The Hunt Is On
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
We see grainy footage, the likes of which could only be from the backstage CCTV. Gemini is seen entering into Mr. Sunshine's room before the video is paused, the scene zooming out to reveal Narcissa and the other members of Six Feet Under watching the recording. Hera scrunches her nose in disgust, shaking her head.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It looks like Narcissa just learned where Gemini went last week, Ruby. That can't bode well for Gemini or Sunshine.
MATT RUBY: Nothing should ever bode well for that smiling ninny, Bronco.
"Did no one think to check that room?" She asks, eyeing Gravedigger and Calypso. However, before she can question further Tombstone steps forward, immediately making Narcissa back down.
"I personally tore that room apart myself," he begins, arms crossed. "There was a back door that they must have escaped through." The Ferryman is quick and to the point, clearly not happy with Gemini slipping from his grasp.
"We never anticipated her having help," says Calypso. "But if he wants to meddle in our affairs... Well, we can hunt him down too."
Gravedigger nods in agreement, hoisting his shovel onto his shoulder. "We'll wipe that smile off of his face."
There's a moment of silence from Narcissa before the Queen shakes her head. "No, I have a better idea. We don't need to find him if we force him to come to us. I'll speak with Zeus... Because I think this little ray of Sunshine is due to meet the Ferryman. Wouldn't you agree, Tombstone?"
The Ferryman nods. "Agreed. Tonight I'll send Sunshine on his way."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This can't be good, Ruby! It seems like Sunshine is gonna learn real fast not to interfere with the House's business.
MATT RUBY: As he deserves! I just hope to see him frowning before it's over.
Cut.
Colour Wheel II
Darkness.
Felix Foley’s eyes flutter open, met with a thick purple haze. The fog swirls around him, dense and disorienting, pressing on him from all sides.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Last week, Nox gassed Felix Foley with whatever the hell this purple gas is, and ran off with him.
MATT RUBY: We call that a Wednesday night where I come from.
From somewhere within the gas, a figure emerges—Nox, his face twisted in a mocking grin. He circles Felix, arms crossed, relishing the sight of his captive.
“Let me go,” Foley gasps out. “I’m sick and tired of people trying to control my mind and put me in a daze.”
“Oh, Felix,” Nox sneers, voice dripping with dark amusement. “Is that what you think? That I want you in a daze, trapped in some dream state?” He laughs, the sound echoing through the thick fog. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
As Nox speaks, the purple gas shifts, morphing into an eerie green.
MATT RUBY: Now this is more like it.
Felix seems unaffected, until—
He feels his skin prickle, an itching that quickly builds into something unbearable. He jerks, clawing at himself as if a hundred invisible insects crawl under his skin.
“No…get them off!” Felix gasps, his nails digging in.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nox is a bastard for this.
MATT RUBY: Sounds like a bad trip for Felix.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No, this is what Nox wants. He’s torturing Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy.
Nox steps closer, watching with a sadistic glint in his eye. “You see, I want you perfectly lucid, because this—” he gestures to the green gas surrounding them, “is just a taste. I want you awake. I want you alert. I want every sense of yours sharp for what’s coming next.”
Felix scratches at his arms, his neck, panic flaring in his eyes.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It’s the Hero of the People verses the Big Chunk of Funk.
MATT RUBY: He’s no hero of mine, BB.
Captain Arcadia dashes forward, but Mighty Mighty braces himself, absorbing Cap’s initial strikes.
Mighty Mighty takes a shot, but Cap ducks under the swing, countering with a swift kick to the knees.
Arcadia attempts a grapple, but MIGHTY SHOVES HIM BACK WITH RAW POWER!
MATT RUBY: He truly is mighty.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You can’t deny his strength.
Cap regains composure, bouncing off the ropes for extra speed, leaping into the air…
SPINNING SUPERMAN PUNCH!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Punch of the Brothers to Mighty!
MATT RUBY: But look, Blackwood, Mighty is still up.
Indeed, Mighty stumbles but doesn’t go down. Cap seizes the moment, rushing in, but Mighty sidesteps, sending the Hero of the People into the ropes.
Arcadia rebounds, but Mighty was ready, catching him in a bear hug, squeezing tightly.
Cap struggles, throwing hard elbows against the side of Mighty’s head. The big man lets him go, but wastes no time in rushing back in.
SHOULDER BLOCK TO CAP! IT FLOORS HIM!
As Cap tries to stand, Mighty hauls him up—
BACKDROP RELEASE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HIGH AND MIGHTY—NO! CAP LANDS ON HIS FEET!
