"Are you sure about this Kane?" asked Tommaso as he followed the man formerly known as half of the Brothers of Destruction around. He had personally gotten to know the older man well, coming to see him as a mentor on how to stay hidden and build a fearsome reputation in the underworld he had chosen to be part of. Although he had also been put through a fair bit of questioning reminiscing that of an interrogation when he returned with Summer from travelling. The blond woman letting it slip they had in fact slept together on several occasions during the long trip. "Paige hasn't seen her father since her wedding before all the trouble kicked in, you sure now is the best time when she's expecting?" added the bold man, showing he truly cared for the raven haired woman, although a soft expression painted itself on his features when he seen the woman in question, asleep on one of the corner units in the living room, her head on Seth's chest who had fallen asleep with her in his arms. His hands resting on her baby bump as if making sure both his girls were okay or he was waiting for the little girl to begin kicking.
"If he knows what's best then he should calm down when it comes to getting her to return to Orlando. The less stress on her the better" responded the older man, his voice deep but soft as he too seen how his niece had fallen asleep. Much like he could only hope his own girls would one day be in a similar way sometime in the future. "He never accepted Paige's decision to walk away, when she found out the truth when it come to Saraya. He was determined not to lose his oldest especially to the world he has come to hate. Even when she's finally happy. Hopefully seeing she's expecting his granddaughter he will leave her be for the time being" added Kane, remembering the old times when he and his small family had been truly happy. The times when he had called Paige one of his girls, something he still does to this day. The knocking on the door soon brought the two from the moment, the older man looking to the tab in his hands to see who was there, sighing heavily upon seeing Mark stood waiting, a small bouquet of roses in his hands no doubt for Paige.
"I'll go check on the others" announced Tommaso, recalling it was only Kane, Aleister and himself for the security team, with one of the illusive Wyatt's wondering around the grounds as they normally did when their was someone visiting the mansion. "I wonder if they others have figured out Paige had a change of heart on the baby names" added the younger man as he walked down the hall to the area he was sure he would find Nikki, the dark haired woman having moved into the mansion a few weeks prior, although she had kept in contact with Evolution and her family. Always happy to receive little updates on how her three nieces were doing. Much like he was sure he could probably find Summer walking around the garden, where as Renee would likely be in the playroom with her little girl. He was well aware Roman was at the office in town along with the three ladies once apart of the four horseman. The demons likely with their own families now or just enjoying their rare time off.
"Mark" spoke Kane upon opening the front door, watching as his brother's expression changed upon seeing how normal the place his raven haired daughter called home. It was clear to Kane he had expected something resembling a prison from the description of all the security measures the place had. Yet in reality it looked more or less like any other mansion, from the grand staircase to the many rooms scattered around the ground floor. "She's resting at the minute, but feel free to look around" added the short haired one of the two. He knew the doors to the bunker, vault and armoury were rather well hidden yet easily accessible to those who knew their locations. Kane himself made sure to stand in front of the arch way leading to the living where Paige and Seth were asleep, more than happy to put off his brother finding out the true reason he had been invited over a little longer.
"How many live here?" asked Mark, walking into the dinning room to the side. Seeing the little family pictures in a cabinet against the far wall and an entrance into the rather generous sized kitchen. The views over the front of the property were offered by the large bay window to the left of the entrance way arch Mark had stepped through. His long dark hair tied back into a neat ponytail at the base of his skull. Yet he couldn't help the small smile to grace his lips at seeing some of the pictures scattered about. Summer, Emma and Paige from what appeared to their school days, displayed with pride along side the wedding photo both Paige and Seth had chosen to display. Dean and Renee's the opposite side next to a picture of Zarah and Jordan, which itself sat on the shelf above the three women currently on the war path. Becky, Bayley and Sasha. Pictures of others he didn't recognised also sat in the case, like they were all part of the family each person contribute to and created.
