Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner as fuzzy footage appears on the screen.
It’s dark.
Two figures stand shrouded in the darkness, their frames different in size. They talk at a whisper, whilst Let it Snow by Dean Martin plays beautifully in the background.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
“It’s time,” one of the men whispers to the other. “Your time.”
The man with him seems apprehensive at first, his breath slow. But the person with him continues.
“We’ve waited for the right moment to strike; to paint the town red. Tonight, the dominos fall into place. Each one topples another until you topple him.”
It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
There’s an eerie silence; a desperate vacant pause.
“They aren't expecting you,” the voice says calmly. “No-one is. Here, take a hold of this, it’ll grant you what you need.”
The man passes the other something heavy, something that sounds powerful and rattles with its weight. The other takes it, holding onto it tightly. There’s an ominous sound, followed by a connection.
“It’s time. Go forth and topple; paint the town red.”
Cut.
Fireworks explode from the stage as Red Snow X kicks off live from Olympus. The fans are jam packed into our mammoth arena, watching as the display awes them from the very moment it begins. “Let it Snow” by Dean Martin plays loudly in the background as we circle the audience, looking at their signs of excitement for what lies ahead.
At ringside, Bronco Blackwood and Matt Ruby sit, ready to call the action. Our camera settles on them, Matt donning a burgundy shirt and Christmas hat to suit the occasion.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Red Snow! I’m Bronco Blackwood and I’m joined by Matt Ruby for what will be the biggest show Arcadia has ever seen.
MATT RUBY: Are we gonna talk about that weird intro, or what?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We should, but I’m not sure what to say. All I know if I know anything at all is that we’ve not seen the last of that developing story. Just like our Main Event tonight, folks. CJ Thorpe has been put through hell these past few weeks, but we’ve not seen the last of him. Tonight, he defends his title against Jasper Redgrave.
The crowd, listening in to the commentary, boo at the mention of Jasper Redgrave as his image appears on the tron.
MATT RUBY: Defend? Jasper has made it clear, BB. Tonight, CJ Thorpe takes his beating like a man and let’s Jasper Redgrave become OSW World Heavyweight Champion or else his mother…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Dies. She dies, Matt. Say it, go on.
MATT RUBY: What about Felix Foley, huh? That bad apple will try one more time to defeat the undefeated Tombstone in a third rematch that frankly is two too many.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s right. Tombstone has destroyed everyone put in his path since Pandemonium. No-one has been able to stop him, least of all Felix Foley who has been put down time and time again. Tonight, it might just be the last time. You know that Foley will give it everything, but will everything be enough? Tombstone wants him dead, just like his father and half-brother.
MATT RUBY: I hear that tonight we’ll get both sides of their story before Tombstone puts this pest to bed, once and for all.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Uh huh. That’s not all though. We’ve the NXT Level and Double Feature Championships being defended, a Wedding, a Trial by Combat and a bloody TowerCorp Raid to revisit.
MATT RUBY: That’s one packed to the brim show, BB.
The lights go dim as the strings of My Hero by Man with a mission begin swelling, When the drums kick lights brighten up the stage revealing the intent stare of Wolf Fang Ayame. She begins walking down to the ring staring down what she considers her hunting grounds.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And we’re kicking it off right now! Let’s go over to the ring whereby Wolf Fang Ayame and Lutherian Locke settle their war, once and for all. Will she kill the demon within Locke, or will Locke’s demon get the last laugh?
As she reaches ring side, she begins going from the floor to starting to climb up to the turnbuckle. Ending when she's staring out around the arena. She lifts her hood with wolf ears on it and looks up to the sky releasing a howl, staring at Locke who awaits.
Tombstone stands alone inside the Mortuary, illuminated only by the faint glow of a single candle flickering.
“I was a terminal once,” he begins, his tone almost wistful. “Wasting away, rotting from the inside out. I went to them all—the healers, the shamans, the mystics. Each one promised a cure, and each one failed. Every visit, another lie. Another nail in my coffin.”
He leans back, his shadow dancing on the wall like a specter.
“Then came Fernicus Lamplight. The charlatan. The merchant of hope. He didn’t promise healing—no, he promised life. And he delivered.” Tombstone chuckles bitterly. “But what kind of life is this? Chained to a cursed boat, ferrying souls to their final damnation. For all eternity.”
His grin fades into a grimace, his hollow eyes burning with hatred.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You got what you wanted, Tombstone!
“Fernicus paid for what he did. His precious heir, Albert, followed him. No more Lamplight legacy. No more pretenders to their cursed throne.”
Tombstone takes a step forward, his voice growing colder, sharper.
“But Felix—Felix is the last. The end of that bloodline. The final insult. He may not wear the name Lamplight, but the rot runs to his core all the same.”
His grin returns, cruel and malevolent. “There can be no compromise. No mercy. At Red Snow, Felix will meet the same fate as his kin. And finally, the lamp’s light will be extinguished forever.”
The candle flickers out, leaving the room in utter darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I'm hearing that Felix Foley’s side of the story will be told later tonight. I can't wait!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This isn’t just a match, Ruby. It’s a battle for Lutherian Locke’s soul. Wolf Fang Ayame is here to exorcise his demon, and Locke? He’s asking for her to do it by any means necessary.
MATT RUBY: Yeah, but let’s be honest, BB. If that demon wins the internal tug-of-war, Ayame might not leave this ring in one piece.
Lutherian Locke stands in the center of the ring, his eyes flicker with inner conflict, a battle waged not just with his opponent but within his own soul. Across from him, Ayame crouches low, her wolfish instincts on full display. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as the bell rings.
Ayame explodes out of her corner, darting around the slower Locke with a blur of speed. She fires off a series of rapid strikes—kicks to his ribs, a spinning back elbow to his jaw—before darting back out of his range. Locke staggers but doesn’t fall, his expression flashing between anguish and rage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ayame’s keeping it fast and smart. She can’t afford to let Locke catch her, not with the power he has.
MATT RUBY: That’s right, and if this demon takes full control, it’s curtains for Ayame.
Locke roars and charges forward, swinging a THUNDEROUS LARIAT!
BUT AYAME DUCKS UNDER!
…OFF THE ROPES… TAIL STRIKE HIP ATTACK!
Locke drops to a knee, stunned, and Ayame seizes the moment. She sprints to the ropes, springboarding off…
FLYING KNEE TO THE TEMPLE! HEAVEN’S HOWL!
LOCKE IS DOWN! AYAME GOES FOR A COVER!
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
LOCKE POWERS OUT, LAUNCHING AYAME LIKE A FUCKING RAG DOLL!
She rolls to her feet, but Locke is already up, his expression darkening. He lunges forward, catching Ayame mid-sprint…
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING!
HE DAMN NEAR TOOK AYAME’S HEAD OFF, FLIPPING HER INSIDE OUT!
LOCKE DROPS TO HIS KNEES, HOLDING HIS HEAD FOR A MOMENT!
MATT RUBY: Did you see that, Bronc’? That demon might already be in the driver’s seat!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Locke’s fighting himself as much as Ayame. She needs to end this quickly before he loses the battle for his mind.
Locke rises, his expression a mask of torment. He pulls Ayame to her feet, but Ayame wriggles free, scooting behind him.
ROLL UP!
ONE!
…
…
TWO—ANOTHER KICK OUT!
Ayame scrambles to her feet, determination in her eyes, and heads to the top rope. She steadies herself as Locke gets to a knee.
HEAVEN’S HOWL PART DEUX!
NO SEQUEL THIS TIME THOUGH!
SUPERMAN PUNCH OUT OF THIN FUCKING AIR!
AYAME IS DOWN!
BUT SO IS LOCKE! HE’S COLLAPSED TO HIS KNEES BESIDE HER, FIGHTING THE DEMON INSIDE.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Locke has her, but he can’t finish it. He’s still fighting himself!
The crowd rallies behind Ayame as she stirs, dragging herself to her feet. Lutherian Locke stands, his body stiff with demonic rage. He swings wildly, but Ayame ducks, firing back with rapid kicks to his legs, trying to chop the giant down.
Locke stumbles, his knees buckling under Ayame’s relentless assault.
Ayame hits the ropes, bullseye on Locke…
HIP ATTACK!
NO!
LOCKE SURGES FORWARD…
BIG BOOT TO THE FACE OF AYAME, STOPPING HER DEAD IN HER TRACKS!
WITH A DEVILISH GRIN, LOCKE GRABS AYAME AND LIFTS HER UP FOR THE BUCKLE BOMB!
BUT AYAME HOLDS ON AND BEGINS TO PUNCH LOCKE TIL HE GOES DOWN TO A KNEE.
SHE SLIPS TO THE GROUND, RUNS BEHIND LOCKE…
SCORPION KICK!
THE CRESCENT MOON KICK LEVELS LUTHERIAN LOCKE!
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She did it! Wolf Fang Ayame has shown the demon that she can beat it—or at least given Locke a fighting chance against it.
MATT RUBY: I don’t know what she did, Bronco, but this battle isn’t over. Not for Locke, not for Ayame.
Wolf Fang Ayame won the match, but she is nowhere near finished with Lutherian. As he lays in the middle of the ring attempting to get his bearings back, the Wolf stands over him and raises her hand to the sky, allowing her fingernails to transform into claws.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Here we go again. Hopefully this time it yields better results.
MATT RUBY: I don't. Personally, I hope that this freak gets mauled to death in front of this sold out crowd!
"This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you," Ayame says before thrusting her hand into Locke's stomach. He screams in agony as her claws sink deeply inside of him, spilling his blood on the canvas as they do.
Lutherian then kicks her off, causing her to stumble back into the ropes. He stands up, clutching the holes where the Wolf punctured him.
"You stupid cunt," Locke's demon self says, grimacing through the pain. "He and I are inseparable. You can't pull me out of him unless you have the puzzle box, which he didn't bring with him. The only way you can kill me now is if you kill him too, and I don't think you're crazy enough to do that."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I hope Ayame has a backup plan, because she definitely needs one now!
With fire in her eyes and a guttural yell, she lunges at the possessed man, swiping at his neck with her claws! They slice through his neck cleanly, cutting the jugular and the carotid artery!
MATT RUBY: How's that for a backup plan, BB? She just sliced his neck!
The demon half of Lutherian seems to vanish instantly after that. His angelic half clutches his throat, which quickly slumps back to its natural position.
"Thank you..." He mouths, falling over face first into the canvas, dead.
Ayame, now calm, looks at the carnage she caused, slightly shocked at what she's done. She stares at her kill for a little while before leaving the ring, her job done.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus damn it, It didn't have to end this way!
MATT RUBY: You heard that freak, BB! She was just doing what she had to do to get rid of that demon inside him!
We then cut as she heads to the back.
The room is suffocating in the shadows. Red and gold banners hang like relics of conquest, draped over cold, empty walls. A long table sits beneath a single spotlight, a contract spread open at its center. Ajax the Adonis stands at one end, an immovable giant whose shadow stretches across the polished wood. The door creaks, and Mighty Mighty steps in, his imposing frame cutting through the stillness as his footsteps echo like drum beats.
Ajax watches, his voice breaking the silence, calm and predatory.
“You’ve fought hard to stay free, Mighty. You’ve clawed, kicked, and danced around fate. But tonight, there’s no escape. Beat me, and you’re free. Lose…”
Ajax slides the contract forward with deliberate menace.
“…and you’re ours. The Circus gets its star, its freak, its main event and you? You’ll stop pretending you’re above it.”
Mighty stares at the paper, his jaw tight. He steps closer, his hands planting on the table, voice rumbling like distant thunder.
“You think this contract binds me? Nah. It’s your last chance to stop me. You’ve hunted me, tried to break me. But I don’t break. I won't stop. And I sure as hell don’t belong to you.”
He picks up the pen, eyes burning.
“I’m signing this, not for you but for me. Because tonight, I’m not running. I’m standing tall, and when this is over, the crowd won’t cheer for your Circus, they'll cheer for Mighty Mighty.”
With defiance, he signs his name in bold strokes and slams the pen down. Ajax smirks darkly.
“Then let the spotlight decide.”
The camera lingers on the inked contract before fading to black.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Mighty Mighty didn’t just sign a contract he signed for war!
MATT RUBY: War? The Circus always wins, Bronco. Mighty just handed them his future!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We’ll see. Tonight, Mighty Mighty’s fighting for everything he is!
Recorded Previously.
Last week.
The front door of the ACA Headquarters swings open, Captain Arcadia exiting the building. It's clear, we're picking up just where last week left off. The Hero steps off of the stairs, taking his leave only for a familiar voice to call out to him.
"That wasn't very kind, Captain. I believe I communicated to you very politely..."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You can hear the smile in his voice... It's just bizarre.
MATT RUBY: Thank Zeus that creep is at least six levels away from us, Bronco.
Arcadia turns around, Mister Sunshine walking out from a nearby alleyway, a smile still etched into his skin, his eyes eerily vacant. "But don't fret, friend. I'm not mad at you, I'm not disappointed. You're just a curious man, aren't you?" Sunshine walks forwards, Captain Arcadia holding his shield up in defense.
"What do you want, Sunshine?" Cap spits the question, clearly ready to brawl. "If you aren't here to answer questions then you're here to fight. You better choose which you're here for, and you best choose fast."
"Oh!" Sunshine giggles, hands behind his back. "No, I chose the third, secret option! I'm just here to say, you're very curious. And, as the saying goes... Curiosity killed the cat, Captain." Sunshine tilts his head, his smile somehow cold.
MATT RUBY: Oh this might get violent! Smack that smile off of his face!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Are you rooting for Cap, Ruby?
MATT RUBY: No, but Sunshine creeps me out enough that I prefer the nerd in spandex.
Arcadia backs away, eyes narrowed. "You're forgetting the end of that saying, Sunshine. Curiosity killed the cat... But satisfaction brought it back. And once I get my answers? Well, then it'll be smiles all around. I'll see you at Red Snow, Charlie."
The tension is immense, but Sunshine doesn't push further. Instead, he simply walks away, smile unwavering all the while.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ajax the Adonis is taking on Mighty Mighty next and you could very well say this match is for The Big Chunk of Funk’s soul.
MATT RUBY: It’s not very often, if at all that I will outright agree with you BB, and tonight won’t be the night I start. This is the first match that I’ve ever seen where if someone loses, they wind up gainfully employed. If I were Mighty, I’d make it easy on myself, lay down, and walk away with a new job dancing for Klaus’s Circus.
Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell and we’re underway with the two massive men locking up in the center of the ring as a hush drops over the Olympus crowd at the sight of the mass of humanity locking horns in the ring. Adonis bares down on Mighty before whipping The Chunk of Funk into the corner with authority as the ring shifts about six inches from the impact. Adonis following behind Mighty looking for a giant Stinger Splash!
ADONIS PRESS! NO! BACK DROP COUNTER! HIGH AND FUCKING MIGHTY SENDING ADONIS INTO THE CORNER UPSIDE-FUCKING-DOWN! AS OLYPUS COMES TO THEIR FEET FROM SEEING THE STRONG MAN GO ASS OVER BANDBOX!
Mighty, staying light on his feet looks to pick up the pace looking at the Dazed Strongman upside-down in the corner he begins to shuffle and jive before launching himself at Adonis.
CANNON BALL! FLIPPING ZEUS-DAMN SENTON DIRECTED AT THIN FUCKING AIR AS ADONIS MANAGED TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY AND...
*SNAP!*
MATT RUBY: Folks the bottom rope just snapped under the weight of Mighty Mighty Colliding with it!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And Mills Stanton is calling for things to continue as he clears the mess from the ring!
Adonis picks Mighty off the canvas as the bottom rope is cleared from the ring. Adonis, The Strongman displays his strength by Pressing the Big Chunk of Funk over his head!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By Gawd! Ajax is Pressing the three-hundred-pounder over his head!
Adonis does about three reps of with Mighty before tossing him nearly effortlessly into the air and letting him fall!
TWO HANDS ANYHOW AND THE SOUND OF MIGHTY LANDING ECHOES THROUGHOUT THE ARENA AS THE CROWD GOES WILD FROM THAT FEAT OF STRENGTH!
MATT RUBY: Normally you have to buy a ticket to Klaus Way’s Circus to see a feat of strength like that, BB, we get it live here at Red Snow!
Ajax steps back lying in wait as Might Mighty recovers...
Big Chunk of Funk regaining his footing...
And...
Polish Hammer!
PURE FUCKING POWER... ABSOLUTELY FUCKING DUCKED!
Mighty lays in a jab...
And another...
And a third...
Ajax is staggered as Mighty does a locomotion-type shuffle before hitting a Huge Bionic Elbow to the skull of Ajax!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THAT’S THE MIGHTY SHUFFLE AND IT JUST TOPPLED AJAX!
Mighty pulls Ajax back to his feet looking to end it all hooking Adonis up...
Swinging Rockbottom!
MIGHTY CAROUSELL! AJAX SLIPS OUT LOCKING IN A FULL NELSON!
MATT RUBY: THE ADONIS LOCK! AND IT IS ON TIGHT!
MIGHTY CANNOT GET OUT!
HE MAKES FOR THE MIDDLE ROPE LOOKING TO PUSH OFF AND BREAK THE HOLD AJAX SPINS HIM IN MID-ZEUS-DAMN-AIR AND STRAIGHT DOWN WITH A POP-UP POWERSLAM!
