“DEATHROW: THE END OF A ROPE”
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
We’re on Deathrow.
Creak.
Crack.
The sound of creaking and cracking echo as something swings back and forth. We open cold at two of Ares’ army, who stand guard, one of them taking a moment to use a long spear to move something above their heads.
Prisoners soon start forming a crowd, coming from all kinds of directions. Some of them are wounded from the raid last week, some we’ve not yet met and others are faces we’ve come to know.
They’re all looking up.
None more so than CJ Thorpe. He holds his back in agony, shaking his head.
A large black man with the word Prophet tattooed across his mid-section approaches, standing beside Thorpe.
“They done fucked up,” he mutters angrily. “Prophet ain’t standin’ for this shit.”
“It’s a warning,” Thorpe reminds him. “If you’re a member of the Uprising, this is what happens.”
The Coyote slowly begins to walk away, leaving Prophet to stand looking up, just like everyone else.
We follow the angry face of CJ as he re-enters the cell block, halted by a face he loves to hate, Max Meadows.
The Warden.
“Back to your cell, prisoner,” he growls at him, pointing back inside.
Thorpe says nothing and hobbles along, doing as he’s told.
Meanwhile the camera pans back to where the inmates are looking up.
Creak.
Crack.
They’re looking at the body of The Red Hood, outfit torn to shreds, hung, and swung by the army of Zeus.
A message to the Uprising carved into his now bare chest.
Traitor.
Cut.
Will Luther Grim add to his trophy collection tonight, or will the Outlaw take him down to zero.
The bell rings and SPEAR!
HOLY SHIT, THE HUNTER JUST HIT THE GREAT PURSUIT RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE!
But something’s off— Grim’s not moving.
However, The Outlaw is. He rolls Luther towards the ropes, and onto his back.
Zero covers, hooking the leg.
ONE…
…
REALLY, THIS QUICK???
…
TWO…
…
IT CAN’T BE! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???
…
THREE!!!
Desperado jumps to his feet with a cold smirk on his face, ripping his shirt off to reveal a metal plate strapped to his abdomen before ripping it off and tossing it to the mat in celebration!
But wait…
What direction did he roll The Hunter?
The Referee’s eyes are wide as he sees what Zero and the rest of us all missed:
Zero’s rookie mistake.
GRIM’S FOOT IS UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE!
And as the referee relays this to Zero and he notices, we read his lips clearly saying, “Fuck Me” as Grim kips up and in one fluid motion…
BLOOD SPORT!
The Brogue Kick lands flush, sending the Outlaw staggering back into the corner!
Grim goes to follow it up with another big kick but Desperado ducks under, hooking the leg and hitting the Regal-Plex—
RELEASE TALBOT PLEX!
Luther’s sent head over heels onto his knees, and Outlaw Zero follows it up with a frantically-executed round house kick to the chest—
CRACK!
And another—
CRACK!
And another—
CRACK!
He backs up, looking to execute Grim with a Roundhouse to the skull…
DUCKED BY GRIM AS HE ROLLS FORWARD AND BACK TO HIS FEET!
Zero turns around into a kick to the gut before Grim lifts him up…
INTO A FALLING POWERBOMB!
THE TROPHY HUNT INTO A COVER—
ONE!
…
IS THE HUNT OVER?!
…
TWO!
…
WILL THIS PUT ANOTHER PRIZE ON THE HUNTER’S MANTLE?!
…
THR-SHOULDER UP… BARELY!
Looking to stay on top of his prey, Grim pulls The Outlaw up to his feet when…
WHAM!
Round House Kick to the ear of Luther, staggering the big man and messing up his equilibrium before he sequences from the Downward Spiral into the Koji Clutch!
THE HUNTER IS IN THE LAMENT CONFIGURATION!
WILL HE TAP?!
…
LUTHER STRUGGLES AGAINST THE HOLD…
…
PULLING HIMSELF CLOSER TO THE ROPES…
…
IT LOOKS LIKE GRIM WILL NEED TO TAP…
…
BUT WITH ONE LAST GASP…
…
LUTHER GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Zero breaks the hold and starts laying the boots to Grim, but The Hunter just shakes it off. Kicks, punches… they seem to have no effect!
Luther stares hungrily into the Outlaw’s eyes before tossing him like a ragdoll onto his shoulders—
TORTURE RACK!
THE HARVEST—
NO!
ZERO GRABS THE TOP ROPE AND PULLS HIMSELF ONTO THE RING APRON!
LUTHER GOES TO PULL THE DESPARADO IN THE HARD WAY BUT GETS A THUMB TO THE EYE FOR HIS TROUBLE!
THE TROPHY HUNTER STAGGERS BACK TRYING TO CLEAR HIS VISION!
THE OUTLAW SPRINGBOARDS INTO THE RING…
SMACK-BAM!
SPEARED OUT OF THE FUCKING AIR AND ONTO THE METAL PLATE!
THE GREAT PURSUIT!
GRIM SAW IT COMING!
HE SETUP OUTLAW ZERO’S OWN METAL PLATE TO USE AGAINST HIM!
COVER—
ONE…
…
THIS HAS TO BE IT!
…
TWO…
…
IT’S ALL BUT ACADEMIC!
…
THR- ZERO SLIPS HIS FOOT UNDER THE BOTTOM FUCKING ROPE AT THE LAST MILLISECOND!
WHAT A POETIC TWIST OF FATE!
Luther is enraged and gets in the referee’s face, allowing Outlaw Zero time to get to his feet. He spins Luther around—
BROGUE KICK—
BLOOD SPORT… IS DUCKED BY ZERO, WHO HITS THE ROPES AND REBOUNDS WITH A BUSAIKU KNEE—
ONLY TO FIND HIMSELF IN THE TROPHY HUNT–
A SECOND FALLING POWER BOMB!
Grim uses the momentum to roll Outlaw Zero on to his knees, and then bounces off the ropes and into…
THE GREAT PURSUIT!
BRUTAL SPEAR TO THE FUCKING HEAD AND SHOULDERS OF ZERO, FALLING INTO THE PIN IN THE DEAD CENTER OF THE RING!
ONE…
…
THIS IS OVER- HE NEARLY TOOK HIS HEAD OFF!
…
TWO…
…
NO ROPES TO STOP THE COUNT NOW!
…
THREE!
The Hunter has claimed another trophy tonight, nearly walking away with a head to mount on his wall as well!
WINNER: LUTHER GRIM
“YOU WILL”
Luther Grim gets back to his feet, exhausted after that battle with Outlaw Zero. He stumbles into the ropes and takes a beat, surveying the crowd.
CROSSBODY BLOCK!
DOWN GOES GRIM!
WHO THE FUCK IS THAT!?
Someone leapt from the DREAMS sign out of no-where, taking down The Hunter. They roll away, getting back to their feet and removing their hood.
It’s a woman!
She demands that he get back to his feet and slowly he does, stumbling backwards and turning around…
DISCUSS ELBOW!
DDoS!
Down goes Grim again! What is the meaning of all this? The woman walks over to him, pulls the mighty man up to a seated position by his arm, whilst retaining the arm in her possession.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” She hisses angrily at him, placing her boot on his jawline whilst holding the arm. “But you will.”
DEICPHER THIS!
SHE SLAMS HIM DOWN INTO THE CANVAS WITH A CURBSTOMP! HOLY FUCK!
Luther Grim is out of it. He’s unconscious. She searches the canvas for a backpack she dropped when she leapt, pulling a can of spray paint from it. She stands over Grim, spraying her name across his chest.
JINX.
What the fuck did Luther Grim do and why does she hate him so? Does it matter? Jinx has joined Old School Wrestling and she’s hunting the hunter!
“THE REAL SHARK”
Club 40.
The Red Light district is buzzing. In Club 40, Caesar XL sits in the backroom, surrounded by goons. With his trademark cigar in his mouth, he plays a hand of cards, chuckling away.
Suddenly, the door bursts open and in walks a familiar face; Drexl.
The goons in the room immediately stand up, pulling pistols and pointing them in his direction.
Caesar doesn’t even make eye contact at first. He just shakes his head.
“And what have I done to deserve your presence?” XL says with a sigh. “Have you come to boggle my mind with your increasingly ridiculous dialect?”
Drexl scoffs and nods.
Almost as suddenly as he erupted into the room, all the guns in it are turned on Caesar XL. The big man’s mouth gapes, the cigar falling from it onto the table.
He looks stunned.
Drexl cockily walks into the room with a swagger and pulls out a seat, sitting down.
“It’s funny isn’t it?” Drexl replies, sounding entirely different than we’ve come to learn. “All it takes to fool the fuckin’ narrow-minded is talking like an idiot.”
The change in tone shocks Caesar.
“Do you know what I’ve been doing for a very long time now, big man?” He asks, reaching out to grab Caesar’s whiskey and taking a sip. “I’ve been convincing the world that I didn’t exist. Just like the devil.”
He downs the entire glass.
“No-one saw me as a threat. Why the fuck would they? That fuckin’ idiot Teddy O’Toole paid me handsomely like some kind of fool and I’ve been making moves to consolidate my position; actually, to enhance it.”
Caesar looks around his one trusted army of men.
“They don’t work for me anymore, do they?” He asks with a shake of the head.
Drexl smiles.
“No,” he says, standing up. “And this place isn’t yours either. I’m taking everything, Caesar. I saw O’Toole kill Drewitt and knew by convincing him that he worked for me, I could make credits. I put those credits to use and made a deal with Zeus. Your little den of inequities belongs to me now. It’s gonna be called The Shark Tank. Gambling, loans, debt collection – we’ll do everything you did, but better.”
XL stands up, knowing he’s been beat.
The guns follow his every movement, which makes him chuckle. He walks over to Drexl, passing him on his way to the door.
“Well played amigo,” he whispers. “Well played.”
Drexl smiles.
“See him out boys,” he demands.
Cut.
Mannfred Curze stands opposite Aarman Fidel, a scowl etched onto his face. He’s furious.
“I found my people!” He roars across the ring. “And I want them back, you son of a bitch.”
Fidel just smirks.
The bell sounds and Mannfred storms at him, leaping into a massive right hand that thunders Fidel back into the corner. WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! Right hands follow as Curze unloads on The Vixen. He pulls him out and tosses him straight over the top rope.
Aarman hits the apron chest first on the way down, but that’s the least of his worries. Here comes The Night Haunter!
DOUBLE AXE HANDLE OFF THE RING APRON!
Down goes Fidel! Curze pulls him straight back to his feet, steps inside and whips him into the steel steps!
NO!
Aarman side steps and sends MANNFRED CURZE THUNDERING THROUGH THEM INSTEAD!
The fans boo as the Devil takes off his suit jacket and slowly begins undoing his cufflinks. Curze is on his knees as Aarman picks up the disjointed steps and SLAMS THEM ACROSS HIS BACK!
He tosses them aside and grabs his arm, pushing aside the bottom half of the steps and placing it down the gap between the ring post and the steps themselves.
With a devious smile, he backs up… RUNNING KICK INTO THE STEPS, CRUSHING CURZE’S ARM!
JESUS CHRIST!
He recoils in agony and might just have a broken arm. Fidel kicks the steps playfully for good measure, smiling as the audience boo. He pulls Curze from his mire and drops him chest first on the speaker, watching as he falls to his knees.
The Duke pulls back on his hair, standing over him, looking down at him like the devil himself.
“They’re not your people anymore,” he says with a grin.
FOREARM FACEWASH!
VILE! HE’S FUCKING VILE!
The crowd are on their feet in disapproval as he steps away, raising his arms to their displeasure. He’s loving every moment of being vilified. This man is usually so full of charm, but tonight, he’s revelling in their misery.
Wait a minute… he knows the sounds of their screams drives Mannfred Curze crazy. There’s no peace, not here tonight. He’s making damn sure of it!
Fidel pulls Curze and runs him back first into the ring apron, before whipping him around and slamming him back first into the speakers.
Suddenly, he slides into the ring and sprints across it…
ARROW OF LUST AND PERVERSION!
SUICIDE DRIVE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES, INTO CURZE AND INTO THE FUCKING SPEAKERS!
POP! CRACKLE! HISS!
IT’S RICE CRISPIES IN THIS BITCH!
The Duke of Desire gets back to his feet and pulls Curze with him, only Mannfred pushes him away, dropping to a knee.
“Have you had enough?” Aarman smarmily asks. “Would you like me to put you down, little dog?”
“I want…” Curze says breathlessly.
He stands.
“My people…” His eyes narrow.
RUNNING DISCUSS CLOTHESLINE!
THE BLEAKS BLADE!
HE ALMOST TAKES AARMAN’S FUCKING HEAD OFF!
“BACK!”
The crowd erupts! Curze picks Fidel up.
SLAP ACROSS THE CHEST!
HE RIPS AT HIS FUCKING SHIRT!
CHOP!
BARE CHESTED FUCKING CHOP!
MACHINE GUN CHOPS!
The crowd are in an uproar as he chops Fidel back into the ring apron, reddening his brown chest with the ferocity of those chops. The Duke rolls into the ring, crawling away. He’s trying to escape, but the Night Haunter stalks him.
He stomps at his legs, but Fidel keeps crawling.
He stops at his chest, and Fidel recoils in agony.
Curze crouches in front of him, looking him dead in the eyes. He pops up, runs into the ropes and BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE FUCKING JAW!
