WARZONE #389
INVADE!
This weeks revisits Invasion to find a holder for the briefcase Eclipse inexplicably gave away. Six of our finest will do battle, and one of them will walk away with a massive prize. Who will it be?
The Heir, I
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
The screen fades in from black.
Dark marble. Golden sconces flicker against vaulted walls. The House of Sovereigns looms with regal silence.
At the center, two men sit across from one another.
Zeus, the immortal, the Baron. Jackson Cade, his son — only just discovering the truth.
Tension cuts the air like a blade. Zeus’ expression is unreadable. Jackson’s fists clench, uncertain, guarded.
Suddenly—
The doors slam open.
Dragged in by the collar, beaten, bloodied and bruised, is George Cade.
Thrown like trash into the center of the room by Ares.
Jackson’s chair scrapes violently backward as he leaps to his feet.
“Stop!” he roars. “If you lay another fucking finger on my father, I’ll kill you.”
He drops to George’s side, cradling him, checking his wounds with desperation.
Ares merely smirks, unfazed.
Zeus rises slowly, the weight of lineage and war heavy in every step as he crosses the room.
He stands face-to-face with Ares.
Ares leans in close and whispers something inaudible.
Zeus' jaw tenses. His eyes flicker.
Then, a single command.
“Jackson—sit down.”
Jackson turns, torn, fire in his eyes.
George coughs and grabs his wrist.
“Do as you’re told, son.”
A beat.
Jackson swallows hard… and nods. He helps George to rest against a pillar before returning to the throne room table. Every step echoes like a drumbeat of fate.
He sits.
The doors close.
Cut.
The Queue
The lights burst into brilliance.
The roar of the crowd fills the arena like thunder as Felix Foley stands center ring, the World Championship draped proudly over his shoulder. His suspenders are slightly askew, his smile wide but humbled. A microphone rests gently in his hand, and the fans chant his name with feverish joy.
He raises the mic.
“This…” Foley breathes, “has been a long time coming.”
The arena erupts again.
“I’ve fought tyrants. I’ve faced monsters. I’ve clawed through the darkest corners of my own goddamn mind. And now—” he lifts the title, “I can finally stand here and say I made it to the promised land.”
The fans chant louder: “You deserve it! You deserve it!”
He nods, emotional.
“I didn’t get here alone. I couldn’t have. Every chant, every cheer… every time you believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself—thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
The crowd is molten.
But then—
“Lux Aeterna” by Clint Mansell hits.
The lights dim to a cold silver. From the stage, Anton Savor steps forward, microphone in hand. The celebration dies into a buzz of confusion and irritation. The Chef’s eyes are knives.
“Cut my music,” Savor growls, and the haunting melody stops.
He walks with purpose down the ramp.
“Touching, Felix. Really. But let’s call this what it is—sadistic. These people?” he sweeps a hand across the crowd. “They didn’t come to celebrate you. They came to see you get your ass kicked by monsters, inner demons, and tyrants.”
The fans explode with boos and chants of “Bullshit! Bullshit!”
Foley watches him, quiet.
“They don’t care about you,” Savor snarls, stepping into the ring. “They want to see pain. They want carnage. And frankly, so do I.”
He leans in close.
“You’re a fraud. And I’ll be at the front of the line to rip that belt away.”
But before Foley can respond—
“Vivaldi Storm” by 2CELLOS hits.
The lights crash to green and silver as DOOM steps out. A metal titan among mortals. He storms to the ring with seismic footfalls and slides under the ropes. Without a word, he levels Savor with a backhand gauntlet slap, sending him sprawling.
Gasps. Cheers. Savor rolls to his knees, furious—but hesitant.
Doom picks up the microphone, his metal mask shining in the light - his rocket gauntlet aimed at Savor
“If there’s a queue forming for Foley’s title…” Doom says, his voice mechanical, distorted. “…then we have something to clarify. If I win that title tonight, you’ll still be at the front, Savor. Is that what you're saying? And you’ll still be facing a liar and a fraud.”
He steps forward.
“Because I am both.”
Savor, stunned, retreats slightly. His eyes dart toward the ropes—calculating.
“Stop,” Foley suddenly says, his voice cutting through the tension. “Doom. Please. Stop this.”
The metal warrior freezes. Slowly, he lowers his raised gauntlet.
Foley swallows.
“Thank you… for taking Scissors away. But don’t think we’re friends again. Not yet.”
Doom’s mask tilts.
“We’re not,” he replies. “I don’t deserve your friendship. I did the right thing, once. That’s all. And tonight…”
He gestures to the belt.
“…I’ll do the right thing again. Because that target on your back? It’s going to crush you, Foley. And you won’t survive it. I'll do the right thing and take that title from you, so you won't have to suffer.”
Suddenly—
Green gas begins to rise from the edges of the ring.
It billows fast, thick, and acidic.
Foley and Savor both collapse within moments—out cold.
But Doom doesn’t fall.
His metal mask hisses as filters kick in. He turns, scanning.
A presence.
NOX.
Emerging through the swirling mist like a phantom. Eyes glowing, body cloaked in shadow.
Doom charges, fury igniting—but just before contact, Nox vanishes, melting into vapor.
The gas clears.
Foley is down. Savor is down. Doom stands alone in the ring… surrounded by the ghosts of war.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD : We’re here tonight folks for a very highly anticipated debut of a very dangerous man. The name Slade Kincaid has been whispered in the darkest levels of Arcadia like a Boogeyman and he could very well be a brutal force here in Olympus but he has a mighty test in front of him.
MATT RUBY: The original Mariachi, the leader of the Watchers, El Dragon Caido, El Mariachi Grande, whatever you want to call him is a stone cold killer and Kincaid couldn't have a worse first match then he does right now. Either way, we're in for some ultra violence here BB, I love it.
The bell sounds as Kincaid rushes forward, nearly decapitating the unsuspecting Caido with a mammoth Lariat, turning the smaller man nearly inside out from the sheer force. Caido barely stays on the mat though as he's lifted up by Kincaid who unleashes a rapid fire set of suppressing fire palm strikes rock the Watcher before a brutal elbow sends him stumbling back into the ropes.
SPINEBU...NO! Caido manages to slip out, driving Kincaid into the mat with a Stiff DDT counter.
Both men get to their feet, Caido slipping underneath another Lariat before leaping off the ropes for a flying headscissors. Kincaid flies through the air as Caido springboards off again
But he misses the Meteora Attempt. Kincaid rolling to his feet and sprinting forward
GHOST WALK! RUNNING KNEE TO THE BACK OF CAIDO'S HEAD!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Kincaid just levelled Caido there, this may well be it if the rookie can capitalize.
Ghost pulls up Caido, twerking his arm before pulling him forward
PEACEKI...POISON RANA! Caido ducks underneath the Lariat, leaping up and dropping Kincaid on his dome out of nowhere.
The Watcher quickly rushes to the ropes, looking to fly high. He leaps off, spinning in mid-air
FLIGHT OF THE...MALICIOUS INTENT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: EL MARIACHI MUERTE WITH A SPRINGBOARD STUNNER OUT OF NOWHERE!
Cole Holt sees the interference, quickly calling for the bell as Slade Kincaid wins by disqualification.
MATT RUBY: Muerte just ruined this great contest because he's a petty loser, proving once and for all why he's such a failure of a Mariachi.
Kindred Spirits
Destructo has been through it all. Reeling from the revelation that everything he’s ever known was a lie, he has sought solitude.
The truth burns slowly, and he’s lost in the fire. Alone, he wanders through deserted passageways seldom trodden.
His thoughts drifting like modal chords, unresolved through the silence.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destructo is hurting. You can see the pain pouring out from him.
MATT RUBY: Oh boo-hoo. So he was lied to. Get over it already.
In his solace, he comes across a figure. She is crying, alone, in secret. There’s a part of his heart that knows exactly what she’s going through. Her heart has been torn to pieces, her life in tatters of lies.
