Raw is War: April 26th 1999

Kane, the silent monster, stood in one of the corridors of the arena as he watched events unfold on the television screen. His brother, the leader of the Ministry of Darkness, the Undertaker was dressed in one of ceremonial robes, surrounded by the Ministry as they held the daughter of the WWF owner tied to one of his symbols. Kane's father, Paul Bearer, was standing beside them as he read the demonic scriptures that would unite the Undertaker and the woman dressed in a black wedding dress, Stephanie McMahon, in unholy matrimony.

His held tilted to the side as he listened to the young woman's screams for help as Paul read the text from the dark book that would bind the woman to his brother in mind, body, soul and even her breath. Something wasn't right, he could feel it in his bones. He had been raised by these dark scriptures, had seen the unholy union preformed by his father on several occasions. His mismatched eyes widened slightly as Ken Shamrock ran to the ring with a baseball bat, intent on ending the ceremony only to be tackled to the mat before he could really stand and for his brother's servant, Viscera to splash down onto his body, the wooden bat rolling to the Undertaker's feet.

He had to sweep his long hair out of his eyes as the ceremony continued and the Big Show ran down to the ring. If the marriage was ordained by the darker powers, why were so many men trying to stop it? Why was the girl, Stephanie, fighting against her constraints and pleading for help? Was his brother and father forcing the woman into the servitude of the black marriage just because the girl's father, Vince, couldn't get the bald Texan, Stone Cold Steve Austin to bring out the ransom?

This wasn't right, and his black boot clad feet carried him to the gorilla that lead out to the stage. He couldn't let this happen, he couldn't let his father and brother, the men who had abandoned him and destroyed his life to do the same to another human being.

"By the power vested in me by the Lord of Darkness," Paul Bearer began to wrap up the wedding, "I now pronounce you as the Unholy Union of Darkness. You may now kiss your bride!" The over weight funeral director smiled as he watched his son's half brother begin to lower his black hood, his eyes rolled up into his head as the power of Darkness filled the young Master of all things that crawled in the night. However, his glee at performing such a ceremony was quickly snuffed out as the lights in the building shut off.

He couldn't help the feeling of dread fill him as the eerie cries of his own son's music filled the arena before fire erupted from the stage lighting the Undertaker's symbol on fire as a show of power. His fat jaws wobbled as he stepped back, tripping over the bottom most point of the symbol the long haired brunette was strapped to and falling onto his over sized ass at the sight of his monstrous son walking down the ramp. This wasn't supposed to happen, the two brothers weren't supposed to fight like this, not in the middle of one of the dark rituals.

Kane in his full red and black leather made quick work of the lesser Ministry members as he tore through the rankings. The Acolytes Farooq and Bradshaw were beaten away with mere punches while a boot to the face of Viscera sent the five hundred pound man to the steel ramp. An uppercut sent Mideon flying onto his back on top of the downed Viscera, before he slid under the ropes and quickly got to his feet standing toe to toe with his dark brother.

"What the hell are you doing here Kane? You know you aren't involved in this," the Undertaker yelled at his brother and tried to subtly glance about for the baseball bat he had just used on Big Show. His searching eyes cost him though as he didn't see the gloved hand of his brother move until it struck him hard across the jaw, sending him staggering back. His foot caught the hem of his robe and he toppled over, the air driving from his lungs as he fell flat across his down servant.

The big red machine wasted no time in grasping his dark brother by the throat and lifting him to his feet before raising him off the mat entirely and chokeslamming his older sibling to the mat. With ease he turned his masked face to the woman still chained to the symbol and moved quickly to free her, first untying her hands and then letting her unbind her own feet. His attention was stolen at the rustle of robes and turned to watch as his brother rolled out of the ring just as the little bald man slid in.

Kane barely had time to take in the Ministry fleeing up the ramp with his father taking up the rear when he felt a set of arms grab onto his neck. Startled and confused at the sudden weight the seven foot tall monster lowered his gaze to see Stephanie McMahon's long dark hair and the back of her dress and tilted his head to the side in confusion. All his life no one had ever held him in such an embrace and his mismatched eyes turned to see a smirking Stone Cold standing nearby seemingly enjoying his confusion.