"At the moment five adults" responded Kane, offering his brother the truth although he had yet to add the kids to the situation. "And two toddlers. Although that will soon be four kids" added the younger of the brothers. Seeing the way Mark looked around almost as if he was questioning why their was about to be four kids running around, and who the two current ones were. "Paige is expecting her first child. She's currently resting in the living room" informed Kane, seeing how his brother looked passed him to the arch that lead to the room mentioned. "The two kids are Jordan Reigns, who lives here with Nikki Bella until Roman is back on his feet again and Freya Ambrose, she's here with both her parents. Renee is expecting her second child" explained the younger of the two brothers. Stepping aside so Mark could see his own oldest daughter, asleep on the sofa with her husband, both so peaceful, he soon noticed Seth wake upon noticing Paige shiver a little bit, to which he carefully reached over to retrieve the blanket hung over the back on the unit, gently placing it over her before pressing a gentle kiss to her temple and returning back to his original position.
The act alone once again brought a soft smile to Kane, even when he seen the Iowan do similar things near enough every day. Even if it was just as simple as meeting his raven haired niece at the bottom of the stairs and walking her to her intended destination. Mark on the other hand seemed a little off about the situation, it was obvious he was happy for his oldest taking the next step in her life by having a family yet he still seemed uncertain about the life she had chosen and the man she had chosen to settle down with, despite the love that was obviously there. Almost as if he believed history would once again repeat itself except it would be him watching as someone did what he had done to Saraya to Paige, helpless to do anything to stop it, almost as if it was some sort of punishment.
"When is she due?" asked Mark, his voice merely a whisper so no to wake the expecting mother, Dean walking down the stairs from carrying on with his shared project with Seth. Spotting the pair at the archway, although choosing to carry on knowing Aleister would be watching from the hub, plus his mind was Renee and making sure she had everything she needed while playing with their little girl. Although he could only really smirk upon seeing the pair in the living room. Much like his memory took his back to the previous years, particularly the time when the three known as the hounds were on the run. How Seth would try and act strong but also think to a future where he was happy with Paige, where they had that little boy whom he had seen in the dream, no enemies around to spoil the little happy family and no trouble with any of the friends. Just the perfect little family and peaceful life. Something he himself almost longed for now, although he knew it was unlikely to happen for a little while longer, even if he did have the perfect family bit.
"Three months" spoke Dean as he walked past, revealing the raven haired mother to be was around 27 weeks into her pregnancy. He wasn't all that bothered when Mark turned around to face him, instead he just looked to the area he would be going to once the small conversation was over. "They're expecting a little girl" added the blond known as the Lunatic, offering a small smile before looking over to the one he had called brother for so long, much like he generally hoped Baron didn't try anything, especially now of all times. "Renee is around 22 weeks into her second one. We find out what we're going to have at the next appointment" finished Dean informing both men just how close the two women were when it come to the due dates. Kane could once again only offer a small smile when it come the future, especially when he could see how excited yet terrified each were for it.
"A granddaughter" whispered Mark, almost as if the reality of the situation had finally set in. Kane on the other hand once again returned his attention back to the pair in the living room. Quickly noticing Seth had woken although yet to notice either man at the entrance to the room, instead he was watching something in front of him. The sight of Tommaso playing with little Jordan seeing how the little boy giggled at something their bearded man did, even how he copied everything the older grown up did. Almost acting as if he was Tommaso's little shadow. Yet his attention was soon back on Paige upon hearing her sigh, a content one. At which point he began to wonder what she was dreaming about. The soft grin coming to his lips upon noticing at some point she had enlaced her hand with his own, almost as if she was making sure he hadn't left her. "What do you plan on naming her?" asked the father of two as he walked further into the room, seeing Seth suddenly unsure, although he didn't make much sound due to trying not to disturb the sleeping beauty leaning on him.
"Originally Paige wanted to name her Ezra but had a change of heart about that" responded the Iowan as he rubbed his eyes and revealed Paige was the one to choose the name of their little girl, rather than him. "She's now settled on Morgan Saraya" added Seth revealing the name of the little girl would still be something different yet also honour her grandmother. He soon returned his hand to her stomach, just in time to feel his little princess kick. "Still working on the nursery for her, as well as the surprise for all the mothers" finished Seth in his own way cluing them into why Dean had been so dusty when he come down the stairs minutes prior.
