[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “the truth is out there” [/edgtf_highlight]
Click.
Static covers the screen as a Play ► symbol appears in the bottom right-hand corner.
Zeus hasn’t left the House of Sovereigns since the attack on him at Mount Olympus. He’s under lock and key by Ares, who stands guard outside his door.
However, when a certain Stubbins Doom rocks up with the OSW World Championship, Ares offers him a firm handshake and allows him inside – after all, he did save our Baron.
Zeus sits resting, very weary of the Champions arrival.
“The truth is out there, is it not?” Stubbins begins with an opening gambit – one that raises the eyebrow of Zeus. “I know not what that truth is, but I know the deals you’ve made to keep it hidden.”
The Baron shuffles uncomfortably.
“I know you saved my life and I owe you for that, but this is personal,” he says sternly.
“Quite,” Doom says, taking a seat. “And I come bearing solutions, not problems.”
“Such as?” The Baron questions.
“Colt Ramsey knows a truth that you wish to keep hidden, so you’ve given him an opportunity at my Championship – that I know. But you know as well as I do that a man in your position doesn’t want to be held over a barrel by information,” The World Champion notes knowingly. “I can assist you with that.”
Zeus’ eyebrows raise.
“Perhaps we should talk then?” He offers.
Stubbins nods.
Cut.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] SKULLTOGRAPHY © vs. THE LUCKY CHARMS [/edgtf_highlight]
Knick Knack and Tallywhack have been tormenting Gemini and Kpavio for weeks, the Skull at his breaking point as he tries to protect the innocent Gemini but have Lucky Charms done just enough to rattle the champions to take the titles or have they just conjured an inferno that will overwhelm them completely?
The bell sounds as Knick Knack starts off with Kpavio, the Leprechaun springing off the ropes but the Skull grabs him in mid-air,
NEARLY PLANTING HIM THROUGH THE MAT WITH A MODIFIED CHOKESLAM!
Knick Knack gets lifted up off the mat, Kpavio hoisting him up by his throat with one hand before pummelling the little shit with hard blows to the chest. One final uppercut takes all the wind out of him before he’s thrown clean across the ring, right into the corner as Gemini tags herself in.
Kpavio kicks away hard at Knick Knack in the corner, before pulling him up and throwing him into Gemini who grabs him by the hand, walking across the ring
BEFORE SHOWING HIM A ROUGH HIKE! Sudden Hurricanrana nearly spikes the Leprechaun into the mat.
Knick Knack doesn’t even get to his knees before he’s pulled up again and hoisted into a Piledriver position by Kpavio as Gemini leaps off the ropes
SCRAMBLING HIS BRAIN MATTER! SPRINGBOARD SPIKE PILEDRIVER!
That has to be it as Gemini covers Knick Knack, the referee dropping down for the count,
ONE
…………………………..
………………………………………
TWO
……………………………………….
……………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
THRE…..
LEAPING SENTON BY TALLYWHACK BREAKS IT UP!
Gemini takes it all on her head as Tallywhack grabs his partner, dragging him to the corner. Kpavio just watching on as Tallywhack tags himself in, climbing up to the top as he dives off
RIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT! KPAVIO KICKS THE LITTLE FUCKER RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR!
Tallywhack is stunned and confused as he slowly gets up to his feet, the tag team champions stalking slowly behind as Gemini leaps up, SNAPSHOT! CODEBREAKER! Kpavio pulling Tallywhack off her knees before lifting him up off his feet
KPAVIO CRUSHER!
A FLASH OF VENGEANCE!
That has to be it as Gemini covers Tallywhack
ONE
…………………………..
………………………………………
TWO
……………………………………….
……………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
THREE!!!
The Tag Team Champions retain tonight in an utter decimation of Lucky Charms as Skulltography get a measure of revenge from the little fuckers tricks over the past month.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] WINNERS AND STILL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: SKULLTOGRAPHY [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “EYE OPENER” [/edgtf_highlight]
Previously Recorded.
In a small alcove in the Slums, we find Grimskull and some of his followers. They are listening with rapt attention as he preaches to them. But his words come to an abrupt end as he sees they are not alone.
“I looked to you for news.” A voice calls. “Your silence was deafening.”
Vision.
Nodding to his followers, the Preacher steps forward to meet Vision.
“I promised you nothing, blind one.” He begins. “I had business with Jasper Redgrave. That business is concluded.”
The Awoken One is not happy with that answer.
“He set up an attack on you in my name!” He says, annoyance in his tone. “This twisted ‘artist’ is determined to rip us apart, and you hide your actions from me?”
Grimskull smiles, knowing such a simple action cannot be seen by Vision.
“Come.”
Grimskull takes Vision and leads him and his followers through a small covered area. A rumble is reverberating the walls, it’s cause unknown.
“My friend,” Grimskull says sarcastically. “The attack on me was not meant to divide us. Redgrave cares not about such frivolities.”
“Then why did he do this?” Vision responds.
“He didn’t.” Grimskull says, simply.
Unnoticed as they walked through the corridor, Vision’s followers have been separated from their leader. Grimskull and Vision alone walk through a curtain out into an open area.
Even Vision, with his echolocation, can now know the source of the rumble from before.
It’s people. Masses of people.
Masses that Grimskull and Vision now stand before, atop a large stage of sorts.
“I don’t understand.” Vision says. “If Redgrave didn’t do this, then who did?”
No answer.
“All these people.” The Preacher says with a sinister grin. “They rallied behind me, seeing the evils of your ways. They have come to hear my words.”
Vision’s expression snaps cold.
He gets it.
“You.” Vision says. “You did this.”
No answer, only a smile.
“You did this.” He repeats, anger rising. “You concocted an attack against yourself so that these people would come to you. You led me around like a fool.”
“I did.” Is the only answer.
Grimskull steps forward to address the people.
“This one beside me, the so-called Vision…” He begins, weaving a tale. “…he attacked me, hoping to serve up an eye opener. But I endured it, because the only way to survive against our foes is to embrace the pain!”
Vision realizes his predicament just as he realizes he is now alone.
But it’s too late.
Grimskull grabs Vision, and throws him into the crowd!
“Show him your displeasure.” Grimskull roars. “Make him feel the pain he has caused us.”
Vision tries to fight, but there are too many people massed here. They stomp him, spit on him, and just generally beat the shit out of him.
“Do not kill him!” The Preacher commands. “Let him leave walking, with the lesson of pain imbedded in his skull! His word is weak in the face of the power of pain!”
His plan executed perfectly, Grimskull grins.
He planned the attack on himself.
He planted the Third Eye hood on the attacker.
He led Vision on a hunt he knew would not bear fruit.
What a bastard this Grimskull is!
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “TRADING PLACES” [/edgtf_highlight]
At ringside, Blacktooth makes his way towards the ring. Suddenly, Drexl appears out of nowhere and tries to get his hands on the Blood Runner’s chief cannibal
Before he can, however, Aarman Fidel appears to stop him. Finally, Draco Deville appears, microphone in hand.
“Drexl, Blacktooth, Aarman,” he starts. “We have a situation here. All of us owe something to someone here, and all of us are owed something in return.”
The other three roll into the ring and the four of them stand each to their own corner of the ring.
“Blacktooth owes me for eating my girls!” Drexl shouts.
“You owe me, Draco, for saving your shop,” says Aarman.
“And Drexl owes us both for keeping him alive when the Blood Runners wanted to eat him last week.” says Draco.
“It looks like I’m the only one who doesn’t owe anyone anything,” brags Aarman.
“Oh, don’t think I’ve forgotten what you owe ME,” retorts Draco. “You may have saved my shop, but I have done things too.”
There’s a silence.
“I have a proposition,” says Draco. “Usually I provide people what they want, but only for a price. I’m willing to put my wares on sale – a 4 for the price of 1 deal, if you like.”
The others look interested, so he continues.
“We all fight, now, in this ring, and the winner can claim what they are owed, but the losers must sacrifice their claim. Otherwise, this square of favours owed will never go away.”
“Count me in,” says Drexl.
“Sure,” adds Blacktooth.
Aarman looks a little more unsure.
“I don’t know what you’re up to Draco, but fine. Let’s do it.“
A referee makes their way to the ring. The match is on!
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] FATAL FOUR WAY MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] BLACKTOOTH VS. DREXL VS. DRACO DEVILLE VS. AARMAN FIDEL [/edgtf_highlight]
The war between Blacktooth and Drexl has been keenly observed by two parties with vested interest. It’s all come to a head here, with the four squaring off in a contest of allegiances, charm and deceit. What will transpire between these four?
Blacktooth starts by squaring off against Drexl in the centre, while both Fidel and Deville hang back and observe from opposite corners. Drexl kisses the rings on his fingers, while Blacktooth finishes wrapping a chain around his fist. Then it’s all on.
DREXL UNLOADS A RINGED FIST INTO BLACKTOOTH’S FACE!
BLACKTOOTH ANSWERS BACK WITH A CHAIN WRAPPED FIST OF HIS OWN!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOTH MEN LOOK SET TO PUMMEL THE OTHER INTO A BLOODY MESS!
A FEW QUICK SHOTS IN A ROW FROM BLACKTOOTH AND DREXL IS REELING!
DISCUS LARIAT TAKES OUT DREXL!
But Blacktooth has little time to relish his advantage, as Draco Deville steps over the fallen body of Drexl and comes at The Devil.
KNEE STRIKE SENDS BLACKTOOTH STAGGERING!
NECKBREAKER FROM DEVILLE TAKES HIM OUT!
BOOM!
DRACO IS DECIMATED BY AN INCOMING AARMAN FIDEL!
ARROW OF GREED AND DESIRE!
THE SPEAR TAKES HIM OUT!
Aarman Fidel simply slicks back his hair and surveys the damage with a casual interest. He walks to Blacktooth and stands him to his feet. Blacktooth pulls Drexl to his feet and is instantly laid back into by Blacktooth and Fidel.
FIDEL PULLS DREXL INTO A FULL NELSON!
BLACKTOOTH TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO TENDERISE HIS MEAT, PUMMELLING THE RIBS OF HIS FOE!
IRON PERFUME!
BLACKTOOTH JUST SPAT A FACEFULL OF BLOOD INTO DREXL’S EYES!
Aarman releases the hold, and Drexl instinctively tends to his blinded eyes. But it is not Drexl that has Fidel’s attention, it is Deville. Draco has reached his feet but Fidel sees him too late.
THE LEDGER!
BRIEFCASE SHOT TO THE SKULL AND AARMAN GOES DOWN FASTER THAN ONE OF DREXL’S LADIES!
HEADBUTT FROM BLACKTOOTH TAKES DOWN A BLINDED DREXL!
MUTILATION!
BLACKTOOTH WRAPS HIS CHAIN AROUND DREXL’S THROAT AND WRAPS HIM INTO A CAMEL CLUTCH!
Drexl’s eyes go wide, eyes now bloodshot from the stinging of blood. He gasps for air, his mouth screaming in a silent agony from the pressure from the chain. But Drexl has no chance to yield, as Draco Deville soon has Blacktooth in his sights.
DRAGON SLEEPER!
DEVILLE PULLS BLACKTOOTH OFF HIS FOE, LEAVING THE CHAIN AROUND DREXL’S NECK!
HE WRAPS HIS LEGS INTO BODYSCISSORS!
