"So Lucky, why don't we use Puppet Eyes?" Wade Barrett said sternly.
"Because it leaves me vunerable and it's not worth the pain." Star recited.
"And you're not going to do it again, are you?" Wade pressed.
"No Wade." Star replied.
"Good." Wade smiled, patting Star on the head. The rest of the Nexus breathed sighs of relief. "Now, I have a match against Randy Orton and Evan Bourne tonight, and I need a tag team partner."
The rest of the Nexus sat up. Star felt a twinge of hope. Would he pick her? He always picked her. They'd always fought side-by-side, back in Europe, back in NXT...
"John, you're it." Wade said. Star swallowed back anger. Why JOHN?! It wasn't fair! SHE was Wades right hand! SHE was Wades best lieutenant! SHE was Wades BEST FRIEND!
She retreated to the corner of the locker room to sulk while Wade and his new pet John headed out to the ring.
Looks like you're not flavour of the month anymore.
Shut up. Wade and I have been best friends for years. It's going to take more than John "I'm so good" Cena to get in the way of that.
Best friends?! You are nothing more than his pet, and now he has a new pet. He doesn't need you anymore. He'll probably put you up in a poker game next.
Star shuddered, remembering the night that her old master had put her up as a wager in a poker game in Budapest. She'd been dragged out of her case (I never EVER want to be in a packing container ever again!) in barely any clothing and forced to stand in front of the poker players, who leered at her. It had been a cold, cold night, and she had shivered all through the game. Finally, her old master was forced to remove her shock collar and shove her towards the three men who had won her.
Wade wouldn't do that to me. He promised. He said he'd never leave me, ever.
And you REALLY believe him? Look at how he treats everyone. He manipulates, he lies, he plays the game better than anyone.
I'm different!
Oh really?
Star hated having these thoughts about her beloved Wade, but they persisted. Ever since David Otunga had said those things to her, she'd been forced to confront the fact that Wade might not have her best interests at heart as he claimed. It shook her, the thought that she had spent the past seven years putting her faith in someone who wanted to hurt her, just like her old master did.
"Hey Star, Justin and I got you some honey!" Heath handed Star a pot of honey, complete with a nice big chunk of honeycomb in the centre.
"Thanks guys." Star smiled. Her two friends sat either side of her, helping her devour the entire contents of the jar as the group watched Wade and John go up against Randy and Evan on the monitor.
"Is there something going on between Randy and John?" Star spoke up, noticing the tension between the two Superstars.
"Y'know, that's a good question, we should ask John when he gets back." Heath said.
"Do we REALLY want to know though?" Justin asked.
The three friends thought for a second.
"Nah."
They continued to eat the honey.
"Do you guys really think Wade is just using me?" Star asked.
Justin and Heath looked uncomfortable.
"I really don't know Star." Justin said finally. "It really does look like it, but maybe Wade just doesn't know how to show you that he cares."
"Honest?" Star asked.
"Why don't you ask him?" Heath asked. "I bet you could tell if he was lying."
"Well..." Star sighed.
"Things will work out." Heath patted her back.
"Yeah, and if they don't, just beat people up until they do." Justin grinned.
Star giggled.
Meanwhile, John Cena had gotten Wade Barrett pinned in a completely avoidable mix-up. Wade was furious.
Should've picked me. Star smirked.
–
"JOHN!" Wade Barrett commanded.
"Yes Wade?" John Cena asked.
"Think fast." Wade shoved John into the pool, causing the rest of the Nexus to laugh.
They were hanging out by the hotel pool after chasing off the rest of the patrons, most of them members of the WWE Universe. John hated himself for doing that to his fans, but he had no choice.
"You all right there John?" Star looked down at her fellow slave.
"Absolutely fine." John snapped. As jealous as she was, Star felt bad for John.
"He's a knob, but he really is a good man." Star helped John out of the pool as the rest of her team mates continued playing in the pool. Wade smirked at John, before starting up the BBQ for dinner.
"Wade, please, let someone who actually knows how to cook do that." Heath Slater stopped him. "You overcook everything."
"A good man huh?" John sat next to Star as Wade and Heath started arguing.
"Well, he's been good to me...mostly." Star shrugged. "He's better than my old master anyway."
"Your old master?" John asked.
"I was sold as a baby to a man who had an interest in young girls...and my eyes." Star looked away.
John felt bad.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring back any bad memories." He apologised.
"It's okay. Every time I think of the bad memories, I remember I have lots of good memories with Wade." Star smiled. "He saved my life."
"He did huh?" John leaned back. Star nodded.
"My old master lost me in a poker game to three blokes who wanted my eyes. I ran off and they chased me down an alley. Wade was walking past, and he put himself between me and a knife. He still has the scar." Star pointed to where Wade was trying to wrestle the tongs off Husky Harris, who along with Michael Micguillicutty had been admitted to the Nexus. John looked. Under Wades right arm was the scar. "Calls it his shark bite." Star giggled.
"Wow. Didn't think he had it in him." John raised an eyebrow. He DOES care about her! The English bastard is actually able to love someone other than himself!
