Stop This!
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Boo’s.
The entirety of Olympus stands on their feet, directing their hatred towards the ring as Narcissa sits in it, her head in her hands. When she finally looks up, the full extent of her mental state is clearly on display. She looks exhausted.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Folks, Narcissa has been out here whilst Olympus filled tonight. She’s been sat there like that for an hour.
MATT RUBY: A beautiful sight for everyone in attendance, I’m sure.
She produces a microphone.
“Enough is enough!” She says in a low monotone, exhausted voice. She’s spent. There’s barely a fibre of energy left and she’s in action tonight. “This psychological warfare has to stop.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She looks like she hasn’t slept in weeks.
MATT RUBY: I’d keep her awake, that’s for sure.
“Tombstone…” her voice trails off. “Come…”
GAZUMP.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh no, you know what that means…
MATT RUBY: THE FERRYMAN COMETH! I can’t wait!
The horns of O'Death sound loudly into the arena.
Immediately, the arena is thrust into darkness as smoke fills the entrance ramp. Purple flashing lights adorn the entrance area as Tombstone slowly steps out into the mist.
"Now, what is this I can see, with ice cold hands, taking hold of me..."
The looming figure of the Ferryman now stands with smoke drifting around him. He looks down before making a slow paced walk to the ring. Once there, he walks carefully up the ring steps, across the apron and steps over the top rope, entering the ring.
Narcissa turns to look at him as the lights return, her eyes blood shot red. “I haven’t slept. Everywhere I look, I see the woman. She stares into my soul. What does she want from me, Tombstone!? Why is this happening?” She begs him.
Tombstone grins from ear to ear. “Perhaps you feel guilty for refusing my rightful rematch?” The Ferryman cheekily replies. He bends down to a knee, looking the World Champion in the eye.
“Guilt?” She scoffs.
“Maybe you should unburden yourself by granting me access to the match at Locked and Loaded? That may ease your struggles,” he suggests, knowing precisely what he’s doing.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m no fan of Tombstone by any means but that’s smart strategy. He put all this in place, I’m sure of it.
MATT RUBY: He’s not MAGIC, Bronco. Pff. Give me a break.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NOT MAGIC!? NOT… MAGIC!? Are you blind!?
The lights suddenly flicker.
As they do, the woman stalking Narcissa appears inside the ring, right in front of them. As the lights flicker on and off, she flickers in and out, glitching as static appears on the screen.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’d love to say that’s a technical disturbance but…
MATT RUBY: Let me guess… magic?
“Okay,” Narcissa meekly agrees. “But please… I need this to stop.”
Tombstone reaches out, placing a hand on her shoulder. With a sinister smile on his face, he nods. The static abruptly stops. “See, it feels much better to unburden yourself, does it not?”
He rises, walking back towards the ropes and stepping over them. Narcissa breaks down into tears, holding her head in her hands.
MATT RUBY: Hold my coat, Bronco. I need to go and console her. She needs a shoulder to cry on.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus will castrate you, Ruby… so sure, hand me your jacket.
MATT RUBY: Well, that’s not a pleasant thing to say is it?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: [Shrugs] Anyway, Tombstone may have his way and be in the match at Locked and Loaded but Zeus will NOT like the way this has gone down.
MATT RUBY: That’s a clash of the juggernauts that I do not want any part of, Bronco.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Now on that… we agree.
...Zero
Continued from last week…
Darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell happened in the Gallery!?
MATT RUBY: A nosy Sheriff found out not to fuck with the Artist is what happened!
Light.
Bright light. Too bright for the men of Eagle Unit, who are in complete disarray.
Officers scramble to regain their footing and orientation, the previous minutes of blackout having tossed order into chaos.
The room, once dominated by the eerie presence of a blank canvas and an empty bucket, now stands…
Empty?
"Who was that? Who screamed?" one of the lieutenants shouts above the confusion, his voice echoing off the sterile walls. His question ricochets around the room as each member of the unit shakes their head, equally bewildered.
Nobody claims the scream.
MATT RUBY: They’re too afraid of the other birdies knowing they’re a pussy!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I promise you wouldn’t be saying that if you thought Jasper Redgrave was coming for you.
As Jackson Cade quickly ensures each of his men is accounted for—finding one grimacing from a superficial wound caused by friendly fire in the panic—a different shout captures his attention.
"Cade! You need to see this!"
Urgency in his step, Jackson rushes into the main hall.
He comes to a halt quickly as he comes upon the officer yelling for him. They’re standing in front of one of the empty exhibits.
Except it’s not so empty now.
The canvas has taken a place of honor there, the bucket beside it now filled with putrid thick blood.
But it is what is scrawled across the canvas in dripping crimson that takes the Sheriff’s breath away.
Two letters.
C.
J.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ah hell!
MATT RUBY: Jasper doesn’t forget, Bronco!
Cade’s heart thunders in his chest, the implications crashing into him with the force of a physical blow. His fists clench at his sides as he stares at the message, his mind racing.
