Chapter 5 - Summerslam
{Just a note before you read the chapter, I would like to thank you all for supporting this story and my writing of it. It's been really helpful. I would like to dedicate this chapter, and all the ones from now on, to the men and women who bust their asses and risk their necks each and every night for us so that we can be entertained: The Wrestlers. Without people like them, we would not have the entertainment spectacle that is professional wrestling. Now, on to the carnage. Chapter 6 will be up next week. Enjoy. :) }
-The Night Before-
Kane had arrived in the city on Friday, and immedietly he set out to get the specific things that wrestlers had to get when they were in a city for a Pay Per View event- A hotel room, a place to eat, but most importantly, a gym. To take out the Big Show, Kane knew he was going to have to be in very good condition. He had worked out constantly while on the road. Most of the other wrestlers had opted to spend a day or two at home before heading to the city, but Kane's only family was currently working the opening World Championship Wrestling show against Big Poppa Pump, Scott Stiner. Kane had never heard of him until Foley mentioned him the other day, but apparently he had been the WCW's last Champion before Booker T. He would offer the Undertaker a bit of a challenge.
But Kane didn't want any company. It was his quest, no one else's. Kane respected his brother...most of the time, but he didn't like him entering his business like he always did. Kane didn't need him, Kane didn't want him. At least that's what he kept telling himself.
He entered the gym, wearing bandages on his face instead of his mask, like he usually did in public. His brother joked that it made him look like the invisible man when he wore a trenchcoat. Kane didn't find it really funny, but necessary. Looking around it, he could see many wrestling hopefuls, boxers, bodybuilders, gymnists, tennis players, so many athletes trying to make it big. Many of them didn't even notice Kane come in because they were so engrossed with their workout. This was his kind of gym, where people took their body's very seriously. Kane looked at the gym owner and coughed to try to get his attention. The man didn't react. Kane shook his head and then tapped him on the shoulder. The man turned around and jumped as he saw Kane standing in front of him, thinking of him as a criminal or something.
Kane smiled under the bandages, he liked this. "Excuse me, but I was wondering how late your gym is open."
The man regained his composure and looked up at Kane, nodding to him. "Of course, we are open until 11PM at night."
Kane nodded and reached into the pocket of his trenchcoat, pulling out one thousand dollers. "How about you re-open at 12 and let me use the gym for 5 hours tonight." Kane could have just threatened him, but that could alert some people to his presence in the gym tonight, and he didn't want a load of hero worshipping fans to watch him him work out.
The man nodded to him and smiled. "Sure thing." He turned to walk away when Kane tightly grabbed his shoulder.
"And don't tell anyone I'm here." Kane growled. "Or there will be...consequences."
The man nodded quickly and barely managed to whisper 'okay'. Kane nodded and exited the gym, it would do nicely.
*******
Kane grunted as he continued his bench presses. He needed to be in absolute top shape to take care of the Big Show and Paul Bearer. Normally, Kane wouldn't take too much time in preperation for the Big Show, but this match was too important to just go half assed with. Kane had to give it 150% if he wanted to be serious. In fact, he was in all of his wrestling gear. Mask, gloves, costume, the whole thing.
He continued pushing the weight up, sweat pouring all over his body as he continuously bench pressed the heavy weights, thinking about the damage he could cause if he managed to bodyslam the Big Show.
Keeping the Paul Bearer element out of his head, he continued to bench press the weights until he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Burning the midnight oil are you?"
Kane set the weight down and sat up, looking straight ahead at the reflection of the female wrestler in the mirror. He had a very checkered past with her, and both went their seperate paths. He had feelings for her at one time, but it turned into contempt when she betrayed him. However, that was a long time ago. He was over it.
"Hello Chyna." He said, turning around and looking at her. She was here to work out too, which angered him. He did not need anyone with him in this gym, especially her. However, he kept his cool. He would save his anger for the Big Show. "What the hell are you doing here?" He growled.
She smiled to him and laughed. "I scared the shit out of the owner and bribed him. You?"
Kane smirked under the mask and went to continue his bench presses. "Something like that." He continued his workout. "So who else is coming to bug me during my workout?"
She shook her head as she began to get some weights together. "No one."
Kane didn't respond, continuing his workout. Chyna started her workout routine. After what seemed like forever, she turned to speak to him. "So what is with this whole new attitude of yours? You trying to get yourself killed?" He didn't respond to her, continuing the bench presses. She noticed that the weights were much heavier than those he lifted normally.
Chyna continued. "I mean, none of us know what to make of it. You may have ended Kurt Angle's career..."
"Damn shame." Kane said sarcastically.
Chyna frowned. "You broke Bull's hand, you nearly killed X-Pac..."
"He had it coming." Kane responded as he continued bench pressing the weights.
"You nearly made Edge and Christian deaf..."
"Who cares?"
"And everyone knows it was you who took out Albert and Credible."
Kane didn't bother responding, instead he continued his bench presses.
"I mean, it seems like you have a death wish. Sooner or later all of this shit is going to catch up to you. You are going to piss someone off...big time."
Kane stopped the bench presses and set the weights down, sitting upwards. He had already settled his issue's with Chyna a long time ago, but she was making some more issue's by getting involved in his business like this. Turning his head towards her, he spoke. "My brother sent you here didn't he?"
She nodded slowly. "He knew you would probably pick a gym to work out in the night before the pay per view. He's starting to get some thoughts. He thinks you have a death wish. Frankly some of the guys and almost all of the girls think you've gone nuts. Me, I'm leaning towards the death wish part."
Kane looked to her and glared. "If I wanted to die I would have done that a long time ago."
Chyna threw her weights down in frustration. "Then what the fuck is your problem then? You trying to go solo, act all big and bad and get noticed? Here's a news flash for you einstein, it will get you crippled or killed or worse! You think that messing around with Austin and Hunter is going to be successful to you? No it won't! Right now Triple H is probably thinking of ways to humiliate and hurt you. I would know, I know Triple H better than anyone else. He will stop at nothing to destroy you for that! He's got McMahon, Austin and god only knows who else on his side willing to gang up on you. They'll do terrible things to you! He'll make your life a living hell! I would know! I know Hunter better than anyone else."
