WARZONE #378
War, Over
It was triumphantly announced last week at Hounds of Hades that the War was over - but it was The Seekers who triumphed, not the Preservationists? What exactly lies ahead as we traverse a rocky and dangerous road to Ring of Dreams.
The End of the War
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Red Light District, Arcadia
Smoke coiled in the air like a serpent, hissing from the blackened wreckage of what once stood tall and sacred.
The Door was gone.
Hidden by rubble. Flame. Ash.
Zeus stood at its heart, hunched slightly under the weight of his recovery, his frame trembling not from fear—but from the weight of consequence. His long coat danced in the breeze of embers. Blood still clung to his skin beneath the bandages. His eyes were sunken, tired.
By his side, Narcissa held a scorched shawl to her mouth, shielding herself from the dust. Her free hand never left Zeus’ arm. Always watching. Always steady.
Ares, however, stood apart. Like a soldier without a war. His eyes scanned the shattered remains of the battleground that had sparked Arcadia’s great civil war. Beneath his stoic mask was something rare.
Confusion.
Zeus finally spoke, voice raw and gravelled.
“It’s over.” He gestured to the destruction around them. “Whatever waited beyond that door… it’s gone. Buried. Irrelevant.”
Narcissa glanced at him, a frown furrowing her brow. “So, you blocked it? Buried the very thing we’ve bled for?”
Zeus nodded slowly. “Yes. I had it sealed. Buried under concrete and steel.”
Ares turned, incredulous. “Why not do this before the war? Before the death, the betrayal… all of it?”
There was no anger in his tone—just disbelief.
Zeus exhaled hard. “Because part of me… wanted it to matter. I was afraid that if we blocked the door, we’d never know what awaited waited beyond it, should we need to.”
He looked at Ares.
“I was wrong.”
Suddenly—
CRACK.
A blur of movement. A gust of rage.
Gravedigger exploded from the shadows, his massive hand wrapping around Ares’ throat like a vice. His eyes were wild, sunken with fury. Blood smeared across his temple where last week’s execution wound should’ve ended him.
“You KILLED me,” he growled, voice guttural.
He drove Ares back, slamming him into the jagged remains of the doorway. Rubble collapsed around them as the stone wall cracked beneath the impact.
But Ares—
Surged back.
He broke the grip with brute strength, spun, and rammed Gravedigger with a brutal shoulder block that sent the revenant stumbling backward, stunned.
Even Gravedigger looked surprised.
He steadied himself, fists clenched. “You don’t get to walk away,” he spat, “not after murdering me like a rabid dog. I want what I’m owed.”
Zeus stepped forward, raising a hand.
“And you will get it.” Gravedigger stopped. Zeus met his gaze. “Next week. Main event. One-on-one. You vs. Ares. A chain for a bullrope. War.”
A grin cracked across Gravedigger’s lips—a jagged, broken thing. “Good.”
He turned and disappeared into the smoke, leaving the tension thick behind him.
Ares looked to Zeus.
“I won't give him what he wants,” The God of War rumbled.
Zeus didn’t answer immediately. He looked down at the ash under his boots. The battlefield. The price.
“You have to answer for your mistakes, Ares. You led men into fire and dragged Arcadia with you,” Zeus reminded him. "No-one expects you to let him have his revenge; quite the opposite. Don’t let me down again.”
Ares stared for a long beat.
Then he nodded.
Once a general. Still a soldier.
The fire danced in the ruins behind them, but the war—at last—was behind them.
Cut.
Origins: Zephyr
Many Years Ago.
A young Klaus Way stumbles through the streets of Arcadia, his eyes red with tears, face still adorned with the ashes of his family home. Every last bit of comfort drained from his body as she trudges into the one place he could still go, the only place that would even hope to take him.
Zephyr's Circus.
A far cry from the hotspot of happiness and joy that we've seen before, the compound looking almost eerie when the lights are off. Nary a smile in sight as Klaus walks up to the tent flap, fingers trembling as he pulls the fabric aside so he may shuffle inside. Klaus his arms across his chest, the young Ringmaster looking a far cry from the charismatic man we know him as. He's scared, he's alone.
"Klaus?" Zephyr's voice breaks the uncomfortable silence that followed Klaus, the circus leader approaching him with a look of concern. He places a hand on Klaus' shoulder, pulling him into a comforting hung. "You're a mess, kiddo. What happened?"
There's a moment of silence, Klaus moving to try and dry his tears only for Zephy to produce a handkerchief from his pocket. Then another, and another as he pulls a continuous string of them onto the floor until finally getting to the end of it, the likes of which he uses to wipe away the tears and soot off of his face.
"I'm... Alone. The house caught fire," Klaus said quietly. His eyes glanced up to Zephyr, his face a portrait of despair as the news hit his ears.
"I see," Zephyr said nodding. He stands up, taking Klaus by the hand and ushering him to the back of the tent. "Well, let's get you a place to sleep, okay? And perhaps a shower." A small chuckle is forced out alongside his words, a futile attempt at levity as he brings Klaus further into his new home.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The heroes of OSW explode here tonight for the NXT Level Championship. We’ve already got two ladders in the ring leaning on opposite corners for this ladder match between Destructo and Captain Arcadia.
