“I PROMISE I”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“It never feels like you’re here,” [Nicole says solemnly.] “You’re always a million miles away.”
[Kersh nods, sympathetic and understanding to her plight as the wife of a wrestler like him.]“I’m tired, baby,” [he responds.] “Battle after battle, war after war, I’m exhausted.”
[She stands up and walks around the table, taking a seat on his lap as he lowers his head.]“We both know what you need to do, don’t we? You have to back to the Tap Room and put this to bed,” [she says with a smile.] “You need to do what you do and finish this, Brent. Come back home to me safe and sound, so we can do what we need to do for our family.”
[Kersh looks up at her.] “I’m ready,” [he admits.] “I won’t let you down, I promise.” [She nods.]“You never do.”
[Nicole stands up, watching as Brent accompanies her to her feet. He leans in and gives her a kiss, caressing her face one last time before heading off to yet another war, a war in which his life may very well be on the line once again.]“I love you.”
[Cut.]“THE GUILD”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Is that so?”
“Aye.”
[An awkward moment of silence is broken by Pryce’s persistence.] “So, about the payment.”“Right,” [she says.] “The payment.”
[She reaches in her pocket and flips Charlie a coin. He snatches it out of the air and examines it.] [It’s gold. And with a head imprinted on each side.] [The Great Bandito.] [Charlie’s eyebrows raise.] [The lights in the warehouse turn on. Charlie shields his eyes from the penetrating fluorescence, but as his eyes adjust he sees he is surrounded.] [Innumerable people. All with masks over their faces like The Great Bandito’s, only red.] [Charlie turns to leave, and runs into The Great Bandito himself.]“What is this?” [Charlie demands.]
“What this is,” [The Great Bandito explains.] “Is the Guild. My guild.”
[Bandito kicks Charlie in the stomach and shoves him to the ground.]“And all of this? Nothing more than a test. You see they say there is no honor among thieves. But that’s not exactly true. It’s just rare. Rare enough that tests are required for entry into this… Thing of ours.”
[Charlie looks up at Bandito, realizing he has been had.]“You failed. So you, foe, you get nothing.”
[Charlie screams.] “NOTHING!?” [It is Bandito who smiles now.] “I only take from people like you, Charlie. I never give up the goods to an outsider. And if you want your share of the loot? Well, you’re going to have to take it from me. At Red Snow. You win? You get some of what you would have earned. If that fat fuck wins, he gets his car back.” [Pryce scowls.]“But if I win?” [Bandito gestures to the room full of people, as anonymous as himself, with only the color of his mask distinguishing him.]
“We take everything.”
[Cut.]PRETTYBODY VS. BANDITO VS. PRYCE
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
“SECRET”
RINGSIDE
“Mysterion, this has gone far enough.”
[He speaks to the entrance way, knowing that the Supper-Villain would be able to hear him.]“Can you not see what you have become in your desperate quest to keep the truth hidden? I was willing to hear your side of the story. But you’ve become everything your brother said you would be. A disappointment, an embarrassment. A desperate man, clinging to a vain hope that he can wish away the truth.”
[Rain stops, turning and looking over his shoulder as if interacting with a presence that only he can see. After a while, he nods in silent agreement before turning back to address Mysterion once more.]“You tried to blind me. The last action of a man who has already lost his fight. You made your bed and now you will lie in it. I told you all along, my will is stronger than you could ever imagine. You will not break me. All you have succeeded in doing is fueling the desire to finally tell these people what you are so afraid of them knowing. To tell the world your secret… About how your brother died.”
[Without warning, the lights around the Tap Room are cut to a blackout. Confusion sounds around the place. When the lights return, Mysterion is standing, no more than ten feet away from the ring holding a rather nasty looking ribbed dagger. He points the tip of the blade in Rain’s direction.]“Don’t say another fucking word.”
[Rain does not look intimidated. He turns, almost with a look of pity on his face.]“You poor, troubled soul. All you have left is rage, your villainous party tricks and a secret that has been eating you away for too long. Surely, enough is enough now?”
[Mysterion slips into the ring agilely. In the blink of an eye, he is standing almost face to face with Rain, the blade still pointed at him.]“I warned you. I told you to drop it and you didn’t. You think you’re so unbreakable, but I will stop at nothing to keep whatever lies you are about to spew silent. So, hold your tongue, or I’ll cut it off. I’m here for my pound of flesh.”
[Rain shakes his head slowly. He defiantly steps forward, a faraway look in his eyes as he stares past Mysterion into the void.]“I believe your brother… You’re a disappointment and you don’t have the guts.”
[Mysterion doesn’t speak. He simply reacts with blind instinctive anger, unhinged rage of a man on the edge of sanity. He drives the dagger forth into the abdomen of Rain. A stab wound to keep the Impairer of Worlds silent. Rain looks down at the blood beginning to weep out of his wounds. But he does not falter, he does not fall. He tears free the dagger and tosses it away.]“Is that the best you can do?”
MYSTERION VS. RAIN
SINGLES MATCH
“THE REAL REAL WILD KARRDE”
FLASHBACK
“What are you doing here?”
[Mr. Knot carefully walks into frame, something in his hands.]“You aren’t who I expected.”
