Demons

[Ben M]

Sunday, March 25: WrestleMania, Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans

It was just after 7pm, and WrestleMania XVII was officially underway. Nikki Cross was all alone backstage in the Superdome. Most of the EBWF roster were in the Gorilla position, or the executive suites, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying EBWF’s biggest event of the year. Not Nikki, though - she didn’t want any part of it. Because she didn’t feel like she was part of it. She wasn’t on the card, and she didn’t want to be just a spectator. Michael Cole was trying to interview Nikki for a WrestleMania documentary, but Nikki wasn’t playing ball.

Nikki Cross: Get that camera out of my face, Michael.

Michael Cole: Nikki, I’m just trying to do my job.

Nikki Cross: I have nothing to say to you. I’m so…

“Nikki…”

Nikki was distracted by the sound of someone whispering her name. The voice was quiet, but deep. As she looked around, Michael Cole seemed puzzled.

Michael Cole: Everything okay, Nikki?

Nikki Cross: Didn’t you hear that?

Michael Cole: Hear what?

“NIKKI…”

Again she heard it. This time it was louder.

Nikki Cross: That!

Michael Cole seemed oblivious.

Michael Cole: Are you pretending to hear something to get out of this interview? Talk about disrespectful. Forget it.

As Cole and the cameraman walked away, Nikki punched the wall in frustration. As she did, she heard the whisper a third time.

“NIKKI!”

This time, it sounded harsher - as if telling her off for hitting the wall. Nikki followed the direction she thought the voice was coming from, and saw a black door down the hallway. Smoke appeared to be coming from underneath the door. Nikki laughed to herself.

Nikki Cross: And people say I’m crazy.

As she walked towards the door, it opened. Nikki walked into the room, but she couldn’t see anything through the smoke. Eventually the smoke cleared, and there it stood. A thing people would assume is a man, but Nikki knew it was much more than that. It was crouched in a corner, it’s mouth agape and it’s it tongue dangling, blood dripping from its very teeth. It’s a mix of red, black and white, crossing over and every muscle, dent and bruise. It stood up slowly and looked Nikki in the eyes, showing dominance only a predator knows how to.

“Why did you come here?”

Nikki looked confused.

Nikki Cross: You called for me…

It continued to stare at her, making her doubt herself.

Nikki Cross: ...didn’t you?

“Sure, maybe but I only call to those who need it. Did you need it?”

Nikki Cross: Need what? What can you offer, umm…

“You may call me Balor. What do you need? Only you can tell me, what do you need?”

Nikki Cross: I need…

She pointed towards the arena, where WrestleMania was happening.

Nikki Cross: I need to be out there, in front of the crowd. I need to be winning matches. Dismantling my opponents. I need to be the Women’s Champion. I’ve been lost… I need direction, Balor.

It came closer, it examined.

“I can give you what you want. You’re not one for Blind trust, I can tell.”

He came closer again and revealed himself.

“I am Balor. King of the Fomorians. You may know me as the Demon King. I inhabit a vessel known as Fergal Devitt, a young wrestler with a talent for it. I have decided he is worth to harbour my entity and I shall live within, guiding him until I decide to show myself. You may not see me again after this conversation but I hope you understand, I’m not one to talk. You will know this vessel as Finn Balor, quite fitting I think. I can give you what you want, I see things that you’ll want to know. I see a Rose, a beautiful Rose in a field all on its own. Once this Rose stood proud and tall among the rest but it’s starting to wilt. Do you want to know what happens next? Easy. You burn that whole field to the ground.”

Nikki nodded.

Nikki Cross: You’re starting to speak my language, Finn. I want to burn it all down!

“Soon, you will meet Finn. You will follow him and he will do what you need, The Rose will wilt and die out. The Cross will be shown above all else, that is something you desire. You will burn it all down to the ground, the Rose, Catwoman, Lynch, The Goth...they will all burn until you truly get what you desire. There is something I need you to do for me however…”

Nikki stared at the Demon King intently. She appeared to be hanging on its every word.

Nikki Cross: What is it, Balor?

“There is a rather large man on the EBWF Roster who I believe will be the ultimate weapon in taking over. His name is Braun Strowman, it is your duty to bring him aboard and have him by our side. He is a walking monster, not alike myself obviously. He is unstoppable and that’s just what we need, sound like fun?”

Nikki grinned.

Nikki Cross: Braunie! I like Braun… and he likes destroying stuff. I’m sure I can get him on board.

The demon grinned.

“Good, now go. Burn the rose and bring the Braun, we’re going to need it. Expect Finn ringside...I’ll be watching.”

The demon faded back into the shadows and disappeared. The room felt cold without it being present, and Nikki quickly exited.

Monday, April 09: Warfare, Sprint Center, Kansas City

Two weeks had passed since Finn Balor had signed for EBWF, but still he was waiting for his first match. Finn had been excited when he was told he would be making his debut on Warfare, but that excitement was short-lived when he found out he would be taking on the role of manager. Finn had been asked to work with Nikki Cross, and was set to be in Nikki’s corner for her match with Mandy Rose.

Finn Balor: I should be out there wrestling, stompin’ a hole tru’ everyone and takin’ dat title off de’ Miz easy.

The Demon: Soon. She is an important asset and you need to do as I say. You’d never be where you are without me, are you so ungrateful as to doubt me now?

Finn Balor: Fine. What am I to do wit’ her?

The Demon: Just make sure she wins. Help her become what she desires, you’ll be fighting for, with and beside her. Soon there will be another too, Strowman. You’ll do the same for her, for him. All 3 of you will Take...over.

Finn Balor: Okay. I’m sorry fe’ doubting ya’.