CTHULU CLUTCH!
Blacktooth is fading, but uses what strength he has to push his way closer to the ropes. In his effort to keep Blacktooth centred, Deville brings his arm across Blacktooth’s head… Giving the cannibal exactly the snack he needs to up his energy.
FRESH MEAT!
THE SHARP TOOTHED MAN BITES INTO DRACO’S FOREARM, TEARING FLESH!
THE SLEEPER HOLD IS SHARPLY RELEASED AND DRACO ROLLS IN AGONY TO RINGSIDE, TENDING TO THE WOUND!
It soon turns back to the very scene we had at the beginning of the match, with Blacktooth and Drexl squaring off, albeit far more weathered.
SPEED DIAL!
DREXL RUNS THE ROPES AND DESTROYS BLACKTOOTH WITH A RUNNING SOMERSAULT CLOTHESLINE!
BUT HE’S NOT DONE!
ANGEL TEARS!
DREXL DRIVES HIS FIST FULL OF RINGS INTO BLACKTOOTH’S EYES!
Blacktooth is suffering, but the tough Devil of the Wastes isn’t giving up. It is the figure of Aarman Fidel that pulls Drexl free of him.
JUST THE TIP!
DELAYED CRADLE PILEDRIVER DRILLS DREXL RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE BLACKTOOTH LIES!
AARMAN FIDEL IS AGAIN THE LAST MAN STANDING!
From outside of the ring, Draco Deville grabs what he can, which happens to be Blacktooth’s ankle. Pulling him free, this leaves Aarman and Drexl in the ring.
DREXL IS SLOWLY RISING!
BUT AARMAN IS WAITING FOR HIM!
UNREQUITED LOVE!
NO!
DREXL SWINGS HIS HIPS THROUGH!
WHEELBARROW STUNNER OUTTA NOWHERE!
COLD TURKEY! COLD TURKEY TAKES OUT AARMAN!
Drexl all but collapses into the pin…
ONE!
…
…
…
TWO!
…
…
…
BLACKTOOTH IS STILL BEING WAYLAYED BY DRACO DEVILLE, WHO HASN’T NOTICED THE PREDICAMENT THEY’RE IN!
…
…
THREE!
DREXL HAS TAKEN THIS ONE OUT!
Big Slim gets his way tonight, outlasting the onslaught and capturing his moment. He has his hand held high, surveying the aftermath.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] WINNER: DREXL [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “PROVE IT, II” [/edgtf_highlight]
The previous match over, the ring empty, we find The Burned Man making his way towards the ring to a mixed reaction from the crowd! He doesn’t let it bother him, ducking between the ropes and taking a spot in his corner when “Holding Out for a Hero” begins to play! The crowd cheers as Destructo Boy rushes down the ramp! However, there’s less excitement from the hero than we usually see! He moves with purpose, sliding into the ring and placing the Kingdomblade into his corner.
“This is your last chance to back out, hero. I don’t want to fight you, but if you’re so adamant then I have no other choice.” The Burned Man’s raspy voice shows a bit restraint as he speaks, however Destructo Boy doesn’t even seem to listen.
“Enough.”
A look of surprise, or whatever passes for it, spreads on The Burned Man’s face at the curt reply. However, he allows his opponent to speak.
“Over and over, week after week, you keep telling me I’m too weak, that Arcadia is too dangerous for me.” James clenches his fists as he speaks, holding them up, seemingly ready to fight at any moment.
“It is dangerous. You’ve seen what people are willing to do, I only want to make sure no one else suffers a fate like mine.” Once more, The Burned Man’s voice falls on deaf ears.
“I’ve had time to think about what you said. You wanna show me Arcadia is so dangerous? Prove it. Ring the bell.”
“There’s a silence for a moment before The Mummy, surprisingly, chuckles. “Fine. But just a warning, you might get burned.”
We don’t have to wait for the match to begin! The referee calls for the bell!
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] MAN VERSUS BOY [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] THE BURNED MAN VS. DESTRUCTO BOY [/edgtf_highlight]
The bell has rung and the match is already under way!
With an unwavering determination Destructo Boy rushes towards The Burned Man who blocks his assault before retaliating with a thunderous headbutt! He whips the hero into the corner and follows up with a clothesline before letting him stagger out!
BACKDRAFT! SPINNING BACK ELBOW TO THE FUCKING JAW!
Destructo Boy hits the ground and The Burned Man reaches down, lifting him up into a deadlift wheelbarrow suplex! James is feeling the burn of The Mummy’s offense as he tries to get to his feet only to get a knee to the temple! The Burned Man is showing no joy in what he’s doing as he peels Destructo Boy up again and throws him shoulder first into the turnbuckle!
The Hero is fighting to stay on his feet as he stumbles out of the corner!
AND GETS HIT WITH THE MATCH STRIKER! THE BURNED MAN HITS THE STO!
The Mummy gets to his feet and looks down at Destructo Boy with a shake of the head as he moves to the turnbuckle, he climbs to the top!
FIRE FROM THE GODS! DIVING ELBOW DROP TO THE HEART OF DESTRUCTO BOY! HE COVERS!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THREE!
NO!
DESTRUCTO BOY GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT THE VERY LAST SECOND!
James Jackson has Faith and he refuses to stay down! Even as The Burned Man forces him to his feet again he fights against the suplex left! He hits a knee to the skull of The Burned Man! Another! He drops down in front and leaps with a European uppercut that leaves him staggered! Destructo Boy hits the far ropes!
OMEGA BLASTER! BANG-A-RANG PLANTS THE BURNED MAN!
But The Mummy rises back up as quickly as he went down! James rushes the ropes again!
IMPACT BREAKER! RUNNING CORKSCREW HEADBUTT TO THE FUCKING JAW!
Destructo Boy covers!
ONE!- NO!
THE BURNED MAN WON’T GO DOWN EASILY!
The Mummy sits up and looks directly at Destructo Boy who lays into him with a flurry of kicks that don’t stop his opponent from getting to his feet! The Hero changes up his strategy and attacks with a plethora of lefts and rights that The Burned Man blocks! He swings back with a haymaker but Destructo Boy ducks! He leaps up and nails a nasty bulldog! The Burned Man is down and Destructo Boy runs to the turnbuckle!
He rises to the top with unmatched speed and looks down at the Burned Man with fire in his eyes!
JUSTICE GRENADE! 630 SENTON!
ONTO THE KNEES OF THE BURNED MAN!
The Hero rolls off in agony as The Burned Man stalks him from behind! He goes for a massive clothesline but Destructo Boy ducks it and counters with a leaping neckbreaker! He’s refusing to stay down and The Burned Man is looking more and more unsure of what’ll keep this boy down! Destructo Boy hits a standing shooting star press onto him but refuses to go for the pin! He peels The Mummy up and whips him to the corner! He goes for the running double knee!
BUT THE BURNED MAN EXPLODES OUT OF THE ROPES WITH A MASSIVE DOUBLE AXE HANDLE!
The Sole Survivor drops a fist to the back of Destructo Boy’s head before forcing him off of the mat and nailing a hard elbow to the face! Destructo Boy refuses to go down but it’s just getting him more punishment with every blow as The Burned Man lays into him! He hauls him up!
THE THIRD DEGREE! PUMPHANDLE DEATH VALLY DRIVER!
Destructo Boy wants to get up but he just can’t! The Burned Man covers him!
ONE!
…
…
TWO!
…
…
THREE!
Despite his best efforts, Destructo Boy just couldn’t put The Burned Man down! However, as the match ends, The Burned Man helps his opponent off of the mat in a show of respect!
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] WINNER: THE BURNED MAN [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “THE DARKEST DARK” [/edgtf_highlight]
Recorded Earlier
Narcissa Balenciaga leans over a large container of liquid, looking into the black depths. She wears safety goggles and gloves that pull up to her elbows. In her gloved hands, a pair of long instruments dip into the water, slowly moving about.
When she extracts the tools, a wet black stem of plant fibers are held between them like a mosrel held between chopsticks. Even behind her goggles, one can see the delight in her eyes.
Slowly, carefully, she brings the fiber bundle to a table and lies them down. Taking off her gloves and goggles, she carefully combs through the fibers to separate the bundle into fine strands. Eagerly, she holds one of the strands up to her face.
“Oh yes. This is everything I’ve been searching for.”
She runs it through her fingers.
“It is soft without being delicate. The darkest dark without unnatural colouration. Silky without excess sheen. The perfect fiber.”
She looks back upon the table, to where a dozen more strands sit bundled together, ready for extraction.
“Everybody overlooks the beauty that lies in places like the Bleak. But if you look hard enough, there truly is beauty in everything. You have to be willing to do everything to find it.”
She turns her attention back to the remaining fibers, picking her comb back up to begin separating them.
“Still. A single plant will never be enough. He knows as well as I do that I must have the rest.”
Slowly, she places her comb back down.
“So I’ve got to be willing to do everything to get them.”
Something has caught her eye. Looking up, she catches a little movement out of a small window near the roof of the dwelling she works in. She knows all too well who watches her. She smiles, not a sweet smile but one filled with vinegar, and speaks loudly in the direction of the movement.
“I know your game, Curze. I’m coming for my plants. I owe it to my mother. If I take you down, you leave the full supply for me. I know that if you win, you’ll destroy the entire lot.”
She sighs.
“I just hope it doesn’t come to that.”
The darkness seems all the more silent in reply, until a low laughter comes in the form of reply. Almost breathlessy, like the whisper of a dark wind. But a single word carries the confirmation she seeks.
“Deal.”
With that, there is silence once more. Just the sound of Narcissa, slowly extracting the fibers she can from the plant she has.
Cut.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#000000″ color=”#ffffff”] GUSTAV MORGUE vs. HAROLD ATTANO [/edgtf_highlight]
A strange pairing enters the ramshackle ring of Deathrow! Can the meek and meager Harold hope to survive Gustav’s blade?
Gustav is looking unbelievably cocky as he closes in on Harold! The Nobody meekly puts his hands up to block the blows but gets a body blow for his troubles followed by a nasty haymaker to the jaw! Harold gets beaten back into the turnbuckle and Gustav grabs him by the head! He bashes Harry face first off of the turnbuckle!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
The Taxidermist flings Harry into the middle of the mat and catches him with a punt to the ribs! Attano clutches his ribs as he leaks blood from a busted lip! Guv lifts him up!
SCALPEL’S EDGE! CRUCIFIX POWERBOMB OVER THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Harry lands with a thud and Gustav takes his time going down the makeshift steps! He picks Harold up and slams him back first into the cell bars behind him! He rears back!
HAYMAKER!
HAROLD DUCKS IT AND MORGUE’S HAND GOES THROUGH THE BARS!
HARRY REACHES THROUGH AND YANKS HIS ARM ACROSS THE BARS BEFORE SLAMMING GUSTAV FACE FIRST INTO THEM!
Morgue yells out in pain and retaliates with a massive headbutt to the nose! Harry staggers back before returning with a lethal combination of punches before slamming Gustav back first into the ring apron! Guv is out of it!
SUPERKICK! HEADSHOT BY HARRY!
Blood splatters from a now busted nose and Harry pulls off his belt! He wraps it around Gustav’s neck and lifts him up in a choke! He wraps the belt around the ring ropes and pulls for the leverage! He’s choking the absolute life out of Gustav! Mr. Nobody lays into his opponent with hard haymakers!
