One Giant Leap
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Previously at Bad Company:
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.
CRUNCH.
The White Bear could hold on no longer. The control unit slams against him, crushing him against the wall with a vile thud.
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.
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…
And now…
Bad Company – Continued.
The Yellow Python soars through the air, leaping as high and as powerfully as he can towards the hanging Red Falcon – who squirms and suffers, choking to death before our very eyes.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh my Zeus!!!
NICK DIAMOND: He landed on him! He did it! He landed on him!
The extra weight pulls them down slightly, wrenching further on the neck of the Falcon but he still squirms and gasps. Python crawls up him to the beamed rope, taking a knife from inside his suit and sawing away at it.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s gonna cut him down, Nicky.
NICK DIAMOND: But that fall will kill them both. There’s no surviving from up there. This is a suicide mission.
As the rope slowly slips with every saw, The Blue Shark looks towards The White Bear – the former lays bleeding out on the floor and the latter is crushed between a large unit and the wall. They can’t see each other’s eyes, but they share a nod.
A knowing nod.
A not that tells the other that they’re okay with what comes next.
Suddenly, water starts filling the room. The Blue Shark stands briefly, slamming a button with all his might.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh no…. no…
NICK DIAMOND: He’s creating a soft landing for them, Johnny!
As water fills the room, it soon reaches the head of the trapped White Bear, who takes a deep breath.
The Blue Shark passes out.
The water rises above the head of The White Bear. He’s under. He’s drowning.
The Yellow Python saws as fast as he can…
AND THEY FALL!
THE YELLOW PYTHON AND THE RED FALCON FALL INTO THE WATER WITH A MASSIVE SPLASH!
SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLSH!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THEY’RE DOWN! THEY’RE DOWN!
NICK DIAMOND: But The White Bear… he’s…. there’s so much blood in the water…
The Yellow Python swims The Red Falcon to the steps and lays him out on them, diving immediately back in to drain the water. He swims to the button of the control room, slamming down his fist on it, slowly sinking back to the floor as the water drains away.
The Python has survived.
But what about his friends?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Everyone else is laid out… are they dead, Nicky? They look dead.
NICK DIAMOND: The Black Panther must pay for this.
Cut.
Welcome to Rise
Fireworks explode from the stage as Rise of the Spartan kicks off with “Rise” by Alter Bridge playing us in here tonight.
“Yeah, oh yeah
I want to rise today
And change this world.”
The fans in attendance cheer raucously as the music slowly fades into the background and we kick off the show heading to the commentary team at ringside.
Both men look extremely sombre. Johnny Gomez and Nick Diamond aren’t their useful excited selves. Not tonight.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Rise of the Spartan. Over many months in OSW, the Sparta Cup group stage was contested to find eight competitors for the elimination rounds.
NICK DIAMOND: And tonight, those eight competitors do battle to crown a Sparta Cup winner and determine who’ll be going to Pandemonium to face Tombstone for the OSW World Heavyweight Championship.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: But we’d be remiss if we didn’t start this telecast by sharing some terrible news. The Red Falcon, The White Bear and The Blue Shark have sadly passed away.
The crowd who can hear this, boo.
NICK DIAMOND: The Yellow Python will be here tonight, facing Blaze in our first tournament match of the night.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We send our condolences to him.
NICK DIAMOND: But right now, we’re told that we’re heading to a very special location. Momma Foley’s?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Okay…. hang on.. what's that, Nicky?
NICK DIAMOND: What's what?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I swear I can see something in the rafters of the level.
NICK DIAMOND: I doubt it. How would anyone get up there? Right. Off to Momma Foley's..
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Sure. Yes. Of course...
Cut.
Uncovered
In the soft glow of her cozy living room, Mrs. Foley sits alone, a cup of tea cooling untouched on the table beside her. The clock on the mantle ticks away the seconds, a steady reminder of time passing.
Her thoughts are interrupted by a sudden, firm knock on the door. Startled, she sets her book aside and stands, smoothing the front of her cardigan as she walks to the door. Opening it, she finds a man she's never seen before, his eyes holding a story she feels she might not want to hear.
But we can’t see the man, only hear his familiar voice.
"Mrs. Foley?" he inquires, his tone respectful yet carrying an undercurrent of urgency.
"Yes," she responds, her voice steady despite the flutter of apprehension in her chest. "How can I help you?"
"It's about Felix," he states simply, stepping forward just enough to convey the seriousness of his visit without imposing his presence into her home uninvited.
She ushers the man into the living room, offering him a seat but choosing to stand herself, an unconscious preparation for whatever might come. "What about Felix?" she asks, her voice betraying none of the concern that tightens its grip on her heart.
The man looks at her with a mixture of sympathy and resolve. "Soon, he'll uncover the truth of his father, whether you want him to or not. It's better if those answers come from you, than me."
"I've always wanted to protect him," she whispers.
"Protect Felix? Or his father?" the man questions gently. " He deserves to know who his father was, the good and the bad. It's part of who he is."
The man stands up, leaving her alone, shaken. With a deep breath, she picks up the telephone.
NICK DIAMOND: Who just visited Mrs. Foley?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And what’s the scoop on Mr. Foley?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It's time to usher in the quarterfinals of the Sparta Cup, and right now Blaze is in the ring waiting for the arrival of the Yellow Python!
Blaze is ready to go, calling out the Serpent as the ref is gearing up to start the count...before "Snakes" by PVRIS plays over the speaks!
NICK DIAMOND: Here comes the Python now...but he's not looking so hot.
Python looks worse for wear but is willing himself toward the ring...until Blaze leaves to intercept him!
Eager to get things going quickly, the Burning Man lays in a couple punches before bringing the Serpent back into the ring.
Blaze slides back into the ring shortly after, but the Serpent hits the ropes for speed before nailing him with a dropkick to the head!
Python's still hurting but pulls himself together to follow up with a leg drop...but Blaze rolls out of harm's way!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Python's struggling after that failed leg drop left him taking the brunt of the impact!
