RING OF DREAMS V

“THE ROAD SO FAR”
FLASHBACK

THE ROAD SO FAR…

The sound of a dripping facet echoes throughout the damp and unkempt room. There’s burnt walls, broken furniture and cobwebs everywhere. Sat on two chairs rather groggily are Jensen Cussen and Jacob Phoenix.

The camera pans around slowly, revealing the bearded and sinister face.

DTR

“Welcome to The Family.”

Flash.

Into the darkness, a voice strikingly manifests into being. It’s tone is strong and resolute.

“An angel spoke to me.”

The shadow is hooded, and as he steps forward into the dim candlelight, we can see that it is none other than Lux Bellator. His new black and red mask gleams in the light before him, yet much of it is obscured by the shadow of his hood.

“The seven seals must be broken. The reckoning of the world is nigh, and only the warrior of light will bring about the judgment.”

Flash.

Inside a dark house, illuminated only by candles, The Chief sits alongside Betamax around a large oak table. He looks unsure as a woman takes her seat opposite him and reaches out, grabbing his hand.

“You seek knowledge, is that correct?”

The Chief nods in agreement.

“Everything has been leading to this moment,” she says whilst dabbing. “Everything. Don’t you understand, my child? Your destiny was to choose.”

“I don’t understand,” The Chief interrupts. “My destiny?” He asks. “I’m a ghost. I live on the fringes, lady. I don’t have a destiny.”

This time she interrupts. “You’re wrong. You’re so wrong. You have a vital part to play.”

“When the time comes, do not hesitate. Fire.”

Flash.

Terminus gets back to his feet, absolutely exhausted after that amazing battle with Hades in the Underworld. He turns around, looking for the key; only it has vanished.

He searches the ground frantically.

“Looking for something?”

Crowley suddenly puts the key in the lock, turning it. Terminus rushes towards him, but its too late. Lee steps forward into the underworld, shutting the door behind him.

“Welcome to the family,” Lee says with a giant grin. “All hail your new King.”

Flash.

Lux Bellator has slayed the Dragon.

This is unbelievable. Solomon Rhodes failed and now Lux Bellator has everything he needs to break the seven seals.

“The time has come. The world was made by God, and now so it will be made undone! It has been judged guilty, and now God’s wrath will be poured down to drown the world in their own sin! In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I now pour out God’s wrath upon your wretched souls! ”

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing happens.

He stands in the middle of the ring with the bowl in his hand, looking perplexed by what’s just occurred.

Flash.

Panic.

Thunder.

Lightning.

Screams echo throughout the halls of The Family Home, located within the depths of the Tap Room, as concrete shakes, turning to rubble before our very eyes. Dust particles fall from the ceiling like snow. The entire building looks to be under collapse as The Chief stumbles towards the camera. Sweat beads form upon his brow as he clambers for the walls, heading towards the room in which the terrible screams emanate. Every step is a struggle, the walls coated in black gunge and goop.

Finally, he approaches a door, pushing it open with everything he has. He reaches for his waistband, pulling out a gun.

Thunder.

The Chief storms the room with his weapon raised, only the sounds of agonising screams turn into cries – cries of a child.

The Chief points his gun, trembling with fear.

Shoot, or don’t shoot.

“When the time comes, do not hesitate. Fire.”

Stood before him is Lux Bellator.

“This is the apocalypse, the end of days, the wrath of God.”

Bellator laughs.

DTR looks at the child.

“Welcome to the family, son.”

Thunder. Lightning.

Lux smiles. “For we are your ark, Noah.”

Flash.

In the middle of a field in the pouring rain, a flash of lightning accompanies the sudden appearance of The Chief, Noah, Solomon Rhodesand Brent Kersh. They’ve teleported from the ring to this location, in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere.

Noah smiles, delivering a blow so powerful that it sends The Chief to his knees. Thunder claps throughout the sky with the force of such a punch.

“Lucifer, stop.”

The Chief tilts his head.

“I didn’t abandon you, son.”

Lucifer’s eyes widen in shock. “Father, how?”

God is here.

“I had to see if you’ve changed, Lucifer. I had to see if you’d finally relent on your quest to destroy everything. But alas, I can see there’s no change in you.”

The Chief is God.

Flash.

Post Judgement Day.

In the dead of night, merely hours after the apocalypse was averted, humanity slept easy, unaware of how close they came to the end of the world.

But in the night’s sky, something strange was happening.

Pale blue orbs illuminate the pitch black in their number, falling at a rate of knots towards the ground. With giant thuds, each one impacts powerfully, sending dirt and rubble flying into the air. The noise in the area is powerful and intense.

When the pale blue hue surrounding them finally fades, we see their form.

Odin. Zeus. Anubis. Themis. Shezmu. Xochipilli. Shiva. Ahriman.

The list goes on.

The fall of the Gods.

Odin turns to his fellow Gods; a wave of shock having overcome each one. He looks up at the sky, watching as others fall.

“This cannot be,” he angrily proclaims. “No, this cannot be!”

Zeus approaches, frowning. “He chose them, Odin.”

“I told him not to intervene. He sought my council and I warned him of his involvement; he knew what would happen to us if he dared to step between them and their fate.”

Zeus angrily grabs Odin by the throat, only he’s powerless. There’s nothing. No thunder, no lightning, no aggressive show of Godly force. He looks at his hand in shock, surprised that he’s weak.

And Odin, an old man, simply stands, shaking his head.

“We’re powerless, you fool,” Odin grunts, stepping away from a shocked Zeus. “Yahweh has taken over The Tap Room. People believe in him now.”

“What do we do?” Zeus asks, panicked.

“We head to Elysium Fields, regroup and keep our heads down. If it finds us, we won’t survive.”

Cut.

Flash.

Knot hands over the Historium to the wrinkled hands of the individual we cannot see.

“I trust you understand the importance of this in our grand scheme of things?” He asks, to a nodded reply. “Good, because The Vindicators have an important role to play. As do you.”

“You needn’t tell me twice,” Knot says with a grunt. “I understand the path.”

There’s a slight pause.

“Do you know how close The Informer is to the truth? Should we be concerned? Your idea to give him such information could prove costly.”

Knot thinks about it for a moment, giving it quite some thought.

“He knows nothing of consequence. He’s no closer to EF or unraveling the mystery.”

Flash

Elysium Fields.

We head inside to one of the suites, kitted out with all the finest luxuries one can imagine. There’s perfect fruit, expensive champagne and only the best food money can buy; from caviar to quail, these guests are being treated to the finest quality available from life.

And sat around a large oak table, seating ten in hand carved wooden chairs, are numerous unknown men and women, headed by the familiar bearded face of Mr. Knot’s oft seen boss.

“I call our meeting of the Gods to begin.”

“Our power relies on faith. Those who believe in us power our very being and it is because of this, we must take action. Despite numerous disastrous events throughout history increasing our power through faith, it was all undone when The Christian God revealed himself at Judgement Day.”

There are murmurs amongst the God’s.

“Because they know his existence is a certainty, a creed we vowed never to break; their faith in him is stronger and their faith in us has been weakened; and thus, we have been weakened in the process.”

He shakes his head, folding his arms.

“We must strike back. This hostile takeover must be repelled and to do this, we must break our creed, reveal our existence and beckon those within our walls to fight on our behalf.”

Odin nods at Knot, who closes his eyes.

Then transforms.

Into Troy Solveig.

Odin stands, putting his arm around Solveig.

“If we wish to survive, we must go to war.”

The other God’s look at each other.

“And we must win.”

Flash.

Elysium Fields.

Screams.

Horrifying, terrifying, howling screams fill the air as we open to a scene of destruction. The windows outside the Elysium Fieldshotel are shattered and broken. We head inside to see blood, entrails and bloodied masses littering the floors, walls and ceilings. Something or someone has torn down the insides of this sanctuary, destroying those who took safety from within.

It’s Themis.

“Please, no, please,” she begs, finally cornered. “I’m begging you, please.”

Slash.

The camera cuts to one side, just as blood sprays the wall behind her. She slumps to the floor, her throat slit from side to side and blood spewing from the wound, rapidly pooling at the now slumped body on the floor.

A gloved hand reaches inside her chest, pulling something out.

Her soul.

We turn to see bodies littering the hall.

Shezmu is dead.

Fortuna is dead.

And that’s when we see Odin, stood in the corner, staring at us.

Flash.

Solveig dispatches Gameboy over the top rope to the outside and turns around to meet Scarecrow.

Only that isn’t who stands there.

SWORD THROUGH THE CHEST OF TROY SOLVEIG!

OH MY FUCKING GOD!

IT’S NIGHTSTICK!! WHAT THE FUCK!? NIGHTSTICK JUST DROVE THE SWORD OF JUSTICE THROUGH THE CHEST OF THE VIKING! IT PIERCED HIS ARMOUR AND THEN HIS HEART!!!

SOLVEIG LOOKS AT HIM WITH BETRAYAL.

“Justice has been served,” Nightstick quips, pulling Solveig close enough with the sword still in his hand. “Shadow sends his regards.”

NIGHTSTICK HAS BETRAYED THEMIS!

OH MY GOD!

NIGHTSTICK HAS BETRAYED TROY SOLVEIG!

TROY SOLVEIG IS DEAD!

Flash.

In a dirty dingy basement, hidden somewhere beneath a home in the middle of Miami, the corpse of Troy Solveig lays peacefully strewn across a bench, his arms folded onto his chest.

His eyes are closed, his armour removed and his wound visible. The Sword of Justice was driven straight through his heart. He died instantly.

Suddenly, a beam of beautiful white light flashes before our eyes.

And when it fades, stood before us are Odin and his savior, The Chief.

Odin looks at him, almost shaking with rage. “He shouldn’t be here,” he exclaims. “Dying in battle is the highest honour. A Valkyrie should’ve taken him to Valhalla.”

“Why must you meddle in affairs that aren’t yours!?” Odin barks, screaming at him. “Haven’t you learned anything?”

“I’m sorry,” The Chief admits, shaking his head. “But I needed you to see that we’re fighting each other when we should be fighting it. If it wasn’t for me, it would’ve destroyed you too.”

Odin scoffs. “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

“The only way we get back to our paradises is if we restore balance within the universe,” The Norse God continues. He walks away from The Chief as he explains. “A balance that you upset. This war is far from over, Yahweh.”

“I understand why we must fight,” The Chief says with disappointment. “And I understand why The Tap Room must host the battle. But tonight, we put an end to the bloodshed. No-one else dies, Odin – not for our war. No-one. His life is my tribute to you, in sealing our agreement.”

Troy suddenly, abruptly and breathlessly wakes up, his eyes wide.

“Father,” he says with a dry and hoarse voice. “We mustn’t trust him.”

I don’t,” he admits. “Because tonight I saw it hunting us down, killing our fellow Gods and massacring Elysium Fields; and what I saw, was not what we’re afraid of, but a fraud.”

Flash.

In a secretive location, underground, warded against whatever chases them, Odin and Zeus return from a late stroll. Standing before a large metal door, they pause for a moment, deep in conversation.

“All our God’s have lost favour with those that supported them. Ahriman, Shiva, Anubis – they’re dejected. These mere mortals may have abandoned us.”

Odin nods, opening the door and stepping inside. Zeus accompanies him, both God’s walking down a darkened staircase towards their underground bunker.

“Oh no…”

Surprised, Odin turns to look.

What he sees drops his jaw.

They’re all dead.

Flash.

Somewhere in the world, Odin and Zeus stand on a rocky mountain edge overlooking a thrashing ocean. The wind has picked up and the skies are grey, looking as if it’s about to rain.

Flutter.

They both turn around to see The Chief and The Scarecrow, stood together. The latter holds his midsection, still suffering from the pain of his match with King Arthur.

“Why did you summon us?” The Chief demands to know.

“You had them killed,” Odin barks angrily. “You had your monster kill them all, whilst they were at their weakest!”

“I did not.”

Flash.

When the lights return, Odin and Zeus stand in the middle of the ring, a podium stood between them with a large golden bowl positioned atop it.

In a bright spark of light and a large plume of smoke, our vision is almost immediately compromised.

But when it clears, The Chief finds himself stood between them.

Summoned by Odin.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Yahweh demands to know. “How did you summon me?”

Zeus approaches first. “We know you’ve been killing the Gods,” he angrily accuses him, poking him in the chest with a finger. “And taking the power for yourself.”

“You’re mistaken,” he pleads. “I would never.”

Odin balks. “You cast us all out of paradise when you chose to intervene in humanity’s plight, Yahweh. You’ve destroyed Elysium Fields and put us all at risk from it.”

“Now it’s time to end this,” Zeus bellows.

Static.

A piercing white light blinds us all momentarily.

Followed by a horrifying scream.

The lights slowly return, revealing Rain.

He’s stood behind Zeus, a mystical dagger in his hand, dripping with the blood of a God.

It belongs to Zeus.

And he falls, slumping to the canvas.

Yahweh steps backwards in shock, reeling from what he’s just witnessed.

Only, Odin doesn’t have the same reaction.

He’s smiling.

“At first, I thought it couldn’t be done,” Odin says with a huge grin, patting Rain on the shoulder. “But it turned out that killing God’s is as easy as killing men if you have the right weapon.”

Rain grins evilly.

“Why have all the power in the world with many God’s, when one could rule?”

Yahweh can’t believe it. “You did this? You murdered them all?”

Odin shakes his head.

“No, you foolish idiot, he did,” Odin says pointing to Rain. “My Valkyrie.”

Rain charges towards Yahweh with the blade, looking to finish the job he’d started.

Flutter.

THE SCARECROW!

The Monster immediately appears, grabbing The Chief and whisking him away – muting the summoning powers that left him helpless.

Odin laughs maniacally, looking at Rain who repositions himself by his side.

