A Much Bigger Picture
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
There’s no tears. No weeping. No wailing. There’s just a cold open and utter silence. The Cade Family sit around their dining room table, not a word said between them. George’s wife Mary, Jackson and CJ’s mother has been taken by Jasper Redgrave and that monster has been sending them pieces of her.
“I had to lie,” Thorpe interrupts the silence with the first honest thing he’d said in weeks. “If I told you that she wasn’t ever here, you’d have gone looking and he’d have killed her.”
Jackson scoffs, but doesn’t say anything.
“I thought that as long as I kept this my secret, I could go to Red Snow, give him what he wants and get her back,” The World Champion admits, stating his intention to hand over his title.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Imagine deceiving your entire family like that. What an awful position to be in. All this time he claimed he was at home looking after his mom and she was in the custody of tat psychopath.
MATT RUBY: That just goes to show you what kind of man he is, BB.
George folds his arms. Jackson shuffles uncomfortably in his seat.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this,” George says with disgust. The disgust is with himself, not with his son. “But none of that matters.”
“The fuck you say?” The Sheriff angrily responds.
“You don’t get it son. Neither of you do… yet. I love your mother and have done for most of my life but right now, you and I have something to take care of, Jackson. It’s survival. She would understand, I promise you. There's a much bigger picture to concern ourselves with.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell!?
MATT RUBY: I suppose there’s tons of love lost in that marriage.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe what I’m hearing. How can he be so callous? What the hell has he found out from his black ops meeting?
MATT RUBY: Not how to be a good husband that’s for sure.
That surprises both of his boys, who can’t believe their ears. What could possibly be more important than their mother?
“You might not care, but I’m gonna get her back,” Thorpe says, rising angrily from the table.
George rises to meet him. “I do care. I promise you. I want your mother home more than you'd ever know and if could go and get her myself, I would. But I know you will. Look, I don’t blame you for this. We took you from Redgrave’s tutelage and he was always going to respond. Do whatever it takes, son. Bring your mother home and we’ll take care of the rest.”
He looks to Jackson, who still looks confused.
Cut.
The Invitation
Aurora's home. It has still not been fully repaired from her war with Jasper Redgrave a mere two months prior. The smashed window is boarded over, the doorframe is still splintered, and an exhausted Thrillseeker sits on her couch, drained from her battle with Malakai Midnight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: My god, Ruby. Aurora has been through hell these last few months and it shows.
MATT RUBY: If you ask me she's almost hotter when she's depressed.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You disgust me, you know what?
Seemingly zoned out, Aurora stares at her wall, roused from her thoughts by a sharp knock on her damaged front door. The daredevil rises, approaching slowly, grabbing for a baseball bat next to the entrance and holding it close as she peers out from behind the broken door.
"Trojan Express! I'm here to deliver a letter to a miss... Aurora?" Standing at the doorway is none other than a simple postman. The courier looks at Aurora with a smile, reaching into his bag. "I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time, miss."
Aurora begrudgingly opens the door, bat still held out of sight. "No, I suppose you didn't. May I ask who sent the letter?"
The postman produces a black envelope, handing it to Aurora. "No can do, miss. Sender didn't give us a name, just credits and your address. I'm very sorry about that."
Eyeing the envelope, Aurora snatches it, hastily tearing the top off and pulling out the message only to freeze in place. The bat clatters upon the ground, tears well up in her eyes, and the camera swivels to reveal the contents.
Together With Their Families
AURORA
and
GRAVEDIGGER
Invite You to Their Wedding Ceremony
Saturday, the Fourteenth of December
Red Snow
Aurora drops the invitation, backing away in fear. "No, god no."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She survived Midnight, but Gravedigger just won't give up!
MATT RUBY: As he shouldn't, Bronco. I'm just jealous I didn't beat him to it.
The scene fades out as tears pour down Aurora's face.
Cut.g
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big matchup here tonight as fresh off a big six man tag victory, the Rogue faces off against the self proclaimed Hero of the People Captain Arcadia.
MATT RUBY: One of my favorite babes in booty shorts and getting to see that caped crudumbass get his ass kicked two weeks in a row? Is it my birthday BB?
The bell sounds as Gemini rushes forward, taking Arcadia by surprise with a running enziguri to the back of the head. Arcadia stumbles up into a knee to the gut before she wrenches his arm and leaps up to the top rope. She quickly walks forward before leaping off
WITH THE LAST DANCE! Hurricanrana snaps Arcadia down to the mat.
MATT RUBY: OOOH Rogue, do me next.
Gemini waits for Arcadia to get to his feet, watching him slowly stagger up as she rushes to the ropes, springboarding off
PUNCH OF BROTHERS! ARCADIA SUPERMAN PUNCHES GEMINI OUT OF THE AIR!
The Rogue collapses to the canvas as Arcadia rushes to the ropes, leaping up to the top rope. He steadies himself for a moment before diving off
STAR
SPANGLED
SNAPSHOT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Arcadia diving right into that brutal Codebreaker. That has to be it as Gemini hooks both legs, Cole Holt sliding in to count
ONE
.............
TWO
................
.................
THREE!!!
MATT RUBY: Told ya BB, the now hopefully single Gemini was destined to pick up the big win over that masked dumbass. Just like she's destined to soon get with a real man.
