Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with WWE or any song lyrics that is used as a muse. I also do not own the rights to any products or persons mentioned in the story as well.

Warning: There is harsh language and adult themes as well as Slash between some of the characters (mostly M/M).

Chapter Nine

An hour latter, everyone assembled including Mike.

Ish smiled at them. "All right, guys. Training will begin. However, I thought we do something a bit different."

Taker stared at her. "Different?"

She nodded. "This way will be easier and quicker. I have a feeling things on the enemy side is progressing far quicker than I would have thought but not too quick I hope."

"You have a feeling?" Sheamus asked.

Ish nodded. "I always have feelings and I tend to trust them."

Chanarong came into view, sitting next to Taker. "May I join in the training?"

"I'd hoped you would ask," Ish said.

"Will you need the Healers as well?" Sheamus questioned.

"Yes," Ish replied. "This training will test their limits...and their abilities to perform without each other or you."

The Irishman furrowed his eyebrows.

"It has to be done," Chanarong replied.

"Ghost Hunters, you guys are exempt...unless you want more training," Ish replied.

"I won't mind more practice," Morrison replied.

Drew nodded.

"Chris, you rest," Ish said, "and that's not a suggestion. Edge, you need to watch over him."

"Why?" Adam said. "I mean I won't mind, but why?"

"He might feel the effects of using that new power soon," Ish stated. "It could be going ghost unwillingly, extreme headaches, a rash, ghost might randomly appear..."

Adam nodded he smiled at Chris. "Call me 'Doctor.'"

The older man chuckled.

Ish smirked. "This training will be a long one. It will test your endurance, ability to think quickly, and fighting skills. If you 'die' during the exercise, you will be brought back here and have to wait an hour before coming back in."

"Where are we going?" Vickie asked.

"I call it the training grounds," Ish replied. "It's actually a graveyard for dragons."

"What?" Randy asked.

She nodded. "It's the best place to train."

"But aren't there dragons around?" Vickie asked.

"Of course," Ish said. "Dead ones...and ones that are dying. Ones that visit." She smiled at them.

"You serious?" Matt asked.

Ish stared at him and nodded. "Don't worry. Everything will be just fine. Like I said, if you 'die', you'll just come back here."

"I don't have a good feeling about this," Alex said. "I mean, training around dragons...kind of dangerous."

"Kind of but necessary," Ish replied. "You'll be going against an army of vampires, magic-users, zombies, demons, and possibly ghosts. You think you can handle that? No. This training might not be idle, but it's what we've got. I can train you all by groups like I did with the Ghost Hunters and risk the enemy getting further along in their plan or we can do it this way and at least be you all can be somewhat be prepared."

Taker stood up. "I'm ready."

She nodded. "Good. Because I know your maker will be after you and Kane more than anyone else. Anyone else ready?"

Everyone stood up except Adam and Chris.

Ish nodded. "While you're away, I'll be looking for Punk for you, Mike."

The blond smiled while Randy gave him a one arm hug.

"All right, everyone hold hands," the half-dragon said.

They did so.

Ish smiled. "Be careful and train hard." She clapped her hands and they disappeared. She looked to the two remaining men. "It's time to get you to bed."

Chris smiled and stood up. He nearly fell over, but Adam caught him.

"Let me get you to bed," the younger man said.

Chris nodded and led his boyfriend up to their bedroom.

Ish stood and looked up to the sky. "Keep your wit's about you, Phil."

…

Punk woke up with a start. He looked around the little room he was kept in as he tried to figure out what time it was. He didn't know how long he had been out. He tried to move his arms and legs but found that they were tied down. He lifted his head up and looked around. The room had no decoration and no window. The only way in and out was through one door.

Punk sighed and tried to figure out what to do.

The door opened and he turned his head to see who it was.

"You're up," Serena said.

He grunted and turned his head away from her.

"Don't do be like this." She closed the door and came over to him. She sat down and smiled. "Gangrel is a generous man."

"He's a monster."

"Just like you."

"But I don't need blood to survive," he spat.

"You drink blood."

"Only when I have to."

"You still drink blood." She shifted. "You left us. We needed a leader and Gangrel became our world."

"I didn't leave you," Punk said.

"You did."

He laughed and shook his head.

She stared at him. "You left us."

Punk closed his eyes and opened them again. She looked away.

"I learned a few tricks of my own," Punk said. "I remember that day clearly. You left me. We were surrounded by vampires and got separated. I was stuck in the middle of a bloodbath and I saw you three running out of the door. I was alone. No stakes, no energy, and no way to run. I might have well have died. You left me. You all did."

"We didn't know what to do," she said. "We couldn't find get to you and had to make a choice. We were outnumbered."

"Then you should have stayed and fought to the very last person," Punk said.

She frowned.

"I was a prisoner for two years. Two years. If it wasn't for Mike and the others, I would have died. They're my family now."

"That's gonna change," Serena said. "When Gangrel raises his Lord and Master, we'll be a family again."

Punk shook his head. "He's just brainwashing you. He's using you."

"He's not." She caressed his cheek and he turned from her touch. She frowned once more.

The door opened and Christian looked in on them.

The Dampyr looked to the newcomer.

"Gangrel needs more sacrifices," he stated.

She nodded and got up. "We'll talk later."

Punk didn't watch her leave. His eyes were on Christian.

"Why do you stare at me intently?" he asked.

"Trying to figure out why Adam spent so much time with you?"

Christian clenched his jaw.

"From my viewpoint, you're nothing. You're half the man that Jericho is. He's not coming back."

Christian came into the room and punched Punk in the gut. The Dampyr coughed and grunted in pain. He couldn't turn onto his sides to comfort the pain. The older man stared down at him and left.

Punk stared at the ceiling. "Adam's not coming back to you."