WARZONE #386
SIC' EM
It's almost time for War Games but the real war has only just begun. This week, Caido and Hatchet tear it up in the Main Event whilst Drewitt battles Destructo Boy and Gemini takes on Nero.
The Search for Tombstone, I
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Inside the Seeker stronghold on Death Row, the atmosphere is tense. Jackson Cade stands with Nero and Gemini, arms crossed, eyes shadowed by fatigue and doubt.
“This is all we’ve got locked in for Hounds of Hades,” he says. “Just us three.”
Gemini nods slowly, arms wrapped around herself. “Three against five?” She pauses. “That’s not great math.”
Cade glances to Nero. “Thanks to him, we know Tombstone spoke with Redgrave last week. So I’m going to find him. Give it one last shot.”
Gemini raises an eyebrow. “And where exactly are you gonna look? Olympus doesn’t have a ‘Ferryman Alley’ listed on the map.”
Cade smirks faintly.
“I’ve got an idea.”
“What about Felix?” Nero follows up.
Cade’s expression falls. The silence lingers.
“I’m not sure where Foley’s head’s at,” he finally says. “And whatever history he’s got with Tombstone doesn’t matter right now. None of it does.”
Cade heads for the exit.
The screen flickers.
We pull back.
The entire exchange—a video, previously recorded.
Stood around the screen are Narcissa, Lucius, Jasper Redgrave, George Cade, and Gravedigger.
Narcissa shuts off the feed.
“Find Cade,” she tells Gravedigger coldly. “Stop him before he makes contact.”
Gravedigger nods and walks out. Redgrave starts to sit up, but Narcissa cuts him off.
“You’ve got a match later. You’re sitting this one out.”
Redgrave doesn’t argue, but he glances at George, who gives the faintest nod and slips out behind Gravedigger.
Lucius scowls. “What about the Reverend?”
Narcissa’s voice is ice. “We’re doing the best we can. When I know something, the Church will know.”
Redgrave leans forward. “And Hatchet?”
Narcissa smiles. “I’m handling that.”
Cut.
Martyr
The scene opens in flickering half-light. Rusted pipes hiss with escaping steam. Chains rattle faintly in the distance. It’s hot, claustrophobic, and reeks of sweat, metal, and something darker.
Ezekiel Graves slowly regains consciousness, his breath ragged. His head lolls forward, revealing a deep, bloodied gash above his brow. He’s tied to a metal chair—arms and legs bound tight with leather straps, dried blood crusted at his temple.
Across from him, in a corner drenched in shadow, sits Felix Foley, hunched forward with his elbows on his knees, hands buried in his hair. His body trembles—either from exhaustion, guilt, or the thin thread of control he’s fighting not to lose.
Foley whispers to himself, over and over. Muted. Shaking.
“Not again… not again… not like last time…”
Graves stirs, coughing hard, before lifting his bloodied head.
“Psalm 34:16,” he rasps. “‘But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.’”
Foley doesn’t respond.
Graves continues, calmer now—his preacher’s voice creeping through the fog.
“You still have a chance to repent, Foley. Ephesians 4:32. ‘Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.’”
He sighs deeply.
“Release me, Felix. Or suffer the wrath of God.”
Foley slowly lifts his head. He looks broken, exhausted—but not possessed. Not Scissors. Not yet.
“You think I want this?” He says, voice hollow. “You think I wanted him?”
He leans forward, eyes tired, haunted.
“I didn’t ask for Scissors. I didn’t invite him. But when Nox put that needle in my neck, he didn’t just break my mind—he unleashed something I’ve been burying for as long as I can.And now?” Foley chuckles bitterly. “Now I’m stuck. Just like always.”
There’s a long silence. The tension between them hangs like razor wire.
Then Foley stands and walks to Graves. He undoes the restraints—slowly, carefully.
The leather thuds to the ground.
Foley steps back.
“You’re free to go. For now.”
Graves eyes him cautiously, rubbing his wrists.
Foley looks him dead in the eye.
“But remember this—I’m in control tonight. Not Scissors.”
He turns his back.
“Let’s hope I’m still the one in control… next time.”
The camera lingers on Graves’ face—not afraid, but deeply unnerved.
And we fade to black.
Cut.
MATT RUBY: It's time for Captain Arcadia versus Chavito, at least I get to watch one serious person in this match.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Captain Arcadia is serious Ruby, he's a former champion while you're sitting here watching everything.
