TIP OFF, I
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
In the still heart of Arcadia, the Slums shimmer under the glow of dimmed lighting, casting eerie reflections off the squalor its citizens live in.
Drewitt treads deliberately through the landscape, his every step like an echo across the downtrodden. His shadow looms large, merging into the darkness on either side of him.
But today, the shadow talks back.
“Drewitt,” a voice, both poignant and profound, speaks directly to him.
The Pilgrim pauses, squinting into the gloom to discern the form of a figure materializing from the darkness, its contours sharpening against the ethereal light.
“You have been given a great gift, Drewitt,” the figure begins, its growling voice growing more familiar. “Your newfound immortality must be sh…”
“A gift?” Drewitt spits. “You’re crazy. If I’ve been given a gift, it’s a cruel one. One I never desired.”
The shadow nods, a motion of understanding rather than agreement.
“Pain,” it intones deeply, “is the only life you have now. An eternal dance with anguish and moments of fleeting joy.”
Swallowing hard, Drewitt responds, “I’m going to undo this.”
“Dr. Death’s promises,” the shadowy figure replies, almost mournfully, “are mere illusions. He offers but a mirage in a desert of suffering. Yet, if answers are what you seek, you must find a Mariachi for him. Meet me later tonight at The Altar. You will find what you seek there.”
Drewitt’s face tightens, a smirk almost forming under his mask.
“Then that’s where I’ll go.”
The figure adds, with an edge of warning, “Remember, Drewitt, understanding pain can be the key to wielding its power.”
Drewitt nods, turning to take his leave. As he departs, the shadowy figure steps out of the darkness.
Grimskull.
Cut.
Tonight, we have Aarman Fidel, Colt Ramsay, Luther Grim, and Blacktooth all trying to show who’s the best here, let’s find put who comes out on top!
DING! DING! All four men are circling the ring waiting to see who starts this mayhem. Luther Grim and Aarman Fidel share a look. They nod and start charging! ARROW OF GREED AND DESIRE! Fidel spears Colt! GREAT PURSUIT! Grim spears Blacktooth! Grim makes a cover! ONE … TWO … THR-NO! Fidel breaks it up with a low dropkick!
Grim storms right back up and blasts Fidel with a hard forearm strike! Grim pushes Fidel into the corner and starts throwing hard punches into the abdomen of Fidel! He’s working the body! Ramsay gets behind Grim! He locks in a full Nelson and pulls Grim into the middle of the ring! FIT TO PRINT!
He nails the facebuster and covers! ONE … TWO … BLOOD RAIN! Blacktooth breaks it up with the double foot stomp from the top rope! Ramsay’s back is arching in pain! Blacktooth follows with the DIRT NAP! He nails the curbstomp! Blacktooth covers! ONE … TWO … THR-NO! WINGS OF EROS!
What a beautiful top rope elbow drop to break up that pin! Fidel pulls Blacktooth up! Spinning powerslam? No! Fidel turns it into a murder backdrop! Before he can cover, Luther Grim nails him with a spear! GREAT PURSUIT! Luther covers! ONE … TWO … THREE!
Luther Grim has done it, another win in this impressive streak of his!
WINNER AND STILL DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: LUTHER GRIM
SMOOTHING
Jackson Cade is a man with purpose. He walks with determination through the passageways of Arcadia, leading toward the door of a non-descript dwelling. Rapping on the entranceway, the door soon opens to reveal the recovering Benjamin Pegg. Pegg glowers upon seeing his uninvited guest.
“What the hell do you want?”
Cade holds his hands up to indicate he comes in peace, but Pegg still looks set to slam the door on his face despite Jackson’s pleading.
“Look. What happened to you was horrible, but if you’re looking for somebody to blame, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Pegg looks undeterred from his vengeance, but Perseus continues.
“Just hear me out. Let’s talk about things…”
Pegg takes an eternity to answer, and when he does it is with an air of nothing but frustration, but he steps away from the door and beckons him inside.
“You’re not changing my mind, Cade. But if it will get you away from my door, I’ll humour you. You have two minutes.”
Cade enters, his natural instincts scanning the room as he enters. His attention is drawn to a stack of papers lying on a desk against the wall, emblazoned with the APD logo.