He doesn't have long to recover as the Burning Man stands him up for some lefts and rights before sending the Python to the ropes!
Python ducks a clothesline attempt, launching himself for a flying forearm...but lands into a spinning back elbow!
NICK DIAMOND: KINGDOMFALL! Python's out of it as Blaze covers!
ONE!
TW--NO!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Python manages to kick out...but Blaze isn't done!
The Burning Man is absolutely heated as he brings the Serpent back to his feet for a spinning uranage!
TIP THE--NO!
Python slithers his way out, taking to the ropes once more...this time connecting with a flying forearm that sends Blaze reeling back!
Blaze bounces back, charging at the Serpent...who jumps on the ropes for height, before connecting with a reverse Frankensteiner!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: CRUSHING COILS! Python just drilled Blaze into the canvas, and now he's the one making the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
...NO!
NICK DIAMOND: Blaze refuses to let the scales tip out of his favor as he kicks out!
Blaze gets to his feet as Python rises...and Blaze goes for another spinning back elbow!
KINGDOM--NO!
Python ducks, laying the Burning Man out with a roundhouse kick before taking to the top turnbuckle...and launches himself for a corkscrew shooting star press!
SERPENT'S STRIKE!
Python goes for the cover!
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Yellow Python fights valiantly and takes Blaze down to move on to the semifinal!
Bet Your Life?
A darkened room, illuminated by a singular dim white light. Beneath the light is a steel chair, fixed by concrete to the dirty floor. Clearly a design fit for purpose, CJ Thorpe sits tied to the chair, a gag in his mouth.
The sound of a door opening from somewhere within the room leads to a small glimmer of light that disappears with a slam. Footsteps approach.
Harold Attano.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is where Attano kidnapped CJ Thorpe too? What is this?
NICK DIAMOND: A kill room? Harold Attano is a former hitman for Zeus, after all.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t think Jackson Cade would appreciate his brother being murdered, do you?
NICK DIAMOND: Is it even his brother anymore, Johnny?
“Welcome to your re-orientation back into society,” Attano says with a big smirk. He pulls a chair across the floor with a scrape, taking a seat across from Thorpe. “I’m gonna take some time to teach you about your mentor, Jasper Redgrave.”
Thorpe tries speaking, though it’s muffled.
“But first, I want to ask you a question, kid,” he says with a shrug, taking the gag from his mouth. “Do you think that murderous serial killing cunt will come for you?”
CJ nods.
“Oh, you do?” Attano scoffs. “Would you bet your life on it?”
“Heh, you have no idea who he really is, do ya?” The Chainbreaker goads him back. “He came for me before and he’ll come again. Do you think you’re the first person to hold me hostage and see what Redgrave will do? We’re family, Harold – you remember family, right? Deathrow.”
NICK DIAMOND: Family? He’s kidding, right?
Mr. Nobody stands up with disgust. He kicks his chair back and bends right over into the face of his captive.
“Jackson Cade is your family. Jasper Redgrave is a manipulative murderous piece of shit that got his claws into you when your brother helped put him in Deathrow,” Nobody reminds him, spitting as he screams in his face. “You’ll see. But in the meantime, I need to show your buddy that I’m serious.”
The camera cuts away as screams echo throughout the darkened room.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Maybe you were right, Nicky. Maybe CJ Thorpe is in a lot more trouble than I bargained for.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is the first step in rising to the top! But can Jasper overcome the leader of the Uprising he finds himself apart of?
Redgrave and Narcissa meet in the center of the ring and Jasper forces the test of strength! Hera can't escape and gets throw with a suplex toss! She rolls to her feet and ducks a running knee before springboarding off of the ropes and nailing a harsh hurricanrana! Jasper slowly rises to his feet!
NICK DIAMOND! UPRISING! LOOK AT THAT BICYCLE KNEE, JOHNNY!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SHE CAUGHT JASPER RIGHT IN THE JAW WITH THAT ONE!
The Artist doesn't go down but he looks out on his feet as Narcissa nails him with kick after kick to the gut! She nails a nasty kick to the knee that grounds him before dropping him with a DDT! The Uprising Leader is showing her dominance here! Redgrave is dazed and she runs up the turnbuckle for the moonsault!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: INTO REDGRAVE'S ARMS!
NICK DIAMOND: VANISHING POINT! HE JUST CRUCIFIX POWERBOMBED NARCISSA INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Hera nails the corner with a sickening thud and before she can even stumble out catches a massive big boot to the skull! She's left barely standing but Redgrave refuses to let up as he lays into her with powerful lefts and rights! Balenciaga is seeing stars as she stumbles out of the turnbuckle!
NICK DIAMOND: SUPERKICK! ROLLING ELBOW!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THE COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE! HE JUST TOOK NARCISSA'S HEAD OFF!
Hera hits the ground but rolls to the outside! Jasper looks down at her and moves to the apron wanting to continue his assault! But Narcissa is to her feet and she leaps off of the barricade!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: INVERTED FRANKENSTEINER OFF OF THE FUCKING APRON!
NICK: THE FASHION STATEMENT PLANTS BOTH OUTSIDE! THEY HAVE TO BE BROKEN IN HALF!
Neither competitor is moving and the referee begins to count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX!
NARCISSA IS UP AND ROLLS IN THE RING!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
JASPER IS RISING!
NINE!
HE ROLLS INTO THE RING!
Hera tries for a dropkick but Redgrave clothesline her out of the air! He gets up and begins to lay into Narcissa with boot after boot, begging her to get up just to catch her with a kick to the gut!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
NICK DIAMOND: THE PEDIGREE PLANTS THE LEADER OF THE UPRISING AND JASPER GOES FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This match was absolutely brutal, but Jasper has proven that he's willing to do anything to win it all here tonight!
The Lion Tamer
We once again find ourselves staring down the Church of Zion, the ever charming Lionel Troy approaching it with Colt Ramsey in tow. "We didn't get the gold, but that's okay child," he says with a smile to Colt. "My vision may have simply been skewed! Surely there is a title awaiting me, as is the will of Zion."
