~By Dark Lord's Bride~
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Part 1: Tori and X Pac celebrated torturing Kane and rubbing their secret, now open relationship in his face. They celebrated in the back, popping bottles of wine and pouring it on one another. "I guess we know what the Big Red Virgin is made of!" Triple H laughed boisterously. "He won't be a problem now. Either he'll go berserk and cripple all our enemies or he'll go berserk and get committed…either way, he's no longer a threat to us now. And we have the little actress here to thank for it." X Pac said looking at Tori. "At least I don't have to act like I'm his girlfriend anymore. How can anyone so big be so pathetic?" Tori sneered heartlessly. "Once and for all he's out of our hair. Now all we have to deal with is Rock and that idiot Cactus Jack or whoever the hell he turns into. Kane's out of the way, Test is out of the way, Austin is out of the way, the Undertaker hasn't been heard from in months. As soon as we get rid of Rocky and Cactus Jack, there'll be no one to stop us." Hunter proclaimed. "And my dear old dad won't do anything to stop us. He's so distraught over his * little girl * breaking his heart…I told him what comes around goes around. He deserves everything he gets!" "DX is gonna go all the way! We're gonna run this place and there'll be no one left to stop us!" Billy Gunn laughed as they all proceeded to drink wine and find various ways to make the lives of the WWF superstars a living hell. Meanwhile, Kane sat huddled on the floor, the door to his dressing room locked from the inside. He had been given a sedative to help him calm down after being forced to watch Tori and X Pac flaunt their relationship in his face, along with having the tar beat out of him by all of DX. The pain of his body was far outweighed by the pain of his heart. His brother, Chyna, X Pac…they all hurt him…but the one who hurt him most of all was Tori…she was the one who caused him the most pain. She showed him compassion, but then she revealed her evil intentions and yanked out his heart and stomped on it. He looked at the pills…his head was spinning, and his heart hurt him unbearably. He tried to get up. Kane made it to his feet, but he was so out of his mind with anger and sorrow, his head spinning. And the room began to spin. The sedative one of the medics had given him began to play tricks on his mind. He began to hallucinate, seeing X Pac with Tori in a torrid lip lock. His eyes saw only a bloody red haze and he began to charge. But he stumbled and collided with an open locker door. He fell to the floor unconscious. Blood began to seep from a small wound caused by the collision. He laid motionless on the floor. Cactus Jack walked by Kane's dressing room. He knew the split between him and Tori would be very painful for him. Cactus wanted to check up on his friend and offer any consolation he could. He knocked on Kane's door but there was no answer. "Kane…ya in there big guy?" Cactus asked. He knocked a couple of times and then tried to open the door. He quickly discovered that the door was locked from the inside. Fearing DX might be in there silently torturing him, he tried to force the door open. "Kane…Kane, it's me…it's Cactus…open the door." He tried but in vain. The door wouldn't budge. Luck would have it that Rikishi and Too Cool were strolling by. "Hey crazy man! What's up bro?" "Rikishi…I need your help. Kane's door is locked. I'm trying to get to him but the door won't open, and there's no response from him. I need to get in his dressing room." "Stand back. I don't weigh 400 plus for nothing. That door won't be in your way when I'm done with it." Rikishi said and started to pound the door. It took a few tries, but one last good run in and the door finally gave in. Cactus looked in shock to find Kane lying motionless on the ground. "Kane!" Cactus shouted. "He must have tried to get up and fell into that open locker. You three stay here and look after Kane. Don't move him. I don’t know if he's got neck injuries or not. I'm gonna go get the medics!" While Rikishi and his buddies watched over Kane, Cactus went and got the medics. "It's Kane! He's hurt, bad!" Cactus followed the medics back to Kane's dressing room. They carefully assessed his head injury and then moved him onto a gurney and moved him out of the arena. DX caught sight of him being wheeled out. "Bye Kane! Have fun in the sanitarium!" Stephanie laughed, mocking Kane as he was taken away in the ambulance. Cactus looked back at her and her band with a cold glare. "Oh I suppose you're really proud of yourselves after what you pulled tonight." Cactus said staring at DX. "The big retard deserved it! I can't believe how he fell for everything I said." Tori boasted. "Maybe not tonight, maybe not next week…but someday you guys are gonna have to pay for your misdeeds." "Yah Mick, put it on our tab." Hunter laughed boisterously. They all laughed and went back to their celebration. Mick shook his head with dismay. But they were right. As long as Hunter and Stephanie ran things, what hope was there? He walked back in hoping that Kane would be ok. But DX made with their celebration, now it was even more cause for them to party now that Kane was out of the way. "It's all ours gang! All ours! And if anyone wants to oppose us…they can go join Kane in the hospital or the funny farm!" In the background, they did not see a shadow moving about the back stage area. A young woman had stayed in the backstage area. She said she was related to one of the wrestlers. But no one really asked questions since no one had any objection to her presence. She had seen what happened to Kane, and now got word of his being hurt. She knew it was because of DX that he was in this predicament. And she hated them for it. Hated them far beyond a mortal's ability to hate. Until now, she remained in the shadows. A neutral presence that didn't socialize, but caused no trouble to anyone. But now…now DX had driven her from her peaceful train of thought. Now…now it was time for action. DX had committed the last deadly sin…now they would pay for it.