Arcadia charges in valiantly, but Mighty grabs him up—
SWINGING ROCK BOTTOM--NO!
CAP HOLDS ON!
RIPCORD LARIAT TAKES THE BIG MAN DOWN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: MIGHTY HAS JUST CROSSED THE LAST LINE!
CAPTAIN ARCADIA GRABS A COVER, HOOKING THE LEG WITH ALL HIS MIGHT.
ONE…
…
…
TWO…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What an effort from the kid! Mighty Mighty had every advantage, but never overlook heart.
MATT RUBY: That's what my cardiologist tells me.
A Little Sunshine
MATT RUBY: Where are we, Bronco?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Rainbows on the walls, pictures drawn by children, you may not like to hear this but it looks like we're in the Sunshine Club!
MATT: Zeus Damn it.
Sitting in the center of his domain is Mister Sunshine himself! A cup of cocoa with marshmallows sits on a table, Gemini sat on the other side. He pushes the cup towards her, leaning forwards on his elbows. "So, let's talk this out, friend."
"Talk it out?" Gemini turns her nose up at the notion, though she still accepts the hot chocolate. "He lied to me, Sunshine. He hid the truth from me and dragged me in the middle of a fight I wanted no part of!"
Sunshine leans back, tilting his head, smile forever etched into his face. "Oh, my friend, I understand. He put little rain clouds in your head. But, let me give you a lesson from the Sunshine Club!"
MATT RUBY: Puke.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Maybe listening to Sunshine would fix your attitude, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: A night with Gemini would fix me, but this smiling freak sure won't.
"It's about forgiveness, Gemini."
"No." She replies curtly, sipping her drink. "How could I ever forgive him?"
"Well," he begins. "It may be hard now, and I may not agree with his actions, but Muerte loves you, doesn't he? The other members of Apokalypsis may have met their end, but you didn't did you? He could never bring himself to hurt you, could he?"
There's a pause, Gemini mulling over the thought. "But I'm scared that one day he might hurt me."
Sunshine simply chuckles. "One day he might. But you can't let the possibility of a cloud stop you from enjoying a little sunshine, can you?"
Gemini sits silently once more, not answering, instead drinking from her cup as the scene fades out.
Cut.
A Gunslingers Past
We find ourselves back in Roland Gray’s archives. Files upon files that he has obviously been busy toiling through. Empty bottles of whisky and take-out boxes are as strewn about as discarded files of paper.
He pulls yet another box down from the mass.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Roland Gray is convinced that there is some link between Anton Savor and himself hidden within these files.
MATT RUBY: He can look through a thousand boxes, but what does he think he would ever find in here?
Flipping through another set of dossiers, he flips open the cover of another plain brown folder and pauses.
“Shit.” He gasps, staggering back in shock and crashing into a row of boxes that causes a small avalanche in the mess of archives. “Of course. It all makes sense now.”
We cannot see the name on the front of the file. Nor can we see any of the details within the file itself. But in the glimpse of a photograph within the dossier, we see a weathered photograph of a place we’ve never seen before.
In the background of the photo… A young Anton Savor.
Gray flips through the file, mumbling to himself. After a few moments, he slams the dossier shut and stashes it under his arm.
“Time to stir the pot again and see if I can find out more.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Roland Gray has found something in amongst all of this mess. Something from his past.
MATT RUBY: A weak connection at best. He’s no way of proving that Anton Savor ordered that contract on him. He’s clutching at straws from his past.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We will see if there’s anything more than straws when they meet at Forces of Darkness.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a helluva contest here for you tonight folks as the rookie Wolf takes on the returning Harold Attano. Huge opportunity for Ayame tonight but she has to do it strapped to the wrist of Nobody.
MATT RUBY: Getting strapped to a hot young thing usually costs a couple hundred credits but that lucky bastard Attano gets it for free tonight.
The bell sounds as Ayame leaps up, clipping Attano in the jaw with a hard kick before she tries to rush to the ropes but finds herself just short thanks to the rope attached. Attano pulls her back in, trying for a clothesline but Ayame ducks underneath, drilling Attano in the back of the head with a hard rolling elbow that drops him to his knees.
She rushes to the ropes, having just enough room to springboard off.
HEAVEN'S HOWL! SPRINGBOARD KNEES TO THE BACK OF ATTANO'S SKULL! But Ayame isn't done as she pulls Harold up to a seated base, stepping back a few paces before rushing forward.
MATT RUBY: ASS TO THE FACE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I believe that was a Hip Attack or the Tail Strike to be specific Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Like I said, Ass to the Face. Oooh do me next Ayame.
