GOODNIGHT
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“What the fuck was that?” [Hysteria yells from the driver’s seat.] “What happened?”
[Newton sits up, blinking repeatedly.] “He must have found our device,” [He concludes.] “And decided to use it against me. But he didn’t.”“It looks like he did!”
[Edward shakes his head.] “No, he distracted me. He called me back. Bruce Van Chan is still lingering within that thing he’s become.” [The van abruptly stops.]“Uh, Eddie, we have a problem.”
[Newton stands up and joins Hysteria at the front of the van. He’s pulled to a halt because stood in the middle of the road, his head lowered, is none other than Doctor Sleep.]“This defies logical reasoning,” [The Champion panics.] “Step on the gas, Hysteria.”
[The Mad Mastermind doesn’t have to be told twice. He quickly steps on it, speeding full speed for Dr Sleep. The van hurtles at him, but there’s no impact. Nothing at all.]“I think you missed.”
[A voice that doesn’t belong to either of them echoes from within the van. Hysteria breaks abruptly, and both of them turn their head to see Dr. Sleep inside the vehicle.] [No Face quickly attacks, but Sleep grabs him by the head, slamming him inside the wall of the van. He bounces backwards, and is met by a swift kick that sends the double doors flying open like an explosion, and No Face hurtling through them.] [Hysteria hops in the back, running at Dr. Sleep only to vanish into thin air.]“What the…”
[Dr. Sleep laughs heartily.]“In here, this is my world. When I put you to sleep, there’s no-where you can run, and no-where you can hide. When your eyes close, your ass belongs to me.”
[He suddenly reaches out, grabbing Newton by the throat and strangling him. As the life drains from his body, he squirms and struggles.]“Goodnight, Edward.”
[Suddenly, and out of no-where, Edward begins to fade away. His physical form carefully vanishes until a deep breath changes everything.] [Edward wakes up.] [And it’s Hysteria stood over him, having escaped the mud, his purple suit stained brown from the waist down, who’s brought him to and saved his life.]“What’s the matter?” [He asks, surveying the carnage of the explosion that surrounds them.] “You’ve turned blue.”
[Newton gulps.]“I can’t fall asleep.”
[His eyes widen.]“I must stay awake.”
[Cut.]TO SLAY A DRAGON: PART 1
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“There was once a Kingdom plagued by a powerful dragon. Many a warrior had attempted to slay the dragon but had failed. One by one, warriors fell until nobody dared seek the dragon any longer. The people lived in fear of the dragon.”
[Bird pushes himself to his feet with a grunt.]“But then there rose a warrior unlike any other. The warrior stood tall and vowed once and for all to bring the dragon’s reign to an end. For he knew that in doing so, he would be feared as a god. He would be remembered.”
[Bringing his fists together, Ethan Bird cracks his knuckles. The wild look in his eyes returns.]“It is within the power of Ethan Bird to be feared as a god, the pathway is at Ethan Bird’s feet. Survive the chamber and Ethan Bird will earn the respect Ethan Bird deserves. Slay the Dragon and the Kingdom of OSW will fear Ethan Bird and always…” [He turns his eyes to the sky, staring off into the distance.] “Remember me.”
HADES & EVE VS. CALYPSO & GUIDANCE
TAG TEAM MATCH
ESCAPE
BACKSTAGE
“Rise and shine, Hysteria!” [Smiley sings.] “It’s time to find out if you’ve done your research.”
[Click.] [As light floods the room where Smiley trapped Hysteria one week ago, we find that the Mad Mastermind is not there. That’s not the surprise, though.] [The surprise is on the walls.] [Last week, Smiley left the walls covered with newspaper clippings and various journal entries from Hysteria’s time in the Blackwater with Doc D’Ville. But now a horror story greets us.] [Pictures of dead bodies, horribly mutilated beyond recognition.]“They only put the finest work in the museum.” [Smiley mutters as he walks around the edge of the room, examining each and every posted photograph.] [Some of the pictures seem eerily familiar as the painted man completes his circle.]
“That’s the problem with the mentally ill.” [Smiley mutters to himself, unaware of the irony.] [Or maybe he is fully aware.]
“They can’t appreciate the finer things in life. You always have to spell things out for them.”
[Smiley finally looks down at the quicksand, looking more like a mudhole than a trap at this moment. He pulls a small notebook out of nowhere and looks down at the writing scrawled within it.]“It’s too bad that my old friend has left such a large body of work for me to choose from. It’s a good thing I have such a discerning eye.”
[Smiley laughs to himself as he leaves the room as it was.] [Hysteria may have escaped from this trap, but Smiley is not done with his old friend.]GOOD TRIUMPHS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Fix this,” [Cussen yells.] “Fix it now.”
[Brent doesn’t know where to start.] “W-What do you mean?”“I saw when Mother infected your unborn child, Kersh. She managed to overcome it. She managed to survive it. I want to know how; I need to know how.”