“I am the one true God, the Allfather, the almighty and all seeing,” he pronounces. “And at Ring of Dreams, you will worship me.”

And now…

KHALIL LONGFELLOW VS. MONTY STRAIGHT
The flames leap up high around the ring as the red glow illuminates both Khalil Longfellow and Monty Straight, sweat already beading up from the intense heat. Both men are cautious about getting close to the ring ropes to avoid accidently getting set on fire. Both men charge the middle of the ring and lock up with each other, each one looking for that early advantage.

Khalil is the first to make the necessary move and locks Monty’s head in a headlock. Straight doesn’t waste any time and after delivering a series of punches to Longfellow’s midsection, pushes him against the ropes, both just barely missing the spout of flames that jump. As Khalil returns to where Monty stands, he gets met with a stiff dropkick that sends him crashing to the mat.

The Straightshooter looks to see where Khalil landed, and quickly tries to drag him closer to the flames, but the Restorer quickly comes to and realizes the plan of the Game Master and frees himself. As Monty stalks Khalil he is met with a sudden Enziguiri, forcing Straight to crumble to the mat.

Khalil mounts Monty delivering a series of heavy handed hammerfists to try and punish the Deal Maker for stealing his library and soul. Khalil rolls Straight to his stomach, quickly crosses his feet and placing his own knees into the back of Straight. Longfellow rolls back into a Bow and Arrow, knowing that Straight can’t tap out.

As he is getting stretched out, Monty claws at the hand across his throat to free himself, but Khalil is a step ahead and kicks his knees forward, nearly tossing Monty into the flames. Straight just barely avoids the flames as they once again leap to great heights, the heat nearly sucking the air out of the lungs of everyone near by.

Monty quickly gets to his feet and tries to keep them under him as the abuse and the fire begin to show their effects. As Khalil marches towards him though, Monty gets his wits about him and connects with a stiff European Uppercut followed up by a sudden Abisegiri rolling kick that puts Khalil to the floor once again.

Monty lifts Khalil up to his feet, grabbing him around the waist and gets the Wandering Poet up on his should, driving him down!

COMMERCIAL BREAK!

The Emerald Flowsion rocks Khalil as Monty glares down at his rival, that gleam in his eye revealing itself as he then looks over to the flames as he begins to drag Longfellow closer to the fire. The feeling of heat snaps Khalil back to the world and he begins to fight free from the grasp of his enemy. Khalil makes it to his feet but Monty quickly charges once again leaping up for..

DEAL BREAKER!

Khalil crumbles to the mat as the Straightshooter once again looks around for the nearest flames. He picks up the Restorer, turns him around and wraps his arms and legs around the neck and legs of Khalil and violently pulls backwards into a russian legsweep which he rolls through into the crossface!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS!

Monty slowly forces Khalil to slide on his belly towards the flames, Longfellow in no shape to resist as the fires that surround them come closer and closer. Finally Khalil’s face is in the flames and his BEARD IGNITES!

Monty lights Khalil on fire, which stirs the Librarian to consciousness. As Monty goes to free himself Khalil holds on which causes Straight’s pant leg to catch on fire as they both disappear!

“SOUL”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Khalil Longfellow and Monty Straight return to the set of The Show That Never Stops…

Months Ago.

The crowd roars with applause and excitement.

Two doors have manifested on the stage.

One door says “Life.”

The other door says “Death.”

In a rare moment of confusion, Monty Straight looks over at his contestant, Khalil.

Khalil’s smile spreads from ear to ear, but this is not a smile of elation.

This smile in particular is one of pure relief.

“What…” Monty clears his throat. “Just happened?”

Khalil looks over at those doors. “It has been so long since I made this choice. Life, without what makes life worth living, over Death. And yet… We are back here, aren’t we? Back at that moment.”

“But you did make a choice,” Straight says. “A deal is a deal.”

“Yes,” Khalil says. “And a contract is a contract.”

Straight lifts an eyebrow.

“You see,” continues Khalil. “I lied to you out there in those woods. I told you I would not dare read the language of the Infernal.”

Monty sneers, disgusted at Longfellow’s foul play.

Khalil grins. “But not only did I read it, Monty. I added a claus to it. And that claus stated that in the event we both burn, our original deal was rendered null and void, and a new deal had to be made. To make sure of it, I signed it with my own soul.”

“You knew?” Monty asks, genuinely. “You knew it was your soul?”

“How could a poet not recognize his own soul when he sees it?” Khalil replies.

A wave of emotion washes over Straight’s face.

After clearing his throat, Monty looks out at his audience. “What will it be, folks? What do you think Longfellow should choose? Should he choose Life, and lose everything that matters to him?”

Monty closes his eyes. “Or should he choose Death, and leave his legacy intact?”

The ravenous audience screams out so many answers at once, but all of that noise exists only in the background of the eye contact held between Straight and Longfellow.

Khalil shrugs. “I guess this is goodbye, Monty.”

A twinkle in Monty’s eye, an assuring nod, a knowing wink.

“But your Library of Alexandria, your volumes of poems, and your soul, pal. They’ll remain.”

Khalil nods back at Monty. He walks up to the door marked “Death.”

He grabs the handle, twists it, and swings it open.

A bright light pours out of the open door. Khalil looks back at Monty one last time.

Monty shoos him towards the door with his hand.

Khalil Longfellow steps forward and fades into the light.

A legacy of greatness left behind.

Cut.

“THE RESULTS”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

The Lab.

Nightstick had been here every single day since he retained the sample from Redmond Quinn in a violent manner last week. Tonight, he’s scheduled to defend his title against that very man – unless this test comes back positive.

In which case, Quinn murdered Creed.

It feels like he’s been waiting an age before a technician finally comes out to meet him. He’s in possession of a clipboard, full of various documentation.

“I’m sorry about the delay but we’ve been struggling with a backlog,” he says, looking over the paperwork. “You’re here for the murder case, right?”

Nightstick nods.

“Where’s Detective Franklin?” He asks quizzically, realizing that he can’t hand over this information to someone who isn’t an official police officer.

“I’m here,” he pipes up, walking through the door. “Sorry I was late. What do we have, kid?”

The technician nods.

“We compared the sample given to us last week against the sample of hair found on the body of Mr. Quinn. Whilst it does belong to an African American male, it does not belong to Mr. Quinn.”

That shocks them both. Nightstick can’t believe it.

“Are you serious?” He pleads. “That can’t be right.”

“I can assure you sir that all tests are conducted under the strictest of circumstances and protocols. The hairs aren’t a DNA match.”

Nightstick and Franklin look at each other.

“Now what?” The old timer asks.

“We do what Quinn asked,” Stick replies with a shrug. “I go meet him at the diner and see what evidence he has on the real culprit.”

Cut.

INTREPID VS. SPERO
SINGLES MATCH

A battle of cosmic proportions is about to take place in Area 51, as Spero takes on Intrepid with the stakes high for both beings…a chance for Spero to retrieve his blue ring of hope against a chance for the Fearless Explorer to escape from his pursuer once and for all!

Spero and Intrepid charge at each other, exchanging lefts and rights until Intrepid sends Spero into a nearby ship, a thud ringing throughout the hangar. A smirk appears on the face of the Fearless Explorer as he lunges at his former partner…only to be met with a flurry of kicks!

Spero showing that even without his blue ring he still has hope left in him as he drives the Reporter back, managing to gather some momentum in his favor as he launches himself off the ship…ENZIGURI! A hard kick to the face of Intrepid sends the Fearless Explorer reeling back!

This gives Spero the opening he needs as he uses the ship as a springboard once more…WILL’S LIGHT! That roundhouse kick takes Intrepid down hard as Spero stands over him…GREEN SPEAR OF COURAGE! Intrepid wasn’t down for long, sending Spero through the air with a spear launched from his ring!

Intrepid is back on his feet, a stern look on his face as he approaches the fallen Spero with his ring still emanating that green light. Intrepid gains speed, flat-out running toward Spero with his fist raised…DROP TOE HOLD! Spero uses Intrepid’s momentum to send him crashing!

As Intrepid falls to the ground, we watch a tiny object leave his possession…it’s the blue ring! Spero’s ring of hope drops to the ground, just out of reach for the Fearless Explorer as Spero runs to retrieve it…but Intrepid powers up, leveling Spero with a burst of energy!

F.E.A.R. Itself! With Spero down, Intrepid goes to work with stomps to the face, ears, arms, and ribs of his rival…yelling at him all the while.

“This is for my people!”

Intrepid slams his foot down on the helmet of Spero, grinding it against the floor of the hangar as he looks to force Spero to give up the last ounce of hope he has…but Spero never relents, instead gaining strength as he slowly rises to his feet. Intrepid lifts his foe, using the green power from his ring to try to launch Spero into another ship…but Spero gathers enough momentum to send both of them into the ship instead!

Both men are down and out, but Spero is the first to gain consciousness as he crawls toward the blue ring. Intrepid has finally come to, and tries everything he can to stop Spero…who manages to grab his blue ring! He can feel the hope flowing through him once more as he charges up…LANTERN’S MIGHT! Spero grabs the Fearless Explorer, driving him into the floor with a brainbuster that knocks Intrepid out cold!

Spero stands tall tonight, but cannot help but consider the cost of his journey to retrieve his ring…his hope.

“BONDS OF HOPE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

“Was that proof enough?”

The question lays thick in the air, mixed with the pants of two fighters having given it their all. Intrepid looked towards Spero, eyes locked on his once ally. The warrior of Hope however, was not returning the look. He stands up and strides over to where they fought.

To where his ring, knocked loose from Intrepid’s pockets, sits.

Intrepid tries to rise up from where he is, but can barely do so after such a grueling match. He can only watch on as Spero strides over, calling out a plea.

“Please, Spero…”

But it is too late. He picks the ring up from the ground, sliding back onto his hand. Nearly instantaneously, blue light shoots out from the ring, surrounding Spero and nearly lifting him up. A laugh leaves him, one so joyous it reverberates in the hangar.

As it dissipates, he turns back to Intrepid. He strides to Intrepid, his body language nearly unreadable. Intrepid flinches as he gets close, but looks up in shock as Spero extends a hand down to him.

“We have a flight to catch don’t we?”

Intrepid’s shock is apparent, and comes through with a single question while he takes his friend’s hand

“Why?”

Spero turns back to his friend, a smile on his face. A small chuckle left him, before answering.

“I wasn’t sure at first. When you stole my ring, I felt betrayed. Heartbroken. And as I hunted you down for my ring, I remembered my own pain in your place. When I had lost everything. And you know what I found?”

“What was that?”

He paused for a second, before replying.

“I found I couldn’t expect you to not try. You gave it your all, and showed you were willing to do stupid, reckless things to save your home. So I may have taken the precaution to get the ship set up. There are dangers out there that we need to take care of. ”

Intrepid stands in disbelief at what seemed to be impossible, before shaking it off of.

“Spero, I don’t think there’s words for what this means to me. But are you sure you can just leave here like this?”

He nods, looking back in the direction of the Tap Room before locking eyes with Intrepid.

“I think they’ll be fine without me. They’ve got the others to keep and play their parts. So come, we have little time to lose now, don’t we?”

With that, the two enter into the ship, the hatch quickly shutting behind them. It takes a few minutes, and then the lights flash on for the ship. It pulls off of the ground, and shoots forward. Pushing through the bay doors, it shoots upwards into the night sky, a streak of green and blue vanishing into the starlit night.

Cut

“REVELATION”
RINGSIDE

It’s time for Zander Zane versus Tomasso Vitale, but Zander Zane is nowhere to be seen.

Tomasso Vitale takes a microphone and brings it to the center of the ring. He appears mournful as he holds the mic to his mouth.

“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I’m afraid I have terrible news.”

Vitale holds the mic down as he chokes up from emotion.

“I have just gotten word that my opponent, Zandy, has been murdered!”

The crowd begins murmuring as several shocked expressions are shown. Vitale begins to tear up as he continues the performance.

“Unfortunately, what that means for tonight is that I’m left without an opponent. This unfortunately also means that I will win by forfeit.”

The crowd begins to boo as Vitale quickly holds up his hands in defense.

“This isn’t what I wanted, people! I wanted a good, competitive match with one of my best friends in Zandy! I hate to accept this win in this way, but I believe in my heart that this is exactly what he would’ve wanted. He would’ve wanted me to carry on the legacy of his Double Feature Championship run. Now, referee? Let’s raise my hand to solidify my being the new champion and upholding the legacy of Zander freakin’ Zane!”

The referee is hesitant as he slowly walks over and grabs Vitale’s hand.

Just as he’s about to lift the hand…

The opening guitar line from “For Those About To Rock” begins to play!

Dry ice begins to fill into the arena from all corners as the crowd is on their feet in anticipation.

Suddenly, a van begins driving into the arena! The van of Vengeance! But standing atop the van is none other than Zander Zane! Tomasso Vitale is livid inside of the ring as he begins pulling at his hair. He points at Zane before yelling at two of his henchmen to get him. The van comes to a stop as Zane slides down the front of it to the floor.

“For those about to rock, we salute you!” he screams into the microphone on the stand.

As the two grunts approach, he swings the stand to clobber them upside the head to knock them out of the way before sliding into the ring.

As he enters the ring, he stands tall as his smile quickly fades into determination. The song continues to play as he mouths the words at Vitale that throws him for a loop.

“I know it was you.”

TOMASSO VITALE VS. ZANDER ZANE
It’s an all-out war here as Zander Zane is furious! Tomasso Vitale is still trying to plead with Zane who is hearing none of it!

The bell sounds as Zane rushes across the ring before drilling Vitale with a leaping clothesline! Both men hit the mat, but Zane rolls to his feet before posing towards the audience. He gives a faint smile before turning his attention back to Vitale.