The pieces were lining up in Johns head. Wade loved Star, plain as day. Star loved Wade, anyone could see that. Neither of them was going to admit it to the other, Wade because he was as proud as any Englishman and evil to boot, and Star because she didn't want to lose Wade.
What a pair of idiots. John wanted to laugh. It was hilarious and pathetic at the same time. Star was moping because she thought Wade didn't care about her when the opposite was true, and Wade was trying to keep his emotions in check for whatever stupid reason, whether it was because of his evil nature or because he knew how inappropriate his feelings for Star were. At least I have something to keep me amused while I'm suffering as a member of Nexus.
"He's a strange one." Star admitted. "Would you like a drink? I promise I won't throw it in your face."
John blinked.
"Sure. Just a cola for me please." He replied. Star got up and grabbed a pair of drinks, handing one to John.
John opened it cautiously. Not shaken up. John sipped his drink while Star told him about travelling around Europe by Wades side. John laughed at the number of brawls that Star had inadvertantly started due to her reluctance to be called a certain word, and had to marvel at the number of times her and Wade had survived a vicious beat down together, barely escaping in one piece.
"You should talk to Wade. You two would get along great." Star said as John finished off his drink.
"Um, Star? He's an antagonist, I'm a protagonist. He's evil, I'm good. I don't think we're designed to get along." John pointed out with a chuckle.
"It's worth a try." Star shrugged.
"John!" Wade called. Star growled in jealousy. "Go get the salads!"
"I'll go get them." Star put a hand on Johns shoulder.
"I said John, not Star!" Wade commanded. Star snarled as John got up.
"I'll sneak you a pot of honey." John whispered to her. Star sulked.
John shot Wade a dirty look, before getting the salads. True to his word, he snuck out a jar of honey for Star, who shot him a grateful look.
The Nexus started setting up for dinner. Wade didn't fail to notice that Star wasn't coming over and eating with them.
What's HER problem now?!
How long do you have?
SHUT. UP.
"Go get Star." Wade told Justin Gabriel. Justin walked over to where Star was sitting by herself.
"Wade wants you." Justin said. Star looked hopeful, and walked over to where Wade was.
"You will eat with us, and what have I told you about treats before dinner?" Wade confiscated the jar of honey. "Go sit with your friends."
Star slumped, before sitting between Justin and Heath. John sat to Wades right, provoking Stars jealousy again.
"Are you okay Star?" Justin rubbed her back.
"Why don't we ask Wade if you can come with us for a walk after dinner?" Heath suggested.
"No thanks." Star mumbled.
Meanwhile, Wade was bragging about winning season one of NXT.
"I think it was a bit of a disgrace that I had to use my Title Shot in a six-pack challenge, but I'm always ready to do what it takes to win." He said, making John want to vomit.
Hang on... Star started thinking.
–
"You will NOT be joining Team RAW at Bragging Rights." Wade Barrett told John Cena, who was pleading for permission. "I want you 100% focused on being in my corner for my WWE Title match."
"But Wade, I can do both!" John begged.
"You will do what I say, or you will be fired. This discussion is over." Wade said.
"Awww, poor wittle Johnnie." Miz taunted. "Daddy won't let him play with the big kids."
The men stood in the ring, the Miz having asked John nicely if he would join Team RAW. John had been about to accept, when Wade had intervened.
"You stay of out this." Wade snapped. Without warning, Miz and Alex Riley attacked!
John stood to the side, having not been commanded to defend his master yet. Wade did his best to hold off the attack, but it was pointless.
CRACK!
Star rushed out to the ring and leapt to her guardians defense, using Infinite Paralysis to deal with the two attackers. Wade got up, seeing the coast was clear, and immediately jumped down Johns throat.
"WHAT WAS THAT?! WHAT WAS THAT?!" Wade roared. "You belong to ME, Cena, and you will defend me or I will FIRE you!"
"I'm sorry Wade." John tried to look contrite. Wade growled.
"Thank goodness I have Lucky here." Wade put an arm around Star, who smirked. "She'll be in my corner, won't you Lucky?"
"Nope." Star grinned. Wade looked horrified.
"Excuse me?!" He looked between her and John, who was trying not to laugh.
"I cashed in my Title Shot as one of the winners of NXT. At Bragging Rights, I'm going up against my good friend Beth Phoenix for the Womens Championship." Star said, a great cheer going up from the fans. "Looks like you're stuck with your new pet John."
With that, Star dropped the mic and walked back to the locker room. John was nearly hyperventilating with trying not to laugh. Wade looked ropeable. STAR had turned on him?!
He stormed backstage after her.
"Explain." Wade seethed. Star blinked, trying not to be scared. No one could inspire fear in her quite like Wade could!
"I didn't think you needed me." She mumbled her response. "I'll throw the match and I'll be in your corner for your match."
Wade slumped.
"Don't do that Lucky." He sighed. "You go out there and you be the Nexus first Champion."
"You mean it?" Star looked up at him.
"Yeah, I mean it." Wade patted her shoulder awkwardly. "We'll be Champions together, eh?"
