WARZONE #396
YOU'VE GOT RED ON YOU
A Baron's Choice
Click.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO!!
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Continued from last week…
The sword falls.
The sound is sickening; a wet, final thunk, followed by the soft roll of something organic across the filthy floor.
Mary Cade’s head lands face-up in the dust, her eyes still wide with the terror she couldn’t outrun.
Jackson Cade screams.
He thrashes in his chains, chest heaving like he’s trying to vomit up his soul. His face twists, contorts; pain and horror and rage colliding beneath skin stretched too thin.
George Cade doesn’t move. Tears stream down his face in silence, but his jaw is clenched, his eyes locked on the pooling blood around his boots. It snakes toward him like a curse.
Jasper Redgrave watches with clinical distance, the sword resting lazily on his shoulder.
“Well,” he says, voice smooth, “that was… decisive. She was never going to help you escape anyway. Too soft. Too weak. At least now you’ve got one Cade left who still has his head.”
He chuckles.
“Your daddy would be proud. You made a Baron’s choice.”
Jackson raises his head slowly. His face is pale, haunted. His voice cracks.
“I’m going to kill you for this.”
Redgrave’s smile curves like a blade.
“You've said that before.”
He turns, already walking to the door.
“I’ll give you gentlemen a little time. To grieve. To process. Or to plot. Whatever suits.”
The door slams behind him.
Silence.
Only the dripping of blood, the soft rattle of chains, and two broken men trying to stay upright.
Jackson finally breathes.
“I’m sorry.”
George doesn’t answer at first. He stares straight ahead, lips trembling.
Then, low and cold:
“Make it worth it, kid.”
And neither of them look at what’s left of her.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I just can’t…
Debt of Blood
Rose tugged against the ropes binding her wrists, breath trembling as she looked up at the man who once taught her prayers and tied her shoelaces. “Ezekiel… please,” she whispered. “We’re family. Ned is your nephew. I’m your sister.” Her voice cracked. “What would it take for you to let us go?”
Graves didn’t answer at first. He simply let his thumb drift along the worn leather spine of his Bible, the gesture strangely tender—until his eyes lifted, cold and merciless.
“Family?” he echoed. “Christ said a man must forsake mother, father, brother to walk His path. Why should I hold tighter than my Savior?” He knelt, pressing a righteous hand to her head like a blessing turned blasphemy. “I do this because you are family. Martyrs must be cherished before they are sacrificed.”
A heavy clang echoed through the church—doors shoved open with violent intent.
Nero stormed inside.
No longer the adoring young brother of Christ that Rose once loved, but the cyberhound—wires wrapped around fury, pupils lit like targeting systems. The Disciples of Christ had granted him free passage; no men or women blocked his path. This was no saving—it was a reckoning.
“Ezekiel!” Nero roared, his voice bouncing off stained glass saints. “Release them. Now.”
Graves stood with theatrical serenity, as if he’d been waiting for the cue. “Ah. The prodigal hacker returns.”
Nero’s hands balled into fists. “They have nothing to do with this. Take me instead. Let's end this between you and I, not our family. You've betrayed us and Christ enough. Let it end!”
“Oh, I intend to,” Graves replied smoothly. “But not yet.” He stepped closer, smirk sharpened like a blade. “The only reason they’re breathing—and the only reason you still are—is because you have something that belongs to me.”
Rose’s eyes widened. Ned stared in confusion.
“Credits?” Nero spat. “This is about what I stole?”
“No,” Graves corrected, voice dripping with ecclesiastical venom. “This is about power. And you stole the future meant for my church.”
He backed away toward the altar, arms spread as if delivering sermon to an unseen crowd.
“You want them alive?” he asked, eyes glittering. “Then return what is mine.”
Lightning crackled from the cyberhound’s neural rig—rage made visible. But Graves merely smiled… for he held the holy hostages.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There's only one way to end this match and it's to rend your opponent unconscious!
MATT RUBY: So you're telling me one of these two is getting brain damaged? It's a lovely time of year, BB!
The bell rings and immediately The Night flies forwards with a flurry of blows that knocks Captain Arcadia around the ring! He leaps onto the middle rope!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NIGHT AND DAY! LOOK AT THAT INVERTED PLANCHA!
MATT RUBY: Both men are down! Two twinks, one mistake.
The Night is quick to his feet, forcing Captain Arcadia to his feet and whipping him towards the ropes- Arcadia rolls through and sends Night onto the apron! Arcadia leaps onto the top rope!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GRASPS OF JUSTICE! REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER ONTO THE APRON!
MATT RUBY: Only one brain cell left in there! I bet he's lonely.
Cap lays into Arcadia with boot after boot, trying to stomp him right to dreamland! He hauls Night up, going for a neckbreaker off of the apron but Night fires back with a hook to the gut! He fires off a jab to the skull that sends Arcadia stumbling!
NIGHT CAP! SHOULDER TACKLE SENDS BOTH MEN OFF THE APRON AND INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
Both men sprawl at ringside! They fight to their feet before both going beneath the ring!
Night has his bat!
Arcadia has his shield!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Night's bat bounces off of the shield as he swings away!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NIGHT SLIPS BEHIND! DEAD OF NIGHT! BACKSTABBER WITH THAT BAT BETWEEN ARCADIA'S TEETH! HE KILLED THAT BOY WITH FIRE!
MATT RUBY: BROKE THAT MUPPET IN TWO! HE'S KNOCKED OUT! HE HAS TO BE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The ref is calling it! Captain Arcadia is knocked out, The Night has just put this one to rest in decisive fashion!
The Panic of Gods
Zeus sat heavily upon a stone bench carved in his own likeness, shoulders weighed down by something far heavier than godhood. The chamber was dim—torchlight flickering against the marble walls of the House of Sovereigns—and the air tasted faintly of ash.
Ares stood beside him, armor still slick with the sheen of an unending war. His spear rested against his shoulder, the point angled toward the ceiling like a threat waiting for permission.
“You look troubled,” Ares muttered, brow furrowed. “Victory is at hand. Cade is preparing. Arcadia bends like a kneeling soldier.”
“It’s not enough.” Zeus’s voice cracked like distant thunder. “I do not have long left, Ares. My power fades… the old order fades.” He rubbed a shaking hand over his beard, lightning dancing weakly across his knuckles. “Jackson must become the man we need him to be. Or everything we’ve done—every sacrifice—will crumble.”
Ares’s jaw tightened. “He’ll rise. Men always rise when pushed over the edge. Jasper will be the final domino to fall.”
Before Zeus could respond, a sharp hiss crackled through the chamber.
