Chapter 5: Meeting
December 13, 1998

Author's note: just to not get in trouble, I should remind everyone that I don't own anything that has to do with WWE.

The month leading up to Rock Bottom was turbulent, thanks to the Ministry of Darkness. While Undertaker was set on spreading his darkness throughout the entire WWF, he first focused his attacks on his brother Kane and Steve Austin. However, unlike in the past, Undertaker's attacks were truly demonic. He attacked Austin with a shovel during one of Austin's matches; that attack led to a concussion and a stay at the hospital. Unfortunately, Undertaker and Bearer attacked Austin into unconsciousness and brought him to Bearer's funeral home with the intent of embalming him alive. Austin was saved at the last minute by Kane, who was more focused on destroying his brother than rescuing Austin. For revenge, Undertaker tried to admit Kane to a mental institution; Kane was saved when he agreed to join the Corporation. After Austin got a few pieces of revenge on Undertaker and Bearer, Undertaker decided to show how powerful he was on the eve of his Buried Alive match with Austin. He summoned his druids and had them chain Austin to his symbol. Austin had no choice but accept this fate once he was chained.

Another thing that changed during this month was Pandora. During the day, she obeyed Lacti and her teachers with a smile. However, it was all a façade to make sure that they did not learn about her new self. She pretended to study her lessons; she was really studying anything and everything there was to learn about the Undertaker. She wanted to know everything about the demon that created the Ministry. She did learn that Kane became a demon to survive the fire; she merely looked that up because of a touch of curiosity. She obeyed Lacti's rules and helped out around the house; she was hissing mentally because Lacti did not like the Ministry. Every night, Pandora always told Lacti that she was hanging out with friends. That was a half-truth; she was hanging out with her friends but they were always hanging out in Hell's chapter of the Ministry. Hornesta and the twins participated in the rituals but were not fully dedicated to anything but watching the matches. Pandora, however, became a new demoness once she put on her outfit. She fully participated in the rituals and watched Undertaker and his battles in a close eye, hissing viciously at Kane and Austin. In fact, because of her dedication, a month after she pledged, she became the high priestess of Hell's chapter. Lock and Shock were too afraid to say anything but Hornesta protested, saying Pandora was too young. But Pandora accepted the role and took her duties very seriously, especially on the night Undertaker battled Austin in the Buried Alive match.

Hornesta knocked on the door. She wanted to talk to Pandora about skipping tonight's Ministry meeting. She did not like the demoness that her young friend was becoming. In fact, Pandora sometimes scared Hornesta with her dedication to both the Ministry and the Undertaker. Pandora scared Lock and Shock but the twins decided to keep quiet since they knew they were greatly outnumbered. Hornesta knew that as well but wanted to take a chance. Just then, Lacti answered the door. "Yes?"

Hornesta looked up from her thoughts. "Hi, I'm here to pick up Pandora."

Lacti raised her eyebrow. "Pandora already left. Her friend Battle picked her up."

Hornesta groaned in frustration and nodded; she was afraid that would happen. When Lacti closed the door, Hornesta growled and flew to the meeting place. She was worried about her friend; in her mind, Pandora was too young to be a member, let alone high priestess. When she arrived, she knocked on the door. Battle peeked out and demanded to see her proof. Hornesta showed her tattoo and then said, "I need to see Pandora."

Battle opened the door. "You have only a few minutes before she begins the opening ritual."

Hornesta nodded and made a beeline to where Pandora was. The little demoness was working on the drink they drank in the opening ritual. It was a mixture of blood and poison in a large black goblet. Hornesta cleared her throat and Pandora looked up and smiled. "Hi, Hornesta! Come to help me?"

Hornesta nodded. "Yes…I hope so."

Not realizing what she meant, Pandora went back to mixing the drinks. "Good. Get me the cynanide."

Hornesta did not move. "Pandora, maybe we should go someplace else to watch the match."

"Can't. Everyone needs me here to lead them."

"Can't someone else take your place?"

Pandora shook her head. "No. Only Battle and I can do the opening ritual."

Hornesta sighed, getting frustrated. "Battle can do it by himself. Let's go."

Pandora looked up, her new self taking over. "If you want to leave, leave. Leave the whole Ministry for all I care. But don't demand me to leave."