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He's delusional.
NICK DIAMOND: Does the church look off to you, Johnny?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: When doesn't it?
"What in the name of Mama Troy?" Lionel looks at the door of his church, a plume of smoke coming from the entrance! Troy and Ramsey rush inside to see the Children of Zion all in various states of distress! Some of them are clawing at their skin, others slamming their heads into the walls and pews of the church, and some even crying out to Zion to be saved! It's a shocking sight that not even Lionel can fake a smile for! And in the center of the church is an empty canister.
NICK DIAMOND: Is that... a gas cannister?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And a note, Nicky. I know I talk badly about the Church, but this is just inhumane.
Troy walks forward, grabbing the note and lifting his glasses to read it, scowling. "Do you like my newest mixture? I call it 'Liontamer', the one thing that can kill your god and replace him with a devil instead." He speaks slowly, furrowing his brow and turning back to Colt who's trying to calm some of the Children of Zion to no avail.
"Colt," he says shockingly seriously. "Go and find Nox's precious leader. Meanwhile, I believe I have a sermon for Nox." He crumples up the note, tossing it over his shoulder as he walks up to his podium.
"Of course, Troy." Colt nods his head, making way to exit of the church, looking behind himself at Lionel who, despite it all, seems to begin a sermon for his followers.
Cut.
NICK DIAMOND: Here we go folks, it's time for a tournament match that promises to be exciting!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Indeed Nick, it's two men who know each other very well as Harold Attano faces Jackson Cade! Let's see who will get closer to a shot at the world title!
DING! DING!
Jackson Cade and Harold Attano are slowly circling the ring and they tie up! Jackson Cade gets Attano into a hammer lock! Attano goes for a back elbow to get out of it but Cade catches the arm and gets a half nelson to go with the hammer lock!
CADE TOSSES ATTANO THROUGH THE ROPES INTO THE RING POST AND OUT TO THE FLOOR!
CADE CLIMBS TO THE TOP ROPE AND LEAPS!
SCREAMING EAGLE!
NICK DIAMOND: Oh yeah! Cade nails the elbow drop!
Cade pulls Attano up and rolls him into the ring! He backs into a corner waiting for Attano to get up! Attano pulls himself up and Cade charges at him!
HOSTILE DOWN-NO!
KNEE CAP!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Beautiful counter by Attano! That shotgun dropkick to the knee was the perfect counter to that superkick!
Cade is holding that knee and Attano sees blood in the water! He grabs the ankle and starts kicking at the damaged leg! That leg is quickly turning red!
ATTANO GRABS THE LEG AND QUICKLY FLIPS CADE OVER!
HE LOCKS IN A HALF BOSTON CRAB!
BREAKING THE TALONS!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Cade might tap here but he's crawling towards the ropes!
NICK DIAMOND: He's not reaching for them Johnny! He's crawling under the ropes!
CADE GETS HIS HANDS ON THE FLOOR AND ROLLS TO WHIP ATTANO INTO THE BACK OF THE ROPES!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: These two are showing how much they were prepared for each other as they're both down and struggling to get up!
Attano gets up first and runs the ropes!
SUICIDE DIVE-NO!
INCENDIARY ROUND!
NICK DIAMOND: Great timing by Cade as he nails the bullhammer elbow to a mid-air Attano!
Attano is down and Cade rolls him back into the ring! Cade slides into the ring but quickly holds onto his leg! Did he tweak that damaged knee? Both men slowly pull themselves up worse for wear and knowing this is the end of the match!
THEY NOD AT EACH OTHER AND CHARGE!
HOSTILE DOWN!
HEADSHOT!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They both nailed superkicks but Cade has fallen on Attano!
THE REF COUNTS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THREE!
NICK DIAMOND: What a close match but the odds fall in Cade's favor! He's on to the second round!
Wealth Equals Power
The Dragon Warrior Dojo.
Inside these hallowed walls, a group of students are practicing the moves taught to them by their Sensei, a smiling Master Ken giving a nod of approval as the class stays in sync.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We finally get a proper look at where Master Ken teaches the way of Ken-do. Fascinating!
NICK DIAMOND: Yeah, I'd sure love to take a class or t--hang on...
We quickly hear what Nick is hearing, a loud knock at the front door of the Dojo. Ken instructs his class to take a short break as the door suddenly swings wide open, revealing a group of rough looking men ready to shut down any resistance. Among them is a blond-haired man with scars on his face, scanning the interior of the Dojo before finding the Sensei who looks perplexed as he approaches the group.
"What seems to be the issue, gentlemen?" Ken asks, drawing a light chuckle from the group.
"Don't get it twisted," the scarred man responds. "We're just here to deliver some news."
This only further confuses Ken, who can't get a word in before the scarred man speaks again.
"My boss has been keen on your little school for a bit," he explains, going to rest his hand on Ken's shoulders before the Sensei brushes it off. "He's a man of wealth, the boss...and wealth equals power in Arcadia."
"I'm not sure I understand," Ken finally replies, staring the man down. "I have no clue who your boss is, but this Dojo is not for sale."
The man and his cronies look at each other for a moment before cracking up in laughter once again, much to Ken's chagrin.
"Keep your hair on, mate," the man responds, a smile on his face despite the glum look on the Sensei's face. "The boss has the power to bagsy what he wants...meaning the deal's as good as done."
"I beg to differ," replies a frustrated Master Ken. "I'm willing to stand up for my students and my Dojo."
"If you insist, bud," the man replies. "Jash Khan will be happy to settle this matter however necessary...if you wanna fight for it so bad, he'll happily do so inside Olympus, so all of Arcadia knows."
"That's the challenge, then," the Sensei responds with a nod, prompting the scarred man to nod with a chuckle before directing his group out of the Dojo.
Cut.
