Visiting Hours I
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Harold Attano stands between two large metal bars, holding on for dear life. His face is a beetroot red, his expression pained. He’s giving it everything he’s got but collapses back onto his chair in a huff.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe this man has enough fight to come back from the brink of being paralysed.
MATT RUBY: Regrettably. He’s like that old mutt you should just put down.
“You’re doing great, Mr. Attano,” the physio says earnestly, patting him on the shoulder. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, okay? You’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
Harold aggressively reaches out, grabbing the two bars and yanking himself powerfully back to his feet. She tries to step in, but he shoots her a glare before making a step attempt.
He manages it, applause filling the room as he collapses backwards once more. That applause isn’t coming from his therapist, but from Zeus – who now stands alongside his wife Narcissa, watching from the doorway.
“I knew you’d get back on your feet, old friend. A motivated Harold Attano is always a dangerous one, is it not?” The Baron asks, entering the room.
“Did you hear about Mary Cade?” Attano demands to know, ignoring his praise. Zeus nods callously, not a care in the world about it. “That woman didn’t deserve that.”
Zeus shrugs his shoulders. “And you didn’t deserve what happened to you, but here we are. She’s recovering in the intensive care unit and I’m paying for your recovery. Things tend to have a way of working themselves out.”
Attano scoffs, less than amused. He knows that Zeus is using him. He knows that despite what Tombstone did to him, Zeus paired with him and created the House of Judgement. At the same time, he needs his credits, or he’ll never get back on his feet.
“Listen, I come with gifts,” The Baron says with a devilish grin. “The first is a match with George Cade at Ring King…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s… that’s not right. Attano can barely stand, let alone fight.
MATT RUBY: Maybe he heard me and has decided to put the old dog down sooner rather than later. Those medical bills must be expensive.
The physiotherapist, who’s been intentionally silent, immediately pipes up. “That’s just not possible. Mr. Attano would risk all the progress he’s made if he steps back into the ring at all, let alone inside the month.”
Zeus shoots her a look that silences her. Narcissa walks over and nods in her direction, escorting her to the door.
“I’ve sent a messenger to let him know and I’m confident that’ll bring him here to finish the job,” he says with a shrug as Narcissa walks back. “Which leads me to my second gift. Narcissa is going to stay and keep you company, old friend. That way, when CJ Thorpe and George Cade show up, you’ll not be alone.”
Narcissa and Harold look at one another. Zeus meanwhile chuckles softly and heads towards the door, leaving them both behind. He turns the handle and stops for a moment, looking back with a grimace.
“There’s always a catch with you, isn’t there Zeus?” Harold asks after him.
Zeus doesn’t say a word, exiting the room.
To Be Continued.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Big opener coming up, as we are going to see Mighty Mighty take on Calypso in a first round Ring King matchup.
The bell rings as Mighty Mighty charges in with a thunderous shoulder block, sending Calypso flying into the corner. He grins as the crowd starts to get behind him.
He follows up with a running splash, but Calypso escapes, darting behind Mighty and hitting him with a quick kick to the back of the knee. She leaps up top, launching off with a flying crossbody, but Mighty catches her in mid-air!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He is mighty, alright!
He powers her up for a big suplex attempt.
BUT CALYPSO SLIPS OUT!
She quickly delivers a double-handed cross chop to Mighty’s throat.
MATT RUBY: THE OFFERING!
Stunned, Mighty stumbles back as Calypso rushes in, hitting a perfectly timed diving backstabber.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Grave Misfortune! She's giving it all she's got to bring down the big man!
Mighty writhes in pain while Calypso slips in for the Muta Lock.
THE PACT IS LOCKED IN... NO! MIGHTY POWERS OUT!
Both back up to their feet, they collide in the center of the ring, with Calypso flying back into the corner. Mighty Mighty signaling for the Mighty Carousel.
SWINGING ROCK BOTTOM!
NO! CALYSPO COUNTERS WITH A FLURRY OF ELBOWS!
SHE GETS FREE AND BLOWS MIST INTO HIS EYES!
THE BLOOD RITUAL!
Blinded, Mighty stumbles as Calypso grins and THROWS A FIREBALL AT THE BIG MAN!
He goes down and she slides into the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
THREEE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't know how she did it, but she used everything she had at her disposal to overcome the big man. And she's going on to the next round!
MATT RUBY: She's creepy, but I'd let her cover my face in her red mist any day.
Red Eye
The desks in the APD Headquarters are empty, but only because every officer is assembled before a makeshift podium where the Sheriff is ready to hold court.
MATT RUBY: Are we ready for another abuse of power from our ‘wonderful’ Sheriff.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: His methods have changed in recent times, but can you blame him?
