THE GALLOWS
Click.
Lightning.
A crack of thunder.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Zeus.
He’s haggard, dirty and slightly dehydrated. He’s been kept hostage for months and the time inside a cage is taking its toll. The Baron now sits in a small square cage, hanging above the ground.
Beneath him, gallows are being constructed.
Narcissa Balenciaga stands by watching, Zeus’ daughter Artemis beside her.
“They’ve not searched here yet,” Artemis says, looking towards the doors. “It’ll surely be a matter of time before they do.”
Narcissa shakes her head.
“By the time they work their way to us, we’ll have the gallows constructed and he’ll be hanging from them,” she says nodding up towards Zeus.
Surprisingly, he chuckles and scoffs.
He’s weakened, but still able to talk.
“Still intent on displaying me like a piece of meat then, dear?” He calls out, his voice hoarse.
Narcissa ignores him.
“Have you heard from him?” Artemis asks.
The Uprising Leader shakes her head.
“I asked if he was coming but didn’t hear back,” The Designer says with a shrug. “Have you?”
“He hasn’t spoken to me in a long time,” she confirms. “I have no idea what he feels or thinks anymore.”
They both look up at Zeus, who’s smiling.
“Neither does he up there,” Narcissa reminds Artemis. “If he decides to stay in the shadows, then we’ll take care of matters ourselves. In a matter of weeks, Zeus dies and Arcadia is free.”
They turn their attention to the gallows, watching as they continue to be constructed. Zeus looks down at them, his smile turning sour.
Cut.
DEATHROW CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE ROYALE
With The Demon locked away in solitary confinement, Zeus has decreed a new Deathrow champion will be crowned here tonight in a brutally packed Battle Royal. Who will walk away broken and empty handed and who will emerge the new champion of Deathrow TV?
The bell sounds as all eight competitors size one another up for a moment before the fists begin aflying. Old rivalries in Meadows/Thorpe and Gray/Escher are reignited as Thorpe flies at the new Warden, unleashing his rage upon a man he despises and Gray rushing at an unsuspecting Escher, brutally beating the man who took his life once. And then there’s the four…well three newcomers.
The Artist and the Chemist hang back, watching the action take place as they wait for their moment. Prophet ducks in and out of the action, landing pot shots here and there when he can and Haywire?
That kid is fucking insane.
The Madness launches himself around the ring with reckless abandon, nearly eliminating himself after a dodged hurricanrana on Redgrave before the Artist nearly takes his fucking head off with a brutal Big Boot. Haywire staggers up to his feet into a flurry of blows from Nox who pummels Haywire with heavy lefts and rights before nearly planting him through the mat with the NOX OUT! 1031!
Nox turns around into a sharp headbutt from Prophet who tries to lift him up high with a Gorilla Press but Nox manages to slide down the back, PARALYTIC PLEX! Snap Dragon drops the Truth right on the back of his head. Nox is cleaning house here as he turns around right into a brutal Superkick from Jasper Redgrave, staggering him back into the ropes before the Artist rushes forward, and clotheslines Nox over the ropes to the floor below
NOX HAS BEEN ELIMINATED
Meanwhile Meadows is hanging onto the middle rope for dear life as Thorpe is raining down blows trying to eliminate him and Gray is pummeling Escher in the corner with brutal blows. A hard knee to the jaw stuns the Diorama Killer, before Gray backs up, trying to Avalanche Splash Escher but Harvey manages to move out of the way just in time as Gray’s head bounces off the steel buckles.
Escher staggers forward, sizing up Aster for a moment before running forward just as he turns around, LIGHTNING QUICK DIORAMA THAT SENDS GRAY OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR BELOW!
ASTER GRAY HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Thorpes assault on Meadows has nearly worked as the Warden is hanging precariously off the apron, Max desperately searching for anything to save himself before his hands grasp something at ringside as he swings himself back up. CHAIR SHOT TO THE FACE OF CJ THORPE!
CJ crashes to the mat as Meadows manages to pull himself back into the ring and wails on Thorpe with shot after shot, nearly breaking the chair over his back before throwing it back to ringside and pulling up the hurt CJ into the LIFE SENTENCE! The Full Nelson is locked in tight as Thorpe is too hurt from the chair shots to fight out, quickly fading away as Thorpe may be all but done here
SUPERKICK TO THE BACK OF MEADOWS HEAD BY REDGRAVE!
The Artist saves his new friend from the Warden here, Meadows dropping Thorpe to the mat as Redgrave spins around before nearly taking Meadows head off with SANGUINE ABSURDISM! Brutal Discus Clothesline turns the Warden inside out before Redgrave pulls Thorpe up to his feet, checking to see if he’s okay before pointing over at the slowly recovering Warden, pulling himself up by the ropes as Thorpe nods
AND BOTH MEN RUSH FORWARD, DOUBLE CLOTHESLINING MEADOWS OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR BELOW
MAX MEADOWS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Thorpe and Redgrave celebrate the Warden getting eliminated, Jasper patting Thorpe on the back before grabbing him by the back of the head and trying to throw him over the top but Thorpe reverses at the last moment, sending Jasper head over tilt over the ropes, crashing to the floor below
JASPER REDGRAVE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Thorpe smirks down at the ousted Redgrave who simply smiles, giving Thorpe a quick victory clap before siginalling him to turn around as Thorpe does
RIGHT INTO THE BLOOD RED LARIAT! BRUTAL DISCUS CLOTHESLINE FROM HARVEY ESCHER!
Haywire rushes at Escher, stunning him with a Tornado Knee to the jaw but as he grabs him by the neck and tries for the Acid Drop, Harvey slips out, locking the madness in the Hanging. Haywire desperately trying to escape the Dragon Sleeper but he’s quickly put to sleep by the Diorama Killer who tries to hoist him out but he’s stopped by a brutal clubbering blow from Prophet who damn near breaks Escher’s glasses with a stiff headbutt before lifting him up high in a Gorilla Press Slam
AND THROWS HIM CLEAN OVER THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR OUTSIDE!
HARVEY ESCHER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Prophet turns around into clubbering blows from Thorpe but Prophet tanks them all, nailing Thorpe with a brutal headbutt before tossing him to the ropes and nearly planting him through the ring on rebound with a brutal Rise N’ Fall Pop Up Powerbomb. Haywire slowly staggers to his feet right into the Lords Hands as Prophet pummels the smaller man before nearly planting him through the mat with a stiff Powerbomb but Prophet holds on, delivering a second and a third before running forward, IS HE GOING TO POWERBOMB HAYWIRE OVER THE TOP ROPE….NO!
Haywire counters at the last moment, delivering a lightning fast hurricanrana as he sends the Truth flying over the ropes and down to the floor below.