BUT GUSTAV PULLS A SCALPEL FROM HIS PANTS! HE CUTS THE BELT THEN SLICES HARRY ACROSS THE FACE!
Morgue swings wildly with Harry doing his best to dodge the attacks only to receive a few new facial scars! Guv grabs him and hurls him into the ring before following closely! He leaps with the scalpel!
HARRY ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! HE GRABS THE SCALPEL AND BURIES IT IN GUSTAV’S LEG!
Morgue yells out in agony! He reaches to pull his own scalpel out of his leg!
BUT HARRY KICKS IT! IT’S FUCKING BURIED IN GUSTAV’S LEG!
Harry nails a haymaker but a pissed of Morgue fires back one of his own! Both men are fighting for their lives!
HARRY KICKS THE BAD LEG AND DROPS GUSTAV TO A KNEE!
PUNCH!
PUNCH!
HIDDEN BLADE ELBOW TO THE TEMPLE! GUSTAV IS KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT AS BLOOD ARCS FROM HIS FACE TO THE MAT!
Mr. Nobody has proven himself to be somebody as he shows his prowess against the terrifying Gustav Morgue!
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “NURSE” [/edgtf_highlight]
Elsewhere.
That dimly-lit room from before becomes very familiar to us as we see Jackson Cade slowly starting to stir once more. Opening his eyes, the Specialist begins to sit up in his hospital bed…until a hand rests upon his shoulder, accompanied by the soft, feminine voice that spoke to him previously.
“There there, Mr. Cade. It’ll all be better soon.”
Cade looks up to see the face that greeted him before, something he starts to finally piece together as he begins muttering, a result of him still gathering his composure after being out for so long.
“You…you’re…”
“Nurse Frightengale! I see our patient has finally woken up from his nap,” another voice interjects, drawing Cade’s attention to the doorway as Doctor Death arrives. Standing alongside him is El Mariachi Muerte, looking on curiously as the Luchadoc approaches, motioning to the hospital bed as he gives instruction to his aide.
“Nurse, please secure the patient. We haven’t time to lose.”
Before he has any time to react, Cade finds himself strapped down to the bed. He struggles against the leather bindings, receiving very little give as the nurse turns around to retrieve something from a nearby table. To the horror of Cade, that something is a needle and syringe…which Frightengale hands to Doctor Death, who gleefully accepts before approaching the Specialist.
“Now now, officer…let’s you back in ship shape.”
Cade starts tensing up just as the Luchadoc sticks the needle into the arm, slowly lowering the plunger of the syringe as Jackson begins wriggling his wrists to loosen the leather bindings…before realizing just what needs to be done to escape.
“Ugh,” Cade grunts, which is taken by Doctor Death as a sign of discomfort from the injection…but in fact, comes from the Specialist dislocating his thumb to create the necessary space to free his left hand from the binding just as the injection is finished.
Cade hides this until the Luchadoc has his back turned, and in the time it takes for Frightengale to release the bindings to his legs Cade has repeated the process with his right hand…giving him a chance to escape, shoving past the Doctor and Muerte as he rushes out the doorway. Muerte has a look of concern on his face, but the ever-enigmatic Luchadoc rests a hand on his shoulder as if to keep him from giving chase.
“Why did you let him go?” the Singing Death inquires, equally confused as to what the Doctor is trying to prove…but the Luchadoc gives him a response of assurance.
“You’ll see, compadre…lugar y tiempo adecuado.”
Muerte nods in agreement.
“The proper place and time.”
Cut.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] NARCISSA BALENCIAGA © vs. MANNFRED CURZE [/edgtf_highlight]
Weeks of poking around The Bleak in search of a necessary flower has put Narcissa Balenciaga in the crosshairs of Mannfred Curze, and that could spell trouble for the Designer’s reign as Double Feature Champion tonight!
Curze rushes toward the champion the second that bell rings, looking to teach a lesson to the Designer for her meddling with some hard strikes that start to wear Narcissa down!
Struggling to overcome the onslaught that’s befallen her Narcissa finally manages to roll out of the ring to the safety of the outside!
She’s not safe for long, however, as Curze uses the ropes as a springboard, sending himself over to the outside where he crashes on top of the Designer, taking her down hard in the process!
The ref checks on both competitors, as we see Curze slowly rise to his feet before standing Narcissa up, pulling the champion toward the steel steps…but Narcissa turns it around on him, sending the Night Haunter colliding into them instead!
Mannfred is down as the champion returns to the ring, thrilled to have taken out the nightmare that is Curze…who is already back to his feet, sliding into the ring before blindsiding Narcissa with a forearm to the back of the head!
Curze continues the assault, pummeling away with some hard lefts and rights before standing to his feet to hit a nasty stomp…but the champ narrowly avoids disaster by as she rolls out of the way!
Narcissa is back to a vertical base as Curze charges toward her, only for the Designer to run to the ropes…launching herself off for a crossbody onto the Horror! She’s going for a cover here!
ONE!
NO!
Curze kicks out with authority here, shoving Narcissa off before standing to attention, his eyes focused on the Designer slowly but surely getting back to her feet once more.
The champ hits the ropes again, hoping to build up some much-needed momentum as she charges full speed at Curze…but she’s caught with a discus clothesline by the Night Haunter instead!
BLEAK’S BLADE!
The impact from that clothesline spins Narcissa head over heels as she falls to the canvas, and now it’s Mannfred who goes for the cover!
ONE!
TW–NO!
Narcissa manages to kick out despite the amount of damage that she’s inflicted here!
The anger is building inside Curze as he brings the champion back to her feet before sending her to the corner…where he runs right into her with a corner splash, sandwiching her against the turnbuckle!
Narcissa doesn’t even get a chance to fall to the canvas here, as Curze hoists her up onto his shoulder, setting the champ up for a tombstone stretch!
Can she take this punishment!?
BEYOND THE–WAIT, NO!
Narcissa manages to slip out of the hold before Curze can get it locked in tight!
And she’s got a lot of fight left in her, as she unleashes a flurry of offense on the Night Haunter!
Kick after kick starts to wear Curze down, before Narcissa goes to the ropes once again…this time connecting with a running headscissors that takes the Horror down hard to the canvas!
Mannfred is back to his feet yet again here…but the champ is ready for him, connecting with a spinning heel kick!
HIGH FASHION!
Curze is sent reeling toward the corner, giving Narcissa an opening that she exploits with a running corner splash of her own!
This drops the Night Haunter down to the canvas once more, and Narcissa takes advantage of the moment with a slow walk up his back!
CATWALK!
But Curze rolls out from under her, sending the champ crashing to the canvas!
He’s back up, but so is Narcissa…who catches him by surprise with a discus clothesline!
THE LATEST TREND CONNECTS…AND IT’S A BLEAK’S BLADE!
Narcissa makes the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Narcissa Balenciaga manages to put a stop to the Horror here tonight, retaining the Double Feature Championship against Mannfred Curze in the process!
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] WINNER AND STILL DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPION: NARCISSA [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “GIVE HIM BACK” [/edgtf_highlight]
Ringside.
As Felix Foley and Damien Wolfe stand opposite each other in a ring once more, it’s the Puppetmaster who asks for a microphone and a moment of our time.
“Damien,” he says carefully. “I’m here. This is where you wanted me to be and I’m here. I haven’t slept in weeks. Please, just give me back The Conservator.”
Wolfe thinks about it for a moment.
“Do you know why I asked you here, Foley?” He asks, retrieving a microphone of his own. “Because I’ve had a gutful of this nonsense. I don’t know what’s happening with the red light, or why, but you’re going to pay for everything you’ve done to me.”
Foley looks confused.
“I haven’t done anything!” He assuredly replies. “I just wanted my show back and you refused to give it to me. Then you did. Then you attacked me and took one of my friends. What do you want, Damien?”
He begins pacing back and forth.
“What do I want?” He asks with a smirk. “I want that VHS Championship. I want you to fight me here tonight, with that title on the line and I want you to lose. If you want your precious puppet back, then you’re going to let me beat you!”
The VHS Champion doesn’t even hesitate. He throws the Championship down and drops to his knees, letting Damien have his way.
“I’ll do whatever you want,” he agrees. “Just please… give me back my friend.”
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] VHS CHAMPIONSHIP [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] FELIX FOLEY © vs. DAMIEN WOLFE [/edgtf_highlight]
All Felix Foley wanted was a platform to make the children smile and he nearly had that in his grasp again before Damien Wolfe burned it to the ground. Wolfe has beaten down, humiliated and even taken away part of his psyche stealing one of Felix’s puppets away. Can the Puppetmaster find his smile once more or will the Conservator bury it once and for all?
The bell sounds as Felix slumps down in his corner, downtrodden, miserable, heavily breathing as he looks up at Wolfe with bloodshot eyes and just shakes his head.
Wolfe in comparison is smiling ear to ear. Energetic, dancing around the ring, clearly enjoying just how miserable he’s made the Puppetmaster as he motions with one hand for Foley to get up to his feet as Felix slowly rises, feet shuffling on the mat as he begrudgingly walks up to the Conservator.
MASSIVE OPEN HAND SLAP!
Felix staggers back a little before his head snaps back
ANOTHER SLAP!
A THIRD!
Felix gulps hard, trying to contain his anger as Wolfe just laughs
“Come on old man, you want to pop me right here? Do it. I dare you”
Felix just shakes his head, head sloped down once more as Wolfe just shakes his head
BEFORE DELIVERING A HARD BOOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Felix staggers forward into the ropes as Wolfe rushes forward, pummeling him with hard lefts and rights before wrapping both of Felix’s arms in the ropes. Wolfe walks back, taunting the now heavily booing crowd before he gets into a boxing stance and floats towards Felix.
Left jab to the jaw, right hook to the body, Wolfe is floating in and out, taking potshots at the defenseless Puppetmaster before he begins to unleash a heavy flurry of blows that send Wolfe slumping down into the corner.
Wolfe backs up, holding his chest as he pretends to be winded, wiping a bead of non-existent strength before he slowly stalks forward, grabbing both hands onto the ropes
AND BEGINS TO STOMP A MUDHOLE INTO THE DEFENSELESS FELIX! IT’S DAMIEN WOLFE’S CORNER NOW!
Foley slumps down into the corner, his arms sliding out of the ropes as Wolfe pulls him up to his feet, delivering a hard knee to the ribs before whipping him against the ropes
BUT FELIX DUCKS UNDERNEATH A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT!
RIGHT HAND…NO! Felix stops himself at the last second but Wolfe still stumbles out of the ring, bailing out as for a second, a flash of fear crosses his face. Wolfe straightens his tie, shaking it off as he slowly steps into the ring.
Wolfe orders Felix to run into the ropes, Felix bouncing off into a clothesline this time. Foley staggering up into a kick to the arm before Wolfe slams him back down with an armbreaker.
PER PRAETENDE! Fujiwara Armbar is locked in tight as Felix screams out in pain. Wolfe pulling back not just on the arm but the hand itself as he’s trying to stop Foley from being able to use his precious puppets full stop!
Foley yells out, the pain immeasurable but Wolfe lets go of the hold suddenly, floating over as he grabs hold of Foley’s hand, separating the fingers
BEFORE SNAPPING THEM TO EITHER SIDE WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH!