MATT RUBY: ACAB, Bronc’. ACAB.
Jackson Cade stands, eyes steel, his presence commanding every officer’s attention.
“Tombstone thinks he can keep raising the stakes,” Cade growls, his voice reverberating from the speakers, slow and steady. “But I’m not about to sit on the red eye of his stove until I cook. No more waiting. No more playing defense.”
MATT RUBY: I told you, BB. This asshole is going to use our hard earned tax dollars on this witch hunt of someone who can’t even be killed.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone’s wounded the Cade family. Jackson has to do something!
His fist clenches, knuckles whitening as he stares down his men, his words crackling with intensity. “Keep your pistols loaded, boys, because it’s on sight with Tombstone from now on. No hesitation. No second chances. We’re at war.”
The officers exchange uneasy glances.
“I’ll rip Arcadia down to its bones if I have to,” he promises, his voice growing darker. “Tombstone thinks death is his domain, but I’m going to show him something far worse than that.”
Cade’s eyes flick to the back of the room. Two officers are sliding out the back door, hoping not to be noticed.
MATT RUBY: Those are the only smart men in the room.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Cowards, more like.
A slow grin spreads across Cade’s face.
Cut.
Scream
We find ourselves in a recognizable place, one previously only seen through the lens of a camera.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Are we... in Aurora's home?
MATT RUBY: I'd rather be inside Aurora, but this is a good start.
The Thrillseeker looks as though she's trying to relax on her couch after last month's ordeal only for the sound of an ominous crackling gets her attention. Her ears perk up as she looks for the source.
"Over here."
A voice rings out causing Aurora to jump. She reaches beneath her coffee table, ripping the source of the voice free. A single Walkie-Talkie.
"What the fuck kind of joke is this?" She all but yells into the radio.
"Joke? No, this is... An interview. Do you like art, Aurora?"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is that Jasper Redgrave's voice?
MATT RUBY: No, it's another murderer, Bronco.
"Where the fuck are you, Jasper?" She looks around, checking her curtains, paranoia clear on her face.
"No, I'm the one asking questions here. Play the game, Aurora."
"Fuck you!"
"Listen here you bitch, either play your role or I'll gut you like a fish!" Redgrave's voice fills with malice as he speaks. Aurora bites her lip, face red with anger.
"What role?" She says reluctantly.
"The role of my muse. Of my Little Star. Someone who's screams will be the centerpiece of my latest creation."
There's a pause, a moment of silence from Aurora who searches frantically through her home for Redgrave, all but tearing it apart to no avail. Finally, she relents, speaking once more. "What do you want from me?"
"Simple," says Redgrave. "I want you to be a good Star and get ready for your next scene."
We don't hear what Redgrave says next, we simply see Aurora's face contort in anger as the scene zooms out.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a round of 16 Ring King match here as Captain Arcadia takes on Old Nick Morningstar.
MATT RUBY: I can’t wait to see a so-called Arcadian Hero get his teeth kicked in.
The match begins with both sizing each other up, before locking horns. Cap goes for a gentlemanly test of strength, only to be kicked in the guts by Old Nick.
SNAP SUPLEX TAKES DOWN CAPTAIN ARCADIA!
HE FOLLOWS UP WITH AN ELBOW DROP TO THE STERNUM!
Old Nick pulls Cap to his feet whipping him into the ropes.
FALLAWAY SLAM! NO!
CAP GRABS THE WRIST!
RIPCORD LARIAT! THE LAST LINE!
CAPTAIN ARCADIA HIT IT OUT OF NOWHERE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Captain Arcadia does what is needed to get himself back into this one.
MATT RUBY: He’s too trusting and it’s going to cost him.
Captain Arcadia pulls Nick to his feet and the pair trade blows, the Hero of the People getting the upper hand and forcing his foe into the corner.
PUNCH OF THE BRO- NO!
OLD NICK ESCAPES AND THE SUPERMAN PUNCH HITS NOTHING BUT STEEL!
MARK OF THE BEAST!
THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER NAILS CAP INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE!
Captain Arcadia falls seated precariously against the bottom turnbuckle. Old Nick backs up for a moment, before running in again.
BOOM!
KICK RIGHT TO THE FACE OF CAPTAIN ARCADIA!
MATT RUBY: There you go. Right in the bloody kisser!
Cap is in a bad way. Old Nick pulls him free of the turnbuckle and groggily to his feet.
BUT CAP HITS BACK! A DESPERATE SHOT TO THE FACE!
OLD NICK ISN’T HAVING IT!
CAST FROM PARADISE! THE STEINER SCREWDRIVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Old Nick Morningstar is advancing to the second round of Ring King!
Visiting Hours II
Continued.
