Insanity
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Breathlessness. Sheer panic.
Narcissa looks terrified. Her eyes are bloodshot and her mouth nervously twitching as she stumbles through the corridor’s backstage, checking behind her frantically.
She stumbles through a door into a narrow corridor, her eyes focused behind her. When she turns around, she stops dead in her tracks before a grinning Gravedigger, wielding his shovel.
Narcissa immediately stumbles backwards, turning around to go in the opposite direction and instead being stopped by Raven, hood low, menacingly staring at her.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: [Nervous] What’s happening!? Narcissa is being tormented by Six Feet Under.
MATT RUBY: This isn’t right. She doesn’t deserve this!
She panics and rushes forward, the visage of Raven vanishing into the darkness as if it never really existed in the first place.
Her eyes twitch.
Her makeup runs.
A figure appears in the open doorway, a dark sinned woman with white paint, just like we saw last week.
“Stop, please...” She exasperatedly panics. “I’m going insane!”
With the door she entered still open, she bursts out into the illuminated hall, running her back to the Hydra room where Zeus likely awaits.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know who’s responsible for this, don’t you?
MATT RUBY: I don’t think Tombstone deserves such accusations. Since when was he a beautiful dark skinned woman, anyway?
Cut.
Three...
Inside the A.P.D. headquarters, Jackson Cade stands in the center of the locker room, surrounded by the members of Eagle Unit.
MATT RUBY: This is a miscarriage of justice, Bronco. This power hungry idiot is going after a reformed man!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Why else would Redgrave reopen the Gallery? We know what that means!
The air crackles with anticipation and the sound of Velcro straps and zippers as the team suits up.
“One year ago,” Jackson begins, his voice firm, reverberating off the cold, hard lockers, “just one year ago, Jasper Redgrave thought he could tear this place apart. He killed Riggs. He hurt us. He hurt me.”
MATT RUBY: Abuse of power! Abuse of power!
He paces in front of his team, each step a punctuation.
“Three weeks,” he continues, holding up three fingers, “that’s how long it’s taken us to regroup from what the Uprising did. Three weeks to remember who we are and what we stand for.”
He stops pacing and faces them squarely, his eyes burning with a fierce energy. “And tonight, it comes down to three words: No More Chaos.”
The team nods, their own energy rising to meet Jackson's intensity.
“Redgrave thinks Arcadia is his playground, that he can twist and bend the rules to his will. He thinks wrong.” Jackson grabs his helmet from the bench, fitting it onto his head with a click. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and his game ends tonight. Arcadia doesn’t play by Redgrave's rules. We play by justice, by unity, by law.”
He surveys his team, each member ready, their gear secure, their expressions steely.
“Tonight, we show Redgrave that his reign of terror is over. Tonight, we shut him down. For Riggs, for Arcadia, for each of us who wears this badge.”
A chorus of affirmations fills the room, the team rallying around their leader’s call.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I, for one, wouldn’t want to be Jasper Redgrave right now.
MATT RUBY: Just like you, all cops are bastards, Bronco!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Next on tap we have the owner and operator of the Grotesque Gallery Jasper Redgrave taking on the Arcadian Don Gino Carelli this could be a real bloodbath!
Rough and tumble Mills Stanton calls for the bell and Gino launches himself out of his corner and smasher full force into the mush of The Artist with a Diving Forearm!
BADA BOOM ON FUCKING POINT!
Mr. Carelli looks to stay on the offensive snatching The Serial Killer off the canvas but Redgrave counters into Suplex Position before Slamming Carelli down with the Nightmare Pendulum!
PORTRAIT
OF
A
KILLER!
Into a quick cover hooking a Leg, Mills counts!
ONE!
TWO!
KICK-OUT BY CARELLI!
Redgrave quickly snaps up Carelli who quickly comes to his senses pivoting to the back of Jasper!
*BAM!*
Northern Lariat to the base of The Artist’s fucking skull stumbles The Artist!
MATT RUBY: The Don thinking on his toes there!
Carelli, spins Redgrave around Sky High!
STRICTLY - KNEE TO THE GROIN FROM REDGRAVE, PEDIGREE!
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY SPIKES CARELLI FULL ON THE DOME!
