THE ROOT OF AMBROSIA
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Flashback – Over A Year Ago
Production on the Arcadia famous Teddy Bears is in full swing. The production line moves rapidly below as we look down on it from above. Teddy stands in his office, monocle attached firmly to his face, along with that Chesire Cat grin we’ve come to remember.
“So, do we have a deal?” A surly voice gruffly questions from behind O’Toole.
The Candy Man looks out of the window, contemplating his next steps.
“So, let me get this straight,” Teddy says, not turning back. “You’re going to tell me about a wonderfully unique ingredient and where to find it?”
“Under one or two conditions,” the seated man, blurred in the background confirms.
Teddy nods.
“Name them,” he suggests.
There’s a slight pause.
“I’ll tell you what it’s called, where roughly to find it and what it does. You’ll need to request the help of a man called Drewitt – an explorer of Arcadia. He’ll ensure you find it and when you do, you need him to taste it.”
Teddy laughs gleefully, turning around and taking a seat at his desk. He grabs a pen and places it at paper, writing carefully the information he’s being told.
“The ingredient is called The Root of Ambrosia,” the man says – no longer in camera shot. “It can make you… immortal.”
The Candy Man’s eyes suddenly widen. His shocked expression is slowly overcome with glee as he realizes the implications.
“You can find it in the Groves, though I’m unsure where – that’s where Drewitt comes in. Have him take you to it, have him taste it and everyone wins.”
Teddy grins.
“You’re telling me I could make candy that makes people immortal? Do you know how much the upper crust of Arcadia would pay for such a treat?” He scoffs, excitedly. With a thrust out of his chair, he’s up, offering a handshake to the mysterious person. “You have a deal, Mister.”
The man shakes his hand.
“Remember… he must taste it.”
Cut.
THE ELDERS
It’s Red Snow and the House of Sovereigns is devoid of Christmas cheer. Guards line the halls in great number, prepared to protect the Baron. At Ring of Dreams, he was kidnapped by the Uprising and they’re going to make sure no such thing happens tonight.
Ares stands inside Hercules room with Zeus, who seems to be nervously pacing back and forth.
Hercules sits on the edge of his bed, a captive he remains.
“You’re scared, aren’t you pop?” Hercules asks, not with care, but almost with pleasure.
Zeus doesn’t say a word.
“How do you think pop-pop felt?” He probes further. This time, Zeus snaps his head around angrily, his face contorted into rage. “There he is.”
“You don’t know anything, boy,” The Baron retorts aggressively. He shares a look with Ares, who looks away.
“I know that things are cyclical. That’s why I’m being held hostage in your mansion, isn’t it?” Hercules says, standing up. Ares goes to step in but Zeus waves him away. “You’re afraid and always have been that I’ll do to you what you did to them.”
Zeus scoffs, shaking his head.
“I’m not you, pop,” he reminds him. “I never have been, and I never will be.”
“You weren’t there, Hercules,” Ares chimes in from the doorway. “Don’t pretend to know what we went through or why we did what we did.”
Hercules stands up and walks over to the Bodyguard, looking him up and down, dwarfing him in size.
“The Great Purge?” He asks. “How did it feel, Ares? How does it feel to know your hands are soaked in the blood of Arcadians going back decades? Acropolis, The Elders..”
WHAM!
The Bodyguard slams him in the mouth, dropping him to the floor in a big violent heap. The size of Hercules meant nothing. He dropped hard and fast.
“ARES!” Zeus roars unhappily. “Enough!”
The Baron walks over as Ares repositions himself on the door as a protective detail.
“You want the truth about Arcadia, son?” Zeus asks, helping his lad back to his feet. “Then I’ll tell you.”
Cut.
Hatred runs blood deep here, a psychopathic desire for control contrasting against one man’s need for freedom. The ultimate Zeus lapdog against the underdog who despises the authority. These man have waged wars before but tonight, it finally ends as one man shall die and the other will reign supreme over Deathrow. Will the Coyote finally chomp down on Meadows throat or will he be but another innocent man lost to the evil that cowards do?
Max Meadows slinks out of his office, shit eating grin a mile wide as armed guards surround him while he walks through the hallways of Deathrow. The inmates screaming bloody murder at the Warden but such words are quickly quelled with metal batons from the masked guards. The Warden soaks it all in, looking around at his house before he slides into the ring.
RIGHT INTO A BELT SHOT TO THE FACE!
CJ Thorpe was waiting for him, nearly breaking the championship belt over his goddamn skull. Meadows goes down as Thorpe mounts him, trying to ground and pound his stupid face into the canvas but the guards on the outside quickly grab him, pulling him out of the ring.
Meadows is bleeding slightly down his forehead, woozy from the surprise attack as he screams at the guards to rush at Thorpe but they don’t get a chance as the Coyote is allready taking flight
SUICIDE DIVE TAKING OUT EVERYONE ON THE OUTSIDE!
Thorpe lands hard on one of the guards, nailing him with lefts and rights before rolling up to his feet as he tries to get to Meadows but the other guards are up and surrounding him. Thorpe tries fighting back with heavy strikes but is soon overwhelmed by the sheer numbers as he’s beaten down into the concrete.
Meadows smirk returns on his face, wiping away the blood as he grabs a chair from ringside, sitting down at it as he begins to shit-talk at a nearby prisoner, the prisoner just dead pan staring at the warden for a moment before motioning for him to turn around.
Thorpe is standing, bloodied and battered but standing in a pile of broken and unconcious guards, steel batons in both hands as his eyes are filled with pure, white hot hatred for Max Meadows. Thorpe rushes forward as Meadows quickly gets up, grabbing the chair and throwing it at CJ.
Thorpe bats it away with one of the steel batons, slamming the other down mere inches from where Max’s head once was, shaking the metal bars of the nearby cell. Thorpe lashes out over and over again, Max barely able to dodge the assault until Thorpe fakes right before slamming a baton left into Meadows ribs. The Warden screams out in pain before the second baton slams into his skull, sending him flying backwards into the cell bars.
Thorpe raises both batons high, ready to drive them through the Warden’s skull but Meadows manages to dodge in time, the batons slamming against steel, sending waves of pain through Thorpe’s arms before Meadows manages to deliver an errant kick and knock them away.
Meadows tries to stagger away but Thorpe is quickly on him, delivering a hard elbow to the back of the skull before leaping over him, grabbing his head in one swift motion
PATHFINDER INTO THE FUCKING CONCRETE!
Meadows is heavily bleeding now, dazed and confused as Thorpe lifts him up, raking his skull against the nearby bars before slamming it into them as hard as he can. Meadows eyes are glazed over, the Warden barely able to defend against the Coyote’s furious assault as Thorpe pulls him back, drilling him with a sadistic knee to the gut before double underhooking the near defenseless warden.
DO THE RIGHT THING! PEDIGREE INTO THE CONCRETE!
Thorpe doesn’t let up, lifting the Warden up and delivering a second which may well knock him out cold
But this isn’t a normal Deathrow match. This is a motherfucking Death match and Thorpe’s gotta do much more to kill that asshole.
CJ lifts Meadows up, the Warden barely concious, blood streaming down his face as he stares deep into his eyes, one hand around his throat as he may well choke the life out of him but Meadows has more then one trick up his sleeve as he reaches into his vest pocket, pulling out a small taser swinging it downwards
DELIVERING 1200 VOLTS OF ELECTRICITY RIGHT TO CJ THORPE’S TESTICALS!
Thorpe lets go of Meadows, his entire body wracked in pain as a small trickle of blood oozes down his lip. Meadows nails Thorpe with the taser a second time and a third, unloading the damn thing into Thorpe who is a broken and battered mess curled up on the concrete. Meadows throws the useless taser away before he begins to stomp down on the defenceless Thorpe.
Meadows finally backs up, a sadistic smile growing over his face as he pulls out something else from his vest.
A pair of handcuffs.
Meadows turns around as Thorpe has managed to somehow roll himself into the ring, trying to get some distance and time to recuperate but Meadows quickly gets in, drilling a trying to stand Thorpe with a brutal Big Boot before bending down and trying to lock him in the handcuffs. Thorpe tries to fight out but Meadows beats him down into the canvas and locks his arms behind his back.
CJ Thorpe is completely helpless.
The Warden looms over Thorpe, cocky smile on his face as he kneels down to look Thorpe eye to eye only for the Coyote to spit in his face. Meadows wipes the blood away, nodding before nearly breaking his jaw with another Big Boot. Thorpe crashes down, barely conscious before Meadows plants his boot directly onto Thorpe’s throat, watching the Coyote struggle to breath for a moment, smiling before addressing him and the other prisoners.
“You tried your hardest but in the end boy, you’re just like the rest. Pathetic worms who deserve to die where nobody will ever mourn them. I told the only way you gain your freedom is death so it’s about time I…”
Cut!
CAUGHT RED HANDED
Flashback.
Many Years Ago.
Zeus, looking slightly younger, walks through the House of Sovereigns having just returned on business. He’s exhausted, and flops into a large white chair. After taking a deep breath, he hears something.
Curious, The Baron stands up and begins walking towards the sounds, coming from down the hall.
Step by step, he slowly creeps towards a door that barely contains the sounds therein.
Sounds of lust.
Sounds of passion.
He bursts in through the door only to find Hera in a state of undress, straddling a man. She leaps off him, covering herself up immediately.
The Baron’s face becomes enraged.
He roars into the room like thunder itself, dragging the man violently from the bed and slamming him into the nearest wall. Hera pleads but Zeus pummels him, slamming fists powerfully into his face.
With blood soaking his hands, he stops to finally look at the man.
“Thomas?” He says softly.
“I’m sorry Zeus,” Hera says, watching as he manhandles her lover. “I… I…”
“Leave,” he growls. “I’m going to call Ares and if he see’s your face, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Hera grabs her clothing and slowly edges past her husband.
“Please… don’t hurt him,” she begs.
The Baron looks at her with lightning in his eyes.
Cut.
STRANGER DAYS
Last week.
Drewitt sits on the edge of his bed, the façade of Colt as a Hell Hound having vanished into the ether. Was he seeing things? Has his grief driven him insane? He grabs his mask and places it back upon his face – determined.
We watch as he exits his domicile, walking almost blindly. Through flashes we see him trundle through levels of Arcadia until he finally reaches The Mortuary. He kicks open the gate and steps inside, focused marching towards The Cemetery itself.
His eyes scan the plots, looking for Colt’s.
It’s there he finds Tombstone.
“Where is he?” He demands to know.
The Ferryman gets off the ground, dusting himself off. With a knowing look down and to the right, he gives an answer.
“Are you sure?” Drewitt once again roars.
Tombstone doesn’t speak. He simply nods. The OSW World Champion picks up his title and places it over his shoulder, slowly beginning to walk away and back towards The Mortuary.
Only he’s stopped by a voice.
“OI!” It roars.
The Champion turns around…
BIG BOOT TO THE SKULL OF TOMBSTONE!
Drewitt lays him out!
As the Ferryman scrambles on the floor, Drewitt angrily stands over him.
“The tricks are over!” He bellows at him. “I’m not playin’ your fuckin’ games, Tombstone! Enough is enough!”
Angrily, he backs away.
Tombstone doesn’t know what’s hit him, slowly recovering in the dirt.
Cut.
The ACA Headquarters.
The Kingdom stand across from the ACA right in the middle of their office.
And all Hell is about to break loose.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” Boswick says. “Don’t be too hasty. There’s still time to turn around, leave your billing address at reception, and receive an invoice for the damages you’ve caused.”
“Nah,” Blue Shark says. “We’re gonna take our man, and some of your teeth on the way out.”
MR. KLEEN SCREAMS AND CHARGES!!!
MOP OF JUSTICE TO THE BLUE SHARK!!!!
…
…
…who no sells it, tapping his helmet.
Gulp.
BANG!!! A FIST TO MR. KLEEN’S JAW!!!
AND BUSINESS.
JUST.
PICKED.
UP!!!
Red Falcon charges Boswick, who HIP TOSSES him onto the desk!!!
PMS gets DROPPED by a clothesline from the White Bear!!!
Yellow Python is turned inside out by a big boot from Tucker Goode!
And Mr. Kleen is mounted by Blue Shark, who rains down punches on the Janitorial Manager!!!
Boswick picks up the computer monitor.
HE SWINGS THAT BAD BOY DOWN AT RED FALCON!!!
NO!!! FALCON ROLLS OFF THE DESK JUST IN TIME!!! HE LEAPS TO HIS FEET!!!
FALCON RIPS THE COMPUTER FROM THE OUTLETS AND HURLS IT AT BOSWICK!!!
BUT BOSWICK CATCHES IT!!!
He catches it?
SMASH!!! RED FALCON DROPKICKS IT RIGHT INTO BOSWICK’S FACE!!!
Meanwhile, PMS scrambles to her feet and narrowly ducks another clothesline by White Bear.
HEADBUTT BY BIG STU!!!
WHITE BEAR STAGGERS BACK!!!
HEAVY FLOW FROM PMS!!! GORE!!!!
NO!!! White Bear avoids it and PMS CRASHES into the wall!!!
The Yellow Python is crawling away from Tucker Goode, who drops an elbow onto the small of the Snake’s back.
Tucker climbs up to his feet and lifts Yellow Python up!
MISSIONARY!!!
IN!!!
MOTION!!!!
SPINEBUSTER RIGHT ONTO A FUCKING SPACE HEATER BY GOODE!!!
Mr. Kleen literally runs away from the Blue Shark who absolutely smells the blood in the water here. Kleen makes it to the janitorial closet, swings the door open!!!
BUT THERE’S BLUE SHARK!!!
TASER!!! TASER TO BLUE SHARK!!!
WHAT THE HELL IS KLEEN DOING KEEPING A TASER IN THE JANITORIAL CLOSET????
MR. KLEEN TASES HIM AGAIN!!!
AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!
“HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!”
Red Falcon picks up Boswick, who lies on the floor surrounded by broken computer pieces, and tosses him onto the desk.
What the hell is Red Falcon doing?
He grabs the office chair…
Wheels it across the office to the other side…
Stands on it!!!…
AND PUSHES HIMSELF OFF THE WALL TOWARDS BOSWICK!!!