Jackson’s voice is barely a growl, seething with rage and realization. “He’s not after me. He’s after Joey.”
Cut.
The bell sounds as The Burned Man rushes at Redgrave, surprising him with heavy lefts and rights before pushing him back as he rushes to the ropes.
Jasper dodges the John Woo as TBM nearly dives through the ropes. Blaze manages to stop himself just in time but doesn't notice Jasper spinning on his heels.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SANGUINE ABSURDISM! Redgrave turns The Burned Man inside out with that discus lariat.
TBM goes down hard as Jasper drops to his knees, wrapping both hands around his throat as he tries to choke him out...
POKE TO THE EYE!
MATT RUBY: FOUL PLAY! The former hero clearly paying off Holt here to get away with such dirty tricks.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Dirty tricks? The Artist was just trying to choke the life out of him.
KINGDOMFALL! Jasper stumbles into a brutal spinning elbow, sending him back down onto one knee as TBM rushes forward
FLAMETONG....GOOZLE!
Redgrave manages to grab TBM mid-leap, gripping him around the throat before pulling him in tight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SPLATTERED EXPRESSIONISM! A sickening chokeslam nearly snuffs out the fire within the Burned Man instantly.
MATT RUBY: One of many coming to send Maxy on his way
Jasper drops down, hooking the leg for the cover
ONE
...........
TWO
...........
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Back to back brutal decimations for the former Blaze here, and one has to wonder if there'll be anything left for Six Feet Under at this rate.
MATT RUBY: That's what happens when you try and back out of a deal with the devil Bronco, you get incinerated.
Getting The Band Back Together II
A drumkit is seen in the middle of the stage inside the Auditorium. Beside it stands Aurora, who's waiting for a certain someone to arrive. Just then, a gloved hand grips her shoulder tightly.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I recognize that glove from anywhere! It's Raven!
MATT RUBY: Give her hell, Vengeance! Give her a performance she won't forget!
Aurora tries to snap her head around to look at him, but she receives a big right hand to the jaw for her troubles!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The thrill seeker's on wobbly legs and Raven is... oh no, don't you even think about it!
MATT RUBY: I think it's time for a drum solo, Bronco!
BAM!
Her head gets slammed into a snare drum!
CLANG!
The sound of her head hitting the cymbal reverberates all across the Auditorium! He proceeds to lay into her with ferocious lefts and rights, forcing her into a bowing position. Once supine, Raven grabs her with both hands, looking towards the bass drum with a wicked grin.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Stop it already! The poor girl's out on her feet!
MATT RUBY: Never mind him, Vengeance, give her the big finish!
With a yell, he throws her head first through the large drum! It breaks open and traps her head inside!
He laughs evilly at his handiwork, turning away from Aurora to mockingly bow to a crowd that isn't there.
"Now that," he begins, "was one hell of a performance."
MATT RUBY: It's like he never left the Last Rose! Aurora will never forget that private concert, and neither will I! At Locked and Loaded, he'll give her an encore that the rest of his former fans couldn't possibly forget!
Raven proceeds to walk away. We fade back to ringside shortly afterwards, leaving Aurora unconscious and stuck in the drum.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Coming up next, we have Raven taking on the Showman Klaus Way. It’s the Freakshow Barker versus Former Rocker tonight, with Demi Sky as calling the shots in the ring.
Demi calls for the bell and the match is underway as Raven darts across the ring. Flying Forearm staggers Way into the ropes who rebounds catching Vengeance with a Leaping Knee to the bridge of the nose sending him sprawling. But the Rocker is ever the aggressor quickly regains his footing pushing forward Clothesline! Dodged into the Gannosuke Clutch – ROLL UP, ROLL UP!
Sky drops down for the count!
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
TH- RAVEN KICKS OUT!
MATT RUBY: The best thing about Demi Sky calling a match is watching her go down to make a count!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She’s an OSW Official not one of your call girls, treat the young lady with some respect!
Way and Raven quickly get back to their feet, The Death Walker launches himself at The Oddball Extraordinaire... Spear – FINAL APPROACH – DOESN'T LAND! As Klaus knees Raven in the forehead before setting hooking his arms and rushing at the ropes So Much Prettier – BIZZARO FLATTENS THE ROCKER! Way flips Raven over and covers him while hooking the outside leg and Demi drops into position!
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Klaus Way manages to snag a victory here tonight with that BIZZARO Face Crusher!
MATT RUBY: I’m not even sure a groupie would be able to salve the sting of defeat tonight for Raven!
You Make Sure
In the backstage room of Hydra, Narcissa Balenciaga lays on a comfortable sofa with a pink fluffy blanket covering her. It’s the first time she’s been able to rest in weeks. Zeus stands to one side, El Mariachi Muerte alongside him.
They’re making sure to be quiet and not wake her but in reality, they could blow trumpets – she’s not waking up.
“Gemini doesn’t remember anything, jefe” Muerte confirms with a knowing nod. He truly believes that. “I played a song of truth and...”