[Kersh stammers, getting back to his feet.]“Good,” [he honestly mutters.] “Good triumphs evil, Jensen. My wife had a pure heart and in the end, that’s all that mattered. Evil couldn’t take hold. The only way Stephanie will beat this is if you and her remember that you’re good at heart,” [Kersh says firmly.] “If you ever were.”
[That infuriates Cussen. He runs over and clobbers Kersh, knocking him into a nearby wall. With fury, he reigns down fists upon his head, beating him into oblivion with every left and right hand he can muster. Just then, the door flies open once again and in walks King Royal and his guards.] [They must have followed them here.] [The Guards grab Cussen and extract him from Kersh, dragging him kicking and screaming away. They slam him against the nearest wall and Royal checks on Brent, who seems a little worse for wear.]“Finish him,” [Royal says, making a motion across his throat.]
“No!” [Kersh interrupts, halting them.] “He’s just a father scared for his daughter. Leave him alone. We’ll settle this at Invasion.”
[The Guards look to Royal for guidance and he nods, giving them permission to follow that order. They help Kersh out of the room, leaving the King a moment with Cussen.]“This isn’t over.”
[As King Royal leaves, Jensen drops to his ass against the wall, resting there for a moment. He tried. Something inside of him tried.] [Cut.]NO FACE VS. THE SHARKMAN
SINGLES MATCH
ECLIPSE
RECORDED EARLIER
“Humans are so ignorant. In all of the wisdom they believe to possess, they understand so little about celestial events. The spectacle of a Solar Eclipse is but a spectacle to your race. Ignorant of the shifts in energy that it can carry along with it. Energy that can be harnessed by those who know how.”
[Lyra Starchild steps forward, right up behind Zappa. Till this moment, he still had not turned to face her. Wielding a strange contraption that one can only assume is some type of weapon, she plants the weapon into the small of Zappa’s back.]“Even as we speak, the energy shift created by the Solar Eclipse is being used to bring an entire fleet into position to liberate this planet. You didn’t really think that the Zetas were the only ones looking to take advantage of the human race’s ignorance, did you? I cannot let the connection between yourself and the Zetas continue. Now, more than ever, it is essential that the connection be severed. Without you, the Zetas will continue their search and locate another planet that serves their wishes.”
[With a slick of her thumb, her contraption whirrs into life and a blue light begins to brighten at the end.]“I hope you understand that this is best for everybody. Farewell, Captain Zappa.”
[Above, the moon had moved into the position of totality, the sky darkening as a result. Lyra pulls the trigger, and the blue light turns to a blinding white… Then abruptly turns off. Lyra tilts her head slightly, as if somewhat confused. It is only now that Zappa turns around, taking the Eclipse viewing glasses off.]“Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is better. I understand a whole lot more about energy shifts than your average human. Here we stand in the path of totality – at this very moment, the sun, moon and Earth are perfectly aligned. It can play havoc with forces of energy that we humans are too ignorant to understand. Energy such as that which powers your weaponry.”
[Zappa smiles as he pushes away Lyra’s weapon. They stand face to face.]“You underestimate the Zetas, and it will cost your species this war. I am the Zeta’s chosen one. To defeat them, you will have to defeat me. Don’t think that I am going to be as easy as that to cast aside, Starchild.”
[With a wink, Zappa claps his hands and vanishes in a beam of light that cuts open the darkened sky. Once more, Lyra is left standing alone, Zappa having slipped away from her again.]BE GOOD
BACKSTAGE
“We do for Mother as she does for us. We will never disobey her. We love our Mother.”
[They speak in unison, their childish voices filling the room with a feeling of eeriness.]“And Mother loves her children.”
[The demonic matriarch looks over her children, her head barely inching out from the shadows. She smiles down on the children, all of them curling up further as she does so, their heads sinking deeper down into their hands.]“Now be good for Mother while she’s away.”
[She turns heel, slowly walking into the shadows. She stops for a moment, looking back as she does. She lingers for a moment before walking into the darkness once more, disappearing from sight.] [A few seconds go by, the chorus of children’s voices dragging on for but a moment. Phoenix looks down upon them, taking a deep breath before leaping into the middle of them. All of the children scramble, looking at him in fear.] [All except for the little girl.] [He holds out his hand to her as the scene slowly fades out.]DONORS
RECORDED EARLIER
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight is all about celebrating the efforts of these wonderful organizations, and appreciating the amazing donors like you who make this possible. So, without further ado—“
[Suddenly, we hear a loud thud at the door. One of the guards checks it, only to be slammed against the wall as Viktor North barges in with a scowl…which quickly turns into a smirk as he grabs a bottle of wine from the nearest server.]“So this is where the kings and queens gather, boasting about their wealth whilst exploiting the poor…all the while, claiming their benevolence.”