He could cover. He could try and win, but this isn’t about that.
Chaos Incarnate slides to the outside and grabs a baseball bat from beneath the ring. He heads back inside and stands over The Vixen.
“Justice is death,” he barks angrily at him. “And death is…”
“Wait!” Aarman shouts defiantly – somewhat terrified. As Mannfred lifts the bat high into the air, prepared to deliver a devastating blow, he stops.
The Wishmaster gets to his knees, begging off.
“If you want your people, you can’t kill me,” he warns. “You may know where they are, but you can’t get inside – not without me.”
LOW BLOW! LOW BLOW BY THE FUCKING SNAKE THAT IS AARMAN FIDEL!
Curze drops the bat and drops to his knees. He’s popped straight back up to his feet…
UNREQUITED LOVE!
SPINNING POWERSLAM INTO A MURDER FUCKING BACKDROP! DOWN GOES THE HAUNTER! DOWN GOES CURZE! THE GRIN ON AARMAN’S FACE IS SICKENING!
He covers… the first cover of the match…
ONE…
…
TWO…
…
…
THREE!
The bell sounds and this one is over. Aarman Fidel wanted to create the most disruptive of atmospheres for Mannfred Curze here tonight and succeeded. The crowd have been baying for the Duke of Desire’s blood.
Mannfred Curze rolls away, creating distance between both he and Fidel. This one isn’t over.
WINNER: AARMAN FIDEL
“COME SEE FOR YOURSELF”
Aarman gets back to his feet, clicking his fingers.
Almost immediately, men in suits begin trundling out of the entrance area and up the steps towards the ring. He’s smiling the whole time as they enter, standing in await of instructions.
Mannfred stirs, seated in the corner.
“I get it,” Fidel says softly. “I’m not a monster, Mannfred. I know you need a villain and want that to be me, so I’ll become it. I do that, don’t you know? I give people what they desire most.”
Curze shakes his head.
“I don’t need a villain. I need to know what you’ve done with my people,” he hisses angrily. “The Bleak is a bad place that I’ve tried to make safe. You’ve taken my people and I want them back.”
Fidel breathes in through his teeth.
“We’ll have to compromise. If you come willingly and let my friends here place a bag upon your head, we’ll take you to Eden and to your people,” Aarman announces, nodding towards a member of his entourage. “You can come and see them for yourself.”
Mannfred stands up, nodding courageously.
A member of Fidel’s entourage walks over with a black bag, placing it over Curze’s head. They lead him from the ring carefully, helping him beneath the rope and down the steps towards the entrance ramp as Aarman follows from behind.
He’s smiling.
This can’t be good for Mannfred Curze.
“TEC”
The Workshop.
The home of Hephaestus. The creator stands in the middle of his workshop with hands on his hips, looking around. Something irks him. Tonight is a big night and he knows it.
He walks over to a corner where a large robot stands. With POLICE written on it, you can only assume it was created with the Arcadia Police Department in mind.
The creator picks up a tool and starts connecting a few wires.
“For your own good, I’m going to have to create gaps in your memory,” he says, modifying the currently powered down robot. “I’m sorry TEC, I had such great hopes for you.”
When he’s finished, he places his tool down on the table and takes a breath.
Hephaestus goes back to TEC, opening a small compartment and entering some information on a small keyboard.
“I’ve set the timer to power you up in twenty four hours,” he says, almost gushing with pride. “I’ve set your primary objective as Jackson Cade and the Arcadia Police Department. You’ll find him and hopefully, find the answers you’re programmed to find.”
He puts his hands on his hips and walks away, heading towards the door. With his hand on the pull chord light switch, he takes a moment to think. A final moment before he leaves.
“They’ll come for you,” he admits sorrowfully. “I’m sorry for that. Just know that I love you. I put love into your creation, TEC. The truth is out there and you have all the tools to find it. So, please find it.”
Click.
Cut.
Before she can turn her attention to the conflict between Blacktooth and Kaiju Chiba, Gemini must first find a way to fight off a Skull looking to extinguish her as she takes on Kpavio!
Kpavio is in no mood to mess around as he charges at Gemini…but Nature’s Delight narrowly avoids disaster by sidestepping the Skull, watching him run toward the corner instead!
Kpavio stops himself from crashing against the turnbuckle, turning his attention back to Gemini…who sends him colliding with the turnbuckle all the same, courtesy of a dropkick!
Nature’s Delight backs off for a moment, not quite ready to fully engage with Kpavio in the hopes of finding some other resolution…but the Skull turns around, a sense of rage visible in his composure that indicates there will be no peace here.
And that’s when he charges at Gemini once more, only for the Wildflower to duck a high kick by the Skull…who sweeps her off her feet instead, sending her down to the canvas!
Kpavio lays into the fallen Gemini with some hard kicks while she’s down, shouting at her for her failure to accept his lessons before kicking her right in the head!
Turning the Wildflower over like a wilted leaf, Kpavio goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO–NO!
Gemini’s light is far from extinguished as she kicks out!
But Kpavio doesn’t give her room to escape, bringing her back to a vertical base before doubling her over with a kick to the gut!
He grabs Gemini’s arms, pulling her up for a tiger bomb!
CRUELTY–NO!
Gemini uses the swing of momentum in her favor, twisting around before dropping the Skull to the canvas with a reverse DDT!
TWO SIDES!
Gemini seems almost shocked she pulled it off as she makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR–NO!
The fight goes on as Kpavio kicks out!
The Skull quickly gets back to his feet as Gemini backs away…but is quickly overcome by a flurry of right hands by Kpavio!
He sends Nature’s Delight reeling toward the corner, setting her up for a corner lariat…but Gemini dodges it in the nick of time!
A top rope enziguri takes Kpavio right off his game as Gemini climbs the ropes, walking along the top while holding the hand of the Skull…before leaping into a hurricanrana!
ROUGH HIKE–GETS A ROUGH LANDING!
Kpavio just nails her with a last-second powerbomb, nearly taking the air right out of her in the process!
With that, the Skull turns his attention to the corner, where he sees his satchel laying on the canvas beside the ring post.
Knowing full well what’s contained within, he heads over to retrieve the object of his desire…a root from The Groves!
Kpavio stares at the root before turning his attention back to the Wildflower…who is back on her feet, and rushing full speed ahead at the Skull!
The momentum sends both competitors over and to the floor outside…but the Skull is able to get back to his feet first, and he’s got bad intentions with that root still in his hand!
He approaches the Wildflower as she starts to get back up…and Kpavio wraps the root around Gemini’s throat!
He’s choking her out…perhaps making good on his promise to blot out the light of Gemini!
But the Wildflower starts fighting back, tugging away at the root as she tries to get back up to her feet…before rushing backward, sending the Skull spine-first into the ring post!
Kpavio is forced to let go of the root as he falls back, and that gives Gemini a chance to pull the root off before rolling back into the ring.
The Skull slides in behind her, but as he gets to his feet he’s met with two knees right to the face!
SNAPSHOT!
Gemini with the cover!
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THREE!
Gemini manages to fight off the darkness at Ring of Dreams, taking a win over Kpavio in the process!
WINNER: GEMINI
“A LIGHTNING BOLT”
The House of Sovereigns.
Zeus sits at a large oak table adorned with all sorts of beautiful food, cutlery, and drinks. Everything at the table is the finest Arcadia has to offer. He sips red wine from a glass goblet.
Sitting opposite him at the other end of the table is a woman. She sits in a bloodied white gown, her white hair tied up in a small bun at the back of her head.
“How could you, Artemis?” Zeus demands to know. His voice raises slightly, cracking with anger.
The woman scowls at him.
“When Mick Gordon and the APD went to work on you, they had no idea who you were until they took off that Red Hood and Mask,” he tries to assure her. “They didn’t know you were the Red Hood. None of us did. The last thing I expected to find out after that was that my daughter, my flesh and blood, was a member of the Uprising as well.”
She scoffs angrily.
“Your daughter?” She remarks with that same scoff. “Do you know what I had to do to become The Red Hood? I had to become a man. I wrapped my chest, I altered my voice, my walk, and the way I talk. I did that because you need to be stopped, dad.”
There’s a thunder in his eyes. A rage. Zeus takes a deep breath to stop himself from exploding and angrily takes another sip of wine.
“Stopped, you say?” He mumbles.
“You’re a fucking dictator!” Artemis roars at him. “Mom died because of you.”
“Don’t you dare bring Leto into this,” he bellows back, slamming his fist angrily down onto the table.
“Oh? You don’t want to talk about mom? What about your ex-wife, should we talk about her?” Artemis asks, shrugging her shoulders and pushing her head forward. When Zeus doesn’t respond, she laughs to herself. “You can’t stop what’s coming, dad. The Uprising will take your power away and restore what the Elders wanted for Arcadia.”
Zeus grabs a napkin and wipes his mouth, standing up abruptly from the table. He walks to the door and opens it, inviting Ares inside.
“Take her to her quarters,” he demands. “Put guards on the doors. Don’t let her out.”
Ares walks in and grabs Artemis, lifting her out of her seat.
“You can kill The Red Hood. You can keep me captive, but you can’t stop the inevitable. You will step aside, or your blood will flow like a fucking river through the levels of Arcadia.”
The Bodyguard drags her towards her father and out of the room, but she halts him, standing face to face and nose to nose with The Baron.
Artemis reaches out, kissing her dad on the cheek.
“You’re a dead man walking,” she whispers. “A lightning bolt is coming, pop. You let her in. You just remember that! You let her in!”
Ares pulls her out of the room, leaving Zeus to walk back in angrily, take a seat and put his head in his hands.
Cut.
Gemini finds herself caught in the crosshairs between Blacktooth and Kaiju Chiba…and a woman this divided can be quite dangerous, indeed!
We’re immediately off to a wild start as Blacktooth rushes toward Chiba, laying into the Big Save with some big right hands to wear him down…and then sends the big man barreling toward the corner!
Blacktooth charges his way down for a corner splash…but he’s met with a massive haymaker from the Big Save!
Kaiju sends the Devil reeling back, giving him the opening he needs to drop Blacktooth down hard with a body slam!
Kaiju brings Blacktooth back to his feet, but this proves to be a mistake as Blacktooth catches him with a headbutt to the jaw instead!
The Big Save finds himself down on one knee from the damage, giving Blacktooth an edge now as he hits the ropes before hitting a big lariat, knocking Kaiju down to the canvas in the process!
We can hear Gemini shouting at the Devil to stop, but that just draws a wicked grin on his face as he stares her down until…
PITCH BLACK
FLASH!
…the darkness seems to overtake her, revealing the Witch instead!
This Gemini starts cheering on the Devil, who grins just a little wider as he mounts up on Kaiju, laying into the Big Save with lefts and rights…until Chiba shoves him away!
Blacktooth falls to the canvas but is quick to get back to a standing position…but so too is Kaiju, who looks over at the more vicious Gemini and shakes his head in disappointment.
This distraction is just enough for Blacktooth to lunge at him again, this time wailing on the Big Save with some wild right hooks and left jabs before sending him over the top rope with a clothesline!
The big man takes a big ol’ tumble to the outside as Blacktooth slides out, following close behind.
Blacktooth has dangerous intentions here as he stands Kaiju up, grabbing him by the arm to send him into the steel steps…but Kaiju counters it, sending the Devil colliding with the ring post instead!
Blacktooth takes one right to the shoulder as Kaiju quickly brings him back into the ring, doing his best to ignore hateful shouts from the Moon Shadow as he hits a leg drop, keeping the leg over Blacktooth for the cover!
ONE!
TWO–NO!
Blacktooth manages to kick out, and he slides himself out from under the leg of Kaiju before getting back to his feet!
Kaiju isn’t afforded the same luxury however, as Blacktooth rushes him from behind…landing a kick flush with the back of his head!
Blacktooth calls to Gemini to hand him Miss Liz, which the Witch is more than happy to oblige with as she slides it over to the Devil, who takes to wrapping the chain around his fist!
BUT NO!
Kaiju manages to catch the Devil by surprise, buckling his legs out from under him to avoid a nasty fate!
And he brings Blacktooth back up, before whipping him into the corner…running at him with a corner splash!
AND THE CHIBA SPLASH CONNECTS!
Blacktooth really felt that splash down deep as he drops to the canvas…and the Big Save can sense his opportunity coming.
A chance to put away Blacktooth and try to save Gemini.
So he climbs the turnbuckle, waiting on the bottom rope for Blacktooth to get within range…
…but before he can go for a curb stomp, Gemini comes rushing over, shoving a foot off the rope!
Kaiju goes down hard to the canvas, the ref shouting for Gemini to step away until…
PITCH BLACK
FLASH!
…we see Nature’s Delight looking on with dread at what’s happened!
Hands over her mouth, Gemini walks away from the scene of the crime as Blacktooth grabs Miss Liz from nearby.
This goes undetected by the recovering Kaiju as he gets back to his feet, approaching the Devil with some caution as he brings Blacktooth back up…only to take a chained fist to the skull for his troubles!
This is followed by a swing of the hook of Miss Liz, which manages to get a small gash on the head of Chiba…and Blacktooth goes right after the blood as he takes a bite out of the Big Save!
FRESH MEAT!
But Kaiju manages to shove him away before he can do much more damage, despite looking a little worse for wear on the top of his dome…and Blacktooth sends some of that blood right back in his face with a bloody mist!
IRON PERFUME!
