The Boat
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner as "Bad Company" by Five Finger Death Punch begins to play over blowing wind.
Walking through the shifting sands of Arcadia is the Terminal Man. His head bowed, he looks more frail than the last time we saw him. Coming to a stop in front of a familiar, yet unfamiliar shop, he looks at the card in his hand, bearing the name Illumination Antiques. With a sigh, he opens the door and steps in.
A company always on the run
A destiny, oh it's the rising sun
I was born, a shotgun in my hands
Behind the gun
I'll make my final stand, yeah
That's why they call me
Inside the shop, he's greeted not by Albert Lamplight, but by his father: Fernicus Lamplight. Albert is but a boy playing with blocks in the background.
"Hello, my boy." Fernicus greets. "I've been expecting you."
Bad company
I can't deny
Bad, bad company
'Til the day I die
Until the day I die
Until the day I die
The surprised Terminal Man doesn't even show his surprise. "I'm told you can help me."
Fernicus smiles.
Rebel souls
Deserters we've been called
Chose a gun
The Terminal Man is led through the shop to a strange sight.
A boat?
And threw away the song
Now these towns
Well they all know our name
The Death Punch sound
Is our claim of fame
And that's why they call me
"How will this help me?" The man asks.
Fernicus smiles.
Bad company
I can't deny
Bad, bad company
'Til the day I die
Until the day I die
Until the day I die
"Take this boat, my boy." Fernicus implores. "It's been paid for already."
Eye for an eye
Tooth for a tooth
Blood for blood
We've all gotta die
We've all gotta die
"At the end of a long river is the cure for your malady," Lamplight continues.
The Terminal Man runs his fingers across the wood, taking possession of the boat as a guitar solo shreds.
He looks up, locking eyes with Fernicus.
And that's why they call me
"A man named Igor Mortis will guide your way." Fernicus says, turning to leave the Terminal Man alone.
Bad company
I can't deny
Bad, bad company
'Til the day I die
Until the day I die
Until the day I die
The music cuts out abruptly as the video feed pauses. An angry Tombstone has paused the video, the very same one we saw began last week.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tombstone is the Terminal Man!
NICK DIAMOND: I don't think we have the whole story, Gomez.
And just as we left them last week, a bound Jasper Redgrave is sat in front of a TV, Igor Mortis behind him.
"Why are you showing him this? How long have you had these?" Tombstone demands. "I have no memory of this."
Igor Mortis smiles.
"You will," he says as pushes past the World Champion to hit play once more.
To be continued....
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tonight we finally get to see these two face off. Do you think Ken can humble Spiros or will he learn a lesson in Greatness?
Master Ken bows as the match begins and Spiros callously walks up to smack him in the face! The Sensei stumbles back and STG fires off a barrage of strikes but Ken masterfully blocks them! He counters with a straight kick to the stomach!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Spiros is bent over!
NICK DIAMOND: AND ALONG THE WHITE PINE! MASTER KEN WITH A CHOP TO THE NECK!
Spiros drops to his knees and Ken raises his hand before going for another chop that STG rolls out of the way of! He nails Ken with a kick to the gut and follows up with a monstrous lariat! The Sensei is reeling and as he gets up Spiros comes exploding off of the ropes!
NICK DIAMOND: BLESSED BY GREATNESS!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THE KNEE TO THE SKULL JUST DREW BLOOD FROM MASTER KEN!
The Bronze Medalist wipes the blood from his face in surprise as Spiros capitalizes, leaping with a kick to the knee that sends Master Ken right back to the mat! He's in dire straights as Spiros grabs onto him but Ken rolls and sends Spiros sprawling with an arm drag!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That kick to the leg was brutal! I don't think Master Ken can fully stand!
NICK DIAMOND: He's getting up! He's on one leg!
Ken raises his arms into the air! He's in crane stance and Spiros rushes him!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THE CRANE!
NICK DIAMOND: PUMP KICK CATCHES SPIROS RIGHT IN THE NOSE! KEN COVERS!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Master Ken has put Spiros down for the count! The creator of Ken-do has just gotten a massive win here tonight!
No-one Greater
With the match over, Spiros rolls out of the ring. He looks hurt after the damage taken during that battle as he grabs a microphone from ringside.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Uh oh, looks like the Great One is far from finished here!
Spiros stares down Master Ken, who is standing in the ring as STG speaks.
"Let the Great One tell you this, karate man," states Spiros with a hint of sarcasm. "There is no one greater than the Greek God...but you're alright by the Great One's book."
This draws a smirk from Master Ken.
"You wanted to go one on one with the Great One," continues Spiros. "To teach the Greek God a lesson...and a lesson was certainly given in that ring. You proved that you are indeed a master of your technique, and The Greatest can give you that level of respect."
Ken simply bows to the Greek God in response, a sign of respect given back from the Sensei that draws a smirk from Spiros in return...a smirk that is followed by a bow from the Great One! The crowd roars in approval of the sportsmanship on display!
NICK DIAMOND: Wow! What a display of honor between these competitors!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It's a feel-good moment here at Bad Company!
"Kung Fu Fighting" plays as Spiros takes his leave, letting the Master enjoy his victory among a wave of cheers from the crowd.
Cut.
Not Anymore
We find ourselves in a chemical storage facility of sorts. Large tanks adorn the walls, in rows of racks and bottles. Tubes and pipes flow in all directions.