REDGRAVE INTO THE COVER, STANTON SLIDE INTO POSITION!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: And the sinister Artist builds more momentum as we roll towards Locked and Loaded and his match with Jackson Cade!
Tell Me
In the Arcadian Police Department, Sheriff Jackson Cade sits down behind his desk in his very own office. Beside him, George Cade and CJ Thorpe sit.
The window has since been repaired and all three are deep in conversation when Harold Attano arrives.
“Just the three I was looking for,” Attano gruffly says, closing the door behind him.
Cade shuffles in his seat. George stands up to meet his former friend with a handshake. “Harold,” he sternly greets him.
“I need to know how your boy knew my daughter is still alive,” Attano continues without the mercy of beating around the bush. Thorpe looks at Cade and both then look at their father. “What do you know that I don’t, George? I helped get your son back to you and the least you could do is return the favour.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s true. They owe Harold Attano a damn sight more than they’re giving him. It’s a disgrace.
MATT RUBY: I can’t stand any of these idiots. Who cares? Michaela Attano isn’t around because she doesn’t wanna be. Harold is hardly father of the year material.
George releases the hand of Attano and folds his arms, his body language closed off. “I owe you a debt for what you did for my boy,” Cade admits.
“Then repay it!” Nobody demands aggressively.
CJ Thorpe stands at the sound of aggression, being calmed by his father.
“You shouldn’t be here Attano,” Thorpe warns. “We did you a favour by telling you the truth. You should be searching for her, not interrogating us.”
Attano, as quick as a hiccup, leaps at CJ and grabs him by the collar, slamming him into the wall. Cade jumps up to wave in his colleagues, who take the room by force and pull Attano away.
“You’re under arrest,” Jackson says firmly in his first act as Sheriff. “Get him out of my sight.”
“This isn’t over!” Harold yells as he’s being dragged from the room.
George helps straighten his son out, looking at Jackson. “I’ll talk with him. Keep him for a week to cool off and I’ll take care of it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s an abuse of power!
MATT RUBY: I might be starting to like this new side of Jackson Cade.
The Sheriff nods.
Cut.
From Ashes
The Burned Man lies in a hospital bed with a chart attached that reads ‘Bernie Smith’. Destructo Boy sits next to him watching a nurse tend to him.
MATT RUBY: Destructo Boy has sat vigil by the bedside of his father all week. Blaze is alive, live it up boy.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You really are a complete toolbox, with the emotional range of a wet towel.
Destructo Boy looks to his father.
“Dad.” He begins. “I know you've been feeling differently since I got you with that syringe. Well, it was filled with water taken from the Odyssey Pool. You’re back, dad.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Blaze is no more. He’s The Burned Man once again.
The sentiment doesn’t last long, as Doom bursts into the room. Felix Foley follows, carrying a flowers and a card which he hands to Destructo Boy.
“You stole contents from the Odyssey Pool? I trusted you, Boy. It was curious that the numbers weren’t adding up. But this…”
The Burned Man sits up in his bed.
“I don’t really care about your pool right now, Doom. I care about my son, and getting him as far away from your influence as possible. I cannot align my family with you.”
Doom balls his fist.
“I meticulously plan and control my life, down to the last variable. But lately, things have begun to slip from my grasp.” He points at TBM. “You are either friend or foe. One way or another, I will have order.”
He steps towards the bed, looking to choke TBM. DB rises but Felix steps in, placing a hand on Doom’s shoulder that calms him. Doom storms off, angrily. Felix holds back a moment longer.
“I don’t like it, but I understand. Oh… and get well soon.”
Destructo Boy turns back to his father, but The Burned Man is already pulling at the tubes attached to him.
“I’m not lying in this hospital bed any longer. I'm checking out of here. We’ve got things to take care of, son.”
Cut.
Shield
In the Slums, Captain Arcadia searches. He searches high and low, looking for Hatchet and his thugs.
He enters a darkened alley but realizes quickly that he’s not alone.
“You’re not he, are you?” Arcadia asks aloud as two men approach him from both behind and in front. “Is he that much of a coward?”
“Naw dawg, you just ain’t worth his fuckin’ time,” one of the thugs replies with a chuckle.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Most people wouldn’t venture into the Slums. Captain Arcadia must be mad.
MATT RUBY: This his second attempt at being a hero in a month. You thought he was sane?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I suppose there’s no better place to search for scum than the Slums. Funny, shouldn’t you be there?