Ransomware, Part I
The sound of a keyboard clacking can be heard faintly as we approach a small office at a university campus. The door carefully opens and we head inside to see Bartholomew Finkle reviewing spreadsheets and stock market documents.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Hey! You know who that is, right? That’s Bartholomew Finkle. He’s an economics professor at Cornell – our best university in the whole of Arcadia. Zeus has sent him a very special golden ticket.
NICK DIAMOND: He’s coming to wrestle here? Maybe I could get some finance tips.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t think even he could sort your finances out, Nicky.
Suddenly, a messenger appears at the doorway.
“Mr. Finkle?” He asks nervously. Bartholomew waves him in without turning to look.
The messenger enters slowly and puts an envelope on the table next to him.
“Who’s the correspondence from?” He asks with a wry eyebrow. The messenger shrugs his shoulders and is quickly dismissed. “Go on, scram. Off you go.”
Finkle takes the envelope and opens it, revealing a device inside that you and I would know to be a mobile phone – but something rarely seen in Arcadia.
“What in the good graces is this contraption?” He asks. It suddenly rings. Unsure of what to do but highly intelligent, he presses the button and answers the call. “Uh...”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What the heck is that?
NICK DIAMOND: I’ve heard of this. There’s been rumblings that mobile devices are out there in the hands of more nefarious people.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: For what purpose?
A voice shrouded in static suddenly speaks from the device.
“One hundred thousand credits,” the distorted voice demands with a growl. “Or you lose everything.”
Bartholomew understandably chuckles.
“Who said that? What on Arcadia is going on?” He bumbles with confusion, humoured by the vague threat. “Listen to me. I don’t know what kind of joke you think this is, but I’m a very busy man and I have a debut to make in Old School Wrestling. I don’t have time for these kinds of shenanigans.”
Just as he gets that last word out, the computer screen flickers and statics, before turning black with a singular command stroke flashing on the screen.
Words slowly appear.
|P|A|Y
They vanish.
|O|R|
Again, they vanish.
|E|L|S|E|.
Finkle’s eyes widen as he frantically slaps at the keys, trying to regain access to his computer. Everything is on it. Everything.
“I’ll see you at Old School Wrestling!” The voice says between altered static.
NICK DIAMOND: Maybe I'll keep myself to myself.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You think? Who the heck just did that to Bartholomew?
NICK DIAMOND: I get the feeling we're gonna find out next week, don't you?
Cut.
NICK DIAMOND: Tonight, Felix Foley gets what he asked for just before Invasion. A match with his Bestie, Doom in the quarter-finals of the Sparta Cup Tournament.
The referee calls for the bell and Doom and Foley lock up, jockeying for position, Doom comes out on top with a Side Headlock.
Doom manages to keep the hold on for a bit but Felix backs his friend against the ropes and shoots him off across the ring and as The Scientist rebounds...
*WA-BAM!*
STRAIGHT INTO A FELIX FOLEY RUNNING BIG BOOT!
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN’ LEVELS THE DOCTOR!
Johnny Gomez: What a massive blow from Felix Foley to his friend!
Foley pauses momentarily looking at his friend with a measure of concern, this allows The World Ender to recover, and with a quick burst from his boots...
*KA-WHACK!*
MASSIVE FUCKING SPEAR FROM DOOM TO MRS. FOLEY’S BABY BOY!
THE SPLITTER FOLDS FRIENDLY FELIX IN FUCKING HALF SENDING HIM ASS OVER TEA KETTLE!
But as Doom gets to his feet dusting himself off, he pauses and his masked face cocks to the side a moment of hesitation allowing Foley to struggle back feet giving his Bestie a hurt glance...
Before Doom lunges at his friend but Foley sidesteps the contact causing The World Ender to go back first into the corner and Foley instinctively starts Stomping The Doctor in the corner and walking it dry.
NICK DIAMOND: THAT CORNER IS FELIX FOLEY’S CORNER!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: AND DOOM IS TRAPPED!
Doom returns fire by punching Friendly Felix in Family Jewels with Wrist Flicking Backhand Bag Tag, dropping The Puppeteer to a knee. The Doctor quickly gets to his feet, hits the ropes, and on the return...
*KA-RAK!*
KNEE TO THE SIDE OF FOLEY’S SKULL!
Johnny Gomez: THE SCRAMBLER JUST MIXED THE MIND OF FELIX FOLEY!
Nick Diamond: RIGHT, YOU ARE JOHNNY, CAN THE PUPPETEER PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER FROM HERE?
Doom backs away sizing up the Other Bestie staring him down as what appears to be a tear streaks down his metal mask as Foley pulls himself up to all fours...
The Scientist rushes toward Foley...
BREAKING THE FUCKING...
CLAW! MANDIBLE CLAW!
FOLEY SLIPS THE PUPPET SHOW UNDER DOOM’S MASK WITH THE FINGER DEXTERITY OF ONLY A PUPPET MASTER!
DOOM BEGINS TO FADE AS FOLEY CRADLES HIS FRIEND’S HEAD ALMOST LOVINGLY AS HE LOWERS HIM ONTO THE CANVAS BACK FIRST!
AS THE REFEREE COUNTS...
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
CAN DOOM ESCAPE?
...
...
NO, THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: FOLEY SNATCHED VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT ON THIS NIGHT COMING OUT ON TOP OVER HIS BESTIE, WHERE DO OUR TAG CHAMPS GO FROM HERE?
Who I Am
Jackson Cade is perched on a makeshift chair backstage, his eyes scanning the dimly lit area with an intensity that belies his calm exterior. His ears perk with the distant roar of Olympus crowd.
The silence is shattered when Narcissa Balenciaga saunters into the room.
Cade doesn't move, doesn't even flinch. He's been expecting something, someone, to interrupt his reverie.
“I expected to find you tearing Olympus apart looking for your brother,” Narcissa says, her voice smooth but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut through the tension between them.
Cade's response is to stand, the chair scraping against the floor a stark contrast to the controlled calm of his voice.