Elsewhere in the warehouse her father had previously used as his base of operations. Charlotte silently walked the halls, the police tape cut and blowing down the halls of where the massacre had taken place, blood dried and nearly everywhere she could look, adding to the already horrifying history the place had to offer. The white tape outlining where each body had recently been discovered still lining the floor and walls. The name written in chalk of who each one was if they were know if not it merely had written Jane or John Doe then a number following behind it. Yet her destination was where he father had met his end, she had read how he had died. Nothing quick or painless about it, instead he suffered a slow and agonising death at the hands of Tommaso Ciampa who finally got his vengeance, although she was certain Aleister Black also had a hand in it.
"I'll get justice for you dad" whispered Charlotte upon entering the room that had previously been his office. The blood splatter on the walls and doors making it seem something out of horror movie rather than reality. Even the paper that lay untouched on the desk had dots of blood on it. "Even if I have to take hell to their door" added the tall blond, not noticing Cena stood behind her, listening to every whispered word. He knew with Baron on their side the few that remained could very well get the revenge and twisted justice Charlotte was seeking for her father, even when all knew what happened to him those retaliating for what he had done in his long years in the crime syndicates he ran.
"We'll have to deal with a few thing first" spoke Cena breaking the silence that had fallen over the room and bringing the tall blond back to reality. "We may have Baron but he's only going to target Seth in order to finish what he started. The Wyatt's wont stop until the threat we pose is eliminated and you have you're three former friends hunting you. They still want justice for Zarah" explained the older man, noticing how Andrade soon appeared along with Baron, the sadness all but sparkling in her eyes, made even clearer when she walked from the office and all but slammed the door behind her in fury, suddenly storming through the horror filled halls as if she sudden had a mission or she had remembered something her father had previously mentioned to her.
"AEW" announced Charlotte when she heard the footsteps behind her. Her voice filled with determination. "They will be our distraction against Evolution. So we are free to get Shield. Take something that means something to each of those pathetic boys. Use them against them then maybe they will come to us in a battle field we choose. We get the upper hand" ranted the blond as she walked along, suddenly taking a sharp turn when entering the large dark room, at which she flicked the light switch to reveal the large steel structure her father had managed to get from the hands of Evolution. "We use that, for those who took part in it. See which the Wyatt's save. Those in the chamber or the girls forced to watch from the cells" finished Charlotte as she revealed what her twisted plan as queen was going to be.
"Does that mean I can go after Rollins' pretty little wife?" asked Baron, his dark eyes still trained on the giant torture chamber before him. The wicked ideas he had going through his mind. Charlotte could only turn and nod to his words, thrust showing all rules and any sense of respect would be thrown away in their long and gruelling attempt at revenge. Andrade on the other hand knew the woman he love would want revenge on the one who had taken her father from her, Tommaso Ciampa, thrust ensuring he would be one of the many to end up inside the chamber, much like she was sure all members of Evolution alongside Aleister Black and the Undisputed Era would also find themselves in there. "What do you have planned for the rest?" asked the man who had effectively become known as Bloody Baron, he knew from her twisted smirk she planned on wiping out all those she considered her enemy in one swoop.
"If you can't get Paige then use Seth's brother against him. He's currently located in Chicago with his own wife" spoke Charlotte in response. "As for the others, more particularly Undisputed Era, they should have stayed dead, see how well they do when they're in War Games. You can do whatever you want with Rollins but the other two hounds, Ciampa, Black, Rusev and Punk are going in the chamber with Evolution and Shane. As for the girls, I have my own little plan for them, you know to get the boys to suffer first" happily announced the blond woman, well also informing them the other torture device known as War Games was also there. She knew it would be entertaining to watch her enemies fight to the death, although she wouldn't gran them their freedom. Instead she would give them the fate they deserved, thrust cementing herself as the fearsome queen that would rule over them all.