DING! DING!
Arcadia and Chavito tie up! Chavito is overpowering the captain and throws him over the ropes! Hard landing!
MATT RUBY: A serious loser, Bronco.
Chavito rolls out of the ring and waits for Arcadia to get up! Arcadia pulls himself up and the moment he gets to his feet, Chavito turns him inside out with a massive clothesline! He pulls him just to put him down again with a spinebuster!
MATT RUBY: Even I didn't think it would be this much of a dominant showing, it looks like he's ready to put him out of his misery!
Chavito backs up for the spear waiting for Arcadia to get up!
ARCADIA IS UP!
CHAVITO CHARGES!
BITTER SWEET SYMPHO-NO!
ARCADIA SIDE STEPS AT THE LAST SECOND AND CHAVITO DIVES INTO THE STEEL STEPS!
Chavito is down and Arcadia goes all the way to the top rope!
STAR SPANGLED SPLASH!
HE NAILS THE FROG SPLASH AND ROLLS CHAVITO INTO THE RING!
ARCADIA GOES BACK TO THE TOP ROPE AND LEAPS AGAIN!
A SECOND STAR SPANGLED SPLASH AND HE STAYS ON FOR THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Chavito looked great at the beginning but it's not how you start, it's how you finish and Arcadia gets the win!
You Can't Make an Omelette
The bell sounds the end of the match, and Captain Arcadia finds his feet, the words of Anton Savor still ringing in his head from a week ago.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Captain Arcadia looks like he’s going to address Arcadia. He’s had plenty on his mind lately.
MATT RUBY: We’re not here for a sob story mate, jog on.
Retrieving a microphone, he holds it to his lips.
“I…” But he’s cut off. Lux Aeterna fills the arena, and out comes a smirking Anton Savor.
“Whatever you’re about to spout to win these people back onto your side, hold your tongue.” He makes his way into the ring, stepping past a recovering Chavito. “These people don’t need a hero who only works when it suits him, whose agenda is more important than them.”
Cap squares off against Savor, eyeballing him.
“You want to twist things and make me into the bad guy? We have a bigger problem and you’re ignoring it.” He points out to the crowd. “When we stand idly by and the Sunshine Club terrorises Arcadia… I will be there to protect these people.”
Savor scoffs.
“You had your chance, asshole. Arcadia has never been more dangerous. And where are you? Still crying over your lost friends while people die in the streets looking for a hero that’s abandoned them.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Savor’s words are really hitting home.
MATT RUBY: Of course they are. Some people can't handle the truth.
Savor stands Chavito up with a smirk.
“You’re no hero to these people. They need a new hope, a new light. Not some flag waving pretender.”
Cap can't take any more. He swings at Savor, but Savor pulls Chavito into the firing line.
Arcadia doesn't care what he hits, unloading his frustration on whatever is in his way. He barrages Chavito with lefts and rights… knees, fists.
MATT RUBY: This is your hero, Arcadia? He's nothing more than a thug.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Savor has goaded him every step of the way, but Cap has fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
Chavito is left a bloodied mess at Arcadia's feet before a horrified crowd.
And Anton Savor? He simply slinks away, shit-eating grin on his face.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You can't make an omelette without cracking a few eggs. What's going to happen when Savor stands in the firing line of this anger with nowhere else to turn?
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Coming up, we have two of the most unsettling men in Arcadia going toe-to-toe.
MATT RUBY: The Killer King Jasper Redgrave taking on Mr. Sunshine. One will kill you for a collage, the other will kill you with a smile. These two men are unsettling and threatening, but not in the same way.
Referee Mills Stanton calls for the bell, and we’re underway as Mr. Sunshine looks to blitz The Artist with A Running Crossbody Block while yelling…
CATCH ME!
And Redgrave does just that, plucking Sunshine out of the air and throwing him into a Vertical Suplex position before…
PORTRAIT OF A KILLER…
Driving Cheery Charlie down with the Nightmare Pendulum!
Redgrave mocks Sunshine, pointing at a massive smile across his face as he casually pulls Charlie Boye off the canvas. Jasper runs his thumb across the Throat of Cheery Charlie before setting him up for…
THE BRUSH STROKE!
Forward Russian Legsweep smashing Charlie’s smile into canvas before rolling him into the cover, and Stanton makes the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Well, I hope this means I won’t have to see that smile again this week, it always makes me a bit queasy.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Impressive win this week by The Killer King as we move closer to Hounds of Hell!