PROPHET HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
And then there was two. The newcomer Haywire in his first official Deathrow match and the man who has been here since the very beginning in CJ fucking Thorpe.
Thorpe stumbles to his feet as he and Haywire lock eyes, the Madness grinning that sadistic grin as Thorpe rushes forward right into a springboard Tornado DDT that spikes Thorpe into the mat, CJ staggering up into a headlock from Haywire who rushes to the ropes, before slamming him down face first with the Acid Drop BOBBY HATCH STYLE!
Haywire isn’t done as he rushes to the ropes, his feet barely hitting the top rope before he dives off with a Touch of Madness but the Shooting Star attempt is met with a pair of knees to the sternum. Haywire staggers up to his feet into a kick to the gut, THE RIGHT THING….NO!
Haywire counters out, lifting Thorpe up onto his shoulders and giving the Coyote a Personality Disorder with the Death Valley Driver Cartwheel style. Thorpe staggers to his feet as Haywire grabs him around the back of the head
THROWING HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE…HAS HAYWIRE WON THIS?
NO!
Thorpe lands on the apron, just stopping himself from eliminating but Haywire doesn’t realise this, the Madness celebrating like he’s allready won the title. Thorpe steadies himself, sizing up Haywire as he turns around
RIGHT INTO A SPRINGBOARD SPEAR THAT NEARLY CUTS HAYWIRE IN HALF!
Thorpe is all fired up, inches away from the Deathrow Championship as he lifts Haywire up before spiking him down into the mat with THE RIGHT THING!
PEDIGREE!
Haywire staggers up to his feet right into a brutal clothesline that sends him ass over tits to the floor below for the final elimination
HAYWIRE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
WE HAVE A NEW DEATHROW CHAMPION!
CJ Thorpe celebrates in the ring, the man who has been here since the very beginning is now the third Deathrow Champion.
WINNER AND NEW DEATHROW CHAMPION: CJ THORPE
JOIN THE HUNT
Back in Olympus, we find the figure of Luther Grim alone, polishing his spear. As the sound of a second figure moving about breaks the ambience, Grim’s instincts take over and he leaps up, whipping his spear into both hands to meet the intrusion.
Aarman Fidel shuffles into view, smiling at the sight of the Hunter ready to taste blood. There’s a hollow, deep within the eyes of Fidel that speaks beyond the smile plastered on his mouth. Physically, he seems much better than last we saw him, the leeches clearly having worked wonders to Nergal’s plague. But at what toll had the Goddess of the Underworld taken?
“Relax, relax.” Fidel holds his hands up, indicating he comes in peace. The spear is lowered, but Grim eyes him wearily. “Clearly, from your reaction to little old me, I can see I have come to the right place.”
Grim merely grunts, a mono-syllabic noise. He makes no retort, and looks on cautiously still. Aarman draws a deep breath and continues.
“I’ve lost everything. Eden. The empire I built with my bare hands. In one foul swoop, she stripped it bare. Pestilence took more than my health away from me, Grim.”
Fidel breathes and exhales audibly as if to prove a point.
“But I’m still breathing, and I intend to keep it that way. For that, I need your help.”
Grim doesn’t answer, only grips his spear a little more tightly in response as Fidel continues.
“Nergal must be stopped. I need to find a way to kill her, so I wish to employ the expertise of one who is… experienced in catching and killing things that others cannot seem to kill. I need you to help kill her.”
Aarman lays has cards clearly out before him, and pauses to await Grim’s response. The Hunter lifts his spear, the tip pointing toward’s Fidel’s face. He utters but a simple word.
“No.”
With that, Luther Grim walks off to continue his preparation for the biggest match of his life. Fidel grimaces at the simplicity of the response, that is until he feels a pinch on his neck. Swatting at the pain, he squashes a single flea that had bitten him. Looking at the squashed flea in his hand, he ponders its meaning. He has the immunity now, but its enough for him to get the message.
Nergal is listening.
Cut.
ON MY SIDE I
Backstage, in a dreary room, sits a disturbed El Mariachi Muerte. He seems to be searching the room with his eyes, almost like maybe the room will give him some answers.
“I’ve been keeping my ears to the ground for you,” says a familiar voice. El Mariachi Muerte turns to the direction the voice comes from, then sighs.
“What do you want, ese?” he says, brusquely. “I am not the right man to speak to if you’re here to mess around.”
The speaker steps into the room, and we see that it is Vision.
“I don’t mess around, Mariachi. You may have heard about the predicament I find myself in. Grimskull has declared a kind of war against me and The Third Eye, and yet they have shown me this leads to blood. I need to make sure it is not my blood that is spilled. And you, Mariachi, can sing songs that ensure other people meet their timely end.”
El Mariachi Muerte stands, leaving his guitar propped against the seat.
“La Musica is broken, Vision. Even if I wanted to, which I do not, I could not insert myself into your feud. Without La Musica, my songs do not work the same way.”
Vision places a hand on the shoulder of the agent of death.
“What if I told you that I have seen things, thanks to the Third Eye. I can tell you all about your music, for they have shown me. But first, I need you on my side.”
“You can really fix La Musica?”
“The Third Eye has shown me that it will be fixed.”
El Mariachi Muerte tries to suppress a grimace that starts to appear on his face.
“I will need to think about your offer, and whether I can trust your word. Give me two weeks.”
The agent of death slips out of the room, leaving Vision looking pleased with himself. As EMM leaves, however, a shadowy figure watches him go, a sick smile on his face. It’s Grimskull, and he is clearly amused by what he’s just seen, as Vision also leaves the backstage room, disappearing in the opposite direction.
Cut.
It looks like meat…and the Double Feature Championship…are back on the menu as The Burned Man, Blacktooth, and Luther Grim face off in this ladder match for the title!
Blacktooth and Grim immediately turn their focus to TBM, who shouts at both men to try their luck against the Sole Survivor…something the Hunter is happy to oblige first as Grim charges!
TBM dodges a clothesline attempt, forcing the Hunter to bounce against the ropes…where the Arcadian Mummy catches him with a drop toe hold on the rebound!
What the Sole Survivor doesn’t see is Blacktooth rushing at him, stomping away at TBM the moment he’s down on the canvas!
This gives the Devil an opportunity to wear down the man that took his title at Odyssey, going after the legs first to keep TBM from getting back to a vertical base.
Meanwhile, Grim is back to his feet…and rolling out of the ring!
He’s got his eyes on one of the ladders set up at ringside, eager to get on the hunt he REALLY wants…the Double Feature Championship hanging up above!
As Blacktooth continues to take out his aggression on the Arcadian Mummy, Grim folds the ladder up and slides it into the ring before climbing back in himself…something that doesn’t go unnoticed by the Devil.
