“VIRAL”
BACKSTAGE
“You,” [cut.] “My wife?” [cut.] “I’ll,” [cut.] “Kill you!”
[Nightstick suddenly brandishes his baton, slamming it into the throat of Quinn, dropping him quickly in surprise. He holds onto his throat as Luther barely reacts, receiving a shot to the mid-section. The crowd grows in size, oohing with every despicable shot across the back of Creed until he falls to the floor.] [The former officer doesn’t stop there. As Redmond kneels, he slams the baton down over his head, knocking him unconscious.] [Seething with rage, Nightstick beats the holy shit out of Creed with his baton whilst he curls into the fetal position on the ground, receiving every blow whilst trying weakly to defend himself.] [Finally, Nightstick steps away, spitting and sweating profusely, his rage barely sated by the destruction he’s caused here tonight.] [Sirens in the distance get closer, but he can’t hear them.] [Even when they’re upon him, he growls and grimaces, hitting Quinn with another blow across the abdomen for good measure.] [Cops rush towards him, tackling him to the ground with a thud. They restrain him, quickly applying cuffs before dragging him back to his feet.] [The footage continues to roll, even turning to the holder’s shocked face before abruptly cutting off.] [Cut.]“ENDLESS SPRING”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Newton?” [He calls.] [The door slowly opens, but it is not Edward Newton.] [It is the Forever Family, or the remains of it anyway.] [Brother Judah.] [Mother Magdalene.] [And Harper, who has forsaken the name given her by her brother. She walks with a slight limp, but seems to have recovered from the assault at Frostbite.]
“Elijah?” [Magdalene calls, sadness in her voice.]
“What do you want?” [Eli returns.] “Newton is dead. This is all over. Just like Creed, I took care of your problems for you. I killed the man that none of you would ever stand up to.”
[The trio step forward to line up in front of Eli.]“Edward isn’t dead.” [Harper states.] “We pulled him from the River after you tried to drown him.”
[Eli looks back down at the letter with a sneer on his face as their mother steps forward.]“Come home with us, Elijah. Repent of this anger in your heart. You have brought us all too much joy and hope to throw it all away.”
[Eli holds up the letter.]“He has you too, mother? The Riddler has twisted all of your hearts against me.”
[Harper shakes her head.]“You’ve done that yourself.”
[The three of them look at one another, silently gathering their courage in the face of their deranged son and brother. Finally, authority in his voice, Judah steps forward.]“I’m sorry, brother. But your Endless Spring now only flows with wrath and tears as you will whittle away alone, consumed with anger. We will not support you in your quest for vengeance.”
[He looks to his conflicted mother and sister, and they walk away from Eli as he leans back in his chair. Forever doesn’t even seem to care, so consumed with the Riddle he seeks to solve. The trio make their way out of the room, letting the door close behind them. They walk a short distance down the hall where Edward Newton is waiting. He gives a hug to Harper, and lends a sympathetic eye to Magdalene.]“I take it your words had no effect?” [Newton queries.] [Judah nods, putting his arm around his mother.]
“It’s as you said.” [Judah bemoans.] “We see our true enemy. The Endless Spring did as it always does, washing away uncertainty and doubt.”
[Magdalene speaks up.]“We must gather the congregation and martyrs to share the truth.”
[Judah and Harper nod, but Newton holds up his hand.]“You are correct, they must see what has become of their former leader.”
[A grin tugs at his lips.]“Bring them to Red Snow.”
[Cut.]HAPPY VS. THE GREAT BANDITO
SINGLES MATCH
“WITHOUT ME”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” [The Great Bandito asks, the barrel of Charlie’s gun still placed against his temple.] [The Bugatti still speeds down the road as Charlie Pryce chuckles.]
“Thought it through? Mate, this has been the plan from the moment you approached me.”
[The Great Bandito smiles beneath his mask.] “Very well.” [Charlie presses the gun harder against Bandito’s head.] “Now pull over.” [Bandito does as he is told. The vehicle slows to a stop on the side of the road.]“Put it in park, and get out with your hands above your head. And if you try anything funny, it will be your brains all over this nice leather interior.”