[Knot stops in front of him, placing the item on the ground; with the lighting above, its revealed to be the Invasion Briefcase. Karrde looks stunned, his eyes widening and his head dipping backwards.]“You?” [He says inquisitively.] “You stole my case?”
“Something like that,” [Knot responds with a sinister nod.] “But I’m afraid this wild goose chase I’ve had you on must come to an abrupt end. I’ve needed you to be in this position, Karrde; I’ve had you hunting. But now your hunt must end.”
[The Gambler grimaces.]“Now, let’s change things up; let’s give you some power.”
[Before Wild Karrde can retort, Mr. Knot pulls a pistol from behind his back and fires a shot directly at his head.] [BANG!] [The bullet nails The Gambler right between the eyes and before you know it, he’s falling backwards like a sack of bricks, slamming into the concrete floor. Blood pours out as Mr. Knot approaches, putting a hand on his chest.]“There we go.”
[Slowly, Mr. Knot transforms into Wild Karrde, his entire visage changing before our very eyes. With his black and white striped shirt, cowboy hat and black jeans, he’s a new man.] [He stands up, adjusts himself and chuckles.]“It’s showtime.”
[Cut.] [Moments Later…] [Pitch Black.] [A pink hue flickers in the darkness ahead, stopping, then starting again abruptly. We carefully close in, watching as it gets brighter and brighter with every footstep.] [Then it stops.] [In that moment it feels like time has frozen. There’s a silence in the room, an eerie calm that radiates until finally, the pink hue returns brighter than before.] [This time revealing the grizzled face of Wild Karrde.]“Times change,” [he says in a voice, different than before; without accent.] “And you either evolve or you die.”
[He clicks his fingers, turning the lights on.]“I’ve lived a long and fruitful life. I’ve taken what I needed and tossed away the wreckage of who I am in that moment, discarding it as history long forgotten.”
[Using his hands, he clicks his fingers, returning the pink hue; within it, an ace, floating there.]“And in this visage, I have succeeded only as much as I have failed. The Gambler from Nevada is no more.”
[Click.] [Suddenly, his form becomes wavy, evaporating transparently into a pink hue. The ace he once levitated falls to the floor, landing face up.] [Then a boot stands on it.] [The camera rises to see a different man before us, with the same voice.]“Like I said, you evolve or you die.”
[He smiles.]“My name is Wild Karrde; a card that can take any value.”
[His eyes glow pink.]“And throughout history, I have taken many forms, stolen many hearts and survived many battles. I am not a victim; I have never been.”
[Karrde walks towards us.]“Perhaps it’s time you met the real me.”
[He clicks his fingers, vanishing.] [Cut.]ZANDER ZANE VS. WILD KARRDE
SINGLES MATCH
“MISSION”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“How do you feel?”
[An unknown voice echoes throughout the pitch black, grumbling low and deep. We still don’t see anything, just darkness.]“Different,” [another voice responds.] “At peace, yet somehow stronger than I’ve ever been.”
“Hm,” [is the response.] “The power now flows through you. You have a responsibility to them, and to us. You know what’s coming, yes? You’ve been briefed?”
[There’s a shuffle, but we remain in darkness.]“I’ve been told.”
“Good. Next year you will return to them, protect them and guide them. You may uncover resistance at first but be persistent and remember your mission.”
“What of my life here?” [They ask.] “Will I ever be able to return?”
“This is your home, son,” [is the careful response. There’s a slight pause before he continues.] “Whatever happens to you in the Tap Room, you can always come back home.”
“I understand.”
[Silence.]“Just remember, the road ahead will be difficult. You’re in for a turbulent journey, but one that will change the course of history. You must remain beyond reproach. As one of our soldiers, you must be valiant, but honorable. You’re a representative of us. There have been many in the past, and you’ll now join their precious lineage.”
“I understand the terms,” [he responds.] “And I won’t let any of you down. The Tap Room needs me; they need me and I refuse to stand by and watch them suffer.”
“Very well.”
[Cut.]EDGAR NEVERMORE VS. HAPPY
SINGLES MATCH
“HAPPY DAYS”
RINGSIDE
“This is your final lesson, you stupid, stupid boy!” [Nevermore screams.] “Don’t trust anyone.”
[Nevermore goes to grab him but Happy stops him, blocking his right hand.] [The fans roar.] [And he snaps!] [Happy grabs Edgar and runs him into the top turnbuckle, head first. He bounces his face off repeatedly, busting him wide open as the audience rumble with cheers and applause. Edgar reels, unsure of what’s happening as his Prince decks him with a right hand.]“I’m not dead!” [He yells, his voice changing, sliding to the outside.] “I’m not dead!”
[He grabs a barbed wire bat from under the ring, ripping off his shirt and tie before entering under the bottom rope. What the fuck has happened to Happy?]“You leave my Grandson alone!” [He screeches in a feminine voice.] “He’s just a simple boy!”
[Happy walks over to Nevermore, slamming the bat down across his back violently.] [Again.] [Again.] [Ripping clumps of suit and shirt off his former ‘friends’ back.]“Why’d you make me do this?” [He cries.] “Why?”