“You need to be sure,” Zeus interrupts. El Mariachi looks confused, his brows furrowed. He thought he had the answers The Baron wanted. “Your songs of truth aside, this woman is no normal creature.”
MATT RUBY: I could never get down with the gooey version of Gemini. She had potential, though.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Why are all women objects to you, Matt?
Muerte shuffles uncomfortably. “That side of her went with John The Revelator. That’s not who she is now.”
The mention of John The Revelators name causes Zeus discomfort. He looks angry but manages to restrain himself.
“At Locked & Loaded, I’ve spoken to Scott Sterling and you’ll be facing Gemini in a match. Put her through her paces and should she pass the test, ensuring the safety of all Arcadia, we’ll know for sure,” Zeus confirms, turning to look at a sleeping Narcissa.
MATT RUBY: Lucky bastard.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Lucky? You can tell by the look on his face that the last thing he wants to do is fight Gemini.
MATT RUBY: Boss wants, boss gets. I wonder if the title will be on the line?
El Mariachi Muerte isn’t fond of the idea but knows better than to argue. He exits the room, leaving Zeus to ponder his next steps re; the OSW World Championship Match at Locked & Loaded. A simple bout with Harold Attano that they had plans for has turned into an unbelievable Fatal Four Way.
What’s he gonna do about it?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a newcomer in Grizzly St. Claire! Captain Arcadia may have his work cut out for himself.
MATT RUBY: That nitwit would have a hard time with a pickle jar.
The bell rings and Grizzly flies across the ring! He clobbers Cap with a massive back elbow before throwing him into the center of the ring with a massive T-Bone suplex! The Captain jumps back up only to get downed with a Russian leg sweep!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BEAR CLAW! GRIZZLY LOCKS IN THE CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING!
MATT RUBY: I told you this would be easy!
St. Claire swings the hero around like a ragdoll! The crowd boos at the aggression as Captain Arcadia looks like he's going to pass out! The crowd begs Cap to fight and he throws an arm around Grizzly's neck! He leaps!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: RAISE THE FLAG! STANDING SHIRANUI BY CAPTAIN ARCADIA!
Cap lands the move flush and rolls to his feet to hit the ropes before flying back with a massive springboard moonsault! He continues his assault by landing a double stop to the sternum before running up the turnbuckle! He's a house of fire right now!
MATT RUBY: GET DOWN FROM THERE! PIGS DON'T FLY!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BUT FROGS SPLASH! STAR SPANGLED SPLASH! CAP GETS ALL OF IT!
The hero hooks a leg!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Grizzly St. Claire was a ferocious competitor, but Captain Arcadia simply would not stay down!
MATT RUBY: If he were a real hero he would.
The Leak
Vincino's Bistro.
A scene once more drenched in black and white, we find Lionel Troy and Gino Carelli standing in wait, an uncomfortable silence between them only interrupted by the ringing of a bell as the front door opens. Their heads dart to their new visitor, Candy Kane, a cigarette in her hand. The gumshoe looks both ways, a confident smile on her face.
"Kane." Gino stands tall, reaching into his jacket. "We need to have a talk."
"We do." She blows a puff of smoke into the air. "You're a hard man to track down. False aliases like Tony Vincino? I got a lucky break."
"An unlucky break, Ms. Kane. I don't like leaks, it's bad for business." Gino pulls a pistol from his coat, aiming it at Candy.
"Oh? Then you may want to point that at Troy. The trail that lead to you started with him."
Troy looks to Gino who frowns, cocking his head. "She's lying! Put a bullet in her head and let's go."
"Colt Ramsey," Candy begins, "his former confidant, gave me all I needed to know. Gino's laundering credits through the church, and Colt got it all on film. If there's a leak to plug, it isn't me."
Gino whips the gun to Troy and sneers, "I told you to take him out!"
"I did!" Pleads Troy.
"Not fast enough, Troy. now I got two bodies to bury!"
CHEAP SHOT TO GINO BY TROY!
The Reverend takes off running through the back door as Gino fires off multiple rounds! They pepper the wall, narrowly missing Troy. He whips back to Candy only to see the door swing shut as she absconds in the chaos. We're left to see Gino seething, smoke spilling from the barrel of his gun.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well I won't lie folks, I'm worried about this next match, we have a child in Destructo Boy going against a man possessed in Doom. The special referee is Felix Foley who might be the kid's only hope of living.
MATT RUBY: Serves the kid right, he should start to listen to adults, maybe his mom would still be around to listen to if he had before.
DING! DING!
DOOM CHARGES RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE AND NAILS DESTRUCTO BOY WITH A GORE!
SPLITTER!
Doom stays on him and starts raining down some vicious elbow strikes! Elbow after elbow until Destructo Boy is busted open the hard way! Doom is grabbing the skin and trying to open the cut wider!
DOOM BACKS INTO A CORNER WAITING FOR DESTRUCTO BOY TO GET UP!
