WELCOME TO OUR HUNTING GROUND
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
The doors of Olympus open and in walks the King of Destination, Tombstone. A towering figure, he slowly marches down the halls of Olympus, being eagerly watched by the faces of many.
After last week, who can blame people for being weary?
HOSTILE DOWN!
HOSTILE DOWN!
Jackson Cade out of no-where absolutely nails Tombstone with a fucking brutal Superkick, cracking him right under the jaw ferociously. The Ferryman stumbles backwards about to fall but somehow trying to stay on his feet.
SILENCED!
HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW! HAROLD ATTANO LEAPS INTO THE AIR FOR THAT ONE AND DOWN GOES TOMBSTONE!
DOWN GOES TOMBSTONE!
What a way to start Thunder! Tombstone has been laid out by Jackson Cade and Harold Attano. They stand over him, looking down with sneers on their faces.
“Welcome to our hunting ground,” Cade hisses. “I told you that you had a target on your back, mother fucker.”
Harold chuckles slightly as both men turn their attention to one another.
“Alright, I’m going after Ramsey,” Harold says with a nod. “He knows more than he’s letting on and it’s time to find out what.”
Cade shakes his friend’s hand.
“For the people of Arcadia, Harold – find out what happened to the Red Light District.”
Nobody agrees with another knowing nod and heads off in search of Colt Ramsey.
Jackson meanwhile turns his attention back to Tombstone – only he’s gone.
Cut.
CEASE & DESIST I
Illumination Antiques.
Inside the shop we find Albert Lamplight setting up a display of various pens with a smile on his face before turning his attention to the back of the store to check on inventory…when suddenly, the front door swings open.
“Welcome back Mr. Boswick,” replies Lamplight without hesitation, but the Chairman of the ACA is not amused one bit as he stares the Illuminator down.
“Don’t get so friendly with me, Mr. Lamplight. Our stroll through the woods does not negate our previous conversation.”
Lamplight starts to interject when Boswick motions toward Studebaker, who hands the Chairman a sheet of paper.
“This is an injunction, Mr. Lamplight, a cease and desist ordering this shop remain closed until such time as you are willing to comply with the proper standards and practices.”
Lamplight seems perplexed by what Boswick is handing him as the back door of the shop opens, revealing Gemini…who glares at the Chairman and his crew.
“I think you should leave, Sebastian.”
The sight of Nergal, along with her statement, gives the ACA a startle as Albert turns his attention to the Double Feature Champion.
“And how might I be of assistance, my dear?”
Gemini scoffs at this with a smirk.
“Your charm is amusing, but I’m here to offer a hand to you.”
With the shopkeeper preoccupied, Lamplight does not catch Boswick slyly swiping a pen from the display on his way out…but Gemini notices with another glare as Sebastian slips through the front door.
Cut.
Stubbins’ Monster and the Don Killer make their debuts in Death Row tonight!
Doom menacingly stands before Landucci as The Golden Boy zigs and zags in his ready stance, taking two steps forward and one step back slowly getting within striking distance— left jab, left jab, right hook— THE THREE PIECE!! The right was devastating but Doom simply turns back to Landucci…
And grabs him by the crown of his head, squeezing and pushing with all his strength and anger until Landucci is pinned against the ropes! KICK TO THE GUT BY LANDUCCI! This staggers The Fractured and Landucci follows up with a jumping knee to the face that knocks Doom back!
Landucci sprints full speed at Doom— MULE KI— BIG BOOT TO LANDUCCI’S FACE!! THE GLASS SHATTER!! Doom stands on Landucci’s neck and yanks the monster up by both wrists, choking him nearly to death as he smiles and looks around at the crowd, as if to dare them to come at him!
Doom pulls Landucci up and locks him in a full nelson, ragdolling the smaller man around like a play toy— TORN ASUNDER!! Landucci reaches out for anything… HEADBUTT! ANOTHER!! Doom let’s go and Landucci miraculously stumbles into the ropes and springboards off— OMERTÀ!!! The deadly uppercut connects and Doom… IS OUT!!!
Landucci pulled a horseshoe out of his ass with that knockout punch to give him the debut victory!
WINNER: LUCKY LANDUCCI
I, II
It’s dark, and there’s a distant glow lighting up the violet eyes of The Preacher, Grimskull.
In front of him, also caught in the light of that distant glow, are what we can only presume are two members of The Third Eye, given the attire they wear. They are on the floor, whilst The Preacher paces dramatically in front of them. From what we can tell, we’re in the dark space Grimskull appeared in when he initiated ‘Protocol V’, many weeks ago.
“I hope you’re enjoying our hospitality, boys,” Grimskull begins.