No, Blacktooth deviates from his mission of revenge as he stares down the Hunter with a toothy grin…only for Grim to charge at full speed, looking to take his foe down!
But it’s a wasted effort as the Devil catches him instead, sending the Hunter careening into the nearest turnbuckle with a thud!
With one of his opponents out of the way for now, Blacktooth turns his attention to the ladder still laying on the canvas as he picks it up…only he doesn’t set about standing it up for his ascension.
Not when The Burned Man is still laid out beside him, making for a very tempting distraction from the prize up above.
With a wicked smirk, Blacktooth makes his decision…and slams the ladder against the Sole Survivor!
And again! And once more more, for good measure–NO!
TBM rolls out of the way on the third attempt, forcing the ladder to simply crash against the canvas instead…and the Arcadian Mummy is back on his feet!
And the two are trading lefts and rights as Grim slowly gets back to a standing position, favoring his shoulder slightly after that crash against the turnbuckle.
Blacktooth sends TBM reeling toward the corner now, eventually stomping away at the Sole Survivor until he crashes down to a seated position…but as Blacktooth turns his attention to the center of the ring, he’s met with a ladder to the face!
Grim sends the Devil down hard to the canvas, a smirk on his face as he sets the ladder up in the middle of the ring…but doesn’t get to climb it!
Blacktooth grabs his ankle right away, pulling the Hunter down…BEFORE TAKING A BITE OUT OF GRIM’S LEG!
FRESH MEAT!
Grim yelps in pain, pulling himself away from the Devil as he checks the wound!
Blacktooth brings the Hunter down, pummeling away with mounted punches…until Grim manages to shove him away, finally getting back to a standing position!
TBM is back up as well, looking to get back at the Devil…but Grim sees him approaching, and takes him down with a big Brogue Kick to the chest!
BLOOD SPORT!
This sends TBM reeling to the ropes, trying to bounce back…only to run right into a Spear by the Hunter!
GREAT PURSUIT!
The double-whammy takes TBM out as Grim heads to the ladder for his ascension, followed closely by Blacktooth!
The two trade blows at the top, until Blacktooth is sent flying!
Grim reaches up high…AND PULLS DOWN THE TITLE!
Luther Grim proved himself a formidable Hunter over Blacktooth and The Burned Man, taking hold of the prized Double Feature Championship as a result!
WINNER AND NEW DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: LUTHER GRIM
THE FATE OF PEGG
In the medical sector of Arcadia, we find a collection of all of Arcadia’s ails and injuries. But we are drawn to a particular wing, to a particular bedside where a particular man lies fighting for his life.
The sign by his bed reads: ‘Pegg, B. – Bullet wound.’
But he is not the only one in the room. Slinking in from the shadows, we see Jackson Cade pulling back the hood of his sweater that had been concealing him. Cade looks over the fallen Pegg, observing him. It is enough to note that Benjamin Pegg is still alive, but he doesn’t look too good. Cade has seen the injuries all too many times, he knows how these things usually go in his world.
His pondering is broken as he hears voices approaching. Pulling the hood back over, he slinks back into the shadows and disappears just as two doctors enter the room, a chart in their hands.
“He’s making some good progress. I’m not saying we’re out of the woods yet, but we’ve taken some steps in the right direction.”
“Very well. His body needs to rest…” The second doctor turns to another figure, which we cannot see. “So you’ll have to keep your visit to see your brother short, Mr. Pegg.”
“Very well, thank you.”
The voice which replies is familiar to us. The two doctors retire to their rounds as the unseen figure steps into view. It is not a brother at all, but Harold Attano. He pulls a chair beside the bed and sits, looking over the wounded man.
After a few moments, he pulls a piece of paper out of his lapel pocket and looks it over. We catch a glimpse of the note.
‘Pegg. When you wake, I need to talk to you. Say nothing to anybody else. I will be in touch.’
He folds the note up and places it into the palm of Benjamin Pegg. Then, Attano steps away from the bedside and Pegg is alone once more. Not out of the woods yet, but still fighting.
Cut.
NOT MY JOB
The Agora. Arcadia’s primary level for trade is alive with noise and movement as always. However, we notice a rather familiar face amongst the crowd as one Colt Ramsey moves about the market. He holds his camera in hand, looking around himself before his eyes set upon a clearing at the edge of the market away from the noise. He cautiously heads that way, coming to a stop once he passes a group of red tents.
“Hello? Anyone here? I got a note about a scoop?” Colt pulls a piece of paper from his pocket, eyeing it before a voice calls out from behind one of the tents.
“I… may not have been truthful about that.” Walking out into the opening is The Burned Man. Arcadia’s mummy looks exhausted, definitely having lost sleep recently. “It’s something that needs investigating, but it won’t bring you any fame.”
“If it isn’t for the truth then it isn’t worth reporting.” Colt answers quickly, looking Burned Man up and down before rolling his eyes. “Believe me, Burnie baby, Arcadia heard you’re alive so I don’t think an interview will tell them what they don’t already know, right?”
“This isn’t about me!” Burned Man shouts back, quickly composing himself again. “It’s… It’s about my son. Faith. You knew him as Destructo Boy. I need to find him and from what I can tell Blacktooth was just trying to stir up trouble. You’re good at investigation, you could-“
“I don’t think so.” Colt holds up his hand, dismissing Burned Man without letting him even finish his sentence. “I’m a reporter, not a private eye. Finding your boy is not my job. Sure, it’s heartfelt, but it’s not my thing. You get info on something Arcadia needs to see, though? I’ll be right there.”
Before Burned Man can even reply Colt has already turned to leave. The Sole Survivor’s pleas falling entirely on deaf ears. However, as the scene closes out, we can hear the Burned Man speak beneath his breath.
“You want news? I’ll give you news.”
Cut.
Four competitors, one Championship, a Ladder, and this is a recipe for chaos to ensue as Jinx, Aarman Fidel, TEC, and Tombstone do battle for the Rewind Championship. Four Titans enter and all, but one shall fall.
As the bell sounds as we witness Jinx appear as if she’s whispering something to TEC as Tombstone lashes out at Aarman.
Suddenly, The Hacker is dashing out of the ring. While The Ferryman forces the Wishmaster into the corner unloading with a Series of Fingertip Uppercuts and TEC looks on.
THE FERRYMAN’S THE ONE WHO KNOCKS!
Aarman collapses into Tombstones chest exhausted… but it’s a ruse! The Duke of Desire knees the Grave Digger in the groin!
BEFORE GIVING THE COURIER OF THE DEAD… JUST THE TIP!
The Wishmaster hits Tombstone with the Cradle Piledriver in the corner!
Aarman stands up and turns around…
…
…
…
KLANG!