Remnants
The Arcadian Fire Department stand over the remnants of The Circus, its big top tent now a charred and fragmented mess on the ground. Klaus Way stands with Ajax and Damien Solus, watching intently.
“Have they found anything yet?” Solus asks whilst trying to get a look.
Way shakes his head.
Suddenly, there’s a stop. A complete halt. Members of the AFD rush in different directions, grabbing members of the police department.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’d say they found something, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Rest in pieces, Attano.
As the officers investigate, Klaus carefully backs away, surprising his crew.
“What’s the matter?” Ajax asks with concern.
“Something isn’t right,” Way motions to the crew looking over the wreckage. “Whatever they’ve found, it isn’t Attano.”
“How do you know, boss?” Solus interjects.
Suddenly, the officer’s attention turns to Klaus and his crew. They begin walking over, closing the distance – only The Ringmaster is wise and immediately makes his exit.
The officer’s approach Solus and The Adonis. “Where’s your boss?” One of them asks.
Silence.
“Tell him we’d like to speak with him, would ya?” He continues.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That doesn’t sound good. What do you think they found?
MATT RUBY: Maybe Way was right. Maybe it wasn’t Attano after all.
“What’s the problem, officer?” Ajax gruffly demands to know.
They look at one another and then back at him. “Bones.”
“Harold Attano?” Solus asks. “I heard he set this fire.”
The cop shakes his head. “No, not fresh bones – old bones. Remnants of secrets we need to uncover. Tell your boss to hand himself into the APD within the next seven days or we’ll come and get him.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Attano is alive!
MATT RUBY: Possibly.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Whoever those bones belong to, it isn’t him Ruby. He’s alive!
Cut.
The Mist
A picturesque, quaint little scene. A pathway winds its way beside a babbling brook. The light morning mist settles upon our little setting as a group of figures search the area, straying from the path in their quest.
The reddest apples, the greenest herbs. Each with a basket in hand, they gather their load.
MATT RUBY: Who are these people? Looks like Red Riding Hood’s little helpers. I'd personally like to catch a glimpse of what's under that red hood.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You've heard the expression that everything is not as it seems. It's all a little… too perfect.
Eagerly, one of the figures takes a bite out of a particularly perfect looking red apple. Almost instantly, he collapses into a heap, struggling to breathe.
A voice sounds, seeming to be carried on the mist itself.
“Pauvre ti bête… Your envie has cost you much, thieves.”
The sound of a clap, and the mist disappears. Along with it, lifts the idyllic illusion the group find themselves in.
Revealed behind the mist, the reality of the bayou. Dark, brooding and eerie. Standing before the group gathering their treats in her garden... is Calypso.
She grabs one by the throat and slams him into a nearby tree. The rest drop baskets full of goodies and high tail it as far away from Calypso as possible.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What did I tell you.
MATT RUBY: I wanted Red Riding hood, not... this crap.
Calypso whispers into the ear of her victim.
“You forage where you are not welcome and take what is not yours.”
Her eyes narrow.
“Who do you work for?”
The terrified soul blabbers for a moment before her grasp tightens on his throat.
“Savor…” he gasps. “Please, we didn't know. We're just gathering herbs for Savor.”
Calypso smiles, picking up one of the apples. It's perfect redness out of place now in its surroundings.
“By all means, take your fill. I will need to pay a visit to your… patron.”
She forces the apple into his mouth, watching his eyes roll into the back of his head and the life drain from his face.
When Calypso releases him, he falls lifelessly to the ground.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She's coming for Anton Savor.
MATT RUBY: That's not the kind of sweet treat he's gonna want on his menu.
Cut.
Ghost of the Past
The River.
The boat creaks and sways, its timbers groaning as it slices through an endless black sea. Felix Foley stands on the edge, looking confused.
“He did it,” Felix says sadly. “He killed me.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That bastard Tombstone did what he said he would do.
MATT RUBY: Good riddance, I guess we’re out a main event tonight too.
Foley waves his hand in front of his face—no shadow, no substance. He’s a ghost.
Before he can process it fully, he sees them: Tombstone at the helm, his hands gripping the oar, and a figure sitting near the bow.
MATT RUBY: Wait, what?
Fernicus.
His father’s face is pale, etched with fear and resignation.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Fernicus died years ago, Ruby. Fernicus took the terminal man and sold him something that turned him into Tombstone.
“Why?” Tombstone’s voice is a low growl, laced with something Felix never expected to hear: bitterness. “I came to you in my most desperate hour. Why did you sell it to me? Why doom me to this existence?”
Fernicus sighs, his voice trembling but firm. “Every item in my store comes with a price. You paid yours, and I’ve paid mine.”
Tombstone’s oar pauses mid-stroke, the boat drifting in the still, inky waters. “Have you? You’ve cursed me to do this for all of eternity. You will move to the next life. But your son…”
Fernicus’s face crumples. “Albert is innocent. He’s all I have left. Please, spare him.”
Felix stands between them, rage on his face as he stares at his father’s ghost.
“I was alive! Momma was alive!” he shouts, his voice echoing hollowly. But no one reacts. Fernicus doesn’t hear him. Only Tombstone’s dark gaze flickers briefly toward Felix, his grim smile suggesting he knows all too well.
“The sins of the father,” Tombstone intones, his voice like a death knell, “are often paid by his children.”
Felix’s knees buckle, tears streaming down his face as the boat glides forward.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t know what Felix is going through right now, but is this Tombstone making Felix pay for the sins of his father?