“Please,” responds one of the captives. “Let us g-“
“Oh there is no need for any of that begging,” Grimskull interrupts. “My plans are made, and you won’t change them now. You can’t change them now. I’ve been waiting for such a long time for this to come to fruition. It’s been a long, hard, road, to keep motivated. To understand that the end always justifies the means. And now, I’ll finally achieve the two things I’m destined to achieve. Vengeance, and conquest. Vengeance for the pain wrought against me. Conquest through fear. Conquest through torture.”
The two Third Eye recruits can do nothing but gulp.
“Pain is the one true path to freedom. I just wonder exactly how much pain you two will be able to take before you find that sweet release of freedom?”
There are muffled yells as we pan away from the scene.
Cut.
DETAIL
Luther Grim is backstage in Olympus, preparing for his match against Mr Kleen later tonight, when out of nowhere Jinx barrels into shot, straight up into his face.
“I need answers, Luther. When we were in the mortuary you told my brother… or whatever that version of him speaking through Tombstone was… that he knew what he was getting into. What exactly was that?”
Luther Grim takes a step back.
“I’m not here to make you feel better about yourself,” he says. “Thomas is not my problem, dead or alive. What happened is in the past, and if you want answers, you’re in the wrong place. You’re hunting the wrong prey.“
Jinx is not satisfied with that answer.
“That’s the coward’s answer, Grim. For all the things I’ve thought of you since I found out you were involved with Tommy’s death, I didn’t have you pegged for a coward.”
She takes a step back now, too.
“There is something else going on here. You would be more than happy to brag about your ‘prize capture’ otherwise. I’ll use every resource I’ve got to figure out what it is you’re hiding, Luther. And I’ve got many resources right at my fingertips.”
Grim starts to walk away.
“You aren’t the hunter you think you are, Jinx,” he says as he leaves. “Leave the hunting to the big boys.”
He leaves the area, and Jinx storms off in the other direction, to prepare for her own match.
Cut.
In the ring, Singing Death and the kid who never says die, Destructo Boy, face off. Let’s find out if once again, Destructo Boy can avoid Death.
The match kicks off with Destructo Boy darting across the ring! MISSILE DROPKICK!!! NO! EMM slides out of the way like a matador and drops a quick elbow on Destructo Boy when he hits the ground! El Mariachi Muerte drags Destructo Boy to his feet and WHIPS him into the turnbuckles!
BIG SPLASH from El Mariachi Muerte! NO! Destructo Boy dives out of the way just in time, leaving EMM to eat those turnbuckles. EMM staggers backwards, turns, and BOOM!! IMPACT BREAKER!!! The running corkscrew DDT drops EMM to the mat like a bad habit! Destructo Boy covers! ONE… TWO… NO!! NEARFALL.
This time it’s Destructo Boy dragging El Mariachi Muerte to his feet. He whips EMM into the ropes, LEAPING CLOTHESLINE — But EMM ducks under it, spins, wraps his arms around Destructo Boy! WHISKEY LULLABY!!! The overhead belly to belly toss sends Destructo Boy toppling into the corner, his body crashing into the turnbuckles:
EMM can smell victory from here. He sends a few savage boots into Destructo Boy’s crumpled body before lifting him up to his feet. EMM places a rose petal between his teeth! FADE TO BLACK!!! THE PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!!! HE COVERS!!! ONE… TWO… THREEEEEEEEE!!!!
Though Destructo Boy fought valiantly, tonight he was no match for the former OSW World Champion, Singing Death! El Mariachi Muerte.
WINNER: EL MARIACHI MUERTE
SARAH
Recorded Previously.
With the horrors of the Mortuary behind us, we find ourselves deep within the slums, in the cabin of The Burned Man. For the first time since Ring of Dreams, Maxwell is alone with his son. However, Destructo Boy looks aloof, seemingly not paying his father any mind.
“Faith… About last week,” Burned Man begins, reaching a hand out and trying to place it onto his son’s shoulder. “About your mother-“
“What about her?” Faith shoots back quickly, obviously not in the mood. He adjusts his mask, knocking Maxwell’s hand off of his shoulder as he begins to walk away. He gets to the cabin door, The Burned Man rushing to his side to try and get him to stay.
“James, please. We need to talk.” Maxwell tries to turn his son around, but Faith merely pushes into the door, brushing him off even further.
“Nothing to talk about. It happened, we survived.” His tone is painfully blunt, stating it as a fact. “Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to actually go do something.”
“Do something…?” Burned Man stands in shock, his son shaking his head.
“I’m going after the man who took me, dad. I’m going after Doom. I’m not going to keep wondering ‘why’, I’m going to start getting answers. Maybe you’ll learn how to do that too.” Destructo Boy leaves, slamming the cabin door in Maxwell’s face. However, Burned Man merely stands back, taking a shaky breath as he does.