Destructo watches from afar, taking her in. Her vulnerability, her innocence in that moment. Her… beauty.
That’s when a hand from behind him grasps his shoulder.
“She thinks she’s alone here. She has no idea I know she comes here to… have her feelings.” Klaus Way speaks in a quietly playful tone, which quickly turns to a snarl. “But you shouldn’t fucking be here, boy. I don’t think Michaela wants creeps like you foisted on her.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It looks like Destructo has taken a shining to Michaela. She’s got her own family issues, perhaps he can sense a kindred spirit in her.
MATT RUBY: Perhaps he just wants to sense something else of his in her, if you know what I mean. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
Destructo backs away, turning to look at the Ringmaster. Klaus smirks at him.
“Whatever you’re thinking, I’d walk away if I was you. Leave her alone, or you’ll find out first hand what happens when people get on my bad side. She’s not yours to play with.”
Klaus backs into the shadows, so that Michaela doesn’t see him, leaving Destructo to ponder his warning. He doesn’t need to ponder it for long.
“She can’t live like this.”
MATT RUBY: Some people just don’t get it. Did he not see what Klaus did to his former freaks at Ring of Dreams?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I get the feeling that Destructo is about to go walking head first into a whole lot more trouble.
Cut.
Strange Bedfellows
Previously recorded.
Ezekiel Graves stands in the glow of flickering candlelight, robes drawn tight over his shoulders, voice ringing off stone walls.
“The wolf came in sheep’s clothing,” he preaches to the filled pews, “and the flock cheered as he led them to slaughter. They knelt at his altar of circuits and lies, and in doing so, mocked the name of God.”
MATT RUBY: Amen, brother!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I only see one person mocking the name of God here.
The old chapel creaks. Graves paces slowly, hands folded behind his back.
“They call him Nero now,” he mutters. “The Red Reboot. But no name can disguise a heretic.”
Footsteps interrupt him—quick, anxious. A disciple hurries through the doors, sweat on his brow, parchment crumpled in his hands.
Graves turns, raising one brow. “Speak.”
The disciple bows. “Word from Olympus, Reverend. From Scott Sterling himself.”
He clears his throat, unrolling the parchment with trembling fingers.
“By order of the Authority, Scott Sterling, Esquire,” he begins, “The Reverend Ezekiel Graves has been placed in a Tag Team Championship match at Ring King.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Now that’s a hell of a match to book.
MATT RUBY: Yeah, but who is worthy of the honor of joining the Reverend?
A pause.
Graves narrows his eyes. “And my partner?”
The disciple swallows hard.
“Nero.”
Graves doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. The firelight dances in his eyes.
“Lucien,” he spits, the name bitter in his mouth. “The very man I came to purge. Now tethered to me by the hand of Olympus.”
He exhales, slow and sharp.
“Sterling plays with fire.”
Then, almost softly—
“But so do I.”
Graves walks to the altar, placing a hand on the Book.
“If this is a trial,” he says, “then let it burn. Let it all burn.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The stakes couldn’t be higher here, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Agreed, BB. Number One Contendership. The winner is facing the World Champ, whoever that may be, at Ring King.
The bell rings and chaos erupts.
Jasper Redgrave clobbers Graves with a running knee while Narcissa rolls outside, avoiding the storm. Anton Savor intercepts Jasper with a stiff European uppercut—but Jasper absorbs it, spinning into a Dragon Suplex!
Graves rises with a growl—BIG BOOT TO JASPER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is going to be nasty.
MATT RUBY: Narcissa’s agenda is apparently “avoid bruises.” I’ll lick any wounds you get, my queen!
Graves and Anton trade hammering shots mid-ring until Narcissa slips in—BLINDED BY LOVE! SHE GOUGES ANTON’S EYES AND PLANTS HIM WITH A SWIFT STO!
Graves storms toward her but she ducks, letting him go into the ropes.
CAUGHT UP! THE TARANTULA LEAVES GRAVES GASPING AGAINST THE ROPES.
Jasper returns with a SHOT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Narcissa crumples as Anton grabs Jasper…
THE FINAL COURSE—NO! JASPER FLOATS OVER, LANDS ON HIS FEET—SPINNING BACKFIST TO THE TEMPLE!
Graves is up—HOLY WRATH! A DEVASTATING COMBO LEAVES JASPER REELING. HE HOISTS REDGRAVE—PURGATORY PLUNGE!
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
...
KICKOUT!!
MATT RUBY: Jasper’s head bounced like a basketball and he still kicked out!
Narcissa grabs a chair and slides in. CRACK! ACROSS GRAVES’ SPINE! BUT ANTON PULLS THE CHAIR AWAY—FLAMBÉ! A SPINNING BACK ELBOW STAGGERS HER INTO A CORNER!
Redgrave catches Anton from behind—SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY! THE SPINNING PEDIGREE HITS DEAD CENTER!
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
...
NARCISSA IS THERE!
NARCISSA TRIES REVOLUTION—NO! JASPER SIDESTEPS—TOO LATE! UPRISING BICYCLE KICK TO REDGRAVE!
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
...
KICKOUT!!
Everyone's down.
Narcissa and Graves rise first. Narcissa charges—UPRISING! BICYCLE KNEE! BUT GRAVES ROARS—BIG BOOT! SHE CRUMBLES!
REDGRAVE TRIES A ROARING ELBOW—but Anton yanks him out—CRÈME BRULEE!
HE ROLLS IN—NARCISSA CHARGES—FLAMBÉ! ELBOW TO THE JAW! SHE STUMBLES—GASTRONOMY GUILLOTINE! THE CHOKE IS IN TIGHT—SHE TAPS IMMEDIATELY!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Anton Savor is going to be facing the World Champ at Ring King, Ruby!
MATT RUBY: But who will the Champ be?
Red Light
Light glints off of a metal blade held tightly in a black gloved hand. We watch as the level lights move across its razor sharp edge, its owner moving through the streets of Arcadia.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh I don't like the look of this.
MATT RUBY: Neither do I. I can't see a bloody thing!
Suddenly the footsteps finally stop, the knife turning, The Night's face reflecting off the cold steel as he raises the blade to reveal that he's not alone, Gemini's horrified expression appearing for a single moment before the knife is thrust against her throat! "Why?" The question is almost devoid of emotion as it spills from Night's lips.
"Why did you do it?" He tilts his head, lip quivering in anger.
"I-I-" Gemini chokes out her words, the blade digging into her skin, the tiniest sliver of crimson gracing its edge.
"Money? Power? Narcissa confirmed it was you... But she never did tell me why."
"Why didn't you just kill me at Ring of Dreams?" Gemini whispers the question, her voice quaking with fear.
"Because," Night says. "You didn't deserve to die in the light. You deserve to suffer... In eternal darkness."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DON'T DO THIS! DON'T MAKE YOURSELF A KILLER!
MATT RUBY: ZEUS HELP HER!
Click.
The sound of a hammer being pulled back radiates further than any bullet, Night's head whipping to the perpetrator.
Harold Attano, a revolver in his hand. "This isn't how we do things, Night. Justice... Justice isn't a death in the dark. It's bringing wrongs to light. It's choosing to be better."
Night chuckles bitterly, looking from Gemini to Attano for a moment before shaking his head. "The Ghost talking about the light. Ironic." He looks towards Gemini once more, snarling.
"You won't be safe. I'll make sure you never feel safe."
Darkness.
The light flickers back to life, Night gone.
And the bulb now bathing the scene in Red Light as Gemini collapses to her knees, the scene slowly fading to black.
Cut.
Mariachi Of Life
Previously Recorded.
Red Snow XI.
The walls hum with tension. Fluorescent lights flicker overhead.
Nurse Frightengale, rather La Mariachi Vida, stands poised outside El Mariachi Muerte’s locker room. The air around her feels final.
A shadow moves.
From the hallway’s gloom, a figure emerges—hood drawn, cloak trailing. She stiffens, turns.