Here, Nox seems right at home, checking on sets of bubbling liquids and watching as they turn to gas, flowing through tubes into various cannisters.
NICK DIAMOND: Well, this isn’t creepy at all...
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t know how Nox has managed to get all of these supplies, or where this location is. But whatever he’s up to, it cannot be good.
As he works, Destructo Boy approaches. Trying to move covertly, he sneaks closer. Nox doesn’t even turn around as he speaks.
“I thought you might follow me.” Only now does he turn, staring right at the Kid. “Welcome to the location of your demise. You want this title, you’re going to have to go through my hell to get it.”
Destructo Boy smirks.
“I told you, I am not going to be your rat in the maze any more. I’m done playing your games. When this is said and done, I am walking away with your title.”
Nox laughs his wheezing laugh.
“I’ve tested enough on you to find out how my gasses work and interact with the effects of the Oddyssey Pool. All that is left is to silence you, and snap my trap shut.”
Nox turns a valve behind him, and the bubbling tubes of liquid seem to start bubbling in overdrive. Purple gas flows through tubes above their heads.
Destructo Boy isn’t having it.
He charges.
KINGDOM BLADE BLOW TO NOX KNOCKS HIM DOWN, AWAY FROM HIS EXPERIMENT!
DESTRUCTO BOY TURNS THE VALVE, SHUTTING OFF THE GAS!
THE BUBBLING MIXTURE SETTLES, THE GAS STOPS FLOWING!
Destructo Boy stands over Nox, fists balled.
“It’s a good thing I brought a referee with me.”
NICK DIAMOND: It looks like we're going to get an NXT Championship Match right here.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Panther has been on a warpath! One can only hope the Yellow Python can walk out of this one in one piece!
Python rushes the Panther but ends up nailed with a massive lariat! Python tries to stumble to his feet but Black Panther scoops him up and drops him with a ring shaking powerslam!
He peels him back up and Biel tosses him right into the turnbuckle! The Serpent springboards off of the ropes with a desperate senton!
NICK DIAMOND: PANTHER CATCHES HIM! POWERBOMB!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HE LIFTS HIM UP! BUCKLE BOMB!
Python slams into the turnbuckle with impunity and stumbles out right into a massive fucking spear by the Black Panther! Yellow Python is in dire straights as the Panther grabs his head and slams him face first into the mat over and over again as the crowd boos, almost pleading for the violence to end!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SOMEONE HAS TO STOP THIS! YELLOW PYTHON CAN'T EVEN FIGHT BACK!
NICK DIAMOND: BLACK PANTHER IS FORCING HIM BACK UP AGAIN! HE'S TOSSED HIM HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!
The Panther looks on as Python tries to meekly crawl out of the ring and gets halfway out before Black Panther grabs his ankle and forcibly drags him back into the ring! He whips Python into the ropes!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SUPERMAN PUNCH!
NICK DIAMOND: PYTHON COLLAPSES!
The Black Panther hoists Python onto his feet! He's calling for the end as he lifts him up for the Jackhammer!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SMALL PACKAGE! PYTHON ROLLS HIM INTO THE SMALL PACKAGE!
NICK DIAMOND: THE REF STARTS THE COUNT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Run, Python, run! The Serpent rolls out of the ring as fast as he can, limping away from the Black Panther who's quick to get to his feet!
Besties 3:16
"They tried to defy us, my children. Tried to cast us out without giving us what was owed!" Lionel Troy pounds his pulpit, speaking fervently to his congregation. "The gold and leather around their waists was given unto me by the great Zion himself! But they denied us, denied my Troy-stiny as though it meant nothing!"
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I can't believe this, Nicky. How can these people listen to Troy and not think he's full of it?
NICK DIAMOND: I'm not saying he's right, but you have to admit he's charming!
"Now, in the great book I have here there are scriptures told onto me by the great Zion! In fact, they spoke of a day when we would be denied our great Troy-stiny!" Lionel looks to Colt Ramsey, the Journo nodding.
"What do they say, Troy?"
"Lionel 3:16 says-"
NICK DIAMOND: Do you hear fans whirring, Johnny?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: DRONES! FELIX AND DOOM ARE STORMING THE CHURCH!
There's pandemonium as the drones descend upon the congregation, sending the clergy sprawling as Doom creates a warpath! He nails one of the congregates with a huge right hand sending him reeling into his pew! Those not dumb enough to get in his way find themselves pelted with small rockets that put them down!
"ZION HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES!" Troy grabs his book of Zion and makes a run for it! Colt is quick behind him, grabbing the offering plate full of credits as the two escape through the curtains and out through a back door! Meanwhile, Doom and Foley have gotten to the front of the church, looking from the pulpit down at the disoriented Children of Zion.
"It doesn't matter what Lionel 3:16 said," Doom says, looming over the pulpit. "Besties 3:16 says-"
"Respect others and get respect in return!" Foley chimes in with a big grin, patting Doom on the back. The mad scientist merely sighs, nodding his head in begrudging agreement.
Cut.
Necklace
A non-descript location. It could be anywhere in Arcadia. He watches from a distance as Narcissa talks to a duo of her forces.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Blaze has been tracking the Uprising members who were in his house last week.
NICK DIAMOND: It’s led him, wherever this is. Nowhere in particular.
Without warning, Narcissa glances very deliberately in Blaze’s direction, exactly to where he thought he was covertly watching from.
Knowing his cover has been blown, Blaze steps forward and approaches her. He holds forth the medallion found in the rubble of his once home and waves it in her face.