"Just be careful of the Wyatt's and Demons. If they catch on then we're pretty much doomed" added Cena, he knew the Demons would likely be far worse, the Wyatt's had their reputation of appearing from the shadows, yet could easily be distracted by targetting Corey. The Demons on the other hand knew their aim, protect the Princess. Something they would do even if they had to leave their own leader in Finn behind. Even if meant their own life in exchange for hers. Not to mention they were known for being extreme when they wanted to be, there wasn't a line they wouldn't cross if it meant protecting those they seen as friends and family. "The Wyatt's are already watching us and took out all but Andrade here on the rescue attempts. The Demons on the other hand will give as good as they will get and are known for thinking outside the box" added Cena divulging the little bits of information he could remember. Much like he could recall being loyal to Ric until the end. As he would choose to do with Charlotte now.
"Right then. I'll go call Roode and Jinder. See if they would be up for a little challenge" added the man once known as the lone wolf. He soon trotted off, a bounce almost in his step at the ideas to come to fruition. He could almost hear Seth's tormented screams as he tried to get to his wife. Much like he could already imagine the entertainment he would get from watching those who would be in both the Elimination Chamber and the War Games. The torment it would inflict on those inside, even the lasting effects it was known to have on those thrown into the two devices.
"I will use myself as bait to get Sasha, Becky and Bayley here" spoke Charlotte as she left the large room only to cross the hall to enter the area where the War Games structure stood, the barbed wire around the top to prevent escape, along with the metal spikes for added measure. A wicked smile coming to her lips at remembering the last lot she had witnessed in both structures. The duo's known as the Viking Raiders and Heavy Machinery had been forced into a team to go against the older ones of the Dudley Brothers and the Hardy's, that being the War Games she had remembered most. Neither man had survived or if they did survived the structure they succumbed to their injuries a day or so later, their suffering prolonged that little bit longer. Her memory of the Elimination Chamber not much better, her father had put the likes of Edge, Christian, the trio known as the New Day and Gangrel in their. After all of it was over, Gangrel had walked out the winner only to be shot by her father seconds after he exited the steel structure.
"Their private Island is somewhere around the Cuba area" informed Cena, revealing although he hadn't been successful in his final mission from Ric, he hadn't entirely failed either. He had managed to narrow down the area it was even if that still left a wide search area. "Also its gonna be difficult to get hold of any of the ladies in the mansion. You heard Stephanie, Paige is expecting which means it will be near impossible to get hold of her until she's given birth" added the loyal soldier of sorts, almost as if he was advising Charlotte to do what her father hadn't and plan ahead. Thrust avoiding the same mistakes he had made and standing a better chance at surviving if anything went wrong. He could see the Mexican the opposite side of her agreed with his words, almost as if he was aware of what had ultimately lead to Ric epic and fast downfall. Charlotte on the other hand could only turn and nod to his words, trust showing she had understood, thrust would call Baron back so they could plan ahead and figure out the best way to catch all of them together.
With those apart of Evolution, they had noticed the to rather large structures missing. Much like they were aware who had likely the couple hundred tone torturous structures from them, although they had no idea where he would had hidden such things or how he had gotten the keys to them. Stephanie could only sigh heavily as she was aware if Charlotte had them, then everyone would be a target, both men and women. Much like she had concluded if they were to be used then Zarah death would be the kindest one by far, as well as the deceased woman being lucky she would have escaped such a thing. Even now her father still forbid them being used, the lasting effects being too much to bare for those who had been trapped within them, let alone the horrors that stuck with those who had witnessed it.
"We need to warn those at Shield and AEW" uttered Hunter, the commanding tone in voice doing little to hide the fear swimming in his eyes. Especially when he was aware of why Vince had banned them in the first place. Much like he was aware Batista, Randy and himself still had the scars and nightmares as permanent reminders of their own experience locked within the chain linked walls of the Elimination Chamber. Nothing had heeled them not even time or the love of someone they could call their own. "Anyone who is apart of them will be targetted. I wouldn't put it past Charlotte to put the girls in the structures as well" added the bold man, as he looked to those around the table, he wondered if that was how it was going to end for all of them, locked inside one of the torture structures in a fight to the death solely to entertain one person. To get justice for something that in turn was retribution. He wondered if it would ever end in peace or if it had always meant to end in some sort of violence that would echo through the decades and turn into horror stories to those who heard about it.