Her breath catches.
“…No,” she whispers.
He pulls back the hood.
El Dragón Caído.
El Mariachi Grande.
“You’re dead,” she murmurs, half-prayer, half-denial.
“Death is for the lucky,” Caído replies, his voice soaked in velvet and venom. “And we… we were never lucky.”
Vida swallows, voice shaking. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I always was,” he says. “Watching. Waiting. And now I find you planning to hand your mantle… to him?”
“Dr. Death wanted to destroy what we were. What I was. So we’re going to shackle him to it. I’m going to make him the Mariachi of Life. The weight will break him.”
Caído scoffs. “You think he’ll bear the weight? He’ll turn it into a clinic, sell its soul for ego and coin. He’s not clever. He’s a child playing with sacred things.”
“It’s all I have left.”
“No,” Caído steps closer. “You have something better.”
He lifts a hand, not demanding, not cruel. Open.
“Return it to me.”
Her eyes widen.
“You want the mantle back?”
“I want to finish what I started.”
“But Dr. Death—”
“Will destroy himself in time. You want rest without worry. That’s the truth.” Caído’s gaze softens, almost kind. “You’ve suffered enough. Let me give you what he cannot.”
She looks away. “Muerte won’t understand.”
“He doesn’t need to.” Caído’s hand closes gently over hers. “Tell him nothing. Let him carry the memory, not the burden.”
Her voice is a whisper. “Will it hurt?”
Caído smiles, melancholy and old. “Not for long.”
The light above them buzzes louder.
With trembling fingers, she places her hand into his.
The Mariachi of Life returns to where it all began.
Caído leans in close, his whisper final.
“After you’re gone, I’ll take care of Muerte.”
Cut.
Wilted
Previously Recorded
We open up to a dim, broken soundstage. Faded suns and sagging cardboard animals. Dust drapes every corner like cobwebs. The place where Arcadia’s children once laughed… now lifeless.
Mr. Sunshine stands at the centre. Faded smile. A single red rose in hand.
“They said Arcadia wanted to bring the past back. Zeus said you’d come fix it… make it beautiful again. But I know better.”
Distant footsteps begin to get closer. From the dark walks Narcissa graceful, lethal, wrapped in silk. A satchel hangs at her side, heavy with something unsaid.
“Arcadia wants nostalgia. A little polish for the propaganda. They thought sending me here would save face. I’m here to burn it.”
Sunshine steps forward, gently offering her the rose.
“Then maybe… you remember what this place meant. Maybe there’s still something soft in you.”
She takes the rose. Studies it.
“This place was a lie. You dressed up pain and called it hope.”
She drops the rose. Crushes it under her heel.
“I wanted to help.”
Narcissa pulls out a lighter
“It’s time for a make over….”
She strikes the flame. The set catches fire Mascots melt. Paint peels. A cardboard sun crumbles in ash. Sunshine just watches he just stands and smiles.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NXT Level madness tonight as a Fatal Four Way will determine who walks away with the belt.
MATT RUBY: Destructo walks into tonight as champ, but must have pissed off Sterling somehow BB. He's got three others eager to take that belt home.
Destructo and Ayame come out of the gates hot, both charging in and exchanging wild strikes, looking for an advantage. Attano and Cap take a more measured approach, with Cap grabbing Destructo from behind and Attano lining up Ayame.
KNEE CAP!
SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF AYAME’S KNEE!
ARCADIA TURNS DESTRUCTO AROUND… BUT DESTRUCTO KICKS HIM IN THE GUTS!
BROKEN SCALES! SPINNING URANAGE PLANTS ARCADIA!
Destructo and Attano are left eyeballing each other. Stepping over the carcass of Captain Arcadia, Destructo locks horns with Nobody.
Or, he tries to…
HEADSHOT!
SUPERKICK NEARLY TAKES OFF DESTRUCTO’S HEAD!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This has started flat out. All competitors are seeking that belt, but Attano stands alone.
MATT RUBY: Only because he didn’t finish off Ayame, and now she’s scampered away BB. Look out!
Ayame charges the ropes and comes back at Attano.
CRESCENT MOON KICK!
SHE HIT ATTANO WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS AND HE’S DOWN!
Ayame covers for the pin!
ONE…
TWO…
CAPTAIN ARCADIA SAVES THE DAY!
Grabbing Ayame by the shoulders, he pulls her off Attano and flings her towards the ropes. She hits them back first and Cap pulls her back towards him.
SUPERPOWERED LAST LINE! RIPCORD LARIAT TURNS AYAME INSIDE OUT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He knocked her into next week with that! The extra boost from the ropes nearly knocked the wolf right out of her!
MATT RUBY: But can he finish the job?
Destructo makes his feet and locks horns with Arcadia before he can capitalise. Both exchange blows. Arcadia hits Destructo with a big right hand that knocks him into the ropes. CLOTHESLINE HITS HOME, BUT DESTRUCTO HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES!
Destructo falls to the apron and Arcadia comes charging after him. HE BUMPS HIM OFF THE APRON, BUT DESTRUCTO LANDS ON HIS FEET!
Arcadia jumps off the apron towards him.
BUT DESTRUCTO SLIPS BACK INTO THE RING!
ARCADIA CRASHES AND BURNS ON THE OUTSIDE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nobody home for Cap, and Destructo finds himself back in this.
MATT RUBY: But can the champ finish the job without messing this up?
Destructo hurls Harold Attano to his feet. Nobody swings at him, but Destructo parries the blow. There’s a world of pain in his eyes.
ALL MY RAGE!
DESTRUCTO UNLEASHES A FLURRY OF BLOWS ONTO ATTANO!
AYAME TRIES TO STEP IN BUT BECOMES A SECOND VICTIM TO DESTRUCTO’S RAGE!
AN UPPERCUT TAKES DOWN AYAME BEFORE DESTRUCTO KICKS ATTANO TO THE JAW!
HE CHARGES THE ROPES!
SHINING WIZARD! ATTANO IS DOWN! AYAME IS DOWN!
DESTRUCTO COVERS ATTANO!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Your winner, and stillllll NXT Level Champion… DESTRUCTO!
Zealous Accusation
The bell has long since been rung and Destructo and Attano have made their exits, leaving Wolf Fang Ayame and Captain Arcadia in the ring. The Wolf gets to her feet first as she walks over to the Captain, extending her hand him when she gets close.
Arcadia stares at it for a moment before slapping it away and pushing himself upright on his own.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well don't that beat all. Ayame went to be a good sport, and Arcadia stomps all over her kind gesture.
MATT RUBY: What do you expect from a failure of a superhero? Acting like a decent human being isn't exactly on the top of his priority list.
"Keep your paws away from me, wolf," Cap spits, much to Ayame's confusion. "You're a part of Boswick's Kingdom! I know that he sent you to get rid of me to cleanse Arcadia!"
"Just because I have Wolf in my name," Ayame says, appalled at her former brother in arms' distrust. "Doesn't mean that I'm a part of that nutjob's group of lunatics."
"Don't try to lie to me!" The Hero snaps back. "I'm certain the Zookeeper has you under his thumb."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Why does the Captain think she's a part of the Kingdom?
MATT RUBY: It's based solely on her name, BB. It's the loosest, most malleable piece of evidence he has to accuse her, and he's using as an excuse to go on the attack.
Wolf Fang immediately gets into his face as a response, growling like an angry dog with her teeth barred.
"Just what I wanted," she says through gritted teeth. "Some asshole who thinks he's a superhero believes I'm a part of a pack of rabid dogs that listen to a deranged handler. I'm sick and tired of being targeted by people like you!"
She attempts a haymaker, but Cap ducks under it and rolls out of the ring. Arcadia is seen backing up towards the entrance curtains as he wags his finger at Ayame, who just turned to meet him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Hero's on a misguided mission to eliminate Wolf Fang Ayame before she can eliminate him. Hopefully he can come to his senses and realize he's mistaken.
