"In a world where you can be anything…be immortal."

Her voice boomed around the room, the words bounced off the walls, echoing and vibrating through the bodies of everyone stood before her. To those that knew her she looked strangely familiar but in reality she was a twisted version of someone once recognisable. She positioned herself above the crowd and commanded silence with just a single pause, she was a powerful presence and created a terrifying atmosphere. The large ballroom where the crowd had gathered was silent and motionless other than the flicking of candlelight making shadows dance around the walls. As the lost souls hung on her every word she spoke slowly, dramatic and full of purpose.

“They complain about the cruelty of my world.

So ask yourself why should they be spared what made me strong?

The reality is their cruelty built this, it built me.”

For the first time her face showed emotion and she began to smile.

“300 years have passed and you may wonder why I am the one here leading the immortal path. The truth is simple I was always the one. I was and still am CWF. This federation was nothing without me and I simply refused to disappear. I challenged everything they thought they knew and so I stand before you, immortal not because of some gift, but because of every injustice I endured at the hands of our so called leaders. Every hand that pushed me down, every insult, every ‘not yet’ delivered directly from those who made money from keeping me in my place, leads us to where we are today.”

She looked out to the rows of people who hung to her every word, seemingly making eye contact with everyone individually as she spoke.

“And now…a new history is going to be written. It's no longer his story, this time it's mine."

Her voice became louder as she called for those gathered to stand beside her, rallying her troops ready for war.

"The time has come for all of you to remember the name that carried this world when no one else could.

It's time to rise against those who served only themselves and for greed. Remember the name of the power that made this possible.

Remember AnHellica."

As she held out her arms and screamed her name the very walls of the room began to shake as if an earthquake had hit. Cracks began to creep along the foundations and the floor began to separate. Those unlucky enough to be stood in the middle desperately ran as the gaps widened and the screams of those not quick enough rang out.

"You all think this place is yours? That your victories define the history of this federation?

No.

The history of the CWF is mine. I carved my path alone. Always disregarded, always let down. But I kept going. And now this world, this federation, this legacy…it needs me.

It always has. Before Angelica...there was nothing."

She began to pace as she was clearly becoming agitated. She paused with the end of each sentence letting the silence of her thoughts hang heavy. As her voice intensified so did the movement of the room.

“Do you honestly think I've made it this far to believe I'm totally unstoppable? That I truly believe all the tales of my followers, that I am naive enough to believe they serve me alone?”

Her eyes scanned the room.

“Everyone here is out for themselves.

But some aren't delusional enough to believe they can achieve anything alone.

Those that choose to stand beside me do so because they understand something the rest of this federation refused to accept.

They stand beside me because they want to be on the right side of history.

Because you know your weakness, because you know your limits, and because following me is the only way to survive. The time for hesitation is over. Those who oppose us will fall, and those who waiver will be crushed. Prepare yourselves, the battle is just beginning."

The gathered crowd begin to cheer and stomp in excitement as their leader smiles down at her ever growing army. Two large wooden doors to the back of the room swing open signalling she is finished with her audience. She holds her hand up to call for silence and the cheering comes to an abrupt end and without further instructions the crowd quickly begin to filter out. Their obedience to AnHellica lingering in the air long after their footsteps faded.

AnHellica hadn't moved even as the last person left, she allowed the stillness to settle around her, seemingly at peace with the sound of nothing. As she looked around the now empty space she remembered a life she once knew. The roar of crowds, the gold of championship belts the presence of true friends.

The nights where Angelica stood victorious, hand raised, finally forcing the federation to acknowledge what she had always known what she always fought for.

She curled her lip in disgust. it had never been easy. Stolen opportunities, questionable losses, forced into situations that existed purely to make money. And all because she dared to exist in a world that never intended to take her seriously.

The old Angelica wanted respect a fair shot like everyone else.
AnHellica however took things into her own hands, she didn't need anyone's acceptance, she commanded it.

"Dan Highlander has called you out."

The familiar voice of Andy Murray shouted, bringing AnHellica out of her thoughts and back to the room. She rolled her eyes.

"Of course he has, when the world is facing a 300 year time shift, who else would coming running to save the day, he's the equivalent of a yappy chihuahua."

