By DCoD
Although romance wasn't the base of Stephanie and HHH's marriage, it grows that way as the weeks go by. As each week comes in, and another goes out, their intimacy grows until there is no way they can be separated.
This truly boils Vince's blood, and he mentally snaps. On RAW, a week after Feb.'s In Your House, against his son's pleas of sanity, he takes a sledgehammer, and smashes in the couple's dressing room door. Unfortunately for him, neither of the two are present.
After a commercial break, HHH is shown rushing into the arena, but Stephanie is not with him; the man looks worried. At that moment, Vince comes down to the ring, with many cheers to accompany him, and grabs a mic.
**Vince: Triple H, you get yourself down here before I have to search the backstage with a sledgehammer for your carcass.
HHH comes out to an enormous amount of boo's and chants of "Asshole! Asshole!". When he reaches the ring, he grabs the mic from Vince's hands.
**HHH: Vince, I don't know what you want to call me out for, but right now, I don't care. Stephanie, my wife, your daughter, is missing, and-
Vince grabs the mic back.
**Vince: What?! She's missing! What do you mean by that?!
HHH gets his own mic.
**HHH: I've looked all over the arena for her, but she's not here. She wasn't in the hotel room when I woke up, and she's just disappeared.
Both are silent, while the crowd still chants "Asshole! Asshole!" and some chant "Vin-nce! Vin-nce!"
**Vince: What have you done to my daughter?! What did you do to make her run away?!
**HHH: I didn't do anything! I am her husband, and I love her with all my heart, but believe me, I will never be an ally of yours. But believe this: I am probably as worried as you are, and probably even more.
Vince sighs.
**Vince: All right, then let's get a search party going. Maybe we can find her somewhere close by.
Both leave together. In the back, they gather their respective groups, being DX and Vince's associates, Shane, and some other backstage personnel. They search any establishment they can get into within the city. The search comes up with no clues.
At the Smackdown! taping, HHH and Vince arrive at separate times, but both find a note taped to their dressing room doors. The note reads:
If either of you wish to see your precious girl again, you must follow my rules: A) HHH must annul his marriage to Stephanie, B) Vince must sign an iron-clad contract, stating that he will no longer have anything to do with his daughter's life, in any way, shape, or form, and no matter what happens, will not try to interfere, and finally, C) Follow inserted map to find your precious little girl...
At Vince's door:...
**Vince: Hell no! I am not going to sign some damn contract where I forfeit my rights as her father! Patterson, Brisco, tell my wife and my son I'm going to the dockside to find my daughter.
**Patterson and Brisco: Yes sir, Mr. McMahon.
Vince storms out of arena, and drives out of the arena lot.
At HHH's door...
**HHH: What kinda crazy wrote this shit up? Annul my marriage?! I'll show that punk-ass what I'm gonna annul, and it ain't gonna be my marriage.
HHH then storms out of the arena, and drives toward the dockside.
Both Vince and HHH arrive at the docks at approximately the same time. They meet up, and together, they begin to search the docks for their beloved. Suddenly, masked men storm the place, and Vince and HHH fight as hard as possible against them all, but to no avail. Eventually, both men end up in the freezing water of the Atlantic Ocean. In the background, a demonic laugh can be heard, but whether it belongs to a female or male can't be determined. Unfortunately for HHH and Vince, they fell onto a fishing net, and are towed behind a fishing boat for many miles.
On the next RAW, HHH and Vince return to the ring with severe colds, as a result of the cold water, but would not stay home. Both men grab their own mics.
**HHH: All right, you bastard! We know you have people working for you, and we know you have Stephanie. All we want is to have her back safely.
**Vince: We want her back in our sights tonight, and if we have to fire the whole damn roster to single you out, we will!
The TitanTron begins to glow, and Stephanie is shown on the screen. Her shirt is torn in a few places, around her eye area is blackish-blue, and her eyes themselves are puffy and red from crying. She begins to plead with them.
**Steph: Daddy, Triple H, please listen to me. You have to go through my captor's demands. You don't know how angry they are right now, and if you don't give way in their demands, my life, my very existence will be in an even greater danger than it is right now. Please, please, if you love me as much as you both say you do, you will listen and do as I say. Please!