MATT RUBY: I hope she tears him apart limb from limb, honestly. If he's dumb enough to piss her off, he deserves whatever results from her fury.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Up next, the Double Feature Championship is up for grabs as The Night, fresh off The Night exposing El Mariachi’s friend Gemini, blew up the Red-Light District of Arcadia.
MATT RUBY: Will the sins of the past be visited upon the friend tonight and have his Double Feature Championship whisked away from him in this Ladder Match?
The bell sounds, and we're underway as Demi Sky clears out of the ring, as the match will only end with Night or EMM capturing the Championship, hung high above the ring. As The Enigma launches himself at Singing Death with a Shoulder Tackle!
NIGHT CAP!
Clips EMM Spinning him ninety degrees Night springboards off the Top Inside Out Senton to the Standing EMM!
NIGHT AND - THE LAST CARNIVÀLE
EMM catches The Enigma out of the air with a Modified Version of his Trademark Lungblower!
*CLANG!*
A Ladder flies into the ring and connects with EMM’s skull, thrown by El Dragon Caido!
Who scales the ropes, looking down at the collapsed Muerte...
FLIGHT OF THE FALLEN!
Frog Splash connects with the Night?! EMM pulled Night into the path of the Splash!
As Muerte dumps Caido outside of the ring, he sets up the Ladder before pulling himself up the rungs to capture his Double Feature Championship.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Mariachi Grande attempted to screw Muerte out of his Championship here tonight!
MATT RUBY: But at the end of it all, it cost the Night the match!
War Weathered
Previously Recorded
The Slums before us are about as welcoming as a prostate exam. All but forgotten from Arcadia, this is a world where anything goes. We see a weapon of a man standing before a small crowd, a dozen figures all circling around him. All eyes seem to be on him. Hungry eyes, burning with a desire to kill.
“Do your worst.” He laughs, beckoning them.
They advance on the man, murder in their eyes. But he is ready.
With military precision, he makes short work of the first few assailants, not stopping as a second wave follows. Relentlessly, the war-weathered figure destroys the entirety of the group, until one nervy looking soul stands left.
A knife in hand, he throws it at the man. It soars, aiming for the jugular with surprising accuracy. But he catches the knife by the hilt even as it flies towards his throat, a split second before it would have killed him.
A step and a swing is all it takes for the last attacker to fall dead at his feet. The man surveys the damage. He breathes heavily, but not from exhaustion, because he’s barely broken a sweat. His breath comes from something else.
Relief. Like an addict getting his fix.
As he wipes the blood and sweat from his brow, the lights flicker.
Blackout.
The lights around the slums are prone to these types of blackouts, but not like this.
Flutter.
Lights flicker back into life, revealing a more imposing figure than the dozen that stood before.
One that can tower over even the mountain of a man responsible for destroying these twelve souls.
Tombstone.
“Kincaid.” Tombstone states. Slade balls his fists once more, much to the amusement of The Ferryman. “You had to expect I would come for you sooner or later.”
“Everything death has ever tried to claim me with, I undid. Death hasn’t caught me yet, so you can get on your boat and row away.”
GOOZLE! TOMBSTONE HAS HIM BY THE THROAT!
“You can’t cheat death forever. Not when I come to collect.”
Slade grabs hold of Tombstone’s arm, digging his fingers into the forearm of Tombstone.
He prizes the Ferryman’s arm off his throat, forcing him off him with pure strength.
“I’ll die when I’m ready. I’m not done fighting yet.”
He pushes Tombstone away.
Tombstone glares, pointing a warning finger at Slade.
Flutter.
And Tombstone is gone.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife! Two former friends come to blows here tonight with OSW's most coveted prize on the line!
The bell rings and both men meet in the center of the ring! The crowd is cheering, some begging these former best friends to make up! Foley's fists shake with rage, Doom stands stoically.
CRACK!
HAYMAKER BY FELIX AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!
Friendly Felix isn't so friendly as he lays into Doom with a barrage of blows that drives him to the ropes! He hits the far side of the ring and flies back with all of the pent up rage in his veins!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THOSE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'! BIG BOOT BY FOLEY SENDS DOOM TO THE OUTSIDE!
MATT RUBY: Do something, Doom! You're getting walloped by a muppet!
Doom hits outside and Felix moves onto the apron to continue his assault when Doom begins to rise!
HOVER , NO BOTHER! LEVITATING KICK TO THE SKULL!
Felix is caught by surprise and Doom lays into him with a brutal gauntlet clad chop! He lifts Felix into the air and leaps with a back suplex right onto the apron! The champ falls from the apron to the ground and Doom backs up as he looks to end this quickly!
MATT RUBY: BREAKING THE JAR! PUNT KICK-
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DOOM KICKS THE RING! FOLEY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!
The Doctor recoils, holding his shin as Foley pops up to his feet with a chair from beneath the ring! He swings it into Doom's back with a sickening crack that you can hear in the cheap seats! He reels back for another blow!
BZZZZZZZZZZT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TO DRONE ON! DOOM'S DRONES ARE SWARMING FELIX!
MATT RUBY: THAT NUMPTY IS FIGHTING THEM OFF WITH THE CHAIR!
Drone after drone hits the ground as Felix swings wildly! But the onslaught begins to overwhelm him as a rocket catches him off-guard and drops him to a knee!
SPLITTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! GORE FROM DOOM SLAMS FOLEY INTO THE STEEL GOD DAMN STEPS!
The ringside is utter carnage of flesh and steel as Doom mounts Foley and rains down rights and lefts onto his former friend! He calls a drone over, grabbing hold of it while wrapping a hand around Foley's throat! The drone begins to lift both men into the air towards the ring!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They're ten feet above the damned ring! Someone has to stop this!
MATT RUBY: Drop him on his soft spot!
Felix grips Doom's arm and nails him with a headbutt to the nose! Foley lays into Doom with haymaker after haymaker, Doom's grip growing loose as they hover precariously above the ring!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: IMPENDING DOOM! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER FROM TEN FEET UP!
MATT RUBY: BROKE THAT NINNY'S SKULL IN A THOUSAND PIECES!
Doom and Foley plummet to the ring below where they land in a heap! Doom drapes an arm over Felix's chest!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The carnage is over, the friendship is dead... And Doom is your new OSW World Champion.
Lost Sheep
Static.
Grainy security footage rolls. Nero walks a sterile hallway, steps steady, unreadable.
MATT RUBY: About time someone got an eye on this terrorist.
The audio cracks as a woman’s voice speaks softly, recorded but raw.
“Lucien… please.”
Her tone trembles.
“I don’t know who this man is anymore. Ezekiel Graves is not your path. He’s not your calling. He’s poison. This God he has convinced you to follow is not your salvation.”
Nero pauses at a doorway. The voice continues.
“I loved the man who held our son like he was the world. I don’t know this shadow you're becoming. I won’t let him grow up afraid of his own father.”
Nero enters a room, the door closing behind him.
“I’m leaving, Lucien. I’m taking him. If you keep down this road… I won’t wait for you to come back.”
A pause.
“I’ll always love who you were. But I can’t love who you’ve become.”
A breath.
“Goodbye.”
The recording clicks off.
The screen shrinks. Pulled back, we now see it’s being watched on a split setup—video on one side, audio on the other.
Jasper Redgrave leans back in a chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
He glances sideways.
“Well?” he asks, voice low, almost amused. “What do you think of your husband now?”
Across the room, bound but upright, sit a woman and a teenage boy. Fear in their eyes. Recognition too.
Lucien’s family.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh this is disgusting. What the hell is Redgrave doing?
MATT RUBY: Whatever he wants, BB.
Cut.