[He takes a swig of the wine bottle, immediately spitting it out with a look of disgust as he slams it onto the floor.]“Pathetic.”
[He gazes upon the crowd, the sight of a voluptuous woman catching his eye. With a sly grin he walks over to the woman, grabbing her from behind.]“This buxom wench, on the other hand, will do just fine.”
[The woman and the crowd give a collective gasp of shock as Secret Security charges at the Skull Splitter. North takes out a few of the guards, but they manage to overpower him just long enough to put him in handcuffs before hurriedly escorting him out as an angry JGF storms off, his night ruined by the man from the East Fjords.] [Cut.]BRENT KERSH VS. JACKSON GRANT FITZGERALD
SINGLES MATCH
A MAN LIKE YOU
BACKSTAGE
“Listen, Shark, I’ve been thinking and the more I think about it, I don’t see any reason why I should have to put my Gold Medal on the line! I earned this title shot. Why should I have to bargain for it? The answer is I shouldn’t. So I won’t!”
[The Sharkman takes his hand off the door knob and looks at Gable.]“Fine, I never wanted it anyway. I just wanted you not to have it. I wanted to see you without your comfort. You’ll get your match and keep your gold. It’s nothing more than what I expected from a man like you.”
[Gable looks taken aback at the comment.]“And what is that supposed to mean? “A man like you.”
[Sharkman steps up to Gable.]“It means a man like you that values trinkets more than honor. A man like you that is afraid to lay what is valuable to him on the line. A man that considers himself a hero, but is nothing more than a coward hiding behind his past accomplishments…. A man like you.”
[Gable is furious and pushes his chest against the Sharkman’s. His face turns red.]“And what makes you a hero, Shark? Huh? Is it the spandex body suit? Is it the stupid mask? PUGH!”
[Sharkman chuckles.]“I guess we’ll just have to see what makes a man a hero…”
[And with that, Sharkman pushes through and enters his locker room, leaving Gable fuming in the hallway.]SECURITY
BACKSTAGE
“Hey! You can’t be in here!”
[No Face hears this and slowly turns around to the door.] [The look of fear spreads across the speaker’s face. No Face’s head tilts to the side as if taking him in. The young man’s badge reads ‘Security’ as he reaches towards his hip for his nightstick. No Face detects this as his face ‘looks’ down at his hip. The Security officer stops.]“Look, I-I-I don’t want any trouble… you’re just not supposed to be in here. Okay?”
[CLING!] [The sound comes from the VCR device behind No Face as he slowly turns around and hits another button. The video comes sliding out to which No Face picks up. He stops as his head tilts to the side.] [CRACK!] [No Face is smashed over the back of his head by the nightstick, yet… he’s barely budged. He slowly revolves holding the tape in one hand and a knife in the other!] [The Security Guard looks down at that as his eyes grow wide.] [And a scream is heard.]HYSTERIA VS. LYRA STARCHILD
SINGLES MATCH
REGARDS
BACKSTAGE
“Sheriff Law sends his regards from prison.”
[They exit the gym, leaving Gable to pick up the pieces. He is barely stirring when EMT’s rush in to check on him. Then, the camera starts to pan up. In the rafters kneels…] [The Sharkman.] [He watched the entire scene unfold, and then he disappears into the shadows.STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
BACKSTAGE
“Lux Bellator.” [He speaks aloud.] [The light warrior steps up beside the former World Champion.]
“Sheep being led to slaughter.” [Bellator mutters as his eyes scan those assembled.] [Hawk looks over at Bellator with a raised eye brow.]
“You used to believe in saving those who were lost.” [Hawk plainly states.] “Now you wish to see them burn.”
“No.” [Lux says.] “I do not wish it, but it is necessary nonetheless. You parrot the words of Pedro El Salvador. I hear his cunning in your speech. He weaves webs of deception, Spirit Walker. It would do you good to ignore his words, and focus on what you can control.”
[The arena seems to shake with sound of crows fluttering. The Scarecrow has manifested himself within the squared circle. Hawk’s lip curls at the sight of the man who took his Championship. This does not escape the notice of Lux Bellator.]“You have journeyed into the domain of that beast.” [Bellator begins as his eyes glow yellow, a reminder of the spirits he has enslaved within his grasp.] “I have only begun to discover the power of those spirits. The power of the red. What did you learn there, Tommy Hawk? He defeated you before, how will you leverage the powers therein against him?”
“The power of death.” [Hawk immediately responds.] [Silence sits between the two warriors for a moment before Hawk continues.]
“I know who you are, Lux Bellator. I know where you came from. I know your story. Just as I do, you look to powers outside of the thinkings of normal men to give you guidance and empower you. Yet your power derives from the death wrought by men just like you.”