“Please, Zandy! It’s not true! None of this is true!”

Zander Zane’s eyes look at him intently before looking at the crowd.

“NO, ZANDER, NO!”

“NO, ZANDER, NO”

They chant this as Zane smiles before turning his attention back to Vitale, but it’s just a moment too late!

THE KICK UP!

The superkick dots Zander right on the chin as he slumps down to the mat! Vitale rolls him up!

ONE…

…

TWO…

…

POWER OUT!

Zander Zane isn’t finished yet as he quickly scurries away from Vitale using the ropes to bring him to his feet. Vitale rushes towards him, but Zander catches him with a drop toe hold dropping him face-first into the bottom turnbuckle! Vitale turns back into the corner as Zander leaps, crotch-first right into his face!

RIDE THE LIGHTNING!

The bronco buster connects as Zander’s anger seems to be transforming into joy. He pulls Vitale out from the corner before leaping to the top rope. He hits the split-legged moonsault!

SMOKE ON THE KNEES!

Vitale got his knees up as he’s studied Zane well! He hooks the head of Vitale before rolling up in a small package!

ONE…

…

TWO…

KICKOUT!

Zander Zane gets back to his feet as Vitale beckons him to come at him. Zander rushes him with an enzuigiri that misses, but Vitale hooks the head of Zander before leaning back!

SLEEP WITH FISH!

The Rock God is in a world of pain as the Dragon Sleeper is locked in! He begins to drag himself forward, but Vitale pulls back even further!

But Zander is able to reach a different rope with his foot while he’s being yanked back! The referee begins counting down Vitale who just ignores him!

He gets to a four count before Vitale releases the hold with a smirk. He stands to his feet before driving a boot into the ribs of Zane.

“Get up, you loser!”

Boos begin raining into the ring as Vitale turns towards the crowd and begins mocking them with a little bow.

As he’s mocking them, Zander Zane slowly rises behind him, holding his ribs with a big smile on his face.

Vitale turns right into a roundhouse!

Zander Zane clotheslines Vitale right over the top rope before hitting the ropes and leaping right through them towards Vitale with his arms outstretched!

STAGE DIVE!

Both men crumble to the floor, but the crowd is on their feet. They begin stomping and chanting.

“Zan-der Zane! Zan-der Zane! Zan-der Zane!”

The Rocker slowly rises to his feet holding his back as he begins gyrating his hips as the crowd cheers loudly. They love their resident rocker!

Zander Zane grabs Vitale and rolls him into the ring before pulling him up into the corner. He slowly climbs up the apron to an opposite corner.

WORLD TOUR!

The world tour comes to an end right onto Vitale’s face as the boots crash down!

Zander Zane moves to the center of the ring where he smirks at Vitale. He begins gyrating his hips as the crowds laughs, whistles, and cheers him on!

“Zan-der Zane! Zan-der Zane! Zan-der Zane!”

Vitale staggers to his feet before turning right into a kick followed by…

THE MIC DROP!

The neckbreaker stunner connects for possibly the last time as Zander rolls into a cover!

One…

…

Two…

…

THREEE!

Zander Zane has done it here tonight! He has managed to defeat the vile Tomasso Vitale as he rises to his feet with a bow as tears begin filling his eyes knowing this is possibly his last match in OSW.

“TERMINATION”
RINGSIDE

The match is over as both men are absolutely spent. They both rise to their feet as Vitale quickly goes over to grab a microphone.

“You want to know why, Zandy?”

The Rock God smiles before grabbing a microphone.

“I know why, Tommy. You wanted my fame, and you wanted it without me in the picture to hog the spotlight. Isn’t that right, Alfie?”

Vitale’s face goes white as Alfred, Zander’s financial advisor, steps out of the van with a contract in his hand. Alfred is given a microphone.

“Not quite, Mr. Zane. One thing that Mr. Vitale ensured I include in the contract was that if either party were to pass away that all the funding from that point forward would go towards the other party. In other words, were Mr. Zane to die, all of the funds would then be strictly Mr. Vitale’s. Including any money earned from post-death profits.”

Vitale smirks as he looks up at Alfred.

“But there’s something I added that Vitale was not aware of.”

Vitale’s smirk fades.

“If either party were to be proven guilty of trying to terminate the other, the entire contract would be considered voided.”

Tommy looks up at Alfred with a confused expression before bringing the microphone to his mouth slowly.

“If you can prove it. That seems to be the key of it all.”

It’s at that point that the driver door of the van opens as Vengeance steps out with a stern look as Alfred hands him the microphone. Rather than say anything. He pulls out a small tape recorder from his pocket and clicks a button.

“’I need him taken care of. Until you kill Zander Zane, you’re MINE!’”

Vengeance leans back against his van as Vitale’s face is frozen as he seems genuinely stumped.

“I thought we were friends, Tommy, but you just wanted my fame and my money. So now we’re done.” Says Zander before picking up his mic stand.

And NAILING Vitale with it!

It’s at this point that police officers slide into the ring and begins apprehending Tomasso Vitale who is kicking and screaming all the way up the ramp.

Zander Zane turns around with the microphone in his hand before motioning for his music to play. He begins singing and dancing as if to give the crowd one final encore.

Cut.

BERENGAR VS. KING ARTHUR
SINGLES MATCH

The Void Knight must stand up against the Lich King in a battle to the end!

There’s no bell as these two warriors stand only a few feet apart covered in the remnants of Ser Percival.

King Arthur raises his blade, glowing sickly green as Berengar rises in a floating form with his eyes completely white with a fury hidden behind them.

The sound of metal on metal as the two swords collide in the center of this decrepit castle. Berengar swings twice with as much force as he can muster, but the excellent swordsmanship of King Arthur is able to deflect the strikes. It seems almost too easy for him as his fleshy appearance laughs at Berengar.

“You foolish man. You thought that you could best Excalibur in a duel? There is no hope for you or your puny, talking blade.”

With that word, Excalibur deflects Vigilkeeper and strikes right into the thigh of Berengar.

The Knight of the Void gives out a scream of agony before throwing a right hand that catches King Arthur on the jaw. He staggers back, pulling Excalibur from the wound as he does so.

Berengar gives out another sound of pain as the blade is retrieved from his wound. King Arthur rubs his jaw before grimacing at the disgusting Knight.

He thrusts forward with Excalibur which misses the midsection of Berengar by mere inches as Vigilkeeper instinctively moves into the way.

“Prince Berengar, you must not be distracted!”

Berengar snaps back to attention as he grits his teeth together. He raises Vigilkeeper high before striking forward as blazing speed! King Arthur seems surprised by the attack as he tries to fend off the blows, but the speed seems even too much for him!

Arthur bellows as a blast of green and black energy shoots from him! Berengar is blasted back by the impact as he skids across the floor on his feet. Arthur’s beautiful form begins to grow more and more manic as his expression transforms.

“This will not be the death of me! Not again!”

King Arthur brings his blade up before stabbing it into the floor. A big crevice opens as skeletal bodies begin to crawl up. The sound of a door being kicked open from behind as three more guards rush into the room.

The Knight of the Void is surrounded.

“Thee may have killed my last opportunity for immortality, but I will ensure thee don’t live to see another day!”

The skeletal bodies begin clambering forward with rusted blades in their hands. The guards rush in with their blades held high as they all converge on Berengar whose light is finally put out by their attack.

But only for a moment as a huge bellowing battle cry sends the forces tumbling head over heels away from him. The form of Berengar begins charging at them with Vigilkeeper nearly disappearing with the fervor of the attack! The skeletons shatter and crumble with each strike. The soldiers are only disarmed before being blasted backwards by a burst of white energy.

Berengar bellows once more before turning to look for King Arthur.

The King is breathing heavily as his hand is clutching the still grounded Excalibur. The Knight of the Void hovers over to him before landing right in front of him.

King Arthur scrambles backwards, leaving Excalibur implanted. His eyes, once confident, have now sunken into the back of his head in absolute fear as he returns to his Lich form. Berengar takes a step forward before eyeing the sword planted in the ground.

He reached down to grab the hilt before raising Vigilkeeper high in the air.

“Let your fire burn brightest, Vigilkeeper.”

CLANK!

A huge burst of white light!

The sound of the two swords meeting once again echoes through the throne room. But the expression upon the face of King Arthur is pure horror.

The blade of Excalibur is shattered.

King Arthur has been defeated!

“FAREWELL”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

The Knight of the Void stands tall as he glares at his enemy.

Berengar throws the hilt away before pointing his blade at King Arthur.

“You weakened that blade by harnessing so much dark magic. Now, your trial is at hand.”

Berengar approaches with his blade drawn as King Arthur smirks at him.

“You cannot harm me in this form. Surely, even you know that by now.”

King Arthur rises to his feet as his form once more glows green.

“You cannot ki-“

The words of King Arthur are interrupted by the pain of a blade piercing through his abdomen. King Arthur’s grotesque face curls up in surprise and horror as the blade, glowing white, goes all the way through him.

“Farewell, your highness. Let this small feat begin my atonement for the lives that you have stolen.”

With that parting word, the beam begins glowing brighter and brighter as King Arthur screams out in pain!

The white light fills up the entire room before slowly fading away revealing nothing but Berengar slumped back into the throne with Vigilkeeper across his lap and a lone crown sitting upon the floor.

King Arthur is no more.

Berengar sighs as he looks down at his blade. The blade glows for a moment as the voice seems just as exhausted as Berengar.

“So, what do we do now, Prince Berengar?”

“Now? We wait. We rest. When evil arises once more, we shall be there to vanquish it just as well.”

“As you wish, my prince.”

“DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND LIES”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Sat in a dirty booth at the back of an old diner just off the highway, Redmond Quinn sits with young Theo, who’s wearing a baseball cap and hoodie to hide his identity. This was a favourite place of Luther Creed and is in fact where he and Nightstick once met to hash out their differences.

When Nightstick arrives, he notices them in the booth at the back, making his way over and taking a seat opposite.

“Tonight is the biggest night of your career,” Nightstick reminds him. “And you’re here, for this.”

“Some things are just more important, like justice.”

That makes Nightstick smile.

“This here is young Theo. He was the person Luther was writing his letters to; some of which you’ve seen.”

The cop offers a handshake, but the kid doesn’t take it.

“Luther believed the murder of his friend when he was a boy, the very act that spurred his entire life in this direction, was an act of conspiracy.”

That surprises Nightstick. “How do you mean?”

“His friend’s father belonged to group of men that enforced changes within the police department; a revolutionary way before Creed ever stepped foot in front of a camera. They controlled crime by having a stake in it.”

There’s a pause before Quinn continues. Nightstick gulps; he understands.

“And when this boy’s dad refused to play ball with some of the other leaders, they sent a white cop to kill his son.”

That shocks Nightstick, who sits back in the booth, puffing. He doesn’t quite know how to react.

“You can prove this?” He asks Theo, who nods. “Jesus.”

Theo meekly whispers in reply. “Luther found evidence. He said he’d been searching for years and when you started screwing with him, the culprit surfaced.”

“I need everything you’ve got, and your testimony, kid,” Nightstick says valiantly. “I’ll keep you protected at all costs. I know a guy who’ll make sure no harm comes to you.”

Bang!

To be continued.

DARKWISH VS. REDWING
SINGLES MATCH

Redwing saw through Darkwish’s facade last week, just a young kid with a death wish. Will Redwing grant it here tonight, or will he remain ever the stoic figure he has been beneath the weight of such a wish?

DING! DING! Darkwish roars and charges toward Redwing, sending a knee straight into the hero’s gut. Redwing bends over from the impact, leaving space for the Terror of the Night to nail him with a big time enziguiri across his exposed temple.

“Fuck you, Bill.” Darkwish spits. “Fuck you.”

Darkwish springboards outside the ring and lands on his feet. He reaches under the ring apron, and his eyes twinkle with glorious delight at what he finds.

A baseball bat, wrapped in barbedwire.

Darkwish slides into the ring just as the Red Knight reaches his feet.

YAKUZA KICK TO DARKWISH’S DOME!

Redwing drops Darkwish like a god damn sack of taters with the vicious kick!! He looks down at the barbedwire wrapped bat that Darkwish brought into the ring. He picks it up, staring at it, wrestling with it in his head.

And that’s all the time Darkwish needs to connect with a leg sweep that drops the Justice Crusader!

Darkwish springs to his feet! He scoops up the bat.

With a bloodthirsty smile and bloodshot eyes, Darkwish lifts the bat high over his head!

CRACK!!! Right onto the small of Redwing’s back! The Real Life Superhero cries out in pain!

CRACK!!! AGAIN!!!

CRACK!!! AGAIN!!!

CRACK!!! CRACK!!! CRACK!!! CRACK!!! CRACK!!!

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, REDWING’S BACK IS BEING RIPPED TO SHREDS AS DARKWISH BATTERS HIM!!!

CRACK!!!!!! STRAIGHT TO REDWING’S FUCKING HEAD!!!!!!

Darkwish flips the bat like he just hit a home run, drops to his knees, rolls Redwing over, and makes the cover!

ONE!!!

…

TWO!!!

…

NO!!!

The Red Knight has plenty of fight left in him yet. Darkwish stands to his feet, a disguted smirk on his face, nostrils flared.

REDWING KIPS UP TO HIS FEET!

A BOOT TO DARKWISH’S GUT!!!

RETURN TO ARKHAM!!! RETURN TO ARLHAM!!! NOW REDWING MAKES THE COVER!!!

ONE!!

…

TWO!!!

…

TH–NO!!!

Darkwish may want to die at Redwing’s hands, but it is clear that he does not want to lose.

Redwing reaches his feet and positions himself for a move as Darkwish slowly crawls to his own. Darkwish reaches a knee, and reaches his feet, swaying woozily.