BZZZT—SKHHH—
A PA speaker embedded in a far wall sputtered to life, lights on the console flashing red.
Then—
A voice, furious and echoing:
“…What the...”
Zeus’s eyes widened. Terror—real, human terror—broke across his divine composure.
“No,” he breathed. “Not now.”
Ares stepped forward, baffled. “What was that?”
Zeus stood abruptly, panic shaking the chambers like a quake. “That PA system only activates from inside.”
Ares blinked. “…Inside what?”
Zeus turned toward the sealed titan of a door at the back of the room—the one none dared open for centuries.
“The Door,” he whispered. “Someone is inside the Door.”
Torches flickered wildly—as if the flames themselves had suddenly learned fear.
Cut.
MATT RUBY: It’s about as hot as a Narcissa photo shoot out here, as the ring is being surrounded by fire for our next contest.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You’re right, but as always, using the worst of analogies as we have Destructo taking on Nero in this next contest in an Inferno Match.
As the bell sounds, Nero and Destructo stand bathed in the orange-yellow glow of the flames at ringside. Nero is the first out of the blocks, bouncing off the ropes and PACKET STORM – SPRINGBOARD CUTTER – MISSES THE MARK AS DESTRUCTO KICKS THE CYBERHOUND IN THE BACK, KNOCKING HIM OUT OF THE AIR!
The Anti-Hero stalks Nero, waiting for him to get to his feet, and Destructo dashes at The Red Reboot! Shining Wizard – SEE... NO... CONTACT AS NERO DUCKS THE KNEE OF DESTRUCTO! As the fire begins to jump higher and both men are sweating with sweat.
MATT RUBY: Neither man can land a move on the other. I don’t imagine the heat and lighting in that ring are helping anything either.
Both men snap to their feet, Superkick – FIREWALL – from Nero catches The Anti-Hero under his jaw and sends Destructo stumbling toward the ropes and the BLAZING FUCKING FIRE FLARES UP IN THE FACE OF THE ANTI-HERO!
The Red Reboot grabs Destructo and Implant DDT – THE RED REBOOT! Sends Destructo onto the canvas and flopping between the bottom and middle rope and...
ONTO THE ZEUS-DAMNED FIRE AS DESTRUCTO’S BOOTS IGNITE AND THE BELL SOUNDS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By Zeus! Destructo’s on fire, Nero is victorious!
MATT RUBY: One man will leave in a blaze of glory, and the other will just leave as a blaze.
Dad
Klaus Way's Circus.
Michaela Attano sits forlornly, her face stained with tears and days old makeup left unwashed on her skin. She sits in a cell, leaning against the window to the outside.
"Honey?" A whisper from the shadows makes her jump, turning to cling to the bars as she scans the outside, Harold Attano soon coming into vision.
"No! No they can't know you're here-"
"Shhh," Harold shushes his daughter, placing a finger to his lips. "I snuck in through the back... He's got so many guards in front that I'd never get you out."
"... Then why are you here?" She pulls back from the bars in defeat, resigning to her fate as she looks back at the inside of her cell.
"Because love you, Michaela." Harold reaches through the bars, placing his hand on Michaela's shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Because I know even if I wasn't there for you before, I can be now."
"But I told you to stay away."
"I know." Harold looks away somewhat shamefully before turning back to his daughter. "I'm not fighting Klaus because I want you back."
Michaela looks at her father, a mix of confusion and shock on her face. "What?"
"It's because I want you to be free. I need you to understand, when I get you out of here, I don't expect you to come with me. I expect you to go. I expect you to do what makes you happy."
Silence follows, a solitary tear falling down Michaela's cheek.
"I love you, dad."
"I love you too, Michaela."
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Reverend Ezekiel Graves is set to square off against Narcissa in his patented Crucifixion Match Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Whoever straps their opponent onto that giant crucifix in the corner and hoists them up above the ring will be the winner. By any means necessary.
Narcissa starts cautiously, but Graves goes straight for her. BIG BOOT takes Narcissa out before she can react. The impact sends her flying into the corner. She rebounds off the turnbuckle and staggers back into the ring.
STRAIGHT INTO THE HOLY WRATH OF EZEKIEL GRAVES!
SHOT AFTER SHOT AFTER SHOT HITS HOME!
AND THE LARIAT PUNCTUATES THE REVEREND’S RETRIBUTION!
Graves drags Narcissa towards the corner, pulling her to her feet and slamming her into the crucifix lying against the turnbuckle.
He grabs the strap by her wrist and begins tying her up.
NARCISSA KICKS OUT, CATCHING GRAVES RIGHT IN THE BALLS!
MATT RUBY: POW! Right in the mummy daddy button!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: One gets an advantage anyway they can when their soul is on the line.
Graves staggers away, giving Narcissa the opening she needs.
SHE POWERS OUT OFF THE CRUCIFIX WITH A BICYCLE KNEE!
UPRISING CATCHES THE REVEREND RIGHT IN THE KISSER!
Graves falls against the ropes, not knowing what hit him.
She has him caught up, wrapping him up into a Tarantula Hold.
CAUGHT UP!
BUT SHE CAN’T GET IT LOCKED IN AGAINST THE BIG MAN AND HE POWERS OUT!
Graves pushes her away and Narcissa comes charging at him again.
HE PICKS HER UP AND GORILLA PRESS TOSSES HER RIGHT OUT OF THE RING!
SHE SOARS, SHE FLIES… AND SHE CRASHES TO THE GROUND!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What goes up must come down, and Narcissa came down hard!
MATT RUBY: Now all the good Reverend needs to do is strap her to that cross and she’s done.
Graves pulls her into the ring, pulling the crucifix from its resting position and lying it down on the mat. Narcissa has no idea where she is.
HE GRABS HER BY THE THROAT! FINAL JUDGEMENT ONTO THE CRUCIFIX!
NO!
NARCISSA REVERSES WITH ANOTHER KICK TO THE BALLS!
RIPCORD KNEE!
REVOLUTION! GRAVES FALLS BACK RIGHT ONTO THE CROSS!
Narcissa pulls out a pair of handcuffs with a smirk.
SHE HANDCUFFS HIM TO THE CRUCIFIX! A SECOND PAIR ON THE OTHER HAND AND HE’S LOCKED IN PLACE!
NOW SHE GOES ABOUT THE STRAPS - GRAVES IS HELPLESS TO FIGHT BACK BUT HE’S MORE THAN A LITTLE PISSED OFF!
SHE HOISTS HIM INTO THE AIR, SCREAMING BLUE MURDER AT HER AS SHE DOES SO!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By hook or by crook, Narcissa has beaten Graves and strapped him to his own crucifix.