Hornesta growled and grabbed Pandora's arm to pull her outside. But Battle grabbed Hornesta's wrist and pried her hand off Pandora's arm. Hornesta winced and cried a little in pain as Pandora numbly looked at Hornesta. "Let her go, Battle. She didn't hurt me."

Battle nodded and let Hornesta go, who went to Lock and Shock. The twins were terrified by what they just saw. They tended to Hornesta's sore wrist as Pandora addressed the group. "Welcome, fellow members. Tonight…is a special night. Our Master will be sending us a human soul…Stone Cold Steve Austin." She hissed a little before continuing. "We shall feast on his soul…and celebrate in the gift our Master will give us."

She grinned evilly as Undertaker's theme sounded and fire surrounded the group, trapping them within. Feeling the heat from the fire, everyone but the twins and Hornesta chanted. Once the chant was over, Pandora had Battle pass out the blood drink while she prayed to the darkness with her arms raised. She spoke in an unknown language; no one, not even Pandora herself, knew what the language was. She just knew that it was a language that she became gifted with when she became high priestess. The twins and Hornesta just pretended to drink; they were starting to regret joining the Ministry. Pandora snapped her fingers and a screen behind her turned on, revealing the wrestling event. It was just seconds away from the Buried Alive match.

When Undertaker and Paul Bearer appeared, everyone but Pandora got down on one knee and bowed their heads. Lock and Shock bowed their heads, too nervous to look up. Hornesta, however, peeked up and looked at Pandora. Pandora lifted her bent arms and leaned her head back, seemingly offering her soul to the leader of the Ministry. For a brief second, Hornesta thought that Pandora looked just like Undertaker when he did that pose. Hornesta blinked that thought away as Pandora floated off the ground by his power and shuddered in delight. When his eyes rolled back in his head, Pandora gasped and her own eyes rolled back in her head. That stare gave her the same feeling she got when she pledged herself into the Ministry; she felt darkness go through her body like a flame. When Undertaker entered the ring, Pandora opened her eyes and was lowered back onto the ground. "All rise."

Everyone rose to their feet as Austin came into the arena and the match began. The battle was an intense one, going back and forth between the ring and the grave site. Pandora watched Undertaker closer than ever, grinning when Undertaker was in control and hissing at Austin when the battle turned in his favor. Towards the end, Austin gave Undertaker a Stunner that made Undertaker fall into the grave. Pandora angrily hit the goblet, spilling the blood everywhere, as Austin went after Bearer. Battle touched Pandora's shoulder to calm her down. "Look."

Pandora looked up and saw that Undertaker was climbing out of the grave and hiding behind the humongous mound of dirt, shovel in hand. Pandora smirked devilishly. "Austin is done."

Hornesta looked at Pandora. She did not like what her little friend was saying. She decided to take a chance and speak up to Pandora when there was a sudden and loud explosion in the grave. Pandora yelped and fell back into Battle's arms. "What the hell was that?"

Battle shook his head as he stood her up. "I don't know."

They soon found out: Kane climbed out of the grave and attacked his older brother. Pandora screamed in anger at Kane's appearance but soon calmed when Undertaker quickly took control of their fight. Undertaker tried to do the tombstone piledriver but was distracted, which gave Kane the means to give his brother the tombstone. The distraction became very clear: Austin was coming back into the arena…with a backhoe full of dirt. When Kane pushed Undertaker into the grave and Austin started to bury the phenom with help from the backhoe, those in the Ministry were stunned. Pandora was furious; she was ranting and raving at Austin. Hornesta sighed and touched her forehead. She remembered Pandora doing this after watching her first match with Undertaker; this time, however, Pandora was more intense in her anger.

After a few minutes, Pandora settled down and shuddered, sighing. Battle looked at Pandora. "What do you want us to do?"

Pandora's mind started to race. She was not prepared for something like this to happen. She then realized something: the last time Undertaker was buried alive…he came back to Hell. For a moment, her heart started to race at the thought of meeting the Minister of Darkness. But she calmed herself and looked at Battle. "Get a group together. We're going to the gate."

Moments later, Pandora, Battle (ceremonial robes in hand), and five other members of the Ministry were at the gate of Hell, awaiting the arrival of their Minister. The others were left behind to fix up their meeting place to be worthy of Undertaker's presence. Pandora's friends suggested being left behind and Pandora allowed it. She sensed their uneasiness and did not want Undertaker to sense it as well. Battle looked around. "I'm surprised we're the only ones here."

