I'm Sorry, Son
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play â–º symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Off camera, as Johnny Gomez and Nick Diamond introduce the show.
Tonight is one of the biggest nights in Old School Wrestling’s calendar. Zeus, however, is stood in a room with his son. He’d rather be anywhere else. The Baron of Arcadia stands with his back to the door, looking at his son who paces.
The reveal of what he did to his father has weighed on them both heavily, but for different reasons. Zeus has made peace with his actions – in fact, he did so immediately.
It was callous and uncaring, but in his mind, it was leadership. It was what needed to be done.
Hercules is disgusted. He’s not the same as his father.
“What I did was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do, but I had to do it,” Zeus says softly, his head rested against the door. What’s worse is that he believes it. With all his heart, he truthfully believes it. “My father was a great man, but he would’ve killed thousands by ending Arcadia. What choice did I have?”
His son isn’t having any of it. He stops at a moment, the glare unnaturally full of fury for a man that we’ve seen so placid.
“Everyone hates you,” Hercules replies with a venomous tongue, unleashing the truth on his pop. “These people fear you. They don’t respect you. You’ve done nothing to earn their respect. Your daughters hate you; your ex-wife wants you dead and I hate you. I fucking despise you.”
“I’m sorry, son,” Zeus retorts. But something feels off about his apology. Is it insincerity? Is it a lack of belief? Zeus walks over to his son in the middle of the room and places a hand on his shoulder. “But I told you the best kept secret in all of Arcadia. I need to know I have your support.”
Hercules pushes his arm away and steps backwards. “My Support?” He roars, spitting as the words come out of his mouth. “I’ll tell everyone! The people deserve to know what you’ve done.”
The Baron’s head lowers shamefully. He looks at the ground, contemplating the reality of his situation; a harsh reality at that. He suddenly pulls a pistol from his jacket, aims it at his son and pulls the trigger.
BANG!
A bullet pierces through the skull of Hercules, and his giant frame lumbers to the ground, crashing with a thud that shakes the room. The door immediately opens and Ares comes rushing in, stopping short of all the blood.
The Master of War looks down and sighs, placing a hand on Zeus’ shoulder. “It had to be done, old friend,” he assures him.
“Leave us,” Zeus demands. “Take the guard and leave us. No-one can know or see this. Please. I need some time.”
Ares nods.
Cut.
Aftermath
The Arcadian Police Department is in chaos. Members of the force wipe blood from surfaces and clear away debris after that vile and brutal attack by The Uprising.
Sheriff Gordon watches from his office, elbows rested on the desk and his head in his hands. His windows have been shattered. His mind has been broken. No-one ever thought the police would suffer such a devastating blow.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Look at what those Uprising animals did, Nicky. How many of them will even go back to Deathrow, should they lose?
NICK DIAMOND: Enough. I think enough.
Jackson Cade steps through the remnants of what used to be a window, finding his boss in a state of distress.
“There’s a fucking door,” Gordon rants at him, his fury knowing no bounds. “But who gives a fuck about that, huh?”
Cade smiles nervously. “Sorry boss.”
“What do you want, Cade?” Mick says, looking up at him. His eyes are tired and his face showing more signs of exhaustion than usual.
“The powers and permission to go after the Uprising should Apokalypsis fail tonight,” he says confidently. Mick chuckles at him, shaking his head. “They can’t be aloud to get away with this. It can’t stand.”
Mick opens his drawer and pulls out a rusty old badge – the writing on it is worn from just how long he’s had it. He tosses it across the desk at Cade, waving him off.
“The answer would be no, kid. I have my orders and my orders ain’t that,” he announces with a sheer level of disgust. “But I’m done following orders. I’m retiring and Zeus has let me handpick my successor. It looks like I just did.”
He stands up abruptly, pushing his chair backwards with enough force that it scrapes across the floor. Jackson steps backwards, looking confused. He peers down at the badge and then back up at Gordon, realizing that the one he wears is no longer pinned to his chest.
“Sheriff Cade,” he mutters as he walks past the former Eagle Unit member towards the door. “Goodluck.”
Jackson looks utterly astonished. He reaches down for the badge and picks up, a smile creeping across his face. This may just be the biggest moment in his life, let alone his career.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackson Cade is the Sheriff of OSW!?
NICK DIAMOND: That's not a promotion I'd want. The mess inside the APD is the least of his concerns; he has to liase with Zeus and Ares. This is a whole new level of politics.
There’s a new Sheriff in town.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: After the chaotic end of last week, what will these four do to each other?
NICK DIAMOND: I don't know Johnny, it's as unpredictable as Jackdaw's moods. Hopefully, for Jash Khan, Klaus Way, or Aurora, it's less violent than at Ring of Nightmares.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Time to find out as this fatal four way begins!
DING!
DING!
Jackdaw and Aurora nod at each other and charge towards Khan and Way! Stereo dropkicks to the Ringmaster and the Roadman! Both are backed into their corners! Jackdaw charges and nails a splash in the corner! Aurora follows…
KHAN COUNTERS!
BACKDROP OVER THE ROPES AND OUT TO THE FLOOR!
HARD LANDING FOR THE BREATH OF THE HEAVENS!
Jackdaw looks out to see how she is doing but no time to worry!
WRATH OF KHAN OUT OF NOWHERE!
HE COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THR-NO!
KLAUS WAY BREAKS IT UP TO SAVE THE MATCH FOR HIMSELF!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackdaw and Aurora should thank Klaus Way for continuing the match.
NICK DIAMOND: He wasn't doing it for them Johnny!
Jash Khan stands up and gets in the face of the ringmaster! Hard right hand by Khan knocks Way down to a knee! Khan runs the ropes and nails a prone Way with a big boot! Way rolls towards the ropes and is pulling himself up!
KHAN CHARGES AT WAY AGAIN!
KISS MY CHUDDIES!
NICK DIAMOND: Khan nailed that running butt smash and sent Klaus through the ropes!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: If he's not kissing chuddies, he's kissing concrete.
Khan is celebrating but Aurora slides in the ring behind him! She nails a poisonrana that spikes Khan! He's down and she goes to the top rope!
SHE LEAPS!
NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT!
SHE NAILS THE TWISTED BLISS AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THR-NO!
KHAN PUTS A FOOT ON THE ROPE!
This match continues and Aurora starts stomping away at Khan. She goes back to teh top rope!
SHE'S NOT AS LUCKY THIS TIME!
KLAUS WAY MEETS HER AT THE TOP AND THEY'RE TRADING PUNCHES!
JACKDAW SLIDES IN TO THE RING AND SHOVES WAY OFF THE ROPES!
HE GRASPS ONTO AURORA OUT OF DESPERATION AND THEY CRASH TO THE FLOOR!
Jackdaw looks pleased as always with his work as he marches to Jash Khan and picks him up! He whips Khan into the ropes!
HE POPS KHAN UP IN THE AIR!
HE CATCHES KHAN WITH THE STUNNER!
HE NAILS THE RAY OF SUNSHINE AND MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THR-NO!
KLAUS WAY PULLS THE REF OUT OF THE RING!
THE REF IS OUT AND WAY GRABS A KENDO STICK!
Klaus slides in and is going crazy with the kendo stick! He nails Jackdaw right in the ribs and right across the face of Khan! They both fall hard and he's continuing with the shots! Related hits to their prone backs! One to Khan! One to Jackdaw! He keeps going until it snaps in his hands!
He goes back outside to grab another weapon but he's intercepted by Aurora!
SOLAR STORM!
SHE NAILS THE RUNNING METEORA AND TOSSES WAY INTO THE RING!
SHE SLIDES IN AND MAKES A COVER!
NO REF IS OUT THERE TO COUNT THE PINFALL!
Aurora goes to the outside and tries to stir one awake and the ref slowly gets up and back into the ring! She goes to the top rope again and will this time be the charm?
SHE JUMPS!
NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT!
NO! KLAUS CAUGHT HER MID SPLASH WITH A CODEBREAKER!
HE PULLS HER UP AND GETS BEHIND HER!
HE NAILS THE SO MUCH UNPRETTIER!
BIZARRO! HE GOT ALL OF IT AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THR-NO!
JACKDAW NAILS A SPLASH TO BREAK THE COVER!
JACKDAW DOESN'T LOOK DONE AS HE PULLS KLAUS UP INTO A VERTICAL SUPLEX! NO! HE DROPS HIM FORWARD TO SLINGSHOT HIM OFF THE ROPES INTO A BRAINBUSTER!
HE GOT ALL OF MY VIOLENT HEART AND COVERS!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THR-NO!
NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT TO THE BACK OF JACKDAW!
AURORA GOT ALL OF THAT AND SHE COVERS THE MAN SHE'S TRYING TO SAVE!
ONE!
. . .
TWO!
. . .
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: She's done it! Hopefully Jackdaw is still kind to her after this!
The Door Opens...
No Man’s Land.
Tonight, John The Revelator plans to have this large steel door open – one way or another. He stands before it, his hands on his hips and his mind well and truly focused on what comes next.
Stood behind him, El Mariachi Muerte, Vision, Grimskull, Gemini and Drewitt all linger, only there’s an air of distrust and frustration chief amongst them.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: You can sense these guys have more questions than answers. JTR hasn’t exactly been truthful, has he?
NICK DIAMOND: No, you’re right. They want to destroy this Uprising threat but it’s hardly the end game for them. This door means everything.
“John…” Gemini softly says – her voice not raspy and vile, but soft and surprising. John doesn’t turn around to face her, even if he owes her at least that much. “Things are changing. We all feel it.”
Drewitt nods in agreement, closing in a little tighter. “Something is happening.”
El Mariachi likewise finds himself concerned. He walks abruptly around John the Revelator to stand before him instead, looking him dead in the eyes.
They share a glance. A meaningful and powerful look.
“I’m sorry,” John finally and honestly says. That’s been long overdue. “I haven’t been honest with you about your abilities and powers. I may have overstated their longevity.”
Drewitt and Gemini share a look. Suddenly, things make sense. The way they’re feeling and the visions they’ve had, all make sense. Muerte isn’t happy with that, though.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He can’t be so flippant! He’s going to get his head caved in if he’s not careful.
NICK DIAMOND: Not if Apokalypsis want whatever is behind that door.
He abruptly grabs John by the collar and spins him around, slamming him back first into the door. Gemini and Drewitt don’t rush to his aid, but Vision does instead.
“This isn’t the time or the place, Muerte,” Vision warns. He wants to win tonight and if Apokalypsis don’t fight on the same side, the Uprising will. He’s lost too much. “We have to end The Uprising and only then can we resolve this.”
Mariachi reluctantly lets him go, only John has more to say. “Come back here at the end of the night and I’ll have the fifth key. I’ll explain everything then.”
The furious Muerte storms away with Gemini and Drewitt quickly in tow, following him towards an exit of the level. Vision meanwhile walks to catch up with Grimskull, who was heading in a different direction.
“Where are you going?” Vision enquires carefully and with a great deal of caution. Their history still lingers. “I was hoping you’d accompany us back to Deathrow.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Whoa..
NICK DIAMOND: Vision asking for Grimskull’s help? I never thought I’d see the day.
Grimskull looks understandably perturbed. That doesn’t make sense. “Me?” He questions in surprise.
“I’d feel much safer knowing you were where it all began,” the once leader of the Third Eye asks sincerely. “Will you accompany me?”
Grimskull thinks about it. The Preacher has been out of action with a broken arm for quite some time. He’s not involved in the match, nor is he fight ready. In fact, he may never fight again. He looks Vision up and down but doesn’t speak.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Will he go!?
He doesn’t need to.
He just nods.
NICK DIAMOND: He is! Grimskull and Vision are heading back to Deathrow… together! What a turnup for the books!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Lionel Troy takes on Colt Ramsey for not just the Double Feature title, but for the cure to Colt's madness! And with how he's twitching, Colt needs it!
The match begins and Ramsey leaps across the ring like a wild animal! He drops Troy with a vicious headbutt across the bridge of the nose! Zion's Child is rocked and Ramsey nails him with a DDT! The former acolyte rolls on top of Troy and begins clawing at his face!
NICK DIAMOND: HE'S DIGGING HIS THUMBS INTO TROY'S EYES!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: A CHILD OF ZION GRABS COLT'S LEG AND PULLS HIM OUT OF THE RING!
Colt turns on the congregate and slams his head violently off of the apron over and over again before dropping him to the ground! Colt slides immediately back into the ring!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: RIGHT INTO A CLOTHESLIONEL FROM HELL!
NICK DIAMOND: DOWN GOES RAMSEY!
However Colt isn't down for long as he kips up to his feet and immediately hits Troy with an axhandle to the face! Mama Troy's Baby Boy tries to crawl away but Colt leaps with a knee drop to the back of the skull! Lionel is in dire straits as Colt grabs him and slams him head first against the mat! Ramsey forces Troy up!
NICK DIAMOND: B-ROLL! ROLLING CUTTER!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: NO! TROY ROLLS THROUGH! HE TURNS COLT AROUND! ZIONIC ELBOW! ELBOW RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES!
The blow only staggers Ramsey who immediately rushes back at Lionel who ducks and pulls down the rope sending Colt right to the outside! He's quick to his feet once more, frothing at the mouth as Troy gets on the apron and prays to the heavens! Colt rushes him!
AND TROY LEAPS OFF WITH A GODLY FAMOUSER TO RAMSEY! THE JOURNO IS FINALLY DOWN!