Felix screams out in agony, staggering up to his feet as Wolfe rushes to the ropes, bouncing off
STATUTORY DAMAGE! RUNNING KNEE RIGHT TO THE DOME!
Foley goes down onto his stomach as with glassy eyes, he slowly crawls his way to the corner. Reaching for his beloved puppets for some ounce of strength, he barely gets a few inches before a boot comes crunching down
AS WOLFE STAMPS DOWN HARD ON THE INJURED HAND!
Felix screams out in pain as Wolfe just looks down at him, that shit eating grin etched upon his face.
“So pathetic, an old man obsessed with his little dolls that he walks right into the wolfe’s den. Maybe destroying one wasn’t enough…maybe I should destroy them all and rid you of this little fairy tale.”
Wolfe gets up off the hand before slowly walking to the corner where the puppets sit. Felix is trembling on the mat as Wolfe bends down, lifting up Juggalo Jack with a look of disgust in his eyes.
Not noticing Felix Foley is up with a furious look in his eyes.
Wolfe gets up, holding the puppet for a moment before a sadistic grin crosses his face as he turns to Foley
SPEAR! FOLEY NEARLY SPEARS RIGHT THROUGH WOLFE WITH ABSOLUTE RAGE!
Foley pounds down on Wolfe with hard lefts and rights, each blow cracking the glasses before a mammoth headbutt breaks them in two. Foley gets to his feet, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he carefully picks up Jack, placing him back with the other puppets before turning back to Wolfe
CLOTHESLINE…DOES NOTHING!
Foley just stares a hole right through Wolfe who visibly gulps, rushing to the ropes as he tries to escape the ring only to be grabbed by the hair as he’s dragged back into the ring
AND BUMPS HIS HEAD! Brutal Death Valley Driver nearly spikes Wolfe through the mat as Damien stagger back up to his feet,
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR BOOTING! Brutal Big Boot sends him flying into the corner as Felix is immediately on him, pounding down hard with lefts and rights
BEFORE STOMPING A MUDHOLE INTO HIM WITH FELIX FOLEYS CORNER!
Foley finally stops, backing up as he soaks in the roar of the crowd before lifting his hand up high, signaling for the Puppetshow as he slowly stalks a groggy Wolfe
PUPPET….WOLFE IS FIGHTING IT AS HE BITES DOWN HARD ON THE INJURED HAND!
Foley backs up, screaming in pain as Wolfe rushes forward
FACIEM CRUSHER! ROCKER DROPPER OUT OF NOWHERE!
Wolfe is done with these games as he lifts the groggy Foley up, placing him in between his legs before wrapping Foleys arms behind his back. He flips Foley up high using the arms
CONTRA PROF…NO! Foley lands on his feet, kick to the gut
CUT THE STRINGS!
DOUBLE
ARM
DDT!
That has to be it there, Foley draping an arm over the downed Wolfe as the referee counts
ONE
………………
………………………….
TWO
………………………………
……………………………………
THREE!!!
Felix Foley does it once again, despite every trick and manipulation, Damien Wolfe made the biggest mistake. Screw with the puppets and the Puppetmaster will put you down.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] WINNER AND STILL VHS CHAMPION: FELIX FOLEY [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “ROOT OF AMBROSIA I” [/edgtf_highlight]
The Groves.
Teddy O’Toole follows closely to Drewitt, who uses a sword to whack away branches and bushes that block their path. They’re close to the last known location of the Root of Ambrosia and as they step through the last of brush into a clearing, they see it.
“Wow,” Teddy says with great excitement.
Drewitt tells him to stay put and walks over to the Root, looking around it for any dangers or traps. It’s clear.
“Come through, it’s safe,” he says.
The Candy Man rushes towards him, bending over to dig the root out of the grass and uncover it fully. He looks utterly delighted, handing it casually to The Explorer.
“This is what we came for?” Drewitt asks, looking it over with disinterest.
“Yes, yes, but you should taste it,” O’Toole suggests. “Please, it’d be my pleasure. This ingredient is everything to the future of Teddy Bears in Arcadia.”
O’Toole pulls a small pen knife out and takes a nip off the root, handing it to Drewitt. The Explorer slowly puts it in his mouth, carefully nibbling as Teddy backs off.
He’s not impressed.
In fact, it’s downright disgusting.
Forcing himself to swallow it, he can’t believe Teddy has paid him this much for something so foul. He looks up, catching the reflection of something in the Arcadia glass.
It’s The Candy Man…
And he’s pointing a gun at the back of Drewitt’s head.
The Explorer turns fast and in a ducking motion, slaps the gun out of Teddy’s hand, sending it tumbling across the ground.
O’Toole panics, stepping backwards in fear.
“You didn’t think I was that fuckin’ stupid, did ya?” Drewitt growls. “I saw you take a page out of that book. I knew you were up to somethin’, you fuck.”
Both men begin circling one another.
“What can I say, explorer?” Teddy says back with a shrug. “Perhaps you’re not as gormless as you look?”
“I’ll show you gormless,” he barks back.
And the fight… is on.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] KNOCKOUT MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] TEDDY O’TOOLE vs. DREWITT [/edgtf_highlight]
The search for the Root of Ambrosia has led Drewitt and Teddy O’Toole here, to the Groves. But Teddy had other plans. This has turned into a brawl, where only one man is leaving here on his feet. There’s betrayal in the air, and soon there will be blood on the flowers.
The gun is knocked from Teddy’s hand and falls into the vegetation that covers the ground of the Groves. Disappearing from view, neither man has time to scramble for it before they are locking horns. The power of Drewitt gives him an advantage, and he vents his frustration with a few decent shots to O’Toole’s skull.
DREWITT GRABS TEDDY BY THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK!
HE TOSSES HIM HEAD FIRST INTO A TREE TRUNK!
O’Toole scrambles through the foliage, pulling himself to his feet as Drewitt comes back for seconds. He pulls the Candy Man into a side headlock.
HIP TOSS!
NO!
THE CANDY MAN POKES DREWITT IN THE EYES AND SLIPS OUT!
Teddy runs. With Drewitt in hot pursuit, the Candy Man takes off across the Groves. Dashing between trees and behind bushes, he soon comes to the edge of the terrarium glass. With his foe cornered, Drewitt slows to a walk. Stalking O’Toole confidently, but Teddy has no intentions in being cornered.
O’TOOLE RUNS UP A TREE LIKE A FREAKING SQUIRREL … SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE TRUNK!
SPRINBOARD DROPKICK TAKES DREWITT DOWN!
Drewitt is soon dragging himself to his knees and pulling at the tree trunk to try and claw his way to his feet. But Teddy intercepts him, grabbing him into a headlock of his own.
KNEELING DDT!
THE CANDYMAN PLANTS DREWITT’S HEAD INTO THE DIRT!
BUT HE’S NOT DONE!
TEDDY O’TOOLE SLAMS DREWITTS HEAD INTO THE GROUND AGAIN!
AND AGAIN!
AND AGAIN!
O’TOOLE IS DIGGING HOLES IN THE GROUND WITH DREWITT’S SKULL!
He leaves the Pilgrim lying on his back, climbing up a tree overlooking the picturesque resting place that his foe now lies in. Drewitt again manages to pull himself to his feet, using a nearby shrub as a frame and pulling it out of the ground in the process. He turns, looking for Teddy, shrubbery in his fingers. But the Candy Man seems to have disappeared.
BOOM!
TEDDY O’TOOLE DROPS DOWN FROM THE TREEE RIGHT ONTO DREWITT’S SHOULDERS!
HURRICANRANA!
DREWITT FINDS HIMSELF FLAT BACK ON HIS BACK IN THE UNDERGROWTH ONCE MORE!
With his foe flat on his back, Teddy O’Toole looks set to finish things. He climbs up on a rock overlooking where Drewitt lies. The Candy Man lines up his elbow, surveys his target and goes to leap off…
But stops himself.
THE CANDY MAN LETS OUT A CRY!
IT’S A SPIDER! A MASSIVE TARANTULA IS CRAWLING ACROSS DREWITT’S CHEST!
TEDDY O’TOOLE WANTS NO FUCKING PART OF THE SPIDER OR IT’S HAIRY LEGS!
Drewitt slowly comes to, The Explorer sitting up so that the tarantula falls into his lap. Reacting in contrast to Teddy, he calmly puts his hand down so that the spider crawls onto it. He brings the spider to his face and surveys it for a moment…
BEFORE FLINGING IT THROUGH THE AIR AT TEDDY!
TEDDY STAGGERS BACK IN SURPRISE AND FALLS BACKWARDS OFF THE ROCK!
HE SMASHES THE BACK OF HIS HEAD INTO THE STONY GROUND AT THE BASE OF HIS LEDGE!
The spider has by now scarpered off, and Drewitt clambers to his feet. He scrambles up and over the rock, swinging Teddy up onto his shoulders as he does so.
TRAVELLERS GAMBIT!
THE BURNING HAMMER ONTO THE ROCK!
HOLY SHIT!
TEDDY O’TOOLE IS NOT MOVING!
HE MIGHT VERY WELL BE OUT COLD AFTER THAT!
…
…
…
THERE’S NO SIGN OF LIFE FROM TEDDY!
ONLY… A TWITCH OF THE HAND!
THE OPENING OF ONE EYE, THEN THE OTHER!
THERE’S LIFE IN THE CANDY MAN YET!
Drewitt scoops the Candy Man up off the ground once more, pulling him to his feet with his wrist and flinging him off again across the Groves. Teddy stumbles and trips in among a soiree of flowers and small plants, scrambling on all fours as Drewitt sets off after him.
DREWITT AIMS A STIFF SHOT RIGHT TO THE HEAD OF TEDDY!
NO!
TEDDY DUCKS!
DREWITT PUNCHES HIS FIST STRAIGHT INTO THE BARK OF THE TREE!
THE PILGRIM HOWLS IN PAIN AND SHAKES HIS PAW!
DROP TOE HOLD FROM TEDDY O’TOOLE!
SMASHING THE MASKED FACE OF THE FABLED INTO THE TREE TRUNK!
Teddy backs away across the Grove, before lining the dazed figure of Drewitt up once more and charging at him.
SHINING WIZARD!
SMACK!
THE KNEE CRACKS INTO DREWITT’S HEAD DRIVING IT BACKWARDS INTO THE TREE TRUNK ONCE AGAIN!
HE’S FOUND THE ROOT OF AMBROSIA, AND MAY JUST HAVE INTRODUCED THE ROOT OF AMNESIA TO DREWITT!
AND DREWITT LOOKS LIKE THAT MIGHT HAVE DONE IT!
SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SLOWLY… THE FABLED SLIPS AND SLUMPS TO THE EARTH, HALF DISAPPEARING INTO THE BUSHY UNDERGROWTH OF THE GROVE!
…
…
…
TILL A HAND POPS UP OUT OF THE BUSHY GROUND…
DREWITT IS NOT DONE YET!
Before Drewitt can so much as shake the flowers from his pockets, Teddy O’Toole has scrambled back up another tree. He stands on a high branch, towering over the scene where Drewitt lies.
HE LINES DREWITT UP!
SUGAR BOMB!
THE SWANTON OUT OF THE FUCKING TREE… NO!