Ayame pulls Attano up to his feet, peppering him with hard lefts and rights but he ducks underneath a wild one, slipping behind
HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW! She didn't see that coming but Attano doesn't let her fall as he now pounds down with lefts and rights before backing up
HEADSHOT...NO! Ayame ducks underneath, nailing Attano with a Pele Kick as she drops him to his knees. She rushes forward, leaping off his knee
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: ONE SHOT ONE KILL! The Diamond Cutter out of nowhere nails Ayame as Harold covers, Cole Holt sliding in to count
ONE
.............
TWO
...............
...................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Harold Attano picking up the big victory in his proper return to singles competition but Wolf Fang put up a huge fight there.
MATT RUBY: He barely got the victory there BB, only a matter of time before someone picks off the broken man and puts him in back in the retirement home where he belongs.
Found Her
Harold Attano makes his way backstage as Wolf Fang Ayame recovers in the ring. She's just about ready to follow her opponent when she catches a whiff of something in the air. Leaning over the ropes, she proceeds to take a big sniff, hoping to catch the source of the scent.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Wolf seems to have picked up a smell of something. I wonder what it could be?
MATT RUBY: Never mind the smell. Do you feel an earthquake coming on?
Just then, Mighty Mighty bursts through the curtain and runs down the ramp. He stops short of the ring to catch his breath.
"Ayame!" He begins, panting. "I've been looking all over Arcadia for you!" Wolf Fang growls at him in response.
"What do you want?" She snaps at him. "Didn't you learn that I'm not in the mood for your parties?"
"I'm not here to party! I've come to warn you about that Locke guy! He's-"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Spiritual Awakening to the back of Mighty's head! Where the hell did Lutherian come from?
The Chunk of Funk falls face first to the floor as the demonic side of Locke looks up at Ayame with murderous intent. He slides into the ring and runs after Ayame, who has assumed a fighting stance.
MATT RUBY: Looks like a fight's about to break out, BB!
Before any contact can be made, the Light Bringer suddenly stops running at her. His other personality comes through and looks at the Wolf with pleading eyes.
"Please help me," he cries. Ayame looks at him incredulously as the formerly fallen Mighty rolls into the ring behind him. He spins Locke around!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Mighty Carousel! Lutherian was just planted in the middle of that ring!
Mighty forcefully grabs Wolf Fang by the hand and runs with her out of the arena, leaving Locke reeling.
MATT RUBY: Where the hell is he taking her? Doesn't that fat piece of shit know she can handle him herself?
Both Ayame and Mighty leave the arena via the crowd as we cut.
Eyes Wide Open
Aurora paces backstage, her every movement a mix of tension and fierce resolve.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Last week, Aurora barely escaped the clutches of Gravedigger, who has this perverted—
MATT RUBY: Perverted? This is true love, BB. Malakai Midnight is going to bring baby home to Gravedigger.
The Thrillseeker’s focus isn’t solely on her match with Anton Savor tonight; her mind flits to every doorway, every shadow. She makes sure her back is never fully exposed, her line of sight always covering an exit, always preparing for the worst.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This poor girl’s been driven mad because Gravedigger won’t stop stalking her.
Aurora feels it—a shift in the air, a subtle prickling on her skin. Her instincts are screaming, but as she glances over her shoulder, there’s nothing there.
A soft exhale leaves her lips, her eyes flicking from one corridor to the next, assessing her surroundings. Steeling herself, she tightens her fists, pushing forward as she refocuses.
MATT RUBY: I’d be glad to provide some real thorough care for her.
The camera pans back, drawing out from her tense figure to reveal a broader view of the space. Unseen by Aurora, shadows begin to take form in every doorway, subtle shapes lurking just beyond the edges of the light.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Malakai Midnight has eyes everywhere, doesn’t he?
MATT RUBY: You have no idea.
In the dim corners, eyes glint from the darkness, catching glimmers of the backstage lights.
Owls.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Each exit Aurora’s counted on, every path she’s marked as an escape, is covered.
The Owls stand silent, cloaked in shadows, their faces emotionless, watching, waiting for any sign of movement. She’s unaware that she’s being circled like prey, her every step mirrored by unseen eyes.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Light Bringer meets one on one with the Gunslinger tonight in a match that could carry plenty of momentum heading into Forces of Darkness.
MATT RUBY: Maybe Gray has the secret to unlocking that puzzle box of Locke’s… Just shoot it to pieces.
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING!
LUTHERIAN LOCKE HITS THE CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL RIGHT OUT OF THE GATES AND TURNS ROLAND GRAY INSIDE OUT!