AXE KICK!!!

NO, DARKWISH DUCKS!!!

LOW BLOW!!! Darkwish nails The Red Knight right in his balls!!!

INVERTED FRANKENSTEINER DDT FROM THE TERROR OF THE NIGHT!!! THE JUSTICE CRUSADER’S HEAD BOUNCES OFF THE MAT LIKE A GOD DAMN BASKETBALL!!! DARKWISH MAKES THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!

…

TWO!!!!

…

THREEEEEE!!!!

…

…

NOOOOOOO!!!!

Darkwish rolls over and off of his nemesis. Both men lay on the mat after Redwing lifts his shoulder up with not a microsecond to spare!

The fans roar for Redwing to reach his feet, but it’s The Terror of the Night who rises first, standing tall over the body of Redwing. Darkwish notes Redwing’s position on the mat and leaps up to the nearest turnbuckle!

“You should have ended me when you had the chance Bi–“

REDWING LEAPS UP AND RUNS UP THE TURNBUCKLES!

HE SENDS A PUNCH STRAIGHT INTO DARKWISH’S GUT!!!

Redwing looks at Darkwish with pure, almost fatherly disappointment. He lifts Darkwish into the air!!!

RED JUSTICE FROM THE TOP FUCKING TURNBUCKLE!!! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!! DARKWISH’S HEAD COLLIDES WITH REDWING’S KNEE AS REDWING LANDS ON THE RING MAT!!!

REDWING MAKES THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!

…

…

TWO!!!

…

…

THREEEEEE!!!!

REDWING’S DONE IT!!!

NO HE FUCKING HASN’T!!! DARKWISH GOT THE SHOULDER UP!!!

Un-fucking-believable.

Darkwish finds himself being dragged to his feet by Redwing, who manages to irish whip the Terror of the Night into the ropes. Darkwish bounces off the ropes! Clothesline! Darkwish ducks it. He stops and picks up the barbedwire bat. Redwing turns around!!

CRACK!!! JESUS CHRIST DARKWISH DELIVERED A HOMERUN SHOT TO REDWING’S FUCKING JAW!!! HIS JAW IS LIKELY BROKEN!!!

BEFORE REDWING CAN HIT THE GROUND, DARKWISH ALREADY HAS HIM RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS HIM!

NIGHT!!! NIGHT!!! THE PACKAGE FISHERMAN BUSTER!!!

NOOOOO!!! REDWING WRIGGLES FREE!!!

HUSH!!! THE CUT THROAT DRIVER!!!

REDWING MAKES THE COVER!!!!

ONE!!!

…

…

TWO!!!

…

…

THREEEEEEE!!!

Redwing has pulled it off! His arch-nemesis has been beaten right in the middle of the ring here at Ring of Dreams. Redwing has his arm raised in victory after a hellacious bout!

“BY THE BOOK”
RINGSIDE

The match over, it seems as if the ring is a deflating balloon.

Redwing slumps in the corner, victorious but at a price.

Darkwish, however, has rolled to his stomach, his fists pounding the ground slowly. He’s out of fight now. He comes to his knees as Redwing stands over him.

“It’s over.” Redwing states.

Darkwish has run out of anger. Run out of ways to fight. Run out of places to hide.

“Then finish it.” Darkwish says, closing his eyes.

A moment passes.

He reopens his eyes.

Redwing is stood above him, his hand held out.

“Anyone can take a life,” Redwing calmly says, “but to give life is something else entirely.”

Darkwish takes the hand, standing up to look into the eyes of Redwing.

“All I ever wanted to do,” Darkwish spits, “was make sure no one ever had to go through what I did. I thought killing both heroes and villains would end it.”

His shoulders slump in defeat.

“But killing only leads to more killing.” He continues, his words turning to whispers. “You were right.”

The Caped Crusader places his hand on Darkwish’s shoulder.

“With that attitude, you may make an amazing hero one day.” They lock eyes. “Shadowforce will be here when that day comes. I will be here when that day comes.”

They embrace.

“But,” Redwing begins, pulling away, “all of our actions have consequences.”

Darkwish nods, seeing what Redwing has produced out of his utility belt.

Handcuffs.

“I told you, my friend. I’m going to bring you in by the book.”

The Terror of the Night holds his hands out, letting the cuffs clamp around his wrists. Redwing goes to lead him out of the ring.

Darkwish may yet rise again, but next time it will be as a hero.

Justice has been served.

Redwing did what he said he was going to do, what others may have doubted.

He brought in Darkwish, but more than that, he saved his friend.

Maybe he saved himself along the way.

“DOWN”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Days ago.

Mysterion’s Secret Underground Lair.

Surrounded by security screens, gizmos, and gadgets, Mysterion sits typing busily at a computer, sweating from sweat and pressure he is placing on himself.

“What are you doing, buddy?”

Mysterion stops typing. He turns around.

Gameboy.

“How did you find my secret underground lair?”

“Easily. I have access to all of your files.”

“Please don’t freeze time and spit in my face.”

Mysterion freezes in place.

Gameboy smiles. “Don’t worry. I won’t spit on you again.”

Player One paces around the room, slowly, observing everything.

“I just came here to tell you this, Mysterion. At Ring of Dreams, I want a clean match with you. As fun as it is to give you a dose of your own medicine, I’ll be shutting my powers down for our bout. No cheat codes. No hacks. Just you and me, man to man, buddy to buddy.”

Mysterion sits still, frozen in place. But behind that face is a pair of smiling eyes.

“And I know that won’t stop you from doing your best Bowser impression at Ring of Dreams. I know you’ll cheat every chance you get. But I don’t have a princess for you to take. And without my powers?”

Gameboy smirks. “Well, as you can see…” Player One gestures around him at Mysterion’s lair. “I’ll take all your castles.”

Gameboy pats Mysterion on the head.

“But you and me? Our final round takes place at Ring of Dreams. And I’m going to end you without my powers.”

Mysterion’s eyes smile no longer.

Cut.

GAMEBOY VS. MYSTERION
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Gameboy told Mysterion he wouldn’t use his powers tonight, but will he keep that promise given the bad blood developed between these two men? And what dirty tricks will the Villain pull out of his sleeve?

DING! DING! The Villain charges across the ring! Gameboy does the same! They meet right in the middle and start trading blows! Left from Gameboy! Right from Mysterion! Left from Gameboy! Right from Mysterion! Left from Gameboy! Left from Gameboy! Left from Gameboy! Player One takes the upperhand, literally!

STEP UP ENZIGUIRI BY GAMEBOY TO THE TEMPLE OF THE CLOAKED CONUNDRUM!!!

Mysterion hits the mat! Gameboy climbs on top of Mysterion and locks in a cobra clutch! Mysterion screams at the top of his lungs! Gameboy wrenches Mysterion’s neck even harder!

Byt Gameboy breaks the hold. He jumps to his feet! Standing moonsault onto the fallen Mysterion! He rolls the Cloaked Conundrum over!

ONE!

…

TWO!

…

NO!!!!

Mysterion reverses into a small package cradle!!!

ONE!

…

TWO!

…

NO!!!

Gameboy kicks out! But now Mysterion is on top of things here as he reaches his feet, delivering several vicious stomps to Gameboy’s head and neck! Mysterion lifts Gameboy to his feet and whips him into the ropes! Mysterion springboards off of the set of ropes to the side!

SPRINGBOARD TILT-A-WHIRL DDT FROM THE CLOAKED CONUNDRUM!!! PLAYER ONE’S HEAD IS DRIVEN INTO THE MAT!!!

Mysterion jumps up to his feet. He drags Player One over to the corner and leaps to the top turnbuckle!

THE MASTER PLAN!!! IMPLODING 450 SPLASH!!! FUCKING BEAUTIFUL!!! MYSTERION MAKES THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!

…

TWO!!!

…

THREEEE– wait, what the fuck?

Mysterion broke the cover himself!

HE STARTS TRYING TO RIP GAMEBOY’S VISOR OFF OF HIS EYES!!!

Gameboy grabs at his visor and holds on for dear life!! The Cloaked Conundrum punches Gameboy in the jaw! But Gameboy won’t let go! He places his hands around Gameboy’s neck and begins choking the life out of him!!! What little color in Gameboy’s face soon fades, then begins to turn purple!

“Give me the visor!” Screams The Cloaked Conundrum!

“Over my dead body!” Replies Gameboy!

“That’s doable!!!” Mysterion screams, clamping his hands even tighter around Gameboy’s neck!

Player one has no choice. As a last resort, he shoves his thumb into Mysterion’s eye! Mysterion screams and breaks the choke hold, grasping at his eye as Gameboy coughs, his body fighting for breath! Player One crawls to the ropes and tries to use them as support to reach his feet!

619 BY MYSTERION!!! OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE!!!

MYSTERION MAKES THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!

…

TWO!!!

…

THREEEEEEE!!!

MYSTERION HAS DONE IT!!!

NO!!!! GAMEBOY KICKED OUT! JUST BARELY, BUT JUST BARELY IS GOOD ENOUGH!!!

Mysterion immediately goes for the visor again! This time, he punches Player One right in the throat!!! Once, twice, three times!!! Gameboy grabs his throat, which allows Mysterion to rip the visor from Gameboy’s face!

Gameboy has lost his visor!!! And Mysterion has it in his possession!!!

Gameboy quickly stands to his feet and rushes Mysterion with a double leg take down! He mounts Mysterion!

BUTTON MASHER!!! THREE QUICK RIGHT HANDS TO THE FACE!!!

ANOTHER BUTTON MASHER!!!

ANOTHER!!!

ANOTHER!!!

ANOTHER!!!

Mysterion lets go of the visor, and Gameboy dismounts in order to grab it, standing to his feet. He leans over to pick the visor up.

LOW BLOW!!!

MYSTERION WITH THE LOW BLOW!!!

SCHOOLBOY PIN ATTEMPT BY THE CLOAKED CONUNDRUM! GAMEBOY’S FEET KICK WILDLY!!

ONE!

…

TWO!!

…

…

THREEEEEE!!!

NOOOOOO!!!!

Once again, Gameboy manages to escape the near pinfall victory!

Mysterion cannot believe it! He pounds the mat out of pure frustration before climbing to his feet. He drags Gameboy to his feet and whips him into the ropes!

PUNCH OF DOOM!!!

NO!!! GAMEBOY DUCKS IT!!!

LEVEL ONE!!! GAMEBOY WITH THE SUPERKICK!!!! IT COLLIDES WITH MYSTERION’S CHIN, AND THE CLOAKED CONUNDRUM IS OUT LIKE A DAMN LIGHT!!!

GAMEBOY MAKES THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!

…

…

TWO!!!

…

…

THREEEEE!!!

Player One picks up a big victory over the Villain here tonight. But just as he has his arm raised, he sees Mysterion running up the entrance ramp…

…with Player One’s visor in tow!

Mysterion has Gameboy’s visor!

“UP”
RINGSIDE

Mysterion’s locker room.

Gameboy charges in as Mysterion stares into the stolen visor.

“Give it back,” Gameboy demands.

Mysterion looks up at Gameboy, smiling.

“No.”

Gameboy charges towards Mysterion, but Mysterion lifts the visor in the air, threatening to smash it on the ground.

Gameboy pauses as effectively as if Mysterion had hacked him.

“Take one more step towards me,” Mysterion warns, “And I destroy this thing.”

“You don’t know what you’re doing!” Player One screams.

“I know exactly what I’m doing!” Mysterion screams. “I’m becoming invincible.”

Gameboy is helpless. His mouth hangs agape as he watches Mysterion slowly slide the visor over his face.

The visor immediately latches onto Mysterion’s face, practically sinking into his flesh. The Villain screams in pain and falls to his knees! His horrific cries sound absolutely agonizing.

Then suddenly, the screaming stops.

Everything stops.

Except for Mysterion, who looks up at Gameboy with a power fueled smile.

He shoves his hand outward.

Gameboy soars across the room and collides into the wall!

Mysterion swipes his hand!

Gameboy flies to the other side of the room and his body slams into the wall again!

Another hand swipe!

BANG! Gameboy hits the wall again!

BANG! The other wall!

Mysterion laughs.

“Hahahahahahahaha!!! This power… You’ve had this much power all along? You fool!”

Mysterion paces around the room while Gameboy lays slumped against the wall, folded like a lawn chair.

Mysterion’s voice deepens. His skin begins emitting rays of light as the visor starts to glow!

“I am more powerful than Odin! More powerful than Yahweh!”

But suddenly, in the midst of that power trip, Mysterion notices his body is vibrating as the powerful, white light emits from his body.

“What is happening to me?”

Gameboy shakes his head. “I tried to tell you, buddy.”

Mysterion looks up at Gameboy, scared as his body starts shaking like a bomb.

Gameboy sheds a tear and nods at the Villain.

BOOM.

Light bursts! First out of the visor, which shatters to a million pieces.

Then, out of Mysterion, who explodes, a veritable light grenade.

And just like that?

Mysterion, and Player One’s visor, are gone.

And Gameboy? Well…

He’s utterly normal.

He looks at his skin. His flesh. With normal eyes.

He runs his hands through his dark hair.

Gameboy has become the one thing he thought he would never, ever be again.

A completely human being.

The thought alone makes him smile in the most joyous of ways.

Human, all too human.

It’s beautiful.

Cut.

“DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND DIES”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Continued..

Suddenly, a ferocious bang reverberates around the dinner, followed by the immediate horrifying screams of patrons.

There’s blood everywhere.

Nightstick checks himself and looks towards Redmond Quinn, who’s glasses are splattered with crimson.

It’s Theo.

He’s slumped over on the table – a kid, shot dead.