The Dog Bites Back
Behind the entrance ramp to Olympus, we find Destructo looking at a photo of him and his father. A mixture of anger and sadness is etched on his face as he stares at the picture.
"Destructo," a familiar voice calls out, causing the Anti-Hero to tighten his fist.
MATT RUBY: Ayame has some serious balls approaching that little shithead after what happened last week.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: It doesn't look like he's all that happy to hear her either. Hope he does the wise thing and gives her a chance to speak.
James says nothing as the former Wolf approaches him. Noticing the tension, she takes a few seconds to choose her words carefully.
"I wanted to apologize for bringing up a taboo subject. I was just trying to make sure you were on the same page with the rest of-"
Before she could finish her thought, James throws a wild haymaker at her!
MATT RUBY: What a hell of a sucker punch! Really rocked her with that right hand!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the heck prompted that!? Why would he attack her for saying sorry?
Ayame takes a step back after being hit. She looks at him in surprise for a few moments before her rage boils over. She pounces on him, tackling him to the ground and responding with hard shots to the face!
MATT RUBY: So much for being wise, eh BB? This stupid boy is paying for his idiocy with the wrath of the Dragon Princess!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This is so unnecessary! Somebody needs to run down here and break this up before he's seriously hurt!
Destructo tries his best to block the incoming blows, but they're raining upon him hard and fast. Not too long afterwards, she stands up and delivers a couple well placed kicks to the stomach!
"It would've been easier to just fucking say 'thank you!'" Ayame yells, delivering one final kick to the abdomen for good measure. Her entrance theme begins to play as she walks toward the onstage area, leaving James battered and dazed, but conscious.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I just got word from Scott Sterling that Ayame vs. Destructo is happening at Hounds of Hades. Hopefully these two can resolve whatever issues they have with one another there.
MATT RUBY: I wouldn't want to be in her warpath right about now, because her match is up next!
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wolf Fang Ayame has a look of fire in her eyes after her dealing with Destructo, but that fire is going to be directed immediately at The Night.
MATT RUBY: I wouldn't want to be standing across from her. Lying on top of her, yes, but not where Night is right now.
Ayame comes out of the gates hot, taking the fight right to Night with a vicious series of strikes. Night tries valiantly to defend himself but is soon backed into the corner where several shots hit home.
TAIL STRIKE!
CLOBBERED WITH THE HIP ATTACK!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ayame has come out looking for blood.
MATT RUBY: The Night better start defending himself or this is going to be a quick death.
Ayame backs up a few steps before charging again.
ON THE HUNT!
NO!
THE NIGHT PUSHES AYAME AWAY, BLOCKING THE ENZIGURI!
He frees himself from the corner just in time to lock horns with Ayame. She unloads strike after strike at him, but Night manages to ready his defenses.
A SOLID STRIKE FROM NIGHT ROCKS AYAME!
HE CHARGES THE ROPES!
NIGHT CAP!
LEAPING SHOULDER TACKLE TAKES HER DOWN!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Desperation move from the Night but he manages to slow her momentum.
MATT RUBY: For now, but she's already clambering to her feet. The Night is not expecting her to come back at him so quickly!
Ayame comes at Night with claws bared but he blocks her again, pushing her away.
He drives her into the turnbuckle back first, before hoisting her up.
SOL SNATCHER!
NO, AYAME KICKS HIM AWAY!
The Night takes a swipe at Ayame, trying to grab her but she Dropkicks his knee to stop him in his tracks. He collapses to his knees as she leaps atop the turnbuckle.
HEAVEN'S HOWL!
DIVING KNEES TO THE NIGHT!
Ayame rolls forward, laying in wait until The Night can pull himself to shaky feet.
CRESCENT MOON KICK!
NO! NIGHT DUCKS IT, KNOCKING HER OFF BALANCE AND LOCKS IN HIS CRIPPLER CROSSFACE!
YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!
AND AYAME HAS NOWHERE TO GO...
SHE TAPS OUT!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wolf Fang Ayame came at him like a wounded dog, but Night picks up the submission victory tonight.
War
Dimly lit by flickering sconces, the once opulent antechamber outside Zeus’ sealed medical room now feels more like a war bunker. The beep of life support faintly echoes through the door behind them — a grim reminder of how close the Preservationists came to losing their figurehead.
Seated around a circular obsidian table are Ares, Hatchet, and Narcissa. Their silence is filled with the weight of impending violence.