"Stephanie," Vince called out as he ran from beside the ramp, sliding into the ring in his grey suit. Stephanie immediately released her one sided hug on the Undertaker's brother and flew into her father's arms, grateful to see the man. The biggest man in the ring turned slightly and watched Stone Cold Steve Austin begin to leave the ring. "Thank you," Vince's voice filled the air just barely audible over the screaming audience and Stone Cold's music, "Thank you both! I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to my little girl."

Behind the mask that obscured his face, Kane back pedaled away from the hugging father and daughter and turned to step out of the ring before a small hand grabbed his own. His head turned to see the young woman in the ring holding his hand and gently seemed to be pulling him.

"Come on, Kane, I'm sure my father would love to thank you," she said with a smile on her face. Why wouldn't she smile after he had just saved her from his own brother and father. She ignored the mammoth of a man's gentle attempts to pull away and tugged him along like an excited teenage girl. "Daddy, I know you said I wasn't ready for the WWF but I have a plan. Would it be alright if I talked to you and Kane backstage?"

"Sure honey, whatever you want," a relieved Vince said with a smile at his daughter and a nervous glance at the big red machine she was holding onto. He held the ropes so that she could climb out between the top and middle rope and followed her to the steps as the man clad in red and black simply flipped himself over the rope to land on his feet.

Inside, Vince McMahon was shaking as he watched his baby girl grab the silent monster's arm and walk with him up the ramp. He really hoped this didn't come back to bite him in the ass.

"Let me get us started by saying, thank you Kane," Vince said as he sat on his couch hugging his daughter to him. The young girl was still bouncing between being ecstatic at being rescued from the hands of the Ministry of Darkness but also crying over the last twenty four hours and just what she had been forced to endure at the hands of the men who held her. "Even though Austin did come in at the last second it was you who fought off the Undertaker and the Ministry and helped free my daughter, I have the power to give you anything, anything you want just name it."

"Hold on a minute dad, I don't want to get side tracked," Stephanie spoke before the massive mute could ask for what he wanted. "Kane, I want to personally thank you for saving me and I have sort of a request, not just for me but for both of us," she said quickly. "You see, I want to get to know this business better and there is no place better to do so then at ring side. Now, I know the ins and outs of the corporate side of things and with you, daddy and mom helping me, I think me and Kane can help each other out. I-I want to manage Kane's career while having him serve as my bodyguard."

The big red machine had been standing silently near the wall watching the two but his eyes nearly bugged out of his head at the woman's request. He certainly didn't mind the idea of being a bodyguard but having a McMahon in his corner could do a lot for him, much more than his traitorous father had done. Paul had simply wanted him to destroy his brother but he had eventually been betrayed by the man in favor of said brother. Looking from Stephanie who was looking back at him with a simple smile to her father who was chewing his bottom lip he shrugged his shoulders in answer.

"Well, I certainly see no reason why my baby girl can't manage who she wants to," Vince said in his gruff voice. "Its settled then, you'll protect my daughter and she'll see you to the very heights of the WWF. Now, as manager and wrestler, what can I name you in return for what you did tonight?"

"How about a title shot," Stephanie asked looking from her new client who looked interested, at least his eyes seemed to light up behind his mask, to her father. "I know there is a lot of power playing going on with the WWF Championship but what about the Intercontinental title? The Godfather just defeated Goldust last night and we can have a match on the 29th, the first episode of Smackdown! for the title."

"That's great, I'll make the necessary arrangements for the match and we'll get this whole thing going," the owner of the WWF said with a smile to his little girl. "I can just see it now, 'Acompanied to the ring by Stephanie McMahon, the Intercontinental Champion, Kane!' It will sell tickets like hotcakes," he said with a grin. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to go set up the match. Kane, you keep on eye on her until I return," Vince said with a chuckle as he moved out of his daughter's hug and walked toward the door. "I can see it now, this match will be one of the greatest, you'll see."

Kane watched as Vince shut the door and turned his attention back to the girl sitting on the couch. Something in all this didn't add up and he just couldn't seem to latch onto what it was. His long hair fell in front of his mask as he thought about the way things were going. Sadly his thoughts were interrupted by his new manager.