Kane glared at her and walked towards her, pointing right at her. "Don't you fucking tell me to be careful! I'm doing my fucking job! And don't you tell me about life being a living hell! Don't you fucking dare!"
Chyna walked right up towards his face and yelled back. "What the hell is wrong with you? What the fuck is going on? You turn your back on everyone that would help you out? You want to get fameous and get yourself killed is that it?"
"Get the fuck out of here." Kane yelled back.
"What the fuck is going on? Why can't you see that there are people that care about you?"
Kane growled and ripped his mask off, pointing to his scarred, burnt, hidious face. "WHO THE HELL CAN CARE ABOUT THIS?" His breathing began to get heavy, and his hate filled eyes stared right into Chyna's own eyes. "No one can understand what I'm doing." He put his mask on and turned his back to her. "No one will."
Chyna shook her head and looked at him. Calm yourself down Chyna, she thought. She knew very well what it was like to be rejected by people just because of her physical appearence. She just waited for Kane to speak his mind.
"All of my life I've been called a monster. Bearer called me it, my brother thought I was one when I went after him, everyone. I tried being human, and look where it got me? I got betrayed! You, X-Pac, Bearer...Tori." He spoke with a tiny bit of pain that he rarely showed when he mentioned Tori's name. Out of all the scarring in his life, that had hurt the worst. "It made me weak, vunurable, a joke. So, if I have to become a monster to get to the top, then that's what I'm going to do. I'll make them pay, I will get even with them all. They are all going to suffer as I have suffered." He said finally, claming down quite a bit.
She shook her head. "It isn't always going to be that way Kane..."
"It's always going to be that way. It always has been. Emotion makes me weak. Hate makes me strong. That's the way it is."
Chyna closed her eyes. He had made up his mind, and she wasn't going to be able to convince him to change it. She tried. She still thought of him as an friend. She betrayed him, and he got even with her. But she was a closer friend with the Undertaker. When she first came into the World Wrestling Federation, he had been the one who supported her. He treated her like an equal while most of the other guys looked at her as a freak. She sighed. "What about Austin and Triple H?"
Kane smiled under his mask, looking to her. "They are the type that thinks that they can make rules and run over everyone. They are the type who see people as their own personal powertrip. They have to pay a very heavy price."
Chyna nodded, conceding defeat. It was going to take a miracle to see things a different way.
Kane turned on the gym television and tuned in to Saturday Night Nitro. He saw town and began to lift some more weights, watching the telecast. Chyna sat and began to do some benchpresses, watching the show.
The next match would be Undertaker against Scott Stiner. Kane smirked under the mask. Stiner was about to become fameous.
**********
-Summerslam-
The Undertaker arrived at the arena, exhausted from his match the previous night against Scott Stiner on Nitro. He didn't expect the man to be so tough, it took him a last ride and a tombstone to take him down. But he did it, and he made another boy fameous.
He opened the locker room door, getting congratulations from everyone about his match. Farooq gave him a very hard pat on the shoulder for it. "Way to go man." He said. The Undertaker just nodded and smiled to him.
He looked around the locker room, seeing Kane's gear by a locker, but Kane wasn't in the room. He looked around and tapped Grandmaster Sexay on the shoulder.
"Hey boy, where's Kane?"
Sexay looked at him and spoke. "Well man, the dog be chillin' out and preppin' for his fiasco, with the big show. The big rad machine? He be hangin' and chillin' and be doing all of that thang bro!"
The Undertaker rolled his eyes and then glared at him. "In English."
Sexay gulped and then smiled. "Downstairs. Lifting crates."
The Undertaker finished unpacking and then walked to the door.
*******
Chyna walked up to the Undertaker on his way to the basement and smiled to him. "Hey Mark. How's it going?"
The Undertaker smiled and nodded to her. "A bit sore but I'm doin' allright. You talk to Kane?"
She nodded and shook her head. "It's exactly like you thought it was. I don't think talking to him is going to change his mind."
The Undertaker cursed. "He is one stubborn son of a bitch isn't he?"
She nodded. "Yeah, reminds me of someone I know."
The Undertaker looked at her and shook his head slightly. "I guess it would be a bad idea to talk to him."
Chyna just nodded. "Oh yeah, good luck."
The Undertaker looked at her and raised his eyebrow. "For what?"
Chyna looked at him and laughed, crossing her arms and looking at the dead man. "You mean you didn't hear?" She smiled and punched him in the arm. "Foley just announced who the third guy in the championship match is going to be. Good luck with your title shot."
The Undertaker looked at her, smiled and then he just laughed. "Well well well...looks like those two good old boys are gonna become fameous."
He then heard some familiar laughter behind him and turned around, seeing the short and fat figure of Paul Bearer. The Undertaker sneered at him and walked towards him, while Chyna held him back. "Don't do something stupid Mark." She said.
Paul just smiled to him. "Well, you've gone from the 'Lord of Darkness' to the 'American Badass'." He laughed. "I must say Mark, you are a shadow of your former self. Oh yes."
The Undertaker growled. "Only friends and family can call me Mark, and as far as I'm concerned, you're neither, get lost."
Paul smiled and then walked towards him. "I just wanted to wish you luck on your title match. Personally, I hope you win it. I'd like to see the Big Show destroy you just like he's going to destroy Kane tonight." Paul laughed and walked away.
The Undertaker sneered at him. "It's going to take a lot more than you and the Big Show to take out Kane."
Bearer just laughed and walked away.
******
Kane continued to punch the crates as hard as he could, small pieces of wood flying all around the place. He kept imagining the face of the Big Show, and the face of Paul Bearer on the crates, every punch making him angrier. Every attack against the crates making him hungrier for WWF Gold. Tonight was to be his night. But the Undertaker ended up being the mystery man. So tonight, Kane would be in his brother's shadow once again.
Kane yelled in fury at the thought of it. He didn't care for anything. He could end up having to destroy his brother to get the belt. Mark was not the one he wanted to fight for the title. He wanted Austin's head on a plate. Out of all the wrestlers in the world, he wanted to destroy Austin the most.
"Yell all you want you still aren't going to take that gold." Yelled the Big Show from the other end of the basement. He laughed and then walked away.
Kane looked at the Show and growled. "We'll see."
