Chapter 1

Bret sat in the middle of the dressing room cursing his former employer up one side and down the other. He knew McMahon was interested in his niece, but not once did he ever think McMahon would have the guts to call her up. They'd all tired to dissuade her from meeting with him, but Chaya Neidhart took after her father, she had a stubborn will forged of iron. Her dream of working in the federation that made her father and uncles famous was about to come true. Jim Ross and Dave Pritchard had offered her a developmental contract when she met with them the day before, but Chaya was too smart for that. She'd looked the gentlemen in the eye and flat out refused. Even now, Bret had to stifle his laughter as he thought of the looks on their faces when she had pitched her proposal. It had never been done before, it wasn't even conceivable and they'd tried to talk her out of it. But Chaya had held fast and even threatened to leave when they objected. She knew exactly what was on the line. She knew McMahon wanted her at all costs. Having her in the WWF would not only bring him the hottest indy star on the circuit right now, but it would give him back the precious tie with the Hart family that had been severed after Owen's death. In the end they'd given in, promising that McMahon would be there to watch her little audition before the show.

Chaya stepped out from bathroom and tossed her bag next to Bret on the bench before leaning down to tie up her black leather wrestling boots. She was dressed in the ring rags of her indy character Athena, wearing a black satin corset with copper lacings and tight black shorts beneath four panels of dark copper gauzy material that brushed the floor. Her heavy reddish brown hair was normally allowed to flow freely down her back, but today she had braided it into hundreds of tiny ropes, each woven with a piece of copper and gold thread. With her eyes outlined in copper kohl and the gold circlet in her hair she truly did look like a goddess. "So what do you think?" Chaya asked as she finished lacing up her thigh high boots. "I think McMahon is getting more than he bargained for. You look beautiful." Chaya leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Thanks Uncle Bret." Bret watched her fuss for another minute, knowing there was something on her mind. He took one of her hands in his and waited. Chaya sighed, knowing she had been caught. "Look, I uh, I really want to thank you for coming with me. I know how much it costs you to be here and_" Bret stopped her as he stood up, hooked his hands under her arms and picked her up so her face was level to his. "Chay, I held you the day you were born, began training you the day you turned twelve, and have been there for every major title you've won. I wouldn't miss this day for anything in the world." Chaya's hazel brown eyes filled with tears and she smiled at the man who had become her best friend in the whole world. "I wish Daddy were here to see this." She confessed in a whisper. Bret nodded and gathered her up for a hug. Jim Neidhart had wanted so much to accompany his baby girl to the show in Raleigh, but days before the trip he'd fallen ill and knowing how much it meant to his daughter, he had asked Bret to go along and keep an eye on her. At the time they'd been watching Chaya work a match at a huge show in Calgary. Bret had been hard pressed to refuse. She really was an amazing performer.

"So who came up with this?" Bret asked as he set her down and fingered one of her braids. "Dad. He said it'd be harder for my opponent to grab my hair." Chaya replied with a grin. "So any advice before we head out there?"

"Yeah, try and take out her vertical base. She's not as strong when she's close to the mat. And whatever you do, stay the hell away from corners. She's easily twice the size of you and could do some serious damage if she gets you trapped there."

"You got it."

"Chaya, are you sure you want to do it this way? A developmental deal isn't as bad as it sounds."

"C'mon Uncle Bret. You said it yourself, I could out-work these hotshots any day of the week. I can do this."

"Just remember what I told you, doing it this way is gonna gain you a few enemies."

"I can take care of myself, after all, I was taught by the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be." Bret laughed and slung his arm around her shoulder pushing her towards the door. "And don't you forget it! C'mon let's get this over with so we can celebrate!"

"You guys are not gonna believe this!!" A booming voice yelled into the locker room before Adam Copeland's blond head appeared around the corner. "Chyna is fighting some rookie in a shoot match, and she's getting her ass kicked!" The announcement created a stampede through the door towards the ring area. Andrew Martin was the first one to step out beneath the Titan-tron. Sure enough, Chyna was laid out in a very painful sharp-shooter, and by the looks of it, she was damn close to giving in. Most of the other guys had crowded the ring area and were placing bets and cheering Chyna on. "That is NOT who I think it is standing there is it?" Sean Morley asked as he came up behind him. "Who?" Andrew asked rasing his brow. He followed Sean's finger and couldn't believe his eyes. "Well I'll be damned." The two of them made their way over to where Bret was standing near Matt Bloom and Scott Levy. "Never thought I'd see you near a WWF ring again." Sean said clapping a hand on his shoulder. Bret smiled as he turned and greeted the four men. "Neither did I, but I had to come and see this." Bret indicated the action in the ring. Chyna had somehow gotten out of the sharpshooter and the two women were now grappling in the ring. "So who's this?" Andrew asked jerking his thumb at the gold and black vision that had brought Chyna down once more into a bow and arrow. "You two should know, you trained with her for about three years." Bret laughed. Andrew and Sean looked confused as they glanced back at the ring. Scott merely smiled and shook his head behind them. There was no mistaking Athena, he'd been on the receiving end of more than one of her splashes down in the indies. She'd also been the best damn tag partner he'd ever had. Over the years the two of them had become friends and kept in touch after he'd been called up to ECW. She had hinted about the possibility of her showing up in the big leagues sometime soon, but if he hadn't seen Bret he'd never have made the connection. Scott had seen her in ring rags before, but never like this. She had turned from an feisty young lady into an exuberant, beautiful woman. He looked at the confused faces of his colleagues and knew they'd never figure it out.