MATT RUBY: Sure sounds like it, BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have Zeus’s wife Narcissa taking on the Head of the Circus Klaus Way tonight!
MATT RUBY: I am always super excited to see our Arcadian Queen in action!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Can you sound any more creepy?
Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell and Klaus Way launches himself out of his corner Jumping Knee Strike!
BLINDED BY LOVE!
HERA DRIVES HER THUMBS INTO THE EYES OF THE RINGMASTER, DRIVING KLAUS DOWN WITH AN STO!
MATT RUBY: She has her EYES on the prize tonight, Bronco!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Yeah... Matt, good observation.
Narcissa pulls Klaus back to his fee-
ROLL UP! ROLL UP!
Gannosuke Clutch Pin with sudden efficiency by Klaus Way as Mills slides into make the count!
ONE!
...
...
TW- NARCISSA GETS HER SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS!
Narcissa spins up to her feet as Klaus finds his own.
KER-RAK!
UPRISING KNEE STRIKE CATCHING WAY UNDER THE JAW SENDING SPITTLE INTO THE AIR, SPINNING HIM AROUND, ALLOWING NARCISSA GRABS THE RIPCORD BEFORE PULLING IT, AND REVOLUTION!
SPINNING HEEL KICK - DUCKED!
KLAUS HOOKS THE ARMS OF HERA AND RUSHES THE ROPES!
BIZZARO!
SO MUCH UNPRETTIER LANDS KLAUS ON TOP OF THE DESIGNER’S HEAD BEFORE ROLLING HER OVER INTO THE COVER AS MILLS COUNTS!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is a bit of an upset Klaus Way’s beaten former World Champion and member of the House of Judgment, Narcissa Balenciaga!
MATT RUBY: I doubt Zeus will be pleased about this!
The Target
The scene opens in a dimly lit, abandoned warehouse. Chains sway from the ceiling, clinking faintly in the silence. Ajax the Adonis stands under a single swinging bulb, methodically wrapping his fists with tape. His movements are slow, deliberate, as he tests his knuckles against a concrete wall, faint cracks forming with each strike.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Well, that’s about as ominous as it gets. Ajax looks like he’s gearing up to send someone straight to the morgue.
MATT RUBY: Oh, come on, Bronco. The guy’s a work of art. Whoever he’s hunting is about to star in the greatest beatdown Arcadia’s ever seen.
The camera pans to Ajax picking up a photo, his face unreadable. He stares at it, his deep, deliberate breathing breaking the silence.
“It’s time. You’ve had your fun. Now… you’re ours.”
Ajax crumples the photo and lets it fall. The camera zooms in it’s a smiling Mighty Mighty. Ajax slings a steel chain over his shoulder, smirking wickedly.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Good Lord, Mighty Mighty doesn’t even know what’s coming.
MATT RUBY: Oh, he’ll know soon enough. That big smile? Gone, courtesy of Ajax and I can’t wait.
The screen fades as Ajax steps into the darkness, the sound of his chain dragging echoing.
Persistent
Deep inside the Groves, we find Wolf Fang Ayame stalking a deer that doesn't notice her. She's completely focused on her prey as she stalks closer to the unsuspecting animal. As she tails her future meal, a figure pops out of the bushes behind her, appearing eager to kill at a moment's notice.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Uh oh, Lutherian Locke is going after Ayame again! This time, he looks ready to attack!
MATT RUBY: Don't do it, you possessed creep! Keep your hands off that fine piece of ass!
Just then, that eagerness gives away to worry as Lutherian seems to realize just where he is.
"What do you think you're doing!?" he whispers to himself, dropping behind the bush again. "If you think I'll let you kill her, then you're sadly mistaken!"
Locke's face warps into annoyance almost instantly after saying that.
"Oh please," the demonic half says. "You won't be able to stop me for long. I'll keep overpowering you and ruin any chances you have of exorcising me. All I have to do is take control at the right time and-"
"No!" He quietly snaps back, clutching his head. "I won't let you do it!"
Eventually, the fighting stops as the demonic half takes over. With a smile, he quietly steps towards the Wolf with his arms outstretched, getting ready to put her in a chokehold of sorts.
He gets even closer, so close that he can almost breathe down her neck. His hands almost wrap around her neck when...
CRACK!
He steps on a stick, causing Ayame to lose focus on the deer and turn around. She happens to spot him running away, clutching his head once again. She growls in response, knowing that not only has she lost her hunt, she also has to deal with Lutherian again.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Thank Zeus for that!
MATT RUBY: No kidding, BB! I almost had my wild child taken away from me!
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Aurora has big issues with Gravedigger on the horizon, but tonight she’s got a beast to contend with in the ring.
MATT RUBY: I’ll give her a beast to contend with, BB.
The bell rings, and Aurora darts around Graves, landing quick strikes before Graves goes for a wild lariat.Aurora ducks it, using her momentum to bounce off the ropes…
DROPKICK TO GRAVES! HE GOES BACK INTO THE ROPES!
The Thrillseeker charges in, but Graves grabs Aurora mid-dash…
PENDULUM BACKBREAKER TO AURORA! GRAVES LIFTS HER UP, GRABBING HER INTO A POWERFUL BEARHUG!
MATT RUBY: I always knew she was a hugger!