MATT RUBY: So, we get the resident Nepo-Orphan taking on the man who couldn't save someone from drowning on dry land. Best case scenario, they both fall and break their necks, and we vacate that Championship.
Referee Cole Holt calls for the bell and gets the hell out of the way as The Hero of the people lashes out...
PUNCH OF THE BROTHERS!
Superman Punch catches Destructo off guard, leveling the NXT Level Champion.
Arcadia sees the opening and grabs one of the ladders and sets it up under the Championship...
SEE!
NO!
EVIL!
Before the Captain can start scaling the Ladder, Destructo nails him with the Shining Wizard, leveling the Hero of the People!
Destructo looks up at his Championship and begins to scale the ladder...
...
...
FINGERTIP AWAY FROM HIS PRIZE...
...
...
INCOMING ARCADIA SPRING BOARDING OFF THE TOP ROPE AND ONTO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LADDER! INSTANTLY CAUGHT BY DESTRUCTO...
BROKEN SCALES!
SPINNING URANGE OFF THE TOP OF THE LADDER, DRIVING ARCADIA INTO THE CANVAS, SENDING ARCADIA ROLLING UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE AND OUT OF THE RING!
DESTRUCTO LOOKS UP HIS PRIZE IN HIS SIGHTS...
AND RUNNING ON AN ADRENALINE DUMP SCALES THE LADDER...
AND...
SECURES THE NXT LEVEL CHAMPIONSHIP!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What a helluva ladder match with an explosive ending!
MATT RUBY: I may have gotten one half of my wish. Arcadia may have just broken his back, but the angsty emo-riffic orphan is still the NXT Level Champion!
Rainy Days, I
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Destructo and Captain Arcadia just had a barnblower here tonight.
MATT RUBY: What the hell is a barn?
Captain Arcadia leans on the ropes, sweat dripping from his brow.
The crowd stirs as Anton Savor steps onto the stage—no music, no flair, just slow, predatory calm.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What is he doing here? Nothing good. He looks like a vulture circling a corpse.
MATT RUBY: You sure he’s not just here to steal Cap’s protein powder?
Savor enters the ring like a man walking into his own kitchen. Comfortable. Dangerous.
“I come in peace,” he says with a crooked smile.
Cap doesn’t move.
“You’re a snake,” Cap mutters. “I’ve seen your peace, and it smells like death.”
Savor chuckles. “Death has a flavor. Some acquire it. Some don’t.”
He circles.
“But this isn’t about your self-righteous anger or my refined palate. It’s about him. Sunshine. Roland. The Zookeeper. The lies. The games. And the truth they’re taunting us with.”
Captain Arcadia stares, eyes burning.
“And what—you’re doing this for justice?”
“No,” Savor admits, stepping closer. “I’m doing this for me. I want answers. I want leverage. I want whatever he’s hiding.”
A beat.
“But I need you to get it.”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That’s honesty in its ugliest form.
MATT RUBY: I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
“You want to use me.”
“I have to. Otherwise, we both get devoured.”
Cap lunges, shoving him with a roar. Savor stumbles, grinning through the impact.
“I’ll take them all down,” Captain Arcadia growls, storming past. “Alone.”
Left behind, Savor seems a little frustrated, shaking his head as the bullish Captain Arcadia charges off to fight alone.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: How many times is this kid going to charge blindly into danger?
MATT RUBY: This time may be the last time, BB.
Somewhere in the crowd, a row of smiling faces seem very pleased.
Cut.
Seeking the Truth
Darkness.
It's an inky blackness, an uncanny abyss from which no light can escape. There's silence, then the sound of footsteps, a single voice calling out into the nothingness.
"Night," the voice of Harold Attano speaks cautiously. "I know you're here, I just came to talk." His tone is emotionless, very matter of fact. We hear his hands scraping across the wall, futilely looking for a light switch before pushing off. "We can be reasonable about this, I'm concerned."
Silence.
An uncomfortable, deafening silence.
"What is the truth?" His words are almost desperate, dripping with confusion with every letter.
Click.
A single overhead light flickered to life, its ray beating down on Attano as we look into his eyes. His face contorts in surprise before slowly melting away into a look of resigned resentment. The scene slowly pulls back revealing The Night standing right behind him, his lips curled into a sneer. "Don't you fucking lie to me!"
Click.
We hear the sounds of a scuffle, fists flying before a dull thud echoes throughout the room. The light clicks on once more, a spotlight over a downed Harold Attano, the Ghost looking ever closer to his namesake. The Night kneels over him, fingers wrapping around Attano's neck.
"Don't you dare come to me and try to pretend you don't know! Narcissa told me, Harold. She told me everything! How could you do this to me?" Night's words come flooding out, a tidal wave of not just anger, but despair. He lets go of Harold, standing up, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Can't believe I trusted you."