Kaiju is struggling to wipe the blood out of his eyes, and Blacktooth brings the big man down with another hook to the head!
Chiba is in big trouble here as Blacktooth hits the ropes…and Kaiju barely gets to his knees before Blacktooth drops him with a leaping curb stomp!
DIRT NAP CONNECTS!
Blacktooth makes the cover as Gemini panics!
…
ONE!
…
TWO!
…
THREE!
The Devil prevails here at Ring of Dreams…but there will be no celebration just yet, as the lights immediately cut out once more!
WINNER AND STILL DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: BLACKTOOTH
“BABYLONIA”
With the lights out, everyone is thrust into complete and utter darkness.
The screams coming from the ring are guttural.
The lights come back on and we see Gemini dark writhing in agony.
Then they go off again.
They return once more, only this time it’s Gemini light writhing instead.
Then they go off again.
What the fuck is going on?
Static.
Finally, the lights come back on and we focus on Kaiju Chiba, who stands across the ring from something we’ve not seen before.
Blacktooth has wisely escaped to the outside, watching on in awe.
She stands, flies buzzing around her. She looks entirely different – her skin a pale white, her eyes glowing red.
Chiba looks petrified and so he should.
Gemini creepily slinks over to him, her pink and black attire flowing as she does. She sniffs him, smirking. A long venomously looking black tongue forks from her mouth. He backs away into the corner, being followed every step of the way.
“Do you know how long I’ve been trying to reunite the ying and the yang?” She hisses at him. “And then you two come along and do it for me.”
She strokes his face, drawing black rot down it as she does.
“My given name is Nergal, the Goddess of the underworld. You’ve finally released me from the captivity of which I was bound,” she says with a twitch of her vile tongue. “And now, I will unleash a pestilence on Arcadia.”
Suddenly, flies pour from her mouth, attacking Kaiju Chiba who frantically tries to bat them away. Locusts flock from her too, meeting them in attacking him.
Blacktooth wisely runs from his life, not looking back as Chiba falls to the ground, writhing in agony.
Gemini slinks over to Chiba, watching as the flies and locusts attack his giant frame.
“You’re the first, Kaiju Chiba,” she growls. “But you won’t be the last.”
She backs away, the flies and locusts rejoining her body as she does. We look back at Chiba, the flesh from his bones picked at mercilessly. He’s nothing but a corpse, and the first of what could be many.
The Goddess of the Underworld has arrived in Old School Wrestling and that means danger; grave danger, for all.
Cut.
The Burned Man holds the stolen Kingdomblade in hand, staring down a determined Destructo Boy as this brutal street fight is about to be underway!
KINGDOMBLADE TO THE SKULL!
BURNED MAN JUST CAUGHT DESTRUCTO BOY WITH THE BLUNT SIDE OF THE BLADE!
The Sole Survivor isn’t holding back as he swings first and drops the young hero! Destructo boy rises only to get a pommel to the jaw! Burned Man grabs the hero and throws him to the ropes!
BACKDRAFT! SPINNING ELBOW PUTS DESTRUCTO BOY OVER THE TOP ROPE!
James is already on the backfoot and he’s got zero advantage as The Burned Man leaps off the apron with a devastating senton! Destructo Boy is rolling in agony as he tries to get to his feet! He slowly rises as Burned Man bats up for another massive swing! He goes for the head!
IMPACT BREAKER! CORKSCREW HEADBUTT TO THE FUCKING SKULL! DESTRUCTO BOY GOT ALL OF IT!
Burned Man hits the ground like a ton of bricks as he slams into the steel stairs! The Sole Survivor lays in a heap and slowly gets back to his feet to see Destructo Boy laying claim to his birthright! For the first time in weeks, he’s got the Kingdomblade in hand! He holds the weapon out in front of him ready to strike! But then something happens.
The weapon transforms?
IT TURNS INTO A PAIR OF GAUNTLETS! DESTRUCTO BOY LEAPS FORWARDS WITH A MASSIVE SUPERMAN PUNCH THAT DOWNS THE SHOCKED BURNED MAN!
James is back in control as he catches a rising Burned Man with a plethora of jabs and haymakers that knock him fucking silly around the ringside! A harsh uppercut sends him stumbling right into the speakers before leaping forwards with a massive right hook that bounces Burned Man’s head off of the fucking speakers! He’s going hog wild and Burned Man is trying to block the onslaught of blows!
MATCH STRIKER! BURNED MAN DUCKS A HAYMAKER AND SWINGS DESTRUCTO BOY WITH AN STO! HIS HEAD GOES THROUGH A FUCKING SPEAKER!
Burned Man throws him away from himself, watching as Destructo Boy’s gauntlets turn back to the Kingdomblade before running forwards with a knee to the temple of the rising hero! Destructo Boy is knocked back to the ground and Burned Man grabs his waist and lifts with a gut wrench powerbomb to the apron! He rolls Destructo Boy back into the ring before throwing the Kingdomblade in after him! He looks under the ring and grabs a baseball bat! He slides in after the young hero and swings at will!
DESTRUCTO BOY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! HE GRABS THE KINGDOMBLADE AND BLOCKS A BARRAGE OF WILD BAT SWINGS FROM BURNED MAN!
HE SLIPS BEHIND!
SHINE BREAKER! BACKDROP DRIVER TO BURNED MAN!
The Mummy lands head first and looks worse for wear as Destructo Boy slides out of the ring to grab his own assortment of tools! He throws in a table and grabs two more items obscured from our vision as he slides into the ring. He sets up the table and begs the Burned Man to stand! Just as the Arcadian Mummy is to his feet he looks ready to pounce!
Splash.
WHOOSH!
DESTRUCTO BOY JUST LIT THE FUCKING TABLE ON FIRE! BURNED MAN BACKS AWAY IN FEAR AS THIS VILLAIN’S KRYPTONITE HAS ENTERED THE FRAY!
James hits the ropes and flies with a springboard dropkick that slams Burned Man into the corner turnbuckle! A rising knee catches him in the jaw and Destructo Boy nails him with the pommel of the Kingdomblade! He looks at the table and back to The Burned Man! He knows what he needs to do!
IRISH WHIP TO THE TABLE!
BURNED MAN SLIDES BENEATH ON SHEER INSTINCT!
Destructo Boy slides after him only to get grabbed up by a waiting Burned Man!
HALF NELSON SUPLEX!
HE ROLLS THROUGH!
ANOTHER HALF NELSON! HE THROWS DESTRUCTO BOY THROUGH THE GOD DAMN TABLE!
ASHES TO ASHES!
The hero hits the ground in a heap and rolls away from the smoldering remains of the fire! Burned Man looks almost sorry for what he’s done as he advances towards Destructo Boy and forces him to his feet! He locks in the half nelson one more time!
DUST TO DUST- NO! DESTRUCTO BOY HAS THE LIGHTER! HE JUST LIT ONE OF THE BURNED MAN’S BANDAGES ON FIRE!
The Mummy rapidly pats his face to put out the flame as Destructo Boy hits the ropes and comes flying back with a leaping elbow to the jaw that rocks Burned Man! Destructo Boy nails him with the Kingdomblade and drops him to a knee before hitting the ropes again!
FINAL SPIRIT! ROCK BOTTOM!
THE BURNED MAN LANDS BACK FIRST ON THE SMOLDERING REMAINS OF THE TABLE! DESTRUCTO BOY COVERS!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
CAN BURNED MAN KICK OUT!?
THREE!?
THREE!
The match is over, Destructo Boy has won… But he doesn’t leave the ring as The Burned Man slowly begins to rise.
WINNER: DESTRUCTO BOY
“LIKE ME”
As the dust clears, we’re left with an intense stare down in the center of the ring as The Burned Man stands across from Destructo Boy. The Hero hauls up his reclaimed Kingdomblade and levels it at The Burned Man, his eyes burning with an unmatched intensity.
“Why?”
Silence.
“Why are you trying to hard to stop me? Why do you think you should make decision for me? Just because you got hurt? Because you’re scared? I need to fucking know.”
The Burned Man remains silent, mouth quivering as he finally finds the will to speak. “I just wanted to protect you-“
“SHUT UP!” Destructo Boy’s voice is thunderous as he shouts the Burned Man down, watching as his supposed villain backs away almost in shame. Destructo Boy keeps a tight grip on his blade as he shakes his head, turning to leave when Burned Man finally pipes up.
“You want to know why!?”
“Tell me!”
“BECAUSE YOU AREN’T READY TO BE A HERO! BECAUSE YOU NEED TO STAY SAFE SO YOU DON’T-“
“DON’T END UP DYING!?“
“NO! SO YOU DON’T-“
The Burned Man’s voice chokes up trying to maintain composure before finally breaking down, pained tears streaming from his eyes as he looks at Destructo Boy, his voice going quiet.
“So you don’t end up like me, Faith.” His voice quivers, the usual ragged tones softening as much as they can as he says James’ name.
His son’s name.
“I didn’t know you were alive until you appeared in Doom’s lab. I thought you were gone. But- But when I saw you were alive, I couldn’t just leave you alone. I need you to stay safe. Please, please just let me save you from a fate… A fate like mine. I love you, and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I lost you.”
Destructo Boy is stunned silent, eyes welling up with tears of his own before he simply lays the Kingdomblade down in the ring. He doesn’t run up to his father, doesn’t embrace him. He simply leaves and heads up the ramp as The Burned Man watches from the center of it. It’s silent in Olympus.
BANG!
SMOKE FILLS THE RINGSIDE!
MASKED MEN APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE AND GRAB DESTRUCTO BOY! HE’S OUTNUMBERED AND CAN’T FIGHT BACK!
“DAD!” James lets out an instinctive cry for help as the men abscond with him! The Burned Man grabs the Kingdomblade and slides out of the ring up the ramp! But by the time he gets up the ramp the men are gone, and with them? James Faith Jackson. The Burned Man looks on in silence, slinging the blade over his shoulder.
“I’ll save you, James. I’ll save you.”
Cut.
The trials of the prism finally conclude here tonight. In the final challenge, Grimskull must fight Vision in a match, blindfolded. They both stand amicably opposite each other in the middle of the ring, Grimskull reluctantly pulling a blindfold from his tattered pants.
He carefully places it over his eyes and ties it at the back.
“Are you ready?” Vision asks calmly. Grimskull grunts at him in response. “Very well.”
The bell sounds and Grimskull immediately begins swinging wildly, striking thin air with blow after blow. He stumbles around the ring like a drunk, trying to land a punch.
Vision smiles, sidestepping, dodging, and stepping backwards at will.
“Sight wasted on those who can see, but are blind, is still wasted.”
He suddenly reaches in, grabbing Grimskull into a Side Headlock. He twists and turns, finally being run off into the ropes by The Preacher. Vision comes back, ducking a wild Clothesline attempt with a drop to a knee.
That drop knee lands him behind and he scoops Grimskull up, planting him with a Backdrop.
He covers…
ONE…
KICK OUT!
The Awoken gets back to his feet and grabs The Preacher by his head, scooping him up and slamming him into the corner, straight into a Tree of Woe.
Grimskull naturally panics, receiving kick after kick to the sternum as Vision unloads on him.
He tumbles from the corner onto his head, rolling away in agony.
Both slowly get back to their feet, The Martyr again swinging wildly. He’s desperate to land a shot, but Vision doesn’t get caught. The Third Eye pulls him in and straight into a Snap Suplex.
He swivels the hips, pulling Grimmy back up.
GRIMSKULL BLOCKS IT!
HE SCOOPS HIM UP!
MICHINOKU DRIVER!! HE NAILED IT!
Grimskull covers as best he can, failing to hook the leg…
ONE…
TWO…
KICK OUT!
He gets back to his feet, demanding that Vision meet him there. The Awoken slowly stumbles up…
SUPERKICK!
LESSON!
NO!
VISION SIDESTEPS AND KICKS HIM BENEATH THE KNEE!
“Feel my presence,” he demands. “Feel what you cannot see. Hear what you cannot see.”
That just pisses The Martyr off and he storms forward towards the voice.
FLYING HEADBUTT!
PRAYER!
NOOOOOOOOOOOO! HE GOT NOTHING BUT AIR!
On his knees, Vision pulls him up… HELLO DARKNESS! STANDING DRAGON SLEEPER! Grimskull tries to fight out, but he just flails against the blindness. He tries running him backwards, but they only hit the ropes and spring forwards.
HE FLIPS HIM OVER HEAD!
VISION LANDS ON HIS FEET!
Grimskull lands on a knee, looking around frantically…
BUISAKU KNEE! RUNNING KNEE FROM VISION STRAIGHT TO THE FUCKING SKULL OF GRIM!
HE COVERS…
ONE…
….
TWO…
….
THREE!
KICK OUT! GRIMSKULL KICKS OUT!
That pisses Vision off. He didn’t expect this much fight from The Preacher, and gets back up, dusting himself off. He heads to the top rope…
SHOT IN THE DARK!!
FROGGGGGSPPLLAASSSHHHH!!!
GRIMSKULL KIPS UP WITH HIS HEAD DETACHED!
PEACE AND LOVE!! GRIMSKULL MACE SKULL TO THE FUCKING HEAD!
KILL!
IT!
WITH!
FIRE!!!!!!
Vision bounces away with the impact, rolling to the outside!