Part 2: Sister Vengeance This young woman whom no one really knew, and never really bothered to ask about would soon make her presence known, specifically to DX. Their treatment of the people who worked for them was ample reason enough for her to do what she was about to do, but the treatment of Kane, or rather, the mistreatment of Kane would now drive her to commit acts she never thought humanly possible in her own mind. But, they drew first blood as far as she was concerned, now, it would be their blood on her hands. But it wasn't going to be simple revenge…no. She had a flair for the dramatics, and a taste for the macabre. DX would soon experience something they would never forget…but regret as long as they lived…if they lived through what she had planned. For she was a student, and a fast learning student, eager to learn all that her teacher had to give her. But her teacher was also her husband, and a master at the art of slowly driving people into insanity…a true master of the mind games. But for the moment, another needed her aid. Kane…she knew only that he was on his way to the hospital, but not what had happened to him. She saw Cactus Jack on his way to his car to see how Kane was doing. She approached him carefully. "You're the one they call Cactus Jack?" Jack turned around with a start to see this strange young woman standing before him. She looked rather dark. Her clothes were all black, her hair so long it went past her backside. She had very pale skin, so light that sometimes her veins were visible through the translucent skin. But the most catching feature of all were her eyes…her dark, deep eyes…though in normal light they appeared a deep brown, about the same color of smoky quartz, in a dim light they were so dark they appeared black. It was the appearance of those black orbs that caught Jack. "Yes…can I help you?" "You are on the way to see the one called Kane. I need to come with you. I am close to him, and I want to see that he is all right. I give you my word that I mean no harm towards you or Kane, or any of your friends. I am concerned and wish to see that he is all right." She said with an eerie calm that unnerved Jack. But it was obvious she was serious about going to see Kane. "Ok…get in." Jack said hesitantly still not knowing what to make of this girl. He tried to make casual conversation. "So, what's your name?" "Night Star." She answered dryly.,p. "Um…that's uh….unique name." Jack replied and decided to leave it at that, as this girl didn't appear to be in the mood to talk. She simply kept her eyes fixed on the road, like she was in a trance. All the way thinking of what Kane must be going through, not just the physical trauma…but the emotional as well. Tori had gained Kane's trust in a way no one else had…but then she revealed herself to be just a gold digging opportunist. She knew this was coming, knew what Tori would do, but Kane wouldn't hear of it. Tori was different, at least, he wanted to think she was. But Night Star knew better. She knew too well what women like Tori were capable of. But this time, there would be a high price for Tori to pay for playing with Kane's heart. Soon Jack and Night Star arrived at the hospital. She stood by as Jack asked how Kane was and what room he was in. "I'm sorry…I can only let family in to see him." "I am family." Night Star suddenly interjected. Jack looked at her stunned at what she just said. "I'm his sister in law. His brother is my husband." Jack's jaw about hit the floor. "You…excuse me, whaaa..you said…what…" "Yes…I'm married to Kane's brother…The Undertaker." "Well, I guess that means you can see him." The doctor said, deciding that he wouldn't press Night Star about proof that she said she was married. The ring on her finger, though it was certainly one of the most unique wedding rings he'd ever seen in his life. Night Star was taken to Kane's room. She saw him laying motionless on the bed. "How is he?" "He isn't as badly hurt as it appeared. He's sustained a mild concussion from his fall. But other than that, he seems to be ok. We have him heavily sedated. He became rather violent with us when he regained consciousness." "He's been emotionally traumatized before this happened. Please, I need some time alone with him. He knows me. He can remain calm around me." Night Star replied as she entered Kane's room. She looked at him as he laid still. His head wrapped to conceal the scars of age old trauma and his head had a few stitches to close the wound where he hit his head. She touched his arm, her blood boiling. She wanted them to pay. She would make them pay…and pay dearly. This was beyond what she could accept. "You are my brother only by marriage, but you are family in my heart. I will make them pay for this. I will make them pay for everything they've done to you, to your brother, to the people they abuse. I will make them all pay. I promise you that Kane." She stayed for awhile, but Kane said nothing as he was still in the heavy drug induced sleep. The hour was growing late, and Night Star would have to leave. "I will come back soon to check on you Kane. You will be cared for here. Don't grieve your heart over Tori…soon, she will be just a faded bad memory to you." She said and quietly walked away. The moment after Night Star left, a young nurse entered the room. She had long dark hair, almost black. She also had dark eyes, and a sweet smile. She was the nurse assigned to Kane's care. She looked at his chart. She couldn't see his face from all the bandages that covered it. "Well Kane, I guess you're going to be here for a little while so we should get acquainted. "My friends all call me Storm. I'll be checking up on you." She said quietly, looking over Kane's wound. "Well, you seem to be healing up already. That's a good sign. Means you're very healthy." She looked down realizing how tall Kane really was. "You're a big fellow aren't you?" She said trying to get him to speak. But Kane remained silent. "I guess they must have you sedated. Can't imagine why…a big thing like you could possibly be afraid of a needle and a few stitches." Storm said, looking at Kane. "And why do they have your face all bandaged up?" Questions, but for now they had no answers. Storm decided no further exam was needed for the moment. She