A/N: Here's part two, sorry it took so long but I've been sick as a dog. Thank you all my readers, reviewers, and well wishers I'm much better now and back to finally putting to paper the ideas that's been stuck in my head.-Rei
Abeebah, Brandon, and Delia somehow made it to Nashville Tennessee where the WWF would be performing before most superstars and backstage crew. The hotel had already been notified that they were coming so the three horsemen didn't have to rent their' own rooms when they got there. It probably would have been the wiser choice to do so but all of them doubted that Vince would be up to retaliating anytime soon. Now garbed in nondescript sweats, the eldest horseman relaxed into the overly soft pillows of her bed eating from the plate of fruit Brandon had brought her. Abeebah's two younger siblings had beaten a hasty retreat as soon as she was settled. It didn't really matter to her. She would enjoy the peace while it lasted.
"B-b-b-r-r-r-r-i-i-n-n-g"!! Slowly Abeebah cast her dark eyes on the innocent looking telephone that sat on the unassuming nightstand beside her. Giving into the childish urge to throw a tantrum crossed her mind. It would be so easy just to throw the telephone out the window and then proceed to scream her lungs raw while rolling around on the floor. It was only a moment of serious consideration but in the end Abeebah decided against it. Putting aside the fruit she had been enjoying the eldest horseman picked up the receiver. "Hello", "Morte, this is Hilary".
Remembering the agreeable photographer's assistant Abeebah sighed, "Hey, what's up"? "You've been scheduled for a photo shoot by Mrs. Mahon". Abeebah sighed as she heard the nervous note injecting itself into the bubbly woman's voice, "Why do I get the distinct feeling I'm not going to like this"? Her suspicions were only confirmed by the pregnant pause that occurred before the blond finally worked up the nerve to answer her. The dark skinned beauty could practically picture the petite woman biting her lip and twirling her thumb around the phone cord. "There are a lot of people besides the small camera crew here". Abeebah pinched the bridge of her nose, praying for patience.
Hilary's reaction to her was not surprising. As much as Abeebah liked the young woman Hilary didn't really know 'her'. So there was no way for the assistant to know how to react to her when Abeebah revealed the more volatile aspect of her nature. Everyone except maybe Undertaker and Kane wouldn't be afraid and that was only because they were just as dangerous. Still, the eldest horseman couldn't stop a sliver of disappointment that crawled its way up her spine. "Where and when", Abeebah finally spoke ignoring the feeling for now. The assistant rattled off the address and time the shoot would occur and unceremoniously hung up when she was done.
Abeebah couldn't find it inside of herself to be anymore than mildly annoyed. Closing her eyes the darkest Johns fell asleep, unanswered questions amassing in her mind like a swarm of hornets. And this is how her youngest sibling found her a half hour later. The youngest horseman had ridden with the WWF convoy ahead of his siblings and was surprised to see her snoozing away in the bed closest to the door. Evan didn't want to disturb Abeebah's peaceful slumber.
So, carefully setting his and Abeebah's stuff inside the closet he left just as quickly as he came. He had to find his two other siblings anyway. Surprisingly it didn't take long to find them as they were just returning to the hotel from a nearby waffle house for a light lunch. Quickly they relocated to the room Brandon and Delia were sharing to find that the PA had put their' stuff there. "So how was your trip with the jock straps", asked Delia as soon as the door closed behind them. Her younger brother flopped down on the bed next to the radiator, "they never shut up".
He watched his brother sat next to Delia. The second eldest amongst them was more relaxed how than he had ever been in weeks. "So what's the word, any chance of anybody siding with McMahon", the light skinned wrestler asked. Evan gave a half grimace. "Some might, there were even a couple stupid enough to talk about it while I was around so I don't think we have to worry much". Brandon shook his head, "you forget what our esteemed sister taught us, shame on you Lue". "If you can count on anything in life it is on fear and stupidity", Evan rolled his eyes, "I know but ain't a lot of em' motherfuckers can hold a candle to us".