Grimskull hit the hail Mary, placing his head back atop his neck. Now he needs to find the body to cover. The Preacher stumbles around, trying to find where Vision rolled to upon impact, but can’t. He has no idea that Vision has rolled to the outside!
The Third Eye has a chance to recover and does, sliding back into the ring. He catches Grimskull as he stumbles…
DOUBLE THUMBS TO THE EYES!
TAKEDOWN!
SUBMISSION!VISION HAS THE BLINDSPOT LOCKED IN! PUSHING THE BLINDFOLD INTO THE EYES OF GRIMSKULL!
He puts all his weight on him, only The Preacher somehow kicks him off overhead. Vision rolls away and gets back to his feet, meeting Grimmy in the middle of the ring.
They both meet.
THUNDEROUS RIGHT BY THE MARTYR!
THAT ONE CONNECTED!
THUNDEROUS LEFT BY VISION!
They both start brawling, fight back and forth. Shot after shot. Grimskull though wins the battle, fighting Vision back into the ropes. He whips him across the ring…
PRAYER!
FLYING HEADBUTT!
CONNECTED!
HOW!?
HOW THE FUCK DID HE DO THAT!?
A massive grin comes across the face of The Preacher. Hang on a minute. He walks straight over to Vision and pulls him back to his feet, flipping him a middle finger before RUNNING HIM VIOLENTLY INTO THE CORNER!
VISION FLIPS ASS OVER HEAD STRAIGHT INTO THE CORNER TURNBUCKLES, LANDING IN A HEAP ON THE FLOOR!
GRIMSKULL ISN’T BLIND AT ALL.
HE MAY HAVE A BLINDFOLD ON, BUT HE CAN SEE! HOW THE FUCK CAN HE SEE!?
HE BACKS UP….
RUNS…
MARTYR!!
CANNON BALL INTO THE CORNER! CANNONBALL TO VISION!
What the fuck is going on!?
The Slum God gets back up, laughing away. He’s been playing Vision this whole time. He’s been playing us.
He pulls Vision back to his feet…
THIRD… EYE… BLINDED!
DOUBLE KNEE FACEBUSTER!
VISIONS OWN MOVE!!
HE NAILED VISIONS OWN MOVE!
GRIMSKULL WITH A COVER….
ONE….
….
….
TWO….
….
….
THREE!
Grimskull has done it! How in the actual fuck has he pulled this off? He was blindfolded for this entire match but could easily see at the end. Something isn’t right. He sits on the canvas chuckling to himself, looking down at Vision who rolls away.
What now? What’s next for these two? We’re about to find out.
WINNER: GRIMSKULL
“THE DAY I TRULY SAW”
Grimskull whips the blindfold off and holds it up against the light, revealing that you can see through it. He crouches down, waiting for Vision to come to.
As he does, Grimskull roars at him.
“You think you have sight?”
Flashback.
Two men sit opposite each other in grimy and dirty place. One of them we don’t recognize, the other we recognize as Vision – only he has eyes.
“This is it, Walther” Vision says with a smile. “This is the last time we’ll be captive. When they come to get us, we’ll be free.”
The other man, whom has short black hair, nods in agreement. He’s been through wars, as evidenced by the scars all over his face.
“I can’t believe we did it. I can’t believe we earned our freedom,” he replies.
Just then, Smee arrives before them. They both stand up, walking towards him. They’re in a cell, on Deathrow.
The Present.
Grimskull stands to meet Vision, who now gets back to his feet.
“We used to be friends,” he announces. “But for a man with such great vision, you never realized it. There’s a reason we’ve been connected, warring as factions for years, Vision.”
“I don’t understand,” he says in confusion. “Who are you?”
Flashback.
The Temple.
Vision and Walther kneel in the middle of the temple, a man with no eyes standing behind them, a hot fire poker in his possession. Walther looks at Vision, who looks back with a knowing nod.
“This isn’t a good idea,” Walther mutters, clearly nervous. “We shouldn’t do this.”
He scrambles to his feet, panicked.
As quick as he runs is as quick as he’s blocked off by The Third Eye. They grab him, dragging him to one side.
“We gave you the tools to leave Deathrow; to earn your freedom,” the leader of The Third Eye says angrily. “And the condition of such an arrangement was that you’d both join us.”
“I’m not losing my eyes!” Walther roars. “I’m not doing it. Vincent, please, we’ve been fighting together for years. We’ve survived. We’re family. Please, don’t do this.”
Vision, or Vincent as we now know him, stands up and walks over to his friend.
“I’m sorry Walther,” he mutters, grabbing him by the head. “But I need to go on this quest. I need to begin my Third Eye Sight.”
The leader steps forward, placing a hand on Vision’s shoulder.
“You know what must be done, Vincent.”
Vision nods.
Suddenly and abruptly, he grabs Walther by the head and violently nails him with a headbutt that stumbles him backwards. He quickly pulls him in close and drags him over to the molten melting pot that the leader is using for the fire poker.
Unceremoniously, without a single thought, he dunks Walther’s head into the pot.
He screams.
The agony is immense.
Vision holds him there long enough to burn the flesh from his face before dragging him out and tossing him aside. The Third Eye roar and clap with approval, as the smouldering face and body of Walther bubbles beside them.
The Present.
“W-Walther?” Vision says with a stutter. “Is that you? H-How? I…”
Grimskull grabs him, pulling him close into a double underhook standing position. The shock is so much that Vision doesn’t even fight back.
“You killed me?” He groans. “They disposed of me like trash, Vincent. They tossed me aside like I was nothing. But somehow, I wasn’t dead. I should’ve been, but I wasn’t.”
PEACE AND LOVE!
HEADBUTT! HEADBUTT! HEADBUTT! HEADBUTT! HEADBUTT!
JUST LIKE WHEN ?? HEADBUTTED WALTHER BEFORE BURNING HIS FACE OFF!
Vision falls to the floor, unconscious. Grimskull stands over him.
“This is the beginning of the end for the Third Eye,” he growls angrily. “This is just the beginning of the end.”
Flashback.
The body of Walther is unceremoniously tossed into the slums, left dead in the middle of no-where. Suddenly, a man approaches, in a large red overcoat and cowboy hat. He rolls Walther over with his foot, looking at him closely.
“The prophecy has begun,” he says, his voice deep and gruff. “Let’s get you on the mend, boy.”
Cut.
Colt Ramsey has tried every trick in the book to get into the….heart of Narcissa over the past few months and the Designer has finally relented to something a lot more physical then Colt ever imagined. Can the Journo smarm his way into a second date or will Narcissa leave him with dreams of blue balls?
The bell sounds as Narcissa and Colt pace around the ring for a moment, Narcissa’s face completely passive while Colt still has that smarmy grin etched upon it. He stares down Narcissa for a few moments before putting his arms up
Asking for a Test of Strength
Narcissa looks confused for a moment but anything to wipe that shit eating grin off Ramsey’s face so she slowly walks forward and locks hands with Ramsey who immediately knees her hard in the gut before forcing her backwards into the ropes. Narcissa squirms, unable to wiggle out of Colt’s grasp as he veers closer, lips puckered.
NARCISSA SPITS RIGHT INTO HIS EYES!
Colt staggers back, still holding onto Narcissa’s hands but the slight distance gives her the room she needs as she jumps up the ropes, flipping over Colt’s head and taking him down to the mat with a lightning quick Backslide. Colt is stunned in surprise as the referee quickly slides in for the pinfall attempt
ONE
……………………………..
……………………………………
TW…NO! Colt quickly kicks out. Ramsey rolls to his feet, trying for a clothesline but Narcissa bridges underneath, rolling him up into a small package as the referee slides down once more
ONE
………………………………………
…………………………………………………..
TWO
………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………
NO! COLT JUST MANAGES TO KICK OUT!
Colt staggers to his feet into a flurry of kicks to the midsection and head before a leaping crane to the jaw staggers him back as Narcissa leaps to the sky
DRILLING COLT WITH SOME FAST FASHION SUPERKICK STYLE!
Colt doesn’t go down, instead staggering back into the ropes dazed. Narcissa nails him with a knee to the jaw before grabbing his arms as she flips over onto the apron. Narcissa wraps his arms within the ropes before handstanding onto the apron and pulling his legs through the ropes
LOCKING IN THE WEFT AND WRAP!
Colt screams in pain from the Tarantula and while the referee tries to count Narcissa down, he’s only truly there to announce the finish. Narcissa pulls back with all she can, the ropes squeezing and tearing around Colt’s muscles before finally letting go of the hold as Ramsey slams face first into the mat. Colt slowly staggers up to his feet as Narcissa rushes forward.
HIGH FAS….COLT CATCHES THE KICK!
Narcissa’s stuck in mid-air for a moment, Colt’s smirk turning into a scowl
BEFORE NEARLY BEHEADING HER WITH A BRUTAL LARIAT!
Narcissa crashes down hard on the mat, clutching her neck in pain but Colt doesn’t let her stay down, immediately pulling her up and pummeling the Designer with heavy lefts and rights before spinning her around as he grips her by the head
AND SHOWING HER SOME B-ROLL WITH THE ROLLING CUTTER THAT SPIKES NARCISSA HEAD FIRST INTO THE MAT!
That very well could be it there as Colt rolls her over for the cover
ONE
………………………………
………………………………………….
TWO
……………………………………………
………………….NARCISSA GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Colt pulls Narcissa up to her feet, spinning her around as he tries to lock onto her shoulders, looking for that Fit To Print but Narcissa slips out of the Full Nelson, rolling forward as Colt rushes forward at her for a clothesline.
DROP TOE HOLD!
Colt’s neck snaps over the middle rope, stunned for a moment as Narcissa rushes to the other side of the ropes before running forward
CATWALKING UP COLT’S BACK BEFORE DELIVERING A TIGER FEINT KICK THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE SKULL!
Colt staggers backwards, completely dazed as Narcissa steadies herself on the apron for a moment before leaping up to the top rope and springboarding forward
HAUTE COUT…..
SIT DOWN POWERBOMB!
Colt counters the Dragonrana attempt into a brutal Powerbomb, Ramsey sitting forward in the fuck pin position as the referee slides down for the cover
ONE
………………………
……………………………….
TWO
……………………………………………
………………………………………………..
THR…..
NARCISSA JUST KICKS OUT!
But Colt barely lets her recover, pulling her back up to her feet
FIT
TO
PRINT!
That has to be it there as Colt turns her over, hooking both legs for the cover
ONE
………………………
……………………………….
………………………………………..
TWO
……………………………………………
………………………………………………..
THR…..
……………………………………..
………………………………………………..
THREE…….
FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Colt can’t believe it, his best shot wasn’t enough here as he focuses himself, pulling Narcissa back up to her feet
LOW BLOW!
Colt always wanted Narcissa to nail him in his little Ramsey’s but not this way as he stumbles forward, doubled over right into
HIGH FASHION!
The spinning heel kick hits flush as Colt slumps down to his knees, Narcissa rushing to the ropes, bouncing off
*FLASH*
Colt grabs his camera out of nowhere, the flash blinding Narcissa for a moment before he grips her around the head and spikes her into the mat with a brutal DDT forcing her to SAY CHEESE but Colt doesn’t look festive at all.
A furious scowl on his face as he pulls the camera up, unhooking the strap before placing the camera to the side. Colt wraps the strap around his hands before slowly walking forward towards the stirring Narcissa.
IS COLT GOING TO CHOKE A BITCH OUT?
Ramsey suddenly stops, the red haze fading from his eyes as he realises what he’s about to do. Shaking his head, he drops the strap onto the mat before trying to pull Narcissa up to her feet but gets a headbutt to his stomach before she spins him around
THE LATEST PRINT!
Narcissa nails Colt with a Facebuster of her own, Colt feeling the full force of his finisher but she’s not done as she backs up into the corner, looking to show the would be Photographer her best modeling face.
Narcissa rushes forward, knees primed but mid-run, she slips on the fallen camera strap, stumbling forward
SLAMMING SKULL FIRST INTO A GROGGY COLT! THEY BOTH HIT EACH OTHER HEAD FIRST! WHAT A MIGHTY CRACK OF A COLLISION!
Narcissa collapses to the mat, Colt falling soon after as he collapses upon her, the referee just shrugging his shoulders as he counts the inadvertent pin.
ONE
………………………
……………………………….
TWO
……………………………………………
………………………………………………..
………………………………………..
………………………………………
THREE!!!
Colt Ramsey picks up the victory here through sheer luck, the Journo getting lucky here tonight but he may well not remember it in the morning?
WINNER: COLT RAMSEY
“HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW”
They’re both unconscious.
Slowly but surely, they begin to stir on the canvas. Colt Ramsey heads to one side of the ring whilst Narcissa heads to the other. They’re both holding their heads after that sickening collision.
Colt looks up at her, his eyes widening.
Something has changed.
“You?” He says in a state of shock. “This is why I’ve been thinking about you non-stop? This is why I thought I was in love with you?”
Narcissa doesn’t understand.
“What the hell are you talking about, Colt?”
“The photograph,” he abruptly replies. “The photograph I gave to Zeus of the person responsible for the bombing.”
“Don’t,” she warns.
“It was you!” Colt defiantly says. “You’re the one who tried to kill Zeus. I remember everything now. He had my memory played with to protect your identity; why? Why has he tried to protect someone that tried to kill him? Why has he let you compete here, knowing what you did? What the fuck is going on!?”