Uno Dos
El Mariachi Muerte barrels down the stairs between levels, boots striking cracked stone, jacket whipping behind him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Mariachi Muerte is searching for the answer to his first trial.
MATT RUBY: Who even does riddles anymore?
The light dims as he reaches his destination:
The Medical District.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I think I know where he’s going.
Down a narrow corridor of broken signs and rusted rails, he bursts through a warped metal door.
MATT RUBY: It’s that idiot Dr. Death’s old office!
Inside, dust dances in the dim light of a long-abandoned office. Broken surgical tools. Cabinets still smeared with age-old blood.
And standing in the doorway opposite: El Dragon Caido.
They lock eyes. No words. No taunts.
Not this time.
A cough breaks the tension.
From the shadows, a weathered Mariachi steps forward, spine bent but eyes sharp. His paint is cracked like desert earth, robes stained with time.
“You came,” he says simply. “Both of you.”
Muerte speaks first. “We need answers. What is the second trial?”
“You already found them,” the old man says. “Dr. Death tried to exterminate our kind. But while he schemed, one shattered his chains—” He nods to Muerte. “—and the other sabotaged the heart of his machine.” He nods to Caido.
“You never knew. But you were fighting for each other. For the same truth.”
Caido shifts, unsettled.
“This is the path of the skull,” the old man continues. “Where all works for one good.”
He reaches into his robe and withdraws a strip of cloth, inscribed with a new riddle:
“Where gold once grew from soil and flame,
One name was sung, now lost to shame.
Return to where the bells were born—
And face the fire you once wore.”
No time to question it.
The rivals rush out, shoulder to shoulder, slamming through the stairwell door.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Where are they headed?
MATT RUBY: How do they understand these freaking riddles?
Fists fly. Muerte’s elbow, Caido’s knee.
BUT SUDDENLY, A HAND REACHES FROM A SIDE DOOR, YANKING CAIDO INSIDE.
The door slams.
Caido stands inside a kitchen.
Gleaming steel. Silent dread.
Anton Savor stands with a grin, a referee behind him.
“We have a match scheduled, Señor Caido,” he says. “And I always serve on time.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Dragon Caido may have other things on his mind, but Anton Savor is going to have his match on time, no matter what.
Steam hisses from every crevice of the vast industrial kitchen. Flames lick from open burners. Hanging cleavers swing gently from ceiling racks.
The referee motions for the match to begin, and Savor immediately hurls a cast-iron skillet like a discus.
Caido ducks, rushing forward—
CLOTHESLINE! THE FALLEN DRAGON MOUNTS HIM WITH WILD FISTS, BUT ANTON RAKES THE EYES AND SHOVES HIM OFF TOWARD A STEEL PREP TABLE.
He grabs a chef’s torch—
WHOOSH! A BLAST OF FIRE SINGES CAIDO’S MASK, FORCING HIM BACK.
Savor grabs a butcher’s cleaver and swings, but Caido dodges, grabbing a hanging colander and bashing Anton across the face!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Weapons everywhere, this kitchen’s cooking with violence!
Caido suplexes Savor onto a pile of broken plates; shards embedding into his back. He climbs a service cart—
FLIGHT OF THE FALLEN—NO! ANTON ROLLS OFF AND CAIDO CRASHES ONTO A STEEL STOVE TOP!
Savor pulls him up—
FLAMBÉ! A LIGHTNING-FAST COMBO OF CHOPS AND ELBOWS ENDS IN A SPINNING BACKFIST WITH A MEAT TENDERIZER!
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
KICKOUT!!
Savor grabs Caido’s mask, tries to pull it off, but gets headbutted for his trouble. Caido spins—
DANCE WITH DRAGONS! INTO THE ROLLING CART!
Savor’s dazed.
WINGBREAKER--
NO! SAVOR GETS OUT.
GO. TO. FUCKING. SLEEP.
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Savor just served Caido his final course!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How far ahead of Caido did El Mariachi Muerte get in their second trial, though?
Echoes of Us
Recorded Earlier.
The bunker is silent. Concrete walls. Cold floor. A single CRT television humming on a metal table like it’s the only thing alive down here. Ares stands beside it, shoulders tense, the VHS tape held like something fragile or dangerous.
He pushes it in.
The screen lights up the room in a way the overhead bulbs never could. Suddenly there’s colour. Warmth. Life.
Two little boys burst across the backyard on the screen. Grass up to their shins, sun in their eyes, their mother laughing while trying to keep the camera steady. Ares shoves Slade, Slade shoves him back, and they both collapse in the dirt laughing so loud it fills the whole room.
The bunker feels warmer just hearing them.
Ares doesn’t smile. He barely breathes. He just watches like he’s staring at ghosts he never stopped missing.
The door opens behind him. Slade steps in, ready for another fight until he hears the laughter. His younger self’s laughter. Pure. Sharp and still whole.
He stops halfway into the room. The light from the scree spills across his boots.
“…I forgot it sounded like that.”
Ares keeps his eyes forward.
“I didn’t.”
Another clip plays the boys lying on their stomachs, drawing in the dirt, arguing about who would win in a real fight. They never finish the argument because they break into laughter halfway through.
That sound fills every corner of the bunker. It doesn’t belong in a place like this and both of them feel it.
Slade steps closer, slow but cautious.
“We can’t go back to that.”
Ares finally turns. His eyes are harder now, but there’s something raw under it.
“No. We only go forward.”
They stand face-to-face in the glow of the kids they used to be.
The laughter keeps going bright, alive, almost pleading and the two men stare at each other knowing exactly what’s coming.
Ares leans in just enough for only Slade to hear him.
“At Red Snow… one of us becomes the memory.”
Slade’s jaw tightens.
“Then I’ll make sure it’s you the past takes back.”
Behind them, the children’s laughter hits its loudest point and the screen cuts to black.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Two sociopathic individuals are going toe to toe with each other in an ambulance match as Mr. Sunshine takes on Klaus Way!
MATT RUBY: My credits are on the Ringmaster. If he can orchestrate Lost Tapes, he'll have no problem taking down Positivity Personified.
The bell rings and Charlie immediately yells out "CATCH ME!" as he nails Klaus with a massive cross body! Both competitors tumble to the outside from the force of the blow. Sunshine is up to his feet first, however, as he hoists Klaus up to his feet before setting him up in a fireman's carry!
Sunshine tries to play THE DIZZY GAME, but the Oddball delivers a few good elbows that force Charlie to set him down. Way proceeds to hammer the Cheery Lad with fists and boots that cause him to back up towards the ramp. As the two of them get near the ambulance, Klaus looks to deliver one final punch to knock Charlie for a loop.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He's going for a haymaker! No! Sunshine ducks it! The Ringmaster has his back turned to his opponent after throwing such a wild left!
