Twelve Gates

Prologue : The Road , Meeting New Friends

Disclaimer : I own none of the WWE or TNA Wrestlers . I only own Raven Fireheart , the story plot , and the research on the demons .

" Amy , are we there yet ? " asked Raven Fireheart for the umpteenth time since her and Amy Dumas , a . k . a . Lita , Queen of Extreme , former WWE Diva and former multiple time WWE Women ' s Champion had been on the road .

" No , Raven , stop asking damn it . Why are you in such a hurry ? " asked Amy Dumas .

Raven Fireheart is the newest Knockout in Impact Wrestling , her debut is tonight and punctuality is very important to her . She likes making a good impression on her first day and being late won ' t help the situation .

" I don ' t want to be late , Amy . This is my first night on Impact and I want to make a good impression . "

" Why don ' t you just relax and read over your script again or decide what you ' re going to wear tonight ? "

" I already know what I ' m going to wear , Ames and I know my script by heart , " Raven said rolling her eyes at her friend and mentor , " Why don ' t you tell me more about this Jeff Hardy character that Jay and Adam told me about ? I mean I know who he is in wrestling , but what is his personality like outside of the ring ? "

Raven recently was employed by WWE for two years , she even won the Women ' s Championship three times in those two years . But , when her contract expired she decided a change in scenery and competition was needed so she could grow in her profession . She met Amy before she was a wrestler . Raven was trying to teach herself how to wrestle , but Amy decided to train her because of the risks involved in self - taught wrestling . When the young Fireheart went to WWE she became friends with Edge , Christian Cage , Undertaker , Kane , and Chris Jericho . Fireheart ' s decision to go to Impact was not well like by some of her friends ; Christian and Jericho really did not care because she is their friend and if that is her decision they were all for it , Edge was a little more hesitant about the idea wishing she would stay where the people that care about her could watch out for her , Undertaker and Kane were totally against the idea because of their protective parent - like nature over her . So with Jay Reso , Christian Cage and Chris Ervine , Chris Jericho ' s help of contacting an old friend of theirs , known as Jeff Hardy , in TNA to watch after Raven , did her friends finally let her go on to the Impact Zone with the reassurance of her safety .

" Jeff is a really unique individual both in and out of the ring . He is artistically creative and musically talented . But , he also has great character and modesty , fame hasn ' t gone to his head like it does for some celebrities . If you know what I mean , Raven ? "

" I know exactly what you mean . You know that ' s what first appealed to me with TNA , from the way the fans talk and people I ' ve spoken to talked about TNA , like Jay , was how down to earth everyone is , even the wrestlers have modest attitudes . But , outside of our little group of friends , a lot of the current WWE superstars and divas are stuck up and cocky ; like your Mr . Straight - Edge , Ex - Boyfriend . "

" You mention Phil Brooks again , and you will be walking the rest of the way . "

" Ah , hell , Firecracker didn ' t Jericho , Christian , and Edge try and tell you he was no good , but you didn ' t listen to your friends did you , Miss Independent ? "

" Fuck you . "

" Eh , eew , no , you ' re like my sister , so wouldn ' t that be considered incest ? Of course you would enjoy it way to much . " Raven teased her traveling companion .

" Right , you wish . Well here is the arena . "

" Hallelujah , tonight ' s going to rock . "

" Are you nervous at all , Shadow Phoenix ? "

" I ' m always nervous before a match Ames , but nervousness is positive energy used to make you want to succeed . If you don ' t get nervous doing something you love why do it any more ? " Raven answered her friend .

" True , so , do your best tonight and be as careful as you can , okay . This is your first night after all and you don ' t need to hurt yourself this early , Raven , " Amy said to the young wrestler .

" I ' ll try . Do you think the guys will watch my first match in TNA , seeing as it will be live and televised tonight ? " Raven wondered .

" Of course they will , honey . "

" Good , they are the only reason that I ' m going to miss WWE . I feel kind of guilty leaving them . But , at least I didn ' t miss Adam ' s retirement party . I don ' t know how he is handling leaving wrestling at what seemed like a big moment in his career . I couldn ' t image leaving wrestling as a whole and not being able to do what I love because of injuries , it just proves how tough he is as a person . "

" I know . It seems odd that a lot of the older wrestlers that I knew when I was still in WWE are leaving the company , like Edge , Matt and Jeff Hardy , and HBK . " Amy said deep in thought .

