*Author's Note: To look at my disclaimer and all of that, go to the first chapter.*

4/9/03: I accidentally deleted this chapter, so I had to rewrite it. Sorry!

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*Chapter Eighteen – The Ultimatum!*

(It is now the middle of the first week of September.)

Man, this is so boring, thought Steph McMahon as she drew in her psychology notebook. Professor Snow was going over the differences between sensation and perception, and not one person in his class seemed interested. It wasn't a surprise seeing that it was 11:00 in the morning. Steph was in the front of the room, trying to take notes and not fall asleep, while Jackie Gayda, the girl she couldn't stand, was on the other side of the room, passing notes back and forth with her friend Linda Miles. Jackie was reading the crumpled note and mouthed to Linda, "What happened Saturday?" Steph rolled her eyes. I swear those two like to get in everyone's business. Jackie's just jealous that she wasn't invited there. Everyone is on to her and her obsession with Rocky, she thought as she kicked her desk with her foot a bit too hard. Kurt Angle, the resident dork, was a few seats away, dutifully taking notes on everything Professor Snow said. Jeff Hardy, who was in the back corner of the room, was ignoring the lecture completely – he had his whole box of colored pencils out and was drawing a complicated version of an exotic bird with the legs of a tiger and the body of a snake. Rob Van Dam was too busy looking outside. Man, a bowl sounds so good right about now. It would really mellow me out, dude, he thought as he licked his lips. And then there was Shannon Moore, who was a few seats in front of him, resting his hand on his chin, trying desperately to stay awake.

           "I want someone to explain to me what perception means." Professor Snow began, as he paced back in forth in front of the black chalkboard covered with clouds of light yellow dust. There was silence, except for Jackie and Linda's giggling. Steph rolled her eyes. And only three more months of this to go, she thought with annoyance. As usual, Kurt Angle raised his hand. Mostly everyone thought he was a nerd because he was the only one besides Professor Snow to talk in class. "Anyone but Kurt, please? You know you all are getting graded on participation in this class as well!"

Kurt pouted. "But I know the answer!"

Jackie nodded to him. "You're a dork, that's why." She high-fived Linda and they continued to giggle.

Professor Snow eyed the two of them. "Linda. Jackie. Come on, behave. This isn't high school anymore." Linda groaned. Damnit, Jackie, you're always getting me into trouble, she thought as she picked at her shiny purple nail polish. But yeah, he is a dork. When the professor wasn't looking, Jackie gave him the finger.

Steph rolled her eyes as she watched this. Her shrill voice made Professor Snow turn around in an instant. "Oh please! Everyone I've run into on this campus is way too immature for me. I've only been here for less than a week and it seems like it runs rampant here…it's like it's a disease!" Her outburst was met with an uncomfortable silence. Shannon shrugged. She has the right idea, he thought as he pushed a strand of black-streaked hair out of his face. In the corner of the room, Jeff stopped drawing and shook his head. High school indeed, he thought as he picked up his bright orange pencil and continued to draw. Wait…what is she talking about again?

Professor Snow raised his eyebrow and sat on his desk, thankful that something someone said was getting his class talking. "Really, Steph? Care to elaborate on that?"

Steph sunk in her seat. She and her roommate Molly had a talk a few days before about being more aggressive and more opinionated. Sure, Steph was trying to be more aggressive and opinionated like Molly advised her to do – but the fact was that Steph wasn't used to it at all. Maybe I should revert back to my old, shy self, she thought, twirling her long brown hair nervously. But then again, I wouldn't make progress, and McMahons make progress. "Uh…do I have to?" Steph couldn't see, but Rob Van Dam was nodding his encouragement.

Professor Snow swung his legs in front of the desk. "Well this is a psychology class that unfortunately doesn't like to talk as much as I'd like." He got up from the desk and leaned on it. "We'll have to change that." Just then, something bright colored in the back of the room caught his eye. No, it wasn't Jeff Hardy's hair – it was the drawing that lay on his desk. "Jeff, what are you drawing this time?"