With Zeus having left, Narcissa takes a seat next to Harold Attano and relaxes. He looks her up and down, shaking his head.
“Things haven’t quite turned out the way you’ve planned, did they?” He says with disgust. She frowns at him, not quite understanding his point. “You were the leader of the Uprising, and you gave it all up for what?”
Narcissa rolls her eyes. “I don’t expect you to understand the intricacies of my situation, Harold. You’re a weapon, not a man of great acumen.”
There’s a momentary silence.
“Like, have you considered why I’m really here?” She continues. “Because that is the real question, isn’t it? I’m not here to keep you company, old timer.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There’s always an ulterior motive with these people.
MATT RUBY: She could keep me company any time.
“You’re not even grateful, are you?” He asks with further disgust – after all, he saved her from being married to Tombstone.
She shrugs. “I was, but gratitude only gets you so far. Are you grateful? If it wasn’t for my husband, you’d know nothing about your precious daughter.”
Harold shakes his head. He knows there’s more to this than meets the eye. He might not have the acumen of someone like Balenciaga, but he’s far from stupid.
“You really do think I’m stupid, don’t you? Why would I be grateful for anything your husband has supposedly given me? Whatever George did to my daughter was obviously on the orders of Zeus, which is why he knew about it,” Harold says, watching as Narcissa smiles. Her face lets him know that he’s not wrong.
The Fashionista nods with respect. “I guess there’s more to you than meets the eye after all.”
To Be Continued.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Graves looks to continue his streak of dominance against Klaus Way here tonight! Way has his freaks at ringside, but Ajax, his muscle, strangely seems to be missing.
The bell rings and Graves tries to force Klaus into a lock up! The Ringmaster slips out of his grip and rolls across the ring before spring boarding back with a moonsault!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: RIGHT INTO A NASTY BIG BOOT! KLAUS COLLAPSES!
MATT RUBY: Purified the ugly off of him!
Klaus is left weary and Graves heaves him up before lawn darting him right into the turnbuckle! Ezekiel powers him back up for the powerbomb!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: PURGATORY PLUUUUUNGE- NO! KLAUS HITS A HURRICANRANA!
MATT RUBY: Graves landed neck first across the middle rope!
The Warden of Weird leaps over with a nasty guillotine leg drop! Graves is left sputtering as Way leaps over the ropes with a front flip senton to the Reverend! Way rolls through, hitting the ropes-
AND GETTING HIT WITH HOLY WRATH!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: LOOK AT THOSE STRIKES! PALMS, ELBOWS, KNEES!
MATT RUBY: And a massive lariat to bring that freak down!
Graves stops Klaus' momentum dead in its tracks, begging him to get back to his feet as he rears back that massive hand of his!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GOOZLE! FINAL JUDGEMENT! MASSIVE CHOKESLAM PLANTS KLAUS!
MATT RUBY: The Reverend with the cover!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Klaus was innovative as ever, but Ezekiel Graves once again proves himself by putting down Arcadia's own freak of nature!
Gentle Hand
Backstage, Malakai Midnight stands with his back against the wall. In front of him, Ajax the Adonis towers like a mountain of muscle, arms crossed, a stern look on his chiseled face.
“Join us,” Malakai’s voice is barely a whisper. “The House of Judgement is rising. Your strength could be—”
“No,” Ajax cuts him off, his deep voice reverberating in the narrow space. “I’m loyal to Klaus, and that’s final.”
MATT RUBY: How can you turn down an offer like this!?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe because he has some kind of moral code?
Malakai’s jaw tightens. “Your loyalty to Klaus Way is admirable, but misplaced. He holds you back. You could be so much more. To be an Owl is to be–”
Ajax steps forward, looming over Malakai. “I said no.”
Before Malakai can respond, a shadow emerges.
Gravedigger. He drives a heavy forearm into Ajax’s ribs. Ajax grunts but barely stumbles, his granite form resisting the blow.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Somebody stop this! Gravedigger is unhinged!
Gravedigger doesn’t care. He presses forward, launching into a vicious assault. Punches rain down, his knuckles cracking against Ajax’s jaw, a cold, calculated brutality in every strike. Ajax stumbles back, the pain finally overwhelming him, and he crashes to the floor.
“Enough!” Malakai’s voice is sharp, his hand shooting out to stop Gravedigger mid-swing. He glares at him, frustration flickering beneath the surface. “Sometimes… a gentler hand is needed.”
Gravedigger snarls, wiping the blood from his knuckles. “Gentle hands don’t get results.”
Malakai’s eyes narrow, a shadow crossing his face. “No, but they win wars.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What war is Malakai Midnight talking about? With the Circus?
