ascension #390
TO BE KING
This weeks episode features all eight round of 16 matches for the Ring King tournament. Only eight can proceed to next week for the quarter finals, but who will they be?
For Old Times Sake
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Fast Forward.
A flicker of static.
Then darkness.
Then: a single humming lightbulb swaying overhead.
Tied to chairs, back-to-back in the center of a cold, sterile lab, are DOOM and NOX. Their arms are bound in reinforced metal clamps, blood dried around the edges. The room is littered with medical equipment and twisted tools that don’t belong anywhere near healing.
Nox grunts, his mask cracked at the chin, eyes barely open.
“Well,” he rasps. “Isn’t this a fine mess.”
Doom doesn’t respond. His head hangs low, the chestplate of his armor scorched.
“We need to work together,” Nox continues. “Like old times. You know it.”
Doom lifts his head slowly. The light reflects off the damage in his mask.
“No,” he growls. “This is what we deserve.”
He leans his head back against Nox’s. Cold. Final.
“And you… you deserve far worse.”
A moment of silence.
Nox chuckles, but there’s no mirth in it.
“Maybe I do. But if we sit here pointing fingers, we’ll both be corpses by morning.”
His tone shifts—urgent now.
“They did this to us—they put us here—they're not going to wait for your redemption arc, old friend. We need to move. Or we’re dead.”
Doom is quiet.
Then, ever so slightly… he begins testing the clamp on his right wrist.
A plan forming. Maybe.
Cut to black.
Ambush
Previously Recorded...
Ayame has returned to the Groves after her four way match, still visibly frustrated after what happened between her and the Captain. In an attempt to calm herself down, the Wolf goes to rest underneath a tree.
However, just as she goes to sit down, a round, metallic object soars in from behind and hits the back of her head! She falls like a sack of potatoes as the disc flies backwards and lands on the ground with a thud.
Ayame holds her head in pain as the presumed thrower of the disc walks up nonchalantly and retrieves it. He walks into the light, revealing himself as the aforementioned Captain Arcadia.
"Some wolf you are," Cap says mockingly. "Here I thought the Zookeeper's newest members of the Kingdom were supposed to be trained to never get caught by surprise."
"I'm not in the fucking Kingdom!" Wolf Fang says through gritted teeth. Arcadia simply shakes his head and lifts Ayame up by her hair, getting close to her ear as he does this.
"If there's one thing I know about villains like you," he begins, "is that they always throw the first punch. You did just that back at Olympus, and now I'm going to make you pay for it."
Without another word, he lets go of her hair and delivers a swift field goal kick upside her jaw. As she slumps to the ground, Captain Arcadia bashes his shield in her face one more time to knock her out cold for good measure.
He nods before heading out of the Groves, confident that she won't get up by the time he leaves.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We've got an exciting tag team matchup coming up soon! The unusual pairing of Slade Kincaid and Mr. Sunshine are going up against Nox and Hatchet!
MATT RUBY: Unusual is right, BB. That smiling doofus has no right to be in the same corner as the Major! Hopefully this turns into a three on one soon.
Cheery Charlie and Hatchet start things off as the bell rings. Sunshine immediately rushes towards the clown while yelling "CATCH ME!" However, the Clown catches the crossbody attempt and turns it into a PONY DOWN backbreaker!
The Cheerful one barely has time to register what happened before the Juggalo pounces on him with a DEATH POP! The Wraith then drags Sunshine over to the opposite corner and tags in Nox, who immediately attempts to lock in the OXYGEN DEPREVATION CHAMBER.
Just before the clutch can be fully locked in, Sunshine bites down on the Chemist's fingers, causing him to break the hold. Cheery Charlie tries to rush to his corner, but Nox grabs him by the tights!
MATT RUBY: GET OVER HERE! Short armed clothesline!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No! Sunshine ducks it! He bounces back with a huge JOYFUL EMBRACE! That spear variation knocked Nox's boots off!
Charlie dashes over to his corner and tags in Slade, who rushes in, GHOST WALKING Nox with a vicious knee to the temple! Hatchet rushes in but gets grabbed and downed by a PEACEKILLER short armed clothesline!
Nox recovered from the knee and attempts to roll Kincaid up, but the Major manages to hit a seated senton to pin the Chemist instead!
ONE!
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TWO!
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a hectic match!
Force
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Scott Sterling has granted some microphone time to El Dragon Caido here tonight.
MATT RUBY: I don’t need to hear what he has to say to know it’s going to be good.
El Dragon Caido stands in the center of the ring, his entrance music and lights dimming. The crowd doesn’t know how to react. He raises a microphone.
“I was the first,” he says as the crowd hushes.
“Before there was song, before there was mask, before there was myth—there was me. El Mariachi Grande. The original.”
He walks slowly now, pacing the ring.
