a.n. wow, thank you so much for the response to this story! I never expected to get so many follows/favorites on just the first chapter. I really hope you all continue to enjoy the story!
disclaimer. I only own my OC, Serenity McMahon. I am in no way affiliated with the WWE.

Back To Innocence
ii.

Serenity once again found herself in the conference room.

Except this time it was just Hunter, one of the producers - an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair named Mike, and herself.

In the three hours since the last meeting she had changed into her outfit for the evening, a navy blue wide leg jumpsuit with a navy lace bodice and gold heels. Her light blonde waves were now tied back in a loose ponytail and her blue eyes were accented with sparkling gold eyeshadow.

When the door swung open she glanced at the final member of their meeting, Dean Ambrose.

He sauntered over to the table and sat down across from her. He leaned back in his chair and glanced at each - present - member of the production team.

"So, I get to meet with Hunter and Baby McMahon. What a pleasant surprise."

Serenity frowned and glanced at Hunter who looked annoyed but, said nothing.

"They caught me on the way in and told me you have some plans for me." He glanced at Serenity.

'Yes. As I am sure you are aware by now that Seth is not going to be able to compete against Brock at Wrestlemania."

"He might have mentioned it." Ambrose folded his hands in his lap as he once again leaned back in the chair, looking pensive.

"So that means we need a replacement." Hunter interjected.

Dean waived him off nonchalantly. "I want to hear what she has to say." Dean nodded toward Serenity.

"Call me Serenity."

"I want to hear what Serenity has to say."

"Hunter is right, we need a replacement for Seth. So we have decided to have a fatal four way match headline the Fastlane pay per view. The participants in that match will be Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin, Finn Balor and you." Serenity glanced at Hunter who nodded encouragingly. "And you will win that match to become the new number one contender."

Dean sat up straight, resting his arms on the table. He looked at Serenity. "I have a question."

"Of course."

"Why the hell would you make that decision?"

Serenity frowned, taken aback. She glanced at Hunter who looked angry.

"You better watch it. This is one last chance for you to have a big push if you really do decide to walk and that kind of attitude is a way to lose it. We had a different plan but, Serenity insisted this could be a great storyline. You should be more respectful."

Dean held up his hands defensively. "Sorry Serenity."

Serenity once again glanced at Hunter, who nodded. "It's okay." She replied. "We are doing this because it is the best decision, it will result in the best storyline, and more importantly you are the best choice to hold the title right now and we would like to see you stay here in the WWE."

"The best choice to hold the title? So you aren't planning on having Brock toss me around like a ragdoll come Wrestlemania?"

"That wasn't the plan, no. I am sure there will be plenty of german suplexes and F5s in your future but, the plan is for you to walk out of Wrestlemania with the title."

Dean chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "And what if I decide I am not going to resign my contract?"

"I am honestly hoping I can convince you to resign." Serenity clasped her hands together in her lap as she spoke. She squeezed her hands tightly, hoping to distract herself from the pounding of her heart.

"I am interested to see how you plan to do that. I think I have made it clear that I want to leave, Serenity."

"You made it clear you were unhappy with character and booking decisions. I want to try to amend that. I am hoping you will like the storyline I have planned for you if you choose to resign."

"You have me intrigued. I have a request though."

"Seriously? With the attitude you have had during this meeting?" Hunter chuckled. "You have always been ballsy Ambrose. I will give you that."

Dean looked at Hunter, "This is clearly Serenity's idea so - I want to work with her on this… and only her."

"You know that isn't the way this works Ambrose. The creative process is a team effort."

"Wait a minute." Serenity held up a hand.

Dean smirked at Hunter before turning his attention to Serenity.

Serenity took a deep breath, "I know I will have to run our plans past you and dad but, there is no reason I can't work one on one on this with Dean, if that is what he wants."

"That is exactly what I want."

"Uhm…: Hunter rubbed lightly at his beard for a minute before turning in his chair to face Serenity. "Can I speak to you for a moment, alone." He got up from his chair and nodded toward the hallway.

Serenity nodded. She stood up and followed Hunter to the hall. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it.

"You don't have to do this Ren. I know we have expressed our interest in having him resign but, you do not have to do something that will make you uncomfortable to make it happen."

Serenity swallowed nervously. Every part of her wanted to take Hunter's out. She was terrified about the idea of working one on one with the Lunatic Fringe. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails pressing into the flesh of her palms. They had agreed to run with her idea. She needed to follow through and prove herself.