ARMS OF FUCKING AJAX INTO THE CANVAS, AJAX HOOKS THE LEG AND MILLS STANTON SLIDES MAKE THE COUNT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
MIGHTY REACHES FOR THE BOTTOM ROPE BUT IT’S NOT THERE!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Get to dancing you Big Chunk of Skunk! You’re Klaus’s property now!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Damnit! Damnit all! I hate how it ended but I will say that move was a thing of beauty!
The match is over, the crowd are livid, and Ajax the Adonis has put Mighty Mighty down here tonight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Mighty gave it everything he had, and you know what this loss means, don’t you?
MATT RUBY: Way & Co have a new dancing, prancing goon for Arcadian Entertainment!
Ajax grabs a microphone, walking across the ring to sit on the middle rope.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What’s he doing?
The sounds of a radio tuning echo throughout the arena as the lights dim. As the radio settles on the bouncy carnival stylings of his theme song, a single spotlight shines atop the ramp, and Klaus Way steps into it.
MATT RUBY: He’s beckoning the arrival of the Ringmaster himself!
"Welcome to the Freak Show! Let us show you the Way!" rings out, followed by the creepy laugh "Ha ha hee ha ha ha". As the song kicks in fully, the house lights blare on to show an assortment of Klaus' freaks following him to the ring and showing their tricks or freakish natures. As Klaus enters the ring the spotlight centres back on him, and his freaks disappear into the darkness.
Klaus struts confidently to the ring, hops the ring steps and steps through the ropes, gleefully patting the Adonis on the chest as he takes the microphone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Poor Mighty. Look at him, Matt, he’s horrified.
MATT RUBY: You heard Michaela last week; he has a family now. Why be horrified about that?
Mighty kneels in the middle of the ring, looking absolutely exhausted as Klaus walks over to him.
“You’ve shown an admirable amount of fight, albeit misplaced,” Way says with a sincere smile. There’re layers to his devious nature. “My offer isn’t to entrap you, Mighty2. Yes, you’ll perform for Way & Co. Yes, you’ll be the envy of every entertainer in Arcadia. But you won’t be a prisoner, you’ll be a member of our family.”
Mighty looks up at him angrily. “If I’m not a prisoner, then I must be free to go.”
Way looks at Ajax and rolls his eyes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: But he’s not, is he!?
MATT RUBY: Sure he is, but why would he want to leave?
“Go?” Klaus says with a cackle. “No, you signed a contract with us, dear fellow. That contract is legally binding. You work for me now. There's no way around that. It's pointless to try. Accept my hand, just like you accepted my offer. You're one of us now.”
He holds out a hand, offering it to Mighty who reluctantly takes it, being helped back to his feet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: These animals have trapped him! They’ve forced this upon the poor man.
MATT RUBY: Oh no, he has a family, how terrible.
“Welcome to Way & Co,” Klaus says, embracing Mighty with the biggest and fakest of reluctant hugs that you’ve ever seen.
Cut.
Earlier
We find Anton Savor walking the halls, the voodoo doll in hand that he took from Calypso last week. He’s noticeably jumpy, as a shadow cast across the wall causes him to leap backwards, holding the doll out in front of him like a shield.
“Get back!” He shouts at nothing in particular. “I’ve had enough of your tricks.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Anton Savor is as scared as we’ve ever seen him. He’s jumping at shadows.
MATT RUBY: Shouting at the wind. Calypso is in his head, and not in the good, stripping butt-naked kinda way.
Savor takes a moment to breathe, calming himself.
“Get it together. All that voodoo in your head, there’s nothing there but bullshit.” He looks at the doll again, holding it up to his face and smirking. “Just bullshit.”
The doll’s eyes light up, red. Its mouth opens into a wide maw, vicious sharp teeth bared.
Savor’s grip relaxes out of shock, and the doll leaps towards him to attack, going for the jugular. Savor screams as the teeth sink into his neck.
MATT RUBY: What the fuck?! That’s going to leave one hell of a hickey.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is why you don’t mess with voodoo. No good comes from messing with the Bayou.
Savor rips the doll away from his neck, tearing flesh in order to free himself. He tosses the doll to the ground and runs.
He’s getting the fuck out of here.
From the shadows, a soft laughter echoes. Calypso steps into the light, picking up the now lifeless doll.
“Oh, cher.” She tuts. “Did that p’tit idyo not want to play?”
She brushes the hair with her hand, softly.
“Don’t worry. We will see ‘im later in the ring. He’ll find out what happens when ya go pokin' dat nose where it don’t belong.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Calypso has her voodoo doll back, and wants her revenge. The next time these two meet, it is going to be in the ring.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Calypso has gotten her Voodoo doll back and looking at Chef Savor, he’s another duck on the water. On the surface, he’s calm and collected but underneath it, all the gears in his head are moving so fast they could churn a compound butter trying to figure out a way to escape with his Championship.
MATT RUBY: He’s solid as steel Bronco, don’t undercut the Chef, he’s unflappable in the kitchen and the ring. He can handle the heat in and out of the kitchen. My money’s on Savor to retain the Double Feature Championship here tonight and we get to watch the gorgeous Demi Sky call the action!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Keep it in your pants, Matt.
Demi calls for the bell, and the match is underway. Savor is desperate to get the upper hand by rushing Calypso.
Clothesline from Hel...
OFFERING! THE DOUBLE-HANDED CROSS TO THE CHEF DROPS HIM TO HIS KNEES AS MAMA CALYPSO LAUGHS MENACINGLY POISED OVER THE HIGH EMPEROR OF SUSTENANCE STARING DOWN AT HIM!
Calypso takes a step back, Buzzsaw Kick – Ducked! Savor gets back to his feet quickly locking in a Guillotine Choke.
GASTRONOMY GUILLOTINE AND HE’S GOT IT IN DEEP! CALYPSO BEGINS TO FADE, DROPPING TO A KNEE, ARMS SLACK AT HER SIDES!
...
DEMI LIFTS CALYPSO’S ARM!
...
IT FALLS!
...
ONE!
...
DEMI LIFTS THE ARM ONCE MORE!
...
AND IS DROPS!
...
TWO!
MATT RUBY: Once more and Savor retains!
...
SKY RAISE CALYPSO’S ARM FOR THE FINAL TIME!
...
AND...
...
...
CALYPSO’S HAND FALLS...
...
...
ON TO THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Demi Sky calls for the rope break!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Demi Sky’s inexperience caused that rope break as she essentially dropped Calypso’s hand over that rope!
MATT RUBY: She doesn’t need to be bright when she looks so good!
Demi stands both competitors back to their feet and...
Fucking Fireball!
BLACK MAGIC MISSLE! DODGED BY SAVOR DROPS UNDER THE FLAMES AND COMES UP SUPER-FUCKING-KICK!
CREME BRULEE! NO! BLOOD RED MIST TO THE EYES OF SAVOR BY MAMA CALYPSO!
THE BLOOD RITUAL COVERS THE FACE OF SAVOR!
The Chef staggers blinded by the burning mist covering his eyes!
The Voodoo Queen takes advantage...
HUMAN SACRIFICE! STANDING DEVASTATING DIAMOND DUST DROPS DAZED CHEF SAVOR! CALYPSO QUICKLY CRAWLS INTO THE COVER AND DEMI’S ON THE SPOT TO MAKE THE COUNT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
NEW CHAMPION?!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Calypso has done it she’s the new OSW Double Feature Champion!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, Demi may’ve missed something!
Savor’s foot is draped over the bottom rope and Demi starts franticly waiving off the cover as Calypso stares daggers at the young official as she shrinks in her sight before Calypso returns her attention to The Chef!
CREME FUCKING BRULEE! A SUDDEN SUPERKICK STRIKES SWIFTLY STAGGERING CALYPSO WITH THE REPORT OF FIFTY CALIBER RIFLE AS THE CROWD COMES TO THEIR FEET!
Anton seizes the moment getting The Voodoo Queen up on his shoulders in a Torture Rack before dropping...
THE
BURNING
FUCKING
HAMMER!
FLAME FUCKING BROILER DUMPS CALYPSO ON HER HEAD!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Savor just Kill it With Fire!
Calypso sprawls out in the center of the ring as Savor goes for the cover and Demi slides in to make the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
...
DOES HE HAVE IT?
...
...
...
STILL CHAMPION?
...
...
...
ANOTHER FOOT ON THE ROPES?
...
...
...
NO, THEY’RE IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND DEMI’S HAND FALLS...
...
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well, that was the damnedest combination of moves to get to that Flame Broiler for Savor! What a defense for The Double Feature Champion!
MATT RUBY: Cool, calm, and collected. I told you Bronco, see, I’m always right.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How deep are your gambling debts there, Matt?
MATT RUBY: Up yours BB.
With the match over, Anton Savor has once again successfully defended his Double Feature Championship. Calypso gets back to her feet, watching as he vacates the ring with a big smile on his face.
She gets back to the middle of the ring, when suddenly the lights shut off.
GAZUMP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s never good.
MATT RUBY: No, nothing ever good comes from this.
Smoke suddenly starts filling the entire arena, coming from all sides. As the fog ascends, Calypso can be seen looking perturbed between shuttering cameras.
Flutter.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know what that means!
MATT RUBY: HE’S HERE! THE FERRYMAN IS HERE!
In the shadows, a figure looms behind Calypso. She daren’t turn around, instead looking at the ground, fear in her eyes and strewn across her painted face.
“We had a deal, zanmi,” Black Magic says, almost pleading with him. “You swore to me…”
“You were given a chance,” he replies with a deeper growl than normal – angrier than ever. “And you failed me. Goodnight, sweetheart.”
The flashing light watches as she suddenly disappears into the darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Where the hell has Tombstone taken her and why?!
MATT RUBY: Haven’t you heard the story, BB? The story goes that Tombstone saw her potential and decided NOT to Ferry her.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wow… so…
MATT RUBY: She’s failed him by losing this here tonight. The Ferryman is cleaning house. Gravedigger and Malakai Midnight had better be successful tonight or else who knows what’ll happen.
The lights return, revealing an empty ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Six Feet Under might be collapsing before our very eyes. With El Mariachi Muerte and Gemini leaving the House of Judgement, what does that mean for Zeus’ dominant stable?
MATT RUBY: The end of civility, perhaps?
Cut.
The Killing Floor.
We’ve not been here for a very long time. Stood on one side of a large blue door, Zeus and Ares are deep in discussion. We know what’s on the other side, death.
They stop talking, Ares opening the door for Zeus and following him inside. Our camera drops to feet height, watching as their feet stomp across the stained floor. Dried blood stains a darkened red.
As the camera rises, it finally stops to see their guest. Paragon. He sits in a chair, tied to it.
“Do you know how long my associate here has been trying to find you, Paragon?” Zeus asks, pulling a knife from a sheath on his side. He places it at his kneecap, pushing until the warrior groans softly. He’s already been tortured. As he slowly lifts his head, we see blood dripping down his mask. “Now, tell me, where can I find The Watchers?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What're they doing to that poor man!? Is there anything Zeus won't do to protect his secret.
MATT RUBY: Paragon brought this upon himself, make no mistake about it.
The Truth Bringer doesn’t say anything, leading Zeus to look at Ares with a shrug before pushing his knife deep into the kneecap. It brings a blood curdling scream from Paragon, who roars in agony.
“You’ve caused me no end of problems; do you know that? Because of you, Tombstone knows my secret. Fortunately, it’s in his best interest to keep it, but that doesn’t help me sleep at night,” The Baron angrily says, pulling the knife out roughly.
He passes the weapon to Ares, who wipes it clean with a cloth. “You claim to be a man of truth,” War says with a grimace of his own. “And the truth hurts, doesn’t it? It doesn’t have to, Paragon. Just tell us what we want to know and this ends.”
Paragon looks up, woozy, his head bouncing from left to right.
“Do you think killing me and exterminating my order will protect your secret?” He asks, gasping and breathless. The pain in his voice is horrendous. He can barely get the words out. “It won’t.”
Zeus walks over to Ares and whispers something to him before walking towards the door, leaving his Soldier and best friend to do what needs to be done.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is hurrendous. Zeus must be stopped.
MATT RUBY: Careful, BB. That's our employer and Baron you're talking about. He'll have your head for such mutiny!
The sounds of punching echo throughout the room as Ares beats Paragon to death. Zeus exits the room, slamming the large blue door behind him. He looks through the glass window, watching as Paragon hits the floor, his head being stomped on repeatedly by Ares.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This match is years in the making Ruby. A hero who shed his skin in the wake of loss thought he had escaped the shackles of the beast only to be dragged back into it by too many questions unanswered. One in particular he may well find the answer out tonight, the question if Mr Sunshine is the Zookeeper?
MATT RUBY: It wouldn't surprise me if that laughing numbnuts is that creepy bastard snatching up teenagers and making them dress up in spandex but why the hell does Captain Dumbass want to know? Is he that eager to go back to the floating head?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: With everything we've learnt of the Kingdom and the mysteries of Mr Sunshine, Cheerie Charlie may well be someone truly dangerous and stopping people like that...that's what heroes do BB, not that you'd know anything about that.
The bell sounds as Mr Sunshine rushes at Arcadia who ducks underneath a clothesline, rushing to the ropes as he bounces off before leaping forward
GRASPS OF JUSTICE! SPRINGBOARD REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER DROPS SUNSHINE RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!
Sunshine staggers up to his feet right into a running enziguri to the back of the head, dropping him down to the mat before Arcadia rolls through, leaping up to the second rope before diving off
LIBERTY'S KISS! SECOND ROPE DIVING ELBOW DROP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Arcadia all over Sunshine here but he isn't covering, instead heading back up. He's looking for that big statement here BB.
STAR
SPANGLED
SPLAT!
The Frog Splash hits nothing but mat as Sunshine rolls away in the nick of time. Arcadia staggers up to his feet right as Sunshine yells out
CATCH ME!
RUNNING CROSSBODY FLATTENS ARCADIA!
Sunshine smiles that wide grin but there's the teensiest bit of mania in there, as he kicks the rising Arcadia in the skull before gripping him around the legs and begins to spin
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SUNRISE, SUNSET! ARCADIA'S getting swung with the greatest of ease here.
Sunshine throws Arcadia away, the Captain managing to roll to his feet but he runs right into a hard headbutt before he's lifted up as Charlie begins to play the Dizzy Game,
Around and around both men spin but Arcadia manages to slip out on the fifth rotation as Sunshine continues to spin, turning around
SUPERKICK! Right on the button but Arcadia is still dizzy as he collapses to the mat too, both men down but not out as they crawl to their corners. Arcadia crawling forward as he tries to grab his shield....but it's not there.
The Captain turns around as he sees Mr Sunshine on his feet, his shield in hand and a near malevolent grin wide up on his face.
Before he throws Arcadia's own shield right at him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Arcadia just ducks underneath but he doesn't see the rushing Sunshine who nearly Lariats him out of his own boots. If I wasn't sure, that almost seemed like a dirty trick by Sunshine there.
MATT RUBY: That simple buffoon wouldn't know the word dirty if he was covered from head to toe in soot.
Sunshine tries to lift Arcadia up but he gets a jawbreaker for his troubles, staggering him back as Arcadia rushes to the ropes, leaping off.
BUT NOBODY WAS HOME AS SUNSHINE DODGES AND ARCADIA EATS THE MAT!
Sunshine is all smiles as he slowly stalks behind, looking to welcome Arcadia to his exclusive club. The Full Nelson is locked in as he lifts Arcadia up
WELCOME TO THE...ARCADIA FLIPS OUT, GRABBING SUNSHINE BY THE SKULL AND DRILLING HIM INTO THE MAT WITH AN STO!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Arcadia is still alive here, countering the Flapjack with a very familiar move. But he's not done as he lifts Sunshine up, grabbing him in a hug.
BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX! Arcadia keeps the grip, lifting Sunshine up as he spins him around
RIPTIDE RAINMAKER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: If this is the Zookeeper, Arcadia just nailed him with shades of the entire kingdom there. Can Arcadia finish him off here?
Arcadia rushes to the ropes, leaping up to the top as he looks to dive off. But not as the Captain as he raises the symbol of the serpant up high before leaping forward
SERPENTS....SPEAR! Sunshine takes Arcadia out of the air with a rib cracking spear.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He calls that Joyful Embrace Ruby but that impact was anything but. Sunshine is stalking Arcadia, the Captain slowly rising as he's caught in the Full Nelson again.
WELCOME TO THE SUNSHINE CLUB! Arcadia couldn't counter the second as he's Flapjacked hard onto his face, knocked out cold as Sunshine hooks the leg, Cole Holt sliding in to count.
ONE
.................
....................
TWO
......................
............................
...................................
THREE!!!!
MATT RUBY: See what I'd tell ya about nostalgia BB? It gives you nothing but heartbreak as Sunshine nearly broke the idiot in half here tonight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That he did but Arcadia may not have lost yet if he can find out some answers tonight.
With the match over, Captain Arcadia is no closer to answers than he was before. Both men amble back to their feet, exhausted from their battle.
Arcadia rushes over to him, tackling him back to the canvas. He’s not finished. He calls for his Shield, receiving it at a pace, and towers it over the neck of Sunshine, rising to hold it there with venom.
“You’re him, aren’t you!” The Captain roars at him angrily. All his emotion bubbling to the surface. “Tell me!”
Sunshine claws at the shield, his sunny demeanour having not changed. Despite desperately trying to break free, he smiles.
“I… I’m not The Zookeeper,” he stammers beneath the weight of the shield. “That isn’t my secret.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Then what is?
MATT RUBY: He has a secret?