Ares leans forward, hands steepled, eyes cold as stone.
“The teams for Hounds of Hades are nearly in place.”
Narcissa nods confidently.
“It’ll be me, Hatchet, Gravedigger, Redgrave, and Graves. We’re ready. We’re expecting Gemini, Foley, Cade, and Nero. Tombstone’s the outlier.”
Ares narrows his eyes at that. “If Tombstone sides with us, that tips the scale.”
Hatchet shifts in his seat and speaks up, matter-of-fact.
“If Tombstone joins us, I’ll step aside.”
That catches Ares off guard. He raises a brow, intrigued.
“You’d give up your spot? You don’t strike me as the charitable type.”
Hatchet smirks darkly.
“I’ve got Foley and Graves at Ring of Dreams. Let them tear each other apart. I’d rather walk into the main event with them half-dead than waste myself now.”
Ares chuckles low and long, nodding.
“Strategic. I like it.”
Narcissa shifts the tone, her voice sharp, direct.
“That’s all well and good… but Ares, you need to raise the stakes. Zeus’ orders weren’t just to win this war — it was to end it. You know what he wanted.”
Ares’ jaw tightens. He leans back in his chair, staring toward the door behind them, where Zeus lies comatose, caught between life and death.
“That’s a heavy line to cross.”
Narcissa’s eyes harden.
“This match isn’t some filler on the road to resolution. It’s war.”She stands slowly, towering with poise and venom.
“And war never changes.”
A long beat passes. Ares looks down at the table, then back up.
A slow nod.
“Then we’ll give Arcadia a war it won’t forget.”
Cut.
The Search for Tombstone, II
The Metalworks is silent but never still—smoke curls from broken stacks, gears whine in the distance, and the echo of Jackson Cade’s footsteps crunch against scattered brass shells and scorched iron.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Metalworks?
Jackson Cade moves carefully, eyes sharp. He stops near a wall riddled with old bullet holes.
MATT RUBY: Don’t you remember, BB, this is where this idiot lined up a firing squad on Tombstone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s not exactly how it happened.
Cade reaches out, brushes his fingers along the metal, lost in thought…
Until Gravedigger crashes into him from behind.
MATT RUBY: It’s over for Cade now!
Cade slams into the wall, ribs rattling. Gravedigger doesn’t let up—THROWING CADE THROUGH A RUSTED SCAFFOLD!
The fight spills across the yard, Gravedigger pursuing the man he caught by surprise, but Cade took the moment of retreat to regroup.
HE DRIVES A PIPE INTO GRAVEDIGGER’S RIBS, BUT DIGGER FIGHTS THROUGH…
GRAVEDIGGER SLAMS CADE ONTO A CRACKED ANVIL!
Cade scrambles, blood on his lip, ducking under a swinging right hook.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This doesn’t look good for the leader of the Seekers.
Cade grabs a rusted chain, whips it, catching Gravedigger across the face just long enough to stumble back.
Then he’s gone.
Cade vanishes behind a collapsing panel, disappearing into the twisted maze of the Metalworks.
MATT RUBY: No!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Somehow, Jackson Cade has gotten away!
Gravedigger seethes, pacing in a slow circle. He spits blood onto the ground.
“Coward.”
From the shadows, George Cade steps forward.
“Good work. You did it,” George says. “He doesn’t know where Tombstone is. This just confirmed it.”
Gravedigger spits again, this time in disgust.
“I kind of wish he did,” he mutters. “Tombstone shows his face: he pays for Igor.”
He storms off, leaving George Cade to look around the Metalworks.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I would call this a regular David versus Goliath match, but I reckon Destructo's rage is more dangerous than any sling!
MATT RUBY: Not as dangerous as Drewitt's boot.
The bell rings and Drewitt slams into Destructo with a shoulder tackle! He deadlifts the anti-hero and German Suplexes him across the ring! Destructo wobbles back to his feet-
DESOLATION! CLAYMORE- NO!
DESTRUCTO CATCHES THE LEG! ZERO FEAR! HAAS OF PAIN!
Drewitt yells in agony as the hold is locked in! He struggles for a moment before grabbing hold of the bottom rope! Demi Sky begins a count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
Destructo lets go and argues with Demi who wants to call for the bell!
"I have til five!"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh that's just blatant rule breaking!
MATT RUBY: No, no, he has a good point for once. He has until five.
