A State of Temporal Flux (co-written w/Crystal Knight)

[Bonnie Blue]

Tuesday, April 19th 2016

The Starbucks in downtown Montreal looks exactly like every other Starbucks on the planet. Unimaginatively dressed in the trappings of hipsterism, reeking of Wall Street corporatocracy; yet trying to play itself off as anti-establishment. It's a delightful joke, one that might otherwise make Bonnie Blue smile -- in a cynical sort of way -- if she didn't have other things on her mind. She grabbed her Venti mocha latte with a triple shot of espresso, wound her way past a trio of skinny-jeans clad Caleb Ronan wannabes, and joined the slightly younger blonde at a corner table.


Bonnie Blue: Hey, girl! You ready for your debut?


Crystal Knight placed her mobile phone down onto the table and looked up at Bonnie with a sweet smile on her face. She wasn’t too used to being in such a busy environment, everyone looked like they were bad tempered and could snap at any moment as they hurried down the bustling Canadian streets with their heads to the ground. It wasn't at all like home, not a single sight, smell or even sound was familiar to her… but in an odd way she almost enjoyed it.


Crystal Knight: Hey, Bonnie. You know, I was just thinking, how funny is it that most rookies are in the dark match this pay-per-view, yet Seth Lerch bumped me straight up to being your tag team partner against four very well established wrestlers within the company? I mean, I know Corey is always telling me that I’m a great wrestler but I never expected to be placed into a match like this for my debut. I sure hope Corey didn’t pull any strings to make this happen…


Crystal took a few sips of her iced coffee, before carefully placing her drink back down onto the table. She smiled at Bonnie before turning her attention back onto her phone, a concerned look immediately spreading across her face.


Crystal Knight: You know, I just don’t understand it. I mean, I grew up watching these guys, idolized them, dreamed of one day becoming just like them, and now that I’m employed by the WCF, I can’t help but feel like I’m almost out of place right now. Like, the way I am, the way I think is somehow wrong.


Bonnie raised an eyebrow at Crystal not fully understanding what she was talking about.


Bonnie Blue: What do you mean?


Crystal hit the sleep button on her phone, placing it back into her purse before continuing.


Crystal Knight: Like, Katherine Phoenix, a WCF star, a former multi time champion dies and these guys in our federation are celebrating her death. I just feel like, is that really necessary? I mean I know that she wasn’t a very nice girl, we both had our issues with her prior to her being taken out, but to be happy about someone dying, no matter who it is, is wrong, isn’t it?


Before Bonnie could respond, a young girl approaches the couples table with a nervous grin on her face. The girl looked to be no older than about eight years old and looked almost uncomfortable as she stood there looking between the two wrestlers. She eventually managed to find her voice though as she let out a very unsteady, shaky “hello”.


Fan: Ummm, I don’t mean to bother you, but are you Crystal Knight? And Bonnie Blue?


Crystal smiled politely at the girl as she nodded her head, encouraging her to step closer to them.


Crystal Knight: I am. What’s your name? Would you like to take a selfie with us?


The young girl practically jumped with joy as she quickly reached into her pocket and brought out her phone. Crystal slid across the booth to allow the girl to sit down next to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, smiling happily at her phone as she took a few selfies.


Fan: Thank you so much. You girls rock, I am your biggest fan. My name is Katie, by the way.


Bonnie Blue: You’re welcome, hun.


Crystal Knight: It’s always nice to meet a fan, Katie. Will you be watching our match this Sunday?


The young girl nodded excitedly.


Katie: Oh yes, for sure. I wanted to watch your match live since you’re in my home town, but my parents said that they couldn’t afford the ticket prices.


Bonnie Blue: Well, we can’t have that. Ya gotta see a WCF show live at least once. Let me talk to your folks for a minute, and I’ll arrange some tickets for y’all. I’ll be right back, ok?


Bonnie followed the girl to another table, where she spent a few minutes chatting with the family, before returning to her own, smiling.


Crystal Knight: Wait, we can do that? Just give away tickets to a pay-per-view?


