Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the WWE or its superstars. The only thing I own is my original character. This is a complete work of fiction.


Fanning the Flames

Chapter 9


Raw: Two Weeks later…

Raven

I entered the Raw arena feeling incredibly defeated and a little embarrassed. I couldn't help but be haunted by Team Hell No's title rematch. It had been a week and still I could see it so clearly.

Kane and Roman both were crawling towards their respective ring corners. Daniel and Seth got the hot tags and dove into the ring. After a few minutes of fighting for dominance, Seth found himself groggy in the corner. Daniel ran at Seth readying himself for his flying knee to the Shield member's face. He missed and the ducking Seth struck him before bumping into the referee, knocking him over. Roman was practically salivating at the gained opportunity. He looked around waiting to make his move. I was so focused about what was happening within the ropes that I hadn't noticed where Dean was.

"Today isn't your day, Sweetheart," he chuckled with his raspy voice. I turned to glare a him.

"Why don't you bite me? You are such a stup-" Without warning I felt a metal bracelet envelope my wrist. Handcuffs! He attached the other cuff to the bottom rope.

"Don't tempt me," he said before walking away.

"God damn it, Dean! Let me out of these!" I yelled yanking my wrist desperately. "You're a bastard!"

The ref was coming to and due to Roman's interference, Seth had Daniel covered. Kane tried to dive into the ring but was stopped by Dean driving a chair into the back off the Big Red Machine's knees. He dropped off the apron and onto the ground. The ref didn't even see it.

1...2...3

I let out a scream.

It was humiliating. I had to be sawed out of those stupid handcuffs as Kane and Daniel argued in the ring. We looked completely unraveled. Even a week's worth of time hadn't done much to improve my mood….especially when Smack down played replays of the ordeal.

I entered Team Hell No's locker room. It was silent despite the fact that both of the boys were in the room. It was strange and almost uncomfortable. I knew I had to do something because the morale in this locker room was in desperate need of a boost. Losing the titles AND the rematch was really tough on them…and me.

"What's the plan, Rave?" Kane asked quietly, sitting down next to me.

"Why do you think I have a plan?"

"Because you always have a plan," he said with a soft chuckle. I smiled.

"I have a plan…it's a long shot though. But…it might just work."

"At this point we are willing to do whatever it takes to get back to being champions…" He said seriously.

"Okay."

"Whatever you want to do, do it!"

I nodded, already knowing exactly what I wanted to do. It was all I'd thought about since our defeat one week prior. I just needed to put it to action and hope for the best.


The show was nearly twenty minutes in by the time I'd stolen a camera guy and brought him back to the Team Hell No locker room.

"Alright boys, it's show time!" I announced.

"Uh… what exactly are we doing? Did you schedule us a match or anything?" Daniel asked scratching his beard.

"Nope. We are filming a little video for the Shield. It's obvious that playing this nobly wont work and getting involved physically in their matches doesn't get us anywhere. We used up our rematch already and they aren't obligated to give us another one…"

"You think the video will get them to give us one?" Kane questioned.

"If we play our cards right. We're going all in here, boys. All or nothing."

"Okay, I'm in."

"Me too," D-Bry agreed. "You do the talking, Rave."

"I planned on it…are you boys ready?" I asked as they each stood on one side of me.

"It's now or never."

I took a deep breath and looked at the camera. I gave him the signal to start filming.

"I stand before you a woman that can admit defeat. However we weren't defeated last week nor were we at Extreme Rules. The record books may say Team Hell no have lost but we are far from it. The Shield are cowards…they aren't capable of winning solely based on merit. They only can succeed through number advantages and cheating. It's truly despicable. Seth, Roman…if you are the competitors you say you are, you'll put your money where your mouth is. If you're willing to give Team them a rematch, we'll make you a deal. If we lose, Team Hell No wont challenge for the titles for the remainder of your reign. The ball is in your court, Shield."


We sat and waited and waited for a reply from the three in men in black. The anticipation was killing me. If they turned us down, that was it…we'd have to re-earn our spot as number one contenders. I knew that it could be a long time until they could get another shot.

The show came back from commercial and a shaky handed camera view came across the screen. All three Shield members came into view. I felt myself breathe in sharply.

"Team Hell No…wow…just wow. You boys better keep your woman on a leash. We all know she's having you bite off more than you can chew…" Dean hissed.

"We've kicked your asses twice when the belts were on the line. We have no doubt that we can do it again," Roman added stoically.

"We'd love to have you freaks out of our hair for good. But we have a problem…the offer you put out just wasn't good enough for us," Seth spat with a smug grin.

"Luckily for you guys and little Miss Raven, we are giving you a counter offer. Tonight, per Vickie Guerrero, there will be a contract signing. You show up, we'll tell you our offer and you can take it or leave it….See you soon…" Dean rasped with a hint of a smile on his lips.

I released the breath I hadn't really been aware I was holding. I felt a little disheartened. They hadn't jumped at the offer as I'd hoped they would.

"Wow, guess we've got ourselves a date," D-Bry joked about the signing.

"You guys aren't mad?"

"No! Of course not, Raven. You're trying. At least they are going to negotiate. That's already more than I thought they would give us. Take pride in that," Kane said putting his arm around me and giving me a little, reassuring squeeze.