“Oh Colt,” she says with a shake of the head. “You might think you’re entitled to answers, darling; but you’re not. You should’ve kept that photo to yourself.”
Narcissa doesn’t reply any further. She simply exits onto the ring apron and drops off, walking away.
Colt isn’t finished.
“This isn’t over, Narcissa,” he roars after her.
She smiles.
Cut.
The Red Light has taken over the lives of both of these men. A few short weeks ago, both Foley and Wolfe found themselves jobless. Now, here we are with the VHS Championship on the line. Who will walk out with the gold around their waist, even in amongst this mystery?
Felix Foley starts the match hot, coming at Damien Wolfe with all the desperation of a man fighting for his livelihood. Because he is. Damien Wolfe meets him with an equally hot head, the Conservator being anything but conservative as the pair lock horns and begin exchanging wild blows with reckless abandon.
FELIX FOLEY DRIVES WOLFE BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE AND BEGINS TO CLOBBER HIM WITH DOUBLE AXE HANDLES!
BAM!
BAM!
WOLFE SLUMPS INTO THE TURNBUCKLE AND FOLEY BACKS UP!
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR BOOTIN’! THE RUNNING BIG BOOT!
NO!
DAMIEN DUCKS UNDER THE KICK AND SLIPS OUT OF THE RING!
Conservator Wolfe straightens his tie and slicks his hair, a smirk forming on his face as he taps his temple with his finger. But any hopes he had of taking advantage of the distance created are dashed as Foley takes the fight right back to him.
DIVING SPLASH FROM THE RING APRON TAKES OUT WOLFE!
THERE’S NO DUCKING OUT OF THAT ONE!
Foley pulls Wolfe up to his feet by the scruff of his neck and places him in a headlock. But Wolfe rakes the eyes and slips away!
JUSTICE IS BLIND, AND SO IS FELIX FOLEY!
HE GRABS FOLEY BY THE HEAD!
THE STROKE!
DAMIEN WOLFE DRIVES FOLEY’S HEAD RIGHT INTO THE HARD FLOOR OF THE STAGE OUTSIDE THE RING!
FOLEY FLOPS TO THE GROUND LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES!
The Conservator manages to roll Felix Foley’s carcass into the ring and slinks in after him, looking for the early pinfall.
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
KICK OUT!
FOLEY JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Wolfe laughs to himself before pulling Foley to his feet. He pulls Foley into a lock-up, but Foley parries the incoming grasp and rushes backwards a few steps into the ropes.
HE COMES REBOUNDING BACK OFF THE ROPES AND FLIES AT WOLFE!
MASSIVE LARIAT FLIPS DAMIEN WOLFE UPSIDE DOWN AND INSIDE OUT!
Felix crumples to a knee, still shaking the effects of Wolfe’s finisher. Damien claws his way across the ring, crawling to the ropes to pull himself upwards. The pair meet in the centre of the ring and lock horns.
HEADSHOTS ARE EXCHANGED BY BOTH MEN!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
SHOT AFTER SHOT HITS HOME, NEITHER MAN CARING ABOUT DEFENDING THEMSELVES!
THEY ONLY WANT TO TAKE THE OTHER OUT!
But it is Felix Foley that gains the upper hand of the exchange, the tough as nails Puppeteer pushing Damien away before IRISH WHIPPING HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
FELIX FOLEY’S CORNER!
FOLEY COMES IN HOT, STOMPING AT WOLFE UNTIL HE CRUMPLES INTO A SEATED POSITION!
HE KEEPS PUMMELLING… STOMPING HIM UNTIL HE’S ALL BUT FLAT!
FOLEY KEEPS ON STOMPING, HOLDING ONTO THE TOP ROPE FOR LEVERAGE!
Wolfe can hardly defend himself from the onslaught, but Felix keep right on stomping. All of his frustration, all of the anger that has built inside him is coming out through those stomps. When he finally subsides, his chest is heaving with heavy breaths. He takes a moment before grabbing Wolfe by the tie and hoisting him to his feet.
BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX PLANTS WOLFE INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!
THINGS AREN’T LOOKING GOOD FOR CONSERVATOR WOLFE RIGHT ABOUT NOW!
Foley takes his time coming in for another approach, steadying and regulating himself back into the beloved children’s personality Arcadia knows and loves. But Wolfe isn’t where he left him.
BAM!
LOW BLOW FROM A NOW KNEELING DAMIEN WOLFE!
MORE THAN A HANDFUL!
HE GOT FELIX RIGHT IN THE MUMMY DADDY BUTTON!
INSIDE CRADLE PIN!
DAMIEN WOLFE IS GOING TO STEAL THIS!
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
THR-NO!
FOLEY JUST BREAKS OUT OF THE CRADLE IN TIME!
Both men stagger to their feet. Each uses an opposite turnbuckle to pull themselves to a vertical base and steady themselves before continuing. Both come charging at each other again…
DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!
FOLEY AND WOLFE TAKE EACH OTHER OUT!
THEY’RE BOTH DOWN!
An eternity passes with neither man moving a muscle. Damien, winded, curls almost into a foetal position. Foley rolls to his knees. He has Damien Wolfe right where he needs him.
THE PUPPETSHOW!
MANDIBLE CLAW!
HE’S GOT IT LOCKED IN!
DAMIEN WOLFE GASPS FOR AIR, ARMS AND LEGS FLAILING WILDLY AS HE LIES ON HIS BACK!
IS HE GOING TO TAP?
…
…
…
…
…
IN A DESPERATE MOVE… DAMIEN WOLFE GETS A THUMB TO THE EYE AND FELIX BREAKS THE HOLD!
Wolfe isn’t hanging around, he scrambles and stumbles to the ropes, bounding off them and coming back at Foley.
BUT FOLEY CATCHES HIM IN THE CENTRE OF THE RING… WITH BOTH HANDS AROUND HIS NECK!
HE HOISTS DAMIEN WOLFE HIGH!
CONSERVATOR WOLFE’S LEGS DANGLE IN THE AIR…
UNTIL FOLEY SLAMS HIM BACK TO THE MAT!
MASTER OF PUPPETS!
THE DOUBLE HANDED CHOKESLAM… KILLS WOLFE WITH FUCKING FIRE!
The pin is elementary by now.
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
THREE!
FELIX FOLEY RETAINS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP!
Damien Wolfe threw every tactic he had at Felix Foley, but Mrs Foley’s baby boy was not going to be held back from holding that VHS Championship high in his return.
WINNER AND STILL VHS CHAMPION: FELIX FOLEY
“ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS”
Felix Foley joyfully gets back to his feet.
He’s finally put this war with Damien Wolfe to bed. It’s over. It’s finally over.
In his mind…
Flash.
Damien Wolfe rises.
Darkness.
Oh no…
The Red light takes over the entire arena. We’ve been thrust from darkness to a dim red.
“Hahahahahaha
I shall not be defeated
You are my enemy
And I will seek my revenge
Hahahahahaha
Challenge me
I make my low tall
Master of war
I make my low tall.”
Master of War plays over the PA system, bounding in with its harsh roaring tones. The red light flickers and flashes. Felix and Damien end up back to back, side by side.
Something is coming, and they know it.
Darkness.
The light comes back on and we see it. Damien Wolfe stands back to back, scanning the entire arena before him, looking for what stalks them.
Only what’s stood back to back with him, isn’t Felix Foley.
It’s a monster.
Wearing black and red, in the place of Felix Foley, is a man his size and shape, wearing a red and black mask.
Damien slowly turns around to see the master of the red light…
SCISSORS TO THROAT!
WHAT THE FUCK!
This monster just jammed a pair of scissors into the throat of Damien Wolfe! Blood spurts out everywhere, splashing the canvas, flowing away from the Conservator. He grabs at his throat, his eyes wide, before falling to his knees.
He gags and chokes.
Blood fills the canvas.
The once Felix Foley reaches down, violently pulling the scissors from the throat of Wolfe with a squelch. He stands over him, bloodied scissors in hand, cutting the air as if he’s cutting the strings that once held Damien Wolfe up.
The Conservator meanwhile has met his grizzly end.
The red light was Felix Foley all along.
But who is this murderous monster?
His name?
Scissors.
And he’s here to cut the strings.
Cut.
“AMBROSIA CUSTARD”
We’re ringside.
Just moments before the fatal four way match for the Rewind Championship. Each competitor stands in a corner, prepared for what’s ahead.
Only, Teddy O’Toole has a microphone.
“They say that there’s a perfect moment for everything, if you’re just willing to wait for it,” he smugly and proudly says with a grin. “And what better time than to announce my newest creation; Ambrosia Custard!”
Drexl rolls his eyes, resting in the corner. Tombstone doesn’t take his off Teddy and Drewitt, well he has a microphone of his own.
“What the hell are you talkin’ about, O’Toole?” The Explorer demands to know.
“All those months ago, you took me on a journey to find the Root of Ambrosia. We did it, buddy! We did it! In fact, you were the first to try that wonderful root – don’t you remember?”
Drewitt shakes his head.
“I told you that you don’t know what you are,” O’Toole reminds him, pacing back and forth in the corner. “But I do! You’re a guinea pig!”
That angers the Explorer, who puts his hands on his hips. You can sense the ire coming from him.
“The Root of Ambrosia is said to have special properties that I’ve been trying to replicate for my new Custard recipe. I needed to know if those properties worked, so I had you try the root.”
“That doesn’t explain why you killed me,” Drewitt roars back at him. “Or why I’m still alive.”
Teddy chuckles.
“Of course it does, big guy. The Root of Ambrosia was said to be the secret of immortality. I had you try it, then promptly shot you in the head to see if it worked. Guess what? You’ll never believe it, but it did!”
Tombstone looks furious.
“You made him immortal?” He asks angrily. “You’re planning to sell immortality?”
Drewitt can’t believe it.
Teddy nods enthusiastically.
“Oh, don’t worry Tombstone, only the really rich can afford this product.”
“This is why the balance has been upset!” Tombstone announces, turning his attention to Drewitt. “You shouldn’t be here and now I know why.”
There’s nothing the Explorer can say. He’s stunned. He looks to O’Toole, who has a giant grin on his face. Tombstone though, he’s not finished.
“That product will never hit the shelves,” he warns with a finger pointed at The Candy Man. “You’ll perish before it does.”
He then turns his attention to Drewitt.
“As for you, what’s dead should stay dead.”
Gulp.
The match… is up next!
The Rewind Championship is up for grabs in this Fatalest of Four Ways!
The bell rings and Drexl immediately rushes at Teddy and clotheslines him over top rope, taking himself with him as well!
Meanwhile, Tombstone and Drewitt have a stare down from opposite corners. Tombstone adjusts the cuff of his gloves and Drewitt fixes his mask before they step towards one another. The two behemoths stand face to face, as if to size each other up…
Drexl throws a haymaker to Teddy which spins him around and pushes him towards the guard rail. As Teddy leans up against it, Drexl rushes him—
BACK BODY DROP INTO THE CROWD!
TEDDY SUCKERED HIM IN!
Back in the ring…
RIGHT HAND BY TOMBSTONE!
RIGHT HAND BY DREWITT!
The two men trade punches back and forth until Drewitt gets the upper hand, backing Tombstone to the ropes. Drewitt goes to whip Tombstone, but Tombstone reverses, sending Drewitt into the ropes and on the rebound catches him with a big bossman slam—
YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!!
Outside the ring, Teddy has hopped ontop of the guard rail at the edge of the stage above Drexl, who is being helped to his feet by the fans…
TEDDY LEAPS—
CORKSCREW PLANCHA CONNECTS!!
THE SOUR TWIST!!
TEDDY JUST TOOK OUT DREXL AND A WHOLE MOB OF FANS TO BOOT!!
Back in the ring, Drewitt just kicked out of a pin attempt and Tombstone is just choking Drewitt as he lies supine on the mat.
The ref is begging Tombstone to release his grasp as Teddy and Drexl begin brawling their way through the crowd back up the stairs towards ringside. Drexl clotheslines Teddy over the barrier and hops over afterwards!
Tombstone finally releases his grasp and stalks Drewitt as he gets to his feet…
GOOZLE!
TOMBSTONE’S EYES ARE WIDE AND FIERCE!
Tombstone lifts Drewitt up, high into the air…
SPEED DIAL!!
DREXL TAKES BOTH MEN DOWN WITH A RUNNING SOMERSAULT CLOTHESLINE!!
Both big men are down and Drexl bounces off the ropes, runs towards them and stops above their heads—
He kisses the jewelry on his knuckles—
AND DROPS TO HIS KNEES, GRINDING HIS KNUCKLES INTO THEIR EYES!!
ANGEL TEARS!!
But Drewitt’s mask acted as a barrier, and he seems unaffected as he throws his arm up at Drexl’s throat—
GOOZLE!
Drewitt gets to his feet, and lifts Drexl up high…
HE’S ABOUT TO TAKE BIG SLIM ON AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY—
KICK TO THE DICK BY TEDDY!
Drewitt releases Drexl and drops to his knees—
SUPERKICK TO THE DOME BY TEDDY!
Drewitt’s still on his knees—
PUMP KICK TO THE DOME BY DREXL!
That drops Drewitt and both men go for the cover simultaneously—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
THE REF’S COUNTING WITH BOTH HANDS!!
…
TOMBSTONE DRAGS BOTH MEN OFF DREWITT!!