Lionel takes a moment to catch his breath, wiping blood from his lip as Ramsey twitches violently and tries to fight back to his feet! He looks at Lionel with bloodshot eyes and chases him around the ring! Troy pulls an acolyte in Ramsey's way and lets him get clobbered before sliding back into the ring! Ramsey is quick behind when more Children of Zion run to ringside!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Colt's outnumbered!
NICK DIAMOND: And the Children are distracting the referee!
With the ref distracted a Child of Zion hands the title to Troy! Colt rushes him!
AND GETS CLOCKED WITH THE BELT!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: COLT STUMBLES TO HIS FEET!
NICK DIAMOND: AND RIGHT INTO A LOWBLOW! THEN A DDT! THAT'S DIVINE INTERVENTION!
Troy covers and his followers point out the pin! The referee drops for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The match is over, Troy retains, but Colt is right back to his feet!
The Last Headline
The match is over, the smoke has cleared, and now the Children of Zion surround the ring as Colt Ramsey stares down Lionel Troy. He twitches violently, eyes bulging, foaming at the mouth as he bares down on Troy. "You stupid, stupid mother fucker." Colt's lip curls, Troy backing away and finding himself against the turnbuckle!
"You shouldn't have turned on me, Colt! You lost. The only way you're getting that cure is if you beg for my forgiveness! Tell me you'll burn that blasphemous article!" Lionel tries to stand his ground but Colt locks his hands around Troy's throat! He's choking the life out of him as the Children of Zion beg for him to stop!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He's going to kill him!
NICK DIAMOND: Colt's gone insane!
"Nothing would stop me from giving the world the truth, Troy! Troy is truth, my article is TRUTH! It's what the world needs to hear, what Arcadia needs to see! Everyone in the crowd, in your church, needs to know what a corrupt, degenerate, worthless piece of fear mongering shit you are!" The Journo twitches violently again, yelling, spitting in Lionel's face!
"Nothing you say or do is going to save you from what you are! This is my story to tell, my rant for all to hear! Lionel Troy is- Is- Is" Colt's eyes bulge as he shouts, his whole body shaking!
NICK DIAMOND: By Zeus... Is his nose bleeding?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It's pouring, Nicky! What the hell is happening!?
"Is- is-" Suddenly, Colt stops. His eyes glaze over, blood dripping from his nose, when he collapses at Lionel's feet.
Dead.
The crowd looks on in shock, the Children of Zion not even sure what to make of what they've seen. Colt's heart simply stopped, the stress of the Liontamer putting him down for good. Lionel looks down at him for a moment, then back to his congregation. "And, so, Zion smote Colt for his blasphemy. Let this be a lesson to everyone here. Zion giveth, and Zion taketh away."
Medical personnel rush to the ring as Troy takes his leave with his congregation.
Cut.
The Last Rose
Earlier Tonight
Raven can be seen pacing back and forth backstage. The offer Malakai Midnight made weighs heavily on his mind as he mulls over his options.
While he ponders over this dilemma, footsteps can be heard from off camera that are approaching fast. He quickly turns on the spot to see not Malakai or one of his many Midnight Owls, but Aurora, who approaches him with a warm smile.
“Draven, right?” She asks. Raven doesn’t answer, choosing to go back to walking back and forth. The Thrillseeker’s smile drops before she tries to pick up conversation again.
“I was a fan of your songs when I was growing up. Your band helped inspire me to become who I am today. Shame you stopped making music.”
The Death Walker doesn’t acknowledge her as he keeps pacing. With a frustrated sigh, she steps in front of him as he makes his way back towards her.
“Listen,” she begins, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder. “I know about your encounter with Malakai. I overheard him while I was getting away from a crazy motherfucker of my own.”
“Then you know why I’m acting the way I am,” Raven scoffs, brushing her hand off. Aurora nods in response before she speaks again.
“I don’t know if this will be much help, but I want to offer a bit of advice.” She takes a moment to consider her words carefully as Vengeance raises an eyebrow.
“Remember what the old you would’ve done in times like this,” she says. “Consider what kind of person your fiancé would want you to be. Do that, and hopefully you’ll be able to tell him the right thing.”
“And what’s ‘the right thing’?” Raven asks. This elicits a scoff of Aurora’s own before she places her hand back on his shoulder.
“Tell Midnight to go fuck himself… for the last rose.” She pats him on the shoulder a couple times before walking off, leaving the Death Walker to ponder her words.
Cut.
My Way
The Circus is a dour and decidedly unhappy place this evening. After his loss to Aurora, Klaus Way paces back and forth, putting his acts in their place. Before him sits a Strongman, a Contortionist, a Bearded Lady and numerous others.
“I have tried and failed to bring new acts to our beloved circus,” he says with a tut and a strut. “That doesn’t mean it’s all my fault.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Funny that, who’s fault would it be?
“Where have you been, my loyal acts?” Klaus asks with a raised eyebrow. “In my time of need, where has been your support? If we’re to grow our tremendously entertaining circus, we’ll need more acts to enthral the people of Arcadia!”
The acts look at one another with an odd eye.
“That means we’re changing things up, dear people. We’re taking this show on the road!” Way says emphatically. “You’ll be coming with me to Old School Wrestling and one way or another, we’ll expand our circus to be the grandest of them all! From now on, we’re going to do this MY way!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This guy is insane!
NICK DIAMOND: He can’t honestly believe that they’re at fault for his failures?
Klaus struts off humming to himself, leaving his clan of quite confused and surprised circus acts behind him.
The Contortionist grimaces. “You heard him folks, it’s his way or the highway. Get ready, we’re taking this show on the road.”
Everyone heads their separate way, leaving the Contortionist to chase after Klaus who is heading into his office.
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This match tonight...this feud has been bloody, brutal and utterly personal. What began as a simple cat and mouse chase between the officer of the law and a serial killer needing to brought to justice has become something more complicated.
NICK DIAMOND: Long lost brothers, the killers of daughters, an uprising that threatens the very fabric of Arcadian life and an unlikely friendship between an assassin and a law man. This is a match eighteen months in the making for Olympus but decades for these four men. And it may well be settled here tonight.
Before the bell even sounds, the battlefield has been drawn. Attano and Cade on one side and Thorpe and Redgrave on another. The bell sounds as no man moves an inch. The brothers staring daggers at one another while Attano fumes at the very sight of Redgrave who just smiles that shit eating grin.
NICK DIAMOND: A virtual stalemate here Johnny, whose going to be the first man to break it...HOSTILE DOWN!
Jackson Cade rushes forward, trying to nail Thorpe with that trademark leaping superkick but Thorpe manages to duck underneath, Jackson stumbling into the ropes before Thorpe clotheslines him over them to the floor below.
Attano double legs Redgrave down, pummeling him with heavy lefts and rights but he's soon pulled off by Thorpe who gets a headbutt for his troubles. Thorpe staggers back, rushing forward in anger as Attano ducks under
VENOM! Brutal Scorpion Kick sends Thorpe crashing to the mat, Nobody hyped up here tonight as he turns around
JOHNNY GOMEZ: SPEAR! JASPER REDGRAVE SPEARS HAROLD ATTANO OUT OF NOWHERE! The Artist nearly cut Attano in half from the sheer force.
Redgrave pulls Thorpe up as the two begin stomping seven shades of shit out of Nobody, Attano trying to protect himself but getting the worst out of the strikes. A stiff kick by Redgrave knocks him for a loop as both men lift him up to his feet and up high as the Artist lifts him up for that trademark Vanishing Point Powerbomb.
NICK DIAMOND: Redgrave going for the Crucifix but he rushes forward instead, oh no. Don't do this.
Thorpe and Redgrave rush forward, both holding Attano high before they yeet him with all their strength.
TOSSING CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB OVER THE ROPES
OVER THE BARRICADE
INTO THE CROWD ONTO THE HARD CONCRETE FLOOR!
'HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT'
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I agree with the crowd there Nick, Harold Attano may have just been taken out of this match. and as Jackson Cade rolls into the ring, Perseus may well be about to find himself in a handicap situation here.
Cade rolls inside, ducking underneath a clothesline attempt by Redgrave before nailing him with a clothesline of his own. Jasper staggers to his feet as Cade grips him by the back of the head, tossing him over the top rope before turning around into a flurry of lefts and rights by Thorpe.
CJ backs his brother into the ropes, sending him flying across the ring but Jackson again ducks underneath the clothesline, rebounding back
BREACH AND CLEAR! SLINGBLADE! SLINGBLADE! SLINGBLADE!
Jackson plants his brother into the mat, turning around
RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK TO THE FACE!
NICK DIAMOND: Jasper Redgrave out of nowhere nailing Cade with that brutal Superkick, Cade staggering back into the ropes before getting nailed with that sickening spinning elbow.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: The pair aren't done though, Cade dropping to his knees as Thorpe rushes forward and nearly takes his head off with with a brutal Knee Trembler.
NICK DIAMOND: They call that In Violence We Trust and that may well be it for Jackson Cade here Johnny.
CJ doesn't cover, instead dropping down, grabbing Jackson's arms, wrapping his arms around one and pulling back with the other as he locks in POLICE BRUTALITY!
Jackson screams out in pain, Jasper stomping down on his head while CJ pulls back with all his strength to make him tap out but Cade refuses, trying to move himself towards the ropes through the pain and punishment as he finally manages to flip one foot onto the bottom rope.
Cole Holt quickly begins counting down Thorpe, forcing him to break the hold but the damage may have already been done as Thorpe lifts his hurting brother up, hooking both arms.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: BACKDROP! JACKSON BACKDROPS HIS WAY OUT OF THE PEDIGREE! But he barely gets to turn around before he gets his head taken clean off by Jasper Redgrave.
SANGUINE ABSURDISM! Brutal Discus Clothesline nearly decapitates Cade before he pulls him up
SYMPHONY OF SYMMETRY! The Pedigree hits flush as this may be all she wrote for Jackson Cade. Jasper drops down for the cover as Cole Holt begins to count
ONE
..............
..................
TWO
.................
.....................
CJ THORPE BREAKS IT UP! WHAT IN THE HELL!?
Jasper is furious as he and CJ begin to go nose to nose, Thorpe refusing to let anyone but him beat his brother tonight and Jasper needing this victory.
NICK DIAMOND: The Uprising team-mates may well explode here, oh wait, what is this?
TWO
SHOT
TWO
KILLS!
DOUBLE FUCKING DIAMOND CUTTER OUT OF NOWHERE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Nobody back into this match with a vengeance as he takes down both Thorpe and Redgrave in one single shot.
Attano rolls to his feet, lifting Jackson up to his as both men nod at one another
DOUBLE SUPERKICK TO REDGRAVE!
DOUBLE SUPERKICK TO THORPE!
NICK DIAMOND: Time for some payback here Johnny, both men going up to the top in a rarity for Attano but you've gotta go big or go home.
SCREAMING EAGLE TO CJ THORPE!
DOUBLE KNEES TO THE CHEST OF JASPER REDGRAVE!
Both Attano and Cade back into opposite corners, going for the kill here as Thorpe and Redgrave slowly get to their feet.
LEAPING SUPERKICK
ROLLING DIAMOND CUTTER
HOSTILE DOWN TO CJ THORPE
ONE SHOT ONE KILL TO JASPER REDGRAVE!
Both men roll to their feet as Jackson rushes at Attano
NICK DIAMOND: Cade takes Attano by surprise, grabbing him by the back of the head and throwing him to the outside before Jackson drops down, covering his brother as Cole Holt slides in to count the fall
ONE
.............
...................
TWO
..................
.....................
THREE!!!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Jackson Cade has done it, he's beaten his brother one on one once again and you have to wonder how this affects the main event tonight Nick
NICK DIAMOND: CJ Thorpe has said he'd lay down but with a loss here, who knows if he'll stick to the plan or try and usurp Narcissa for the OSW World Championship. And if he does, you know Jackson's going to look for that rematch he never got.
Michaela Marie Attano
With the match over, Harold Attano is quickly back to his feet, pulling a wire from his jeans and stalking CJ Thorpe.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s snapped! Harold Attano has by Zeus snapped!
NICK DIAMOND: Redgrave and Cade have no idea!
As CJ gets back to a knee, he’s immediately smothered by Attano who wraps the garrot wire around his throat and begins leaning back. The Wolf chokes, trying his best to grab the wire and stop it from cutting off his circulation but to no avail.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Here comes Cade and Redgrave!
When both men realize what’s going on, they’re back to their feet and in the ring, protesting with Harold to release him.
“Harold, let him go,” pleads Jackson with his arms raised. He doesn’t want to see his brother murdered, despite everything.
“No!” Harold says holding tight. “Not until he tells me what I want to know. Who the fuck killed my daughter!?”
Jasper steps forward. “He’ll tell you. He’ll fucking tell you, just let him go!” Redgrave swears. His usual calm demeanour lost to the threat of life that now resides over his friend.
Harold reluctantly releases his grip but only enough for him to speak. Blood trickles down his neck, Thorpe gasping for air with the release.
“She’s NOT dead!” CJ hoarsely reveals. The shock of which stumbles Attano, who releases the garrot and steps backwards. “She’s not dead!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He must be lying!
NICK DIAMOND: That can’t be true. Jackson had a police file on the case!
The revelation shocks both Harold and Jackson, who share a glance of disbelief.
“You’re lying!” Cade roars at his brother. “You’re lying!”
Thorpe shakes his head, holding his throat. His voice is raspy. “I’m not. Jasper Redgrave didn’t kill your daughter, Attano, because she’s not dead!”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: OH MY ZEUS! Can you believe it!?
NICK DIAMOND: If Michaela Attano isn’t dead, where the heck is she and why do the APD think she is!?
