The Lost Tapes IV, Escape The Mortuary.

Dedicated to Calvin Wells, fka The Scarecrow. 

I know if that if you were still with us today, you’d have loved not only this show but the presentation of it. 

With all our love.

Always in our hearts.

CHAPTER ONE

WELCOME TO THE MORTUARY

The sound of electrical buzzing is accompanied by flickering lights inside the Mortuary. We’ve never seen this room before. It’s a large red walled room with various tools and implements scattered across loose hangings on the wall. Some items have blood and viscera dripping from them, spattering the floor below with their undeniable gore.

Footsteps thump powerfully towards the wall. Relentless. Powerful. They belong to Tombstone, who approaches with aplomb. He stops just short of the wall of terror, looking to choose an implement.

He muses with a low growling hum. Decisions, decisions.

“The souls here now belong to me,” he says with a low, deep, and sinister tone. He grabs a large sharp curved hook from the wall and looks at it, before placing it back down on the table – his mind changed by something that caught his eye. It’s a shovel. The same shovel he used to bury Drewitt with just a few weeks ago.

With a sinister smile on his face, he unhooks the shovel and takes it into his possession. He lets out a powerful sigh. It’s an indication of how at home this piece of metal feels in the palm of his hand. There’s dirt on the handle, but that just helps it feel like home.

The Mortuary is full of voices tonight. New voices. It’s never occupied by more than Tombstone and Igor Mortis. Tonight, however, members of the Old School Wrestling roster litter the grounds. He can hear their voices as if he’s next to them, the sounds echoing and reverberating around his mind.

He can’t help but smile, turning around with the shovel in hand and walking towards the door. It’s time to hunt and the victims of Old School Wrestling await.

Exiting into the halls, the once pristine walkways of the Mortuary become a vile disgusting gore filled cesspit. There’s blood on the floor, doors, and walls. Viscera litters the area, dripping from the ceiling to the floor.

Tombstone places his shovel down for a moment, listening intently. He’s heard something. Slowly he begins walking the hall, his hand running against the blood covered walls as he slowly trundles towards the end of the corridor.

He stops at the end, lowering his head and listening. Flutter. He’s gone, but where?

The Woods. It’s raining and it would be pitch black if not for lighting glowing through the leaves and the branches of the abundant amount of trees overhead.

There’s a blinding flash of white light and once it dissipates, we see Sebastian

Boswick, Tucker Goode, Mr. Kleen, and Pauline Marjorie Studebaker, the Arcadian

Censorship Authority, standing confused above a battered and beaten Albert Lamplight. He’s eequally as confused. The ACA begin talking amongst themselves and questioning their change in surroundings when Boswick puts his arms out to take control of the situation.

That’s what a leader does.

“Decorum— decorum!” He shouts as he draws his hand next to the megaphone that’s strapped onto his utility belt. “I don’t want to have to use this…”

“Sir, when did it start raining?” Goode asks Boswick, who glances up to the sky and puts his hand into the air to have a feel. “I didn’t think Arcadia was scheduling rain today?”

There’s an abrupt crash of thunder accompanied by a white bolt of lightning that illuminates the area above. Everyone looks at one another. This isn’t right. Whenever Arcadia operates its weather system, there’s a process that takes place. It’s rare and only used when crops or areas need attention. This isn’t one of those times.

“Thunderstorm…” Boswick muses as Lamplight attempts to covertly crawl away, but PMS grabs him by his shirt collar and yanks him in close before punching his lights out with a grunt that a caveman would be envious of, dropping him to the cold, wet ground.

“In the woods…” Boswick continues as Kleen leans in close to his Mop of Justice as

if he were listening to it. “Without warning or notice?”

“What’s that? You said you saw something?” Kleen asks the mop.

The rest of the ACA and the hurting Lamplight look over at Kleen, even more confused now, as Kleen listens intently to the mop’s response.

“…”

Kleen shakes his head. “You saw a… fairy man? I don’t understand—“

Just as abruptly as before, another crash of thunder erupts as a bright white light illuminates their surroundings. Lamplight points to something behind Goode, causing the ACA to turn about face, looking for anything in that general direction.

But all they see is darkness.

“Nice try, Lamplight. If you thought it would be that easy to escape the ultra-binding

red tape of the ACA, you are mistak—”

Thunder and lightning strike yet again, and sure enough this time, the bright white light reveals a tall, gruff man with bright white eyes standing directly behind Tucker Goode.

Everyone’s eyes go wide with shock, except for Goode’s, until he stumbles backwards and bumps into him. The Ayatollah of Abstinence slowly turns around, sweating profusely now, the terror etched upon his face. That only amplifies when he sees who’s standing behind him:

Tombstone. A smiling, deranged, possessed Tombstone.

Goode gulps. Boswick lets out a blood curdling scream and Mr. Kleen tosses Moppy to safety into some nearby bushes. He’ll be back for that when the time calls for it.

CHAPTER TWO

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY…

Ferryman or Fairy Man, the ACA and Albert Lamplight are in trouble out in the woods!

“FAIRY MAN!!” Boswick shouts out the top of his lungs as he fumbles with the handle of his megaphone.

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!” Goode shrieks like a bitch and books it into the woods as Boswick attempts to maintain—

“DECORUM!!” Boswick shouts into his megaphone as the whole group scatters about in a flurry. He hides behind PMS who assumes the defensive position. Tombstone, however, is nowhere in sight.

“THERE IS A FAIRY MAN FLUTTERING ABOUT THESE WOODS,” Boswick declares. “BUT FEAR NOT, MORAL PEOPLE, FOR ALL FAIRY MEN SHALL BE

CENSORED!”

Mr. Kleen collects his mop like a staff, ready to fight, and Lamplight is seen pulling himself up to his feet by the bark on the side of a tree.

Thunder and lightning strikes—

“AAAaaaaahhhhhhh…” Goode’s voice trails off in the distance.

“MR. GOODE—” Boswick yells into his megaphone, “LOOK OUT FOR HIS PIXIE

DUST!!”

Cut to Tucker sprinting, bobbing and weaving around trees like a slalom skier, shirt drenched through with rain and sweat, when suddenly—

LIGHTNING BOLT IN FRONT OF HIM—

YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!!

Tombstone just dropped Goode like a sack of shit with that Bossman Slam in the mud, then stands over him as Goode reels backwards, scurrying away as fast as he can as

Tombstone slowly walks towards him, keeping pace. Goode’s back bumps into the base of a tree trunk, stopping his progress, and out of desperation Goode makes a circle motion in front of himself before slashing through it as Tombstone bends down—

GOOZLE!

GOODE’S GAGGING!

He cries a muffled moan as he tries to fight back, but Tombstone is choking him unconscious…

Meanwhile, the others all hear Goode’s muffled cries before everything goes silent.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING—

IT’S THE FERRYMAN!

“MR. KLEEN—” Boswick demands into the megaphone, “SANITIZE THE FAIRY

MAN!!”

With that, Kleen charges Tombstone, holding his Mop of Justice like a staff—

THWACK!

MOP HANDLE TO THE HEAD!

…

Tombstone slowly turns his head towards Kleen—

HIS EYES ARE GLOWING BRIGHT WHITE— AND HE LOOKS PISSED!

Kleen twirls his mop around to build momentum—

THWACK!!

MOP HANDLE TO THE FACE!!

This stumbles Tombstone, and Kleen twirls the mop even faster now, with vengeance on his mind.

“YES MR. KLEEN! AVENGE YOUR CLOSE FRIEND MR. GOODE!” shouts the ACA Chairman into his megaphone again from behind Big Stu as Kleen leaps at Tombstone and spins—

THWW—

TOMBSTONE CATCHES THE MOP!

The Ferryman growls and stares daggers at the mop—

GOOZLE—

TO THE MOP OF JUSTICE!!

“Stop!” Kleen pleads with Tombstone, “He can’t breathe!!”

Everyone turns their heads to Kleen for a moment, including Tombstone, who nods his head and drops the mop but just as quickly throws that hand right at Kleen’s throat—

GOOZLE!

TOMBSTONE HOISTS KLEEN UP HIGH— HEAVY FLOW!!!

MASSIVE GORE OUTTA NOWHERE BY PMS!!!

Her shriek still echoes through the woods as Kleen scurries to the mop, picking it up and holding it close. But Tombstone is nowhere to be found as everyone peers around themselves.

“Ms. Studebaker, you’ve done it,” Boswick proclaims. “You’ve killed the Fairy

Man!”

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING—

Tombstone stands directly behind Boswick now, and the chairman senses it. Boswick closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in, whispers “decorum” to himself a couple of times, straightens his tie, and blindly reaches behind him, feeling Tombstone’s massive frame. He grimaces, then he gulps and turns right into—

YOU GUESSED IT— A GOOZLE!!

Tombstone stares deep into Boswick’s soul as he clasps his hand around his throat—

THWACK!

MOP HANDLE TO THE BACK!

PMS TAKES TOMBSTONE OUT AT THE KNEES!!