"Kane, I know you and X-pac have been getting close but I'm worried about that," Stephanie said with a sad look on her face. "I know you think he's your friend but remember what happened between you and Chyna just recently? They are all friends of Triple H and I don't doubt he has something planned, he is in my brother's Corporation after all. So, for now, lets forget about the tag team titles and just focus on singles gold, alright?"

The big man was as silent as ever but a slow nod confirmed he was willing to trust the bosses daughter.

"Great, well," she paused looking down at the black dress she was wearing, "I suppose if I'm going to be your manager I should look a bit more grown up. I really want to get this dress off though so could you please step outside and keep anyone from coming in?"

With another nod, Kane stepped toward the door and out into the corridor and listened as the door locked itself shut. Crossing his arms he stood defiantly, his whole frame taking up the door space as he watched for anyone to intrude. His mismatched eyes hadn't been on the look out for long when he saw the man formerly known as the Giant approaching. The taller and heavier superstar was still holding his shoulder from where the masked wrestler's brother had clubbed him with the baseball bat.

"Hey," the Big Show said as he drew up next to the red and black clad man and sighed. "Thanks for helping out there. If you hadn't come to the ring who knows how long those guys would have kept up on me. You beat the bad guys and you saved the girl, a real hero." He paused as he looked at the name on the door Kane was standing in front of. "I guess you aren't quite ready to leave her side yet, can't say I blame you. But here, from one big man to another, good job out there," the world's largest athlete said as he held out his hand.

Kane looked at the frying pan sized hand held out to him and after a long moment reached out to shake it. He wasn't sure why but he felt as though something in the air had shifted as he grasped the Big Show's hand and shook it.

The door behind him suddenly opened and Stephanie stood behind Kane looking at the clasped handshake between the two giant men. "Oh, wow, this is a momentous occasion," she said with a smile. "Big Show, I wanted to thank you for your part in rescuing me as well and if you see Ken, tell him I want to thank him as well. I'm also letting you know that as of just tonight I will be Kane's new manager so all matches will have to be agreed to by me but I'll be sure to talk to him about them."

"That's alright Miss McMahon, I wasn't challenging him," Big Show said as he let go of the slightly shorter man's hand. "I was thinking though, with our size we could make an awesome tag team. Right now a bunch of us are talking about creating a Union to go against the Corporation and the Ministry, Ken says he's in. Test and Mick Foley are still debating but I think you and Kane would be great as members as well. It could really give us a leg to stand on with Shane's sister and Undertaker's brother helping to lead the charge."

"I-I know that Shane didn't come to my rescue but I'm not so certain about really going against him," Stephanie's voice was timid as she spoke. "However, if you ever need our help against the Ministry we'll definitely throw our weight behind you. Right now though, I need to get out of the arena and Kane will be coming with me," she said shyly to the big man who had stepped to the side so they could see each other. "I need to try on some new outfits if I'm going to be a manager, and I want Kane's approval," she blushed.

Kane shrugged at the awed look on Big Show's face and stepped aside letting Stephanie walk in front of him. Her cashmere sweater and jeans hanging baggy off her body as they made their way to his dressing room so he could pick up his bag. Kane didn't see the big deal as he followed the young woman down the hall. So, she was going to be buying clothes, what purpose did that serve him? The silent juggernaut quickly grabbed his bag and followed Stephanie into the parking lot where they would head to the hotel. She was babbling on about him getting a room beside hers, but he didn't care. He had done what he thought was right and had gotten a title match for it, that was all he needed.

Smackdown! Pilot Episode: April 29th 1999

Walking into Smackdown, well, Kane had a much different opinion on his priorities. He had spent the last two days with Stephanie McMahon and after the first hour of watching her shop and model the clothing she had planned for her debut as his manager, he had a major change of heart then he had leaving Raw. All he could think of was that Vince's Princess had made a habit of teasing him that day as she modeled clothing that he was certain that she wouldn't have picked up off the rack if her father had been present.