Tombstone lifts both men to their feet—
FINGERTIP THRUST PUNCH TO DREXL!
FINGERTIP THRUST JAB TO THE FACE OF O’TOOLE!
AND A BIG, DELAYED FINGERTIP THRUST UPPERCUT TO THE JAW OF DREXL!!
THE FERRYMAN’S KNOCK!!
Drexl flops to the mat and Tombstone slaps his hand around Teddy’s throat—
GOOZLE!
Tombstone lifts Teddy up high—
THAT BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR!!
Tombstone’s sporting a crimson mask of red syrup and Teddy slips out of Tombstone’s clutches—
KICK TO THE DICK!
Teddy’s ensured Tombstone can’t spread his seed all over his graveyard with that kick, but Drexl runs up from behind him—
KICK TO THE DICK!
DREXL TEED OFF ON TOMBSTONE’S STONES TOO!
Down goes the blinded and possibly castrated Tombstone, and Drexl and Teddy pick back up where they started the match, with a flurry of strikes back and forth until Teddy gets the upper hand, knocking Drexl to his knees, and he runs the ropes for momentum, and on the rebound runs right into—
A KITCHEN SINK!
Teddy’s been turned inside out and Drexl runs the ropes, rebounding towards the grounded Candy Man—
HIPPIE FLIP!!
Drexl covers after connecting with the running senton—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
CAN THE CANDY MAN KICK OUT??
…
THE CANDY MAN CAN KICK OUT!!
Drexl hollers out to the crowd, signaling for the end here. He picks up Teddy onto his shoulders—
BOOTY CALL!!!
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT TO TEDDY!!!
But before Drexl can cover, a large man picks Drexl up onto his shoulders from behind—
TRAVELLER’S GAMBIT!!
BURNING HAMMER BY DREWITT!!
Drewitt covers Drexl—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
DID THE GAMBIT PAY OFF??
…
THR— NO!!
KICKOUT BY DREXL!!
Drewitt slides himself ontop of Teddy and hooks a leg—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
TEDDY GETS A SHOULDER UP!!
Drewitt angrily yanks Teddy up to his feet by the neck with a goozle…
BUT HERE COMES DREXL—
GOOZLED BY TOMBSTONE!
They simultaneously lift Teddy and Drexl up high—
ARDUOUS JOURNEY!!!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!!!
DOUBLE CHOKESLAMS!!!
Both big men get to their feet—
GOOZLE BY DREWITT!
…
GOOZLE BY TOMBSTONE!
Tombstone releases his chokehold—
AND PUNCHES DREWITT IN THE CHEST!!!
SOULTAKER!!!
Drewitt’s staggered, and Tombstone follows up with another goozle—
HE LIFTS DREWITT UP AND SENDS HIM—
ON
YOUR
WAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!
CHOKESLAM INTO A ROCK BOTTOM!!!
Cover—
ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!!
..
..
..
..
..
..
HAVE A NICE TRIP!!
…
THREE!!!
We have a new champion, as Tombstone hits rewind on Drexl’s title reign!
WINNER AND NEW REWIND CHAMPION: TOMBSTONE
“ON YOUR WAY”
With the match over, Tombstone is handed the Rewind Championship and tosses it aside. He has bigger fish to fry.
Drewitt slowly gets back to his feet, met back in the ring by Teddy O’Toole.
“I’m not sorry and you shouldn’t be angry,” Teddy says, offering him a hand up of the canvas. “Join me and I’ll make you rich beyond your wildest dreams, Drewitt. I’ll share with you the profits of my newest creation; all you need to do is say yes. Imagine having more credits than you know what to do with. Wouldn’t that be a treat?”
“A deal with the devil…” Tombstone warns.
Drewitt looks at him, then back at O’Toole.
“A deal with the devil that stops you hunting me,” he hisses back. “That’s what’s next, isn’t it? You’re going to try and reset the balance by making me dead, mother fucker.”
Tombstone doesn’t lie or try to hide it. Everything has led to this moment. All those months of trying to find out why Drewitt was dead have led us here, and now there are decisions to be made.
He nods.
“What’s dead should stay dead.”
“In that case,” Drewitt says, unbelievably accepting the hand of the man who KILLED HIM.
Teddy pulls him back to his feet, an alliance struck, only Drewitt pulls him in close.
“I bet you weren’t brave enough to take the root yourself, were you?”
BANG!
Out of absolutely no-where, Drewitt pulls his firearm under the chin of Teddy O’Toole and blows his fucking brains out. Brain matter and blood splatter across the canvas and ring ropes, as Teddy O’Toole falls effortlessly to the ground.
With his hole blown into his head, Drewitt puts his pistol back in the holster and turns to Tombstone.
“Looks like you have work to do,” he growls. “Take this piece of shit on his way.”
Tombstone reluctantly walks over to the body of Teddy O’Toole, scooping him up.
With the body of The Candy Man in his arms, he stops short of Drewitt, turning to look at him.
“I’ll be back for you,” he reminds him.
“I can’t wait.”
And with that, Tombstone exits the ring with O’Toole in arms, sending him on his way.
Cut.
“THE JOYS OF EDEN”
The Red Light District
Eden.
Inside the hub of Aarman Fidel, we watch as Mannfred Curze is led inside blindfolded. He’s taken through to the back, where the secret location he found just last week is located.
They stop outside the door and Aarman removes the blindfold.
“You’ve wanted so desperately to know what’s behind this door, haven’t you?” Fidel says softly. “And because of your weak mind, Mannfred, you’ve been easily led.”
The guards hold onto him as Aarman pushes the double doors open with aplomb.
What he reveals inside is beyond sickening.
Citizens kidnapped from The Bleak are in all variety of positions. Some are seated, some are hanging upside down from hooks and others are led on tables.
Rich, pompous, disgusting members of Arcadia’s elite are performing vile, brutal, and terrifying acts upon them.
Those who’re still screaming are the unfortunate ones.
Those with missing limbs, amputated whilst they were alive and awake, are bleeding out or perished.
Mannfred struggles against those who’re holding him but can’t escape. He’s forced to look; forced to watch.
“The joys of Eden,” The Devil Himself replies with a sinister smirk. “Where anyone can get anything they desire, as long as they’re willing to pay the price.”
“You’re a sick fuck,” Curze roars at him.
“And you’re pathetic. Look at you, Mannfred. You lose yourself in the world of heroics because you’re incapable of being a man. You’re a mere boy in the body of a man, but we know the truth, don’t we? You can’t protect these people because you can’t protect yourself.”
Curze looks distraught.
“Fuck you, I’m done,” he roars.
“Yes, I would’ve pegged you for a quitter. Unfortunately, quitting isn’t an option, dear boy. Pegging on the other hand? That could be in your future. Who knows? Mrs. Ackers has requested your presence in her suite. She wanted a hero, and here you are. I’ll make sure my servants send your remains back to The Bleak.”
His men drag Mannfred Curze away, kicking and screaming, for a fate that undoubtably means death, but not before matters are taken for a sinister turn. Aarman leaves the room, closing the double doors behind him.
“I told her he’s not much of a hero,” he mutters to himself. “But the heart wants what it wants.”
Cut.
Jackson Cade has been held prisoner by Jasper Redgrave in his Gallery since before Warforged. Trapped in the unforgiving Embrace of Pain, the young Perseus has been pushed to the limits of his body. But now he’s free, and Jasper Redgrave is going to find out just how deep Cade’s convictions lie.
The Embrace of Pain has been overloaded. The pool of blood bubbles menacingly. Jasper Redgrave kneels, trying to clear the smoke from his eyes.
But Jackson Cade is running high on adrenaline.
“Let’s make some art, motherfucker!”
Fueled by the fire of resilience, the Specialist rushes forward.
HOSTILE DOWN!
THE KNEELING REDGRAVE IS ROCKED BY THE SUPER KICK!
BUT HE DOESN’T GO DOWN!
Frothing at the mouth with rage, the emaciated Jackson Cade stands over the Artist.
RIGHT!
LEFT!
RIGHT!
LEFT!
RIGHT! RIGHT! RIGHT!
KICK HIS ASS, KID!
But Redgrave, more monster than man, smiles under the relentless assault.
…because he knows what Cade’s been through.
Surely, Cade slows down, trying to shake the cobwebs from his head as the adrenaline is no longer what it was.
Just as Jasper wanted.
BIEL THROW FROM REDGRAVE!
HE THROWS JACKSON CADE THROUGH A FUCKING DOOR LIKE A SACK OF SHIT!
It’s the Artist’s turn now, as he stalks Cade through the doorway.
On the other end: the Gallery proper.
The Specialist is gasping for air, trying to find something to boost him back up. He leans on a table to lift himself up, before he suddenly recoils.
Goblets filled with blood line the table, with skeletal remains sat behind them. In the center, a halo of finger bones crowns the center skeleton.
Victims of Redgrave.
Like Riggs and his family.
Like…
Jackson Cade.
No longer.
With a roar, Cade turns to face the oncoming Redgrave. They meet with furious strikes at one another.
HEADBUTT FROM CADE!
BLOOD TRICKLES DOWN HIS FOREHEAD!
BUT REDGRAVE IS STILL SMILING!
“Embrace this!” Cade yells as he grabs Redgrave into a suplex position.
BRAINBUSTER THROUGH THE FUCKING TABLE!
THE MASTER KEY HAS UNLOCKED REDGRAVE’S LAST FUCKING SUPPER!
BONE AND BLOOD GO FLYING EVERYWHERE LIKE PARTY CONFETTI!
Cade, trying to shake off his fatigue, grabs the crown of finger bones and snaps the chain. As Redgrave tries to rise, he starts choking him with them.
But the brittle bones snap, knocking Cade backwards from the massive force he was exerting.
Shaking off his own cobwebs, Redgrave gets back up.
HOSTILE DOWN!
NO!
REDGRAVE DUCKS IT!
The Artist, still discombobulated, tries to put some space between them, moving down the Gallery row. Cade follows, ready to continue his assault.
HEADBUTT FROM REDGRAVE KNOCKS BOTH OF THEM DOWN!
BOTH MEN ARE BLEEDING NOW!
Redgrave stumbles back up, his eyes gleaming with a ferocious determination.
But Cade will. Not. Relent.
INCENDIARY ROUND!
THE BULLHAMMER ELBOW FINALLY WIPES THE SMILE OFF JASPER REDGRAVE’S FACE!
Jackson Cade doesn’t have much, only bursts.
But they’re enough.
Redgrave crawls backwards this time, trying to lift himself up on one of his Exhibits. This one is a tower of disarticulated skulls, some jawless, others still sporting remnants of desiccated flesh.
BUT THEY CAN’T HOLD HIS WEIGHT!
THE SKULLS FALL FROM HIS DISPLAY, SHOWERING THE GALLERY FLOOR WITH SHARDS OF BONE AND CLOTTED BLOOD!
Emerging from the bone avalanche, Redgrave looks like a bear coming out of hibernation as he attempts to escape the grasp of one pissed off Jackson Cade.
ANOTHER INCENDIARY ROUND FROM CADE!
NO!
REDGRAVE SLIPS UNDERNEATH!
HE GRABS CADE BY THE ARMPITS, LIFTING HIM INTO THE CRUCIFIX POSITION!
THERE’S THAT FUCKING GRIN AGAIN!
TAKING OFF INTO A RUN, HE LAUNCHES CADE INTO ANOTHER EXHIBIT!
A CHANDELIER OF FUCKING RIBS, VERTEBRAE, AND FEMURS!
CADE’S BODY IS TORN TO SHREDS AS THEY ALL RIP INTO HIS FLESH AS THEY COME DOWN AROUND HIM!
The whole Gallery is falling down around these two!
Redgrave, now back in control, seems ready to do his worst.
But he doesn’t know Jackson Cade like he thinks he does.
With a roar that echoes through the blood-stained Gallery, The Specialist hurls a handful of FUCKING BONE DUST INTO THE ARTIST’S FACE!
Jasper thrashes on the floor, trying to clear his vision.
Seizing the moment, Cade charges.
BREACH AND CLEAR!
THE SLINGBLADE SEEMS TO FINALLY EVENED THE ODDS BETWEEN THESE TWO!
REDGRAVE TRIES TO GET UP, BUT CADE CHARGES IN AGAIN!
SPEAR INTO ANOTHER EXHIBIT!
A WEB MADE OF HAIR AND VICERA!
IT DRAPES OVER THE FIGHTING PAIR, BUT THEY WON’T STOP!
PUNCHING!
CLAWING!
TEARING!
BITING!
WHATEVER THEY CAN DO TO HURT THE OTHER!
THIS IS A FUCKING WAR!
Amid the horrifying remnants of the Redgrave’s “Art”, the fight intensifies.
Neither one will yield.
Neither one will stop.
There’s only one way this ends.
Covered in human remains, the pair of men beat the hell of each other, with Cade hammering Redgrave backwards.
Jasper retreats through a doorway.
Wait, it’s the same doorway they came out of!
GODDAMNED REDGRAVE, HE’S GOT CADE BACK IN THE EMBRACE OF PAIN ROOM!
The smoke from before has faded, the Embrace’s tendrils hanging limply in the air.
Maybe Redgrave thought he’d gain an advantage in here?
He was wrong.
Dead wrong.
Jackson Cade is a house of fire, grabbing one of the Embrace’s tendrils and wrapping it around Redgrave’s throat.
He takes another and grins, blood dripping from his mouth.
