Murky Waters

KDOH: So guys, I know its me and I have not updated my fanfic Family Doubts in forever but I just couldn't help myself and just had to write this because of the immense hype that has erupted from Jon Moxley and the possible debut at AEW and the story idea just hit me like a smack to the face and I had to write it. So please, enjoy this new creation from my mind.

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Chapter One: Return

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Veronica Lopez Point of View

Date: Monday 1 May 2023

Life could be portrayed as many things. A gentle stream with gentle curves and a steady flow. It could be portrayed as a rollercoaster, a wild ride with highs and lows and high speed movements and moments where you think it's all going to kill you in the end when it suddenly stops, only to start racing once again.

You exist as a singular being, a wandering piece of a puzzle looking for where you fit in exactly. No flow is ever steady and stays constant. There is rocking obstacles, waterfalls and violent torrents that throw you around like the rag doll you and the terrain is never levelled out or even.

I sadly have met more of the violent side or the stream in my life. My path has been tumultuous and violent and gut wrenching and it has hurt and scared me more than you can imagine. I mean, I am a human being but life has thrown so many punches at me that I have been KO'ed at one point, and I don't mean Kevin Owens in any sense.

Where do I even begin really?

Well, how about I set the scene, and no I am not narrating my thoughts and processes and everything, this is just how I do things in my head.

Imagine a girl in a locker room, and this girl is just a canvas. The imagine her with shoulder length black hair and soft brown eyes that are filled with so much emptiness and heavy emotion and stories that she wished to never tell. Image her as twenty-eight years old in this very moment, on this very day, staring at the wall as she waited for her curtain call for the start of the famous Monday Night Raw to start.

Imaging her sitting in nothing but a simple pair of ripped knee length black trousers, a soft velvet choker with a single pendant, a yin and yang charm, and imagine her with soft subtle make-up that didn't make her look like an Eva Marie wannabe. Imagine her with a form fitting black leather jacket that was open, and on the back was a stylish logo embroidered on it, the words "The Phoenix" adorning the black leather. Black fingerless gloves and then of course her top, a typical diva top only it was black, with a criss-cross across the back and across the front underneath the bra part, but not going too far down her abdomen.

Can you see the girl? Well that is me... well my character. But I guess I should introduce my-

"Veronica?"

Huh?

"Oi Veronica? Earth to Veronica?!"

My eyes focuses as I looked around and realized that before me was non-other that my brother. His soft, dark brown eyes looked into mine as I took in the confused, concern in his eyes as I examined his face and saw that he had his hair up in his stylish man bun with his signature wrestling pants from his King Slayer and Beast slayer days and of course he has his redone signature Seth Freakin Rollins t-shirt that has been done a few times over the years but it still stands out.

I glance away for a moment at the bench nearby where the two titles he holds lay ready for him to walk out in all his glory. Yeah, I guess you can say he had to be the male version of Becky Two Belts from all those years ago and faced his good friend Roman Reigns from Smackdown at Wrestlemania 39. Title for Title, winner takes all and Seth came out victorious.

It's what finally ended the intense war between Smackdown and Raw when the Mcmahons on screen split and once again Stephanie fought with Shane for Brand Supremacy. Behind the curtains everything was fine, you know, kayfabe and all.

I look back at my brother and smile as I look at my brother who finally asks, "Are you okay... you know with what yesterday was and all?" He asked her softly as he straddle the bench like I was and placed his hands on my knees. He knew what a hard day the 30th of April was for me...

You see, four years ago I made a choice and chose not to resign my WWE contract and followed no only a man who was my best friend, but the love of my life who ended up breaking my heart and leaving me in the dust. I was so ashamed cause everyone said I was making a mistake following him, but it was my choice.

I wasn't exactly happy with how WWE's creative was writing my character. I was such a blonde clutz with two toned hair trying to be made into the female version of my brother, doing such stupid segments that made me ashamed to be a performer because I was not used correctly. They ignored my potential and many superstars were leaving and I chose to follow...

It had been a mistake because I was literally left stranded in a state I did not know after a gut wrenching fight with the man I loved... and he just left me... I had no idea what I was going to do... I was stuck there without a phone cause I had been robbed, had no money and was staying in a shelter cause I was too ashamed to call my brother after the fight we had the day I told him I was not staying with WWE...