Gray is pulled to his feet and flung into the turnbuckle. Locke comes charging at him again, but he slips out of the way and Lutherian Locke collides chest first with the steel
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Locke started with fire and already has the Gunslinger reeling.
MATT RUBY: Reeling? He doesn’t even know what day it is right now. He’s wandering about in la-la land.
Locke comes at Roland Gray again, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and locking him up. He pulls Gray into a POWERBOMB!
NO!
ROLAND GRAY REVERSES INTO A FALLING NECKBREAKER!
Locke staggers to his feet, but Roland Gray is ready for him.
SIX SHOOTER!
SPINNING SIDE SLAM PLANTS THE LIGHT BRINGER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Roland Gray has turned this around and taken the fight now to Lutherian Locke.
MATT RUBY: Neither man has been able to put the other away yet.
Roland Gray waits for Locke to stagger to his feet again. Wearily, Lutherian pulls himself upright, right into Gray’s clutches.
QUICKDRAW! DISCUS LARIAT!
NO!
LOCKE DUCKS IT AND RUNS INTO THE ROPES!
THE GODSMACK! SUPERMAN PUNCH!
BUT GRAY DUCKS!
NEITHER FINISHER HITS THE MARK!
HIGH NOON! THE SKY HIGH DROPS LUTHERIAN LOCKE RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The ring shook with the impact there!
MATT RUBY: Now is the time to capitalize. Put a bullet in between his eyes!
Locke is weary, staggering to his feet with jelly legs. Right to where Gray is waiting for him.
BOOM!
GODSMACK! THE SUPERMAN PUNCH CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND HIT ROLAND GRAY SQUARE IN THE JAW!
HE WOBBLES ABOUT ON DREAM STREET… THE SPEAR FINISHES HIM OFF AND DRILLS HIM INTO THE MAT!
Lutherian Locke holds on for the pin…
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Roland Gray was looking good, but Lutherian Locke picks up the victory tonight in a massive win!
Colour Wheel III
Corp Towers.
Hatchet thrashes against the bindings, his wrists straining against the rough rope that cuts into his skin, his mouth sealed shut with a thick strip of duct tape.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We haven’t seen Hatchet in some time, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Looks like he crossed the Corporation.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This can’t be good for him.
The air shifts around Hatchet as an unsettling blue gas creeping into the room.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This seems a lot like what’s happening to Felix Foley.
Hatchet’s eyes narrow, darting toward the door as Nox steps in, calm and silent, observing him like a scientist with a subject under glass.
“Good to see you’re comfortable, Hatchet,” Nox says, cutting through the silence. Hatchet glares, eyes blazing as he mumbles behind the tape.
Nox pulls up a chair, sitting just out of reach. “I thought we might have a chat. Now that the truth about Sarah Rijen is public knowledge… I think you’d agree there’s room for cooperation here.” He leans forward, fingers tapping together. “I may need you a bit more… compliant.”
Hatchet’s eyes narrow defiantly, and he jerks his head, spitting muffled curses through the tape, his eyes screaming words he can’t.
MATT RUBY: I can only imagine what Hatchet’s saying to Nox here.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I have a pretty good idea.
Nox chuckles, unfazed. “Oh, you’re going to be like that?” He stands, adjusting a small dial on the wall. The blue mist thickens, deepening into a sharp, mustard yellow.
Hatchet’s defiance fades in a heartbeat. His body jolts, muscles convulsing as he feels a wave of sharp, burning heat under his skin. He thrashes, writhing against the chair, a strangled scream escaping through the tape as the gas sears into his nerves, each breath bringing fresh agony.
Nox watches with a faint smile, head tilted.
“The truth always comes at a price.”
Cut.
Calling In The Favour
A private meeting; off camera.
In the House of Judgement Lockeroom/Office, Zeus sits behind an oak table when in walks Klaus Way. The leader of the Circus casually walks up to the desk, grabs a chair and pulls it up close, taking a seat.
Zeus smiles. “I wondered how long it’d be before I saw you.”
“Back when I took control of The Circus, it was you who personally signed off on my takeover,” Klaus says with a grin. “Do you remember that, Baron?”
The Baron nods.
“George always thought himself one step ahead of everyone else,” Zeus says with a wry smile. “When I asked him to take care of Harold’s daughter and he chose to hide her away, he thought he was the only one who knew about it.”
Klaus doesn’t say anything, he just smiles. He knows. “And now that Harold knows, he’s coming for my Circus. You told me to keep her close, keep her occupied, keep her in business and you’d reward me greatly. I’ve yet to come for my reward but I sense there’s greater opportunity ahead.”
