Warning: Before you proceed, let me remind you that English is NOT my mother language. So there will certainly be mistakes in this text. Yet, I'm eager to improve, so if you see some corrections to make, don't hesitate to contact me :-)
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RISE ABOVE HATE
Chapter Two – Sacrifice
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Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Missouri. - January 29th, 2012.
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As he stood, half blinded by the spotlight after his confinement in the dark, Heath Slater quickly evaluated the situation: Randy was standing near Wade, his back turned to him. Wade was turned on the other side, apparently holding his leg, with shaken breaths. Sheamus looked still half KO against the ropes but was reaching out for one of the ropes in order to sit. Orton hadn't seen him. Yet. He seemed to be focused on Wade and Sheamus. Most particularly on Wade as he stopped in front of his right leg. Heath saw the muscles in the Viper's back and legs contracted and he understood what was going to happen. If he wanted to do something, it was now or never.
Without thinking twice, Heath saw himself sliding under the rope as Orton lifted his knee; the One Man Rock Band leaped in the air as Orton jumped too, but before the Viper could land another painful blow on Wade's right ankle, he felt a strong grip on the sides of his head. Surprise was in his eyes for a flashing second before Heath smashed both of them on the mat in his finisher move, ironically a reversed version of Randy's.
Orton saw stars before his eyes as the pain in his head and neck was almost unbearable. For a moment, he lost track of where he was, and what he was previously doing. He felt a pair of hands lifting up from the mat, and helping him walk. His first thought was that some medic was there for him and he let himself be guided. It's only when he felt the ropes against him, that he suddenly realized something was wrong. But it was too late and someone particularly strong was throwing him over the top rope. He managed to catch one of the ropes but couldn't cancel de gravity on his body and both his feet hit the floor.
The Viper rolled on the floor, but when he casted a bewildered look towards the ring, all he could see was red hair. Sheamus? How could he have moved so fast from where he was sit, half-stunned? Then his brain came out with another detail: LONG red hair. He almost chocked when he saw who had defeated him. But as he leaped to the ropes again, in the purpose of destroying the West Virginian to pieces, two referees stopped him firmly. They had expected that kind of reaction from the Viper the moment he had stepped foot in the ring. Everyone knew how impulsive and lunatic he could be.
As Orton was dragged away from the ring, fuming and cursing, Heath crouched near Wade to examine the extension of his injuries. The Brit flinched at the contact of Heath's hand, probably dreading Orton. He opened his clear eyes, and settled his gaze on the last person he had expected there. First he didn't understand why Heath was there. Was the match over? Had he spaced out without realizing it? Was Heath interfering in his favor? One quick glance taught him that Sheamus was still in the ropes and slowly rising to his feet, and no referee was ordering Heath to leave the ring. That meant only one thing: he was still part of the match. He had most probably hid under the ring for awhile. Clever.
Heath followed Wade's gaze to Sheamus and made a quick evaluation the situation, before he looked back to his friend, and that's when it hit him: Wade knew he had been badly hurt by Orton. Oh, he could still stand, he could still fight, but – unless a miracle – he would never be able to defeat Sheamus now. The way the Brit was looking at him had a mixture of emotions. Heath recognized mostly regrets, sadness, and some bitter amusement… He understood: Wade knew he was not able to go on. But he accepted to give up. For him.
And for Heath, everything flashed in his mind. This was his chance. If he could throw Sheamus over the top rope now, Wade would have no other choice than to let himself be defeated. After months of humiliation since he had lost his tag-team champion belt, since the Corre had been destroyed and since Justin Gabriel had left him for the favor of the crowd, this was his chance of a lifetime. He would probably never get such an opportunity again.
But the man beneath him, broken on the mat, had given everything to reach where he was now. Of course, a lot of other wrestlers could claim the same, but Wade's situation was due to months of hard work, and exposure to much more dangers and hate than he really deserved. To Heath, it was crystal clear: Wade should have been the winner of this Royal Rumble and continued his way toward WrestleMania. What Orton had just done to him, had unfairly broken his path.
Then something else came in Heath mind as he stared into Wade's green eyes. This was the man thanks to whom he was now working for the WWE, thanks to whom his dream had become true. This was the man who had jeopardized his career so that himself and the other NXT rookies would have the opportunity to enter the WWE. This was the man who had actually lost his job because he was loyal to his comrades.
This was his best friend.