Demi backs down and Destructo turns around-
INTO A DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! WAR CRY!
Destructo gets turned inside out by the attack and Drewitt peels him up to Biel toss him into the corner! War runs the Anti-Hero down for a stinger splash- Destructo gets the hanging overhead kick! Drewitt stumbles out from the corner as Destructo springboards!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DIVING HEADBUTT TO A STANDING DREWITT!
MATT RUBY: They both already had so few braincells, BB!
Drewitt staggers to his feet and Destructo unloads!
ALL HIS RAGE! FLURRY OF BLOWS! HE HITS THE ROPES!
SEE NO EVIL! SHINING WIZARD CONNECTS! DREWITT GOES DOWN!
Destructo covers!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Once again David triumphs over Goliath as Destructo's rage slingshots him to victory!
No One to Blame But Him
Previously Recorded
The air is still but the ground stinks of accelerant. A wide, soaked field just outside Arcadia. Wind presses through the tall grass.
At the center a wooden post. Ignacio’s widow is tied to it. Tape across her mouth. Wrists bound behind her. She’s barely holding herself up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This… this ain’t right.
MATT RUBY: This ain’t a message it’s an execution.
Eclipse walks into frame. Torch in hand. Coat trailing behind her. She walks up to the edge of the circle without looking down.
Just stands there. Silent. Watching.
Then she crouches just like she’s settling in to get something off her chest.
“You could’ve disappeared. Buried your husband. Held your kids. Stayed quiet. But no you had to spit. Had to believe someone would come to be a hero.”
She rises to her feet.
“Caído gave you hope and hope is cruel. He caught my hand, and you thought that made you untouchable? You thought he mattered?”
She takes two steps forward, then turns her back to the post.
“Let him hear what that costs.”
She tosses the torch over her shoulder — no pause, no hesitation.
WHOOMF.
The soaked grass ignites instantly. Flames roar, racing toward the post. The widow thrashes eyes wide and then A muffled scream.
Short. Sharp. Real.
CUT TO: THE TEMPLE OF BONES
Caído is kneeling in silence, placing a stone along a cracked altar. The firelight isn’t here but the sound is the scream hits him like a wave. He freezes…..
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: She didn’t want him to see it.
MATT RUBY: She just wanted him to live with it.
Frowns and Fear
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
The sound of wood splintering explodes through the air of Klaus Way's Circus. The sounds of frantic screams are silenced by heavy thuds, left with nothing but the muffled words of someone directing traffic. The scene follows Klaus Way himself, the Ringmaster bursting through the front of his big top tent to see the cause of commotion.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: By God that's— What in the hell is going on!?
MATT RUBY: Looks like Sunshine is making good on his promise, BB. We're seeing a whole bunch of broken lollipops.
The Sunshine Club has brought chaos to Klaus' Circus! Entire tents have been torn down, popcorn machines turned over, and many of Klaus' own freaks have been put out of commission! He walks into the center of the destruction, Mister Sunshine staring him down with a wicked grin.
"SUNSHINE!" Animosity spits from Klaus' mouth as he rushes towards the man in yellow only to stop in his tracks as the other members of the Sunshine Club flank him on either side.
"Mr. Way, my little sunbeam." Sunshine tilts his head, chuckling. "I told you, this had to end. I figured I could be the lollipop, or you could be."
"I'll knock those teeth out of your skull!"
"You?" Sunshine looks to Mister Smile, signaling him to advance. "All by your lonesome?"
"No."
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: AJAX THE ADONIS JUST BOWLED THROUGH MISTER SMILE!
MATT RUBY: Damien Solus nailed Miss Joy with a mallet!
The Unnaturals clear house, running the Sunshine Club away with vicious intent!
"You can harm me, but not my home," Solus says with a sneer.
"Leave or be broken," Ajax adds, standing beside Solus as Klaus walks forwards to join his freaks.
"You want an end, Sunshine? At Hounds we'll have our end. You and your club against myself and my freaks. I'm going to become the reason you frown, you smiling twit." Way seethes as he speaks, begging Sunshine to try him. However, Charles knows better, absconding alongside the Sunshine Club, Klaus left to deal with the damage they've dealt.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Up next, the Rogue Code takes on Nature’s Delight in what should be an exciting match!
MATT RUBY: I can’t wait, Bronco, I’m always excited to see Gemini in action!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Please, keep your pants on, Matt. No one wants to see that.