Nightstick stands up to see a man in black running away from the scene. He immediately gives chase as Quinn bellows, covered in blood and brain matter from what was a devastating headshot.

The attacker is slow, shortly getting out of breath only a few hundred yards down the road. He’s tackled by the Cop, who turns him over, violently ripping the balaclava from his face.

It’s…

It’s Franklin.

Nightstick can’t believe it. With his mouth agape, he’s stunned.

“What the fuck have you done?” Nightstick screams. “You killed that kid!”

“I had to do it to protect the unit, kid,” the older detective cries in self-defence. “He would’ve put us all behind bars. You remember, don’t you? Nolan told you all about it before he vanished; The Committee.”

He’s talking about Nightstick’s training officer.

The very one he put behind bars.

“What? You’re apart of this? You had Creed’s friend murdered?” He barks angrily.

“We had to. His father wanted out of the drug business and we couldn’t let that happen. We needed him to lose something so that he came closer to us,” Franklin admits. “And when Creed found out, he was going to expose us. I had no choice.”

Just as he says those words, Redmond Quinn approaches, holding the dropped gun in a paper towel.

Cut.

TROY SOLVEIG VS. NOCTURNE
SINGLES MATCH

The battlefield is drawn. The void awaits beneath the pit of hell, the battleground surrounded by molten lava and brimstone hills. Encircled by waiting Valkyries, bodies of hell hounds strewn across the lan and the carcass of the once mighty Cerberus strewn across the land. Troy Solveig stands alone, Vǫlsungr in hand. Opposite him, Nocturne stands, Behemoth towering beside him. This war ends only one way.

One of these beings will not leave this battlefield alive.

Nocturne’s hiss fills the sky. Behemoth moves forward obediently, leaping over the pit to attack Solveig. Solveig dodges the incoming strike of Behemoth’s claws. As the beast turns, Vǫlsungr swings and catches it in the skull. Staggered, a second blow of the hammer to the knee sees the beast buckle and kneel before the edge of the pit.

“This is not your fight beast… Go to hell.”

TROY SOLVEIG SWINGS THE HAMMER INTO THE CHEST OF THE BEHEMOTH! THE BEAST FALLS BACKWARDS INTO THE PIT AND IS GONE!

NOCTURNE MUST FACE SOLVEIG MANO E MANO… DEMON E GOD-O!

Nocturne takes to the air, not wasting time and catching Solveig slightly off guard in the process. Soaring over the hellfire itself, he sends Solveig crashing to the ground…

STOMP OF THE BEHEMOTH!

Solveig rolls as the Abyssal Survivor aims two rapid strikes towards the Viking’s throat. Both hit nothing but dirt. As he swoops in a third time, Solveig catches him with both feet and Monkey flips him to the dirt himself. Nocturne lands hard on his back among a pile of hellhound carcasses. He rises with otherworldly strength and hurls several of the hound bodies at his foe. Solveig, in turn, dodges the first onslaught and deflects the final body with the use of his hammer before charging at Nocturne. A CHOP BLOCK TAKES NOCTURNE DOWN TO ONE KNEE.

NORTHERN LIGHTS DRILLS NOCTURNE INTO THE GROUND!

Solveig drags Nocturne back to a vertical base. He softens the Abyssal Survivor up with a series of hard body shots using the handle of Vǫlsungr. A boot to the chest sends Nocturne staggering backwards, just far away enough to still be in range. He charges…

VALKYRIE!

THE MIGHTY VIKING PUNCH!

NO!!!

NOCTURNE CATCHES THE PUNCH WITH BOTH HANDS!

His black eyes open, and try as he might, Solveig cannot free his fist from the demon’s clutches. Nocturne’s laughter fills the sky as he hoists Solveig into the air above his head, still holding on to only the Viking’s fist.

“You fool! Do you really think that even you have the power to defeat me? I will watch the life fade from your eyes.”

Nocturne lowers Troy enough to stare into his eyes, without the Viking touching the ground. A succession of relentless HEADBUTTS from the demon sees Solveig dazed. Nocturne tosses him up into the air.

DARKNESS FALLS!

THE BRUTAL KICK HITS SOLVEIG IN MID AIR AND SENDS HIM SOARING THROUGH THE AIR!

Solveig comes crashing to the ground and continues to roll for another ten feet or so from the power of the kick. As he slowly staggers to his feet, again Nocturne takes to the air, the demon soaring after the Viking and looking for the killing blow.

ABYSSAL MASK!

NOCTURNE IS GOING FOR THE EYES!

NO!

TROY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY… JUST!

Nocturne manages to catch a glancing blow across Solveig’s cheek that draws blood but nothing more. Soon, the pair are both standing toe to toe once more. They exchange blows, neither backing down. Mighty blows that rock the other and send him staggering. Finally, Nocturne hits Troy with a DOUBLE PALM STRIKE TO THE CHEST THAT CAUSES SOLVEIG TO BUCKLE ONTO ONE KNEE!

It is the window that Nocturne needs.

INTO THE ABY… NO!

TROY JUST ALMOST KNOCKED NOCTURNES HEAD CLEAN OFF HIS SHOULDERS!

A MIGHTY BLOW FROM VǪLSUNGR RIGHT TO THE FREAKING SKULL!

Solveig takes a moment to breathe, his body battered and bleeding from Nocturne’s punishment. Nocturne is still lying face down when he approaches. Though the demon soon rises as he hears the footsteps closing in. Again, Nocturne’s laughter fills the air.

A hammer blow to the head and he still stands!

Nocturne once more lashes out, aiming for the jugular. WRATH OF KERBEROS doesn’t manage to hit home as Solveig deflects the incoming throat strikes. He follows up with a HEADBUTT of his own, staggering Nocturne ever so slightly, but enough.

HAMMER OF THE GODS!

JACKHAMMER ON THE ROCKS!

Solveig drags Nocturne over towards the waiting pit, but the Demon doesn’t want to come quietly. He pushes Solveig off, surprising the Viking with the strength he still possesses.

ONE BLOW TO THE STERNUM FROM VǪLSUNGR!

A SECOND AND NOCTURNE DOUBLES OVER!

A THIRD SWING TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL!

NOCTURNE IS FINALLY DOWN!

FINALLY LIFELESS!

TROY SOLVEIG HAS DEFEATED NOCTURNE!

It took everything in the Viking’s arsenal to keep the demon down. Even with Nocturne weakened, the power of the void gave him strength. Solveig rolls Nocturne onto his back, placing one foot on his chest in victory.

The pit of the abyss calls.

“WHERE DEVILS LIE”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Troy Solveig stands victorious, foot on the chest of the downed Demon Nocturne. Chest heaving, battered and bleeding, he holds Vǫlsungr high. An energy seems to engulf the hammer, and as Troy takes his foot off the chest of his foe, Nocturne’s body slowly rises to the air with a hiss.

The demon is weakened. His lifeless black eyes stare back but see nothing. Solveig drives the hammer into Nocturne’s sternum, pushing him backwards through the air. When he lowers his hammer, Nocturne falls to the ground on all fours, right on the very edge of the void.

“This is the end for you Nocturne.”

Nocturne lifts his head, hissing at his sworn enemy in defiance.

“You fool. I can always return. There are plenty more beasts in hell to sacrifice themselves for me.”

Troy smiles at this.

“I don’t think you heard me right…”

Troy lunges forward, plunging a hole with his fist right into the chest of Nocturne. The beast of the void lets out an otherworldly shrieking sound as Troy Solveig rips the Cerberus heart out of his chest. The heart gives a few soft beats in his hand before falling still and lifeless. And the now empty shell of Nocturne, devoid of heart and devoid of soul, falls lifelessly to the ground a few feet away from the void.

“I said it was the end. You will not return. Your body will remain here and as for this heart…”

Troy tosses the heart back into the void. It falls endlessly into the black.

“Back to the pits of hell.”

He lifts Vǫlsungr off the ground, waving it in a circular shape. As he does so, the void closes and Nocturne’s body turns to dust. Only the circle of Valkyries look on.

Slow clap.

The sound of a clap slow enough to be deemed as mocking from behind him slowly steals his attention. Troy turns to see an unfamiliar face. That of a Valkyrie.

“It’s time…”

The Valkyrie extends his hand, but Solveig remains stoic. He continues his sentence, addressing his purpose for speaking to Troy.

“It’s time to come with me. I have come to take you to Valhalla. Your wounds are such that you have not survived this battle.”

Loki’s eyes narrow. He clutches Vǫlsungr tighter and utters but one word.

“No.”

Flash.

To be Continued.

“DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND LIVES”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Continued..

It’s raised at Franklin’s head.

“You murdered my best friend?” Quinn stammers. “You murdered that poor boy and, and you tried to frame me?”

Nightstick stands up quickly, raising his hands as a white flag – standing between Quinn and the man he wants to shoot.

“You want justice, don’t you son?” Stick asks, pleading. “Then let me take him in. Let me serve him justice on behalf of Luther Creed; on behalf of that poor kid back there, and Creed’s friend.”

Redmond’s hands begin to shake as police sirens light up the sky behind him.

“We’ve a match tonight, don’t we? Redmond Quinn versus Nightstick for the OSW World Championship,” he continues to plead, reminding him of what’s at stake. “Don’t you think Luther would want you to have that? Don’t do this, Quinn. Put the gun down.”

He thinks about it.

Then reluctantly, he lowers the weapon, handing it to Nightstick.

The cops arrive in the background, rushing over to where Redmond Quinn and Nightstick have Franklin surrendered on the floor.

They take him into custody, slapping the cuffs on him.

It takes a few moments for everything to register and become calm, but Quinn is shaking, barely able to stand.

“He’s going to get away with this, isn’t he?” Quinn asks honestly, sitting down at the curb. “He killed three people, maybe more, and he’ll walk, won’t he?”

“He won’t,” Nightstick promises. “And neither will the rest of them.”

Redmond’s eyes widen.

“Our match tonight, win, lose or draw, will be my last in Old School Wrestling.”

That shocking announcement leaves Redmond Quinn speechless.

“I’ve told everyone that I was disgraced former Cop, kicked off the force for being violent and unlawful,” he says, taking a seat next to Quinn. “But the truth is; I left.”

He sighs.

“I was disillusioned with the politics and corruption. I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I thought I could do better here than on the streets,” he openly says, admitting he was wrong. “But that corruption still exists.”

Nightstick stands, offering Quinn a hand up to his feet.

“It’s time it didn’t,” he says, taking a breath. “I’m going back to the force. After tonight, I’m going to seek out the corruption; I’m going to root out those involved and I’m going to make them pay. You have my word Redmond; I will serve them justice.”

Quinn, grateful, understanding and overwhelmed, looks towards the diner entrance whereby Theo is being carted out on a stretcher with a white sheet over him.

“I believe you will,” he sobs. “I believe you will.”

“C’mon kid,” Nightstick motions. “We’ve a World Championship Match to have.”

Cut.

DAVID MANSON VS. ELI FOREVER
STREET FIGHT

Tonight, we have a blood feud to settle. This will not be a match, ladies and gentlemen, this will be a fight if we’re lucky. More likely it will be a war as the two patriarchs of the forever family and the nightmare family fight to end this. It’s Manson versus Forever and it ends tonight!

Eli Forever and his followers are here, they are foaming at the mouth ready to start this match but Manson is nowhere to be seen. Eli shouts “Where the fuck is he?” He looks at his followers and seethes, “go find him.” The followers scatter looking around the Tap Room for any sign of Manson but a familiar voice is heard over the speakers, “Up here Bubba.” Manson is up in the rafters and he has Rose in his grasp! She is screaming and one of Manson’s followers walks in the ring! He asks, “looking for this?” He is dangling Rose’s ear in front of Eli.

MANSON SCREAMS “YOU CAN STITCH IT TO HER CORPSE!”

MANSON SLITS HER THROAT!

HE THROWS HER OVER THE RAFTER AND SHE HITS THE RING POST WITH A DEADENING THUD!

ROSE IS DEAD!

Eli is enraged! He stabs Manson’s follower in the stomach over and over! There is a pool of blood in the ring and Eli is climbing the stairs to get to the rafter! However, another voice is heard on the speakers!

“LEAVE HIM TO ME, BROTHER.”

JUDAH IS UP THERE ON THE RAFTERS NOW!

HE SPEARS MANSON OFF THE RAFTERS!

ELI’S FOLLOWERS SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES TO SAVE JUDAH TO BREAK THE FALL!

Manson and Judah are buried under the corpses of Forever’s followers and we don’t see any movement! Manson’s head sticks out of the pile and he is breathing heavy! He almost drowned under the pile of bodies and Judah scurries out from the bottom! Judah and Manson are throwing heavy rights at each other! Eli has seen enough, and he charges into the fray! Judah and Eli double team Manson and hit a double suplex onto the floor! Manson looks out of it and Judah pulls Manson up and holds him from behind!

“KILL HIM FOR OUR FAMILY, ELI!”

“KILL HIM FOR OUR MOTHER!”

“KILL HIM FOR ROSE!”

ELI CHARGES AT MANSON WITH THE KNIFE!

ONE OF MANSON’S FOLLOWERS TACKLES MANSON OUT OF JUDAH’S GRASP TO SAVE HIM!

HOLY SHIT!

ELI COULDN’T STOP IN TIME AND HE STABS JUDAH RIGHT IN THE HEART!

JUDAH IS DEAD!

Manson laughs and says, “It’s going to be a family reunion in hell tonight bubba.” Forever levels him with a clothesline..

And jumps on top of him hitting hammer fist after hammer fist!

One of Manson’s followers jumps from the top rope and hits a frog splash on Eli! It gets Eli off of Manson but Eli gets up quickly and throws the book of Eli like a frisbee! BY THE BOOK! It hits the back of the follower’s head and knocks him out cold! Eli draws his knife and slices the follower from neck to waist like a dissection! Blood is gushing and getting all over Forever but he is completely numb to it!