"I'm with Bran on this one, just cause Beebs got em' shit'n bricks ain't n reason to get sloppy", injected Delia in a rare moment of concern. Finally seeing the wisdom in his cohorts' argument Evan nodded. "It was bad there huh"? The two horsemen knew that their' younger sibling was referring to the jail that they had to retrieve their' sister from. Neither of them answered. At the TV stand Brandon noticed the two notes there. Grabbing them he gave the one addressed to quickly read them both and handed Delia hers. "So they finally decided to schedule the hell in a cell match"? "Keep your eyes open Delia cause I think I smell a rat all over that one", Brandon replied.
Evan looked as incredulous as their' sister felt, "I don't think that McMahon would be able to orchestrate anything from his hospital bed and we beat the living hell out of his two stooges too". The light skinned Johns couldn't help but to roll his eyes, "you're forgetting somebody". Simultaneously Delia and Evan looked at each other, "Slaughter". "Yes Slaughter, and any dumb son of a bitch stupid and desperate enough to help him" Delia groaned, "I knew we should've did him too". "Too late now", shrugged Evan, "we have to work with what we got and pray that is enough". Despite what the four horsemen and most if not all the wrestling world thought. Vince McMahon was not in a hospital sleeping off the beating he received.
Instead the businessman was on his way to Nashville, dividing his time with talking to his lawyers and Commissioner Slaughter. When he had first woken up in a hospital bed he was beside himself in rage half remembering the assault on himself, Brisco, and Patterson. Then the doctor came in and informed him that at best his wounds were not all that serious. His nose wasn't broken and neither was his tailbone. Rather his tailbone had to be popped back into place while only a few vessels in his nose were broken causing it to bleed. This only made him angrier seeing as Vince felt as if his lower back were hit with a sledge hammer and his face hurt like nothing before. The fact that the millionaire knew whom did this and was unable to get the culprit arrested only served to get further under his craw even further.
Apparently the cops didn't have any solid evidence that Ms. Johns had done anything but left his 'base of operations'. There was no blood on her, no chain, and no confession other than the urge to maim him. 'But we could hardly arrest her for that', the detective informed Vince when they came to visit him. The McMahon patriarch had glared at them as he crassly insulted them for not doing their' damn job and unceremoniously told them to get out of his room.
Much later he had called Commissioner Slaughter intent on firing Morte if he couldn't press charges on her. However his employee informed him that his use of the graveyard footage had earned the young woman an ironclad contract. This only sent the millionaire into another flight of rage. There were a limited number of people who had the authority to do that and all of them were supposedly loyal to him. After he was released the day after Vince immediately was on his way to Nashville. Since he couldn't fire Morte he would make the young woman pay and do so dearly.
But first he had to deal with her younger siblings. Vince couldn't do anything to Lue seeing as since Lue was only twelve and had as of yet to interfere in any way shape or form. So instead the businessman would go after the other two. It was easy to set up Viluppo who had challenged two other divas in a hell in a cell match. Next the fifty-two year old ordered a hardcore match between the Road dogg and Guerra. He was counting on the bad history between DX and the most calculated mind of the horsemen to count against Guerra. And that only left Morte herself.
Scenario after scenario flashed across the McMahon's devious mind each idea more grizzly then the last. There was no way that Morte would fight a woman in any match seeing as she had proven on more than one occasion that she could easily beat each and every one of them. Having her fight Undertaker would be poetic but wouldn't work either because they were 'friends'. The man of the dark side was more loyal to her than his employer. Finally Vince thought of a match to punish the woman-child. If Undertaker wouldn't be effective then Kane most assuredly would be, even if it was out of hatred for his brother.
In Nashville Abeebah had woken from her nape and noticed that her and Evan's things were in their' room, he had finally arrived. Glancing at the clock with a groan she heaved herself out of bed and went to grab a change of clothes. The photo shoot was in an hour. A few minutes and different outfit later Abeebah wrote a note to her absent brother and left the hotel. It was surprisingly easy to find the building that the photo shoot was being held as the locals were friendly enough to direct her to it. It was a long walk but the eldest horseman got there on time.
She was quickly led to a small studio where Linda, her entourage, and photographer were waiting. "Morte", Linda greeted warmly as Abeebah stepped through the door. The business savvy wife ran a practiced eye across the eldest horseman's curvy frame. The dark young woman was dressed in a gauzy gray top. The wide collar nearly fell off of her shoulders as the wide sleeves whispered down her arms and bunched at her wrist. The bottom of the shirt fell on her black leather clad thighs which led all the way down to her boot clad feet.
