The Building Of a House
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Last week.
As Chain Reaction is in full spin, Paragon has not long finished whispering his truth to Tombstone and Narcissa is hurriedly rushing towards the Hydra locker room. She enters quickly, slamming and locking the door behind her.
“Did you see that!?” She demands of the Baron, who looks ghostly by comparison to normal. His face is that of pure terror. “He knows. Tombstone fucking knows.”
Gazump.
The lights suddenly shut off.
Flutter.
When they come back on, Tombstone stands in the middle of the hydra office, his head lowered. Zeus and Narcissa back away.
“The truth is a poison chalice, isn’t it?” The Ferryman says with a knowing smirk. “But not just for you, Zeus. If what I was told is true then we both have reason to fear.”
The Baron’s eyes widen slightly, and his brow unfurrows. That’s not what he expected. “How’d you mean?”
Tombstone closes in on his nemesis, standing opposite him, face to face.
“I’m the Ferryman of Arcadia. In what space would I exist outside these walls? Don't you understand? If there is something beyond Arcadia, it may not need me to serve it; my purpose may not be fullfilled. I exist for as long as the dead inside Arcadia require a ferryman. When that purpose ends, as do I.”
They all look at one another – somehow in understanding of what this means. Narcissa unfolds her arms, chuckling to herself.
“After everything we’ve been through and everything we’ve done, it all comes down to this. It’s funny how life works itself out, isn’t it? There’s only one way we secure the future of Arcadia and that’s by working together.”
Zeus and Tombstone turn their attention to her, scowling. They don’t like it, but they know it’s true.
“Under one House, our mutual existence can be secured. Divided, we fall,” Tombstone agrees audibly, which forces Zeus to lower his guard.
The Baron nods in agreement. “For us in Arcadia, then?”
All three agree.
Cut.
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father
Last week.
Jackson Cade and CJ Thorpe trundle through Arcadia, their father sandwiched in pain between them. His arms are draped over their shoulders, his head hanging low and his feet dragging across the ground. He’s unconscious.
As they approach the front door of their home, they’re greeted by the smiling face of their mom, who’s wonderful smile quickly turns to that of shock and despair. She rushes out of the way, watching as the boys walk their father in the front door and through to the bedroom, putting him carefully down on the bed.
“What the hell happened!?” Mary says between tears, trying to hold it together.
Jackson and CJ look at one another. It’s Thorpe who breaks the shameful silence. “Zeus… Tombstone... they…”
At the mention of Zeus’ name, Mary’s face goes white.
“You boys stay away from Zeus,” she demands. “But this Tombstone… you kill him for what he did. Do you understand me?”
Her emotions get the best of her as she rushes to her ailing husband’s side. Jacky and CJ exit the room, closing the door carefully behind them.
“I’m sorry,” Jackson blurts out, referring to what he and his father did.
Thorpe doesn’t want to hear it. Not because he’s mad but because he has other things on his mind.
“It’s in the past,” he sternly replies. “But next week, I’m gonna fuckin’ kill Tombstone.”
Both brothers nod and head towards the door.
Cut.
Idolatry
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m told we have some footage recorded earlier this week from a sermon from Reverend Ezekiel Graves.
MATT RUBY: I love it when he tells those dirty sinners to burn in hell.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know he’d probably include you i…
MATT RUBY: Nope!
Grainy footage pops up showing Ezekiel Graves standing tall at the pulpit, his eyes burning with a dark fire.
His voice booms through an old church, ricocheting off the wooden walls.
"Idolatry!" he roars, his words laced with venom. "The scourge of this land, the poison in our veins, the sin that drags us all to hell!"
MATT RUBY: Preach it, brother!
He pauses, letting the words hang heavy in the air, his breath sharp, his chest heaving with the weight of his righteous fury.
"Momoko Honda," he snarls, as if her name itself is a curse. "A woman so lost in her own strangeness, her own wicked curiosities, trying to peer into the lives of decent men like some twisted voyeur. She stands apart, observing, but know this: the Lord sees you, and He finds you wanting!"
MATT RUBY: Amen!
The congregation murmurs, a ripple of unease spreading through the crowd. Graves shifts his gaze, sharp as a knife, and it seems to pierce every soul in the room.
"And Josh Conway," he continues, his voice a sneering hiss, "a man who thinks he can defy the very will of God with his misplaced charity, his so-called kindness."
He lets his gaze sweep over the faces before him, soaking in the fear, the discomfort, the simmering dread. He takes a deep breath, and then his lips curl into a dark, twisted smile.
"As for Chef Andre…" He pauses, savoring the moment, before continuing with a slow, wicked grin. "I’ll be paying you a visit next week, to that temple of gluttony you call a restaurant. My crusade against idolatry is far from over. It begins with you."