*******
Triple H and Austin sat in their locker room, discussing the strategy of tonight's match. It would be a long and tough night. Not only would they have to contend against their 'special' guest referee, the Rock, but they would have to go up against the man who made their life a living hell for years. The Undertaker. And although both of them knew how good they were, they knew he was better. At heart, Undertaker was the best there was in the World Wrestling Federation.
Triple H had abandoned all thoughts about betraying Austin tonight, he couldn't afford to lose an ally with Kane, Undertaker and the Rock against them. He hadn't counted on this. He had figured Foley would set a WCW wrestler up against them tonight. Booker T, Sting, Mike Awesome, anyone but the Undertaker. However, he had been foolish. He made a mistake. However, he did not make those often.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Austin opened the door, and there stood their old ally. He was the man who had masterminded many of their plans. He was the man who many considered to be the one of the most evil men on the planet. He had fueded with Austin for years, only to convince Austin to sell him his soul. He had been the man who had used everyone in the World Wrestling Federation. He masterminded the rise of Shawn Michels. He brought other Wrestling organizations to their knees. He was the man who a few people thought to be the devil incarnate. He was Vincint K. McMahon. And he had a plan.
"Good evening my friends, I have someone with me I am sure you are all anxious to meet. Tonight, in that very ring, you Stone Cold Steve Austin and you Triple H, are going to make history. We will take back what is ours, and with the help of our friend here, we will make sure the WWF Championship stays in our hands. And this time, no one will stop us." As he introduced the man to Hunter and Austin, the television showed Kane about to enter the ring for his match, only to be ambushed by the Big Show.
*******
Kane felt the fist of the Big Show nail him right in the back of the head as soon as he tried to come to the ring. The match hadn't even begun yet.
Kane tried to shake it off, only to feel a kick in the ribs from the Big Show, making him roll down the walkway. Kane then attempted to uppercut the Big Show in the stomach, but he wasn't successful. The Big Show blocked it and then punched him in the head.
Kane struggled to get up and then attempted to punch the Big Show in the face, knocking him backwards. He attacked continously and then took him into the ring. He heard the referee call for the bell to signal the start of the match.
For 10 minutes, Kane and the Big Show fought, neither gaining much ground on the other. Kane kept his eye on Paul Bearer, standing in the Big Show's corner. The distraction was something Kane hadn't fully prepared himself for.
The Big Show himself was starting to tire. He knew how tough Kane was, but with Bearer on his side, he couldn't lose.
Kane himself finally mounted offence, pushing the Big Show backwards. Kane ran towards the ropes, using them to slingshot himself towards the Big Show. He attempted to clothesline him and knock him off his feet, but the Big Show only staggered. He ran to the ropes again, this time using all of his strength, he clotheslined the Big Show, knocking him to the ground. He smiled under the mask. Finally this match was going his way.
He climbed to the top rope and waited for the Big Show to get up, preparing for the flying lariat. However, Paul Bearer ran to the corner Kane was perched on and grabbed his leg. Kane was distracted and turned to Bearer, grabbing him by the hair. He would pick Bearer up and throw him from the top rope.
It was just the moment the Big Show needed to get to Kane's corner and grab him by the throat. He held Kane up high above his head and then chokeslammed him in the ring with such velocity that it caused the entire ring to shake. He smiled and then attempted to cover Kane. Referee Tim White began to make the count.
"One...Two..." and as he was about to count to three, Kane somehow managed to kick out of the count. The Big Show was dumbfounded as he saw Kane get up from that. He growled and looked to Bearer, who began to distract the referee. The Big Show then looked to the titantron, giving a thumbs up. Edge and Christian emerged from it with chairs in their hands, hoping to get revenge on Kane for using his pyro's against them.
Kane slowly got up from the chokeslam, his head a bit dazed. He could see Edge and Christian out of the corner of his eye, and he noticed Bearer distracting the referee. He knew he was about to get screwed.
He gave the Big Show and uppercut to the groin area, causing him to fall down in pain. Edge and Christian slid into the ring and ran towards him. He lifted a boot, kicking a chair into Edge and pushing Christian away. Christian bumped into the referee, knocking him out.
Kane grabbed Christian by the throat and then chokeslammed him onto his chair. He smiled seeing Christian roll around in pain.
Then he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head as the Big Show hit him with a steel chair. He then got Edge up and waited for Kane to stand up.
Kane slowly stood up, seeing everything in a blur. He then felt another sharp blow to his head as the Big Show and Edge gave him the con-chair-to. He fell to the ground, his head groggy, himself dizzy.
Bearer entered the ring and smiled, seeing Kane on the ground. He bent over and looked Kane in the eyes. "It looks like I get the last laugh my boy." He chuckled. "Have fun in the hospital." He looked to the Big Show and his newfound allies. "Finish him off. I don't want him to wrestle again."
The Big Show nodded and smiled and lifted the chair above his head...
When the lights suddenly went out. He looked around and then heard Limp Bizkit's 'rollin', seeing the Undertaker run down to the ring to the rescue with a chain in his hand. He growled and sent Edge and Christian after him. Paul Bearer exited the ring and waited.
Edge ran towards the Undertaker with the chair in hand, and the Undertaker simply lifted his boot and kicked the chair into his face. He then punched Christian in the face with the chain in his hand, busting the young man open. He shook his head. These boys never learn.
He then walked towards Paul Bearer while the Big Show yelled at the Undertaker.
This gave Kane a chance to recover as he stood and chopped the Big Show in the neck. He continued punching him with a newfound rage, ignoring the Undertaker. He then grabbed the Big Show by the throat and looked at him. "Goodbye." He then headbutted the Big Show, stunning him. He then tried to lift the Big Show, using every ounce of strength in him. He was heavier than anyone Kane had tried to lift, and for a few moments, he honestly thought he wasn't going to be able to do it. Then he pushed every last part of him into it and lifted the Big Show high above his head, and then dropped him. The Big Show fell, making a dent in the ring, knocking him out. Kane then shook the referee awake, and covered the Big Show for the three count.