DREWITT CAUGHT HIM IN MID AIR!
AND DRILLS HIM INTO THE EARTH WITH A CHOKESLAM!
ARDUOUS JOURNEY INDEED!
HE COLLAPSES TO HIS KNEES NEXT TO TEDDY… EXHAUSTED…
THEY’RE BOTH DONE…
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] NO CONTEST DRAW [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “ROOT OF AMBROSIA II” [/edgtf_highlight]
With their fight coming to an end, no-one is the victor.
Both find themselves on their knees, breathless and in pain. As they try and gather their bearings, one of them manages to find the gun, resting on the floor nearby. They pick it up and point it at their former opponent, refusing to hesitate.
BANG!
The loudest bang you’ve ever heard is accompanied by a brutal and equally as loud thud.
The wielder of the gun?
Teddy O’Toole.
With Drewitt’s brain matter sprayed across the floor, strewn in a quickly formed pool of blood, Teddy stumbles towards him.
He reaches down, looking at the bullet wound that resides now in the head of the Explorer, forming a through and through hole.
But he doesn’t do anything at first.
The Candy Man just stands.
He takes a deep breath and reaches for the root, picking it up and dusting it down. With a moment more looking at the body of Drewitt, he finally shrugs his shoulders, starts whistling and walks away.
Cut.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “HERO OF THE PEOPLE” [/edgtf_highlight]
For your regular, average Joe, some parts of Arcadia can be dangerous areas to come alone. An area hustling and bustling with folks, scurrying to-and-fro means that one must have their wits about them. Crime, as they say, is everywhere.
And people generally turn a blind eye, lest they become a victim themselves.
Today, as the hustle and bustle of Arcadia’s streets continues as normal, that is until a panicked scream pierces the air.
“No! Please!”
One woman, desperately trying to hold onto her purse while a group of five men surround her. One slaps her across the cheek, sending her to the ground, while another snatches the purse. The poor lady bursts into tears.
“Please, it is all I have.”
Out of the crowd of people passing by, pretending not to see anything at all, a familiar figure emerges. Barefoot, wandering into view as if stumbling across a flower patch.
“Whatever seems to be the problem here?” Gemini looks between the group of men, now busy tearing at the poor woman’s dress, then to the woman herself. Gemini has her hands on her hips, but a sweet smile on her face. “Can’t we all just get along?”
The men leave the poor woman for a moment, each turning their eyes to Gemini. She seems to not notice the intimidating looks on their face.
“Now, why don’t we all just take a deep breath and use our words?”
The first of the men takes a deep breath alright, but exhales only to toss Gemini aside. Gemini falls, landing hard on the solid ground.
“Fuck off, silly twat. Mind your own business.”
But neither of the men have a chance to follow the sentiment up. Out of nowhere, a massive frame erupts. With a single blow, two of the assailants are sent flying.
One more is launched away from Gemini and lands in a crumpled heap. A mighty fist takes down the fourth, and the one that had struck Gemini, well, the hulking hero saves him for last.
Kaiju Chiba picks the now petrified man up, drilling him with a SPINNING SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Five men lie battered and broken, and The Hero of the People moves over to Gemini, stretching out his hand for her to take.
Gemini accepts the hand of Kaiju Chiba, allowing the big man to pull her gently to her feet. A moment that lingers is shared between the pair. Eye contact that seems to hang for an eternity.
A connection is clearly shared between these two.
Cut.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] OSW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] STUBBINS DOOM © vs. COLT RAMSEY [/edgtf_highlight]
One month ago, Stubbins Doom became the first OSW World Champion in Olympus yet his celebration could’ve ended short after Mount Olympus imploded. The only people who know the truth are Zeus himself and Colt Ramsey. Will his silence be enough for Colt to get the world title after being so close last time or will the Mad Scientist make him pay for the subterfuge?
The bell sounds as Colt Ramsey is in the ring, warming up as he patiently waits for the world champion to come out. The opening strings of 2CELLOS begins echoing throughout Olympus but there’s no sign of Doom. Is the world champion trying to psyche Colt out or has something else happened?
The entire song nearly plays as Colt looks annoyed for a second before he notices a red dot on his forearm and a second one on his chest.
Before his entire body begins to get covered in crimson.
Colt drops to the canvas as dozens of drones begin shooting down at him. The Photographer ducking and weaving rockets as the ring explodes in smoke, Colt coughing and spluttering as a figure cuts through the smoke.
HOVER NO BOTHER! DOOM OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THAT LEVITATING KICK!
Colt looks dazed and confused but he’s still on his feet, swinging wildly as Doom rushes to the ropes, the electrical pulse in his gloves flaring up as he bounces off.
HEART PULSATION! ELECTRIFIED PALM THRUST RIGHT TO THE CHEST!
That may well be it for Colt there as Ramsey does collapse but manages to roll through the ropes to the floor below, saving his championship aspirations just in time. Doom looks displeased as he clicks his fingers and his drones pick him up and carry him over the ropes to the floor below. They drop Doom down onto the floor as he kneels down, lifting up the groggy Colt on the floor.
JAWBREAKER!
Colt was playing possum as he stuns the Mad Scientist who staggers back into the apron. Doom can barely get his bearings before he’s beaten down with lefts and rights, Colt using his superior strength to wear the good doctor down before he grips him around the neck, looking to wrap up Doom on the outside floor.
BUT DOOM SANDBAGS THE DDT!
Colt slams down to the floor more confused then hurt as Doom should’ve been easy to plant. Colt rushes up as he tries rights and lefts that seem to bounce off Doom before he grips him in a Suplex position and tries to snap him down
COLT CAN’T LIFT HIM UP THOUGH!
Doom just taps his head as he easily reverses the Suplex, slamming Colt down with incredible power. Colt backs up, clearly worried as Doom slowly steps forward, his every step nearly cracking the ground almost like his gravity had been increased?
Doom cracks his wrist, a small bracelet seen, clearly a new invention of Doom that he’s using to great effect here. Doom smiles, looking down at his helpless prey as Colt scrambles for something…anything as he grabs hold of his camera.
Stubbins just laughs, opening up his arms wide as he invites Ramsey to take his good side. Colt just smiles
BEFORE BLINDING DOOM WITH A MASSIVE FLASH! Doom felt that even through his goggles as he swings wildly, Colt just kneeling as he uppercuts Doom right in the bollocks as even through the gravity field, Doom felt every bit of that
SAY CHEESE! Colt manages to land that stiff DDT on a stunned Doom as the gravity may work against him now, Stubbins struggling to get to his feet as Colt looks up high to the speakers right next to them
And begins to climb.
Colt isn’t a high flyer but he needs something big to take down the hulking Doctor here as he doesn’t just climb up onto the first speaker but onto the second. Perched up high, Colt sizes up Doom for a moment who’s finally managed to get to his feet
CROSSBODY! Colt dives off a good fifteen feet in the air right down onto Doom as he proves that age old proverb, the bigger they are, the harder Doom falls! Colt manages to roll through before noticing the bracelet on Doom’s wrist and stomping down on it hard, breaking the gravity field once and for all before rolling into the ring as he’s fired up, ready to finish off Doom once and for all.
Doom slowly gets inside the ring, stumbling up to his feet as Colt rushes forward, delivering a clothesline
That evaporates Doom?
Colt looks confused for a moment before another Doom rolls into the ring
And another.
Then a third, fourth, fifth.
Doom after Doom roll into the ring as they surround Colt, a good ten all together. The Mad Scientist showing off some impressive hologram technology but which Doom is which and can Colt find out before he finds out the hard way?
Colt explodes on the Dooms, evaporating one after the other with hard lefts and rights, clearing the ring until only one is left. Colt cracks his neck, rushing forward once more but he’s stopped just inches away from Doom
WATCH MY RIGHT HAND! FLYING FIST TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
The real Doom emerges from behind Colt, his glove flying back onto his hand as Ramsey stumbles on his feet, completely dazed from the donkey punch to the back of the head. Doom’s boots begin to glow, Stubbins grabbing the ropes as he begins to levitate through the air before springboarding forward
HOVER, NO BOTHER….TO THE REFEREE!
Colt just ducks underneath the levitating dropkick as the referee gets knocked out cold. Doom looks shocked for a moment, trying to resucitate the official but he’s grabbed from behind by Colt
FIT TO PRINT! FULL NELSON LEGSWEEP! Colt drops down for the cover not knowing the referee is down.
ONE
…………………………
………………………………….
TWO
…………………………………………..
………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………….
THREE
…………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………….
FOUR
…………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………
FIVE
……………………………………………………………
Doom is completely out cold, Colt has the world title won here but there’s no one to count the pinfall. Ramsey gets to his feet realizing the ref is out as he bends down, trying to shake him awake.
STEEL CHAIR TO THE BACK!
Colt screams out in pain, turning around to see his attacker
…..IT’S ZEUS?!
Zeus just sneers down at the photographer before lifting the chair up high
AND NEARLY BREAKING IT OVER COLT’S SKULL!
Zeus drops the chair, getting tossed a referee shirt and putting it on before he picks up the groggy Doom and throws him on top of Colt. Zeus then drops down and begins to count
ONE
……………………………….
…………………………………….
……………………………………
TWO
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……………………………………….
…………………………………………….
THREE!!!
Stubbins Doom is still the OSW World Championship and it’s all thanks to Zeus himself. Zeus lifts up Doom, raising his hand high as behind them, a group of people rush into the ring. They lift up the unconscious Colt Ramsey and carry him out of the ring to the back. All the while, Zeus lets the world champion soak in his victory, both men seemingly unaware of Colt’s capture.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] WINNER AND STILL OSW WORLD CHAMPION: STUBBINS DOOM [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “exhibit a” [/edgtf_highlight]
Jackson Cade stands at the entrance to The Gallery.
Somehow.
Someway.
The Specialist has escaped the clutches of Nurse Frightengale and O’Death. He’s worse for wear, but this man isn’t called Perseus for nothing. He has drive, grit, and determination.
And his mission is not over.
Sr. Specialist Riggs, his mentor, is still a captive of Jasper Redgrave.
And by god, Jackson Cade is going to bring him home.
Cade goes in through the front door.
It’s unlocked.
Redgrave’s expecting him.
Cade rushes in, sidearm drawn and ready. Full of adrenaline, the precise APD Officer makes his way through the grotesque exhibits set out by Jasper Redgrave, each one made of someone’s corpse.
Is one of these Riggs?
Rushing past an empty room with a dinner table of sorts, Cade comes to a door.
The door.
The same door Grimskull looked in last week.
The same door Dr. Death looked in two weeks ago.
But it’s different this time.
The door is wide open, but the path is not clear. A body lays on the ground, one hand outstretched towards freedom and the other hand missing.
“No!” Cade exclaims, falling to his knees.
He cradles the bloody corpse, blood dried and rotting already.
He’s failed.
Riggs is dead.
Jackson Cade is so distraught, so taken with emotion that he doesn’t even notice the blade now at his throat.
“He died honorably, little Eagle.” Redgrave says, his voice barely above a whisper.
Cade freezes, his sadness turned to anger.
Not anger.
Rage.
Palpable rage.
“Not that it matters,” Redgrave continues. “Honorably or not, dead is dead.”
Cade’s muscles twitch, and Jasper holds his blade closer to Jackson’s neck.