He steps back, his grin widening, as the congregation sits frozen in his shadow.
MATT RUBY: He’s got a hot dish ready to go! I love this guy!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That sounds like a recipe for disaster.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Josh Conway takes on the Ezekiel Graves which is the true guiding light of Arcadia, the Reverend or The North Star?
Mills Stanton calls for the bell as Conway and Ezekiel start circle each other before locking up. The Harbinger grabbing a quick Side Headlock squeezing tightly for a few moments before Conway backs the Apostal of Wrath into a corner driving some short elbows into the Reverend’s kidneys following it with swift Jumping Palm Strike to the Jaw.
Which stuns The Purifier as Conway rushes out of the corner, pivoting on his heel and rushing right back at Reverend Graves...
CORNER-RUN DD-LARIAT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus H. Christ! The Harbinger caught Josh Conway in midair and nearly took his head off!
MATT RUBY: Hell yeah, I hope he decapitates him!
The North Star folds inside out as Ezekiel jumps on the prone Conway’s back cinching in the Camel Clutch.
THE CONFESS-CUP CHECK!
The North Star flails hitting an incidental bag-tag style low blow, crossing the eyes of Graves.
MATT RUBY: Ring the bell that was blatant!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Stanton signals that was accidental contact, HE’LL ALLOW IT!
MATT RUBY: Up yours Bronco!
Josh Conway pivots on his heel...
ROARING FUCKING GOOZLE! THE HARBINGER WRAPS HIS HAND AROUND THE THROAT OF CONWAY BEFORE DRIVING HIM DOWN WITH A MASSIVE BY ZEUS CHOKESLAM!
THE
FINAL
JUDGMENT!
INTO THE COVER MILLS MAKES THE COUNT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Well, I’m up a thousand credits with this result!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: With his victory tonight, The Harbinger continues his winning ways while Matt should stop gambling on the matches!
I'm Sorry...
The dim light of the bedside lamp casts a long shadows over Felix Foley.
He stands, a silent sentinel over his mother's shivering form.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What’s happened to Momma Foley!?
MATT RUBY: Looks like she realized who her son is, BB.
Her body is wracked with tremors, her eyes wide and unseeing, fixated on some unseen horror. Felix's face, usually so calm and approachable, is etched with lines of distress and confusion. He hovers beside the bed, his hands balled into fists, feeling helpless as he watches her suffer.
Beside him is DOOM.
"There’s nothing wrong with her physically, Felix,” DOOM says in a low, reassuring tone. “I’ve scanned her every way I can. I’ve placed sentry drones all over this place. No one is getting past them. She's safe here."
His voice is a steady thrum, but Felix barely nods, his attention riveted on his mother.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t like this, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Me either. I forgot to take a line out on when she’ll die at the casino!
Momma Foley’s lips move, a whisper so faint it barely stirs the air.
"T-t-t..." she stutters, struggling to form words, her voice a thread of sound in the quiet room. Felix leans closer, his heart pounding in his ears, straining to catch the elusive syllables.
He takes her hand, the skin cold and clammy in his warm grip.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here, mom.” Her fingers twitch, grasping his with surprising strength.
Then her lips part again, as Felix bends down, his ear next to her mouth.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What is she saying!?
Felix’s eyes widen in shock.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Malakai Midnight, Jasper Redgrave and Captain Arcadia stand toe to toe tonight, but only one can walk away on top.
MATT RUBY: This is a triple power play, whoever wins tonight sends a hell of a message to the OSW roster.
Captain Arcadia and Malakai Midnight lock horns to begin, but Jasper Redgrave blindsides Cap and sends him flying. Midnight responds by grabbing Redgrave by the throat.
THE CLAW!
HIS NAILS DRAW BLOOD BUT REDGRAVE IS SMILING!
Midnight cannot get Redgrave to yield, and the hold is eventually broken as Captain America leaps at him.
DROPKICK TAKES OUT REDGRAVE!
MATT RUBY: Malakai Midnight starts laying into Captain Arcadia. Make the doo-gooder hurt!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Midnight forces Arcadia into the turnbuckle. He's really softening him up.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE!
SPINNING FOREARM CLOBBERS CAPTAIN ARCADIA, HE’S DOWN!
BUT REDGRAVE JUMPS ON MALAKAI’S BACK… HE’S RIDING HIM AROUND THE RING LIKE A BRONCO!
Jasper Redgrave kicks off Midnight’s back, sending his foe falling into the second rope. HE wastes no time in getting back on the attack.
BLOOD ON THE CANVAS!
ROPE HUNG DDT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That had to have broken Malakai Midnight’s nose. The crack it made when he hit the canvas.