Andrew couldn't remember training with any women at the Dungeon, but Sean obviously did because his face broke into a huge grin and he began laughing his ass off. "NO WAY! God, she looks great! Doesn't she look amazing Drew?"

"Well yeah, but I have no idea who you're talking about. Sean there were never any women in the Dungeon and_" He broke off as Bret and Sean doubled over in hysterics. "Oh man, she did a number on your poor brain didn't she!" Sean laughed slapping his shoulder. "Who?" Andrew asked completely confused. "What do you mean 'who?' C'mon Andrew, you know who."

"No I don't, I haven't got a fucking clue who you're talking about and_" He stopped his raging when Bret put an arm on his shoulder and pushed him closer to the ring. "Andrew, it's Chaya." Chaya. The name sliced through his body with the force of a thousand demons. His mind travelled back almost nine years.

Andrew couldn't believe he was here. He was standing in the Hart Family Dungeon, he was about to learn all about his dream from the First Family of Wrestling. There were six men standing in the room before their teacher. Sean Morley and Adam Copeland were in their third year of training and both had already been contacted by the World Wrestling Federation. The rest were beginners, like him. "Guys, I'd like you to meet my new assistant." Bret had announced. "This is Jim's daughter, Chaya Neidhart." The girl standing beside him couldn't have been more than 14 years old. She only came up to Bret Hart's armpit and she was skinny as a rail. What does she know about wrestling? Andrew thought snidely. "I know she looks young, but believe me, this little pixie knows more about submission wrestling than any man in this room, including me." Bret announced gravely. "You will treat her with the same respect that you would give me." Andrew had scoffed beneath his breath and a pair of sharp hazel eyes trained on him quickly. "Andrew Martin right?" The girl demanded as she crossed the room and stood in front of him. At eighteen years old, six foot four and 245 lbs he towered over her. "Yeah, that's right pixie." He announced with a laugh. She smiled prettily and crooked her finger at him. He grinned as he made a show of bending way down. "Only Uncle Bret calls me pixie!" She whispered harshly before stamping her foot in the back of his knee causing him to fall forward to the mat. With all the strength in her tiny body she wrenched his right arm around and stuck her knee in his shoulder-blade. "Gentlemen, this is what we call an armbar. A simple manoeuver to apply, but as you can see, a very painful one." The other five men looked to the mat where Andrew was furiously tapping out with his free arm.

Andrew shook his head to clear the memories, then stared at the woman in the ring. She had certainly changed since the last time he saw her. She was even more beautiful now than she'd been the day he left her. And much, much stronger. "Pixie." He whispered softly. Bret nodded beside him. He was broken out of his trance as Chyna picked up her opponent and slammed her to the mat. "Hold on a sec, what's this all about?" Andrew asked, whirling around to see Bret's proud smile. "This is Chay's audition. If she beats Chyna, she gets a WWF contract."

"Chaya's gonna be working here?! Awesome!" Sean announced over his shoulder. He was leaning on the ring apron now, cheering Chaya on. "Yeah, great." Andrew muttered turning back to the ring.

"C'mon little girl, c'mon you want some more of that? Huh?" Joanie taunted as she circled her prey in the ring. She couldn't believe Vince had actually had the audacity to set up this little audition. She was the Ninth Wonder of the World, the most powerful female in the entire industry and this little slip of a thing thought she could just throw a punk card and get away with it? No way. No way she was going out like that. Feeling angrier, she reared back and kicked the girl in the stomach. Chaya winced and rolled away, but she wouldn't let her tears fall. Joanie had to admit, the girl had guts. But it took more than guts to make it in this business. Pausing a moment, she saw Vince watching her moves intently, his face unreadable. Around the ring she could hear the guys cheering for her. The match had moved up a notch when they had come down the ramp to watch. It was all about pride now. "C'mon girl, get up!" Joanie yelled, turning back to girl. She was met by a textbook dropkick. "Lesson number one Chyna, don't ever turn your back on an opponent. Didn't Kowalski ever teach you that?" The girl asked as she stood over her. Enraged, Joanie leapt up but was instantly knocked back down as the girl applied a drop toehold. Joanie felt her legs being picked up and she began to struggle. She had to stay out of that sharpshooter. One of her legs connected and Chaya went flying down to the mat. Both women struggled to get up as the crowd around them cheered. Fatigue was starting to claw at Joanie's mind and body. They had been fighting for a good twenty minutes now, three times longer than an average wrestling match.

