Carnage

Aurora walked towards the door. "I will handle the Angel," she said, hate very evident.

"No," said Damian. "Not yet. We have other things to do first. But I promise you that when the time comes, you can play with the Angel as much as you like."

There was a knock at the door. "Mr. Winters, your match is coming up first," said one of the backstage hands.

"They will remember tonight," said Damian. With that he opened the door and walked out towards the arena area.

The Goodfather's music keyed up and he strolled down to ringside while Lillian Garcia introduced him. He climbed into the ring and stretched and waited. Then everything went dark. Hushed, ghostlike whispers sounded from all around the arena on the sound system and then Metallica's "Harvester of Sorrow" began to play. Lillian announced his entrance and in a flash of pyrotechnics, Damian walked out and headed for the ring. His head was lowered slightly to put part of his face into shadows. The Goodfather looked visibly shaken.

"Tazz," said Michael Cole. "We are about to get our first look at Damian Winters. He is only one of four new wrestlers that are debuting here tonight in the WWF."

"That's right, Cole," added Tazz. "I don't know much about this guy Damian, but he looks like a scary dude."

Damian slid between the ropes and smiled at the Goodfather. "Papa Shango," he said.

"Oh, God!" said the Goodfather in a frightened tone.

"Close," said Damian. "But no."

The bell sounded and the two of them squared off. They came together in a collar-and-elbow tie up. Damian quickly kicked the Goodfather in the ribs and got him in a headlock. Then he simply dropped and bulldogged the Goodfather. Tazz and Cole were commentating the entire time. Damian kneeled over the Goodfather and began to pummel him in the face. The referee warned Damian about using the closed fist. Damian just stood up and turned to face the referee. The Goodfather was dazed but capable of getting up. He ran at Damian and forearmed him in the back of the head. Damian took a few steps forward and turned back to face his opponent. The Goodfather punched him a few times, but was ultimately blocked and met with an open palm shot to the nose. The Goodfather was thrown back and fell on his back, his nose bleeding profusely. Damian just walked over and covered him for the three-count. The bell rang to signal the end of the match. Damian just calmly exited the ring as "Harvester of Sorrow" played again. The referee checked the Goodfather and motioned for the paramedics. Damian just smiled when he saw them coming towards the ring.

"And Tazz," continued Cole. "The Goodfather's in need of serious medical attention."

"I think he got off lucky, Cole," responded Tazz. "When you get in the ring, a lot worse things can happen to you, believe me."

"Oh I believe you alright."

"Well, I'm glad you believe me, Cole. You think I'd lie to you?"

"Well, no. I just…"

"You just? You just what? How 'bout I bust your ass? Ahhh! Never mind. You're not worth my effort."

Damian walked back into his locker room. The others were smiling.

Meanwhile, in the Undertaker's locker room, Mark turned off the monitor. Silently he turned his gaze to Sara and Kane. "HE's here," said Mark.

"Is anyone with him?" asked Kane. Mark just shrugged. Sara looked upset.

"Who is he?" she demanded of Mark.

"My past," he said.


Val Venis's theme music came up. Howard Finkel introduced him to the crowd as he walked out. He threw up his arms and played to the crowd. He looked serious. Then the music cut suddenly and two lines of fire erupted, beginning at the Titantron, and ending at the end of the ramp. Maniacal laughter was heard from the speaker system and a demented voice said, "Welcome to the Darkside!" Dark Hayabusa's music began to play and Amano walked out from behind the curtain. He stayed where he was and glared at Val. Val was unimpressed and paced, waiting for Amano to get to the ring. Howard began to introduce Amano and Amano just walked down the ramp between the lines of fire.

"Well, Tazz, this is our first look at our second new wrestler this evening. His name is Amano Tensho."

"Well, for those of us who didn't hear Finkel introduce him already, Thanks Cole!"

Amano stepped over the top rope and stared, unblinking, at Val. Val got into a stance and readied himself for the beginning of the match. The bell rang and Val moved in quickly. Amano just kicked him in the face and sent Val falling on his back. Val shook his head and got up.

Kane was pacing the locker room. He slammed his fists into the lockers and stormed out to go and find Damian.