MATT RUBY: Cheery Charlie has him in a full nelson! BROKEN SMILE onto the ramp! My credits are going down the drain and fast!
Seeing an advantage, Sunshine opens the doors to the ambulance and prepares to hoist the Ringmaster inside. As he grabs Way by the nape of his neck, however, the Oddball manages to grab Sunshine's wrist, spin around, and hoist him up on his shoulders for a double underhook carry!
MATT RUBY: CIRQUE DOULEUR! I knew my man Klaus wouldn't be beaten so easily!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And here I thought you were ready to count your losses a few seconds ago.
But Klaus knows this won't be enough. He closes one door to the ambulance and lifts Sunshine up to his feet. Way hooks his opponent's arms from his back before hopping onto the door!
BIZARRO! No! Sunshine countered as Klaus was about to hop off! He hooks in another full nelson and WELCOMES WAY TO THE SUNSHINE CLUB! The Oddball is out as Sunshine throws him into the ambulance and closes the other door!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Charlie managed to counter the Ringmaster at the right moment to win the match and further drain my partner's credit account!
To the End WIth You
A small entourage of soldiers are leading Narcissa out of Olympus. The Queen walks with a confident smile on her face, acting as though nothing can touch her as she makes her way through the halls backstage.
As she saunters down the the hallway, the lights above her begin to flicker. Slowly at first, but they gradually pick up the pace before eventually shutting off altogether. There is a loud commotion as the soldiers try to protect and guide Hera through the darkness, but they're quickly snuffed out.
When the lights return, all of the entourage are laid out on the floor, leaving Narcy and a tall, looming figure.
Tombstone.
"You claimed to know all of my 'tricks'," the Ferryman says, marching towards the Designer menacingly. "Yet this is the best defense you could put up? Pathetic."
Narcissa takes a couple steps away from Tombstone, but she remains cocky in the face of danger. As he gets closer to her, she unsheathes her wrist blade and attempts to attack her foe once more, but the Ferryman catches the arm and shoves it against the wall.
After doing this, Tombstone removes the weapon around Narcissa's forearm and tosses it to the ground.
"I learn quick too, Hades," the Ferryman growls as Narcy struggles in his grasp. Her confidence is completely shattered as she begins to attempt to punch and kick her way out of his grip.
"Like it or not, you're going back to where you belong," he continues, a small smile forming on his face. "And I will be the one to take you there."
The lights then go out.
Flutter.
We then cut to the Underworld, where Narcissa lands hard on the ground next to the ferry. Tombstone is already sitting inside, waiting for her to stand up and step inside.
She slowly gets up to her feet, looking at Tombstone with a massive glare all the while.
"Take me back to Arcadia, Ezra," Narcy utters through gritted teeth. "Now."
"No," he says back. "You've been terrorizing that place long enough. It's time you returned to your lair and stayed there before you break the seven seals."
The Queen smiles as she places her hands on her hips and shakes her head in defiance.
"Make me then," she says.
Tombstone takes a deep breath before getting off the ferry and walking towards Narcissa.
Before anything can happen, we cut.
Pick Up The Pieces
Continued, still in the past…
The door groans open.
Jasper Redgrave steps inside like nothing’s changed, like the blood isn’t dried black across the floor.
“Well,” he says lightly, surveying the scene, “glad to see you made good use of your alone time.”
The Cade men haven’t moved. George stares at the floor. Jackson hasn’t blinked in minutes.
Jasper claps once. “George. Say goodbye to your wife.”
Jackson’s head snaps up. “You said—” His voice is hoarse, furious. “You said my choice would matter.”
Redgrave just grabs George by the shoulder and hauls him upright. “It did. She’s dead, he’s not.”
George meets his son’s eyes one last time, something unspeakable passing between them.
Then he’s gone. Dragged out like a prisoner.
The door shuts. Time melts. Jackson is alone again, surrounded by shadows and silence and the corpse of the woman who raised him.
He doesn’t cry anymore.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t imagine how that young man feels.
MATT RUBY: Probably like shit, BB.
Cade just stares at the dried blood.
And something in him hardens.
When Redgrave returns, Jackson doesn’t flinch.
“George is safe,” Jasper says, brushing dust from his sleeves. “Arranged for some ‘friends’ to drop him off blindfolded and stripped in a random level. He’ll wander. He’ll survive. He’s stubborn like that. But he needed to be out of the picture.”
Jackson strains against his chains, teeth clenched.
Jasper kneels before him, smiling.
“Now it’s just you. No badge. No family. No honor. Just me.”
His voice drops.
“I've taken everything I possibly can from you. So pick up the pieces, Little Eagle. Or fall apart like Joey did.”
Jackson trembles with rage, but holds the stare.
Redgrave grins. “Good. You’ll need that fire.”
He stands.
“You’ve got Harold Attano in a few days. Rest up. Handle your shit like nothing’s wrong. We’ve got our destined meeting in a few weeks.”
A pause. A final smile.
“At Red Snow, you’ll get your chance to kill me.”
He turns.
“And Daddy will be watching then.”
The restraints fall away as the door closes behind Redgrave.
MATT RUBY: Jackson Cade is free.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: But nothing inside him is.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I asked earlier how much El Dragon Caido’s match with Anton Savor would delay him in the trial, but it looks like El Mariachi Muerte may have a delay of his own.
MATT RUBY: Gemini can delay me any time.
Candles flicker on crimson-drenched altars. Marigolds rain from balconies above. Skeleton dancers spin through alleyways, oblivious to the former lover’s quarrel before them.
A referee stands in the middle of it.
El Mariachi Muerte and Gemini lock eyes in the middle of a cobbled street.
The referee motions, and a bell echoes from a nearby bell tower.
Gemini strikes first. She walks the rope of papel picado strung overhead and HURRICANRANAS MUERTE ONTO A STREET VENDOR’S CART, SMASHING TAMALES AND SKULL-SHAPED SWEETS BENEATH THEM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Did El Mariachi Muerte just take his Last Dance?
Muerte staggers, dazed. Gemini leaps off a balcony—
THE CURE! THE SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT DRIVES HIS SKULL INTO THE PAVEMENT!
ONE...
...
...
TWO…
KICKOUT!!
MATT RUBY: I know Gemini is distracting, but Muerte needs to get his head in the game.
Gemini pulls him up for Chiba’s Touch, but Muerte elbows her, breaks the hold, reaches behind him into a cart.