“Not yet, Specialist Cade. Not until you truly understand my latest Exhibit.”
Silence.
“You’re so consumed with grief, Little Eagle, that you cannot see clearly.” The Artist says, malice in his voice. “You cannot see that the man you mourn is not the one you have come to find.”
Wait.
What?
Cade looks down, through his dried tears, to see that the corpse in his arms is not Sr. Specialist Riggs. His anger turns to confusion as he realizes the blade is gone from his neck. He turns around to see a shocking sight.
Jasper Redgrave is stood, with none other than Sr. Specialist Riggs knelt at his side with the blade to his throat.
But while he looks worse for wear, he’s relatively unharmed.
And he has both hands.
What?
“This is Exhibit A, Little Eagle.” Redgrave says, no pretense of pleasance in his voice remaining. “You people are all the same. How much hardship did you face to get here, to this moment? How many tears did you cry for this man you care for? What did you fight through to be kneeling beside this man that you don’t give a single fuck about?“
Cade looks down at the corpse while Redgrave continues.
“You will be my greatest piece of art, little Eagle, but I needed you to see that you are not who you say you are. Riggs is alive, and now you don’t care that I took that man who you hold. You don’t care that I sawed his hand off. You don’t care that I locked him in Grimskull’s Embrace of Pain, a device that awaits only one more occupant. You don’t care that he died, alone and unwanted, on the floor of my Gallery. You don’t care that he died for you. For you to see.”
Jackson Cade stands up, the rage building back up.
“I do care.” He says, gauging his options. “You’re going to pay for what you’ve done to this man, to all that you’ve killed.”
Cade takes a step forward, but stumbles.
Everything has gone foggy for him.
Redgrave raises an eyebrow.
“I may pay one day, Little Eagle.” He admits. “But it seems that you didn’t escape your captors as cleanly as you thought.”
The Artist shoves Sr. Specialist Riggs forward.
“Get him out of here.” He commands. “I won’t have my art sullied by tainted stock. The next stage will have to wait.”
Riggs rushes forward, helping a struggling Jackson Cade.
Dr. Death must have poisoned him!
O’Death is hedging their bets for Invasion!
Riggs supports Cade as they leave The Gallery. Jasper Redgrave frowns.
“Soon, Little Eagle, we will finish this. But first, I’ll take my disappointment out on my Invasion foes.”
He takes his leave, knowing that he has to get to Olympus quickly.
Because Invasion is up next, and Jasper Redgrave is going to bust some skulls.
But will Jackson Cade be able to even make the match!?
We’ll find out.
Next.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] invasion MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] grimskull vs. dr death [/edgtf_highlight]
The opening guitar riff of “Time of Dying” by Three Days Grace blasts from the speakers as none other than Dr. Death walks through the entrance, flanked by his twitching valet Nurse Frightengale.
He stops atop the ramp and holds out his hand. Frightengale places his cane in hand as if she were passing a surgical instrument, and then he commences down the ramp to the ring with her following close behind.
Dr. Death walks up the steps using his cane, and enters the ring. He twirls his cane around under a red floodlight in the middle of the ring, before pointing it to the hard cam whilst Frightengale cackles in delight at his side. He motions for her to stay at ringside and turns his attention to the stage, awaiting the man who he will start the match against.
The opening riff from “End of Me” by Ashes Remain hits the speakers, and Grimskull steps out of the darkness. His purple eyes take in the people, all those he wishes he could reach.
There’s a fire burning inside me
Cold steel calls out my name
Tempted to give in to the rage
Walking down the aisle, the Preacher keeps his head low as he walks by Nurse Frightengale until he slides into the ring.
Torn apart by this affliction
Locked up inside myself
This life is much too young to fade
Kneeling in his corner, Grimskull says a silent prayer before rising to meet the awaiting Dr. Death face to face, and the ref signals for the bell!
DING! DING!! DING!!!
Dr. Death and Grimskull look up above their heads in unison at the almighty briefcase that hangs out of reach:
The Invasion Briefcase.
He who holds the briefcase holds the power to invade on OSW World Champion at their whim.
The Preacher has spoken of the perilous climb it takes to get to that briefcase to his disciples, proclaiming that each step up that ladder only leads to higher chance of falling to peril. Yet, it is that fall that he must endure if he is to martyr himself for that title shot.
Dr. Death, ever stoic behind that black mask, possesses the means to invade on the champion no matter who holds it, for his training has led him to that precise moment. But can he surpass five other Titans to put those skills on display?
Both men look back at each other.
“LET’S GO GRIMSKULL!”
“DOC-TOR DEATH!”
The rabid fans launch dueling chants back and forth and a buzz overtakes Olympus as both men begin to circle one another.
Tie up, collar and elbow. The larger Grimskull overpowers the smaller luchador, twisting Luchadeath’s arm in a wrist lock that shudders Dr. Death. Death grabs at the shoulder, then somersaults out of the hold and reverses into a hammerlock that puts him behind Grimskull.
CRACK!
GRIMSKULL HEADBUTTED DR. DEATH!
That’s a hard, spiky skull that just knocked the Doc for a loop, and as Dr. Death briefly staggers around, Grimskull follows up with a vicious back elbow to the side of the head that causes Death to stumble into the ropes. Grimskull whips Dr. Death to the opposite ropes and on the rebound launches a superkick at the oncoming luchador—
LESSON!!
But Dr. Death is skipping school today, tumbling beneath the kick at the last moment! Grimskull throws a wild right punch at Luchadeath that he evades underneath, and Death runs the ropes. On the rebound Grimskull turns right into Dr. Death leaping at his head, catching him with a running tijeras that momentarily grounds him. Grimskull is getting to his feet as Dr. Death back handsprings into the ropes and projects himself backwards at Grimskull—
LETHAL INJECTION??
NO!!
Grimskull caught him in a full nelson in mid air—
DRAGON SUPLEX!!
Grimskull countered the cutter and suplexed Luchadoc right onto his head, folding up his neck in one swift motion there, and as the surgeon lays prone on the mat Grimskull slides to the outside to retrieve the one necessity to reaching that briefcase:
A ladder.
And it’s a big one.
Grimskull unsheathes it from behind the ring skirt and holds it up for the crowd to behold before sliding it under the top rope and into the ring. Frightengale draws near, hissing at Grimskull as he slides back into the ring, just out of her periphery. We’ve yet to see Dr. Death’s nurse get involved, but it will be a situation that warrants monitoring as the match goes on, for she adds another variable to this six-man ladder match.
Dr. Death massages his neck as Grimskull sets the ladder up in the center of the ring. Grimskull sees that Death is still down, and when he hears his followers cheer as he looks up to the briefcase he decides to take the climb!
Up he goes, stepping upon each wrung, one by one, drawing nearer to his objective. But he’s blinded to the fact that Dr. Death has gotten back to his feet… and worse, Frightengale has slid Death’s cane into the ring for him.
THWACK!
DEATH SWUNG HIS CANE AT GRIMSKULL’S BACK!
THWACK!
AND AGAIN!
Grimskull is taken a few notches down the ladder as Dr. Death skillfully uses his instrument to dissect his opponent. Frightengale cackles with delight at ringside with every swing until Grimskull tumbles to the mat.
Just then, a “10” flashes on the tron, and the countdown to our next competitor’s entrance has begun!
“NINE!”
“EIGHT!”
“SEVEN!”
“SIX!”
The crowd is chanting along with the countdown as Dr. Death turns his attention from Grimskull to the stage.
“FIVE!”
“FOUR!”
“THREE!”
“TWO!”
“ONE!”
The buzzer sounds at zero.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] invasion MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] vision [/edgtf_highlight]
The Awoken One appears, foregoing his usual slow descent upon the ring as “Fear of the Dark” by METAKLAPA echoes out, sung along to by a choir of hooded figures throughout the crowd. V1sion, using his staff to guide his mind’s eye towards the ring, moves swiftly past Frigtengale on the outside and slides into the ring to meet Dr. Death head-on.
Dr. Death takes a wild swing at V1sion—
PARRIED BY V1SION’S STAFF!
Luchadeath’s cane flies out of the ring to the outside from the force of the parry, and now Dr. Death finds himself wide open, caught like so many of his past patients that he has cut open for surgery.
CRACK!
STAFF TO THE FACE!
Dr. Death flops backwards into the steps of the ladder and V1sion follows up with a staff-stab to the gut that doubles over the doc. V1sion rears back The Seeing Eye to crack over the doc’s back—
BUT GRIMSKULL SNAGS THE STAFF FROM BEHIND!
V1sion, with a snarl, turns about face and you could see the fire lit up inside of him at this moment! V1sion yanks his staff at himself to bring Grimskull in close—
V1SION GRABS GRIMSKULL BY THE SKULL—
He brings the martyr in close, speaking in tongues, almost chanting as he presses his thumbs into Grimskull’s purple eyes—
BLINDSPOT!!
Grimskull shrieks in agony as V1sion takes his old friend down to the mat, still digging those thumbs in deep as Grimskull simply endures this pain, his followers chanting his name from the crowd as if they were embracing his pain as well!
V1sion has a bone to pick with Grimskull though, and he’s only getting started here tonight.
V1sion stomps on Grimskull—
STOMP!
STOMP!!
STOMP!!!
HE’S PUTTING THE BOOTS TO GRIMSKULL!!
But here comes Dr. Death with another back handspring off the ropes—
LETHAL INJECTION—
MISSES FOR A SECOND TIME!
The Third Eye saw that one coming, evading before Luchadeath jumped backwards right into the ladder! Death holds his neck as he crumbles to the mat next to Grimskull, both men now down as V1sion stands alone next to the ladder. He points to the sky as a chanting intensifies from his followers in the crowd…
V1SION IS CLIMBING THE LADDER NOW!
Slowly he ascends…
HE’S GETTING CLOSER!
WILL THE OTHER THREE COMPETITORS EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE MATCH?
V1sion doesn’t see Grimskull ascending the opposite side of the ladder, he’s hobbled but he’s moving at a faster pace and he catches up across from V1sion before he reaches the pinnacle.
RIGHT HAND FROM GRIMSKULL!
V1sion is rocked, teetering a bit, and Grimskull reaches up for the briefcase…
…
RIGHT HAND FROM V1SION!
Now Grimskull is rocked, teetering himself as V1sion reaches up, getting a fumbling hand on the briefcase!
…
….
…
ANOTHER RIGHT FROM GRIMSKULL!
A LEFT FROM V1SION!
GRIMSKULL IS TEETERING!
…
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…
OH NO!
DR. DEATH JUST PUSHED THE LADDER OVER!
BOTH MEN HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED OUT OF THE RING, OVER THE BARRIER AND INTO THE CROWD!
But there’s no thud, and Dr. Death looks out to see both men have been caught by their respective followers—
GRIMSKULL AND V1SION ARE BEING CARRIED FACE-UP WITH THEIR ARMS OUT TOWARDS THE BARRIER BY THEIR FOLLOWERS!
THEY LOOK LIKE A COUPLE OF ROCK STARS!
The countdown is again displayed on the tron and the crowd counts down along with it as Grimskull and V1sion are plopped back to ringside. V1sion and Grimskull brawl on the outside as Doc de la Muerte looks to the stage when the buzzer sounds at zero.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] invasion MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] el mariachi muerte [/edgtf_highlight]
Darkness engulfs the stage.