BAH GAWD!!! HE’S RANGING ACROSS THE OFFICE ON IT LIKE A DAMN SKATEBOARD!!!!
SPIRAL CRUSHER ONTO BOSWICK!!! THE LO DOWN FROG SPLASH!!!
THEY BREAK THROUGH THE DESK AND CRASH TO THE FLOOR!!!
White Bear grabs Pauline up by her hair!!!
AND SMASHES HER HEAD INTO THE COPIER!!!
beep.
THE COPIER TURNS ON!!!
HE CONTINUOUSLY COLLIDES HER TORSO INTO THE COPIER!!!
THE COPIER IS PRINTING PICTURES OF PMS’ HEAD AND BREASTS!!!
Tucker stands up, proud of the damage he’s done, and he plans on doing more.
He slowly drags the Yellow Python to his feet.
BUT RED FALCON IS THERE TO STOP HIM!!!
FALCON PUNCH!!! THE LEAPING SUPERMAN PUNCH!!! HE DROPS TUCKER GOODE TO THE FLOOR!!!
Meanwhile, Mr. Kleen has coated Shark’s helmet with floor cleaner and is now wiping the floor with him — literally.
But here comes the Polar Predator!!!
HE SCOOPS MR. KLEEN UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS!!!
POLAR!!!
FUCKING!!!
VORTEX!!!
THE F-5 LAYS MR. KLEEN OUT!!!
But just as White Bear gets up?
There is Sebastian Boswick.
With a staple gun in his hand.
HE SHOOTS STAPLES INTO BEAR’S BACK!!!
BUT THE ARCTIC ASSASSIN IS UNFAZED!!!
POLAR VORTEX TO BOSWICK FOR HIS TROUBLE!!!
PMS meanwhile is pounding Red Falcon with some serious shots!!!
FALCON PUNCH!!!
NO!!!!
CENSOR KICK!!! THE SCISSOR KICK FROM PMS!!!
Falcon drops to the ground.
Meanwhile, Blue Shark has picked up the staple gun, and he’s mad as hell at Mr. Kleen.
He scoops up a piece of paper from the floor–
No… No, not this!!!
HOLY.
FREAKIN.
TITS.
HE JUST STAPLED A PICTURE OF PMS’ BREASTS TO MR. KLEEN’S FOREHEAD!!!
Meanwhile, that computer monitor?
Yeah. Sebastian has it again.
He SMASHES it into White Bear’s back!!!
White Bear roars, turns around,
STAMP OF AUTHORITY!!!
Tucker and PMS have the Red Falcon over by the copier.
Sebastian Boswick joins them as Tucker positions Red Falcon for a…
No…
No, Zeus… Please…
THEY TRIPLE FUCKING POWERBOMB RED FALCON THROUGH THE COPIER!!!
IT FALLS LIKE A SKYSCRAPER TO THE FLOOR AND SO DOES RED FALCON!!!!
They turn just in time to see the Yellow Python.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU LITTLE SHIT HEAD???” PMS demands.
Sebastian sighs. So uncouth.
“Come find out,” Yellow Python replies
PMS CHARGES TOWARDS HIM FOR THE HEAVY FLOW!!!
TASER!!! TASER!!! TYP DROPS HER WITH PURE ELECTRICITY!!!
BLUE SHARK DROPS SEBASTIAN BOSWICK OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX!!! DEEP SEA DESTROYER!!!
AND RED FALCON DROPS TUCKER GOODE WITH YET ANOTHER FALCON PUNCH!!!
Mr. Kleen is standing off by himself as he painfully rips the stapled picture from his forehead.
He sighs, looking at all the chaos…
The damage…
The mess…
He’s utterly distraught.
With an anxious and frustrated SCREAM, he charges towards Yellow Falcon!!!
HE SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE OFFICE CHAIR!!!
KLEEN FINISH!!! THE SPRINGBOARD HURRICANRANA!!!
Kleen reaches his feet, and bumps right into White Bear.
He lifts Mr. Kleen into the air!!!
AVALANCHE!!! POP UP JUMPING KNEE!!!
The rest of the Kingdom help Yellow Python to his feet.
“Come on,” Red Falcon says. “Let’s get out of here!”
“Where are you going boys?”
The Kingdom turns.
And there stands Pauline.
Marjorie.
Studebaker.
Disheveled from electrocution.
A picture of her own breasts in her hands.
And absolutely furious.
“No one leaves here until I SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGERRRR!!!!”
PMS CHARGES TOWARDS THEM!!!
HEAVY!!!
FUCKING!!!
FLOW!!!
AND ALL FOUR MEMBERS OF THE KINGDOM GOT A PIECE OF IT!!!
Though it’s Yellow Python and Red Falcon who got the brunt of it.
She stands to her feet. Tucker Goode reaches his.
“Let’s finish it,” he says.
PMS drags Blue Shark to his feet.
“I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER!!!”
CHOKESLAM!!! SHE KILLED HIM WITH FIRE!!!
Tucker Goode climbs his big ass onto the office chair.
GOODE AND DONE!!! BANZAI DROP ONTO THE WHITE BEAR!!! KILLING HIM WITH FIRE AS WELL!!!
“Nicely done, gang,” Sebastian says as he reaches his feet.
Mr. Kleen nods in agreement.
The ACA have won the battle. But it feels like the war is far from over.
WINNERS: ARCADIAN CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY
THE ZOOKEEPER
With that absolute war over, the office has been trashed and bodies are strewn across the Arcadian Censorship Authority office. As people pick themselves back up and attempt to recover, we’re left watching as The Yellow Python and Mr. Kleen come together once again.
“We need to go,” The Red Falcon says, pulling him back.
“Not until I know why,” Python demands angrily.
Mr. Kleen furiously lunges forward, only to be pulled back by an exhausted Pamela Marjorie Studebaker.
“You’re all puppets!” Kleen yells angrily. “Dancing for a man that doesn’t care about you!”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” The Blue Shark wants to know, rising behind The Yellow Python.
PMS puts Kleen down and allows him to explain.
“You idiots think you’re fighting the good fight, a good cause for a good man. You don’t know anything!” He roars at him.
“And you do?” The White Bear interrupts.
Kleen nods.
“The Zookeeper is a fraud. He’s using you all. You can’t see it now, but you will. You will!”
The Kingdom members look at one another in confusion. Boswick grabs Kleen by the arm, attempting to remove him from the situation.
“You’re wasting your time with this filth, Mr. Kleen,” Boswick says callously. “They need to be wiped from the face of Arcadia; all of them.”
“Whoa, hang on a minute,” Falcon says with his claws raised. “What’s going on?”
“The Zookeeper doesn’t care about the Kingdom, and he never has,” Kleen continues, his voice lowering to a mix between shame and frustration. “I know because I… I used to be The Yellow Python.”
Everyone stops dead.
Sebastian Boswick puts a consoling arm around his shoulders.
“Come on Mr. Kleen,” he implores. “Let’s get this mess cleaned up. We’ll deal with the Kingdom later.”
The four members of the Kingdom carefully back away and exit the ACA, meeting The Black Panther on the stairs of their exit.
He’s down and wounded.
Shot.
Blood pouring from a bullet hole in his stomach.
The Kingdom rush to his aide.
“What the hell happened, dude?” The Yellow Python cries out.
But The Black Panther passes out before another word can be said.
Cut.
A lot is at stake for Albert Lamplight, aiming to become Double Feature Champion and take back his shop from Gemini at Red Snow!
The bell sounds and the two competitors immediately go at it, but Lamplight’s technical prowess is quickly overshadowed by the agility of Gemini as she ducks under a clothesline before hitting the ropes…and connects with a cross body!
Lamplight gets taken down to the canvas, affording Gemini the chance to follow with some stomps for good measure before the Illuminator finally gets a chance to roll out of the way.
Back to his feet, Albert turns his attention to Nergal…who blindsides him with a dropkick, sending him into the corner!
She immediately charges toward the Illuminator, crashing into him with a corner splash that drops Lamplight down to the canvas.
Gemini stomps away at the midsection of Lamplight now, wearing him down even further before leaping to the top turnbuckle…only for the Illuminator to jump up as well, shoving Nergal off the turnbuckle and to the outside!
Albert takes his leave of the ring to go after her, but Gemini catches him by surprise with a forearm as she jumps to her feet…before sending Lamplight toward the steel steps!
NO!
Lamplight turns it around on her, sending Gemini crashing into the steps instead with a thud!
Albert brings the champion back to her feet, bringing Gemini back into the ring as he goes for the cover…but Gemini immediately kicks out!
She’s not giving the Illuminator the benefit of a one count as she gets back to a vertical base…only to take a knee trembler right to the face!
Lamplight drops her down hard, going for another cover!
ONE!
T–NO!
Gemini kicks out again, frustrating the Illuminator as the champion gets back to her feet once more.
A scowl grows on her face as she charges at the challenger, who rushes toward Gemini looking for another knee trembler…but the champ has it well-scouted this time, pulling Lamplight down into a Codebreaker to the canvas!
YIN!
Now the momentum is in Gemini’s favor as she goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
Lamplight manages to kick out, giving him a chance to stay in this match!
Gemini shouts in frustration as the Illuminator rolls out of the ring to catch a breather…but he doesn’t get much of one, as Gemini hits the ropes for speed and dives right through the ropes!
She goes crashing against Lamplight as both competitors hit the floor, with the crowd watching on in awe as the champ manages to get to her feet first!
But so too does Lamplight, as the pair start coming to blows!
Albert catches Gemini off guard long enough to send her back into the ring, following close behind, goading Nergal to get back up…so he can lock in a crossface chickenwing!
WHOLESALE STRETCH!
And he brings the champ down to the canvas to cinch it in even tighter!
Gemini has no choice here!
SHE TAPS OUT!
Albert’s picked up the first fall in this contest, but he knows he has to score another to take the title–and his shop–away from his foe.
So, Lamplight breaks the hold at the ref’s insistence, backing away just long enough to go right back on the attack with some stomps on the back of the champion.
Gemini, for her part, knows not all is lost if she can score a fall over the challenger…and that thought makes her cackle at Lamplight, before unleashing a flurry of offense on the Illuminator!
She sends Albert crashing into the turnbuckle once more, this time grabbing him from behind before dropping him with a Backstabber!
YANG!
The cycle feels complete as Lamplight is left lying on the canvas…but Gemini is far from finished.
She starts yelling at Lamplight as he gets back up as far as his knees…only for the champion to go after his arm!
She’s locking in the kimura on the challenger!
SUFFERING–NO!
Lamplight manages to wriggle out of the hold, instead sending Nergal on a ride with a back body drop!
He heads to the corner, gearing himself up as the champ slowly gets to her feet…only to be sent flying into the corner by way of a shotgun dropkick!
SALE OF A LIFETIME!
The impact from colliding against the turnbuckle sends Gemini propelling forward now, right back toward the Illuminator!
And he’s got a theory to give the champ here at Red Snow, as he turns her around for the Widow’s Peak!
NO!
Gemini fights out of it! She rushes to the ropes, leaping off for a springboard tornado DDT on Lamplight!
UNLEASHED–NO!
Albert counters out of it just in the nick of time, and in one swift motion turns her back around!
And this time, Lamplight connects with the Widow’s Peak!
ILLUMINATION THEORY!
The champ is down and out by the looks of it, as Lamplight crawls over to make the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Albert Lamplight is victorious after two falls, taking the Double Feature Championship from Gemini and reclaiming Illumination Antiques!
WINNER AND NEW DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: ALBERT LAMPLIGHT
WE TAKE OSW
Narcissa Balenciaga.
Her secret revealed.
Her face a look of passion and determination.
She stands somewhere, but all we can see is her face. The way the light hits her, it illuminates every feature of her it as she muses what comes next.
The leader of the Uprising speaks.
She rallies her troops.
“Tonight…”
Narcissa pauses to take a deep breath.
“Tonight, we have an opportunity to strike. For the longest time, I’ve been trying to take back Arcadia from the vile grasp of Zeus. I’ve kidnapped him. I’ve attempted to kill him. But like a cockroach, he infests and survives.”
She takes a deep breath.
“The people of Arcadia have long been puppets for his regime. They play their role in Old School Wrestling. They play their role on the levels of our world.”
“But that changes tonight, at Red Snow.”
“Tonight, we no longer hide in the shadows. We exist. I say to you, the forgotten, the lowly, the discarded and the kept; join me. Despite your fear and trepidation, your horror, and your heartache; join me.”
There’s a roar amongst the crowd of Uprising.
“Join me in taking Old School Wrestling.”
They cheer.
“Because tonight, The Uprising strikes.”
“And we take OSW!”
Cheers.
Cut.
YOU OR HER
Tommy sits in a chair, surrounded by Zeus and Ares. He’s beaten badly and bloodied from the repetitive assaults he’s received. The Baron is wiping blood from severely bruised knuckles as Ares looks on.
“Are you going to finish this?” The Bodyguard asks. “I’m not sure how much more he can take.”
“I want him to suffer,” he growls. “His betrayal must not go unanswered.”
Zeus walks over, watching as Tommy spits blood out.
“I’m going to wipe out his entire family for retribution,” Zeus says looking down angrily at Tommy, who begs and pleads.
“No…” he whimpers. “Please…”
Zeus crunches him with another right hand.
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. Ares opens it and a disturbing looking man enters. He’s dishevelled, dirty and missing teeth. He’s a thin slip of a man, who walks with a purpose.
He meets Zeus at his side.
“Jonah Grim, I presume?” The Baron asks.
“Yes Baron,” he says with a slither in his voice.
“Thomas here has two options; the first is that I find his family and wipe them from the face of Arcadia and then, he dies easy.”
Grim nods.
“The second is that he agrees to come to your compound and participate in The Great Hunt, of which I will be there to see he meets his grizzly end.”
Jonah smiles sadistically.
“It’d be an honor to host The Baron and my boy Luther is looking for his first hunt; it’d be a messy and violent, but everything you’d hope to see.”
Zeus leans into Tommy, looking him in the bloodshot eyes.