MATT RUBY: I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of a war from Gravedigger, that’s for sure.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ring King round one rolls on with another epic encounter.
MATT RUBY: Any encounter with Aurora is epic.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: As you may have guessed, Aurora is in action, taking on former World Champion DOOM!
The bell rings, and Aurora wastes no time, charging toward DOOM. She leaps into the air with a flying forearm, but DOOM sidesteps her effortlessly, bringing her to a knee. The Scientist follows up with a BRUTAL RUNNING KNEE!
THE SCRAMBLER!
MATT RUBY: Let me fix it, baby! Come get a kiss from the Red Ruby!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ...
Stunned, Aurora clutches her head as DOOM grabs her by the throat with both hands, lifting her up into a choke.
THE HANDS OF DOOM!
She is gasping for air, kicking her legs futiley.
UNTIL SHE REACHES OUT TO POKE INTO HIS MASK'S EYES!
He drops her, and she ducks into him.
NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!
DOOM rises slowly, but Aurora is already climbing the turnbuckle, signaling for the Twisted Bliss.
NORTHERN LIGHTS OU...
NO! DOOM ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AS AURORA CRASHES AND BURNS!
DOOM capitalizes, lifting her into a fireman's carry.
IMPENDING DOOM! THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER HITS FLUSH!
BUT DOOM DOESN'T COVER!
He backs up into the corner instead.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Uh oh!
DOOM grins maniacally, as he backs up and charges for the running punt kick...
BREAKING THE JAR!!
HE GOT ALL OF IT, TAKING HER HEAD OFF!
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!!
MATT RUBY: Oh gods, what I wouldn't do to lay on top of her for three seconds.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That all you got in you, Ruby?
MATT RUBY: That's all I need if I'm in her, BB.
Path to Knowledge
Destructo Boy and The Burned Man sit together backstage. Both look weary, both have been through enough. But there is a fire and a determination burning in the eyes of both father and son.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hatchet took a war single-handedly to Hatchet and paid the price. The Burned Man managed only through his own negotiation to narrowly avoid being thrown in the Odyssey Pool. Both seek the same answers.
MATT RUBY: At some stage, both of these morons have to let sleeping dogs lie and move on. At this rate, there will be nothing left to save.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The answers are out there. You know they’re both going to stop at nothing to uncover them.
“Dad.” Destructo Boy speaks. “What happened to you at the Observatory? You walked away clean.”
The Burned Man draws a deep breath.
“The voice of reason prevailed. I wouldn’t say Doom is on our birthday card list, but I’m still me.”
Destructo Boy thinks for a while, before shaking his head.
“No.” He starts, surprising his father. “We cannot walk away. You may be free from Doom coming after you, but we need to go after him.”
MATT RUBY: Well, that seems daft. Run right back into the lion’s den?
The Burned Man seems hesitant.
“Why? That would just make tense things a whole lot worse.”
Destructo Boy stands.
“I have a suspicion that Doom knows more than he has revealed. At worst, he will have a way to acquire the answers we need.” He looks his father right in the eyes. “We need to get to him.”
The Burned Man looks hesitant, unsure, but he slowly nods his head.
“What do you have in mind?”
Cut.
The Road To Hell I
A beggar is panhandling for credits in the Slums. Their stomach growls loudly as they reach out for passersby, hoping for enough to make it through the day.
MATT RUBY: What kind of moron begs for credits in the Slums? Don't they know that it's every man for themselves down there?
Powerful footsteps are heard coming close to the bum, who looks up at the source with awe. It's Old Nick Morningstar, who holds a sack of credits in his left hand.
"You poor soul," Nick tuts. "You must've been starving your entire life, yet you receive nothing but scorn when you ask for some change."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't like how Morningstar is acting. His attitude is giving me the creeps.
"Luckily for you, I can give you everything you want and more." The beggar reaches towards the bag, but Nick pulls it away before they could grab it. "All you have to do is pay a small price and it will all be yours."
"Do not be deceived by his false promises!" A voice yells out from afar. Both men turn to the shouter to see Reverend Graves, sounding rather angry about what's transpired. "The only one who has the power to provide you with what you want is the Almighty. Not some powerless peon with a silver tongue!"
"I'm more than what you claim I am." The Day Star replies, tossing the credits to the beggar. They run off with the money as the two Titans get face to face. "Why, just a mere fraction of what I'm capable of would have the whole Slums reduced to smoldering ash. What can your God do to stop me? Nothing, like he didn't stop the trade between me and that bum."
Ezekiel balls his fists, but doesn't strike, opting to instead follow the destitute instead. We focus on a smiling Nick as we fade to ringside.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Another Round of 16 match here tonight as Destructo Boy takes on Gravedigger.