“Complaint papers? You’re seriously doing it? When you have time to calm down, I’m sure-”
“Don’t you fucking dare tell me how I should feel about being shot, ex-cop.”
Pegg spits the words out through gritted teeth as he eyeballs Cade.
“It’s all the same with you assholes. You serve yourselves, protect the shield, not the public. You get the bad guy, and fuck everybody else that happens to get in the way.” Pegg is livid, near foaming at the mouth. “You come here to try and smooth things over? Why? Because you’re so concerned for my wellbeing? Or because you’re afraid of your suspension becoming permanent?”
Cade opens his mouth to retort, but nothing comes out. Pegg shakes his head.
“I thought as much. Asshole. I know you came to see me in the hospital, just to see if I was still alive. To see what kind of shit you had gotten yourself into this time. Harold? He sat by my bedside, he spent time with me. He actually gave a fucking damn.”
Cade finally finds his voice.
“He’s manipulating you into making a world of shit for me. Don’t believe a damn word he says!”
Pegg isn’t buying the excuse.
“You’re a desperate man, Jackson Cade. A guy who will do and say anything to save his ass. I’m in a position to make sure that your form of justice never puts another soul in danger… and I’m damned sure going to make sure you pay for your recklessness.” He pauses, looking Cade over. “But it begs the question, why did you really come here tonight? A desperate man, hell bent on silencing me. Just how far are you willing to go to-”
“Enough!” Cade snaps back, fists balled. “I’d do anything to find my brother. But if you think that I’d intentionally touch a hair on you head then you’ve been brainwashed worse than I thought.”
Pegg stares, intensely. He says nothing, but moves towards the door of his dwelling, opening it.
“Get the fuck out.”
Again, with his hands up to protest innocence, Cade obliges.
“I hope Harold Attano beats the underworld out of you at Uprising, then I take your damn badge.”
With that, the door is slammed in Cade’s face. Things are not looking good for his job prospects right now.
Cut.
Two Goddesses face off here tonight. But which one is going to walk out victorious here tonight?
Nergal rushes across the ring and Narcissa narrowly avoids a clothesline! BUT GEMINI SPRINGBOARDS OFF THE ROPES! DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! The Plague grabs Hera by her hair and peels her up! She grabs her head with both hands! FALL OF MAN! INSECTS SPEW FROM HER MOUTH!
The locusts bite and sting Narcissa as she yells in pain! THUMBS TO THE EYES OF NERGAL! EYE OF THE BEHOLDER AS NARCISSA HITS A TERRIFYING STO! Hera kips up and immediately drops a knee onto the back of Gemini’s head! She leaps onto her back! AND STOMPS ALONG THE CATWALK!
Narcissa finishes with a stomp to the skull before rushing to the ropes! SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT- INTO THE KNEES OF NERGAL! Gemini is up and nails a harsh kick to the face of a kneeling Narcissa! The Designer is dazed and Gemini hits a shining wizard to put her back down!
The Plague looks to have this in the bag as she begs Narcissa to get up one last time! SHE SPRINGBOARDS OFF OF THE ROPES! UNLEASHED! THE TORNADO DDT PUTS HERA IN THE DIRT! Gemini hooks the leg! One! Two! Three!
Nergal claims victory here tonight in this high octane match!
WINNER: GEMINI
SHARK BAIT
The streets of the Red Light District stay true to their namesake tonight, as all of the lights in the level are bathed in Red.
And a lone man walks down the streets, head down as he checks the many alleyways around him. All we see is the ever recognizable silhouette of Drexl, his dreads dangling as he moves. But then he freezes up, a lyrical giggling hanging in the air.
“Oh Sharkie Shark. You haven’t learned, have you? You’re not as big as you think you are. Big fishy, small little tank…” Scissor’s voice comes out in a sing song tone. Drexl looks around in fear, looking behind himself before facing the shadows, coming face to face with the Mad Marionettist himself.
“And with all those little fish, it’s time for a bigger fish to eat.”
SCISSORS PULLS OUT HIS RUSTY SHEARS! HE DECAPITATES DREXL! BLOOD SPURTS IN ALL DIRECTIONS AS DREXL FALLS LIFELESSLY TO THE GROUND!
