Part 7: The Team
In the Arena
==========
It was strange, being back stage at the arena where the WWF was practicing before the PPV event to come up. Ravyn, Calliope and Heavynne were ushered to wardrobe to don their "wrestling gear". And what was presented made them laugh so hard tears trickled down their cheeks.
"We have to wear this?" Ravyn asked the wardrobe girl incredulously.
"Well, Mr. McMahon had them special ordered-" she looked nervous. Ravyn could sense her fear.
So could Heavynne, who held up a hand. "We'll wear them," she looked at her two sisters. "How bad can it be?"
Then she ushered them into the dressing room with their wardrobe bags. Heavynne pulled hers out first. It was white, a short tank dress in latex, with matching "spanky shorts" as Calliope called them, bursting into a fit of giggles. She had matching knee high boots with thick souls, not the typical wrestling boots, but they weren't typical wrestlers. On the outside of each boot was her name, in a peridot green. "Heavynne".
Calliope made a face, opening her garment bag. Latex, again. This time, in red. A pair of red flared pants and a red tank top with a zip up front, meant to be left unzipped enough to show ample cleavage. Red boots matched the outfit, again with thick souls. On one leg was her name, written in black "Calliope" in soft, swirling lettering.
Ravyn gasped when she opened her back. It wasn't shiny latex like her sisters' outfits. It was dull black leather. A cropped halter that showed her back off, giving everyone a glimpse of the large black tribal raven tattooed in the middle of her back. Black pants in the same material hugged every inch of her legs, and buttoned just below her navel. Black boots ran up her knees, laced at the front. They were a sturdier version of her own boots.
After dressing, the trio went to the hair and makeup team. They gave each witch her own unique look.
Heavynne had soft curls in her hair, soft luminous makeup, and a bit of sparkle on her cheeks. Calliope was the sex bomb, her hair streaked with bright red temporary colour, eyes made up to give her catty-bedroom eyes, and bright red lips. Ravyn's skin was kept pale, with a light lipstick, and dark eye makeup. Her hair was French braided to show off the tattoo, with wisps falling over her face.
Giggling, they entered the arena. And everything stopped.
The Team was there. Kane, Lita, Austin, Mick, Jericho and Trish. All were there to teach the tricks of the trade, and to protect the witches if the Ministry showed up. Austin's face was unabashedly appreciative of the three women, eyeing them in their leather and latex gear. Lita was grinning, nodding in approval of their individual looks. Jericho was practically drooling, Mick smiled in a knowing way, and Trish looked slightly miffed.
Kane, as usual, was expressionless behind his mask. And his thoughts were blocked to Ravyn.
"Alright, people, let's get to it!" Vince's voice yelled from behind the witches. They turned to see him walking down the entrance ramp to the ring. "Let's get them trained for tomorrow night!"
"Tomorrow night?" Austin bellowed. "Are you fucking insane, McMahon?"
"Vince, there is no way they'll be ready for the show," Mick added in a calmer voice, rubbing a hand through his bushy hair.
"They won't be wrestling, unless necessary," He reassured the Team. "They will be making an appearance, though."
Ravyn felt her heart move into her stomach. An appearance? In front of people? On television?
"It's not so bad, Little One," Kane said to her in her mind. "You will get used to it."
She leaned on him mentally for a moment, allowing herself a moment of weakness. Then the walls went back up, the barbed wire atop it. There was no time for weakness. No now, not for a long time.
"Who's first?" Austin called from the ring. Calliope bared her teeth in a savage grin, running towards the ring and gracefully pulling herself into a flip, up and over the ropes, landing on her feet. Lita gave a loud wolf whistle as Austin stared in surprise. He recovered quickly, blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Be gentle," Heavynne called up to him.
"Hell no!" Austin yelled back with a grin.
He grabbed Calliope's arm, sending her into an Irish Whip, when she bounced off the ropes, heading back to him, he didn't expect the response of a heavy boot in his groin. He fell to the mat, groaning.
Trish applauded idly from her chair next to the ring. Her face shielded with her white cowboy hat, cleavage straining in her red shirt, and white latex pants fell over red boots. She looked like an oversized, oversexed candy cane.
Kane snorted, and Ravyn realized he had tapped into her mind. "Get out," she said jokingly.
"You have to learn how to keep your mind blocked without thinking about it," he said out loud in his raspy voice.
