Dark Saviour

Chapter 21 – A Special Surprise

A/N: With this chapter, I will admit that it is very difficult to write a beginning and middle for a story when you already know how you want it to end . . . lol

….

Edge paced the locker room, eager for his match to start. It was so hard having his match at the end of the night, but it would be well worth the wait. Even though he was going to lose this match, ending his undefeated streak against the Deadman, he planned on doing as much damage to the guy as he could. When he was notified that his match was coming up next, Edge was as impatient as ever.

Damn him to whatever that bastard calls hell.

Edge turned and plopped himself on the bench and began to rummage through his gear. He needed something to take his mind off the upcoming match before he decided to break something. Thankfully, his thoughts were distracted when his former Tag-Team partner entered the locker room.

"Still champ, huh?" Edge smirked.

"Hell yeah," Orton laughed. "Nobody can beat me down."

"Except for me."

"No way. I could easily take you on."

Edge shook his head, his smile fading slightly. "If I didn't have a match tonight, I'd challenge you on that."

Orton sat beside Edge, his concern evident on his face. "Hey, what's the matter, Adam?"

Edge shook his head. "Nothing."

"Come on, Adam. Tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm just a little on edge."

"No shit," Orton laughed, slapping Edge on the back.

Edge smiled, shaking his head. "Not that edge."

"So what's got you 'on edge'?"

"It's just this whole thing with Mark," Edge shook his head, sighing softly.

"Yeah, I understand. He's great to work with but he can be a bit intimidating."

"Tell me about it," Edge muttered bitterly, glaring at the floor.

"Hey. What's that for?"

"Oh come on, as if you don't know."

"Know what?" Orton asked, confused as hell at his friends reaction.

"He's been intimidating Jeff."

"Whose been intimidating Jeff?"

"Mark," Edge answered simply. "He's been going after the poor guy for months now."

"You're kidding?"

Edge shook his head. "I'm not."

"I don't believe that for one second," Orton snorted as he looked at Edge, his expression serious.

"Why not? It's true. That's why Jeff was hurt so badly before the chamber match at No Way Out," Edge insisted. "That's why he was suspended for drug abuse."

"I still don't believe you. It doesn't make any sense."

"How could it not? Mark's been attacking Jeff so badly he turned to drugs again to get away from it!"

"Mark wouldn't do something like that to the guy," Orton challenged.

"Why not?" Edge retorted, venom dripping from his words. "He's always been the bad ass."

"For the show, hell yeah. But he's not like that in real life! He's a good guy."

"Show's how much you know."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Orton asked, growing very annoyed with his former partner.

"He all but told me himself that he put Jeff in the hospital," Edge answered. "Besides, since Jeff left, he's been acting all weird."

"Did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, Mark cares for Jeff?"

"Who the hell gave you that idea?" Edge snapped, shocked at the idea.

"Look, Mark's a complex guy and so is Jeff. There's more going on here then what you're telling me."

Edge looked away from Orton, mulling over what he had been told. Sighing, he turned back to Orton. "Maybe you're right."

"Maybe?"

"Maybe," Edge smiled. Maybe I did jump the gun a little. Maybe it is all just a big misunderstanding.

Before Edge could ask another question, there was a soft knock on the door before a ring official opened it.

"Your match is on in five minutes, Adam. You need to get to the gorilla position now."

Edge nodded. "Thanks, Tony," he said as he got up and looked down at Orton. "I'll think about what you said."

"That's all I ask."

….

Undertaker sat in another locker room, his head in his hands. He could feel the start of a massive headache and was not impressed by it at all.

Yeah, this is all I needed. As if I'm not stressed out enough. Now I have to have a headache on top of it all, Taker sighed, his thumbs rubbing his temples.