"Oh alright. I just have a bad feeling about what they are going to ask you guys for. I mean, this deal can't be good!" I spoke quietly, a little paranoid.

"If it's outrageous, we walk away. We'll earn another shot the ol' fashioned way!" Daniel insisted.

"Okay, we just got to prepare ourselves for this confrontation. You know WWE contract signings never go smoothly without incident."

"You're absolutely right, Rave, but don't worry. We are so ready for this. Besides, what can they ask for that would be all that bad. If it's a stipulation… we do it…simple as that. What kind of stipulation would be bad enough to not go through with the match? I can't think of one," Daniel said eagerly.

"You're right…we've got this…You know what, I'm going to go on a quick walk to get focused. I'll meet you at the curtain?"

"Sounds good," Kane said with a knowing smirk. I took a lot of walks before big events. It calmed me a little bit.


I walked the halls for awhile. Unintentionally, I got a little lost in my own thoughts. I was brought back to reality as I heard my name yelled out after me.

"Raven! Raven!" I turned around to see the dashing Viper coming towards me.

"Oh hey, Stranger."

"Hi. On another one of your walks?"

"No!"

"Liar. I saw you pass by my locker room door three times in the past ten minutes," he said calling me out.

"Okay, fine! I'm nervous!" I admitted.

"It's okay to be nervous. You're up against the Shield. You can't be sure if you can trust them or not. You know they wont attack you, maybe Kane and Daniel, but not you."

"That's what I'm worried about. Who cares if they are number one contenders or not if they can't compete!"

"That's a valid point," he said with a chuckle. "Just be on guard. Trust yourself, have faith in those misfits you call a team." I smiled. He always thought I was crazy for managing the mismatched duo despite the complete success they've been.

"If you insist."

"Now take a big breath and get to that signing! You've got this," he assured me as he enveloped me in a big hug.

"Thank you, Randy," I said grateful for the pep talk. My former beau really had a knack for calming my neurotic behavior at times.

"No, problem. Be safe out there!"

"I'll try."


Soon it was game time. Vickie made her way out to the ring, microphone in hand. She stopped perpendicular to the big signing table. We were up next. I took a breath and our music began. The three of us walked down the ramp with determination flowing through our veins. We dipped into the ring and approached the table, waiting for the dastardly trio to emerge. They left the entire arena in suspense for a minute before they joined the festivities. The Shield sauntered all the way down the stairs, being pestered by row after row of fans. After jumping the black barricade, they crawled into the ring. Dean had a mocking smirk on his face. Just seeing it sent a shiver down my spine. They had something awful up their sleeves, I just knew it.

"Alright, guys. We're here! What do you want from us?" I asked impatiently.

"Hold up, Little girl!" Vickie interrupted. "This is my show. I am in control. Do you understand me?"

"Oh yes, mamn! I really, really do. Have at it, Vick!" I spat rudely. She glared at me.

"Alright. So this contract states that a tag team title match will commence at Payback on Sunday! If Team Hell No wins, they become the champions. If the Sh-" She was interrupted by Dean grabbed the microphone.

"I've got this. If Seth and Roman win, Team Hell No gets no more title shots AND…well, remember this is a take it or leave it situation….no more negotiation…"

"Will you just spit it out."

"Fine. If they win, Raven joins the Shield…." he said smugly. He tapped the contract on the table sarcastically.

My heart began beating a million beats a minute. I looked over at Daniel and then to Kane. Each of the men shook their heads no. Looks of disapointment on their faces. Both of the Shield members participating, signed the contract one after another. They looked over at us methodically. None of this made any sense! Why would the Shield want this? Were they trying to make a ridiculous stipulation hoping we'd flake out? I had no idea.

I grabbed Kane and Daniel and pulled them backwards for us to talk away from the Shield's earshot.

"Nope! No way!" Daniel said pacing a little.

"We can't do this. We don't want to be champions that bad. We can earn another shot another way!" Kane said determined.

"But I th-" I tried to interject but got interrupted.

"You're right. Let's go!" Daniel said suddenly. Kane began to follow him. I began to do the same. I was halfway underneath the rope when I stopped and reversed back into the ring. I marched back to the table and snatched the contract off of it. I aggressively signed the contract in the Team Hell No space. As their manager, my signature was just as binding as theirs. I knew they would never put up my management contract. If it was happening, it'd have to be my doing. Kane and Daniel ran back into the ring, shocked at what I'd done.

"See you Sunday," I growled to our enemies. The Shield's jaws dropped to the floor in surprise. They thought they'd deterred us. They thought they'd won. But I was going to show them not to mess with Raven Stone!

"Oh we're going to have so much fun with you, sweetheart!" Dean sneered.

Suddenly Team Hell No had lost it. They attacked the Shield ferociously. Soon the five men were all tangled up. It took seconds of Vickie screaming for help to get a stampede of referees from the back to break up the mess.

Kane and Daniel were released first and we all walked up the ramp. All I could think about was how crazy this all is. If things got this out of hand tonight, I could only imagine how out control things could get on Sunday with so much on the line…


Thank you for taking the time to check out my newest story. Keep on reading to see what Raven gets herself into and see more of the Shield! Feel free to leave me some reviews and feedback!