The Shining Star and the Phoenix

The stage was set… All of the people that had purchased their tickets for the Tara Fenix Charity Cruise were beginning to take their seats; there were balconies overlooking the stage. Tara’s entire family, and extended family, were sitting in the front row; there was only one empty seat in that section which was designated for Tara following her match. All of the stars within the industry, anyone who was anyone, were onboard for what would undoubtedly be one of the greatest events in the history of professional wrestling. Tara and MYOJIN were the ones that were going to kick off the entire event; Tara, on her birthday, specifically requested this match; MYOJIN obliged.

Tara was in one of the four rooms that were being used as locker rooms for the participants. She was sitting on the floor with one leg outstretched, and leaning forward with her head against her leg; stretching herself out and ensuring she was good to go with the flexibility.

It’s time… Tara thought to herself. She did not move from her position, but had her eyes closed while contemplating the night ahead of her; her thirty-seventh birthday, and she was going to go out for what would undoubtedly become one of the greatest matches of her entire career. Past, present, and future.

Ever since I saw what they had done, and what they had accomplished, I knew that I needed to get in the ring with MYO. MYO… has come so far.

---

Shouta. The individual that would go on to become world renown as MYOJIN… a former X*Crown Champion, a belt that Tara cherished a long time ago. The X-Factor Champion of Project: Honor. One of the young up-and-comers in the industry, and one person who Tara would go on to have the utmost amount of respect for. Shouta stood in a line filled with men and women; young and old; more young than old. The story of how everyone got here didn’t matter; the only thing that did matter is that they were here. The only thing that mattered was that Shouta was here.

It was the first day of the class and Tara was rather strict… Despite her young age, she was a veteran of fourteen years having started her own career at the age of sixteen. The people standing before her knew her name, and they respected her name. The rest of the trainers stood along the apron while Tara paced back and forth in front of them with her hands behind her back… She didn’t look at any of the students in front of her; not yet. She had brought with her, her eldest son; he sat on a bench outside of the ring and just watched his mother pass in front of the trainees with a confident strut in her step. There was a smirk on her face, and she thought of her own life while finally breaking the silence.

“Many of you are under some delusion that this life is going to be glamorous…” Tara said with a sneer; she remembered her failed marriage, her failing marriage, and how she was barely able to spend time with her eldest son from the age of eight, about the time her first ex-husband had retired, until 2013, when she had made it official that she was going to try to retire. Her eldest son, now twelve, would frequent trips to her school and learn the trade. The same son that sat in this room with her who would go on to become the second Wraith, taking the name of his biological father.

“It’s not.” Tara stated quite bluntly. She now turned her attention to each and every one of the students, as these next words almost hissed off her tongue, “This life is going to chew you up, spit you out, and not give one flying fuck what happens to you! These fans are going to love you, and turn on you--” she snapped her fingers together, “--like that. Those fans are the ones that are making you money, so you either make them love you, or make them love to hate you. It’s your job, and your duty, to fill each and every one of those seats! If they are not there to see you, then what you’ve become to whatever company signs you is… expendable. Someone that they can, and will, drop like a bad habit.”

She took a moment to let those words sink in; many of the trainees were nodding in agreement, as if they truly understood what this particular life meant, and what would come of it. Children were watching them on television for a long time, and they would constantly aspire to be in their shoes. These trainees wanted their shot, but Tara knew they had to know the truth.

“It’s my job to make sure that they don’t do that to you. It’s my job to make sure that all of you are coming out of here as the absolute best, and that whatever company does sign you--” she turned toward them, “--is going to be LUCKY to have you! It is my job to make sure that all of you are walking out of here in the best possible position that any company that signs you will BEG to keep you! It’s my job to see to it that they give you what you want to make sure that you keep fattening their wallets.” That confident smirk came back to her face, and without missing a beat, she added, “And I’m the best person to take you where you want to be. Listen to me. Learn from me. And I promise each and every one of you that this is not going to be a dream you are living… it is not going to be a nightmare you go home to. This is going to be a reality, and people are going to beg to have you. People are going to beg to get in the ring with you. Because you--” her eyes locked onto Shouta, “--could become the very best.”

There was a beaming pride evident in the eyes of Shouta. Her eyes were still locked on Shouta, as everything shifted back to the present day.