Ravyn looked up at the ring, Austin had Calliope in a sleeper hold. She didn't look like she minded it. Stone Cold did when she brought the heel of her red boot into his crotch. He let go, grabbing at the attacked appendage. Calliope giggled, then hit him with healing energy.
"Would you stop with the crotch shots, woman?" he growled.
The red head shrugged innocently. "I was defending myself in the only way I know how."
He merely growled.
"It brought you down, Steve," Lita pointed out. She jumped in the ring, gesturing to Jericho and Heavynne to join them.
"I'll show you some high flyers," she told the blonde witch. She jumped up to the top rope, leaping off and hooking her legs around Jericho's neck. A perfect turn, and she landed safely on her side, while Jericho did a face plant into the mat.
"Watch the face," Jericho pouted.
Lita stuck her tongue out at him, then looked at Heavynne. "Want to try?" Lita had a theory. These girls were witches, far more physically adept and adept at many other things than the rest of the wrestlers. Why not let them show what they can do, then teach them?
Heavynne nodded, knowing what the girl was thinking. Heading to the turnbuckle, she muttered a small chant.
"Goddess of grace
I call upon thee.
Goddess of sport
I call upon thee.
Give the ability
To wrestle to me."
The energy surged through her, making her feel like she could do anything. She wasn't naturally tough like Calliope, or graceful like Ravyn. She needed all the help she could get.
Heavynne climbed to the top rope, steadying herself while gauging the distance between herself and Jericho. Then she launched herself, feeling the air through her hair as she lifted high off the ropes, higher than Lita had ever gone. Her legs hooked neatly over Jericho's neck, taking him with her into a vertical 360 spin, landing on her butt as his back and neck slammed into the mat.
She leapt deftly to her feet to the sound of raucous applause, and Jericho moaning in pain.
"That was amazing," Vince said, after the noise died down. "How did you do that?" then he quickly changed his mind about that question. "Never mind, I don't want to know. How about we call it the Avenging Angel?"
Heavynne shrugged. "You're the boss," she told him.
"Ravyn," he looked to the black haired girl. "You're up with Kane."
She looked at him, but he was already in the ring. Concentrating, Ravyn did the same. She was surprised when she practically 'blinked' from outside the ring, to inside the ring. Even her sisters looked at her in awe.
"How did I do that?" she asked Kane, keeping her mind closed, and actually voicing the words.
"Concentration," he told her. "Now Little One, let's play."
No holds barred were the rules. Magic or Magick, physical altercation- whatever it is they used against one another, no one moved in to stop it.
From the outside it looked like a macabre dance. The seven foot masked man wearing red and black flames, and the leather clad dark angel circled one another, locking one another in holds, flashing destructive energy from palms or pointed fingers, slamming one another into the mat with a drop kick or a choke slam.
Then Kane got Ravyn into a hold she couldn't move from. His right arm around her neck, the leather glove scratching her tender skin. His left arm was around her waist.
"Give up, Little One?" he asked in her mind.
"Not a chance," she replied, grinning. Then she let the energy go. It was a silver and black colour, flashing around them in flames. She wasn't sure what it would do, but she knew it wouldn't hurt Kane. It stunned him enough that he let go, she performed a perfect figure four, holding Kane's enormous legs in her own, feeling the pressure, and him trying to break the hold. Ravyn cheated, flashing energy that made it impossible to break out.
"Nice, Little One," he said in her mind. "Can you let go now?"
She just flashed a smile and stood, enjoying the applause from the other wrestlers, and Mr. McMahon himself.
Back in the Office
==============
Ravyn, Heavynne and Calliope joined Vince, Kane, Mick, Trish, Steve, Jericho and Lita in the offices to discuss possible press releases before the show. They sat around the enormous mahogany table, Vince putting out descriptions of each witch for approval from the Team.
"How's this?" Vince looked up from the yellow pad he'd been writing on. "Heavynne flies through the air, the angelic sister being the high flyer and heart of the team."
"Sounds good," Trish broke her relative silence. "But the 'team' needs a name."
Everyone looked around the table, hoping someone would come up with something good.
"Three Witches?" Jericho suggested. Everyone just looked at him, eyebrows raised. He slid down in his seat, staring at the table. "It was just a suggestion."
"Power of Three?" Lita asked.
"Lawsuit waiting to happen," Trish snickered. "Don't cross Aaron Spelling."