“Arcadia gifted me with wonders. Powers beyond your comprehension. I could heal with harmony. Inspire revolt with rhythm. My mask could make death itself look away. They told me to bring beauty to the chaos. And I did. I founded Anestheria, a place of reprieve. A place of art. A level all its own. And from there, I built the Watchers. Not warriors. Not killers. Eyes. Ears. Messengers. They told me where the music was needed.”
He stops in the center again.
“I gave my gifts to those I thought worthy, men and women who would find the proper individuals to pass these gifts onto. I retired to the shadows. Let the world continue its song without me. Until a fool with a doctorate tried to cut the last note short.”
The crowd knows who he means. They jeer.
“Dr. Death,” Caido sneers. “A man who thought if he killed enough Mariachi, he could kill the idea. But I saw him coming. I always see. And before his scalpel reached their throats… I was there. I took back what was mine. All of it.”
A pause.
“All but one.”
The arena simmers.
“There is only one verse left uncollected. One rhythm I did not reclaim. One soul who still clings to a gift that was never truly his.”
His head lifts toward the stage.
“El Mariachi Muerte.”
A beat.
“Return what I gave you. The power you were entrusted with. You can surrender it with dignity… or I can force it from your corpse.”
And that’s when the curtain parts.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t think Muerte is going to be okay with anything Caido is saying.
MATT RUBY: Would you?
No pyro. No lights. Just El Mariachi Muerte, standing on the stage. He walks forward a few steps, raises a mic of his own.
“No.”
And turns his back as the crowd roars.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Mariachi Muerte won’t surrender his power to Caido, who wants to kill him either way.
MATT RUBY: Can it, BB. Caido doesn’t want to kill him, he’s given him a way out. A way out that Muerte just spat in the face of.
Caido doesn’t move. He watches Muerte disappear behind the curtain with the same calm a snake watches a heartbeat.
Then he lowers the mic and says just one thing:
“Force it is.”
MATT RUBY: Next up in the quest to crown a new Ring King, we have Captain Arcadia, the Cape-Wearing Creation, taking on the current Killer King, Jasper Redgrave.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Can the Killer King repeat his success of last year and become re-coronated Ring King?
Referee River Moonfoot calls for the bell, and we’re underway as Captain Arcadia lashes out...
PUNCH OF BROTHERS – Spinning Superman Punch... only staggers The Killer King! Arcadia follows it up with a Superkick that misses the mark as The Artist ducks before kicking Cap in the gut and yoking him up into the Crucifix Position...
VANISHING POINT!
Redgrave makes Arcadia take a walk on the Razor’s Edge with a Crucifix Powerbomb! Redgrave goes for the cover, and Moonfoot is Johnny-on-the-spot to make the count!
ONE!
...
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TWO!
...
...
KICK-OUT WITH THE AUTHORITY OF A HERO!
Redgrave rolls his eyes and pulls Arcadia back to his... sharp Jab to the gut from Cap as he gets to his feet, snatching the wrist of The Killer King, Captain Arcadia slips behind him...
THE LAST LINE – Ripcord Lariat is a real Rainmaker for the Hero leveling Redgrave! Arcadia darts corner heading to the top rope!
MATT RUBY: Not this!
Arcadia takes flight – STAR SPANGLED SPLASH – Frog Splash misses the target! Redgrave is on his feet quickly setting up Arcadia...
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY – The Pedigree drives Arcadia’s face into the canvas. Jasper rolls Arcadia into the cover, and River makes the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: One step closer to the repeat for Jasper Redgrave!
MATT RUBY: I cannot tell you how excited I am. He’s the Killer King, forever may he reign!
Insurance
The Gallery.
Previously Recorded.
Jackson Cade steps in, his mind obviously elsewhere.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: With everything going on with his father, why is Jackson Cade stepping into Redgrave’s domain?
MATT RUBY: Duh, they’re partners, BB.
Old wood groans beneath his boots as he walks further in, surrounded by walls lined with “art.”
“I’m here,” he calls out. “Let’s get this over with.”
From around the corner, Jasper Redgrave appears, wiping his hands with a cloth stained in something dark. He doesn’t rush. He never does.
“Jack,” he says, with the false warmth of someone playing host. “Punctual, at least. That’s something.”
Cade doesn’t answer right away. He looks around, wary. His fists are balled at his side, barely restrained.
“I’ve got bigger things to worry about than you and I right now.”
Redgrave gives a small laugh, almost amused. “We’re champions, partner! But I don’t think you fully grasp what that means.”
Jackson’s jaw tightens. “We’re defending against Nero and Graves. I got the memo.”
“Good,” Redgrave says, turning and motioning for Cade to follow. “Then let me show you what preparation looks like.”
They walk together in silence. The hallway they pass through is darker than the last, with chains nailed into the stone between hanging portraits. The floor dips slightly, leading downward.
Redgrave pushes open a door at the end.
Inside are two figures.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ah hell. Those are Nero, or Lucien rather’s, estranged wife and son. What a sick bastard!