“You knew...”
Narcissa looks more than a little confused at what seems like an accusation, of what she appears to not actually know.
“Look at it. I would recognise it anywhere. The very last anniversary gift I gave her before all this hell. You knew about it. You wanted it. Is that why you killed her? All for this?”
He thrusts the charred necklace at her.
“You want it so bad, take the damned thing. But I’m going to take so much more from you.”
Narcissa is angered, confused and weary. She wears the emotions all over her face as she pushes the medallion away.
“You’re insane.” She closes Blaze’s hand over the medallion. “That thing, I would never be seen dead wearing. It’s hideous, you’re not exactly a man of taste.”
Blaze’s skull flickers into flame at this, and he balls his other fist, much to the amusement of Narcissa.
“You want to come at me and throw accusations of insane things, of murder... You had better get your damn facts straight. Because if you swing and miss, like you are now, I will retaliate. And I don’t miss.”
THWACK!
NICK DIAMOND: Blaze just got dropped from behind by two members of the Uprising!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Well, when you come for the Queen, you better not miss. I’d bet Blaze will be looking to get even in that ring later once he wakes up.
Blaze falls in a heap, and by the time he comes to Narcissa is gone. But he will meet her soon enough.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The issues between CJ Thorpe and Harold Attano are coming to a head here at Bad Company!
We start off the way this grudge match should, with CJ and Harold pummeling each other with lefts and rights!
The cycle is finally broken by Attano sending Thorpe to the ropes...but the Coyote ducks the clothesline on the rebound!
Using the ropes as a springboard, CJ launches himself at Nobody for a forearm smash!
Attano is down as Thorpe goes to work with some stomps to the midsection, before looking to lock in the Rings of Saturn!
POLICE--NO!
Harold lands a hard elbow to the skull of Thorpe to escape!
Attano back on his feet, but so is the Chainbreaker...who gets leveled with a lariat!
NICK DIAMOND: Mr. Nobody's looking to bring this to an end now, look at that determination on his face!
Attano goes after the arm of Thorpe, locking in a kimura!
ARMBREAKER!
CJ's struggling here, inching himself to safety as he grabs the bottom rope to force a break!
Attano's not letting up until the ref starts a five count, forcing him to back off.
Harold keeps his focus on Thorpe...but as soon as the Coyote's on his feet, he catches Nobody with a kick to the gut for a Pedigree!
THE RIGHT--NO!
Attano gets away, spinning Thorpe around to disorient him before connecting with the Diamond Cutter!
ONE SHOT ONE KILL!
NO! THORPE PUSHES ATTANO INTO THE REFERE! DOWN GOES THE REF! DOWN GOES THE REF
Both men immediately take notice of the referee and head to the outside, each getting a steel chair.
NICK DIAMOND: This won't be good... we need another referee out here now!
They both slide back into the ring just as another referee slides in.
DOUBLE STEEL CHAIR SHOT!
CJ NAILS ATTANO AS ATTANO NAILS CJ!
BOTH MEN GO DOWN!
The referee calls for the bell!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They've both been disqualified! The referee has brought this one to a premature end! We don't get a winner, Nicky! What a joke!
Kickin' & Screamin'
With the match over, both men slowly amble back to their feet, exhausted and furious with the referee.
They come together in the middle of the ring, face to face and nose to nose. This is far from over.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This isn’t over, Nick. We might get a rematch right now.
“You have no business sticking your nose in mine,” Thorpe angrily yells at him, pushing him backwards.
“You don’t get it, do you kid?” Attano asks, stepping forward once more. “You have no idea what it’s like to lose family, do you? That son of a bitch you call a mentor killed my daughter and now he’s driving a wedge between you and the man he tortured for a year!”
CJ thinks about that for a moment. He’s shakes his head.
“Bullshit!” He declares.
“You didn’t know?” Harold enquires with a tilt of the head. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
The Chainbreaker starts pacing, hands on hips.
“He killed your brother’s mentor, Riggs. He killed my daughter. The man is a sick fuck that needs to be stopped!” The Invasion Winner reiterates. “You need to get a fuckin’ clue kid. Family means everything.”
Nobody offers him a handshake, thrusting his hand forward.
“Come on, come with me and we’ll talk about this properly...” he pleads.
NICK DIAMOND: Will he do it? It doesn’t seem like he knew about Redgrave’s past; not properly anyway.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t know, Nicky. I think he knew more than he lets on. He knew something.
Thorpe accepts the handshake to cheers, but then leans in.
“Fuck… you!” He says with a sneer.
Suddenly, Harold spins him around into a choke hold, locking him up tight. Thorpe tries to escape but Nobody applies pressure to a pressure point that makes him weak.
“You’re comin’ with me, boyo, kickin’ and screamin’ if necessary!” He says, dragging him away.
Thorpe tries to fight back but can’t.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Attano isn’t giving him a choice! What is that? Some kind of Vulcan death grip?
NICK DIAMOND: Where’s he taking him, Johnny?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: No where good, no where nice. That’s for sure.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We have a huge tag team title matchup here tonight folks. The Besties have been on absolute fire since regaining their tag titles but they face a very dangerous test in the Church of Zion here tonight.
NICK DIAMOND: Nothing more dangerous then a truly devoted man Johnny but Troy and Colt have an uphill battle tonight if they want to beat Doom and Foley.