Tombstone releases his clutch on Boswick, and the trio begin stomping a mudhole into him until suddenly—

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING—

TOMBSTONE HAS DISAPPEARED!

The three stop and look around wearily…

…

….

…

….

…

….

…

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING— SOULTAKER TO PMS!!!

THE LEAPING PUNCH OUTTA NOWHERE PUTS HER BUTCH ASS OUT!!!

…

GOOZLE TO KLEEN—

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!!!

THE CHOKESLAM CLEANS KLEEN’S CLOCK!!!

…

“STOP RIGHT THERE MR. FAIRY MAN,” says Boswick into the megaphone. “I

HEREBY CENSOR YOU—”

Boswick ain’t censoring shit right now.

GOOZLE!!

…

WHACK!!

TREE BRANCH TO THE BACK OF TOMBSTONE’S HEAD!!

Albert Lamplight of all people has just saved Boswick, and Lamplight follows up by lifting Tombstone up high into a crucifix before wrapping his arms around Tombstone’s

throat—

LAMPLIGHT SITS OUT— ILLUMINATION THEORY!!!

THE WIDOW’S PEAK!!!

And Tombstone is down.

Lamplight and Boswick stand over Tombstone a moment.

“Think he’s out?” Boswick asks earnestly.

Lamplight nudges Tombstone with his foot.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING—

DOUBLE GOOZLE— TWO GONGS!!!

DOUBLE FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!!!

BOTH MEN ARE OUT COLD…

EVERYONE IS DOWN AND OUT!!!

Everyone…

Except for The Ferryman.

Tombstone’s eyes glow a bright white as he walks by each of the downed men and women, sprinkling dirt over each of them as he passes.

“There’s your pixie dust.”

Nobody runs from the Ferry Man, as Tombstone walks tall against the ACA and L.

With the Arcadian Censorship Authority and Albert Lamplight residing as the first victims of the Ferryman, he stops once again, taking a moment to listen to the voices he can hear distinctly in his head.

Flutter.

CHAPTER THREE

YOU’VE ALL DONE BAD THINGS.

Flash! Harold Attano, Jackson Cade and Colt Ramsey suddenly appear in the halls of the Mortuary – only these aren’t the same halls as we saw before. These halls are dark and dingy, moist, and dirty. There’s no blood or viscera, but destruction and decay.

Suddenly, footsteps approach from behind – it’s Narcissa Balenciaga, disposing of her

Uprising outfit as she approaches the three men she last shared a room with.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise?” Colt says knowingly. He knew she’d be here, after all, he knows who she truly is.

Jackson and Harold look at him quizzically. They don’t understand. Why would they? Colt hasn’t exactly been upfront with them about what he knows. Narcissa knowingly tries to

play it off with an innocent smile.

“Fancy seeing you boys here?” She says cheekily. Colt rolls his eyes, shaking his head.

“You think you’re so fucking clever, don’t you?” Ramsey angrily asks, surprising the rest of them. Narcissa looks on awkwardly, until suddenly, a voice echoes from behind them.

“Daddy….” 

 They abruptly turn around to see Tombstone stood eerily behind them. His eyes suddenly flicker and glow a powerful white hue.

“Daddy? Why did you abandon me?” He asks, his sinister growling voice probing the soul of Harold Attano. His eyes stare a hole through him, causing him to recoil backwards in shock. “You let him kill me, daddy.”

“No…” Harold begs. “Please…”

“He fucking killed me, dad. He did things to me. You have no idea what they felt like;

you have no idea the terror I felt and why? Because you weren’t there to save me!”

“Hold the fuck on,” Cade interrupts angrily. He steps in front of Attano, who’s head lowers in shame.

Tombstone suddenly snaps his head towards The Officer.

“Is that not fair, boy?” Tombstone asks, no longer inhabiting the soul of Harold’s daughter. He’s someone else now; Riggs. “After what you did to me and my family, you want to talk about fair? You’re responsible for what happened to us. Your obsession with

Redgrave cost us our lives.”

Cade looks at the ground, his eyes flittering back and forth between sadness and despair. Tombstone turns to face Narcissa, his head tilted as his voice becomes soft and childlike.

“We trusted you…” He mutters.

“Anna?” Narcissa questions, her face paler than ever. “No…”

“What the fuck is going on?” Ramsey demands to know. He looks at the three people he’s surrounded by, all of them utterly lost to the despair of their supposed actions.

With no immediate escape in sight, it appears Narcissa, Colt, Attano and Cade have no choice but to stare down and go toe-to-toe with the monstrous Tombstone!

The quartet are visibly nervous as Tombstone beckons them towards him.

But no one does, at least, not immediately.

Finally, the OSW World Champion Jackson Cade grits his teeth and charges towards

Tombstone!

JUST TO GET GRABBED BY THE THROAT AND LIFTED HIGH IN THE

AIR!!!

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!!!

NO!!!

KNEECAPPED BY HAROLD ATTANO!!!

The shotgun dropkick to Tombstone’s knee causes him to drop Cade to the ground, who clutchest at his throat and gasps for air.

Just as Attano scrambles up to his feet to continue his attack…

…Tombstone’s gone.

Harold turns and looks for Narcissa, who is side by side with Colt sprinting down the

Halls, clamoring for a way out when– “OOF!”

She runs right into Tombstone!

YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!!! BIG BOSS MAN SLAM!!!

Narcissa’s back ARCHES from the pain as she’s left on the cold ground of the hall.

Tombstone rises up just in time to see Colt Ramsey, his trembling hands holding his camera.

“Say Cheese,” he says.

FLASH!

…Only when the flash of the camera fades, Tombstone isn’t there.

Colt Ramsey looks everywhere for Tombstone.

Everywhere…

flutter.

…Except behind him.

Tombstone grabs a handful of the hair on Colt’s scalp and pulls him backwards!

INVERTED DDT ON THE HARD, COLD FLOOR!!!

Colt cries out in pain and writhes around on the floor, gripping the back of his head.

Back up at their original position, Harold Attano and Jackson Cade stand back to back, turning in pivoted circles, making sure they have each other’s six at all times.

…it doesn’t fucking matter. flutter.

Suddenly Tombstone has split between them like a knife!!!

HE SLAMS THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS INTO EACH OTHER!!!

AGAIN!!!

AND AGAIN!!!

AND AGAIN!!!

The duo drop to the ground, and Tombstone’s visage displays the hint of a smile that he is pleased with his work so far.

And his ears bristle… With the sound of heels running through the Halls.

Narcissa Balenciaga. The leader of the Resistance wants no part in this fight, and is searching high and low for a way out.

flutter.

She stops dead in her tracks. She heard the flutter. She knows he’s near.

Narcissa turns and looks down the hall.

There he is.

The Ferryman.

With nowhere to run a d nowhere to hide, Narcissa takes a defensive stance. She grits her teeth. Balls up her fists.

flutter.

HE’S RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER!!!

HIGH FASHION!!! THE JUMPING SPIN KICK SENDS TOMBSTONE

STAGGERING BACK AGAINST THE WALL!!!

BUT TOMBSTONE USES IT LIKE A SPRINGBOARD!!!

SOUL TAKER!!!! THE HEART PUNCH DEVASTATES BALENCIAGA,

DROPS HER TO THE GROUND LIKE A DESIGNER PURSE FULL OF BRICKS!!!

Narcissa is out COLD.

Tombstone turns around!

CAMERA FLASH RIGHT IN HIS EYES!!!

DDT!!!

SAY CHEESE BY COLT RAMSEY!!!

…But by the time Colt scrambles back up to his feet, Tombstone has disappeared.

He looks down at Narcissa.

He could leave her here.

He could move further through the Halls and look for a way out.

But something inside him knows, if he wants the Truth, he can’t abandon her.

Not here.

Meanwhile, Attano and Cade are slowly crawling their way back up to their feet.

“We need a strategy,” Cade says. “No shit, Champ,” replies Attano.

flutter.

“Damn it!” They both shout in unison, reaching their feet just in time for both to be met by Tombstone.

AND FOR BOTH TO BE GRABBED BY THE THROAT!!!

HE LIFTS THEM HIGH IN THE AIR!!!

THUMB TO THE EYE FROM ATTANO!!! BUT TOMBSTONE DOESN’T

DROP THEM!!!

ANOTHER THUMB TO THE EYE!!! AND THIS TIME HE PRESSES IN!!!

TOMBSTONE DROPS THEM!!!

KNEECAPPED!!! AGAIN THE SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE KNEE!!!

TOMBSTONE DROPS TO ONE KNEE!!!

HOSTILE DOWN!!! THE LEAPING SUPERKICK LAYS TOMBSTONE

OUT!!!!

But Attano and Cade waste no time patting themselves on the back.

They take off running in the direction of Narcissa and Colt. flutter.

And Tombstone is gone.

Attano and Cade arrive to find Colt helping Narcissa to her feet.

“We gotta get out of here,” Colt says, offering no further explanation for him helping

Narcissa. Innately, Cade and Attano understand.

“Where’s the exit?”

Colt points in the direction Narcissa had been running. Just a bit of light in the distance.

They nod at one another.