MATT RUBY: We know the Kid won’t back down, but perhaps a couple of swings of the Shovel may convince him otherwise.
Destructo Boy comes out of the gates fast, lining Gravedigger up for a SHINING WIZARD!
SEE NO EVIL! NO!
GRAVEDIGGER PUSHES HIM AWAY!
The Kid lands on his feet and springs right back at Gravedigger.
SHOVEL READY!
THE BULLHAMMER CLOBBERED DESTRUCTO BOY, KNOCKING HIM RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR!
MATT RUBY: Gravedigger just knocked the Kid back into puberty.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That had to loosen a couple teeth!
Gravedigger isn’t done with the Kid yet. He picks him up and pushes him into the turnbuckle. He lays into DB with a barrage of punches that rock the Kid’s body. He moves back a few steps before charging back at Destructo Boy.
BIG BOOT CONNECTS!
THE KICK KNOCKS DESTRUCTO BOY RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE, DOWN TO THE RINGSIDE FLOOR!
Gravedigger follows Destructo Boy to the outside, hurling him to his feet. He whips him into the side of the ring, slamming him head first into the ring apron.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destructo Boy is taking a hammering from Gravedigger.
MATT RUBY: Gravedigger is taking every frustration from Bad Blood out on the poor Kid.. and I love it!
Destructo Boy is rolled back into the ring. But when Gravedigger goes to pull him to his feet again, he kicks out, catching Gravedigger in the guts.
HE’S ON HIS FEET IN A FLASH!
ENLIGHTENED SOUL! URANAGE!
Both competitors pull themselves to their feet slowly, rising as one.
CRADLE TO THE GRAVE!
GRAVEDIGGER NAILS IT!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gravedigger will be advancing onto the next round!
Cold Case
The Agora, though alive with movement, is strangely silent. The scene is bathed in black and white, the sound of Candy Kane's voice playing over what we see.
"If one were to ask me how many cases I've cracked in my life, I'd have to ask them just how many sips of water they've ever taken."
We soon find ourselves inside of Vincino's restaurant. Gino Carelli, sits in a booth, the restaurant all but empty except for the Don and some of his men. We can't hear him speak, but we can see him showing a picture of Candy Kane to his men, barking unheard orders.
"But it isn't about the number, you know. It's about the importance. I may not remember every case I've solved, but I know those that were most important. Over these last few months, I was gifted a lead by a man's dying breath. And that led me down quite the rabbit hole."
One of Gino's men grabs Candy's picture, pocketing it alongside a handgun. Carelli nods his head, directing traffic as his enforcer leaves, the other men following him out the door into the crowded Agora.
"Lionel Troy may be missing, but there was a bigger fish to fry. A walking cold case in a thousand credit suit. Gino Carelli is at the epicenter of this web of crime. I just hope I can crack his cold case."
Carelli lights a cigarette, leaning back in his booth, teeth gritted. It's clear, Candy's life is in danger.
"Before I become one."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a great first round Ring King matchup here folks as the Chemist faces off against the Artist. Both men faltered at the opening rounds last year but can they advance in a less deadly fashion this year?
The bell sounds as Redgrave rushes out of the corner, drilling the smaller man with a giant Big Boot to the skull that sends him crashing to the mat. Redgrave barely lets Nox hit the canvas before he pulls him up, lifting him up high
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: VANISHING...NO! Nox manages to wiggle his way free. POISON MISTER! A blinding poison mist right to the face but will that be an early defeat for Nox here?
MATT RUBY: Please BB this is Olympus, cheating is not only allowed, it's encouraged.
Nox grabs the blinded Redgrave, spinning him around into a GET OVER HERE! Brutal Short-Arm Clothesline takes down Redgrave but the Artist is immediately up, SANGUINE ABSURDISM! Redgrave takes Nox's head off with the Discus before collapsing as both men are down on the mat.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Pair of sickening lariats there as the first man up to their feet may well be the winner here.
Redgrave is the first to his feet, peeling Nox up off the mat and double underhooking him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY! Brutal Pedigree plants Nox into the mat and that has to be it here as Mills slides in to count the fall.
ONE
.............
TWO
.............
................
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And just like that Jasper Redgrave advances to the Quarter Finals where he will either meet Mighty Mighty or the Voodoo Child herself.
Knowledge
The Observatory.
DOOM leans over Felix Foley, his hands tense as they hover above Felix’s head. Momma Foley watches, her fingers gripping the edge of the chair, her knuckles white with fear.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m hearing out of the tabloids that Felix’s mothers name is Judy.
MATT RUBY: Judy? Like that Judge for the Arcadia News Network?
The room hums with the low, constant buzz of nanobots, microscopic agents coursing through Felix’s head.