Click.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Next up on tap, we have the former NXT Level Champion taking on the current Double Feature Champion in a non-title contest, it’s a David versus Goliath contest as Wolf Fang Ayame takes on Drewitt!
MATT RUBY: David never looked so good, BB.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Let’s just call the match Matt.
River Moonfoot calls for the bell, and Ayame, who lashes out with a Back Elbow, Spinning Backfist, and topped off with a Dropkick! Drewitt doesn’t flinch as he lets out a primal scream as Ayame gets to her feet after hitting the Dropkick...
WAR CRY!
Discus fucking Clothesline nearly decapitates Ayame! War scoops The Wolf off the canvas, hoisting her up into a Suplex Position – AFTERMATH – Orange Cru – NO! - WOLF FANG ROTATES OUT LANDING HER FEET!
This sudden counter leaves The Explorer off balance – CRESENT MOON KICK – Step up Axe Kick - MISSES! As Drewitt slips his head out from under the heel of Ayame! Allowing The Fabled to hit the ropes and catch a Staggering Ayame off guard...
DESOLATION!
Claymore lays out Wolf Fang in one fell swoop! Drewitt crawls into the pin as Moonfoot slides into count the fall!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: And Goliath slays the Hottie tonight, damn it!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Jeez, Matt, we’re here to call matches, not get all pissy when an attractive woman loses a match. Ayame is a vicious and violent competitor and should be respected as such! Drewitt had to work for that win and tip my hat to him!
War Amongst Riders
Drewitt gets back to his feet after a hard fought match with the Dragon Princess. He attempts to leave the ring, but stops once he reaches the ropes.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Look, up the ramp! That's El Mariachi Muerte! What in the world is he doing here?
MATT RUBY: I think I have the answer, BB! Look who slid into the ring just now!
While the Pilgrim is distracted by EMM sprinting down towards him, he fails to notice Grimskull lining up his shot behind him. Drewitt takes a couple steps back to allow the Mariachi to slide in, allowing the former Preacher to strike.
WITH A HARD LESSON TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
MATT RUBY: That superkick just knocked the Explorer flat on his face!
The former Horseman of Conquest bolts out of there as Singing Death makes his way to ringside. Muerte tries to give chase, but his adversary has long since fled into the crowd and vanished from sight.
After a few seconds of being on the lookout, the former Horseman of Death walks over to his friend and helps him up to his feet. Once the Fabled reaches a standing position, he pushes his only ally away.
"Every time you show up, I get attacked." Drewitt says with venom. "I'm sick of being struck by people that are supposedly on my side. Whether it's by people I used to ride alongside with Apokalypsis or by people that claimed to be on my side in the war."
"Amigo," Muerte begins. "We need to work together on this one. Grimskull must see reason and learn to forgive the rest of us like you forgave me and Gemini."
"I can handle the skull faced prick by myself," the Pilgrim spits back. "Why don't you learn to stay out of other people's problems and leave me the fuck alone?"
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The Explorer has a point there. Muerte has been inserting himself into Drewitt's affairs since last month, and it hasn't resulted in anything good for him at the end of the day.
MATT RUBY: Something tells me that won't stop that thick headed musician from continuing to do so, even with the traitor's warning.
Drewitt exits the ring and heads backstage. Muerte, undeterred, follows suit as the former Horseman of War disappears through the curtain.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Tonight, we get Klaus Way taking on Chef Anton Savor. I wonder about the mindset of Way heading into this match after the Co. of Way & Co. walked out on him at Hounds of Hades.
MATT RUBY: Walked out on him? That’s an understatement. They’re a bunch of backstabbers who deserve to be locked away in the deepest depths of Death Row.
Mills Stanton draws duty for this match as he calls for the bell, and as the bell sounds...
CREME FUCKING BRULEE!
Superkick from out of nowhere - CAUGHT BY KLAUS WAY!
ROLL UP! ROLL UP!
Gannosuke Clutch – NO!
GASTRONOMY GUILLOTINE!
Guillotine Coke and it’s in deep! But Way manages to complete the clutch rolling Savor onto his shoulders as Stanton counts...
ONE!
...
TWO!
...
...
THR-
The Chef is forced to release the Choke as he kicks out, Savor scrambles to his feet first, snatching Klaus Way onto his shoulders...
FINAL COURSE!
Go To Sleep! Savor’s knee connects flush with Klaus Way’s nose, and Klaus collapses onto the canvas as Savor falls on top of him. Stanton makes the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
MATT RUBY: Another Mills Stanton screw job for Klaus Way, he did it at Hounds of Hades and he’s doing it again to poor Klaus Way!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Poor Klaus Way, my country backside! Mills Stanton is the most impartial man we have in OSW. Anton Savor won that on merit, and Klaus Way doesn’t need you making excuses for him!
A Cornered Dog
Destrcuto walks alone through the passageways of Arcadia. He seems to be walking without purpose, merely trying to clear his head.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: After all that transpired with Ayame last week, Destructo has spent a fair amount of time pondering. He knows that he must move on from his father’s death.