A soft smile appeared on the One Man Rock Band's features. There were moments of choices, moments of transitions, and moments of revelations. He extended a hand toward his fallen friend.
"C'mon. Let's get rid of him".
Wade frowned, puzzled, and not fully understanding. He believed that Heath wanted them to associate against Sheamus, and that afterwards, the ginger would face him in memory of their memorable fight in NXT. That's something himself would have done. Yet, there was something in Heath eyes he could not decipher clearly.
And as he painfully stood on his feet, his left arm slightly held by his former Corre mate, two possible futures appeared in Wade's mind: Heath had just saved him from Orton. Without his ginger ninja, he would most likely be on a stretcher right now after a punt in the skulls, somehow glad to be unconscious so that he wouldn't feel the pain from his broken wrists and ankles. Without Heath, he would probably be out of competition for two or three months, at least. So he could thank him by associating himself with Heath against Sheamus in order to get rid of the Irishman. And when Sheamus would be eliminated, Wade would still fight for the honor, but accept to be eliminated by his friend. Heath would get his reward, his chance of a lifetime. Himself would perhaps have another chance later, when he'd have recovered from his injuries. This wouldn't be long, Heath had protected him from the worst. He'd get another chance soon. Perhaps. He could only hope.
So both men stood in the middle of the ring, facing Sheamus with the same sacrificial thought in their mind. The Irishman had partly recovered, but wouldn't be a match against the two of them. One on one, maybe, but two, never.
"Let's go".
With these words, Heath leaped forward, not looking at Wade, knowing that the Brit would have some delay, but would end up by his side. He reached Sheamus, ready to apply a clothesline to send him over the top rope, but Sheamus reacted quickly and threw his knee into the youth's midsection. Heath's breath was cut for a moment under the sudden pain. He staggered on his feet, eyes closed and coughing, noting the same sulphur aroma he had smelled while under the ring. But he wasn't panicking. Wade was going to be there in a second.
Even when he felt Sheamus grabbing him, he didn't panic. Wade was going to interfere, for sure. It's only when he felt the top rope on his lower back that Heath realized something was wrong. He opened his eyes and saw the spotlights of the arena. He struggled against Sheamus' hold, and grabbed the ropes under him, but his momentum was playing against him. Still, Wade could have interfered, but nothing happened from there. Sheamus passed an arm under the youth's legs and pushed him over the top rope.
In reality, the attack and the counterattack had only lasted three seconds. But for Heath, it seemed like an eternity had passed; an eternity during which Wade could have come for help. And as his hands finally let go of the rope, under the torsion of his arms, he only felt two things: betrayal, and disappointment. And as he hits the floor with his knee before rolling on himself, a thought crossed his mind: maybe he should have taken the time to explain his plan to Wade. Maybe they didn't have the same connection as before, when no word was necessary between them to do an action. Nexus and The Corre were over. They were like strangers. It was sad.
And then, Heath felt some anger: maybe Wade had been his usual self: betraying as breathing. But this time, his chess player brain had miscalculated the situation. Letting his ally being eliminated y a strong opponent while himself was injured, was not the brightest idea of the century. Because now, nothing would stop Sheamus from becoming victorious. Still on the floor, holding his knee, Heath bared his teeth with bitterness: for a friendship that obviously existed only in his head, he had wasted his only chance to make an impact and leave the limbo where he had been thrown since the death of The Corre. The bright future was gone. It was over.
At that moment, he heard Wade's scream, and almost laughed. The Brit was probably realizing his tactical mistake now that he was painfully facing Sheamus.
He almost laughed, because he was on his feet before he could stop himself. Like a faithful wolfhound.
Something was wrong in this scream.
It wasn't just a scream of pain, or rage.
What the One Man Rock Band had also heard, was pure terror.
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TO BE CONTINUED.
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So you love creepy ? It's not over yet :P
Thanks to M.j's place, NYCUtopia, MissHumanoidTyphoon, WWE-slash-luvee, Failed To De-anon, AllieDoll, J4M3Z XO, CenaRKO1986 for taking the time to leave a review :) At least I know you love the plot as it progresses ;)
And C'mooooon, Heath could totally win a Royal Rumble. He has the techniques & charisma needed to be in the Main Event when he's not asked to lose to weaker people in need of a spotlight. And with a well constructed storyline, the crowd would totally buy it and cheer for him! ;)
But it's ok, we can open a debate. Don't forget also to leave a note regarding what you thought about this chapter ;-)
Merry Christmas to all :-)