DOOM growls, his voice edged with frustration. "The nanobots should be repairing your injury, Felix. They’re supposed to heal, not—"
His words are cut off by a sharp ping from his monitor. DOOM snaps his gaze toward a large screen. It's grainy, but there, prowling just beyond the shadows, are two figures…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s Burning Justice!
MATT RUBY: These idiots can’t leave well enough alone, can they?
“Fools,” DOOM mutters. His voice tightens as he addresses Momma Foley. “My bots will withdraw from Felix’s head. He should have no side effects from my procedure. He shouldn’t wrestle tonight, but I know he will regardless of what I say. Good day. ma’am.”
Without another word, he storms out of the room, Felix’s mother casting a desperate look after him. DOOM moves swiftly. Outside, the air feels thick, tense, as the Mad Scientist's boots crunch over gravel. Destructo Boy and The Burned Man are nowhere in sight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Something’s wrong, here.
DOOM stops dead in his tracks. Before him lies a can of gasoline and a box of matches, abandoned but menacing.
MATT RUBY: After DOOM let him go, The Burned Man is going to show up here to burn the place down again? They weren’t looking for knowledge about Sarah, they’re looking to join her.
DOOM clenches his fists. His voice shakes with fury.
"They want war? They'll get it."
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The prestigious Ring King Round of sixteen and as part of that we have the beacon of Arcadian justice Sheriff Jackson Cade taking on the beacon of positivity Mr. Sunshine!
MATT RUBY: These two should be disqualified because we deserve better than a low-IQ king.
Referee River Moonfoot calls for the bell and Sunshine rushes at Cade, Running Cross Body!
CATCH AN INCENDIARY ROUND!
BULLHAMMER ELBOW KNOCKS CHEERY CHARLIE OUT OF THE FUCKING AIR!
MATT RUBY: DAMN! WHAT A SHOT FROM OUR SHADY SHERIFF! KNOCKING THE SHADE INTO SUNSHINE!
The Officer pulls Sunshine back to his feet, but Sunshine snaps back to life with a giant grin, and scoops Cade onto his shoulders with an Airplane Spin unleashed five revolutions before falling back with a Samoan Drop!
JACKSON CADE JUST PLAYED THE DIZZY GAME!
Sunshine beams as he goes to lift Cade until Cade grabs the Arm of Cheery Charlie quickly locking him in the Kimura and Wrapping him up with the Body Scissors.
SUNSHINE IS IN THREAT CONTAINMENT!
CADE WRENCHES HEAVILY ON THE HOLD LOOKING TO DRAW THE SUBMISSION AS CHARLIE BOYE FLAILS TRYING TO REACH THE ROPES!
CHARLIE PUSHES OFF THE MAT AND INTO A SUPERMAN-STYLE PIN ROLLING CADE ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! RIVER SLIDES INTO MAKE THE COUNT!
ONE…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
CADE CAN’T UNTANGLE HIMSELF FROM HIS OWN HOLD!
…
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Sunshine has stolen victory from the jaws of defeat. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s a weird way of saying that smart thinking allows Mr. Sunshine to advance in the Ring King Tournament.
Boiling Point
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hell of a match between Mr. Sunshine and the Sheriff, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Even a blind squirrel finds a nut, BB.
GAZUMP.
Darkness.
Flutter.
Tombstone is here, now standing across from the panting Jackson Cade.
“Do you really want a war, Sheriff?” Tombstone says, mockingly. He steps closer to his quarry. “After what I did to Felix Foley... you still think you stand a chance?” He pauses, tilting his head, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. “I don’t have a reason not to end you right now.”
Cade’s lips curl into a grin.
“You just confirmed something for me, Tombstone,” he says, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “The moles in the APD? They weren’t just rumors, were they? Malakai Midnight’s been playing his little games.”
Tombstone’s eyes narrow. Cade’s grin widens.
“I don’t want to wait until Ring King,” Cade says, stepping closer, his chest heaving with adrenaline. “You want this fight? Meet me at the MetalWorks next week. Let’s finish it there. I’m done with bullshit.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Next week! That'll be a hell of a fight.
MATT RUBY: More like a funeral.
Tombstone’s face twists into a wicked smile. “You want to walk into the furnace early, Cade?” he sneers. “I’ll be there. And when it’s over, I’ll be glad to ferry you on your way.”
Darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't know what Jackson Cade's thinking, but--
MATT RUBY: I'm not sure he does either.
Is It Love?
El Mariachi Muerte tosses and turns. His sleep is restless and with good reason; his secrets weighing heavily upon his soul. Attempting to sleep is seemingly futile, so he sits up, looking down at Gemini who sleeps peacefully beside him.