Bonnie Blue: Industry secret -- there’s always tickets available, for these kinds of occasions. Corey probably shoulda mentioned it.


Crystal smiled at Bonnie as she looked across the café floor at the young fan who was now bouncing up on down on the spot full of happiness. Crystal nodded her head to the girls parents before turning her attention back onto Bonnie.


Crystal Knight: You just gotta love that, right? Best thing about this job for sure bringing joy to our fans like that. But listen, Bonnie, I know I'm new here and will therefore most likely be quite naive in the business for a while, but don't you think that the way certain people are handling themselves in the business is just, well, wrong?


Bonnie Blue: Well, you expect it from some of ‘em. Like Rabid, most of Beach Crew, Dag… But I know exactly who ya mean, an’ I am vexed. I reckon I didn’t quite take him seriously when he kept makin’ all them threats. Seemed like he was just blowin’ off steam. Things get said in the heat of the moment, y’know?


She took another sip of her coffee, gazing absently into the distance, her expression troubled.


Bonnie Blue: Under other circumstances, Dre’s good people. But where Phoenix is concerned, he’s completely irrational.


Crystal nodded her head as she looked at Bonnie, she could see that her friend was in a very tough position right now.


Crystal Knight: Well, I mean, I understand that he'd be upset if she threatened his family, because who wouldn't be bothered by that? But to go on to continuously threaten to murder a girl is just wrong on so many levels, I don't care what she did or said. Katherine Phoenix was clearly unwell and for people to talk to her and mistreat her the way they did was just not right. You know what I'm saying, Bonnie? And now TMZ is reporting that she was murdered?


Crystal paused for a moment, before turning to Bonnie with a worried look on her face.


Crystal Knight: Bonnie, I'm supposed to be teaming with Sarah Twilight and Andre Holmes in the upcoming Trios tournament, what am I going to do? I mean, for all we know, these guys are both the top murder suspects. Andre kept saying he was going to do this to her and Sarah was the one who put Katherine in the hospital in the first place. Im not at all concerned by my upcoming match with you, Bonnie, but this is very scary. Why did Seth Lerch make me team with them?


Bonnie Blue: Who knows? Seth moves in mysterious ways. And the alcoholism might affect his decision making. But mostly, he probably figured it would generate more ticket sales. Now, I don’t know much about Twilight. She was all right when we were hanging out at IHOP yesterday, but Jeff Purse warned us both to stay away from her. On the other hand… Look, Crystal, Dre ain’t like that. He wouldn’t…


She trailed off, suddenly uncertain.


Bonnie Blue: No. He wouldn’t. If was going to, he’d do it face to face. Not while she was helpless. That’s Johnny Rabid’s game.


But was Bonnie trying to convince Crystal… or herself? Doubt hung heavy in the air, mingled with the pungent scent of hot coffee and the constant, steady buzz of conversation. Finally after a short while Crystal eventually broke the silence as she sighed into her drink.


Crystal Knight: Just promise me you'll have my back if anything does happen, okay? You're literally my only friend in this place right now, Bonnie. I mean, I did think Andre was my friend, I grew up watching him fight for crying out loud. I was to him what young Katie over there is to us now. But now that I'm an adult, fighting in the same ring as him, I can't help by question his actions. And although it breaks my heart to say this, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Andre turned on me during the tournament just so he could be the victorious one. As for Sarah Twilight, I heard what she did to Jeff Purse and saw with my own two eyes what she did to Katherine. She is not the sort of person I want to be hanging around with, and like Andre I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her either.


Crystal took another sip of her drink before looking at Bonnie, who appeared to still be battling with her own doubts.


Crystal Knight: I'm sorry, Bonnie. I know Andre is your friend, but I just can't help but feel this way. I didn't mean to upset you.


Bonnie Blue: No, no, it’s fine. We need to clear the air. Dre ain’t a killer, I’m sure of that. Not after all that mess with Mr. Holden. That was an upsettin’ time for all of us. Ol’ Henson went so far as to insinuate that my boys put Holden in that coma on purpose, called ‘em murderers -- an’ worse. There was an investigation. It was a mess. Hey, you wanna get outta here?


