the events taking place, there was no rain, and it was relatively warm. The smell of burning rubber, exhaust, and racing fuel permeated the air as the spectators watched. The Aspire Finals this year was more exciting than usual, as the reigning champion, Lawrence Greene was retiring. The six racers were also all former Aspire champions. Greene’s Mustang was undefeated the last three years, and with a confirmed quarter mile time of 9 seconds and harnessing the power of nearly 800 horses, he was the favorite in his final Aspire event.

But the Mustang wasn’t the only beast of a car competing in the 2023 Aspire series. This year had seen the return of the 10 time Aspire Champion, Jessica Tendonin. Tendonin had competed in multiple Aspire competitions around the world, from Canada to Mexico and even the London and Tokyo double series (and being the first, and so far only, person to win both events in the double series), before stepping back. Today, she had returned with her custom built Dodge Demon.

As the race was approaching the climax, Greene and Tendonin were in the lead. At the last turn, Greene came around and roared his way ahead, but seconds later, Tendonin drifted around the corner and began closing the gap. As the spectators began cheering for the fight over the lead, suddenly, an ear shattering sound was heard. It was as if the heavens and the depths of hell had both been simultaneously ripped apart. The sound was coming from the racetrack. The Dodge Demon’s downshift bent reality as Tendonin began surging ahead.

With a quarter mile of race track left, Tendonin and Greene were going head to head, all the way down the line. At speeds in excess of two hundred miles per hour, the pair crossed the finish line together, requiring a photo finish. The crowd erupted as the chutes were deployed and the rest of the racers crossed the line. About 10 minutes later, Leah Knight, the emcee, and Bruce Carr (third place winner), Jessica Tendonin, and Lawrence Greene were all standing on the stage.

Knight: Alright ladies and gentlemen, we are rolling the cameras back, because this finish was so close that we need some help from the A/V team! Before we get the official results however, let’s get a word with the prospective winners. Larry, for the last three years, you’ve dominated Aspire, and tonight is the swan song for your career at Aspire. If Jessica has managed to dethrone you, what would you say to that?

The mid thirties Black man smiled as he took the microphone.

Greene: You know, I remember growing up, hanging in the garage with my pops, helping him fix cars. You see, my old man used to race back in the day. He always wanted to be a pro, but he decided to take the safer route, to provide for his family. He borrowed some money from his folks and opened a mechanic shop. After he paid them back, he saved up some money and bought an old Pontiac Lemans. We spent several summers building that car. He asked me what I wanted to do next after we finished it, and I said I wanted to build a Mustang for racing. So he went out and bought a damn 72 Fastback. I told my friends I was gonna be a professional racer, and they laughed at me. They said “niggas don’t race, you’re crazy!” Now, I might be a little crazy, but when I pull up to the track...ain’t nobody laughing at a nigga anymore. I show up, and EVERYONE knows they’re gonna have to race hard. So yeah...I’m done with Aspire, and while I’d love to win my final Aspire event, if I did get edged out, I can’t think of a better person to have passed the championship to, than Jessica Tendonin.

The crowd clapped as Greene handed the mic back to Knight. He grinned broadly while happily gesturing to the crowd. Knight continued.

Knight: Jessica, there are many who thought you were done with racing as a whole a few years ago, and especially as you got back in the ring full time. What does a win here today mean for you?

Jessica: Like Lawrence here, I grew up working on cars with my dad. He bought a Challenger when he was in high school, and I helped him rebuild it when I was a teenager. I nearly got crushed by the engine once, in fact. I’ve got octane in my veins. It’s true, I’ve gotten back to wrestling full time, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still get down and get sideways on the track. A win today would be a reminder to everyone...I’m the Queen of the asphalt. Lawrence, you put up a hell of a fight today, and if I was only second best, I can’t think of a better way to end your Aspire career than to go out as champion.

The crowd clapped again as Knight took the mic back and was given a piece of paper.

Knight: Alright ladies and gentlemen, we’ve heard from both of them, and now, we have the official result! Crossing the line at 237 miles per hour, and 0.06 seconds faster than the second place winner...today's winner, and the final Aspire Champion of 2023...JESSICA TENDONIN!!!

The crowd erupted now as fireworks were fired off. Tendonin smiled and shook hands with Greene before being handed the trophy. The top three posed for several group photos and then left the stage. When Jessica got back to her trailer, her father had already loaded and secured her car.

Jessica: I still don’t like that third gear.

Sean: I told you it needed work. The JSRT9 was ready, but you wanted the Demon.