DESTRUCTO BOY GETS TO A KNEE!
SCRAMBLER!
DOOM NAILS THE RUNNING KNEE TO DESTRUCTO BOY!
Doom starts stomping away on the head of Destructo Boy and he pulls him up by the hair! Knee to the small of the spine of Destructo Boy! Another one drops him to his knees!
DOOM RUNS THE ROPES!
SCRAMBLER!
THIS TIME, THAT KNEE DESTROYED THE BACK OF DESTRUCTO BOY'S HEAD!
Destructo Boy is stunned but still awake somehow! Doom pulls him up and places him on his shoulders!
DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!
DOOM GOT ALL OF THAT IMPENDING DOOM BUT HE DOESN’T COVER LIKE NORMAL.
HE MOUNTS TO THROW MORE PUNCHES!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
THAT'S IT?!
FELIX FOLEY COUNTED A RAPID PINFALL AND IS TELLING DOOM DESTRUCTO BOY'S SHOULDERS WERE ON THE MAT! DOOM IS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He shouldn't be mad, he won the match, a win is all that matters.
MATT RUBY: I don't often agree with you but yeah, he should be delighted, he won the match and got to beat up a kid!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He might destroy the closest thing to a kid in Felix Foley now after that fast count.
Over
Felix Foley brings his hand down to stop the punishment, but Doom continues to barrage Destructo Boy. Foley desperately tries to pull him away, pleading with him.
MATT RUBY: When Doom is done with the Kid, he’s going to have a face only his mamma could love.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You’re an insensitive asshole sometimes.
The crowd pop as TBM runs in, limping heavily from his injuries. Doom relinquishes the Kid and holds up a gauntleted hand.
BOOM!
A BLAST OF SOME KIND OF FORCE STOPS TBM IN HIS TRACKS!
TBM struggles against the holding force of the weapon, but is held firmly in place.
“Mark my words.” Doom smirks. “Your treachery will not go unpunished. This is just the beginning of you understanding the folly of crossing me.”
He closes his fist, and TBM falls to the ground outside of the ring.
“Together, we could have transcended the limits of humanity. But you chose me as foe, not friend. So you suffer the…”
Foley pushes past Doom, cutting his monologue off mid-sentence. He’s seen the figures moving behind TBM. Six Feet Under are here, skulking in to take their claim while Maxwell is preoccupied.
“You!” Foley leans on the ring ropes, pointing at SFU accusingly. “What the hell do you want?”
Gravedigger steps forward, grabbing the Burned Man from behind and holding him in a Full Nelson. Malachi addresses Foley.
“Oh, we’ve got what we came for.”
“No…” Foley demands. “He’s ours. I will not see what was done to the Rijen family what was done to mine. Tombstone cannot have him.”
Malachi laughs at this.
“We’re not just some minions of Tombstone.” He tosses a photograph onto the entranceway before him. “From your Observatory, Doom.”
SFU leave, pulling a struggling Burned Man with them. The photograph is left behind, beckoning inspection.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Six Feet Under have The Burned Man, Zeus only knows where they’re taking him.
MATT RUBY: You’re missing the point, old geezer. What the bloody hell is in that photo?
Cut.
The Interview Room
Recorded Earlier.
In an interrogation room that Harold Attano has seen plenty during his ongoing saga with the Cade’s, he’s now sat opposite one for the first time. A unique experience without question, Harold sits across from George, stony faced.
“I’m sorry about this, old friend. I know you won’t believe that, but it’s true. Things have become a muddled mess of sorts,” George admits calmly. There’s a sense of honesty in what he’s saying.
“Why won’t you just tell me what I want to know?” Attano asks his old friend sincerely. All he wants to know is what’s going on with his daughter. “Why all the secrecy?”
George takes a deep breath, releasing a sigh through pursed lips. He folds his arms and sits back in his chair.
“Some things are better left unsaid,” he says unconvincingly. Even he doesn’t believe that. “You need to forget your daughter and move on.”
That hits Harold like a brick. His face immediately turns from calm to angry and he leans in, across the table.
“Forget her and move on?” He angrily snarls. “Are you fucking serious?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How could he possibly ask that of him?
MATT RUBY: I don’t know BB, I’ve forgotten many women over the years. It’s not as hard as it seems.
Cade doesn’t move an inch.
“If you’re not going to give me answers about my kid, I’ll take it out on yours,” he threatens. George again, doesn’t budge.
Suddenly the door swings open and in storms CJ Thorpe. Thorpe walks right over to the table and tosses the handcuff keys down on it.
“Give it a shot,” he offers. Harold quickly takes the keys and undoes his restraints, standing to meet Thorpe, face to face.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: These two are ready to rip each other to shreds.
MATT RUBY: Now that I’d like to see.
George stands, pushing his chair back. His interruption forces CJ back, who reluctantly steps off.
“You’re free to go Harold,” Cade decrees – not an officer of the law, but apparently able to make such a decision. “My boy will be at Locked & Loaded. He won’t be hard to find.”