WELCOME TO MANSON STREET!

MANSON HITS THE RUNNING NECKBREAKER WHILE ELI HAD HIS BACK TURNED!

MANSON’S FOLLOWERS DRAG ELI TO THE BAR!

THEY LIE HIM ON A NEARBY TABLE AND TIE HIM TO IT!

MANSON GRABS MULTIPLE BOTTLES FROM THE BAR!

“IT’S TIME TO FINALLY DROWN ELI!”

A FOLLOWER OPENS ELI’S MOUTH WIDE!

MANSON POURS THE LIQUOR ONE BY ONE DOWN HIS THROAT!

ELI LOOKS LIKE HE’S ABOUT TO CHOKE ANY SECOND!

BUT ONE OF ELI’S FOLLOWERS PUSHES THE TABLE OVER FORCING MANSON TO FALL TO THE FLOOR!

The follower cuts Forever free from the table and charges after Manson! Manson kicks the knife out of the follower’s hand, catches it midair, and stabs the follower right in the eye! “Leave this to the men, kid.” Manson hits a bulldog to the follower driving the knife deep into the skull! The follower is dead! On the other side of the bar, Forever spits the alcohol still in his mouth into the follower that forced his mouth open! It was Everclear! Forever lights a match and tosses it at the follower covered in alcohol! HE GOES UP IN FLAMES! “Sorry friend, your fate in life will be your fate in death.”

FOREVER TURNS TO MARCH TOWARDS MANSON!

CODEBREAKER!

MANSON HITS THE CODEBREAKER AND DRAGS FOREVER TO THE RING!

DING! DING!

THE MATCH HAS FINALLY OFFICIALLY STARTED!

HORRORSHOW!

MANSON HITS THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER AND COVERS!

ONE!

. . .

TWO!

. . .

. . .

THREE!

MANSON HAS DONE IT! HE HAS VANQUISHED EVERY LAST MEMBER OF THE FOREVER FAMILY IN ONE NIGHT!

MANSON IS CELEBRATING IN THE RING!

HE’S ALL ALONE BUT HE HAS DONE IT!

WAIT! FOREVER’S FOOT IS ON THE ROPES! THE MATCH GOES ON!

MANSON DOESN’T REALIZE IT AND FOREVER GETS UP AND QUICKLY GRABS MANSON!

ETERNAL RIVER PLUNGE!

HE HITS THE DOUBLE UNDERHOOK POWERSLAM!

HE COVERS!

ONE!

. . .

TWO!

. . .

. . .

THREE!

THAT’S TRULY IT! FOREVER HAS PINNED HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! WHAT A WIN FOR FOREVER IN THIS BRUTAL WAR!

“FOREVER”
RINGSIDE

Blood is everywhere.

Whimpers and moans fill the air.

The match… Nay, the war…

..is over.

But is there really a winner?

As David Manson and Eli Forever crawl to their knees, still ready to fight to the bitter end, they slowly look around at the scene they’ve caused.

Bodies litter the ring and the ringside area, their broken forms both belonging to the Nightmare and the Heir Eternal’s followers.

The remnants of Families forever destroyed.

As they come to their feet, both men have gleaming metal in their hands.

In David’s hand is his trusty knife, the weapon that has carried him through his Nightmare reign.

In Eli’s is the butter knife used by his mother to escape her captivity.

Stepping over the bodies of Rose and Judah Forever, Eli staggers towards Manson. The Nightmare grins, blood flowing between his broken teeth.

STAB!

Eli looks down to clutch his stomach, the knife having been shoved in to the hilt.

MANSON TWISTS THE KNIFE! ELI GROANS!

“It’s over, Bubba.” Manson taunts. “I’v…”

Eli Forever spits in the face of his nemesis!

THEN HE DRAGS THE BUTTER KNIFE ACROSS MANSON’S THROAT!! HE USES THE LAST OF THIS STRENGTH TO SAW AT THE SKIN UNTIL BLOOD SPURTS OUT!

Both men release their weapons, spent, falling shoulder to shoulder towards each other. With their last breaths, they whisper unheard words of hatred as their bodies collapse to the canvas, dislodging the knife in Eli’s gut.

Silence.

Both men are dead.

Blood continues to pour from Manson’s neck, and from Eli’s midsection. It pools together in one large stream of red, flowing together to drip outside of the ring, joining the blood of all those slain around ringside.

Standing in the shadows of the Tap Room, a man takes one last drag of his cigarette before heading for the exit.

They did it.

They turned the River red.

Forever.

“THE SCARECROW”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Continued.

Asgard.

The Scarecrow takes a deep breath, taking one last look at the prone body of Brent Kersh. He has a lot to think about; a lot to contemplate, only it takes him only moments to come to his conclusion.

With a growl and his famous grunt, he grimaces.

“I am but a mere monster, Odin,” he admits. “A creature, like you said. I have never been a noble beast; in fact, I’ve been quite the opposite. For years I thought my mission was to destroy the Kersh family bloodline. I was convinced of it.”

He scoffs.

“But I know now that I was foolish. My connection to Brent Kersh was not once to murder his family as I did, but to save him from this curse. I didn’t understand it. I was programmed to murder, to kill, to slay and my deep rooted connection to the Kersh family led me down that path. Even Yahweh wouldn’t tell me the truth.”

The Monster turns around, walking towards Odin.

“I was manipulated into believing that our battle was to empower us for the Founding Fathers of Old School Wrestling; a protection against evil that only we could provide. I was naive. Yahweh created me to be a weapon and I’ve been used for that purpose. He used me. He always has.”

Odin laughs. “Because that’s all you are, creature; a pathetic puppet, a tool of destruction, a weapon that can be discarded at his will.”

The Scarecrow nods in agreement.

“But here I stand, with a noble quest in mind. Because on this hallowed ground, on this day, before God and creatures alike,” Scarecrow says pointing at Rain, “I choose my purpose to be greater than it was ever planned to be.”

He tilts his head.

“I choose surrender.”

That shocks Odin and Rain, who literally freeze.

“I know the truth now,” The Scarecrow continues. “There is no greater sacrifice than the one I’m willing to make. Brent Kersh is the epitome of this miserable existence; a man of great courage and honour. I owe my life for his.”

He looks towards Rain.

“And you may take it.”

The Voidwalker smiles. “With pleasure, but don’t make it easy. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

The Scarecrow smiles a toothy grin.

And they’re suddenly transported to the ring.

THE SCARECROW VS. RAIN
SINGLES MATCH

Birthed from purest evil, an unstoppable, insatiable destroyer with the blood of a thousand warriors flowing through his hands has been the very worst and best of OSW since it’s very first episode. The Final Pillar, Yaweh’s Chosen Champion, ready to die for an innocent man’s soul. Will a solitary prayer be answered or will the Scarecrow give his life so Brent Kersh may live?

The bell sounds as Scarecrow stands tall, stoic with his arms outstretched as he tilts his head slightly, urging Rain to attack which the Ghost Walker quickly obliges, drilling Crow with a stiff knee to the gut before leaping up with a pair to the jaw that barely seem to affect the Hayman who barely moves a muscle. Furious lefts and rights come from Rain, before a low roundhouse finally gets some reaction, staggering Crow as Rain drops low once more, a hard dropkick dropping the Hayman down to one knee before Rain quickly leaps up

SNAP BROTHER MINE! Scarecrow gets spiked into the mat, slightly dazed but not out as Rain pulls him up to his knees, pounding down furiously with blows that ordinarily Scarecrow would shrug off but he passively takes every single shot. Rain backs up for a moment, sneer on his face

BEFORE DRILLING CROW IN THE JAW WITH A STIFF SUPERKICK!

Scarecrow sits up as Rain turns around, trying to goad him into fighting back but as Crow gets to his feet, he just opens up into the Perch position once more, refusing to fight back as Rain looks furious. He turns around, delivering another hard Superkick to the jaw that has to rattle the Hayman’s jaw before the Ghostwalker rolls out of the ring, grabbing a steel chair before rolling back in

AND DAMN NEAR BREAKING THE THING IN HALF OVER SCARECROW’S HEAD!

Crow crashes to one knee once more, Rain driving the chair down over and over onto the Hayman until it’s a twisted and broken mess of metal. Rain tosses it aside as he drops to his knees beside Scarecrow, getting right into Crow’s face before picking up Scarecrow’s left hand and placing it right against his chin.

Come on, just one damn swing, right here. I know you want to, one big haymaker. Do it.

Scarecrow locks eyes with Rain, simply shaking his head before dropping his left hand as Rain just shakes his head. Getting to his feet , he punts Crow right in the jaw before backing up to the other side of the ring.

No wonder you’re Yahweh’s champion, you’re pathetic. At least Kersh died like a man.

Rain rushes forward right into

A MASSIVE BIG BOOT FROM SCARECROW THAT SENDS HIM FUCKING FLYING!

Scarecrow is on his feet, fury in his eyes as he rushes forward, nailing Rain with a flying basement dropkick as he tries to stand before mounting the Ghostwalker and pounding the absolute piss out of him with lefts and rights as he tries to put a hole right through Rain’s skull. A desperation eye poke allows Rain to escape the beating but just enough to get to his feet as Scarecrow grabs him by the hair, pulling him into a massive Back Suplex that sends Rain flying into the corner, crashing against the steel

JUST AS SCARECROW RUSHES FORWARD WITH ANOTHER JAW SHATTERING BIG BOOT!

Rain’s out on his feet, his attempt to get Scarecrow to fight backfiring massively as The Hayman pulls Rain out of the corner, lifting him up high

AS THE LIGHTS GO OUT!

After a few moments, they come back on as Scarecrow is n0t looming over the fallen Rain but lifted up onto his back as The Ghost Walker lets out a devilish laugh before nailing Crow

WITH THE PLACEBO EFFECT!

The deadly Vertebreaker hits, Scarecrow looks out cold as Rain drops to his knees, a massive smile on his face as he drops down for the cover

ONE

….

TWO

….

THR…FOOT ON THE ROPE!

The smile fades from Rain’s face as he pulls Scarecrow away from the ropes, dropping down once more

BUT GETS GOOZLED FOR HIS EFFORTS! Rain is scratching and clawing at his throat but Scarecrow’s iron grip is unbreakable as he slowly gets to his feet, staring deep into Rain’s soul before powering him high up into the air

BYE BYE BIRDIE! Rain bounces off the mat from the sheer force as Scarecrow grabs him in mid-air with both hands this time

BYE BYE BIRDIE-BOMB! A mid air Chokebomb destroys Rain as Scarecrow drops down for a cover of his own.

ONE

…..

TWO

……

THRE….RAIN KICKS OUT! HOW IN THE FUCK?!

Scarecrow just shakes his head, lifting Rain up off the mat as he walks towards the corner, lifting Rain up onto the top rope before gripping him by the throat once more, Rain struggling under the grip, Scarecrow trying to climb up to the top rope with him

ACID RAIN!

Rain spews that out of nowhere as Scarecrow loosens the grip just slightly as the Ghost Walker nails him with a stiff headbutt before standing up as he finds the strength to lift Scarecrow up behind him

No, he can’t be serious

Not this

SUPER PLACEBO!

TOP ROPE VERTEBREAKER!

Scarecrow looks damn near dead as Rain collapses on the broken body of the Hayman

ONE

…..

TWO

…..

….

….

….

THREE!!!

Odin’s Valkyrie does it, fighting back from a massive mistake in drawing Scarecrow’s ire to win this battle of champions

“BRENT KERSH”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

As the brutality of that fight ends, they’re both transported back to Asgard where Odin watches in awe as both men get back to their feet. He can’t believe it. What an absolute battle.

He walks over to The Scarecrow, grabbing him by the throat.

“Any last words?” He sadistically asks.

The Scarecrow smiles. “Where your eyes don’t go…”

Flop.

The Mighty Hayman falls to his knees, his eyes wide open, before falling flat on his face. There’s no blood, no tears, no screams or pain – he simply ceased to be.

His body falls away beneath his clothes, vanishing into the void, never to be seen again.

His hat and clothing all that remain behind.

Suddenly, as if on cue, Brent Kersh gasps, awakening from his death – choking on the air around him.

Rain snaps his head around, angrily looking in his direction. He immediately intends to walk over, but Odin stops him.

“A deal is a deal, my boy.”

That infuriates the Ghostwalker, who turns to berate Odin, but thinks better of it. Brent Kersh rises, staggering towards the pair, unsure of what’s going on. He looks down, noticing The Scarecrow’s hat.

“What is this?” He demand to know, his voice hoarse. “Where is he?”

Odin folds his arms. “The Scarecrow sacrificed his life so that you may live.”

That shocks Kersh, who can’t believe it.

“What, no, that can’t be,” he says in disbelief.

The Allfather chuckles, walking back to his throne and taking a seat.

“You should be pleased, Kersh. I’m going to send you home to your family, where you’ll live happily ever after. The Scarecrow gifted you that privilege and paid a dear price for it.”

The Enforcer looks ambushed by the news. He bends down, picking up The Scarecrow’s hat. Brent takes a look at it, dusting it off before carefully putting it on his head. With his hands on his hips, he looks down at the floor.

“I’m ready to go home,” he confidently says.

Odin clicks his fingers, returning Brent Kersh home.

The saga is over.

Meanwhile, Odin looks towards Rain with a knowing nod.

“Are you ready to finish this?” He asks. “With The Scarecrow out of the way, there’s only two things left to do.”

Rain nods. “Destroy Yahweh and what?”

Odin grimaces.

“Escort Loki to back to this mortal plain.”

Cut.