“Fine. If you want action, I’ll take action.”
Burned Man draws his Kingdomblade, slinging it over his shoulder.
“Starting with Foley.”
Cut.
A LITTLE TIED UP
Gasp.
When Tombstone awakens from his enforced unconsciousness, the one thing he doesn’t expect is to not be able to move his hands.
That’s because they’re tied to an operating table.
“Welcome to my clinic,” a voice says from behind him. Slowly but surely, the owner of that voice comes into frame; it’s Dr. Death. “A little distraction allowed me to make you a patient, Tombstone.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” The Ferryman demands to know, struggling against his restraints.
Death pulls out a needle and pushes a little liquid out of the end.
“It feels disconcerting, doesn’t it? Being forcibly taken to the home of someone else and being tortured. It brings about a little flutter in your soul, does it not?”
Tombstone’s confusion suddenly becomes less than. He understands now.
“You’re coming for something that belongs to me,” Death continues, looking at his empty shoulder. “The OSW World Championship has been stolen from me by Jackson Cade. I won’t let you stand in the way of its retrieval.”
He puts the needle into the neck of The Ferryman and injects him with something.
“This’ll put you to sleep for a little while,” he says as Tombstone’s eyelids become heavier. “You’ll miss the Main Event but I’m sure we can do without you.”
Tombstone slowly fades, returning to unconsciousness.
Cut.
Tonight, the Custodial Manager at ACA looks to clean up the Trophy Hunter’s act. Will Mr. Kleen be able to sweep Luther Grim into the dumpster or will Grim claim the Mop of Justice as his next trophy?
The bell rings and Grim is instantly on the hunt looking for the BLOOD SPORT BROGUE KICK but Mr. Kleen sidesteps using his Mop of Justice to trip The Hunter who catches himself before going face first into the Mop Bucket of Righteousness. Seeing the opening The Janitor shows the Hunter CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS by Curb Stomping him into the bucket of dirty water!
The Trophy Hunter coughs and sputters as The Germaphobe starts beating him with the MOP OF JUSTICE, but he only gets in a couple of blows before Luther snatches it in mid-swing. Grim uses the mop to pull him into a pop-up Falling Powerbomb, making Mr. Kleen a victim of the TROPHY HUNT!
Luther waits for Kleen to start staggering to his feet before running off one set of ropes then the other before Spear – THE GREAT PURSUIT… IS LEAPFROGGED BY THE GERMAPHOBE! Grim lands throat first on the ropes as Kleen slips on the Gloves before…
Nailing the Tiger Feint Kick known as the KLEEN SWEEP! Causing the Trophy Hunter to stagger back nearly landing flat on his ass before The Cleanest Man in Arcadia comes flying out of the sky with KLEEN FINISH HURRICANRANA before Hooking Both Legs… ONE… TWO… THREE!
Mr. Kleen brings victory home for the ACA in his first one-on-one match-up in squeaky-clean fashion.
WINNER: MR. KLEEN
FREEDOM
Deathrow.
In the office of Max Meadows, Nox stands in one corner with his arms folded and Harvey Escher sits in another.
On his way out of the office is Haywire, who’s grinning all the while.
“Think about it,” Max says. “You need to pick a side.”
As Haywire leaves, in walks Victor Doom. Escher immediately stands up, joining forces with Nox who attempt to block a path to the Warden.
“It’s fine,” Max assures them. They carefully step aside, allowing Doom through. “He’s here to come to an understanding.”
“You know what it is I want,” Doom says demandingly, his voice gruff and stern.
Max nods.
“You want freedom,” he admits. “And it’s like I told you, I can’t grant you that request. I’m the Warden of this cesspit. I don’t have control over who comes in or who goes out.”
Doom angrily slams his fist down on the table.
“I need to speak to my father!” He demands.
Meadows picks up a file and tosses it on the desk.
“Here’s what I can tell you; your father abandoned you,” he says without empathy or sympathy. “You were a failed cloned experiment. He left you here to rot, Victor – out of sight, out of mind. Your file says that you were placed in Deathrow, not because you did anything wrong, but because Stubbins Doom made it so.”
The Monster stands up angrily. Nox and Escher look to act but Meadows waves them back.
“I know,” he growls. “That’s why I want freedom!”
His roar is powerful.
The Warden doesn’t know what to say.
Victor angrily turns to leave, storming through the door and exiting into the halls of the prison.
He thunders down them, stopping at the sight of a small woman.
“Let me guess, there’s no freedom?” The Woman asks.
“No Dahlia, there’s not,” he growls angrily. “We’re stuck here.”
She shrugs.
“Perhaps not,” she says with an idea. “I’ve heard things. Leave it with me, friend. All is not lost.”