"I am okay." She sounded braver than she felt.

"Serenity you have nothing to prove to us." Hunter said knowingly. "You are no good to us if -"

"I'm fine, Paul. I can handle this." She insisted. She turned on her heel and opened the door. "Please give us some privacy Mike, Dean and I have a lot to discuss."

The fans in attendance at Monday Night RAW were on the edge of their seats for the show opener. It was Wrestlemania season and the fans were all anxious to see the continued build up for the biggest wrestling show of the year.

The audience erupted when Seth's music hit. The number one contender for the Universal Title made his way down the ramp. The fans all cheered and clapped for him as he made his way into the ring.

He waited for the applause to die down before welcoming everyone to Monday NIght RAW. The fans once again cheered and he chuckled at the fans enthusiasm before continuing on with his promo.

"As all of you know we are on the road to Wrestlemania and back in January I won the Royal Rumble match, earning my ticket to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship." He paused while the fans cheered. "Now, I have promised every week since I won the Rumble that I was going to go to Mania and defeat Brock and bring that championship back home to Monday Night RAW."

He sighed and rubbed at the back of his neck and he paced slowly in the ring. "But, the thing is anything can happen on the road to Wrestlemania and the truth is, I am not going to be able to keep the promise I made. The medical staff has informed I am not cleared to compete and I will not be ready to go by Wrestlemania"

He paused again to wait for the fans to quiet down after hearing the news.

"But, when I come back I plan on kicking the crap out of Brock Lesnar -"

No Chance, No Chance in Hell.

The audience booed as Vince walked out on the stage. He was followed by Stephanie, Hunter and Serenity. Hunter, Stephanie and Vince were all carrying microphones.

"Now Seth." Vince began as he entered the ring. "I know you earned a title shot at Wrestlemania at the Royal Rumble" Seth nodded as Vince spoke. Vince stood across from Seth, Stephanie and Hunter standing to one side of him and Serenity standing on the other. "But, we have to have a title match for the Universal Title at Wrestlemania."

"Are you seriously going to take my match away from me? I earned that title opportunity." Seth took a step forward, "There is no way in hell you are taking that title opportunity away from me." Seth got in Vince's face as the fans cheered.

"Now Seth, there is no reason to get worked up." Hunter stepped forward as Vince stepped back, allowing Hunter to stand between himself and Seth. "No one plans on taking your title opportunity away from you. You will get your title match whenever you are cleared to return. . . I just might not be against Lesnar."

Stephanie stepped up to stand beside her husband, "We can't have Wrestlemania without having the Universal title defended. So, in two weeks at Fastlane, there will be a match to determine the number one contender for the universal title at Wrestlemania."

The fans all cheered for the announcement.

"Which means when you are cleared to compete you will receive your title match against ether Brock Lesnar or his opponent at Wrestlemania.""

Seth nodded in approval as the fans cheered. He dropped his mic before leaving the ring.

"That leaves us with how we will determine the new number one contender for the Universal Championship." Vince turned his attention toward the audience. "And we have decided that the main event for Fastlane will be a triple threat number one contenders match and tonight we are going to announce the participants."

The fans waited as Hunter stepped forward. "Later on tonight we will have a contract signing with all three members of the triple threat. The first member of the triple threat will be the first-ever Universal Champion Finn Balor."

The audience roared and Hunter nodded in approval.

"The second member of the triple threat will be former acting general manager, Baron Corbin." Vince added, smirking when the audience booed at the mention of Baron. He chuckled, obviously enjoying the fact that the fans were not happy with his choice.

"And the final member of the triple threat is a future mega star and hall of famer. A one of a kind talent, the Scottish Psychopath, Drew McIntyre."

There was a mixed reaction from the crowd as the McMahon family left the ring and made their way up the ramp as the commentators hyped the match to end the segment.

Dean Ambrose stormed through the backstage area, passing crew members and other superstars. He walked up to a crew member carrying a clipboard in one hand an cup of coffee in the other.

"Where is she at?"

"Where is who at?" the man asked, clearly confused by Ambrose's question.

"Serenity McMahon, where is she?"

The crew member shrugged. "She was heading toward Mr. McMahon's office."

"Thanks." Dean grabbed the man's coffee and took a sip before walking down the hall toward the office. The fans could be heard cheering throughout the backstage area as the camera followed Dean toward he McMahon's office.