FLYING LADDER TO THE FUCKING FACE OF FIDEL SENDING HIM SPRAWLING AS JINX RETRIEVES THE WEAPON SETTING IT UP UNDER THE BELT BEGINING HER CLIMB!
TEC is the only one standing and he’s…
Just watching on, until Tombstone stands, looking at The Glitch…
However, The Automaton burst to life intercepting Tombstone with a massive Superkick…
DECISIVE EVIDENCE STAGGERS THE FERRYMAN INTO THE ROPES AND HE BOUNCES BACK HITTING THE LADDER, SENDING JINX DOWN!
Causing TEC to rush Tombstone again but this time into a Bossman Salm!
TEC CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!
As we see what looks like a control device fly out of TEC’S head.
The device lands at Jinx feet as she stares at it in shock as a now rebooted TEC quickly recovers setting his sights on the Hacker.
Looking to assault the Hacker who compromised his system turning It into a guard dog. Jinx understands what’s coming and turns to run but is met by the bloodied face of Aarman Fidel!
Spinning Spinebuster by The Duke of Desire!
LAY THEE DOWN, JINX!
The Wishmaster feeds the Glitch to The Amnesiac Android who hits a Release Tiger Suplex…
SYSTEM CRASH ON THE EDGE OF THE FALLEN FUCKING LADDER, JINX’S NECK HAS TO BE FUCKED!
TEC though is met by Tombstone who hits The Automaton with a massive Jackknife Powerbomb…
ODE TO CHARON ONTO THE LADDER AS WELL AND HEPHAESTUS’ CRAFT WORK DOESN’T BREAK AS WE HEAR METAL COLLIDE WITH METAL!
The Ferryman turns around straight into a…
GORE! GORE! GORE!
ARROW OF GREED AND DESIRE BY THE WISHMASTER TO THE COURIER OF THE DEAD!
And Aarman Fidel is the only one standing and the ladder is at his feet surrounded by the bodies of the rest of the participants. The Duke grabs the ladder setting it up and begins his climb…
…
THE REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP IS IN HIS SIGHTS…
…
IT IS AT HIS FINGERTIPS…
…
NEW CHAMPION?
…
…
…
BLACKOUT! ALL THE LIGHTS ON OLYMPUS JUST WENT OUT! WHEN THEY COME BACK ON AARMAN IS ON TOP OF THE LADDER WITH…
JINX! SHE MUST’VE HACKED THE LIGHTS IN OLYMPUS AND NOW THE FATAL ERROR HAS THE DUKE OF DESIRE IN A COMPROMISING POSITION…
KI KRUSHER OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER…
*BA-BAM!*
AARMAN’S CHANCES OF WINNING THE REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP HAVE JUST BEEN FIREWALLED BY THE ENCRYPTION KEY TAKES BOTH COMPETITORS OFF THE LADDER!
TEC seeing The Hacker sitting on ground recovering from the landing unleashes a massive Running Penalty Kick to the jaw of The Glitch leveling her.
*CRACK!*
Tombstone hits a massive Running Big Boot to the head of The Automaton!
All his opponents are down, his Championship hangs just a few feet above his head, and the ladder is in position. Tombstone begins his climb…
…
…
…
HIS PRIZE IS RIGHT THERE…
…
…
…
HE CAN ALMOST TOUCH IT…
…
…
…
*KLANG-KLANG*
…
…
…
WAIT…
…
…
…
FIDEL IS PULLING HIMSELF UP THE LADDER, BLOODIED, BATTERED, BRUISED, AND NOW FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE FERRYMAN WITHIN ARM’S REACH OF THE REWIND CHAMPIONSHIP!
Right to the face of Tombstone!
Who shrugs it off and delivers a right of his own to the crimson mask of the Duke of Desire!
Aarman holds strong firing back slamming the Rewind Title off the skull of The Ferryman!
Dead’s Courier snaps back rage in his eyes…
GOOZLE! IT’S A LONG WAY DOWN
*CRACK!*
TITLE OFF THE SKULL OF TOMBSTONE AGAIN FINALLY STUNS THE MONSTER!
BUT BEFORE AARMAN CAN TAKE THE TITLE IN JINX IS ON THE LADDER BEHIND HIM AND TEC BEHIND TOMBSTONE BOTH PULLING BOTH MEN DOWN A COUPLE RUNGS.
Thinking on his feet The Ferryman uses the downward momentum to nail fist to what would be the Heart of the Metal Man…
THE SOUL TAKER SENDS TEC CRASHING TO THE CANVAS BELOW!
While Aarman gets the upper hand on Jinx maliciously slamming her face into the rung in front of her until the Jinx slumps and falls away to the canvas.
Aarman and Tombstone are back at the top as The Ferryman grabs Fidel…
…
…
…
FOR WHOM DOES THE BELL TOLL?!
…
…
…
WISHMASTER…
…
…
…
IT TOLLS FOR THEE!
…
…
….
MASSIVE CHOKESLAM SENDS AARMAN TO THE CANVAS…
…
…
…
ALLOWING TOMBSTONE TO SECURE HIS CHAMPIONSHIP!
Tombstone is still the Rewind Champion! The Keeper of life and death’s balance has survived.
WINNER AND STILL REWIND CHAMPION: TOMBSTONE
BLOOD IN THE WATER
The Shark Tank.
Drexl’s new club is full of music, dancing, and hard drugs as the people of Arcadia indulge in the party of their lives. And amongst it all is Drexl sitting back in his own private booth, a drink in hand as he counts a pile of credits. He chugs down his drink before calling for another one from his bodyguards. The man walks away and suddenly the music stops.
And the whole of the Shark Tank is bathed in red light.
“The fuck?” Drexl looks up from his table to his club only, the club is entirely empty. No people, no music, nothing.
Nothing that is, until a playful giggling enters the scene, a lone figure walking out of the shadows into the middle of the now abandoned dance floor, bathing right beneath the red light.
Scissors.
“Wagwan, Drexl. How’s Arcadia’s little sharkie doing?” Scissors stands motionless under the light, a pair of rusty shears hanging limply in one hand.
“Didn’t you get the memo? That was an act, something I did to fool these morons. But I guess you’re as dumb as them, huh?” Drexl rises from the table, eyeing Scissors who again, doesn’t move.
“That’s so unkind of you to say, you silly shark. You think you’re so smart… But intelligence can only get you so far, can’t it?” Scissors giggles beneath his mask, still not moving an inch.
“I disagree. See, being smart means I come prepared in my own club!”
DREXL DRAWS A PISTOL FROM HIS WAIST AND FIRES!
Flash.
The lights are no longer red, no, they’re back to the multi-colored strobe! People once again populate the dance floor, but now?
There’s blood.
Drexl’s bodyguard lays in a heap on the floor, a bullet in his skull fired from Drexl’s own smoking gun! The whole of The Shark Tank look at Drexl in shock, Big Slim also unsure of just what he’s just done.