[One final blow decimates Nevermore on the canvas, leaving him in a puddle of blood. Happy steps away, shaking his head.] [He’s snapped.] [But there’s clearly more to it than that.] [As he walks away talking to himself, it’s clear that Nana and Jacob were him all along.] [And if Happy has long departed, who the fuck are we left with?] [Cut.]KING ARTHUR VS. KNIGHTWATCH
SINGLES MATCH
“A GRAVE ENDING”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I have done everything that I could to take care of you Knightwatch. I thought you a knight most noble. A hero worth allying to reclaim what was rightfully mine.”
[He descends down the reassembled stairs, the coffin thrashing beneath his grip. He does not look at it, only keeping forward as he marches.]“Instead you proved disappointing. You aligned yourself with those that sought not your glory, but to use you.”
[Reaching the bottom of the stairwell, Arthur sets the coffin to the side, placing a large chunk of rock on top of it to keep back the thrashing of Knightwatch. ]“I tried to free you of your mortal attachments. I aimed to separate you. First by trial and friendliness. Then as a villain to lure you free. I even slaughtered them to cease you from distraction.”
[He goes over to his own coffin, looking over it with a sense of disgust. The feeling is replaced with rage, and he simply pushes the casket made of stone and ornate jewels away, letting it crash and crack onto the floor below. The rendering of the altered casket reveals a hole carved down deep beneath, a more permanent resting place never used before.]“But it wasn’t enough now, was it? You had burrowed yourself in too deep. So now Knightwatch, man gone rabid, fallen knight, I think it is time for you to be done.”
[Satisfied with the basic hole, he returns to where Knighwatch thrashes about frantically in his prison of wood and cheap fabric. Brushing the rock away, Arthur lifts the casket and lowers it down into the dark chasm unearthed, and turns back. From the side of the stairs, he pulls a sword from the shadows.]“I had planned this sword to be your crowning gift, your symbol of true knighthood. Now? It simply serves as a reminder of what could have been.”
[Arthur raises the sword upwards, and plunges it down into the coffin where Knightwatch’s chest was. The thrashing suddenly stops from the coffin, and within a few seconds, blood seems to creep up the hole and begin pooling where the sword struck through. ]“Goodbye Knightwatch. No one will remember you now.”
[The Lich King returns to his own coffin, and quickly grasps it. With a mighty heave, he lifts it far above his head, and throws it down. It clatters into the hole, landing with a solid thunk, and the sound of metal punching through the other side of the casket. Preparing just in case, he slides the pedestal back, to where it had sat for centuries before.] [Reaching for his staff, Arthur turns and marches up the stairs to the entrance to the tomb. He reaches the door, slowly shutting it behind him. As it shuts for the final time, the torches inside wisp out, closing this grim chapter of the story with darkness.]TROY SOLVEIG VS. SHADOW
SINGLES MATCH
“ANGEL”
RINGSIDE
“This isn’t over.” [The Angel growls.] “I will destroy you.”
[Shadow reaches out and accepts the offer, being dragged back to a standing position next to the man he tried to kill earlier this month. They look at each other for a brief moment, a twinkle in the eye of Shadow – and then The Fallen Angel swings for him violently.] [Suddenly, a piercing bright white light appears, blinding us all.] [It flashes across the ring like a shockwave.] [And when the dust has settled, we’re left with Shadow, his eyes burned from his skull – his mouth wide open, and his body led on the canvas with angel wings made of dust protruding from his fallen body.] [Dead.] [And stood over him, a calculated and focused frown upon his face, holding the angel blade from one week ago, is none other than Troy Solveig.] [The Viking slides the blade back into his armor and looks down at the Angel he promised not to kill, the focused expression having not left his face even once as he backs away, exiting the ring.] [Troy Solveig has killed Shadow.] [Did he have no choice?] [Would Shadow have stopped? He said this wasn’t over, he said he was going to kill him.] [The outline of The Fallen Angel’s body remains stained as Solveig simply stands there, motionless, either unable to move or choosing not to.] [Cut.]BRENT KERSH VS. ISAAC DANVERS
SINGLES MATCH
“CONGREGATION OF THE DAMNED II”
FLASHBACK
“B-But why?” [He begs upon the ground.] [Knot turns with a grin.]
“It’s not yours to reason why, is it, Chambers? All you need to know is that your time has come and that these people had to die. Their deaths are your burden to bear in your next miserable life.”
[He approaches D’von, shaking his head.]“I’m not ashamed to say that it simply had to be this way. In this world, we have heroes, we have villains and we have voices. Your kind must be vanquished at all costs. When we repel this hostile takeover, any threat to our victory must be destroyed. Men like you inspire and discourage, you have sway and create opinion. I can’t have that.”
[Knot slams the knife into Chambers heart, watching as he squirms and squeals in agony. As blood runs down his white gown, Knot twists the knife until he slumps backwards, falling to the floor.]“And I’m not sorry.”
[He smiles.] [Cut.]HATE VS. DAVID MANSON
DEATH MATCH
“In the beginning, he awakened. In the end, there will be BLOOD!”
[As they say the last word, Manson frees himself from the grip of Hate, grabs a weapon and swings for the fences!] [BARBED WIRE BAT TO THE FACE!] [The bat falls with Hate as the barbs have imbedded themselves in the bloody pool of his face! The Nightmare grins before picking up one of the shards of glass and slicing his own forehead. Manson lifts up Hate, with his face bleeding profusely, and runs towards the table!] [WELCOME TO MANSON STREET! THROUGH THE TABLE!] [The flame instantly goes out as Hate is not responding.] [Hate’s back is burned.] [His face is bleeding.] [And now Manson is lifting him up again.]“Now… we’re through Brandon.”