"Fine, go! Fucking run away like you always have! Don't come crawling back to me or mom or dad when this all blows up in your face Veronica. After this none of us will ever want anything to do with you. I hope I never fucking see you again! Good luck with your fucking new life! Im actually fucking glad to finally be rid of your complaining and bitching about the business I love! I hate you for choosing him over us! I hate you Veronica and I hope you are fucking happy to have lost everything because of him!"

I internally winced at the mere thought of the fact that he sounded so glad to be rid of me. That night I got on a plan and followed the man who broke the internet and a few months later, I was literally stranded. I got a job as a waitress and earned what I could, hoping some way or somehow I could finally go back home... well whatever home was left.

I watched as multitudes of articles came out about HIS skyrocketing popularity and stardom whilst I wasted away. It was honestly sad really but when you see his name everywhere, it haunts you knowing you weren't good enough for him to keep you around, especially after you told him you loved him...

And he never said it back...

I looked up at my brother with a pained smiled, "I'm okay... it's harder being here though... you know in Cincy and all." I said as I leaned forward and hugged him, resting my ear against his chest as his arms wrapped around me and he hugged me.

"I saw there were rumors he would be in his hometown and stuff... but he's the past Veronica." Colby whispered as he rubbed my back as I hugged him tighter and thought back to the day my brother and the WWE stumbled upon me when I was helping the caterer they hired to bring food when the WWE was in town. At the time I didn't know they were in town and I got a big surprise when I realized where I was serving food for Raw where all my previous Co-Workers would see me...

Date: Monday 26, August 2019
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

I was exhausted but happy we had prepared food for this big event that was gonna be happening. I was glad to be able to get to do more work and help my boss with this catering event. When she said she needed someone I jumped at the chance cause I needed the money. Being stranded in New Orleans all those months ago, everything has been rough but I am finally getting somewhere.

As the crew and I started unloading food, being lead by security to the catering area I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with all of the setting that surrounded me. There were these familiar boxes that caught my eye and the make-up stations that were set up with wardrobes areas...

It all was so familiar to me...

I had to get my head together as I lead the people to the catering area and started setting everything up but I stopped when I saw who was walking in and almost bumped into the person I had seen...

It was the McMahon family consisting of Stephanie, Shane, Vince and Triple H who was the one that recognized me...

"Veronica... is that you?" he asked as he stared at me as immediately the other three looked up and stared at me in confusion as I found myself shaking and laughing nervously.

"Sorry, you must have me confused with someone else." I said trying to hide from the severe mortification and horrific realisation that I was catering food for my ex-bosses and the WWE superstars of Monday Night Raw.

"Miss Lopez." The voice of Stephanie McMahon said as I sighed and looked up at her before I dropped my eyes. "It is you. What are you doing here? Are... are you part of the catering crew. Veronica Lopez, what happened?" She asked as she approached me and tipped my head up as I gave a small smile.

"I am sorry, but I must be getting back to work. If I lose this job I'm stranded here yet again." I say with a sad smile. "Excuse me, I need to get going before I run into my brother since he made me promise to never see his face again after I left..." I said as I look around and realize that there are a few superstars that I know that are staring at me and I just feel frozen to the spot.

I see so many of the women I knew, like Rebecca, my best friend and "The Man" herself with her two title belts and I see Allen who had only just come to Raw when I left but he was a good friend.

I just can't handle the looks as I turn and stumble away but end up bumping into someone and when I hear him say my name, I wanna crawl into a hole and hide from the world.

"Veronica... please, look at me..." The voice of my brother pleaded but I shook my head and stepped away but turned violently and shoved his hand off me when he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Don't touch me... I am leaving so you never have to see my face again, after all that's what you wanted. To not have to deal with me..." I said as I try not to cry because the look on his face, I hate it. Its pity, regret, sadness, longing.

"Veronica wait, I've been trying to call you for months but I've never connected to your phone?" He said as he tried to approach me but I just chuckled coldly and shook my head.