Aurora kicks her legs wildly, but they have purpose as one hooks the top rope. The official makes Graves drop her, and she quickly darts for the ropes.
RUNNING METEORA! THE SOLAR STORM KNOCKS GRAVES DOWN!
Aurora heads up top, keeping her momentum.
CROSSBODY—NO! CAUGHT BY GRAVES!
THE REVEREND TWISTS HER BODY AND LIFTS HER UP INTO THE POWERBOMB POSITION…
PURGATORY PLUNGE—NO! AURORA WRIGGLES OUT!
KICK TO THE BACK OF GRAVES HEAD!
THE HARBINGER DROPS TO A KNEE, AND AURORA IS BACK ON THE MOVE!
MATT RUBY: Gods, I love to watch her run, Blackwood.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BIG BOOT FROM GRAVES!
He drags her up, signaling for The Final Judgment.
GOOZLE!
UP IN THE AIR!
CHOKESLAM!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FINAL JUDGEMENT!
He hooks the leg for the cover!
ONE...
…
…
TWO…
…
…
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Aurora used her speed and agility, but Graves power won out in the end, Ruby.
MATT RUBY: Just two minutes is all I need, BB. Two minutes.
Ghost of the Present
The River.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What’s next for Felix Foley, Matt?
MATT RUBY: The end of his journey, hopefully!
Felix stands on the boat again, his incorporeal form shivering. But this time, it’s not his father seated near the bow.
It’s his brother.
Albert Lamplight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Albert Lamplight was killed by Tombstone at Ring of Dreams this year, right after Felix discovered they were brothers.
Unlike Fernicus’s resignation, Albert’s anger burns bright, his fists clenched, his jaw tight.
“You took everything from me,” he spits, his voice trembling with rage. “I’ve spent years dreaming of the day I’d drive a blade into your chest for what you did to my father.”
Tombstone chuckles, his hollow voice echoing across the endless void.
“Ah, the chosen one,” he says mockingly, his grin visible even in the dim light. “Your father’s pride and joy. Tell me, Albert, did Fernicus ever tell you what his pride cost?”
“My father was a great man,” Albert snaps, his eyes blazing. “He gave me everything. Taught me how to be strong. How to fight. You’re the monster, not him.”
Felix recoils as the words hit him like a dagger to the heart.
“What about me?” He screams. “What about Momma?” But his voice doesn’t carry. He’s nothing more than a silent observer, invisible and helpless.
Tombstone leans forward, his oar resting still in the water. “A great man, was he? And yet, here you are. A life wasted on vengeance. It’s funny how the actions of one man can doom so many.”
The Ferryman turns towards Felix with a grin. “Isn’t it?”
Albert lunges at him, but the motion is futile; Tombstone doesn’t flinch. The boat rocks slightly, then steadies as Tombstone resumes rowing, Albert reset to his original seated position.
MATT RUBY: Felix Foley’s either gone mad again, or Tombstone really hates him.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’d take the latter, Ruby.
The Mole
The Church is packed with Disciples of Christ sitting in the pews. They wait in silence as the Reverend stands on the stage, clearing his throat to make a speech.
"Disciples of Christ," Ezekiel begins, his voice booming throughout the level. "Despite a minor setback, you have spread the fear of God throughout the Slums. However, our crusade against the nonbelievers is only beginning. We must strike while we have momentum on our side."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don't like the sound of that. Who will be his next target after the Slum dwelling Arcadian?
MATT RUBY: Judging by the bloodshed that occurred there, I'm hoping it won't be anywhere near my level.
"By now," he continues, "you've heard about Malakai Midnight. You've heard about how he's searching for the Devil and how he plans on bringing him to Arcadia. I say the time has come to purge him and his followers from our world!"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He's going to try and wipe out the Midnight Man and his Owls!?
MATT RUBY: Brave, yet suicidal. While his Disciples are capable, I don't think Reverend Graves knows what he's getting them into.
Murmurs of agreement are heard amongst the attendees.
"I'll lure them to me with the promise of a NXT Level Championship match. When they make their entrance, that's when you'll strike. Take out the Owls by any means necessary. Show them that unless they confess their sins and convert to our faith, they'll meet the same fate as their leader at Red Snow."
The rumblings of approval get louder.
"There can only be one true almighty, and we will prove that false idols like Malakai's have no place in our world!"
The Disciples begin to rancorously cheer as they stand from their seats. Unbeknownst to them, one person in the very back slips out the door to the outside. Once out of sight, they lower their hood to reveal the insignia of the Owls on their face.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Looks like Malakai's going to know about this plan sooner than the Harbinger hoped!
They proceed to run out of sight as we cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It's time for a fatal four way as Muerte, Redgrave, Calypso, and Midnight are about to bring as much chaos as they can into the ring.
MATT RUBY: Usually I like when a woman brings chaos into my life but even I have limits, no offense to Calypso.
DING! DING!
Muerte charges at Redgrave and nails a shotgun dropkick, sending him out of the ring! Muerte runs the ropes to follow up but Six Feet Under stops him in his tracks. Drop toe hold by Calypso into a DDT By Midnight!
THEY PULL MUERTE UP AND CARRY HIM IN A MILITARY PRESS!
THEY TOSS HIM AT A STANDING REDGRAVE!
REDGRAVE SPRINTS INTO THE RING AND MUERTE CRASHES HARD!
REDGRAVE LEVELS MIDNIGHT AND CALYPSO WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!