The big man and the little woman head off into the prison.
Cut.
THE GOOD NURSE, I
Several Weeks Ago.
The scarred visage of La Mariachi Vida, better known as Nurse Frightengale, greets us. She is laying with El Mariachi Muerte in bed.
“I never understood it,” she begins, her voice heavy with sorrow. “Why the tradition of the Mariachi dictated such isolation, such separation. We were meant to be a part of this world, not apart from it.”
In the labyrinthine alleys of Arcadia, Vida flees. But chasing her are not monsters or hunters, but memories.
“I left,” she confesses, “not because I wanted to abandon my role, but because I wanted to find you. To find love in a life dominated by duty.”
The faceless Mariachi pursued her relentlessly. No corner of Arcadia was safe.
“When they found me, they told me the truth,” Frightengale’s voice breaks. “A truth darker than the shadows they cast.”
Ghostly Mariachi figures with faceless expressions, instruments held like weapons, chasing her in a relentless pursuit that spans years.
“There is a balance, Vida,” one had said, his voice a haunting lullaby. “The Mariachi tradition isn’t just for show. It’s a chain, a binding, holding the balance between life and death.”
“He must never know,” another had warned.
“Must never know what?” Muerte himself asks the pained Vida.
She closes her eyes.
“I couldn’t accept it,” she murmurs. “Not when every fiber of my being longed for you. “I was once the embodiment of life, of joy and hope, but life isn’t just about joy; it’s about pain, sacrifice, and the choices we make.”
Falling silent, she seems to retreat into a peaceful sleep.
CEASE & DESIST II
Back inside Illumination Antiques, we find Albert Lamplight nearly taken aback by what Gemini has presented before him.
“You say Sebastian Boswick is a problem, but I’m not sure I understand quite what that means?”
“There is a natural order to things,” replies Gemini coldly. “A man like Sebastian Boswick stands to get in the way of all that. He is bent on meddling in things he does not understand.”
Lamplight seems uncertain how to respond, simply stroking his chin in thought with a slight nod…an act that only further rouses Gemini’s anger.
“Even now, he wields something of value to you…a power greater than he can possibly control.”
She points to the display behind the Illuminator, forcing him to take notice of the missing pen.
“Oh!” Albert exclaims, his eyes widened in shock. “That’s no good at all. I know who is in need of that pen, and it is not Sebastian Boswick.”
He frowns as he turns back toward Gemini.
“But, I’m afraid I have to reject your proposal. I am a businessman, Gemini…and eliminating Sebastian Boswick as you’ve suggested is not good for business.”
Gemini growls at the response she’s been given, pointing at the Illuminator before giving a reply of her own.
“If you won’t be a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem…and you will be dealt with as harshly as Boswick.”
With that, Nergal takes her leave of the shop, leaving a concerned Lamplight to ponder her final statement.
Cut.
Can Jinx reveal the Fatal Error in the Preacher’s beliefs? Or will she succumb to the pain he preaches?
Jinx rushes towards Grimskull and slides through his legs! The Martyr turns around and catches a springboard dropkick to the chest! He hits the ground with a thud and rolls to his feet in time to duck a leaping roundhouse! Jinx turns around AND CATCHES A SUPERKICK TO THE JAW! THE LESSON!
The Black Hat is out on her feet and she staggers into a harsh European uppercut that rocks her! The Preacher nails a forearm before whipping her into the turnbuckle! He chases AND GETS NAILED WITH AN OVERHEAD KICK! Jinx follows up with a springboard hurricanrana to Grimskull!
The Glitch hits a soccer kick to the back and begs Grimskull to get to his feet before nailing him with a wild savate kick! Grimskull hits the mat and Jinx ascends to the top rope! She leaps! RANDSOMEWARE! BLACK ARROW- NO! GRIMSKULL WITH THE KNEES UP!
Jinx bounces off of Grimskull’s knees and the Preacher gets back to his feet! He grabs Jinx and forces her back to the mat with a devastating headbutt to the nose! He moves to the top rope himself! He clasps his hands in front of himself and leaps! THE PRAYER! DIVING HEADBUTT TO JINX! He covers! One! Two! Three!
Grimskull rises up, hands still clasped in prayer as he takes his leave.
WINNER: GRIMSKULL
THE KINGDOM
The Sanctuary
We’ve never been to this level of Arcadia before. For all intents and purposes, it’s a zoo. All kinds of animals are kept here. They’re fed, watered, and looked after. This isn’t an attraction, it’s a base. It’s a Sanctuary for the animals to be safe.
Beneath the surface of the zoo itself is a large room full of monitors. Each enclosure has a camera monitoring and studying the animals therein. In the centre of the room is a large, computerised table of sorts, revealing all kinds of information that we don’t understand.