REDMOND QUINN VS. NIGHTSTICK
SWEET DREAMS MATCH

It’s time for one of the main events! The OSW World Championship is on the line.

The bell sounds as Redmond Quinn and Nightstick stare at each other from across the ring. A lot of bad blood has been between these two since the death of Luther Creed and the earned title shot.

Redmond Quinn has earned this very match by winning Pandemonium.

Will he be able to successfully do what no other has done before?

Will he be able to win at Pandemonium and SUCCESSFULLY defeat Nightstick for the OSW World Championship?

We find out now.

The two bulls lock up in the center of the ring before Nightstick locks on a side headlock. Quinn begins driving elbows into the gut, but Nightstick just slams him to the mat with the hold still applied. Nightstick releases the hold to throw three stiff punches to the forehead before stepping up and back.

The Tutor gets back to his feet clutching his head as he checks for blood.

Luckily, none was to be found.

Nightstick rushes forward with his arm outstretched to end it all quick, but Quinn ducks the clothesline as ‘Stick meets the ropes. He turns around before he catches a roundhouse kick to the chin that knocks him to his knees. Back spin kick catches him right in the back of his head as Nightstick falls to his hands and knees! Low dropkick catches him right on the chin as Nightstick is knocked right out of the ring beneath the ropes!

Nightstick begins getting to his feet on the outside as Quinn climbs out onto the apron. Quinn leaps! But Nightstick catches him! He turns before lifting up Quinn and dropping him onto the hard floor outside!

ODE TO BOSSMAN!

The Law lifts up Quinn and whips him into the barricade. Quinn slams into it before Nightstick drills him with one bullhammer shot followed by a second one in quick fashion!

SMITH AND WESSON!

Redmond Quinn’s lip is busted open as he falls to the floor. Nightstick grabs him by his ear as he drags him to the apron. He lifts up his dead weight before rolling him into the ring. Nightstick climbs up onto the apron before he’s caught there with a kneelift! The Cop falls into the ring as Quinn pulls him close, leaps onto his back, and… sunset flip powerbomb!

DETENTION!

Quinn hooks the legs!

ONE…

TWO…

NO!

Nightstick managed to get a shoulder up! It’ll take more than to put The Law to rest.

Redmond grabs the head of Nightstick before slowly lifting him up. Uppercut! The shot catches Quinn off guard as blood spews into the air from his opened lip. Eye rake from the champion! The referee gets in there to admonish Nightstick.

The Cop just raises a fist as the referee realizes he better back up.

He turns back to Quinn before catching a spew of blood into his face!

Quinn just spat right in the face of The Law!

Nightstick staggers for a moment before just rushing right at The Tutor with his arm outstretched for a clothesline!

But Quinn catches him with a scoop slam redirecting all of his momentum right into the mat. Quinn pulls Nightstick onto his belly before hooking the arms and leaping over in a submission!

THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT!

Will Nightstick have the answer?! The pain is present upon his face as Quinn’s blood and saliva drips down Stick’s face!

He begins to fade as the referee slides in.

“Do you give up?” the referee asks quietly.

Nightstick’s head raises as he screams out in defiance.

“NEVER!”

He begins building up strength as he begins to roll! He manages to roll just enough to get to the ropes! Quinn is exasperated as he releases the hold beside him.

Both men are down and breathing heavily.

After what seems like forever, both men slowly rise to their feet. Quinn throws a right hand that staggers Nightstick. Nightstick throws one, but Quinn ducks the blow! Quinn nails a kick right to the midsection. He lifts up Nightstick into a pumphandle flatliner!

CLASS DISMISSED!

Quinn covers, hooking both legs!

ONE…

…

TWO…

…

THREEE!

NO! Nightstick managed to get a foot on the bottom rope to endure!

The Tutor grabs Nightstick up and sets him up on the top rope. He climbs up there with him before hooking an arm. He motions for the end as he begins to lift him up. But The Law drives a shot into his midsection to stop him!

Headbutt!

Headbutt!

Headbutt!

The third one is enough to send Redmond Quinn off the top rope to the ring. Nightstick adjusts his position on the top rope before leaping!

SUPER HARD JUSTICE!

The leaping clothesline plants Quinn into the mat! Quinn isn’t moving as Nightstick covers him!

ONE…

….

TWO…

…

THREE-NO!

Redmond Quinn managed to get a shoulder up! The resilience in The Tutor is remarkable!

Nightstick slowly staggers to his feet as Quinn begins climbing up to his feet using the ropes. He turns around with his fists raised.

ONLY TO CATCH ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE!

HARD JUSTICE!

Quinn is folded over, inside out! Nightstick pins him with his body folded over on top of himself!

ONE…

….

TWO…

….

THREE!

Nightstick has managed to-

NO!

Redmond Quinn’s managed to get a shoulder up at the very last second!

Nightstick falls off of Quinn with a furious expression before turning and looking towards the corner. He brings a thumb across his own throat before dragging Quinn towards the corner.

The Law gets to the corner and lifts up Quinn in a powerbomb position!

HURRICANRANA!

A move that Quinn hasn’t been seen using, but he obviously has seen enough of Nightstick to counter his Ultimate Finisher! Both men stagger to their feet as Nightstick is furious! He rushes towards Quinn, but Quinn rolls out of the way!

The referee was not so lucky!

The referee hits the corner with a thud before slumping to the mat.

The Old School Wrestling World Champion looks down at the referee with confusion for a moment before turning his attention to Redmond Quinn.

And he smiles.

He walks to the corner where he normally leaves his nightstick before pulling up the baton and giving it a bit of a twirl as he glares at Redmond Quinn. The Tutor begins scooting back from Nightstick with his hands up.

Nightstick strikes!

But Quinn splits his legs to avoid the blow and quickly scurry out of the ring! Nightstick is quick to pursue as Quinn begins crawling underneath the ring. Nightstick cracks the back of Quinn’s legs before grabbing him and dragging him backwards!

CRACK!

As Redmond is pulled out from underneath the ring, he nails ‘Stick with a hard steel chair shot! The Cop is out on his feet from the blow!

CRACK! CRACK!

Another shot right into the midsection followed by another swinging shot to the head!

Nightstick falls back as Quinn quickly scurries away. He reaches back underneath the ring before pulling out some wood!

A table!

He slides that into the ring before walking over to Nightstick and rolls him into the ring. The Tutor is spent as he takes a moment to catch his breath. He rolls into the ring before grabbing the table and setting it up in the center of the ring. He reaches onto the waist of Nightstick before pulling out something.

Handcuffs!

He grabs the arm of Nightstick before slapping the cuffs on his left arm. He reaches for the other arm…

STUN-GUN!

The crackling sound shocks Quinn as his mouth grows wide. The anger in Nightstick’s face is evident as blood is now pouring down his face from the steel chair shots!

Quinn crumples as Nightstick just sits there looking at the handcuff around his wrist. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the key. He stops for a moment before sliding the key across the ring towards the referee who is still out. Nightstick grabs the right arm of Quinn.

Before slapping the other handcuff on him!

Now the OSW World Champion is tethered to the number one contender!

Nightstick grabs up Quinn before pulling him into a powerbomb position that is a bit awkward thanks to the connection. He lifts up Quinn and begins running towards the table!

But Quinn slips out! The arm of ‘Stick is yanked awkwardly as he’s forcibly whirled around!

CLASS DISMISSED!

The pumphandle flatliner connects again as Quinn falls into a cover!

ONE…

…

TWO…

….

THREE!

Redmond Quinn is the new OSW World Champion!

At least he would be if the referee wasn’t made of glass!

Quinn looks at the downed referee with exasperation before slowly crawling towards him. He shakes the referee as he begins to stir. Quinn staggers backwards before slowly rising to his feet.

UPPERCUT!

Quinn staggers backwards as Nightstick is barely able to stand. The Law throws another huge shot into the midsection. He grabs Quinn and brings him to the corner. Nightstick lifts him up slowly…

Powerbomb from the top rope!

THROUGH THE TABLE!

Nightstick dials up 911!

He leans over and places a hand across the chest of Quinn as the referee slides into position, ignoring the table shards surrounding them!

ONE…

…

TWO…

…

THREEEEEE!

Nightstick falls back as he’s done it! He’s managed to successfully retain his championship at one of the biggest shows of the year! The referee finds the key to the handcuffs before unlocking them.

“NEVER FORGET THE FOUNDING FATHERS”
FLASHFORWARD

Flash Forward

Quite unexpectedly, we arrive back at the Kersh Family Farm to see the Enforcer toiling away in a large Cornfield. He’s sweating profusely as he refills a hole in the ground with dirt, packing it tight around a large wooden structure.

The Perch.

Once he’s finally finished securing it, he steps backwards to admire his handy work, taking a sip from a large silver flask; whisky, well-earned after all this hard labour.

He bends down to pick up The Scarecrow’s hat, placing it atop the Perch.

“There were more moments than I could count on both hands in which I wished you’d die,” Kersh says sincerely, taking another swig of his whisky. “I never thought in a million years that I’d be stood here now, wishing you were alive.”

He takes a seat on the floor, spreading his legs out before him.

“You sacrificed your life so that I may live.”

He shakes his head.

“I wanted to thank you for that. The world hasn’t been the same since Ring of Dreams; to be honest, it could use someone like you.”

Kersh stands up, dusting himself off.

“I think we all could.”

Suddenly, the sound of a child running through the Cornfield can be heard; as if she’s being chased.

Kersh spins around to see Michaela Lane, now a toddler, running into his arms.

In chase?

Her father, Mike Lane.

The Shadow stops before them, pretending to be out of breath as she giggles.

He carefully walks towards them, hand out stretched.

“You did it then?” He asks, running a hand across the wooden Perch. “It looks good here. I think he’d like it.”

Kersh hands Michaela over to him, smiling. “At least this way he’s always watching over us. In times like these, that’s of some surprising comfort.”

Both men nod, taking one last look at it.

Slowly they begin to walk away, Mike putting Michaela on his shoulders.

“I can’t thank you enough for taking care of my daughter, Brent. You and Nicole have done a wonderful job. She’s amazing, just like her mother.”

Kersh puts his arm around Lane. “It was a pleasure, kid.”

“Do you think we’ll ever see him again?”

Kersh smiles. “Well, where your eyes don’t go…”

Both of them chuckle.

Cut.

“CHOOSER OF THE SLAIN”
RINGSIDE

Flash.

Troy Solveig, shielding his eyes from the white-hot flash of light opens them, blinking as he tries to understand his surroundings.

When his blurry vision finally clears, he realizes that he’s no longer stood before a Valkyrie.

He’s stood in the middle of the ring, opposite Rain – THE Valkyrie.

“You refused to go,” he says, pacing back and forth.

There’s no fans, no noise, no nothing inside The Tap Room. It’s empty, void of anything but a ring.

“Where am I?” Solveig asks, realizing that his wounds have gone.

“You’re in Purgatory. I’ve made it seem familiar, in hope that you’ll take my hand and allow me to lead you to Valhalla.”

Solveig vehemently shakes his head. “No, I can’t leave; I’m the chosen warrior of the mighty Odin and my work here isn’t finished.”

Rain smiles.

“You were and it is.”

He walks toward Solveig who tilts his head with disappointment.

“You must come with me, or face an eternity here, in this place. I know you won’t come willingly Troy but know that Odin sent me; this is his plan for you, his desire and your destiny. There is no shame in being taken to Valhalla.”

The Warrior doesn’t know what to do. He lowers his head in shame, feeling betrayed that Odin – who could resurrect him, has discarded him to paradise instead.

His head rises to meet the eyes of Rain.

“I don’t trust you, Rain. If you want me to come with you, you’re going to have to convince me and not before I taste your blood,” he snarls. “I have one more fight left in me, if you dare.”

The Ghostwalker grins. “Now, I was hoping you’d say that.”

TROY SOLVEIG VS. RAIN
SINGLES MATCH

Troy rushes forward, nailing an unsuspecting Rain with a massive Lariat, sending the Ghost Walker flying into the corner. Rain barely hits the steel before Solveig meets him, using all two hundred eighty pounds of muscle to squash Rain against the turnbuckles with a massive Avalanche before backing up a few paces, rushing forward once more.

SPEAR…NO! Rain just moves as Troy hits the buckles right shoulder first, the bone impacting upon steel as it echoes through the empty arena.

Troy staggers out right into a flurry of hands from Rain before a stiff enziguri to the back of the ear stuns the Trickster. Rain quickly switches to the back of Troy, slamming him face first into the mat with a Forward Russian Legsweep before leaping up to the second rope and dropping down a leg on the back of Solveig’s head. Troy staggers to his feet dazed as he walks right into a stiff kick, damn near almost a low blow before Rain hooks him up into his arms.

BROTHER MINE! Rain spikes Troy into the mat but there’s still a lot of fight in the Trickster yet as he’s quickly on his feet.

Rain leaps up into the air but Troy manages to duck under the Leg Lariat before bouncing off the ropes.

VALKYRIE! The huge Superman Punch drills Rain full force as Troy lifts the Ghost Walker up high, rushing forward to the right side of the ring.

AND PRESS SLAMMING RAIN INTO THE FIFTH ROW!

That had to be at least ten, fifteen feet away as Rain crashes down on the empty chairs in a heap of pain and misery, Solveig quickly rolling out of the ring as he leaps the barricade, pushing aside seats in his pursuit of the Ghost Walker. Rain slowly pulls himself to his feet just as Troy grabs the back of his head, lifting him to his feet by the hair.

CHAIR TO THE FACE! An almost desperation move from Rain as he slams the steel chair into Solveig, staggering him back. Rain leaps forward, nailing Solveig with a damn near homerun shot, almost taking his damn head off before he grabs the limp Solveig, dragging him back towards the ring.