A single spotlight illuminates but a single figure who appears, holding a guitar. He begins to play a flowing Mariachi song on his guitar. As he plays through the introduction of his song, fire appears around as he sings.
IT’S EL MARIACHI MUERTE!
His gruff voice sounds out in Spanish, singing the lyrics to “Killing me Softly” by Pitingo as the crowd pops! Mariachi bolts to the ring, handing off his guitar to Frightengale as if she were his roadie, and slides into the ring next to Dr. Death.
The two luchadors exchange a glance and nod their heads. They bound off the ropes in unison, and sprint to the opposite side towards the brawling V1sion and Grimskull—
DOUBLE TOPES!
TOPE CON HILOS ONTO V1SION AND GRIMSKULL!
We have some teamwork here between the luchadors, and they rile up the crowd as they go to work on the other two men!
Mariachi chops V1sion , then drops V1sion chest first onto the barrier! Meanwhile Dr. Death runs along the top of the barrier towards Grimskull—
LEAPING HURRICANRANA! GRIMWOLF IS SENT CRASHING INTO THE BARRIER!
Mariachi rolls V1sion into the ring and follows close behind, signaling to Dr. Death here. But for what?
Mariachi stuffs V1sion between his legs as Death climbs to the top rope. The luchadors pause a moment to interact.
“VIDA MUERTE!” they shout in unison as they flash a hand gesture, then Mariachi packages V1sion up as Death leaps off the top rope—
PACKAGE PILEDRIVER DOUBLE FOOT STOMP COMBO!!
LIFE AFTER DEATH CONNECTS!!
The crowd is going wild for O’Death, but the two men meet in the middle of the ring again, and Mariachi shoves Death, which places a pause on the cheers. After a moment, Mariachi smiles and Death points to Frightengale—
“DAME LA MESA!”
Frightengale must have been waiting for those words, because with a cackle she flips up the ring skirt and creepily but also eerily seductively slides a table out from under the ring. She slides it in the ring for them just as the countdown begins again. As Dr. Death sets the table up, Grimwolf slides in the ring and sprints towards Mariachi throwing a wild right hand at him, which Singing Death ducks, catching Grimskull’s arm into a half nelson and yanking the other arm between the legs into a pumphandle. The crowd counts down from 3 as Mariachi lifts Grimskull up—
PUMPHANDLE HALF NELSON DRIVER!!
MARIACHI JUST SANG GRIMSKULL HIS FINAL VERSE!!
The buzzer once again sounds at zero as everyone with their wits about them focuses on the stage for the next competitor.
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] invasion MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] jasper redgrave [/edgtf_highlight]
The arena falls into darkness, and all motion stops in the ring.
A single stage light beams down on the entrance way as it begins to fill with a thick fog.
OH SHIT—
“Paint it Black” by Leo Moracchioli begins hammering the sound system and the fog slowly begins to part until the silhouette of a man stands just behind the spot light.
IT’S HIM!
The silhouette takes full form as “The Artist” Jasper Redgrave steps into the light.
JASPER REDGRAVE IS HERE!!
He shoots a menacing glare to the throne area before bending at the knees suddenly and smacking the stage with his right hand. Immediately, he bursts forward into a standing position with both arms raised in taunt before methodically making his way down the ramp, eyeing the suddenly subdued Frightengale who steps aside from him. Jasper slides into the ring and finds himself surrounded by the four other competitors who are on their feet.
Jasper towers over the other men in the ring, a true Titan in his own right. He looks up to briefcase, then back to the other four men and a sadistic smile breaks out on his face as if he’s about to have some fun…
Dr. Death charges at Redgrave—
BIG BOOT BY REDGRAVE DROPS LUCHADEATH!
El Mariachi Muerte is next to try his hand—
RIGHT HAND THROWN BY MARIACHI—
IS CAUGHT BY REDGRAVE!
The Artists merely shakes his head, that sick smile still on full display, and squeezes Mariachi’s fist with such might that it brings Singing Death to his knees!
LEAPING SPINNING HEART PUNCH BY DR. DEATH!!
DEFIBRILLATION—
TO MARIACHI??
YES! JASPER SHIELDED HIMSELF WITH THE DOC’S TAG TEAM PARTNER!
Mariachi indeed took the brunt of it, and Death stands over him astounded at the harm he caused. But there’s no time for empathy when a serial killer is in the ring with you.
SUPERKICK BY REDGRAVE!
This launches Dr. Death into the ropes and on the rebound Death bounces right back into Redgrave—
HIGH VELOCITY BACK SPINNING ELBOW!!
THE COLLAGE OF VIOLENCE!!
Dr. Death joins his amigo on the mat as V1sion gives Jasper a go from behind—
STANDING DRAGON SLEEPER!!
HELLO DARKNESS!!
V1SION REARS BACK WITH ALL HIS MIGHT, ARCHING REDGRAVE’S BACK!!
Jasper reaches out, but there’s no rope breaks in this match, and the only way out is to sack up, and based on the laugh emanating from Jasper’s mouth, I’d say V1sion may be in trouble here.
Redgrave overpowers V1sion, lifting the oracle into a stalling inverted suplex…
AND DROPS HIM INTO A CUTTER!!
MODIFIED NIGHTMARE PENDULUM!!
V1SION’S THIRD EYE JUST BARED WITNESS TO THE PORTRAIT OF A KILLER!!
Three men down now, and Jasper looks for Grimskull who has slid a second ladder into the ring between the ropes. Redgrave moves towards the ladder as Grimskull pushes his end of the ladder down, propelling the other end upwards right at the artist’s face—
DUNK!
REDGRAVE JUST TOOK A LADDER OFF THE CHIN!
This knocks Redgrave back, and Grimskull slides into the ring again. He measures Redgrave from a distance, and as the big man regains his wits, Grimskull strikes—
LESSON!!
SUPERKICK CONNECTS TO THE CHIN!!
That’s two big shots that Redgrave has taken now, and he may be out on his feet. Grimskull picks up the second ladder and takes aim at Redgrave. He charges—
SUPERKICK BY REDGRAVE TO THE LADDER!
GRIMSKULL IS STOPPED IN HIS TRACKS!
The ladder lands on top of Grimskull. All four men are down now, and Jasper picks up the second ladder now, setting it up in the center of the ring next to the first ladder and just far enough away from the table. He smacks a step and a hush overtakes the crowd as he begins his ascent up towards the briefcase.
The final countdown begins on the tron, and the crowd counts down along with it for the last time tonight all the way to zero as we determine whether Jackson Cade will show up tonight, and if so, will he be able to stop this madman?
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] invasion MATCH [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] JACKSON CADE [/edgtf_highlight]
The lights dim in the arena as the opening chords of Danger Zone play throughout the arena.
A spotlight shines on the entrance and Redgrave focuses his attention towards the stage from atop the ladder…
BUT NO ONE STEPS THROUGH THE ENTRANCE!
JACKSON CADE IS M.I.A.!!
Redgrave’s laughs echo throughout Olympus as he directs his attention back to the briefcase, which is now an arm’s length away. No one is standing between him and the briefcase now.
REDGRAVE REACHES UP—
…
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….
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OH MY GOD—
IT’S JACKSON CADE!!!
HE JUST RAPPELLED DOWN FROM THE RAFTERS!!!
AND HE’S FACE TO FACE WITH JASPER REDGRAVE ON THE LADDER!!!
Cade grabs his nightstick—
HE HIT JASPER’S HAND WITH THE NIGHTSTICK, KNOCKING IT AWAY FROM THE BRIEFCASE!
Cade reaches for something in his pocket…
HANDCUFFS!
Cade slaps the handcuffs on Redgrave, and unhooks himself from the cable he descended from, instead hooking it to Redgrave’s chain between the cuffs. Meanwhile, V1sion has begun climbing the adjacent ladder, and Cade takes a wire cutter out of his back pocket…
CADE SHOWS THE CUTTER TO THE CROWD AND POINTS AT REDGRAVE!
THE CROWD SCREAMS IN APPROVAL!
Cade boots Jasper off the ladder, and now Redgrave hangs from the rafters, a sitting duck as he drifts around in the air. V1sion has turned towards him from the adjacent ladder, as if he saw this vision before it happened and knew what needed to be done.
And in one quick second, Cade cuts the wire as V1sion leaps at Redgrave—
SPEEEEEEEEEARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
V1SION JUST SPEARED REDGRAVE TO THE MAT!!!!!!!!!
“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT”
THE CROWD HAS LOST IT!
JACKSON CADE HAS LOST IT!
V1SION JUST SPEARED REDGRAVE TO HELL!
And now there’s one man perched atop the ladder like a bird:
Jackson Cade.
He’s out of sorts, whatever drip that was going into his veins still having an effect on him, but he’s aware enough to see that beautiful briefcase before him!
He reaches up for the briefcase—
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BUT HE’S YANKED DOWN A RUNG BY DR. DEATH!
Cade shakes Death off him, booting him to the mat and climbing back up. Cade reaches up again…
BUT MARIACHI IS FACE TO FACE WITH CADE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE LADDER NOW!
Mariachi jabs something into Cade’s shoulder—
WHAT THE HELL??
WHERE DID THAT SYRINGE COME FROM??
Frightengale cackles from the outside as Mariachi retracts the needle from Cade’s arm, which goes completely flaccid.
MARIACHI JUST SHOT CADE’S ARM UP WITH SOME OF DR. DEATH’S NOVOCAINE!!
Cade, unable to reach for the briefcase now, is at Mariachi’s mercy, and Mariachi grapples him—
OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY—
OFF THE LADDER ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE MAT!!
WHISKEY LULLABY OFF THE LADDER!!
Cade, Mariachi, and Redgrave are down, licking their wounds, with some worse for wear than others, leaving V1sion and Grimskull to renew their rivalry for a moment here as Dr. Death gives orders to his circulating Nurse. V1sion and Grimskull focus on one another, trading blows as Frightengale and Dr. Death begin surrounding the ring by setting up tables on all four sides!
WHAT KIND OF SURGERY ARE THEY SETTING UP FOR HERE?!
As the two old friends continue duking it out in the ring, Death slides a third ladder into the ring behind Grimskull…
BACK HEEL KICK BY V1SION DOUBLES OVER GRIMSKULL!
V1sion runs ropes, and on the rebound sprints towards the Preacher—
DROP TOE HOLD ONTO THE LADDER!!
DEATH TO HELLIONS!!
V1SION JUST GOT A VISION OF COLD, HARD STEEL!!
Red tears are flowing out of V1sion’s third eye now, the oracle having been properly busted open. Grimskull stands over the fallen prophet, totally unaware of Frightengale sliding two big metal instruments into the ring to O’Death who stalk the Suffering Servant from behind—
CLANG!!!
SUFFER, MARTYR!!!
CON-CHAIR-TO!!!
DOUBLE CHAIR SHOTS TO THE HEAD!!!
THOSE INSTRUMENTS AREN’T STERILE—
BUT THEY SURE ROCK HARD!!!
The clang of metal striking bone echoes through the arena, and V1sion drops next to his old friend on the mat, keeping his friends close but his enemies closer. Next to them, the handcuffed Jasper Redgrave gets to his knees, and O’Death stand on either side of him, measuring him up for another harmony…
DEATH AND MARIACHI SWING—
CLANG!