The door suddenly opens and in walk five suited men.
A voice comes from the table.
“Thank you for assembling,” the voice says, altered. “The time has come.”
The man dressed in red and white with a falcon styled helmet steps forward.
“When should I leave, Zookeeper?” He asks confidently, folding his arms.
There’s a scoff from within the room – it belongs to the man dressed in black and white with a panther styled helmet.
“Why is it always you?” He gruffly questions. The Red Falcon turns to him, his face covered by his helmet. “You’re not the de facto leader of The Kingdom. I should go. No-one here can sniff out the trouble like The Black Panther.”
“Or get himself into it, don’t you mean?” Falcon says in reply.
“Come on Falc, that’s not fair,” a man dressed in yellow and white with a python styled helmet interrupts. “Let’s just relax, dudes. The Zookeeper already knows which one of us is going.”
“I’d send me,” a man dressed in blue and white with a shark styled helmet suggests. “None of you can do what I can do.”
The squabbling continues until the man dressed in all white with a bear for a helmet clears his throat – his voice deep and raspy.
“Enough,” he says, strong. He’d been silent this entire time. “Zookeeper, what’s the plan?”
Everyone quiets down.
“Thank you, White Bear. As you all know, you’ve been training for the best part of a year. I have assembled five different personalities but together, you are stronger than you ever will be apart.”
The group begin sharing looks at one another.
“The Red Falcon is a natural born leader.”
Panther sneers.
“The Black Panther is an expert hunter and survivalist.”
He folds his arms.
“The Blue Shark has power beyond our wildest dreams, if only he could harness it and control his temper.”
The Blue Shark chuckles.
“The White Bear is strong-willed and powerful.”
Everyone turns their attention to the final member.
“And The Yellow Python can harness his speed and energy to strike quickly. However, he is the least ready of you all. When Old School Wrestling began, I was sent five invitations. I’ve kept them all this time. You will all venture into Olympus and begin our search, but The Yellow Python will be first among you.”
The Red Falcon puts his arm around him.
“You’ve got this, kid,” he says proudly.
Python shakes his head.
“Dude, you’re like eighteen months older than me.”
The Zookeeper continues.
“Python, report back to The Sanctuary daily. Should you not return home, I will send after you.”
The Yellow Python nods.
Cut
STRING THEORY
The Funhouse.
Felix Foley stands on his stage, diligently cleaning his puppets and checking them for spots when the sounds of footsteps gets his attention. He turns to face the intruder, a big smile on his face. “Hi! Welcome to the Funhouse-“
KINGDOMBLADE TO THE FACE!
THE BURNED MAN IS HERE!
Felix is sent sprawling, the show host holding his bloodied nose in shock. “My- my nose! That wasn’t very nice…” Felix tries to scramble to his feet, Burned Man approaching him with ill-intent.
“Taking my boy wasn’t nice either, Foley. Rules for me and not for thee?” Burned Man forms the blade into a bat, pointing it at Foley.
“Taking- What? No no no-” Felix wipes the blood from his face, visibly confused by the accusation. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb, Felix. You know why I’m here, no use hiding behind the friendly facade.” Burned Man chokes up on his bat, rushing at Felix and taking a swing!
CLANG!
A DRONE JUST TANKED THE BLOW FOR FELIX! FOLEY GETS GRABBED BY ANOTHER DRONE THAT FLIES HIM AWAY!
Felix looks around, the drone dropping him off right next to Doom! The mad scientist was standing on the balcony!
“Best friend! I wish I knew you were dropping by, I’d have made a snack.”
“… What kind?” Doom asks, glancing towards Felix.
“Oh! Well I found a nice treat even children can make. To start you need some crackers and-“
“A conversation for later,” Doom interrupts, stopping Felix from elaborating. The Doctor looks down from the balcony, shaking his head.
“If you want Foley you’ll need to go through me. Better luck next time, Maxwell.” Doom grabs onto a drone, using them to make his escape alongside Felix. As the two fly away, Destructo Boy bursts onto the balcony! He makes a wild grab for Doom but finds himself just fingertips away! As the tag champs flee Destructo Boy looks down, sneering at his father.
“I almost had him! You scared them off!” Destructo Boy’s lip curls, eyes filled with disdain.
“I- I didn’t-” The Burned Man tries to speak, but Destructo Boy merely shakes his head. He leaves as quickly as he arrived, leaving Burned Man once again all alone beneath the Funhouse lights
Cut.
The ACA have their eyes set on overcoming Albert Lamplight and Gemini, who do NOT see eye-to-eye going into this contest!
Gemini shouts at Sebastian to face her in the ring, but this only gives an opening for Goode to blindside her at the start of things! Goode pulls the champ in before sending Gemini to the ropes…but the Pestilence ducks a clothesline attempt, hitting a cross body on Goode instead!