That sits with the Baron for a moment, who considers his response. He pulls two glasses out of his drawer and places them on the desk, grabbing his nearby bottle of whiskey and opening it.
As he pours the liquor in, he grimaces. “What do you need, Mister Way?”
Klaus smiles.
“A gauntlet match; three on one. Ajax, Damien and I. Let’s give Mister Attano a challenge before getting his hands on me. Let’s make him work for the right to a fair fight.”
“I suppose it doesn’t hurt that he’s unlikely to get near you with those odds, huh?” Zeus says wryly. Way looks shocked at the suggestion. “Nevertheless, consider it done.”
Both men clink glasses.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big time trios matchup here tonight as the Circus takes on the House of Judgement. Will Klaus and his band of misfits reign supreme or will the House win tonight?
The bell sounds as Solus starts off with Gravedigger, the Shovel quickly rushing forward
SHOVEL READY! Bullhammer sends Solus staggering into the ropes, bouncing off with a spinning headbutt to the stomach that doubles Gravedigger over. Solus goes to follow up when Narcissa springboards over the ropes and off Gravedigger
FAST FASHION! SUPPPAKKIIIICK!
Narcissa turns around, TORNADO DDT by Klaus Way
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The match has already broken down as poor Demi Sky tries to restore order here.
Klaus rolls to his feet right into a Drop Dead Jawbreaker by Gravedigger but as he turns around, he gets gripped by the throat by Ajax and thrown across the ring with ease. The Adonis tags himself in as Solus drops to the mat. Ajax grabbing his partners legs as Narcissa and Gravedigger stagger forward
POWER AND PAIN! The UNNATURALS GOING SWINGING TONIGHT AS THEY TAKE OUT BOTH GRAVEDIGGER AND NARCISSA!
The Circus stands in triumph with only Calypso standing. The Voodoo Child staring them down before she smiles wickedly.
BLACK MAGIC MISSILE TO BOTH KLAUS AND DAMIEN SENDING THEM FLYING ACROSS THE RING!
MATT RUBY: I like my women a little unhinged BB but I think I have to draw the line at someone who can throw fire at me.
Calypso rushes forward, trying to nail Ajax with a running dropkick but she damn near bounces off the Adonis who simply pulls her up, looking for the Giants Grasp.
BLOOD RITUAL! Mist to the face of Ajax blinds him, loosening his grip for a moment as she tries to flip forwards
HUMAN SACRIFICE! Standing Diamond Dust hits hard but Ajax is still on his knees
THE TREND! Narcissa drops Ajax with the springboard forearm as Gravedigger is up on the top rope.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: LAST RESPECTS! Huge elbow drop to the heart of the Adonis, Gravedigger covering
ONE
.............
TWO
..............
.................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: HA! See what I told ya BB? The House Always Wins.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They did indeed tonight but it took all of them to take down the Adonis. This match could have gone either way in the end but a huge victory for the House of Judgement none the less.
Helpless
A dusty old bar somewhere in Arcadia. The lights dim, the liquor cheap, and the patrons less than reputable. We don't recognize anyone here sans a man in black sitting forlorn at the bar. El Mariachi Muerte. Singing Death sighs, looking to the bartender. "Another drink, please."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: My god, I've never seen Muerte so downtrodden. He looks down right helpless.
MATT RUBY: Are you surprised, Bronco? This man betrayed everyone he's ever met and now he needs to find friends? He's got better chances playing the lottery.
"So," the bartender says. "What has you down? Break up?"
Muerte glances up, giving a sad little chuckle. "No, well, not quite."
"Go on, then. I've heard everyone's story here, let me hear yours." The Bartender slides him his drink, leaning on the bar as he does. "Call me nosey."
"Oh, you're nosey," Muerte says, knocking back his drink. "But what do I have to lose? I need to find teammates before I step into Olympus next week. If I don't it'll be me against Zeus' lover and her dogs. Yet... With what I've done, no one would have me. No matter who I ask, they all tell me the same. They don't trust me."
MATT RUBY: And they shouldn't! I say Zeus is doing a service feeding him to Six Feet Under.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A man can change, Ruby. But I won't lie that I trust him about as far as I can throw him.
The bartender thinks for a moment, pouring Muerte another glass. "Well, if you ask me, I think you're outta luck. But, you can go out on your own terms, right? Step into Olympus and take it on the chin. You may not have help, but that don't make you helpless, does it?"