placed Kane's chart back on his bed and exited the room. She saw Cactus Jack talking to a doctor. Night Star was nowhere to be found. As mysteriously as she had come, she was gone. She saw Jack leave the doctor. Then she went over to the doctor and asked him what was going on. "He's sedated because he suffered some very bad emotional trauma. A woman he had a relationship with was cheating on him behind his back, and while he was being mugged, she confessed to the secret relationship and then flaunted it in front of his face. He's a wrestler, and apparently he wasn't filled in on the plans of the show tonight. Poor guy had his heart broken in front of thousands. We had to bandage his face because of massive scarring…looked like fire burns, but they seemed many years old. I don't really know what to make of him, except that he'll live. The people running the promotion are doing some dirty things to the wrestlers I hear. That Cactus guy told me about it. I don't honestly understand what the point of all of it is..but, I'm a doctor. They come in, I stitch them up and send them on their way." The doctor said and left. "How awful…" Storm said to herself. "How can anyone be that cruel?" She asked and went back to visit Kane. Her heart went out to him. Night Star went back to the arena. She would have been exploding with anger by now, if she were a normal woman. But Night Star wasn't normal…the fact that she was Taker's bride was proof of that…but it was a fact no one knew…except Cactus Jack. He also was just arriving back at the arena when Night Star caught sight of him. "Cactus Jack…" she said in a quiet, but almost commanding tone. "No one is to know of what you heard tonight. NO ONE. You know that I am related to one of the wrestlers here, and nothing more. Do you understand?" Now ordinarily something like this wouldn't have unnerved Cactus…but the tone in the voice of this young woman let him know she was no one to be trifled with, especially now that he knew who she was married to. Taker hadn't been seen in the federation since October, but that sure as hell didn’t mean he was out. By no means, the Phenom would be returning soon enough. "I….understand." He said hesitantly. "Good, then I can look upon you as a non-threatening force. I am here for my brother in law, and to watch the federation until Taker's return." She said and slowly walked off into a darkened hall. She heard the voices of DX shouting and laughing in their private room. "I heard, he's in the hospital all doped up on morphine or something…he'll be so out of it he won't even care what's going on now." "Yah, like a vegetable…yah, a big red vegetable!" X Pac laughed boisterously. "I'm so glad to finally be rid of him. You have no idea what it was like having to look at that face! He makes Freddy Krueger look appealing." Tori ranted. Her voice, her words, the very sound of her name made Night Star's blood boil with hatred and vengeance. "You Tori…you will be first. Sleep well tonight Tori…for after tomorrow, there will be no rest for you, ever again." Part 3: So it begins A day passed. Triple H and Stephanie plotted out how the superstars were to perform for their amusement and their bank accounts. "We have to get rid of Cactus Jack. He's gonna spoil everything." Stephanie whined. "Don't worry, now that the big red goofball is out of the way, and Austin is on the shelf for who knows how long, all we have to do is get rid of the Rock and Jack and we'll be flying high. There isn't a superstar here that can't be bought. They want to keep their jobs, then they do as we tell them. We just make sure that no one forms any alliances with them, and we'll have no problem taking them out." "What about the Big Show? He may be working for us but he still has a major attitude problem." "Leave him to me. All I have to do is threaten his job and the big show will turn into a big pushover..besides…once he takes out the Rock, all we'll have left to worry about is Cactus Jack. And it won't be a problem taking him out once we've isolated him. It's all gonna be ours baby…lock, stock and barrel. All for us…" Night Star waited around the arena. She often clung to the shadows…watching things, anticipating her husband's return. No one knew of her marriage to the Undertaker, as Jack had promised to keep the truth of her identity a secret. She watched Hunter and Stephanie walk out hand in hand, big smiles on their faces. No doubt delighting in the torment they would soon inflict. She looked at them, and soon a twisted smile crept upon her face. She would soon delight in the torment she was about to inflict upon them. And it would all begin with Tori. She left her dark corner and walked past the dressing rooms…until she came to that of her first victim. She saw the door was closed and heard what appeared to be groaning coming from it. "The little floozy appears to be enjoying herself…good. I hope she enjoys it…for it's going to cost her dearly." Night Star growled to herself. "Tell me the truth Tori…did you ever really like Kane at all?" "You want the truth, I'd rather take a shower with a bunch of rats then stay with that idiot. He's so weak. I had him wrapped around my finger. You should have seen him when I made up that story about Test violating me. He was convinced it was the truth. That's how I got him to take out all our enemies. He was the perfect pigeon. Too bad his older brother wasn't here. Imagine the fireworks that would have brought on. The Phenom and the Big Red Machine taking each other out." "What, the Undertaker…we don't have to worry bout him. His over aged carcass hasn't been seen here since before Unforgiven. He finally realized he doesn't have what it takes to cut it here anymore, so he did us all a favor and split. Don't worry 'bout that now. Triple H and Stephanie are gonna see to it that no one interferes with DX. Soon, this is all gonna belong to our gang, and no one's gonna stop us." X Pac said as he finished getting dressed. "We got a gig tonight, so get showered up and be ready." Tori watched X Pac leave while she wrapped a towel around herself. "I'm gonna go to the sauna then take a shower. Night Star left the vicinity and decided to pay a visit to the local pet store. "Yes…I have a fondness for rodents. Do they get along well