"What about Soul Sisters?" Calliope piped up.
Vince nodded slowly. "Possible," he said just as slowly as his nod.
"Power of Witches," Ravyn said. "Shortened to PoW."
"I like it," Mick said. "Catchy, good for logos. Easy to remember."
"So was Power of Three," Lita whined.
"Lawsuit," Austin said absently. Then he looked at Vince. "So they have a name? What about the rest of the press release?"
"Calliope, the fiery and tough red head, can keep a good man down," Lita smiled innocently, glancing at Austin from the corner of her eye.
"What about Calliope can tame the toughest man with her fiery temper, red haired beauty, and New York attitude?" Vince asked. Everyone nodded.
"Now for Ravyn," Vince doodled on his note pad, and everyone glanced at the dark haired witch. He knew they feared her. She held the most Power, they could all sense it. It was too bad she didn't know it yet.
"Ravyn unleashes the ancient Power held by the witches against the Masters of Darkness," Kane said slowly, his raspy voice echoing in the silent room.
"I like it," Vince smiled at the Big Red Machine. "Ever consider a career in marketing?" he joked to the huge man. He just grunted. "Now, onto the studio to film the entrance vid for the trinatron."
Outside the WWF Building
====================
The night had settled over New York, the stars and streetlights battled for supremacy of brightness. The Team left the building, leaving Mr. McMahon inside to sit in on the editing of the trinatron video.
"We should go out," Lita bounced next to Matt, her boyfriend, who had met them there after the meeting. His brother was not far behind.
Austin shook his head. "Not with the MoD out looking for ass to kick," he told her. "These girls should get out of sight, out of mind."
Ravyn almost giggled. The non-witches didn't seem to understand that 'Taker or the demons could reach into their minds at any time and find them. It just wasn't time for them. Yet.
"I think going out is a good idea," Trish almost purred. "I know I could use a night of drinking and dancing after all this shit."
Calliope was nodding in agreement, tugging on Austin's arm. "We won't be in danger, and if we are, we have big strong men to protect us."
"And women!" Lita piped up.
Austin mumbled a "fine" while rolling his eyes. Lita hailed a couple cabs to haul the group to a club she had found near Central Park.
In the Arena
==========
It was strange, being back stage at the arena where the WWF was practicing before the PPV event to come up. Ravyn, Calliope and Heavynne were ushered to wardrobe to don their "wrestling gear". And what was presented made them laugh so hard tears trickled down their cheeks.
"We have to wear this?" Ravyn asked the wardrobe girl incredulously.
"Well, Mr. McMahon had them special ordered-" she looked nervous. Ravyn could sense her fear.
So could Heavynne, who held up a hand. "We'll wear them," she looked at her two sisters. "How bad can it be?"
Then she ushered them into the dressing room with their wardrobe bags. Heavynne pulled hers out first. It was white, a short tank dress in latex, with matching "spanky shorts" as Calliope called them, bursting into a fit of giggles. She had matching knee high boots with thick souls, not the typical wrestling boots, but they weren't typical wrestlers. On the outside of each boot was her name, in a peridot green. "Heavynne".
Calliope made a face, opening her garment bag. Latex, again. This time, in red. A pair of red flared pants and a red tank top with a zip up front, meant to be left unzipped enough to show ample cleavage. Red boots matched the outfit, again with thick souls. On one leg was her name, written in black "Calliope" in soft, swirling lettering.
Ravyn gasped when she opened her back. It wasn't shiny latex like her sisters' outfits. It was dull black leather. A cropped halter that showed her back off, giving everyone a glimpse of the large black tribal raven tattooed in the middle of her back. Black pants in the same material hugged every inch of her legs, and buttoned just below her navel. Black boots ran up her knees, laced at the front. They were a sturdier version of her own boots.
After dressing, the trio went to the hair and makeup team. They gave each witch her own unique look.
Heavynne had soft curls in her hair, soft luminous makeup, and a bit of sparkle on her cheeks. Calliope was the sex bomb, her hair streaked with bright red temporary colour, eyes made up to give her catty-bedroom eyes, and bright red lips. Ravyn's skin was kept pale, with a light lipstick, and dark eye makeup. Her hair was French braided to show off the tattoo, with wisps falling over her face.
Giggling, they entered the arena. And everything stopped.