The Shark’s head rolls away, coming to a stop right in our view to reveal… That’s not Drexl?
Click.
“Thanks for taking the bait, cunt.”
The real Drexl walks out into the street, his gun pointed right at Scissor’s head! “I’m tired of the horror movie shit. But I know that if I pull this trigger it’s not going to do a God Damned thing. So how about we stop playing around and we settle this?”
Scissors merely giggles again, not moving from his spot. “Oh Drexl, you just admitted you know you can’t hurt me here. But you’ve been such a fun playmate… If you want to end this, then I’ll meet you in Olympus. Show me those teeth, let’s have some fun.”
Drexl sneers, shaking his head. “Fine.”
BANG!
Flash.
The Red Light is gone, and all we’re left with is an empty street, a headless corpse, and a bullet hole in a wall.
Cut.
CONJUGAL VISIT
The office of Max Meadows.
Sat behind the desk formerly belonging to Red Hood, Max smokes a cigar with a nervous smile on his face. Something doesn’t quite sit right with him and the man across picks up on the energy.
That man is Harvey Escher.
“I just need a little time,” he continues from where he previously left off, obviously before we came to see them.
“Why?” Meadows asks with a puff of his cigar. “Isn’t his confinement a fucking blessing for you? We all heard what you did, Harv.”
Escher adjusts his glasses.
“It doesn’t matter, does it?” He says with a shrug.
“I’ll tell you what,” Max continues. “I’ll give you a visit with Amataga Tuga, just like you want; it can be whatever you want it to be. It could be a conjugal visit for all I care.”
Harvey shudders.
That makes Max smile.
“But when the time comes and I need you by my side, I need you to be there. Do you understand me, Escher?”
The Diorama Killer nods.
“You have my word,” he says sternly. “When the time comes, I’m right by your side.”
Max grins.
“Very well. I’ll tell the guards that you’ll be stopping by. I wouldn’t get too close, if I were you; it was a miracle to get him inside that fucking cell.”
Cut.
It’s a battle between Arcadia’s Finest and those who would kill and exploit as Jackson Cade and TEC face Jinx and Harold Attano!
We start off with a heap of tension as Cade shouts at Mr. Nobody to face him…but it’s Jinx who blindsides him with a dropkick, sending Perseus to the corner! The hacker charges toward Cade who turns to face his attacker…and takes a corner splash that knocks him down hard!
Jinx lays in some hard kicks for good measure, before tagging in Mr. Nobody. Attano follows up with some stomps of his own before bringing Cade to his feet…only for Cade to unload like a madman on Attano, sending the former Deathrow prisoner reeling back with some lefts and rights!
Cade looks to follow up with a clothesline, but Attano bends over backward to avoid it…AND CONNECTS WITH A SCORPION KICK! VENOM! Attano tags Jinx back, and Fatal Error is on the attack until she sends Cade to the corner with a thrust kick…where Cade makes the tag to TEC!
Jinx taunts the Automaton to approach before lunging with a discus elbow! DDOS–NO! TEC avoids it as Attano charges after Cade…who drops him with a Bullhammer Elbow! INCENDIARY ROUND! TEC lifts Jinx up for a fisherman brainbuster, and Cade accentuates it with a superkick! CONVICTED! TEC covers! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Jinx and Attano gave it their all but were no match for Atomic Eagle as Jackson Cade and TEC pick up the win!
WINNERS: JACKSON CADE & TEC
THE ANSWERS THEY HIDE
With the match over, Attano makes his escape to the entrance area, looking to stay out of any trouble as Jinx makes it back to her feet, staring down the Automaton…before attacking it, taking the machiner right back to the canvas as she locks in a cross arm breaker!
She starts kicking TEC in the head as she cinches the hold, forcing the Automaton to fight out of it quickly before finally breaking the hold…but not before the Glitch tries to pull away at the outer armor!
TEC is able to fend off the attack easily despite Jinx reaching somewhere underneath, down just below its head in what appears to be an attempt to pull a cable out. The hacker decides to give up on the attempt when Cade finally intervenes, leaving the ring to head toward the entrance as TEC gets back on its feet.