THEY’RE PLAYING HEAVY METAL! THE CHAIRS MEET EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF SKULL!
Redgrave ducked at the last millisecond, and the impact shocked O’Death’s hands, forcing them to drop the chairs! Redgrave stands up and with a visceral growl breaks the chain that binded the cuffs together, freeing his hands and emancipating himself in the process! With a sickening crack, Redgrave realigns his vertebrae, and turns his attention to the luchadors dos—
BIG LARIAT TURNS MARIACHI INSIDE OUT!
SINGING DEATH SPUN AROUND INTO A BEAUTIFUL OBLIVION!
Redgrave turns to Luchadoc and charges—
ANOTHER BIG LARIAT—
THAT DEATH DUCKS UNDERNEATH!
Dr. Death back handsprings into the ropes—
WILL THE THIRD TIME BE THE CHARM??
NO!!
KNEE TO THE GUT BY REDGRAVE AS DEATH WAS AGAINST THE ROPES!!
Redgrave slides that third ladder in between a rung in the ladder, creating a ramp up from next to the ropes. He gazes upon the doc, and one can see the wicked idea that overtakes the artist. Redgrave slings Death’s legs over the second rope, locking his head between his arm and body. Redgrave looks to Frightengale who begs with him not to do it, then drives Death’s head down onto the flattened ladder—
ROPE HUNG DDT ONTO THE EDGE OF THE LADDER!!
BLOOD ON THE CANVAS!!
Frightengale’s shriek echoes throughout the arena as Death falls limply beside V1sion and Grimskull.
KICK TO THE GUT BY MARIACHI!
This doubles over Jasper, and Mariachi tucks Redgrave’s head between the legs. With a massive heave, Mariachi miraculously manages to lift Redgrave up onto this shoulders—
AND SPRINGBOARDS HIM OFF THE TOP ROPE—
HE’S GOING FOR THE LUNGBLOWER—
BUT THIS ISN’T THE ARTIST’S LAST CARNIVALE!!
Redgrave’s momentum off the rope whips Mariachi backwards and Redgrave lands on his knees over Mariachi’s head! Redgrave continues the momentum, hammering away on Singing Death’s head with elbow after elbow, after elbow, after elbow—
AFTER ELBOW!
AFTER ELBOW!!
BRUSH STROKES!!
The Artist concludes his painting, stepping away from Mariachi and admiring his artwork. Then, he turns his attention up to the briefcase, admiring it once again as if it were the Mona Lisa. He steps to the ladder and begins to climb again. V1sion, who now sports a crimson mask, senses movement, and crawls over towards Redgrave, grabbing his foot from below to impede his progress. Redgrave easily kicks V1sion off of him, drilling him right in his third eye and continues his ascent, however.
Up Redgrave climbs up to the top, pausing to sit at the top for a bit of showboating.
He chuckles at the crowd, who are utterly terrified to react so as not to piss this psychopath off. He bows instead of reaching for the briefcase, and notices Jackson Cade slowly but surely climbing up the ramp to the side opposite of him.
Up Jackson climbs, the novocaine having worn off his arm at this point, but he’s still overall slow from whatever drugs are still in his system from earlier. Redgrave welcomes him up to join him, taunting him with every step he takes. Finally, they meet at eye level, and Cade takes a wild swing at Redgrave—
HAYMAKER TO THE FACE!
This turns Redgrave, but he slowly turns back towards Cade…
WITH A SADISTIC SMILE ON HIS FACE!
HE’S LAUGHING HIS ASS OFF IN CADE’S FACE!
Cade grabs Redgrave’s arm and yanks him towards himself—
BULLHAMMER ELBOW TO REDGRAVE!!
INCENDIARY ROUND!!
REDGRAVE IS ACTUALLY TEETERING NOW!!
The artist waves his arms around, trying to regain his balance atop the ladder…
CADE REACHES UP—
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….
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….
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….
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….
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BUT V1SION SHAKES THE LADDER, THROWING CADE AND REDGRAVE OFF BALANCE!
Cade and Redgrave grab hold of one another out of necessity, Redgrave smiling intensely in Cade’s face, and Cade shakes his head—
GUT PUNCH BY CADE!
Cade interlocks with Redgrave and hoists him up—
THE MASTER KEY BRAINBUSTER??
NO!!
CADE IS TOO WEAK RIGHT NOW!!
OR IS IT THAT REDGRAVE IS TOO HEAVY??
Cade looks utterly exhausted, and just like that Redgrave takes advantage of his opening—
HEADBUTT!
ANOTHER!!
Cade looks out on his feet and again, rather than going for the briefcase, Redgrave decides to make an exhibit of Cade. He hoists Perseus up into a crucifix—
CADE IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE BRIEFCASE…
BUT HE DOESN’T REALIZE IT!
The crowd is on their feet as Redgrave looks down to the ladder ramp below them…
REDGRAVE POWERBOMBS HIM DOWN—
TIME TO FLY, LITTLE BIRDIE!!
VANISHING POINT ONTO THE LADDER!!
BAH GAWD, CADE MAY BE BROKEN IN HALF!!
“YOU SICK FUCK!”
“YOU SICK FUCK!”
THE CROWD IS CHANTING AT REDGRAVE AS HE BREATHES IT ALL IN FROM ATOP THE PERCH!
The eagle has landed, and Cade topples off the side of the ladder ramp in a heap at the very same moment that Dr. Death comes flying out of nowhere, sprinting up the ramp and hopping up and over the unsuspecting Redgrave—
CODE BLUE!!
OFF THE LADDER THROUGH THE TABLE IN THE RING!!
“LUCHADEATH! LUCHADEATH!”
THE CROWD HAS COME UNGLUED!
THEY’RE LOSING IT!
BODIES ARE STREWN EVERYWHERE—
IT LOOKS LIKE A DAMN CAR CRASH IN HERE!
EVERYONE IS DOWN…
Except for one.
For there is only one…
Only Grimskull.
He now finds himself atop the adjacent, second ladder above everyone.
Grimskull reaches up—
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BUT THE BRIEFCASE IS JUST OUT OF REACH!
Grimskull looks down at his opponents.
He looks up at the briefcase again.
He steps onto the top of the ladder and puts his arms in the praying position…
HE’S NOT GONNA DO THIS, IS HE??
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YES!!
HE IS!!
HE LEAPS, WITH HIS ARMS OUT TO SIDES—
FLYING HEADBUTT OFF THE LADDER ONTO EL MARIACHI MUERTE, CADE, AND V1SION!!!
PRAAAAAAAAYERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
HOOOOLY MOOOOOOOLY!!!!!!!
GRIMSKULL HAS ENDURED THE FALL!!!!!!!
THE CROWD IS GIVING THESE SIX MEN A STANDING OVATION!!!!!
Everyone is down.
Grimskull just sacrificed himself to put everyone on an equal playing field, and it’s a while before there is any meaningful movement here.
The crowd is hushed in anticipation, every now and again letting out a word of encouragement to their favorite Titan in the ring.
The briefcase looms high over the six of them, just hanging.
Dangling.
There for the taking.
V1sion is first up, placing his hands on the center ladder and attempting to climb.
El Mariachi Muerte is second up. He rearranges the ramp ladder, setting it up next to the centered ladder and begins to ascend adjacent to V1sion.
Up third is Dr. Death, moving the remaining ladder next to he center ladder on the other side, and he begins climbing next to Mariachi!
The three men push and hit one another as the fourth man up, Grimskull, gets to climbing on the opposite side from V1sion!
Now Jasper Redgrave, seeing what’s happening, begins to climb the nearest ladder, opposite from Dr. Death!
COME ON JACKSON, GET UP!
YES!
With whatever strength Jackson Cade has left, he begins his climb up the middle ladder between Redgrave and Grimskull, opposite Mariachi!
EVERY COMPETITOR IS CLIMBING!
THEY’RE ALL IN THIS!
BUT WHO WILL REACH THE BRIEFCASE?
DARKNESS.
WHAT THE FUCK!?
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!
A RED LIGHT APPEARS.
HOLY SHIT…
The red light flashes to darkness.
CRASH!!!!
The lights come back on and Jasper Redgrave and Dr. Death HAVE PLUMMETED THROUGH TABLES ON THE OUTSIDE!
HOW THE FUCK HAS THAT HAPPENED!?
Grimskull tussles with Vision.
Cade trades with Mariachi.
DARKNESS.
A RED LIGHT APPEARS AGAIN!
The red light flashes to darkness.
What the fuck is happening!?
THUD!!!!
The lights come back on to find Grimskull and Vision THROUGH OTHER TABLES ON THE OUTSIDE!
This is fucking insane!
Cade and El Mariachi stop trading, looking around the carnage with shock in their eyes. Something or someone has thrown people from these fucking ladders.
With Jackson turning to look at Redgrave, Muerte takes his opportunity, grabbing the Invasion Briefcase and SLAMMING IT INTO HIS FUCKING HEAD!
AGAIN!
AGAIN!
AGAIN!
CADE FALLS! CADE FALLS TO THE CANVAS!
El Mariachi Muerte has surely done it! He reaches up, unhooking the briefcase! EMM IS THE WINNER! EMM HAS WON INVASION!
DARKNESS.
A RED LIGHT APPEARS AGAIN!
The red light flashes to darkness.
There’s a commotion, but we can’t see what’s happening.
When the lights return, Muerte is hanging from the ladder, blood trickling down his face – the invasion briefcase sat atop the ladder.
What the fuck has happened here?
What the fuck is going on?
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] INVASION IX WINNER: EL MARIACHI MUERTE [/edgtf_highlight]
[edgtf_highlight background_color=”#b69fee” color=”#000000″] “factory SETTINGS” [/edgtf_highlight]
The Doom Factory.
We arrive in a large room inside The Doom Factory – one covered in monitors and utensils. Colt Ramsey is sedated, sat in a large operating style dentist chair. Upon his head is some kind of probe, with large needles piercing through it, into the scalp of Ramsey.
Behind him, looking at a large monitor, is none other than Zeus and Stubbins Doom.
“This is one hell of a device,” Zeus says, looking around the room in awe. “Are you sure it can do what you say?”
Doom scoffs.
“The Memory Meddler™ 3000 is one of the most unique devices in the whole of Arcadia, Baron. I study the human brain and have devised something capable of choosing specific memories and removing them from consciousness.”
Zeus’ eyebrows raise.
“You’re telling me that once I choose the correct memory and delete it, he won’t remember it at all?” He asks with surprise.
Doom nods proudly.
“Precisely,” he confirms. “All you do is take the memory using this tool on the device, drag and drop it into the recycling bin. Once you’re done, empty the bin and viola, the memory is gone.”
That stuns The Baron who really can’t believe his luck.
“I’d advise that you remove all memories relating to your secret, Baron – but don’t touch anything else. Should you delete too much, you may damage the brain,” Stubbins warns him. “We don’t want Mr. Ramsey accidentally reset back to factory settings, or we may as well murder the poor fool and be done with it.”
Zeus nods, getting himself into position.
“I’ll leave you alone to your work,” The Doctor says with a smirk, heading towards the exit. “If Mr. Ramsey wakes up, don’t panic, the device is not without pain.”
Both men chuckle.
Cut.