“Let’s go,” Cade says. flutter.

But of course, nothing is that easy.

Tombstone appears, standing between them and that little bit of light which his silhouette poetically engulfs.

Narcissa pushes herself away from Colt. She looks at the three of them.

“If this is the way it has to be,” she says, “So be it.” She charges towards Tombstone!!!

YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!!!

AND YOU CAN’T RUN TOWARDS HIM EITHER!!!  THE BIG BOSS MAN SLAM PUTS NARCISSA TO SLEEP!!!

flutter.

TOMBSTONE IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ATTANO AND CADE.

TWO HANDS AROUND THEIR RESPECTIVE THROATS!!!

FOR WHOM!!!

THE BELL!!!

TOLLS!!! TO BOTH MEN!!! GOOD GOD!!!!

Colt Ramsey reaches for his camera!

TOO LATE!!! A VICIOUS BOOT TO RAMSEY’S GUT!!!

ODE!!!

TO!!!!

CHARON!!!!

THE JACK KNIFE POWERBOMB!!!!

All four of Tombstone’s opponents lay knocked out, cold.

Though they fought valiantly, in the end, Tombstone’s power was too great for this quartet. The Ferryman takes one last look at his handiwork.

flutter. 

CHAPTER FOUR

OPEN THE GATES…

Flashback.

In the Underworld, Cerberus and his demon army patrol the gates of the damned. The fire rages as hounds patrol back and forth.

He sits there on a throne made of viscera and bone, tapping his paws on the floor in anticipation.

“He’s not coming, is he?” Cerberus growls. He spews fire as he barks and growls, furious. “Open the gates…”

“But sir,” of the hounds pleads of his master.

Cerberus looks at him with a raging inferno in his eyes. The hound opens the gates, refusing to bare witness to his master’s rage.

“If Tombstone wishes to stop ferrying souls to us, then we’ll send souls to him,” he barks. “Fly. Punish him.”

White spiritual orbs start flying from behind the gates of the underworld, fleeing into the atmosphere in hopes of returning to Arcadia. As they escape, Cerberus lets out a harrowing laugh, barking as he does.

Present.

Back in the present and a white light flashes in the cemetery, revealing Luther Grim and Jinx, transported from the cabin in the woods. They both land on their hands and knees, looking shocked by what’s occurred.

Coughing and spluttering, Jinx is first back to her feet.

“What the….”

Luther joins her there, looking at his surroundings. He isn’t glib, he isn’t angry – he’s just as confused. He quickly ambles over to the nearest gates, pulling on the metal bars frantically.

“The gates won’t open,” he sneers.

Jinx comes over and tries.

“Open the gates!” She yells into thin air, hoping someone is there to hear her. No-one does. They both turn and walk into the grave yard, stopping at ne particular grave.

It belongs to Jinx’ brother.

“This shouldn’t be here,” she says in shock. Her eyes begin tearing as she realizes the game is afoot. “They never found his…. I mean…”

Flutter.

They both turn around to see Tombstone having abruptly arrived before them. His eyes once again glowing white.

“How about this for a pairing?” The Ferryman says with a smirk. “My sister and the man who killed me. Don’t you two make a cute couple?”

Both of their eyes widen. They share a look at one another, gulping.

“Oh, don’t be so bashful. It’s quite cute when you think about it. My sister, who should be avenging me, standing alongside the man who murdered me in cold blood. Could you imagine how great your kids would be?”

“Tommy, please,” The Hacker begs.

“I’m sorry – ” Luther Grim blurts out. “But I’m not sorry. You knew what you were getting yourself in for when you signed up to do what you did, Thomas.”

That garners the attention of Jinx, who naturally wants to know what he means by

that.

Tombstone laughs, causing her to turn and face him with her fists raised.

“Do you and your boyfriend wanna fight me, little sister?” He snarls at her, as she backs away slowly. “Let’s have some fun, shall we?”

Jinx wants nothing more than to find out the truth about Luther Grim…but neither the Fatal Error nor the Hunter have time to dwell on their animosity as they’re forced to contend with an angry, powerful Ferryman in Tombstone!

Luther rushes at the Ferryman first, looking to catch him off guard…but to no avail, as

Tombstone tosses him aside with ease!

This gives Jinx an opportunity to strike fast, and strike hard…but she gets caught with a hand around her throat by the Ferryman!

Only for Grim to intervene with a kick that surprises Tombstone, causing him to lose grip of the Fatal Error…as well as his patience.

Tombstone snarls as he lunges at the Hunter, wailing away at him with lefts and rights before bringing Luther back to his feet…LAUNCHING HIM INTO A NEARBY

GRAVESTONE!

Tombstone around to face Jinx, only the Glitch has seemingly disappeared…until she comes charging at full speed toward the Ferryman!

NO!

Tombstone catches her, his arms wrapped tight around her in a bearhug as he starts stomping away!

A SOUL TO CARRY!

Jinx looks like she’s fading until Tombstone drops her down next to Luther

Grim…who is starting to stir, much to the Ferryman’s surprise!

Grim is wobbly but slowly makes his way back on his feet…telling Tombstone he wants more!

This sets the Ferryman off on a journey to destroy Luther, immediately obliging the

Hunter with some hard lefts and rights that really take their toll on him.

Grim tries to fight back, but finds that even his strongest punches are no match for

Tombstone, not as he is now.

If anything, every punch the Beast of Prey delivers simply further enrages a Ferryman on a mission…one he looks to deliver with a series of delayed thrusting uppercuts targeted at the skull of Luther!

THE FERRYMAN’S KNOCK!

But before he can deliver one final blow, Tombstone is sent stumbling courtesy of a dropkick from Jinx!

Grim and Jinx stand side by side as they stare down the Ferryman…who growls with an intense focus, his white eyes staring right into their very souls.

Souls he looks to take.

Grim and Jinx lock arms as they rush toward Tombstone, hoping to knock him off his feet…but the Ferryman stretches his arms out, looking for a double clothesline of his own!

Just in the nick of time, the pair let go and duck under Tombstone’s attack…and Jinx stops herself at a gravestone, reversing momentum as she looks for a Kinshasa on the Ferryman!

SCRAMBLE THE–NO!

Tombstone’s got the Glitch by the goozle!

He’s looking for a chokeslam…but Grim rushes at the Ferryman with a shovel he’s found nearby!

AND THE HUNTER BREAKS THAT SHOVEL RIGHT OVER

TOMBSTONE’S HEAD!

This forces him to let go of Jinx once again, dropping to one knee…AND JINX

CATCHES HIM WITH THE KINSHASA!

SCRAMBLE THE SIGNAL!

Tombstone falls to his back…but he is NOT knocked out, not by a long shot.

Instead, the Ferryman rises to his feet, a snarl on his face as he points at the Fatal

Error…indicating she has, indeed, made a fatal error in crossing him.

Grim and Jinx look at each other, quickly trying to decide on a new plan of attack as Tombstone approaches the pair, eager to put an end to this…ONLY FOR GRIM TO BLINDSIDE HIM WITH A SPEAR!

GREAT–NO!

Tombstone manages to turn it into a DDT, driving Grim’s skull into the ground instead!

Is there any way to stop the Ferryman!?

Jinx looks around, uncertain whether to continue going after Tombstone or seek a way to escape…but soon, she is afforded neither option as he grabs her by the hair.

Tombstone pulls her in, wrapping that hand around her throat once more…AND

CONNECTS WITH A FALLING CHOKESLAM ONTO THE GROUND!

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!

Jinx’s bell may be rung to say the least, as the Ferryman turns his attention back to Grim…only to find that the Hunter has managed to pull himself back up using the nearby gravestone.

Tombstone steps toward him, only for Luther to connect with a Brogue Kick to the chest!

BLOOD SPORT!

This sends Tombstone about two steps back, but any opening is helpful for Grim as he stays on the attack…and soon, Jinx joins him!

The two try and fight the Ferryman back as much as possible, until Tombstone sends

Jinx away with a hard shove…turning his attention to a Hunter that has vanished!

But not for long, as we see Grim hoisting something over his head as he rushes toward the Ferryman…a gravestone!

AND GRIM SLAMS THE GRAVESTONE AGAINST THE HEAD OF THE

FERRYMAN!

Tombstone is sent reeling back, the now-broken gravestone falling beside him as

Grim catches him with a spear that connects!

GREAT PURSUIT!

Grim looks ready to keep on fighting, adamant on trying to put an end to the

Ferryman…but Jinx grabs him, telling the Hunter they have no other choice but to escape.

Reason wins out in the end as they rush to leave… and Tombstone vanishes without a trace!

CHAPTER fIVE

POSESSION IS NINE TENTHS

Whoosh!

When the white light envelops the Boiler Room and dissipates, Destructo Boy and The Burned Man exhausted fall to the floor. The Burned Man rushes to his sons aide, helping him back to his feet. He’s doubled over in pain, wincing and holding his stomach. He’d not long escaped Doom and his miserable capture.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save you, son,” he apologises profusely, placing a hand on Destructo Boy’s back. He soon removes it, leaving his son to recover. “I tried. You have to

believe me that I tried. I looked everywhere for you…”

“Oh boys…”

A feint whisper comes from behind, but neither of them hear it.