[Bandito puts it in park.] [Very slowly, he exits the vehicle. Hands above his head.] [Charlie exits as well, keeping the gun pointed at Bandito. He offers one, final command.] “Start walking.” [Hands still above his head, Bandito walks back in the direction they came.] [Pryce gets in the car.] “It was a pleasure doing business, lad.” [Bandito says nothing as he watches the 2 million dollar prize start rolling down the road without him.] [Once the vehicle is out of sight, Bandito shakes his head. He pulls a cellphone from his pocket and makes a call.]“He’s on his way.” [Bandito says.]
“Without me.”
[Cut.]“ALL IN”
BACKSTAGE
“It definitely feels like…” [Zane laughs to himself.] “A good night to rock!”
[In saying that, Zander lifts his right hand into the air, presenting in a brash manner none other than the Invasion Briefcase.] [He’s cool. He’s confident. So much so that as he rounds the corner he doesn’t even recognize Wild Karrde standing in wait.] [Before it’s too late.] [WHACK!] [Karrde drops The Rock God with a steel chair to the back of the head, the briefcase sliding down the hall.] [The Gambler straddles Zane, wrapping one arm around his neck in a rear naked choke as he holds his other hand close to his face. Suddenly, his hand begins to glow pink; emitting a visible energy around it.] [Zane’s eyes open wide in fear.]“Wait, wait, wait man…” [Zander pleads.] “It’s not what you think. That case…”
[Karrde tightens his grip, choking off the final words of Zane.]“Do you take me for a fool Zander? I know that’s not my briefcase.”
“What?”
“Never stare directly at a gambler when you’re lying to him… I spotted your tell with ease.”
“You knew? But…”
“QUIET! And listen carefully. That’s not my briefcase. You don’t have it, but someone does and just like you they missed my bluff.”
[Sex in Leather Pants squints in confusion as he glares up from his position of weakness.]“Everything I do has a purpose Zane. I wanted whoever has my briefcase to think I’ve lost it. To think they have me on the brink of madness. This little stunt you pulled with that fake case can only help.”
[Karrde releases the choke hold, removing himself from Zane who rolls over and slides away in defense.]“So at Red Snow… we’re going to fight for it!”
[Zane chuckles.]“You want to fight me for the rights to a fabrication?”
“That’s right” [Karrde nods.] “In hopes that someone out there might play their hand!”
“You disrespected me and my friends.” [THE Zander Zane states as he stands to his feet.] “You used me!”
“So are you in” [The Gambler inquires.] “Or are we going to finish this hand here?”
“No worries here Karrde” [Zane replies, anger in his voice.] “At Red Snow… I’m all in!”
[Wild Karrde nods with a grin as he slowly turns to walk away.]“Don’t forget the case.”
[The Rock God’s fists tighten as Karrde distances himself.] [Static.] [Cut.]“UNBREAKABLE”
BACKSTAGE
“No more lies…”
[He uncorks a vial that also sits before him and draws in a breath, smelling it. Exhaling with a satisfied sigh, Mysterion pours a few drops of the contents onto the clump of hair. Nothing happens for a moment, then it smoulders and smokes. Soon, the hair seems to burn itself into ash. The small drops of liquid even begin to eat away at the table itself.] [Maniacal laugh.]“Oh yes. This will do nicely. Very potent mixture indeed.”
[He stands, taking the vial with him.] [We follow Mysterion in his dastardly quest as he searches for his target. With many places to hide and twists and turns, the Tap Room can be a fine place to hide away. Frustration quickly mounts in the slightly unhinged villain as he checks locker rooms, hallways and other nooks and crannies to no avail. But soon, Mysterion’s luck changes. He hears the dulcet tones of Rain’s voice, coming from the boiler room. He seems to be in conversation with somebody.]“No. You can trust me. I’m all you have in this world…”
[Mysterion bursts into the room, making a grand entrance by kicking the door in. Rain is startled and falls backwards to the ground. The person who he was talking with is nowhere to be seen. Rain, it seems, was alone.]“There you are, you lying scumbag. Tell me. Do you still plan on spreading your lies? Did I make myself clear last week or do things need to get… drastic?”