“What do you say, Thomas?” He asks sinisterly. “Would you like me to kill that pretty sister of yours, or do you come willingly?”
Thomas looks up.
“I’ll go…” he stammers.
Cut.
A bitter war for answers has evolved into a battle for the NXT Level Championship. Will Jinx be able to defend her Hive or will Luther Grim claim the Championship as his own?
The referee calls for the match to begin as Grim and Jinx are already brawling with each other. Jinx gets the upper hand slamming a full can of energy drink or whatever she has next to her computer station into the skull of The Trophy Hunter exploding its contents into his goddamn eyes.
Blinded Grim staggers back and…
*KAH-RAK!*
DISCUS ELBOW TO THE JAW!
DDoS ATTACK!
LUTHER STAGGERS!
*KRASH!*
JINX SMASHES A FUCKING KEYBOARD ACROSS THE TROPHY HUNTER’S FACE DROPPING GRIM AS THE KEYS RAIN OVER THE HIVE’S FLOOR!
Staying on top of The Beast of Prey the Fatal Error picks him up hooking his legs and lifting him into the air…
ENCRYPTION KEY!
DECRYPTED!
As Luther slips out of the Ki Krusher and in one fluid motion has The Glitch up on his shoulders…
REAPING THE HARVEST!
THE TORTURE RACK IS LOCKED IN AS JINX BEGINS TO SCREAM IN PAIN.
However, rather than maintaining the submission Grim slams Jinx into the wall face-first before throwing her to the fucking ground.
“GET UP AND FIGHT ME, BITCH!”
Luther yells at The Glitch to get to her feet and she’s more than happy to oblige slowly using a nearby window frame to pull herself up.
When…
BLOOD SPORT!
BROGUE KICK!
DODGED!
*CRASH!*
THE GLASS OF THE WINDOW FUCKING SHATTERS AND WE HEAR THE TINKLE OF THE GLASS FALLS TO THE GROUND!
As the cardboard that blacked out the window does fuck all to protect The Hunter as he falls back his leg covered in crimson.
However, Jinx catches him during the descent using the momentum to hit a Diving Reverse DDT slamming Grim’s skull into the floor below with a sickening goddamned thud. Jinx confidently smirks as she finds a spot on her perch before taking to the air…
RANSOMWARE!
A BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED BLACK AAROW LANDS FULL FORCE BEFORE HOOKING THE TROPHY HUNTER’S BLOODIED LEG FOR THE PIN!
ONE…
…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
DOES JINX HAVE VICTORY?!
…
…
…
NO! GRIM FORCES HIS SHOULDER UP OFF THE FLOOR BEFORE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE BLACK HAT BY RAKING JINX’S EYES!
Grim staggers to his feet as a blinded Fatal Error follows suit as well. The Beast of Prey snags The Glitch, getting her up and driving her down with the…
TROPHY HUNT!
DIVING POWERBOMB INTO JINX’S BANK OF FUCKING MONITORS TEARING THEM THE FUCK DOWN AS SHE FALLS INTO A SEATED POSITION ON HER DESK AGAINST THE WALL, BROKEN MONITORS SCATTERED AROUND HER!
Grim limps back to the other side of the Hive and manages to get a running start before diving at Jinx’s seated form…
GREAT PURS-*THWACK!*
THE BLACK HAT SMASHES ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING INTACT MONITORS INTO THE FUCKING HEAD OF GRIM!
*THWACK! *
ANOTHER DAMNABLE SHOT TO THE FUCKING HEAD FURTHER ROCKING GRIM BEFORE THE BLACK HAT GRABS THE TROPHY HUNTER BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND THURSTING THE MONITOR INTO HIS THROAT AND SLAMMING IT INTO THE FUCKING DESK!
AN INVERTED GODDAMN GUILLOTINE!
Dropping Grim to the ground as he clutches his throat coughing and sputtering. Jinx jumps on top of The Trophy Hunter raining down solid right hammer fists to the face of Luther Grim. However, Luther manages to block one of the incoming hammer fists and managing to overpower The Hacker by throwing her back first into the glass door of The Black Hat’s fridge containing her energy drinks and sodas as it shatters cutting The Black Hat’s back to fucking ribbons.
But Jinx still manages to struggle back to her feet…
ONLY TO BE MET WITH BLOOD SPORT!
LUTHER’S BLOODIED BOOT BOUNCES BRUTALLY OFF THE SKULL OF JINX WITH THE BROGUE KICK!
Sending the claret soaked back of The Black Hat slamming against the wall leaving a red stain where Jinx’s made contact.
Luther grabs The Hacker hitting an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex sending Jinx careening in the direction of her server towers, as we hear the hellacious wet slap of Jinx’s back landing on the floor of the hive.
The Beast of Prey lowers his head waiting for The Black Hat to pull herself back up…
GREAT PURSUIT!
A MASSIVE FUCKING SPEAR DRIVES THE BLOODIED BACK OF THE HACKER THROUGH HER OWN FUCKING SERVER ARRAY AS SPARKS CASCADE FROM THE SERVERS AS THEY COME CRASHING DOWN ON TOP OF BOTH OF THEM!
Grim slowly gets to his feet as he drags the body of Jinx from the smoking server wreckage before collapsing on top of the Champion…
ONE…
…
…
…
IS IT FINALLY OVER!
…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
…
A BLOODY WAR FINALLY DRAWS TO A CLOSE?
…
…
…
A CHAMPIONSHIP REIGN IN TATTERS?
…
…
…
THREE?
…
…
…
THREE!
Luther Grim has claimed the NXT Level Championship after a brutal bloody battle.
WINNER AND NEW NXT LEVEL CHAMPION: LUTHER GRIM
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
With the match over, Luther Grim gets back to his feet, snatching the NXT Level Championship from the desk. He looks at it for a moment and then scoffs, tossing it aside.
Jinx remains down and before long, she’s straddled by Grim who takes his spear and slams it into her throat, choking her.
“He was my first,” he growls as she fights desperately for air. “Did you know that?”
“Why?” She mutters, gasping.
“Because he slept with Hera behind Zeus’ back. His infidelity had to be punished and when Zeus wanted to kill you, he gave your brother a choice; join the great hunt or watch you die.”
Tears begin streaming down Jinx’ face as she chokes, her face turning bright red.
“He chose to save your life,” Grim says with a smirk. “Not that it’s worth much now. If it matters, I was a rookie. My kill wasn’t clean, and he suffered immensely as Zeus watched.”
Jinx tries as she might to fight out but can’t. Grim’s laughter echoes in her ear; the last thing she’s ever likely to hear.
THUMP!
Suddenly, Luther falls to the side abruptly. She immediately gasps for air, able to breathe. Scrambling away, she looks up to see her savior.
A masked man.
“Hera sent me,” he says, helping her back to her feet with a hand. “She would’ve come herself, but the invasion of Old School Wrestling has begun. She told me to tell you that she loved your brother and wished she could’ve saved him. Part of this war with Zeus is in his name.”
Jinx looks shocked, reaching into her pocket. She pulls out an invitation and hands it to the man who saved her.
“Take this,” she says with gratitude. “It’ll get you into OSW.”
The man nods.
“Are you coming?” He asks. “The Revolution will be televised tonight.”
The Hacker shakes her head.
“No,” she says sadly. “I have to take these answers back to my family. They deserve to know the truth about Arcadia and Zeus.”
With that, the masked man and Jinx head their separate ways, leaving the vile Luther Grim bloodied and unconscious, the new NXT Level Champion – only the masked man picks up the title and walks away with it.
Cut.
A SONG FOR ALL TO HEAR
Somewhere in Arcadia, El Mariachi Muerte sits in deep ponderance. He looks at his guitar with deep passion filled eyes. Tonight, he must make a choice. Over his shoulder, a voice softly whispers.
“It needs to end, doesn’t it?” The voice asks. “We both know it.”
Muerte nods.
“Tonight is the end of one thing and the beginning of another,” it continues. “A song sung is one for all to hear.”
El Mariachi lowers his head. He’s not conflicted, he’s assured. He’s determined, but that doesn’t make him any less despondent.
The voice behind him knows this. It encourages.
“Finish what must be finished and begin what must begin, that is the way of it. You need to end this saga, El Mariachi Muerte – for your purpose is to play and this has meddled with your purpose.”
He sighs deeply.
“I don’t need reminding of my purpose,” he replies, focused. “I know what I have to do.”
Cut.
The animosity is palpable here as both teams stare one another down. Doom tries to start but Foley graciously offers to do so instead! Meanwhile Burned Man nods to Destructo Boy, starting it off to Burning Justice.
Foley squares up with the Burned Man and they lock up in the center of the ring vying for control! Maxwell hits a hip toss to Felix before catching him with a knee as he rises! Friendly Foley stumbles back into the ropes and tries to defend against a barrage of strikes from The Burned Man!
FLYING FOREARM TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! DESTRUCTO BOY JUST NAILED FOLEY FROM THE APRON!
Burned Man pulls Felix off of the ropes and drops him with a massive exploder suplex! The Sole Survivor looks to maintain control as he drags the show host to the ropes and tags in Destructo Boy! One half of Burning Justices forces the helpless Bestie up into a suplex hold and Destructo Boy leaps from the top turnbuckle!
SUPLEX CROSSBODY! THE BOY WONDER COVERS FOLEY!
ONE- NOT EVEN A ONE COUNT! FOLEY HAS FIGHT IN HIM!
James looks annoyed as he leaps to his feet, raining down boot after boot onto Felix who reaches out for his turnbuckle! Destructo Boy drags him away and hits the ropes!
SPRINGBOARD 630 SENTON!
NO! DOOM SHOT A GRAPPLING HOOK FROM HIS WRIST! HE YANKS FOLEY OUT OF THE WAY TOWARDS HIS CORNER!
Destructo Boy bounces off of the mat and Foley leaps for the hot tag! The crowd goes wild as Doom storms into the ring!
AND HE HITS THE SCRAMBLER! MASSIVE RUNNING KNEE TO DESTRUCTO BOY!
But Doom runs right through him towards the corner!
SPLITTER! SPLITTER! MASSIVE GORE TO THE BURNED MAN!
Both men land in a heap at ringside but The Mad Scientist is quick to his feet as he grabs Burned Man and slams his head into the floor over and over with malicious intent! He lays into him with those metal clad gauntlets until blood spills from Burned Man’s face! He lifts up the Mummy and looks at the edge of the stage! He runs forwards!
BURNED MAN SLIPS OUT! BACKDRAFT SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
DOOM IS T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-TEETERING ON THE EDGE OF THE STAGE!
Maxwell rushes forwards with a massive shove!
DOOM’S JUST BEEN THROWN OFF THE FUCKING STAGE!
The Sole Survivor waits at the edge, expecting to hear the thud of metal meeting floor! But there’s nothing, just an uneasy silence for a moment… Until we hear a familiar whirring sound!
THE DOCTOR RISES UP HOLDING ONTO AN MK.II DRONE!
He flies overhead towards the ring where Destructo Boy is back to his feet. The Boy Wonder runs up a turnbuckle and makes a leap onto Doom! He grabs onto the scientist and lays into him over and over again with massive right hands as they both hang ten feet above the ring! Doom can’t defend himself without letting go of the drone! Destructo Boy won’t let up!
AND DOOM LETS GO OF THE DRONE! BOTH MEN PLUMMET TO THE GROUND BELOW! DESTRUCTO BOY NAILS THE GROUND WITH A THUD!
But Doom stays afloat! His hover boots are on and he lands in his corner before taking in Felix! Foley steps into the ring and peels Destructo Boy off of the mat before nailing him with a powerslam! He forces Destructo Boy back up and whips him into the ropes before catching him with a crossbody on the return! Foley drags Destructo Boy to the turnbuckle and puts him in the tree of woe!
FOLEY’S FUNHOUSE! DROPKICK TO DESTRUCTO BOY!
BLIND TAG BY THE BURNED MAN!
Burned Man was back on the apron in time to make the tag and he storms the ring! Foley ducks a clothesline but Maxwell hits the ropes and comes back with a massive shoulder charge that takes him off of his feet! Foley rolls back to his feet and catches a belly-to-belly suplex for his troubles! Burned Man is running on adrenaline as he forces Foley back up!
ASHES TO ASHES! TWO HALF NELSON SUPLEXES! HE LIFTS FOLEY UP OINE MORE TIME!
DUST!
TO!
DUST!
NO!
THE PUPPETSHOW! FOLEY SHOVES HIS HAND INTO BURNED MAN’S MOUTH! THE MANDIBLE CLAW!
Foley has the hold locked in and Burned Man fights for his life as he tries his best to stay conscious! Felix whips him around over and over in an attempt to get him to go down but Burned Man refuses to say die! He fights for his life and slams into the referee! The ref is down and Foley has the hold locked in in the center of the ring! Destructo Boy goes to the top rope! He has the Kingdomblade!
LEAPING KINGDOMBLADE STRIKE FROM THE TOP ROPE!
VILE!
FUCKING!
JUSTICE!
TO THE BURNED MAN!?
THE BURNED MAN JUST GOT DROPPED LIKE A TON OF BRICKS AND DESTRUCTO BOY IS FUCKING SMILING!
Foley is confused but Destructo Boy vacates the ring as Doom stirs the referee! He tells Foley to drop for the cover!
ONE!
…
NOT LIKE THIS!
…
TWO!
…
WHY DESTRUCTO BOY!? WHY?
…
THREE!
The fans can’t believe what they’ve just seen! Destructo Boy joins Doom and Foley in the ring as they stand over Burned Man!
WINNERS: THE BESTIES
TO THE POOL
The match is over, the violence has come to an end, but no one can fucking believe what they’ve just seen transpire! Destructo Boy looks down at his father, shaking his head before turning back to Doom who merely looks on with pride.
“Uhh, best friend? What just happened” Felix asks, scratching the back of his head, clearly not in the loop.
“Felix, you’re still a blubbering bafoon, but you’re also my best friend so I shall explain.”
“You said best friend!” Felix beams at Doom, the scientist immediately rolling his eyes and damning his own word choice.
“For months, you see, I allowed people to believe that the Odyssey Pool didn’t work on our Boy Wonder here. Too pure, too heroic,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “But you see, the Odyssey Pool always works, Felix. Isn’t that right, James?”