Referee River Moonfoot calls for the bell, and Gemini lashes out with a Dropkick, staggering The Red Reboot. Nature’s Delight follows it up with a second Dropkick, staggering Nero against the ropes, allowing her to grab an Arm Wrench and begin walking the Top Rope...
THE LAST DANCE!
Leaping from the ropes into a...
FIREWALL!
Damnable Superkick knocking Gemini out of the air!
The Red Reboot looks to take advantage and flight as he scales to the Top Rope...
CRASH OVERRIDE-NO!
SNAPSHOT!
Gemini kips up and manages to grab Nero out of a Moonsault and deliver a devastating Code Breaker to The Rogue Code! Rolling him into an Inside Cradle off the move as Moonfoot makes the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Hot damn, that was a hot move displaying the flexibility and agility of Nature’s Delight in one swift fluid motion.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I must agree, Matt, but I think it’s for a bit of a different reason.
Broken
The Agora, while usually bustling with activity, is now mostly empty with the exception of two men beneath a single overhead light.
Drewitt and El Mariachi Muerte.
Both men sit at a table outside of a now empty shop, mid conversation as we finally join them.
"—And you just expect me to just trust you?" Drewitt says, his eyes staring a hole through Muerte.
"I know, amigo. Words are meaningless, lyrics without a tune. That is why I wish to earn it, no matter how long it takes."
Drewitt drinks in Muerte's words before finally sighing. "I know. Last week you defied your fellow Seekers. But was that for me? Or for yourself?"
"For you, Drewitt. For everyone. I told you before, I wish to open that door, even if it may be my demise." He looks up at his former teammate, eyes filled with what could only be described as regret.
There's a pregnant pause for a moment until Drewitt nods his head knowingly. "Okay."
Bzzzt!
The light above them flickers to darkness, the sounds of a scuffle heard in the shadows. The sound of wood meeting flesh soon gives way to shattered glass! The moment is quick, violent, and over just as quickly as it began. The light above flickers back to life to reveal a single figure standing over the carnage.
The Night.
Muerte lays in a heap under a broken table, Drewitt himself sent through the shop's glass window.
"The trust is broken. It's been broken." He kneels down next to Muerte, shaking his head. "And at Hounds, everyone will get to see it shattered."
The light flickers.
Darkness.
Cut.
The Search for Tombstone, III
The market square bustles with life—traders shouting, neon lights blinking over rusted stalls. No one notices the figure in black weaving through like a shadow.
Tombstone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The man everyone is looking for.
MATT RUBY: Seems he’s not that elusive.
He ducks into a narrow alleyway.
“I’m tired of being summoned by lesser beings,” he growls into the shadows of the alley.
“Sorry,” a voice says softly.
There’s a figure in the shadows. Cloaked. Obscured.
MATT RUBY: Turn up the lights, who is that?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: And who would Tombstone actually go meet?
Tombstone doesn’t look impressed.
“The Civil War isn’t something you can keep ignoring,” the figure continues. “It’s at your doorstep now.”
No answer.
“You have to make a choice.”
Tombstone’s eyes flare in anger.
“I could kill you right where you stand.”
“I know,” the figure replies. “I know that you once fought to protect the Door from being revealed. I know that you also would do anything to take back what’s yours from Gravedigger. And I’m just some insect standing in your way. But I’m here anyway.”
A heavy pause.
“Because we need you.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We? Which “we” is it?
MATT RUBY: It’s gotta be a Preservationist, right?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I don’t know.
Tombstone’s eyes narrow.
“Where do you stand?”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: We have a doozy of a main event here with the final stop before Hounds of Hades as the Seekers El Dragon Caido faces off against the Preservationists Judas Hatchet.
MATT RUBY: Hey you best not be talking about the juggalo with the most hoes BB, Hatchet saw an opportunity to join up with the winning crew and take it. Just like he's going to continue winning here tonight.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He's a prick who screwed over people who believed in him for drugs Ruby, and I'm hoping that the Dragon burns him alive tonight like he deserves.
The bell rings as Hatchet rushes forward, looking for a clothesline that Caido ducks underneath, leaping up as Hatchet turns around with a high Dropkick that staggers the Clown back. Hatchet shakes off the cobwebs, rushing forward
Into an Armdrag, and a second, before a snap headscissors sends him through the middle rope to the concrete floor.