SYMMETRY IN MOTION!
MATT RUBY: From the floor to the only one standing in a matter of seconds, that's why he's the Ring King!
Redgrave pulls Calypso up and sets her up on the top rope! He grabs a front headlock!
He walks back until she's ready to be spiked.
ROPE HUNG DDT!
BLOOD ON THE CANVAS!
HE TURNS AROUND TO FOCUS ON MIDNIGHT!
HE TURNS RIGHT INTO A SPINNING FOREARM BY MIDNIGHT!
DEVILS ADVOCATE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You can fall just as fast as you rise Ruby.
Malakai backs Into the corner waiting for Redgrave to get back up! Redgrave pulls himself up and Malakai charges!
CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT!
RUNNING BIG BOOT!
MALAKAI COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THR-NO!
MUERTE STARTS CHOKING HIM WITH A GUITAR STRING!
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM!
GARROTE CHOKE AND MIDNIGHT CAN'T BREATHE!
HE PASSES OUT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Muerte wins and Midnight falls asleep earlier than his namesake!
Love Hurts
With the match over, El Mariachi Muerte gets back to his feet with the ring cleared. He seems a shadow of his former self. He’s about to exit the ring himself when Gemini suddenly appears atop the entrance ramp.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’m surprised she’s here.
MATT RUBY: Maybe she’s gonna give this loser a chance to explain himself?
She enters the ring and stands opposite her former boyfriend, both retrieving microphones.
“We need to talk,” Gemini says firmly. “You know, I’ve been running away from this voice in my head that says I should ignore everything I know and believe something else. I can’t escape it. Do you know whose voice that is? Yours.”
Muerte lowers his head in shame. “Mi amore...”
“I’m not finished,” she interrupts. “Why am I hearing your voice in my head like a lullaby, Muerte?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s… suspicious?
MATT RUBY: I bet that’s his version of Rohypnol.
There’s a silence. The Mariachi knows what he did.
“I had no choice. Zeus said that he’d kill you if I didn’t make sure you forgot,” Muerte says honestly, telling her the truth. “When we entombed Grimskull, Drewitt and John The Revelator and left them to die, he wanted you to die too. He wanted you inside that room, but whatever happened, amiga, you passed out instead. I proposed that you could be trusted and he forced me to make sure of it.”
Gemini shakes her head, enraged, her face reddened with anger. “And you sung a song to make sure I didn’t remember? Did you sing me a song of love, too!?”
“Never!” Muerte blasts back. “What we felt was real. What I feel… is real. I didn’t ask to fall in love with you, but I did. I didn’t make you fall in love with me, but you did.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You can’t help but feel for them. I don’t condone what they did to the rest of Apokalypsis, or what he did, but they did fall in love.
MATT RUBY: That’s why I only ever fall in lust, BB.
Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing their throat can be heard and everyone’s attention is immediately turned to the entrance ramp, whereby Zeus – The Baron, now stands with a microphone of his own.
“It looks as if we find ourselves in a difficult position,” Zeus says with a shrug. “One of you knows more than you should and the other knows more than I can trust them to know. I’ve been debating how best to tackle this dilemma.”
“After your goons failed at Forces of Darkness, perro?” Muerte snaps back.
Zeus smiles. “Careful. I’m not above having you killed where you stand and perhaps I should. Perhaps that’d be the easier option.”
He paces the entrance ramp.
“But what you know, Muerte, I know you’ll never share. If you did, you’d be just as culpable in keeping its secret as I.”
Muerte lowers his head shamefully once more. Gemini steps forward, confused. “Why do you speak in riddles?” She demands to know. “This isn’t about you or your secret.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What secret? Time and time again we hear about this secret. It’s not much of a bloomin’ secret at this rate, yet we don’t know a thing about it!
MATT RUBY: You know, I hate to agree with you but you’re right. That sent shivers down my spine, but you are.
“Oh contraire,” Zeus disagrees. “But you’re right, let’s not digress. Love hurts, doesn’t it? I learned that the hard way with my precious Hera. At Red Snow, you’re both going to find out just how much it hurts.”
“Don’t…” El Mariachi begs. “Please, don’t…”
The Baron smiles.
“El Mariachi Muerte vs. Gemini – Deathmatch. How does that sound? An ultra-violent love in for you two squabbling love birds. Who knows?” He asks with his grin widening. “Perhaps my problem will resolve itself after all.”
The Baron tosses the microphone down and exits, leaving Muerte to look at Gemini and vice versa.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is horrific. Zeus is hoping they’ll destroy each other at Red Snow!
MATT RUBY: Two birds, one Deathmatch!
Subpeona
The dim light of the Eagle’s Nest flickers, casting harsh shadows over the cluttered desk and peeling walls of the APD Headquarters. Jackson Cade paces like a caged wolf, his boots echoing on the worn floorboards. His hands move with purpose, shoving weapons into a battered duffel bag. A sidearm, a blade, a baton.
MATT RUBY: Oh isn’t this a bunch of bullshit. Abuse of power continues from the prime abuser in Arcadia.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know what Redgrave’s doing to his mother right now.
The door creaks open, and George Cade steps inside. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m going after Redgrave,” Jackson growls, his hands tightening around the bag’s strap. He slings it over his shoulder, brushing past his father.
Before he can take another step, George grabs the bag and slams it to the floor with a force that sends the weapons clattering.