The match begins as Foley starts off with Colt, Colt trying for a surprise right but Felix blocks it. He sends Colt into the ropes with a flurry of blows before throwing him across the ring.
THE FALL GUY! Felix grabs him on the rebound and tosses Ramsey across the ring with absolute ease. Colt staggers up to his feet as Foley rushes forward.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Foley trying to deliver that devestating Big Boot but Colt scampers out of the way, trying to get some council from his Messiah Lionel.
Colt slips back into the ring, again just dodging out of the way of the Big Boot before poking Felix in the eye as he turns around before kicking him low and driving him into the mat with a stiff DDT. Colt doesn't cover instead pulling Felix up into a headlock
NICK DIAMOND: B-Roll! Colt drives Felix into the mat but he's not covering, instead tagging out to the Lion as he lets his Messiah finish the job.
Lionel drops down for the easy cover as the referee slides into position.
ONE
................
TWO
....................
..........................
FELIX GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Lionel tells Colt to get back in the ring as Ramsey pulls Felix up, holding him as Lionel leans back on the ropes, breathing in deep before rushing forward.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: CLOTHESLIONEL FROM HELL...TO COLT RAMSEY! Troy looks shocked as he turns around right into Cut the Strings!
NICK DIAMOND: Everyone's down, Felix leaps forward, finally tagging in DOOM who is a house on goddamn fire Johnny.
Doom rushes in, delivering a brutal Splitter to a staggering Colt before turning around as he delivers another to Troy, nearly tearing the Lion in half. Doom pulls Troy up to his feet
JOHNNY GOMEZ: IMPENDING DOOM! That has to be it as DOOM covers, Demi Sky sliding in for the one...two...three!!! The Besties retain in a lightning fast tag team contest here tonight.
The Horsemen Ride
Click…
Clack…
Click…
Clack.
No Man’s Land echoes with a different sound. We follow behind a shadow of someone, soon moving forward to follow him side by side, not seeing in front nor behind.
It’s John The Revelator.
He’s limping. Hobbling, even. He’s busted up and clearly checked himself out of hospital. Ambling through the former Redlight district, the sounds of clicking and clacking follow behind him.
He eventually stops to find Drewitt alongside El Mariachi Muerte and Gemini.
“They released you?” John asks with a terse and gruff voice.
“They wanted to send a message, Gemini says with a disgust, turning her head towards the door.”
Everyone looks that way now, revealing the painted symbol of the Uprising fist.
John snarls.
“Message received,” he gruffly notes. “Now the Horsemen ride again.”
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I'm being told now we're heading back to that chemical storage facility from earlier, where Destructo Boy looks to stop whatever influence Nox is trying to have on him...and take the NXT Level Championship in the process!
Back inside the facility, Destructo Boy raises the Kingdom Blade up high, ready to take out the Chemist for good...but Nox rolls out of the way just in time!
Rising back to his feet, Nox opts to taunt the Black Heart, who obliges by charging at full speed toward the Chemist!
But he gets sidestepped by Nox, who just as quickly pulls the Kid back in for a short-arm clothesline!
GET OVER HERE!
NICK DIAMOND: Destructo Boy just got whipped around!
The Chemist puts a boot on Destructo's chest, ordering the ref to make the count.
ONE!
TWO--NO!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Kid manages to kick out! He's still in this fight!
Nox turns him over, but Destructo slips out of his grasp before nailing him from behind with a dropkick!
Nox drops to a knee, just as the Kid rushes at him with a Shining Wizard to the head!
SEE NO EVIL!
The Chemist drops to the floor as Destructo climbs up a tall canister for extra elevation.
NICK DIAMOND: By Zeus, he's not gonna...
Before that sentence can be finished, Destructo leaps off for a shooting star kneedrop to the throat!
ONE FINAL--NO!
NOX ROLLS AWAY!
Destructo's out as Nox turns him over for the Steiner Recliner!
OXYGEN DEPRIVATION CHAMBER!
Destructo isn't responding as the ref calls it!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Nox takes Destructo Boy down to retain the NXT Level Championship!
The Elders VI
Many years ago…
Zeus sits on a bench alongside his best friend, a young and powerful looking Ares. They’re both staring out into the beauty of the groves, neither saying a word as they enjoy the visuals before them.
It’s Ares that breaks the silence.
“Something seems fishy with this Classic deal, man,” he says to Zeus, not looking at him. “I’m just a kid from the slums, but even I know somethin’ is up.”
The young Zeus lowers his head and takes a deep breath.
“They’re ending us,” Zeus declares.
Ares looks at him intensely, his eyes widened. He wants answers. He needs them.
“They’re going to put an end to Arcadia. They’re going to kill everything we know and love,” he continues.
“What about our families? What about—”
Zeus cuts him off.
“They don’t give a shit, Ares. They’ve made up their mind. This Classic event is the last hurrah before tell Arcadia that the end is nigh. They’re giving the people a merry time before they share the worst news possible.”
Ares looks distraught.
“We can’t let it happen,” Zeus blurts out. “We must stop them.”
“But your pop-” Ares chimes in only to be interrupted again.
“Will you help me, friend?” Zeus asks with desperate eyes. “This'll be you and I, Bad Company, until the day we die. Forever bound and united.”
Ares nods.
“What’re we going to do?” He wants to know.
Don’t we all.
Cut.
NICK DIAMOND: Tonight, the Double Feature Championship is on the line when Narcissa takes on Blaze!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s a battle over the past too Nick as Blaze attempts to dig up the people responsible for the burning of his family home.