HE SMASHES A NEARBY GUITAR OVER HER BACK!
Gemini stumbles into a Día de los Muertos float. Muerte climbs atop it—
THE LAST CARNIVALE! THE SPRINGBOARD LUNGBLOWER FLATTENS GEMINI ON THE COBBLESTONES!
He hauls her up—
Gemini claws free, defiant. Her eyes flare. She ducks a lariat—SNAPSHOT! Right onto a broken altar table!
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: My baby girl wins!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What will this mean for El Mariachi Muerte’s trial?
Dos Dos
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Despite the damage he endured in his fight with Gemini, El Mariachi Muerte refuses to stop moving.
MATT RUBY: Maybe he should.
El Mariachi Muerte limps down a cracked boulevard, blood dried at the corner of his mouth. These streets are empty.
He pushes through a broken gate into a forgotten block, buildings sagging with age. The silence is heavy here.
Then he sees him.
El Dragon Caido kneels alone on a tattered bedroll in the center of a burnt-out room, eyes locked on nothing. Still as a grave.
Muerte steps forward.
“This yours?”
Caido doesn’t look up.
“Before the Mariachi. Before the Watchers. Before El Dragon Caido...” He exhales. “There was just Draco. A destitute young man in Anestheria. Poor. Loud. Angry.”
He slowly rises to his feet.
“My wife left. My kids vanished. All I had was the Music. The rhythm that burned inside. I swore I’d never be helpless again.”
Muerte’s hands curl to fists. Tension thickens.
Then footsteps.
An old Mariachi enters the room, robes swaying, paint faded like the others before him. His voice is solemn, ceremonial.
“You have passed the Trial of Vision,” he says. “To know the past is to carry its weight. And no one may sit the Throne of Skulls without bearing that burden.”
He looks between them.
“There are no more riddles. No more secrets. Only the final trial.”
His voice drops.
“Combat.”
Muerte steps forward, unblinking.
“Red Snow, then. You and me. For the Watchers. For the legacy. For every time we broke to get here.”
Caido nods once, eyes locked with his rival.
No words.
No retreat.
Only the fire that waits in the snow.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We are here on the final stop to Red Snow as the unstoppable Ghost faces off against our OSW World Champion in a Submission match but I don't see either man giving up here Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Doom is a stubborn man but he's running up against a brick wall here tonight, he might have no choice to give up to fight a much bigger day next week.
The bell sounds as Kincaid sprints forward, bowling over the world champion with a brick wall like Body Block. Doom stumbles up right into a flurry of palm strikes that seem to dent Doom's armor with each blow before swinging wild
SUPRESSING...NO! Doom ducks underneath the spinning elbow, rushing to the ropes as he bounces off
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SPLITTTEERRR! Gore nails Kincaid but the big man just stumbles, not going down
Kincaid stumbles into the ropes, rebounding out as Doom lifts him up onto his shoulders, spinning around before planting Kincaid
WITH IMPENDING DOOM! The Death Valley Driver hits flush but Doom isn't done, knowing he's gotta soften up the Ghost a lot more he backs into the corner, rushing forward
BREAKING THE JAR! Brutal Punt Kick nails Kincaid as Doom drops down, locking in a rear naked choke. Kincaid tries to fight out but the servos and gears in Doom's gauntlets begin pulsing as they choke the air out of Kincaid.
Slade tries to reach towards the ropes but collapses as Cole Holt quickly calls for the bell.
MATT RUBY: That's what I'm talking about. Our World Champion puts away another Ghost here tonite as Kincaid falls unconcious from Doom's Wrath.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom had to put everything he had to knock Kincaid out here though, the Ghost just barely losing to the world champion here tonight.
The Sealed Threshold
Ares and Zeus moved swiftly through the winding corridors, torchlight chasing their footsteps. The walls trembled with each beat of Zeus’s anxious heart—an immortal afraid of something mortal ears could not comprehend.
They reached the chamber of the Door.
Massive stone slabs, sealed months ago, loomed like a mountain carved into the palace itself. Jagged chunks of rubble covered the base, remnants of a purposeful collapse meant to bury the threshold forever. Dust glittered in the air—disturbed recently.
Ares scanned the scene. “No breach. No forced entry.” He glanced at Zeus. “Whoever is inside, did not come from this end.”
But Zeus was staring—unblinking—at the spaces between the rubble.
A faint glow pulsed from inside. Sickly. Wrong. Like the heartbeat of a caged titan. Something now glows behind the rocks; a sigil.
“It was dark before,” Zeus whispered. “No light ever seeped through. No markings. Something has changed, old friend.”
Ares stepped closer, spear lowering toward the glow. “Is this… power leaking? Could someone be trying to break through?”
Zeus grabbed his arm. “No, it isn't that. It looks like text, ancient - written by the creators.”
Ares turned with a scowl. “Then give the order. We’ll clear the rubble. We’ll bring my armies. If something stirs inside, I say we strike first.”
“No.” Zeus’s refusal thundered through the chamber. “It can only be opened by the right people. Chosen ones. The mechanism cannot be triggered by force. We're protected from this side.”
He exhaled, attempting to calm the lightning trembling beneath his skin.
“No one is getting in there,” he added firmly.
Ares nodded slowly. “And whoever is inside…cannot get out,” Zeus finished, though the words tasted like fear.
Ares studied him. “You sound unsure.”
Zeus looked once more at the pulsating glow, which throbbed as if listening.
“He may know where the failsafe is,” Zeus murmured. “He may even try to reach it.”
A beat of silence.
“But as long as this rubble remains undisturbed, we're safe.”
The glow brightened—just once—like an eye snapping open.
Zeus swallowed.
“…For now.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Once more we have two legendary rivals face off against one another. At times these men have been trusted allies, other times bitter enemies and as both men look ahead to their ultimate enemies at Red Snow, they face off once more in an I Quit matchup.
MATT RUBY: BB, I'm looking forward to this one. Knowing these idiots they'll go all out and hurt themselves before Red Snow and leave themselves open and ripe for the picking from two much better men.
The bell sounds as both men rush forward, fists a flying. Cade nails Attano with a right, Attano nails Jackson with a left. Neither man giving an inch before a giant headbutt staggers Attano backwards. Cade rushes to the ropes, looking for to Breach Nobody but Attano dodges the Slingblade.
KNEECAP! Lightning fast Shotgun Dropkick to the back sends Cade rolling through the ropes to the outside. Attano quickly follows, pounding down on a rising Jackson with a hard elbow to the back of the head that staggers him into the steps before rushing forward
DIDN'T SEE IT COMING...ATTANO DOESN"T AS CADE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME!