“Is it love?” A voice whispers from the end of the bed. El Mariachi tries not to panic, squinting his eyes to see from whom it comes.
“Who goes there?” He whispers back.
There’s an eerie silence. “Did you fall in love before or after you did what you did?”
Singing Death isn’t sure how to respond. He just looks down at her, dotingly.
“How do you think she’ll react when she finds out the truth? Paragon plans to tell her everything, Muerte. Everything. Not just the lies you keep, but the secrets even she’s hidden from herself,” the voice continues confidently.
There’s a shuffling in the room, as if whomever stood in the darkness and shadows at the foot of the bed has changed position.
Muerte swivels himself out of bed, still searching the darkness from a distance – careful not to wake Gemini.
“You left us to rot in that room,” the voice continues.
“Drewitt?” Muerte asks in a panic.
There’s a creak on the floorboard.
“You both did!” The voice says slightly louder and more agitated than before. “Paragon won’t stop until the truth is out there, Muerte. The whole truth. Nothing… but the truth. Are you ready? Because if you love her like you think you do, you’ll tell her now.”
A couple of footsteps creak more floorboards, causing Muerte to rush around the bed into the darkness. He finds nothing.
The noise awakens Gemini, who sleepily sits up. “What’s going on?” She queries half asleep.
“Nothing mi amiga,” he lies. “Nothing at all.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the final Ring King qualifying matchup but it may well not be a matchup at all folks. Both competitors got battered last week but none more then Felix Foley who nearly had his career ended by the King of Destination inside that demonic Hell in a Cell matchup.
MATT RUBY: The idiot was lucky to not die after falling off and through the cell, if he's got even the tiniest bit of intelligence in that empty skull of his, he'll stay in that hospital bed where he belongs.
The bell sounds as Malakai Midnight is in the ring, patiently waiting for Felix to show up but there's no sign of the Puppeteer. The crowd begin to boo as Demi Sky shakes her head before she begins to count.
ONE
................
......................
TWO
........................
...............................
THREE
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Look at that smug bastard in the ring, Six Feet Under has to somehow be behind Felix not showing up here.
..................
....................
FOUR
MATT RUBY: You said it yourself, Dumbass Foley is probably still wracked in pain in the hospital. Frankly he's lucky not to be in the Morgue which he knows he would be if he dared fight Malakai tonight.
...............
..................
FIVE
................
......................
SIX......
'You've Got A Friend in Me'
The tones of Randy Newman hit the soundsystem as the crowd explode in a roaring ovation. There's no green flashing lights but Felix Foley stumbles out onto the stage either way.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: YES! MRS FOLEYS BABY BOY IS HERE! Battered, busted and broken he may well be but while he still stands, Felix Foley will never shy away from a fight.
Foley is heavily bandaged up but he ignores the pain as he sprints down to the ring, quickly sliding in as Midnight begins to stomp down on him. Malakai manages to only get a few hits in before Foley pushes him away, staggering to his feet
RIGHT INTO THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE! Brutal spinning forearm hits Foley who staggers back into the ropes, rebounding off
AS HE SHOWS MALAKAI JUST WHY THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING! Mammoth Big Boot knocks the stuffing out of Midnight who stumbles up into the corner as Felix rushes forward, crushing Midnight into the corner with a hard avalanche
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Foley going wild here but he looks a little dazed, the injuries from last week possibly catching up to him as he's slow to follow up.
Foley shakes off the cobwebs, grabbing hold of the ropes as he looks to stomp Malakai dry but those few moments allowed the Midnight Man to counter, sliding low through Foley's legs before delivering a snap dropkick to Foley's knees
SENDING HIM HEAD FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE POSTS!
Felix looks out of it, dropping down as he rests face first onto the bottom turnbuckle. Malakai taking advantage as he boots Felix's face into the pad a few times before backing up.
RUNNING BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
MATT RUBY: There's a Funhouse even I'd go to BB. Always down to see this weirdo get his ass handed to him.
Foley staggers up to his feet into a pair of knees to the chest before Malakai gutwrenches Foley, showing some surprising power with a devastating Powerbomb. Foley is planted in the middle of the ring as Malakai slowly climbs up to the top rope, pointing his palm up to the heavens and running down it like a blade.
ROLLING KNEE DROP TO THE THROAT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ZEUS IN CHRIST! Malakai may well have just crushed Foley's throat there like the sick bastard he is.
Malakai rolls through, looking down at the choking Foley with a wide grin on his face. He doesn't cover, instead moving towards Felix's head and pulling it back into a Dragon Sleeper, all the while digging those long, sharp nails into his throat.