with each other?" "As long as the females aren't in heat…they should get along very well. You planning to start a rat farm?" "No…I have some…friends…who love the little things. One that loves her rat so much she takes it to bed with her and even showers with it. She's a little odd, but she just has to have her rat to cuddle up to. I'm sure she'll just love her little friends here…" Night Star said and left the pet store with the crate of rats with an evil smile on her face. "You should be careful what you wish for Tori…now you're going to get it." She said, getting back into her car and headed back to the arena. Tori decided to skip the steam room and do a work out. She had just finished and then gotten herself something to eat. She headed for the shower room and got undressed. Turning on the shower, Tori got out of her clothes and stepped in. She started wetting her hair and began to wash up. But when she began to wash her hair, the lights in the shower room mysteriously went out. She heard the switch click but couldn't see because she had her eyes closed. She couldn't open them because of shampoo running down her face. With the shower running, she didn't hear the door open. "Great…I can't finish the shower in the dark. X Pac…is that you? Look we can play our little love games later, I've got to get finished and dried off." She said, not hearing anyone respond to her. She rinsed her hair once hearing the light switch flip back on. Assuming it was X Pac playing a joke on her, she resumed rinsing her hair. Then she felt something at her feet. In fact, she felt several 'things' at her feet. Her eyes were still closed from letting shampoo run over her face. "X, look, I don't have time for this right now so get out of here." Tori said sternly. Then she felt a scratching at her feet and her leg. "Ouch! You little bastard that hurt!" She finally got the soap rinsed out of her eyes and felt a lot of scratching now. Then, she felt something sharp pierce her leg. "Oww! What the…" Tori shouted and opened her eyes looking down. Immediately a scream of terror escaped her lips. At her feet were about five to six rats…big rats. She also saw blood running down the drain as it trickled and poured from her feet and ankles. "Help! Help me!" Tori screamed getting out of the shower as quickly as she could. She found a long towel and wrapped it around herself, but found it hard to walk from the stings of the scratches and bites. Then, the lights went black again. She froze in fear wondering what the hell was going on. "Tori…" A voice called. "What the hell…Stop it! This is going too far! Damnit what is going on? X Pac!" "He's not here Tori…but I am…" "What, you are…who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" "Did you enjoy it Tori? Your little holiday weekend? Was it good for you? Did he excite you Tori? Did he satisfy all your desires?" "What…what are you talking about? How do you…" "Did you enjoy hurting him? Did you enjoy stomping on his heart and tearing it to pieces Tori? Did you love seeing him beat down while you fornicated yourself to the world with X Pac? Did you?" The voice asked. "What kind of sick joke is this? I used that big red idiot. So what! Who cares?" Tori ranted until she felt something hard hit the back of her head. She fell to the floor moaning in pain. Then, the lights came on. But no one was there. There was only the voice. "Did you enjoy it Tori? Did Kane's torment give you pleasure? I hope you thought it was worth it, for now I will get pleasure from your pain…slut." The voice said and faded out as the lights again went out and a door opened and closed. Tori felt the dizziness and the pain from her legs now overwhelming her. X Pac waited impatiently for her in the back. "Where is she man? She knows we've got a gig to do tonight." "Look, I'll go back in the showers and find her. She probably just lost track of time." Stephanie said and went back to the locker room showers. She found the door open and started to call for Tori. She found the lights off and turned them on when she let out a sudden horrified scream. Triple H and X Pac ran back to find her shaking and Tori on the floor with the shower rats crawling around next to her, and she unconscious on the floor. "What the hell!" X Pac shouted seeing Tori lying face down with blood gathering at her legs and the rats gathering around her. "Get someone in here! Stephanie, you tell the Outlaws to go out there and keep the sheep entertained. I don't care what they do just tell them to do something to stall!" Triple H shouted. In the shadows of all the commotion, there stood Night Star. She smiled with satisfaction as DX felt fear running all through them. "This is only the beginning…you drew first blood, now I have struck back. So it begins, tonight." She said cryptically and walked away. Part 4: Angel of Mercy It had been a few days since Kane's accident. He was beginning to move about and sit up. The nurse who had introduced herself to him the night he came, Storm, grew more and more attached to him. She visited him often and talked to him, though for the most part he remained quiet. At this point in time, Kane trusted no one. Not since the betrayal of his love by Tori. Storm walked by Kane's room. Kane began to move his hands, feeling around his face. He knew that it was covered by bandages. With the wound on his head practically healed, he began to undo the bandages around his head. He looked around for his mask and found it next to his bed. He took it and put it over his face. Now he felt more comfortable. As painful a reminder as it was of the tragedy in his life, it was the one thing Kane knew he could rely on. It was never far away, or never came off his face. It was sad that the only thing he felt he could trust was the mask that hid his scarred face. Little did he know that Storm had been standing there the whole time, watching him undo his head wrapping. She saw his face. At first it startled her from all the scarring…but then she looked at him before he put the mask on. His was not a horrible face to look at. She wondered why he continued to wear it. Then she remembered the doctor telling her about a fire that scarred him for life. She couldn't hold her curiosity back any longer. She wanted to know all about this man