Gemini rolls away, ready to strike again from the corner…when Lamplight makes a blind tag! Gemini does not look pleased as the Illuminator goes after the Celibate One, targeting the legs of the big man with some stomps to wear him down as Goode builds back to a vertical base.
Goode goes for a wide swipe at Lamplight, who dodges it before rushing to the corner looking for a shotgun dropkick on Tucker! SALE OF A LIFETIME! Goode crashes into the turnbuckle behind him…and now it’s Boswick with a blind tag! The Chairman charges after Lamplight…right into a crossface chickenwing!
WHOLESALE STRETCH–but Goode breaks it up! Gemini drops down from the apron, refusing to intervene as Boswick sends Lamplight to the corner for a running big boot! STAMP OF AUTHORITY! Tag to Goode, who drops Lamplight hard with the jacknife powerbomb! JUST SAY NO, AND THE COVER! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Whatever issue lies between Lamplight and Gemini has sealed their doom against the might of the ACA, as Tucker Goode and Sebastian Boswick take the victory!
WINNERS: ARCADIAN CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY
DESPERATION
Anthesteria.
Fresh off his match with Destructo Boy, El Mariachi Muerte makes his way through the joyful somberness of Anthesteria, poking his way into a small encampment.
He pauses.
It’s empty.
Nurse Frightengale is not there, but he’s not alone.
“Well, if it isn’t the somber serenader himself. Missed the memo, did we?” The voice is unmistakably Drewitt’s.
The Pilgrim, leaning lazily against a wall, grins.
“Where is she?” Muerte growls, eyes narrowing.
Drewitt raises his hands defensively.
“Whoa there, amigo! I walked in just like you, found the place empty.” He smirks, adding, “The Nurse seems to have left the building.”
EMM’s gaze hardens.
“How can I trust you?”
Drewitt draws out a delicately folded piece of paper.
“Because she left you a letter,” he says, handing it over.
Unfolding it, EMM scans the contents before looking up at the other man.
“Why are you here?”
A bitter laugh escapes Drewitt.
“To offer a deal. Our mutual foes are… distracted, for now. I’m the best tracker in Arcadia, and I know what you fear. You have to find Frightengale before Dr. Death turns his gaze back your way. You’re desperate. So let me help you.”
EMM eyes him skeptically.
“And what do you want in return?”
Drewitt turns to gaze out the doorway at the people in Anthesteria.
“A song.” Drewitt’s eyes darken. “You think you’re the only one desperate here? This is my last shot to find a cure for this immortality I’ve been cursed with.”
A tense silence ensues as the two lock eyes.
EMM exhales deeply.
“Deal.”
Cut.
The fallout of Tombstone’s wrath inside the Mortuary is felt tonight as he must team with the two men he will face off for the world title against three he tormented. Will this be everyone against the Ferryman or will he be able to send them all on their way?
The bell sounds as Tombstone is is nowhere to be seen, Jackson Cade looking pissed at this handicap match as he tries to tag out to Death but the Doctor just points behind Cade as the world champ turns around just in time to avoid a running clothesline from Colt Ramsey. Cade spins around into a flurry of lefts and rights before being thrown across the ring but Jackson ducks underneath another clothesline, bouncing off the ropes
BREACH AND CLEAR! SLINGBLADE!
Colt staggers up to his feet into a flurry of blows of his own before Cade lifts him high up into the air and spikes him down with the MASTER KEY! Brainbuster rattles Colt’s brain in his skull but he doesn’t get a chance to cover as Colt lands near his corner, Narcissa blind tagging herself into the match as the Designer rushes forward.
RIGHT INTO AN INCENDIARY ROUND! BRUTAL BULLHAMMER NEARLY KNOCKS BALENCIAGA OUT COLD!
Narcissa falls to one knee, Cade backing up as he’s looking for the kill shot
BLIND TAG BY DR DEATH!
Cade stops mid-run, staring daggers at Death who just nods at the world champion before rushing forward at Balenciaga
DROP
TOE
HOLD!
Death got suckered in by Hera there, dropped throat first onto the middle rope as Balenciaga rolls to her feet, sizing up Death for a moment before she rushes forward, WALKING THE CATWALK up along his back before swinging through the ropes and nailing a brutal Tiger Feint Kick that sends Death flying backwards onto the mat. Narcissa hops onto the apron, sizing up the rising Death before she springboards up, diving off
HAUTE…POWERBOMB! Death counters the dragonrana, nearly planting the Designer through the mat but he doesn’t let go, lifting her up again and delivering a second Powerbomb before lifting her up high
SPINAL CONTUSION! BRAIINNBBBBUUSTTTER!