Mere moments later, Atomic Eagle make their exit from the ring as well, confused by the sudden attack by Jinx as they head to the entrance, with Cade clearly focused on the Attano situation. What the Automaton–and the officer walking with him–fail to notice is a small device nestled just underneath the machine’s head, hiding just out of plain sight…where its faint red light could easily be confused for part of the Automaton’s regular processes.
What did Jinx just do!?
Cut.
It’s Master of the Third Eye vs. The Owner of the Shark Club as Drexl takes on Vision. Will the Third Eye guide The Woken One to victory or does Big Slim have a trick up his sleeve that even the Third Eye won’t see?
The bell sounds and Drexl moving fast out the gate hitting the ropes SPEED DIAL, Somersault Clothesline DUCKED by Vision. Drexl lands on his feet only to be hit with the IRON STRIKE a Massive Back-Elbow to base of Drexl’s skull, staggering Big Slim face first into the ropes!
Drexl staggers back into a Snap German Suplex by Vision only to have Big Slim backflip out, hitting the ropes, then adding The Woken One’s name to his SPEED DIAL with the Somersault Clothesline knocking Vision down. Drexl looking to capitalize on his momentum goes for the HIPPIE FLIP Running Senton…
But The Blind Master feels it coming and rolls out of the letting The Real Shark splat on the canvas as Vision quickly gets to his feet. The Third Eye deftly springboards off the middle rope EYES IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD Coffin Drop, dodged by Big Slim!
Drexl and Vision both crawl to their feet, exhaustion setting in it’s now or never. The Woken One looks for a Spinning Backfist, Big Slim ducks it, seamlessly producing a Lead Pipe from shorts, and throws it at the ring post behind Vision. The clanging sound of metal on metal distracts Vision momentarily as Drexl stomps his foot to get The Third Eyes attention again, IOU Superkick, swatted away by The Woken One who hits THIRD EYE BLIND a vicious Code Breaker, and Vision crawls into the cover… ONE… TWO… THREE!
Going counter for counter with Drexl tonight Vision has proven why he doesn’t need his sight to be a force in OSW.
WINNER: VISION
REOPENING PARTY
The Red District is thriving, with a hive of activity seeming to center around one particular location. Eden. The club, having been closed down since the outbreak has a line longer than any other in Arcadia. Aaman Fidel, looking resplendent in his finest clothes dons an equally as fine smile as he watches the patrons flocking into his kingdom. He stands at the front door, welcoming folks with his presence and making sure he is visibly seen.
The security guards flanking him are a little less welcoming. Scanning each and every patron that enters the bar with some type of gadget pressed into the forehead, they admit entry a little more slowly than usual, while Fidel beams at the patronage in reassurance.
“Can’t be too careful these days folks, nothing to worry about.” He retorts as another group are granted entry. “Just making sure that we don’t let in any nasties along with your fine selves.”
The smile on his face hides the fear in his eyes well, but every now and then, a glance is stolen into the distance as if double checking for incoming swarms.
“Enjoy yourselves, welcome to Eden.”
At that moment he does spot a familiar presence, but it is one that seems to put comfort into his eyes rather than fear. Luther Grim appears, thrusting the pamphlet that Aarman had given him last week into his chest.
“Clearly, you are one who does not know when he’s been beaten. I almost admire the resolve, if it weren’t getting in the way of my hunt.”
Fidel looks at Grim, the plastered grin slowly fading as he tries to work out what Grim is getting at.
“Come inside, let us talk.”
He beckons Grim indoors, leading him quickly through the thriving club to a more secluded VIP booth. He motions for Grim to sit, but the Hunter just shoots him a look that suggests Fidel get to the point. Fidel clears his throat with a chuckle.
“Ah- yes. Of course. So you have come here not to lend your services to my cause then?”
Grim glares, stating his answer without words.
“Very well. But you are making a mistake, you know. We need to band together if Nergal is going to be stopped. You tell me it is not your fight, but Nergal is going to affect us all.”
Grim points a finger into Fidel’s chest.
“You’re right… It is not my fight. I already have my eyes fixed on my own battles, you are an inconvenience. But an inconvenience that seems to have painted a target on my back with Nergal herself.”