The Team was there. Kane, Lita, Austin, Mick, Jericho and Trish. All were there to teach the tricks of the trade, and to protect the witches if the Ministry showed up. Austin's face was unabashedly appreciative of the three women, eyeing them in their leather and latex gear. Lita was grinning, nodding in approval of their individual looks. Jericho was practically drooling, Mick smiled in a knowing way, and Trish looked slightly miffed.
Kane, as usual, was expressionless behind his mask. And his thoughts were blocked to Ravyn.
"Alright, people, let's get to it!" Vince's voice yelled from behind the witches. They turned to see him walking down the entrance ramp to the ring. "Let's get them trained for tomorrow night!"
"Tomorrow night?" Austin bellowed. "Are you fucking insane, McMahon?"
"Vince, there is no way they'll be ready for the show," Mick added in a calmer voice, rubbing a hand through his bushy hair.
"They won't be wrestling, unless necessary," He reassured the Team. "They will be making an appearance, though."
Ravyn felt her heart move into her stomach. An appearance? In front of people? On television?
"It's not so bad, Little One," Kane said to her in her mind. "You will get used to it."
She leaned on him mentally for a moment, allowing herself a moment of weakness. Then the walls went back up, the barbed wire atop it. There was no time for weakness. No now, not for a long time.
"Who's first?" Austin called from the ring. Calliope bared her teeth in a savage grin, running towards the ring and gracefully pulling herself into a flip, up and over the ropes, landing on her feet. Lita gave a loud wolf whistle as Austin stared in surprise. He recovered quickly, blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Be gentle," Heavynne called up to him.
"Hell no!" Austin yelled back with a grin.
He grabbed Calliope's arm, sending her into an Irish Whip, when she bounced off the ropes, heading back to him, he didn't expect the response of a heavy boot in his groin. He fell to the mat, groaning.
Trish applauded idly from her chair next to the ring. Her face shielded with her white cowboy hat, cleavage straining in her red shirt, and white latex pants fell over red boots. She looked like an oversized, oversexed candy cane.
Kane snorted, and Ravyn realized he had tapped into her mind. "Get out," she said jokingly.
"You have to learn how to keep your mind blocked without thinking about it," he said out loud in his raspy voice.
Ravyn looked up at the ring, Austin had Calliope in a sleeper hold. She didn't look like she minded it. Stone Cold did when she brought the heel of her red boot into his crotch. He let go, grabbing at the attacked appendage. Calliope giggled, then hit him with healing energy.
"Would you stop with the crotch shots, woman?" he growled.
The red head shrugged innocently. "I was defending myself in the only way I know how."
He merely growled.
"It brought you down, Steve," Lita pointed out. She jumped in the ring, gesturing to Jericho and Heavynne to join them.
"I'll show you some high flyers," she told the blonde witch. She jumped up to the top rope, leaping off and hooking her legs around Jericho's neck. A perfect turn, and she landed safely on her side, while Jericho did a face plant into the mat.
"Watch the face," Jericho pouted.
Lita stuck her tongue out at him, then looked at Heavynne. "Want to try?" Lita had a theory. These girls were witches, far more physically adept and adept at many other things than the rest of the wrestlers. Why not let them show what they can do, then teach them?
Heavynne nodded, knowing what the girl was thinking. Heading to the turnbuckle, she muttered a small chant.
"Goddess of grace
I call upon thee.
Goddess of sport
I call upon thee.
Give the ability
To wrestle to me."
The energy surged through her, making her feel like she could do anything. She wasn't naturally tough like Calliope, or graceful like Ravyn. She needed all the help she could get.
Heavynne climbed to the top rope, steadying herself while gauging the distance between herself and Jericho. Then she launched herself, feeling the air through her hair as she lifted high off the ropes, higher than Lita had ever gone. Her legs hooked neatly over Jericho's neck, taking him with her into a vertical 360 spin, landing on her butt as his back and neck slammed into the mat.
She leapt deftly to her feet to the sound of raucous applause, and Jericho moaning in pain.
"That was amazing," Vince said, after the noise died down. "How did you do that?" then he quickly changed his mind about that question. "Never mind, I don't want to know. How about we call it the Avenging Angel?"
Heavynne shrugged. "You're the boss," she told him.
"Ravyn," he looked to the black haired girl. "You're up with Kane."
She looked at him, but he was already in the ring. Concentrating, Ravyn did the same. She was surprised when she practically 'blinked' from outside the ring, to inside the ring. Even her sisters looked at her in awe.