MATT RUBY: But how? You don’t just move on from something like that. He’s right to be angry. Is he going to find somebody to help him through, as Ayame suggested?
He still seems agitated as he comes to a darkened area. But the figure he sees is anything but relaxing.
Nox… escaping around a corner into a dead end passageway. He’s been following him.
Tracking him. And now Destructo has him cornered like a dog.
But there’s a haze in the air and Destructo cannot seem to focus on him.
Our focus moves in and out, and when our sight clears, suddenly Nox is right in front of Destructo, leering. Destructo sees red, lashing out to attack him with all of the hurt of his entire life brought together.
Nox is right before him, and he can finally get even for all the hurt he has caused. There’s no doubt in his mind, Destructo is going to kill him.
But he stops short. Nox’s wheezing laugh is all we hear, his face is all we see.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What the hell is going on? Destructo is hell bent on revenge. But he gets the chance… and nothing?
MATT RUBY: You really didn’t think Nox would make it that easy, did you? He’s always been two steps ahead of this fool.
The face of Destructo, for the first time in months, falls peaceful. His expression softens. A smile forms on his lips as he looks on.
The figure of Nox disappears into the haze, into a cacophony of laughter.
Not laughter from Nox, but from Destructo’s own lips.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: The possibly former Preservationists clash here tonight as the Dark Gathering faces off against the Blackened Queens as on the road to Ring of Dreams, can these former allies truly work together?
MATT RUBY: Hey, Hounds was just a setback BB, don't you go sending bad juju my goddesses way.
The bell sounds with Narcissa and Hatchet starting off, the Juggalo lunging at Hera with a Wig Split attempt but she manages to block it with a high kick that staggers Hatchet before she unleashes on him with some Fast Fashion kick combinations. Narcissa backs up, looking for the capping off Superkick but Hatchet bails out of the way, forcibly tagging in Grimskull.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Conquest looks none too pleased at the forced tag there.
Grimskull scowls, taking his focus off Narcissa for a moment, allowing her to damn near break his skull with a brutal Fashionably Late Superkick. Grimskull isn't down, only groggy before an UPRISING Bicycle takes him down to one knee before she rushes to the ropes, springboarding off.
BOW TO THE...NO! Grimskull manages to duck under as Narcissa flies overhead, just stopping herself flying into the turnbuckles before turning around
RIGHT INTO A LESSON! SUPERKICK ON THE BUTTON KNOCKS NARCISSA DOWN!
Grimskull rushes to the ropes, climbing through as Hatchet sly tags himself in. Conquest doesn't realize as he leaps off the top
PRAYER!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Grimskull tries to pin but Cole Holt lets him know he's not the legal man.
MATT RUBY: Ha! Brilliant move by Hatchet to get all the glory here.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Brilliant way to cost his team the match too.
Grimskull stares daggers at Hatchet who slips into the ring, shit eating grin on his face as he lifts Narcissa up onto his shoulders
SELF TITLED! The Flipping Stunner hits flush, Hatchet nailing an interfering Eclipse with a hard Wig Split Headbutt before dropping down for the pinfall
ONE
.............
TWO
.............
.................
THREE!!!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Not only did Hatchet just steal the win for his team but we could be a few weeks away from that arrogant prick being OSW World Champion.
MATT RUBY: Hey everybody gets downed in the end, and you're looking at the future of Olympus right there BB.
Answers, I
Previously Recorded.
Months ago.
Somewhere in the market, an alley cuts between shuttered stalls and rusted barrels, lit by a single, blinking lamp overhead. Water drips from somewhere above.
Two figures meet beneath the flicker.
A man and a woman. Cloaked, shrouded, mere shadows under the lamp.
The man shifts his weight, hands tucked in the pockets of a worn coat. His voice, rough but familiar, carries just loud enough.
“You’re sure about this?”
The woman says nothing at first. She reaches into her cloak and passes him a folded scrap of paper.
He opens it. As he reads, his eyes narrow at the name and coordinates.
“C.J. Thorpe’s grave,” he mutters.
Still, she says nothing.
He folds the paper again, slips it into his pocket.
“What’s in this for you? Why’d you contact me?”
She says nothing for a moment, before stepping closer to the man.
“Something very important was taken from me, long ago. It’s time to begin to make it right.”
The man waits for more information, but gets none.
“If I dig him up,” he asks, “what do I get?”
The woman starts to turn, her steps barely a whisper against the wet stone.
She stops just long enough to answer.
“Answers.”
And then she’s gone—vanished down the alley’s throat, swallowed by shadow and silence.
The man lingers. Street noise buzzes faintly beyond the alley’s mouth.
He looks down at his hand. Then he walks the other way.
Cut.
Unspoken
The hallway hums low.
Eclipse rounds a corner, bag slung over her shoulder, that signature smugness glued to her face—until she locks eyes with The Dragon Princess, Ayame.
They freeze. Face to face. Eclipse doesn’t stop. She just smirks.
“Well, well… the Dragon Bitch shows her mask. Here to growl, or just glare, freak?”