FOR ATTANO TO SLAM HIS ELBOW INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
MATT RUBY: HA! Told you Attano was an idiot, he just injured himself and possibly lost the match right there.
Attano screams out in pain, his arm limp looking like it's been broken but he refuses to quit, waving off Demi Sky as Jackson just shakes his head before picking up the injured Attano and throwing him back into the ring.
Cade rolls in himself right to a kick to the face, Attano still fighting hard as Jackson backs him up with a sharp headbutt, Attano staggering into the ropes before trying to leap up with a Headshot.
Jackson dodges it, grabbing Attano's bad arm and snapping it down to the mat. Nobody cries out in pain as Cade drops down, grabbing both the injured and normal arm and pulling them into him as he cranks back with all his might
AND LOCKS IN SOME POLICE BRUTALITY WITH THE RINGS OF SATURN!
Attano refuses to give in, crying out in pain as his tendons snap and stretch. He closes his eyes, trying to grit the pain but he's forced to cry out 'I Quit', as Demi Sky quickly calls for the bell
MATT RUBY: Tale as old as time BB, Attano goes too hard and loses because of his own actions. Now he's possibly injured heading into Red Snow and about to lose to a much better man and father.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Attano knows he's in for the fight of his life at Red Snow, his pride nearly got the better of him but he gave in as the future ruler of OSW gets a ton of momentum heading into an equally tough fight of his own.
All that's Left
Gemini walks alone through the hustle and bustle of Arcadia. Moving quickly, she is caught up in the crowd. She knows Night is out there, looking for her. Watching her every move, but there’s safety in numbers.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: After having a mouthful of her own pestilence last week, Gemini knows that Night is after her. Many would be paranoid, but she walks confidently.
MATT RUBY: She knows that he wouldn’t do anything to her in public, right?
CLUNK!
Without warning, the lights cut and Arcadia is plunged into darkness. An all too familiar voice sounds out.
“The darkness of night doesn’t hide you, it hunts you.”
The sounds of a scuffle sound in the pitch black. After a few seconds, the lights return. The crowd is gone. Not a soul stands.
Except for Gemini, standing face to face with the man who wants her dead. He looks dead in her eyes.
SMACK! NIGHT TAKES THE BAT TO GEMINI!
BAM, BAM, BAM!
SHOT AFTER SHOT AFTER SHOT! HE UNLOADS HIS ANGER!
Night catches her across the head, the neck, the shoulder. Anywhere he can. Gemini collapses to the ground from the barrage, bleeding from a large gash above her eye.
This is Night’s vengeance, and he’s not waiting.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Night is out for the kill. He wants to end Gemini right now, it’s all that’s left for him.
MATT RUBY: He had all the proof he needed last week. An eye for an eye, he wants Gemini to meet the same fate all those people suffered.
Night is upon her in an instant. A knife pushed to her throat. He draws eye to eye with her, looking straight into her with hatred.
“All of their lives, they’re all on your shoulders. For every drop of blood that spills on this ground, it is their memory that I act vengeance on.”
He digs the tip of the knife into her throat, drawing blood, but Gemini resits as best she can. Her eyes widen in pure fear now. She knows in his eyes that there is nothing that will hold him back.
So she scratches. She claws at his face, his hands, anything she can touch.
Confidence turned to desperation, she claws at his eyes and blinds him.
Crawling away as Night growls in agony and fury, Gemini barely escapes into the darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini barely escapes with her life.
MATT RUBY: The next time these two meet, it will be inside the ring in a match Sterling sanctioned. A deathmatch that may very well live up to its name.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A very personal battle here as Hatchet gets his hands on the man who may well have ruined his life with that serum all those months ago. Nox created a monster but can he put it down once and for all tonight?
MATT RUBY: I love Hatchy but come on, nobody forced him to take the drug, that was all his choice. He should be grateful to Nox but once again, the soon to be OSW World Champion is going to have to put a whiny brat in his place.
“WHY DO I CALL MYSELF A JUGGALO?”
The opening to Raw Deal blares through the arena speakers as Hatchet walks onto the stage, a bottle of faygo in hand. He smirks, marching down the ramp
ONLY TO BE AMBUSHED BY A STEEL CHAIR BEING THROWN AT HIS HEAD!
Hatchet barely avoids it by swatting the bottle of faygo in it's path, but it was a distraction as Nox is right there
WITH A BLACK MIST RIGHT INTO HIS EYES!
Hatchet is blinded, swinging wildly on the steel ramp as Nox casually dodges blow after blow before grabbing his arm
AND TELLING HIM TO GET OVER HERE WITH A DECAPITATING CLOTHESLINE!
Hatchet is still clawing at his eyes as Nox swings behind him, before gripping him in a Full Nelson
PARALYTIC PLEX! SNAP DRAGON ON THE STEEL!
MATT RUBY: Told ya BB, easy peasy and Nox is on his way to immortality at Red Snow.
Nox grabs Hatchet, pulling him by the hair as he drags him towards the open gas chamber. Nox pulls Hatchet up to his face, the black ooze still blinding the Juggalo as he looks to toss him easily inside.
JUGGALOW! Hatchet nails Nox with a brutal kick to the dick out of nowhere as he grips his much larger hands around Nox's throat.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You don't have to see what you can hold.
WIG SPLIT! A huge headbutt rocks Nox before he's double underhooked and tossed forward
WITH SOME HOKUS POKUS POWERBOMB STYLE!
Hatchet wipes away the remaining ooze, looking up as he looks to close the door but Nox holds it open. Hatchet spits in his face
LOW BLOW! Nox nails Hatchet with a low blow of his own, both men collapsed on the steel mesh inside the chamber, both struggling to stand.
Nox somehow is the first up, reaching down as he looks to pull Hatchet up
FUCK YOU! Rising Uppercut stuns Nox as he's lifted onto Hatchet's shoulders
Nox slips out, delivering a Relase Gemrna Suplex out of nowhere. Hatchet lands hard on the back of his neck, Nox scrambling to his feet as he escapes the chamber and quickly slams the door close, giving him the victory.
MATT RUBY: YES! I knew it. Nox picks up the big victory here tonight just like he's raising that world championship high at Red Snow.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don't be so sure Ruby, Nox picks up a big win here but he's got a huge task ahead of him at Red Snow. Either way, I guess congratulations for the bastard's victory.
Sunshine Flambé
Smoke blackens the level lights as plumes of ash and soot pour forth from the doors of the Sunshine Club. Voices shout in indistinct chaos as we see Miss Joy of the Sunshine Club rushing out into the open air! She collapses to her knees, huffing and coughing. Her fellow smiling cohorts are close behind, sprawling outside of Sunshine's clubhouse.