Arcadia backwards, releasing him. The former Yellow Python looks at him with scorn. The man he’s been searching for; the man who put together The Kingdom – it isn’t Mister Sunshine. Charlie Boye gets back to his feet, holding his throat.
“Whoever gave you that file wanted you to believe that I and Kleen were in cahoots,” he explains desperately. “But it was Kleen who sent you after the Zookeeper. Why would my friend send you after me?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I mean, that does make sense, doesn’t it?
MATT RUBY: If he isn’t The Zookeeper then who is?
The Captain grimaces. “Then what is your secret, Sunshine?”
The Happy-go-Lucky’s smile finally drops, as if a façade. His once smiling disposition becomes a scowl, unlike anything we’ve ever seen from him.
Suddenly, Lux Aeterna fills the arena and the lights fade to a haunting glow. Anton Savor walks down the aisle, his gaze fixed ahead, exuding an air of mystery and confidence, a microphone in his hand. He stops at the bottom of the ramp.
“I can help with that,” Savor announces with confidence. “He’s the one who put the contracts on the head of Roland Gray.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT!? WHY!?
That shocks the audience as well. Sunshine’s scowl turns into a grimace, this time aimed at Savor.
“If we’re sharing secrets,” Sunshine interrupts, his scowl becoming a smile once more. “Then people may be intrigued to learn why you undertook said contracts, Mister Savor.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Who the hell is this Mister Sunshine!?
MATT RUBY: And why did he have Roland Gray murdered? I don’t understand any of this.
“What Anton Savor doesn’t want you to know is that he had Roland Gray murder his mentor so that he could take control of his empire. There’s a reason why our friend here is the superior chef in Arcadia,” Sunshine announces defiantly. “He didn’t earn it, he bought it.”
“It was you,” Arcadia abruptly interrupts, looking down at Savor. “You handed me that file.”
Savor grins. “I was hoping that if I gave you a plate, you’d clean it. It appears I was wrong. I didn’t want my secret getting out and then it dawned on me, who cares? I provide a service unlike any other here in Arcadia. What precisely do you two provide? You’re a failed hero, unable to see the truth before his very nose and he’s a sadistic coward who hires men and women for murder.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe this. Sunshine had Gray killed and Anton took the contract to keep his secret. Why though? Why did Sunshine do that?
“You’ve wasted my time,” Captain Arcadia growls.
Anton begins backing away up the entrance ramp, shrugging nonchalantly as he does. “You’re right,” he admits. “But the real take away from this isn’t about your time, Captain. The real question is why did Charlie Boye want Roland Gray dead and how does that relate to The Zookeeper?”
Arcadia turns to face Sunshine, who looks away before rolling to the outside.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh boy, this isn’t over. This is only just beginning, folks.
MATT RUBY: My head hurts!
Cut
A week has passed since Reverend Ezekiel Graves has forced a ceasefire at his Church. Malakai's Owls and the Disciples of Christ look absolutely exhausted, with only the Apostle himself having the energy to remain fully awake.
Just then, The doors to the church swing open, causing everyone to shift their focus towards them. Graves raises his hand and reveals the grenade he was holding the whole time.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Where in the blazes did he get that!?
MATT RUBY: Never mind that, BB! Who's the poor bloke that prompted him to pull it out again?
At the open doorway, we see Mr. Midnight staring a hole at the Reverend. The Harbinger smiles in response, lowering the grenade towards his chest.
"Release my Owls," Malakai says, eliciting a laugh from Ezekiel.
"Why?" The Purifier asks. "In case you haven't noticed, I have the advantage here. I hold the weapon that stopped and will end this war in a matter of seconds. The holy spirit I channel with it keeps me from getting tired like your men. It also gives me the strength to become a martyr too, if need be."
"You might purge my movement if you pull that pin," Malakai begins, "but you will never cleanse Arcadia if you take yourself with it. The devil will eventually come; if not by my hands, then by someone else's. If you're not there to banish him, who will?"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I hate to say it, but he's right to a degree. There is always somebody in Arcadia that's willing to take up the Midnight Man's mission.
Ezekiel pauses for a moment, contemplating his words. With a sigh, he tosses the grenade to one of his Disciples, signaling to them to put it somewhere safe within the Church. They run deeper within the Church to do so.
"What do you want then?" The Reverend asks, prompting Malakai to smile this time.
"A match. Just the two of us inside your Church for the NXT Level Championship. If your Disciples don't get involved in this, then my Owls won't either."
Ezekiel responds with a nod, shooing his followers and Malakai's out of the building. They hurriedly do so, closing the doors behind them and leaving the two leaders alone. Both of them turn to one another, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
MATT RUBY: This championship match starts now!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The sanctity of this place is about to be shattered, Ruby. Malakai Midnight is here to drag Ezekiel Graves to the depths of hell.
MATT RUBY: Sanctity? This is Graves’ turf, and he’s got the power of Christ on his side. Midnight doesn’t stand a chance.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The first to escape the Church will be your NXT Level Champion, folks.
Malakai is in no mood to wait for Graves as he lunges forward, his fist connecting squarely with the champion's jaw.
Graves staggers back as Midnight rains down with heavy blows. The champion responds with a thunderous headbutt, momentarily stopping the onslaught.
Graves grabs Midnight and hurls him into the nearest pew, splinters flying as the Lord of Darkness crashes through the wood.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves isn’t wasting any time using the environment to his advantage!
MATT RUBY: If you’re going to fight in a church, everything’s a weapon!
Midnight crawls from the wreckage, smirking as blood drips from his forehead.
Graves charges, but Midnight rolls away, grabbing a wooden candlestick from a nearby table.
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT IN THE CHURCH WITH THE CANDLESTICK!
STRAIGHT INTO GRAVES RIBS!
The champ drops to a knee, as Midnight grabs a hymnal from the pew.
THWACK! RIGHT ACROSS THE BROW OF GRAVES!
HE GOES FOR ANOTHER, BUT GRAVES GRABS THE BOOK, THROWING IT TO THE SIDE!
He lunges forward, delivering a brutal shoulder tackle that sends Midnight crashing against the altar steps.
Graves wastes no time, LIFTING THE WHOLE GODDAMNED PULPIT OVER HIS HEAD…
…AND THROWING IT AT MIDNIGHT!
MALAKAI BARELY ROLLS AWAY AS GRAVES PULPIT SHATTERS INTO A THOUSAND PIECES!
Midnight rushes to the Church’s side door, the exit tantalizingly close. He steps toward freedom, but the groaning sound of wood splintering halts him.
GRAVES HAS GOT A PEW!
HE SWINGS IT LIKE A BASEBALL BAT!
SPLINTERS FLY EVERYWHERE AS MALAKAI MIDNIGHT’S BACK COLLIDES WITH THE PEW!
Graves roars out, picking up Midnight’s limp body and flinging it over his shoulder.
SPINEBUSTER!
SPINEBUSTER INTO A FUCKING PEW! IT SPLIT IT IN HALF!
BUT IS MALAKAI SPLIT IN HALF?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves is like a man possessed! Midnight might be finished!
Graves begins his march toward the doors, but Midnight, crawling through the wreckage, grabs a piece of shattered pew and HURLS IT LIKE A KNIFE AT THE BACK OF GRAVES’ LEGS!
The champ stumbles, giving Midnight enough time to climb onto the CHURCH ORGAN?
Midnight leaps from the ledge…
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE!
THE SPINNING FOREARM OFF THE ORGAN!
MATT RUBY: Midnight’s sacrificing his body to win this match! The organ, the pews, this whole church is falling apart!
The two warriors, battered and bloodied, pull themselves to their feet.
Graves finds a candelabra and swings it like a weapon, but Midnight ducks and counters by using a book as a shield.
Not just any book.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Malakai Midnight is using Graves’ holy book as a weapon!
Midnight grabs Graves by the head and smashes him into the organ, putting a crack in the old fashioned keyed instrument.
MATT RUBY: I don’t like this, BB. Malakai is throwing Graves onto the organ.
Graves is stunned as Midnight goes above the organ, finding the statue of the Christ. He spits on it head and…
LEAPS OFF—NO!
GRAVES GOT THERE FIRST! HE PUSHES THE STATUE OVER…
BUT IT GOES THE WRONG WAY! THE STATUE AND MALAKAI MIDNIGHT FALL ON EZEKIEL GRAVES…
WITH A LOUD TOOT, THE ORGAN SHATTERS AS BOTH MEN AND THE STATUE GO THROUGH IT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They’ve got to be dead.
Both men have been broken by the relentless battle.
Graves crawls toward the massive oak doors, his breath ragged as he pulls himself along the cold stone floor to freedom.
And victory.
Malakai Midnight, his face twisted in fury, grabs hold of Graves' ankle, dragging him back into the wreckage.
Graves turns and kicks Midnight in the face with his boot, sending him sprawling backward.
The champion pulls himself to his knees, and as Midnight rushes at him…
GRAVES USES THE BROKEN CROSS OF THE CHRIST AS A WEAPON, RIGHT INTO THE GUT OF MALAKAI MIDNIGHT.
Midnight collapses to his knees, gasping for air.
With one last burst of divine energy, Graves climbs to his feet and staggers toward the doors.
Midnight tries to follow, but his legs give out beneath him, and he collapses in a heap.
Graves pushes the heavy oak doors open, stepping into the night as the bell tolls.
The Reverend falls to his knees just outside the church, snatching his championship from a shellshocked official who had to wait outside during all this.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ezekiel Graves has done it! He’s walked through hell and emerged victorious, still the NXT Level Champion!
MATT RUBY: BB, I don’t know about you, but I think tonight was a holy experience for everyone.
Defeated. Malakai Midnight has been defeated once again. He barely escapes the church to the outside, gasping breathlessly after the battle.
Static.
Glitch.
The footage becomes extremely unwatchable. The interference is extremely heavy, making Malakai cut a skewed figure.
Flutter.
That unmistakable sound.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on a minute!
MATT RUBY: You don’t think he’s here for Malakai, do you!? Surely not!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Earlier tonight he killed Calypso. Why wouldn’t he take out Midnight too!?
Midnight can’t be seen, but his voice can be heard trembling with fear. “Please,” he begs. “I’ve been a friend to you; my owls have been friends to you. I was promised a dalliance with the devil that has not been provided.”
We can’t hear the reply.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can barely make out what’s happening, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: You don’t need a crystal clear image to see Malakai Midnight crapping his bloody pants, BB. Tombstone is going to end him!
“Not like this,” his begging continues. “Please, not… like… this.”
SNAP!
Flutter.
The static immediately vanishes as Tombstone exits, leaving Malakai Midnight’s body to fall almost in slow motion.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE DID IT! HE KILLED MALAKAI MIDNIGHT! TOMBSTONE IS TAKING OUT THE TRASH!
MATT RUBY: I can’t believe this! Malakai Midnight is… he’s dead!
Owls rush to gather around their fallen leader in shock.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He wanted to meet the devil so bad, well now he can, when he rots in hell!
MATT RUBY: How could you be so heartless!? Far be it for me to question the merit of Tombstone’s logic but tonight he has murdered Calypso and Malakai Midnight; Six Feet Under is no more. All that remains is Gravedigger...
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well, he’d better hope to be more successful than they were, hadn’t he. It’s no coincidence that both of those members failed tonight Tombstone and Six Feet Under!
MATT RUBY: Ahhhhh! The Wedding is up next!
We find ourselves at ringside, the entire ring itself converted into a makeshift wedding ceremony! A black arch hangs over a priest, rows of chairs for guests, even a macabre imitation of a wedding cake sits in the corner, bride and groom cake toppers sitting upon it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It looks like we're in for a match made in hell, Ruby. Try as Aurora might, the wedding has come all the same.
MATT RUBY: Quiet down, you geezer! Listen...
Suddenly an organ plays out, belting out an ominous tune that we come to recognize as 'Here Comes the Bride'. The lights dim, a spotlight shines down atop the entrance ramp, and we see the unlikely couple make their appearance. Gravedigger, adorned in a dirt covered black suit, and Aurora unconscious in a wheel chair, a black wedding dress having been placed on her.
The crowd remains silent, either out of respect or out of disgust as Gravedigger wheels Aurora down to the ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is just wrong! She's not even awake and he's trying to get this ceremony under way!
MATT RUBY: No, I agree, it IS wrong. It should have been me wheeling her down that ramp!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Let me reiterate. Just wrong.
Gravedigger gets to the ring, hauling Aurora up into his arms and up the steel steps. However, as he approaches the priest Aurora begins to struggle against his embrace! She forces her way out of Gravedigger's arms and pushes him away! The Thrillseeker lands dazed on her feet, glaring daggers towards her would be husband,
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Aurora's still got fight left! A referee is running towards the ring! It looks like this wedding is about to become a brawl!
MATT RUBY: The priest just rolled to ringside! We're about to see a hell of a newlywed argument!
No words, no shouting. Aurora goes on the attack and the match is underway!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HEEL LADEN SUPERKICK TO THE JAW! AURORA JUST SENT GRAVEDIGGER TO HIS KNEES!
The referee slides into the ring to call for the bell but Aurora is already on the offensive as she lays into Gravedigger with a flurry of demented kicks! She fires each one at his ribs with pure spite behind each one!
NO!
NO!
NO!
Aurora yells with every kick, cementing her opinion of this demented wedding with a skull rattling shining wizard that puts Gravedigger down! She doesn't go for the cover, instead grabbing hold of one of the many folding chairs and going for a wild swing!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DROP DEAD JAWBREAKER! GRAVEDIGGER JUST HIT THAT LEAPING KNEE AND SENT THE CHAIR RIGHT INTO AURORA'S FACE!
MATT RUBY: How can you do something like that to a pretty face like hers? I'd treat you better, Aurora!
The Mortuary Assistant grabs hold of his bride, nailing her with a headbutt across the bridge of the nose before flinging her face first into the wedding arch! Her head smacks off of the blackened wood and Gravedigger follows up by planting her with a German Suplex right into the mat! The Thrillseeker isn't moving!
Gravedigger ascends the nearest turnbuckle, a sneer on his face as he goes to leap!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: LAST RESPECTS! ELBOW DROP- NO! AURORA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!
MATT RUBY: SHOW HIM WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THIS RELATIONSHIP!
Aurora leaps to her feet as Gravedigger rolls around in agony, the Shovel getting to his feet only to catch a nasty blow to the skull! Aurora goes for another but Gravedigger fires back!
SHOVEL READY! BULLHAMMER TO THE JAW PUTS AURORA OUT ON HER FEET!
The bride is on jelly legs as she stumbles backwards, eventually looking up at the enraged Gravedigger... And opening up her arms to him? The crowd gasps in surprise and Gravedigger looks on hesitantly! Aurora steadies herself, giving a seemingly apologetic nod, beckoning him forwards!
MATT RUBY: I think that blow the head finally fixed her attitude!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gravedigger goes for the hug- AND AURORA IMMEDIATELY PLANTS HIM WITH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX RIGHT ONTO ONE OF THE STEEL CHAIRS! GRAVEDIGGER JUST GOT PLANTED!
Aurora bridges and the referee drops for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
NO! GRAVEDIGGER KICKS OUT WITH AUTHORITY!
The groom slams his fists angrily onto the mat as he forces his way to his feet, staring down Aurora in anger before grabbing her by her hair! He points at the wedding cake and runs full speed towards it with Aurora!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: AURORA GETS SENT FACE FIRST THROUGH THE WEDDING CAKE! THERE'S FROSTING EVERYWHERE!
MATT RUBY: And I thought she was yummy before!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Do you have an off switch?
Aurora is in a heap and Gravedigger grabs hold of one of the wedding gifts at ringside! He pulls the paper off to reveal... A shovel! The crowd boos as he goes towards Aurora, reeling back with his weapon and swinging as hard as he can! But Aurora rolls out of the way, leaping to her feet!
AND BURYING HER CAKE TOPPER IN GRAVEDIGGER'S SHOULDER! THE TOPPER IS EMBEDDED IN HIS SKIN!
The Thrillseeker capitalizes, spring boarding off of the ropes and coming back with a hurricanrana that throws Gravedigger skull first into a pile of wedding gifts! He tries to fight back to his feet but Aurora has his shovel! She brings it down across his back with impunity, swinging over and over again until Gravedigger stops moving! She forces Gravedigger on his back and lines the shovel up with his throat!
MATT RUBY: She's gonna kill him!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You can only push a woman so far, but even I think this is too much!
She goes to kick the shovel down-
AND GRAVEDIGGER ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! THE SHOVEL IS BURIED IN THE CANVAS!
The Thrillseeker tries to pull it free only to catch a clothesline to the jaw for her troubles! Gravedigger rips the cake topper from his arm, tossing it aside as he lands a nasty kick to Aurora's ribs! The Breath of Heaven tries to crawl away, kicking at Gravedigger as he grabs for her, making distance as she approaches the arch! Aurora fights to her feet, looking at Gravedigger then at the arch.
AND SHE CLIMBS ON TOP OF THE ARCH!
Gravedigger tries to give chase but catches another kick to the face for his troubles! Aurora stands atop the arch, looking down at the groom with spite in her eyes!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: PHENOMENON! DOUBLE FOOT CURBSTOMP FROM ATOP THE ARCH! THE BREATH OF HEAVEN HAS RAINED DOWN HELL!
MATT RUBY: NO! GRAVEDIGGER CATCHES HER! CRADLE TO THE GRAVE! THAT GTS JUST DEMOLISHED AURORA!