[He turns to face Lux.]“I understand you.” [Hawk points to the ring.] “Yet I may never understand the Scarecrow. You have involved yourself in our war, and I will never be your ally. If you truly were of like mind with myself, you would have released those spirits you hold. Instead, you wish to enslave them.”
[Lux shakes his head.]“The words of El Salvador echo once again. The words of a weak man.”
“The words of your father.” [Hawks interrupts.] “The words of a man who only walks this earth because you released him from death. The power was once in you to do so. Why have you become so consumed with death?”
[The music of Tommy Hawk hits the speakers as Lux Bellator seems to consider his words. A moment passes between them before Lux speaks softly, yet with steel in his words.]“Because my Lord wills it.”
[Hawk only shakes his head before entering the Tap Room to a roar from the crowd. Lux Bellator is left alone to contemplate his actions for a moment, perhaps the first time someone has truly tried to reach inside of the light warrior since he began his crusade.] [But will he listen?]BELLATOR, HAWK & SCARECROW VS. THE FAMILY & ROYAL
TRIOS MATCH
DELIVERY
BACKSTAGE
“I don’t know…”
“NO!”
[CRRRZZZTTT!] [Smoke and sparks fly from the now-broken screen as Doubt’s fist has just demolished the television before it.] [Long, deep breaths as Doubt slowly regains composure and looks at its fist in confusion, no longer shaking in the slightest.] [Doubt looks at the man in the chair before slowly exiting the room, stopping once to look over its shoulder.] [Did we just see another side of Doubt? Are its emotions running rampant beneath the mask?]MAKENA JAKANDE VS. SOLOMON RHODES
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TO SLAY A DRAGON: PART 2
RINGSIDE
“Since Red Snow, the Dragon has become a benchmark in the OSW that all others be measured up against. Now you have that shiny trinket to symbolise such a status. Ethan Bird was once drawn to the allure of having such a benchmark at his side, but Ethan Bird must admit that the idea of slaying such a Dragon and reaping the rewards that such a feat would yield seems much more… enticing.
Ethan Bird has kept you close for a reason, Dragon. Study thine enemy, learn his weaknesses so one can exploit them.”
[Rhodes merely leans over the ring rope, stretching as far as he can towards Bird within the confines of the ring. He beckons Bird to come closer.]“You are just like the rest of them. Men who seek a following, be it men of God or men who want to be God. You reek of hypocrisy and deception. It is this stench that you will be remembered for Ethan Bird, nothing else. Since the Dragon was awoken, I have spread my wings and soared from one height to another. You will fall like the rest of those who seek my hide slain.
Remember nothing else but this, Ethan Bird. I did not come to keep the wheel revolving. I obliterated it. Should you seek to challenge me, I will obliterate you as well.”
[Ethan Bird draws closer, till he stands just outside the ring looking up at Rhodes.]“Our paths will cross again in due time. When that day comes, Ethan Bird will slay the Dragon and be remembered forever. Our time is not yet come, for Ethan Bird must first survive the chamber to build my own status as a warrior. Ethan Bird will come for you when the time is right, Dragon.”
[Bird casts his eye about the Tap Room.]“You will all… remember me.”
AGAINST YOU
BACKSTAGE
“What happened while I was gone!?”
[The camera pans around the room in front of her, the candles tipped on their sides and strewn about the room, wax splattering the floors. And all of her children? Gone.] [All except one.] [The little girl stands in the middle of the room, no fear on her face as she looks towards Mother.]“They left you. Mr. Phoenix helped them escape while you were gone.”
“YOU BETRAYED YOUR MOTHER!?”
[She grabs for the child, the girl backing away quickly, nearly slipping over the wax as Mother advances.]“AFTER ALL I HAVE GIVEN YOU, YOU TURNED ON YOUR OWN-”
[FOR HER! JACOB PHOENIX LEAPS FROM THE DARKNESS! Mothers head lands on the concrete with a sickening crack! Phoenix looks down at her, a scowl on his face.]“All you’ve given them? You abused them. They’re so scared of you that when one of them spoke up, the rest were brave enough to follow her out.”
[Mother is all but knocked out from the blow, looking up at Jacob in a daze.]“And now, all of your children are against you.”
[Phoenix turns away, leaving Mother behind as him and the girl leave the room.]SPELL BOUND
BACKSTAGE
“Mother Goddess, I am too weak… “ [Voodoo blurts out in a hush.] “to remember the lost things I seek!”
[Voodoo lifts his hand upwards, above his shoulder, signaling to Makena to hand him the collar and she is quick to oblige.]“Help me locate what I have lost” [Voodoo sternly states as he pulls the collar in front of him.] “I have looked and pondered and thought!”
[Holding the collar in both hands and lifting it skyward as if to offer it to the heavens, Voodoo begins to scream.]“BRING ME MY ITEM I SO DESPERATELY NEED” [Lowering his head.] “AS I WILL IT… SO MAKE IT BE!!!!”