The camera fades back into an absolute electric Olympus. The fans are on their feet, buzzing with anticipation as several steel ladders stand ominously around the arena. The Invasion briefcase, only two weeks ago held by the former Olympian Eclipse, now an almighty mouth watering prize ripe for the picking by six of the very best in Arcadia today.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight on the very first edition of Ascension we have a huge main event. For the first time in Olympus history, the Invasion briefcase will be up for grabs outside of the Invasion special, as newly vacated by Eclipse leaving Olympus and OSW behind. Six of the very best in Olympus will fight it out to grab that briefcase and the power it holds.
MATT RUBY: Some have held the world championship before, some have even felt the sting of the cash in. Some have been agonizingly close to holding the gold and some have never had the opportunity but tonight, one person will rise to the occasion and gain that golden ticket. And I tell ya BB, like always, this should be a bone breaker and blood gusher of a contest.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Like always, if anyone hasn't seen the previous three, this contest begins with two competitors. They fight it out and at staggered, random intervals, another competitor comes out until all six have entered the contest...if it's still going by then. It hasn't happened yet but at any point that briefcase can be won even if it's #1 or 2 that pulls it down.
The lights dim in the arena as the opening of “For the Glory” play throughout the arena. A spotlight shines on the entrance as Jackson Cade slowly begins to rise up from the floor on a platform. He stands at attention for a moment before making his way to the ring. He stops at the ring steps, turning to salute the crowd before turning back and entering the ring as quickly as he can, taking to his corner and preparing for his match.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade or should I say Jackson Olympias. Not the son of George Cade as we all thought for so long but Zeus himself revealed to the world that Jackson was really his child all along. A truth that may have been held away from the Baron but he may well be looking to make up for it if his entrance into Invasion tonight is anything to go by.
MATT RUBY: Hey are you saying that our glorious leader would stoop to nepotism? He clearly sees the two time world champion for what he is, the very best in Olympus and my personal pick to win this whole thing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade, the so called dipshit former sheriff who you were cheering to get murdered by the Preservationists , the man you despise so much you coined the term 'All Cades Are Bastards' term, is your personal pick?
MATT RUBY: Hey, first off, I said all Cades are bastards, not Olympias. Secondly, that's some real harsh words about Jackson BB, unlike you I've always been a fan of his so I don't know what you're talking about
The iconic riff of Paramore's "That's What You Get" echoes throughout Olympus. Gemini walks out into the arena, but the usual huge smile isn't etched onto her face as she's met, not with cheers but heavy jeers and venomous outcries. The crowd only held back by the guard rails as the Rogue slowly slinks down the aisle, none of her usual energy but morose guilt radiating from Gemini. She slides into the ring, almost going towards the turnbuckles before hesitating and just shaking her head.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Speaking of revelations, the truth of the destruction of the Red Light District finally comes out and that's the woman who did it after all. Arcadia's new public enemy #1 and I don't exactly blame the crowd for their reaction here.
MATT RUBY: I'm torn here BB, Gemini's my gal but she did destroy my favorite place in all of Arcadia. Fidel might have been a creepy bastard but he had the best mixologists and girls in all of Olympus.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The loss of everyone in that explosion was a massive tragedy that did affect a lot of people in Arcadia.
MATT RUBY: You're telling me, Marco had the finest candy and Candy could suck a golfball through a garden hose.
Gemini turns to Jackson Cade, fists raised as he stares at her for a moment, before shaking his head and offering a hand out to his fellow Seeker. She glares at it with apprehension for a moment before tentatively shaking it as both competitors separate to their corners.
MATT RUBY: Come on Jackson, don't suck up to this home wrecker, beat her ass
DING DING DING
The bell sounds and the crowd erupts as both competitors explode out of their corners. Jackson tries for an early Superkick but Gemini manages to slide underneath, leaping off the ropes before sending him flying with a springing headscissors. Perseus rolls to his feet, leaping forward with a hard forearm that rocks her before he tees off three more that send her head back with each blow.
The Rogue manages to dodge a fourth, rocking Cade with a forearm of her own before a leaping knee cracks his jaw, stumbling Jackson back for a moment SINGLE LEG TAKEDOWN! Gemini takes advantage, taking Cade down before beginning to rain down heavy elbows that Jackson just manages to protect himself from. One manages to slip through, rocking him for a moment as Gemini transitions, sweeping over to the side and grabbing his right arm, as she locks in a tight Armbar.
MATT RUBY: Come on Love, you can't make him tap out, what's the point in this?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Submissions might not count but if she damages Jackson's arm enough, he might not be strong enough to fight back properly let alone climb the ladder.
Jackson cries out in pain, Gemini pulling back with all her strength to twist and tear at the joints of the arm but Jackson manages to slowly drag himself to his feet, Gemini hanging on for dear life as he lifts her up high
BEFORE POWERBOMBING HER DOWN TO THE MAT BREAKING THE HOLD!
Jackson staggers back, trying to shake his arm back to life as Gemini slowly stands up, holding her back in pain. Cade rushes at her but Gemini manages to avoid the Breach and Clear, rushing to the ropes herself , RUNNING ENZIGURI TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Cade drops down to one knee, Gemini sprinting to the ropes again as she leaps off, grabbing Cade's head in mid-air
BEFORE DRIVING HIM DOWN INTO THE CANVAS WITH A SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT CURE!
Jackson looks out but Gemini doesn't go for the ladders, instead leaping off the ropes once more as she flies through the air
SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT SLAMS DOWN HARD ON CADE!
MATT RUBY: That's my girl. Ignore the haters and kick that nepo baby's ass. This is exactly why Gemini's my pick.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You are something else Ruby. Well "your pick" can't win just yet, she has to go and get a ladder to get that chance.
The Rogue slides out of the ring, grabbing one of the standing ladders as she pulls it down, sliding it into the ring to the mixed reception from the crowd, some just cheering for the possible violence but most still wanting Gemini's blood. Slightly shaken, she hesitates sliding into the ring before standing
RIGHT INTO AN INCENDIARY ROUND! GEMINI GETS NAILED BY THE BULLHAMMER ELBOW OUT OF NOWHERE!
Jackson staggers back, holding his arm in slight pain from the impact but he shakes it off, his eyes flickering onto the ladder and a determined look focuses on his face.
Just as the timer goes off
BUZZ!
The cheerful, catchy opening of the Sunshine Club's theme song begins to play.
‘Mister Sunshine, shining all around.
Sunshine, never lets us down.…’
Dressed in a yellow suit slightly faded from it's usual neon brightness, Mr Sunshine steps out onto the stage. Still with that smile on his face, but it looks forced...almost fake as he waves to the crowd for a moment as he heads down the ramp as the smile flickers, almost fading as he slides through the ropes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And here comes our third entrant. The usual happy go lucky Mr Sunshine still looking very shaken by the events of Ring of Dreams and the loss of his Sunshine Club to the newly revealed Zookeeper, that bastard Sebastian Boswick.
MATT RUBY: I'd hoped that uptight prick had vanished up his censored ass but shaken or not, as much as I don't like to admit it, Sunshine's dangerous as all hell in that ring, especially when he's angry and I don't see a smile on that creepy bastard's face.
Sunshine eyes up Jackson, the smile finally fading to reveal a dark and twisted scowl before he gets attacked from behind by Gemini. Jackson helps her beating down Sunshine, the two kinda allies grab him by the arms, whipping him across the ropes but Sunshine manages to duck underneath the double clothesline, bouncing off the ropes before leaping sideways and screaming with a tinge of insanity in his voice.
'CATCH ME!' RUNNING CROSSBODY TAKES OUT BOTH GEMINI AND JACKSON WITH RIB CRUSHING FORCE
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sunshine looking a little off kilter here but effective none the less.
Sunshine cackles loudly, pulling Gemini up by her hair, before snapping her down onto his chest, spinning around for a few rotations. THE JOY GOES ROUND AND ROUND! SPINNING POWERSLAM!
Sunshine just laughs and laughs, turning his attention to the staggering Jackson. He snaps him back with a sudden headbutt before lifting him up onto his shoulders and begins spinning round and round. Sunshine continues to rotate in the Airplane Spin but as he stops, wobbily on his feet he doesn't fall back into the Samoan Drop but pulls Jackson forward
CRADLE PILEDRIVER! TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN!