MATT RUBY: But Redgrave need to get the pin, and here comes that persistent prick Captain Arcadia again.
Redgrave stands, but Captain Arcadia spins him around.
DDT TO REDVRAVE… NO!
A THUMB TO CAP’S EYE!
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY! THE PEDIGREE HITS HARD!
He holds on for the pin
ONE!
TWO!
MALAKAI CANNOT BREAK THE PINFALL UP!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jasper Redgrave stands tall tonight and sends a massive message with a big victory.
Finding The Child Acrobat
Before Vendetta...
Inside Klaus Way's circus, we see the ringmaster himself alongside his Unnaturals looking up at the tightrope.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is that a boy walking the rope?! Why aren't Klaus and his troupe telling them to fall onto the net!?
MATT RUBY: I'm sure the brat knows what he's doing, Bronco. Besides, have you ever fallen from that high onto a nylon net? I'd be impressed if it kept them from hitting the ground, much less you!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: But there's no net! If they fall, they're going to be a stain on the ground!
The child is intensely focused on their footing as they walk across the rope. They're sweating like a greased pig as they attempt to cross to the other platform.
Just out of sight from everyone, however, Captain Arcadia watches from the shadows. He quietly pulls out a missing child flyer from inside his glove. He inspects it before turning his attention back to the tightrope walker and nodding.
Suddenly, the boy slips off the rope and starts to fall.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can't watch!
Thinking fast, the Captain rushes towards the rapidly descending child and catches them before they hit the dirt.
"You alright?" Arcadia asks with a smile. The lad doesn't respond, but their eyes show that they're thankful for being saved. "Let's get you home, kid."
Before they can leave, however, Klaus whips the hero across the back, causing him to drop the kid to the floor!
"Attempting to kidnap a member of our circus!?" The warden of weird yells, rallying the troupe to assist him. "I simply cannot allow that! Unnaturals! Teach this abductor a lesson!"
The group begin to pummel Arcadia as the boy runs back to Way. We fade out as the beatdown continues, leaving the fate of the former Python unknown.
Unleashing
The Observatory stands before us. Doom is pacing, with drones and various creations following his path.
We haven't seen him like this in some time, if ever. The unbridled anger, bordering maniacal rage. The frustration the just must be vented.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom looks like he's still troubled deeply after last week's attack he made on The Burned Man.
MATT RUBY: Why shouldn't he be? He had his factory burned down, he was betrayed. And the man who did it all still walks around like it was nothing.
Doom stops pacing, addressing himself.
“The time has come. This charade has gone on far too long!” An army of drones and machines listen on to his monologue. “The deceit, the treachery - oh, how the Burned Man will rue the day he crossed me. He dared to abandon The Pool Boys, taking his pathetic son with him, shattering the delicate web of trust I so meticulously wove. And as if that weren't enough, he ignited the flames that consumed the Doom Factory, yet still struts around like some self-proclaimed hero.”
His fist balls.
“But Chain Reaction? Oh, that was merely the prologue, a tantalizing taste of the torment that awaits! He will feel the full force of my genius, my wrath. He will grovel before me, begging for mercy, but mercy shall not be granted.”
He moves towards a screen, tapping at the keyboard and scrolling through screeds of code, numbers and calculations.
“I shall make him pay - oh, yes, he will pay dearly for his insolence. His every breath, every heartbeat, will be a reminder of the folly of crossing me!”
A laugh escapes the mask as his fingers fly over the keys. His drone army, as one, flash lights of red and soar simultaneously out of the Observatory, a mission found.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The laugh of Doom is chilling to the bone. I really don’t like what this might mean for The Burned Man.
MATT RUBY: Everything that is about to come his way, he put on himself. That bandaged freak has crossed the wrong scientist. Doom has ways to make him pay.
Cut.
As the bell rings, Aurora dashes towards Klaus Way. She unleashes a barrage of swift kicks, backing Klaus into the ropes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Aurora is giving Klaus Way a lesson in quickness!
MATT RUBY: Maybe she’ll teach me a few moves later!
Klaus ducks away, and leaps for the corner, managing a quick tag to Nox. Aurora tags in Mr. Sunshine, who enters the ring with a grin. They go for a lock up, but Nox pokes Cheery Charlie in the eye and takes him for a backbreaker. Then another!
MATT RUBY: Break the idiot’s spine! Wipe that smile off his face!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nox is dismantling Charlie with every Schrodinger’s Spine he hits!
Letting his opponent drop to the mat like a sack of shit, Nox lines him up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: POISON MIST- NO! Tag to Aurora!
Aurora springs into the ring with renewed vigor, ducking a clothesline from Nox and leaping to the top rope.
