______There's a bad moon on the rise...

❝  I knew you were a fucking drone.❞  The Canadian mumbles under his breath whilst amusingly making snow angels, mistaking Sasha's hotel room sheets with the large flakes surprisingly perceivable through the windows.

Kevin throws a brief glance in Sasha's direction, disappointedly catching her to the side of the bed, stringing together push-ups. He comprehended a long time ago that Banks was a workhorse, never resting, esteeming that workouts and trainings were the absolute priority.

Obviously she looked right through Owens, letting out a deep sigh expressing she never welcomed in as he casually sidled in her war zone. Just like a bored child whose parents are unvailable to play with, he did what any other kid would have done: he called a friend of his.

Footsteps make themselves louder and louder as they walk through the hallway and light a playful spark in Owens' eyes, barely distinguishing a male figure on the entrance. Unfortunately the enthusiasm is quick to vanish once he realizes who flew into his arms, a goofy smile glued to his beaming face.

❝  Oh God get off me! You standing near me makes me sick to my stomach.❞  The so-called Murder Bear rolls his eyes as he understands the wrestler isn't going anywear, his features extending in an even bigger smile which irritates Kevin more.

❝  What are you talking about ? You called me three times.❞ The tall figure explains, finally releasing Owens from his grip, gently patting his friend's shoulder. ❝ You were the last option.❞  Owens assures, a scornful tone in his husky voice. In place of being offended by that statement, the ginger guy slightly chuckles, apparently pleased by that exchange.

❝ Can't you two go take a room ?❞  Banks declares, seemingfully pissed at all the racket these two always make once reunited. As she manages to stand up, her muscles still sore from her last match and the exercices she obstinately does on a daily basis, she barely dodges a slipper flying at her.  ❝ I'm going to throw up right on your head.❞ 

Banks natural reflexes almost bring her to instinctively jump at the Canadian's throat until another organ takes over: heart.

Because every single monster fights against an undying weakness.

Because as much as she prides herself in being that cold blooded and lethal beauty, her old feelings are prompted to awake every once in a while as she encounters former acquaintances.

Sami Zayn being one of those she avoids as much as she possibly can, the man having the ability to revive every single agreeable moment out of Mercedes' memory.

The issue is simple: Mercedes isn't championship material, Sasha Banks is.

The vicious, merciless, calculating side of her is capable of dealing with both success or pressure single-handedly. On the other hand the kind, loveable, full of principles little girl is destined to be carelessly torn apart.

Still with all of these informations perfectly printed in her brain she can't help but feel uncomfortable near him. As if he could see right through her masquerade without judging her one bit, always a watchful eye layed on her horrifying self.

As if he's entirely able to discern the slightest of breach and dive right in it, bringing out the good old Mercedes.

Except Mercedes has to perrish in order to obtain what she craved for fourteen years. 

Zayn fixes his gaze upon the reckless redheaded as soon as he sees her, saying hi with an uncovered excitement. Banks simply nods at him, awkwardly standing accross the room, keeping her distance from the irradiating heart and soul of her former home: NXT.

❝ You forgot what a real interaction looks like ?❞ Owens laughs at how ridiculous Sasha's looking, unused to see such a timid side of her. ❝ Did you forget what this looks like ?❞ The Boss calmly responds whilst extending her middle finger to the douche squating in her room.

Guess even in her prior crush's presence Banks' exploding behavior is uncapable to fully disappear.

❝ If I were you I wouldn't do that. It might come bite you back, litteraly.❞  Sami gives him a sidelong look whilst Kevin pretends having no idea what Zayn is talking about.

Their banter's teaser continues in a war of words, the Canadian father assuring his son could kick the ginger's arse within ten minutes. In return the former NXT champion starts rubbing Owens' shoulders, explaining as if it was logical that tears would come out easier out of his best friend eyes if he's less tense.

❝ You're such an asshole.❞ are the last words echoing through the hotel room as Owens slams the door behind him, furious at Sami who keeps massaging his shoulders, Banks thinking hard for herself that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

The lively trio proceeds in making their way to the NXT live show, the ride promises to be a thorn Sasha can't take out of her side.

______________

Sasha's sitting in catering, angrily holding to her phone with both her hands, her grip tighten up more and more as her revulsion builds up, daggers look threatening to shatter the screen.

In whatever twisted miracle Rollins manages to reach her even miles away with his disloyal technics, continuously haunting her with sinister intentions.

Whilst she still stares at his vile statement an elegant silhouette appears beside her table, apparently unaware they have chosen the worst moment to bother Banks. As rage is still pounding through her temples, Banks barely overhears babbling about moving up to the Main Roster.