[THE HORRORSHOW ONTO ONE OF THE BOXES IN THE CORNER!] [BADUMMMMM!] [The explosion is massive as Hate’s body is bleeding profusely and seemingly part of his face has gone with the detonation! David Manson simply stands before putting a boot on the chest of Hate with a grin.] [ONE…] [TWO…] [THREE!] [Mercifully, this match is over. The Nightmare invites the now four people standing on the apron into the ring. They fall to their knees and look up at David Manson with blood pouring down their faces. His smile spreads across his face as his newly found followers look up to him.] [Hate has fallen, but The Nightmare has risen!]“I PROMISE II”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“I knew you’d make it home,” [she says proudly, throwing her arms around him.]
“I promised, didn’t I?”
[After their hug, Kersh takes one last look back at the home.]“I can’t believe I’m doing it,” [he remarks in surprise.] “I can’t believe I’m finally retiring. After all these years, I can’t believe it’s finally over.”
[She smiles.]“Are you sure you want to do this?”
[His face lights up.]“Am I sure? I’ve wanted nothing more. I used to think I needed this business, that I needed to wrestle to feel alive. Old School Wrestling has taken so much from me, from us, that if I stay here and keep giving it my all, it’ll take until there’s nothing left.”
[He pulls her in close.]“And I won’t lose you too.”
[They hug once more.]“It’s time for me to move on. It’s time for us to move on together and create a better life than what we had. I don’t care if I have to stack shelves or pack groceries, as long as our family is safe. I’m just sorry that it’s taken me this long to do the right thing.”
[They both finish their embrace with a loving kiss and get into the truck. Kersh starts the engine, looking back in the rear view one last time.] [He smiles.] [Then pulls away.] [Brent Kersh has finally driven off into the sunset.] [Retired.] [Cut.]NIGHTSTICK © VS. LUTHER CREED ©
DOUBLE FEATURE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
“You attacked my son?! You attacked my wife?! I should kill you for touching a damn hair on their head.”
[Creed grins before spitting some blood onto police uniform.]“I’ll touch whatever I want, pig.”
[Creed reaches out and touches the hair of Nightstick. The Law drives a punch into the midsection of Creed before hitting the ropes for another clothesline!] [HARD- MEANS NECESSARY!] [The spinning knee strike floors Nightstick as Creed spins in mid-air. Both men are flattened as Creed is spent. Creed throws an arm over Nightstick!] [ONE…] […] [TWO…] […] [THRE-NO!] [Nightstick managed to STILL get a shoulder up! Creed rolls to a seating position before realizing what he has to do. He climbs to the top rope just as Nightstick gets to his feet. Creed gets to his feet before Nightstick leaps up there with him!] [Nightstick headbutts him before pulling him between his legs and lifting him up for a powerbomb… FROM THE TOP ROPE!?] [WHAM!] [The Powerbomb connects, but Nightstick isn’t finished! He holds on and lifts him up again before slamming him down into the mat! But Nightstick STILL isn’t finished! He lifts Creed up once more before slamming him a third time down into the corner turnbuckle for a buckle bomb! Creed staggers forward from the impact before slamming down to the mat!] [BOMB DEFUSAL!] [The triple powerbomb combination seems to have done the trick as Nightstick rolls over Creed and pins him!] [ONE…] […] [TWO…] […] [THREE!] [Nightstick has done it here! He has vanquished the foe who has been a thorn in his side for many months by powerbombing him into defeat!]“BLACK & WHITE”
RINGSIDE
“I’ve spent far too much time trying to destroy these Negers that I’ve forgotten about the enemy of our own race.”
[He spits at Nightstick, covering him in saliva.]“Men like you who wish to live side by side with these animals, instead of above them as is our right.”
[The fans boo.]“I tried to show you the way, Nightstick,” [Wolfgang hisses.] “I tried to point you in the right direction.”
[He chuckles.]“And boy did my men want to know how your wife tasted. I should’ve let them have their fill.”
[Holy shit, Wolfgang broke into Nightstick’s house and framed The Revolution?] [He’s laughing and it’s no wonder why.]“You’re a neger sympathizer,” [he yells.] “And you’re what’s wrong with America; nay, the world. What happened to your wife was just the beginning and we’re only getting started.”
[Wolfgang backs away, laughing to himself as Nightstick lay in agony on the floor, buckling from the taser barbs embedded within him.] [Cut.]“JIGSAW”
BACKSTAGE
“What’s the matter?” [He asks.] [Rain gulps.] “The dead. I can hear them,” [he admits, shaking his head.] “And they’re afraid.”
[Solmon frowns in confusion.]“They’re telling us to leave, to run whilst we still can.”
“Why?”
[The Outcast shrugs.] “I don’t know. They won’t say. They’re just telling me that a threat is coming for The Outcasts and that we should go. But I don’t intend to go anywhere. In fact, I’m waiting on someone.” [Heath looks interested.]“Someone who needs our help, an outcast himself. Perhaps he can help defend us against whatever comes next; whatever it is these spirits are trying to warn us against.”