He removes his finger, but eyeballs Aarman instead.
“To get her off my back, you must first be silenced. Then I can focus on my own battles without… distraction.”
He thrusts the pamphlet again into Aarman’s chest. This time, Fidel takes it from him and looks at it. Over the top of the page, right over the smiling face of Aarman Fidel is a handprint of blood. Grim smiles.
“The hunt is on.”
Cut.
Two sinister sickening sociopathic standouts stand in opposition to each other tonight in this Champion vs. Champion contest. As Scissors sets forth looking to prove he can stand toe to toe with Dr. Death.
Dr. Death is handing over his hat and cane to Frightengale when Scissors ambushes him giving the Doctor a QUICK SNIP with a massive Powerslam. As the bell toll to start the match with Scissors in control lifting Luchadoc back to his feet but the Doc quickly turns the tables with an Inside Cradle.
ONE… TWO… KICK-OUT BY SCISSORS! The Master of Strings quickly scuttles unnaturally away from Luchadeath without taking his eyes off his adversary. As Doc de la Muerte gets to his feet Scissor lashes out him whipping Luchadoc into the ropes, Doc ducks the Clothesline, and The Marionettist turns around into LEATHAL INJECTION by Dr. Death connecting flush with the Handspring Cutter!
Luchadeath looking to stay on offense rushes to the top rope as Scissors pulls himself to his feet Dr. Death takes to the air PAIN KILLER the Poison Litacanranna is COUNTERED into a Powerbomb. Which is followed by another, then a third, THE ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE!
The Marionettist flips Luchadeath over, it looks like he’s going for an encore performance looking for the Powerbomb again but Dr. Death counters with CODE BLUE the Sunset Flip Powerbomb into the cover… ONE… TWO… KICK-OUT! Wait, Scissors has the arm of Luchadoc but the Doc is able to break the grip of Scissors gaining arm control himself pivoting The Marionettist around giving him ANESTHESIA by locking in the Million Dollar Dream. The Master of Strings struggles until he goes limp, forcing the ref to check, lifting his arm… ONCE… FALLS… TWICE… DROPS… THRICE… HIS HAND HITS CANVAS AND THE BELL RINGS!
The OSW Champion Dr. Death has put the Marionettist to sleep, and knowing Scissors his dreams are the things of nightmares.
WINNER: DR. DEATH
THE NEWS, II
The Burned Man, formerly known as Maxwell Rijen, sits in his shack in The Slums. He slumps in his chair, looking on at a picture in his hand. We can see something that looks so unfamiliar and out of place compared to what we usually see with The Burned Man.
A rugged, armored man stands side by side with a beautiful woman, and to his right is what could only be the young James Faith Jackson. Also known as Destructo Boy. The Burned Man looks on at the photo, only pulled out of his inner thoughts by a harsh knock at his door.
“Burnie! Open the door!” The voice of Colt Ramsey is impossible to ignore as the door is soon forced wide open.
“Oh look, you showed up. Tired of getting tips from me, yet?” Burned Man speaks sarcastically, almost forlornly as he turns to face Ramsey, the Journo clearly unhappy as he approaches him.
“More than tired. Listen, Burnie Baby, I just need you to understand. This ain’t my story, this ain’t my job. I can recommend someone to help-“
“I don’t want a recommendation, Colt. I want the best.”
“Flattery would’ve been nice a week ago, Burnie. But we’re far past me helping the guy who sucker punched me.”
Burned Man doesn’t respond for a moment, merely letting out a long sigh before standing up and looking back down at the photograph in his hand, looking back up at Colt and shaking his head. “Fine. I won’t keep going after you. But I have one more piece of news I want you to see, maybe it’ll change your mind.”
The Sole Survivor hands the photograph to Colt, the journalist looking down at it, letting silence fill the air before he begins to walk away, closing the door behind him.
Leaving Burned Man, and us, to stew on his silence.
Cut.
TIP OFF, II
The Altar.
Stood in the shadows outside of the entrance to the Third Eye’s compound, we find Grimskull. He is wearing a full robe, trying to stay hidden. Earlier tonight, he invited Drewitt to join him here tonight to find a Mariachi.