Meanwhile, Bearer watched all of this, crying. He hadn't planned on it to turn out like this at all. The Undertaker wasn't supposed to interfere. He would get back at them soon enough. He tried to sneak away, and bumped right into the Undertaker. He smiled to him and grabbed his throat. "Here's for all the good times." He then lifted Paul Bearer and chokeslammed him through the spanish announcers table. He smiled, watching Paul Bearer twitch.
Kane exited the ring and walked right towards his brother, and punched him right in the face with all of his rage and might he had left, knocking the Undertaker to the floor. "Don't you EVER interfere in my life again. I want nothing to do with you." He then stormed off, his anger filling him.
The Undertaker stood up, shocked that Kane had done that. He had just saved Kane's career, and this was how he repayed him. He yelled at him. "KANE!"
Kane didn't turn around, he just entered his locker room, packed his things, and left the arena without a word.
*******
-The Main Event-
The Undertaker had been distracted for most of the match against Triple H and Austin, the incident with Kane fresh on his mind. He couldn't belive Kane punched him and turned his back on him. He was hurt, he couldn't believe that Kane had done that. He couldn't believe that Kane would rather have gotten injured than accepted his help.
Meanwhile, the Rock had been a less-than-indiscriminate referee in the match. It had been going on for 20 minutes, and the Rock continously screwed Triple H and Austin over in the match, threatning to disqualify them both.
The Undertaker had taken advantage of the distraction and continuously punched Triple H in the gut while Austin and the Rock argued. Finally, Austin gave the Rock 2 middle fingers and attempted to stunner the Undertaker while he was occupied with Triple H. However, the Undertaker threw Hunter towards Austin, causing him to kick him by mistake. That gave the Undertaker the opening he was looking for as he kicked Austin in the gut and gave -him- the Stone Cold Stunner, knocking him almost out cold.
He watched Triple H get up and smiled, grabbing him and putting him in the position for the Last Ride. He smiled and then lifted Triple H above his head, yelling to Triple H. "I told ya I was gonna make you fameous boy!" And gave Triple H the last ride onto the canvas.
He smiled and covered the Game. The Rock made the three count, and Triple H was eliminated from this match. He smiled and stood up, picking Austin up and preparing him for the chokeslam.
Suddenly, 'No Chance' was heard over the loudspeakers as Vince McMahon walked down towards the ring. He smiled at them as he walked towards Undertaker and the Rock, laughing at them.
That distraction was all Austin needed to push himself away from the chokeslam. He stepped back while Triple H began to regain consciousness. He jumped and attacked the Rock, while the Rock blocked his punches and proceeded to lay the smackdown on Triple H. The Undertaker grabbed Austin by the throat and lifted him in the air, and looked towards Vince McMahon who was laughing.
Then he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. He fell to the ground and grabbed his head. Seeing blood. He looked up, to see Scott Stiner holding a lead pipe. Stiner hit him in the head with the pipe again while Austin gave the Rock the Stunner while he was distracted.
Stiner glared at the Undertaker while he was on the ground. Blood pouring through all over his face. The Undertaker glared at Stiner, and Stiner just smiled. The Undertaker shook his head. "Well look who is a sore loser." The Undertaker said.
Stiner glared at him and hit him again with the lead pipe. The Undertaker groaned in pain as his head was hit again, getting split open in another place. Stiner flexed his muscles and kissed them, and then looked at Triple H and Austin as they grabbed weapons. Triple H grabbed his sledgehammer, while Austin grabbed a chair.
They all began to attack him like wild animals while Vince McMahon smiled on. Foley ran down towards the ring to try to stop them, but he was stopped by William Regal who attacked him from behind with a chair. He waved to McMahon and McMahon waved back. Foley would probably use his commisioner powers the next day to get even with McMahon, but Foley would be eliminated soon enough.
Meanwhile, Triple H, Austin and Stiner continuously beat on the Undertaker, with Stiner concentrating on his knee's. Stiner hated being humiliated, especially by old fucks like this guy, the Undertaker. Finally, he heard a large snap as he hit him one last time. He grinned and then kissed his muscles again. He looked at Triple H and shook his hand while Stone Cold Steve Austin grabbed some beers. The Rock slowly got up and looked at the three, but he knew there was nothing he could do. Austin handed Stiner a beer and handed Hunter a beer. They smiled, opened their cans, saluted the Rock and then drank some beer. Austin grabbed a microphone and laughed. "Well Rocky, some comeback huh? Now you dumb sone of a bitch, I want you and all of these dumb sons of bitches in this arena to see this. See this man." He pointed to the Undertaker. "Dead Man Walking. Well from now on, he's gonna be dead man crawling. We are going to take this federation to new levels. And not you, or anyone can stop us now." His music hit and he drank more beer, and then poured the remains of his can of beer all over the Undertaker.
The Undertaker looked up at them as he was laying in a pool of his own blood. He felt pain all over his body. He could narrowly see some security men and paramedics coming towards him. He saw the three cowards leave the ring. He could see the Rock talking to him as they put him on a streacher, but he didn't pay attention to that. All he could think about were Kane's words to him. They hurt him more than anything else could.
******
Kane sat in his hotel room and flicked through the channels. He was tired of his brother. He was tired of everything.
Why did he do that after he was told not to interfere? Why did he continually try to interfere in his life? Kane was sick of it. Tommorrow, he would call the Undertaker out, and settle it once and for all.
He was sick of his shit, he was sick of being the little brother. He would make him pay.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Kane growled and answered the phone. "Hello?"
He heard a concerned voice on the other end. "Hey Kane. It's Mick. Listen..."
Kane growled. "Foley if it's about my brother I don't care. I don't care if he won or lost."
Foley sighed. "Kane..." he didn't know how to put it, but he wasn't going to be able to sugarcoat this in any way. He sighed. "Kane, Triple H and Austin crippled him tonight. He's in the hospital with a fractured spine, broken rib, internal bleeding. Kane...they ended his career. He's in serious condition."
Kane didn't speak, he didn't breath. He was shocked. His brother couldn't be taken out like that. He was invincible. He was the Undertaker. no one could do that to the Undertaker.
"Kane...please come to the hospital." Foley's voice on the other line could be heard speaking. But Kane didn't listen. He slowly hung up the phone and buried his face in his hands.
His brother's career was over...and it was his fault.