Referee Cole Holt calls for the bell and The Uprising Leader comes out of the gate looking for the Bicycle Knee Strike...
UPRISING!
COUNTERED WITH A SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
KINGDOM FALL BY BLAZE LEVELS NARCISSA BELENCIGA!
Judgement drops into the cover as Holt makes the count...
ONE!
TWO!
KICK-OUT AT TWO POINT FIVE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Blaze looking for an early victory only gets a two and a half count!
Blaze, looking to maintain control peels the Designer off the canvas but Narcissa counters digging her thumbs into the eye sockets of Blaze’s skull and sweeps his legs driving him down with a violent STO!
NICK DIAMOND: JUSTICE WAS JUST BLINDED BY LOVE!
Hera pulls Blaze to his feet setting him up with the Rip Cord and she pulls it into a Spinning Heel Kick!
REVOLUTION LANDS FLUSH!
NARCISSA CRAWLS INTO THE COVER AND HOLT IS IN POSITION!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Hera manages to claim victory and defend her Championship showing why she leads the Uprising!
We Didn't Start The Fire
With the match over, to say tensions are frayed would be an understatement.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t think we’re done here folks. Blaze definitely looks like he has unfinished business with the Uprising leader.
Blaze is seething, turning to meet his foe with nothing but vengeance upon his burning skull. He has Narcissa cornered and won’t let her escape. He opens his fist, where he holds his wife’s medallion.
“The scales of justice must be balanced. You must pay.”
Narcissa shakes her head.
“I am not responsible for that fire. It was not me.”
Blaze doesn’t believe her.
“Lies. It has to be you. All of my evidence...”
“It wasn’t me. Close your eyes, Blaze. See it again.”
Blaze’s skull stops burning, as Narcissa’s voice softens.
“Close your eyes. Tell me what you see.”
NICK DIAMOND: What the hell is she doing? You can’t reason with the scales of justice.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I think she’s trying to get Blaze to picture the scene, the fire that claimed his wife.
Blaze’s rage subsides a little and he closes his eyes, reluctantly. Narcissa does not strike him down, but speaks gently.
“What do you see?”
“The fire... Flames. Screaming, there’s me. I see the kid and her. But I can’t reach her.”
Blaze’s eyes shoot open. There’s not sadness, but determination to reach an answer.
“There's someone else, but I cannot make them out.”
Narcissa tries again.
“Look harder. Focus on the figure. It is not a woman you see, is it Blaze?”
Blaze closes his eyes again, for a moment. When he opens his eyes again, he looks confused.
“I... don’t know.”
Narcissa smiles.
“It is possible your mind is playing tricks on you. Hiding the truth for your own protection. Either way, I am not the one you seek. It is not me you’re after...It can’t be.”
Blaze softens into somewhat of a reluctant acceptance. Then his muscles tighten again.
“This does not excuse your injustices. The scales are still tipped out of balance because of you.”
Narcissa flares up at this.
“Your fucking scales were tipped well out of balance long before I got anywhere near them. Everything I do is to restore that balance in Arcadia.”
She knees him in the balls for good measure and storms off, stomping him with her heel as she goes.
NICK DIAMOND: Right in the great balls of fire! She’s wasted enough of her energy with Blaze’s ghost hunt.
JOHNNY GOMES: It looks like Blaze’s quarrel with her done for now. But his investigation continues, and who knows where it will lead next.
Cut.
NICK DIAMOND: The Uprising has taken the fight to Apokalypsis. Narcissa has shaken things up and proven she’s not one to be messed with.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Lucky Landucci paid the ultimate price. Now the Uprising are ready and waiting to cause chaos tonight.
NICK DIAMOND: Anarchy in the Arena Johnny, batten down the hatches.
Smoke billows from the entrance stage.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Wait, Nicky. Do you hear that? It sounds like...
NICK DIAMOND: Hooves?
An almighty neigh echoes as three mounted figures appear, bursting through the smoke.
APOKALYPSIS IS HERE! AND THEY’RE RIDING FREAKING HORSES!
Drewitt rides the red horse of War.
Gemini, the black horse of Pestilence.
El Mariachi Muerte, the pale horse of Death.
The Uprising stand, blocking the path to the ring, but Apokalypsis charge. They burst through the trio with hooves of fury, knocking them out of the way like skittles. Then Apokalypsis gallop around the ring, forming a single file rank.
NICK DIAMOND: Holy crap! They’re riding freaking horses Johnny!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Riding them right through the Uprising!
While the Uprising try to stand, Apokalypsis return. Drewitt leading the charge on the Red horse, trampling Victor Doom. The black horse follows, kicking Dahlia Black back to the ground. The pale horse completes the trio, colliding with Pym who narrowly escapes his skull being trampled. Riders dismount, all three stalking after Pym who scuttles his way into the ring.
The trio enter after him and the bell sounds for the official start of the match.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: TRIPLE POWERBOMB JUST ABOUT SENDS RODERICK PYM THROUGH THE CANVAS!
NICK DIAMOND: Apokalypsis is not messing around!
The trio leave Pym behind and return to their steeds. Drewitt mounts his horse, while EMM and Gemini retrieve lengths of rope each. Gemini ties the legs of Black together, EMM following suit with Victor Doom. Drewitt’s steed rears up onto its hind legs, letting out a war cry before galloping away. The black and pale horses follow suit, towing the two Uprising members behind them.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They’re outta here, and the Uprising are being dragged along like hogtied criminals.
