AN: Hey guys! It's the last chapter before the epilogue. I hope you like this. I should have the epilogue posted soon; Spring Break is next week. Even though my teachers have taken it upon themselves to pile on as much work as possible, I will try my best to make time to write and post the epilogue. Once this story is over, I have a new fic in the works. It'll be a John Cena/Maria/CM Punk fic based on Maria's and CM's real-life relationship. Read and review. --Kiora Storm.
Chapter 10: Ladder by Which He Did Ascend
March 27, 2006
Maria Kanellis sat in the passenger seat of a rental car in the parking garage of the RAW arena for the night. She turned to her companion in the driver's seat and asked, "Are we going to go in together? Do we want people to know now, or should we wait until your match?"
"Later, babe," the driver responded, "You go ahead. I have to make a call first. I'll meet up with you right before, though, I promise."
"All right, I'll see you tonight. Could you pop the trunk? I have my clothes for tonight in there." She opened the door, not moving to give a goodbye gesture, but instead to make her way to the back of the car to get her gym bag then head to the backstage area of the arena. Before Maria could step out of the car, the man sitting in the driver's seat pulled her back in for a kiss. She broke away with a small, content smile and promised to meet up with him later.
Maria stood in front of the night's schedule, seeing that she was planned to interview Edge before he defended his WWE Championship Title in a match with John Cena. She heaved a deep sigh. She did not feel like facing the rancorous duo of Edge and Lita, probably as much as she would enjoy talking to Trish Stratus, especially after what that girl did to her relationship with John.
She headed back to the Divas' locker room, intent on changing into a pretty outfit in which to conduct her interview. As she changed, Maria thought about the events that transpired the past few days since the last RAW show. She was happier, but she didn't think that she could hold the secret from everyone much longer. It proved beneficial that WWE Creative planned for her to come to the ring with her man tonight.
Changed into a revealing yet classy ensemble, Maria made her way to the interview stand where a cameraman waited for her, Edge, and Lita.
As Maria interviewed the up-and-coming heels, the former champ John Cena sat in his locker room alone, contemplating the post-match festivities that would go down after the won. He envisioned hitting a bar with some of the guys and having a private victory party with his beautiful girl. A smile graced his face as he thought about the last part; he and his girl would have a wonderful night when he won.
John did a few warm-ups, jogging and push-ups, to get the blood flowing through his veins. Adrenaline pumping, he made his way to the Gorilla for a last title shot before Wrestlemania.
John Cena came out to a thunderous pop. Though title-less, he came down to the ring with a different type of trophy: his girlfriend, Maria Kanellis. His energy was apparent as he made his way to the ring; the crowd responded positively to every call for cheers. John separated the ropes to let Maria through and continued his quest for applause in the ring, lifting his arms to each side of the arena.
Maria exited the ring and sat at the announcers' desk. She was glad to be able to hone her mic skills alongside Jerry "The King" Lawler and Joey Styles. Fortunately, Coach didn't appear at RAW; unfortunately, Lita would take his place at the table.
With Cena's customized WWE title hanging above the ring, the fight started on the ramp when the challenger, Cena, ran up to meet Edge as he walked down the ramp. It didn't take long for the ladder to become a factor, and the two even battled into the crowd. Cena took the early advantage, catapulting Edge into the ladder, but Edge battled back, dropping John onto it. With the ladder propped up between the ring and the barricade, the two battled it out on top, and Edge fell crotch-first onto one of the rungs. Cena tried to bring the battle into the ring, but Edge's dropkick knocked the ladder right into Cena's face! That allowed the WWE Champion to set up the ladder and try and get his belt. But Cena knocked him from the ladder, and Edge clotheslined Cena in the process.
Edge then trapped Cena in the corner with the ladder, as the "Edge sucks!" chants began. Edge got a steel chair and went to nail John, but Cena caught him and tossed him from the top rope onto the ladder, spine-first! Cena set the ladder up against the ropes and put his opponent on his shoulders. He then tossed him off, and Edge landed on the ladder in a precarious position! Cena set up the ladder between the top two turnbuckles, but Edge reversed a whip, sending John into the ladder! Moments later, Edge slingshot Cena right into the ladder. Edge brought another ladder into the ring and set it up, as Cena started to gain consciousness. Cena then set up the other ladder and slammed Edge from the top of both ladders, with both men putting their bodies on the line.
Cena was the first to regain a sense of self, and he ascended one of the ladders as the fans cheered for him. Edge attacked Cena from behind, and hit a facebuster from the top of the ladder. Edge went to the outside and got a pair of steel chairs. He set Cena up for the one-man con-chair-to, but Cena knocked the chair back into Edge's face. Cena then went outside the ring and brought in a third ladder, propping it up on the two chairs. He set Edge up on the ladder, and then went to the top rope and splashed Edge with a thunderous crash!
Cena started to climb for the title, but Edge used a ladder to the ribs to knock Cena from the ladder. Edge then propped up the third ladder behind the other two. Edge started climbing a ladder, and Cena went up to the top rope and speared Edge right off the ladder! The two then began to climb the same ladder at the same time, and as they battled, their ladder fell to the outside of the ring, knocking both brothers to the floor! Edge and Cena were very slow in getting to their feet, and Edge got back into the ring first. He started to climb, but fell a few times, and he was clearly very sore. Soon Cena was back in the ring, and he hit Edge with a chair below the belt.
They both fought to the top of the ladder until they reached the title belt hanging from above the ring. Edge managed to kick Cena off the ladder, but Cena hung onto the rope and belt. Cena's body swung from side to side and in turn kicked the ladder out from under Edge's feet. Both men were dangling from the rope that held the title belt. A chicken fight soon ensued, and Edge and Cena began kicking at each other furiously, hoping the other would drop to the floor. Cena's kicks caused Edge to let one hand go; he swayed precariously. Another kick to the gut caused Edge to fall around 30 feet to the mat. He lay prone on the mat. Cena realized that the only way he could get down was to remove the belt and let go of the rope. After a deep breath, he let go, clutching the spinner title in his hands. The bell rang, signaling his win and entitlement as WWE Champion once again.
Both men had not moved, and their respective girlfriends at ringside were worried for their condition. Maria and Lita ran in the ring to help revive them. Lita took a hold of Edge and dragged him backstage. Maria didn't have the strength, energy, or will to move Cena's prone body.
Maria tapped his face a few times and shook his arm, hoping that he would wake up by such a simple gesture. When he failed to respond, she looked to the crowd, a confused expression marring her beautiful features.
"What should I do?" she asked the crowd.
A loud-voiced fan shouted, "Kiss him!" Maria looked confused before complying with the fan's wishes. He didn't respond, which worried her more. She moved in to kiss him again, but this time, Cena began to react. He pulled a surprised Maria onto his prostrate person, making her straddle him, and began making out with her.
Maria pulled away, still with a leg on each side of Cena, contentedly smiling. Though EMTs waited for him outside the ring, Cena managed to get up on his own, title in one hand and girl in the other. They exited the ring and arena to begin a new life together.