The referee drops for the cover as Gravedigger drapes an arm!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The wedding is a mess, the match is over, and Gravedigger is your winner here tonight.
Gravedigger slinks back to his feet, a sinister smile plastered across his once desperate face. He looks down at a stirring Aurora, opening his arms up wide.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Aurora! Get up!
MATT RUBY: Come to daddy!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You surely can’t condone this, Ruby. He’s gonna force that poor girl to marry him!
MATT RUBY: That poor girl is a woman, BB! She wants this deep down, I’d bet your salary on it.
She’s utterly helpless to do anything about it. Gravedigger pulls her violently to her feet, spinning around so that he has an arm locked under his, and his other around her throat with her back to him.
“Don’t be so ungrateful,” he says loudly in her ear as she fails to struggle. “I did all of this for you. All I want is for us to spend the rest of our lives together, Aurora. Until death do us part.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Leave her alone dangit! Enough is enough! Someone needs to get out here and help Aurora!
MATT RUBY: If you’re so brave, why don’t you go and do it?
Gravedigger waves the priest over, preparing to enforce his sadistic marriage.
Suddenly, the lights go dim as the strings of My Hero by Man with a mission begin swelling. When the drums kick lights brighten up the stage revealing the intent stare of Wolf Fang Ayame.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well, I didn’t see this coming.
MATT RUBY: She had better not be out here to interrupt this ceremony!
Ayame has a microphone and as her music dies out, she begins walking towards the ring, demanding a stop. “Enough of this!”
The Shovel repositions himself to hold Aurora hostage in face of Wolf Fang, who enters the ring.
“I’ve seen enough of this sick and twisted ‘wedding’,” Ayame growls at Gravedigger. “Let her go, or I’ll rip you to pieces.”
He looks at Aurora, then back at Ayame, torn between the rock and a hard place. Reluctantly, he lets The Thrillseeker go. She stumbles over to Wolf Fang, holding her throat.
“How dare you!” Gravedigger says angrily, hands on hips. “How dare you interrupt our wedding day. You’re not welcome here, Ayame. You’re not on the guestlist.”
She checks on Aurora, who nods to let her know that she’s okay. “You’re pathetic,” she growls back, sinister in her tone. That takes Gravedigger back. “She doesn’t love you and the fact that no-one has ended this charade before now is equally as pathetic. No-one will ever love you, Gravedigger. You’re fucking creepy.”
The fans cheer with approval, chanting “Creepy” at Gravedigger who looks around himself in a panic.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m glad someone is finally stopping this but she shouldn’t push him too far. No-one knows what he’s capable of.
MATT RUBY: Two brides, perhaps?
Ayame grabs Aurora around the shoulder. “Let’s go…”
NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT THE GOOD GOD DAMN HELL IS THAT!?
AURORA PLANTS WOLF FANG AYAME!!!
Gravedigger laughs.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?
MATT RUBY: WAIT A MINUTE…
The crowd don’t understand. None of us do. Aurora pops back to her feet and grabs Gravedigger by the face, planting the sloppiest of kisses on him in the middle of the ring to a chorus of boos.
She allows him to spin her around before looking towards the corner.
“Should I, baby?” She asks with her voice twisted and soft.
Gravedigger nods
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t get this. She was his hostage! She was gonna be forced to marry this psycho!
MATT RUBY: Doesn’t look like it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This whole thing has been a sick and twisted game!!
Aurora heads up top, positions herself…
NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT!
TWISTED BLISS TO WOLF FANG AYAME!!!
The Thrillseeker gets back to her feet, picking up the microphone that Ayame dropped when she was attacked.
“You know something?” She asks the booing baying crowd. “Everyone thought I was a victim; this poor little girl being hunted. But from the first minute my baby stalked me, I felt a thrill unlike anything I’ve ever had. It was exhilarating. The chase, my gosh, the chase,” she says turning to kiss Gravedigger once more. “You people have no idea.”
The sound of the crowd booing is louder than ever as they wave the priest back over. He positions himself, ready to do the job he was brought here to do.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Gravedigger and Aurora...”
Aurora interrupts him.
“My apologies. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Gravedigger and Eclipse in unholy matrimony.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is ridiculous. That girl is just as crazy as he is!
MATT RUBY: It’s true love, BB!
“Fuck the rest of that shit,” Gravedigger shouts at the priest. “I do, baby.”
Eclipse, newly named, smiles before leaning in. “I do too.”
They kiss, to the crowd booing.
The priest smiles nervously. “By the power vested in me by Arcadia, I now pronounce you man and wife.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sickening. This is absolutely sickening.
MATT RUBY: Don’t you love a good wedding!?
Cut
Felix Foley sits on the edge of the bed in his bedroom, seemingly untouched since childhood. His old puppets rest on a shelf, their painted faces staring blankly, a haunting reminder of what transpired in his head just months ago.
MATT RUBY: Well this explains a lot.
Felix picks up one of the puppets, turning it over in his hands. Its chipped paint and loose strings feel heavier than they should.
“This room,” he mutters to himself, his voice low and cracking. “This was my prison. The place where he’d remind me what I was. Weak. Rotten.”
His grip tightens on the puppet, his knuckles whitening.
“He broke me in this room. Over and over again. Made sure I knew what I was—rotten to the core.” Felix’s eyes dart to the scissors on the desk, the same ones he used for his puppet shows.
“Scissors,” he whispers, the name carrying an eerie weight. “That’s the real me, isn’t it? The darkness I was born with. The rot Fernicus gave me when he and Momma ate that apple.”
He sets the puppet down, exhaling sharply, his hands trembling.
“But none of that matters.” He looks up, his eyes sharp with defiance. “I’m not what my father made me. I don’t have to be. I am what my Momma made me—a good man. A man who doesn’t give up. A man who fights for what’s right.”
He stands, his shoulders squared, his voice growing stronger. “Tonight, I’m going to end the legacy of Fernicus Lamplight. One way or another. This curse stops with me.”
Felix takes a final look around the room, his jaw set with determination. “No more rotten core. Just me.”
The light flickers, but Felix doesn’t waver. He steps out of the room, leaving behind the ghosts of his past.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix Foley, rotten to the core, will take on the monster who has decimated him twice already, the terminal man Tombstone, right here tonight...
MATT RUBY: Neither of them are going to leave anything on the table, BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No, but that doesn’t bode well for poor Felix.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano has had a single goal in mind, to free his daughter back from the clutches of Klaus Way. But does she even want to be saved?
MATT RUBY: It’s led here. And it looks like we have the whole family out here to support the festivities. Damien Solus, Ajax the Adonis and Michaela herself are at ringside.
Harold Attano wastes no time in getting into action, driving his shoulder into the sternum of Klaus Way and drilling him into the corner turnbuckle. Klaus pushes back, forcing Attano off him, only for Nobody to come back swinging.
KNEE STRIKE FROM ATTANO!
RIGHT TO THE RIBS, SOFTENING HIM UP!
Way staggers forward out of the corner, swinging at Attano but missing narrowly. Attano backs off slightly to avoid the strike before striking with precision.
VENOM!
THE SCORPION KICK! RIGHT TO THE KISSER!
KLAUS WAY COLLAPSES INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano is taking the fight to Klaus Way. He’s got him locked into the corner, and there is nothing that the Ringmaster can do.
MATT RUBY: He could try actually hitting him. That might work.
Attano grabs Way by the throat with both hands, choking him with all he’s got. Ajax and Damien Solus both leap onto the ring apron, protesting the hold. Cole Holt steps in and breaks the choke up, creating separation between Nobody and Way.
It is the opening that Way needed. In a flash, he’s grabbed Attano and hoisted him onto his shoulders.
CIRQUE DOULEUR!
THE STORMBREAKER DRILLS ATTANO INTO THE MAT!
ATTANO BOUNCES, SKIDDING TO A HALT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
In an instant Klaus is back on him, pummelling Attano with lefts and rights. Attano can’t protect himself and takes several brutal strikes right to the head before pulling Nobody to his feet.
Klaus whips Attano to the ropes and rushes after him… CLOTHESLINING HIM RIGHT OVER THE ROPE AND OUT OF THE RING!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is spilling out to ringside. That’s a hostile environment for Attano if ever I saw one.
MATT RUBY: Like when your girl finds out you’ve been banging her mother on the side. He better find a way back into the ring.
Klaus Way takes a moment to rest while Ajax and Damien Solus pick Attano back up off the ground. While Michaela climbs up onto the apron and draws the attention of Cole Holt, Ajax the Adonis holds Nobody in a Full Nelson, while Solus softens him up with several body blows.
By the time Holt turns around, they’re already rolling him back into the ring, claiming innocence.
Attano struggles to his knees, only to have Klaus charge at him once more.
PUNT KICK TO THE FACE!
ATTANO JUST GOT HIS LIGHTS TURNED OUT!
KLAUS HOOKS HIS LEG TO CAPTURE THE PIN!
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
NO!
HAROLD ATTANO GOT HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES AND COLE HOLT STOPS THE COUNT!
Klaus protests, but Holt points out the foot and stands by his decision. Attano struggles to a vertical base, drawing the attention of Michaela on the outside.
The pair share a laboured stare at each other, before Attano turns away.
RIGHT INTO KLAUS WAY!
ROLL UP! ROLL UP!
THE GANNOSUKE CLUTCH! HE ROLLS ATTANO INTO IT!
BUT ATTANO CONTINUES ROLLING AND TURNS THE HOLD OVER, ESCAPING!
Attano is quick to his feet this time, running the ropes as Klaus stands.
SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!
KNEE CAP!
AND WAY CRUMBLES DOWN TO ONE KNEE!
He spins back around, drilling Klaus with a HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW STRIKE!
DIDN’T SEE IT COMING!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano’s fighting instincts saved him there.
MATT RUBY: Now he’s trying to turn the tables in this one. But every time he does, the Circus seems to even the odds again.
Attano positions himself by the ropes, cutting off the escape from Way. He grabs him as he kneels, wrapping his arm around Way’s neck.
BULLDOG CHOKE!
CODE OF SILENCE LOCKED IN!
HE’S SURELY GOING TO TAP!
But in an instant, Harold Attano is gone.
Ajax the Adonis had pulled him by the ankle out of the ring.
And Cole Holt stands by as if he saw nothing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That dirty… Klaus Way is surely in Holt’s pocket.
MATT RUBY: I saw nothing wrong. It seems Cole Holt didn’t either.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Thank Zeus you’re not out there calling matches.
Ajax backs away, holding his hands up in innocence again. Attano is pushed back into the ring by Damien Solus, to a waiting Klaus Way.
He grabs Attano from behind, turning him over and rushing the turnbuckle with Attano trailing behind.
BIZARRO!
SO MUCH UNPRETTIER! HAROLD ATTANO IS DOWN AND KLAUS WAY GOES FOR THE PIN AGAIN!
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
IS THIS IT?
…
…
THREE!
NO!
ATTANO KICKED OUT JUST IN TIME!
Klaus Way cannot believe it. Ajax the Adonis and Damien Solus cannot believe it. Michaela Attano cannot believe it either.
Harold Attano pulls himself to his feet, pulling on Klaus’ leg to help pull him to a vertical base. He’s groggy, he’s battered.
But he’s still fucking standing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano has gone through hell. Klaus just needs one more big moment to finish him off.
MATT RUBY: How many big moments can he have? I thought he had him right there.
Klaus locks Harold up, pummeling him with a right hand.
Attano drills him back with a right of his own.
Klaus. Attano. Klaus. Attano.
They trade blows until both look like a soft breeze would knock them over.
Attano hits Klaus with another right, but Klaus Way headbutts him back in reply.
Attano staggers, and Klaus wraps him up, pulling him into a Tombstone position.
FREAK YO- NO!
ATTANO SLITHERS OUT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Klaus was going to kill him with fire, but Attano survives!
Klaus grabs him again, but Attano breaks the hold.
OSOK! NO!
KLAUS PUSHES HIM AWAY!
FREAK YOU!
THIS TIME HE HITS THE BIG BANG THEORY!
STICK A FORK IN IT!
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THREE!
KLAUS WAY KILLS ATTANO WITH FIRE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He may have broken his neck with that. It took all of the help at ringside he could muster, but Klaus Way has found his way to take down Harold Attano.
With the match over, Harold Attano and Klaus Way get back to their feet. Harold, exhausted, pushes him backwards into the corner.
“Release her!” He roars at him, all the emotion he can muster. Klaus though looks down at his acts, who quickly rush to his aide.
Ajax, Damien, Michaela and Mighty all slide into the ring, creating a barrier between the Circus Ringmaster and Nobody.
He angrily lowers his head, frustrated.
But it’s his daughter who steps forward.
“You’re not wanted here,” she says callously at him. The fans boo. “You’re not my father, Harold. You may have been there during conception, but being a father is more than that.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How horrible must that be for Attano to hear.
MATT RUBY: Oh what, father of the year, you mean?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s trying, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: A little too late if you ask me.
“And he is!?” Attano asks back.
Michaela shakes her head. “No, he’s not my father. He’s my family.”
Klaus steps through the pack to join her, leaving his place of protection behind them, behind him.
“What about the man he murdered?” Harold demands to know. “He tried to kill me and the APD discovered remains, Michaela. You’re not safe with him.”
“Murder?” Klaus asks with a scoff. “What do you know of murder?”
“Zephyr,” Attano shoots back, surprising Way. “Doesn’t that name ring a bell?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How does Harold know about that?
MATT RUBY: Spies everywhere, I’m sure.
Ajax looks at Damien, who looks at Michaela – they all look away.
“Zephyr is family business,” Klaus retorts with a sinister frown – his smile all but melted away by the statement. “And you aren’t family, Attano. If Michaela wanted your ‘help’, she’d have taken it. Instead, she stands beside me, her real family.”
Nobody shakes his head in frustration. “You’re not safe with them,” he pleads.
“And I am with you?” His daughter asks with a chuckle. “Go home, Harold. Forget I ever existed because to you… I am as good as dead.”
Michaela exits the ring, accompanied by Mighty, Ajax and Damien Solus. Harold steps forward to Klaus Way who remains, poking him in the chest.
“If anything happens to her…” he warns.
Klaus smiles. “Goodbye, Harold.”
He backs away, exiting the ring to the outside and joining his Circus. To a booing crowd they head backstage, leaving Nobody stood in the ring to cut a sombre figure.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There’s no saving her, Harold. She doesn’t want to be saved, even if it’s for her own good.
MATT RUBY: What does that cockroach know about her own good? He’s been an absent father most of her life, BB. She hasn’t missed him then and won’t miss him now.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is a deep and personal one tonight, two long time partners that twisted into something more with a simple lie. EMM fell in love with Gemini but the guilt and the danger of the truth ate him up inside for months.
MATT RUBY: If it did, why didn't he say anything BB? That secret was leaked by someone else and by all rights, Gemini should have dumped that loser...and gotten with a real gem if you pick up what I'm putting down.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Love is painful and love is compromise Ruby, there is a chance they could've worked things out but tonight is a Death Match. Either one of them have to kill the other...or Zeus will probably decide for them, if not just kill them both outright. This may well be the last match either competitor has.
The bell sounds as both EMM and Gemini just stare at one another. Sorrow and regret in EMM's eyes while Gemini's shine distrust and a little anger but both look apprehensive at fighting here. They circle the ring, not getting closer as the crowd begin to boo a little before the Rogue sighs, walking forward.
AND NEARLY SLAPS THE PAINT OF MUERTE'S FACE!
EMM staggers back a few paces as Gemini rushes him with heavy lefts and rights, staggering EMM back with a hard kick to the stomach before rushing to the ropes, leaping off
WHISKEY LULLABY! GEMINI LEPT RIGHT INTO THE OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SENDING HER FLYING INTO THE CORNER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A great counter by Muerte there but he doesn't look happy as he rushes over to see if Gemini is okay.
EMM tries to pull Gemini up to her feet but she pushes him away. It's a lot gentler though, a smile crossing her face as she nods before rushing forward, taking EMM by surprise with a running armdrag before kicking him hard in the face as he gets to his knees.
She pulls him up, linking her hand in his with a slight smile before leaping up to the top rope. Still holding onto Muerte she walks across the rope before leaping forward
THE LAST DANCE! HURRICANRANA SENDS EMM FLYING THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR BELOW!
MATT RUBY: Last chance to feel those legs around him before she double taps his ass.
EMM struggles to his feet on the outside, Gemini sizing him up for a moment before rushing to the ropes, bouncing off as she sprints forward, flying over the ropes
ASAI....EMM CATCHES HER IN MID-AIR! Gemini is struggling in his clutches as he looks to slam her back first into the steel post...but EMM hesitates, still not wanting to hurt her. This allows Gemini to wriggle her way out
DROP TOE HOLDING EMM ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!
Gemini gets to her feet, checking to see if EMM was too rattled by the steel for a moment before throwing him back into the ring. She doesn't get back in though, looking underneath the ring and pulling out the first bit of plunder.
A Steel Chair.
MATT RUBY: Hell yeah love, break that deceivers skull in.
Gemini slides into the ring, brandishing the chair high as EMM gets up to his knees. She stares him down, the chair held high as he nods, closing his eyes.
But she hesitates. She can't quite slam the steel down and when she does,
EMM rolls out of the way. The chair slamming down onto canvas, Gemini turning around with it raised high
SUPERKICK! EMM KICKS THE CHAIR BACK INTO GEMINI'S FACE!
