Bad Blood I
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Last week.
Harold Attano lays in a bed at medical, a physiotherapist helping to work his legs back and forth in a test of movement. He’s wincing in pain, but he’s able to do it. There’s still life in the old dog yet.
His sheer focus and determination are soon tested when George Cade appears in the doorway. His old friend folds his arms and shakes his head.
“It’s tough to see you like this,” he says with a grimace.
Attano scowls at him – quickly realizing he looks bad himself. After that assault by Tombstone, he’s beaten too. “You hardly look much better, old friend.”
That brings a rare smile out of George.
“I know why you’re here,” Attano confirms – he knows now that George had something to do with his daughters’ disappearance. “And it had better be to tell me about Michaela.”
The elder Cade shakes his head. “What I did back then, it was bigger than you and I. Zeus wants you to think that I’m the bad guy, but what I did…”
“Fuck you!” Nobody interrupts. “I don’t give a shit who, why or when. I want to know what happened, George. You’re a killer like me. That’s our profession and when it came to your son being indoctrinated by the man I believed killed my daughter, I saved him. I brought him to you, and I saved his life before Redgrave took it.”
George nods. He knows that’s true and despite his actions, he’s eternally grateful for it.
“Tell me what you know, or I’ll beat it outta you,” Attano continues.
George chuckles slightly, looking him up and down. His chuckle angers Nobody, who attempts to move only to be stopped by his physiotherapist.
“I’ll take this secret to my grave and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Cade says backing away. “You can’t fight. You’re broken and this secret is worth more to me than your desire for truth.”
With that, he turns to leave and is stopped by Attano yelling. “Your grave, huh? We’ll see if you feel the same way when I fucking put you in it.”
Cade nods.
Cut.
Bad Blood II
As George Cade exits the doorway of Harold Attano’s private room, he steps out into the main entry way of Medical, watching as EMT’s rush in with a female led on a stretcher. It’s not until he see’s Jackson and CJ that the penny drops, and he rushes over.
Panicked, he realizes that Mary lays bloodied and beaten, with an oxygen mask over her bloodied face and tubes sticking out of her.
“What the fuck happened!?” He says rushing backwards with her. The medical team stop him going further, leaving him with his distraught boys. “Who the fuck did this!?”
His heart sinks.
“Six Feet Under,” Cade says confidently. “Gravedigger and Midnight to be sure.”
“Dad, it’s pretty bad. The EMT’s said they won’t know the extent of the damage until they run brain scans, and she wakes up,” Thorpe continues, melancholy and distraught, but holding it together. “It looks like her head was smashed repeatedly against the kitchen wall.”
George’s face turns beetroot red – redder than we’ve ever seen it. He puffs out his cheeks, his eyes widen and his heart races. He’s furious.
“Bring… them… down!” He says sternly through gritted teeth. “Do you understand me, boys? For your mother. For me. Take them… the fuck… apart.”
George storms off to be with his wife, leaving Cade and Thorpe look at one another.
“Bad Blood isn’t enough,” CJ warns, expecting push back from his brother.
Jackson nods in agreement, which surprises him. “They’re gonna regret ever fucking with our family.”
Cut.
Credit Terms II
Continued from Casino Chaos.
Danny looks confused. How did he know his name? How can an offer such as this, which must be too good to be true, ever be realized?
Suddenly, before he can say another word, Hatchet enters the frame with a can of Faygo and his famed shit eating grin.
“Ayo Danny, go get yourself some chips, brother,” he says, tossing him a few credits to the disdain of Morningstar. Morningstar watches as the Juggalo takes a seat next to him. “You’re ganna put me outta work.”
With a sinister smirk, Nick shrugs. “I have no idea what you mean, kid.”
“Danny over there is a customer of mine; a Juggalo, sure, but a member of the Gathering and someone I have a line of credit with,” Hatchet continues, bringing light to the situation. “And here you are offerin’ him terms.”
Nick thinks about it for a minute.
“What can I say, I’m an equal opportunity gentleman. I might just have an opportunity for you too, Hatchet,” he namedrops him, letting the Juggalo know he knows who he is. Hatchet chuckles.
“It’s funny you should say that, because I got one for you too,” he says standing up. “Next week, Vendetta… me and you, huh?”
The Devil Himself tosses a few chips at the blackjack dealer and nods in agreement.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: After an impressive debut last week, Old Nick Morningstar looks to keep shining. I heard this match comes about after these two were introduced at Casino Chaos.
MATT RUBY: Well he’s going to have to shine bring tonight or he’s going to get downed by the clown. Hatchet wasn't happy with Morningstar interfering with his business, so he's ready for a fight.
Both Morningstar and Hatchet both charge in as the bell tolls and clash in the centre of the ring. Hatchet looks to gain the early advantage, but Nick forces him back into the turnbuckle with a show of power.
A WICKED CHOP ACROSS THE CHEST OF HATCHET!
ANOTHER!
A THIR- NO!
HATCHET WITH A THUMB TO THE EYE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Somehow, Demi Sky didn’t see that
MATT RUBY: Well, it looks like Old Nick isn’t seeing anything either!
Hatchet barrages The Devil Himself with a series of elbow strikes, before hoisting him into the air.