"You play with me for amusement?" Anton Savor's voice was seasoned with contempt, the chef standing inside of the burning building. He holds a Molotov cocktail, pointing it at Mr. Sunshine.
That smile never leaving Charlie's face.
"I did whatever it took to let me feel for a moment, Anton. Did you not feel... Alive?" The question falls from Sunshine's lips, sounding disturbingly genuine. He tilts his head, backing away from Savor slowly, coughing as the smoke begins choke out the air inside.
"Alive?" Savor lights the Molotov, shaking his head. "Arcadia is my kitchen. In my kitchen I am the one who makes the rules, I am the one who leads the dance! But I suppose if life must give me Sunshine... Then I shall create Sunshine Flambé."
SAVOR FLINGS THE MOLOTOV COCKTAIL AT SUNSHINE!
SHATTER!
WOOOOSH!
A cloud of fire explodes across the room in spectacular fashion, slowly dissipating to reveal not a charred Sunshine... But a defiant Captain Arcadia, his shield held high and dripping with flames! Captain Arcadia just stopped Sunshine from getting set aflame!
"I'm done with this!" He grabs Sunshine, dragging him towards the exit. "Both of you are obsessed with control, obsessed with yourselves! This isn't justice, this isn't right."
Arcadia grabs Savor! Anton tries to fight back but begins to cough as the smoke fills his lungs. Arcadia pulls both men outside, flinging them to safety!
"I don't want you to just die, I want you to face justice for everything you've done. I want vindication." Arcadia looms over both men, the fire roaring behind him.
"I want Red Snow."
Arcadia's shadow flickers across Savor and Sunshine as the scene fades to black.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And here we are, the last match before Red Snow and the possible culmination of the greatest rivalry in Arcadian history. We've seen these two men break bones, carve wounds that cascaded rivers of blood and take years if not decades off their lives with each encounter. Last year at Red Snow, Felix Foley finally defeated his monster but nearly one year later, they face off for what could be the final time.
MATT RUBY: These two have had the most brutal matches in Arcadian history, Foley somehow survived last year and did the unthinkable but he's not just focused on Tombstone tonight. He has an arguably even bigger match next week and if Foley takes his mind off the game, even for a moment, he'll be sent on his way.
The bell sounds, both men staring daggers at one another. No matter the time apart, the blood blood hasn't dissapated as the usual calm and friendly Foley rushes forward, teeth bared in a primal scowl.
Right into a Big Boot.
Foley is quickly on his feet, like he barely got touched as he rushes at Tombstone once more
Only to be stopped by a jab to the throat. A second and then a third look to crush Felix's windpipe but Felix manages to dodge it, landing a hard right to the jaw that slightly staggers Tombstone back.
Foley lands a second and then a third before rushing to the ropes
And nearly getting decapitated by a massive Lariat that turns him inside out.
MATT RUBY: Well that was fun while it lasted.
Felix staggers up into a grip around the throat before he's lifted high up into the air, one hand on his throat, the other on his stomach before Tombstone rushes forward
GORILLA PRESS THROWING HIM RIGHT INTO THE CAGE WALL!
Foley slams down hard into the wall with a ringing slam as the cage itself shakes from the sheer force. Foley crashing to the mat but he barely hits before he's lifted up once more as both arms wrap around his throat as Tombstone locks him in a hanging triangle like choke.
Felix kicks out wildly trying to break the choke, swinging back and forth as his boots connect once, twice, three times right to the Ferryman's jaw. Tombstone cranks back on the hold, Foley slowly losing conciousness
BEFORE HE BITES DOWN HARD ON TOMBSTONE'S HAND!
Tombstone drops Felix in anger, swinging wild as Felix dodges, nailing a hard headbutt before a stiff enziguri staggers The Ferryman. Felix rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
BUT FOLEY SHOULD KNOW HE CAN'T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!
BOSSMAN SLAM SWINGS FOLEY NEARLY 180 DEGREES THROUGH THE AIR BEFORE PLANTING HIM INTO THE MAT
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus in Christ, this is just a mugging at the moment, but surely Felix can come back right?
Tombstone, almost as if he can hear Bronco say that, peels Foley off the mat, lifting him high up in the air with ease before rushing forward
ODE TO CHARON! RELEASE JACKNIFE POWERBOMB INTO THE STEEL CAGE!
Foley staggers out in pain but Tombstone doesn't let him hit his knees before scooping him up once more, turning him around and upside down
AND SPIKING HIM DOWN WITH ELYSIUM FIELDS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A brutal Tombstone Piledriver nearly breaks Felix's neck as that may well be it.
Tombstone rolls Felix over, crossing both arms over his chest in a cover as Mills Stanton drops down for the hesitant cover
ONE
............
................
TWO
...............
...................
.....................
THR....
FELIX KICKS OUT!
Tombstone looks furious, staring daggers at Mills who simply puts up two fingers. The Ferryman scowls before turning around
RIGHT INTO A LOW BLOW BY FELIX!
Tombstone doubles over as Foley gets to his feet, leaping over Tombstone with a Sunset Flip. Tombstone is down, Felix holding onto the pin as Mills drops down
ON.....
NOT EVEN A ONE COUNT AS TOMBSTONE GETS OUT OF THE PIN
The Ferryman can't quite get to his feet though as he's stunned by a kick to the face before Felix flips him up and over onto the mat with a Snap Suplex. Tombstone gets up into a right, then a second, then a third before he rushes to the ropes
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING! Big Boot hits flush but doesn't put The Ferryman down. Felix rushes to the ropes, landing a second one
Tombstone is tee..tee...teeetering on his feet as Felix rushes to the ropes, springing off
RIGHT INTO A MAMMOTH LARIAT THAT TURNS HIM INSIDE FUCKING OUT!
MATT RUBY: Well that's it. The idiot tried his best but he's about to put six feet under permanently.
Tombstone is done, fury in his eyes as he lifts his hand high, waiting for Felix to slowly rise up
GOOZLE.....NO!
FELIX HOLDS OFF THE HAND!
With a gutteral roar, Foley refuses the chokeslam, throwing Tombstone away before rocking him with a huge headbutt. A flurry of lefts and rights begin to rock the Ferryman before Felix rushes to the ropes
AS THESE BOOTS FINALLY KNOCK HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!
Tombstone staggers to his feet right into a kick to the gut before he's lifted up
AS HE FALL GUYS RIGHT INTO THE CORNER WITH A MASSIVE FALLAWAY SLAM!