{Next week: Chapter 6 - WAR}
{Just a note before you read the chapter, I would like to thank you all for supporting this story and my writing of it. It's been really helpful. I would like to dedicate this chapter, and all the ones from now on, to the men and women who bust their asses and risk their necks each and every night for us so that we can be entertained: The Wrestlers. Without people like them, we would not have the entertainment spectacle that is professional wrestling. Now, on to the carnage. Chapter 6 will be up next week. Enjoy. :) }
-The Night Before-
Kane had arrived in the city on Friday, and immedietly he set out to get the specific things that wrestlers had to get when they were in a city for a Pay Per View event- A hotel room, a place to eat, but most importantly, a gym. To take out the Big Show, Kane knew he was going to have to be in very good condition. He had worked out constantly while on the road. Most of the other wrestlers had opted to spend a day or two at home before heading to the city, but Kane's only family was currently working the opening World Championship Wrestling show against Big Poppa Pump, Scott Stiner. Kane had never heard of him until Foley mentioned him the other day, but apparently he had been the WCW's last Champion before Booker T. He would offer the Undertaker a bit of a challenge.
But Kane didn't want any company. It was his quest, no one else's. Kane respected his brother...most of the time, but he didn't like him entering his business like he always did. Kane didn't need him, Kane didn't want him. At least that's what he kept telling himself.
He entered the gym, wearing bandages on his face instead of his mask, like he usually did in public. His brother joked that it made him look like the invisible man when he wore a trenchcoat. Kane didn't find it really funny, but necessary. Looking around it, he could see many wrestling hopefuls, boxers, bodybuilders, gymnists, tennis players, so many athletes trying to make it big. Many of them didn't even notice Kane come in because they were so engrossed with their workout. This was his kind of gym, where people took their body's very seriously. Kane looked at the gym owner and coughed to try to get his attention. The man didn't react. Kane shook his head and then tapped him on the shoulder. The man turned around and jumped as he saw Kane standing in front of him, thinking of him as a criminal or something.
Kane smiled under the bandages, he liked this. "Excuse me, but I was wondering how late your gym is open."
The man regained his composure and looked up at Kane, nodding to him. "Of course, we are open until 11PM at night."
Kane nodded and reached into the pocket of his trenchcoat, pulling out one thousand dollers. "How about you re-open at 12 and let me use the gym for 5 hours tonight." Kane could have just threatened him, but that could alert some people to his presence in the gym tonight, and he didn't want a load of hero worshipping fans to watch him him work out.
The man nodded to him and smiled. "Sure thing." He turned to walk away when Kane tightly grabbed his shoulder.
"And don't tell anyone I'm here." Kane growled. "Or there will be...consequences."
The man nodded quickly and barely managed to whisper 'okay'. Kane nodded and exited the gym, it would do nicely.
*******
Kane grunted as he continued his bench presses. He needed to be in absolute top shape to take care of the Big Show and Paul Bearer. Normally, Kane wouldn't take too much time in preperation for the Big Show, but this match was too important to just go half assed with. Kane had to give it 150% if he wanted to be serious. In fact, he was in all of his wrestling gear. Mask, gloves, costume, the whole thing.
He continued pushing the weight up, sweat pouring all over his body as he continuously bench pressed the heavy weights, thinking about the damage he could cause if he managed to bodyslam the Big Show.
Keeping the Paul Bearer element out of his head, he continued to bench press the weights until he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Burning the midnight oil are you?"
Kane set the weight down and sat up, looking straight ahead at the reflection of the female wrestler in the mirror. He had a very checkered past with her, and both went their seperate paths. He had feelings for her at one time, but it turned into contempt when she betrayed him. However, that was a long time ago. He was over it.
"Hello Chyna." He said, turning around and looking at her. She was here to work out too, which angered him. He did not need anyone with him in this gym, especially her. However, he kept his cool. He would save his anger for the Big Show. "What the hell are you doing here?" He growled.
She smiled to him and laughed. "I scared the shit out of the owner and bribed him. You?"
Kane smirked under the mask and went to continue his bench presses. "Something like that." He continued his workout. "So who else is coming to bug me during my workout?"
She shook her head as she began to get some weights together. "No one."
Kane didn't respond, continuing his workout. Chyna started her workout routine. After what seemed like forever, she turned to speak to him. "So what is with this whole new attitude of yours? You trying to get yourself killed?" He didn't respond to her, continuing the bench presses. She noticed that the weights were much heavier than those he lifted normally.
Chyna continued. "I mean, none of us know what to make of it. You may have ended Kurt Angle's career..."
"Damn shame." Kane said sarcastically.
Chyna frowned. "You broke Bull's hand, you nearly killed X-Pac..."
"He had it coming." Kane responded as he continued bench pressing the weights.
"You nearly made Edge and Christian deaf..."
"Who cares?"
"And everyone knows it was you who took out Albert and Credible."
Kane didn't bother responding, instead he continued his bench presses.
"I mean, it seems like you have a death wish. Sooner or later all of this shit is going to catch up to you. You are going to piss someone off...big time."
Kane stopped the bench presses and set the weights down, sitting upwards. He had already settled his issue's with Chyna a long time ago, but she was making some more issue's by getting involved in his business like this. Turning his head towards her, he spoke. "My brother sent you here didn't he?"
She nodded slowly. "He knew you would probably pick a gym to work out in the night before the pay per view. He's starting to get some thoughts. He thinks you have a death wish. Frankly some of the guys and almost all of the girls think you've gone nuts. Me, I'm leaning towards the death wish part."
Kane looked to her and glared. "If I wanted to die I would have done that a long time ago."
Chyna threw her weights down in frustration. "Then what the fuck is your problem then? You trying to go solo, act all big and bad and get noticed? Here's a news flash for you einstein, it will get you crippled or killed or worse! You think that messing around with Austin and Hunter is going to be successful to you? No it won't! Right now Triple H is probably thinking of ways to humiliate and hurt you. I would know, I know Triple H better than anyone else. He will stop at nothing to destroy you for that! He's got McMahon, Austin and god only knows who else on his side willing to gang up on you. They'll do terrible things to you! He'll make your life a living hell! I would know! I know Hunter better than anyone else."