HOKUS POKUS!
THE DOUBLE UNDERHOOK POWERBOMB PLANTS OLD NICK!
But Hatchet isn’t done with him yet. He picks him back to his feet.
SELF TITLED! NO!
HATCHET CAN’T GET OLD NICK MORNING STAR OFF THE GROUND!
A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE FROM MORNINGSTAR HAS HATCHET REELING!
MARK OF THE BEAST!
THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER SLAMS HATCHET HEAD FIRST INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: An impressive display of strength from Old Nick Morningstar.
MATT RUBY: He just about wiped that smile off Hatchet’s face. Now, can he finish him?
Nick covers for the pin.
ONE!
TWO!
NO!
HATCHET KICKS OUT!
Nick pulls Hatchet to his feet and both men lock horns again.
MORNINGSTAR MOVES TO LIFT HATCHET, BUT GETS A KICK TO THE GROIN FOR HIS TROUBLES!
SELF-TITLED!
FIREMAN’S CARRY STUNNER!
HATCHET NAILS IT AND PINS MORNINGSTAR!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hatchet picks up the win over a very game Morningstar, but who knows, this battle may just be the first.
Mum's The Word
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight Felix Foley and Tombstone will sit down separately with our camera crew to speak about their issues.
MATT RUBY: I bet we’re starting with the muppet himself.
Sitting in front of a black background, a nervous Felix Foley twiddles his thumbs. In his lap sits his father’s diary.
“I’m sorry,” he says, the redness of his eyes betraying his emotion. “I know a lot of people out there count on me as an inspiration, as someone to look up to. I’m sorry I can’t be that Felix right now.”
He pauses, taking a deep breath.
“Momma is laying in bed right now. We’re having to keep her IV fed. I’m worried about her. She always tried to protect me when—” Felix pauses, swallowing. “She always protected me. And I couldn’t protect her.”
He looks down at the diary.
“Even barely clinging to life, she still had the strength to tell me something, to give me a path forward. I haven’t been willing to read this,” Foley says, indicating the diary. “Not fully, and I’m still not ready. But Momma gave me the strength to read a few pages more.”
Felix looks up at the camera, his demeanor laser focused.
“Tombstone, you killed my father. My brother. You tried to take Momma. But you keep saying you won’t kill me, not until I find the horrible truth in these pages. There’s a lot of truths in here, Tombstone. Maybe I haven’t found the one you’re talking about, but I did find something.”
He grins, a twisted version of his usual smile.
“You locked Momma in a cell of her own mind. At Bad Blood, we step into a cell of our own. Hell in a Cell.”
Foley clenches his fist over the diary.
“And I will use every bit of blood, sweat, and tears that I have. All the beatings I took from my old man. All the beatings I’ve taken from you. None of them will be worth a single credit compared to what I’m going to do to you Tombstone.”
Felix Foley stands up, walking away without a word.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have conflict in the House Of Judgement right now as Malakai Midnight takes on fellow Six Feet Under member Calypso. I don't know much about Calypso's motivations, but you know Malakai will want the win to secure more standing and power within the group!
MATT RUBY: Thanks for that, I thought they both planned on losing. You dweeb.
Malakai approaches Calypso, feigning friendliness before trying to surprise her straight away with the Devil's Advocate forearm, Calypso ducks and fires off some forearm shimmers of her own, and following up by attempting The Offering. Midnight ducks out of the way into the corner, and simply smiles at Black Magic.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And that's where the familiarity comes in, they've seen each other in action and know what to look out for.
Calypso simply smiles back... BLACK MAGIC MISSILE! Malakai goes to ground, holding his face as she hooks the leg...
ONE...
KICK OUT WITH AUTHORITY!
Mama Calypso stand back up to continue the assault, but The Lord Of Darkness yanks her legs from underneath her and rises up himself, stomping away before smugly peeling some sort of film off of his face.
MATT RUBY: Men give women facials, not the other way around. Mr. Midnight knows what's up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You disgust me.
The leader of The Owls goes to lift her to her feet... INSIDE CRADLE!
ONE...
TWO...
BARELY KICKS OUT!
Both return to a vertical base but this time The Voodoo Child didn't see the Devil's Advocate coming! She staggers back, Malakai hits the ropes... CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT! He confidently goes for the cover...
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!
WINNER: MALAKAI MIDNIGHT
Not Very Nice
MATT RUBY: What's that sound, Bronco? It's annoying.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sounds like someone's crying, Ruby. Not just crying, they're downright weeping!
Deep within Nox's personal gas chamber do we find a poor man curled up on the floor, bawling his eyes out as that familiar blue smoke is pumped into the chamber. Nox, meanwhile, sits just outside taking notes on a clipboard. "It works. Same formula, same cannister, no new variables... Why did it not effect Sunshine?"
The sound of crying continues to fill the air as he scribbles down more notes, his attention immediately pulled away from his notepad as a loud sound echoes through his lab!
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
MATT RUBY: What now!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's Mister Sunshine! He's got a sledgehammer and he's battering the gas chamber's walls!