Muerte sips his drink, furrowing his brow in thought for a moment before nodding his head. "Sí. Alone or not, I'll go down fighting."
Singing Death places his payment on the bar, giving the bartender a thankful nod as he leaves.
Cut.
Attack Of The Disciples
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We've got word that there's a commotion in the Slums.
MATT RUBY: More than a commotion! The Disciples of Christ are performing a cleansing!
We see the aforementioned Disciples attacking various Slum dwellers that look the most gaunt and impoverished. The onlookers are screaming, running away from the ensuing violence in fear that they might be next.
Our attention is drawn towards one man being assaulted by five of Graves's followers. He's cowering as they stomp away at him, drawing blood as he cries out for help.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Zeus damn it, somebody help the man! These zealots are going too far!
Just then, Captain Arcadia jumps into the scene and knocks one Disciple upside the head. The others notice this and attempt to stop him, but the Hero is prepared for them.
Shield to the face of one! Big kick to another!
MATT RUBY: Come on, you guys, get it together! Don't let this dork get the better of you!
The last one rushes Arcadia with a clothesline, but the Captain ducks it and nails the Disciple with the Grasps of Justice immediately afterward! Defeated, the four fallen followers run away from the Hero.
Scoffing, the savior proceeds to check the knocked down man's pulse. He's alive, albeit barely breathing.
"Something has to be done about Ezekiel Graves and his nutjob cult members," Arcadia ponders aloud. He stews in silence for a moment before a metaphorical lightbulb goes off. "I've got a plan, but it'll be risky."
The Captain then rushes towards more Disciples, potentially to fight more of the attacking followers of Christ.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What do you think he has planned for Ezekiel and his lackeys?
MATT RUBY: Hopefully something stupid. That way he gets his shit kicked in and he becomes the next sacrifice for God.
The onslaught on the Slums continues as we cut back to ringside.
MATT RUBY: The ring has been adorned with prep tables and we have kitchen tools and implements hanging from the ropes tonight!
BRONCO BLACKWOO: They’ve gone all out for Anton Savor’s match with Aurora tonight under Kitchen Rules!
Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell and...
*THWAP!*
AURORA MANAGES TO DUCK A CHEF’S KNIFE AIMED DIRECTLY AT HER HEAD THROWN BY SAVOR AS IT STICKS TRUE IN THE TOP TURNBUCKLE BEHIND HER HEAD!
MATT RUBY: What the hell, that could’ve ruined The Breath of the Heavens’ good looks!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Are you so set on women’s looks, that could’ve killed Aurora Stone Fucking Cold, imagine Gravedigger’s reaction to that!
Aurora darts at the Chef using one of the metal prep tables set up in the ring as a springboard...
SOLAR STORM THE METORA LANDS AURORA KNEES FIRST ACROSS THE SHOULDERS!
Aurora snags a Cast-iron Pan from off the ropes and stands at the ready as Anton gets back his feet and...
SWING AND MISS AS ANTON DUCKS AND CREME BRULEE – SUDDEN FUCKING SUPERKICK UNDER THE JAW OF THE THRILLSEEKER!
Aurora staggers back dazed to hell and Savor looks to go for the kill pulling Aurora into a torture rack before unleashing the Burning Hammer!
FLAME FUCKING BROILER DIRECTLY ONTO THE CAST-IRON PAN!
ANTON SAVOR JUST KILLED IT WITH FIRE!
SAVOR HOOKS THE LEG AS STANTON COUNTS!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Well, that was disappointing I was looking forward to watch Aurora bounce around in victory!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Damnit that woman has just taken one of the damnedest moves in this business onto a solid Cast-iron Pan and you’re think with your dick. Get your life together Ruby, I swear!
Love Untethered
The lights have barely come up from her match when Aurora tries to slip out of the ring.
Darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Leave this poor girl alone.
MATT RUBY: I’ll be glad to fill in.
When the lights come back up, Malakai Midnight stands in front of Aurora, his cold hands reaching. Aurora twists and dodges, slipping from his hold, but her heart pounds as she looks around.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They’re everywhere!
Everywhere she turns, an Owl blocks her path, their faces expressionless.
“Stay back!” she yells, her voice a mixture of defiance and desperation. “Tell Gravedigger I don’t want anything to do with him!”
Malakai’s smile is unnerving, his gaze icy. “Oh, I understand, my dear. But it isn’t about what you want.” He leans closer, his voice a chilling whisper. “I’m taking you to him nonetheless.”
MATT RUBY: This is straight out of my bestselling pick up artist book! Brilliant work!
Aurora’s eyes dart around, calculating. She takes a quick breath…
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Run!