Destructo Boy nods his head, shrinking the Kingdomblade down and stowing it away. “Always. And if it worked for me… Then it’ll work for my dad, won’t it?” He turns to Doom who nods his head, calling in a swarm of his MK. II drones to the ring. The two of them connect wires from the drones to Burned Man, allowing him to be lifted into the air.
“Come now, Felix. We have a new friend I want to dip in our pool.”
“Oh! Well, I think it’s a bit meanspirited how we got here… But I love new friends! Can you give me a ride on the drone again?”
There’s a silence for a moment before Doom sighs, nodding his head. “You may hold onto a drone.”
Foley grabs onto a drone alongside Doom and Destructo Boy, the three men rising into the air and out of Olympus with Burned Man in tow. “To the pool!”
Meanwhile, the audience looks on, still absolutely shocked at what they’ve just witnessed.
Cut.
The history between Vision and Grimskull is as deep and violent as the vat of molten metal that sits in front of them.
And Grimskull wastes no time, using a double leg takedown to drop Vision! He mounts the Awoken One and begins pounding him in the face with fist after fist after fist
AFTER FIST!
AFTER FIST!
AFTER FUCKING FIST!!!
LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT!!!
IS THIS OVER BEFORE IT EVEN GETS STARTED?
Psh, of course not. Don’t be crazy, man. This is Red Fucking Snow.
BLIND SPOT!!! DOUBLE THUMBS TO GRIMSKULL’S EYES!!!
Vision slips out of the mount and scrambles to his feet.
PUNT KICK TO GRIM’S SKULL!!!
It seems to hurt Vision at least as much as it damages Grim, who scrambles to his feet!
Clothesline from Vision — NO!!!
LESSON!!! SUPERKICK FROM GRIMSKULL!!!
That sends Vision backwards into the vat!
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Vision says, writhing a bit from the impact.
Grimskull grabs Vision by the head, puts his thumbs where his eyes should be, and with a blood-curdling grin, he whispers.
“Fuck you.”
BANG! GRIMSKULL SLAMS THE BACK OF VISION’S HEAD INTO THE VAT’S HARD EXTERIOR!!!
BANG!!! AGAIN!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
Holy fuck he’s going to kill him.
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
BANG!!!
Vision drops to the warehouse floor, blood trickling out of an open wound on the back of his skull.
Grimskull takes a moment to admire his handiwork.
Then, he looks around the warehouse. He sees the stairwells that lead to the walkways that hang over the vat.
He drives a boot into Vision’s sternum, brings him to his feet.
“Let’s take a walk,” says Grimskull, as he starts dragging Vision towards the stairs.
But Vision has different ideas.
HE KICKS GRIMSKULL IN THE BACK OF THE KNEE!!!
GRIMSKULL KNEELS!!!
RUNNING THROWBACK!!!
ONE!!!
FLEW!!!
OVER!!!!!
Vision has to be concussed. He has to be dazed, confused, and in a lot of pain.
And yet he looms large over the fallen Grimskull.
He JUMPS on Grimskull’s back, sits down on it.
CAMEL CLUTCH!!!!
Grimskull cries out from the very pain he so embraces, which causes Vision to wrench on Grim’s neck even harder!!!
Even if he were to tap, it wouldn’t matter. There’s no submissions.
But Grimskull would never tap.
Not here.
Not when he’s so close to finishing this once and for all!
As Vision wrenches that neck once more–
BANG!!! SKULL THROWS THAT SKULL BACK INTO THE BRIDGE OF VISION’S NOSE!!!
BLOOD SPEWS FROM THE IMPACT LIKE A SHAKEN CAN OF SODA POP!!!
Grimskull chuckles as Vision cries out in pain and releases the hold.
He drags the bleeding Vision by the arm to the bottom of the stairs.
Slum God looks at the Awoken One with the craziest look in his eye.
Then, curiously, runs up to the top of the stairs.
He turns away from Vision.
Holds his arms out in a crucifix position, and jumps backwards!!!
THIS CRAZY SON OF A BITCH!!!
CRASH!!!
GOOD GOD!!!
VISION DROPKICKED GRIMSKULL IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!!!
BOTH MEN LAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS!!!
…but it’s Vision who manages, somehow, to stagger up to his feet first.
With all the damage he’s taken, he’s still in this fight.
“You wanted to take a walk,” Vision says. “Let’s take one.”
He grabs Grimskull by the ankles, and slowly starts dragging him up the stairs. The back of Grim’s skull knocks against each step.
…and we can see the grin on his face widen with each impact.
Sick bastard.
As they reach the top of the stairs, Grimskull kicks Vision away so hard he nearly topples off of the walkway to the ground!
Grimskull scrambles to his feet!
CLOTHESLINE!!! NO!!!
VISION DUCKS IT!!!
IRON STRIKE!!! A VICIOUS BACK ELBOW TO THE BACK OF GRIM’S SKULL!!!
BUT GRIM IS UNPHASED!!!
LESSON!!! ANOTHER SUPERKICK FROM SLUM GOD!!!
Grim drags Vision up to his feet, tucks the Awoken One’s head in his arm, and lifts him into the air!!!
DDT SUPLEX FROM GRIMSKULL!!!
VISION’S ALREADY DAMAGED HEAD COLLIDES WITH THE STEEL WALKWAY FLOORING!!!
Grimskull stands to his feet, turns around,
AND TRUST FALLS INTO VISION, THE BACK OF HIS HEAD ABSOLUTELY CREAMING VISION’S FACE!!!
Grimskull reaches his feet, looks down at the floor.
The molten metal bubbles in the vat that looms beneath them.
Slum God looks down at Vision and says two words.
“It’s time.”
He drags Vision up to his feet!
But Vision STRIKES first with a punch to the throat!!!
Grimskull STRIKES back with a hook to Vision’s already broken nose!
Vision with a CHOP to Skull’s throat!
Another HOOK from Grimskull!
BUT VISION, IN A LAST GASP, FIRES AWAY WITH CHOPS, KICKS, AND PUNCHES!!!
BLIND!!!
FUCKING!!!
FURYYYYYYYYY!!!
Grimskull staggers backwards until there’s nowhere left for him to go!!!
ALL that stands between him and that vat of molten metal is the thin, steel guard rail of the walkway!!!
“You’re right,” Vision says. “It is time!”
VISION SCOOPS GRIMSKULL UP!!!
OH MY FUCKING GOD NO!!!
HE HOLDS VISION HIGH IN THE AIR FOR A VERTICAL SUPLEX!!!
GRIMSKULL SWINGS HIS FEET, DESPERATELY TRYING TO PREVENT THIS!!!
IT THROWS VISION OFF BALANCE!!!
THEY TOPPLE OVER THE FUCKING GUARD RAIL!!!
THEY FALL…
… AND FALL…
…AND FA– CRASH!!!
BOTH MEN COLLIDE WITH THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE VAT!!!
NEITHER MAN IS MOVING…
Are… They even alive?
…
Suddenly, one of them begins to stir.
…He groans…
…He writhes on the floor of the warehouse…
…He slowly climbs to his feet…
Vision smiles, looks down at Grimskull.
Out cold.
It is now time to finish this.
Vision is victorious in his final bout with Grimskull. No doubt, a feather in his cap.
WINNER: VISION
LOSS OF VISION
It’s finally over. Vision, exhausted, stands over the prone body of Grimskull. He looks almost sad at what this came to. Suddenly, Grimskull finds a last burst of energy from deep within to rise from the floor, pulling Vision over to the railing near the vat. Vision is acutely aware of the temperature of the air around him, and grabs onto the railing with everything he has.
“No, Walther,” he says.
Grimskull laughs in response.
“I have spent years, Vincent, obsessing over what you did to me. For the longest time, your actions were what caused me to explore and understand pain in the way I did. It was the only way I could start to make sense of what had happened. And over the years it festered. My hatred for you and my need for revenge have caused me to lose myself. Look at what I have built here, just for you!”
He throws Vision back away from the edge.
“All of this, because of what you did to me,” he says with a snarl. Meanwhile Vision has made his way back to his feet slowly.
“I lost the grand vision in all of the bluster. The bigger picture. It is only tonight, knowing what is in store for me and watching you sweat over this vat, that I understand what I need and what I want. These are two different things. What I need is far greater and far outweighs what I want. There are bigger things waiting for me. I’m making the choice, Vincent, to spare you tonight. I could have ended this once and for all, but this proves beyond all doubt that I am a better man than you ever were.”
Vision looks like he might be about to speak, but thinks better of it. He knows that this could have gone much differently.
“Now get out of here,” Grimskull shouts, gruffly. “Before I change my mind…”
And with that, Vision, and what remains of his Third Eye brothers, retreat from the warehouse. Alive.
Barely.
Cut.
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Illumination Antiques is finally back open.
Much to the sheer joy of Albert Lamplight who wishes nothing more than to return to business as usual. As he stocks the store with various items, the bell above the door sounds to signify the entry of his first customer in quite some time.
Only, when he turns to greet them, his face is a picture of surprise.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Albert almost says with disappointment. He straightens out his suit and positions himself behind the counter.
The customer doesn’t get close enough for us to see them, remaining instead of out of view.
“Finally, business as usual, is it?” The person enquires. “I’d hope so.”
“An arrangement was made. You aren’t to step foot on these premises, that much I know,” Lamplight muses – in a threatening manner.
The customer pauses for a moment.
“I need your help,” they reply. “And you’re going to give me it.”
Another pause.
“He’s going to come to you,” he continues. “And when he does, I need you to guide him. I need you to help him. He seeks the truth but can never find it. Do you understand?”
Albert thinks about it for a moment.
“Why would he come here?” He queries. “Unless you plan to send him my way?”
Another odd pause.
“Just be his guide,” the voice demands. “You remember the agreement, don’t you?”
Lamplight nods.
“I do, but do you?” He asks. “There will come a time…”
The person cuts him off.
“I’ll keep my end if you keep yours.”
The door chime sounds once more as the person leaves, leaving Albert Lamplight to consider his position. He reaches into a set of drawers beside his counter and pulls out some paperwork. With a lick of the finger, he runs it down the page until he finds the detail he was searching for.
He muses with a hum.
Cut.
The publishing of Colt Ramsey’s article on Hera, the Uprising and more has sent Arcadia into a spin. The people are angry, they want blood. And tonight, a war rages inside that ring fuelled by that very article. Just who will be left standing when all is said and done?
Narcissa is quick to line up Ramsey in her sights. Charging straight at him, she hits him with a swift Elbow Strike before he can so much as utter a retraction. The strike staggers the Journo and NARCISSA GOES FOR THE EYES!
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER! THE EYEGOUGE STO TAKES RAMSEY DOWN!
PRINT THAT!
NARCISSA READIES HER HEELS AND LOOKS SET TO STOMP HER WAY ACROSS RAMSEY’S BACK…
BUT CADE TAKES HER OUT WITH A CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS HER UPSIDE DOWN!
Cade and Attano lock horns but Attano drives his knee into Cade’s guts, doubling him over.
HEADSHOT!
SUPERKICK SENDS JACKSON CADE INTO THE ROPES!
HE BOUNCES BACK, DAZED AND CONFUSED!
STRAIGHT INTO A SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!
KNEE CAP TAKES HIM DOWN!
Mr Nobody stands among a pile of groaning bodies. He picks his target, pulling Narcissa to her feet to continue the assault. Attano softens her up with a few well placed body blows, before whipping her into the corner turnbuckle.
NARCISSA BOUNCES OFF THE STEEL AND STAGGERS FORWARD!
BOOM! VENOM!
SCORPION KICK CONNECTS RIGHT TO THE DAMNED SKULL!
SHE COLLAPSES BACK INTO THE CORNER, FALLING INTO A SEATED POSITION!
AND ATTANO LOOKS ALL TOO HAPPY TO STOMP THAT MUDHOLE DRY!
Mr Nobody sets to work stomping the life out of Narcissa, while Cade and Ramsey slowly recuperate. Both men pull themselves to their feet, looking at each other for a moment, before the both line up Attano from behind.
DOUBLE CLUBBING AXE HANDLES HIT ATTANO IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD, STAGGERING HIM!
ATTANO SPINS AROUND, ONLY TO COP A BULLHAMMER ELBOW FROM CADE!
INCENDIARY ROUND!
RAMSEY NAILS A ROLLING CUTTER FOR GOOD MEASURE!
B-ROLL DROPS ATTANO TO THE GROUND!
Narcissa is down, Attano is down. Cade and Ramsey remain, but Ramsey comes out swinging at Perseus. A wild Lariat misses the mark and Ramsey staggers forward. Cade looks to lock in a Kimura Lock, but Colt slips out of the hold. Cade has Ramsey firmly in his sights and doesn’t look like he’s about to let up any time soon.
LEAPING SUPERKICK!
HOSTILE DOWN! NO!
SOMEHOW, COLT RAMSEY DODGES OUT OF THE WAY AND CADE CATCHES NOTHING BUT THE STEEL OF THE TURNBUCKLE!
AND COLT HIGHTAILS IT THE HELL OUT OF THE RING!
A precious, needed moment of separation between the pair sees Colt draw a deep breath. Perseus comes after him, leaping off the ring apron at him…
BUT COLT SPINS AROUND, ARMED WITH HIS CAMERA!
FLASH!
SAY CHEESE!
THE CAMERA FLASH BLINDS JACKSON CADE AND HE HITS NOTHING BUT AIR!
THAT’S A WRAP!
SWINGING REVERSE DDT DROPS JACKSON CADE TO THE STAGE OUTSIDE OF THE RING!
Colt cannot hope to celebrate for long, because as soon as he had hit his strike, another figure was climbing the turnbuckle from inside the ring.
DIVING CROSSBODY!
NARCISSA BALENCIAGA JUST THREW HERSELF INTO COLT’S ARMS… BUT NOT LIKE THE NARCY-DOLL OF OLD!
SHE TAKES HIM THE HELL OUT, KNOCKING HIM ASS OVER TIT AND LETTING HIS BODY FALL RIGHT ON TOP OF JACKSON CADE’S!