A smile etched onto his face, Sunshine shatters the glass walls inwards releasing the gas into Nox's lab! The Chemist, protected by his mask, rushes towards Sunshine enraged! "What do you think you are doing!?"
THUD!
Sunshine turns around, slamming the sledgehammer into the side of Nox's skull! Nox drops like a sack of bricks and Sunshine smiles down at him with vacant eyes. "I'm so sorry, my friend. What you're trying to do... Is not very nice. And friends don't let friends be unkind." He tilts his head, stepping over Nox and bringing the hammer down onto a pile of lab equipment, the beakers and glassware sent flying into a thousand pieces!
"I'm so, so sorry," he says, the smile never leaving his face. "But you know what they say, don't you? Sometimes there may be a few clouds before you see the sunshine."
Gas fills the room as Sunshine grabs Nox's notes, the scene fading out as he absconds with the research.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The North Star takes on Arcadia's most ruthless Don. Can Conway survive or will this star cease to shine?
Carelli starts the match off strong as he slams into Conway with a devastating combination of strikes! Conway is forced back into his corner and Gino tees off on him with body blows! He goes for a big right hook but Conway catches it!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SPRINGBOARD ARM DRAG! AMAZING ATHLETICISM BY CONWAY!
MATT RUBY: About as amazing as a cold sore, Bronco.
Conway rolls through and hits the ropes, colliding into Gino with a massive running knee! Gino hits the ground and Conway continues his assault as he hits the ropes for a springboard moonsault!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CARELLI CATCHES A LEG! SINGLE LEG SICILLIAN CRAB!
MATT RUBY: Now THAT is amazing!
The Don wrenches back on Josh's knee, the North Star writhing in agony, fighting as hard as he can to escape the hold! Carelli kicks him in the skull to keep him down as he tries to cinch in the hold!
MATT RUBY: He's done! So much for being a star.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No! He's fighting out! Conway gets to a leg! LEAPING ENZIGURI TO CARELLI!
Conway gets to his feet and begs Gino to get back up as he rushes forwards!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: TRUE NORTH! ROARING ELBOW- NO! STRICTLY BUSINESS! SKY HIGH POWERBOMB!
MATT RUBY: GINO WITH THE COVER!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Conway put up an impressive fight, but it appears tonight was strictly business for Gino Carelli.
Fight For His Freedom
Klaus Way is seen backstage, talking to the Unnaturals, Ajax and Damien. We manage to catch him in the middle of his speech, where the Ringleader is hyping up his newest recruit.
"I've heard that you two have reservations about our new member of the family," The Warden says. "Sure he's still a child, but someone has to make him feel like he belongs! If not his parents, then who?"
MATT RUBY: It's obvious that the boy's real family doesn't want him! Why else would they let him run off like they did?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don't act like the kid's parents didn't love him! They're obviously worried sick about their boy being missing and sent Captain Arcadia to look for him!
Suddenly, said Captain runs up behind the Ringmaster, placing him in a chokehold! Ajax and Solus attempt to rush to their leader's aid, but Arcadia pulls out a stun gun and points it right at Klaus's head!
"Back off, or else a hundred volts of this will send him to Medical!" Hesitantly, the Unnaturals oblige.
"Now," Arcadia says to Way, "let's talk about the kid you kidnapped."
"I... I didn't-"
"Take him? You told me that last week. I didn't believe you then and I still don't believe you now. You took this kid from his family and turned him into one of your performers."
Klaus feebly shakes his head, causing the Captain to roll his eyes.
"Okay then, don't give up on that lie. However, I'm here to offer you an ultimatum. A match at Bad Blood. Should I win, the boy goes free. Got it?"
Left without much of an option, the Ringmaster agrees. With a smile, the Captain pushes Way into the Unnaturals and runs away, leaving them to attend to their gasping leader.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Someone say a prayer for Candy Kane as she takes on the monster Reverend Ezekiel Graves.
MATT RUBY: I’ll pray for her to end up in my bed after he’s done with her!
Graves is nearly a head taller that Kane as they square up with the bell ringing in the air. With a growl, big Zeke goes to grab her, but she ducks between his legs, scrambling to hit the ropes.
RUNNING RIGHT HOOK TO GRAVES!
The Harbinger shrugs it off, as Kane tries a flurry, but Zeke grabs her between his legs.
POWERBOM—NO!
KANE FLIPS THROUGH!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gumdrop Paradise! The Frankensteiner hits flush!
MATT RUBY: What I wouldn’t give to get a mouthful of that gum.
Keeping her momentum, Kane stays at a distant, striking at Graves, trying to get the angry preacher in a pinning predicament. She runs at him for another right hook, but Graves nails an open palm slap.
Then an elbow strike.
Then another.
A knee.
A kick.
Another slap.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves is showing Candy the Holy Wrath!
MATT RUBY: The Word is strong, BB.
As Kane struggles to get up, Ezekiel Graves signals to the crowd that the end is nigh. He gets her back in position.
PURGATORY PLUNGE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She slips out!
Kane manages to fall back to the top turnbuckle, where she quickly leaps out, grabbing Graves’ head.
ONE HARD JAWBREAKER! NO! GRAVES THROWS HER ACROSS THE RING!
She rushes back in.