NICK DIAMOND: Let’s just hope Olympus is big enough to contain this, Johnny.
Backstage, the horses come to a halt within a large concourse area. The Uprising are untied, battered and bruised but still conscious. Gemini grabs Dahlia Black by the hair, and EMM teams up with her to toss her into a concrete wall.
The pair then turn their attention to Victor Doom, but are met with resistance. Doom pushes EMM away as he stands, and punches Gemini square in the face.
NICK DIAMOND: Victor Doom is fighting for his life.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: But the numbers game is too much, here comes Drewitt dismounting the red horse.
WAR CRY FROM DREWITT! THE DISCUS CLOTHESLINE FLATTENING FRACTURED!
The trio turn back to Dahlia Black, picking her up off the concrete.
DREWITT HAS DAHLIA IN A POWERBOMB POSITION!
NO!
HERE COMES RODERICK PYM TO EVEN THE ODDS!
CHOP BLOCK TO THE BACK OF THE KNEE!
Dahlia and Gemini lock horns, trading blows while Roderick Pym grabs EMM by the head.
PERRY WINK!
DOUBLE ARM DDT TO THE CONCRETE! THE MARIACHI IS DOWN!
DAHLIA BLACK HAS GEMINI ALL CHOKED UP, HANDS TO THE THROAT AND SLAMMING HER SKULL INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR, OVER AND OVER!
But Drewitt grabs Pym by the wrist and flings him towards a closed stairwell door.
HE CRASHES THROUGH THE DOOR AND TUMBLES DOWN THE CONCRETE STEPS!
NICK DIAMOND: Drewitt is taking Pym down, literally.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That’s the arena basement down there.
Drewitt descends after Pym, but Dahlia jumps on his back. She locks in a Sleeper Hold, Drewitt staggers forward after Pym. Mr. Pym pushes open the basement door and pulls Drewitt inside.
THE UPRISING WORK TOGETHER TO SLAM DREWITT HEAD FIRST INTO A DISCARDED WOOD PALLET!
CRASH!
The noise stirs an awakening from upstairs, as more footsteps descend into the basement.
THE BODY OF EMM COMES FLYING INTO THE ROOM, RIPPING THE BASEMENT DOOR OFF ITS HINGES!
THE BODY OF GEMINI FOLLOWS SUIT SOON AFTER, LANDING TOGETHER IN A CRUMPLED HEAP!
Victor Doom follows, stepping over the bodies of his fallen foe just as Drewitt pushes past Pym and Black to charge at the monster.
With a roar, Doom pulls apart a metal pipe hanging from the ceiling.
A CLOUD OF STEAM ERUPTS FROM THE PIPE, CATCHING DREWITT RIGHT INT THE FACE!
BAM!
DOOM CLOBBERS HIM ABOUT THE HEAD FOR GOOD MEASURE WITH THE PIPE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Uprising have Apokalypsis where they want them.
NICK DIAMOND: But it looks like they don’t want them here.
The trio escort Apokalypsis up another set of steps to a set of office doors. The horsemen are able to shake off enough of the abuse to attempt fighting back.
There, right in the hallway of offices, the two groups exchange brutal blows.
LEFTS AND RIGHTS FLY IN EVERY DIRECTION!
EMM DRILLS PYM WITH A BLOW THAT SENDS HIM REELING INTO A CLOSED DOOR!
DAHLIA BLACK HITS GEMINI THAT SENDS HER CRASHING INTO HER OWN DOOR!
DREWITT AND DOOM DUKE IT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY!
Office workers scurry in every direction, but Doom soon hurls Drewitt at a certain door. The door of one Scott Sterling Esq.
CRASH!
HE COLLIDES INTO THE RICH MAHOGONY OF THE DOOR AND IT DOES NOT BUDGE!
DREWITT LIFTS A FILING CABINET AND HURLS IT AT DOOM, CRASHING INTO HIS HEAD AND BURYING HIM UNDERNEATH!
KABLAM! FINAL VERSE!
EMM FINDS A GUITAR FROM INSIDE THE OFFICE AND DESTROYS IT ACROSS THE SKULL OF RODERICK PYM!
NERGAL'S PLAGUE!
GEMINI STUFFS HER POISONED APPLE INTO DAHLIA BLACK'S MOUTH!
SHE DRIVES BLACK HEAD FIRST INTO STERLING’S DOOR AND DRIVES HER TO THE GROUND WITH HER KNEES!
There is no way The Uprising can fight back now.
ONE...
...
...
TWO...
...
...
STICK A FORK IN IT!
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Apokalypsis takes down the Uprising tonight!
NICK DIAMOND: They came in on horses and everything and ride out winners!
The River
...continued.
Old video plays once more as we join the Terminal Man, now revealed to be Tombstone. He's shed the yellow and purple he had been wearing, to don the trench coat and hat we know him for, though he's far more gaunt and sickly than now. The wind bites at his skin as he is sailing his new boat into familiar docks.
Igor Mortis stands on the precipice watching with a smile.
"I don't get it," Tombstone says as he ties the boat to the dock. "I ferried that person down the river to that horrible place. How does that cure me?"
Mortis smiles.
"Tell me, how do you feel now?" He queries. "Do your bones still ache? Or has that been replaced with something different."
Tombstone takes a moment to contemplate. "I do feel different. Stronger, perhaps. I don't understand."