She directs her attention to the ring, where the only other soul who can stop her now resides. Harold Attano, slowly pulling himself to a vertical base. She slithers into the ring, and lines him up…
KICKING HIM RIGHT IN THE BALLS WITH THE TOE OF HER STILLETO!
IT’S ENOUGH TO BRING TEARS TO A MAN’S EYE, BUT ATTANO HAS NO TIME TO CRY NOW!
NARCISSA BALENCIAGA IS ON TOP OF HIM, MARCHING HER HEELS INTO HIS BACK!
CATWALK! BUT SHE’S NOT DONE THERE!
SHE GRABS HOLD OF HIS HEAD, PULLING NOBODY INTO A BULLDOG CHOKE! CODE OF SILENCE!
ATTANO’S OWN MOVE… NARCISSA’S LATEST TREND!
Mr Nobody looks like he’s fading fast, but will he tap out!
This could be it!
…
…
His arm dangles above the canvas!
…
…
…
BUT NO!
COLT RAMSEY IS THERE TO BREAK UP THE HOLD!
He blindsides Narcissa, giving Attano a chance to make his feet. Before long, all three stand in a stalemate which gives a momentary breath to the match. The calm before all hell breaks loose.
Then, simultaneously…
NARCISSA TAKES OUT COLT RAMSEY WITH A LARIAT!
ATTANO TAKES OUT NARCISSA WITH A LARIAT!
AND COLT RAMSEY TAKES OUT HAROLD ATTANO!
THEY’RE ALL DOWN!
EVERYONE IS DOWN!
THE CROWD ARE GOING NUTS!
But it is Jackson Cade who slides into the ring, breaking up the aftermath of the Lariat party, he moves across the ring, to where Narcissa Balenciaga is on all fours, trying to pull herself to her feet. Without a second thought, he charges at her.
50 CALIBER!
THE FULL FORCE PUNT!
KILLING HER WITH… NO!
HE MISSES!
NARCISSA DARTS OFF INTO THE ROPES AS CADE IS UNBALANCED AND CHARGES BACK AT HIM!
RED BOTTOMS!
SHE CONNECTS WITH THE CURB STOMP, DRIVING THE STILLETO INTO THE BASE OF CADE’S SKULL!
KILLING HIM WITH FIRE!
NARCISSA COVERS FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
THREE!
NARCISSA WINS!
The target was firmly planted on her back, but she overcame the odds and stood atop the mountain. Narcissa stands tall tonight!
WINNER: NARCISSA BALENCIAGA
ONE OF THE MANY
With the match over, Harold Attano is back to his feet. He searches and scans for Narcissa, grabbing her quickly by the throat and spinning her around. She kicks and screams, but he’s too strong.
“I didn’t want it to come to this,” he whispers in her ear, strangling her from behind. “But Zeus…”
“My ex-husband is a piece of shit,” she says through gritted teeth whilst struggling to breathe.
She tries to back him off but he holds on tightly… until Jackson Cade rises. He immediately tries to calm the situation.
“You don’t have to do this, Harold,” he begs, his hands raised. “You don’t have to be an attack dog for Zeus. Have you ever thought about what she stands for? Have you ever thought about why?”
Harold scoffs.
“What does it matter?” He yells back at him. “All this unrest, all this death – it’s because of her challenging the order of things.”
As the life slowly fades in her eyes, Jackson Cade has a decision to make.
Cut.
The lights suddenly go out.
Olympus is thrust into darkness.
When they come back on, two people in full black attires with balaclavas, stand in the middle of the ring with steel chairs.
STEEL CHAIR TO JACKSON CADE!
STEEL CHAIR TO HAROLD ATTANO!
They take out both men with ease! They immediately begin stomping away at them, slamming kicks in as Narcissa gets back to her feet, holding her throat in agony.
She starts directing traffic. She demands Attano be dragged to his feet…
LOW BLOW!
Narcissa backs off as the masked attackers let Nobody drop to his knees.
THE LATEST TREND!
HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW TO HAROLD ATTANO!
The Attack Dog of Zeus drops like a sack of shit, hitting the canvas with a thud. The two masked individuals help Narcissa back to her feet, realizing that she’s taken one hell of a choking here tonight.
What the fuck is going on?
Are these masked individuals member of the Old School Wrestling roster? Who are they?
Jackson cade comes to, looking perplexed as blood trickles down his forehead.
“I was showing you who I wanted to be…” he mutters to Balenciaga.
She nods, kneeling slightly.
“For as long as you wear that badge, you’re one of them, not one of us,” she mutters at him. “And there’s many on this roster willing to join The Uprising. There’s many willing to show me who they want to be.”
Narcissa and her two secret Old School Wrestling allies exit the ring and head to the backstage.
Who in OSW has joined The Uprising?
Cut.
VIDA Y MUERTE
Red light floods the arena.
“Time of Dying” by Three Days Grace blasts from the speakers as none other than Dr. Death walks through the entrance.
And boy is he giddy!
Heading to the middle of the ring, he twirls his cane around under a red floodlight, then takes a microphone.
The tension in the air is palpable as the audience waits, their collective breath held in anticipation of El Mariachi Muerte’s response to the sinister challenge.
“This is it!” Dr. Death exclaims. “Get out here, Muerte! Tonight is the night I end the Mariachi and start my journey back to my World Championship!”
Darkness.
The crowd goes banana as a single spotlight illuminates the entrance way.
But instead of one figure, it’s two.
El Mariachi Muerte and La Mariachi Vida.
There’s no music as Muerte has his guitar slung over his back. The pair walk up the stairs to the ring.
The former Nurse Frightengale’s gaze remains fixed on Dr. Death, a fire of defiance burning in her eyes. Muerte’s expression is stoic, a mask of conflicting emotions.
Dr. Death wastes no time, seizing the moment.
“Muerte,” he sneers, his voice echoing through the arena, “you stand at the precipice of destiny. Will you accept my challenge? Will you sing the song of death to your beloved Frightengale and remove the failsafe stopping me from ending the Mariachi! “
The crowd holds its collective breath, waiting for Muerte’s response.
After a moment’s pause, it’s Vida who steps forward, her voice laced with contempt as she confronts Dr. Death.
“You were the worst time of my life,” she hisses, her words a venomous accusation. “You are scum, deserving of nothing but death. But I won’t be the one who gives it to you. You’ll pay for what you did for the rest of your wretched life.”
The Luchadoc seems confused until he sees that El Mariachi Muerte has his guitar in hand now. He drops to his knees.
IS EL MARIACHI MUERTE GOING TO KILL DR. DEATH!?
With determination in his eyes, Muerte begins to play, his voice carrying the haunting melody of the song of death.
The crowd watches in stunned silence as the notes fill the arena.
“No. No. No.” Death yells, looking in vain at La Mariachi Vida, hoping the good nurse will help him one last time.
But instead she smiles a sad smile, locking eyes with her love.
And it’s then that Dr. Death understands.
Tears glistening in El Mariachi Muerte’s eyes, it becomes clear.
Muerte is singing to Vida.
The notes surround Vida, seemingly meeting resistance at first, but their tones begin to penetrate that shield, surrounding her and flowing through her like electricity straight to her heart.
“Te amo,” come her final words.
She drops to the ground.
Dead.
The crowd is fucking shocked.
El Mariachi Muerte is devastated, broken-hearted, by the choice he has made.
Dr. Death stands to his feet. He’s gotten what he wants.
Or so he thinks.
Because El Mariachi Muerte is now standing resolute, determination etched on his face.
“Vida’s life won’t be in vain,” he declares, his voice unwavering. “For the Mariachi!”
THIS FIGHT IS FUCKING ON!
For six months, the funeral melody of O’Death has infected the world of Arcadia and now with a single choice, the final chorus shall be heard. Will Death silence this immortal tune forever or will the last Mariachi prove that as long as it permeates through one person’s soul, La Musica shall endure eternally?
SPEAR!
Muerte sprints forward, nearly spearing right through Death with every ounce of his strength and power. Death barely has any time to register the hit before it nearly turns his ribs to powder, the sheer force sending Death flying into the corner as his back impacts against the steel.
Death looks dazed in the corner as Muerte, still shaking with fury sprints forward and damn near cracks the mask with a brutal running facewash. Muerte backs up delivering a second, then a third before gripping the ropes and showing Death some of his own medicine
WITH SOME DEADLY VIBRATIONAL CHEST COMPRESSIONS!
Muerte stomps a mudhole into Death, if those ribs weren’t cracked before, they are now from the brutality of the assault from the Mariachi to the extent even the referee begins to try and pull Muerte away. Mariachi does eventually let go of the ropes, shoving the referee away before screaming out a primal roar which the crowd respond cheering on the Mariachi.
Muerte feeds off the crowd for a moment before turning his attention back to Death who is slowly stirring out of the corner, dazed and barely able to breath. Muerte lifts him up off his feet, rocking him with a few knees to those injured ribs before lifting Death up high, rushing forward
POWERBOM…NO! Death counters at the last second, delivering a desperation hurricanrana as Muerte goes flying over the top rope but he manages to land on his feet. Muerte nods his head slightly, turning back towards the ring as Death rushes forward, leaping over the ropes
SUICIDE…NO! Muerte catches him in mid-leap, showcasing a rare strength advantage over his opponent as he holds Death onto his chest, rushing forward before slamming him spine first into the nearby turnbuckle post. Death cries out in pain before Muerte flips him around
IN THE END! MODIFIED HALF NELSON DRIVER INTO THE FUCKING CONCRETE!
Muerte is just slowly picking apart the good Doctor here as he backs up, watching Death slowly pull himself up, staggering backwards into the nearby speaker as Death is visibly hurting. His ribs wincing in agony, his eyes glazed over from the sheer drop into the concrete. Muerte smirks a sadistic smile before sprinting forward.
SPEAR….THROUGH THE SPEAKER! DEATH FAKED HIM OUT AS MUERTE IS ENVELOPED IN A PAIN RAIN OF SPARKS AND FIRE!
Death breaths heavily for a moment, pushing hard against his side to pop something back in before he pulls the hurting Muerte out of the speaker. A small trickle of blood oozing down his forehead that’s not helped by a brutal roundhouse against the side of his skull before he’s lifted up into the air
SPINAL CONTUSION! TIT FOR TAT ASSHOLE! A sickening Brainbuster drives Muerte’s skull into the concrete just like the Mariachi did to Death but Death barely lets him recover before peeling him off the ground and throwing him roughly back into the ring.
Death doesn’t step back into the squared circle instead leaping up onto the apron as he focuses in on his prey, waiting patiently for the Mariachi to slowly stagger up to his feet before springboarding up to the top rope and leaping off
LETHAL…WHISKEY LULLABY COCKFACE! Muerte knows Death all too well as he catches him once again in mid-air, throwing him head over heels into the corner with that beautiful Belly to Belly Suplex. Muerte wipes the blood from his eyes, shaking the cobwebs off for a moment before turning his attention to Death scrambling for something in the corner.
His trusty physicians cane.
Muerte watches as Death gets to his feet, cane in hand. Death stares daggers at the Mariachi, thwapping the cane in his hand for a moment as the Mariachi urges him forward with a simple gesture of his hand. Death rushes forward, cane held high
SUPERKICK! Picture perfect right on the button rocks Death before a second one sends him crashing down to the canvas. Muerte looks towards the ropes, looking to go a little high flying of his own as he rushes towards the ropes, leaping up to the top before springboarding forward
AS DEATH SHATTERS HIS CANE OVER THE HEAD OF THE MARIACHI!
Shades of three weeks ago, Death catches Muerte slipping as he breaks another cane over Muerte’s skull. El Mariachi falls to his knees, that once small cut now heavily flowing but Death is keen to make it even worse as he bends down, grabbing a broken piece of the cane
AND BEGINS CARVING AWAY AT MARIACHI’S SKULL!
Muerte screams out in pain, a rivet of blood now pouring down his face as Death is trying to murder a man here. The referee tries to pull Death off but Death just points the shard of cane the officials way, threatening the same punishment. That small moment of reprieve allows Muerte a chance to fight back thou, delivering several desperation lefts and rights that stun Death but as Muerte staggers to his feet
A BRUTAL SUPERKICK SENDS HIM BACK DOWN TO HIS KNEES!
Death chuckles, Muerte’s eyes completely glazed over as the doctor runs one hand across his throat before sprinting towards the ropes, springboarding off
LETHAL
FUCKING
INJECTION
That has to be it, Muerte collapsing in a pool of his own blood as Death drops down for a casual cover, the referee hesitatingly beginning to count
ONE
………………….
……………………………
…………………………..
TWO
……………………………
………………………………..
……………………………………..
………………………………………
……………………………..
KICK OUT! MARIACHI KICKS OUT!
Death looks furious, staring bloody murder at the referee for a moment before peeling the groggy Mariachi up, grabbing his arm before flipping backwards
BY APPOINTMENT! AND THAT DEADLY DESTINO MAY BE THE LAST APPOINTMENT EL MARIACHI MUERTE EVER HAS!
Death dropping down for another cover as the referee counts
ONE
………………….
……………………………
…………………………..
TWO
……………………………
………………………………..
……………………………………..
………………………………………
……………………………..
THRE…..
………………………….
MUERTE GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Death is beyond furious, gripping the referee by the shirt as he screams at him to count the fucking pinfall. Death throws the referee to the mat, telling him to count again as Death hooks both legs, the referee quickly beginning to count
ONE
………………….
……………………………
…………………………..
TWO
……………………………
………………………………..
……………………………………..
………………………………………
MUERTE KICKS OUT AGAIN! WHERE IS HE GETTING THIS STRENGTH FROM?
Death tries to calm himself down, he knows exactly how tough Muerte is, he just needs to go in for the kill. Pulling the blood drenched Mariachi up to his feet, he spins him around, driving an elbow to the point of the skull before wrapping his arms around his throat
TRYING TO OVERWHELM MUERTE WITH THAT DEADLY ANESTHESIA!
Muerte tries to fight but he’s lost so much blood allready, quickly he begins to fade under the hold as he goes limp in Death’s hands. The referee grabs his hand, lifting it up into the air
IT DROPS ONCE
…………………..