Leaning back, Undertaker rummaged through his bag for his bottle of Tylenol. Even the Deadman needed painkillers every once in a while. He popped one tablet and sighed before he popped in another. Sighing again, he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes once more. He just wanted the day to be done and over with. Fortunately, part of his wish came true when a stagehand walked into the locker room, announcing that he was to head out. Taker quickly complied, thankful that the day was almost over.

When Undertaker reached the gorilla position, he discovered someone was waiting for him. Someone he really, really, did not want to see. Not giving the guy a second glance, Undertaker walked past him, waiting for the toll of the bell. His peace was interrupted when a hand was placed on his shoulder. Growling, he turned to glare at the idiot who dared to disturb him.

"What do you want, John? Come to gloat?"

"Me?" Cena asked, feigning shock. "How could you accuse me of such a thing?"

"Easily," Taker muttered, shrugging off Cena's hand as he turned away from him.

"I just came here to congratulate you on an impressive victory."

That caught Undertaker's attention. Turning back, he looked at Cena, confused. "What the hell are you talking about? I haven't won anything."

"Oh, but haven't you?"

"Spit it out you bastard."

"Tsk tsk," Cena taunted, waving his figure in disapproval. "Such language."

"Fuck off."

Cena shook his head, smirking. "No, I'd rather fuck Jeff," he whispered so softly that only Undertaker caught his words.

Taker's green eyes flashed dangerously, causing Cena's self-control to nearly break. "You fucking asshole," he growled, grabbing hold of Cena roughly and slamming him into the wall.

"What? You . . . want to hurt . . . me to?" Cena choked, trying to squirm away from Taker's hold.

"I should kill you right now," Undertaker whispered, not even trying to mask his hatred for the man he held by the throat.

"Go ahead," Cena sneered, looking past the Deadman.

Taker let go of Cena quickly, allowing the Superstar to fall limply to the floor. Turning, he saw Edge standing behind him, looking on with horror, fear and anger in his eyes.

"Adam."

"And to think I almost believed that you were innocent of everything," Edge shook his head in disbelief. "I'm such an idiot for even thinking that you didn't hurt . . ." he stopped.

"It's not what it looks like," Taker replied, moving away for Cena, who still lay crumpled on the floor, clutching at his throat as he tried to regain his breath.

"Oh, it doesn't now, does it?" Edge snapped, backing away from Undertaker.

"No, it's not. John was . . ."

"Shut it," Edge snapped, cutting the Deadman off. "John's done nothing but make me see the truth. You're an evil bastard who will hurt everything and everyone in your path. No matter if they're good or not."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? You leave a path of destruction behind you, Mark. Everything you touch goes to ruin."

Taker paused as the last accusation touched home. Edge had a point; he did ruin the lives he touched. Damn it. I am a monster. I'm more of a monster than Glen is. I get together with Chris and Eddie dies. We stay together and then he dies. I start to be apart of Jeff's life and this happens.

"What's the matter, Mark? Finally realizing the truth? I mean, come on. Look at all the people you've hurt. You're so damn needy for destruction, you're even attacking John!"

Undertaker shook his head, trying desperately to clear it, to banish the memories that wanted to destroy him.

"No? Cat got your tongue? Speak man!"

"Yeah, Mark. Speak. Like a good boy," Cena laughed, finally catching his breath.

Before Taker could make any move, Edge's music started, forcing the Rater-R Superstar to head down the ramp to the ring. Once Edge was out of sight, Taker spun around, landing one forceful punch to Cena's face. Cena crumpled to the floor again.

"I'm not a dog," Taker growled.

"Wow. Good punch there, bro," Kane smiled, walking up to pat his brother on the back.

"Fuck off, Glen," Taker mumbled, turning away from the fallen man at his feet.

"Hey, now! What's with the rotten mood?" Kane asked.

"I'm just extremely pissed off," Taker admitted sullenly.

"Don't worry about it. There's a cure for that."

"There is?" Undertaker asked, looking over at his brother in confusion. "What?"

"Well, see . . ." Kane paused, hoping to create suspense.