MATT RUBY: I thought this idiot didn't like to hurt people but by Zeus he's showing some deadly tactics here BB.
Sunshine staggers back, that twisted grin etched on his face as he looks over to the fallen ladder. He doesn't pick it up or begin to climb, he just drops down into a seated position, chuckling to himself as he stares at the entrance ramp with glee.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I think something's seriously wrong with Sunshine here. He could easily win but he's just waiting for the next entrant...or maybe his next plaything.
MATT RUBY: I could've told you that BB, that boy has never been right and the revelations at Ring of Dreams clearly knocked a few more screws loose in that nuts head.
BUZZ!
The sounds of a radio tuning echo throughout the arena as the lights dim. As the radio settles on the bouncy carnival stylings of his theme song, a single spotlight shines atop the ramp, and Klaus Way steps into it. "Welcome to the Freak Show! Let us show you the Way!" rings out, followed by the creepy laugh "Ha ha hee ha ha ha". As the song kicks in fully, the house lights blare on to show an assortment of Klaus' freaks following him to the ring and showing their tricks or freakish natures. As Klaus enters the ring the spotlight centres back on him, and his freaks disappear into the darkness
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And here comes a man as twisted as Sunshine. That mass murdered Way revels in what he's done but how the hell does he still have Freaks that work for him? Surely they know exactly the kind of monster he is and what's he done to people like them in the past.
MATT RUBY: I don't think he gives them a choice BB. They look more like Deathrow prisoners then willing participants, the only choice they have is to perform for their master or die like the rest. And now that sick bastard has a chance to be the master of all Olympus with the power of that briefcase.
Klaus slides into the ring, coming face to face with Sunshine. The two stare at one another for a moment, malevolent grins on both of their faces as the pair slowly rise to their feet, still staring deep into one anothers eyes, grinning wildly before they turn around
DUAL SUPERKICKS BY CADE AND GEMINI!
Sunshine rolls through the middle rope to the outside as Cade rocks Klaus with a headbutt before swinging him around into a Full Nelson, holding him as Gemini rushes to the ropes, bouncing off just as Klaus slips out
RUNNING ENZIGURI TO JACKSON CADE!
Cade crashes to the canvas as Gemini rushes at Klaus who ducks underneath, nailing her with a Pele Kick before grabbing her up onto his shoulders. He tries to swing her around but Gemini counters
EAT DEFEAT! A hard blow to the jaw rocks Klaus, dropping him down to the mat as Gemini grabs the fallen ladder, finally setting up as she quickly begins to climb.
MATT RUBY: Hell yeah girl climb that ladder and make all these idiots be wrong about you.
The Rogue quickly begins to climb up, not seeing Sunshine slide back into the ring. He grabs the base of the ladder and YEETS IT FORWARD AS GEMINI IS SENT FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR BELOW!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus in Christ Gemini may well have been broken in half there and that sadistic bastard is loving every second of it.
Sunshine looks towards Klaus who stumbles back to his feet. Sunshine cackles loudly but Klaus doesn't look like he wants to work with the Cheery fellow as he scowls before rushing forward. A big Lariat manages to be dodged before Sunshine lifts Klaus up onto his shoulders. He tries to spin to win but Way slips out, HEADBUTT! Sunshine is rocked as he's lifted up onto the Ringmaster's shoulders
CIRQUE DOULEUR! STORRMMBBBREAKKKERR! Sunshine takes the modified neckbreaker hard but he still stumbles up, that twisted grin etched on his face.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: For a man who lost everything, he's fighting like he has the damn world in his hands. Sunshine either loves the pain or doesn't feel it and I don't know what is worse.
MATT RUBY: The creep is a sadistic, masochistic freak and as much as I hate to admit it, that's exactly what he's going to win this thing.
Meanwhile, Jackson is up on his feet on the outside. Viewing Klaus and Sunshine going at it, he shakes his head, grabbing a steel chair from ringside before rolling back inside the ring
CHAIRSHOT TO KLAUS!
CHAIRSHOT TO SUNSHINE!
Both men go down, Cade gives both of them a few hard shots with the chair to the ribs for good measure before placing the chair onto the fallen Klaus before sprinting to the corner, leaping up to the top rope and diving forward
SCREAMING EAGLE! Picture Perfect Elbow right to the heart of Klaus Way, crushing him beneath the steel. Cade holds his elbow in pain for a moment before dropping down and grabbing both of Klaus's arms
FLIPPING BACK WITH SOME POLICE BRUTALITY! The Rings of Saturn are locked in tight, Klaus screaming in agony as his arms and neck crack under the pain but there's no submissions, no tapping out, just pure pain delivered here.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Way might be a piece of garbage but he's tough as nails. Those Rings are locked in tight and any man would've given up by now but he's still holding strong, even when the tap out wouldn't count.
MATT RUBY: Way's just an idiot here and Cade is acting just like the crooked sheriff he used to be and punishing a helpless victim. Once a Bastard, always a bastard.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I just can't with you sometimes.
Cade has the hold fully locked in, seemingly enjoying the pain from Klaus as he doesn't notice Gemini staggering up to her feet and sliding back into the ring. She takes advantage, rushing at a distracted Cade.
METEORA!
The running knees crash into the back of Cade's head, breaking the hold and rocking him something fierce. He staggers up, Gemini rushing forward at him
JOYFUL EMBRACE! POOOOUNNNNCEEE! Gemini goes flying out of nowhere, getting shoulder tackled to the outside by Sunshine. Cade rushes at him, but Sunshine ducks underneath an elbow, bouncing off the ropes
JOYFUL EMBRACE! The Spear version this time nearly cuts Jackson in half, Cheerful staggering back into the corner as he tries to catch his breath.
Klaus stumbles up to his feet, eyeing the ladder as he quickly sets it up, climbing as fast as he can up the steps, his fingertips inches away from the briefcase.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This very well could be it here. Klaus Way was so close in the last Invasion, can he gain the briefcase on his second attempt?
MATT RUBY: This is it BB, Klaus Way the new holder of the briefcase. I told you he'd win it all.
As Klaus is reaching for the briefcase, Sunshine explodes out of the corner, rushing at the ladder
WITH ANOTHER JOYFUL EMBRACE!
Sunshine spears the ladder, toppling it over and sending Klaus flying off the top, WAY LANDING ON THE GROGGY CADE WITH A SEATED SENTON
As the buzzer calls once more
BUZZ!
The horns of O'Death sound loudly into the arena.
Immediately, the arena is thrust into darkness as smoke fills the entrance ramp. Purple flashing lights adorn the entrance area as Tombstone slowly steps out into the mist.
"Now, what is this I can see, with ice cold hands, taking hold of me..."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And here comes the reignited Ferryman, fully empowered and truly dangerous. A man who knows all too well what that briefcase can do as it was Harold Attano with said case that dethroned his seemingly unstoppable reign. And he doesn't look like he's going to go easy on any person inside that ring.
MATT RUBY: Everyone should be fearing that evil bastard right now, we know exactly how deadly he can be at half strength, the full power of the Ferryman...everyone should just give up now cause ain't nobody winning that briefcase but Tombstone. He's my pick to win here.
The looming figure of the Ferryman now stands with smoke drifting around him. He looks down before making a slow paced walk to the ring. Once there, he walks carefully up the ring steps, across the apron and steps over the top rope, entering the ring.
Sunshine stumbles forward, peppering Tombstone with heavy lefts and rights that barely seem to affect the Ferryman let alone hurt him. Sunshine leaps up, landing a huge headbutt that staggers him back one singular step before he rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
BUT YOU CAN'T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN! TOMBSTONE NEARLY DRIVES SUNSHINE THROUGH THE MAT WITH A SWINGING SIDEWALK SLAM!