Pandora was not. She figured that most of Hell was like her Mother, afraid of the Ministry. She smirked at that thought, for she knew that they were missing out. As she straightened her thoughts out, the gate rippled. The five members got down on one knee and Battle and Pandora straightened up. Pandora was getting nervous as Undertaker stepped through the portal. He immediately saw them and stopped. "Who are you?"

Battle spoke first, thinking that Undertaker would listen to him more than Pandora because of her age and gender. "We are members of the Ministry of Darkness, master."

Undertaker looked at Battle. He then looked at Pandora, who stared back at him. "You…what is a child doing with you? Is she your offering?"

Pandora's wings fluttered a little in fright. But she kept a brave face on. "No…in fact, I'm the high priestess in Hell."

Undertaker's face showed that he did not believe her. "High priestess? Child, I am in no mood for jokes."

Pandora shook her head. "Of course not…not after what that pathetic little brother did to you."

Undertaker raised his eyebrow as Battle spoke up. "The rest of the Ministry would be honored to meet you."

Undertaker backhanded Battle without looking at him. In his presence, Pandora did not even blink; she felt as mesmerized as that first time she ever saw him. However, this time, she felt the darkness he had as well. "Like Brother Battle said…the Ministry would love to meet you."

Undertaker did not move as Battle stood up and gave Undertaker the robes, rubbing his bruised cheek with his free hand. Undertaker put the robes on and covered his head with the hood. "Lead the way." Pandora turned to lead but Undertaker grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to his side. "Not you…Battle."

Battle was not thrilled by this; he was Pandora's right hand man and was being treated like a servant. However, he knew better than to talk back to the Undertaker. So he got the other members to get up and they led Undertaker and Pandora back to the warehouse.

Once back at the warehouse, Pandora showed her proof and then said, "The Minister is here. Is everything prepared?"

Sally raised her eyebrow, having trouble believing that the Undertaker was there. But she knew better than to keep Pandora out of the warehouse so she nodded and opened the door. When she saw Undertaker there, she immediately bowed. Pandora looked at Undertaker and gestured to the open door. "Please…"

Undertaker went in without saying a word. Pandora followed him and looked at the display before them. Those in the Ministry created a throne the shape of Undertaker's symbol and the altar they used for blood sacrifices was covered with candles, knees, and the goblet. Sneaking up to Pandora from behind, Sally whispered, "Pandora…you should read this."

As Undertaker went to the throne with everyone in the Ministry bowing to him, Pandora took the piece of paper that Sally gave her and read it.

Pandora, we're sorry but we can't be a part of the Ministry anymore. The twins are constantly frightened and I don't like what you've become. Since there's nothing I can do to help you, I'm taking the twins and leaving. I would like to be your friend again but I can't do that as long as you're part of the Ministry. Really think about what you're doing with this group and decide if you want to stay or not. If you decide to stay, I will try to wait for you to leave to be your friend again; however, I can't make any promises. Good luck, my young friend. Hornesta

Her eyes tearing up, Pandora folded up the paper. Sally touched her shoulder. "What will you do?"

Pandora put the folded paper in her robe's pocket. She then went up to the throne and got down on one knee. "Minister?"

Undertaker looked at her and lifted her face up, locking eyes with her. Pandora did not look away, even though she felt a little uncomfortable. He spoke up first. "What troubles you?" When Pandora gave him a confused look, he sternly explained, "I sense weakness in you…and I will not have that."

Pandora sighed. He was right; that letter shook her up a little. She pulled out the letter. "My friends…they abandoned the Ministry…and me."

Undertaker took the letter and crumbled it. He then set it on fire with his powers. Pandora was surprised by this as Undertaker coldly explained, "Those who abandon are weak…and that is something I will not allow. Rise."

Pandora rose to her feet and looked at him. Undertaker gave her his white eyes and she closed her eyes and gasped. She felt new strength grow within her. Undertaker then said, "You have strength within you…strength that a high priestess needs. Do not let your weak so-called friends bring you down."

Pandora's eyes rolled back in her head as she nodded. She felt her doubt shrink into nothing…and her dedication to the Undertaker and the Ministry grow.