Their wrists are bound in opposite directions, tethered just far enough to keep them from reaching one another. They aren’t crying. They just watch. Silent. Drained.
Cade stares for a long moment.
“What the hell is this?”
Redgrave steps in beside him, voice calm. “Insurance.”
“Against what?”
“Against Nero. These two mean something to him, or did at one point. I feel like they still just might.”
Cade shakes his head. “You kidnapped them.”
“Pretty much,” Redgrave replies. “Needs must.”
Cade takes another look at the woman and child. There’s nothing tactical here. Nothing noble. Just fear.
“I didn’t sign up for your bullshit. Let’s just fight them and get it over with.”
Redgrave doesn’t look surprised. “You never do. But the war doesn’t wait for your comfort.”
Cade shakes his head, realization dawning on him.
“You’ve already set it in motion, haven’t you?” he says, not quite asking.
Redgrave gives no answer. Just watches as Cade charges out.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What did Redgrave do?
MATT RUBY: One can never tell with him.
Redgrave steps closer to the captives.
“You’re doing so good,” he says. “Daddy’ll come for you, and when he does you can look at the man who abandoned you before I turn out all your lights.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Next on tap is round one in the Ring King Tournament, Felix Foley versus Jackson Cade!
MATT RUBY: The Seed of Royalty taking on the Seed of Failure. I always thought Jackson had potential.
Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell, and we’re underway as it looks like we’re about to start off with a lock-up...
THE PUPPET SHOW!
Foley drives his fingers down the gullet of Cade, looking to finish it off early with the Mandible Claw!
Cade begins to flail and struggle...
Before...
Accidentally thumbing Foley in the eye, causing him to break the hold. But the Officer doesn’t miss a beat in the moment and battle for the next step to the crown, quickly snapping the Puppetmaster up and dropping down suddenly with the...
MASTERKEY – Brainbuster! NO! FOLEY PUSHES CADE OUT AND INTO THE REFEREE! THEY BANG HEADS!
THE REFEREE IS OUT!
LOW BLOW! LOW BLOW! ANTON SAVOR OUT OF NO-WHERE! WHERE THE FUCK DID HE COME FROM!? HE LOW BLOWS FOLEY!
Jackson turns to see Foley writing in agony... he quickly rushes to the corner and scales to the top rope, pointing to the heavens,
SREAMING EEEEEEEEAGLE!
Flying Elbow Drop with grace and beauty, connecting with Felix center of mass, driving his elbow into the heart of his foe before groggily hooking a leg as Stanton awakens just in time to make the count!
ONE!
...
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TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Cade wins, Cade wins, Cade wins! Mark my words, BB Jackson’s going to be the Ring King! Jackson deserves that crown, it’s his birthright!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Matt, I haven’t seen you do a one-eighty on your feelings toward a person since you found out Jackson was Zeus’s son. By the way, is that a brown mark on your nose?
Smile Surgery
Previously Recorded
Mr. Sunshine walks down the centre aisle of his old stage. The cardboard sun is half-ripped, the rainbow backdrop scorched and falling. His painted smile is intact but his eyes flicker with something else.
Beside him walks Narcissa. Calm. Composed. Dressed sharp, black boots crunching glass with every step.
Behind them, a small crew of Arcadian street cleaners and criminals who are quietly sweep up the remains. One rips down a puppet stage. Another throws a mascot head into a steel bin.
“Zeus wants this cleaned up. Arcadia wants it… presentable.”
She pauses, running her hand along the peeling wall.
“I said I’d take care of it.”
Mr. Sunshine doesn’t speak. He just watches as a man pries the smile off a cartoon sun with a crowbar.
“All these colours. All these memories and not one of them real.”
She stops beside the old music box. It plays one final, broken chime. She shuts the lid.
“This isn’t restoration, Charlie. It’s surgery.”
His smile twitches. Barely. Narcissa looks at him, expression flat.
“By the time I’m done…You won’t even recognize what’s left of you.”
She walks off. Mr Sunshine stays behind, staring at the last piece of his sun being shovelled into a garbage can.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destructo has survived Nox, he's survived Doom, but can he survive Arcadia's Ghost with a shot at royalty on the line?
MATT RUBY: Please, as if we're going to get a child king... Or a nobody.
The bell rings and Destructo is quick to pounce on Attano! The Anti-Hero throws a barrage of punches and kicks but Harold expertly blocks and dodges the flurry before catching a strike and retaliating with a haymaker!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: KNEE CAP! DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!
MATT RUBY: HEADSHOT! SUPERKICKED THAT TOSSER'S HEAD OFF!
Destructo gets knocked flat on his back and Attano backs into a corner! He aims with his finger and fires before rushing the rising Destructo!
HIDDEN BLADE- DROP TOE HOLD BY DESTRUCTO!
Harold finds himself slamming neck first across the middle rope! He coughs violently as Destructo hits the far ropes!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TIGER FEINT KICK BY DESTRUCTO INTO A DIVING HEADBUTT!