“Oh boys……”

Again, nothing.

The Burned Man turns to his son, something irking him. He wants his son to communicate with him, but he’s not saying a word. He’s just doubled over in pain, silent.

Dead silent.

Not understanding why his son isn’t talking. In frustration, he throws his hands into

the air.

“OH BOYS!!” A soft voice somehow booms, echoing throughout the boiler room.

Both men whip their head round to look for the source, only to see Tombstone stood behind them, his arms spread. His eyes suddenly flicker white.

“Oh boys,” he says again. This time they hear him. “It’s so wonderful to see my boys together again, though you don’t quite look how I remember, Maxwell.”

“Sarah?” He questions.

“Mom?” Destructo Boy finally speaks. “Mom, is that you?” Tombstone nods.

“Your father killed me, son. Did you know that? He thought he killed you too,” he hisses sinisterly. Destructo Boy looks at him, his head tilted. “It was because of him that those men broke into our home and tried to kill us. This supposed hero was useless to stop them.”

“I remember, mom,” he says sadly.

The Burned Man looks at him, his eyes showing betrayal. That wasn’t how it happened, and they know it.

“I tried to get to you,” The Burned Man interrupts, refusing to accept what his wife is saying. “The roof collapsed. I couldn’t get through it. I was burned almost to cinder in trying,

Sarah – you must believe me.”

Tombstone scoffs.

“Our boy got out because I saved him,” he says knowingly. He points at Destructo

Boy and then at himself. “I sacrificed my life to save our son. Where the fuck were you,

Max?”

“Is that true?” He asks of Destructo Boy, who nods in agreement. It is true. Sarah

saved her sons life that day.

“I had no idea,” he mutters solemnly. His eyes fill with tears.

“And you,” Tombstone continues, this time his attention turned to Faith. “Look at the embarrassment you’ve become. A hero, you say? What kind of hero are you? You’re a pathetic failure and I should’ve let you burn.”

With that, an angry Burned Man puts his son behind him and pulls out the Kingdome

Blade.

“You might have once been his mother and my wife, but whatever you are now is a bitter and twisted thing that neither of us recognize,” he says, tears shedding before his son.

“We love you, Sarah. We always will.”

“Please mom,” Faith begs. “Leave us…”

Tombstone laughs loudly, echoing throughout the Boiler Room.

“You don’t get it do you, boys?” He asks with a shrug. “When I died, my soul didn’t go to paradise. That wasn’t my forever home.”

The Burned Man shares a look with his son. Neither of them knows what to say or do, the blade remaining in the hands of the father.

“After years in the Underworld, I’m finally free to get revenge on those who cost me my life…”

Father and son find themselves in a boiler room! Tombstone approaches from around a corner, his intentions clear.

With the Kingdome blade in hand, he swings it at Tombstone who tanks shot after shot to the chest and head! The Ferryman catches the weapon and grabs Burned Man’s head before bouncing it off of a nearby pipe! The scalding hot metal burns the former hero!

“Why did you let me die?”

A ghostly voice comes from Tombstone that shakes Burned Man to his core! Steam rises from his burning face as he struggles in Tombstone’s grip!

IMPACT BREAKER! CORKSCREW HEADBUTT BY DESTRUCTO BOY!

The Boy Wonder is weak but he can still fight! Faith helps his dad back to his feet and both square up as Tombstone goes right back on the attack! He slams Burned Man with a hard haymaker before grabbing Destructo Boy and lifting him high!

A SOUL TO CARRY! MASSIVE BEARHUG LOCKED IN!

Tombstone runs through the boiler room and Burned Man gives chase! Destructo Boy yells in agony as the bearhug crushes his ribcage! Burned Man turns the Kingdomblade into a  throwing axe and hucks it into a nearby pipe!

HOT STEAM BLASTS TOMBSTONE IN THE FACE! HE DROPS

DESTRUCTO BOY!

The Hero picks up the blade, turning it into a gauntlet before hitting a leaping superman punch to the jaw of Tombstone! He throws the gauntlet to Burned Man who catches it, turning it into a hammer before taking Tombstone out at the knees! Father and son work in unison, throwing the weapon back and forth as they unload on Tombstone with desperate brutality!

SOULLLLLLLLLLLL TAKER! HEART PUNCH TO DESTRUCTO BOY!

The Young Hero drops like a pile of bricks and Tombstone grabs hold of Burned Man! He slams the former hero into the boiler itself face first over and over! The Ferryman’s strength is horrific, the metal denting from Burned Man’s skull meeting it with terrible thuds!

“I burned because of you!”

That same ghostly voice erupts from Tombstone and the Burned Man looks to give up as he goes limp! Tombstone flings him into the wall, concrete cracking from the impact as he collapses to the ground! Tombstone rears back and goes for a life ending big boot!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

JUSTICE GRENADE! DESTRUCTO BOY LEAPS FROM THE TOP OF THE

BOILER WITH A 630 SENTON RIGHT ON TOP OF TOMBSTONE’S HEAD!

The Courier collapses beneath the attack, Destructo Boy laying into him with kick after kick before backing away! Tombstone rises, giving chase as Destructo Boy disappears further into the boiler room, luring Tombstone away from Burned Man! The Kid turns a corner and gets a massive clothesline to the face! Tombstone appeared from behind the boiler!

“You’re no son of mine!”

The ghostly voice spills from Tombstone’s mouth once more and Destructo Boy freezes in shock! Tombstone capitalizes, laying into the kid with wild haymakers and terrible forearms that knock him around the room! He wraps a big hand around Destructo Boy’s throat, lifting him high and watching his legs kick fruitlessly!

FOR WHOM THE- BACKDRAFT! SPINNING BACK ELBOW FROM

BURNED MAN!

Tombstone drops Destructo Boy and whips around with a massive right that Burned

Man ducks that goes right through the concrete!

MATCH STRIKER! STO INTO THE WALL!

SHINE SPIKE! TOMBSTONE STUMBLES BACK INTO THE BACKDROP

DRIVER FROM DESTUCTO BOY!

Both members of Burning Justice back away from Tombstone, trying to catch their breath as The Ferryman lies motionless! They immediately leave to look for an exit.

“THIS FAMILY IS A JOKE!”

TOMBSTONE BREAKS THROUGH A CONCRETE WALL AND COLLIDES

WITH THE HEROES! HE JUST MADE A MAKESHIFT EXIT!

The ghostly voice leaves both frozen in place and Tombstone wraps a hand around either throat! He lifts them into the air but Burned Man grabs hold of a burning hot pipe! He kicks at Tombstone’s face over and over until he lets go of Destructo Boy! The Boy Wonder grabs the Kingdomblade and cracks it across Tombstone’s back causing him to drop Burned Man!

FERRYMAN’S KNOCK! TOMBSTONE LETS LOOSE UPPERCUTS TO

BOTH MEN!

He grabs Burned Man, throwing him into the boiler before picking up the

Kingdomblade! Tombstone rushes forwards!

AND BURIES IT INTO THE BOILER! BURNED MAN MOVED OUT OF

THE WAY!

Burned Man grabs the key and wrenches it back!

BOILING STEAM BLASTS BOTH HIM AND TOMBSTONE!

“Run!”

THE BURNED MAN GRABS TOMBSTONE AND HOLDS HIM IN THE STEAM! MAXWELL HOLDS ON UNTIL HE COLLAPSES FROM THE PAIN! HE’S UNCONCIOUS!

Destructo Boy grabs the Kingdomblade from the ground, watching as Tombstone steps out of the steam! He lashes out!

DISCUS KINGDOMBLADE TO THE SKULL! TOMBSTONE GETS

KNOCKED BACK INTO THE BROKEN BOILER!

Destructo Boy grabs Burned Man by the hand and begins to drag him away! He pulls him through the hole in the wall! Burning Justice just escaped the boiler room!

Tombstone rises from the boiler, watching as Burned Man and Destructo Boy make their escape.

Flashback

When Tombstone stops convulsing, his eyes are a dead and pale white.

“You set the fire that almost burned down The Mortuary,” he announces gruffly. Everyone thought that was Drewitt, but it wasn’t. “You wanted my attention; he wanted my attention. You’ve got it.”

What the fuck does that mean?

Suddenly, something takes over him. His voice changes.

“We’re glad we have your attention now, Tombstone,” he says to himself. “Cerberus wanted you to know that he’s unhappy with your retirement. Without you, no souls make it to his gates. Until you reconsider, we’ll be here to keep you company.”

Gulp.

He storms away.

CHAPTER SIX

COGS IN THE MURDEROUS MACHINE

Flash.

Gasp. El Mariachi Muerte and Dr. Death abruptly fall to the floor inside the cold morgue of The Mortuary. There’s a body under a green tarp on the table behind them as smoke eerily fills the room – fortunately for El Mariachi Muerte, that smoke isn’t the nitrogen that Dr. Death tried to poison him with. They carefully get back to their feet, their eyes locked and not once leaving each other’s.