Yesterday he had gone to the gym to train for the upcoming match against the Godfather for the Intercontinental title. He had lifted weights and done some pushups and sit ups but that didn't seem to sit well with his new manager. She was talking about getting him a trainer of all things, someone who could loosen him up and make him move a bit easier. He didn't really mind the idea of more training and different types of work outs that it would bring about, he knew he was stiff in the ring and it had brought him several defeats in the past.

"Stephanie, there you are," the voice of the WWF owner said as he approached the two of them. His dark eyes almost seemed to narrow as he took in the red cashmere sweater she wore with her black skirt and pumps that as obviously modeled after the man standing beside her. Vince had arrived with a squad of security guards wearing black pants and polo shirts, their batons fit tightly to their sides. "I had to hire some extra protection for tonight, not-not because I don't think Kane isn't up to the task but you never know with so many people about and I want to give a speech to start off this show, the Inaugural episode of Smackdown!"

"That's fine daddy, I'm sure Kane doesn't mind," the woman said happily as she glanced at the seven foot tall silent soldier beside her. "Kane has been the utmost gentleman for the past few days and I don't mind if he accompanies us down to the ring for tonight."

"That's fine, I would like him to come as well," Vince said with a grin to his daughter before taking her hand. "Come on, we don't have much time."

There was no music as the group made their way down to the ring to start off the first Smackdown! in history. The security guards remained beside the ramp as Kane climbed over the top rope before turning back to the ramp and placing one foot on the middle rope and pulling up on the top rope to allow Stephanie and Vince through. He watched as Vince quickly moved across the ring to get his microphone but remained standing next the ropes, in between the ramp and the young woman he was charged with protecting.

"I'm extremely proud to be standing here before you tonight," Vince began to address the crowd, "but I'm even prouder to be standing here beside my daughter." He was all smiles even as the crowd began to chant the word 'Asshole' toward him. "That's true, I admit, I have been one of those in the past.
However, as of this moment I vow to change my ways! To start, I'd like to take this moment to thank Ken Shamrock who ran out to help my daughter on Monday night. I'd also like to thank the Big Show in his attempts to break up that unholy wedding as well as Stone Cold Steve Austin. But, I suppose my biggest thanks will go to this big red machine standing in the ring with us, Kane, who freed my daughter and fought his own brother for her freedom. Thank you Kane."

Kane turned his head from the ramp to look at the father and daughter duo for a brief moment before turning back to the ramp without giving anymore of a reaction to the comment.

Stephanie gently reached out and took the microphone from her father. "I also would like to thank Ken Shamrock, the Big Show and Stone Cold for rushing the ring to try and help me on Monday night. However, my biggest thank you must be for you, Kane. You saved me from the Undertaker and Paul Bearer and you even agreed to be my bodyguard and for the last few days I have been safer than I have ever felt before, thank you."

The big red machine turned to the woman who he had agreed to be his manager and watched her as she continued to speak.

"I was taken against my will, stripped of my clothes and dressed in a black gown for an unholy wedding," she said with a disgusted sneer, not noticing Kane's hands clench at the mention of her being stripped. "I have never felt so powerless and violated in all my life. The Undertaker, he kept-he kept touching me and whispering in my ear how I was his, his to do with however he saw fit. So Kane," she said reaching forward and taking his hand in hers, "thank you, from the bottom of my heart and my soul, thank you, and Undertaker, Undertaker I hope you burn in Hell."

Kane's head whipped toward the Titantron as the words 'No Chance', echoed throughout the arena. His eyes narrowed as he watched Shane McMahon, Triple H, Chyna, the Mean Street Posse and the Big Boss Man begin to make their way down the ramp. He moved to block their path when it was clear the security wasn't going to do their jobs but the soft hand in his own pulled him back. Confused he turned to Stephanie who only gave him a sad smile and shook her head before pulling him to stand beside her and her father.

"First of all," Shane began as his eyes were locked onto his fathers, "what are you doing here? You know what, never mind I don't even want to hear it. I have to address one thing, last Monday night when the Undertaker abducted Stephanie did you not think that myself or the whole Corporation would have stepped in to save her, my own flesh and blood, if anything bad would have happened?" His eyes turned to his sister as spit flew from his lip, "Do you think I wouldn't have been there for you? What type of human being do you think I am?"