Goozle.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FINAL JUDGEMENT!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Candy Kane wasn't quick enough to overtake Graves size.
MATT RUBY: I’ve got something she can take, Bronc'.
Cutting Room Floor
The Gallery.
Deep inside of Jasper Redgrave's twisted domain is not the artist, but Aurora! The Thrillseeker sneaks about the house of horrors, peeking around corners as she moves deeper inside. It's clear that she's on a mission as she moves towards a door on the far end of the room.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What is she doing back here? Few people leave the Gallery alive, and fewer do it more than once!
MATT RUBY: Just like her ass, she just doesn't quit! You certainly don't hear me complaining about it.
Aurora pushes the door open, checking behind herself one last time before entering into what could only be an editing room. Rolls of film decorate the ground, pieces snipped here and there scattered as she approaches a reel box, one simply labeled 'Aurora'. She opens it only to find it empty!
"Oh, were you expecting something?" The chilling voice of Redgrave is heard behind her. Aurora turns around, coming face to face with the Artist who merely smirks at her. "I figured you'd come here, Aurora. All that footage had to go somewhere, didn't it?"
"What do you want with me!? First the photos, then filming me in your Gallery? What's your game?" She yells, clearly emotionally exhausted.
"I was inspired, Aurora. You're so... emotional. So full of life. I want to squeeze every last drop of it from you, I want to be able to watch it again and again..." He chuckles. "Part of me thinks you should leave. You can't be my muse if you end up on my cutting room floor."
Redgrave pulls a knife from behind his back, pointing it at her. "But sometimes movies are better when you don't see the ending coming."
The door slams shut.
Screams.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We see Gemini taking on Jackson Cade tonight in a match that will surely give one of these competitors a ton of momentum heading into Bad blood.
MATT RUBY: I’m just excited to see Gemini in action. I just wish I was closer.
The match starts with both locking horns in the centre of the ring, where Jackson Cade gets the early advantage. He softens Gemini up with a knee to the ribs, before hurling her into the air.
SUPLEX TAKES DOWN GEMINI!
Cade isn’t done with her, holding on to pick her back up…
MASTERKEY! BRAINBUSTER!
GEMINI IS DOWN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade has come out of the gates strong and Gemini is in trouble.
MATT RUBY: That looked like it hurt, I’m happy to give her some aid.
Cade pulls Gemini to her feet again, but Gemini reverses, pulling Cade into an Irish Whip of her own and sending him into the ropes.
YIN!
CODEBREAKER TO JACKSON CADE!
Gemini uses the opening to recuperate a little, finding her feet just before Cade. The pair lock horns again, and Cade tries to overpower her.
BUT GEMINI SLIPS OUT AND SWINGS BEHIND CADE!
YANG!
THE BACKSTABBER!
MATT RUBY: Gemini showing off her talents there. I’d love to see more of her talents, if you know what I mean.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Yes, because you’re so subtle in your code. Let’s just hope she doesn’t hear you, or she might kick your ass.
Gemini moves to pull Cade up to his feet, but Cade pushes her away. Gemini springboards off the ropes…
UNLEASHED! NO! HOSTILE DOWN!
THE LEAPING SUPERKICK TAKES GEMINI RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR!
CADE COVERS FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jackson Cade takes this one, the victory, the bragging rights and the momentum!
Northstar
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ezekiel Graves has been at it again, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Spreading the Word!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: More like spreading fire.
Josh Conway steps cautiously through the charred remains of what once was Momoko Honda’s spaceship, his boots crunching on shattered glass and twisted metal. His heart sinks as his gaze falls on the grotesque sight before him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell is—
MATT RUBY: A testament to the Word!
Momoko Honda’s head, impaled on a spike, stares into oblivion.
Conway shakes his head. He moves to examine the scene further, hoping to find some clue, some sign of what’s to come.
WHAM! EZEKIEL GRAVES NAILS CONWAY FROM BEHIND!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Bastard!
MATT RUBY: It’s time for a sermon, BB!
Josh stumbles forward, but another hit follows, this time to his ribs, forcing him to the ground. The taste of blood fills his mouth as he grits his teeth, trying to rise, but a boot slams into his chest, pinning him down.
Reverend Ezekiel Graves looms over him, eyes wild with a fanatic's fervor.
"You think you can stand against the will of God, Conway?" he snarls, his voice dripping with venom. "At Bad Blood, you will be a public sacrifice, a lamb led to slaughter in front of all of Olympus, all of Arcadia!"
MATT RUBY: Oh I can’t wait! This is going to be divine!
Graves lands another punch, driving the air from Josh’s lungs.
"The one true God, my God, will reign forever!" Graves hisses, leaning close, his breath hot against Josh’s face. "And you… you will be the proof of His power."
Graves walks away, his mission done.
MATT RUBY: Bad Blood is going to be amazing!
His attacker gone, Josh Conway begins to stir, spitting blood down to the ground. But he gets up.
Josh Conway always gets up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Reverend may have bitten off more than he can chew here.
Cut.
Got To You?
Earlier
We find ourselves back in the slums, in the compound of the Gathering as a party is pumping. The music cuts abruptly as a figure enters.
MATT RUBY: Desctruco Boy is just as stupid as I thought he would be.