But the Pilgrim is nowhere to be found.
Impatiently tapping his foot, the Slum God scans the people walking to and fro, keeping his obvious profile hidden.
But he’s not alone.
Flutter.
“Grimskull.”
The Preacher whirls around to find that Tombstone is stood directly behind him. There’s no fear in the violet eyes of Grimskull.
“Where’s my boat?” He mocks.
Bad move.
The Ferryman grabs Grimskull around the throat, lifting him up against a wall, being careful not to pop his head off.
“Drewitt,” he begins, “is my business, and mine alone. Save your energies for the blind one or for converting the Mariachi.”
Grimskull grins, waiting for Tombstone to release him.
“What use is the eternally living to you?” Grimskull mocks.
Tombstone is unamused. Grimskull decides to continue.
“Drewitt is inconsequential to me, don’t worry. My quarry is inside those doors, Vision is treating with El Mariachi Muerte as we speak. Drewitt was tasked…”
“I know what Death has tasked him with.” Tomsbtone interrupts. “That does not tell me why y…”
“You really don’t get it, do you?” Grimskull interrupts right back. “Everyone in this twisted tale is manipulating everyone else. Everyone, that is, but you.”
Tombstone’s eyebrow raises.
“I’m using Drewitt to get inside this place. Drewitt is willing to use anyone to get rid of his immortality, which has let Dr. Death manipulate him into finding Muerte, who is searching for anyone to help him with his Music problem, which has let Vision get his foul claws into him, which brings us back to me. It’s called being human.”
A pregnant pause fills the air before Tombstone nods.
“If getting into this building is what you desire, then allow me to fulfill it.”
THWACK! TOMBSTONE LEVELS GRIMSKULL WITH A STIFF SHOT TO THE SKULL!
HE’S GOT HIM BY THE PANTS AND NECK.
CRASH!
HE JUST THREW GRIMSKULL THROUGH THE FUCKING DOOR TO THE ALTAR!
THIS IS GOING TO BE A WAR!
The Martyr is playing a very dangerous game right now with the need for vengeance against his former friend as he’s gained the ire of the Ferryman. Can Grimskull survive this assault or will his soul be rip for the taking?
Grimskull crashes right through the wooden door as it explodes, sending shards of woods flying through the air as the Martyr crashes down hard on the concrete. He stumbles up to his feet, wincing deeply as he pulls a thick shard of wood out of his black, thick viscera dripping off it before he’s whirled around
AND ROCKED WITH A BRUTAL RIGHT HAYMAKER FROM TOMBSTONE!
Grimmy staggers back as Tombstone continues the assault with a thrust to the lower jaw, and a second before winding up for a third
BUT GRIMSKULL REARS DOWN AND BITES HARD ON TOMBSTONE’S HAND!
The Ferryman yells out in pain, not anticipating the dirty tricks from the Slum God who tries to kick Tombstone backwards but the Ferryman grabs the knee, and flips the Martyr head over heels face first onto the concrete. Grimskull pulls himself on the floor, crawling up the stairs to a different part of the Compound before pulling himself up by the wall but Tombstone is close behind, grabbing Grimskull by the back of the head and trying to lift him up
DEATH
TO
HELLIONS!
Tombstone gets sent head first into the wall, the Ferryman dropping to one knee as Grimskull grabs him by the back of the skull and begins slamming him face first into the wall with such force he begins to break the plaster and drive Tombstone through the wall itself. Grimskull is relentless with his attack but as he rears back to try and drive the Ferryman through the wall completely, Tombstone stiffens and stops Grimskull mid-thrust.
BEFORE THROWING A HANDFUL OF PLASTER DUST INTO GRIMSKULL’S FACE BLINDING HIM!
Grimskull staggers back, nearly falling over a nearby table before he gets flipped over a bunch of them
FROM A BRUTAL BIG BOOT BY THE FERRYMAN AS TOMBSTONE IS GETTING UPSET!