❝ Do I care ? Absolutely not.❞ The cold Goddess spits out to the blonde face, shocking her so bluntly it forces her to blink a couple of times before proceeding each word she just spoke.

Her eyebrows raise and her hazel gaze darken up, crossing both her arms in a defying way. ❝  You've changed, Mercedes...❞

As her real name is pronounced a thunder begins in Sasha's head. She roughly brushes Emma's shoulder, so hard she stumbles back, alerting in doing so her sidekick Dana.

Banks dares her to step in as her pupils are now turned into pistols, sending bullets her way before diverting, her delicate figure contrasting with the Demon living inside.

Mane the same colour as her helpless victims' remains, the red hurricane wanders around the arena, breathing heavily as she can't seem to calm down, her wrath increasing each step she takes.

In trance for about thirty minutes, unimpressed of the dirty looks people around her give her, a game changer strikes her interest.

Graves and Tom's voices gasp in unison, an unusual terror recognizable in their tones. A horde of wrestlers rush in corridors, all converging towards the exact same spot: the gorilla position.

Banks petite figure allows her to sneak her way in, throwing elbows when needed to figure out what that circus is all about. She imagined Neville coming back to NXT and assaulting Kevin during his match against Zayn. She imagined Baron making yet another statement, attacking both the men after their gruelling match.

She thought about practically all the scenarios possible, except the one in which all goes up in flames.

From what she could gather out of Jason Jordan and Chad Gables conversation, Owen (Kevin's son) pinned Zayn after his father's victory right before a camera was sent on him. Fortunately enough Sami was quick to react and jumped to his aid, protecting his best friend's son at all costs.

As of now the entire tech guys and cameramen's crew is circling the ring, making sure nobody enter nor exit the battlefield area.

Kevin argues near the barricades with the referee and long-time friend Drake Younger, his eyes filled with incomprehension before Dolph Ziggler takes advantage of the situation, driving his neck to the concret with a devastating Zig Zag.

Chair shots merge with the screams of the frightened crowd before The Miz grows tired of the weapon's inefficiency as Zayn isn't moving a muscle and gets rid of it. He wastes no time before dragging Sami in the middle of the ring, taking care of his shoulder and adding more damages to the fresh injury.

Vince's print is written all over the assault, NXT's fate being the new source of tensions inside of the clan. The unbearable and sinister scene forces Shane McMahon to come down the ramp, attempting to put an end to the chaos reigning and taking hostage the NXT live show.

Owen's brave heart shines through as he tries to force Miz out of his hold, tears dripping from his eyes, the Awesome one only chuckling to his face.

What could a 7 year old boy can actually do against an experimented wrestler, except digging his own grave ?

He mercilessly gives him a shove, the kid rolling back to the ropes, his innocent and shaking voice exclaming: "this game isn't funny anymore!"

Sasha can't make the slightest of moves as she blinks several times, making sure she isn't witnessing one of too many nightmares.

Kevin is finally able to crawl back inside of the ring, protecting his son in a corner, recklessly breaking in-character as he's shouting at Sami to figure out how bad the damages are. Ziggler blocks the way and Owens is left helpless and useless, hoping for his friend's shoulder not to dislocate once more.

Banks selfishly thinks it could have been her as she's never been much of Vince's favourites. He opposed himself to her first run in NXT, let alone her presence on Raw and Smackdown, because he esteemed her looks weren't "fitting the product".

On this precise instant Owens' words repeat inside of her brain, the advices she turned off few days back about what she exposes herself to if she keeps fighting against the golden boy of the company: Seth Rollins.

How her courageous soul would be able to reach the championship with a broken body ?

The scene is sending shivers in her back whilst her brain keeps throwing around the fact it looked like nothing else but a threat sent to NXT but more generally to anyone standing in Vince's path. He could destroy anyone just by snapping his fingers and as strong as Banks is, doubt slowly starts to invade her mind.

She already took a ticket straight to Hell, what would it change if she'd sell her soul to the Devil ? 

But what if she'd become the Devil herself, burning alive any enemy who is foolish enough to challenge her authority ?

_____________

E L E N A ;

It took way longer than expected so I really hope it's worth it ha! ;)

+ I feel like my writing in this chapter isn't descriptive enough. If you indeed think the same please let me know.

+ 2010 Miz is one of my favourite heels alongside with Ziggler, plus the two work perfectly together. What your thoughts are on this alliance ?

+ Sami+Owens interactions were fitting I hope haha!

love ya all xx  (owens+zayn's friendship though)