“Hatchet!” Destructo Boy’s voice calls out. “Stop hiding behind your little friends and fight me like a man. You owe me some damned answers.”
The Gathering laugh at the Kid, turning to circle around him. Hatchet steps forward.
“I knew you’d be back.” He laughs menacingly. “Wannabe heroes always come back.”
He steps right up to Destructo Boy, tipping his drink onto the ground at the Kid’s feet.
“You got to me. Now what?”
Destructo Boy isn’t deterred by the Gathering closing in on him.
“I just told you, or perhaps I need to speak slower. I… Want… Answers.”
MATT RUBY: Well, sure… Insult him to his face. That will stop him from killing you where you stand.
Hatchet slaps Destructo Boy across the cheek with a swift swipe of the back of his hand.
“You earn them. My way.”
The smile on the Juggalo’s face is unmistakingly sinister.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What exactly does Hatchet mean by “my way”?
MATT RUBY: Anything he damned well wants. He holds Destructo Boy by the balls right now. Hatchet calls all of the shots here.
“You have balls, you’ve shown that much. I’ll give you some answers… if you manage to find a way to beat me. In a fight of my own rules.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's Hatchet’s rules, and if he wants to down the clown, he had better be prepared for a fight.
Destructo Boy stares down Hatchet before nodding his head.
“Name the time and place.”
Destructo Boy is bottled suddenly across the back of the head, knocked to the ground and the Gathering lay into him, kicking the living shit out of him relentlessly.
By the time Hatchet calls his dogs off the Kid, he’s bloodied and barely conscious. He spray paints two words across the Kid’s chest.
‘Bad Blood.’
But as the Gathering throw Destructo Boy to the curb outside their compound, the Kid is smiling.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t help but feel that somehow, this is exactly what Destructo Boy wanted all along. The opportunity to get some real answers.
MATT RUBY: The only way to get them is to win an unwinnable fight.
Cut.
MATT RUBY: We’re prepared for some puppet on Muppet violence up next. As the ring is going to be surrounded by puppets wielding weapons while the two biggest Muppets in OSW Mr. Sunshine and Felix Foley face each other tonight!
Referee Cole Holt calls for the bell and Mr. Sunshine launches himself at Foley!
CATCH ME – NO!
Foley dodges the Fly Cross Body of Positivity Personified sending the Positive One skittering to the outside the ring...
*BAP-BAP-BAP!*
Repeated Kendo Stick shots to the Back of the Head of Sunshine from a Frog Puppet as he crawls to feet and rolls back into the ring. Where he’s met by an amused Felix Foley who’s pointing and laughing at the scene before helping Sunshine to his feet and into a Fallaway Slam!
SUNSHINE IS THE FALL GUY... NO!
Mr. Sunshine manages to land on his feet! Wrapping his arms around the waist of Foley driving him toward the ropes, The Puppeteer ducks under the top rope...
*FSSSHHT!*
A puppet wearing a gasmask mists Cheery Charlie in the face with a blue mist causing him to release Felix, staggering back as Foley snatches the dazed Sunshine and driving him down with a Double-Arm DDT!
FELIX FOLEY JUST CUT THE STRINGS OF MR. SUNSHINE!
Foley rolls Sunshine over and into the cover as Cole Holt slides into the count.
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Was that Puppet a plant by Nox?!
MATT RUBY: I don’t care that garrulously grinning goon got what he deserved there!
Mum's The Word II
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: After the riveting words of Felix Foley earlier, we’re going to hear from Tombstone now.
MATT RUBY: Do we even need to? Foley’s got nothing for him.
Tombstone is sat in front of the black curtain.
Then he laughs. A sinister laugh that’d make a man’s spine rattle.
“Felix Foley wants to fight me again. Hasn’t he had enough? I have told him again and again that I will be coming for him when the time is right,” he pauses, turning deadly serious. “It seems like Felix, his dear mother, and all the rest of Arcadia doesn’t seem to understand my words.”
“Felix will die.”
Beat.
“Felix will die, by my hand. Don’t mistake my amusement for weakness. Fernicus Lamplight, Foley, whatever you want to call him, took my humanity away from me. As my memories floated back into sight, I had to come to terms with that. I have embraced what I am. And I have thrived.”
Tombstone’s expression turns to a snarl.
“But my amusement is this: I will not rest until every one of Fernicus’s spawn are dead. Albert,” he pauses to enjoy the moment, “he was nothing more than a diversion. Because Felix…”
“Felix is special. I read that ratty old diary. I saw the truth contained therein, and it’s that truth that…”
CRACK!
TOMBSTONE HAS BEEN NAILED IN THE HEAD WITH A STEEL CHAIR!
CRACK!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s Foley!
MATT RUBY: Somebody get that idiot out of here!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We’ve never seen him like this, Ruby.
Felix looks like a man possessed as he hoists up the steel chair.
CRACK!
TOMBSTONE IS RISING!
CRACK!
STILL RISING!
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
After all those shots, Tombstone finally elects to stay down. Felix stares down at him with uncharacteristic fury in his eyes as the lights go haywire around them.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’ve heard about these red lights.