MATT RUBY: Neither nitwit had the braincells to lose!
Attano rolls around in agony as Destructo rolls to his feet! He begs Attano to stand only to nail him with a sharp kick to the chest! Another! Then another!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
Destructo runs to the ropes and prepares to springboard when Attano collides behind him with a desperate clothesline! Harold callously throws Destructo to the ground and stalks him as he begins to rise!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ONE SHOT! ONE KILL- NO! SEE NO EVIL! SHINING WIZARD TO ATTANO!
MATT RUBY: Demi slides in for the count!
ONE!
...
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TWO!
...
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THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And with that Destructo has found himself one step closer to becoming Ring King!
Not Today
Previously Recorded
There’s nothing lavish about the dwelling in which Slade Kincaid sleeps. Simple, a place to lay one’s head and nothing more. Reminiscent of the simplicity of a barracks. He lies, sleeping.
When the whole dwelling he is in begins to shake violently.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell is going on? Arcadia is shaking?!
MATT RUBY: Not Arcadia, we’re fine. Just wherever the hell Slade Kincaid is.
Splinters rained down as cracks spider-webbed across the ceiling. A support beam snapped overhead with a sound like breaking bones.
The beam gives way, collapsing and hurtling towards the ground. Kincaid opens his eyes on instinct alone, rolling out of the way just as timber crashed where his head had lain moments before. The impact shook the entire structure. Support beams twisted and snapped like kindling, sending cascades of debris raining down.
He crawls out of the wreckage, coughing but alive.
“Not today,” he mutters.
Reaching amongst the rubble, he spots the telltale frill of his go-bag and pulls it free. He checks it for supplies, pulling free his firearm and holstering it.
He packs light, he sleeps light.
Just like he always has.
MATT RUBY: He was ready to go. Paranoid?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s not paranoid, he’s a soldier. And I don’t know any war veteran that sleeps well.
Slade knows an enemy when it stalks him. Death, now that enemy, once more attempted to haunt him. He smiles into the darkness, knowing that somewhere unseen… Tombstone was waiting for him.
The air seems to become heavier for a moment, as if a powerful emotion from a powerful being was changing the atmosphere itself. Frustration.
That passes with the telltale sound of a flutter.
The air lightens as the powerful presence disappears.
Tombstone, cheated once more, will have to wait another day.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We've got a big Ring King Qualifying matchup here. Both the Rogue and the Ringmaster failed to grab the briefcase last week but they have another chance to gain an OSW World Championship match. All they have to do is defeat four opponents over the next three weeks.
MATT RUBY: Easier said then done BB, these Ring King matches are a gauntlet like no other. I'm rooting for my Gemini thou, bout time we had a Queen reign again.
The bell sounds as Gemini rushes forward, trying for an enziguri that Klaus manages to duck underneath. Gemini gets to her feet, Way grabbing her from behind as he tries for a German Suplex but the Rogue manages to block it, sliding out of the grip before rocking Klaus with a jawbreaker. Way stumbles around as Gemini sprints to the ropes, leaping off
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GEMINI CURES KLAUS OF A CLEAR HEAD WITH A BEAUTIFUL TORNADO DDT!
Gemini psyches herself up as she goes to pull Way up but Klaus flips her to the mat, suddenly ROLL UP! ROLL UP! Gemini into the Gannosuke Clutch. Demi Sky slides down to the mat as Gemini struggles in the hold.
ONE
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TWO
.............
KICKOUT!
MATT RUBY: That's it baby girl, don't let this freak get you down.
Both competitors get up to their feet, Gemini ducking underneath a clothesline before grabbing Klaus around the neck and dropping back into FLASHBANG! Eat Defeat drops Way as Gemini heads up to the top rope, looking for the end as the Ringmaster slowly stumbles up
RIGHT INTO NATURES SELECTION! The Molly Go Round slams down hard onto Way, Gemini staying down for the fall as Demi Sky slides in for the
ONE
.......
TWO
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...............
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: YES! My best girl Gemini beats that sadistic schlub and now she moves one step closer to becoming my new Queen.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Impressive victory for the Rogue here tonight but she has some incredible possible opponents to go through before she gets that crown.
Message Received
Backstage, footsteps echo as Reverend Ezekiel Graves moves with purpose, head bowed slightly, muttering scripture beneath his breath. Each word measured. Each step ordained.
Then—
A blur. A roar. And then pain.
Nero slams him into the concrete wall, fists flying, fury unchecked. Graves collapses to one knee, but Nero doesn’t stop. He grabs the Reverend by the collar and hurls him across the corridor, metal lockers shuddering on impact.
“You think this is justice?!” Nero roars.
Graves coughs, blood in his beard.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What is Nero talking about?
MATT RUBY: I don’t even know, I’m baffled.
Nero storms forward, dragging him up by the throat, then shoving a crumpled photograph into his face. It’s wrinkled, smeared, but clear enough to see—Lucien’s wife. His son. Shackled. Afraid.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh, he got Redgrave’s message!