Steph begins to cry again, and the TitanTron fades to black again. HHH and Vince are stunned. Both can't speak. They look at each other, then both rush out of the ring and to the backstage area. For the rest of the night, Vince, HHH, Linda, and Shane are in conference.
At the Smackdown! tapings, near the second hour area, Vince and HHH come out to the ring. Vince grabs a mic.
**Vince: Well, since we have been backed into a corner, we have no other choice but to come up with a rebuttal. You see, we put our love for Stephanie together, along with our heads, and have come up with a proposal for Stephanie's captor. If you want, you and HHH will have a main event match at WrestleMania for Stephanie's freedom. If you win, well, we will both give up our rights to Stephanie, myself giving up my rights as a father, and HHH annulling their marriage.
HHH grabs Vince's mic.
**HHH: But when I win, because I will win, I guarantee that, but when I win, you will release Stephanie back to us, and never even try to get your grubby hands on her again!
Vince takes the mic back.
**Vince: So what do ya say? We will be waiting for your answer between now and Smackdown!, and if you don't comply within that amount of time, you WILL be fired once we find out who you are.
Both men leave the ring, and wait backstage for a reply.
While backstage at the next RAW, Patterson and Brisco come into the McMahon office, and deliver to Vince a note that says...
I accept the stipulations, but who says I have to wrestle? I could easily send out a follower, and you'd never know the difference; that is how ignorant you really are. Never the less, you have a match for WrestleMania.
Vince is angered by this new revelation, and at the Smackdown! taping, he takes airtime with an interview with Kevin Kelly.
**Kevin Kelly: Well, Vince, you asked for this time. The floor is yours.
Vince looks amused.
**Vince: Kevin, I own the floor, but this interview has nothing to do with ownership. This interview is a statement to my daughter's captor. {Vince turns to camera} Whoever you are, you had better show your face at WrestleMania in two weeks or I swear to you, you will wish you had never been accepted into this company. Now listen good, and listen hard. If you so as even dare to send someone else to take your place at WrestleMania, I will make sure I find your ass, fire it, then beat you within a quarter of an inch of your life.
Vince walks away.
**Kelly: Back to you, Michael.
Later that evening, during HHH's match against Mankind, Test, Big Show, and Ken Shamrock come down to the ring, and surround it. Knowing that Mankind had, at one time, been a part of this group, HHH becomes suspicious. He is distracted while arguing with Test, Stephanie's former fiancé, and is victim to Socko and the Mandible Claw. HHH passes out, which gives Mankind the victory.
After the four men leave, and a stunned HHH is revived and joined by Vince, the lights dim to blackish-blue, and light of the same hue flashes over the ring. A warped laugh is heard from all over the arena. A voice begins to speak, but it is too warped to figure out whose it is.
**Warped Voice: Vince, Triple H, nothing, and I mean nothing will stop my wrath on you. If I must up the ante on the match, I will. But I tell you one thing: if you so as dare to challenge me again, I will make sure that Stephanie feels my anger. If you value her life, and yours' as well, you WILL comply with MY rules. And if not, well, let's just say sometimes, things are not what they seem to be!
More laughing erupts, then all goes bright again. HHH and Vince are speechless, and their faces show it. The crowd is cheering "Rocky! Rocky!", thinking that the voice belonged to the Rock. Some even are chanting "Austin! Austin!", because he plays the games his way....
On the next RAW, directly after the pyrotechnics have gone off, Vince rushes to the ring, a mic in hand. Once in the ring, the cheers become louder, and Vince lifts his hand into the air for silence.
**Vince: All right, you ignorant bastard! I demand to have my daughter returned to me tonight! Right now sounds good, too. So why don't you bring your yellow carcass down here, and be sure to have Stephanie with you.
The lights go out instantly. A blue hue centers over the ring. Warped laugher sounds through the sound system.
**Warped Voice: Vince, you are ignorant one! If you ever again think that you can boss me around, telling me when and where to bring your daughter around, then you will put your daughter in even greater danger. As it stands, your precious Stephanie is cringing with pain from your last outburst. Another one like that, and I swear to you, Stephanie will feel much more pain!
The arena lights come back on. Vince's eyes are wide in disgust and fear. Immediately, he retreats backstage, where he plans to regroup. HHH intercepts Vince on his way toward the office.