---

The Cruise

Tara drew in a deep breath and raised her head from the table. She relished in the moment that was presented in front of her… She could remember the kid that stood before her all those years ago… Shouta… just another dreamer wanting to live their dream, and the individual that would become MYOJIN. The individual that would go on to become her dream opponent, and to have gotten MYOJIN to agree to this contest on her birthday… She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by it, but couldn’t wait to get the match underway.

“MYO… I love you. I really do, with all of my heart! I love everything that you’ve accomplished in your short time in this industry, and I admire the fire-- the passion-- the athleticism that you are able to bring to the ring each and every time. I wanted this match! I wanted this match because out of everyone that I’ve ever trained, helped trained, or seen in the ring: YOU stand out! YOU stand out as the greatest challenge that I believe I could ever have. YOU stand out as the person that I-- I have to beat. As a means to prove that I still belong. As a means to prove that I still stand in this industry as one of the elite.

This is not going to be easy. Not for you, and not for me, but I know that at the end of the match, we are both going to know that we did our best! That we gave everyone in the industry one of the greatest matches of all time. I can’t wait to share that ring with you.

This is our first.
But I know, one-hundred percent, this is not going to be our last. See you out there!"

She began to wrap the tape around her wrists and psyching herself up for what she knew would be an intense contest. While lost in thought, there came a sudden knock on the door, and the door creaked open to Jason Cashe emerging.

“You decent?” Jason asked.

Tara bit her lip, but kept her eyes forward as Jason came in the rest of the way. “I’m ready.” She finally answered. She could see the dismay on the look of Jason’s face, hoping to have caught her in a peculiar moment.

“Should I try again later?” Jason asked as he began pointing toward the door.

“Get in here!” Tara answered with a laugh, and Jason seemed happy to oblige the birthday girl. Jason didn’t waste any time in closing the gap, and wrapping his arms around her waist; Tara wrapped her arms around his neck as the two kissed passionately for a couple seconds and it was a struggle for them to finally pull themselves apart.

“Are you nervous?” Jason asked, opening his eyes to look at her. She kept her eyes closed, and smiled, but shook her head.

“Not at all.” She said before opening her eyes up and staring back into his eyes, “It doesn’t matter who wins this one… This is just one of those matches I knew I had to have.”

“I--” Jason stuttered for a moment, “Tara, I--” and there came another knock on the door. The two took a step away from each other. Jason slapped his hand against his forehead as the next arrival came in and the door creaked open a second time...

“Knock knock!” The familiar voice of Jennie came in, as both she, and her nephew, Tara’s oldest son, Sabin, were entering the room; however, not before Edward, Tara’s youngest son, bolted through.

“Mommy!” He shouted. Tara knelt down with her arms outstretched as Edward ran into her arms, and she hugged him tight while lifting him into her own arms.

“My baby! I thought you were already taking your seat? The show is going to start soon!” Tara exclaimed, but there was no denying the joy she had in seeing her youngest son… She had been able to see him all day, but this was the first time he was going to be able to see her compete.

“Daddy is there. And there is a Miss Betsy promised she wouldn’t let anyone take my seat!” Edward answered.

“That is very nice of her! Did you say ‘thank you’?”

Edward nodded his head.

“Good.” She said and tapped his nose. “But I am almost ready, and the show is starting soon--”

“I know, I just wanted to wish you luck.” Edward insisted.

“Thank you!”

“Are you going to win?”

“I’m going to try my hardest, but MYO is a very good friend to mommy and mommy knows that MYO is not going to be a pushover. The important part is that you enjoy the show! Now go take your seat.” Tara insisted. Jennie held the door for a moment as Edward nodded, and hurried out; before Jennie could leave, Tara mouthed the words “thank you” to her, which she gave an acknowledging smile. After the room had cleared for the exception of Jason and Tara, Tara gave her full attention back to Jason, “I’m sorry. What were you going to say?”

Jason shook his head, “Nothing. Don’t worry.” He did still smile and walked forward to give Tara one more kiss, “Good luck! I better go take my seat.”

Jason walked out of the room, leaving Tara to the room herself. She could already hear the introduction for the Tara Fenix Charity Cruise beginning to play throughout all of the speakers on the ship.