[Rain scrambles backwards on the ground until he backs into the boiler. There is a crazed twinkle in the Cloaked Conundrum’s eye that bears weariness. Rain manages to stand, the furnace burning behind him.]“You know that I speak only the truth. Surely, you know that. I am not as breakable as you assume, do what you will but you will not get to me.”
[Maniacal laugh.]“I must not have expressed myself strongly enough last week. You claim to have all the vision. Well, jeepers creepers… How about those peepers? Let’s see how your vision is without them.”
[With that, Mysterion uncorks the vial. He tosses the potent liquid directly at Rain’s face, aiming for the eyes. Luckily, Rain manages to scramble out of the way and hit the deck. The liquid that would have blinded him is tossed into the flames of the furnace instead and instantly explodes in a small fireball that causes the lights around the Tap Room to flicker. A single splash catches Rain, hitting a loose strand of hair. As it brushes against his cheek, he lets out a scream.]“You crazy bastard! Aim properly. Your brother was right, you’re such a disappointment.”
[He runs out of the room in desperation to rid himself of the strange liquid that burns at his hair and the flesh of his cheek. Narrowly avoiding something far more serious. Mysterion calls out after him as he bounds out of the room.]“Oh, we are just getting started!”
[Cut.]CHARLIE PYRCE VS. WILD KARRDE
SINGLES MATCH
“ONE LAST LESSON”
BACKSTAGE
“Can I help you, Madam?”
[The woman barges into the room, carelessly pushing him aside.]“Where’s my Grandson?” [She demands to know.] “Where’s Happy?”
[It’s Nana.] [Wearing a floral pink dress, a large bonnet of grey hair and wrinkled like a prune in her seventies, she begins searching The Gentlemen Club as Nevermore and Mammon protest.]“Ma’am, your Grandson isn’t here,” [Edgar responds.] “And I don’t know when he’ll return. May I take a message?”
“A message?” [She snorts.] “From you?” [She scoffs.] “I don’t think so. I know what you’re doing with my poor innocent boy and I’m not about to stand by and let it continue. You need to stop this nonsense before you make me angry.”
[Edgar looks at Mammon and shrugs, confused.]“Look, I have one more lesson to teach him at Red Snow and then I’ll release him from my servitude.”
[She growls.]“What use is that? My Grandson isn’t helping you achieve anything; you already lost those precious titles you had. Stop this façade at once.”
[Edgar puffs up his chest, clearly having had enough.]“Happy has been a valuable member of my team, I think you ought to know. Because of his assistance, I’ve become King. That boy is worth more than his weight in gold.”
[Nana approaches, getting in his face.]“Don’t I know it, sonny.”
[She backs off, walking towards the door.]“If my Grandson isn’t back home with my for Christmas morning, I’ll be coming back to find you two Gentlemen and I won’t be alone.”
[Nana storms out of the room, allowing Mammon to slam the door behind her.]“What do you want to do?” [He asks.] [Nevermore strokes his moustache.]
“She’s right, Happy has outgrown his usefulness. I’ll discard of him at Red Snow and we can move on to Edward Newton and his World Championship. Don’t fear Nana, good fellow, there’s one final lesson to be taught and then that dear boy will find himself back on the scrap heap where he belongs.”
[Cut.]“DIE, SOLVEIG, DIE”
BACKSTAGE
“I can’t stop myself,” [Shadow says, his teeth gritted tightly together.] “I’m compelled.”
[He slowly starts walking towards Solveig.]“We don’t have to go to war, Shadow,” [he pleads.] “I can forgive your attempts on my life. Something clearly isn’t right.”
[The Fallen Angel isn’t listening. He continues marching towards Solveig who enters a defensive position.]“I’m sorry,” [Shadow says angrily.] “Something has ignited a rage inside of me that I cannot control. Troy Solveig must die.”