[Just then, a figure enters the room, his shadow looming over the seated Solman and Rain. It takes a moment but he eventually turns, dropping down into a seated position next to them.] [It’s Happy.]“Happy,” [Rain says, looking at him.] “Welcome home. I’m glad you decided to join us.”
“Happy?” [He grumbles, as if he’s never heard the name before.] “That’s not my name,” [He shakes his head.] “My name is Jigsaw.”
[Solman shares a glance in confusion with Rain, but doesn’t say anything.] [Neither does Rain.] [All three just sit in the darkness, in complete silence, as we fade to black.] [Static.] [Cut.]GAMEBOY © VS. REDWING VS. SPERO VS. BERENGAR
VHS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
…
[TWO!]…
[THREE- NO! Berengar is back to his feet and there’s a fire in his eyes as he forces Gameboy to his feet! The smaller hero is helpless to fight back as Berengar grabs his head and hammers away with a series of headbutts that rocks the poor gamer! He whips him into the ropes and hits a massive lariat that threatens to take his head off! But Berengar doesn’t stop there…] [AND CHOKESLAMS GAMEBOY INTO THE MAT!] [Player One is looking worse for wear as Berengar lifts him overhead and calls for an early end as he prepares to Vanquish Gameboy!] [SPRINGBOARD 630 SENTON FROM SPERO! BRIGHTEST DAY! THE MOVE CATCHES BOTH BERENGAR AND GAMEBOY AND SENDS BOTH MEN TO THE MAT! PLAYER ONE MIGHT NEED AN EXTRA LIFE AFTER THAT!] [The high flier gets to his feet and drags Berengar to the center of the ring before going for a pin- instant kick out by Berengar! The Void Knight is on an inhuman rampage as he rises to his feet and shoves Spero back! He hits the ropes and comes back for a spear- no! Redblades careen off of his head! Redwing is back to his feet! Redwing throws the Batarang style tools with deadly precision, Spero and Berengar both forced to guard their faces with their arms!] [SINGLE LEG DROPKICK TO BERENGAR! GAMEBOY IS BACK IN THE FIGHT!] [All four men are up and Gameboy continues his assault on Berengar with a flurry of forearms! Meanwhile, Spero rushes Redwing and lands a leaping roundhouse that stuns him just long enough to go for a German Suplex- Redwing rolls through and lands on his feet! He grabs Spero from behind!] [HE SHOOTS A GRAPPLING HOOK INTO THE RAFTERS! THEY ASCEND UPWARDS!] [Berengar and Gameboy stop their brawl as the other two ascend, looking up at where they went-] [WHEN REDWING DROPS FROM ABOVE WITH HIS KNEES TO SPERO’S CHEST! THE TWO MEN COLLIDE WITH BERENGAR AND GAMEBOY! ALL FOUR MEN ARE DOWN!] [The ring shakes with the impact of that tremendous landing and no one seems to be able to stir amongst the wreckage! The referee begins to count, this may be a no contest! The referee checks the Vindicators before beginning to count!] [ONE!]…
[TWO!]…
[THREE!]…
[FOUR!]…
[FIVE!]…
[SIX- THERE’S LIFE FROM BERENGAR! THE VOID KNIGHT IS FIGHTING TO HIS FEET!] [As Berengar rises so does Spero! The Void Knight lays into the Hopeful one with a flurry of rights and lefts! He rears back for a headbutt-] [CHAIR TO THE SKULL! SPERO CREATED A CHAIR WITH HIS RING AND SMASHED IT AGAINST BERENGAR’S HEAD!] [He cracks it against Berengar’s back as the Void Knight stumbles! Another swing! Spero holds up the chair for another… And can’t seem to bring himself to swing again!] [BUT BERENGAR CAN! HE GOES FOR A HAYMAKER- AND GAMEBOY GRABS HIS ARM FROM BEHIND!] [Berengar is enraged! He swings his arm and throws Gameboy in front of him before kicking Spero back with a massive boot to the chest! Redwing rises and all four men circle one another!] [Then Berengar lets out a battle cry of pure fury! All three fellow heroes rush him but each gets dropped with a mighty blow! Each wild haymaker tosses another Vindicator and soon each man is down! They rise one by one for a final assault, rushing Berengar!] [VANQUISHER!] [VANQUISHER!] [VANQUISHER!] [A VANQUISHER! A PIECE FOR EACH VINDICATOR! BERENGAR COLLAPSES ON TOP OF SPERO FOR A PIN!] [ONE!]…
[TWO!]…
[THREE!] [The Void Knight has come out on top! He rolls off of Spero but even he is unable to stand after this hellacious match!]“SOMETHING TO FEAR”
RINGSIDE
“Stop this!”
[A voice suddenly echoes from behind. It belongs to Troy Solveig, yelling from the entrance. With his hammer in hand, he storms down the aisle and enters the ring.]“You can’t keep ripping each other apart,” [The Viking argues.] “Look at you, you’re destroying one another. What happened to your honor?”
[Troy gets between them, standing in the middle.] [This could backfire at any moment.] [However, Berengar looks perplexed.]“Us?” [He begs the question.] “You murdered an Angel in cold blood tonight. Don’t preach honor to us.”
[Solveig smiles, shrugging his shoulders.]“You’re right.”