Jeff's ears turned red. Shit, caught again, he thought as he tried to hurry up and put his colored pencils away. He was so bored during the first few weeks of class that instead of taking notes, he'd get out his colored pencils or markers and start drawing random things that popped into his head. However, he had no idea how annoying his professors thought it was. Professor Snow was making his way to the back of the room and Jeff couldn't hide now. Shit, shit, shit, Jeff thought as Professor Snow took his drawing. Professor Snow shook his head and showed it to the rest of the class, the bright yellows and oranges showing through. Dude, I should ask him to make me a poster for my room, Rob thought as he nodded his head thoughtfully. He seems like the type that can draw dragons really well. Steph's eyes went wide. Damn is he talented! Wow…he should enter it into a contest or something, she thought. I'm sure he would win, too!

"How about we try to apply some things we've learned in here the past week or so to Jeff's drawing?"

Jeff shuddered, which was met with giggles from everyone in the class except for Steph and Rob. Oh God, oh God, where's Matty? Ahhhh, someone help me out here, he thought as he tried to hide in the corner. He wasn't much for being the center of attention – in fact, it made him damn uncomfortable. It is at times like then when I wish I could shrink to the size of a bee and just fly away, he thought, trying to calm down. Damnit!

Professor Snow looked down at Jeff and shook his head. "It's okay, Jeff. I was just playing. It's a great drawing, by the way." With that, he set the drawing back down and headed back to the front of the class. Jeff's eyes were wide open. Okay, I know exactly what I'm going to do as soon as I get back to the room – take a nap! Yeah, that sounds great…it'll make me forget everything that has happened today, he thought as he leaned on his hand. 

Professor Snow leaned against the desk and said, "I have to say I'm very disappointed in all of you. Steph was right. You all think that this is high school, that college will be a piece of cake. The sad truth is it won't be. It's far from it." He paced around the front of the room again, stopping every few sentences and looking students in their beady, full-of-fear eyes. Steph was in shock. I was right. Oh my God, I was right on something! Wow! Time to rub it in Shane's face! I bet no professor has ever told him that he was right before, she thought with glee.

"College is a time to learn and grow up," Professor Snow continued. He looked at Jeff and said, "Some people find out their talents sooner than others" – then he eyed Jackie and Linda – "while some just have no clue." He looked at his watch. "It's 11:15. Get outta here." With that, the class was left confused.

Steph sighed as she saw the confused looks on some of her classmates' faces. "Oh my God, what the hell have I done?" she muttered as she joined the throng of people passing by. "Did I really say my opinion on things and not get bashed for it for once?" With that thought, she walked down the hallway, trying to find her brother in the mess.

Further down the hallway, Jeff was trying to call his older brother Matt. He put the phone to his ear. "Damnit, Matt, answer it…I know you're there, come on." Jeff muttered, tapping his foot impatiently. Just then, someone bumped into him, causing his neon green cell phone to literally fly down the hallway floor. "Shit…" Jeff muttered as he watched it stop at the foot of Big Show. Oh God, big scary guy, he thought in fear. That guy scares me to death! I'm afraid to see what's gonna happen next…this day has been so fucked up!

"I'm sorry, man…here, I'll go get it." the voice tinged with a Southern accent said close to Jeff's proximity. What? Who the hell is that? Are they talking to me?, Jeff thought, rubbing his head. I've seen enough confusion for one day, thanks!

He turned around slowly and saw a short, blonde and black-haired guy with piercing green eyes standing next to him. Jeff gave the guy a weird look. "Hey, you have an accent just like mine."

The guy nodded, with a look that mirrored Jeff's. "I noticed that, too. Where'd you come from, North Carolina?" Jeff's eyes went wide. Holy shit, he thought as a sense of déjà vu washed over him. Why do I get the feeling that…that I know this guy already?

"Yeah, I did, actually…we moved here when I was 8." He said shakily as he examined the kid like he was his patient in his doctor's office. "What's your name again?"

           The guy stuck out his hand, a friendly smirk on his lips. "Shannon Moore. And you are?"

           "Jeff. Jeff Hardy."