named Kane, and why he wore the mask. She walked in to find him turn and see her coming in. He turned his face away to avoid looking at her. "Kane…it's ok to look at me. I'm not going to hurt you. You can trust me." She said softly. "I….trust…no…one…" Kane said in his slow raspy voice. "Why not?" "No one…cares…about me…they think….I….am…weak…" "That's not true. There are many people here who care about you. What about the young woman who comes every night to visit you? She must care about you very much to come see you every night." "Night…Star…." Kane said slowly. "Is that her name? Night Star? Is she a friend?" "She….is my…brother's…wife." Kane replied. "Then she is your sister in law." Storm said. "Yes." Kane nodded. "Kane…why do you wear that mask. Your face isn't so horribly scarred that you need it." Storm said. Kane turned sharply and looked directly at her. "You…you…have…seen…my face?" "Yes, I have. And it isn't something to be hidden behind a mask. You don't look bad at all." "This…mask…is all…I trust. It…will never…leave…me." Kane said as his head hung low. "Tori…left me…because…I am…ugly." He said…his voice started to crack as tears began to flow from his eyes. Though she could not see them under the mask, she knew he was crying. "No one will…ever…love…me." The pain in his voice broke Storm's heart. He truly felt that only his mask would never leave him. He felt that mask was his only friend. Storm sat beside him on the bed and reached to take the mask off. "No!" "Kane…Kane it's all right. I told you…I've already seen your face. Please…I don't know that much about you, but I know that you've been through a lot of heart break. I'm not like Tori. Please, let me see your face." "No…you'll run…away…too." "No I won't. Come on now…please. Let me see your face." Storm said in as gentle a tone as possible. He didn't want to trust her, for the simple reason that he was sure that she would wrong him as Tori had…as everyone whom he'd ever trusted had. But there was a sincerity in her voice that he'd never felt before. Not from Tori, X Pac, not even his own brother and father. The only one who even remotely came close was Night Star, and even she did not have his full trust. "Please…I won't run away or laugh…I promise. I'm a nurse, and I've seen far far worse than what could be hiding under that mask. Please…please let me see what you look like." He didn't want to…but he figured he might as well try one more time, sure it would end in failure as it had many times before. He slowly lifted his red and black leather mask from his head. Storm sat there looking up at him. She reached out and touched his scarred and tear stained face. "Kane…that's not horrible at all. I've seen burn patients with far worse than your face. It's not ugly. You're not ugly. You're not ugly at all." "Then…why…does everyone…else…leave…me?" Kane asked his voice still quivering. He buried his face in his hands and cried. Storm couldn't help but put her arms around him and hold him. "Oh Kane…it's ok. It's going to be ok." She said rocking him in his arms. Night Star walked into the hospital and went to see Kane. She went to his room and saw Storm pulling the cover up over him and making sure his mask was in place over his face. She looked at his chart and then started to leave. The door opened and Night Star walked in. She and Storm faced each other for the first time. "You…you must be Night Star." Storm said feeling a little uneasy. "Yes. I'm married to his brother, The Undertaker. They are both wrestlers. You have been taking good care of Kane?" "Yes…I make sure he's ok…he…he's so sad. He told me what this girl Tori did to him." "Yes…Tori…she's a horrible woman. She and her degenerate friends have all hurt him and my husband. Kane…talked to you?" "Why yes…I just want him to understand that I'm not like Tori is. I won't hurt him. I don't think he's had a lot of stability in his life." "He's had no stability. It's a very long story, one that I prefer not to get into right now. But seeing as he has talked to you…" "He let me see his face. He doesn't look ugly at all." Night Star looked at Storm for a moment. "He let you see him without his mask?" Night Star asked dryly. "Yes…I didn't mean to upset him…" "You haven't. I can tell by the sound of your voice you're someone he can trust. I have a way of knowing these things. I can sense the personality of a person by their actions and the way they present themselves. You are someone who means well to my brother in law. Not like Tori and her boyfriend. I never trusted either of them. Me nor my husband. I…I have to admit that Kane's older brother has made mistakes in trying to stir him clear of such terrible influences…but slowly we are healing our family's wounds. As I said, it is a long story. My husband is…not so reputable right now with most people. He did some terrible things, and made a lot of mistakes…but it was not without him being pushed so far in the wrong direction that he no longer knew what to do any longer. As long as Kane feels he can trust you, so shall I. I am protective of my brother in law. So many people have hurt him…including his own family." "I'm not like that at all. I've been listening to Kane. It…it just breaks my heart knowing the only real friend he feels he has is that mask. Please, I know a lot of people have hurt him, but I want him to understand that I'm not like the others. I won't hurt him. I don't think he's ugly or weak. I think he's just been involved with the wrong people." "That he has…but he is emotionally vulnerable. He has been searching for someone who will accept him as he is…who will let him know that being human is not a weakness. You…you have treated him well, and I thank you for that. I sense that you are a good person. I trust my brother in law's care to you." "I do my best. I…I will do as best I can to help Kane recover. I want him to know that I am his friend and I will not do him as others have done him." "I know. Please…I need some time alone with him now." "Of course, if you need anything, just let me know." "What is your name? So I know who to ask for." "Storm…my friends call me Storm." Night Star nodded as Storm left the room. She looked at Kane who was now asleep. She felt someone coming up behind her. "I was afraid you would