I do not own WWE the wrestlers or Divas just the storyline plot and any OC character who may show up within the story.
Author's note: This is a new story much like how my other WWE stories are, and are not connected to any of them in any way. Instead I thought I would take this in a somewhat of a new direction while still adding in Bray Wyatt and the Authority. For those of you who have read my WWE stories please let me know what you would like to see happen next. If you want Roman to have his powers like he does in Lockdown Asylum for example, or if you want this one to be a little more realistic then please let me know. I would love to get your feedback. It is greatly appreciated.
Bold underlined – Chapter Titles/Character's Perspective
Bold Italics – Memories
Bold italics underlined - Song lyrics
Italics – Thinking (In thought)
Italics underlined - Dean hallucinating/Bray inside his brain
Previously on Shadow of Darkness - I was almost at the front doors of the hospital when I suddenly found myself being stopped by Roman.
"Dean, listen to me what Seth said was way out of line okay? He didn't mean it."
"Out of my way I don't have time to listen to your bullshit. Besides thought you said we needed a break from each other for a while."
"Dean come on man stop shutting us out. If you really believe that Bray is doing this to you then let us help you okay? Please bro."
"My name isn't Dean and I'm not your bro anymore." Was all I heard myself reply while I mentally screamed inside my head, "Don't listen to him Ro ! I swear to god it's not me! Something is seriously wrong with me please help me!"
My body began to feel numb to everything around me as if I was starting to become detached to everything inside me. Thoughts of Roman and Seth swirled inside my brain but I didn't feel anything. No guilt for how I treated them, No sense of accountability for my actions toward either of them, no emotions whatsoever. Was this really how I felt deep down? Did I really not need them anymore?
"My name is Tony Khan I'm the President and CEO of a new Wrestling promotion known as All Elite Wrestling and I was wondering if you had some time on your hands that we could maybe talk some business deals with you if your interested."
"Where is your office located?" I asked.
"1 TIAA Bank Field Dr, Jacksonville, Florida," Tony Khan replied. "I could have a private jet ick you up if your not currently in the area."
"I let out a sigh and ran a hand through my messy dark blonde hair. "Yeah I'm currently in Las Vegas Nevada." I said as Tony replied, "No problem I can have the jet ready anytime. Just say the word when your ready, and we can meet as early as tomorrow morning if you like."
"That would be great." I said. "Tomorrow sounds perfect."
"Alright then we'll see you soon then Dean I promise you this will be the offer of a lifetime and one you won't regret if you decide to sign with All Elite."
I hung up with Tony and immediately fell back against the couch, everything swirling in my brain like a roller coaster. Was I really going to do this? Was I really going to consider leaving everything I knew and loved behind?
NOW...
Chapter 4 - The Start of Something New & The Beginning of the End
Nearly eight to nine hours later, I landed in Jacksonville where I was met by a guy dressed in a suit and tie with jet black hair. He flashed me a friendly smile as I stepped off the plane and quickly introduced himself as Tony Khan. "How was the flight?" He asked as he led me into the building.
"It was alright." I managed with a shrug of my shoulders not sure if I should really be here or not. I then found myself wondering what would happen if Vince or Hunter found out I was contemplating talking business deals with another company.
Tony led me through a pair of double doors that led into a big office room where I was then greeted by another wrestler I recognized as Cody Rhodes who was also dressed neatly in a suit and tie with a beautiful woman sitting on his left side, her long dark hair pulled back neatly into a low ponytail. Both of them flashed me a smile the moment they saw me.
"Glad you could make it Dean." Cody said standing up and offered his hand out to me as I shook it. "This is my wife Brandi." He said as the woman stood up and offered her a hand to which I shook as well before taking a seat at the table starting to feel slightly uncomfortable with the idea that everyone around me was dressed nicely where as I felt like a street rat in comparison.
"Cody not just a wrestler within the company he is the Executive Vice President as well." Tony explained. "That explains the suit." I found myself muttering outloud to which I immediately cursed for sounding like an idiot.