MATT RUBY: He thinks it came from the Reverend!
“Look at what you’ve done,” Nero snarls. “You sanctimonious bastard. You finally went too far.”
He drives Graves to the ground and plants a knee against his throat. Graves claws at the pressure, gasping, choking, eyes wide.
But through the wheeze, he gets the words out.
“It… wasn’t… me…”
Nero hesitates.
Graves coughs violently as the pressure lifts. He rolls to the side, sucking in air like a drowning man.
“You think I would be so barbaric?” Graves spits, voice hoarse. “You think I would chain them in a dungeon? You’re a fool, Lucien.”
Nero glares, fists trembling, chest heaving.
Graves pulls himself to his feet, leaning on the wall.
“Think,” he says. “We’re booked against Redgrave and Cade. I know who Redgrave is as much as anyone. This is how he plays mindgames.”
Nero doesn’t respond. He doesn’t need to.
Graves steps closer.
“We’re going to get them back.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Why in Arcadia is Graves so willing to help Nero?
MATT RUBY: Because he’s a man of God, BB!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big Ring King Qualification match coming up folks between two people who are no strangers to one another. The vengeful Night facing off against that no good jezabel Narcissa Balenciaga.
MATT RUBY: Hey you watch your tone against the Queen BB. She's always been one and once she gets past this scrub and three other losers, she's going to prove it by becoming Olympus's first Ring Queen.
The bell sounds as both competitors rush forward, Narcissa ducking underneath a spinning heel kick before nailing The Night with a hard elbow to the jaw. She staggers the Enigma with a series of hard kicks to the ribs, chest and jaw before backing up.
FAST FASHIO...NO! The Night ducks underneath the Superkick, rushing to the ropes and leaping off
NIGHT CAP! LEAPING SHOULDER TACKLE TO THE RIBS!
Narcissa stumbles backwards, holding her ribs as The Night rushes forward
RIGHT INTO A DROP TOE HOLD, SENDING HIM THROAT FIRST ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE!
MATT RUBY: You idiot, you never run at Narcy Doll cause she'll make you pay for it.
Narcissa backs up, soaking up the scattered boos from the crowd before rushing forward
CATWALKING UP THE NIGHT'S BACK BEFORE DELIVERING THE TIGER FEINT KICK!
The Night flies backwards, Narcissa standing on the apron as she waits for the Enigma to stagger to his feet before leaping up to the top rope and springboarding forward
HAUTE...THE NIGHT CATCHES HERA! The Night stumbles forward before flipping backwards
GOODNIGHT VIENNA! SIDEWALK SLAM FACEBUSTER DRIVES HERA INTO THE MAT!
The Night stumbles up, adrenaline flowing as he slowly stalks Narcissa before rushing up the corner, leaping off and grabbing Narcissa mid-rotation
NIGHTFALL! SOMERSAULT CUTTER LANDS HARD! Narcissa is out as The Night hooks the leg, Cole Holt sliding in to count
ONE
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TWO
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THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: NO! DAMNIT! I thought we had paid of...I mean I thought Narcy had that, damn The Night.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He picks up a huge victory here over a former world champion and now The Night advances to next week and the Ring King Quarter Finals.
Not For You
A deserted corner of Arcadia, familiar. We see a figure sitting alone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The very same spot that Destructo first saw Michaela last week, we see her again.
MATT RUBY: What’s to bet that creep is somewhere in the shadows, jerking off?
Destructo watches her again, but this time he’s not hiding in the shadows. He moves across the deserted wasteyard with the courage to speak to her.
She looks fearful, trying to escape his presence instantly.
“Please.” Michaela utters in whispered tones. “You have to go. It’s not safe, for you… or for me.”
Destructo scoffs.
“You don’t have to live in fear of him. Neither of us do.” He wracks his brain, looking for the words. “I’ve been … trying to find my purpose in this fucked up excuse for a life that I’ve found myself in.”
Michaela stops, sensing something in his eyes that subsides her panic ever so slightly. Her silence lets Destructo continue.
“There’s been so little about any of this that I’ve ever had control over. But this, you… I can make a choice to help you. I can choose this. So can you, you just have to take my hand and be free of that asshole.”
He reaches out a hand to her. She hesitates for a moment. Destructo smiles, trying to reassure her with natural savvy.
“I can help you find the strength to clear the air with your father.”
MATT RUBY: Well that was definitely the wrong thing to say. What a fucking idiot.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He wants to do what her father couldn’t and help her see the light, but I’m not sure he’s going to win her over like that.
Instantly, Michaela’s hand retracts as if she’d just touched something disgusting. Her face turns into a scowl.
“I don’t need him.” She spits the words out with vinegar. “And I sure as hell don’t need assholes like you forcing me.”
Tears stream down her face as she rushes away. Destructo lets out a growl of frustration that is almost swallowed up by footsteps approaching behind him.