Cut.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Apokalypsis has delved into Deathrow! Accompanied by Grimskull, team OSW is heading right into the Uprising's home turf!
NICK DIAMOND: There's a whole slew of referees down here, Johnny. This match could end anywhere!
All four members of both teams stand across from one another in the abandoned ring and the bell is rung! Gemini immediately rushes down Narcissa and takes her over the ropes with a cactus clothesline! The other six begin trading wild blows when Haywire springboards off of the ropes and flies towards Vision!
BASKET CASE! SPRINGBOARD HURRICANRANA TAKES HIM OUT OF THE RING!
Aster and Escher are left with Muerte and Drewitt when they take down Death with a double clothesline! Gray grabs Drewitt and hauls him up into a Crucifix position! Escher goes up the turnbuckle and leaps off with a diving elbow drop!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: MALICE! CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB BY GRAY!
NICK DIAMOND: WITH THE DIVING ELBOW DROP ON THE WAY DOWN! THEY CALL THAT BEAUTIFUL AGONY!
Gray goes to continue the assault when Muerte gets on him from behind! He lays into the Gray Man with powerful lefts and rights that rock him before grabbing him and putting his back to the ropes! Escher tries to go for the pin on Drewitt and Muerte lifts with all of his might!
WHISKEY LULLABY! OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SENDS GRAY CRASHING DOWN ONTO ESCHER!
Meanwhile Narcissa and Gemini have brawled their way into the cell block! The Designer bounces Pestilence's head off of the bars before leaping off of the nearby bed with a neckbreaker onto the hard concrete! Nergal is looking out of it as Narcissa hauls her to her feet and Haywire comes in with a bat! The Madness swings wild and catches Gemini in the ribs! Narcissa forces her up to her knees and calls for Haywire to end her!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I CAN'T WATCH!
NICK DIAMOND: NEITHER CAN VISION! BLIND FURY! HE'S RAINING DOWN PUNCHES, KICKS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!
The wild onslaught knocks both Uprising members for a loop! He grabs Haywire and throws him face first into the wall! Narcissa is reeling but grabs the bat and swings recklessly at The Awoken One! Vision ducks and weaves the wild blows but Balenciaga fakes a swing before nailing a bicycle knee!
UPRISING KNEE TO THE JAW!
Vision is down and Narcissa turns around to catch a rising Gemini with a brutal bat to the back that keeps her down! She kicks Gemini onto her back and calls for Haywire! The Menace leaps off of the nearby bed with a massive cannonball!
POWDER KEG RIGHT ONTO GEMINI!
He rolls to his feet and places a foot on her chest! A referee scrambles in for the count!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE- DESOLAAAAAAAAAAAAAATION! CLAYMORE KICK OUT OF NOWHERE BY DREWITT!
Haywire gets knocked into next fucking week! Drewitt goes for Narcissa right after but Aster Gray grabs him and pulls him back into Escher who cracks a steel chair over his skull! El Mariachi Muerte rushes in to help but a big boot from Gray keeps him down! Narcissa goes to join the melee but Vision and Gemini are back up! They turn her around!
DOUBLE CODEBREAKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! YIN FROM GEMINI! THIRD EYE BLIND FROM VISION!
The champ is dropped like a sack of shit and the rest of team OSW nail Escher and Gray with dropkicks that send them out of the room! All four members maul Aster and Harvey with brutal strikes! Their brawl spills towards the stairs leading up towards the Warden's office! The Uprising is in dire straights as this four on four has become a four on two! They reach the top floor!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Team OSW has the advantage! They're going to tear the Uprising apart!
NICK DIAMOND: Don't speak too soon! Haywire is back!
The Menace grabs Vision from behind and turns him around!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: ZEUS NO!
NICK DIAMOND: SCREWDRIVER TO THE FUCKING STERNUM! HE JUST STABBED VISION AND BLOOD IS FLOWING AS HE LAYS INTO HIM WITH STAB AFTER STAB!
Vision screams in agony and Haywire laughs with glee! He goes for the killing blow but Muerte is on him!
THE LAST CARNIVALE! LEAPING LUNGBLOWER TO HAYWIRE!
He bounces off of Muerte's knees right into Drewitt's waiting arms! He looks to Muerte who grabs Haywire's other arm! Both men look to the railing overlooking the ring!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They can't be serious! This is madness!
NICK DIAMOND: THEY THROW HAYWIRE! THE MENACE LANDS CHEST FIRST OFF THE RING ROPES AND LANDS IN A HEAP AT RINGSIDE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HAYWIRE WAS JUST FUCKING BROKEN IN HALF!
War and Death look down at their handiwork just in time for Escher to smash both men with a double clothesline from behind! They nearly go over the edge but Escher grabs Muerte and flips him around! He whips Singing Death towards the Warden's office!
SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!
HE SENDS HIM RIGHT THROUGH THE GOD DAMNED WINDOW!
Blood and glass shards go flying! The Diorama Killer grabs a shard of glass and slams it right into Drewitt's side! War drops to a knee and Escher turns to continue his assault! Aster Gray rocks Gemini with a headbutt that sends her sprawling back into Harvey but before he can go for the kill she lets out a terrible shriek!
AND SPEWS INSECTS AT HIM! THE SWARM RIGHT INTO ESCHER'S FACE!
Gemini is fighting for her life but Gray wraps a massive hand around her throat! She fights against the grip as he goes to lift her up but Drewitt intervenes!
GRAY TOSSES ASIDE GEMINI AND SIDESTEPS HIM! DREWITT RUNS HEAD FIRST INTO THE BARS BEHIND THEM! DREWITT GOES DOWN!
Harvey Escher trundles over to Gray - they're gonna end this once and for all!
ALL GRAY!
CHOKESLAM TO HARVEY ESCHER! WHAT THE FUCK!?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: DID GRAY JUST... WHAT THE HELL!?
NICK DIAMOND: GREY IS THE RAT! GREY IS THE RAT!
The Gray Man steps away and both still standing members of team OSW turn towards Harvey Escher! Gemini runs behind the Diorama Killer and Drewitt calls for the end as he rushes in!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: CLAYMORE BY DREWITT! DESOLATION!
NICK DIAMOND: METEORA BY GEMINI! THEY JUST FUCKING SANDWICHED HARVEY BETWEEN THOSE ATTACKS! THE END OF ARCADIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
KILLED!
WITH!
FIRE!
Escher is on the ground in a heap and Gemini drops for the cover! Meanwhile Grimskull ushers a referee upstairs!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: They could count to a hundred!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Team OSW has done it! They just put down the Uprising with apocalyptic authority! With an assist by Aster Gray, The Uprising have been banished back to Deathrow and this war is over!
The End Is Where It Began
Harvey Escher can’t believe it. Aster Gray just cost the Uprising the most important match of their lives. With Narcissa having vanished part way through, Escher gets back to his feet to see Aster staring at him.
“Did you think I’d forgotten?” Aster asks, referring to Harvey’s attempted murder of him, a year or so ago. He smiles.
“Your revenge was to cost the Uprising our advantage against Old School Wrestling?” Escher queries in confusion. He doesn’t understand why Aster has done this. “Are you foolish? You’ll go back to Deathrow too. The only ones safe are Nox, Narcissa, Thorpe and Redgrave. The rest of us needed this.”
The Gray Man nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t worry Harvey, you’re not staying here in Deathrow.”
Gulp.
Escher immediately starts backing off, turning around to see numerous inmates that he’d abused over the years. Each of them surrounds him menacingly. Gray heads back over to a cell, grabbing the door and closing himself in.
He watches as the inmates beat Harvey Escher to death with a smile on his face.
Meanwhile, across the way, Vision is being cradled in the arms of Grimskull, spitting up blood. He’s in a bad way.
“How fitting that it ends here,” Vision stutters with blood dripping from his mouth. Grimskull holds him in a cradle, trying to comfort him. “After everything we’ve been through, and our eventual escape from this place – it ends where it began.”
The Third Eye can’t help but chuckle to himself and wince in pain as he does. Grimskull isn’t smiling. He isn’t happy. He lowers his head.
“Did we win the war?” Vision wants to know.
Grimskull nods. “We did, old friend. We did.”
Vision smiles softly, his eyes slowly rolling into the back of his head. Grimskull weeps, their history vast and long, but at their core, something special.
He picks Vision’s lifeless deceased body off the ground, broken arm be damned, and walks his friend out of Deathrow. “This isn’t where you rest.”
For the final time.
Helmet
The Sanctuary has long been a desolate place. Once full of such life, joy and arguments, it’s now filled with moss covered waterlogged and damaged electronics.
There’re blood stains on the floor, alongside debris and rusted steel bars. But the most poignant thing of all, despite the silence and the damage, is the body of The Blue Shark spread eagle across the centre console.
His helmet resides beside him, smashed to pieces.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: My... would you look at that.
NICK DIAMOND: Disgusting, Johnny. That’s utterly appalling.
When The Yellow Python arrives, he stops dead in his tracks. He spots The Blue Shark immediately.
Before he rushes to him, he surveys the room. He can see quite clearly that Shark is dead. His skin is a deathly pale and there’s no sign of life. Before he steps into the room further, he needs to make sure it’s not a trap.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I can only imagine what’s running through his mind, Nick.
NICK DIAMOND: Running. Running should be running through his mind. He needs to get the hell out of there, double time.
As if heard it whispered in his ear, The Yellow Python backs away slowly. As much as it breaks his heart, he has no idea what trap the Arcadian Censorship Authority may have set for him.
Inside his helmet, tears stream down his face. His chest rattles with emotion, bubbling with the emphatic and desperate cries locked within his helm. He backs away, closing the door to The Sanctuary.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: May Zeus have mercy on your soul, Kleen. Because when The Yellow Python gets his hands on you tonight, he wont!
NICK DIAMOND: Amen, Johnny. Amen.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Tonight, at Ring of Dreams we have a grudge match as the Raven attempts to fly in the face of Midnight, but will the Raven topple the Owl here tonight? As Malakai Midnight attempts to fend off the ever-aggressive advances of Raven.
NICK DIAMOND: The Referee for this contest is none other than our senior official himself Mills Stanton!
Mills calls for the bell and we’re underway as both Raven and Midnight start to circle each other. Eventually Raven tags midnight with a right, then another, and then...
*SQWELCH!*
Midnight stabs a thumb into the eye of Raven, staggering The Death Walker, and then...
*KER-RAK!*
Spinning Forearm to the Jaw of Raven!
NICK DIAMOND: DEVIL’S ADVOCATE has Vengeance on roller-skates, Johnny!
Mr. Midnight hooks The Death Walker up...
Perfect Plex!
MIDNIGHT PLEX-NO! INSIDE CRADLE BY VENGEANCE!
STANTON SLIDES INTO POSITION!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
THR-KICK-OUT BY MALAKAI!
Raven bolts up hitting the ropes as The Lord of Darkness struggles to his...
Spear!
FINAL APROACH! TO MILLS STANTON!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: MALAKAI PULLED OUR SENIOR OFFICIAL INFRONT OF RUNNING WRECKING BALL AND HE NEARLY GOT SPLIT IN HALF BY THE FINAL APPROACH!
NICK DIAMOND: I’D SAY DAMN HIM TO HADES JOHNNY IF IT WASN’T WHAT HE WANTED. MILLS IS A TOUGH DUDE BUT HE’S STILL HE DIDN’T DESERVE THAT!
Raven looks down in shock when from under the ring Mark Hayes appears and slides Mr. Midnight a Chair.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Damn it Nicky, that’s Mark Hayes, one of Midnight’s Owls and we have no referee!
*KA-KLANG!*
THE SOUND OF STEEL TO THE BACK OF RAVEN’S SKULL! VENGEANCE FALLS FACE FIRST ON THE CANVAS!
*KLANG!*
*KLANG!*
*KLANG!*
MIDNIGHT REPEATEDLY BLASTS THE DEATH WALKER ACROSS BACK SHOULDERS WITH THE CHAIR WHILE HE LAYS FACE DOWN!
NICK DIAMOND: WHERE WILL IT END, JOHNNY?!
Midnight opens the chair wrapping it around the neck of The Death Walker.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s gonna break his damned neck if successful Nicky, this is going too far!
Midnight climbs to the top rope…
DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE CHAIR!
NO!
VENGEANCE MANAGES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND AVOID BEING DECAPITATED AND MIDNIGHT COMES UP LIMP AS HIS KNEE BUCKLES!
*PANG!*
The Death Walker drives the edge of the top of the chair directly into the injured patella of The Midnight Man!
*BA-BAP!*
*BA-BAP!*
*BA-BAP!*
NICK DIAMOND: Three board swings of the steel chair to the injured knee of Midnight!
The Lord of Darkness falls, and Raven drops the chair and quickly locks in the Sharpshooter!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Malakai is now in DEATH’S GRASP!
PRESSURE APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE KNEE OF THE MIDNIGHT MAN AS HE LETS OUT A SCREAM OF PAIN!
…
NICK DIAMOND: IS THIS THE FINAL HOUR FOR MIDNIGHT!?
…
VENGEANCE LEANS WRENCHING THE KNEE AND BACK OF MR. MIDNIGHT SINKING THE HOLD IN DEEPER!
...
THE HOLD IS IN SO DEEP THAT MIDNIGHT HAS NOWHERE TO GO!
...
HE SCREAMS, “I QUIT! I QUIT! I QUIT!” AS HE TAPS OUT CAUSING VENGEANCE TO RELEASE THE HOLD...
BUT...
NO BELL SOUNDS!