He pounded on the door, tossing the almost full cup of coffee behind him while he waited for someone to answer the door.

After a moment the door swung open and Serenity stood in the doorway. "Yes?" She questioned. "My father isn't here right now."

"Guess it's a good thing I wasn't looking for your daddy."

"Hunter and Stephanie aren't here either. They are preparing things for the contract signing tonight."

"Even better because I was looking for you, Baby McMahon."

Serenity narrowed her eyes at the nickname. "It's Serenity and I can't think of anything I would have to discuss with you, Dean."

He smirked. "It will only take a minute of your time, Serenity."

"Fine, come in." She stepped aside and motioned for him to enter the office. He smiled triumphantly as he stepped into the office and she closed the door behind him.

Vince, Stephanie and Hunter sat on one side of a long table. On the other side sat three empty chairs for the competitors of the triple threat match.

Hunter sat in the farthest seat. Steph sat in the middle and Vince sat closest to the camera.

The audience cheered as Finn's music began to play and he walked out onto the stage. He did his signature pose before walking down to the ring. He once again did his signature poses on the apron and the turnbuckle before walking over to the table and grabbing one of the microphones.

"First off, I would like to thank you for this opportunity -"

He was cut off by the sound of bagpipes. The fans booed as Drew came out onto the stage carrying a microphone. "It doesn't matter how grateful you are Finn because at Fastlane I am going to walk out of the main event as the new number one contender for the Universal championship. Then I will go to Wrestlemania and I will defeat Brock Lesnar." Drew stated as he walked toward the ring. Drew climbed into the ring and walked up to Finn. He once again lifted his microphone to speak but, was cut off by another familiar theme song.

"I Bring the Darkness" played and the fans booed, as Baron Corbin walked onto the stage.

"It doesn't matter what you you say Drew, the fact of the matter is both of you can run your mouth's all you want but, neither of you have been acting general manager of Monday Night RAW! I am a born leader and I can lead the locker room and the WWE Universe like a true champion." Baron strutted to the ring wearing his signature cocky smile.

"Yea, you were acting RAW General Manager for a while… how did that turn out for ya?" Drew chastised, getting in Baron's face.

"Well - I am the only one in this ring who has actually been Universal Champion." Finn interrupted earning a glare from both men.

"Yea and you didn't even last 24 hours because your battered, broken, little body couldn't handle it." Baron mocked.

Stephanie stood up and held up a hand to silence the bickering men. "Now gentleman, you are all extremely talented and that's why we chose you -"

Home is where you make it.

The guitar riffs of "Chaos" by I Prevail filled the arena.

Serenity walked out onto the stage carrying her own microphone. The blonde stood at the top of the ramp and smiled sweetly at the audience.

"As all of you know, I am Serenity McMahon, the youngest daughter of WWE Chairman Vincent Kennedy McMahon - and little sister to Shane and Stephanie McMahon." Serenity smiled at her sister who stood, perplexed in the ring. "Sorry to interrupt you Steph but, I have something I need to say."

Vince stood up from his spot at the table and motioned for his daughter to speak, "Of course, darling. What is so important you just had to interrupt this very important contract signing?"

"Well, you see daddy, It was brought to my attention earlier that - every other member of the McMahon - Helmsley family who was present tonight picked someone for this match. . . someone that they thought would be a good fit to fill in for Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania, someone who would make a good champion." Serenity spoke as she casually strolled down the ramp. "That got me thinking about the match." She smiled when she stopped at the end of the ramp, just a few feet from the ring. "And how I could make it even better, so. . . the main event of Fastlane will now be a Fatal Four Way match." Serenity said excitedly. She smiled and clapped a little when the fans cheered.

"So, without further ado, the final member of the number one contenders fatal four way - Dean Ambrose."

The fans all cheered as Dean's music hit. He made his way down the ramp, stopping to look at Serenity for a moment before getting into the ring. He walked past Baron, Drew, and Finn without acknowledging them. He walked over to the table and grabbed Hunter's discarded microphone.

"Take a good look at your next Universal Champion." He smirked at the look of bewilderment on Stephanie, Hunter and Vince's faces. He grabbed a pen from off the table and scrawled his name across the bottom of the contract before exiting the ring.

Ambrose made his way back up the ramp. Serenity followed slowly behind.

The commentators all buzzed about the newest addition to the match as they disappeared backstage and the camera angled back to all of the stunned individuals in the ring to end the show.