Ayame says nothing. Not yet.
“You know, I used to think you were some noble little guardian. But after I lit that woman up in the field? Maybe I’m the real dragon now.”
A grin curls across Eclipse’s lips.
“Guess that just makes you a freak in a mask.”
Ayame’s hands ball into fists. Her breathing sharpens.
“You’re a coward playing god with gasoline. And I’ll make you answer for every scream.”
Eclipse steps in, nose to nose.
“Then do it… or are you just here to whimper?”
That’s all it takes.
Ayame explodes forward—headbutts Eclipse, slamming her into the wall! They brawl violently. Knees. Elbows. Claws. Eclipse grabs at Ayame’s mask—Ayame bites her hand.
Security swarms.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Sweet mercy! They’re tryin’ to kill each other again!
MATT RUBY: Eclipse lit a fuse she can’t put out—and Ayame’s ready to burn it all down!
They’re ripped apart. Blood drips from Eclipse’s lip. She laughs.
“I’ll take the mask—then torch what’s left of you!”
Ayame’s eyes blaze.
“Then come burn, bitch.”
Security forces them down separate paths—rage still roaring in their wake.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Two absolute forces of nature are stepping into this ring tonight, Ruby. I'm not sure the ring can contain them!
MATT RUBY: Graves has his disciples enforcing at ringside, I'd hate to be one of them. I'm close enough to Tombstone as is.
Both monsters lock up immediately in the center of the ring! Neither one gives an inch as they bare down on one another, Ezekiel finally rearing back and nailing a headbutt to the nose of Tombstone! The Ferryman fires back with one of his own!
MATT RUBY: HOLY WRATH! LOOK AT THAT BRUTAL COMBINATION! THAT'S WHAT WE CALL A CHAMPION!
A barrage of strikes rain down on Tombstone, a lariat putting the nail in the coffin as it knocks the Already dead on his ass! Graves peels him up-
CRACK!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FERRYMAN'S KNOCK! LOOK AT THOSE UPPERCUTS!
Graves is taken off guard as the blows pummel him into the ropes! Graves stumbles out into a big boot that levels him! But the big man forces himself back up and catches a haymaker! Boot to the gut!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: PURGATORY PLUNGE! LOOK AT THAT POWERBOMB!
MATT RUBY: Sent that twit through purgatory straight to hell!
Tombstone is left reeling as he fights back to his feet! Graves wraps a hand around the Ferryman's throat!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FINAL JUDGEMENT! BY GOD GRAVES JUST CHOKESLAMMED TOMBSTONE!
MATT RUBY: Cover him! Cover him!
Graves hooks the leg!
ONE!
...
...
...
TWO!
...
...
...
THREE!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Toppling Tombstone is no easy feat, yet Ezekiel Graves has proven once again why he's champion.
Missing RIght Hand
As Ezekiel Graves and his Disciples of Christ march up the ramp, an eardrum shattering, electronic wail reverberates all throughout the arena. Everyone inside Olympus covers their ears as the noise reaches an unbearable volume.
After what feels like ages, the monitor above the entrance flicks to life, revealing Nero in an unknown location. The Reverend locks eyes with the screen, his anger undeniable.
"Did you think I've let our feud die at Hounds of Hades, 'Reverend?'" the Cyberhound asks with a hint of malice.
MATT RUBY: Not this fucking cyber twit again! What the fuck does he want with the Apostle now?
"What do you want, heathen!?" Ezekiel yells. "Why are you not out here facing me like a true combatant?"
"Don't get me wrong," the Red Reboot begins. "I would love to be in the arena, beating the ever loving piss out of you while your Disciples watch. However, I have to make sure a certain someone doesn't attempt to run out on me."
The Harbinger looks confused for a second until he hears muffled screaming coming from behind the hacker. His eyes widen as Nero moves out of frame, revealing a man bound to a chair with a potato sack tied around his head.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: That's Lucien! Nero must've kidnapped him some time before the match!
MATT RUBY: Why would he abduct an innocent man like that!? He's done nothing to deserve this treatment!
Shock washes over the Apostle and his followers as Lucien struggles to break free from his restraints. With a laugh, the Red Reboot steps back into view, covering the Harbinger's right hand man with his body.
"If you want to get Lucien back," Nero begins, "you must confess to Arcadia that you're a fraud. Do that, and I'll return him to you. Refuse, and I'll end him right here. You have until Ring of Dreams to do so. Do the right thing for once, and tell the truth."
The monitor then cuts to black as we look over to Ezekiel and his Disciples. The Reverend balls his fists as he looks back towards his fellowship, his rage bubbling over.
"Don't just stand there," he commands. "Find him! Search every level of Arcadia and find him!"
With a nod, they all run backstage with the Harbinger to find Lucien.
Cut.
Paraviázo
“Si, si, mi amiga.” The familiar, upbeat voice of El Mariachi Muerte greets us with laughter. He and Gemini walk the halls together before their match. “What is red and bad for your teeth?”