[Shadow pulls a blade from within his jacket – a long silver piercingly thin blade that sharpens into a point and thrusts it towards Solveig.] [The Viking manages to step aside, using a quick maneuver to chop the blade from Shadow’s hand. The Angel drops, scrambling for it, receiving a large boot to the head for his troubles as he does.] [Troy snatches the blade up from the ground and moves as quickly as he can in the other direction as Shadow clutches at his head, another headache inbound to cause him pain.]“I don’t know what’s happening to you, Shadow,” [Solveig says back from the other side of the hall.] “But I won’t let you take my life and I refuse to take yours. I’ll see you in the ring at Red Snow and in that moment, I hope you can end this before one of us bears the cost of it.”
[We cut to Shadow kneeling on the floor, groaning in agony, before cutting to black.]LUTHER CREED VS. ISAAC DANVERS
SINGLES MATCH
“A MAN, RABID”
BACKSTAGE
“Where are you Arthur? Show yourself!”
[It is only then people start panicking and the screaming begins. Instead of waiting for a proper response, he charges forward. Three security guards charge forth to stop the raging beast, earning one a proper knock into the head. ]“NO ONE WILL STOP ME! I SHALL FIND ARTHUR, AND THEN I SHALL HAVE HIS HEAD!”
[The two security guards struggle, latching onto his arms and attempt to pull him back. It works for a few seconds, before they’re chucked away with a scream of rage into the hall. The Dark Knight stumbles forward, seemingly free. He looks over his shoulder for a brief second, and turns around.] [Only to find himself in the grip of a pair of skeletal hands. He barely gurgles out as he’s lifted upwards.] [And hit with a chokeslam through a table!] [Dazed and confused, Knightwatch looks up to see Arthur clenching his throat, a fire in his eyes that puts fear through him.. Arthur leans in closer, speaking with a venom that freezes Knightwatch’s veins]“You insolent cur! You lash out at innocents as if they are your cause of grief? What kind of man are you?”
[Knightwatch can only sputter as the vice grip on his neck tightens.]“And here I thought that you would be a good opponent. But instead, I have a runt that bores me and tries to bite.”
[The Lich King leans in closer, his eyes glowing with unnatural light.]“If you want your revenge, then meet me where it all began. Or rot in a cell if you choose. Your fate matters not.”
[He releases his grip, letting Knightwatch fall down into the rubble of the table again with a gasp. As the Templar starts to get up, Arthur is nowhere to be found. Shaking his head, he stumbles out of the hall and into the Miami night, a chill set upon him despite the warm weather.]“THE SOUND OF DRUMS”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“People have said that absolute power corrupts absolutely, but those people have never actually experienced true power…not like this. This is the kinda power most men can only dream of, and I’ve got just the use for it.”
[He walks toward the nearest wall, slamming a fist against it…and revealing a large crater of a hole as he pulls his fist back with a smile.]“Heath Solman has become a problem, and I’ve got the solution in the palm of my hand. Imagine being immortal and hating yourself so much you’d be willing to die by any means necessary…well, I’ve got the means.”
[Nate pauses, looking up at the ceiling as though searching for something.]“Ever since this power was given to me, I could hear them. The voices calling me, the drums guiding my every step. I guess every man has a price to pay for this kinda power, but this ain’t half bad compared to most deals. Heath don’t know what he’s got coming to him, and he sure as hell ain’t ready for the war that’s approaching. I’m gonna take out every ounce of frustration I’ve got out on his sorry ass, and I can’t promise there will be anything left of him. He had his chance to play ball, but now I’m gonna shove that ball down his throat.”
[With that, Nate heads to the door, ripping it off its hinge as he leaves, chuckling to himself with the worst of intentions come Red Snow.] [Cut.]NEWTON & FOREVER VS. RAIN & MYSTERION
TAG TEAM MATCH
“IN THE END”
BACKSTAGE
“In the beginning, he awakened. In the end, there will be blood.”
[The same words spoken to Hate after Frostbite. Hate reaches for his blade and drives it into the head of that body.] [Another head rises as Hate’s eyes open with fury and… fear?]“At Red Snow, there will be blood.”
