Chapter 1

John Cena, a young 23 year old who, for the 1st time sets foot into a WWE arena as a wrestler. He's spent the past 5 years in the indies, honing his craft while going to college. He walks alone, carrying his bags with him while wearing the OVW Heavyweight Title around his waist. He's never really cared for the belt; he's always seen it as a stepping stone to what he really wants, the WWE Championship, but he wears it with pride to represent the brand that got him where he's at now.

He was told that he was being partnered up with someone else from OVW, that they'd be coming up together, but Vince conveniently left out who. He hopes it's Montel Porter, he's the only guy John's ever been able to get along with. For the most part, everyone else who he had to deal with while he was there were assholes, especially that Dave Bautista guy.

John looks over and sees the catering section, his mouth begins to water as he sees it. He hasn't had a decent meal in quite awhile, being on the road so much, you don't always eat as healthy as you should. He runs over & grabs a table, putting his stuff down on it so people know someone is there, before walking over & grabbing a plate. He starts piling food onto it, as much as he can get, stacking item after item to create a small tower of food. As he sits down, he hears a familiar voice coming from behind him, "You haven't changed at all John. Still wolfin' down food like you ain't ate in a week!" John turns around & sees Montel standing behind him.

He stands up in surprise & swallows the piece of chicken in his mouth before exclaiming, "Montel! What's up man? What the hell are you doing here?". Montel smiles & says, "You didn't hear? We're tag partners again bro! Just like back in OVW! We're gonna run this shit man!" A look of excitement comes onto John's face. "Yes! I was hoping it was you man! I wasn't sure who they were gonna partner me up with! They didn't tell me nothin'!" The two of them walk off, talking about how great things are gonna be for them.

Later that night, John & MVP have an interview, introducing themselves to the world. Todd Grisham is standing there interviewing them, "So, we've heard some interesting things about the 2 of you. Anything you'd like to tell the world?" MVP grabs the mic, "Step off punk, this is Montel Vontavious Porter; the WWE's newest MVP. That's right folks, forget HHH. Forget HBK. The initials you need to know are M-V-P.". He passes the mic over to John, "And this is the fire-spittin', hard-hittin' Doctor of Thugonomics! Don't worry though, before you start thinking that's my name; it's not! My name's John Cena! Learn it, cuz if you don't on your own, I'll make you learn it. Now then, before we get to steppin', there's something else we've got to say. We are putting every champion on notice. I don't care if you're the WWE Champ or the Women's Champ, your title reign is gonna come to a close. Very, VERY soon." John drops the mic & the 2 of them walk away. J.R.'s voice calls out to the television audience, "That's strong words coming from a very strong young man. We'll see if he can keep that promise.", then Lawler responds, "How is he going to capture the Women's Championship J.R.? He's not keeping a secret in those pants is he?". John hears this, thinking to himself, "You don't know how close you are King.".

Later that night, John has a nightmare in his hotel room. He's back in Boston, he's 16 again. He's in his old black '76 Dodge Charger, speeding on an abandoned stretch of road. "I only got a few minutes left before it starts, I need to hurry!" John speeds up, not wanting to be late. He brakes a moment later, skidding into a patch of dirt with a lot of cars parked nearby. He grabs a helmet & puts it on before turning off his car & getting out. As John steps out, he can tell all eyes are on the jerk-off who just kicked up dirt everywhere. In fact, as he scans the area, he can only see 1 person who isn't paying any attention to him, his brother Mike. No one knows who he is, and he wants it to stay that way. He's not here for recognition, he's here to make money for the family.

*FLASH!*

The dream skips ahead to when Mike confronts John about being there. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE JOHN!", Mike screams in his little brother's face. "Come on Mike! You get to be in the derby, why can't I? I'm just as good as you are.", John replies. Mike sighs & looks at his little brother, John can see the anger in his big brother's eyes, but they need the money and John thinks that the two of them in it will give them a better chance to win it.

"Johnny, I have to do this. I'm not making enough at the bar, Mom & Dad aren't making enough either. WE aren't making enough, so I have to do this bro. You have a life ahead of you John. I see you, the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you run down that field when you're playing football, you've got something special inside you.". Mike grabs John & looks at him, "John, the only reason you're doing this is because you already signed up. I couldn't get you out if I tried. Now you stay close to me & don't get too crazy out there, you've gotta stay in 1 piece.". John nods & Mike lets him go. As John walks to his car, Mike calls back to him, "John! I was never good in school, I don't have much ahead of me but a life of fixing cars. You've got a chance for a really good life, don't you screw it up here!". John smiles, Mike's never been very good at expressing his emotions, but John knew that Mike was thinking that he loved his little brother, & John loved his big brother too.

*FLASH!*

Now the dream is showing a demolition derby; cars smashing into one another, glass flying & even some of the cars catch on fire. Near the end, John's car gets hit & stalls out. He can't get it to start, the other drivers sense a weak car & decide to pounce on it; taking out a part of the competition. The last 2 line up, hoping to take out John; not caring if it's for good. They rev their engines as John frantically tries to start his car; hoping, praying that for even a minute it'll run. The other drivers speed towards John's Charger, 1 on either side, looking to smash the car between them.

Mike quickly pulls in next to John as the other drivers collide into John & Mike's cars. The impact on Mike was brutal, his seatbelt snapped under the pressure of holding Mike's massive frame & sent him flying through the passenger side window, John's window & the passenger side window of John's car; glass cutting his body harshly as he flew, battering John in the face accidently as he tried to stop himself. He lands on the hood of 1 of the other drivers, body crumpled before falling off onto the ground. Besides getting hit in the face by his brother's hands & feet, John had a long piece of glass embedded into his right arm while smaller shards were sticking out of his wrists. John stumbles out of the car, going over to his brother who is now on the ground. The driver looked at him before driving off to collect his prize as the last one left.

"Mikey?l". The only sound John heard was the dying of the engines & the distant squeal as the winner pulled a few donuts. "MIKE! SAY SOMETHING, PLEASE!", John begged as tears ran down his face, "YOU CAN'T DIE MIKE! I NEED YOU! THE FAMILY NEEDS YOU! DON'T GO!". Mike's eyes open & he pulls his brother close, he whispers so softly John can barely hear him, but he still knows what he's saying, "John, this is why I didn't want you here. Shit like this happens everyday, you shouldn't have to see this, you're too young. Promise me Johnny, promise me you'll have a better life for yourself than I did.".

John pulls away & looks at Mike, screaming, "NO MIKE! YOU'LL BE OK! STOP TALKING LIKE THIS DAMNIT!" Mike grabs John's pant leg & pulls him down, grabbing him by the shirt & talking with almost a growl he says, "Don't be fucking stupid John, I'm going to die here. I risked my life for you, so you better goddamn promise me that you'll work your hardest for a great life & you'll never settle for what you've got. PROMISE ME JOHN!" Mike coughs loudly, spitting blood onto the ground. John nods quietly, "Ok Mike, I promise. I'll work hard, I'll have a good life, I swear it.", John says sobbingly.

John sits up, awake & crying in the dark. He turns on the light & takes off his wristbands before pulling down his armband. He looks at the massive scar on his right arm from the glass & the smaller scars on his wrists. "I'm keeping my promise Mike. I'll never stop, I'll make you proud." , John thinks to himself as he pulls the bands back to where they belong.