“No, you’re not,” George snaps, his voice sharper than steel. “This isn’t about you playing hero. This is survival, Jack. For all of us.”
Jackson rounds on his father, their faces inches apart, the tension crackling between them like a live wire.
“He has Mom. And you’re telling me to sit back? To let C.J. handle it? He’s my brother, not my keeper.”
A knock at the door cuts through the heat of the moment. Both men turn, their breaths shallow and quick. An officer steps inside, his eyes darting nervously between the two. Without a word, he hands Jackson a folded piece of paper and leaves.
MATT RUBY: Probably another dead Slumie that they’re going to cover up.
Jackson unfolds it, his eyes scanning the words before his jaw tightens.
“A subpoena,” he mutters, his voice laced with venom. “To appear in court in two weeks. Narcissa filed it. The bitch is going to try to have me court martialed.”
MATT RUBY: Justice!
George exhales slowly. “We have to go through with it.”
“It’s bullshit!” Jackson snaps.
“It’s control,” George counters. “Keep Narcissa close. It may be the only way for us right now. I hate this way more than you do, son. That bastard has my fucking wife. But C.J. has to handle it. You and I, we’ll fight this. The right way. In court.”
Jackson’s grip on the paper tightens, but he doesn’t argue.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Narcissa has used her authority to have charged filed against Jackson Cade. I’m hearing that the Trial of Jackson Cade will be broadcast on Vendetta in two weeks.
MATT RUBY: I’m so hard right now.
Ghost of the Future
The River.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No more. Don’t put Felix through any more!
MATT RUBY: I agree! Finish him off, Tombstone!
Felix stands frozen, his heart pounding with dread. This time, the figure near the bow makes him scream.
“Momma!” Felix cries, his voice echoing into the void. “No! You’re not dead! This isn’t real!” But his mother, seated with her hands folded in her lap, doesn’t react. Her eyes are distant, locked on the still water of the river.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: No! No! Not Momma Foley! Tombstone is a bastard for this!
Tombstone rows in steady, deliberate strokes, his grin twisting with malevolence.
“Such quiet resolve,” he mocks. “Tell me, Mrs. Foley, how did it feel to be the wife of a man like Fernicus? A man who betrayed you, left you for another family, and cursed your son to be...well, what he is?”
Felix thrashes helplessly, his hands passing through the deck as if it isn’t there.
“Stop it!” he screams, his voice cracking. “You can’t… She’s stronger than you’ll ever be!”
Tombstone chuckles, acknowledging Felix while never taking his eyes off Momma Foley. “Strong? Perhaps. But silent strength is no match for failure, is it? You tried to hide what Felix truly is. Rotten to the core, like the apple you both devoured. Doom freed Scissors, Felix’s true form. Now, the mask is back on, isn’t it? Just like you wanted.”
Momma Foley remains silent, her face etched with sorrow as her gaze remains fixed on the River.
Tombstone turns back to Felix, finally acknowledging him.
“I admire her spirit, though,” Tombstone muses. “Her husband left her. Her son became exactly what Fernicus said he would be—a failure.”
Felix collapses, sobbing. “No! That’s not true!”
Darkness.
Felix jolts awake, coughing and gasping, buried alive in an open dirt grave at the Mortuary.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix is alive!
MATT RUBY: Not for long!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone was showing him visions. Maybe Momma Foley still lives!
With raw desperation, Felix claws his way out, the taste of earth choking him as he breaks free.
He stumbles to his feet and takes off running into the night. Tombstone watches him from the shadows, joined by Igor Mortis.
“Why let him go?” Igor asks.
Tombstone’s voice is measured, grim. “He hasn’t lost everything yet. Tonight, he’ll lose the Tag Team Championships. Then I’ll give him a week to make sure his dear mother lives, and let her tell him about what he really is.”
Tombstone’s grin widens. “Then, I’ll finish what I started.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a big time championship match here as Nox defends his Double Feature Championship against the very impressive newcomer in Anton Savor.
MATT RUBY: A member of the pantheon versus a stone cold chef. This is gonna be good BB.
The bell sounds as both men rush forward, Anton looking for that Superkick that Nox manages to duck underneath before rocking the Chef with a hard headbutt that sends him staggering back. Nox rushes forward looking for a Bicycle Kick that Savor manages to dodge before rocking Nox with a hard series of chops.
FLAM...NO! Anton tries for the spinning elbow, Nox dodging that before grabbing Anton's arm
GET OVER HERE! SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE
!BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Nox getting the advantage with that heavy clothesline before pulling Anton up. He may be looking for a little Paralytic here as he grips him from behind.
PARALYTIC...Anton slips out. FLAMBE! The spinning elbow hits flush this time before Savor pulls him in close and slams Nox down to the canvas with a spinning belly to back suplex. The Chef calling for the end here as he waits for Nox to stumble up to his feet.
POISON MISTER...TO THE REFEREE! Savor saw it coming as he pulls Demi Sky in at the last second, causing her to get a face full of mist.
WAIT A MINUTE.. THAT'S... THAT'S THE BURNED MAN!
TBM slides into the ring with a steel chair!
CHAIR TO THE SKULL OF NOX!
THAT STUMBLES THE CHEMIST!
MATT RUBY: I know Demi likes taking it to the face but I didn't realise she liked it green BB.