**HHH: You're just gonna let that sick bastard boss ya around like that?! You're gonna let him throw that punk card at ya?!
**Vince: Hunter, I'd give every part of myself to save Stephanie, to go and rescue her. I try to counter him, but he threatens to harm her even more than he already has. I don't want to risk her life anymore.
HHH fidgets around, trying to decide what was best.
**HHH: Maybe you have been barred, but I haven't!
HHH storms toward the curtain that leads to the ring.
**Vince: {shaking head} He's just gonna make it all worse!
HHH's theme hits the sound system, and HHH storms through the curtains. He doesn't pause at the top of the ramp like usual, but continues storming to the ring. Once inside, he grabs the mic from Lillian Garcia.
**HHH: I'm not Vince, you sick bastard! You best come out and face me, and make sure you've got Steph within your grubby hands!
The lights go out yet again. There is muffled shouts, sounds of body shots, and the crowd's roars. As sudden as the lights went out, they come back on. HHH is in the middle of the ring, flat on his back. He's bleeding from the mouth, nose, and other parts of his body. EMTs rush out to the ring, and place HHH on a gurney.
The EMTs take HHH to the back, where Vince joins them.
**Vince: What happened out there?!
**HHH: I dunno. {winces} One sec, I was demanding Steph be returned, and the next, the lights go out, and some asshole starts beating me up. It was dark, and I couldn't see him, nor land in any shots. {to EMT} Hey, watch it!
Vince and HHH decide that the captor, whether human or not, is definitely in major trouble. At the Smackdown! taping, Vince, Shane, and DX are in Vince's office, in a conference. A cameraman is with them.
**Vince: Whoever this captor is, he knows what we do and say, so he must be in the building-
HHH interrupts.
**HHH: And he's got to have Steph with him, right?
**Vince: That's what I'm hoping, but don't hope too much. He could just deny everything.
**Shane: So what you're suggestin' is that we go knock 'im out, right?
**HHH: {shouts} How in the hell are we supposed to find Steph when the bastard's out cold?!
**RD: Yo, Hunter! Chill, man! It was only a suggestion.
**Vince: {regaining control again} What I'm saying is that we drill every person that works here, man, woman, technician, performer, whoever they are, and have them tell us what they know.
**X-Pac: But they could deny everything, like you said before.
**BG: And he's got followers. They'll deny it, too.
**Vince: If they know what's good for them, they'll talk. If they don't, we show 'em a pink slip.
The crew walks around backstage the first hour, intensely questioning everyone. Each person said that they didn't know anything. Once again, they head back to Vince's office, and the cameraman is with them as well.
**BG: Maybe he just ain't here.
**Shane: But he has to be, or else he wouldn't know what we do.
**X-Pac: Maybe he doesn't speak at all!
**RD: You're all wrong! He's here, and he's gonna get one helluva whoppin' once we find him!
**Vince: Now wait a sec here! I think X-Pac may have something. Who do we all know that doesn't talk a whole lot?
**Everyone: KANE!
**Vince: {grinning devilishly} Exactly!
The group meet Kane out in the lot when he arrives for his match. Kane peers at each individual once at a time. Road Dogg and Billy Gunn block Kane's way inside.
**Vince: Well, Kane, where have you been?
No answer.
**Shane: Maybe checkin' up on Stephanie?
Kane tries to push his way through, but HHH grabs his arm and yanks him back to face him.
**HHH: It is you, you bastard! You better tell me where she is, or I swear, I'll beat you 'till you can breathe on your own!
Kane stares into HHH and Vince with his one good eye.
**Kane: I … have…nothing….to do…with her.
**Shane: {to HHH} Let him go. He's too …{searches for the right word}…human to abduct her.
HHH releases Kane, and the Outlaws let him pass. All let out a collective aggravated sigh.
**BG: Has anyone ever thought that maybe she just wanted to disappear?
HHH instantly grabs Billy by the shirt collar.
**HHH: Don't even DARE think of that, Billy! Why would she want to run away from me?! I swear to God, if you say anything like that again…
HHH trails off, lifting his arm, and is about to punch a cowering Billy Gunn, but Vince grabs HHH's arm.