………………………
……………………………..
IT DROPS TWICE
…………………………..
………………………………
…………………………………
IT DROPS…NO!
Muerte finds the strength inside to continue past the agony and pain, slowly fighting his way back to his feet as he tries to walk slowly towards the ropes, Death pulling him back the entire way. Muerte has his fingertips scrape the ropes before he’s pulled ever so slightly back. Muerte looks to fall back to his knees again but a sudden burst in energy fills him as he rushes forward, flipping up the ropes and over Death, bridging back into a pinfall attempt. Death struggles to keep the hold on as the referee slides down for the cover
ONE
………………….
……………………………
…………………………..
TWO
……………………………
………………………………..
……………………………………..
………………………………………
DEATH BREAKS THE HOLD!
Both men stagger up to their feet as Muerte rocks Death with a sudden headbutt before whipping him across the ring. Death ducks underneath a clothesline, springboarding off the ropes
TORNADO DDT! That had some stank on it as Muerte’s skull implants into the mat, El Mariachi looking like he’s out cold as Death looks to finally, permanently put an end to the Mariachi’s as he goes up top. Once more slicing his finger across his throat before diving off
CARDIAC ARREST! 630 SENTON! That has to be it as Death hooks the leg for the cover
ONE
………………….
……………………………
…………………………..
TWO
……………………………
………………………………..
……………………………………..
………………………………………
……………………………………..
……………………………………….
THREE….
…………………………….
THREE????
……………………..
THREE.
Death leaps to his feet, both fists clenched in victory as he’s finally, definitively beaten El Mariachi but as he waits for the referee to raise his hand, the referee doesn’t
The referee waves it off as he just noticed El Mariachi’s foot on the rope
This match must continue.
Death is incensed, gripping the referee around the throat, lifting him up high
SPINAL CONTUSION TO THE REFEREE! DEATH JUST BRAINBUSTERED THE OFFICIAL!
Death screams out in fury, his eyes scanning the ring before his rage quells for a moment and an evil chuckle comes from the doctor as his eyes spy something.
The guitar.
Death walks over to the treasured possession, grabbing the enchanted pick from inside before beginning to play. It’s rough, amateurish even but the magic inside the pick still shines through as eventually the music begins to slightly resemble what the Mariachi plays. Muerte slowly rises on his knees from the sound, staring defiantly at Death who chuckles again before whispering into the guitar just like Muerte has so many times before
“Ahora Mueres”
A singular black note appears out of nowhere, floating through the air and hits Muerte straight in the chest. The Mariachi cries out in pain for a moment but the note doesn’t vanish, instead travelling up Muerte’s chest and stopping on his forehead, as it doesn’t kill him
But begins to heal him.
Death scowls in fury, plucking another note and another as they all float towards Muerte but instead of hurting him, continue to heal the Mariachi. Death gets to his feet, frantically strumming as Muerte rises to his feet, completely healed by the black notes. Death just scowls, stopping the strumming as he yells out
‘Oh Fuck This’
BEFORE HE BREAKS THE GUITAR OVER EL MARIACHI’S HEAD!
Muerte collapses for a moment in a pool of darkness and wood, Death laughing maniacally but the laughter quickly fades as Singing Death sits up, the pool of darkness fading away into him as El Mariachi Muerte stands, an aura of purest death covers him.
Because the enchanted pick, the guitar, they were only conduits.
La Musica itself flows through the soul of the last Mariachi and Death…
He done fucked around and found out.
Death rushes at Muerte, nailing him with a mammoth Superkick but Muerte doesn’t even flinch. Death gulps, backing away before trying again but Singing Death catches the second, spinning Death around on his feet before nearly taking his fucking head off with a brutal standing Lariat. Death staggers to his feet into a pair of leaping knees to the skull that drop the good doctor to his before Muerte rushes to the ropes, springboarding off
THE LAST CARNIVAL! DEATH’S BACK MAY WELL BE BROKEN IN HALF FROM THAT BRUTAL LUNGBLOWER!
Muerte doesn’t cover, instead rolling to his feet as he leaps up to the top, throwing down a black rose onto the fallen Death before leaping off
ROSES FOR THE DEAD! RIB SHATTERING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP HITS FLUSH! BUT MUERTE ISN’T DONE!
Lifting up Death onto his shoulders, he spins him around before flipping him back face first but Death dodges the knee, leaping up
COMATOSIA! TORNADO ROUNDHOUSE ROCKS DEATH AND KICKS THE AURA RIGHT OUT OF HIM!
Muerte staggers back, wincing in pain but full of raw, unfiltered hatred for the man standing in front of him as both rush forward, nailing one another with heavy lefts and rights but neither man give a single inch.
Right, left, uppercut, headbutt before a pair of roundhouses’s stagger the other back. Both men fall into the ropes, and head onto the apron. Their hands are gripped tight as Muerte raises a single finger towards the doctor who flips him off in turn before both men leap up to the top rope and springboard forward
MALICIOUS SONATA
LETHAL INJECTION
THE SONATA HITS TRUE AS MUERTE DELIVERS A DEADLY STUNNER TO THE GOOD DOCTOR! Both men are completely done as Muerte has just enough energy to flop one arm over Death, the referee finally coming too as he slowly begins to count
ONE
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TWO
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THREE….
…………………………….
THREE????
……………………..
THREE!!!
El Mariachi Muerte has done it, overcoming the foul plans of Dr Death to win this battle but can he win the war or will this be the last stand of the Mariachi’s?
WINNER: EL MARIACHI MUERTE
LIFE AND DEATH
WHAT A FUCKING WAR!
El Mariachi Muerte and Dr. Death lay in the middle of the ring, having given everything that they had to defeat the other.
For a moment, there’s no stirring of life from either man.
Just silence.
Both men begin to stir at the same time, but it’s the Mariachi who is the determined one. Muerte, battered and bruised, crawls over to where Dr. Death lies, his expression grim and determined.
He leans in close to Dr. Death, whispering something we cannot hear into his ear.
Dr. Death, rattled by Muerte’s proximity and the weight of his words, tries to back away.
Filled with adrenaline, he gets back to his feet, his eyes wide with fear. He stammers, attempting to protest, but Muerte’s grip on him tightens.
“This ordeal has forever linked us, Dr. Death. You and I, we are bound by the bloodshed and the darkness that has consumed us.” Muerte declares, a chilling audacity to his words.
Muerte’s voice grows colder as he continues.
“I will rebuild the Mariachi, breathe life back into its essence. Life that you took away.”
He pauses, emphasizing his words carefully.
“You, on the other hand, will do well to keep your distance, to stay out of our path.”
Dr. Death’s body language contorts with a mix of anger and dread as the weight of Muerte’s threat settles upon him. The once-confident doctor finds himself in a chilling predicament, trapped by the consequences of his actions.
But after a moment, the tension seems to dissipate.
“Agreed.” Dr. Death says with a curt nod.
The pair leave the ring, heading their own separate ways.
But what the hell did El Mariachi Muerte tell Dr. Death that rattled the Luchadoc so?
YOU'RE FIRED!
The People’s Voice.
Colt has made his way back to the offices of the People’s Voice. They’ve been destroyed. There’re man people there, journalists of all varieties, helping sift through the wreckage caused by Ramsey’s story.
His boss approaches, chest puffed out, face red, and clearly frustrated.
“You didn’t think to tell me about any of this?” He asks, the anger bubbling beneath the surface.
Colt looks exhausted. He’s exasperated and why wouldn’t he be?
“Look,” he says, really not in the mood.
“No, you look,” his boss interrupts. “You decided to run this story without permission. You snuck it into the headlines, ran the presses and published it without editorial review or agreement. Do you know how many rules you’ve broken?”
Ramsey doesn’t say anything. It’s clear his boss isn’t interested.
“You’re fired, Colt.”
That doesn’t shock the journo.
“I would say get a box and pack your things, but who the fuck knows where they are in this carnage?” He says angrily, looking about his office. “You’re one of Arcadia’s best, but the owners of the company want you out. My hands are tied and frankly, even if they weren’t, I’m not sure I’d do anything differently.”
The exhausted and tired reporter rolls his eyes and shakes his head. He walks towards the door, not saying a word.
With one last look around, his shakes his head again.
Colt Ramsey has been fired from The People’s Voice.
Cut.
The King of Destination defends his OSW World Championship against the Eternal Explorer in tonight’s main event!
The guitars of “Dogs of War” by Blues Saraceno play through the speakers.
“Hmmmmmm, Hmmmmmm”
As the words kick in, the entire arena goes black.
“Hear the devil callin’
“Hear the devil callin’
“When I hear the devil callin’
“God will pay him for what he’s due”
BANG!!
FLAMES ERUPT FROM THE STAGE!!
After the fire dies down a lone spotlight shines down on Drewitt. He tips his hat and slowly, and methodically, makes his way towards the steps and up onto the stage area.
“See the fields burnin’
“See the fields burnin’
“When I see the fields burnin’
“’Cause hell is coming through”
Drewitt approaches the ring, climbs the apron and slowly steps over the top rope into the ring.
“I can’t stop the dogs of war
“I can’t stop the dogs of war…”
Drewitt slings his shotgun over his shoulder and looks over the crowd, preparing for the fight ahead of him for the OSW Championship.
Darkness.
GONG.
GONG.
The arena is thrust into darkness as smoke fills the entrance ramp.
GONG.
The opening guitar rift to “Grave Digger” by Blues Saraceno eerily plays over the speakers as purple flashing lights adorn the entrance area.
“Grave digger, grave digger
“Send me on my way”
Tombstone slowly steps out into the mist. He methodically makes his way to the ring, walking up the steps of the stage and proceeding up the ring steps. He pauses at the turnbuckle, and lifts his arms up high—
LIGHTNING STRIKE!!
The lights are back on in the arena, and the crowd bares witness to the OSW Champion walking across the ropes, wiping his boots on the apron, and stepping over the top rope to enter the ring, standing opposite his challenger tonight.
The referee requests Tombstone hand over the OSW Championship belt, and the Ferryman doesn’t break eye contact with Drewitt as he unbuttons his title from his waist before giving it up.
The ref holds up the belt up high for all to see in the center of the ring, standing between champion and challenger who still haven’t broken eye contact with one another.
This is it, folks.
Everything has led to this moment for these two titans.
Drewitt’s journey to this match has been nothing short of an exquisite excursion. Murdered in cold blood by Teddy O’Toole in the Groves, to being blessed with an undying curse, and then being used and led down others’ paths before breaking through and forging a path of his own: Drewitt has been down this path before, albeit with his late trusty companion, Colt.
And now he gets a second shot at Tombstone.
And Tombstone, simply trying to ferry Drewitt’s immortal soul, turned out to have a richer destiny to achieve. After the heartache of nearly losing Igor Mortis, to being possessed by the souls of his fellow Titans, then defeating Drewitt on the way to the winning the Ring King Crown: Tombstone is indeed the King of Destination.
And your fighting, reigning, and defending OSW Champion.
This is for all the marbles, folks.
The crowd is electric, and the referee signals for the bell—
DING! DING!! DING!!!
The two competitors step forward—
TIE UP COLLAR AND ELBOW!
The two hosses are pushing with all their strength, trying to be the first to get the upper hand. There’s a big growl, and—
DREWITT COMES OUT ON TOP!
Drewitt overpowers Tombstone to one knee in firm control of the champ right now. Tombstone, however, is no weakling. He digs deeper, thrusting himself back to his two feet, and pushes back against Drewitt, forcing him to step backwards.
Tombstone isn’t quite as big as Drewitt, but what he lacks in frame he makes up for in whatever supernatural power his soul seems to contain, and this is on full display as he twists Drewitt’s hands laterally and overpowers Drewitt to his knees!
ELBOW TO DREWITT’S SHOULDER!
ANOTHER ELBOW!!
Tombstone twists Drewitt’s arm into a hammerlock—
AND JERKS IT OUT OF IT’S SOCKET!
Drewitt growls in pain from behind that mask, but Tombstone jerks again before ferrying Drewitt over to the corner. Tombstone keeps hold of Drewitt’s twisted arm, and steps up to the middle rope—
Tombstone steps up to the top rope!
He walks the top rope like a tight rope—
TOMBSTONE IS GOING—
TO BE THROWN OFF TO THE CANVAS BY DREWITT WITH A GUTTURAL GROWL!
Tombstone crashes and burns, while Drewitt’s arm hangs limply from his shoulder socket. Drewitt, with no other choice, bites his leather harness and grabs the middle rope—
AND POPS HIS ARM BACK INTO PLACE!
THAT MUST’VE HURT!
But there’s no time to recover—
BIG RIGHT HAND FROM TOMBSTONE!
ANOTHER!!
Tombstone goes to whip Drewitt across the ring, but Drewitt reverses it with a growl to remind us all that shoulder is fucked, sending Tombstone into the ropes, and on the rebound—
LEAPING SOMERSAULT CLOTHESLINE—
SPEED DIAL!!
FROM THE SOUL OF DREXL—
REST IN PEACE!!
Drewitt’s down and Tombstone hits the ropes and when he’s back near the Journeyman—
BIG LEG DROP ACROSS THE NECK, BROTHER!
Tombstone stays sitting for the cover—
ONE!
.
.
.
DREWITT THROWS HIS BAD ARM UP TO BREAK THE PIN WITH A GROWL!
Tombstone drags Drewitt to his feet—
HEADBUTT FROM DREWITT!
The metal mask struck Tombstone’s head like a gong, knocking him against the ropes, and Drewitt looks to gain an edge—
BIG RIGHT HAND TO THE FACE!
BIG THRUSTING UPPERCUT NEARLY KNOCKS TOMBSTONE OVER THE TOP ROPE!
Drewitt whips Tombstone into the ropes and on the rebound—
DROPS TOMBSTONE WITH A RING-SHAKING SIDEWALK SLAM!
Drewitt stays sitting with the arm over Tombstone for the cover—
ONE!
.
.
.
TOMBSTONE EASILY GETS A SHOULDER UP!
Drewitt begins stomping on Tombstone, preventing him from getting to his feet. Tombstone’s on the ropes, but Drewitt shoves his boot deep into Tombstone’s neck, and pulls the top rope for leverage—
HE’S GONNA COLLAPSE HIS AIRWAY!