MATT RUBY: Hey!
Arcadia laughs to himself. “After what he did to Destructo Boy and The Burned Man, he’s worth mine.”
The Captain suddenly fights, striking one quickly. The numbers game though works quickly to his disadvantage, the three remaining attackers taking him to the ground with pipes and bats, leaving him breathless on the floor.
The first man he punched, the talker, picks up his shield and grimaces, blood dripping from his mouth.
“Hatchet told us to tell you that you’re a fuckboy,” the man says checking the blood at his lip. “But this’ll make a nice apology gift.”
The four Juggalo’s walk off, leaving Captain Arcadia to roll over, a bloodied lip of his own. He laughs heartily.
MATT RUBY: This lunatic just got downed by the clowns and he’s laughing? Is he an idiot?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That or a genius, Matt. That or a genius.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tonight Mr. Sunshine faces Nox in what's bound to be an interesting match.
MATT RUBY: If interesting means a deluded man on the wrong stage, you'd be correct Bronco. Let's just say my money isn't on Mr. Sunshine.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hearing that, my hopes are, let's see what happens.
DING! DING!
Nox goes for a tie-up but Mr. Sunshine goes right for a hug! Rapid forearm strikes from Nox! One after another and Nox whips Sunshine into the corner!
NO!
GET OVER HERE!
NOX PULLS HIM IN TO A SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE!
Nox isn't done as he starts stomping away at different parts of Mr. Sunshine’s anatomy. He follows the calculated stomps with a back splash!
NO!
SUNSHINE GETS HIS KNEES UP AND NOX'S SPINE GOT ALL OF IT!
NOX’S BACK IS IN AGONY AS MR. SUNSHINE GET UP AND PUTS NOX ON HIS SHOULDERS!
HE'S SPINNING HIM AND TAKING FOR A RIDE!
HE CRASHES THE AIRPLANE WITH A SAMOAN DROP!
MR. SUNSHINE NAILS THE DIZZY GAME!
Both men are down and rocked but Mr. Sunshine pulls himself up first! He's waiting for Nox to get up! Nox slowly pulls himself up just to get lifted even higher! Mr. Sunshine asks Nox “Does somebody want a hug?” before lifting him up before Nox can respond!
MR. SUNSHINE GETS HIS HUG AFTER ALL!
COVER ME IN SUNSHINE!
HE'S SQUEEZING THAT BEARHUG TIGHT AND NOX ISN'T USED TO BEING THE ONE SUFFOCATED!
NOX GETS A HAND FREE AND PRESSES A BUTTON ON HIS CHEST!
POISON MISTER!
MR. SUNSHINE IS CHOKING ON THE POISON AND NOX CAPITALIZES!
NOX OUT!
HE NAILS THE REVERSE FULL NELSON BOMB AND COVERS!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
MATT RUBY: There we go! My fortunes match my name tonight!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Some of us don't have to gamble to get by.
Way Of Sunshine
Backstage, Klaus Way’s circus performers are alone in a cramped locker room.
The contortionist, limbs curled in an artful display, whispers into the ear of the juggler, who absently tosses balls into the air, eyes not on his hands but on the center of their gathering.
"Mr. Sunshine... he sees us," an acrobat says softly, her voice almost lost under the rustle of her silken costume. "He treats us as equals, not as freaks. Maybe it's worth considering—a life beyond the tent."
MATT RUBY: How dare these… freaks… even consider leaving the generous Mr. Way!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How dare they not have a chance at freedom? You’re a fool, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Have you been listening to that idiot Sunshine too?
The strongman shakes his head, his brawny arms folded across his chest.
"And go where?" His voice booms, the vibrato echoing off the canvas walls. "Klaus Way is our shield against the world that spits at us. Leaving him is akin to suicide."
From the edge of the group, the Bearded Lady steps forward, her eyes kind but troubled. "We all need a way of sunshine," she attempts, her words tangled in her speech impediment, turning 'ray' into 'way.'
MATT RUBY: Oh gods, she can’t even talk right!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You make me sick.
A snicker escapes the contortionist before he catches himself.
"She’s right in a way," he says. "But Ajax has a point too. We can’t just up and leave."
Her gaze steady, the Bearded Lady smooths a stray hair from her face.