Hatchet lands on his feet, the crowd booing as he taunts them for a moment, not noticing Caido flow through the ropes, leaping onto the top before diving off
TRIANGLE MOONSAULT WIPES OUT HATCHET!
The crowd roar as Caido rolls to his feet, hyping the crowd for a moment before pulling Hatchet to his feet and throwing him roughly back into the ring. Caido gets up onto the apron
SLINGSHOT SENTON! That may be it as Caido rolls over for the cover, Demi Sky sliding in to count
ONE
................
TW...
HATCHET GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Caido all over Hatchet in the early goings here, the high flying luchadore seemingly too much for the powerful brawler.
As if on cue as Caido tries to pull Hatchet to his feet, he's rocked by a hard uppercut to the throat before Caido is pulled in
PONY DOWN! Hatchet nearly breaks Caido in half with a sudden Side Slam Backbreaker.
Hatchet doesn't cover but instead pulls Caido up, rocking him with a few hard lefts and rights before throwing the Dragon to the ropes, dropping down a little early for a backdrop that he pays for with a hard kick to the jaw. Caido rushes to the ropes, springboarding off
MATT RUBY: WIG SPLIT! Hatchet headbutted that flying idiot out of the air with a brutal headbutt, that's it there BB.
The Juggalo pulls up the groggy Caido, double underhooking him
FOR SOME HOCUS POKUS! Deadly Double Underhook Powerbomb nearly drives Caido through the mat as Hatchet stays down for the cover, Demi Sky sliding in
ONE
...............
TWO
...............
..................
CAIDO GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
But Hatchet keeps him down, flipping Caido over as he locks in a Boston Crab. The Dragon screams out in pain, trying to crawl to the ropes as Hatchet tries to pull him back further into the Hotline. Caido nearly gets to the ropes, fingertips away before Hatchet pulls him back, but Hatchet can't pull him backwards into the Elevation as Caido manages to slip out of the hold, rolling to his feet.
Into a hard forearm before he's thrown head over heels with a T-Bone Suplex.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh now what's that idiot doing going up top?
MATT RUBY: He's just trying to prove he's the absolute best Olympian, if Caido can fly, so can the clown
Hatchet props himself up top, taunting the crowd and Caido with double middle fingers before diving off
BUT THE CHICKENS AREN'T GETTING HUNTED TODAY AS CAIDO MOVES OUT OF THE WAY OF THE DIVING LEG DROP!
Hatchet stumbles to his feet, holding his back in pain as Caido is on his feet. The Dragon smirks, urging the Juggalo forward as Hatchet scowls, rushing at him with a Lariat that Caido sidesteps, grabbing Hatchet by the back of the head and throwing him once more through the outside.
Hatchet stumbles to his feet as Caido looks for the Triangle Moonsault once more
BUT HATCHET WAS READY AS HE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!
MATT RUBY: Smartest man alive there, you ain't gonna catch Hatchet with the same move twice.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Smartest idiot doesn't realise Caido faked him out there.
As Hatchet taunts the crowd, Caido's still in the ring, sizing Hatchet up as he sprints forward as the Clown turns around.
SUICIDE TORNADO DDT ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
Hatchet gets spiked onto the concrete as Caido pulls him up, throwing him back into the ring before sliding in himself. The Dragon backs himself into the corner, breathing out imaginary fire into the air before rushing forward as Hatchet staggers up
DANCE WITH DRAGONS! MEXICCANN DESSTROYYYAHHH!
Hatchet is spiked into the mat but Caido isn't done, quickly heading up top as the crowd cheers. He dives off
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: FLIGHT OF THE FALLEN! The Frogsplash hits, this has to be it.
Caido hooks the leg, Demi Sky sliding in to count
ONE
................
TWO
.................
...................
.......................
THREE....
HATCHET GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: SON OF A BITCH! That bastard survived somehow.
MATT RUBY: Hey careful BB, your bias is showing.
Caido signals for the end, trying to pull Hatchet up to his feet
FUCK YOU! A brutal lifting uppercut right to the jaw rocks Caido out of nowhere as Hatchet lifts him up onto his shoulders, a shit eating grin on his face. He flips off the crowd with one hand before flipping Caido around
SELF TITLED! Hatchet nails Caido with the Stunner, sliding down as he hooks the leg of the unconcious Caido, Demi Sky sliding in to count
ONE
.............
.................
TWO
...............
....................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: DAMNIT! How in the hell did that bastard still pull it off?