" Another reason I wanted to come to Impact , because there isn ' t any competition for me in WWE anymore , and even though I ' ve been the Women ' s Champ three times I had no guarantees that I would have been kept in WWE . I mean look at John Morrison a guy I believe had all the talent in the WWE , but what did World Wrestling Entertainments do to him ? They let him go . "

" So you think there is more of a spot for you in TNA ? "

" I don ' t know for sure , but I have more of a chance here , than in WWE . "

" I hope your right , but as far as more competition , I won ' t argue against it because I wouldn ' t even wrestle some of the Divas they got in WWE right now , where as the Knockouts seem more competitive and ready to kick ass , " Amy said thinking of the possibilities .

" So now you ' re putting in for a Knockout too Amy , why didn ' t you tell me ? We could ' ve been a tag team , sweetheart . "

" No , I have not put in a contract with TNA . "

" Damn ! What did you get my hopes up for ? I really wish you would step back in the ring , because , I know you still got the ' it factor ' that most women don ' t have when it comes to wrestling . I could easily see the headline , Lita , Queen of Extreme Returns to the Ring as the New Knockout of Impact Wrestling , sounds good doesn ' t it ? "

" At times it does , but don ' t push it , Shadow , " Amy stated as she pulled into a parking space at the back of the Impact Zone , " Well , Shadow Phoenix , welcome to Orlando , Florida destination the TNA Impact Zone . Thank you for traveling with the Dumas Extreme Road Tours . "

" I take it since Chris and Jay are not here you ' re going to be the idiot I have to put up with , huh ? "

" Of course , sweety that ' s what I ' m here for right ? "

" No , I thought you were here to carry my bags , " Raven smiles at Amy .

Amy ignored her and went to pop the trunk so they could unload Raven ' s bags .

" Amy you ' re not mad at me are you ? I was just joking . "

Amy smiled at Raven , " I know , that ' s not why I was ignoring you . Matt and Jeff Hardy are at the door to the arena . "

" What ? Oh ! " said Raven looking towards the door at the Hardy Brothers . They were standing around with some friends just hanging out .

She already knew who the brothers were because of TV and the pictures that Amy showed her of the two wrestlers . Jeff is the one with rainbow - style , long hair , tattoos , piercings , and green eyes . Amy was right he is very unique and intriguing to the eye , and Raven could tell that those qualities is what enchanted his legions of loyal fans , both the Hardynation and the Creatures of the Night , as he calls them . Matt on the other hand has long , curly , dark brown hair and brown eyes . He is Amy ' s ex , but Raven knew from her talk that they are still best friends and that he and Adam had finally buried the hatchet using the old saying around the ring .

" You going to be alright , Ames ? " Raven asked concerned for her friend .

" Yeah , come on let me introduce you to the Hardys . "

" Okay . "

" Matt , Jeff , how is it going boys ? " Amy called to the brothers as she and Raven walked to the door , bags in tow .

" Hey , Amy , it has been a while girl , " Jeff said to his former Team Extreme teammate .

" Sure has I haven ' t seen you Jeff since the 15 Years of Raw Anniversary . "

" True , " Jeff said casually .

" Who ' s your friend Amy ? " Matt asked looking towards Raven .

" This is Raven Fireheart , the Shadow Phoenix , boys . " Amy answered .

" Ah , so you ' re the new Knockout that Christian and Jericho asked me to watch after , huh ? " Jeff looking towards her , " By the way nice hair - dye , kid . "

Raven looked up at her red , purple , and black hair . Although she is naturally blonde , the colors she dyes her hair are the colors of her Shadow Phoenix persona ; she also puts blue in it too , but not tonight .

" Thank you , yours is pretty cool , too , looks like a bag of Skittles . " Raven said .

" Why did Christian ask Jeff to watch after you ? " asked one of the wrestlers standing with the Hardys . He was bald - headed and average built , his fingernails were painted black .