"How did I do that?" she asked Kane, keeping her mind closed, and actually voicing the words.
"Concentration," he told her. "Now Little One, let's play."
No holds barred were the rules. Magic or Magick, physical altercation- whatever it is they used against one another, no one moved in to stop it.
From the outside it looked like a macabre dance. The seven foot masked man wearing red and black flames, and the leather clad dark angel circled one another, locking one another in holds, flashing destructive energy from palms or pointed fingers, slamming one another into the mat with a drop kick or a choke slam.
Then Kane got Ravyn into a hold she couldn't move from. His right arm around her neck, the leather glove scratching her tender skin. His left arm was around her waist.
"Give up, Little One?" he asked in her mind.
"Not a chance," she replied, grinning. Then she let the energy go. It was a silver and black colour, flashing around them in flames. She wasn't sure what it would do, but she knew it wouldn't hurt Kane. It stunned him enough that he let go, she performed a perfect figure four, holding Kane's enormous legs in her own, feeling the pressure, and him trying to break the hold. Ravyn cheated, flashing energy that made it impossible to break out.
"Nice, Little One," he said in her mind. "Can you let go now?"
She just flashed a smile and stood, enjoying the applause from the other wrestlers, and Mr. McMahon himself.
Back in the Office
==============
Ravyn, Heavynne and Calliope joined Vince, Kane, Mick, Trish, Steve, Jericho and Lita in the offices to discuss possible press releases before the show. They sat around the enormous mahogany table, Vince putting out descriptions of each witch for approval from the Team.
"How's this?" Vince looked up from the yellow pad he'd been writing on. "Heavynne flies through the air, the angelic sister being the high flyer and heart of the team."
"Sounds good," Trish broke her relative silence. "But the 'team' needs a name."
Everyone looked around the table, hoping someone would come up with something good.
"Three Witches?" Jericho suggested. Everyone just looked at him, eyebrows raised. He slid down in his seat, staring at the table. "It was just a suggestion."
"Power of Three?" Lita asked.
"Lawsuit waiting to happen," Trish snickered. "Don't cross Aaron Spelling."
"What about Soul Sisters?" Calliope piped up.
Vince nodded slowly. "Possible," he said just as slowly as his nod.
"Power of Witches," Ravyn said. "Shortened to PoW."
"I like it," Mick said. "Catchy, good for logos. Easy to remember."
"So was Power of Three," Lita whined.
"Lawsuit," Austin said absently. Then he looked at Vince. "So they have a name? What about the rest of the press release?"
"Calliope, the fiery and tough red head, can keep a good man down," Lita smiled innocently, glancing at Austin from the corner of her eye.
"What about Calliope can tame the toughest man with her fiery temper, red haired beauty, and New York attitude?" Vince asked. Everyone nodded.
"Now for Ravyn," Vince doodled on his note pad, and everyone glanced at the dark haired witch. He knew they feared her. She held the most Power, they could all sense it. It was too bad she didn't know it yet.
"Ravyn unleashes the ancient Power held by the witches against the Masters of Darkness," Kane said slowly, his raspy voice echoing in the silent room.
"I like it," Vince smiled at the Big Red Machine. "Ever consider a career in marketing?" he joked to the huge man. He just grunted. "Now, onto the studio to film the entrance vid for the trinatron."
Outside the WWF Building
====================
The night had settled over New York, the stars and streetlights battled for supremacy of brightness. The Team left the building, leaving Mr. McMahon inside to sit in on the editing of the trinatron video.
"We should go out," Lita bounced next to Matt, her boyfriend, who had met them there after the meeting. His brother was not far behind.
Austin shook his head. "Not with the MoD out looking for ass to kick," he told her. "These girls should get out of sight, out of mind."
Ravyn almost giggled. The non-witches didn't seem to understand that 'Taker or the demons could reach into their minds at any time and find them. It just wasn't time for them. Yet.
"I think going out is a good idea," Trish almost purred. "I know I could use a night of drinking and dancing after all this shit."
Calliope was nodding in agreement, tugging on Austin's arm. "We won't be in danger, and if we are, we have big strong men to protect us."
"And women!" Lita piped up.
Austin mumbled a "fine" while rolling his eyes. Lita hailed a couple cabs to haul the group to a club she had found near Central Park.