“You once asked me who I wanted to be,” he says, locking eyes with her, every word laden with meaning. “I know who I am. A Cade. And so is Joey. We handle our own business. Besides, he’s your Champion, isn’t he?”
Narcissa opens her mouth to reply, but the moment is stolen by a gasp.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What the hell is that?
NICK DIAMOND: It’s smoke, Gomez!
Smoke floods the room, billowing in from nowhere, engulfing everything in a thick, impenetrable veil. It's a chaos of shadows and confusion, the sound of coughing and the crash of a chair the only indicators of life amidst the haze.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This has to be a trick from Nox!
NICK DIAMOND: We already saw him go after the Church of Zion!
Like birds from a cloud, both Jackson Cade and Narcissa Balenciaga rush out of the smoke into a hallway. Getting the haze out of his eyes, he sees Narcissa coughing and clearing the smoke from her eyes.
NICK DIAMOND: Nox wouldn't go after Narcissa, Gomez.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Who the hell did this, then?
NICK DIAMOND: Someone with a bone to pick with one or both of them, for sure.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: We're running headfirst into the semi-finals of the Spartan Cup here folks and we have a doozy of a match here. A brutal rivalry reignited in desire for the crown.
NICK DIAMOND: The last time these two faced off was a bloody battle that lead to a demotion for Cade and chains for the Artist as both men changed that night...but the hatred, oh Johnny, that remains the same.
The bell doesn't even get to start before both men rush forward, absolutely beating seven shades of shit out of eachother. Lefts, rights, forearms, elbows and headbutts a plenty before Jackson slips underneath a wild haymaker and nails Jasper with a hard leaping knee to the jaw.
Redgrave staggers back as Cade rushes him, nearly spearing him out of his boots before mounting him and pounding down with heavy lefts and rights. Jasper escapes with a sneaky poke to the eye but he barely gets up to his feet before Cade kicks him hard in the back, sending him flying into the ropes
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Clothesline over the ropes to the outside. Jackson Cade is all over the Artist here and it doesn't look like he's stopping as he's almost begging for Redgrave to get to his feet
Jasper staggers up on the outside as Cade rushes forward
SUICIDE DIV....VIOLENCE!
NICK DIAMOND: Cade dived right into that brutal elbow and Perseus looks almost out cold from how limp he's dangling over the ropes.
Jasper smiles that evil fucking smile as he slinks onto the apron, Cade slumped halfway over the ropes as he drags him further forward until only his feet are locked onto the ropes before dropping him down
BLOOD ON THE APRON! BRUTAL HANGING DDT ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackson Cade may well be out of action permanently from that sickening move, and that bastard Redgrave is enjoying every second of it.
Redgrave picks up the limp Cade, throwing him roughly back into the ring before he drops down with a very lazy lateral press cover as Demi Sky slides in for the cover
ONE
................
..................
TWO
.....................
.........................
........................
JASPER REDGRAVE PULLS THE SHOULDER UP!
The Artist still smiles that sickening grin as he pulls Perseus up to his feet, blood pooling down Cade's forehead that soon begins to patter onto the canvas as he's lifted up high in the air with a Suplex before he's driven into the canvas
PSYCHOLOGY OF A KILLER! SUPLEX PILEDRIVER! Jasper hooks the leg as Demi Sky drops down for the sure ender.
ONE
..............
......................
TW....
JASPER PULLS THE SHOULDER UP AGAIN!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh come the hell on now, Jackson can barely defend himself and Redgrave knows it. This is just brutality for the sake of brutality at this point.
NICK DIAMOND: Hell hath no fury like a killer thwarted Johnny. Jackson not only stopped his killing spree but got him trapped in Death Row for six months. This is a long time coming for a man like Jasper Redgrave and he looks like he's enjoying every second of it.
Jasper slowly pulls Jackson's limp body up off the canvas, once an open wound now a gusher as the Artist looks for that finishing touch.
BUT CADE PUSHES JASPER AWAY INTO THE ROPES! THERE'S FIGHT IN THE OFFICER LEFT!
Jasper laughs triumphantly, mile wide grin on his face as he urges Cade forward. An action Cade obliges with a
HOSTILE DOWN!
The Superkick hits flush but Jasper is still on his feet. Cade stumbles forward, wiping the blood from his eyes as he roars out into Olympus before rushing at Jasper again.
BREACH AND CLEAR! SLINGBLADE! SLINGBLADE! SLINGBLADE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackson unleashing everything he has at Redgrave but how much more energy does he truly have before that wound taps him dry?
Jasper staggers up into a headbutt, plastering Redgrave with a crimson mask of his own before he's lifted up high
MASTER KEY! BRAINBUUUSSSTTTAAAH! Cade stumbles back, the blood loss nearly getting to him but he recovers, heading up top as he steadies himself for a moment.
NICK DIAMOND: SCREAMING EAGGGGLEEE!
Cade nails the elbow perfectly, slowly getting to his feet as he backs up into the corner, stamping his foot as he stares daggers at a slowly rising Jasper
HOSTILE DO....NO! Jasper catches the kick, flipping Cade into the air before grabbing him mid-rotation
SPLATTERED EXPRESSIONISM! POP-UP CHOKESLAM!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jasper nearly drove Jackson through the ring with the sheer force there. The Artist hooks both legs as Demi Sky counts, this has to be it folks.
ONE
..............
.................
TWO
................
....................
..................
THREE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And there you have it folks, Jasper Redgrave advances to the finals of the Spartan Cup but will he truly focus on winning or making a masterpiece when the time comes?
Joint Force?
We find ourselves backstage, where Doom stands alongside Felix Foley. The pair seem to be on the same page even after going head to head together as Spartans earlier.
NICK DIAMOND: Doom and Foley are testament to the power of true friendship. Iron sharpens iron.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They’re definitely a formidable duo together Nicky. They wouldn’t let a match between Best Buddies come between them and their Championship belts.
The duo are soon joined by the remaining Pool Boys, Blaze and Destructo Boy. It seems Doom had assembled the troops together, Destructo Boy addresses him firstly.