Attano storms past them both, exiting the interrogation room. Locked & Loaded is going to be one tasty event.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Why won’t they tell Harold about his daughter? Why all the secrecy? Something is afoot here, Matt.
MATT RUBY: Wherever Michaela Attano is or whatever has happened to her, no-one wants Harold to know. Besides, Attano has bigger concerns right now. He's here in Olympus, right?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He is and up next, he faces El Mariachi Muerte - the new Double Feature Champion.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Two former world champs going one on one! One could only guess who's walking away with a win here tonight.
MATT RUBY: Here's a hint, it won't a nobody.
As the match begins Harold and Muerte circle one another looking for an opening. Muerte lashes out first with a roundhouse but Attano catches it and drops him with a legsweep! Muerte kips up and nails Attano with a rising knee that stuns him! Muerte springboards with a dropkick!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NOPE! ATTANO WALKS AWAY FROM THE ATTACK AND MUERTE FALLS FLAT!
MATT RUBY: A nobody and a coward!
Muerte tries to get up only for a sliding elbow to keep him down! Attano peels the mariachi up for a German suplex! He rolls through for another but EMM backflips overhead onto his feet! Attano turns around to a kick in the gut!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: IN THE END! THE PUMPHANDLE HALF NELSON DRIVER!
MATT RUBY: Ha! Put that numpty down for the count!
But EMM doesn't go for the pin! He peels Attano up and assaults him with chops before going for a hurricanrana! Attano rolls through to his feet and Muerte turns around to duck a clothesline! Attano hits the rope and comes back with a massive shotgun dropkick to the sternum! Muerte looks weary as he rises to his feet!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ONE SHOT ONE KILL!- NO! MUERTE PULLS ATTANO IN! FADE TO BLACK! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!
MATT RUBY: A ghost doesn't beat Death, Bronco!
El Mariachi Muerte covers!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This was a hell of a contest, but Death conquers the Ghost here tonight!
Shield II
Captain Arcadia stands in the middle of the ring with a microphone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He looks a little lost without his shield, wouldn’t you say?
MATT RUBY: He walked into a bad part of town with a shiny object and came out with his ass whooped, one object short. He’s not the brightest of the bunch, is he?
“Hatchet!” He roars to cheers from the crowd – the cheers clearly for him, not The Juggalo. “I believe you have something that belongs to me.”
“WHY DO I CALL MYSELF A JUGGALO?”
The opening to Raw Deal blares through the arena speakers as Hatchet walks onto the stage, a bottle of faygo in hand. He smirks, marching down the ramp and shaking up the soda before spraying it haphazardly onto the crowd! He chucks the empty bottle over his shoulder and slides into the ring, not a care in the world.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is he that arrogant or truly fearless?
MATT RUBY: Can’t he be both?
“I’m here to give you an opportunity,” Arcadia says sternly with a serious tone. He means it. There’s no doubt about it, yet Hatchet smirks like he’s been told a funny joke. “At Locked & Loaded, Sterling has granted us a Street Fight.”
Hatchet cackles. “That’s an opportunity for me? Boy, that’s an opportunity to get your fuckin’ ass beat.”
The Captain steps back, shaking his head.
“That’s not the opportunity. I know you have my shield and I’m going to give you one opportunity to give it back before Locked & Loaded,” he defiantly demands.
The Juggalo shrugs, laughing some more. “Or what? You’re ganna do what, big shot?”
Arcadia steps forward. “I’ll come and get it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Them fighting words.
MATT RUBY: This idiot is threatening to walk into a den of The Gathering and take back his shield? HE IS as stupid as he looks.
The Juggalo doesn’t say anything.
With a toothy smile, he drops to the canvas and rolls under the bottom rope, heading back up the entrance ramp. Arcadia looks on, confused.
Is he going to give it back or not?
Only Hatchet knows…
And all his face reveals is… a smirk.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well… any ideas?
MATT RUBY: I reckon he’s told him in no uncertain terms to go fish.
Out
A dungeon of a room lit only by candles. The Burned Man is strung up against a stone wall in some medieval looking torture device as Six Feet Under look on.
MATT RUBY: Well, this looks like a good time.
Next moment, the iron door flies off its hinges and bounces to the ground. Doom and Foley burst in.
“For people who want him all to yourselves, you were remarkably easy to find.” Foley ponders aloud.
“A trail of breadcrumbs that leads Hansel and Gretel right where we want them,” Malachi Smirks.
Doom and Foley ready themselves for a fight, but Gravedigger shakes his head.
“You want answers, I’d wager.”
Doom pulls out the photograph, holding it up.
“Mere security images from the Doom Factory. There’s hundreds of them. I fail to see its significance.”
“You’re clearly overlooking it.” Malachi smirks. “Those chemicals, they were said to be the source of the fire.”
Doom nods, but readies his gauntlet.
“Look closer, not at the barrels, but in the puddle on the ground.”