[The lights begin to flicker and Jakande appears shaken, yet Voodoo maintains his composure; kneeling in stillness as the moments pass and ultimately the lights cease completely. It is from the darkness we hear Makena’s voice.]“What is this Voodoo? Is this what you expected?”
“Quiet friend! Quiet!”
[Voodoo tries to assure his partner and just as he does, the lights return. Nothing has changed from our perspective with Voodoo still in his kneeling pose and the uncertainty covering Jakande’s face, but suddenly he uncertainty turns to joy!]“COLOSSUS!”
[Makena shouts in celebration as she steps forward towards her lost friend, Colossus.] [Except while we recognize the Savanah Cat, it’s not Colossus. At least not in his natural form. He appears tired. Worn. Almost as if he has been revived from death.] [A zombie.] [And Makena recognizes it too just as the cat lets out a threatening growl.]“Colossus?”
[This time her voice is filled with fear and caution. Her movement halts immediately as she realizes the danger she and Voodoo are in while Voodoo; on the other hand, remains kneeled. His eyes peeled as if not sure what to do next.] [Makena slowly extends her hand to reach out towards her friend, or what is left of him, but the Savanah Cat will have none of it.] [Colossus lets out another growl as he leaps into the air, swiping at Jakande’s hand with his razor sharp claws, slicing away at her flesh.] [Jakande lets out an agonizing scream as she falls to the concrete floor. Her and Colossus essentially switching places while the cat appears disinterested in their previous friendship, walking away into the shadows.] [Makena remains on the ground holding her hand as blood seeps between her fingers and onto the floor. Tears falling down her face while Voodoo can do nothing but look on.]“Colossus?!?”
[And with that, we fade to black.]SMILEY VS. VIKTOR NORTH
SINGLES MATCH
DAMAGE CONTROL
BACKSTAGE
“I see that foolish boy has come after me for invading his little gathering. I went there in jest, I meant no harm to the lad or his peasants.”
[The officers look at each other in confusion as one flashes his badge: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services…this catches the Skull Splitter by surprise as the other officer reads from a file folder. The first officer puts away his badge, pulling out a pair of handcuffs as he turns North around.]“Viktor North, it seems you’ve been working for months without a proper work visa. We’ll have to talk to your employer about this issue, but for now we’re gonna have to ask you to come with us to get this sorted out. Please understand, we’re doing this for your benefit as much as—“
[North is having none of this, nearly cracking the skull of the officer attempting to handcuff him! He bolts out the back door of the Tap Room, only for a group of officers to take him down! As an officer places him under arrest, they all escort him to a nearby car.]“Okay buddy, we tried doing this the easy way…it’s only gonna get worse for you now.”
[They shove North into the car, slamming the door shut. North lets out a shout of rage as the car pulls away. Jackson Grant Fitzgerald looks on with a smirk and a wave as the car departs, humming “Hail to the Chief” to himself as he heads back inside the Tap Room.] [Cut.]OLD NEWS
BACKSTAGE
“I knew you’d come, Harrison.”
[Before him stands Hysteria, at the other end of a long hallway.]“You didn’t expect your trap to hold me, did you?” [Hysteria mockingly asks.]
“No.” [Smiley says with a grin, cutting off the Mad Mastermind.] “I enjoyed your artwork though. It’s nice to finally know that you appreciated my work. Sometimes family seems to be the hardest people to get compliments out of.”
[Hysteria stops, the room going cold.]“My family is dead.”
[Smiley only laughs at that comment.]“Are they?” [He taunts.] “Do nightmares ever truly go away? Or do we just bury them.”
[Hysteria crosses the room quicker than anyone could have expected him to. He grabs Smiley by the throat, and pushes him against the wall with a roar.]“You insignificant insect.” [Hystera yells as Smiley fights for oxygen.]
“Jessica.” [Smiley whispers out with a grin, despite his face turning an odd shade from not being able to take in air.] [THWACK!] [Hysteria throws Smiley into the nearest wall with force, looming over him.]
“Eva.” [Smiley whispers.] [THWACK!]
“Grace.” [Smiley finishes.] [Hysteria stares for a moment, enraged at the invoking of the names of his deceased wife and children.]
“Ever predictable, Lee.” [Hysteria finally says, his breathing controlled.] “Invoking the names of the dead? Showcasing the events of that horrible night on the walls? These things have been done by others and to greater effect. Do you truly think you will gain revenge for the burning of the Blackwater this way?”
[Smiley stands up, still holding Smiley Jr. Hysteria notices the weapon, and the wheels seem to turn in his head. Why didn’t Smiley resist his attack?]“It was always about you, wasn’t it?” [Smiley queries.] “Your career. Your money. Your house. Your cars.”
[Hysteria freezes again, his head cocking to the side.]“What did you say?”