“What did I fucking tell you, boy?”
The voice of Klaus Way has no playfulness in it. He grabs Destructo by the scruff of the neck, driving him head first into a brick wall. Destructo crumples to the ground, where Klaus proceeds to kick the living shit out of him.
When he is done, Destructo is unconscious, bleeding and battered. Klaus takes out a blade, cutting into the flesh of Destructo. Using his fingers wet with Destructo's fresh blood, he writes three words on the wall in front of Destructo for him to see when he comes to.
‘Not… For… You.’
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big time Ring King Qualifier here as a former World Champion goes up against the leader of the Mariachi's, the leader of the Watchers themselves in what could be a barnstormer here.
MATT RUBY: It's a travesty is what it is. The Reverend shouldn't need to win a crown to get a world title shot, he deserves it after the fluke Foley couldn't even keep it one week, and no masked pervert is going to stop him from getting it.
The bell sounds as Graves rushes forward, looking for a powerful Lariat but Caido manages to duck underneath with his superior speed, leaping off the ropes with a spinning headscissors that flings Graves across the ring. The Reverend gets up into a few hard kicks to the ribs before Caido rushes to the ropes again
CROSSBODY...CAUGHT! Graves catches Caido in mid-leap, flipping him over onto his shoulder before planting him down to the mat with an almighty powerslam.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: With one move Ezekiel may have just destroyed El Dragon there but Graves isn't done the punishment, not by a long shot.
The Reverend pulls Caido up, stunning him with a headbutt before lifting him up high
PURGATORY...CAIDO SLIPS OUT! He rolls down Graves back, springboarding off the ropes before leaping forward
DANCE WITH DRAGONS! LEAPOVER MEXICAN DESTROYER! Graves is down as Caido rushes to the ropes, leaping up to the top
FLIGHT OF THE...MAT! Ezekiel avoids the Frog Splash, Caido staggering up right into a decapitating Lariat. Graves calls for the end, lifting Caido up
GOOZLE
THE FINAL JUDGEMENT! Ring Shaking Chokeslam nearly drives Caido through the mat, Graves dropping down to hook the leg as Cole Holt slides in to count
ONE
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TWO
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THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: That's what I'm talking about. Pure dominance by the man who should be still World Champion and now only needs three victories to gain that crown and get a shot once again.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Impressive victory as it may be, Graves still has three opponents to go through to do so and it won't get any easier in the next rounds.
Dead To Rights
The Grove.
Long since left to rot, we find ourselves staring at a small cabin placed deep within the woods, one where new foliage seems to still grow.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A diamond in the rough, Ruby. I think it looks quaint.
MATT RUBY: Only thing quaint about it is the bird with the keys to the place!
Gemini emerges from the rotted tree line, quickly slipping inside of her makeshift home. She breathes a small sigh of relief as she locks the door, turning around and immediately leaping back as she finds an intruder inside.
Harold Attano. The ghost sat patiently at her kitchen table.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Gemini's voice dripping with disdain. "Is nowhere safe?"
"Exactly," Attano replies. "I'm not here to fight. I just want to make sure you're okay."
"And why do you care about me? Because you think Night is your problem?"
"He is my problem. But it's more than that." Harold sighs, leaning against the table. "It's about redemption. In my life... I've done horrible things. I've been where you are. The sins of who we used to be keeping us dead to rights." He pauses, standing up from the table.
"Everyone deserves a second chance. I think you're not the same woman who blew up the Red Light District. You shouldn't have to live in fear."
Gemini wrinkles her nose, opening the door behind herself. "I'm not the same woman, and your your help isn't wanted, Harold. I don't need redemption for something I never had any choice in."
There's a pause, Attano simply nodding his head as he moves past her. "Fine. Just know, I wanted to help."
The door slams shut behind Harold as he leaves Gemini's cabin behind. The scene slowly pulls out to reveal a solitary silhouette watching everything from afar.
The Night.
Cut.
MATT RUBY: And here comes the popcorn match BB. A useless Mariachi and a peeping tom traitor, neither of which deserve to move on let alone hold the crown. Can we just make this a draw and have someone deserving get a bye to the Semi Finals?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's two incredible competitors who'd beat your ass in seconds Ruby. And either the former multi time world champion or the incredible Nero would be tremendous Kings.
The bell sounds as Muerte steps forward, offering his hand in sportsmanship. Nero looks at it for a moment, nodding his head
BEFORE DELIVERING A FIREWALL SIZED SUPERKICK!
Muerte doesn't go down but he's out on his feet as Nero pummels him with heavy lefts and rights before rushing to the ropes. He springboards to the top and leaps off
PACKET...MUERTE CATCHES HIM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nero should know better then to try and Cutter the master.