What the hell just happened?
Cut.
Above the ring hangs the vacated VHS Championship, which must be claimed by a new owner here tonight. Five approach the hallowed battlefield, one Titan will rise while four will FALL.
The match begins with some clear division. With business clearly unfinished, Narcissa and Colt make a beeline for each other and square up, trading blows. Attano tries to sneak up behind Vision, who turns at the last moment and hits him solidly with his elbow. All the while, Gemini stands in the centre of the ring, revelling in the chaos that seems to erupt around her.
NARCISSA KNEES COLT IN THE GUTS TO GAIN THE UPPER HAND!
FAST FASHION! COLT HAS NO ANSWER TO THE RAPID FLURRY OF KICKS!
SUPERKICK PUNCTUATES THE FLURRY AND SENDS COLT TO THE MAT!
VISION WHIPS ATTANO INTO THE CORNER AND LISTENS FOR THE TELLTALE CRACK OF BONES HITTING STEEL…
LEAPING ELBOW STRIKE HITS THE MARK!
COLT IS DOWN! ATTANO IS DOWN!
AND NARCISSA HAS A NEW TARGET IN MIND!
Balenciaga has no fear in her eyes at all as she eyes up Pestilence herself. Gemini is waiting for her, licking her lips as the two women circle around each other. But soon, Gemini stops. She seems to double over. Narcissa watches, unsure what to expect.
THE FALL OF MAN!
GEMINI SPEWS A TORRENT OF INSECTS STRAIGHT AT NARCISSA!
NARCISSA SCREAMS, BUT DUCKS THE CLOUD OF INSECTS!
THEY FIND A NEW TARGET IN A WAITING VISION…
THE AWOKEN ONE HEARS THE FLUTTER OF A THOUSAND PAIRS OF WINGS AND TAKES THE FIGHT TO THE INSECTS THEMSELVES!
THEY SWARM VISION, BUT HE SWATS AND SWIPES AWAY AT THE CLOUD OF PESTILENCE!
With Vision distracted by Nergal’s swarm, Narcissa and Gemini finally lock horns. Instantly, there is much pushing and shoving and a fair amount of hair pulling before Nergal gets an upper hand in the exchange with an ELBOW STRIKE TO NARCISSA!
YIN! THE CODEBREAKER!
NO!
NARCISSA PUSHES BACK AND GEMINI REELS INTO THE ROPES!
HERE COMES BALENCIAGA!
HIGH FASHION!
THE SPINNING HEEL KICK TAKES GEMINI RIGHT UP INTO THE AIR AND TOPPLES HER OVER THE TOP ROPE!
THE GODDESS OF THE UNDERWORLD FALLS DOWN, DOWN, DOWN TO THE RINGSIDE STAGE!
But Narcissa has no time to revel in her advantage, as soon both Colt and Attano are on their feet and both come at her simultaneously.
NARCISSA DUCKS UNDERNEATH A PAIR OF CLOTHESLINES AND REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES!
SPRINGBOARD CROSS BODY FROM NARCISSA!
NO!
BOTH COLT AND HAROLD ATTANO CAUGHT HER IN MID AIR!
NECKBREAKER FROM COLT RAMSEY! SIDE SLAM FROM ATTANO!
THEY PUT THE DESIGNER DOWN TOGETHER… BUT THEY’RE FAR FROM A TEAM!
Instantly, the pair are at each other’s throats, each knowing what is at stake. Collar and Elbow tie sees both men trading punches to edge out an advantage, but there is none to be given. Shot after shot hits home, but both Ramsey and Attano yield no ground.
BOOM!
SCORPION KICK WHIPS COLT RAMSEY!
VENOM!
IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, ATTANO ARCHING HIS BODY TO MAKE THE STRIKE!
COLT SIMPLY DROPS WHERE HE STANDS…
AND ATTANO IS ALONE!
He looks up towards the VHS Championship above him, knowing that it’s time to climb. As luck would have it, a ladder is slid into the ring for him. Only, on the other end of it is a very pissed off looking Gemini!
She stands upon the apron, looking up at the belt above her. She goes to step into the ring… BUT IS KNOCKED CLEAN OFF THE APRON BY A VICIOUS HEADBUTT FROM VISION!
GEMINI WAS FOCUSED ON ATTANO AND NEVER SAW HIM COMING!
ONCE MORE, SHE FINDS HERSELF LYING ON HER BACK OUTSIDE THE RING!
Vision stands, amidst a carpet of dead insects, scanning the ring for signs of movement. Attano stomps on the ground as if to catch his attention. Vision spins, instinctively responding to the noise and moves towards it.
BUT VISION TRIPS ON THE LADDER LYING ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF HIM, A SLIGHT STUMBLE…
BUT IT IS ENOUGH FOR ATTANO!
KNEE CAP! THE SHOTGUN DROPKICK TAKES OUT VISION’S KNEE!
VISION DROPS TO ONE KNEE!
ATTANO LEAPS OFF THE GROUNDED LADDER…
AND NEARLY TAKES VISION’S HEAD OFF WITH A SWINGING KICK TO THE SKULL!
Attano wastes no time, clearing the carcass of Vision out of the ring and erecting the ladder underneath his prize. Steadily, he climbs upwards towards the belt until he stands with his fingertips barely brushing the metal.
But it is not to be.
NARCISSA BALENCIAGA IS UP!
SHE PUSHES THE LADDER, SENDING HAROLD ATTANO SAILING OUT OF THE RING AND CRASHING TO THE FLOOR OUTSIDE!
BOY OH BOY, MR NOBODY CAUGHT SOME AIR!
Narcissa barely has time to re-stand the ladder before Colt and Gemini are both eyeing her up, each making their way back to a vertical base. Naturally, Colt is first to take the assault to Narcissa, catching her unawares while Gemini sits back in waiting.
B-ROLL! COLT DRILLS NARCISSA WITH THE ROLLING CUTTER!
BOOM!
NERGAL TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HER PRESENCE FELT WITH VICIOUS BACKSTABBER THAT TAKES THE WIND OUT OF COLT’S SAILS!
YANG!
Gemini places a single hand on the ladder, looking upwards, but spies Vision sliding back into the ring. He comes at her, looking for an ELBOW STRIKE!
BUT GEMINI DUCKS THE ELBOW!
CODEBREAKER!
THERE’S THE YIN!
GEMINI HAS CLEANED HOUSE AND NOW SHE CLIMBS!
Hand after hand, she pulls herself up the ladder. Inching closer to the VHS Championship.
Gemini reaches the top of the ladder uncontested, she stands atop the ladder and reaches up for the belt.
…
…
…
BUT THE LADDER DISAPPEARS FROM UNDERNEATH HER!