[Smiley grins as he begins to back away.]“He told you, didn’t he?” [The Deranged One begins.] “He told you that they’d never rest, that it was only a matter of time before their spirits became just like him.”
[Hysteria’s body seems to shake with memory.]“Mortimer.”
[Some time ago, Ozric Mortimer dug up the remains of Hysteria’s family, sentencing them to a life of discontent and wandering in the world. They would not be allowed to rest. Hysteria destroyed Ozric Mortimer, but now?]“You finally destroyed him, and you thought everything was going to be okay.” [Smiley taunts.] “But just like you did when they were alive, you forgot your family was still there. Waiting.”
[Hysteria seems frozen as Smiley reaches the corner of the hallway.]“It took them long enough, but they figured out how to touch the living.”
[Smiley’s face contorts into the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.]“And they know.”
[Smiley vanishes around the corner as Hysteria seems to be trapped in place greater than even the quicksand from last week.] [What do they know?} [And why is Hysteria scared?]EDWARD NEWTON VS. CAEL GABLE
I QUIT MATCH
THE HOUND
BACKSTAGE
“I can’t raise the General,” [Piotor sounds off.] “And the target hasn’t arrived.”
[The voice on the other end of the phone is so loud that we can hear him.]“We believe The General has gone dark, Piotor. We’re under the impression that Dzagoev has offered sanctuary to Sokolov.”
[Piotor’s eyes widen his disbelief.] “He has betrayed me?”“There’s more to this than you know. You need to find General Dzagoev and Sergei Sokolov. You need to end this, but no harm can come to the General; he is a decorated member of the Russian Military. We cannot harm him and we do not condone his death. Do you understand?”
[Svetolav nods.]“I understand. I will take care of this problem, sir. The traitor will be dealt with.”
[He hangs up the phone and storms off down the corridor. Wherever Sergei Sokolov is, the hound is hot on his trail.]INTERCESSIONS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Spirit Walker.” [Scarecrow greets.]
“Hayman.” [Hawk replies.] [A moment passes between the warriors as they seem ready for combat. They have unfinished business after all. Scarecrow cuts the silence.]
“I look forward to meeting you in combat again. It’s a shame I cannot pry the gold from your hands once again. You failed to protect it from me. And now…”
[Hawk cuts off Crow.]“You defeated me, yes. I will not deny that. But I will not just run away as others have from you. I will stand before you and fight until I win. Or I die.”
[Crow sneers at the latter option as Hawk continues.]“But that is not why I am here, is it?”
“You are here because I wished you to be.”
[Hawk takes a step forward, but both warriors are taken aback by a red bolt of lightning that strikes in between them on the edge of the rock. Neither Scarecrow or Tommy are surprised as Lux Bellator forms out of the lightning.]“Thank you for answering the call.” [Bellator begins.] [The three men form a triangle, each combatant seeming to eye the other two up.]
“After speaking with the Spirit Walker, I have come to realize that the two of you may wish to finish your rivalry without my intrusion.”
[Scarecrow seems unamused by that comment.]“I do not care who stands before me. I will kill the Spirit Walker in due time. And I will kill the warrior of light, as well.”
[He holds out his hand towards Bellator.]“Whether he wishes it to or not.”
[Bellator only smiles at the comment. His eyes glow yellow, the spirits within fighting.]“I have brought the enslaved spirits that once lingered here peace. They will not spend eternity in agony. Instead, they will cry as martyrs for the Lord. Their purpose in death will be greater than that in life. I am their intercessor to a world that denies their existence. The Lord has given me this calling, and I will not be swayed by abominations and purveyors of witchcraft.”
[For the first time, Scarecrow and Tommy Hawk seem to have common cause as they turn to face Lux Bellator. Yet Scarecrow seems nonplussed once more.]“I thought you would say something like that, light warrior.” [Scarecrow sneers.] “You invaded my domain. You stole spirits that were rightfully mine.”
[He holds his hand out once more, the crows fluttering around him.]“So I have taken something that is yours.”
[As the crows flutter, a form appears before Scarecrow. He has been shackled and looks worse for wear.] [Pedro El Salvador.]“This pathetic human escaped my grasp once before, but I have him now. But I will not kill him. Not yet. I crave the blood of his son. I crave the blood of the man who he called a risen hero. Ash and dust are all I see. Long have I endured this world, and death will come for all men.”
[Hawk seems concerned about El Salvador, who offers him a small nod.]“I will not allow you to kill him. I will end your path of death.”
[Hawk turns to Lux Bellator as well.]“And I will end yours as well.”
[Bellator ignores Hawk, his eyes burned into those of his father.]“El Salvador will only die at my hand, Scarecrow.”
[Scarecrow laughs as the crows begin to flutter once more.]“Fool. I hold the gold. I hold this man. I have the power, and will not broke you two speaking as if you are my equal. Begone from here.”