" Uh , some of my friends in WWE are a little over protective of me and worry about my safety , um uh ? I don ' t mean to be rude , but I don ' t know who you and your friends are , sir , "

" I ' m Christopher Daniels , the Fallen Angel , I ' m surprise Captian Charisma didn ' t tell you about us . You don ' t have to call me , sir , Chris will work , " said the bald dude who spoke to Raven earlier , " Guys be nice to the lady and introduce yourselves , like you ' ve had some home training . "

" Hey , Styles would you shut your friend up , damn it . Gentlemen , I ' m from Tennessee and your talking to me about home trainin , good southern hospitality is in my blood . Hello darlin I am the Tennessee Cowboy , James Storm , and if you need anything at all just let me know , ma ' am , " said the man with the backwoods , Tennessee hills , southern accent .

" I ' m not his keeper Storm . AJ Styles is my name how is my old friend Christian Cage , doing Raven ? " asked the short haired dude sitting on a production crate .

" I ' m Robert Roode , but these guys call me Bobby , " the former TNA World Champion said .

" Last , but not least , I ' m the very amazing Kazarian , but you can call me Frankie . " said the guy to Roode ' s left .

" Please to meet y ' all . I ' m humbled to be here on your territory . I just hope I am excepted as a friend instead of the new kid in town . "

" Territory , you make us sound like animals , Raven , " Storm said to her .

" Well sometimes you are Cowboy . " said Kazarian looking sideways at the Tennessean.

" I are what Frankie ? "

" An animal , " Daniels said looking down at the pavement .

" What ! ? . . . " Storm glared at the TNA Tag Team Champions .

" Kaz , Chris , back off of Storm . Just because he chases you two and AJ down when y ' all steal the man ' s beer , doesn ' t make him an animal , " Roode said knowing his former Beer Money partner ' s southern temper .

" Sure it doesn ' t Roode . . . " said Frankie

" . . . we all know that it has everything to do with the woods and farm . I mean who else do you know owns farmland and hunts in the hundred acre woods that is not an animal ? " Daniels added .

" My family Kaz , Chris , " Raven said looking at the two of them , " my grandaddy was a farmer til his dying days , he worked hard through the worst era for farmers the Great Depression because it was all he knew until the war , when he signed up for service and traded a shovel for a rifle . "

" War ? Which war ? " Styles asked her .

" World War II , between the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and my grandaddy ' s rebellious days he decide the military and fighting in the war suited him better than the farmer ' s life . So he signed his name on the dotted line and as he would say there are days in the war that he would not trade for anything , historical moments he saw across the ocean . Some he said seemed like a dream or maybe I should say more like a nightmare . But , he knew what he left back at home was what he wanted back , instead of seeing some of the things he did . "

" Did he come back to the U . S . ? " Roode asked interested in Raven ' s story .

" Yes , he did after Iwo Jima , 59 days of hell . He says all of it seemed like someone else did it , but he did get to see the Marines ' U . S . Flag Raising on Iwo Jima . Then he was sent home because he was injured . "

" Injured ? " Jeff asked .

" Yeah he lost his leg on the last night of the battle . He was severly burned by a Japanese flamethrower , he got trapped between it and the walls of a trench he was hiding in . After so long of consisted fighting and the U . S . pushing back the enemy , the Japanese soldiers got desperate after they ran out of ammunition and under strict orders not to use up all of the explosives; they used flamethrowers to smoke out and burn up the U . S . Marines . Grandaddy recieved the Purple Heart and Silver Star for his actions in the war , but he would tell you he would give it all up for his lost leg . "

" What did they do for the leg ? " Storm asked Raven .

" Which leg ? " Daniels added to Storm ' s question .

" I bet he picked up lots of women with that injury , didn ' t he ? " Styles putting his thought in .

" I don ' t know about women in plural form , but in his words when he woke up from the infirmary he said that he saw a beautiful , red - headed , angel ; the angel was his nurse , and after the war was over and he retired from the military and she from being an army nurse , he went and found his red - headed angel , they got married , and that angel was my grandma . " Raven laughed at the thought .

" Grandma , he could still have kids and well you know ? " Daniels asked .

" Dude , he lost his leg not his dick . " Raven rolled her eyes .