"Do you want us to deal with him?"

She sighed, almost exhausted at the thought of it.

"No, I might as well have a bit of fun. Inject some atmosphere into this pathetic tournament."

"As you wish AnHellica. We will as always be by your side."

She nods as a sign he is dismissed.

The havoc that the Amoralists are causing is amusing at best. To believe anyone that resides in this current roster can face me and be in with a chance of standing victorious actually is quite sweet.

But honestly…Highlander?

He was incompetent three hundred years ago. I can't imagine much has changed. Surely there are better sacrificial lambs to slaughter.

Dan, in a past life I paved the way for your precious Caledonia. I worked to remove all the obstacles that would stand before her so she could break free of the burden of dead weight, but 300 years later here you still cling. Desperate to stay relevant, aching for a glory that was just out of your reach.

You were never deserving or talented...you were just there.

Also, genuine question, have you even done anything since you returned to CWF?

I see beautiful Cali has settled right in. But you, Dan, you're in this timeline as merely a lapdog. A bit to look at. A cheerleader to your far more talented other half.

So tell me…given your complete lack of experience in this new world, where exactly did you find the courage to challenge me?

Of all the Dans in the CWF… why has Dan Highlander suddenly found a backbone? At least I know Ripper and Dangerous Dan would put up a half decent challenge, with you…It almost feels cruel like putting a helpless animal out of it's misery. Maybe do us both a favour and send Caledonia in your place.

You might have found some balls and be feeling brave now, but my advice, fear me Dan.

Whatever you think you might know about Angelica is buried somewhere deep in your hazy memory…the only truth is that your greatest fears become visible the moment you stand in my presence. The AnHellica you have challenged is like nothing you have ever encountered.

I grow stronger with every hesitation and I feed on your uncertainty. You see your challenge as an act of bravery standing up to the big bad wolf. I see your challenge as something far simpler.

A sacrifice.

Willing to die to regain control. Well Dan…you can't control immortality. You can't beat a force designed to break you.

You can't win in my world.

Three hundred years have passed and yet here I stand. Ask yourself why. The truth is painfully simple.

I was always the one.

I was…

And still am…

CWF.

This federation was nothing without me.

I am the legend. The pain. The victories. The injustice. I am the name people remember when they look back through history.

No one tells the tale of Dan Highlander.

If you want to step into my world Dan, know that bravery won't save you and history certainly won't remember you for challenging me.

History, remembers legends.

History, remembers monsters.

And this...has always been my story.

----------

"Fuck you Rish"

A battered and bruised Angelica slams her hands down on the desk of CWF president J.Rish. A calender behind him shows the year as 2010. He smiles patronisingly.

"Come on, you didn't think you were seriously going to hold into the title, its Golden Intentions! I needed a showstopper I needed a bad guy!"

"You screwed me over."

Her eyes were full of rage but he didn't respond. He barely even looked at her.

"Look Andrew's brings in the big money, you bring in the fans. But come on, what kind of self respecting place has a female as it's top competitor? You will thank me for this one day."

"I knew you rigged this. What's to stop me ripping your head off? What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"Look it's no big deal you will get another shot, maybe. You just gotta earn it like the rest."

J.Rish starts to look uncomfortable as Angelica leans over his desk her face inches from his.

"I've earnt my shot over and over and each time you manage to stop me..."

"Come on now Angelica there's no money in letting you get to the top too quickly. The fans want a hero they can feel for. They need to see your struggle."

He moves back in his chair and laughs nervously in an attempt to defuse the situation, while also frantically trying to signal for security.

"I'm the best in this place and you bloody know it. You know what, I'm done. I've given years to this place for nothing. Every opportunity you've ever given me is with one hand and taken away with the other. See what happens now, enjoy your money Rish it's all you've got."

Two security guards step into the room one daring to reach his hand to grab her, she lets out a growl and he quickly rethinks it. She pushes past them and leaves swearing loudly as J.Rish tries to laugh off the situation.

"You'll be back! They always come back."

She paused as she heard him mocking her, but she didn't turn around. Maybe he was right. After all monsters are never born in a single moment, they are created piece by piece.