Amano hefted Val back to his feet and picked him up in a vertical suplex. Then he stepped back a few paces and fell backwards. Val was sent sailing over the top rope and to the padding on the floor. People winced as his head and right arm hit with a sickening thud. Amano stepped through the ropes to follow him. He bent down and grabbed Val by the neck and lifted him up. Val responded by punching Amano in the stomach. Amano did not seem phased, but dropped Val anyway. Val managed to get back to his feet and started fighting back.

Kane barged into Regal's office. "Where's Damian?" he demanded.

"Oh, Mr. Kane," said Regal quite startled. "He's in the guest locker room. Why?"

Kane said nothing, but slapped a big pile of papers off of the desk and stormed out.

Amano picked up Val above his head in a press slam position. Then, with what seemed an amazing feat of strength, he press threw Val back into the ring. Val again landed on his right arm and rolled over, cradling it for all it was worth. Amano just stepped back into the ring and shoved the worried referee aside. He once again picked up Val and grabbed his injured arm. He turned about and put it in an armbar. Val winced noticeably. Then Amano looked right at the referee and yanked Val's arm right out of its socket. Val howled in extreme pain. Amano let go of the arm and stepped back. Right there the referee stopped the match. He looked over at Amano for a moment in fear and Amano's eyes flashed green for a brief instant. Then he smiled, turned, and left the ring.

Kane burst into the locker room where Damian and the others were located. Instantly, Meathook was on his feet. A baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire appeared in his hands. Kane was seething. "Get out!" he said. "Go back to Hell where you belong!"

"Only when your brother comes with us!" hissed Damian. Kane stepped forward to swing at Damian. Meathook just swung the bat and hit Kane in the side of the head. Kane stepped back from the impact and turned to look at Meathook. Meathook swung again and Kane grabbed the bat with his gloved hand. Aurora walked over to Kane and grabbed him about the throat. Kane shook and struggled in her grip. Slowly the fight began to leave Kane and he let go of the bat. Meathook went to swing the bat at Kane's face.

"NO!" shouted Damian. "Put him where he will be found by his brother."

Aurora pulled off Kane's mask, revealing his scarred features. She smiled and caressed one of the larger scars. Then she kissed him full on the lips and held him by the head as she did.

"Where'd Kane go?" Mark asked of his wife.

"I don't know," she said. "He left here in a hurry."

"Damn fool! He's going to get himself killed!" Mark said. He went to leave, but Sara grabbed him by the arm.

"Tell me what's going on!" she demanded.


Meathook gripped his barbed wire bat tightly. His match with Mike Awesome was next. Slowly he walked from the locker room towards the arena entrance. Mike Awesome's music was playing and the fans were cheering him loudly. Lillian Garcia could barely be heard over the noise. Then a deep voice boomed about the arena and said, "Bring the violence." Disturbed's "Violence Fetish" began to play and Meathook walked down to the ring with the barbed wire bat in his hands while Lillian introduced him.

"Meathook looks like he's come ready for business, Cole."

"I would have to agree with you, Tazz."

"Of course you have to agree with me 'cuz I'm right."

The bell rang and Awesome backed away a bit so as not to be within striking distance of Meathook's bat. Meathook just moved forward and swung the bat. Awesome dodged the swing and tackled Meathook to the ground and began punching him in the face. The fans were cheering loudly for Awesome. Meathook brought his knee up into Awesome's groin to get him off of him. Awesome backed away holding his groin. Meathook stood up, bat in hand.

"Meathook looks angry now, Tazz."

"He certainly does, Cole. But Awesome's no slouch. You can't ever count him out until you get the pin."

