Piece of the Puzzle

AN. Thank you to TheMizMagnet, Punkprincess1996, Hailey Egan, ThatGirl54, RKO.I.F, Melia-J, QueenofYourWorld, DeannaNerox3, Cena-holic8, xDarexToxDreamx, LizThatsRight2, RandomlyAwsomer, xTwistedxImperfectionx, Ilyse, Lill2350, Cailin RKO Orton, MistressofDawn, DarkAngelElektra, Embrace the Confusion, thugstoryx3, nikki1335, xxStarstruckDreamsxx, LyssRKO, rory21 & Jilliana24 for reviewing the last chapter.

Thanks very muchly :)

Chapter Eighteen – The Fight of Your Life: Part 2

“If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.”

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Batista’s smirk had become that much more arrogant a few seconds after he’d grabbed Randy and shoved him into the wall. There was no need to test his strength in such a dramatic way but, of course, being The Animal, he felt it was necessary to prove his power in the situation.

“So what’s next, Hunter?” He bellowed, but his eyes were trained on his former Evolution partner. “I haven’t fought in a while – just envisioned it down at the gym while I was punching the crap out of a punch bag and imagining it was you.”

Randy clenched his teeth uncomfortably under the grip the stronger man had on him. The voice was telling him to fight back – repetitively and dominantly, in fact – but he had to question why. Even in the awful moment in which his personal health was at risk, his curiosity overshadowed the fight inside of him.

Surely the voice knew that he was thinking solely about Mickie James – about saving her and then doing his all to protect her with all he had in the future? He wasn’t rid of the voice after confessing his feelings, and all it cared about was violence and the glint of gold; so how did this make sense?

It didn’t, obviously, but he was willing to trust it. The voice was all he had right now.

Back to the present moment, he noticed Hunter stumble over, wiping the blood away from his face with little concentration. Paul’s dark eyes were focused on him only. “You never learn, do you? When are you going to understand that you can’t overpower me?”

“Oh yeah,” the legend killer spat out despite his position, “Because you’re so confident in yourself, aren’t you? Is that why you brought Dave in to do your dirty work?”

“Well isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black? You’re so rarely seen without your Legacy Boys that it’s hard to remember why I thought you were a worthy contender in the first place.” His smirk widened a beat later when his handyman tightened the hold and Randy let out an involuntary yelp. “And as for Dave doing my dirty work...oh no, I intend to beat the living hell out of you myself.”

The superstar focused on his poker face and tried not to allow his nerves to get the better of him as the sledgehammer – so much more intimidating upon being presented a second time – was tossed about in Hunter’s hands. Carelessly, purposefully.

“You’re scared – I can see it in your eyes.” Paul continued easily. He stepped closer, pressing the cold metal against his throat and forcing his head upwards. “And you should be,” he growled.

Dave’s sick laughter from beside him alerted the voice into panic mode to match Randy’s thoughts. With it usually being so calm...so comforting...it was all the more worrying to hear the state of it now.

FIGHT BACK. It hissed vehemently. Don’t think, just DO.

He eyed the weapon as best as he could, along with the glint in The Animal’s eyes, and queried what action to take. In that moment both men were stronger than him and most certainly had the advantage; whereas he, aching from the fall he took just minutes ago, was helpless against cruel control.

But when had Randy Orton ever questioned what he did – inside or outside the ring?

Wipe those smug looks off of their faces. After all they’ve done to you – after everything you’ve been through – don’t you deserve a little retribution? Yes, of course you do. And think of how powerful you’ll be after you defeat both of them on your own home turf...

Of course. The glorious image filled his head instantly; standing victorious over two lifeless bodies would fill him with a pride he hadn’t felt in years. The voice was right; it always was.

Hunter lowered the sledgehammer at the same time he raised his elbow, in a swift move, to deliver a harsh blow to Batista’s cheek. He felt the hold weaken and fought on, pushing off the wall with his right foot to kick Hunter in the stomach. He struggled to break free completely but managed through another elbow and then a punch, once on level ground, to the blonde in front of him.

Breathing heavily, he concentrated on their recovery rates, and saw the larger man click his jaw back into place with impressive timing. He backed away slowly, unsure of the fight he was about to take on, and continued edging back until he reached Cody. He kicked him lightly, all the while keeping his eyes on the two, one of which was approaching him with pure malice in his eyes.

“Come on, Rhodes,” muttered Randy under his breath as the young guy finally came to, moving slowly, “I could really do with your help right now.”