"We need to decide," she asserts, her voice clear despite the slip earlier. "Are we just performers under his command, or are we people who deserve the light?"
The silence that follows is thick.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Looks like Mr. Sunshine had a deep effect on Klaus Way’s performers.
MATT RUBY: He’s a real Way of Sunshine!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Will you stop!?
Cut
What Do You Remember?
In Anthesteria, the sound of beautiful music fills the candle lit air. Gemini lays recuperating on a madness, in a brightly coloured room filled with candle lit skulls of various colours.
She awakens sleepily to find El Mariachi Muerte sat by her side. It’s the first time her eyes have opened since Ring of Dreams.
“You’re awake amiga,” he says with a nervous smile. “You’ve been under for weeks.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Thank the Gods that she’s alright.
MATT RUBY: Alright? She’s fine, Bronco. Look at that woman.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You sicken me. Keep it in your pants, Matt.
Gemini carefully sits up, Muerte rushing to help her. She’s back to normal. Her eyes, her skin – it’s all normal. She looks healthy.
“What happened?” She asks in confusion, being offered a sip of tea. Gemini takes it.
Muerte places the tea back on the bedside table and smiles softly. “Let me see if I can help you remember.”
He grabs his guitar and plucks a string. The air fills with the sound of music – not from outside like before, but from inside the room.
“Tell me a story of the world that was, of what you remember,
Just because.
Tell me a story of the things you’ve seen,
Tell me a story of where you’ve been.”
Something happens. Gemini’s eyes open wide, as if the music has deeply affected her soul. The Mariachi continues strumming away on his guitar as she speaks.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is he using a song to manipulate this poor woman for what she remembers? What could’ve possibly happened that he needs to know it!? Speaking of, where the hell are Drewitt and Grimskull in all of this?
MATT RUBY: I have no idea, but do you think he could lend me a song? I wouldn’t mind some one on one time with Gemini.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You really are a piece of shit, Ruby.
“I can’t remember,” she says with tears now beginning to fall down her soft cheeks. “It’s a void. There’s nothing.”
Muerte stops playing, watching as her eyes return to normal.
He smiles.
Cut.
The bell sounds and Hatchet cockily circles Kane, laughing at her. His arrogance unbound.
They lock up, Hatchet pushing her back into the ropes and ducking under a Clothesline attempt as she returns.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NECKBREAKER! And that son of a bitch is laughing about it! Is this a joke?
MATT RUBY: He’s confident. What’s wrong with that?
The Juggalo gets back to his feet and pulls her up, backing her into the corner. Only Kane reverses, nailing him with a chop to the chest.
ANOTHER!
ANOTHER!
But Hatchet laughs!
GUMDROP PARADISE!
FRANKENSTEINER FROM THE CORNER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THAT SON OF A BITCH AIN’T LAUGHIN’ NOW!
Kane covers…
ONE…
TWO…
KICK OUT!
MATT RUBY: Oh really? She’s looking for that God awful Claw…
Hatchet gets back to his feet, turns around and…
MANDIBLE CLAW!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CANDY KANE CRUSH! SHE’S GOT IT LOCKED IN! WAIT… LOW BLOW! LOW BLOW!
MATT RUBY: SHE DOESN’T HAVE A DICK…
Kane looks down in confusion. Hatchet panics…
HE SCOOPS HER UP…
FIREMAN’S CARRY STUNNER!!
SELF-TITLED!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
MATT RUBY: PIN HER HATCHY! PIN HER!
He covers, spitting all the while…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
Hatchet wins!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That son of a bitch pulled it out! If that don’t just beat it all!
MATT RUBY: It’s The Juggalo that beats em all, Blackwood. It’s The Raw Deal!
Standing
A small group of Night Owls stands before their leader, Malachi Midnight. Candles adorn the room as the only source of light, a ritual table in front of them scattered with pieces of paper.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well, if this isn’t a creepy little get-together.
MATT RUBY: I had a girl once that was into this kind of stuff. We had some wild nights.
Destructo Boy and The Burned Man walk in, approaching Malachi and Gravedigger at the head of the table.
“Well, look who’s back from the dead.” Gravedigger jokes, but nobody’s laughing, except for Matt Ruby. “What’s your business here?”
The Burned Man doesn’t back down.