Awesome finally straightened up and raised his guard. Meathook put the bat down and motioned Awesome forward. They circled one another and got into a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Awesome kneed Meathook in the ribs to double him up, and then grabbed him about the waist and piledrived him right into the mat. Tazz and Cole continued to commentate on the match. Awesome went for the pin, but Meathook threw him off before the referee could even get a one-count. Meathook sat up, got to his knees, and stood up. Awesome, meanwhile, had picked up the bat and swung at Meathook's ribs. His blow caught Meathook on the right side. People winced in the crowd. Meathook held his injured ribs and got an angry look on his face. Awesome swung the bat again, but this time Meathook caught the bat and kicked Awesome in the groin again. It was enough of an impact to loosen Awesome's grip on the bat. Meathook just ripped the bat out of his hands and turned it about so that he could now use it. Awesome was clutching his groin again and barely had enough time to put his arm up to block Meathook's swing at his face. Awesome felt his forearm break from the impact. He now clutched his broken arm to his body and tried to fend off Meathook's assault. The referee got in the way and pushed Meathook back. Then he turned and checked Awesome's arm. Then he turned and called for the bell, stopping the match. Meathook was furious. He walked up to the referee and grabbed him by the shirt. The referee looked frightened and was shouting and hollering at Meathook to let him go. Other referees swarmed about and grabbed Meathook by the arms. Though still seething with hate, Meathook let the referee go and stormed out of the ring back to the locker room.

Sara wanted to go and confront Damian, but Mark held her fast. "He'll kill you," he said. Sara shot him a look of hate.

"No, he'll try," she replied. "Now let me go!"

"You don't know what you'd be getting yourself into."

"Yes, I do."

Mark was trying desperately to keep his anger and his fear in check. Sara reached for the door when Mark grabbed her by the arm. "We're going home," he said. With that he picked Sara up and slung her over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" she commanded. Mark ignored her and headed for the Harley.

Aurora returned to the locker room a few minutes later to change for her match with Ivory.

"Where'd you put him?" Damian inquired.

"He's hanging around," said Aurora plainly.


Ivory walked down the ramp towards the ring while her music played. She was trying to get the crowd pumped. Once she was in the ring strobe lights flashed near the entrance by the Titantron. "I'm your Guardian Angel," was said in a low woman's voice over the sound system. Then Gavin Friday's "Angel" began to play. Aurora walked out onto the entranceway looking very calm and serene. Tazz and Cole began to commentate again. Aurora slowly made her way to the ring and slide like a cat between the ropes. Ivory looked psyched for action while Aurora merely maintained a calm look. The bell rang and Aurora just stood there with her guard down, watching Ivory. Ivory came at her with a clothesline. Aurora sidestepped her attack and spun around with a kick that connected with the back of Ivory's skull. Ivory was sent forward into the ropes. She turned back to face Aurora who was once again facing her, her guard still down. Ivory moved in more cautiously and tried to lock-up with Aurora. She succeeded and quickly grabbed Aurora in a headlock. Aurora grabbed her about the waist and back dropped her to the mat. She then stood up, grabbed Ivory by the hair, and yanked her to her feet. Ivory responded by kicking her in the ribs and clotheslining her to the mat. Then it was her turn to grab Aurora by the hair and yank her to her feet. Aurora shoved her off and dropkicked her in the chest. Ivory fell back against the ropes and rebounded forward just in time for Aurora to Frankensteiner her over onto her back. Aurora got up first and kicked Ivory in the ribs. Ivory took a bit getting to her feet. Aurora went to kick Ivory in the stomach, but her foot was grabbed. Before Ivory could capitalize on this, Aurora used her other foot to do a back spin-kick and sent Ivory back down. Ivory was stunned again and did not try to fight Aurora when she was again pulled to her feet. Aurora got Ivory into a fireman's carry position and then swung Ivory's legs out and pulled her down into an over-the-shoulder bulldog. Ivory was barely conscious at this point. Aurora went for the pin and easily got the three-count. The bell rang and Aurora's arms were raised. Then she slid out of the ring and searched for a table. Finding one, she set it up outside the ring and slid herself back into the ring. Ivory was still not yet on her feet. Aurora yanked her up and sat her on the top turnbuckle. Then she scaled the outside of the turnbuckle and pulled Ivory to her feet. With no warning Aurora jumped up and Frankensteinered Ivory off the top turnbuckle and through the table at ringside. There was a sickening crunch as Ivory's body broke through the table. Aurora stood up unhurt and walked away.

When she got back to the locker room Damian had a displeased look on his face. "What?" she asked in a harsh tone.

"Mark left before your match," he said. "He doesn't know about Kane."

"He will once Kane frees himself," she said with a smile.


Blood dripped onto the concrete from the rafters. Kane was up there. He had been crucified.

To be continued…