not make it…husband." Night Star said turning to face her spouse. The Undertaker stood at her side looking down upon his younger brother. "I'm sorry, traffic was heavy and Paul and I were held up longer than we anticipated. How is he doing?" "The wound on his head has almost healed. There is a nurse who has been looking after him…her name is Storm. We need not worry about her intentions towards Kane. She is a good person. I could feel it from her. She has a very bright aura. Unlike that horrible woman Tori." "I swear I could render her limb from limb for what she's done. Her and X Pac both." Night Star cast a stern gaze upon her husband. "You needn't worry 'bout that now. What you need to worry about is healing the wounds you yourself have caused your brother. You may have had the best of intentions, but your methods did not. You know it is partially your doing that Kane is in this position now." Night Star said dryly. Taker looked away from her and Kane, knowing she was right. "Do you think I've slept well these months? I know I've made mistakes, and I know I've probably destroyed what chance my brother and I had to heal our wounds…I can't change that now. A year ago, I was blinded by pride and lust for power. I was willing to do whatever it took to get what I wanted, even at the expense of those I loved, or those who loved me. I was wrong. I can't undo what I've done. I don't know how else to say it." He said looking down. Night Star walked to him and looked up at him. "Husband, you know that I love you and I vowed to love you no matter what you've said or done. And I'm true to that vow, but it doesn't erase the fact that you have much atoning to do. And it must start with your brother Kane." "I…I know." "And that atonement must start now…tonight. You cannot expect Kane to just openly accept you back into his life. But you must make an attempt at a start of it." "I know. I…I just don't know how to handle emotion. I've always been taught to be strong, to look away from the feelings of the human heart. But now…now I don't know what to do. You started me on this path Night Star…but I don't know how to follow it." "You start by letting someone guide you. You…like Kane have always been a loner. You've always trusted only yourself. Even those you knew you could trust, you never trusted fully. You have to let go of that now. You trust me to love you, now trust me to help you start healing the wounds of your family…our family." "Night Star…Tori…I know you did something to her." "I let her live. I just gave her a lesson in watching her mouth. Trust me husband…she will not hurt Kane again…ever." Part 5: Reunion Days passed and Kane was finally released from the hospital. Night Star waited for him at the entrance to the hospital. Storm walked out with him. She gave him a piece of paper. "My home number is on this. If you ever need or want to talk, please call me. I'll do my best to be there for you." She said. Kane nodded as Night Star and Paul waited for him. Storm walked back into the hospital as she was needed by many other patients. It was an uneasy reunion between father and son. Kane still felt the sting of what Paul and Taker had done to them, but there was regret on the side of Paul and Taker as well. Greed and power had blinded them both, and now Kane was the one who suffered for it. Kane looked away from his father for a moment, not knowing if he wanted to forgive his father and brother. A black hearse drove up. Taker stepped out. He'd reverted back to his earlier look, the mustache had grown back, the beard trimmed to a fine edge. "Kane…it's time to come home. I know the wounds in our family will not heal over night, but you, your father and brother must start the true healing process. They do feel regret for what they've done. Please…come back to your family." Kane looked at them for a moment. Paul looked up at his son. "Son…I know you can never truly forgive your brother and I for what we've done. And now that I see what has happened to you, I regret it more than any father could regret. Please son…come home." Taker got out of the hearse, and went to face his brother. "All I can ask is that you please come back to your family. We need you, and you know deep down, you need us too. I haven't been that much of a brother, and Paul hasn't been the best father in the world, but our minds are clear now. We know the wrongs we've done. I don't regret hurting McMahon…but I do regret how all of this has affected you. Please…come home." "Kane," Night Star said, "Come home. Let our family start to heal once more. And this time, we'll let NO ONE break us apart. Not McMahon, not DX, no one. We are what the bureaucratic hypocrites fear most…now it's time we showed DX what a real reign of terror is. It's time for justice and retribution." Kane thought for a moment. It was true Taker and Paul had caused Kane a great deal of heart break. He didn't know if he wanted to come home with his family. But he also thought of the family he thought he had in DX, in X Pac and Tori. They proved to be a false family. And while there had been many trials between Taker and Kane…Kane knew that Taker was and would always be his one true blood brother…and Paul his one true father. At least they now saw the error of their ways. They were truly blinded by the sickness of greed and lust for power, pride and revenge. It had driven them to the very brink of unbridled madness when the Ministry of Darkness formed. But now…they, especially Taker now understood what had happened. The terrible pain they had caused, and not cared who they hurt. But could they truly be a family once more? Could Kane forgive his brother and father, and could he in turn, forgive himself as well. For he too had been blinded by revenge and pride. They had all wronged each other…it was time to forgive and heal the wounds of the family of darkness. Taker, Paul, even Night Star stood anxiously as Kane made his decision. They fully expected him to turn and walk away without giving them another thought. Had Kane been pushed to the extreme that he would never trust anyone again…not even his own family? He looked at Taker, looked at Paul, and looked at Night Star. They were his family…and he knew it. Through all that families do to each other, they somehow managed