In a word Abeebah looked perfect in Linda's humble opinion. Even the wild unkempt fall of her thick hair covering what was quickly becoming an infamous scar lent to the persona that she had established so far. "Hello Linda", Morte was giving her a customary cold smile as Linda led her further into the studio, "why am I here exactly"? The McMahon matriarch isn't surprised by the question that though politely phrased she was more than aware was a demand. "Solidifying your place in this company", Linda said simply, "Vince has been scheming".
"From his hospital bed", Abeebah questioned her in a bemused manner. Linda shot her husband's employee a look. "He would plot from his grave if he could". The older woman handed her a mask. Abeebah raised an eyebrow at the bone white visage inlaid with gold. Linda smiled, "I had a feeling you wouldn't bring yours". "We'll be sale replicas of your masks limited addition prints of this session, it'll promote the company as well as make you a little more cash".
Abeebah held back a snort and put it on without complaint, pulling her hair over the straps as she sat on the prop couch in front of the camera. "So what has Vince been up to", Abeebah asked as the photographer began to take pictures. She ignored the entourage, if Linda trusted them enough to be here than whom was she question. "He's been setting you up for a fall; Viluppo is scheduled to be in a hell in cell match this coming raw, Guerra is scheduled to go up against Jessie James in a hardcore match". Abeebah knew that her siblings wouldn't turn down the matches seeing as each of the matches scheduled would appeal to them on different levels.
Lying back per the photographer's instructions Abeebah swept her hair over her shoulder, "so he knows". "And is incensed, you have to tell your horsemen not to reveal their' trump card". This time Abeebah didn't hold back the snort that welled in her throat. "I won't have to tell them, their' going to want to compete anyway". Linda nodded, "good because you're going to have to prepare for the worse, I don't know who you'll be facing and what kind of match you'll be in". A frown crept its way onto her masked lips. Worry slithered slowly up her gut; despite his arrogance Vince wasn't stupid. Staring at the camera Abeebah smiled, "I'll do what I have to".
JR had seen many things in his long tenure in the wrestling world. But looking down at the wrestling slot that was presented to him, this was perhaps the most colorful set to date. Glancing at his fellow announcer Jerry "king" Lawler he couldn't help but think that the self assured man would agree. "Well folks we have a star studded event for you tonight with not only the first ever women's hell in a cell action we also have a surprise match between Morte and a mystery opponent".
"That's right JR, Morte is gonna pay tonight for crossing the boss and there's nothing anybody can do about it". King smiled at the camera, "Not even the other horsemen can do anything because their' involved in other matches Viluppo is in the hell in a cell match and Guerra is in a hardcore match with Roaddogg". JR didn't look all that enthusiastic; though his experience with the siblings was limited he had come to like all of them even though Morte had all but scared him out of his wits. "Speaking of which, the hardcore match is up first".
No sooner had the words left the Oklahoma cowboy's mouth that Roaddogg's voice came blaring out of the PA system. "OH YOU DIDN'T KNOW, WELL YO ASS BETTER CALL SOMEBODAY". The DX member came out belting out the rest of his entrance along with the crowd, a mic in one hand and baseball bat in the other. The brown haired man was smiling as he struts to the ring. He had heard plenty about Guerra and if the horseman was anything like his sister then he was in for a good fight.
Suddenly the lights began to flash on and off. Slowly the demented lullaby of Guerra's theme song began to play. Roaddogg didn't know why but he felt a chill run up his spine as the second born horseman stepped out from backstage. "And there his is ladies and gentlemen, Guerra, the clean up hitter of the horsemen, this young man just turned twenty under two months ago", crowed JR, "and like his sister before him made an impact on this company". The light skinned wrestler was carrying a 2x4 to the ring eyeing his opponent calmly, violence leashed by a thread.
The days prier to the show had been more than a little stressful. First was picking up Abeebah from jail then finding out that he and Delia would be competing in matches designed to set up Abeebah. When she had returned from her photo shoot their' eldest sibling gave her siblings a run down of what she knew. And then they began to plan or at least plan and train as much as they could, they needed to circumvent whatever Vince had planned lest Abeebah be seriously hurt because of it.
