Family Roots

Chapter 1

Dominik Mysterio slowly made his way through the NXT backstage area.

He never truly felt comfortable when he made the journey to the NXT Performance Center. He didn't couldn't really put his finger on why he felt this way. Maybe it was because of guilt, or maybe the feeling of judgmental stares from NXT Superstars, pun semi intended. Typically, he would cling to whoever came down with him. First it was with Rey, then it was Rhea, Finn, and Damian. They'd help him take his mind off the uneasiness he felt.

But now...

Damian and Finn couldn't stop fighting with each other. They argued all the previous week, on Monday Night Raw the night before, and then now. Even Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams were laughing at them. Rhea had to play peacemaker, which left Dom...all alone.

Dominik sighed to himself. First, it was Rey, now it was with Rhea. Why did he always end up alone and abandoned when the shit hit the fan?

Maybe it was because he was too low on the totem pole? While his relationship with Rhea excited him, he chafed at his assumed role in The Judgment Day. He did everything they wanted, took the beatings they wanted, but...

When would someone do what he wanted?

Shaking his head, Dom looked for a place where he could get out of sight for a while. Away from prying eyes that wanted to tell him, "I told you so". Or eyes that just outright hated him. He had already got enough of "I told you so" when Rey suddenly started calling him. He found such a place the last time he came to NXT. Hopefully, he could find it again.

"No! We are One Tree, Four Roots!"

Dominik stopped dead in his tracks. Someone else having a family fight? Another kindred spirit? He was pulled toward the source of the argument.

"What the hell Gacy! You didn't trust us enough to win the match?"

"I was just there to let you know you have my full support!"

"Liar! You were just thinking of yourself!"

"Stop it! This is what people want!"

The argument seemed to come from behind a closed locker room door. Dominik heard the distress in the voice of the one who was trying to stop the fight. Feminine, yet intriguing. Desperate, yet hopeful. Such a familiar sound, and a very familiar position to be in.

"Ava! Where are you going?"

"Away from here! I shouldn't be the only root trying to keep our family tree alive!"

The locker room door burst open. All Dominik could see was a flash of deep red hair before someone crashed into him. The person staggered backward, and Dom reached out to steady them before they fell.

He found himself drowning in a pair of different colored eyes.

Ava from Schism stared back at him. Her eyes were stormy, but the look was replaced with surprise as Dom pulled her to her feet.

"Dominik Mysterio?"

Ava saying his name brought about some...interesting...sensations. Dom slid his eyes over her body briefly, noting her camisole top, pleated skirt, and boots. Ava almost seemed embarrassed at the sudden attention Dom gave her and looked away, giving him yet another interesting sensation.

Hmm...

Dominik broke the ice. "Ava, right?"

She nodded and turned to face him again. Those eyes...They seemed to pull you in no matter what. Dom smiled to himself. Dangerous girl.