…and in one explosive motion, launches herself at Malakai’s Owls. She bounds from one shoulder to the next, using them like stepping stones, propelling herself up to the ring’s top rope. With a final leap, she sails into the crowd, who surge forward, forming a protective wall around her, shielding her from the dark figures closing in.
MATT RUBY: Jump on me next, Aurora!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Will you shut up?! She’s running for her life here.
Malakai Midnight stands at the ring’s edge, his face twisted in frustration but tinged with dark amusement.
“Run if you want, Aurora,” he calls, his tone deadly calm. “But know this—you will face me at Forces of Darkness. Whether you come willingly… or dragged kicking and screaming… you will come.”
The Owls search the crowd, but Aurora is gone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: At Forces of Darkness, Aurora is going to kick Malakai Midnight’s ass.
MATT RUBY: She’s going back to daddy regardless.
Colour Wheel IV
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m hearing we’ve got more footage from wherever Nox is keeping poor Felix Foley.
Felix Foley’s skin is raw, his arms, legs, and face riddled with red lines from frantic scratching. He shivers, every nerve on edge, as the green fog begins to swirl and darken, shifting into a shade as thick and dark as shadows against the wall.
MATT RUBY: Ooh, I’ve never seen black gas before.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What devilry has Nox cooked up for Felix this time.
Foley clutches at himself, pulling his arms close, helpless against the haze consuming him.
“No… please, just make it stop!” Felix cries out, his voice breaking.
Nox appears once more in the mist, silent, eyes glinting with twisted satisfaction.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Let him go, Nox!
Nox watches Felix suffer for a moment, then pulls out a small, worn leather book, flipping through it casually.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No, is that—
Felix’s eyes widen in recognition, heart pounding.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s Fernicus Foley’s diary!
“A little birdie told me you’ve got an affinity for old family secrets,” Nox murmurs, fingers tracing over the delicate pages. “And now that I’ve had a look… I’m working on something special. All thanks to dear old dad.”
Felix stiffens, dread coiling in his gut as the gas deepens into an inky blackness. He braces, expecting a new wave of torment. But instead, a cool sensation spreads across his skin. He glances down in surprise, watching as the scratches on his arms fade, the rawness vanishing in seconds.
“This?” Nox says, gesturing to the black gas curling around them. “This is my little gift to you. A healing gas. I want you at one hundred percent.” He grins, a slow, wicked smile. “You’re going to need it for what comes next.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What—What could possibly come next?
MATT RUBY: I bet it has to do with his momma.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Leave her out of this, Ruby!
MATT RUBY: And now BB, it's time for a public execution. The idiot Sunshine's about to get burnt alive by the Ferryman and I'm gonna love every second of it.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sunshine does have a huge task ahead of him tonight but he doesn't have to pin Tombstone, he just has to knock him over the ropes so there's always a chance.
The bell sounds as Tombstone immediately rushes forward and nearly kicks Sunshine's head off with a mammoth running Big Boot. Sunshine is dazed and confused allready as he staggers up into a flurry of lefts and rights, a brutal headbutt nearly knocking his lights out before Tombstone thrusts him between his legs.
ODE TO CHARON! JACKNIFE POWERBOMB!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone just Powerbombed Sunshine down with ease. This very well could be an incredibly short main event here.
Tombstone lifts Sunshine up, gripping him by the back of the head as he rushes forward, looking to throw Sunshine over the top
Before stopping at the last second, shaking his head
And nearly taking Sunshine's head off with a vicious Lariat.
MATT RUBY: Tombstone doesn't do anything short BB, he's looking to make an example of Sunshine tonight.
Sunshine staggers up, holding his neck right into a a hard thrusting uppercut. Tombstone lands a second, and then a third before winding up for the final.
FERRYMAN'S KNOCK...NO! Sunshine dodges the final thrust, lifting Tombstone up onto his shoulders and begins to spin around and around.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Time to play the Dizzy Game Ruby.
Sunshine spins around a few times but before he can drop backwards, Tombstone slips out. Sunshine turning around
INTO THE FERRYMAN'S KNOCK! Brutal thrusting uppercut knocks Sunshine for a loop before he grips him by the back of the head
BIEL TOSS INTO THE CORNER! Sunshine goes head over tilt into the steel, barely able to pull himself up
BEFORE TOMBSTONE RUSHES FORWARD WITH A RIB SHATTERING AVALANCHE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Ferryman just punishing Sunshine here unrelentlessly.