to come back together. Kane extended his hand to his brother. Taker approached and took the hand his brother gave. Then he pulled something out of his coat…what appeared to be one half of a statue…a statue that he and Kane had made when they were just children. Night Star had kept the other half for Kane when Paul gave it to her. She gave it to Kane, and he took it. The brothers wrapped each other's left hands around their wrists, and with their free hands…they took the two halves of the statue they'd made, and joined them together. "Brother…" Kane rasped. "Brother…forgive me, forgive us for what we've done. Greed and pride will never shadow my soul again…never." Kane put his arm around his brother, as did his brother to him. Night Star and Paul joined the brothers. "It's time we took back what rightfully belongs to us…our careers, our pride, our dignity. It's time the WWF felt the power of the dark side once more." She said as she looked on at the two brothers. She looked out into the distance…Tori had felt her sting. Now, it was Stephanie's turn. She turned back to the family that now stood together. "Husband, brother in law, father in law…at last, we can start to be a family once again." "Kane, I cannot join you in the ring for a while yet…my body is still healing from it's injuries. You must carry the battle for us until I can return with you. It's time for you to be under your father's guidance once more. He is the one who will help you focus once more…if you feel you can trust him…and me. You must understand brother, my methods were wrong, but my intentions were only to make you see what X Pac really was. I know what the little moron is like. He cares about no one but himself and his band of degenerates. He was never your friend, and Tori never cared about you. People like them…they can never be your friends because they'll put a knife in your back every time. People like Cactus, they are your friends, but the only people you can truly put any trust in…is you…and your family. We're here for you as we should have been in the beginning. This is how it should have been many years ago. Having a heart does not make you weak Kane. I was wrong when I said that it did. But in this time, with the way WWF is now…you can't afford to have too much compassion. Those who do not get in your way are spared, but those who cross your path must deal with the consequences. That is the way you must be now. We are at war…or we will be, very soon." Kane nodded in agreement. He knew his brother was right. Then he clenched his fists. "Tori…she….must…pay…" "She will son…oh yesss she will pay dearly for what she's done to you." "Her payment has already begun…but whatever retribution you see fit to visit upon her is your choice Kane. I've gained my satisfaction from seeing her suffer. It's your turn now. Drop me off at the arena tonight. I have someone else I have to deal with." "Night Star…be careful how you deal with Stephanie. She isn't the sweet innocent girl she once was. She's very dangerous. And she has HHH to back her up, and he has all of DX." "Don't worry about me Taker. I can deal with her. I'm not going to kill her…I'm just going to remind her of who her husband 'almost' was. She'll cling to Triple H like glue. Little by little, I'm going to break her down until she's so afraid to be in an arena without security she'll be miserable. Pretty soon, she'll be ready to give up on running the business…and if that doesn't work, I have something else to use against her to make her either sign away her share of the company, or run things like a civilized human being and not a spoiled teenage girl with a limitless credit card." "We'll take you back to the arena…my son and I must prepare for the big surprise we will have for DX. One that they will never forget." Paul said with a dastardly smile upon his face. It was a smile that hadn't been there for over a year…but it had returned, and through hellfire and brimstone, so would Kane, the old Kane that the superstars had come to fear. Night Star would also let DX, especially Stephanie, know what fear was…the voices in the dark, they would come to fear them….oh how they would come to fear them. Part 6: Coming out of the Shadows The days that followed, began more trouble for the DX camp. Kane had returned…but this time, he was not alone. Paul Bearer had returned to the side of the Big Red Machine, and that meant trouble…big trouble. Now Kane was not only hell bent on revenge, but he had his father to help him focus upon it. His first victim, the very woman who had professed to love and care about him…Tori. She first had found herself in a chokehold, then dumped on her head in the tombstone. X Pac himself could not believe what he had seen, and Triple H and his bride were even more horrified because they knew now Kane meant business. And they also found that trying to stop Kane would not be so easy. Handicapped matches, actually kidnapping him and Paul along with Cactus Jack, nothing worked. And Kane had his sights set upon one person…X Pac…the one person he had once called his best friend. But DX certainly wasn’t going to make life easy, not for Kane, not for Paul, not for anyone. The toughest time was at No Way Out. Shane Mcmahon had made his return, but his intentions were just as evil as his sister's. And to completely shatter everyone in the federation, Cactus Jack had lost a match for his career. For weeks, Night Star had kept her profile very low. Too many attacks at once would raise too much suspicion, and cause a lot of trouble for her and for her husband and brother in law. But her patience was growing very thin. Stephanie was getting more and more drunk with power, and her husband just encouraged her actions. X Pac did all he could to escape Kane, leaving Tori to suffer his wrath. She decided that for the moment, she would leave Tori alone. Now, Stephanie was her target. She didn’t look at Triple H or the Road Dogg, or even Mr Ass who had now been ousted from DX. Stephanie, that was Night Star’s main target. She knew that Stephanie had more to do with all that had gone on more than she lead on. She didn’t know how, but somehow, she knew that Stephanie had never been the victim, but the victimizer. Stephanie…she was the root of all the evil going