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: El Muerte de la Amore have much to be happy about lately.
MATT RUBY: Looks can be deceiving. I wouldn’t think that everything is wonderful in paradise.
Gemini rounds the corner to their dressing room and stops, frozen to the spot.
“It is but a small joke, try not to think too hard.”
But her face tells that she is not lost in thought. Muerte rounds the corner through the doorway and sees the horror before her. Their locker room, completely trashed.
Everything in the room has been upturned, broken and tossed about.
“The titles!” Muerte leaps into action searching for their Tag Team Championship belts, while Gemini stays frozen to the spot.
He returns a few moments later, two belts slung over his shoulders.
“Strange. They were untouched. Someone wasn't after these. So what were they after?”
Gemini doesn’t answer. She’s still frozen to the spot, staring into a direction Muerte hasn’t yet looked.
Before her stands a mirror, cracked from top to bottom. Written in large red letters across the mirror are two words…
‘I know’
Muerte looks at the words, moving closer.
“Sangre?” By now he’s thinking out loud. “Who did this and what do they know?”
He turns to Gemini, only now noticing the look on her face. Shock and bewilderment. She still hasn’t moved or spoken.
“Mi amore, I know it is distressing. But it is only somebody messing with us. Trying to unsettle us.”
He moves towards her, guiding her closer to the broken mirror.
MATT RUBY: How’s that for a knight in shining armour. He’s only just noticed her. I’d treat Gemini right.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Gemini would chew you up and spit you out in a heartbeat. But who trashed their dressing room, and what do they know? Whose blood is on the mirror?
The pair move closer to the mirror. Gemini reaches forward, touching the letters with her fingertips. She brings her fingers to her face, smells them. She tastes them.
Her fingers turn to fists.
“Not blood.” She speaks finally, addressing Muerte. “Lipstick.”
Fists balled, she turns to walk away.
“We have our titles to defend. We can deal with this later.”
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Following a monumental victory at Hounds of Hades, Gemini and her long time ally in El Mariachi defend their tag titles once more but their opponents have to be a prank by Sterling. Does he really think these two are going to work together?
MATT RUBY: I think that's the point BB, either the Seekers lose their belts or Cade and Redgrave rip eachother apart. It's a win win for the Gods here.
The bell sounds as Jasper immediately rolls out of the ring, grabbing a chair at ringside and sitting down on it. Cade looks over, fury in his eyes but he's immediately turned around by Muerte who begins pounding down on Jackson with heavy lefts and rights. Muerte tries to whip him across the ring but Cade manages to reverse, sending El Mariachi into the ropes
INCENDIARY ROUND! Huge elbow rocks Muerte, dropping him down to one knee as Gemini rushes in out of nowhere, leaping off his back and then off the ropes
TRIPLE JUMP CROSSBODY TAKES DOWN JACKSON!
Cade stumbles to his feet right into an enziguri before Muerte grips him around the waist, sending him flying overhead with the Belly to Belly
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WHISKEY SHOT! Jackson gets flung right into the Codebreaker and that may well be it as Gemini gestures for Muerte to go grab the ladder from outside.
Muerte rolls outside, grabbing the ladder as Jasper cracks his neck, standing up before sliding in with the chair.
AND THROWS IT AT GEMINI'S FACE!
Muerte slides in with the ladder, rushing at Redgrave who dodges, Superkicking the ladder into the Mariachi's face before pulling him up to his feet
VANISHING POINT...ONTO GEMINI! REDGRAVE JUST POWERBOMBED MUERTE ONTO LA AMORE!
MATT RUBY: And now the Artist is about to win the tag titles all by himself.
Jasper grabs the ladder, setting it up before beginning to climb. He's nearly at the top
HOSTILE DOWN...TO EL MARIACHI?
Jackson nails an interfering Muerte with a Superkick, scowl on his face as he looks away. Redgrave with a shit eating grin on his face as he pulls down the tag titles, the bell calling for the end
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...and what a pair of champions. How in the hell are these two going to coexist?
MATT RUBY: Gold has done stranger things BB, but hey at least one half of the tag champions are on some respectable people for once.
Middle Man
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: This TLC match for the tag team Championships should have left all competitors needing some TLC.
MATT RUBY: I’ve got some tender loving care for Gemini right here.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: I’ll bet you do. But the new Champions are ready to celebrate.
George Cade steps into the ring with the OSW Tag Team Championships slung over his shoulder. He walks to the center, holding the belts out—not to the crowd, not to the cameras—but to Jasper Redgrave and Jackson Cade.
Jackson takes his with a glance. Redgrave holds his high like a trophy. George nods once, proud, maybe. Hard to tell.
They separate, tension still hot.
MATT RUBY: Thank Zeus we have a middle man here to cool them down.
Jackson turns to his father. “You said last week you didn’t dig up C.J.”
George doesn’t respond. Redgrave raises an eyebrow.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Looks like George didn’t tell Jasper about their conversation.
Jackson steps in close. “So who did? And why the hell are you still following him?”