NARCISSA, CRAWLING ON HER KNEES, PUSHES THE LADDER OVER AND TOPPLES GEMINI BACK OUTSIDE THE RING IN THE PROCESS, WHERE SHE LANDS NEXT TO HAROLD ATTANO!
Vision is still down, Colt is still out cold.
Narcissa knows that this is her moment. And she climbs.
Standing the ladder back up, she digs her stilettos in and scales the ladder with grace. She pulls herself to the top rung and reaches up to touch the belt. Harold Attano is the only other one stirring, but he is simply too late.
NARCISSA UNHOOKS THE VHS CHAMPIONSHIP!
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
BALENCIAGA CONTINUES HER UPRISING BY UPLIFTING THE VHS CHAMPIONSHIP TONIGHT!
In a hard fought match, Narcissa Balenciaga stands tall. She walks away as champion here tonight, leaving behind a trail of waste behind her.
WINNER AND NEW VHS CHAMPION: NARCISSA
THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK I
Backstage, we find Jinx wandering the halls, clearly focused on a singular goal…to find a place to settle in, set up the device she has handy, and crack into the system somewhere in Olympus for some answers. As she sets up base somewhere out of plain sight, however, she finds a message waiting for her, flashing a notification on her screen…a message that the Fatal Error cautiously opens, the text flashing instantly in front of her eyes as she reads it aloud.
“I understand you’re in search of something, Jinx…and it just so happens I can get you the answers you seek. I can help you get what you need on Luther Grim, the very proof that you’re after. All I ask for in return is a favor. I’m trying to get into the APD database, and I may have just the Automaton to get me in…but I need a hacker. Your skills can be put to really good use for a higher purpose, a great cause…an Uprising.”
That last word makes the hacker scoff at the message she’s been sent, until she notices the initials signing off on the message.
N.B.
“Narcissa?” Jinx wonders aloud, looking around to make sure she is still alone as she quickly closes her device…and just as quickly as she appears, the Fatal Error is already making her exit from the area, her mind processing the proposal being made to her as she heads toward the exit.
Cut.
And from John, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood [1:6]
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [1:7]
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. [1:8]
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of God, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony. [1:9]
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet [1:10]
Six men compete here tonight to be the very best in Olympus as they square up for the World Heavyweight Championship. Will a new face climb up to gain the gold, can Dr Death regain the title he lost one week ago or will Singing Death overcome the odds and still be the very best in Arcadia?
This is it, the main event of Titanfall as we await the Olympians deserving of this World Championship match.
The lights dim in the arena as the opening of “For the Glory” play throughout the arena. A spotlight shines on the entrance as Jackson Cade slowly begins to rise up from the floor on a platform. He stands at attention for a moment before making his way to the ring.
He stops at the ring steps, turning to salute the crowd before turning back and entering the ring as quickly as he can, taking to his corner as he stares at the entrance ramp, patiently waiting for the next competitor.
‘Bringggggg. Click click click.’
The ringing of a bell precedes the sounds of a cash register as the arena falls into darkness. An ambient maroon light follows, flickering above the entrance to Olympus and signifying only one thing.
We’re about to enter the Red Light District.
Drexl appears from behind the curtain, flanked by a number of scantily clad women. He promenades them proudly down to the ring, getting off on the attention the audience are affording his prized assets. As he approaches the ring, one girl will usually step out onto the apron, bending down seductively and sitting on the middle rope. Drexl then leads the rest of his entourage up the ring steps and through the ropes where they encircle him, grinding provocatively into Big Slim.
The guitars of “Dogs of War” begin to play.
“Hmmmmmm, Hmmmmmm”
As the words kick in, Drewitt steps out into view.
“Hear the devil callin’Hear the devil callin’When I hear the devil callin’God will pay him for what he’s due”
Colt follows him out into view, and the pair slowly and methodically make their way towards the steps and up onto the stage area.
“See the fields burnin’See the fields burnin’When I see the fields burnin’‘Cause hell is coming through”
A single spotlight follows the two as they approach the ring.
“I can’t stop the Dogs of WarI can’t stop the dogs of War”
Drewitt signals for Colt to stay outside the ring, then slowly steps into the ring himself, nodding respectfully at Jackson before staring daggers at his old enemy Drexl who just shoots Drewitt a shit eating grin.
The opening riff from “End of Me” by Ashes Remain hits the speakers, and Grimskull steps out of the darkness. His purple eyes take in the people, all those he wishes he could reach.
There’s a fire burning inside me
Cold steel calls out my name
Tempted to give in to the rage
Walking down the aisle, the Preacher keeps his head low until he slides into the ring.
Torn apart by this affliction
Locked up inside myself
This life is much too young to fade.
Kneeling in his corner, Grimskull says a silent prayer before rising to fight.
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 but before he can begin walking down the ramp,
EL MARIACHI FLIES OUT OF THE BACKSTAGE AND TACKLES DEATH FROM BEHIND ON THE STAGE!
The World Champion raining down hard lefts and rights to his former friend, the fury of Muerte flowing through him as he tries to break the plague mask to see the monster underneath. Frightengale is scratching and clawing at Mariachi’s back, trying to get him off her boss but he ignores her, finally knocking Death loopy with a brutal headbutt before reaching up with his right and grabbing Frightengale by the wrist.
Mariachi stares daggers at the Nurse who tries frantically to pull herself away but Muerte’s grip is iron tight as he pulls her close, nailing her with a stiff knee to the gut before placing her between his legs.
Is Mariachi About To Piledrive A Bitch?
LOW BLOW!
Death from behind saves his trusty assistant from a skull shattering future with a sneaky blow to the cojones. Mariachi doubles over, Frightengale quickly scrambling away as Death pummels down on his former friend before gripping him around the head and rushing forward to the sides of the stage but Mariachi manages to reverse it just in the nick of time
SENDING DEATH HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL TRUSS!
Death’s skull slams hard into the steel as Mariachi keeps hold, drilling him over and over again still trying to break that damned mask. Finally he stops introducing skull to steel but keeps that iron grip on the back of the Doctor’s head, dragging him towards the side of the stage and places him between his legs.
He wouldn’t.
Mariachi produces a rose out of his jacket, throwing it into the air before flipping forward
CURTAIN CALL!
ARCADIAN PILEDRIVER
OFF THE STAGE
THROUGH A PAIR OF TABLES BELOW!
Both men look out cold in a wreckage of steel and timber as the crowd begin to go ballistic at ringside, ecstatic at the violence shown and the competitors in ring look shocked and confused at what they’ve just seen. The referee pauses for a moment, before calling for the bell.