CROSS BODY BLOCK!
Nox falls into his corner as Aurora lines up.
MATT RUBY: YES! NAIL THAT SOLAR STORM! I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME THAT FACE FULL OF STUFF!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s all for naught, Ruby. Klaus Way has tagged in.
Klaus quickly gets in the ring, seeking revenge for earlier. Aurora turns around, but isn’t quick enough to avoid Way picking her up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CIRQUE DOULEUR! STORMBREAKER!
MATT RUBY: NO! SHE GOT OUT! FINISH HIM BABY!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!
Nox tries to get in the ring but Mr. Sunshine leaps across at him.
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Aurora, get away from that loser Mr. Sunshine. Let me give you my special hug!
Picture Perfect
The match is over, ringside is cleared, but Aurora has called for a microphone! She stands in the center of the ring, an uncharacteristic sneer on her face as she brings the mic to her lips. "Jasper Redgrave. Get out here now!" She looks up at the ramp, arms crossed over her chest.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Just what kind of death wish does she have calling out Redgrave?
MATT RUBY: I heard she thinks he took that delightful video last week! It's about time he made a work of art I liked.
There's silence for a moment, Aurora left waiting. The crowd quietly, watching as she shakes her head in frustration before going to the ropes.
"Please allow me to introduce myself.."
"I'm a man of wealth, and taste.."
The opening to "Sympathy for the Devil" plays through the arena as Jasper walks onto the top of the entrance ramp! He has a mic of his own, the music dying down as he begins to speak. "Just why are you calling my name, Miss Thrillseeker?" He smirks almost knowingly.
"Last week," she begins, "My privacy was violated. Last week, someone showed me at my most vulnerable to all of Arcadia! There's only one man that I know who's so sick and perverted... And that's you." She spits the words as she stares Redgrave down, only Jasper simply chuckles in response to the accusation.
"Me? Oh, my dear, I'm sorry to say you have it all wrong. As picture perfect as you might be... My art is more than skin deep. Anyone can use a camera, but it takes an artist to craft a masterpiece. Though, you would make quite the sculpture, wouldn't you?"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Redgrave disgusts me!
MATT RUBY: You must admit, he does have good taste.
The Thrillseeker slides out of the ring! She rushes down Redgrave but the Artist makes his escape, Aurora chasing him to the backstage.
Cut.
Out Of Surgery
In Medical, Harold Attano rests in a comfortable bed, feeling the most uncomfortable he’s ever felt. Sad. Alone. Feeling as helpless as he’s ever likely to feel, he awaits the Doctor, who walks in with a smile.
“The surgery went well!” The Doctor gleefully announces, looking over the documentation and charts. “You’ll start to regain some feeling in your extremities within the next few days, but we’ve gone in and resolved the nerve issue causing what seemed to be temporary paralysis.”
Harold looks shocked. “So, I’m not paralysed!?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s tremendous news! I’m so pleased. Harold Attano will walk again, folks.
MATT RUBY: [Sarcastically] Yay…
The Doctor shakes his head. “Absolutely not. The rehabilitation to get you back on your feet may take months, but you will get back to your feet.”
“And the ring?” Attano interrupts. “I need to get back in the ring.”
The happiness on the doctor’s face is soon replaced by an uncomfortable grimace. He takes a seat beside his bed, taking a deep breath with it.
“That isn’t likely, Harold. Listen, your back as undergone a serious trauma and even with the support from Zeus, the best physiotherapy in Arcadia and the will of a God itself, you’ll unlikely ever set foot inside a wrestling ring again and if you do, it won’t just be the end of your career. It could be the end of normalcy as you may come to know it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s awful. Talk about a sucker punch. We’re not likely to see Harold Attano in an OSW ring again. Tombstone has ended his gosh darn career, damnit!
MATT RUBY: Retirement won’t be so bad for the old timer. He could visit all his family… oh wait.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You insensitive son of a…
Attano looks on deflated. His eyes burrow into the ground with absolute disappointment. He doesn’t say anything. He just looks at the ground.
The Doctor leaves.
And he just looks… at the ground.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have an interesting match up here tonight. How does the Don stack up against The Voodoo Child?
The bell rings and Gino is on the offensive right out the gate! He forces Calypso into a lock up before nailing her with knees to the gut! Mama Calypso drops to a knee before getting hit with a massive big boot to the jaw! Gino hits the ropes as she begins to stand!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BADA BING! NORTHERN LARIAT- NO! CALYPSO DUCKS! BLOOD RITUAL! SHE JUST SPIT RED MIST INTO HIS EYES!
MATT RUBY: Do me next!