" You didn ' t answer which leg and what they did for his injury . "

" Sorry , Storm , if you remember from Forest Gump about how Lt . Dan got titanum legs from material used by NASA on the Space Shuttle , they gave my grandaddy the same kind of leg and it was his left leg . My dad use to say you could hear that leg coming , too . Because it would clank on the hardwood floors in my grandparents' house . Not a sound you want to hear when you were as rebellious as my dad was . Dad got caught by a cop that knew my grandaddy while my dad was drag racing with his friends . I think we all known how that story ends . "

" What kind of car ? " Roode asked chuckling at Raven ' s story of her dad ' s youthful adventures.

" 66 ' Mustang , royal blue , daddy always said he felt like the Intimidator in that car . Dale Earnheart for Roode because I can see the confused look on his face . Edge , Christian , and Jericho gives me that same look sometimes when I use NASCAR names or terms around them . "

" Nice car , " said the Tennessee Cowboy .

" Very nice , to bad he hit a deer with it . I would of loved to have seen it . "

" Raven , you still need to go see Brooke Hogan , before tonight so lets go , " Amy said to her after the chat with the guys , " not to mention you need to call ' Taker ' and Kane , so those two don ' t decide to show up and kill someone for with holding information on your whereabouts . "

" You really think that Mark and Glen would do that ? Huh , never crossed my mind . I mean I know Mark threatened to kill Jericho and the Captain for stealing his hat , but he has never acted on it . " Raven thinking of her two giant friends .

" You just called Undertaker by his real name . Do you know what he would do to you , child ? " Matt asked in shock .

" Nothing , he already knows I call him Mark . He ' s the one who told me I could , Matt . "

" Wow , ' Taker ' must really like you , Raven , " Jeff said amazed .

" Of course he does . Raven actually made the Deadman laugh , after chasing Y2J and Christian around the Smackdown locker room trying to get Undertaker ' s hat back , " Lita explained .

" Laugh , not one of those creepy laughs was it ? " Matt asked.

" No , it was a genuine laugh . Then he patted me on the head and said I was alright . So , when I called him Undertaker respectfully he told me I could call him Mark instead . "

" That ' s cool . Of course he likes , Jeff , but even so it ' s still hard to gain the respect of someone like ' Taker ' . " Matt said .

" No , it is not that hard , as long as you respect them and do your best to show them you got what it takes to be just as great as they are and still be yourself at the same time and want the same things they do for the business and because you love the business . There is no reason why they won ' t show you that same respect . Every night I did that when I worked for the WWE and it will be the same here . I gave 110 percent everytime and I tried to feed the writers ideas , good ones , but some of the people in WWE have their heads so far up their asses that they don ' t understand the difference in good ideas and ways to help the business from all the bullshit going on and the stuck up politically correct wierdos that don ' t understand the business . One of the reasons I left , reason that HBK left , reason that Glen gets these bullshit storylines , reason Jericho and Christian are getting screwed on some of their storylines , and definitely the reason some of the great superstars have been let go . All bullshit , drama , and politics ; it ' s like going through high school again , except this time the brats are bigger and more whiny . "

" Is it really that bad ? " Storm asked .

" Amy what would you say ? " Raven looked at her .

" Yes , Storm it is that bad , " Amy said .

" So what made you want to come to TNA ? " asked AJ Styles .

" Competition , there is better , stronger , and more competition here than in WWE . Plus , there is more wrestling than the petty storylines , drama , and politics here . And with what story you do use it ' s either not drawn out until people lose interest or y ' all add some exciting twist to the plot to add interest . WWE is the broken record and TNA is the hot , action - packed adventure that everyone wants to see and once they do they don ' t want to go back to the other product because they know it sucks , and I say that with all do respect to all of my friends and the great people that has worked there , but right not I ' m being brutely honest and I don ' t care who knows it . "

" Preach it girl . " Daniels said to Raven .

" So , how about we go see about those new bosses and the new job , you love so much ? " Amy said opening the door to the Impact Zone , " You were so anxious on getting here early in car . "

" Yes , mom , I was . So , lets go , " Raven said to Amy walking through the door she was holding open, carrying her bags to her new wrestling home , " See you guys later . "