The Daughter of Time nodded toward the door; Crystal looked surprised at the abrupt change of subject.


Bonnie Blue: Gettin’ kinda crowded, an’ we oughta head to the gym anyway.


Crystal Knight: Oh. You’re right. I guess we should.


When they reached the car -- an emerald-green 1971 Ford Ranchero, metallic finish gleaming in the morning sun -- Bonnie noticed Crystal’s hesitation.


Bonnie Blue: What’s wrong?


Crystal Knight: That’s not really a time machine… is it?


Bonnie grinned as she slid in behind the steering wheel.


Bonnie Blue: Wanna find out?


Crystal gave her friend a sidelong glance, her expression skeptical as she slipped into the passenger seat. Bonnie put the car in gear and pulled out into traffic, driving around for a few minutes until she located a road less traveled. And then, surprisingly, she reached over and started messing with the radio, turning the dial, and popping a cassette out of the 8-track player; which she promptly switched out for another. The Ice Princess watched the process with evident puzzlement.


Crystal Knight: What’s all that for?


Bonnie Blue: Navigation. Each tape has a selection of Timespace coordinates; eight tracks, eight destinations.


Crystal Knight: Why does that one say “Golden Earring”?


Bonnie Blue: You’ll see. Buckle up! It’s gonna get wild.


Hastily, Crystal clicked her seatbelt into place With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Bonnie shifted gears and pressed the accelerator down. As the Ranchero picked up speed, she pushed the cassette into the slot and stabbed at the PLAY button. There was a brief moment of turbulence before the vehicle was engulfed in a flare of multihued light.


Seconds later, Bonnie hit the brakes, and the car skidded to a stop -- on the exact same street they’d just left. Well, almost the same. The sky overhead was the reddish-orange of sunset. A piece of paper blew across an otherwise abandoned road. Electronic billboards loomed over the cityscape at regular intervals, displaying images both familiar… and not. From the nearest, the face of Andre Holmes glared down at them in paternal disapproval. Another bore Sarah Twilight’s haughty features, lips curled in a slight sneer.


Bonnie Blue: Didn’t spare much expense on the advertisin’ this time around. Wonder what else has changed in a year.


Crystal Knight: A year? That’s it?


Bonnie Blue: Well, I wasn’t gonna overwhelm ya the first time out. Figured forward was safer than backward.


Crystal looked at their surroundings, took note of a solitary drone hovering just over the car. It seemed odd that there weren’t any people out on the streets, and that the sounds of traffic were virtually nonexistent. A soft breeze delivered the sheet of newsprint right to the young woman’s feet. Crystal bent to pick it up, reading the date three times over to be absolutely certain.


Crystal Knight: Um… Bonnie? You might want to check your calculations again.


And she showed her friend the front page. The date read April 19th, 2026. Bonnie frowned, confused.


Bonnie Blue: Well...damn. That wasn’t s’posed to happen.


Before either young woman could say anything further, however, a pair of law enforcement officers rounded the corner. They were clad in full riot gear, despite the fact that there was nobody around to actually participate in a riot. One covered Bonnie and Crystal with a futuristic firearm, while the other, at a loss, radioed for assistance.


Officer: Two unauthorized civilians located in Sector 42. Please advise.


There was a moment’s hesitation as he listened to the operator. He lifted his helmet’s face guard to appraise the pair.


Officer: Female. They appear to be healthy. Very healthy…


Crystal and Bonnie exchanged a glance; that didn’t sound at all promising. The time-witch tensed, ready to strike, while Crystal attempted to appeal to reason.


Crystal Knight: I’m sorry, officers, but we seem to have gotten lost. We’ll just get in our car and go back to --


Officer: Hold it right there, girlie! Wait a minute… Hey, Sarge! You recognize that vehicle?


The other police officer nodded solemnly and issued an order to his subordinate, who promptly seized Crystal by the wrist. He didn’t expect the sudden, sharp palm strike to his unprotected chin. The sergeant lifted his weapon, pointing it at Crystal. Bonnie responded with a sweep of her left hand; both cops were engulfed in a wave of null-time, now moving so slowly that they might as well have been statues.