REFEREE MILLS STANTON IS STILL OUT COLD ON THE CANVAS LEAVING RAVEN TO RELEASE THE HOLD IN ORDER TO TRY AND WAKE THE SALTY OLD REFEREE!
NICK DIAMOND: RAVEN WATCH YOUR BACK!
ONLY RAVEN TURNS AROUND…
DUCKING THE INCOMING BIG BOOT FROM MALAKAI!
AND IN THE SAME FLUID MOTION HE HOOKS UP MR. MIDNIGHT DROPPING STRAIGHT SOUTH!
*CA-FUCKING-RASH!*
SCORPION DEATH DROP – THE LAST ROSE DROPS MALAKAI MIDNIGHT ON THE BACK OF HIS FUCKING SKULL! RAVEN HOOKS BOTH LEGS AND STANTON BEGINS TO STIR!
ONE!
...
...
...
...
TWO!
...
...
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HAS RAVEN OVERCOME THE ODDS?!
...
...
THREE!
NICK DIAMOND: YES! JOHNNY, RAVEN’S DONE IT, HE’S BEATEN MIDNIGHT EVEN WITH THE OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE FROM MICHAEL HAYES!
The Devil Is In The Details
With the match over, Raven triumphantly rises to his feet only to be clocked over the back of the head by Mark Hayes. The Sharpshooter quickly rushes over to Malakai, helping him off the canvas.
Malakai is jelly-legged after that intense battle, his head weary and body aching, but demands Hayes retrieve him a microphone.
The Death Walker kneels, utterly exhausted as Midnight’s Owl’s rush into the ring and grab him by the arms. Malakai takes a place from one, holding it to Raven’s throat.
“I gave you the option to join us. I gave you an opportunity to change your fate,” he says angrily. It’s the first time we’ve seen pure ire from Malakai Midnight. He pushes the knife closer to Raven’s throat, drawing a slight knick of blood. “Do you have any final words before I send you to meet your maker?”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Please, anyone… stop this!
NICK DIAMOND: We’ve seen enough. You’ve done enough, Midnight. There’s no need for this!
As "Mykinnacoma (Not Your Kind)" by Hoity-Toity hits, a laser light show fires from the back of the entrance way towards the roof of The Arena.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: IT’S AURORA! AURORA IS COMING TO MAKE THE SAVE!
NICK DIAMOND: RAVEN’S NUMBER ONE FAN! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
After a few seconds, the display ceases, being blocked by the emerging figure of Aurora, who makes a b-line for the ring with a steel chair in hand. She slides straight under the bottom rope and swings her chair hard and fast at one follower, almost taking his head off.
Raven pops back to his feet now that one arm is released and flips the other follower over, slamming a forearm into his face for good measure.
Mark Hayes charges at Aurora, only she sends him barrelling over the top rope. They both go back to back, surveying the ring as Malakai Midnight wisely retreats up the entrance ramp. Other followers quickly follow suit, leaving Aurora and Raven stood with their backs to one another in the middle of the ring.
She saved him. She came to his aid when no-one else would.
THE LAST ROSE!
SCORPION DEATHROP TO AURORA!
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: NO ZEUS DAMNIT NO!
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
HE JUST… RAVEN JUST…
OH, AND HERE’S MALAKAI MIDNIGHT, WALKING BACK TO THE RING WITH A DEMENTED AND EVIL SMILE ON HIS FUCKING FACE!
Midnight slides under the bottom rope and opens his arms wise, embracing The Death Walker who gets back to his feet with a smile of his own.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is unfathomable! After EVERYTHING, Raven has joined Six Feet Under! He’s joined the Owls!
NICK DIAMOND: Poor Aurora came to have his back. She came to help, Johnny. This son of a bitch has a lot of explaining to do!
NICK DIAMOND: Up next we have the culmination of months of death, tragedy, and sorrow. We have the former Yellow Python and leader of the ACA clashing with the Yellow Python.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: How will the Yellow Python overcome the grief he must feel going into this contest? His last remaining lifeline was seemingly murdered by the ACA after we saw Kleen order the disposal of the body of Blue Shark.
Referee Demi Sky calls for the bell and an enraged Python rushes The Germaphobe trying to catch him off guard with a giant Splash to open the contest. But Kleen sidesteps the Serpent who collides chest first with the top turnbuckle!
*KER-RAK!*
Beautiful Disaster Kick to the head of the Python laying him out in the early going! Kleen shouts to Valerie Perrywinkle at ringside, who in turn slides his cleaning bucket into the ring next to The Serpent’s head as he pushes himself up to all fours...
CURB STOMP INTO THE BUCKET OF DIRTY WATER!
NICK DIAMOND: CLEANLINESS IS GODLINESS AND THAT BUSYBODY WITCH PERRYWINKLE IS STICKING HER NOSE WHERE IT DOESN’T BELONG ALL OVER AGAIN!
“I END THIS TONIGHT! I MAKE YOU THE LAST YELLOW PYTHON!”
KLEEN DRIVES HIS FOOT ONTO THE BACK OF THE YELLOW PYTHON’S HEAD AGAIN SHOVING IT BACK UNDERWATER IN THE BUCKET AS THE SERPENT’S ARMS FLAILING AT HIS SIDES!
JONNY GOMEZ: HE’S GOING TO DROWN HIM NICKY RIGHT HERE AND NOW, END THE KINGDOM ONCE AND FOR ALL!
DEMI SKY ATTEMPTS TO PULL KLEEN OFF THE SOLE SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE KINGDOM BUT MS. PERRYWINKLE GRABS THE OFFICIAL BY THE ANKLE AND PULLS HER UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE. BEFORE CLOCKING DEMI UPSIDE THE HEAD AND SENDING DEMI INTO A HEAP!
NICK DIAMOND: OH, COME ON! THAT’S AWFUL HE WAS TRYING TO SAVE THAT MAN’S LIFE!
THEN...
*BLACKOUT*
JOHNNY GOMEZ: WHAT THE HELL NICKY WE’VE BEEN PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS!
WHEN THE LIGHTS COME BACK UP TWO MEN DRESSED IN BROWN AND SILVER KINGDOM ATTIRE STAND IN FRONT OF A STUNNED AND SHOCKED KLEEN WHO BEGINS TO BACK OFF!
NICK DIAMOND: THAT’S THE SILVER FOX AND THE BROWN WOLF! THEY USED TO BE MEMBERS OF THE KINGDOM! THEY'RE PART OF THE CREW THAT KICKED KLEEN OUT!
THE SILVER FOX KICKS THE BUCKET FROM UNDER THE HEAD OF YELLOW PYTHON ALLOWING HIS HEAD TO SLIP FREE AND WE SEE THE SERPENT’S CHEST SLOWLY RISE AND FALL!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: THANK ZEUS, NICKY THE PYTHON STILL LIVES!
The Fox backs Kleen away staring him down creating some separation. While The Wolf helps The Serpent back to his feet. Just then...
-BEAT-
THE WORLD SEEMINGLY STANDS STILL....
....
*WA-FUCKING-BAM!*
GIANT BOSSMAN SLAM BY THE WOLF TO THE YELLOW PYTHON!
NICK DIAMOND: HOLY HIGH HADES JOHNNY WHAT IN ZEUS’S NAME IS GOING ON HERE!?
THE WOLF DRAGS THE SERPENT TO THE CORNER AND PROPS HIM UP, ARMS DRAPED OVER THE TOP ROPE HOLDING HIM UP, AND THE FOX TURNS AROUND AND RUSHES THE PYTHON...
*KA-RAK!*
RUNNING BIG BOOT TO THE PYTHON WHO CRUMBLES!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Wait Nicky, we've seen those moves before that was the PURITY RING from The Brown Wolf and the STAMP OF AUTHORITY from the Silver Fox!
NICK DIAMOND: Are you saying the men under those masks are...
JUST THEN THE FOX AND WOLF STAND AT ATTENTION IN FRONT OF MR. KLEEN WHO REMOVES THEIR HELMETS REVEALING THE SILVER FOX TO BE SEBASTIAN BOSWICK AND THE BROWN WOLF TO BE NONE OTHER THAN TUCKER GOODE!
NICK DIAMOND: Damn them all straight to Hades, Johnny! The ACA can rot for all I care!
Kleen signals to his two goons to get The Python off the canvas. Good and Boswick lift him up and position him on the shoulder of Kleen...
*BA-FUCKING-BAM!*
ACA WITH THE SHIELD OF PURITY TRIPLE POWERBOMB ON THE YELLOW PYTHON WHO TWITCHES ON THE CANVAS AS A GLEEFUL GLIMMER IS ON FULL DISPLAY IN THE EYES OF MR. KLEEN!
NICK DIAMOND: These men are monsters, they're evil incarnate!
Kleen tells Goode to pick him up again and demands Goode slam him again and Goode lifts Python up and sends him into the ropes and...
*KA-RAK!*
SPINNING SUPERMAN PUNCH FROM THE YELLOW PYTHON CLEANS TUCKER GOODE’S CLOCK SENDING TUCKER CARREENING TO THE OUTSIDE! BOSWICK RUSHES TYP, KICK TO THE GUT SETTING UP THE PYTHON FOR THE DOUBLE UNDERHOOK PILEDRIVER!
PIMEN-O! PYTHON SLIPS OUT AND MAINTAINS WRIST CONTROL...
*SMACK!*
RIPCORD LARIAT TO BOSWICK SENDING THE STUFFED SHIRT ASS OVER TEAKETTLE AND ROLLING FROM THE RING!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He may have lost all of his friends, his brothers but he still has the weapons they left behind as The Python lands the FALCON PUNCH to Goode and just knocked Boswick for a loop with THE RIPTIDE!
Both Kleen and Python lock eyes Kleen rushes and Python hits a Snap Powerslam on Kleen and rushes to the top rope as Kleen recovers!
Python has Kleen in his sights...
*KA-BAM!*
GIANT MISSLE DROPKICK TO FACE OF KLEEN!
THE ANTI-DOTE!
THE YELLOW PYTHON JUST...
KILLED
IT
WITH
FIRE!
PYTHON STRUGGLES INTO THE COVER AS DEMI SKY GROGGLY PULLS HERSELF INTO THE RING!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
NICK DIAMOND: HAS HE DONE IT?
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HE’S DONE IT, THE YELLOW PYTHON HAS OVERCOME ODDS AND THE ACA TO WALK AWAY TONIGHT WITH HIS HEAD HELD HIGH IN THE MEMORY OF HIS FALLEN BROTHERS!
Feeding Time At The Zoo!
He did it! Somehow, he overcame the odds, the twists and the turns to be standing before us now, victorious. This doesn’t bring his friends back, but The Yellow Python survived.
Python falls into the ropes in exhaustion, barely able to stand. Mr. Kleen now groggily kneels before him.
“I vowed vengeance upon The Zookeeper,” Kleen mutters, not only exhausted but destroyed emotionally. “Boswick and Goode were members who believed in him too. He betrayed them, just like he betrayed me.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Hang on a minute! That wasn’t just a rouse for the night!? Boswick and Goode were once upon a time in the Kingdom too!?
NICK DIAMOND: What the hell did he do to them?
“I may have gone too hard. I may have taken things too far. But what you don’t know about the Zookeeper could fill a book,” Kleen continues. Boswick and Goode enter the ring to help him back to his feet. He asks them to wait and remain calm, approaching Python. “He isn’t good, Python. He never was.”
Python looks surprised by the revelation – unsure whether he believes such a habitual liar.
“He created The Kingdom for a nefarious purpose beyond my actions. He didn’t want attention drawn to us, but what I did wasn’t ever the problem. The Zookeeper kicked me out because of the attention I was drawing to us,” Kleen says somewhat earnestly. It’s difficult to disbelieve him, despite his tendency towards deceit. “That’s why Tucker and Sebastian joined me. When they found out what his true mission was, they couldn’t abide it.”
“Why’re you telling me all this!?” Python grumbles. None of it matters to him. He’s lost so much. His heart aches from the pain of it all. “You killed innocent friends of mine, Kleen. They weren’t nefarious. They wanted to do good in Arcadia.”
Kleen shrugs nonchalantly. “You might be right, but we couldn’t take the chance. Just listen…”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: What’s he gonna say!?
NICK DIAMOND: I don’t think we’re gonna get to find out.
The Yellow Python looks hesitant as Kleen leans in, whispering something in his ear. The crowd are desperate to know what he’s said, but nothing is audible. Python sort of stands there in shock as Kleen backs off, leaving him to consider what he’s just been told.
A moment passes. A tense, consequential moment. The Yellow Python reaches up and slowly undoes his mask, carefully pulling it off over his head and revealing his face for the first time ever. The crowd gasp at the surprise of his actions, watching intently as he drops the Python helm on the canvas.
“I’ll find him,” the former Yellow Python announces defiantly. He stares Kleen down, his eyes never leaving his foes. “And I’ll find out whether you’re telling the truth. If you’re not, I’m coming to put you in the ground alongside my friends. For Arcadia.”
He barges through the ACA, exiting the ring and leaving his Python helmet behind. Mr. Kleen, Sebastian Boswick and Tucker Goode pause for a moment, watching him leave.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is unbelievable. Who is the Zookeeper and what was his nefarious plans? Nothing the ACA has done excuses their behavior but if The Kingdom was created for a purpose beyond what those boys were told, then something needs to be done.
NICK DIAMOND: He’s still out there, after all.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Up next, we have creator versus the created as the Scientist Doom taking on his creation Victor Doom in what’s going to be one hell of a contest.