“My allegiances have changed. I wanted to do the honorable thing rather than stabbing you both in the back. You can consider me no longer a part of Six Feet Under.”
Malachi laughs at this, slowly and menacingly. Gravedigger joins, and the rest of the Night Owls.
“Well, I could have saved you the hassle. You could probably read it in the room… We already know.” TBM looks a little confused, so Malachi continues. “Come now. Surely you’re not so arrogant as to think that you’re above Arcadia’s rumors?”
From behind him, shrouded in shadows till now steps the nurse from the hospital. She whispers in Malachi’s ear. He smiles, coldly.
“Tombstone also knows of your betrayal too, and he’s coming for you. Look at the time, you had better get ready for your match.”
MATT RUBY: Oh boy, The Burned Man is so screwed.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s about the only thing you’ve ever said that I agree with.
Malachi waves his hand and a dozen more figures emerge from the shadows around the room. DB screams as they approach.
“Coward. Fight like a man!”
Malachi smirks back.
“The only reason I don’t kill you both where you stand is because Tombstone has plans for your father. We see all and miss nothing.”
The Night Owls grab Burning Justice and proceed to drag them out of the room, slamming the door behind them.
Cut.
Two...
His duties in Olympus over, Jasper Redgrave strides through the shadowy arteries of Arcadia.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is a hunted man.
MATT RUBY: Unjustly hunted, you mean. He’s being profiled.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Profiled? For what? Being a serial killer?
Darkness cloaks him, but the dim glow from the scattered streetlights casts his long shadow ahead, a dark herald to his ominous destination:
The reopened Gallery.
Behind him, hidden in the folds of darkness, the members of Eagle Unit trail silently, a ghostly presence just out of sight.
MATT RUBY: Shoot him in the back, why don’t ya?
Eagle Unit keeps a disciplined distance.
Cade’s orders ring clear in their ears: "Hold positions. Let him think he's unwatched."
Every member knows their part; two eyes watch every exit, two sets of ears listen to every whispered wind.
Ahead, the Gallery looms, its facade a stark contrast to the lively streets it once watched over.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That place sends a chill up your spine, doesn’t it?
MATT RUBY: I’d give anything for a ticket to the opening of his new exhibit.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Be careful what you wish for.
Now, it stands quiet, expectant, as if awaiting Redgrave’s return to breathe life—or death—into its walls once more.
Redgrave pauses, his silhouette framed by the arch of the entrance. He turns slightly, sensing the weight of eyes upon him.
He smiles.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Does Redgrave know they’re coming?
MATT RUBY: I hope he stops this miscarriage of justice from going forward!
In two heartbeats, he steps forward, crossing the threshold into the darkness of the Gallery.
The door creaks softly behind him as Eagle Unit approach.
The flames roar around the ring as Tombstone and The Burning Man stand front and centre.
“You’ve brought this upon yourself,” The Ferryman warns, pointing at TBM.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I get the feeling Max is gonna regret turnin’ his back on Six Feet Under.
MATT RUBY: How burned can a burned man get? We’re gonna find out.
The bell sounds and the fire rises to force both men into the centre. The Burned Man rushes forward into a brutal Big Boot that almost takes his head off.
Tombstone reaches down, grabbing him by the throat and pulling him to his feet before launching him in the corner. The fire roars once more!
Justice stumbles out…
YOU CAN’T RUN FROM THE FERRYMAN!
BOSSMAN SLAM!
WHOOSH!
Tombstone immediately rises.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is destruction. The Burned Man can’t be at 100% but…
MATT RUBY: He’s learning his lesson the hard way, Bronco. Don’t turn your back on The Ferryman.
He pulls TBM back to his feet once more, kicking him low and dropping him to a knee before pulling him inside…
ODE TO CHARON!
JACKNIFE POWERBOMB!
WHOOOOOOOOOSSSHHHH!!
Tombstone is utterly dominant.
The Ferryman picks The Burned Man up once more, he’s whoozy, dazed, and lifted straight into the air..
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!
OVER THE TOP ROPE!
RIGHT ONTO THE FUCKING APRON AND INTO THE FLAMES!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my God! Oh my God! The Burned Man is on fire!
MATT RUBY: Again? That dirty flame whore.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone wins, sending a message to everyone here tonight.