on. Somehow, Night Star knew that. And somehow, she was going to fight Stephanie. And to do that, it would be time to reveal herself to the world. If she was going to deal with the problem, then it was best to deal with it head on. Soon, she would make her presence felt in the WWF. The time for secrecy was almost over. Soon, DX, and those who associated themselves with DX would soon know the war they were in for. And it would be war. There was no way around it now…DX saw to that. “I don’t feel comfortable about this. I know this company better than you do. You’ll get hurt.” Taker said almost lecturing Night Star. “I can’t stand by while DX has their way. Kane has already suffered a great deal because of it. This is more than just retribution, this is justice. You will be coming back soon, but Stephanie will do all in her power to make your life, and Kane’s life a living hell. You have seen what they’ve done to him and Paul already. I can’t let this go on anymore. As long as they have their way around here, Kane, Paul, you, and others will continue to suffer.“ Taker, hesitant as he was, he knew she was right. But there was something he hadn’t told her, he hadn’t told anyone. He was not a willing participant in the events of the last year and a half…and even more, the person everyone thought would have been behind it, was just as much a pawn as he was. Something about his past…about Kane’s past…something he thought he could never let the world know…let alone his bride. But it was something he could no longer live with. Perhaps it was time too for him to come out of the shadows as his bride would soon do. But could he? Did he have that kind of strength? If she and the world learned what had been held over him for so long, would it make their lives unbearable? He himself had a lot of soul searching to do. Night Star decided the best way to make herself known was to go to the source of power…Linda and Vince Mcmahon. Linda stormed into her office after being slapped by her own daughter on national television. “That girl is evil. She is pure evil. I don’t know what I did wrong with raising her.” “Nothing, she is as you said, pure evil.” A voice said. Linda turned with a start to find Night Star standing outside the door. “I’m Night Star…no one but Mick Foley knows this, but I am Kane’s sister in law. I’m married to the Undertaker. I need your help.” Linda stood there shocked for a moment. “I can’t prove it yet, but I know Stephanie has had more hand in the doings of the past year and a half than she’s letting on. If you can help me, I can gather evidence needed to prove she’s been more the victimizer than the victim. I can’t prove it yet, but if you can help me, I can.” “After what I just went through, I’m beginning to agree. What can I do for you?” Linda asked. “I need to make myself known in the WWF. I want a contract with the WWF. The only way I can really do what I need to do is in the eyes of the world. I can’t be secretive anymore. Can you help me?” “Vince and I wield the power around here whether my spoiled daughter likes it or not. I think I can help you. But I’m going to need proof of your claims against Stephanie.” “I’ll get the proof you need.” “All right. We’ll see about booking you into an angle…I must warn you though, things are pretty brutal here. Are you sure you can handle it?” “Let me put it to you this way…anyone who gets in my way has no idea what they’re in for.” “You certainly look and act like someone involved with the Undertaker. There might be a useful spot for you.” “Thank you.” Chyna stood at the door after Night Star had closed it. She listened intently on the conversation and decided that Night Star would get the proof she needed very very soon. But there was going to have to be something in it for her as well. She wanted revenge on Stephanie as well…for stealing her man…Triple H. It was time to strike a deal. Part 7: The Bargain Night Star walked into Kane’s dressing room. He was not there. She often frequented his dressing room when she needed privacy. When Taker returned, she would stay there from now on, but for the time being, this suited her. She sat down after she closed the door, thinking of how she was going to come up with the evidence she would need to prove that Stephanie was the master mind of much of the trouble caused over the past year and a half. She heard a knock on the door. Assuming it was Kane or Paul, she went to open the door. To her surprise it was not Kane or Paul, but Storm…the nurse who had befriended Kane while he was in the hospital. “You’re Storm…you took care of my brother in law Kane…”
“Yes…I…I just had to find out how he’s been doing.
Ever since he left the hospital I’ve been thinking
about him and I just haven’t been able to get him off
my mind. Is he here tonight, wrestling?” She asked.
“Yes he is. He’s out in the ring right now teaming
with Rikishi. You can wait here with me if you like.
I’m sure it would make him happy to see you again.”
Night Star replied. “Yes…I’d like to see him again.
I…I don’t understand why some people are so cruel to
him. He seems like such a gentle soul…but so sad.”
Night Star stopped, hearing a knock on the door. “That
must be Kane and Paul. I’ll let them in.” She said.
She opened the door, but was again surprised to find
not Kane or Paul, but Chyna. “You’re Night Star?”
Night Star took a cab to the place Chyna selected…a
small bar on the outskirts of town. Night Star was
curious as to what Chyna had to offer her, but as
always, she was cautious. The ninth wonder of the
world awaited Night Star’s presence. She walked in
looking deadly serious. “All right…what is it you
want to tell me?” Night Star asked. “I have something
that can help you in your fight against Stephanie.
Survivor Series this past year…Steve Austin was run
down by someone. Everyone thought it was Billy Gunn,
and assumed that DX was behind it. They were half
right…DX was behind it, but it wasn’t Billy who drove
the car.” Chyna said pulling something out of her
pocket. It was a video tape. “It was Stephanie. On
this tape, Stephanie was recorded by surveillance
cameras that night at Survivor Series. She was the
one who was driving the car. She was with them long
before Armageddon.” To Be Continued...
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