Gemini crawls to her feet, making her way to the ladder, trying to seize the opportunity as she slowly pulls herself up the ladder, her hands desperately grabbing the rungs. But she doesn't notice Tombstone turning his attenti0n to her, slowly walking forward, his feet slamming like thunder into the mat with each step.
She pulls herself up the ladder, getting one rung, two but she can't make it to the third before a mammoth hand reaches out, grabbing her around the throat
GOOZLE!
Tombstone holds Gemini in the air, sneering at her struggling in vain in his impossible grip before he rears back one mammoth right hand
SOUL TAKER! The Heartpunch sends Gemini flying, barreling back first into the steel ladder, bending the damn thing in half from the sheer force as she collapses in the wreckage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: With all that is good and holy, Gemini just got broken in half. I know they've had their differences in the past but I didn't think Tombstone hated Gemini enough to do that to her.
MATT RUBY: I don't think that was hatred BB, I think Tombstone is just focused on destruction here. Yep, I was right, Tombstone's absolutely going to win here.
Klaus staggers to his feet, still groggy from the ladder fall as he stumbles up right into the Ferryman's wrath. Tombstone rushes forward
BIG BOOT! Chunks of teeth and blood fly through the air from impact, Way nearly spinning in the air from the sheer force before he collapses to the mat in a heap.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destruction is right there, he may have just broken Klaus's jaw and he's barely gotten started.
Cade stumbles to his feet, holding his chest in pain as he eyes down Tombstone. Jackson scowls, Tombstone smiles as he urges his old rival forward, an invitation that Cade doesn't have to think twice about. He rushes at Tombstone, sliding underneath a Big Boot before pounding down on him with heavy lefts and rights. A spinning Incendiary Round Elbow catches The Ferryman on the chin, stumbling him back for a moment as Cade rolls back, leaping up high
TOMBSTONE CATCHES THE SUPERKICK! He lifts Cade up high in one swift motion, ODE TO CHARON! JACKNIFE POWERBOMB NEARLY PLANTS CADE THROUGH THE DAMN MAT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is Tombstone at his absolute worst, the Ferryman who dominated everyone in his path during his world champion run. I don't know anyone who could beat him here, let alone survive his wrath.
Tombstone looks down with menace and disdain at the fallen Cade for a moment before turning to the struggling Sunshine. Charlie slowly rises up, right into a GOOZLE.
DICK KICK CITY! EVEN TOMBSTONE FEELS THAT!
The Ferryman drops down to one knee, Sunshine lifting him up 0nto his shoulders as he spins and spins
THE JOY GOES ROUND AND ROUND WITH A BRUTAL SPINNING POWERSLAM!
Sunshine staggers back, smiling wide as he turns to the crowd, trying to hype them up but doesn't notice Tombstone immediately sitting up. Scowling as he gets to his feet, Sunshine turning around
RUNNING BIG BOOT BUSTS CHARLIE WIDE OPEN!
The ring is covered in bodies, Tombstone the only one left standing as he looks towards the outside and another ladder. He stalks towards it, a focused look in his eyes, rolling to the outside as he grabs it before rolling it into the ring, setting it up in the centre and slowly begins to climb. No urgency or speed but purpose in every step upwards, as slowly but surely he gets up to the top, looking directly at the briefcase, not noticing Gemini leaping off the top rope.
POISONRANA! Gemini sends Tombstone careening down off the ladder, spiking down head first into the canvas.
MATT RUBY: YES! That's my girl taking down that undead prick. Lucky bastard got her legs wrapped around his head too, but that may well have been all she wrote for Gemini. The poor babe looks tapped out.
Gemini manages to stumble up to her feet, grabbing her back in pain as she grabs the tilted ladder and begins to climb. She barely gets a few steps though before Klaus is back on his feet, grabbing her from behind and picking her up onto his shoulders
FREAK YOU! THE BIG BANG THEORY DRIVES GEMINI INTO THE MAT! Gemini rolls outside, looking completely out of it as Klaus looks up, a sly smile etched on his face as he looks up at his destiny.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a brutal match. Gemini just got killed with absolute fire there as that may well be it for her in this matchup.
MATT RUBY: I told you, Klaus Way is my pick to win this BB.
Jackson slowly stumbles up, eyes locking with Klaus, the briefcase dangling overhead as both men grab the ladder, positioning it underneath before they begin scrambling their way up to the top.
Both men get up one rung, two, three but before they can get up to the top,
ODE TO CHARON! Tombstone out of nowhere Powerbombs Klaus straight to damn hell, sending him crashing to the mat. Jackson is up on the top rung, his fingertips dangling on the case...
BUZZZ!
GOOZLE!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! CHOKESLAM FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!
HOLY SHIT! JACKSON CADE JUST GOT BROKEN IN HALF!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus in Christ, Jackson Cade may well be dead from that brutal Chokeslam.
MATT RUBY: And now here comes the final entrant.
Alkaline by Sleep Token echoes over Olympus. At the same time, a yellow cloud builds at the entrance when we hear the sound of a cell door swinging open as the music picks up and then, “Ooh, let's talk about chemistry”! Nox steps from the gaseous cloud and walks with purpose to the ring, stopping on the apron to wipe his feet before crossing the threshold of combat he's unwavering as he awaits the bell to start his contest.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I said Gemini might be the most hated person in Arcadia but this guy might be a close second. The true perpetrator behind the Pantheon bombings, he tried to kill Zeus, DOOM, Ares and managed to kill a hell of a lot more. How is this guy even walking free at the moment?
MATT RUBY: Nox is a slippery savvy customer, the prick seemingly doesn't know how to die and has a plan from A to Z for every situation. If I was our glorious leader, I wouldn't even try taking this guy out until I knew he'd die when I did it. And look at what he's holding too.
Nox has a large gas canister in his hands, placing it down on the canvas as Tombstone just stares at him with disdain. The Ferryman rushes at Nox who simply turns the nozzle
As nothing happens.
MATT RUBY: Don't worry Nox, I'm sure a lot of men have performance anxiety.
Nox is frantically turning the nozzle over and over, before he just scowls and tries to throw the seemingly dud canister at Tombstone. The Ferryman just bats it away as Nox rushes at him
BUT YOU CAN'T RUN AT THE FERRYMAN! SWINGING SIDEWALK SLAM PLANTS NOX!
Nox stumbles up, holding his back in pain right into a GOOZLE
Nox struggles for a moment before beginning to laugh. Tombstone looking furious as he pulls the Chemist closer
ONLY FOR NOX TO INJECT HIM WITH A SYRINGE FILLED WITH BLACK LIQUID!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I knew that son of a bitch had a plan in mind. What the hell did he just inject Tombstone with?
MATT RUBY: Well if I remember right, green's poison, red's anger, blue's depression, but what is black?
Tombstone lets go of Nox, his limbs suddenly going stiff as he tries to swing but Nox runs circles around him, Tombstone slowly hunching over, barely able to breath let alone move. Nox kicks his knee out, dropping him down as he grabs him by the head.
AND FORCES HIM TO BREATH IT IN MAN WITH THE POISON MISTER RIGHT TO THE FACE!
Nox drops Tombstone to the mat, fury still in his eyes but barely able to see let alone do anything as Nox notices Cade and Gemini slowly staggering to their feet. They look to fight but Nox just points to Tombstone and slashes his throat.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is this bastard trying to create allegiences here? He knows not only is it everyone for themselves but they both despise him.
MATT RUBY: Tombstone is the real threat here, who knows how long that black shit is going to keep him down? They need to take him out and fast if they want to stand a chance of winning here.
Cade and Gemini reluctantly nod, Nox and Jackson sliding to the outside as they pull Tombstone with them. Both men dismantling the announcers table before throwing Tombstone onto it. Even paralysed, they're not taking chances as Nox holds down his arms, Jackson holds down his legs as Gemini drags the ladder nearer to the ropes, climbing it up...not to retrieve the briefcase but to hopefully take out the Allready Dead once and for all.