[Suddenly, The Viking swings with his hammer, catching Berengar right in the chest, knocking him backwards into the ropes. He falls forward, slumping on the canvas in a heap.] [Gameboy, Spero and Redwing can’t believe it.] [Then he turns his attention to them, slamming Vǫlsungr down into the canvas with a mighty thud. The shockwave sends the rest of the Vindicators sprawling to their knees. Troy rises, a sadistic and sinister smile on his face. Berengar pulls himself to his knees, slumping with them as Solveig stands over them, Vǫlsungr resting on his shoulder.] [He begins to pace back and forth.] [The Vindicators having formed a line before him, kneeling, reeling from his hammer.]“Eenie, meenie, miny, mo!” [Solveig says, grinning.] “Look no further. You wanted the culprit, you got him. Now I’m sure you have many questions, none of which I’m going to do you the courtesy of answering.”
[They look at each other, their eyes full of fear and regret.]“But perhaps you should ask one of yourselves; since you were so eager to believe a fellow Vindicator was responsible, did you ever trust your friends at all? Could you? This façade of heroism you’ve created has fallen apart, broken and shattered, and all it took was a lack of hope.”
[He laughs, shaking his head and stopping before Spero.]“Hope you used to save Berengar’s life.”
[Spero looks up at him bravely.]“Get on with it, Solveig,” [he barks.] “I know what comes next. I know you plan to bury that hammer in one of our heads; do it. Do it and finish what you started.”
[Troy laughs.]“As you wish. Just remember, you did this.”
[He raises Vǫlsungr.] [Spero looks up.] [Gameboy looks up.] [Berengar looks up.]“You can breathe. You can blink. You can cry. Hell, you’re all going to be doing that.”
[THUD!] [The camera cuts away as a sickening blow is delivered to one of the Vindicators, caving his head in with the brutal hammer Vǫlsungr.] [When the camera cuts back, there’s blood, brain matter and all kinds visceral gore laid bare across the canvas.] [There’s Gameboy, his head caved in, dead.] [Berengar, Spero and Redwing bellow in horror, but it’s too late.] [They turn and Solveig is gone.] [Their friend taken by one they believed to be their own.] [There’s no coming back from this. There’s no return. There’s no Vindicators, no friendship, no way they can repair this bond.] [Poor Gameboy is dead.] [Solveig is a monster.] [Cut.]“SORRY”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Look, you have no idea what it’s like to be a black man in a world where white is the only colour that matters,” [Creed says, shaking his head.] “And I know I put that on you. I know I saw the colour of your skin, of that uniform, and I did to you what the world does to me. I just couldn’t see it. It wasn’t until Redmond accused me of attacking your wife that I realized the man I had become.”
[Nightstick shakes his head.]“Why would you?” [Stick asks.] “You’ve spent your entire life afraid of the colour of my skin and my uniform. There’re cops out there that’d sooner kill you than ask you a question. I know the world we live in. I know the men you refer to, and why you wish to make an example of them. You might not think I understand and maybe when this whole thing started, I didn’t; but I do now.”
[Creed nods.]“What you need to understand is that there’s men like me out there who don’t see the colour of your skin; all we see is a man. There’re cops out there that don’t pull you over because you’re black, but because your tail light was out or you were speeding. Not every white man is a racist. Not every white man wants to see you dead. But you can’t help but see it that way and many of your fellow men and women, perpetuate that stereotype to their own benefit. White might be the only colour that matters to some, but it isn’t like that to all. When you assume that we hate you because of how you look, you racially profile us.”
“It’s tough to see the world like that when you’ve gotta fight for every fucking thing you have. Tooth and nail, day in day out, back to the wall like a fucking dog, man. There’s no privilege for my people. There’s no future unless we take it, unless we make it. You might not hate us but the world doesn’t see us as equal, it doesn’t see us as men, but as colours. I need the world to see that people like Quinn and I are just as important as men like you. I need the world to see that our movement isn’t about hate, but about equality.”
“I believe in your fight, Luther.”
[That surprises Creed.]“I believe that we should all be treated equal. I believe that the world can be a better place if we stop hating each other, stop judging each other and start believing in one another. I know that you’re mistreated. Racism exists, man. People stereotype us both and expect neither of us to believe the other when we say it. Fuck, you came after me because I wore a badge and looked like every white cop that murdered your friend. That’s racist. But I know why you feel that way. I know why you’ve come to hate men like me but you need to know that some of us believe in you.”
[Luther reluctantly agrees.] “I’m not arguing with you, because you’re right. But I chose you because I saw an opportunity to show the world our plight. I victimized you unfairly because that’s how we’re treated, day after day, week after week, and people die because of it. I’m sorry that I tarred you with the same brush. I’m sorry that I saw you as a colour, not a man. I’m sorry that I undermined everything I wanted to achieve by targeting someone who didn’t feel like I assumed they ought to. I’m sorry that this world makes me behave like that.” [Nightstick nods in thank you.]“And I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that I didn’t understand you better. I’m sorry that people don’t treat you the way that I do and I wish I could change the world to stop it. I’m sorry that racism exists, both white on black and black on white. I’m sorry that we can’t just get along, as people, and leave this fucking shit behind for the dark ages. I’m sorry that you can’t look at a cop and question whether or not he’s going to take your life because there are cops out there who would, in a heartbeat, without so much as a second thought. I’m sorry that you have to live like that, kid.”