"What kind of human being do I think you are, Shane," Vince asked with raised eyebrows. "I think your the type-"

"Shut your mouth. That's enough out of you, I don't even want to hear it anymore," the black haired heir snapped at his father. "All of a sudden, Vince McMahon is out here apologizing for how you used to run business? What happened to the most ruthless tyrant in the world? You suddenly grow a conscious over night? Then, I hear you thanking Stone Cold? You, thanking that- you know that made me so nauseous that I nearly threw up in the back?" Shane licked his lips and straightened his tie as he stared down his father.

"You know to steal a line from Stone Cold. I don't give a rats ass about daddy's little girl, I don't give a rat's ass about Stone Cold, and I don't give a rat's ass about you," he said thrusting his finger into Vince's face.

"Well maybe you should give a rat's ass about this," the company owner demanded as he stepped toward his son. The movement was blocked by the equally tall combination of Triple H and Chyna but Kane moved as well, stepping in front of Stephanie and causing the two to suddenly jump back with their hands in the air.

"Whoa whoa, easy big fella, no ones out here trying to bust your chops," Shane said as he nervously looked from his sister's new bodyguard back to his father. He watched as Vince and Stephanie did their best to calm the suddenly ready to fight monster and for once cursed his underlings for jumping in without really thinking about it. "You better step back Vince, in fact you better keep your attitude out of my face before I slap the wrinkles out of yours. Now you can get to steppin', and you can take your little girl and that huge freak with you," he demanded. "This is my show and I'm running things here."

"You know Shane, maybe one day you'll be a man but right now," Vince said leaning into his son's face, "you are just a petulant little boy."

"Well let Wonder Boy show you the way out," the WWF heir said motioning to the ramp. "Corporation escort them out of my ring."

Kane was as quiet as ever as he stepped between Stephanie and Shane McMahon's old running buddies from Connecticut as they moved to leave the ring. His masked face didn't look away from the group until after Vince had crawled through the ropes following his daughter and then finally he let himself out of the ring as well.

"There it is, there they go," Shane's voice boomed over the microphone. "How about everyone give Vince and his little girl a hand," he mocked watching his father take his sisters hand as the security fell in line around them. "Why don't you go back, get into your limo and go home? You'll be there in about thirty five minutes and you can watch the rest of Smackdown! at home on your television!"

The big red machine hated that sad look on the young woman's face as her brother mocked her. If it wasn't for the security and his own match later that night he probably would have gone back into the ring and tombstoned every member of the Corporation right then and there.

"Come on, Steph, lets go home before anything else happens tonight," the elder McMahon said as they crossed through the gorilla into the backstage area. "You don't need to put up with this. Your brother is just being a jackass and I'm sure by the end of the night he'll step on someone's toes that he ought not to."

"But, I can't leave dad," Stephanie reminded her father as she came to a stop in the middle of the corridor. "I'm supposed to be ringside during Kane's match against the Godfather. I can't exactly do my job if I'm at home on the couch, and Kane can't do one of his jobs if he has to choose between his duties as a bodyguard or as a wrestler."

"Damn it, fine, you can stay long enough for Kane's match but then we are going home," Vince demanded as he looked at his daughter who was still near tears from the things that Shane had said to her just minutes ago. Turning his attention to the monster standing beside his daughter he poked the bigger man in the chest with his finger. "Kane, I don't want a slow knock out brawl of a match. I want you to destroy the Godfather and get it over with quickly so we can get back home."

"You know what, I don't care about the card," Vince continued with his face growing red. "Kane, you go out there right now and I'll announce the start of the match. Let the Godfather worry about making it to the ring in time."

Kane nodded before he turned and felt Stephanie's hand on his arm as he began to make his way back to the gorilla. His eyes narrowed as he saw the last few members of the Corporation trickle out from behind the heavy curtain and make their way to their lounge room. Stephanie jogged a head of him and almost bounced on her toes next to the thinner curtain leading to the stage as Kane made his way back out to the ring,

The lights in the arena flickered off as the sound of his music, Burned, began to play. The curtain of fire erupted from the stage as Kane moved out onto the ramp, Stephanie following him as he made his way to the ring. He could see the announcer in the squared circle looking confused with the microphone in hand before his finger flew to his ear for a brief moment and he raised the microphone to his mouth, announcing the Intercontinental match and Kane's personal stats.