Getting The Band Back Together
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Auditorium. Previously Arcadia's level for musicians and concerts now lies completely empty. It's a sad sight to see.
MATT RUBY: I don't know about you, but I see a sight for sore eyes. Aurora's on the stage!
Sure enough, she's seen sitting near the edge of front center stage. She sighs, looking at something in her hand we can't make out.
Just then, tens of footsteps can be heard approaching from stage right. They belong to Raven, alongside a handful of Malakai's Midnight Owls.
"I thought I'd find you here." Raven scoffs, watching as Aurora pushes herself upright. "A former diehard fan such as yourself can't resist standing hanging around the Last Rose's home."
"This place means more to me than being the home to my former favorite band." Aurora says with a frown. "It's where I attended my first concert. It's also where I stage dived for the first time. The thrill of it all? It's what made me who I am."
Aurora begins to walk over to Raven, stretching out her hand to pass the unknown object over to him. Raven, rather unsure, reaches out his own hand to take what she's about to hand over. She proceeds to drop a ticket in his palm.
"I saved that ticket ever since I first attended your band's first concert," she says, her frown now flipped upside down. "You changed my life, and now I'm hoping to change yours. Meet me here next week and give me one last concert. One that I'll never forget."
Raven laughs before turning to leave. "If it's one last performance you want, you got it." Raven and the Owls proceed to walk away, leaving Aurora alone on stage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Just what kind of performance do you think Raven intends to give her?
MATT RUBY: If Aurora wants a performance she never forgets, she can call me.
Cut.
Clued In
The Church of Zion.
A scene set in monochrome, we find ourselves in a back room of the church. Lionel Troy sits in a luxurious chair, an offering plate full of credits in front of him. He thumbs through the notes when a knock appears at his door. "I'm busy," he says, trying to shoo them away.
"No, you aren't." The voice that responds is domineering. Troy looks up in shock as the door is pushed open and Gino Carelli marches in, a scowl etched on his face. "We need to talk, Troy."
Lionel stands up, eyebrow cocked. "What are you doing here, Gino? We aren't supposed to meet for another week. What would the congregation think of the don walking around my church?"
Gino shakes his head, reaching into his coat. Troy instinctively backs away. "Calm it, reverend," Gino says pulling out a photograph. "After you and I left Vincino's they had a visitor. Now, it seems to me that someone here has loose lips..." He approaches Troy, grabbing him by the shoulder. "And it sure as hell ain't me, Troy."
"What? I keep our dealings behind closed doors. What kind of idiot do you take me for?" Lionel spits back, clearly insulted.
"Oh yeah? Then explain why this Candy Kane broad is poking around my establishments." Gino throws the photo onto the offering plate, a picture from the security cameras of Kane questioning the chef in Vincino's.
"I've never seen her before in my life!"
"Yeah? Well she's seen you, Troy. You and I are gonna have a little chat with her. We're gonna find out how she got clued into our business."
Lionel nods his head, "of course."
"Next week, Vincino's, ten thirty. Be there."
Gino turns to leave, slamming the door shut behind him as Troy looks at the photograph left on his plate.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This match is about to be underway, but Narcissa looks like she hasn't slept in days!
MATT RUBY: Zeus must've kept her up all night! I know I would.
The bell rings and Midnight immediately goes for the lock up! He overpowers Narcissa and cracks her across the nose with a headbutt! Hera fires back with a weary right hand but Malakai catches it and drops her with a belly-to-belly suplex! He forces Narcissa back up and whips her to the corner!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DEVIL'S ADVOCATE! SPINNING FOREARM TO THE JAW!
MATT RUBY: Not her face!
Midnight lets Narcissa stumbles out of the corner as he hits the ropes and comes back with a massive clothesline!
MATT RUBY: DROP TOE HOLD! EXCELLENT USE OF THOSE LEGS, NARCY!
Malakai lands across the middle rope and Narcissa hits the ropes before coming back with a tiger feint kick to the face of Malakai that sends him sprawling into the center of the ring! Narcissa takes a deep breath and goes for a springboard foot stomp!
BUT SHE SLIPS! NARCISSA LANDS IN A HEAP!
Mr. Midnight has the time to get back to his feet and capitalize on the blunder by stomping a mudhole on the downed Hera! Narcissa tries to fight back but she's too exhausted to do more than guard her body as Malakai peels her up and goes to slam her face first off of the turnbuckle!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ms. Balenciaga looks to be in dire straits here, folks!