“ONE!”
…
“TWO!”
…
….
…
“THREE!”
The ref is counting up to five as Tombstone kicks and flails, running out of breath—
“FOUR!”
DREWITT COULD GET HIMSELF DISQUALIFIED HERE—
“FI—”
DREWITT STEPS AWAY AT THE LAST MILLISECOND!
Tombstone is gasping for air, and the ref is not happy with Drewitt’s behavior. He warns Drewitt there’ll be no more funny business, which the adventurer brushes off before pulling Tombstone chin up, exposing his chest—
KNIFE EDGE CHOP!
AND ANOTHER—
CHOP!!
TWOOOOOOO!!
Tombstone’s lungs are Jakked up even more now, and Drewitt smiles under the mask as he whips Tombstone across the ring at breakneck speed, but his mask ain’t protecting him from what’s coming on the rebound—
RUNNING BIG BOOT SENDS DREWITT FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!
Tombstone is mildly crotched on the top rope, and he slowly elevates himself away from the tension, stepping backwards as Drewitt tries to pick up his pieces on the outside.
Tombstone looks to the crowd, then looks to Drewitt, who’s not quite up to his feet yet, then he runs the opposite ropes, and sprints towards Drewitt—
TOPE SUICIDA OVER THE TOP ROPE ONTO DREWITT!!
The crowd is awake, and Tombstone drags Drewitt to his feet as the ref begins the ten count—
“ONE!”
Tombstone hoists big Drewitt onto his shoulder and takes aim, running forward—
“TWO!”
SNAKE EYES INTO THE RING POST!
Drewitt crumples to the floor as the ref continues on—
“THREE!”
Tombstone stomps Drewitt’s bad shoulder, then briskly leads him by it towards the steps—
DREWITT REVERSES—
“FOUR!”
IRISH WHIP INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
It looks like Tombstone was in a crash, and the ref begs the big boys to bring it back into the ring.
“FIVE!”
Meanwhile, Drewitt has ill intentions, stuffing Tombstone’s head between his legs, and hoisting him up—
JACKKNIFE POWERBOMB ONTO THE APRON!!
“SIX!”
DREWITT USED TOMBSTONE’S OWN ODE TO CHARON AGAINST HIM!!
WHAT UTTER DISRESPECT!!
“SEVEN!”
Tombstone clutches his lower back, as the hurting Drewitt slowly moves to pick him up to get him back into the ring—
“EIGHT!”
Drewitt is about to roll Tombstone in, when—
TOMBSTONE RUSHES DREWITT BACK-FIRST INTO THE CROWD BARRIER!
“NINE!!”
THEY’RE TEETERING AT THE EDGE OF THE STAGE ABOVE THE CROWD!
THE REF HAS A LOOK OF DISBELIEF ON HIS FACE—
NO—
NOT LIKE THIS—
“TEN!!!”
THAT’S IT!!!
DOUBLE COUNTOUT!!!
TOMBSTONE RETAINS!!!
With neither competitor able to decisively come out on top tonight, Tombstone is STILL your OSW World Champion!
WINNER AND STILL OSW WORLD CHAMPION: TOMBSTONE
NOT LIKE THIS
A hush overtakes the crowd. This was not how anyone expected this match to go tonight.
The referee takes the belt from the timekeeper and walks it over to Tombstone, who puts a hand out for it…
But Drewitt is right next to him—
And there’s a fire overtaking him.
Drewitt swats the belt away and gets right in Tombstone’s face—
DREWITT’S IRATE!
GOOZLE!
Drewitt hoists Tombstone up high—
The ref is begging Drewitt to let him go…
BUT THE CROWD IS EGGING HIM ON—
THE SEAS PART AS DREWITT SLAMS TOMBSTONE DOWN INTO THE AUDIENCE—
ARDUOUS JOURNEY!!!
HE CHOKESLAMMED TOMBSTONE STRAIGHT TO CERBERUS!!!
The ref is pushing Drewitt away now, calling for security and backup—
GOOZLE—
BAH GAWD—
DREWITT CHOKESLAMMED THE REF INTO THE CROWD TOO!!!
GOOD GAWD ALMIGHTY, HE MIGHT BE DEAD!!!
Tombstone and the ref are both laid out cold on the concrete below, surrounded by pissed off fans who wanted their credit’s worth tonight, and they jeered as they begin turning to file out of Olympus…
But “Jenseits der Phantasie” by Phantasialand suddenly and abruptly hits the speakers, turning all eyes from the crowd to the entrance in which Scott Sterling steps out. He’s wearing a brown sportscoat and trousers, his face a look of disgust as he touches his neck brace.
“Stop it, Drewitt— STOP IT RIGHT NOW, DAMMIT!”
This immediately catches Drewitt’s attention, as well as those in attendance.
“I’m the only one with authority here, and you’ve just forced my hand, pal—” Sterling says with a scowl into the microphone.
“These people deserve better than that, Drewitt. They’ve spent their hard-earned credits to experience a slobber knocker between you two for the biggest prize in professional wrestling tonight… and I cannot let the first Red Snow I’ve commissioned come to an end like this!”
A smile unfurls under Drewitt’s mask.
“Timekeeper—” Sterling shouts into the mic, “restart the match this instant! And send another referee out here immediately!”
The crowd is on their feet, and Tombstone is coming to, and almost back on his feet as well as Sterling riles up the crowd:
“We will decide a winner tonight— and there will be NO COUNTOUTS, and NO DISQUALIFICATIONS!!”
A deafening cheer from the crowd erupts!
“Let’s spread some cheer around here, Zeus-dammit!”
Sterling drops the mic to a deafening roar and heads backstage as a ref sprints past him to ringside and hops into the crowd.
Here we go again!
No countouts. No disqualifications. No running. No hiding. We will have a decision tonight, and we will have a winner one way or another!
DING! DING!! DING!!!
LEAPING CLOTHESLINE BY DREWITT TO TOMBSTONE INTO THE CROWD!!
Drewitt is making Tombstone pay for his cheeky tactic to retain his title, tracking him like a bloodhound as Tombstone is reeling from him through the audience!
RIGHT HAND FROM DREWITT!
Tombstone stumbles down an aisle, surrounded by rabid, bloodthirsty fans who want nothing more than to see a good old fashioned ass kicking between these two hosses.
BIG UPPERCUT FROM DREWITT!
Tombstone is launched into a row of seats, and the crowd scurries away as Drewitt follows. The Explorer mounts Tombstone and tees away on him with punch after punch in a possible attempt to send Tombstone on the ultimate trip to Dr. Death’s Clinic by the end of this match—
Drewitt steps off and hoists a steel chair up high for all to see!
THE CROWD POPS!
Drewitt folds that bad boy up and patiently waits behind Tombstone as he just barely gets to his feet—
CRACK!!
CHAIRSHOT TO TOMBSTONE’S BACK!!
Tombstone is still standing, but grimacing in pain, and the crowd starts chanting,
“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”
Drewitt obliges.
CRACK TO THE BACK OF TOMBSTONE AGAIN!!
Tombstone drops to his knees in the prayer position and Drewitt stands starkly in front of him, tipping Tombstone’s head up by the chin with the steel chair before winding up—
THWWWWW—
POW!
PUNCH TO THE GUT BY TOMBSTONE!
POW POW—
POWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW—
TOMBSTONE IS UNLOADING POT SHOTS ON DREWITT’S ABDOMEN!
Drewitt bends over—
UPPERCUT TO DREWITT’S FACE!
Drewitt drops the chair and Tombstone finally gets to his feet. He grabs Drewitt by his mask and drags him over to a section of seated fans, directing them to get out of the way, which they do just in time—
TOMBSTONE BIEL TOSSES DREWITT ONTO THE SECTION OF CHAIRS!!
The seating arrangement crumples beneath him, and the crowd cheers Tombstone on as he begins just heaving chair after atop the pile of wreckage!
Tombstone takes a moment to lean back against some of the fans, catching his breath as they hoot and holler behind him…
BUT DREWITT BUSTS OUT OF THE CHAIR PILE LIKE NESSIE SURFACING FROM LOCHNESS!!
Drewitt, with rage in his eyes, points a finger at Tombstone, then draws the finger to his neck—
TAUNTING THE FERRYMAN WITH A THROAT SLIT…
AND THE TWO TITANS COLLIDE WITH A FURY OF FISTS!
BIG RIGHT FROM DREWITT—
BIG RIGHT FROM TOMBSTONE—
BIG RIGHT FROM DREWITT—
FINGERTIP THRUST—
DELAYED JAB—
THE FERRYMAN’S NO—
BIG HEADBUTT FROM DREWITT TO TOMBSTONE!!
That metallic mask knocked Tombstone off balance, and when Tombstone turns around towards Drewitt—
BIG BOOT TO THE FACE!!
Tombstone is down on the concrete, and Drewitt begins setting up four chairs facing one another. Drewitt lifts Tombstone onto his shoulders, and turns towards the four chairs…
The crowd gasps—
HE’S THINKING BURNING HAMMER ONTO THE CHAIRS HERE!!
…
….
…
TRAVELLER’S GAMBIT!!
NO—
TOMBSTONE SLIPPED OUT AT THE LAST MOMENT—
FINGERTIP THRUST—
DELAYED JAB—
MASSIVE UPPERCUT CONNECTS!!
THE FERRYMAN’S KNOCK!!
Drewitt’s out on his feet, and Tombstone with no time to waste stuffs Drewitt’s head under his legs.
He hoists Drewitt up high…
And turns towards the four chairs—
THEN HOISTS HIM UP AS HIGH AS HE CAN BY DREWITT’S BELT LOOPS—
LAST RIDE POWERBOMB ONTO THE CHAIRS!!!
THE FINAL FERRY!!!
“REST IN PEACE!”
“REST IN PEACE!”
“REST IN PEACE!”
The crowd is unhinged, and the ref is begging the OSW champ to take the action back to the ring. Tombstone swats the broken chairs away from around Drewitt and deadlifts him up into a bearhug with supernatural strength—
A SOUL TO CARRY!!
TOMBSTONE IS LITERALLY CARRYING DREWITT THROUGH THE CROWD TOWARDS THE RING!
The crowd members slap Tombstone on the shoulder in encouragement as he heads up the stairs and onto the stage, and then up the steel steps onto the apron—
BELLY TO BELLY OVER THE TOP ROPE!!
TOMBSTONE TOSSED DREWITT INTO THE RING!!
Tombstone steps through the ropes and stalks Drewitt from behind as he gets to his feet. He hoists his hand up high as Drewitt turns—
GOOZLE—
HELL’S GATE!!
DREWITT LEANED BACK AND CAUGHT TOMBSTONE WITH A GOGOPLATA!!
HE CALLS IT THE GATES OF CERBERUS!!
Drewitt’s shin is lodged into Tombstone’s Adam’s Apple, effectively cutting off his airway and putting pressure on the carotid artery! Tombstone reaches out with his free arm, trying to grasp anything, but the light from his eyes is fading, and his arm slowly lowers towards the mat. Still now, the referee lifts Tombstone’s arm up, and lets it fall—
ONE!
Drewitt has the submission locked in, and the ref raises Tombstone’s free arm, and again lets it fall—
TWO!!
There’s no spontaneous movement from Tombstone here, and this may well be it as the ref lifts Tombstone’s arm up one more time…
And lets it drop—
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
IS THIS THE END OF TOMBSTONE’S JOURNEY AS CHAMPION???
…
NO FUCKING CHANCE!!!
IT’S NOT ENDING LIKE THIS!!!
Tombstone raises his arm high in the air, putting up two fingers as the ref confirms, and gets to one foot…
Tombstone gets to two feet—
With a growl he heaves Drewitt up with all his might, his supernatural strength again kicking in—
ONE ARM POWERBOMB ONTO HIS KNEE!!
HE STRUCK A ROCK!!
This effectively breaks the submission, and allows Tombstone to suck some air into his lungs. Drewitt’s back and shoulder are worse for wear, and he regroups himself, both men pulling themselves up on the ropes. Drewitt looks to regain momentum, lunging at Tombstone—
BIG LARIAT—
DUCKED BY TOMBSTONE!
Drewitt’s momentum carry’s him into the ropes, and on the rebound he ends up right in Tombstone’s waiting arms—
BIG BOSSMAN SLAM!!
YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!!
Tombstone keeps his weight on Drewitt’s shoulders for the cover—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
DREWITT GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!
But Tombstone smartly snatches that arm right up and twists it, realizing that it’s his injured shoulder. He gets leverage on Drewitt, maintaining pressure on the joint while getting to his feet—
YANK!
DREWITT HOWLS IN PAIN!
Tombstone drags him to the corner and steps up to the top rope—
HE’S GOING FOR IT AGAIN!
Tombstone walks the tight rope…
AND LEAPS—
BECAUSE WHAT WOULD OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING BE WITHOUT
OOOOOLD
SCHOOOOOOOL!!
The one armed chop to that sore shoulder grounds Drewitt, and the crowd begins to buzz as Tombstone looks for the only logical progression here, raising his arm up and signaling for the end…
Drewitt, up to his feet, slowly turns into a—
GOOZLE!
Tombstone lifts Drewitt up high—
AND DROPS TO HIS KNEES AS HE CHOKESLAMS HIM TO THE CANVAS!!!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!!!
Tombstone hooks the leg—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
CAN YOU HEAR THE BELLS??
…
NO!!
DREWITT KICKS OUT!!
Tombstone shakes his head. He realizes he must dig deeper if he wants to ferry Drewitt’s soul away from his OSW Championship.
Tombstone slides out of the ring, and flips up the ring skirt, furiously looking underneath the ring to retrieve something…
A SHOVEL!
He holds it up for the crowd to see, then slides into the ring and stands behind the kneeling Drewitt. Tombstone lifts the shovel up high, winding up—
THWACK!
SHOVEL FLAT TO THE BACK OF DREWITT!
Drewitt kneels frozen in pain as Tombstone rears back again—
THWWWACK!!
AGAIN TO THE BACK!!