Gemini's out on her feet, blood beginning to drip down her forehead as EMM begins to lay in hard forearm after forearm. A hard uppercut drops Gemini to her knees as EMM rushes to the ropes, leaping off
INTO A TORNADO ROUNDHOUSE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini refuses to lay down here, nailing EMM with a huge roundhouse but that may well have taken the rest of her energy there.
Gemini slowly rises to her feet, nailing EMM with a hard enziguri before rushing to the ropes, springboarding off
THE C...NO! EMM catches Gemini in mid-air, lifting her up high before spiking her down into the mat with a thunderous brainbuster. He doesn't cover, instead getting onto the apron and waiting for her to slowly rise up, smiling softly before he leaps upwards
MALICIOUS SONATA! SPRINGBOARD STUNNNNAHHHHHH!
The wound on Gemini's forehead is heavily busted open, EMM trying to wipe it away but he's pushed off by a groggy Gemini. Barely able to sit up, she urges him to keep fighting as he sadly nods, leaping up to the top rope.
The pair stare one another down, nodding softly as EMM pulls out a rose. Not the usual red but one colored purple before he leaps off
ROSES FOR THE DEAD! Brutal Double Foot Stomp and that has to be it as EMM covers the broken Gemini
ONE
................
....................
TWO
....................
.......................
.............................
..............................
SHE GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How in the hell did she just kick out there? Gemini is refusing to go quietly into the night against even a man she loves as Muerte looks troubled.
EMM shakes his head, walking over as he lifts the chair up off the canvas but he doesn't use it on Gemini. Instead, he opens it up, grabs his guitar and sits down upon it.
Gemini slowly struggles to her feet, blood pooling down her face as she can barely see but through the red haze she sees her Mariachi about to play a song...and instinctually flinches.
EMM shakes his head in sadness, before closing his eyes and beginning to sing.
Lean on Me. When you're not strong. And I'll Be Your Friend. I'll Help You Carry On.
Trust in me Il Mio, I'll see us through. If you fall, I'll Carry You.
As EMM sings, bright red notes float through the air for a moment before beginning to make a line between both Gemini and EMM. The notes continue before they connect both and begin to pulsate.
MATT RUBY: What the hell is this glorified street performer doing to my Gemini?
As the notes pulsate, the wound begins to heal slightly on Gemini. As it does, a wound appears on EMM as blood slowly begins to pool down his forehead.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Muerte is somehow sharing Gemini's pain, the lengths some people go for love
The song suddenly stops, Muerte dropping out of the chair in pain to his knees as Gemini crawls towards him. They rest their foreheads against one another, eyes closed for a moment before pulling one another to their feet.
Muerte and Gemini stare at one another, nod
And begin throwing hands.
Left by Gemini.
Right by Muerte.
Headbutt by Gemini rocks Muerte before he kicks out, delivering a hard kick to the chest as they both stagger backwards. They chuckle as both Muerte and Gemini get onto the apron, staring at one another for a moment before blowing a kiss at one another.
Gemini smirks as Muerte smiles wide before both nod and leap up to the top rope before springboarding off.
MALICIOUS SONATTTTTAAA! SPRINGBOARD STUNNNNAHHH!!
EMM takes down Gemini, snapping her head back with an almighty stunner before collapsing onto her as Demi Sky slides in to count the fall.
ONE
..................
.........................
TWO
......................
.......................
........................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And we have a winner here. These two gave everything they had tonight and although Gemini lost, it seems like their love won out tonight.
MATT RUBY: Love don't matter to the big man BB, you know he wants death and he's going to get it tonight. My only hope he spares Gemini so I can give her a shoulder to cry on afterwards.
They’ve torn each other to shreds, just like Zeus wanted. Whatever the secret they know is, he wanted them to kill each other for it, but they haven’t. They rise in the middle of the ring together, helping one another back to their feet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Maybe love can prevail, Matt.
MATT RUBY: I prefer lust, but maybe.
Suddenly, the arena is thrust into darkness.
A red hue appears, softly illuminating the dark, just as fog begins filling the area.
Click.
Clack.
Click.
Clack.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell is that?
MATT RUBY: Is that the sound of Horses?
Just then, onto the stage appears two horses. One is red. One is white.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Someone is tormenting them! Those horses belonged to Grimskull and Drewitt!
MATT RUBY: The friends the killed, you mean?
The red hue vanishes, sending us back to darkness.
Flash!
The lights suddenly come back on, revealing El Mariachi Muerte and Gemini, stood across their carnage in the middle of the ring.
But they aren’t alone!
CANNNNOOOOONNNBAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!
MARTYR! MARTYR TO EL MARIACHI MUERTE! IT’S FUCKING GRIMSKULL! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?
ARDUOUS JOURNEY! CHOKESLAM! CHOKESLAM STRAIGHT TO FUCKING HELL ON GEMINI!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT THE HELL!? I THOUGHT THEY WERE DEAD!
The fans go ballistic as Grimskull mounts Muerte, punching away at him violently on the canvas. Drewitt meanwhile ramps up the crowd, stomping around the ring to make them roar with every punch his partner delivers.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe this! Drewitt and Grimskull are back from the dead! How is this even possible!?
MATT RUBY: We don’t even know how they supposedly killed them, let alone how they’re alive. The last thing we heard was that they were entombed!
The Preacher stops punching to get back to his feet and join Drewitt there. The Explorer hands him a microphone, stepping backwards.
“This has been a long time coming,” Grimskull says to a cheer from the crowd. “And we know that you have questions, Arcadia. Those questions deserve answers and tonight, you will get them.”
Before Grimskull can say another word though, security pile out onto the stage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That must be Zeus’ doing! He’s trying to silence them, damnit!
MATT RUBY: They’re running for their lives now!
Security chase them away and through the crowd, running both Drewitt and Grimskull – believed to be dead, out of Olympus.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't know what this secret is, but it's unravelling before our very eyes. We were led to believe that Grimskull and Drewitt were dead, but here they stand! We know Zeus had something to do with it, along with El Mariachi Muerte and Gemini, but what?
MATT RUBY: I think if these former members of Apokalypsis have anything to say about it, we'll have all those answers by the end of tonight. Zeus' biggest fear is about to be realized, BB.
Cut.
Continued…
Ding.
The elevator chime sounds to signify the opening of its doors.
“Don’t hurt him,” Charlie demands of Burning Justice. “Lemme handle this.”
Hatchet steps out of the elevator, a big shit eating grin on his face.
“Baws,” Chuck tries to reason, walking over to him. “We came to rescue ya.”
Hatchet tilts his head. HEADBUTT! WHAM! Blood spurts into the air as Chainsaw Charlie stumbles backwards, his nose plastered across his face. He falls backwards onto his ass, cupping his nose in shock.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How the hell are they gonna stop a super charged Juggalo!?
MATT RUBY: He’s an attack dog for The Corporation, BB.
The Burned Man and Destructo Boy quickly set themselves. This isn’t gonna be as simple as facing The Corporation; they’ve got Hatchet to deal with first.
He rushes into them with vigour, Destructo Boy ducking underneath a right hand and dropping low with a Leg Sweep just as his father leaps into the air to tackle Hatchet to the ground.
Max rolls away, popping back to his feet just as The Juggalo angrily kips up back to his. He grabs James by the throat, spinning around and tossing him over the reception desk. The Burned Man quickly grabs him from behind, locking his arms to try and restrain him, only Hatchet thrusts his head back, dropping TBM with a Headbutt.
“He’s too strong,” Destructo Boy says, panicked.
Upon hearing that, Hatchet runs and slides across the desk, kicking him square in the jaw. Destructo Boy flies off into the wall, leaving a huge dent in the concrete whereby he landed. The Burned Man has seen enough. He’s about to approach when Chainsaw Charlie stands in his way.
“You said you’d get him back and he’s back,” he says. “Now let us handle it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: My GOD! Look at those Juggalos!
MATT RUBY: Now that’s a party!
Charlie waves towards the door and the Juggalo’s pour in. There must be a hundred of them, all rushing through the doorway towards Hatchet under the orders of Chainsaw. The Juggalo tries fending them off, singing wildly with right and left hands, forcibly taking as many down as he can before the numbers game overcomes him and he’s subdued by the sheer force of The Gathering.
Chuck waves them out, watching as they drag the unconscious body of their leader from the lobby. “You’re on you’s own now.”
He exits the lobby with his crew, leaving The Burned Man to help Destructo Boy back to his feet.
Ding.
And the elevator chimes once again…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know what that means, Matt…
MATT RUBY: Corporate ass kicking time!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nox and Doom step out the elevator! Burning Justice doesn't even have time to breathe!
THE SPLITTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! DOOM JUST GORED BURNED MAN INTO THE RECEPTIONST DESK!
GET OVER HER! NOX WITH THE CLOTHESLINE TO DESTRUCTO BOY!
The Burned Man is broken in half and Nox forces Destructo Boy back to his feet! The Chemist clobbers the Kid with a powerful haymaker before throwing him to Doom who takes him off of his feet with a gauntlet clad uppercut to the jaw! The Corporation is in full control as they force Destructo Boy back to his feet one more time and haul him onto Doom's shoulders!
CRACK!
THE BURNED MAN JUST CLOBBERED NOX ACROSS THE FACE WITH THE KINGDOMBLADE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DESTRUCTO BOY DROPS BEHIND DOOM! STO BY MAXWELL! RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP BY DESTRUCTO BOY! INSTANT IGNITION INTO THE RECPTIONIST DESK!
MATT RUBY: Snuff these ninny's out, Doom! Do something!
Burning Justice lay into Doom with furious blows, wailing on him with a barrage of blows! Nox slowly finds his bearings and crawls behind the desk! Destructo Boy leaps on top of it, going after the Chemist when a single cannister gets throw into the air!
BANG!
NOXIOUS GREEN GAS FILLS THE ROOM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can't see a thing through this smoke!
MATT RUBY: Good, I don't need to look at that walking scab!
We hear the sounds of coughing compounded with the sounds of blows being traded, all of it ending with a massive thud!
Ding.
The camera switches to the floor above, a second ding as the elevators open, all four men pouring out into the middle of the massive office space! Doom grabs hold of Burned Man, throwing him right through one of the cubicle walls! Nox meanwhile forces Destructo Boy up, flinging him face first into the water cooler! Water and cups go flying as both members of the Corporation break pursue either man.
Nox rushes Destructo Boy down, clobbering him with a big boot to the jaw! Destructo Boy weakly tries to get to his feet as Nox goes for a haymaker-
DESTRUCTO BOY DUCKS IT! TRUE JUSTICE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BACKDROP DRIVER RIGHT ONTO THE WATER COOLER!
MATT RUBY: What a waste of water! This kid is a menace, Bronco!
Doom goes after Burned Man only to catch an office chair to the dome! Maxwell musters up all of his strength as he peels Doom to his feet!
AND HITS THE ENGULFMENT! SPIN OUT POWERBOMB RIGHT THROUGH THE OFFICE DESK! DOOM IS BROKEN IN HALF!
Meanwhile Destructo Boy continues his assault on Nox as he peels him up and runs him head first into the nearby copy machine! The Chemist tries to fight back but Destructo Boy grabs him by the head and slams him face down across the top of the machine!
WHAM!
Print.
WHAM!
Print.
WHAM!
Print!
Copy after copy of Nox's surprised expression get sent flying through the office as Destructo Boy brutalizes him!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Burning Justice is relentless! The Corporation lost control of this fight!
MATT RUBY: Look! That burnt bell end is trying to kill Doom!
The Burned Man has mounted Doom, firing away with vicious blows, each one rattling the scientist's skull against the ground! Doom tries to block to no avail! Every blow is meant to kill and Doom looks like he's about to pass out! The mad doctor reaches, looking for anything to use!
WHEN HE STABS A PENCIL INTO MAXWELL'S SIDE! DOOM JUST STABBED THE BURNED MAN!
He kicks Maxwell off of himself, pressing a button on his gauntlet and calling a drone to his side! Doom grabs hold, the drone lifting him up and flying full speed towards Destructo Boy!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DRONING ON? HOVER, NO BOTHER? NO MATTER WHAT YOU CALL IT DOOM JUST HIT DESTRUCTO BOY WITH A DROPKICK FROM HELL!
MATT RUBY: Finally! Put that little nitwit in the dirt!
Nox peels Destructo Boy off of the ground, slamming him face first off of a nearby window! The glass shatters and blood pours from James' face in a crimson mask! The Chemist isn't finished, however, as he pushes The Kid to Doom who grabs him! He flies, lifting Destructo Boy into the air before tossing him to Nox!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE CORPORATE LADDER! GRAND AMPLITUDE PLANTS DESTRUCTO BOY!
MATT RUBY: PUT HIM DOWN!
The young hero is all but out as Nox and Doom drag him towards the elevator! The Burned Man fights with all of his might as he rips the pencil from his side! He hauls up the Kingdomblade and flies towards the elevator!
LEAPING STRIKE WITH THE KINGDOMBLADE TO BOTH MEN AS THE DOORS SHUT!
Ding.
The elevator opens up on the top floor into a massive board room! All four men spill out into the room in a brawl! Nox and Burned Man trade blows while Destructo Boy ducks Doom's haymakers! Doom catches the kid with a knee to the jaw before kicking him back to the other end of the room with a massive spartan kick! He advances, nailing Destructo Boy with a blow to the jaw that drops him to his knees! But James refuses to stay down!
He reaches up, grabbing hold of Doom with fire in his eyes! Doom nails another haymaker and Destructo Boy begins to smile!
MATT RUBY: I told you, he's a menace! He's deranged!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BY GOD YOU'RE RIGHT! DESTRUCTO BOY HAS GONE MAD!
Doom looks down as Destructo Boy yanks two explosives from the Doctor's pockets!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION! DESTRUCTO BOY JUST TOOK BOTH DOOM AND HIMSELF OUT WITH DOOM'S OWN EXPLOSIVES!
Burned Man looks over in shock long enough for Nox to slip behind!
PARALYTIC-PLEX! SNAPDRAGON SUPLEX ONTO THE BOARDROOM TABLE!
Nox forces Burned Man up to his feet one more time, but Burned Man fires back with a wild elbow to the jaw! He moves behind!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ASHES TO ASHES! HE HITS TWO HALF NELSON SUPLEXES!
MATT RUBY: MOVE, NOX! DO SOMETHING!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DUST TO DUST! HALF NELSON WHEELBARROW DRIVER! BOTH MEN CRASH THROUGH THE FUCKING TABLE!
KILLED!
WITH!
FIRE!
Nox lands in a broken heap, Burned Man is barely moving, but he's the first to stand!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By god, this brawl was brutal, but I think Burning Justice just came out on top!
“TELL ME WHY!” The Burned Man yells. His guttural roar echoing loudly. He’s desperate to know the truth. Nox somehow rises, stumbling, but aiming to stand before him.
Nox finally stands over him, hands on hips. “The why is always so important, is it not? I stood in your home at Ring of Dreams in the shadows and I told you that your wife was not innocent, Maxwell.”
The Burned Man gets back to his knees from prone on the floor, looking up at one of the men responsible for the death of his beloved.
“Your wife worked in secret for The Corporation,” he announces – his revelation shocking Max. “We’ve been responsible for so much of Arcadia’s advances, but such advances come at a cost. Our Medicare treatments have not always been a success. Our human trials saw unfortunate results…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Those utter bastards!
MATT RUBY: Well hang on a minute… just think of the lives they’ve saved!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They killed his wife, Ruby!
Destructo Boy, still hurting, lays unconscious nearby.
“And Sarah was going to expose us,” he admits, with not a shred of guilt. “I liked your wife, Maxwell. I was fond of her.”
He drops to a knee, leaning in, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Sinister.
Terrifying.
“Stubbins knew about the action I had to take. Pym too. He didn’t order the murder, nor did he do it. That was all me, you see. I can’t speak to his lies and deceit for all these years, but I can speak to the man truly and completely behind her demise; for that was me.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s a callous monster!
MATT RUBY: A hero, if you ask me.
The Burned Man angrily lunges up with a Headbutt right under Nox’ chin, dropping him backwards onto his ass. “You piece of shit!” He screams at him.
Nox laughs maniacally. “You insignificant maggots have not an iota of what it takes to create something. You’re so consumed with what’s right and wrong that you ignore entirely what it actually requires to be successful. To save lives, I’ve had to take lives and naturally, I wasn’t working for free, Maxwell. I’m not a charity. The Corporation exists to make credits.”
The Chemist pulls himself back to his feet and dusts himself off.
“I’m gonna kill you,” The Burned Man growls at him.
Nox shakes his head. “No, you’re not.”
He looks at Max’s shoulder, sighing deeply.
The Burned Man doesn’t understand at first, until something happens. He feels weak at the knees. Before he can even speak, he drops to a knee once again, this time, his head dizzying him at every turn.
“I’m afraid that you’re a bigger thorn in our side than we need,” Nox continues, pacing around him as he kneels in despair. “But don’t worry, your death will be quick; quicker and less painful than Sarah’s.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No, please, no!
MATT RUBY: He’s killing him! How!? He’s killing him, BB!
Max reaches around to his shoulder, revealing three green vials that have been pushed into the skin, injecting toxins. He tries to pull them out, but he’s too weak. “J… James,” he gasps.
Nox looks over to where Destructo Boy lays. “Ah yes, your son.”