Tombstone pulls himself up with the ropes but he gets up right into a massive Avalanche Splash. Adrenaline running through Felix's veins as the crowd begin to roar and cheer for their heroe's name.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh you know what time it is now Ruby. It's time
FOR FELIX' FOLEYS CORNER! FELIX STOMPING TOMBSTONE DRY WITH THOSE CORNER STOMPS!
Felix roars with each stomp, years of pain and agony flowing through him as he stomps once more before calling out to the crowd, the audience absolutely on their feet as Felix calls for the end.
Tombstone staggering out into
KICK TO THE GUT
CUT
THE
STRINGS!
Double Arm DDT hits hard but Felix doesn't cover, he knows this won't end it. He knows he needs something big.
As he looks up to the top of the cage
And he begins to climb.
MATT RUBY: What is this idiot doing? You have him beaten, don't appease to these fools and end it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You should know Felix Foley by now Ruby, he'll always go above and beyond for his fans, even if it's not the smartest choice.
Felix slowly climbs up the cage, foot by foot until he's at the very top. He could climb down but he doesn't want to win like that. He instead pulls himself up, steadying himself on the very top of the cage.
Just as Tombstone sits up
**FLUTTER**
The lights black out for a moment and when they return, Tombstone is standing right next to Felix.
GOOZLE
Tombstone holds Felix by the throat, both men staring death in one another's eyes
AS FELIX GOOZLES TOMBSTONE!
Tombstone has one hand around Felix's throat
Felix has both hands around Tombstone's throat
But a massive headbutt rocks Tombstone as Felix grips both hands harder
BEFORE DRIVING BOTH OF THEM OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE
MASTER OF PUPPETS! DOUBLE HANDED CHOKESLAM FROM THE TOP OF THE CAGE!
'Holy Shit' 'Holy Shit'
The crowd begin to chant as both men look out, Felix barely having the energy to flop an arm over the Ferryman as Mills Stanton slides in to count
ONE
.............
....................
TWO
................
.....................
........................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix does it. He somehow overcame the impossible once again as Felix Foley not only emerges victorious but as one of the very few people to beat Tombstone not once but twice.
MATT RUBY: Even I have to admit Foley picked up a huge accolade here but he had to give everything to do it. And now how much will that idiot have left for Red Snow?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No idea Ruby but knowing Felix, he'll still give everything he has and more.
Purifying the Poison & Cleansing the Corruption
Sometime Later, after Ascension.
Nox’s laboratory reeked of chemicals and ego—glass cylinders bubbling with toxins that could melt a city block, schematics for chaos plastered across the walls like graffiti from a mad genius. He hummed to himself, adjusting a syringe filled with something too neon to belong in nature.
The humming stopped when the door blew off its hinges.
Felix Foley led the charge—fist cracking into Nox’s jaw with a sickening snap. Nox stumbled back, crashing into a tray of vials that shattered like brittle bones. Destructo followed, a silhouette framed by sparks and smoke, eyes burning hotter than the flames recently meant to end his life.
“You think fire scares me?” Destructo growled, seizing Nox by the collar and slamming him onto a steel table.
Nox coughed, tasting copper and chemicals. “Let me guess—here to accuse me of something dramatic?”
Foley grabbed him by the throat, lifting him up. “Don’t play stupid. Destructo almost died. His home burned. Someone tried to finish what you started years ago.”
Nox laughed—a wet, vile rasp. “You think I’d waste my brilliance on arson? I’d make sure the body was found in a puddle, not ashes.”
Destructo slammed a fist beside Nox’s head, metal buckling under the blow. “Spare me. You’ve always wanted me gone.”
The chemical villain’s eyes flickered—fear for the first time creeping in.
Destructo leaned close, breath hot with righteous fury. “I always thought strength meant firepower. That heroism meant brutality.” His grip loosened, just slightly. “But my father—he saved people. He rebuilt lives. He believed that saving the world doesn’t mean burning it with it.”
Nox blinked, confusion replacing arrogance.
“I’m not killing you,” Destructo said. “Because that’s what evil would do. And to beat evil, you vanquish it—you don’t become it.”
He looked to Foley, voice steady with newfound purpose. “We’re taking him. Alive.”
Foley nodded. They each grabbed an arm, dragging Nox from the wreckage of his lair. Tools clattered. Chemicals spilled.
Nox struggled, desperation cracking his voice. “You don’t know what you’re doing! You have no idea what’s coming!”
Destructo didn’t look back.
“No, Nox. You don’t.”
Cut.
Static.
Doom’s lab, unlike Nox’s, was a place of order—sterile steel, glowing interfaces, and glass canisters pulsing with contained energy. It felt less like a madman’s den and more like the workshop of someone who refused to let science abandon morality.
The door slammed open.
Foley and Destructo dragged Nox inside, his boots scraping across the polished floor. The chemical mastermind spat blood into his mask, the sound echoing sharply against the machinery.
Doom stepped forward with controlled caution, eyes flicking briefly to his son before landing squarely on the broken villain dangling between heroes.
“Explain,” Doom demanded.
Foley dropped Nox hard. “Where's the Odyssey pool? I know you have it again.”
Doom’s mask didn’t flicker. “That prototype was crude. Dangerous. I have… improved the design.” He gestured to a large cylindrical chamber brimming with swirling light and nanite currents. “This is the Cleansing Pool. Stronger. Precise. A tool not for conquest—but redemption.”
Destructo nodded, staring down at Nox. “He tried to burn me alive. He’s been poisoning this world for years. It's time he faced justice.”
Nox barked a bitter laugh. “Justice? You think dunking me in superhero soup will fix the universe?”
Foley leaned down, fist tightening around Nox’s hair. “We’ll see what it fixes in you.”
Doom raised a hand. “Understand this: once submerged, there is no undoing. His mind would be rewritten—stripped to whatever the machine determines is his natural self. He may not survive the correction. The correction may not be good enough.”
Destructo didn’t hesitate. “Then let the pool judge him. Arcadia won't be safe until he has been dealt with. Let the Pool decide what the reverse version of this evil is. It can't be any worse.”
Nox’s smirk melted—panic replacing arrogance. “Wait. Listen—”
Foley shoved him closer to the glowing chamber.
Nox yelled, desperation cracking his voice:
“I didn’t set the fire!”
Both Foley and Destructo froze—briefly. Doom’s eyes narrowed.
“Then who did?” Foley demanded.
Nox gasped for breath, looking wildly between them.
“You’re chasing the wrong monster,” he hissed. “And when the right one strikes again… you’ll wish you’d listened.”
Foley’s fist trembled.
Destructo’s breathing sharpened.
Cut.