***DING DING DING***
The match has officially begun and two competitors are already incapacitated. The four in the ring look confused for a moment before Jackson just shrugs, drilling Grimskull with a heavy right hand that staggers the Martyr as Drexl tries to jump in on the action but is speared down to the canvas by Drewitt, old bad blood still running deep for the Explorer as he pounds down on Big Slim.
Cade drills Grimskull with another right hand before backing up as he’s looking to down a Hostile but Grimskull ducks underneath the Superkick attempt, teaching Perseus a lesson of his own with a picture perfect Superkick right on the chin. Drewitt meanwhile is still pounding down on Drexl who manages to escape from the ground and pound with a thumb to the eye but Drexl barely manages to get back to his feet before he’s nailed with a headbutt from behind
AND BELLY TO BACK SUPLEXED RIGHT ON HIS DAMN HEAD!
Drewitt gets to his feet into a pair of forearms to the back of the head as Grimskull locks the arms, trying for that Snap Dragon but Drewitt powers out. He whirls around, delivering a headbutt that only manages to hurt himself, a lesson that Grimskull makes him pay for with a wicked Superkick. Drewitt doesn’t go down though, staggering back into the ropes
BEFORE REBOUNDING WITH A SICKENING LARIAT THAT TURNS THE MARTYR INSIDE OUT!
Drewitt turns into a leaping dropkick from Cade that staggers him back, as Cade tries to nail Drewitt with a Superkick of his own but the Explorer catches the foot, spinning Perseus around before gripping him around the throat
ARDUOUS JOURNEY! BRUTAL CHOKESLAM NEARLY THROUGH THE RING!
Drewitt is cleaning house here as everyone is down. The Pilgrim looks up into the air and the World Championship dangling down from up high before he rolls out of the ring, grabs a ladder at ringside and slides it into the ring.
The Explorer manages to set it up in the middle of the ring as he begins to slowly climb up but he barely gets one rung up before Drexl grabs hold of the other side and tries to to push the ladder over. Drewitt manages to catch the ladder, slamming it back into Drexl’s skull before beginning to climb again. Drewitt this time manages to climb up a few rungs before Drexl sneaks up on the other side
BLOWING SOME OF THAT FAT SMOKE INTO THE EXPLORER’S FACE!
Drewitt is blinded as Drexl takes advantage, grabbing both of Drewitt’s arms and pulling him face first into the unforgiving steel ladder. Drexl slams Drewitt’s head into the steel over and over before finally letting go as the Explorer crashes to the mat. Drexl has a shit eating grin on his face as he climbs up the ladder, the world title within finger tip range. Is Big Slim about to get every bit of power he wants?
The ladder suddenly shudders under someone else’s weight as Jackson Cade flies in out of nowhere and lands across from Drexl before popping him with a hard right that rocks Big Slim. Drexl retorts with one of his own as the pair begin to exchange heavy blows, each man trying to knock down the other to grab the world title. Cade lands a looping left to the jaw that stuns Drexl as he reaches up high, fingertips scraping the leather strap before he’s pulled back by Drexl
AND KISSED DEEP BY SOME BLOWBACK SMOKE!
Jackson coughs and sputters from the homoeotic smoke swap as Drexl leaps over the ladder, grabbing Cade in the process
SUNSET POWERBOMB FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!
Cade cries out in agony from the brutal Powerbomb as the ladder falls down from the sheer force of the move. Drexl gets to his feet, grabbing the ladder as he looks to set it up once more but sees Grimskull slowly rising to his feet. The Perverse Shark lifts the ladder onto his chest, rushing forward at the staggered Grimskull
DEATH TO HELLIONS! DROP TOE HOLD RIGHT ONTO THE STEEL LADDER!
Drexl’s thick skull damn near dents the ladder from the sheer force as Grimskull picks it up off the mat, trying to set it up but Drewit nails him from behind with a hard forearm. Grimskull manages to duck underneath a Lariat, drilling Drewitt in the face with the ladder. Grimskull holds the ladder to his chest as slowly Cade and Drexl stumble to their feet and an idea crosses the Slum God’s mind.
A sickening smile crosses the Martyr’s face as he places the ladder around his head and begins to spin the Pain Train. Cade gets it to the side of the temple as Drexl walks right into a brutal shot to the jaw. All three men stumbling to their feet to take shot after shot from the whirlwind of steel before only Grimskull is left standing. Groggy and dazed, the ladder falls to the canvas as Grimskull tries to orient himself before staring up high at the championship hanging down.
This is the Martyr’s chance.
THE LAST CARNIVALE!
El Mariachi out of nowhere with that brutal Springboard Lungblower as the World Champion re-enters the match in style. Mariachi winces in pain from his allready hurting knees but he grits through the agony, pulling Grimskull to his feet as he places him between his legs, looking to Fade the Martyr to Black
BACKBODY DROP!
Grimskull drives Mariachi back down to the canvas, the world champion staggering up to his feet right into a skull shattering Lesson. El Mariachi’s eyes glaze over, slumping down to his knees as Grimskull lifts him up only to lie him down onto the ladder, the Martyr looking to empty the playing field here as he slowly climbs up to the top rope
PRAYER
…..
HITS METAL AS MARIACHI JUST MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!
Grimskull’s head is incredibly tough but even he had to feel that as he stumbles up to his feet, eyes glazed over into the waiting arms of El Mariachi
WHISKEY LULLABY OVER THE TOP TO THE OUTSIDE FLOOR!
There’s no one left to stop the world champion from retaining here as he eyes his world championship hanging above the ring. He doesn’t pick up the fallen ladder, instead quickly sliding out and grabbing a second before rolling back in and setting it up in the middle of the ring. All he has to do is climb up and the world championship is still his.
ONE RUNG
TWO RUNGS
THREE RUNGS
FOUR RUNGS
LETHAL
FUCKING
INJECTION!
Dr Death out of nowhere taking down his former friend, the Luchadoc clearly hurting but he’s powering through the pain for the need of holding that world championship once more. He tries to turn and climb the ladder himself but gets attacked from behind by Drexl and Cade, both men whipping Death across the ring as they try for a double clothesline but Death ducks underneath, springboarding off the ropes
Flipping Drexl to the mat with a headscissors before flying forward and spiking Cade with a brutal DDT.
Drewitt nails a rising Death from behind with a hard forearm to the back, not taking any chances as he goozles the Luchadoc, looking to take him on an Arduous Journey but Death slips out, flipping over Drewitt
WITH THE CODE BLUE! BRUTAL SUNSET POWERBOMB INTO THE MAT!
And then that left O’Death. Mariachi slowly pulling himself up in the corner as Death turns, slowly walking towards his former friend with brutality in mind 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. The Luchadoc slowly moves forward but every step is like walking through thick mud as the magic heavily slows him down, allowing Mariachi to whisper a single word into the strings.