Shannon looked at him in disbelief immediately. "No shit! Your brother is Matt, right?"

           Jeff raised an eyebrow as he saw Big Show walking towards him and Shannon. Oh God, please don't kill me, he thought. I'm only 18, I haven't gotten laid, I haven't really lived my life - "How do you…know my brother?"

           "I've seen him play football. He was awesome. Of course, I wasn't into that extracurricular stuff." Shannon replied. Out of nowhere, Big Show nudged Jeff, gave him his cell phone, shook his head, and walked off in silence. Shannon shuddered as he watched Big Show saunter down the hall. "Who was that?!"

           "Big Show. Just…just stay on his good side." Jeff replied nervously, and then looked back at Shannon. "So wait, you went to Union Pines?"

           He shook his head and leaned against the pale yellow wall. "Nope, I'm in the next town over, but we've played against you many times." I thought I knew him from somewhere, he thought as he watched a group of girls walk by. "Hmmm, that one girl is pretty hot."

           Jeff's head whipped down towards the other side of the hallway. "Who? Where?"

Shannon laughed. This guy is a trip, he thought as he started walking down the hallway, hoping that Jeff would follow him. "The redhead."

Jeff smirked, realizing exactly who Shannon was talking about. And I've talked to her on the phone and you haven't, he thought as he began to follow Shannon down the hallway. "Yeah, Lita."

           "You know her?"

"Yep. I talked to her on the phone once, but she's way out of our league, man."

Shannon shook his head, avoiding being hit by someone's book. "Bummer."

The two continued to get acquainted until Jeff had to go to his 11:30 class.

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Meanwhile, Jackie was watching the Rock and Stacy Keibler talking in front of one of the classrooms in Cedar Hall, another building on campus. She and Linda had just made the 10 minute trek as soon as their psychology class with Professor Snow let out. Jackie didn't have any classes until 3, but as much as she wanted to go to lunch, she wanted to do some spying, dragging Linda along.

"Look at how happy they look. It makes me sick." Jackie growled, clenching her fists at her sides. I'd be so much happier knowing that they were broken up, she thought, watching the annoyance on her friend's face grow.

"Seriously Jackie, don't you think you're taking this just a bit far? I mean, we've had to follow the Rock and Stacy how many times since you first saw him at that party a few weeks ago?" Linda said, trying to put some sanity into her friend.

Jackie shook her head. "I don't think I'm going too far at all. Whatever I want, I get."

Linda groaned, leaning against the wall. "Jackie, seriously, there are other guys out there, and you know it. What's the big deal about the Rock? So he's the most popular guy in school. Yeah, so what? And he's good looking, too. Yeah, and that's great. But from what you've told me about your relationship history…you tend to go for the guys with power. As in, power that you can have, too."

Jackie winced, and put her hand on her hip. "Have you been reading the damn psychology book too much lately?" Ahh, I don't need her telling me what to do, either, she thought with annoyance. The only friend up here who understands me, of all people, is trying to tell me what the hell to do!

Linda shrugged, and shifted her purple bookbag on her shoulder. "No, I'm saying that I know what I'm talking about and if you don't watch your step, you're going to really fuck up your reputation up here."

Jackie shook her head, continuing to be entranced by the Rock and Stacy talking in the distance. "One day…one day the Rock will be mine."

"Well, keep wishing, honey. I'm going to class." Linda announced as she walked off, leaving Jackie alone glaring at Stacy. God how I hate her. She's just way too perfect, Jackie thought with malice. I'd do anything to fuck up her world…and her boyfriend. With that, she turned in the other direction and headed towards the Turnbuckle across campus.

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(Later that day, around dinnertime…)

           Brock Lesnar, Kevin Nash, and Bubba Ray Dudley were watching TV in their living room. It was Wednesday, and while Brock and Kevin were drooling over re-runs of "Baywatch," Bubba Ray was trying to come up with a few poems to hand in for his poetry class. It was at 7:00 that night, and luckily Bubba Ray had a few hours to spare. Damnit, where is that damn Hardy kid when I need him?, he thought as he scratched out a line he wrote. And besides, everyone would think I'm a wuss if I wrote poetry. He was settled on the bright green recliner, while Kevin and Brock were sharing the huge gray couch.