The Don stumbles back and Calypso immediately nails him with a massive dropkick to the sternum! He hits the mat and immediately gets back up to catch a leaping roundhouse kick to the skull! Calypso ascends the turnbuckle and begs Gino to rise!
MATT RUBY: GRAVE MISFORTUNE! DIVING BACKSTABBER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! GINO HOLDS ONTO HER! HE DROPS HER WITH A BACKPACK STUNNER!
Calypso lands in a heap and Gino looks to press his advantage as he forces her up for a massive spike DDT! The Don isn't finished though! He forces her up one last time and whips her to the ropes!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: STRICTLY BUSINESS! HE POPS HER UP FOR THE SKY HIGH POWERBOMB!
MATT RUBY: NO! SHE LANDS BEHIND HIM! STANDING DIAMOND DUST! HUMAN SACRIFICE!
Calypso covers!
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gino was prepared to fight here tonight, but it looks like Calypso was just too crafty as she secures a victory over the Don!
Friends?
The Gas Chamber.
Nox toils away at a desk, mixing chemicals and refining mixtures as he takes down notes in a tattered notebook. He filters the newest compound into one of his cannisters, watching as the liquid becomes a gas before his very eyes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I never like seein' Nox like this, Ruby. Whatever he's brewin' can only mean trouble for Arcadia.
MATT RUBY: Don't make assumptions, you geezer! Nox is a genius, that gas could do anything!
Just as he finishes filling up the cannister, the sound of his lab's heavy iron doors can be heard! He turns around to see Mr. Sunshine walking in with his signature big smile on his face. "Nox, my friend! You were just amazing in our match earlier. How are you, my little Sunbeam?" He holds his arms out, as if asking for a hug.
"What the hell are you doing in my lab?" Nox turns around, clutching the cannister tightly.
"I'm here because I felt you needed a little extra sunshine in your life! Chain Reaction is over, but that doesn't mean I can't still want to spread joy to my friends."
"We're not friends. We were never friends."
There's a moment where Sunshine continues to smile, yet his eyes say otherwise. However, he tilts his head, giggling. "Oh, you're just being negative! There has to be something I can do to brighten up your day, isn't there?"
MATT RUBY: This guy creeps me out.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Anything that ain't a leggy blonde creeps you out, Ruby.
Nox glances at his new concoction then back to Sunshine, a smirk behind his mask. "Actually... There is something you can do. I'm refining a new gas. Why don't you come back next week and help me test it?"
Sunshine claps his hands together excitedly. "Wonderful! I'll see you then, my little Sunbeam."
With that Sunshine leaves, Nox examining his notes as he does.
Cut.
Hurt
We see the white walls and florescent lights of Medical, where The Burned Man lies on a hospital bed. He's conscious, sitting up as a machine slowly beeps next to him.
At his bedside, Destructo Boy sits.
MATT RUBY: The Burned Man is back in Medical again, with a concussion. Mere months after he was last here. Maybe he needs to find a safer hobby.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There is no safety when you're trying to chase down those responsible for killing your wife.
MATT RUBY: He's not here because of that. He's here because he burned down the Doom Factory. Now he has Doom to face.
Destructo Boy draws himself near to his father. He looks worried.
“Dad. I've been following the progress of trying to find out who was responsible for mom’s…” He trails off, finding his voice again soon after. “Captain Arcadia failed. He hasn't made heads or tails of anything, and the Gathering has kept him at bay at every step.”
TBM sits up further, wincing and blinking his eyes as his head spins. Destructo Boy continues.
“I’m taking matters into my own hands. I'm going after Hatchet. I don't care, I need to find out who’s responsible.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destructo Boy knows what this means, how dangerous it will be.
MATT RUBY: The kid is absolutely bonkers. What makes him think he can succeed where even Captain Arcadia failed?
TBM wants to tell him not to, he wants to say something, but as he opens his mouth, his brain hurts so he just can’t. Even in his incapacitated state, he can read the look on his son's face. There's no talking him out of it.
He just takes DB by the hand and whispers three simple words at him, but with all the heart a father can muster.
“Just be careful.”
As Destructo Boy leaves the Medical room, a buzzing sound can be heard, like a swarm of bees. The Burned Man lies back down, unsure of what to make of things.
“What’s that sound? Where are those red lights coming from?”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CJ Thorpe looks furious! He doesn't even wait for the bell to ring before leaping at Tombstone!
The champ flies across the right and begins laying into Tombstone with powerful lefts and rights! Tombstone catches a punch and crushes down on Thorpe's hand before dropping him with a devastating headbutt! CJ is quick to his feet and fires away with another punch but gets a kick to the gut!