Death showing off an uncommon burst of power against a small opponent as he’s the one to jump onto the apron now, sizing up the groggy Designer for his favorite manouevere.
LETHAL INJECTION!
The cutter hits flush but Death might have put too much oomph into it as he staggers back from the impact right into his corner
As Cade blind tags himself in.
Death looks pissed at the world champion, Cade smug smile sets him off for a moment as he shoves the world champ back, the unwilling partners getting into it for a moment that allows Narcissa to slowly pull herself to her corner and tag out to Nobody who rushes in
KNEECAP! BRUTAL SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE KNEE OF JACKSON CADE!
The world champion screams out in pain, dropping to one knee as Attano backs up, looking to put down his ally but Cade ducks underneath the Hidden Blade, kipping up and nailing Attano with a stiff Pele Kick.
Mr Nobody staggers back, wiping blood off his lip before he smiles and the pair begin to go at it. Brutal lefts and rights from both men rock jaws before a stiff headbutt staggers Attano back. Cade looking for an Incendiary Round but Attano dodges underneath
BEFORE SINKING HIS TAIL INTO CADE WITH A VENEMOUS SCORPION KICK!
Cade’s bell gets rung from the brutal kick as Attano leaps up, grabbing hold of Cade’s arm as he tries to drag him down into the Common Man but Cade fights the armbar, refusing to fall to the mat as he powers Attano up into the air, rushing forward
BUCKLE BOMB BREAKS THE HOLD!
Attano crashes to the mat but Cade can’t follow up as he staggers back in pain, allowing Attano to tag out to Colt, who rushes in with a stiff elbow to the back of the head before wrapping Cade in a headlock
AS HE SHOWS HIM SOME B-ROLL WITH THE ROLLING CUTTER!
That could be it as Colt drops down for the first cover of the contest, the referee sliding in
ONE
…………….
……………………
TWO
………………….
CADE GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Jackson slowly staggers to his feet, Colt trying to Full Nelson him for that deadly facebuster but Cade manages to slip out and behind Colt before dropping him on the back of his head with a German Suplex. Cade staggers back, still rocked from that Scorpion Kick as he slowly shakes away the cobwebs before climbing up to the top rope, ready to fly but Colt manages to leap to his feet and crotch Cade on the top.
Cade lands hard nuts first, stunned as Colt climbs up with him, looking for a Superplex but Cade fights out with everything he has with lefts and rights before a mammoth headbutt drops Colt to the mat. Cade breathing hard before he leaps up,
SCREAMING EAGLE! DIVING ELBOW DROP HITS RIGHT ON THE BUTTON!
Cade is spent though, crawling on the mat as he tries to get to his corner. Colt slowly stirring as Cade is inches away, reaching his hand up to tag out
As Death drops off the apron.
Cade’s face is a mixture of confusion and fury as Death clearly feels this is a losing battle. Cade screams at the backpeddling Death who begins to walk back up the stairs to the ramp, not noticing Ramsey on his feet behind before he feels the Full Nelson locked on
FIT TO PRINT! Colt drills Cade into the mat with that lethal facebuster but he doesn’t cover, instead tagging in Nancy Doll as the former tag team champions back up into opposing corners, looking to put down the world champion here and now. Cade slowly stirring as he rises up to his knees, the pair rushing forward
DESIGNATION OF PERFECTION! SANDWICH METEORA CRUSHES JACKSON CADE!
That may well be all she wrote as Narcissa covers Cade, the referee sliding into position with no one left to save Cade from this brutal 1 on 3 loss.
ONE
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…………………..
TWO
……………………..
…………………………….
……………………………
**FLUTTER**
BRUTAL BIG BOOT TO THE REFEREE!!!
TOMBSTONE IS HERE AND HE’S FUCKING PISSED!
Narcissa gets lifted up off Cade, hoisted high into the air with one hand
ODE TO CHARON! NARCISSA NEARLY GETS PLANTED THROUGH THE RING!
Attano rushes into the ring, unleashing lefts and rights that do nothing to the Ferryman who responds with one brutal headbutt before lifting him upside down
ELYSIUM FIELDS! ATTANO GETS SPIKED INTO THE MAT WITH A SICKENING TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!
Colt stares at Tombstone from the corner, trying to run away but he’s allready on him, spinning Colt around
SOUL TAKER! A LIFE TAKING HEART PUNCH MAY WELL HAVE PUT RAMSEY IN THE GROUND RIGHT THERE!
All the while Death is watching from the ramp, curiously observing Tombstone’s rampage as the Ferryman vanishes. Knowing exactly what’s about to happen, Death tries to run but turns right into a brick wall of brutality and a rock hard Goozle
CHOKESLAM MOTHER FUCKER! Death gets chokeslammed by his own partner!