“D-Don’t…” he begs, falling now onto his front, gasping for air. “P-Please…”
“Hm, it feels good to hear you plead, but I’m afraid that his fate will be sealed with yours…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don’t you dare you son of a bitch!! MAX! WAKE UP…
MATT RUBY: He’s dying! He’s dead… he’s…
In his dying breath, The Burned Man reaches out for his son, collapsing with a final gasp before ever reaching him.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A giant explosion rocks the main boardroom office, sending Nox sprawling aside in a heap. Footsteps trundle into the room…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: May the Lord have mercy on their souls!
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It doesn’t get more personal than this, Ruby. Narcissa has spent weeks tearing Jackson Cade apart, trying to strip him of his badge, his pride, and now his very freedom. But the Sheriff has chosen trial by combat to settle this once and for all.
MATT RUBY: And why wouldn’t he? He’s a stubborn brute who thinks he can solve everything with his fists. Narcissa is smarter, faster, and tonight, she’ll prove that the law doesn’t belong in the hands of a brute.
Narcissa stands in one corner of the ring, her piercing gaze fixed on Jackson Cade. The Sheriff of Arcadia paces in the opposite corner, his stoic demeanor unshaken despite the stakes.
At ringside, George Cade claps his hands together.
The bell rings, and the two competitors circle each other, tension thick in the air. Narcissa smirks, her confidence apparent as she steps forward and raises her hand, taunting Jackson with a mock challenge to a test of strength.
Cade doesn’t bite, instead lunging forward and locking up with her. The Sheriff’s raw power is on display as he drives Narcissa into the corner.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Cade’s not here to play games, Ruby. He’s taking the fight straight to Hera!
Jackson delivers a series of stiff forearms to Narcissa in the corner before whipping her across the ring. Narcissa hits the turnbuckles hard, but as Cade charges in, she uses her agility to slip out of the way, sending the Sheriff shoulder-first into the steel post.
Narcissa wastes no time, targeting the exposed limb with a sharp kick to the shoulder, forcing Cade to clutch at it in pain.
MATT RUBY: That’s why she’s called The Designer, Bronco. She’s already crafting a masterpiece by dissecting Cade’s arm!
Narcissa pulls Jackson out of the corner and twists his arm behind his back, driving her knee into his shoulder repeatedly.
Jackson grits his teeth, but Narcissa doesn’t relent, transitioning into a hammerlock before shoving him face-first into the mat. She maintains the hold, grinding Cade’s shoulder into the canvas as she leans down and whispers something in his ear.
Oh. Hell. No.
With a roar, the Sheriff uses his free arm to push up, his strength starting to overpower her leverage. He gets to his feet, spins out of the hammerlock…
SPINEBUSTER! HE SHOOK THE DAMN RING WITH THAT ONE!
Narcissa arches her back in pain as Jackson steps back, shaking out his injured arm while catching his breath.
“Stay on her, kid!” George yells from ringside.
Jackson nods toward his father before grabbing Narcissa by the wrist and yanking her to her feet.
He whips her into the ropes…
SLINGBLADE! THE BREACH AND CLEAR CATCHES NARCISSA FLUSH!
The crowd erupts as Cade drops into a cover.
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
..NARCISSA KICKS OUT!
Jackson wastes no time, pulling her into a front facelock.
MASTERKEY—NO!
NARCISSA SLIPS OUT OF THE BRAINBUSTER! LANDS ON HER FEET!
Before Jackson can react, Narcissa NAILS HIM WITH A BICYCLE KNEE STRIKE!
JACKSON CADE IS ROCKED, FALLING BACK INTO THE ROPES!
Narcissa runs to the opposite side and rebounds off the ropes…
CROSSBODY—NO! JACKSON CAUGHT HER! HE THROWS HER UP IN THE AIR!
SAMOAN DROP!
CADE HOOKS THE LEG FOR ANOTHER COVER!,
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
ANOTHER KICK OUT FROM NARCISSA!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Sheriff is relentless, but you can never count out Narcissa’s resilience.
MATT RUBY: She’s more than resilient, BB. She’s the Queen of Arcadia, and Jackson Cade knows it!
Cade pulls Narcissa to her feet, but SHE RAKES HIS EYES!
BOOOOOOOO!
Narcissa takes advantage, throwing Cade into the corner. Like the spider she is, she slips around him.
TARANTULA HOLD!
JACKSON CADE HAS BEEN CAUGHT UP!
Official River Moonfoot starts counting at Narcissa to break the illegal hold.
BUT NARCISSA JUST PULLS BACK HARDER AS CADE SCREAMS IN PAIN!
At ringside, George slams his hands on the apron, urging his son to hold on.
“Fight, Jack! You’ve got this!”
Narcissa releases the hold at the count of four, letting Cade collapse to the mat. She climbs to the top rope.
COUP D’ETAT—NO!
CADE ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST SECOND AND NARCY CRASHES AND BURNS!
Both competitors are down, and Moonfoot begins the count.
ONE.
TWO.
THREE.
FOUR.
Jackson uses the ropes to pull himself up, his injured arm hanging limp at his side.
FIVE.
SIX.
Narcissa rises slowly, clutching her ribs, and the two lock eyes across the ring. The tension explodes as they charge at each other.
SPINNING HEEL KICK FROM NARCY—NO!
JACKSON DUCKS UNDER!
INCENDIARY ROUND TO NARCISSA! THE BULLHAMMER KNOCKED HER CROSS-EYED!
NARCISSA IS DOWN!
BUT JACKSON’S NOT FINISHED!
He drops to a knee, shaking out the pain in his injured arm. Then he signals for the superkick and the crowd explodes.
“JACKSON CADE. JACKSON CADE. JACKSON CADE.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s calling for the Hostile Down!
Jackson steps back, waiting for Narcissa to rise. She struggles to her feet, swaying slightly, as Cade lines her up.
"This is for all the people you've fucked with," Cade says with a hateful scowl.
He rushes forward…
HOSTILE DOWN!
NO!
NARCISSA DUCKED AT THE LAST MOMENT!
SHE ROLLS HIM UP!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THR—NO!
THE CROWD GOES CRAZY AS CADE KICKS OUT!
NARCY IS PISSED, SLAMMING HER FISTS ON THE MAT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What will she have to do to finish off Arcadia’s Sheriff here tonight?
MATT RUBY: Looks like she’s got an idea, BB!
SHE GRABS CADE, AND IT’S TIME FOR A REVOLUTION!
RIPCORD SPINNING HEEL—
NO!
CADE DUCKS IT, AND ROLLS NARCY UP IN RETURN!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He did it! Jackson Cade has proven himself in the trial by combat, and Narcissa’s plans to dethrone the Sheriff have been stopped dead in their tracks! This was more than a match, Ruby. This was about justice, pride, and redemption, and Jackson Cade delivered on all fronts.
MATT RUBY: This isn’t over, Bronc’! Let’s just see if the Sheriff can keep his badge when Narcissa’s through with him.
With the trial by combat over, Narcissa is the first back to her feet, quickly retrieving a microphone to yield it.
“Enough of this nonsense,” she screams Cade, who is likewise back to his feet after that fast ending. “The outcome is irrelevant. By order of Zeus, I hereby-…”
“You’ll relay no such order,” George Cade abruptly interrupts from outside the ring. He rolls under the bottom rope to join his son and Narcissa inside. “Because we no longer obey Zeus.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WOW! THAT WILL NOT GO DOWN WELL WITH THE BARON!
MATT RUBY: MUTINY! MUTINY!
“I’ve done some terrible things for the man you love, Narcissa. I’ve spent the entirety of my adult life doing those things, and frankly, it’s about time I do something for the people of Arcadia,” he says with a grimace. Jackson looks at his father, completely unaware of what he’s about to say. “I wanted to keep you close and this trial by combat was the perfect excuse to have you in the middle of this ring under false pretences, Narcissa. This wasn’t ever about keeping you safe, son. I’m sorry, but what’s to come will never be about keeping you safe. It’s bigger than that. It’s bigger than all of us.”
Narcissa scoffs at him. “How dare you interrupt me with that diatribe of nonsense! Do you know who I am!?”
“I do!” Cade continues. “And I know what you know. Recently I was asked to meet a contact through my old black ops back channels. I met a man by the name of Paragon.”
The crowd immediately oooohhh and gasp at the revelation.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Whoa! Does that mean he knows what Paragon knew and didn’t say?
MATT RUBY: I think so.
“Don’t do it!” The Fashionista warns heavily. “You have no idea what you’re doing, George. Paragon has been eliminated. You don’t need to do this.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Eliminated!?
George shakes his head in frustration. “I know precisely what I’m doing.”
The Elder Cade walks over to his son and pats him on the shoulder, giving him a soft and knowing nod.
“What Paragon hadn’t yet revealed to Arcadia was that this place is not everything. For decades, we’ve been forced to believe in a lie that has been perpetuated by Zeus and his cronies, whilst all along there has been door that leads to God knows where! A door that leads to a great beyond that we’ve been stopped from discovering.”
Gasp.
The entire crowd gasp into silence.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What… the… fuck.
Bronco Blackwood doesn’t curse.
MATT RUBY: A door!?
“Zeus has known about it all his life. El Mariachi Muerte, Gemini and Apokalypsis knew about it. Narcissa knows about it. Tombstone found out about it. This secret has been eating the House of Judgement alive for months because they don’t want you, the good people of Arcadia, to know about it,” he says to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Narcissa meanwhile hastily exits the ring as Jackson looks on in complete horror. “Arcadia isn’t everything, people. There’s something else out there; a great beyond.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This is what Zeus has been keeping a secret? Something beyond Arcadia? Something… else? I just don’t believe it.
MATT RUBY: What else!? What else could be behind that door!?
The crowd don’t know what to think. Some people are leaving. Others are talking amongst themselves. There’s a divide in the crowd that sends tension skyrocketing throughout. George grabs his son by the shoulders.
“This life we’ve led is nothing short of a lie, son,” George solemnly tells his son. “And together, we’re going to find out just what lies in the great beyond. They’ll attempt to kill us. They’ll attempt to silence us. They’ll attempt to stop us. But the real Uprising begins now. Zeus must be overthrown and that door must be opened.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m scared, Ruby. I’m not sure they should be playing with forces they don’t understand. A door must lead somewhere, but whatever is behind it could be behind it for a reason.
MATT RUBY: For the first time ever I think I agree with you, BB. Zeus has kept this from the entirety of Arcadia for his entire life. It’s been a secret held in the highest of confidence. That doesn’t happen without good reason.
Jackson and his father make their exit, leaving the crowd to murmur and discuss the devastating and shocking revelation that George has just laid out.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm hearing that Zeus will respond to these allegations later tonight. We emplore you to stick with the show, folks. I know what we've just heard is shocking and some of you may be changing the channel or thinking of leaving the arena; please, stick with us. I know this is hard. I know this is scary. All I can do is ask that you trust us to deliver Zeus' message to you in due time.
MATT RUBY: You have to give The Baron an opportunity to explain this situation, ladies and gents. Arcadia is our world. It's our home. Whatever that door is, Zeus will lead the way.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Folks, we’re approaching the main event but before we get there, we’ve got a showstopper in of itself. This match for some is the biggest here tonight at Red Snow. Felix Foley vs. Tombstone. Tombstone is undefeated in nigh on six months and has laid waste to every person he’s fought, including Foley, on two occasions. At Ring of Dreams, he beat him to within an inch of his life…
MATT RUBY: And at Bad Blood, he threw him off a Hell in a Cell!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That barely touches the surface of this enthralling, horrifying and wildly unpredictable feud. Let’s take a look at the story so far..
Click.
Static.
Play ►
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’ve got chills, Matt. I’ve got chills.
"You've Got A Friend In Me" by Randy Newman suddenly hits to a tremendous ovation from the sold out crowd.
Green flashing lights adorn the entrance as Felix Foley comes marching out from the entrance way, no wave, no smile, just focus.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Look at his eyes. Just look at them. I have never seen Felix as laser focused as he is right now.
MATT RUBY: I don’t think it’s gonna matter, BB. Tombstone doesn’t lose. He’s a monster. This isn’t even men against boys, this is boys against monsters. This is the stuff nightmares are made of.
He makes his way to the ring, ignoring the cheering crowd who stand on their feet in appreciation.
The horns of O'Death sound loudly into the arena.
Immediately, the arena is thrust into darkness as smoke fills the entrance ramp. Purple flashing lights adorn the entrance area as Tombstone slowly steps out into the mist.
"Now, what is this I can see, with ice cold hands, taking hold of me..."
The looming figure of the Ferryman now stands with smoke drifting around him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There’s an aura around this monster unlike any other. He’s terror personified.
MATT RUBY: He’s truly chilling!
LEAPING SHOULDER BARGE JUST AS THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON!
TOMBSTONE DIDN’T EVEN GET A CHANCE TO WALK DOWN THE RAMP BEFORE FELIX FOLEY TOOK HIM DOWN WITH A LEAPING SHOULDER BARGE!
WHAM! DOWN ONTO THE SMOKE FILLED RAMP THEY GO!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: FOLEY ISN’T WAITING A GOT DAMN SECOND!
MATT RUBY: Eager to die, I see!
Felix immediately mounts Tombstone, driving right hands into his skull with every ounce of rage and fury that he has in him. He doesn’t stop. He doesn’t halt. There’s no bell, no disqualification and no means of stopping him.
Except one.
The Ferryman launches him overhead powerfully, throwing him backwards towards the lights in a heap. Foley rolls, stopping just shy of the glass before getting back to his feet. Tombstone joins him there, and both meet once again.
Rights. Lefts. Rights. Lefts. Rights. Lefts
Tombstone’s jacket sways in the dissipating smoke as both of them rattle the other with brutal punches. It’s Foley that somehow wins the contest, pushing Tombstone backwards towards the edge of the stage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE’S T-T-T-TEETERING…
MATT RUBY: KNEE TO THE GUT!
A well placed knee breaks up the onslaught. Tombstone grabs him by the head and drags him away from the edge of the stage…
AND RUNS HIM STRAIGHT INTO THE FUCKING STAGE LIGHTS!!
CRRRRRAAASSSHHH!
GLASS SHATTERS EVERYWHERE!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix Foley has been busted wide open! Oh my GOD! There’s glass in his forehead!
MATT RUBY: Get him Tombstone!
Tombstone doesn’t hesitate, ripping off his jacket and tossing it aside. He immediately grabs Foley by the skull and starts pushing his hands into the glass, into the wound, right on his forehead. The Puppetmaster screams in agony, falling to a knee as The Ferryman rips his hands violently away, taking a shard of glass with them.
With a sinister smirk on his face, he takes Foley by the head and drags him towards the ring, rolling him under the bottom rope and positioning him so that his head and neck lay hanging across the apron…
ELBOW ACROSS THE THROAT!
ANOTHER!
ANOTHER!
ANOTHER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And so it begins!
MATT RUBY: I wouldn’t expect to see near fall after near fall in this one folks. Foley will get crushed again, mark my words.
The Ferryman rolls him back into the ring and pulls himself onto the ring apron, stepping carelessly over the top rope as Igor Mortis makes his way down the ramp to watch this annihilation first hand.
He pulls Foley back to his feet and tosses him into the corner, just as the sound of bell echoes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We’re official!
MATT RUBY: And… it’s soon to be over.
Tombstone rushes in with a Big Boot, slamming it across his face brutally. “Why won’t you ever learn?” He growls at him, lifting his head up by the chin. “You… can’t… beat… me!”
Foley spits blood in his face!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHOA! NOW THAT’S DEFIANCE!
MATT RUBY: That’s just gonna piss him off!
The Ferryman’s eyes widen with anger. He wipes the blood from his face and looks at it, curling his hand slowly into a fist.
RIGHT HAND!
“YOU!”
RIGHT HAND!
“CAN’T!”
UPPERCUT!
“BEAT!”
THUNDEROUS RIGHT HAND!!
“ME!”
Down goes Foley!! The fans boo as Felix drops to his ass in the corner of the ring, gasping for air. Tombstone though doesn’t stop. He backs up, hits the corner next to them and rushes back…
RUNNING FASHWASH FOR GOOD MEASURE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This sadistic son of a bitch must be stopped!
“Come on, get up,” Tombstone demands, playfully kicking at his limp face. With every shove he goads Foley into somehow mustering a stance.
And as if on cue, he tries. Slowly but surely he gets to a knee, wobbling all the while. Holding onto the ropes. Hoping his grasp of gravity won’t fail him now.
Tombstone backs out of the corner and calls him on…
AND FOLEY WALKS…. ONLY TO FALL FLAT ON HIS FACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
He has nothing more to give. The Monster looks around the baying crowd, each member of it seething and baying for his blood. He has no friends here; none.
Igor looks on with a grin. “Finish it my boy. Finish it!”
The Ferryman nods, pulling Felix back to his feet.
CHOKESLAM!!
INTO A POWERFUL ROCK BOTTOM!!
ON…. YOUR… WAY!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE’S KILLED IT WITH FIRE!
MATT RUBY: STICK A FORK IN HIM, HE’S DONE!
Tombstone looks over him, covering with a nonchalant lateral press. It’s over. It’s finished.
ONE…
…..
…..
…..
…..
TWO….
…..
…..
…..
…..
GAZUMP.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Uh, what the hell is that!?
MATT RUBY: A reprieve for Felix, I’d say.
Suddenly, a red light encapsulates the arena.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: IT CAN’T BE… CAN IT!? HAS TOMBSTONE BROUGHT THE MONSTER IN FELIX OUT!?
MATT RUBY: HE TOLD HIM HE WAS ROTTEN!
Click.