Grimskull barely hits the floor before he’s lifted up by Tombstone, rocked by a brutal right hand and lifted up into that lethal Bearhug as Tombstone carries his soul around the Kitchen. Grimskull finds himself slammed down hard onto a steel burner that thankfully wasn’t on before he’s barreled through a barrel of produce nearby. Grimskull crashes to the floor, his hands scrambling for anything to nail the monsterous Tombstone with
BEFORE BREAKING A…CUCUMBER OVER TOMBSTONE’S HEAD….
The Ferryman just looks confused as Grimskull begins throwing various fruits and vegetables at Tombstone who just swats them away. Tombstone starts looking annoyed when Grimskull graduates to plates as the shards of porcelain scatter around the kitchen before finally scowling as Grimskull’s hand grips a frying pan, the Martyr swinging it hard
As Tombstone easily catches the blow, tossing the pan away hard before nearly breaking Grimskull’s…skull with a brutal Big Boot. The Ferryman then grips Grimskull up by the neck, hoisting him up off his feet before turning to a dinging table, all ready for the congregation to feast yet their dinner plans tonight may be ruined
AS TOMBSTONE USES THE MARTYR LIKE A BOWLING BALL AND SLIDES HIM DOWN THE DINING TABLE!
Grimskull is covered in food as he tries to get to his feet but is met by the unnatural grip of Tombstone who lifts him up high
AND GIVES A NOD TO CHARON WITH A BRUTAL JACKNIFE POWERBOMB THROUGH THE SAME TABLE!
Once again, wooden splinters go flying through the air but Grimskull fights through the pain, slowly crawling on the floor as his hands grip the fallen frying pan, swinging it wildly at Tombstone again who just smacks it away but the pan was a fakeout
AS GRIMSKULL STABS TOMBSTONE IN THE SIDE WITH A BUTCHER’S KNIFE!
The Ferryman had to feel that as he staggers back holding his side, Grimskull quickly taking advantage
WITH A LIGHTNING QUICK LESSON! SUPERKICK! AND A SECOND! AND A THIRD! AND A FOURTH!
SUPERKICK SEMINAR!
That final kick drops Tombstone down to one knee, Grimskull scowling as he backs up, looking to knock the Ferryman’s block off with a fifth
BUT TOMBSTONE CATCHES IT, FLIPPING GRIMSKULL BACK HEAD FIRST INTO THE CONCRETE ONCE MORE!
That may well have been the Martyr’s best shot there as Tombstone gets to his feet, cracking his neck before gripping the fallen Grimmy by the neck and goozling him up to his feet
Before making a fatal mistake
And Headbutting Grimskull.
As even the supernatural force of the Ferryman can’t headbutt Grimskull.
Instead of hurting the Martyr, Tombstone’s eyes glaze over from the sudden force as Grimskull smirks before quickly gripping Tombstone around the head
AND BEGINS TO RAIN DOWN HEADBUTT AFTER HEADBUTT AS HE BEGINS TO TEACH TOMBSTONE SOME ETERNAL MISERY!
The headbutts don’t seem to affect Grimskull at all but Tombstone looks almost limp in his hands, the Martyr beaming ear to ear as he tosses Tombstone down the steps to the main area before he delivers one final headbutt
A PRAYER FILLED ONE AS GRIMSKULL DIVES TEN FEET DOWN OFF THE ELEVATED AREA RIGHT ONTO TOMBSTONE’S FACE!
That very well could be it there as Grimskull begins to walk away but his eyes flash towards…something else in the right corner of the Compound and an evil thought crosses his mind. Grimskull reaches down, pulling up the groggy Tombstone and begins to drag him towards a small bathing area, in particular to a full bathtub
IS GRIMSKULL GOING TO TRY AND DROWN THE FERRYMAN?
Tombstone notices the water, trying to fight back against Grimskull but another skull shattering headbutt takes all the fight out of him before he tosses him down into the water
AND BEGINS TO DROWN TOMBSTONE
The Ferryman tries to fight but those headbutts took a ton of his strength and Grimskull has an iron grip on the back of his head as Tombstone looks to be slowly fading away
FLUTTER
Tombstone vanishes from Grimskull’s grip as the Martyr looks confused for a moment before feeling the white hot fury radiating behind him. Grimskull gulps before turning around
SOUL TAKER!