**Vince: Don't, Hunter. Save that energy for Sunday.
HHH curses, drops Billy, and slams his fist into a near-by WWF Attitude truck. The group then heads back into the arena.
By the time Sunday arrived, everyone is on edge and on full alert. Vince is the worst. Although he's normally uptight and such when it comes to pay-per-views, but this WrestleMania, he's the worst ever. The matches have to be pulled off perfectly, or no one will hear the end of Vince's complaining. By the end of the ninth match, which crowned a new Intercontinental champion, everything had gone smoothly.
Now, it is time for the before-match interview. Vince and HHH are in the back with Michael Cole, who has a mic.
**Cole: Well, Triple H, Vince, this match is for, basically, everything! What's your strategy?
**Vince: Michael, we have no idea who we're up against, so it's real hard to have a strategy, isn't it?
**Cole: {stammers} Y-yes, I suppose.
**HHH: But I will guarantee that whoever, or whatever, walks through those curtains, I WILL beat its ass, and I WILL remain champ!
Vince and HHH walk off toward the ring area.
**Cole: {turns back to camera} Back to you, JR!
"1, 2, is this on?" comes through the sound system. HHH and Vince come from behind the curtains, and pause at the top of the ramp. They are surrounded in blinking lights.
**Finkel: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for our Main Event. This is a no DQ, falls count anywhere for the WWF championship. If the champion wins, his opponent must return Stephanie McMahon to him and her father. If the challenger wins, Vince McMahon gives up his fathering duties, and the champion must annul his marriage to Stephanie. First, being accompanied by the guest commentator and owner of the WWF, Vince McMahon, from Greenwich, Connecticut, he stands at 6'4", and weighs in at 246 pounds, he's the WWF champion, Triple H!
HHH and Vince advance to the ring. Vince enters the ring via the ring steps, while HHH steps up onto the ring, outside the ropes, turns to the crowd, and lifts the championship belt over his head. HHH slips between the ropes, and goes over to Vince's side. They talk quietly amongst themselves, then Vince leaves the ring to take his place at the English announcers' table.
**Lawler: Look, JR! Vince is coming to join us!
**JR: So I see.
Vince sits down next to Lawler, and places a headset over his ears.
**Lawler: Thanks for joining us, Mr. McMahon!'
**Vince: My pleasure. Now, what we have here is a non-scripted match. Whatever happens in it, happens. Whoever wins, wins.
**JR: Vince, do you have any slight thoughts on who this mysterious person might be?
**Vince: No, I don't have a clue, but whoever it is will get his ass beaten and defeated.
Suddenly, the lights go out, and silence falls over the crowd.
**Vince: Dammit! Kane was lying to me the whole time!
Eerie music sifts through the sound system, lulling the crowd. And then…."Accept the Lord of Darkness as your Savior!" hits loudly. The whole crowd rises to their feet, and screams loudly and joyfully. A single, tall figure approaches the top of the ramp from the curtain. He stops as he reaches the top.
**JR: Oh my God! After 7 months, the Undertaker has returned home!
**Lawler: How come he's back, Vince?! Isn't he fired?!
**Vince: {grumbles to self} Dammit! Why didn't I see this?! {to Lawler} No, he was never fired! Though he should have been.
As Taker approaches the ring, slowly and painlessly, Howard Finkel begins his entrance announcement.
**Finkel: The challenger, from Death Valley, he stands at 6'10", and weighs in at 325 pounds, the Undertaker!
Taker steps up to the top of the steel corner steps. He rolls his eyes into his head, and slowly, he lifts his arms up, bringing the lights back on. The crowd still cheers ecstatically.
**Vince: How could he do such a thing to me?! He was a loyal wrestler to me!
**JR: That's true. He stayed while others strayed down South to the other organization.
Back in the ring, HHH and Taker circle around the ring before the bell rings. HHH lunges at Taker, but Taker is quick. He grabs HHH by the neck, and lifts him up to his face. Taker seems to talk to HHH, then drops him on his back. HHH looks stunned, and, for a moment, fear crosses his face. HHH regains his composure, and lunges at Taker again. This time, Taker grabs HHH by his arms, and tosses him into the turnbuckle. Taker follows up with body shots. When HHH sags to the canvas, Taker starts stomping on HHH's body.