Tombstone keeps Sunshine in the corner, driving his shoulder into the bad ribs over and over before backing up. Tombstone scowls before rushing forward
RUNNING SHOULDER...SUNSHINE MOVES AS TOMBSTONE SPEARS HIMSELF INTO THE STEEL!
The Ferryman staggers out into a Full Nelson
WELCOME TO THE SUNSHINE CLUB! FULL NELSON FLAPJACK!
MATT RUBY: Oh Zeus No, Don't let this idiot beat Tombstone.
Sunshine staggers back, all smiles but as he reaches down to lift Tombstone up, The Ferryman sits up enraged.
SOUL TAKER! HEART PUNCH!
Sunshine collapses to the canvas, holding his chest in agony as Tombstone gets to his feet. He lifts Sunshine up, picking him up into the air as he wraps his arms around the injured ribs.
AND BEGINS CARRYING SUNSHINE'S SOUL!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That brutal Bearhug locked in as Sunshine screams out in pain. This is just unnecessary here, throw the man over the rope and end this allready.
MATT RUBY: Gotta send a message BB, idiots like Sunshine don't belong here and Tombstone's gonna Attano him here tonight if he gets the chance.
Tombstone slowly squeezes the life out of Sunshine, Charlie desperately tapping but that doesn't mean anything in an Inferno match. Sunshine slowly passes out from the pain as Tombstone squeezes the rest of the air out of his lungs before he lets go, only temporarily before spinning him around in the air and lifting him up.
ELYSIUM FIELDS! Tombstone just spikes the unconcious Sunshine into the canvas with a sickening Tombstone Piledriver. But he's not done as he wraps his hands around the fallen Sunshine's neck.
Goozling him as he lifts him up high before slowly walking towards the ropes
CHOKESLAM OVER THE ROPES INTO THE FIRE! THIS MATCH IS OVER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This was a brutal destruction here Ruby, Tombstone absolutely decimating Sunshine here in a sickening display.
MATT RUBY: The House doesn't play around BB, everyone's a target and that flaming idiot isn't an exception.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD:Well, Tombstone remains undefeated. He hasn't lost in the middle of this ring or anywhere since he was eliminated from Lambs to the Slaughter.
MATT RUBY: So many have tried to defeat him during that time. CJ Thorpe, Narcissa, The Burned Man, Felix Foley, Jasper Redgrave, Aurora, Jackson Cade, Gravedigger, Mister Sunshine and many others have fallen to this unstoppable monster.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He can't be stopped, Ruby. I fear for anyone who gets into the ring with him.
Bits & Pieces II
At the Cade Residence, George has long since left on his personal mission – leaving his wife in the trusted care of his son, CJ Thorpe. Thorpe has refused to leave the house under strict orders from Jasper Redgrave; something his brother is less than happy about.
As the brothers sit in the kitchen of their childhood home, there’s a knock at the door. Thorpe cautiously opens it, revealing a courier with a package.
“Package for Mr. Thorpe from a King Redgrave,” the courier asks, looking at his clipboard. CJ nods, taking it from his possession – his face as white as a sheet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This isn't good. Redgrave said he'd be sending Thorpe another one of those packages.
MATT RUBY: I bet it's a stereo.
He slowly walks back into the house, putting it on the kitchen table. Jackson stands, stepping backwards.
“What did you do!?” The OSW World Champion demands to know, his eyes glossed in tear.
Cade shrugs. “I tried to stop whatever this is.”
CJ suddenly rushes across the room, tackling his brother to the floor. They immediately tussle, Cade tossing CJ off and both men getting back to their feet.
“You couldn’t just leave well enough alone, could you!?” Thorpe yells. “I was fucking handling it! All I had to do was stay here until Red Snow and then give him my title. That was it. Everything would’ve been fine had you just kept your fucking nose out.”
The Sheriff doesn’t like that. “Oh yeah? What the fuck is in the box, huh? Let’s find out.”
He storms over the kitchen, reaching for the box, only to be rolled up from behind by his brother, who whips him away in an instant. Both men get back up again, going nose to nose.
“You’ve done enough damage,” CJ growls. “Get the fuck out. Just go.”
Jackson pushes him backwards and storms off, leaving the house in a huff. CJ Thorpe meanwhile cautiously opens the box, recoiling at what he finds inside.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What in the hell are in those boxes, Matt?
MATT RUBY: Gifts from a friend?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Redgrave is no-ones friend. That's for damn sure. Jackson Cade aims to find out and I for one can't wait for Forces of Darkness. We'll surely find out then.
MATT RUBY: Maybe there will be a present in it for us once we do.
Static.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.
Cut