Tombstone nearly drives his fist through Grimskull’s chest with the sheer force of that heart punch but he doesn’t let the Martyr fall, Goozling him before throwing him as hard as he can
FOR WHOM THE BELL…GRIMSKULL LANDS ON HIS FEET! THE MARTYR RUSHES FORWARD
ENLIGHTENMENT! RUNNING TORPEDO HEADBUTT!
Tombstone drops down to one knee, dazed and confused by that sudden headbutt as Grimskull pops his head off his shoulders, spinning it around him like the dangerous weapon it is before swinging it full force at the dazed Ferryman
PEACE AND…TOMBSTONE CATCHES IT AND THROWS THE MACE RIGHT BACK AT GRIMSKULL!
TURNS OUT GRIMSKULL CAN HEADBUTT GRIMSKULL!
The Martyr is stunned by the reversal of his ultimate move, nearly knocked out cold as his head falls to the concrete before Tombstone places both hands on his chest
MODIFIED FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
RIGHT ONTO GRIMSKULL’S OWN HEAD!
Grimskull gets Chokebombed onto his own skull and the Martyr is out fucking cold.
Tombstone has done it here, surviving a brutal war in the Third Eye compound but just barely.
WINNER: TOMBSTONE
SIDES
El Mariachi Muerte stands, looking around at the vast space in front of him, taking it in.
“You like what you see?” comes the voice of Vision. “Excuse the pun…”
Muerte isn’t quite sure how to react until Vision gives what appears to be some sort of attempt at a reassuring smile.
“This place,” he continues. “This place is our foundation. This is The Altar. The Third Eye does many good things for many good people from here. That is why I need you to help me. Should The Third Eye’s blood – my blood – be spilled, all the good we do would be curtailed. For the benefit of Arcadia, this cannot happen. You must help us ensure it is Grimskull and his band of rogues who have their blood spilled.”
Before El Mariachi Muerte can respond, there’s a sound. Not quite a snort, but a grunt of derision. He turns to look and Dr. Death has found his way to The Altar. He takes a step forward but before he can speak his mind there’s a slam of a door and suddenly a big hand grabs Dr. Death’s shoulder, spinning him round. It’s Drewitt!
“We’re even,” The Explorer remarks, his voice not able to hide a layer of sarcasm as he continues. “Your Mariachi has been delivered after all.”
Drewitt turns away to leave, but before he can take even one step his leg is taken out. He falls to one knee, and when he looks up Vision stands before him.
“How dare you enter The Altar and violate it,” he starts. “This is a sanctum for our people, not some seedy swap shop.”
And with that, Drewitt swings for Vision, who ducks out of the way. The two begin to brawl towards the centre of the room. Meanwhile, Muerte and Dr. Death, the two former friends, have been unable to keep their hands off each other either, their contempt for each other spilling over. They too, brawl, with Muerte aiming jabs at the Doc’s mask, and the Doc flipping and rolling out of the way as best he can.
The doors slam again, this time one tilting off it’s hinges, broken. Grimskull and Tombstone are here too! They carry on their fight from earlier tonight, and now all six men are fighting. Nobody is getting any particular leverage over their sparring partner, though, and soon, exhausted, they begin to pull apart.
Mariachi peels away towards the door, just as Drewitt and Grimskull do.
“I cannot help you, Vision, your words may be in a familiar rhythm but they are out of tune, ese. I do not believe what you say.”
Vision’s face contorts at these words, but El Mariachi Muerte seems to have already chosen which side he’s on, leaving with Grimskull, while Drewitt takes a moment to survey the scene before following them, adjusting his hat as he goes.
That just leaves Tombstone, Dr. Death and Vision, who all now stand facing each other, breathing in deeply and taking in what just happened.
It is Vision who speaks first.
“I wouldn’t ordinarily choose to be partnered with either of you, given each of your histories in Arcadia. But I would still rather fight alongside you both against those heathens than have them take this as some sort of victory.”
“It seems we all have reason to want them to suffer,” agrees Dr. Death.
“Or worse,” corrects Tombstone gruffly, the footsteps of Drewitt echoing down the hall a remind of exactly what he means by that.
They nod solemnly, common cause found, and sides drawn.
Cut.