[Hate rushes at this body and stabs the head of that one to silence it.] [Yet another head rises with the face of David Manson grinning through the blood.]“At Red Snow, there will be carnage.”
[STAB!] [Another rises as Hate just falls back on his backside watching with mystified horror.]“At Red Snow, there will be DEATH!”
[Hate approaches the body on hands and knees with a hand outstretched in confusion.] [CRACK!] [A baseball bat cracks him across the top of his head as Hate slumps to the bloody floor. The bodies all appear as they were before as not-David Manson people. The figure drops the bat before leaning down and grabbing Hate by the hair to hold his head up.] [David Manson.] [He grins at his partner showing his nasty teeth.]“At Red Snow, I am finally going to be through with you, Brandon. I challenge you to a DEATHMATCH!”
[With that, he slams his head down into the floor before standing to leave. Leaving Hate in the bloody mess that he’s made.] [Cut.]“HYPOTHESIS”
BACKSTAGE
“It would only be kind to share my observations with you.” [Danvers unceremoniously begins.] “Through your actions, I have discovered something about the nature of love. It seems many of my earlier hypothesis were informed by factors I had not considered.”
[The Enforcer isn’t amused, but he also knows that Danvers is going to share either way. So he folds his arms, and nods expectantly.]“One often forgets that the brain creates its own chemically active medication. Love is one such medication. It soothes the patient, brings them to a place that no other mixture ever could. But my findings have also discovered that, just as many other substances, one can suffer from withdrawal.”
[Despite his annoyance, Kersh does seem to be interested in what Danvers is hypothesizing.]“And Brent, my dear, you have been broken by love. Through your life, you have become addicted to its comforting embrace. And now, in the absence of love, you have been broken by withdrawal.”
[The Enforcer chuckles. First a small snort, then a full blown laugh.]“I knew you were out there, Danvers, but love isn’t a drug. And I’m not going through withdrawal of it. My loved ones are always with me, and I with them. That’s how love works, it can’t be measured.”
[A slight nod from Danvers.]“You misunderstand me. Perhaps I did not articulate my hypothesis appropriately, but I must ask a question first. Do you wish to go home?”
[Kersh is thrown off by the question, but shrugs his shoulders.]“Of course not, I have a job to do here.”
[Somehow, the glee in Danvers stance is palpable as he nods in agreement.]“Then my hypothesis is not wrong. You see, your family has nothing to do with the love I speak of, because they are not what you prioritize above all else. War. Battle. Those are the things that you love. Your addiction is to the love of the ring. You cannot live without a war to fight, and the withdrawals from it have broken you.”
[Kersh starts to shake his head, but Danvers presses him back continuing his speech.]“Tell me, then, who was the man who burned Jon Davenport’s house to the ground and slaughtered his enslaved pups? Those are the actions of a man desperately seeking war. Seeking purpose.”
[Danvers holds up his hand, pushing Kersh backwards into the wall.]“Davenport is dead now. The Scarecrow is gone forever. OSW has moved past Brent Kersh. What you did in these halls to stop Noah isn’t even a consideration of the people here. And what have you lost? Outlaw. Lane. Samantha. Trevor. They’re dead and buried, but you still remain, grasping for another dose of the same war that killed them. Your body shakes with withdrawal from the love of that war, from having purpose. That’s what love is, Brent Kersh. A reason to exist, and you have none right now.”
[The fire is rising in Kersh’s eyes as Danvers releases him.]“But I have concocted a cure, my dear, and I will administer it to you at Red Snow. A war. You and I, locked into battle. You will find your purpose again. Perhaps I will find love in that war, once again. I’ve been going through withdrawal myself since my poor Cael passed beyond my reach.”
[Danvers turns to walk away, his work done. Kersh shakes his head in disagreement before yelling down the hallway.]“You’re wrong, Danvers! I’m going to bury this at Red Snow, and show you just how wrong you are!”
[But Danvers doesn’t respond, only continues to leave with Kersh looking on.]VINDICATORS VS. MANSON, ARTHUR, ZANE & WOLFGANG
THE MAIN EVENT
“FRACTURED”
RINGSIDE
“We must convene. These past two weeks have been tearing us apart. Blood has spilled and we have all suffered. This needs to end now.”