Foley leans in, pointing it out. It’s faint, but there’s the image of a burning skull reflected in the water. Midnight continues.
“We’ve been doing a little research. That fire in your factory… Our friend here is the one responsible. He set the fire that burned the Doom Factory to the ground.”
MATT RUBY: Bombshell!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He was still part of the Pool Boys when he set that fire, that means.
“He’s mine.” Doom’s fist closes around the photograph.
“He’s ours.” Malachi retorts back.
The four advance on each other. Brutal blows are traded. In the battle, what they do not see is the figure of Destructo Boy, sneaking around the perimeter to free his father from his shackles.
They only see Burning Justice escaping as it is too late to catch them. Doom holds up his gauntleted hand again, sending everybody else flying backwards.
“Get back here, betrayer.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: These three teams meet next week with the Tag Team Championships on the line. It’s going to be a war.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A big time fatal four way tonight folks as OSW's female competitors go head to head
MATT RUBY: I'm not sure if I'm in heaven or it's just my birthday Bronco, the only thing better is if they were all fighting me.
The bell sounds as Narcissa rushes at Gemini, the Rogue ducking underneath a superkick before smacking her with a forearm and grabbing her by the hand.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini leaping up to the top rope before diving off, LAST DANCE HURRICANRANA sends Narcissa flopping face down onto the mat.
MATT RUBY: MY QUEEN! How dare that filthy commoner damage her perfect looks?
Gemini gets to her feet but finds herself slammed down onto the canvas with a brutal Jawbreaker like Reverse Bulldog by Kane. Candy turns around into a kick to the gut,
BRONCO BLACWOOD: FLAWLESS NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! That may well be it as Demi Sky slides in..
ONE
..........
TWO
...........
MATT RUBY: YES MY QUEEN! Narcissa breaks it up just in time.
Narcissa grabs Aurora by the back of the neck, throwing her outside before she nails Candy Kane with a brutal superkick. Gemini attacks her from behind, grabbing her in a headlock
THE...NO! Narcissa slips out of the Tornado DDT, landing on her feet as she handsprings forward
MATT RUBY: THE TREND KILLER! Gemini gets dropped by the Queen as this match is over Bronco.
NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT! TWISTING MOONSAULT OUT OF NOWHERE LANDING ON BOTH WOMEN! Aurora covering Gemini as Sky slides in for the cover
ONE
..........
TWO
.............
MATT RUBY: NO KICK OUT MY QUEEN!
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Aurora coming out of nowhere to take the victory, that dangerous Northern Lights Out doing the job once more.
MATT RUBY: An absolute travesty of justice here Bronco, my queen got screwed tonight and we won't stand for it.
We Have To Choose
The backstage area vibrates with tension, voices overlapping in a heated cacophony.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We’re getting reports of an argument backstage!
The camera sweeps across the scene, catching the strained expressions and animated gestures of Klaus Way’s circus performers.
"The Adonis here thinks we should cower forever under Kwaus’s thumb!" the Bearded Lady exclaims, her voice rising above the din as she addresses Ajax directly. "We can't let him treat us like his personal collection of oddities anymore!"
Ajax, rippling muscles taut and jaw clenched, towers over the crowd, his presence as imposing as his opinions. "And you think marching into Locked and Loaded and declaring independence is the answer?" he scoffs, his tone dripping with skepticism.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sounds like a damn good idea, to me!
MATT RUBY: That makes it a piss poor one, to me!
"That’s not a plan, that’s a tantrum!"
From the edge of the group, a voice cuts sharply through the argument.
"We are freaks! That’s what pays the bills. We're Klaus Way's freak show, and that's that." The owner of that voice crosses his arms, his eyes challenging.
The Bearded Lady whirls on him, her expression softening with disappointment rather than anger. "Damien, how can you say that? We are more than what he labels us. We have to decide for ourselves who we are."
The performers shift uneasily, the weight of her words settling among them like a thick fog.
The Bearded Lady’s gaze sweeps across the faces turned towards her. "I say we go to Wocked and Woaded. We tell Way we’re not his to command. Who’s with me?"
One by one, hands rise, some immediately, others with hesitant, slow movements.
All except for Ajax.
As the group begins to leave, united in their resolve, the camera lingers on him. He stands alone.
MATT RUBY: Ajax is the only smart one of these freaks!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They just want to be free.
MATT RUBY: Oh, they just want to be fwee! Idiot!
Zeus Made Plans
In the office of Hydra, the Baron Zeus sits down behind a large pristine oak desk, looking through paperwork.
Beside him is The Authority, Scott Sterling. With a knock at the door, the Commissioner walks over and opens it, inviting newest Old School Wrestling acquisition, Grizzly St. Claire.
Without looking up, Zeus addresses him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Imagine being summoned to meet The Baron on your first night?
“It’s my understanding that you’re somewhat of an antagonist,” The Baron says with a wry smile, finally looking up to meet the eyes staring back at him.
Griz nods stoically. “Amongst other things,” he agrees.