He didn’t like his chances with this particular battle, and only hoped that Ted was having better luck than him.

“Damnit!” Mickie cursed as, for the thousandth time, her brunette curls fell into her eyes and stopped her from concentrating on what she needed to do.

She’d heard the entrance about ten minutes ago. Her heart had lurched when she heard Randy’s voice, clear as day, demand to know where she was from Paul. She would have felt incredibly happy to know he cared that much about her if she wasn’t already panicking for his safety – and hers too, judging by the conversation that followed.

The fight had started soon after and she was mesmerized for a moment, struggling to hear who was on top, before she’d reminded herself that she had a task to do.

The tender pink areas of her skin had now turned a nasty red but she didn’t care much for the pain as she shuffled about, trying with all of her might to loosen the rope. It was wound tight but she’d managed to edge over to the wall and rub it on a sharp edge.

Slowly but surely, she was getting her escape wish – just one step closer to leaving this horrible place behind.

The Diva whipped her hair back as forcefully as she could without giving herself whiplash and blew the curls that were left to her cheeks. “Come on,” she almost panted as the rope started to thin out under her effort, “Come on, come on!”

“Mickie?”

She paused for a moment. Cautiously, she lifted her head. Had it been her imagination or was someone calling out her name? The voice actually sounded a lot like...

“Mickie? Come on, where the hell are you?”

A huge flood of relief rushed into Mickie’s system as she recognized the frustrated tone of Ted DiBiase Jr. He had to be near, as his voice echoed loudly in the otherwise quiet room.

“In here!” She shouted desperately and soon realized how hoarse her voice sounded. She cleared her throat as the superstar came rushing into the area. “Ted, thank God! Could you help me with this?”

He leaned forward, recovering from his heavy breaths, and broke the rope around her ankle in one easy movement. She would have been impressed had she not been concentrating on the rope around her wrists. He soon gave her release from that too.

Twisting her wrists in obvious relief, and then stretching out as she stood quickly, she looked at the man standing in front of her. “What do we do now? What’s going on out there?”

“I’ll tell you what’s going on, Princess.” A voice that wasn’t Ted’s replied to her frantic tone. Both turned suddenly, and found Hunter staring back at them, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. “Your Prince Charming is getting a lesson in revenge.”

“I’m not afraid of you.” The son of the Million Dollar Man remarked, though he sounded very much so as he stepped in front of Mickie in order to protect her.

“Kid,” Triple H chuckled darkly, “You should be.”

The Cerebral Assassin stepped forwards but Ted stood his ground, walking in a circle around the brunette so that she wouldn’t be harmed in any way. But while the men had their attention on each other only, she was already thinking of an idea that would guarantee a getaway – but only if it worked.

She edged over to the door and boldly called out to the man. “Hey Hunter.” Her voice wavered but her confidence did not as he turned to her. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

He moved in closer. “The only thing you’re going to enjoy is me beating—”

But his sentence went unfinished when, quite suddenly, Ted swung forcefully from behind and a chunk of wood from the chair he was holding smashed into the back of his head.

The faintest of smirks touched her lips as Hunter hit the floor but it was soon replaced with concern when the Legacy member stepped over his unconscious body and hurriedly made his way over to her.

“We’re leaving.” He demanded, grabbing a hold of her hand tightly and moving out of the room.

“What are we going to do now?” She barely had time to ask before she was whipped away, running at an impressive pace and trying not to trip over her own feet at the same time.

“We’re going to get out of here.” Ted barked back impatiently.

Mickie didn’t utter a word, but inside she hoped Randy could still be saved, and that he hadn’t fallen victim to Batista’s surprise visit.

“Thought Hunter was going to take care of me himself.” Randy spat out as he continued to edge around the room, stalling for time.

Batista merely smirked. Plans changed and he wasn’t about to explain it to the guy, who knew this for himself. He could see the anguish in his eyes and a surge of power rushed through him; no amount of distraction could prevent him from causing the damage that was necessary.

The two men faced each other in the semi-dark, both waiting for the other to make a move. The second blow was always the worst and neither wanted to be with the disadvantage – this was, after all, the last fight, and only one would come out on top.

“Come on,” The Animal urged, “Hit me.”

“You first.”

A chuckle filled the room, covering Cody’s attempt to stand to his feet from behind him. “Still this little kid, aren’t you, Orton? Looking at you right now...well, I can’t see the difference from when you were Hunter’s little bitch.”