Finn was walking down a hallway backstage when he met eyes with Nikki Cross, she immediately changed her path to come to him.

The Demon: Remember, she’s important in this. Possibly more important than I, trust her.

As Nikki approached Finn, she smiled warmly.

Nikki Cross: So I know people always talk about the luck of the Irish… but are you psychic too, Finn?

Finn Balor: Psychic? Da’ fook are ya’ talking about?

Nikki raised an eyebrow.

Nikki Cross: When you talked to me at WrestleMania, you kept making references to a rose. Now I’m facing Mandy Rose tonight, and you’re in my corner. How did you know? Have you got Wes’ ear or something?

Finn’s eyes widened as he grabbed Nikki and pulled her into a nearby broom closet.

Finn Balor: He spoke to you?!

Nikki Cross: He? Yeah, he did. You did. Aren’t you the same person? He talked a lot about you being the vessel, but I just assumed that was your way of getting to me… it was weird, even for me. I liked it though.

She smirked.

Finn Balor: He speaks ta’ me, but he doesn’t listen. He told me ya’ were important, but I didn’t think this important. I was ready ta’ put da’ charmers on and seduce ya’. Guess I don’t have ta’ now eh?

Nikki laughed and shook her head.

Nikki Cross: Who d’ya think you are, Seth Rollins? I’m gonna be straight with you, Fergal. You have the best abs of any man I’ve ever met… but I don’t shit where I work, you know? The Demon… Balor… he spoke to me about what we can achieve, together. You, me and Braun. Someone else enticed me like that before, told me if I had him in his corner, I would go places. But I went nowhere, and I kicked him to the curb. Then I met the Hyde to your Jekyll, and it feels different. I trust him. Which means I trust you.

Finn Balor: Good. Also yes, I do have the best abs thank ya’. So tonight yeah? I’ll be ringside to make sure ya’ win okay? I’ve been told to trust you by the thing you don’t doubt, so I trust you too. I think we should probably get out of here before people start to talk, new guy remember? Trust me though, we are 100% taking over.

Nikki nodded, then they exited the broom closet. As they did so, a member of production crew who was walking past eyed them suspiciously.

Nikki Cross: We weren’t having sex in there, just so we’re clear. Trust me, you’d know if we were!

The crew member didn’t seem to know what to say. He panicked, and quickened his pace as he walked away.

Nikki laughed again.

Nikki Cross: You’ll learn pretty quickly, most of the EBWF staffers are scared of me. They think I’m crazy. I think that’s why Braunie and I click. They’re scared of him too. Which is unstandable… he’s massive, and violent. Oh god, the three of us and your Demon King working together is going to be so much fun!

Nikki clapped her hands excitedly. As she did so, her and Finn were approached by Cathy Kelley.

Cathy Kelley: Nikki, Finn. Hey!

Cathy seemed to be blushing slightly, and was trying not to look Finn in the eye. Finn noticed, and smirked.

Finn Balor: Now Cathy, I’m not a piece of meat. For you though, I can be whatever you want me to be.

Cathy went bright red, and Nikki nudged Finn in the ribs.

Nikki Cross: Focus!

Finn looked sheepish. Nikki turned her attention to Cathy.

Nikki Cross: What can we do for you, Cathy?

Cathy Kelley: I just wanted to ask you about your match tonight, if you’ve got a few minutes?

Nikki Cross: Sure, as long as Finn can come with me! He’s going to be in my corner tonight. Don’t worry, if he says anything inappropriate, I’ll kick him right in his Lucky Charms.

Cathy couldn’t help but laugh.

Cathy Kelley: Thanks. Come with me.

Nikki and Finn followed Cathy to the interview area, and once the camera started rolling, Cathy began to speak.

Cathy Kelley: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, Nikki Cross. Nikki, tonight you go one on one with the former Women’s Champion Mandy Rose, who beat Candice LeRae at WrestleMania to become the number one contender for the Women’s Championship. Do you see this match as an opportunity for you to stake your claim at the Women’s Title?

Suddenly Nikki’s anger about not being booked at Mania came rushing back to her and she scowled.

Nikki Cross: Well, Cathy, if I had been in the number one contenders match at WrestleMania, I would have already staked my claim, because I would have beaten Mandy Rose. Instead, I’ll have to make do with beating her tonight, and beating her so badly that Wes Ikeda will realise I deserve a shot at the gold.

Cathy Kelley: The last time we saw you compete on Warfare, you lost to Becky Lynch. After the match, you attacked your manager Don Callis. The EBWF Universe has been wondering, what led you to attack Don Callis? Was it just frustration at your loss?

Nikki Cross: It was frustration at him! He told me he would make me a star, but all he did was earn himself some pocket money. I realised I didn’t need him, so I took care of him.

Cathy Kelley: Does that mean you’ll be flying solo from now on?

Nikki smirked. Cathy had set her up perfectly.

Nikki Cross: Not exactly…

At this point Finn Balor, who had been waiting off camera, walked into the shot and stood next to Nikki Cross. He didn’t say anything; he simply made his presence felt.

Nikki Cross: The problem with Don Callis is that he pretended I was his priority, when really he was just looking out for himself. I’ve been talking to Finn Balor, and like me he’s got a dark side. We’re kindred spirits, and he’s going to be in my corner tonight. But let me make one thing clear - he’s not my manager, and I’m not his manager either. This is a partnership. An alliance. The start of something greater.

Finn Balor: The EBWF has no idea what is coming… but don’t worry, you’ll all find out soon enough.

Finn and Nikki shot each other a knowing look. Nikki then turned back to Cathy Kelley.

Nikki Cross: As for Mandy Rose… she’ll find out tonight just what I’m capable of.

Nikki laughed maniacally as the scene faded.