"This is your cure, son." Mortis replies. "To be Ferryman to the dead. That person you ferried to the Underworld was a dead soul. You desired to be saved from death by disease. I have saved you from death. As long as you are Ferryman, you will grow stronger, more than your frail body would have been otherwise."
"So I must do this... forever?" Tombstone says, looking disgusted. "And the shopkeeper knew this?"
Igor nods. "He and I reached an agreement. Part of the agreement is that your memory of your former life will soon begin to fade, so that you can perform your duties without bias or emotion."
Tombstone is enraged. He rushes past Igor Mortis in a huff, his eyes filled with deadly purpose.
Static.
The video turns off this time. Igor Mortis has pulled the video cassette out of the player this time. He turns towards Jasper Redgrave, who seems cowed by seeing the origins of his foe.
"Do you see now who it is you face?" Igor taunts. "Unkillable, your usual tricks will not work. You were given the ultimate opportunity, but it will be your ultimate end."
Redgrave chokes back his fear.
"I don't need to kill him. I just need to keep him down for three seconds."
Before this conversation can continue, Tombstone interjects, his eyes filled with rage.
"Give me the tape, Igor." He says.
"I cannot do that, son." Mortis replies. "Your knowledge of this has become a necessary evil, but I will permit no more."
"Fine." Tombstone replies.
GOOZLE!
He lifts Redgrave clear out of the chair, shattering his restraints. Pulling him in, Tombstone locks eyes with him.
"Good luck."
FLUTTER.
With Tombstone and Redgrave gone, Igor smiles to himself.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tombstone and Redgrave have just appeared in Olympus!
NICK DIAMOND: Igor Mortis did this to piss off Tombstone didn't he? He's motivating him to beat Redgrave.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It looks that way, Nicky, because that match is next!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We have our main event here folks, the OSW World Championship Match but after what we just witnessed, will either man be ready to fight here tonight?
NICK DIAMOND: I know I certainly didn't expect any of that Johnny, and looking at Jasper there, the man looks positively shaken knowing the true origin of Tombstone. But our World Champion...that man just looks absolutely furious.
The bell barely sounds before Tombstone rushes forward nearly breaking Jasper's jaw with a brutal Big Boot. Redgrave staggers up into a flurry of lefts and rights as he's pushed into the corner, Tombstone just unleashing a furious onslaught onto the Artist here.
NICK DIAMOND: We have very rarely seen the Ferryman this angry, what has Igor unleashed upon OSW tonight?
Tombstone grabs Redgrave by the throat, trying to choke him out in the corner but Redgrave manages a desperation thumb to the eye, just escaping Tombstones wrath as he staggers away but is barely able to get to the ropes before he's nailed with an almighty Lariat that sends him tumbling over the ropes to the outside floor.
Jasper manages to stay on his feet, holding onto the barricade for support as he tries to shake off the cobwebs but Tombstone isn't done with him, not by a long shot as we see the Ferryman rushing forward
BEFORE HE LEAPS OVER THE ROPES WITH A 250+ POUND TOPE RIGHT ONTO JASPER'S HEAD!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tombstone all over Redgrave so far, the Artist barely able to defend himself here.
Tombstone pulls Redgrave up, rocking him with a brutal headbutt before gripping him on the back of the skull as he rushes forward to the ringpost
JASPER COUNTERS THOUGH AS HE SENDS TOMBSTONE HEADFIRST INTO THE STEEL!
Tombstone is stunned for a moment but he's soon near concussed as Jasper follows up with a brutal spinning elbow sandwiching Tombstone into the steel!
NICK DIAMOND: That's the opening Redgrave needed Johnny, now let's see if he can capitalize on it.
Redgrave grabs the groggy Tombstone, throwing him back inside the ring as Jasper quickly follows. The Artist allows Tombstone to get to his feet, slowly stalking the World Champion as he rushes forward
BUT YOU CAN'T RUN AT THE FERRYMAN! Tombstone nearly planting Redgrave into the mat with a brutal Bossman Slam.
Redgrave staggers up to his feet into a thrust to the throat. A second. A third. Tombstone rearing back, trying to cap off knocking down Redgrave's door but Redgrave dodges the final throat thrust
BEFORE HE BITES DOWN ON THE HAND!
Tombstone yells out in pain, headbutting Jasper away before rushing forward in a fury. Redgrave dodges the Lariat thou, delivering a hard Superkick to the back of the head that sends Tombstone chest first into the ropes
SPINNING BACK ELBOW! COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE!
Tombstone is still on his feet thou, Jasper delivering a hard headbutt of his own before lifting The Ferryman up into the air with a vertical suplex
JOHNNY GOMEZ: PORTRAIT OF A....BACKDROP DRIVVAAAH! Tombstone counters that Nightmare Pendulum, sliding back down behind as he drops Jasper right on the back of his head.
Jasper staggers up, eyes glazed over as Tombstone rocks him with that final throat thrust before lifting him upside down, looking to send him right down to Elysium
NICK DIAMOND: Redgrave counters, reversing the Piledriver. REDGRAVE JUST SENT TOMBSTONE TO ELYSIUM FIELDS!
Jasper fires up, pulling Tombstone up to his feet as he lifts him up high, rushing forward
VANISHING POINT INTO THE FUCKING TURNBUCKLES!
Tombstone bounces off as Jasper spins around, and nearly decapitates The Ferryman with SANGUINE ABSURDISM! A sickening Discus Clothesline nearly decapitates the World Champion as Jasper collapses on him, Mills Lane dropping down as he begins to count.