WHIP!
ANOTHER!
HE’S BEATING REDGRAVE LIKE A GOVERNMENT MULE!
BUT REDGRAVE, GODDAMNED REDGRAVE, IS SMILING AGAIN!
HIS BODY HAS BEEN COVERED IN BLOODY LASHES, BUT HE DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK AS HE STANDS TO HIS FULL HEIGHT.
THE ARTIST PUSHES CADE BACK!
SUPERKICK ROCKS HIM! CADE HANGS ON TO THE TENDRIL HE WAS USING AND FALLS BACK TOWARDS HIM!
SPINNING BACK ELBOW!
THE COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE!
CADE HITS THE GROUND, HIS HAND TOUCHING THE POOL OF BLOOD.
THE BLOOD OF HIS BROTHERS.
TESTAMENT TO JASPER REDGRAVE’S PLAN TO DESTROY HIM.
That hand curls into a fist.
Jasper Redgrave has walked away from his foe, grabbing something sitting up against the wall.
His Scythe.
The Artist grabs Cade by the hair and picks him up, hoisting his sword up to his throat.
“You could have flown, Little Eagle.” He taunts. “But instead you’re no better than your brothers.”
HE’S GOING TO SLIT HIS FUCKING THROAT!
NO!
CADE GRABS THE BLADE ITSELF, HIS HANDS BEING CUT AS HE DOES SO!
KNEE TO THE BALLS! REDGRAVE DROPS HIS SWORD!
CADE GRABS HIM, HIS EYES CRAZY!
“You want me to fly?” Cade yells. “Then let’s fucking fly!”
With a roar, Cade throws both he and Redgrave INTO THE FUCKING POOL OF BLOOD!
IT BUBBLES AND STAMMERS AS THEY BAPTIZE THEMSELVES IN THE BLOOD OF EAGLE UNIT!
The bubbling fades out.
The pool of blood is still for a moment, no indication of life.
WAIT!
SOMEONE DIVES OUT OF THE BLOOD, GRABBING THE EDGE OF THE POOL!
WHO IS IT?
Did Jasper Redgrave get another Eagle for his Gallery?
Or did Jackson Cade finish off the man who tortured him?
The blood covered individual tries to wipe it from their face, and that’s when we see.
IT’S REDGRAVE!
Jackson Cade gave it all he had, but it wasn’t enough. The Artist has survived this war, even if his Gallery is in poor shape.
WINNER: JASPER REDGRAVE
“LEAVE THE NEST”
WHAT A FUCKING WAR!
Covered in blood, the winner of that brutal fight is trying to climb out of the pool.
BUT WAIT!
ANOTHER HEAD EMERGES!
THIS WAR ISN’T OVER!
Both blood-covered men sighing, they seem ready to go when light floods the room.
Everything goes nuts.
Sirens wailing.
Boots clattering.
Someone barking orders.
Through the doorway, they stormed, a fearsome phantom in the night:
EAGLE FUCKING UNIT.
Redgrave’s expression falls as he seem them, like the reaper’s come to his doorstep.
Their firearms gleam in the ghastly light as they surround the pool of blood, each of them eyeing Cade and Redgrave.
“God damn it, Cade. Look at this fucking mess,” the Captain of Eagle Unit sneered, the gory sight reflecting in his hardened eyes.
Officers lift the two men out of the blood.
For Cade, they lift him up and start cleaning him off while medics enter the room.
For Redgrave, they don’t do shit, just leaving their weapons pointed at him.
Perseus tries to straighten up for his commanding officer, but he can barely move, the adrenaline faded from his system.
But the Captain does not give one single fuck.
“You went rogue,” he begins, jabbing his finger into Cade’s scarred chest. “Disobeyed a direct fucking order. You’re lucky we remembered you’re one of us. Because it looks like you forgot.”
Reaching into his pocket, the Captain pulls out Cade’s badge, tarnished and abandoned on the floor of the Slums before Cade decided to go after Redgrave on his own.
“Found it in the Slums,” the Captain’s voice spits with disgust.
Cade sighs, reaching out for it.
But the Captain pulls it away.
“I don’t think so, Jack. You’ve lost the privilege to wear the Eagle. You don’t have what it takes.”
The tired Cade tries to protest, but the Captain cuts him off, pointing at a smiling Redgrave, who is enjoying the conversation.
“If you did, this motherfucker wouldn’t be here.”
The Captain draws his sidearm.
“You’re not in Eagle Unit anymore, Jack. You can go back to the rank and file. Walk a beat, maybe. I don’t give a damn.”
The Captain turns his stone-cold gaze on Redgrave.
“I’ll handle this, do what you should’a did a long time ago.”
The medics begin to pull Cade away, one of them injecting him with some kind of pain killer. But Jasper Redgrave has one final jab to make.
“Fly, Little Eagle.” He mocks. “Time to leave the Nest.”
Cade can’t even respond. As they walk him out of the Gallery, his senses start to go hazy. All he can see is the Captain standing over Redgrave, steel in his hand.
BANG!
Adrenaline floods quickly as he hears the gunshot.
Cade’s voice, feeble and raw, attempts to protest, but his strength was fast abandoning him.
The Captain just killed Jasper Redgrave!
Jackson Cade is no longer in Eagle Unit.
And he can’t do a damn thing about either.
His eyes dim as his world darkens.
The last thing he hears is the cruel laughter of fate.
Cut.
This is it here, possibly the biggest match in Arcadia history (and the biggest main event in Ring of Dreams history) as not one, not two, but three people challenge for the OSW World Championship here tonight. Will Stubbins be the first Olympian to be a two time OSW World Champion, can Dr Death avenge his brutal betrayal at the hands of his friend and gain his first world championship or will El Mariachi with his 33 1/3 chance continue the cursed streak and retain the OSW World Championship?
And now we have come to this
Three competitors
The Winners of Lambs in Dr Death
The near unstoppable former champion in Stubbins Doom
And the current and reigning OSW World Champion El Mariachi Muerte
The air in Olympus is palpable, the crowd are on their feet as we await the first competitor
As the introduction of 2CELLOS popular Vivaldi Storm hits, it comes to a stop before the lighting returns as the music does, revealing Stubbins Doom stood at the entrance ramp. He has two drones floating around him as he makes a fast paced and focused walk down the aisle, turning left to make his way up the stairs.
The drones meet him in the ring before flying off in their own directions, leaving Doom to survey the crowd before him.
Red light floods the arena.
“Time of Dying” by Three Days Grace blasts from the speakers as none other than Dr. Death walks through the entrance, flanked by his twitching valet Nurse Frightengale.
He stops atop the stage and holds out his hand. Frightengale places his cane in hand as if she were passing a surgical instrument, and then he commences down the stage and turns to the steps with her hissing at the fans as she follows close behind.
Dr. Death walks up the steps using his cane, and turns, sliding into the ring as Frightengale follows suit. He gets to his feet, twirls his cane around under a red floodlight in the middle of the ring, and points it straight at the hard cam whilst Frightengale cackles in delight at his side!
Doom and Death size up one another for a moment, each man looking like they may begin this match early before once again, the lights go out and darkness engulfs the arena once more.
A single spotlight illuminates but a single figure who appears, holding a guitar. He begins to play, a flowing Mariachi song on his guitar. As he plays through the introduction of his song, fire appears around as he sings.
“Hoy, que alguien cantaba una buena canción,una muchacha dulce, un angel dije yo,
que estilo aquel que suerte,pude reconocerme…”
His gruff voice sounds out in Spanish, singing the lyrics to “Killing me Softly” by Pitingo, slowly ascending the steps to the ring as the chorus rings out.
CORKSCREW PLANCHA!
Corkscrew Plancha wipes out the champion before he can even get into the ring, Dr. Death laying into Mariachi with heavy stomps before picking him up and forcibly sliding him into the ring where Doom awaits with stomps of his own. Death slides in and joins in the stomping of the world champion as the referee calls for the bell
DING DING DING
The action begins regardless as Death and Doom work together against the world champion. Death pulls up Mariachi, both him and Doom wrapping an arm around Mariachi before trying for a Suplex but the world champion lands on his feet, springboarding off the ropes behind an unsuspecting Doom
THE LAST CARNIVALE! Brutal Springboard Lungblower nearly breaks Dooms back in half there.
Death notices, swinging wildly with a right that Mariachi ducks underneath, stunning Death with a hard headbutt before whipping him into the ropes. Death ducks underneath the clothesline attempt though, grabbing Muerte’s head as he springboards off the ropes
AND GIVING MARIACHI ANOTHER HARD KNOCK WITH THE TORNADO DDT!
Mariachi gets spiked into the mat as Dr. Death picks up the still groggy Doom. Both of them resume stomping down hard on Mariachi before Death picks him up and locks in a Full Nelson. The World Champion is groggy still as Doom’s fist begins to glow white hot, electricity sparking off it as the pair look to take El Mariachi completely out of the picture.
When suddenly smoke fills the ring. DEATH HAS VANISHED!
Having let go of El Mariachi, the electricity fades from Doom’s hand as both begin to cough hard. Doom sparks up a few drones to disperse the smoke as we can just make out a figure standing up high on the tallest speakers before they dive off
DOUBLE
LETHAL
FUCKING
INJECTION!
Death re-enters the match in highlight reel fashion, taking down both Mariachi and Doom down with a double leaping cutter from at least ten, fifteen feet in the air! The smoke disperses as Death rolls to his feet, wincing slightly in pain before he turns to the slowly rising El Mariachi and Death begins trembling.
Not from fear but purest rage as even through the mask, we can see his eyes narrowing in anger at the man who betrayed him.
Death didn’t save El Mariachi from Doom
He wanted him to all to himself.
Mariachi slowly rises to his feet right into a flurry of lefts and rights, Death unleashing everything out on his former partner before whipping him to the ropes. Mariachi manages to duck underneath a clothesline before springboarding off the ropes
THE LAST CARNIVALE! Mariachi damn near tries to snap Death’s back in half from the Lungblower as he gets back to his feet, finally unhooking the belt from around his waist.
DEATH IS ALLREADY ON HIS FEET!
Mariachi senses this, gripping the belt in his hands before swinging wildly but Death ducks underneath the belt shot before Pump Kicking the belt right back in the world champions face. Mariachi staggers back
JOHN WOOOO!
Death running dropkicks Mariachi hard into the buckles, Muerte managing to just stay on his feet but not for long as Death unleashes a torrent of forearms, elbows and headbutts pounding Mariachi into the canvas before he grips the ropes with both hands
AND BEGINS DELIVERING CHEST COMPRESSIONS!
Death stomps a mudhole into his former partner with a fever, driving him damn near through the canvas before backing up. He slowly waits for Mariachi to get to his feet before hoisting him high into the air
SPIKING HIM DOWN WITH SOME SPINAL CONTUSTION! Brutal Brainbuster could well have knocked Mariachi out cold but he doesn’t get a chance to cover before he’s whipped around from behind and gripped into a headlock by Doom.
AND FORCE FED A RIGHT HOOK! It’s Deaths time to be spiked into the mat with a Headlock Driver.
The Luchadoc staggering up to his feet into a flurry of strikes that he manages to get the better of, ducking underneath a wild hook before staggering Doom back with a spinning heel kick to the jaw. Death can’t follow up though before he’s clocked by a rushing Mariachi.
WHO SHOWS OFF A LEAPING PELE KICK! DOOM THOUGH IS BACK UP!
LITTLE HOVER, NO BOTHER WITH A STIFF DROPKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD OF EMM!
EMM stumbles into the corner as Death and Doom nod to one another, both back at their feet. Death runs at him, clipping Muerte around the back of the head with a running enziguri. EMM staggers out of the corner
AND FORCED TO KNEEL BEFORE DOOM WITH A BRUTAL RUNNING KNEE TREMBLER TO THE JAW!
Doom doesn’t cover, instead backing up as his right hand begins to twist and whir, Stubbins ready to deliver that knockout blow as Death tries to pull Muerte up to his feet just as Doom unleashes the fist.
It flies forward as Death goes low, tripping Muerte forward
LAUNCHING HIM HEAD FIRST INTO WATCH MY RIGHT HAND!
Meurte may well be knocked out cold there as Doom accidentally knocked out his former partner in crime. Stubbins just shrugs, pulling back the hand as he tries to get Death on the rebound but Death kicks the hand away before leaping over the distracted Doom
CODE BLUE! CODE BLUE! SUNSET POWERBOMB OUT OF NOWHERE PLANTS THE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION!
Death gets up and rushes forward furiously but he’s stopped mid-stride by a single pluck of the strings, the mysterious magic that’s weaved into the guitar working its way into Death as he’s frozen in place. The Luchadoc is struggling, the magic barely holding him but it’s enough to allow Mariachi to whisper a single word into the strings
“Devoción”
A single chord echoes throughout the arena as a purple note floats through the air and hits a now free Death right between the eyes. The Luchadoc stops once more, dazed and confused before staring at El Mariachi for a moment in confusion.
Before standing by his side in almost trance like state.
El Mariachi smiles, whispering something in Death’s ear as the Luchadoc nods before rushing at a rising Doom and drilling him with a brutal John Wooo to the side of the head. El Mariachi nods to the apron as Death leaps over the ropes before Singing Death places the guitar down gently in the corner, the magic still pulsing through it as the odd melody continues to play.