El Muerte delivers a hard headbutt before throwing Nero head over heels with the WHISKEY LULLABY! The Belly to Belly sends Nero flying across the ring, the Red Reboot just avoiding crashing into the turnbuckles. Muerte quickly climbs up to the top, brandishing his trademark rose as he plants it between his teeth
48 ROSES! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP HITS HARD ON NERO BUT HE DOESN'T COVER!
CHIN CHECK! Nero stuns Muerte as he's pulled up, delivering another Firewall before trying to lock in a guillotine choke. Muerte slips out, rocking Nero with a headbutt before rushing to the ropes, leaping up to the top rope
DIVING RIGHT INTO THE BLUE SCREEN! Leaping Superman Punch to the skull knocks Muerte out cold, Nero dropping down onto the unconcious Muerte as he hooks the leg, Mills Stanton sliding in to count
ONE
............
TWO
..............
...............
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What an out of nowhere victory for Nero here, picking up a huge victory over El Mariachi Muerte as he moves onto the Ring King Quarter Finals.
The Heir, III
Recorded Previously - continued.
The tension is thick—two storms colliding.Zeus and Jackson Cade, father and son, nose to nose. Neither blinking. Neither budging.
The silence stretches, electric.
Then… Zeus breathes out, slow and steady. He steps back.
"Fighting each other won’t get us anywhere," he says, voice measured but resolute. "You’re my son, Jackson. Whether you want to be or not. And this—" he gestures around the grand chamber, to the invisible weight of Arcadia itself—"will one day be yours."
Jackson scoffs, but Zeus raises a hand.
"I’m not asking you to take it. Not yet. I’m asking you to understand it. Walk its halls. See its heart. And the best way to do that…" He turns slightly, eyes sharpening. "…is to shadow Ares."
Jackson’s face contorts—offended, maybe even insulted.
"You want me to follow him around like a damn apprentice?"
"Yes," Zeus says bluntly. "He knows this place better than anyone. He’s protected it when no one else could. And if you’re going to inherit Arcadia, you need to know what it takes to keep it alive."
From the floor, bruised and bloodied but still proud, George Cade stirs. He leans on a wall, wiping the blood from his lip, eyes fixed on the son he raised.
"He’s right," George says quietly. "You were never meant to be a soldier forever. You could be the leader Arcadia needs. But not if you run from it."
Jackson looks between the two men. His father by blood. His father by choice.
Then, reluctantly, he nods once.
"I’ll do it," he says, jaw tight. "But I’m not promising anything."
Zeus’ expression is unreadable—somewhere between approval and calculation.
"That’s all I ask."
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Out main event for the evening is finally upon us and what a main event it is folks. Our final Ring King Qualifying match between two incredible opponents, two competitors who have held singles titles before but never been in line for the world title as tonight that may well change if they can advance to the next round.
MATT RUBY: Savor is allready mixing it up with the current champion DOOM while Ayame's slumming it with that masked idiot Arcadia. I admire the girls gumption but this should be a clear victory for the soon to be Gourmet King and soon to be World Champion Anton Savor
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You say that but Ayame has beaten the odds many times before. if Savor underestimates her, he'll find himself eliminated soon quick.
The bell sounds as Ayame rushes forward, surprising Savor with a flurry of lefts and rights before leaping up and stunning him with a hard enziguri. Savor drops down to one knee, Ayame rushing to the ropes as she leaps off
DRAGONS FLASH! SPRINGBOARD SIDE KICK DROPS SAVOR TO THE MAT!
Savor crashes down as Ayame pounces, ground and pounding the stunned Savor with lefts, rights and elbows as Savor manages to slip out of her furious onslaught. Savor manages to only get to his knees before a hard kick to the jaw rocks him, Ayame backing up
BEFORE DELIVERING A HARD RUNNING DROPKICK THAT SENDS SAVOR FLYING THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ayame is all over Savor here, the self proclaimed Lord High Emperor barely able to get a single strike in against this assault.
Savor slowly stumbles up as Ayame leaps off the apron,
METEORA...NO! Savor manages to catch Ayame but can't do much else against her as the Dragon Princess rains down heavy elbows to get free. A hard looping one allows Wolf Fang to slip out, sending Savor stumbling into the corner, holding onto the ring post. Ayame sizes Savor up before swinging her foot hard.
ROUNDHOUSE KICK...TO THE STEEL RING POST!
MATT RUBY: HA! Told ya Ayame was playing way out of her depths. Savor suckered her into maybe breaking her own leg from the sheer force and now she's helpless against the technician culinarian.
Ayame screams out in pain, dropping down as she holds the impacted leg in agony. Savor smirks, pulling Ayame up and throwing her roughly into the ring. Savor follows up but he's stopped by Mills Stanton, who checks on Ayame, seeing if she wants to forfeit.
Ayame refuses, shaking her head as Mills nods, backing up as Savor slowly stalks the slowly, slowly rising Wolf.
AS HE KICKS HER LEG OUT OF HER LEG!
Ayame crashes to the mat in agony, Savor quickly pouncing with a deep elbow to the knee, grinding it down to the joint as he twists and manipulates it with precision, each movement sending a wave of pain through Ayame.