[Both men stand up, their hands outstretched.] [Finally, they understand each other.] [And they shake hands.]“Let’s both make this world a better place.”
[Creed nods.] [With their words spoken and their hearts poured out into the world, Nightstick heads for the door, only to be stopped by Creed’s voice.]“Be careful of Wolfgang, Stick,” [he says sincerely.] “I’m sorry about your wife but that man is a fucking animal and you need to watch your back.”
[Nightstick nods.]“If there’s one thing I can do for you and me alike, it’s stop that piece of shit from hurting another soul again.”
[Creed grins.] “You know where I am if you need me.” [Cut.]WOLFGANG VS. REDMOND QUINN ©
STEEL CAGE MATCH
“FINISH IT!”
RINGSIDE
“Finish it,” [he yells.] “Beende es!”
[Redmond looks down, focused.]“Go on you fucking coward, finish it.”
[The Teacher takes off his glasses and shakes his head, stepping away. The fans cheer, but Redmond isn’t giving up on himself that easily.]“Do you think you’ve broken me, is that it?” [Quinn calmly says back.] “You might have, only the Lord knows how close you came, but you didn’t. All you’ve done is reaffirm the kind of man I need to be. I’m not going to kill you,” [he says with a smile.] “No, I won’t sacrifice my morals for vengeance. I’m a good man.”
[He backs away, only to shrug and then run back at him.] [BLOOD AND SOIL TO WOLFGANG!] [CURBSTOMP!] [The fans roar as Quinn puts an exclamation mark on this bitter rivalry, driving his enemy face first into the mat – in a similar fashion that Wolfgang did to him when they first encountered each other at the start of Season 8.] [Quinn kneels down next to his unconscious tormentor.]“And maybe after that, I’m not as much of a good man as I am a man, but I pity a rabid animal like you all the same. This is over, Wolfgang.”
[He stands up, acknowledging the applause from the crowd as he slowly backs away and leaves Wolfgang laying, unconscious, beaten and finished – once and for all.] [Cut.]“BEREFT”
RINGSIDE
“I’m devastated that it has come to this, but these fine people around me have assembled to witness the fall of grace of a once noble man.”
[He nods to Judah who steps forward.]“Elijah, it’s time.” [He sadly states.] [With no fanfare, no music or adornment, Eli Forever appears through the entrance way. His clothes are even more dishevelled than we last saw, and he walks with a deranged tilt as he makes his way down to the ring, his attention never wavering from Edward Newton.]
“My son.” [Magdalene says as she steps forward.] “I’m so sorry that all of this had to happen.”
[He instinctively bows his head as she puts her hands on his shoulders. She kisses his forehead and steps to the side as he brushes her off with a shrug. Judah steps forward to face his brother, with Newton staying close for protection, and Harper lingering. She remembers what Eli did to her.]“Behold!” [Judah calls out to the congregation.] “What we have before us is a man who we believed in. A man who sought to use good people for his own gain, who cared nothing of who was hurt in his quest to hold gold.”
[Forever clenches his fists in anger at the accusations as Judah takes a deep breath.]“But that man may no longer run from the judgement of those he has betrayed. Despite all of his intelligence and charisma, he forgot the meaning of a very simple word.”
[Eli Forever straightens up.]“Forever.”
[THWACK! HARPER JUST LOW BLOWED EDWARD NEWTON!] [SON OF A BITCH! IT WAS ALL A RUSE!] [Newton falls to his knees, shock in his eyes as Eli grins at his brother. The congregation creates a barrier around the World Champion, as Eli steps forward, hugging his sister.]“Thank you, Rose.” [Forever says as he locks eyes with the Riddler.] “Your thorns run so deep the Riddler never felt them sink in.”
[The incensed Newton lifts his head to meet Eli as the Forever Family filter out of the ring.]“Did you truly believe that the Forever Family would splinter with your mere manipulations?” [Forever taunts.] “All that has transpired did so according to my design. Not yours, Edward. My sister manipulated you into giving me all that I desired. And now I stand here before a broken man, who has been made bereft of all that made him special. All of your intelligence. All of your plotting. It’s been rendered useless.”
[He nods, and Newton is released. The congregation slowly filter out to surround the ring. All that’s left is Newton and Eli as a referee tries to part the sea of followers to get into the ring.]“I’ve taken it all from you, Edward.”
[Eli Forever grins.]“Now I’ll take your title.”
[The ref gets into the ring and calls for the bell.] [THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS ON THE LINE!] [And Edward Newton is all alone!]EDWARD NEWTON © VS. ELI FOREVER
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
“WAR PIGS”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Mr. Atlas, I must once again thank you for organizing this meeting of Elysium Fields,” [the man says proudly, looking to his left at a thin man, with jet black curly hair.] “As usual, you hold us in high esteem.”
[Everyone nods in agreement.]“Over the past six months we have found ourselves weakened by a traitor to our organization; a founding member no less. Individually, we’ve been feeling the effects of his errors in judgement. When we created The Tap Room all those years ago, it was to house battles between good and evil for our own self-preservation, as well as the preservation of humanity. This was to be a balance that served all.”