MATT RUBY: ODE TO CHARON! POWERBOMB PUTS THIS COYOTE DOWN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CJ isn't thinking straight! He needs to step back and think before he strikes!
Thorpe rolls to his knees, clutching his ribs as Tombstone lays into him with a punt to the side! The Ferryman stalks around him, pummeling him with massive boots over and over! He peels Thorpe up!
AND FLINGS HIM INTO THE TURNBUCKLE WITH A TERRIFYING SNAKE EYES!
CJ stumbles out of the corner and tries to clothesline Tombstone only for a big boot to slam him back into the turnbuckle!
"Like father, like son. I'll ferry you too." Tombstone smirks as Thorpe yells in anger!
"Fuck you!"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TRUST! KNEE TREMBLER- NO! TOMBSTONE BAITED HIM IN! A SOUL TO CARRY!
MATT RUBY: Bearhug! Crush this nitwit!
Tombstone squeezes the bearhug with supernatural strength! Thorpe cries out in agony as he fires away with desperate punches to Tombstone! But the Ferryman refuses to let go as CJ begins to fade!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Thorpe just passed out in Tombstone's arms! He's unconscious!
MATT RUBY: The referee calls for the bell! Tombstone just demolished this world champion!
To Get To You I
The slums are not a place one merely wanders into. If one finds themselves in the slums, you're either stuck there, hiding there or trying to find someone who is hiding there.
For Destructo Boy, his determination has led him here. He moves through the shadows towards the roughest neck of the slums there is. Towards the very location Captain Arcadia discovered. The Gathering's Hideout.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destructo Boy is following in the footsteps of Captain Arcadia, picking up where he left off.
MATT RUBY: Destructo Boy is going to find out very quickly exactly why people don't mess with the Gathering.
KLANG! DESTRUCTO BOY EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS, KINGDOMBLADE SWINGING!
HE TAKES OUT ONE JUGGALO, THEN ANOTHER WITH A SECOND SWING!
DESTRUCTO BOY CARVES A PATH THROUGH THE GATHERING!
But for every person he takes down, five more emerge and before he can even reach the door to the Gathering’s dwelling, he's swarmed.
MATT RUBY: See, what did I tell you? The kid's delusional. There's no way this pathetic plan was ever going to work for him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He's in the heart of Gathering county right now, and in some very real danger.
The Gathering swarm him, knocking Destructo Boy to the ground and taking turns to pummel him with brutal kicks.
The assault continues without mercy until DB is barely ganging onto consciousness. Then, it stops and the Gathering clear a path. One approaches him.
Destructo Boy lifts his head, defiantly still holding onto his determination.
“Hatchet, you asshole.”
A figure kneels down next to him. It's not Hatchet. It's just another Juggalo.
“He's not even here, fuckboy.” Mocking laughter erupts from all those around to witness. “You came here, got your ass kicked, all for nothing. But hang around, we'll be happy to make you our bitch.”
Destructo Boy is hurled to his feet, spat at, until the figure who knelt down next to him calls a halt.
“Fun's over. You know what boss said. Take out the trash.”
With that, Destructo Boy is dragged off, away from the Gathering's dwelling. Into the slums.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Gathering isn't taking kindly to visitors right now. Zeus knows where they're taking him, or what state he's going to be in when he turns up.
MATT RUBY: Stupid kid. The slums are not a place you want to be dragged through, let alone left for dead in.
Cut.
... I Know
Static.
Shaky footage fills the screen.
Momma Foley’s home.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh boy. We know how this one ends.
MATT RUBY: She probably fell reaching for her sweets.
She’s just sat in her easy chair, watching her stories on the telly while knitting.
Suddenly, the lights stutter.
Darkness.
Flutter.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Goddamnit.
As the lights come back on, Tombstone stands towering and grim, his eyes fixed on the trembling woman before him.
"You know why I am here, don't you?" His voice, deep and resonant, fills the room with a palpable dread.
“I know why you’re here,” she says, swallowing.
He steps closer, the sound of his boots against the wooden floor echoing like a death knell.
"I have read Fernicus's entire diary," he continues, his tone menacingly soft. "Every dark secret, every hidden truth."
Momma Foley, caught in the grip of terror, clutches the arms of her chair, her eyes wide with fear.
"Please, don't," she whispers, her voice barely audible.
Tombstone leans in, his face inches from hers, his breath cold as the grave.
"The only reason Felix is still breathing is that I want him to know the truth," he hisses. "I want to see him crushed under the weight of it. The truth you've helped keep hidden from him."
He straightens up.
“Keep him in the dark, woman. He must learn who he truly is on his own.”
Darkness.
"Consider this mercy... for now."
Flutter.