“You wanted to meet?”
Doom nods at him, addressing all three of his counterparts.
“I wanted to assemble you all together, because we need a show of joint force. We have a chance to continue our stranglehold of dominance over OSW. But our strength comes in numbers, and our position is under threat.”
The Pool Boys nod in agreement as Doom continues.
“Apokalypsis have saddled up and are stronger than ever. The Uprising grows in strength by the day, we need a joint force to hold firm on what belongs to us. Our Championships, and after tonight... The Sparta Cup will also be ours.”
Felix Foley smiles at this.
“We are ready to do our part, best buddy!”
The others echo the same sentiment, perhaps with a little less enthusiasm. Destructo Boy offers his thoughts.
“A pre-emptive strike will be smarter than waiting for things to boil over. We need to attack…”
But he cannot even finish his thought before all hell breaks loose.
The Uprising storm the room. Dahlia Black, Roderick Pym, Harvey Escher, Haywire and Aster Gray. The surprise attack sees them split in two, isolating Doom and Foley on one side of the room and Destructo Boy with Blaze on the other side.
The Uprising come out swinging, and the entire scene is thrown into chaos.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Uprising aren’t waiting around! Foley is first, taken down by the numbers game and slammed into a concrete wall!
NICK DIAMOND: Destructo Boy is taken down mid sentence by Haywire and Aster Gray. He’s picked up and dropped on his head!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Blaze follows next and the group descend on Doom. It’s a five on one assault and Doom has no answer!
The chaos subsides as quickly as it had arrived. The Pool Boys find themselves stirring, only to find their assailants have escaped into the night once more. A message has been sent loud and clear!
It is Blaze who speaks first, his fists balled tightly.
“The show must go on, right now. And the scales of justice must be righted.”
As Doom slowly rises, anger boiling behind his mask, Felix Foley moves over to Destructo Boy. He’s rubbing his head with one hand and places his other on Destructo Boy’s shoulder. Somehow, he still has a smile on his face.
“So much for a pre-emptive strike buddy. I think the word we look for now is retaliation.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Pool Boys don't have time to retaliate right now. We have a Sparta Cup semi-final up!
Cut.
NICK DIAMOND: We're rolling into the semi finals of the Spartan Cup Johnny as a somewhat unlikely matchup takes place. Foley wasn't the Bestie I would've bet to have advanced here.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Felix might not have been World Champion Nick but he's an incredible competitor in his own right as is the Yellow Python. Both of these men have something to prove here but only one will advance to the finals of the first Spartan Cup.
The bell sounds as Felix rushes forward, trying to show the Python why his boots were made but the Serpent ducks underneath the Big Boot, leaping up behind Felix and nailing a lightning fast neckbreaker.
Foley staggers to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights before he's driven to the mat with a hard Monkey Flip. Python rushes to the ropes, grabbing a rising Foley as he bounces off but he's thrown off a Tornado DDT attempt before Foley kicks him hard in the sternum
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Python gets sent flying into the corner, Foley is a lot slower then the Serpent but there's a lot more power in the Puppeteer.
The Python lands hard back first into the steel, Foley rushing forward but the Python manages to slither away. Felix just stops himself from slamming into the buckles, turning around as he rushes at the Python with a Lariat.
DROP TOE HOLD!
The Python trips Foley skull first onto the middle turnbuckle. Foley staggering up to his feet right into an onrushing Python.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Running Enziguri hits hard as Foley crashes to the mat, the Python wasting no time as he scrambles up to the top, clearly looking for the victory here.
Foley kicks out at the ropes as the vibrations crotch the Python! Foley slowly gets up, climbing up to the buckles as he tries to pull the Python up for a Superplex but the Serpent stuns Foley with a hard elbow to the side of the skull before leaping over
CRUSHING COILS! REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER DROPS FOLEY RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!
Foley staggers up, holding the back of his neck in pain as the Python rushes at him once more
LARIATO! Foley nails the Python with a Lariat but he staggers back in pain from his neck. Foley tries to power through, pulling the Python up to his feet as he holds him onto his chest
BEFORE MAKING THE PYTHON THE FALL GUY WITH A HARD FALLAWAY SLAM!
NICK DIAMOND: Foley getting a second wind here but from how he's clutching his neck, he's gotta finish this one soon
Foley pulls the Python up again, whipping him across the ring but the Python ducks underneath the second Lariat attempt before leaping off the ropes
TORNADO DDT! Foley gets spiked into the mat as he crumples up on the mat, holding his neck in agony.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Felix may have properly injured his neck there, Mills Lane checking on him as the Python looks worried. This isn't how he wants to advance Nick
Mills asks Foley if he can continue, Felix sucking it up as he nods through the pain. The Python reaches out his hand, trying to lift Foley up but Felix pushes him away before slowly rising to one knee as he urges the Serpent forward
SUPERKICK! Brutal blow right to the dome as the Python gives Foley exactly what he wanted. The Puppeteer looks done as the Python leaps up to the top rope, looking for the most important strike in his career.
SERPENT'S STRIKE...HITS KNEES! The Corkscrew Shooting Star slams down hard onto Felix's knees, the Python screaming out in pain as he staggers forward into a kick to the gut
NICK DIAMOND: CUT THE STRINGS! Double Arm DDT out of nowhere, a last gasp effort by Foley who collapses onto the Python for the cover
ONE
.............
...............
TWO
..............
..................
THREE!!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Mrs Foley's Baby Boy does it here Nick, advancing over a very game Yellow Python as he makes it into the finals of the inaugeral Spartan Cup
NICK DIAMOND: But that neck is messed up Johnny, and a big target for whoever makes it into that final against him.
For A Price
No Man’s Land.
Tombstone's boots crush the barren ground beneath them, a silent testament to the desolation around him. His eyes, cold and unyielding, scan the horizon for any sign of souls to be ferried.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Can you believe it? Even months later, all the souls haven’t been ferried yet.