Bonnie Blue: I don’t know how long that’s going to hold them. Let’s get out of here!


Not waiting to be told twice, Crystal hurried to get back in the car. Bonnie hit the gas and spun the wheel hard, turning the Ranchero around in a haze of tire smoke, then took off down the road. She drove through a complicated maze of streets, intent on throwing off any potential pursuit. At last satisfied, the Daughter of Time turns down a broad alley and parks the car.


Crystal Knight: Why are we stopping?


Bonnie Blue: We need to find out what’s goin’ on ‘round here. An’ how we ended up ten years in the future, ‘stead of jus’ the one. C’mon, let’s take a look around.


Reluctantly, Crystal followed her friend out of the alley, feeling exposed and conspicuous. Everywhere she looked, the enlarged face of Andre Holmes glared balefully down at her. A chill that had nothing to do with the temperature sent a shiver down her spine. Nearby, a chalkboard sign advertised the presence of a cafe, though the entire neighborhood seemed to be dominated by boarded-up windows and graffiti. Nevertheless, Bonnie led her through a doorway and into -- coincidentally -- the same Starbucks they had been in just minutes ago; a decade ago. The patrons were uniformly grubby, malnourished, and stared in mild suspicion at the new arrivals.


The interior of the coffee shop hadn't changed much. Instead of clean, brushed-steel surfaces, everything was coated in a layer of grime. The buzz of conversation had fallen to silence, punctuated by the occasional rasping cough. A cappucino machine hissed and rattled on the counter, and spit out a grayish semi-liquid that looked as unappealing as it smelled. Bonnie snagged an abandoned newspaper as she and Crystal took sets at an empty table. Unfolding it, she began to read.


Bonnie Blue: Get this.. "Supreme Leader Andre Holmes and Overchancellor Sarah Twilight led the ribbon cutting today on a brand-new, state-of-the art Re-Education Center in the heart of downtown Montreal -- the first of its kind in the former nation of Canada. Our Beloved Leader is quoted as saying that 'New gene therapies, not available five years ago, will streamline the process of reforming state criminals. No more painful electroshock treatments.' When asked about the success rate, Mr. Holmes smiled. 'Ninety-nine percent. For the unfortunate other one percent, well, that's why we still have firing squads.'" Can you believe that shit?


A number of patrons swiveled their heads in Bonnie's direction.


Crystal Knight: Lower your voice. This has got to be some kind of joke, right?


Bonnie slid the paper across the table.


Bonnie Blue: See for yourself.


The Ice Princess picked up the paper and read through it, brow furrowed in consternation. At last, she looked up at Bonnie.


Crystal Knight: Is this really what's going to happen in ten years? If Andre and Sarah took over the world... where are we, in all of this?


The time-witch bit her lower lip, considering.


Bonnie Blue: There are some questions best left unanswered. For all we know, you and I might have been among the first eliminated. Or worse...


Crystal Knight: What could be worse?


Bonnie Blue: One, or both, of us might be part of their administration.


Crystal's eyes went wide at that notion. She shook her head vigorously.


Crystal Knight: No way. I would never --


Bonnie Blue: Don't worry about it. This ain't necessarily the future. It's just one possible future out of a virtual infinity. Time is always in a certain degree of flux; not rigid an' stable like folks think. That's how come we can move back an' forth, an' even between dimensions....


Crystal Knight: Okay...


Bonnie Blue: To put it another way, it's kinda like --


But she never got to finish saying what it was "kinda like". At that precise instant, the door to the former Starbucks was blown inward, and half a dozen riot cops stormed in. Several customers cried out in fright, while others tried to run. They were brought down by electrified stun-nets fired from something that looked like a handheld cannon. Crystal and Bonnie ducked under their table in the resultant confusion, trying not to be seen. The pair started toward the back, when another squad of goons tromped in from that direction. They were trapped.