"Man if she got rid of those implants, I'd do her." Brock remarked about Pamela Anderson as she skipped around on the screen.

Kevin chortled. "Implants or not, I'd still do her."

Bubba Ray muttered, "Sorry, but Carmen Electra is more my type." He sniffed as he scratched out another line he wrote. Damnit, someone needs to find Jeff Hardy, and fast, he thought in frustration. Everything I come up with is shit!

"Getting frustrated, Bubba?" Brock asked teasingly. He noticed that Bubba Ray was drawing huge lines through almost every line he wrote.

"Yes, just a tad. I need to get out of here and find that Hardy boy." With that, Bubba Ray got up and went to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Kane, Stone Cold, and the Rock were busy having a discussion about Jeff's birthday party a few days earlier. "You think Shawn got the kid drunk enough?" The Rock asked Stone Cold, who was busy downing a Budweiser.

"What? I think so. The poor kid passed out on the floor by the end of the night. He's gonna have to learn how to drink if he wants to be a part of our crew, ya know." The Rock nodded slowly in agreement, taking a sip of his Mountain Dew. "And besides, for not drinking too much in his life, Jeff is doing pretty well."

Kane shook his head. He still never understood why Stone Cold had people prove themselves to him by how much alcohol they could drink. "Steve, it's 4:30 in the afternoon, and you're already drinking beer."

Stone Cold set down his can and muttered, "What? You have a problem with that?"

Kane shook his head. "No, it's just that alcohol doesn't prove everything." Stone Cold was about to give Kane a lecture when the doorbell rang.

"Who the fuck would that be?" Kevin practically yelled as Brock got up to get the door.

"I got it." Brock muttered as he saw Kevin continue to drool over Pamela Anderson. Brock opened the door and gasped – it was the Undertaker and a dark-haired woman was also with him.

"That's no way to treat your cousin, boy." the Undertaker muttered in disgust to Brock as he surveyed the living room.  He had a pretty tall, dark-haired woman with him, who was quite muscular. Kevin's eyes went wide in fear. Oh my God, he thought. It's Chyna.  The Undertaker then ended up pushing his way through the door like he actually owned the house. Chyna followed, pushing Brock out of the way.

Brock narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "Mark, you know you're not supposed to be here. Kevin and Stone Cold and – "

"I don't give a flying fuck what they think. They can't control where I go." The Undertaker muttered, glaring at Kevin, who was glaring back at him from the couch. He made his way to the kitchen, as Brock tried to get ahead of him and his dark-haired partner.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Bubba Ray bellowed, not believing the sight he was seeing.

"And why did you bring my ex-girlfriend with you?" Stone Cold countered. The Undertaker smirked as he and Chyna sat down at the table with him, Kane, Bubba Ray, and the Rock. The Rock gave the Undertaker a death glare. I wonder what the fuck they want, he thought, furrowing his brow. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not something good. Lord knows how bad the both of them can get.

"I'm sure you're all wondering what the hell we are doing here." The Undertaker began, as if he was presenting a speech. Stone Cold was about to say something, but he cut him off. "No, Steve, I know that I'm not allowed in this house, but guess what? I don't care."

Kane muttered to his brother, "Why the hell did you bring her with you? I'm sure that's what we all want to know."

The Undertaker smirked and nudged his partner to speak. "Well, I'm here because I finally decided to transfer from another school." The Rock groaned. Shit, I thought I was done with her after we broke up. Guess I was wrong, he thought, drinking some of his beer.

"Chyna, why don't you tell us the real reason why you're here?" Brock growled, leaning against the kitchen sink, his arms folded over his chest. He knew more than anyone about the details of her past dabbling in the occult.

The dark-haired woman narrowed her eyes, glaring at all of the men in the room. "Well, Mark said that he isn't getting any respect from anyone lately. So since I was transferring here anyway, I decided to change that. By the time this year is through, everyone will respect him whether they want to or not."