“Next week at Locked & Loaded, I have a very important match taking place between an associate of mine and someone who claims to have forgotten something extremely important,” he muses, standing up and walking around the desk. “You won’t be in action next week, which means you’re free to do something for me.”
St. Claire looks a little confused, understandably so. He watches as Zeus makes himself a whiskey drink and leans back on the desk, folding his arms.
“Not to sound ungrateful for the opportunity, but what’s in it for me?” Griz asks confidently, despite talking to the man in charge of Arcadia. Zeus turns to face him with a smirk.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s a confident thing to ask the most powerful man in Arcadia.
MATT RUBY: Brave or stupid, you tell me. I wouldn’t be so sure he’s in a position of power here.
He takes a sip. “I’m glad you asked. I wouldn’t trust anyone who wasn’t looking after themselves. You do this for me and next month, once you’ve settled in, I’ll give you a match against my wife, the current OSW World Champion. Non-title, of course. But if you beat her… well…”
MATT RUBY: PICK ME ZEUS! PICK ME! I’d love the opportunity to go one on one with the beautiful Narcissa!
That immediately piques St. Claire’s interest. He rises from his seated position and nods. “I’m here to prove to Arcadia that I’m the only antagonist that matters. I’ll do it.”
“Good!” Zeus taps him on the shoulder with a smile of his own. “Now, El Mariachi Muerte vs. Gemini… what I’d like you to do is…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell is Zeus up to, Matt?
MATT RUBY: I guess we’ll find out at Locked & Loaded.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tonight we see The Cade Brothers take on the darkness that is SFU. Can the Cades stay on the same page?
MATT RUBY: Man, hearing your drawl, I wish you’d SFU and let the action start.
DING! DING!
Jackson Cade begins with Malachi Midnight opposite. Cade runs at him, BREACH AND CLEAR!
NO!
MIDNIGHT DODGES OUT OF THE WAY OF THE SLINGBLADE!
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE SPINNING FOREARM!
Cade staggers backwards, into the corner and Malachi comes after him.
THE CLAW! HE HAS HIS NAILS DUG INTO CADE’S THROAT!
TAG!
CJ Thorpe tags himself in at the corner with an almighty slap across the back of his brother, but it’s legal. He pulls Malachi free. Midnight turns around to find the Chainbreaker waiting for him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: PATHFINDER! The Hurricane DDT plants Midnight.
Before the referee can boot Jackson Cade to the apron, the pair scoop up Malachi Midnight into a DOUBLE SUPLEX!
THEY SLAM MALACHI BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Cade Brothers show a bit of teamwork there, even if it was a rather rough tag.
MATT RUBY: Midnight landed awkwardly on his neck. Screw teamwork, the Cade Brothers need to capitalise.
CJ Thorpe pulls a weary Midnight to his feet. But as the referee is busy escorting Jackson Cade to the apron, MIDNIGHT GETS A DESPERATION THUMB TO THE EYE!
HE STAGGERS ACROSS THE RING AND TAGS IN GRAVEDIGGER!
GRAVEDIGGER COMES IN HOT...
RIGHT INTO A RIGHT FIST OF CJ THORPE!
Thorpe staggers Gravedigger, stealing his momentum. He pulls him into a PEDIGREE!
THE RIGHT THING!
NO!
GRAVEDIGGER STANDS UP AND FLIPS THORPE OVER HIS BACK!
GRAVEL-POUNDER!
JACKSON CADE SNEAKS INTO THE RING AND BLINDSIDES GRAVEDIGGER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Desperate times... He wasn’t even the legal man.
MATT RUBY: If the referee allows it, it’s fair game.
Cade cannot take advantage of the numbers game, as Malachi Midnight gets back in on the action to even the odds. He grabs the Sheriff by the wrist and flings him towards the ropes. Cade topples over the rope but holds on, landing on the apron.
Malachi Midnight follows him onto the apron...
MIDNIGHT PLEX TO CADE OFF THE RING APRON!
THEY CRASH TO THE FLOOR!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Talk about cleaning house!
Inside the ring, both Gravedigger and Thorpe rise together.
They lock horns.
They trade blows, evenly at first before Thorpe gets in two clean shots in a row to stagger Gravegdigger. The Shovel staggers, and Thorpe pushes him away to create distance before charging across the ring at him.
TRUST!
NO!
GRAVEDIGGER SPINS AROUND IN THE NICK OF TIME!
BULLHAMMER! SHOVEL READY DROPS CJ THORPE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Holy moly, CJ Thorpe ran in with a full head of steam and just got absolutely flattened.
MATT RUBY: Those are my favourite kinds of women, those that have a good full head of steam... If you know what I mean.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Unfortunately, your wit is at a little boy’s level, so we all know what you were getting at.
Malachi and Jackson Cade are still down at ringside as Gravedigger lifts Thorpe onto his shoulders.
HE’S GOING FOR CRADLE TO THE GRAVE!
WAIT!
...
“YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME”
“YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME...”
IT’S FELIX FOLEY!
MATT RUBY: What is that stupid, grinning pillock doing here?
Gravedigger turns to face Foley, dropping a lifeless CJ Thorpe to the ground. But Foley simply stands at the entranceway and looks, nothing more. He even waves down to the ring.
GRAVEDIGGER IS DISTRACTED... AND CJ THORPE STAGGERS TO HIS FEET!
THE RIGHT THING!
THIS TIME HE HITS THE PEDIGREE!
BUT IN COMES MALACHI MIDNIGHT!
CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT! BIG BOOT DESTROYS THORPE!
HOSTILE DOWN!
MASTERKEY!
JACKSON CADE COMES TO HIS BROTHER'S AID... BUT THE MOVE SPILLS OUT OF THE RING!
THE IMPACT OF THE BRAINBUSTER TAKING OUT BOTH HIM AND MIDNIGHT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Everybody is down.
MATT RUBY: Not a stick standing. Somebody, bloody cover!
It is Gravedigger who still has just enough juice left in the tank to drape an arm over CJ Thorpe. The referee counts the pinfall.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
MATT RUBY: It's Six Feet Under who stand victorious tonight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They put down The Cade Brothers, did what they needed to do to secure the victory in the end.
Creatures Of The Night
Sometime Later...
“Are you sure about this?”
A whispered voice speaks softly as footsteps trudge through the brush of an area we’ve yet to fully reveal. It’s night, so it’s dark and there’s no light to shine on the faces of those speaking.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What are we seeing?
MATT RUBY: Well, correct me if I’m mistaken but that sounds like the familiar and beautiful voice of our very own World Champion. I’d never forget that sound.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You’re mentally ill, do you know that?
As a little light hits the bushes, we see Zeus, Narcissa and a group of soldiers carefully plotting their way towards an opening. They stop at the edge of the brush line, peering out. Ahead of them is The Mortuary and stood inside the gates are Harold Attano and CJ Thorpe.
“You were summoned here too?” Attano asks of Thorpe, clearly confused. Neither man know why they’re here of all places, but they know they don’t want to be.
CJ nods. Just then, the large creaking door to the Mortuary homestead opens and Tombstone steps out onto the concrete steps. He looks down at Thorpe and Attano with his brow furrowed.
“He who dares trespass on thy hallowed ground is neither brave nor stupid,” he growls ominously as the door now opens fully behind him. “They are suicidal. Have you come to find your final resting place? Would you like to be sent on your way?”
Both men wisely back off towards the large steel gate, only with a whip of Tombstone’s hand, it slams shut behind them.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: His power is ridiculous; Matt. CJ and Harold are trapped inside The Mortuary!
MATT RUBY: And Narcissa watches wisely from outside. What a plan!
“Off so soon?” He asks with a grin. The Ferryman walks down the steps softly and slowly, an ominous beat with every step.
Lightning suddenly strikes the ground from the weather system above.
The rain begins to pour.
A fog floats in from above.
Tombstone looks up at the empty baron sky with his eyes closed, feeling the patter of produced rain on his face.
Thunder claps overhead.
Another lighting strike hits, only this time in it is a figure.
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHAT IN TARNATION!?
Another rumble of thunder!
THRASH!
ANOTHER lightning bolt!
GRAVEDIGGER!
MATT RUBY: IT’S FIX FEET UNDER! SIX FEET UNDER! SIX FEET UNDER!
Attano rushes towards Gravedigger, tackling him to the mud and mounting him with right hands. Thorpe is thrust backwards into the steel gate by Malakai Midnight. The Chainbreaker quickly reverses, sending him headfirst into the steel.
THRASH!
Another lightning bolt, this time it lands right next to Harold Attano, sending him flying off of Gravedigger and into the mud.
And RAVEN is here! He scoops Harold up and pulls him in close, beneath him..
SCORPION DEATH DROP!
THE LAST ROSE TO ATTANO!
CJ Thorpe backs away from the gate to realized he’s surrounded. Malakai Midnight with a busted nose, Raven and now Gravedigger all surround him. He gulps, ready to fight – ready to bring the war!
RIGHT HAND TO MALAKAI’S NOSE!
KICK TO THE GUT OF RAVEN!
SHOVEL TO THE HEAD BY GRAVEDIGGER! GRAVEDIGGER TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A FUCKING SHOVEL TO THE SKULL!
Thorpe hits the mud with a ginormous crash, splashing in the soggy dirt face first. Tombstone calmly walks towards them, standing before his army of the damned with his arms spread wide.
“Ohhhhhhhh Narcissa?” He calls out into the night with a smirk. Tombstone motions his arms wide and the steel gates open. “You’re missing all the fun.”
Back inside the brush, Narcissa gulps.
She turns around.
THE DARK WOMAN’S TERRIFYING GLITCHY FACE
MATT RUBY: [screaming] AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
STATIC
CUT
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as a logo flashes up amongst static.