“Is this some kind of joke?” Death asks The Mariachi, who shakes his head slowly.

“You think you can scare me with parlour tricks?”

El Mariachi again shakes his head.

“You think if I wanted to do that, I’d bring you here? After everything we’ve been through, there’s worse places you could be,” he says, looking over to the dead body under the green tarp as if to say that could be you.

Death scoffs at him.

“You might need me,” Muerte says with a sinister smile. “But who says I need you?”

They’re about to come to blows when the lights above them flicker. The eerie flickering is soon followed by a thud. They both turn their attention to behind them, where at the other side of the table, Tombstone now stands.

They’re turn back to one another, Muerte rubbing his eyes. It’s as if a vision had appeared and neither men can believe what they’re seeing.

The Ferryman opens one of the morgue chambers, eerily sliding out one of the trays in which an old rusty guitar rests. He picks it up, placing the strap over his shoulder and then approaching Death and El Mariachi, who step backwards, both afraid of what might come next.

“Do you remember me?” He says, striking a chord. “A retired life I lived until you two entered it.”

They both turn to look at one another.

“A murder so foul,” he says to another chord strike. Muerte looks at Death with a sneer. “And yet here you stand. No blood as been spilt in my name. No se busca venganza.

No revenge sought.”

“Oh, I’m in the process of it,” Muerte reminds him angrily.

“Me first,” Tombstone says, crashing the guitar down over his head. “Me first.”

Death backs away as the guitar splinters across the room, holding his arms up as if to beg off from the man he killed all those months ago. The Retired Mariachi now inhabiting the vicious carcass of The Ferryman.

“It was your time, old man,” The former World Champion says with his hands still raised.

“If it was my time, does that mean this is yours, mi amigo?” Tombstone asks, carefully and methodically stalking towards him.

Suddenly, El Mariachi Muerte coughs from behind. He’s back to all fours and slowly begins getting back to his feet. Tombstone turns to face him, tilting his head. “What a relentless little creature you are…”

Dr. Death grabs his cane and nails Tombstone in the back with it but Tombstone doesn’t budge! He merely turns around and delivers a big boot to the doctor! He pulls him up and gets him into powerbomb position!

ODE TO CHARON!

JACKKNIFE POWERBOMB ONTO THE STEEL TABLE!

NO!

DEATH COUNTERS WITH A HURRICANRANA AND TOMBSTONE

GETS LAUNCHED INTO THE TABLE!

TOMBSTONE PULLS HIMSELF UP BUT IS QUICKLY NAILED WITH A

JUMPING DDT FROM EL MARIACHI MUERTE TO THE FLOOR!

The old tag team Champs are showing off that old chemistry right now and they both jump on top of the steel table! What are they thinking? It doesn’t matter! Tombstone gets right up and flips the table with them on it! They crash to the floor!

Tombstone lifts the steel table overhead and tosses it on top of them! They are getting overwhelmed here as he just walks on the table towards a bodybag! He brings it to the two!

TOMBSTONE IS PUTTING EL MARIACHI MUERTE IN THE BODYBAG!

HE PULLS MEURTE UP AND PUTS HIM IN A TOMBSTONE POSITION!

DEATH DOES A HANDSPRING OFF THE WALL AND NAILS A

CUTTER!

LETHAL INJECTION!

TOMBSTONE FALLS FACE FIRST BUT THAT ALSO CRUSHES MUERTE

UNDER TOMBSTONE!

Tombstone is rocked and Dr. Death pulls El Mariachi Muerte out of the bag! Muerte is shaken and Dr. Death is trying to get Meurte ready to fight! Muerte stirs and he’s planted! He’s ready to fight but Death isn’t! An amazing clothesline from Tombstone to Dr. Death and that turns Death inside out!

TOMBSTONE ISN’T DONE AND HE PULLS DR. DEATH UP BY THE

THROAT!

DESPERATE LOW BLOW BY DR. DEATH!

IN THE END!

PUMPHANDLE HALF-NELSON DRIVER BY EL MARIACHI MUERTE!

The former Champs look at each other, nod, and rush to the front door! It’s locked?! They look for a key but before they can find it, Dr. Death gets blasted in the back of the head by his own cane!

DEATH IS DOWN AND MUERTE IS ON HIS OWN!

MUERTE HAS A SIMILAR IDEA AND SWINGS HIS GUITAR AT

TOMBSTONE!

TOP OF THE CHARTS! HEADSHOT WITH THE GUITAR AND IT

EXPLODES ON IMPACT!

NO REACTION FROM TOMBSTONE AS HE NAILS AN OPEN MUERTE

WITH A HEART PUNCH!

SOUL TAKER!

Muerte crumbles to the floor and Tombstone gets on top of him landing some major hammer fist punches! Dr. Death saves his former teammate by choking Tombstone with the cane! Tombstone looks like he’s fading but he grabs the cane and throws Death over him and onto the floor!

TOMBSTONE IS DOWN TO A KNEE CLUTCHING HIS THROAT!

EL MARIACHI MUERTE TAKES A PAGE OUT OF DEATH’S PLAYBOOK

AND STARTS CHOKING TOMBSTONE WITH A GUITAR STRING!

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM!

TOMBSTONE IS FADING!

TOMBSTONE REACHES OUT TRYING TO GRAB ANYTHING!

HE CHOOSES EYES AND HE’S DIGGING HIS THUMBS IN DEEP TO

MAKE MUERTE LET GO!

Tombstone takes advantage of the blinded Muerte with a spinebuster on the concrete!

Muerte’s back is arching in pain! Death nails a chop block to Tombstone out of nowhere!

He’s just trying to slow Tombstone down now as he rushes back to the key!

DEATH GETS HIS HANDS ON THE KEYS AND SPRINTS TO THE

FRONT DOOR!

POUNCE!

TOMBSTONE DOESN’T LET HIM GET TO THE DOOR AND DR. DEATH

HITS THE WALL HARD!

Tombstone grabs Death’s head and starts bashing it into the floor over and over again! Death looks like he’s almost out of it but Muerte grabs Tombstone from the back and drives him face first into the wall!

TOMBSTONE IS STUNNED!

MUERTE CAPITALIZES AND NAILS TOMBSTONE WITH A

LUNGBLOWER!

HE FOLLOWS WITH A WHISKEY LULLABY!

BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!

HE PULLS TOMBSTONE UP AND IS GOING FOR A PACKAGE

PILEDRIVER!

LOW BLOW BY TOMBSTONE! HE’S NOT JUST CRUSHING THE PEOPLE

HERE TODAY, HE’S PREVENTING FUTURE GENERATIONS!

HE GRABS MUERTE BY THE THROAT!

ON YOUR WAY!

CHOKESLAM INTO A ROCK BOTTOM ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!

KIWF!

MUERTE IS KNOCKED OUT COLD!

It’s just Dr. Death and Tombstone now! Dr. Death sprints at Tombstone!

YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!

BIG BOSS MAN SLAM ON THE FLOOR!

TOMBSTONE PICKS DEATH OFF THE FLOOR AND HE NAILS HIS

NAMESAKE!

TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER TO THE CONCRETE!

ELYSIUM FIELDS!

DEATH IS SPIKED ON THE CONCRETE AND OUT AS COLD AS THE

CADAVERS HERE!

Tombstone has claimed two more victims! Who’s next?

Whistles. Whistles echo throughout the once trodden halls as Tombstone slowly and methodically continues upon his path of destruction. He stops, hearing bangs and crashes from the cellar basement beneath his feet.

What an unusual sound to be heard on a night when the Old School Wrestling roster ought to be fearing not only for their lives but for their souls. After all, with no Ferryman, where if they perish would they go, if not to remain here forever?

With a smirk, he turns to the door and slowly twists the handle, stepping down into the basement steps themselves. What he expects to find below is of no surprise, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t pleased to find it.

Flash.

The last we saw, Vision was incensed and turns towards Grimskull, fists balled. He stormed over to him and their arrival here inside the basement of the mortuary picked up exactly where they left off with both men throwing punches at one another.

What they don’t see as they crash and bang against the walls is that walking slowly down the steps behind them is the ominous figure of Tombstone.

He stops at the bottom of the steps, watching as Vision smashes Grimskull with a brutal right hand that knocks him backwards into a pile of boxes.

“You piece of –” Vision grumbles as he steps away from the wounded Grimskull with

fury.

The Preacher chuckles at the pain.

“This battle of attrition between you and I will reach a conclusion,” he says with a toothy smile. “If not today, then some day soon.”

Suddenly, Tombstone clears his throat.

With the brawl at a stop, they turn their attention to the Ferryman himself, who stands having watched it unfold.

“Why did you kill me?” A different voice emanates from Tombstone. Both Grimskull and Vision look at him quizzically. “I just wanted to become a member of The Third Eye. I did everything asked of me, didn’t I?”

It’s Eric Masterson. It’s the man that Vision accidentally murdered when Grimskull entered the Altar.

That causes the Preacher to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Tombstone says, turning his attention to Grimskull. “Did you think you’d gotten away with it too?”