CREME BRULEE! Savor nails Nox with a superkick out of nowhere before lifting him up onto his shoulders
THE FINAL COURSE! GTS hits flush as Nox crashes to the canvas, Savor hooking both legs as Demi slowly crawls over and counts
ONE
..............
TWO
..............
....................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a new champion here tonight, Anton Savor beating out the Corporate Chemist to become a new Double Feature Champion.
MATT RUBY: Gets to give Demi Sky a facial and gains some gold all in one night. What an absolute legend the Chef is here BB.
A Cloudy Day
The streets of Arcadia are eerily silent as Captain Arcadia walks through one of the upper levels, seemingly on patrol.
MATT RUBY: Oh look, another goody goody trying to clean up Arcadia. Maybe if he was smart he'd realize the upper levels don't have thieves and muggers like the Slums do.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Has it occurred to you that people like Cap make that a reality, Ruby?
He stops in his tracks as he hears a knock in a nearby alleyway. Arcadia approaches, shield up.
"Put down the shield, boy." A familiar voice we can't quite p lace calls out, a single figure appearing from the shadows. He walks forwards, allowing only the slightest bit of the overhead lights to shine on him, keeping his face shrouded. "I just want to talk."
"No one in a dark alley simply 'wants to talk'," Arcadia shoots back. "Whatever you're doing it doesn't belong on these streets."
"Oh, my friend, I believe it does. Let's just say the clouds are rolling in and you need to know why." The mysterious man thrusts a file into the light, Arcadia looking on in confusion before grabbing the folder. "Read it, learn from it."
Captain Arcadia raises an eyebrow, flipping the file open and letting his eyes trace the page, slowly growing wider with every passing second. "No... Where did you get this?"
"From somewhere nice and clean, my friend."
MATT RUBY: What the hell does that mean?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Look at the pictures in that file... Is that Sunshine?
The camera pans around to reveal only a fraction of the folder's contents, a single photo of Mr. Sunshine paperclipped inside. "What does this mean?" Arcadia asks, incredulous.
"It means you need to start asking the right people the right questions. I'll be in touch."
Before Cap can respond his informant disappears from sight, the sound of a door closing shut, leaving Captain with nothing more than the file and his thoughts.
Cut.
Proof of Life
The Gallery. No-one likes coming here. It’s not a place for the feint of heart and the moment CJ Thorpe stepped through the doors with his title in hand, his heart sunk. He didn’t know what he’d find, but he didn’t expect this.
Multiple new canvases adorn the walls, each capturing something different. There’s blood, hair, fingernails and viscera. Each portrait belonging to Mary Cade.
It makes Thorpe sick to his stomach.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I can’t believe this sicko. He’s set up a gallery of Mary Cade’s pain!
MATT RUBY: I can’t condone this, BB.
When Jasper waltz’s out without a care in the world, he finds the OSW World Championship tossed at his feet.
The Killer King chuckles to himself, kicking it back across the room at him.
“That’s what you want, isn’t it?” Thorpe growls angrily. “That’s why you brought me to this place to show me what you’ve done to my mom.”
Redgrave shakes his head. “I want it, but not like that. I brought you here for proof of life, kid. You should be grateful. Each of these portraits has a little piece of mommy.”
“And I’m supposed to believe that she’s still alive?” He asks with hands on hips. “What’s to stop me coming over there and killing you where you fucking stand.”
“If anyone in your family thought that’d work, I’d be dead by now,” The Killer King says with a shrug, looking down at the title. “At Red Snow, you’re going to let me kick the living shit outta you and take that title. That’s not up for debate or discussion. You’ll get your mom back once I do, you have my word.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I feel so terrible for CJ Thorpe. You can tell that he doesn’t care about the title. All he wants is his mom back.
The World Champion reluctantly reaches down and picks up his belt, holding it by the strap. He doesn’t care about it. He doesn’t even want it. The gold has long lost its allure under these circumstances, but Redgrave isn’t finished with his punishment.
“Your word means shit to me,” CJ says, preparing to walk off. “But I’ll be there. I’ll be there with fucking bells on.”
The Artist chuckles. “Yeah, you will. But before that happens CJ, we’ve some work to do. I’ll be in touch.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That sounds ominous.
MATT RUBY: This won’t end well for CJ Thorpe. What will Redgrave make him do?
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone let Foley go purely to watch him lose the tag titles! One has to wonder if Felix is even ready to compete here tonight.
MATT RUBY: Of course he isn't, Bronco. Look at the halfwit, he's still got dirt on his clothes!
Burned Man starts the match off for his team as he locks up with Foley in the center of the ring! Felix has the strength advantage as he forces Burned Man back only to get immediately rocked by a headbutt to the nose! Foley stumbles back and Maxwell lashes out!
BACKDRAFT! MASSIVE SPINNING BACK ELBOW TO THE JAW!
Felix hits the ground in a heap and Burned Man capitalizes as he grabs Felix by the legs, dragging him back before slingshotting him right into his turnbuckle! Foley lands chest first only to get sandwiched from behind by a running clothesline! Burned Man tags in his son, lifting Foley into the air for a suplex!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: FLYING CROSSBODY BY DESTRUCTO BOY TO FOLEY! WHAT A MANUEVER!
MATT RUBY: SOMEONE GROUND THAT BRAT!