[He reaches for a small gavel, slamming it down on the table.]“Therefore, I call our meeting of the Gods to begin.”
[They shuffle in their seats.]“Our power relies on faith. Those who believe in us power our very being and it is because of this, we must take action. Despite numerous disastrous events throughout history increasing our power through faith, it was all undone when The Christian God revealed himself at Judgement Day.”
[There are murmurs amongst the God’s.]“Because they know his existence is a certainty, a creed we vowed never to break; their faith in him is stronger and their faith in us has been weakened; and thus, we have been weakened in the process.”
[He shakes his head, folding his arms.]“We must strike back. This hostile takeover must be repelled and to do this, we must break our creed, reveal our existence and beckon those within our walls to fight on our behalf.”
[The other God’s don’t look too assured.]“With their belief, we will grow stronger once again.”
[Before he can say another word, one of the God’s speaks up. He’s a short stumpy little man, with a very flat surfaced head; almost awkward looking in shape with big round ears.]“But Odin,” [he says, revealing the leader, and Mr. Knots boss; The Norse God himself.] “There’s heroes who’ll vow to stop us. We aren’t strong enough to defeat them in our current state.”
[The door behind them suddenly opens, in walking a proud Mr. Knot. He takes his place beside Odin, not saying a word at first.]“Dearest Xochipilli, my commander has sought to it that these heroes shan’t be a problem.”
[Odin nods at Knot, who closes his eyes.] [Then transforms.] [Into Troy Solveig.] [The Viking stands before these God’s, their mouths agape in shock.] [Odin smiles.]“My son has long infiltrated the Tap Room, hidden under the guise of Lincoln Hex, Mr. Knot, Wild Karrde and Troy Solveig, compiling a grouping of heroes and breaking them apart. He has tested them against the Historium; a creation of ours designed for destruction and against Vanguard, a machine capable of unthinkable chaos. This past week alone, they battled the resurrected King of our making and were defeated. He knows their weaknesses, he knows their strengths and he has turned them against one another, by violently assaulting them all month long, in preparation for this meeting.”
[A muscular, long white-haired God with a large white beard is next to interrupt, his eyes steadily focused on those of Solveig.]“Loki, is that you within that form?” [He asks with a wry smile.] “Of course!” [He bellows in rapturous laughter.] “Mr. Knot, knots, tangles, loops, it all makes sense. You’ve truly pulled the wool over their eyes, haven’t you?”
[Troy nods, smiling back.]“I’ve also taken out two of their biblical warriors and potential generals in D’von Chambers and Shadow. With The Vindicators fighting each other and now disbanded, and The Chief’s angel deceased, he will struggle to stop us.”
[He then reaches under the table, pulling out a briefcase and slapping it down in front of them.]“And with this, the Invasion Briefcase, our rise in supremacy is but guaranteed.”
[Of course! If Troy Solveig was Mr. Knot all along, and if it was Mr. Knot who stole Wild Karrde’s form and case, then Troy Solveig has had it all this time.] [Odin stands, putting his arm around Solveig.]“If we wish to survive, we must go to war.”
[The other God’s look at each other.]“And we must win.”
[Cut.]“HEAVEN”
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Welcome back to Heaven, Shadow,” [The Chief says, clicking his fingers. Suddenly, a paradise appears, full of blue skies and white snow.] “Welcome back home.”
“What happened?” [He asks in confusion.]
“You were murdered by Troy Solveig, but I must take responsibility for it. These headaches you’ve been receiving are my fault and they’ve made your mission a difficult one to understand.”
[Shadow winces.]“I’ve been trying to communicate with you but my voice is too powerful for your human half. It’s what caused the headaches.”
[The Fallen Angel doesn’t understand.]“Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to leave heaven; the increase in souls since my appearance at Judgement Day has left heaven in disarray. I thought I could communicate with your angelic half, but it appears I was mistaken. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you, son.”
[Shadow doesn’t say anything, he simply lowers his head.]“I tried to will you to stop Troy Solveig before he could finish what he’d started; you see, Troy is working with the Elysium Fields organization of God’s to try and take over The Tap Room. They’re angry that I revealed myself at Judgement Day and that because of it, their power is weakening. They’ve murdered soldiers of God like D’von Chambers and yourself, whilst creating context for a war between heroes like The Vindicators – learning a lesson based on the success of The Watchmen.”
“Where do I come into this, father?”
[The Chief reaches out, placing a hand on his shoulder.]“I need your help to stop them,” [he admits.] “I’m sorry that you were forced to fall from heaven. I didn’t make that decision and I shouldn’t have been absent when it was made. I didn’t know it had happened until it was too late. But right now, I need your help, son.”
[He pauses.]“Because a war is on the horizon and the future of heaven, earth and humanity, depends on it.”
[Shadow gulps.] “But I’m dead.”“No, you’re not. Fight for me, fight for heaven, fight for the people you chose to watch over. I won’t leave you to battle this war alone.”
[The Chief pushes two fingers against Shadow’s head and he vanishes.]“Protect them.”
[As does the paradise.]“Guard them.”
[The next we see is Shadow, standing outside The Tap Room, his eyes once more glowing white. Stood next to him, a grin on his face, a man that he once went to war with himself.] [D’von Chambers.] [The Chief’s voice echoes throughout their heads.]“Save them.”
[Cut.]