“Do you want to know what word Momma whispered to me?” Foley practically growls. “Do you want to know what she used all of her strength to say? I even verified it in the diary. The last entry.”
Tombstone tries to rise up.
CRACK!
“Terminal.” Felix spits. “She said you were the Terminal Man.”
Foley throws the chair down.
“I’ll see you in hell.”
As Felix Foley leaves the room, Tombstone rises up finally, imprints on his face where Felix took his shot, but looking no worse for wear.
With the red lights flickering in the room, Tombstone is PISSED.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Thank Zeus these two are going to be in a Cell, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: For once, BB, I’ll agree with you. I don’t want Tombstone’s fury unleashed on the rest of us.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We’ve got a hell of a six man tag here. Captain Arcadia has had a lot of trouble with the Unnaturals lately.
MATT RUBY: More like he’s stuck his nose in their business! Now he’s got the degenerate father and son here to make it worse.
Klaus Way and Captain Arcadia start off for their respective teams. They approach each other in the center of the ring. Arcadia talks some trash while Way offers a handshake.
POKE TO THE EYE!
Way laughs, and darts back to the corner, tagging in Damien Solus. Solus nods to Ajax as he gets up on the middle rope as Arcadia is ready to get back into it.
The Adonis picks up Solus
HUMAN MISSILE! LAWN DART TO CAPTAIN ARCADIA!
Solus keeps momentum, and whips Arcadia to the ropes. Blind tag by Destructo Boy. Solus tags in Ajax.
Destructo Boy is a house of fire on Ajax the Adonis, giving him a flurry of brutal strikes to the midsection.
But Ajax laughs!
The Adonis grabs the Kid by the neck and lifts him up into a Gorilla Press. He holds him there, talking shit to The Burned Man as he presses him up and down.
Like a sack of shit, he drops DB to the ground, but the kid scrambles quickly for the corner, bringing in a pissed Burned Man.
MATT RUBY: Father or son, they’re going to get a beating!
TBM collides with Ajax with force, not even staggering him. Ajax grabs him up.
ARCADIA’S STRONGEST THROW! ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE RING!
Klaus Way tags in as Ajax comes back to the corner where Max is laying.
The Ringmaster taunts DB, who comes in like the firebrand he is. The ring fills up while Way measures up a rising Burned Man.
BIZARRO HITS FLUSH!
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Klaus Way outsmarted his opponents here, taking into account the impulsiveness of Destructo Boy.
MATT RUBY: Stupidity is more like it.
Once A Pool Boy
The match finishes and the Circus are quick to make an exit. The familiar sound of buzzing fills the air, and a horde of Doom’s drones descend upon Olympus.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh, this cannot be good.
MATT RUBY: The Burned Man isn’t going to be able to chicken out and run away this time.
But the drones don’t go for TBM, they target Captain Arcadia and Destructo Boy, firing at will until both DB and Cap lie in crumpled heaps. The drones then hover in the air above the ring, waiting.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom’s drones have taken out Captain Arcadia and Destructo Boy. They’re blocking The Burned Man from exiting the ring.
MATT RUBY: And here comes Doom!
Doom descends upon the ring, stepping inside to find TBM primed and ready for a fight.
“Call them off.” The Burned Man demands. “Surely we can work this…”
But Doom isn’t interested in hearing any excuses. He presses a button on his gauntlet, and a wave of energy hits TBM in the chest, stopping him abruptly.
He cannot move.
He is frozen in place.
“The time for talk is finished.” Doom states, matter of factly. “A little electro-magnetic energy, and you will be forced to listen.”
TBM’s eyes dart to the crumpled heaps of his son and Captain Arcadia. Doom chuckles.
“Do not worry about them. The drones were set to stun.”
TBM is visibly struggling against the energy used to hold him in place, but he cannot break free. Doom shakes his head.
“You think that just because you have grown as a person, that your past transgressions need not be paid for?” A wave of the hand, and a shape begins forming, drawn by Doom’s energy. “Your folly must be paid in full.”
Doom brings his hands together, and the energy he had created forms some type of cell system, a prison encapsulating TBM and trapping him in place.
“You are going back to the Odyssey Pool. ” Doom laughs. “If you think because you’re a new man that you should escape punishment, then I will turn you back into the man responsible for his crimes.”
TBM protests, but the drones swoop down. They carry the cell into the air, carrying TBM away, up into the air and out of Olympus.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Doom is taking The Burned Man back to the Observatory by force.
MATT RUBY: It looks like we’re going swimming at Bad Blood, bring your trunks BB.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a very interesting main event folks as teacher fights mentor here. But the question is why is this match happening, especially one week before Gravedigger has to bury the Cade brothers alive to become world champion.
MATT RUBY: Could be punishment for last week BB or hell, could be a test. Make the kid prove he's got what it takes to be world champ.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You could be right there Ruby, if Gravedigger can survive or even beat Tombstone, he may well be ready to become World Champion.
The bell rings as Tombstone paces the ring. Gravedigger standing back looking very apprehensive as Tombstone scowls, urging him forward but the Shovel just shakes his head. An act that Tombstone takes offense to.
AS HE CHARGES FORWARD, DELIVERING A BRUTAL LARIAT THAT TURNS GRAVEDIGGER INSIDE OUT!