Inside the ring, Cade is slowly rising to his feet as Narcissa is just stirring. Cade looks at the ramp and Narcissa, knowing he has to finish this fast as he rushes at the kneeling Balenciaga
HOSTILE DOWN! Cade nails Narcissa but he can’t follow up as he’s spun around by the Ferryman
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!
FULL FORCE CHOKESLAM!
Everyone is out cold as Tombstone places Cade’s arm over Narcissa, rousing the referee before standing back and watching the pinfall
ONE
………………….
……………………….
TWO
……………………
………………………….
……………………………….
THREE!!!
Tombstone just annihilated five people here, costing his team the victory but before the bell can even finish ringing, he’s allready fluttered away, taking both Death and Cade with him.
WINNERS: JACKSON CADE, DR. DEATH & TOMBSTONE
FOR THE MONEY SHOT
Sometime Later
We find ourselves on Agora, where quite a crowd has begun to gather. They gather for a single purpose, to witness the execution of Hercules about to take place. In amongst the scene, we find Colt Ramsey. He stands, camera poised and snapping photos. So preoccupied with getting that perfect shot, the Journo doesn’t see Harold Attano approaching him until his lens is filled with Mr Nobody’s frame.
“Tell me what you know.”
Attano covers the lens with his hand, demanding answers from Colt. Colt lowers the camera, taken aback by the sudden approach.
“What are you talking about? I’m just here, getting the scoop and looking for the money shot.”
“You know more than that. Tell me… What do you know?”
Ramsey considers his options, looking into the eyes of Attano, sizing him up. He draws a deep breath, exhaling with a sigh.
“Well…”
He doesn’t get a chance to finish his thought. From behind him, a hooded figure bumps into him, forcing him to drop his camera. The camera hits the ground, and Colt cries out in frustration. The hooded figure spins around and we see their identity. Narcissa Balenciaga.
“What the hell?”
Colt is livid, stepping over the broken camera and looking ready to give Narcissa a piece of his mind.
Before he can do so a horn pierces the air, blasting. In the distraction, Narcissa vanishes into the crowd. But right now, there are other things at play. The execution is imminent.
Cut.
THE EXECUTION OF HERCULES
Agora is buzzing.
This moment has been building now for weeks. From the moment that Ares captured Hercules at Levelmania, the rumours of his upcoming demise were far from exaggerated. As Ares climbs the stairs of stage, he positions himself before the people of Arcadia.
Carefully, numerous troops of his army drag a hooded Hercules carefully onto the stage to meet him.
“As you’re all aware, our fearless and iconic leader has been taken hostage by the Uprising,” he says loudly, his gruff booming voice echoing across Agora. “Reports were that he was captured by his son, Hercules.”
They dramatical whip off his hood, revealing his face.
“We’re led to believe that it is he who leads them,” Ares announces. “And since he refuses to tell us where Zeus is being held, we’re going to do what Zeus himself would do and that’s destroy the threat actor.”
Ares’ men place a large re-enforced noose around the neck of Hercules, positioning him over the trap door. As he awaits his final moments, Ares stands to face him.
“This is your last chance for redemption, son,” he whispers to him. “Tell us where Zeus is. Tell us where the rest of the Uprising reside. Tell us what you know, and we may just spare your life.”
The Outcast slowly and defiantly shakes his head.
“Very well,” The God of War says angrily.
He looks towards the executioner and nods his head.
“WAIT!”
A voice boom’s from behind everyone. En mass, the entire area turns to look towards where it came from. The crowd slowly parts as they realize who the voice belongs to, everyone back away.
“Stop this immediately!” He demands.
The owner of the voice?
Zeus.
He’s dishevelled, his beard long and overgrown – his face covered in blood and his body covered in dirt. As he approaches the stage, Ares stops off to approach him, grabbing him with both arms.
“You’re alive,” he says with delight, pulling him into an embrace. Zeus embraces him back, before stepping away. “I’ve been hunting high and low for you.”
Zeus doesn’t care. He looks towards his captive son.
“Take that noose off his neck and take him to the House of Sovereigns; there will be no fucking execution,” he angrily declares. Ares men rush to do what they’ve been commanded. The God of War looks at him quizzically, as if he’s surprised. “My son is not the leader of the Uprising.”
There’re gasps in the crowd. Ares was wrong – even he didn’t know it. He looks just as shocked as they are.
“I know who the leader is,” he admits, announcing the awaiting crowd. “But that’s for another time. Ares, old friend, please take me home.”
The God of War smiles, nodding.
“It’d be my pleasure, sir.”
With that, Ares leads Zeus back to the stairs, helping him on his feet as he remains uneasy.
Cut.