NICK DIAMOND: How many people did Gemini kill?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t want to think about it, Nicky.
Suddenly, the eerie silence is broken by the strumming of a guitar. Tombstone scowls as a figure emerges out of the wreckage.
El Mariachi Muerte.
“Tombstone,” he calls out, his voice a melodic whisper. “You ferry souls to el inframundo, all these souls that once lived here, but have you ever found the one soul you're truly looking for?”
He pauses with a grin.
“Your own?”
Tombstone bridges the gap instantly, his hand instinctively wrapping around Mariachi’s neck. But Muerte doesn't flinch; instead, he smiles, an enigmatic grin that seems to hold secrets untold.
“I know you can't remember your past, amigo. But I can show you the fire you seek,” he says, his voice now laced with a tempting promise. “For a price, of course.”
Anger flares in Tombstone's eyes, his grip on Death tightening.
“I have souls to ferry,” he growls, dropping the Mariachi, his coat billowing behind him as he starts to walk away.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He didn’t answer the question.
NICK DIAMOND: It has to be tempting to him. We saw how angry he got at seeing some of his past revealed at Bad Company. Now he’s being tempted by El Mariachi Muerte for more.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And here it is ladies and gentlemen, the finals of the very first Sparta Cup. The Artist Jasper Redgrave went through Narcissa Balenciaga and Jackson Cade to get here while Felix Foley defeated his best buddy DOOM and the Yellow Python to advance yet both men's journeys couldn't be more different.
NICK DIAMOND: Too right Johnny, Jasper has looked like an absolute monster all night while Foley was lucky to get through his semi-final match and with that injured neck, a sadistic bastard like Redgrave may well be too much for him.
The bell sounds as Foley rushes forward, taking Jasper by surprise with a huge Spear like takedown. He winces in pain, whiplashing his neck in the process but he fights through the agony, lifting Redgrave up to his feet before wrapping both hands around his throat
BIEL TOSSING HIM INTO THE CORNER!
The Artist hits the steel hard, holding his back in pain for a moment before Foley rushes forward and squashes him into the buckles with a hard running splash. Foley pulls Jasper up before gripping both ropes with his hands as the crowd begin to roar.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It's time to enter Felix Foley's Corner!
Foley kicks seven shades of dog shit out of Redgrave, pounding him down into the canvas before backing up as he feeds off the energy of the crowd, all of them loving the Puppeteer tonight as they cheer him on. Foley pulls Jasper up out of the corner, lifting him up onto his shoulders
BUMPED HIS...NO!
Jasper slips out, spinning around on his feet as he lands
SANGUINE ABSURDISM! DISCUS CLOTHESLINE TO THE BACK OF THE GODDAMN HEAD!
NICK DIAMOND: And with one move Johnny, Jasper has taken back control. Poor Felix looks like he can barely move let alone fight back
Foley crumples to the mat, holding his neck in agony as Jasper smiles that evil fucking grin. The Artist pulls Felix up to his feet, double underhooking him as he begins to rock Foley with stiff uppercuts and knees before he finally lets go only for a moment
SUPERKICK! Foley staggers back into the ropes, rebounding as Jasper casually walks around him and completes
THE COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE! Brutal spinning elbow to the base of the fucking spine.
Foley crumples to the mat as Jasper casually drops down for the cover, Mills Lane sliding in for the pinfall attempt
ONE
...............
....................
TWO
..................
..........................
FOLEY GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Jasper doesn't look fussed, he knew it was never going to be that easy. He pulls Felix up, rocking the Puppeteer with a brutal knee to the jaw before dragging him towards the ropes. Redgrave throws him onto the apron, pulling him through the ropes as he sets up Foley to be nothing more
THEN BLOOD ON THE CANVAS! Deadly Ropehung DDT does the job as Foley turtles up in pain once more but Redgrave isn't done.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Again this sick nature of Redgrave rears it's head. He could have this match won and be on his way to a rematch against Tombstone but he's gotta make this big statement with his victories.
NICK DIAMOND: It worked out last time but the biggest mistake you can make is underestimating Felix Foley, bum neck or not.
Jasper pulls Felix up to his feet, Foley trying to fight back with a few desperation right hands but Jasper ducks underneath a wild haymaker, nailing Felix with another elbow to the point of the spine that takes all the fight out of him. Redgrave just smiles once more before lifting Foley up high and rushing forward
VANISHING POINT...INTO THE FUCKING TURNBUCKLES!
Foley screams out in absolute agony as he hits the buckles neck first. Jasper gets to his feet, that sadistic smile a mile wide as the crowd begin to chant
'YOU SICK FUCK! YOU SICK FUCK'
NICK DIAMOND: What they said Johnny, I'm all for hard hitting violence but this is just disturbing at the moment. Surely Lane has to call this
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The Spartan Cup is something special Nick, I'd imagine Zeus himself has said to allow whatever they can throw at one another until we get a definitive finish. Besides, look at Foley Nicky, you think he wants to give up?
Indeed, on the mat though Foley is hurting, he's gritting his teeth and hands, forcing himself up off the mat through the pain. He's refusing to stay down, but though the mind might be strong, the body may be weak as Foley stands up
RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK
Foley crashes to the mat, dazed and barely conscious as Jasper drops down, locking in a modified crossface onto Foley ensuring all his weight is on that busted neck.
NICK DIAMOND: This has to be it Johnny, a man can take only so much punishment before he breaks and the Artist wants to break Felix Foley tonight.
Jasper wrenches back with all his strength, trying to snap Foley's neck but Felix fights through the pain, feeding off the crowd and his need for victory as he slowly pulls himself up to his feet.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You were saying Nick? Felix Foley is showing almost inhuman endurance here, his iron will for victory will not be denied tonight.
Jasper is trapped on Felix's back, Foley slowly rising up as he grips the trapped Redgrave, looking for that Death Valley Driver...but his strength suddenly gives out on him as he collapses back onto the canvas. Jasper smiles but his smile soon fades as he realizes that Foley landed with his foot draped over the bottom rope, forcing the break.