“Aaron?” Grim stutters. “How…”

“Freedom through pain,” he retorts, approaching slowly. “Freedom to take your soul like you did mine.”

Vision and Grimskull glance to one another uneasily as Tombstone ominously approaches. The Third Eye leader quickly reaches out and pushes Grimskull forwards and unknowingly into battle.

 

 

 

INTO THE FERRYMAN’S KNOCK! A SERIES OF UPPERCUTS KNOCKS

THE MARTYR SILLY!

The Awoken One rushes towards the exit of the basement as Tombstone throws Grimskull across the room! He walks around a corner and Vision walks up the stairs to the doorway! He opens the door!

RIGHT INTO A BIG FUCKING BOOT! TOMBSTONE JUST APPEARED AT

THE TOP OF THE STAIRS!

Vision falls haphazardly down the stairs smashing the steps to pieces and lands in a heap at the bottom! He tries to get to his feet but Tombstone flies forwards with a leaping clothesline that takes his fucking head off! The Ferryman grabs hold of a nearby cinderblock!

He hauls it overhead and goes to crush Vision’s skull!

NOOOOOOOOO! THE LESSON! SUPERKICK BY GRIMSKULL!

Tombstone staggers back but doesn’t fall! He reaches out and wraps a big hand around

The Preacher’s throat! He hauls him into the air!

BUT HE GETS ASSAULTED IN A BLIND FURY! VISION LAYS INTO

TOMBSTONE WITH A FLURRY OF PUNCHES, KICKS, AND ELBOWS!

The Ferryman drops Grimskull who lashes out with a massive headbutt to the nose that finally knocks Tombstone back! The Ferryman doesn’t even go down from the assault but he disappears into the shadows! Grimskull and Vision share a reluctant look, nodding their heads before going back to back waiting for the monster to come back!

A MAN STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS! IT’S-!

It’s Tombstone, but Grimskull see’s Aaron West? The former member of Grimskull’s cult stumbles from the darkness with his face filled with holes! Grimskull backs away in shock as Aaron leaps at him!

ORNAMENTAL SKULL TO THE HEAD!

Aaron smashes the object that killed him over and over into Grimskull’s head! Vision leaps at him with a knee to the temple! Aaron drops the weapon and Vision leaps over him!

ONE FLEW OVER! THROW BACK RIGHT ONTO THE SKULL!

Blood pours forth from new wounds on Aaron’s face! He lies motionless before his body slowly turns to ashes! Vision backs away looking for a hasty retreat when he bumps into a closet!

AND A MAN BURSTS OUT! IT’S TOMBSTONE, BUT VISION SEE’S ERIC MASTERSON! HE HAS A BRIGHT RED POKER IN HIS HANDS! IT GETS

WRAPPED AROUND VISION’S THROAT!

The sounds of sizzling flesh fill the basement as Vision screams in horror! The visage of Eric bends the poker with immense strength as he tries to force it towards Vision! He’s going to shove it into his eyeholes!

NO! LESSON! ANOTHER SUPERKICK BY GRIMSKULL! THE POKER

GETS EMBEDDED INTO ERIC’S FACE!

Grimskull yanks Vision away from Eric, watching as the zombified follower drops to the ground and turns to ashes right before our very eyes! Both men immediately whip their heads towards the destroyed stairs and make a mad dash towards the exit!

ONLY TO GET AN ENTIRE SHELF DROPPED ONTO THEM! TOMBSTONE APPEARED FROM BEHIND THE SHELF AND CRUSHED BOTH MEN BENEATH IT!

Vision tries to crawl away from the splintered pile of wood only for Tombstone to catch him with a brutal punt to the gut! The Ferryman has his shovel and he brings it down upon the Awoken One over and over with ruthless aggression! Grimskull fights to his feet and rushes forwards to attempt to help!

AND GETS A SHOVEL TO THE FACE THAT SENDS HIM FLYING

ACROSS THE FUCKING ROOM!

Tombstone turns back to Vision who crawled to another shelf! He has a can of kerosene! He slams it against Tombstone’s face coating him with fuel! Grimskull hucks a brick from his end of the room and nails Tombstone in the head! He rushes down Grimskull!

INTO DEATH TO HELLIONS! DROP TOE HOLD!

ONE FLEW OVER! THROWBACK BY VISION! HE FORCES TOMBSTONE HEADFIRST ONTO THE KEROSENE CANNISTER AND IT EXPLODES ALL OVER HIM!

Grimskull searches the nearby shelf, grabbing hold of a lighter! He flicks it on, watching Tombstone rise to his feet!

AND THROWS IT ONTO HIM! TOMBSTONE HAS BEEN LIT ABLAZE!

THE FERRYMAN IS ON FUCKING FIRE!

But he hasn’t gone down.

They just pissed him off.

FLAMING RIGHT HAND TO GRIMSKULL!

FIREY HEADBUTT TO VISION!

Both men fight for their lives trying fruitlessly to trade blows with the flaming Ferryman! He grabs hold of Grimskull’s skull and begins to squeeze! He’s trying to crush his head!

SHOVEL TO THE BACK OF THE SKULL BY VISION! TOMBSTONE

STUMBLES INTO THE SHADOWS!

Both men begin to flee! They rush to the stairs, Grimskull lifting Vision up to the top!

He reaches down behind and helps the Martyr up to the entrance!

THEY BURST OUT THROUGH THE DOOR AT THE TOP! BOTH MEN

ESCAPE FROM THE BASEMENT!

CHAPTER SEVEN

OH GREAT, NOW WE’RE DOOMED.

Forced to survive against the deadly Ferryman inside his personal study, can Scandium Sulphur get it together to defeat their deadly foe or will they be but another pair of souls for him to take?

Two figures slowly walk into the old, dusty and abandoned study. A usually jovial man shaking in his boots and his scowling metallic companion who surveys the area with confusion and intrigue.

“Doom buddy, I’m sorry I let the boy go but you didn’t have to take us to this spooky place,” he says confused.

Doom scowls at Felix, before continuing to survey the area.

“It wasn’t me you blubbering nitwit. Clearly someone’s transported us for some nefarious means. The question is who and why. Now be quiet so I can figure this out.”

Felix pouts, looking around at the darkened room as Doom sends a few bots into the air, trying to get a better look and more importantly, where the exit is. Doom is lost in his work, not noticing Felix look towards the entrance and visibly start to panic.

“Doom buddy, pal, friendo. We might have a problem over here.”

Felix is relentlessly trying to get Doom’s attention as the Scientist tries to ignore his friend but soon the never-ending taps on the shoulder grow annoying and with a scowl beneat his mask, he whips around..

“Wha…”

Doom stops mid-sentence, seeing the same figure in the entrance as Felix does. The towering, menacing figure of the Ferryman. He looks up at both men with a familiar Wolfe like grin.

“Felix, Felix, Felix. I thought we figured this out buddy, you’re cancelled. Pack your things and leave before I have security escort you out. No hard feelings, right?”

“Damien?” Felix asks in shock. “Damien Wolfe?”

“The very man you murdered with scissors, you hypocritical tripe spewing murderous monster,” he angrily and sternly says back.

Felix looks at Doom. Doom looks at Felix.

“Damien, you’re in Tombstone. I never knew that you liked to be in men. Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” Felix says, shrugging his shoulders.

“I’ve been in plenty of men,” Doom abruptly adds.

That surprises Foley, who’s eyebrows raise.

“Excuse me?” He asks, looking for more information. “This is something I never knew about you, Doom. I’m glad we’ve had this opportunity to share things. You’ve always been a bit closed off, haven’t you?”

“Not like that. I’m a scientist, I’ve performed many acts on men that…” He stops himself from trailing off.

“Look, it’s neither here nor there is it?” He says, turning away. “You’re a buffoon,

Felix, an absolute buffoon.”

Foley grabs him, putting an arm around his shoulder.

“I support you my friend in whatever you do. I’m in support of all sexualities and races. I don’t harbour any ill will towards anyone. I want everyone to be who they want to be and I believe all races should be treated with equal respect. My mom once did the Arcadian marathon,” he assures him.

Doom looks at him, a frown clearly beneath the mask.

“Thats not the right kind of race, you foolish man.”

Felix eyes widen and his mouth gapes.

“Are you being racist?” He demands to know, hands on hips. “I mean, I support you my good friend but there are boundaries and lines I cannot cross. Kidnap of a poor boy is one thing, but racism is another.”

Doom sighs.

“Again, that’s not right,” The Scientist says, unimpressed. Foley doesn’t get it. He shrugs his shoulders. “As for the boy, we’re going to discuss that, you and I. You have no idea what you’ve done.”

“Silence!” Tombstone demands.

Foley looks to Doom in disgust.

“Great, now you’ve given the proverbial microphone back to Damien Wolfe. This will be a thrill a minute, edge of your seat stuff,” Foley says, slapping himself in the head.

“Being racist is against the law under article…” Tombstone continues.

“See, I told you,” Foley says disapprovingly.

Doom shakes his head.

“Can we put this aside for a moment and perhaps deal with the bigger problem?” The

Scientist asks, nodding at Tombstone, who stands perplexed by the exchange.