Gravedigger staggers up to his feet into a flurry of lefts and rights, a brutal uppercut that sends him staggering into the ropes but Tombstone doesn't follow up, he merely stands back.
And motions for Gravedigger to hit him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Ferryman wants the very best from his pupil here tonight but Gravedigger still looks hesitant to hurt the man who basically raised him here.
Gravedigger stumbles forward, swinging wildly as he delivers a right to the jaw that barely makes Tombstone flinch. The Ferryman shakes his head.
"Harder"
Gravedigger swings back harder, connecting with a shot at sends Tombstone staggering back a few paces. He chuckles for a moment before scowling again as he swings back around, getting right into Gravediggers face spewing venom.
"I SAID HIT ME HARDER BOY"
Tombstone pushes Gravedigger back into the ropes, the Shovel turning back around as he leans into the ropes before suddenly sprinting forward
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DROP DEAD JAWBREAKER! You ask, you shall receive Tombstone with that wicked leaping knee to the jaw.
The Ferryman staggers back into the ropes as Gravedigger pounces on him with heavy lefts and rights before whipping him across the ring. Tombstone bounces off with a Lariat that Gravedigger ducks under, bouncing off the ropes from another leaping knee to the jaw before he quickly grabs him in a front facelock.
NEVERMORE! Gravedigger drops Tombstone to the mat with a wicked fast Evenflow DDT, the Shovel already on his feet as he quickly springs up to the top rope. He sizes up The Ferryman for a moment but he suddenly stops, hesitating to leap off.
MATT RUBY: This is a mistake here by Gravedigger, you give Tombstone a single moment and you're done for.
Gravedigger breaths in deep, leaping off
TOMBSTONE SITS UP AS THE ELBOW DROP HITS CANVAS
Gravedigger staggers up to his feet,
RIGHT INTO THE SOUL TAKER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HEART PUNCH! Gravedigger may well be dead from that disgusting roundhouse hook to the chest but Tombstone doesn't have that usual look of rage in his eyes.
MATT RUBY: He's not mad BB, he's just disappointed.
Tombstone lifts the struggling to breath Gravedigger off his knees with a mammoth hand to the throat, hoisting him upwards with little effort
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! MAMMOTH CHOKESLAM NEARLY THROUGH THE RING!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That has to be it there Ruby but Tombstone isn't covering
MATT RUBY: Gotta teach his kid a lesson here BB, you don't listen to the Ferryman, he's going to bury you.
Tombstone drags Gravedigger by the scruff of the neck towards the corner, lifting him up as Gravedigger swings weakly. Tombstone easily swats it away, delivering a skull rattling headbutt before lifting Gravedigger up. He places his legs on the top rope, dangling him forwards before shaking his head.
"Disappointing"
CASUALTY OF W....NO!
GRAVEDIGGER CATCHES THE KNEE!
The Shovel swings it away, swinging wild
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SHOVEL READY! THERE'S LIFE IN GRAVEDIGGER YET!
Tombstone staggers back as Gravedigger leaps forward, tackling him to the ground before beginning to pound down on him with heavy lefts and rights, Gravel Pounding him with stiff forearms before Tombstone manages to push him off.
Gravedigger rolls to his feet, rushing forward as Tombstone lifts his foot up, looking for a Big Boot but Gravedigger ducks underneath
SPINNING HEEL KICK! Gravedigger trying to use his superior speed to take it to the Ferryman, who doesn't get knocked down but staggers back into the ropes
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gravedigger clotheslines Tombstone over the ropes to the floor below. The Shovel unleashing everything he has onto his mentor here.
MATT RUBY: The kid's gotta fight like his life depends on it, cause knowing Tombstone it may well.
The Ferryman lands on his feet, stumbling a little before turning to the ring
AS GRAVEDIGGER DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES, SPIKING TOMBSTONE INTO THE CONCRETE WITH A TORNADO DDT SUICIDE STYLE!
The crowd begins to roar as Gravedigger rolls to his feet, adrenaline flowing through him while he goes to pull Tombstone up to his feet.
GOOZLE! The Ferryman has that calloused hand wrapped around his throat, Gravedigger fighting out as he manages to bell clap Tombstone around the ears, stunning him for a moment. Gravedigger slips out of the grip, sweeping low
DROP TOE HOLD ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!
MATT RUBY: We haven't seen Tombstone get taken too like this for a long time, no wonder he took Gravedigger under his wing.
Gravedigger quickly rolls back into the ring, waiting for the Ferryman to stagger to his feet and come back through the ropes. Gravedigger rushing forward
BUT YOU CAN"T RUN AT THE FERRYMAN! BOSSMAN MOTHER FUCKING SLAM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He might have gotten some good hits in Ruby but that may well be it there as Tombstone nearly drives Gravedigger through the canvas.
Tombstone peels Gravedigger off the canvas, looking for that Goozle once more but The Shovel suddenly slaps it away, kicking him square in the face with a hard roundhouse before lifting him up onto his shoulders.
CRADLE TO THE GRAVE! GTS!
MATT RUBY: HE HIT IT! Oh my god, Gravedigger may well be the first person to pin Tombstone since Pandemonium here.
