WrestlePrompts Stories

4. Control the Cage

Characters: Bayley, Dakota Kai, Io Shirai (Iyo Sky)

Prompt: A proposal on the beach.

(Author's note: Yes, I'll probably be doing a Becky/Seth for this too, but I didn't want to be TOO obvious *L*)

"Io?" Dakota's soft voice is nearly lost to the waves crashing on the beach. "What are you doing here?"

Io gives a small shrug. Since her default expression is somewhere between bored and indifferent, it's hard for Dakota to read much in her face. "I got a call," she says slowly, turning slightly so the wind blows her hair out of her face.

"So did I."

"I called both of you." Both women turn to see someone walking towards them, face mostly in shadow until she pulls her hood down. The waning sunlight makes the new red tones in Bayley's hair look like blood. "What are you doing at the end of the month? Say... July 30th?" She stops between them and looks from Dakota to Io with hope and something darker in her gaze.

It's the darker element that makes Dakota curious. WWE released her almost three months ago and while she's been looking at offers from around the world, nothing's felt right. Nothing's fit. "July 30th is SummerSlam," Dakota says flatly.

Bayley's smirk feels like an invitation. "It is. I'm going to be there. And I want you to be there too. Both of you."

Io narrows her eyes. She knows the rumours that have been going around, saying that she was going back to Japan after her contract runs out. "Why?" she asks, watching Bayley's expression. She knows it will say more than her voice ever can.

"Both of you have been injured and fought your way back. Both of you know what it's like to be overlooked and underutilized. I want to change that—for you, for me, for us... and every woman who comes after us." Bayley's voice is quiet yet more powerful than the waves in the distance. "Remember when I told people that what I want doesn't exist yet? Well, this is the first step."

Dakota gazes out to sea. The view should remind her of home, but she's never felt more lost, more adrift. To have another chance at her WWE dream would be amazing, but that particular wound is still fresh. "They released me," she points out. "They've given Io practically nothing. Why do they want us back now? What's changed?"

"Hunter's in charge. He wants to make some changes." Bayley's dark eyes gleam in the sunset like burning embers, just waiting for enough fuel to blaze. "And I want to change things too. I've talked with him already, and I told him I want to work with you two. He's on board. You just need to call him and figure out details."

Io still doesn't look convinced. "Hunter may be in charge now, but a cage is still a cage," she points out.

Bayley grins as she reaches into her hoodie's pockets and pulls out a business card for each of them. "Everything's a cage," she replies as she gives them the cards. "What matters is who controls the cage. And if we can work together, that's gonna be us." Then she straightens up a bit. "Hunter obviously needs to know soon, so... think about it. Call him. Call me. Discuss it with each other. But I hope you say yes. Working together—I think the three of us could do amazing things." Then she flips her hood back up. "No one else knows right now, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Dakota nods slowly, breathing in time with the waves. Every time the water laps at her feet, she thinks of another injustice, another lost opportunity. Looking at Bayley and Io, she can finally start to see a way back, a way past the false starts to a new beginning. "To maximize the impact." It's so obvious that it didn't need to be said, but each of them deserves to hear it. Their returns will matter. Things will change because of them. In such a long-running business, that's a huge accomplishment.

"Exactly." Bayley zips up her hoodie and stuffs her hands in her pockets. "I hope I hear from you soon." Then she takes off at a jog up the beach, stopping briefly to talk to someone walking a dog.

Io looks out at the ocean for a long moment before turning to Dakota. "What are you going to do?"

The answer is obvious. Dakota doesn't need time to think or wait to call Hunter. "Take control."