ONE
...................
TWO
................
....................
.......................
TOMBSTONE JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Jasper slowly rises to his feet, calling for the end as he lifts the Ferryman up but gets suddenly caught
JOHNNY GOMEZ: GOOZLE...FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! Tombstone hits the Chokeslam out of nowhere as that has to be it Nick.
Tombstone drops down, hooking the leg as Mills Lane counts again
ONE
..................
......................
TWO
....................
......................
THR....
...................
JASPER KICKS OUT! JASPER KICKS OUT!
Tombstone looks pissed, believing that should've been the end there. The Ferryman calms himself, lifting the groggy Artist up as he bends his arm back, looking to take his Soul.
NICK DIAMOND: REDGRAVE CATCHES THE HEART PUNCH!
Redgrave delivers a brutal Headbutt that sends Tombstone staggering back before a picture perfect Superkick sends him crashing to the mat. Tombstone pops up immediately thou, delivering a brutal skull crushing Big Boot before collapsing to the mat.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Both men going all out here but do they have anything left to even finish this contest?
Mills begins to count but he doesn't even get to a one before Tombstone stirrs. Pulling himself up using the ropes, the Ferryman stares daggers at Redgrave before he rushes forward
RIGHT INTO THE SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY! Redgrave plants him out of nowhere with that Pedigree but he doesn't cover. Instead, he begins to climb the ropes...
NICK DIAMOND: Is he about to do what I think he is Johnny?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Artist can't help himself but throw shade can he?
Jasper smiles that wicked smile before leaping off, screaming like an eagle with a very dangerous looking Diving Elbow Drop right to the heart of Tombstone.
Who immediately sits up.
Jasper visibly gulps as he tries to back away but Tombstone pulls him back, rocking him with a stiff elbow to the back of the head before goozling him around the throat
LOW BLOW!
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jasper almost in desperation manages to put Tombstone down but will that be enough for him to become the new OSW World Champion?
Jasper drops down, hooking the leg as Mills Lane begins to count
ONE
...........
................
TWO
..............
.......................
.......................
TOMBSTONE KICKS OUT
Jasper looks beside himself, furious that he can't put down the Ferryman as he lifts Tombstone up, looking for a third Pedigree but Tombstone backdrops his way out. Jasper stumbling to his feet right into a teeth breaking Big Boot before pulling Jasper up into a powerbomb position as the Ferryman rushes forward
ODE TO CHARON INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Jasper hits the buckles hard but Tombstone doesn't let him even breath before he rushes forward, trying to crush him with an avalanche but he just runs into a boot to the jaw before another low blow doubles him over. Jasper lifts him up onto the top rope, before climbing up himself as he looks to put him down once and for all.
NICK DIAMOND: GOOZLE! Tombstone fighting his way out as Redgrave tries to rake the eyes but Tombstone slaps it away, wrapping both hands around Jasper's throat.
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! FULL FORCE FALLING CHOKESLAM FROM THE TOP FUCKING ROPE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That has to be it, Redgrave looks dead as Tombstone hooks both legs for the cover as Mills begins to count
ONE
..............
...................
TWO
....................
....................
...................
THREE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tombstone does it, retaining the OSW World Championship here tonight but the Artist made him fight for it every step of the way, coming the closest anyone has to truly dethroning the Ferryman.
How To Save A Life
The Yellow Python survived.
He rushes back through the Sanctuary, past all the animals they know and love into the main control room, excited to tell his friends that he beat the man tormenting them in recent weeks.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh my Zeus..
NICK DIAMOND: No… dear… no…
The entire control room has been destroyed. He quickly surveys the carnage, looking for his comrades.
The Red Falcon hangs from the walkway beam, kicking and struggling for his life.
The Blue Shark lays squirming on the floor, bleeding profusely from a deep wound in his neck.
And the White Bear has been trapped between the control room unit and the wall, barely holding the weight of it back as it attempts to crush him. He’s shaking and struggling.
NICK DIAMOND: They’re all in peril! Save them, damnit! Save them!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HOW!?
A message suddenly flickers up on the screens around him. It’s not a person, it’s words.
“HOW MANY CAN YOU SAVE, HERO?”
The Yellow Python panics, looking around the room to try and figure out the problem. He rushes over to The White Bear and tries to push the control unit back, only it’s too powerful.
“Not me,” he begs, looking at Shark. “He needs to stop the bleeding.”
Python rushes away, grabbing a towel and coming back. He wraps it tightly around The Blue Shark’s neck in hopes of stemming the flow of blood that pours.
“How do I get Falc?” He asks, looking up at his leader rocking back and forth. “How do I get him down!?”
He rushes off towards the steps and runs as fast as he can up them, heading onto the walkway. He reaches out, reaching for The Falcon, but he can’t get there.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
CRUNCH.
The White Bear could hold on no longer. The control unit slams against him, crushing him against the wall with a vile thud.
The Python panics.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They’re all dying! They need help!
NICK DIAMOND: Oh man… the Falcon has stopped moving.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: So has the Shark.
NICK DIAMOND: There’s nothing he can do! The Yellow Python is being forced to watch his friends die!
He steps over the railing onto the edge of the walkway, looking down twenty feet to the floor below.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Don’t do it kid, it’s not worth it.
NICK DIAMOND: Not like this… please..
Then he jumps…
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Static.
Click.