The referee begins to tell Taker to ease up, to which Taker whirls around, scaring the ref out of the ring. This confrontation gives HHH a chance to roll out of the ring. He goes over to the bell table, grabbing his title belt. Taker stands in the ring until he realizes that HHH is running away from the battle. As HHH heads up the ramp, Taker is on his heels. When he's close enough, Taker grabs HHH's arm, turns him around, and punches him in the face. HHH drops the belt, and blocks the shots with his arms. When the ref yet again distracts Taker, HHH takes advantage by slamming the title belt into the back of his opponent's head. Taker stumbles down the ramp, and rolls back into the ring. HHH follows in pursuit.
When both men are on their feet, the exchange blows to the head. Somehow, Taker gains the upper hand, and begins to deliver a series of head-butts. After the sixth head-butt, HHH falls to the canvas, rolls to the outside. Taker follows him, slamming HHH into the ring post. Taker then grabs HHH's hair, pulling him along side him, and goes to the ring steps opposite from where he entered, which are by the announcers' tables. Taker tries to slam HHH's head into the steps, but HHH blocks it. Instead, HHH buries an elbow into Taker's abdomen, and slams Taker's bent head into the steel steps. Taker stands directly upright, turns to HHH, and smiles an evil grin. HHH becomes frightened, and tries to run. Taker grabs him by the hair again.
Taker then turns his opponent toward him, and begins to deliver more head-butts. One very powerful and painful head-butt sends HHH reeling over the barricade. HHH runs for his life, but Taker is in hot pursuit. When they reach the beer stands, Taker rams into HHH with all his strength. They tumble heavily to the floor, beating each other all the way. After a few minutes of beating each other with chairs and beer cans, HHH hightails it to the ring again, Taker right behind him.
After both return over the barricade, Taker grabs HHH by the arm, and turns him around to face him. In an instant, Taker has his large hand around HHH's neck. Taker points to the announcers' table with his left hand, and the crowd goes wild, answering him.
**Lawler: Oh my God, Vince! He's not gonna do it, is he?!
*JR: Oh my God! I think we'd better move quick!
Taker, with absolute ease, picks HHH up with one hand, and chokeslams him through the announce table. With the table in pieces, and HHH stunned cold, Taker turns his gaze to Vince.
**Vince: You're a sick bastard, and you're goin' down, win or not!
Taker grins another evil grin, and pulls HHH to his feet, then rolls him into the ring. Once inside the ring, Taker stands upright, turns to the crowd, and motions for the end, his thumb crossing his neck. The crowd erupts with excitement. With Taker's back turned, HHH stands upright, and lunges for Taker. Taker quickly turns, easily picks HHH up and onto his shoulder, and sets him up for the Tombstone. The crowd becomes even more rowdy, and Taker executes the Tombstone. Taker places HHH's arms over his chest, and flips his hair back. The ref drops to the canvas, and slaps the mat. 1…2…3!
Though the crowd had been loud and excited throughout the match, the fans become the loudest after the pinfall.
**Vince: NO! Dammit, no!
**Lawler: That didn't just happen!
**JR: What a triumphant return!
**Finkel: Your winner, and NEW World Wrestling Federation Champion, the Undertaker!
The ref points toward Taker after he hands him the title belt. Taker automatically goes down on one knee, and lifts the belt toward the crowd. A symbol of thanks for the COTN worldwide. The crowd's cheers grow so loud, the entire arena shakes. Taker stands up again, and beckons for a mic. Once it is in his hand, Taker strolls backward until he's in the middle of the ring. Taker looks directly at Vince, another grin on his face. Vince's eyes are wide, fear crossing his face.
**Taker: Vince, this win is just the beginning of things to come. As much as you try, you'll never be able to stop our power! Beware, Vince, for much more is to come to you!
Taker drops the mic, exits the ring, and walks up the ramp with the WWF championship in his hand. Vince is stunned, and HHH is still out cold.
**JR: Well, Vince, I think you've got yourself a big problem.
**Vince: {in a little voice} I can't believe it! He lost, and then that bastard challenges my authority like that!
**JR: Well, folks, we have a new WWF champion, and while Vince ponders his next move, we'll say see you tomorrow on RAW is WAR! Goodnight!