Rain slams Troy headfirst into the nearby ring steps before rolling him back inside the ring. Rain tosses his steel chair inside before grabbing another and sliding back into an almost desperation ground attack by Solveig. Troy stomps down on Rain a few times, before picking up the steel chair as he holds it overhead.

LOW BLOW!

Rain just shakes his head, uppercutting Troy in the dick once more before grabbing the fallen chair and slamming it hard over Solveig’s back. Troy crumples to the mat in pain as Rain slides the steel chair under his head, placing the other on the top of his head before leaping up

CON-CHAIR-TO CURB STOMP! Troy’s damn near convulsing on the mat from that sickening blow, his blood flowing as it stains the mat but somehow he’s still bloody conscious. Rain pulls Solveig up to his feet but Troy collapses to his knees, blood still pissing out from his forehead as he’s losing more strength by the second. Rain tries to pull him up again but again Troy collapses, the Ghost Walker starting to lose his cool as he forcibly pulls Solveig up to his feet.

BLOOD MIST! Troy spits a massive wad of blood right into Rain’s eyes, blinding the Ghost Walker but he can still hear as something begins flying through the air and finally stops with that trademark thunk as Volsungr hits Troy’s hand. Rain manages to wipe the blood out of his eyes in time to see the otherworldly steel rush forward, a massive blow connecting that sends Rain flying.

Rain slowly gets to his feet, his damn ribs almost cracked from the force as he just ducks under the hammer rushing towards his face, a slight cocky smile on his face that gets erased as Volsungr rushes back, slamming into the back of his damn head. Rain staggers forward, stars and pain filling his vision before he’s damn near knocked out

BY A SECOND VALKYRIE!

Rain’s struggling on the mat as Troy drops Volsungr for a moment, rolling out of the ring as he tears the ring steps from the ringpost, throwing them into the ring as they just miss Rain by an inch, the Ghost Walker having to quickly roll away from the flying steel before Troy rolls back into the ring, lifting Rain up by his hair once more as he hoists him up into the air

DRIVING HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE ROPES, SLINGSHOTTING RAIN OFF BEFORE POWERBOMBING HIM ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!

Rain screams in agony, his back seizing up in pain as the Trickster looks to end this fight. He deadlifts Rain high up into the air, positioning him right next to the steps right as the Valkyrie slides something into his hand

HAMMER OF THE…STAB! RAIN STABS TROY IN THE ARM WITH THE MYSTICAL DAGGER!

Solveig drops Rain like a shot, his right arm bleeding heavily as Rain stabbed just right to make it useless. Rain gets to his feet as Troy rushes forward in a fury, right into

ACID RAIN! The Black Mist mixes with the blood still pooling down Troy’s face, leaving him a blind mess, swinging wildly before a stiff kick to the jaw rocks Troy as Rain drags him forward, hooking him up.

BROTHER MINE ON THE STEEL STEPS! Troy’s head bounces off the steel as he looks done…but Rain isn’t. Murderous intent is etched on the Valkyrie’s face as he lifts the limp Solveig up once more onto the steps before holding him up behind his back.

PLACEBO EFFECT ON THE STEEL STEPS!

PLACEBO EFFECT ON THE STEEL STEPS!!

PLACEBO EFFECT ON THE FUCKING STEEL STEPS!!!!

Troy slides off, a bloody, broken mess as Rain simply stands over him, the victor.

“ASCENSION”
RINGSIDE

After that drag-out, smash-mouth brawl, Rain stands tall over the fallen Troy Solveig, unmarked by comparison to his foe; unbeatable, unstoppable and impressive all the while.

Troy gave it everything he had but it wasn’t enough.

Refusing to stay down, Solveig reaches up at Rain’s shorts, grabbing onto them to pull himself back to his knees.

“You’re a valiant warrior, aren’t you?” Rain hisses, spitting as he does. “But the time has come for you to enter the glory of Valhalla.”

“Why has Odin left me to die,” Troy mutters in confusion, swaying back and forth on his knees, barely able to do even that. “I did everything he asked.”

Rain leans in, kneeling too.

“You did,” he softly says, stroking his hair. “And he couldn’t have done it without you. Your efforts haven’t been in vein, young warrior. This is the highest honour you can receive, why are you so reluctant to take it?”

Solveig smiles. “Because he needs me.”

“I’ll take care of him; you don’t have to concern yourself with that. The war will be won tonight and you’ll become a God in your own right in Valhalla.”

The Viking Warrior gently nods, agreeing to go.

Rain offers out a hand and Troy Solveig takes it.

Then, in a puff of smoke, they disappear.

Cut.

“FUERZA”
SOMEWHERE ELSE

Clear across the country from what’s transpiring at the Tap Room, we find ourselves near Terminal Island in California, at a warehouse just off the freeway that appears to have been abandoned for some time…until the lights flicker on from inside.

A silhouette appears from the distance, slowly approaching the warehouse until we encounter…

The Sharkman.

“The first time I walked away from the Tap Room, it was out of fear of what would come next, a fear of what more I could lose. When I went back, Gods and monsters were at war with each other, and I realized that we’re not ready for what may come next…but we could be.”

Stepping into the warehouse through an open door, The Sharkman surveys the scene before him: a rundown training facility, complete with practice mats, gym equipment, and even a wrestling ring still standing after months of inactivity.

“I might never recreate the bond I had with The Watchmen, but I can be something more. I can recruit and train a new class of warriors to take on the next threat to peace and justice, wherever the need arises.”

He puts his hands on his hips, nodding his head.

“Whatever happens next, I can be ready. ”

“We can.”

That voices startles The Sharkman, who turns to see the familiar face of Hysteria walking through the door behind him.

“I’ve been looking for a purpose since God himself resurrected me,” Hysteria remarks, meeting with his former friend – who stands fearlessly beside him. “Because I know I can’t go back to my evil ways.”

He slowly takes his mask off, tossing it on the ground.

LH Harrison resides beneath.

“I’m glad you came,” Shark says, offering a handshake.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Harrison says, bending down to inspect one of the mats. “I didn’t think I’d ever get the opportunity to make this right.”

There’s a clunk behind them as two double doors open and in walks Lee Crowley and Doubt. Both men approach cautiously, stopping short of Harrison and Sharkman.

“You came?” Sharky says with some surprise.

“We had to work some things out first,” Crowley says referring to himself and Doubt. “A lot has transpired between us.”

“Why’d you come?” Harrison asks.

Crowley takes a breath. “Because truthfully, this is the only Family I’ve ever really had. Tobias and Damien long left me behind, but you three, I know I can count on you.”

He pauses for a second though, looking at Doubt – who removes his mask and tosses it towards that of Hysteria.

Jonathan Heartsford now before them.

“I thought you were controlled by it?” Sharkman says in surprise.

“Before I was trapped in hell, I was,” he admits. “But now it offers me very little comfort.”

Lee, Harrison and Heartsford now turn their attention to The Sharkman.

Slowly, he unclips the mask, tossing it aside.

“My name is Alexander Karrs,” he announces to the group. “And this is the Fuerza Academy. This is where we’ll train the next generation of men and women who’ll fight for justice and peace.”

All four of them put their hands in the middle.

“We’ve all contributed so much to the hatred of this broken world,” Harrison says shamefully. “It’s time we contributed to fixing it.”

Cut.

YAHWEH VS. ODIN
RINGSIDE

Flash.

Thunder.

Lightning.

The sound of a great battle is upon us. As the inside of the arena shakes, the lights flicker on and off as static befalls our vision.

Suddenly and without warning, Odin and Yahweh appear, stood opposite each other.

“I didn’t think you’d have the fortitude to come,” Odin growls, shaking his head.

“I always knew you’d have the audacity,” Yahweh responds, looking stoic.

They step towards one another, meeting in the middle of the ring.

“How long have you been planning this hostile takeover of Earth, Odin?” Yahweh asks. “Was it before or after the fall?”

Odin scoffs. “How dare you! When your son decided to bring the Apocalypse down upon this planet, we, Elysium Fields, decided to abandon it.”

Yahweh lowers his head shamefully.

“You agreed to that,” The Allfather reminds him. “You understood it.”

The Chief disagrees.

“But you didn’t understand the implications. If the world crumbled, all these people who believed in us would’ve been lost. Our fall would’ve been inevitable.”

Odin turns away in disgust. “We had a plan for that; a new creation, a new planet, a new world,” he says, growling. “Besides, it had nothing to do with that and you know it. You just had to be the hero. You just had to save them.”

Yahweh turns him around angrily.

“It was my fault; it was my son who decided to do this. It was he who brought about the end of the world. I was obligated to put that right.”

Odin pushes him. “You were selfish and cowardly. The moment you revealed yourself to these people and they believed in you, you protected yourself from IT and left us to fall.”

“Cowardly?” Chief scoffs. “We’ve all been hiding from it; you included. How long has it been, Odin?”

The Allfather tuts.

“Are we going to stand here and muse or fight, you coward?”

The Chief sighs. “It doesn’t have to be this way. These people believe in us both. We can both exist, protected from it.”

“No!” Odin yells. “There can only be ONE God; one true, definitive, undisputed Lord and that’ll be me.”

“I can’t count of the causalities should we do this, Odin,” Yahweh replies. “I tried to gather the Championships to lock this battle within these walls but you killed The Scarecrow before he could.”

Both men walk away to their respective corners, their arms glowing with power.

“There may be nothing left but a wasteland,” he continues.

Odin laughs. “Then so be it.”

Their power begins to rise, glowing in their hands, brightening.

Only suddenly, they halt.

Both of them fall to their knees, struggling as if their power is being stopped.

What the fuck?

“BALANCE”
RINGSIDE

Odin and Yahweh kneel on opposite sides of the ring, frozen in place. They can’t seem to move. They struggle for a moment, each trying to break free of these imaginary restraints that hold them. There wasn’t even a fight; there didn’t get to be one.

The lights flicker.

And just as suddenly, Rain appears.

Odin immediately demands his help, reaching out for him.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited to get you two in the same place at the same time and have knowledge of it?”

He scoffs.

“Longer than it should have for something of my power. These people and their belief granted you safe passage in paradises you’ve hidden away from me in. I’ve had to pretend to be a Valkyrie, masquerade as a puppet for something lesser than I, wearing this pathetic meat suit along the way.”

Yahweh and Odin look at each other.

“And here we have the final two Gods; the final two creators, side by side, trapped in a house they built to keep them safe. Oh how the irony must sting?”

Rain slowly takes a seat in the middle of the ring, his legs folded under him as he does. Odin and Yahweh look at him in shock, unable to speak, unable to move.

Everyone else is stunned.

“This fucking place,” he groans. “This fucking cesspool has been the bane of my existence. Since the beginning of time I’ve had a job to do. I was always good at it. Then you two shmucks came along, with the rest of your merry God’s and ruined it.”

He’s angry now, seething almost.

“You’ve made a mockery of what I do. This place has made a mockery of it. I keep the universe in balance; a finite line between life and death that keeps the very fabric of everything together and you’ve resorted to making me a punchline in every fucking joke.”

Odin looks at Yahweh.

Yahweh looks at Odin.

“It.”

He sneers.

“That’s what I’ve become to you? It? I have a proper title and I think it’s been far too long since my name has been mentioned.”

Rain stands up.

“My name is Death. The Great Reaper of everything.”

The God’s stop trying to escape.

“Since the beginning of Old School Wrestling, death has been but a mere joke. You give life and you take it away so carelessly. I’ve reaped the souls of every single person that has died within these walls and over time, they simply return to life. Something about this wretched building makes escaping death a formality. It must stop.”

He turns his attention to Odin.

“How does it feel knowing that the whole time I was in your company, killing those God’s at your ‘command’, you were simply leading me to those I desired to murder? How many of those God’s escaped their reaping by remaining in their paradise? How easy did you make their deaths for me once they were banished from them?”

He chuckles.

“Now your time has come, Allfather.”

Rain clicks his fingers, turning Odin – the mighty Norse God, to dust.

Yahweh closes his eyes, knowing what’s coming next as Rain approaches.

“And you,” he hisses. “The worst offender of them all. I cannot take back the souls you gave life to, but with no paradise to hide in, your time is long overdue. You created the Tap Room to garner prayer and protect yourselves from me. You were never on their side; you used them as pawns in a game of life. Each and every single God in Elysium Fields and beyond desired only to exist when their time was up. You created all this to avoid dying.”

He smiles.

“But I found you, didn’t I? You cannot escape death, Yahweh. None of you can. Not anymore.”

Click.

Yahweh turns to dust.

All the Gods are dead.

Oh fuck…

There’s no God’s anymore. There’s no-one to believe in.

Rain stands in the middle of the ring, his eyes closed, taking a deep breath.

Suddenly, the walls begin to crumble. Dust starts falling from the rafters. The building begins to violently shake as the ground almost eats away at the floor. Cracks begin to appear in every direction as people run for their lives.

But he stands amongst it.

“Death is permanent,” he growls. “Life is temporary.”

Big chunks of the Tap Room roof, accompanied by large shards of glass, begin to fall.

People are getting impaled and slaughtered by the debris.

“Say goodbye to your house of revival,” he continues.

“Say goodbye to cheating death.”

“I will not be ignored. I will not be escaped.”

Screams, horrifying screams.

“Balance will be restored.”

One final horrifying scream echoes as the building comes down entirely upon and around Rain, crushing him within the mess of what once was The Tap Room. Death’s vessel destroyed along with it.

We pan out as the dust begins to settle, black smoke bellowing into the sky as fires ravage parts of the ground.

There’s dead bodies everywhere.

Wrestlers.

Fans.

The camera looks down to see the flickering light of an Old School Wrestling logo submerged and trapped beneath some rubble.

The final shot.

Cut.