[The four men in the ring look at each other before lashing out in an argument!]“Someone’s attacking us and we’re getting nowhere!” [Gameboy yells.]
“You still aren’t out of this, you could have an accomplice!” [Redwing shouts back, getting up close to Gameboy, the Vindicator pushing Redwing away.] [The two men stand at odds, arguing back and forth before a booming voice interrupts!]
“SILENCE!”
[A hush falls over the arena as all eyes turn to the source, Berengar. The Void Knight is foaming at the mouth, inconceivably angry as he eyes the group, looking at each member quietly, almost as if measuring them up before finally laying his eyes on Redwing.]“You.”
“Me?”
[Berengar steps closer, jamming a finger into Redwing’s chest, the detective getting pushed back a bit. Solveig reaches for Berengar to try and get his attention but has his hand forcibly brushed off.]“I think I’ve figured it out. You’re the only one we haven’t been watching. You just happened to come across Spero with me.”
“What are you implying-”
“SHUT IT! You had Spero and Gameboy together and I was attacked from behind by a coward. And You were the one who came across Troy in his beaten state. I think I know who turned his back on us. It was you, Redwing.”
[Gameboy and Spero stare at one another in shock, turning back to Berengar who is looming over Redwing, practically snarling at him.]“There’s no other answer.”
[Spero finally speaks up, coming between Redwing and Berengar, pushing the larger man back a bit, Berengar barely budging.]“Calm down, Berengar. The evidence points towards Redwing, yes. But there could be another answer. We should detain him and regroup with our thoughts, yeah?”
[Berengar backs up, seemingly relenting.]“Peace is no longer an option.”
[BERENGAR LEAPS WITH A MASSIVE STOMP TO THE CHEST OF SPERO THAT CRUSHES HIM INTO THE MAT! Gameboy and Redwing can’t believe their eyes as Berengar turns to them! A brawl is about to break loose! Redwing catches Berengar with a massive DDT! As he rises to his feet, looking to Gameboy in an attempt to reason GAMEBOY TAKES HIM DOWN WITH A LEVEL ONE! SUPERKICK!] [As soon as Redwing goes down both Spero and Berengar are up! The Vindicators are tearing each other apart!] [And amongst the chaos, Troy looks on with an expression of defeat. He drops from the apron… and walks away.] [The Vindicators are fractured.] [Can anything repair them?]“CONNECTIONS”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Thanks for getting me out,” [Nightsticks says between gritted teeth, clearly not pleased to call in that favor.]
“Don’t mention it. How’s Barb?” [He asks, genuinely concerned.] “I tried calling the hospital but she’s under protection even I can’t breach.”
“She’s shaken up,” [Nightstick responds as they walk down the steps.] “She hit her head pretty hard, left a contusion the size of a golf ball but she’ll be fine. It’s the rest.”
“I read the report. Look, I know we haven’t been on the best of terms but if there’s anything I can do, just give me a call, alright?”
[Nightstick nods.] [His buddy walks down the steps and heads off into the Miami night, only our camera doesn’t stop rolling; a voice interrupts his moment of solitude.] [Wolfgang.]“I could’ve told you they were animals, friend.”
[Nightstick swivels, his face immediately changes to that of sheer disgust.]“I heard what they did to your wife,” [he remarks with a stoic shake of the head.] “That kind of animalistic behavior is to be expected from their kind. That’s why I wish to eradicate them from the face of our earth. Why don’t you join me?”
[Nightstick scoffs.]“Join you?” [He asks with a snort of derision.] “You’re lucky I don’t beat you where you stand. It’s because men like you force men like them to behave that way that men like me suffer your ignorance.”
[He gets into Wolfgang’s face, looking him dead in the eyes.]“I’ll take care of Creed at Red Snow,” [he says sternly.] “And you’d better stay away from me.”
[Wolfgang backs off, holding his hands up as The Cop shakes his head and walks away.] [Cut.]