NICK DIAMOND: Right, you are Johnny, but the big question here is how Dahlia Black’s demise at the hands of the Mad Scientist will play into this contest.
Referee Cole Holt nervously calls for bell as The Scientist stares down his creation, Victor who returns his gaze with nothing but contempt.
“It ends tonight, father, everything you’ve done to me, and everything you’ve taken from me. You pay for it all tonight.” Victor says a mournful tear welling in eye but his gaze never wavering.
“You’re a thing, Victor, a failed experiment that doesn’t even deserve to be in my presence, and as for your little harlot. She was a means to an end that outlived her usefulness, and I learned my mistake from you, so I put her down.” Doom replies coldly before the Unwanted rushes his creator full tilt, Big Boot!
GLASS SHAT-TRIPPED!
The Scientist sidesteps Victor’s attempt and drops him to a single knee!
*KA-FUCKING-RAK!*
KNEE TO THE FUCKING SKULL OF THE FRACTURED! THE SCRAMBLER LANDS FULL FORCE BUT VICTOR DOESN’T BUDGE INSTEAD HE SLOWLY STANDS STARING HIS CREATOR DEAD IN THE EYES!
“She was the only one who showed me love, she didn’t deserve what you did to her.”
*BAM!*
A HEAVY RIGHT JAB TO THE DOCTOR STAGGERS HIM!
*CRACK!*
A LEFT HOOK SENDS THE WORLD ENDER STAGGERING!
VICTOR REARS BACK TO FINISH HIS COMBO OFF WITH A MASSIVE CLOTHESLINE BUT THE DOCTOR DUCKS UNDER THE TELEGRAPHED MOVE BEFORE JUMPING INTO THE AIR AND ENGAGES HIS HOVER BOOTS...
HOVER, NO – POWERBOMB!
THE MAN FORMERLY KNOWN AS STUBBINS IS CAUGHT IN MID-AIR AND FORCED BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS BEFORE VICTOR GRABS HIS WRISTS AND PULLS HIM INTO A MASSIVE DOUBLE KNEE STRIKE.
NICK DIAMOND: THE SCIENTIST WAS JUST FORCED TO KNEEL BEFORE DOOM!
VICTOR PULL HIS CREATOR INTO THE PIN AS COLE HOLT SLIDES INTO MAKE THE COUNT!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HAS VICTOR PUT DOWN HIS CREATOR?!
...
...
THREE!
VICTOR STANDS UP HIS HANDS IN THE AIR BUT REFEREE HOLT IS OVERCOME BY A LOOK OF FEAR AS HE TURNS TO TAP VICTOR DOOM ON THE SHOULDER AND NERVOUSLY POINT AT THE SCIENTIST’S HAND LAYING ATTOP THE BOTTOM ROPE. VICTOR SCREAMS IN THE FACE OF COLE, AS THE SCIENTIST BEGINS TO PULL HIMSELF BACK TO HIS FEET!
NICK DIAMOND: The Scientist Doom saved by a matter of inches there!
Victor, distracted by Cole, doesn’t see The Doctor gliding through the air shoulder directed at his spine...
*KA-FUCKING-POP!*
SPLITTER! A DAMNABLE SPEAR TO THE SPINE OF VICTOR DOOM DROPS HIM ON HIS STOMACH!
The Scientist hovers over to a corner, breathing labored as Victor pushes himself onto all fours as The Doctor rushes Punting his skull!
BREAK THE FUCKING JAR!
THE SCIENTIST COLLAPSES INTO THE COVER AND COLE SLIPS INTO POSITION!
ONE!
...
...
...
...
TWO!
...
...
JOHNNY GOMEZ: HAS DOOM PUT AN END TO HIS EXPERIMENT?
...
...
...
THREE!
NO! VICTOR’S FOOT’S ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! THE UNWANTED SNAPS TO LIFE WRAPPING HIS HANDS AROUND THE THROAT OF HIS CREATOR SQUEEZING TIGHTLY AS HE STANDS LIFTING THE SCIENTIST INTO THE AIR.
“FATHER, TONIGHT YOUR LIFE IS FORFEIT, AND I SHALL AVENGE DAHLIA!”
ALL THE SCIENTIST CAN DO IS GASP AND WEEZE AS VICTOR CHOKES HIM, ATTEMPTING TO KILL HIS CREATOR BUT A GLIMMER APPEARS IN THE SCIENTIST’S EYES BEFORE THEY SHUT. JUST THEN...
*CLINK!*
*CLINK!*
TWO EXPLOSIVE DEVICES DROP AT BOTH THEIR FEET BEFORE AS COLE HOLT DIVES FOR COVER!
*KA-FUCKING-BOOM!*
MUTALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION! DOOM JUST KILLED IT WITH FIRE AND AS THE SMOKE CLEARS DOOM IS LAY ATOP VICTOR! COLE SLIDES BACK INTO THE RING!
ONE!
...
...
TWO!
...
...
NICK DIAMOND: THIS HAS TO BE IT!
...
...
THREE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: YES, IT IS NICKY THAT WAS THE MOST EXPLOSIVE ENDING TO A MATCH I’VE EVER SEEN BUT NO ONE’S WALKING AWAY FROM THIS!
Family Matters
With the match over, numerous men rush down the entrance ramp like drones and slide into the ring. Before Doom can even get back to his feet, his lackies have grabbed Victor and sat him snugly in a chair, bounding his hands and legs.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Enough of this! C’mon Doom, what the heck are you doing!? He didn’t ask for any of this.
NICK DIAMOND: I don’t understand his motivation. Why end him? He hasn’t done anything wrong, and I say that knowing he WAS a member of the Uprising.
Doom rises arrogantly, using his levitation device for aid.
“It always had to end this way,” Stubbins says with a sigh. He truly believes it. There’s no doubt in his mind that Victor must die. “You are a mistake, Victor. You were my monster, gone rogue, emotional and far too human. I had to abandon you and now I must kill you.”
He points his rocketed glove at Victor’s head – the Frankenstein bowing shamefully, accepting his fate.
“WAIT!” A familiar voice yells powerfully from the stage. It’s Felix Foley!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Thank Zeus for Felix!
NICK DIAMOND: Maybe he can talk some sense into him?
Foley halts Doom in his tracks and trudges to the ring, an air of authority and passion about him. He rolls under the bottom rope and positions himself in front of Victor and Stubbins.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about family recently. I’ve learned a lot,” he admits. His eyes appear sadder than usual, recounting what he’s lost. “And I consider you a brother, Stubbins.”
Doom steps back, hands on his hips. There’s a ton of thoughts running through his usually calculated mind.
“But if you pull that trigger and kill Victor, you’re not any member of my family. That makes you just as bad as Tombstone,” he declares to cheers from the crowd. “You need to stop this, old friend. I love you. If you love me back, you’ll leave Victor alone and be the man I know you can be.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: C’mon Doom, put the weapon down. Think about it. This is your best friend in all of Arcadia.
NICK DIAMOND: You just never know what Doom is gonna do, Johnny. He could shoot right through Felix here.
The Scientist thinks about it for a moment, raising his gloved arm directly at Foley. Felix closes his eyes. He’s put his trust in his best friend, The Besties, the OSW Tag Team Champions, and now he awaits his fate.
“Release him,” Doom angrily mutters. His lackies immediately do as their told, removing the restraints from Victor, who stands up in surprise and backs away. Stubbins looks in his direction. “Leave… and never come back.”
Felix storms over to Doom and embraces him, an embrace that is surprisingly returned to the delight of the crowd. As Doom pats his best friend on the back, his creation escapes to the outside, heading for Arcadia at large, where he intends to never be seen again.
It Ends Where it Began
The Rijen Family Residence
What was once a family dwelling that housed so many memories is now a burnt out shell. Walls, blackened by fire, crumble before us. The roof looks on the teetering point of collapse, as it has now for many years. Rubble and ash adorn the floor, which has now become a barren wasteland.
Every childhood memory contained within these walls now lies in ruin, burnt down along with the house that fateful day.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Here we are folks. One way or another, father and son are going to resolve things tonight.
NICK DIAMOND: They tried to resolve things last week Johnny, and it nearly turned into Destructo Boy barbeque. I think we’re past that now.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s heartbreaking to admit Nicky, but I think you might be right. Blaze blames his son for setting this fire, a fire that cost the life of his wife… the kid’s mother. Destructo Boy has dipped back inside the Odyssey Pool in order to get his father to see sense. But so far, he sees nothing but the flames that caused this destruction.
Destructo Boy stands at the threshold of what was his house, in similar scenes as we saw last week. Blaze seems to have remained encased in this shrine of loss, as he is already there, waiting for the Kid.
Destructo Boy enters, drawing a look of hatred from Blaze.
“You.” He spits out. “Have you come to serve justice for what you have done? Or do I have to beat you to death to avenge her?”
Destructo Boy is holding a small metallic object, but upon seeing the look on his father’s face, places it merely in his pocket.
“I still bear the bruises from what you did to me last week. I still smell the gasoline. I wanted to save you, dad. I wanted to get you to see past this…”
Blaze interrupts the NXT Level Champion, his voices raised to shouting in an instant.
“I cannot see past the one who killed my wife!” He points his finger at Destructo Boy, his skull burning brightly. “I fought for a better Arcadia. I was a hero. But you were just a lonely little boy, jealous of your father’s fame, weren’t you.”
Destructo Boy protests, but is cut off before he can even say a word.
“I saw it in your eyes, even then. When you played with matches, when you looked at fire. I saw that twinkle. But I had no idea you were capable of… this. You tore our family apart, and now you come looking for forgiveness?”
Destructo Boy opens his mouth, trying desperately to get his father to see his story.
“You don’t know…”
“You pathetic little ant. You’re no son of mine. This ends, one way, right where it began. Justice is served tonight.”
With that, he crosses the distance between them and punches Destructo Boy right in the face. DB reels backwards, crashing into the burnt out kitchen bench behind him. Moving around the other side of the island bench, he takes his NXT Championship off and places it before the two of them on the counter.
“Very well, dad. I didn’t want it to come to this. But one way or another, you will see my side of the story.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: It’s come to this. One man will stand victorious, by putting down his own flesh and blood.
NICK DIAMOND: But will it be father or son who stands tall when all this is said and done?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And will the Rijen Family home even be left standing once these two are done?
Continued…
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Father meets son in a heartbreaking story of loss and justice tonight. Right in the ashes of their family home.
NICK DIAMOND: And the NXT Level Championship is on the line. But what will father or son have to do to walk away with that title tonight?
JOHNNY GOMEZ: This is going to be hard to watch, but impossible to look away from.
Destructo Boy rubs his jaw, from where his father had punched him. Blaze looks on, skull burning in rage as his son steps out from behind the kitchen counter… and charges at him. Both lock horns in the center of the house.
This has finally come to blows. Literally.
RIGHT HAND AFTER RIGHT HAND ARE EXCHANGED BETWEEN FATHER AND SON, EACH SHOT BRUTALLY FINDING ITS MARK!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: There’s no love shown here.
NICK DIAMOND: Nothing but pain behind those shots Johnny, pure brutality.
Blaze gets in a few decent shots in a row that rock Destructo Boy. While DB is staggered, he spins around, clobbering him across the jaw with a vicious ELBOW STRIKE!
KINGDOMFALL!
DESTRUCTO BOY FALLS AGAINST THE BURNT OUT WALL OF THE FAMILY ROOM!
BOOM!
BLAZE FOLLOWS UP WITH A FLAMETONGUE DROPKICK THAT DRILLS HIS SON RIGHT THROUGH THE WEAKENED WALL!
NICK DIAMOND: Holy crap! Blaze has gotten the upper hand of this, sending Destructo Boy right through the damn wall!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Destructo Boy lies in a mess of charred wood, ash and burnt out plasterboard. They’re going to bring the damned house down around them at this rate.
Blaze reaches into the wreckage of the wall to pick Destructo Boy up to his feet. But Destructo Boy kicks him away, pushing with the sole of his boot. He scrambles through the broken wall, through a small hole and disappears.
BOOM! HERE'S BLAZEY!
BLAZE EXPLODES THROUGH THE WALL AFTER HIS SON!
Burnt wood and charred pieces of wall fly in all directions as Blaze crashes through the wall, finding himself in what was once the bedroom of a teenage boy. James’s bedroom. The Kid scoops up a handful of the ash and throws it into the face of Blaze as he approaches.
Blaze staggers, trying to clear his vision, but he is grabbed by Destructo Boy.
SPINNING URANAGE!
BLACKENED SOUL TO BLAZE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Destructo Boy drills his son right onto the middle of his old bedroom floor.
NICK DIAMOND: Got him right into a lego set strewn across the floor. With his own finisher. Talk about brutality!
Destructo Boy leans down to pick Blaze up, but soon retracts his arm as Blaze’s skull bursts into flame, scalding his hand. Blaze escapes into the hallway.
But Destructo Boy is back on him in an instant, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and throwing him headfirst into another wall. The wall disintegrates before him and Blaze’s head is soon trapped in the wall.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: He’s helpless, unable to defend himself.
NICK DIAMOND: This is where you go for the kill Destructo Boy. There’s only one way to end this.
But Destructo Boy doesn’t go for the kill.
He pulls the metallic tube out of his pocket that we saw earlier.
It is a syringe.
He stabs it into the arm of his father, plunging the contents into his bloodstream.
Blaze growls in agony as the serum invades, pulling himself free from the wall and grabbing Destructo Boy by the throat. Then a second hand.
BLAZE SQUEEZES AS HARD AS HE CAN!
HE’S CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF HIS OWN SON!