“aniquilar”
A single chord echoes through the arena as a blood red note floats through the air but doesn’t hit Death but floats right past him. Death stops struggling to move as he’s confused, shaking his head at the failure of Mariachi but he barely gets one more step before he’s gripped by a hand around his shoulder
AND DRIVEN DOWN TO HIS KNEES BY A BRUTAL RIGHT HAND FROM DREWITT!
Death staggers back on the mat, looking up not just at Drewitt but Drexl and Cade, all their eyes flashing blood red with deep scowls etched upon their faces.
The music wasn’t for him, it was for them.
As all three men begin beating the shit out of Dr Death.
Rights, lefts, knees, kicks, it’s an absolute mugging by the trio as Mariachi just sits back, looking at his handiwork. Death fights back with a headbutt to Drexl but he’s staggered back by a hard headbutt from Drewitt before Cade bounces off the ropes
BREACH AND CLEAR!
Death staggers to his feet right into an IOU SUPERKICK from Drexl, knocking him loopy as he stumbles right into a goozle
AND AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY!
Death looks out on the mat but Mariachi signals for the trio to lift him up as they hoist him high up into the air, running forward to the other side of the ring
TRIPLE POWERBOMB
OVER THE ROPES
TO THE FLOOR BELOW!
Death looks…well dead as the trio look down with malice still in their eyes. Mariachi chuckling to himself as he sets up a ladder, and begins to climb up an easy climb to his retention of the gold.
ONE RUNG
TWO RUNGS
THREE RUNGS
THE MUSIC SUDDENLY CUTS OUT!
Nurse Frightengale cuts the strings with a scalpel, breaking the song as Mariachi visibly gulps, quickly trying to climb up the ladder while he can.
Drewitt is the first to snap out of it as he grabs hold of Mariachi’s foot, stopping him from climbing further. Drexl stumbles forward, shaking the haze away before he slowly begins climbing up the other side of the ladder. Cade looks at the pair for a moment before he picks up the other ladder, setting it up and begins to slowly climb up as well. Mariachi manages to kick Drewitt away, continuing to climb as Drexl has nearly caught up with him.
Drewitt staggers back from the kick, noticing Jackson has set up the other ladder as he races over, climbing up the ladder as it’s a four way race to the top and the championship belt.
Mariachi reaches the top rung first, his fingertips scraping the gold before Drexl pulls him down and blows smoke into his eyes, blinding Singing Death. Big Slim reaches up now but Mariachi manages to pull him down as the pair begin exchanging heavy lefts and rights as do Drewitt and Cade, all four men fighting it out for the championship
And on the outside, Grimskull is somehow pulling himself up by the apron.
The Martyr slowly gets up onto the apron, dazed and confused but he quickly focuses as he grabs hold of the ropes, pulling them back with every bit of strength he has left.
SPRINGBOARDING FORWARD WITH A TORPEDO KOKESHI INTO THE LADDERS!
Mariachi and Drexl crash to the canvas as the ladder tips to the side, unbalancing the second ladder. Cade and Drewitt try to keep it upright but they can’t fight gravity as it too crashes down
SENDING BOTH MEN OVER THE ROPES TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
Everyone is down in the ring, a complete massacre inside the squared circle, the championship belt rip for the taking
El Mariachi is the first to get to his feet, the champion is dazed and confused but he slowly walks over to the ladder and begins to climb
ONE RUNG
TWO RUNGS
THREE RUNGS
FOUR RUNGS
FIVE RUNGS
HE’S AT THE TOP, HIS FINGERTIPS SCRAPING THE LEATHER
LETHAL
FUCKING
INJECTION!
Dr Death out of nowhere sends EMM crashing down to the canvas with a brutal Cutter, Death feeling every bit of that move but he’s determined to regain his championship as he quickly climbs up the ladder, gripping the belt and pulling it down as we have a new OSW World Champion.
Dr Death has done it here, regaining his championship belt in style as he not only overcame five other men but proved his superiority to the Mariachi’s once more.
WINNER AND NEW OSW WORLD CHAMPION: DR. DEATH
LA MARIACHI NATURA
A few hours later…
In the hushed midnight serenade of The Grove, a figure cautiously walks through the woodlands.
A Mariachi.
This Mariachi is a woman, dressed in browns and greens. Her face echoes an emptiness we’ve seen in El Mariachi Muerte. The trees she once called friend are now silent to her.
This is La Mariachi Natura.
Accompanied only by her rotting guitar, she is all alone in this world now. The Music has been broken.
Then, in the still tranquility, suddenly… terror.
WHOOSH!
A GIANT CROSSCUT SAW WEDGES ITSELF IN THE TREE BEHIND HER!
For a moment, all is still.
Then her head rolls off her body, rolling through the dirt floor of The Grove…
…coming to a stop at the feet of Dr. Death.
Avoiding the head, the Luchadoc steps out of the shadows, Nurse Frightengale following suit, an eerie paragon of malevolence.
Frightengale walks to the corpse to pick up her guitar. She smiles at Death, who nods his approval.
Without a word, the pair slip into the night, their work done for the night.
But for La Mariachi Natura, there’s still one job yet to be done.
Flutter.
Tombstone appears at the side of Natura’s body. He raises an eyebrow at the retreating doctor and nurse, before turning to the woman he will ferry tonight.
THWACK!
TOMBSTONE GOES FLYING INTO A NEARBY TREE!
A FIST COMES FLYING AT HIM!
CRUNCH!
IT KNOCKED A FUCKING HOLE IN THE TREE!
IT’S DREWITT, AND HE IS PISSED THE FUCK OFF!
“Hypocrite!” The Pilgrim roars, taking aim at Tombstone once again. “Mister high and mighty, all about the sanctity of death and mortality, about your mission. And you slit my fucking throat?”
Tombstone stands his ground as Drewitt comes in hot, grabbing an errant fist.
“You do not know of what you speak.” He intones. “I will carry out my mission, Drewitt, and you will not stop me.”
“One way or another,” Drewitt spits. “I’m going to shove your sanctimonious bullshit right up…”
GOOZLE! TOMBSTONE’S GOT HIM AROUND THE NECK!
CHOKESLAM TO HADES!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!
Dirt flies everywhere as Drewitt eases into unconsciousness.
Darkness.
Some time later, Drewitt’s eyes open to a great white light.
“Is this it?” He mutters. “Did he finally do it?”
As his vision returns, he realizes that no, he’s not dead.
He’s on a flat metal slab, restrained under a harsh white light.
Staring right into the face of the ugliest woman in Arcadia.
Nurse Frightengale.
“The Doctor will see you now.”
Humming as he puts on some fresh gloves, Dr. Death approaches the Pilgrim.
“Mister Drewitt, perhaps I can help with your predicament.”
Cut.