Kane glared at her and walked towards her, pointing right at her. "Don't you fucking tell me to be careful! I'm doing my fucking job! And don't you tell me about life being a living hell! Don't you fucking dare!"
Chyna walked right up towards his face and yelled back. "What the hell is wrong with you? What the fuck is going on? You turn your back on everyone that would help you out? You want to get fameous and get yourself killed is that it?"
"Get the fuck out of here." Kane yelled back.
"What the fuck is going on? Why can't you see that there are people that care about you?"
Kane growled and ripped his mask off, pointing to his scarred, burnt, hidious face. "WHO THE HELL CAN CARE ABOUT THIS?" His breathing began to get heavy, and his hate filled eyes stared right into Chyna's own eyes. "No one can understand what I'm doing." He put his mask on and turned his back to her. "No one will."
Chyna shook her head and looked at him. Calm yourself down Chyna, she thought. She knew very well what it was like to be rejected by people just because of her physical appearence. She just waited for Kane to speak his mind.
"All of my life I've been called a monster. Bearer called me it, my brother thought I was one when I went after him, everyone. I tried being human, and look where it got me? I got betrayed! You, X-Pac, Bearer...Tori." He spoke with a tiny bit of pain that he rarely showed when he mentioned Tori's name. Out of all the scarring in his life, that had hurt the worst. "It made me weak, vunurable, a joke. So, if I have to become a monster to get to the top, then that's what I'm going to do. I'll make them pay, I will get even with them all. They are all going to suffer as I have suffered." He said finally, claming down quite a bit.
She shook her head. "It isn't always going to be that way Kane..."
"It's always going to be that way. It always has been. Emotion makes me weak. Hate makes me strong. That's the way it is."
Chyna closed her eyes. He had made up his mind, and she wasn't going to be able to convince him to change it. She tried. She still thought of him as an friend. She betrayed him, and he got even with her. But she was a closer friend with the Undertaker. When she first came into the World Wrestling Federation, he had been the one who supported her. He treated her like an equal while most of the other guys looked at her as a freak. She sighed. "What about Austin and Triple H?"
Kane smiled under his mask, looking to her. "They are the type that thinks that they can make rules and run over everyone. They are the type who see people as their own personal powertrip. They have to pay a very heavy price."
Chyna nodded, conceding defeat. It was going to take a miracle to see things a different way.
Kane turned on the gym television and tuned in to Saturday Night Nitro. He saw town and began to lift some more weights, watching the telecast. Chyna sat and began to do some benchpresses, watching the show.
The next match would be Undertaker against Scott Stiner. Kane smirked under the mask. Stiner was about to become fameous.
**********
-Summerslam-
The Undertaker arrived at the arena, exhausted from his match the previous night against Scott Stiner on Nitro. He didn't expect the man to be so tough, it took him a last ride and a tombstone to take him down. But he did it, and he made another boy fameous.
He opened the locker room door, getting congratulations from everyone about his match. Farooq gave him a very hard pat on the shoulder for it. "Way to go man." He said. The Undertaker just nodded and smiled to him.
He looked around the locker room, seeing Kane's gear by a locker, but Kane wasn't in the room. He looked around and tapped Grandmaster Sexay on the shoulder.
"Hey boy, where's Kane?"
Sexay looked at him and spoke. "Well man, the dog be chillin' out and preppin' for his fiasco, with the big show. The big rad machine? He be hangin' and chillin' and be doing all of that thang bro!"
The Undertaker rolled his eyes and then glared at him. "In English."
Sexay gulped and then smiled. "Downstairs. Lifting crates."
The Undertaker finished unpacking and then walked to the door.
*******
Chyna walked up to the Undertaker on his way to the basement and smiled to him. "Hey Mark. How's it going?"
The Undertaker smiled and nodded to her. "A bit sore but I'm doin' allright. You talk to Kane?"
She nodded and shook her head. "It's exactly like you thought it was. I don't think talking to him is going to change his mind."
The Undertaker cursed. "He is one stubborn son of a bitch isn't he?"
She nodded. "Yeah, reminds me of someone I know."
The Undertaker looked at her and shook his head slightly. "I guess it would be a bad idea to talk to him."
Chyna just nodded. "Oh yeah, good luck."
The Undertaker looked at her and raised his eyebrow. "For what?"
Chyna looked at him and laughed, crossing her arms and looking at the dead man. "You mean you didn't hear?" She smiled and punched him in the arm. "Foley just announced who the third guy in the championship match is going to be. Good luck with your title shot."
The Undertaker looked at her, smiled and then he just laughed. "Well well well...looks like those two good old boys are gonna become fameous."
He then heard some familiar laughter behind him and turned around, seeing the short and fat figure of Paul Bearer. The Undertaker sneered at him and walked towards him, while Chyna held him back. "Don't do something stupid Mark." She said.
Paul just smiled to him. "Well, you've gone from the 'Lord of Darkness' to the 'American Badass'." He laughed. "I must say Mark, you are a shadow of your former self. Oh yes."
The Undertaker growled. "Only friends and family can call me Mark, and as far as I'm concerned, you're neither, get lost."
Paul smiled and then walked towards him. "I just wanted to wish you luck on your title match. Personally, I hope you win it. I'd like to see the Big Show destroy you just like he's going to destroy Kane tonight." Paul laughed and walked away.
The Undertaker sneered at him. "It's going to take a lot more than you and the Big Show to take out Kane."
Bearer just laughed and walked away.
******
Kane continued to punch the crates as hard as he could, small pieces of wood flying all around the place. He kept imagining the face of the Big Show, and the face of Paul Bearer on the crates, every punch making him angrier. Every attack against the crates making him hungrier for WWF Gold. Tonight was to be his night. But the Undertaker ended up being the mystery man. So tonight, Kane would be in his brother's shadow once again.
Kane yelled in fury at the thought of it. He didn't care for anything. He could end up having to destroy his brother to get the belt. Mark was not the one he wanted to fight for the title. He wanted Austin's head on a plate. Out of all the wrestlers in the world, he wanted to destroy Austin the most.
"Yell all you want you still aren't going to take that gold." Yelled the Big Show from the other end of the basement. He laughed and then walked away.
Kane looked at the Show and growled. "We'll see."