She tries to fight back with a few lefts and rights but Savor slams the elbow down over and over again, further injuring the knee before he pulls it up, trying to lock in a submission.
KICK TO THE FACE!
Ayame nails Savor with a kick from the good leg, rocking him before another kick nearly causes him to let go. Ayame rears back with a third
BEFORE SAVOR DROPS HIS WHOLE BODY WEIGHT DOWN ONTO THE BAD KNEE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She nearly escaped there but that may well be it, 220 pounds dropped down may well have snapped that bone completely.
Savor pulls himself up, reveling in the pain he's causing before he lifts the injured leg, twisting it around
AND LOCKS IN A SINGLE LEG CRAB!
Ayame is screaming in pain, crawling herself to the ropes, refusing to give in even as Mills is in her ear. She manages to slowly get herself there
AS SHE GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE FORCING THE BREAK
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That was way too easy, Savor isn't looking for a submission, he just wanted to inflict more pain.
MATT RUBY: And now a one legged Ayame is even more out of her depths, she really should just throw in the towel.
Savor gets to his feet, a twisted grin on his face as he kicks at the bad leg, mocking his wounded opponent. He kicks at it a few more times before lifting Ayame up
SMALL PACKAGE OUT OF NOWHERE! Savor is rolled up, Ayame holding on for dear life as Mills drops down to count
ONE
.............
TWO
...............
....................
SAVOR JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Ayame stumbles up right into a hard clothesline that turns her inside out, as the smirk has turned into a scowl. Savor pulls Ayame up, pummeling her with rapid fire chops before spinning around
FLAMBE! The spinning back elbow may well have knocked Ayame out, the Wolf out on her feet as Savor lifts her up onto his shoulders.
MATT RUBY: Game, Set and Match BB.
THE FINAL...NO! AYAME SLIPS OUT, PUSHING SAVOR AWAY IN THE PROCESS.
Savor turns around, rushing forward right INTO THE TAIL STRIKE! HIP ATTACK DAZES SAVOR!
A second sends him stumbling into the ropes as Ayame staggers forward
ON THE HUNT! CORNER Enziguri crushes Savor, Ayame pushing him forward face first into the mat before she begins to climb
MATT RUBY: How in the hell is this girl even standing?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's the power of Wolf Fang Ruby, the fire burning inside refuses to die.
Savor sits up as Ayame screams out before diving off
HEAVENS HOWL! DIVING KNEES HIT HARD AS AYAME SITS DOWN! That could be it as Mills slides in to count.
ONE
............
TWO
.............
..................
THRE.....
NO! SAVOR JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Ayame gets up, wincing from the pain as the crowd cheers her name. She pulls Savor up but he pushes her away
CREME BRULEE! Ayame gets rocked by the sudden superkick, stumbling on her feet before suddenly leaping up
SAVAGE MAW! TORNADO ROUNDHOUSE KNOCKS SAVOR DOWN TO ONE KNEE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Come on Wolf Fang, you can do it!
Wolf Fang roars out a primal scream, rushing to the ropes as she bounces off
BUT HER KNEE GIVES OUT MID-RUN!
Savor gets up, not wasting anytime seeing the collapsed Ayame, scooping her up onto his shoulder
AND DELIVERING THE FINAL COURSE! GTS knocks Ayame out cold, Savor dropping down and hooking both legs as Mills slides in to count
ONE
.............
TWO
.................
..................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: YES! I told you she was out of her league BB, Savor picks up the victory and gets one step closer to becoming the Gourmet King.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It was an impressive victory but Ayame came so close to winning here. Either way, Anton Savor has won and advances to the Ring King Quarter Finals.
Will The Real Felix Foley Please Stand Up.
The match is over. Anton Savor is barely on his feet, catching his breath, when the crowd suddenly explodes into a roar.
Felix Foley storms down the ramp— a steel chair gripped white-knuckle in both hands.
Savor doesn’t see it coming.
CRACK!
The chair connects with his spine, folding him to the canvas like a marionette with cut strings. The crowd gasps in shock.
Foley doesn't stop.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Again and again, the steel chair slams down, denting with each impact, blood beginning to splatter across the mat.
Security rushes the ring. So do Arcadian police.
They shout for Foley to stop.
He doesn’t listen.
Savor—bloodied, broken, and somehow still conscious—begins to laugh. A rasping, maniacal laugh that echoes over the stunned silence.
"This is the real Felix Foley!" he roars, spitting blood and grinning through it. "The one I said existed all along!"
The officers finally grab Foley, dragging him off of Savor. Foley resists at first, then lets them take him. His face is unreadable—twisted with rage, regret… and something darker.
Savor yells from the mat, still cackling through the pain.
"Press charges! I want him charged! You all saw it! You saw what he is!"
The police nod, reading Foley his rights as he's handcuffed.
The camera lingers on the bloodstained chair left in the ring… and the man it belonged to, being led away.
Cut.