Felix backs up, confused, and scared as Doom just shakes his head.

RUSHING FORWARD WITH THE SPLITTER

BUT TOMBSTONE COUNTERS WITH A SKULL SPLITTING KNEE!

Doom crashes to the surprisingly soft carpeted floor as Tombstone slowly walks towards Felix. The Puppet shaking in his boots as he slowly walks backwards into a bookcase. Reaching back, Felix begins grabbing paperbacks and throwing them at the Ferryman, the books just bouncing off a bemused Tombstone who just chuckles menacingly.

“Oh Felix, the same old foolish Foley. You think a little scissors can stop me pal? Bureaucracy never dies, but you will pal. You’ll die slow and no Red Light is going to save you this time.”

Felix scampers on his feet, looking everywhere and anywhere for something to fight the Wolfe possessed Tombstone as his eyes flicker towards a large red box on the wall with bright white letters.

Fire Axe.

Felix rushes to the box, slipping out of the outstretched hands of the Ferryman before pulling open the box and finding…nothing. Foley’s face falls as he turns around into that shit eating grin he grew to hate so long ago.

“Sorry Felix, budget cuts pal. You understand right?”

DEVESTATING HEADBUTT!

Felix’s eyes roll into the back of his skull as he crashes to floor, Tombstone quickly on him as unlike the usual Ferryman, with great technical precision, he locks Felix into a Regal Stretch like variation, Seizing the Assets of oxygen away from Foley.

Doom struggles to his feet across the room, his bell rung from that brutal boot as his eyes dart towards Tombstone choking Felix out, one arm outstretched towards Doom and the open doorway, completely free for him to escape. Doom quickly decides, running towards the doorway to freedom but a voice stops him.

“Doom buddy, help me please.”

Doom closes his eyes, his fists clenched as he scowls, shaking his head before turning back.

HOVER NO BOTHER TO A SEATED TOMBSTONE BREAKING THE

HOLD!

Tombstone is dazed as Doom pulls Foley up to his feet, nodding at the quickly rising Ferryman as Foley nods, trying to pull Tombstone up. GOOZLE BITCH! That iron grip constricts Foley’s windpipe once more, choking the life out of the Puppetmaster as Doom pounds down with heavy lefts and rights that Tombstone barely acknowledges. Tombstone smirks before goozling Doom as well, the metal around his throat bending and cracking from the sheer force as he begins to choke both men out.

Doom and Foley are fading as electricity sparks through Doom, cocking back one fully charged fist. ELECTRO-SNIP! Doom drills Tombstone full force in his Ferryballs with every bit of strength he has, Tombstone flinching slightly but his iron grip stays, having tanked possibly Doom’s best shot. The Scientist gulps before clutching his chest.

AND SHOOTING OUT THE TOXIN INTO TOMBSTONE’S FACE!

That affected the Ferryman as his grip loosens, allowing both men to slip out. Tombstone staggers, the white haze fading from his eyes for a moment as Foley leaps up with a Bicycle Kick, dropping Tombstone to one knee, right into position.

TO BREAK THE JAR!

Foley goes to walk away but Doom stops him, pointing out Tombstone allready getting to his feet as the Doctor slides one finger across his throat. Foley nods reluctantly as Doom pulls Tombstone up onto his shoulders, spinning around before tossing Tombstone into both hands of Felix.

MASTER OF DOOM! Elevated Tossing Double Hand Chokeslam!

Tombstone collapses to the mat but he’s already stirring as Doom nods to Felix, the both of them fleeing through the door and escaping the study barely.

Scandium Sulphur just barely survived the Ferryman here tonight, using their numbers advantage to stop Tombstone enough to escape their hell.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE BEST FOR LAST

The Halls.

It’s where we started the evening. This time, Drewitt slowly navigates them, an exploration even he didn’t expect tonight. He arrived here earlier like everyone else and has been traversing the Mortuary, looking for a way out, ever since.

If there’s another who could find one, it’d be him. However, he’s had no such luck. As he traverses the hallway, he’s understandably concerned. Suddenly, a large clink can be heard. It’s Tombstone, standing with his shovel in hand.

“I’ve saved the best for last,” he mutters with a sense of enthusiasm. “Did you feel like a big boy when you put a bullet in me?”

Drewitt tilts his head in confusion.

“Let’s not pretend you don’t remember who I am, huh? We’ve been on an exploration together. How many people can say they put a bullet in you?” He remarks.

It’s Teddy O’Toole. Drewitt understandably gulps, backing away slightly.

“You’ve had free reign of this place whilst Tombstone here has been servicing the other guests, but I’m bored and I think it’s time that you and I had some quality time,” Tombstone continues, approaching slowly. “I’m excited to be back. Perhaps you’d like to suck on my lollipop forever, sweetie?”

Drewitt doesn’t know what to do or say. He thinks about it for a moment and his fear evaporates; replaced with a smile.

“You earned your death,” he finally blurts out. “You earned every fuckin’ minute of it, O’Toole. After everything you’ve done and did to me, kickin’ your ass one more time will be a god damn fuckin’ pleasure.”

Flutter.

Tombstone suddenly vanishes.

The Explorer breathes deeply, pulling out his service revolver from his side as he continues to walk, ears perked at every creak and sound as he quickly turns a corner.

ONLY JUST AVOIDING A STEEL PIPE SWUNG AT HIS SKULL!

Drewitt scrambles back as Tombstone keeps swinging, the Pilgrim trying his best to avoid the deadly shots as he raises up his revolver, but it gets smacked out of his hands with a brutal shot. Drewitt screams out in pain and drops the colt before a swing to the jaw sends blood arcing through the air and splattering the walls.

Another shot sends Drewitt flying into the wall as Tombstone swivels his wrist.  And a large blade pops out of the pipe.

Tombstone slowly stalks towards Drewitt, a blank look upon his face as Drewitt scrambles around for something, anything before reaching down.

A good explorer always has a spare as he points his colt at Tombstone and fires.

BANG

BANG

BANG

Drewitt gets to his feet, unloading round after round into the Ferryman who staggers back with each shot before he picks up his other fallen colt and and unloads it into the Ferryman too. Backing Tombstone up into the wall as each bullet seems to barely affect the monster before Drewitt hears a deadly sound.

*Click*

Drewitt visibly curses, scrambling around for bullets inside his jacket as Tombstone just cracks his neck before slowly moving forward, the bladed pipe looking to carve flesh off this Pilgrim. Drewitt pulls a bullet out of his pocket, trying to reload the revolver but Tombstone rushes forward.

IMPALING THE BLADE INTO DREWITT’S SHOULDER!

The Pilgrim yells out in agony, pinned directly into the wall as Tombstone slightly smiles, extending his fingertips, now razor sharp as he slowly moves them forward, looking to blind Drewitt as the Pilgrim tries to stop him with one hand while frantically trying to reload the revolver with the other.

Tombstone manages to overpower Drewitt, slashing him across the face before pinning one hand down as those long nails come inches away from his eye and Drewitt smiles.

Flicking the revolver as it’s fully reloaded and he points it at Tombstone’s skull and pulls the trigger

BANG

The Ferryman falls to the concrete, as Drewitt scrambles up to his feet, not taking his eyes away from Tombstone. Sure enough, the bullet pops out of his skull and the Ferryman sits up, cracking his neck and staring daggers at the Explorer who just nods before running through the nearest door.

And walking into the study.

Drewitt scans the room for a moment, looking for an escape but the only he sees is the same door he just walked through and two large, plate glass windows. The Explorer looks through the windows, seeing the sizable drop to the Woods beyond and shakes his head, before noticing the door slowly open and Tombstone walk through.

Drewitt and Tombstone lock eyes for a moment before the Explorer rushes forward, picking up a large chair.

AND TOSSING IT RIGHT AT THE FERRYMAN

WHO OBLITERATES IT WITH A MAMMOTH KICK!

Drewitt rushes through the wreckage of the chair, trying for a kick of his own but he runs right into a goozle. Drewitt raining down lefts and rights that bounce off the Ferryman’s skull before he lifts Drewitt up high, but the Explorer manages to slip out at the last second.

SIGHTSEER DDT!

Drewitt manages to spike Tombstone down to escape that deadly Chokeslam but he’s not down long as Drewitt rushes to the windows, slamming down fists but the glass is damn near bulletproof, and he can’t even manage to crack it before he finds a cold hand on his shoulder.

AND A HEADBUTT THAT NEARLY CRACKS HIS SKULL!

Drewitt’s eyes roll back into his head before he finds it slammed against the glass, the inhuman strength of Tombstone cracking the near unbreakable glass as he tries to slam it off the glass again but a sly poke to the eye allows Drewitt to slip out of his grasp. Staggering backwards into a large bookcase, he grips it with both hands.

SENDING IT FALLING ONTO TOMBSTONE!

The Ferryman is buried underneath a mountain of solid wood and leather backs, Drewitt breathing hard for a moment as he goes back to trying to break the glass and escape, but he barely gets a few poundings before the bookcase goes flying into the air, the Explorer having to roll away to avoid contact.