NATURE'S SELECTION! MOLLY GO ROUND FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER THROUGH THE ANNOUNCERS TABLE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ZEUS IN CHRIST! Tombstone may well have just been broken in half! Gemini too, how the hell do you learn to fall from a ten foot ladder?
MATT RUBY: I don't know but she certainly did it in style. And the question is now how quick will this alliance break down?
Nox and Jackson stagger back from the impact, both men looking at one another for a moment before rushing to slide into the ring. Both men grab for the ladder, each man grabbing either side as they jostle for position, not noticing Sunshine on his feet.
CATCH ME! RUNNING CROSSBODY TO THE BACK OF NOX DRIVES BOTH THE CHEMIST AND PERSEUS INTO THE STEEL!
Both men collapse in pain, Charlie laughing like it's the worlds greatest joke but he's suddenly pulled out of the ring by Klaus. Way nails him with a headbutt but as he lifts him up onto his shoulders, Sunshine manages to backdrop his way out of the Stormbreaker
AND SEND KLAUS BACK FIRST ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!
The Ringmaster looks in agony as Sunshine laughs again. He goes to roll back into the ring but stops, looking underneath the ring for a moment before retrieving not one table but two as he sets them up side by side at ringside.
MATT RUBY: What the hell is this lunatic planning? The briefcase is right there you headcase.
Sunshine rolls back into the ring right into BREACH AND CLEAR! Jackson was ready for him with a huge Slingblade. Nox staggering to his feet into one of his own as Klaus rolls into the ring, holding his back in pain
INCENDIARY ROUND! Jackson nails the Ringmaster with a huge spinning elbow before he rolls back into the corner, stamping his foot rhythmically as the crowd begins to roar in approval.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This might be it here, if Jackson can nail one or more with this, he may well be on his way to gaining a third OSW World Championship.
Sunshine staggers up, RIGHT INTO THE HOSTILE DOWN! Massive Superkick levels Charlie as Nox is the next to stagger up, dropping to his knees as Jackson leaps forward
RIGHT INTO THE POISON MISTER!
A face full of poison mist stops Jackson in his tracks, blinding him as he staggers
RIGHT INTO GET OVER HERE! Short Arm Clothesline wipes Cade out. Klaus stumbles up right into a huge headbutt before he's spun around
PARALYTIC PLEX!
Nox turns around, arms raised in triumph
THE CURE! Gemini somehow still up, out of nowhere drives Nox into the canvas with a huge Tornado DDT, sending him flying over to the fallen gas canister.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is still anyone's game here. Absolute carnage and no one looks like they truly have the advantage....so why is Nox smiling?
MATT RUBY: I'll bet you a thousand credits that canister wasn't a dud after all BB.
Indeed, Nox pulls out a knife from his pants, stabbing it into the canister as the entire ring fills with a thick, green fog. Everyone is down on their knees, barely able to breath as Nox stands up, arms raised high, the wolf ready to feast on the broken lambs. Nox presses a button on his chest, the fog getting sucked inside but the damage is done
Sunshine, Klaus Way, Jackson Cade and Gemini look like they're barely able to stand let alone fight.
MATT RUBY: Told ya, Nox is an absolute genius and this is his to win. I told you he was my pick to win here.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You're just the salt of the earth Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Love you too BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh sorry, I meant scum. Scum of the earth.
Nox peels Gemini up off the mat first, drilling her down with a brutal backbreaker that nearly breaks her in half. Sunshine staggers up, swinging weakly before he's lifted up high
CHEMICAL REACTION! Fisherman's Brainbuster may well have broken Sunshine's neck from the sickening impact
Nox kicks Klaus over onto his chest before pulling Cade up to his feet, grabbing him by the throat
AND DELIVERING A NOX OUT ON JACKSON ONTO KLAUS WAY! FULL NELSON BOMB TAKES OUT TWO PEOPLE AT ONCE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That has to be it, everyone else is down, Nox has won this contest. All he needs to do is grab that ladder and climb.
Nox grabs the ladder, slowly beginning to climb. Rung by Rung with calm precision, taking his time to soak in every moment.
His fingertips touch the briefcase
And the lights suddenly go out
FLUTTER
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no, this isn't good.
When they come on, Tombstone is on the other side of the ladder
And he is freaking nettled.
Nox gulps, trying to reason with the Ferryman for a moment but he just responds
WITH A GOOZLE
Nox struggles, raking the eyes, kicking the midsection, doing anything he can to break the hold of Tombstone but it's iron tight
Tombstone pulls Nox forward, staring him right in the eyes.
But neither man notice Sunshine getting to his feet as he stumbles towards the ladder
AND PUSHES IT OVER
BOTH NOX AND TOMBSTONE GO TUMBLING OFF THE LADDER, OVER THE ROPES
AND THROUGH THE PAIR OF TABLES AT RINGSIDE!
MATT RUBY: Goddamnit no, anyone but this moron. Klaus, Gemini, even Cade, get up and stop this lunatic before he gets that briefcase.
Sunshine quickly pulls the ladder back, setting it up as he quickly climbs up, getting to the top
He reaches up
AND PULLS THE BRIEFCASE DOWN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SUNSHINE HAS DONE IT! He somehow came out victorious, beating everyone here and gains that golden ticket.
MATT RUBY: I knew he'd do it. I'm always right with predictions BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It doesn't count if you choose everyone to win Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Hey don't get jealous just cause I'm clairvoyant BB, I said Sunshine would win and he has. Never doubt my genius.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Never doubt your idiocy more like. But either way, congratulations to Mr Sunshine, now the most dangerous man in Olympus with that golden ticket briefcase in his posession.
The Heir, II
Silence.
Zeus stands, hands clasped behind his back, staring into the fire. Jackson sits at the obsidian table, jaw clenched, eyes narrowed.
Finally, Zeus speaks.
“Many years ago, my first wife—Metis—went into childbirth while I was away at war.”
His voice is calm, measured… haunted.
“I was told the child died.”
He turns, meeting Jackson’s eyes.
“That’s what I’ve believed. All this time.”
He steps forward.
“But it was a lie.”
Jackson doesn’t move.
“Metis… she feared what I might do if the child lived. Feared what it would mean for Arcadia. For me. When she learned the baby was a boy, she called upon one of my most loyal guards… a man who served me without question. A man I trusted with everything.”
A beat.
“George Cade.”
Jackson’s jaw tightens.
Zeus continues.
“She begged him to take the child. To raise it. Hide it. Ensure I never knew my heir existed. She though if I knew of it, I'd kill the child so that I couldn't be usurped.”
Jackson explodes to his feet.
“Just like you did to Hercules?!”
The words cut like a lash.
Zeus doesn’t flinch. “That was… complicated.”
Jackson snarls. “No. What’s complicated is sitting here and pretending that the man who raised me, who taught me everything I know, isn’t my father—when the only thing you ever gave me was DNA.”
Zeus’ voice hardens, thunderous.
“Pull your head out of your ass, boy.”
He steps forward.
“You think this is about family? This is about destiny. The whole of Arcadia—every street, every soul—is yours. It’s your birthright. And like I did to my father… there will come a time when you take it.”
He draws closer.
“I’m old. Weary. That bombing nearly took what little I had left.”
He stops inches away.
“I won’t stop you from taking what belongs to you.”
A breath.
“Arcadia… is Jackson Cade's.”
But Jackson doesn’t flinch.
“I don’t want it.”
His voice is ice.
“I want that door open.”
Zeus’ face darkens.
“And if I take power?” Jackson continues. “That’s the first fucking thing I’ll do.”
Silence crashes down like a wave.
Father and son stare each other down across the flickering chamber. The throne looms in the background. Power, legacy… all resting on the edge of a knife.
Zeus’ voice drops to a growl.
“That door… is sealed for a reason.”
Jackson steps closer, venom in his voice.
“You’re lying.” He points. “You know what’s beyond it. That’s why you’re afraid.”
Zeus stares back, unreadable.
And then—
Cut to black.