Kane laughed hysterically. "Bro, I seriously think you go way too far on these schemes of yours. I mean, what the hell were you thinking – " The Undertaker cut off his brother, making a hissing sound.

           "Let me do the talking here, okay? I have a proposition for all of you, and if you don't agree to it, well…let's just say you're screwed." Brock shook his head. Damnit, I swear my cousin isn't even a part of the family, he thought in disgust. Everything has to always be about power and being number one. Screw everyone else, Mark Calloway comes first.

           "What the hell do you want? Make it fast, because we're already getting quite annoyed at your presence here." Bubba Ray retorted, banging his fists on the table pretty loudly.

The Undertaker folded his hands together as if he was praying and smiled evilly. "Well, we need 5 sacrifices."

Kane practically yelled, "Oh hell, don't tell me you're into that witchcraft shit again!" The Undertaker shrugged, and then wiped his arm as if his brother's comment didn't bother him in the least. "Please tell me that you're not!"

           The Undertaker shook his head. "Sorry, bro, but I am. But listen, we need 5 sacrifices to please our god." He motioned to Brock, Kane, Bubba Ray, the Rock, and Stone Cold. "You five – you five are going to help us find them, or else…you'll all be sacrifices yourselves." Chyna nodded in emphasis. I'm enjoying how everyone is squirming at our threats, she thought with glee. Yay for having power over people!

           "Wait, what are these sacrifices for, cuz? You never said…" Brock trailed off, knowing full well that his cousin didn't care what he said.

           The Undertaker shook his head. "You don't need to know that. The only thing I want to know from all of you is…are you in – " he glared at every one of the men in the kitchen – "or are you out?" Chyna put her arm around him and patted his back. I'm betting that they'll say yes, she thought. If they know what is best for them, they'll say yes.

           The Rock got up out of his chair and got in the Undertaker's face. "Listen here, jabroni, the Rock doesn't take kindly to you and his ex-girlfriend who you've obviously brainwashed into telling us what to do! We'll never listen to you, and the Rock hopes you know that – " Stone Cold put a hand up to shut his best friend up. Jesus Christ, Rocky, shut up or you'll really fuck us over, he thought, drinking the rest of his beer.

           "So you're both saying that if we don't help you get the 5 sacrifices that you need for…whatever you're doing, and then we'll all end up being sacrifices ourselves?" Stone Cold asked, making sure that he heard things right. Chyna nodded in silence.

           "Yeah, and if you tell anyone outside of you five of this plan, we will find out. Don't even try to do it, because we will know." The Undertaker continued, getting up from his seat and into the face of Stone Cold, who was the unofficial spokesman of the group. "So again, are you in…or are you out?!"

Stone Cold looked at the fear and trepidation on his friends' faces. This is some dangerous shit that we could get involved in, Kane thought as he tapped his foot on the floor loudly. If we fuck things up, the blame will fall on us and we'll be screwed. "Stone Cold and the other four will never back down from a fight. We're in." Brock put his head in his hands. No, Steve, what the fuck are you thinking?! I don't want to die, he thought.

The Undertaker smiled with satisfaction and nodded to Chyna. "Good, good. Our informant will let you know who the first sacrifice will be, probably within the next few weeks." He got up and helped Chyna up as well. He turned to Stone Cold, Kane, Brock, and the Rock. "Remember…tell anyone outside of the five of you about the plan and you'll turn into a sacrifice yourself." And with that, he and Chyna stormed out of the house.

           Bubba Ray leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply. "Screw my poetry class. I'm not about to go there after what just happened."

            Kane nodded in agreement.  "Man, I seriously think my brother has gone over the deep end."  You're telling me, cuz, Brock thought as he sighed deeply.

           Stone Cold shrugged. "Here, have a Budweiser. Beer always makes it better." He tossed it to Bubba Ray who popped open the tab. I wish a beer would make things better easily, Bubba Ray thought. But for some reason, I think we've gotten into something way more dangerous than we think it is.

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End of Chapter Eighteen…