'Got to make this quick, no feeling out the situation on this one', Brandon told himself stepping into the ring. Roaddogg didn't even wait for the bell to sound before he was swinging the bat at his head. "That was dirty", JR commented, "No that was smart", King retorted. Ducking the green eyed horseman swung around swiped the new age outlaw's legs out from under him. Not pausing to think about what he was doing Guerra swung down upon Roaddogg's head. The 2x4 missed by inches as the downed wrestler rolled out of the way.
Roaddogg cursed as he was forced to drop the bat while accidentally rolling out of the ring. Knowing better than to follow him Brandon hurled his 2x4 at the smaller wrestler's head, hitting Roaddogg squarely in the back of his head and preventing him from getting up. Quickly sliding out of the ring Brandon retrieved his 2x4 and again hit his opponent in the back of his head. The crowd groaned along with the Jesse in sympathy but King was laughing along with his partner. "Looks like Roaddogg got a taste of his own medicine".
In their' locker room the rest of the horsemen watched Brandon's match in earnest. Surprisingly Undertaker was there with them, standing behind Abeebah with a large hand on her shoulder. The eldest horseman didn't pay any attention to the comforting weight; the old man had his own match to worry about as soon as this one was over. It wasn't as dangerous as the ones she and her siblings were participating in but a match with Steve Austin would be enough to distract anyone. Unable to stop herself Abeebah placed her hand over Taker's, inhaling sharply when Roaddogg scored an effective hit. Like so many times before her siblings didn't question it.
Back in the ring Brandon was now on the defensive. Roaddogg had hit him with a fire extinguisher that had been stashed under the ring. The horseman's head was still ringing from the head shot when the outlaw set up a table up against the ring post. Dragging the bigger wrestler over to the table Roaddogg propped him up against it and then backed away. Only to charge at the dazed young man and miss as Guerra suddenly stumbled out of the way. Roaddogg crashed threw the table and went shoulder first into the ring post. He didn't even have enough breath in his lungs before Brandon picked up the fallen extinguisher and cold clocked him and dropping into a pin. Guerra's victory was elementary.
In the back the siblings gave a sigh of relief as their' brother's theme music sounded. Brandon managed to get through the match without any really serious injury though they all knew he would be smarting for awhile. Unclenching her hand Abeebah cast her hazel gaze pointedly away from her bond mate. The deadman quirked an amused half smirk before brushing gloved knuckles over her throat and leaving to go to his own match. He passed Brandon on the way there, running a critical eye over the boy as he passed. Guerra was too tired and battered to even notice him.
The green eyed made it the 'horsemen locker room' just in time to see the rattle snake's entrance on the monitor. He didn't even have to say a word before Delia and Evan were swarming him, checking him over to make sure he hadn't cracked anything. Abeebah didn't move from her spot, "this is going to get uglier then it has to be", she stated as the match began. Brandon silently agreed watching as the Phenom and bionic redneck locked up. This wasn't a title match but if Undertaker won he would be automatically placed in title contention.
The wily ill-tempered rattlesnake most assuredly didn't want that. The eldest horseman closed her eyes and observed the match through her 'other senses'. Mark was too distracted by the blue eyed Texan to shield each stinging strike the rattlesnake sent his way. Nor could he hide the fact that the match was harder on his body than he was most assuredly letting on. 'Mule stubborn son of a bitch', she thought with a certain pride and exasperation. Abeebah could also easily feel her bond mate's frustration leaking out of control as the match continued through each near fall and near disqualification as the match dragged on.
The match lasted longer than anyone thought it could be in the end Deadman's ability to absorb punishment and outwait any fiery and cleverly thought out assault won him the match. It was hard fought victory but one that sewed the seeds of trouble that would rear up to definitely come back to haunt everyone. It was simple; Undertaker wanted the belt; Austin had the belt. The rattlesnake would probably do anything to keep being champion and the Phenom would do anything to take the title from him. "Ok looks like I'm up". Abeebah didn't even open her eyes to watch her sister go. The night was far from over.
A/N: Up next Chapter 13 : I Shall Fear No Evil. The first ever women's hell in a cell match and the surprised match between Morte and Kane.