*******
Triple H and Austin sat in their locker room, discussing the strategy of tonight's match. It would be a long and tough night. Not only would they have to contend against their 'special' guest referee, the Rock, but they would have to go up against the man who made their life a living hell for years. The Undertaker. And although both of them knew how good they were, they knew he was better. At heart, Undertaker was the best there was in the World Wrestling Federation.
Triple H had abandoned all thoughts about betraying Austin tonight, he couldn't afford to lose an ally with Kane, Undertaker and the Rock against them. He hadn't counted on this. He had figured Foley would set a WCW wrestler up against them tonight. Booker T, Sting, Mike Awesome, anyone but the Undertaker. However, he had been foolish. He made a mistake. However, he did not make those often.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Austin opened the door, and there stood their old ally. He was the man who had masterminded many of their plans. He was the man who many considered to be the one of the most evil men on the planet. He had fueded with Austin for years, only to convince Austin to sell him his soul. He had been the man who had used everyone in the World Wrestling Federation. He masterminded the rise of Shawn Michels. He brought other Wrestling organizations to their knees. He was the man who a few people thought to be the devil incarnate. He was Vincint K. McMahon. And he had a plan.
"Good evening my friends, I have someone with me I am sure you are all anxious to meet. Tonight, in that very ring, you Stone Cold Steve Austin and you Triple H, are going to make history. We will take back what is ours, and with the help of our friend here, we will make sure the WWF Championship stays in our hands. And this time, no one will stop us." As he introduced the man to Hunter and Austin, the television showed Kane about to enter the ring for his match, only to be ambushed by the Big Show.
*******
Kane felt the fist of the Big Show nail him right in the back of the head as soon as he tried to come to the ring. The match hadn't even begun yet.
Kane tried to shake it off, only to feel a kick in the ribs from the Big Show, making him roll down the walkway. Kane then attempted to uppercut the Big Show in the stomach, but he wasn't successful. The Big Show blocked it and then punched him in the head.
Kane struggled to get up and then attempted to punch the Big Show in the face, knocking him backwards. He attacked continously and then took him into the ring. He heard the referee call for the bell to signal the start of the match.
For 10 minutes, Kane and the Big Show fought, neither gaining much ground on the other. Kane kept his eye on Paul Bearer, standing in the Big Show's corner. The distraction was something Kane hadn't fully prepared himself for.
The Big Show himself was starting to tire. He knew how tough Kane was, but with Bearer on his side, he couldn't lose.
Kane himself finally mounted offence, pushing the Big Show backwards. Kane ran towards the ropes, using them to slingshot himself towards the Big Show. He attempted to clothesline him and knock him off his feet, but the Big Show only staggered. He ran to the ropes again, this time using all of his strength, he clotheslined the Big Show, knocking him to the ground. He smiled under the mask. Finally this match was going his way.
He climbed to the top rope and waited for the Big Show to get up, preparing for the flying lariat. However, Paul Bearer ran to the corner Kane was perched on and grabbed his leg. Kane was distracted and turned to Bearer, grabbing him by the hair. He would pick Bearer up and throw him from the top rope.
It was just the moment the Big Show needed to get to Kane's corner and grab him by the throat. He held Kane up high above his head and then chokeslammed him in the ring with such velocity that it caused the entire ring to shake. He smiled and then attempted to cover Kane. Referee Tim White began to make the count.
"One...Two..." and as he was about to count to three, Kane somehow managed to kick out of the count. The Big Show was dumbfounded as he saw Kane get up from that. He growled and looked to Bearer, who began to distract the referee. The Big Show then looked to the titantron, giving a thumbs up. Edge and Christian emerged from it with chairs in their hands, hoping to get revenge on Kane for using his pyro's against them.
Kane slowly got up from the chokeslam, his head a bit dazed. He could see Edge and Christian out of the corner of his eye, and he noticed Bearer distracting the referee. He knew he was about to get screwed.
He gave the Big Show and uppercut to the groin area, causing him to fall down in pain. Edge and Christian slid into the ring and ran towards him. He lifted a boot, kicking a chair into Edge and pushing Christian away. Christian bumped into the referee, knocking him out.
Kane grabbed Christian by the throat and then chokeslammed him onto his chair. He smiled seeing Christian roll around in pain.
Then he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head as the Big Show hit him with a steel chair. He then got Edge up and waited for Kane to stand up.
Kane slowly stood up, seeing everything in a blur. He then felt another sharp blow to his head as the Big Show and Edge gave him the con-chair-to. He fell to the ground, his head groggy, himself dizzy.
Bearer entered the ring and smiled, seeing Kane on the ground. He bent over and looked Kane in the eyes. "It looks like I get the last laugh my boy." He chuckled. "Have fun in the hospital." He looked to the Big Show and his newfound allies. "Finish him off. I don't want him to wrestle again."
The Big Show nodded and smiled and lifted the chair above his head...
When the lights suddenly went out. He looked around and then heard Limp Bizkit's 'rollin', seeing the Undertaker run down to the ring to the rescue with a chain in his hand. He growled and sent Edge and Christian after him. Paul Bearer exited the ring and waited.
Edge ran towards the Undertaker with the chair in hand, and the Undertaker simply lifted his boot and kicked the chair into his face. He then punched Christian in the face with the chain in his hand, busting the young man open. He shook his head. These boys never learn.
He then walked towards Paul Bearer while the Big Show yelled at the Undertaker.
This gave Kane a chance to recover as he stood and chopped the Big Show in the neck. He continued punching him with a newfound rage, ignoring the Undertaker. He then grabbed the Big Show by the throat and looked at him. "Goodbye." He then headbutted the Big Show, stunning him. He then tried to lift the Big Show, using every ounce of strength in him. He was heavier than anyone Kane had tried to lift, and for a few moments, he honestly thought he wasn't going to be able to do it. Then he pushed every last part of him into it and lifted the Big Show high above his head, and then dropped him. The Big Show fell, making a dent in the ring, knocking him out. Kane then shook the referee awake, and covered the Big Show for the three count.