As the lights come up, we tighten on Momma Foley, now alone, the horror of the encounter freezing her to the core.
MATT RUBY: The old hag’s gotten what she deserves!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I won’t even reply to that.
She trembles uncontrollably, her lips moving frantically as she tries to form a word, a name.
"Tomb... stone..."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: If that’s what she said to Felix, I think business is about to pick up!
Cut.
MATT RUBY: Tell me if you've heard this one before, two pale guys double teaming a journalist inside a ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus Chris Ruby, we probably have children watching.
MATT RUBY: Hey they know Olympus is always rated R when the Ravishing Rubster is around but I was talking about the match Bronco. Gravedigger and Hatchet may well look to take out the weak link in their former Chain Reaction team tonight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Every competitor for themselves though Ruby, especially with the #1 contendership on the line and you're forgetting, both Gravedigger and Gemini are in the House of Judgement. Hatchet may well be the one to find himself double teamed.
The bell sounds as Gemini rushes forward before it even starts, leaping up and spiking Hatchet into mat with a Hurricanrana. The Clown staggers up to his feet in the ropes before a high dropkick to the jaw sends him tumbling head over heels to the outside.
Gemini rushes to the ropes herself, bouncing off but stopping just in time before she runs right into Gravedigger. The Rogue puts up her dukes but The Shovel just backs away, motioning her to continue as she shrugs before springing up the ropes and flying forward
SPRINGBOARD TORNILLO! The Rogue flies high and wipes out the Clown.
The crowd roars in approval as Gemini is fired up, she tries to lift up Hatchet
WIG SPLIT! Surprise Headbutt out of nowhere staggers Gemini back and may well have loosened some teeth but Hatchet doesn't get to follow up
SUCIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES BY GRAVEDIGGER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gravedigger absolutely reckless here with the attack and you were right Ruby, it seems the House of Judgement is indeed double teaming on Hatchet here.
MATT RUBY: I'm always right BB, but hey it's only a matter of time before the clown downs this undead fool and my ditzy future bride.
Hatchet's skull slams hard into the barricade, causing the Juggalo to see stars as Gravedigger rolls to his feet, telling Gemini to help him hoist up the bigger man. Both the Rogue and the Shovel lift Hatchet up high, rushing forward
RUNNING ASSISTED POWERBOMB OVER THE APRON INTO THE AUDIENCE!
Hatchet lands with a hard thump as Gemini and Gravedigger lo0k at eachother, just noticing River Moonfoot is counting all three of them out
THREE
...................
Both Gemini and Gravedigger rush forward, trying to get into the ring.
FOUR
..................
.................
Gravedigger tries to throw a right but Gemini ducks underneath
DDT INTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
FIVE
..................
Gemini manages to slide into the ring as Gravedigger is slowly staggers to his feet.
.....................
SIX
.....................
............................
SEV....
GRAVEDIGGER RUSHES FORWARD AND JUST MANAGES TO GET IN THE RING!
MATT RUBY: Wait, why the hell was Riverfoot counting? Can this even end on a countout?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Long as two of them are in the ring, it can't but it could be a no contest or even a victory for Gemini if Gravedigger hadn't gotten in. Usually the ref's are leniant but Riverfoot does play it right to the letter of the rulebook.
As Gravedigger slides in, Gemini begins laying in strikes to his prone form, trying to take him down but Gravedigger catches a kick, throwing her backwards. The Rogue lands on her feet, rushing back to the ropes as she slingshots off
DROP DEAD JAWBREAKER! GEMINI SLINGSHOTS RIGHT INTO A LEAPING KNEE!
Gemini drops to her knees, dazed as Gravedigger peels her up off the mat,
NEVERMORE! Sickening Implant DDT looks like it may well have broken the Rogue's neck as Gravedigger flops her over onto her back before leaning backwards for the cover.
ONE
.................
.....................
TWO
.................
....................
GEMINI GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Gemini tries to get up but Gravedigger grabs her by the throat, and begins pounding down her with Gravel like forearms, each one looking like it's dazing the Rogue before a final brutal forearm sends her eyes rolling into the back of her head.
MATT RUBY: I didn't realise Gemini was into that sorta thing, she's looking like my regular weekend dates.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: At least Gravedigger doesn't have to pay them Ruby. But he's not following up here as he looks like he's about to go flying once more.
Gravedigger quickly climbs up to the top rope, sizing up Gemini for a moment before diving off.
BUT NOBODY WAS HOME! Gemini rolled out of the way just in time as Gravedigger lands on the mat elbow first, screaming out in pain as he may well have dislocated it from the sheer force.