Chaya could see the sweat running down Chyna's face. She was wearing her down. She watched as Chyna sized her up once more before walking to meet her in the middle of the ring. Chaya was forced to look up as Chyna towered over her. "Give it up little girl. You can't beat me."

"Lesson number two chica, there's nothing I can't do!" Chaya's head snapped back as Chyna slapped her. She merely turned back with a wide grin. "That all you got hotshot?" Chyna slapped her again, hard. Chaya could taste the bitter metal of her own blood. She'd split her lip. Outside the ring she could see a couple of guys holding her uncle back. He was livid. Her eyes met his briefly and he stilled. Chyna took that opportunity to knock her down to the mat. Chaya quickly spun out her leg, bringing the Amazon down with her. Then she jumped onto the woman and began fighting methodically. She wore her down and then slapped another sharpshooter on her, wrenching back on the other woman's legs for all she was worth. She was rewarded by Chyna's cry of pain, and moments later her hand began thumping the mat. The guys surrounding the ring went silent as Chaya let her go.

"Helluva performance my dear." McMahon greeted her as she jumped down from the ring. She could see several people eyeing her, but none dared get in McMahon's way. "Thank-you. I hope I've satisfied your criteria for a WWF superstar." Mr. McMahon laughed aloud at her confidence. "Almost, my dear, almost. Anyone can see you're a formidable opponent for a woman." Chaya's eyes hardened at that. She didn't like where this was going. "But this is a man's world Ms. Neidhart. How will you fare against some of my top performers?" Chaya accepted the towel Bret handed her and wiped her brow. "I will fare the same against any opponent, male or female, Mr. McMahon."

"Is that so?" He asked innocently. Beside her, Chaya could feel her uncle stiffen. "What the hell are you getting at McMahon?" Bret demanded darkly. "I'm merely wondering if the young lady can work a match against a member of the opposite sex."

"And I told you, this lady can." Chaya said coming to stand between the two men. "Well, before I make up my mind, I'll have to see how you do against one of my male performers."

"Vince, don't do this. Whatever it is you have against me, don't bring Chaya into it. She's already proven herself to you!"

"Calm yourself Bret. I'm not doing any of this out of spite or revenge. I just want to see if she can handle herself in the ring with a guy."

"She can."

"I'm going to have to see it." Vince said quietly. Bret took a menacing step forward. "When you hire her, you will."

"May I remind the two of you that I'm still here. Uncle Bret, this is between me and Mr. McMahon. Back off." She pulled Bret away and came face to face with McMahon. "And you, how many more tests do I have to pass before I get my contract?"

"Just one my dear."

"Fine. You name it and it's done."

"Good. Paul Wight, right now."

"Are you out of your fucking mind Vince!?" Bret roared and Chaya held him back. Sean, Scott, Andrew and Adam came running to help her. "You actually think I'm going to let her get in the ring with HIM!"

"Bret calm down man, what's going on?" Sean demanded. Bret ignored him and turned to Chaya. "Don't do it Chay. Just walk away. You don't have to do this!"

"I know Uncle Bret. But I'm going to try."

"No Chay. Forget it. I forbid you to do it."

"What's he talking about?" Scott asked Chaya quietly. "I have to do another shoot match right now."

"Against who?" Sean asked. "Paul Wight." Bret spat out and made another lunge for McMahon. "Damn." Scott breathed, making only a half-hearted attempt to hold Bret back. "I have to do it Uncle Bret, I can't back down now."

"Chaya honey, I hate to break it to you, but you're out of your mind. Paul will crush you." Sean reasoned. "Thanks for your vote of confidence Morley." She tossed back coldly. "Chay I didn't mean it like_" But Chaya had already turned away.

She pulled Bret away from the crowd and stood facing him. "I know this is a low blow Uncle Bret, but I think I can handle it. Vince doesn't want me to beat Paul, he just wants to see if I can take some bumps."

"Dammit Chay, you already proved you can take bumps." Bret said tracing her split lip with his finger. "I know, but I can't back down now."

"It's no good honey, just walk away. Screw Vince and the WWF, you still have the indy and the dungeon."

"You and I both know it'll never be enough. I belong here. Now promise me you won't interfere."

"I can't do it Chay, I can't stand by and watch you get hurt!" Bret shook his head vehemently.

"Then don't watch!" Chaya hissed back. Bret put his hands on her small shoulders and sighed.

"Your father would kill me if_"

"Nothing is going to happen to me. Please, Uncle Bret, please, just trust me. Let me go." Bret stared down at his niece, the young woman he loved as much as his own daughters. Every part of his being screamed for him to just pick her up and take her home. But he knew Chaya would hate him for that. Ever since she was twelve, she fought her own battles, and heaven help the man that tried to protect her. They usually ended up with more bruises than she did. "Fine. But I'm not leaving."

"Promise me you won't interfere." Chaya asked softly. Bret clenched his fists as he promised. Chaya nodded, squeezed his hand and walked back to McMahon.