The lights come back on and Tombstone now stands in the middle of the ring, only he’s not alone. Felix Foley isn’t on the canvas. He isn’t down for the count.
HE’S STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HIM!
AND NOT….
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE’S NOT SCISSORS!!!! HE DIDN’T TURN!!!
Foley spins Tombstone around and plants him with a Headbutt so fierce that he drops to the canvas with a thud.
“I’m not rotten!” Felix screams at him, demanding that he get back to his feet. Tombstone feels like he’s been hit by a freight train called Ferguson. He slowly gets back to his feet…
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN’!!
RUNNING BIG BOOT TO TOMBSTONE! DOWN GOES THE FERRYMAN AGAIN!
Tombstone somehow stirs quickly back up, falling into the corner. Foley rushes him, scooping him straight up and dropping him into the tree of woe!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: FOLEY’S FUNHOUSE INCOMING!
MATT RUBY: THIS ISN’T FUN!
RUNNING DROPKICK TO THE FACE OF THE FERRYMAN WHO HANGS IN THE TREE OF WOE!!!
FELIX FOLEY IS RUNNING RIOT!
The Puppetmaster is back up quickly, turning immediately to STOMP A MUDHOLE IN THE HANGING TOMBSTONE… WALKING IT DRY!
WELCOME TO FELIX FOLEY’S CORNER, MOTHER FUCKER!!
The crowd cheer with every stomp until he walks away, watching Tombstone fall out of the corner.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Come on Felix! Finish this! Show the whole Arcadia that you’re not what they think you are!
MATT RUBY: He is though! He is!
The Ferryman stumbles back up, unsure of where he is or what day it is. He stumbles in turn… kick to the gut… CUT THE STRINGS!!
DOUBLE ARM DDT!
DOUBLE ARM DDT!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: COVER HIM! COVER HIM!
MATT RUBY: WHAT DOES THIS LUNATIC THINK HE’S DOING!?
Foley has no intention of covering him. None at all. Not yet. He stalks him, waiting for him to get back to his feet one more time.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This could be one time too many Foley. For the love of God, end this!
Tombstone turns around….
MANDIBLE CLAW!!
THE PUPPETSHOW! THE PUPPETSHOW! THE PUPPETSHOW!!
Foley ragdolls Tombstone straight down to his fucking knees!!
“I’m not rotten! I’m NOT! I’M NOT! I’M NOT!” He yells!!
The Ferryman is quickly losing consciousness, dropping to his back as the hold remains applied. Foley isn’t letting go!! The referee slides in…
ONE…
…..
…..
…..
…..
TWO….
…..
…..
…..
…..
THREE!!!
DING DING DING!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE DID IT! HE BLOODY WELL DID IT! FELIX FOLEY BEAT TOMBSTONE! HE OVERCAME THE MONSTER THAT KILLED HIS BROTHER AND HIS FATHER!!
MATT RUBY: NOOOOOOO! I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix Foley has finally put his demons and this monster to bed. Fairytales do come true, Felix. They do! You’re living proof of it, old boy. You are!
Felix Foley rises back to his feet, stumbling to the ropes to soak in the applause from the crowd. He did what no-one else, let alone himself, has been able to do for six months. Felix Foley proved that he’s not rotten after all.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Look at him, Matt. He overcame the odds. This man is a got damn hero!
Foley rolls to the outside, making his way to the backstage as Igor Mortis steps into the ring to wrap an arm around his monster in consolation.
“This is finished,” he says to The Ferryman. “It’s over, my boy.”
Tombstone looks at him, his expression wrought with frustration. This is his third encounter with Felix, but the only one in which he’d succumbed.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Igor is right. Tombstone has been consumed by his self-inflicted mission to destroy an innocent man.
MATT RUBY: He’s just misunderstood. He’s a victim here too, BB. Maybe he hasn’t gone about this the right way but he’s not the monster you think he is.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You want me to have sympathy for him?
Suddenly, Tombstone’s expression changes. He steps backwards, a frown creeping across a state of confusion. He looks at Igor and tilts his head.
“S-Something is wrong,” he declares.
Mortis closes his eyes.
Last week.
“Finish this,” Igor murmurs, his voice a low rumble. “No more ferrying until Red Snow.”
Back in the present, The Ferryman’s confusion turns to ire. “Calypso,” he growls, his anger seething. “Malakai Midnight. They’ve been ferried... and not by me.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What on Arcadia is he talking about?
MATT RUBY: I have no idea.
Igor Mortis backs away. “I’m sorry, son. It was time.”
Flutter.
SHOVEL TO THE FUCKING SKULL!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GRAVEDIGGER! GRAVEDIGGER! GRAVEDIGGER JUST HIT TOMBSTONE WITH A GOT DAMN SHOVEL!
MATT RUBY: WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THIS!?
Tombstone drops to his knees, almost as if in slow motion. Gravedigger stands over him, shovel in hand, clearly no longer The Mortuary Assistant.
Igor Mortis joins him, both of them looking down at Tombstone.
“I handed him the chains,” Igor says with a big grin on his face. “And you were so preoccupied with your war on Foley that you didn’t realize souls were being ferried without you. You’ve wasted so much time Ezra, chasing these fanciful Championships, normality and vengeance. There needed to be a change, and he is it.”
Gravedigger looks at him; this is the man who saved him from The Slums and gave him purpose. Tombstone, or Ezra as we’ve come to learn, saved his life.
“You’ve spurned this gift of eternal life,” Gravedigger hisses at him, lifting his head from under the chin with his right hand. “You’ve bitched, whined and moaned about this gift like it’s a fuckin’ curse for way too long. There can only be one Ferryman, Tombstone.”
He steps back, lifting his shovel high above his head.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE’S GONNA KILL HIM! HE’S GONNA KILL HIM JUST LIKE HE DID CALYPSO AND MALAKAI MIDNIGHT! GRAVEDIGGER HAS BETRAYED THEM ALL!
CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!
A devastating blow crashes down on the skull of Tombstone, the shovel embedding sideways inside his skull. Blood and brain matter spew in different directions, covering the canvas and Gravedigger in equal measure.
MATT RUBY: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THAT SUMBITCH HAS KILLED HIM! HE’S KILLED HIM!
MATT RUBY: There’s a new Ferryman in town, BB! Gravedigger… he… I can’t even bring myself to say it… Wait, yes I can! I’M SO IMPRESSED!
Gravedigger holds onto the shovel and violently kicks the limp body of Tombstone over so that he can forcibly remove the shovel from his skull as he does.
“You know what you have to do now, Ferryman,” Igor says to The Gravedigger, who nods in agreement. “Do it.”
Flutter.
In a heartbeat, Gravedigger and the body of Tombstone are gone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m almost speechless. Gravedigger murdered Calypso and Malakai Midnight, pretending to be Tombstone. He has us fooled, but all along, Igor Mortis was planning to remove Tombstone from the office of Ferryman.
MATT RUBY: Gravedigger spent all night removing weakness from OSW. His final step was to take over the reigns of Tombstone, who he’d caught slipping. Long live the new Ferryman.
Cut.
Static.
A camera sits before a white and golden room inside The House of Sovereigns, staring directly at a wooden chair. The image is full of static and glitches but appears to be somewhat functional. Zeus soon approaches a chair, taking a seat before us.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Finally, we get to hear from The Baron. We’re being told that he’s currently under lock and key inside the House of Sovereigns due to some discourse outside his home.
MATT RUBY: People wanting answers, I’d assume.
“Dear Arcadian Citizens,
I hope this message finds you well. It is currently being displayed across all screens in Arcadia, in all homes and in Olympus.
Tonight, George Cade told you about a door that leads to a great beyond. He isn’t lying about the door. I kept this secret from you for your own good. I did this to protect each and every single one of you from what lies behind that door.
What comes next will be unfortunate. Arcadia as you know it will change. There will be men and women like those outside my domicile that want out through that door. There will be men and women who wish to remain.
What I ask of you, my glorious Arcadians, is that you trust in me to keep that door locked and whatever exists beyond it, out. We are Arcadia, a eutopia in of itself. We want for nothing. We need for nothing.
This message has been approved by Zeus; your Baron and leader.”
Fans listening in the arena murmur.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t feel at all comforted, Matt.
MATT RUBY: You just have to trust in Zeus, BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s half the problem, isn’t it? How do we put our trust in a man that has lied to us for his entire life?
MATT RUBY: You’re starting to sound like a mutineer.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Not at all. I’m just not going to blindly follow either side of this debate. I want to know what’s behind that door, just like I want to know why it’s been kept a secret. Don’t you?
MATT RUBY: I trust in Zeus. That’s what I do.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well folks, we’ve one more match for you tonight and it’s a doozy. CJ Thorpe defends his OSW World Heavyweight Championship against Jasper Redgrave and that one.. is next.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And here we go ladies and gentlemen, the main event of Red Snow for the OSW World Heavyweight Championship. CJ Thorpe has held the title for nearly five months, putting back incredible challengers left and right but he may well face his greatest test tonight in the hands of the Killer King.
MATT RUBY: We're about to see a new world champion here tonight BB, not only is the Killer King finally getting that gold but he's going to do it with ease unless Thorpe wants his momma to suffer the consequences.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jasper has dragged CJ through every stage of grief these past few months but if we've learnt anything about CJ Thorpe this past year, is that no matter what you throw at him, the Coyote endures and the very worst thing our "Killer King" can do is underestimate Thorpe here tonight.
"Please allow me to introduce myself.."
"I'm a man of wealth, and taste.."
The arena falls into darkness.
A single stage light beams down on the entrance way as it begins to fill with a thick fog.
"Sympathy for The Devil" by The Rolling Stones begins hammering the sound system and the fog slowly begins to part until the silhouette of a man stands just behind the spot light.
The silhouette takes full form as "The Artist" Jasper Redgrave steps into the light.
MATT RUBY: The Killer King crown in hand is looking to upgrade his status here tonight BB, and gain a world champion fit for an emperor.
The Arcadian crowd instead of staring in awe at Jasper, begin to heavily boo. The Artist looking around with a wide smile at the hatred in the crowd, soaking it all in for a moment with arms raised wide, taunting the crowd before he slowly makes his way down the aisle to the ring. He slides inside, eyes focused on the stage with that sadistic smile etched upon his face.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jasper Redgrave allready thinks he has the title wrapped up here from the looks of him, the arrogant prick.
The beginning notes of Holy Diver hit the speakers, smoke rising out of the entrance ramp as the Arcadian crowd explode in cheers. The OSW World Champion slowly walking out onto the stage, the world title around his shoulder with his hood down, and a very apprehensive look on his face.
MATT RUBY: You can see the look on his face BB, man knows he's losing that title tonight but at least he could look happy he's going to lose to a great man like our Killer King.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What in the hell are you smoking Ruby? The only reason Thorpe may lose tonight is because Redgrave is forcing him to with his mothers life. Great man my ass.
The crowd continue to roar as CJ Thorpe slowly walks down the ramp, none of his usual energy or fire but almost like a man on death row. Thorpe gets to the ring as Jasper pulls down the ropes, inviting CJ into the ring with a cocky smile on his face. Thorpe scowls but just shakes his head as he enters the ring and slumps into the corner, looking utterly defeated.
Mills Stanton gets into the ring, urging both competitors to their feet as Jasper smiles that wicked smile, Thorpe just shaking his head as Stanton goes over the rules briefly before holding his hand out to Thorpe to hand over the belt.
CJ looks down at the title, shaking his head again before handing it over to Stanton for what may be the last time as Mills calls for the bell.
Redgrave floats around the ring, jabbing in and out at Thorpe who just stands there, letting Redgrave poke and prod him. Jasper with the giant smile on his face before he grabs Thorpe in a headlock, pulling him in and cranking down for a moment before throwing him across the ring.
Thorpe ducks underneath a line but Redgrave twists around, nailing him with a hard elbow to the back of the head. Redgrave floats over, grabbing Thorpe and slamming him down to the mat with a Snap Suplex, flipping down for the pinfall.
ONE
.....................
REDGRAVE LETS GO OF THE COVER
Jasper gets up, shaking his head in fake disbelief before lifting CJ up. He staggers back as if Thorpe nailed him with a hard right before blocking a 'right' and nailing a motionless Thorpe with one of his own and another before trying to whip him across the ring. Jasper reverse his own irish whip, backing up into the ropes before ducking underneath CJ as he grabs him by the back of the head and throws him through the middle ropes.
The World Champ gets to his feet immediately, frustration on his face but refusing to fight back as Jasper rolls out to meet him, gripping him by the back of the head and rushing forward
THROWING THORPE HEAD FIRST INTO THE RING POST!
Thorpe's skull bounces off the steel hard, but he's still on his feet as Jasper nails his skull once more onto the steel before rolling him back into the ring. CJ staggers up to his feet, using the ropes to get up as he looks over at Redgrave who is punching the air. Thorpe just shakes his head, flopping back into the corner and waiting for the Artist.
Redgrave strolls over, hyping himself up for a moment before he gets up onto the second rope and beginning to deliver punch after punch. The crowd completely silent as only Jasper's voice is heard which each blow
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
Redgrave gets off Thorpe, arms raised in triumph as an almost deafening boo begins to come down upon Redgrave, the crowd unanimously against him. Redgrave scowls for a moment, the wide smile dropping before he shakes it off, that confident smirk growing wider
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Redgrave making a mockery of our world champion here, he doesn't just want to beat him, he wants to embarrass the man for his slight.
MATT RUBY: Hey, you betray a man like the Artist, you've gotta suffer the consequences of your wrong doing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The only wrong thing CJ Thorpe did is follow that monster in the first place.
Redgrave pulls Thorpe out of the corner, tripping him down to the mat before locking in a single leg crab. He has it locked in incredibly loose, Thorpe is barely in the hold and looks like he's in very little pain but Redgrave continues to "crank" down on the hold, acting like he's trying to break the ankle. Jasper pushes Thorpe forward to the point he's nearly half way through the ropes as Mills forces him to break the hold.
The crowd is booing even heavier as Redgrave gets to his feet, in shock that didn't finish Thorpe up as he tells CJ to get to his feet. CJ does, staring daggers at Jasper but not doing anything as Redgrave winds up a right hand, almost to comic levels before turning 360 degrees and nailing CJ with a tornado right hand. He doesn't cover, instead raising his hands wide and trying to hype up the crowd who have stopped booing.
Instead they begin to chant.
FUCK YOU REDGRAVE
CLAP
CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
FUCK YOU REDGRAVE
CLAP
CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
FUCK YOU REDGRAVE
MATT RUBY: Don't you dare chant with them BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Prick's getting a taste of his own medicine, he deserves the fuck yous Ruby.
The wide grin turns sour on Redgrave's face, a furious scowl etched onto his face as he shakes his head, pulling CJ up before planting him with a Body Slam. Redgrave nods his head before planting a foot onto CJ's chest for a cover. Mills sliding in to count
ONE
...................
.............................
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh god don't tell me this is it?
TWO
........................
...............................
MATT RUBY: New Champeen baby and it's absolutely glorious.
..........................................
................................................
CJ THORPE KICKS OUT!!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh thank Zeus, I think we'd have a riot on our hands if it ended like that.
Redgrave is absolutely incensed about the kickout, pulling Thorpe up as he screams in his face, spittle flying onto CJ before delivering a hard and brutal slap across the face. Thorpe stares daggers back as he rears a hand to strike Redgrave but Jasper shakes his head.
'You hit me, she dies slowly.'
Thorpe scowls with rage but drops the fist, Redgrave smirking before picking Thorpe up and rattling him with a giant headbutt. A series of hard lefts and rights stagger Thorpe back before a big leaping knee rocks him on the ropes, Redgrave sliding in between his legs before pulling him outside the ring. His legs dangling on the ropes, floating above the apron as Jasper smiles wickedly.
BEFORE DROPPING CJ WITH A DDT
BLOOD ON THE APRON!
Thorpe's busted wide open from that DDT but Jasper isn't done as he lifts Thorpe up off the concrete, kneeing him in the gut before hoisting him upside down.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no, don't do it you sick fuck.
PILEDRIVER ONTO THE CONCRETE!
Thorpe holds his neck in pain, a bloodied stain left underneath him as Redgrave lifts him up before throwing him back into the ring. Jasper slowly gets back inside, waiting patiently for the Coyote to get to his feet
SUPERKICK. CJ staggers into the ropes as Jasper spins around, SPINNING ELBOW
COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE! Thorpe looks out as Jasper drops back, a very lackluster cover from the Artist as Mills counts
ONE
.....................
..........................
..........................
TWO
...........................
...................................
CJ KICKS OUT!
Redgrave is furious, dropping down for a few hard rights to the bleeding Thorpe, screaming in his face.
'I'll fucking do it, I'll send piece after piece of the bitch to you until all that's left is her skull and it'll be all your fault CJ. Accept your failure and fall or I'll make you watch while I do it."
One final right floors Thorpe before he's lifted up high, Jasper hoisting him into a crucifix position before he rushes forward.
VANISHING POINT! CRUFICIX POWERBOMB INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
CJ's back nearly breaks against the steel but he doesn't go down, staggering forward as Jasper throws him into the air.
GOOZLE IN MID-AIR,
POP
UP
CHOKESLAM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SPLATTERED EXPRESSIONISM! Jasper has used that brutal Chokeslam to gain victory a few times before but can he win the world championship with that tonight?
Jasper plants a hand on CJ's chest, fuming as he stares daggers down at Thorpe, Mills sliding in to count.