The Rogue doesn't make it better as she leaps up to the top rope, diving off grabbing the injured arm and slamming it down into the mat with a brutal armbreaker. Gravedigger cries out in pain as Gemini keeps hold of the arm, flipping it through her legs and pulling upwards
LOCKING IN THE CHIBA'S TOUCH KIMURA!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gravedigger's in a bad way here, he's not usually the one to submit but his arm may well be broken and the Rogue has that Kimura locked in tight. He may not have a choice here.
Gravedigger is screaming in pain, his arm bending in an unnatural way as Gemini pulls her whole weight down into the hold. The Shovel raises his good arm, looking like he's inches away from tapping out.
CHICKEN HUNTIN'! HATCHET DROPS THE DIVING LEG ONTO BOTH OF THEM OUT OF NOWHERE!
MATT RUBY: YES! I told you BB, the clown is the only one who downs people and he's here to put these haters to shame.
Hatchet looks all fired up as he pulls Gravedigger up to his feet, pounding with heavy lefts and right before smacking him back down to the canvas with a big ass WIG SPLIT! The Clown turns around as Gemini springboards off the ropes but he catches the Rogue in mid-air
PONY DOWN BITCH! Hatchet nearly breaks Gemini in half with that stiff Side Backbreaker, calling for the end as he lifts her up onto his shoulder,
SELF-TITLED! Hatchet snaps her neck over his shoulder with that swinging Stunner, as that may well be it as he drops down for the cover
BUT GRAVEDIGGER GRABS HIM BY THE PANTS AND THROWS HIM TO THE OUTSIDE! Gravedigger smirks before dropping down for the cover as Riverfoot slides in to count
ONE
...................
TWO
...............
MATT RUBY: No, not this asshole. He can't win this way, come on gorgeous you've gotta kick out
...................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: Discrimination BB, I call absolute discrimination against my face painted brethren. Hatchet had that match won.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: So called discrimination or not, Gravedigger won this match fair and square and now he's the #1 contender to CJ Thorpe. I couldn't imagine a worse scenario, not even your secret parties Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Don't you kink shame me Blackwood, but either way, this seemed inevitable. House always wins and soon, they'll have that world title in their grasp again.
Digging Your Own Grave
Ringside.
The sound of dirt being shovelled from one space to another is greeted by a dimly lit grave being dug inside The Mortuary. In one is CJ Thorpe and stood outside, shovelling dirt away, is Jackson Cade. Both men are hot, sweaty and covered in muck.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: [Concerned] Oh no… please don’t tell me they’re burying their father!
MATT RUBY: I’d have heard worse news today, Bronc.
They finally stop, taking a breath, looking at the camera.
“It must’ve felt good, doing what you did,” Thorpe says with a scowl plastered across his dirty face. “But I bet this doesn’t feel good, does it Gravedigger? Cause we’re stood in your backyard, in your home, desecrating ground that belongs to you.”
Back inside the ring and Gravedigger is furious. He should be celebrating an epic win, but instead, he now stands alongside Malakai Midnight who has joined him from the back, his eyes wrought with fury.
“And I bet you’re hoping this grave belongs to our pop, eh?” Jackson continues. “Isn’t that what you wanted? Isn’t that what you hoped would be the outcome of your little game, Malakai?”
Midnight smiles. He’s not as furious as Gravedigger, not by a long shot.
“Well, it’s not,” Thorpe says, hopping up to sit at the grave edge. “This grave is for the you, Gravedigger. One grave for one giant piece of shit and trust me, I think we’re being fuckin’ generous. If it were my decision alone, I’d dump your body in the slums and let the crows eat at it.”
Jackson on the other hand, shrugs. “At Bad Blood, my brother will be defending his OSW World Heavyweight Championship against you, Gravedigger. There’s no getting away from that, not that we’d want to. Because right here, that’s where both of our matches will take place – consecutively.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Whoa! What an announcement. We’re having two matches happen side by side at The Mortuary!?
MATT RUBY: That doesn’t sound very fair if you ask me.
The fans in the arena pop.
CJ grins. “Don’t worry Malakai, we dug you a grave too.”
The camera pans to behind Cade, where a second freshly dug grave appears. Jackson now grins as well.
“We’ll be seeing you cunts at Bad Blood,” Jackson continues. “Buried Alive.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WOW! Can you believe it!? Has this ever happened in OSW history!? We’re having two matches happen at the very same time! Two Buried Alive matches, no less.
MATT RUBY: Forget that! Look at Gravediggers face. He’s furious, Bronco. The Cade Brothers just walked into his home, dug graves on his turf and threatened him. There’s going to be hell to pay!
The camera closes in on the twitching eyes of Gravedigger, who consumed by rage, looks as if he might snap at any given moment.
Static.
Cut.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as a logo flashes up amongst static.