Both men land with a massive thud and Destructo Boy hooks a leg!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
KICKOUT! FOLEY GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Exhausted as he may be Felix refuses to stay down! The Puppeteer slowly tries to get to his feet as Destructo Boy lays into him with rib cracking kicks! The Kamikaze Kid in unleashing justice all over Foley and the poor former Bestie is unable to fight back! Destructo Boy hits the far ropes and comes in hot with a shining wizard!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SEE NO EVIL! SHINING WIZARD- NO! FELIX SCOOPS HIM ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! BUMPED HIS HEAD! THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER LANDS FLUSH!
MATT RUBY: YES! I DON'T CARE WHO WINS, JUST BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF EACH OTHER!
James hits the mat and Foley tries his damndest to fight back to his feet! He stumbles back into a corner and begins calling for Destructo Boy to get to his feet! Foley hypes himself up, rushing forwards!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BIG BOOT! THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'!
MATT RUBY: WALKING TO THE ER! THE LITTLE BRAT HITS THE DROP TOE HOLD!
Destructo Boy leaps back to his feet, catching Foley with one more boot to the ribs before forcing him back to his feet and whipping him to the corner! James tags his dad back in and he pulls Foley back to the center of the ring!
MATCH STRIKER! STO BY BURNED MAN!
RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP BY DESTRUCTO BOY!
THEY CALL THAT THE INSTANT IGNITION!
The wind is driven out of Foley's lungs as he slams back first but Burning Justice don't simply let him rest! They know he's hard to keep down and he gets pulled back to his feet by Burned Man who hefts him up onto his shoulder! Destructo Boy rises to the top rope and leaps off with ill-intent!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DOOMSDAY SHINING WIZARD- NO! FOLEY DROPS DOWN! THE SEE NO EVIL NAILS THE BURNED MAN!
MATT RUBY: Father on son violence? Oh you're spoiling me today!
Destructo Boy rolls to his feet in shock, going to check on Burned Man only for Foley to whip him around, kicking him in the gut!
DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT!
FOLEY JUST CUT THE STRINGS!
The Kid is down for the count but he isn't the one Foley needs to pin! The Puppeteer turns back to Burned Man who's gotten to a knee! Felix lays into him with big right hands, fighting to keep him down only for Burned Man to catch one of his strikes and fire back with a hellacious haymaker! Foley stumbles back before retaliating with a powerful headbutt! Both men are trading blows back and forth with impunity!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BURNED MAN DUCKS A STRIKE! THE THIRD DEGREE! PUMPHANDLE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!
MATT RUBY: NO! OR YES? DON'T LET THE MATCH END JUST YET! KILL EACH OTHER!
The Burned Man slams Foley to the ground with a ferocious Murphy's Law! He drapes an arm over Foley's chest!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Felix came into this match exhausted and broken and he's left the exact same way. Your winner and new Tag Team Champions... Burning Justice!
Give Rise to Suffering
They’ve done it!
Burning Justice have defeated Felix Foley and stopped The Besties from breaking the record of Tag Team Championship defences.
As the father and son duo rise to celebrate their euphoric and record stopping victory, the arena is thrust into darkness.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You know what this means, don’t you!?
MATT RUBY: I do indeed. Gas masks at the ready!
When the lights return, Nox is standing in the middle of the ring.
Destructo Boy immediately rushes him, but The Chemist slams him hard in the face with a handheld gas cannister, sending him trashing to the canvas. The Burned Man looks set to attack, only Nox pulls the pin out and shakes his head, wagging his finger.
“You should’ve left well enough alone,” Nox hisses at him, his fury at being cost his title clear. “First you interfere in my business and then you interfere in my partners.”
The Burned Man scoffs. “You fucking cunt,” he roars angrily at him. “You killed my fucking wife.”
The fans boo, but Nox doesn’t care. He shrugs.
“A small price to pay for success, wouldn’t you say? Your wife was an insignificant pinprick when stitching our fabric of success, Maxwell. Your loss was our gain,” he says callously.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Is he serious!?
MATT RUBY: Deadly.
Nox moves over to Destructo Boy who squirms on the canvas and puts his boot on the boys throat.
“Your plan to hit us where it hurts and garner our attention worked,” The Chemist says with a sinister tone. “But let me ask you a question, old boy. Did you ever give any thought to how your actions may give rise to suffering?”
The Burned Man has heard enough and to a roar from the crowd, rushes Nox and tackles him. The cannister flies out of the ring, leaving Maxwell atop Nox with furious pummelling right hands.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: GET HIM MAX! GET HIM GOOD! THAT’S THE MAN WHO KILLED YOUR WIFE, DAMNIT!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Rockets suddenly hit the ground around The Burned Man, sending him flying off backwards so hard that he almost flips. Just then, from the rafters on drones comes Doom himself!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: NO! HE’S BACK! DOOM IS BACK! THAT LITTLE RAT HAS COME OUT OF HIDING!
MATT RUBY: He wasn’t hiding, he was biding his time!
The Scientist grabs Nox from the canvas and pulls him onto the drone, looking down at The Burned Man who slowly gets back to a knee, along with his son.
“This isn’t over,” he yells at Doom and Nox. “First it was your titles…”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What’s second!?
The Corporation escape into the rafters as The Burned Man and Destructo Boy get back to their feet, their position made clear. The Corporation will have a war on their hands come Red Snow. They’ve lost their titles, but what’s next!?
Static.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.