“See the Scales of Justice balance with your final breath, murderer!”
Destructo Boy gasps for air, desperately flailing about. That is until his hands touch something solid. The hilt of a sword.
In an instant, Destructo Boy has instinctively unsheathed the Kingdomblade.
HE HITS BLAZE RIGHT IN THE SKULL WITH THE HILT OF THE KINGDOMBLADE!
BLAZE IS STAGGERED AND DROPS DESTRUCTO BOY!
NICK DIAMOND: Just like that, Destructo Boy is outta here. He knows what’s good for him and he’s gone.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: I don’t think he’s escaping. He looks like he has a plan.
Destructo Boy is torn, he pleads with his father.
"Dad. Please. Stop!"
But Blaze isn't listening. DB pushes the door open at the end of the hallway, heading back to the living room. Blaze growls as he follows the Kid, stepping into the main room.
BOOM!
SHINING WIZARD OUTTA NOWHERE!
SEE NO EVIL! AND BLAZE NEVER SAW IT COMING!
Blaze drops to the ground like a sack of bricks and Destructo Boy climbs the stairs leading to a second level. Eventually, Blaze pulls himself to his feet.
He has barely any time to react before a figure flies through the air at him.
FROM THE TOP OF THE STAIRCASE, DESTRUCTO BOY LEAPS THROUGH THE AIR!
KINGDOMBLADE ABOVE HIS HEAD, HE STRIKES, SWINGING THE SWORD TOWARDS HIS FATHER…
BLACKENED JUSTICE! NO!
BLAZE SPINS AROUND, KNOCKING THE KINGDOMBLADE FROM DESTRUCTO BOY'S HAND, HE TRAPS HIS SON'S ARMS, SKULL BURNING IN RAGE!
HEADBUTT AFTER HEADBUTT AFTER HEADBUTT!
JUDGEMENT DELIVERED!
DESTRUCTO BOY FALLS LIMP AND BLAZE SIMPLY LETS HIM FALL!
HE'S DONE! KILLED WITH FUCKING FIRE!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: There's no way he's moving after that.
NICK DIAMOND: It's fitting that the murdering little bastard was Killed with Fire here tonight. After all, that's what he did to his mother.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Wow... Well, either way, we have a NEEEEW NXT Level Champion tonight in Blaze. But it looks like this family feud is far from over.
Not An Innocent
Their former family home is in tatters. They’ve lost everything and tonight, nearly each other. As they clamber back to their feet, destroyed and broken, their hearts can only bleed for one another.
Blaze – he takes off his mask, tossing it aside. He’s no longer The Chain of Justice, he’s Maxwell. His burned flesh wrapped in rotten bandages.
“I’m sorry, son,” he pleads. He’s distraught. He realizes what he’s done. “I’m so sorry that we keep travelling down this road.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Whatever Destructo Boy did, it worked. The Burned Man seems to be coming back to us.
NICK DIAMOND: Thank Zeus for that. There’s just no way they could keep ripping each other to shreds. The levy had to break eventually.
James takes off his mask too and tosses it aside. This most of vulnerabilities isn’t between the monster or hero they believed themselves to be, but between father and son.
“It wasn’t my….”
Maxwell interrupts, “Fault? I know. I know, son.”
They both walk to the centre of the room and embrace. Their emotions pour out as both men break down into tears. Another year, another battle. Another war. Yet they’re no closer to the truth.
“The tangled webs we weave,” says a dastardly sounding voice from the shadows. Both men immediate turn to look, but whoever said it cannot be seen. They’re cowardly and hiding in the dark.
“Show yourself,” Maxwell demands. He pushes James aside slightly, ready to protect his son.
“I remember your wife. Sarah. She was a lovely woman, wasn’t she?” The tormenting voice continues. The holder knows precisely how much they want to share. “But innocent? I think not.”
JOHNNY GOMEZ: WHAT!? WHO IS THAT!?
NICK DIAMOND: What a revelation! Sarah wasn’t a victim!? How can that be?
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean!?” James petulantly yells back, being calmed by his father.
There’s an eerie pause, accompanied by a slight chuckle of insidious laughter.
“One person killed your wife and mother, but it was at the behest of us. She was going to betray us and steal our works for her own nefarious means. We had to stop her; you see. We had no choice.”
James and Maxwell look at each other in confusion. They can’t believe this. After all, their investigations had uncovered no such information or leads. They honestly believed their wife and mother to be a perfect citizen of Arcadia – there’s no evidence to suggest otherwise.
“And now, I’m afraid that before you two get too close, it’s time for you shuffle off this mortal coil,” the sinister voice says.
Before they can move in any direction, hooded men pile into the room. There’s at least eight of them, all carrying various weapons of destruction. From baseball bats to crowbars, they circle Maxwell and James.
As they await what’ll be their certain death, they watch as these men move aside, allowing their leader to cut through them like a knife through butter. He’s not wearing a mask or a hood. He’s wearing make-up.
Hatchet.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: That son of a bitch! That’s the Juggalo! The leader of a nefarious group of underground criminals called The Gathering!
NICK DIAMOND: He made his debut at Pandemonium but why on Arcadia has he agreed to take out a hit on Burning Justice!?
The rest of his crew take down their hoods, revealing painted faces that mimic his.
“Well how the fuck about this!?” He chuckles to himself with a big shit eating grin. “Gatherin’, meet Burnin’ Justice. I would skip the pleasantries but whatcha gan do, eh?”
He outstretches a hand and is offered a baseball bat by one of his Gathering cronies.
“I’m sowwy not sowwy about this, boys,” he mocks with a smirk. “But the pay is good and the Faygo tastes sweeter when there’s blood on the bottle.”
WHACK!
BASEBALL BAT TO THE SIDE OF BLAZE’S HEAD! OH MY FUCKING GOD, HE JUST SPLIT HIS DOME! THERE’S FUCKING BLOOD EVERYWHERE!
James looks for his weapon, but it’s not close. He looks down at his dad, tears in his eyes.
Cut!
JOHNNY GOMEZ: NOOOOOOOOO! NO! WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!? PLEASE TELL ME THEY’RE OKAY!
NICK DIAMOND: [Gulps] I… I can’t.
Off The Record
The Candy Shop. Inside of the office sits Arcadia's best detective, a cigarette at her lips, a glass of whiskey on her desk. She shuffles through a pile of papers when a telltale bell rings signaling a visitor. The gumshoe rises up, going to investigate, entering the front of her office only to find no one there.
No one, that is, but a single package placed on her front desk. She brings it too her face, puffing her cigarette as she examines it. The front simply reads 'To Candy Kane'. With a tear, she rips the package open, the scene fading momentarily to black.
When it returns, we see Ms. Kane standing in front of a cork board, a slew of ever familiar pictures decorating it. Red string connects between the photographs, finally revealing to us exactly what Candy received. Colt Ramsey's research, all of his pictures and evidence about Lionel Troy's misdeeds. Candy blows smoke into the air, smirking confidently as she looks everything over.
"Lionel Troy, huh? Well, I ain't much for headlines, but there ain't a lead I won't follow." She glances over towards a single note included with the package, one written in frantic, messy handwriting.
Get Troy. End Troy. False prophet. Greedy bastard.
"And this lead has everything I'm going to need."
Cut.
Help! Help! Help!
We return to the ring whereby Nick Diamond and Johnny Gomez sit on commentary, the camera pointing directly at them.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: Well folks, we’re just moments away from a match highly anticipated here in Old School Wrestling.
NICK DIAMOND: Tombstone versus Felix Foley.
JOHNNY GOMEZ: And I don’t mind telling you, this one might be the biggest match of the night.
NICK DIAMOND: Especially with CJ Thorpe laying down for Narcissa!
Static.
Click.
Darkness.
NICK DIAMOND: What the…
The entire arena has been abruptly thrust into darkness. We can’t see a thing.
“Hey! STOP THAT!” Yell Nick Diamond. The commentator screams into the void of darkness off microphone. “Let him go, God damnit! You fucking let him go right now! HELP! HELP! HELP!”
The protests of Diamond are soon cut short by the sound of a loud clunk and a scream in agony. With a thud, there’s nothing but deafening and total silence.
The lights return and our camera remains focused on the commentary table, only Johnny Gomez is no-where to be seen. Two headsets remain on the desk, and behind it, Nick Diamond lays in an unknown state, blood gushing from a wound on the back of his head.
Medics rush to his aid, quickly applying CPR as we head to the entrance way for our next match of the evening.
What the fuck has just happened to Johnny Gomez and Nick Diamond?
We’re without commentary, folks.
The puppetmaster has spread joy and smiles to thousands of children in Arcadia but his own has always felt...forced. Needing something he never truly had, Foley had his opportunity to be whole but for the monster who took it away.
A father he always hated. A brother he never knew existed. Tombstone has already buried two souls that fill a Foley with sorrow but can Felix gain some measure of peace or will he be the third?
The bell sounds as Tombstone immediately rushes forward and nearly breaks Foley's jaw with a brutal Big Boot. Foley staggers groggily up to his feet right into a flurry of lefts and rights before he's lifted up onto Tombstone's shoulders as the Ferryman rushes forward
LAWNDARTING FOLEY OVER THE TOP ROPE INTO THE NEARBY BARRICADE SKULL FIRST!
Foley careens into the steel, nearly breaking through it from the sheer force as blood allready begins to fall down the face of Foley. And Tombstone,
The Ferryman just stares daggers down at him, waiting for Felix to get to his feet.
Foley stumbles up, holding the guardrail in pain as he tries to wipe the blood from his eyes, not seeing the Ferryman rush to the ropes before diving over
FLYING PLANCHA SENDING FOLEY BACK INTO THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!
Foley's back nearly shatters from the sheer force but he's barely down on the concrete for a few seconds before Tombstone pulls him up the hair, pulling him along while slamming his already bloodied skull off the guardrail time and time again. Tombstone pulls Foley up onto his shoulder again, rushing forward
SNAKE EYES INTO THE TURNBUCKLE POST...NO!
Foley slips out, nearly sending Tombstone into them himself but the Ferryman just stops himself in time. Foley backing up before rushing forward
But Foley of all people should know, YOU DON'T RUN AT THE FERRYMAN
BOSSMAN SLAM ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!
Foley screams out in absolute agony, a sickening smile growing on the Ferryman as he picks up the steel steps, placing one to the side for the moment before lifting the hurting Foley onto the base of the steps. Tombstone picks up the fallen steps, lifting them up high.
Oh Zeus, he may well kill Foley right here and now.
TOMBSTONE SLAMS DOWN THE STAIRS....
FELIX JUST GETS OUT OF THE WAY OF THE IMPACT
Foley scrambles to his feet, rushing into the ring to try and gain some distance from Tombstone and sheer death. The Ferryman just nods, tossing aside the steps before rolling into the ring himself. Foley rushes forward, preparing a giant stomp to Tombstone's head but Tombstone catches it, tossing Foley back as he rebounds off the ropes
INTO A GIANT FUCKOFF LARIAT THAT TURNS MRS FOLEYS BABY BOY INSIDE OUT!
Foley stumbles back to his feet as Tombstone pulls him close, teeing off knee after knee to the injured ribs before lifting him up
AND BEGINS TO CARRY FELIX FOLEY'S SOUL AROUND THE RING!
The deadly Bearhug is locked in tight as Foley screams out in agony, his ribs and lungs being compressed and shattered by the sheer force of the King of Destination. Tombstone begins shaking Foley like a ragdoll, the sheer whiplash force sending waves of agonising pain through Foley as he looks like he's fading.
TOMBSTONE RUSHES FORWARD, SENDING FOLEY BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Foley screams in pain once more as Tombstone sends him back into the steel again and again and again before loosening his grip just enough to power Foley up onto his shoulder and spin around
ODE TO CHARON! A sickening almost spike Jacknife Powerbomb sends Foley nearly through the mat and the Puppetmaster...he looks done. Tombstone drops down, hooking one leg as Mills Lane slides in for the cover
ONE
..................
....................
TWO
...............
.....................
TOMBSTONE PICKS THE SHOULDER UP!
The Ferryman has that sickening grin plastered onto his face, he wants Felix to suffer tonight and unless Foley can fight back, that's exactly what's going to happen.
Tombstone peels Foley off the mat, lifting him up high again. ODE TO CHARON! Tombstone keeps hold of Foley, delivering a second Powerbomb and a third before lifting him upside down, looking to send Foley straight down to Elysium Fields
FOLEY WIGGLES OUT OF THE TOMBSTONE!
Felix Foley rolls back as the crowd roar, Friendly wipes the blood from his eyes with a furious venom as he rushes forward
SOUL TAKER! FOLEY RUNS RIGHT INTO THE HEART PUNCH!
And that may be the last bit of fight left in Felix Foley. He's still on his feet, but slumped over, barely moving as Tombstone goozles him before lifting him up high
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! A ring shaking chokeslam has to be it as Tombstone drops down, hooking the leg once more as Mills begins to count
ONE
...............
TWO
..................
.......................
TOMBSTONE PULLS THE SHOULDER UP AGAIN!
Mills Lane even tried fast counting but that didn't work as Tombstone wants to continue the punishment. Mills is furious as he demands Tombstone finish the fight but the Ferryman just pushes him away before lifting the limp Foley up.
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS!
Tombstone is chokeslamming the life out of Foley here. Mills Lane has had enough as he walks over to the timekeeper to tell him to ring the bell.
**FLUTTER**
Tombstone suddenly appears right next to the timekeeper, grabbing the hammer and staring purest death at the official.