Tombstone cracking his neck and daring Drewitt to try that shit again. The Explorer nodding before running forward.

INTO ANOTHER BIG BOOT!

Drewitt may well be concussed from that devastating shot as Tombstone grips him, not around the throat but by the back of the head and runs forward…

BEFORE LAWN DARTING DREWITT THROUGH THE WINDOW TO THE

WOODS BELOW!

Drewitt falls ten, fifteen feet to the cold, hard grounds below. Landing shoulder first as a sickening pop fills the air, the Explorer’s limp arm falling to his side as he winces in pain. Slowly scrambling to his feet as he watches Tombstone leap from through the window, landing with a ground shaking thump as that soft smile crosses the Ferryman’s face before he slowly stalks forward.

Drewitt spitting out blood onto the ground before running at Tombstone, trying to nail him with a hard left but the Ferryman dodges, delivering an uppercut that sends blood and teeth flying through the air. Another leaves Drewitt out on his feet before he’s effortlessly lifted high up into the air.

ODE TO CHARON!

A brutal powerbomb pops Drewitt’s shoulder back into it’s socket but nearly breaks his back in the process as Tombstone has his prey right where he wants them. Drewitt sitting up witrh great difficulty before backing up as he much as he can into a large oak tree. Tombstone slowly stalking forward but stopping curious as Drewitt’s scowl turns into a cocky grin, the Explorer clicking his fingers.

AS COLT BOLTS FROM THE TREES AND CLASPS HIS JAWS ONTO TOMBSTONE’S NECK! WHERE DID HE COME FROM!? HE DIDN’T GET TRANSPORTED HERE WITH DREWITT!

The good boy shakes with all his might, blood dripping down the Ferryman’s shoulder but Tombstone feels no pain, just reaching up and grabbing Colt by the neck, tearing him away.

AND SWINGING HIM INTO THE NEARBY TREE!

Colt utters a loud, ear piercing whine before collapsing to the ground. Tombstone smiles that slight smile once more before turning around

INTO A STEEL CHAIN TO THE FACE!

Drewitt slams the chain into his face once more, blood arcing through the air before swinging it up and sending Tombstone down to one knee. The Explorer is fucking pissed as he grips the chain, wrapping it around both hands before staring at Tombstone with bloody murder in his eyes.

“Alright asshole, let’s fucking dance.”

Drewitt swings hard, lefts and right chain strikes staggering Tombstone back, the Ferryman now feeling pain from the Explorer as the steel cuts into Tombstone or is it just the rage boost the Pilgrim needed to fight on Tombstone’s level?

Either way, Drewitt knocks Tombstone down with a brutal uppercut before mounting the Ferryman and raining down lefts and rights, blood beginning to arc down the Ferryman from cuts that quickly heal but the Explorer is relentless, trying to break open his tormentors skull. One brutal right seems to leave Tombstone out on his feet but he quickly reaches up with a goozle, tossing Drewitt off him.

Tombstone tries to get to his feet but another brutal right stuns him before he gets a goozle of his own and he’s lifted high up into the air.

ARDUOUS JOURNEY COCKBAG!

Tombstone damn near bounces off the cold ground but that brutal Chokeslam isn’t his end as he’s quick to recover. Slowly getting to his feet as Drewitt tosses the chain away before sprinting forward in a rage.

AS HE LIFTS TOMBSTONE UP IN A SPEAR LIKE TACKLE!

Drewitt lifts Tombstone into the air, sprinting forward with him through the trees as Tombstone slams down hammer like fists down onto his spine but the Explorer is undettered as they rush through the thick foliage.

BEFORE DRIVING RIGHT THROUGH A HIDDEN TOMBSTONE ON THE

EDGE OF THE WOODS!

Both men come crashing down onto the thick cemetery sand, both men spent completely as they struggle to stand, staring daggers at one another scowling with fury before they get to their feet.

RUNNING FORWARD WITH FISTS A CLUBBERING!

Left from Drewitt

Right from Tombstone

Uppercut from Drewitt

Headbutt from Tombstone

Drewitt’s head snaps back before he delivers one of his own, pounding down on

Tombstone with heavy lefts and rights before gripping him around the throat once more,

Tombstone’s hand scrambling for something as he’s lifted up high

ARDOUS….SHOVEL!

Tombstone slams a fallen shovel into Drewitt’s face, his eyes glazed over as he falls to his knees before another almighty shovel shot nearly breaks his jaw and sends him flying through the air, crashing down hard next to an open grave.

His open grave.

Drewitt is a bloodied mess as he tries to get to his feet but one final shovel shot breaks it in half and nearly Drewitt’s back too, the Explorer screaming out in pain before flopping down limp for a moment. Tombstone staring down at the man he despises for a moment before goozling him around the throat, lifting him up high.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!

INTO HIS OWN GRAVE!

Drewitt is forced back into his own grave, crashing down hard as he tries to stand but collapses back down unconscious.

Tombstone has done it here, brutalising the Explorer as he puts him back down into his own grave. 

CHAPTER NINE

ESCAPE THE MORTUARY

The horrors of The Mortuary aren’t over. In many ways, they’ve only just begun. As the victims of tonight pour out of different exits inside The Mortuary and head towards the Cemetery, Tombstone kneels in the mud.

They soon surround him – familiar faces; everyone from tonight watching on.

“You people have no idea, do you?” Tombstone says with a growl. “Your souls belong to me. You’re not leaving this place; you’re trapped here forever.”

They each start trying different gates, to no avail. Nothing opens and Tombstone laughs maniacally at their futile attempts at escape.

“You’ve met the souls of those you’ve damned tonight. Your mother, daughter, brother, foes and friends. How does it feel to finally be held accountable for your actions?

How does it feel to finally feel what they feel?”

Jackson Cade – the OSW World Champion, steps forward powerfully.

“All night long we’ve been trapped in here with you, trying to escape,” he says defiantly. He looks around his fellow OSW roster, shrugging his shoulders. “All night long we’ve suffered the horrors of this place because of you.”

Jinx, buoyed by Jackson, also steps forward – the VHS Champion in attendance as well, standing up and being counted.

“Beat you if we can, survive if you let us, is that it?” She asks, hands on her hips.

“We’re no longer trapped in here with you, Tombstone.”

Doon and Foley step forward – the OSW Tag Team Champions, nodding at one another in agreement.

“I think it’s safe to say that you are in fact trapped in here…. with us,” Doom says with a sinister growl of his own.

The entire surrounding roster begin closing in on Tombstone, prepared to make him fight a battle against twenty of Old School Wrestling’s best and brightest, including the World, VHS, and Tag Team Champions.

“ENOUGH!”

A voice booms so loudly that it’s like a shockwave being sent throughout the cemetery. Everyone stops immediately in their tracks, terrified of the sonic boom of a sound it made.

They all turn their attention in the direction of whence it came, finding a surprising figure stood with his head lowered near the cemetery gates.

Igor Mortis.

As the fog rises, he slowly walks through the crowd of Old School Wrestling competitors, fearless and in control, approaching Tombstone from behind. He places a hand on his shoulder and within moments, there’s another massive boom.

White lights explode from The Ferryman as souls are forcibly removed from him, flying off into the night with screams and harrowing squeals. Tombstone falls over, coughing and spluttering as his mentor and boss looms a large shadow from above.

“You must do your job, son,” Igor says softly. “You created a backlog of souls by refusing to do your job.”

Tombstone looks up, being helped back to his feet.

“Now, take back your mantle,” he demands.

Tombstone nods.

Suddenly the sound of locks unbolting, unlatching, and unlocking can be heard all around the Mortuary. The roster quickly looks towards their exits, slowly but surely making their way towards them with slight trepidation.

As The Ferryman stands surveying those who leave, he turns to Igor and places a loving hand on his shoulder, bowing his head.

“I’m sorry,” he says solemnly. “When Drewitt hurt you, I could see no other path.

Without you, I refused to be a Ferryman. I should not have done that, but I did.”

Igor looks around the cemetery.

“One day you will run The Mortuary, Tombstone. One day, all this will be yours and yours alone. Your duty is to the souls of Arcadia and it forever will be, both here and on the river. That is your purpose; not Old School Wrestling.”

“That’s touching, but we’re not finished,” a voice suddenly and abruptly interrupts. It belongs to the OSW World Champion, Jackson Cade.

He approaches Tombstone, standing before him, almost face to face.

“You’re a marked man, Tombstone. You’ve put a target on your back here tonight and there’s a lot of people who’ll be taking aim,” he warns, shrugging his shoulders. “And at

Hail to the King, you’re coming for my OSW World Championship.”

The Ferryman nods, curling his lip into a growl. Igor holds his arm back, making sure that doesn’t attack.

“We had to survive the night in here,” Cade continues, looking around the Mortuary and Cemetery from outside. “But let me ask you this; can you survive those who wish to do you harm before Hail to the King?”

The World Champion scoffs, backing off.

Tombstone watches his every step as he slowly but surely heads towards the exit. Tonight, OSW had to Escape the Mortuary – but can he escape them and make it to Hail to the King?

Fin.