"What?" Taker snapped, growing ever more impatient.

"See, you've got a good punching bag out there in the ring," Kane paused again, smiling at his older brother. "And then you can unwind a bit at the party."

"Party?"

"Don't tell me you forgot?" Kane rolled his eyes in disbelief when Taker continued to stare at him blankly. "The after party, silly."

"There's an after party?"

"Well, duh. It's only WrestleMania, just the biggest Pay-Per View event of the year. There's going to be an after party to finish celebrating it," Kane answered, shaking his head, laughing slightly.

"Don't laugh at me," Taker snapped half-heartedly.

"Come on, you of all people should know that there's always a WrestleMania after party."

"Are you forgetting who you're talking to?"

Kane paused, his brow raised slightly in confusion before it dawned on him. "Oh, right. I nearly forgot. Until you met Jeff, you never went to a party so people just stopped inviting you. Saved on paper that way."

Taker rolled his eyes, wishing that his music would start soon. "I will admit that you were right about one thing . . ."

"And that was?" Kane asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"There is a good punching bag out there," Undertaker glanced down at the heap behind him. "Cause it looks like I broke that one."

Kane laughed at that and was quickly joined by Undertaker. The two Brothers of Destruction stood next to the gorilla position, just laughing. It was a definitely a scary sight to see.

Suddenly, Taker heard the bell toll, signaling that it was finally his turn to enter the ring. Shaking his head, he looked over at Kane. "Thanks for the laugh, Glen."

"No problem, Mark," Kane replied, clapping Taker on the back. "Any time."

"Can you do me one favour?"

"What's that?" Kane asked.

"Can you make sure that punching bag is no where near me when I come back?"

"Consider it done," Kane saluted sarcastically.

Shaking his head, Undertaker allowed the persona of the Phenom, the Deadman to take over. His face-hardened and all emotion except for hatred and the will to destroy disappeared instantly. Before he could leave the gorilla position and start his long entrance down to the ring, Kane called back to him.

"You are going to the after party this year, Mark. Even if I have to drag you there."

….

After Party for WrestleMania

"I don't even know why I let you drag me here," Undertaker growled as he followed Kane into a large hall, almost filled to the breaking point. Taker was positive that they were over the maximum occupants allowed, but who was he to judge.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

"Come on. You have got to stop hiding. It's about time you started to socialize again," Kane replied, beaming at his brother.

"I don't socialize."

"Well then, it's never too late to start," Kane smiled as he grabbed Taker's wrist and led him further into the melee. "Besides, I promise that you won't be disappointed tonight."

I highly doubt that, Taker mused to himself as he allowed Kane to drag him to another part of the hall. He could feel all the eyes on him and only his pride and persona kept him from lowering his gaze or from slouching down and trying to hide in-amongst the crowd, or at least behind Kane.

Damn it. Why do I care so much? I never used to care about what other people thought about me. But as he let himself be blindly led to some unknown place, Undertaker knew why he cared and it scared him.

"Wakey-wakey big brother. We're here," Kane said in a soothing voice that caused everyone in their immediate vicinity to back away in terror.

Taker forced his thoughts away, once again focusing on where he was. He almost let out a groan when he saw Shawn beaming up at him.

And my night couldn't get any worse.

"Hey, Glen. I see you were able to get Mark here," Shawn smiled.

Then again . . .

"Yeah, although I will admit it wasn't easy," Kane replied, patting his brother on the shoulder.

"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" Taker muttered softly, shaking his head. He suddenly wished that he had crawled into a big, deep, dark hole after his match. Undertaker suddenly felt something brush up against his arm. Looking down, he saw Rey staring up at him, a look of sympathy on his face.

"How about we leave those two alone for now?" Rey asked, nodding over to a space that wasn't overly crowded with people.