This Ends When Tombstone Says It Ends.
Tombstone rolls back into the ring, peeling the broken, bloodied and battered Felix Foley off the mat. That same sadistic smile etched upon his face as he lifts Foley eye to eye.
Foley just spits blood back at him, a determined scowl on his face, daring Tombstone to do his worst.
Tombstone wipes the blood away, nods and agrees.
GOOZLE
CHOKESLAM
INTO A ROCK BOTTOM
ON YOUR FUCKING WAY FELIX FOLEY!
That has to be it, Felix Foley is unconscious if not more as Tombstone crosses Foley's hands across his chest before pressing down for the cover, Mills Lane quickly counting
ONE
............
TWO
.............
THREE!!!
Tombstone has massacred Felix Foley here tonight, but is this the end of our favorite Puppetmaster or can he somehow survive being sent on his way?
The Diary
Felix Foley lies crumpled in the center of the ring, each breath a sharp stab of pain.
His body aches profoundly, a deep, throbbing reminder of what just happened.
He can't muster the strength to open his eyes; the arena lights pierce through his eyelids, exacerbating the pounding in his skull.
Suddenly, he senses a presence beside him. The weight of another body shifts the mat slightly, and then Tombstone's gravelly voice cuts through the haze of pain.
"Albert Lamplight spent his whole life planning to kill me, and I killed him with barely any effort," Tombstone murmurs, almost contemplatively. "Did you really think you could avenge your family in just one month, boy?"
Felix's mind reels, pain mingling with the bitterness of his defeat. He struggles to process Tombstone's words, his body refusing to obey his desire to confront the man who destroyed his life.
"I'm not killing you tonight," Tombstone continues, his voice low and menacing. "I want you to suffer first."
There's a soft thud as something heavy lands on Felix's chest. Through his pain-clouded senses, it feels like…
…a book?
"It’s your daddy’s diary, boy," Tombstone says, a dark amusement coloring his tone. "I want you to know the truth about your daddy before I end you, cause he may have screwed you up worse than he did me."
Despite the overwhelming pain, Felix finds a sliver of strength, his voice barely a whisper, "I won’t stop..."
That’s all he has. Just those three words. Tombstone chuckles softly, the sound chilling in its casualness.
"I know," he replies. "But I need you to know. That diary: it’s your death sentence. It’s only a matter of time before I take your head.”
Felix tries to move, but all he can do is barely raise an arm to cradle the diary.
“Read up, Felix.” Tombstone whispers to him.
With those final words, Felix feels the pressure beside him lift.
Tombstone is gone.
In the eerie silence that follows, Felix’s consciousness wanes.
Clutching the diary against his chest, the last of his strength ebbs away, and darkness claims him, leaving him alone and defeated in the center of the ring.
Cade
It’s finally time for the Main Event, yet excitement doesn’t emanate from the sold out Olympus crowd. Instead, after what they’ve witnessed over the last thirty to forty minutes, there’s a sense of dread for what’s to come.
The rhythmic chants of K.Flay fill Olympus as the red carpet rolls down the ramp.
When the vocals kick in, flashbulbs explode as Narcissa appears on the ramp with CJ Thorpe in tow. With a devilish grin, Hera holds her arms out as she saunters down the ramp, making sure all of Arcadia can see her full glory. The Chainbreaker follows in close proximity, clapping her excitedly.
The crowd let her have it and understandably so. Everyone looks forward to the winner of Lambs to the Slaughter taking on the World Champion and she’s ruined it.
She makes her way to the ring and grabs a microphone, grinning from ear to ear. CJ stands proudly next to her, smiling.
“Tonight...” she says, interrupted by deafening boos. The crowd are on their feet now, pouring their hearts and souls into the atmosphere of pure hatred that has become Olympus. “Tonight, I have bigger fish to fry.”
Again, the crowd roar at her. “You suck!” chants follow from every corner of the building.
She smiles. She doesn’t have a care in the world.
“But before we get down to business, it’s worth mentioning that earlier tonight I procured the fifth and final key,” Narcissa says with a proud smile. The deal she made with John The Revelator now met. “And when this is over, I’ll have all the tools I need to lead the Uprising to victory over Zeus!”
The World Champion adjusts her title and laughs to herself. “So, without further ado…”
CJ suddenly interrupts. That’s out of character for him. He politely whispers in her that he’d like the microphone and she graciously hands it over.
He wants to speak, only the crowd are so loud, he can barely hear himself talk.
“Jackson!” He has to yell into the microphone. It’s the only way he can make his voice heard over this apoplectic crowd. “I want you to see this first hand, brother. I want you to witness the beginning of the end!”
We wait a moment, only Jackson Cade doesn’t appear. He’s either afraid or embarrassed but wants no part of this shambles.
Only the choice isn’t exactly his.
Because out from behind the curtain walks Jasper Redgrave, a rope wrapped around the neck of Cade, pushing him forward aggressively.
“I’m glad you could make it!” Thorpe says to boos from the crowd.
He walks over to the ropes and leans over, looking down at Cade who now stops at the bottom, Jasper chuckling maniacally behind him. This isn’t good for The Eagle. This could spell the beginning of his end.
“Brother, I wanted you to see this first hand…”
MICROPHONE SHOT TO THE SKULL OF NARCISSA!
WHAT THE FUCK!?
JASPER REDGRAVE CAN’T BELIEVE IT! HIS EYES WIDEN IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK!
THE FANS ROAR LOUDER THAN THEY EVER HAVE! IT FEELS LIKE THE ROOF IS ABOUT TO COME OFF INSIDE OLYMPUS!
Jasper Redgrave doesn’t know what to do. Jackson turns around to face him, smiling.
“What the fuck are you grinning at, you piece of shit!?” Redgrave yells at him – his heart beating faster than it ever has. It’s a feeling he’s never felt before.
Jackson doesn’t say a word.
He just points.
Redgrave turns around…
CHOP TO THE THROAT!
LEG SWEEP!
IT’S…. IT’S….
..........................
..........................
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IT’S GEORGE FUCKING CADE!
WHAT THE FUCK!?
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!?
George walks over to his son and removes the restraints, standing at the bottom of the ramp and looking up at his other son, CJ Thorpe.
What the fuck is happening right now!?
“Meet the man Harold Attano had kidnap me all those weeks ago,” Thorpe says whilst pacing through adrenaline in the middle of the ring. “My father. His colleague. A man who worked for Zeus just like Attano did and the reason I knew Michaela Attano was STILL ALIVE! The man who brought me back from the fucking brink, Redgrave.”
The fans erupt.
“Fuck the Uprising! Fuck you Redgrave!” Thorpe continues to roar. His heart also pounding. Redgrave has gotten back to his feet and wisely retreated up the ramp. He looks down at the World Champion, laid out on the canvas. “And fuck you, bitch!”
He drops into the cover on Narcissa….
Mills Stanton slides into position, CJ hooking both legs of a downed Narcissa
ONE
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TWO
..........................
IS THIS IT?
..............................
IS THIS REALLY THE SHORTEST MAIN EVENT IN RING OF DREAMS HISTORY?
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THRE.....
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.....................................
2.999999999. NARCISSA JUST GETS THE SHOULDER UP
And she is pissed.
Hera staggers up, fury in her eyes as she pushes Thorpe back, screaming at him for screwing things up. He just smirks back, infuriating her as she rears back, slapping the absolute taste out of his mouth.
Thorpe staggers back, nodding to himself as he slicks his hair back
CLOTHESLINE...NO! Thorpe tries to decapitate Narcissa but she was ready for him, leapfrogging over before kicking him in the back of the skull as she grabs his arms, bridging him back into a backslide pinfall. Thorpe is trapped as Mills drops down for the cover
ONE
...
.............
.................
TW.....
THORPE KICKS OUT!
CJ gets to his feet into a flurry of heavy kicks to the face and midsection, a beautiful crane kick cracking Thorpe right on the jaw as he staggers back.
FAST FA....THORPE CATCHES THE SUPERKICK
LARIATOOOOOOOOO!
CJ turns Narcissa inside fucking out with a brutal Lariat, the near 140+ pound advantage clearly working for the Coyote here. He lifts her up, punishing Hera with brutal knees to the midsection before gripping her around the collar
AND BIEL TOSSING HER WITH EASE INTO THE CORNER!
Narcissa lands hard into the steel, holding her back in pain as Thorpe quickly rushes forward but Hera just avoids the running spear, Thorpe impacting shoulder first into the buckles as Narcissa pulls herself upwards.
CJ tries to stagger out of the corner but Narcissa grabs him, wrapping her legs around his midsection before flopping backwards and pulling his arms back
AS THORPE GETS CAUGHT UP IN THE TARANTULA!
Thorpe yells out in pain, still feeling the effects of the fourway earlier tonight as Mills begins to count down Hera for the illegal hold.
ONE
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TWO
..................
THREE
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FOUR
...................
Narcissa lets Thorpe go milliseconds before the five, taking full advantage of every moment she has to inflict damage on the Coyote. It may allready be enough as Thorpe collapses to the canvas, Narcissa climbing up to the top rope as she looks to finish off this insubordination once and for all.
CJ staggers to his feet as Narcissa leaps off
HAUTE...POWERBOMB!
CJ catches the attempted Dragonrana in mid-air, nearly driving Narcissa through the mat with a brutal Powerbomb but he's not done, holding on as he delivers a second, and then a third before lifting her up high and rushing forward
POWERBOMB OVER THE ROPES.....NO!
HURRICANRANA AT THE LAST SECOND SENDS THORPE FLYING TO THE OUTSIDE!
CJ rolls to his feet, holding his head groggily, Narcissa catching her breath for a moment before stepping through the ropes and running along the apron
RUNNING METEORA TAKES DOWN CJ THORPE!
Narcissa rolls back to her feet, leaping up onto the barricade as she waits for Thorpe to get to his feet
HURRICANRANA...NO! Thorpe catches it once more, swinging around as he tries to slam Narcissa into the turnbuckle posts but Hera grabs hold of the posts, managing to flip her way out of Thorpe's grip. A stiff kick to the jaw stuns Thorpe as Narcissa scrambles up to the top rope
MOONSAULT TO THE OUTSIDE ONTO CJ THORPE!
Balenciaga completely wipes out CJ Thorpe here, holding her ribs in pain as she throws him back into the ring. Narcy rolls back in herself, backing into the corner behind Thorpe as she looks to finish him off completely.
CJ gets to his knees as Narcissa rushes forward,
BLUE...DODGED! Thorpe ducks underneath the running meteora, Narcissa nearly running knee first into the buckles. She stops herself just in time, turning around into a hard right before CJ spins her around, grabbing her by the back of the head
RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Narcissa slams skull first into the steel, rocking her badly but Thorpe isn't done as he spins her around again,
HALF AND HALF SUPLEX! CJ THORPE DUMPS NARCISSA RIGHT ON HER GODDAMN HEAD!
The Coyote backs up, the world championship within inches of his grasp as he begins stamping his foot. The little J taking a page out of the older J's book as Narcissa slowly rises, Thorpe rushing forward
DRRROOOOOOPPP TOOOOEE HOLLLLD!
Narcissa was ready for CJ Thorpe there as she trips him up throat first onto the middle rope. Hera rolling backwards as she rushes forward,
CATWALKING UP CJ THORPE'S BACK BEFORE SLIPPING THROUGH THE ROPES AND NAILING HIM WITH A TIGER FEINT KICK!
Thorpe staggers back as Narcissa leaps up onto the ropes, springboarding forward
HAUTE COUTURE! SPRINGBOARD DRAGONRANA HITS FLUSH AS NARCISSA ROLLS THORPE UP! Mills sliding in for the cover, this may well be it here.
ONE
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TWO
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.......................
THR....
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CJ THORPE JUST KICKS OUT!
Narcissa rolls to her feet, nodding her head. She knew it wouldn't be easy but she has more left in the tank, as looking to the ropes once more, she gets an idea.
CJ staggers up to one knee as she rushes to the ropes, handspringing off
THE TRENDKILL....NO! THORPE HEADBUTTS THAT BITCH RIGHT OUT OF THE TWIST! CJ THORPE ISN'T READY TO BE KILLED JUST YET!
Narcissa is out on her feet as CJ rushes to the ropes, springboarding off himself as he grabs Narcissa mid-jump
PATHFINDER! HURRICANE DDT!
That may well be it there but Thorpe isn't done, grabbing Narcissa by the arms as he flips backwards, locking in one arm in his legs and pulling back with the other
Introducing Hera to a little Police Brutality
The World Champion screams out in pain, trying valiantly to break the hold but Thorpe is double her weight, much stronger and he's absolutely furious here. Thorpe uses all his strength, threatening to break off Hera's arms as she tries to reach the ropes, they're just in reach as she's nearly there
THORPE PULLS HER BACK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
Narcissa is in absolute agony, Thorpe pulling back with all his might as it almost looks like she's about to tap.
SHE SUDDENLY BRIDGES BACK, PUTTING THORPES SHOULDERS ONTO THE MAT AS MILLS BEGINS TO COUNT
ONE
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...................
TWO
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Thorpe breaks the hold just in time, Narcissa rolling out to the apron as she tries to fight to her feet through the pain. Thorpe pulls her up through the ropes
EYE GOUGE!
Thorpe staggers back as Narcissa slips through the ropes, rolling through to her feet
BLINDED BY LOVE! EYE GOUGE INTO A ROLLING STO!
Thorpe is down as Narcissa backs up, looking for a brutal strike as Thorpe staggers to his feet
HIGH FASHION....TO MILLS STANTON! SUPERKICK TO THE REFEREE!!!