THE DRAGON CLAW! Malakai has it locked in tight as Foley begins to fight out, trying to pull his way towards the ropes as Midnight doesn't stop him, instead just cranking back and digging in as much as he can while Felix screams out in agony, his fingertips inches away from the ropes.
As Malakai lets go of the Sleeper briefly, flipping Felix over as he transitions down.
AND LOCKS IN THE 666! Hells Gate is applied as Midnight pushes them both away from the ropes, trapping a helpless Foley who slowly but surely looks like he's about to pass out.
MATT RUBY: There is it BB, Foley's done and dusted here as Midnight moves onto the Quarter Finals.
Demi grabs Foley's arm, lifting it up but it doesn't even drop once as Foley's eyes fly open as Friendly begins fuming. His body is trembling with rage as he powers up high onto his feet, Malakai barely able to hold on as he rushes forward
BUCKLE BOMB! A SECOND! A THIRD! Foley just Powerbombing Malakai over and over into the buckles, Midnight looking limp in his arms before he spins around
SIT OUT POWERBOMB!
Foley nearly drives Malakai through the mat but he isn't done as he pulls him up, double underhooking both arms
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: CUT THE STRINGS! DOUBLE ARM DDT HITS! But Foley isn't covering, what is Friendly thinking here?
MATT RUBY: He doesn't think BB that's the problem. He has the match won but his little vendetta against Tombstone and Six Feet Under makes him even stupider.
Foley gets to his feet, the crowd roaring as they chant his name. Felix's hand raising up as he's looking for the PuppetShow.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell is an Owl doing here?
Sure enough, one of the owls gets up onto the apron, diverting Foley's attention for a moment as Demi Sky walks over, trying to get them to get down. Both Foley and Sky are distracted as they don't see another owl on the other side slide in that rams head cane to Midnight who slowly sits up and walks over
BEFORE SLAMMING IT WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH OVER THE BACK OF FOLEY'S HEAD!
Malakai slides the cane back out of the ring as the owl gets off the apron, Foley out on his feet as Midnight rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
CLOCK STRIKES...NO! Foley ducks underneath before suddenly rolling Midnight up into a schoolboy. Malakai struggles as Demi slides down, quickly counting
ONE
................
TWO
..................
.....................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: HORSESHIT! Six Feet Under get screwed again as the dumbass somehow steals the victory tonight. If I didn't know Sky was a lesbo, I'd think Foley was schtupping her on the side with how one sided that officiating was.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Foley won fair and square here Ruby, and just because Demi turned you down doesn't mean anything but that she's got common sense. Either way Felix Foley moves onto the Quarter Finals of Ring King but can he advance further like last year or was this a last gasp effort by a broken man?
MATT RUBY: Here's hoping the next round is his last BB, and hoping we get a better official next time at that.
Visiting Hours III
Continued.
When the door to Harold Attano’s medical suite opens, the person that walks in is precisely who you’d expect. George Cade.
And as expected, he’s not alone either.
Both he and CJ walks over to Harold, who remains seated exactly where he was before, only this time he seems to be alone. Narcissa is gone.
“I figured it wouldn’t be long until you showed up for your pound of flesh,” Attano says smugly. “Take out the cripple before the cripple takes out you, huh?”
George folds his arms. “We’ve bigger fish to fry than whatever this is, Harold. Zeus has set you and I up to be a distraction, that’s all. My boy can’t afford the distraction and neither can I. The House of Judgement have already put my wife in intensive care and now I’m supposed to be sidetracked by your vendetta? I can’t afford that. I’m sorry, but needs must.”
The elder Cade pulls a garotte wire out of his sleeve, surprising his son. Thorpe immediately rounds him as he approaches Attano, calling for a halt.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! DON’T YOU DARE…
MATT RUBY: GO ON GEORGE! MAKE MY DAY!
“Stop!” He demands, surprising his pop. “You said you came to ensure he was out of action, not murder him. I’m not gonna watch you kill a helpless innocent man, dad. That’s not what mom would want.”
MATT RUBY: GOD DAMNIT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Thankfully one of these two has a little compassion!
“Innocent?” Cade scoffs. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, boy. This man is far from innocent, ain’t that right Attano?”
Thorpe picks up his chart and gives it a once over. “Look at this,” he says, tossing it to his dad. “He won’t make it to Ring King. He can barely walk two steps.”
“And neither will you,” a voice abruptly emanates from behind. It belongs to Narcissa, who stands in front of the door with a baseball bat and a grin. She’s not alone, either. Stood beside her is Calypso.
The lights suddenly static.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh hell…
MATT RUBY: THE LIGHTS! THE LIGHTS!
Pop! Hiss! Crack!
As they explode, we cut.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as a logo flashes up amongst static.