Gravedigger collapses onto Tombstone, Demi Sky sliding in to count the fall.
ONE
..................
.......................
TWO
............................
...........................
.............................
...............................
THR.....
..........................
TOMBSTONE JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: At the very last second Tombstone got the shoulder up but that was the closest he's been to defeat against a single opponent since he lost the world title.
Gravedigger looks frustrated but nods as he waits for The Ferryman to get up to his feet. Tombstone quickly sits up before nodding at Gravedigger as both men rush forward
BIG BOOT FROM TOMBSTONE....NO!
Gravedigger slides underneath, SHOVEL READY! Brutal Bullhammer elbow catches Tombstone in the side of the head. The Ferryman is dazed as Gravedigger grabs him from behind by the arm, spinning him around
ASHES TO ASHES! RIPCORD BICYCLE KICK! Tombstone is out on his feet as Gravedigger lifts him up into the air
DUST TO...GOOZLE! Tombstone slips out of Gravedigger's grip, spinning him around before lifting him up high
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! MAMMOTH CHOKESLAM SHAKES THE RING!
MATT RUBY: That has to be it BB. The kid fought well but you ain't getting up from another Tombstone Chokeslam.
Tombstone covers Gravedigger as Demi Sky slides in to count the fall.
ONE
...............
...................
TWO
....................
....................
..................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There we have it. Gravedigger tried his absolute best but like everyone else who dared fight the Ferryman, he has been sent on his way.
Tombstone sits up, rising to his feet as he stares daggers down at the fallen Gravedigger. He pulls the Shovel up to his feet, dragging him in close with fury in his eyes. Tension is in the air for a moment before Tombstone nods, speaking with a very unusual smile upon his face.
"Now you're ready"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Damn straight he's ready, any man who can nearly beat Tombstone is a force to be reckoned with.
MATT RUBY: The Cade brothers better watch out, I'll bet anything BB that man's your next OSW World Champion.
Bad Blood III
With a Tombstone having departed, Malakai Midnight makes his way down to the ring to a chorus of boos from the crowd.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This won’t be good. Gravedigger has a microphone, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Let’s not judge them too harshly before they’ve even spoken a word, Bronco.
“I’ve heard that mommy Cade might be a fucking vegetable,” Gravedigger says with a sinister smirk. The crowd go ballistic with boos.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You were saying?
MATT RUBY: [Laughing] At least George can get one of his five a day.
Before he can say another word, officers of the Arcadian Police Department storm the stage. There’s at least thirty of them, guns drawn, marching to the ring.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh my God…
MATT RUBY: This isn’t fair! What the hell is this fiasco?
The officers enter the ring, surrounding Midnight and Gravedigger, who look at one another in confusion. They didn’t expect this.
“Arresting us?” Gravedigger says into the microphone. “Is that your grand plan, you fucking cowards?” He yells towards Thorpe and Cade who now appear the entrance ramp with crowbars.
The officers immediately strike, attacking both Gravedigger and Malakai Midnight violently. They beat them to the canvas with nightsticks, full on assaulting them. As the police brutality begins, the Sheriff of Arcadia storms to the ring with his brother, the OSW World Heavyweight Champion, in tow.
They slide into the ring, Cade retrieving the microphone as the officers handcuff Malakai and Gravedigger to ropes across from one another and back away.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hang on a minute. After what they did, I hate to say this, but I get the feeling that this may be wrong..
MATT RUBY: MAY.. BE? The police have just brutalized two men and handcuffed them in the middle of the ring, BB. How is this lawful?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t think it is, kid. But you can’t say they don’t deserve it!
“We’re not arresting you,” Jackson says, his voice stern and low. “We’ve two graves with your fuckin’ names on them.”
Gravedigger chuckles. Midnight, however, looks a little less confident as Jackson approaches.
“And tonight, we’re gonna get you ready to take your rightful places inside of them,” he continues.
Cade and Thorpe nod at one another.
WHAM!
CROWBAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
WHAM!
CROWBAR TO THE BACK!
WHAM!
CROWBARS TO THE LEGS!
WHAM!
THEY’RE BEATING THE HOLY FUCKING HELL OUT OF GRAVEDIGGER AND MIDNIGHT WITH CROWBARS!
WHACK!
WHACK!
WHACK!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Someone needs to stop this! They’ve beaten the holy hell outta both defenceless men. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but this isn’t right. There’s blood everywhere!
With blood strewn across the ring from the strikes, both Gravedigger and Malakai lay slumped against the ropes, busted wide open.
Cade and Thorpe back away, blood spatter covering their chest. They’ve damn near murdered these two men. They’re both unconscious.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Bad Blood is going to be vicious, folks. If Gravedigger and Malakai Midnight make it…
STATIC
PITCH BLACK
FLUTTER
MATT RUBY: Wait a minute! That must be Tombstone!
When the lights come back on, Gravedigger and Midnight are gone.
MATT RUBY: Oh they’ll make it to Bad Blood, Bronco! They’ll make it just fine! The Cade Brothers have no idea what awaits them at the Mortuary!
Static.
Cut.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as a logo flashes up amongst static.