"Uh-huh!" Star tried to be enthusiastic, but anyone could tell it was put on. She sighed. "I'm going to go and train with Justin and Heath, they said they'd help me get ready."
"Great. Have fun and don't kill them." Wade tried to joke as he shooed her off.
You're losing her.
I know. Maybe it's for the best.
Yeah. She's a good kid. She's gonna be a great Champion.
Yeah.
Wade wandered around the arena, feeling like he was losing control of everything. David Otunga was undermining him at every turn, John Cena was trying at the best of times and now Star...
He wished he'd never formed the Nexus. He wished he'd never signed them up for NXT, he wished he'd never even heard of the WWE, he wished...no, he didn't wish that. He'd never wish that he'd never met Star. She truly was his best friend, his only friend.
And now because you can't man up and tell her how much she means to you, you're going to lose her.
–
Star looked across the ring at Bragging Rights. Beth Phoenix looked back.
"You promise me you won't hold back." Beth told her.
"I promise, as long as you give me your all." Star replied.
Wade Barrett watched on the monitor backstage, John Cena by his side. "She's got this, easy." Wade smirked. "As long as she believes in herself, she's going to be the new Womens Champion."
"And given how you love to mess with her, it's amazing she has any self-esteem left at all." John commented.
"Excuse me?" Wade stood up, scowling.
"Just an observation." John put his hands up defensively. "You should tell her how you really feel though."
"Shut up." Wade sat back down heavily, nearly falling off his chair. John smirked to himself.
Beth and Star were going blow-for-blow, with Beth finally throwing Star into the ropes. It was to her folly however, as Star came back and kicked her in the face. She then picked Beth up for a body slam and a leg drop, following up by putting Beth in a headlock.
"Good girl Lucky, wear her down." Wade muttered back in the locker room. John had to stop himself from cheering along. Star was almost completely unrecogniseable from the girl who had first appeared in NXT hiding behind Wade Barrett. She was a fighter, she was strong, and she was even standing up for herself. No matter the result of the match, Lucky Star was a true Champion.
"So, how'd you two end up on NXT anyway?" John tried, taking Stars advice and trying get to know Wade.
Wade raised an eyebrow.
"Lucky talk to you about getting to know me?"
"Yup."
"How about we don't and say that we did?"
"Fine by me."
Star struggled to get up after being thrown to the mat. Beth tried to come up behind her, but Star got her with a vicious back kick. This had gone on too long, and it was time to end it.
She opened her right eye and stole her beloved Wades power for her own. Hitting Beth with the Winds of Change, she clapped her hands together.
Rat, Tiger, Monkey, Snake. Five Paralysis Slaps. The Wastelands. One. Two. Three.
"SHE WON! SHE'S THE CHAMPION! SHE WON!" Wade screamed like an excited fangirl, hugging John. He then realised what he'd done.
"That didn't happen."
"That TOTALLY didn't happen."
Wade ran out to the ring. His Lucky Star was the Womens Champion! HIS Lucky Star!
Star held her new belt, sitting in the middle of the ring. Womens Champion. WOMENS CHAMPION!
"LUCKY!" Wade cheered as he knocked Star over. "I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!"
"WADE!" Star laughed. For a few minutes at least, there was no John Cena, no David Otunga, no Nexus, no NXT, no WWE, no RAW, no masters, no slaves, just Wade and Star, themselves again.
"Lifetime supply of honey, you can sleep in my bed whenever you want, no bed times and we're going to Disneyland!" Wade declared, making Star laugh.
"Can I use Puppet Eyes to embarrass people?" Star tried.
"NO!" Wade poked her. "Cheeky brat!"
"You wouldn't have me any other way!" Star fired back. They held each other tightly in the middle of the ring, laughing. Wade pulled away and they gazed into each others eyes.
"OI! You two!" They heard David Otunga yell.
John Cena followed David, with Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater close on his heels. Justin and Heath were dancing around as Wade lifted Star up onto his right shoulder where she belonged. John was actually smiling, and David grabbed out his phone and started taking photos of the Nexus first Champion.
Y'know, I think things are going to turn out okay between those two. John thought to himself as Star fell into the waiting arms of her beloved Wade. He felt a stab of jealousy. Star wasn't a conventional beauty, but there was a definite charm to the young lady that tugged at Johns heart. She never saw herself as Wades slave, she saw herself as his friend, his right hand, his second-in-command. That was the truth, John saw clearly, for as evil a bastard as Wade was, he was a good man, even if it was only to his beloved Lucky Star.
Her pure love and innocence made John fall in love with her. It killed him inside to know that she would never love him back.
And it made him hate Wade Barrett all the more.
Star's a bit jealous of John Cena! But who cares, SHE'S THE WOMENS CHAMPION! YAY STAR! Star definitely has one-up on John now, although what do Johns feelings for Star mean?
I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge one of my heroes growing up, Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. I'm devastated. It took me three days to actually accept that he's not alive anymore (I won't say gone. He's not gone, he's just in another place now). Rest in peace Chazzy Chaz. We love you.