"I'll send a message to Kane at Shield, give him the heads up. Tell him to be extra attentive especially with Baron trying to finish what started with Seth years ago" responded Stephanie, announcing she was very much in contact with the former Brother of Destruction. She like most did, the older man maybe be calm tempered but if pushed he could very well be the worst of them all. From his previous time in the underworld, he had a vast knowledge others could only hope for, and through his service in the police force, he knew how to avoid being caught and could potentially commit the perfect crime. Not to mention he had knowledge of the law and something to fight for, as each of them did with the latter. "I'll ask him to warn Becky, Sasha and Bayley in particular when it comes to Charlotte, she's likely to use herself as bate" added Stephanie, showing she had watched the successor to Ric for some time and knew what she would do in an attempt to lure her former business partners and best friends out in the open.
"I'll do the same with AEW. Hopefully Cody can put his ego to the side long enough to listen" added Randy, he was well aware of what the younger of the two Rhodes brother's could be like. After all it was Dustin who had accepted the deal on behalf of AEW at the meeting. Much like it was Dustin who had seemed to get the others including Cody to obey by it so far. "If Cody doesn't listen then all we can do is hope Dustin will take notice before its too late" continued Randy, almost startled by the loud bang to echo through the building, the bang sounding more like an explosion had gone off somewhere close by, made even more evident when the room they were in went into lock down, thrust trapping them in the room along with the vault containing the keys to other structures of torment that Vince had long since outlawed and plans of other type of things.
"Bringing up the cameras" muttered Batista when the emergency power kicked in, thrust turning the dim red lights black to their normal colour. The screens on the far wall also coming back to life, with the latest footage from what cameras were still activated. Stephanie soon reached for the com system microphone. Upon noticing Charlotte and her small band of goons had entered the building, appearing from the dust in a similar manor to how the how Wyatt's appear from the shadows. "They're after something or someone" uttered the man known as the Animal, noticing how Cena would walk along in front of Charlotte, a semi automatic in hand ready to shoot anyone down. Andrade checking for any door that was open, as they made their way to the predetermined destination.
"This is not a drill, we are under attack. Get to your weapons and prepare to fire. Repeat this is not a drill. Prepare to fire" spoke Stephanie through the intercom as she watched Charlotte move from corridor to corridor in an attempt to navigate the building to get to where she wanted. Yet a small smile soon appeared on her lips, the white van that appeared in the parking lot, suggesting their allies had at least noticed something wrong. When the back doors opened, they were surprised to see Emma, giving each of those once ahead of Undisputed Era, loaded weapons and the extra ammo in case they needed it. The dog tags handing around her neck suggested she was more than ready for the war, the four men no doubt having prepared her for it and taught her to be a weapon specialist of sorts. "Our back up has just arrived" added Stephanie to the three men she was locked in the room with. Pointing to the screening showing Emma and the Undisputed Era, a small proud smile appearing on her lips at seeing the drastic change the dark haired woman had gone through, almost as if she was determined she wasn't going to be some damsel in distress always in need of rescuing.
"Okay now I see shades of her dad" responded Batista, remembering what her father had been like when he ran his own syndicate along side his older brother. How he had an entire room full of guns and all other weapons needed in case they come under attack. "She's had previous training" added the Animal, showing there was a high probability Kane had taught all three girls how to fire a weapon and load them in case they were ever in need of it. Thrust giving them the necessary tools to protect themselves should they need it, likely in the hopes they would never have to fire a weapon or even get close to the point where they were given no other option. "He taught them to protect themselves" finished Batista with a proud smile to say spreading over his lips at seeing Emma expertly fire the gun she held at one of Baron's men who attempted to creep up on the four she worked with. Proving she was more than capable of handling the guns she was loading and had the know how to protect herself should she need to at any point.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.