“Funny that,” he breathed out, “I was just thinking the same about you.”

Dave’s boastful mood dropped a little and he felt a little pleasure, even though the comment had been both petty and unhelpful in his case. If he was going to go down – which he was sure he wasn’t – then he wouldn’t lose without his cutting edge opinions.

“You might want to watch what you’re saying there; if you want to make it out alive, that is. Scratch bruised and lifeless.” The stronger of the two warned. “Because you see, all I’m thinking about now is that punt you gave to my head. You took me out – now it’s only right that I let you know how it feels to be so utterly helpless.”

He deserved all that he got. You know that.

Randy gritted his teeth. He didn’t know whether he would be able to concentrate with both the voice and the man standing in front of him.

“You took me out of the ring – the one place I wanted to be – and now you’re going to pay for that.” Batista continued. “And speaking of things that you want...that Mickie James, she sure is a firecracker huh?”

He only wants you to crack under the pressure. Ignore him.

But he’d succeeded.

“After all this time, you’ve found...love.” He chuckled out the last word, as if thinking about the absurdity of it all. “Romantic. You’re rushing to the rescue. Except you’re not going to be the hero, are you?”

He’s not going to win. Not this time. You took him out before and you can do it again. You WILL do it again.

“What’s the matter?” The superstar asked as the legend killer raised a hand to his temple, suddenly distracted. “Oh right...your little problem. Those issues of yours, they must be—”

“Shut up!” He yelled. There was no way he was going to allow this new-found confidence to get the better of him.

“You’ve already lost. You’re no better than you were in Evolution. From cocky kid to the guy with too much on his hands. You’re struggling now, aren’t you? You’re—”

Finish him.

Randy lifted his head. There was no longer a thought of doubt in his mind as he succumbed to the voice. It may not have been the wisest of decisions to attack now, but he didn’t care anymore: as far as he was concerned, Batista had done his worst, and now it was time to do his.

Dave was one step ahead and blocked the fist coming his way, pulling Randy into a headlock instead. He shook him forcefully – with a frightening strength – and felt the younger superstar struggle under his grip.

“What are you going to do now, huh?” He shouted into Randy’s ear, thoroughly enjoying the moment.

Randy’s breaths were hurried as he kicked out, trying to greet the level ground while Dave kept pulling him away. His hands were trapped under Batista’s arms but he battled against the muscles that kept him in place; he’d taken years of intimidation from Evolution, and he couldn’t go through it again.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cody stagger to his feet. The silver glint of the sledgehammer on the floor was seemingly in both of their sights, as the son of the American Dream sneakily moved forwards in an attempt to grab it.

With an idea in mind, the legend killer refused to give up the struggle and forced his body down – enough to stamp on his rival’s foot. It wasn’t enough to release the hold but he kept at it, stomping and stomping until Batista grimaced under the pain.

His arms began to slip as Cody came up from behind and hit The Animal in the back of his legs with the blunt end. As the move was unexpected, Dave allowed a release and tended to his injury before quickly turning to the attacker.

Cody swallowed hard as he found himself one-on-one with Batista. He’d faced him in the ring before but standing here now, and with the man looking so pissed off, it was all that more personal.

“Now!” Randy yelled from the position in which he’d fallen to the floor.

Snapping out of his trance, the young superstar proved to be a worthy opponent as he slammed the weapon into Batista’s stomach and then, when he’d bent over in agony, smashed it around his head. There was a sick thud as his head hit the floor.

“Talk about your David vs. Goliath battle,” muttered Cody under his breath.

Randy would have rolled his eyes if he wasn’t so battered and bruised, and intent on finding Mickie.

“They’re outside – I saw Ted get out with her.”

The legend killer nodded in understanding, glanced at Batista’s fallen body once more, and then rushed out of the run-down building, Cody hot on his heels.

The sight of her a mere few moments later – leaning tiredly against the car, one hand on her hip and the other pressed against her chest – filled him with a relief, such a feeling that he’d never felt before upon resting his gaze on a woman.

“Mickie...” He uttered, uncaring of his need for breath as he staggered forwards.

The Diva turned to him with unexplained tears in her eyes, and ignored Cody and Ted completely as she rushed towards him. She felt the pain in her ankles but ignored it as she closed the space between them and pressed her head against Randy’s chest.

He simply enclosed his arms around her petite frame, savouring the moment, even when the two warned him they had to leave.

So there’s the next chapter. Please review :)