Both Death and El Mariachi size up the two rising opponents before rushing forward
STANDING CUTTER TO DOOM!
SPRINGBOARD CUTTER TO DOOM
MALICIOUS SYMPHONY! DOUBLE CUTTERS!
O’Death working in perfect synch thanks to the entrancing music of Singing Death. Both men lifting Doom up as they pepper him with hard lefts and rights before Mariachi grips him around the waist and throws him overhead.
RIGHT INTO A LEAPING BRAINBUSTER
LETHAL FUCKING LULLABY!
Doom gets spiked into the mat, rolling to the outside.
O’Death aren’t done as Death grabs Doom from the outside and back into the ring. He pulls him up to his feet before rushing to the apron once more. Mariachi lifts Doom into a Package Piledriver position as Death leaps up to the top rope once more, springboard forward
FLAT
LINE
CONCERTO!
The Assisted Package Piledriver has to be it there but as Mariachi drops down for the cover, he stops himself, clearly having another idea as he motions Death to kneel next to him before whispering into his ear.
As Death then lies down allowing Mariachi to cover him which the World Champion does gladly.
ONE
…………………………….
…………………………………………
Not Like this
TWO
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Has the Curse continued here tonight?
……………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………
THRE…….
…………………………………………………………………………….
DOOM MAKES THE SAVE! DOOM MAKES THE SAVE!
But that took everything out of Doom as he rolls back out of the ring leaving O’Death alone once more. Mariachi staggers to his feet, holding his back in pain as Death follows behind him. Mariachi motions him forward, trying to get him to finish off Doom but Death doesn’t move.
And the music suddenly stops playing.
Mariachi turns to his guitar, noticing the single enthralling string has been cut by a drone flying off into the distance. Doom has ended the spell over Death as the Luchadoc looks up at the fearful Mariachi
Death is fucking pissed.
SPEAR!
Death nearly cuts through Mariachi, mounting the fallen champion as he pounds down with lefts and rights but he barely gets the chance to unleash his fury before drones cover the ring and begin blasting at the pair causing a cloud of smoke and dust to form around them.
Both men stumble to their feet, swatting away the smoke as Death is met with a thunderous headbutt from Doom. Mariachi sidesteps one sent his way before gripping Doom around the waist and trying to Belly to Belly Suplex him but he can’t lift Doom up.
The Doctor just smirks, tapping his wrist before delivering a skull rattling headbutt and gripping Mariachi around the throat before showing him how much of a bitch GRAVITATIONAL FORCE can be with a brutal Chokeslam.
Death rolls to his feet, rushing forward right into the waiting arms of Doom who nearly plants him through the mat with a mammoth Powerslam. Doom barely gets back to his feet before EMM is behind him, hammering down with heavy lefts and rights that Death barely acknowledges through his increased mass. EMM leaps up with a high knee that seems to stagger Doom back a few feet before grabbing him by the head, and rushing up the ropes
CLOTHESLINE….NO!
Doom grips Muerte in mid-air, flipping him upside onto his back and sitting down
DOOM IS ETERNAL! OMEGA DRIVER!
All three competitors are down and out as Stubbins Doom looks at the carnage. He taps his wrist for a moment, turning off the gravity enhancer before cracking both wrists as electricity begins to spark in his hands.
And all over his body too.
Because Doom knows he can’t just beat these fools to regain his world title.
He needs Total and Absolute Annihilation.
Doom sizes up the first rising person, this being El Mariachi Muerte, for a moment before rushing forward
DECIMATING THE JAR! ELECTRICITY ENHANCED RUNNING PUNT TO THE JAW OF MUERTE!
Death IS slowly rising, Doom turns as he rushes at him but the former tag champion IS ready,
DROP TOE HOLD!
Doom is stunned for a moment, the electricity singing the ropes from pure impact as Death turns to the crowd, nodding. Nurse Frightengale appears out of nowhere, tossing the cane into the ring as Death catches it in mid-air
BEFORE SWINGING IT DOWN HARD ONTO THE HANDS OF DOOM!
The cane shatters from the sheer force as Doom yells out in pain, his actual bones being protected by his wonderful toys but the electricity soon fades, having been forcibly turned off by the force of the cane. Doom staggers to his feet into the waiting arms of El Mariachi
OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY
INTO THE LEAPING CUTTER!
FINAL LULLABY!
Doom goes down hard as both Death and Mariachi get to their feet.
Former tag partners and friends broken apart by a prophetic song.
One won Lambs of the Slaughter
One defeated the seemingly unstoppable Stubbins Doom to become OSW World Champion
And only one will leave here with the belt as they stare down the other for a moment before rushing forward in a rage.
Left from Death
Right from Mariachi
Both men unleashing everything else they have left on the other as Death ducks underneath a wild right from Mariachi before rushing to the ropes
DEFIBRILAT….PUMP KICK!
Mariachi counters the heart punch as he kicks his former friend right out of the air. Singing Death doesn’t waste time, quickly heading up to the top rope. He sizes up Death for a moment, placing that rose between his teeth before tossing it down as he jumps off
COMATOSIA! TORNADO KICK! IT’S DEATHS TURN TO KICK HIS FORMER FRIEND RIGHT OUT OF MID-MOVE!
Death pulls Mariachi up to his feet, delivering a brutal headbutt before gripping him around the waist
AND DELIVERING A SURE VICTORY BY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DESTINO!
That could be it right there but Death isn’t covering, he doesn’t want to just beat Mariachi for the title, he wants revenge.
Death grabs the fallen rose, placing it between Mariachi’s teeth before pulling his head between his legs. Death focuses for a moment before rushing a few steps and flipping forward
DEATH’S CALLING! PACKAGE ARCADIAN PILEDRIVER!
Death delivers Mariachi’s own Kill it With Fire, the rose being crushed underneath the weight of Mariachi’s skull as Death drops down for the cover, hooking both legs as the referee slides into position.
ONE
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TWO
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THREE……
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THREE!!!!
Dr Death has done it, he becomes the very first person to break the Lambs curse and win the World Championship at Ring of Dreams even if he had to destroy his former partner to do so.
WINNER AND NEW OSW WORLD CHAMPION: DR. DEATH
“THE DAY THE MARIACHI FELL”
Dr. Death has done it. Nurse Frightengale rushes into the ring to celebrate with him.
The fans roar for him. They’re so happy. After everything he’s been through with his best friend turning on him, he’s done the unthinkable.
He won Lambs to the Slaughter and then beat El Mariachi Muerte in revenge to become OSW World Champion!
A feat never once accomplished before.
He gets back to his feet and is given the OSW World Championship. Muerte slowly pulls himself back up to his knees, looking mightily ashamed of himself.
“I’m sorry amigo,” he says solemnly. “I’m so very sorry.”
Dr. Death walks over, helping El Mariachi Muerte back to his feet.
“I shouldn’t have betrayed you. I should’ve told you what I found and trusted that you wouldn’t fulfil the destiny of the song,” Muerte says with regret.
LOW BLOW!
LOW BLOW!
LOW BLOW!
NURSE FRIGHTENGALE JUST LOW BLOWED THE APOLOGIZING MUERTE! WHAT THE FUCK!?
EMM drops to his knees, holding his groin. He’s gasping for air.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE FUCKING FACE!
- DEATH RUNS ACROSS HIM WITH THE BELT!
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
The fans can’t believe it. Muerte was apologizing; he was making amends. What the fuck is this about?
Dr. Death stands over him, World Title on his shoulder – Frightengale chuckling hysterically.
“All this time, you thought you were in control,” he sneers at his former friend. “But I was the one poisoning you.”
The crowd roar with boos.
“We made those song sheets, Muerte. We did. We forced your retired Mariachi to validate them and then murdered him for the privilege. Don’t worry though, old friend, he died slow and painfully.”
Death looks around the near rioting crowd, and chuckles evilly.
“It didn’t take much to make you turn on me,” he admits. “In fact, it didn’t make much to lead you here like a little lamb. You did what I needed you to do and took the title from Doom, and then I made you think you were the bad guy by forcing your hand in turning on me. All so that I could get inside your head. All so that I could lead you here and take this OSW World Championship from you.”
He raises the title in the air proudly.
“Come after me,” he pleads. “I know you will.”
“And when you do, we’ll turn that song sheet from fantasy into reality,” Frightengale says, chuckling as she does.
Dr. Death slowly backs away, the crowd booing at him as he does.
Cut.
“HE’S DEAD TO YOU NOW”
Arcadia Police Department.
Jackson Cade is mightily beat up and sits in the Sheriff’s Office, a blanket wrapped around him. He’s bloodied, battered, and beaten, but awaits Sheriff Gordon.
The Sheriff walks in with a folder and takes a seat on his side of the desk, looking at Cade with empathy.
“I’m afraid it isn’t good news,” he says looking at the paperwork. “Your handling of this Jasper Redgrave case has been unprofessional and personal from the start.”
He flicks through the documents.
“You’re out of Eagle Unit,” he announces abruptly. Cade’s face drops, as if he didn’t think it’d happen. “You can work your way back in, but for now, you’re being dropped back down to beat cop.”
“But sir,” he interrupts.
Mick Gordon isn’t interested.
“You fucked up, Cade. You’ll be getting a new partner and that’s the end of it.”
Silence.
Gordon closes the folder and sighs a deep, meaningful, breathy sigh.
“And that’s not it,” he admits.
Flashback – Clash #301:
“About that,” Cade interrupts. “Did you find anything?”
Gordon shakes his head.
“Not yet, but these things take time. If you keep opening your yapper, I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose you too,” Mick says, shrugging his shoulders and walking away.
The Present:
“I found him,” Gordon says. “He’s in Deathrow.”
Jackson immediately stands up, dropping his blanket.
“You’ve found Joey?” He demands to know. “I’ve gotta go and get him.”
Gordon stands up to meet him.
“He doesn’t go by that name, kid,” he says shaking his head. “He goes by CJ Thorpe, and he’s a prisoner. There’s no breaking him out.”
Cade looks distraught.
“Joseph Thorpe Cade,” he says. “No wonder I couldn’t find him. Is he okay?”
Deathrow – with Voiceover:
“He’s doing fine…”
Prison guards follow Max Meadows into the block, a prisoner in their possession. He’s cable tied, a bag on his head.
“We’ve a man down there who had some issues with him, but that’s all under control now.”
They take the prisoner into the cell of CJ Thorpe, opening the doors and tossing him inside.
“Try not to worry, Jackson. Your career here is in jeopardy and you have to start making the right decisions. Your brother is on Deathrow and there’s nothing you can do about it. He’s about a safe as he can be, but he’s dead to you now. He has to be.”
The prisoner takes the bag off his head, revealing a bandaged shoulder as he does.
Jasper Redgrave.
Jasper Redgrave is on Deathrow.
“What happened to you?” Thorpe asks.
Redgrave smirks.
Cut.
“HONEY, I'M HOME”
House of Sovereigns.
Zeus paces the red carpet of his throne room, debating what to do next with his daughter, Artemis. Suddenly, the sound of shouting can be heard echoing down the halls.
He rushes towards the noise, stopping abruptly when he see’s masked attackers assaulting his guards with various weapons.
Metal pipes, bars, and bats slam against Ares’ war machine, taking them down in the halls of Zeus’ home.
Just then, from the back a voice thunders.
“Honey, I’m home,” she says.
It’s Narcissa Balenciaga!
Accompanied by an unmasked Hephaestus, she walks towards Zeus with aplomb. The builder immediately darts off in a different direction, leaving her to approach him backed by many others and without fear.
“How did you get in here, Hera?” Zeus demands to know.
“These,” she replies, holding up the blueprints. “Hephaestus turned on you and joined the Uprising.”
“The Uprising? For the love of Chronos, you can’t hold me responsible for what you did,” he warns. “You chose to turn your back on our marriage. You chose to try and bring me down. You had everything with me. No-one knew we were married and everyone loved your clothes. I kept you in luxury and all I asked for was love, loyalty, and devotion. When you turned on me, I had to act. I had to send you away.”
She shakes her head.
“You’re always the victim, aren’t you? Even your own daughter wants to see you brought to justice, darling,” Narcissa replies, nodding to her crew who immediately grab him, restraining the Baron.
“I gave you your freedom, didn’t I? I let you wrestle in Old School Wrestling in hopes it’d sate your rage and when you tried to murder me, I let it go,” Zeus almost pleads with her. “I didn’t tell anyone that you were Hera.”
“Take him away,” she demands. “Someone find Artemis and free her.”
“What about Hephaestus?” Someone else asks.
“He has his own business to attend to,” Narcissa says, waving her finger around in a circle to rally her crew. Everyone goes in their own directions, taking Zeus away.
Kidnapped.
Meanwhile, Hephaestus stands over Ares, a gun pointed at him.
“Do you know who I am?” Ares growls, stood.
“Do you know who I am?” Hephaestus retorts. “You’ve not seen me without the get up, have you? But you’ve seen my wife.”
Ares immediately knows what’s going on.
“Listen,” he begins to calmly say – not begging, not pleading, but reasoning.
“No!” Hephaestus cuts him off. “You listen. I love Aphrodite and I always have. She’s my wife, Ares. You shouldn’t sleep with another man’s wife.”
He cocks the gun.
“Don’t make me do something you’ll regret,” Ares warns him with a finger.
“You seem to forget, I’m the one with the gun.”
…
…
…
…
…
BANG!
Cut.