George exhales slow. “You need to stop stickin’ your head where it doesn’t belong.”
“He was my brother,” Jackson snaps. “So it’s my fuckin’ business.”
Redgrave steps between them. “He’s right. It is his business.”
George stiffens. Redgrave smiles.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: What? Are Redgrave and Jackson Cade agreeing?
“Which is why he deserves the truth. Why you turned. Why you followed me. Why you helped me bury your own son’s future.”
He steps closer to Jackson.
“It’s a matter of blood.”
A beat.
“So let’s settle it at Ring of Dreams. First Blood. You and me. Then we’ll talk.”
Jackson nods without hesitation.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Olympus is going crazy. A First Blood match between Redgrave and Cade will be epic!
George grabs Redgrave’s arm. “Don’t.”
Redgrave chuckles. “Let’s go.”
He walks. George follows.
Jackson shouts after them. “Stop being his bitch, Dad!”
George hesitates—just for a moment. Then lowers his head and walks.
Cut.
A Deal With The Devil
The Underworld.
The shadows of the underworld flickered with dying embers, casting long, skeletal silhouettes across obsidian walls. A cold mist hugged the ground, swirling at the boots of the man seated at the table carved from bone and brimstone.
Tombstone.
Broad. Unflinching. Dead-eyed.
Across from him, wreathed in a pale aura, sat The Reaper — gaunt and timeless in a suit that fit like a coffin’s lining. His scythe rested against the table, untouched, but its edge hummed with anticipation.
The Reaper leaned forward, his voice smooth and low like the echo of final breath.
“Time after time… we sit here. You and I. Making deals. Striking bargains. Playing games with fate. Yet here you are again, Tombstone. Breathing in the realm of the breathless.
When will you fulfill your role? When will you end this?”
Tombstone’s gloved hands tapped the tabletop. A slow rhythm. His tone was dry gravel.
“At Ring of Dreams, this ends.”
The Reaper’s head tilted, eyes narrowing behind the veil of smoke curling from his lips.
“Does he even know what’s really going on?”
He leaned closer, the temperature around the table dropping. The silence that followed was deafening.
Until—
A voice. From the blackness behind them.
Smooth. Cold.
“He has no idea… what’s going on. No idea… what’s about to happen.”
Both men turned.
From the abyss, a figure stepped forward. Just a silhouette at first—composed, and calm in the way only those who have nothing left to lose can be.
Tombstone nodded in agreement.
Cut.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: A gas chamber sits atop the stage tonight. The first man to lock his opponent inside and turn the nozzle on will walk away victorious!
MATT RUBY: That nitwit Felix better hope he can hold his breath.
The bell rings and Nox is the first to move as he pounces on Foley with a Thesz press! He rains down right hands on Felix, asserting dominance before forcing Foley to his feet and sending him shoulder first into the turnbuckle! Nox keeps Foley wedged against the turnbuckle as he moves to the apron!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Oh don't do this! Don't do this!
MATT RUBY: Can it, you geezer! I'm trying to watch!
BIG BOOT FROM NOX SANDWICHES FOLEY'S HEAD AGAINST THE TURNBUCKLE!
Blood pools from Foley's mouth as Nox hops down, dragging Foley forcefully from the ring and letting him clatter onto the steel steps below! The Chemist peels Foley off of the ground, nailing a knee to his jaw for good measure! He goes to whip The Puppeteer into the barricade!
But Foley doesn't move!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: BUMPED HIS HEAD! FOLEY PULLS NOX BACK INTO A DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ONTO THE STEPS!
MATT RUBY: DISGUSTING! HE'S TRYING TO GIVE NOX BRAIN DAMAGE LIKE HE HAS!
Felix is still reeling as he slowly gets to his feet, hauling Nox up and running him headfirst into the barricade! He drags Mr. Gas up the ramp only to catch a punch to the kidneys for his troubles! Nox goes for another punch that Foley catches, immediately turning it into a neckbreaker that plants the Chemist on the ramp! Felix peels Nox back up, hauling him up for the fallaway slam!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FALL GUY- NO! NOX IS FIGHTING WITH ELBOWS!
MATT RUBY: HE SLIPS BEHIND! PARALYTIC-PLEX! THE SNAPDRAGON SUPLEX!
Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy lands neck first onto the unforgiving metal of the ramp! He rolls backwards onto his knees only for Nox to put him right back down with a sliding clothesline! He puts a boot to Felix's face as he gets up for good measure, begging Foley to get back to his feet! Felix looks to be out of it as he tries to stumble to his feet and right into a waiting Nox's arms-
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING! DESPERATION BIG BOOT LANDS FLUSH!
MATT RUBY: How is this twit still fighting!? Stay down you muppet!
Foley clutches his neck as he slowly gets back to his feet, dragging Nox by his collar up the ramp towards the chamber! The crowd cheers as he heaves Nox up with all of his strength and runs him back first into the door of the chamber! Felix goes to grab the door to force it open when Nox nails another elbow to the dome of Foley! He grabs Felix's hair and slams him face first into the chamber door!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: HE'S TRYING TO KILL HIM! ITS PURE BRUTALITY!