"Well sadly I don't have a phone, or a home or a life so you must be pleased Seth. You always have to be right and you were... He left me, just like you said... I made my bed and I must lie in it, like you said." I said as I try and wipe my eyes but the emotions are just so heavy. "Forgive me for my unprofessionalism but I must go... I've got to get home to the shelter I've been living in for the last few months cause that's the bed I made..." I said with a sad smile. "Bye Colby."

"Wait Veronica. Why didn't you try call me or mom or dad?" He asked me as I stopped and turned and looked at him with a sad smile.

"Don't you remember Colby... You said if I make that choice to follow him that I must never come back because no one will want me... you were right... he never wanted me and you don't... I don't exist anymore... because you said you hated me..." I said with a broken voice as the tears fell as I ran out the room cause I couldn't do this.

I had stayed hidden from the tabloids, avoided the public eye cause I was so humiliated and this would be everything...

Former WWE Superstar and Sister of Seth Rollins is a common catering Waitress?

I could see it all and I hated it... I hated how everything had turned out. I hated my brother. I hated myself... I hated him...

"I don't think I apologized for that day..." I mumbled to him as a tear rolled down my cheek as I squeezed him tighter. He didn't say anything so I elaborated for him, "The day you were in New Orleans for Raw all those years ago... I never said sorry for my outburst that day... after how I treated you, you shouldn't have tracked me down and found where I was staying and helped me get home..."

"Yes I should have and if we were to go back in time, I always would have tracked you down." He whispered as he held me and squeezed me tighter. "I know I've said it so many times Veronica, but I am sorry for how I treated you. I know I should have been supportive and I shouldn't have pushed you away... you shouldn't have had to be on your own for months because of me and my stupid drunk mouth." He said as he hugged me.

He got me home after being written off for two weeks by being attacked by Lars Sullivan and given a fake concussion. He helped me get stability and start to move on, and then Stephanie and Hunter came down to see me when I was visiting NXT with my brother cause I just felt like travelling a bit to get out of my parents house...

They offered me my job back, not because they felt sorry for me... at least that's what I hope it was but I still got a chance to resign as a WWE Superstar, only this time they gave me more creative freedom. I was confused and then they told me my brother convinced them to watch my old training videos and videos my brother took of me when I was in the Indies...

I was shell-shocked. They said creative would still write my story lines and stuff but the heads had recognized that character direction was important and brought a couple of writers from NXT up to the main roster to give the WWE a breath of fresh writing and they wanted to give me a fresh start, a new package. I was convinced it was because of my brother but I still thought long and hard about it...

And eventually I did accept because the truth was I loved wrestling and it's what I wanted to do with my life...

And so was my rebirth, my metaphorical rising up from the ashes.

It's what stemmed the whole "The Phoenix" character I have. My in ring name was Siren but this was my rebirth and I became well... me.

I got to change my in ring name to Veronica Rollins and I got a package restart and it started with video promos and build on from there. I adopted a little more of my Indy bad ass nature, my fire and love of the fight and for war. Its safe to say they really made me something I was not when I came to WWE in the beginning, but now I was who I wanted to be.

People actually recognized my old character and started linking me... I actually had a fan base and sold merchandise, especially after my fight with Nikki Cross on screen. We killed in and got a longer than ten minute match. Wild vs Nuts and the crowd actually liked us. From then on, I've had a stronger presence, had opportunities for the title, stood out and put out stellar matches and I did it because I worked hard cause I had things back home I had to take care of... important things that meant the world to me.

"It's okay Colbs. I forgave you a long time ago. You are my brother and you always will be." I said as I wiped my eye, thankful that I had someone amazing like him as my big brother. We had our ups and down and our seriously bitchy cat fights, but what can you do when you are family. You forgive each other and love and thank each other.

"I love you Veronica." He said as he gave me a tight squeeze and pulled away from me. "So listen, apparently I am going to have a new mystery challenger for the Universal Championship and it's gonna be some big surprise." He said to me as he chuckled. "I bet you its gonna be an outside talent. I heard Omega may be leaving AEW? Or even that CM Punk might be considering coming to WWE?" He said with a serious face and I just burst out laughing and so did he.

"Very funny. But have they giving you a script for what you gotta say or anything?" I asked him curiously with a smile on my face.