At that moment I started to feel trapped and wanted to jump out of my seat and get back on the plane. I shouldn't be here. I found myself thinking. What the fuck am I even thinking? I don't belong here. I don't belong anywhere.
Yeah, yeah
See I've been painting all these pictures
In my head when I'm alone
You and me never in sync, it's hard for me stay afloat
And the way you tear me up
It makes me hurt down to the bone
Yeah now I gotta be social, I don't know if I should go
I could pick it up and try again another day
But I wonder would they even notice anyway?
How can something so easy be so hard to say?
Why did I ever allow you to get a hold of me?
I got up out of my chair and began pacing around the room fighting the urge to leave the room entirely as I tried to calm myself down all the while voice of the past echoing deep in my brain.
"I don't think your joke Dean Ambrose, I just think your a weak link!"
"I want to find out who the strong one of the Shield is!"
Frustrated I began running my hands through my dark blonde hair trying to keep myself calm but to no avail. My head started swimming as visions of Roman and Seth started swirling around in my head making me doubt and question everything I was doing.
Was I really the weak link among the Shield?
Did I really not need my brothers anymore? Did I still need them?
What was the right road to take?
No one wants to know
Why I'm miserable
I know that it shows
It's like looking at a ghost
No, I'm not okay, nah
And I can't wait for you to go away, now
Did anybody ask if you could stay, now
I wouldn't have it any other way, nah
Go away
No, I'm not okay, nah
And I can't wait for you to go away, now
Did anybody ask if you could stay, now
I wouldn't have it any other way, nah
Go away now
"Dean? You feeling alright?" Cody asked as I managed a nod despite everything swirling inside my head like a tornado and my body fighting against the urge to fight or flee. I could feel my heart rate beginning to increase and my breathing beginning to speed up. My body started to tremble and I could feel the room starting to close in around me. Since when have I ever been this anxious before? Where where these feelings coming from?
You won't take control
You won't make me fold
Voices in my dome
Guard my heart and soul
You won't take control
You won't make me fold
Voices in my dome
Don't wanna feel like I'm a ghost
"Maybe this is the wrong time to do this Tony," Cody said obvious noticing the gaze in my eyes despite the fact I was trying to put up a tough front. "Dean doesn't seem like he's quite ready for this yet. Maybe we should give him another day?"
I shook my head furiously. "I'm good." I said quickly taking in a deep breath as the images of Roman and Seth began to fade from my mind. "Just give me a second to gather myself."
"No problem." Brandi said calmly. "Take all the time you need."
I closed my eyes and drew in several deep breaths everything around me faded as I focused only on the sounds of my breathing.
This was it it was now or never. It was time for a change once and for all. This was the time to be my own man and show the world who I really am. The only problem was trying to figure that out first before I could show the world and that was first to break ties with my old self.
"Call me Jon Moxley." I said finally opening my eyes and looking at everyone around the room.
No, I'm not okay, nah
And I can't wait for you to go away, now
Did anybody ask if you could stay, now
I wouldn't have it any other way, nah
Go away
No, I'm not okay, nah
And I can't wait for you to go away, now
Did anybody ask if you could stay, now
I wouldn't have it any other way, nah
Go away now
"So Then I'm assuming you've made your decision?" Tony asked as I saw the hopeful look in his eyes and nodded. "I'm glad to hear it." He said standing up and allowing me to shake his hand once again. "Welcome to the AEW Roster Jon Moxley."
TOO BE CONTINUED... Hope you all enjoyed reading this next chapter and are looking forward to more coming soon. I apologize for the year long absence I have just been dealing with a lot since Covid Started. Now as for the next chapter what is it that you want to see happen next? Should I go more in depth detail on Dean/Moxley's undiagnosed mental condition or should I leave it out? Please feel free to let me know all your thoughts and opinions since it helps me out a lot and gives me more inspiration to keep the story going. Chapter 5 and maybe 6 will be up this weekend so be on the lookout for that :)