MATT RUBY: Do it again! Maybe the next one will fix him!
Blood from Felix's busted lip splatters across the glass door in a horrid mess! Nox pulls Felix back, a string of blood and spit connecting him to the door before Nox lets him drop to the floor! The Chemist swings the chamber door open and flings Foley head first inside! The crowd lets out a roar of boos as the door gets flung closed!
ONTO FOLEY'S BOOT!
Friendly Felix is anything but as he grabs Nox's respirator and pulls him right into the door! Foley forces it open, pulling Nox in close and cracking a nasty headbutt across the Mind's skull! Foley looks back at the chamber and hauls Nox up!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE FALL GUY! HE NAILS THE FALLAWAY SLAM AND SENDS NOX INSIDE THE CHAMBER!
Nox lands in a heap against the back wall and Foley continues his assault!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: FELIX FOLEY'S CORNER! HE'S STOMPING A MUDHOLE FOR GOOD MEASURE!
MATT RUBY: Senseless brutality! I expect nothing less from a monster like Foley!
Foley doesn't walk it dry however as he forces Nox back to his feet!
POISON MISTER! NOX FIRES A BLINDING MIST INTO FOLEY'S EYES!
Felix stumbles back, Nox trying to yank him back into the chamber! Foley grabs for anything he can get his hands on as Nox pulls with all of his might!
SNAP!
HISSSSSSS!
MATT RUBY: THAT NITWIT JUST PULLED THE NOZZLE OFF! THE CHAMBER IS FILLING WITH GAS!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: THE DOOR ISN'T SHUT! THIS MATCH HASN'T STOPPED!
As Foley disappears into the plume of noxious yellow smoke we can't see either competitor! We catch glimpses of either man as they hit the glass, the sounds of fists flying into one an other as the inside of the chamber turns into an absolute brawl!
SLAM!
The sound of someone hitting the chamber floor is heard and the crowd watches with baited breath!
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: Someone's walking out! It's... IT'S FOLEY! HE SLAMS THE DOOR BEHIND HIMSELF!
MATT RUBY: What!? There must be a mistake!
Foleys collapses beside the chamber, Nox's frantic slamming against the chamber door heard as the bell rings.
BRONCO BLACKWOOD: There's no mistake here, Ruby. Your winner, against all odds, is Felix Foley!
Super Serum
The shattered remnants of glass littered the floor like the bones of broken dreams. Felix Foley, bloodied and wheezing, dragged his mutilated body across the ground, crimson streaking beneath him like a path to perdition. His coughs echoed through the chamber, thick and wet—each one a reminder he was still alive.
Barely.
He’d escaped the gas chamber once.
He wouldn’t escape twice.
As his palm slapped the cold steel of the threshold, Foley collided with something solid—a figure.
His eyes, red-rimmed and desperate, slowly looked up.
Hatchet.
But not the Hatchet he once knew.
This Hatchet’s eyes glowed—an unnatural, seething green. His skin twitched with volatility. His breath came in steaming gusts, unnatural in the chill of the chamber.
Without a word, Hatchet reached down and yanked Foley up by the collar of his shirt.
And then—THWAM!
Foley was hurled back through the jagged remnants of the gas chamber door. The crowd gasped audibly through the speakers as glass erupted in all directions, slicing flesh, cutting deep.
Foley landed hard.
Twisted.
Crimson.
But breathing.
Just.
He whimpered, dragging himself inch by inch as blood spilled in uneven rivulets across the slick floor.
Behind him, Hatchet stepped through the broken window, methodically, every step like a death knell.
His grin was gone.
His empathy? He never had any,
A low chuckle broke the silence.From the shadows emerged Nox, his coat splattered with residue from the very blood they'd spilt. A twisted artist admiring his masterpiece.
“It’s poetic, really,” Nox purred. “The same toxin that unearthed Scissors from your fragile mind…” He gestured at Hatchet, whose eyes flickered again. “…has unlocked something far worse in him.”
He leaned in close, whispering like the serpent in Eden.
“You were a scalpel, Felix. Precise. Controlled chaos. But Hatchet? He’s a chainsaw. Brutal. Loud. Relentless.”
Hatchet reached down, hoisting Foley up by the throat, holding him like a ragdoll above the remnants of the shattered chamber. Foley’s hands clawed at Hatchet’s arm, face turning red from the pressure.
Just as Hatchet reared back his fist—STATIC.
The lights flickered.
The screen crackled.
Reality… glitched.
Suddenly—
Foley was gone.
Hatchet’s hand clutched at air.
The chainsaw’s engine stalled.
A heavy silence blanketed the arena as Hatchet stood in the middle of the wreckage, confused, breathing heavily, looking around in disbelief.
Nox, startled, took a step forward.
“Where did he—?”
But he didn’t finish the thought.
Because Foley’s escape wasn’t part of the plan.
And somewhere, in the crawlspace between chaos and salvation… Scissors smiled.
Fade to black.
Cut.