[Despite attempting to summon his lighting, Lux Bellator vanishes from the rock. Tommy Hawk soon follows. Leaving just Scarecrow with Pedro El Salvador.]“Now you will tell me what you told the Spirit Walker.”
[El Salvador bows his head, preparing for whatever the Scarecrow has prepared for him.] [If he survives it.]THE ELIMINATION CHAMBER
[It’s main event time as the All-Star Championship is on the line! Yet the match is about to begin and Sergei Sokolov is nowhere to be seen!]
[The bell sounds as Dr. Sleep and Doubt are the final two not in pods. One pod is suspiciously empty as Sergei Sokolov is missing in action! The two lock up, but Dr. Sleep easily outpowers The Masked Emotion as he lifts it up for a snap suplex. Sleep stares down at Doubt before yanking it up quickly, whipping it into the rope before hitting the opposite for a lunging clothesline that knocks both off their feet. Dr. Sleep quickly kips back to his feet with malice in his eyes! He begins stomping away on The Masked Emotion who is trying desperately just to get a moment of reprieve!]
[Doubt manages to get one good kick in from the floor and pulls itself up. Sleep comes charging, but Doubt just hits a discus forearm and halts his progression. Doubt wraps his arms around the head of Dr. Sleep and slings him over the top rope and onto the metal grates on the sides of the ring. Doubt grabs the top rope and slingshots himself over the top rope with an elbow drop that connects right to the chest of the alternate identity for Bruce Van Chan. Doubt gets to its feet and drags Dr. Sleep towards the cage wall. He wraps the arm of Dr. Sleep through the mesh and back through another hole and begins PULLING ON IT! Dr. Sleep yells out in pain as Doubt seems to be just ripping his shoulder out of place with this!]
[The lights begin to circle before coming to a place right on top of… ETHAN BIRD! The manipulator’s door opens right beside the two in the match as he rushes out with a clothesline! Doubt slams down as Ethan Bird spots Dr. Sleep laying on the mesh. He rushes over and begins drilling boots into his chest as a semblance of remembering last week comes to the forefront. He lifts up Dr. Sleep who grabs him by the neck and connects with a jawbreaker! Ethan Bird staggers backwards before Sleep gets back to his feet. Clothesline sends Ethan Bird back into the ring as Dr. Sleep climbs the top rope for… a diving elbow drop!]
[Dr. Sleep gets to his feet just in time to see Doubt leap from the top rope. THE PESSIMIST’S END! ONLY… DR. SLEEP CATCHES HIM! He hooks Doubt’s legs and flings him over his shoulder! Doubt hits the mat hard as Dr. Sleep grabs it by the arm before pulling it into a spike DDT! The lights circle again before coming down upon… JACOB PHOENIX! The door slides open and in comes Jacob Phoenix who springs from the top rope onto Dr. Sleep with a springboard dropkick! Phoenix gets back to his feet just in time to see Ethan Bird getting to his feet.]
[He kicks Bird right in the midsection before climbing up the top rope, leaps to the second rope and… PHOENIX FOREARM! Ethan Bird slams into the mat before he hooks his legs! One…Two…NO! Jacob Phoenix gets to his feet just in time to see Dr. Sleep is back to his feet. Roundhouse kick from the enigma that is Dr. Sleep! He grabs Jacob Phoenix and rushes towards the corner with a throw that sends Phoenix OVER THE ROPE AND INTO THE POD’S CORNER! Phoenix hits the ground hard with his hands clutching his shoulder! Dr. Sleep goes to go after him only for Doubt to connect with a dropkick that sends Sleep into the corner.]
[The lights circle once more and lands on the last member of the match! Captain Zappa slowly enters the match before eyeing the empty pod that Sergei should have been in. Zappa doesn’t enter the match yet, but just watches from the outside of the ring. Doubt begins drilling kicks into the midsection of Dr. Sleep in the corner before rushing forward with a large superkick! Dr. Sleep catches its leg though! He lifts him up for a T-Bone suplex! Dr. Sleep looks down at Doubt for a moment before hitting the ropes and rebounding to the others with a leaping jump to the top before springing off for a hurricanrana! Zappa is caught off guard as he’s sent flying into the wall of the pod!]
[CRASHHHH!]
[The glass shatters as Zappa is laid out! Dr. Sleep grins at this before spotting Ethan Bird in the center of the ring. He climbs into the ring before meeting him in the center of the ring. The two begin trading blows before Ethan Bird kicks Dr. Sleep in the midsection. He lifts him up for… THE WORLD’S EN- NO! Dr. Sleep flips him right over his shoulder before connecting with a roundhouse! Ethan Bird is groggy just as Dr. Sleep raises him up onto his shoulders. He flings him forward before hiking up his knee into his bearded chin! GO TO SLEEP! Ethan Bird hits the mat like a sack of potatoes! Dr. Sleep pins him down! One…Two…THREE!]