MATT RUBY: That's the #1 contender to the world championship you're talking about BB and not only did he just pick off another challenger, but he showed everyone that the Preservationists will win next week.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Don't count your chickens before they're hatched Ruby, they may have momentum now thanks to Hatchet but it will not be an easy victory for either team inside that deadly structure at Hounds of Hades.
Seekers and Preservationists
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Hell of a main event between Caido and Hatchet there, Matt.
MATT RUBY: I can’t disagree, BB.
Caido has left the ring, leaving Hatchet to soak in the jeers of the crowd. Just as he goes to leave, he sees someone walking down the aisle.
Felix Foley.
MATT RUBY: Get the hell out of there, Hatch!
Foley doesn’t look at the crowd. He doesn’t smile. He walks—measured, focused. The crowd shifts with unease as he slides into the ring and stands across from Hatchet.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Foley released Graves earlier, but who knows if Scissors is in control right now.
A stare. No words yet. Felix gets a microphone and raises it up.
AND GETS BLINDSIDED WITH A VICIOUS SHOT TO HIS HEAD!
IT’S EZEKIEL GRAVES!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: You had to know the World Champ was going to seek retribution.
MATT RUBY: It’s the Lord’s retribution, BB!
Graves doesn’t let up. Boots, fists, elbows.
Hatchet joins in, laughing as they stomp Foley into the canvas.
The crowd pops as two more figures rush out.
Gemini hits the ring at a sprint, crashing into Hatchet with a flying forearm. Nero barrels in next, tackling Graves and driving him into the corner.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A lot of history between these two men.
Four bodies swing and slam across the mat in a brutal knot of limbs.
Gemini backs up, leaping at Hatchet, BUT NARCISSA SLIDES IN LOW, YANKING GEM BACK BY HER HAIR!
Now it’s Nero alone, battling Graves and Hatchet two-on-one, barely holding ground…
UNTIL THE CROWD ERUPTS! JACKSON CADE IS STORMING DOWN THE RAMP!
MATT RUBY: He ran away from Gravedigger, but he’ll go after these two?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: He’s saving the people who he leads, Ruby.
Olympus shakes as he slides in like a missile, and the second Hatchet turns, Cade clotheslines him clean over the top rope.
He sets his sights on Graves, BUT HERE’S JASPER REDGRAVE, NAILING CADE FROM BEHIND WITH A CHOP BLOCK!
Cade hits the mat, but Gemini and Nero rally, leaping into action.
Together, they knock Redgrave out of the ring, then send Narcissa and Graves crashing out after him, the crowd surging to its feet as the three Seekers help Foley stand up.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Three is now four, Ruby!
MATT RUBY: What a horrible choice, but I guess it’s slim pickings for Cade.
Darkness.
GRAVEDIGGER IS HERE.
BOOT TO FOLEY!
GOOZLE ON GEMINI AND NERO!
HEADBUTT TO JACKSON CADE!
HE LIFTS THEM HIGH IN THE AIR, BUT STOPS SUDDENLY.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Just do it, you sick…
MATT RUBY: What’s that sound?
Flutter.
Gravedigger tosses Gemini and Nero to the mat as a new man has entered the fray.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: They’ve all been looking for him, and here he is.
MATT RUBY: The newest Preservationist!
The Seekers are beaten and bruised on one side of the ring. The Preservationists are confidently standing on the other, Gravedigger being held back by Narcissa and Graves.
In the center: Tombstone.
Then Jasper Redgrave approaches, clapping Tombstone on the back and grinning at the Seekers. Tombstone looks at Redgrave, then looks back at the Seekers, making eye contact with one in particular.
Felix Foley.
Foley nods, barely perceptible.
MATT RUBY: See, I told you, the newest—
GOOZLE TO REDGRAVE!
CHOKESLAM!
The crowd goes goddamned BANANA as Redgrave hits the canvas. The Preservationists rush to lift him up as the Seekers come to stand beside Tombstone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Wait, was Foley the one who was talking to Tombstone earlier!?
MATT RUBY: What the hell is happening, BB?
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tombstone is a Seeker!
Face to face they stand.
Cade across from Redgrave.
Gemini across from Narcissa.
Tombstone from Gravedigger.
Foley from Hatchet.
Nero from Graves.
The Hounds of War.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Ladies and Gentlemen, we are out of time. These teams collide at Hounds of Hades, and I’m not sure Olympus can handle it!
Static.
A Stop ■ symbol appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen as we fade to black.