It took several minutes after Kane had entered the ring, Stephanie standing just in front of the announcer's table clapping for him before the Godfather's music struck. "Come get on the Ho Train," the lyrics started and the massive man walked out onto the stage. He was dressed in a fur coat dyed to resemble cow leather with his cornrows dangling behind his head with little beads woven in underneath a fur cap. He was wearing a green vest and black pants beneath his fur coat and was coming down to the ring, dancing and partying with a small band of escorts that he had found around the city accompanying him.

The big red machine paced the far side of the ring as he waited for the man to hand off his coat, hat and pimp cane to the escorts that would line his side of the ring before the two men faced off. The bell was rung and they both moved forward, their hands gripping each others shoulders as they locked up in the middle of the ring. It seemed like no time before Kane's arms bent and he straightened them out again, pushing the Godfather against the ropes before driving the bottom of his boot into the man's face and sending him to the mat.

The bigger man wasted little time before he ran at the ropes, bouncing off of them again and came back jumping into the air and driving his elbow down to wear the Godfather had been, only to miss as the self styled pimp rolled out of the way. He almost screamed as his weight came down on his elbow, driving it into the plywood beneath the mat. Groaning he rolled back onto his feet and almost instantly met with a clothesline that sent him stumbling back. He glared as he watched the fellow wrestler run back to the ropes to attempt another clothesline but ducked the attack, grabbed the man around the waist and carried him into a sidewalk slam that had the Godfather's entire front meeting the hard ring beneath them.

Both men climbed back onto their feet at roughly the same time and the two began trading blows in the middle of the ring. Rights went back and forth before the Godfather's quicker speed got the better of Kane and began driving him back into the ropes. A quick whip sent Kane running across the ring and into the ropes before he started running back toward the pimped out wrestler only to jump at the last minute and connect against his opponent with a flying clothesline that sent him into a roll that nearly sent him beneath the bottom rope and out of the ring.

Kane climbed back to his feet and hauled his opponent to his feet before whipping him into the turnbuckle. He quickly followed up by running the big man down and slamming into him with all his weight. Again he grabbed the Godfather's arm and whipped him into the opposite turnbuckle before charging after him and slamming into him again. He stepped back and raised his gloved right hand into the air as the as the Godfather slowly turned around and grabbed him by the neck. He had to grab a hold of the other man's belt and bend his knees to lift the pimp off the ground but once he had him up it was child's play and gravity that let him slam the man into the ring hard enough for the structure to rattle.

Dropping to his knees, he covered the Godfather for the pin and heard the referee's hand come down.

1...

2...

...3.

Kane rose to his feet in time to meet the brunette daughter of the McMahon family as she slammed into his midsection for a hug. His head drooped to the side as he watched for a long minute before his arms tentatively moved to just fall across her back.

"You did it, Kane! You did it," Stephanie shouted to him as the referee brought him the Intercontinental title, the black and gold belt that was the second highest prize in the business. Holding it in his hands Kane lifted the belt for the crowd and listened to them cheer, never seeing the smile behind his mask before he brought down his arms, summoning the very fires of Hell as they flew through the ring posts and launched into the air as Burned began to play once again.

Rather than hold onto the belt himself, he let his new manager, the beautiful young woman drape the belt over her shoulder as he held the ropes open for her before flipping out of the ring. Their first night together as manager and wrestler and he had managed to attain gold already. Maybe, just maybe, working for Stephanie would turn out better for him than it had when he worked for her father.

Author's Note: Hello Wrestling Fans! I too am a wrestling fan, my favorite being Kane since I started watching WWF/E back in 1998 though the Undertaker comes a close second and Stone Cold and the Rock follow. This story is a What If story, as in What if Kane wasn't teaming with X-pac and had saved Stephanie McMahon from the Black Wedding. Well, now you have a Kane with a young and impressionable Stephanie McMahon (Kayfabe), as his manager and he'll be going through the WWF/E with a McMahon in his corner.

This of course will change some things but others will stay the same. What how and why, well you'll just have to stay tuned to find out!