[ETHAN BIRD IS ELIMINATED!]
[Dr. Sleep gets back to his feet, but it’s Doubt who connects with a kick to the abdomen! It hits the ropes before swiveling his legs for a large shining axe kick! THE END OF WISDOM! Dr. Sleep hits the mat just as Doubt claps its hand together and hits a moonsault with its knees landing right on the chest/abdomen of Dr. Sleep! THE CAUSE OF DOUBT! Doubt hooks the legs of Dr. Sleep! One…Two…NO! Dr. Sleep powers out as he pushes Doubt right off of him with the impact! Doubt looks a little confused just as Jacob Phoenix makes his way back into the match with another…. PHOENIX FOREARM!]
[Doubt hits the mat, but The Nightwatch waits for The Masked Emotion to get to its feet. Meanwhile on the outside, Zappa has finally pulled himself out of the shards of glass with a little blood trickling down his face. Doubt staggers to its feet just as Jacob Phoenix leaps up for… ZIG ZAG! But Doubt hooks the top rope which forces Jacob Phoenix slams to the mat on his shoulder! He instantly clutches his injured shoulder as Doubt’s head tilts as if examining him. ZAPPA NAILS DOUBT FROM BEHIND! A huge blow that floors The Masked Emotion! He climbs into the ring, but turns just in time to catch sight of him. Dr. Sleep nails him with a lunging clothesline! Zappa bounces up to his feet just as Dr. Sleep grabs him up onto his shoulders before running forward with a running senton onto Doubt! Sleep gets back to his feet and lifts up Doubt. GO TO SLEEP! He leaps upon it! One…TWO…THREE!]
[DOUBT IS ELIMINATED!]
[Three men remain, but it’s Jacob Phoenix who Dr. Sleep eyes next. He grabs Phoenix up with a grin upon his face before hitting three vicious headbutts into the shoulder of Phoenix. He cries out in pain before Sleep whips Phoenix AGAIN INTO THE POD! Phoenix is a mess as he falls back into the ring clutching at his shoulder in immense pain. Dr. Sleep lifts him up onto his shoulder and… GO TO SLEEP! Dr. Sleep hooks his legs! One…TWO…THREE!]
[JACOB PHOENIX IS ELIMINATED!]
[Two men remain as the blood begins dripping down the face of Captain Zappa as he rises to his feet. Dr. Sleep turns about as the two share a moment. The All-Star Championship is on the line and this monster has eliminated everyone in the ring thus far with exception of Captain Zappa. Zappa rubs his hands together as a grin spreads through his crimson mask. They meet in the center of the ring as the two begin trading blows back and forth as the crowd is on their feet! Dr. Sleep gets the upper hand with a stiff right uppercut before lifting up Zappa with a vertical suplex! Zappa reaches down and rakes the eyes of Sleep!]
[Captain Zappa pulls Sleep between his legs, turns him around and lifts up with a piledriver! THE LAUGHING HYPERDRIVE! Dr. Sleep is slammed into the mat. Zappa staggers to his feet, touching the blood for a moment. Dr. Sleep begins to get to his feet as Zappa looks a little surprised! He tries to whip Dr. Sleep into the ropes, but turns him back before snapping him into a DDT! THE HICCUP IN THE MATRIX! Zappa climbs to the top rope and lifts off with a twisting moonsault with his knees driving into the ribcage of Dr. Sleep! ZETAVARIUM! Zappa staggers to his feet with a grin on his face. Yet Dr. Sleep slowly gets to his feet! Captain Zappa looks shocked and disturbed. You can’t hear him say it, but his mouth words… ‘What ARE you?” Dr. Sleep doesn’t respond, but just kicks him in the midsection and lifts him up. GO TO SLEEP! Sleep hooks his legs. One…Two…THREE!]
[A hellacious bout, but it’s Dr. Sleep who picks up the big win and becomes the new All-Star Champion!]
GOOD OR EVIL
THE CHIEF’S OFFICE
“Not everything is what it seems. You bought this company to launder your money, but you’re ignorant to its purpose.”
[The Chief pauses.]“The balance of the world is in good and evil. Old School Wrestling is a temple designed to house the war that wages between these two entities. It is a war of a life time. It has torn through men, women and companies for generations. You hold the keys to that war.”
[Silence.]“Without Old School Wrestling, it would spill over into the world and not even the God’s could contain it. You don’t own a business, Chief. You don’t own financial security. You own a temple. The souls inside this temple feed the God’s of good and evil. They maintain a balance that saves the world.”
[Once again, he pauses, letting this sink in.]“The balance is becoming disrupted by your ignorance. So, I have decided to enlighten you before it’s too late. Soon enough, you will have to pick a side. Soon enough, you will have to choose. Are you good, or evil?”
[Cut.]