Taker glanced over at Kane and Shawn who appeared to be busy discussing something important to the two of them. Undertaker nodded silently to Rey and followed the smaller man to one of many tables covered in food and drinks. After grabbing a drink, Taker moved toward the wall before leaning against it casually as he scanned the crowd, thankful that no one was paying attention to him. Rey stood next to him, watching as the Deadman scanned the room.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing."

"Don't give me that." Rey sighed, rolling his eyes. "I know that there's something wrong. You're on edge."

"Can you blame me?" Taker asked, glancing over at Rey. "I'm currently in a room filled with people who hate me?"

"They don't hate you," Rey replied, shaking his head.

"I bet differently."

"I was never a betting man."

Taker didn't reply to that. Instead he went back to scanning the room. Even though everywhere he looked, no one was staring at him, he could still not shake the feeling of being watched and it annoyed the hell out of him. Finally, with a sigh, he turned his attention back to Rey.

"So, what are Shawn and Glen up too?"

Rey looked away, not wanting to meet Taker's gaze when he said the truth. "They're, uh . . . they're planning on setting you up with someone."

"They're what?" Undertaker laughed, unable to believe what he was being told. Taker's laughter, even as low as it was, caught the attention of almost everyone in the room. Shaking his head, Taker smirked. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, but I am," Rey replied, looking up at Taker with sympathy. "Shawn's been planning this for a while now."

"How long?"

"A couple months after Chris died," Rey answered, prepared to get an ear full on the topic. Luckily, Taker had more restraint then that. It was helped by the fact that he also found the situation highly amusing.

Shaking his head, Undertaker chuckled. "That long, huh? Man . . ." he shook his head again, speechless.

"You mean you're not angry?"

"Why would I be?" Taker asked.

"Well, Shawn is trying to play matchmaker here."

"And? That's to be expected. I mean . . ." Taker raised his hand, stopping Rey from cutting in. "It's Shawn. I expect him to do something like that," he paused. "This."

"And, you're okay with that?"

"Sure, why not?" Taker replied, shrugging. "It's not like I could stop him if I tried."

"No, you couldn't" Rey laughed, shaking his head. "I know. I've tried."

"Thanks for that," Taker smiled.

"For what?" Rey asked, confused.

"For trying to stop him," Undertaker explained.

"Ah, that. No problem," Rey smiled, once again looking over at the crowd.

"Are you looking for someone?" Taker asked after a few moments of silence.

"Nope," Rey shook his head.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Rey nodded. "I was just curious if Shawn and Glen had noticed we're not with them anymore."

"Doesn't appear like it," Taker replied, nodding over to where the two Superstars were still talking.

Rey shook his head, smiling. "Good."

"Why?" Taker asked, confused at Rey's reply.

"No reason."

"Bull."

"There's a bull?"

Both Rey and Taker turned to look at Jericho, who moved to lean against the wall next to Undertaker. Taker looked at Jericho, confused as to how the other man had been able to sneak up on him yet again.

"No, no bull," Rey smiled, shaking his head. "Just Mark trying to figure out why I'm happy that Shawn and Glen haven't noticed that we're not over there yet."

"Uh-huh," Jericho replied, his brow rose in speculation.

"It's true," Rey replied as he returned to scanning the crowd.

"I swear you're looking for someone. You're not cheating on Shawn are you?" Taker asked, scanning the crowd with Rey.

"Nope," Rey shook his head, still smiling. "I wouldn't do that."

"Then who the hell are you looking for?" Taker snapped.

Rey didn't respond. His smile merely broadened as he waved at someone in the crowd. Following Rey's gaze, both Jericho and Undertaker turned toward the doorway of the hall just in time to catch a glimpse of colour before it was swallowed up in the crowd. Confused, Taker turned to look at Rey once more.

"What the hell?"

Once again, Rey didn't respond. He merely stepped away from the wall just in time for the person he had secretly been waiting for to come through the crowd. Undertaker had to use all his strength to stop his jaw from dropping and his heart from pounding.

….

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed it. R&R.