Crystal Knight: Bonnie! Do that time thingy you did earlier!


Focusing her thoughts, Bonnie sought to summon her power. The energy welled up inside, but when she tried to push it outward, nothing happened.


Bonnie Blue: Can't. Something's interfering with my abilities.


The riot cops started moving toward them, tightening the circle around the young women. Slowly, Bonnie rose, hands raised in surrender. One of the riot cops slid his face guard up, looking her over.


Cop: Wondering why you can't use your powers, Time Witch?


Bonnie Blue: Kinda. Wanna enlighten me?


For reply, he produced something that looked like a cross between a flashlight and a megaphone. Bonnie frowned, puzzled.


Cop: Negation field generator. A gift from your pal, Scathe. Try all you want, girlie -- you can't do your weird time voodoo on us.


Cautiously, Bonnie reached for Crystal's hand, the expression on her face one of defeat.


Bonnie Blue: Well, I reckon y'all got me there. If I can't use my abilities on ya, I'll just have to... say goodbye.


As soon as she felt Crystal's fingers close around hers, Bonnie directed the power within her to affect only the pair of them. Timespace folded around them like temporal origami, and they vanished from the cafe, leaving the riot officers utterly confused. They reappeared about a hundred feet from the Ranchero, which was guarded by a single policeman. Crystal and Bonnie exchanged a glance, then a knowing smile. Hands still linked, they ran straight at the cop, bowling him over with a clothesline.


In an instant, they were back in the car. Bonnie hit REWIND on the 8-track player, and the vehicle was immediately engulfed in brilliant light. Seconds later, they were deposited back on the streets of modern-day Montreal. They drove around for a few minutes to reacquaint themselves with the present; to make absolutely certain they had arrived at the right place and time.


Satisfied that they had, Bonnie drove them to the gym that had been their initial destination, and parked in front of it. Promptly, she fished a blunt out of the glovebox and lit up, offering it to Crystal, who waved it off. Bonnie shrugged and took a big hit.


Bonnie Blue: Well, that was fun. You ok?


Crystal Knight: I think so, but, I can't say I'm any easier about teaming with Andre and Sarah. Not after what we saw.


Bonnie Blue: Look, there's a lot we still don't know. That timeline isn't set. It doesn't have to go down that way. And we have time to figure out why, how... and put a stop to it. For now, we have a more immediate problem. Lerch really threw ya in the deep end this week, but I ain't gonna let ya sink.


Crystal Knight: I appreciate that, Bonnie. Corey has taught me so much these last few weeks, and I know I'm ready to face this challenge head on!


Bonnie Blue: Good. You're gonna need to keep that attitude. We got it rough, takin' on Beach Crew an' House of Ophelia at once. I ain't exactly made friends with none of 'em. Got a score to settle with Henson -- knew he was trouble that day we met back in San Antonio. An' he's developed a bad habit of puttin' my friends in comas. First Preecha, then Gray. K.L. Henson is fixin' to get what's comin' to him. Benajmin Atreyu would do well to stay outta my damn way.


The Daughter of Time paused to take another, longer toke. Crystal rolled down a window and gave her a reproachful look; so Bonnie stubbed out the blunt in the car's ashtray.


Bonnie Blue: What you're gonna wanna watch out for, though, is them Beach Crew assholes. Dustin Beaver is just plain mean. He will do whatever it takes to secure a victory, an' not a one of them boys is above doin' murder to get what they want. In fact, Aquarius was makin' an awful lotta noise about that Hardcore strap even before Katherine Phoenix got her bell rung, all permanent-like.


Crystal Knight: So, you're telling me that we're about to get in the ring with a bunch of murderers and psychopaths?


Bonnie Blue: Welcome to the Wrestlin' Championship Federation, darlin'.


Bonnie gives her friend a big wink.


Bonnie Blue: Don't you worry none. I got your back. When we're through, these sons of bitches ain't gonna know what hit 'em.


Crystal Knight: Tempus vindice?


Bonnie Blue: Damn straight.


And with that, the two of them got out of the car and walked into the gym, full of the confidence of youth.