Meanwhile, Bearer watched all of this, crying. He hadn't planned on it to turn out like this at all. The Undertaker wasn't supposed to interfere. He would get back at them soon enough. He tried to sneak away, and bumped right into the Undertaker. He smiled to him and grabbed his throat. "Here's for all the good times." He then lifted Paul Bearer and chokeslammed him through the spanish announcers table. He smiled, watching Paul Bearer twitch.
Kane exited the ring and walked right towards his brother, and punched him right in the face with all of his rage and might he had left, knocking the Undertaker to the floor. "Don't you EVER interfere in my life again. I want nothing to do with you." He then stormed off, his anger filling him.
The Undertaker stood up, shocked that Kane had done that. He had just saved Kane's career, and this was how he repayed him. He yelled at him. "KANE!"
Kane didn't turn around, he just entered his locker room, packed his things, and left the arena without a word.
*******
-The Main Event-
The Undertaker had been distracted for most of the match against Triple H and Austin, the incident with Kane fresh on his mind. He couldn't belive Kane punched him and turned his back on him. He was hurt, he couldn't believe that Kane had done that. He couldn't believe that Kane would rather have gotten injured than accepted his help.
Meanwhile, the Rock had been a less-than-indiscriminate referee in the match. It had been going on for 20 minutes, and the Rock continously screwed Triple H and Austin over in the match, threatning to disqualify them both.
The Undertaker had taken advantage of the distraction and continuously punched Triple H in the gut while Austin and the Rock argued. Finally, Austin gave the Rock 2 middle fingers and attempted to stunner the Undertaker while he was occupied with Triple H. However, the Undertaker threw Hunter towards Austin, causing him to kick him by mistake. That gave the Undertaker the opening he was looking for as he kicked Austin in the gut and gave -him- the Stone Cold Stunner, knocking him almost out cold.
He watched Triple H get up and smiled, grabbing him and putting him in the position for the Last Ride. He smiled and then lifted Triple H above his head, yelling to Triple H. "I told ya I was gonna make you fameous boy!" And gave Triple H the last ride onto the canvas.
He smiled and covered the Game. The Rock made the three count, and Triple H was eliminated from this match. He smiled and stood up, picking Austin up and preparing him for the chokeslam.
Suddenly, 'No Chance' was heard over the loudspeakers as Vince McMahon walked down towards the ring. He smiled at them as he walked towards Undertaker and the Rock, laughing at them.
That distraction was all Austin needed to push himself away from the chokeslam. He stepped back while Triple H began to regain consciousness. He jumped and attacked the Rock, while the Rock blocked his punches and proceeded to lay the smackdown on Triple H. The Undertaker grabbed Austin by the throat and lifted him in the air, and looked towards Vince McMahon who was laughing.
Then he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. He fell to the ground and grabbed his head. Seeing blood. He looked up, to see Scott Stiner holding a lead pipe. Stiner hit him in the head with the pipe again while Austin gave the Rock the Stunner while he was distracted.
Stiner glared at the Undertaker while he was on the ground. Blood pouring through all over his face. The Undertaker glared at Stiner, and Stiner just smiled. The Undertaker shook his head. "Well look who is a sore loser." The Undertaker said.
Stiner glared at him and hit him again with the lead pipe. The Undertaker groaned in pain as his head was hit again, getting split open in another place. Stiner flexed his muscles and kissed them, and then looked at Triple H and Austin as they grabbed weapons. Triple H grabbed his sledgehammer, while Austin grabbed a chair.
They all began to attack him like wild animals while Vince McMahon smiled on. Foley ran down towards the ring to try to stop them, but he was stopped by William Regal who attacked him from behind with a chair. He waved to McMahon and McMahon waved back. Foley would probably use his commisioner powers the next day to get even with McMahon, but Foley would be eliminated soon enough.
Meanwhile, Triple H, Austin and Stiner continuously beat on the Undertaker, with Stiner concentrating on his knee's. Stiner hated being humiliated, especially by old fucks like this guy, the Undertaker. Finally, he heard a large snap as he hit him one last time. He grinned and then kissed his muscles again. He looked at Triple H and shook his hand while Stone Cold Steve Austin grabbed some beers. The Rock slowly got up and looked at the three, but he knew there was nothing he could do. Austin handed Stiner a beer and handed Hunter a beer. They smiled, opened their cans, saluted the Rock and then drank some beer. Austin grabbed a microphone and laughed. "Well Rocky, some comeback huh? Now you dumb sone of a bitch, I want you and all of these dumb sons of bitches in this arena to see this. See this man." He pointed to the Undertaker. "Dead Man Walking. Well from now on, he's gonna be dead man crawling. We are going to take this federation to new levels. And not you, or anyone can stop us now." His music hit and he drank more beer, and then poured the remains of his can of beer all over the Undertaker.
The Undertaker looked up at them as he was laying in a pool of his own blood. He felt pain all over his body. He could narrowly see some security men and paramedics coming towards him. He saw the three cowards leave the ring. He could see the Rock talking to him as they put him on a streacher, but he didn't pay attention to that. All he could think about were Kane's words to him. They hurt him more than anything else could.
******
Kane sat in his hotel room and flicked through the channels. He was tired of his brother. He was tired of everything.
Why did he do that after he was told not to interfere? Why did he continually try to interfere in his life? Kane was sick of it. Tommorrow, he would call the Undertaker out, and settle it once and for all.
He was sick of his shit, he was sick of being the little brother. He would make him pay.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Kane growled and answered the phone. "Hello?"
He heard a concerned voice on the other end. "Hey Kane. It's Mick. Listen..."
Kane growled. "Foley if it's about my brother I don't care. I don't care if he won or lost."
Foley sighed. "Kane..." he didn't know how to put it, but he wasn't going to be able to sugarcoat this in any way. He sighed. "Kane, Triple H and Austin crippled him tonight. He's in the hospital with a fractured spine, broken rib, internal bleeding. Kane...they ended his career. He's in serious condition."
Kane didn't speak, he didn't breath. He was shocked. His brother couldn't be taken out like that. He was invincible. He was the Undertaker. no one could do that to the Undertaker.
"Kane...please come to the hospital." Foley's voice on the other line could be heard speaking. But Kane didn't listen. He slowly hung up the phone and buried his face in his hands.
His brother's career was over...and it was his fault.
{Next week: Chapter 6 - WAR}