NICK DIAMOND: Felix got lucky there Johnny but that has to be it for Felix Foley. A tremendous effort tonight but sometimes you've gotta know when to live to fight another day.
Jasper lets go of the hold but he knows the end is near as he lifts the limp Felix Foley to his feet, hooking both arms
And plants him into the mat with the Symphony of Symmetry
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You might be right there Nick, that has to be it as Jasper hooks the leg for the sure victory
ONE
...............
.......................
............................
TWO
.........................
.................
.......................
THREE....
...................
THREE
Jasper Redgrave lets go of the fall, raising his hands in victory but is confused for a moment as Mills Lane doesn't call for the bell but instead, waves off the timekeeper
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Foot on the rope. Felix Foley just saved himself and this match at the last possible second and Jasper Redgrave is livid.
The crowd begin to cheer 'FOLEY, FOLEY, FOLEY' as Jasper scowls in rage, shouting obscenities at the crowd before turning his attention to the glassy eyed Felix. He lifts him up by the scruff of his hair, venom spitting as he begins to scream in his face.
'Just because these people love you, you think you can win? They're all losers, just like you. Now be a good boy Felix, and stay down so I can send you back a failure, just like your best buddy."
Jasper lets go, backing up a few paces before rushing forward
SUPERKICK....
FELIX CATCHES IT!
NICK DIAMOND: Oh boy, Jasper went, messed around and made Felix mad. This ain't gonna be pretty.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You didn't spit in the wind, you don't run from the Ferryman and you don't badmouth Felix Foley's best buddy without getting an ass whopping.
LARIAT! Felix damn near decapitates Jasper with that powerful blow, turning him inside out. Jasper staggers back to his feet into a brutal onslaught of punches before he's lifted up into the air
POWERBOMB
A SECOND POWERBOMB
FELIX SPINS JASPER AROUND
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SNIP THE STRINGS! Shades of a more sinister form of Foley as Felix is goddamn nettled right now.
Foley raises his hand high, looking to show Jasper the Puppetshow but as he reaches down, trying to lock it in
REDGRAVE UPPERCUTS HIM IN THE LITTLE FOLEYS
Felix doubles over in pain, the rage powering him fleeting as Jasper spins around
SANGUINE ABSURDISM! Discus Clothesline doesn't drop Felix but sends him tumbling head over tilt into the corner. Jasper gets that sadistic smile cross his face once more as he rushes forward, driving all his weight into Foley's chest with a brutal Spear before climbing up top as he pulls Felix up with him.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh no Nick, this cannot be good. If Jasper can hit this, it doesn't matter how much heart Felix Foley has, he will be done.
Jasper gets onto the other side of the ropes, pulling up Felix as he double underhooks him,
ILLUSION OF CHAOS!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jasper Redgrave just killed Felix Foley with fire. Stick a fork in him Nick, that poor man's done.
Redgrave smiles wide, collapsing onto Felix for the cover as Mills drops down to count
ONE
...............
.......................
TWO
.....................
........................
.......................
THREE
........................
THREE!!!!
NICK DIAMOND: Well these fans certainly aren't happy but even if you don't like his tactics, you can't deny Jasper Redgrave earned every bit of this victory here tonight.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Too right there Nick, a brutal statement from a brutal man as not only does the Artist make history with the very first Spartan Cup victory but he goes on to get a second chance at Tombstone and the OSW World Championship.
Just As Evil
Jasper Redgrave has done it!
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
The Artist has won the Sparta Cup!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Redgrave is going to face the OSW World Heavyweight Champion at Pandemonium!
NICK DIAMOND: Could it be Redgrave vs. Tombstone II?
The referee beckons Jasper outside and towards the stand in which the cup sits, carefully about to hand it to him when…
The lights drop in Olympus, and we hear the rattling of chains
“I will stay and fight As long as I'm alive”
-Silence-
“And Kill ‘Till I Die”
-Beat-
The fans are sent into raptures as Harold Attano steps out onto the stage with a microphone in one hand and a cooler box in the other.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Here comes Nobody!
NICK DIAMOND: What’s in the box!?
The music quickly dies off, leaving The Artist stood at the bottom of the ramp looking up at Harold Attano.
“Missing something?” Harold asks placing the box down on the stage. “If you didn’t know or perhaps you didn’t care, but I have CJ Thorpe in my custody.”
Redgrave folds his arms.
“And whilst he is, I’m gonna make sure he knows everything. Everything you’ve done. Every murder you’ve committed, every crime you’ve been involved in – everything you did to Jackson Cade and everything you did to me. Everything, Redgrave!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: All those bodies.
NICK DIAMOND: I just hope he gets through to Thorpe.
“But I know that isn’t enough,” Attano says whilst shaking his head. He means it. “I won’t stop until you agree to fight me, Jasper. I won’t stop until you’ve lost everything, just like I have. Just like Jackson Cade nearly did. I want you one on one, until the bitter end, until one of us isn’t breathing anymore. The difference between me and him is I don’t have a conscience to struggle with. I’ll do anything to get what I want.”
He looks down at the cooler.
“And until you agree to fight me, you’ll find pieces of what I’m capable of.”
Nobody slowly backs away, his eyes on the cooler as he does.
“You don’t know who you’re dealing with,” he mutters as he walks away. “Nobody, that’s who.”
As Harold exits the stage, Jasper Redgrave callously and powerfully stomps up the stage to the cooler. He opens the lid, revealing a finger – presumably belonging to CJ Thorpe, on ice.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Oh my Zeus! Harold Attano has been cutting pieces from CJ Thorpe!
NICK DIAMOND: And look at that sick so and so, Johnny; Jasper is smiling!
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
But before we head to static, we rise into the rafters whereby Raven sits, perched on a walkway, looking down at the crowd below.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Hang on a minute! I knew I saw something! Who’s that? Is that… is that Raven?
NICK DIAMOND: Forget Raven! Who’s that observing him!?
Static.
Click.