Jessica: I know, I know. We’ll get it fixed before the next race. Are we all good here?

Sean: Yup. Your uncle is waiting at the airport for us. Your jet is ready, but the C130 had an issue in Seattle, so it’s a few hours behind schedule.

Jessica: I suppose one of us will need to stay. You go on back home, I’ll take the transport.

Sean: Are you sure? Feels wrong to fly on your fancy jet without you.

Jessica: Father...it’s fine! I’ve flown on it many times, just don’t crash it!

Sean: Easy to do, since I won’t be flying it.

Jessica: See you back in the six, I’ll find something to do for a few hours until the C130 arrives.

Jessica hugged her father and kissed his cheek before watching him drive off with her racecar.


*******

8 days later
Cleveland, Ohio

The UHW Supreme Champion, Jessica Tenonin, was sitting on the edge of an ottoman, looking up at a replica of the SCW World Heavyweight Championship. Right below it was the real UHW Supreme Championship. After a few seconds, she turned to the camera. Her curly red locks were pulled back into a loose ponytail, and she wore a pair of black jeans with a faded Vertical Horizon t-shirt.

Jessica: I’ve been in this business for over twenty years. I’ve won scores of championships around the world. I’ve done battle with some of the most dangerous men and women to walk this planet. Two things stand out for me in my career. Winning the UHW Supreme Championship ten years ago and holding it for over a decade is one of them. The other, well...the other is...perhaps the crown jewel of my career. But, let’s go down memory lane for that story.

In 2012, the SCW owner at the time, Jordan Post, invited my husband to SCW. Lucius accepted the offer, and would win the SCW North American Championship. When SCW merged with FTWO, it became the SCW Alternative Championship. In the final event of 2012, I would win the SCW Alternative Championship from my husband in a tag team match. We had planned it that way. You see, at the time, my dear Lucius was having health issues. We kept it private, and eventually, we were devastated to learn that what had been ailing him, was the most unexpected diagnosis you can give a man.

The Paraguayan paused for a moment, reaching for a shot glass on the coffee table in front of her, and pouring some tequila. After draining the shot, she set the glass down and continued.

Jessica: Breast cancer. My husband, my big, strong, amazing husband, had breast cancer. I made sure he had the best care available, the best oncologists in the world were consulted. HYe fought so hard, for so long. And in the end, he beat it! My sweet Lucius has been cancer free for years. I share this story with you all, to say that no matter what you plan, sometimes, life has made other arrangements for you.

For example, when I defeated Paige Lewis in 2017. Throughout all of 2017, Paige and I watched each other steamroll the entire company. I knew it would inevitably lead to only one outcome, Jessica Tendonin vs Paige Lewis, for the SCW World Heavyweight Championship. Going into that match, all bets were off. Everyone knew I was going to give it my all. But everyone also knew Paige Lewis had been counted out for nearly a year, and overcame literally every challenge put to her.

Survival was named so, because Mr. Walker wanted to test whether Paige could survive me. The match was forced into overtime, and as we all know, I managed to scrape out another point and win the SCW World Heavyweight Championship, and become SCW’s only Grand Slam champion. But, as I said, sometimes, life has other plans. I would not have believed anyone, if they’d told me my reign would only last 77 days. But, life keeps forcing us together, Paige. I made you a promise, when I rescued you in that desert, all those years ago. I told you I’d protect you. And I meant it. I’ve already freed Adatu Urakih of the hold Princess Kiya had on her. I will free you as well, once and for all. We are all committed to this goal, Paige, and if it’s the last thing I do, I WILL do it.

Jessica stopped talking now, and the door to her study opened and closed. The camera panned out as she stood up and was joined by the UHW Radical Champion, Adatu Urakih, and the Swede, Candice Kingston, now fully healed.

Jessica: Paige Lewis, your time with Princess Kiya has returned you to your former self. A cold, calculating warrior, you are one to be feared, rightfully. But I have beaten you before, and if the fates are on my side, I shall do it yet again. But make no mistake my friend, while taking the SCW World Heavyweight Championship from you again would be a delight, my primary goal is to free you of Princess Kiya. I remember the kind young woman I’d come to know, and I know she is still in there somewhere, being corrupted by the influence of your dark mentor.

I am an architect of destruction, and I will destroy Princess Kiya when the time comes, but I must first free you. The fate of UHW and SCW both hang in the balance of the match, Paige. Two companies I’ve called home for a long time. I can’t allow the Dark Priestess to bring about her chaos. I must stop you. I will...stop you.

The scene faded now as Jessica stopped speaking.