MATT RUBY: Call off the match! Malakai is damaging one of Arcadia's finest women!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She ain't an object, Ruby.
The Lord of Darkness grabs Narcissa from behind and throws her with a powerful German Suplex! The champ looks out as she fights to stumble to her feet! Midnight stalks her as she rises, hitting the ropes!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: UPRISING! HUGE BICYCLE KNEE TO THE JAW OF MIDNIGHT!
MATT RUBY: SHE ISN'T DONE! THUMBS TO THE EYES! STO! MALAKAI IS BLINDED BY LOVE!
The devastating combination of moves puts Malakai on the mat and Narcissa wearily throws an arm over him!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE- KICKOUT! MIDNIGHT GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Midnight throws Narcissa off of himself and rubs his eyes before mounting Narcissa and raining down violent right hands! Blood pools from Hera's lips as the beating continues before Midnight forces her back to her feet and hauls her up for a powerbomb!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NARCISSA WITH THE HURRICANRANA! SHE SENT MALAKAI RIGHT INTO THE RING POST!
MATT RUBY: Malakai should just be happy he had her legs around his head, Bronco!
Hera is slow to her feet, and as Malakai ends up seated in the corner she flies forwards with a leaping dropkick that leaves Midnight gasping for breath! The champ has to use the ropes to haul herself back to her feet, using them for leverage as she assault Midnight with a flurry of kicks! She grabs Midnight and forces him up only to get clobbered by a rising uppercut!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She should have made distance there instead of giving Malakai a chance to retaliate!
MATT RUBY: Cut her some slack, you geezer. The queen's exhausted!
With a vicious smirk Malakai wraps his hands around Narcissa's neck and chucks her across the ring with a massive Biel toss! Narcissa is left reeling as she tries to get to her feet! Midnight looks confident as he whips her across the ring!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HANDSPRING FOREARM! NARCISSA COMES FLYING BACK WITH THE TREND KILLER!
MATT RUBY: AND SHE LANDS FLUSH! MALAKAI JUST GOT DROPPED BY THE QUEEN!
Completely exhausted, Narcissa throws her arm over Midnight as the referee drops for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Despite the odds being stacked against her, Narcissa pulled out an impressive win against the one they call Mr. Midnight!
One...
Outside the Gallery, Eagle Unit stands in formation.
Jackson Cade, helmet secured and eyes narrowed, surveys the building, his hand raised, fingers poised.
The team is silent, every member's breath held in anticipation.
"On my mark," Jackson whispers into the comms, his voice steady.
Three... two... one... He drops his hand sharply.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Here we go!
MATT RUBY: You're a bootlicker, Bronco! These assholes have itchy trigger fingers.
CRASH!
The door disintegrates into splinters under the force of a battering ram.
Eagle Unit pours into the building, their boots thudding against the polished floor, the sound echoing through the empty halls.
But they find…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s empty.
MATT RUBY: Where’s the exhibit?
The Gallery is pristine, the air heavy with the chemical tang of bleach and cleaning products.
The team splits into two, sweeping through the corridors with tactical precision, their movements synchronized and swift.
The walls are bare, each room is as empty and clean as the last.
Finally, they reach the last door, where Jackson Cade stands hesitant.
This room held the Embrace of Pain, where Redgrave tortured him. Where all of this should have ended over a year ago.
MATT RUBY: Aww… is Jacky scared?
With a cautious nod from Jackson, the door is kicked open…
…revealing yet another immaculate room.
But this room isn’t empty.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is that a canvas?
Indeed, a blank canvas is set up in the center of this room. An empty bucket and paintbrush beside it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This feels wrong.
Jackson steps forward, his mind racing with possibilities, when suddenly the lights flicker and die.
Darkness.
The brief silence is shattered by the deafening roar of gunfire and a single, agonizing scream that pierces the blackness.
Commands are shouted, but the darkness swallows the sounds.
The team scrambles, their flashlights cutting through the dark, searching for threats, for each other, for anything. But all that remains is the oppressive dark, the echo of a scream, and a palpable sense of dread.
Even Bronco Blackwood is speechless.
There’s no Stop ■ symbol. No static.
Just darkness.
Click.