Drewitt arches his back in pain, chin tucked to chest with a grimace on full display beneath his mask. Tombstone tips Drewitt’s chin up with the shovel so he can see his face…
AND JAMS THE SHOVEL INTO DREWITT’S THROAT!!
Drewitt flops flat on the mat as Tombstone chokes Drewitt with the shovel, pushing down on his airway with all his strength…
HE’S CHOKING THE LIFE OUTTA DREWITT!
But Drewitt won’t give up. He can’t give up. Not with everything that’s transpired on his journey to this moment right now.
For though it may be all about the destination for the OSW Champion, for the challenger it’s more about the journey.
And what an arduous journey this has been—
STOMP!!
TOMBSTONE STOMPED THE SHOVEL INTO DREWITT’S THROAT!!
BLOOD PROJECTILES OUT OF DREWITT’S MOUTH RIGHT INTO TOMBSTONE’S EYES!!
TOMBSTONE’S BLINDED—
BUT DREWITT’S BLEEDING INTERNALLY!!
Tombstone stumbles around as the ref checks on Drewitt, who aggressively shoves him away and bee-lines for the champ, knowing he has a huge opportunity to take the upper hand…
DREWITT HAS THE SHOVEL—
CRRRRRRACK!!!
SHOVEL TO THE FUCKING FACE!!!
DOWN GOES TOMBSTONE!!!
Drewitt lifts the shovel up high and spews a mist of blood into the air above him, then the crowd gasps audibly as Drewitt proceeds to hoist Tombstone into his shoulders…
TRAVELLER’S GAMBIT!!
BURNING HAMMER!!
Cover—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
HAS DREWITT’S JOURNEY FINALLY REACHED ITS DESTINATION??
…
NO!!
TOMBSTONE KICKS OUT!!
Drewitt slaps the mat in disbelief, and racks his brain for what to do next. After a moment, he climbs out of the ring, coughing as he grabs a big leather sack from underneath before sliding back in with it. He unties the sack and dramatically dumps its contents upon the canvas—
GRAVEL???
“YOU SICK FUCK!”
“YOU SICK FUCK!”
Drewitt gloats as he stands above Tombstone, who’s on all fours. He nudges Tombstone’s head with his boot playfully, almost as if sending a warning, and then viciously locks his arm around Tombstone’s neck.
DREWITT HOISTS TOMBSTONE UP—
IMPLANT DDT FACE-FIRST ON THE GRAVEL!!
THE SIGHTSEER!!
And oooooh what a sight Tombstone is to see. His face is all busted open, and a crimson mask tries to match the metallic one that Drewitt adorns on his face…
But Drewitt doesn’t cover. He wants to put an exclamation point at the end of this excursion to hell and back, and he hoists his arm up high, taunting Tombstone as he sloooowwwly gets to his feet…
TOMBSTONE TURNS—
GOOZLE—
DREWITT SQUEEZES TOMBSTONE’S NECK WITH MALICE—
GOOZLE—
BY TOMBSTONE!!
DOUBLE GOOZLE!!
Both men hold firm, standing their ground and choking one another like a game of chicken…
WHO WILL RELENT??
…
DREWITT CHOPS TOMBSTONE’S HAND OFF HIS THROAT—
ARDUOUS JOURNEY!!!
CHOKESLAM ONTO THE GRAVEL!!!
Cover—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
NEW CHAMP??
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
NO!!
TOMBSTONE SITS STARK UPRIGHT!!
BOTH MEN SADISTICALLY STARE AT ONE ANOTHER AS THEY SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER!!
They butt heads together, using one another as leverage as they both get to their feet. Their bodies, a wreck. Their faces, a bloody mess. But the intensity between these two is coming to a head—
LITERALLY!
Drewitt hits the ropes and rebounds towards Tombstone—
SHOULDER BLOCK!
Tombstone stumbles back into the ropes and ferries his momentum back towards Drewitt—
SHOULDER BLOCK OF HIS OWN!
Drewitt flings into and off of the ropes back at Tombstone—
SHOULDER BLOCK—
MISSES!
Tombstone ducked it and hits the ropes himself, and on the rebound—
SOULTAKER HEARTPUNCH—
EVADED BY DREWITT!!
…
GOOZLE!
DREWITT’S GOT HIM!
…
….
…
TOMBSTONE SWATS HIS ARM AWAY!
GOOZLE BY TOMBSTONE—
CHOKESLAM—
INTO A ROCK BOTTOM!!!
ON
YOUR
WAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!
TOMBSTONE KILLED DREWITT WITH FIRE…
BUT HE’S NOT COVERING!!!
Tombstone points at Drewitt, then slits his finger across his throat…
HE’S TAKING HIM OUT BACK TO THE FIELDS LIKE OLD YELLER!!
Tombstone scoops Drewitt up into position—
SPIKE TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!!!
ELYSIUM FIELDS!!!
THERE’S YOUR EXCLAMATION POINT!!!
Tombstone crosses Drewitt’s arms across his chest and flings his hair back as he rolls his eyes into the back of his head as the ref, and crowd in unison counts—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
THIS MUST BE IT!!
…
RIGHT??
…
….
…
MUSTN’T IT!?
…
….
…
….
…
….
…
YES!!!
THREE!!!
TOMBSTONE RETAINS!!!
It was all about the destination at the pinnacle of Mount Olympus, where Tombstone holds his OSW World Championship high above Drewitt and everyone else!
WINNER AND STILL OSW WORLD CHAMPION: TOMBSTONE
BLOOD BROTHERS
Jesus fucking Christ.
What a battle. What a war.
The Old School Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship means this much. Tombstone kneels in the middle of the ring, the title belt draped out on the canvas in front of him.
He and Drewitt gave everything they had.
The Explorer stirs to meet him, both now stood in the middle of the ring. So much history resides with both men.
They can barely stand.
Cut.
The lights suddenly go out.
Olympus is thrust into darkness.
Oh no!
We saw this earlier tonight!
When the lights come back on, the ring is surrounded. There’s not just two men. There’s not just Narcissa.
Numerous people including Narcissa stand surrounding the ring.
Tombstone and Drewitt clock their danger immediately. They quickly turn, going back to back in the middle of the ring.
Then it happens.
They swarm.
From every single side of the ring, attackers hop onto the apron and enter. They rush in numbers at Tombstone and Drewitt, attacking both men with aplomb. The World Champion and his nemesis battle valiantly.
Tombstone is taken into one corner.
Drewitt is taken into another.
Narcissa watches on from the outside as both men are brutally beaten to the canvas. They’re stomped and kicked, but it seems as if their punishment is only just beginning.
She carefully crawls into the ring, drawing a knife from a sheath. Her attackers violently grab Drewitt and Tombstone, forcing them into a groggy kneel on the canvas. After everything they’ve been through, they could barely stand before this attack.
The Leader of the Uprising approaches, putting a knife first to Drewitt’s throat.
“Do it,” he growls angrily. “And when I come back, I’ll fuckin’ gut you, bitch!”
Balenciaga laughs.
She smiles, handing the knife off to one of her cronies who gleefully takes it. They approach.
SLASH!
SLASH!
SLASH!
Violently and disturbingly, the attacker slashes at Drewitt’s throat, sending blood splattering across the ring in every direction.
As Drewitt gasps for breath and bleeds out onto the canvas, the attacker gives the knife back to Narcissa and steps away. She hands it to a different member of her crew, nodding in the process.
Tombstone struggles.
SLASH!
SLASH!
SLASH!
Just as violently as before, the second person slashes Tombstone’s throat multiple times, slamming him forcibly face down onto the canvas.
As Drewitt and Tombstone bleed to death in the middle of the ring, their blood meets…
And when it does, something feels different.
But that’s of no consequence to the Uprising. Narcissa steps through the blood to demand a microphone and retrieves one, returning to the middle of the ring.
“We are the Uprising and tonight, we own Old School Wrestling,” she yells to serious boos from the crowd. “Zeus, honey, first we’re going to take your beloved wrestling company and then… Arcadia.”
She nods to her crew who slowly begin removing their masks.
The first is the killer of Drewitt.
HAYWIRE.
WHAT?
The second is the killer of Tombstone.
HARVEY ESCHER!
WHAT… THE… FUCK!?
CJ THORPE.
JASPER REDGRAVE.
ASTER GRAY
NOX
DAHLIA BLACK
VICTOR DOOM
RODERICK PYM
LUCKY LANDUCCI
IT’S… IT’S FUCKING DEATHROW! DEATHROW HAVE JOINED THE FUCKING UPRISING!
DEATHROW HAVE INVADED OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING!
Narcissa smiles.
“Burn Olympus to the fuckin’ ground!” She roars.
All ten of them start demolishing everything in sight as the crowd run towards the exits. There’s a fucking stampede of fans exiting as fast as they can.
The ring is being dismantled.
The stage is being set alight.
Jesus fucking Christ!
They’re destroying Olympus!
Narcissa backs away, laughing as Old School Wrestling is destroyed before our very eyes.
Static.
Cut.
DEATH ROW RISING
Thorpe crashes down, barely conscious before Meadows plants his boot directly onto Thorpe’s throat, watching the Coyote struggle to breath for a moment, smiling before addressing him and the other prisoners.
“You tried your hardest but in the end boy, you’re just like the rest. Pathetic worms who deserve to die where nobody will ever mourn them. I told the only way you gain your freedom is death so it’s about time I…”
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!?
IT’S NARCISSA BALENCIAGA! WHAT THE FUCK IS NARCISSA DOING IN DEATHROW!? MAX MEADOWS LOOKS STUNNED!
She walks through the prisoners fearlessly, hopping onto the ring apron and entering the ring.
Max still has his boot on the neck of CJ Thorpe.
“You know, there’s a lot of people in Arcadia just like you, Meadows,” she says with a shake of the head. “Puppets for Zeus.”
“What the fuck do you want?” He sneers at her.
She shrugs, reaches into her pocket and…
A BLADE STRAIGHT INTO THE FUCKING HEART OF MAX MEADOWS!
HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!
OH MY GOD!!
MAX JOLTS FORWARD, CLUTCHING HIS CHEST.
SHE SMILES.
“To kill every single puppet he has,” she whispers back before stepping aside.
Max falls to the canvas with a thud, dead.
Narcissa bends down and reaches out a hand to CJ Thorpe, who takes it.
“My name is Narcissa Balenciaga and I’m the leader of an actual Uprising,” she announces.
The crowd grows larger. Members of the Deathrow roster appear scattered within it.
“One that fights against Zeus and his dictatorship!” She yells.
The crowd listen intently.
“I’m giving you – the fighters of Deathrow, a chance to join a cause much bigger than yourselves. I’m giving you the chance at freedom; real freedom. Join me, take Old School Wrestling and then Arcadia. I’ll ensure each of you has a pardon under the new elected leadership!”
People in the crowd look at one another. Thorpe nods at her, clearly in agreement. Slowly but surely, fighters from the crowd start putting aside their differences and begin entering the ring.
The familiar faces of Deathrow now stand before her.
She rallies her troops.
“Tonight…”
Narcissa pauses to take a deep breath.
“Tonight, we have an opportunity to strike.”
It wasn’t the original Uprising she was speaking to after all.
It was fucking Deathrow!
Cut.
APOKALYPSIS
Sometime Later.
Gasp.
Drewitt awakens. He’s no longer in the ring and he’s most certainly not in the Mortuary. Instead, he awakens amongst the rubble and carnage of what was once the Red Light District.
He sits up, looking dead into the eyes of a man he’s seen before.
A man that he escaped from just weeks ago.
“Come with me boy,” the man says, offering him a hand. Drewitt takes it and stands to his feet, dusting himself off.
They begin walking through the carnage of the Red Light District.
“My name is John The Revelator and I’m writing a Book of Revelations. It is said that within the Red Light District, there resides a door, hidden by debauchery and filth.”
They come to a stop in the middle of the level. This is where TEC was detonated. This is where Drexl, Blacktooth, Aarman Fidel and so many others lost their lives.
“I told you that you had a destiny,” he says carefully. “Well, so do I. Mine is to open the door that resides here; a door to the Underworld. To do that, I need Horsemen.”
Drewitt tilts his head.
Suddenly, into the frame walks Grimskull and El Mariachi Muerte. They join John, standing beside him having come from different directions.
He points to Grimskull.
“Conquest.”
He points to Muerte.
That’s who was speaking to him earlier!
“Death.”
And then he points to Drewitt.
“ And you my boy, are War,” he says with a smile. “Can you feel it? Your immortality was just the start. When your blood merged with Tombstone’s, you became something more. Something powerful enough to fulfil your destiny. Can you feel it?”
Drewitt nods.
John sighs deeply.
“Come,” he demands.
The group follow himself through the carnage of the Red Light District to section now made visible by the explosion. It’s a portion of wall, dirtied and inconspicuous.
Suddenly, the sound of buzzing interrupts.
“Right on time my dear,” John says looking behind Drewitt, Muerte and Grimskull.
It’s Gemini.
She walks past them all with a smirk and approaches the wall, placing her hand upon it. She looks back at the others and nods them over.
Slowly but surely, Grimskull, Drewitt and El Mariachi step towards the wall and place a hand on it too.
A bright red glow outlines a section of it. With a rumble, the dirt and dust falls from its exterior, revealing a very high tech wall, hidden in the Red Light District.
“We knew we had to destroy The Red Light District to uncover the door,” John says, closing in with a smile. “Gemini is Pestilence and she destroyed it for us. She weakened it with the havoc of her pestilence and when the time was right, brought us to the promised land.”
Gemini blew up the Red Light District.
Jesus Christ.
Fuck.
“What now?” Grimskull queries. The door hasn’t moved or changed. Nothing has happened. In fact, the red light glows but nothing has opened.
“This door takes five hands to open,” he announces. “The horseman and one other.”
“You, mi amigo?” Muerte asks.
John shakes his head.
“No, not I. I’m just the writer of this tale,” he says sadly. “It is the duty of Apokalypsis to find the final key to this door.”
Each of them removes their hands from it, powering down the door.
“The search begins,” he says with a deep breath. “And when it concludes, the Underworld will be unleashed upon Arcadia.”
Cut.