ONE
.................
..........................
.................................
TWO
..........................
................................
................................
...................................
CJ KICKS OUT AND JASPER REDGRAVE IS BESIDE HIMSELF!
Furious, Redgrave leaps onto Thorpe, gripping him with one hand before pummeling him with the other, all the way screaming in his face.
I fucking warned you Thorpe, accept your reality or she dies horribly.
RIGHT HAND
Lay down or I will cut her throat from ear to ear and make sure she knows you killed her before she dies.
RIGHT HAND
What do you think she'll do when she dies? Will she beg? Will she plead? Will she curse your name?
RIGHT HAND
Maybe she'll wish she swallowed instead of giving birth to a traitorous sack of shit like another floozy cunt...
CJ BLOCKS THE RIGHT HAND, HEADBUTTING JASPER BACKWARDS
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no Jasper, you shouldn't have done that.
Thorpe gets to his feet, shaking from absolute fury as he sprints forward, lifting Jasper up into a spear as both of them tumble through the ropes to the floor below. Jasper staggers up into a flurry of lefts and rights from Thorpe before he's gripped by the head and flung head first into the steel turnbuckle post.
Redgrave's skull bounces against the steel not once, not twice but over and over as Thorpe slams him down with all his strength. Jasper manages to slip his way out, staggering back into the ring but Thorpe is hot on his heels. He slides into the ring as Jasper tries to stomp him down but Thorpe catches the kick, flinging him backwards. Jasper gets up into a hard right, and another, and a third. Thorpe backing Jasper into the corner as he tries to pound him down into the corner.
Jasper delivers a sudden poke to the eye, trying to slip out of the corner but Thorpe spins him around
RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP INTO THE STEEL BUCKLES!
Jasper slams down hard back first, stunned as Thorpe grips him around the back
HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! CJ DROPS REDGRAVE RIGHT ONTO HIS HEAD!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CJ Thorpe taking out every bit of anger onto Jasper Redgrave here as he drops down, but not to pin him. He instead grabs his arms, and bridges back.
INTO POLICE BRUTALITY!
Jasper screams in pain, Thorpe trying his best to damn near rip Redgrave's arms off as Mills asks him if he quits. The Artist shows his grit, refusing as he slowly moves himself on the mat, CJ pulling back with all his strength. Redgrave manages to move himself around, draping his left leg over the bottom rope forcing the break but Thorpe doesn't break.
Mills admonishes the champion, beginning to count him down.
ONE
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.....................
TWO
...................
THREE
.....................
.......................
FOUR
.....................
.......................
CJ BREAKS THE HOLD JUST IN TIME.
MATT RUBY: Police brutality is right, CJ Thorpe acting like a real "champion" by breaking the rules here in a shocking display.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A little extra punishment is the least of what Jasper Redgrave deserves fanboy.
CJ pulls Jasper up to his feet as the King suddenly nails him in the gut,
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY! PEDIGREE OUT OF NOWHERE!
MATT RUBY: HA! YES! I told you BB, new champion baby!
Jasper rolls over the out Thorpe, flopping onto him as Mills slides in to count the fall.
ONE
...................
........................
TWO
...................
..........................
...............................
................................
CJ KICKS OUT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You were saying Ruby? It's gonna take a lot more then that to put down CJ fucking Thorpe.
Redgrave is furious, trying to calm himself down for a moment before he pulls Thorpe up to his feet. Double underhooking him once more
BUT THORPE BACKDROPS HIS WAY OUT OF THE PEDIGREE!!!!
Jasper gets to his feet as Thorpe rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
PATHFINDER! HURRICANE DDT PLANTS JASPER INTO THE MAT!
Thorpe slowly gets to his feet, staggering a little but he looks to head up to the top, looking to fly high here a little.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Coyote possibly looking to his brother for inspiration here, will we see another Cade fly like an eagle here tonight?
CJ balances himself for a moment, sizing up Redgrave before diving off.
As Redgrave kips to his feet and spins around,
LARIATING THE COYOTE RIGHT OUT OF THE FUCKING SKY!
SANGUINNNNNE ABSURDDISMMMMM!!!!
Thorpe nearly gets decapitated from the sheer force of that Lariat as Jasper pulls him to his feet
KICK
WHAM
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
The second Pedigree hits flush as Jasper turns CJ over, hooking the leg as Mills begins to count
ONE
.....................
...............................
................................
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is this it? Is the reign of the Killer King about to begin?
.....................................
TWO
..................................
..................................
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MATT RUBY: I told ya BB, it's a sure thing. All those credits about to come to papa as well.
.........................................
...........................................
CJ THORPE KICKS OUT AS THE CROWD GOES WILD!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE KICKS OUT! CJ Thorpe is somehow still in this match and Jasper Redgrave looks absolutely furious.
The Artist leans down, screaming in CJ's face 'FUCKING STAY DOWN!' before he rolls out of the ring and walks over to the timekeeper. He pushes them aside before grabbing the championship belt and rolling back into the ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: If he does this, he may well be disqualified here. Even Mills may not allow this.
Stanton tries to get in his face but Jasper piefaces the referee down before waiting for Thorpe to get to his feet, rushing forward with the title in hand.
SUPERKICK TO THE BELT! CJ THORPE KICKS THE BELT RIGHT BACK INTO JASPER'S FACE!
The belt goes flying to the mat as Mills slides it back to ringside, Jasper still somehow on his feet but now he's busted open from the brutal shot as CJ rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
TRUST! KNEE TREMBLER SENDS REDGRAVE'S BLOOD FLYING THROUGH THE AIR BUT CJ ISN"T DONE!
He leans over, grabbing both of Jasper's hands and begins to stomp the ever loving shit out of him
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
FORCIBLE ENTRY MOTHER FUCKER!
CJ lands one final stomp, the crowd on their feet as they begin to chant his name. CJ hyping up as he pulls Redgrave up, looking to finish the Artist once and for all.
LOW BLOW!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A desperation move from the King there but it sure was effective as Thorpe drops to his knees and god, you know what's about to come folks.
KICK
WHAM
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY!
A third Pedigree plants Thorpe into the mat, a wet spot of red on the canvas where he lies as Redgrave chuckles to himself, yelling out to both Thorpe and the crowd
That's it, it's over.
Redgrave rears back, covering Thorpe with his body as Mills slides in to count
ONE
........................
..............................
......................................
TWO
..................................
......................................
.......................................
......................................
..........................................
THRE.......
....................................
...........................................
................................................
..............................................
CJ THORPE KICKS OUT AS THE CROWD GO BALLISTIC!
MATT RUBY: What the hell is that referee doing? Did Mills forget how to count in his geriatric age?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's the heart of a champion Ruby, CJ Thorpe refuses to lose to a man like Jasper Redgrave and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Redgrave fumes, pulling Thorpe immediately up to his feet as he doesn't even bother kicking the gut this time, just underhooking him and immediately planting him with another Pedigree.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And that makes four. That has to be it. Refusal or not, you can't kick out if you're unconcious and it doesn't look like CJ Thorpe has anything left.
Jasper screams at Thorpe Accept it boy and stay down before hooking both legs as Mills drops down to count
ONE
........................
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......................................
TWO
..................................
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THRE.......
....................................
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................................................
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THREE........
............................
.................................
........................................
2.99999999! CJ THORPE KICKS OUT AGAIN!
THE CROWD ARE ON THEIR FEET
THE ANNOUNCERS ARE ON THEIR FEET
JASPER REDGRAVE LOOKS LIKE HE'S ABOUT TO KILL MILLS STANTON
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This has to be pure instinct here, CJ Thorpe refuses to lose and Jasper Redgrave doesn't know what to do.
MATT RUBY: Well Thorpe better either beat him or lose soon, our King looks like he's about to murder Mills if he doesn't.
Redgrave screams in Mills face to count better before kneeling down and beginning to pound down on CJ once more. With each blow he just yells two words.
ACCEPT IT!
Blow after blow as he screams over and over before a final right rolls Thorpe's eyes into the back of his head. Redgrave pulls CJ up to his feet, spinning him around as he grips him from behind.
FORWARD RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He calls that the Brush Stroke. Has Jasper Redgrave stroked over CJ Thorpe's title reign with his own with this new finishing move?
Jasper hooks both legs for the cover, Mills sliding in to count
ONE
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......................................
TWO
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THRE.......
....................................
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THREE........
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........................................
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THREEE!!!
MATT RUBY: YESSSS!!!!! WE HAVE A NEW WORLD CHAMPION AND IT IS OUR KILLER KING! I told you BB, I told you, Jasper Redgrave is the once and rightful champion and he's proven it tonight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I despise the bastard but he deserved to win here tonight, Zeus help us Jasper Redgrave is the new OSW World Champion but what happens to Mamma Cade now?
MATT RUBY: Oh i'm sure our benevolent world champ will do the right thing and give her back unharmed to her family even if CJ didn't do the right thing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Yeah right or the Cades will lose everything tonight. This may well be the darkest day for CJ Thorpe, losing his title and now his own mother at the mercy of the new OSW World Champion.
He did it!
That son of a bitch Jasper Redgrave manipulated, tortured and eventually put down CJ Thorpe in the middle of that ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Killer King is your new OSW World Heavyweight Champion and may god have mercy on all our souls. This is the dawn of a horrifying era in OSW.
MATT RUBY: Why’re you so negative, BB? Jasper is the future!
CJ Thorpe stirs on the canvas, eventually mustering the energy to look up at a celebrating Redgrave. The Killer King holds the OSW World Championship above his head, soaking in the boos of the crowd.
“My mom,” Thorpe stammers. “I did what you asked…”
Redgrave looks down at him, scoffing. “You did?”
CJ pulls himself to his knees, his eyes narrowed and focused on Jasper.
“Let her go, or I’ll fucking kill you where you stand, you piece of shit,” he roars at him, murderous intent in his eyes.
Jasper thinks about it.
“I’ll let her go, but only once you’ve completed the fifth and final stage,” he says dropping his title carelessly to the canvas.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What fifth and final stage!? He’s done everything asked of him, damnit.
MATT RUBY: Barely.
He walks behind Thorpe, grabbing him by the throat and leaning in to whisper something in his ear.
The Chainbreaker listens.
There’s no emotion.
No struggle.
No sign of fight. No sign of defiance.
He listens to every word that snake whispers in his ear before he releases him.
“The choice is yours,” Redgrave beckons. “Accept it and she lives. Refuse to accept it and, well, you know the rest.”
Thorpe looks out into the crowd from his knees. Some are cheering his name; others are booing Redgrave. The harder he listens, the more the chanting of his name drowns out the booing until all we can hear is his name, over and over.
“CJ THORPE! CJ THORPE! CJ THORPE!”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: LISTEN TO THIS CROWD! THEY’RE BEHIND THE CHAINBREAKER!
CJ rises to his feet, like he always does.
His eyes lock with the new World Champions.
MATT RUBY: What’s he gonna do!?
“I….” he says, taking another look at the crowd. “I accept it.”
That’s not what the fans wanted. Everyone is stunned.
Jasper smiles, his sinister wry grin sending shivers down the spine of anyone watching. He’s gotten what he wants. He motions for Thorpe to turn around and he does.
He grabs him from behind by the neck.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wait a minute! What the hell is this!?
MATT RUBY: Acceptance!
Just then, the lights dim in the arena as the opening of “For the Glory” play throughout the arena.
A spotlight shines on the entrance as Jackson quickly appears.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THANK GOD FOR THIS!
MATT RUBY: What does this guy want!?
Redgrave meanwhile leans in, whispering at Thorpe again as his brother comes down the entrance ramp like a man possessed.
“STOP!” The Chainbreaker yells at him, forcing an abrupt halt at the bottom of the entrance ramp. Jackson looks at him in confusion. “I love you.”
SNAP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! NO GOD DAMNIT NO! NO NO!
In slow motion, Jasper Redgrave twists the neck of CJ Thorpe, snapping it abruptly in the middle of the ring. He releases the body, and we watch as it falls in slow motion towards the canvas, hitting with a thud.
As Jackson Cade slides into the ring, Jasper Redgrave exits quickly, reaching back into grab his title by the belt and retrieve it. Jackson immediately grabs his brother, cradling him.
“No, no, no, no, please,” he begs, tears streaming down his face.
The crowd are stunned into silence.
Jackson Cade sits in the middle of the Red Snow ring, cradling his deceased brother’s carcass, crying fiercely as he rocks back and forth.
Jasper Redgrave walks away, smiling.
Cut.
In the days that followed Red Snow, anarchy followed.
At first, as people came to terms with the truth, emotions simmered. Zeus allowed himself to be led into a false sense of security. He thought the people of Arcadia had understood.
How wrong he was.
The truth divided Arcadia. The average every day citizen chose a side.
Some wanted to find the door. They wanted desperately to know what the great beyond was and experience it for themselves. They hated that Zeus had kept this from them. They hated that they weren’t given a choice.
Some wanted the door to stay hidden. They wanted nothing more than what Arcadia had offered them. This was home. It was their life. Whatever existed or didn’t in the great beyond wasn’t worth risking that for. They believed in Zeus. They trusted in his leadership.
As those people chose sides, friction arose. On every single level, scuffles occurred. Violence ensued. People died. Each side believed in their view so strongly that they would kill for it.
And Zeus wasn’t immune to that.
It didn’t take long until the formation of a lynch mob. This crowd stormed on the House of Sovereigns. One week past Red Snow and blood stained the hallowed halls of Zeus’ home. Ares and his force of war fought against those who dared enter and won.
That was just the beginning.
Jackson and George Cade, reeling from the death of CJ Thorpe, took themselves out of Olympus and away from the Homesteads. They searched for safety in the most dangerous of places; Deathrow.
There, unbelievably, they found it.
And not just that. They found people desperate for freedom. They found innocent people sentenced to death for disobeying Zeus. They found murderers, serial killers and worse – but all of them had something in common, their desire to be free.
Men and women who believe in their movement now head to Deathrow, a sanctuary for The Uprising.
They aren’t alone.
Titans reside there too.
As Arcadia divided, the real war began.
The People’s Voice sat down with The Baron in an exclusive tell all interview that aired across Arcadia.”
Static.
The screen flickers, revealing grainy footage of Zeus sat at the People’s Voice news desk opposite anchor Walter Goldenrod, son of legendary new anchor Wally.
“Tell us Baron, do you know what’s behind the door?” Wally queries carefully.
Zeus takes a deep breath before speaking. “The end of life as we know it, Walter.”
Walter nods in agreement, shuffling some papers.
“Many Citizens of Arcadia wish to find out for themselves. There have been calls in the days since Red Snow for you to show them where the door is and let them decide for themselves,” he continues. Zeus looks less than impressed, frowning.
“I can’t do that,” The Baron says, shaking his head. “I won’t. I have protected people from that secret for generations; the elders protected it before I.”
Walter looks down at his paperwork, a question there lingers. He’s afraid to ask it, but decided to anyway.
“The Cade’s have retreated to Deathrow, accompanied by others, though we're unaware of who has joined their cause,” Walter says cautiously. “Do you have any plans to raid the level and take it back?”
Zeus shakes his head. We can't. Deathrow is loaded with dangerous and violent criminals just as violent and dangerous as The Cade’s. Arcadia has split, Walter. There’re those who wish to go through that door and those that wish to remain. That includes officers of the APD.”
“What about Olympus?” Goldenrod wants to know.
Zeus looks him in the eyes, unafraid of that question.
“Neutral ground,” he announces. “For fans and titans alike. Old School Wrestling is an extremely profitable business and a way for the masses to release stress and anxiety. Whilst there, bloodshed between fans will be prevented.”
“And the titans?” Wally asks. “Will violence between them be prevented?”
Zeus chuckles. “Absolutely not. It’ll be encouraged, but I won’t be there to witness it.”
After a brief silence, Wally knew to wrap things up.
“Baron, Arcadia has been divided by a truth that everybody knows. What comes next for the good people of our world?” He says solemnly.
The Baron looks up at him.
“The first ever Arcadian Civil War, Walter.”
With that, explosions rock the studio, sending debris and concrete crumbling from the ceiling. Walter rushes away just as Ares comes in to grab Zeus, pulling him quickly to one side.
“We have to go,” Ares demands. “The Uprising are here…”
Zeus and Ares quickly storm away as more explosions take out walls inside the studio. As the smoke clears and crumbles, our camera remains – unfocused but standing – looking at the figures who’ve broken in.
Jackson Cade. Harold Attano. George Cade. El Mariachi Muerte. Gemini.
“He’s getting away!” Cade says as Ares men rush into defend their escape.
Attano stops him from giving chase. “We tried. We failed. Now we have to live to fight another day, kid.”
George meanwhile looks over the desk, finding a poster amongst the papers that Walter Goldenrod had. It’s yellow. He looks at it, handing it to Jackson.
“Warzone?” He asks with a confused grimace. “Jackson Cade versus Jasper Redgrave. That son of a bitch…”
“A trap, son,” George warns him.
Jackson seethes. “If the Baron is stupid enough to kill me on ground he claims is neutral, even his followers would see through that. Besides, Joey…”
Tears fill the face of The Sheriff, who is quickly consoled by his father.
“It looks like we’re all going back to Old School Wrestling,” Harold Attano tells the others. “It’s been a few weeks but…”
Muerte agrees. “War… it never changes, amigo. It doesn’t matter where. It doesn’t matter with whom.”
All five of them hastily make exit through the entrance they made, leaving the camera to fade to static.
Cut.
Static.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.