Colby chuckled, "As the face of WWE, I have been given a basic guideline but no script and apparently this segment is gonna close the show." I raised a brown and looked at him seriously.

"Okay, this must really be someone big if they are giving you main event promo segment stuff." I said in all seriousness as he smiled.

"It means I gotta make it good cause apparently the guy is gonna attack me from behind or something. They said they will tell me right before I go out." He said as he smiled. "But you got a promo segment with all the money in the bank contenders and I did pick up your script for you my dear sister." He said as I smiled and accepted the papers he gave me.

"Thank you brother dear. At least I can prepare now." I said as I flipped through the script with a smile on my face. "Ah, nothing to extravagant other than me doing the leap of faith from the top of a ladder and standing tall above Sasha, Lacey and Nikki." I say with a grin as I list my on screen raw opponents. "I am glad I get to stand out a bit. I feel like they might finally give me a better standing this year." I say optimistically cause I mean it.

Since the beginning of the year I have been standing out to the fans, heck I was the second last one in the royal rumble against Ronda Rousey who was a beast in the ring but brought out the best in me and was a good friend since she had come back to WWE after taking time off to start her family.

"I have a feeling I will be related to Miss Money in the Bank very soon." He said with a proud smile on his face as he grinned at me. "Now, if you will excuse me, I got to go warm up but good luck and don't do anything I would do." He said with a chuckle as he stood up and headed to the door.

"Too late big brother. I already wrestle." I said with a grin as he laughed and headed outside the locker-room and I smiled as I got to reading my script.

A few hours later...

It was safe to say everything had gone smoothly and I everything was executed well. The Bullet club, a.k.a AJ, Anderson and Gallows were the dominant trio as Anderson and Gallows were the current tag champs going into their sixth month as champs and AJ was challenging Drew McIntyre for the United State Championship. That big man knew how to hit though. I still remember how he trampled over my brother when he challenged for the Universal title in 2019.

But everything was going smoothly and everyone was buzzing in anticipation as Seth headed down to the ring, ready for his promo and I was also excited. I was being like a child and hanging out by the gorilla hoping to see who it was but decided watching in the crowd of superstars in catering.

"Well guys, I like you have been buzzing after hearing about this new mystery challenger that's called me out for the Universal Championship, or the WWE Championship, or both." My brother said as he glanced at the title around his waist and over his shoulder. "I am always up for a challenge and I wanna tell whoever this is, I've been demolished by beasts and freaks, manhandled by monsters and had everything thrown at me for years, but I am a fighting champion and whoever this challenger is, I am ready for you because I have face every kind of superstar in the WWE so bring it on." He said as he set his titles down at the fans cheers.

I myself was biting my nails with anticipation as I watched the screen but decided to check my notification on twitter and checked the WWE tagged ones but my eyes widened when I saw the most recent one, posted no less than a minute ago on the person's twitter account...

The words: "I'm back" would forever haunt me but so would the name as I looked at the screen and saw the arena darken but the screen lit up with what looked to be fencing that was rattling as the words that were posted on the twitter poster were on the titantron as I dropped my phone on the table and stared in shock as I heard a gasp next to me when I saw Nikki Cross looking at my phone as I watched someone attack my brother from behind like it was scripted.

I was physically shaking as the crowd shouted in confusion as the figure stood over Seth as he held a microphone in his hand, a hood hiding his face but I already knew who he was before he even spoke.

"Be careful what you wish for brotha... because the person you face could very well be someone who knows you better than anyone..." He said in a chilling and haunting voice that had the arena exploding with pops and cheers and excitement as they were all in shock as the man pulled his hood back and there was the familiar face of the man who haunted me...

The last time I saw him he had basically a buzz cut of copper orange hair and an angry face as we fought in the hotel room we were staying in... it was longer, shaggier like how it use to be, and it was more shaggy brown... he was a haunting face of the past that I had fallen In love with so deeply...

The face of the man who not only broke my heart but haunted my every dream rocked me to the core.

He was known by many names. Many stages of insanity in character but I knew him by his real name.

Jonathan Good... a.k.a Jon Moxley or Dean Ambrose...

Whoever he was right now... he was back and my worst nightmare had come true...

So yah... that's the start to my new story... tell me what you think guys.