Narcissa looks shocked as she goes to drop down and revive Mills but Thorpe spins her around
KICK TO THE GUT
THE RIGHT THING!
Pedigree plants Narcissa into the mat as Thorpe drops down, hooking the leg for the cover but there's no referee to count
ONE
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TWO
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THREE
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FOUR
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FIVE
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..............................
Thorpe lets go of the leg, the OSW World Championship allready his if the referee wasn't unconcious. He curses his luck, going over to try and rouse Mills to no success. He turns around
RIGHT INTO THE TRENDKILLER! HANDSPRING TWISTING FOREARM KNOCKS CJ THORPE THE FUCK OUT!
Narcissa can't capitalize though as the referee is still down
....
The referee is down.
As Narcissa looks over at her World Championship and gets a sick idea in her head.
Hera rolls out of the ring, grabbing the world title from ringside before rolling back in, holding the World title in hand as she begs, pleads for CJ Thorpe to get to his feet.
The Coyote slowly staggers up as Narcissa sprints forward
BEFORE NEARLY DENTING THE GOLD UPSIDE HIS HEAD!
Thorpe is busted wide open as Narcissa rolls the belt outside before finally rousing Mills. The referee is awake but very groggy as Narcissa hooks both legs for the cover, Mills slowly beginning to count.
ONE
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TWO
........................
NOT THIS WAY
........................
..............................
...........................
......................................
........................................
THRE.....
.....................................
CJ THORPE KICKS OUT!
Narcissa is shocked, angry as she screams at Mills for counting slow. She turns around
RIGHT INTO A SPEAR FROM CJ THORPE! The Coyote begins pounding down on a defenseless Narcissa with lefts and rights before getting to his feet, grabbing both her arms and begins stomping the shit out of her
BRUTE
FORCE
ENTRY!
STOMP!
STOMP!
STOMP!
STOMP!
CJ Thorpe may well be stomping the end of Narcissa's title reign here as with one final stomp to the skull, he lets go and backs up into the corner.
Narcissa slowly getting to her feet as CJ rushes forward
RIGHT INTO THE UPRISING! Bicycle Knee rocks Thorpe as he stumbles into the ropes
TRUST! Running Knee of his own and both competitors are down. Mills goes to start the count but they're not down for long, both pulling themselves up by the ropes as they stare fury at one another
As both Hera and Chainbreaker rush forward
LEFTS!
RIGHTS!
KNEES!
UPPERCUTS!
A brutal Headbutt rocks Hera but a return roundhouse stuns Thorpe as she grabs him by the arm, spinning him around
REVOLUTION...NO! Thorpe ducks underneath the Ripcord Spinning Heel as he kicks Narcissa in the gut
KICK
WHAM
PEDIGREE!!! THE RIGHT THING!
NARCISSA IS ON HER FEET!
Thorpe grabs her by the head, throwing her back into the corner, crushing her with a brutal clothesline before lifting her up high
He's looking to kill this bitch with some fire
FREEDOM...NO!
Narcissa slips out, uppercutting Thorpe high right in the balls as he turtles up in pain. Hera scrambles to the apron, locking Thorpes legs into the ropes as she heads up top, Thorpe leaning back trying to escape as she leaps off
COUP D'ETAT!
DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE FUCKING HEAD!
CJ Thorpe crashes to the mat, completely out of it as Narcissa hooks both legs for the cover, Mills dropping down to count
ONE
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......................
TWO
..........................
.................................
....................................
THREE!!! NARCISSA RETAINS THE OSW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!
Hera remains the OSW World Champion here tonight but after everything that happened tonight, will she, OSW or Arcadia ever be the same again?
New Season, New Team
The office of Scott Sterling. The Authority sits in front of an older gentlemen wearing a large black cowboy hat. He’s reviewing paperwork at the behest of our Commissioner, who eagerly awaits his response.
“This is one helluva lucrative contract, son,” he says with a grimace. Something doesn’t quite feel right to him.
“Well Bronco, you’ve probably heard that we’ve had some trouble tonight with our now former commentary team. Johnny Gomez was taken, it’s true,” Sterling admits.
Bronco shuffles in his seat. He’s not sure. “And Diamond?”
“Retired,” Scott quickly retorts. “He’s hurt, a little lost but not coming back. We need a new commentary team going forward and we’re hoping you, the great Thrashball commentary legend ‘Bronco Blackwood’, will make a switch over to wrestling.”
Bronco puts the paperwork down on the table and folds his arms. No-one quite knows what happened to Johnny Gomez and the whole of Arcadia saw Nick Diamond get hurt.
Just then, the door swings open and in walks a heavier set man with an open shirt, chest hair on display and big shit eating grin.
“Well bugger me,” he says in a British accent, stopping to put his hands on his hips. “If this isn’t a collection of the future wrestling A-Team, what the bloody hell is?”
Scott Sterling stands and shakes his hand. Bronco doesn’t budge. He just stares forward, unimpressed.
“Meet Matt Ruby,” Sterling proudly announces. “Casanova himself!”
Bronco stands up and turns to face him, offering a handshake that Ruby powerfully accepts, attempting to assert his dominance. What he finds, however, is a strong grip from Blackwood that quickly deters his attempts at establishing himself the Alpha.
“Well, if that don’t just beat it all,” Blackwood mutters, looking him up and down. He’s not impressed. “I’m guessing this lucrative contract isn’t optional, son?”
The Authority carefully shakes his head no. Blackwood gives him a stoic nod and exits the room, leaving Matt Ruby behind to look at Scott quizzically.
“Hold on squire, are you telling me he’s got a lucrative contract?” He asks in confusion to Sterling’s shrugged reply. “You mean to say THE GREAT Matt Ruby isn’t the star?”
Cut.
Open Sesame
Hours after the Main Event.
Narcissa gloriously overcame the odds earlier tonight and retained her Old School Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship, but her night isn’t over. Earlier this evening, she vanished during the Uprising’s match, and no-one knew where she went.
As she opens a large steel door to a secret room, you’d expect those secrets to immediately pile out. They didn’t. She walks and looks to her left at Nox, who stands with his arms folded.
“Is it done?” She asks with an air of authority. Her eyes dictate to even Nox that he dares not answer no.
Nox nods once. “I’ve loaded the subject with serum that weakens them. There should be no struggle or conflict.”
She smiles, her porcelain face a picture of childlike delight.
“Good. This is everything,” is her proclamation in return. She picks up a chain and pulls a hooded figure from a chair. With the chain over her shoulder as if she’s carrying the weight of Arcadia on her back, she leads her captive out of the room.
In No Man’s Land, Grimskull, El Mariachi Muerte, Gemini and Drewitt stand beside the door, patiently awaiting her arrival.
As she ambles through the wreckage of the Red Light District with her captive in tow, there’s an air of excitement in the air as Drewitt taps Muerte on the chest to draw his attention. She heads over to the door and stops short, kicking her captive in the back of the leg and dropping them to their knees.
“I told you that I’d bring you the final key to that door,” she arrogantly reminds John The Revelator who walks over, grabbing the hood.
With one swift motion, his eyes focused on the captive, he yanks it off.
There’s an audible gasp from those present – all except John and Narcissa. The Revelator backs up for a second and puts his hands on his hips. “I should’ve known,” he decides.
The camera spins around John to reveal the face of the captive, and the supposed fifth key to the door.
It’s The Baron, Zeus.
“H-Helios?” The stuttering Zeus mutters in shock. Are his eyes weary from the drugs, or does the son of his fathers BEST FRIEND Hyperion stand before him?
John smiles. The revelation is likewise a surprise to all in attendance. He bends down on one knee to kneel before Zeus and look him directly in the eye.
“I watched as you manipulated your father into killing mine,” Helios says with a deep sadness. His heart aches. It has for years. “They were best friends… brothers. You took him from me when you staged your coup. Then you sent all their children to various parts of Arcadia.”
John stands up to look at Apokalypsis. His heart pounds. His eyes red and sore, tears in them but not pouring down his face.
“You guys were too young to remember, but there’s a reason I assembled you. You’re the offspring of the Elders. Crius, Calypso, Atlas and Themis, respectively. Gemini, you witnessed your mother Calypso brutally murdered that day by Ares and Zeus. You witnessed your father Atlas meet the same fate, Drewitt, as did you with Crius, Grimskull.”
Muerte and Grimskull look at one another, shocked and saddened.
“Your mother Themis passed before the deeds that day, El Mariachi Muerte, but she would’ve undoubtably been murdered too,” John elaborates. All four members of Apokalypsis are keys, but more than that, they’re children of the Elders of Arcadia.
He walks past them to the door and puts his hand on it, watching it once again light up red. John shakes his head in disbelief.
“Your parents and Cronus made you keys to this door. I was too old by the time those matters were decided. I thought he was too,” JTR says looking back at Zeus. With a nod, Narcissa drags him back to his feet, angrily dragging him towards the door.
“Please, don’t do this John,” he begs. His heart races as he’s pulled towards the door, not because he’s afraid of what might happen to him, but because he’s terrified of the door being opened. “You know what’s behind that door. You know the hell it could unleash on Arcadia!”
El Mariachi Muerte steps up and places his hand on the door.
It alights Green.
Grimskull places his hand on the door.
It alights Green.
Gemini places her hand on the door.
It alights Green.
Drewitt places his hand on the door.
It alights Green.
And finally, with all four hands now in position and green lights emanating powerfully from above, John and Narcissa force Zeus’ hand onto the door.
It alights green.
The sound of mechanical crunching whirs above them as the vault like door slowly begins shifting left. Debris and dust fall from above as it travels to one side, revealing a darkened maw with a bright light pointing directly in front of them, coming from the left, within.
“Don’t…” Zeus pleads one last time with all his might.
Apokalypsis, JTR and Narcissa share a look before bravely and powerfully stepping into the pitch black. Their eyes take a moment to adjust, because as they step from darkness into light, what they see needs to be double checked to be believed.
John stares directly into the light as the others recoil, hands over their eyes.
“You see kids, that door wasn’t a door to the Underworld, or to Hell itself,” he finally admits. He was lying. “But it is a door to his hell.”
We finally turn to see what The Revelator is talking about, the camera focusing on a large screen with a thick film of dust covering it enough to obscure the writing, but not enough to obscure the brightness of its light. He wipes it away, revealing the words flickering in the background.
It reads: PROJECT OSW.
“Arcadia is a lie,” John abruptly reveals to a now captive audience. Everyone looks at him, their expression a tale of horror and disgust. “Everything you think you know is a lie.”
He walks over to another larger, more cumbersome and powerful steel door, placing his hand on it. There’s no visible lock, no lights, bells or whistles.
“There’s a world beyond that door. Zeus killed the Elders because Arcadia was an experiment designed to house Old School Wrestling and it’d gone dark with communication from those in charge.”
The Baron listens, kneeling with his head lowered shamefully at the door.
“The Elders were going to end it and take us all back to the surface, but Zeus couldn’t allow it. He craved power. He needed power. So, he killed all your parents and mine to ensure that he achieved it. He’s been our Baron ever since.”
No-one dares to speak a word, understandably. They’re all in a great deal of shock and disgust. The thoughts racing through their minds are the equivalent to an explosion of truth that even the most powerful of person would recoil from.
“I know this comes as a surprise to you all, but there’s very few if any that remember the world before Arcadia. Anyone who wouldn’t be silenced, was murdered. Anyone who remembered, soon became conditioned to forget. Muerte ended up with the Mariachi people, Grimskull was destined to end up in Deathrow, Drewitt’s trauma led him to become an explorer of all things Arcadia and Gemini’s personality split. He’s responsible for it all.”
Drewitt and Grimskull look utterly distraught. The pain in their eyes is quite unlike anything we’ve ever seen from them. Gemini exits the room back through the door in which she entered, throwing up bile and vomit. It’s not black. It’s not gore. It’s surprisingly human.
She collapses, crashing into the floor with a ginormous thud.
Neither Grimskull nor Drewitt have paid attention. Just then, a gas cannister is launched inside. White gas begins filling the air, forcing all three of them into a coughing and choking fit.
So, when the door starts whirring again, they’re oblivious – they can’t breathe. John The Revelator on the other hand crawls towards the door, being stopped abruptly at the entrance by El Mariachi Muerte and Narcissa.
Behind them, Zeus now stands with Ares, his guard and Nox. This whole thing was a fucking rouse.
When Nox said he loaded the subject with serum, he wasn't talking about Zeus - he was talking about the cannister he used to incapacitate members of Apokalypsis.
“I told you not to do it,” he says arrogantly as the door starts closing. Muerte stomps on the head of the Revelator, knocking him out cold. He and Narcissa back up and exit, watching as the sealed door they’d just opened now closes behind them.
John The Revelator, Drewitt and Grimskull trapped inside that room for all eternity.
“I’m glad you accepted my offer, my Queen,” Zeus says to Narcissa, taking her hand and kissing it. “Together, we shall rule Arcadia.”
Narcissa blushes. “You always had a way with me, Zeus-baby. Long live the King and Queen of Arcadia.”
Muerte stands, not saying a word.
Zeus approaches him with a big smile and wraps his arms around him in a rare show of affection.
“You made the right choice,” he congratulates, stepping back to grab him by both arms and smile in his face. “You have my deepest gratitude.”
“Uh Zeusy,” Narcissa calls out, standing over Gemini. She’s no longer what she was. Her make up is faded and the stench around her, gone. “We do have one problem babe.”
Everyone looks towards Gemini; the survivor who shouldn’t have survived.
Cut.